Shari Hardway Johnson – Page 68

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

You can’t get there from where you are

Written by talk2shari Published January 6, 2014January 6, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Joshua 3:4 ~ Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

The children of Israel were departing the wilderness. A whole new generation of God’s chosen, their parents and grandparents had murmered against the leadership, questioned God’s design and ended up dying along the way. Now this generation was about to embark on a journey for which they had “not passed this way before.” There’s something both exciting and un-nerving about going to where we’ve never been. It’s like being the Captain of the Starship Enterprise (only without the strange aliens, although strange church members may make up for that). Israel had great leadership in Moses, and were left in the more than capable hands of Joshua. God’s presence was going before them about a ½ mile, possibly that far ahead as to be seen by all who followed and they were about to get what had only been a dream before. But, it was going to take someone stepping outside their comfort zone, and someone willing to follow. That’s what I believe it takes to have a thriving church.

It seems obvious that to get to where you’ve never been, you’d have to travel where you’ve never gone. And yet church folks don’t like to move out of their section of pews, so to ask them to move outside of the church into the community is really pushing buttons that will cause the breaks to squeal. But if we never move outside the church, how will they see Jesus? Jesus’ comfort zone wasn’t inside the building it was going the less traveled way.

He met the woman at the well in a location that Jews did not travel, in the heat of the day when it was not comfortable, and He didn’t take His ministry team along. When they finally arrived at the well, they marveled that Jesus spoke to the Samarian woman, but they dare not ask it aloud. When they asked Jesus if He wanted something to eat He replied in John 4:34 ~ “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

The disciples still didn’t get it. So Jesus put it in garden terms “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”

So I have to ask myself this question. Am I on Jesus’ ministry team? Would I have been at the well, or would I have been at the grocery store? Would I have been gathering fruit for the Kingdom, or grub for the King? My stomach just rolled over. I fear I’ve spent much of my ministry in the checkout aisle, while God was waiting for me in the community. God went out before the children of Israel into the Promised Land from the wilderness. Now He was taking them back into the wilderness, so to speak. Not asking them to be a part of it, but to go there to bring new children into the Promised Land.

What are we waiting for? We can’t get “there” from “where you are”. Go!

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration, salvation

Winter Jam Tour 2014, pain killers and the Road to Jesus… let’s talk.

Written by talk2shari Published January 5, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Last night I traveled to Charleston, West Virginia to see “Winter Jam.” A Christian rock concert; and before those of you who don’t believe children should listen to Christian rock turn me off, tune in for just a minute. For years I’ve advised youth to be wary of Christian rock music in their worship for a couple of reasons. Number one, because I was taught to… and number two because I would ask the kids what a certain lyric said, and they couldn’t tell me. Therefore how can you say you’re spreading the gospel, when the words are not understood?

So why did I go to Winterjam? Because I love my youth group and because I didn’t believe I could effectively teach against something I had not experienced. And before anyone screams “You don’t have to lie down with the pigs to know they stink,” – yes that’s true, but my kids weren’t in a sinful place, they were in a place that “they had said they experienced God.” I needed to see for myself. So I laid down my southern gospel, bluegrass frame of mind, and went. (With a bottle of Aleve, ear plugs, and a pass for a pre-concert interview with the artists.) If I was going to do it, I wanted to do it right.

So… did I convert to a rocker? What do you think? Of course not. But… I did experience God in that place, because I looked for Him. He wasn’t always obvious to me, and in truth that bothered me. When a heavy metal group was on the stage… oh my stars. I didn’t see God, I seen the flesh at its finest. If you want me to be real, I have to say that because that’s how I felt. If something makes babies cry (and it did) makes your head ache, the lyrics are verbal confusion and the noise causes you to want to flee from the room… God’s not in that, just saying.

1 Corinthians 14:33

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

I would be hard pressed to believe that God was in it. Am I saying the artist was unsaved? No. God is their judge, not me. I’m just saying it appeared to me to be a performance, not a ministry.

So what about the times that I did see God. One, that really surprised me was a rapper named Lacrae. Again… I didn’t care for his music style, but his testimony was spot on, his love for the Lord obvious, his influence on the kids was very positive. He preached as he sang and when he stopped rapping and began singing my initial thought was, “You’re not doing God justice with your talent.” He sang great! But the kids liked the rap. And although I couldn’t always understand it, he would slow back down and talk Jesus, and I had to believe that the gospel was going out. There were other bands that I felt the same way about, God’s moving was evident in their ministry and I’m not arguing that with anyone. Who am I to say that I have the only “right” way of ministering to souls?

So what did I learn on my field trip? I was drawn to the story of Samson this morning.

The story of Samson brings more to my mind the story of rebellion and Delilah, but long before Delilah came into the picture, Samson was chosen by God as a servant to Israel and as a young man Judges 13:25 says “And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.” The evidence of God’s hand on him was there from a youth. The problem came when he began dabbling in the world. There has got to be a line in the sand that we won’t cross.

My personal belief is some of those musicians crossed the line last night. But not all. During the preaching hundreds of kids stood making a profession that they wanted a deeper relationship with the Lord, it is my prayer that they found the road there last night.

I’m short on time this morning, I overslept because of the late night. I may or may not tackle this subject again. If the response is great, I’ll chit chat more. If it’s not…I’ll let sleepin’ dogs lie

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

Keepin’ it Holy in 2014

Written by talk2shari Published January 3, 2014January 3, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Finishing up my study in Jude today I reread the chapter. A short 25 verse book. 632 words. An average reader could read it in just a few minutes… but if you really want to squeeze the juice out of it, it’ll take you a while. Our modern day letters are usually penned with the purpose of encouraging one, the recipient. But Jude’s letter, through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost has touched countless lives through the ages for eternity. We often read scripture like we write letters, out of duty; and in so doing we miss the blessing.

I had read Jude, but this morning as I re-read it I stopped in verse 5 when Jude said to the reader “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart as clear as day, “I know you’ve heard it before, but stop and savor what I’m telling you. They didn’t listen, be the generation that does.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought of the countless times God has drug me out of Egypt. Falling right back into a habit, path, decision, etc. that leads me away from His divine will. So… I concluded the book of Jude verses 17-25 where Jude again tells us, “I know you’ve heard it before…”

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

How can we possibly keep ourselves Holy in such an unholy world?

Building up yourselves

To build is to form or construct something. The foundation has been laid by the Holy Ghost, it is now our responsibility to build on what He’s given us. Has He given you talents, financial means, a concern or a burden for a project or a people? Now is the time to build on that faith that whatever it is God has called you to do, He’ll equip you with the means. (Philippians 1:6) ~ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Praying in the Holy Ghost

If you’ve been saved anytime at all you should have long since traded the “Now I lay me down to sleep” prayer for a deeper conversation with God. A conversation with God shouldn’t be just once a day, it should be all day. There should be moments where it is one on One, undisturbed by the world, and the rest of the time should be the acknowledging that He sees what you see, He goes where you go, He hears what you hear. Everything you experience, He does too… talk to Him about it.

Looking for the Mercy

When I first read that verse in Jude I read it “Looking for mercy.” Then I realized I’d misread it, God said looking for “the Mercy.” Maybe it’s not mine, maybe I should be looking for someone else’s mercy, or even an opportunity God would call mercy.

Making a Difference

Preceded by “And of some have compassion.” The world needs to see a compassionate Christ in us; not the judgmental organization that we’re often viewed as because of our lack of service and reaching out to those in need. We need to make a difference and that difference is an eternal one.

Jude closed the chapter with another reminder that we are Holy in Him and not in ourselves. Allow Him dominion over your life and the power will come through Him to accomplish great things in 2014.

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

When darkness lead to Light

Written by talk2shari Published January 2, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Jude 14-15 ~ And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him

As if to say, “What part of ungodly didn’t you understand?”

I feel (and remember that’s how I feel it, not necessarily how it is) that Jude has had it up to here with this ungodliness. He’s reminding the readers of his letter that the Old Testament concealed what the New Testament now revealed, which is that Jesus is coming back. The mockers will have their day in the court of the Lord when they will not stand and criticize and condemn Christianity but will look upon the Maker of Creation and bow before Him confessing He alone is Lord, convinced. Romans 14:11

Arrogance abounds in the world. It’s why it makes it so hard to share the gospel because the gospel is humbling and they want no part of humility. But get us alone and the arrogance seems to melt away. We realize that we are powerless against the forces of darkness and death. I’ve seen no better illustration than on New Year’s Eve when a preacher separated the youth and adults at our event in the auditorium. With about 54 in attendance in an auditorium that seated 500, he strategically placed everyone with several seats between them, and then began his message. All cell phones were off, no friends to rely on or distract us, everyone’s eyes were forward and their ears attentive to the message. And then he goes there… that place no one wants to go… Hell. And just as he begins discussing the outer darkness that Hell will be, the lights in the auditorium go off and the only lights you could see were the “exit” signs above the doors. And after a minute or two of a mixture of the Word of God and awkward silence, the lights were turned back on. Arrogance abated. Now, he really had our attention.

Eleven young souls came to know Jesus that night.

You may think it was a scary time and anyone would get saved under those circumstances. It really wasn’t scary. The entire time of darkness the preacher spoke on the fact that we are in a very controlled environment, the kids got that. There were periods of great laughter and jubilation at the teen event on New Year’s, the youth would no doubt tell you they had a great time But what they also came to understand was that when we get alone with Jesus it’s accountability time… and we got nothin’. And regarding “anyone would get saved under those circumstances; they didn’t. There were a few kids, who when ask if they were unsaved, raised their hands but made no attempt to rectify the matter. Why? Only they know and it’s what frustrates Christian leaders like Jude.

Hell is a real place and darkness alone is not its scariest feature, but the flames of Hell and the separation from God and everyone we know.

My blog today was not a feel good message but a reminder that we’re a lot closer to His return than those of Jude’s day. We need to be spreading that message that Jesus provides

Light in the darkness
A friend that will never leave nor forsake you (even in a dark auditorium)
A promise that will not fail, He’s returning.

I want to make 2014 my year of leadership. Leading unsaved souls to Christ and saints to greater service. Please pray for me and this ministry.

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

Is your Love Feast spotted?

Written by talk2shari Published December 31, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

Jude 1:12

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

The feasts of Love (Agape) were held when food was in short supply in the community and richer members would bring food and drink to the church. Following a service and communion everyone would gather together for a potluck dinner of sorts in the name and character of Jesus, by showing love to one another through their provisions. It sounds very much like what occurs in our churches today, although today they are more for fellowship than providing food, the theory behind it is the same… we want people to know we care. Jude wasn’t so much concerned about the dinner as he was with the shenanigans going on with the creeps in the church who used this blessed event to further false teaching.

A meal that was meant to refresh poor saints had been turned into a social event where, rather than feeding the poor, Judaizing Christians were observing them in imitation of the Passover, excluding the poor and inviting unseemly guests into the church to take communion thus corrupting the works of God. It was no longer about seeing souls saved but once again was running the risk of turning into dead religion.

At a recent church training for disciple making, Dr. Sebby Volpe asked the simple question, “When is the last time you’ve invited a member of the church to dinner (outside your normal click)?” It’s an occurrence of days gone by that church fellowship extends past the noon hour on Sunday. We get into the grooves of life and it takes a bill of congress to get us out. Church dinners are an excellent opportunity to fellowship as a whole, but they run the risk of just being an opportunity to nourish the body and not the soul, which was the original church’s intent. We provide a turkey or two to poor families in the community at Christmas and think we’ve done our good deed for the year, after all the season of giving is over.

Good grief! That is so true.

We leave the feeding of the poor to local agencies (that are mostly non church related) while the church sits idle and the name of Jesus unglorified. January, February and March are hard months. Many families have overspent (which is wrong, but reality), and other didn’t have the option of spending at all and food is now in short supply. Most of us cannot identify and we assume the Department of Human Services (Welfare) takes care of the underprivileged which is far from the truth; there is nothing well or fair about it. Many don’t qualify or are too proud to ask. Before the days of the Welfare Department it was the church who took care of the widows and the children who lacked the necessities of life, for which they earned the right to be called Christian (meaning Christ like).

A missionary friend to Tanzania illustrated this to me in a great way yesterday. He had been visiting a person at the hospital and it was time to go. He told them he’d be back, but as a college student he had other obligations. On his way back to school he found 2000 Tanzania shiling, the equivalency of one U.S. dollar. He could have used that dollar for himself, but instead he buys 20 bananas and takes them back to the hospital to share with the patients… That’s Jesus’ love feast at its finest.

Another day of being parked in the book of Jude that God uses His word to illustrate modern life.

Christmas is over, the need is not. What can we do today to lend a hand and let someone see Jesus?

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Three Issues with the Church

Written by talk2shari Published December 29, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

Consider yourself warned

“God never promised to save by miracles those that would not save themselves by means.”

This statement from the commentary of Matthew Henry set off an alarm inside my mind this morning. My third day of studying the book of Jude and I didn’t make it two verses without a “Wow!”

Verses 10-11

But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Yesterday’s blog was on strife in the church due to debating the sin of homosexuality. The sin was as much in the debate as the act, for it took the message away from the life and death of Jesus Christ and put it onto the depravity of man, which is why Jesus came – to save them. A debate is only healthy so long as it points back to the cross and not on to the opinions of man which is where we go astray. There are always two sides to a debate, and if a public forum is taken you never know how many people you’ve allowed to be swayed by the other argument. That thought just ran a shiver down my spine, because there is always much debate.

But in verses 10-11 Jude reminds them of three Old Testament acts of treason in the church:

Cain’s jealousy.
Balaam’s greed
Korah’s (Core’s) false teaching.

There are always those who think their way is better than God’s way, but when the matter is searched out there is always an underlying reason, a reward that they believe will be greater than the grace of God. For Cain, his Brother Abel’s obedience with an acceptable sacrifice made him look bad, so “Let’s just get rid of the brother, then I’ll be the favorite…problem solved.” No, the problems had only begun. Now Cain was exiled from family and friends. Judgment came, it always does. There’s always an easier sacrifice in the church, but never a better one than the one God requested.

Balaam’s greed caused him to go against God’s original Word. God’s first answer is His final answer. We need not take the same question back to the Lord when it was answered the first time in hopes of a different answer; nor do we need to “check it out” a little further. What that does is put you closer to rebellion and further away from God. Something King David noted of his own life in Psalm 73:1-3 ~ Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Korah’s rebellion against God in trying to attract Israel away from the leadership of Moses left him being swallowed up in death by the ground. God takes serious those who He has put into positions of authority. He has given them the anointed ability to lead His people and a rebellion against that will be costly.

Those are three very real issues in the church today in the spoiled nation of America. We want God’s blessing but without sacrifice. We want God’s advice, so long as it’s beneficial and we want church leaders, so long as they don’t actually have expectations that we should live right. Whew! That’ll preach! and Preachers, if you’re inclined to use it in your sermon this morning feel free to blame me. But I figure if you’re gutsy enough to preach it, you’ve got shoulders broad enough to bear the load of your congregations.

It appears that Jude was quite the meddler in church affairs, but he learned from the best – his Brother and Lord! God’s given us the Word, it’s up to us to follow it through.

Posted in Life Inspiration, salvation

It’s not about Homosexuality, Really.

Written by talk2shari Published December 28, 2013December 28, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

Much debate has been made concerning Phil Robertson and his statements regarding the sin of homosexuality. It’s brought up some great conversations, and some that were not so great. It’s given a platform for both sides of the debate, which for the record – God’s not in the debate; His Word is law. So as I continued on in my study of the Book of Jude it was obvious to my heart that God had parked me in this spot for a reason in this season.

A few days ago the Phil Robertson conversation occurred in my presence. And being the “Jesus Chick” there was an expectation by some that I should have all the answers. Well let’s just shoot that theory out of the water right now, I don’t have all the answers… but I know where they are. I cannot stand flat footed and quote you one hundred passages of scripture, but I can read you a scripture and then through the Holy Spirit expound on it what I believe it to mean. That’s a gift afforded to anyone who diligently reads and studies the Bible. God said he would make that available to us in James 1:5 ~ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

And so when asked the question “Does it really say in the Bible homosexuality is wrong?” I could confidently say yes. Now where? Well, a few second word search on my Bible app lead me to the correct passages in Leviticus 18:22 – Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. And Romans 1:27 – And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Phil Robertson didn’t make it up… it’s in there.

But this blog is not about homosexuality, this blog is about creeps in the church. Who, rather than have you understand the truth of the glorious gospel, that Jesus will save anyone, would rather keep strife and contention stirred up between believers and nonbelievers so that the message of Christ gets lost in the battle.

If God says it’s sin, then it is. That’s not up for debate. But the sin of homosexuality is no greater than the sin of lying, adultery, gossip…..woah baby, now I’m hitting too close the church house. Sin separates us from God. So who can be saved? Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And in so doing they believe the Word of God, which we’re told in 1^st John 1:1 ~ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

So, in saying that homosexuality is not wrong, you are saying that the Word lies, which is God. Now the question you must ask yourself is can you believe that God lies and be saved? No. Titus 1:2 clearly says In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Be not deceived, saved people sin; every one of us. That’s not up for debate either. 1^st John 1:8 ~ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. The difference is in what you believe. I believe that the Holy Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and that everything from cover to cover including punctuation is true and with purpose, I am not saved because I’m perfect, I’m saved because God is perfect and He died so that I could have forgiveness of my sins. To be saved, you must believe that God makes no mistake, and when we sin we must turn away from it, not embrace it.

So back to the creeps in the church. Read Jude verse 4-9 and what you’ll discover is from the beginning of the church there were the great debaters. And one of the very things they were debating was homosexuality. Sodom and Gomorrha. This is not a new battle. But it is one that gets our eyes off Jesus.

Jude 4-9

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Read the Word, Study the Word, Believe the Word. Leave the debating to someone else.

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Life Inspiration

I want to be a Contender!

Written by talk2shari Published December 27, 2013 Discussion 2 Comments

As I get ready to embark on 2014 it is going to be a New Year in a great many ways I hope. I always love the New Year, a clean sheet of paper in a new notebook mentality where anything is possible! At years end I always desire to be, though I seldom feel that I am, closer to the Lord and more determined to live out His will for my life. I desire to not only read His Word, but to Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). God has so generously given me this platform, I really don’t desire to fall off of it, I’ll graciously step down should that be His will. A platform is not meant to be viewed as a pedestal, but more so an individual given the opportunity to elevate Christ. I should never be “lifted up” but rather I should be lifting up Christ. Some have that wrong. Jude had it right.

Jude 1-3~ Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jude, not only a servant of Christ, although he held that in the highest esteem, and a brother to James (showing piety to family), but he too was a brother to Christ. He grew up in the same house with the same Momma and no doubt grew up witnessing his Brother’s miracles first hand. I have to wonder if at times there wouldn’t have been contention between them seeing that Mary worshipped Jesus, knowing Who He was. What must His brothers have thought? Or maybe they too knew in their hearts very young that Jesus was not just an ordinary child, we’re not given that insight, only speculation which can be wrong, and so I digress. But here in this place we find Jude all grown up. There is no animosity toward his Brother, only reverence.

He is Called

Just as those of us who are saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus have been; each of us are called to a purpose. Contrary to popular belief you were not called to take up space in a pew. Sunday morning from 11 a.m. to 12 noon is not service, it’s worship; or it should be. And you should be desirous of that time for all Christ does for you the rest of the week. The service to which you are called is the rest of the week, on the job or in the home, on vacation or on the internet you are called to be a servant of Jesus Christ as was Jude. What you’re doing should in some way be pointing back to Him and lived out in humility. Jude was proud of his family, he loved his career, but He served Christ.

He is Concerned

He desired mercy, peace and love for his brothers and sisters in Christ for which he considered them an equal (common salvation). Every one of us get saved in the same manner. We may have traveled a different path to get there but the final journey to salvation is the same. We admit we’re a sinner and deserve Hell, we believe He was born of a virgin and died upon the cross to pay for our sins, and we confess He is Lord and the only worthy sacrifice. It is at that point, with Him living in us, that our servant’s heart should be concerned for our brothers and sisters wellbeing, praying mercy, peace and love be multiplied. Are you praying for your fellow servants?

He is a Contender

I didn’t watch the movie “On the Waterfront” but most of us know Marlon Brando’s quote “I could have been a contender…” and we even know the manner of which he said it. Jude was a contender and so he advises us to be as well. It’s going to be a fight, we know this from past experience. Any time we step out and make a decision I’m going to do more for the Lord, Satan counterattacks, it’s a given. I don’t want to say “I could have been a contender in 2014.” I want to be a contender for the faith, I want to do more! Will you join me?

Please begin by praying for this ministry, that the Lord open doors and I go through only those He opens. Thank you! in advance.

Posted in Christmas, Life Inspiration, salvation

The odds you’ll go to Heaven…

Written by talk2shari Published December 26, 2013November 27, 2019 Discussion Leave a Comment

The day after Christmas… people are back to work, kids are sleeping in with the luster of new toys dulling by the minute, diet consideration has begun, Christmas travelers will be heading back home and the New Year approaches at lightning speed. Heavy on my heart this morning, and actually through the Christmas season was the thought “what about the day after Jesus came?”

The saved and unsaved alike have no problem celebrating the birth of Jesus. There are those who complain and gripe that Christians have the audacity to celebrate their own holyday, but I doubt they mind the occasional bargain that comes with the season. But this morning the glitter has now fallen to the floor, the tree is slightly disheveled, mistletoe’s been exchanged for a “good morning dear” and the chatter of Jesus is left to religious fanatics (like me). Life goes back to normal.

Except for those of us who are abnormal.

I can’t get the day after thought off my mind. What if Jesus had returned on Christmas day, and this was the day after. What if while we slept Jesus came back unaware and the unsaved got up this morning to an empty house because they’re spouse and children were called home to be with Jesus. “What an awful thought!” you say? Awful as it is, it is reality. The Phil Robertson naysayers could debate his statements all they wanted with little argument and the Anti-Christ Lawyers Union (the ACLU) could rule the world, since lawyer is an important profession and you can get the best resources for accidents or wrongful death at https://www.georgiainjurylawyer.com/wrongful-death/. Political factions and scientists could and likely will concoct all sorts of reasoning for the disappearance of Christ’s people, and those left behind may believe it, but they’ll find no comfort in their words. But there’s good news!

Jesus hasn’t returned yet!

What’s the odds that He won’t? After all, the Bible says He will.

Let me tell you about the odds of Bible Prophecy not coming true:

Professor Emeritus of Science at Westmont College, Peter Stoner and 600 university students set out to calculate the probability of one man (the Man we know as Jesus) fulfilling the major prophecies concerning the Messiah. After narrowing it down to a humanistic viewpoint of only eight of the Bible prophecies concerning the Messiah they determined that the odds Christ would have fulfilled only eight of those prophetic Biblical statements was 10 to the 17^th power. To illustrate how large the number 10^17 is (a figure with 17 zeros), Stoner gave this illustration:

Suppose that we take 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They’ll cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would’ve had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man, from their day to the present time, providing they wrote them in their own wisdom. (http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/radio034.htm)

So according to this mathematical and scientific equation, if Jesus had returned on Christmas day, what are the odds you’d be with Him and your Christian family members? Only you have that answer. But the truth of the matter is we don’t need a mathematics professor to figure out that you have 0% chance if you have not accepted Christ as your Savior.

The Bible says in 1^st Thessalonians 4:15-18 ~For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

I love that the scripture says “comfort one another with these words.” There is great comfort, not fear, in knowing the love of Jesus; fear comes when you are without Him. So… the question is do you know Him?

https://thejesuschick.com/the-road-to-salvation/

Posted in Christmas, Life Inspiration

Face to Face with God

Written by talk2shari Published December 25, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

Mark Lowry wrote the words to a song titled “Mary Did You Know” in 1984 when his pastor asked him to write the program for the living Christmas tree choir presentation. I’ve heard the song again and again, and each time I have to wonder what it was like to be in Mary’s situation. A young woman, a child by our definition today, pregnant out of wedlock in the eyes of the world, carrying the Messiah in the eyes of God. My mind wonders to what the conversations would have been between her and Joseph those months of waiting for the birth of Jesus. As the child grew inside of Mary, they were afforded the time to get to know one another without intimacy. No doubt they both turned to God on multiple occasions and asked questions that may or may not have been answered. Why? How? When? It was a faith like we have never known, or have we?

After all, do we not carry God Himself with us? I know I have asked questions like:

“Why do You choose to use me, Lord?”

“How will I know if what I’m doing is what You’d have me do, Lord?”

“When Lord will I know Your purpose?”

I’ve asked and answers have come, but not as I wished they would have. I wanted clearly defined resolution, but more often than not I got the absence of wonder. I didn’t get an answer, just the absence of anxiety or stress ~ Peace.

I don’t think Mary could have possibly known what the future of that Baby Boy would be, but she knew that she was a part of it and for her that was enough. She thought on it, deeply, Luke 2:19 says ~ “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” And so this morning I find myself pondering God’s purpose in my life as 2013 winds to a close and I’m asking God to open doors in 2014. His doors, not mine. I’m so very grateful for His knowledge that comes from within at the right time. If I don’t know something now, it means I’m not meant to know now.

2 Corinthians 4:6 ~ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

I believe when Mary stared into the face of baby Jesus, she knew all she needed to know. And although I desire to know more, I have to continue on believing that God will reveal His desires to me in His time, and if I continue to search for the answer to life’s questions in the face of God, in due time I’ll find them.

Psalm 105:4

Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.