Posted in Bible Journaling, Leadership, Life Inspiration

How to Cork a Poltical Pie-Hole

Written by talk2shari Published September 9, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

Election Day is drawing nearer and nearer and my nausea is growing greater and greater. Every political ad, news report or running commentary on social media leaves me feeling frustrated and betrayed. I’ve done the only thing that I can do at this point; that’s give it to God, knowing that He is in control regardless of the lies of the media, candidates or anyone else who’s touting that anyone of these candidates will single handedly destroy America. If I put my hope for America in the hands of our government, oh my stars, what a sad day that would be. And it’s not that I don’t have a firm opinion on the candidates that I’ll gladly share, but today’s blog is not about the election, it’s about the state of America starting at the house.

As I read Deuteronomy 2:25 my heart ached for God.

This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.

I believe that God would do no less for America… if they’d turn back to God. How many times did Israel turn their back on God, worshiped false idols, fought among themselves and murmured against leadership? Sounds very much like the modern day church. Liberal mindsets and people pleasing Pastors have stripped the church of the power of God. We want God’s blessing, but not God’s paths.

Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 6:16

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Why on earth is anyone in this country defending anti-God or anti-American rhetoric? Because our Nation’s on a new path, and it ain’t good. It leads to destruction, there is no other way because that’s what the Bible says and it’s factual with every prophetic Word having come true and the return of Christ imminent. If God didn’t tolerate that behavior from the chosen nation of Israel, He’s sure not going to tolerate it out of us.

But it’s not too late, and I’ll never stop believing in the Christians of our Nation who continue to stand in the gap for those in need, and stand for the Word of God. Who have not cowered to the political pressures but will vote (as best we can) for those who line up with God’s plan. Now… that being said, I didn’t say they’d be God’s choice if He had His druthers, but He can change the heart of any man.

As for putting the fear of God in those who attack our nation and would willingly allow false religions to attempt to destroy Christianity, God can bring that fear to fruition. But it starts at the house. It starts when we ourselves honor God and the foundation for which this nation began. One at a time, adding to the number of God’s people until He sees we’re serious. And then I believe that His power and might could put a cork in a few pie-holes, hands over more than a few hearts and knees on the ground.

Even so… come Lord Jesus.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church attendance, Evangelism, Life Inspiration

Because We Ought To

Written by talk2shari Published September 6, 2016September 6, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

The closer to Jesus’ return the harder it’s become to speak boldly for the cause Christ. When I signed on with God to be “The Jesus Chick,” my issue with speaking was not so much with the world as it was with me. My confidence level was nil and my skill was mediocre at best; so why would anyone want to hear from me. That was my attitude. I soon learned that if I relied on God to deliver the message He would deliver me from the spirit of fear that Satan is so good at casting on us. Several years into speaking and, although I still struggle with confidence, it’s easier and more exciting than ever! But the world is not accommodating. Tolerance for Christianity is at an all-time low in America and it saddens my heart, but I’m still the Jesus Chick. God didn’t un-call me. And if you are a child of Christ, you too have been called to be an ambassador for the Lord, and that’s exciting!

So what are you going to do with that tidbit of information this fine day?

Paul said to the church of Ephesus in Ephesians 6:19-20 “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

I take that as my own personal charge from the Lord when those words convict my soul that I should be telling the world about Jesus, because He could call us home today!

The Unction of Utterance

Paul said that the utterance would be given, which means it wasn’t of me. Unction is an oil that can be applied such as the anointing of God through the Holy Spirit. That’s what it is when we’re given utterance. The times that I step out of the way and just allow God to speak through me have always been the most blessed of times. And at the end of those events someone would say to me, “how did you know?” or “that’s just what I needed.” And I didn’t know but the Holy Spirit who provided the words to my soul knew right well! So don’t stress God’s call on you to tell someone of Jesus, just pray and open your mouth and God will be faithful.

Bold in our Bonds

While Paul was in literal Prison as he wrote the Church of Ephesus, we sometimes feel as if we’re in a figurative prison, one step away from the real McCoy, the way our country treats us at this point in time. Bold ain’t easy baby. But it’s necessary to get over the noise of the world when witnessing for Christ. People want to fill that God sized hole in their hearts with something, and the world is more than happy to dish it out with material and self-gratifying gain. But that won’t fill it. Because God is huge! And more powerful than anyone or anything in America that thinks they came over shadow Him, including the demonic political realm that has tried to eek Him out of America. So long as there are Christians in America, God is in America!

Ought to Obedience

God’s not going to make you share the gospel, but you ought to. God’s not going to make you go to church, but you ought to. God’s not going to make you read His word, but you ought to. When you accepted His salvation, you ask His Holy Spirit to reside in your heart, and the Holy Spirit want to show you the power of God through His spoken and written word. And not just from the preacher, although we definitely need that too!

Serving God is the most fun you’ll have this side of Glory! It’s not always easy, but it’s never failed to give me a blessing! I’d love to encourage you where you are, if you’re in need of a speaker for a ladies event, give me a shout on Facebook, email or on the contact form of my site.

Contact information

(304)377-6036
Talk2shari@gmail.com

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church Unity, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Join the Journey

Written by talk2shari Published September 5, 2016September 5, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

If you know me at all, you likely know that I have a burden for church unity. I think it partly comes from being a middle child, or a center child as I like to refer to it; that way it’s all about me. Center children are more often than not, mediators. My sister Shelia is an honest to goodness mediator for the courts, I’m sure she’s very good at it, because she like me is a center child; there are five siblings in our family. I’m sure that doesn’t always hold true but for me it does. Now to what brought me to this place this morning… This place is Heaven, and the biblical fact that we are already there, although the view isn’t quite what it’s going to be. So what does that have to do with church unity? There is no mention of a Baptist Street in Heaven, or a Methodist Avenue, or a Pentecostal Lane. And it doesn’t say anywhere in scripture that God stepped into another room so He could speak to a “certain group.” Nope. When God speaks He speaks in the presence of all. I believe there are two types of conversations with God. Personal and Congregational, and both are relational.

A Personal God

Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

“Our Conversation is in Heaven…” that’ll make you squirm if you think about a few road rage episodes or closet conversations between the Mister and Mrs. when you were in the heat of an argument. What part of the Holy Spirit living within us do we tend to forget, and the fact that the Holy Spirit is a part of a triune God and the other two are in Heaven? This puts our conversation in Heaven.

We serve a very personal God Who is all up in our business regardless of where we are. And although there are times we wish God hadn’t heard what He did, how awesome is it that when we need Him to hear, we know He does.

A Congregational God

Hebrews 12:23

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

A general assembly, a convention of sorts, under no denominational name other than Christian. That’s who we are in Heaven. We forget that down here. And while I understand the doctrinal differences and many man made differences that will not allow us to be together as a unified body, I still don’t understand the lack of unity. I’m not going to go to the Methodist church and try to persuade them they should be Baptist. Nor will they enter our church for the purpose of persuading us to be Methodist. But what about outside the walls of our congregations where the world gets a view of the inside, what do they see? And what does our conversation in Heaven look like to God? We’re not arguing about Christ. We all agree that He is way, the truth and the life and that no man enters Heaven without Him. So what are we arguing over? That idea should make a few church folks squirm too!

A Relational God

Ephesians 2:6

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Being a member of the body of Christ is not only about our relationship with the Lord Jesus, which should be first and foremost, but it’s also about our relationship with each other who He has raised together.

When my girls were little it would break my heart when they argued. I wanted to them to love one another and to know that they had each other’s back when it was needed. I’m pretty sure God feels the same way about us. Praise God my girls grew up and they do love each other, and if you mess with one you’re in a heap of trouble with the other. That’s how the church should feel.

On Saturday morning, myself and five other ladies met in town to start a journey toward Heaven together and yet separate. We’re from difference churches, but we want to impact our community for Christ together. I’m so in love with this concept… I think Jesus approves. Our next meeting is at the First Baptist Church in Grantsville on September 26^th at 6:30 p.m. If you’re in our area, please join the journey!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church Unity, Evangelism, Life Inspiration

Hometown Boots on the Ground

Written by talk2shari Published September 2, 2016September 2, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

Ephesians 6:15

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace

On Wednesday I traveled back from my Minnesota journey for fifteen hours in the car. Other than the necessitated pit stops I drove with purpose and without music or preaching which is usually what I occupy my mind with when traveling. But I wanted to hear from God, which was still difficult when my mind has trouble shutting up, it’s such a chatty Cathy! But what I discovered on my journey to my friend Dewey’s Hometown was that Windom, Minnesota and Grantsville, West Virginia have the same common thread running through their tapestry. It’s a raveling. It’s a thread that’s gotten disconnected from its garment. It’s still attached but it yet it’ loose. It’s not holding anything together, it’s just there. I think that’s a very good analogy of the church.

So as I’m driving… and driving… and driving. God keeps putting that hometown thought into my mind.

We’ve become disconnected from our communities. It’s very easy to say that the community is not our concern. It’s our job to be a light for Jesus! Yes, yes it is. And yet when Jesus was His own light in the towns that He was going to, He wasn’t just in the church house.

He was at the well

… at a wedding
… at the fishing hole
… meeting Nicodemus outside of business hours
… in people’s homes
… in the grain field
… in the cemetery

Every place He went was viewed as an opportunity to serve; and I think that’s where the disconnect comes into place in the church. We’ve bought the lie of Satan that church has no place in the secular world, and yet that’s the very place we’re told to take the gospel of Christ. We forget that the church is not a building, it’s a person. A person with a story and a purpose exclusively belonging to Christ, no matter where you are.

I’m fully aware that we cannot preach the gospel in a classroom. However, we can train our children to walk in the light of Christ and share Him with their friends. Most jobs forbid evangelism in the work place, but they usually don’t mind one iota if you live like Christ on the job. They call it ethics, we call it faith. Nursing homes, prisons and hospitals love our kind and usually welcome us with open arms, and yet we seldom go.

That’s the talk God had with me on my way home. “Shari, you’re going back to your hometown, what are you going to do there to make a difference? How are you going to motivate people and reconnect with your community?” And in my earthly wisdom I said to Him, “But God, they’ll not want to hear what I have to say.”

Oh, He fully understood.

Luke 4:24

And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

“Now what your excuse?” I ask myself. I didn’t have one. But I do have a hometown,, and so do you. And we are without excuse in evangelizing it, starting at the house and working way out.

So I’m working on a way to reconnect the raveling that’s been hanging from my church skirt. I want to prepare the way for Christ’s return like John the Baptist did for his arrival in town the first time. My first step is look for resources… and then I want to get this party started.

Posted in Christian Service, Church Unity, Leadership, Life Inspiration

A Tale of the Heart of Two Cities

Written by talk2shari Published August 30, 2016November 12, 2021 Discussion Leave a Comment

Pastor, Dewey Moede, Pastor Richard Gordon, Shari Johnson-The Jesus Chick

Yeah, I know that title’s been used before, but this isn’t a movie, it’s a tale of how Grantsville met Windom. A town you may or may not have heard of. But for those who follow my blog I thought I’d share a little about my journey there last week. I’ve yet to make it home, I’m currently still in Iowa, and truthfully, I’m pretty sure I left a little piece of my heart there anyway. I’ve doncke that everywhere I’ve ever been invited to speak or sing; so you may wonder how I have any heart left? Apostle Paul explained it like this in 2 Corinthians 6:11

O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

Apostle Paul felt free to speak what was on his heart with the Corinthians because he’d fallen in love with those people. No doubt from his words, his heart had been broken for the folks of Corinth which was expressed in his letters. It’s an odd thing about a part of the body that’s been hurt, the scar often causes an enlarged place on the skin. That’s kind of how I imagine Paul’s enlarged heart. Each time it was broken it grew larger and more burdened for the people he served. And each time I go to a new town or new church, my heart becomes broken and burdened for God’s people.

My arrival in Windom last week was amazing. The people who had prayed for me, provided funding for my travels, prepared for my stay, who I’d never met before were like old friends before I’d hit the city limits. When I arrived at Miss Loretta’s door on 5^th Avenue, she said hello and three hours later we took a breath. That’s God! Miss Darlene, who funded my trip, was a friend in Christ who trusted God enough to send money ahead of the trip to pay my way to Windom and was such a sweet treat to come to know during my brief stay. I met Miss Diane and fell instantly in love with her soul which encouraged mine. Rodney and Debbie Byam were jewels in the crown of Christ whose hospitality and kindness were as shiny as diamonds in the sun for Jesus. Oh what a journey! Pastor Ricky touched my heart with his servants heart and Pastor Dewey Moede… well, that’s a whole blog post on its own. And as amazing as that story is, that’s not the most amazing part.

What’s amazing about a trip like this is how the power of God moved through people in Windom who lived there, people who moved from there and returned, and some who had never been there before in their life; working together for the same cause, with the same broken heart for the city.

What it did in my life was set my soul on fire for my own hometown. I’m ready to make something happen. I have plans. BIG PLANS. Look out Grantsville, I’m headed home. But today I’ll spend a few more hours with three rowdy boys in Marshalltown, Iowa. I plan to leave here early, early in the a.m. to head back down the road through five states listening to preaching and singing along the way. Please pray for me… & pray for my ministry. Want to get some religious art for your home? Visit sites like https://www.houseofjoppa.com/collections/catholic-art and check out their offerings.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church attendance, Eternity, Evangelism, Leadership, Life Inspiration

That Good thing that’s a God thing

Written by talk2shari Published August 21, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

I’m so happy I have the Holy Spirit within me, else, there is no doubt that the flesh would rise up in me and I’d say and do things that would not glorify Christ and could possibly get me arrested. If you’re a servant of God, you either fully understand, or you’re way better at dealing with the things of life than I, and it’s really not the craziness in the world that can drive me to the point of frustration. I expect them to be crazy. It’s the craziness in the church that can push me over the edge.

So I’ve had this illustration in my mind for a few days, I drew it yesterday, and had intended to blog about it. But alas, the Holy Spirit said “Chill, Shari. You’re going to hurt someone.” And so I put it atop my art box and waited for the Holy Spirit to tell me what to write. And this morning as I prepare for church, the words flow freely and the Spirit has said to me, “Encourage them.” I wanted to hurt them three days ago. Who are them? They who sit in church pews. That’s all they do. They just sit in church pews. At least from my perspective as someone in charge of the Sunday School and Youth program. Because when a teacher is needed, it’s like pulling hens teeth to get people to move. And our church is one that is relatively good at stepping up. When I go into other churches and see the frustration in the leader’s eyes as they beg and plead for help my heart breaks for Jesus. He didn’t die for us to sit in the pew.

He died for us to serve. And so this word this morning is for those serving, not sitting. Please, keep serving!

Apostle Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:13-14

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

Hold Fast

That good thing is a God thing. Those sound words that Paul spoke was the inspired Word of God and he encourages Timothy and us to hold on to them. Keep holding on to the Word of God and using it to inspire others through your service. You are rare. I can’t get Matthew 9:37 out of my head that says the “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.” We are a rarity, those who desire to teach and train disciples. We are few, but the field is full of people who need us. And while I get frustrated at those who sit, I’m learning that it will do no good to speak to the masses, I need to encourage the few. Because those are the days that we’re in. So if you’re serving God in any way… “hold on friend.”

Hold Firm

That good thing is a God thing that He’s given to you for safe keeping. Hold firm! Don’t let anyone or anything, including the frustrations of feeling unappreciated, un-noticed, unworthy, or any other “un” words that Satan throws at you to get you distracted from what you’ve been called to do. That little girl in my sketch… she’s no one in particular… she’s one in thousands that I’ve seen in the field and she need Jesus. She or he as the case may be needs you. If we don’t keep on teaching the word of God and telling others about that “good thing” that God has entrusted us with, then who will. There’s nobody beating down the door to get our job. Our job is secure. So please, if you’re in service to the King of kings, keep serving and living as an example to those around you. Tell everyone how awesome it is and encourage others walking in the field beside you. There’s not that many… it won’t take you long. I love you, and so does Jesus… and our reward is on it’s way!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Faith, Family, Life Inspiration

What a great feeling to know that I know!

Written by talk2shari Published August 15, 2016August 15, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

If you know me at all, you know I’m a little on the odd side. I’m a dreamer, a visionary, a doer and planner, a singer of songs, a writer of words and a multimedia artist… and not all those things work out like I’d like them too. As a child I knew I was odd, and for the most part I was okay with it. But there was always that hole in my life that needed filled; the hole that needed to know I belonged. I was raised in a loving home with a huge family and I knew that I was theirs, but I didn’t belong. We moved around a lot when I was very little, but when we finally landed in Calhoun County, West Virginia in 1971, even though we stayed put… I didn’t feel that I ever belonged. I had tons of friends. Real friends, not fake ones. But that didn’t matter, the hole was still there. Perhaps you know where I’m coming from.

In 1996 something drastic happened. That hole was filled with the concrete of salvation and I never again felt that I didn’t belong.

As a new convert I was sitting across from a preacher from out of town that I had just met and we were talking about the gospel and sharing our faith and he said to me, “Shari, you are a peculiar person.” I didn’t even take it as an insult, I knew within me it had a spiritual connotation. And so as soon as I got the chance I went to my concordance to search the word “peculiar.” And lo and behold there it was in 1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

I claimed it for my own that day. I am a peculiar person. But unpack that verse and it will have you on shouting ground.

Chosen

Not by chance, but handpicked and purposed by God in His ultimate plan for the universe.

Royal priesthood

Not for the world, but employed by the King of kings for servitude in this earthly realm with our heavenly reward yet seen.

Holy nation

Not alone. The day of my salvation put me into a family too numerable to count, who many have prayed for me that don’t even know my name, but uttered a pray for a child of God or a missionary in need and it was me and God answered. O’… I belong!

Peculiar people

Not like the world. The world strives against itself trying to make it; never realizing that it is an unattainable goal to be anything outside of what we are in Christ. Because that is our eternal purpose.

I’ve read 1 Peter 2:9 many times, but this morning was one of those ‘aha’ kind of days that God opened my mind to His word and said “Here is where I showed you that you belong. No go and tell someone else who needs to understand that truth.”

So there it is. I hope you get it… because it’s an awesome feeling to know to Whom you belong!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church attendance, Evangelism, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

It’s All About Numbers

Written by talk2shari Published August 10, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

Numbers 9:18

At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.

I’ve been in the book of Numbers for a couple of days, and I’m really not a numbers fan. I speak of numerical numbers not the book. Speak math to me and my eyes glaze over and I go semi-comatose until our conversation is over. It’s true. It’s just never been my forte. But the book of Numbers has captivated my attention as well as broken my heart in several verses. Moses, having been instructed by God, is numbering the servants in the service of the Lord. Even as I type those words my eyes well up with tears; for they are few in the modern church. Even in a church with big numbers of bodies there is not necessarily a big number of servants.

I was born with a servant’s heart. But that too gets me into trouble, because I can get pulled into serving others and away from serving God for whom I’ve been called to serve. What about you? Have you been called to serve? Well… if you are a child of God, then the answer is yes and it might shock you to know that God is pretty serious about it, after all, you are a priest.

What? Yep, it caught me a little off guard too, even though I knew it. It wasn’t until I related an Old Testament truth with a New Testament truth that it clicked. As Moses was numbering the Levites and the Priests, doling out their responsibilities to the house of worship, bells went off inside my head and drew my mind’s eye to my very own verse in 1 Peter 2:9 ~ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Every child of God is a member of the priesthood. And while we’re not to don robes and hats, the responsibility is the same. We have a role in taking care of the church. Everyone. Not just the preacher, the deacon, the Sunday school teacher, etc. Even the guy or gal on the 8^th row back, who shows up on Sunday to do their due diligence of church. And I meant that totally sarcastic. Showing up on Sunday is not your due diligence… well it is, but it doesn’t end there. Paul told the church of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

You have a gift that is intended for the service of the Lord, where ever that may be. Which brought me to the verse in Numbers 9 this morning and the little girl packing the suit case. God expects the church to be on the move and ready to roll when service calls. In less than two weeks I’m headed to Minnesota to serve in a Revival. I’m excited, God’s been speaking to my heart about “stuff.” Just as He spoke to Moses, He speaks to us. Perhaps not audibly but every bit as real. Instant in season and out of season the scripture says, be ready! Are you? My heart is broken for the churches across America because Revival is hard to come by. Too many people are sitting and waiting for the Lord to show up, when actually the Lord did show up… they just weren’t willing to move out of their seat to greet Him and so He moved on.

God is in the details. There are many details to a church service and everyone is important. Serve well friend… It’s all about numbers, for which you are one.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Evangelism, Fear, Leadership, Life Inspiration

What to do in these perilous times

Written by talk2shari Published August 4, 2016August 4, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

I’m not one to tout dooms day, life is depressing enough without someone over and over again telling you the end is near. But it is. And that’s all I say on the matter. What my heart is fixed on this morning is how to make it through these perilous times we’re in. Please don’t get me wrong, I won’t give up on America until Jesus returns. I feel that that there is enough red, white and blue thread sown into the tapestry of our nation, that should enough people get a right heart with God, God would hear from Heaven and heal our land. That’s what 2 Chronicle 7:14 says. But we’re not there yet, we’re living in 2 Timothy 3.

2 Timothy 3:1-3

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Is that off today’s headlines or what?! Tell me Paul wasn’t writing to us for these troubling days. It’s all about self, social media is proof positive of that. Coveting. We live in a generation of keeping up with the Jones to the point of bankruptcy. Boasters. Arrogance and pride runs ramped as people shake their fist at the Heavens and declare God is not there and take credit for His glory. Parents living in fear of discipline, children that expect and demand without consequence, gay rights and Christian liars and those that despise what is good. Look what’s happened to the defenders of our land. Police, military, fire and rescue are targets and yet expected to be their twenty minutes before someone needs them. Perilous times indeed! The good is despised and the wicked embraced.

Teach the Truth

2 Timothy 3:10 says “But thou hast fully known my doctrine.” Perhaps you’re saying, but I’m not a teacher. Then you’re wrong, because someone is watching you, and if you’ve got the Word of God in your hand and you’re saved, you’ve been instructed to instruct. Read the word of God. Tell someone about Jesus. Demonstrate His love. That’s our orders from Jesus after He suffered death for us and before He returned to Heaven.

Know the Truth

How?

2 Timothy 3:14 instructs us to continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

Assurance is key to survival. Wishy washy Christianity never convinces a lost soul of Jesus’ ability to save. You must be confident in Christ and what He has done in your life to convince others and remind yourself in those troubling times that God’s got this!

Live the Truth

2 Timohty 3:16-17 ~ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The perfection Paul speaks of is not a perfect man… none of us can live up to that, but rather perfect means “complete.” God’s work is finished. But you have much to do until Jesus returns. This is not a time to panic. This is a time to roll up our shirt sleeves and serve Christ like He’s coming for lunch. Because He might.

My Bible journaling sketch today of the little police boy is a reminder to keep our people in authority in prayer during these troubled times. They’re part of the good that is despised. Keep servin’ the Savior!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Unseen is not Unnoticed

Written by talk2shari Published August 1, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe sometimes that I’ve been on the road to salvation twenty years, but I was saved in 1996, so the math is there. But in many ways I still feel like a new convert. I’m ever so grateful that God’s mercy is new and afresh every day, for I need it every day; that’s the part of that new convert feeling I’m not so proud of. I still feel like an utter failure most days of the week. But another side to that new convert feeling is the absolute fact that I’m as excited today as I was the day I got saved, which is what makes serving God so easy.

I’m not one for accolades. I have no desire for men’s applause for work that I should be doing, but an appreciation is wonderful. So when Mickey Carter preached on the unseen lily work in 1 Kings 7:22 my soul smiled.

And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.

The Top

Where no one seen but God. Unless of course great effort was made to get up to it. For the record I don’t feel unloved or unappreciated very often. Seldom would be more like it. I must give glory that God has always sent encouragers into my life who climb to the top, look at the lily’s and say well done. But I’ve had days where the flesh rose, usually in exhaustion, when I felt as though all my unseen efforts were not for naught but went unnoticed. It caused me to wonder if anyone cared or understood the time I had put into a particular project. Was it necessary? Was it just busy work? And then Brother Mickey blessed my soul by allowing God to use him to tell me… it wasn’t for nothing. God took note.

The Lily

Another character trait for me is that I love, love, love a project. I’m project driven and it’s all about the details. But many times I’ve seen the “details” in the trash at the end of an event and thought… why did I put all that effort into something that was thrown away? But isn’t that everything down here? Nothing is going to make it through the end days, and if for a brief moment in time my efforts made someone’s heart happy and brought glory to God, then my attention to detail, the intricate work on the lily, was a worthy effort.

The Finished Work

The pillars were done, no names were inscribed as to the artist, just a beautiful workmanship that held up the house of God; which is exactly what we should be. Those of us who serve don’t need to be noticed, we need to be useful. Those pillars were beautiful, but they also served the purpose of being the strength of the church. Am I? Are you? It’s a point to ponder in our servitude as to whether our time is spent strengthening the house of God.

Just keep serving, using the gifts and talents God has given you to finish the work. It does not go unnoticed. You are loved…