Tag: wilderness

Posted in Evangelism, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

A Walk in the Wilderness

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on A Walk in the Wilderness

For several years after I was saved, I failed to get baptized, because I had been baptized pre-salvation. But I had a praying friend, Doyle Ballengee, who the Spirit revealed to him the necessity of that event in my life. And so I stood before the congregation of Victory Baptist Church and told them of my “assumption of salvation, realization of being lost, struggle to believe I was saved when I actually got saved, and the wisdom that I needed to be baptized to make it clear in my own head once and for all, I am a child of God and this is how I will identify with Him, both publicly and personally. And from that decision point, I’ve never turned back. My salvation is stead fast in Christ and my service is bold! But it’s not been without many, many wilderness experiences along the way.

I’ve heard a few sermons lately, and the mention of the text on several occasions about the transfiguration of Christ. And any time I hear a specific word of God on multiple occasions I can assume that God is getting my attention and saying “Shari… park here for a while.” And so this morning I’m parked. In between jumping up and down in a giddy, childish excitement kind of way. It’s like I got the prize out of the box of cereal before my siblings! Now it’s not just mine… and I didn’t actually think it up. It started with my co-teacher Doug Rowe a few weeks ago who taught on the transfiguration. Then I’ve heard it in sermons and comments a few more times, and then this morning I listened to Jace Robertson on “Unashamed” the podcast and I couldn’t stop thinking about the significance of this word in my life. 

Wandering

Both Elijah and Moses did some serious wandering in the wilderness. It wasn’t Moses’ fault that he was leading a rebellious nation of people. (Exodus)  Elijah, in a moment of weakness, wanders into the wilderness believing himself to be alone and the last of the mighty men of God willing to take a stand, and in 1 Kings 19:8 it reads

And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights into Horeb the mount of God. 

40… seems of great importance.

Although my salvation at 34 begin a whirlwind of faith, the dates and times of significant events seem to escape me. However, I was nearing, if not 40 years of age when I got baptized. And that was the for certain the start of my ministry. Where I actually considered myself in the work of the Lord. But even knowing that, I still did my share of wandering! It wasn’t until 2010 at the age of 48 when I settled into the “Jesus Chick” role, that I stopped wandering on a large scale and began wandering within the bounds of wordpress, trying to figure out how to market and use this platform for the Glory of God. So here I am… still wandering in that zone, but ever so happy to be. But it’s been a struggle. My decision to step out in faith immediately put me on Satan’s radar, and I’ve been there ever since. He has a lot to work with in me. As someone so cleverly once said, “serving God is being on a battleship, not a love boat.” It’s war!

Jace tuned me in on a verse this morning in Hebrews that really ties some strings together when it comes to my own walk with the Lord, and what I see happening in the lives of others. Please understand, I AM NOT saying I have all of life figured out in the realm of faith… but… I have a little snippet that has brought me along thus far, and Hebrews 4:1-2 explains it!

Hebrews 4:1-2 

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Warfare

War’s scary! But a life without rest, the constant fear of the enemy would be far worse. Because of Christ we can enter into the rest and security of the believer, but not without the Word of God being a large portion of our life. It’s why so many people are living defeated lives as Christians. You cannot possibly live in peace if you stay in the battle zone all the time. Moses and Elijah, the two on the mountain of Transfiguration stand before us as an example that we all, even the most faithful, struggle. But neither of those men stopped serving, or listening for God. 

I have good friends, who just don’t get the importance of church and personal bible study. They “fit” church in when they can. Scripture is a “go to” in times of trouble, and prayer is an occasional “formality.” Or something they ask for because they don’t know how to have a conversation with God themselves. It makes me nauseous! Because I can fall into that trap just as easy as anyone else. The writer of Hebrews summed it up! The word does not profit those who aren’t mixed with faith. If you’re not active in your relationship with God, you’re gonna find yourself in a cave thinking you’re the only one left! (1 Kings 19). 

Wantoness 

Nothing Satan had to offer Christ was of interest to Him. But He still used the Word of God to put Satan in His place. There was little mention of Christ’s life prior to that day in the water, but suddenly Jesus was on the scene and Satan wasn’t happy about it. He placed the very things that were of interest to himself before Jesus figuring that would catch Jesus’ eye. What Satan wanted more than anything was worship. And he knew that mankind (for which Jesus was now a part of) loved stuff! Oh… I just stepped on my own toes to the point I may have severed a couple. My eyes can so easily be captured by shiny, blingy things. Be it music, apparel, jewelry, etc. I just love STUFF! So Satan knows if he wants to capture my attention just put those things in front of me.

The children of Israel exited Egypt with more “stuff” than any had ever owned. Egypt was throwing things their way to get their plague brining bodies out of their town. But even with all that stuff, they still wanted more. It’s the nature of man. Nothing’s ever seems “enough.” Until you’re at the end of life and then you truly realize there is nothing that will bring “rest” to the body and mind except the Lord Jesus Himself. He was on the mountain with Moses and He was on the mountain with Elijah in that still small voice! And He has been on every mountain top experience I’ve had and He lead me out of every valley!

In all honesty. I have needed nothing that God didn’t provide. But that did not stop my wantoness.

Washing 

Elijah’s wilderness experience came after the drought of water in 1 Kings 17.

Moses’ wilderness experience came after the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 15.

Jesus’ wilderness experience came after His baptism in Matthew 4:1.

Following the water… wilderness. Water us significant. The Bible is called the “washing of water by the word.” It is through the word of God that we find healing, cleansing, leading… everything we stand of need of. It’s in there! And once that’s discovered by a child of God, Satan ain’t happy!

James 4:7

Submit yourselves there to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Submission gets a bad wrap in society today. Nobody wants to submit. Israel didn’t… and the Gentiles don’t. We’re just another nation of people that wants to give God a headache. Praise His Holy Name! He is so patient with us. 

When Jesus took James, Peter and John upon the mountain to pray, and there introduced him to Elijah and Moses, woah… what an amazing time that must have been! Until the next “40”

Acts 1:3 – To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Isn’t the word of God amazing! Can you understand why I was so captivated by this word this morning and how all those “parts and pieces” from the Old Testament and the New Testament fit together like some amazing spiritual jigsaw puzzle? Just like you and I. 

There will come a day when we get to glory, face to face with the One Who saved us and He lets us in on all the mysteries of the Bible and how we too played a role. Oh…. goodness… gracious!!!!  Thanks for letting me share that with you. I hope it made sense. It does in my head, but that’s a dangerous ground to walk. 

God bless ya!!! And if you find some nuggets of truth, share them with me. And let me join in your journey!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service

A New Thing!

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on A New Thing!

What better way to start off 2019 than thinking about new things on the horizon! I loved the illustration of a new year that my friend D.L. Kerby always used of “a fresh, new piece of paper.” Nothing there but room for ideas, and of course for me improvement!

Isaiah 43:19 is a great verse to ponder today…

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Behold!

An announcement of worthy attention!

I think of new stuff every day. But much of it is not worthy of anyone’s attention. But when God announces that something new is on the horizon. Glory! It’s worthy of our notice. There is nothing stale or boring in God’s world and according to His word it is He who does the “new thing.” But how do we know it’s for us? Have you prayed for something new? That would be a great place to start. And if you’re praying for God to do something new in your life what is the purpose of it and what role does He play?

Too many people want God to do something new and amazing but then they’d rather He butt out and allow them to take over. I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works.

Jeremiah 31:22 speaks of Israel when he writes “How long will you wander, unfaithful Daughter Israel? The LORD will create a new thing on earth – the woman will return to the man.”

That new thing was the Lord Jesus Christ. There will be no more new things to that magnitude, but there is certainly new opportunities to serve Him there for the asking. As a child of God we should be prepared to focus our minds on ways to glorify and serve our Lord in the coming year. God may provide new opportunities in the secular realm, but that shouldn’t be our focus and should still include God as center focus.

Be Watching!

Now it shall spring forth! As a budding branch springs forth out of the ground.

I start longing for spring about January 2nd. I’m done with the cold, dead looking trees and frigid temperatures of winter. I need to see some life in the hills of West Virginia. But it’s not in my time, it’s in the Lord’s and the same is true when it comes to the new things that God has planned for us. His timing is imperative. But if I’m not watching for it, I might miss it.

We need to stand with a watchful eye on the world around us for ways that we can serve and glorify God.

Last night I sat beside a man that I really wasn’t certain of his soul’s state until the subject of church came up. He let me know immediately that he didn’t want any part of the church and that he was a “believing agnostic.”  I told him I hated to hear that because I really cared for him. He seemed shocked that I thought he was going to Hell. I spoke to him in love for as long as he would tolerate me, and in a moment of awkwardness where the subject had gotten too deep, he left my side for a worldlier lot. And I went home. I felt I’d done as much work as I could there. The man didn’t get saved but I had been watching for an opportunity and God opened the door, for that I’m grateful.

Be Ready!

For anything. God’s ways are not our ways. We don’t expect ways in the wilderness and rivers in the dessert. If we’re preparing for such an excursion we’re packing weed whackers and bottled water. But God said no… I’ve already got the path cut and the water supplied! You just need to be ready.

Oh my goodness those words make my soul stir. I’m not really a prepared person. I jump and go. Which gets me in trouble… a lot. But God said if I’d be ready for His way, I’ll be okay. But before I jump and go, I need to wait for some instructions. And so do you!

Isaiah 43:19 may or may not be your verse for 2019. But the wisdom that can be gleaned from it is for everyone.

God does have a new work for us and we for certain should be watching and be ready for His announcement.

What’s He laid on your heart to do in 2019? I’d love nothing more than for you to share that with me so that I can make it a matter of prayer. Blessings!!!!!