Tag: Word of God

Posted in Bible Journaling, Life Inspiration, Peace

Finding Peace in the Trouble of Today

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I really don’t understand the concept of preachers who preach that a child of God will not experience trouble, or can “speak” issues away. If that’s so, then I have some serious issues. Well, let’s face it, I’ve got issues. But my issues are issues with me, not God.

I have no power on my own, but I have a mighty God Who has the ability to remove or let me travel through any of the issues in my life. And I believe that His decision is for my good. Of that I am a firm believer, even if I sometimes don’t particularly like it. But if I could share an encouraging word with you today it would be the truth of Isaiah 26:3 ~

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

My bible journaling efforts this morning was drawn from a conversation that I had with my buddy Dewey Moede. And of a show I watched last night on Netflix. Dewey spoke of his concerns of the day, and the many battles from many directions we face as a Nation, and most importantly his reliance upon God. The Netflix show spoke of the future, and their reliance upon man. Two very different perspectives. It is unfortunate that there is likely followers of Netflix than Jesus.

Hollywood (or Hellywood) as a preacher friend of mine calls it has a tendency to jade life. As I watched that show last night the characters had the ability to come back in time and “fix” what was broken in people’s lives. But even they agreed that there were some things just beyond our control.

One of the main characters had the ability to know historical events. Including tragedies that had yet to happen in our time (his history, as he was from the future.) Those events burdened his heart, as they would us, which is why God doesn’t let us know the future. We couldn’t handle it. At least I couldn’t.

The trouble of day is enough.

Matthew 6:34 reminds us Take therefore no though for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

So what about today’s troubles. How do we handle those?

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Perfect peace? How’s that working for you? Not so well for me every day.  But even if there are days when I have “issues” there are no issues with my Lord.

The reason I don’t have perfect peace is because I watch Netflix rather than reading the Word of God. True Story! If I “stay in the word, I have peace. If I watch Netlix or spend too much time on Social Media I allow the cares of the world to govern my thoughts.

Mark 4:19 says it best when it says And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

That’s exactly what happens!

Those things that garner our attention be it on the television, movie screen, books or computer are often lusts that choke the word of God out of our thought processes and prevent us from experiencing the true and perfect peace that God intends for His people. He didn’t’ say you wouldn’t have trouble, but He did say we could have peace in the midst.

Funny things about the heart attack and pending surgery between May 20th and May 25th. Netflix didn’t enter my mind. I wasn’t worried about not having the nicest house or being the best at anything. I wanted to survive the day. And oddly enough I had the ultimate peace. Peace that I now, 7 months later, don’t experience because I don’t have my mind “stayed.”

Remember what I said about encouraging you? Well… turns out I need encouraging too. And this little miniature study of the word of God reminds us all that peace is found in one place. The Word of God. Not in the chaos around us, not in other people, or a cup of coffee and a piece of cake with 7 minute frosting. We need to “stay” our minds and trust in the only trustworthy thing in the universe. God.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service

God’s Protocol For Worship

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion 2 Comments on God’s Protocol For Worship

Psalm 100

Below is my study of Psalm 100 that I’ll be using for the teen class tonight. Perhaps it will stir some thoughts in you to draw you into that spirit of worship our souls long for! It certainly did mine as I studied His word.

ENJOY!!!!

Protocol defined: the official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.

Who set the protocol for worship? The word of God.

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Protocol 1 is

Make Noise!

There are many types of noises in the world, what do you consider a bad noise? (painful, loud, extreme, unnecessary)

Who do you think uses these noises and why? Satan of course!

What are some good noises?

Psalm 100:1 says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. What do you consider a joyful noise to sound like?

Who should be shouting?

John Gill’s commentary said:

…all the inhabitants of the earth, who are called upon to shout unto him as their King; as the angels did at his birth, the disciples when he made his public entrance into Jerusalem, the apostles at his ascension to heaven, the saints when the marriage of him, the Lamb, will be come, and both men and angels when he shall descend from heaven to judge the world; and such a joyful noise or shout should be made unto him as to a triumphant conqueror, who has got the victory over sin, Satan, death, and the grave, and every enemy of his and his people, and made them more than conquerors through himself;

That reading should stir your heart when you think about the reasons we should make noise!

The 2nd Protocol in Psalm 100 for Worshipping the Lord is to

Serve Him

And to not just serve Him but to be happy about it.

Since serving God is a protocol, how do you want to serve Him?


Protocol Number 3 is to

Come before His presence

I think that speaks to our attendance as well as the recognition that while in attendance to church we expect God to be there and we treat the service accordingly.

How should we come into His presence?

Protocol Number 4 is

With singing

Everyone? Yes! Everyone on the platform? No!!!!!!

But there is not only safety in numbers there is also a blending of voices that covers a multitude of bad notes. Why do you think music is important to God?

How important is it to you?

Do you feel called into the music ministry?

Do you understand what a calling is?

Protocol number 5 is to

Know

Know what? Know that the Lord is God! That’s a must to understand the calling on your life. You have to frist be saved, and then get to know the Lord so that when He speaks, you understand it is Him.

Have you ever felt the Lord speaking to you?

How would you describe it?

Do you think people misunderstand the Lord’s calling on their life? Why?

Protocol Number 6

Enter with Thanksgiving

What are some reasons that we have to be thankful as we come into the building and worship service?

The final Protocol in Psalm 100 is number 7, we should

Bless His Name

We always ask the Lord to bless us, but do we ever think about blessing Him?

What are ways we can bless Him?

The final verse of Psalm 100 gives us 3 reasons we should worship the Lord and have an attitude of worship.

Because He is good

(even when the world around us isn’t)

Because He is merciful

(every day we stand in need of it)

Because He is truth

(The world may be filled with lies, but the word of God is filled with nothing but truth.)

A Study with Shari Johnson (The Jesus Chick)

www. the Jesus Chick.com (Please share my ministry page!)

Posted in Evangelism, Life Inspiration, Not Another Manic Monday, Not Another Manic Monday Video, video

Let’s Talk About Us

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Let’s Talk About Us

Notes from Monday, October 1, 2018 live feed. Video Below 

If you ask me where my “Happy Place” is in the word of God, I would tell you John 14. Verses 1:6

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

So I give you three points to ponder today as we start the new work week. Help, Hope and Happiness and they’re all found in those verses.

Jesus begins by telling us “Let not your heart be troubled.” Whatever it is you’re facing this week, Jesus has it under control.

In Psalm 121:2, David wrote “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”  I’ll put these scriptures in the comments below when we’re done.

David understood and we need to remember that at the Creation of the earth, God the Father and God the Son were there. The Creator of all the earth. The Scriptures said “Let Us make Man” Genesis 1:26 The “us” was God and Jesus.  If He can speak a tree, an animal an ocean into existence, what is any problem that we have.

If He can speak life from nothing, can He not speak over your problems, and either take you through, around or out. God has the power to do all three.

The rest verse 1 says “Ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

That’s the “Us” again that from the foundation of the earth.  David said in Psalm 119:114, Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.”

John 1:1 says In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

Sometimes that gets confusing; how can God and Jesus be one? Well to confuse us further, They’re actually three. And I don’t profess to have it all figured out. But to help my mind fathom what it means I have to understand the Word that was written.

Isaiah 48:13 says “Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand together.”

The universe cannot contain God. But the Son walked on earth. That helps me to understand the roles the two of them play in Creation. And the Holy Spirit, the third part of the Trinity, I feel within my soul.

It’s because of that I have Hope, and know that God is my protector. He is within m and understands everything I’m going through. He knows my every thought.

Verse 2 of John 14 reads, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

This earth and all the sorrow in it, is temporary. God is preparing us a world beyond what our imaginations can fathom!

Another verse in Psalm 144:15 b (meaning it’s the latter part of the verse) says “Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.”

Those who understand verse 6 when Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The only way you can have true happiness is through Jesus Christ. And believing in His finished work on the cross. Jesus Who walked as a man, and died as a man on this earth that He created, did that on the cross to pay the price for our sin so that we could go to that happy place He is preparing.

I made that decision in 1996. I lived 34 years in fear of Hell. Also a very real place. But praise God, I got saved! I hope you know Jesus today. And if you don’t, please, private message me and you and I together will walk the road to salvation.

If you know Him, I hope you’ll write the verses that I gave you down somewhere you can see them this week and hang on to the hope that comes from the Word of God.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Church attendance

What’s so special about a tent?

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on What’s so special about a tent?

If you’ve never been a part of a tent meeting atmosphere you may wonder why I get so excited for this time of year. And whether or not I can adequately express what makes a tent meeting so special, only the end of today’s blog will tell. But I’ll attempt to stir your heart with the emotion I’m experiencing today.

Hebrews 9:1 begins speaking of

A worldly sanctuary

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinance of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

The first tabernacle was a movable man made temple with caretakers, priests and a high priest that he only could go into that Holy of Holiest places to make sacrifice for his sins and that of the congregation of the Lord. Though it was a temporary tabernacle, the grandness of it didn’t suffer, and I seriously doubt it was as easy as the tents we pitch today. It had layer upon layer of materials that God had laid out by design and great detail, and given to Moses. The tent then followed the children of Israel. Our tent is not of great detail, it was crafted by an Amish man in Ohio of red, white and blue vinyl to remind us of the Nation we call home and our burden to turn it back to God. We don’t have golden candlesticks, the Ark of the Covenant or the shew bread. We have the light of Jesus Christ that shines in the heart of the saved, the covenant promise of eternal life in Christ and the Word of God that fills our souls! That is what lies within the tent of Victory Baptist Church!

The way of the wilderness

Hebrews 9:8 ~ The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

The children of Israel could not imagine the privilege to come to us, though they were the symbolism of God’s plan for salvation. But they couldn’t even go into the tent! What a privilege to have the Holy Spirit dwell within us and regardless of whether we are inside the tent, out in the sun around it (though it’s calling for rain tonight) or experiencing the tent meeting via Facebook live, we are in the presence of God! The first tent meeting was a matter of necessity for wilderness wanderers. Our tent meeting is a reminder of the days of old when revival crossed America and a desire to bring that back to world caught up in the wilderness again.

A way from dead works

Hebrews 9:11-14 ~  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The children of Israel attempted and failed again and again to keep the works of the law. Glory to God that once and for all, through the blood of Christ we were released from that bondage and are now free to serve the Living God! There’s still plenty of bondage in the world around us, but nothing that Jesus Christ cannot free us from.

However, tent meeting is also a time for the church to remember that one of the bondages that is so easy for a child of God to fall into is the bondage of dead religion. Churches everywhere fall into apathy of religion rather than the awe of the Almighty! We forget the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit is expected to take a back seat until the service is over, lest we disrupt service.

This ought not to be. There is nothing traditional about a tent! And there shouldn’t be anything traditional about the service of God, whether in a building or in a tent. The Holy Spirit of God was so awesome in the days of the children of Israel that they stood outside the tent in awe and fear of His presence. That same Spirit is within us, how dare we take it for granted and treat Him as though He is not Amazing!

That is how I want to approach this tent meeting tonight. I want to be prepared in godly fear and awe to expect the Spirit of God to show up in my life in such a way that I cannot help but feel like the children who experienced the first tent meeting! Glory!!!

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration, Life's Failures, Music, worship

What About Your Candle?

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Luke 11:33-36

33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

As I read Luke 11:33 my first thought was, “Where’s your candle sitting Shari?” I love scented candles. Not of the floral design, but those that cause a visitor to wonder if I just pulled some fabulous dessert from the oven. The one I’ve had wafting through the house this weekend is salted caramel. Yum! But what about the candle that was lit within my heart in 1996 when I accepted Jesus as Lord? How evident is that candle? And where is it sitting? That was the questions I ask myself. I’m so frustrated with my own service for the Lord of late. I’ve allowed so much to strangle my spirit and my spirituality has suffered.

Some would say, that’s life. But for me, that’s death. That exactly how Satan convinces his prey that we’re “fine.” You can’t be on fire every day. I’ve heard that said numerous times and it makes me want to puke every time I hear it, because it’s a lie of the Devil. While it’s true we all have down days, we’re just a heartbeat from settling into as a lifestyle. So what about that candle?

Good vs. Evil

34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

This verse reminds me of the children’s song

Oh be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little eyes what you see

For the Father up above is looking down on you with love, oh be careful little eyes what you see.

What we see and hear every single day effects our character and witness. “Be not deceived” God warns in Galatians 6:7.

I love, love, love bluegrass music. But after about the third song about someone’s cheatin’ wife being buried in the back 40, my mind is in a dark place. I have to shut that off and listen to some gospel. But there are days that I don’t shut it off. I just keep listening, and the stories go from killing her to killing himself with alcohol to get over her “Four ounces at a time.” Yes… I actually have that song on my play list. And I say to myself, I’m fine… yet evil won out.

Lead vs. Follow

35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

The “I’m Fine” theory is what lead me to a heart attack and open heart surgery. I did not take heed. I wanted to appear healthy in the world’s eyes. As I scurried about the church in my little “church lady” ways, no one had any idea that in the basement of my favorite place in the world I’d just had a heart attack. I was following the world and not the Lord. God had told me that I wasn’t fine. He’s done the same thing spiritually and I’ve ignored that too. Leading vs. following isn’t necessarily right vs. wrong. You can lead yourself and others astray, or you can follow someone in the path of righteousness. You can lead someone to Christ, or you can follow someone to Hell. Your mind’s eye and your ears have got to be tuned into Christ to keep the candle burning and your body filled with the light of His word and ways.

Light vs. Dark

36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

In the battle of light vs. dark, the light always wins out when given the opportunity. Darkness has to flee when light enters the room.

James 4:7 says: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Glory to God, He wins! But the key to personal victory is our submission. The world is ready to fill you full of darkness through music, television, books, magazines, internet and any other means of media as well as people. It can all be evil, the same way it can be good. It’s our choice that makes the difference.

What are you filling your eyes and ears with today? Is it filling you with light or darkness? Is your candle burning brightly for the cause of Christ, or is it so dim the world doesn’t even see its flame?

Light the world for Christ today! Fill your mind, body and soul with everything good!

Posted in Bible Journaling, doodles, Uncategorized

God’s Recipe for Earth

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There’s this image I have of God because of the images that I’ve viewed since childhood. A painting that will no doubt pale in comparison to His beauty in Heaven. But that image sticks in my mind; so that when I read a verse like Isaiah 40:12, I have to rethink my image of God.

Isaiah 40:12

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in balance.

Measured the Water

About 71 percent of the earth is water, with every single drop created and placed by God at creation and distributed in such a way that it sustains life here on earth. Random explosion or intelligent design? Insert rolled eyes here…How could anyone think other than God? And God measured it in the hollow of his hand! That’s where my image of God gets messed up. I’ve seen the ocean, that’s a lot of water! But with His hand He measured the amount as if pouring it in to a recipe for perfection.

Recipes used to spaz me out. I would fear that my measuring wouldn’t be exact and I’d mess up the recipe. Over the years I’ve adapted the God and my mother method of measurement. A cup or two of this or that, a spoon or two of this or that, measured precariously. For the record, that doesn’t always work for me. But it worked for God, because He’s God.

Meted Out Heaven

Again. God is amazing! With His hand He meted (measured Heaven) with the span of His hand! It blows my mind. I recently sewed my very first quilt, which required a lot of measuring. It also required a lot of attention to detail. Praise God, God did not measure out Heaven as I did the seam allowance on my quilt, else Mars would be sewn into Jupitar’s part of the sky. My quilt is far from perfect but it was created with love and a passion to glorify God. The quilt blocks don’t line up as they should, my artistic endeavors in the center have missed stitches and bad stitches, but with the time I had in, and the missionary thoughts, I understand God’s frustration with the way we take care of His earth. What must He have thought when He finished placing the stars and planets in orbit? Wow…

Comprehended the Dust

He knew the numbers of the grains of sand on every beach in the world. Even Munday Beach, West Virginia. Amazing right? He took that very dust and formed man as an artist in clay and then breathed life into Him. God comprehended, but I cannot. He’s just too big! The good news is, I don’t have to understand it. I just have to believe it! I’ve heard enough intelligent scientist who believe the Word of God, back it up with evidence. And if they didn’t, I still believe it. Because the Word of God tells me so.

Weighed the Mountains

Everything in balance. And the world keeps spinning on. It’s like a giant mixer, spinning and spinning and spinning. Eventually it will be time to go in the oven.

Scripture says the things of this earth will be tried by fire.

2nd Peter 3:7 ~ But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

God’s waiting patiently. I’m a little less than patient when making something scrumptious. I keep checking and testing and often times that alone is its own destruction. If you’re a baker, you know. But just like God had perfect measurements, He has perfect timing. I’d have put this cake in the oven a long time ago as wicked as it is. But God’s not done with us, Hallelujah. There’s still more stirring to do.

He’s still pouring into us with gifts immeasurable, like His word, and His people. I’ve been blessed this week with a missionary in my home and I’ll tell you more later on that. But for now, take a look at the world around you… What’s God stirring in you today?

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

Is this what’s wrong with the world today?

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Is this what’s wrong with the world today?

Following any major Christian holiday or event, my brain goes on hiatus for about three days. The body is willing to continue on in service to the Lord providing it doesn’t require a thot process greater than moving something from point A to point B. So today I think my mind is almost clear enough to put two words together, although I’ll make no promise that they’re spelled right, in the right context or that they’ll compose a complete sentence.

Such was the case on Monday when I went to prepare for my Monday night Bible journaling class. I got the a sketch done for the scripture of the evening, but as far as the handout went to encourage my sisters in Christ, I couldn’t pull it together. No blog for the day. Nothing. Just air space inside of my head.

It’s on those days that I struggle with purpose. I know my purpose in life, I have fought that battle and won, but that still does not prevent Satan and his minions from coming into my head and creating doubt and confusion as to why I continue this path that is so clearly paved for me.

Monday’s scripture verse was Luke 24:32

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures.

That scripture always draws my mind back to when I was first saved, and the very scripture that I had once read and it seemed as though it were Greek, suddenly became as clear as if a light had been turned on inside my dark mind. And it truthfully was! The light of Jesus!

Oh how my soul burned when I read those words. Those written in black ink and those in red, it did not matter which, because I knew they all were the word of God. I was excited then and as my fingers type at lightening speed (well slow lightening) I’m excited now! I love the word of God! I just wish I wasn’t so quick to still fall into that trap of exhaustion.

I have to wonder if that’s what is wrong with the world today.

They’re tired

They’re tired of the lies of the news media and secular Hollywierds who truly believe they represent the greater part of our nation when in reality they don’t represent a fraction of them. But the voices of those minions are in their ears constantly whispering lies, and creating doubt in everything godly because Satan knows that that’s all he has to do. Create an ounce of doubt and it will weigh like a ton of bricks on the hearts of the people; keeping them down and on the earth and the evils of it rather than in Heavenly places which comes from the Spirit of God.

They’re Thirsty

It is instilled in the heart of man to desire God. They thirst for the living water just like the woman at the well. (John 4) The world had convinced her that she was unworthy for fellowship. So she came to the well alone and in the heat of the day because she thought there would be no one there. She could take care of business and get back to life. But Jesus intervened and showed her that in the eyes of God she was worthy because even though she was not of the chosen nation of Israel, God loved her too.

The problem now is there is nobody willing to go to the well and meet the thirsty people. And the minions have convinced them that all the wells inside the church are the same.

Now we know that to be a lie. But who is louder? Us? Or the Minions?

They’re Trapped

Somewhere between the lies and the truth. Nobody wants to be lied to and once you’ve been lied to the truth is too uncertain. Trust is a hard thing to build on unless you’re building on the foundation of Christ. There is no problems there, but there are problems within the body of Christ. Which tends to build their lives on sand. Just like sand shifts beneath the feet and makes walking a labor, so does building the foundation of your faith on worldly ways.

When the two men were walking on the road to Emmaus and met Jesus, (Luke 24) they didn’t even know who He was? They believed the lies of the religious and political leaders of the day rather than the very words out of God’s mouth Who had told them He would rise again in three days. The very same thing is happening today. If we’d spend as much time reading the word of God as we do listening to the lies of the world, and the whispers of those doggone minions, we’d know the truth, speak the truth and live the truth. Our souls too would burn within as they did on the day of Salvation when the Holy Spirit revealed Himself to us.

I’ve been tired three days… it’s time to get back to work. Glory to God my purpose has returned from hiatus!

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This blog is in it’s 8th year. Hosted on godaddy.com for the past five. Expenses incurred for the operation of this site are without complaint and with gratitude for the opportunity. If the Lord would impress you to give to help cover some recent technology issues, I’d be grateful. I’ve not been in the world’s workforce for 3 years and for that I glorify God. It’s given me the opportunity to not only write and work on music, but minister to nursing home patients, volunteer in the Christian School teaching art and help other ministries with marketing. All of which require technology, communication, time and gasoline. Again it’s without complainT… but just in case you have a desire to help, or have “extra money” 🙂 Know that I would be eternally grateful.

Here’s the Link

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

Four Reasons to Stay on the Wall

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In the book of Nehemiah, a mighty religious leader of the day received word of the remnant of the Jewish people that are left in Jerusalem. Their wall of protection is destroyed, the gates have been burned and Nehemiah sits down, weeps, fasts, prays, and then then begins his conversation with God.

Before we take our stand atop our wall there is a few preparatory measures we need to take. First talk to God, make sure it’s your wall to stand on and fight. I cannot tell you of the times I have climbed to the top of a wall that was built on someone else’s ideas instead of God’s. Second, take accountability for the brokenness if it’s yours. And third remember, you are one of the Redeemed! That in a nutshell is Nehemiah Chapter One regarding the state of Israel and Nehemiah’s prayer to God. If it’s your wall, don’t come down.

God is the God of Action. Unless it’s for a time of prayer or preaching, nowhere in scripture do you find God’s people sitting still and being productive. If they’re sitting still (like King David) they’re apt to fall into sin. Busyness isn’t always a sign of productiveness, but it’s certainly a better sign than never being found doing anything.

I cannot summarize the story of Nehemiah and the wall into a few sentences. So much happened and the entire book is so worthy to read. But for bit of encouragement for the both of us I’ll use this scripture from the book to encourage you to stay on the wall.

Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry: for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Israel had just heard the word of God afresh. They were mourning for the state of their nation. But Nehemiah gives them (and us) these words of encouragement.

We have a Reason to Celebrate

If God’s people can’t rejoice, who can? The wall was rebuilt in spite of the opposition they faced. And for those of us on this side of the New Testament, we are blessed with the Word of God that has stood the test of time and has proven itself as truth no matter how many times an angry world has tried to tear it down. We can eat the fat and drink the sweet of His glorious word and feel the Spirit in our soul as we do. The world may not know… but we do. That is reason to celebrate! Stay on the Wall and Celebrate what God completed at the empty tomb.

We have blessings to share

Nehemiah reminded them that their blessings were not their own to keep. Neither are ours. I looked around my home this morning at all the goodness of God and His graciousness to me who is so unworthy and I feel shame that I don’t share more than I do. I feel shame that I don’t take the time to thank God and stay in constant prayer that His mercy abounds in my family and friends. You too no doubt have blessings uncounted and gifts in your life that you could encourage someone with today. Stay on the wall and share God’s goodness that world may see what He’s done in your life, and that even the unsaved will glorify God for you.

We serve The Lord Most High

I loved when Nehemiah said “Don’t be sorry.” I believe he was telling the Israelites to move past regret. I am so apt to stay in an attitude of unworthiness because of my failures. I do it to the point of yet another failure; because God has proven I am worthy by His death on the cross. Was not that enough? We serve a risen Savior who took every sin; past, present and future upon His shoulders at the cross so that we could live in victory! We serve the Lord Most High, there is no reason to be low. Stay on the wall and serve in the victory you’re afforded and don’t cower to the demons of Hell that tell you you’re not worthy. You are worthy by His blood.

We have His Strength to Go On

That strength is found in His joy and His joy is found in our service. There is engrained in the child of God a desire to serve. When that desire is fulfilled it brings with it a joy unspeakable and that joy floods the body and soul with strength to go on. Yes, we’ll have some days of doubt, we’re human. But we can look back on the joys of serving God and the fruits of our labor, just like Nehemiah and children of Israel must have looked back on the rebuilt wall. Look what you’ve done in the strength of the Lord! Can He not do more? And will you not continue to stand and fight for those who have yet to make it to where you are in Christ?

I have family and friends who have never experienced life atop the wall. They’ve never known the victory of Spirit filled leaving and confidence in Christ. I’m not done until God says I’m done. Stay on the wall and continue in His strength that others may experience it too.

The wall of Jerusalem was nothing more than bricks and mortar. The Rock for which we stand is indestructible. Stand Strong in His Might!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Life Inspiration

How to Make Hope Grow

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on How to Make Hope Grow

How easy it is to lose hope? A few hard knocks from Satan, a mini or major crisis, the loss of a loved one or the hurt and angst of relationships gone awry and hope can seem so bleak and so far in the distance. Depression sets in and you avoid even the glimmers of light for fear they will fade again. Woah… I’ve depressed myself! That too is easy to do by speaking negatively into your life, which I happen to have a vast amount of experience at. I’m getting better, but any day can find me relapsing into a loss of hope. I look at numbers on my web count and think, “There are so few.” And then I think about the preacher standing in the pulpit on Sunday morning in a little country church preaching to 10 people, he would love to have my numbers. And I’m ashamed. I forget that God called me to write, sing and speak, He didn’t call me to count. And who am I to say that if it were one, that one wouldn’t change the world when God did something amazing in their life.

Just wrote myself happy!

This morning I went looking for hope in the Word of God. 133 times it’s mentioned. And just a few of them are below to encourage you in your day.

Hope when people are missing

Ruth 1:12-13

“Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; would ye tarry for them till they were grown? Would ye stay for them from having husbands? Nay, my daughters; it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.”

Naomi was speaking to Orpha and Ruth, bearing her heart of the grief from the loss of her husband and sons. One daughter-in-law was about to take her up on her offer to leave, but Ruth… not her. She had a hope in her heart that God would provide a new life for she and Naomi, and if He chose not to, she still would stay and that hope turned into one of the most glorious love stories in the bible.

Grief can cloud hope till you believe the sun will never shine again. Look around you. Who has God sent into your life to stand in the gap until the sun shines again? Make a list of everyone in your life that you love, and begin praying that God blesses your relationships and the sky open with blessings.

How can I say that… because I’ve been there; when I thought nobody understood. But God did, because He’d walked the path I was on. He lost friend after friend at the cross on His hardest day. We were one of them if you think about it. Until we came back, glory to God! Thank You Jesus for the hope I have in You, the greatest friend of all.

Hope when purpose is missing

Psalm 22:9

But Thou art He that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts.

From birth the Lord has given us hope and purpose. It is a lie from the pits of Hell that you are here without reason. There is an amazing plan for your life, but you cannot lose hope in Christ before it is completed. He needs you to get in the word and search it out for direction.

Hope when strength is missing

Psalm 31:24

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

A weak heart can be physical, emotional or spiritual. It can suck the life out of your day quickly and convince you that it’s over. There’s no need to battle back. What would have happened if King David had not battled back? There were times he was hidden in the darkness of a cave, friends forsook him, lies were told, authority was jealous and life was bleak. But he battled back with honor and stood on the side of the Lord when life was at its worst. He remembered the victories and encouraged his heart with the Word of God. It doesn’t cost a dime for us to find hope, but it cost Christ His life to give it. Hang on to it no matter what the world around you is saying.

Hope when mercy is missing

Psalm 33:22

Let thy mercy, O LORD,  be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.

How many times have we believed we’ve gone too far? We’ve failed God one too many times and there’s no mercy left in the well. First of all, the well has an endless supply. But it’s we who have to dip the bucket to fill it up, God’s really not into room service. He expects His children to do somethings on their own, and one of those things is coming to Him to receive the endless supply of hope and mercy that He has waiting. Get yourself to well of His word!

Hope when answers are missing

Psalm 38:15

For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

Satan is so full of chatter. He’ll tell you lie after lie until you lose hope, and the best one in his arsenal is that God doesn’t hear you. Well, take heart. The LORD hears every word, those spoken, those thought, and even those that you couldn’t even groan. That hope is in the word of God making it truth and the Devil is a liar. When answers are missing it is most often because we didn’t seek His answer. We sought the one we wanted, and that might not be His best.

Oh… believe me when I tell you I am so experienced in missing answers that I probably have a PHD waiting for me in Heaven on the wall of my mansion. Our hope for an answer again lies in the word of God. Every single ounce of hope we have come from Him. It’s kind of a pattern for living.

It’s not that we lose hope, it’s that we don’t pick it up. It’s waiting for you in your Bible whether it’s paper, digital or through the preaching of the Word. Keep search, don’t let Satan’s lies steal the greatest treasure you have.

Hope is find throughout the Old and New Testament. Do a word search and start planting seeds in your soul that will make hope grow!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Life Inspiration, salvation

The Signficant Three

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Signficant Three

I heard it said and fear its true, in that “We’re raising a generation that doesn’t even know the basics” when it comes to Bible. Twenty years ago at the age of 34 I didn’t know beans about the Bible. Even the acronym B.I.B.L.E – Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth, sent me into note taking frenzy. I’d never heard even something so simple. What a concept! Every preaching service I’d sit on the edge of my seat like I was being spoon fed pure sugar from Heaven, and Hallelujah and I’m still the same. The Word of God has never gotten old because as a young Christian I heard the power of the Spirit, the Water and the Blood.

As a product of what was probably the first generation that took the gospel too lightly, the blood wasn’t something my squeamish stomach liked to hear about. It made me very uneasy to hear about the sacrifice of critters and then to hear about the sacrifice of the Son of God was a horror my mind couldn’t fathom, until, through the preaching of the Word, I began to understand that were it not for that sacrifice I would have busted Hell wide open. And I knew that there had been several times in my 34 years where I was inches away from gate. When I came to that realization the preaching of the blood no longer bothered me, but I’d raise my hand and shout Amen with the rest of those crazy Baptists because the Spirit inside of moved me and bore witness that there was a well of Living Water within me and I was seated in Heaven with the Lord Jesus.

But in the modern age of today the blood is being preached on less and less and is being traded for a lukewarm version that no longer allows people to understand there’s more to getting to Heaven than just showing up to church.

Oh… the work is done. But there’s a head and heart knowledge of 1 John 5:8 that must be understood.

The significant three

Spirit

February 18th, 1996. That was the first time I remember feeling the Spirit in such a way that it made my heart well up inside of me to the point I thought it would explode! It missing in many, many services today, because that Spirit is a part of a threefold message. And without the other two, it’s not a complete message.

Water

At least 60% of the adult human body is made up of water and we can’t survive without it. A child of God won’t survive spiritually without the water of the word either. I was taught as a new Christian that if I wanted to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I needed to read and study the word of God for myself. It was then that I realized it truly was like water; flowing through my body and encouraging me as the world around me did everything within it’s power to discourage me. A few days without it and I would begin to feel my soul drying up and crying out for a drink from the well called “The Word.”

Blood

Medical minded people could give you far more information than I on the purpose of the blood for living, but I will only tell you of the blood that made all the difference! When God sacrificed the first animals to cover the newly discovered naked bodies of Adam and Eve, I can imagine their gut wrenching horror of that act. The act that they, through sin, had made necessary. It was my same reaction when I realized that through my sin, I had caused the very Lamb of God to be sacrificed on the cross as payment for my sin. I can’t watch movies like “The Passion of Christ,” because the images are just more than my heart can bear. Reading it in the Word and having the Spirit bear witness to me is enough to make me understand the blood was applied to my wicked heart and made it white as snow so that I could have a relationship with God.

I’m grateful for the preaching of the Word and that Saints of God took their role of discipling me serious. I pray I never take the significant three for granted, and that I never fail to take the opportunity to instill in this generation the basics of salvation. That is why the world is in the shape that it’s in. The basics have been forsaken for words that appease the flesh. I know that if my heart had not felt the piercing conviction of sin through the preaching of the Spirit, the Water and the Blood, I’d still be headed to Hell.

If you’ve know that word… thank a preacher!