God is Still God

It's been a while since I've last posted.  My life has drastically changed and has been very busy.  I changed jobs within my company, and it's been very hectic, to say the least.


However, I will say that it has been one of the most trying times in my life.  I do not have the luxury of time I had before to study throughout the day while sitting on the mountain top.  I am now going through the testing fire. It is definitely a time of reflection of my values and priorities.  One scripture that continues to come to mind is Proverbs 24:10 "If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small."  I don't want to be a weak Christian.  I don't want to fail nor do I want to have to go through the test again.  I want to learn my lesson the first time.


I also know that God will give me more than I can bear.  That's why he's there to help me stretch, grow, and fully rely on Him for all I need.  I must take time to commune with Him and keep going in the right direction.


I also know that God never leaves me nor forsakes me.  I may not look to Him nor seek Him as I should, but He is always there waiting for me.  God is faithful.


I know that when I've done all I can do, then just stand.  Know that God is God.  Know that through Christ I can do all things.  Know that even when the storm of life is roaring all around me, I can listen to God's still, small voice and feel His peace that passes all understanding.


I know that God loves me no matter what.  I know that He has placed very special people in my life to keep me encouraged and pray for me.


I know that God is God.


Thank you Lord for everything.  I know that I am to be thankful in all situations.  I know that if I look with your eyes and listen, I will see where you are working around me and through me.  Help me to not become so bogged down with life that I loose sight of you and your will in my life.  Lord, guard me, protect me, use me.  Help me to find that special time just for you in my day because without you I am nothing and can accomplish nothing.  Give me rest and strengthen me for the battle I will face tomorrow to further your kingdom.

What's Up With That Finger, SJ?

Well, it seems that I've had a string of bad luck lately. Just before I left work Friday, I caught my wedding band on the door handle. My body went one way as I was walking off, but my hand stayed attached to the door.

Thankfully, my finger was neither dislocated nor broken. My wedding band didn't weather this incident too well though. It will need to be replaced once I can wear rings again on that finger.

Guardian Angels Working Overtime

We have many things to be thankful for. Part of my prayer lately has been "Thank you God for your blessings seen and unseen."

It is by the grace of God that I'm not a widow today. Timmy's guardian angel was working overtime this last Saturday.

As he was traveling on the interstate and a race car transport traveling the opposite side, one of the extra tires came loose from the trailer, flew over the barrier, and slammed into Timmy's truck. Had he not seen the tire nor been able to slow down, it would have made a direct hit into the side of his window. Also, after the tire hit, it flew over the truck back over the barrier to the other side of the interstate instead of hitting his windshield.

All the praise and glory goes to God for keeping his protecting hand over Timmy. I am so thankful for the seen and unseen blessings in life.

A Sweet Send Off

Friday before I left work, I was surprised by my staff with a sweet send off.

Thanks everyone! You're the best!

Has The Spirit Left You?

A statement was made at our regional convention..."If the Spirit of God left us, some wouldn't know for 25 years because they know how to have church."

My questions are..."Do you know if the Spirit has left you? Is he moving in your personal life and in your church? Or are you just going through the motions to check off a list to feel good about yourself so you can say that you're a Christian or that you went to church?"

I am not condemning anyone. These are some very serious questions to think about while searching and examining your heart and life. I've done the same as well. As God has brought to light some areas of my heart and life that were not totally in line with his principles and truth I've had to repent and ask him to fix it in me.

I want to have my life's cup overflowing with the Holy Spirit. I want to be all I can be for God. I want to be totally in his will and to be prepared to do his work at any moment. I want to know that I know that I have nothing between me and God.

My heart burns with the desire to know more of him, to seek a deeper relationship with him on a daily basis. I don't want yesterday's knowledge and blessings. I want to grow in him daily and to receive new blessings. I desire to be engulfed by his Spirit daily...a new, fresh annointing. But the only way this can happen is through my desire and willingness to seek him. It isn't always easy. Life throws curve balls at me, but I love God and still find that time to talk with him and seek him so that I can hide his word in my heart.

I encourage you to find that alone time with God each day. It will be the peace in the middle of life's storm.

A New Chapter

Today marks a new chapter in my life.  It's a bittersweet moment.  I have been offered a promotion and new position within the company at a bigger facility.  I have sought God and prayed for his will in this situation and am at peace with this move in my life.  I know that God is directing my steps and that I walk in his grace and favor.

However, it is a sad moment because I have spent the last three years creating relationships with some now very dear friends.  It is never easy to make a change that involves leaving friends behind as your life's journey takes you into a different direction than theirs.  But I do know that no matter the distance or time, we will still have that special bond.  I know that they're just a phone call away to listen, talk, give advice, or pray.  I am a blessed woman to have made such friends, and I thank God for these special people that he allowed to cross paths with me.

Some days you wonder if the energy you put into people is worth it or not. Thankfully God let me see some of the fruits of my labor and for that I'm truly grateful. As I was saying my final goodbyes, I was showered with love, appreciation, best wishes, and stories of how I've made a positive impact in their lives. To God I give all the glory and praise for using this vessel to further his kingdom.

I am looking forward to the next part of the journey God is taking me on. I pray that God continues to guide me, teach me, and use me to make a difference in someone's life...someone who needs God's love and the message of Jesus Christ.

Continue to pray for this sister in Christ.

Grace

Some food for thought...

"Grace is not an excuse to sin but the power not to sin...It is not the great cover up!"

Ain't No Grave

Praise the Lord!  When I hear the trumpet sound, there's no grave that can hold me down!  My name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life!  I am a child of God saved by grace who is going home to live with my Lord and Savior and to hurt no more!  Hallelujah!

Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:1-5
I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire. 


I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. ²I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. ^{3 -5}I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone." The Enthroned continued, "Look! I'm making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate." 

God Is Faithful

I love how God continually shows himself true and faithful to me.  He said that he would never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).  Just when the storms of life seem to get out of control and I'm being knocked around, he's there to say 'Peace be still' and calms all my storms.  His peace floods my soul and all fear leaves.  My mind becomes clear.  


I can stand on his promises.  His Word is true - the only and absolute truth.  


I know that my steps are ordered (Psalm 37:23) and that my path is guarded and protected by him (Proverbs 2:8).  I know that as I gain more wisdom I will be filled with joy, wise choices will watch over me, and understanding will keep me safe (Proverbs 2:10-11).


I also know that he has a plan for me, a future, and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11-13) and as I seek him above all everything else, he will hear me and I will find him.  


I know that he has begun something new within me and in my life and will make a path for me where there seems to be none (Isaiah 43:19) to which I am very excited.  


I'm enjoying the journey God has me on.  God lead me and I will follow!





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Fall To Pieces?

Proverbs 24:10 TNIV:  If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength?
Proverbs 24:10 NCV:  If you give up when trouble comes, it shows that you are weak.
Proverbs 24:10 MSG:  If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place.


How strong are you?  Well, in and of ourselves, we aren't strong.  You say that you have faith in God and stand on his promises.  But how strong are you really?  Do you just give up?  Do you fall to pieces?  Do you whine and whimper?  Do you crumble at the slightest bit of trials and temptations?


Or...


Do you stand firm in God and stand on His promises?  Do you ignore the emotions that overwhelm at times and just stand on his Truth...His Word?  Do you pray the scriptures into your life?  


Lord, I know that the storms of life come and go.  I know that sometimes I must go through the valley and other times I get the privilege of being on the mountain top.  Forgive me of the times that I so quickly let the storms of life overtake me and let my emotions take over.  Help me to not be tossed to and fro by life.  Help me to learn more of you, walk in your wisdom, have my feet set firmly on your Truth, and have your Word hidden in my heart.  Lord, help me to come through the trials of life stronger in you.  Holy Spirit, keep me in line and bring to my remembrance the Truth on which I stand.  God, continue to remove me and fill me with more of you.  Continue to guide me and direct my path.  Thank you, Lord, taking care of me even when I may not be able to clearly see the bigger picture.  Continue to let me see with your eyes and love with your love.  I love you, my friend, my Savior!

Mental Filter?

Proverbs 29:11, 20 NLT:  Fools vent their anger but the wise quietly hold it back.  There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.


How many times have we had "diarrhea of the mouth" and just blurted out everything we thought of without being sensitive to others around and how your words would affect them?  Or in the heat of the moment and anger, just given someone the verbal beating they deserved?  I've been guilty.  


Lord, help me to keep a watch on my tongue.  There is life and death in the tongue.  There is power in the spoken word.  Help me to always be mindful to speak positive, edifying things.  I want to build others up and be able to testify of your wonderfulness.

Your Great Name

What a wonderful name! No other name is greater! How my heart rejoices hearing his name!

He is my Savior. He is my freedom. He is my healer. He is my redeemer. He is my provider. He is my everything!

JESUS!

Joyful & Passionate

In talking with some friends, I was questioned about my joy and passion for God.  How did you find your joy again?  How are you able to stay so passionate? 

I answered as best as I could in sharing a small portion of what I've gone through and faced in the last years.  I truly hope that I was able to convey a few key points

Here are some key nuggets of truth that I've learned and stand on:

1.  God never leaves me nor forsakes me. He never fails! (Hebrews 13:5 NLT:  “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.”)  I had failed him.  I had walked away from him, but he never let me down.

2.  I had to take action; I had to make a choice.  I couldn't just expect to be rescued without making an effort on my part.  God was there all the time, but I was running away from God creating a greater distance between him and me.  I had to stop, humble myself, turn to God, and repent of my shortcomings.  God isn't going to force himself on us.  I had to turn to my 1st love again.   (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT:  "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.")

3.  I fell in love with God again.  Oh sure, I said that I loved God, but when I truly humbled myself before him, let his love completely wash over me, and his healing process in my heart and emotions began, I learned that my skewed view of God was wrong.  He revealed himself in a totally new way to me.  He became my loving Father.  

  

4.  Looking to anywhere or anyone besides Him for my every need only leads to disappointment. Turning to things or people didn't fix my problems.  Yes, God used a friend to help reach me.  I'm thankful that I have someone who supports me and whom I can totally trust, but ultimately, I had to put God at the center of my world and turn to Him for all my needs, wants, desires, hopes, dreams, etc.

5.  God is my shelter and I trust him.  (Psalm 91:1-2 NLT:  "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.)

6.  I am free!  (Psalm 119:45 NLT:  "I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.") (John 8:32 NLT:  "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.")  God broke the bondage of sin and continues to demolish strongholds in my life (a future blog subject).  I know where I was headed and where I am headed now.  God is continuing to undo the mess I created.  He is replacing all the dark with his light and love.  He is continuing to heal me.  He is so loving.  

7.  I am wearing the armor of God.  I am learning God’s truth, His Word and how to apply it to my life.  (Ephesians 5:10-18 NLT"  "A final word:  Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition, to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.")

8.  I am learning the importance and power of prayer.  Through prayer, I communicate with my friend, God, just as Moses and God did (Exodus 33:11 NLT:  "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend").  Through prayer, I am able to praise him.  Through prayer, I am able to lay my burdens at his feet. (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT:  "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light'")  Through prayer, I am able to speak his truth into my life.  Through prayer, I am able to hear him and learn from him.  We are only as strong as how often we pray, how we pray, and what we pray.

9.  God loves me.  How can I not have joy and passion for my Savior who loves me for me?  He loved me enough to reach to me.  He loves me enough to dream about me and sing songs about me? (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT:  "For the Lord your God is living among you.  He is a mighty savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.")  


Lord, help me to always bask in your love and joy.  Help me to keep the the love and fire for you burning deep within me.  Restore your joy to your people.  Restore the passion within their souls.  Revive us Lord!

Thoughtless or Thoughtful?

Ephesians 5:17 NKJV:  "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Ephesians 5:17 NLT:  "Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants to do."


Do we just "go with the flow?"  Or are we actually seeking God for His wisdom and finding what it is that He wants to use us to do for Him that day?

This is one of the places I am with God.  I want His wisdom.  I want to be in His will and not miss an opportunity.  Do I fail at times?  You bet!  But I pick myself up, learn from it, and move on.  I continue to strive to be more Christ like each day.

Lord, help me to be mindful of You at all times.  I do not want to be foolish and depend on my own understanding.  Give me Your wisdom.  Let me see with Your eyes where You want me to be and what You want me to do for You at that moment in time.  Search me, God.  Continue to change me, remove SJ from within me, and completely fill me with You.  

A Song In My Heart

Psalm 108:1 NLT:    "My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with my heart!"


Each day I wake up with a song in my heart and find myself praising God through singing.  Beforehand, I couldn't sing.  I was miserable and bound by the chains of sin.  But now that my confidence is in the saving grace of Jesus, I now have the freedom and joy to sing continuous praises to him.


Lately my song has been this:

Glory, Glory, Glory to the Lamb

Glory, Glory, Glory to the Lamb

For You are glorious

And worthy to be praised

The Lamb upon the throne

And unto to You

Do I lift my voice in praise

The Lamb upon the throne

Lord, let your praises continually flow from my heart and mouth.  You are a glorious, merciful, and wonderful God.  You are my love and joy.  Continue to make me into your perfect masterpiece.

An Ouch Moment

You know God speaks to each one of us according to our personalities.  I'm amused by the conversations that he and I have.  But he always speaks in a manner that I "get it".   


I was having one of those parental moments of having to correct my usually very well-mannered son of how rudely his tone and words were towards me.  In the middle of that, God smacked me upside the head (like the NCIS Gibb's slap) and said in his gentle loudness..."Sherry, how often have you done that to me?  How do you think I feel?"  Oh man!  That hit home!  


I had to stop right there and take a moment with God to ask for forgiveness of my failures, the times I acted like a spoiled brat, and the times I cause him pain and suffering.  


God, continue to change me into your image.  Help me to be mindful of you at all times and to never take for granted your love and mercy.

House Of Prayer

Matthew 21:13 NLT:     "My Temple will be called a house of prayer..."


While reading this morning, I read this scripture, and in God's gentle loudness, he spoke to me about it.  I know in this scripture he was talking about his temple (building), but another thought came to mind...We are not just his temple collectively as a church, but individually we are his temple.  (I Corinthians 3:16 NKV:  "Do you not know that your are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?")


If we are not praying as individuals in our personal lives, how can we pray collectively as a church?  And how effective of a Christian and church will we be to reach others?  We are only as strong as how we pray and how often we pray.


Matthew chapter 6 gives us the prime example of how to pray, The Lord's Prayer.  But prior to his giving that example to us, he stated 3 times (verses 5, 6, & 7), "when you pray."  Not that praying was a suggestion, but WHEN you pray, stating that it is something that we are to do.  Jesus, himself, prayed while here on earth.  What makes us think we're any better than he?


We should always pray.  (I Thessalonians 5:17 NLT:  "Never stop praying")  Now that doesn't mean that we don't have other responsibilities and are on our physical knees 24/7, but we are also to keep our hearts and minds in line with God and keep the communication open to him at all times.    


God, help me to always take time to pray, to just magnify you, to worship you, to lay my burdens at your feet, and to lift others to you.  Teach me to pray your will.  Teach me your wisdom.  Help us to know the importance of spending time with you and seeking you in all things.  I want to be an effective servant for you.  Thank you, Lord.  I love you!

My Praise & Prayer for Today

^{Psalm 40:1-3 NLT:
1} I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
      and he turned to me and heard my cry.
    ² He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
      out of the mud and the mire.
   He set my feet on solid ground
      and steadied me as I walked along.
    ³ He has given me a new song to sing,
      a hymn of praise to our God.
   Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
      They will put their trust in the Lord


This passage and praise to God sums up the miracle life transformation God is doing in me.  I'm no longer in the pit...no longer in despair.  My feet are placed firmly on THE ROCK of Jesus.  My soul praises him all day long.  I find myself waking up with a song in my heart and continuously singing to him because of his wonderfulness.


Thank you, Lord, for never failing me!  Thank you, Lord, for never leaving me!  Thank you, Lord, for hearing my cry, reaching for me, and pulling me from my mess.  Thank you for your transformation of my heart and life.  I will continue to praise you all my days!


Lord, use me.  Let others see you through me.  Let me in some way touch others who are lost, hurting, down and out.  Use me to share your love, greatness, and saving grace.  I know first hand of the freedom of your awesome love and power.   


Thank you Lord for your mercy, love, and grace.  

A Friend's Love

Proverbs 17:17  A friend loves at all times...


I am thankful for my friend, God, and my Christian friends who have stuck by my side even during the good, bad, and ugly!


Sad to say, I've been on a spiritual roller coaster ride the last 10 years of my life.  I wasn't seeking God.  I wasn't praying daily.  I wasn't reading His Word.  I wasn't feeding my spirit.  I wasn't serious about God or anything that had to do with Him.  I had my "pocket Jesus" and would pull Him out only when times were rough.  I wasn't serving Him during all circumstances.  At times, I appeared that I did.  I was "playing Christian."  Knowing what others are looking for as a checklist to see if you're a Christian or not, I was able to fool many.  But thankfully, my true friends who were plugged in to God knew differently.  


God burdened their hearts for me.  Not knowing how to approach me, prayers went up first.  God was still working on my end of the spectrum.  I wasn't ready to receive what He wanted to do for me, but through earnest prayer (not the 2-minute-bless-her-God kind of prayer but the get-down-to-business-go-get-her-God kind of prayer),God began that work in me.  It wasn't instantaneous.  I fought it, but He was still working.  


As my heart was searching for something more to this life than what I was living, God was speaking to me.  I did NOT want to hear it, I ran...ran far away...hoping to escape the misery I was in.  But running from God only made it worse.  Every aspect of my life seemed to fall apart.  The more I tried to fix it, the worse it got, and the worse it got, the more I tried to fix it.  And the vicious cycle continued.  The "I can do it on my own" attitude is great at times, but in this case, I slowly sunk deeper and deeper into the darkest, most miserable, God-forsaken place I've ever been.


I'm normally a strong, don't-need-anybody-to-comfort-me individual (I'm a little prideful on being able to take care of business and do it on my own), yet inside I was crying out, screaming for help, hoping that just one person could see the hurt, anguish, and despair..."Someone please look into my eyes and see that I'm struggling!  Help!  The storm of life has overtaken me, and I'm drowning!"  All to no avail because the front I put up on the outside fooled many.  Plus, they had their own battles to fight, and their strength was depleted like mine. Little did I know that God had someone on their knees for me daily.  I was looking for rescue in one certain form, but God was answering my prayer a different way.


When the ground of my heart was ready to receive from God what He wanted to do, I was approached by a special friend.  This friend was on a mission from God to tell me that God loves me, and in love, not condemnation, exposed the deepest, darkest secret of my heart.  Now, I freaked out, about threw up, and about peed myself.  I was like..."Uh oh!  I'm done for now!"  It's a God thing when someone can tell you exactly what you've been going through, and they haven't been there to see it.  As scared as I was about this moment of truth, the weight of the world seemed to lift at this moment.  God cared enough, loved me enough, to use someone whom I've always held in high regard to love me and reach out to me. Did you hear that?  God reached out to me!  Wow!  As ugly, stinky, awful, gross, sin-covered as I was, God wanted me, the prodigal daughter to come home, to look to Him, to rest in Him, to grow in Him.  Yet, I still ran!  What a case of stupid!  I was looking for God to reach to me.  He did.  And I still ran like a moron!  God had to get my attention.  I dream a lot.  But one summer night in 2008, He gave me a vision.  I died and went to Hell.....talk about a powerful, attention getter!


As my friend continued to just be my friend, pray for me, listen, counsel, speak God's Truth into me, my life began to change.  I turned it all over to God.  He began and is still continuing a major transformation of my heart and life.  But it took action on my part.  I had to be willing to give it all to God.  I had to be willing to obey His commands.  I had to be willing to open up and say, "God whatever it is You have for me, then let's do this."  I had to be willing, period.  God will never force Himself on us.  He gave us a choice.  I had to make the choice to choose Him, to choose life everlasting!  Thank You Lord for never giving up on me and for using Your willing servant to reach me!  You are an awesome God!


Today I was listening to my Casting Crowns cd like I have so many other days, a couple of songs really spoke to my spirit.  "Prayer for a Friend" made me stop and think about this time in my life when that's all a friend of mine was able to do...pray for me.  


There is power in prayer!  I'm living proof of it!  Prayer is not a now and then thing to do only when we get in trouble.  Prayer is a daily communication with God, our Lord and Savior.  Prayer is just as simple as talking with a friend because God is our friend.  


Do you really love God or are you just "playing Christian?"  Do you really appreciate Him for Him?  Are you thankful for his grace and mercy?  Are you thankful that He sustained you during your lost times and that you are not living an eternity in Hell?  Are you saved?  If not, why not?  Do you really want to go to Hell?


Have you prayed lately?  Have you really gotten down to business with God and given Him every fiber of your being?  Have you read His Word to get your daily jolt of "Jesus Juice?"  Are you striving to be more like Him each day? 


God call us to repentance!  You are a merciful, loving God just waiting for Your children to turn around and run into Your arms of love.  You are always there!  We may walk away from You, but You never change!  You are constant.  You are truth.  You are love.  You are willing to forgive.  God let the desire to know You more and want more of You burn in our hearts and souls.  Thank You, Lord, for loving me and changing me.  Continue to remove me and make me into Your image.   I love you, Jesus, my friend and Savior.

My Willful Choice

Thought for the day...


If we choose not to live a life in Christ that will bring glory to him and to live a life of disobedience instead, we can anticipate God's judgement. ~Trask & Goodall




God forgive me of the times I've failed you and blatantly chosen disobedience.  I cannot fathom the hurt and anguish I've caused you.  Thank you for your mercy and grace.  Thank you for your understanding and patience during the times I've acted like spoiled, ungrateful brat.  


Lord, help me to continue to humble myself and submit my will to your will.  I'm yours Lord.  Break away all the pieces of me and mold me into your perfect masterpiece to be used for your perfect plan.

Who Are You and What Did You Do With Sherry Jo?

Recently, I've received a few comments and questions as to my new found excitement for God.  "Who are you and what did you do with Sherry Jo?" sums it up. This has caused me to be puzzled, concerned, and excited all at the same time.


Those who know me expect me to act and speak a certain way...like SJ.  But there's been an absolute, undeniable change in me that is bursting forth - a hunger for God like never before in me.  To some the questions are to explore what caused the spark in me because they are hungry too.  But others aren't as receptive.  And that disturbs my spirit because I want them to desire to seek God and to have more of Him.  To be totally sold out to Him!


On the other hand, I'm totally stoked about these comments.  I want all of SJ to be removed and replaced with God.  I want people to see God instead of me.  Not for me to receive recognition but for God to receive the glory, honor, and praise for His miracle in my life.  So when you don't see me but see God through me, I'm EXCITED!  


So, SJ, where did it come from?  2 places:  (1) Unconditional love and (2) I finally GET it!


It comes from the undeniable, unconditional love of God!  God could have easily snuffed me out, but instead, He loved me, just me, enough to reach down, touch my heart, and deliver me from the bondage of sin and the pits of Hell.  God's Amazing Grace!


This quote says it all - Dennis Jernigan A Mystery of Majesty:


"and I'll never forget the night God finally set me free from my past and from my sin.  For years I had struggled to free myself, but my attempts were in vain.  It was as if he were waiting for me to settle down and give up striving.  It appears to me that when I finally gave up, he sovereignly stepped in and called me to his side.  All I had to do was accept his proposal...The moment I saw my Father's face of mercy and forgiveness-the moment I realized he would love me no matter what-my life was radically changed and irrevocably changed forever!"


I've always been a strong-willed individual - sometimes for the good and sometimes for the not so good.  But the realization and truth of the matter is that I cannot do it all by myself.  I finally GET it!  I've been raised in church and have a certain amount of God knowledge, but it finally made that 12-inch drop from my head to my heart.  That drop made such a profound and forever life-changing impact on my life.  God has become real to me.  He revealed Himself in such a way to me that I never understood before.  


God has a plan for me.  There's more to this life than just being here.  But it took my getting me out of the way, so God could take control; to decide that my desire for Him and His righteousness is greater than any other desire.  The desire to know more of Him.  And His love burns inside me.  


Jeremiah 29:11-13 MSG:


"I know what I'm doing.  I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.  When you call on me, when you come to pray to me, I'll listen.  When you come looking for me, you'll find me.  Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."


I'm on a journey with God.  Some days are more exciting than others.  Some days hurt, really hurt, when God has me take a good, long look at myself and deal with sins and shortcomings.  But the reward is great!  


Psalm 139: 23-4 MSG is my heart's cry:


"Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself if there is anything offensive in me, Then guide me on the road to eternal life."




I thank God everyday for His mercy, grace, and unconditional love.  That He saw me in my worst condition and decided that there was something good in me. That He used other willing servants to love me enough and reach out to me. I pray that God continually molds me into His image, uses me in some way to further his Kingdom and reach others for Him, and for His love to continue to flow through me.  Do you love others enough?  What are you willing to do to keep them from going to Hell?


Thank you Jesus!

Revival In You?

This is today's Connection devotion.  Love it and wanted to share with all.

We need God.  We need to share the news of Jesus Christ with others.

VERSE:

   O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

    -- Jeremiah 22:29

     

THOUGHT:

   What is absolutely essential for your country and your people to experience revival? First, the Spirit of God must move in a mighty way. Second, the people must open their hearts to hear and respond to the Word of the Lord. So let's commit to pray together, all over the world, that our people will open their hearts to the Spirit and the Word of God!

PRAYER:

   Holy and Almighty God, please move powerfully in our day to bring revival. Open the hearts of the peoples to your truth and enable those who proclaim your Word to speak your truth with power.

Please use me to help make a difference in the lives of those around me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Got Jesus?

The Bible says there is only one way to Heaven

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)

Good works cannot save you.

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Trust Jesus Christ today! Here's what you must do:

1.  Admit you are a sinner.

•   "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
• "Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death as the result of sin, so death spread to all men, [^[a]no one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned." (Romans 5:12)
• "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)

2.  Be willing to turn from sin (repent).

• Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)
• "God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him." (Acts 17:30)

3.  Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead.

• "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."(John 3:16)
• "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us."(Romans 5:8)
• "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

4.  Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Saviour.

• "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)
• "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

What to pray: Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1:12)

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

---

If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, as a Christian you should:

1.  Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better.

• "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
• "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalms 119:105)

2.  Talk to God in prayer every day.

• "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22)
• "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."(Philippians 4:6)

3.  Be baptized, worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached and the Bible is the final authority.

• "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" (Matthew 28:19)
• "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
• "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." (2 Timothy 3:16)

4.  Tell others about Christ.

• "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."(Mark 16:15)
• "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"(1 Corinthians 9:16)
• "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16)

Prayer for Friends & Family

This is a prayer from a dear friend of mine.  Wanted to share with all my friends and family.  Life is short.  Know that you are loved and appreciated:


Dear Lord,
Thank You for all of the amazing people that you have placed in my life.  I am truly grateful for all of my friends and family.


I lift each and every one of my friends and family up to you in prayer right now, Dear Lord. 


Please touch their hearts, bodies, minds and souls with your grace.


Dear Lord, please wrap them in the comfort and strength of your love and guidance that they may know and follow your will.  Please heal their hurts, dry their tears, and fill their needs as only You can.


I thank you for these people and the blessings they are in my life.


I ask for your continued blessings on their lives and mine!


I love you and thank you Dear Lord for everything in my life.


In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

Peace

Philippians 4:6 – with thanksgiving, present your requests to God

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

We’re very familiar with anxiety, but how familiar are we with peace? Just when we get comfortable with one season of our lives we are thrust into the next, where we find our bearings have to change.

Prayer guides us into the seasons of life that we don’t understand because God’s peace transcends all understanding. To approach anxiety with thanksgiving and prayer may seem hard, but it reminds us that we were never in control to begin with. We have a Heavenly Father who sees all things and cares for us. Prayer pulls down our anxieties and fills us with supernatural peace.