All Nations Standing Before the Throne of Grace

Matthew 7:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:13%20-%2014&version=NIV)

Have you ever wondered why Christians don’t seem to have any rights?  There are other religions and other causes that seem to have more rights than the Christian.  I think this verse explains the reason why.  Many people choose the road to destruction, many people walk down that wide road but very few actually follow the narrow road that leads to life.  Jesus tells us that only a few will find it. 

Because so few find it, we have been promised in the word of God that we will be persecuted for His name sake.  II Timothy 3:12  “¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Timothy%203:12%20-%2013&version=NIV)  First of all, we will be persecuted, some more than others.  It may be that our rights  are overlooked, or we don’t get a promotion at work, we are harassed, or as severe as being imprisoned and tormented, we will be persecuted.  How have you been persecuted?

Note also, that Timothy mentions imposters.  Not everyone who proclaims to be a Christian really is.  In the church today we have people who pose as Christians, even have people come in to the church to deceive the church and some even work the church for their money.  Christ warns us of this in Matthew 24:4 – 5  ⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024:%204%20-%205&version=NIV) .  If you read on in Matthew 7: 7: 21 – 23 you will see that not everyone who claims to be a follower is and that they will be met at the day of judgment by our Lord saying they never new Him.  ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’   My dad cautioned me when I went off to college not to just fall for anything that implied it was a Christian organization.  He always taught me to search the word and find answers to questions I might have concerning what someone was telling me.  Many are out there who can speak well and who can convince others that they know best but how many are doing it for the glory of God rather than their own glory.  Be cautious.  I know my intent of writing this blog is to give God the glory, to grow in Him but you do not know my heart, do you?  Don’t take the words that I write as the gospel truth but search the scriptures.   If you read nothing from my blog except the scriptures and you pray and ask God to reveal to you what He was saying, I would be grateful.   I believe that God is allowing me to write these words down and is giving them to me as I write but you need to search the scriptures for yourself, you need to pray and ask Him to reveal to you what He has for you, you need to make sure that I am telling the truth, go ahead, I hope you will take these words that I write and test them. 

Back to the narrow gate, in Revelation 3 Jesus reveals to John about those in the church at Sardis.  Maybe you can identify with it.  Maybe you are in a church that is much like this church, I know you live in a world that is like this church.  Read what He has to say, Revelation 3: 2 – 6 ² Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. ³ Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

 ⁴ Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. ⁵ The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. ⁶Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%203:%202%20-%206&version=NIV)

What about you?  Are your clothes soiled?  Are you sleeping?  Jesus calls us to repent.  I want to be one that has unsoiled clothes.  Those unsoiled clothes have been washed by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ who took the penalty of my sin upon Himself when He took them to the cross.  I have repented and I believe I will be standing with the great multitude that is mentioned in Revelation 7:9 – 10

⁹ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%207:%209%20-%2010&version=NIV)

You see, the gate is narrow and the road is narrow but that doesn’t mean that everyone is not welcomed.  You must first wake up, then listen, then receive what you have heard and repent.  I know that if you are reading this you have heard, I pray that you will listen, I pray that you will receive it and I humbly pray that you will repent, if you have not already done so.  I want to see all of you that have read this blog someday in Heaven.  Those of you from Russia, Germany, Malaysia, Columbia, South Korea, Latvia, Seychelles, and the United States, I want to see you in that crowd of all nations coming together before the Throne of Grace, praising God because of the salvation that He has brought to us.  Praying that you will Seek Him and Know Him with all your heart.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

  

When We Don't Get the Answer We Want

Matthew 7:1-12

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Ask, Seek, Knock

    ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

   ⁹ “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:%207-%2012&version=NIV1984)

There is a progression in this passage that I think may be important to note.  First Jesus tells us to ask, He then tells us to seek, and then knock.  Let’s look at each one and consider what He might be telling us.

Ask

At the time of this writing it is Christmas time and there are a lot of people asking for things.  Some of them are realistic and others are not.  Children all across this earth are dreaming about the perfect Christmas morning when they will receive the gifts that they have been asking for but what if they don’t get it?  Sometimes it is the same way with us.  We ask our Father and expect to receive but it is not always the gift that we expected or for that matter even wanted.  Why does this happen?  It isn’t because He can’t afford it or just can’t produce it, He can do all things, after all He created the earth and everything in it.  Could it be because what we are asking for, although seems good, will not benefit us?  Could it be that He has an even better plan for us?  That is when we need to look further and see that He tells us to “seek”.

Seek

What does it mean to seek?  We play hide and go seek and we look everywhere we can think of to find the one that is hiding.  Sometimes we find them and other times we don’t.  Jesus tells us to seek Him.  If we don’t understand the answer maybe we don’t know the One who is in control quite well enough.  We need to seek Him out, go to scriptures and read His word, talk to Him and ask for clarification.  Sometimes when a two year old doesn’t understand the reason for something they ask “Why?” and we try to clarify with another resounding “Why?” until they finally understand the response or get distracted by something else.  A while back I compared Moses to a two year old who kept asking God for clarification but in the end God spoke and Moses obeyed.  He wants us to seek Him, He wants us to understand His ways and then He tells us to knock.

Knock

A knock is a persistent sound that, when heard, is generally answered.  The other day I was working in the kitchen while my husband, who was working the night shift, was stirred from his sleep by what he thought was knocking.  He got up when it persisted to go see who was at the door.  It was just me chopping food in the kitchen but the persistence caused a response.  Sometimes a knock can be a simple, “I am here, could you let me in?” and other times it can be a frantic knock saying, “Let me in quickly”.  We can be assured that when we knock on our Savior’s door that we will get a response.  Another scripture concerning knocking came to my mind when I read this.  It can be found in Revelation 3:20  “²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%203:20&version=NIV1984)  In this scripture passage Jesus is revealing to John the condition of the church in Laodicea.  They thought they were blessed because they had riches but their riches were not of the Heavenly nature but of the world’s nature.  Jesus loved them anyway and so He rebuked them telling them to be earnest and repent.  Then he says that He is waiting at the door to let them in.  My question to you to twofold, first of all, whose door are you knocking on?  Is it someone you know, that you have sought out and know His ways?  Secondly, How have you been knocking at His door?  Are you earnest?  Have you repented?  Before we knock, let’s make sure we know who is going to answer.  When He knocks, He already knows you and He is ready to receive you.  When you knock, do you know Him and are you ready to receive whatever He has to give you?

If we have asked and we have sought Him you can be sure there will be a response when we knock.  But note, when Jesus gives an illustration He shows us that any man will give his son good things not bad.  Have you ever thought that maybe if the answer is “no” it is because of what you are asking for.  Maybe you are asking for a snake but God gives you fish.  Maybe what you are asking for is a rock but God gives you bread.  My family gives me a hard time about how I spoil our granddaughter.  They say I give her anything that she asked for.  Well, if she asked for a knife to play with, I wouldn’t give it to her and if she ran out in the street I would tell her no.  That is how our Heavenly Father treats us, He gives us what is good not always what we ask for.

Now the last part of this scripture might seem a little out of place.  It is the golden rule,  “¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”  Jesus was a perfect example of this lifestyle.  He treated others as He would have wanted to be treated.  How are you treating your fellow man?  How are you treating your Heavenly Father?  If you are asking, are you asking for the right reason?  Are you seeking out His will in your life?  If so, knock and the door will be opened but if you are asking something that is not for your good then thank Him for taking care of you.  Wait patiently, sit quietly, seek Him and knock for He is there waiting for you.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila

Living a Life Pleasing to God

Matthew 7:1-6

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹ “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

   ³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

   ⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:%201%206&version=NIV1984)

As I looked at this scripture today I had to stop and really think about what Jesus was meaning in this scripture.  I prayed about it and was brought to a scripture that I believe explains it well.  I think this is very amazing because I did not go to the back of my Bible and begin to look for scriptures, the word was opened to me and it was clear.  That has happened so many times in my study and it thrills my heart because I feel that God is saying, “Here it is Sheila, read this.”  No one will ever be able to convince me that it is by chance.  My God is amazing, that is all I can say!!!!!

Judging others, it is so easy to see the faults of others but forget to look in the mirror.  Maybe it is as simple as recognizing that someone has gained weight but forgetting that your pants have been getting tight too.  Sometimes we get so caught up in what others are doing that we forget to take a look at ourselves and see our own faults.  In psychology we are taught that sometimes people put others down because they don’t feel good about themselves.  Somehow by looking at other peoples faults it makes ours not seem so bad.  I believe that Jesus is telling us to be concerned about our own hearts.  We don’t know the hearts of our brothers but He does.  We don’t know what they are thinking, feeling, or their true intentions but He does.  We need to leave the judging to Him and make sure our lives are in line with His will. 

So, that made pretty good sense and then He throws in the last part,  ⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces”  Now that kind of sounds like judging doesn’t it?  Who are the dogs and who are the pigs?  As I thought about this I was directed to II Peter 2:

False Teachers and Their Destruction

 ¹ But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³ In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

 ⁴ For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,^[a] putting them into gloomy dungeons^[b] to be held for judgment; ⁵ if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; ⁶ if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; ⁷ and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men ⁸ (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— ⁹ if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.^{[c] 10} This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature^[d] and despise authority.
   Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; ¹¹ yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. ¹² But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.
 ¹³ They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.^{[e] 14} With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! ¹⁵ They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. ¹⁶ But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
 ¹⁷ These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. ¹⁸ For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. ²⁰ If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. ²¹ It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. ²² Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,”^[f] and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Peter%202&version=NIV1984)

Now, it may sound like judging others but I think one is blatant sin while the other may be those petty things that we seem to judge people over.  I believe His is also telling us to be cautious that we do not become like the dogs and pigs and get trampled.  Make sure you are living a life as Peter describes in II Peter 1: 3 – 8:

³ “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Peter%201:3%20-%208&version=NIV1984)

If we live a life worthy to the calling of Jesus Christ, He will guide us, direct us, and reveal to us those who are “dogs” and “pigs”.  He will give us direction in our ministry and will bring to light those who are willing and worthy to receive His precious gift.  Those who are not worthy are those who blatantly refuse it, who choose their desires over His.  Be cautious of those, be open to those who truly want to follow Him and don’t judge them when they slip up.  Always be looking out for your spiritual growth and maturity and always seek God with all your heart.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Worry

Matthew 6:25-34

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Do Not Worry

    ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[a]?

   ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:%2025%20-%2034&version=NIV1984)

What more really needs to be said?  Jesus makes it very clear that we should not worry about anything.  What do you worry about? 

My worries:

1.        I worry about my family.  I must admit it, if I don’t hear from them when I think I should I fear something has happened to them.  At that time when worry begins to creep in, I pray.  I recognize my worry will not solve any problem they may be encountering and I simply ask the Lord to take care of them.  When I do hear from them it is really nothing, my husband got to visiting, my girls went out to eat, they went to a movie, the phone was not charged, etc.  So, why did I worry? 

2.       I worry about what I did wrong.  I second guess myself when things don’t turn out the way that I think they should have.  Then I remember Romans 8:28 ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,^[a] who^[b] have been called according to his purpose. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:28&version=NIV1984)   If I truly live by faith, I know that He is in control and is taking care of matters.

3.       At times I worry about my purpose in life.  I struggle that I am not working, not so much because of the money but because I seem to have no purpose, no drive, and my identity has disappeared.  Ephesians 5:15 -20  ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205:%2015%20-%2020&version=NIV1984) Again, my purpose it to serve Him, to glorify Him, to honor Him there is nothing more to life than that. 

I don’t really worry that much about clothes.  In fact, my girls think I should be on “What Not to Wear”!  I did however find myself becoming anxious at the beginning of the school year because I wanted to shop for clothes like I always do prior to school starting.  There was void there that I would not have ever thought would have been there.  My biggest worry about food is what I am going to fix for the evening meal.  God has blessed us and provided for us in so many ways. 

So many times we fanaticize about things that will never happen and the same is true with worry.  Worry only causes undo stress that none of us need.  Proverb 12:25, ²⁵ An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012:25&version=NIV1984 time you are stressed or see someone in distress take the advice of Solomon and give a kind word.  A kind word will cheer the listener and the speaker.  As always, take the advice of our Lord Jesus Christ and seek Him, look at His promises, and know that He is taking care of you.  )Next

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

What Is On Your Wish List?

Matthew 6:19-24

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Treasures in Heaven

    ¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

   ²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

   ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:%2019%20-%2024&version=NIV1984)

I recently read a poster that was posted on facebook, it read something like this, “Love people and use things, don’t love things and use people.”  How appropriate for our message from Jesus today.  As we go into this holiday season our eyes see many sparkling and beautiful things.  We begin to dream about having those things and when we don’t get them we become a little disappointed and sometimes disgruntled.  But, as we read this scripture today we are once again reminded that this life is not about what we can gain from it but what we can give to it. 

I recently was speaking to a good friend of ours who told a story about a very rich relative that he had.  This man, by the world’s standards,  had everything,  but,  he did not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaimed to be an atheist.  His eyes were not fixed on God, he was blinded by the things of this world. 

Our eyes, what are they looking at?  Are they looking at the things of this world, what we possess or what we desire to possess?  Or, are they inward and upward focused, looking at what has been promised to come and looking at our Savior who came as a babe.  I am not saying that we can’t own many beautiful things in this world.  I am not saying that we can’t drive a nice car and have a large beautiful home but where the problem comes is when we begin to want for things that God never intended on us possessing.  Look at Proverbs 14:30  ³⁰ A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2014:30&version=NIV1984) 

When do we envy others?  When do we become disgruntled because of the “want” factor?   The answer: When we begin to wish we had those things that were never intended for us. Before we get to that point we need to stop and prioritize what is important in our lives.  Why do we exist?  Who are we here for?  What should I want? And with that let’s look at Ecclesiastes 12:13 – 14:

“¹³ Now all has been heard;
   here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
   for this is the whole duty of man.
¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment,
   including every hidden thing,

whether it is good or evil.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%2012:%2013%20-%2014&version=NIV1984)

There you have it, from Jesus words and from the words of Solomon.  What is your treasure today?  Do you have your eyes fixed upon the heavenly bound road or are they fixed on the worldly road?  Are you trying to figure out your purpose in life?  Is it to earn money and make a name for yourself or is it to fear God and keep His commandments?  From the words of a man who had everything the world had to offer, Solomon states that our purpose is to “fear God and to keep His commandments” not to become shrewd businessmen and women.  How are you measuring up today?

As we go into this Christmas season and we see all the dazzling things that this world has to offer, let’s remember that the gift that surpasses all gifts is the gift that God gave to us, John 3: 16 – 17 “¹⁶ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  By coming to this earth, displaying how we should live, dying on the cross for our sins even though He was blameless, and most importantly that He rose again, He showed us that there is victory over death.  He continues in John 3: 18 – 21 to tell us again what He had to say in our beginning scripture today, ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.^{[a] 19} This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:%2018%20-%2021&version=NIV1984)   There will be those who choose to ignore His calling, but those who fear exposure don’t realize that in the end they will be exposed.  They miss out on the most blessed blessing because they live in the here and now.   

He, the conqueror of death can bring life, joy, and happiness to your life today.  He can take away the “want”, the emptiness in your life if you will just ask Him to.  He is there waiting at the door of your heart.  Nothing can compare to the light that He can bring into a darkened heart and soul.  I trust you won’t be the unwise person but that you will live by the truth and will live in the light, not darkness.  Trust Him today and seek Him with all your heart.

If you are a facebook friend who has read this blog.  Post “like” if you have chosen a life of light through Jesus Christ our Lord.  If you are not a facebook friend post a comment on this blog.  It can be as simple as “Like”.  I would love to hear from you. 

If today, you made a decision to follow Christ and accept this amazing gift, I want to hear from you as well.  It is so important to profess your faith in Him.  It is also important to grow in your Christian faith and I want to help you find ways to do just that.  Begin an amazing journey with Him today.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila  

A True Fast

Matthew 6:16-18

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

   

¹⁶ “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:%2016-18&version=NIV1984)

Fasting, it is has been something that has been practiced since the beginning of time. We can find that Adam and Eve fasted from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (up to a point) and the interesting thing is that when they broke that fast they lost the close communion with God.  Satan tried to trick Eve into thinking that breaking the fast would be better for her in Genesis 3:5 and he does the same to us today.  Satan did not just try to break the fast of Adam and Eve but tempted Jesus in the desert, Matthew 4:2 - 3 “² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  You can count on him trying to break your fast as well if you are truly seeking God and His will in your life.

Sometimes people fast for religious reasons such as during the Easter season. This is great when it is done properly.  A true fast does not draw attention to you but to God.  Sometimes I hear people talk about what they have given up for lent, not what they have given up to become closer to God.  Sometimes when we fast, satan tempts us to feel sorry for ourselves for not being able to have what we want.  When he does that we have a tendency to take our attention off of the true reason for the fast and only feel sorry for ourselves. 

Today as I searched scriptures regarding fasting I came across Isaiah 58 and it hit me between the eyes.  The title of the “True Fasting” and it sums up everything we need to know regarding fasting.  I have had a fast end in quarrel and strife and it is not a good thing.  Although my intentions were good they became just that, my intentions and not the Lord’s.  When we fast let’s remember the scripture found in Isaiah 58.   

True Fasting

¹ “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
   Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
   and to the house of Jacob their sins. ² For day after day they seek me out;
   they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
   and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
   and seem eager for God to come near them. ³ ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
   ‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
   and you have not noticed?’

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
   and exploit all your workers.
⁴ Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
   and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
   and expect your voice to be heard on high.
⁵ Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
   only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
   and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
   a day acceptable to the LORD?

⁶ “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
   and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
   and break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
   and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
   and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
   and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness^[a] will go before you,
   and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
   you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
   with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
   and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
   and your night will become like the noonday.
¹¹ The LORD will guide you always;
   he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
   and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
   like a spring whose waters never fail.
¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
   and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
   Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

¹³ “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
   and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
   and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
   and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
¹⁴ then you will find your joy in the LORD,
   and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
   and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
            The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2058&version=NIV1984)

Look closely at what is says about the Sabbath in verses 13 and 14.  How many of us go to church on the Sabbath and go home and do what we want?  We go Sunday morning and then the rest of the day is ours to do with what we want.  Many churches that used to have evening services have stopped them because no one would come.  That is so scary to me because I believe it is a reflection of who we are as a church today.  We put our own interest in front of the interest of God, we bow to the world’s ways rather than to God’s ways.  We think we need to “do” church a certain way to draw crowds when in actuality we should be honoring God, following His commands, we should be honoring Him, not ourselves, not others. 

Look at verse 2 and 3 again, why are you seeking out God?  How are you going about doing it?  What is our nation like?  What do we ask God for?  Again, why are we seeking God?  Is it to get what we want, to feel good, to be noticed?  Why is it we seek Him?
What do we do when we fast?  Do we go about our day as if nothing else is happening?  Do we tell others that we are hungry because we are fasting?  Do we tell others how much we wish we could have a piece of candy because we gave it up for lent?  Do we get angry when no one serves us fish because it is Friday and that is the only type of meat we can eat or do we simply take what we can eat and be satisfied?  Why is it that we fast?  Is it to draw near to God?  If it is then we need to take to heart Isaiah 58 and follow the path of a true fast. 
We need to stop malicious talk, give to the hungry, and help those who are oppressed.  If we want our light to shine for Jesus we need to stop thinking about ourselves and looking at ways to help others know Him too.   We need to keep the Sabbath day holy and honor Him. 
Seek Him with all your heart, not to get what you want but to please Him and bring glory and honor to Him and to Him alone.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila

The Secret of a Satisfied Life

Matthew 6:14-15

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁴ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:14%20-15&version=NIV1984)

There it is in those red letters, we must forgive others if we ourselves want to be forgiven.  Sometimes it is easy to forgive others and then there are the times when our life has been torn upside down because of one person and it is so hard to forgive them.  But, Jesus says that is what we need to do.  Chances are that person will go on living their life and won’t remember you or the hurt that they bestowed upon you while you are rotting away in misery because you haven’t forgiven. 

The parable of the unmerciful servant helps us understand how this all works.  Let’s take a look at it now.

Matthew 18:21-35

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

 ²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”

 ²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.^[a]

   ²³ “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents^[b] was brought to him. ²⁵ Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

   ²⁶ “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

   ²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.^[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

   ²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

   ³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹ When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

   ³² “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

   ³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018:%2021-35&version=NIV1984)

Who is your brother?  In this story it was a master and a servant.  Jesus makes it very clear that we are to love our neighbor and when an expert in the law asked Him, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with the parable of the good Samaritan who took the risk of helping someone who was considered his enemy.  I would equate “brother” with “neighbor” for if we are to love our neighbor we would be called to forgive them as well. 

In the Lord’s prayer Jesus does not specify who we are to forgive but rather says, “Forgive our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors”.  It reminds me of the golden rule:  “Do to others you as you would want them to do to you.”  Forgive others as you want your Heavenly Father to forgive you.  It is a lofty task but when we commit those people to the Lord and pray for them, it is much better for us. 

The next part is that we need to forgive ourselves if we want our Father to forgive us.  For those of you who have not read my testimony at the beginning of this blog I will give a little recap of a time in my life that was very painful.  When I was six years old, I took a bike ride with my older sister who was eight.  To save time she thought we should just get on one bike so I got on the back of her bike.  We went to buy firecrackers and on the way home a car hit us.  The driver of the other car was a teenage boy who could not see us come out of an alley because the sun was in his eyes.  My sister died at the scene and I survived with only soreness.  The teenage boy had to spend time in the hospital.  My dad went to this young man and told him that it was not his fault, that it was an accident.  My dad showed forgiveness to this young man but he never forgave himself.  He continued driving wild and crazy, he drank, he had nightmares, he got divorced, and to this day, I don’t know if he ever forgave himself for killing a precious eight year old.  But it is my prayer that someday this man will see the forgiveness of a Heavenly Father who gave His one and only Son to die on the cross for all of our sins.  He just needs to accept that gift and that forgiveness that comes only through the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  He could be free of the pain that was caused that dreadful day.  My dad did forgive just as our Father in Heaven will forgive you. 

The secret of a satisfied life:  Show forgiveness, accept forgiveness, forgive yourself, and seek God with all your heart.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila