Ye Must Be Born Again!

In this last blog post for 2015 I have decided with God’s help to leave you with the following:

1. GOD loves you. God LOVES you. God loves YOU and wants to get to know you better in 2016! The only way to accomplish this is for YOU, my friend to open up all of His love letters, one at a time, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. At the end of my bed is a cedar chest full of my husband’s love letters. The cedar chest was given to me by Terry a few months before we married. I cherish that gift more than any other in my entire life! It is his love before his love. Does that make any sense? The real, lasting love has grown now for over 51 years but I can guarantee you it has been because we gave up on selfish love to gain selfless love. As we learned more about one another, we learned even more about ourselves. Oh my, what a jerk I am! Never dreamed I could be so cruel and selfish until challenged. Maybe you are a better person than I am but I will say I could not and would not have made it this far in my married life and otherwise, had it not been for my consistent daily walk with God. Even in my obedience of wanting to know God, I found myself disobedient in areas that could have ruined my life!

Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again

Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Joh 3:16 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.

2.  You are a sinner just like me and need a God, but the One and only God, to forgive you of all your sins, past, present and future. No idol can do that. No religion can do that. No President or ruler or king can do that. Only a God who became as a man, Jesus, and allowed Himself to be crucified on a cross, shedding His blood as red as yours and mine, dying and coming back to life…..can do that! Nothing else, friend. No one else can do that or will EVER be able do that; one time, for eternity …..THAT IS OUR GOD! His whole beginning and end as far as mankind is concerned is written by Him. We can hold this Word with our own hands, daily and read between the covers of what we call the HOLY BIBLE. He loved us so much, that He preserved His every Word just for us!

Ps 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Ps 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

3.  It doesn’t matter where you live, He will get Himself to YOU. Every heart desires to know the creator. It begins with a desire, a longing to know our beginning. I searched for him in the fields on the farm. I cried out to him when I was separated from Mama, and then taken from my sisters. I longed to know Him and He was there all the time!


4.  Joining a church will not save you. Getting baptized or any other work will not save you. Speaking in another language will not save you. Jesus saves. Only Jesus saves! He took the cup filled with vile wicked sins of you and me, drank it and went to the cross….willingly. God in the flesh. You cannot understand it. I cannot understand it, but by faith we must accept this free (yes FREE!) gift from our Heavenly Father.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I’ve done a lot of good works and maybe you have too, but they are as filthy rags according to what my God has done for us all!

5.  If you have never come to this truthful knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, then Friend, I beg you to stop right now before it is everlasting too late, and confess that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself. Call on Him, Jesus, who will not turn Himself away from you. He alone saves. I fell on my knees, alone, in the Church of the Brethren and was born again. My family made fun of me but Jesus smiled and so will He smile at you, Friend!

Ro 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Saved from what? Saved from sin and hell! Will you ever sin again? Oh yes, friend as long as that old flesh breathes air. You are still a sinner but saved by Grace!

Someone asked the question “Why do you always say Ye must be born again?”

Because YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN! You came from your mother, once, and can never go back inside her, but you can be born again by Jesus coming inside you, once forever and ever. She will always be the one who gave you physical life. My Mama gave birth to me all alone and gave me up later on, but she will always be the one who gave me physical life! Jesus offers to you Spiritual Life---to be born AGAIN!

Someone taught you how to walk. Jesus will teach you how to walk with Him by opening up the Book, reading it verse by verse …. Every Word!!! What a journey! What a Savior! What a God!

Will you join us in Heaven one day, Friend?

It has been my pleasure to have known you this past year but more than that, I have learned so much more about the LIVING AND PERFECT GOD who loves ME and is preparing a home for me to live with Him for eternity! I pray that Sheri and I have encouraged you to get to know HIM above everything else! Same PLACE, same TIME, and same BIBLE.

Sharon

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God wants YOU to Know Him!

Today is my last post. 

What a year it has been!

I have spent months wondering what I would write on my last post.  Then one day as I thought on God, I realized something.  He WANTS me to know Him better.  He already knows me inside and out and He knows that the more I get to know Him, the more like Him I will become.  He wants my good.  He wants my happiness in Him.  He cares about me so much that He saw me way in the future and placed all my sins on His Son so that I would have a way TO HIM.  And not just while I live my human life here on earth, but He wants me for eternity!

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Doesn’t it feel wonderful to know that you are wanted?  Someone who knows all your failures, sins and faults, wants you more than you have ever been wanted by someone here on earth!  If we could wrap our minds around the Love of God we would never step back foot in the world or be led by the flesh.

Enter the New Year knowing you are loved by a wonderful God who wants to walk with you through every high and low the coming months bring.  He wants to catch your tears, strengthen your hands and encourage you in all you do!  He commands us to do everything to His glory, so it would stand to reason He wants to help us obey His commands!  He isn’t throwing things at you and me for us to fail!  He is with us, for us and in us!  What a God.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I sincerely hope you have enjoyed our blog this year.  Mama and I have labored in love to bring truth to you (and ourselves) every day.  If we have misspoken or said something wrong, it was truly in ignorance and we would apologize.  All we have wanted is to stand together and shine a light on Someone who we really really love and glorify Him through our words. 

Happy New Year and May God bless each of you, your families and ministries.  You are loved, you are wanted and you matter!

Sheri

It's Going to be too late, Jack

Sunday night, Preacher asked for a show of hands of those who had tried to read the Bible through this year of 2015 and a few hands went up. I was disappointed to say the least and asked myself this question, “Why wouldn’t you want to read the Bible through? Why?” Will our people try to read it in the next few weeks before 2015 ends? I don’t think so and you know, it’s going to be too late Jack!

Too many people read the Word like last minute shopping as we saw this last Christmas. Run to the store right before closing time, rush around pushing a buggy and then get frustrated because the lights begin to dim and they have to leave!  Folks, the rapture is upon us and it will be too late, Jack! Get with the program before the lights begin to dim!

There is so much to consume and it is impossible to understand it all at once. This conversation with God should be daily or you lose touch with Him. Reading the Bible through gives a better picture of just Who God is and answers the “why?” of so much. If you have not taken the challenge, then make up your mind to do so and then do it! I promise your understanding of God will be much better this time next year than right now! Give God the opportunity to know Him. Every Word is written for a purpose. He doesn’t say, “Now let’s see, what kind of story will I write today.” No! He has a purpose for every Word, every story, and every truth with YOU in mind! Yes, the Bible is full of history and records, but God’s purpose is YOU!

Ps 19:7 ¶ The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

If we don’t read it, you and I will not be convicted of sin and will never be as wise as He wants us to be. To avoid His Word is to refuse wisdom. I need His wisdom, don't you?

Ps 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

I want to be able to “see”properly, don’t you? 

Ps 119:11 ¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

You and I can’t hide something if we have not found it! To find IT is to keep IT in the heart. It pops up and out when sin knocks at our heart’s door. The Word gives you the opportunity to make the right choice when it comes to sin or to NOT sin. God will not MAKE YOU! He gives you that choice. Do you make the right choices or do you fall on your face all the time?

Ps 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

His Word is near because you met Him that morning and grabbed His Words for yourself for THAT day. His truth is breathing in your face. His Word is ALWAYS TRUTH! Satan and his demons lie but not God! He always presents truth. Why wouldn’t you DESIRE truth?

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

That Word of God which you pick up every day is the sword of His Spirit and will accomplish more in the battle of life and opposition than any other course you may be tempted to follow. What I say may help you, but the Word of God does more, my friend as it CHANGES YOU!

Now get yourself out of bed a few minutes early and greet the Savior. He waits to hear your voice.

Good Morning, Lord!

Until next time, Lord willing.

Sharon

God wants you to walk in HIM!

Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

One of the men who has accompanied my husband on many a Bible study has a favorite saying, “A text without context is pretext for heresy”.  He loves saying it and truly enjoys it when Mark brings the whole truth out in a study and not just a single verse.  And he is right.  We can’t take the Word out of context, so I must study the Word in order to understand It.  I believe I will study my whole life and never even scrape the surface of It’s treasures, but I will enjoy trying!

I remember as a young soul winner, I led many people to say what we like to call, “The sinners prayer”.  In my mind, as long as I could get them to the point where they would pray that prayer, they would get saved.  It makes me cringe to think of how many children and Spanish mom’s in Chicago have a false hope of salvation because I once led them to say a prayer.  I would quote Romans 9:10-13 and tell them if they would just call on Jesus, they would be saved.  But, it isn’t the act of the calling that saves….that would be works….it is the act of repenting and trusting in Christ and His sacrifice as being the ONLY way they will go to Heaven.  Had I studied Romans from the beginning, I would have understood that. 

Now after many years living in a predominately Catholic country and studying their language and culture, I realize that just because I believe in Christ Jesus, does not mean I transfer that faith to someone because I get them to pray a prayer.  I have the responsibility to present Christ and His Gospel to people, and let the Holy Spirit do the convincing in their hearts.  They must understand and consciously place their faith in Christ, not just repeat a prayer.  If the prayer saved, then most people I talk to would be on their way to Heaven because many of them pray the same prayer of salvation every single night, but they also pray to Mary and their selected saints.  See the danger in just a prayer?

Here in Colossians, Paul is warning these folks about those who would twist the sound doctrine they had heard and believed into something spooky and mysterious.  Yes, it is difficult to wrap one’s mind around how Jesus was 100% man at the same time He was 100% God, but it is true nonetheless.  Salvation is simple enough for everyone to understand but so deep you can never explore all it’s riches!  Well, Paul lays out his case of who he is as an apostle, who Christ was and then he gets to this verse where he tells them to walk in Christ Jesus the Lord. 

You and I do not believe on some mysterious thought of who we think Jesus is.   We believe on the Christ who is the Son of God, and that He actually gave His life, rose from the grave and is exalted on the Throne right this very second.  There is no puny power in Him!  He is God and we are to walk IN HIM.

Walking in Christ is not something only for older Christians.  It is not only for Pastors and Deacons, walking in Christ is something we ALL should do.  So, what does it mean to walk in Him?  To be under His influence.  Not copying a movement, a preacher or a denomination.  It is the constant looking to Christ for what move He will make next and allowing Him to guide us.  I don’t need yoga to center me on that thought, I just need the Scripture. 

To be quite honest, I feel this study is WAY over my head.  I have asked my husband a thousand and one questions as I tried to understand what was written.  But at the same time, God speaks to little old blonde me and is guiding me in His Truths.  I can’t explain that, but I know it to be true.  How can I go wrong if I am obeying His personal order to WALK in HIM? 

Don’t take just one Scripture this coming year and pull it out of context.  Don’t give false hope to people by making them pray a prayer either! Get to know God well enough that you can talk about Him!  Walk in Christ.  He knows what He is doing, whose path He is going to cross yours with and will give you the words to say when you need them.  Knock on doors, stand on the streets and pass out tracts, get the Gospel out, but don’t go on your own for your own selfish reasons of being a “faithful soulwinner”  or wanting to be a spiritual giant in other’s eyes.  Go because Jesus said to go and go IN HIM so your words are full of grace and not pride. 

Live this year learning more and more about the Bible and the God of the Bible.  Keep your influences good and your mind focused on the prize.  Tell others about this wonderful Salvation gift and walk under the influence of the One True and Living God. 

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri

Weekend Getaway # 51

It Ain't Worth it!

While making my rounds in the early mornings of beginning this elementary school, I heard the most beautiful singing coming from the girl’s bathroom. I slipped in quietly….

“One, two, seventeen, fifty one and TWENTY!!! Happy Birthday to me,” came from the lips of a 4 year old child as she washed her hands while looking at herself in the mirror.  Some teachers have taught their children to count to 20 or sing Happy Birthday to themselves while washing their hands because it teaches them to take time to do it well.  This little kitten created her own version of the whole process and it blessed my heart! Taking time to do it well keeps the germs from spreading to the mouth, eyes or on to someone else! Sickness can spread quickly if not checked quickly but quick takes time! Oxymoron!

Children are always teaching ME! When evil approaches, quickly run to the Word in your mind. Stay there, lather up, and wash off the nasty of it to STAY ready for use of the Master’s Hands and walk away refreshed.

Eph 5:3 ¶ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

These last few days of 2015 called "Holidays" are in reality the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. If we aren’t mindful, we will undo everything accomplished thus far, won’t we? It AIN’T WORTH IT! The temptation to get your hands nasty, thinking that just a little fun (dirt) won’t matter will come knocking but don’t do it. Temptation is exactly that! Don’t allow it to become a sin to you and spread to other parts for which you are not able to control once it hits the mouth, eyes and dips over into someone else’s life. This is YOUR time to resist.

As stated in an early blog, this season of the year especially New Year’s, we make the most stupid choices all in the name of pleasure and friend, it AIN’T WORTH IT. Give God an opportunity to keep that change made in you moving, growing, and dipping onto others in a good way.

The drinking of alcoholic beverages, overeating, social drugs, overspending, and just out and out “partying” can be your death warrant. IT AIN’T WORTH IT! You know that you know…..It is time to be strong in Christ and think on Him, think on family, baking, cleaning, shopping for others, visiting the sick in the hospital or nursing homes, listening to children read or listening to an elderly person repeat one story after another. Lose yourself in others this Christmas and New Years and don’t give Satan the one moment he has been waiting for all year long…..and that is to destroy your testimony and the work of Christ in you. IT AIN’T WORTH IT!

Mrs. Beverly Hyles recorded the song “People Need the Lord” and it is so beautiful and ever so true. Look, don’t get caught up in the world this Christmas. Relax, breathe, and enjoy Jesus for once! Get outside if possible and get away from all the temptations that will land blast you this time of year. Don’t let one person deceive you as verse 6 warns. This Word of God is so powerful as you get to know the writer, God, your Father. Wash in Him this end of the year 2015 and walk into 2016 refreshed, feeling much better about yourself than you did a year ago today!

Today, is CHRISTMAS!! If God allows and we don't know for sure, I would like to say to my Dad, "Happy Birthday, Daddy!  You are blessed to be in the presence of the one for Whom we celebrate His birth, as well! Some of us reminisced about you last night as we gathered in the home you helped to build! See ya', and I am praying that all will believe and receive Christ as their Savior so we can all be together for eternity!"

Until next time, Lord willing.

Sharon

God is Honorable

As Mark and I have tried to get our house finished, there is something we have learned all over again, and that is, you cannot trust everyone.  People are always out for their own personal interests and if they don’t feel like coming to work, they simply won’t come to work.  Just when we needed the help of a carpenter, we had to go three entire weeks without him.  Oh, he promised he would show up on Monday morning, but Monday always came and went with no sign of him. 

I watched Mark over the last few months study and study how to build this house.  At the same time he studied over his discipleship course, Sunday sermons, Wednesday studies and English course.  It made me want to explode the next time I saw the carpenter because of the added weight his absence had placed on my husband.  There was just no honor in his word when he said he would “come on Monday”. 

It just seems you cannot count on anyone sometimes, doesn’t it?  I am sure you all have your own personal experiences you are thinking of right now.  Used to be, a man’s word was his honor and you could take it to the bank…..but those days are long gone.  However, there is One Who has given His Word and we can safely trust in Him to do what He says, Our God.

The most important place where His honor is at stake is in the matter of Salvation.  This subject is daily looked at in my career as a missionary.  I wouldn’t live down here and put up with all I put up with if I didn’t believe without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus paid the penalty for sin and that all who come to Him in faith believing can be saved. 

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

I have heard my husband preach and teach this verse on many occasions.  It is proof that we have a home in Heaven because God’s honor is at stake in the words given.  He has sealed us and put the Spirit in our hearts!  The word earnest means the security payment has been made and we can be secure in our position as a true child of God with a home in Heaven for eternity.

Man may fail us.  Our marriages, God forbid, may fail.  Our children may fail.  Our Pastors and leaders may fail.  But our sights and stand should not be on man, rather they should be firmly set on the fact that GOD is Honorable.  He is Truth.  When He says something, it WILL come to pass.

When God said He won’t leave you or forsake you, He meant He won’t leave you or forsake you! 

2016 is nothing new to God.  He inhabits eternity.  He is already there, already working and holding out His hand so you can experience it the way He wants you to!  You can trust Him!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri