Praise Him More and More!

A dear sweet elderly couple (watch it, Sharon!) has visited our Sunday school class now for a couple of weeks. I wanted to get to know them a little better so I sat down with them before class began and before I knew it, THEY were asking ME all kinds of interesting questions. I found myself totally at ease and knew why they were used so mightily by God as Church Planters.  From their lips sang praises unto God for His bountiful blessings, for His endless mercies and for the life God had allowed them to live. I couldn’t help but think of the following scripture, 

Ps 71:14-17 ¶ But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. ¶ But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

Praise thee more and more……what beautiful words and such a testimony of believers who praise the Lord more and more the older we become. I’m so glad I have the privilege to know this fine, spirit filled couple who served 10 years as missionaries in Bangladesh and would have stayed there had it not been for a critical health issue of this brother in Christ.  Even in his life/death situation he did not give up but continued to praise the Lord more and more. Back to the states they came but with a determination to continue the work for which they were trained and that was of planting a church. Indeed they did and more than just one! God was merciful to them and guided their steps, one day at time.

We must speak of God’s mercies, don’t we? We can’t keep them quiet, can we? They are more than we can number. I know in my own life when I stop to think of God’s mercies, I become overwhelmed with emotion and have to make myself enter into His rest or else I become discouraged because I deserve Hell and NOT His mercies.

Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.  

“Misth Loyd, Misth Loyd! look, I lost another tooth!” a little one yells to me flying down the hall right before the bell rings. So excited, they just can’t restrain themselves for one minute. They just have to tell me or someone who cares. Shouldn’t that be our goal every day of our lives; running to Jesus and shouting, “Look, Jesus, see what good thing has happen to me? Praise your name, Jesus! Thank you for your mercies and bountiful blessings!”

She helped her husband get up, took his arm and together they shuffled to our double doors to the main auditorium. Both were smiling, acknowledging those who met them. They are the epitome of Jesus Christ! I want to be like that, don’t you?

Brother C. H. Spurgeon said it best: “My aged brothers and sister, I congratulate you, for you are almost home. Be yet more full of praise than ever. Quicken your footsteps as the glorious land shines more brightly. You are close to the pearly gates. Sing on, though your infirmities increase. Let the song grow sweeter and louder until it melts into the infinite harmonies.”

Praise Him more and more!

Until next time, Lord willing.

Sharon

What about Loneliness?

I imagine we all have felt lonely a time or two in our lives.  It isn’t anything we relish is it?  When young women come to me or write to me asking for advice on becoming a missionary, my heart is saddened for them because I know they will experience loneliness.  Whether USA based or foreign, missions is a lonely career.  I want to share something with you that I have learned about God while enduring loneliness so that the next time you are feeling alone, you can claim these promises with me.

Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Here in this verse we find the Creator looking at His perfect creation and the care He has for us.  He knows man has HIM.  He knows man can walk and talk with HIM, but yet, God says it isn’t good for man to be……what?  Alone.

Let me make 3 statements that we MUST recognize before we go any further.

1. God knows our needs.

2. God cares about our needs.

3. God will supply and fill those needs.

It isn’t a sin to feel alone.  It is okay if you are having a day where you crave human fellowship or someone who understands.  You aren’t weird and it doesn’t mean you aren’t trusting God.  Loneliness is a human emotion that obviously was created inside of us and God saw that need in Adam and God filled it.

Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

Here we see Solomon warning against being alone because of selfishness.  If you have created your own little world that doesn’t let anyone in, then your loneliness is the price you pay for being selfish.  The attitude of not needing anyone or pushing away of sisters and brothers in Christ can stem from a childhood of abuse, or bad past relationships with a parent or spouse.  All of that points to a glaring sin of unforgiveness.

If you find yourself withdrawing from the world and church because of hurt, you need to examine your heart and see if there is someone you need to forgive.  I know, it is hard, but God doesn’t want us to seclude ourselves in pain that has been afflicted on us.  The first step towards the healing process is forgiveness.  Don’t shut yourself off from the fellowship that God KNOWS you need. 

Look at what Solomon says next:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

We all need someone around to help us when we have fallen, whether literally or figuratively.  We all need that helping hand. 

Yesterday, I was all alone for the entire day.  My youngest daughter was away at a youth retreat and my youngest son was working with his dad on our new house.  I had planned out my day and went about some cleaning when I received a text message from my oldest son who is a freshman in college.  The text read, “Mom, I wish you were here with me.”  I don’t have to tell you what those 8 words did to my heart.  The tears rushed to my eyes.  He was registering for college for the first time and was nervous doing it on his own.  Now, I know and you know, that these moments build character and strengthen our children to take those steps towards being an adult, but the mother in us who remembers their little faces the first few moments after they are born wants to rush to their side and help them in everything!  With tear blurred eyes I texted some encouragement to him and then I sat and cried for a good long while. 

I have a friend going through similar experiences and I messaged her to pray for me in that moment because she would understand the grief I was feeling.  She prayed all day for me.  Two are better than one.  I had to choose to not shut the world out.  Yes, you feel terrible that your weakness is exposed and that you need help, but we must not be selfish.  We must recognize we are created to need!  It helped me knowing my friend was praying.  It didn’t wipe away the ache in my heart, but it helped carry it.

It may be that you are widowed and the loneliness you are experiencing is one that I know nothing about personally.  But that doesn't negate the fact that God knows your aching heart for the one who traveled so long by your side.  Does God care about you and your heart?  Yes.  He shows GREAT care for the one who has lost a spouse.  He says in the Bible that we aren't to afflict the widow and that He will establish your borders.  That means He is your protector.  I believe He will provide for you in your hour of loneliness the same exact way He will provide for mine.  He isn't a respecter of persons, but He doesn't look kindly when folks mistreat the fatherless or the widow.  He hasn't left you alone and He can provide a friend for you that understands and can help you carry on in life.  No one fills the voids we have in our lives, but they can walk with us while we experience them.

Two are better than one.

In my next post we are going to look at our Saviour and how He handled being alone while He was a man here on earth.  Let’s get to know Him better so that we can live better!

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri

Weekend Getaway #37

Speaking Words of Praise

On my way home from school I stopped by Publix to pick up a couple of Quest bars for those emergency times of hunger to keep from stealing a six-pack of Hershey candy bars and gulping them down like a maniac! I have no sense about me when my addiction to sugar decides to attack my mind and then my body. I am ashamed to admit that, but it is the truth. I am the idiot women laugh at when they just can’t believe that someone would actually hide a foot long Three Musketeer in the bathroom. Been there and done that.

While looking for the Quest bars I picked up some potato chips for my husband. God bless his rotten self who can eat anything and not gain an ounce, when all of a sudden I realized I was at the wrong end of the store. Wait a minute, something is wrong. I don’t remember this part of Publix. Then, I realized that I had stopped at another Publix instead of my usual store. For a split second, I had lost myself having to ask a young man where the protein bars were located. As he walked me to the aisle I saw in my mind the other store and information began to connect with information. I was ok!

“Thank you Lord, for taking care of me.” 

In a previous blog I shared with you how we need to take notice of everything God has provided for us and then to praise Him for His goodness toward us.

Observations whether colorful or busy lead to memory which stores itself for future recall. It is one of the better tools for teaching youngsters how to learn a new concept or a list of items, numbers or groups of important places or things.  Consider yourself an overgrown youngster needing to learn a new concept, will you?   Being familiar with this Word of God can be like a Quest bar for those emergency times when an old habit wants to kick in gear. Stock yourself up with the good stuff and be prepared!   

You have taken the challenge to get to know God better this year. You have picked up your Bible every day, read it, written some great truths down and now the seeds are spread out with some good solid wet dirt sprinkled on top. Are you ready for Psalms and the praising that comes from David? It is there in the memory bank. See them growing? Write your own praise report. Take the steps back to Moses and the prophets. Walk with him as he journeys with the children of Israel. More seeds are producing beautiful flowers all around your feet. Do you see them? Take your own journey of helping others make it through difficult times. Praise Him for the strength He gave you during those times. The seeds have now produced a stem, then more leaves and eventually the branches spread out over the grounds, producing fruit and more seeds.

How is your visual right now? Are you at the sea shore with Jesus right before he says to you, “Go ahead. I’ll meet you on the other side. I need to help these people get back to their homes. Now, go on ahead. I’ll meet you there.” Have you given up rowing? Look around you again, remember His goodness and praise Him for it. Are you at corner where Peter stood and denied the Savior?   Did you get tired of your journey with him and you gave in, instead of standing up for Him, praising Him for his watch care and for His goodness.  At your fingertips are His Words. Pick it up again, and get started. Don’t lose sight of the beautiful garden that is still growing around your feet! See the colors, the different heights of growth? Praise Him for His blessings. Pick that foot up, and start walking. Remember to praise the Lord for His goodness, saying it out loud so that you (your heart) can hear!!! 

Mt 12:33-34 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Did you read that last part? Out of the abundance of YOUR heart the mouth speaks! Surely, you have much to give God the praise for as you look over this day, yesterday, and days past.  

Until next time, Friend, Lord willing…

Sharon

Speed Bump!

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Here in Brazil we have something called “lombadas”.  They are big, fat, sometimes high, speed bumps.  They are some of the most annoying things to deal with while driving to and from the city.  Sometimes my husband will be in such deep thought, he will not see one and I have to speak up and say, “Speed Bump”.  I have learned to not yell “SPEED BUMP!!!” because it gets me a tongue lashing.  I just simply say, “speed bump”. 

My children told me a story one time of when Mark hit one of these “lombadas” at full speed one night heading home from their music classes.  In their words, “Mommy, the car flew!”  Mark had sworn them to secrecy and I didn’t find out until much later. We joke about it now because it isn’t the only time it has happened.

In the Christian life we can be moseying on along doing our thing when we can come up on a speed bump.  It may be a sick loved one, an unexpected bill, or a natural disaster.  It is an event that literally makes us slow down.  A trial, if you will.  I like what John Phillips has to say about these sudden testings:

“They are not mindless, senseless woes unleashed upon us by a cold and impersonal fate.  They are permitted by a wise and loving heavenly Father, who is too caring to be unkind and too wise to make any mistakes.”

James tells us to count them all joy.  I have to say, it is a mark of spiritual maturity when you can look at a trial and immediately claim this verse and live by it.  As a missionary with two children in college at the same time we are building a house and running a full time ministry, it can be difficult to count any of life’s sudden speed bumps as joy!

But that is exactly what I am supposed to do.

Okay, so let’s look at this practically.  When we get a bad test result from the doctor, are we supposed to throw a "I've got cancer" party? NO! When we don’t have enough money to pay the bills AND buy groceries does that mean we should high five each other and blow whistles?  NO!  But it does mean we are to acknowledge that GOD Himself has allowed us a time to prove our faith and mature our patience.  It isn’t fate or destiny or karma.  If you are saved, YOUR Father in Heaven has deemed this time to grow you in His perfect will.  And for that reason, we should count it joy.

By the time you read this, a month will have passed and the speed bump I just hit will be in my rear-view mirror.  I hope I can testify to you of what God has done in my life.   I do know that today I am going to count my testing as joy.  God is allowing it and I have already spent more time in prayer than I normally would have.  And you and I both know how prayer changes things, first and foremost US! 

Are you experiencing a “speed bump”?  Did you hit it at a high rate of speed and did it send you flying into confusion?  Or maybe you saw it coming and you slowed down first, but it is taking you a while to get over it?  Either way, join me in thanking God for allowing it in our lives.  If He has purposed it to work for good then let’s look for that good!  Let’s get to know Him and the fellowship of HIS sufferings!  He is a good God and He definitely has a purpose. 

Until next time, Lord willing (and over the speed bumps)

Sheri

Observe His Handiwork and Praise Him!

An alarming text on my phone before 6:00 am, read, “MRI showed a very significant acute traumatic brain injury causing a severe concussion plus an older brain injury/concussion that we didn’t even know about!”  

I stopped to pray: “It’s early Lord and the needs of your people cry out to you, to me and others who will stop and pray. Here we are Lord as pitiful as can be, but seeking your face in this desperate cry for a woman and her son.”

  

It is difficult to think of praising the Lord or showing praise to Him when one of your children or your husband suffers a sickness or freak accident OR whatever is outside the normal day, isn’t it? God hasn’t instructed us to jump up and down with happiness when things go wrong, but we can stop and observe Him as He works through everything behind us, beside us and in front of us.

Ps 145:1-3 ¶ David's Psalm of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

Ps 145:21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

C. H. Spurgeon has written one of the neatest little books on praise and praising the Lord. I found it this week while looking for another book. I think I threw it away in one of my moments of cleaning out old books, picked it back up and put it on one of my many bookshelves. I’m glad I did! Whether you agree with C. H. Spurgeon on some matters is your choice and I certainly don’t like to think of him with a cigar, but folks, let’s face it, “God will use all of us if we are willing to be used.” His little book just sent me into a spin of thoughts especially on observing God’s goodness. If we don’t observe what is going around us, thanking Him for His creation, goodness and many blessings, we’ll not have a memory of all that He has and is doing!

Ps 145:7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

Utter the MEMORY…….think on that for a minute.

We cannot remember what we never knew! In order to recall something, there first must be a memory. What a great opportunity to build a positive memory bank by just observing everything around us as God’s reminder that He is here, RIGHT HERE AND THERE WITH YOU, dear friend!

Between 4:45 and 5:30 am in the morning, a screech owl can be heard (quite often….too often!) right outside our home. Usually, I am studying by then, but the sound always catches me off guard. Sometimes, there may be two calling back and forth to one another. Only God can create such a bird and although they are somewhat frightening, I finally began thanking the Lord for His handiwork. They are His blessings to me each and every day. The birds and squirrels get involved with the other critters that come from the forest of trees next to our property. Folks, whether it is a screeching owl or a melodic bird, they are from God. Observe to remember because we can’t praise suitably without a good positive outlook that God is in control. Our lips should be open and speaking the Words of God back to Him who wrote them in the beginning. I adore the idea that God enjoys hearing what He has written coming from us, his children, don't you? 

Consider jotting down some “stuff” to remember. You may not remember as much as you need if you don’t write it down.  Several ideas come to my mind: pencil and pad by the bed, pen and pad in the car as you listen to sermons on the radio, and then of course, pen and pad as you observe God’s creation while driving, sitting, or just enjoying a few minutes of peace and quiet. A journal with your Bible is an absolute must if you have the privilege of going to church and receiving the sweet message God has given to your Pastor.

As we speak the praise of our Lord, others are blessed! Don’t you want others to remember YOU for praise rather than a critical and complaining spirit! This is by far better than speaking nonsense wrapped with a cantankerous obnoxious tongue which gives nothing back to God but dung! I didn’t mean for that to rhyme and for certain do not write IT down to remember!

Observe what God has provided and then PRAISE Him for it!

Ps 71:8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

Until next time, Lord willing..

Sharon

What to do when you feel you have no faith left

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1 Peter 5:10-11 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

I think it is rather easy to give advice and counsel on “how” to suffer and go through trials AFTER we have made it through one.  We like to show our battle scars and tell others how they will “make it” and that they “just need to have faith”. 

Personally, when I am going through something, I have to be honest, I don’t want anyone’s cliché statements, nor do I want to hear how they made it through their own tough times.  I just want them to listen to me as I work things out in my own mind. 

Today as I write this post I am carrying several heavy, heavy burdens.  As I wept at the kitchen sink I asked myself, “Sheri, where is your faith?”  My response was, “I don’t think I feel or have any today.”  I feel like the man in the New Testament who asked Jesus to help his unbelief. 

For the most part I think being a missionary is easy.  I enjoy it.  I love other cultures, I love the complications and hurdles that speaking another language present because they are a challenge to overcome.  I like having challenges.  I like the feeling of being pressed to act in spite of my weakness.  But every now and then Faith stands up and punches me in the face and reminds me that I am to be living by It.  Missions and Faith are inseparable.  I get so good at figuring out the hard things in ministry and living abroad that I can forget to exercise plain old faith.

Today I am being reminded by Faith and she has given me a black eye. 

So, do I just sit down and cry?  I want to.  I want to go to my room, get under the covers and weep.  But, Amelia and Sam are watching me.  Should I teach them that tears are better than prayer?  Mark has to preach tomorrow.  He is tired from building the house, yet he is sitting at the table going through receipts, doing paperwork and persevering.  Should I add to his burdens and be a weak wife?  What do I do?  What will you do when it is your turn to have faith?

Cry if you must, but don’t stay there.  Get up.  Go outside and look up at that sky where you see living proof of your Creator and talk to Him.  Tell Him everything you are feeling and tell Him you cannot make it if He doesn’t help you.  Tell Him you need help with your unbelief.  And then live the next 5 minutes in that faith.  Then when it is used up and the weight sinks your heart again, go talk to God again.  By the end of the day, you will have exercised your faith.  And just like with bodily exercise, you will feel the effects, you will feel depleted, but strong.  You will know that you have done all you can possibly do to leave everything with the Lord. 

It is an absolute impossibility for me to fix my problems today.  There is absolutely no answer.  But I will rise up and talk to God and not let them overcome me.  If I do, then I will repent and try again tomorrow.  Those mercies are new every morning for a reason….we need them.  If you are reading this today and you are down, look around, you have company.  We are NOT alone in our struggles.  God is very present and He has not left us to suffer without cause.  All that sadness and despairing is helping to strengthen us, establish us, settle us and perfect us, why?  Finish the next verse, it is so that He may be glorified.  Isn’t He worth your tears?  He is so abundantly good to us and we deserve a lot worse than what we are going through.  So let Him get some glory while He works in your life. 

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri