Don't you care?

Don’t you care?

It had been a long day of preaching and healing the sick and JESUS was tired., so as they took the boat across the lake HE fell asleep with HIS head on a cushion, just as you might put your head on a pillow and fall asleep after a busy day. But the wind came up, like the high winds we have been having. A furious storm broke and high waves beat against the little boat and it began to fill with water. Yet JESUS slept on. Fearful and frustrated they woke JESUS up and cried, “Don’t YOU care that we are going to drown?”(Mark 4:35-41)

Have you been there? Or perhaps right now you are in some awful “storm” with the winds howling and the waves crashing, filling your boat with water? Does it feel like GOD doesn’t care?

I am here to say HE does care. I have been there- in fierce storms with water filling my boat and no way out- more times than I can tell. Some of those times it seemed like GOD didn’t care. But each and every time, when I cried out to HIM, HE rose and calmed me, just as HE rose that day on the sea of Gallilee and said, “Hush, be still!” and the wind ceased and there was a dead calm.

The storm around me sometimes continued but always within me there was a calm and I knew HE was carrying me through. And HE always has.

GOD cares!

Hugs
Sharon

Choking the life out of it

A trash compactor is often used by homes and businesses to reduce the volume of trash. A trash compactor has a motor inside that operates a press, which lowers into the trash receptacle, compacts the trash, and then raises back up so more trash can be added. The trash is now packed together… no long can you distinguish the grocery receipt from some junk ad… it is all just a mass.

Mark 4:18Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19but their focus is drawn away by the worries of this life, the false glamour of wealth and all sorts of other ambitions creeping in choke life out of what they heard so it cannot produce fruit.

The word for choke here is a compound word that carries the idea of compressing together

There are days when everything presses in on me as if I was in a trash compactor. I sit down for a quiet time and as I read something strikes me and I know that the LORD is talking to me… maybe it is to let go of something or maybe HE wants me to write a letter to that friend but then out of the blue a worry about one of the kids pushes into my mind, and I glance up and the color of the book across the room catches my eye and reminds me that I need to mend that jacket or an idea for my newest project jumps into mind from nowhere like a light turning on. The urgent need I felt to pray or to write that letter to encourage my friend is lost somewhere in the shuffle.

See how easy it is for things to creep in unnoticed and steal our focus, choking the life out of what GOD spoke to us?

I have found something that helps me keep focused. When conviction or an assignment is given I immediately jot it down on paper. When a worry barges in demanding my attention… immediately I give it to GOD letting my requests be made known with thanks giving. I write it down as I place it in GOD’s capable hands(1) Then I jot down that idea that seems to illuminate my new project bringing in a clarity that had been missing.

Instead of jumping from thought to thought, by putting each of these things on paper, I am enabled to refocus on my priority for the moment.. being with GOD. By talking to HIM about all of these things individually brings me HIS perspective and I can trust that as HE has promised, HE will direct me in each.(2)

I love that last thought of Mark 4:19: the Word has life and it will produce fruit (3) if we focus on it. Since that is true how very important it is to focus on the Word that GOD speaks to me. (4)

GOD has not given me light/ understanding/ a word for me to put it aside or under a basket. HE has given it for me to use and show to others. Therefore I must pay careful attention to what I hear. If I use it more will be given to me. But if I don’t use it, I will lose it.(5)

Hugs
Sharon

(1)Philippians 4:6NLT Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell GOD what you need, and thank HIM for all HE has done. 7 Then you will experience GOD’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. HIS peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

(2)Proverbs 3:5KJTrust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE (in reality) will direct your paths. 7Be not wise in your own eyes:

(3) Mark 4:26He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.

(4) John 9:4NLT All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the One who sent ME for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end.

(5) Mark 4:9And JESUS said, “He who wants to hear, let him be listening [consider carefully what is being said) and he will understand.”
Mark 4:21 JESUS said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? 22For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 24"Consider carefully what you hear," HE continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25Whoever has (understanding) will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he (Luke 8:18thinks he) has will be taken from him."

At germination a seed begins to grow by putting out roots. That initial and continual underground growth is usually at least equal to the above ground growth and is absolutely essential for the plant since it is what anchors/ holds the plant in position, feeds/ draws water and nourishment from the soil and stores food for the plant.

The Bible says a believer in JESUS has been rooted and grounded in JESUS. That means JESUS is the source to quench our thirst, to provide the nourishment for growth and HE is the ONE holding us securely in place.(1)

Mark 4:16Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, they quickly fall away.

They have no root… that means they are not into JESUS.

These are people who liked the miracles and eat the free food. They are the ones who laid palm leaves before JESUS and called HIM the “Son of David” one day and a few days later cried out, “crucify HIM”.

Today, these people like the music, the interesting teaching, friendliness of believers and small groups to network friendships as well as the moral and fun teaching for their children. They mentally accept the historical truths of JESUS but they have never really embraced JESUS and turn off the conviction that sometimes comes. JESUS is not vitally real to them. Therefore, in time of need, when troubles come, they turn away from HIM and leave angry rather running to HIM for help.

Since a plant is only as strong as its root system, make sure you have a good, healthy root system by feeding and drinking from the Word of GOD and talking to JESUS. Build up your trust in HIM by turning to JESUS for advice and asking HIM to help you in little things.(3) Then it will be “a given” that when the big things come you will run to HIM for help instead of becoming angry and turning away.(3)

Hugs
Sharon

(1)Colossians 2:6As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. 7Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.

(2) Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

(3) Hebrews 12:2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider HIM who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

How could it rise?

A gal at church this morning told me how her grandson had set up a pup tent in her back yard and this morning it was gone. No, no one stole it. The wind had come up during the night and picked it up and carried it away.

Wind can be a very powerful element and do great damage. But it also is a source of power for us. For how can a kite rise up and fly in the sky without the opposition of the wind to lift and carry it?

In the same way GOD uses our struggles to lift us up so we learn how to fly.

11 Corinthians 4:17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen (our situation), but on what is unseen (what GOD is achieving through our situation). For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Too much wind will drive a kite and tear it to shreds but be encouraged my friend, GOD has promised that HE, the LORD of heaven and earth, will not allow you to be hit with more than you can handle if you just look to HIM. (I Corinthians 10:13)

GOD allows our struggles for the purpose of strengthening us. HE will not allow them to destroy us.

hugs

Sharon

be proactive!

Use to be when you lived out in the country it was safe and nobody would bother you. People didn't even bother locking the doors of their houses. But today that is not the case, even at the Y, if you don't have a lock they will now supply them. When there is a threat of something being stolen we must proactive or willing to lose what is taken.

Mark 4: 15Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown in their minds. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes at once and takes away the word that was sown in them.

That double mention of time here emphasizes that the devil doesn’t want the listeners to think about what they heard, he doesn’t want it to penetrate down where it might germinate. Distraction is one of the enemies basic tool at the times when the enemy steals from them the word sown their minds.

On the surface, I seem to disprove this verse. For many years after being in my grandmother’s home different words she’d sown in me, by reading a Bible verse before we ate, would came up from wherever it was hidden inside me to guide me just when I needed it.

I believe the reason is because my grandmother and her friends prayed and prayed and prayed for me. Therefore, I believe that we can stand the gap for the ones we or others give the WORD. We can pray specifically that the WORD sown will be kept safe from the enemy and that GOD somehow soften the hard ground so it can germinate and grow.

One way we personally can avoid having the WORD stolen from us;

Mark 4:9And JESUS said, “He who wants to hear, let him be listening [consider carefully what is being said) and he will understand.”
Mark 4: 24"Consider carefully what you hear," HE continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. 25Whoever has (understanding) will be given more; whoever does not have (understanding), even what he has (thinks or seems to have Luke 8:18) will be taken from him."

The 7th piece of the armor of GOD Ephesians 6:18- Prayer and being alert is necessary even when listening to or speaking the Word of GOD.

So, let's be proactive and pray against the Word being stolen from us.

Certain people are given certain things that others don’t get.

In Daniel 1 we find that GOD gave Daniel special favor and compassion in the eyes of the commander causing the official to treat him as his favorite. Then GOD gave Daniel & his 3 friends knowledge and understanding in all kinds of subjects to the extent that the King found them 10 times wiser & more capable than any of his other wise men. (1)

In the gospels we find that believers are given the ability to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of GOD while others get everything in parables.(2)

That’s not fair! GOD is playing favorites!

I can say confidently the NO GOD is NOT playing favorites. There is a reason GOD gave Daniel and his friends special things (check out Daniel 1) and there is a reason GOD gives believers the ability to understand spiritual things and keeps others from understanding them.

John 1: 12Yet to all who received HIM (JESUS), to those who believed in HIS name, HE gave them the right to become children (tenka) of God—

You are born into the family of GOD by believing in JESUS. Scripture indicates that is just the beginning for there are 3 basic stages of being a believer.

1-You are born a baby and as an infant you long for the pure milk of the word that you may grow (I Peter 2:2) but you stay infants unless you use the things you learn in the word. (I Corinthians 3:1-3, Hebrews 5:11-14) By using what the Bible says you grow and it shows because you are becoming more like your FATHER who is in heaven in what you do and say.

2-You have become a teen (tenka- that is the word used in John 1:12 ) when you have learned many things and apply them in your lives and begin to look more like your FATHER in heaven. (Ephesians 5:8, Ephesians 2:3, I Peter 1:14) One thing about a teen is that they consult their peers about everything.

3-There is also a stage called maturity but that is further down the road. A main way to discern if you have grown to maturity is who you consult. Teens, as we know consult their peers about everything but an adult son (huos) does NOTHING without consulting his FATHER which is in heaven. (Romans 8:14 Philippians 3:10-16)

So what John 1:12 is actually saying is that when YOU receive JESUS as YOUR Savior you are not just born into GOD’s family but have been given the right & ability to understand the word of GOD and grow up to look like your FATHER in heaven by acting like HIM.

How do you grow? Get in GOD’s word and obey what it says.

But do you say? “I am a believer but there is so much I cannot understand.”

I have one question for you.

Are you doing everything you know GOD has asked you to do? If you are not, then why do you expect GOD to tell you more? Until a student can add and subtract they cannot go on to multiplication and division. It is as simple as that.(Hebrews 5:11-14)

So you see GOD really is fair, even though only believers are given the right and ability to understand the mysteries of the kingdom.

Hugs
Sharon

(1) Daniel 1: 9Now God granted (gave) Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials (NIV Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel,)
Daniel 1:17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could also understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
(2) Mark 4: 11 "To you has been given understanding of the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, 12so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive and while hearing, they may hear and not understand

hail like ping pong balls

Being I had another something to do, I left my car out. So when the huge hail began to beat down and bounce like ping-pong balls on the lawn and sidewalk, I ran out of the house to my car to put it into the garage for last year one hail storm alone tore up house roofs and pitted cars all over town. Whole car lots had massive sales due to the damage and even to this fall, day and night you would hear and see roofers all over town that many roofs had been damaged.

After the storm, I went out to check damage. There were leaves everywhere having been beat off the trees but the tomato bushes were fine and I was delighted to see that one even had an itty bitty green tomato. I checked the peach tree which Mac had brutally cut back last year and rejoiced to find the results of that pruning, all the tiny fuzzy peaches, were still attached to the tree.

These are little things but like the LORD protected our lilacs from freezes this year (where last year’s freezes kept them from blooming) GOD was answering my whispered prayers.

As I began to praise and thank GOD, a verse flashed in my mind, Luke 16:10KJ “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much..”

GOD whispered to me, “These are little things, Sharon. Things that don’t really matter. But as I was faithful to you in these little things, you can know I will be faithful to you in the big things: those things that really do matter. Those things YOU don’t understand right now.”

Awhile back when I asked GOD if HE was really going to answer some specific requests, HE answered me with, “Yes, if I am not doing something bigger and better, yes, I will give you what you ask.”

Luke 16:10NIV

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much..."

one crazy plan

While JESUS was preaching God’s word to a crowd of people, four men came carrying a paralyzed on a mat…These men were determined. They must have really cared for the man because, 1st they had to get the paralyzed man to agree to go. After carrying him all the way, they must have felt discouraged when they couldn’t go straight to JESUS because of all the people blocking the way.

Yet, they refused to be stopped, so brainstormed and came up with a plan. Now this plan was a wild one and I don’t imagine it was easy to carry out. One or two of the men must have climbed on the roof of the house where JESUS spoke and then somehow managed to pull the paralyzed man( who was dead weight) while the other two on the ground pushed until they had their friend hauled up to the top of the roof with his mat. Then the 2 others climbed up on the roof as well. That must have taken work.

But that didn’t get their friend to JESUS. The men began digging a hole in the roof (literally scooped it out, very graphic and very true to fact. A modern roof would be untiled or unshingled, but an oriental roof would have to be dug to make such an opening as was required. A composition of mortar, tar ashes and sand is spread upon the roofs, and rolled hard, and grass grows in the crevices. In some cases, such as this, stone slabs are laid across the joists (Luke 5:19 says he was let down through the tiles) so that these men had their work cut out for them as they would have to not only dig through the grass and earth but also to pry up the tiles.. (I wonder what the owners and the ones below thought of when they heard things happening over their heads and dust started to come down.) That took courage and generosity (for I imagine the friends had to reimburse the owners and probably did the work to repair the roof).

Then they gently lowered their friend down on his mat right in front of JESUS.

Seeing their faith (whose faith? the friends), James 1:18 Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven” …

to the unbelieving ones crowding around and thinking JESUS had no right or ability to forgive sins, JESUS said, “I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins…

then HE told the man, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. (JESUS proved through HIS actions HIS authority Mark 2:2-12)

We see many things here: Some about JESUS, some about the people crowding around JESUS, some about the friends, and some about the paralyzed man himself
1-JESUS
Doesn’t mind being interrupted
Loves the unconventional
Recognizes, appreciates and rewards faith
Knows what is in our hearts (the people thinking HE had no authority to forgive)
Is willing to act to prove things to the unbelieving.. (for HE has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that they turn and live Ezekiel 22:30)
Deals with the foundational problem 1st.

2-the people who crowded in to hear JESUS preach
They came to hear JESUS but they no all accepted HIS teaching or believed in HIM
They were quick to criticize what they couldn’t understand

3-The friends of the paralyzed man
Knew JESUS was the answer
Loved their friend
Had a goal and wouldn’t be stopped (persistent faith moves us to overcome every obstacle to come to JESUS then after that it is all up to HIM.)
When hindered, devised a way
Were willing to give their all to get their friend to JESUS

4-the paralyzed man
Couldn’t get to JESUS on his own
Believed and acted when JESUS spoke directly to him (Romans 10:17)

Like these men and JESUS are we a friend of sinners? Do we really care? If we can’t get someone to listen to us tell about JESUS or go to church with us do we just drop it? Are we willing to go the second mile and climb on the roof and dig a hole and lower him before JESUS via our prayers?

Sometimes it takes originality to get people to JESUS. And if we don’t know what to do, ask JESUS, HE is called the Wonderful Counselor. HE has some pretty wild and wonderful plans, but best of all HIS plans always work!

build a wall

My heart was quickened while reading Ezekiel 22:30 yesterday morning. But I knew it was stirring me not for Jerusalem but for the holy seed... children of believers who accepted JESUS when they were young but have gone out into the world, in fact for all who have come to Christ and for one reason or another stumbled back into the world.

The verse says, I have been looking for someone to build a wall and stand the gap before ME for ____

I replied, LORD, I think I know what standing the gap means but what does building the wall mean? immediately I knew it was to declare scriptures and the ones in this case were Romans 3:21-23 and Romans 4;1, 18, 21-24

(I love the way GOD answers my questions by placing the answer in me Phil.2:13)

Then a little later, as I walked with the LORD, one who had professed Christ as an adult but had fallen came to mind and set me praying... claiming scriptures and confessing

then this morning:
It's is neat while praying this morning for the same group but specifics for one couple- caught up with several lies-I received in an email and I was given other verses for the wall... I think of them as rocks. The standing on the promises is not a new concept but the building a wall that the enemy cannot penetrate puts it in vibrant 3D

yet, some opposition... couldn't figure out what was wrong this morning and then it hit me,,, I've been behind enemy lines and I'm getting some missile attacks...

These word pictures are lending an element of clarity and fun that also show the serious need to pray.

seeing "red"

Have you ever gone to get some specific name brand something at the grocery store and find that they had “improved” it and yuck it just isn’t what you want at all? They ruined it!

There is someone near and dear to me who will often ask me what I want. I will tell him and he will go and second guess me and get me something “better”, something I do not want at all.

One time he asked me what color I wanted and I said offhandedly, “anything but red”. Now quite honestly I do not know why I said that, red is not a bad color. But I did, and yes he came home with red. Every single time I looked at that red object, I got upset. I know, I know it was childish of me, but I did.

Do you know why I was upset? Was red really that awful, that offensive to me? Not at all. If he had not asked what color I wanted it would have been no problem. It is just that seeing “red” reminded me that he totally disregarded my stated preferences he had asked for (in fact he did what I asked him not to do)

I have to admit that I overreacted for it was a trigger telling me that my opinion didn’t mean much to him. But like always, GOD used it for good to show me I was holding on to some grudges I needed to let go of.

I have been struck while reading in Ezekiel that over and over and over again there is the phrase, “..then they will know that I am the LORD”. (The word LORD means master, the one in control.) Seems like HE wants them to know HIS opinion is important.

Now in the last verses of Mark 1 we see a leper going to JESUS falling down on his knees before HIM and begging JESUS to heal him, saying, “If YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean.” JESUS response was pure compassion, HE reached out and touched this man with a contagious disease saying,, “I am willing,” and immediately the leper was healed.

Then JESUS sternly warned him, “Don't talk about this to anyone but instead go show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices Moses commanded for your cleansing as a testimony to them.”

But, instead of accepting the assignment JESUS gave him to testify to a specific group in a specific way, he totally disregarded what JESUS said and did what JESUS told him not to do. He spread the news everywhere and actually caused problems for JESUS.

Do we accept the assignments HE gives (to write that letter, forgive that enemy, say that word) or spurning them as not important, turn away and go seek to do something bigger & better for JESUS?

Listen to JESUS in Luke 6:46
“Why do you call ME LORD, LORD, and do not do the things I say?”

Are you turned to the right or the left?

What do these two pictures and the graphic have in common?

Yes, in each there are 2 being examining each other.

When you are curious or interested in something it is natural to want to get up close and examine it. On the other hand to turn your back on someone or something is an insult or at least denotes a lost of interest.

When we are having a problem it is hard to trust GOD when we keep examining the problem. But if we turn to GOD our perspective often changes.

Then there is the problem of temptation. We want to have victory over temptation but the harder we try the more we think about it or look at it and the greater a hold it seems to have on us.

While GOD gave us the solution long ago…

Ezekiel 14:6 ,, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations.

Repent… you have done that when you want free of your temptation for you have agreed with GOD that it is wrong.

Now your must turn away, and quit looking at what tempts you. How do we do that? Deliberately choose to direct your thoughts to something else, JESUS.

Hebrews 12:1…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him (JESUS set before HIS eyes the joy of our salvation and pleasing the FATHER therefore HE was able and) endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

If we turn from what is luring us and turn to JESUS & go to HIM when we are tempted HE will enable us to do right… Hebrews 4:16 The key is simple… turn away…. Turn your back on it and look at JESUS

My pastor amazes me. He used Matthew 20:22-28 to teach us this morning about a godly mother and at the same time continued his teaching of servant leadership. It was a different angle than I have ever seen for that passage. But close examination of the passage shows the validity of his angle. Here are tidbits too good not to share.

Salome the mother of James and John came to Jesus, fell at HIS feet and worshiped Him and asked HIM to place her sons on HIS right and left hand when HE came into HIS kingdom.

JESUS did not rebuke her or say what she desired was wrong. She wanted her boys (known as the sons of thunder… sounds like a gang doesn’t it) to be great… to be close to JESUS.

Then JESUS asked the sons their level of commitment. Could they drink the cup HE was to drink? They replied, Yes, they could and JESUS said they indeed would drink that cup. John’s brother James (not to be confused with JESUS brother James who wrote the letter James) history tells us was the 1st martyr after Stephen. And they tried to boil John it oil but it didn’t work so they sent him to Patmos which was an island prison sort of like Alcatraz. But, although they would in fact drink the cup that HE had to drink HE could not give the places to the right and left of HIM to them for they were for the ones GOD the FATHER prepared for those places.

Then JESUS went and explained to the disciples what true greatness is…” he that would be the greatest must be a servant of all.”

Salome wanted great things for her sons… but that in itself was not wrong. She wanted them and taught them by example to worship JESUS… and led them to worship HIM.

She taught her sons to come to JESUS with their requests for she herself prayed (talked to JESUS) concerning her sons

By example we see that she taught them to serve JESUS (Matthew 27:56, Mk 15:40 and Mark 16:1) we see that Salome was a believer and ministered to/ served JESUS. She was there for JESUS. She was at the cross when JESUS was crucified (her name was Salome the wife of Zebedee) and went with Mary JESUS mother ( also the mother of James and Joseph) and Mary Magdelene to go buy spices and then went to the tomb to embalm HIM (but he was already risen from the dead)

She wanted her sons near JESUS and they were 2 of the 3 closest disciples to JESUS They were there to do HIS bidding.

Note: . And her job wasn’t easy for their nickname “sons of thunder” showed an element of roughness, loudness and anger.

Although Salome did not get what she asked for, she got everything she wanted!

her children rise up

My pastor amazes me. He used Matthew 20:22-28 to teach us this morning about a godly mother and at the same time continued his teaching of spiritual leadership. It was a different angle than I have ever seen for that passage. But close examination of the passage shows the validity of his angle. Here are tidbits too good not to share.

Salome the mother of James and John came to Jesus, fell at HIS feet and worshiped Him and asked HIM to place her sons on HIS right and left hand when HE came into HIS kingdom.

JESUS did not rebuke her or say what she desired was wrong. She wanted her boys (known as the sons of thunder… sounds like a gang doesn’t it) to be great… to be close to JESUS.

Then JESUS asked the sons their level of commitment. Could they drink the cup HE was to drink? They replied, Yes, they could and JESUS said they indeed would drink that cup. John’s brother James (not to be confused with JESUS brother James who wrote the letter James) history tells us was the 1st martyr after Stephen. And they tried to boil John in oil but it didn’t work so they sent him to Patmos which was an island prison sort of like Alcatraz. But, although they would in fact drink the cup that HE had to drink HE could not give the places to the right and left of HIM to them for they were for the ones GOD the FATHER prepared for those places.

Then JESUS went and explained to the disciples what true greatness is…” he that would be the greatest must be a servant of all.”

Salome wanted great things for her sons… but that in itself was not wrong. She wanted them and taught them by example to worship JESUS… and led them to worship HIM.

She taught her sons to come to JESUS with their requests for she herself prayed (talked to JESUS) concerning her sons

By example we see that she taught them to serve JESUS (Matthew 27:56, Mk 15:40 and Mark 16:1) we see that Salome was a believer and ministered to/ served JESUS. She was there for JESUS. She was at the cross when JESUS was crucified (her name was Salome the wife of Zebedee) and went with Mary JESUS mother ( also the mother of James and Joseph) and Mary Magdelene to go buy spices and then went to the tomb to embalm HIM (but he was already risen from the dead)

She wanted her sons near JESUS and they were 2 of the 3 closest disciples to JESUS They were there to do HIS bidding.

Note: . And her job wasn’t easy for their nickname “sons of thunder” showed an element of roughness, loudness and anger.

Although Salome did not get what she asked for, she got everything she wanted!

yesterday

A hundred or so of us from several churches gathered on the courthouse steps, our music director and assistant pastor led us in a couple worship songs, twins sang the national anthem and we had the pledge of allegiance to the flag and then my pastor and several different pastors or ministry leaders lead in prayer for assigned topics. During the prayer for our national leaders and government a deep grief and silent but body-moving sobbing rose up within me and then later during praying for the schools the same thing happened but to a lesser degree. I believe the HOLY SPIRIT was grieving over our nations leaders our government and our schools just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem and said "I would have gathered you under MY wing but you would not."

hugs
Sharon

double barreled shotgun

A shotgun (also known as a scattergun and peppergun, or historically as a fowling piece) is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, A double barreled shotgun is designed to fire a second array of shot almost immediately after a 1st.

Seems like believers are getting shot with a double barreled shotgun these day with the multiple things coming against families. All over I hear of families having multiple deaths and accidents and sickness one thing after another hitting them until they have trouble standing.

Daniel 7:21 As I watched, this horn (the devil) was waging war against the saints and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High...

Sometimes it is a combination of attacks and natural consequences. The latest I heard was of a family of 7. It was a two income family but one has been out of work since last fall so they have been just struggling to keep their heads above water, yet the LORD provides little by little, Praise HIS name. Well they were notified they were overdrawn at the bank, which was way off according to their records and found that some money deposited by cash into their account was not recorded and they can not find their receipt, The bank is investigating and then on the way to work they had a flat tire and a police office kindly helped them, Praise the LORD! and in the process found out that the employed one's driver's licence has expired. So in this jumble let us help them through prayer 1 and stand the gap to claim their inheritance as GOD's child 2 for them.

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, Creator of heaven and earth and the LORD of hosts we come to YOU, for YOU alone have the power we need. We come confidently because we know YOU love us and because YOU have invited us to run to YOUR throne for mercy and grace to help in time of need. LORD, have mercy on this family and grant them favor as YOU already have done for them with that police officer (and bless him too). YOU say that YOU use our problems to achieve for us and that YOU are our Provider. According to YOUR word achieve for them and provide all they need for YOU are not a man that YOU should lie nor the son of man that YOU should change YOUR mind. We look to YOU and lift this family and each of their needs up to YOU. Thank YOU LORD for what YOU have done and what YOU are going to do. We praise YOUR holy name for YOU are worthy. We stand and claim this family's inheritance that no weapon formed against them shall prosper and condemn with our mouths these attacks: you have no authority here! Thank YOU LORD for our inheritance that never gets smaller no matter how often we use it!

1 I Corinthians 1:10HE has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and HE will deliver us. On HIM we have set our hope that HE will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
2 Isaiah 54: 17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from ME," declares the LORD.

cell phones

Communicating and keeping in touch is very important in our busy lives. Cell phones are in and every where you go in restaurants, in super markets, driving down the streets and even in church you see people using them. Yesterday, I read how some teachers are using cell phones and their text feature as motivational equipment in middle schools. The teacher promoting their use says, "Most middle schoolers hate to read but live to text. And text gets them to read." The article mentioned that even the free lunch kids had a cell phone so there would be no additional cost. The pilot program is having some tremendously positive results.

I sometimes see people on cell phones talking or text and wonder what all do they have to talk about. Yet, even though I cannot hear on a phone, my husband insists I carry a cell phone in case of emergencies. So Charlas taught me how to text and a whole new world has opened up to me in "talking" to my daughter and sister in other states and my kids just around town.

I have seen GOD maybe calling you but HE isn't using your cell phone so please turn it off on several different church overheads. The different rings can be very distracting. Yet, GOD does want to talk with us.

GOD says,
Call unto ME and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you don’t know! Jeremiah 33:3

GOD wants to talk to you. Yet many believers doubt that GOD talks to us personally today. But HE does speak. And over and over GOD cries out in the Bible, "...but you would not listen" Over 900 hundred times the Bible uses the word hear or listen, Repeatedly it is used as a command..

Many people are so use to an audible voice, song on the radio, sounds all around that they negate that inner hearing, that still small whisper of those nudges when GOD places in you HIS desires 1 or directs your thoughts 2 or a verse comes alive as you read it 3. When the nudges initially come or that verse jumps off the page at you or comes to mind, you know that you know what you are suppose to do and what GOD is saying.

But too often we push that knowing aside for one reason or another.

We have all had a scripture come to mind that gives us instruction.2

I love it when a verse jumps out at me while I read the Bible and I know that is the direction I need. Sometimes it is completely out of context and is not the meaning of the verse at all, but it is clearly telling me personally what I am to do. For instance, my son was out of state and I was at home reading my Bible and the words, "Don't fight this, for this is from ME" jumped at me and I somehow knew it concerned my son and I was to accept what was going to happen as from GOD. Well, something did happen and without those words to hang on to I would have been a mess through the long ordeal that followed. But with them I had joy and assurance that GOD was somewhere working through this.

The Bible says in all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your paths 4. I was having to get ready for a class and that verse came to mind so I asked, " What should I wear?" All of a sudden this old pair of loose, back zippered polyester slacks came to mind, instead of the in style tighter front zipper jeans I had laid out. So since I asked, I went with the old pair of slacks. When a while later boiling water was spilled down the front of me, I was grateful for listening for getting out of the slacks quickly kept me from more serious burns.

But sometimes HE speaks as we go along our business. One day I was hurting in my kidneys and the word ibuprofen came to mind and I knew that I had to stop the ibuprofen I was using for pain. I quit and that hurting in my kidneys stopped. Once in awhile the pain bugs me and I take a small dose of ibuprofen and the hurting in my kidneys comes right back.

Several weeks back I was getting huge bruises and from two friends I heard how aspirin could be the culprit (since I bleed excessively). When yet another huge bruise came from nowhere and the word aspirin came to mind, I received it as direction and stopped my daily aspirin... guess what? No more bruises. So my ears really perked up when Colleen described how she was in intense pain and nothing helped until she cried out to GOD and the word aspirin came to mind. She stopped her daily aspirin and the pain ceased and remains gone.

Colleen has many other stories on how the LORD gave her precise instructions... once on a water pipe issue and I also have many stories as do many seniors I have talked with. You could not convince any of us that GOD has stopped talking to HIS people.

One last story and I will wrap this up. 30 years ago, I was struggling with some thoughts, nothing I tried helped and I threw myself on my knees and cried out to GOD, "I don't know why YOU ever even listened to me!" and the words came, so clear GOD could have been standing right beside me. "Sharon, I've never listened to you because you are good, but because of MY SON."

So do what GOD invites you to do:
Call unto ME and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you don’t know! Jeremiah 33:3

1 Philippians 2:13for it is God who works in you to will and to be able to act according to HIS good purpose.
Dueteronomy 30:11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
2 Proverbs 21: 1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; HE guides it wherever HE pleases.
3 Hebrews 4: 12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
4 Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.