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.