Roller Coaster Ride

 

Roller Coaster Ride

Have you ever been on a roller coaster ride? I remember as a child I went on a roller coaster ride and decided right then and there that I won’t ever do that again. If you have been on a roller coaster you will know what I mean when I say that all the scenery around becomes blurry. You cannot focus on a single thing. When the ride begins to slow down, things begin to take shape and are less blurry until finally the ride stops, and all is in focus once again. While on the ride there is nothing to do but accept its motion and be patient for it to end.

Today, we don’t know how to accept the motion of life and rest in the moment. We dwell on past mistakes, and we stress about the future. When life becomes a roller coaster ride, it is hard to focus on the One who gives us each moment. If you take care of a loved one who has health issues, then you could have hope one day and the next it seems dismal. If our hope isn’t based on our trust in God, then it can be a seemingly unending struggle.

We don’t know what the future holds and should not be presumptuous about our future without acknowledging God’s will. Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

John 14:13-15 “…You do not know what will happen tomorrow… Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

God’s grace has always been proven sufficient in the wild rides of life.

 

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Please read the scriptures listed, study them, apply them to your life and grow in the saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

Jesus is the Way

 

Jesus is the Way

John 14:6 “Jesus saith, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father except by Me.”

If Jesus is the Way, shouldn’t we be following Him?

If Jesus is the Way, shouldn’t we do as He does?

If Jesus is the Way, shouldn’t we do as He says?

If Jesus is the Way, shouldn’t we believe as He believes?

Jesus walked on earth, following all of God’s directions, He was compassionate, He healed the sick, He spoke God’s truth. He believed in God as the one and only true God.

He was God’s child and so are we. We are called to walk, as Jesus walked. When we follow the life He lived on earth, how He loved and gave all of Himself, there’s no way that a heart, life wouldn’t be opened, touched, and changed by it. Jesus came to not only show us the Way but to Be the Way. By His death and Resurrection, He saved us from our sins, then left us the Holy Spirit so He can live out His life through us.

My prayer is that each one of us strive to be more like Jesus and live our life in Christ-like obedience to the one and only God.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Please read the scriptures listed, study them, apply them to your life and grow in the saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

 

 

What are Our Expectations?

 

What are our Expectations?

Sometimes we find that people will snub other people because they don’t add up to their expectations. They expect others to be more like them. Maybe they believe others should believe as they do are act as they do. Maybe they believe others should do as they say because they feel they are superior to others.

What would Jesus do? He did not snub others even though He was the Son of God. And we are like sheep who have gone astray. He never turned anyone away. He sat and ate with the prostitutes and tax collectors. He beckoned little children to come to Him. He told all those who are weary and heavy burdened to come to Him. He even went as far as dying on the cross to save us from our sins. You and me, sinners who need God and His teachings. Sinners who need each other and the comfort we could share. Whenever we look at others, whether they are dressed nicely or poorly, whether they live in mansions or in the slums, we must consider all are the creations of God and with our help they can become children of God. Not one of us is more important than the other. God knows your weaknesses as well as mine yet He loves us equally. We should do the same with all who come our way. Who knows that God didn’t put that person in your life for a purpose.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword

 

Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword

In Revelation 13:10 it says, “He who kills by the sword, must die by the sword.” This verse has been taken both literally and symbolically. It has been referred to different aspects of our life. For instance, we can say if we live by alcohol, we will die by the alcohol. We know that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage. Same with drugs, smoking, illicit sex, which all can lead to disease and harmful side effects to our lives, marriages, etc. It can also be looked at in the aspect of John 1:1. “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In other words, if we live by the Word, we shall die by the Word. The Word of God is what we should live by and when we do, we shall die with the Word in our heart. When we die by the Word, we die to the flesh and live to the Spirit. Jesus told His disciples in John 6:63 that “the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.” It would do us good to look to ourselves and ask if we live by earthly desires, etc. we shall die by that. Only one answer leads to salvation and a place in the heavenly kingdom.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Please read the scriptures listed, study them, apply them to your life and grow in the saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

 

 

Doing Business with God

 

Doing Business with God

In Isaiah 7 God wants to do business with King Ahaz to save the nation from becoming captives to the Assyrian Army and to save their land from desolation. King Ahaz, however, does not want to do business with God. He wants to do things his way. He feels he can rely on the support of the Syrian King to help him out of this mess. But God uses the treacherous King of Syria to punish King Ahaz for wanting to do things his way. In other words, He let King Ahaz do things his way, but it backfired on him in that the Syrian King made them his slaves.

Even today, we struggle between doing business with God and doing business with man. Psalms 118:8 “It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Things will always backfire on us or come to destruction when we do things our way instead of God’s way. Every thought we have, every decision we make, every move we make should be consulted with God before it happens. He will direct our path, make our decisions for us and all will come out good for those of us who Love the Lord and trust Him.

Our paths are made straight when we look to Him for direction and guidance.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Please read the scriptures listed, study them, apply them to your life and grow in the saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

The Apostle Paul

 

The Apostle Paul

Paul spent his life arresting Christians and having them executed, both men and women. He did this on a daily basis; he stood there as the apostle Paul Stephen was stoned. It wasn't until God met him on the road to Damascus that he was blinded (Acts 22) and later received his sight and understanding of all that he had done. In first Corinthians 15:9 Paul stated that he was the least of the apostles and not fit to be called an apostle because he persecuted the church of God. In first Timothy 1:15 he states that he was the chief of sinners. To me, this means that he was the worst sinner, worse than Hitler, worse than any assassin or criminal on earth, worse than you and me. Yet, Paul received God's forgiveness and stated in verse 14 that the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant. He didn't receive God's grace and increments, a little at a time. He received it in abundance.

Whenever a crisis happens in our life, it is God's grace that grows us. When we think we have hit rock bottom, it is God's grace that strengthens us. When we feel unworthy to be forgiven of our sins, it is God's grace that perfects us. Whenever there is a change that is needed in our life, it is God's grace that changes us. We, like Paul can willingly receive God's grace in abundance and should equally be gracious to those who have wronged us.

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Please read the scriptures listed, study them, apply them to your life and grow in the saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

He is the First and the Last

 

He is the First and the Last

He is the keeper of creation and the Creator of all!

He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of times.

He always was, He always is, and He will always be.

Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never undone!

He was bruised and brought healing! He was pierced and eased pain!

He was persecuted and brought freedom!

He was dead and brought life! He is risen and brings power!

He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can’t understand Him, the armies can’t defeat Him, the schools can’t explain Him, Hitler couldn’t silence Him. The new age can’t replace Him.

He is light, love, longevity and Lord. He is Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness and God.

He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful and pure.

His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.

He is my Savior! He is my Joy. He is my guide, and He is my Peace!

He is my comfort, He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, The power of the powerful.

The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come.

His goal is a relationship with ME!

He will never leave me, nor forsake me, Never mislead me, Never forget me, Never overlook me and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book.

When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives! When I am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He is the way! When I am afraid, He is my courage! When I am hurt, He heals me!

He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End! He is God, He is faithful, I am His and He is mine!

For more posts like this, go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com