As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, my mind wandered to past days in my life that seemed to be so glorious. But then I thought, we serve an "I AM GOD"... so I quickly moved to the present moment on the beach.
It's a trap to believe that the past was "the best of times." You boastfully reminisce about achieving a certain goal, having a special relationship, or experiencing some smashing victory -- and lament that your golden era is gone forever.
Such a view is usually centered on personal triumphs that were always destined to fade. Instead, your focus should be on God and what He still has planned for your life. He doesn't grow weaker in you. Rather, God will work more powerfully through you as you walk with Him daily.
My friend, stop bragging about "the good ol' days" and look forward to your magnificent future with God. Your best days are ahead, so praise the One who gives you everlasting life.
Psalm 44:3 -- It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the dolphin were playing along the shoreline with their babies. The parents would jump out of the water, then beside of them the babies would come jumping as high as they could. What a beautiful example of how God prepares His creatures for the journey of life.
There are certain things that you can learn only by doing them. No amount of explanation of geological formations can prepare a young dolphin for the way it travels through the water or how to catch the fish, except they do it to learn. Neither can a young deer or goat be prepared for getting up to the apex of a mountain, except they strengthen their muscles by actually climbing the mountain.
Likewise, your faith can only grow in the midst of the doubts and unknowns of your circumstances. You exercise your trust in God, and He strengthens your spiritual muscles so that you can reach higher and achieve more with Him.
When you follow God, life is a wonderful adventure. So get ready for the climb, friend. The view is truly worth it... God prepared it that way.
Psalm 18:33 -- He makes me like a deer that does not stumble; He helps me stand on the steep mountains.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the tiny sandpipers were fighting over a fish that had washed upon the beach. But the one that caught the fish took off to get away from the others... he fled and his catch was safe! I am sure the others were jealous of the little fish he had for lunch!
I thought of King Saul and David's battle -- the jealousy that was always aimed toward David. Many people were so jealous that David would succeed Saul as ruler of Israel. So they made trouble for David -- telling Saul that David wanted to kill him. This, of course, was a lie. So David cried out to God to reveal the truth.
When people concoct falsehoods about you, sometimes the worst part is that you can't defend yourself. Their cruel fabrications endanger your reputation relationships, and even your future.
Yet you don't have to avenge yourself -- God will come to your defense as He did for David. Today be patient and honor God in everything you do. Soon enough, you will see His justice done and your false accusers exposed.
Psalm 7:6 -- Awake, my God; decree justice.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, it was glorious as the surfers rushed out to mount their surfboards and ride the beautiful waves! What a playground for them to enjoy today. They were grateful for the beauty of the day and the waves to ride... what joy they all expressed as they ran past me to get to the waves!
It made me think that we have so much to be thankful for -- just as they were thankful for the waves on this glorious day. See, my friend, God doesn't need your thanks, praise, or adoration. He doesn't need an ego boost or validation. Rather, God asks you to express your gratefulness because of what it means to your own soul.
It is in those moments of thanksgiving when you realize that He is the source of all your blessings -- and that they are not given because of your worthiness, but because of His love for you. As your words echo back into your ears that God is the great Provider, His power fills you, and your heart is transformed.
So sing out your gratefulness to God. Thank Him for His goodness to you. Undoubtedly, the one who will be most blessed is you.
Psalm 50:23 -- He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the water sparkled like diamonds as the sun danced on the waves. What a glorious day to be walking with Jesus, and sharing His glorious creation. It was the perfect temperature, the perfect breeze, and the perfect number of people... my soul was in such a place of comfort on this beautiful day.
Ah, comfort. Who doesn't want to live a comfortable life every day? We yearn for moments when we can wrap ourselves in a soft comforter, grasp a mug of hot tea in our hands, and listen to the warm crackling of a fire in the fire place. Or like myself, maybe your picture of comfort has to do with feeling the gentle ocean breeze as you recline in a hammock stretched between tall palm trees with a great book.
When God provides such times of comfort, we can thank Him for that gift. But when days come that are far from comfortable, we can then take comfort in the fact that God is teaching us to live well, to live fully. He has more for us in life than just to live comfortable. He may call us to take uncomfortable risks, or forego some of what is good in order to have what is best. Above all, it means having Jesus, who came to give us life to the fullest.
John 10:10 -- I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I reached down to pick up a handful of sand... and let it slip through my fingers until it was all gone. And it only took a few moments for it to all pass quickly through... just as our lives seem to slip by moment by moment!
You are holding a moment in your hands. What does it feel like? Is it a soft, silky rose -- a moment to be cherished and enjoyed? Or is it a scruffy, scratchy shrub -- a moment that is uncomfortable, a moment you would like to forget? No matter how it feels, it will soon be gone like sand through your fingers. Time moves on. Time slips by, and waits for no one.
Yesterday you cannot change. The future you cannot guarantee. Today you have, and that is all! Embrace it. Cup your hands around it. Look for the blessing in it, the hope in it, the joy in it. Focus on God and serve others even as the grains of time run through your fingers to be scattered in the wind. He longs for you to offer this moment back to Him, even as it slips away.
Today is yours... What will you do with this moment in your hands?
James 4:13-17 -- Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog -- it's here while, then it's gone.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, watching the fishing boats out on the water speeding along, I couldn't help but think of the latest tragedy with the cruise ship off the coast of Italy.
When tragedy strikes, the pain can knock us off our feet. We face the tempestuous emotions of anger, denial, grief, and even depression. We fear for the future, wondering what can possibly come of this situation. What good can God bring from this crisis?
In those moments, we have a choice. We can choose the path that lets our emotions take over and leads us into resentment and bitterness. Or we can choose the less-expected path of allowing ourselves to be transformed by God. We can choose to let Him work in us to do His will. When the world sees an out-of-the-ordinary response to crises in life, it sits up and takes notice.
You can come out of the crisis on the other side -- stronger and more dependent on God. He doesn't want tragedies to destroy you or define you. He wants to transform you.
It's your choice.
James 1:2-4 -- Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the beach was quiet and peaceful, a silent oasis in the midst of turmoil and chaos in my mind. I had come to the right place to find that much needed peace that only solitude can bring to our souls in the midst of life.
We long for peace. A few moments of quiet when the world doesn't intrude in our thoughts. A respite from battles with folks who hurt us or disagree with us. We'd even like to see world peace. We want something that goes deep, that lasts, that penetrates into our very souls.
Jesus brings that kind of peace. When we find Jesus, we find peace that passes understanding, peace that does not go away, peace that gives rest to our fears and our troubled hearts. Jesus' kind of peace dumps on us like a cave-in, washes over us like a wave -- inescapable, strong, overwhelming. His peace doesn't change or disappear.
What are you facing today? Is your world less than peaceful? Jesus promises peace, a gift freely given to you. Let it dump on you, overwhelm you, and wash over you. Today, my friend, walk in peace, true peace that only He can give you!
John 14:27 -- I am leaving with you a gift -- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sun was hiding behind the clouds. At one point I looked up and the clouds parted and the sun shown through. That started me thinking about the difference between the light and the dark. Jesus came to earth to be the light of the world.
What does that mean for us? The light dispells darkness. The dictionary gives one definition of light as "something that makes things visible or affords illumination." Jesus came as a light to make visible the path to God.
When we are in darkness we cannot see the light of truth or the path to God. A dark area has limited light sources, making things hard to see. We must keep our focus on the Light -- Jesus -- so that we do not stray from the path he has set before us which will ultimately lead us to God.
So, stay focused on what is light and good -- Jesus -- who came to earth to illuminate and help us avoid the dark places. Read and study the words of Jesus in the New Testament until they become so familiar that when you are in the dark -- presence of shadows, evil, or depression -- you can grab hold of your flashlight -- Jesus -- and dispel the darkness.
Genesis -- And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the tiny sandpiper seemed to walk slowly along the waves, as though his energy had been zapped from him. He was not his perky, speedy little self... the one running quickly along the beach I usually raced with every morning.
As I followed the little bird, I thought who hasn't felt the downward drag of fatigue, whether induced by age, stress, or a bout of illness? When your body lacks vigor, you long for -- and remember -- the feeling of vitality more than ever. And in these times you recall that God promised to renew your youth like the eagle's.
When you watch an eagle fly, you can see how effortlessly it seems to navigate the sky. Though equipped with wings that can reach ninety inches wide, this powerful bird glides for long distances on columns of rising air called thermals. In the same way, God carries you on the strength of His wings, giving you spiritual, emotional, and physical vitality when you most need it. As you ride His divine thermals, you remember once again how you thrive in His care.
Psalm 103:5 -- Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, the sunrise was incredibly bright today. It was like a ball of fire rising out of the ocean... what a sight to see.
Light has the power to refresh and revitalize you. After the long stretch of night, the sun's morning rays are a welcome sight as they push through the trees and make dappled patterns on the ground. In a very real and verifiable sense, your body responds to sunlight. Sunlight helps set your biological clock, lift your mood and immune system, and even produce vitamin D to keep you strong and well and functioning.
Scripture assures you that God is "robed with majesty and light." God, the one who burst onto the scene of early creation with light -- the sun by day, the moon and stars by night -- fills you with another, more stirring kind of light when you spend time with Him. God fills you with the light of His goodness.
Psalm 104:1-2 -- O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and with majesty and light!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, it was exceptionally early and still dark along the shoreline. I had awakened earlier than usual so I figured He wanted to speak to me.
Waking up in the wee hours of the night, you find that all is still and black as pitch. As you walk to the refrigerator for drink, your eye peeks outside at the night sky, the backyard, and the woods that fringe the edge of the lawn. What is it about nighttime that calls the spirit toward fear or peace, anxiety or calm?
When he penned the lines of Psalm 139, David prefaced them with these rhetorical questions: Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence? David knew that even the darkness could not hide him from God's watchful eyes and blanketing care. The darkness need not hold fear for you; God always watches over you. And that is reason enough to find peace in the night.
Psalm 139:12 -- Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sky over the ocean was gray with an opening shining through, as though it was the gateway to heaven. The rays shone brightly through the darkness as though it was coming directly from God's throne room. What a sight to behold!
Elaborate gates frame the walled city of Jerusalem. The gates still retain a noble look today, as you can see from pictures, even after thousands of years since their construction. Though you and I will pass through thousands of gates and doors in our lifetime, we may not have stopped to consider what they signify. Gates and doorways are points of entry as well as points of exit. They allow people and objects to come in and go out. Gates and doorways protect and defend; they include and exclude. They guard against unwanted ingress or egress.
What about the doorway to your heart. Do you open your heart to others or do you keep it closed? When you let people enter, what do they find? Do they sense your welcome and peace? Do they know instinctively that God's Spirit dwells there? Open your heart to Him today, and let Him walk through the door.
Psalm 24:7 -- Lift up your heads. O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, even though the waves were rolling in, the sounds in the air were silent. It was as though a holy silence had overtaken the seashore this morning.
As I thought of the stillness of the seaside, I wondered how often our souls become still enough to hear the whisper of the Lord. This was a day I needed to hear from Him, so I came to the place that quiets my soul enough to clearly hear Him speak!
Andrew Murray wrote in his book Abiding in Christ these words: If only your ears are open, your thoughts brought into subjection, and your heart prepared in silence to wait upon God and to hear what He speaks, He will reveal to you His secrets. And one of the first secrets will be the deeper insight into the truth, that as you sink low before Him in nothingness and helplessness, in a silence and a stillness of soul that seeks to catch the faintest whisper of His love, teachings will come to you that you had never heard before because of the rush and noise of your own thoughts and efforts.
So today, let's agree to be silent before Him and hear the truth He wants to speak into our lives as we come into this new year. Let's hear Him as never before and make this the best year ever! He is waiting for your silence!
Psalm 62:5 -- My soul, only be silent unto God; for my expectation is from Him.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched an elderly couple walking in front of me holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes like newlyweds... what a sight to behold!
I couldn't help but wonder what is their secret? What makes them continue to be in love in their latter years. If you investigate a little more deeply, you will usually find two people who are lifelong examples of the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor (or spouse) as yourself. Time has etched deep lines on their faces and stooped their bodies, and yet their spirits remain sound and supple -- and as full of life as when they first caught sight of each other and recognized a kindred spirit.
Although you may long for a fairy-tale romance that requires no effort, you often find that the quintessential ingredient to every good relationship is, after all, a servant's heart, each person holding out the light of Christ for the other as they journey together throughout life.
Psalm 92:12,14 -- The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon... In old age they still produce fruit.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I spotted a tiny tree that seemed to be dead... but a tiny sprout of green was showing on the very end of the limb.
It is much like our lives during the winter seasons. There seems to be very little activity in the winter months, and everything is dead. But if you know how life is, that is really when things are resting and waiting for spring to arrive. That is when the seeds are preparing to come alive!
But this is a wonderful season to make use of for spiritual growth. The winter months of our lives are a great time to be quiet with the Lord, to reflect on inner workings that may be taking place. It is a time to spend time getting to know the Savior in a deeper level... and let Him do the work in our spirits that we may need when other seasons we may be too busy to sit with Him.
Take notes today... does it seem to be the winter of your life... just as it is the winter season of nature? Take advantage of it, and let God speak to you during this time. That way, when spring arrives you will have growth that will take you to new levels in your spiritual walk. Don't despair -- but appreciate this season of life! God is doing awesome things in each of us as we draw close to Him and let Him do what only He can do!
1 Corinthians 15:36 -- Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sunrise was astounding... an amazing beginning of the new day! I was reminded of the verse in Psalm 19:5, "The sun comes out like a bridegroom from his bedroom. It rejoices like an athlete eager to rum a race!"
The above verse paints a word-picture of a new day bursting forth into the world with the joy and vigor of a bridegroom fresh from his wedding chamber. The anticipation of a new day is like the joy of an athlete ready to go. In the brightness, you sense God pouring out an unquenchable love.
Each new day bears God's stamp of approval that He sees in His creation. Each new day is delivered to you like a wrapped package that contains the gift of life. The very air you breathe bears witness to His overwhelming kindness toward you. Let every sunrise remind you of the unique opportunity to praise Him. Let every race or athletic competition remind you of your praiseworthy God. There will never be another day just like today.
Psalm 19:5 -- The sun comes out like a bridegroom from his bedroom. It rejoices like an athlete eager to run a race.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, it was cold and cloudy from the winter breeze... but inside I was warmed and untouched by the air on the outside. My heart inside was filled with the warming love of Christ!
I was still thinking about the story I had read about an event in Thomas Edison's life. It was about not having been touched by the storm around him. One day a fire broke out in his laboratory and burned it to the ground, destroying many valuable and unfinished experiments. Later that day, walking through the charred wreckage, Edison collected various items and put them in a bag he carried. Among those items was a little package of papers tied tightly together with a thick string. The package, although fire scarred and water soaked, was intact. Edison opened it and at its center was a photograph of himself. It was scorched around the edges but basically undamaged. He looked at it for a minute, then pulled a piece of charred wood from the floor and wrote across the picture; "It didn't touch me."
Remember, no matter what happens to you on the outside, God can ease the pounding of your heart by the quieting of your mind.
Psalm 18:33 -- He made my feet like the feet of a deer, and set me secure on the heights.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the ocean was quiet, except for the pounding sound of the waves against the sand... not one bird, not one crawling creature... just the waves, me and the Lord! It is the quiet sound of the solitude of winter!
In the fullness of summer, in all of its green lushness, you can sometimes hear the noisy symphony of natural sounds along the shore. Dogs barking, seagulls singing, splashes of people in the water... and they all contribute to the song of praise to God the Creator. How can they keep from singing as they enjoy His creation, the beautiful seashore?
The other seasons have their own harmonies and melodies of praise. In autumn the owl at night and the crow in the morning raise their voices in the crisp breezes; tiny rabbits, deer, other game rustle in the dry foliage. Winter's cool silence and keening winds make their own frosty music, slow and majestic. Then spring, on the rebound from winter's solemnity, sings in full throat with the sounds of the beach coming alive again. Praise is a natural activity that issues from life filled with God.
Psalm 148:13 -- All creation, come praise the name of the Lord, praise His name alone.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I realized the depth of the ocean is far more than we could ever fathom. I paralleled it to our relationship with Jesus Himself.
The Lord did not say how deep we are to step into the water. The depth of the water into which we sail depends upon how completely we have cut our ties to the shore, the greatness of our need, and our anxieties about the future. Yet the fish were to be found in the deep, not the shallow water.
It is the same with us -- our needs are to be met in the deep things ofGod. We are to sail into the deep of God's Word, which the Holy Spirit will open to us with profound yet crystal-clear meaning. And the words we knew in the past will have an ocean of new meaning, which will render their original message very shallow.
The deep waters of the Holy Spirit are always accessible, because they are always flowing. Will you claim afresh and anew today to be immersed and drenched in these waters of life? Why not jump in today? He is waiting to meet you there!
Luke 5:4 Put out into the deep.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I compared the sea that ebbs and flows with the tides to our emotions that seem to do the same thing in our daily lives.
Often our feelings and emotions are mistakenly substituted for faith. Pleasurable emotions and deep, satisfying experiences are part of the Christian life, but they are not the essence of it. Trials, conflicts, battles, and testings lie along the way and are to be counted not as misfortunes but rather as part of our necessary discipline.
Be sure to distinguish between the fact of God's presence and the feeling of the fact. It is actually a wonderful thing when our soul feels lonely and deserted, as long as our faith can say, "I do not see You, Lord, nor do I feel Your presence, but I know for certain You are graciously here -- exactly where I am and aware of my circumstances." Remind yourself again and again with these words; "Lord, You are here."
Trust God's Word and His power more than you trust your own feelings and experiences. Remember, your Rock is Christ, and it is the sea that ebbs and flows with the tides, not Him.
Hebrews 10:38 -- My righteous one will live by faith.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the ocean waves lap peacefully against the sand. There was such a peace in my spirit... and He reminded me of the verse, "Unto you, O Lord, do I bring my life."
This is very short but powerful verse. In fact it gives you the answer for your whole life; give it to the Lord.
This doesn't mean you should bring Him just your worries and problems. It means bringing Him your entire existence and everything it entails. Grasping that truth will set you free from weariness and a feeling of wanting to give up.
I used to get worn out preparing for my corporate meetings. I would get so intense about it and work so hard at making sure everything was done accurately and pleasing for my boss. Then I learned that all I have to do is give Him my life and everything in it. As we yield to Him, His peace fills us.
As you pray today, give your entire life to God and experience the freedom of knowing that whatever you face -- good or bad -- He has it under control.
Psalm 25:1 -- Unto You, O Lord, do I bring my life.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the ocean was raging with the wind kicking against the sand! It was furious and wild just as life can be at times.
When you face times of crisis in life you need direction. All of your human reasoning will not provide the answer -- it will only add to your confusion. But God will give you direction if you trust Him.
This truth is sometimes difficult for you to deal with because your human nature wants to understand everything. You want things to make sense, but the Holy Spirit can cause you to have peace about things that make no sense at all to your natural mind.
If you are hurting because of a crisis in your life, you must not become angry with God. He is the only one who can help you. Only He can bring the lasting comfort and healing you need. So continue to believe in the goodness of God and lean on, trust in, and be confident in Him.
Proverbs 3:5 -- Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I was reminded that this is the beginning of a new decade. In new beginnings we always have choices to make as we begin a new path!
Today can you look at your life and see that you have choices to make in this new year! What choices will you make that will change your life and the lives of those around you? How will you impact the place you are in for the Kingdom of God? Whose life will you bring from darkness into light? How will you be a more effective ambassador for God in the New Year?
Are you thinking of these things or are you thinking of how you can make more money, have more things, delight in more pleasure? What are you focused on this day? It is time for us to take a stand and make a difference in the places we live! We need to be about our Father's business -- the business of winning souls and shedding light wherever we are! The time is short and we have a job to do for the King! Let's make the right choices in this new year!
Joshua 24:15 -- Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, the wintry air forms a fog across the waves... which makes it hard to see the way to go at times.
Isn't that the way our lives seem to be at times -- nothing but a fog! But God is there waiting to lead you... if you are trusting and listening to Him. But He isn't going to lead and guide you through other people, although He will sometimes use someone else to confirm what you already have in your own spirit. He's going to lead you personally by His Spirit.
Sometimes we aren't willing to take responsibility of seeking God's guidance for ourselves. We want to look for an easy way out, and let someone else tell us what to do. That is never going to teach us to trust the Holy Spirit for ourselves. And that is what God wants -- a personal relationship with each of His children. He wants us to hear Him for ourselves and to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
How different life would be for each of us if we each would accept the responsibility to hear and heed what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. We could avoid so many trials and difficulties if we just follow that leading! What a challenge today -- stop, listen and heed what the Holy Spirit is saying to you! See how your life will change in the New Year as you follow that still small voice!
John 16:13 -- Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; ... whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the sea gulls flying as though they were running a race.
It made me think of the race we run in our life with Christ each of us are called to run. We have to be patient to wait for God to bring to pass His purpose in our lives. There is a time and a season for all things (Eccl.3:1), and the time is not always now.
Someone might say, "But will things ever change? I know that God is preparing me, and I want to be faithful. But it seems that I've been in this place of preparation for such a long time. Will it ever be different?"
Just continue to trust in the Lord with all your heart and to run your race with patience. Don't try to figure out how and when God is going to fulfill His plan for you; pray about it, and as you need to know, He will reveal each step you need to take. Just learn to rest in faith and to flow with the Holy Spirit. Let God be the One to accomplish His will in your life.
Heb. 12:1 -- ....let us run with PATIENCE the race that is set before us.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I felt the question in my spirit -- "What are you expecting for the New Year?"
This is a question I want to ask you today. "What are your expectations for the New Year?" Are you expecting the same old things in your life that has been there in years past. I feel the spirit of God telling us to bring our expectations to a higher level! He has great things planned for His children! He has untold blessings that we only have to believe to receive!
God says in His Word, "As a man thinketh, so is he." So what are you thinking? Are you thinking this year is going to be the same as the last year, or are you getting the mind of Christ and thinking on His level? Are you changing old thoughts into new thoughts? If not, let's get the mind of Christ according to Philippians 2:5 and let this mind be in you! Think bigger thoughts, believe for greater opportunities to come in this year! He has prepared great things and we don't want to miss them! Let's prepare in our hearts to receive all He has!
This is your year! This is the year of God's outpouring of His greatest blessings for you! Expect it, and be prepared to see blessings overtaking you! Remember -- He loves you and wants so much more for you than you can ever imagine!
Proverbs 23:7 -- As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the word that was spoken to me was wisdom to live the new year as God has directed.
Wisdom is the principle thing is what we are told by Jesus. What a thought -- God wants to give us wisdom to live this life He has provided. And then He has given us the Word -- which is our manual -- which has all the wisdom we will ever need in order to live a successful life here on this earth.
But we have to be willing to open the Word and seek His guidance for whatever we may be facing... not just hope He sends us an answer. He has done all He will ever do to provide life abundantly for us. He gave us all He had, and then He sat down. It is up to us to seek and apply the wisdom He has given us in the "manual of life"... the Bible. We can't go to others all the time and expect them to give us the answers for our lives. We must go to the Master and He will answer us through His Word.
Let's decide to seek Him and get the wisdom provided for us in our "Handbook of Life"... already written and anointed by the Holy Spirit! There you will find the answers you need to live a life of success! There you will find everything you will ever need pertaining to your life here on earth! Find it and enjoy the abundant life He has provided!
Proverbs 2:5-7 -- The Lord gives wisdom; out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the ocean seemed brisk, sharp and alive! It was as though Jesus was running with me, saying, "Let's run faster." Let's try to catch the waves.
As we reflect on the past, and move into the new life God is bringing before us, let's get geared up to run fast this year. I truly believe this is a year of suddenly... a year of surprises! God has such good things planned in this year for each of us. We must be prepared to run quickly as He comes along side us and gives us the visions, the dreams, the strategies to run with!
He is speaking to us in this time! He is speeding things up so we can accomplish much for the Kingdom of God. He is waiting on each of us to take the position He has assigned us and move forward! What is He calling you to do? What is in your heart? What has been holding you back and keeping you in a holding pattern?
It is time to fly! It is time to take our assignments seriously and trust God to provide as we move into the new year! Remind yourself what your dreams and visions are -- write them and put them before you and before God. He wants to touch what you do, but you must be in motion before He can bless it! He cannot steer a parked car, so let's put it in gear for 2012 and move forward! You will be amazed and astounded at what He wants to do for you once you step into place! It will take your breath away!
Habakkuk 1:5 -- Look among the nations and watch -- Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, there came a rest in my mind as I spent time with Him. After all, that is what the ocean is for -- to retreat and rest!
As you take time before the Lord as we move into the New Year, listen to hear what He is saying. He has direction for each of us... a purpose, a plan that will require that we hear His voice clearly before moving into our own plans for this year.
I was always one of those that went full speed ahead, and then asked God to bless whatever I had put my hand to. It didn't take long for me to figure out that that is not the way He wants us to operate! He must first be consulted, and then once we have His release, we can move into the plan with His blessing! That way, we are in agreement with God, not just our own plan, expecting Him to bless it when He was never included in the beginning!
This year, purpose in your heart to commit each endeavor to Him before you put it into action. That way, you and He will be in agreement, you will have peace and He will be the one in charge of the success you have this year! It is truly an amazing way to live life! Let Him be your daily consultant in all you do!
Proverbs 3:5 -- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I felt as though the waves were taking me to a new place in time. They were crisp and white, just as a fresh wind from the throne room would be! My Father was speaking to my spirit about the New Year we have just stepped into!
Today as you experience the first day of the New Year, reflect on His goodness and all He has held you through in the past year... be grateful and grab hold of the new thing He is doing in this upcoming year! He has promised that He is doing a new thing... and we can forget those things which lie behind as we press toward the goal! Isn't it refreshing to know God never runs out of "new things"?
We can never move forward looking back, but we can soar with Him as we trust Him to take us to new levels in the Spirit this year! He has great things planned for us, and is always taking us from glory to glory! Let Him move you forward, not turning back to the things of the past... so you can reach those goals in the spirit realm that He is calling you to! He is there with the plan and your obedience! Let's make this the greatest year for moving into the things of God! What a great way to begin the year!
Philippians 3:13 -- One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron