As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, it was a quiet walk as I thought of the many walks that have carried me through this year. What an incredible year it has been.
Today as you walk on your seashore of life, I would like to encourage you to take the time to look back and see how Jesus has held your hand through every experience this year. I also encourage you to take one more look, then make the decision to look forward, putting the past behind you and leave it there. You can never move forward as long as you are looking backwards.
Jesus is always moving us higher and higher, and the enemy is always trying to take us back to the past. That is how we get stuck in places we don't want to be! That is how the children of Israel stayed in the wilderness for 40 years, by complaining and wandering... not being focused and believing the promises of God enough to step into the great future He had for them.
As the new year arrives, let's make the commitment to tell the past, "The End is today... now!" Then let's look to Jesus, and trust Him to move us into the greatest year ever. Get your focus on Him, trust Him, stay in the word and experience the best year of your life! Let 2011 be your year of heaven on earth!
Philippians 3:13 -- "...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I felt the cool breeze against my face as the wind whispered off the ocean. It was as though the Holy Spirit was speaking a calmness into my ears... and my spirit.
My experience with the prompting of the Holy Spirit has been that when He directs you, there is an indescribable peace in your body, mind, and spirit that you feel but can't explain to anyone who hasn't experience it. God's Spirit would never direct us to do anything contrary to Scripture, so we have a guidebook that can help us too.
You've probably said in certain situations "I knew in my heart that such and such was...." Those are probably times when the Holy Spirit was prompting you.
We need to be responsive to the Holy Spirit. He is always leading us to be more effective in how we use our time and our resources on a daily basis.
What will you do when you think you're being prompted by the Holy Spirit to take a certain action? I would suggest you ask for clarity. Wait for the answer. There will be a peace that comes with a directive to do what you have prayed about. And it will be a peace that settles in your heart, and gives you the right answer for any situation you may be facing.
Psalm 143:10 -- "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, my thoughts were taken back over the past year... and the choices made along the way. How did I determine the choices mad -- what were the influences that determined yes or no in each situation? How do you know what to do in each circumstance?
Many of us do not know and understand how God leads us daily... it is in the gentle "checks" that he speaks. It is His delicate restraints and constraints. His voice is a "gentle whisper." A whisper can hardly be heard, so it must be felt as a faint and steady pressure upon the heart and mind, like the touch of a morning breeze calmly moving across the soul, just as the breeze when you walk along the beach. And when it is heeded, it quietly grows clearer in the inner of the heart.
God's voice is directed to the ear of love, and true love is intent upon hearing even the faintest whisper. Today as prepare for this busy season, let His love speak to you. Listen with your heart and follow His gentle leading. Let this be a new way for choices in the New Year. Listen for His whispers more in this season, stop long enough to feel the gentle nudges and let it be best year of your life!
1 Kings 19:12 -- "After the earthquake came a fire... And after the fire came a gentle whisper."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, two tiny puppies were running along the beach racing one another. They were happy to be running but definitely were in a race!
I thought of how the Word says, we are also in a race (1 Corinthians 9:24) to receive the prize. As we come to the close of this year, it is a good time to look back and reflect on the year to see how we have run the race of our faith life. What would you have done differently? Which relationships would have been better off being ended? Who might you have brought into your life, to bless them? What could you have done to be more effective in the lives of those around you? How could you have been a more effective ambassador of love?
There seems to be many ways to gauge the effectiveness of our race to become more like Him, but we have to take the time to inspect our walk daily. Could we have shown more love? Could we have been more patient? Could we have said no to a few activities to free more time for Jesus? So many things fight for our time to keep us from being effective and running the race of faith. It is the world's way -- to keep us out of the race!
Today as you spend quiet time during this down time of the season, take time to look at your life, reflect, and determine to make necessary adjustments for the New Year we are approaching. Let Him direct your path and run the race in a way that you will win the race of faith in 2011!
1 Corinthians 9:24 -- "Do you no know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receive the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the ocean was peaceful and calm, like the days after Christmas. They seem to become peaceful after all the excitement and chaos.
I thought of the peace our Savior died to leave us with... peace that passes all understanding. Peace is the thing that throughout the year we seem to lose. I thought of the chaos that leads up to the day of Christmas, which is so much like our life. The days rights before Christmas are filled with chaos and an overload of daily activities. How much of that burden did Jesus mean for us to carry? None.
He has provided a way for us to live guided by His peace every day of our lives. We simply have to choose to receive that peace and live a life that is balanced and void of overload. We are the ones that seem to fill our agenda with too many things to do, tasks that never get completed, relationships that are difficult and unfulfilling, purchases that bring no joy. Why do we do this? Because we are influenced every day by the choices the world says we need to make... not our Father, but the world.
Let's make a choice in the new year to let "peace" be the reigning factor every day of our lives. He has provided the way, and it is up to us to choose. We will live much more powerful and effective lives if we make the choice for "peace". Let that be your new year's resolution and make this the best year ever.
Psalm 23:2 -- "He leads me rest in green meadows. He leads me beside still streams."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I was filled with joy from the celebration of my Savior's birthday. What a blessed day to be alive!
Do you know how blessed we are to be able to celebrate His birthday? Let's refocus on what is important as we go through this season and remember what we are celebrating. What is the reason for the season -- the joyous day we were given eternal life! This day we were given freedom... this day we were given a reason to live! What a wonderful gift He has given us. Today should be the best day of our lives... and we should celebrate it every day... not just on this day!
As you celebrate with your family today -- remember the gift of love, and the gift of life you have been given and share it with others! We are blessed, and should be full of joy as we live our lives daily throughout the year! Share your gift of life with others today! And Merry Christmas to all.
Matthew 1:21 -- "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call His name Jesus. For He shall save His people from their sins."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, being only one day before the birth of Christ, I thought of young Mary and how overwhelmed she must have felt at the assignment given to her. Can you even imagine what must have gone through her mind?
Have you ever had a Mary moment -- when God spoke something totally outrageous to you -- that did not make sense and yet you knew that you knew it was the God in heaven speaking to you? He asked you to say "yes" to an assignment that would change your life forever? You shook your head to shake out the cobwebs to be sure you were hearing correctly. You walked around bewildered for a couple of days, wondering if you really heard right. You played the scenario over in your mind to be sure you had a handle on it. Then you heard a word from a friend, a pastor or maybe even a stranger that knew nothing about your life situation, that totally confirmed the assignment from the Lord. If so, did you then respond as Mary did -- with praise in your heart?
Is God speaking to you today about a lifetime assignment, or are you still waiting on your lifetime assignment. God gives each assignment in His perfect timing, so let's stay close to Him and His Word and be ready to say "yes" when He speaks.
Luke 1:46-49 -- "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. For behold, henceforth, all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I thought of His birthday... only two days away, and what gift could I take the King of Kings. What do I have to offer?
As these thoughts flooded my mind, I heard Him say, "Offer yourself, that is enough." I think of myself and what a mess I must be in His eyes... with all my shortcomings, but that is what He wanted... me!
Can you imagine the love He must have for us in saying that all He wants is our hearts? What a loving Father, who cares more about our hearts that anything else? It is such a humbling thought, to know the King of Kings wants only our hearts to be presented to Him on His birthday. But then we know if we present our hearts, we will follow with our whole lives. That is the heart of a child, to please His father, and how much more so for our Heavenly Father! He loves us so much and has so much He wants to give to us when we present ourselves to Him.
Today during this season, let's make a vow to give our whole hearts to Him as a gift! That is pleasing to Him and He will make our hearts like His... loving, forgiving, joyful! What a gift in return!
Romans 12:1 -- "I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, my mind was still thinking of the spirit of Christmas that seems to make everyone so kind and joyful. They seem to be more thoughtful, more peaceful, more loving... in every way!
I thought it would be wonderful if we could only make every day Christmas so we could celebrate the birth of Jesus every day. After all, we get to live a joyful, peaceful, victorious life every day -- in the spirit because of the gift of Jesus. So, why does it have to end on the day after Christmas? Why not carry that same spirit throughout the whole year? After all, we carry Him in our spirits every day... so why not be thankful, joyful and loving every day? He is watching our behavior every day! Wouldn't that be a wonderful thought, to celebrate Christmas everyday -- not just one day of the year? I think it would change our whole outlook on life and the life of those around us!
So I have vowed to make every day Christmas in the New Year... every day carry that same spirit, that same love, joy and peace throughout every day! Why not join me, and see what a difference it will make for you in the New Year. Don't pass out if you see me on the beach and I say Merry Christmas!
Matthew 28:20 -- "...Low I am with you always, even unto the end of the world!"
Blessings and Peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I heard the gentle waves lapping on the sand... almost following my footsteps.
Isn't that the way Jesus does us? He follows us gently throughout our days, our lives, hoping we will stop long enough to hear His voice. Hoping we will stop and spend time with Him so He can speak into our lives. What a loving Father we have! He is always pursuing us -- chasing us, so He can give us the blessings He has prepared for us!
Today as you walk your seashore of live, take the time to stop and let Him catch you! Spend the time to hear Him speak... especially in this season with the hectic schedules we get caught up in. He is there on your seashore of life, just waiting for you to stop and let Him speak!
Psalm 42:1 -- "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God!"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus, it is cold and dreary and the wind is blowing the sand into piles along the beach, changing the calm quiet beach into a messy windblown sight.
In this season, as we reflect on Jesus and see how He changes our lives when He interrupts our plans with His wind, it is amazing to see how often we respond with resistance. That is our first response to change... resistance. Why? Because none of us like change. We become accustomed to the way things are. We get comfortable and when He comes along and requires change, it doesn't always "feel" good and we say no, or we take our time and think we can do it our way! We can miss His perfect plan when we hesitate too long!
As we have time to reflect on our lives in this special season, let's take a look at where we are with Him. What is it that He is asking us to change? It may just be a simple attitude, or the way we respond to others, but nevertheless, He is always moving us towards Him. Let's be aware of that voice leading us into His image, and move when He speaks.
Exodus 15:25 -- "There He tested them."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I had walked further than I meant to -- and all of a sudden felt dry and parched. I had forgotten to bring water with me.
Isn't this how our lives seem at times? We find ourselves landed on a desert land -- feeling dry and lost without the provision we need.
As the Israelites fled from Egypt across the desert, they were weary and parched, yet there was no water to quench their thirst. So Moses prayed, and God instructed him to strike a particular rock with his staff. Moses obeyed the strange command, and the water flowed out.
This unimaginable miracle is your encouragement today: Whatever you yearn for, don't despair when you don't see it. God will use unexpected things in your path to provide for your needs. Your responsibility is to obey His commands and trust His promises.
It will take faith, friend, but God will help you. So do as He says, and He will transform your situation in a way you could never have dreamed.
Psalm 114:8 -- "He turned the rock into pools of water; yes, springs of water came from solid rock."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the tiny sandpipers running along the beach sticking close to one another, like a little group of special friends.
Do the friends you run with add to your life? Do you flow together like these tiny sandpipers? Do they share the love of God and teach you about His goodness? Do they encourage you to grow in your walk with Jesus through Bible study and prayer? Do they help you make godly decisions?
Your friends will either bring you closer to God, or they will make it harder for you to remain faithful to Him. That is not to say you should abandon the friends that don't know God, but you must be careful about how they influence you -- and how you inspire them.
It is wise to spend time with people who also love God -- so seek out and befriend those who serve Him. They will undoubtedly bless you and help you grow in your relationship and love for Jesus. Then you will be able to grow your circle of Christian friends and impact your community, city and region!
Psalm 122:1 -- "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the air was so invigorating and free. I felt as though I could fly with the sea gulls... knowing that because of my Savior Jesus Christ that I am as free as His beautiful creatures!
As you get to know God and learn to love Him more, He'll teach you the truth that sets you free. Though you're liberated immediately from sin by believing in Him, He must continue to unshackle you from the harmful attitudes that have been deeply ingrained within you.
You must learn that there's one absolute reality -- and it's based on God. This doesn't happen overnight. Rather, it's the passionate pursuit of a life dedicated to Him. And every day, God is working toward that goal -- setting you increasingly free by the truth He reveals to you.
So stick close to God and rejoice in the liberty you are gaining today! He will make you truly free, indeed!
Psalm 119:30 -- "I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I saw a tiny fish swimming close to the sand. It was so close I reached out to see if I could catch it for just a moment, but it was not within my grasp.
Today you do have within your grasp the greatest message ever known. There is one God who loves you and forgives your sins. He saves you if you will only believe in Him. This is our reason for this season.
Throughout history, the bravest, most compassionate people have proclaimed God's Word despite persecution, pressure, and terrible consequences. It was worth it because the message is true -- and it transforms the life of whoever accepts it.
You may be fearful of the attention God's message will bring you, but understand that you're not alone -- you're part of an excellent history of people who trusted God and told others about Him.
So join the boundless throng of people who proclaim God's salvation. You are truly in great company during this season and every season of life!
Psalm 145:11 -- "They will speak of the glory of Your Kingdom and will declare Your might, informing all people of Your mighty acts."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I picked up a beautiful shell, at least on the top, but underneath it had other broken pieces fastened to it and looked tarnished from the beating of the waves.
That is how we are sometimes. We look pretty on the outside, but inside we are beaten up. We can keep up a front with other people for a while... it is just a way to protect ourselves when we feel insecure. We conceal our flaws and fears so people can't hurt us. Unfortunately, our defenses also stop us from receiving their love.
Yet we cannot hide from God. He knows us completely and is aware that those defenses are stopping us from having the life we were created for. That is why He chips away at them until we fully experience His magnificent love.
Today, just know God knows you more profoundly than you know yourself -- and He's declared that you are worth loving. Let Him tear down those defenses so others can know and love you as well!
Psalm 139:1 -- "O Lord, you have searched me thoroughly and have known me."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the beauty of the season seemed to be reflected in the dancing crystals on the waves of the ocean... it looked like diamonds sparkling forever, and I could almost see myself as I walked close to the waves.
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you see an imperfect facial feature or a waistline that needs adjustment -- especially as we go into this season where everywhere we go we have festive foods and holiday treats.
Society generally puts a lot of emphasis on outward appearance, but there's so much more to attractiveness than mere looks. There's character and all of the attributes that God builds in you, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.
Today, just know God didn't make any mistakes or use any unworthy materials when He put you together. Rather, He skillfully created you with your own unique beauty and potential.
So whenever you're at the mirror, remember that you are God's work of art, and He's completely delighted with you.
Psalm 139:14 -- "I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the day be created right before my eyes as the beautiful red ball of fire rose out of the ocean... created for the purpose of lighting this day of creation!
Isn't it amazing that God has a purpose in creating each one of us. As you learn about God's purpose for your specific life, don't be surprised if others do not comprehend the course He is taking.
Many people didn't understand why God would make an insignificant shepherd boy like David king over Israel. They were also confounded about why David wasn't more proactive about seizing the throne from King Saul. Yet David ignored the others and trusted God's plan -- and God blessed him for it.
The same is true when others doubt you or insist you take a particular course of action. Remember that your responsibility is to obey God and learn from Him. You can always trust that He is accomplishing His promises in the best way possible for you -- to fulfill the purpose for which you were created!
Psalm 138:8 -- "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever -- do not abandon the works of your hands."
Friends,
I will be out of the country, traveling to Trinidad to have Christmas with the orphans and will be returning on December 12. Please cover us in prayers and the devotions will resume on December 13th.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a small dove followed me along the beach, not seeming to care that I had joined him for the morning walk.
It was a reminder that I had another one walking with me -- Jesus himself -- who promises to never leave me or forsake me. That is such an incredible thought -- to know we are never alone, never forsaken. What a promise to stand on as we live in this chaotic world filled with issues that only a God in heaven can resolve.
Knowing that we never walk alone, no matter what we face, gives us peace to live life with joy and confidence. It enables us to share life with others in our daily walk, wherever that may be. You have been given the power to live victoriously because you walk with the life giver -- Jesus!
Today as you walk your seashore of life, let Him put a skip in your walk because you will never walk alone! He is there -- every day through every challenge and will always be with you to the very end of the ages! Step high, walk victoriously through this day and give that life to someone else!
Hebrews 13:5 -- "....For He Himself has said, 'I will ever leave you nor forsake you.'"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sunrise broke through the sky in a magnificent way. Another new beginning -- and nothing in this day looked the same as yesterday.
Another new beginning -- December -- a new month is here. Isn't it wonderful to know that every day is a new beginning with our Father? Each day brings new and fresh promises, just as He spoke in His Word in Lamentations 3:23... they are new every morning.
What a wonderful word to keep in our hearts as we experience today. Every morning His compassions fail not! We are so blessed to know our Lord never gets tired of giving us a fresh start, a new beginning, no matter what we have experienced, or how many times it seems we have failed. To begin each day with that confidence -- that we are loved, cherished and so important to our Father -- should be something we meditate on and carry with us throughout the day!
Today as you walk your seashore of life, walk with confidence that today is a new beginning full of love from your Father. That should put a skip in your walk! And don't forget to share the blessing with others -- they may just be needing a new beginning for their life!
Lamentations 3:22 - 23 -- "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not...They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron