As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, my walk was interrupted when I spotted a small bird laying on its side with wounded wing. I went to the ranger for help, not sure what could be done, but at least I got help for the tiny bird.
Sometimes we care -- and want to help -- but it is too inconvenient. We would take that meal, but the family lives too far away. We would contribute to the offering, but our finances are tight. We would volunteer, but our schedule is filled to capacity.
Dorothy Sayers explains that, when we really care, we don't focus on ourselves and the sacrifice we must make. The sacrifice becomes only a part of the activity; the rest is wrapped up in love for God, love for others, and desire to serve.
We just need to learn to forget about ourselves. Not easy, but possible.
Today, tune your heart to the Holy Spirit's gently voice. Is He asking you to really care? Don't do something because you feel manipulated, pressured, or guilty. Do it out of willing obedience to Him.
When you forget about yourself your acts of service overflow with joy and love. And God in heaven smiles.
Romans 12:1 -- "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you represent 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, I felt so full of energy I couldn't help but run. The life of God just poured out in an energetic sprint along the beach. What a great feeling!
We want to stay healthy, so we take our vitamins. We eat our vegetables and fruit; we watch our sugars and carbohydrates. We have this one body and, in order to serve God well, we need to keep it as strong as we can.
The Bible provides advice about a different type of health -- that of the spirit. God is the Great Physician who is invested in our spiritual health. He prescribes faith and prayer -- the "vitamins of the soul" -- to keep us living vibrant spiritual lives. A daily intake of faith helps us see beyond our current circumstances to God's promises. It allows us to hope for that which we do not see. Prayer strengthens and supports our vital connection with the Great Physician who watches over our souls.
Open your Bible. Take your vitamins. Your spiritual health depends on it.
Romans 12:11-12 -- "Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer."
Blessing and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a pelican swooped into the wave, bringing out a perfect fish for lunch. Then all of a sudden the wave caught him on his exit, and the fish was knocked out of his grip -- a totally unexpected situation that caught him off guard.
When we can anticipate problems, plan for events, and manage our time, it's easy to be on our best behavior. But oh, those other times. Those pesky irritations and annoyances that pop up when we are least prepared for them. A traffic jam, a ringing telephone, a too-long line at the checkout, a misplaced purse, or something that doesn't go our way. If we had been able to prepare, we might have known how to act. Instead, we react to these situations with complaints, muttering, impatience, and anger.
Actions and reactions tell the story of our walk with God. What is God revealing to you today about your walk with Him? Is there something He wants you to repent of, change, learn, or make right? What a comfort it is that the Holy Spirit helps as we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and try again to deal with the daily frustrations of life.
Galatians 5:16 -- "I say then, 'Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.'"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I picked up another broken shell that had been so beautiful at one time... but now it would be disqualified by the shell collectors because of its imperfections.
How often do we go around disqualifying ourselves from God's plans for our lives? We say to ourselves, "Now I messed up. No way God can use me now," or, "I've sinned so badly, God is not going to want anything more to do with me." We can accept that He'll forgive us, but we cannot imagine that He can still use us for His purposes and glory.
That's a lie, dear ones. Not only does He forgive -- He knows our weaknesses and still has glorious, God-sized plans for our lives.
For your life.
Don't let your past, not even your yesterday, dictate your future. Instead, let His past -- His perfect atonement for your sins on the cross -- decide who you are and what you will do. He died to deal with sin -- every sin.
He can and will use you for His purposes. You just need to let Him.
Acts 9:13-15 -- "Then Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem...'. But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.'"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the ocean was in such a calm state, with the breeze gently blowing. My heart was turned toward the absolute goodness of the Father as He created a new day of life.
Absolute good. What does it look like? Such perfection is unfathomable in our imperfect world where even simple goodness seems to be in short supply.
Yet absolute good does indeed exist in the person of God Almighty. And He invites us to enjoy that goodness by enjoying Him, by drawing close to Him. As we contemplate His goodness, we let it sink into our lives. God's goodness is so overwhelming, so rich, so immense, that our very contemplation immerses us in that goodness.
God has given us many ways to know Him and see facets of who He is: creation, His Word, stories from fellow Christians of His faithfulness, goodness, and care. Now add contemplation of His goodness to the list.
In these moments, contemplate God's goodness to you. You will be filled to overflowing. Take that goodness and spread it around your world today.
1 Peter 2:9 -- "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light!"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a small child came along and knocked down a large sand castle. All I could see was David knocking down the giant Goliath!
When the giant Goliath challenged Israel to send out its mightiest warrior for a duel, no one imagined that it would be David who'd do the job. The youngest, weakest, and least impressive of his brothers, David was a mere shepherd boy -- completely unskilled in the issues of war. Nonetheless, God was with him, and Goliath was defeated.
You may believe that only the wealthy, strong, or brave qualify for God's help. However, God aids whoever calls upon Him, honors Him, and entrusts themselves to His care.
No matter what giant problem you face today, trust God to make you victorious. Commit to doing His will, and watch every obstacle crumble before you.
Psalm 10:17 -- "Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a pelican sat on the beach with a fishing line wrapped around its leg trying desperately to get free. I tried to help, but he flew away with the problem line still attached.
Some days you will wonder how you got to where you are -- completely entangled in the strong cords of duty and difficulty. You have been following God, and you can't understand why He would allow the weight of your burdens to crush you in such a way. You feel that if another problem comes to you, you will break.
Don't despair, my friend. God hemmed you in for a reason. He is bringing you into a place of freedom, but first He must teach you to trust Him for today.
So stop worrying about the future and focus on honoring God with the task that is in front of you. He loves you and will set you free; only trust Him.
Psalm 18:19 -- "He brought me out to a wide-open place; He rescued me because He delighted in me."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a tiny sailboat with its sails full, glided close to the shore. What a beautiful day to be on the water in the boat!
As we sail our ship through life, we face times of calm when the sea is like glass beneath us. Other times, the perfect storm comes, splashing waves across our bows, spraying mist in our faces, tossing our ship about, threatening to sink us. It takes an expert captain to navigate a ship through a storm.
We have to not fear the sudden squalls in life, but to take the helm, grab the wheel, and learn how to sail the ship. Only the most trying times make the expert captains. Experience in rough water is the best teacher.
Are you sailing choppy seas? Is your ship taking on water? Now is the time to learn how to sail the ship. God promises to teach you how to make it through life's squalls.
Do not fear the storms. The Captain is at the helm with you.
Luke 8: 22-23 -- "Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.' And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.... And He said to them, 'Where is your faith?'"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I longed to hear a sound of the Lord... the calm of the ocean was peaceful, but I wanted to hear Him speaking to me.
Why is it that at times God appears to be altogether quiet? Even though you are seeking Him wholeheartedly, why does it seem like He's gone completely silent?
My precious friend, you desire to hear God, and that is wonderful. However, there are times when His silence will do more to grow your faith than anything else. That's because you must continue to do as He instructed and exercise your trust without any outside encouragement.
It is difficult, but you can depend on His trustworthy character and lean on His truth, love, and grace. Take heart -- He's still working on your behalf. And when you see how much He's done for you, it will speak volumes to your soul.
Psalm 83:1 -- "O God, do not keep silent; do not be still, do not be quiet."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the beach was calm and quiet... it seemed to want to lull me to sleep on this day.
Have you ever had a night when the noises of night kept you awake? The clock is ticking louder than usual. The bed doesn't feel right either. You toss and turn, trying to get comfortable. Eventually you realize that what's really making you restless are your maddening thoughts.
Your mind is on and you can't stop what's rushing through it -- worry after worry bombards you without respite. You try to think of something else, but the anxieties come back even louder than before.
When you are sleepless, my friend, turn your thoughts to God and think about all He's done for you. Pray to Him and give Him all your concerns. Make your wakefulness into a worshipful time with Him. He will surely calm your soul and lead you into true rest.
Psalm 63:6 -- "I remember you while I'm lying in bed; I think about you through the night."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the dolphins were jumping and playing... having a wonderful time showing off to all the visitors on the beach. They were so free in their existence... they know no guilt, no wrong doing, no concern or issues with the Creator! They sure seemed to have the joy of the Lord!!
Who is fit for heaven? What does it take to be close to God? Psalm 15 says that you must be blameless, virtuous and truthful, and never speak badly of others. You must never accept money that comes from taking advantage of others, you must keep your oaths, and you must never do anything wrong.
Does this sound unfeasible? In a sense, it is supposed to be. Your failings were meant to show you that it is impossible for anyone to make himself or herself fit for heaven. That is why you must depend on Jesus to make you worthy of His house through His death and resurrection. He makes you completely fit. Believe in Him.
Psalm 15:1 -- "Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the little sandpiper was carrying a small fish in its mouth trying to eat before the larger birds could take it away. He was small, but the Creator had equipped him to be faster than the larger bird, so he won!
When the Philistine army slew thrity thousand of Israel's soldiers and carried away the Holy Ark of the Covenant, the Israelites despaired of ever getting it back. The Philistines were far too powerful -- and the Israelites too discouraged.
Fortunately, God is never without resources. Through a miraculous series of events, God convinced the Philistines to bring the Ark back to Israel.
Tradition holds that David wrote Psalm 24 to honor the Ark's return to Jerusalem. Israel learned firsthand that God had all the resources necessary to help them.
Today embrace that message. Whatever your need, God's provision is more than enough to help you. He is in control; trust Him to turn everything around for you.
Psalm 24:1 -- "The earth is the Lord's and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it!"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the horizon of the ocean seemed limitless... just like our Father. It is that way with time on some days... it seems to go on forever and ever as we work through the days events.
What would you like to be doing in ten or twenty years, if the Lord lingers? Perhaps you have a picture in mind of what the perfect future looks like. Interestingly, many people who achieve all their goals find that their success was not as satisfying as they thought it would be.
Yet there are also those who have forgotten their own plans in order to pursue God. As David testified in Psalm 40, they discover a life full of purpose and love -- abundant in hope and wonder.
Today Warrior, you can imagine great things, but God's plans for you are infinitely better than all of them. So pursue and obey Him. He will grant your heart's deepest desires and never disappoint you.
Psalm 40:5 -- "You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I uncovered a beautiful sand dollar hidden in the sand. It was as if God was saying to me, to find holiness, you may have to look a little deeper within.
God is holy -- He embodies holiness. Several word may come to your mind such as sacred, blessed, and virtuous. Yet you may also wonder what exactly all that means.
God's holiness means that He is free from problems common to mankind and earthly limitations. He has no imperfections. Also, God is diametrically opposed to evil -- He always does what is good and loving and never has moral dilemmas. Though He allows bad things to happen for now, He won't permit them forever. God faithfully fulfills all His promises.
God is set apart -- higher, purer, and more wonderful than all you know. And yet He still loves and helps you. Surely, that makes Him worthy of your worship.
Psalm 99:9 -- "Exalt the Lord our god, and worship at His Holy mountain; for the Lord our God is Holy!"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, one of the seagulls was limping along the shore. It made me sad to see the others so happy, jumping and flying but he was there in his afflicted state.
It is true that you will always have troubles, but can you imagine what you'd miss out on if you never experienced pain or challenges? Life would be extremely different, but it wouldn't necessarily be better.
That is because your trials, though difficult, teach you what is really important in life and how to console others suffering similar circumstances. Most important, your afflictions confirm that God is real -- because through them, His profoundly deep, healing comfort transforms your soul.
Warrior, if you never face an impossible situation, how could you ever see God's glory or experience the power of His presence? You couldn't. So thank God that even your troubles have a wonderful purpose when you see them through His love.
Psalm 146:7-8 -- "He judges in favor of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free and.... He lifts those who have fallen."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, there was a sand castle that had been built by the children on the beach. But the waves had knocked one of the sides down and it had begun to crumble because there was only sand for the foundation.
I thought of Solomon who is know as the wisest man who ever lived, and he knew one thing to be absolutely true: Everything must have God at its foundation. Success, security, and joy all must be established through God's wisdom and power or they will fade away.
This is because anything that is not based on God returns to dust. Yet everything that God does lasts forever.
Today, my fellow Warrior, you are working hard for what you have, but if God is not leading you, you are chasing the wind. So spend your life on things that will have everlasting results. Obey God and trust His superb plans for you -- because when you work for Him, you know it is never in vain.
Psalm 127:1 -- "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sunrise was more beautiful than on most days... the sky was pink and blue... with the rays of glory shining on the water! All I could do was praise the Lord!
What an honor to serve the one who has given us the message of life! You have within your grasp the greatest message ever known: There is one God who loves you and forgives your sins. He saves you if only you will believe in Him.
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 are not alone -- you are 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!
Psalm 145: 11-12 -- "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, the water looked shallow but there was a deeper drop-off not far from the shoreline. I couldn't really tell how deep it was, but I knew there was danger if I stepped in too far.
There is fear in the unknown: how you'll pay your bills or reconcile that relationship; whether or not you will recover from this illness or overcome that obstacle. As if darkness covers your view, you cannot see what's ahead -- or why this is happening to you.
Yet when look to God, He sheds light on your situation. He will not only give you assurance of His help, but more important, He will show you the good that can come from your difficulties if you will only focus on Him.
My friend, no matter how dark and confusing your situation, God can illuminate it. So trust in Him with all your heart, and you will be sure to see the light.
Psalm 112:4 -- "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the horizon as a backdrop for a beautiful scene of life. He is the artist of the Universe.
When a young artist learns to draw, they are taught a new way to see -- to observe light, shadow, perspective, and depth in order to make portraits realistic.
The same concept is true in your spiritual life. You may be very good at assessing your earthly landscape, but if you fail to notice what is happening spiritually, you're only getting half the picture. That is why you must watch for God's activity.
My friend, what you see with your physical eyes is temporary, but what you perceive God doing in your spirit is eternal. So ask God to open your spiritual eyes to His supernatural work. When you learn to observe His ways, you will undoubtedly view life a lot more clearly.
Psalm 59:9 -- "I will keep watch for You, my strength, because God is my stronghold."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the way the tide flowed in and out... such a rhythm that the Creator put in place... what a mind to make the world function as perfectly as it does.
There are some people who are quite scholarly -- they read all of the prestigious journals and can thoroughly bewilder you with their lofty words and theories. They seem to know everything. However, for all their knowledge, they don't always act in the wisest ways.
Yet there's great wisdom in this psalm, which declares we are to respect and obey God. After all, He really does know everything and never steers you wrong.
The basis of wisdom is to realize you don't know it all, but you do know the One who does. So to be wise, follow Him. In the end, all of the other sources of knowledge will pass away, but He will remain.
Psalm 111:10 -- "Respect and obey the Lord! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I had been running fast and my heart was beating much harder than normal.
Your heart roars wildly in your chest, like a flag flapping violently on a turbulent day. There's no time to think -- just react to the tornado of troubles that hit!
There's only One to cling to because only God can quiet this tumultuous maelstrom.
So my friend, pray. Repeat to yourself the things you know: God loves you and can handle this situation. God is in control and will help you. He's never let you down and never will.
The tempest may not pass immediately, but He will infuse you with His wonderful peace and empower you with His strength. Then you'll know what it is to have calm in the midst of the storm.
Psalm 107:29 -- "He hushes the storm to a calm and to a gentle whisper, so that the waves of the sea are still."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, there was a group of different birds just gathered on the beach. Some of them were the familiar ones but there were some new ones I had not seen before!
Currently, there are an estimated nine thousand species of birds known in the world. What is more, there are over fifteen thousand kinds of mammals, in excess of twenty-nine thousand types of fish, and more than thirty million varieties of insects.
Though these numbers are bound to increase as new discoveries are made, God knows them all and provides for their needs. Nothings is born, grows, or dies without God knowing it.
Yet there is a magnificent creature that gets God's special attention -- YOU. He is as careful with the minutiae in your life as He was in creating the microscopic attributes that make one species different from another.
His wisdom helps you perfectly. Awesome, isn't it?
Psalm 104:24 -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a mother was struggling with her small child. He was really mad because they were having to leave the beach, and he wanted to stay! Seems a small thing, doesn't it?
Do you know people who are angered by the littlest things? It seems like they are always offended about something, and you are never sure how to please them.
Sometimes that kind of personality is attributed to God because of His multitude of instructions in the Bible. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. God gives you rules because He loves you -- not because He is easily offended. He knows a holy life will ultimately be happier and healthier for you.
God doesn't get angry as quickly or easily as people do. Rather, He always treats you with compassion and grace. So don't fear that you have made Him mad. Instead, rejoice that He loves you deeply.
Psalm 103:8 -- "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sunrise was such an incredible opening for the day. I knew the Creator of the universe was at work.
The Bible tells us that God is the sole source of creation -- absolutely nothing exists without His having created it. No other gods compete with Him; nothing exists on its own; creation did not just "happen."
So what do we learn about God by looking around at what He created? We conclude that He is a God of beauty, of order, of creativity -- and we might even conclude that He has a sense of humor as well.
You, as a part of creation, find your source in God as well. You exist because He created you. That longing in your heart, that desire for love and relationship, that search for meaning in your life -- all can be found when you go to your Source. Look no further than God. As your Creator, He knows the plan for you. All you need to do is ask.
Psalm 19:1 -- "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I picked up a beautiful shell. It was a much larger one than what I usually find, and the longer I carried it, the heavier it became.
Loads get heavier the longer you carry them. This is true of both physical weight and emotional responsibilities. The more time you contend with the load, the more fatigued you become.
You may believe that you've gotten accustomed to your burdens -- that you can handle them -- but they are still draining you. You know that because of how difficult it is for you to deal with new challenges. When you stop having joy, it is obvious you are not managing your problems successfully.
My friend, you don't have to be self-sufficient. God is happy to carry your burdens. He will be your unfailing strength and will use the weight to help you grow. Trust Him with your concerns.
Psalm 68:19 -- "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the choice to go south or north on the beach was up to me. I chose to go south... the dolphins were playing there and the excitement was happening with their activity!
Our life is filled with choices. Simple ones like the choice between chocolate or vanilla, and more complicated ones like whether to accept a new job or to take on that responsibility at church or to buy a new car. Some choices are easy because we see clearly that one is better than the other, or even that one is right and one is wrong. But sometimes we're choosing among several good options and we just don't know what to do.
Like the old TV game show, "Let's Make a Deal", selecting "door number one" instead of "door number two" seems daunting. But unlike a game show host, God isn't trying to confuse or deceive you. He wants to show you the best choice for you. Submit your judgment absolutely to His Spirit, asking that He close every door but the right one.
Then the choice becomes easy.
Acts 16:6-10 -- "Now when they had gone through Phrygian and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the beach looked a little battered after the storm had passed.
The destitute place. It looks different for each of us, but we've all been there.
It's a place where nothing makes sense. It's a place where what we thought we understood is turned upside down Where what we thought we had is taken away. It may be the loss of a job or a home, a wandering child, an unexpected attack, the loss of a friendship, a divorce, a death. It's a place where darkness descends, envelopes, overwhelms. Where do you go? Who do you turn to? Who can possibly bring sense back to a world of confusion?
It seems that in our place of destitution, our souls cry out to God for help.
Only He can turn your world right-side-up again. Only He can give you the wisdom to move forward from the destitute place and back into file.
He's there. Just call out to Him.
Psalm 40:1 -- "I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron