As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched a lonely little pelican sitting by himself on one of the beach poles. Two of his friends had just flown by, but he was still sitting there all alone.
Loneliness. Married or single, young or old, rich or poor, we all sometimes feel alone -- like no one is there for us, no one cares. But those of us who love Jesus have His constant presence, even in the times when we don't feel Him close. Whether we are joyful and fully content or struggling with grief or discouragement, Jesus is with us. We are never alone when we have Him.
He is better than the most perfect husband -- He knows your needs and gently cares for you. He is your Savior -- He willingly gave His life so that you could be set free from sin and have this always-and-forever relationship with Him. He is your beloved -- loving you with an everlasting love. The One who runs the whole universe is your Husband, your Savior, your Beloved. He has you always on His heart.
You are never, ever alone!
Hebrews 13:5 -- Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you, I will never abandon you."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sunrise was so glorious. I was so thankful to have eyes to see the beauty the Creator had blessed me with -- and suddenly I wondered what it would feel like to be blind and not be able to see this sunrise.
Helen Keller came to mind. She was blind and deaf, and she truly knew about darkness. She understood, probably more than any of us, what it meant to be lonely, alone, left in the darkness and the silence. Did she ever question God; "Why did you choose to take those senses from me? Why did you leave me dependent on others for the rest of my life?" In spite of that understandable frustration, this is what she writes: "It is in God's wisdom that we don't understand. God know what is best for us. Sometimes what is best for us is to not have all the answers."
Are we content to learn what God wants to teach us, or are we constantly trying to pry into mysteries that He has chosen to keep hidden? Be content, my friend, to let your Father teach you His lessons in His time.
His strength and His wisdom are enough.
1 Corinthians 13:12 -- Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the dolphins were playing close to the shore. They sense human voices and come near when you speak to them. They have an amazing ability to hear human sounds even though they are quite a distance from them.
It made me think of the way Jesus calls us "His sheep" and that we are trained to "hear His voice." It is because sheep are easily frightened and have almost no natural defense. They also have to be led everywhere -- to pasture, to water. So, when we learn that sheep are used as a metaphor for followers of Jesus, we hope there's a compliment in there somewhere.
Sheep may need a lot of guidance and they may be prone to wander (also sounds very much like us humans), but they do have a well-tuned sense of hearing. They know the voice of their shepherd as distinguished from "every other voice." When they are called out of the pen by their shepherd, they follow His voice. They know who is taking care of them, just as the dolphins know the voice of their trainers.
As Jesus' sheep, we should be so tuned in to our Shepherd's voice that we always hear it. He speaks to us through His Word. His voice rings loud and clear through the pages of Scripture.
Are you listening?
John 10:3-4 -- The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the water was calm... I could almost see a reflection of myself as I followed the waterline of the waves!
I thought of how we think of ourselves -- always looking in the mirror! It is difficult to not think about ourselves. Our minds keep us consumed with how we look, how we feel, what we want. Even during conversations we are often thinking about ourselves. We want to keep the conversation going so we don't look awkward. We are so busy thinking about the next question, we don't hear the answer to the one we just asked!
I wonder what would happen if we all prayed for the ability to be totally present with others and to trust God with our needs as we shift our attention outward. We really don't have to fill up every space with words. We need to allow for conversation, back and forth, and even the silence of reflection, which is especially hard for a "talker" like myself. This would show that we are engaged and that we truly care.
Let's commit to letting God guide our conversations today. Let's determine to be totally present for those with whom we converse... I will along with you! After all, that's just how God listens to us!
Philippians 2:3-4 -- Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a tiny sandpiper walked with a wounded wing hanging beside him. I wanted to help him, but I couldn't get near him to help. I said a little prayer for my Father to help His tiny creature.
How reliable is our Lord! Every time we have our heart wounded, find ourselves stranded, or face real difficulty, God is there to bandage us, soothe us, and help us find our way. He is a faithful Father -- we know that. But what we may not realize is that through each painful experience God is building His credibility with us for our future difficulties.
Just like a child learns that her mom will be there when she falls off the bike or gets bullied at school, our heavenly Father is there for us. We learn through our daily challenges that God can be trusted, not only with little skirmishes, but also with the great big battles.
This is the assurance that we can draw from for strength to step forward into the future. Although more sorrows may be ahead for us, we can be confident God will be with us every step of the way. His help is ever available.
Isaiah 66:13 -- I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a young Father was walking along with his son when the son became tired. The father lovingly picked the child up and carried him the rest of the way. That was the perfect example of our Father's love for us.
What kind of father did you know from childhood? Was he the silent dad who watched you grow up from the sidelines? Maybe he was a dad who you were never able to please. Or was he the type who delighted in you no matter what? Maybe he was the absent dad, never there when you needed him most.
Memories of our earthly fathers tend toward either treasured moments or painful scars. No matter what your paternal experience has been, your heavenly Father invites you with open arms to climb onto his lap and call him "Daddy."
He is a Father who is always near at hand, who is always ready to listen, who offers us the wisest advice, and who loves us dearly and patiently.
Come to him today as a little child. Your Father loves you.
Romans 8:15 -- So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, "Abba, Father."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched a sandpiper running in circles... he would stop, then run in a circle. He seemed confused and couldn't figure out which way to run on the beach today.
Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you cannot understand what is happening to you. The more details you discover, the more confused you become. None of the information you are receiving fits together, and you feel as if your mind just cannot wrap itself around the situation.
Yet there is One who is great enough to make sense of your circumstances -- and wise enough to know what you should do.
When you worship God, focusing on His almighty power and trembling in awe of His wisdom, you realize that there is nothing too big for Him to handle. You find peace by focusing on Him and surrendering the situation to His care.
Psalm, 2:11 -- Worship God in adoring embrace, celebrate in trembling awe.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sea was calm... it looked like glass, with the crystals dancing on the water, lit by His glorious sunlight! There was such a divine peace in the air today!
When I am looking for peace, I am always running to the Psalms. Looking for peace in the Psalms is not a random choice on our part. There is a reason we go there. Perhaps we are seeking understanding in a difficult situation. Or maybe we don't know exactly where else to turn. Either, I feel we are looking in the right place -- the only place peace can be found; in God. We will always find peace in His Word.
Like river waters nourishing a tree's roots, when we drink in God's Word, it goes deep into the heart and makes us strong. God's nurturing truth gives us the courage and the wisdom for whatever we might be facing.
So today, seek Him -- allow His Word to take root deep in your heart. You will be sure to find the peace you are looking for.
Psalm 1:3 -- They are strong, like a tree planted by a river. The tree produces fruit in season, and its leaves don't die. Everything they do will succeed.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the pelicans were flying in perfect formation -- following the lead pelican. No other bird tried to take over, but the formation was perfect as they flew across the waves.
Generally, people are either leaders or followers. Those who serve like to give of themselves, but are often pulled in a hundred directions -- trying to please everyone. Those who lead can be inspirational to others -- but they sometimes become to self-important.
For both these groups, it is exceedingly important to remember whom they are trying to please -- the only One truly worthy of their honor and praise.
For leaders they must remember that God is the ultimate authority. Those who follow must serve out of obedience, rather than a desire to be accepted.
My friend, whether you are a leader or a follower, God is the only One you will ever need to please. So honor Him with all you do.
Psalm 76:7 -- You are to be feared (with awe and reverence).
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched a pelican dive again and again, and kept losing the fish in the waves. He was not having success in his endeavors today.
I thought of how we hate failure. We fail and it plagues us. We make a mistake and cringe at what God must think. Other people don't let us forget our wrongdoing -- so why should God?
My friend, once we confess our offenses to God and turn away from them, they are completely gone. Isn't that amazing? In fact, they are the only thing about us that God will ever forget. We may remember how we have disobeyed Him and may even have to face some consequences, but God forgives us completely and refuses to recall the iniquities we have committed.
East and west will never meet, and we will never have to face our sins again. So today, forgive yourself and thank God that when He removes your transgressions, they are erased forever.
Psalm 103:12 -- How far has the Lord taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance from east to west!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the ocean was raging -- slamming its waves against the sand. It was as though God was mad and showing His anger against the sin in the world.
I thought of a recent event of a friend of mine who suffered greatly when she lost her husband, with very traumatic circumstances surrounding his death. As she shared the event with me, I reminded her that God never meant for us to have to suffer the way she had with uncaring people who treated her husband as someone who required no attention as he suffered.
It seems unfair that someone as loving as Richard would have to suffer under the lack of compassion. But God knew who He could use to become and ambassador of God's love and concern as my friend shares with people in authority who can make sure the next widow will not have to suffer the pain she has had to suffer. God knew she would become the Warrior for the Widows to follow -- and hopefully keep others from feeling the atrocious pain she has felt in her beloved husband's death.
God knows who He can trust with these events in life -- and that they will in turn fight the battles for those to follow after them! Be strong and courageous when God calls you to the front line of service for others! He has chosen you!
Joshua 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched an angry storm brewing in the horizon... it had changed from a beautiful peaceful ocean into an angry, ugly view in only a matter of minutes.
That is the way our anger is. It begins with a tiny flutter deep down. Something -- or someone -- ignites a spart of anger. Or rebellion. Or lust, guilt, jealousy, greed. There it sits, smoldering in our hearts until something else fans the flame. The heat intensifies; a link is forged. Then another, then another. The links join together in a chain that wraps itself around us, trapping us in negative thoughts and emotions.
When unchecked by the Holy Spirit, our emotions can send us into bondage. With the Holy Spirit, however, we have the ability to keep our emotions in check, to look realistically at a situation and not fly off the handle, to turn away from temptation, to turn the other cheek. We can keep the chain of bondage from being forged in the first place.
Jesus came to release us. He can unlock chains. He can extinguish the flames within.
2 Corinthians 3:17 -- For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I felt restless and that I needed to be something more than just quietly walking on the beach. The driving forces in me were screaming at me -- what are you going to do next?
We desperately want to be out working, serving, and doing for God, but at times we feel sidetracked. Wrapped up in raising children, housebound with an illness, separated from projects and people that we care about -- we feel that we are not doing anything at all for God's Kingdom. If He's not working through us, then, well, nothing good can be happening. We want to be anywhere but where God has us.
Instead, God says, "Wait, my child. Sit quietly. Let me work in you." As our hearts catch up to that understanding, the dissatisfaction and disappointment dissipate. Restlessness and grumbling are replaced with praise and thanksgiving to God. Our minds and spirits open up to hear God's instruction. Our hearts soften to soak up God's love.
With God working in you, you are never sidelined, never useless. He will teach you wherever He has you.
Psalm 37:7 -- Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a tiny crab ran quickly into his shell as the sand piper came by looking for breakfast. What a protector our Father is -- He made a perfect way out for the little crab to escape.
The role of the father is to be protector and provider. Our heavenly Father does this for us. We have nothing to fear when we truly believe in Him. We know we can trust Him to both protect and provide.
Why, then, all this anxiety? Why do we spend so much time afraid -- wondering if we will be provided for, cared for, protected? Do we not understand that when we worry and fret, we are basically telling God that we don't trust Him to handle our problems?
If we trust we don't need to worry... do we?
When anxiety creeps in, as it does for all of us, we can use it as a wake-up call. Worry time is the perfect time to surrender. We need our Father. He has not left us. Our Father knows our needs.
Are you worry and fretting today? Depend on your heavenly Father. He will protect. He will provide.
Luke 12:22 -- Then turning to His disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life -- whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the pelicans flying in order, never breaking rank, but following the leader as they glazed across the waves. Each of them followed, and not one of them broke out and did their own thing, but kept the flow of the flight. What a concept!
We can feel justified in doing our own thing -- and few people can tell us we are wrong if we have already made up our minds. We don't want advice, so we avoid anyone who offers it. We close our Bibles. We excuse ourselves from worship and sermons at church, counting on God's grace to make up for our losses; hoping against hope that, even in our disobedience, He will cut us some slack because He knows what we are up against.
All the while we ignore the possibility that our disobedience is causing our hearts to grow hard against God and His still, small voice. We choose to go our own way. We shut ourselves inside our disobedience, locking and bolting the door.
Oh, we can stay in there as long as we like. Eventually, however, we will find ourselves miserable, missing God. Then we hear a quiet, gentle knock.
It's Him!
Revelation 3:20 -- Look! I Stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the ocean seemed so limitless. Its boundaries never ceased and all of a sudden, I felt very small and insignificant walking along the vast and amazing ocean.
Mundane. Boring. Unspectacular. Unnoticed. We want to do big things for God; the mundane is, well, mundane. But God says, "Right now, I've got tasks for you. Clean the church's toilets every week until I tell you to stop, and don't tell anyone what you are doing. See that single mom over there? Take her a home cooked meal at least once a month, and don't tell others you're doing it. Mentor the worst hellion in the youth group. Then we will talk about the next step."
Why does God make us prove ourselves in the small, unseen, mundane things before trusting us with more responsibility? Because integrity and character are born in the mundane places where no one sees but God.
God cares more about who you are than about what you do. The mundane tasks you do today are significant -- both in how they serve others and in how God is preparing you.
Matthew 6:1 -- Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do -- blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity. I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the waves lapped against the sand making a quiet noise as I followed the shoreline. It was so peaceful and calm, unlike the corporate world I had been so attached to for many years.
This day I was seeking the Father's view of success and failure -- not the world's view -- since the world seems to be driven by success.
"Failure is a sad word," I heard the Father say. He said, "You are the only ones that really fear failure in the earth." I realize that we don't want to fail at anything. Yet how do we view success? God doesn't measure success by the amount in our bank account, the rung we've reached on the corporate ladder, or even the number of our friends on Facebook. Sometimes it seems that His measures are upside-down to ours. He treasures humility and hates pride.
Why? Because pride is dangerous. We are warned that it can render us useless to God and to others. How horrible to have great gifts and to be useless to God because of pride. But it happens slowly, subtly, almost without our noticing. Thinking a bit too highly of ourselves. Forging ahead without God's guidance. Doing good things without the humility of trust in God.
Want to success in God's eyes? Want to be useful to Him? Then serve with humility and love.
Proverbs 11:2 -- Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a small child was running on the beach with his grandfather when he suddenly fell face down in the sand. He ran to his grandfather as quickly as he picked himself up -- looking for relief and help from the fall.
Remember when you were little and fell and scraped your knee? You didn't need to be coaxed to seek out a parent. You ran to your mom or dad like a shot, desperately wanting him or her to make it all better. Back then you couldn't understand how much your parent hurt when you were hurting.
On a more infinite scale, our heavenly Parent hurts when we hurt. This is the enemy's only ammunition against an indestructible God. He attacks God by attacking God's followers -- his children. But that ammunition proves ineffective if we call upon the Lord for help. Satan may persecute and afflict, he may send his arrows, but we are assured the victory. The Lord knows. He hurts with us. When your knees are scraped up by life. We can run to our Father. He promises to make it all better.
Psalm 91:1 -- Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the sun rise slowly to birth the day before my eyes. It was such an awesome sight -- to stop and watch the Father create another beautiful day of life! What a beginning of each day -- each sunrise different and even more beautiful than the one before.
As we set out on our days, we have so much to do -- and yet, sometimes we get to the end of a long day and flop exhausted into the nearest chair, only to find ourselves asking, "What did I really accomplish today?" Maybe our accomplishments were many, but we found no joy in them. Or perhaps of all the tasks we did, nothing seemed very valuable or worthwhile in the grand scheme of things.
There is an action we can do that will put every other thing we do into its proper perspective; Come to God simply to be with Him.
In the fast pace of today's world with its focus on achievement and financial success, we may lose sight of our greatest treasure -- our relationship with our loving God. The best way to grow more deeply in love with Him is to carve out time every day to be with Him, before you get into the busyness of your day.
Simply bask in His goodness. He is your greatest gift.
Psalm 31:19 -- Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the ocean was calm and looked like a lake of glass... no movement at all, as though nothing was happening.
Sometimes we feel that way with Jesus, especially when we see no movement in our lives... but He is doing great things all around us, all the time. He is opening doors and changing hearts. He is on the move -- warming hearts toward Him, seeking the lost, bringing His loving touch to those who hurt. So the issue is this -- what are we going to do about it?
In other words, will we join Him? Are we willing to engage in His unseen plans? We can look at the world around us and get angry, upset and complain. We can be apathetic and decide the situation is totally hopeless. We can hunker down and avoid contact with those around us. Or... we can decide we will join God in His work, doing whatever He calls us to do to spread His truth in a needy and desperate world.
Are you in? Let's go for it -- with Him! Let's change the world we see before us!
Matthew 4:19 -- And He said to them, Come after Me as disciples -- letting Me be your Guide, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, all of the sea gulls were on the ground, being quiet and not moving at all. I felt as though they were all in a prayer time, being quiet and communing with their Creator.
I love the prayer time on the beach. It is such a magnificent gift -- to pray. Prayer allows you, a mere human being, direct access to your heavenly Father.
Prayer before meals is nice, but think of how little time it takes to do that; fifteen seconds times three meals per day. If our prayer life consists of praying only before meals, then we are spending less than one minute per day engaged in one of the most precious blessings of the Christian life.
Don't be afraid to pray -- God isn't expecting fancy words or high theology. He is expecting to hear your praises, concerns, and requests. Talk to Him like you would a dear friend. The more time you spend in earnest prayer, the more time you will want to spend each and every day.
You will find that your time with God in earnest prayer is the greatest gift you have ever received. And the good He works in your soul will change your life.
Colossians 4:2 -- Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer life, being both alert and intent in your praying with thanksgiving.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the storm came up so quickly I had to run for cover. Barely making the cover before being drenched, I thought of how quickly life events can overtake us at times. It was in that moment that I heard Jesus say, "See, I had you covered."
Whatever comes, "Can we really trust God that much?"
No one is ever prepared for the unexpected twists and turns of life; hurt, betrayal, sorrow, job loss, financial difficulty, the sudden death of a loved one. No, the unexpected comes when we least expect it and, more often that not, it challenges our faith.
But God is here, seeing our tears, knowing our fears, and truly feeling our pain. Whatever comes, we won't go through it alone. Every "whatever" is in God's hands and God will give us strength to deal with it. He will hold us up when we want to fall; He will wipe away our tears; He will hold us tight and calm our fears.
When "whatever" comes your way, give it to God.
You can trust Him that much!
Philippians 1:28 -- And do not for a moment be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such constancy and fearlessness will be a clear sign to them of their impending destruction but a sure token and evidence of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I needed to hear His whisper across the ocean waves. But I also knew I had to walk in silence to hear that whisper -- that He could not be heard amidst the turmoil and chatter of my heart.
Why is it that at times God appears to be altogether quiet when you need Him desperately? Even though you are seeking Him wholeheartedly, why does it seem like He's gone completely silent? We expect Him to answer us immediately when we come to Him with our requests and problems and are not willing to get still and wait for His whisper to be heard.
My friend, we desire to hear God, and that is wonderful. We think we can work Him into our day, into our agenda, as we multi-task with so many other things to do. However, there are those times when He will hold His silence because we have not shut out the other noises of life.
He wants us to come and sit with Him -- and be silent... that is when we can truly hear His whisper that will touch our hearts and change our lives. That is when we will see the way to go, when it seems as if there is no way. He is waiting for us to be silent -- to listen for His whisper to lead us in the way we should go.
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 vastness of the ocean seemed to overwhelm me on this day. Some days it is beyond my thoughts to imagine the greatness of our Father who created us for His pleasure -- that none of us are just here without purpose!
You are created by a great God for great things. But you will only see the fulfillment of your destiny by placing your confidence in Christ.
Satan works overtime attempting to steal your confidence, but you must steadfastly resist him. If you will just remind yourself -- and Satan -- that it is Jesus who gives you confidence, you can overcome the devil's evil plan. Don't let insecurities and past failures steal our confidence. God says He will never leave you nor forsake you, so you must believe it and act on it.
Whatever you may be facing right now, remember God is able even when you are not. He loves you and will show Himself strong even through your weakness. So today, just trust and believe!
Hebrews 13:5 -- (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way, fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support...(I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you) (Assuredly not)
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the waves were calm and peaceful, unlike the day before during the storm. It was good to see the rage of the ocean calm... and I wanted to feel the same calm in my spirit, as I thought of the world we live in today.
Have you found yourself wondering lately if the condition of this world can get any worse? Life is filled with challenges that test your determination and your faith in god. Whether faced with the impending threat of terrorism or with simple everyday hassles, the quality of your character is sure to be tested on a regular basis.
You must remember that God tests our hearts, our emotions, and our minds. What does it really mean to test something? Pressure is put on it to see if it will do what it says it will do. Will it hold up under stress? Can it perform at the level its maker says it can? Is it genuine when measured against a true standard of quality? God does the same with us. Ask God to give you grace to pass all your tests in this life... and He will hear your prayer.
Psalm 7:9 -- Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the (uncompromisingly) righteous; for You, Who try the hearts and enotions and thinking powers, are a righteous God.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the dolphins were especially playful -- jumping and twirling around in the waves. They were certainly enjoying their swim as they moved quickly up the beach!
So many Christians are headed somewhere, but not many of us are enjoying the trip. It would be such a tragedy to arrive at the end of your journey only to realize you had not enjoyed life to the fullest. Often, you think you must do something great, and you forget the simple things that bless the Lord. Serving the Lord with gladness is a worthy goal. He rejoices when your heart is filled with joy and your mouth is filled with praise.
You should be determined to finish your course. But like Paul, you should strive to run the race with joy. Whatever your present station in life, whatever you are called to do, wherever you are called to go, enjoy the journey. Don't waste one day of the precious life God has given you. Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say, rejoice!
Psalm 100:1-3 -- "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched a sand piper trying to catch a tiny crab, as he kept ducking into his hole in the sand. The bird was walking back and forth, watching and becoming more frustrated by the moment.
I thought about how we become frustrated when things don't happen the way we want them to happen, or when they don't happen at the time we think they should. We start trying to make things happen on our own. But any time you become frustrated and start trying to make things happen on your own, it is a sure sign you are not being patient with God. You need to practice waiting on God and let Him do what He wants to do, in His way and in His time. The best definition of patience I have ever heard is "to be constant or to be the same all the time, no matter what is going on." Patience is not merely waiting; it is how you act while you are waiting.
The hardest thing most of us will ever have to do as Christians is wait on the Lord. You will undoubtedly have to wait on many things during your lifetime. Waiting is not optional. But it is during the waiting periods of life that the most powerful things will happen within you.
Psalm 40:1 -- "I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord and He inclined to me and heard my cry."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I picked up a tiny flower that had been blown onto the sand, separated from the vine it belonged to... separated on the sand it would die quickly.
My thoughts immediately went to the Word that says, we are the branch and He is the true vine. Apart from Him, we can do nothing... we will die! But when we stay connected to the vine, we will produce fruit! That is the true sign of a believer -- a fruit bearer!
Be remember this -- your fruit is the sign of the root! What you are connected to is going to be the fruit you bear. We must be sure to be fruit inspectors of what we are bearing... it must be good fruit -- not bad! Are you bearing good fruit? Are you connecting to the true vine? Take a look at your life and see -- are you bearing good relationships, peace in your life, love for those around you? What does your life look like?
Today as you walk your seashore of life, inspect the fruit in your life and make sure it looks like Jesus. He is the one that causes us to bear good fruit! Stay connected to Him and watch the fruit come forth! That is the work of the believer -- bear good fruit!
John 15:1-2 -- "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit!"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched a little girl running along the beach beside her father. That is the way I always feel when I am walking in the mornings -- that my father is there holding my hand as we walk along the beach, showing me His glorious and wondrous creation!
The best way to appreciate the grandeur and glory of God is to shed your weariness and worldly wisdom and begin to see things through childlike eyes. Doing so returns you to your sense of wonder and awe. Christ said as much when He encouraged you to become as a little child, awed by life, but trusting nonetheless in God.
God's greatness and majesty are evidenced everywhere, if you look at the world with childlike eyes -- birds fly from branch to branch, fishes swim in the sea, geckos skitter across warm rocks, wolves bay at the moon, and stars shoot across the night sky. A child has no difficulty believing that God made all these things, that He created them all. When you become as a child, you will have no difficulty either.
Psalm 104:1-2 -- "My whole being, praise the Lord. Lord my God, you are very great!"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched a dolphin playing and frolicking in the waves -- with not a care in the world. They know who their maker is and trust Him totally to provide all their needs as they enjoy each day in His ocean!
Until you place your life fully in God's hands, you will never quiet the anxious thoughts that can cry out from within and leave you feeling unhappy and defeated. You can search frantically for happiness, success, and fulfillment. You can flail about and wonder why you are never satisfied, why you are always restless. You may wonder why new acquisitions merely whet your desire for more.
What you are yearning for and trying to find has been there all the time. God alone can satisfy your desperate longings. Without Him, even the sources of human happiness, such as family and possessions, invite stress and agitation. Only when you make God the center of your life will you find true contentment.
Psalm 61:1-2 -- "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the clouds were brilliantly arranged over the ocean... looking like what I can imagine heaven looks like. What a glorious sight it was!
Heaven is usually spoken of as a faraway place that you reach only at the end of a godly life. But God's reign over all that He created is right here in the present day, before your eyes and under your nose. Place your trust in Him and in His commandments.
You don't have to wait for heaven to draw near to God, to experience His love, and to do His will. Everything you need to available by faith and grace. God has given you the tools to know Him -- Scripture, prayer, communities of faithful believers, acts of love, peace, and mercy. All of these pull you toward your true center and spiritual home with god. The foretastes of heaven are abundant if you open your heart to see them every day we live!
Psalm 145:13 -- "Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron