As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the waves were dancing like diamonds. Along the shoreline, tiny sandpipers stood lined up -- looking very similar to one another. And yet as I drew closer to them, you could see that each one of them were very different.
It is just like us -- we are each unique and different -- irreplaceable in the eyes of God. And we have been given talents and abilities that are ours alone. The key to achieving satisfaction and success with our talents is to place them always at the service of God. We should always ask for His direction and pray for His guidance so we may use our gifts fruitfully and fully in His eyes.
God has a plan for each one of us, and He has equipped us for our personal journey. Our responsibility is to seek His will for our lives and to allow Him to perfect and refine our talents and abilities until they are functioning as God intended them to function. It is then that we can be sure He will bless the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17 -- Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked by the seaside with Jesus today, the seagulls were flying back and forth across the waves... first one direction then the next. It was as they were trying to make a choice as to which direction to fly.
Throughout the days of your life, you too are presented with choices -- moral choices to make. And those choices are not often simple issues of all right and all wrong. Indeed the most difficult situations you face have to do with choosing from a variety of possibilities, with varying shades of good and bad.
Fortunately, you do not have to deal with difficult choices alone and unaided. If you ask God, He will enlighten you. He will show you the way to go. He has already given you His commandments to light your way through the maze of facts and emotions. And He waits patiently for you to bring each one before Him. He will help you do what is right for your life and the lives of those you love.
Psalm 119:10 -- With my whole heart have I sought you; O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the fog was hanging low on the waves. It was like a blanket of God's love wrapped around me as I wondered along the beach early in the morning.
We need to know the love of God as we live with a daily onslaught of tragic news from around the world and close to home -- sad images from the television, heartbreaking stories from a dear friend. These hard realities can rob you of your joy and replace it with fear.
You must constantly bolster your hope in the eternal love and protection of God, who guides you always. His power touches your heart, mind, and soul. This mystery of God's daily work in your life is beyond your ability to understand. It is the great mystery of life that you are, as a child of God and a tabernacle of His Spirit, mighty and invincible. You can lay your fears to rest. You can give God your cares and burdens and place your trust completely in Him.
Psalm 16:8 -- I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sea gulls were gathered in a flock along the waters edge. It was as though they were having church -- maybe even sharing the good news of the gospel with one another -- or at least, the goodness of their heavenly Father.
I thought of how we think about evangelism... we want to share our faith but are wary of being too pushy or looking weird.
Jesus says, "Don't worry too much. Just let me come in and do my thing through you!" So you love as Jesus loves. You speak as Jesus would speak. The power of the Holy Spirit working through your life makes people stand up and take notice. "What are you about?" they ask warily.
"I'm all about family," you say, the family I joined with Jesus."
"Why that family?" they wonder.
"Because in this family I have a sense of self worth. I am loved for who I am. I am able to love others."
"Tell me more."
Wherever you are, let Jesus in. He will then do the rest... it is really that simple.
Hebrews 2:11-12 -- So now Jesus and the ones He makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them His brothers and sister. For He said to God, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I picked up a tiny tiny conch shell. It was the beginning of a shell that would grow into a beautiful large shell that we all go into gift shops to look for... hard to imagine it starts with such a tiny beginning.
"In the beginning God......" Everything in life has God as its reference point. The story begins on page one. And what is this story about? It is about us. Where did we come from? Who are we? What is the meaning of life -- and of our lives? What caused all this bad stuff that goes on in the world? What will make it all better?
The answer to every question is all there, right in the pages of His Word.
The world has big questions. These questions require big answers. Sometimes we worry that we don't have the answers, we don't understand how it all goes together.
So start at the beginning, page one. It is ultimately the story of God's love and care for the human race He made. Read all the way to the end and you will see the beginning of "you."
Genesis 1:1 -- In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sky was gray and cloudy, not one of those beautiful mornings that you feel God is smiling so big. I almost felt like He might even be mad at me, but I know better!
Have you ever felt God is mad at you? You think, "that's it! I've messed up once too often; God must certainly be mad at me now. The mistakes I've made are unforgivable. It's hopeless. How could god still love someone who messes up so much?"
But God is not mad at you; He is madly in love with you. So much so that He sent His only Son to die on the cross so that your sins may be forgiven. You see, God understands your weaknesses; He knows you are not perfect, but He loves you anyway. He is not about to give up on you. When you realize that, you don't need to give up on yourself. Let His love and forgiveness help you overcome that burdens of your past mistakes.
In short, let Him love you. He is reaching out to you today. He wants to love you forever!
Jeremiah 31:3 -- The Lord has appeared of old to me saying: "Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, it was especially calm and quiet. Not a stir on the beach and the water was lapping softly, almost as though God was being very silent.
It is like our prayers when they seem to get no response from God. We seem to get to the place where they seem pointless. Maybe we have prayed for the same person, the same request, the same need for five years, a decade, or even longer. And the questions abound. If God hasn't answered yet, will He ever? Does God's silence mean the answer is no? Does it mean our request isn't in His will? Should we just give up?
Jesus' answer to all our questions is clear -- keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. In other words -- we must not give up! We must pursue persistently.
We must understand that persistence in prayer is both a command and a loving invitation. Jesus loves to see you come. He loves to hear your voice. He delights in your dependence on Him.
You are His. He is yours. He will answer, at just the right time, in just the right way!
Luke 11:9 -- And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I followed a tiny sand piper that seemed to be all alone. It couldn't have been there by himself, he had to have been lost from the rest of his little flock..
My thoughts quickly went to how we hurt when one of our family wanders away from the Lord. Our hearts ache. The pain cuts like a knife. We toss and turn through many sleepless nights. Our tears could fill a bathtub. We know we shouldn't do it, but we blame ourselves. If only we had said this, or not said that. If only we had done something a little differently.
Then we wipe our tears and look to heaven. Where is God? Why isn't He doing something? Surely this is a prayer within God's will. Doesn't He want everyone to be saved?
Don't fret, dear one. God's unfailing love is pursuing your loved one. His grace doesn't stop -- He died to save sinners, so sin doesn't stand in His way. His love knows no boundaries.
Keep on praying. Keep on living as you know God would have you live. Trust that your loved one is being chased by the God who will not give up.
Psalm 77:11-12 -- But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, it came to me that there are no walls around the ocean...it is free to flow all around the world! And that made me excited as I thought about our church -- that it really has no walls because we are that church flowing around the world as well!
Our faith does not have walls. We gather in churches or storefronts or homes to worship together, but those are not the only places we can worship our Lord.
And our faith does not have limits -- it is exercised not just by prayers and meditation, but also by our work, acts of service, and fulfilled responsibilities. We worship our Lord as we care for our children, work at our jobs, take a meal to a sick friend, or hug a grieving neighbor.
Christ-followers cannot be silenced. We cannot be hemmed in or separated by walls. We are not confined to building. We are not limited to prayer and meditation. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we are in our Lord's presence and we are living out our faith!
Everywhere you go, you are in your Lord's presence. May your tasks today be imbued with worship -- wherever that may be!
1 Corinthians 10:31 -- So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the waves rushed in and overtook me by surprise. I had not expected them to come so far into the beach... now with wet shoes covered with shells and weeds of the ocean, I continued my walk!
It is like Satans attacks. They can come out of nowhere, blindsiding us. They rip into our hearts and lives -- the sin that besets us, the temptations that assail us, the fear that overtakes us. Satan has many weapons in his arsenal and he is ready and eager to use them all to battle against Christ's followers.
We canot explain away the battles or pretend they don't exist. There is truly nowhere to run. Instead, we have to decide where we stand. Are we willing to serve as soldiers of Christ? Are we willing to do battle against the darkness?
We are not left to our own devices. We depend on God's power and wear the armor He provides. Then we go out to fight the battles. Every inch of ground we take back from Satan brings light and hope to our embattled world.
Dress in your armor. You are needed on the battlefield!
Ephesians 6:11 -- Therefore put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched all the creatures actively participating in the day, doing what they were created to do... the dolphin jumping and playing in the waves, the sea gulls diving from the air to catch their food, the pelicans sitting on the water waiting for the fish, and the crane just flying over taking it all in. What a sight to see!
God is an amazing Creator. He could have made all people look exactly alike, but He chose to build variety into humanity. Whether our differences are eye and hair color, or whether our skin is a different shade, God says we are all His children.
Rosa Parks is one famous for standing up for equality. She built her convictions based on her Bible, which taught her that all people are equal in God's sight. He wants His people to teach and live equality and peace, not prejudice and hatred. We reach across racial barriers with the love of Jesus. He breaks down the divisions.
No matter what the color of our skin, we are all saved the same way -- by the red blood of Jesus. The ground is level at the foot of His cross.
Revelation 14:16 -- So the one sitting on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the whole earth was harvested.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I looked beyond the ocean waves sparkling like diamonds in the early morning light. I thought of the life beneath the surface, the depth of the ocean, the details I would never know about His marvelous ocean, but still I marvel and love coming to see it every day.
I thought of our faith -- the things we can't see... what if our faith were just about facts? What if we had to do nothing more than memorize a list of the attributes of God, know the books of the Bible in order, and recite a few verses? What if we just had to go to church to learn about God, but there was nothing more?
Now think about what our faith is -- a relationship with the God of the universe. We walk every day with God our Friend. We cry on the shoulder of God our Comforter. We converse with God our Guide. We lean on the arm of God our Strength. We seek advice from God our Father.
Our relationship with our Lord is not a dutiful act to be checked off a daily list; instead, being with Him is joy and refreshment.
Today, enjoy being with God, your best Friend. After all, He enjoys being with you!
Psalm 28:7 -- The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart if filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched two sea gulls sitting close together... almosst as though they were whispering to one another! It made me long even more to feel the closeness of my Savior... so I could hear the whisper of His heart.
We long for nearness to God. What does it feel like? What happens when we are near to God?
First, we must ask how we can be near God. The answer is in the beloved hymn itself: E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me. We come near to God because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. His death allows us -- sinful human beings -- to approach the Holy God.
And oh what joy that nearness brings. When we draw near to God, He is beside us, within us, before us, behind us. His very closeness brings us protection, peace, and safety. Like a young child reaching for her mother's hand, nearness to God means His hand reaches down to grasp ours.
Such nearness is a gift from Jesus to you. Such nearness offers you joy and peace beyond imagining. Let your song always be, "Nearer, my God, to Thee."
Hebrews 7:19 -- For the never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I found my first response of the day one of irritation because I had arrived later than usual. The beach was busy and not the way I liked it when I come for my morning journey.
I started thinking that my first response was not one that would be pleasing to Jesus. It would do us good to consider our first responses to every situation we encounter in a given day. First response to no milk left in the fridge for breakfast. First response to a traffic jam. First response to plans changed due to a child's sudden cough. First response to a perceived slight. First response to the long line at the store to buy the needed milk.
What if our first response to every circumstance was praise and worship? Is that even possible?
It is when you ask God with your whole heart in grateful contemplation of His majesty and love, there is little room for self-pity and anger -- those typical first responses. Instead, God gets in and infuses even the frustrating situations with renewed grace.
Psalm 71:14 -- But I will keep on hoping for your help, I will praise you more and more!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the waves had cut a trench through the sand, creating a swift flow of water coming down the beach... much like an overflowing river!
By its very nature a river will flow from its source, at times meandering downstream, at other times running at full torrent. As it cuts through the centers of thriving cities or winds its way through desolate prairie, the river is ever drawn toward its ultimate destination -- the ocean.
As Christ-followers, we are like the river. Finding our source in Jesus, we allow His love, comfort, peace, and joy to flow outward from us to others we meet on our life journey. Whether it is our neighbor across the street or a hungry child in a war-torn country across the globe, we are called to exemplify Christ by pouring our very selves into the lives of others. The Christ-life in us will cause us to reach out and seek those in need.
The love of Christ in us will spend itself until ultimately we reach our final destination with Him.
Philippians 2:1-2 -- Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the crab walk sideways on the beach... and wondered how God thought of designing a crab that would walk funny. Only God could have done that!
God created you... take a moment to breathe in that very thought. You are not an accident, not a chance of nature, not a result of evolutionary slime. No, you were expressly created. God chose every part of you, every physical and emotional detail, every gift and talent, and put the package together to be delivered into the world at a precise time in history, at a precise place, into a precise family.
But beyond that, He sustains you. He doesn't leave you to fend for yourself. He wants to take those details, those gifts and talent -- that whole package -- and use it for His glory. He wants to keep you strong and vibrant. He wants to draw you ever closer to Him, the source of life.
When you feel worn down, ask your Sustainer to refresh, revive, and renew you. It will be His pleasure.
Psalm 139:14-15 -- Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous -- how well I know it! You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb!
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sun was softly hidden behind the morning clouds. I had been walking and thinking about an attitude I had had the day before, one that I felt might not have been pleasing to Jesus.
Jesus gently reminded me, "Mistakes are inevitable; everyone makes them at some time or another." Sometimes the consequences of these mistakes are far-reaching, even irreversible. You may feel you are doomed to a life of frustration and despair, enslaved by the misdeeds of the past and shadows of yesterday. In those difficult times, you can turn for help to the God of the rainbow, the God of chances.
Even when your mistakes are so devastating that you cannot return to the life you once knew, God's light can break through the threatening clouds and splash spectacular color across your life. The consequences of your actions cannot be reversed, but God can add His miraculous touch and help you to build something new and uniquely beautiful. You only need to ask.
Psalm 103:13 -- The Lord has mercy on those who respect Him, as a father has mercy on His children.
Blessings and peace, Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I walked with a limp from twisting my ankle when I jumped down the stairs. Nevertheless, I was determined to finish my morning walk.
Athletes often find it necessary to persevere and go beyond the pain of injury. They continue playing in order to finish the game. They are trained to focus their attention on what really matters in competition -- the win.
Loss and disappointment can cause you to lose sight of the things that are truly important in your life. You may want to leave the playing field and nurse your injury on the sideline; you may want to give in to hopelessness and despair. If you let that happen, however, you forget that others are counting on you to stay in the game. You forget that God created you to win. The miraculous love of God can help you see past the pain and find a new level of strength and courage.
Psalm 126:5 -- They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing His sheaves with Him.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a young man was running with his beautiful golden retriever along the seashore! It was a beautiful sight to see.
The strong and confident retriever strained against its leash, willing itself to be still. Every muscle twitches with expectation as it waits for its master's command. Like this magnificent animal, you often find waiting to be hard.
God knows that it is not easy for you to obey Him as you strain against your natural instincts; nevertheless, at times He asks you to wait. He also knows that when you wait on Him, you grow in faith and learn to respond with strength and wisdom. Those times give you the opportunity to place your hope in God's faithfulness rather than to focus on your own need for gratification. When you face difficult times and find yourself waiting for God to answer your prayers, you are preparing yourself to receive His perfect answer.
Psalm 27:14 -- Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the storms had washed debri upon the sand... seaweed, driftwood, shells were even piled up along the shoreline showing the torrent of the waves.
I thought of storms in our own lives. Tragedy, disaster, adversity, calamity, trauma, loss. You can be left struggling with questions. Can any good come from your suffering? How could that happen? Can anyone take your confusion and make sense of it all? Is that possible? Can anyone turn your life around and make it worth living? Oh, that it were so.
When you ask if there is something to live for, God wants to know that there is someone to live for -- God. You can live for God, because He can take your confusion and anger and create something beautiful. He can wash away your loneliness and redeem your losses. He can bring meaning to your life simply by reminding you that you are created in His image.
Psalm 119:33-35 -- Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey. Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a small butterfly landed on my hand as I finished my walk. It seemed to want to walk with me this beautiful day!
I thought of how the butterfly slips slowly from it's cocoon and flutters away on a gentle breeze. Hidden from sight, it passes through a transforming process known only to God, its Creator. In the same way that God made the butterfly, God fashioned you in secret -- adding, subtracting, and shaping as only the great Creator can.
When you are tempted to question your inherent worth or to see yourself as ugly and ungainly, you must remember that you are a treasured piece of God's own handiwork. You are an expression of the same creative force that placed the stars in the sky, strewed the flowers along the path, and raised up dry land in the midst of the sea. It is in the hand of the Artist that you have reason to hope.
Psalm 139:15-16 -- My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my uninformed body.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched a dolphin playing and jumping in the waves... seeming to jump even higher than I had seen them do before! There was an extra measure of excitement in the air today.
I had read a book about their brother species, the whales, the night before. I was thinking of how like they are in nature! As whales pass in the waves, they take turns breaching, thrusting their huge bodies high into the air before splashing on their bellies or their backs. Those who study whales now believe they breach for only one reason -- they want to. Perhaps they enjoy the way the sun feels on their skin; perhaps they enjoy the rush of air. Whatever the case, it appears that whales leap from the water for the sheer joy it brings them... much like the dolphin!
No matter what your circumstances might be, you, too, can leap for joy, reminding yourself that God has given you many blessings -- the unfailing miracles of His love, His peace, and His promise that He will always be with you.
Psalm 28:2 -- The Lord is my strength and my shield, in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, some pretty colored leaves had blown onto the beach from one of the nearby trees. The brilliant hints of my favorite season were right there before me! Fall was about to arrive!
The leaves of autumn -- burnished gold, dusty red, muted orange, and bright yellow -- float through the air and cover the ground, a glorious tribute to what was and soon will be no more. Does it seem strange that God would invest such exquisite beauty in a season of dying? Consider this, that unless you are willing to celebrate the end of what you know, you will not enter into what is yet to be.
It doesn't matter what you are facing, whether the end of your physical life, the end of a lifelong dream, or the end of your youth. Look at the beauty in the leaves of autumn and trust God for what lies ahead, including the glory of heaven. God will never disappoint you when you place your hope in Him.
Psalm 39:4 -- Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the clouds covered the sky and made the day seem gloomy, even though His brilliant sun was hidden behind those clouds. I had to purpose to find the good in the morning -- to overcome the gray feelings.
Past failures and disappointments can hover over you like leaden clouds, refusing to yield to the promise of sunlight and clear skies. When you find yourself surrounded by gray thoughts and gray feelings, it may seem difficult to dream of happier times. But there is great hope. When you find yourself in such a situation, God is there to help.
When you call out to Him, He extends His hand to you and leads you out from under the foreboding clouds of the past and into the light of a new day. He offers hope for a new beginning. The journey into the sunlight is usually not an easy one, but God will walk with you every step of the way. A new life lies before you.
Psalm 130:3-4 -- If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the air had a crisp feel to it as the first hint of fall hovered across the waves.
Every fall as the cold winds of winter approach, flocks of birds fly southward to warm climes and mild breezes. With no map to guide them, they fly confidently, accepting instinctively that their winter refuges wait at the end of their journey.
There are times in your life when you must fly south symbolically, away from the winter winds of despair and hopelessness. As you take flight, God will provide a refuge for your troubled soul in His goodness, mercy, kindness, and compassion. He asks you to believe that His never-failing love will go with you wherever your journey takes you. Simply believe, He tells you as you lean into the wind and surrender yourself to healing and hope.
Psalm 27:13 -- I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sky was lit up with color from the glorious sunrise. It looked like part of a beautiful tapestry that was waiting to have the other threads be added to the sky -- to give the full picture Jesus was painting for the day! How glorious it was!
Every thread of a tapestry is important to the whole piece. Up close, the tiny threads don't make a lot of sense, but when we step back, we see how all of those tiny fibers combine to make a detailed mural.
Our lives can sometimes feel like endless loose threads. We try to follow God's plan, but still feel mired in meetings, soccer practices, and a thousand other things during our days. We can't see how the threads of our lives make any sense at all.
Then one day, God will tell us to step back and take a look. Those tiny filaments, those small pieces and petty frustrations, have come together in a beautiful mural no one else could create.
God sees the big picture, and He cares about the details. He is at His loom weaving the threads of your life into something amazing.
And that is a promise from your Father in Heaven!
Matthew 10:29-31 -- Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the dolphins were playing joyfully with one another having such a wonderful time. They seem to never have a pride problem, but always seem to get along, scooting across the waves God has placed them in -- and enjoying life where they are!
We are not quite that free, as humans. Humility doesn't come naturally. We want people to notice us, admire and respect us, and to not take advantage of us. We want to be treated fairly and shown consideration. After all we do, how kind we are, how generous -- it is only fair, right?
Beloved, we're called to something greater. We're called to love those around us and to find our worth not in ourselves but in Jesus. The more we strive for others' approval, the more frustrated we become. According to Hannah Hurnard, the only way to true fulfillment is to "go lower."
What does that mean for us? It means self-denial. It means putting the interests of others before our own. It means exalting Jesus because of our love for Him, and always seeking to put Him first.
You show your love by pouring yourself out. That is true fulfillment.
John 3:30 -- He must increase, but I must decrease.
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a flock of sea gulls were sitting on the beach with one of the little birds making very loud and annoying noises. He was disturbing the peace of the beach with his clamoring! I wondered if he had purpose, or if he was just being loud to disturb the peace of all the other creatures... including me.
Have you ever been around a person who talks too loudly because she or he may not realize she has a hearing problem. The person who stands too close when conversing with others may not realize that he or she is making people feel uncomfortable. You may not even realize that you have broccoli in your teeth after lunch unless a friend points it out to you.
At times, there will be things about you that you won't realize are amiss, counterproductive, and even destructive. These foibles are blind spots that are impeding your progress, without your knowledge.
Thankfully, God wants you to succeed, so He reveals those issues to you that will hinder your progress in your spiritual journey. Listen to Him when He corrects you, or even rebukes you... because He wants you to reach your full potential.
Psalm 141:5 -- If a good person punished me, that would be kind. If he corrected me, that would be like perfumed oil on my head.
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