IT’S NOT ABOUT ME, IT’S ABOUT GOD.

This past week I had the privilege of visiting with three of my very good friends. One of them go way back to Jr. High School. We met at different times and shared experiences that have changed our lives.

Most of us have had dreams and plans that perhaps have taken unexpected turns in life. My friend from Jr. High School invited me to a luncheon in memory of her oldest son, who died four years ago in an accidental death. It was never meant for children to go before parents, but it happens sometimes. My friend had accepted Christ into her life a few years ago, and had been praying for her family to do the same. This unexpected turn was devastating and she had many questions for God . We talked long distance during this sad time, trying to fit it all together. Finally one day I told her that God knew she needed to know her son was in Heaven, so ask Him to give her a sign. Several months later, she called me on Mother’s Day and said God had given her a sign, and she felt her prayers had been answered.

Not long after her son’s death, her daughter fell down a flight of stairs and broke her neck. Fortunately, through medical science, God and determination, this daughter pulled through with very few complications. She started drinking heavily and ended up at a rehab center. It looked as if God had forsaken my friend again. But through these circumstances, the daughter found God and has taken a right turn.

When it seems things are not going well, and we’ve turned everything over to God, He will work things out in His time and in His way. As in Joseph’s life in the book of Genesis, it seemed God had turned His back on Joseph, but it was only the beginning for a great turn of events.

I know it’s hard when things aren’t going well, when you feel all alone and forsaken. But keep trusting because it’s not about “our plans”, it’s about God’s. It’s not about “my visions and dreams”, it’s about God’s for my life. My part is to accept Him as my Savior and then allow Him to direct my path. One of my favorite bible verses is: “TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING, IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH.”

FORGIVENESS PAYS OFF

I remember so clearly about three years ago when God revealed to me what it really means to pray for your enemies. He seemed to speak to my heart that I could grow and become like Him through the process, if I would stay focused on Him.
The life of Joseph has always intrigued me because of his heart of forgiveness. To refresh your memory of this story, review this lesson in Genesis chapters 37-50.
1. Joseph was his father's favorite.
2. Joseph had a heart for God, and a desire to obey Him.
3. His brothers were jealous and wanted to kill this "spoiled boy".
4. They decided to sell him into slavery instead.
5. The brothers lied to their father, who was heart broken..
6. God used this sinful act of sinful men to work out His will in Joseph's life.
7. During Joseph's transitioning time, he passed the test.


JOSEPH WAS 17 YEARS OF AGE WHEN HE WAS SOLD INTO SLAVERY.
HE SPENT 13 OF THOSE YEARS AS A SLAVE.
HE SPENT 3 OF THOSE YEARS IN PRISON
AT THE AGE OF 30, THE PICTURE STARTED TAKING FORM.

The Lord was with Joseph in spite of circumstances. Even when people disappointed him over and over, he kept his eyes on God and God alone.
1. It seemed things were not going his way - but they were
2. He had every opportunity to rebel- but he did not
3. He didn't pray for revenge, he chose to live in the moment with God, and the results were:
a. Love
b. Obedience
c. Forgiveness
d. Integrity

If you feel things are not going your way and circumstances are looking bad and have gotten you down,look to God. Make a choice to live in the moment with God as your comforter, counselor and constant companion. JOSEPH LED BY GRACE, SPOKE BY GRACE, FORGAVE BY GRACE, LOVED BY GRACE, REMEMBERED BY GRACE AND PROVIDED BY GRACE.

Love,

Sharon

FORGIVENESS BURIES BITTERNESS
UNFORGIVENESS BREEDS BITTERNESS

There are two young women in their late 20’s who come to my mind when I think of forgiveness. Both of these young women had been married about 5 years, when their husbands left them. One left her for an attraction of the same sex and the other for an attraction of the opposite sex. These women were devastated because their dreams had been shattered. Both of these women sought support from family, friends and church. They have made a choice to forgive and press forward in Plan A for their lives.

A test to see if you have BITTERNESS in your heart is in answering these questions:
1. Am I obsessed with thoughts of unfairness?
2. Do I continually blame failing on someone else or something else?
3. Am I angry a lot of the time? Do I let anger explode? Am I defensive?
4. Am I physically ill much of the time?
5. Do I feel guilty?

Whether we realize it or not, when we have bitterness in our heart, we ultimately blame God. But since we respect His position, we look for someone else to blame and much of the time it is a parent, a spouse or minister.

I would like to recommend a great book for you to read whether you are struggling in BITTERNESS and/or UNFORGIVENESS, “THE DNA OF RELATIONSHIPS” by Gary Smalley. Smalley says Forgiveness is a choice, and Forgiveness heals relationships.” He goes on to say : “Don’t look to others to make you happy, and take the responsibility for your thoughts and actions.”

“BE KIND TO EACH OTHER, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, JUST AS GOD THROUGH CHRIST HAS FORGIVEN YOU”, the Bible tells us.

Don’t wait any longer, start right now by repeating The Lord’s Prayer:

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, HOLLOWED BY THY NAME,
YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
GIVE US TO DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, FORGIVE OUR SINS, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US.
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE.
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY FOREVER. AMEN

I like the Lord’s Prayer in the Message Bible:

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN,
REVEAL WHO YOU ARE.
SET THE WORLD RIGHT,
DO WHAT’S BEST—AS ABOVE, SO BELOW.
KEEP US ALIVE WITH THREE SQUARE MEALS.
KEEP US FORGIVEN WITH YOU AND FORGIVING OTHERS.
KEEP US SAFE FROM OURSELVES AND THE DEVIL.
YOU’RE IN CHARGE!
YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT!
YOU’RE ABLAZE IN BEAUTY!
YES,YES, YES.

Love,

Sharon

DO I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE BITTER?

About three years ago, I met a new friend. The reason I call her “my friend”, is that she has overcome huge obstacles and has never allowed bitterness to corrupt her life. She makes me and everyone she comes in contact with feel special. A year after retirement from teaching, “my friend” had a major stroke which left her paralyzed on the left side of her body. I’m sure she thought her dreams died, and perhaps they did, but she didn’t die and she made new dreams. I love to be around “my friend” because she is uplifting, encouraging and positive. She may have a right to be BITTER, but she is not! She is always on call for anyone who needs a kind word or deed. She wrote a prayer last month that she shared with me, and I asked her if I could share it with you.


BETTIE’S PRAYER

WHEN I THINK OF YOU LORD, AND ALL YOU’VE DONE AND DO, I FORGET ALL THE LITTLE DISAPPOINTMENTS OF MY DAY.

I’M GRATEFUL FOR THE COMFORT THAT COMES FROM YOU.

YOU’VE GIVEN ME SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WORLD, LORD…PLEASE SHOW ME HOW TO KEEP IT, CARE FOR IT, AND MAKE YOU GLAD THAT YOU BLESSED ME WITH IT.

THANK YOU FOR TODAY, LORD, AND ALL ITS POSSIBILITIES. HELP ME TO SHOW MY LOVE IN ANY WAY I CAN AND TO USE THE SPECIAL GIFTS YOU’VE GIVEN ME.

BLESS MY WORK DEAR LORD, FOR ALL I DO IS DONE IN YOUR HONOR. HELP ME TO BE WORTHY TO DO YOUR WORK.

SO MANY REASONS TO LOVE YOU LORD!

THANK YOU, GOD, FOR LITTLE THINGS THAT COME UNEXPECTEDLY TO BRIGHTEN UP A DREARY DAY THAT DAWNED SO DISMALLY—THANK YOU GOD FOR SENDING A HAPPY THOUGHT MY WAY TO BLOT OUT MY DEPRESSION ON A DISAPPOINTING DAY—

THANK YOU, GOD, FOR BRUSHING THE DARK CLOUDS FROM MY MIND, AND LEAVING ONLY SUNSHINE AND JOY OF HEART BEHIND.

OH, GOD, THE LIST IS ENDLESS OF THINGS TO THANK YOU FOR, BUT I TAKE THEM ALL FOR GRANTED AND UNCONSCIOUSLY IGNORE THAT EVERYTHING I THINK OR DO, EACH MOVEMENT THAT I MAKE, EACH MEASURED RHYMAC HEARTBEAT, EACH BREATH OF LIFE I TAKE IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE GIVEN ME, FOR WHICH THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME IN ALL MY SMALLNESS TO ANY WAY REPAY.

BITTERNESS IN RELATIONSHIPS and CIRCUMSTANCES

When I was quite a young woman-in-ministry, I started realizing that ‘bitterness” was usually brought about by relationships. Sometimes it starts in the home with the spouse, the children, the in-laws or just people in general. I determined to stay away from ‘bitterness” because it was not a pretty picture. It brought about sadness, anger, self pity, and depression. All of these things destroy our relationship with God and man.

If we would be honest, the reason we become bitter is because things don’t go our way. Yes, we can call it hurt, or abuse or bad circumstances, but it boils down to looking to someone or something to bring satisfaction to our lives, that only God can bring.

Oswald Chambers says: “we are not built for mountain experiences, those are for moments of inspiration. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle.” The valley is where we take on Christ’s character, we must to survive. Every experience that knocked me down took the power of Christ to keep me from getting BITTER. As soon as I took my eyes off of my “offender” and onto Christ, I was able to become BETTER. If I could not get my eyes off of my “offender”, I became BITTER.

Saul was David’s offender, and Christ was David’s source – not Saul. David was in the valley becoming the “man after God’s own heart”. It took a Saul to get the “Saul Spirit”out of David is what I read in Tale of Three Kings. I love that approach, I can then thank God for my offender, because it takes that to get my attention on my source. My source is not man, and neither is yours. Who or what has taken your attention off of your SOURCE? “SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL OF THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.”