BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE.. A SHEILA'S SHARING SHEET

SHEILA’S SHARING SHEET   TO YOU, FROM ME, BECAUSE OF HIM  Wk. of 5-10-16                                               

Recently, I’ve ‘taken a liking to’ answering those who ask me how I am with a heartfelt, “Blessed beyond measure.”(!) For, you see, I’ve had the joy of trusting, relinquishing, and yielding my life to the wondrous, compassionate, merciful, gracious, sacrificial, marvelous, and overall phenomenal, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY as HE is faithful and true in His care and purpose for me for over 48 years now! I was 15 when my ‘religious’ training and beliefs held in my head made the ‘12” trip’ into my ‘heart.’(soul) As an act of my conscious will, I chose to Thank the LORD for His sacrifice which made possible my reconciliation to HIM.. No longer did my sinfulness separate me from the joy of walking with, and coming to know HIM personally. Having made this decision, I soon learned 2 keys as to why HE desires us to KNOW HIM.. HE has shown me how it’s His pleasure to do so since we are His treasure!  In 2006, HE delivered this poem to/through me.. May its content confirm to you the wonder of HIM as it’s truly His pleasure grant blessings beyond measure!

TREASURED

While out on a walk one glistening day, I was listening to hear You say,

“Dear one, you’ve been thinking about My chest full of treasure

and, you know that it’s truly filled beyond measure!

But first, come join in My pleasure as I let you see,

just what a treasure you are to Me!

You see, I value you so much that I promise to provide,

true peace, hope and joy as you walk alongside!

Peace is yours, as you learn that there is never a need to fear-

Hope is yours for the keeping, no matter the cause for weeping.

Joy is yours as you focus on knowing that My devotion to you is always                      !                                                                                             overflowing!

Rejoice dear one, as you recall that the treasure in My chest is realized best

as you relax in the essence of being welcome in My presence!”

Most are familiar with the beloved 23^rd PSALM in which we state, THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD..  When JESUS described Himself as THE GOOD SHEPHERD, He stated His intention to lead us in ABUNDANT LIFE (JOHN 10:10b)! Finally, for now, JOHN 1:16-17 state, ‘Out of the fullness of His grace, He pours out blessing upon blessing. Grace and Truth came through JESUS! Joy is knowing HIS PLEASURE as we are His TREASURE! Are you allowing yourself to be His? If not, welcome HIM soon…

WHAT IS MAN, or, WHOSE AM I?

 WHAT IS MAN? Or, WHOSE AM I?     Week of 4-25-18

When pondering the above questions, PSALM 8 helps me realize                        Whose I am, and What I am…    8:1 O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!    3When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have  ordained;    4What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?                                                                                                       5 ..You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You crown him with glory and majesty!

GENESIS 1 also inspires me as I read, 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”27So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.

Blessedly, we can know WE ARE HIS, and that we are created in God’s image to glorify, know, serve, and love HIM now and forever!

            As we look at WHAT, and WHOSE, we are, I think of 3 key Scripture passages..                            ROMANS 12:1-3 ‘(Therefore,) I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.’  In these verses, we learn how, as HIS, we are to worship Him through our bodies and minds as we welcome God’s will and work in our lives. Humility is crucial..Hmm..

JEREMIAH 9:23-24 reminds us, ‘This is what the LORD says: Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they know and understand Me, that I am the LORD Who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.’    If we are HIS, we can be vessels of His kindness, justice, and righteousness.

Finally, GALATIANS 2:20 answers well for us today. ‘I have been crucified with Christ, therefore it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives within me. The life I now live in my flesh, I live by FAITH in the One Who gave Himself up for me!’  Practice Forsaking All, I Take, Trust, and Thank Him!

FREED FROM FEAR

Hello dear readers.. As I said recently, I apologize for the formatting of these recent posts.. I copy/paste the SHEILA'S SHARING SHEETS which I distribute via email attachments and also in 'hard copy' to many individuals I cross paths with each week.. I love knowing there are some of you out there who do read this blog.. So.. Here is the current one! VERY TIMELY!

SHEILA’S SHARING SHEET   FREED FROM FEAR    Week of 4-18-16

(I am typing this the day after a terrorist bomb exploded in a bus in JERUSALEM.. Very near where I was just a few days ago!!)

Having just returned from our much-anticipated trip to Italy and Israel, I can now share how we were able to go ahead and actually take that trip in spite of Americans having been warned to avoid European airports and subways, etc in the wake of the Brussels, Belgium terrorists’ attacks a few weeks ago..

The ‘HOW,’ actually has 3 components which apply to anyone who learns to live in the LIGHT of Jesus who makes peace, hope, and joy everyday realities for us.

First off, I think of His understanding of our initial tendency to FEAR.. When it was time for the birth of JESUS to become known, the angels appeared, immediately telling the shepherds to ‘FEAR NOT!’ This year, I came to realize God’s compassion towards us (them) as HE addressed their natural reaction. So, welcoming His compassion towards me (us) is ONE way to deter FEAR..

Secondly, I fully trust in the truth of God’s numbering of my days.. PSALM 139:13-16 reminds, and assures me how the day I pass out of this body will not merely be matter of ‘chance,’ (unforeseen events, threats, etc!) but will be HIS perfect timing for my eternal reunion with HIM in GLORY!  What a joy it is to read, “13For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15My 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. 16Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” In fact, the psalmist continues by recording, “17How precious to me are Your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you!” I am secure in HIS commitment to me.

Thirdly, I find refuge from FEAR in knowing how HE is my shield, fortress, protector, and SO MUCH MORE! PSALM 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.” II SAMUEL 22:31 reminds me, "God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.” 

There are many more references to how and why we are meant to be free from fear’s bondage, but I will close with ISAIAH 41:10. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Finally, in JOHN 14:27, JESUS told us believers, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Consider praying, "LORD JESUS, please help me to grow in my trust in YOU solely!!                           In Jesus' Name I pray! AMEN"

HOW CAN IT BE? POST-EASTER SHEILA'S SHARING SHEET..

SHEILA’S SHARING SHEET   TO YOU, FROM ME, BECAUSE OF HIM    Week of 3-28-16

Now that Easter Day, 2016 has passed by, let’s look at JOHN 10:11-15,17-18, a passage I don’t think I’ve ever heard presented at Easter time. “¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.¹² He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³ He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep…  ¹⁷ For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”                            As I re-read it, I realized the EASTER message..                                                     NOBODY TOOK HIS LIFE FROM JESUS! HE LAID IT DOWN WILLINGLY!                                        Yes, He still had authority to save his physical life, but at what cost? Our text lets us know WHY He yielded to death on the cross! He needed, and desired to, protect us. For, as His sheep, we are very vulnerable to the THIEF, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us eternally! He knew of the ‘JOY set before Him’, as the PERFECT SHEPHERD who was making permanent provision for our care possible! We can all delight in JESUS’ final words, “IT IS FINISHED!” He knew He’d rise again.. breaking the power of sin and death for all who will receive Him through His gracious, merciful, sacrificial act, resulting in our reconciliation with, and to, HOLY GOD ALMIGHTY! For, you see, HE was THE LAST SACRIFICE required by (acceptable to) the LORD for this restoration of relationship to HIM. Prior to JESUS’ death, the blood of animals was what it took in order for people to atone for their sins..

A beloved hymn, AMAZING LOVE, asks a couple of key questions which can help focus us here..The first one is, “And can it be that I should gain and interest in the Savior’s blood?.” Then, the chorus begins with,                                                                  ‘AMAZING LOVE, HOW CAN IT BE THAT THOU MY GOD SHOULDST DIE FOR ME?’

The HOW, is that HE KNEW HE’D be completing the necessary sacrifice so we, as humans could then answer the most important question of our lives..

Will we decide whether to REJECT, RESIST, and REFUSE HIM,                                         or to RECEIVE HIM in ALL HIS GLORIOUS, GRACIOUS, MERCIFUL, WONDROUS, and COMPASSIONATE ways and character?        

   Simply acknowledging, “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want..” is a great way to anticipate an abundant life for, as His sheep, we can GROW, GLOW, AND GO forth each day, knowing we are fully cared FOR, .. not simply, cared ABOUT!      

My  ‘LIFE’ verse is JOHN 10:10.. I have included it in its parts on this sheet, but here it is in full. “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come so you may have abundant LIFE!” (I am amazed at HIS ways!)                                                                                                       

CONSIDERING HOLY, or PASSION WEEK

SHEILA’S SHARING SHEET     TO YOU, FROM ME, BECAUSE OF HIM           Week of 3-23-16

Most of you who read these sheets are aware of this being what some call PASSION or, HOLY WEEK, though it is very ‘early’ this year. In spite of the fact of EASTER never being the same Sunday two years in a row, EASTER is still EASTER!

                                                                                                              

Before we get to EASTER Sunday, some will observe Maundy Thursday (the day before the crucifixion on which Christ led his disciples in ‘The LAST SUPPER,’ while observing the PASSOVER with them). We read, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14:22-26) You see, JESUS knew HE was the LAST SACRIFICIAL LAMB necessary for God’s judgement to ‘pass over’ us. His blood would be the full atonement made for all who would gratefully receive His life’s blood to cleanse us all from results of our sin which separate us from HIM.  As His hours of agony approached, “He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  (Luke 22: 40-43)                                                                                                                               Good Friday, the day we remember the sacrificial death our Lord Jesus upon that cross, is this Friday.. I really appreciate Hebrews 12:2 as it inspires us by telling just WHAT kept JESUS on that cross! “…who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” In His agony, He was able to focus on the JOY of knowing He was about to restore man’s personal access to His Father forever!! He victoriously proclaimed, ‘IT IS FINISHED!’ (John 19:30)    

As JESUS left his grave clothes behind, HE KNEW we could read and receive, these following truths!          

‘You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. – Psalm 16:11         

Delight yourself in the Lord, and hH will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. – Psalm 37:4-7                                       

May our LORD bless all who read this as HE alone can do! May you each desire to GO, GROW, and GLOW as you respond to His love!..shown so well through MERCY and GRACE! 

Consider praying, "LORD, I am grateful for Your intention for me to KNOW You! Thank you for making it possible for me to be welcome in Your presence through the blood of you Son, JESUS CHRIST! Help me to listen to YOU and to welcome Your transforming Power within, as I grow more Christ-like from now on!.. Praise you JESUS!"                  

IT'S ABOUT TIME! FINALLY...

Hello to all new readers, and welcome back to some of my past ones!(PLEASE NOTE! I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO MAKE THIS LOOK GOOD  when it POSTS! I get it to look nice on my draft, but then the PREVIEW shows me it's 'all messed  up!..So, I am sending as it is.. No time to figure out what I need to know! Sorry!) Since I produce 2-3 ministry documents each week, I've not been posting on this blog! ARG! But wait! There's HOPE!! I will now begin formatting my SHEILA'S SHARING SHEETS which I distribute in the facilities I minister in, as well as in my workplace and other locations I function in. Today, I am posting the one I gave out surrounding Valentine's Day this year. As you read this, you will be joining around 50 others who have hopefully been refreshed by this content already! May JESUS bless you all IMMENSELY!                                      SHEILA’S SHARING SHEET      TO YOU, FROM ME, BECAUSE OF HIM!                                              Have  you ever thought about the possibly our-dated term, ‘GOING STEADY?’ FOR many of us, this may evoke images of an infatuated young lady anxiously awaiting a certain young man’s proposal to ‘go steady’ with her. The dreamed of class ring could then dangle noticeably and enviably on a chain around her neck! Soon all would know she’d been ‘spoken for!’ Today’s message is about how much we all need to KNOW we are indeed desired  by, and ‘spoken for,’ by the ONLY one who cannot disappoint us! I am blessed to KNOW, and to be able to share, how our Lord created us in His image so we’d desire intimate companionship and levels of communication with HIM which thrill us! In fact, I heard it said recently that God desires to speak directly to us. As a good Father, he longs to engage with us in continual conversation. So great was his longing for communication that he's given the gift of the Holy Spirit. We can now have access to the heart of God through the Spirit. We can know His will, hear His voice, and live with the knowledge of His love.

John 16:13 says, "When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on his own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come." If you are a Christian, the Spirit of truth has come. He dwells within you. He longs to tell you how God feels about you. He longs to guide you to the Father's perfect, hopeful, and pleasing plans (Jeremiah 29:11). His voice is perfect, full of love, and always truthful. He will never guide you into something that isn't best for you. He will never speak hate or condemnation to you.                                                                                                                                        The following poem, ENGAGED (delivered to/through me in 2007?) states most of what our LORD JESUS, and I, hope to share as we consider this Valentine’s week…(and EVERY DAY, WEEK, MONTH, and YEAR, in fact!)     

ENGAGED

                 Why would You, the LORD God, creator of the universe in all its glory,

take time and make the effort to engage me in Your story?

My words and perceptions of your answer to my question

can only fall short so I’d like to have You, my Father, speak as to why You would seemingly ‘bother.’

 “My dear child and friend, Calvary’s cross was only the Beginning, not, the End!

You have the privilege, and pleasure,                                                                                                              of access to Me personally- a relationship without measure!

My intention for you to know Me as God of compassion, grace, patience, faithfulness and perfect love, led Me to reach out to you, My blessed friend!

My soul’s desire is for all mankind to respond to My offer of commitment to care for, and meet, all their needs.

When I’m welcome to be LORD and Master of one’s life,

as the Bridegroom, I’ll not fail my earthbound wife!

My promises to love, honor and cherish will never fall short because they cannot!

Living in a deepening friendship with Me,

is how I intend for your true life to be-

So, dear one, (My bride for life!), rejoice in your engagement to  Me-                                                               Be filled with more wonder than you’d have ever thought!” 

 I PRAY BLESSINGS BEYOND MEASURE UPON ALL WHO RESPOND TO HIS PHENOMENAL LOVE AS YOUR BRIDEGROOM, for, as you do, you will experience true vitality Recently, I was blessed by the following statement,                                                   "GOD'S GLORY IS SEEN IN ONE WHO'S FULLY ALIVE!"

PERCEIVE, BELIEVE, then RECEIVE

Hello to all... Just a very quick post to let you all know how I've realized this sequence.. I always emphasize the RECEIVE component, but before we can even BELIEVE, we must PERCEIVE our Need!!  Admitting we are needy can be trying at times, but what a relief when we finally do so!! So, PERCEIVING our need is critical!! Go ahead, and let the HOLY SPIRIT help you do so... Then, when you do on a daily, or even a moment-to-moment basis, wonderful GROWTH WILL HAPPEN!!   BTW... I've also put 2 other words together recently.. INTERNAL and ETERNAL.. For, when JESUS is welcome within us, we are INTERNALLY CHANGED  and ETERNALLY SECURE! We are changed forever.. In fact, I sometimes share how I often 'feel' as if I'm in Heaven on Earth!! True PEACE, HOPE, and JOY are quite 'heavenly,' for lack of a better term!! ROMANS 15:13 is a great verse  as it offers.. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.