TWICE INVITED or, CHRISTLESS=CRISIS

As I've begun to study the book of ISAIAH in the Bible this year, I've been blessed to discover how the LORD issues a wonderful invitation to his people 'right off the bat!' How wonderful it is to know He wants us to reason with Him.. 'Come, let us reason together- Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow...If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land, but if you resist and rebel...' ( taken from ISAIAH 1:18-20 "). HE lays out our options! Not only that, but a chapter later, his people are told, 'HE will teach us his ways so we may walk in his paths.' Isaiah then invites the Lord's people, 'Come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.' I don't know about any of you 'out there' in cyber-space, but I am absolutely thrilled to be invited to choose a life living in a personal, growing relationship to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For over 42 years now, I've been welcoming his teaching as I desire to walk in the LIGHT of HIM... I choose a life that is not CHRISTLESS, so it is not CRISIS living. Anyone missing out on the joy of knowing and walking with the LORD in an intentional manner, is truly in a crisis of their soul. (deprived of all HE intends mankind to know of his grace, mercy, compassion, patience, and, SO MUCH MORE!) The choice is yours, because HE wants us to choose to welcome HIM within. 'Blessed' wishes to all who read this! Call 1-888-NEED HIM A real person will speak with you!

SINFESTED

Today's title came to me recently while considering just how easily we seem to be 'duped' into tolerating increasing, imposing, sinful attitudes and actions. I am speaking of this on a very GRAND scale from within our own individual self to nationally and even all across humanity. The Bible states in Jeremiah 17:9- "The heart is deceitful and beyond cure." Then later in Jeremiah 35:15, it tells us we must each turn from our wicked ways and reform our actions." This sounds quite strong to any of you who might not be in a personal, loving, LORDSHIP relationship to HIM, but, IT is the truth... Unfortunately, most all of humanity is 'content?' to simply become accustomed to life as it is sinfested with much that deprives them of God's intended best. Currently, I am watching as marriages of 20 and 30 years are 'on the rocks.' I am also very aware of just how easily our living conditions can become all too cluttered with undesirable 'stuff.' How does this happen? What is causing the relationships to collapse or the accumulation of the 'stuff' of life to become intolerable? Frankly, it is our refusal to acknowledge how easily we become infested with something we are blissfully 'unaware' of .. Sin's nature is to 'wish away' possible problems.. (Just like us homeowners when we begin to suspect unwanted 'critters' in/near our home, etc.. Or, like those who ignore physical issues which really need to be addressed, etc..) Dear readers- I urge you all to look around and within (a conscious act of your will) as you invest some time guarding against SINFESTATION.... Gotta go for now-- Blessings to all!

WHOSE TURN TO TURN?

IN my last post, I mentioned the song, "I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS." The lyrics continue by saying, 'No turning back, no turning back.' I can attach myself to these fairly easily because, since I met the Lord personally in 1968, I have not found myself 'turning my back' on HIM because HE has endeared himself to me through his faithfulness, mercy, grace, majesty, and SO MUCH MORE... I am NOT 'perfect' by any means so I am sure there are moments when I do turn away from the POWER He wants to provide me with to refuse temptation's call, etc.. But, overall, I can honestly say that I've not gone through any 'dry spells' or times of turning away from my growing relationship to my LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Recently, my husband and I joined nearly 200 others as we listened to teaching from the life of JONAH.... I was amused when I realized it was really him who needed to turn away from his own sinfulness even more than that of the Ninevites.. Not only did he blatantly refuse God's call/assignment for him, but he also complained when the Lord showed compassion on the 'originally doomed ones!' It makes me wonder just whose turn it was to turn!!! The Ninevites certainly didn't hesitate to listen to the news from God, so they 'turned' effectively, but I'm not sure about JONAH.. The story closes with him rationalizing his reasons for not going to Ninevah in the first place and with him griping about God's choice to withdraw (withhold?) the blessing of a shade tree from him... What DO you think? What about you and the LORD? Are you letting yourself grow deeper in love with our HIM? HOPE SO! If not, call 1-888-NEED HIM

GOTTA WONDER! or, GOD OF WONDER!

My husband and I were talking about the huge rally recently held by a certain, well-known, conservative, talk-show host in Washington D.C... While we spoke, today's title came to mind.. (At least the 'GOTTA WONDER!' part).. because the song, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus," came on the radio. It made me wonder just how many people who think they are Christians, would be willing and able to sing, "I have decided to follow Jesus- I have decided to follow Jesus- I have decided to follow Jesus-- No turning back- NO TURNING BACK." Unfortunately, many today are enticed into believing that simply 'following rules and/or doing the things I'm expected to do religiously,' makes one a Christian. This is a cause for great concern since millions of sincere, God-fearing individuals are being robbed of what the LORD truly intends for them.They don't even realize they are clinging to worthless idols parading as the 'right religious thing to do.'- Thus, they forfeit the grace that could be theirs as JONAH 2:8 says.
Blessedly though, millions have accepted the truth that through the sacrifice of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, we can be, and are intended to be, living in an exhilerating, personal relationship to the LORD. We are the ones who have recognized the 'Prince of this world,' as a master of deception, who manages to disguise his 'versions' (the 'You need to do this, or that-- and, read books other than the Bible, etc. sort of 'Christianity') of being a 'Christian' as acceptable.(ARG!) Therefore- My question for each of you today is, "ARE you willing and able to truly sing, 'I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS,' as opposed to doing WHAT other religious leaders or groups may impose upon you as they offer the hope you'll have been 'good enough,' or have 'done enough,' to live forever in God's goodness and presence (or become a god yourself.. UGH!)
When one does decide to focus on, and commit to, following JESUS only, the discovery and revelation of the GOD OF WONDERS will delight and endear them forever! I speak from experience!! You can too!

Are We Believin' We'll Be Leavin'?

Hello, and blessings to all who may read this- This past few weeks has been sending myself and others around me one key question-- ARE WE living as if we are believing we could be leaving this planet Earth at any moment? It is so nice to be able to say I am assured that if I do, I KNOW for certain I'll be truly 'home' in the presence of my blessed CREATOR... After all- He created me to live in fellowship and communion with HIM.. YES! Direct, personal, intimate friendship with the LORD is what I already know while 'down here,' but I am fascinated by the prospect of JOY beyond measure when it's time for me to 'be leavin!' Hey! I just realized my assurance of this is because I AM believin! I don't believe based on feelings or wishes, but based on the facts of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If any of you readers doesn't know the ONE of whom I speak, use your phone to call 1-888-NEED HIM... A 'real' person is there to speak of my LORD to you.. Blessed wishes! Sheila

IT'S ALMOST A RELIEF--

CURRENTLY, WE ARE SHARING IN THE GRIEF DUE TO THE LOSS OF A MAN IN OUR CONGREGATION.. HE WAS 'ONLY' 53 YEARS OLD. BELIEVE ME- IT'S NOT 'ALMOST A RELIEF' TO HAVE HIM GONE FROM OUR MIDST!... BUT, THE FACT THAT MANY HAVE LEARNED TO NOT TRY TO MAKE GOD ANSWER THE QUESTION OF 'WHY?', BUT WILL INSTEAD ASK HIM, 'WHAT will you do as a result of this?' OR 'HOW can You be glorified through this?' IS THE RELIEF... YOU SEE- IT IS A PEACE-FILLED FEELING WHEN WE CAN TRUST THE LORD ENOUGH TO NOT NEED TO REQUEST THAT HE EXPLAIN HIMSELF TO US.. HIS WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS AND HIS THOUGHTS ARE NOT OUR THOUGHTS.. BUT, HE DOES PROMISE TO KEEP US IN PERFECT PEACE WHEN OUR MINDS ARE 'STAYED ON HIM.' HE HAS SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT'S BEST FOR US AND FOR HIS GLORY OVERALL IN THE LONG RUN, THAT WE CAN REST ASSURED HE WILL BRING IT ABOUT IF WE WANT HIM TO... RELIEF FROM FRUSTRATION AND ANXIETY IS AVAILABLE TO US IF WE CHOOSE TO RECEIVE IT.. BLESSINGS TO ALL!

SUCH A DELIGHT!

I'd like to praise God for the joy I know as I am listening to my grandson's account of his youth group's mission trip to Twisp, WA. What a blessing to hear how the LORD is working in him as he approaches his junior year of high school. I am so glad to be his grandma as well as a prayer warrior for him and his family. The Lord loves to encourage me and HE has chosen this particular way today! May our Lord bless you all! Sheila Oh! In contrast, I am now listening to our daughter's account of how totally goofed up everything was today in the bookkeeping system where she works! Not a lot of delight there, except she seems to have taken it well... Thank you, Jesus!