Devotions

We thought it would never get here.

Springtime finally arrived. I drove to my home in Bethany Beach. My family and I agree our house on the shores of Delaware is our favorite place. Something about looking out over the ocean, which appears to have no end, offers a sense of serenity that’s hard to find anywhere else. I feel so small by comparison in the vastness of it all, and, yet, not insignificant. All of this is a part of God’s amazing creation. In this place, getting lost in the more profound thoughts of the heart is easy for me—a hopeless romantic and dreamer.

Four years ago, my husband Richard passed away. He loved being on the shore. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel the emptiness caused by his absence. With the passing of time, the void seems to intensify. But also in time comes a sense of peace, rooted in the belief that we will see each other again. When that day arrives, our vision will be through the eyes of God’s infinite glory. No more sickness or bodies ravaged by the environment or the elements of time.

God reminded Jeremiah He had plans for him. I also believe I remain here because God is not finished with me. All power rests in His hands alone. I don’t know what the future holds, but I long to be fully committed to and excited about the gift of life God has given me.

God’s faithfulness controls the oceans. He knows every grain of sand. He also knows you and me. His power is immeasurable, and His promises are trustworthy and overflow with truth. God’s love has no end.

Starting today, trust God with your future.

Previously published on Christian Devotions

Everything is exaggerated, including this sentence by using the word “everything” as a frame of reference. Overstating is one way to draw attention. Sometimes we exaggerate to make a strong point; other times we might stretch the facts because we enjoy the habit of embellishment. The problem with finding ourselves in this camp is that our word becomes unreliable.

God tells us in the Bible that He knows everything, owns everything and controls everything. His instruments of measure are the stars in the sky, the grains of sand on the shore and the drops of water in the oceans. All we need is to experience one powerful thunderstorm to understand that His words are not hyperbole.

When my world feels like it’s falling apart, knowing God’s word is trustworthy and true gives me great comfort. I don’t have to sort out the facts from the fiction. Being able to go to Him with my cares and concerns remind me that as my Creator, He already knows everything about me before I say a word.

I couldn’t begin to count the grains of sand on the shore or to number the stars in the sky, but, it sure does make me grateful that God is mighty enough to do so. I am confident to say, He will never misguide us, never leave us and never exaggerate His power. When mankind rebelled against Him in the Garden of Eden, God, in His great mercy forgave us. He said he would give us everything we need to survive in this world. And, then, He gave us Everything when His Only Son, Jesus came to the earth, that we might survive beyond this world into eternity.

“See, I have written your name on my hand.” (Isaiah 49:16, NLT)

Previously published on Sweet Monday

He is probably the only One in the universe without a cell phone, Facebook page, email address, Wi-Fi or internet service. He doesn’t have a Twitter account or an electronic tablet. Yet, He is reachable anytime day or night; He hears even our most silent thoughts. He doesn’t need the satellite to find us to know where we are.

One of the frequent television commercials is an advertisement for a device that hangs around the neck and has a button that when pushed will connect you to an emergency operator. As my grandmother would probably say about such a thing, “what will they think of next?” According to the Scripture in the Book of Jeremiah, God had an instant messaging service in mind from the beginning of time, and we don’t have to push any buttons for it to be engaged. His system never drops a call or “goes down” when we need it most. No second party technician is required to reconnect us when we’ve been off the grid for a while, and there are no hidden fees with His service. Staying connected is entirely up to us because He is always “online” and available.

God’s services are all-inclusive. He has the answers to any question we might have and is ready to share them whenever we ask. To get His attention, you just say, “JESUS” and then ask anything you desire to have answered. He’ll never tell you, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have the answer to that.” He knows everything!

To “sign up” for His service is quick and straightforward. There is only One Plan available. You can sign up anytime, but the sooner you do, you can begin to take advantage of the Best Deal on earth; with it automatically comes a bonus package of abundant joy and peace; no added cost. AND, you can include others and share the deal with them at any time.

Don’t put it off! Get your free and priceless subscription, TODAY.

You’ll be glad you did.

Previously published on Sweet Monday

Why is social media so popular? Everyone I know has a cell phone, and most people keep it within arms reach twenty-four hours a day. Why? The short answer, I believe is we like knowing someone is thinking of us. The “ding” on our device sends a subliminal message that at the moment we matter.

We were created to be social and relational beings. Before the internet, communicating with others required patience. Handwritten letters could take weeks after mailing before getting to the recipient. Communication had to be intentional and thoughtful. Today, I still value notes and letters I receive through “snail mail” more than text messages and email because I know someone put forth a lot of effort to write it, and then to get it to me. In a drawer of my night table by my bed, I keep cards and letters given to me over the years by my husband, Richard. Because he is no longer with me in this world, his thoughts touch my heart deeply when I read them over again. Having them to remind me of his love is a treasure.

Think about the Bible which is overflowing with love letters to us from our Creator. After centuries of wars and the deliberate attempt to destroy it, God’s Word has endured. Every day, you and I can open one of His letters and read His thoughts concerning us. Scripture says God’s thoughts for us “outnumber the grains of sand.” Walking the sandy beach this summer gives perspective to this amazing truth.

You are important to God, and so am I. He longs for us to know that He’s thinking about us. Can you imagine that?

Previously published on Sweet Monday

Is false hope better than no hope at all? I guess it would be if having false hope lightens one’s spirits and doesn’t hurt anyone in the process. As a mediocre golfer, when standing over my ball before hitting it, I always hope and think ‘this will be my best shot ever!’ My sweet husband used to tell me that this kind of reasoning is delusional when most of my previous shots were so pitiful. But hoping makes me feel better in the long run and helps soften my temperament. No one is hurt by my attitude, and in fact, my golfing buddies prefer my being delusional to grousing over a four-hour time span, to be sure!

After living a long life, I have experienced the fulfillment of many dreams as well as the coming to pass of some of my worst nightmares; I believe this is called, life. The world is not a perfect place. In fact, as beautiful as it is, the earth is subject to the elements of time as is everything that lives here. Even with our best efforts, mankind is not able to permanently reverse the effects of aging for himself or for the environment. This is reality; to believe otherwise is false hope with no useful return.

The Bible tells us that the hope we have in Jesus Christ is “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19, NIV. Unlike “false hope,” every promise from God is reliable and true. I love when every day the sun rises and sets, no matter what happens in my world; I can’t change it or stop it. Beyond the reliability of the sun or this life’s circumstances, I believe my salvation and future are eternally secure because my position in Christ is unconditional.

One day, when God decides, the sun will vanish, and with it every living thing. Will it be in your lifetime or mine? No one knows, but you and I have an expiration date too. What then? Is your answer rooted in false hope and dreams, or in the reality of God’s eternal promise, Jesus?

Sherry Sharp

Previously Published on Sweet Monday

When I decided to allow Jesus to be the Lord of my life, I had no idea how much change could or would take place. Nothing dramatic happened overnight but let’s just say my view and understanding of God changed. Like Jacob who wrestled with God and walked away with a permanent limp, I have a few bumps and bruises that remind me of my decision made thirty-five years ago to follow Jesus. Make no mistake. Struggling or wrestling with God is all part of our human condition, instigated by wanting to have our way. It is in the conflict we learn to either trust Him or continue to fight Him.

Not long after Jesus came into my heart, I began seeing my shortcomings as never before: a bent toward being judgmental with others, quick-tempered and slow to forgive. After an encounter with a loved one and holding a grudge for a very long time, my sweet husband looked at me one day with sadness in his eyes and said, “you are not the person I fell in love with!” His words cut deeply to the core of my problem.

Tears poured down my face. Alone with God, I asked that He show me how to forgive as He forgives. I couldn’t do it on my own. A few days later, I went to the person with whom I had an issue. No, I didn’t express my forgiveness for their offense but asked them to please forgive me for mine!

Only God can transform us from the inside out. The only action required of us is a willingness to be changed, and then, He does the rest. We are a work in progress but transformation through cooperation, now that’s a great place to start.

Sherry Sharp

Previously Published on Sweet Monday and ChristianDevotions.US

One word stretched across the back window of the car in front of me. The bold letters simply read: “BLESSED.” Such a simple word packing a powerful message, I thought. The light changed, and the traffic moved on, but the impact of the single word remained with me.

Exactly why and how the meaning of the word “blessed” related to the one who had written it on the windshield is impossible to know. So, I thought to myself, how am I blessed in this world of unpredictability? Like many people, I have experienced financial gains and losses, emotional ups and downs, and life and death on the deepest levels. Does being blessed mean being favored by God as to limiting physical and emotional pain; or, to exclude others, suggesting I am somehow more deserving?

“Have a blessed day.” “I am so blessed!” “You are a blessing to me.” These comments are just an example of how we use the word, which Jesus spoke very differently about in the Sermon On The Mount. He said, “Blessed are…the poor in spirit…those who mourn…the meek…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…the merciful…the pure in heart…the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted.”

The blessing that follows has nothing to do with payment for a job well done or well lived; it has nothing to do with beautiful houses and automobiles, wealth or even good health. As a matter of fact, it has nothing to do with performance or pursuits at all.

“for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; they will be comforted; they will inherit the earth; they will be filled; they will be shown mercy; they will see God; they will be called sons of God; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3-10, NIV.

Friend, belonging to the “group of the blessed” is available to all. Our position is the result of belonging to Jesus Christ and leaning into Him every day of our lives regardless of our circumstances. He loves you so much, and He loves me. Are we blessed? You bet we are!

Sherry Sharp

Previously published on Sweet Monday

You see them everywhere. Flags! The National flag is prominent, especially in July as we celebrate our American heritage. Fifty stars represent each state in our great country. Two of the stars have been added since I was born; one each for Hawaii and Alaska. The stripes represent the original thirteen colonies. As citizens, the flag of the United States identifies us as people who stand for freedom. To be sure, great multitudes have given their lives throughout history to preserve the freedoms we love and cherish. Even with all of our differences as individuals, we share in the common heritage of safeguarding liberty at all cost. When I see the National flag, I’m proud to be an American!

Jesus said, as His disciples that “love” would identify them. For those who were looking to Jesus as their leader in an uprising against the oppressive Roman government, this proclamation must have seemed more than just a little odd. Weapons and a good plan of attack, yes, but “love?” What does love have to do with victory?

Two thousand years later, don’t we still struggle with the same charge from Jesus to “love one another?” Those of us who use our automobile license plate or paste stickers to convey to others we are Christians, have a big responsibility to live up to our messages. Does being a disciple of Jesus Christ mean being perfect? No! No such person exists, Christian or otherwise. But, I do believe we are expected as proclaimed followers of Jesus to try harder and not always give in to our fleshly desires. When we do fall short of our desire to be a loving representative, we have another opportunity to get it right by apologizing for our mistake!

Jesus said, “A new command I give you” (not a suggestion). Missteps will happen but in every situation, shouldn’t our response reflect the identity we profess? Most of us don’t carry the flag around on our person identifying us as American citizens. As Christians, one thing we do possess and should identify us every day is not a something, but rather a Someone. With Jesus, we can and should love others!

Sherry Sharp

Previously published on Sweet Monday