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

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

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

According to the definition, friction is “the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another.” Every day as I read through friends Facebook pages, I am heartbroken by the amount of unnecessary, unprovoked, and overt hostility I see. “Friction!” One person or group who resists the viewpoint of another with a lack of civility.

When did we become a people, especially in a free nation, who cannot disagree respectfully? I’m not talking about politics specifically, although this is undoubtedly a hot topic. Perhaps I’m just growing old and no longer have the hormones to wage war over someone else’s words, thoughts or beliefs. Yesterday, I attended an event with over a hundred strangers. We were comprised of just about every ethnicity on earth, varying religious and spiritual backgrounds, ages ranging from eight-years-old to people in their eighties, and people of different economic stature. If individually questioned, we would not agree on every topic. Because the event focused on intentionally bringing people together to promote goodness, a sense of healthy human bonding prevailed.

As a Christian, I desire that all people believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Why? Because I believe the Bible to be the absolute Truth, and personal experience backs this belief up, for me. However, if you disagree, I hope and pray that knowledge of who I am and what I believe will draw you in, not shut you out!

The Scripture in First Timothy says, “flee from all this.” What is “this?” In verse 4 of Chapter 6, the writer refers to “an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction…”  Another illustration of friction that comes to mind is that of a match sliding across a rough surface that results in a flame. Fire managed can be useful and good; we cook with it, stay warm, and we use fire to fuel energy. But, uncontrolled fire causes immense destruction and devastation.

What about you? Do you want to be a flame that destroys or one that lights the way for others? The choice is ours to make. Let us use our words wisely.

If you have traveled outside of your country of origin then you no doubt have some foreign currency in your house. When leaving Israel a while back, I purposely exchanged a few American dollars for shekels so I could give them to each of my grandchildren who collect foreign coins. When I entered the United States, I understood that shekels have no value here unless I take them somewhere and have it converted back into dollars.

One day, the Bible tells us, the world as we know it will disappear. Look around you; whatever your eyes see today will be gone. Money of any kind will be useless having no value. As I journey on in life, the things of this world lose their luster. Please don’t misunderstand me. The earth is beautiful in many ways, and life is a gift which I do not take for granted. But, it is essential to be realistic and acknowledge that time, and the tangible for each of us is temporary. Why is it important? Because just like you and me, every “thing” will one day pass away, and then what? I believe Scripture and trust the words of Jesus Who tells us about “a new heaven and a new earth” where the old heaven and old earth, and all things within will be obsolete.

A commercial often seen on television asks the question, “what’s in your wallet?” Take just a moment to look. Do you see gold and silver coins? Perhaps you have paper money based on the gold standard. In the law of supply and demand, an abundance of something lessens the value.

In the book of Revelation, chapter 21, read John’s description of the new Jerusalem. Jasper, precious stones, emeralds, and sapphire make up the building materials. Each of the twelve gates surrounding the city is a single pearl. Finally, John tells us, “The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.” WOW!

So, what’s in your wallet? Or, the more important question, what do you and I value most? Will it transfer over when we leave this world and go home to heaven or will it be like foreign currency, non-transferable and useless?

Sherry Sharp

The recording plays every day: “you can’t do anything right…you’re worthless…others see your faults…you will never change!” For many of us, and I would go so far as to suggest for most of us, we hear one or more of these messages from the time our eyes open in the morning until they close at night. Perhaps then, even our dreams continue to remind us that we are far from the image we wish to personify.

Psychology counselors try hard to guide us away from personal beatdowns by redirecting our focus to the “good” in our nature instead of the negative. The problem with this approach and to remain positive we must avoid failure at all costs, or the recording plays again. But, failure is certain because it’s a part of our human nature. No one is perfect! Popular self-help books continue attracting readers in search of a “feel good” mentality. Something else to consider is that we are not always the victim of negative messaging; we are often the author, which is a sobering thought. Again, no one is perfect.

I grew up in a generation and family environment where good performance obtained praise and mistakes, accidental or otherwise received punishment. My perception of God, therefore, became warped. I felt accepted or rejected by Him depending upon my actions. As a child, I feared God, never knowing if I were good enough for Him. The idea of performance-based love from God continued into my young adult years. Then, through The Bible, God’s Word, I learned about the offering of grace through Jesus Christ. Grace is a gift, having absolutely nothing to do with performance. Grace cannot be earned, and grace will not be denied to anyone seeking it. Once I understood this incredible truth, I not only wanted it for myself but desired to share His grace with others.

Looking for the good in everyone, including ourselves is a beneficial exercise making the world a more beautiful place. But, if only recognizing human imperfection would lead all of us to Jesus, The Giver of grace, with a thankful and generous heart; now, that is a blessing!

Sherry Sharp

For many of us who have lived on the earth a long time, our history is significant as to who and what we are today. Remembrances may be tangled up in some of the poor choices made that have caused both ourselves and others pain. Perhaps you are the recipient of someone else’s bad decisions, and you’re not quite sure how to move forward.

As I have shared with my reader’s before, getting hijacked by the things of my past is something of which I am vulnerable. Even if I could live my life with twenty-twenty hindsight, I will still make mistakes because neither I nor others are perfect. The most important truth to keep in mind is that God is already aware of our nature to falter from time to time and He doesn’t want us to get stuck in the mire of mistakes.

While visiting Israel over the last couple of weeks, our group saw a lot of different terrain. We drove for miles sometimes without ever seeing anything green that would indicate life in any way. Then, out of seemingly nowhere, vegetation would appear, and we knew water must be present, even though we couldn’t see it. God told the prophet, Isaiah, that He would make “a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” That Way is Jesus!

Do not be deceived into thinking you are the sum of your past; that is a lie! We cannot rewrite our history, but with Jesus Christ, our present and future can flourish in the springs of new life. He is Living Water. Let’s be thankful and will you join me by expressing a heartfelt, AMEN?

Sherry Sharp

What is your perception of God? Do you think of Him in the context of a particular denominational doctrine or set of rules? Maybe you’ve been given a long list of “do’s” and “don’t’s,” casting a precarious shadow of doubt on God’s love for you.

Before the age of thirty-five, I believed that to get to heaven; I must be “good.” The problem, how much good is good enough? I know of all my failures even if others don’t see them, and I know that God, Who sees everything, knows all of my shortcomings. To say I was terrified about my heavenly prospects is an understatement. Judgment hovered overhead like a heavy mallet just waiting for the opportunity to strike.

Through Bible Study, I learned that nothing of what I believed could be further from the truth. Yes, I am imperfect and so are you! Every day it seems I shake my head over something I’ve either said or done and wish for a do-over.

[ENTER JESUS]

Every drop of blood Jesus shed on the cross; each pound of the hammer on the nails in His hands and feet are payment-in-full for my sins and yours. The crucifixion was not orchestrated by those in power at the time. From the yelling, spitting crowd to the governor, king, and Roman soldiers, God allowed the rebellious nature of people to reveal His promised Savior. The cross culminated the long-awaited judgment that began in the Garden of Eden as a deliberate revolt against God. Sadly, every human being carries the gene of disobedience in our DNA, and God calls it, “sin.”

While the cross represents judgment, the empty grave is the beginning of a new order through Jesus Christ. Friend, I hope you are clear on your position before God. Your salvation promise depends on it. Jesus alone is our security. His love is so far-reaching and as the title of this writing indicates, long-suffering that His only desire is for you to love Him too with a grateful heart.

So, again I ask, what is your perception of God? Your answer can be the beginning of the most beautiful relationship on earth. If the solution seems too simple, remember, it is God’s Solution, not ours!

Sherry Sharp