Twenty-two years ago I made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Israel. To say that I much anticipated my trip would be an understatement. Our group was relatively small, and our spiritual leader for the trip came prepared to guide us through the places that are significant to our Christian heritage. Years of Bible study had not prepared me for my first visual image as our bus wound its way up the curvy road toward Jerusalem. While “golden” is a relevant biblical color reference, the golden arches of a familiar fast food landmark are not what I expected immediately to see. But, there they were, and so my “Holy Land” experience began!

For a variety of reasons, the trip became a spiritual battlefield for me from the beginning. My dreams and expectations crashed at almost every holy site we stopped to visit. Because time will not allow a more detailed explanation, suffice it to say, I had a lot to learn not just about Israel but about myself and a critical spirit.

The kingdom of God begins in the heart, not in a physical location. In a couple of weeks, I am returning to Israel. On this trip, I’m asking God to give me His eyes to see deeply and lovingly the land where my Savior was born, lived, died and was raised to life again for all humanity. On my first trip I desired to go to Israel and be blessed; now, I go and pray that I might be a blessing because of Jesus in me.

Friend, Israel and the people of Israel are eternally important to God. I ask for prayer for our group who will be there from May 2 through the 11th for safety, and to reflect the love of Jesus Christ, wherever our feet take us. You and I are His ambassadors in every land and nation; for this reason, we are always standing on holy ground.

Sherry Sharp

Springtime has come after what seems like a very long winter. Depending on where you live, the months of March and April have brought lots of rain and snow. In Virginia, daffodils peaked their bright yellow heads through several inches of snow a couple of weeks ago, and now the weather forecast is possibly more snow this weekend.

As I meandered down my driveway on a recent walk, the blossoms on the trees filled the air with sweet fragrance. In my mind I thought, “I really hate the idea of another snowfall this late into the season.” Then, as quickly as the words traveled through my head, God gently and lovingly reminded me that grumbling does not serve anyone well. When the subject is out of our control, and in His hands alone, He desires we trust instead of complaining. Immediately, I confessed my head and heart were not in the right place and thanked my heavenly Father for whatever might come down through the clouds, be it rain, snow or brilliant sunshine!

When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery they had suffered at the hands of the Egyptians for over four-hundred years, the people complained (a lot!) because once freed, they had to trust God to provide for their needs. But, as human nature has it, “wants” overruled “needs” and denied wants became disappointments. Time and again, the Israelites put God’s patience to the test with their complaining.

You and I face challenges every day over which we have no control. The question is, do we fully trust God with the outcome? Do we believe He is good and loves us and desires the very best for us? On the heels of Easter, take time with me to thank Jesus for submitting His will to The Father even when it cost Him great pain and ultimately His life. Obediently, He went to the cross. With every drop of His blood, Jesus believed we were worth the price!

Sherry Sharp

Illustrations and metaphors fall short when trying to explain Jesus’ death and resurrection.

In the past, I confess to having used the idea of winter’s sleeping trees and flowers awakening to the springtime as an analogy for the Easter celebration. While spring is beautiful and always reminds me of new earthly life, the analogy cannot adequately capture the new life that Jesus Christ offers. Human logic cannot explain it and no tangible example, no matter how magnificent, can epitomize the depth of love represented by the cross and empty grave.

Three days after the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene, a former prostitute before meeting Jesus, and close friend to the disciples, came to His tomb and found it empty. Confused and believing Jesus’ body had been stolen, she ran to tell the disciples. After checking out Mary’s story, the disciples went home, but Mary remained at the empty tomb, crying.

Looking into the empty grave one more time, Mary saw two figures sitting where only the burial cloth lay. Upon asking her why she is crying, Mary expresses her concern over the missing body of her dearest friend. When she turns around and sees someone she believes to be the gardener, once again, Mary asks the stranger where the body has been taken so she can get him. With this, Jesus called out her name, “Mary.” At once, she recognized Him!

Jesus Christ is as alive today as on the third day after the crucifixion. He is as close to you now as when Mary turned around and recognized Him. She was looking for Jesus, and she found Him. What about you? Are you looking for Jesus? He is not hiding. Jesus wants to be recognized! He is calling your name. Turn around.

Jesus is risen! I pray that you will seek Him because He loves you more than you could possibly comprehend. Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus!

Sherry Sharp

Do people know you by your name or some other characteristic? At a recent breakfast where I knew very few people, the first thing I did is introduce myself, and others responded likewise. While, you may be someone who never forgets a name, remembering names is hard for me, especially when meeting many new people all at one time. Strangely, I will recall other attributes about someone. Were they tall, short, dark or light hair? Did they have a unique mannerism such as a distinct way of laughing or maybe didn’t smile at all? Why names are hard to remember, I haven’t a clue!

In the Bible, names are meaningful. For example, Sarah overheard God’s messenger tell her husband, Abraham that she would give birth to a son. Being in her nineties, Sarah did what any ninety-year-old woman would do; she laughed at such an absurd proclamation. So, when the time came, and their baby was born, they named him Isaac, which means, “to laugh.” Names were also given prophetically, with the intention of one growing into the meaning. Jedidiah, the name given to Solomon by God, means “loved by the LORD.”

God came to Moses in the burning bush and commanded him to speak to the Israelites about His plan to free them from slavery. Not being acquainted with God, (much less a talking burning bush!) Moses essentially asks, “who are you?” And, God said, “I AM WHO I AM.” Not to be confused with the writings of Dr. Seuss, God’s Name is powerful, prophetic and permanent. “I AM,” attributes include, faithful, forever, forgiving, the beginning and the end, loving, kind and full of grace. These are just to name a few of God’s characteristics reflected in His Name. The list is endless!

Who is “I AM” to you?

Sherry Sharp

The devastation is widespread. Nothing have I seen such as this in all of my years. Hurricane Irma made landfall in September 2017; it was a category five storm with winds peaking at one hundred and eighty-five miles per hour. Six months later, at this writing, I am in Florida on the Gulf Coast, and the cleanup from Irma is still underway.

With today’s technology, it is rare that storms arrive unexpectedly. Satellite images reveal cloud formations and give warnings days in advance, at least for the worst storms. Having the information ahead of time does not stop the storm from happening, it merely allows the time to prepare.

You and I have “storms” that come into our lives every day; some are a category one while others leave us devastated by their fury in the aftermath. Sickness, trials, and death are just a few of the elements that cause damage in and to our human environment. Some suffering is the result of our own doing or perhaps the result of what someone else does. We don’t always have a warning that allows us time to prepare adequately, and even when we do have time, pain always leaves its mark.

Many of the beautiful shrubs and trees are now gone in Florida. Rebuilding has begun, but the pain caused by Irma will be long felt. New plantings are taking the place of old ones. In time, they will grow to be healthy and beautiful. God uses our trials to make us stronger if we will let Him. Writing as one with whom God often prunes, “cutting away” what feels comfortable, hurts. The world we live in and those who live in it are subject to the winds that blow our way. But, through Jesus Christ, God promises to rebuild and replace what is lost. And, one day, all things, including you and me will be made new!

Sherry Sharp

What is holding you back when you want or need to move forward?

On my first car trip from Virginia to Delaware, I decided to take the southern route through Virginia Beach before heading north up the eastern shore. What I did not take into account is that to get from one shore to the other, I had to cross over the Chesapeake Bay, involving a twenty-three-mile bridge-tunnel combination. I remember thinking to myself, ‘well, I have two choices: I can keep going or turn around and go back the way I came, adding many more hours to my already long drive.’

More than the added time, I struggled with the idea of personal defeat should I choose the latter option. The fear of finding myself on a narrow bridge with multiple narrow tunnels, surrounded by water is something I still to this day find troubling. Conquering my fears is an ever-present battle! I prayed for God to help me not give into the enemy of fear. The short answer to the very long bridge is that in God’s faithfulness, I made it across!

Since that day thirty-five years ago, I have made this same trip many times. I would like to tell you that in the fight with fear, I won the victory, but that’s not exactly accurate. The reality is that my “victory” against fear is rooted in the power of Jesus Christ not my will to overcome. The willingness to trust in the Lord’s provision is the only thing that propels me forward when facing any fear.

You may not be afraid of bridges or high places like me. Maybe you fear sickness or another challenging human condition. We all have them. But Jesus; He is our Overcomer!

Sherry Sharp

The plane was just coming in for the landing when the smart watch on my wrist began to vibrate. “Are you okay?” was the message from my sweet friend. The question seemed odd at first and then, like a photo in the darkroom coming into focus…oh no! It’s Monday morning, the first Monday of February and I forgot about the Sweet Monday devotion that I was scheduled to write. While panic began to fill my nervous system with adrenaline, I reminded myself that nothing comes as a surprise to God, not even my faulty memory, and all will be well.

I’m sure many of you can relate to my morning’s dilemma. We all have busy lives. I have been traveling since last Wednesday from Virginia to California to Florida and back to Virginia. My smart watch is even having a hard time keeping up. Although we believe multi-tasking is the norm in our technology-filled world, God never intended for humans to move in ten different directions and do all things well. At least, I know I cannot do anything well when I try to pack too much into my already busy schedule. The wheels begin falling off and soon I’m reminded to slow down.

God, on the other hand, is always faithful! Multitasking is His specialty. He never forgets and never gets confused. When you and I mess up and let something important fall through the cracks of our own doing, God is not only faithful; He is “loving toward all he has made.” This Monday morning, I thank Jesus for making a relationship with The Father possible; for loving me in my failings, and I thank YOU for extending me grace. Please meet me here again next Sweet Monday.

Sherry Sharp

Most people don’t like the feeling of helplessness. When we find ourselves at the point of needing to rely on others, a sense of discomfort overwhelms us. From a very early age, we are taught to be self-sufficient. We learn to tie our shoes, brush our teeth, bathe and tend to our needs. Teachers want us to be independent and responsible learners.

The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly why Paul is suffering. He only refers to his affliction as “a thorn in my flesh.” Paul prays to remove it but is told, “no” by God. Whatever is causing the pain will remain, and to endure without complaining or whining, God gives Paul a sufficiency of His grace.

What does grace look like exactly? Giving an example of God’s grace in a way we might fully understand is impossible on this side of heaven. What we can grasp is that while our circumstances may not change, by faith and trusting God, we will endure. One might compare God’s “sufficient grace” to that of Pain Management. When we experience chronic illness, we might find a temporary solution to help us get through life. You and I have a “chronic illness” called, sin! Sin is a side-effect of the human condition, and Jesus is God’s remedy. Unlike natural temporary pain relief, Jesus and His grace provide an eternal solution.

One question begs an answer as we travel through this world that is defective as a result of sin. Whether suffering physical, emotional or spiritual pain, will you and I trust God to supply all that we need?