Sharon's Sharings

                                                                     “ The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to                          anger  and abounding in mercy ” Psalm 103:8 According to Strong’s Concordance there are 250 verses in the Bible on mercy. Strong’s #2617:  Mercy is Kindness, lovingkindness; unfailing love; tenderness; faithfulness. The dictionary definition of mercy is: 1.   Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one’s power; clemency. 2.   A disposition to be kind and forgiving.   All of those are a description of our Heavenly Father.  He is compassionate, kind and forgiving.  What a blessing and a privilege to be loved by Him. After ...

Last week I shared my heart on judging others.   Often, if we have judged someone it is because they have offended us.  It may then become necessary to forgive them.  Forgiveness is a BIG deal to God.  It can be so hard for us as humans to extend forgiveness.  What if they aren’t sorry?  What if they don’t change?  What if you just plain don’t want to forgive someone?  Does God give us a pass? Unfortunately no, God tells us in His Word that we must forgive if we are to be forgiven by Him.  When I am unwilling to forgive someone, I remain angry and resentful.  It is impossible to be kind to that person.  I want to exact punishment and revenge.  I want them to be hurt as much as I am hurting.                                      ...

              Isaiah 28:26 “For He instructs him in right judgment, His God teaches him”. Judgment, according to the dictionary definition, is a position or opinion reached after consideration.  A personal belief or thought that is not founded on proof or certainty; “my opinion differs from yours” Early in my Christian walk I was guilty of judging others. I judged their lifestyle, how they worshiped, if other believers accepted my place of worship.   As I grew and had more life experiences, I realized how deadly this sin could be.  I ultimately read Luke 6:37a NKJV “Judge not, and you shall not be judged”   there is more to that scripture but just that part initially resonated with me.  I did not want others judging my opinions, my actions or the actions of my family.  I try very hard now, not to judge others and exercise love and mercy more.   Sadly, I don’t always succeed. Judgment is...

July 3, 2020 Today my heart is hurting.  Life does not always go how we want. What do we do with disappointment and discouragement?  When you have prayed so long about a certain issue and there is no indication that there will be an answer that is positive towards you?  It is so easy to say the words “God knows and is in control”  Or to quote Romans 8:28 NKJV  “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Do I believe it, does it bring me comfort?  Can I say it with conviction to someone else who is hurting more than me? I do believe those words and I can remember many times when it was true.  But…do I truly believe it for this situation when it has gone so terribly wrong so many times. In all honesty, I want to call out to God “Why?”  Why do I feel abandoned and hopeless? What must she be feeling?  What do I say to my friend to give her ...