Sharon's Sharings

 Warmest Greetings, As we approach Palm Sunday and Holy week, I am trying to concentrate on the last days of Jesus time on earth.  As I read about Palm Sunday, I realize it is a time of Praise.  Jesus rode the donkey into the city of Jerusalem as the crowd shouted ‘Hosanna’.  Luke 19:37 NLT  “When He reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of His followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.”  Matthew 21:9 NLT “Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting, ‘Praise God for the Son of David!  Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Praise God in highest heaven!’”                                                      ...

 God’s will is sometimes a mystery to me.  As I was researching God’s will, I found an explanation I liked and understood. God’s Sovereign will:  As a Sovereign God (one who exercises supreme, permanent authority) He brings to pass whatever He pleases by His divine decree.  This will is hidden because we are usually unaware of God’s sovereign and decreed will until what He has decreed takes place.  It cannot be stopped.  Isaiah 46:10 NLT “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.  Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” Psalms115: 3 NLT “Our God is in the heavens, and He does as He wishes.” God’s revealed will is stated clearly in scripture.  His will is for us to obey.  We can choose to obey or disobey.  God gives us that freedom. Romans 12:2 NLT “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to ...

 I was recently encouraged to ask God to show me His love in a way that I feel it deep in my spirit.  Not a mental knowing God loves me, or being able to quote scriptures about God’s love, but have a total sense of His enveloping love. I know what the person is saying.  I have felt that love.  Unfortuanately, I sometimes allow outside factors to dull that sense of awe.  Business takes priority over spending time with God.  Praying, but not feeling His presence.  I allow life to control me… not the Holy Spirit.  Romans 5:5 NLT “And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” Strong’s (#26) definition of agape love: An undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good of the other person, no matter what he does.  It is the self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return, a...

Being in God’s presence is to have the reassurance that He is with us no matter where we are, what our circumstances are, or what we are doing.   When our children are little we might say “God sees everything you do.”  We may use that as a way to get them to behave correctly.  That could have the opposite effect and make them see God as scary and as someone to fear. This can be true for us as well.  We know God is everywhere but do we feel His presence as a comfort or are we fearful He is just waiting for us to do something wrong? Psalms 139:7-10 Amp “Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence? (8) If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), behold, You are there.  If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, (10) Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will take hold of me.”  God is here to help us, not strik...