Saturday, December 10, 2011

SATURDAY STROLL

Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"

In these posts I will be interacting with Scripture – making it a conversational walk of faith.

Sometimes we'll be talking with Jesus, sometimes God will be talking to us.

There might even be *guest appearances* by some of our beloved characters from the Bible!

So put on your walking shoes – you know we can all use the exercise!



SOME TIMELY ADVICE FROM GOD - especially when He's called us to do something:


I urge you to warn those who are lazy.

Oh, Lord, that would be me, Mrs. Queen Procrastinator. I've been stalling on doing something - something You've asked me to do. I feel quite convicted right now.

Encourage those who are timid.

Lord, that is also me. I'm really nervous about this new venture you're calling me to - it really feels out of my comfort zone. I'm scared.

Take tender care of those who are weak.

Really, Lord? It's OK for me be gentle with myself? Because You know how weak I am. And You know how hard I am on myself.

Be patient with everyone.

Oh, Lord - thank You for giving me permission to be patient with myself. It amazes me that You are often more patient with me than I am with myself.

I am calling you to always try to do good to all people.

Yes, Lord. That is the reason for Your call, isn't it? For the benefit of other people - to tell them about Your very Good News. This is why You want me to speak.

Yes, and My Good News gives you reason to always be joyful.

Oh yes, Your Good News is the best news ever. Lord, forgive me for allowing this world to steal my joy. How can I hold on to it?

Never stop praying.

Unceasing prayer - the antidote to the painful struggles and doubts and challenges of this life. Sometimes I just get so overwhelmed by it all.

I know, but be thankful in all circumstances.

All of them, Lord? Because some of them are so very hard.

Yes, for this is My will for you because you belong to Christ Jesus.

Is it Your will for me to be joyful in all circumstances - or are the circumstances Your will?

Both, dear child, both come from My hand.

Oh, it's a hard lesson, Lord. Sometimes I want to give up. I just can't do it on my own.

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

No, Lord! Don't let me do that. Please let Your Holy Spirit work in me. Let me have His wisdom and guidance. I don't want to take one step out of Your purposes for me.

Then, test everything that is said.
Hold on to what is good.
And stay away from every kind of evil.

Yes, Lord, in Your Spirit's strength, I will go forward in obedience. I will not lean on my own understanding - I will trust in You. I will believe that You will direct my paths.

Now I will make you holy in every way, and keep your whole spirit and body blameless until My Son comes again.

I will make this happen - I, the One who has called you, am faithful.

You are the only One who is faithful, Lord. The only One I can depend on. The only One who can give me the desire and the power to do Your will. Give me the strength to move forward into Your purposes.

Now go get 'em, Sharon! I'm right beside You!


(Selections from 1 Thessalonians 5)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

9 comments:

  1. Hi Sharon -

    Thank you for this rich stroll. I need to walk in this today.

    Yes, Sharon, I wholly agree, GOD is the ONLY ONE!...

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  2. Sharon, thanks for allowing us to take a stroll with you & God. Earlier in the week I was studying passages from 1 Thessalonians 5.

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  3. Whatever your new adventure is, Sharon, I am sure God knows you are the best one to do it, that's why he picked you for it! And you know through it he will be strolling right alongside you!

    betty

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  4. I enjoyed the stroll to Sharon. sandie

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  5. Strolling through our prayers -- I like that!

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  6. This was my favorite part:


    "Is it Your will for me to be joyful in all circumstances - or are the circumstances Your will?

    Both, dear child, both come from My hand."

    This was a good stroll, Sharon. You put to words my thoughts so well.

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  7. I like the way you brought us into your conversation with the Lord. It was encouraging.
    Blessings.

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  8. Wow, Sharon, I think this could be just about everyone's prayer. And I love that last line. He is right beside you and He is right beside me. I must never forget that. Thank you for this reminder.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  9. Love these strolls with the Lord and you, Sharon...but are you sure that
    1 Thessalonians 5 says:
    "Now go get 'em, Sharon!..."
    The right beside you may be... but now I have to go read the entire chapter. And what version is this??? Guess that's your 'writer's prerogative' (lol)

    I know I'm such a rebel rouser... good thing I'm here after the crowds have dispersed. My NIV version says...(my part in parentheses)

    "So I urge you, sister, 'Live at peace'
    and warn those who are idle (lazy?) and disruptive (me), encourage the disheartened (you and me, but it shouldn't be), help the weak (but when we are weak, we easily can see His glory and strength because when we can't, He can and does), and be patient with everybody. (oh yeah, how I'm so slow at patience... but I'm working on it, but kids and dogs have to have been placed here just to teach us this, right... or adults that behave like children and need even more patience like me)(and 'Everybody,Lord', ya' gotta be kidding: that obnoxious... and the others that rub me with their evil ways and looks and words).Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong
    (well, I've certainly seen alot of this but I really do try to stay away from vengeance,that's Yours, right?)but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. (like Sharon and her strolls... that's easy, she's a sweetheart... but everyone else? everyone? those that don't know you especially, right? Hard request, Lord)...Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.(I do Lord, Sharon is getting ready to do Your work more but let her know, she's doing a godd job right here!!! She has my highest regard and many like her).
    v.13-15 only geesh...

    "6 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

    Now this part, I really like what you wrote and replied... because this is the hardest... to give thanks in all circumstances, the good, the bad and the ugly...rejoice... and pray continually...although I do pray alot continually means that it goes on and on... and as you and others can see I do and so it is with God. After all, He is the only One that really understands me here... it's just me hearing His side.

    "19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil."

    Your response here is so genuine! May we never quench His Spirit, may He stir within us all the time and keep us mindful... so a blessing:
    May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

    Praying for you and sending a holy
    XO
    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
    Love, Peggy

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)