abandoned to Christ.

God Knows My Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:33:00 +0000

“God knows my heart.” is a common phrase that both Christians and non-Christians use. And sadly, it’s carelessly thrown about to excuse or approve of the faithless, opinionated, and self-righteous way many of us choose to live.

Rarely is this phrase used by a truly penitent and humble heart that worships the LORD Almighty in the splendor of holiness—in spirit and in truth (1 Chron 16:29 and Jn 4:23-24).

So how can we know for certain if our hearts are the penitent or proud ones when we say, “God knows my heart.”?

We know by how God Almighty says we can know. We test our hearts by what comes out of our mouths (Mt 12:34-37, Lk 6:43-46), with God’s perfect and infallible Word of truth.

This God—His way is perfect;

the word of the LORD proves true;

He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

~2 Samuel 22:31

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

~2 Timothy 3:16-17

We are commanded by God to “test everything” (1 Th 5:21). The Greek word used for “test” in this verse as well as in Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 3:13, 2 Corinthians 13:5, and 1 John 4:1 is δοκιμάζω, transliterated: dokimazō which means: to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing be genuine or not), as metals.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, sincere and impartial. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

~James 3:13-18 (emphasis, mine)

The Arrogant Heart Sounds Like This

God knows my heart. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. My relationship with God is personal and I have the right to live it the way I believe God wants me to. And I don’t need to read or study the Bible to know if God is please with me. I know He knows my heart and He knows I do all things to please Him by being a good parent, child, sibling, friend, worker, neighbor, citizen, etc.

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
~Proverbs 18:2

The Humble Heart Sounds Like This

God knows my heart. And I pray daily that He searches, knows, and tests it (Ps 139:23-24) because I trust He will strengthen, comfort, refresh, exhort, and rebuke me as I need for all circumstances—that the essence of my life will honor, glorify, and magnify the name of Jesus with every breath He provides (Heb 12:6, 10-11; Titus 2:11-14).

Every way of man is right in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the heart.
~Proverbs 21:2

Which is yours: a penitent heart or a proud heart?

If the former, then give thanks and praise and all glory to God Most High for the riches of His grace lavished upon you through Christ Jesus (Eph 2:4-10)!

If the latter, then repent and give thanks and praise and all glory to God for His enduring patience and mercy lavished upon you through Christ Jesus (Rm 2:4-8)!

Sing to the LORD, all the earth!

Tell of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvelous works among all the peoples!

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,

and He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

but the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him;

strength and joy are in His place.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;

bring an offering and come before Him!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

tremble before Him, all the earth;

yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,

and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”

~1 Chronicles 16:23-31

Advocating for Self

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 23:06:00 +0000

We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God MUST also love his brother.

~1 John 4:19-21 (emphasis mine)

If how I treat people is based on how they make me feel, what they can or cannot do for me, or what they think or how they feel about me, I prove that I am more interested in being well-loved rather than being the one who loves well.

In our current society, the comforts, preferences, security, and everything that any individual desires—reigns supreme.

The godly desires for community and friendship are now an endangered precept.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

~John 13:34-35

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who curse you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

~Romans 12:9—18

Most of us wouldn’t admit we want to be the god of our own world where everyone around us caters to whatever whim, emotion, and desire we may have at any given time. But God says that every person is innately born with this blasphemous and abominable desire. So we are.

When we first birth and cultivate this insanely and incredulous lie to ourselves, we then lie to others about who we want to think we are (all that’s listed in the passage above). But, like clouds without rain, we boast of gifts we do not give (Prov 25:14), that is, that our daily manner of living is mostly or completely empty of prayerfully and intentionally seeking to do good to others as holy vessels of our God and Father’s majestic grace.

From the day Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the only forbidden tree in the entire Garden of Eden (Gen 2:16-17), we’re all born with the same prideful sin: To be the master of our own soul, life, and destiny—to be like God and be self-sufficient and self-satisfied.

That’s why our world is filled with people who want to be the ones to define and call all the shots.

We want to feel as if we have the power and authority to define good and evil. We want to establish boundaries and precepts of how others are allowed to interact with us based on our definitions of good and evil. And we feel we have the right to demand that our perceptions of good and evil, and right and wrong be respected and followed without question (lest you make us feel bad about ourselves).

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people…always learning and never able to to arrive at the knowledge of truth.

~2 Timothy 3:1-5, 7

As you can clearly see, the LORD defines the popular and abundantly practiced form of sinful pride: Advocating for Self (putting your preferences, your opinions, your feelings, your everything above and before considering anyone else’s) as an absolute evil; and most especially within the Body of Christ.

We understand why unbelievers are enslaved by the devil’s schemes. We know why they have no power to escape and free themselves. We also know and understand that it is only by God’s mercy and grace, often demonstrated through His children, that unbelievers are helped and comforted and led to true and eternal love (cf. 2 Tim 2:24-26, 2 Cor 4:5-6).

But why should God’s holy and dearly beloved children, whose consciouses have been washed and purified by the precious blood of Christ, once again turn to and believe the old lies of the devil?

Satan has no new tricks. He is not God. He has no power to create…anything. The only power the devil has is to recreate and reuse what’s already been created by God Almighty. So what does our enemy do? He simply repackages the same old lies he used on Adam and Eve from the beginning of time, “You are your own god”, “You are self-sufficient”, “You define what is good and evil and right and wrong”.

In our day, this old, familiar lie of the devil is repackaged this way: “Tell yourself because you have a low self-esteem, and/or are an introvert, and/or have anxieties about life, and/or are still working on yourself that you require so much encouragement, comfort, love, and understanding from others that you don’t have the capacity to think about the needs of others, let alone, have the opportunity to do so.”, “Tell yourself that the reason why you don’t daily read, study, and meditate on the Scriptures so that you may seek opportunities to share the Gospel and the love of God with the lost and/or build up members of the Body of Christ, is because you’re a people pleaser and you just have a hard time saying or doing anything that makes anyone feel bad about themselves.”

So what’s a child of the Most High God to do? Well, if you’ve re-enslaved yourself to that which Christ has freed you from; repent and live as the face of Christ to all those He’s put around you—whether stranger, friend, or foe. And if you’ve remained steadfast and immovable by abiding in Christ, then give thanks to God for His lovingkindness and faithfulness in your life, and continue to press on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!

About Dr. Steven J. Lawson

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 23:41:00 +0000

UPDATE

(09/25/2024)

(original post 09/20/2024)

I don't know Steve well. I've only met him a handful of times and chatted with Anne at a Women's Bible study we both attended in Dallas; and when we visited Trinity Bible Church of Dallas (TBCD) for a brief time (about five years ago). We found them both to be tireless and faithful ministers of our God and Father.

When I first heard the news, my heart broke for my brother Steve,my sister Anne, their children, grandchildren, personal and ministry friends, and all those who, like me, have benefitted and have been spiritually well-fed by the teaching ministry in which the LORD God Almighty has equipped and called Steve, and the ministry He equipped and called Anne to as Steve's exceedingly suitable helpmeet.

Some have already shared my sentiments, while others rail and rejoice at his private fall and public humiliation from Satan's seeming "win" over another one of God's holy and dearly beloved children (Rom 8:28-39).

But this is not a new story, a news story, or an occasion to set our minds and hearts to Pharasaical judgment that Christ admonished us to abandon, "Judge [condemn] not that you be judged [condemned]. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5)

What has happened to our brother Steve has sadly happened to many other faithful men and women who have come before him. And sadder still, while we are all still in this temporal tent, there will be more who will be devoured by their temptations until the Day of our Lord Jesus.

How then should we regard our brother Steve? Let us take heed to how our God and Father has commanded us through His Son, by the power of His Holy Spirit,

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is requried of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself...Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
~1 Corinthians 4:1-3, 5

Much (or all), of what has been shared publicly originated from the announcement from TBCD (pictured below with my highlights and suggested dross).

I crossed out an area in the second paragraph that is much ado about TBCD and it's piety rather than the first thing God tells us about His character during His first proclamation of His own Name (cf. Ex 34:6)—merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

When I read this announcement, I was further heartbroken for my brother Steve and Anne, friends, and others like me (in the peripheral of his life and ministry) because of the cold, arms-length, pithy and unnecessarily ambiguous, yet clearly forthright position of this announcement: A stench and stain among us was revealed. We got rid of it. We've removed our financial support from it so everyone will know that we remain just as clean as we were before him.

This announcement lacks the transparent and true warmth,love,and compassion that Christ has on all who repent and trust in Him. It lacks the honor and faithfulness of God our Father's work in Steve's life, and more than 40 years of proclaining the excellencies of Christ our Lord. It lacks the brotherly affection we are all commanded to have for one another (Rom 12:10). And the heartbreaking reality is, this frigid announcement has produced Pharasaical and falsely-pious reactions from others who are sharing this "news".

Therefore, let us follow the path that Christ our Lord has set before us, and not the path of opinions based on conjecture, obtuse information, and self-proclaimed piety. Let us first sit before the feet of Jesus, hang on His every Word, listen intently to know Him more so we may love Him better, and prudently seek His will for what He's given each of us (for we do not all have the same gifts and means of ministry). But we do all have the same Spirit of the Son of God who loved us and "gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works." (Titus 2:14)

Below, is the warm and loving and compassionate statement from the OnePassion Ministries board.

Let us all remember this before we continue to pray and discuss this sin of our brother Steve,

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges [condemns] his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, He who is able to save a to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
~James 4:11-12

My husband and I have already prayed about and discussed this, we are not going to "throw the baby out with the bathwater". We will keep what we already have, without promoting what we have nor purchasing anything more.

We were first introduced to God's faithful teaching through Dr. Steven J. Lawson at a Ligonier Ministries Conference more than a decade ago. The first book of his that had an enormously helpful and exhorting impact in my life was, Made In Our Image: The Fallacy of the User-Friendly God. We've read and studied many other books since then. And we will continue to apply the godly wisdom our brother Steve has shared with so many, as we continue to live coram Deo.

In all this, please pray for our brother Steve's full repentance, and especially for Anne: For her protection from Satan's schemes; covering under the safe, assuring, and refreshing wings of the Almighty; comfort for her broken heart, and strength and wisdom to continue to live out Proverbs 31:12, in spite of the pain her husband has caused her. May she continue to live steadfastly in the power and comfort of her Strong Tower who will never leave her nor forsake her.

And may God envelope us all with the peace, humility, wisdom, and love of Christ (Jas 3:17-18) that we may not sin in our disappointment, anger, and self-righteousness, but that we would live as those who know that we are not our own—we are Christ's.

Western Christianity Is In ICU

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 21:17:00 +0000

The Lord Jesus told us that all who belong to Him, truly belong to Him (Mt 7:21) enter through the narrow gate and continually walk the narrow way (Mt 7:14). The original Greek word for “narrow” used in this passage is θλίβω (transliterated thlíbō), which means: to afflict, distress. This is why only a few find it, delight in it, and abide in it (Ps 119:47, 72).

The narrow gate and the narrow way isn’t difficult for the many to find or see because it’s minuscule and dull. For all things of the Great I AM is as He is—exceptional in grandeur and magnificent in structure!

Only a few find the narrow gate and remain on the narrow way, because it is the gate and way of affliction.

[W]e have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh…So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:7-12, 16-18)

and,

Whoever says “I know Him” but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His Word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked. (1 Jn 2:4-67)

It’s never about what we or others say about us that counts for anything in God’s eyes (Gal 5:6, Jer 17:9-10, Ecc 7:21-22). It’s in the daily habits of our lives (Mk 8:34) which prove the power of the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work in the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control of Christ, strikingly manifested in us (Gal 5:22-23).

Western Christianity is not in ICU because we’re too injured or weary from persecutions and afflictions for the sake of Christ. Western Christianity is in ICU because too many of us have become Christian picnickers rather than Christian soldiers; sitting comfortably on the sidelines, always seeking to enjoy something from the Lord, while striving to avoid the afflictions of the Lord.

So choose this day whom you will love and honor above all else: Christ or self.

Remember, it’s never too late to do the right thing—unless you’re dead.

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ, so that you may not be ashamed at His appearing. (2 Thess 3:5, 1 Jn 2:28)

The Sweetness of Meekness

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 22:10:00 +0000

“[L]earn to set a high price upon the quiet and sweetness of your spirit, set a high price upon it, account it to be a rich jewel of great worth, as we told you, that God accounted the meek spirit to be of great price; ‘tis one way to get it, to have a right esteem of the rest of spirit, and quietness that meekness will cause in the soule…therefore saith Christ, learn of me who am humble and meek, and you shall find rest to your souls…I have found this, that when I have been able to overcome my passion, I have had the sweetest time that ever I have had in all my life: when I could deny my selfe, and exercise meekness, O the quiet of any heart, it was worth a world, and shall I loose this for a trifle, now for a toy, O the poore trifles and toyes that men and women do cast away the quietness of their spirits for, as if they were nothing worth.”
~Jeremiah Burroughs, The Saints Happinesse; Sermon XIII

Ah…the sweetness of meekness is far more impressive and far more glorious and far more heavenly than most of us can know or understand. The sweetness of meekness is complete in Christ alone. Therefore, only in Christ can it be expressed—which there are no human words nor emotions that can even infinitesimally understand a minutia of the might of this holy character of God.

“In God we trust” is easy to say. “I repent and believe in Christ alone for salvation” is also easy to say. “Jesus is Lord” is exceedingly easy to say for anyone who wants to say it. But to actually believe these simple statements—to actually believe every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD—to actually believe God as He has chosen to reveal Himself, through His Son (the Word of God, cf. Jn 1:1, Heb 1:1-2), and then to make these statements, well, that is something else altogether—it is truth, it is life!

The sweetness of meekness, is to abide in Christ. It is to believe Christ and everything He has revealed about Himself through His Word, from Genesis through Revelations. It is to rest, wholly rest on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God even when it dismantles or destroys the desires of my flesh, my affections for others, and my preferred perceptions of the world.

This is the sweetness of meekness: To love, worship, obey, honor, live for, and believe wholly in the mercy, righteousness, and justice of God Almighty (Jer 9:23-24). Trusting that because God alone is good and righteous, all that He does and allows, is good and righteous (Ps 119:66, Mk 10:18, Rom 3:10-11). To rest in God—to rest in all He has said and done—to rest in His holy and awesome character and might, this is the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7). This is the sweetness of the meekness of Christ, “and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously”. (1 Pt 2:23, NASB95).

Meekness, as with all other God-given character traits can only be exhibited by those who abide in Christ. Godly meekness cannot be attained or maintained by the mere will or work of man. It is a gift of God, by His grace, through faith in His Son; so that as with all things from God, no man may boast in himself. But all boasting is in Christ alone and His work of redeeming those who were once lost.

Burdened by God?

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 19:52:00 +0000

I had an interesting conversation with a brother in Christ today. One of the things we discussed was: Is it possible to memorize too much of God’s Word? And if it is, what determines this oddity?

It’s not the first time I’ve heard this before. It’s not the first time I’ve had this exact conversation with others in my Family in Christ. This topic of “too much of God” has come up more often than I’d like. And every time, it disconcerts me.

If you’re wondering what I mean by “too much of God” here it is: Asking someone to read, memorize, meditate on, and/or study too much Scripture. But how much is too much? Is it even possible for any of us to spend too much time with God? Too much time thinking about Him, considering Him, praying and waiting for Him to answer: yes, no, wait, etc.? Is asking someone to read the entire Bible in three months, six months, one year, or two years too much for any Christian? Did you know that even for a slow reader and comprehender like me, it only takes about 45 minutes to one hour to read ten chapters of the Bible? And sometimes it would only take 30 minutes because some of the chapters in the Bible are just one paragraph or one page?

How is it that we now live in a time where we are burdening one another with God and the things of God? How is it that asking another Family member to read, study, meditate on, or memorize God’s Word is a burden because of littles, or teenagers, or older children who need help with their children, or older parents who need our care, or neighbors or friends…it goes on and on doesn’t it? When did the temporal and common things in this life become so consuming that to even spending one hour in prayer (Mt 26:40-41) or reading or studying or memorizing God’s Word is now a burden? And worse, this has become an acceptable practice?!

“I have so much to do today, that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” ~Martin Luther

What has happened to us as God’s holy and dearly beloved children that in our new lives in Christ, transformed by His power and kept by His Holy Spirit, freed and empowered to do all that our Father has commanded us in Christ, we have become so feeble of mind and frail of body that we are burdened by God our Father and all that He commands?

Did He not tell us through the Apostle John that His commands are NOT BURDENSOME (1 Jn 5:3-4)? Then how is it that so many who profess Christ as Lord, do not listen and do what He says (Lk 6:46-49)? Why do we call burdensome what God calls a gracious and merciful blessing (Is 5:20-21)?

If we have in fact been freed from the captivity of sin and have had our minds renewed and hearts transformed by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom 6:5-11, 12:2; Jn 15:10-11) how is it that we so easily excuse ourselves and one another because of a “season” of life we are in, or any other common thing that happens to all people—believers and unbelievers alike? How are we any different from the world when we use the things of this world as an excuse for why we cannot presently strive after the LORD with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths? How are we different than the world when the time we read, study, meditate on, memorize the Word of our LORD is mostly (or only) when it is most convenient or costs us nothing (e.g., our sleep, our family time, our entertainment, our idleness, our play dates and other social activities, etc.)?

It continues to astound me that setting an appointment on our calendars to meet with our God and Father first thing every day, before giving our hearts, minds, time, and strength to anyone or anything else is a foreign practice and for many, a non-essential. Most professing Christians I’ve known and still know meet with the LORD when it seems most convenient for them, rather than making God Almighty, the God who gave us our first life physically and new life in Christ. I have no problem with meeting with the LORD in the middle of the day or even last thing at night, just as long as He’s also given our first—our best. This is not a discipline practiced by only the mature in Christ. It is actually the first discipline that is expected of every believer new and old believer. How do I know? Because God said so (Gen 4:3-4; Ex 16:21; Ps 92:2, 143:8; Mk 1:35).

God Almighty is the first and the best. Therefore, it only makes sense that we ought to give Him our first and best. The Lord Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is no pauper that He should settle for and delight in our leftovers or what we think we can spare.

Our brothers and sisters living in persecution in second, third, and fourth world countries know nothing of the what we call “Christianity” here in America and other first world countries where life is easy and persecution just means someone doesn’t agree with you, or doesn’t like you.

May we repent of our idolatry of self, and what is acceptable to other professing Christians, so that we may remember that the LORD ordained His precepts that we may ALL keep them diligently—in every season, in every circumstance, with every heartbeat (Ps 119:4).

Bemoaning God's Kindness

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 21:35:00 +0000

Bemoaning God’s kindness sounds a bit strange, doesn’t it? Do you know why? Because it is.

Sadly, many, if not most of us, bemoan God’s kindness daily…and we’ve practiced it so much, rarely are we aware of it.

We bemoan God’s kindness when:

Someone gives us a gift with all their heart, but it doesn’t meet our standards of what we most value;
We’re envious and unkind to anyone our loved ones (parents, spouse, children, friends) give honor and respect to, because we feel their admiration belongs to us;
We give a gift, serve, etc. and we don’t receive the measure of gratitude we feel our giving deserves;
Someone loves us enough to not sin with us;
We reject someone (with or without their knowledge) that God uses to reprove or admonish us of sin we are entertaining/practicing;
We won’t even greet someone because we are envious of the spiritual gifts or natural talents God gave to them and not to us;
Our first instinct is to complain and criticize rather than to consider it all joy when God brings any difficulty or pain into our lives in order to make us more like Christ—complete and lacking nothing.

What is the cure for bemoaning God’s kindness? Repent and rejoice.

Yep. That’s it! There’s no 12-step program, no counseling needed, and no in-depth meditation required. We’d like to think it’s much more difficult than it is because our pride demands it. The more difficult things are, the more we feel accomplished when we’ve acquired it.

The biggest hurdle we all have is our pride that refuses to readily submit to anything we don’t already want to do.

But love to God is this: That we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 Jn 5:3-5)

God, as always, does all the heavy lifting because He alone is the Almighty. We are not. Our only duty as His faithful and loving children is to demonstrate our love for Him, not with mere words, but with deeds and truth (1 Jn 3:18). And we can, because Christ our God suffered, died, and resurrected so that we may suffer for Christ, die to self, and rise in the newness of eternal life—the holy and righteous life of Christ the Father has generously poured out to us.

God is kind. And God is good. He never commands us to obey anything He hasn’t already and abundantly provided us with the means and ways to obey Him wholeheartedly.

The Asbury Revival: Is It Real?

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 22:32:00 +0000

There has been much conversation about the Asbury Revival in Kentucky.

And as it is often with social media-proliferated 'news', especially with spiritual matters (for all are looking for hope somewhere, but only a few looking for it in Christ)—there are three camps: the Easily Excited, the Rarely Ignited, and the Wisely Incited.

The Easily Excited are all heart with no head; ready to believe, praise, and support Kanye West, Benny Hinn, and other well-known people and groups who profess repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Emotion is prime and easy believism is promoted, though it may be unintentional.

The Rarely Ignited are all head with no heart; ready to disparage and discredit claims that any well-known person or groups can truly be converted. Detached opinions are prime while a gate narrower than Christ ordained is promoted, though it may be unintentional.

The Wisely Incited are head and heart; ready to test all matters with the Word of God (1 Jn 4:1, 2 Pt 2:1-3), being quick to heed the Holy Spirit's counsel, slow to speak (approve or disapprove), and slow to insist on his/her own opinion(s), with compassionate intentionality (Js 3:17-18).

By God's mercy and grace, such is my darling husband, Jim. Please read and heed and give thanks to God for granting such wisdom to a mere man.🙌💝🙌

"𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘈𝘴𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 (𝘦.𝘨., 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵).

"𝘐'𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘯𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥'𝘴 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘪𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥...𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦."

As with all things, honor Christ as Lord in your hearts. Before you believe or disbelieve, approve or disapprove of anything, obey the LORD: Pray, Wait, Pray, Watch, Pray, Exult Christ!

When My Heart Breaks

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 20:47:00 +0000

When my heart breaks, what do I do? To whom or from where do I first run and seek comfort, protection, warmth, love?

Today, my darling husband and I received a text with enormously distressing news. A text filled with bitterness, slander, ungodly opinions given as facts—falsehood presented as truth and poison poured into an open and already painful wound. A wound that has never been given a chance to recover before more poison is poured into it and thus overruns it.

When a loved one professes Christ, yet considers it a small thing (if he considers it at all) to sin against God; confesses this is wrong, yet remains apathetic, and therefore, continues to sin without cause, what is one to do?

All I had the strength to do, was to cry out, “LORD, help me!” And immediately, the Holy Spirit put Psalm 121 in my mind. So immediately, I opened the Word of my Lord, and this is what I received from Him,

In my distress I called to the LORD,

and He answered me.
Deliver me, O LORD,

from lying lips,

from a deceitful tongue.

What shall be given to you,

and what more shall be done to you,

you deceitful tongue?

A warrior’s sharp arrows,

with glowing coals of the broom tree!

Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,

that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

Too long have I had my dwelling

among those who hate peace.

I am for peace,

but when I speak, they are for war!

When my darling husband read me the text, my heart sank. My mind fumbled about as it tried to keep up with, and make sense of, the slander and bitterness that was hurled at me…by someone who was once close to me. Someone I once held dear. Someone I have and still do love with all my heart. Someone I pray daily for God’s mercy to bring him to truth.

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

~2 Timothy 2:22-26, ESV

Every slander does not need to be addressed. Every emotionally-established and unbiblically-based notion does not require a response.

So to answer my question: What am I to do when my heart breaks? I remember and obey what my great and merciful and perfectly loving God and Father recorded in Psalm 121:1-2, “I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” And I will wait on the LORD.

Be Imitators

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 21:16:00 +0000

Part of my reading and study today was 1 Corinthians 11 and Hebrews 6.

It still awes me to consider how carefully and lovingly the LORD, my God and Father, supplies all I need ever before I know I need it. And by His loving-kindness and faithfulness, He teaches me more about Him as He exalts (by lifting up to Himself) everyone who humbles themselves to seek His face. For a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart, He will never despise (cf. Ps 51:16-17).

As I type this, my heart is broken and deeply grief-stricken for my loved ones who are far from God. Some who know it, and others who are (more than likely), self-deceived in their religiosity rather than truly saved by the cleansing of their conscience with the blood of Christ Jesus.

Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1, NASB95)

The Apostle Paul repeats this commandment from 1 Corinthians 11:1 elsewhere in Scripture—1 Corinthians 4:16, Philippians 3:17-19. We know this commandment is weighty because it is not only a commandment and instruction to all God's children on how to discern who we ought and ought not to imitate, but it is repeated a third time by the writer of Hebrews in Chapter 13 verse 7.

We are commanded, not asked by God Almighty, to avail ourselves to all He has provided us; that we may mature in the Lord Jesus and bear much good fruit (obeying God as Christ)—in His name—for His glory. We are commanded, not asked by the LORD of hosts to imitate and listen to those who speak and act by the power of the Holy Spirit and for the glory of God. We are commanded, not asked by our merciful God and Father to flee from those who speak and act by their opinions and for themselves.

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as on who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be gloried through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
~1 Peter 4:10-11

I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
~1 Corinthians 2:3-5

If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain…But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
~1 Timothy 6:3-5, 11

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these…evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
~2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13

To keep us humble, no matter what spiritual gifts Christ gives or what natural talents and qualities God has created in us, no human being is able to live the holy life God commands, alone or by his/her own opinions of good and evil, wisdom and foolishness.

The only righteous standard is easily found and readily available in the Word of God.

Imitate the speech, deeds, and life-giving ways of those who imitate Christ Jesus. Resolve to accept and earnestly seek the counsel and teaching and rebuke only from those who speak the Word and holy precepts of God Almighty. But in order to discern rightly, read and study the Scriptures others use, to speak, counsel, teach, and rebuke you with, so that like the Bereans (Acts 17:11-12) you may be accepted and commended by God rather than men.

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
~Galatians 1:10

Suffering and Dying

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 21:07:00 +0000

I’m sitting here thinking, “How may I wisely and prudently share all the good the LORD, my God and Father, my Savior, my Rock and my Redeemer—my greatest and preeminent love and life, has done for me?”

It’s not possible to share it all because there’s just not enough time or room in this world to be able to encapsulate the goodness of God in just one little life, for the past 53 years (Ps 40:5). So what shall I share, and how shall I share it? What is most edifying and what is the least useful for you to consume? I want to feed, comfort, and strengthen you with the former rather than starve, discourage, and burden you with the latter.

Thanks be to God for His Holy Spirit who always testifies to Christ!

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph 4:29) and, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” (Ps 19:14) and, “A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaim folly.” (Prov 12:23) and, “May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb. For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God!” (Dt 32:2-3).

After 13 years of brutal beatings and severe persecution because I would not forsake Christ my Lord, by God's magnificent mercy and grace, He's endured me through these past 15 years of constant and often debilitating pain with 20 surgeries (due to damage in most of my organs from the beatings) I want to encourage you with this truth: Suffering is not the worst and dying is not the end.

This testimony of God's grace in the life of our brother Joel Tiegreen (who was called Home to our God and Father and our Lord Jesus Christ a few months after this video was made) has been, and continues to be a great source of comfort and encouragement to me. And I want to share God's kindness to me through this, with all of you.

Everyone's Life Verse

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 21:52:00 +0000

In certain churches and Christian circles, there’s a common question that’s asked, “What’s your life verse?” It’s supposed to mean something grand, but I’m afraid that in most cases, it is not.

It sounds spiritually mature to ask and answer this question. But after 49 years of my new birth, rarely have I heard this question or answer come from a place of substance—of eternal value and weight. Rather, both this question and its answer are more often in the vein of, “What’s your all-time favorite verse? You know, the one that reminds you of how special and wonderfully loved you are and comforts you when you need it most?”

In the past, I too have asked and answered this seemingly deep, but shallow question. Why? Because at that time in my life, I didn’t know any better. And by God’s grace and mercy, I’m inclined to extend His compassion to others who have and still ask and answer this question in like manner, rather than harshly condemn them for not knowing any better as I do now (cf. Rom 12:3). For participating in this activity is not sinful in itself. But it is unwise since it can lead to the sins of pride, self-righteousness, and false-piety.

None of us are born knowing and thoroughly understanding everything. Nor do any of us, at any time in our lives, wake up one morning and suddenly have full knowledge and understanding of all things—save Christ Jesus.

But as we draw nearer to our Lord Jesus, singularly focusing on His face, His Word, His will, and the majesty and beauty of His holiness and love, we can’t help but think more like Him, talk more like Him, have a heart more like Him (loving what He loves, hating what He hates, being humored by what He’s humored by).

Just as it is with all created things that are still alive (people, animals, plants, etc.) we are conformed to what, where, how, and with whom our time and energy is most spent.

If our time, energy, and resources are largely spent on temporal things, then our minds, hearts, and speech will bear the fruit of that (Mt 6:19, Gal 5:19-21); clearly revealing who or what is most precious to us, and what we most cherish and treasure (Mt 6:21, 7:21).

Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” could, by all accounts, be everyone’s life verse.

This singular verse magnificently encompasses what most pleases God our Father, and suits every situation and circumstance for anyone—for our entire lives.

Are you sick? Are you hungry? Are you poor and needy? Are you proud and suffering the fruit of that sin? Are you lonely, or are you too overwhelmed with company? Are you misunderstood? Are you mistreated? Are you persecuted for Christ’s sake? Are you happy and well? The list goes on.

Whether we experience pain or pleasantries, it is always good and right to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. In pain, this diligent and daily practice keeps us from acting in, or being overcome by: anger, fear, and anxiety. In pleasantries, it keeps us from acting in, or being overcome by: megalomania, false humility, and self-indulgence.

It is in this holy and happy practice of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness that we are (in any and every circumstance) enveloped in the inexplicable blessedness and peace of wholly submitting to, and resting in, the good and perfect sovereignty of the LORD GOD Almighty (cf. Prov 3:5-8).

But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for
Himself;

the LORD hears when I call to Him.

Be angry, and do not sin;

ponder in your own hearts on your beds,
and be silent. Selah

Offer right sacrifices,

and put your trust in the LORD.

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O LORD!”

You have put more joy in my heart

than they have when their grain and wine abound.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

~Psalm 4:3-8

For further encouragement and warm exhortation on Matthew 6:33, listen to my pastor’s sermon from February 6, 2022, The Christian’s Pursuit. You’ll definitely want a journal, pen, and tissues (because you’ll find yourself both grateful and repentant as you listen).

Good Friday is Good Because God is Good

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 11:17:00 +0000

You may use this for your Facebook cover photo as a springboard to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

(Article originally published on Good Friday 2015)

The definition of good means to be morally excellent; righteous. However, we often misuse the word "good" to describe music we like, activities we enjoy and entertainment that amuses. Though music, activities and entertainment might delight our fancies, if they are absent of God, they are absent of good. Many things I enjoy are fun, lively and jubilant, but they cannot be good unless the focus of all these things magnifies the LORD my God.

Not to say it's a sin, or in any way wrong for people to enjoy music, arts, etc., that is absent of praise and glory to God (though it is a sin to enjoy anything or anyone who mocks righteousness and promotes ungodliness). But as God's dearly beloved children, let's call things as they actually are. Let us not call anything good, awesome, holy, etc., unless it pertains to the only one who is all these things: God Almighty. These attributes are exclusive to God.

"And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

as it is written:

'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All

have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good,

not even one.'

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved"

~Mark 10:18, Romans 3:10-12, Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV)

On this day more than 2,000 years ago, the Son of God breathed His last after He was betrayed by one of his own, abandoned by His closest friends, brutally beaten by envious men, falsely accused, publicly humiliated and jeered at; despised more than a murderer, nailed to a cross between two thieves, further ridiculed and tormented while in excruciating pain; died a sinners death, and was buried in a borrowed tomb because He had no earthly possessions of His own—and this is what God calls good.

By all accounts, this day was a grief-stricken day for the Lord Jesus. But He endured the agony and the fullest extent of God's wrath, not because it was a pleasant experience for Him, but because it was good for those He came to save.

Disrobing Himself of His glory, Jesus, the Son of God descended from Heaven, came to earth as a helpless babe, born of a virgin, alone fulfilled all the righteous commandments of God, qualifying Himself as the one and only perfect sacrifice for the sins of those He came to save.

Jesus Christ was the only human being who lived a sinless life, yet died a sinners death. As it is written, "For while we were yet still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one would scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare to die—but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God." (Romans 5:6-9, ESV)

This is love.

This is good.

How do people respond to God's amazing grace and mercy poured out to us through the crushing of His one and only Son? The three most common responses are to:

Repent and receive this good news, that is, the Gospel of God's grace;
Utterly reject God's grace;
Merely profess with our lips that we've repented and received God's grace through Jesus Christ, yet our lives prove that we're just another Judas.

These last two responses, are not good. And those who respond this way, are to be the most pitied in all creation.

"I have been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus; I am a member of his visible Church; I sit at the communion table: all these are so many kisses of my lips. Am I sincere in them? If not, I am a base traitor. Do I live in the world as carelessly as others do, and yet make a profession of being a follower of Jesus? Then I must expose religion to ridicule, and lead men to speak evil of the holy name by which I am called. Surely if I act thus inconsistently I am a Judas..."

~Charles Spurgeon

(excerpt from Evening Devotional, March 25)

Examine yourselves with Scripture to see if you are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5). And never do the most hateful thing to those you love by confirming their salvation when there is no biblical proof they are truly saved, but there is clear evidence they are merely a Judas. Rather, do the most loving thing and urge them to examine themselves with Scripture, urge them to repent, to turn from their sinful lifestyle, and cry out to God Almighty to save them.

Today, if you hear the goodness of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, do not harden your hearts, and do not lie to yourself about where you truly stand before the sight of God Almighty. Repent and believe the Gospel.

If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then share the good news of Jesus Christ today. As you rejoice in this great love God has lavished on you (1 John 3:1-3), tell others why this day is called Good Friday.

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or His ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

"The LORD saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought Him salvation, and His righteousness upheld Him.

" 'And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,' declares the LORD."

~Isaiah 59:1-2, 16, 20 (ESV)

If Necessary

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 23:23:00 +0000

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

~1 Peter 1:3-7, ESV (emphasis mine)

Often, an efficiency of words prove to make or break the meaning and/or weightiness of an entire thought. But we no longer live in the luxury of an instant coffee or microwave society. After all, it takes at least three whole minutes (or sometimes longer) to microwave popcorn! Which is why we quickly lose interest and move on if anything we read, watch, or listen to takes longer than one minute.

Unfortunately, this very immature and dangerous lifestyle of living in the urgency of self-satisfaction and entertainment has entered the Church. This deeply grieves me. Every. Single. Day.

When we skim over the holy Scriptures, no longer reading carefully, studying prudently, or meditating lovingly on it, we complain and fret like the lost world. We easily miss one important word, or two (e.g., if necessary) that deepen our understanding of the entire passage.

Because God’s economy is perfect, He wastes nothing (Jn 6:12-13). And because “the LORD, the LORD, [is] a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex 34:6) He does not afflict us from His heart, but afflicts us always and only, because it was/is/will be, necessary for our eternal good—that we may be made like Christ—complete and lacking nothing good (cf. Ps 119:67, 71; Rom 5:3-4; Jas 1:2-4).

Below, is comforting and exhorting wisdom from and excerpt of Lewis Bayly’s (c. 1575-1631), The Practice of Piety of why God our Father allows and brings us to afflictions—that we will not be found to have wasted our lives, but rather, that our lives may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

“Meditations for the Sick

“1. That by afflictions God may not only correct our sins past, but also work in us a deeper loathing of our natural corruptions, and so prevent us from falling into many other sins which otherwise we would commit…

“2. God sends affliction to seal unto us our adoption, for “the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons [Heb 12:7-8, 11]…

“3. God sends affliction to wean our hearts from too much loving this world and worldly vanities; and to cause us the more earnestly to desire and long for eternal life…

“4. By affliction and sickness God exercises his children, and the graces which he bestows upon them. He refines and tries their faith, as the goldsmith does his gold in the furnace—to make it shine more glistening and brightly (1 Pet. 1:7;) he stirs us up to pray more diligently, and zealously, and proves what patience we have learned all this while in his school of affliction…

“5. God sends afflictions, to demonstrate to the world the trueness of his children’s love and service. Every hypocrite will serve God while he prospers and blesses him, as the devil falsely accused Job to have done: but who (but his loving child) will love and serve him in adversity…

“6. Sanctified affliction is a singular help to further our true conversion, and to drive us home by repentance to our heavenly Father…

“7. Affliction works in us pity and compassion toward our fellow-brethren that are in distress and misery; whereby we learn to have a fellow-feeling of their calamities, and to condole their estate, as if we suffered with them (Heb 13:3). And for this cause Christ himself would suffer, and be tempted in all things like unto us (sin only excepted) that he might be a merciful High Priest, touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Heb 4:15; Heb 2:18; Heb 5:8-9)…

“8. God uses our sicknesses and afflictions as means and examples both to manifest to others the faith and virtues which he has bestowed upon us, as also to strengthen those who have not received so great a measure of faith as we…

“9. By afflictions God makes us conformable to the image of Christ his Son (Rom 8:18; 1 Pet 4:14), who being the captain of our salvation, was made perfect through sufferings (Heb 2:10) And therefore he first bore the cross in shame, before he was crowned with glory (Heb 2:7)…

“10. Lastly, that the godly may be humbled in respect of their own state and misery; and God glorified by delivering them out of their troubles and afflictions, when they call upon him for his help and support…”

For further comfort and encouragement from the LORD himself, read these Scriptures and the entire chapter that each are found in: 1 Peter 1:3-7; Isaiah 30:18; Lamentations 3:31-33; Psalm 119:67, 71, Philippians 4:16-18.

Meek

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 23:07:00 +0000

Meek: patient, long-suffering, or submissive in disposition or nature; humble; humbly patient or quiet in nature, as under provocation from others.—synonym: gentle (ref. dictionary.com).

And He [Jesus the Christ] opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on [M]y account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
~Matthew 5:2-12, ESV [edits mine]

When you read this familiar passage—the Beatitudes, what do you do with it? Do you skip it? Smile and skim over it? Feel warm and fuzzy? Convicted? Find them unrelatable? Is it merely an ethereal and/or ephemeral thought? Does it pass by and through you like a gentle breeze that provides a refreshing calm, but with no lasting effect of comfort?

Or, does it make you wonder? Do you understand every blessedness? Or do you know you don’t, but are satisfied to have only a cursory, possibly correct or incorrect knowledge of it?

When you read this passage, do you realize that Christ has fully embodied every one of these blessed states of perfect and holy righteousness?

When Jesus was here,

He lived His entire life poor in spirit so that we would inherit the riches of eternal life in Him.

He was a man acquainted with sorrows, so that we may know the ultimate joy and happiness of being reconciled to God Almighty through His the shedding of His precious blood.

He lived wholly meek and lowly so that we might be lifted up to God our Father as cleansed and forgiven disciples in Christ.

He constantly hungered and thirsted for righteousness to make all who repent and trust in Him, the righteousness of God.

He practiced perfect mercy so that we may receive the mercy of God rather than His wrath; and thus, compassionately extend this godly mercy to others.

There is none purer in heart than Christ our God; and He lived as such in bodily form so that in Him, our consciences are purified to love what God loves and hate what He hates.

Christ sacrificed His body, to sow peace between evil and obstinate humanity, with kind and goodly God Almighty.

He was persecuted for righteousness sake so that He might procure our salvation and become the propitiation for our sins.

He was reviled, beaten, slandered, and rejected by His own creation to purchase our salvation—our only means of acceptance in the sight of our holy, just, and all-wise God and Father.

When you read the Beatitudes do you think of these things? Do you carefully consider that Christ sanctified Himself by fulfilling all righteousness—obeying God the Father perfectly for our sake? And because the Lord Jesus well-pleased the Father, all who repent and trust in His perfect work for salvation, is loved and accepted by God our Father, just as He is? Therefore, we are now indwelt with the Holy Spirit who faithfully works the good work of Christ in us, so that we will suffer as He suffered (for righteousness sake), that we may be resurrected as He is and enjoy the pleasure of the Father for all eternity?

Only when we are meek, will we carefully consider these things. Only when we humble ourselves before God Almighty will we open His Word, not to find ourselves in it, but to find Him.

#IamNotEnough

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 20:36:00 +0000

In a world where #IamEnough is the mantra of the day, I am inexplicably happy and relieved to affirm that #IamNotEnough because, thanks be to God, Jesus Christ IS.

I can't imagine the heavy weight and burden; the amount of daily self-cajoling it takes to justify to self and others, that who I am and all that I possess and am capable of, with my finite knowledge and capabilities, is enough for me and all those around me.

I am truly and deeply grieved for all who are deceived by this devilish lie. The same lie from the Garden: "God is not enough. You are just as good or better than God. That’s why He’s keeping things from you. You can and should be your own god to insure you receive all that you deserve." If Adam and Eve had just taken a moment to prudently consider what God named the only thing (a singular tree) in all of the Garden of Eden, that they were forbidden from touching, taking, and eating was called; they perhaps, would have not been so easily deceived. And therefore, would not have sinned.

God named the one and only forbidden thing in the Garden: The tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:15-17).

Adam and Eve were already well-acquainted with the knowledge of good. For they knew God. And God alone is good (Mk 10:18). The only thing they were completely unfamiliar with and unaware of, was, the knowledge of evil.

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
~Psalm 84:10-12, ESV

They were created by a good God, in a good garden, with every good thing they needed. They neither knew evil nor experienced evil. Yet, they were easily made to be discontented with all the good God had given them when Satan suggested that they didn’t know all that God knew and didn’t have all that God had. In essence, Satan enticed Adam and Eve with the fact that God was keeping something from them. And He was. He was keeping evil from them. But rather than trust and be grateful for the perfect goodness of their God, Father, and Creator, they desired to be more and have more than complete and absolute good. That sounds absolutely absurd doesn’t it? And yet, to a discontented heart, it makes sense to have it all and know all…whether good or evil.

And herein lies the greatest travesty in all of history: Though we know what Satan used to deceive Adam and Eve and successfully entice them to sin, we are just as easily deceived and enticed by the same old lie— "You are enough. You don’t need God. You don’t need anyone. You are sufficient in yourself. You do not need to aspire to be better than you are. You are as good as it gets, just the way you are. Because you are enough, you never need to do or say anything that makes you feel dissatisfied with yourself."

But the truth is: Only God is enough because He is the only being that is truly sufficient in Himself. He alone is eternal, holy, sovereign, and good.

And this awesome Creator of ours is the God and Father of peace—not discontent. God is the God and Father of order—not chaos. Satan, on the other hand, is the god and father of discontent and chaos. Satan is the god and father of confusion, lies, and the deception of self-sufficiency.

So how do we combat the devil’s #IamEnough lie and movement? We preach the truth of God’s Word to our spirits rather than listen to the pride of our flesh.

If God gave us the best He had—His one and only Son, to save us from what we deserve—every misery in this life and eternal damnation in the next; for being His vile and arrogant enemies who revel in self and sin; then what good, that's less than Jesus (because there is no good equal to or above Him) would the LORD of hosts deny us? What lesser good than the life of Christ would God, the Father of all creation withhold from those love and fear Him?

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?…[for] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire…Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God…[who] is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency (or all contentment) in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
~Rom 8:32; 2 Pt 1:3-4; 2 Cor 3:4-5, 9:8

#IamNotEnough for me, for you, or for anyone else.

#YouAreNotEnough for you, for me, or for anyone else.

#OnlyJesusIsEnough because all things seen and unseen have been made by Christ, through Christ, for Christ, and are held together in Christ (cf. Jn 1:1-3, Col 1:15-20, Heb 1:2-3). No one else, save Christ, can claim any of these things to be true about themselves.

2020 Pandemic, Civil Unrest, Presidential Election: Concerned, But Not Crushed

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 21:13:00 +0000

What a year 2020 had been.

A year that seemed to be far worse than any that came before it.

And with high hopes built on resolutions we made, we were sure we could command and control the ushering in of a new year full of butterflies and rainbows—founded in self-reliance, ambiguity and redefining of all things by what “feels most right” for each person…at the moment.

There is no longer any absolutes of right or wrong, truth or error. We no longer recognize the weaknesses of different races, or celebrate the strengths we each have to offer. We are all Stepford Wives who look the same, have all the same skill sets, and can all do the same things with the same results, as long as we ourselves have decided it to be so.

Yes, unfortunately, it seems our yearning for the disaster and heartaches of 2020 to end once 2021 began, have all been doused with new leaders and new laws and a new social norms hurling us further down the miry pit of mass confusion.

It’s the futility of man attempting to rebuild the tower of Babel, in order to be our own gods—the master of our own souls and destinies.

There is truly nothing new under the sun (Ecc 1:9-11).

It seems that what we’ve endured these past 13 month is something far graver than all the years that came before. But in reality, it is not much different from previous years that have passed. Some of these turbulent years are as recent as a few decades ago (The Great Depression, 1929-1939; World War II, 1939; Pearl Harbor, 1941). Others happened hundreds of years ago (Bubonic Plague/Black Death, early-mid 1300s); with the greatest of them occurred 2,000 years ago—the inexplicably humble condescension of the Second Person of the Triune God—entering His own creation as a helpless babe—Christ the Lord. The only one, who at birth, was already the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He alone is the Ancient of Days. He alone is Eternal Life.

With the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, our country’s civil unrest due to various people groups vying for supremacy, veiled as equality and unity (though it is the truest form of racial separatism and universal bigotry), and the results of the Presidential election; many have abandoned reason and rationale for obtuseness and oblivion of all that is good.

None of this sounds very promising does it? It all sounds rather daunting, doesn’t it? And it may well be for the majority, but not for the few of us who are in Christ Jesus. Why is it different for us? Because we are only passing by—this world is not our Home. It is our temporary mission field, where we are commanded by our Master and Lord, to carry on His work of proclaiming the Gospel of God’s grace to all men, in all places, and at all times as the Holy Spirit leads and works through us (Acts 20:24).

The purpose of every Christian is the same.

We are all commanded to expend and exhaust our God-given spiritual gifts, talents, resources, and position(s) of influence, to exalt the name of Jesus Christ and urge all people to repent and believe the Gospel (Rom 1:16-17).

This is why true Christians, true disciples of Christ, truly converted children of the Most High God are concerned about the going ons of the world around us, but we are not crushed by the daily news that surrounds us.

Understanding the present, through the past, for the future.

“Why then has this people turned away

in perpetual backsliding?

They hold fast to deceit;

they refuse to return.

I have paid attention and listened,

but they have not spoken rightly;

no man relents of his evil,

saying, ‘What have I done?’

Everyone turns to his own course,

like a horse plunging headlong into battle.

Even the stork in the heavens

knows her times,

and the turtledove, swallow, and crane

keep the time of their coming,

but my people know not

the rules of the LORD.

“Thus says the LORD:

“Learn not the way of nations,

nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens

because the nations are dismayed at them

for the customs of the peoples are vanity.

“There is none like you, O LORD;

you are great, and your name is great in might.

Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?

For this is your due;

for among all the wise ones of the nations

and in all their kingdoms

there is none like you.

They are both stupid and foolish;

“But the LORD is the true God;

he is the living God and the everlasting King.

At his wrath the earth quakes,

and the nations cannot endure his indignation.”

~Jeremiah 8:5-7; 10:2-3a, 6-8a, 10

Freedom in God’s sovereignty, mercy, and grace.

As God’s holy and beloved children, we prudently perceive our current president, his cabinet, and all other leaders who have proudly proclaimed their allegiance to the building up of sinful desires of the flesh (1 Jn 2:16-17), just as our Father has commanded His children in times past.

We know that nothing is done without God’s active working or passive allowance, for the ultimate good (Christ likeness) for those He loves and has called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28-30, Titus 2:11-14).

“It is I [the LORD] who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whomever it seems right to me. Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and I have given him also the beasts of the field to serve him…if any nation of kingdom will not serve this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and put his neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence, declares the LORD, until I have consumed it by his hand.

“[S]eek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

~Jeremiah 27:5-6, 8; 29:7

How to bless God’s providence.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”

~Romans 13:1-5

Man's Anger Against God is Megalomaniacal Blasphemy

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 22:56:00 +0000

A dangerous yet well-received and popularly-taught practice within Christianity is, "It's okay to be angry with God. He can handle it."

This is not biblical (Ecc 5:1-3; Job 32:2-3, 34:9-10, 40:1-2; Rom 9:19-20).

This is megalomaniacal blasphemy.

It is not a matter of whether or not God can "handle" our anger against Him. What an utterly foolish assessment. It is a matter of whether or not God Almighty, the LORD of hosts, will tolerate such arrogant "Jesus is my pal", disrespectful attitude before His most holy presence.

As William Gurnall once said,

(1.) Faith spies mercy in the greatest affliction—an eye of white in the saddest mixture of providence; so that when the devil provokes to blasphemy from the evil that the creature receives from God, faith shows more good received than evil.
Thus Job quenched this dart which Satan shot at him from his wife’s tongue. ‘Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall not we receive evil?’ Shall a few present troubles be a grave to bury the remembrance of all my past and present mercies? ‘Thou speakest as one of the foolish women.’ What God takes from me is less than I owe him, but what he leaves me is more than he owes me. Solomon bids us, ‘In the day of adversity consider,’ Ec. vii.14. Our unbeseeming thoughts and words of God are the product of a rash hasty spirit. Now faith is a considering grace; ‘He that believeth will not make haste—no not to think or speak of God. Faith hath a good memory, and can tell the Christian many stories of ancient mercies; and when his present meal falls short, it can entertain the soul with a cold dish, and not complain that God keeps a bad house neither. (The Christian in Complete Armour, vol. ii, dir. iii, part ii, div iii, First Design 3.1)

I do not count this against the unbelieving. For what do they know or proclaim to know about God? Of course they will blaspheme. They are enslaved to all sin. And therefore, I have great pity on them and great compassion for them. I pray that God will forgive them and in His great mercy, just as He has granted such a vile woman as me, that He would also grant them the gift of repentance that leads to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

However, I do admonish and strongly urge all who profess the name of the LORD, yet teach and promote this ungodly practice—to repent. Repent of teaching and encouraging others that man’s angry complaints against God is the truest and humblest form of transparent Christianity (being like Christ). It is not. For Christ was never angry against His God and Father. And anyone who supposes to do anything that Christ Himself did not do or teach, is a person who is warped and should repent of their foolishness, rather than falsely teach and mislead others in what most pleases, honors, and glorifies God.

All who teach, should teach with fear and trembling, rather than with arrogance and delusions of grandeur (megalomania).

Heed these words from our LORD:

You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Rom 2:23-24)

Update On Where I've Been and Where I'm Headed

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 20:12:00 +0000

Where I’ve Been

In January 2020 I had my third heart surgery. Then I had serious issues with my eyes caused by my atrial fibrillation. While that was creating more appointments to my retina specialist, both my knees and my right elbow continued to worsen.

Since the last time I wrote (April 2020), I’ve had three surgeries within three months. I had my second surgery on my right knee in July, a major elbow surgery in September, and a minor surgery to remove and biopsy a small lump on the inside of my right cheek. All this has been quite daunting and depressing.

To add to my already (as one of my specialist put it) “eventful medical record”, I was also having severe pain in my index finger on my left hand. However, I didn’t mention it to anyone because there was already so much going on, that I could tell that I was overwhelming my doctors. And because I had already asked my Father, if it would please Him, to resolve this ailment without the use of medical intervention, I waited patiently, while seeking fervently for His answer.

During about four months of waiting, I suffered silently in prayer, but not alone in prayer. For my Lord Jesus is always with me and ever intercedes for me.

After several months had passed, all my fingers on my left hand and my right hand began to feel as if someone was crushing each one of them, while simultaneously setting them on fire. Also, some of my fingers began to turn blue. So when I was two weeks post-op from my elbow surgery, I shared my excruciating pain with my darling husband, and made an appointment with my dermatologist. She diagnosed me with secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon, that is being caused by another connective tissue disease. She then referred me to a rheumatologist who will examine, run tests, and treat both my Raynaud’s and whatever connective tissue disease is causing it.

For the time being, I’ve been prescribed diltiazem for systemic treatment and relief, as well as a nitroglycerin cream to provide my fingers some immediate relief. I was also told to wear gloves at all times (even while asleep), and to keep from touching anything cold with my bare hands.

Now that the weather here in Texas has cooled off, no one stares at me for wearing gloves everywhere. At first, many people stared and some asked if it was really that cold outside, or if I was taking extra COVID precautions.

I was quite the site up until a couple of weeks ago. Not only did I wear gloves at all times, but I also had a full leg brace on my left leg, a brace and compression sleeve on my right leg, a full arm (from shoulder to wrist) cast on my right arm (then eventually a full arm, telescopic brace), and a sleeve on my left arm. Yes, I got stared at quite a bit. But not by anyone for parking in the handicapped spot. Hmm…I wonder why? (I’m giggling as I write this part.)

Where I’m Headed

Therefore, in order to make the best use of my time with every new ailment and every new specialist (Eph 5:16-17), I’ve been repenting more, so that I may walk humbly with my Lord; neither foolishly running ahead of Him, nor idly walking behind Him (Js 4:17). It’s important to me to repent first of my past encounters I have had with others during my sufferings, that I may not repeat the same sins—sins of trying to be more cheerful or concerned, or apathetic, or…whatever I think might best demonstrate the power of Christ in me; rather than praying Ephesians 4:29 (trusting that God alone knows what the best demonstration of His power is for each person).

I’m grateful to my Father for granting me the freedom in Christ to be able to repent daily. I love being set free to repent because it’s always such a delightful and refreshing time with my Father. Just like a good cry helps the weight of burdens flee, repenting to the LORD and whomever I’ve sinned against relieves me of God’s opposing hand. And I get to once again, be exalted to be nearer to Him (Js 4:6-10); enjoying His perfect peace (Is 26:3-4).

When my Father faithfully washes and renews my mind with His Word, my eyes see clearly; my ears hear obediently; my mind understands humbly; and my heart desires greatly, to follow my Lord into any and all hardships—knowing that like my Savior, I will learn obedience through what I suffer (Ps 119:67-68 and 71; Heb 5:7-8).

I pray for my Father to daily, help me forget what’s behind (failures and successes) and strain towards the good work He has prepared for me in advance, that I might walk in them (Phil 3:14, Eph 2:10).

To God be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

These Eyes Can Still See The LORD

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:18:00 +0000

As many of you know, I daily face many serious and painful health challenges. To quote one of my 12 specialists, I have a very "eventful medical history".

And the events continue.

In February of this year,my stellar Optometrist, Dr. Jeff Thomas, found a tiny spot near the macula of my left eye and some bleeding in my back of my right eye. But nothing to be too concerned with at the time.

This past week, my vision began to decrease daily; especially in my left eye. I didn't tell my darling husband Jim until yesterday, because he always makes me call a doctor. The only reason I told him at all, was because my sight has become so hindered in just the past few days, I was sure he would notice. So, to stay out of trouble, I shared it with him as merely an FYI situation. So if he notices that I can't see something, then he'll have a heads up. The end.

Unfortunately, my darling Jim mistook my simple FYI for a, "Should I call the doctor?" Long story short, per my husband's direction, I called my Dr. Thomas' office only to obey my husband and give them an update. I knew that they were only seeing emergency cases, and was sure this would not fall under that category. So though I felt this call unnecessary, I did as my darling husband asked.

The options Dr. Thomas' office is kindly offering patients is: phone triage, update to her manager and/or Dr. Thomas to let them determine if we can simply do a triage phone call, tele-visit, or in-person visit.

After Dr. Thomas called me yesterday, he determined that I needed to be seen in person for further testing. And he made an appointment to be seen earlier this morning.

We found out that since February, the teeny tiny spot near my macula in my left eye has grown quite a bit in a short amount of time. I now have two cysts that are causing swelling near my macula—cystoid macular edema (CME). And a little thinning of my retinal matter in my right eye. This explains why my eyesight is very blurry, colors are dull, and I have some blind spots in my vision.

And here I thought it was all just hormonal imbalance. Of course, I initially blame all my declining health issues on hormonal imbalance. And so far, I'm batting a thousand (obviously, I jest).

After his findings, Dr. Thomas informed me that I'd have to see a Retina Specialist. But the Ophthalmologist that's at the top of his list is difficult to get into. He said that he'd try to get me in within the next two or three weeks. Shortly after I arrived home, Dr. Thomas' office called me and informed me that I have an appointment with the Retina Specialist, tomorrow, at noon.

So here we go again.

Surprisingly, though I am not looking forward to add to my already "eventful medical history", I'm not at all afraid or the least bit anxious. The first thought that came to mind was, "Should I lose my eyesight, these eyes can still see the LORD." And having that thought be the first thing to pop into my mind, was planted there by my God and Father, to set my feet on solid ground, making my steps secure; regardless of how well I can see the physical steps I take.

No matter how well I can or cannot see with these temporal and physical eyes, it has no adverse effect on how well I can or cannot see my LORD. For my God is always with me, and what He sees and perceives, is what I get to see and perceive, in Christ Jesus my Lord.

My life is not determined by anything in this world. I am not limited by any physical space or time. I am free in Christ, to live exactly as He has ordained for me to live—in His good and perfect will.

For those of you who are led by the Holy Spirit to pray for me. Please follow His leading and not your own. Please pray as our Lord Jesus taught us to pray, for God's will and not our will. And what is His will for this? It's the same as He said in John 9:3, and so many other passages of Scripture that speak of the glory, honor, and exaltation of God and His gracious and merciful Gospel of peace. So, in that vein, please pray for me to have the courageous and loving compassion of Christ, to "see" people the way He sees them: lost or found. And pray that in so doing, that I may seek to do good to others, rather than seek comfort or any good for myself. For I already have more than I need through the glorious and inexplicable riches of Christ Jesus.

(If you're wondering, yes, this was very difficult to type. So if you see typos or strange sentence structure, that is why. And if you don't see any errors, thanks be to God!)

God Doesn't Sink

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 06:37:00 +0000

During the 17th century, Samuel Rutherford (Scottish preacher and author) penned 365 letters to those who were in need of godly counsel, based on the Word of God. In the Letters of Samuel Rutherford we find his sixth letter to Lady Kenmure (Anwoth. November 26, 1631; letter XIX in this publication) to provide her with further: "Encouragement to abound in faith from the prospect of glory—Christ's unchangeableness." He encourages her to, "Be content to wade through the waters betwixt you and glory with him [Christ Jesus], holding his hand fast; for he knoweth all the fords. Howbeit ye may be ducked, yet ye cannot drown, being in his company."

After reading this particular wisdom from this faithful saint of old, the Holy Spirit graciously brought to mind, something the Lord Jesus taught me long ago...

"On that day, when evening had come, He [Jesus] said to them, 'Let us go across to the other side'...And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?' "

~Mark 4:35, 37-40, ESV

Though it's been more than 30 years since I first read this passage, I still marvel at how little has changed from 2,000 years ago with the apostles of Christ, and we, disciples of the Lord, today.

And as I marvel, the Holy Spirit brings me to yet another verse to hearken my mind and heart even more to the living Word of God—"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Here's a sampling of two lessons I've learned from this passage:

Jesus said, they were getting into the boat, because they were going to the other side of the sea. He didn't say, "Let's see if we can make it to the other side." He said they would.
Jesus is God. And God doesn't sink.

Had the apostles remembered these truths they were already, faithfully taught by Christ, rather than defer to pragmatism (testing all things by their own finite knowledge and understanding), they would've practiced faith. They would've refrained from the futile efforts of trying to save themselves, and looked to Jesus, who was in the boat with them—taking a nap—in the midst of the howling winds, threatening waves; in a boat with rising water, yet, remaining afloat.

It may have not looked like a good place or time for napping. But if Christ, their Master and Lord was... then obviously, it was good (cf. Prov 3:5-8).

Let us heed the wisdom recorded in Romans 15:4. And let us, in every circumstance, remember the two things the apostles forgot: Whatever God says is true, and God doesn't sink. And if/when we forget these two truths, just as the apostles who had Jesus with them (just as we do too), then let us be quick to repent of our faithlessness, rather than harp on our unpleasant and/or frightful circumstances. When we repent of taking our eyes off of Jesus, we will immediately feel the weight of sinking flee from us, as our Lord steadily and powerfully leads us through...to the other side.

When our peace and hope are securely in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, we possess, "the rare jewel of Christian contentment" in every circumstance.

"III. A Christian comes to contentment, not so much by getting rid of the burden that is on him, as by adding another burden to himself...You think there is no way in the world to contentment, but, O that this burden were but off! O it is a heavy load, and few know what a burden I have. What, do you think that there is no way for the contentment of your spirit, but to get rid of your burden?...But you are deceived; for if you can get your heart to be more burdened with your sin, you will be less burdened with your afflictions.

"[I]f you so fall to bemoaning your sin before the Lord, you shall quickly find the burden of your affliction to be lighter than it was before. Do but try this piece of skill and art, to get your souls contented with any low circumstance that God puts you in."

~Burroughs, Jeremiah.
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. 1964.

The Banner of Truth Trust, 2018, pp.47-48

I'm Grateful I Grieve When God Grieves

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 21:26:00 +0000

I know it sounds a bit strange to say that I’m grateful I grieve. But when I add the words, “when God grieves”, then, for any beloved child of God Most High, it doesn’t sound strange at all. Rather, it demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit in us; that renews our minds and transforms our hearts to think how God thinks, and to feel what He feels, and do what He does; the way He does it—in His steadfast love, righteousness, and justice (Jer 9:23-24).

One of the sins that us Christians rarely speak, think, or teach about, is the sin of omission. The sin of knowing the good we ought to do and not doing it (Js 4:17). This passive sin (neglecting to do good) grieves our God and Father just as much as when we actively doing evil. Examples of the sin of omission include: neglecting to daily seek the face and counsel of our God in all our ways (Prov 3:5-8) and neglecting to pray without ceasing for the needs of others as well as ourselves.

This particular sin of omission is fresh on my mind and heart, because I recently committed this sin in a most grievous way, before the LORD and to those around me.

As you know, I recently underwent my third heart surgery for my fifth arrhythmia (AFib). And while I was at the hospital, I neither prayed for those around me, nor did I consider if my Lord had any work for me there. As a matter of fact, none of these good deeds, ever occurred to me. Sadly, rather than have my eyes fixed on Jesus, I had them fixed on myself. I was more concerned about the care I was receiving, rather than on the cares of Jesus and those He came to save.

I thought I was only there to repair a malfunction in my physical heart. But our faithful and kind and compassionate Father revealed to me, that I had a major malfunction in my spiritual heart as well. My physical heart was beating chaotically because of AFib. This caused ischemia in my blood vessels, and slightly enlarged my heart. Likewise, the my spiritual heartbeat was chaotic rather than beating in the orderly and harmonious way of my Savior. Due to suffering from ingrown eyeballs, the lifeblood of Christ (His Holy Spirit), had less effect on my fatty soul while at the hospital (Ps 119:70a).

When I arrived home, I was grieved. So I prayed…and prayed…and prayed for several days—alone. With my grief growing, rather than dissipating, I humbled myself and asked my husband to pray for me regarding this matter. After several days had passed, my grief began to consume me, “Did I sin against my God by not sharing the Gospel at the Hospital, or did He close the doors for me to do so?” I was completely disconcerted not knowing if my grief was due to sin, or because Satan was trying to guilt me into stumbling. So I humbled myself again, and asked my pastor to pray for me also. Then, the very next day, as I was reading Psalm 91:1 (yes, I didn’t get very far) the LORD answered me.

My merciful Father showed me what He saw in my heart—spiritual complacency.

The Holy Spirit reminded me of what I’ve long learned from the Word of God, specifically Proverbs 3:27-28, Romans 12:1-3, Philippians, 2:3-4, and the denouement…James 4:17.

The greatest good, the most magnificent gift and treasure I always have with me, is the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6-12). And this, I neither remembered nor did it even enter my mind to offer this good gift to those around me (Prov. 3:27-28). Forgetting the former, caused me to seek God’s Word only for myself, and not for the good of others. Rather than be there with a renewed mind, I sinned by conforming to the futile ways of my flesh—caring more for myself than those around me. This sin begat more sin, and I disobeyed Philippians 2:3-4. I was selfish. I was not humble. I did not consider others more significant than myself, and in so doing, the view of myself became larger than my view of God.

This grief would’ve been beyond consolation if not for God’s first gift of grace, and our first act of submission and happy obedience to Him—repentance (Mk 1:15, Mt 3:8, Rom 2:4, Eph 2:1-10).

Though I sinned grievously against my Lord from the moment I arrived at the hospital to the time I left, my Father did not leave me in my sin. Because He chose me before the foundation of the world, and sent His one and only Son to be the propitiation and expiation for my putrid sins, I am free to practice the gift of repentance all the days of my life. I am free in Christ to live in His righteousness. I am free in Christ to confess my sins before the Lord Almighty and to those I’ve sinned against, as well as those I need to intercede for me (Jas 5:16). I am free in Christ to regain intimacy with my Lord when I repent (Jas 4:6-10); for a broken and contrite heart are the sacrifices that God does not despise (Ps 51:16-17).

May our God and Father use this article to bring comfort to you if you are grieved by your sin. And may He use it as a wholesome nourishment to your soul, that you may daily bear the fruit of repentance so that you may maintain a deeper intimacy with our Father, and greater resolve, to sin less.

For more encouragement on what godly sorrow is (2 Cor 7:9-10) and how to daily practice this grace from our Father, please listen to my pastor’s sermon. Be sure to have a note pad with you so that you may make note of the Scriptures he shares, as well as what the Holy Spirit is teaching you through this faithful slave of Christ.

I Will Not Refuse What Refines

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 12:00:00 +0000

As my earthly tent continues to weaken, due to the the 13 years in which the Lord Jesus carried me through a brutal and torrential storm of persecution, my mind and heart delight in these words from my Lord,

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst…”

~Matthew 11:27-30, John 6:35

On January 8, 2020, I will undergo my 3rd heart surgery (cardiac ablation for atrial fibrillation) and 13th surgery within an 11-year-period of time. Less invasive methods for my fifth arrhythmia have already been tried and found to be ineffective. My most recent physical affliction has caused me to daily suffer from extreme fatigue, light-headedness, headaches, and nausea, with occasional incidences of near syncope. I’ve had adjustments made to my pacemaker to help prevent a heart attack, and prescribed a blood thinner to help prevent blood clots and stroke.

To compound the stress put on my worn and weary heart, I’ve also been suffering a great deal from a “thorn” of Satan (spiritual persecution from a professing believer).

It is easy to be dismayed when my eyes are focused on the here and now, on myself and others, rather than on the there and then, and on my God and Father. But when I lift my eyes to the hills, where my help comes from; from the Maker of Heaven and earth, then though I can only dimly see eternal things, it is still a more beautiful and truer sight of what is real, and perfectly good. And in the light of what awaits me in my Forever Home with Christ my God, I feel I can perceive all things here, even more lucidly.

Therefore, shall I complain of my sufferings—minuscule in comparison to what my Lord suffered for my sake? Shall I be perplexed by the fiery trials of unmitigated and unfounded disdain? Shall I desire less hardships in this life, than what my Lord taught me to expect in His Word? Shall I be surprised by the insults and hatred of false professors who practice the works of the flesh (idolatry, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger; Gal 5:19-21)?

No. I shall not refuse what my Lord uses to refine me. Rather, I ask for it. I ask that people will see Christ and the holiness of God, rather than see me. I pray that if in so doing, people misunderstand and mistake my own character—of weakness, frailty, and fear of man, for the character of Christ—humility, strength, and steadfastness.

In Matthew 10:34-36 and 1 Peter 4:12-14, my Father has faithfully reminded me that though those who feign victimhood receive comfort and encouragement, and it seems that I am left out in the cold, because of Christ, this is an impossibility. The truth is, all who are in Christ, are hid and sealed in the hand of the Almighty who is a consuming fire. And we are therefore, always warmed and kept safe by His divine hand, whether or not He allows people to participate in this compassionate work of His grace in truth.

Remembering this, I am able to endure the loss of all things (bodily health, beloved relationships), for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, my First and Greatest Love, and my most magnificent and sufficient Portion forever. For I have none in Heaven but my LORD. And there is none on earth that I desire equal to or above Him. Though my flesh and my heart fail me, because God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever, I have the inexplicable happiness and highest honor of being able to daily feed from God’s Word, and drink from His Holy Spirit—having my hunger and thirst wholly satisfied beyond what I even knew was possible.

‘Come unto me and drink’…Not, come and take a hasty draught; not, come and slightly alleviate, or for a short time remove one’s thirst. No! ‘drink,’ or ‘be drinking’ constantly, habitually.

Do not let us change the Savior’s words…It is not ‘Whosoever has drunk,’ but ‘Whosoever drinketh.’ It is not one isolated draught he speaks, or even many, but of the continuous habit of the soul. In John 6:35, also, the full meaning is this, ‘He who is habitually coming to me shall by no means hunger, and he who is believing on me shall no means thirst.’ The habit of coming in faith to him is incompatible with unmet hunger and thirst…

It seems to me that where many of us err is in leaving our drinking in the past, while our thirst continues present. What we need is to be drinking—yes, thankfully for each occasion which drives us to drink ever more deeply of the living water.

~Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor,

1 Peter 4:1-5.

God's Peace is Better Than Worldly Feasts

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 19:06:00 +0000

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

"So Zedekiah gave orders, and they committed Jeremiah to the court of the guard. And a loaf of bread was given him daily from the bakers' street, until all the bread of the city was gone. So Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.

~Proverbs 17:1; Jeremiah 37:21, ESV

Yesterday, part of my Bible reading was Proverbs 17. Today, part of my Bible reading was Jeremiah 37. When I came to the last verse of Jeremiah 37, God's faithful Holy Spirit reminded me of Proverbs 17:1.

What a joy and peace we have in Christ! Because God is faithful to complete the good work of salvation He granted to us through His Son, we have the peaceful assurance of sanctification. Our participation in our spiritual growth is simple—daily feed our souls and cleanse our consciences with the Word of God. And the Holy Spirit will not neglect to renew our minds and transform our hearts ever so much more, into the image of Christ Jesus our Lord (Jn 14:26, 1 Cor 2:12-13).

This is something the Prophet Jeremiah knew well—that is better to be unpopular and imprisoned by man for honoring the Lord, than to be popular and accepted by people, who are about to be imprisoned by God for their rebellion against Him.

In this world, a person is deemed successful, inspiring, encouraging, and an asset, only if they amass a great number of "followers" both in real-life and social-media-life. As professing disciples of Jesus Christ, our estimation of these things should not be the same as the world’s, but be the same as our Lord and Master's—joyful submission to God's Word, for His glory, pleasure, praise, and exaltation alone (Jn 15:5-11, Gal 1:10).

We ought to be different from the world, in every way (in thought, word, work ethics, how we worship God, how we dress ourselves, how we keep our homes, how we treat: our spouses, train children, love the saints and the lost).

We ought to be holy.

We ought to be the light to this world; giving sight, knowledge, and understanding of truth to those whose hearts, minds, and souls are darkened by their sins. And the salt of the earth; proclaiming the only life-preserving, life-giving message—the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to a tasteless, baseless, and dying world.

Though we can be, the Bride of Christ is not yet, what Christ saved, equipped, and commanded us to be. Dangerously, too many professing believers imitate the world and its relative definition of good and right, rather than God's righteous definitions of these things.

As long as the children of the Most High God continue to allow ourselves to be lulled to sleep by the temptations of this world—to be our own gods; only using people for our pleasures, rather than loving people for God’s glory, we will continue to be of little good to those we claim to love. It is only when we spend more time in God’s Word, in studying His holy precepts, and loving all His statutes so much, that the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit will flow from within us, to others, effortlessly (1 Cor 2:4-5).

So as we look to celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday with family, friends, and for some of us (as the Lord enables), strangers, that we welcome at our table; let us gather and give thanks differently than the world. Let us remember to give thanks not for the quantity of people around us, but because of the greatness of the God who gave us all life and liberty in Jesus Christ.

For it is far better to spend this Thanksgiving in God’s peace with a few—to give thanks to God Most High for all His goodness to us (Ps 116:12-14), than it is to be gathered with many in strife, for the sake of tradition and social media posts.

I know this article will find many of you in varying, yet common circumstances of life; both pleasant and ill. But no matter what your present state with people may be, if you know Christ and are known by Him, be comforted and encouraged that God is sovereign, God is good, and God loves you in Christ Jesus. Therefore, our Father is using all things (pleasant and painful) to conform you into the image of His Son (Rom 8:28-30). And for this, we can all give thanks to our God above, for all that He wills to happen here below.

Never forget…

Peace and happiness are not found from the absence of conflict with people. Peace and happiness are found only, in the absence of conflict with God.

We Praise What We Most Value

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 12:30:00 +0000

What we praise, proves what we value. And what we value, determines our moral compass.

If we value all that glitters (gifts that make us feel important, our homes, cars, vacations), all that feeds our egos (popularity, flattery, external beauty) and all that the world values (positive thinking, constant entertainment, Photoshopped versions of our lives a.k.a social media), then that is what we will praise, value, and fight for. But if what we value are the things of God: holiness, righteousness, justice, kindness, sacrificial living/giving, and humility/humiliation; then that is what we will praise, value, and fight for.

Let the saints learn then to be more open mouthed for Christ. Let them commend him to others, and commend him from their own experience; first, to their fellow saints, saying, ‘Come, and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.’ O! should not Christ’s friends be commending their friend one to another. This would be a most seasonable work at this day, in which religion is decaying…

If we esteem one highly, it is natural to take his part, and to do what we can to support his interest and honour; and if Christ have our hearts, he will get our endeavors that way also.

~Thomas Boston,

I Count All Things But Loss: 8 Sermons on Philippians 3:8-9

Sermon 1.I.1

When we abide in Jesus Christ, we no longer deem something to be a gift of love and sacrifice because it makes us look or feel good. Rather, we humbly praise and are immensely grateful for a widow's mite—the things we most often take for granted because we think too little of them (daily biblical-intercessory prayer, a loving phone call, a kind visit, a thoughtful note as the Spirit leads).

When we judge ourselves and the world around us justly, that is, by the Word of God, we clearly see that whatever good we receive, is from the Lord (Jn 7:24, Acts 17:11, 1 Thess 5:21-22). If a person believes the truth of the Gospel—that they've sinned against a holy God, and therefore, have made themselves His enemies and duly deserve His wrath to be poured out onto them, then they soberly fear the LORD (Ps 111:10). And only then is that person happily humbled and immensely grateful for God's gift of repentance and faith in the righteous work of Jesus, that cleanses us from all unrighteousness, and robes us with the righteousness of the only begotten Son of God.

Therefore, let us learn to daily examine our hearts, by what comes out of our mouths (Mt 15:18-19). Without any external prodding, what do we most frequently and with the most excitement, praise and thank God for?

If you want to know the truth about yourself, I urge you to do this, every day, for just a week. Keep a journal or make notes on your phone of: what and who you praise, how often you do it, and why you’re praising it/them (in private and/or public).

In performing this simple and practical exercise of self-examination, you will assuredly discover four things:

If you are a grateful person (expressing gratitude for any good), or a complaining person (entitled grumbling and speaking/presuming evil of others);
If you’re more protective of your self-image, or of God’s holy Name and His image;
If you’re more concerned about people offending you, or of you offending God;
If you’re more inclined to entertainment and flattery, or God’s kingdom and His glory.

When we cultivate a daily practice of measuring ourselves with the only straight ruler, the Word of God, we will faithfully produce the good fruit of Christ Jesus our Lord. And when we go Home, we will arrive with a harvest of righteousness that was sown in peace, by the hand of God Almighty.

From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I perform before those who fear Him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!

~Psalm 22:25-26, ESV