Oasis Well

Musing #2…Another Giant to Slay

Sharon — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:35:14 +0000

During these last several weeks I’ve so often wanted to sit and write my heart. However, sitting for any length of time has been a painful challenge, even with a laptop. I’ve come to the conclusion that for a woman ALL of our internal organs sit on top of our bladders!

So many of my family and friends have asked me to give them an update and I don’t like sending personal e-mails out in a mass mailing. I’ve done so, but I don’t prefer doing so. Today I have less discomfort and feel another level better…so here I am at the keyboard…and it feels very good and right to be able to type my heart again.

Out of much musing, prayer and remembering what God has done for me in the past (do you know God tells us to ‘remember’ 144 times in the Bible?) came another reason why it is so vital to KNOW God…Who He is…and to be so thankful that God nudged me into an on-going study of His names many years ago:
2Timothy 1:12 “….for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
Know: Strong’s Concordance: to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know: – be aware, behold, consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand,
Day: Strong’s Concordance: Feminine…meaning tame, that is, gentle; day, that is, (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours; figuratively a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context): – age, + alway, (mid-) day (by day, [-ly]), + for ever, (day) time, while, years.

I had never looked up the meaning of the word “day” before. I had always thought it meant a time of adversity, trauma, etc. I had always considered that I had better commit all I can to Who I knew God to be for troubling days will surely come. No, rather everyday…gentle day, 24 hours a day or day of adversity…the key to victory over the happenings we face each day is in knowing the God we have believed so we can be persuaded (rely (by inward certainty): agree, assure, have confidence, trust, yield) that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him each day.

Some days have been difficult for me and I am so thankful that I have landmarks…a myriad of times when God specifically blessed me with an answered prayer, a passing wish or a special surprise blessing. I’m also thankful for the landmarks where He touched me with His healing Word and raised me up physically. I have found His peace a zillion times since December…every time I’ve uttered, “El Gomer, You are the God Who works for me…and I trust you Lord Jesus.”

At 2:10 a.m. one Monday morning early this month I was sitting on God’s lap in pain and very weary. Each day for two weeks I had felt weaker and sicker and, with Jesus and a son in Heaven, it had grown into a tug of war for me to want to stay here on earth. God flooded my heart with Psalm 118:17 “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.” When I woke up in the morning I felt a level better and (excluding some bouts with kidney stones) have felt a little better each day. I give God all of the glory!!!

I know, like every other child of God, my days are numbered and I don’t know when I’ll graduate to Heaven. I only know that my heart’s desire is to make every day count for God’s Kingdom by being a blessing to others…by lifting the spirit of a discouraged heart…by standing in prayer for others…by wearing the smile and speaking the words of a blessed and joyful Christian!

Another verse has sat on my heart each day during these past two weeks: John 11:4 “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”
I have asked God to make me quickly aware of all I need to commit to Him each day for He has promised to keep (watch, be on guard, preserve) it all each day.
2Timothy 1:12 “….for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

Cancer…another giant to slay.

Sharon — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:43:28 +0000

A time of musing……….
I have so many thoughts in my heart that I want to share with others. I’m not going to call for my editor to make this document grammar perfect. I’m just going to muse at this keyboard and prayerfully share what fills my heart at this moment of my life.

It has been a month since I was diagnosed with bladder cancer…stage 3. Yesterday I heard the doctor say that the cancer is invasive into the muscle wall—not contained in the bladder. I will have a CT scan done in a couple of days to see if the cancer has spread to other organs.

With my medical maladies chemotherapy and radiation are not options for me. If the cancer is in other organ(s) surgery to remove the bladder is also not an option. God has given me peace that this kind of surgery is not an option regardless of the results of the CT scan. Many years ago God began speaking to me about the growing lack of dignity in dying…options for quality of last days and not quantity of last days. So, for quality of however many days God has for me on earth I have changed my diet to organic and am working with a nutritionist as I, and many other people, intercede in prayer.

Since having Bulbar Polio at age 6 I have had to live my life depending on God for my very breath…since breathing is essential to life. Thirty-five years ago I learned that taking Prednisone had caused me to become a diabetic. So, I’ve had to live my life depending on God to keep me from the debilitating adverse affects of that disease. And God/Jehovah-rapha…He has kept me from, and many times healed me from, all manner of infections and complications. I love and praise Him!

All that to say that this new trial in my life is really no different for me to deal with than the last 62 years. God is in control of all of our days…which are numbered. I have always said that regardless of what a Christian has wrong with them that they aren’t going to die until their appointed number of days are up. I know, and probably all of us know, saints of God who were given months to live and lived for many, many years.

Friends often call me to express their sorrow and I pray that God will continue to allow me to speak hope to them…and not hear me sorrow for this trial in my life or disappointment in my Abba Father. For I do have a song in my heart that I want to ‘sing’ every day until I see Jesus:
“He only is my rock and my salvation (deliverance, health, help, salvation); he is my defence (refuge); I shall not be greatly moved…. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation (thing that I long for) is from him.” He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved (waver, slip, shake, fall). In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust (be confident or sure; be bold; confident, sure, secure; to hope) in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Psalm 62:2;5-8 (Words in parenthesis are definitions from the Strong’s Concordance.)

God is so Awesome, loving, mighty, and in control of all. I have encouraged so many people over the last thirty years to get to really know WHO God is and not just WHAT God does for us. I have pleaded with people to study the names of Almighty God to get to know His character and His heart. To live in this world without this understanding…I cannot imagine how confusing or hard this would make each day.

I have no fear for God will heal me perfectly. I can say that without reservation because his name is Jehovah-rapha…the God Who heals His children. Healing is His name and His character and He can never change. Each of His children have this assurance…God will heal them. Where He chooses to heal them will be according to His divine and perfect will: On earth or in Heaven. My responsibility is to live each day abiding in Him and looking for opportunities to make a difference in the lives of other people…to glorify God each day I have breath.

Psalm 94:17-19 “Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in
silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts (compassion, solace) delight my soul.”

Our Adopted Angel…

Sharon — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:02:53 +0000

34 years ago today God gave us a daughter sent special delivery from Heaven!!! 34 years ago today we went to a Social Service office and Kristina was placed in our arms by her foster parents.

To Kristina: Years ago I read in Stormie Omartain’s book that she knew God gave her a daughter to recompense for all of her childhood grief. You were just a little girl when I read that but I know, without a doubt, that God did the same for me when He gave you to us. I remember sitting in the room in Manitowoc…dad, your brother Joe and me waiting for the foster parents to come with you. I remember my heart feeling torn…elated that we were going to take you home and agonizing for the foster parents who had cared for you as their own for 7 1/2 months.

Joe talked to you and sang to you all the way home. He was sooooooooooo proud that HIS prayers had been answered! I remember grandpa and grandma coming over as soon as we got home…and the Claycomb’s were right behind them…then Uncle Paul and Aunt Brenda and baby cousin Danielle! You were welcomed with lots of love!!!

You are the most special kind of blessing to my life…a young woman who loves and serves the Lord and a dear, sweet best friend to me as well as my daughter. You have never given us memories of grief…just joy and love and four very, very special grandchildren….and a wonderful, godly and loving son-in-law!!! I don’t tell you often enough how special you are to me…loved, appreciated and cherished. But on this 34th anniversary of your homecoming I take this moment to put it in words.

I love you so much, Mom

It’s been awhile…….

Sharon — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:04:58 +0000

I’ve had a long, strenuous and blessed six months of physical ‘recoup and renew’ time. It has been a time of seeking and listening concerning what God’s will is for me at this time in my life. The organization I have directed for ten years has pulled back to the Internet and as I have begun to feel better I have become an increasingly frustrated person because I am not using the talents and gifts God gave to me…and that always, always causes frustration in the life of a Christian.

Yesterday my dear friend sent me the following quote….a needed this balm of Gilead for my heart.

“God was the one who formed you, gave you the breath of life, and brought you into the world. He did this so that His arms could embrace you and His love could keep you. He wanted you to know that your relationship with Him would always be of more value than the things He would have you do for Him. He wanted you to be certain that He loved you completely before you ever did anything in His service, so that your service would never become a way of trying to earn His love or favor.

As you came to know His heart and hear His voice, you heard Him speak a call to your life. This call would mean that He would never ask you to do anything for Him that He expected you to do without Him. He alone would be your sufficiency. His only desire is that you daily open your heart to His resources — never saying “I can’t” without also being able to say “He can!”

Now you are in the place He has called you. He has made no mistakes in leading you. Even in the hard places He is working out what is best — not only for you and for others, but also His Kingdom. He is not looking at your statistics or programs to measure you; He is looking at your heart to see if you are faithful. He wants you to know that the results of your obedience are for Him to determine. Be assured that it is His presence that will keep you and make you strong.

You are in God’s place at Gods perfect time. Your days are in His hands, and He is your future. He gifted you and placed His hand upon you to bless you and make you a blessing. The burden of your ministry is not yours to carry — as you rest, He will work; as you abide, He will bring fruit; as you sow, He will give the increase. He is your shield and your exceeding great reward.

He is your provider. He will take care of you. He will nurture and sustain you. His Spirit is the wind to cool you, the water to refresh you, the power to enable you, the oil to anoint you, and the river that flows through you to touch the lives of others. Continue to be God’s servant, in God’s place, doing God’s will, in God’s way, and always remember — God has chosen you!” — Roy Lessin

Relationship…or Religion?

Sharon — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:25:57 +0000

Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow (pursue; press toward) after, if that I may apprehend (take eagerly; seize; possess; obtain; perceive; overtake) that for which also I am apprehended (take eagerly; seize; possess; obtain; perceive; overtake) of Christ Jesus.
:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Word definitions in parenthesis from the Strong’s Concordance.)

About twelve years ago I came to the startling realization that I was a shallow Christian living mainly on my religion…basing my standing with God on do’s and don’ts and preferences/rules that are not mentioned in the Word of God. So I stopped and sat down in a dry desert place with my heart weeping for a deeper relationship with God.

Life for our family had grown complicated and one morning I realized all I knew about God–and my shallow connection/relationship with Him–was no longer sufficient to live victoriously above my situations. So I began a journey to know God intimately. Oh “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection” became the consuming cry of my heart….full well knowing that “the fellowship of His sufferings” would make me conformable unto His death.

The first step of my journey required a renewing of my mind concerning religion vs. relationship with God. I had to come to the place where I realized that Jesus didn’t die so His children could be religious…He didn’t die so His children could each have their own brand of religion, be in our own cloistered denominations saturated with pride of thinking we are the only ones who are “right”. No, Jesus died to provide His children with intimate fellowship with Him. The veil of the temple was rent/torn from top to bottom so we could have access to the Holy of Holies…His presence 24/7. Jesus died to provide a deep personal connection with Him. He did not die to provide religion as a substitute for relationship.

In Philippians 3:10 Paul is talking about knowing Christ so we can live a resurrection life of victory over our sin and also over the trouble we will experience because we live in a sin-cursed world: The resurrection life is living a life where no matter what is going on around us we find the strength in Christ to live above it…not yielding to despair because of it.

Verse 12: We are to press on, not for what we want, but for the will of God. And we aren’t to follow after God pressing onward for prosperity, health, job promotion, personal promotion or other things ‘we’ want…we “follow after”/press on for the will of God, regardless of what His will may be for us.

Pressing on as we walk with God brings us to a place of needed surrender to God. (Romans 12:1-2) I had to come to the place in my life where I could trust all of God with all of me and tell Him that whatever His path and workings were for my life I would be okay with it…instead of squirming and working to change it to what I wanted and/or what was comfortable. Each of God’s children must come to the place where we are okay with His will because we trust Him…then we will begin to know Him and develop a very necessary intimate relationship with Him.

Getting to know God intimately requires an investment of time…an investment which will never bring regret. 2Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” And as much as we need to study the Word of God for doctrine and truth we also need to study to be quiet (I Thessalonians 4:11) and listen for the still small voice of God as we seek a deep relationship with our Abba Father. Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God:” John 10:4 “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” God’s wants to fellowship with us…speak to our hearts as a parent does with their child and as friend does with friend. God created us to have fellowship with Him…to walk and talk with him in whatever garden His will creates for us.

May we all remember that Jesus didn’t die so we could be religious…He didn’t die so His children could each have our own brand of religion, be in our own little denominations touting our preferences as Biblical truth, with the pride of thinking we are the only ones who are “right”. No, Jesus died to provide His children with intimate fellowship with Him…the veil of the temple was rent/torn from top to bottom so we could have access to the Holy of Holies. Jesus died to provide a deep personal connection with Him. He did not die to provide religion as a substitute for relationship. I know from experience that religion will never enable us to live a victorious Christian life.

Relationship…..or Religion?

Sharon — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:31:52 +0000

Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow (pursue; press toward) after, if that I may apprehend (take eagerly; seize; possess; obtain; perceive; overtake) that for which also I am apprehended (take eagerly; seize; possess; obtain; perceive; overtake) of Christ Jesus.
:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Word definitions in parenthesis from the Strong’s Concordance.)

About twelve years ago I came to the startling realization that I was a shallow Christian living mainly on my religion…basing my standing with God on do’s and don’ts and preferences/rules that are not mentioned in the Word of God. So I stopped and sat down in a dry desert place with my heart weeping for a deeper relationship with God.

Life for our family had grown complicated and one morning I realized all I knew about God–and my shallow connection/relationship with Him–was no longer sufficient to live victoriously above my situations. So I began a journey to know God intimately. “Oh that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection” became the consuming cry of my heart….full well knowing that “the fellowship of His sufferings” would make me conformable unto His death.

The first step of my journey required a renewing of my mind concerning religion vs. relationship with God. I had to come to the place where I realized that Jesus didn’t die so His children could be religious…He didn’t die so His children could each have their own brand of religion, be in our own cloistered denominations saturated with pride of thinking we are the only ones who are “right”. No, Jesus died to provide His children with intimate fellowship with Him. The veil of the temple was rent/torn from top to bottom so we could have access to the Holy of Holies…His presence 24/7. Jesus died to provide a deep personal connection with Him. He did not die to provide religion as a substitute for relationship.
In Philippians 3:10 Paul is talking about knowing Christ so we can live a resurrection life of victory over our sin and also the trouble we will experience because we live in a sin-cursed world: The resurrection life is living a life where no matter what is going on around us we find the strength in Christ to live above it…not yielding to despair because of it.

Verse 12: We are to press on, not for what we want, but for the will of God. And we aren’t to follow after God pressing onward for prosperity, health, job promotion, personal promotion or other things ‘we’ want…we “follow after”/press on for the will of God, regardless of what His will may be for us.

Pressing on as we walk with God brings us to a place of needed surrender to God. (Romans 12:1-2) I had to come to the place in my life where I could trust all of God with all of me and tell Him that whatever His path and workings were for my life I would be okay with it, instead of squirming and working to change it to what I wanted and/or what was comfortable. Each of God’s children must come to the place where we are okay with His will because we trust Him…then we will begin to know Him and develop a very necessary intimate relationship with Him.

Getting to know God intimately requires an investment of time…an investment which will never bring regret. 2Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” And as much as we need to study the Word of God for doctrine and truth we also need to study to be quiet (I Thessalonians 4:11) and listen for the still small voice of God as we seek a deep relationship with our Abba Father. Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God:” John 10:4 “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” God’s wants to fellowship with us…speak to our hearts as a parent does with their child and as friend does with friend. God created us to have fellowship with Him…to walk and talk with him in whatever garden His will creates for us.

May we all remember that Jesus didn’t die so we could be religious…He didn’t die so His children could each have their own brand of religion, be in our own little denominations touting our preferences as Biblical truth, with the pride of thinking we are the only ones who are “right”. No, Jesus died to provide His children with intimate fellowship with Him…the veil of the temple was rent/torn from top to bottom so we could have access to the Holy of Holies. Jesus died to provide a deep personal connection with Him. He did not die to provide religion as a substitute for relationship. Religion will never enable us to live a victorious Christian life.

Does God Want Me Whole Or Broken?

Sharon — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:57:35 +0000

A religious ‘doctrine’ has been taught to me since I was a babe in Christ and I accepted it and have taught it to others. I’ve written the teaching into countless articles and my book. However, several months ago God prompted me to seek Him and really study the accepted ‘truth’ that God wants us broken.

After weeks on this study I am left with no doubt about why some Christians (me until now) struggle to have an “Abba Father” relationship with God…one that causes us to lie down in green pastures with God’s perfect joy, peace and rest…a relationship bathed in “lively hope” and love for the God of our salvation/sozo (to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): – heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.)…a relationship bathed in positive hope and victory in Christ instead of so much sadness and depression and anxiety. I’ve struggled with this dichotomy of brokenness vs. wholeness for years and know the issues it causes. But God…enabled me to break this stronghold with the truth of His Word.

I hope this study prompts much thought and consideration and prods many to take a long look at this widely accepted church ‘doctrine’…asking the Holy Spirit to guide and lead and rightly divide the Word of God.

(Words in parenthesis are Strong’s Concordance definitions for the previous word.)

My pastor adamantly stated recently that a doctrine/teaching or instruction cannot be based on just one verse in the Bible. However, this verse is always used to support the doctrine of brokenness: Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken (to burst; bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench) spirit: a broken and a contrite (to collapse (physically or mentally): – break sore) heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Question: Is the reason this scripture is always used because it is the only scripture in the Bible that ‘seems’ to say anything ‘positive’ about brokenness? I have always been taught and believe that a teaching should be based upon two or three truths of scripture but I cannot find others that support the teaching that we are to seek to be broken.

This verse starts with the phrase: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.”
Proverbs 17:22 is the only other scripture that refers to a ‘broken spirit.’ Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth (to be ashamed, confused, disappointed, confounded) the bones”

In reading the above two verses, Psalm 51:7 and Proverbs 17:22 and the word definitions from the Strong’s Concordance I was jolted by a huge question about Luke 4:18 Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”.
Word definitions from Strong’s Concordance:
Poor—beggerly; destitute of learning or culture
Brokenhearted—break in pieces, bruise, to tear one’s own body, shatter one’s strength
Blind—physically blind; ignorance to spiritual things
Liberty—release from bondage or imprisonment (strong holds)
Bruised—break, shatter, smite through

The jolting question, which came from deep within my spirit, was how can I seek to be broken and accept all Jesus came to provide for me? And the Word of God immediately filled my mind with scripture concerning His will for my being whole.

Matthew 9:22 “But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” (whole: to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): – heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.)

Matthew 12:13 “Then saith He to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.” (whole: healthy, that is, well (in body); figuratively true (in doctrine): – sound, whole.”

Matthew 14:36 “And besought Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” (perfectly whole: to save thoroughly, that is, (by implication or analogy) to cure, preserve, rescue, etc.: – bring safe, escape (safe), heal, make perfectly whole, save.)

Matthew 15:28 “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (whole: to cure (literally or figuratively): – heal, make whole.)

John 5:6 “When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?” (whole: healthy, that is, well (in body); figuratively true (in doctrine): – sound, whole.)

Acts 9:34 “And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.” (whole: to cure (literally or figuratively): – heal, make whole.)
Whole…God wants us whole, complete, nothing missing nothing broken! And whole is the opposite of broken.

The rest of Psalm 51:17*: “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Let’s look at Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth (open wide or free) such as be of a contrite (crushed to powder or destroyed) spirit.”

Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” (delivereth: to snatch away, defend, deliver (self), escape, without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, strip, surely, take (out).

I have spent weeks seeking and listening to God’s still small voice concerning these Scriptures because my accepting of, and belief in, this ‘doctrine’ has caused much uncomfortable confusion in my walk with God. Through this study I realized that I needed to purge it and let Scripture renew my mind. I believe without doubt these passages of Scripture are teaching me that God does not and will not condemn us for being broken by adverse circumstances…carrying baggage from our past until we learn to lay it at the cross. But the Word of God teaches that Jesus died for our salvation and the word for ‘saved’ is “sozo” which defined by the Strong’s Concordance means: to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): – heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole. I could not help but to come to the conclusion that it is a dichotomy to say that I am saved/made hole by the blood of the Lamb of God BUT I need to seek to be broken.

*I went back into the Hebrew for Psalms 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” And I believe the following text explains it very well.

“Sacrifice to God is the birthing of the Spirit. – or – Sacrifice to God is the quenching of anger. A humble heart God will not condemn. – or – A broken/crushed/oppressed heart God will not condemn.

Now I know what people MEAN when they say that a Christian should become “broken.” They really mean bringing the body (flesh) and soul (mind, will and emotions) under the control of the spirit. And that IS completely scriptural! But that process, starting with the renewal of the mind, is a process of becoming WHOLE!
You (the real you) are a spirit, you have a soul (mind, will and emotions) and you live in a body (your Earth suit). When the Bible refers to your “heart” it’s not referring to your “blood pump.”

In the Bible the HEART is the combination of your SPIRIT and SOUL. When you are born-again, your SPIRIT is renewed but your SOUL is not. Therefore even the born-again Christian can still have a broken HEART. It was completely broken, but now that your SPIRIT is made new, your HEART is half way healed.

Now through the Word of God, The name of Jesus and the broken body of Jesus we are instructed to begin the process of the renewal of the mind. Once that process is under way, the will and emotions will follow. The further you progress through this renewal process, the more WHOLE your heart becomes.

God doesn’t BREAK you so that He can make you WHOLE any more than you would break your child’s leg so that you could nurse him back to health! That’s sick!

Christian WHOLENESS and “Christian Brokenness” are completely incompatible. Every Christian should fully appropriate EVERYTHING that Jesus has done for us to make us WHOLE in every way. Even though some Christians may remain broken in some areas of their life, no Christian should be content in remaining broken. And NO Christian should EVER seek to become broken in any way.” (T. Greenwood)

My friend responded: “God doesn’t take lightly, reject, or despise our broken hearts. That doesn’t mean he WANTS them broken! It is NOT the state He wants us in!

He will humble the proud, and he will train us through adversity. But the goal is humility, Christ-likeness, and wholeness, not brokenness.”

God sent His word and healed the Israelites. I’ve had the misfortune in my Christian life to be fed–and resign myself to–the doctrine of brokenness. That word/teaching/doctrine cannot edify a Christian and cannot heal brokenness for it keeps one wounded and bleeding. Many good Bible scholars call it TOXIC to the soul and a poison to joy and growth in Christ.

From God’s Perspective…desert places

Sharon — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:04:49 +0000

“Life is full of disappointments. Friends don’t act like friends. Family doesn’t act like family. Christians don’t act like me.

If you are not careful, each disappointment can send your soul to a place without praise, a place where prayers die. When your heart feels as heavy as lead, know that what weighs you down are really unshed tears and the weight of hopelessness that no child of mine was meant to carry. Grieve, yes, but not without hope. These days are temporary and one day, fellowship will be perfect when, in the kingdom, all my children will be glorified. While you wait, there is only one place to go where you can stand fast without a trace of bitterness. Come home to me.

You will recover and you will be stronger than before because I offer you the endless resources of my heart. For every deficit, for every disappointment, you may expect an abundance ten-fold in the kingdom.”

–written by Christine Wyrtzen, Daughters of Promise

Jesus Christ…the theme

Sharon — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:18:33 +0000

People send me a lot of forwards and articles. I don’t have time to read all of them but a statement in one article grabbed my total attention:

“Jesus Christ was the theme of their life.”

As I sat with God and mused on this statement I first thought of a themed birthday party and how obvious the theme is when a person enters the room. From the decorations in the house, the cake, the plates, napkins, cups and games…all will display the theme. And often the birthday person will even wear clothes displaying the theme of the party.

I then thought of Bronner’s, a Christmas store in Michigan where every single thing in the building portrays the Christmas theme…even the way the sales clerks dress. From the time a person gets the building in view until the time they leave and the building is out of site, the theme of the establishment is unmistakable.

I did a word study to help me further understand the word “theme.”

Theme: a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation; a written exercise; a melodic subject of a musical composition or movement (Webster’s Dictionary)

Theme: the theme is not intended to teach or preach. In fact, it is not presented directly at all. You extract it from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. (Learner.org)

Our person—our life—not just what we speak–is a message…an “epistle” which in the Strong’s Concordance means: written message; letter.

2Corinthians 3:2-3 “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

2 Corinthians 3:3–Barnes Commentary: “They had been made manifest to be such by their conversion. The sense is, it is plain, or evident, that ye are the epistle of Christ.”

“Jesus Christ was the theme of their life.”
Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Work out—Strong’s Concordance G2716 to work fully, that is, accomplish; by implication to finish, fashion: cause, do (deed), perform, work (out).

My heart is filled with questions: What theme have I worked out in my life–with the Holy Spirit–for others to see and not just to hear? How much of my epistle have I written in my own strength and wisdom? Does the theme I have worked to ‘write’ honor and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and show—not just tell–the power of His resurrection?

I believe God makes it clear that we are responsible to author our lives: In the Old Testament He admonishes us to “up and sanctify yourselves” and in the New Testament He admonishes to “work out”/cause/fashion our “epistles”. We are responsible for writing our books that all men will read. The question is does that book we have chosen to write have the theme of Jesus Christ from the first word of chapter one to the last word of the last chapter?

We just loaded our new web magazine with articles, and we are continuing to do so. Some of the articles were moved over from the old web site…but not until each was read and often edited by the author. Some old articles were even discarded. Some may ask why they needed to be edited…or discarded? Because God continually works to mature/change His children, desiring to teach us Biblical truths, often dispelling things previously learned and believed. (I have grown to believe that all of us need to take inventory to see what we may be embracing that has sadly become the ‘norm’ instead of what the Word of God plainly says is absolute truth.)

The Bible says we need to “put off” and “put on.”
Ephesians 4:22-24 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old
man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the
spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness.”

As I sit here this morning I am asking God to show me where I need to use an editor’s pen. I am seeking the Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of the Living God” to re-set…where needed…the theme of my epistle that God may be totally glorified in every nook and cranny of the pages.

Lord, I so desire to be like the Christmas store in Michigan where my theme is plainly seen from the moment a person approaching gets me in view. I want the manifestations of the absolute truths of the Word of God and the power of the Spirit of God to consume the pages of my epistle for Your glory only and the power of Your might through the workings of Your Holy Spirit.

Am I Victorious?

Sharon — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:19:42 +0000

What a sweet time with the Lord…in His Word…in His presence…studying my standing IN HIM…praising His name…thanking Jesus for His finished work on the Cross and His resurrection from the grave that I may live an overcomer in His victory…every day and every hour of the day!

1John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
Overcometh: Strong’s Concordance G3528 to subdue (literally or figuratively): – conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.
Victory: Strong’s Concordance G3529 Apparently a primary word; conquest (abstractly), that is, (figuratively) the means of success: – victory.
Faith: Strong’s Concordance: G4102 persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: – assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

Overcome

Overcome: Strong’s Concordance G3528 to subdue (literally or figuratively): – conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 3:4 “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”

1John 2:13 “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

1John 2:14 “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”

1John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Victory

Victory: Strong’s Concordance G3534 From G3529; a conquest (concretely), that is, (by implication) triumph: – victory.

1Corinthians 15:54 “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

1Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Clark Commentary: 1Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God – What the law could not do, because it is law, (and law cannot provide pardon), is done by the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: he has died to slay death; he has risen again to bring mankind from under the empire of hades. All this he has done through his mere unmerited mercy; and eternal thanks are due to God for this unspeakable gift. He has given us the victory over sin, Satan, death, the grave, and hell.

And the end of the story:

Revelation 15:2 “ And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”
Victory: Strong’s Concordance G3528—same word as overcome to subdue (literally or figuratively): – conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.