#Christianliving – Page 12 – rootedbythewater.blog

Make it your own

February 29, 2024Leave a Comment

This is going to be a little different. Today the verse of the day on YouVersion is Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”‭‭(NLT‬‬). I have many favorite scriptures but this whole chapter really touches me every single time I read it. Today was no different.

Today as I read the whole chapter yet again, I thought about each verse. I would like to put the chapter here and comment in italics on each verse and how it touches me. You can meditate on scripture and let it sink deep down in your soul to nourish you from the inside out. Let’s get started.

Psalms 139

1 “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. (This is so awesome. Nothing is hidden from God. It’s like we are bare in His presence. Everything is within His sight.)
2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. (Sometimes we think our thoughts are safe as long as they aren’t spoken or acted upon. But God knows even our thoughts. Imagine that.)
3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. (WOW the sovereignty of God)
4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. (This means there’s a whole lot of silent prayers going up. A whole lot of Lord help me.)
5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. (This is so incredibly comforting. Knowing I’m surrounded by God brings such peace.)
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! (The sheer magnitude of God is mind blowing.)
7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! (Praise God. I never want to be away from Gods presence.)
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. (Always with me, everywhere I go)
9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, ( He is always with me. When I’m in an airplane I marvel at the Heavens and the clouds. When I’m at the beach, the wonder of His creation moves me.)
10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. (I’m in awe of you Lord.)
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— (I will take the Light of the Lord any day over darkness. Who would want to hide from the Lord?)
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. (Amen)
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. ( Being born with my vision problem, this verse especially touches me. Nothing is surprising to the Lord. He is fully aware of every cell in my body. That is so awesome.)
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. (He is the potter, we are the clay. He makes us unique for His purpose and glory. Thank you Jesus.)
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. (And you said It is good.)
16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Isn’t that so amazing?)
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! (Oh yes and I sure would love to know those thoughts He has towards me. I want so much to please Him and be used by Him.)
18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! (That is so beautiful. I love the mornings and my quiet times with the Lord. I have a picture on my wall that says”In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.”)
19 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! (Yes. The evil in the world is troubling. It will be one glorious day when this battle is over and the enemy is forever destroyed.)
20 They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. (That sure does burn me up. One reason why I don’t care for media and Hollywood.)
21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? (I honestly have a hard time hating. Im always looking for the silver liner.)
22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies. (I certainly do despise evil.)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. (This is my hearts cry everyday.)
24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”(Yes Lord. Correct me for I know you discipline those you love. Guide me always in the way I should go . For your glory lead me Lord.)
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭1‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

You can do this with any scripture. Meditate on it and watch transform your hearts. Apply it to your life. The Bible’s isa map for life and daily living.Take the time to read it and let it change you for the glory of God.

Be blessed.
Www.shannonkhinson.com

When you can’t fix it

February 28, 2024Leave a Comment

My fixed elephant tail and my processor that stopped beeping.

We all occasional break things and reach for the super glue. Sometimes the glue works, other times it doesn’t. In the last two weeks my husband Ron has fixed one of my favorite pair of shoes,a ceramic bird and my favorite baby ceramic elephant. I still don’t know how its tail broke off. Last Wednesday I saw Ron with his super glue working on my elephants butt. Somehow its tail broke off but he managed to fix it.

Technology is a different story. Today while I was prepping my Bible study notes I send to the girls in our Bible study group, out of the blue my cochlear implant processor began to beep. There was a series of three beeps that happened over and over. It was like it was being programmed but I had no idea why. I turned it off then back on, but the beeps continued. I changed the battery twice but that didn’t work either. I also tried disconnecting the bluetooth feature from my iPad, but it still kept beeping. Oh my word! It was so annoying but I could not fix it. Ron was taking me to my friend’s house to help her cook for the homeless ministry. While in the car, I e mailed my audiologist. The beeping finally stopped but I still have no clue what caused it.

People matters can be a whole different issue. I love human nature and how personalities click or clash is intriguing. People mess up. That’s just a fact of life. People hurt your feelings and you have to forgive and forget. Some have an easier time with that than others. Someone recently told me about a situation where they were at fault and it caused issues in a relationship. They told me they just could not fix it. I said, “Have you apologized” The answer was yes. I then asked, “Have you prayed about it” People don’t always think to pray about situations. The fact is, God can work in the hearts of all involved. Sometimes you’ve got to swallow your pride and admit you did something wrong. Sometimes people look at the same thing from a completely different angles and can’t see eye to eye on something. Oftentimes we just have to let it go. Learn from the situation and move on. Live, learn, let it go and move forward.

Tonight at the Rice N Beans outreach in Rock Hill, Ron struck up a conversation with a man waiting at the bus top. I was standing there with them but I could not understand the conversation. The mam had good eye contact. Ron did sign just a little bit of what he said so I could follow a bit. The man has been through a lot. He was my own age. Ron was trying to encourage him. All the sudden I found myself speaking about God giving joy in the midst of hard things. Ron asked him if he knew Jesus and he said yes. As Ron talked with him, I said a silent prayer that God would open doors for this man.

Life happens. Things break and people mess up. Sometimes you can fix it, other times you can’t. In the midst of it all, God is working. You might ask how. God is always at work behind the scenes. In the most troubling times, He is at work in the hearts and circumstances. Keep praying and keep trusting God. We humans can really mess it up when we take things into our own hands. It’s wise to acknowledge Gods sovereignty and surrender to Him. He can bring beauty from ashes.

As my friend and I were preparing the food today, we also talked about our upcoming Bible lesson. This next lesson is on Elizabeth, John the Baptist mother. She and her husband Zacharias had prayed for years for a child, but they still had no children. They probably assumed that God had said “no”. In reality God was saying “wait”. His timing was perfect. It warmed my heart to be reminded that God hears my every prayer. When it seems He is saying no to my requests, it actually is yes to His best. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” ‭(NLT‬‬)

Do you have something in need of fixing? If you find you cant fix it, you can always prayer about it. God has ways of working things out. Give it to Him and trust Him to bring out the best. You are loved more than you will ever know. Be blessed.

f you liked this blog post please subscribe and share. I’m thankful for this gift to share when God puts something on my heart. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. (Hard cover soft cover, and e-book formats.) I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. All for the Glory of God.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Stir up love

February 24, 2024Leave a Comment

Phyllis and I many years ago on the family mission trip.

Nothing like a funeral to get you thinking about the difference people make in the lives of those around them. Yesterday I along with many others went to a “Celebration of life” for a sweet friend Phyllis,who recently finished her earthly race and went home to be with Jesus. She was one of the sweetest people and loved others well. She didn’t judge you, she loved you. You could see the effect she had on others by the tears shed, memories shared and people who came to honor her and support her family. We should all live our lives with love like she did. The first time I really got to know her was years ago when our families went on a family missions trip to Aiken SC. One of the things we did was help in a soup kitchen. She was so caring and always had the most beautiful smile.

As I was reading the Bible this morning, I found myself in 1 John chapter 3. I love how the following verse begins with tender encouragement. “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬) So much is revealed by our actions. Anyone can say they love you, but those words are tested by the actions that follow. Jesus gave the perfect example of showing love. 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ says, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” ‭(NLT‬‬)

The day Phyllis died, a group of deaf girlfriends plus one hearing girlfriend and I all had lunch. My friend Amy sat across from me. All the sudden she signed, “Can you see me?” The reason she asked is because sometimes depending on the size of the table, it’s hard for me to see sign language with my low vision, but it was a smaller table and I could see her fine. She had read a text then signed to me, “Phyllis just died.” Our hearts were broken. It was a “God thing” that Amy was with us when she got the news. I am jealous really. Phyllis is with Jesus and her race is won. Amy said it’s surreal but I told her that Phyllis, along with both of our dads and other friends who have passed away are with Jesus cheering us all on.

Just be sure of where you will spend eternity. 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ says, “And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.” (NLT‬‬). Salvation is a free gift. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9).

As we continue this race here on earth, let’s stir up love for others. Not just our brothers and sisters in Christ but those who are hurting and in need. If you really think about it, everyone is in need. Whether they are in need of someone to share the love of Jesus with them, share a smile of encouragement, share a hug or listening ear, share a kind word, share blankets, clothes, food for the poor… the point is… we can all make a difference by sharing the love of Jesus. Just like Phyllis did, love others not merely with words but with joyous action.

Here’s the thing, you can see it in peoples lives. 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭24‬ , “Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.” ‭(NLT‬‬). There is nothing more beautiful than a life well lived for Jesus. Being rooted and established in love that grows and spreads far and wide for the glory of God. Rest in the arms of Jesus sweet friend. We will see you again.

If you liked this blog post please subscribe and share. I’m thankful for this gift to share when God puts something on my heart. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. (Hard cover soft cover, and e-book formats.) I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. All for the Glory of God.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

You are needed

February 21, 20242 Comments

Have you ever really taken an honest look around you? Of course you have. So many things require a team effort. Every single service and job is needed. Sure some have more prestige than others but the goal is the same….. get the job done.

Recently I’ve been reading 1 Corinthians 12. If you have a chance read the whole chapter. So many gems can be found there.

This chapter speaks of spiritual gifts, it also talks about the many parts that make up the body. ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ says ,
“There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” (NLT)

Let’s talk about acts of service. Since I do not work because of my hearing and vision issues, I have gotten involved in ministries that help people. At the Fort Mill Church of God food pantry, I have packed boxes of food for the needy in our community for over 8 years. I would love to be able to minister to the people themselves however I would need to be able to hear them well to do that and read their id etc. Every part of the operation is important. From the men who stock up the food, people who donate food, the people who prepare the boxes to fill, those who actually pack the boxes, those who pray for the clients, those who load the food for the people, to even taking out the trash, each part is valuable to getting the job done.

Today I am helping with a different ministry. My friends, Ron and I are going to help Rice N Beans ministry again tonight but at the Rock Hill location. We are making the food for that location for today as well. Tami brought the commercial cooker over with the recipe and ingredients for the beans. She had an appointment so she asked me to start them and stir every hour. So today I’m cooking beans. I guess I can stir up some “love” in these beans as I pray for those who will be eating them later. I texted Tami to let her know I’ve got things cooking. She just texted me back, “😁 let the fun begin is right! Our maiden cooking voyage 🫘 & 🍚 & 🌭 😂”. We are ready to do whatever God asks. Serving with friends is awesome.

I told my Bible study group last week, I would love to work but it would take the right job and right employer to accommodate my disabilities. But God has given me opportunities to serve those in need. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬ says, “It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.” (NLT‬‬)

We can’t all be the same part and all have the same gifts. God knows what He is doing. Don’t look down on yourself if you feel inadequate or unseen. We are all serving God in whatever way He desires. It’s a joy to be apart of something bigger. The reward will come later in Heaven. Just do all you can for the Lord. He will open doors or close doors for you. Just be willing to do what He calls you to do. Years ago we had a friend name Larry who had ALS.He was a godly man and even as his health declined, he found a way to bless people. I remember he would leave messages on our answering machine praying for our family. He called and prayed for many even though this terrible disease ravaged his body. That folks is what it’s all about. Using what you have for the Lord.

Here’s another gem from 1 Corinthians 12:12, “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” ‭(NLT)‬‬. So wherever God has you, serve as unto the Lord. What you do for Jesus Christ is not in vain. Say a prayer as we serve. New adventures can be intimidating for me, but once I get the groove, I’m good. And God please bless these beans.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Spreading love on a corner in downtown Charlotte.

February 15, 2024Leave a Comment

Ron and I last night on our way to serve. We can’t actually take pictures while serving.

Last night Ron and I spent Valentines night serving with Rice N Beans ministry on a corner in downtown Charlotte. Some friends of ours have faithfully ministered to the homeless for years, serving a hot meal and providing needed clothing and blankets.

I had been wanting to go and see first hand how they ministered to the needs of the homeless. Last week I did just that. It was kind of a last minute plan and my husband Ron already had his Bible study group to attend, so I joined my friend Tami and her son Eric. They had been before and picked me up to go volunteer with them. I was intrigued as I witnessed the love shown by the leaders, Cheri and Daryl and their team . They are willing to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus to minister to those who are hurting. The Bible tells us in Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (NLT) Even though there was some unrest at the beginning, peace soon enveloped us and the people were fed and received items they needed.

I really loved going and being a part of this outreach. We never know the stories and situations that lead to these people being on the streets. It’s no reason to look down on them. The Bible tells us in James 1‬:‭27‬, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (NLT‬‬ ) I believe that is spreading the love of Jesus in the darkness of the world.

I talked to Ron about it and asked if we could go together last night. He agreed and we met up with our friends to help out again. I was again on “hot dog duty” and Ron helped people find items of clothing they needed from what was donated. It was a wonderful way to spend Valentines evening serving together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭says,“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” (NLT‬‬)

We want to go again next week but experience a different location. There are lots of hurting people in the world. We need to put Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ into action. It says, “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (NLT‬‬) There are many ministries you can get involved in to make a difference in your community and in the lives of others. The first time I went, I looked through our closets to see if we have coats and things to share. Sure enough we had way more than we need and I was able to donate a box of coats, hoodies, back packs and shoes. I will put the Rice N Beans website at the end of this blog. You can pray, donate or volunteer.

There are other ministries that you can support or volunteer with. My Mom and I also help at a local food pantry that serves people in need of food in the community. Think about ways you can help or get involved. Check your local churches or shelters to see what is needed. Together we can make a difference and spread the love of Jesus everywhere we go. Here is the Rice N Beans website. Www.ricenbeans.org

Www.shannonkhinson.com

An unlikely topic

February 5, 2024Leave a Comment

Lately I’ve been preparing for this Thursdays Bible study time with my friends. We have been studying women of the Bible for some time now. I have been familiar with all the women we have studied so far until this week’s character. This week and next week we are looking at Jezebel. When I saw her name, I thought, why in the world are we going to dig into the story of this very evil person. I just figured it would be one of those “what not to do” studies.

Since the girls have me teaching the lessons I like to be prepared and able to explain. Keep in mind we are doing these studies in sign language. Three of us are deaf. If you add my low vision and inability to see our book except with my video magnifier, you would see my need to prepare, even memorize. So I’ve been reading and rereading 1 Kings chapters 18 and 19.

As I’ve been studying I see some direct connections to life today. Jezebel caused Israel to sin greatly against the Lord, especially in the area of worship. Not only did she promote the worship of idols but she persecuted God’s people, killing the prophets. She was zealous for removing Israel’s true worship of The Lord God.

Let me stop right there. Here’s the thing, America was founded on Christian principles. Now look around you and really think about our society, culture, government and even some churches. Slowly but surely God’s truth is being dismissed and replaced by false religion and false doctrine. People search for what they want to hear. There is a form of godliness that denies the true power of God. See 2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬, “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (NLT‬‬). You see how messed up kids are today? What are they teaching them in our schools? Keep in mind the Bible and prayer have been removed. Where there used to be common sense , respect and moral, we now see the most foolish idealolgies being taught. Whatever happened to scientific facts? There is the pronoun nonsense, gender identification nonsense, not to mention Critical Race Theory. If you truly think about it, it makes sense how bad our society has gotten.

I certainly was not intending to go down the education path. Let’s get back to the spiritual issues. Jezebel was a huge stumbling block to the nation of Israel. What are some stumbling blocks we encounter today? I can name a few: the entertainment industry, main stream media, social media, pride, money and perhaps instant gratification. Let’s look at the middle letter in the words pride and sin. See the I? I, I, I, I, me, me, me, and ME. I had a t shirt when I was in college that said, “There is only one God and you’re not Him.”

We have to stop wavering back and forth in what we believe and stand up for Gods truth. I love the “show down” that happens in 1 Kings 18, when Elijah challenges the prophets of baal to a contest. Elijah had a good question for the people of Israel. Check out 1 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬,“Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.” (NLT‬‬.) Question to ask ourselves, are we silent when asked to make a choice about the true God?

There is a lot of wavering and hobbling going on today. Yesterday our Pastor made a statement about eating at the table of the Lord and nibbling at the things of the world. Think about that for a minute. The music industry is full of disgusting lyrics. Movies are full of vile language, sexual inappropriate content, violence, drug use etc. It’s so common that vile language and violence seem normalized. This should not be! People shouldn’t play around with these things. What we listen to, watch, play and read feeds our spirit. It’s time to come apart from the world. Get off the fence. You can’t have two Masters. We can’t love God and love the world. Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT‬‬)

There is no time like the present for a full surrender to God. Let us put our full focus on living for Jesus and bringing glory to Him. I will end this blog with 1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬-‭12, “But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” ‭(NLT‬‬) Stay on track and let’s let our lives shine for Jesus. The devil is deceiving many. We must keep praying and keep reading the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. If you aren’t currently in a Bible teaching church, find one and go. Don’t stop meeting together for fellowship and praying together. Don’t let the things of this world hinder your victorious race for Jesus. Let’s go!!!

Self disclaimer, I am not a Pastor. I am a spirit filled Christian and believe the Bible is true. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you liked this blog post please subscribe and share. I’m thankful for this gift to share when God puts something on my heart. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. (Hard cover soft cover, and e-book formats.) I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. All for the Glory of God.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Who you gonna call?

January 25, 20242 Comments

Tami, Amy and Leasa helping with this picture. Photo credit Lisa Jane.

In a hyper- connected world, how do you stay in touch? It seems almost everyone these days has a smart phone. People are always on their phones. Whether it’s a voice call, text message, video call, or e-mail…. people want to be connected to others.

It’s also a world of instant gratification. When people text or call, they prefer a quick answer rather than having to wait. People want it now.

Recently I had a doctors appointment. On the way there, an e-mail came in saying, ‘”text when you arrive”. I looked at my husband and asked, “Do they think I’m glued to this device?” I did not text them when we arrived, I walked in just like I always do. Im getting off track here so I’m going to switch gears.

Who do you contact when things aren’t going well? Or perhaps it’s been an awesome day and you can’t wait to share that with someone. People like a “sounding board”, a listening ear. While there is nothing wrong with that, sometimes being on the receiving end is a challenge. So someone calls, FaceTimes, or texts you about a situation they are dealing with and you feel so inadequate to help. I have even done that myself, then I really think about it. People usually can’t do anything but listen and offer advice. I serve a BIG God with unlimited resources. I often find myself praying throughout the day and night. When things are going good, I will offer up a “Thank you Lord for these blessings.” When things aren’t so great or I don’t know what to do, I will pray for wisdom to make right choices. I have prayed for God to help me have the correct responses to situations. Nothing is too trivial to take to God.

The thing is, we can always pray. It is the fastest way to peace. I have told people before, I can’t really do anything but listen, but if you pray about this God can change things. God always has time for us. When we try to call or text people, we might not get a response. More than likely they won’t be able to really help but the person can get whatever it is “off their chest”. That’s like dumping on people though. God doesn’t mind us bringing situations to Him. God actually says in Jeremiah‬ ‭33‬:‭3‬, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” ( NKJV) I don’t know about you but I’d rather call to God and have Him show me things because He always has the best in mind for His children.

In a world that is so overly connected, we see people anxious about the future. We see parents anxious about their children and how they are going to pay their bills in this current inflation. Grocery prices and everything is sky high. Again we can go to the Lord in prayer. The Bible says in Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NKJV‬‬)

The Bible is packed full of encouragement and life giving instruction. God hears us when we pray. Check out ‭‭I John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (NKJV)‬‬. Here’s another one, ““Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”” Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬) Praying together is powerful. The other day when my husband was taking me to volunteer at the food pantry I said, “ Let’s pray.” I grabbed his hand and prayed half way to the church . I prayed about everything. It was a special and powerful time.

Prayer changes things. I will tell you God’s timing is different BUT He is always on time. While it is nice to talk t o people and share things through text, the best thing we can do is call upon the Lord in prayer. He knows our heart. He knows what we need before we ask. He knows the motives behind our prayers. Nothing is hidden from Him. That brings me such comfort and I pray it does for you as well.

On a side note, here’s the story behind the picture above. Today after Bible study, a group of girlfriends met up for lunch at Wing BonZ. It was a fun time of catching up and laughing. I shared about this blog topic and asked if they would help me with a picture. I wanted one to be talking on the phone, one to be praying and one texting. I can’t tell you how many picture were taken. We moved around the dining room to get the best location. Thankfully there were just two other men eating and I explained what we were doing. We probably looked kind of odd but who cares and the picture turned out good. Who yu gonna call? Remember Jeremiah 33:3, Call to the Lord and He will answer you.

Sorry I go a bit side tracked at the beginning of this blog. I was actually googling communication stats. I even asked Siri a few questions. It makes me wonder who programs that AI stuff. It’s quite interesting but it veered off where I wanted to go with this blog. I got back on track though and hope this has encouraged you to make the right call. Throw in some praise and worship with your prayers. It will bring such release and joy to your heart.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Cycles

January 21, 20241 Comment

This afternoon I was going through my notes app and noticed I made an entry on September 5, 2023 with the title “Cycles” and Psalms 106. That was it. I had written nothing else in that particular note. Often times a topic will come to mind and I will enter it with a scripture to come back to later. This is one of those cases.

Cycles? Why would I want to write on that topic? Call me odd, but I find the cycles of human behavior quite interesting. People start something, then they stop, then they start again then they stop…. Over and over it goes. Bad habits come into the picture. Sin comes into the picture. Speaking of sin, humanity is stubborn! Oh my goodness. I’m reading through the Bible again and right now I’m in the book of Exodus. The Israelites were SOOOO stubborn. Wow!

Psalms 106 really sums up Exodus pretty well. Let me share some verses here but by all means go read it. Let’s start with this: “Like our ancestors, we have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly! Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea. Even so, he saved them— to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power. He commanded the Red Sea to dry up. He led Israel across the sea as if it were a desert. So he rescued them from their enemies and redeemed them from their foes. Then the water returned and covered their enemies; not one of them survived. Then his people believed his promises. Then they sang his praise. Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭106‬:‭6‬-‭13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Do you see the cycles?

We modern day people aren’t much better. History tends to repeat itself. We are born in flesh and sin. We are all in need of the salvation Jesus freely gives. Without the help of the Lord, the cycle of sin keeps repeating itself. ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭57‬-‭58‬ says, “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”(NLT‬‬) We have a loving God who willl forgive us when we truly confess and repent of our sins. Jesus gives us the victory over the cycle of sin.

This week my Bible study group is starting back up with our weekly study. Our lesson this week is on Bathsheba. So many life applications to learn from her and King Davids mistakes. One of the points of study is “Faith after failure”. King David wrote Psalms 51 after the prophet Nathan had called out Davids adultery with Bathsheba. It is such a beautiful cry of a true repentant heat. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. But when we do, may we always genuinely confess our sin, agreeing with what God says is right and wrong. May we change and surrender our desires to Jesus for His direction. I absolutely love Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭10‬-‭12‬,“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” (NLT)‬‬. God can use even our mistakes for His glory. Oh the beauty of the ways of the Lord! Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭17‬ tells us, “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (NLT‬‬)

Surrender to Jesus and let him break the cycle of sin in your life. He is more than enough. If you liked this blog post please subscribe and share. I’m thankful for this gift to share when God puts something on my heart. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. (Hard cover soft cover, and e-book formats.) I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. All for the Glory of God.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Astounding

January 15, 2024Leave a Comment

Ever had times when things left you awe stuck and amazed? Recently I finished reading through the book of Genesis in the Bible. I’ve read this many time but this time the story of Josephs life hit me differently. It’s one thing to hear teaching on a few verses at a time, and a whole different thing to read the story though and get a full picture. Not only that but God can give you new insight each time you read something. You can come away with something fresh.

The incredible magnitude of God’s faithfulness in each affliction Joseph faced in his life had me in tears. From being thrown into a cistern by his jealous brothers, to being sold as a slave by those same brothers, being thrown into prison unjustly, to rising to the second highest in Egypt…..God was steadfastly faithful in each and every affliction. As I read with tears rolling down my cheeks, I said, “God you are SO faithful”.

How many of us can say that we don’t complain in the hard times?Anybody? I know I can’t. I do try to always see God’s ways in whatever I’m enduring but many times I fall flat on my face in that regard. Each time Joseph put his faith in God, in the midst of his trial. Each time God faithfully provided Joseph with favor to endure, even thrive through it all. There are so many lessons we can learn from Joseph’s life.

Today as I wrapped up the book of Genesis, Joseph’s father Jacob died and Joseph’s brothers are afraid that Joseph’s anger will come out from being treated so wrongly so many years ago. From a human perspective, Joseph’s brother’s had it coming. But watch how Joseph responds to his brothers after their father’s death. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Wow! Such amazing grace and forgiveness!

The grace and integrity Joseph showed throughout his life is something we should strive for. To develop the ability to trust God in the “land of affliction”. May we trust the sovereignty of God and trust He is working it out according to His purposes.

Sometimes the trials, afflictions or tests last a long time. May we learn to be fruitful for the glory of God through it all. May we learn to say “Yes Lord I’m going to praise you through this storm.” The song Yes I Will just came to mind. I will see if I can attach a music video at the end of this blog.

Praise God through it all! Learn to forgive those that hurt you. You might need to even forgive yourself. Don’t beat yourself up when you fall short. Confess, repent and then let it go. God is faithful through it all.

You may come to a point where you need to forgive God. I’ve known people who have been angry with the Lord for having to endure hardship and health situations. People get hung up on “Why am I going through this? Why am I STILL here Lord?” Still in the cistern. Still in the prison. You get the idea? God uses those things to mold us. Malachi 3:3 says, “He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.”
‭ ‭(NLT‬‬). Even Job says the following after his many hard trials, “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” Job‬ ‭23‬:‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Trust God. Trust His sovereignty Read His Word and learn His character. You are so greatly loved. Here are some more verses to learn from. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

I could go on and on here but I’ve done enough writing and sharing for the day. Learning from Josephs life has blessed me and I pray the lessons I’ve shared in this blog bless you as well. If you or a loved one are facing a hard time, Hang in there. God is not finished with you yet. He is doing a new thing. He can make a way where there isn’t one. Trust Him. Trust His process. ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭(NIV‬);. Let’s trust Him.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Something New

January 8, 2024Leave a Comment

I love when different things I’ve heard or read come together, fitting like a puzzle. As I sit here this evening just thinking, I see how our message at church yesterday, a message at a friends church and todays verse of the day on YouVersion app seem to all run together. The scripture for today is Isaiah 43:18-19, “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” (NLT)

January is always fresh, providing a new start and a chance to part ways with any baggage from the past. Not that I personally have baggage, but I k now many who do. They would benefit from leaving old baggage and entering this journey of 2024 fresh and clean. I hope one day people can learn to forget the former things and watch God as He does a new thing in our lives. People get so hung up on problems that they can’t see past them.

Yesterday our sermon message at Central Church of God was titled, “What are you expecting?” In a nutshell: God has great plans for us, it rarely unfolds the way we think it should, but His ways are so much higher than our ways. He knows the beginning from the end. We can trust God with our issues and our lives. He knows what He’s doing. Trust Him. Check out the following scripture. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬.) Here’s another one to check out. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭(NLT‬‬). These are good scriptures to hide in your hearts. We can trust God. I will tell you His timing is different but He is always on time. Wait for it.

After church a friend sent me her Pastor’s sermon notes. We went to that church for many years and I like their tradition of having a 21 days of prayer and fasting. She told me that it was starting today in case I wonted to participate. I do! The sermon title was, “Praying the Word over the want.” Whew! That’s a strong message right there. All three times the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus came back with, “It is written. …“. Jesus speaks the Word. He comes back with scripture to put the enemy in his place. Hebrews 4 12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (NLT‬‬.) Jesus set an example for us to follow. Pray the Word of God!

Fasting is not a popular discipline today but the Bible does tell us to fast and pray. Fasting does not “strong arm” God into getting what you want. Rather it changes the individual that is fasting. It will change you. Dying to the desires of the flesh and saying, “Thy will be done”, is a sacrifice that is pleasing to the Lord.

I know of several churches doing a fast right now. One in Fort Mill, one in Myrtle Beach and Free Chaple in Georgia. I got on Free Chaples website last night and saw a map representing people participating in their fast around the world. This warmed my heart to see people hungry for God and desiring to go deeper in their relationship with Jesus. There is lots of religion in the world but not so much in the matter of relationship with Jesus. A relationship with Jesus is what changes everything. Relationships cost you something. No relationship is a one way thing. It involves time spent together. Time loving and listening. I’ve heard many people say they are busy or give some other lame excuse. Sorry people but there is 24 hours in a day. We can carve out some time to devote to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate price for our salvation. He is worthy of our time, our hearts, our all. He loves us all so much. He gives us a free choice to choose Him. He already chose us.

Today marks day 1 of 21 days. I’d love for you to join me in this fasting journey. Let’s humble ourselves, pray and fast and watch as God does a new thing. If you read this and would like prayer, I’d love to pray for you. Leave a comment and I will lift you up to Jesus. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. God bless you all.