#Christianliving – Page 20 – rootedbythewater.blog

Do You?

November 23, 2022Leave a Comment

As I was reading the Bible this morning, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 stood out to me. These verses actually challenge me every time I read them. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ -18 (NIV‬)‬. This is beyond challenging from a human point of view. That’s the thing, God wants us to depend on Him to enable us to do this. Can you imagine rejoicing or having great delight, ALWAYS? That’s what the verse says.

What about praying continually? When we have a relationship with Jesus we want to talk to Him about everything. The more I study the Bible, Gods Word and spend time with Him, the easier it gets to pray about everything. God cares about every single detail of our lives. As a mom, I love when my son wants to talk to me, ask for help or my opinion. God is the same way! He desires us to bring situations to Him and ask him to help us through whatever it is. It’s a loving relationship that draws us to pray continually! God loves us so much He gave His only son. John 3:16 says, ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.(ESV‬). I could go on and on here but bottom line is, God loves you more than you can ever possibly imagine. He is delighted when we desire to pray continually. Praying changes things! It may not always play out the way you think it will. The situation may not change in the way you want it to. However I am certain of this, prayer will change you! Your attitude will changes. Anger and negative feelings will change. Prayer will change your view on what’s going on. God enables us to see things differently. Sometimes that different perspective is all that needed to enable you to endure.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in ALL circumstances, (emphasis added). This is a tough one. In my personal life, living with hearing and visual limitations, thanking God for these things is hard. This is what God has shown me: Be thankful for what I can see and hear. Yes I do have significant loss BUT I still have some vision and some hearing. I’m beyond thankful for what I have even if it’s limited.

You may be thinking; Shannon you have no clue what I’m dealing with. You’re right, I don’t but God does! If you woke up this morning, He has a purpose for your day. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭136‬:‭1‬ ‭(ESV‬‬). Give thanks! You can find something to thank God for. When you focus on blessings, your attitude will change.

I understand that life is frustrating and dealing with people can be trying. The Bible gives us some practical ways to triumph over them. Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6 says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (ESV). So when you pray, thank God for working it out according to His perfect Will. Thank Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him that His promises stand.

Recently my husband and I were talking about health insurance. He was frustrated because it’s hard to get people on the phone then you are transferred around until someone finally can answer your questions. He was telling me, “I can’t get anyone on the phone!” I challenged him to be thankful in the situation. I told him, “We’ve prayed now let’s thank God for working it out.” His answer… “But you don’t understand.” I told him to just do it. Thank God for His favor. Thank God for working this out. Thank God when someone answers the phone. Thank God when the call is transferred because they are seeking a solution.” You get the picture?

So as we head into the holiday season let’s rejoice always, pray continually and be thankful in all circumstances because God is faithful always.

You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. Happy Thanksgiving

Www.shannonkhinson.com

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Where do you hide?

November 3, 2022Leave a Comment

Some times in life you may feel the urge to withdraw. You may feel a desire to hide your true self. There is much pressure in society to accept things contrary to your beliefs. Others might feel called to pursue something but afraid to take the risks of looking foolish. Whatever the reason, you can’t hide from God. He is not in any one location. He is everywhere. Psalms 139 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I have many favorites but this one always touches my heart.

“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. “Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭7‬ – 10 (NLT‬‬)

It’s comforting to know that God is with us where ever we are. We are never out of His reach Even in those lonely and isolating times, He is there, ready to comfort and love us. He longs for us to seek Him with all our heart.

Recently I was talking with my friend Valerie. We were talking about the sad state of our world and culture. The depravity of the world has gotten so bad. I told her some times I feel like I live under a rock because I’m not into tv, movies, or secular music. As I thought on that… living under a rock, I said, “That’s right! I live under The Rock – Jesus Christ!” A worship song is playing in my heart right now. “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name.“. (Robert Critchley Lyrics to My Hope is Built on Nothing Less. 2007) This resonates with me.

When I hear of the things going on in our society I am blown away by how far the moral has fallen. The indoctrination and grooming of children is mind blowing. Cancel culture and having unique values is like walking on egg shells. My husband recently spoke to a young man. He greeted him, “Hey man”. This is not unusual. My husband is very friendly and talks to everyone. This particular guy said, “I’m a girl”. So my husband said, “Hey girl”. He wasn’t being mean or rude but just trying to be friendly. People are so confused. It is just beyond me to understand the times we live in.

I was recently filling out forms online for an appointment I had and the questions asked were absurd. One example: What gender do you identify with? This was for a doctors appointment! I just don’t understand the confusion in our society. It’s beginning to be frowned upon to have high values and integrity. It makes no sense at all! Good has become evil and evil has become good. Don’t be afraid to speak truth in love. You can hide in Christ. He is our Cornerstone. “When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace, In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.” (Robert Critchley, Lyrics to My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, 2007)

I’m so thankful God does not expect me to understand but to just trust Him. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ -6 NASB2020‬‬. All we can do is trust God and allow His love and truth to shine through us. If you get weary of this world just hide/rest in Jesus. Let Him renew you and fill you with His Spirit to rise up again.

Dear Jesus restore our resolve to stand firm for You in this spiritually dark world. Pierce the darkness and expose any deception. Set people free from the confusion of the enemy. We ask you to shine brightly and bring salvation to the lost that You purchased with Your blood on the cross. In Jesus name Amen.

http://www.shannonkhinson.com

What do you see?

October 13, 20221 Comment

When you see people do you really see them? There are so many factors that come together to make people the way they are. You may be asking, what factors? The environments people are raised in, both good and bad, shape people. The types of families, patents, parenting styles have a huge affect on people. The words spoken over people both positive and negative, shape them and the way they think. Past hurts, successes and shortcomings, all factor in. Ones abilities and disabilities and societies response to those can cause life long attitudes and perceptions.

You might be wondering why I’m rambling on like this. As some one with visual and hearing limitations, I truly “See” people. People need love and acceptance.

The American culture and society right now is such a complete mess, It breaks my heart. The lack of morales and upright values is downright appalling. And we wonder why people are so messed up and hurt.

What can we do in light of our current cultural depravity? We can be a listening ear and make time to hear another’s heart. We can and should ask God to give us His perspective on whats occurring around us. We can pray! We can pray that God gives us a heightened sensitivity to what is happening around us. There is such great power in prayer. Just do it! Make the time to ask God what He thinks about what’s going on. Be part of the loving caring solution. We can’t remove ourselves from this world but we can SHINE for Jesus in the murky darkness.

I find myself praying often for children and young adults. I pray God cancels out every plan the enemy has for our young ones. I pray God will pierce the darkness and expose things hidden in plain sight. If you are a person of influence, a parent, educator, business owner, coach, mentor: what can you do to push against this negative culture? You can speak life and truth in love. Value all people. Stand in the gap in prayer and positive living. You can say one thing with your words and something entirely different with your body language and indifference.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
‭‭(‬ ‭NIV‬‬). Will you surrender to Jesus and let Him give you a fresh perspective? “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Lord help us to make a difference. Help us to realize you desire to use us to bring about good and healing. You are El Roi, the God who sees. Nothing is hidden from you. May our surrender and obedience be an act of loving worship as you use us for your glory. In Jesus name Amen!

To read more of my story you can find my autobiography on Amazon in hard cover, soft cover and e book formats. “Rooted by the Water” by Shannon Kenley Hinson.
Www.shannonkhinson.com

Peace in the wait

September 14, 20224 Comments

Have you ever prayed for something for years, and I do mean YEARS, and the answer does not come? Yesterday once again I sat in the ophthalmologist office to get my eyes examined. It had been over five years since I went. As Ron checked me in I noticed everyone was wearing masks and we were handed masks to put on. I told Ron there was no way I would be able to understand with everyone masked and it was already a stressful situation. He told me to just wait and see what they said.

We were wearing our masks when I was called back. I politely explained to the lady that being hearing impaired I needed to be able to see my husbands face so I could understand. She was very understandable. As she checked my visions I thanked God for the letters I could see, I reminded myself that Jesus was with me right there and I had peace. I was not anxious at all It turned out that my visions was basically the same as five years ago. I do have some really small cataracts which is age related. Optic atrophy and optic Hypoplasia are still the diagnosis.

When the doctor came in he was very kind and I sensed his genuineness. He looked over the pictures of my optic nerves and examined them himself. He apologized and said there was nothing that could be done for my optic nerve issues. I appreciated his honesty. He said glasses might help a little bit. I will make another appointment for that and maybe bring a deaf friend so I can look at sing language and not an eye chart. My goal is to increase functionality on a daily basis. We will see how that works out.

This morning I am reflecting on the goodness of God. Yes I did say goodness of God. When I woke up yesterday I had peace. I gave the day and the appointment to the Lord in prayer. Peace never left me. A couple of situations tried to rob me of peace and irritate me but I pushed them aside. I knew and continue to know that God is in control. Last night as I read the summary on the patient portal I marveled at all my visual issues. I told the Lord that it was up to Him to bring healing. The doctors can’t do anything but God can. So I continue to wait and in this waiting I’m thankful for His peace that passes all understanding. I continue to have faith that my unchanging God will fix this in His perfect timing. I will continue to glorify Him even when I don’t understand, God is good and faithful always.

Never stop praying and believing for the impossible. The same God who healed the man born blind in John 9, can heal me. He is the same yesterday today and forever. Thank you Lord for your peace, strength, love and perfect timing.

To read more of my story you can find my autobiography on amazon in hard cover, soft cover and e book formats. “Rooted by the Water” by Shannon Kenley Hinson.