#Jesuslovesyou – Page 2 – rootedbythewater.blog

I am sitting here kind of chuckling because in this highly divisive time we are living in, I’m sitting here getting ready to blog about “enjoying the journey”. Trust me, we sure can. Deep breath hang here with me please. Life is definitely not a “bed of roses” as they say. When we have a “bed of pretty roses”, rest assure there are some thorns in there as well. You’ve got to find ‘em and clip ‘em. There is always something or someone who is waiting to steal our peace and joy. The trick is to find those things and just “steer clear” of them. For example, if the news you watch leaves you feeling unsettled, turn it off and tune in to God and His Word. That is the surest way to welcome peace into your life. I’ve done that recently. Well honestly I make a point of prioritizing my time with Jesus. I just function much better when I make that daily choice.

Yesterday as life would have it, Ron and I were getting on each others nerves. If you’ve been married over 30 plus years, you will understand. Sometimes we just don’t see “eye to eye” and respond accordingly. Well it just so happened I was wearing a shirt that said “Spread Kindness”. Our son Joshua came up to me and read my shirt out-loud. I said “Yes, and it starts with me”. It’s important to see yourself honestly and how you come across to others and make adjustments accordingly. I know when I’m being a bit short with someone. I actually ask the Holy Spirit to check me and show me when I’m wrong. I always want to be humble and teachable. That too is part of enjoying the journey.

There are always conflicts to navigate. Conflict resolution is part of the journey. I don’t prefer to avoid people but can certainly do without the sticky issues. Politics is one of those. Oh my goodness! What a divisive topic and people are “diehard” party followers. I choose to vote policy. This afternoon I got on social media and saw some people debating on a post I had shared. Oh boy! As I read through the comments I began to sing I Speak Jesus. As I read the comments, I tried to picture each person and their hearts. I spoke PEACE over them all and explained my point of view. That is part of conflict resolution, hearing the other person. You don’t have to agree with me, I just ask you to look at the policies and see what you agree with and vote accordingly. Respecting others point of view is necessary for enjoying the journey. Together we stand, divided we fall.

Another aspect of enjoying the journey is not getting stuck on your emotional rollercoaster. Today our Bible study group wrapped up a lesson on lamenting. God invites us to humbly pour out our feelings to Him so He can help us sort through the emotions and disappoints and move forward. In this weeks lesson one of the things that stood out to me was using the words YET I will. Habakkuk”s prayer in chapter 3 is an eye opener. Here’s the second verse, If you have a chance look up the entire chapter. It is refreshing. “I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.” Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then a bit later in the chapter it says, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬). Can I just say WOW. There are three “even thoughs” then a YET I WILL. It is like a flashlight beam of HOPE in an otherwise dark dark night. YET I WILL rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful of the God of my salvation!

Jennifer Rothchild taught this particular week in “When you pray”. (Lifeway study) She is blind and her message was very enlightening. She challenged us in day 5 of this week to write our own version of Habakkuk (lament): Even though___, even though___, even though____, YET____, He enables me to_____. Can you fill in those blanks? Oh my! What an exercise that was. Let me be honest here. Here is mine.
Even though I don’t understand why You allow me to live with hearing and vision loss and it brings loneliness and sorrow: Even though You have allowed our son to be born with similar issues and it honestly breaks my heart though Lord you know I push it down, way way down and deal, Even though we live in a fallen evil world where deceiption and sin are in our faces at every turn and Your people are holding on to You, YET I will trust in Your sovereignty, Your love, wisdom and perfect plan. You enable me (us) to over come through Your power. You never leave us and You never forsake us. We are Yours and You are ours. Amen! And I was wearing another shirt today that says Stronger than the storm Gotta love it. It’s all part of Enjoying the Journey. Walk with Jesus. Let Him show us the way. Let Him correct us when we are wrong. Let Him encourage us and comfort us in our weaknesses so we can comfort and encourage others in the same way we have been comforted.

Enjoy the Journey.
Be blessed!
Www.shannonkhinson.com

I can be sassy, bold, funny and serious at times. Today calls for a bold serious tone. Bear with me….There seems to be a lot of people “on the fence” there days. People want to dabble in society with all its “look at me”, “see what I have”, “see my accomplishments” or maybe “I really want what they have”. On the other hand, some sit in church Sunday after sunday, while the message goes in one ear and out the other. There are many who say they are Christians but their choices, attitudes, language and actions don’t reflect Jesus. It’s almost like they come to the Lord’s table, grab some “food” (the message) and throw it back on the table. Something isn’t right there.

I know I’m not the only one who notices these things. If this describes you or people you know, what are you waiting for? What will it take to make a true decision for Christ? Every morning we awake with a new day to make the right choice. We can’t do it on our own. We need the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction. We need grace.

Every morning I have a routine and it’s a life saver. I wake up, feed the our dog Joy (she will stare me down until I feed her), make a cup of coffee then sit down and pray. It’s not always a smooth flowing prayer but I make an effort to seek Jesus with the “first fruits” each day. King David wrote in Psalms 5:3,“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (NLT‬‬) Yes, we need to wait expectantly for His answers. They aren’t always what we want but I guarantee the answers will be what is best in the long run.

Truth be told, last night when I went to sleep I was a bit unsettled. I made the mistake of checking out news (online) in the world before I went to bed. Why did I do that? With the tensions escalating in the Middle East and the political unrest here during an election year, I’d say a “storms brewing”. The mainstream media is absolutely disgraceful. If they would only tell the truth, nothing but the truth, without a hidden agenda. Sorry but I call it like I see it. I’’m not going to veer off course down a political rabbit hole. I will advise that whatever you hear, read or see, question it. Pray abut it and seek God’s discernment. God is sovereign and can be trusted! So pray!

Let’s be extra careful who we listen to. Whether it is friends, society, influencers, pastors (they aren’t all teaching the true Word of God), the anchorman, etc question everything. A sure fire way to know the truth is to seek if it lines up with God’s Word. If it is contrary to God’s Word, there is your “RED FLAG”. We should be listening to Jesus every second of everyday. Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (NKJV‬‬)

God is faithful and true! He can be trusted with every single concern that we have. It’s vital to place our hope in Him without wavering. It is important to “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Hebrews‬ ‭12‬‬:‭14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Today is the day of salvation. Jesus is coming back soon! Are you ready? If not, what is the holdup? The events surrounding us today match up with events of the last days. See 2 Timothy3. Verse 5 of that chapter troubles me, “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬) You may ask ,“Why does the Lord tarry in His return?” 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (NKJV‬‬) God gives us chance after chance. He is so rich in love, mercy and grace. If you haven’t done so, surrender to Him today. He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. (1 John 1:9 ) God sent His only son Jesus to die in our place on the cross, so that we can have forgiveness and live with Him forever. See John 3:16

Jesus loves you! He’s waiting with open arms for you to come to Him. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. If you are already a Child of God, spread the Good News of Jesus. The world is in dire need of Hope and that is only found in Jesus Christ. Join with me in praying for our world, our country, our leaders, for Israel and for blind eyes to be opened to the truth of God’s Word. Be blessed and better yet, Be a Blessing!!

http://www.shannonkhinson.com

Tag: #Jesuslovesyou

What are you waiting for?