My Divine Assignment: To Encourage Others

A dear friend who has gone to be with the Lord once told me I was her Barnabas which Biblically means "encourager." I never saw myself like that, but as I've grown in my walk with the Lord it seems that is my desire. I hope that what I share here will be an encouragement to you as we trust the Lord - for great is His Faithfulness.

My Divine Assignment: To Encourage Others.
In Christ's Love, Shelley



KEEP His JOY IN TRIALS, TEARS & TRIUMPHS ~~ A WOMAN'S HEART SHOULD BE SO COMPLETELY LOST IN God THAT A MAN MUST SEEK Him TO FIND HER ~~ Our desire to learn God's Word must be greater than our need to breathe ~~











Friday, August 16, 2013

DANGER: Quicksand

   Why on earth did the thought of quicksand enter my mind today ?  I've never seen it, we don't have any around here & I've forgotten what I read about how to get out of it.  It came about as I was thinking about having one foot in "the world" and the other in the Christian life.  It really is IMPOSSIBLE to do both, but it is hard to be consistent in keeping both feet in His Kingdom here on earth.
     Having one foot in the "quicksand", the world,  is mentally, physically & spiritually draining & takes our eyes off of Him. But why would I expect anything different, because the world has no desire to seek the things of God, but to draw us deeper into the quicksand with no hope of getting out. It's not hard to feel the pull on that foot with the world's view of right & wrong so quickly changing.  And the deeper it sinks in, the harder it can be to get it out, even if it's only on a mental level.
     I feel lately that I am straddling that line. Not enough, mind you, to end up like the photo with only my hat left to see, but enough to know that there is a real spiritual battle going on for my thoughts & my emotions that keep me from living for His Purpose.   I battle in prayer for myself, my children & grand children because we need to be on the SOLID ground of God's Word, to know that Christ is the One who can SAVE us from being swallowed up in the world.
      It takes diligence & perseverance to keep our feet grounded and out of the quicksand.  I am convinced that I/we who profess to be Christians are not standing on solid ground but living a comfortable, complacent life.  We are trying to enjoy the "pleasures" of this world while over-looking those things that are not pleasing to our Lord, whether it is our music, books, viewing habits or just not seeking His Face & reading His Word.
      Don't get me wrong, He gave us life to enjoy even through the trials, but there is a dividing line.  One side we can stand firm on, but the other will take us under a little bit at a time.
      I don't want to be a nominal, complacent Follower of Christ, which actually is not possible.  I want to LIVE for Him, to bring Him Glory and to share it with anyone who will take time to listen !!!!!  Take the challenge with me & these next few weeks get BOTH FEET on solid ground.  If you find yourself slipping, call a friend to pull you out.  I know I will.   


If we do not stand firm in our faith, we will not stand at all.   Isaiah 7:9