Who Do You Trust?

Do you trust in the banks that “hold” your money and are supposed to keep it safe for you? Just look at Cyprus a couple years ago when the government took money directly from private bank accounts. Look at Greece where bank account withdrawals are very limited and the ranks of the homeless have climbed to an estimated 20,000 people on the streets there today.

Do you trust in your pension? Will your retirement account be available when you retire or will it possibly disappear into thin air before you reach your “golden years” in the future? Maybe you don't even have a retirement fund.

Do you trust the doctor? Has your physician given you a diagnosis of cancer? Is it your heart that’s failing to work properly? Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes and you have to take insulin every day. Did the medical specialist give you a bleak outlook on your quality of life for the rest of your life? These kinds of things are occurring within my family and with me, too. Yet, I still trust in God!

Do you trust in the lawmakers who create laws that most Christians find appalling and immoral? These laws are in direct opposition to the Word of God and God’s laws.

Do you trust the politicians? Do you trust those who are running for the presidential election here in the United States who claim to be Christians? Do you really believe they will have the power to make changes for our good as a nation?

Do you trust the teachers? Many teachers are very liberal, particularly at colleges. Do you trust these teachers to convince your children (who are now impressionable young adults) not to take the wrong path or could they be guiding them onto the wrong path?

Do you trust in your job security? Many full-time jobs have been cut to part-time jobs because of the new government healthcare law. All too easily our jobs can be gone or our hours cut in a split second with no warning. We can be replaced by the loads of people out of work. The hard work, education, and perseverance once held in high esteem is not necessarily the way to climb the ladder for work or the way to retain your job anymore. I am among those who are seeking more work or a full-time job and it’s been slow for quite some time now. Yet, I still trust in God!

Do you trust in your parents? Usually they are a good source to trust and confide in, but not always. Are they steering you in the ways of God or not?

How about a preacher, an evangelist, or a priest? Should these men and women be trusted? Are they leading the flock like the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ?

are you seeking mediums or physics for direction and answers to your life? They are plentiful and popular. Is this who you should place your trust in and believe?

“I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community.” (Leviticus 20:6)

There are so many questions. There’s really only one answer to the question: Who should you trust?

Here’s the answer: You should only trust in God!

Trust in God in all His ways through the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit. Can you hear Him? It doesn’t have to be audible. If you really know God, you will hear God speak to your heart.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

Several months ago, I knew in my spirit, without a doubt that God was asking me a question! I felt Him asking me, “Do you trust me?” Although, in slight hesitation, wondering why I’m being asked this question, my answer was: “Yes, of course, Lord, I trust you!” I have to admit that I felt uneasy about this. Yet, I also must say that as a devoted Christian who has surrendered her life to the Creator, I must believe that God knows best. I must only trust in God!

To trust in God, you must follow God in every way each and every day. You must be obedient. You must open your heart, your eyes, and your ears to Him. You must be willing to follow Him as a sheep follows the only Good Shepherd.

How much do you trust in God? If not, then why not?

Speak to God from your heart. Ask Him questions and some day he may be asking you a question, too. Make it simple and believe. Just imagine that He is right there beside you because He really is now and always will be..., and have a conversation with Him and listen for His voice. In time, I promise you will hear from Him and you will know it is Him. You will also hear from the enemy and you will need discernment to tune that out because the enemy comes only to fool you in his deceitful ways of lying, stealing, killing, and destroying. Yes, the enemy is sneaky.

You need to trust only in God! It’s the only way.

Tell Him that you will trust in His riches (the one who owns the “the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:20),” not the banks!

That partial scripture verse and the following verse help us to understand that God owns everything!

“Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it.” (Deuteronomy 10:14 — added bold is my emphasis)

So the next time you think that you own your own car or house or animal, in reality, all of everything is owned by God.

Tell Him you will trust in His healing as the Great Physician, and not only modern medicine. Tell Him you will trust in His wisdom and His everlasting Word, and use discernment with preachers and teachers. Tell Him you will trust in His ownership, not  the bank. Tell Him you will trust in His retirement for you, not the 401Ks or the government pensions. Tell Him you will trust in His laws and the 10 Commandments, not man’s laws. Tell Him you will work at whatever job He has for you at His leading. Tell Him you will honor your father and your mother.

Tell God that you will place all of your trust in Him. Tell Him that you understand that He has your best interests in mind and at heart because He loves you so very much. He really does know best, but do we trust Him? Do we let Him lead us? He is much more than the best parent here on this earth and that’s all we really need to put our trust in Him.

Love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength, and the trust will follow, with faith, surrender, obedience, and commitment. When you can love Him, then you will have this promise:

“You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 8-9)

That reward will be worth it all!

When you stop trusting, here’s an example of how the Lord changed the future fate of Moses and Aaron because of it. The Lord had told them to trust Him, as He led the Israelites out of Egypt and the Egyptian captivity.

“But even after all He did, you refused to trust the Lord your God ...” (Deuteronomy 1:32)

“But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!’ ” (Numbers 20:12)

This meant that Moses and Aaron would never be able to enter into the land that He had planned for them. If only they had truly and totally trusted God, He had his best ready for them.

So, seek God and place all your trust in Him and in Him alone!

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:9-10)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; acknowledge Him in all your ways and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." (Nahum 1:7)

There are many stories of trusting in the Lord and His rewards. There are several stories of those who did not trust the Lord and how the Lord’s anger rose against them. You wouldn’t want this to happen to you. It is much better to go God’s way than man’s way. In the end, this question will matter: Did you trust in God? Did you trust in Jesus?

“… Each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors — stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” (Psalm 78:7-8) “… They did not believe God or trust him to care for them.” (Psalm 78:22)

No matter what occurs or what does not occur that you may be hoping for right now, we need to place ourselves and our lives with childlike trust in God!

I’m going to trust in Jesus Christ who took my sins upon Himself and died for me so that I could live. Who are you going to trust?

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

I sang a song each day with the scriptures that follow (below) as “God’s Word for Today” verses. After I felt God questioning me about my trust in Him, it seems like the floodgates opened up with plenty in which to trust in Him alone. There’s been a great deal of events going on, and with each one, I had to tell God over and over again that I trust Him. The events going on in my life and the lives of my family were quite traumatic and tragic yet again this year, and I don’t know where I would be right now if I didn’t trust in God. I have to keep placing my trust in God every day with each and every thing, and I will have to continue doing so until I see Him face to face when I will be able to say to Him: Yes, Lord, I trusted in you and you alone! Please join me! I want to see you in Heaven rejoicing with me because we trusted in God!

God’s Word for Today: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)

"I pray that from His [God's] glorious, unlimited resources [that] He will empower you with strength through His spirit. Then Christ [Jesus] will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong." (Ephesians 3:15-16)

Copyright © 2015 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it italics.

Sins God Detests!

There are sins that God detests: All of them! God detests all sins!

When the government decides that we are going to make these sins acceptable as the law of the land, as the United States of America has now done, then we are truly headed for great trouble. This is supposed to be the land of the free, but with true freedom, there is responsibility. This is not freedom when it goes against God’s commandments, it’s bondage. I’m here to tell you what God says in His word because after all, this blog is called “God’s Word for Today,” and I’ve been called to warn you.

I could see this coming. It was clearly evident, as state after state began to change their laws. Christians saw it coming, too. The wise Christian move was to clearly define marriage as what was created by The Creator, God as: “one man and one woman,” God’s only equivalent of marriage. Even that was not enough to this country anymore, a land of many men and women who have strayed so far away from the truth.

The United States Supreme Court overruled what was once called “marriage.” The majority vote became the law of the land in the United States, enacting a new law that changes the definition of marriage. Now same-sex marriage is allowed and legal in every state in this country. If you are a Christian, and you have no problem with this, and maybe you even support it, then you are NOT following God. Not only are you not following God, you really better think about what you’re saying when you call yourself a Christian! I tell you the truth!

It is all here in God’s Word:

“Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.” (Leviticus 18:22)

Sin is sin. It’s not just only about same sex marriage, but this is today’s subject and apparently today’s highly held sin, too.

“Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people — none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

This includes sex outside of marriage, folks! Yep! Sin is sin. But let’s stay on the main subject for today.

I thank God that He can help everyone to change, to stop the detestable sins, to repent, and to receive forgiveness.

For “Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)

We have no excuse for not knowing God or the truth. God’s Word explains this all in Romans 1:19-21 (going forward). He tells us how the people who won’t worship Him or give Him thanks will begin to think up foolish ideas and their minds will become depraved, dark, and confused.

“Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.” (Romans 1:22-24)

“They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” (Romans 1:25)

“That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.” (Romans 1:26)

“And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.” (Romans 1:27)

“Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.” (Romans 1:28)

“Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.” (Romans 1:29)

“They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.” (Romans 1:30)

“They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.” (Romans 1:31)

“They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” (Romans 1:32)

A warning: “And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.” (Jude 1:7)

Do not twist this scripture. God is clear what true love is and it’s not sexual (such as homosexuality or any other sexual promiscuity or fornication): “Owe nothing to anyone — except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” (Romans 13:8)

God explains a true marriage is one man and one woman. “To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:2)

“From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Mark 10:6-9)

We have allowed the re-creation of the terms “wife” and “husband” to apply to men with men and women with women, but God NEVER intended acceptance of this sinful re-creation.

I hope and pray you will think about all of this and where you stand with God. For there will come a time when you and I will be judged individually, and our eternal life is as stake. I pray you won’t come to the eternal end with regret, but with joy. God is love and he is just.

You cannot be a friend of God and a friend to the world. Choose this day who you will serve and your ultimate destination can be decided with peace. I pray you choose wisely.

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

Copyright © 2015 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it italics.

What's that You Said? Stop!

Formerly titled blog post: His Great Name

Updated title: What's that You Said? Stop!

I wrote this blog entry on New Year’s Eve, 2013. I've decided to update and revise it. I'll tell you why at the end. Don't look yet!

We often hear God’s name used with swear words. Words can so easily roll off the tongue if we are not careful. Some people have no regard for their words.

Before I was saved, I have to admit that sometimes I used these words, too. I’m ashamed to admit this. Thankfully, I’ve repented and received God’s forgiveness. Every once in awhile words creep back up, and we have to stop it!

Now when I hear others use God's name in vain, I find myself literally cringing. What’s that you said? It's awful! I can't seem to get away from it either. Unfortunately, these words are spoken in public all the time (by the waiter, by the store clerk, by actors in the movies, by people on TV, and by many others in public).

Personally, I believe that even saying "jeez" is wrong! Look up that word yourself and think about it. Then you’ll verify the origin of that word, too. I had to stop and think that it's really not that much different. Is it? It's still using God's name in vain. Let’s just stop it!

When someone is speaking directly to me that I know and they use God’s name with a swear word, I'm quick to stop them and ask them to please stop doing that in front of me. If you're going to insist on talking that way in front of me, I’ll kindly ask you to stop doing so in my presence, but you can't escape God's presence! He will still hear you!

I've had enough of this! I’m don’t want to hear this everywhere I go. If I feel this way, how do you think God feels? These words should not come out of my mouth or yours anymore.

“... Let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. (1 Peter 3:10)

Let me ask you a question. Would you like your name to be used as a curse word? What if everyone in the whole world, in the movies, at the store, and everywhere you went were to use your name as a curse word? You would hear it everywhere you go! Someone damning you or blaming whatever they felt like on you! Would you like that? Would you like it if they used your name every time they got angry? Of course not!

Will we continue to hear God's name taken in vain over and over again day after day, even more this year than last year and the year before that? It is possible. It has gotten worse since I first wrote this post.

God’s name has been used in vain repeatedly by His own creation (that's us, humans) on a daily basis. It’s absolutely horrifying how many times God’s name is spoken as profanity. It is blasphemous! It is disgustingly abusive! Where is the respect for the One who created you?

The Bible (God's Word) tells us: “And you shall not swear by my name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:12 [my emphasis in bold])

We have no excuse for speaking His name in any derogatory way! Stop! The great name of God (the Father) and the name of Jesus Christ (the Son) should both be treated with honor, respect, and holiness. Furthermore, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable (see as follows).

The third commandment (of the 10 Commandments) sets forth God’s law on this subject:

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7 [my emphasis in bold])

If those who speak these phrases, using God’s name in vain, do not seek to be forgiven, their offense will be held against them. If one does repent (ask for forgiveness and stop the offense), then one can be forgiven.

However, if one speaks this offense against the Holy Spirit, the Bible says that one may never receive His forgiveness.

“Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation — because they said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’ ” (Mark 3:28-30)

Jesus Christ humbled Himself in such a way that He was no longer (or barely) recognizable after all the horrible and excruciating agony He endured for each and every one of us to be freely given eternal salvation.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

The name of Jesus Christ is so great that it is “the name above every name.” The name of the Lord is to be exalted! Did you read that? Exalted means being raised to a higher level, praised highly, presented or lifted up in a very favorable way.

His name is not meant for graphic disrespect in swearing and demeaning ways! God warns us that we will reap the consequences of our speech and what we sow. For we all sow, whether good or bad.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galations 6:7)

"And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. (Matthew 12:36 — my addition in bold)

What's that you said? What do you think will come out of your mouth now? Will you tell others to stop who speak this way in front of you?

God’s name is great, holy, righteous, and good. He is our mighty strong tower. His name is beautiful, mighty, and wonderful. His names are forevermore eternal.

There is love, healing, joy, and great gain in the name of the Lord. There is eternal life of peace and everlasting joy in speaking His name. There is power in His name. Eternity is bright and wonderful in His great name.

“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed…” (Acts 3:16)

“… Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” (John 16:24)

Why would you want to display your unrighteousness when using God’s name in such a way that is disgraceful? We need to think before we speak. We will be held to a higher standard than we may have ever thought possible.

“God is love." (1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16) — Why would you speak against pure love? Don’t! Speak in love for love and respect of His Holy name!

“I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” (Psalm 7:17)

Now, do you know why I updated this blog post and am resetting it again here today? Because this is the one and only post that no one ever read before. That’s why I rewrote it and decided to repost it with an update and most of all, a new title. I hope it was worth reading.

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today:

God says, “So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.” (Ezekiel 39:7)

and

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)

Copyright © 2013 by Patricia Shehan — Updated and revised © 2015

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it italics.