watch Archives – Sonshine's Journal

March 29, 2016

“Talking to Yourself…”

psalm 34 assurance2 How many times today have you caught yourself talking to yourself? Are you rehearsing the words of the accuser of the brethren? He says “you cannot be assured of your salvation.” You are not alone my friend. Before David was crowned king he faced many difficult and challenging circumstances and often if truth be known, they came about because he was blameshifting, not taking ownership of his own sin of unbelief in God. We too often go this route and fail to see God’s graciousness in spite of ourselves. It is important when God reveals this to us that we stop and testify to who God is and who we are.

Jesus reminded us “the mouth speaks what fills the heart.” [Matt 12] Therefore, we must fill our hearts with the inspired Word of God that we might resist the devil and tell him to “Go away.” His desire is to make you doubt but God’s word is true: NO ONE or NOTHING can snatch us from the Father’s hands where our names are engraved upon his palms. Speak the words of Jesus and Satan will flee from us and in that moment, the Illuminating Holy Spirit will come and refresh our spirits.

If you want assurance, hold fast to your confession. Confidently approach the throne of grace. Cling to that which is good. “STAY, PRAY and WATCH.” It is then that you will see the truth of John 3:36 “The one who believes in the Son “HAS,” eternal life.

March 24, 2016

The Original War Room

mark 14 war room2 A recent movie reveals the spiritual battle that all believers face, but the original War Room was in Heaven and played out on the screen of the Garden of Gethsemane. The screenplay revealed the tool of temptation, the submission of our Savior and the power of prayer.

Only Luke reveals to us what took place just after the Last Supper on the way to the Garden. The prophecy of Zechariah would be fulfilled but Jesus revealed that a battle for the disciples had already been waged in the heavenlies between Satan and God just as it had been for Job. “Simon, Simon, pay attention! Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.”

What was it that Satan wanted? He wanted to prove that Simon’s faith was chaff, not wheat. He would fall for the temptation. That is why Jesus implored the disciples three times: “Stay, Pray, Watch” for the “enemy is prowling about seeking whom he can devour.”[1Pet 5] Satan’s three weapons are; “Steal, Kill, Destroy”—BUT Jesus had prayed. Satan’s weapons are not flesh and blood but spiritual forces of evil. Prayer is our weapon.

The disciples did stay. The disciples slept not prayed. They failed to watch and thus when the accuser, Judas, arrived they were caught off guard. Satan stole their confidence, killed their words, and destroyed their weak faith—-But Jesus prayed.

Jesus is imploring us: “Stay, Pray, Watch.” What are we doing? Are we prepared?

September 20, 2013

What/Who is on your agenda today?

Do you have memory aids to help you recall things? Some of use that tool to recall different thoughts such as “G-God’s R-riches A-at C-Christ’s E-expense.” We look for these simple acronyms because we are a people who are busy about many things. Already as you are beginning to read, your mind is on two tracks, what you are reading and what you have to do “next.” The psalmist (105) is encouraging us to stop and reflect and to do so gives us several ways to step off the treadmill of life and to bring God into our moment by moment thinking. Step by step the psalmist gives us memory aids in the form of commands that our lives might be focused on Him. There is an easy way to remember this in the busyness of our lives: “T-T-S-S”

T = Thanks! Give thanks to the Lord! Today you will be given many opportunities to thank another. Boast about him and his holy name. May God be on our lips first rather than ourselves Plan to boast and thank God today.
T= Tell! Tell about what he has done in your life. Tell about his miraculous deeds. Recall the miraculous deeds he has performed. Keep a journal of what God has brought about. Think back and record how God has been at work. Plan and then share your testimony to the world.
S= Sing! Sing to him! Make music to him! What hymn or praise song can you share even right now?
S= Seek! Seek the Lord is given three times: those whose heart seek him rejoice, those who seek him will be given strength, those who seek him do it continually. Stop right now and seek His face that He may be first in your agenda for today.

As you look at your daily to do list, stop and do a “T-T-S-S” and see if God is on that agenda.