God's gift of His Son Jesus is the most audacious love act in history. As human beings we are hard-wired in the flesh to earn our keep. As children we work to earn good grades; we do chores to earn allowance and we work at things to earn our parent's approval. As we grow into adults, we work to earn degrees, paychecks, recognition, material wealth, etc. Some of us continue our whole lives working in an effort to earn attention or love from others. But God, His story is different. He dares to tell us that His love is one thing we could never earn. We could never earn His favor, His blessings, His salvation. It's His gift; it's His love work.
At first when we meet Christ we are overwhelmed by the idea that God could care so much about us that He paused His attention of controlling the entire universe to call us by name. We are overjoyed, perplexed, shaken, changed. We can't believe the amazing joy and love that this God bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ His Son. We can't believe God thought us worthy of His love. As we receive Him, we receive His promise that "who so ever believes in Him, shall not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE!" (John 3:16)
As we trust God with our salvation, we then learn to trust Him with our daily lives. He actually promised to meet all our needs. He taught us His prayer "give us this day our daily bread." We then learn He called us long ago, before even the world began. We realize that we have a choice to live for Him fully or return to a selfish life of serving human interest number one (ourselves.) It's here that we need to pause and ask, "what oh Lord are the works of God?" What must we do to please you? How must we live now that we have this gift? Must we do something more? After all, we are used to earning our keep. We are used to earning the affection and approval of others. Isn't it the same with God?
Here's what happened when the people who saw Jesus in action, making miracles, multiplying food, meeting their needs asked Him this question.
27Don't work for food that spoils. Work for food that gives eternal life. The Son of Man will give you this food, because God the Father has given him the right to do so." 28"What exactly does God want us to do?" the people asked. 29Jesus answered, "God wants you to have faith in the one he sent." (John 6:27-29)
Aha! God's idea of work is believing and having faith in Him! So, now that we have this gift of salvation, this amazing gift of God's love, will we turn around and try to earn it? Let's stay far away from that idea. God's thoughts are not ours and His ways are higher than ours. We can't fully wrap our minds around this kind of love, this kind of gift. But, we can believe, we can trust, we can have faith that God said it and He will do it!
"You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. [a] This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. 10God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are." (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Dear Christian, check yourself. Are you living free in Christ or have you returned to the ways of the fleshly nature, some how trying to earn His favor. Will you cease from your work and enter His rest? God has planned long ago for you to be part of His kingdom. He has chosen you before the foundation of the world began. Now enjoy His gift and tell others about it! For faith is the work of God!
Love in Christ,
Sharon Marusteri
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Unanswered Prayers?
Unanswered prayers? We all have what we seem to think are "unanswered prayers," but, does God ever not answer us? My experience with prayer is that God is always listening and always working. He is a father to us and He always answers, but sometimes His answers are "no" or "not yet."
Today my daughter reminded me of the freedom we have to come to our Father in prayer and ask for anything our hearts desire. My daughter was excited at the prospect of going to the pool this morning. After I gave her a "yes" she proceeded to ask her heavenly Father this "God, I pray that no one else will be at the pool today so I can have the whole pool to myself, in Jesus name, Amen!" Ha! She didn't know I was listening but her prayer reminded me of all the "unanswered prayers" ("no" answers really) that God has blessed me with. When I was a little girl I used to lay in bed praying that God would make my dolls or stuffed animals come to life so I could play with them. It was a very sincere prayer from a very sincere little girl. I just knew it would be so much fun if my dolls came to life so I could walk and talk with them! Thank God, He said no! Wouldn't that have been incredibly scary!
On a more serious level, we as adults ask our Father in Heaven for things that may not be good for us. We may be just as sincere in our prayers as little children freely expressing their desires to their father, but God is a good Father and He does not give us things that will harm us. Sometimes we ask with the wrong motive, or we ask for something that we are not spiritually ready to handle, the point is that God's will for us is perfect. He will not give us anything that will keep us from His perfect will being carried out in our lives. Jesus taught us to ask and we will receive (Matthew 7:7) He also followed this teaching with instructions that we should treat others how we want to be treated. The teaching goes hand in hand. So, what happens when we ask and we don't receive? "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." James 4:3 (In reference to motive in prayer and seeking for selfish pleasures.) Today my daughter asked that no one else would be at the pool so she could have it all to herself. There was nothing wrong with her prayer from her perspective, but if God said yes to that, think of all the other little kids that would miss a swim in a cool pool on a hot day!
Do the prayers we offer God focus on our own selfish desires at the expense of others? I know at times my prayers have been selfish. The amazing thing is that the longer we walk with God, the more He conforms our hearts to pray His will, instead of ours (which is always better!) Thank God that He is much more interested in our character and in bringing us closer to the likeness of Jesus. (Romans 8:28,29) He works all things together for our good that we may reflect the beauty of Christ's character, and that is God's ultimate will for us all, that we know Him and grow in Him to present the beauty of His character to a hurting and lost world. That means letting others in the pool!
(Update on our trip to the pool: God did give Isabella the pool all to herself for about 1/2 hour! I think He loves to show His grace, favor and love for His kids and for childlike faith! See, He is the true judge of all faith and character and He sees into the heart! Today He answered the prayer of a sweet little girl who needed to see that God hears her prayers!)
Love and blessings in Christ,
Sharon Marusteri
Today my daughter reminded me of the freedom we have to come to our Father in prayer and ask for anything our hearts desire. My daughter was excited at the prospect of going to the pool this morning. After I gave her a "yes" she proceeded to ask her heavenly Father this "God, I pray that no one else will be at the pool today so I can have the whole pool to myself, in Jesus name, Amen!" Ha! She didn't know I was listening but her prayer reminded me of all the "unanswered prayers" ("no" answers really) that God has blessed me with. When I was a little girl I used to lay in bed praying that God would make my dolls or stuffed animals come to life so I could play with them. It was a very sincere prayer from a very sincere little girl. I just knew it would be so much fun if my dolls came to life so I could walk and talk with them! Thank God, He said no! Wouldn't that have been incredibly scary!
On a more serious level, we as adults ask our Father in Heaven for things that may not be good for us. We may be just as sincere in our prayers as little children freely expressing their desires to their father, but God is a good Father and He does not give us things that will harm us. Sometimes we ask with the wrong motive, or we ask for something that we are not spiritually ready to handle, the point is that God's will for us is perfect. He will not give us anything that will keep us from His perfect will being carried out in our lives. Jesus taught us to ask and we will receive (Matthew 7:7) He also followed this teaching with instructions that we should treat others how we want to be treated. The teaching goes hand in hand. So, what happens when we ask and we don't receive? "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." James 4:3 (In reference to motive in prayer and seeking for selfish pleasures.) Today my daughter asked that no one else would be at the pool so she could have it all to herself. There was nothing wrong with her prayer from her perspective, but if God said yes to that, think of all the other little kids that would miss a swim in a cool pool on a hot day!
Do the prayers we offer God focus on our own selfish desires at the expense of others? I know at times my prayers have been selfish. The amazing thing is that the longer we walk with God, the more He conforms our hearts to pray His will, instead of ours (which is always better!) Thank God that He is much more interested in our character and in bringing us closer to the likeness of Jesus. (Romans 8:28,29) He works all things together for our good that we may reflect the beauty of Christ's character, and that is God's ultimate will for us all, that we know Him and grow in Him to present the beauty of His character to a hurting and lost world. That means letting others in the pool!
(Update on our trip to the pool: God did give Isabella the pool all to herself for about 1/2 hour! I think He loves to show His grace, favor and love for His kids and for childlike faith! See, He is the true judge of all faith and character and He sees into the heart! Today He answered the prayer of a sweet little girl who needed to see that God hears her prayers!)
Love and blessings in Christ,
Sharon Marusteri
Saturday, May 14, 2011
All my days are Yours
“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.” - Psalm 139:13-14 The Message
How wonderful are you oh Lord! You shaped me inside and out! You called me before time to be yours, chosen, holy to You. You alone make me able to appear in righteousness before You. Yes, the gift of your grace is mine and all who call on your Name! There is no Savior besides You oh Lord! Great are you oh Lord!
Lord God, may all who read this know that You are the Lord. May we stand in awe of Your infinite knowledge of us. May we turn our hearts and minds to You today. You have been with us from the beginning, in all our pain and trials, in the ups and down's of this life, You are able to make us stand. I pray that we would know the value of the gift of Your Son Jesus, yes the gift of Your eternal life! It's not a secret! It's not hidden for the elite of minds, no, but it's for all who believe on Your Name, the precious Name of Jesus!
Dear friend, there are no accidental births, no orphans or out casts, but all of us have been fearfully and wonderfully made. We are called to the fullness of His purpose, the joy of new life in Jesus!
In His Love,
Sharon Marusteri
How wonderful are you oh Lord! You shaped me inside and out! You called me before time to be yours, chosen, holy to You. You alone make me able to appear in righteousness before You. Yes, the gift of your grace is mine and all who call on your Name! There is no Savior besides You oh Lord! Great are you oh Lord!
Lord God, may all who read this know that You are the Lord. May we stand in awe of Your infinite knowledge of us. May we turn our hearts and minds to You today. You have been with us from the beginning, in all our pain and trials, in the ups and down's of this life, You are able to make us stand. I pray that we would know the value of the gift of Your Son Jesus, yes the gift of Your eternal life! It's not a secret! It's not hidden for the elite of minds, no, but it's for all who believe on Your Name, the precious Name of Jesus!
Dear friend, there are no accidental births, no orphans or out casts, but all of us have been fearfully and wonderfully made. We are called to the fullness of His purpose, the joy of new life in Jesus!
In His Love,
Sharon Marusteri
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
More than Words
I can almost hear the argument taking place between two of Christ's dearest disciples. One is arguing, "it's faith that matters!" (Galatians 3) The other is shouting "faith without works is dead!" (James 2:17) Yikes! Who's right? Is it faith or is it works that pleases God? The answer to this question has so much Biblical theological support that it would take a book to answer fully but, let's just take a quick glimpse at how God views this debate.
From the beginning of God's interaction with man, we see that faith in God equals righteousness in God's eyes. And yet, it's counter-part, action, completes it's manifestation. "And he (Abraham) believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." Gen. 15:6 In the above scripture, God just got done laying out all the promises He was going to fulfill to Abraham and his descendants. These promises resulted in the gift of Christ who's lineage can be traced straight back to Abraham. The point is, God's promises were lofty, great, such as never before declared to man. And yet, Abraham did not scoff, he believed. His belief in God's Word pleased God and God accounted it to him as righteousness. Abraham went on to walk in faith and obedience with the Lord, going where He commanded, doing as He asked. He had a personal relationship with God. He was a regular guy who God chose to make great. He also was so regular of a guy that he, just like the rest of us, experienced moments of failure. He had faith in God and yet he also acted several times out of fear in which he showed a lack of trust or understanding of the power of God. Good gracious, the whole world is still bearing the brunt of his choice to conceive a son with Hagar, his wife's maid! And yes, this is after God told Him that He, would make his name great and Abraham's descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky!
However, when God really put Abraham to the test, when he asked him to give up his son, the promised son who came through his own wife Sarah, Abraham's faith came through with flying colors and God proved His own name trust worthy and righteous! Of course God did not cause Abraham to harm his son. God was faithful to Abraham in every promise and He never backed down on His word because Abraham had moments of failure. God's promises depend on His faithful character, not the character of his chosen servants! Our character is molded to be more "like" Christ as Christ lives and works in us, but ultimately, it's God's character that shines bright, never failing. Interesting enough, God ended up showing His love towards us through the gift of His Son, Jesus. He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to be crucified for the sins of the world, for the sins of you and I. What an interesting thing. God wanted to test Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac and yet God intervened to show His goodness and Isaac was not harmed. It was just a test after all. But, God, He followed through with the action of His love. He gave us His only Son, Christ Jesus!
Now, what does it mean to God if we say we love Him yet do not show it in our actions? Is it works that God wants or is it faith? Well, God never changes, He gave us the right to become children of God through faith in Christ (Gal. 3:26). It was God's grace that saved us through faith in Christ!(Ephesians 2:8) And it is God's commandment that we believe on the name of His Son Jesus, that we may be saved. (1 John 3:23,John 6:29) Therefore, it's belief in God that causes us to attain a right standing with Him. Just as it was for Abraham, faith in God equals righteousness. Therefore, good works will save no one, but faith in Christ and in God's magnificent promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ!
After we believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Lord and we give our lives over to His will, just as Abraham did, we then experience the joy of working in His Kingdom, for His glory, not ours. So, do your actions confirm your faith in Christ? Do the things you do for others (or don't do) deny or confirm your faith in God? This, my friend, is the challenge that all believers face. May we love in word and deed, and take every opportunity to live for Him! May our faith put a smile on God's face and our actions show the world His love.
Love in Christ,
Sharon Marusteri
From the beginning of God's interaction with man, we see that faith in God equals righteousness in God's eyes. And yet, it's counter-part, action, completes it's manifestation. "And he (Abraham) believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." Gen. 15:6 In the above scripture, God just got done laying out all the promises He was going to fulfill to Abraham and his descendants. These promises resulted in the gift of Christ who's lineage can be traced straight back to Abraham. The point is, God's promises were lofty, great, such as never before declared to man. And yet, Abraham did not scoff, he believed. His belief in God's Word pleased God and God accounted it to him as righteousness. Abraham went on to walk in faith and obedience with the Lord, going where He commanded, doing as He asked. He had a personal relationship with God. He was a regular guy who God chose to make great. He also was so regular of a guy that he, just like the rest of us, experienced moments of failure. He had faith in God and yet he also acted several times out of fear in which he showed a lack of trust or understanding of the power of God. Good gracious, the whole world is still bearing the brunt of his choice to conceive a son with Hagar, his wife's maid! And yes, this is after God told Him that He, would make his name great and Abraham's descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky!
However, when God really put Abraham to the test, when he asked him to give up his son, the promised son who came through his own wife Sarah, Abraham's faith came through with flying colors and God proved His own name trust worthy and righteous! Of course God did not cause Abraham to harm his son. God was faithful to Abraham in every promise and He never backed down on His word because Abraham had moments of failure. God's promises depend on His faithful character, not the character of his chosen servants! Our character is molded to be more "like" Christ as Christ lives and works in us, but ultimately, it's God's character that shines bright, never failing. Interesting enough, God ended up showing His love towards us through the gift of His Son, Jesus. He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to be crucified for the sins of the world, for the sins of you and I. What an interesting thing. God wanted to test Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac and yet God intervened to show His goodness and Isaac was not harmed. It was just a test after all. But, God, He followed through with the action of His love. He gave us His only Son, Christ Jesus!
Now, what does it mean to God if we say we love Him yet do not show it in our actions? Is it works that God wants or is it faith? Well, God never changes, He gave us the right to become children of God through faith in Christ (Gal. 3:26). It was God's grace that saved us through faith in Christ!(Ephesians 2:8) And it is God's commandment that we believe on the name of His Son Jesus, that we may be saved. (1 John 3:23,John 6:29) Therefore, it's belief in God that causes us to attain a right standing with Him. Just as it was for Abraham, faith in God equals righteousness. Therefore, good works will save no one, but faith in Christ and in God's magnificent promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ!
After we believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Lord and we give our lives over to His will, just as Abraham did, we then experience the joy of working in His Kingdom, for His glory, not ours. So, do your actions confirm your faith in Christ? Do the things you do for others (or don't do) deny or confirm your faith in God? This, my friend, is the challenge that all believers face. May we love in word and deed, and take every opportunity to live for Him! May our faith put a smile on God's face and our actions show the world His love.
Love in Christ,
Sharon Marusteri
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)