How well do you know the Bible, so that when someone “quotes” something, and insists it is what the Bible says, you know to question it?

Familiarity with the Bible is essential for everyone who has a true relationship with Jesus Christ.

It is not that you need to know every word of the Bible.  It is essential to have a deep enough understanding of the character of God, based upon the Bible, and God’s principles, so that you are able to discern the lies of this world. 

For instance, have you ever heard someone say “Everything always works out for the best.”? Is that what the Bible says? It comes from Romans 8:28, but is only partially accurate. The verse actually says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The truth is, that promise is for those who love God, and are following Him.

In order to discern whether something is counterfeit or true, we must be increasingly familiar with God’s word, which is the only standard for truth. Until we gain greater familiarity with the Bible, it is always wise to discuss matters with those who can help us locate truth in the Bible.

Consider warnings found in the Bible. Starting in the Old Testament and straight through the New Testament, God provides warnings for His people. One warning is to beware of false prophets and false teachers.

In Deuteronomy 18:20, God provides this warning:

“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.”

God’s judgment rests heavy on those who mislead people, who lead people away from the Lord. This is another reason we want to be certain to know God’s character and word accurately. We don’t want to be misled.

Matthew 7:15-18 gives us some guidance regarding the ability to discern truth:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”

The question arises – how do we know good fruit from bad fruit? The only way is to search God’s word. 

Consider the topic of eternal salvation. Many people today live believing that doing good works is going to get a person into heaven. That is a lie. The Bible clearly teaches in John 14:6 that only through Jesus does one enter the kingdom of God: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Entering heaven based upon our good deeds sounds good to us, and seems reasonable to the human mind, but God debunks that lie. Everyone who believes that is destined for eternal separation from Jesus, a fate NO ONE wants.

Having an accurate understanding of God’s word is the only way to know for certain that we will be with Jesus for all eternity.

TO BE CONTINUED….

Please contact me at:  ButGodCares@gmail.com if you want to discuss having a relationship with Jesus, and tips on studying the Bible.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.

The walk with Jesus for His followers is not about who does more, but about each of us serving Christ as He calls us to do so individually.  This works together to support the body of Christ, which, as the Apostle Paul explains below, is made up of many parts [Christ’s followers]:

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14.

As in our physical bodies, each part of the body has a different role. This does not mean that one part is more important, it is the way God designed our bodies to work. In the same way, the members of the body of Christ each have a different role, but none is more important than the other.

God is looking for us to give Him all we have, so He can work His supernatural power to facilitate the plans He has prepared since before the creation of our world.

What matters is that every member of Christ’s body needs to seek Him, abide in Him, and obediently follow the path He has set before us. One person may be called to more responsibilities than another, but each one needs to do whatever responsibilities God sets before us without grumbling, without comparison to others, and with His power and strength for excellence to His glory.

Romans 12:1 tells us that we are to offer ourselves for Christ, as living sacrifices: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” People would have understood what the Apostle Paul was speaking about, because those who did not have a relationship with Jesus were accustomed to offering sacrifices to their false gods.  The Israelites, who rejected Jesus, continued to offer sacrifices at the temple until it was destroyed in 70 AD. 

But God wants His people to live their lives in such a way that onlookers will see evidence of Christ in us – His power, His character, His love and goodness. This happens when we give our all for God.

I think about the people noted in Hebrews 11, and the testimony that still speaks to us today because they were men and women who were living sacrifices for God, men and women who gave their all for God. 

I know people today who offer their lives for the Lord’s purposes at personal cost. Their all out service to God invigorates me to give my all for Jesus.

I am going to share about a woman, who is in her late thirties, whose childhood was rough. When she married, and had her first child, she was ecstatic.  At three weeks old, her baby was diagnosed with a severe blood disorder. It took a few years of treatments to bring health to her baby, including a bone marrow transplant from England. This was a very challenging and difficult time. She leaned upon God. God never failed her. Her baby is now 12! A great kid, with some side effects from the treatments, but alive and a blessing.

She now has four children. The fourth child was adopted last year after a few years of being fostered. This little boy is around 4, and has had dozens of surgeries. In fact, he just went home from the hospital after having had five more surgeries! More surgeries are yet to be scheduled.

This mom now home schools her 3 older children because of the ungodly curriculum in her local school district.

I’ve never heard her complain!

Additionally, she is now caring for her father-in-law who is living with them under hospice.

She gives credit to God for all she is able to accomplish. 

She proves that when a person abides in Jesus, He will equip and provide for all His plans for our lives.

I know God can equip you to do the deeds He has prepared for you since before we were created. You may not be called to the same challenges as my friend, but God will call upon you to do hard and challenging things for Him.

How do you view the struggles and challenges in your life? Do you tackle them by abiding in Jesus, or on your own initiative? Do you shrink back from following God when it looks overwhelming, or do you lean into Him for the power and strength to overcome? You have the free will to decide, but God will not give up on drawing you into following His path into challenges, if you are a true follower of Jesus.

Many verses in Scripture remind us and challenge us to endure hardships, these are a few:

Psalm 119:67 reminds us that affliction causes us to look to God, and keeps us on His path: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.”

Philippians 3:10 states: “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”. When we walk through and share in the sufferings of this life, not necessarily the ones we bring on ourselves, God works to transform our character to be more like Jesus. This should be our desire!

Accounts of people who have followed God through faith in His promises, especially those who have suffered for His cause, have always inspired me to trust God more deeply, and to want to be a living sacrifice for His kingdom, giving Him my all.

Below are additional verses that encourage us to be living sacrifices:

John 15:11: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

John 12:25: “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

Blessings come as we endure challenges, by leaning on God.

Additionally, I like to read books that will motivate me to give my all for Jesus.

These are a few of the books you might read, there are many others who have their accounts of giving their all for Jesus you can read:

“Created for Commitment” – A. Wetherell Johnson

“George Muller of Bristol”

Any book by Rosemary Jensen.

I like to surround myself with people who love and serve Jesus selflessly, people who are open to follow God, no matter where He leads, giving their all for Him. I spend time with those who don’t have a relationship with Jesus so I can share the Gospel with them, however, time spent with Christ’s followers is far greater than time I spend with those who don’t have a living and active relationship with Jesus. How do you choose to spend your time? Why do you think it matters how we spend our free time?

Please contact me at:  ButGodCares@gmail.com if you want to discuss having a relationship with Jesus, and giving your all for Him.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.

I heard something that made me really consider how I should tell others about my love relationship with the Lord.

Then I came across this quote: “Christianity is not merely a program of conduct; it is the power of a new life.”

That made me ask myself some questions. What might I be missing when I tell others about the Gospel? Could I be missing the heart of the Gospel?

The heart of the Gospel is God’s love for us. His love is the power in the Gospel.

Many people have heard John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

It might be easy to skim over the fact that what motivated God to develop His plan of mankind’s salvation is love.

That truth can cause a problem for those of us who are English speaking people. We tend to interpret love based upon our experiences, and our experiences with love are generally not the same as God’s love. Therefore, we misinterpret what it means that God “loved the world”.

There are multiple ways love is used in the Bible.

This is from the site, Got Questions:

“The Bible uses several different words for “love” in the Hebrew and Greek, interchanging them depending on context. Some of these words mean “affectionate love”; others indicate “friendship”; and still others, “erotic, sexual love.” There is also a distinct word for the type of love that God displays. In the Greek, this word is agape, and it refers to a benevolent and charitable love that seeks the best for the loved one.”

The agape love that God shows us is described in the Bible. Some of its characteristics are included in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a:

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

As I consider that God’s love encompasses all those characteristics, and many more, I am in awe of Him. 

When I put that together with Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I am overwhelmed by His extension of His love to me! 

I know I am a wretched sinner. I’m forgiven because of His love. I experience His love each day, as I read and ponder His word, as I serve others, and as others touch my life. 

I know I deserve nothing from Him, but God has chosen to lavish His love on me: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1a”.

As I further think about all of this, I realize that this amazing gift of a love relationship with my Creator, is not something to peddle, but something to offer others to experience. God’s love empowers me to share his message of salvation for others.

I always used to feel as if I had to “sell” people on how great God is. But God has shown me that is not necessary. I simply need to share the amazing ways He showers me with His love.

This switch in my thinking, makes it more natural for me to talk about Jesus, and who He is, and what He does in and for me every day. 

Whether we acknowledge it or not, God DOES show His love to every person every day. 

If you have food, God has shown you His love.

If you have clothing, God has shown you His love.

If you have breath today, God is showing you His love.

Matthew 5:45b [Amplified Version] comes to my mind when I consider how gracious God is to show His love for all people: “for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him].”

Every person needs to know that God loves them. This truth is not a sales pitch, it is the greatest truth we can share with people.

We don’t need to be timid when sharing about the ways God shows His love to us, we simply need to be aware of them, and excited about His displays of love in our lives. That excitement is contagious…maybe not immediately when we share it, but God can use it for good for His kingdom.

I challenge you to take time today to write (even in your Notes on your phone), a list of what has happened to you today. Then ask God how those events reveal His love for you. If you have had really challenging events, you may need to work through the difficulties, so that you can find God’s love in their midst, because His word makes it clear that He is in the details.

Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. Here was a man who experienced oppressive circumstances for many years, because his jealous brothers sold him into slavery. Yet, when he finally had the opportunity to see them and talk with them, he summed up his experience in Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

There is never any indication anywhere in Scripture that Joseph doubted God’s love for Him. Joseph remained steadfastly true to God, and one can only do that when there is a true love relationship with Him.

I encourage you to be a witness to others of God’s great love. Sharing your testimony of your experiences of God’s love will go further than any sales pitch you might consider!

I’d love to share some of my experiences of God’s love with you. Please contact me at:  ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.

I love to read, and have for as long as I can remember. I’m dating myself, but I can remember reading ALL “The Bobbsey Twins” books when I was young. Of course, “Nancy Drew” and “The Hardy Boys” were also stories I devoured as a child.

As a follower of Jesus, I still read novels. For me, they must be clean stories, mysteries, some romance is fine, but storylines that drive home a Biblical message is an absolute component of the books I read. I learn from the lessons the authors’ characters are learning about God, and who He is to them.

The following is an excerpt from one of my recent reads:

“And now you have to simply be.” He looked up, to black sky. And weirdly, Jonas was in his head. Again. “This time-out God has given you is His way of showing you that you need Him more than you need a grand purpose.” “I don’t know how to be. I’ve always had a purpose.”

“Son. A purpose is a good thing. But it can be an idol. God is not a purpose. He’s a person. And maybe He’s saying, ‘I love you for who you are, not what you can do.'” “I sort of want to be loved for what I do.” “No, you don’t.” He drew in a breath. 

“Here’s the truth. If you ever thought you were enough, then you were making yourself, your abilities, an idol. And you will fail yourself.” Right. He lifted his hand, looked at his bloody knuckles. “I think I already have.” “Then maybe, right now, God is rescuing you from yourself. God isn’t done with you yet, Fraser. You just need to get out of your own way, stop looking for your glorious purpose, and lean into the God who loves you.”

As I read those words, God was speaking to my heart.

I could easily relate to the character in this story. 

I could relate, because it is easier for me to be busy, than to simply be still with God, and allow Him to speak to my heart.

I could relate, because it is easier for me to believe the lie that I need a grand purpose that isn’t God Himself.

I could relate, because in the past I have believed the lie that God’s love is based upon what I do, and not who I am – His child, created in His image, by His loving Hands.

I could relate, because in the past I thought far too highly of myself, in fact, that false thinking can start to creep into my heart again if I’m not taking every thought captive to Christ, for His help in straightening me out.

I love the truth stated in this novel regarding God “rescuing you from yourself”– the truth is, God has rescued me from myself!

I give Him all the glory, praise, and thanksgiving for rescuing me from the fate I would have chosen for myself. A fate of a life lived outside of His will. 

God rescued me from the depths of my sin, and He wants to rescue you also. [2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”]

The truth is, we are dead in our sins and transgressions [Ephesians 2:4-5: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”]

This is another quote from the same book:

“But the good thing is that feelings do not define truth. God’s word defines truth.”

Our culture is bent on allowing our feelings, our emotions, to drive us, to define us, and to define truth. 

But God is the only One who has the right to define us and define truth, because He is our Creator! He defines us through the writings in His word, and His word is truth.

His word defines our purpose:

Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”

That verse concludes Solomon’s writings in Ecclesiastes. Solomon, as the wisest man ever, concluded that nothing the world offered compares to a personal relationship with God [my paraphrase of Solomon’s conclusion]. Solomon had everything the world offered. He proved for us that none of it could compare to the riches we have in Christ Jesus. If we learn from his hard lessons, we can save ourselves a lot of heartache.

Psalm 17:15, written by King David, reminds us also of what should satisfy us: “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.”  We should be satisfied, now, with the knowledge that one day, as true followers of Christ, we will have an unhindered intimate relationship forever with Him, and knowing that we are made in His likeness should give us great contentment now. Nothing can compare to having a love relationship with Jesus!

What lie have you believed about your purpose, and how does the truth from God’s word help to set you free from that lie, so that you can rest in God’s grand purpose for you, His grand purpose of walking together in an intimate love relationship?

I found this summary regarding our purpose: “The purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We glorify God by fearing and obeying Him, keeping our eyes on our future home in heaven, and knowing Him intimately. We enjoy God by following His purpose for our lives, which enables us to experience true and lasting joy—the abundant life that He desires for us.”

Do you feel the bondage of your sin, the sin of attempting to attain fulfillment and finding purpose from the things of this world? If so, I would be glad to talk with you and share more about how you can find your grand purpose in God, as you are set free from slavery to sin, through the gift of Jesus Christ. Please contact me at:  ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.

Recently something made me consider that my prayers could outlast me, that my prayers may have an impact long after God takes me into His eternal heavenly kingdom.

Consider this verse regarding the prayers of Christ’s followers:

“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Revelation 5:8

I don’t know what I ever thought about what God did with my prayers once He heard and addressed them. Then I came across the thought that my prayers may outlast me, and my current study in Revelation brought the above verse into my thinking.

Revelation 8:3-4 also addresses the prayers of God’s people being brought before Him: “And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.”

Psalm 141:2 helps to connect the prayers of God’s people, aka Saints [Every true Christ follower is a Saint.]: “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”

I think that the two verses from Revelation might cast some light on the thought that our prayers are effective longer than we are in these earthly bodies.

For example, might it be that my prayer for the salvation of someone gets answered after I go to Jesus. If that is the case, then my earthly life prayer outlasted my earthly existence. 

I find this rather exciting and invigorating in my prayer life. This motivates me to be more attentive to the content of my prayers. I want my prayers to outlast me. I want my prayers to have such meaning that their answers have eternal significance in people’s lives. 

This doesn’t mean that I don’t talk with God about matters concerning this life. Of course, those are important, because they might have an impact on eternal matters. What I’m learning from all of this is the significance of increasingly praying by the leading of the Holy Spirit, because He knows what I should be asking the Lord about.

The Revelation verses remind me that my prayers are being brought into the majestic and awesome throne room of our great Creator God. 

God wants to hear our prayers.

God wants to answer our prayers.

Prayer requires concentration.

Prayer requires commitment to the things that matter to God.

Prayer requires the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. 

Prayer requires knowledge of the truth of the word of God.

Consider this verse: “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24.

What do you learn from John 4:24? 

How do you think this connects with prayer?

In John 4, Jesus was addressing the woman at the well. A woman who needed His personal touch [As we all need.]. Jesus was helping her transition into a lifestyle of worship that was superior to what she had previously learned. He wanted her [and us] to understand that worship of our great God is a matter of the heart. It was not something only contained to inside of a temple [church building], and is for all people [Jew and Gentile].

Our hearts must belong to Christ, for true worship to take place. 

According to Jesus, as His followers, our worship of Him takes all of our being: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’’ Mark 12:30.

Prayer is one aspect of worship.

How do your prayers reveal your heart, your love for God? For people?

There are hundreds of prayers in the Bible. John 17 is my favorite on prayer, because it is Jesus praying for people, including us. 

Below is a list of prayers that you might study to discern ways to pray that will outlast your life:

Genesis 18               Abraham’s plea for Sodom.  

Exodus 15                Moses’ song to the Lord.

Exodus 33                Moses meets with God.

2 Samuel 7               David’s response to God’s promises.

1 Kings 8                  Solomon’s dedication of the temple.

2 Chronicles 20       Jehoshaphat prays for victory.

Ezra 9                       Ezra’s prayer for the people’s sins.  

Psalm 22                  A cry to God for help.  

Psalm 104                A prayer of praise.

Daniel 9                   Daniel’s prayer for the salvation of Jerusalem.

Habakkuk 3             A prophet’s prayer of acceptance.  

Matthew 6              The Lord’s prayer.

Colossians 1            Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving.

Please contact me if you want to talk about praying that outlasts our lifetime:  ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.

Have you ever played the “What’s Worse” game? 

It’s what I play when I’m attempting to help myself through challenging times. 

It goes something like this: “I may have financial problems, but at least my husband isn’t having an affair, or I don’t have cancer.” I may also say something like: “My financial problems aren’t as hard as my friend who lost her son.”

As I’ve spent time considering this approach to handling my struggles, I’ve realized there is a better way than comparing myself with others. This came when I recently studied the book of Job. 

Consider Job.

If there was anyone who might have lost at the “What’s Worse” game, it would have been Job.

We meet him in Job 1:1, when we are told: “This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” I’d love to have that sentiment as my epitaph!

As we read on in Chapter 1, we learn that he had seven sons, three daughters, and was wealthy, based upon the size of his estate. In fact, the Bible tells us that: “He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.” Job 1:3.

Job was attentive to the spiritual needs of his children, making arrangements for their purification, thinking that it was possible they sinned and cursed God in their hearts (Job 1:4-5).

One day Satan and the angels appeared before God. The short story is that God authorized Satan to attack Job, with one limitation, Satan could not touch Job’s body (Job 1:12).

Satan struck hard. Job’s children, servants, and livelihood were annihilated, except three servants.

God left him with his wife, who recommended Job curse God. Job stood firm for God.

The details of Job’s account inform us that Job had “friends” [I use that term loosely.]. The first three friends blasted and blamed Job for all that happened to him. 

Job’s circumstances, along with the words of his friends, were starting to cause his love relationship with God to be blurred. This is a warning for us. We need to make certain that when our hearts ache more than we can ever imagine, we MUST run to God and His word before we seek people. 

I realized that Job really couldn’t have played the “what’s worse” game. He had lost everything that appeared valuable. It appeared all was hopeless. He likely thought how could it get worse?

Then God authorized Satan to attack, but not kill Job. He was covered with awful sores over his entire body (Job 2:7).

Job may have felt he would never recover. 

But God!

But God was working behind the scenes. Job didn’t know this. You and I can know this because God recorded these events for our edification in our love relationship with Him.

What did Job have after he lost everything, and his health was in trouble? What do you and I have when our hearts are devastated by challenges that shake us to our core?

We all have the same opportunity as Job. We have the opportunity to trust and lean upon God. It’s a choice we must make. No one else can make it for us.

Job had the best any person could have. Remember, he had a love relationship with God. That was made clear in Job 1:1. He had God on his side, even though he didn’t feel it at the time.

This is important for us to remember! When Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and we have a love relationship with God, He is ALWAYS on our side.

In the same way Job didn’t “feel” that, or even “see” it in his circumstances, we may not always “feel” or “see” God’s presence. Nonetheless, the truth was, and is, that God is always with His people. That is the essence of the love relationship we can have through Jesus with God.

There are many verses throughout Scripture that offer us the opportunity to know this and be reassured of His love for us, these are a few:

Psalm 56:9: “Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.”

Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

1 John 4:4: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

That was the first part of what I need to remember.

Next, I need to remember that I have this in common with everyone who has a love relationship with the Lord. I may not be able to understand what someone is experiencing when he or she is going through a situation different than mine, but if they have a relationship with God, I can share what we have in common!

What we have in common is the love of our great God!  When we truly have that love relationship, He WILL carry us through all the challenges of this life, even when we don’t “feel” it or “see” it. 

Now, instead of playing the “What’s Worse” game, I find my comfort by running into the loving arms of my heavenly Father, through His word and in prayer, because He knows what is going on behind the scenes, and has the power to help me.

What might you be experiencing that is crushing you? Do you have a loving relationship with our Creator God? If not, what are you waiting for? If so, are you leaning into His loving arms? If not, what is holding you back from experiencing His loving comfort? 

Do you know the rest of Job’s story? 

Job 42:12-17: “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers. After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so Job died, an old man and full of years.”

We may not all have such a wonderful end to our earthly lives, but God has planned well for the future for all of Christ’s followers (see Revelation 21-22). We can hold on to that!!

I’m available if you want to reach out to me to talk about a love relationship with the Lord:  ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2023 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.

Have you ever considered how often in a day you fall prey to the sin of worry?

Recently I read the following quote:

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” Charles Spurgeon

These words of wisdom gave me pause to consider my opening question.

I realized that far too often, and far too easily, my thoughts can stray towards worry. 

Then my thoughts stray further into trying to figure out ways to “fix” a situation before it may even happen.

Then I realized that I was attempting to “play God”, and that I have absolutely NO business taking on that role.

The bottom line, I realized that worry is sin, and it can wreak havoc in my heart and mind if I fail to take those thoughts to the Lord immediately for His help in turning my fear to faith, and even panic to praise and prayer.

As Spurgeon’s quote indicates, worry saps our strength (my paraphrase of his quote).

I don’t want to have my strength diminish. I want all the strength the Lord provides for me to be utilized for His kingdom’s goals.

Philippians 4:6-7 is well known when we consider our anxiety:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Please consider the commands and promises from God in the above verses. 

God commands us to not be anxious.

God commands us to talk with Him about everything.

God commands us to have a grateful heart when we come to Him with all our requests.

God promises that His peace, not worldly peace, will guard our hearts and minds, because of Jesus.

I take all of this to be the antidote to worry.

When something happens in our lives that triggers worry or anxiety, we need to apply God’s antidote.

We need to remember that our failure to do this depletes us spiritually AND physically.

But God wants to help us have peace instead of fear.

So, when you think you are going to get that dreaded call, or that bad diagnosis, or you lose your job, or someone has hurt you, or whatever causes you fear and and anxiety, please remind yourself of who our great God is! This is what I’m determined to do more and more.

He is infinite, and that means He really does have everything in this world under control.

He is all-powerful, and that means He is the ultimate authority in every matter.

He is omniscient, and that means He knows what is best, and is never taken by surprise.

He is omnipresent, and that means He is in your home, and with those you love.

He is so much more than we can grasp, and that means we can have absolute confidence that there is nothing to worry about.

He cares for you and me [“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7]. He REALLY cares! He is interested in our well-being.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

God truly doesn’t want us to worry ourselves about anything! He gives us His peace so that we can rest in Him. His peace is part of the free gift we receive when Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

Do you have that peace with God through Jesus? If you are not reconciled to Him, what are you waiting for before you take that step?

2 Timothy 1:7 gives us further confidence that God wants us to have confidence in Him, so that we are not carried away with worry: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Please note what we have been given in Him: power, love, and self-control!

What we believe about God matters.

The more you know the character of God, as you study His word, and spend time getting to know Him, the swifter you will become in turning your anxiety to trust in Him.

As we are beginning a new year, I challenge you to spend time reading the Bible every day, and to observe, and even take notes, about the character of God. You will never regret making the effort to do this.

Now, as fear starts to creep into my heart and mind, I run through the truths of what I know about God from the Bible. As I do this, God settles my heart, and His peace rules. I am no longer paralyzed by fear, frantic over the “what ifs”, but am able to smile, and move through my day.

This is my antidote to worry and fear.

Some days this takes more effort on my part than on other days, but the more I work at it, the less frequent are my run ins with anxiety.

Praise God, from who all blessings flow!!

I’m available if you want to reach out to me to talk about God, and His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ:  ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2023 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.

The book of Job is the account of a man who loved God, but found himself in more duress than he ever could have imagined. 

We know what he didn’t know. [See Job 1-2 and next week’s blog.]

We know that God called him blameless before Himself.

We know that Satan was inflicting Job, so that he suffered.

We know that God was overseeing all of the events, allowing the tragedies.

Job suffered immensely.

Job lost his children.

Job lost his livelihood (flocks, herds, etc.).

Job was afflicted with horrific sores all over his body.

Friends came to visit Job.

Friends Job could have done without.

Friends who thought they knew better than Job.

But God was working in and through all of this.

God was working to draw Job closer to Himself than he had been prior to these catastrophes.

God was working to teach Job’s friends more about who He is.

God is still working through the recording of these events to draw you and me into a personal relationship with Him that is based upon love and truth.

The truth is, God has our lives in His complete control. For those who love Him, and are committed and dedicated to His plan for our lives, we will one day enter eternity to live with Jesus forever. How I look forward to that time! 

God is also in control of the lives of those who are not interested in a relationship with Him. They will one day be separated from God for all eternity. What a tragedy.

But God is giving every person who still lives the opportunity to recognize that He has provided His Son as the way to a personal relationship with Himself.

Job’s words in Job 9:32-34 show us that even as long ago as Job lived, he recognized his need for Jesus, God’s mediator between Himself and people:

“He [Job referencing God.] is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. [Job recognized he was a sinner, in need of a mediator – someone to stand between he and God, to reconcile them.] 

It is very important that you and I understand that we cannot be in a right relationship with God by anything we can do on our own. 

We need Jesus.

We need Jesus because He has paid sin’s penalty for us.

We need Jesus because He qualified to pay sin’s penalty for us, something we are not qualified to accomplish.

Jesus is the perfect Mediator.

1 Timothy 2:5 states: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

A mediator is a person who works between opposing parties, in order to bring them to a place of reconciliation.

Do you realize that you are in opposition with God, your Creator?

I never realized that until one day God opened my eyes to show me that my sin had separated He and I. 

Sin separates all people from God. 

This is a hard truth to acknowledge, because we like to think we are good people. 

But God states otherwise in Romans 3:10-12: “As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Realizing that we are sinners is the opposite of what Satan and the world want us to believe. 

But God, in His word makes it clear for us to know this truth.

Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

1 John 1:8: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

These are only a few of many verses throughout Scripture that reveal the truth about our sin.

If you have not accepted this truth yet, please don’t linger in acknowledging its validity.  God wants you to accept Jesus as your Mediator. 

This takes humility, but it is worth the denial of our pride. It is an eternal matter. 

What is keeping you from accepting Jesus as your Mediator?

Please contact me so we can discuss the need for Jesus as our Mediator with God:  ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2023 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.

When life takes twists and turns, is who you are relying on so strong that you do not falter because He is invincible, or is what/who you are leaning so fragile that you will fall?

I’ve been studying the book of Job, and these verses jumped off the page at me:

“Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? [No!] Can reeds thrive without water? [No!]

While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass.

Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. [God’s point.]

What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web.

They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold.”  JOB 8:11-15

Though these words were spoken to Job by Bildad, who was attempting to rebuke Job, there is truth to be gleaned from the above verses.

The truth is, only those who have a personal relationship with Jesus are leaning on the One who is invincible. All else is fragile, like the papyrus, reeds, and spider’s web in the above verses.

As I was considering the picture of the spider’s web, I thought about how it is easy to take down, but then it entangles us, not providing any benefit. 

But God, who is invincible, provides His people with everything we need for life now, and for all eternity.

In God’s hands His people are absolutely secure. 

Consider the truths in these verses:

Psalm 16:8: “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

Psalm 40:2: “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”

Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

2 Timothy 4:18: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

As I consider these truths, they are calming to my spirit, and remind me that my great God and Father has me securely in His invincible hands.

He is invincible.

Because He is invincible, that means His sustaining invincible power runs through me by the power of His Holy Spirit. That means I can face life differently than those who do not have His indwelling Holy Spirit.

In fact, I should face life differently, because my Heavenly Father is invincible.

I should face my trials and challenges with confidence, fear should diminish, and faith should increase.

Philippians 4:6-7 gives us confidence that we can trust Jesus fully with our lives: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Only our invincible God can guard our hearts and minds, through the grace of Jesus.

Isaiah 41:10 is one of my favorite verses: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” [NLT]

Other versions use “righteous” instead of “victorious”. But God has victoriously won our righteousness. To Him be all glory and honor!

Consider how the Amplified Version states Isaiah 41:10: “‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you;

I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’”

We can “be assured” that God will help us. Our invincible God!!

How confident are you that God is invincible, and that He utilizes His invincible powers to help you? What could be hindering your confidence in Him? 

What/who are you leaning on, if not Jesus? How has it held up over years? Jesus will hold us in His arms for eternity. Nothing I’ve ever leaned on prior to accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior has ever held me up consistently. But God has drawn me out of those fragile things, into His eternal omnipotent hands. 

You can join me there also!

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, do you want one? If so, please seek Him, honestly and openly, asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, acknowledging your sinfulness is a problem you cannot solve, but God has solved through the blood of Jesus.

Please contact me if you want to talk about trusting our invincible God:  ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2023 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.

It occurred to me today that I’ve heard a lot about the “sandwich” generation. 

I chuckled as I realized that is me!

I take care of my 4-year-old grandchild, and now I have my 94-year-old mother living with me!

I am finding that there isn’t a lot of difference in the assistance I give in each situation, except the diapers are different sizes (Praise God, my 4-year-old is now potty trained)!

Each requires that I rely upon the same Biblical principles and truths.

I must deny myself, surrender myself, completely, to Jesus, and to His leading: “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  Mark 8:34.

What is Jesus asking in Mark 8:34? He is asking that we submit to His authority, obeying all He commands.

Each day, moment by moment, I remind myself that I am a servant of Jesus Christ, like Jude stated regarding himself in Jude 1. A servant submits to his or her master’s authority.

Many people might feel burdened by this call to denial of oneself, but it is actually a blessing. It is a blessing because when a person is a Christ follower, there is no greater joy than being under Christ’s authority. That is the intent of Jesus in Mark 8:34. 

Many people wrongly believe that Jesus is asking us to forgo anything that we might desire to do, for a life that is unexciting and dangerous. Don’t believe it! The truth is, following God is the most exciting path, and the safest path.  How can it be safe when we might be physically persecuted? It is because God goes with us through it all, and takes us into eternal life.

When a person is in a vibrant relationship with the living God, giving up any earthly desires for His eternal desires, cannot be surpassed by anything this world offers.

Why would I not want to deny myself to follow Him? What could possibly be better than subjecting my life to His eternal hand of blessing?

I cannot think of any valid reason to feel threatened by Jesus’ call to follow Him. Are you threatened by God’s call to deny yourself to follow His authority? If so, why does this cause you trepidation?

Jesus gave His life to follow His Father. 

That entailed the worst experience any person could have, and for the Son of God, it was the worst experience He could go through. He, for all eternity, had never been separated from His Father, our great loving Father God. He denied Himself and did so willingly, obediently, with love and respect for His Father. 

We should be willing to do the same.

I am absolutely blessed as I follow Christ in this work He leads me in. I cannot imagine a better job than to care for my grandchild. We laugh together. We cry together. We have a very special relationship. I am so grateful.

I am also blessed to care for my mother. We’ve not always had a close relationship, but God has sustained it, and I am grateful to serve Him as I care for her.

In each relationship I am able to share Jesus, through the reading of His word, and specifically talking about the great Gospel of Jesus. 

I am certainly being refined! 

I’m not saying this is easy. No, it is not. There are days when I take two naps, and then need to go to bed early.

But God blesses me with His presence, and that is the best experience of all.

The gift of experiencing God enabling me to do this work for Him is humbling. I find myself with tears of gratitude for His goodness shown me in practical ways.

I want to challenge you to walk with Christ. 

I want to challenge you to let His desires become your desires.

I want to challenge you not to limit what you do based upon your preconceived ideas of what you think you can handle. God can enable you to do far more than you think.

God can enable you to stay awake when you are tired.

God can enable you to be patient when you want to vent.

God can enable you to do everything He asks you to do. 

 The warning, do only what He asks, not what you want to do.

Trust God.

Lean not upon your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him.

He wants to, and will, direct your path for His glory and honor.

Proverbs 3:1-12 provides us with great guidance when we are involved in following the Lord:

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.” [Do you hear what those words from God are promising? Eternal life comes when we walk with God.] 

“Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.” [Our priority is faithfulness to God, and then God is glorified and we are blessed.] 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” [This is not a promise of an easy life, but a life of walking intimately with God.] 

“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.” [Please note the exhortations in these words, with the promised result when obeyed.] 

“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”  [We need to remember that God created this world, and everything belongs to Him. We make that clear when we utilize all our resources – homes, cars, clothes, etc. – for His purposes.] 

My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.” [It is good to be corrected by our loving Creator!]

Please contact me if you want to chat about following Christ, as you deny yourself:  ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.

Copyright 2023 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.