Have you ever read the book “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”? The book cover actually crosses out “best” and has “worst” written on it. 

A movie from the book was recently released (November 2024). I had the opportunity to see the movie. 

While the book and the movie have you laughing at the antics of the Herdman children, there is a very sober view of the people who attend the church the children decided to visit. Many of the people were those whose relationship with Jesus hadn’t influenced their hearts. Instead, they were more concerned about appearances and promoting their pageant.

It made me realize that many of the people were playing church. They looked like they were serving Jesus, but as you watched their reactions toward the Herdman children, who had never heard of Jesus, you realize that these folks had not understood Jesus’ message. However, one woman stood out. She had a heart for the children. She was willing to be ridiculed and rejected for the sake of the children.

Please consider these verses from Mark 8:34-38. 

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

From this passage, we understand that when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, God does an amazing work in our lives. The changes He makes are transformative. 

First, Christ’s followers must live for Jesus and not for selfish ambitions (“deny themselves”). I would refer to this as transformative repentance. It is God’s people living in such a way that Christ is demonstrated in the manner in which they conduct ourselves.

Second, we must “take up our cross”. Consider what it was like for Jesus to carry His cross. It was done through rejection, challenges, and trials, but God also was present with Him during that time in amazing ways. God sent someone to help Him carry the physical cross. God has sent His Holy Spirit to indwell His people so that we can bear up under the weight of the challenges we experience. What other thoughts come to mind when you consider all that Jesus experienced as He went to the cross and bore the sins of the world?

Third, we must “follow” Jesus. Jesus is our role model. He detailed in His teachings the ways we should handle ourselves while living in this world. Furthermore, the remainder of the New Testament writings are our further guide to following Jesus.

If we want to have a life now that is fulfilling, and also to spend eternity with Jesus, we must let go of what we consider important, and replace those things with what matters to Jesus. That all surrounds the work of sharing the gospel. This mission is primary to the lives of all Jesus’ followers. “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

Should we decide that we want to be in control of our lives, we may have some worldly gains, but all will be lost for eternity. We could have money, fame, possessions for maybe 100 years, yet lose out on the best blessings for all eternity. Somehow, that doesn’t seem to be worth the worldly gains and the loss of one’s soul for eternity. “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”

I think the above passage contains another very strong warning: “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” I cannot imagine having Jesus being ashamed of me, and stating that fact to our great Father God. 

I am very grateful that Jesus willingly paid the penalty for my sins, and equips me to be His servant. He deserves all the credit for anything worthwhile that I do for His kingdom. Imagine what it is like for Jesus to tell our great Father God that He is proud of us! That is the absolute best we can ever want.

How about you? Do you want Jesus to be ashamed of you when He talks with His Father about you, or do you want Him to tell His Father that you are one of His?

We need to regularly evaluate our hearts with God, so that we know we are abiding in Him, and not simply playing church.

If you do not yet have a living and transformative relationship with Jesus, I urge you to stop now, and ask God to help you establish that relationship.

If I can help you with your relationship with Jesus, 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. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

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.

God has given us additional “tools” to utilize to help us turn our sense of flight to faith.

We have His Word! His Word is powerful and living and active. Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

His Word is filled with promises. Promises of amazing eternal blessings when we hold fast, and overcome through His Spirit’s help.

Please consider the promises Jesus made to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. Each of these churches faced incredible opposition and testing of their faith. But God, through His Spirit, would help them overcome, as He will with us today.

Got Questions (a Christian website) provides a succinct list of the promises to the seven churches in Revelation. We need to allow these promises to give us hope, and steadfast trust in God as we face life’s challenges:

To the church at Ephesus is presented a promise to him who overcomes that he will be granted to eat from the tree of life in God’s paradise. (Revelation 2:7). 

To the church at Smyrna, the promise to him who overcomes is that he will not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11). 

To the church at Pergamum the overcomer will be given manna from heaven and a white stone with the overcomer’s new name written on it (Revelation 2:17). 

To the church at Thyatira the overcomer is promised to rule with Christ in His kingdom (Revelation 2:26). 

To the church at Sardis the one who overcomes will be clothed in white garments and will not have his name erased from the book of life; further, Jesus will confess his name before the angels and the Father (Revelation 3:5). 

To the church at Philadelphia the overcomer will be a pillar in the temple of God (Revelation 3:12). 

To the church at Laodicea the one who overcomes will sit with Christ on His throne (Revelation 3:21). 

Another tool is prayer! The ability to talk to God, and to hear Him. 

We also have the Body of Christ! We are connected, by God’s Spirit, with every other follower of Jesus!  Our brothers and sisters in Christ are another powerful tool God has provided to help us walk in faith, and not to flee when life appears overwhelming.

It is not Biblical to think that this life will be trouble-free. Jesus clearly told us it would entail hardship and suffering. 

But Jesus showed us how to remain steadfast in following our God, and not to flee! His victory proves He will carry us victoriously through the trials, and safely into His loving arms. We must resist the pull toward hopelessness and despair when we are overwhelmed by the sinfulness of this world. 

Whether we are persecuted, mocked, ridiculed, or disowned for our faith, Jesus is with us. In the same way His trust in His Father carried Him to the cross, and brought Him victoriously from the grave, He will powerfully help us. 

We need to fight the desire to flee, and walk in faith, knowing that one day, we will experience the amazing victory over this sin-laden world.

We must fix our eyes upon Jesus.

We must allow God to renew our minds with His Word, His thoughts.

We must allow God to build our faith.

We must allow God to comfort us.

We must allow God to have His way in and about us.

That is the life of faith. So much easier to say and write, but God will give those who walk by faith the victory.

How great is your desire to be with Jesus? Resist the desire to flee, and be one who overcomes, through His powerful Spirit’s help. This will give you assurance that you truly belong to Him.

Please contact me so we can discuss your eternal destination. You can reach 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. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

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.

 

Life is hard.

Life has many challenges. 

When you are confronted with a difficult situation, what is your first response? Is it to lean into your faith in Jesus, or is your propensity toward flight – wanting to run, wanting to retreat, anything other than faith in Jesus?

Often, whatever is looming before us can appear too big, too overwhelming. But God!  

I have found that the more I dig into God’s Word when these events come my way, I am able to withstand the circumstances, and that inclination to flee dissolves.

Sometimes it is an inward tussle. I sense God’s presence and peace. Then something happens and the desire to flee, to pull back, and to protect myself arises again.

But God knows the hurdles in my life, and in your life, and He knows how to jump them!!

Our God loves us.

Our God loves us unconditionally.

Our God only allows us to go through situations that He will be there to support us through.

When we are born again, He has sealed us with His indwelling Holy Spirit. John 14:17 states it this way: “He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.” CSB

That truth means that every true follower of Jesus is never without His presence. That is an amazing promise from God. This is one of the truths God gives us so that when the inclination to flee comes, we can stop, and stand firm in our faith in Jesus. He who is within us, is far superior, and more powerful, than anyone or anything else. The prophet Jeremiah stated this truth this way: “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 ESV

The enemy wants us to discount this truth. But God wants to bolster our faith with it.

Please consider the heart of our amazing Redeemer, Jesus, and His promises for His own, contained in the following passage from John 10:27-30:

“My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” This is powerful for Christ’s followers. He speaks and we hear Him. He knows us – not a casual relationship, but intimate. What do we do? We follow Jesus!

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.”  This is our amazing hope that every follower of Jesus holds to. This is what helps the sensation of flight to flee, because we know that no matter what happens to us in this earthly life, we will always be with Jesus!  

“No one will snatch them out of my hand.” No matter what threatens us in this life, we are absolutely securely held by Jesus.

“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” These words help us to understand the power of God to remain with us, and to protect us. 

“I and the Father are one.” This is a significant truth. We don’t fully understand it, but God has given it to us to know that our Heavenly Father and Jesus are united as one God. When we add in the Holy Spirit, the mystery of how this all works increases. But we believe it, by faith, because God’s Word tells us these truths. We have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all working for our benefit! Praise God!!

God will help us to remain stable in our unstable world. He is our Anchor.

How do these verses from John encourage you to trust God, and enable you to fight the desire to flee?

If you are not secure in knowing Jesus is your Lord and Savior, please reach out to me at:ButGodCares@gmail.com.  This decision is truly a matter of eternal life and eternal death.

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. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

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.

In our world we use money in order to obtain what we need – food, services, vehicles, homes, utilities, etc.

John Piper in his July 26, 2024 edition of “Desiring God” devotion made this comment regarding money: “Money is simply a symbol that stands for human resources. Money stands for what you can get from man — other human beings — instead of God.”  

But God’s currency is different. 

God deals in the currency of His Son’s blood, mercy, grace, forgiveness, etc., not manmade currency. God’s currency is spiritual and eternal in value.

This is fabulous news! This means that everyone is on equal ground before God. No one can outbid another person for a relationship with our amazing God!

In Isaiah 55:1 it states: “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat.” Notice the call to come is to everyone who thirsts for God.

Everything that we need from God comes through Jesus. No one can buy their way to a right relationship with Christ. Jesus states that He is the only way to a true relationship with our Heavenly Father: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

What does it take to have a right relationship with God? We must come to Him, as is stated in Isaiah 55:1, above.

The following verses give God’s invitation to come to Him:

Matthew 11:28-30 states: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Are you burdened and overwhelmed in your efforts to have a relationship with God? Jesus wants you to come to Him to find relief. He offers you, for free, the great gift of eternal life. The promises in these verses are able to be experienced by us when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Revelation 22:17 states: “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

The sad truth is that not everyone wants to come to God. This truth is stated in: John 5:40 “Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”

Jesus explained why some don’t come in John 6:44: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

How do we reconcile John 5:40 and John 6:44?

We cannot figure out this mystery because we are finite human beings.  This is one of those truths God presents in His Word that cause us to have to believe God by faith, and trust that He, in His sovereignty has it all worked out.

Remember, faith is what pleases God. Habakkuk 2:4 states: “But the righteous one will live by his faith.”

Daily life is lived by trusting in the One we cannot see. He has provided clear evidence of His existence through creation, His Word, and the inner testimony His Spirit provides for all who will come to Jesus.

Do you tend to want to live more by what you see and understand, or are you willing to walk with God by faith, trusting Him at His Word?

God’s currency yields a far better return than anything we can buy with the world’s monetary system. 

Please remember Jesus’ offer in John 7:37: “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”

If you thirst for truth, you will find Him in the Bible. Jesus clearly told people that He is the truth. See John 14:6, above.

1 Peter 3:3-4 is another reminder that God’s currency isn’t about manmade things, but is about a transformed life: “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”

We cannot love money and God at the same time. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord] – Matthew 6:24, Amplified Version.

Do you understand that you are a sinner?  A sinner is someone who recognizes that he or she fails to meet God’s holy standard, and needs Jesus to bridge that gap. Jesus willingly gave His life on the cross so that you and I can have complete forgiveness for all our sins – past, present and future! The Gospel message promises that Jesus made atonement for our sins. It promises that all who come to Him are sealed by His Holy Spirit at the instant of our redemption. It promises that Jesus is coming again!

Are you ready to meet Jesus when He returns? You can be if you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. This is the most serious decision of your life. Please don’t put it off – your eternal destination hinges on this decision.

Please contact me so we can discuss your eternal destination. You can reach 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. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

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.

Without even listening to the news, there are so many events occurring in and around me that I was struck by the choice I need to make – to be discouraged because of the rampant sin and evil in our world and the way it plays out in each day, or to be encouraged by the amazing, mighty Lord and Savior I serve?

It really is a decision we need to purpose to make every day, and often more than once during the day. 

We do have the ability to make the choice. 

How do we do this? How do we go from living in this world with so many sinful, evil, discouraging events to living in this world with hope and encouragement? 

Immediately these words from the living Word of God came into my mind:

Hebrews 12:1-3 states:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Please notice what these verses are telling us.

There are others, “a great cloud of witnesses”, whose names are listed in Hebrews 11, who endured in a discouraging world, but were encouraged because of their hope in God.

We have the choice and the ability, when we belong to Jesus and have His indwelling Holy Spirit, to “throw off everything that hinders”. If we did not have the ability to disentangle from the sin and evil of this world, God wouldn’t have inspired the writer of Hebrews to pen these instructions.

The choice also includes the need to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us”. It is not a race we plan, but one that God planned for us. Since we know God only wants to do what is beneficial in our lives, we can trust Him with His race for each of us.

The next instruction tells us that we need to be “fixing our eyes on Jesus”. Far too often I find it is easier to be fixated with the challenges of this world, with the unfairness we experience each day, and the problems we experience because of our sin and the sins of others.

Why should we fix our eyes on Jesus? We should do this because He is “the pioneer and perfecter of faith”.

Jesus chose the path of joy, as is stated in this phrase from the above passage: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross”. 

Jesus chose to be encouraged because He knew what was coming after the suffering. 

He was encouraged because He knew that when the suffering was over, He would be with His Father, as this phrase from the above passage reminds us: “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.  

In the same way, we need to allow the future eternal home Jesus is preparing for us to encourage us in the midst of our anxiousness. Revelation 21-22 clearly provides words to encourage us.

The last words in the above Hebrews passage state: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” We can be encouraged because Jesus, who endured far worse opposition and discouragement than we ever will, gives us hope. In Jesus, there is no reason to be discouraged. 

Sad about the ungodliness of our world, but not discouraged.

But God has not left us alone to manage our lives. We have His indwelling Holy Spirit, and Jesus, who make it possible for repentant sinners to have a true, living, loving relationship with our Heavenly Father.

HE IS THE VICTOR! When we have a relationship with Jesus, we share in that victory. We may not have its full experience yet, but God has promised that we will. We will have it in His timing, and in His way.

In addition to these verses encouraging me, the words from the hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”helped me transition from discouragement to encouragement.

“O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Refrain: [How we move from discouragement to encouragement and joy.]

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there; [Focus on this truth!]

O’er us sin no more hath dominion— [The amazing mercy and grace of God.]

For more than conqu’rors we are! [We can choose to live as a “conqueror.]

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!” [Share this news, and be encouraged.]

I’m so grateful that God has helped me write His Word on my heart, because when I needed truth [His Word is truth.], God’s Spirit raised it to my conscious thoughts!

Will you please join me in consciously making the choice to walk with encouragement in our discouraging world, because we have a living, risen Savior? If Jesus isn’t your Lord and Savior yet, please choose Him now.

I’d be glad to help you with this journey. Please contact me so we can discuss your eternal destination. You can reach 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. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

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 the phrase “Gospel awakening” and it struck a chord with me. Often, we hear the term revival, but God impressed upon my heart that we need Him to awaken people to the truth of the Gospel.

I believe that many who call themselves Christians suffer from “itching ear syndrome”, and this is why we need a Gospel awakening. 

People need to know the truth of the Gospel. 

People need to then live the truth of the Gospel.

It is a message of abundant love, and we need to know we are loved.

It is a message of hope, and we need hope.

It is a message of mercy, and we need mercy from our great God.

It is a message of grace, and we need His grace for each day.

It is a message of patience and longsuffering by our Maker, and we need His patience.

It is a message of forgiveness of ALL of our sins. When we understand the depth of God’s forgiveness, we can forgive others for any sins committed against us.

It is a message so great, that we can only grasp a portion of it, but God helps us to understand what we need so we can have a personal and intimate relationship with Him. 

It is a message that needs to be applied to every relationship in our lives. Once we have a true relationship with Jesus, we can have better relationships with people.

Whether it is at home, at work, at school, with our neighbors, in our churches, when we are driving, waiting in long lines, when we have been abused, persecuted, mistreated, unjustly accused, the Gospel MUST be applied at all times.

When God’s people have a Gospel awakening, we are changed – for the better, forever!  We see everything differently. We don’t want our ears itched; we want truth.

This is why we need a Gospel awakening.

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he stated: 

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:” [Please note the intensity with which Paul precedes the charge God and Jesus are giving to Timothy. Note why they are giving the following instructions. God wants to protect people from judgment that will lead to eternal separation from Himself.]

“Preach the word” [God’s Word is our standard, and must be central to those He has entrusted with teaching His people.]; 

“be prepared in season and out of season” [Always be ready to share God’s Word.]; 

When and how should God’s Word be delivered: “correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” We must remember the depth of God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace to us before we attempt to correct or rebuke another. All of that is done with the intention of restoration where one has erred. It is not with the intention of clobbering someone.

Why should we do all of this: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.” [Is this sounding familiar today?] 

Who will they get to teach them lies: “Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”  

What is the progression that will result in their rejection of Jesus: “They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4

In the October 13, 2024 edition of Christ In You, an email publication I receive daily, they state this with regard to itching ears:

“There is a disease, widespread in our day, called itching ear disease. This is an ear that wants to be entertained, that is always looking for something new, that wants constant affirmation and does not want to hear anything negative. People who have this disease look for teachers who will scratch that itch, and the result is that they turn aside to myths.”

I have experienced churches that fill this description. Worship in song is all about entertainment. People want smoke and hype. Teaching is so diluted that one would never be able to relate it to the Word of God. The word sin is not allowed in some churches. In these “churches” [I use that term lightly because they are not a true church when they mess with God’s Word.] people don’t want to feel corrected or rebuked. They only want to have their egos stroked. 

I believe this is why Jesus gave the exhortations in Revelation 2-3. These Chapters detail commendations and sins of God’s people. Jesus exhorts them to repent, as specified to each church. 

He uses these words as He addresses each church: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious…”

Have you chosen to listen to the Spirit, or are your ears itchy? Perhaps you have a relationship with Jesus, but your heart has wandered from your first love, might you need a Gospel awakening? It is a choice between eternal life and eternal separation from God. If you have not yet made the choice to repent, and follow Jesus, why not pray, asking God to give you ears to hear, so that you can obey what the Spirit says?

This is the link to the article I mentioned above:

https://www.raystedman.org/daily-devotions/word-of-god/turning-aside-to-myths

I’m always looking to connect with you so we can talk about our great Lord and Savior.  You can reach 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. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

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 online dictionary defines useful as: “able to be used for a practical purpose or in several ways”.  Some synonyms are: “advantageous, appropriate, convenient, effective, favorable, fruitful, good, handy, helpful, practical, pragmatic, profitable, proper, and suitable”.

The online dictionary defines useless as: “not fulfilling or not expected to achieve the intended purpose or desired outcome” or “a piece of useless knowledge”.

This all made me contemplate what I expect the outcome to be from the words I speak.

Am I speaking simply just to hear myself?

Am I speaking because I’m expecting an outcome to change because I’m saying something?

Am I speaking because I’m simply not trusting God?

There may be other reasons why we speak, but in the context of what is useful or useless those questions are sufficient for my purposes.

The first question: “Am I speaking simply just to hear myself?” Sometimes it is useful for me to say something out loud to myself so that I can hear it. I might even have an out loud verbal conversation with the Lord in order to work through a matter.

The second question: “Am I speaking because I’m expecting an outcome to change because I’m saying something?” There are times God has us speak useful words to help others to know the message of the Gospel, or to help them align their life with God’s Word.

Romans 10:17 states it this way: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

In Matthew 11:15 and in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, Jesus spoke these words: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” This infers that words, useful words, must be spoken so others can hear truth. Truth that will lead them to a personal relationship with Jesus. Truth that will lead them (and us if they are spoken to us) to repent of undealt with sin. In that case, we are seeking God to give a person (and ourselves) the ability to hear the words, to understand them accurately, and then to apply them directly to our lives, for His glory.

The third question is: “Am I speaking because I’m simply not trusting God?”

I find that this question made me realize how many times I turn from not trusting Jesus to relying upon Him fully. 

This happens when I try to figure out future events. 

This happens when I want my outcome, and am not trusting God for His perfect outcome for any situation in my life.

It would be far more useful for me to speak words of praise to God than to try to figure out possible future scenarios. This is what I am working on implementing in my life. I want to not have my thoughts be useless words, but words that exalt the Lord.

Words matter. Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:36-37: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

I want to be known for useful words, not useless words. 

I want to praise God, revealing that I truly trust Him for today and for tomorrow.

The Psalms are a wonderful place for us to run when we are anxious about anything. 

Psalm 150 provides a great example of praise to our mighty God:

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!

Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!

Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!

Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

If you are like me, I have no musical talent, but I am thrilled to lift my voice to God to praise Him.  Especially with children who love music, our worship in song can show them that we can respond to life’s challenges with praise to God, which lifts our spirits. We are providing them with an example of praising God that can carry them into the hands of the living God!

Words of praise are always useful!  

I ask God to encourage you to join me in speaking more useful words, and far less useless ones, as He gives us ears to hear!

Do you love Jesus!  If so, please praise Him now for the moment He has given you. If Jesus is not yet your Lord and Savior, please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com if you would like to talk about a personal relationship with God through His one and only Son. 

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. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

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 have come to realize how often I step into what is God’s territory.

What I mean by this is when I begin to think and then act on situations that belong to God to address, and not me.

For instance, there have been many people whose names have hit the news because of their sinful behavior, and as a result, they have lost their positions in their churches. What captivated my attention was the one time the man’s sin was not identified.

People began to speculate about what sin he committed.  

Two thoughts came to mind. First, are we also then sinning because what we are speculating is really gossip?  The second thought was, are we then stepping into God’s territory?

Here is the online definition of gossip: “Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.” 

That certainly hits the nail on the head. We have no business having such discussions.

Rather, we should be seeking God on behalf of those individuals who have committed a sin that has been publicized. Please consider that. How would we like it if social media began detailing our sin? 

It reminds me of this event in which Jesus taught about His love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness:

John 8:1-11: “but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

We need to understand that the Pharisees (ie. Hypocritical religious men) who brought this woman to Jesus, were not interested in holiness or justice. The passage makes that clear with this statement: “They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.” 

But God has His perfect reason for addressing our sins. 

Jesus always addresses our sin so that we have the opportunity to confess it, and change our ways. He wants to cleanse us, and restore us. He is able to do this because He paid the debt for ALL our sins on the cross. Jesus’ coming, and going to His death on the cross after being separated from His Father, is all about forgiveness. That is His heart. We hear it in these verses:

1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

2 Peter 3:9 [Amplified]: “The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Additionally, the Levitical law states: “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” Leviticus 20:10-12

Notice, the Pharisees only brought the woman. Another point that indicates they really didn’t care about holiness and justice.

We have no idea what Jesus wrote, but whatever it was, everyone left, leaving Jesus alone to address the woman’s sin. What did He say? He told her to “leave your life of sin”.

That is His message to each of us. We are to turn to Him for the power to leave our lives of sin.

As I considered this message along with all the media ‘s publication about people’s sins, I believe that we have tread into God’s territory. God wants to have a personal, private, interaction with each sinner….that includes you and me. 

The Bible only indicates a sin should be brought to the church (God’s people), not to social media, or any other news media, when a person refuses to repent. 

Jesus outlines this in Matthew 18:15-17: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

Please note how God tries to protect the sinner. God is not about broadcasting our sin. We should not be about broadcasting someone’s sin either…because we are in dangerous territory since we are sinners ourselves. The ONLY reason God wants the sin of an unrepentant person to be known is so that we can pray for the person’s restoration, and encourage them in that direction. 

Our territory is to seek God for the person to bring about a heart change so he or she will repent. God’s territory is to work through His Holy Spirit to bring the person to repentance. Our territory is to be joyful at the person’s repentance as we restore them to true fellowship. 

What are some other areas that we tend to encourage upon but are God’s territory?  Revenge comes to mind when I think about that question. What comes to your mind?

How might you and I be encroaching on God’s territory in someone else’s life? What will we do to correct that behavior?

Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com if you would like to talk about a sin you are struggling to turn from, or if you want to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus. 

It is vital for each of us to have a living and active relationship with Jesus. As some have said, you don’t want to leave earth without it!

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. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

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.

Revelation 21:9-27 provides more details for us regarding Jesus’ rescue plan, and His glorious future that plan has for all who are His committed followers:

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” [Jesus’ followers are His bride, His wife.] and he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.  It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.  The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. [It is hard to image the beauty that God’s promised future dwelling for His followers will have, but these verses, and those that follow, give us a glimpse into that reality.]

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp [No more thoughts about global warming!]. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Please spend time considering the truth of what the future holds for those who love Jesus. 

God’s plan deals with evil. 

God’s future plans for Jesus’ followers are more magnificent and splendid than anything we can conceive. 

We are called to believe God’s future plans.

We are called to share these future plans with others.

We are called to live with hope because of these future plans.

It is because of God’s perfect promised rescue plan that we live with hope instead of fear. God’s people have no need to despair when it appears evil is prevailing, because we know the rest of God’s plans for His people.

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you should despair. But God wants to change your despair to hope. Will you seek Him for that? If not, what is stopping you? 

I would like to talk with you if you do not have assurance of your eternal well-being. Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com if you are uncertain that you will be living in the New Heaven and New Earth. You can know. You don’t want to be on the wrong side when your life ends.

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. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

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 am involved in BSF’s [Bible Study Fellowship] study of Revelation. The emphasis is one of certain hope. God’s hope is not one of wishful thinking. It is hope based in Him, and His perfect sovereign plan for people.

Jesus, as recorded by John in John 16, spent time with His disciples. During that time, He was preparing them for His death. His preparation included a list of troubles they would experience after He ascended to the Father. But God would not leave them alone. Jesus promised to send them His Holy Spirit. His Holy Spirit would permanently indwell them. In the past, God’s Holy Spirit would temporarily come upon people, not permanently.

Chapter 16 ends with this verse: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

God through Jesus told us that we would suffer, but he also gave his promised rescue plan! It is a perfect plan. 

His rescue plan is based in the truth that He has overcome the world. 

His rescue plan is based in the truth that He is the most powerful being who has or will ever exist.

His rescue plan is based in the truth that what He started, He will complete.

His rescue plan is based in His abilities, not ours.

His rescue plan is outlined in the Bible.

His rescue plan requires us to live by faith.

His rescue plan is only for those who have an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus.

But God, in His effort to reach people with the truth that Jesus is His only Son, who gave His life for us, requires those of us who love and follow Jesus to walk through tough times.

God wants those of us who have committed our lives to Jesus to demonstrate to the world that He is everything He states in the Bible. That is best done when we walk through periods of suffering, leaning upon Him, thus experiencing His power in and through us. Then we can testify to others that God is who He states He is our –  loving, sovereign, omnipotent…and so much more – Heavenly Father.

I can testify to personally experiencing God carrying me through my trials. As a result, I am experiencing Him transforming my character so that I am more like Jesus. This is a lifelong work, but God is patient, and He is building that patience in me. I would not exchange my experience of God’s nearness for anything this world offers.

Though we don’t know every detail of God’s rescue plan, we do know the end of the plan!

In Revelation 21: 1-8, you will find some of the details for God’s endgame:

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

What points from the above verses give you excitement and hope for the future?

For me, I am excited to know that Jesus will be living among us. We will see Him. We will worship Him!

Perhaps you are touched by the truth that there will be no more death, mourning, or tears.

Justice will be meted out to those who reject Jesus. Maybe you are troubled by what appears to be evil succeeding in our world. But God will not let that go unpunished. 

Want to know more?  Stay tuned for Part 2!

Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com if you are uncertain that you will be living in the New Heaven and New Earth. You can know. You don’t want to be on the wrong side when your life ends.

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. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

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.