My site is for uplifting and encouraging those that need spiritual advice and guidance.
Author: Shaunelius Sterns
I have been married to my wonderful husband for 21 years now. I am a Christian, poet, singer, songwriter, and artist. I have five beautiful children. I enjoy writing and reading my Bible. I also love to pray for others. I love nature and being outside on sunny days. I love spending time with my family and watching shows that makes me laugh.
Are you a pastor, Sunday school teacher, small group leader or someone who is desiring a closer relationship to God? Those descriptions should cover just about anyone! We have discounted titles this week to equip you in your preaching, teaching and daily studying.
What would you do if you lost all your possessions?
Being blessed.
If I lost all of my possessions, I would just start over. Material things are not always meant for us to keep. We brought nothing into this world, so if we lose everything we have, it is just suppose to be that way. Nothing lasts forever, so we can’t hold on to what we did not create in the first place.
If I lost everything I have. I would still praise God, because life is more important than material things. We only get one life on this earth and it should be cherished to the fullest. Material things are good to have, but they are not worth holding on to because those things are just that; THINGS.
Things will always be here, but we will not. Don’t cherish things, cherish life.
When we were children, we had our special hiding place we would go to when we just wanted to be alone. We would go to that place only to find out that it had been found out by someone else. What did we do? We would find another place to go thinking that no one would dare find out about it, but again we were wrong. See, there isn’t a place we can go that God doesn’t already know about. There isn’t a place we can hide that He doesn’t already know that’s there. So, where is your hiding place? Our hiding place is with Jesus Christ. He covers us under the shadow of His wings. The Holy Spirit leads and guides us in the direction we are to go along this path called life.
When we were children, we did not know why we did the things that we did whether they were good, or bad, but even if we knew who Jesus was, we would say, I’m sorry not knowing that we were being heard. Sometimes it may have been a time when we would cry and not know why, but even as adults, we still do it today. Sometimes we can’t find the words, but our tears speak for us from our heart and soul. See, God knows our hearts. He knows what every tear is for. Sometimes all we can do is let God do a work in us that needs to be done so we can be better people, and so He can use us in His service for the Kingdom of Heaven.
We face trials and tribulations every day that we live, but it is not to hurt us, but it is to make us strong and to build our faith and trust in God. Again, where is your hiding place? My hiding place is on my knees praying to Jesus. My hiding place is spending time in the Word of God. My hiding place is praising the name of Jesus, and lifting up God my Creator. My hiding place is singing to God in the spirit. My hiding place is thanking God for all He has done for me my whole life, and for what He is doing in my life right now, and in the future. My hiding place is loving the Lord with all of my heart and soul; every fiber of my being. My hiding place is sharing the Word of God to a lost world to the ends of the earth. My hiding place is encouraging others when they are down and out. My hiding place is being hidden in Jesus Christ, my Savior. Again I ask, where is your hiding place? Who will you choose to serve? Will you choose God and live for eternity, or will you choose Satan and burn for all eternity? The choice is yours.
As always, all of my messages are shared in love because I have a heart for souls. Jesus came that we may have life, and life more abundantly. Stay safe, and as always thank you for joining me on my journey with Food for the Soul.
The trait I value most about myself is I enjoy learning. I always want to know how something works, how it was built, and what something is for. I enjoy learning because things are constantly evolving around me, such as technology. Technology is something that I have always loved learning about since I used my first Apple computer in middle school, and using my first typewriter, and word processor. When I got my first cell phone, I knew that technology was going to take over the old ways of communicating and how we live our lives.
Being educated is very important to me. I want to learn all that I can while I can. I don’t ever not want to be in the know. Whenever I want to learn something, I do my research on the subject I want to learn about. For instance, I wanted to learn to create ebooks. I did my research and came across the program I use now to create them. I wanted a blog site with a website, so I came across WordPress and the rest is history. There is so much I have learned on my own just because I love learning.
You never get too old to learn something new. For as long as there will be technology, we will be learning something new. Don’t ever stop wanting to learn. Learning is fun. When I learn something new it lifts my confidence. I feel smarter than I was in the beginning.
There are other traits about myself that I value, such as being outgoing, and outspoken. One thing I can say is that I call it like I see it and I tell it like it is. I will not apologize for the truth no matter how harsh it may be. I always get my point across in anything I am discussing. I am very outgoing. I have fun wherever I am. I love to laugh and make others laugh as well. I enjoy working just as much as I enjoy learning. I have always been told that my laugh is contagious because whenever I laugh others laugh with me. Having and sharing joy is what makes me happy. There’s so much sadness in the world. If I can make one person smile, or laugh I have done my part.
We all have things about us that makes us who we are, and there are things about ourselves that we like, or don’t like, but we all have things that we value about ourselves. We just have to take time out to find out what they are by searching our soul to see what those things are. No one can find out what they are except us.
Accept yourself for who you are. Let your love shine through. You never know whose day you will brighten.
We are not born knowing right from wrong. When we are born in this world, some of us are born in sin because our parents were not married before we were conceived. Does sin reside within us, or does it not? Well, let me answer this question for you. Yes, we all have sinful natures whether born in sin or not. While we are growing up learning about the things around us, we see things that ought not to be happening, such as people killing other people for whatever reason. We grow up listening to gossip, whether true or false, but we also hear people judging others for whatever reason. The question is, who are we to judge another person for their actions or decisions? We do not have the right to do that, but we do not realize that we also will be judged by the One who created us. We all know what the Word of God says about judging others, and this is what it says:
DO NOT JUDGE: MATTHEW 7:1-6
“Judge not, that you be not judged. “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye”; and look a plank is in your own eye. “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Do not give what is holy unto the dogs, do not cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
SEEING OUR OWN SINS
Do we ever think about our own sins while trying to see someone else’s sins? Do we ever think about the things that we have done wrong to someone, or what we have said to hurt someone’s feelings? How can we tell someone what to do or not to do when we don’t take our own advice? We are just as bad as they were back then. No one is perfect. We do not have the right to judge anyone. We need to examine ourselves before we open up our mouth to say anything about someone else. God did not give us the permission to do His job! This is what we need to do. We need to treat others how we want to be treated, and speak to one another how we want to be spoken to. We should treat one another how we want to be treated. We should love one another just as Jesus told us to do. I know it is hard to do when you have been judged by someone who says that they love you. God tells us to love our enemies and to pray for them. I know that is hard to do too, but we can ask God to give us the strength to do it because He loves them. We do not want to walk around with hate in our heart for people just because they have wronged us. We must learn to forgive so we can have peace within ourselves. When we are carrying things that should have been let go of, it makes our spirit heavy. It feels like the whole world is sitting on our shoulders.
The point of this message is: DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE JUDGED!
This message was shared in love. As always, stay safe, stay blessed, and thank you for joining me on my journey with Food for the Soul.
In their later years, God blessed Abraham and Sarah with a child, Isaac, whose name means “laughter.”
Isaac was a physical representation of everything sacred to Abraham’s heart, the covenants that God made. He was the physical link to the coming Messiah. And Abraham watched this little child grow into a young boy and then into a strong young man.
We don’t know for certain, but perhaps Isaac began to fill the spot that Abraham had previously reserved for God, because the Bible tells us that God tested Abraham.
God said to him, “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you” (Genesis 22:2 NLT).
Even then, Abraham had his priorities right. He was willing to give up Isaac to the Lord, believing that, if necessary, He would resurrect him from the dead. Of course, we know the rest of the story. At the last moment, God spared Isaac.
And Abraham passed the test.
In his book The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer commented, “To the wondering patriarch [God] now says in effect, ‘It’s all right, Abraham. I never intended that you should actually slay the lad. I only wanted to remove him from the temple of your heart that I might reign unchallenged there.’ ”
Could it be that someone has become an idol in your life? Is there someone who is more precious to you than God Himself?
It isn’t that God would take this individual away as much as He wants to rule and reign in your heart.
The Bible gives us God’s reflection about how the people of Israel once pursued Him. God said, “I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness” (Jeremiah 2:2 NLT).
In other words, “Remember how it was when we were still in the honeymoon phase, in the early days?”
He continues, “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” (verse 13 NLT).
Their first mistake was withdrawing from Him, the fountain of living waters, the One who could satisfy their deepest needs. And then it was only a matter of time until they found broken cisterns, wells dug in the rocks that couldn’t hold water.
Let’s heed the warning of Scripture to believers living in the last days. Let’s refuse to allow anyone or anything to become idols in our hearts. The best antidote to idolatry is a passionate love relationship with Jesus Christ. When He is the Lord of our lives and we’re cultivating fellowship with Him, we won’t run after other gods.
Any pursuit you go after that takes God’s place in your life won’t satisfy you. Let Him be your Lord. Let Him be your God.
When I was a boy, the schoolyard was where bullies threw their weight around and kids like me received that bullying with minimal protest. As we cowered in fear before our tormenters, there was something even worse: their taunts of “Are you scared? You’re afraid of me, aren’t you? There’s no one here to protect you.”
In fact, most of those times I really was frightened—and with good cause. Having been punched in the past, I knew I didn’t want to experience that again. So, what could I do and whom could I trust when I was stricken with fear? When you’re eight years old and being bullied by a kid who is older, bigger, and stronger, the fear is legitimate.
When the psalmist faced attack, he responded with confidence rather than fear—because he knew he didn’t face those threats alone. He wrote, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 118:6). As a boy, I’m not sure I would have been able to understand his level of confidence. As an adult, however, I’ve learned from years of walking with Christ that He’s greater than any fear-inducing threat.
The threats we face in life are real. Yet we need not fear. The Creator of the universe is with us, and He’s more than enough.
By Bill Crowder
REFLECT & PRAY
What are you fearing today? Ask God for His presence, comfort, and protection for whatever you’re facing.
Father, thank You that You’re with me and that I can trust You in those moments to see me through by Your grace.
Psalm 118 is the last of six psalms (Psalms 113–118) known as the “Egyptian Hallel.” The Israelites used this collection of psalms in the Passover celebration. “Egyptian” is a reference to when “Israel came out of Egypt” (114:1; see Exodus 6:6–7), and Hallel means praise. Psalms 113–114 are sung before the Passover meal and Psalms 115–118 afterward.
Psalm 118 is the second most-quoted psalm in the New Testament (Psalm 110 is the first). When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds shouted the words of Psalm 118:26, proclaiming Jesus as the king to free them from Roman bondage (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9; Luke 19:38; John 12:13). Christ quoted Psalm 118:22–23 in the parable of the tenants (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10–11; Luke 20:17). Peter cited these same verses in Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:7, and Paul alludes to them in Ephesians 2:20–21. Hebrews 13:6 quotes from Psalm 118:6.K. T. Sim
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. 8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. 13 I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, 14 that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. 16 He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
17 Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith.
These words comfort. These words speak real consolation to real heartaches and real sorrow. These words, when received by faith and firmly fixed before our eyes, are sufficient to bring hope to even the darkest times and deepest difficulties.
What are these comforting words of which the apostle speaks? It is the two-fold good news that death is temporary and that our life with Jesus is not.
When we face the gaping, cavernous pain of the grave — for ourselves or with our loved ones — there is nothing that could be more encouraging than to hear and to know that this is not forever. The seeming finality of death is broken to pieces by the declaration of the resurrected Christ: I will come again and bring you with me!
Only the body of God’s children is asleep. The soul that is absent from the body is immediately with the Lord. And here is the second part of Paul’s comforting message — your time with the Lord will never come to an end.
Heaven is not an extended vacation, the end of which you anticipate and dread even from its beginning. No we will be forever with the Lord! The greatest moment of our life — when we finally see our Savior and bask in his glory and perfection — is the one moment that will never have to come to an end.
Dear believer, comfort others — and comfort yourself — with these words.
Love this❤ Shared from Bible Verses: Daily Devotional app – 
Food for the Soul 