#LifeThatMatters

Standards of behavior exist in every relationship and institution. In kindergarten, we learned to sit on the mat for story time and lie on our blankies for naps. In elementary school, we were expected to sit in our seats at the appropriate times, line up for recess, and share the playground equipment. The standards got more complicated in middle and high school because not only the teachers, but other kids were imposing standards of behavior on us, and if we wanted to be cool, sometimes those standards clashed. Then there were the standards regarding relationships. We worried about doing things right with friends, best friends, boy/girlfriends, teachers, counselors, etc.  Later there came employers and the stresses associated with the standards of the workplace.

First and foremost though, were the standards we learned at home. Dad and Mom expected us to act a certain way in their presence and show forth the standards we learned when in public. Common phrases may have been, “We don’t act that way in this family,” or “Do not embarrass us.”

God has set standards too. When Saul was chosen as the first king of Israel, Sameul “explained to the people the behavior of royalty, and wrote it in a book…” (I Sam. 10:25). Kingship was new to everyone and explanation was needed.

1 Peter 2:9 says of us, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (NKJ). There is a standard set for the behavior of royalty and that’s who we are as the people of God. There are certain ways we do and don’t act in this family. Please don’t embarrass us.

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©2009/2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

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Why I Get Into Trouble

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Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children

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Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame

from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)

#LifeThatMatters

What happened the day after Jesus’ followers discovered He had risen from the dead? It’s interesting that we’re not told directly about that day. In Acts 13:30-31 Paul preached that Jesus hung around a while after His resurrection. “But God raised Him from the dead. He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people” (NKJ, emphasis added). Still, of the next day after that first realization of His resurrection, the Bible is silent.

If it had been today, Jesus’ every move would have been posted on Facebook and His every appearance would have been chronicled on Instagram. He’d be swarmed by the paparazzi and the press would be hounding him.

“Show us your hands, Jesus.”

“Do the wounds in your feet hurt when you walk?”

“What facial products are you using to heal those scars around your head left by that crown of thorns? Do you still have that crown? Will you be selling it on eBay soon?

But we hear none of this hubbub. After His appearance to and verbal exchange with the women outside the tomb, His disciples in their hiding room, and the followers on the road, we just know He basically hung out with many others before His ascension back to Heaven. No other details are shared.

Evidently, the details of the days between the resurrection and ascension are immaterial. All we need to know is the ultimate effect. The fact that Jesus was alive again was enough to ignite a fire in His followers that has not been extinguished to this day. Acts 17:6 describes the apostles as people “who have turned the world upside down.”

It’s our job to continue what was started by those first Christ-followers. The eggs have been hunted, the lilies have been enjoyed, and the pictures have been taken. In church, services have been attended, the Resurrection songs have been sung, and the sermons have been preached. Let’s not forget about Easter just because the day has passed. We have been energized for the rest of the year. It’s time to continue to turn the world upside down with the good news of the Gospel. The resurrected Lord appeared to us too through our celebration of the day, His life still matters, and His message makes a difference. Keep spreading the message: He is risen indeed!

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©2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Get ready to watch The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network’s new internet TV show Life That Matters with Sharon Norris Elliott from any internet-connected device at www.HSBN.tv.

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Why I Get Into Trouble

Here’s the link to our eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5131814

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Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children

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Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk

Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame

from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)

#LifeThatMatters

My three-day, Facebook debate with an atheist ended when we came to an impasse. My final evidence for the existence of God and Lordship of Jesus Christ is the Bible. The consistency of the internal evidence is enough for me, but at Biola University, I did study external evidence supporting its authenticity and veracity. Once my atheist debater began to spew ugly accusations about Jesus’ birth, no matter what evidence I gave, our conversation was over.

No matter how much he says the Biblical record is untrue, or claims to have conflicting “evidence,” the thing that bothers me most is that if he doesn’t change his views, he’s in for a rude awakening when he dies. I know that sounds contradictory–death vs. an awakening–but there is an awakening for us all when we die. The Bible promises believers eternal life in the presence of God; it promises unbelievers everlasting torment in which they are consciously aware that it was their denial of Christ that has caused their eternal state.

An old song once said, “If heaven never were promised to me, neither God’s promise to live eternally, it’s been worth just having the Lord in my life.” I agree, but thank God He’s real, Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection, heaven exists, and I’m going! Share the news.

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©2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Get ready to watch The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network’s new internet TV show Life That Matters with Sharon Norris Elliott from any internet-connected device at www.HSBN.tv.

Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,

Why I Get Into Trouble

Here’s the link to our eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5131814

Also still available:

Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children

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Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk

Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame

from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)

#LifeThatMatters

When I drive home from work, I head west into the setting sun. On several stretches of the highway, depending upon the afternoon time, I contend with the glare of the setting sun shining directly into my eyes. The car’s sun visor is no help when the blazing round drops below the extent of its protection. Sunglasses dim the glare a bit, but I find myself still squinting. I resort to holding my hand up until my arm tires. The bumper-to-bumper traffic just prolongs my misery until the sun mercifully dips below the horizon. (You wonder about the length of my commute? I’m on the freeways in Los Angeles. Need I say more?)

Anyway, one day I caught a brief break. Up the lane to my left came a huge luxury travel bus. Once it got beside me, its size blocked out the sun. If I matched the speed of the bus, I could escape the punishment of the sun’s glare by driving in its shadow. When it sped up, I sped up. When it slowed, I slowed. As long as I kept pace with that bus, my misery was avoided and I could see without squinting or trying to supply my own shade.

Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (NKJ). Until my encounter with the bus, I always thought of this verse as something to be experienced while being still. I pictured myself cuddled up next to God in His shadow as if sitting cross-legged with my back comfortably against a tree trunk and in the shadow of its branches. But what about when I’m moving? Do I give up the comfort of His shadow like I do when I walk away from the tree?

No, the “secret place of the Most High” is an abiding spot that both sits still and moves. The abiding is an attachment that travels with God’s presence just as the tabernacle used to do. The shadow of the cloud by day would move or stay put. My protection from the glaring rays of any hindrance is found as I keep pace with God’s presence. The shadowed place is where He is. When He moves, I move. If I don’t, I will find myself left behind where He wants me to be, and out in the glare. When He stops, I stop. If I don’t, I’ll be running ahead of God, and dog-gone-it, there’s that glare again.

Be it stationary or on the move, let’s abide in God’s cooling, calming shadow. Ahh, what a relief!

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©2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Get ready to watch The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network’s new internet TV show Life That Matters with Sharon Norris Elliott from any internet-connected device at HSBN.tv.

Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,

Why I Get Into Trouble

Here’s the link to our eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5131814

Also still available:

Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children

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Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk

Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame

from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)

#LifeThatMatters

           After Jesus’ body was taken from the cross, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man who had become a following, asked Pilate if the body of Jesus could be given to him. Pilate allowed it, so Joseph took Jesus’ body, “wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his [own] new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock” Matthew 27:59-60 (NKJ).

            It is very interesting what happened the next day. We talk a lot about the day Jesus died, and we talk a lot about the day He rose, but what about that middle day. What happened on that middle day?

            A very key thing happened on that middle day that concerned Jesus’ enemies. Matthew 27:62-66 tells us a conversation took place between Pilate—the same guy who had just given the body of the Lord to Joseph—and the crooked religious leaders who had been the impetus in Jesus’ assassination. The passage says:

 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by nightand steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”

Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

             How intriguing to realize that all of Jesus’ disciples and other close followers had totally missed every reference Jesus made to His resurrection, but His enemies had not missed that vital piece of information. Over and over again, Jesus had declared that he would be killed, but He would rise again. He even told them when: on the third day. Wouldn’t you think that if you had been one of the disciples, you would have been eagerly awaiting that third day to come around? If you had really listened to what Jesus had been saying, wouldn’t you have been sitting outside that garden tomb with great expectation for the dawning of that third day? Everything else Jesus said was always on point; why would this saying have been any different?

          But no, the disciples weren’t expecting Him to live again. They were in hiding. Joseph of Arimathea didn’t expect Him to live again. He was probably thinking about the work that would go into digging out another cave in which he would be buried when he died. The women didn’t expect Him to live again. They had watched where His body was laid so they could return the next day and further prepare It properly for a decent burial. No one considered the real possibility except His enemies. Why? They had been really listening to His every word. Their reason for listening so attentively was to catch Him in a web of His own words, but their evil intention led to their eager attention. And unwittingly, they actually became the first ones to repeat the proclamation, and thereby share the news of Jesus’ resurrection.

        Keep up the good work of proclaiming the truth of the gospel whenever the opportunity presents itself. They may not act like it, but your children your co-workers, your extended family members, your friends, your neighbors, and even strangers are hearing and they are listening. It was necessary for someone from the enemy’s camp to be a witness to the Resurrection. And it is necessary for those around us today who are antagonistic to the gospel to hear it anyway. Just as nothing can be erased from the mind of a jury, God’s word cannot be erased from hearts. That’s why Satan tries so hard to snatch it away, choke it out, and smother it up (see Matthew 13:3-9 and 13:18-23). Isaiah 55:11 clearly states God’s declaration about His word. “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (NKJ).

So tell it! The enemy is listening!

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©2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Get ready to watch The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network’s new internet TV show Life That Matters with Sharon Norris Elliott from any internet-connected device at HSBN.tv.

Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,

Why I Get Into Trouble

Here’s the link to our eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5131814

Also still available:

Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children

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Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk

Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame

from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)

I have two favorite reality shows. One is Shark Tank and the other is Undercover Boss. In the latter, the boss of the company disguises himself and goes in to work alongside his employees. The object of the show is to give the high-powered executive a taste of his own medicine in terms of how the company’s policies, practices, and procedures are actually affecting his workers. However, sometimes the employees treat this “new guy” harshly, become impatient as he tries to master certain tasks, or say things roughly to him. In response, many times he wants to say, “Do you know who I am?” Undoubtedly, the workers would respond to him differently and would probably constantly put their best foot forward if they knew his true identity.

Perhaps people are not responding to us as we’d like them to because we are not revealing our true identity. And maybe we’re not revealing our true identity because we don’t know what it is ourselves. According to Jesus, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” Matthew 5:13-15 (NKJ, emphasis added).

The Greek word for ‘salt’ used here is ‘halas’ which figuratively means ‘prudence.’ Being the salt of the earth, then, means that we are the wisdom, the reason, and the good judgment needed in society to know how to handle our world and our lives in a disciplined manner. As believers, we are the caution sign to our world. By the same token, as the light of the world, we are the ‘phos’ or that which shines and makes manifest that which must be seen.

Life is not reality TV and there’s no need to disguise ourselves as undercover Christians in order to work alongside others. Knowing who we are should naturally lead to living as who we are. Jesus follows His description of us with an admonition for us. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16 (NKJ). If we’d start living as the salt and light we’re supposed to be, we’d probably be pleasantly surprised at how others begin to treat us and how we’d see the Lord’s name honored.

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©2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,

Why I Get Into Trouble

Here’s the link to our eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5131814

Also still available:

Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children

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Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk

Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame

from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)

We tend to make lots of promises to ourselves at the beginning of a new year. Some people scoff at the idea of resolutions, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with making a decision to do better. If the beginning of a new year just happens to be the time when we are reminded of ways in which we can improve, great! January first is a perfect time to listen to God’s voice to hear where He’s prompting us to go and what He’s calling us to do. Once His voice is discerned, our redeemed mind, body, and soul must get serious and be about the business of moving decidedly in God’s revealed direction. If we don’t, we will have problems.

God says, “Turn at my rebuke;
surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,because you disdained all my counsel,
and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror come” Proverbs 1:23-26 (NKJ). In other words, God makes known to us His word or direction. When we deafen our ears to His call, discount the nudges of His hand, disdain His counsel, and disregard His rebuke, He will allow calamity and terror to enter our experience.

Why do we think we can live in opposition to God’s word yet continue to enjoy the shelter of His hand? Don’t we realize we are dealing with a holy God who must act against sin to remain true to His own character? We are playing Russian Roulette with God’s blessing and favor each day we knowingly presume upon His mercy while slapping Him in the face with our willful disobedience. It’s like walking up to God face-to-face, waving our sin in front of Him, and flippantly remarking, “I know Jesus died carrying this sin for me; but, I’ve decided to take it back and live in it. What are You going to do about it?” The above Proverbs passage answers, letting us know that when God sees such an attitude, He laughs at the troubles we bring upon ourselves.

Turn when God rebukes us so we’ll experience the pouring out of His Spirit in our circumstances. Let’s get serious about living for the Master by lining up every area of our life with His revealed word.

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©2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,

Why I Get Into Trouble

Here’s the link to our eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5131814

Also still available:

Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children

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Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk

Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame

from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)

It’s interesting to read the Biblical accounts of some of the people God called to do things and to see how there was no hesitation in them to just do whatever it was God called them to do. For example, there’s Noah. God employed Noah in the huge task of building an ark strong enough to withstand a 40-day rainstorm, sturdy enough to endure a year’s voyage, and large enough to transport his own family, two of every unclean land animal, and seven of every clean animal. (Read the entire account in Genesis 6 – 8.) All we read of Noah’s reaction is, “And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him” Genesis 7:5 (NKJ).

Then there are the first four disciples: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. While walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw these guys going about their daily work as fishermen. He said to them, “Follow Me,” and immediately they left everything they were doing – they didn’t even finish that particular task – and followed Jesus. (See Matthew 4:18-22.)

Neither Noah nor the disciples had any way of knowing all that their commitment would bring their way. I can’t imagine that Noah totally envisioned the enormity of the ark-building task (it took him and his sons 100 years to build that boat), nor the discomfort of a year’s journey in smelly, closed, dark, and possibly cramped quarters with dozens of animals to feed and four women hopefully not suffering with PMS. And I’m sure the disciples never dreamt they’d turn the world upside down and gladly die as martyrs (except for one, John) for the cause of Christ. (See Acts 17:4-7.) Once Noah heard from God and once the disciples heard from Jesus, their reaction was clear, quick, and decisive; they simply just did what they were called to do.

What about us? What’s God calling us to do? Perhaps like Noah, we’re being called to a huge, ark-sized task. God wouldn’t call us without equipping us. Just do it. For sure, no matter the size of the task, like with the disciples, He’s calling us to follow Him. And like with the disciples, whatever we are doing that is not a part of His call, must immediately be dropped so the following may begin. We can be assured that whatever the commitment might ask of us, we’ll be able to handle it when we get to it.

Jesus calls for us to follow. “Come to Me, all you 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” Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJ). Let’s exchange our work that we have in mind for ourselves, for the work He has in mind for us. No debate; just do it.

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©2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,

Why I Get Into Trouble

Here’s the link to our eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5131814

Also still available:

Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children

available from Judson Press (http://www.judsonpress.com/product.cfm?product_id=17387),

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk

Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame

from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)

As with many people, here at the beginning of the new year, I have decided to take much better care of my health. My schedule last year seriously disrupted my workout routine, so I’m determined not to let that happen this year. I’ve started out slowly by walking each day on our treadmill. As I walk, I read my Bible. This way, I’m making sure to get my spiritual walk with the Lord in on a daily basis as well.

Walking with God is good exercise, and just as I expect positive physical results from my daily effort on the treadmill, we can expect positive spiritual results when we spend time keeping pace with the Master. To walk with God means more than just to ambulate alongside someone. Walking with God has to do with movement in one’s manner of life. We are walking with God when we are completely attuned to Him—in step with Him. He turns right; we turn right. He slows down; we slow down. He runs; we run. Look at how God worked with people in the Bible who walked with Him.

The first person in Scripture who we are told walked with God was Enoch. Back when people were living into their nine-hundreds, Enoch suddenly disappeared from the earth at the tender age of 365. Why? “Enoch walked steadily with God. And then one day he was simply gone: God took him” Genesis 5:24 (MSG).

The second person who walked with God was Noah. When God got fed up with the wickedness on the earth and decided to destroy everything, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord [because he] was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God” Genesis 6:8-9 (NKJ). So instead of wiping everything out, God told Noah, “I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you” Genesis 6:18-19.

We also find that David walked with God. Because of David’s commitment, God promised, “You shall not lack a man to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your sons take heed to their way to walk before Me as you have walked” First Kings 8:25 (NASB).

So, just as physical exercise yields different results for different people, so does the spiritual exercise of walking with God produce different results; but all of the results in both cases are good. Because of the treadmill, folks have experienced weight loss, built leg strength, and more efficient lung capacity. For the Biblical men above, walking with God produced an unparalleled intimate relationship, rescue, and the promise of a continual reign.

We walk with God when we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And “no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him” First Corinthians 2:9 (NLT). Start your spiritual exercise routine; take a walk.

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©2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,

Why I Get Into Trouble

Here’s the link to our eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5131814

Also still available:

Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children

available from Judson Press (http://www.judsonpress.com/product.cfm?product_id=17387),

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk

Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame

from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)

Anyone who has ever had children knows that children can be disobedient. In fact, disobedience seems to be part of the criteria for being a child. Think about it: no one has ever had to teach a child to do the wrong thing. Pundits who believe children are born as a blank slate and pick up all their negative tendencies from their environment never dealt with an uncomfortable baby or a stubborn two-year-old. As sweet as my new precious grandson is, I’m aware that he was born as a little sinner, and sooner or later, that sin nature will rear its ugly head in opposition to his parents’ will and direction.

We have Adam and Eve to thank for setting the sin nature in motion back in the Garden of Eden. Read the whole sordid story in Genesis chapter 3, but let’s concentrate today on how God dealt with the cataclysmic stumble of His first children.

Immediately after Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they became frighteningly aware that something wasn’t right. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings… and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden” Genesis 3:7-8 (NKJ). God also knew something wasn’t right; He knew everything was wrong, so watch how He handled the situation.

First, God called Adam. Fully aware of what Adam had done and where he was hiding, God gave Adam the invitation to come out of hiding and turn to Him. Next, God challenged Adam. Upon Adam’s admission that he was afraid, naked, and hiding, God asked him how he knew these things. Third, God cross-examined and corrected everyone involved in the incident. When Adam passed the buck to Eve (“The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate” Genesis 3:12), God questioned her. When she passed the buck to the serpent (“The serpent deceived me, and I ate” Genesis 3:13), God turned and cursed it. (God didn’t give the serpent a chance to make an excuse because it didn’t have a leg to stand on!) Notice that Adam and Eve did not escape punishment just because they ‘fessed up. From then on, women would have pain in childbirth and husbands would rule over their wives, and men would eek out a living by the sweat of their brow, and all life would end in death (see Genesis 3:16-19).

But God wasn’t finished with Adam and Eve after pronouncing their punishment. The fourth thing God did was clothe them. To hide their nakedness, Adam and Eve had sewn fig leaf outfits for themselves. God had better fashion sense and “made tunics of skin, and clothed them” Genesis 3:21. This meant some animal had to die in order for their sin to be properly covered.

Finally, God changed Adam and Eve’s location. “Now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever… therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken” Genesis 3:23. In order to keep them from doing eternal harm to themselves, God set them on a completely different path.

So what does all of this have to do with us? Simply this: No matter what new year’s resolutions we make or how determined we are to walk more closely with the Lord this year, we’ll inevitably sin. We’ll recognize our sin, be fearful of God’s wrath, and try to hide. But God will call us and invite us out of hiding and into His presence. He’ll challenge us to confess our sin, and He’ll correct us. But just as Adam and Eve did not have to faint under the weight of His correction, He’ll clothe us with His righteousness through Jesus and with new mercy. Then He’ll change the direction of our focus and give us new vistas in which to work.

Called, challenged, corrected, clothed, and changed: this system never gets old to God, and is always a tremendous blessing to us.

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©2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

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