Sharron's Blog: July 18, 2022 Hands to the Plow, Press Forward!

 Are You Really Ready?  7/18/2022

I awoke this morning at 5:00 and refusing to get up, decided the Lord and I would have a talk, mostly me doing the talking. I began searching for answers as to why the power through Jesus name, the anointing, was not working as promised in Mark 16:17: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  Also, Acts 5:15 — Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.  Another regarding Apostle Paul, Acts 18:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

I was meditating upon these verses and asking the Lord to show me if there was something in my life that I was blind to that was hindering the anointing. I was in a dark room, with only a salt lamp, night light on but could see the bookshelf in my room, filled with quilt fabrics I had accumulated for my prayer quilt ministry. I was gently reminded of one of ten commandments... Exodus 20:17Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. I thought: "who is my neighbor, the houses in my Vernon View subdivision?" But realized, it could be the neighborhood market place, online shopping (Amazon?) and many other places I could covet and feel justified, no guilt. I had shelves of fabric but couldn't resist the "deal of the day" through Missouri Star quilt shop in which the deal many times was an expensive collection of top of line fabrics I usually avoided unless it was a mark down, daily deal, clearance, etc. I thought that if the Lord were to return right now, none of this stuff would go with me!  I was "guilty as charged via ten commandments, coveting". 

Also, the Lord kept bringing the following Bible verses...Luke 9:62 — And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Also He brought to mind a verse that says in Matthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 

I am a woman of many words, or much speaking, and lately God has been shushing me, holding me back from speaking all my mind or "venting" as I've come to refer to it. (This is a work in progress, still ongoing) I am beginning to realize that in between "Yes and No" can get you into trouble unless it's the word of God. Regarding Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. I was reminded of my late husband Jack who was an excellent gardener and I use to marvel at his perfect, straight rows and how he accomplished that. He told me: "I have a stake with a white flag on it and I keep my eyes on that stake, straight ahead and if I do, they are straight." I have always understood that verse to mean looking back on your old life, what you gave up for the Lord but a few days ago I felt the Lord added a bit of extra insight to this verse. I felt He showed me that when we keep looking back and reflecting upon old sins [repended or forgiven?] of ourselves or others, moral failures, old wounds or offences received in our past by others, stumbling by us or other believers, when we keep looking back and not following the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. I was reminded or asked the question: "How do you want me to forgive you? Do you want ME to look back at all your indescretions or failures"? 

Let us keep our eyes or focus on Christ, our goal, and press on...follow me as I follow Christ. This verse came to mind...

Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

One final thought, I am a watchman [or woman] and I keep up with Bible prophecy being fulfilled hourly, and it seems things happening from book of Revelation that I had hoped I'd be kept from but "I'm still here Lord!" This makes me want to ask a question: "Are we ready to stand if we happen to be here to go through some end times events we didn't plan for? Will you be spiritually ready, really, really ready to follow? Revelation 12:11 — And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.  How close are WE in our relationship to the Lord, or are we living off other's relationships with the Lord?  Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you [us]. 

SCRIPTURES

Isaiah 29:13 KJV — Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Luke 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Psalm 101:5 KJV — Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

1 Peter 4:8 KJV — And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

James 5:20 KJV — Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Proverbs 6:12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;

14Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

15Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.