Browsed by
Author: Sharon Ricks

Pray. Study. Work.

Pray. Study. Work.

Comments 0 Comment

So, yesterday I let my emotions get in the way. I let someone else’s mental issues take me to a place I thought I had overcome. Then I spent all day, and half the night going over it again and again in my head. It affected my whole day…and my sleep that night. THAT made me even angrier. 

Ughhhh…the battle in our mind is a real thing.

At the beginning of the year I told you guys that my goal was to pursue peace. I knew when I said it that the enemy was going to get busy. I knew it. And I still felt blindsided. 

But let me tell you how awesome our God is. He will send people, or arrange situations to speak to our circumstances. The message at service today was on waiting, and it blessed my socks off. What my pastor said was while we wait for God to move we should pray, study the word of God, and work. 

Pray. Talk to God about everything.

Study His word so that you know Him intimately.

Work. Find the thing you are passionate about, and do it to the glory of God.

We don’t have to do anything except trust Him to handle it. Last week I talked about how God will use the dirt people throw at us to elevate us. If I stay faithful, He will handle whatever needs to be handled. I lost my focus for a moment, and my flesh took control. The thing is…God didn’t leave me like that. He gave me time and opportunity to get my focus back. 

My goal is to honor Him by not dishonoring Him.

Thank you God for loving me enough to come when I call, and for letting me know that no mistake I make will ever come between us.

Until next time…

Be blessed

Bruised But Not Broken

Bruised But Not Broken

Comments 0 Comment

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)

This sounds crazy, right? How can you be strong when you are weak? Here’s the thing…when we feel weak in ourselves, know that God’s grace steps in. And it reaches to the highest mountain, and to the lowest valley. 

What I am saying is that in our own strength we can’t…but with God we can do anything. 

When we get to the kind of heart that says, “Whatever You want God,” He strengthens us. It’s in that place where the real fighting takes place. Where we feel that we can’t go not one more step. Where we feel that we can’t take not one more problem…not one more insult. He steps in and breathes on us. And what once looked like a mountain now looks more like a molehill.

Paul knew that when we are weak in ourselves, we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. That’s what our anchor scripture is all about. Nobody wants to endure pain and hardship and insults…even if it is for Christ’ sake. 

Bruised but not broken means that we have to carry ourselves like we belong. Like we know who our God is. I don’t care what it looks like.

– The promise is that we are victorious. 

  • The promise is that we are more than conquerors. 
  • The promise is that God’s grace will be sufficient for whatever trials we face. 

When we give our lives to the Lord, we have access to power from on high. Claim it. We may be a little bruised and battered, but through the grace of God we will not be broken.

Until next time…

Be blessed

Loving My Enemies

Loving My Enemies

Comments 0 Comment

I have always been one of those people who try really hard not to carry a grudge. I don’t want that kind of negativity anywhere around me. I would just rather argue it out, and move on. Unfortunately, everybody doesn’t feel that way. 

Now, even though I don’t hold a grudge, I won’t be hanging out with them either. I mean, it’s hard to be friends with people who don’t like you, right? I just know that I can’t let someone else’s bad behavior keep me from all that God has for me.

My pastor preached this morning that every time your enemies speak ill of you, it’s like dirt being thrown at you. And God will allow that dirt to be a stepping stone to elevate you. That woke me all the way up. I was so pumped. 1 Peter 3:9 says, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 

Look, this says that if I don’t retaliate, and instead keep treating you right, I will inherit a blessing. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anything coming between me and my blessings. So, if that means I have to keep speaking to you, and watch you ignore me…then that’s what I’m going to do, because I know that according to God’s word peacemakers are called His children. And I know that is who I am.

Until next time…

Be blessed

The Pursuit of Peace in 2024!

The Pursuit of Peace in 2024!

Comments 0 Comment

We made it! We have crossed over from 2023 into the year 2024. I am always excited to go from one year to the next. Being able to look back over the previous year, yet not knowing what this new year is going to bring.

This year I have determined to pursue peace. And I’m not just doing lip service. I know that because it really wasn’t my idea. God spoke it to me during one of my morning devotions, and He gave me scripture to back it up. Psalm 34:14 in part says, “Seek peace, and pursue it.” Here’s the thing…I didn’t really know what pursuing peace meant. How do you “pursue” peace? 

So I did what any good Christian would do. I googled it. One definition said that it means to actively chase after, to follow, or to seek out. But I liked the one that said peace is being at rest in Jesus. Pursuing peace is pursuing Jesus. That revelation just blew me away.

I know it’s not going to be easy, because once you actively pursue anything for God, the enemy comes in like a flood. But the Bible says in Isaiah 59:19 that when that happens “God will raise up a standard against him.” That means that whatever that thing is that’s trying to come against us gets God’s attention, and he will put up a barrier on our behalf. 

Look. I don’t know a lot of things, but I know the Bible says that “He will never leave me nor forsake me (Deut. 31:6). And that gives me all the strength I need.

Until next time…

Be blessed

God Will Do The Impossible

God Will Do The Impossible

Comments 0 Comment

Wow. We are in the last month of the year. It seems like this year has gone by so quickly. And I don’t think it’s only me, but doesn’t it seem like the older you get the faster time is going?

That’s why it’s so important that we stop putting things off. We have to stop planning and start doing. I say that probably just for me, because I am a planner. The problem is that I usually end up planning my plan to death. I literally kill it before it can even get started. 

I think I have let fear lead way too long. The crazy thing is that it doesn’t feel like fear. I have even given it a name…procrastination. For some reason, that sounds better than fear to me. Procrastination sounds like eventually I will get around to it. Fear says that it most likely will never happen. And because I can’t bear to think that, I let myself believe that God has simply not gotten around to opening the right doors for me.

Ok, so now I’m blaming it on God…sigh. It’s a vicious circle. 

But, I’m feeling like this new year is going to bring new opportunities for me. God has already given me everything I need, and He’s even given me the people I need to help set things in motion. I know that God can make what looks impossible possible. All I have to do is let go, and take that first step. He has even given me scripture to back it up.

Isaiah 43:19 says, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

I pray that if you are like me, and haven’t done the thing that God has been laying on your heart, and put in your hands to do; that you will join me in this new year and let 2024 be the year that God does the impossible for you.

Until next time…

Be blessed

Life On The Other Side

Life On The Other Side

Comments 0 Comment

My heart is a little sad. My brother-in-law closed his eyes on this life for the last time today, and opened them in eternity.

I say a little sad because I believe with all of my heart that when a loved one passes away, they are no longer suffering. I believe that God answers prayer. And in my prayers I always ask God to save any of my family and friends that have not given their lives to Him. I believe He not only hears me, but He responds.

Many times, death is so hard for us to accept. Even when the person is ill…we struggle with letting go. What brings me comfort though is believing that even on our death bed, God comes to us one more time. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” He is not willing to let any of us go. I trust God, and I trust His word.

Roman 14:8 also says, “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” All of us belong to Him. There is nothing about us that God doesn’t already know. And He loves us anyway…warts and all. 

My brother-in-law was one-of-a-kind. He was one of those people that made his presence known in every room he entered. He loved to have a good time, and he didn’t care if anyone else was having a good time, he made sure he did. I loved his spirit. I loved him. I loved knowing him, and I loved that I got to spend time on this journey with him. I pray that God welcomed him with open arms, and that he is enjoying eternity with all of his family and friends on the other side.

Until next time…

Be blessed

I’m Not Going Back

I’m Not Going Back

Comments 0 Comment

There was this song the praise team sang today that just resonated in my spirit. Im not sure what the title was, but the main part of the song (chorus) just kept repeating, “You have rescued my life, and I’m not going back.” The more I sang it, the deeper it went into my spirit. And in that moment, I fell in love with God all over again.

When we think about what God did for us at Calvary; when His Son gave His life for us on that cross, not just for the people there with Him at that time, but for all of us who would be coming later…it’s overwhelmingly beautiful. Nothing will ever compare to that. All I know is that I am on His team for life. I can truly say that there is nothing in my life before Christ that I miss. God even worked it out so that the people I used to hang out with either came over to the Lord’s side, or went totally in the other direction.

I may not know a lot of things, and I may not always get it right, but I know without a doubt that I am not going back. 

I don’t know anywhere else I would rather be than in the center of His will. I want to care like He cares, and love like He loves. I want to give freely, and openly without reservation. I want to go when He tells me to, and know that wherever He leads me is exactly where I need to be…without question.

God has been so good to me…to all of us. He keeps making a way, moving mountains, opening doors, healing the sick, and forgiving our faults. I don’t have enough words to even tell you…I would run out of words, before I run out of ways (smile).

I guess the only way we can even begin to repay Him is to stay close, keep loving Him, and keep loving one another.

Until next time…

Be blessed

I Want To Bring The Fire!

I Want To Bring The Fire!

Comments 0 Comment

Today, I was the lead worshiper at my church. Now I have to tell you…I am a background kind of person when it comes to church. At least that is what I believe. I will work all day if I need to doing any job you need me to do…outside of the pulpit.

The thing is, that is not what God has called me to. 

He keeps pushing me to shake that spirit of fear, and move in whatever direction He tells me. I have delivered the word many times, but there is always a special anointing that God gives us when it comes to preaching. I think it’s because we know it’s not us who is speaking…it’s the Spirit of the Lord speaking through us.

When you are leading worship, people have certain expectations, and the louder you are, the better. 

I don’t know if that’s true, I just know that is what I like when I am sitting in the congregation. I like it when the worshiper brings the fire. I like it when the air is charged with anticipation for what is about to come. I know it is not about that, and it’s not about us. That it is all about God. And God uses us just the way we are. I understand that.

I just want to be able to project on the outside…what I am feeling on the inside.

I just believe that we serve a prayer answering God, and I believe the next time I am called to that assignment, God is going to give me exactly what I have been praying for. I will allow His Spirit to take control, and it won’t be me praising, but it will be the Holy Spirit praising through me.

Until next time…

Be blessed

Place of Surrender

Place of Surrender

Comments 0 Comment

There is this place in God where hope, faith, and love resides. Where there is no judgment. No condemnation. No shame…

It’s a place of surrender.

I think it’s in this place of letting go…of surrendering everything we think we know, and giving it all up to God that we can find real peace. Real joy. I have been contemplating what it feels like to really be all in for God. To do what He wants, and not what feels good to me.

Most of the time, I really think I do, but I had this conversation with a friend recently that made me question my loyalty to Him. I mean I love God with all of my heart, but when it comes to doing the hard things I sometimes fail miserably. Maybe we all do at times. I don’t know. I just know that I want God to know that He can count on me…even when the going gets tough.

When I received Jesus Christ as my Savior, I surrendered my heart to Him. In turn, He gave me life…everlasting life. And although I know there is nothing I can do to repay Him for that…my desire is to always do my best for Him. To make Him proud. 

So I surrender, again and again. Knowing that His love for me will always be enough to lift me up when I feel low. To bring me hope when things feel hopeless. To comfort me when I feel like the world is crashing in. To lead me beside the still waters, and restore my soul (Psalm 23:2-3). 

I’m not sure who else this is for. But just know that we serve a God of second chances, and He loves us so much. His word in Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And that’s enough for me.

Until next time…

Be blessed

He Will Renew Us

He Will Renew Us

Comments 0 Comment

Renewed strength.

Today in service there was healing in the room. I’m not saying there isn’t healing every Sunday, but today something changed in me. I realized how bound up I have been in some areas. There are things that I have been carrying around that I couldn’t really share with anyone. Not because they were so bad, but because I didn’t know how. I didn’t want someone to give me a quick fix. I needed my strength renewed. I needed to know that God was not disappointed in me. Only God could do that. 

I was feeling tired and worn out in ways I didn’t even realize. But God knew. He knew exactly what I needed, and He stirred the atmosphere. Everything in that service was predestined. I love that about God. He will turn the world upside down if He has to for us. 

I know I wasn’t the only one, but I felt like it was just for me. That’s how it is with our Father. Even though He sees us all, and hears us all…at the same time, He makes us feel like we’re the only one. 

Today, I just wanted to acknowledge His presence. I appreciate the way He loves us. I love Him so much. And I thank Him for knowing what we need when we need it the most. Not because He DOES something, but because He IS something. He is Jehovah Rapha (The Lord that heals), and according to HIs word…healing is something we already have. We simply have to believe it. 

In John 15:7 it says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Keep praying. Don’t give up. God has not forgotten. He always knows what we’re going through, and at the proper time, He will move.

If His words abide in us, and we believe that God is who He says He is, then we have to believe that He can do what He says He will do. 

Until next time…

Be blessed