Man and woman pointing to cross

Come again to the place of safety,
all you prisoners, for there is yet hope!
I promise right now,
I will repay you two mercies for each of your woes!
Zechariah 9:12 (NLT)


I didn't post it on here, but on 2/16, I had four teeth pulled and got upper dentures! Needless to say, it has been something else; because of a severe sinus infection it caused some major problems - which is why the devotionals have been so delayed. However, I am feeling better! Unfortunately, my mind continues to have synapses (?) not working too well and I either get ahead of myself, involved in a Facebook game, or take long naps. Oh, as I was rewriting this I see that I did post about my teeth - I told you my mind isn't working!Also, remember I'm raising 2 grandchildren and His grace covers me...LOL! Also, the devotional will always be the date the site was last updated.
This month think about...who do you need to send a message to?



What are Woes?

Well, they are those circumstances ...
Visit the Hope Connection to discover the answer.


"Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not 'How can we hide our wounds?' so we don't have to be embarrassed, but 'How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?' When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.
Jesus is God's wounded healer: through his wounds we are healed. Jesus' suffering and death brought joy and life. His humiliation brought glory; his rejection brought a community of love. As followers of Jesus we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others."

Henry Nouwen - Bread For The Journey



One of the things that ministers to me, Sharon, is writing the devotionals...I hope they will minister to you as well. I only post them once a week, so they are fairly fresh.


Friday
March 12, 2010

SEEN A BURNING BUSH LATELY?

Most of us have them, bad days, bad weeks, bad months, and/or bad years – at least some of us do – I know I have. At times, it seems as though one is piling up on top of the other – ever felt that way? Have you ever just had a burning desire to help a certain group of people; yet, no matter how hard you tried, you failed? Well, I think you might be able to relate to Moses…

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he went deep into the wilderness near Sinai, the mountain of God. Suddenly, the angel of the LORD appeared to him as a blazing fire in a bush. Moses was amazed because the bush was engulfed in flames, but it didn't burn up
Then the LORD told him, "You can be sure I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries for deliverance from their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come to rescue them from the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own good and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey – the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites live. The cries of the people of Israel have reached me, and I have seen how the Egyptians have oppressed them with heavy tasks. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt."
Exodus 3:1-2, 7-10

There was a movie on television several years back that really grabbed my heart. It was about the life of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings. Through the eyes of the moviemakers we saw the oppression of slavery once again and how despicable it was. We think we have come a long way, but we have much further to go to end oppression.

God hates oppression and so did Moses. When Moses first stepped out to fight oppression he did it in the flesh and failed. Then, after forty years of serving as a shepherd in an obscure land, God revealed Himself and His plan to him in a strange and mysterious way. Although God may not use a burning bush to get our attention today, He will do something strange and mysterious in our lives to get our focus on His plan for us.

Eleven years ago, March 1, my oldest sister committed suicide, or at least that is the way things appeared. Whether she put the gun in her mouth herself, or her husband performed a "mercy" killing on her behalf, God used her death to get my attention to His plan for my life.

Carolyn, like so many people I know, struggled with skeletons in her closet that rattled at the very core of her being. Having been married, divorced, and then remarried placed a stigma on her that could possibly prevent her from serving the Lord freely with her spiritual gifts. So, she kept her past locked away tight and secure for many years. When the truth came out she could not handle others knowing that she had fallen short of the perfection she thought the church expected from her.

Years earlier God had placed a burning bush in my heart for people like Carolyn, and yes, even myself, to be a bridge between their pain and how the church misunderstood their circumstances. I finally yielded. Proverbs 14:29-30 explains beautifully what Moses had to learn and what I had to learn, "Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes. A relaxed attitude lengthens life; jealousy rots it away." Jealousy of the calmness of other's lives prevented me from walking in the call. God healed. I'm on my way.

Father, I praise You and thank You for the Holy Spirit's work in Your church today. You are showing us that our sins are cast into the sea of forgetfulness by You and are only to be used to bring glory to You and healing to others. I am amazed You would use me in ministry. May You be exalted and may oppression of people who have fallen cease in Your church! May these strongholds be demolished!

In His Hope,
Sharon

To Receive the Devotional Through Email Click Here



11/2/09

Hi
Does this ministry cost you alot of money or major time? You have blessed alot of my friends that I forward this to. The main thing is that God's Word Never returns void.
Deb

1/8/09

Dearest Sharon,
It's so hard when we can't see the way to know if we're going the right way. All I can really say is that I know that your emails and your perseverance are a blessing and speak volumes to me. I've noticed that those who want to give and do and bless are usually hit the hardest in the area of finances. But that doesn't mean we can't have an impact. The Lord uses us in so many ways that more often that not we will never see. But just touching one soul, one wounded soul, can go on to impact many. Why do we think money overflowing or all our bills paid ahead of time is confirmation that we're going the right way, anyway? As the song says, 'The Lord never said it would be easy. He only said we'd never go alone.'
Sometimes God's voice is silent. When we don't hear from Him concerning a particular thing, I believe that He wants us to keep doing the last thing He told us to do. We don't have to have all the answers or have it all figured out. It doesn't have to make sense to us. As a matter of fact, it usually doesn't. We're just to simply ... trust Him. He knows what He's doing. He's been doing this for a long time. And He knows exactly how to communicate with us in a way that we can understand what we do need to know. We can't let the lack of understanding about what God is doing cause us to give up. Don't ever give up, Sharon. Ever.
God bless you,
Michelle

1/8/09

I don't blame you for the break. I also agree with what you said to let's stay with what we know. What I don't understand is; why do people have to take what God made in his own image and mess with it? He designed it right the first time and it's not up to us to change stuff around and 2) People take themselves and go under the knife and have their appearance changed as well. I haven't changed anything. I'm not the prettiest sight in some people's eyes, but I am God's creation and I don't have the authority to "fix" it.
Jer

1/8/09

Hi Sharon---I liked your analogy of the weatherman forecasting the storms coming but we have to have the T.V. on in order to benefit from his forecast with the Holy Spirit working in our lives---we have to be "tuned in" on our "spiritual T.V." in order to benefit from what we are being told. I think too many times we lose our connection to our "spiritual T.V. when we try to forge ahead on our own and not wait and listen to what the Spirit is trying to tell us, in His own time. This devotional served as a reminder that even all these problems that our son and his wife are going through---and in the process are taking me and Bob through with them (especially the financial end)---will end in the Lord's time as we strive to keep "tuned in" to our spiritual T.V. station! There IS light at the end of the tunnel, even tho' it sometimes seems pretty dark in getting there!
Thanks for all you do, even amidst all your own family, health, and financial situations that you deal with. One day we will ALL reach the end our "tunnel" if we hang in there and faint not! Praise the Lord---for His love, His Word, His promises, let all who has breath praise the Lord! In Christ---Kay R.

10/24/09

WOW - did this really strike a chord with me today Sis Sharon. It helped me, after all these many years, that I am really "normal" when I find it difficult to express any kind of 'real' emotion toward anything. So often I feel robotic; then when I think back on a situation, I inwardly hate myself for my reaction or lack thereof. Yet I seemingly am unable to change my responses no matter how hard I try, even through prayer. There are many areas that the Lord has changed me, Praise His Holy name, and helped me grow through and out of; but emotionally - that is something that is still scarred and torn - and I guess I never realized how deeply until something like this comes along and shines a light on it. Thanks for sharing this devotional today as it helps see it from a different perspective. Ada

10/20/09

This was soooo needed by me today!! I have my daughter and her husband and 2 children living with me right now. Tyler was her oldest child and I adopted him because she never bonded with him. She was only 17 unmarried and not ready for children. We have been so calm and wonderfully blessed until they came to live there. Now we live in turmoil all the time. It even affects Tyler. They have drifted away from God ( he was a drug addict and the two of them married after they had more children) Very very long story. This pointed out to me how they brought this with them. Thank you so much. Diana

10/12/09

Dear Sharon,
Thanks for your beautiful writing and for your topic on jealousy and bitterness. I found myself present in that sin and I asked God to forgive me and help me change. I am very guilty and I repent from this moment on with God's help, Amen!
Thank you so much for your ministry. God bless you more!
Diana Nettey

9/18/2009

I was very much spoken to by today's devotion. I love the words you said to yourself - listen, listen, love, love. I hope to be able to put that into my life practice! Thanks for all you do!
Sherry

9/3/09

Sharon:
That is the main thing that has kept me with your devotionals all these years---your honesty in sharing the things that God has allowed you and your family to endure and the way those things have worked in your life to bring out the true fruits of His Spirit. Your devotionals are NOT a "do as I say and not as I do" but rather a "been there done that" type of reality that most of us can relate to in one way or another. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you in His ministry to help others in their walk with Him through this life on earth, as we all await His return to gather us home! I only wish I was in a position to be of some financial help to your ministry---perhaps some day that opportunity will happen and I will be able to contribute.
I hope things are going well with you and your family. I still pick up my 3 granddaughters for church Sundays and for children's meetings on Wednesdays and they love it. Our son has come to church a few times in the past couple of months but his wife still has not come as much as he has but we are praying that the Lord keeps "on their case" and that they will soon have to renew their commitment to Him! One positive thing though---they have agreed to see a marriage counselor that our pastor recommended. They have had one meeting so far and another scheduled for tomorrow. So please keep them in your prayers---I appreciate it.
Your sister in Christ---
KR

8/18/09

Sharon,
This one hit home. One of our neighbors stabbed his wife to death in front of their 2 young daughters about 1.5 months ago. Because of him those girls (12 & 8) will never see either one of their parents again. I know God says I should forgive Joe (the husband) for murdering his sweet wife. I am having an awful time with this one. I am working on it though. His trial date is October 6. We’ll see how that turns out. God bless you for keeping on with your ministry.
Love from Indy,
Jerry

8/17/09

Thank you Sharon,
So true, weary is a good word for all of it. Tests are abundant and prayer is necessary and letting go and letting the Lord do in his time.God Bless.
Veronica

7/6/09

Dear Sharon,
Thank you for your daily devotional, they jump start my day, and many times they're the only contact I have with another Christian all day long. The new mailing is super, easy to read and professional looking. Not that I didn't like the old one, but this must give you a sense of relief knowing someone else has the responsibility of sending out your work.
Sent to you with a prayer that God will Bless you and keep you close to Him.
Karen Hillis, CA

6/30/09

It inspires me that you listen to God and not to people and I know from experience how hard that that can be. Thank you!!!
Betsy
6/16/09

Helllo Sharon,
Thank you for sharing this devotional. The principle of addiction is whenever a person can admitt that they are addicted to whatever such as drugs, alcohol and others in their life, but however it can be arrested for certain is by gettting help from God.
Addison

6/16/09

I try to read your devotional everyday, if not I read two or three a day. They do touch us and you are doing what God wants you to do. He gets to tell me something through you. This gives me a refreshing word when I really need it.
Many may not believe this, but it is so true. God can say just what you need to hear right through someone elses words. I need these devotionals to strengthen my spirit. I hope and pray for a spirit filled anointing from God. I don't think I have gone deep enough as of yet.
I will never stop praying for those lost in my family. My son, sister-in-law (drug addict) my niece, also on drugs, my other niece who is Bi-polar, my daughter who really needs to learn how real God is and that he does see her sins. My other family members who don't think they need God everyday or include him in their lives. I have to be the intercessor or there wouldn't be one for them. I can't leave this earth without trying to help them get saved. If I could die knowing they would all be saved, it would be worth it, it was to Jesus.
K

5/11/09

I want to thank you for all your time and effort in doing the devotionals that say so much to me every day. They speak to me at times just when I need to hear those specific words. Life is hard and trying to do what God wants us to do can be hard, especially is we think we have done it wrong. Sometimes I feel like I get what he wants me to do so write and other times I am clueless. Your words give me strength.
Kone

4/04/09

Hi Sharon–
What you said in Friday's devotional is so true. So many times we are guilty of just quoting God's Word while perhaps unconsciously thinking of getting results in some "magical" way rather than standing on God's Word as TRUTH and in faith believing that it is so. I am currently involved in a women's Bible study at our church – it is the Beth Moore study called Believing God. Basically this is what the study is all about – BELIEVING GOD and behaving as such. It is an excellent study and I hope I will be able to stand more firmly on God's Word, in TRUE faith BELIEVING!
Thanks for all the hard work you do in sending out these devotionals everyday, and all the other work you do in ministering to others as God leads you. God bless!
In Him –
Kay R

2/17/09

Hi Sharon:
Yes, ministry can be lonley work but it is so rewarding. There is great satisfaction in helping others. Sooo, a biigg "Thank You" goes to you for your daily messages.
Yes, I agree everything has to be "cleaned-up" inside and out. We are told to be as little children, and who could be cleaner (most of the time) lol?
Sharon, what would you say if while you were playing a hymn (a good moving one) and someone who has been having trouble even walking got up and danced? I thought it was God's doing, today I was told I should of asked him to sit down instead of clapping and encouraging such actions. My answer was - it is my service and I welcome God there. Do you think I am wrong? This is in a personal care home for elderly people. The gent is in his 80's.
Jessie

1/20/09
From the Devotional on that day:
Jesus taught His followers (in Matthew 7:12) this truth (and I'm trying to teach it to my grands):
"Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is the meaning of Moses' Teachings and the Prophets." The Father charged us with the responsibility of loving others as we love ourselves.
...And in the short meeting we had the other day, I can tell that you live those words!!
I appreciate that in you!
....Sunny

1/7/09
Isn’t it amazing how you find something new each time you read the Bible? When I read this time I noticed how God told the snake that women would be against them forever and I don’t know a woman who loves snakes.
Diana

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Everyone gets excited about something - sometime (Dean Martin sang a song similar to this didn't he?) Oh, sorry... Anyhow, for about two years I have been wanting a Kindle from Amazon extremely badly! So, come Spring, when we either get our Income Tax or Roger gets his Bonus - guess what? If you guessed that I will be the owner of a Kindle you are right on! I miss reading. Oh, I still read in the "throne room," but that's about the extent of my reading anymore, and I once read a whole lot more than that. However, my eyes have taken a huge turn for the worse due to some of the medication I'm on. Yet, with Kindle, the text size can be adjusted. You just need to get you one - and of course - order through us!

Sharon Sanderson
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"Hope" means a lot to me, it is my prayer that God will fulfill our hope in 2010!

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