Sherry Sharp

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25, NKJV

Every serious athlete knows that the backend of any sporting event will be more challenging than the frontend. Also, running a sprint versus running a marathon requires different approaches. A sprint is a shorter distance generally with a faster pace, while a marathon is longer with a bit slower pace; however, both race formats demand physical strength and a healthy mindset, through a process of rest and rejuvenation.

In my running days (a long time ago), I ran a five-mile race on the beach. At the time, I was new to the sport of running, so like many “newbies,” when the shot rang out, I took off running as fast as my legs would move. Other participants seemed quizzically to stay just far enough behind me, that I barely knew they were still in the race. I felt very good about my performance, until about mile four, when suddenly, the sand seemed to be sucking my feet into its’ depths. One by one, the other runners started passing me. None of the “self-pep-talk” coming from within could change the certain end of my losing story.

For most of us, I think we find ourselves greeting each morning of our lives with the mindset of tackling our “to do” lists as one “running a sprint.” We see the goal, hear the shot, and take off, forgetting one important factor; we need “Him who is able to keep us from stumbling…” Raw physical or mental strength and sheer determination are no match for the challenges of this world. Without Jesus, we are at the mercy of self-preservation, which inevitably bottoms out. Unlike the human condition, Jesus never requires being rejuvenated. His mood never fluctuates. He “presents [us] faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior…”

Today, will you invite Jesus to lead the way as you tackle the responsibilities that lay ahead? After the five-mile race I ran many years ago, I learned a little secret—the people who I thought were just slower than I, were utilizing a great method called, drafting. You see, with me running in front, my body diminished the wind force for the runners behind me, meaning they were not needing to work as hard. I pray you will allow Jesus to “draft the winds” for you, whether your day is a sprint or a marathon.   

“Do you see a man (or woman) hasty in his (or her) words? There is more hope for a fool than for him (or her)” “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” Proverbs 29:20 & Proverbs 30:5, NKJV (additional emphasis mine).

November 2024 is a major election year in the United States. For many months, millions upon millions of dollars have been spent on media advertisements on behalf of various politicians vying for offices of power, including President, the highest office in the land. Promises, promises, and more promises about how and what each person claims he or she will do for the people if given the opportunity to serve. As most people have learned through experience, promises are much easier to make than to keep. Excuses and blame replace promises unkept. Still, this Constitutional Republic that Benjamin Franklin once wisely stated, “it is what we have if we can keep it.” Franklin made this statement over two hundred years ago, and the experiment, so far, has prevailed.

Every election cycle seems to grow more contentious. The year 2024 may prove to be the most vitriolic election since the inception of the Republic, certainly the most divisive in my lifetime. Friendships, even families have become broken to the point of isolating from each other. Social Media comments have wounded decades-long relationships so deeply that some people may never speak to one another again. Really? Seriously?  

Friend, (and I do consider you my friend, though we may never have met) please know that God is the only One Whose “Every word is pure.” Even people who mean well will fail us. Politicians come and go; they will serve, some will fail, but all will die, along with you and me. I pray that in this election, when we cast our vote, we will remember that only God alone is eternal. Whatever transpires in this election, or any election, God, not by human ballot rather by His Sovereignty, is still on His throne.

For further understanding, please read Job 38 through 39.

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:9, NKJV.

“Psychic office closed due to unforeseen circumstances.” Presumably following a storm, the preceding sign was posted on the door of a local Psychic. Of course, the irony is not lost if one were to believe in such means of “communication.” According to several websites, including the AARP, over $2 billion dollars are spent each year by individuals seeking psychic services; this statistic begs the question, what is driving this industry to becoming so lucrative? Is it anxiety, or simple curiosity? Since the practice is not new, clearly the end profit justifies the means. In other words, if people are willing to pay money for something perceived as truth, even if the results are ill-gotten, someone will always be available to entice a victim for profit’s sake, even though by charlatan promises.

Curiosity about what the future holds is a trait common to human nature. As followers of Jesus Christ, God has given His Word that highlights the past and illuminates the future. God does not use tomfoolery as His means to guide and prepare us for something as important as to inflict or benefit our eternal consequences. And the cost for such wonderful knowledge has already been paid by the blood of His Son, Jesus. The result is ridiculously simple for anyone who wants what Jesus offers, though it cost Him His life on a cross. Jesus’ resurrection from the grave after three days sealed God’s promise, so that the future for anyone who believes in Jesus is secure and final. God has never and will never tell you, “…office closed due to unforeseen circumstances.” Our faithful, loving, and omniscient God is available 24/7/365, since the beginning of creation, until the end of the age. You will never get a busy signal or need to leave a voicemail. In fact, God is calling you! Are you ready to answer the call?

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…Therefore you also be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:37 & 44, NKJV.

Several days before hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s Gulf coast, weather experts watched and calculated in horror the size and severity of the monster storm. Only two weeks prior, hurricane Helene had taken its toll in almost the exact same location, exacerbating the potential flying debris from the rapidly gaining winds of Milton. Many residents heeded the pleas to evacuate, but some people decided to ride it out.

A young woman who remained in her house later recounted the experience she had, when the water around her home began to rise. Her friend lived only four blocks away, and she thought she could make it. As she ventured toward her friend’s house, the water around her knees rose suddenly to her waist. Before she could turn around and go back home, the water covered her chest and swirled, encircling her body causing her to lose balance. Fearing at this point that she could no longer stay above the water and losing all control of the situation, the woman cried out. “HELP! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!” Within seconds, a man dashed from his home nearby and wading through the deep water he grabbed the woman and pulled her to safety, saying “Get in the house!”

The Bible warns of a “monster storm” coming our way that is like no other storm this world has experienced, not even as in the days of Noah. Just as people need not be meteorologist experts to heed the warnings about catastrophic weather conditions, one need not be a Bible scholar to pay attention to God’s warning of “The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age” (Matt. 24). Like the young woman who chose to ride out the storm and was rescued by her neighbor, Jesus wants to recue all who are willing to cry out for help; He is willing; the question is are you?

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV).

“O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry” Psalm 88:1-2, NKJV.

Imagine you awaken one morning and discover you have no internet, no phone service, no water or food, in fact, you suddenly realize that these things that are missing are the least of your worries. Your home is destroyed; neighborhoods are decimated; you are alone in surroundings unrecognizable. This is the reality for the people who managed to survive Hurricane Helene just days ago.

Getting caught up in the day-to-day issues of politics, work, and family seems so normal to most of us. Yes, we read and hear about various wars taking place around the world, but when we lay our heads down at night, few, if any of us worry we may not live to see the morning. Lately, with the unrest in Europe and the Middle East, when I turn the light off at bedtime, I am keenly aware of something for which I have otherwise taken for granted most of my life—quiet! No bombs exploding, no running to a shelter, no wondering if I will endure another day. And yet, many souls around the world ask themselves these very questions and wonder about survival, theirs and the people they love.

Friend, we have a God who hears every cry for help, even when no one else hears. You and I will never know when or how the Lord met the cries of those who perish from this earth, either by natural disaster, or war, or sickness, but I do trust the One Who promises, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

When the lights go out and the future looks uncertain, I pray you can face any circumstance with courage, and the knowledge that the Creator of the light, the One who is “the Light,” Jesus Christ will rescue you either from your circumstances, or through them.

Father, God of all creation, be with those around the world, especially citizens, friends, and family right here at home who are suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Help the search and rescue teams find the missing and injured. Jesus, You are the Author of hope! Give courage to the victims and strength to the faint-hearted. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die’” Genesis 2:16-17, NKJV, emphasis mine.

On just about any given day, news channels and social media show images of people making demands of some sort. Often, demands are made toward government, or by the government especially in an election year. And then, there are the annoying self-serving demands of “canceling” someone over a perceived insult. In fact, “demands” are heard and seen in every arena of life, and this is nothing new. All we need to do is reflect on the demeanor of people since the beginning of time. In the Book of Exodus when God told Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt into the land God was giving them, the Israelites complained about God’s provision of manna, lamenting they were better off in slavery and demanded “meat” (Numbers 11).

So, what is the difference between the two terms, demand, often coming from people and command as seen throughout the Bible commonly by God? The question and answer may seem trivial but seems worth exploring. According to the dictionary, demand is “an insistent and peremptory request, made as if by right.” And command is defined as “an authoritative order.” How fitting that when God makes a command, He speaks with authority; when humans demand, we speak from a sense of entitlement.

God is so very gracious when dealing with His creation. From the Garden of Eden when humankind failed to acknowledge God’s authority and sinned by demanding the right to do things his own way, yet God has made every effort to forgive us, provide for us, and to bless us. He never gives up on us. In 1 John 5:14, Jesus’ disciple writes, “Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (NKJV). My prayer is that when we approach the throne of God, that we come with humility and a tender heart, knowing that it is by the blood of Jesus we have been granted an audience before the King of Kings.

For deeper blessing and understanding, please read 1 John 5.