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God’s Word for Today blog

We should all be on guard! We need to be on the defense from the enemy who is out to kill, steal, and destroy us, our families, and our relationships, especially the most important one: the one with God.

The spiritual war is heating up, and we need to use the strength and gifts of God to power up by armoring up! We need to fight back.

I’m surprised how many professing Christians don’t know how to do this. The Word of God outlines the armor of God for us as follows (with the actual scriptures at the end of this blog post).

The description of the full armor of God begins with standing firm. Then we can place the belt of truth around our waist, as we seek to always represent all of God’s truths.

We need to put on the breastplate of righteousness, which helps to protect our heart. Next we strap on the shoes of peace that represent the gospel of peace.

Then we take up the shield of faith to extinguish the fiery, flaming arrows of the evil one. Yes, he shoots these at us, especially when we are close to breakthroughs for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

Next, we place the helmet of salvation on our head. We can be confident that we are saved. The helmet also helps protects our mind from the whispers of the enemy.

Finally, we can offensively utilize the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (the Holy Bible). The last, but not least, part of our armor is prayer. We must pray continuously to defend ourselves and pray for others, too. Sometimes, we must make offensive moves, too, by utilizing scripture (or verses in the Bible). So, armor up and be on guard always!

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself!

“Stand firm, therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints, and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6:15-19) (my emphasis in bold)

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)

Copyright © 2022 by Patricia Shehan

All scriptures are quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible and are set in italics

A few years ago, I was able to visit North Carolina, and I plan to go back again. While I was there, I climbed a mountain at the state park. It was quite challenging from my perspective. In fact, it looked extremely challenging for me. I mean it’s not like it was Mount Everest, but with my bad knees dating back to my teenage years, I didn’t think I had enough strength to meet the challenge.

A couple of times as I was looking ahead, I was forced to look up! I thought to myself, “How am I going to get all the way up there from down here?” It’s like looking up at the height of the ceiling in my house and wondering how I can possibly climb that high without a ladder! Just an analogous example of the difficulty in my mind.

At one point, there was a gorgeous view of a waterfall. It was very satisfying for me to see it from this vantage point. What do you think God sees from His vantage point? Let me tell you this: He sees it all!

We need to apply this kind of tenacity to our Christian walk in life. If we believe and have faith that we can achieve something, then we can do it! However, we better have the right motives. The will of God is the right way. If not, our own path can lead to disaster! Seek Him for direction and answers.

In the Bible, Jesus describes the need for enough faith. Yet He compares this faith to a mustard seed, which is very tiny indeed. It really doesn’t take much. Please see the Bible scripture quoted at the end of this blog post.

Lean on the Rock: Jesus Christ. He will guide you and give you the strength to help you achieve His will. Just seek confirmation for God’s will for your life from pastors and/or trusted Christians, along with the Bible. For me, God is always giving me signs.

You must allow the Holy Spirit to guide you each step of the way. Be willing to endure waiting with patience. I didn’t say it would be easy to be Christ-like.

God expects us to take baby steps as new Christians. As we mature in our faith, we must climb mountains (spiritually speaking). Sometimes, we should attempt to climb physical mountains, too, as it really helps put things into perspective.

When you get to your destination, you’ll see how far you’ve come. Keep looking forward toward our example, Jesus Christ.

I pray that you will let God guide your way. Jesus needed God’s guidance, too. Jesus needed to stop and pray, too.

“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.” (John 14:10) – These are the words of Jesus Christ.

Allow God to work through you. Allow God to lead you to accomplish His will for your life. You must surrender yourself to God first, allowing His will to override your own. We have free will, but which way will we be led if our own will overrides God’s? When we move with His blessings as our Heavenly Father who gives good gifts, then our will and His will become one and the same!

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself!

God’s Word for Today: “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20)

Copyright © 2022 by Patricia Shehan

All scriptures are quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and are set in italics.

God’s Word for Today blog

Here is Merriam Webster’s definition of discernment: The ability to grasp and comprehend what is unknown to most people. Here’s my spiritual definition of discernment: The knowledge and wisdom through the Holy Spirit to be guided into God’s truths for all your decisions.

Did you know that we may be on the brink of World War III, but another war is going on and it’s attacking our minds, that is, if we let it? Fear can do incredible things to the human mind. It can also damage your normal physiological bodily functions if you don’t keep your mind within your own control. The perceived fear can override rational thinking.

In a world full of global news, how do you know who to trust with the information you’re receiving so that you can make wise and Godly decisions? If you were to line up the mainstream media side by side across the channels, you’d realize that they all have nearly identical information, even with the same words. You want to know why? It’s because they’re run by less than a handful of owners who own multiple media companies. These conglomerates receive most of their funds from advertisers who have been “brought to you by P fizer.” (There’s an extra space in the manufacturer’s name on purpose here for you proofreaders!)

Other media outlets that I refer to as the “underground news,” also known as the alternative media, provide opposing information, most of which is truthful. Some of the information is prophetic, and it is believed to be predicted as what is still to come.

Both sides of the media refer to the opposing side of information as either “fake news” or “disinformation.” So how do you discern the truth between the opposing information of what you believe to be the truth?

… Especially when we are warned:

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;

Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;

Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)

Woe means ruinous trouble …, as the evil will eventually be punished. If we are truly One with God in discernment of the truth, we can see the evil being called good today and the good being called evil today. What sorrow will come to those who spread lies and evil this way. Woe to them who devise ways to deceive, even the righteous ones if we are not careful.

God also warns us:

“My people are being destroyed for lack of knowledge …” (Hosea 4:6)

Another version states this verseslightly different:

“My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me …” (Hosea 4:6)

This is blatantly clear to those who have not been deceived. The truth is very evident to those who have discernment to determine the truth.

“What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.” (Isaiah 5:21)

“They take bribery to let the wicked go free and they punish the innocent.” (Isaiah 5:23)

God warns in the next verse that

“their roots will rot and their flowers will wither.” (Isaiah 5:24)

Most of the people who associate with me have found the truths. They see the bribes judges have apparently taken to let the wicked go free. These friends and family see how the authorities are punishing the innocent from their rights to freedom, calling them names, and bullying them into submission of their control if they don’t comply. Yet, others seem to be blind to the truth.

So how do we correctly discern and determine the facts from fiction? How do we discern the truth from the lies? How do we find out what is truly good and what is truly evil?

Start with this basic understanding: God created man in His own image. Only humans are created this way: in God’s image.

The enemy of our souls (I usually dislike even naming him: Satan) has come to hate God, so therefore, he hates humans. The last time the fallen angels (demons) tried to intermingle with humans, God destroyed the whole world with a flood. Only a few righteous people were alive at the time and they were given the opportunity to escape the flood.

The enemy wants to destroy our Godly image with “transhumanism,” a combined form of scientific advances and technology to transform humans away from reflecting the image of God into something nonhuman. This is evil wrapped in deceit as being something helpful, but it’s not. Science has been hijacked by global entities following greed and self-gain.

As Christians, we must seek discernment. Start with thinking clearly: Who are you following? I always say you’re either following God or you’re following the devil, whether you recognize it or not.

Are you praying for discernment? Are you praying with persistence? Are you seeking God daily and reading and studying His word, the Bible? Are you asking God for the gift of discernment so that you are not deceived? If you’re not seeking this gift or have not yet received it, then you are probably already deceived.

Are you seeking to know God? How can you serve Him if you don’t really know Him? What does He like? What does He dislike? Would He say He knows you by name?

Have you fallen into fear? Fear of losing your life? If you’re living in fear or you’ve already made your choices based on fear or lies, then you have been deceived. We are given the message repeatedly to only fear the Lord, our God. We are to fear only what God can do to us:

 “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” (Matthew 10:39) — This scripture is repeated in Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, Luke 17:33, and Philippians 2:17 with various word differences, but the overall meaning is the same.

Read Proverbs 2:1-14.

Our past experiences play a large role in our thoughts, attitudes, and decisions. We must seek God in ALL His ways and in ALL things! He will entrust us with the wisdom and impart the knowledge we need to follow Him if we totally trust Him! He doesn’t leave us needlessly wandering or wondering. He will guide us on the proper, righteous path, and He is the only One to be trusted.

Discernment is a gift of God. Deceit and lies are tools of the enemy. Choose wisely this day who you will serve!

If you are following God, you are using your talents to serve Him. So seek discernment and make sure you know and fear only God, and be confident that He knows you, too. Then we can be confident in our victory with God! This takes our obedience, our faith, our trust and our ability to stand firm in our beliefs and not to fear what man can do to us.

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself!

God’s Word for Today: “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28); and “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.” (Philippians 1:9)

Copyright © 2022 by Patricia Shehan

All scriptures are quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible and are set in italics.

It’s been a decade since organizing an event to bless many others. I am still in awe of how miraculous it was when God blessed a thought in my head, and it quickly developed it into an idea that was presented to the pastor at my church. From there, one of the pastor’s adult daughters assisted me in planting the seed. Then God watered it, and the seed quickly began to sprout, growing enormously to provide unexpected blessings for many others. Let’s believe in the miraculous!

Another miracle occurred over 2,000 years ago with the pregnancy of Mary, the virgin, and the birth of Jesus Christ. According to the Word of God (the Bible):

“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Bible verse: Matthew 1:18, NLT)

This baby’s miraculous inception and birth was the most amazing miracle of all. His life, and His death and resurrection provide us with the access to His offer of salvation. It’s a free miraculous gift from the Savior of the World! We simply need to believe, confess, and accept Jesus into our heart.

Don’t miss God’s offer of grace. Believe in the miraculous and allow God to save your soul!

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself!

God’s Word for Today: “Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’ ” (Luke 2:9-12)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Copyright © 2021 Patricia Shehan

All scriptures are quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible and are set in italics.

“She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she took her son in her arms and carried him downstairs.” (2 Kings 4:37 – my emphasis in bold)

This woman was overjoyed because the prophet of God, Elisha, was able to gain Heaven’s access to raise her son from the dead.

This kind of miracle still exists today, whether you believe it or not. Dr. Chauncey Crandall knows this experience firsthand. He’s a cardiologist who prays with his patients in South Florida, even the dead one who came back to life.

God is a God of second chances. If you think you’ve failed or if you know you went down the wrong path, just ask God for forgiveness and move on forward seeking His will for the right path. Be sure to receive your salvation for eternal life second to asking for forgiveness, that is, if you haven’t already.

You may contact me through this website if you have questions or don’t know how to “get saved.” I also recommend reading the earlier blogs starting at the oldest post.

Always give thanks in advance for any prayer request. Then wait, listen, and watch the Lord work. God is amazing!

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” (1 Timothy 2:1 – my emphasis in bold)

I know there’s plenty to grumble about lately. Craziness, fear, death, and the world and local news are all daunting.

Turn it around. Seek the season of gratefulness and honor to God while celebrating His birth. Seek the meaningful things: peace, love, and faith.

I know I have so much to be grateful for every day, and I’m counting all my blessings. I hope you will join me.

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself!

God’s Word for Today: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34 – my emphasis in bold)

Copyright © 2021 Patricia Shehan

All scriptures are quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible and are set in italics.

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I’ve been thinking about our identity. It’s being called into question. Do you know your true identity? What image do you reflect?

I am a woman. I was created by God as a female.

This is my gender, but it’s not my identity.

I am heterosexual.

This is my sex, but it’s not my identity either.

The last two letters in Cov-ID are ID, which we all know stands for identity. There are those groups who wish to mandate an ID to prove a “jabbed” status. However, we need to get ahold of our own ID before it’s lost! We need to get ahold of our need for God to stop the chaos around us. Our minds and hearts are in the battlefield. Who will win?

Our individual and group identities are being lost to a world that rejects the only One we should all be identifying with, and that’s God, the One who truly loves us dearly. We have our opponent (the enemy of our souls) who hates us gravely. The enemy is battling to win our minds and hearts.

You can’t truly know yourself without knowing God and accepting Him into your heart. Even if you just believe in Him, it’s not enough.

The enemy of our soul believes in God, too, but the enemy and his cohorts also reject God. The enemy doesn’t want you to understand your identity in Christ.

You must believe what God did for you through His Son, Jesus Christ. You must accept this by faith or be lost to the world and the evil one who is running the “show.” You must believe that God created us all with good intentions, but He also gave us the beautiful gift of free will.

I urge you to find your identity in Jesus Christ. Become a child of God. Once you do accept, believe, and confess, you can begin to identify with the only One who will save you. Not the medical community or the medicine or a vax. No, only God can save your soul!

“Once you had no identity as a people;

now you are God’s people.

Once you received no mercy;

now you have received God’s mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself!

God’s Word for Today: “So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

Copyright © 2021 by Patricia Shehan

All scriptures are quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible and are set in italics.

Imagine if this were your mansion in Heaven. It’s quite a huge home!

I always enjoyed the old classic movie, The Wizard of Oz. Although there are a few scary events in it, I still loved watching it year after year. The wizard lived in the huge Emerald Palace.

I remember thinking how the wizard was acting like a god, but he wasn’t. He was just an ordinary man.

Sometimes I would think of God as being the man behind the curtain, hidden from sight, yet strong and powerful, unlike any ordinary man. However, the wizard had no power, so please don’t judge this comparison as being wrong. I was a young girl making an analysis that just doesn’t compare!

The wizard in the movie simply caused me to think of God as being hidden from our sight. Yet, God is not hiding from us at all. In fact, He wants us to seek Him with all our heart. He wants to be found!

God is not a fictional character and he’s nothing like the wizard. God wants to lead us back to Him where He dwells in our Heavenly home. I pray each one of us will follow.

Yet God is so powerful that we could not endure seeing Him face to face until we have passed from this earthly life. The Bible clearly indicates that we cannot see God and live:

“… He [the Lord God] said [to Moses], ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.’ ” (Exodus 33:20 NKJV).

This doesn’t mean that we cannot see Jesus Christ and live. Jesus walked the earth in human form at one time. He is One with the Father God. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He died for our sins and rose from the dead to allow us to be reunited with God. Jesus Christ is the Messiah who came to save us from eternal separation from God. He is the Savior of the world who can lead us home again to Heaven.

You may think of your home as the place where you live. Maybe you rent an apartment. Maybe you own a house or a condo. Maybe you live in a tent. No matter where you home is located on this earth or what it’s like inside or out, it’s not our eternal home. It’s just our temporary home like “this flesh” (our body) that we dwell in. Our Heavenly Father God loves each one of us! God offers us our eternal home in Heaven where both our soul and our spirit can reside. However, this is our choice! Make your choice wisely. Read the Bible and receive your salvation.

There’s no place like home because Heaven is my home! Yes, Heaven is not only my home. Heaven is our home, which is yet to come. I look forward to Heaven and you should, too.

Believe, seek God, repent, and be saved.

Until we virtually meet again, God is calling you to Himself!

God’s Word for Today: “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Hebrews 13:14, NLT) — Heaven is our “home yet to come.”

Copyright © 2019 by Patricia Shehan

All scriptures are quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible and are set in italics.

How do we live a Godly life? We follow Jesus Christ, our Savior. If you don’t know Him yet, let me be the first to tell you that life will never be the same after you get to know Him! He is wonderful! He loves you and me with an everlasting love.

To live a Godly life, we need to follow the “Word of God,” which is the Bible. We need to live by the standards and teachings that we learn in the Bible, and we need to do this every day to the best of our ability. These teachings are wholesome and they are good for us. They bring life!

As Timothy was told in the Bible, we should “pursue righteousness and a Godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” (1 Titus 6:11, NLT)

God is love. This verse is part of both 1 John 4:8 and 4:16 (NLT).

Do we love one another like we should? I know it’s not always easy. God loves us unconditionally, even when we don’t return His love.

The Bible instructs us to love with kindness and patience. We are not to be jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. We are not to be demanding with our love or the love from others. Our love should never be irritable, or keep a record of wrongs. We need to rejoice when the truth comes out about injustices. Love never gives up! Love never loses faith. Love is always hopeful. Love endures within every circumstance. Finally, love will last forever! (Paraphrased from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NLT)

God is forever, and He has created us to be eternal beings, too. Will we be found living a Godly life with love when we breathe our last breath or not?

If we love like God loves us, then we are living out the Biblical commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

Love God first and foremost. Love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. This is at the core of Godly living

Note that: “When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
but the Godly have a lasting foundation.” (Proverbs 10:25, NLT)

 “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

As Timothy was told in the Bible, we should “pursue righteousness and a Godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” (1 Titus 6:11, NLT)

God is love. This verse is within both 1 John 4:8 and 4:16 (NLT).

Do we love one another like we should? I know it’s not always easy. God loves us unconditionally, even when we don’t return His love.

God is eternal, and He has created us to be eternal beings, too. Will we be found living a Godly life with love when we breathe our last breath or not?

If we love like God loves us, then we are living out the Biblical commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. We must love God first and foremost. Love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. This is at the core of Godly living.

Note that: “When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
but the Godly have a lasting foundation.” (Proverbs 10:25, NLT)

 “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Just like I always end my blog posts with the saying, “Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.” I write that because I read it in the Bible and realize that it’s how we come to Him. He calls us to Himself! Then, if we choose to answer His call, we are to seek Him with all our heart. If we seek Him, we will find Him. We’ll know He is real, as He proves Himself to us with the certainly we need to be sure. Open your heart to God today! Get to know Him. He loves you so very much! I guarantee that you don’t want to be “whirled away with the wicked.” Answer the call!

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3, NLT)

Copyright © 2019 by Patricia Shehan

All scriptures are quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible and are set in italics within quotation marks.

Some of us adopt children. Some of us adopt dogs. Some of us get adopted, and it can be Heavenly!

Did you know only about 2% of Americans end up adopting children? Only 2%! Sadly, some children are never adopted.

Have you been adopted by God into His family? As I end each of my blog posts, I always say, “May God call you to Himself.”

Where did I get that idea from? Straight out of the Bible, which is the Word of God.

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” (Ephesians 1:5)

You see, God wants us to come to Him. He calls each one of us by name! He hopes you’ll answer His call with a resounding “yes.” Yet, God gives us the free will to choose Him or reject Him.

Many people lack the understanding that without Jesus Christ, the Savior, we are not free. We are held by bondage to the enemy and to sin.

That’s why: “God sent Him [Jesus Christ] to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as His very own children.” (Galatians 4:5)

Every child who is an orphan yearns for parents to adopt them. Aren’t you at least open to being adopted by God? God is pure love, and He created us in love. We have the opportunity to be adopted by the best father of all, our Heavenly Father!

God tells us what He did when we were first created in the womb. He tells us that He already called us to Himself BEFORE we were ever born! That’s amazing! Not only that, the scripture that follows also tells us that He called us by our name!

“The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.” (Isaiah 49:1)

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)

God explains that we are all a part of Himself, the olive tree. We are the branches that are grafted into the tree when we believe in God. We must confess our sins, forgive others, believe in our heart that Jesus Christ died and rose again as our Savior, and accept His forgiveness. When we accept the free gift of grace – our salvation, we are saved from the separation of our Heavenly Father, and we are joined with Him in Heavenly places and within our own heart. Before that, by nature, we were a branch cut off from the tree. Yet, God “did something contrary to nature” by grafting us into the tree when we first believed.

“You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, He will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.” (Romans 11:24)

It is important to understand that the Jews were God’s original branches from the beginning, but these branches were cut off because they didn’t believe in Jesus Christ as their Messiah. In restoration, every Jew has the opportunity and will still have the ability to understand that he or she can be re-grafted back into the tree. God is “more” than “eager” to re-graft His own Chosen People (the Jews) back in. 

“And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.” (Romans 11:23)

Don’t you want to be adopted into the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven? There will be no more tears, no more pain, no more fear, and there will be amazing love, peace, and unity! Please consider being grafted in and realize that you have a Heavenly place awaiting your affirmative choice to be called a Child of God. You have a Heavenly Father whose name is God who loves you more than any other. He is calling your name!

Don’t be lost to the enemy’s hands. God wants you to seek Him. He wants you to know Him. He wants you to love Him back, but He will never force you. He gives us all the choice to be adopted! It can be heavenly, but it’s your choice!

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

God’s Word for Today: “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:16 and Luke 18:17)

Copyright © 2018 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) with permission. All scriptures are set with italics added (my emphasis).

Hallowed means … not Halloween!

As we approach “Halloween,” which I do not condone or celebrate, I find it strange that the word is so similar to another word we know and use: hallowed.

I do understand that it’s fun for the kids to dress up and get candy on Halloween. I used to enjoy it, too, and so did my kids. However, I didn’t understand the meaning behind it at the time.

The definition of Halloween is the night of October 31, when people dress in disguises, go trick-or-treating, and display lit, carved pumpkins. Many also display cobwebs, spiders, monsters, witches, and goblins. Why? Because most people, I’ve found, think nothing of it.

Yet, Halloween originates in paganism and everything that is unholy. Most of the decorations and costumes are evil and scary.

Personally, I dislike going into the local stores to see and hear witches and monsters with sensors in them causing them to scream or make unpleasant sounds as I walk by them.

In the world today, with school shootings, mass killings, and threats of death all around, we can only be safe in our salvation. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

Now, think about the word “Hallowed,” which is close in sound and spelling to Halloween, and yet it is a word used in the Lord’s prayer.

Hallowed means to be honored as holy, to make holy or be sanctified, and to be blessed and greatly revered and respected.

When we say “hallowed be thy name” in the Lord’s prayer, we are showing honor and respect to God’s name. We are showing holy respect and blessing to God. Let’s be mindful of the word as we pray the Lord’s prayer, and do not ever confuse it with the word so close in spelling and sound.

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 1:1)

“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 1:2-4)

Also note that when God created the Sabbath day, the seventh day, He also hallowed it. He blessed the day, making it holy to be respected and to honor Him.

“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:11)

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)

Copyright © 2018 by Patricia Shehan

When I found out about a Christian singles retreat, I really felt called to make all attempts to go. The big plus was that it was going to be held in the mountains of North Carolina. I’ve wanted to visit the area, and this was a great opportunity to go. This was also on my short bucket list! I’ve been talking about visiting the state for the last 3 years!

I was going to be attending the gathering. I got to know the person I was riding along with a whole lot better as we traveled. He is the co-leader for a singles small group I was able to start through my church, and I’m pleased to have a great man of God to serve alongside me.

The gathering was located in the perfect setting. It was at a beautiful place in the valley of the mountains.

We were able to go on an excursion to hike up the mountain at Dupont National Forest in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The majestic scene of a huge waterfall was magnificent and well worth every step to get there, although this picture just doesn’t do it the justice it deserves!

At the gathering, everyone (except my co-leader) was a stranger going in, but by the time I left, I found that I had made multiple new friends from around the country, and even one new friend from outside the country!

On another note, have you ever seen vultures gathering to feast on a dead animal? The Bible describes them in the following way:

“Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.” (Matthew 24:28)

God is preparing the way to Heaven and to Hell. He did not create Hell for mankind, but it doesn’t mean that some people won’t end up there anyway.

I sure want to be found in the wheat, not the chaff. I pray that I will be found working for the Lord when He calls us home to Heaven. Isn’t that where you want to be found, too?

If the Lord had returned while I was at the retreat, I certainly wouldn’t have minded one bit. I would finally be home, and I would see my granddaughter alive! Yet, I have much to accomplish here on this earth, so it wasn’t time just yet to leave that gathering in that way.

The disciples questioned Jesus about the time of the gathering that he spoke of as written in the Holy Bible. Jesus tells them that the angels will be sent first to gather the chosen ones.

Are you chosen? If you have been saved, then you’re chosen and you will be there for the gathering.

“And He will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world — from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.”(Matthew 24:31)

And then:

“For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

Then we will be gathered to enter into the great feast God will have ready for us in Heaven! What an awesome thing to imagine!

… “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared.” (Revelation 19:17)

If you don’t know if you are saved, or if you don’t understand salvation, please write to me and let’s talk. I am praying for you.

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Cry out, ‘Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you.’ ” (1 Chronicles 16:35)

Copyright © 2018 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) with permission. All scriptures are set with italics added (my emphasis).

When I was young I followed the religion of my parents. I never read the Bible or knew much about God at all. I was very dim to a lot of Biblical truths.

As I began to read the Bible, I would get upset at first because there were verses that seemed to contradict one another. I needed God’s wisdom, but eventually I realized that I needed His discernment, too.

So I sought God for both wisdom and discernment. Without discernment, you can easily be deceived. You need to know the truth.

Solomon was a king whose kingship was described in the Bible. He was a very wise man, but not fully capable of making wise decisions until God gave him this wisdom, along with very great discernment. God knew that without discernment, wisdom alone wouldn’t help Solomon make the wisest decisions.

“Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.” (1 King 4:29)

Read about how King Solomon used both wisdom and discernment to learn the truth about the baby in the following scriptures:

“Now two women who were harlots came to the king, and stood before him. And one woman said, ‘O my lord, this woman and I dwell in the same house; and I gave birth while she was in the house. Then it happened, the third day after I had given birth, that this woman also gave birth. And we were together; no one was with us in the house, except the two of us in the house. And this woman’s son died in the night, because she lay on him. So she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from my side, while your maidservant slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was, dead. But when I had examined him in the morning, indeed, he was not my son whom I had borne.’ Then the other woman said, ‘No! But the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son.’ And the first woman said, ‘No! But the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.’ Thus they spoke before the king. And the king said, ‘The one says, “This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one”; and the other says, “No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.” ’ Then the king said, ‘Bring me a sword.’ So they brought a sword before the king.And the king said, ‘Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.’ Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, ‘O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!’ But the other said, ‘Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.’ So the king answered and said, ‘Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.’ ”(1 Kings 3:16-27, NKJV)

In the following verse, we learn that all of Israel heard the King’s judgment and were in fear of him, as God had given him both the wisdom (and discernment) to administer justice in this case.

We should all pray the following verse:

“Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.” (Psalm 199:66)

Do not be deceived! First discern the fear of the Lord!

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “For if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity; guarding the paths of justice, and He Preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice, and equity, and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will guard you. Understanding will watch over you.” (Proverbs 2:3-11)

Copyright © 2018 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it italics