April 2009 Seaside Devotions Archive
April 30, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, his ocean continues to amaze with the wonders He of our heavenly Father.
In some ways, there is a sad lack of amazement in the world. Though interplanetary exploration and gee-whiz cinematographic advancements may briefly stir the imagination, there is a general sentiment that it has all been seen before.
Part of worshiping God is standing in awe of Him. Worship happens when you encounter God and realize that He is more amazing than the human mind could ever fully comprehend.
Today as you walk the seashore of life, invite God to amaze you with His presence. Allow Him to astound your soul. Open your heart to Him -- you would not believe what He wants to show you.
Habakkuk 1:5 -- "Look and be amazed at what's happening . . . Even if you were told, you would never believe what is taking place."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 29, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I am surrounded with the beauty of His creation . . . the ocean, the shells, the creatures and most of all His love. What an amazing God we serve.
Have you ever awakened in the morning and found yourself looking at the wrong thing? You find yourself looking at the problems, not the solutions, the bad circumstances, not the sunrise your Father created for you, the broken things in your life, not the healed soul that resides within you?
Amazing, isn't it? That we all have a tendancy to look at the things as they are, not at things as our Father sees them. He looks at us, complete in Him . . . perfect and whole. We only see partially at this point in our lives, but we will see them completed one day. And until that day, we must look at things through our Father's eyes and see them completed, made whole and finished.
Today, as you walk your seashore of life, know this one thing. He has you in the palm of His hand and has made a way for your life to be full and completed. Look through the eyes of your Father, and not through your earthly eyes. Then you will see delightfully all things He has created for your life on this earth. Rejoice and be glad for this is the day He has made.
Psalm 89:5 -- "The heavens will praise your wonders, O Lord."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 28, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, and think of all the challenges of the past year, I am so very thankful to Him for bringing all of me to a place of victory and peace in my life.
After great victories, defeats, and even during times of waiting, you will sometimes feel far from God . . . perhaps even unworthy of His presence.
It can happen when you have not spent any time with Him. Sometimes you will feel that way when you have been serving Him faithfully, but the work has replaced Him as your focus.
Yet no matter how far from God you may feel, He is really only one turn away -- the moment you turn your heart back to Him. His arms are always outstretched toward you, and He wants you to realize that He always wants you back.
Today as you walk your seashore with Jesus, run to His open arms. You will be so glad you did. He is waiting for your return.
Psalm 139:7 -- "Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence?"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 27, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, it seems as though this magnificent ocean washes away all the pain and hurts of the past. It is such a healing of the soul -- to walk daily by the seashore.
I thought of Naaman . . . that Jesus sent to the water to heal. Naaman had leprosy, a painful and disfiguring disease. Feeling hopeless, he went to a prophet to be cured. However, the prophet told him that he would have to wash in the Jordan River seven times to find relief.
Why seven times? Can't you just cure me? Today, you may be wondering why God has made you focus on the same hurt area of your life so many times. Can't He just heal you?
Yet, just as Naaman showed faith by going to the Jordan seven times and was cured, you must have faith as well. Today as you walk your seashore of life, remember this -- God knows what He is doing, and will heal you. So trust Him, no matter how many times it takes.
2 Kings 5:13 -- "Go wash and be cured."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 26, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I find myself asking for my purpose in this life. He seems to speak clearly to me as I gaze upon the waves lapping on the beach.
He reminds me that the ultimate purpose for my life is not to do good works, to be a good spouse or parent, or even be happy, though those are all excellent pursuits.
Our true goal should be to be like Jesus, because He meets our greatest needs and His character is the utmost goal we can aspire to. When we seek Him, everything else we require is provided for. And all our other pursuits benefit as well.
Today as you walk your seashore of life, commit yourself to know Jesus and be wholly connected to Him. Become like Him through prayer, the life-giving truths of the Bible, and serving as He would. No other goal will do you or Him justice.
Phillipians 3:10 -- "My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 25, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I am overwhelmed with the goodness He has flooded my soul with.
It is on the evenings when you feel as if your life lacks the luster it should have, or when you are overcome by the commonness of your life, that you must remember where your true brightness comes from.
If you are doing what you know is right, then you are indubitably illuminated in a manner too precious for words, because it is God shining through you.
You will not know how brightly you reflect him, because that could hinder the humble, gentle spirit He is creating in you. As you walk your seashore of life today, remember this -- when you are serving God, His glory radiates from you, and surely that is a light that is never overcome by darkness.
Isaiah 49:3 -- "The Lord said to me, “You're my dear servant, Israel, through whom I'll shine."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 24, 2009
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I noticed a young lady that was discouraged because she had lost the opportunity for a job. She was sitting in the sand, all alone seeming to be totally alone.
The Holy Spirit led me to speak words of encouragement to her, and to pray for the right job, the right pay, the right people for her to work with on a new job. She was totally lifted out of her discouragement the moment we prayed.
Your words of love and encouragement could be a rare and extraordinary present to others. And this includes both words of encouragement and those of correction, given that they are said with tact and compassion.
Of course, as with any other gift, they are not given to draw a certain response or to flatter. Rather, they are offered out of love so that the hearer may be enriched.
As you walk your seashore of life today, remember, the fit message is that which is out of love and without expectation of return. With both of these requirements met, your words will undoubtedly be a great gift to those who listen to you. Be His voice of love to others.
Proverbs 25:11 -- "A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 23, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I think of how He went about doing good works. We are to be like Him and go about doing good as well, to show His love everywhere we go.
Some may suggest that to serve God, you just need to know the right thing to say. However, God never meant for believers to express their faith solely by talking about it. What good are words that are not backed with action?
Rather, just as speeches are more effective when pictures are added, your acts of kindness will lend credence to your message. You will truly be an ambassador of God's love.
Today as you walk your seashore of life, think about the people you are praying for. God may use you to answer your prayers for them. And you will see how powerful it is when your wholehearted words are backed with similarly heartfelt actions.
James 2:16 -- "One of you says to Him, Goodbye! Keep yourself warm and well fed, without giving Him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 22, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, it is with such a grateful heart for the beauty He gives each day to enjoy. The beach has a way of showing you the goodness of our Father who sacrificed to give us this incredible life on the earth!
How, indeed, will God not also give you all things after such a great sacrifice? Why would He be stingy after going to such lengths to have a relationship with you?
To imagine that God is withholding some good thing is a misunderstanding of His graciousness and generosity. You can be confident that if God has not answered some dear prayer, it is either because He is perfecting it or it would hamper you from experiencing an even greater blessing.
God loves to give to you. So as you walk your seashore of life today, praise God for being glad to provide delightful things for you and that there is nothing good He is withholding from you. Praise His name today.
Romans 8:32 -- "He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 21, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, the wind swirls and makes the path less clear along the way.
God's direction for your life is not a hidden secret. You may not know where your path is taking you -- or even what your next step should be -- but you can be absolutely sure that what you need to know, God will show you.
Of course, there will be moments when you must ask God for wisdom. Yet experience will teach you that He is delighted when you want to do His will, and He gladly shows you what to do step by step -- guiding you by walking with you.
As you walk your seashore of life today, know God will make all things plain to you. So be patient today, and walk with Him. He will never steer you wrong.
John 14:26 -- "The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 20, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I am so blessed to watch the day be created every morning . . . faithfully by my heavenly Father.
God always does precisely as He says. He has unfailingly kept every pledge to His people since the beginning, and He is doing so with you as well.
What you are not guaranteed is that God will act as you expect Him to.
In fact, because He has an eternal focus, you are assured that He will accomplish His plans in a manner that exceeds your expectations. You will see your heart's desires come to fruition in a way that brings you supernatural joy and peace.
Today as you walk your seashore of life, trust that God will do exactly as He promised -- and that there is nothing on earth or in heaven that can stop Him.
Acts 27:25 -- "Cheer up! I am sure that God will do exactly as He promised."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 19, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, the sun shining on the water makes it seem as though diamonds are floating on the waves.
It makes me think of Abraham staring at the stars as he hears God's promise of many sons. Just imagine Abraham sitting under that star-spotted sky, eyes twinkling with wonder, as God shared the promise. Not only would he have an heir, but he would have so many descendants that he could not count them.
Although he and Sarah were considerably past childbearing years, he knew God could do it. And God did. Beyond anything Abraham could have imagined.
One of the stars Abraham saw shone brightly on your behalf. As a believer, you are one of his spiritual descendants.
As you walk your seashore of life today, remember, God is delighted to accomplish His promises for you too. So look up and rejoice.
Genesis 15:5 -- "Look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them . . . so shall be your descendants."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 18, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I see many shells that have been broken before they were fully developed.
When you meet others, do you develop a vision for all they could become? Though it is often easier to recognize people's faults, it is a truly wonderful thing to identify their latent possibilities.
Scripture instructs that it is good when you stir up others to meet their potential. The idea is to put them in situations that challenge their talents and help them grow. This requires sensitivity on your part -- perceiving the hidden characteristics that should be cultivated.
As you walk your seashore of life today, and pray for your loved ones, do you detect a greater capacity for love and good works in them? Ask God to give you a vision for drawing it out.
Hebrews 10:24 -- "Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works."
Blessings and peace, Sherron
April 17, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I see the people scurrying to the beach to enjoy the spring break.
I am reminded it is spring -- our time for sowing. People will often find it difficult to release the seeds God has given them specifically for the purpose of planting. However you have seen what God does with the precious things you have given up.
Like the kernel that is sown, a beautiful, nourishing harvest springs up in its place.
God took your seeds of hope and multiplied them, giving you back what you thoughts you had lost forever in a form that was even more pleasing.
And today as you walk your seaside of life, that is how you can comfort those who do not realize what God has given them. You can help them see that those seeds bear good gifts if they will just let them go.
John 12:24 -- "A grain of wheat that falls on the ground will never be more than one grain unless it dies. But if it dies, it will produce lots of wheat."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 16, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the waves take over and destroy a sand castle that someone had worked hours to build. In one wave, the castle was gone.
During Israel's arid summer months -- when the rivers were dried up -- people would build their houses on the sandy shores. Unfortunately, when the rainy season began, the river floodwaters would rise and sweep away their homes.
Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever built your hopes on something -- a job, relationship, or circumstance -- and had all of your security swept away when you lost it?
Thankfully, there is a foundation that stands up to the storms and floods of life. As you walk your seashore of life today, remember God will not fail you. Rebuild with hope by basing your life on God. He gives you a home that is simply heavenly.
Isaiah 54:11 -- "O storm battered city, troubled and desolate! I will rebuild you on a foundation of sapphires and make the walls of your houses from precious jewels."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 15, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I saw a tiny fish struggling to find its way back to the water. All of a sudden, the wave came in and carried it right out to the ocean water, where it could breath and swim freely again -- free from its prison on the sand.
When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, they fled on foot as Pharaoh pursued then with his chariots and horses. To make matters worse, they found that their path of escape was blocked by the Red Sea.
Yet God supernaturally opened the way for them . . . just as He did for my tiny ocean friend today. They did not have to fight the Egyptians or risk drowning. They just had to obey whatever God said.
Today as you walk your seashore of life wherever you are, pressures around you may be building up, and your way may appear obstructed. However, do not panic and don't do anything reckless. Rather, be still. Listen to God and wait for His instructions.
He will certainly make a way for you as well.
Exodus 14:14 -- "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 14, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I thank God for freedom to enjoy the simple things of life -- like a walk on the beach and watching the sunset rise out of the ocean in a blaze of fire. It took me back to a time in my life when I only focused on success within my corporate career.
It will come as no surprise to you that much of your success is dependent upon your focus. However, it may astonish you that what Jesus centered on -- what brought him victory -- was joy.
He was able to face the cross by looking past it to the wonderfully joyous prospect of offerering you a relationship with God and doing God's will.
And so, knowing the delight God takes in you, be happy to fix your concentration on Him this evening. Then no matter what happens, He is the joy ahead of you.
As you walk your seashore of life today, remember focusing on Him will give you a greater success than any other, because you will share in his certain and eternal triumph.
Hebrews 12:2 -- "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross."
Blessings and peace, Sherron
April 13, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I am so grateful to know He died for my sins -- to know that I can live an abundant life with Him forever! Isn't that an amazing gift of love we have been given?
How much would you give up to love another person? More important, how far do you think others should go to show their love for you?
When you consider how Jesus left His heavenly kingdom and His majestic status to show you His love, it can be almost too immense to grasp.
Yet that is the personification of great love -- it gives in an overwhelming manner. It takes on limitations and gives sacrificially for the greater good of the one it loves.
Today as you walk your seashore of life, thank Jesus for surrendering everything to show His love for you. And let His example inspire you to show great love to others.
Philippians 2:6-7 -- "Though He was God . . . He made himself nothing; He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 12, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I feel like celebrating the fact that Jesus is my reason for loving my life. I truly feel He is my rock.
Lift your voice today. Fortify yourself by singing about the goodness of God that you count on -- even as everything around you seems to deteriorate.
Forget the things that are not working, they do not tell the whole story. Rather, the greater realties are His power and wisdom, which make a pleasant way for you.
Realize that the words you speak out to God in praise return to you, resonating within you to gladden your heart and lift you up.
As you walk with Jesus on your seashore of life, rejoice in God because His help is on its way and because He is invigorating you for the heights ahead. No matter what is fruitless or fails -- celebrate. Surely He will help you.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 -- "Olive trees may be fruitless, and harvest time a failure . . . but I will still celebrate because the Lord God saves me."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 10, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I noticed the children playing in the waves, trusting their father to hold them steady in the water as it moved swiftly in and around the shore. How trusting they were of their fathers, holding their hands securely in theirs.
Often the people who do not know God will have difficulty understanding why you place your confidence in someone you cannot see. They nay even fear what they do not comprehend, and they endeavor to discourage or discredit you.
However, always remember that as you stand for God, he is the One who empowers and protects you. It is his duty to defend his name. And he will show himself to you in a way that both validates your trust in him and shows the one who opposes you his love.
As you walk the seaside with Jesus today, do not fear anyone or any situation this evening. God is with you and His name will always prevail.
2 Chronicles 14:11 -- "Help us, o Lord, our God for we for we rely on you, and in your name we have come."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 9, 2009
As I walk the seashore with Jesus today, I am so very thankful for the one that has brought me through so many struggles in my life.
How do you feel when you see others struggling with the same subjects you've wrestled with? Most likely, you respond in compassion and understanding because you know how tough some subjects or situations can be.
This empathy develops as you grow in your resemblance to Jesus, who, being fully human as well as fully divine, experienced human temptations.
With the right focus, temptations can show just how much you have become like Jesus. God's support through your trials does more than just help you pass.
As you walk your seashore with Jesus, remember that He helps you master the tests with humility so that you can help others overcome them as well. What a blessing you can be to others by being their support as well.
Hebrews 2:18 -- "Since He himself has gone through suffering and temptation, He is able to help us when we are being tempted."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 8, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I felt the freedom of enjoying the day my Father had created . . . off the performance treadmill of the world.
If you spend years on the performance treadmill of the world, it is hard to get off. When you are addicted to feeling good about yourself only when you perform well, you are in for a life of misery. It is a cycle of trying and failing, trying harder and failing again, and feeling guilty and rejected.
God does not want you on the performance treadmill. He wants you to feel good about yourself whether you perform perfectly or not. He doesn't want you to be filled wth pride, but He certainly did not create you to reject yourself. If you are trapped on the performance treadmill, ask God to break the cycle in your life. Let your confidence be based on who you are in Christ.
Romans 4:5-6 -- "But to one who, not working, trusts and believes fully in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness. Thus David congratulates the man and pronounces a blessing on hi to who God credits righteousness apart from the works he does."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 7, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I am focused on hearing Him speak to me . . . to make sure I am following His path for my life.
Many times we ask God to speak to us, but if He doesn't respond with a specific word, we still have to live our daily life. We make decision every day, and He doesn't dictate every little choice we make. When we don't get a (rhema) spoken word from God, we need to use wisdom to make good choices. He expects us to handle some issues on our own. We shouldn't always require a "big word" from our heavenly Father.
For example, if we want to buy something and wonder if we should, the first obvious question we need to ask ourself is, "Can I afford it?" If not, then wisdom would say, "Don’t buy it!" The audible voice of God is not needed when wisdom is already shouting the truth. We need to be mature enough to do what we already know is right.
Ephesians 5:15 -- "Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people)."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 6, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I see the little creatures hiding in the sand, safe from the sandpipers that are seeking out food. It makes me think of how our Father hides us and keeps us safe when we are at our weakest moments in life.
In times of trouble God hides you in Christ. Safe in the cleft of the Rock, there is provision for your every need. It may not be everything you want, but He gives you what you need to get through the situation.
Perhaps you are facing difficulty and have been waiting and waiting to see God's glory. God truly desires to pour out His goodness upon you. He has covered you with His hand and is continually moving toward you with the answer. You may not see Him coming, but you will certainly know when He has been there.
Exodus 33:19, 21-23 -- "I will make all my Goodness pass before you. Behold, there is a place beside Me, and you shall stand upon the rock, and while my Glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away My hand and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 5, 2009
As I walk on the seaside with Jesus today, I am amazed at the ocean -- it begins and never seems to end . . . like God who is the beginning and the end of our lives.
Just as the Greek alphabet begins with alpha and ends with omega, every bit of God's work originates and concludes with God himself. He created you with the ability to respond to Him, and He will eventually give you a home forever, with Him.
Other good things -- as you need them in increasing amounts -- eventually run out. However, you cannot exhaust God or His resources. From the eternal past to an everlasting future, He freely provides you with fellowship, nourishment, and wonders to protect you in this life on the earth.
Today as you walk the seashore of life with Jesus, remember -- He cares for all your needs. He knows exactly what will satisfy your unending thirst for love and eternity. So today, drink Him in and trust in the fact that He is the beginning and the end of your life.
Revelation 21:6 -- "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 4, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, I am so thankful for friends that truly have blessed my life.
I thought of Job -- and how his friends cared about him so much that they sat with him for seven days as he suffered. They never spoke during that time. Understandable, after seeing Job experience so much pain, they did not know what to say.
Imagine sitting with someone for seven days, putting aside your responsibilities just to show your support. There is something heroic in that, in simply being there to listen.
Today as you walk the seashore of life, know that if you have friends who are going through tough times and you do not know what to say, it is okay. Just go to them, letting them decide when to talk. Just be available to them to listen. It will be a greater comfort than you can ever imagine.
Job 2:13 -- "No one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 3, 2009
As I walk the seaside devotions with Jesus today, my heart is listening intently to hear His voice clearly -- to be assured He is at work in my life!
Count on it -- there will be days when you will want evidence that God is still actively providing what He has promised you. And it will be the details of how He is working everything out that will concern you most.
Your faith grows in the not knowing and by releasing all the particulars to His care. Do not fear -- He has taken every facet into account and will use every hurdle to display His power in your life.
As you walk the seashore of life with Jesus today, rest easy. Your heavenly Father has considered and taken care of details that you have never thought of. Soon enough, the proof will be before you that your faith has not been in vain. He is there, working on your behalf.
1 Kings 8: 24 -- "You did exactly what you promised -- every detail. The proof is before us today."
Blessings and peace, Sherron
April 2, 2009
As I walk on the seaside with Jesus today, I found a piece of gold lying on the beach -- a treasure left by someone walking before me.
Gold is beautiful, a biblical symbol of wealth and royalty. It is a rare, almost indestructible metal that is valuable wherever you go on earth.
The spiritual gold that God creates in you is faith -- glowing evidence of His opulence and majesty in you. Faith is difficult to come by and valuable for this world and beyond.
Like gold, faith must be purified, cultivated, and molded. Unlike gold, however, there is no way to destroy true faith. When all the brilliant metal has been consumed, faith endures.
As you walk the seashore of life today, remember this -- constructing with gold is good, but what God is building in you lasts forever.
1 Peter 1:7 -- "Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire, And your faith is worth much more than gold."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
April 1, 2009
As I walk the seaside with Jesus today, it occurs to me that nothing happens that is unknown to God. Not one wave, not one storm, not one event in our life happens without His knowledge -- or His permission.
Though some of your experiences come as a result of your actions and others seem to occur randomly and without sense, nothing that happens to you is a surprise to God. He really does know about each event and how it will affect you.
That does not mean He chooses troubles for you; He allows them, and will most assuredly strengthen you to deal with them.
Nothing in your life is beyond God's purpose or protection. He would never allow anything that could not ultimately be used for good. Today as you walk the seashore of life with Jesus, take heart this day that even the troubles have come to you with the promise of hope. He has a good plan for you -- no matter what your circumstance may be.
Job 2:10 -- "When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when He sends us trouble?"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron