He Still Speaks

In a world that is constantly changing, one thing remains the same: the Lord our God never changes. 

“For I am the Lord, I do not change…” Malachi 3:6

His consistent love for His children is shown throughout every page in the Bible. He taught Moses how to deliver the Israelites from the bondages of Egypt. He gave instructions to Gideon during a time of battle. He spoke to Joseph through dreams, Daniel too! He led Paul to wherever his next mission was through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Beloved, nothing and I mean absolutely nothing has changed with our God. He still speaks and He longs to communicate His wonderful truths to you. Draw near to the Word of God and allow His life-giving words to revive your soul as He leads you along the best pathway for your life.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8

© Sharon Pankey 2018

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The Battle

The blows of life.

They will come and when they do, they have the ability to knock you down.

But we have Someone who will fight for us. God is our fortress. He is our strong tower. His very name is our defense. He is our shield. He is our protector. 

Let the truth of God’s Word be your reminder that in the times of battle, you are not alone. Let His Word remind you that you will win! In Christ Jesus there is victory no matter what you are facing.

Take time to read, meditate and speak God’s Word over your situation. This beloved, is your weapon.

You have the victory!

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11-17

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

“The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.” Deuteronomy 28:7

“One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you.” Joshua 23:10

“Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart…” Psalm 91:1-4

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4

“This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

 

© Sharon Pankey 2018

His Name is Excellent

 

Sitting at the funeral of a dear friend’s mother, the Pastor said one simple thing that stuck with me the rest of the day: “His Name is Excellent”.

We sing it, we say it and we think it. But it’s in the not so good moments of life that this remains even more the foundation of our faith. It was a day of mourning, yet His Name was and still is Excellent. It was such a powerful pronouncement of truth in the face of broken hearts, tears and sadness.

In all times and in every season of life. The good and the bad. The beautiful and the downright ugly, His Name is Excellent.

Will we always see it in the midst of sorrow? Probably not. Will we always understand His ways? Nope. Will He always show us the “why” to life’s issues? Maybe not.

This is why the truth of His Word and Who He is, is so vital for us to cling to. Because when times are hard, we will believe and know in our hearts that He is Excellent even when our minds cannot comprehend what is happening.

Beloved, God is not asking us to understand His ways rather He is welcoming us to understand that He is Excellent, His ways are Excellent and His very Name is Excellent.

Superb, Outstanding, Exceptional, Marvelous, Wonderful, Magnificent, Perfect, Matchless, Unbeatable, Supreme, Splendid, Beautiful, Tremendous, Fantastic, Divine

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8,9

“…And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

 

© Sharon Pankey 2018

Enjoy the Little Things

Life is a one time gift. Use it in best possible manner. So love, laugh, live, be yourself, be happy and have trust in God – Anurag Prakash Ray

 

This doesn’t imply that life will be absent of its trials and challenges. However, it is a reminder that in the midst of the ebb and flow of life it is imperative that we count our blessings. Love others with the love the Creator has loved us with. Take time to find the beauty of every moment you encounter. Live authentically. Find your joy, strength and peace in the One who awakened you to see another day.

 

“This is the day the LORD has made. Let’s rejoice and be glad today!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:24‬ ‭

“I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭

“Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭

© Sharon Pankey 2018

FAITH

When you are weary, He is your strength. Do not give up.

Whatever you are praying for, keep praying.

Your Faith + His Power = Mountains Moved!

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart (in God’s unlimited power), but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him (in accordance with God’s will). Mark 11:23 (AMP)

 

© Sharon Pankey 2018

Photo by Mark Basarab on Unsplash

HOPE

“May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13. One of my all time favorite verses. HE is the HOPE for the hopeless. HE is our JOY. HE is our PEACE.

A GOD-Designed Lane

“I will show you and teach you in the way you should go. I will tell you what to do with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8

 

Have you ever looked at the life of someone else and felt like you weren’t quite measuring up? Maybe others have reached a career milestone that you are aiming for. Perhaps you are facing closed doors while many doors seem to be effortlessly opening for others.

It is so easy for us in this age of sharing our lives on social media to peek through the deceitful lens of comparison and slowly begin to covet the seemingly perfect life someone else is living. How easy it is to unconsciously chisel ourselves down to nothing and even begin to not appreciate the path the Creator lovingly made just for us.

“…I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 

That truth dispels the lie of comparison. It reminds you that you are a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. You are unique. There is no one in all of creation like you. There has not been and there will never be another you. You have been created with a specific purpose in mind. God carefully created you with gifts, talents and a life path that only you can carry out.

Please take this important truth to heart: You will never know the story of those with whom you may be comparing your life to. You may never know the difficulties they have faced nor the struggles they are currently going through. 

You must trust and believe that God in His love for you has a plan for your life that He wants only you to fulfill.  He intended for you to embrace the journey He lovingly placed you on.

You have been given a God-Designed Lane, stay in it. Don’t worry about what others are doing and what you think you should be doing. If you keep your eyes fixed straight ahead and upon Him, you will not miss out. You will hear clearly what it is He wants for you to do.

Beloved, God will do amazing things in your life, all you need to do is follow where He leads, keep your eyes on Him, and embrace all that He has planned just for YOU!

No more comparing, it’s time to live life and live it well!

© Sharon Pankey 2018

The Abundant Life

“The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Jesus came to give us life and life in abundance. But what does that look like?

 Our answer to that question given through the eyes of this world will say it means more wealth, perfect health and having literally everything within our reach. But our answer given through the eyes of eternity will tell us otherwise.

 You will find that the very breath that you breathe is a gift from God. The very fact that He awakened you to a new morning filled with fresh mercies is in fact living in abundance.

 When everything seems to be in total chaos and the storms of life rage around you, having His peace is what it means to have life in abundance. When you feel you have no direction, having the Word of God speaking direction and hope to you in your time of need is having life in abundance.

When sadness rushes in, having His joy poured over you is life in abundance. Truly there is nothing or no one on this earth that can offer what only Jesus came to give, for what  He gives is eternal.

His mercies flow freely, His love spills out endlessly.

This is life in abundance.

© Sharon Pankey 2018

The Blueprint

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

The plans that God has for your life may take you by surprise.

There are paths that He will ask you to take that are quite unexpected.

All He asks is for you to trust in Him knowing that He Who holds creation in His hands is in control.

Even when you cannot understand, trust Him.

You may not understand His ways at times but remember He is not asking you to make sense of it all but to know that His wisdom supersedes yours.

Trust Him in these times of uncertainty and know that He has nothing but the very best in store for you.

 

© Sharon Pankey 2018