180° Turn Blog |
180° Turn Blog |
![]() “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past…”. Isaiah 43:18,19 My 2021 Verse For thirteen months, I was stuck in the “dwelling” place, the place of unforgiveness and sadness. How about for you? Like me, were you abandoned and rejected? Were or are you still discouraged and bitter, full of disappointment? It doesn’t have to be that way. How was I able to transition from dwelling in the past to coming to terms with my past? There is a big difference. Yet you cannot suppress your negative emotions from your traumatic experiences either. I have learned it is by forgiving and forgetting completely. This is much easier said than done. This is the hard road for most of us, not the path of least resistant, but the unnatural path. However, with the “Not Guilty” verdict from God and His magnificent grace and mercy, I was able to find forgiveness and forgetfulness in His arms. He forgave me; therefore, I was able to ask forgiveness of others. Then I said the impossible words, “I forgive you because He forgave me.” I was able to release the burden of guilt and shame over to our precious Jesus. Was the other person absolved of their crimes? Of course not. But I gave their justice and punishment over to the Lord. The hurtful individual(s) is no longer in control of me. Unforgiveness gives them control. Forgiveness gives me back my joy. Jesus gives us the command, “Forgive those that trespass against us.” Notice this is not prequalified with “When you are ready”. Not even 7 times, but 70 x 7 times, you must forgive. He knows by speaking the truth (preferably out loud), forgiveness will happen in your bones eventually. From the first day of my traumatic experience the Lord said, “I’ve got this, give them over to me.” After deep insights from The Bible into His awesome character and understanding, He is trustworthy and faithful. I was able to finally let go. I am now free from the bondage and chains that held me for those thirteen months. You too can be free in the Lord. Say the three words. I forgive __(who)____. All things new yet again...Isaiah 43:18, 19 Now I pray for my enemy's salvation as I forgiven them and forgotten their trespasses against me. What they meant to hurt me with, the Lord means for good!
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Why Were the Heavens Created
"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." JEREMIAH 32:17 Why did our Sovereign Lord make the Heavens? Was it just for us to admire and observe? Where are the heavens, we ponder? Very simply let me tell you, I asked and the Creator God answered me. He is a loving personal God. He wants to tell you too. Studying physics-based astronomy in college was one of my most celestial classes. Though I didn’t like the physics part, it gave me an in-depth look at the magnitude of “The Heavens”. This class taught us we live in an ever expanding universe. At that time, I was not a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I did believe, however, there had to be some supreme deity, reasoning there was nothing random or primordial about the cosmos. It was too calculated and perfect. The probability of randomness was infinite, meaning the theory of evolution was impossible. Learning about the different religious philosophies was another story. Like the number of galaxies, humankind has come up with too many religions. Most are rule-based, relying on each of us working our own way to Heaven. You must strive to become perfect or enlightened. Reasonably, I was a sinner. Even I knew that much. Maybe you can relate? Not wanting to be a hypocrite, I went my own way for many years. I rejected Christianity because it seemed rule-based as well, the Ten Commandments right? “It just is”, they would state. I would try to ask questions but quickly got shut down as blasphemous for questioning God. If God couldn’t be questioned then He wasn’t worth knowing, right? Why would He care about little ole me anyway? Until, my carefully built stellar life came crashing down like a meteor shower in hot molten pieces all around me. My universe collapsed. A huge gaping, black hole and there was nothing I could do. My husband departed, and not dearly, my son was kicked out of kindergarten with anger issues, then I was fired from my job because I was “not a good fit” anymore. Talk about Big Bang! In the midst of my chaos and confusion, The Lord came. He wanted a personal relationship with me. Shocked and traumatized, that’s when I realized I was not in control. God, our Creator, was real and our Heavenly Father wanted to know me personally. This was His Light show not mine. Nine years have spun by since then. The formation of a new soul came out of the burning ashes. This woman’s primal dust was lit on fire, now white hot just like a star. Telescopic views show how everything in this one life led up to that one moment in time and space, God coming to save me. His Son is real and the Bible is true. Like a swooshing comet, the Holy Spirit does come inside, filling us up. Only then can we live biblical, moral, righteous, lives. But more importantly, we will live forever, an eternal life with God in Heaven. So where exactly is Heaven? From the Bible, we know Heaven is up. Here it is stated clearly in two different verses: Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, “Come up here!” And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched. Rev 11:12 When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Mark 16:19 Jesus was taken up. The two prophets rose. Heaven is up. And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 As a Christian spirit-filled believer, who dies, your spirit rises up to Heaven. We are with Jesus in paradise the moment our soul leaves this earth. Our souls do not die but are transmuted. Why can we not be a star? Our souls become a new star which is in Heaven (which is up). Before we receive our resurrected bodies, we are in Heaven with Jesus, but not in these earthly clay vessels anymore. Our physical remains are committed to earth to return to dust. Our light now burns brightly in the heavens as a star. Do you like my theory? Are you fascinated with the stars too? Ask God to show you the truth. This side of Heaven there is so many unfathomable mysteries this soul cannot comprehend. Yet that never stops me from questioning my Creator God. He loves to be questioned and even better, He loves to answer us, His earthly “stars”. One question I ask Him about is the stars, those brilliant ever expanding points of light. Pondering all I have learned, I ask Father God, “Are the stars us, our bodiless souls? Are those all my fellow believers that have died and gone to Heaven before me?” He just chuckles at me, loving me for my vivid imagination, “Maybe Daughter, maybe you are right.” “I love you Lord!” I expound. “I love you too Daughter.” He gently replies. Ah, then the sweet Heavenly peace descends as overwhelming joy fills my glowing spirit. I will find out soon enough. The Lord made the Heavens. They are ever expanding. He has created one star, one Heavenly body for each soul who has accepted Him, those of us He chose for eternity with Him. Who’s to say this isn’t true? Only God Himself knows. Why don’t you ask Him yourself? -The End So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free. And don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5:1 NLT Here are two words that make my flesh crawl: self-control. Being a believer in Christ these two words can make or break God’s purpose for your life. He is your creator and He knows just what you need to demolish strongholds in your life. You say, I am saved so I am good. What if I told you it’s time to mature in Jesus Christ? Why not flirt with your coworker? How about that half gallon of chocolate ice cream in the frig calling your name? Why not have one more drink or one more smoke? Why not do recreational drugs? There’s no harm in it is there? It doesn’t mean anything. Of course the answer is “yes”, it causes great harm to you. With this worldly conforming attitude, now your flesh has full reign and you have grieved Him, The Holy Spirit. If you are a Christ follower and have been saved by faith through belief in our Lord Jesus Christ then yes, you have the Holy Spirit in you. Don’t fall back into the trap that the Lord has rescued you from. When you do these worldly fleshly things the Bible warns us against, shame and guilt follow. Eventually, then doubt in God sets in, pushing you far away from His morality and reasoning. In my case, before Jesus came and saved me, I decided I was innocent and guilt had no meaning in my life. I was free to do as “I” pleased. The alcohol abuse and the promiscuous sexuality took over, creating strongholds and lies, leading to the demise of my marriage. What happens when you don’t feel Him, recognize Him or have Him on the inside? We fall and fall hard. We fall into the enemy’s eager trap of temptation saying it’s never going to get better so why not, everyone else does. Is this you? For my scientific friends: Flesh = Fallen Nature (F=fn); the sin that so subtly ensnares us; sometimes not so subtly. In this world, the only way to fight back against this fleshly nature is The Holy Spirit. Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled with a yoke of bondage. He has set you free, now stay free. You don’t need that alcoholic beverage to confront another. It will only give you false confidence and courage, influencing you to “go for it”. It only makes you more attractive in your own eyes, liquid courage to be flagrant and falsely bold. You wake the next morning saying, “Why did I do that again?” to your own guilt and shame. You don’t need that snort of crank to suppress your appetite, causing temporary weight lose because you don’t feel like eating. Until…you come down or crash hard, starving and gorge yourself on that tub of ice cream, feeling sick and fatter than ever. People should love you for who you are without needing validation from others like your coworkers. You want admiration and respect. You want everyone in the office to think highly of you. Internally, you attempt to justify yourself and the lust manifests itself. Your spouse doesn’t understand you anymore because you are fighting. You will show your spouse right? Well, I will tell you a secret if you are a believer. You have victory in Christ Jesus, because The Holy Spirit lives in you. If you cannot feel Him, then you go off in your fleshly nature and do what you want to do instead of what God wants you to do. First stop. Then pray for forgiveness, then repent and turn (turn 180 degrees) and realize why you are doing what you are doing, what is driving you. Most likely your need for validation and love is from the wrong source. Well you have love, and it’s not from your spouse, your family or friends. It is from the Lord God Almighty who is able to guide you and lead you in just the direction you need to go. Go after His Son, follow Him. And if you do fall, which you will until you have true freedom in Christ, then repeat the above steps or formula. Also remember: Romans 8:1 There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, those who do not walk according to their flesh, but according to the Spirit. Forgive yourself and do not walk in the flesh again. This is how Jesus Christ frees you from yourself. He’s already forgiven you, so forgive yourself. If you have not recognized the living Christ as your Lord and Savior then say this simple prayer and you are His. It’s now time for you to grow and learn in Him. Dear Lord Jesus, I need forgiveness and repent of my sin nature, my flesh. I turn now 180 degrees and vow to try not to keep making the same mistakes but instead follow You. I make you Lord and Savior of my life. AMEN If you said this prayer contact me. I will help guide you to your next steps you need for freedom in Christ. Welcome to the His family. It is a “Big Deal”! All My Love, Stalwart Sharla ![]()
How can those we truly pour out our agape love on refuse it? All thirst for true love and true life. The true source is Jesus Christ. God states clearly those who will move on to eternal life and those who will move on to eternal death. Those who realize they can do nothing of themselves, those who tap into their true purpose, which only God, our Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit can give them, these are the few who go onto eternal life. Jesus states in Matthew: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Mat 7:13 You Abba are realigning the people of every tribe and nation. Put your true believers, those that care about others more than themselves around me. Put them in close circumference so we can feed off of each other as we keep the Holy Spirit in the forefront.
Let us realize the only necessary moments we spend are with You and let You abide in me in all I do, the good and the bad. Praise You as You capture more of my complaining and negative thinking, dispelling it with a tiny puff. Thank You that frivolous and ignorant are not humorous. Intolerance, bigotry and pride will soon be eradicated along with this pestilence. Thank you that most money, clothing and other material possessions are just not necessary. But praise You most for healing the dry parched promised land you safely returned me to for such a time as this. This is only my temporary residing place. Praise you my true dwelling place is in Heaven, ready and waiting for me. I will be there soon. All my Agape Love, Your daughter, Stalwart Sharla 5-16-2020 |
Blessing from the Author“With God, both you and I can do all things. Like a new canvas, I pray He blesses you, to stretch you in all areas of your life." Love, Sharla Archives
January 2021
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