abandoned to Christ.

If my faith is fully in Christ, and I see Him -- that is, truly recognize Him for who He is, I will neither falter, waver or wane when another saint does, nor will I crumble if a saint who discipled and loved me is taken from me somehow, or be crushed by my circumstances that seem to envelope me. Rather, if I am fully abandoned to Christ, like Isaiah, I will shout, “Here am I! Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) and I will relentlessly follow the Lord wherever He leads. I may follow in tears and with great heartache, but I will still follow (Psalm 126:5-6). Why is it that some of us are caught up in depression and do not go on spiritually as God leads us by His Spirit (Galatians 5:25)? I know, because I’ve done it. When I was fifteen, I attempted suicide three times because I was deeply depressed about my life: the abuse, the high school drama, the enormity of life and just plain tired of going on. Because I was not abiding in Christ, but had trained myself to find inspiration from, by and through...

“I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls... Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial alter of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” ~2 Cor 12:15a, Philippians 2:17 Do I spend my life for the faith of others or am I mostly concerned with my own purity? Do I spend my time in faithful and fervent prayer for others, or do I merely seek to improve and enjoy my own life? Am I willing to give everything I have for the sake of another knowing Christ, or for the one who already believes; to exhort them further in their faith? Am I a spiritual hog, hoarding all spiritual blessings for myself, and living off the faith of others, or am I working out my own salvation with fear and trembling, pouring myself out for Christ my God and those He came to save? Am I lost in myself or hid in Christ? “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fea...

Death. Not something most people want to think or talk about. For those who don't know Christ, I can certainly understand why. But for fellow disciples of Christ, I must admit, I'm a bit bewildered when I discover death is not a daily consideration. We often read in Scripture that we must die to self and live our new lives in Christ (Gal 2:20). We are commanded by God to live as those who know that our days our numbered and our time here on earth is only a short journey (Psalm 90:12, Eph 5:15-17). Keeping this in mind, we press on toward our heavenly call God has given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord (Philippians 3:14). Having been blessed by God to live the life I've lived for the past 42 years, death is something that's often on the forethought of my mind. The LORD mercifully endured me through 13 years of abuse and persecution, many bouts of diseases and disorders that threatened my life as well as nearly dying giving birth to my first son. For the pas...

As Mother's Day fast approaches, my heart is heavy for the many who cannot celebrate with the joy and festivities that are often marked by this day: a special corsage for mom, adorned with mini-flowers representing every precious babe she has born. A special dress or hat, perhaps gloves or a sash. Breakfast in bed; a splendid day at church together; then off to a deliciously prepared lunch with all her favorites. Dinner out, if she desires, at her favorite restaurant, and of course, a scrumptious dessert follows. The entire day is spent with the sweet affection of her loved ones all around her, celebrating her tender, faithful, loving, sacrificial and gentle godly character. Her children and husband rise up and call her blessed (Prov 31:28-29) for her deeds and words prove she's a woman who, above all things, loves and fears the LORD God Almighty (Prov 31:30). Ahhh...isn't this just the picture perfect day? It's brimming with love and overflowing ...

....at my sweet sister-friend LauraLee's Faith-filled Friday! I'm her guest vlogger (video blogger) today, sharing a story of how God tested and strengthened my faith when our youngest son (now 16) was hit by a car (at age 6) and nearly died. It's a short 6 minute video and I pray that God will use it to bless you, strengthen you and exhort you to press on toward the goal in which He has called all His children heavenward in Christ Jesus our Lord! Click the link below and come visit with me! LauraLee's Faith-filled Fridays | Guest: Sunny Shell "In Him [Christ] we have obtained and inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our i...

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." ~ John 15:13 During our breakfast devotional this morning, we were discussing Good Friday (tomorrow) and Resurrection Sunday (Easter). As we discussed this, I asked our sons, "Why did the Apostle Paul say to the Corinthians, 'For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.' "? (1 Corinthians 2:2) Why did the Apostle Paul say this? Why did He say that he decided to know NOTHING, except Christ crucified? My youngest son answered first and said, "So that we would remember that Sunday is coming." Then my oldest son answered, "It was so we would remember that we had to be ransomed . A price had to be paid for our salvation." Bingo! What wise sons I have! God always makes things so simple and clear. Jesus was, and is still, the best communicator. He took God's word, and all it's mysteries, and made it clea...

original photo by: Robert Aichinger edited by: Sunny Shell Most Christians, as well as those who've been around Christians are familiar with the phrase: "We do all things for God's glory alone." I've often been asked: "Why does God want all the glory, isn't that kind of out of character for Him; to be so self-centered, so self-promoting?" For many, this just doesn't make sense. So why is it so important that only God receives all the glory and why does He command it to be done? Is God a megalomaniac? By all means, "No!" But most people are. True? Most of us walk around thinking we deserve so much good, so much praise, so much...well, everything and anything that's favorable to us. The world's riddled with catch phrases like "You deserve a break today" (McDonald's), "Because you're worth it." (L'Oréal). And we all buy into it. We actually buy into it before we're even ol...

Are Christians sinless? Of course not! But we do sin less. Sin less than who? Sin less than the unbelieving world? Most certainly, but we ought not compare ourselves to those who are blind and live in darkness. So who then shall we compare ourselves? Let’s look to Scripture to find the answer: “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.” ~Galatians 6:3-5, ESV The Lord God spoke through the Apostle Paul and said that when any of us thinks more of ourselves than we ought, we are only deceiving ourselves. This is true. We’re not really fooling anyone else, just ourselves. Seems kind of silly doesn’t it? I mean, who wants to keep lying to... himself ? The Lord goes on to reveal to us that people shouldn’t compare themselves to other people (even other Christians [2 Cor 10:12...