Sherry Sharp

“Blessed is the one…who meditates on [the Lord’s] law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3, NIV.

While recommended never to use clichés in writing, and since I already opened the devotion last week with one, I ask that you indulge me one more time to make a point. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Now for a confession—many times I have chosen to read a book simply because the cover was appealing. Yes, I know, this philosophy is the wrong approach when seeking good literature; however, book publishers spend a lot of money to produce book covers that are attractive and will entice a potential reader to purchase their product. Clearly, the theory works with me and maybe it works with you too. Even still, though bright colors and artistic graphics on the front and back cover appeal to the senses, they do not always translate to the best stories inside.

Contrary to the clever and glitzy book cover philosophy, one book that needs no embellishments to promote its popularity and according to Guinness Book of World Records “as of 1995, the Bible is the best-selling book of all time with an estimated 5 billion copies sold and distributed.” The Bible is unique to the reader in that no matter how many times one opens and reads, the words within offer transforming power. For over 2000 years, the Bible has needed no revision to strengthen its appeal and grow its readership. The Scripture passage in Psalm 1indicates that whoever reads the Bible, God’s Word, is “blessed.” The printed words on each page have life-giving properties. Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit” (NIV).

Every day, books are added to the “best seller list,” and then, eventually, they fall off and new books take their place. The Holy Bible will never lose its appeal because its Author is the Creator of words and Creator of all life. Take time to open your Bible today. I promise, that if you do, you will not be disappointed, you will never lose interest, and you will never be the same. 

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7, NKJV.

“Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” This cliché is probably familiar to most of us and like most cliché’s needs little explanation; however, for the sake of this writing, I would like to dig a little deeper.

When a friend visited me recently, we sat around my dining room table as we chatted. The conversation drifted onto the Scripture verse in 2 Corinthians as my friend used the design of the table to expand on the meaning of the passage. You see, my dining room table is unique. The craftsman who designed the table thought to create it as three large layers of glass. With a tool and delicate, yet deliberate force striking the middle layer of glass, the impact caused only that layer of glass to shatter, being held together by the remaining, intact layers of glass. The result is beautiful! Instead of seeing the table as damaged, the broken glass catches the light, creating prisms of colored sparkles throughout the room.

Like the table, you and I bare the imprint of our Designer. God created human beings with a unique capacity to endure the blows that accompany living in an imperfect world, marred by human sin. Held together by His love and the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, our brokenness reflects the beauty of God’s presence. 

My table did not simply appear one day out of nowhere; it was created with much foresight by the craftsman who had its design in mind. Friend, you are not an accident or a “thought in hindsight.” God knew you before you were conceived (Psalm 139). An “earthen vessel,” like glass, is vulnerable to the elements, but in the hands of a craftsman the treasures of possibilities are endless. Let the Light of Jesus shine through you.      

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10, NKJV.

Every summer when I return to my home on the shore of Delaware, the pathway leading from the house to the beach is once again blocked by the weeds that have sprung up over the winter months. Of course, stabilizing the sand against storms is important and necessary, but out of control growth inhibits passage to the water’s edge.

After a walk on the beach and as I meandered over the stickers and thorns that had grown out of the weeds and bramble on the path, I began pulling up the stray grasses. With one yank, a root system several feet in length released and came up out of the sand easily, while other weeds were fully taking hold. As I continued in my effort to clear the path, the illustration and spiritual application also began to take hold of my thoughts…

Sherry, these weeds are like the sin that “so easily ensnares us…” Once the seed of sin is planted, it takes hold. The roots are hard to get rid of, even when we recognize the “fruit” of sin…anger, jealousy, bitterness, impatience, pride, lawlessness, deception, self-centeredness, laziness…and the list has no end!

Then, I began to wonder…

If I plant good seeds like the ones necessary on the sand dunes that protect the shoreline from washing away during storms, how powerful this would be.

According to Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit is “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” Our world could certainly use more of these planted seeds! You and I have control over which “seeds” we plant. Today, what is the fruit of your planting?

Happy sowing!

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12, NKJV

Several years ago, my then very young grandson came to me to confess he had broken something in my house. With tears and sobs, he said he was sorry. Of course, my grandmother heart began swirling in many emotional directions. Firstly, I was sad to see him so distraught; secondly, seeing his sweet little repentant demeanor touched me beyond measure. Not once was there any concern from me about the item broken, only this little “man” sitting before me who I loved more than life itself.

When we approach the throne of God broken over our sins and misgivings, I think we are afraid He waits, ready to punish us, when in reality He looks beyond our offense into the heart of repentance. The tender mercy of God through His Son, Jesus, meets us right where we are with love. Make no mistake. God is a just God, but His love toward His children forgives our greatest offenses when we come to Him in true repentance.

Even after coming into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we are still sinners no matter how hard we try not to be. Paul told his protégé, Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith…” Every day presents people with challenges, and all we can do is “fight” to do our best, trusting God for the rest. God has given His Word as the “weapon” of choice with which to fight the battles with sin. His Word is tried and true. As we approach our heavenly Father in confession of our struggles, He waits, not with a whip but with a love so deep and wide, that His Son, Jesus gave His life that we should gain eternal life through Him.

“If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:10, NKJV.

“It’s not a mistake if you say it’s not a mistake.” Although I was in the middle of watching a tutorial on quilting when the instructor made this comment, my mind immediately took a leap in an entirely different direction than quilting. Pausing the video, I wrote down what she said and then, continued learning about not taking my craft of quilting too seriously, and thus enjoying doing something I love.

This morning I return to the handwritten quotation and ponder how it reflects the broader philosophy of the 21^st century culture. I recently told a friend that if I did not believe in God and that Jesus died for my sins, I would live a very different lifestyle. Just like before I knew Jesus as my loving Savior, my personal choices would be more self-focused and reckless. This is not to suggest that now I live a perfect life—far from it! However, after reading God’s Word for many years, the idea of deliberately choosing a life in conflict with what God tells me is not in my best interest or that of others breaks my heart, because I know it would break God’s heart. When the Holy Spirit convicts me by bringing my sins to my awareness, thus pricking my conscience, then to brush off my new awareness as it’s okay because people aren’t going to care what I do, smacks the very face of my Father Who says He cares. Choices have consequences!

We often focus on Scripture’s warning about the consequences of sin and fail to acknowledge God’s tender grace and mercies that precede His warnings. The Bible verse above is from 1 John 1:10, but let us look at verse 9… “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NKJV).

So, if God’s Word says our actions are a mistake, a misstep, or a sin, then to say it is not, is to call God “a liar.”

Loving and patient Father, never let it be! Continue to call me into account when my actions and thoughts conflict with Your desires. Regardless of this fallen culture, guide me into all truth and repentance. Thank You for Jesus and the cross He bore on my behalf, “The author and finisher of our faith.” Amen.  (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV).

“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1, NKJV

Probably the most important lesson I learned when going back to school to study Creative Writing is never take credit for the work of others. The official and more serious terminology used for such an offense is plagiarism. The fact that one might inadvertently overlook giving credit to a rightful author in one’s writing is no excuse, and in a college setting might possibly result in a failing grade or even expulsion. Thepurpose behind this precept is obvious. Do not take credit for someone else’s creativity and hard work!

When I first began my studies at Liberty University and read about the severity of plagiarism, the idea of accidentally failing to recognize an author caused tremendous angst. Then, I realized the way to avoid making this mistake is to adequately research and be diligent in noting immediately when quoting the work of others. No sloppiness. No shortcuts. Always strive to put forth my best effort in writing or any other craft, giving credit where credit belongs.

Every time I am inspired to write, the realization from where the inspiration comes is clear. Whether waking to a beautiful sunrise, or the downpouring of rain soaking the ground to revive the earth, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm above). The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us, “There is nothing new under the sun” (1:9). Every song. Every poem. Every piece of beautiful art form begins with the Creator of the universe. Look into the night sky; God’s “canvas” is vast for our pleasure.  

Therefore, let us give thanks to the One Who created all things from which we draw upon for breath, life, hope, and the inspiration to spread goodness to those around us. God is the Author of creation, and all that is good and right in the world; without Him, words would not exist. Indeed, without Him, you and I would not exist!

Thank you, God, for being The Word to us and through us, that we might enjoy and share in your creative nature. Amen.