Oldest-Old

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Some of the greatest people I know are seniors.  I enjoy their frankness and their willingness to share themselves with others.  They give me hope.

I think that by the time the baby boomer generation reaches the Oldest-Old stage, that whole chapter of human development will be rewritten possibly more than once.  Humans are living longer.  If this trend continues, humans may live to be 200 years old by the end of this century.  Regardless, I think that my generation is much too absorbed with trying to defeat the aging process.  Why not just accept it, enjoy it, and live it?

We are blessed to be living in the greatest age in human history.  Now seniors live longer and can enjoy a relatively high quality of life compared to our ancestors.  Many diseases of this life stage are treatable, if not curable; and despite the harsh living conditions of some third world countries, life in these United States “ain’t that bad”.

I certainly could go for becoming one of the Oldest-Old.  It sure beats the alternative.  I am not making light of the prospect of aging and all of the related declining health issues; but there is always something to look forward to each day.  Put a bit differently; the human spirit is indefatigable, and does not seem to age.

This brings me to the subject of spirituality (you all knew it was coming).  Some studies show that religion can be a positive factor in longevity.  There is more to life than just the mortality of it.  No matter what a person’s faith persuasion is, faith gets a person a lot further down the road.  Faith is self-defining.  With faith comes hope.  Faith believes in more.  If you believe and hope there is more than just this life, then there is.

It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. ~2 Corinthians 4:13,14 NIV

The key is to embrace what you have.  I would much rather dance closely with a partner than in an open embrace.  The dance is much more fluid and graceful when the intimacy is there.  I plan on embracing my late adulthood stage as gracefully as possible; for life is a dance and the last dance is always the best.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
Photo Credit: ©Canstock Photo Inc/DarrenBaker

Right Way to Go

Just checking in to say “Hi” to old friends. I’ve missed you and hope things have been going well with a steady growth in the Holy Spirit. Still trying to get my writing groove back …

I wish I could say that it has been going well but … not so much. Frankly, world events being what they are, I feel heartbroken. Then the words just don’t come to paper; so I post scriptures mostly about God’s love, for the world I thought I knew is unrecognizable.Yet the world needs to know that it’s not God’s fault. He loves us so much that he sacrificed his own Son to redeem us from our sinful selves.

The world is getting very very close to the “days of Noah” that Jesus talked about. Jesus is coming soon!

And then the judgement.

Proverbs 2:1-3

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding…

Proverbs 2:6-9

For the LORD grants wisdom!

From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.

He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

He guard the paths of the just and protects those

who are faithful to him.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,

and you will find the right way to go.

Thankful in 2021

I am very grateful for the opportunity to write here at WordPress. I am especially thankful to the readers who have followed this blog site within the past six years.

Hopefully, my writing has improved along with my spiritual growth through this Christian blog experience.

My old posts will still be here for 2022 but I’m not sure after that. My best to all of you and may God’s blessings rain down upon you in torrents! I will still be subscribed to all as before, and read your posts, so I don’t have to miss you!

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL! Thank you for following this blog. I sincerely hope to see some of you at

www.thefragranceofchrist.com

Love, Faith & Hope – and of course, the greatest of these is LOVE!

Sherron

Bread of Life

First Serious Snow this Winter

Time to bake 🍞 …

32Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” 35And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”

John 6:32-37 NKJV

What a wondrous promise to ponder from Jesus today! Thank you, LORD! And Jesus continued …

38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 6:38-40 NKJV

Isn’t it amazing how when God speaks, His words carry power and authority, clarity and purpose, leaving no doubt about His meaning? In this scripture passage, Jesus connects every phrase to the previous sentence, so that we will understand in our spirit what He means for us to hope for and believe in.

Thank you, Jesus and Holy Father, for Your love and redemptive promises to us. Thank you that You never change and Your Word is truly about salvation forever; and for making it so easy to understand.

Have a blessed winter day and thank you for following Jesus!

Baptism | The Good Confession

This writer was re-baptized last Sunday. It didn’t overshadow my first baptism wayyyyyy back when. I still remember the feeling of total cleansing as I came up out of the water that first time. There were many witnesses at the church. My own mother was baptized that evening, too. We accepted the Lord Jesus as our Savior together and we were baptized together. It was a double testimony of our faith in Christ.

So why this second baptism?

Have you ever re-dedicated your life to God? Me too. When the pastor suggested that any who had re-dedicated his or her life consider being re-baptized, I prayed about it.

11But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12Fight 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 6:11-12 NKJV

His answer: Re-baptism is my good confession to many witnesses of my re-dedication to faith in Jesus. It says that I haven’t always been as obedient as He commanded. My re-baptism shows that I am still pursuing a right standing with Jehovah through belief in His Son, Jesus. There is major spiritual warfare going on around us and I am re-engaging in the good fight of faith, even in blindness. I can’t see the battle, but I know it exists. My God is strong and all powerful. Studying His Word equips and shields me against the arrows of the enemy who would slay me with false knowledge. We know who wins this war of souls, and I still want to be counted among those who trust Jesus as our foundation for hope and a future of eternal Life with Him. Jesus is MY Lord of lords and MY King of kings.

This time as I came up out of the waters, it didn’t feel as exhilarating as it did that first time. But it was life-changing; full of wonderment at what Jesus has done for me, a sinner. It impacted the witnesses, too. Many in church this past Sunday told me later that they were encouraged, hearts were gladdened, spirits were uplifted, and more positive comments confirmed to me that my step of faith was God’s will. See, it brought contentment to the brethren, and it blessed me.

That is my good confession for you today. Trust in Jesus. He rules and reigns. He is ALL.

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Faith in Tribulation

Tribulations shall come; and we are told to glory in them (Romans 5:1-5 NKJV). 

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4and perseverance, character, and character, hope. 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t say that I glory in times of testing.  At times I have been so gripped by fear that I was virtually stuck – powerlessly overwhelmed by worry, doubt, and loss.  My nights were sleepless and when I called out to God in prayer for peace of mind, it did not come.

What is wrong with me?

I was not earnestly contending for the faith (Jude 1:3).  I lacked boldness and confidence in my Lord that He not only provides for all my needs, but He is more powerful than any circumstance.  I was not living by faith in Jesus, but faith in myself. 

I can’t fix anything!  Once I turned everything over to Him, my burdens were lifted as He carried me through one difficulty after another.  The more I trusted Jesus to take control of my life, my prayers were heard and answered according to His will.  I can now see how giving God the glory fits with tribulation, as his solutions to problems are perfect compared to mine. Where was the evidence of my faith? Sadly – gone. But praise God, once I repented and began to live according to His Spirit guiding me, I learned:

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”  ~ Romans 1:16-17 NKJV

3Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4Delight yourself in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass… 7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret – it only causes harm.  ~ Psalm 37:3-5,7a, 8 NKJV

Jesus keep me from stumbling!  Keep me from taking back any burdens You have freed me from so I can rest in You always.  Thank You LORD!

28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, as I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, 30For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.  ~ Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

And also:

20But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  ~ Jude 1:20-21 NKJV

Victory in Jesus

51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55  “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

56The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.  ~ I Corinthians 15:51-58 NKJV (emphasis added)

13Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14Let all that you do be done with love.  ~ I Corinthians 16:13-14 NKJV

Today’s Nugget | Speak God’s Word

Hi everybody! Happy Friday already … again … it sure comes around fast, doesn’t it? Has this week slipped by with you wondering where your blessing went?

You may hear this blogpost as a podcast by clicking here – https://anchor.fm/importantstuff/episodes/Todays-Nugget–Speak-Gods-Word-e13di9d

Gee, I know how you feel! But what would happen if we speak God’s Word aloud all week?

Take Isaiah 41:10, for example:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Okay, so what happens if we declare what God just said to us and accept it as truth? Let’s try speaking it back to Him!

“I am not afraid, for You are with me. I am not discouraged, for You are my God. You strengthen me and help me. You hold me up with Your victorious right hand. Selah!”

See how we can clothe ourselves in glory by speaking God’s Word for us back to Him? It’s affirmation. It’s receiving through speaking scriptures into the atmosphere that changes our circumstances. It builds us up, just as God intended. It shifts things that are against us into things working for our good.

Many times we hear that prayer changes things – and it does. I would add that boldly speaking God’s Word in our prayers delights God. Making confident declarations of God’s wisdom through His Word makes a lot of sense to me. How about you?

Try with me Matthew 5:44-45a (declared):

“I declare, that I love my enemies, and bless those who curse me, just as You commanded, LORD. I do my best to do good to those who hate me, and pray for those who mistreat me and persecute me. This way, I behave as a true child of my Father in Heaven.”

Let’s open ourselves up to the possibilities of God’s greatness toward us. Speak God’s Word!

“but we who hope in the LORD will renew our strength. We will soar on wings like eagles; we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not faint.” ~ Isaiah 40:31 (declared)

“The LORD keeps me from all harm – He watches over my life; the LORD watches over my coming and going both now and forevermore.” ~ Psalm 121:7-8 (declared)

Are we getting the hang of it now? Look at how effective prayer is when we speak the Word of God:

“Jesus, You said that I’m to keep on asking, and I will receive what I ask for; to keep on seeking, and I will find. to keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to me. That is what I’m doing, LORD, for everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” ~ Matthew 7:7-8 (declared)

While we’re at it, let’s thank God for His great GREAT love for us with one of my favorite worship songs. Let me know in the comments if you have tried this “declare and receive” prayer method and whether it has helped achieve breakthroughs for you or not. As always, I sincerely thank you for following Importantstuff.Live and should we stray may the LORD leave the ninety-nine and keep comin’ after me and you!

Photo of the Month | June 2021

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

~Psalm 46:10

Every time I see the splendid wildlife we have here in Alaska I give glory to God in the Highest. His creative power is revealed in each species by unique physical characteristics that are pleasing to the eye but also by the behavior of different animals.

Continue reading →
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Today’s Nugget | Jesus Prayed

Before His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers in Him.  Did you know that?  Yes, He spent His last hours of freedom on this earth in prayer.

That shows how important prayer is to God and how much Jesus loves us.  He put everything else aside at the end of His life to pray. 

First, He prayed to the Father for glorification as God’s Son to finish the work He was sent to do (Read John 17:1-5). He also included that His glory would in turn glorify the Father by Jesus becoming the eternal life that would save all who believe; that people would know both God the Father as the one true God and Jesus, His Son.  So, He included all believers in this prayer as well!  Jesus also asked the Father to restore Him to the glorious standing He had with the Father prior to the creation of this world.  Wow!  That confirms the apostle John’s claim in the beginning of this book, Chapter 1:1-5:

1In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shines in the darkness (the world), and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Next Jesus prayed for His disciples. He declared them as belonging to God the Father, Who in turn gave them to Jesus.  He entrusted them into the care of the Father:

15I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ~John 17:15-18

And by example, Jesus showed how the Gospel was to be spread throughout the world.  Even today, each teacher makes disciples to take the Good News further and further to the lost.  No one can improve on God’s perfect plan.

Before He headed on over the Brook Kidron to meet up with His accusers in the garden, Jesus prayed one last time for US – all believers! Isn’t that pure love on His part to not leave out one single person who comes to Him?  Even facing capture and certain death, Jesus prayed these words:

20I do not pray for these alone but for also those who will believe in Me through their word; 21that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

And Jesus nails it down to endow all believers with even more!

22And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. ~John 17:20- 23

It is hard to comprehend, how much Jesus interceded on our behalf!  He established our bill of rights, so to speak, with the Father.  We are to be as one with God and Jesus, and be glorified as Jesus was from before the world was formed.  We shall be made perfect in Jesus, so that the world will see that Jesus was truly sent by God the Father to earth to be the Redeemer of men.  And that God loves people just as much as He loves His own Son, Jesus.

What a message!  Join me today with joy and thanksgiving to praise our loving God in Heaven for His gift of salvation to all who believe!

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ~John 14:6

Bless you for visiting this blog.  May it encourage you with the message of God’s love, joy, and peace, until Jesus returns for His own.

And thank you for following Importantstuff.Live!

Photo credit: ©Canstock Photo Inc / AntonioGravante

Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Radio Public, & Pocket Casts ….

God’s Goodness

Hello friends – just checking in.  Lately I’ve been thinking about God’s goodness toward us. Our Heavenly Father is SO GOOD, it’s a broad subject, but let’s look at just a few verses in His Word:

10For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13And you will seek Me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity. ~ Jeremiah 29: 12-14

The LORD was instructing His prophet, Jeremiah, to encourage the disobedient people of Israel by revealing His plan to limit their captivity in Babylon to seventy years.  At the end of that judgement period, He promised to forgive their pride, and restore their inheritance and covenant with Him (Jeremiah 12: 14-17).   

  • Thoughts of peace and not of evil – God’s plan is to restore people to their previous status of enjoying a personal relationship with Him forever.  Adam and Eve experienced this during their time in the garden called Eden before their fall from grace. Yet God always thinks kindly toward mankind and wants only good for each person. 
  • Call upon Him – Our God is a gentleman.  He has gifts, knowledge, and much to share if we ask.  2” Thus says the LORD … 3’Call upon Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’” ~ Jeremiah 33: 3
    • Isn’t that the desire of most people?  Don’t most of us aspire to become greater and learn more about lofty things?  Isn’t God offering unimaginable rewards to those who seek Him?
  • Then go to Him!  Seek after Him with your whole heart.  He promises that we will find Him.  I believe that happens through accepting God’s Son, Jesus, Who sacrificed Himself for our sins so that we can find our way to God, repent, and obtain forgiveness.  Paul exhorts us to “Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” ~II Corinthians 13: 11
    • This verse is short but deep.  Do you notice that our LORD is the God of peace and love?  He comforts us and helps us to achieve wholeness.  That’s REAL GOODNESS!  God is good all the time, but His nature is only shared with us when? – when we agree to come together and co-exist in peaceful harmony.  That would exclude wars, lawlessness, human trafficking, and a host of other global human disgraces.  Of course, our sinful nature does not condone peace.  But with God … He promised to send a Redeemer to Earth that would rescue men from sin.  After many centuries His Son, Jesus, arrived on Earth and was rejected by God’s people.  Nevertheless, Jesus (who never sinned – as He was God in the flesh) allowed Himself to be crucified in our place which changed everything for those willing to accept eternal life.  Following Jesus changes our hearts from darkness to light.  We are reborn into a new life filled with the Holy Spirit, Who guides us on how to live a more acceptable life in the eyes of God.  Whatever sin has a grip on us, the incorruptible power of Jesus can break the chains of guilt and shame; setting us free to live as God intended from the beginning of Creation. 
    • If you are undecided about whether Jesus is real or have any questions regarding how a person can know where he or she will spend eternity, pleased take care of that today.  Shoot me an email at importantstuff.live@gmail.com and I will be happy to share my Jesus with you.  Here is a link to my blog page about salvation in Jesus also.
  • Through prayer, has God provided for you when hope was lost?  Has he rescued you from a dangerous circumstance?  Reconciled a broken relationship?  Or blessed you with a family that loves you dearly?  If so, you have surely experienced the goodness of God.  Every day we can praise God for His goodness toward us.  So, let’s do that right now … Thank You, LORD, for loving us and showing us nothing but your goodness.  We worship You right now for using Your awesome power to bear us up even when we don’t deserve Your mercy.  Instead of casting us out, You invite us in!  We believe in Jesus because of Your mercy, which is greater than all our sin.  HALLELUJAH!! REJOICE!! Blessed be the LORD!!! Blessed be the name of Jesus!!  Amen.
  • Does God hear us?    Does He keep His promises?  Absolutely He does, according to the verses above and in many other passages of scripture:  Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” ~ Exodus 33:19

Many would say that we are living in the latter days.  I hope so. Maranatha! Maranatha! Come soon, Lord Jesus:

They shall fear (be in awe of) the LORD and His goodness in the latter days. ~ Hosea 3:5b

Friends, let us not war against God’s Spirit as we see the world do.  Galatians chapter 5 describes what it looks like to walk in the Spirit.  It looks like love.  It feels like kindness, gentleness, and comfort to the soul.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. ~ Galatians 5:22-26

That’s not just for Valentine’s Day, folks!  It says we are to LIVE that way every day!

Let’s finish today with an admonition from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians, 5:13-15:

13For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

I seldom hear verse 15 cited, but God’s Word is true – every word.  Now bless you all and thank you for following Importantstuff.Live!

Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Radio Public, & Pocket Casts ….