Books
A Closer Look God’s Way
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
Ezekiel 36:6-11 “So say these things about the land of Israel. Speak to the mountains and to the hills, to the streams, and to the valleys. Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will let my strong feelings and anger speak for me, because you had to suffer the insults from those nations.’” So this is what the Lord GOD says: “I am the one making this promise! I swear that the nations around you will have to suffer for those insults. “But mountains of Israel, you will grow new trees and produce fruit for my people Israel. My people will soon come back. I am with you, and I will help you. People will till your soil and plant seeds in you. There will be many people living on you. The whole family of Israel–all of them–will live there. The cities will have people living in them. The destroyed places will be rebuilt. I will give you many people and animals, and they will grow and have many children. I will bring people to live on you as in the past. I will make it better for you than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (Easy Reader Version)
Did you realize that God spoke to the mountains? He cares even about the land, the mountains! If he cares for mountains and makes them promises, he cares for us even more. He promises us also that he will take care of us. In these verses in Ezekiel we see that God is angry for what the people did to the mountains and land. We make think it is just land – just pieces of the earth. It is not insignificant to God.
God cares for the big things and for the small things. If he takes this much care and concern over pieces of earth, he will give as much, if not more, care and concern of those who he created in his own image. How wonderful is that. Sometimes we need to stop and look closely at the small things of God’s creations. These can give us a lot of insight into the nature and character of God. He took great care and I am sure he put much thought into each one of his creations.
Another way to look at these Ezekiel verses is that this is describing a restoration to the land. It can also represent a restoration to each of us through salvation. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, God begins to work within us to restore us to the place where he intended us to be from the beginning. As we are healed and learn how to apply God’s gifts to our lives, we start growing new fruit and our destroyed places become rebuilt. God told the mountains, “I will make it better for you than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.” He tells us the same thing. He says, “Accept my Son Jesus as payment for everyone of your sins and I will make it better for you than before when you were living as a sinner. Then you will know that I am the LORD!” Are you ready to receive the promises and blessings God has for you and desires to give you?
Wait Quietly for the Lord to Save You
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
Lamentations 3:22-26 We are still alive because the LORD’S faithful love never ends. Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! I say to myself, “The LORD is my God, and I trust him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him. He is good to those who look for him. It is good to wait quietly for the LORD to save them.
Did you ever think about how you were still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends? He shows you his love in a new way every morning. Each morning is different in how God loves you. He comes at you with his love in a different angle every morning. How awesome and wonderful is that!
I can say that I do trust God. He is my God and I trust him with everything I am or ever will be. I wait patiently for God to decide I have finished my race. Some day he will call me home. I hope he will say to me, “Welcome home, my daughter, my good and faithful servant.” There are no other words that will sound as sweet as that.
I am at peace in my spirit, soul, and mind for the first time in my life. I thank God for that. I am ready, Lord, for whatever you have in store for me. I am ready to stand up as your servant and confess that you are my God. I know that some will close their ears and refuse to hear. Others will turn and walk away. I will not be discouraged and I will not stop writing or speaking the words you give me. Lord, I am your’s so do with me what you will. I wait quietly for you to save me out of this world.
How about you? Are you quietly waiting for the Lord to save you? Have you ever accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, why not take the new way of love God is showing you today and accept him right now?
Be Careful – the Stones May Tell Your Secrets
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
Joshua 24:27 Then Joshua said to all the people, “This stone will help you remember what we said today. This stone was here when the LORD was speaking to us today. So this stone will be something that helps you remember what happened today. The stone will be a witness against you. It will stop you from turning against your God.”
Did you ever hear people say, “If only these walls could talk…?” Well, according to Joshua in 24:27 they can. At least the stone that was present when the LORD spoke to the people. Joshua said the stone would “be a witness against you.” What does that mean and how significant is that statement to you?
It is important for us to know these things because maybe this simple statement made by Joshua will help us to stop and think about the things we say, things we do, our actions and reactions. Whether we are in public or in privacy of our own homes, we should always guard ourselves because even the very stones (or walls) may be a witness against us. God can use anything – after all, he created it all. Since God created it all, why couldn’t the stones be able to be a witness against us (or maybe even for us).
Luke 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
Jesus had just rode into Jerusalem on the donkey and the crowd of his disciples cried out praising God and calling him King. The Pharisees asked Jesus to rebuke his disciples for what they were saying. Luke 19:40 was his response.
God will be praised whether we do it or whether the stones have to cry out praises. Apparently, stones can talk. So, be careful of what you speak or do at all times. Maybe the stones will be there and hear and witness to God and for God.
Are you afraid to testify and be God’s witness? Don’t be afraid. If even the stones can cry out praises to God, why don’t you beat them to it! Worship God. Praise him in a loud voice. Don’t be ashamed or afraid. Speak the truth and the love of God.
Rebellious Child
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
Do you have rebellious children? Or maybe it is just one child that gives you problems. It seems like no matter how nice, no matter how many times you threaten, the child will not listen. There were times when you tried talking, begging, and pleading with this child to stop the bad behavior. That did not work.
Next, you tried some minor discipline. That could range from a light spanking to the child being confined to her room. The child showed no change afterward. As a matter of fact, you think that the more you discipline, the worse the child gets. That is really not the case. It just appears to be so. What is really happening is that, as the child gets older, she is given more freedom to make choices on her own.
You want a peaceful and loving relationship with your child. It would bless you if your child would take time every day to talk with you about her day, share her hopes and dreams, tell you about her friends, other family members, and loves. You would even like for her to tell you about her hurts and pains, rejections by others, and concerns. It has never happened, but you have not lost hope that the child will make the conscious choice to do these things.
You know that if the child would choose to have this kind of relationship with you, you both will be blessed. You never stop trying until finally the child is an adult with a family of her own. You keep trying to have a close relationship – maybe harder than ever – because now it is not only your child involved. You now have a son-in-law (or daughter-in-law) and grandchildren. You want a relationship – a loving relationship – with them too. You keep trying. You give of yourself, your love, your finances until you are broke physically, emotionally, and financially.
The child, now that you have nothing left to give without the child giving back informs you that she wants nothing to do with you. She informs you that she is tired of you “butting” into her life and just wants to be left alone.
You tell your adult child that because you love her, you will not push yourself on her. You also warn her to please not wait too long to decide to have a relationship with you. You will always love her, but you will not push a relationship on her that she does not want.
Did you know this is how God deals with each of us – his children? He desires a loving relationship with each of us. He waits for you to talk to him daily. He wants to teach you through his word and through a relationship with you. He wants you to tell him your hurts, hopes,dreams, and about your relationships with others. He disciplines you at times, hoping you will straighten up and realize how much he loves you. He keeps trying until eventually you tell him that you don’t want a relationship with him.
You tell God that you are tired of him “butting” into your life. You are tired of him “bothering” you. You don’t acknowledge any of the blessings and love he has given you throughout the years. You want God to step back and leave you alone.
It breaks God’s heart, but he grants your request. He will never force himself on anyone – on any of his children. He asks you to not wait too long because one of two things can happen:
1. You may die without ever accepting the relationship God desires to have with you.
2. You continue to reject God until he turns his back on you.
Stop rejecting God. Run to his open arms right now!
Scriptures for Study
Romans 1:28-32 reprobate mind
Romans 8:5-9 carnal mind is enmity against God
1 Timothy 6:3-5 men of corrupt minds
James 1:2-8 a double-minded man
Beautiful Feet of Evangelism
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
Evangelism is the “active calling of people to respond to the message of grace and commit to God through Jesus Christ.” Now, isn’t that simple?
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
I never really thought about my feet being beautiful, but God’s Word says they are when I am doing his work. I need to look at the rest of this verse to see if I am doing the things listed before I can consider my feet beautiful. Do I bring good tidings? Yes, I do every time I post one of these writings or write a Christian book. You see, the message of Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died in the flesh for all of our sins and is now resurrected and seated on the right hand of the father are good tidings. What better greeting can you give someone than the message of salvation? So, point one – check.
The next point is to publish peace. Hmmmm…I needed to think about that one a minute. Do I publish peace? Yes because what better peace can a person have than when he receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. Are all of life’s troubles over? No, but we can have peace knowing that we have accepted and received Jesus. We have peace in our spirits, if we have turmoil in the world. When we accept and receive Jesus Christ, we are no longer worldly, but spiritual. We still have to live in the world, but we are no longer of the world. We are disciples (learners) of God. He gives us an inner peace by providing us with his own Holy Spirit. He comes and lives in us to guide us and give us peace. So, the second point of publishing peace – check.
The third point is to bring good tidings of good. Now, this may sound like the first point and it is to a certain extent. However, the first good tidings is the plan of salvation to those who are lost. The second good tidings adds of good to the phrase. Not only do I bring good tidings, but also good tidings of good. The good news is that we are no longer under the condemnation of the commandment laws. The laws were given to make us aware of sin and our sinful state before we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. Now that we have accepted, we are no longer under that condemnation. The good tidings of good that I bring is that you do not have to try to live up to those laws. For me, that brings me peace as well as good tidings of good. No man or woman can live up to all of the laws of Moses. If that were possible, Jesus Christ would not have had to come in the flesh and suffer the torment he went through before and during his time on earth and hanging on the cross. He did all that so we do not have to continue failing to live up to the laws. Now, that is good tidings of good. We are free from the curse of sin. Thank God! Point three – check.
Oh my favorite point – publish salvation. Time and time again I write about salvation. Not only do I write it, but I speak it. You see, publishing it doesn’t just mean in written form. When we speak it out loud that is publishing it also. It puts the word out into the air and the breeze carries it to whomsoever will listen and hear. There is no greater thing I can do or say than to tell you about Jesus Christ, the Son of God – my Savior. Let’s see, publishes salvation – check!
The last point is to say unto Zion, “Thy God reigns!” Before I can check this one off I need to know who is Zion. 2 Samuel 2:7 calls Zion the “city of David.” So does 1 Kings 8:1. Psalm 48:2 calls it the city of the great King. To me, this means Jerusalem. So, I need to say to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “Thy God reigns!” I do that often. I love Israel and my heart goes out to them as the world tries to take away from them the land God gave them. But, Israel (especially Jerusalem), I am here to tell you, “Your God reigns! He has not forsaken you and will not leave you without the Comforter and Protector. Grab onto Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah. He is waiting to save you and bring you into his plan of salvation. God bless you and keep you.” The last point has been done over and over – so check and double check!
Now, do you see how beautiful my feet are? They are gorgeous. How beautiful are your feet?
What Do We Need to Do?
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said unto them, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
Jesus was talking to a crowd of people. It was the same crowd that had feasted on the bread and fish when Jesus fed the multitude. Just before these verses, Jesus told them, “You are not looking for me because you want to know me. Instead, you are looking for me because I fed you the bread.” (John 6:26-27). It was after he said that the people asked him what it was they need to do so they could be doing God’s work.
Jesus’ answer was so simple. Believe on Jesus Christ who God the Father sent. How much more simpler could it be? Apparently that was too simple an answer for the people as they continued to question him and wondered what miracles could he perform for them. (Read the rest of John 6 for the complete story.)
Are you questioning and trying to find out what it is you need to be doing for God? Jesus gave you the answer in these verses. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who came in the flesh, died for our sins, was resurrected, and now sits on the right hand of Father God in heaven. God sent him and he came of his own free will. He laid down his life for you. What else do you need to know? There is nothing else you can do. If you do that, then you are working the work of God. Believe to the point that you receive Jesus. This means you accept everything about who he is, what he has done for you, and that he lives today.
What do we need to do so we can work the works of God? Believe Jesus – accept and receive him!
Strength in Christ
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
Philippians 4:12-13 I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation–when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do. (Easy Reader Version)
Paul found the secret for living – Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came in the flesh to die for our sins. There is no other way we will ever be satisfied.
Many people throw themselves into shopping. They keep buying things trying to satisfy that missing piece inside of them. Instead they should be grabbing onto Jesus. He can fill up that boredom and discontent that nags at you all day long. Buying things will only lead to more feelings of lack and misery. It can also lead to bankruptcy. Keep your spending to a minimum and use God’s finances wisely. Everything we have belongs to him. If we realize that and will stop and ask God what he wants us to do, he will fill us up with the right things.
Video games, technology gadgets, automobiles, golf supplies, or……you fill in the blank of what you are using to fill the gaps of your soul. These will lead to nothing but more misery. All these are earthly things that will dissolve away when the earth is destroyed.
Remember, Jesus Christ is the one who can give you the strength to do whatever you need to do. Have you accepted him as your Lord and Savior? If not, what are you waiting for? There is no promise of tomorrow for any of us. We can die in an instant. Stop waiting, stop grabbing earthly things to fill you up. Grab onto Jesus and let him fill you. Then, you will know how to live just as Paul did.
Time of Judgment
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
Malachi 4:1-3 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. (King James Version)
Malachi 4:1-3 “That time of judgment is coming. It will be like a hot furnace. All the proud people will be punished. All the evil people will burn like straw. At that time they will be like a bush burning in the fire, and there will not be a branch or root left.” This is what the LORD All-Powerful said. “But, for my followers, goodness will shine on you like the rising sun. And it will bring healing power like the sun’s rays. You will be free and happy, like calves freed from their stalls. Then you will walk on the evil people–they will be like ashes under your feet. I will make this happen at the time of judgment.” This is what the LORD All-Powerful said. (Easy Reader Version)
In these verses, God says that the day of judgment will be like a hot furnace. People full of their own selfish pride will be punished. All evil people will burn like straw. Nothing evil will be left untouched by that burning.
God’s followers will not suffer that burning. Instead, goodness will shine on you and you will be healed. You will have freedom and happiness. You will walk on those evil ones that are burned. They will be like ashes under your feet!
During these times it may sometimes look as if the wicked and evil ones are winning. But as we can see by these verses, that is not the case. When all has been said and done, we will tromp on them as they get their just due.
Which group are you in right now? Search your heart, mind, and soul. Which group would you like to be in? Hopefully you choose God’s side – the Christian side. Choose to be a follower of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh and died for your sins. Confess your sins. Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. Today is the day to choose.
Love and Fear
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
2 Timothy 1:6-7 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (Easy Reader Version, ERV)
2 Timothy 1:6-7 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (King James Version, KJV)
Stir up the gift of God that is in you. What is that gift? That gift is love. Why did Jesus Christ come in the flesh to die for our sins? Because of love. No one will ever love you like God loves you. So stir up that love inside of you. Realize that God loves you. Hold it close, stir it up, fan the flames of that love.
God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear. If you are walking around afraid of things, maybe you need to take another look at the spirit that is in you. It could be that instead of the Spirit of God, it is a spirit of satan. When fear comes, look inside of yourself to see exactly what spirit is causing it. Find the root of the problem and it boot it out through prayer, confession, and most of all love of God. Use the sound mind and power that God gave you – use it to pull up that root of fear that is within you. Cast it out of you, reject it. Clease yourself by confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came in the flesh, was born of a virgin, died on the cross for every sin of every person, was resurrected and now sits on the right hand of God the Father. Confess these things out loud when fear comes and soon that fear must flee away from you. There is power in the name of Jesus and in your confession of all these things that Jesus Christ did. Be set free! God loves you!
Spiritual Warfare – Discernment
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
1. Investigate the facts.
Make sure a statement is true before you accept it as truth. Be willing to fight your own feelings and preferences to find the honesty of the facts. They must line up with the truth of God’s Word even if that goes against what you feel or thought you knew.
2. Make sure it lines up with God’s Word.
A statement or action must line up with God’s Word without you taking away from or adding to the scriptures in order to make it fit. This is the only way to get the real truth. If it does not fit 100% with God’s Word, then it is either a complete lie or falsehood or at least a partial lie. It doesn’t matter what you think or feel about a truth. If it is the truth, it is what God gives us about it and we must accept it as truth.
3. If it is a true fact, accept it even if it doesn’t “feel good” by the world’s standards.
The world tries to convince us that if something “feels good” then it is okay. When God works on us through His Word, it doesn’t always “feel good” at the time. We have to confront our own sins, confess them, ask God’s forgiveness, and receive His forgiveness. We have to deal with anger, disappointments, rejections, and many other “feel bad” things before we can accept God’s whole truth. The key is to deal with these things. Stand up for the truth no matter what.
4. Be careful of what you stand in argument with.
Make sure everything lines up biblically with God’s program of salvation and eternal living. If it has any other purpose, reject it and do not be in agreement with it. Don’t be led astray by something that half true.
5. Train yourself to be spiritually discerning.
You can train yourself through Bible study, prayer, meditating on God’s Word, and by being alert at all times. This does not mean to be suspicious of everything and everyone. It means to test the spirits, think about it, pray about it, look for scriptures to back it up, ask God’s help and advice on how to deal with anything or anyone you are not sure about. Train yourself to be discerning.
6. Be prepared to take a stand even if everyone else is in agreement with a situation.
There are many instances in the Bible when one or two persons had to stand against a crowd because the crowd was wrong. The crowd thought they were right. The one or two persons knew the crowd was wrong and they were right. Right is right no matter what someone else thinks or feels. It is the truth – stand on the truth even if you face rejection. God will NOT reject you.
7. Resist deceptions of Satan and build up your discerning spirit.
Satan will do anything he can to deceive you, including giving you just enough of God’s Word – with his twist on the end of it. This is when you need to go back to number one above and investigate the facts. Is it all true? Is it 50% true? Is none of it true? Discern the truth. Open your spiritual eyes and wake up your spiritual mind. Pay attention to the details. That is the Godly way of handling things. Spiritual discerning is having the right wisdom to know the truth.
