Books
The Healing River
Linda Sedrick Pearson
Ezekiel 47:9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
When I look at this verse in Ezekiel it makes me understand better why Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” Look at this verse in Ezekiel. It says that there will be a great multitude of fish because of the waters and they shall be healed. I think God was talking about the healing of people through the Living Water – Jesus Christ. Revelations 21:6 states, “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” In John 4:14 Jesus said, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Finally, in Revelations 22:17 he says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
The more I study about the river, especially a healing river, the more it points me to Jesus Christ. After all, when you come to the Living River (Jesus), you shall live! How great is that?
Thank you God for the Living Water and for the River that heals all our sins and sicknesses. Amen
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?
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.
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!
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!
God Always Calls You by Your Name
Linda Sedrick Pearson
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:4-10
God knew Samuel by name even though Samuel did not know the Lord yet. God knows you by name also even if you do not yet know Him. He calls you by your name. He speaks it – utters it out loud, waiting for you to respond to His voice.
God doesn’t give up when we don’t answer Him the first time. Do you hear Him calling you? Is He whispering your name? Maybe He is shouting your name to get your attention and you still don’t answer Him.
God always calls you by your name. He knows everyone’s name. God didn’t just stumble onto you. He always had a plan and purpose for you. God works through people. He needs us and we need him. Be thankful we serve the one and only God.
When God called Samuel the third time, Samuel still did not answer Him. Did God stop calling Samuel? No. Instead, the fourth time the LORD came and stood in the room with Samuel and then called his name.
Samuel responded, but only because he had been taught by Eli how to respond. The older servant of God (Eli) taught Samuel that all he had to do was lay still and respond, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears you.” When Samuel did that, God began to speak and tell Samuel things that were to happen.
The next time you think you hear someone calling you, but everyone says they did not say your name, maybe you should respond, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears you.”
Heartless and Without Strength
By Linda Sedrick Pearson
Are you to the point where you don’t have the heart to go on? Are you tired and without the strength to fight the everyday battles that come against you? Do you feel like you are all alone? Do you feel like you don’t have anyone who cares about what happens to you?
You don’t have to continue on heart less, weak and alone. There is someone who cares. Child, you don’t have to continue fighting battles alone.
Jesus Christ cares for you. He cares so much that he came in the flesh to die on the cross for you. He loves you so much that he lives for you.
Do you want a relationship that won’t fail? Do you want a relationship with someone that won’t leave you? Asked Jesus to come into your heart and life.
Do you think this is phony? It’s not! I know from experience of living without him and living with him. I have been on both sides of the fence. Believe me when I tell you and sweeter tasting on Jesus’ side.
No, I’m not after your money. No, this is not a con. I do not have any hidden agenda.
The only thing I want is for you to search deep within yourself. If you find that there is something missing, if you are not satisfied with your life, and if you want to know more about Jesus, contact me. It’s up to you. When you get tired of struggling on your own and tired living the life that you have been living, contact me. There is a better way. That way is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
Church is NOT a Building
“Upon this rock I will build my church,” (Matthew 16:18) “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The rock is the foundation plan to life. It is the salvation plan of God for all mankind. Salvation never wavers. It is people who waver, not God’s plan of salvation.
Salvation is the rock upon which all faith, hope, spiritual gifts, and all else from God is built upon. And salvation is “Christ, the Son of the living God,” (Matthew 16:16)
All those who will be saved are saved throguh believing and accepting and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That is the foundation of our faith. That is the rock Jesus was telling Peter about in Matthew 16:18. When saved (when you receive the free gift of payment for your sins) Jesus Christ, the Rock of your salvation, protects you. The gates of hell, which is all evil and wickedness, will not win because it is all battling against that Rock – Jesus Christ.
So, now that we have established what the rock mentioned in Matthew 16:18 actually is, let’s look at what the church is NOT. First, it is NOT a building made with hands, although we use the word “church” to refer to a meeting place where a local body of Christians gather for Bible study, prayer, praise, teaching, and preaching.
Matthew 18:17 is talking about how the people (“the church”) should handle a situation if there is a sin against one Christian by another Christian. First back up to verse 15 in Matthew chapter 18. The Christian that was sinned against is to go alone to the Christian that harmed him or her and try to work out their problem in a Christian manner (verse 15). If the Christian that committed the sin does not correct the offensive behavior, then the one that is sinned against should go back to him or her and this time take one or two other Christians with her as witnesses to confront the offending Christian (verse 16). If the offender still does not listen, then Matthew 18:17 says to “tell it to the church.”
Now, this is one verse that shows us that the “church” referred to is NOT a building. Common sense tells us that we would not stand in front of a building and speak to it about someone offending us or about troubles we are having between one another. Or suppose you do believe that one speaks to a building. That is possible. Any of us could stand in front of, or inside of, a building and speak to it.
Let’s look at verse 17 again in Matthew chapter 18. It continues on to say “…but if he neglect to hear the church…” In order to “hear the church,” the church must be speaking. Right? Does a building speak? NO! So how can a person “hear the church?” It means that the people are “the church” and they are speaking about this matter and how to deal with it.
Next, let’s take a look at Acts 20:28. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” We need to break this down and take a look at the different phrases given here that helps us understand that the church is a group of people and not a building.
Let’s look at the phrase “feed the church of God.” This means that the people are to be fed both spiritually (always) and physically (as needed). Does a building hear teaching and preaching (spiritual feeding)? NO! Does a building eat food (physical feeding)? NO!
Moving on, the next phrase to look at is, “which he hath purchased with his own blood.” In this verse the word he is talking about Jesus. Jesus purchased the church of God with Jesus’ own blood. Did Jesus come to die on the cross and shed his blood for a building? Absolutely NOT! He came to shed his blood and die for people, for us. So we are to “feed the church of God” or in other words, “feed the Christian people.”
One more verse, in case you are still not convinced that the church is NOT a building (even though we call some buildings churches). Colossians 1:18 reads, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.” Jesus Christ is the “head of the body.” He is the head, we as Christians are the body. We, the people, are who God uses as His tongue, mouth, hands, feet, eyes, ears, heart, and all other parts of the body as God has need to use. We are “the body” mentioned in this verse. It is NOT a building made with hands, but instead is a group of saved people. These people are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. When you accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, you receive eternal life and become a child of God. You also become one in that body – groups of Christian people joined together by one Head – Jesus Christ! This is done so that Jesus “might have the pre-eminence.” Pre-eminence means first place. Jesus Christ is to have first place in all things.
(Written by Linda Sedrick Pearson.)
