50 Days of Transformation Archives • Melissa P. Sharpe

When The Dust Settles

Melissa Sharpe — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 10:00:05 +0000

Sometimes the circumstances of life can make us feel like we are caught standing within a gritty black cloud of a dust storm. We cannot see what may be ahead of us, let alone find our footing while attempting to move forward. And sometimes we may feel like we are just circling. Round and round we dance while the dust billows and blows.

The Dust Bowl, also known as the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms that greatly damaged the agriculture of the North American prairies during the 1930s. Severe drought and a failure to apply the proper farming methods caused the phenomenon. Perhaps a little wise in their own eyes, and impatient with little understanding of the ecology of the land, farmers had conducted extensive deep plowing of the virgin topsoil which ruined the deep-rooted grasses that normally trapped soil and moisture even during periods of drought and high winds.

In essence, the lands had a barrier of protection that helped them to withstand the harsh realities of their ever-changing environment. In a hasty attempt to develop, man pushed the land beyond its capabilities turning once rich soil into nothing more than dry dust. Eventually the winds began to blow causing the sky to darken, fatal debilitating storms to blow, and devastation to fall upon the people.

Psalm 27:14, Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

What a picture it paints when we compare the dust storms to the spiritual storms and drought we sometimes face in life. The Holy Spirit places a barrier of protection to help us withstand the harsh realities of our ever-changing environment. But perhaps wise in our own eyes, and a little impatient, we hastily attempt to achieve our goals and dreams by disregarding the barriers meant to protect us and push ourselves beyond our capabilities. Then, before we know it, the circumstances of which we set forth in motion can make us feel like we are standing within the gritty black cloud of a dust storm.

But let us remember that eventually the dust begins to settle, the clouds start to break revealing the aftermath of the storm, and wisdom is a gift that comes from the aftermath. Wisdom teaches us that there are consequences to our choices whether positive or negative. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather avoid the storm. In order to do this we must stand upon the firm foundation of wisdom: whatever path The Lord has set us on, whatever goals and dreams we have impressed upon our heart, whatever the situation or circumstance we may be facing, we must trust that The Lord will finish what He has started within us.

There exists a barrier of protection spread over us so that we may withstand the harsh realities of our ever-changing environment. We can be sure the dust storms will come attempting to wreak havoc in our lives, but God is forever steady never bending in the wind. He is our nourishment during times of drought and devastation.

Father, when we feel left out, overlooked, or even abandoned, may we stand upon the truth that you are always at work within us, preparing us for your great plans and purposes. You will always finish what you began in us. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Louder Than Words

Melissa Sharpe — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:00:43 +0000

I distinctly remember the look of frustration in my friend’s eyes as she shared her greatest burden: she had accepted Jesus into heart but her husband claimed to have no interest in giving his life to God.

Yes, the heartache she was experiencing was justified for she felt alone in her new journey. She shared that she would try to speak to her husband at different times attempting to get him to talk about Jesus, but it only led to more heartache.

I placed my hand upon her arm and look straight into her eyes. With raw honestly and firm words laced with love I said, “God doesn’t need you to be His advocate. You need to let Him be your advocate. Jesus’ work within you will speak to your husband louder than your words ever will.”

Psalm 18:1-2, How I love you, Lord!
You are my defender.
The Lord is my protector;
he is my strong fortress.
My God is my protection,
and with him I am safe.
He protects me like a shield;
he defends me and keeps me safe.

We exist in a world that desires to tear us down when we step out for Jesus. This world is not God’s kingdom after all, but the enemy’s playground. We put people upon pedestals and covet a whole host of things within the lining of our soul. And we talk. Quite a bit actually. We have entire television programs dedicated to panels of individuals who are doing nothing but sharing opinions and banter. And we listen whether we think we are or not. It should be of little surprise that when we ourselves open up our mouths to share what now burns within, there will be doubters and naysayers who think we are all talk and no action.

But when it comes to sharing the Gospel, we must be mindful of the words we choose to use. Wars can so easily begin when a loose tongue is used as a weapon. When the world wants to take us down- or deny us our experience with Christ- we should not fight with our words for it only leads to trouble. No, God does not need us to be His advocate, but desires to be our advocate. He is our defender when words cut to our core. He is our protector when insults are thrown our way. He is our fortress when the storms of trouble begin to blow, and He is our shield when the winds of life threaten to bend us. And because of His great love, we will not be broken.

Father, thank you for being all that we need. May we remember that our actions speak louder than our words for your commandment is for us to love others. And love isn’t a feeling, but an action. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Rest for the Weary

Melissa Sharpe — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:00:35 +0000

I was abruptly awoken out of a sleepy slumber by my eldest child. Apparently my youngest child needed me. In a daze, I made my way to her bedroom only to be confronted with the tell-tale scents of sickness.

I went to work quickly stripping the bed and cleaning her up, all while gently speaking words of comfort. And then, for the next 12 hours, I continued to do the same things in a pattern of sorts. Twice more the bed needed to be stripped, she needed to be cleaned, all while gently speaking words of comfort. By the end of the day I became very weary. As I was caring for my physically sick child while trying to keep up with life’s demands, I was feeling overwhelmed and spiritually sick.

We are able to easily identify those who are physically ill. When I went into my child’s room, I instinctively knew what to do simply because I had done it all before. I have been taught by trial and error how to care for myself or another who is physically ill. But what of a person who may be spiritually ill? Would we know what to do to care for ourselves or another who may be struggling with spiritual sickness?

Christ is clear to share with us that we need only to come to Him in order to ease our burden:

Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

We live in a world bombarded with many physical aliments caused by stress, as well as an abundance of emotional ailments such as anxiety, depression, and plain old heartache. But how do we care for our weary souls, or the burdened soul of another? The good news is that through the Holy Spirit we can instinctively know- often learning by trial and error- how to care for all that makes us spiritually ill.

Through the process of transformation by the Holy Spirit, we are stripped, cleaned, and comforted. As a part of the body of Christ, we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others. This means we should use our abilities to help ease the burdens of another. We can be a listening ear to someone who needs one, or an open mouth offering words of life and encouragement to someone who needs to hear them. We can use our hands to make light the work that may be overwhelming, and use our feet to literally walk in someone else’s shoes.

When we are able to do these things, we can take the focus off of ourselves and the things that make us weary. When we reach out to others and act as the hands and feet of Jesus- all while coming to Jesus asking Him to ease that which makes us weary– He won’t leave us alone to drown in what makes us spiritually sick. There will be someone who comes alongside us acting as the hands and feet of Jesus, using their abilities to help ease our burdens as well.

Father, help us to see where we can help ease the burdens of others. By pressing into your character, others may see you at work within us, and may your name be glorified by our actions. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Self-Discipline to Spirit-Discipline

Melissa Sharpe — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 10:00:10 +0000

Whether it be food, time, or activities, each and every one of us has something that hinders us from experiencing God’s best for our life. In raw honesty, I can admit that self discipline is one of the most difficult fruits I need to partake of each and every day. And I know that I am not alone in this journey for each one of us must learn the act of self discipline.

Self discipline, also known as self-control, is one of the fruits of the Spirit given to us by Christ when we submit our lives unto Him. We find these fruits in the book of Galatians written by the Apostle Paul. These penned letters to the early church in Southern Galatia are considered to be Paul at his angriest for he was most concerned that the church that he planted- the peoples he dearly loved- were not deceived, but on the path of truth.

Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

When we become infilled with the Holy Spirit, we become transformed with less of us and more of Christ. Let us look at self-discipline as a process to becoming spirit disciplined– when we can stop in the moment and press into Jesus by putting all of our reliance upon him, He is able to give us the power through His Spirit to not only overcome the moment, but each act of discipline unveils a greater amount of freedom in our soul. But in order for us to allow self-discipline to become spirit-discipline, we must allow ourselves to submit unto Christ giving him the ability to speak to us revealing the areas in our lives that we struggle with the most.

We know that sweet fresh fruit for our body is vital. All that is within it brings good health and life to our physical body. The same truth exists for our Spirit. Sweet fresh spiritual fruits are vital in order for us to obtain good health and life within the body of Christ. By the use of these fruits, we- the body of Christ whom He dearly loves- will not be deceived, but be on the path of truth.

Father, the fruits of the Spirit are the sweetest part of Christ’s character gifted to us. May we remember that these fruits bring great nourishment to a once starved soul. In Jesus name, Amen.

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The Spirit Cycle

Melissa Sharpe — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:00:33 +0000

Her eyes spoke more words than her mouth did when she asked me to pray for her. After finding a lump, my sweet friend became greatly fearful of the next steps that must follow. I assured her that I would indeed bang on the doors of heaven’s throne room and plead her case. But I took a moment to assure her that God already knew the outcome and not everything is as it appears to be. Take the next step, then the step after that one. All we can do is take one tedious step at a time.

The Sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God’s rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. And the sovereignty of God isn’t something we can even attempt to “figure out”. Resting in the sovereignty of God requires great faith that I believe comes from a pattern set in motion by the Holy Spirit:

Submission leads to obedience. Obedience leads to contentment. Contentment leads to joy. And the joy of The Lord is our strength. Our ability to stand in His strength gives us great faith and brings us back to submission in order to make our righteousness complete.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12, Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honour come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.

The Spirit Cycle. The pattern of the Holy Spirit through the workings and intimacies of being made holy- set apart for God.

To trust and find rest in God’s sovereignty, and gain in abundance great faith, one must have a meaningful personal relationship with Christ. Jesus is the gift and giver of all hope. Holding onto great faith can prove to be difficult when we deeply desire to control all that is around us for having control gives us a false sense of security. Especially when we rely upon people or things that are guaranteed to fail us. And us fail them.

I believe that God still heals today for he is the Great Healer after all. But before he heals our physical bodies, he may desire to heal something within our heart and soul first. Something that may be holding us back from submission, obedience, contentment, and joy. Whether or not we see healing physically, we must be firm in our faith. If we open our eyes when pressing into Jesus, we can witness the healing within our soul that is preparing us for an eternity with Him.

Father, you are the giver of all hope. Whatever it is that may be holding us back, may we press into Jesus so that the Holy Spirit can set forth the pattern that brings great healing. And great faith. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Be Still

Melissa Sharpe — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 10:00:49 +0000

In our culture, taking time out for rest and relaxation is difficult to say the least. We are creatures of habit who schedule out our days, hours, minutes, and moments. Perhaps we over control our time in order to feel in control of our time.

There are always tasks to be completed, emails to answers, and projects to ponder. We not only think hours ahead in our day, but days, weeks, and months ahead as we flip through our day timers and our fingers type furiously on the screens of our phones. I think it is safe to say that we are a culture that struggles to understand the meaning of rest.

But rest is what God ordained. When He formed the world from nothing to an extravagant something, he took some time off from his work. And I wonder what he did with his time of rest, but alas, he did not tell us. All we know is that he rested from all that he was working to accomplish. And if God felt the need to rest, how much more do we?

“Six days are set aside for work, but every seventh day you must rest completely, even during your seasons of plowing and harvest, you must observe a Sabbath day of rest.” Exodus 34:21

The Lord did not do it for his benefit for he is God. No, I believe that he did it for our benefit. He knew that we would allow all that consumes us to somehow get ahead of us causing great stress upon our body, soul, and spirit. One of the enemy’s greatest weapons against us is the art of distraction. He desires to keep us so busy that we are unable to recognize the pit we’re digging ourselves into. So, in order for us to fully embrace the abundant life Christ has promised, we must follow his instruction- all instruction. We must take a moment to step back, step down- and perhaps step out- so that we can be still enjoying all that he has created both within us and around us.

Father, as we come up against all matters of stress that threaten to overwhelm us, may we remember that you have already overcome the greatest threat of them all: the enemy who desires nothing more than to distract us from all that is lovely and good. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Sweet Confection; Bitter Truth

Melissa Sharpe — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 10:00:32 +0000

We stood in the seemingly never ending line and waited for our turn to place an order. Before us on display under a cool glass shield was every colour and flavour of the ice cream rainbow. After you choose your creamy base, there are an unlimited number of choices at your fingertips to create your very own one-of-a-kind sweet confection.

As I took in the commotion around me, I witnessed much indecisiveness as people struggled to compile their favourite bits and pieces into one bowl… and be satisfied with the lump of gooey mess now puddled into said bowl. There was simply too much to choose from. As I watched I thought to myself, “Oh, how often do we treat religion this very way?”

With indecisiveness, we take a little of this and a little of that, trying to blend it all together in order to create some sort of cohesiveness. There are just too many paths to take, and too many gods to pray to. We choose what books we want to read, what verses we want to believe, all while trying to clear our minds of all sorts of matter in order to create openness. And all is done in a vain attempt to fill the very hole God Himself created within us.

James 1:27, Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

When it was my turn to order, I knew exactly what I wanted. Just a little of this, a little of that, stirred into a creamy white palate. I’ve tried too many concoctions and remember well the toothaches they caused me. I too had wavered in my decisiveness, attempting in vain to create some sort of cohesiveness. But there is nothing sweet about this costly concoction for it only causes a bitterness on our tongue. When a soul encounters the power of the Holy Spirit, a soul cannot deny the experience. Once the Holy Spirit begins to fill the hole within our soul, there is a satisfaction that is overflowing. This is called joy. Not a feeling, but a state of being.

And a most beautiful gift that cannot compare to any temporary sweetness the world can offer.

Father, as we are tempted and lured, help us to stand strong in your Word and lean into your power by your very Spirit the dwells within us. May joy seep from our very being, and may it be every lasting. In Jesus name, Amen.

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When the End of the Book Has Come

Melissa Sharpe — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 10:00:36 +0000

Sitting amongst a sea of black, I listened as the pastor shared words of comfort to those who were grieving the loss of a beloved man. A great many kind words and amusing stories were shared about his life. One particular sentiment was shared many times and I mulled it over in my heart and mind. It was shared that this beloved man who had passed was a humble soul capable of great love.

This sentiment has spurred me to ask the question, what would be the greatest testament of the Holy Spirit in our life? Praise for all we had accomplished for Jesus, or praise to Jesus for all He had accomplished within us?

When we are pressing into the Holy Spirit to direct our path, the pages of our life story begin to unfold. Each and every day we are given a fresh start- a new chance- to write an even better chapter than the one before. His Word promises that His mercies are new every morning. We need not worry over yesterday, nor fret about tomorrow, for today is the day that is being written. Each step we take and each decision we make will affect the final outcome of the day. And then, by those same mercies, we begin again with the rising of the sun and are gifted the chance to write another chapter.

Lamentations 3:22-23, The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Until one day, by those same mercies, we rise to meet the Son and the end of the book has come. It is this sentiment that has spurred me to ask the question, who better to pen our eulogy than the Author of the greatest book ever written?

Father, we thank you for your mercies and the dawning of the day. May we use our time well as you scratch out our stories bringing others to know your glorious name. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Fragile Humanity

Melissa Sharpe — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 10:00:57 +0000

I held the items I was purchasing tightly in my left hand while clutching my preschooler tightly in my right hand. The line at the checkout was moving at a slow pace. I noticed that the next lane had a much shorter line so I thought to move over. As I attempted to move, I felt an inkling in my soul to stay put right where I was. So stay put I did.

Within a moment I became aware of the reason for my inkling. There existed an individual at that checkout that my daughter- in all her preschool innocence- would have most likely peppered with a personal and awkward line of questioning. Children possess the keen ability to ask aloud the questions that an adult would only internally ponder.

The inkling- that keen sense I experienced from Jesus’ Spirit to stay where I was- wasn’t to avoid my own embarrassment or side-step an awkward situation with my daughter. It was about the stranger in the other lane. It was about preserving the dignity of another soul.

Matthew 25:40, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Never one to cause humiliation nor shame, the Holy Spirit gently works God’s truths into our very being. One of these great truths is for us to act in love towards another as an extension of our love for Christ. And the preservation of another’s dignity is an act of great compassion. When Jesus stood before the woman who was to be stoned for adultery, He cast down satan’s attempt to cause great humiliation. When He casually sat down to rest beside the Samaritan woman at the well- engaging her in conversation- His presence was a shield reflecting satan’s attempt to shame.

When we are being transformed by the Holy Spirit we possess the most unique ability to see others as Christ does: human, and worthy of dignity no matter who they are or what their struggle may be. For as I am looking at somebody through Jesus’ eyes, I am desperately praying that that’s the way they’re looking at me.

Father, as we do unto the least of these, we do unto you. Please help us to see fragile humanity through your spiritual eyes, and always remember that some days we are the least of them all. Amen.

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Great Change, Great Reward

Melissa Sharpe — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 10:00:52 +0000

We simply cannot be afraid of change. Sometimes we think that a situation or circumstance around us needs to change, but quite often it is us that needs to change in order for a situation or circumstance to change. Oh, so much change can overwhelm the soul. There may be moments when we are pleading with The Lord to overwhelm the soul- the mind and emotions- of somebody else.

I personally don’t believe that God desires us to be comfortable, but desires us to offer comfort to others. So, perhaps the situation or circumstance with which we are struggling to understand or figure out isn’t just about us. Perhaps it is about somebody else. We need to stop to listen to the Holy Spirit for God also desires us to be willing to follow His lead wherever His leading may take us. And He will most likely lead us to release that particular somebody who may have caused great pain in this overwhelmed soul of ours.

Matthew 6:14, For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you

Because Christ releases us from the sins we commit against Him- and is renewing our minds so that we may not continue in those sins- we have within us the ability to release another from the sin they commit against us. Our Spirit is being transformed into Christ’s Spirit so we need to freely offer forgiveness to those who have hurt us. Offering forgiveness is one of the greatest testaments of the Holy Spirit at work within us.

Yes, some changes are more difficult than others. We cannot be afraid of these changes, but instead take comfort knowing that He will never leave us in a painful place. As a child is birthed slowly from the womb, the great pains are rewarded with great joy. We too are birthed at a slow and steady pace into our new transformed life… and we are rewarded with a joy that is everlasting.

Father, as you forgive us, help us to freely offer forgiveness to others. And thank you for your Spirit that settles our overwhelmed soul. Amen.

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