God’s Answers??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #488

04 Sunday Oct 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Do You See What God Sees?, Doers or intenders?, Don't let fear of tomorrow ruin your today, Don't let regrets rule your today, Don't worry about tomorrow, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True, Tuned In To Jesus, Turn to God's Word

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

God’s Answers??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #488

Sometimes it’s difficult to accept what I call “the ‘w’ word”—it’s probably one of the most difficult things to do in all of scripture for many of us.  So let’s just take a bit of time and remind ourselves that God has a plan, if we’ll but just wait on His time and purposes.

“Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”   Psalm 37:7

While we are called to wait on The Lord, we are also called to be diligent in our behavior while we wait.  Not always simple, or easy in our everyday life, but doable by God’s grace, power and the truths of His Word, let’s dig in to it.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man

be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.”  James 1:19-22

Don’t let haste, and neglect of God’s Word rob you of the assurance of His care.  Even when we can’t see what’s ahead, God can!  We must learn to wait on The Lord and trust in His wisdom, grace and perfect provision! When we are willing and diligent to be open to God’s will for us, we will be able to walk in power, grace and a confidence in the perfect sovereign control of our God!  Open The Word and dig in; for He cares for His own—that’s me–How about you?

“Wait on the LORD:

be of good courage,

and he shall strengthen thine heart:

wait, I say,

on the LORD.”   Psalm 27:14

Let’s just spend some time today, waiting on The Lord Jesus whom we claim to know and love!

“He that hath my commandments,

and keepeth them,

he it is that loveth me:

and he that loveth me

shall be loved of my Father,

and I will love him,

and will manifest myself to him.”  John 14:21

Amen and Amen!!!

Sunshine Or Solar Lights!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #487

28 Monday Sep 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Light In The Dark, The Joy of The Lord!, the Lamb of God, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Light of The World

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunshine Or Solar Lights!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #487

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16

We are all familiar with solar lights today—they light the streets, we use them in landscapes, to light our paths, and as flashlights.  These lights work on the rays from the Sunshine, and we rely on them greatly. But Jesus calls us to “be” lights in this world, and the light that we must reflect is not the “sun” but “The Son”; Jesus makes this so clear as He reveals Himself to us and calls us to be sharers of HIS light!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

 he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”  John 8:12

Note here that Jesus tells is that when we become His followers, we can walk in light because we “shall have the light of life”!  And Jesus repeats His declaration of being this light; “I am the light of the world”!  While the world attempts to lead us into darkness, when we belong to Jesus, we just need to remember that we don’t have to walk in the darkness of this world—for we know and possess The Light!

“I must work the works

of him that sent me,

while it is day:

the night cometh,

when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world,

I am the light of the world.”  John 9:4-5

Paul shared with the Philippian believers the truth of what we are to be—in light rather than in the darkness.

“Do all things

without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be

blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst

of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;”                    Philippians 2:14-15

We don’t have to succumb to the darkness all around us but must keep our eyes on The Light, Jesus, His Word and His ways!  The apostle John also focused on this principle of being light; and we need to remember that when we belong to Jesus, we are not only called but enabled to walk in HIS light, and we can because Jesus’ light dwells in His own.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

 that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship

one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.”  1 John 1:5-7

And as I was putting this together, I was reminded of the old hymn, “Jesus Saves” (written by Priscilla Jane Owens) as I found the Psalmist’s words.  They blessed my heart, and I pray they will resound in your heart as well—as you walk in the light of Jesus Christ our Lord, who saves and gives us His Light!

“Blessed is the people

that know the joyful sound:

they shall walk, O LORD,

 in the light of thy countenance.

16 In thy name shall they rejoice

all the day:

 and in thy righteousness shall they

be exalted.

17 For thou art the glory of their strength:

and in thy favour

our horn shall be exalted.

18 For the LORD is our defence;

and the Holy One of Israel is our king.”   Psalm 89:15-18

Rejoice in Jesus The SON—not just the sun!

Amen and Amen!!!

Easy Isn’t Always Easy!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #486

23 Wednesday Sep 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Suffering With Jesus, Sunshine Or Rain, Take Up YOUR Cross, Testing and Trials?, Thankfulness with joy!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Easy Isn’t Always Easy!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #486

We’re all familiar with the old saying, “no pain, no gain”; it can be traced back to the 17th century, and even Benjamin Franklin is credited with using the saying.  What does it mean to us as Jesus’ children and disciples?  Well, the “easy believeism” doesn’t take into account the whole counsel of God, for God warns us that following Him will cost us something of ourselves.  No, not a cost to be saved, or to keep our salvation, but when we come to Jesus, and identify with Him and His Word, there is a cost (a cost that many not only deny but refuse to align with—I’ll let God’s Word speak for me!)!  Let’s let Jesus speak first, then we’ll consider some other biblical teachings on this very thing.

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

 therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:17-21

 The question that we need to consider is, “Are we His servant?”  So much is taught today about what we have the “right” to demand of God?  I beg to differ, Jesus says we are not to be of the world but be as our Lord Jesus was; and Jesus made it quite clear what our focus is to be in the model prayer, let’s consider just the first few lines.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

A practice that helps me refocus my praying may help you too; as I quote this passage I pray “Father…”, Thy kingdom come, IN ME…Thy will be done IN ME!  My call, our call, is to seek God’s will and kingdom, Matthew 6 ends with an amazing imperative, may it bless and speak to you as it so often does to me!

“Therefore

take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat? or,

What shall we drink? or,

Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34                                                  (Be sure and check out what the “therefore” is there for, see verses 24-30 at least!!!)

Peter also gives us some great insight to measure our heart by.

“Servants, be subject to your masters

with all fear;

not only to the good and gentle,

but also to the froward.

19 For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it, if,

when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found

in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop

of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:18-25

And in closing a lengthy passage from the author of Hebrews, which is often left out of our confidence in the first part of Hebrews 11, about faith and those who prospered in it; it shows us the difficulty sometimes of simple yet strong faith in our Lord; hence our title, easy isn’t always easy.  But serving God is above and beyond the greatest gift I have ever received—the gift that cost Jesus His life’s blood—why are we so often hesitant to pay a price for following HIM?

“1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen…

…. 6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him…

…. 36 And others had trial

of cruel mockings and scourgings,

yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned,

they were sawn asunder,

were tempted,

were slain with the sword:

they wandered about in sheepskins

and goatskins;

being destitute,

afflicted,

tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:)

they wandered in deserts,

and in mountains,

and in dens

and caves of the earth.

39 And these all,

having obtained a good report through faith,

received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing

for us, that they without us

should not be made perfect.”                                      Portions of Hebrews 11:1-6 and 36-39

The phrase “without us”, meaning that they wouldn’t be the only ones to suffer!  May we truly follow our Lord where ever it may lead.  Easy or not!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Dry Bones Or Life??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #485

21 Monday Sep 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Life, Life or Death?, Lifting up Jesus, Light In The Dark, Living TODAY!, Looking Unto Jesus, My Grace Is Sufficient, My Help Cometh from THE LORD

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Dry Bones Or Life??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #485

Let’s talk about life—real life—the life which Jesus promised that HE IS—was and ever shall be.  Let’s take a look at Ezekiel’s experience and see what we can learn from it.

“The hand of the LORD was upon me,

and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD,

and set me down in the midst of the valley

which was full of bones,

2 And caused me to pass by them round about:

and, behold, there were very many

in the open valley;

and, lo, they were very dry.

3 And he said unto me,

Son of man,

can these bones live?

And I answered,

O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

4 Again he said unto me,

Prophesy upon these bones,

and say unto them,

O ye dry bones,

hear the word of the LORD.

5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones;

Behold,

I will cause breath to enter into you,

and ye shall live:

6 And I will lay sinews upon you,

and will bring up flesh upon you,

and cover you with skin,

and put breath in you,

and ye shall live;

and ye shall know

that I am the LORD.

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded:

and as I prophesied,

there was a noise,

and behold a shaking,

and the bones came together,

bone to his bone.

8 And when I beheld, lo,

the sinews and the flesh came up upon them,

and the skin covered them above:

but there was no breath in them.

9 Then said he unto me,

Prophesy unto the wind,

prophesy, son of man,

and say to the wind,

Thus saith the Lord GOD;

Come from the four winds,

O breath,

and breathe upon

these slain,

that they may live.

10 So I prophesied as he commanded me,

and the breath came into them,

and they lived,

and stood up upon their feet,

an exceeding great army.”  Ezekiel 37:1-10

This is one of my favorite Bible accounts, and I even like the old gospel song that describes this episode.  The thing that I want us to consider is the likeness to our situations so often in our walk through this life.  How often do we feel like “dry bones”, and much like Israel we complain about our circumstances, our trials or our expectations?  Yet what God teaches us through Ezekiel (and understand this was a picture that God painted through Ezekiel to try to make the the people of Israel see, that only HE, God, could give them new life and He wanted to!) is that God knows how dry we are, and He is ready and willing to give us new life!  It’s why Jesus came!  So, where does the life come from?

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

Paul makes it clear for us that spiritually we are dead without Jesus, and just fyi, “quickened” means to make alive.

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)”                   Ephesians 1:1-5

(I encourage you to read Ephesians 2:8-10, even better read all of Ephesians 2!)

When we receive Jesus by faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, we receive new, eternal life and forgiveness, as Paul told the Colossians, Jesus is our life!

“And you,

being dead in your sins

and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

hath he quickened together with him,

having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting

of ordinances that was against us,

which was contrary to us,

and took it out of the way,

nailing it to his cross;”    Colossians 2:13-14

Paul also shares one of my favorite verses of confidence and hope and I pray that it will encourage you even in that valley of dry bones that may be surrounding you; and just as God told Ezekiel to prophecy to the dry bones, I believe that Paul is reminding us that Jesus is our hope, and it is HIS power that created life, and can also give us new life by the new birth given by faith in the sacrifice that Jesus made at Calvary (life for the dry bones!).

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Are you living in Jesus’ power?  I pray that this post will remind you that the only way to life IS JESUS!!!  Have you received the new birth?  If not, you can call on Jesus today.  If you are born again, remember that you belong to the creator of all, The One who died for your sin and mine, and gives us real life , eternal life in exchange!!!  It’s Jesus’ power that enables is to have real life in HIM!  Paul makes this abundantly clear.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

Dry bones or life?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth, and

the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

 Amen and Amen!!!

Our God Is Ever Faithful!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #484

18 Friday Sep 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful, Faithful Father--heavenly and earthly, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Our God Is Ever Faithful!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #484

I want to take a bit of time today to remind us of the faithfulness of our God—Father God, Jesus Christ The Son, and The Holy Spirit—even when we face trials, challenges, questions or things we just don’t understand, our God is still faithful—even when we don’t understand what’s going on around us, remember HE always knows!

“Know therefore that the LORD thy God,

he is God,

the faithful God,

which keepeth covenant

and mercy

with them that love him

and keep his commandments

to a thousand generations;” Deuteronomy 7:9

“O LORD,

thou art my God;

I will exalt thee,

I will praise thy name;

for thou hast done wonderful things;

thy counsels of old

are faithfulness

and truth.”  Isaiah 25:1

While we often wrestle with life and the things that happen in our lives and around us, God is ever faithful and always provides for His own;

“God is faithful,

by whom ye were called

unto the fellowship of his Son

Jesus Christ our Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:9

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth

take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you

but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful,

who will not suffer you

to be tempted above that ye are able;

but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape,

that ye may be able to bear it.”                                      1 Corinthians 10:12-13

May we stand fast in this evil day, for our confidence ought to be in our God!  Peter tells us that Jesus is our example.  I hope these precious words will encourage you today.

“For what glory is it,

 if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins

in his own body on the tree,

that we, being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop of your souls.”   1 Peter 2:20-25

I take such great comfort from this message of God; it gives us direction, hope and confidence in this faithful God and our precious Saviour Jesus, who

“when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself to him

that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree”!  

May you find hope and help from these truths.

And how do we do this?  God gives us the answer through Paul’s letter to the Corinthian believers.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthains 5:21

Amen and Amen!!!