What Armor??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #464

05 Sunday Jul 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Armor of God, Ask God For Wisdom, Assurance IN GOD!, Power of The Cross, Purity, Pursuing Excellence?, Readiness, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Weariness, Well Done Thou good and faithful servant!

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What Armor??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #464

“God that made the world

and all things therein,

seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth,

dwelleth not

in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands,

as though he needed any thing,

seeing he giveth to all

life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood

all nations of men

for to dwell on all the face of the earth,

and hath determined

the times before appointed,

and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord,

if haply they might feel after him,

and find him,

though he be not far

from every one of us:

28 For in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being…”  Acts 17:24-28

God is creator of all things, including us; a fact that most of the world continually denies.  I want us to consider today how we are to live according to God’s Word, and in particular one passage that is my daily go to!  I pray that this will be an encouragement to you and that you will make it a habit to put on your armor first thing each day.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore

take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance and supplication

for all saints;

19 And for me,

that utterance may be given unto me,

that I may open my mouth boldly,

to make known the mystery of the gospel…”.  Ephesians 6:10-19

As we consider this amazing practice that Paul has given us through the power of The Holy Spirit, I want to share some things that I consider most helpful to me as I put on this armor each day.

Whose power: “These words spake Jesus,

and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come;

glorify thy Son,

that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life

to as many as thou hast given him.”   John 17:1-2

And the verses I recall as I put on the armor of God each morning may help you have confidence in all that we have in Jesus!

Truth: “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

Righteousness: “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

Peace: “Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:”  Romans 5:1

Shield of Faith: “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.”  Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Helmet of Salvation: “Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:”  Philippians 2:5

Sword of The Spirit: “For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

I pray that God will encourage you in these words from God’s Word!

Amen and Amen!!!

God Hasn’t Changed??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #463

03 Friday Jul 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Changed Lives, Check Your Knees???, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, God Bless America, God's Faithfulness, God's measure isn't ours, God's ways are not our ways, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Character, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' standard?

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God Hasn’t Changed??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #463

“Jesus Christ

the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.

9 Be not carried about

with divers

and strange doctrines.

For it is a good thing that the heart be established

with grace;

not with meats,

which have not profited them

that have been occupied

therein.”  Hebrews 13:8-9

Jesus hasn’t changed (nor has The Father or The Holy Spirit) yet we seem to attempt to change His Word and His words continually!  If it’s not according to The Word, we have an issue, not God.  We are to stand on the unchangeableness of Father, Son and Holy Spirit; but when we don’t know what God has said (in His Word), we will have a really difficult time ordering our steps in it!

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

We need to heed the connection between the first part of this verse and the second part; there is an irrefutable connection between our devotion to the truths of God’s Word and our ability to not yield to the dominion of sin!  What are you devoted to?  God’s Word or the dominion of the world; and without The Word of God we have little defense to resist the “wiles of the devil” (See Ephesians 6:10-19)!  We need to understand that no matter what the world says, the rules haven’t changed!  God’s Word stands ever true and faithful; we must understand that, or we will be floundering all the time.

James has an amazing message about how important our devotion to God and His Word is.

“From whence come wars and fightings

among you?

come they not hence,

even of your lusts

that war in your members?

2 Ye lust,

and have not:

ye kill,

and desire to have,

and cannot obtain:

ye fight and war,

yet ye have not,

because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it

upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not

that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore

will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us

lusteth to envy?”  James 4:1-5

And if we go back to things that James said earlier, we will see that it is more than “saying so”!  It’s about a real life-changing faith that lives Jesus before the world around us.

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man beholding

his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into

the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26

If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled

before God and the Father is this,

To visit the fatherless and widows

in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

from the world.”  James 1:22-27

God is ever at work to conform us into the image of Jesus; the problem is that we have our own plans. Just remember God hasn’t changed and neither has His Word; as James said above, we will be blessed in our “deed” not our claims; or if you will, a genuine, born-again believer, not just imitation!!! (See Matthew 7:15-23)

“And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover

whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:28-31

Not every word is true—there are those who speak God’s truth and then there are always those who claim to but lie!  Choose wisely, there is a test; and always remember when you belong to Jesus, “If God be for us, who can be against us”!  Jesus makes it quite plain that there is truth and there is a “liar”, Satan, for Jesus said, “he is a liar, and the father of it”! Consider Jesus’ conversation with the religious leaders of His day!

“They answered and said unto him,

Abraham is our father.

Jesus saith unto them,

If ye were Abraham’s children,

ye would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now ye seek to kill me,

a man that hath told you the truth,

which I have heard of God:

this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him,

We be not born of fornication;

we have one Father,

even God.

42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:39-45

What’s changing in your world?  Remember—

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”!!!

Choose wisely who and what you believe; there is a test—and remember WHO IS TRUTH— “…I am the way, the truth, and the life…”  (See John 14:6)

Amen and Amen!!!

What’cha Running From??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #462

25 Thursday Jun 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Fear, Fearfulness, Fearlessness

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What’cha Running From??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #462

I’ve had an interesting week, and while I don’t feel led to share the details, I was wrestling with a life-choice, and I was leaning in a particular direction that I reasoned could be the best way to go, but I had no peace.  I was basing my reasoning on my fears in regard to my future and my health.  I shared with someone close to me the decision that I was leaning toward, and they were very disappointed and a bit upset.  As I wrestled with whether my decision was from The Lord or my own reasoning, I was led to one of my favorite Bible verses—and through that verse God unveiled my real reasoning.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but

of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed

of the testimony of our Lord,

nor of me his prisoner:

but be thou partaker of the afflictions

of the gospel according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us,

and called us with an holy calling,

not according to our works,

but according to his own purpose

and grace,

which was given us in Christ Jesus

before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest

by the appearing of our Saviour

Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death,

and hath brought life

and immortality to light

through the gospel:”                    2 Timohty 1:7-10

The Gospel of Jesus—that is our hope, confidence and joy—can overcome all our fears!  As Paul told his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, God has given us the power to stand fast and withstand in the evil day!  It’s what Paul reminds us of, as he says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear…”!  But he didn’t stop there, and that is what I came face to face with—the power of God, and I don’t have to run in fear from my past, my present or my future; for the rest of that verse compels us to confidence in what God has given us instead of fear: “but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”!  And when you look it up, you’ll find that “sound mind” means “right mindedness”!  And in case you need more to remind you of all that God has given to us, I want to share a few scriptures to help you make the choice to see that we don’t’ have to be afraid when our confidence is in Jesus.

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds😉

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every thought

to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 5:3-5

Jesus died to give us not only eternal life, but continual access into His presence, and our job is to bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”; not an easy task, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, and our emersion in The Word of God we can walk in victory not fear!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

So whether your battles are like mine have been with fear and choices for the future, or whether you are wrestling with other issues, just remember that God has given us the Spirit of, “power, and of love, and of a sound mind”!  Don’t let Satan back you into corners, confusion or uncertainty.  Jesus has already won the victory!  So stand fast!  Remember, We Win!!!

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”   1 John 4:4

Amen and Amen!!!

No Sin, No Need??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #461

20 Saturday Jun 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, All About Jesus!, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Try yourselves

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No Sin, No Need??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #461

Today I want to rehearse something rather simple yet so simple that we often just overlook and miss its truth.  Unless we see our own sin, we will never see the need for a Savior—Jesus!  While scripture teaches us (though often neglected) that repentance is essential to salvation, we must recognize our own sin; unless we do, we have no need for a Redeemer, a Savior who died to save us “from” sin.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord

by the prophet,

saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name

Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:21-23

God sent Jesus, “His only begotten Son” that we might be saved and have eternal life; but it requires faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN!  Sin is the issue, and unless we see our sin, we will see no need to repent or believe in what Jesus did to save all who will come.  While we don’t hear a lot these days about repentance, it is essential to our salvation.  Jesus said so!

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen,

upon whom the tower in Siloam fell,

and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners

above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3-5

Repentance means that “I” see “my” sin and know that only Jesus can forgive and erase it, by His blood which He sacrificed at Calvary.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:12-14

Jesus is the only deliverer from sin, what have you done with your sin?  Is it under the blood or are you like I was for a good many years, and you don’t see that you have any sin.  If we have no sin, we don’t need Jesus’ salvation; and Jesus came to be our salvation; scripture is replete with calls to see our sin, repent and come to Jesus if you haven’t, then we can rejoice together in what HE has done for us!!!!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

 through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.”  Romans 5:1-2

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:”   Romans 3:23-24

Are you redeemed by Jesus’ sacrifice for your sin?  I pray that you are, but let’s consider more of Paul’s inspiration.

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test; and while ALL are sinners, Jesus died for all who come to Him!

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me…

…. 8 Jesus Christ

the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Portions of Hebrews 13:5-8

Amen and Amen!!!

If I Be Lifted Up??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #460

17 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, If I be lifted up---, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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If I Be Lifted Up??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #460

Today I want us to consider a simple statement of Jesus, that I think we often misunderstand and perhaps even misuse.  It is part of one of the most important passages that John recorded for us in his gospel.  I pray that this will be a       help and an encouragement to each of us.

“There was a man of the Pharisees,

named Nicodemus,

a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night,

and said unto him,

Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher

come from God:

for no man can do these miracles

that thou doest,

except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.

 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one

that is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:1-8

Jesus had a visitor from the Pharisees; note that they were the main ones persecuting and rejecting Jesus, and yet this leader of the Jews came to question Jesus and yet couldn’t comprehend what Jesus was trying to tell him.  While Nicodemus called Jesus, Rabbi, and then he acknowledged that Jesus was a “teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him”; yet with all of this he didn’t understand what Jesus was trying to teach him.

Let’s work our way through it and see if we can understand?  In verse 3 Jesus tells him that being “born again” is a prerequisite to even seeing the Kingdom of God, much less entering it.  But Nicodemus was thinking in the natural realm, not the supernatural, he wanted to know how a man could enter into the womb and be born naturally again.  Jesus explained that spiritual things were what He was talking about—how like us so often, we want physical answers to spiritual questions, and Jesus is so often trying to tell us deeper spiritual things; are we being as obtuse as Nicodemus or are we willing to hear the message.  Jesus wants us to see that what is “born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”. Jesus wanted Nicodemus and us to understand that the new birth was that which only God could give, and that only through the coming sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary.  It’s what John was referring to in chapter 1 of his gospel.

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:11-13

The new birth is a work of God in those who respond to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus refers to another important point in John 6:

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me draw him:

and I will raise him up at the last day.”  John 6:44

What I want us to understand is that Jesus was telling Nicodemus He was, is and ever shall be, “the way, the truth, and the life”!  And the verses that precedes our flagship of the gospel, John 3:16-19, is the one I want us to focus on, along with the parallel verse from John 12.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.”  John 3:14-15

This is what Jesus wanted both Nicodemus and us to understand that HE was come to pay for sin for all who will look unto Him in repentance and faith in His coming (at that point) sacrifice at Calvary.  So when Jesus was talking about being “lifted up”, He wasn’t referring to us lifting up His name before the world, but HIS own lifting up on the cross.  Let’s see how this fits with what He says in chapter 12.

“Now is the judgment of this world:

now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said,

signifying what death he should die.”   John 12:31-33

So when Jesus says “if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”, He isn’t calling us to lift Him up (although we are called to share the gospel of His “lifting up” as we have opportunity) but to share the truth that HIS lifting up was going to be the payment for sin, and the giving of eternal life to all who believe!

So, will we hear the word of the Lord, and let it speak truth to our hearts, or be like Nicodemus and miss the message He is trying to speak to our hearts (although Nicodemus did come to Jesus eventually…See John 19:38-40)?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!