Sound Familiar??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #465

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Sound Familiar??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #465

I’m going to do something today that I seldom do on my posts, I’m going to post a passage and then simply make a comment or two and let you take it in.

Woe be unto the pastors

that destroy and scatter

the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel

against the pastors that feed my people;

Ye have scattered my flock,

and driven them away,

and have not visited them:

behold, I will visit upon you

the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock

out of all countries whither I have driven them,

and will bring them again to their folds;

and they shall be fruitful and increase.

4 And I will set up shepherds over them

which shall feed them:

and they shall fear no more,

nor be dismayed,

neither shall they be lacking,

saith the LORD.

5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,

 that I will raise unto David

a righteous Branch,

and a King shall reign and prosper,

and shall execute judgment and justice

in the earth.

6 In his days Judah shall be saved,

and Israel shall dwell safely:

and this is his name

whereby he shall be called,

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

7 Therefore, behold, the days come,

saith the LORD,

that they shall no more say,

The LORD liveth, which brought up

the children of Israel

out of the land of Egypt;

8 But, The LORD liveth,

which brought up

and which led the seed

of the house of Israel out of

the north country,

and from all countries whither

I had driven them;

and they shall dwell in their own land.

9 Mine heart within me is broken

because of the prophets;

all my bones shake;

I am like a drunken man,

and like a man whom wine hath overcome,

because of the LORD,

and because of the words of his holiness.

10 For the land is full of adulterers;

for because of swearing the land mourneth;

the pleasant places of the wilderness

are dried up,

and their course is evil,

and their force is not right.

11 For both prophet and priest are profane;

yea, in my house have I found their wickedness,

saith the LORD.

12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them

as slippery ways in the darkness:

they shall be driven on,

and fall therein:

for I will bring evil upon them,

even the year of their visitation,

saith the LORD.

13 And I have seen folly in the prophets

of Samaria;

they prophesied in Baal,

and caused my people Israel to err.

14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem

an horrible thing:

they commit adultery,

and walk in lies:

they strengthen also the hands of evildoers,

that none doth return from his wickedness:

they are all of them unto me as Sodom,

and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts

concerning the prophets;

Behold, I will feed them with wormwood,

and make them drink the water of gall:

for from the prophets of Jerusalem

is profaneness gone forth

into all the land.

16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts,

Hearken not unto the words of the prophets

that prophesy unto you:

they make you vain:

they speak a vision of their own heart,

and not out of the mouth of the LORD.

17 They say still unto them that despise me,

The LORD hath said,

Ye shall have peace;

and they say unto every one

that walketh after the imagination

of his own heart,

No evil shall come upon you.

18 For who hath stood

in the counsel of the LORD,

and hath perceived

and heard his word?

who hath marked his word,

and heard it?

19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth

in fury,

even a grievous whirlwind:

 it shall fall grievously

upon the head of the wicked.

20 The anger of the LORD shall not return,

until he have executed,

and till he have performed

the thoughts of his heart:

in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

21 I have not sent these prophets,

yet they ran:

I have not spoken to them,

yet they prophesied.

22 But if they had stood in my counsel,

and had caused my people to hear my words,

then they should have turned them

 from their evil way,

and from the evil of their doings.

23 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD,

and not a God afar off?

24 Can any hide himself in secret places

that I shall not see him? saith the LORD.

Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

25 I have heard what the prophets said,

that prophesy lies in my name, saying,

I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

26 How long shall this be in the heart

of the prophets that prophesy lies?

yea, they are prophets of the deceit

of their own heart;

27 Which think to cause my people

to forget my name

by their dreams

which they tell every man

to his neighbour,

as their fathers have forgotten my name

for Baal.

28 The prophet that hath a dream,

let him tell a dream;

and he that hath my word,

let him speak my word faithfully.

What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD;

and like a hammer

that breaketh the rock in pieces?

30 Therefore, behold,

I am against the prophets, saith the LORD,

that steal my words every one

from his neighbour.

31 Behold, I am against the prophets,

saith the LORD,

that use their tongues,

and say, He saith.

32 Behold, I am against them

that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD,

and do tell them,

and cause my people to err by their lies,

and by their lightness;

yet I sent them not,

nor commanded them:

therefore they shall not profit

this people at all, saith the LORD.

33 And when this people,

or the prophet,

or a priest, shall ask thee, saying,

What is the burden of the LORD?

thou shalt then say unto them,

What burden?

I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.

34 And as for the prophet,

and the priest,

and the people,

that shall say,

The burden of the LORD,

I will even punish that man

and his house.

35 Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour,

and every one to his brother,

What hath the LORD answered?

and, What hath the LORD spoken?

36 And the burden of the LORD

shall ye mention no more:

for every man’s word shall be his burden;

 for ye have perverted

the words of the living God,

 of the LORD of hosts our God.

37 Thus shalt thou say to the prophet,

What hath the LORD answered thee?

and, What hath the LORD spoken?

38 But since ye say,

The burden of the LORD;

therefore thus saith the LORD;

Because ye say this word,

The burden of the LORD,

and I have sent unto you, saying,

Ye shall not say,

The burden of the LORD;

39 Therefore, behold,

I, even I,

will utterly forget you,

and I will forsake you, and the city

that I gave you and your fathers,

and cast you out of my presence:

40 And I will bring an everlasting reproach

upon you,

and a perpetual shame,

which shall not be forgotten.” Jeremiah 23:1-40

I want to simply share some clarification for insight, and I pray that we will hear God speaking to my heart and yours!  The terms ‘prophet’ and ‘priest’ would equate to our pastors, elders, leaders, evangelists—those who claim to speak for God and from God’s Word (which praise God we have in written form today!). The people spoken of here is referring to Israel, but it surely applies to our Christian community today—we are a people set on our own way, just as Israel was.  A few questions to consider; who are you listening to?  Have you checked what you hear with God’s Word.  If other’s words don’t agree with God’s Word—take heed; just because someone claims some special knowledge, take their words to God’s Word.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test, and it may be soon.  And if you have a good Bible preaching pastor, pray for him, encourage him and as you have opportunity support him in his service and ministry (and don’t forget his family who serves with him!)!

Amen and Amen!!!

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

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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

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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

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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

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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!!!