Monthly Archives: June 2022

Brighten Your Own Corner??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #17

29 Wednesday Jun 2022

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Brighten Your Own Corner???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #17

There’s an old song that we used to sing all the time, and it still rings through my heart and mind oft-times when I’m down over some lost opportunity, or uncertainty!  Jesus has called us to be faithful where we are not to keep trying to change our place, opportunities, or circumstances; if we really trust to HIS care, we can trust Him to lead, guide and provide “in His time” and in HIS way.  Job is such an inspiration to me, and while it is a most difficult book to read (the first time through), but as we read it again and again, we find the faith, courage, and strength that Job possessed and that his friends wrestled so inadequately to see!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

When I’m confused, frustrated or just plain old tired, I rehearse this precious declaration from Job!  It’s all about Jesus!  Do I trust HIM or do I NOT?  Job knew that The Lord would come—sooner—or later—Jesus would come!  Is that amazing or what?

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,

yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

Job didn’t run, he didn’t hide, he stayed right where he was when tragedy struck in ways beyond our comprehension; he sat faithful before his God and stood fast in truth before his ‘so-called’ friends who had no clue of what God was doing.  Even Job didn’t know what God was doing, but he KNEW his God was still the faithful ruler of all.

Where are you?  Are you shining or pouting?  Has God asked something of you that you don’t want to do or deal with?  Are there difficult people around you; and while the world says, “you don’t have to put up with that”, God has called you to stand fast and speak the “truth in love” as you have opportunity.

Are we shining our little light?  Or are we hiding it under a bushel while we run, hide, seek our own way, or are we just sit and pout?  Jesus calls us to “be” salt and light, not “do” salt or light!  We are to BE and then shining will come!  And then sinners will be drawn to the “life-giving” cross and the Lord Jesus Christ who shed His “life-changing” blood for you and me—for all who will repent and believe in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!

“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

David also demonstrates faith and ‘shining’ in his cry before God in humble repentance for his failure, knowing that only God could restore and do mighty things with a humble, and contrite heart!  God could brighten his corner!  How about you and me?  Have we let Satan dim our light with our failures!  Stop it!  Take David’s example and the instructions we have in 1 John 1:9:

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.” 

God is great at cleaning lamps!

“Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit from me.  

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners shall be converted

unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness,

O God,

 thou God of my salvation:

and my tongue shall sing aloud

of thy righteousness.”  Psalm 51:10-14

Being one who has known and experienced the forgiveness and restoration of The Lord Jesus, I can assure you that HE does good work!  So, I encourage you to meet Jesus at whatever place you are and let HIM light your lamp–either in salvation through faith in His sacrifice for you—or in restoration, having HIM refresh your flame.  Turn up that light and shine on that corner where HE has placed you—where HE has placed me!  Let’s stand fast in this “evil day”!  Our Lord is coming soon; oh, that HE will find us faithful and that we might hear “well done, thou good and faithful servant….”!  Here are the lyrics of the song I mentioned, and I pray they will encourage you today as they have me so often.

Brighten The Corner Where You Are! By Ina D Ogden

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar;
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Refrain:
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Go shine!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Shine!  Shine!!  Shine!!!

Brighten YOUR corner!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Call It “Rock-It” Science??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No.05

26 Sunday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Ripples, Rock-It Science, Still Will I Trust HIM, Take Up YOUR Cross, Teach The Children, Teachers, Teaching Always, Teaching Children, Witness, Words Can Help or Harm?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 05. Call It “Rock-It” Science???

I never could skip rocks like a lot of kids could, but I remember the effort and more than that I remember the effects of the action.  No matter how or what you threw into the water, the ripples were evident and on-going!  And I have learned, mostly the hard way, that no matter how good we “want” things to turn out, our choice of stones will reveal themselves in time, be it for the good or worse.  Paul said it best!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.”   Galatians 6:7-9

Don’t miss Paul’s warning!  “Be not deceived”!  Oh, what a liar the enemy is; Satan is an expert liar, and his only desire is to “steal…to kill….and to destroy”; and he is most expert at it, and we poor gullible humans are so very susceptible to his deceit.  Jesus had so much to say about this reality, and we so foolishly forget, or just plain fail to heed HIS warnings.  And I want to share truth with you, that I pray will help you to heed that truth which the enemy wants you to ignore!

“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 8:44-45

Jesus also warned us of his true character:

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd

giveth his life for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

 We must consider truth—for Jesus IS truth—and yet we live amidst a world that is giving it’s all to convince us that truth is no longer true!

“Woe unto them that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness

for light,

and light

for darkness;

that put bitter

for sweet,

and sweet

for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!”  Isaiah 5:20-21

Even as Joshua made his conviction clear to a nation unsure of where they wanted to go!  A nation who came to live by a very similar standard as our nation does today!  Where do you stand?

“And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Joshua 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Joshua 21:25

Israel came to this state because they had chosen to stand with Joshua before his death in his clear declaration to serve God; but it seems that they didn’t share that faith and truth with the next generation, and they floundered right into the devil’s hands.  It seems to me that we are in the very same straights—and I think, for the very same reasons.  We have compromised on God’s truth and accepted the lies of the enemy and we have passed this air of compromise onto our children and grandchildren.  What God said was wrong 50 years ago is now accepted as common place, and we watch our children and grandchildren live in sin with no compunction, and very little attempted correction on our part.

I don’t mean to be harsh, but why do our children and grandchildren think it is ok to live in immorality, to drink, to swear, to lie, cheat and stand for the lies of the enemy?  I think perhaps because we have remained silent when we should have been declaring the truth of The Word of God AS truth.  And if we truly accept God’s truth AS truth, why are we not calling the next generation to identify with the truth, accept it, adhere to it as those who claim the name of Jesus Christ AS Lord?  I think one of two things; either we don’t really believe it ourselves, or we say we believe it, yet don’t care to hold our children to the truth of God’s Word!

There was a time when churches called their people to holy living, and we held our ground when the world encroached; there was a time when schools didn’t play ball on Wednesday nights, because the church kids were just that—at church—and they didn’t play ball on Sundays—yet those are sensibilities gone by!  It makes me sad.  I remember a certain school where they wanted some church kids to play on their ball team, and they intended to practice on Wednesday nights, and the father said if they wanted his kids to play, they would not practice on church nights.  He prevailed—why aren’t parents willing to take a stand today?  I can’t answer that question!  Can you?

I don’t mean to carry this on and on, but I would like to close with a couple of simple scriptures for our consideration:

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

Saying so…doesn’t make it so!  Doing so can! Are we being a doer or deceived “hearers only”?

“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

Really loving Jesus will reveal itself in our actions, like the ripples in a pond, obeying God and living out our faith like those very ripples—visiting those in need, meeting the needs of the afflicted, and keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world”.  Our choices will show up in our actions; and that my friends will be noticed by others—good, bad, or indifferent.  As I’ve often said—YOU/I are a witness, albeit a good one or a bad one—we are witnesses in all we do!  Someone is watching whether you know it or not!  Jesus makes it clear that it’s not just ‘words’!

“Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:17-23

Maybe you’re like me, and you’ve thrown some rocks that made harmful ripples, and by God’s grace and forgiveness you have been restored to usefulness in HIS kingdom.  Just take stock of yourself, your heart, your life-choices, and your influence on others; if need be, seek God’s forgiveness, receive it and be cleansed and restored to HIS service.  Or if you’ve never come to Jesus in repentance and faith, please call on HIM today; HE is waiting for you.

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

He’s waiting for YOU!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Timing Chain??? A Word form THE WORD!!! #16

24 Friday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Consider Your ways, Contentedness, Contentment, Courage, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Still Reigns, God's Faithfulness, God's got you and me!, Kindness, King Jesus, Praise God Today!, TODAY, Today is the day of Salvation, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Yesterdays made Todays!

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A Timing Chain???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #16

Most of us who drive cars have probably heard that dreaded phrase, “You need a new ‘timing chain’!”; but I want us to consider a different ‘timing chain’ today—God’s “Timing Chain”!

“But when the fulness of the time was come,

God sent forth his Son,

made of a woman,

made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law,

that we might receive

the adoption of sons.”  Galatians 4:4-5

God, in HIS own time, sent Jesus—I am amazed at the timing– God’s timing—think about it!  The Romans had built roads and travel was more common than ever before, there was a common language of business, Greek—one of the most precise and lovely languages for communicating God’s love and salvation to a lost and dying world.  Israel was in her land, and Jesus’ birth, life, and death were all accomplished “according to the scripture”, for our salvation!  Not one day late—not one day early!  Oh, to learn to rest in God’s timing chain—the timing chain for “my life” and for “your life”, when we will but learn to hear, heed, and WAIT!

“But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up

with wings as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

Oh, that we could learn to “wait upon the LORD” in our daily lives!  We are so rushed, consumed with getting somewhere else, getting ahead!  For what?  When will we learn?  Paul told his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, that contentment in God and HIS plan should be our way of life, rather than the hustle and bustle of the world!

“But godliness with contentment

is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain

we can carry nothing out.”  1 Timothy 6:6-7

Ouch!  This disproves the common adage, “The one who dies with the most toys, wins!”; not so!  Jesus sums it all up for us today—for the toys, and the times are in God’s hand, not ours!  And without Jesus, it doesn’t matter how many ‘toys’ you have—alive or dead!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man

shall come in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man

according to his works.”  Matthew 16:24-27

What are you doing with your soul?  Will you heed the call of God upon your heart?  If you are already born again, are you living like God’s child?  Are you waiting on HIS timing, or running ahead rather than waiting on God?  I’d like to share a simple testimony this morning—for the awe of it amazes me to my toes!

As some of you already know, due some health issues we moved into an assisted living facility some time ago, so that I could have the help I needed with my husband.  It was a difficult move, but one that we knew God was leading us to; and HE was!  I was really struggling with trying to minister to those there, I was trying to be God’s witness in a very sad place, and it was a lot to carry; and I had no close friend there.  BUT GOD!  God, with HIS “timing chain” brought about events that I truly didn’t understand at the time, but they have become so clear in recent days.  God sent me a friend—a sister in The Lord—one who seemed to come ‘just for me”!  Yet, God had even more!  We became true and fast friends very quickly, and I often told her that she came just for me; to which she’d always reply, no, God sent me there for her!  Needless to say, we enjoyed one another and thanked God often for His sweet care of our heart’s desire for fellowship with one of like-mind!

To make a “long story short” (as they say), my friend declined, and we talked and prayed and knew her time was probably short.  About that time God opened a door for us to be on our own again, and when I told her we would be leaving it was difficult for both of us—yet little did we know that God would change her address as well!  Within a week of each other, she went to be with Jesus, and we moved to our next place of service.  Oh, how grieved I was to lose her—and then it came to me, GOD had it all in HIS amazing hands of love, and HE knew the times, which we didn’t know when we met, and HE had put us together to care each for the other for this brief time—but such a sweet and purposeful time!

How I thank HIM for my friend and the joy that we shared—though often through tears!  How could we know that God’s timing included encouraging two little ‘grandmothers’ who were in need of a friend and one to walk beside each other through the times and circumstances that we were in!

Oh Jesus, praise to YOU in all your care for us, if we will but take the time to see Your hand in all things!  And I thank You JESUS, for my sweet friend, and YOUR loving care to send us each to the other when we had no clue of what would transpire in a relatively short time!  Don’t miss the blessings of God my friends, by spending your time “missing” God’s ‘timing chain’ of events!  HE’s at work if we’ll but ‘stop, look, and listen’!  What blessings are you not recognizing?  Wake up!  God loves you, and He is working on your behalf and mine!  Praise Him, wait on Him, and walk forward!

Don’t miss the blessings of today, by spending all your time running ahead to tomorrow.  Live today—no one is promised tomorrow!  Enjoy the opportunities and blessings that God is sending—don’t miss today’s gifts!  His ‘timing chain’ is at work!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”   Proverbs 27:1

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

Amen and Amen!!!

Breathe! It’s OK!!! A Word from THE WORD!!!

22 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Advice for the journey, Comfort, Confidence, Creator of ALL, Doubt and Confusion?, Encouragement, Order my steps, Our God Reigns

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Breathe!  It’s OK!!!  A Word from THE WORD!!! #15

Just a brief word to encourage your Wednesday!  Sometimes we get so caught up in the things—the stuff—the appointments—the running—the doing—that we are almost “holding our breath” and running on imagination!  Well, my friends—breathe!  Just take a deep breath in, thank God for today, and breathe out!  Repeat!  And again!

“The Spirit of God

 hath made me,

and the breath of the Almighty

hath given me life.”  Job 33:4

Sometimes our ‘tunnel’ vision overtakes our heart of faith—we only see the small window of our current crises, and we are prone to forget that our God is still in charge, and HE is trustworthy of our attention!

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying, Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice,

and give honour to him….”  Revelation 19:6-7a

Remember Who is in charge—Who loves you—Who has all the “stuff” covered if we will but stop and “breathe” in Jesus!

“For in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being…”. Acts 17:28a

And I simply want to share a few words of hope, encouragement, and peace for you to breathe in today.  I pray that it will help you as it has me.  We all have those times—so stop, take a few minutes, and “breathe” IN JESUS!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that

he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”  Philippians 1:6

Got it?  Jesus is at work in HIS own every minute of every day—for your good and HIS glory!  Count on it.

“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.”  Romans 8:28-29

I praise God that it is all because of Jesus—NOT me—and you can trust HIM, for HE has never failed me yet—and HE won’t today!

“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 5:1-3

So, press on in confidence—Jesus is enough!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”   1 Corinthians 15:56-58

 Jesus has supplied all we need—look up, walk right, and press on!

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:10-11

Breathe and lean on your Shepherd, Jesus!!!

As the gospel hymn says, “The Longer I Serve Him, The Sweeter HE Grows”! (Written by Bill and Gloria Gaither.).

Amen and Amen!!!

Purity Speaks For Itself??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 04

20 Monday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Purity, Pursuing Excellence?, Serving God or Using God?, Speaking The Truth In Love

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 04 Purity Speaks For Itself???

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not

in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth

in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth

in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is

in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners

 in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth

the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.”  Psalm 1:1-6

I’d like us to consider one of my favorite passages, Psalm 1; and while it is a short Psalm, it is packed full of truth and principles of the contrast between righteousness and evil.  There is a continual conflict which we often forget or overlook, and we must go about God’s business with biblical insight not ignorant presumption; for when we don’t stand on truth we will stumble and fall for the lies of the enemy!  Our foundation must be securely placed in Jesus our Lord, and HIS WORD, or we will be like the house on the sand which collapsed when the storms came.  And my friends, the storms will come—not if but ‘when’ is the reality that we must prepare for.

Paul warned his son-in-the-ministry to be prepared to “do the work” that God had called him to; not a life of leisure, indulgence, or presumption on the goodness of God, but the “work” of God!

“Thou therefore, my son,

be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me

among many witnesses,

the same commit thou

to faithful men,

who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness,

as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth

entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;

that he may please him

who hath chosen him to be a soldier

5 And if a man also strive for masteries,

yet is he not crowned,

except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth

must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say;

and the Lord give thee understanding

in all things.”  2 Timothy 2:1-7

We are called to follow Jesus in humble service, striving to please our master, not to presume on HIS goodness, grace, and love; but to serve HIM out of love and gratitude, seeking His will in all things.  The simplest lesson on this is from our Lord:

“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

So, as we pursue Jesus, we are to follow His example and truly pray “not my will….but thine be done”!  Yet we hear so much of what I call “slot machine theology”—make your demands on God, pray your quarter in the slot, pull the handle and God “must” respond and grant whatever you have ‘demanded’!  NOT!  How have we come so far from the truth of ‘servanthood’?  I’m not sure, but I know we must return to biblical truth and seek to serve our KING, not dictate to HIM!

“I therefore,

the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you

that ye walk worthy of the vocation

wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness,

with longsuffering,

forbearing one another

in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body,

and one Spirit,

even as ye are called in one hope

of your calling;

5 One Lord,

one faith,

one baptism,

6 One God and Father

of all,

who is above all,

and through all,

and in you all.”  Ephesians 4:1-6

If we truly believe that GOD is “above all, and through all, and in you all”, why do we presume to be wiser than HE is?  May God forgive our presumption, and direct our steps to seek His face, and humbly yield to whatever HE asks of us.  As I have quoted many times in my writing, Paul’s call to the Colossian believers resounds in my heart again and again—the call to “walk worthy”!  Oh, may we yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in us—in me—in you—and those around us!  May God do a great and mighty work in our hearts and lives that others will see JESUS in us, rather than self, sin or ‘settled-for’!

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire

that ye might be filled with the knowledge

of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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 1:9-14

May we be faithfully serving in love, devotion, and allegiance to the truth of scripture, not popular persuasions?  Please, Lord, may we return to YOU today.  May I return to faithful service in holiness, purity, and love.

“This is a faithful saying and worthy

of all acceptation.

10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,

because we trust in the living God,

who is the Saviour of all men,

specially of those that believe.

11 These things command and teach.

12 Let no man despise thy youth;

but be thou an example of the believers,

in word,

in conversation,

in charity,

in spirit,

in faith,

in purity.

13 Till I come,

give attendance

to reading,

to exhortation,

to doctrine.”   1 Timothy 4:9-13

And in closing a Psalm of David, and while I know I have included a great amount of scripture, may we remember and be devoted to the “lodestar” of our faith, which is JESUS and HIS WORD!  HE is the living Word who died for our salvation, to pay for my sin and yours, yet HE is also the “author and finisher” of our faith– the truth of the written Word which is truly “God breathed” by the Father and the very Son of God.  May we heed God’s revelation of HIS truth to our hearts today, as we hear and heed HIS call to be holy, pure-living examples of our Lord Jesus to a lost and dying world!

“Have mercy upon me, O God,

according to thy lovingkindness:

according unto the multitude

of thy tender mercies

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly

from mine iniquity,

and cleanse me

from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:

and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee,

thee only,

have I sinned,

and done this evil in thy sight:

that thou mightest be justified

when thou speakest,

and be clear

when thou judgest.

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou desirest truth

in the inward parts:

and in the hidden part

thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop,

and I shall be clean:

wash me,

and I shall be whiter than snow.  

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;

that the bones which thou hast broken

may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners

shall be converted

unto thee.”  Psalm 51:1-13

When we draw near to HIM, we will flourish in our faith and courage, and others will see Jesus in us; truly being “cross magnets”, drawing sinners to The Savior—The Only Savior!

“Submit yourselves

therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”  James 4:7-8

Amen and Amen!!!