Monthly Archives: November 2023

A Call To Look Unto Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #159

29 Wednesday Nov 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Jesus call, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Light In The Dark

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A Call To Look Unto Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #159

“But while he thought on these things,

behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared unto him

in a dream, saying,

Joseph, thou son of David,

fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:

for that which is conceived in her

is of the Holy Ghost.

21 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 1:20-23

One of my sister’s favorite Bible phrases is, “and it came to pass”, and it always does!  Come—to pass—that is; for God is a faithful God, and HE sent Jesus to fulfill His promises of a Messiah who would call His people to salvation, redemption, and eternal life; to restore us to relationship, hope and the life with God that we lost in Eden!  Sin had separated us from God, and Jesus came to save us from that sin and the penalty of it—death!  He came to bring life to those who would come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin!  The babe placed in a manger instead of on a throne, came to be the sacrifice for your sin and mine, and HE is waiting for you to respond to the call to come to HIM today, for today is all that we have, tomorrow may or may not be ours, yet Praise God, HE keeps HIS own and is conforming us into the image of HIS SON!

“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 

“In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised before the world began;” Titus 1:2

For our hope of eternal life is IN JESUS and no other.

“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

John also introduced Jesus, not from a manger bed, but from HIS existence before the foundation of the world!

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

To me one of the saddest of all commentary in scripture is, “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”!  Jesus came to save us, and we wouldn’t recognize who HE was; yet HE was, is and always has been the only way to God, but the question is a personal one, ‘What will YOU do with Jesus?’

You can receive and believe Jesus’ witness of who HE IS, or you can go your own way, and pay for your own sin, it’s your call!  But remember there is a test, and a soon coming one, I truly believe!  Are you ready.  Jesus’ own words say it better than I can.

“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.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”  John 3:14-21

It’s not just the baby in the manger that we celebrate at this time of year, but it IS the work that HE was born to do—to die for your sin and mine, that we might have eternal life with HIM through that faith in HIS ‘substitutionary, atoning sacrifice’! He paid the price, but it can only be received through repentance and faith in HIS payment for our sin!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14

All this because God loves you and me, but there is a debt due; I owed a debt I couldn’t pay except in death and hell, yet Jesus paid a debt HE didn’t owe so that we could have life and escape hell!  What will you do with HIS gift this Christmas?  Accept it?  Celebrate it?  Rejoice in God’s goodness, love, and peace?  Or reject it and suffer the consequences, for we are free to choose or reject Jesus, but the consequence has already been set.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test (See Revelation 20:11-15)!

“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:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth in Jesus.”  Romans 3:23-26

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:22-23

So friends, my challenge to you is simply to invite you to answer HIS call to your heart.  If you haven’t been born again by the blood of Jesus, you can be today if you will but call on Jesus to save you in repentance of your sin, and faith in HIS payment for them!  If you are HIS, won’t you reevaluate your walk with HIM and commit anew and afresh to live Jesus before a lost and dying world, as well as those around you at home—they all need to see JESUS IN Christmas IN you and me!

“And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day

in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude

of the heavenly host praising God,

and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men.”  Luke 2:10-14

Amen and Amen!!!

Twisting Or Bowing??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #158

26 Sunday Nov 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Touch them while you can?, Trust, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Twisting Or Bowing???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #158

Some food for thought as we approach the time of not only being thankful but abundantly grateful for God’s gift of “His only begotten Son” for our salvation. But a question that we often miss is “who is God”?  God Almighty the creator of all things or “me”?  We have become so focused on self that we forget that God is God, and we are not; for Jesus makes it very clear that our focus should be ‘bowing’ before our King, not dictating to HIM what we ‘want’!  It’s kind of the difference between being perpetually grateful and celebrating “Thanks” each day of the year rather than a day of “Pride-feasting”!

“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.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is

the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory, for ever. Amen.”   Matthew 6:9-13

Jesus called His followers to pray for God’s Kingdom to come, for God’s will to be done—right here on earth, as it is in heaven—perfectly, continually, rightly and to HIS glory and our good.  What are you praying for?  We are told to take our requests to God, but never in the dictatorial manner that so many today practice and promote.  We are told that we can come ‘boldly’ before our God, but never, never, never ‘arrogantly or presumptuously’!  For God is our heavenly Father not our ‘sugar daddy’.  We are called to love Him, to trust Him, and to seek HIS will in all things, because HE IS GOD and HE is trustworthy, and has given to each believer the indwelling Holy Spirit to teach us, lead us, and direct our steps!  We must trust to our God in all things, else how can we walk in union with HIM?

“Can two walk together,

except they be agreed?”  Amos 3:3

To be ‘agreed’ with God, we must know HIM through the ‘blood of Jesus Christ His Son’ that ‘cleanseth us from all sin’; and we must know HIS WORD to enable us to make wise and discerning choices.  Paul gives us amazing assurance that God is working all things around us—even when we don’t understand or see it, God never fails!  You can trust HIM, yet some claim to know HIM but not enough to trust HIM!  Do you really know Him as being trustworthy?

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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 8:26-31

The author of Hebrews reminds us that we can come to HIM in complete trust, laying our needs, concerns, and burdens at His feet confidently!

“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 4:15-16

So, the question is, are we trying to twist God’s arm, put our quarter in the slot and pull the demand handle and expect God to send the jackpot?  Or are we willing to truly trust in His will, His kingdom work, His will, and His Word?  Are we willing to be contented even when we don’t understand?  Are we willing to go to Calvary as Jesus did, or do we think we are above suffering for the kingdom?  Paul warned Timothy of the danger of discontent, greed, and self.

“Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds,

and destitute of the truth,

supposing that gain is godliness:

from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich

fall into temptation

and a snare,

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,

which drown men in destruction

and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil:

which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through

with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God,

flee these things;

and follow after

righteousness, godliness,

faith, love,

patience, meekness.”   1 Timothy 6:5-11

Paul sums it up for us in his letter to the Philippian believers, they were to have the humility and obedience of Jesus!  May we be found faithful before our God as well as a lost and dying world!  Our world needs the true Gospel—that Jesus died for our sin and calls us to repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin (See 1 Corinthians 15:3-5)!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

 and took upon him the form

of a servant,

and was made

in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”  Philippians 2:5-8

And Jesus’ own words set the record straight, we are called to die to “SELF” and live to Jesus, following HIM even unto death.

“And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?”  Luke 9:23-25

And one of my favorite and often repeated verses says it all:

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

An Attitude Not Just A Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #157

24 Friday Nov 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Thankful, Thankfulness with joy!, Thanksgiving, That They May Know

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An Attitude Not Just A Day???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #157

I just want to share with you today a reminder that “Thanksgiving” isn’t just a day, but an attitude of the heart!  We don’t just thank God once a year at our house, but we praise HIM each and every day—throughout the day!  My heart overflows with gratitude to God for my salvation—that Jesus loves you/me so much that HE came to earth, took on human flesh and blood, lived a sinless life, not just to be an example but to BE the “Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world”; HE took away that sin at Calvary for every man, woman, boy and girl who will come to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice!  HE is THE “way…truth…and life”, the only way to God The Father!

“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

How can we not praise HIM for that gift, that love, that faithful promise to walk with us every moment of every day!  I’m grateful for that continually, not just one day a year.  If you know Jesus, won’t you praise and thank HIM today and every day that HE gives us?  If you don’t know HIM, you can know HIM, He came to die for YOU!

“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

Jesus is worthy of our praise and gratitude!  So let’s work on our “attitude of gratitude”; for we can be “humbly grateful or grumbly hateful”!  The choice is yours but choose wisely, there is a test!!!

Let’s join the Psalmist in our praise and thanksgiving today and every day throughout the year!

“O LORD,

truly I am thy servant;

I am thy servant,

and the son of thine handmaid:

thou hast loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to thee

the sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and will call upon

the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD

now

in the presence of all his people,

19 In the courts of the LORD’S house,

in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.

Praise ye the LORD.”  Psalm 116:16-19

And as you praise God, remember to pray for the “peace of Jerusalem”, for her redemption “draweth nigh”!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

they shall prosper that love thee.”  Psalm 122:6

Amen and Amen!!!

Thanksgiving Blessings!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #156

20 Monday Nov 2023

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Choose Gratitude and show it!, Choose you this day?, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Gratitude to Generosity, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Thankful, Thankfulness with joy!, Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving Blessings!!!  A Word from THE WORD!!! #156

“O come,

let us sing

unto the LORD:

let us make a joyful noise

to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come

before his presence with thanksgiving,

and make a joyful noise

unto him with psalms.

3 For the LORD is a great God,

and a great King

above all gods.”  Psalm 95:1-3

 I pray that your time of Thanksgiving will include the greatest gift of all, the love of God toward us in sending HIS SON, Jesus to be our redeemer, savior, and LORD!  May God’s blessings rest upon you and yours as you take time to express your thanks in various ways.

May I just offer a few reminders of some things that could make your Thanksgiving special:

Share with someone in need out of your bounty (whether your bounty great or small

Call a friend or relative and tell them how thankful you are that God placed them in your life—

Hug your loved ones one more time, you never know when it might be the last hug—

Do something special for your spouse that doesn’t cost money, their favorite dessert, an unexpected massage, a surprise trip to see the sights or visit a friend—

Offer to help an elderly neighbor with their decorations—

Call or write someone who was a blessing to you or for some almost forgotten long ago kindness, you could make their day—

Tell your parents, children, friends and loved ones near and far that you love them, and then LOVE THEM—

Gratitude and kindness are contagious, spread them around!!!

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful

unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all generations.”  Psalm 100:1-5

May you have a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving season with family and friends.  God bless you with joy and laughter!

Amen and Amen!!!

The Blessed Gift Of Tears??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #155

16 Thursday Nov 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Tears, Testing and Trials?, They that sow in tears...., Weeping Tears.

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The Blessed Gift Of Tears??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #155

I know this may seem like a strange subject in considering being thankful and grateful to our God, but for many it will hit a note of familiarity, for tears truly are a language that God understands; for HE made us with the ability to cry, and I praise HIM for it.  Yet often we suppress the natural gift of tears, we don’t want to have a ‘blubbery face’ showing in public; we don’t want people to know how we really feel; we don’t want others to know how badly we are hurting; and reasons that we don’t have time to list.  I have long had a problem with ‘tears’ but not in the sense you might think, I didn’t have any grandmothers growing up, for they both died before I was born, and I only had one grandfather still living, but he lived way out in the swamps on a bayou in Louisiana, and we didn’t see him very often for my dad was in the Navy and we moved a lot.  But when I was in about the 4th grade we were living in Mobile, AL (which I still call home) my mother heard that her dad was not well and she made a trip to see him and brought him home with her to live with us—and that was a precious time for we children, as we had never had a grandparent involved in our lives.  He was funny and told us stories, he sassed my mother (which amazed us, for we sure dared not!), and was just a blessing to us.  Well, he died after only a few short months with us, and we traveled back to Louisiana for his funeral and burial in the family cemetery there.

At the funeral, I was stricken with sorrow and started to cry but I had no hankey or tissues and didn’t want to embarrass myself with that ‘blubbery face’, so I learned my first lesson in “stuffing” it; and it’s a lesson that showed back up throughout my life.  But we must understand that God gave us tears as an outlet, a cleanser for the soul, if you would; a mechanism to relieve our grief, fear, sorrow, anger, joy, and frustration—an ‘all-in-one’ safety trigger.  But of course we intelligent humans do our best to short-circuit God’s goodness, and this is just another one of those foolish attempts to be “smarter than The Creator”! God gave us tears to bless us, to relieve some of our suffering and the results of being ‘fallen man’!  Let’s consider some things that scripture reveals about tears, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll learn to appreciate them more, and use them wisely!

“Thou tellest my wanderings:

put thou my tears into thy bottle:

are they not in thy book?

9 When I cry unto thee,

then shall mine enemies turn back:

this I know;

for God is for me.

10 In God

will I praise his word:

in the LORD

will I praise his word.

11 In God

have I put my trust:

I will not be afraid

what man can do unto me.”  Psalm 56:8-11

Oh, to remember the goodness and faithfulness of our God.  Job in the midst of some of the greatest trials ever, kept declaring his faith in God—despite the questionable help of his “friends”!

“Also now, behold,

my witness is in heaven,

and my record is on high.

20 My friends scorn me:

but mine eye poureth out tears

unto God.”  Job 16:19-20

Sometimes our tears come on the behalf of others—those who are in trouble, in deep need of God’s help—when we can do little else but pray and weep!  God hears, sees, and knows!

“They that sow in tears

shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth,

bearing precious seed,

shall doubtless come again

with rejoicing,

bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5-6                   (Sheaves being the harvest of the labor of tears!)

One of my favorite books of The Bible is the book of Jeremiah—the ‘weeping prophet’!  Why the weeping prophet?  For a lot of reasons, but mainly because he loved his people, and while he faithfully proclaimed God’s warning of coming judgment if they would not repent (much like where we are today, perhaps?) and the response was at the most, negligible, and came with ridicule, torture, pain, and a grief that we can barely understand.  Yet, God promised Jeremiah that there would be relief—a relief that he wouldn’t live to see, but a relief and restoration of Israel that would come.  May we be found as willing and faithful as Jeremiah to proclaim truth even when it brings tears, grief, heartache, or ridicule!  God IS faithful and HE knows your pain, your heartache, your sorrow for the sin of our nation, the tears that we shed in prayer for HIS provision, and revival!  So, my friends “weary not in well doing”, but press on faithfully and let those tears flow when they need to—don’t suppress the feelings that God has given you!  HE IS coming to redeem HIS own, and HE will wipe away the tears that we shed before HIM!

“Thus saith the LORD;

Refrain thy voice from weeping,

and thine eyes from tears:

for thy work shall be rewarded,

saith the LORD;

and they shall come again

from the land of the enemy.

17 And there is hope in thine end,

saith the LORD,

that thy children shall come again

to their own border.”  Jeremiah 31:16-17

Amen and Amen!!!