Monthly Archives: December 2023

Your Momma Ain’t Enough??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #171

31 Sunday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Come to Jesus, Eternal Consequences, Eternal Plan of God, Every Knee Shall Bow, Holy Spirit, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Samuel & Eli, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, SIN, Sin IS the issue, There IS a Test!, Whose Sheep are You?, Whose Side Are You On?, You can't get yesterday back!, Your Day?, Your Momma Ain't Enough

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Your Momma Ain’t Enough???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #171

I have a rather brief, but important word for the New Year, as we bid 2023 farewell, adieu, good-bye; but for sure we can’t say “see you later”!  That which is passed will be the past at midnight tonight, so to speak; what have you done with this year?  What will you do with the next 366 (it’s leap year) days?  But even more important than that question is this one, “What have you done with, for and through Jesus in 2023?”  Do you even know HIM?  Have you come to Jesus in repentance of your sin, and trusting in/believing in HIS payment for your sin and mine on that cross at Calvary?

Has your faith been put in Jesus in humble turning from your sin to receive HIS righteousness?  It’s all that matters in the end.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 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 5:17-21

Jesus paid the price for sin, by taking on all sin, for HE had no sin, yet HE died for my sin and yours, that we might receive HIS righteousness and be able to stand before HOLY GOD ALMIGHTY!  But please hear me, it’s YOUR choice—you must decide, and your decision will set your eternal destiny—heaven with Jesus, or hell without HIM!  It’s your choice—your mother or father can’t save you; grandma/grandpa can’t save you, your preacher, your best friend, your spouse (no matter how much they love you) can never come to Jesus for YOU!  So, I beseech you to come to Jesus today, while there is still a today!  Come to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin. Bow before HIM today while He’s still calling you to grace and not judgment!  You’ll face one or the other!  You make the choice, but the consequence has already been set. (See Revelation 20:11-15)

“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.”  John 3:16-19

If you hear HIS voice calling you, don’t turn HIM away, but heed the Holy Spirit’s work in your heart.  You’re the only one who can!

“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 1:12-13

 Please come to Jesus—make 2024 your New Life New Year.  I’m praying that you will hear Jesus today, whether He is calling you to salvation or restoration from a stumbling.  HE loves 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

Catch you next year, Lord willing!!!

 Amen and Amen!!!

Hail And Farewell Challenge??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #170

29 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Living In My Season, Living TODAY!, Press ON!, Pursuing Excellence?, TODAY, Today and Forever, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow

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Hail And Farewell Challenge???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #170

 

My father was a Navy veteran and my “little” brother (he’ll appreciate that, even though he prefers to use the term “younger” brother, for he is younger than me, and always will be…ha ha ha) was in the Army, as well as my brother-in-law, a Vietnam veteran.  So you can see the military has always been a big part of our family; and in the military, when there is a change of command there is a “Hail and Farewell” ceremony of some sort, to bid ‘farewell’ to the departing leader, and ‘hail’ (welcome and salute) to the incoming leader.  As we approach the New Year, we here at our house bid you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Well, you may be saying, Christmas is past, and New Year’s not here; but that’s the point I want us to see and understand, that we who are followers of JESUS celebrate Him and His arrival every day of the year!  I do!  How about you?  What do I mean?  I mean we are called to say farewell to the past failures and even our successes—for they are of yesterday, and we are called to live in the “today”.  Jesus said it Himself when He told us how we ought to pray, and part of that prayer says clearly, “Give us this day….”; but I think sometimes we are so focused on “bread” that we seem to forget that God is talking about life as well as “bread”!  We are to live and focus on today, and let the past be just that— “Passed” (memories to cherish but just that—memories!)!

Paul gives an amazing picture of this in his letter to the Philippians, and I’ll simply let Paul speak this truth!  I pray that each of you have an amazing day today…and today…and today into and through the New Year.  May you lay your regrets, sorrows, confusions, hurt feelings, successes, and whatever else may be a lingering hindrance to living “today” for Jesus.  We have an amazing Lord and Savior who is totally sufficient to meet our every need—whether it’s a ‘hail’ or a ‘farewell’!  Today is a gift given by God to you and me, let’s commit to use each day ‘today’, leaving our regrets before the ‘throne of grace’ (See Hebrews 4:15-16) and our successes at Jesus feet.  God has promised that HE is ever at work conforming His own “into the image of His son” (See Romans 8:28-29), and I’m convinced that God always does good work, even (if not especially) when we mess up, HE said HE would, and HE has proven Himself faithful in my life, and the lives of so many.  Look up my friends, not around at a lost and dying world who needs Jesus, but up to your Father and His Son Jesus who is ever interceding for us to be HIS hands and feet to those lost and dying around us.

“Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather, that is risen again,

 who is even at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession

for us.”  Romans 8:34

So, let’s march confidently into each day—now and into the New Year (so called, for they’ve been coming and going since God set creation in place!  But that’s a study for another time!)!  Here’s Paul’s admonition and encouragement for each of us, “press on”!

“Yea doubtless,

and I count all things but loss

for the excellency of the knowledge

of Christ Jesus my Lord:

for whom I have suffered the loss

of all things,

and do count them but dung,

that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness,

which is of the law,

but that which is through

the faith of Christ,

the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him,

and the power of his resurrection,

and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable unto his death; …

13 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.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, (mature)

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.”  Portions of Philippians 3:8-16

And if I might borrow Paul’s words of conclusion to this part of his call to the Philippian believers, may we be found faithfully standing “fast in the Lord”!  The prayer of my heart is that Jesus will find us so standing when He comes for us or when we go to HIM!  Ready or not here HE comes!

“Therefore,

my brethren dearly beloved

and longed for,

my joy and crown,

so stand fast in the Lord,

my dearly beloved.”  Philippians 4:1

May the blessings of God rain down on you, and your eyes, heart and mind be open to receive them, praising God for them all!

Amen and Amen!!!

Is This Your New Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #169

27 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Are you ready?, HOPE, Hunger for righteousness, Hungry for The Word, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin

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Is This Your New Day???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #169

A bit of a different post for today as we think of The Lord Jesus, whose birth we have just celebrated—not just the babe in the manger but the crucified Lord, “The Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world…”! It’s all about the work that Jesus came to do, and that was laid out by the angel who appeared to Joseph and encouraged him in the dilemma that was facing he and Mary:

“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.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep

did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him,

and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not

till she had brought forth her firstborn son:

and he called his name JESUS.”   Matthew 1:21-25

May we never forget the truth of Jesus’ birth, but also may we ever remember that HE was born to die for my sin and yours!  OH, thank you Jesus for coming to live in human flesh, among sinners like me, knowing that we would put you to death!  Yet, it brings me joy and gratitude that you love us that much!  That when Satan thought he had won at your last breath on the cross YOU brought an earth-shattering victory over sin, death, and hell when you rose up out of that tomb!  Our living LORD!  Thank You, thank You, thank You!!!  It’s why I tell people that I celebrate Christmas all year round—for you are my Savior, Lord, and Redeemer every day since I fell on my face before YOU and asked YOU to save this sinful soul that I had tried so unsuccessfully to save my own way!  And praise God, YOU saved me!  There just aren’t enough words to express my gratitude and love to you!

I pray that you know this Jesus as your Lord and Savior, not just as the babe in a manger.  If you don’t, you can know Him by coming to HIM in repentance of your sin (making a 180 degree turn from your way to God’s way!) and putting your faith and trust (the same thing, and while a bit redundant, sometimes the clarification is necessary) in Jesus’ substitutionary (in your place), atoning (satisfying God’s demands for payment for sin) sacrifice (Jesus died so I didn’t have to die in hell for all eternity) for sin!  To see Jesus’ own words about being born again please read John 3:1-19, it’s plain and clear for all who will receive it.

Paul wrote a great word of encouragement to the Corinthian believers which I think might give us a good start to the New Year and each day.  Oh, the joy of what God has done for us at the cross, but also each day in the complete work of atonement and new birth, we are new creatures IN JESUS!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new…

 21 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 5:17 & 21

I want us to spend the rest of our time perusing another of Paul’s words of hope and encouragement.  I pray that you will join me in setting this as a challenge for the New Year; to live with Jesus more in mind each day.  And while this is a lengthy passage, it is one of import to our spiritual maturity.  Thanks for joining me!

“For God,

who commanded the light to shine

out of darkness,

hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light of the knowledge

of the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

that the excellency of the power may be of God,

and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side,

yet not distressed;

we are perplexed,

but not in despair;

9 Persecuted,

but not forsaken;

cast down,

but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body

the dying of the Lord Jesus,

that the life also of Jesus

might be made manifest in our body.

11 For we which live

are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake,

that the life also of Jesus

might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12 So then death worketh in us,

but life in you.

13 We having the same spirit of faith,

according as it is written,

I believed,

and therefore have I spoken;

we also believe,

and therefore speak;

14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus

shall raise up us also by Jesus,

and shall present us with you.

15 For all things are for your sakes,

that the abundant grace

might through the thanksgiving of many

redound to the glory of God.

16 For which cause we faint not;

but though our outward man perish,

yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction,

which is but for a moment,

worketh for us

a far more exceeding

and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen,

but at the things which are not seen:

for the things which are seen

are temporal;

but the things which are not seen

are eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:6-18

May Jesus Christ be praised in our life, our joy, our suffering, our wondering—finding our hope and answers in The Answer, JESUS!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”   Romans 11:36

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.”  Revelation 5:9-10

Amen and Amen!!!

Who IS Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #168

22 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings

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Who IS Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #168

As we go into this weekend of celebrations for the Christ Child-The Redeemer of man, The God-Man Savior, I thought it would be a good time to rehearse (or to acquaint you with) the scriptural names, and descriptions regarding Jesus.  I pray that it will encourage you to look to Jesus, and to dig into The Word to get to know Him better—both who HE IS and what HE came to BE and DO!  I’ll make very little commentary; I just want to let The Word speak to each of us during this season!  Blessings on you and yours as you seek not only the ‘babe in the manger’ but the ‘crucified ONE’ who is coming again soon!

“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…

….14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”   John 1:1-4 & 14

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners

spake in time past unto the fathers

 by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days

spoken unto us by his Son,

whom he hath appointed heir of all things,

by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory,

and the express image of his person,

and upholding all things by the word of his power,

when he had by himself purged our sins,

sat down on the right hand

of the Majesty on high;

4 Being made so much better

than the angels,

as he hath by inheritance obtained

a more excellent name than they.”  Hebrews 1:1-4

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

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life for the sheep.”   John 10:14-15

“For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:

and the government

shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David,

and upon his kingdom,

to order it,

and to establish it

with judgment

and with justice from henceforth

even for ever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”   Isaiah 9:6-7

And in closing, a reminder that Jesus IS coming again—and HE won’t be hidden in a barn this time.

“And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests

unto God and his Father;

to him be glory and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  Revelation 1:5-6

“And I saw heaven opened,

and behold a white horse;

and he that sat upon him

was called Faithful and True,

and in righteousness

he doth judge

and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire,

and on his head were many crowns;

and he had a name written,

that no man knew,

but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:

and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven

followed him upon white horses,

clothed in fine linen,

white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword,

that with it he should smite the nations:

and he shall rule them

with a rod of iron:

and he treadeth the winepress

of the fierceness

and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh

a name written,

KING OF KINGS,

AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:11-16

I pray that you know this King of Kings, and look to HIM in all things, not just at Christmas time, but every moment of every day!  May you have a blessed and Merry Christmas!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Word–Part 2??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #167

20 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, Baby in the manger, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choices And Consequences, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Come To Worship HIM, Every Knee Shall Bow, God's Glory, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Keeping our eyes on JESUS!, Love, Seasonal or Steadfast?, Sin IS the issue, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, Worship Him!, YOU Can do ALL things through Jesus, You can overcome

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A Christmas Word–Part 2???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #167

Christmas is ‘A Promise Fulfilled’, but even more it’s a continuing promise that Jesus is coming again!  He came to redeem all who will believe in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin, and He will call His own to Himself, let Satan loose on planet earth (so to speak) for a time (a specific time, but that’s a subject for another time) and then HE will set foot back on planet earth to rule and reign here on earth!  And when HE comes again it won’t be as a baby placed in a manger—it will be as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and all will bow!

“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.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:5-11

Jesus, this tiny baby we picture in that lowly manger, is coming again in glory; and whether you believe it or not, whether you believe in HIM or not, whether you are ready or not, HE is coming and YOU, my friend will bow—no matter how resistant you are to Jesus now, no matter how stiff-necked, no matter how much you say ‘tomorrow’, no matter what else you are counting on—if you haven’t come to Jesus, the crucified Lamb of God “who taketh away the sin of the world” then you will be bowing before your judge not your Redeemer!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Isaiah promised a baby would come, but he also proclaimed HIS Kingship.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;

Behold, a virgin shall conceive,

and bear a son,

and shall call his name Immanuel.”   Isaiah 7:14

“For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase

of his government

and peace

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David,

and upon his kingdom,

to order it,

and to establish it

with judgment

and with justice

from henceforth even for ever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts

will perform this.”  Isaiah 9:6-7

Matthew proclaimed that Jesus was this baby, as the angel came and declared it to Joseph!  This baby will be King!

“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

And my dear friend “God” IS with us—was, is, and ever shall be!  Jesus came to save all who will believe and receive HIM in repentance and faith—today!  For Jesus was God, is God, and is coming to display HIS glory, and it won’t be in a stable!  I pray that you will worship the ‘baby’, but don’t leave Him in the manger, come to Him and His cross for the forgiveness of your sin, and HE will forgive, cleanse, save and Redeem you for HIS own!

“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man

in heaven:

and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,

and they shall see the Son of man

coming in the clouds of heaven

with power and great glory.”  Matthew 24:30

Jesus promised to keep us and to come again to receive us unto Himself, won’t you join us?  And if you are already one of HIS own, rejoice in this amazing gift that we remember and celebrate JESUS not only during this time of year, but every moment of every day!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

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

 

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:

if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know,

and the way ye know.

 5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:1-6

Only One Way—Jesus!  Will you come to HIM this Christmas and become a child of the KING?  He’s waiting for you!  Let us who know Him, spread this amazingly, great and Good News!

“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

Have a Happy, Merry, and Joyous Christmas with The King laid in a manger but coming to rule–soon!!!

Amen and Amen!!!