Author Archives: Blanche

What’s In My Hand??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #449

11 Monday May 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Dare To Be Different!, God's Faithfulness, God's glory NOT mine!, God's got you and me!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's measure isn't ours, God's provision, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Instruction, Godly Wisdom, Rock-It Science, Running The Race!, Salvation

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What’s In My Hand???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #449

I’ve been reading about David this week, and I couldn’t help but think about myself; we all face giants, but what do we have in our hand?  We can be like David and pick up the tool that he was familiar with—a simple sling—or we can try to come up with elaborate defenses and devices to face our problems, or we can be like David, who refused the professional armor of the king and trusted to his God instead!

“And he took his staff in his hand,

and chose him five smooth stones

out of the brook,

and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had,

even in a scrip;

and his sling was in his hand:

and he drew near to the Philistine.

41 And the Philistine came on

and drew near unto David;

and the man that bare the shield

went before him.

42 And when the Philistine looked about,

and saw David,

he disdained him:

for he was but a youth, and ruddy,

and of a fair countenance.

43 And the Philistine said unto David,

Am I a dog,

that thou comest to me with staves?

And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44 And the Philistine said to David,

Come to me,

and I will give thy flesh

unto the fowls of the air,

and to the beasts of the field.

45 Then said David to the Philistine,

Thou comest to me

with a sword,

and with a spear,

and with a shield:

but I come to thee

in the name of the LORD of hosts,

 the God of the armies of Israel,

whom thou hast defied.

46 This day will the LORD deliver thee

into mine hand;

and I will smite thee,

and take thine head from thee;

and I will give the carcases

of the host of the Philistines this day

unto the fowls of the air,

and to the wild beasts

of the earth;

that all the earth may know

that there is a God in Israel.

47 And all this assembly shall know

that the LORD saveth

not with sword and spear:

for the battle is the LORD’S,

and he will give you into our hands.”  1 Samuel 17:40-47

Oh that we could learn to remember that “the battle is the LORD’S”; that our Father is The totally sovereign Lord God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ who paid the debt for our sin and is working all things to the good of those who are His own, who are the blood bought, born again children of God.

“…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”.Portions of Romans 8:28-29

Will we be like David and leave the victory to The Lord!  It’s so hard sometimes to trust God in the dark, to let God conform us into “the image of his Son” by whatever means HE sees fit.  David went in faith; he used the weapon that God had taught him to use and had blessed in the past.  He didn’t trust to his own wisdom, but in the value and power “in the name of the LORD of hosts”!  He didn’t trust in the king’s armor, but in his Lord God of hosts!  What are you trying to use in your own defense—intelligence, power, position, consorts, or even using the “name of the LORD of hosts” without knowing HIM!  We must have a close and intimate relationship with God, and that only comes with the new birth, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is imparted by Jesus to everyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our personal sin!  Just claiming His name isn’t enough, we must belong to Him by being born again (See John 3:6-19)!  What stones do you have in your hand?  Rocks of offense, or stones of trust in the Savior to guide your/our every step? Jesus makes it clear that it’s our choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  Will you accept His invitation or reject the only hope of salvation and heaven!

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,

thou that killest the prophets,

and stonest them which are sent unto thee,

how often would I have gathered

thy children together,

even as a hen gathereth her chickens

under her wings,

and ye would not!

38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew 23:37-38

And His invitation is still open—but it won’t always be!

“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.

21 To him that overcometh

will I grant to sit with me in my throne,

even as I also overcame,

and am set down with my Father

in his throne.

22 He that hath an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit saith…” Revelation 3:20-22

What’s in your hand?  Self?  Ambition? Greed? Popularity? Or the Gospel, for yourself and as you are born again, to share with the world God places before you?  What’s your Goliath?  Will you give it all to Jesus or go your own way?  I pray that you will join me and Job, in proclaiming our total dependence on God, even when we don’t understand—still will I trust HIM even in the pain, sorrow and uncertainty!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

for an hypocrite

shall not come before him.” Job 13:15-16

And in closing Jesus’ own words; you decide!

“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 7:21-23

And one final word from Job—Is Jesus our rock? Our sustenance? My necessary food –the Words of life?

“Neither have I gone back

from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words of his mouth

more than my necessary food.”  Job 23:12

Amen and Amen!!!

Choices Matter??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #448

07 Thursday May 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Choices And Consequences, Choose Gratitude and show it!, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love

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Choices Matter???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #448

“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.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”  Galatians 6:7-10

While verse 7 is familiar to most people, we often miss the context that follows; there is a marked connection between the flesh and its consequences, as well as between the Spirit and our life everlasting in Jesus.  When our life is marked by a continual sowing to and feeding of the flesh, we ought not be surprised when our consequences lead, as Jesus said on numerous occasions, to destruction (of one sort or another).

By the same token, a life lived in “the Spirit” will lead us to blessings beyond measure, a life of blessedness in the Spirit!  Paul doesn’t stop there; he goes on to remind us that this life of living in the Spirit will call for a perseverance in our  daily walk with Jesus.  It’s not a walk in the park, but it will be a walk of success when we “faint not”!   It doesn’t stop there, we are to exercise goodness toward “all men”, especially to them of the “household of faith”!  Our lives are to be marked by compassion and selflessness; unlike the world around us so focused on greed and self!

Paul talked to the Corinthian believers about generosity, and I want us to consider what marks our lives; greed or generosity?

“But this I say,

He which soweth sparingly

shall reap also sparingly;

and he which soweth bountifully

shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth

in his heart,

so let him give;

not grudgingly,

or of necessity:

for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace

abound toward you;

that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,

may abound to every good work:

9 (As it is written,

He hath dispersed abroad;

he hath given to the poor:

his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower

both minister bread for your food,

 and multiply your seed sown,

and increase the fruits

of your righteousness😉

11 Being enriched in every thing

to all bountifulness,

which causeth through us

thanksgiving to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Generosity doesn’t mean just giving randomly, it does mean having a heart willing to share as we have opportunity to help others.  It means when we see a need that we can legitimately meet, we are to ask God if that is a place for us to render service. As Paul says above, we are to remember that “having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work…”!  We are to have a heart attuned to God and He will direct our steps and our actions; we are to cause others to have cause to give glory to God—never for our own glory or credit.  And that can be difficult in this “attention focused” culture; it seems everyone wants recognition for every little thing—the I deserve a trophy mentality!  I simply want to please my Lord, and for me, that means, as often as possible, doing things anonymously!

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men,

to be seen of them:

otherwise ye have no reward

of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms,

do not sound a trumpet before thee,

as the hypocrites do

in the synagogues

and in the streets,

that they may have glory of men.

Verily I say unto you,

They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms,

let not thy left hand

know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret:

and thy Father

which seeth in secret himself

shall reward thee openly.”  Matthew 6:1-4

Jesus calls us to live differently than the world (even the world within the church—for just saying so doesn’t make it so), especially when we talk about giving!  Our choices do matter—whether it’s our morals, our compassion, or our resources; we are called to put others before ourselves; and Paul has a lot to say about this, so I want us to consider a couple of passages from Paul which remind us  that our lives are to be evidence of the transforming power of Jesus Christ through His sacrifice for our salvation, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of every genuine believer!

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger,

and clamour, and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ’s sake

    hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:29-32

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;

but in lowliness of mind

let each esteem other

better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things,

but every man also on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:”   Philippians 2:3-5

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test. May Jesus be seen in our lives, our work, and our care for others!

His coming is near!!!

Is Your Truth True??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #447

02 Saturday May 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, All things that pertain to life and godliness, Almost But Lost, The Cross or the world?, The Gospel, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Word, Though HE slay me--still will I trust HIM, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Words Matter, Worldliness

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Is Your Truth True???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #447

 

“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 14:5-6

Thomas asked how to get to the place which Jesus declared that He was preparing.  Jesus answered with the most concise and enlightening declaration of truth in practically all of scripture.  I want to call each of us to examine what we are choosing to claim as truth.  We hear so much on every hand that truth is left up to each person’s creation!  That is just not true.  Jesus wrestled with the lack of understanding with the very people that God had chosen for His own; yet they had come up with their own version of truth—the main reason that they failed to recognize their Messiah, and that Jesus was that One and only “Way” to The Father, salvation and heaven!  What have you chosen, in fact what are you choosing this very day—in reality what you are choosing each and every day!  Jesus made even more declarations about truth.

“I have many things to say and to judge of you:

but he that sent me is true;

and I speak to the world those things

which I have heard of him.

27 They understood not

that he spake to them of the Father.

28 Then said Jesus unto them,

When ye have lifted up the Son of man,

then shall ye know that I am he,

and that I do nothing of myself;

but as my Father hath taught me,

I speak these things.

29 And he that sent me

is with me:

the Father hath not left me alone;

for I do always

those things that please him.

30 As he spake these words,

many believed on him.

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews

which believed on him,

If ye continue in my word,

then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth

shall make you free.”   John 8:26-32

Jesus proclaimed Himself to be of The One who “sent” Him, and that He did all that pleased the Father.  Oh how replete with truth the Gospel of John is!  Jesus told the Pharisee Nicodemus the truth of the love of God—Jesus IS the love of God and His truth!  And before we look at that great passage in John 3, let’s look at some clear revelations of what God expects of us and Jesus (as The Son of God) as well.)

“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.”  John 8:42

Jesus came from God!  He is God!  And His Word IS truth!

“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

And Jesus proclamation of truth in John 3, He came to be lifted up—to die—that we might live by His sacrifice!

“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.”  John 3:14-19

Jesus IS God—the same God that was “In the beginning…” of Genesis 1!  The creator, the redeemer and savior of all who will come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith and trust in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!  Jesus also made it clear that when we are born again into Him, we are to share the love that we have received from HIM!  And while it’s kind of popular today to talk about “love like Jesus”, I don’t see much love that is born again to the same kind of love that Jesus expressed—truth, even when it was not received; courage, doing what God has called us to, regardless of the response of the world; grace without perversion (especially perversion of God’s Word to accommodate the world around us—making Christianity palatable is totally not biblical…); holiness—letting the righteousness of God shine through us as Paul calls us to.

“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

Is the righteousness and holiness of Jesus seen in you—or are you claiming the name of Jesus without ever receiving His holiness and righteousness as Paul describes above? Have you been made a new creature in Christ, or have you just tagged His name onto your lifestyle, goals and worldliness?  Jesus spoke truth to the crowds in Israel, and it still stands fast today; not a popular message but truth!!!  And Jesus IS truth.  What truth are you counting on?  Jesus and His Word, or your own version of truth—a supposed truth that makes whatever is popular ok—as it is said, “If it feels good, just do it.”  Let’s measure that against what Jesus actually said. (A lengthy passage but a necessary one.)

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 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 7:13-23

What will Jesus say to you, enter in? Or depart from me? It’s your call but choose wisely there is a test! Jesus knows those who are His!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his. And,

Let every one that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timothy 2:19

Amen and Amen!!!

Faith Or Presumption??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #446

27 Monday Apr 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, JESUS, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Saves, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus--our all in all

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Faith Or Presumption???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #446

Faith can be a called a crutch, or it can be a sure and certain thing, when it’s placed in Jesus Christ and Him alone.  My faith is confidently placed in the surety of what Jesus did at Calvary! It’s the Gospel at its core; the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin…”. Paul said it most concisely in 1 Corinthians 15, and his evidence is clearly stated in the phrase, “according to the scripture”; meaning that everything about Jesus isn’t just a whim, but it is cemented in scripture from Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 3:15 where God promised the “seed” that would crush the serpent’s head but would only have HIS heel bruised, and His victory revealed from the resurrection through the Revelation—which is all about JESUS.  Genesis is the very first promise of the Messiah who would redeem us from our sin; which is what our faith must be rooted and grounded in.

Presumption, on the other hand, is our telling God what our plan is, making our own way, rather than believing what Jesus said!

“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

And as we are clearly told in the book of Acts.

“This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”   Acts 4:11-12

No other way!  It’s not just saying His name!  It’s not just doing good works!  It’s not about what “I” can do, what I can say, or any religious activity or set of rules or confidence in anything men may tell us to do.  Nor is it simply “saying” the name of Jesus like a magic talisman!  IT IS in the person of the sinless, holy Son of God, Jesus, who was born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life in this human flesh, and who willingly, lovingly gave Himself up as the only perfect sacrifice for sin.  So I must see myself as a sinner and come before a holy God in humble recognition of my sin, repenting of going my own way, and asking for God’s forgiveness that is only available through Jesus’ blood.

“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

It’s all about Jesus, my friends, not me!  I can’t be good enough to gain heaven apart from repentance of my sin and confidence and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary!  (No earthly priesthood could fully atone for sin—for there was never a perfect sacrifice, or one who could live forever or give eternal life—until Jesus Christ The Lord came to be the ultimate sacrifice for all who will come to Him believing in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours—which Jesus became on the cross, because He loves us!)

“And they truly were many priests,

because they were not suffered to continue

by reason of death:

24 But this man,

because he continueth ever,

hath an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Wherefore he is able also

to save them to the uttermost

that come unto God by him,

seeing he ever liveth

to make intercession for them.”                   Hebrews 7:23-25

He was, is and always will be God, yet He set aside His glory (not forsaking it, but taking on human flesh, He laid aside His glory to go to Calvary for all who will believe!) to walk this earth in, with and for the sake of mankind!  I can’t pay for my own sin apart from hell, but Jesus has paid the price to all who will come to Him, for He is the God-Man Savior!

“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.

7 Remember them which have the rule over you,

who have spoken unto you the word of God:

whose faith follow,

considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:5-8

Who are you following, the feel-good gospel, or the Gospel of the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord?  Have you received the truth as your own, and bowed before King Jesus in repentance and faith?  Or are you going your own way?  Jesus is calling, will you open the door?  Two proclamations of Jesus—the cost and the invitation.

“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?” Matthew 16:24-26

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Trusting To Sight Alone??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #445

25 Saturday Apr 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God, This is the Way, Though HE slay me--still will I trust HIM, Though your sins be as scarlet-they shall be white as snow., Trials, Tried by FIRE!, True Knowledge, Trust, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Try yourselves, Tuned In To Jesus, Turn to God's Word, Unexpected Interruptions

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Trusting To Sight Alone???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #445

There’s an old adage that said, “I’ll have to see it to believe it!”  While we’ve probably all said it at one time or another, it is 180 degrees opposite of biblical faith and God’s Word!  I am amazed at all that goes on in our so-called Christian culture with little to no regard for what God has clearly said in His Word.  I simply want to encourage us to consider what it really means to trust God in our daily walk, and I’ll start with one of my favorite passages.  I want us to simply walk through what the scripture actually gives us as a guide for living—not just life, but the living of it—for The Lord; are we ready to heed His Word?

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

 8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.

9 Honour the LORD

with thy substance,

and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled

with plenty,

and thy presses shall burst out

with new wine.

11 My son,

despise not

the chastening of the LORD;

neither be weary

of his correction:” Proverbs 3:5-11

I find it interesting that many of us know verses 5-6 by heart, but we have often left that which follows untouched!  Do you see what God is telling us?  Yes, we are to trust GOD—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—with all our heart; and then God goes on to tell us that we are to “lean not” to our own understanding, abilities, strengths, intuitions, human reasoning, and the justifications of our culture claiming that wrong is right and vice-versa!  Isaiah warned us long ago of the danger of heeding wrong advice!  Isaiah warned of the very thing that we are watching take place in our culture.  Our job is to stand fast in “evil day”; and friends we are there!

“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

James warned a group of early believers that our lives ought to reflect God’s nature, the redeemed life, a sanctified life of virtue, character and holiness. Somewhere down the line we have chosen an “easy believism” that neglects repentance, regeneration and a changed life.  We are to keep our eyes on Jesus, The prize, and not the culture around us, no matter whom we fear might be ‘hurt’ by our proclamation of the Truth—Jesus!  Remember, the very proclamation of the truth of Who He was, is and ever shall be, cost Him His life, which He laid down willingly for my sin and yours!  What price are you and I unwilling to pay to proclaim God’s truth?  Let’s consider what James had to say, and I know this is a lengthy passage, but one which I pray will call us to account before our God and our Lord Jesus!

“For every kind of beasts, and of birds,

and of serpents, and of things in the sea,

is tamed,

and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God,

even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after

the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth

proceedeth blessing and cursing.

My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain

send forth at the same place

sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain

both yield salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation

his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife

in your hearts,

glory not,

and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above,

but is earthly,

sensual,

devilish.”  James 3:7-15

As I am often wont to say, “Saying so doesn’t make it so?”  What does my/your life style say? Our speech?  Our treatment of others?  Our generosity, or the lack thereof?  Paul gives us a very clear picture of living a life of faithful obedience or a life devoted to the world. (And just FYI, James isn’t saying that our tongue can’t be tamed; he is saying that no “man” can tame the tongue—only a redeemed heart can affect a man’s speech).  Jesus said it not me.

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things

which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:” Matthew 15:17-19

Let us also consider today (I hope to address this again soon), Paul’s great picture of the contrast between the fleshly life and a holy life—lived in the power of Jesus through the work of His Holy Spirit. It’s your call, but judge wisely according to God’s Word not the world’s standard!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary the one to the other:

 so that ye cannot do

the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,  

which are these;

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,

lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry,

witchcraft, hatred, variance,

emulations,

wrath, strife, seditions,

 heresies, 21 Envyings, murders,

drunkenness, revellings, and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,

faith, 23 Meekness, temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”Galatians 5:16-25

I know that these are heavy things, but they are things that I truly believe we need to be reminded of.  As some of you know, I lost my husband 2 months ago and wound up in the hospital and rehab for a month shortly after his death.  It was a trying time, but my confidence was, has been and still is in the power, goodness and sovereign care of my Jesus!  No, it hasn’t been fun, nor has it been easy, but as Job said so long ago, “…though He slay me, still will I trust Him…” Job 13:15. And in closing I want us to consider another statement from some who trusted God out of the fire and in it!  Where’s your trust?

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee

in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.”  Daniel 3:16-18

Will you choose to stand with Jesus, or buckle under the threat of fire?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test—and I think it may be coming very soon.  I’m praying for you.  As an old song said…” …they wouldn’t bend…they wouldn’t bow…they wouldn’t burn…” (from the song, The Fourth Man in the Fire, by Arthur Smith…), I pray that we will be found as faithful as they were, for they knew their God and His Word!  How about you and me?  I pray that God will find me faithful!

Amen and Amen!!!