Author Archives: Blanche

Reach Them Today??? Really!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #342

21 Monday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, TODAY, Today and Forever, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?, Touch them while you can?, Train up a child...., Transformed life

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reach Them Today??? Really!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #342

I want us to consider time today—no pun intended—but I do pray that we will realize that we are called to live “today”; we’re not to be consumed with yesterdays over which we have no control, or even overly concerned about tomorrow!  I have a prayer that I wrote several years ago that I try to pray every day—I have it taped to my bathroom mirror (you can do the same) and it helps me remember who is in charge today—and the next today!

       Father—

              Your will for today IS mine—

              Your pleasure for today IS mine—

              Your work for today IS mine—

                      Tomorrow is yours alone to reveal—

                      Yesterday is ours alone—

                             Mine– to release to You–                       

                             Yours– to weave into the image of

Jesus Christ my Lord! 

              Amen and Amen!!!

Jesus reminded us of the importance of praying in the right mindset, and the first few lines of His model prayer tell it all.

“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… ”                             Portions of Matthew 6:9-11a

Today is a gift from God and we are to pursue HIS will and HIS way, and for HIS kingdom to come; if I might interject a thought, we can rightly pray Hallowed be thy name to me—by rightly living His ways before a lost and dying world; we can pray Thy Kingdom come in me—by seeking His face through His Word, and walking in obedience to it; we can pray Thy will be done in me today and each today that HE gives us!  My heart grieves that I fail so much and so often, but I keep getting up each time, and Jesus helps me go forward.  You see my friends as we seek God, we can learn to focus on living today not yesterday or tomorrow.

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

 So what will we do with today?  We can choose to pursue Jesus—or something else.  We can choose to pursue a life of holiness, or we can live our own way.  The thing we often forget is that we may not have tomorrow.  Ever consider that even as Jesus told us to pray with today in mind, we can prepare for the future but don’t be so distracted by it that you miss today.  Children grow up way too fast! Life speeds by with no thought of what we are missing.  Don’t wait too long.  There’s an old hymn that haunts me even today, in the sense that we must, I say we must, realize that we may not have a tomorrow; the song was “O Why Not Tonight?”, by Eliza Holmes, and it pleads for the hearer to choose Jesus today. Have you bowed before Jesus in repentance of your sin, and faith/trust/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice.  If not, why not now?   Caskets come in all sizes!  Are you ready to meet Jesus today?

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold,

now is the accepted time;

behold,

now is the day of salvation.)”.   2 Corinthians 6:2

Even as God said in Genesis:

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

for that he also is flesh…”. Genesis 6:3a

So what am I saying?  I’m saying that we must use today wisely and be ready to make a difference in this wicked world and walk in righteousness, grace, and peace as well as behave discreetly, wisely, modestly, respectfully, rightly and responsibly!  I pray that my life will never shame my Lord Jesus.  How about you, are you measuring your life by scripture or ‘Hellywood’?

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake,

happy are ye:

and be not afraid of their terror,

neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

and be ready always to give an answer

to every man that asketh you

 a reason of the hope that is in you

with meekness and fear:

16 Having a good conscience;

that, whereas they speak evil of you,

as of evildoers,

 they may be ashamed

that falsely accuse

your good conversation in Christ.”                            1 Peter 3:14-16

Oh, may we live for Jesus today; may we be found faithful and as Peter said, “ready always to give an answer”!  And remember God isn’t asking us to have all the answers, but to be equipped with His Word to respond to those who ask, “Why do you live that way?”; but most importantly we are to live a life that reflects our Lord not the world, or why would anyone notice unless there’s a difference!  We are supposed to be different.  Remember Noah, he preached about a flood when no one even knew what rain was; he was found faithful to preach truth to those who wouldn’t listen!  May we be called faithful too!

“And spared not the old world,

but saved Noah

the eighth person,

a preacher of righteousness,

bringing in the flood

upon the world of the ungodly;” 2 Peter 2:5

What’s your life preaching today.  What if this was my last “today”?  Oh, Jesus may we be found faithful “today”!  May others see Jesus in me.  Or we can choose to be like those in Noah’s day and Lot’s day!

“And as it was in the days of Noe,

so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

27 They did eat, they drank,

they married wives, they were given in marriage,

until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

and the flood came,

and destroyed them all.

28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot;

they did eat, they drank,

they bought, they sold,

they planted, they builded;

29 But the same day that Lot went out of

Sodom

it rained fire and brimstone

from heaven,

and destroyed them all.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day

when the Son of man is revealed.”  Luke 17:26-30

What is Jesus saying?  Jesus is telling us clearly that those who lived with no thought of God, no thought that tomorrow held judgement, did nothing to get right with God today!  They lived as if today would never end.  Is your life a reflection of Jesus or the world that is “going to hell in a handbasket”?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is an end to today, and a test.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

 Use your todays wisely.  Judgment is coming.  Will you stand with Jesus today?  He’s coming soon!  Please look up today!  Live so those following you will be drawn to the cross!

Amen and Amen!!!

Have You Been To The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #341

18 Friday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Resurrection, Safe Place, The Blood Of Jesus, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Cross or the world?, The Crucified Life

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have You Been To The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #341

I want to share a few thoughts as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ The Lord; I hope you take some time to consider the price that Jesus paid for the salvation of all who believe and trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.

“Now is the judgment of this world:

now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying

what death he should die.”  John 12:31-33

Jesus was preparing his followers for His impending death, for they were all ready for Him to establish the kingdom—not die!   So often we misunderstand this verse and use it out of its context—Jesus wasn’t talking about “us” lifting Him up to draw people to Him, but that HE would be lifted up on that cross to die that all who would believe in His sacrificial, atoning death could have eternal life.  Yes, we are to lift up Jesus, but we are to preach, teach and share that Jesus was “lifted up from the earth” to pay for our sin—yours and mine.  And as Paul said so succinctly, sin is the issue and without bowing before Jesus, there is no salvation.

“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

Jesus was “lifted up from the earth”—He died for me—for you—for “the world”—even as Jesus proclaimed to Nicodemus in John chapter 3 (Read John 3:1-19).  But let’s look at a few reminders that it is the blood of Jesus that bought our salvation.  Have you met Him at the cross?

“How much more shall the blood of Christ,

who through the eternal Spirit offered himself

without spot to God,

purge your conscience

from dead works

to serve the living God?”  Hebrews 9:24

Peter’s reminder is one we desperately need to heed today.  It’s not the bunnies, or the eggs, or the candy or even Sunday dinner—it’s all about the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  May you hear the call of The Holy Spirit today and come to Jesus for salvation; if you are already His, may The Spirit draw you near to the cross to remember the price of our salvation.

“Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

 from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:18-21

May your celebrations include the One who died for you and me—but praise God Almighty HE didn’t stay dead, HE arose!  He’s coming again to take us unto Himself in glory.  Are you ready?  I pray that you are; and if you aren’t Jesus is standing and waiting for you.  If you already know Him, may your walk and talk confirm that you belong to Jesus!

“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 All About Sacrifice??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #340

17 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Speaking The Truth In Love

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s All About Sacrifice???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #340

 

We talked last time about fighting like Jesus, and today I would like us to consider the price that Jesus paid for us to be able to be with Him and to reflect His glory as His child!  It means we must be “born again”!  It’s not about bunnies, or eggs, or baskets or even spring!  It is all about the sacrifice that Jesus paid for our sin—and yes, Sin is the issue—and that sacrifice was, is and ever shall supply the payment for sin to all who will come to Jesus in repentance of sin, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  Yet while the payment was made at Calvary, the victory over sin, death and hell came at the tomb!  That very tomb where Satan thought he had won, came to prove that Jesus not only paid for sin at the cross, but HE rose again to bring forgiveness of sin to all who believe; as well as life, hope, joy and a home in heaven for those who come to HIM, when we leave this life behind.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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 1:10-13

Jesus said of himself that HE came that we might have real life!

“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

 Jesus was the sacrifice for sin to all who believe and trust to His amazing sacrifice.  May we be encouraged and equipped to go forward with Jesus, calling the world to salvation in Jesus and nothing less!  We talked earlier about Paul’s great gospel in a nutshell in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, and we can be confident in what Jesus has done knowing that He has finished the work of salvation!

“By the which will we are sanctified

through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ

once for all.

11 And every priest standeth daily

ministering

and offering oftentimes

the same sacrifices,

which can never take away sins:

12 But this man,

after he had offered one sacrifice

for sins

for ever,

sat down on the right hand of God;”  Hebrews 10:10-12

May we remember what the Apostles and disciples preached and shared after Pentecost—may it ever be our motto and our message without compromise!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 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 4:10-12

Will you be one who believes or one who puts Jesus to death again and again in vain.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just,

and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

15 And killed the Prince of life,

whom God hath raised from the dead;

whereof we are witnesses.”  Acts 3:14-15

The test is coming; are you ready?  Only Jesus can write your name in His book—not your works, not your wealth, not your social standing, not even your religion.  Ready or not, here HE comes:

“And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”   Revelation 20:15

Amen and Amen!!!

The Fern In The Urinal–Special Price For Spring $12/or 2 for $20

14 Monday Apr 2025

Posted by in The Word

≈ Leave a comment

Just a reminder that you can get The Fern In The Urinal, my book, locally at The Salt Cellar in Cache Road Square in Lawton, OK; or at Inside Out Gifts & Decor on Hwy 81 N of Duncan, OK. (you save shipping by buying locally). Or you can get the book on Amazon, Ebay, and digital copies on Kindle and Apple Books. You can also order the book directly from me through this page or email TheFernBook@yahoo.com for an invoice. The price has been reduced for the spring so you can get the books for $12 or 2 for $20 (the Best Buy), so you can get one for yourself and one to share … I hope to see you or hear from you soon. Thanks for watching!!!

Fight Like Jesus??? Really!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #339

13 Sunday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abiding In The Vine, Abundant Life In Jesus, Fighting With God's Weapons, Filled With His Spirit, Guard Your Heart, Guard Your Mouth, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Let This Mind Be In You, Let You Light So Shine, Lifting up Jesus, Living TODAY!, Looking Unto Jesus, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Procrastination, Spread the GOOD news!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fight Like Jesus???  Really!!!  A Word from THE WORD!!! #339

What do I mean “fight” like Jesus?  I mean that like Paul shared in Ephesians 6, we “wrestle not against flesh and blood” but we do have an enemy and we must—must—must be ready to “stand fast” and “withstand in the evil day”!  And oh my friends, we are surely in the evil day.  So how do we fight the battles? With a pure heart, and confidence in our Lord and King.

“A good man

out of the good treasure of his heart

bringeth forth that which is good;

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure of his heart

bringeth forth that which is evil:

for of the abundance of the heart

his mouth speaketh.

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord,

and do not the things which I say?”  Luke 6:45-46

We must keep watch over our heart; for out of the treasure of our hearts our testimony and our life will be able to make a difference in the world of influence that God brings us to.

“Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door

of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart

to any evil thing,

to practise wicked works

with men that work iniquity:

and let me not eat of their dainties.”   Psalm 141:3-4

We must recognize that our life is a mixture of not only our heart choices toward God, but our words, our associates and our choices for righteousness over evil, can and will make a difference!  So what are we to do?  Follow the example of our Lord, who when encountering the devil himself, He fought with the best weapon we can use—Scripture!

“And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights,

he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said,

If thou be the Son of God,

command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said,

It is written,

Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word

that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city,

and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him,

If thou be the Son of God,

cast thyself down:

for it is written,

He shall give his angels charge

concerning thee:

and in their hands

they shall bear thee up,

lest at any time thou dash thy foot

against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him,

It is written again,

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8 Again, the devil taketh him up

into an exceeding high mountain,

and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world,

and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him,

All these things will I give thee,

if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him,

Get thee hence, Satan:

for it is written,

Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,

and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him,

and, behold,

angels came and ministered unto him.”   Matthew 4:2-11

Jesus went toe-to-toe with the devil by refuting Satan’s misuse of scripture with accurate exposition and quoting it contextually!  How about you and me?  Do we know scripture well enough to use it wisely and beneficially?  Or do we simply quote random quotes that we think are scripture, without benefit of contextual integrity or familiarity with The Word of God.  Just because we carry a Bible doesn’t mean that we know its content!  Oh, that we can learn to trust Jesus enough, and love Him enough to dig into HIS WORD to know Him, His truth and His ways, as well as how to share truth with others with grace, seasoned with salt.  Paul said it best.

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how ye ought to answer

every man.”  Colossians 4:5-6

And as we think about “fighting the good fight”, may we remember Paul’s challenge to his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, to be found faithful!

“Fight the good fight of faith,

lay hold on eternal life,

whereunto thou art also called,

and hast professed a good profession

before many witnesses.”  1 Timothy 6:12

Oh, to be found as a faithful soldier of my King, by doing as Jesus said and “abiding” in HIM!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:1-5

Note in verses 4 and 5, that Jesus says that it’s the one who “abideth” in Him and HE in them, who bears fruit.  We can claim to be “in” Jesus but if HE isn’t “in” us we better check out what we think saves us!  Paul made it very clear to the Roman believers; no Holy Spirit within—no salvation!

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

 if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.”  Romans 8:8-10

Oh, to remember what Jesus did for us at the cross, and what He is doing for us through the completed work of the cross by the impartation of His precious Holy Spirit.  Have you bowed the knee before the King of Kings and Lord of lords, Jesus?  I pray that you know Him and are fighting that “good fight of faith”!  And part of that is pursuing the “mind of Christ” as Paul tells us in Philippians chapter 2, as we yield our will to our Lord’s—simple but not easy!  It is the battle field of the mind—the mind of Christ or the “mind of me”!  And just a few verses from this great passage of Philippians 2:5-11!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:…

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.” Portions of Philippians 2:5-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Will you bow before Jesus and learn to fight the battles of this life like He did?  We can be overcomers as we yield our life to King Jesus.  How about you?  Today?  If not now, when?