Author Archives: Blanche

The Old And The New??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #308

27 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Diligence, Discernment, Discipline, God's got you and me!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, Godly Character, Godly Instruction, Godly Parenting, Godly Wisdom, Holiness, Holy Living, Honor Or Dishonor?, Jesus--our all in all

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The Old And The New???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #308

As we close out 2024 and prepare to start a new year of 2025, there are a lot of things to consider; many take this time to reassess their goals, progress, financial practices, parenting skills, and in the craziness of our world, often just trying to “get by”!  But I’d like to take a bit of a turn here and call us to examine our walk with Jesus Christ The Lord.  If you know Him, then it’s a call to pursue holiness as we align our walk with the Word of God.  If you don’t know Him, I invite you to come to know Him in repentance of your sin, and trusting/believing in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.  If you’re not familiar with Jesus, I would direct you to read the Gospel of John in the Bible.

Let’s look at the message to struggling believers in the book of Hebrews; the author calls them to study the faith of others in chapter 11 (often called the hall of faith), but he doesn’t stop there.  He goes on to call them to holy living, and that is what I want us to consider as we approach this new year.  (I encourage you to read through chapters 11 -13 for the big picture, for I’ll only share portions of those chapters in this limited space…)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction

of sinners against himself,

lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,

striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son, despise not thou

the chastening of the Lord,

nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him:”  Hebrews 12:1-5

Our challenge continues with an even greater call to obedience and the truth that God disciplines His own.  Discipline is an important part of child-raising—a part which many in our day have abandoned and we are paying an awfully high price for that choice.  But spiritual lack of discipline can be just as tragic, and the absence of it in a person’s life is a call to question one’s relationship with Jesus.  Let’s peruse what the scripture says.

“For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth

every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh

which corrected us,

and we gave them reverence:

shall we not much rather be in subjection

unto the Father of spirits,

and live?

10 For they verily for a few days

chastened us after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit,

that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present

seemeth to be joyous,

but grievous:

nevertheless afterward

it yieldeth the peaceable fruit

of righteousness

unto them which are exercised thereby.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down,

and the feeble knees;”  Hebrews 12:6-12

While I encourage you to ponder these things, I choose to end on a positive note, even as the author of Hebrews chose to do.  Remember whose you are, fix your eyes on the prize, Jesus, and run the race, knowing you are never alone!

“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…

8 Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.” Portions of Hebrews 13:5-

May the blessings of peace, joy, and contentment rule in the closing of the present year and follow you into the new year!

Amen and Amen!!!

Merry Christmas!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #307

25 Wednesday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, Christ IS Alive!, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Christmas Ponderings, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Merry Christmas!!!

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Merry Christmas To You!!!  A Word from THE WORD!!! #307

We, my husband and I, wish you a Merry Christmas.  May the joys of the Lord bring you peace as you bow before The Christ child—not only at the manger, but at the cross where He paid for my sin and yours.

“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

The King came to deliver us from our sin—but He will return to set up His kingdom upon His returns.  Even as the angel told Joseph.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

And even clearer, God gave Mary and Joseph confirmation, when they took Jesus to the Temple, and I will abbreviate the passage here, but I encourage you to read all of Luke 1 and 2.

“…to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord…

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem,

whose name was Simeon; …

…and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost,

that he should not see death,

before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple:

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, …

…28 Then took he him up in his arms,

and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart

in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared

before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles,

and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled …

…34 And Simeon blessed them,

and said unto Mary his mother,

Behold, this child is set

for the fall and rising again of many in Israel;

and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce

through thy own soul also,)

that the thoughts of many hearts

may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, …

of a great age…

…37 And she was a widow … which departed not

from the temple,

but served God with fastings and prayers

night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant

gave thanks likewise unto the Lord,

and spake of him to all them

that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”                         Portions of Luke 2:24-38

And in closing, a reminder that this babe born to die for our sin, is coming again.  It’s your choice what you will do with Him, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne

and of the four beasts,

and in the midst of the elders,

 stood a Lamb

as it had been slain,

 having seven horns and seven eyes,

which are the seven Spirits of God

sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book

out of the right hand

of him that sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book,

the four beasts and four and twenty elders

fell down before the Lamb,

having every one of them harps,

and golden vials full of odours,

which are the prayers of saints.

9 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.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels

round about the throne

and the beasts and the elders:

and the number of them was ten thousand

times ten thousand,

and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power,

and riches, and wisdom,

and strength, and honour,

and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is in heaven,

and on the earth,

and under the earth,

and such as are in the sea,

and all that are in them,

heard I saying,

Blessing, and honour,

and glory, and power,

be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,

and unto the Lamb

for ever and ever.”  Revelation 5:6-13

And Jesus’ own promise.  Make sure you’re ready!

“Behold, I come quickly:

blessed is he that keepeth the sayings

of the prophecy of this book…

…. 12 And, behold, I come quickly;

and my reward is with me,

to give every man according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end,

 the first and the last.”   Portions of Revelation 22:7-13

Amen and Amen!!!

Merry Christmas, please don’t stop at the manger!!!

Jesus, The Word, Used It??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #306

23 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Believing God's Words, Bibe Study, Biblical Boundaries Matter!, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Saves!, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Study to Show Yourself Approved Unto God, Subtle Dependence

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Jesus, The Word, Used It???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #306

This precious baby whose birth we celebrate with joy, gratitude and hopefully faith and devotion for His wonderful work of salvation for you and me, paid the price of salvation at Calvary—it’s why He came.  So, I’d like us to ponder Jesus’ example of using His Word as our strength, shield and defense against the “roaring lion” who is ever against us.  Peter gave us some good advice about being aware of our enemy.

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

We are loved and cared for by our Father God, The Son Jesus, and the indwelling Holy Spirit our gift from Jesus to empower us to do His will.  And Jesus gave us one of the greatest examples of how to win the victory as He encountered the enemy, Satan, face to face.  Consider this principle of knowing and depending upon The Word of God in all things, for if you don’t get into it—you won’t have it inside you when you need it.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

So, let’s look at Jesus’ example—then follow it—at Christmas time and all year through!  And while this is a lengthy passage, I wanted us to see it in its context.  I pray that you will take some time this week to ponder these things.

“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit

into the wilderness

to be tempted of the devil.

2 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 4:1-11

May we follow the example of our Lord Jesus and dig into His Word and hide it in our hearts so that upon the conflicts with the enemy we will be “loaded for lion”!  Remember, We Win!!!

“And, behold,

I come quickly; and my reward is with me,

to give every man

 according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end,

the first and the last.

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments,

that they may have right to the tree of life,

and may enter in through the gates into the city.”  Revelation 22:12-14

Amen and Amen!!!

The Word–Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #305

20 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, 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 Knows, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, The Word, The Word Or The World?, There IS (Still) A Fountain

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The Word–Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #305

I want to share John’s account of Jesus—not His birth, in particular, but His self-existent nature as God Almighty, The Son!  Jesus Christ The Lord!  John didn’t start at the manger, or the angels appearing to Zacharias or Mary, he went back to Genesis!  He wanted us to know that Jesus IS God and ever will be.  People say that Jesus never claimed to be God, but I beg to differ!

“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

When we belong to Jesus by being born again, we belong to God The Father, and The Son, and the Holy Spirit (also God) is given to us—to conform us to the image of The Son!  May we take this time of celebrating His incarnation and bow before Him in joyful gratitude for His gift – the gift of Himself, dying as our substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for all who will come to Him in repentance of our sin, and trust in the blood He shed for me.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.  Let’s see John’s description of the arrival of God in flesh!

“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.

6 There was a man sent from God,

whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness,

to bear witness of the Light,

that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light,

but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light,

which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

10 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.

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 1:1-14

This WORD came to save—He lived truth, He spoke truth, in truth He died for sin, and He rules and reigns today, and HE is coming again.  I pray that your celebration includes The Savior’s birth and His return.

Amen and Amen!!!