Author Archives: Blanche

Prayer Day 1 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #277

28 Monday Oct 2024

Posted by in Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?

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Prayer Day 1 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #277

I’m going to do something that I’ve not done before, I’m going  to post for eight days on the same subject, prayer.  I am asking you to join me in praying for God to move in our midst, in our communities, our states, our nation and our world; but especially I am asking that you join me in praying for America in earnest these next 8 days.  Won’t you join me in asking God to work in the hearts of His own children, in the hearts of those who know about Him, and those who have turned their backs on Him, and especially for those who are His enemies.  I simply want to start today with a brief portion of Jesus Sermon on the Mount.

May we take it to heart, look inside and ask God to make “me” what I need to be, to lead “me” where I need to go, doing that which pleases my Lord Jesus!  May we bow before our God and stop casting stones, when we are the one walking in disobedience, or rebellion, or willful sin, or just plain stubborn refusal to obey our God in the small things.

“Blessed are the pure in heart:

for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers:

for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted

for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil

against you falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice,

and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.”  Matthew 5:8-12

I’ll make just a few comments, particularly about “peacemakers”, Jesus isn’t only referring to the absence of conflict, but the fact that without His salvation we are all enemies of God, and those who share the Gospel are spreading the peace of God that only Jesus can provide, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”!  When we have that “peace with God”, we will also have the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding”; and no matter the conflict around us we will be filled with the peace of our Lord!  Pray my friends, please pray, and share Jesus; and may our hands and our hearts be filled with grace and peace not rocks!

Amen and Amen!!!

Prayers Of Help For Parents??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #276

23 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by in Children, Parenting is a lifetime calling!, Parenting matters, Paying attention

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Prayers Of Help For Parents???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #276

When we see all the chaos around us, especially the chaos amongst our young, is there any hope?  Well, my friends, our hope—our only hope—is in Jesus and His Word.  That’s not just a cliché, but the truest of all truth; yet we must realize that it is not an easy solution but one that costs our all in all, and our bowing before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  And that seems to be a foreign idea to most, even many that claim to belong to Jesus!  But may I say, unless we’ve been to Calvary and been washed in the “blood of Jesus” which is the only thing that “cleanseth from all sin”, and Sin is the issue, our hope will wane!  Not a popular topic, but truth none the less.  God has extended His grace, mercy and love to us and sent Jesus to save us from sin!

“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

What does all this mean?  It really isn’t difficult, God offers the sacrifice of His Son as the redemption (an act of atoning for guilt…an act or state of being rescued…) from our sin, to all who will believe; the same message that Jesus gave Nicodemus, the religious leader who needed more than religion!  Jesus told him that he must be “born again” by faith in what Jesus came to do—to die for our sin debt. And the Apostle John describes it in John 1.

“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

Paul gives us an amazing picture of what Jesus does for those who come to Him.  What does all this have to do with parenting?  Good question.  Friends, without Jesus we cannot exercise wisdom, grace and love of a biblical sort to lead our children to the cross.  And without Jesus and His cross of sacrifice our children will be headed straight for hell—not popular but true!  Are we who know Jesus exercising biblical principles in the training, discipline and instruction in righteousness with our children and grandchildren.  Or are we allowing and even promoting the things of the world which are leading them in the wrong direction.  Jesus said there’s a broad way that “leadeth to destruction” or we can choose to lead others to the “straight gate” which leads “to life”!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3

There are a couple of things that I’d like to share in closing, things that aren’t always associated with parenting, and the last that is the ultimate biblical instruction for parenting.  Just remember God is the perfect parent, and we don’t always listen to or heed His directions.  Parenting is dependent on you and God, yet even our best efforts are sometimes received and heeded, sometimes not.  God has given your children free will as He has you!  When in doubt take it to the cross.

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

“But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father

be glory

for ever and ever. Amen.”  Philippians 4:19-20

And a passage that I believe is the ultimate plumbline on parenting says that you live before your children is way more influential than what you say.  Be sure you are “being” a doer of The Word, and not a “hearer” only (and as a parent a “speaker” only!)

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them

for a sign upon thine hand,  (what you do)

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.             (what you see)

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house, (how you live at home)

and on thy gates…

…20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come,

saying, What mean

the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:

22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:

23 And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.

24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes,

to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

if we observe to do all these commandments

before the LORD our God,

as he hath commanded us.”   Portions of Deuteronomy 6:4-25

Just remember that this passage starts out telling us that we, as parents must love God first!  It finishes with God’s command to have a testimony to share when our children ask—implying that when we live it in front of them, and hold them to biblical principles, the day will come when they will ask “why”; and when that day comes, we are to be able to share with them not just what God once did in our lives, but what HE is doing right now!!!  May you be blessed in your ministry of influencing others.

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30.

Amen & Amen!!!

Love One Another??? Really? A Word from THE WORD!!! #275

20 Sunday Oct 2024

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, God's love, Love, Love Is Action, Lovest Thou ME?

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Love One Another???  Really?   A Word from THE WORD!!! #275

Jesus left us multiple instructions, but some of the most intense teaching, instruction and outpouring of Himself, happened on the last days before the crucifixion.  He knew what lay ahead, and He loves us so much that He cared about preparing His disciples and us to live lives of love, power and world-changing influence.  The first thing I want us to look at deals with our topic today.

“A new commandment

I give unto you,

That ye love one another;

as I have loved you,

that ye also love one another.

35 By this

shall all men know

that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love one to another.”  John 13:34-35

Don’t miss the import of the little words; “as I have loved you”-Jesus calls us to treat others with the love He has showered upon us.  Paul put it another way.

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren,

and exhort you by the Lord Jesus,

that as ye have received of us

how ye ought to walk

and to please God,

so ye would abound more and more.

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you

by the Lord Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

Are we willing to receive the truths of scripture and walk in them, or will we reject them and do it our our way!  Paul encouraged the Colossian believers as to how they should walk before God and man!

“Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.”  Colossians 3:12-15

Not to belabor the point, but we are called to love God and others—how we treat others will realistically reveal how much we love God; Jesus made it very clear that our treatment of others reflects how much we love God, as he repsonded to a question meant to trick Him.

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him,

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy mind.

38 This

is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

40 On these two commandments

hang all the law

and the prophets.”  Matthew 22:36-40

You may be asking the question, “How do we do this?”  And that is an honest question, and I will close with the passage that I believe answers that question of how we are to live in spiritual success.  Paul addresses this in his letter to the Romans, and it’s one of my favorite passages of comfort, courage and hope for today and tomorrow!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also

we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom

we have now received the atonement.”  Romans 5:1-11

I pray that this will encourage you today to know that you can “Really!  Love One Another?”, by the power of the cross and our blessed Redeemer Jesus.  May you remember that you can exercise love, “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”!  Give the Holy Spirit place in your life today and let that “love of God” flow through you and make a difference in your circle of influence!

Amen and Amen!!!

Moonlight Walk??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #274

18 Friday Oct 2024

Posted by in Moonlight walk, Sunshine Or Rain

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Moonlight Walk???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #274

When I took my walk this morning, I smiled all the way, for I experienced a most wondrous thing; I took a moonlight walk in the daylight.  It was a lovely and meaningful thing to me, for the moon was setting as the sun was rising behind me… I smiled with delight as beautiful thoughts ran through my mind.  I couldn’t help but remember something I wrote long ago; we are the moon, and Jesus is the Sun (SON); both shine upon our earth, and sometimes we see an eclipse (and we’ve had quite a few in recent years) which is either the moon coming over the sun, or the earth shadowing between the sun and moon.  I was reminded again this morning that life is like that for believers—we can remember what the Apostle John wrote, and “walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”!  As we walk in that light, we, like the moon, can be a reflection of our Lord to a world in need of the light of Jesus’ saving grace; or we can allow the world to come between us and The Son, and reflect nothing.

So, I simply want to share one of my favorite passages in scripture as a reminder that our greatest pursuit is to “let this mind be in you…”, to be a true and honorable picture to the world of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let’s keep shining, that our Lord may find us faithful when He comes—and I can’t help but believe that His return is closer than we may think!

“If there be therefore any consolation

in Christ,

if any comfort

of love,

if any fellowship

of the Spirit,

if any

bowels

and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy,

that ye be likeminded,

having the same love,

being of one accord,

of one mind.

3 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:

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 2:1-11

Amen!!!

All will bow!  Either now, before Jesus asking for salvation, or then before Judge Jesus, with no option of grace.  Choose wisely, there is a test, and it may be sooner than you expect!

How Much Time Is Enough??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #273

16 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by in Now is the time...., Only Jesus, Only One Way, Open The Door to JESUS, Salvation, Satan's lies., Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Time, Time Is Grace!, Times and Seasons, TODAY, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Too Late To Call?, Trampling The Blood of Jesus?, Trendy Or Truth

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How Much Time Is Enough???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #273

“And almost all things are by the law

purged with blood;

and without shedding of blood

is no remission.

23 It was therefore necessary

that the patterns of things in the heavens

should be purified with these;

but the heavenly things themselves

with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places

made with hands,

which are the figures of the true;

but into heaven itself,

now to appear in the presence of God

for us:

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often,

as the high priest entereth into the holy place

every year

with blood of others;

26 For then must he often have suffered

since the foundation of the world:

but now once

in the end of the world

hath he appeared to put away sin

by the sacrifice of himself.

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

but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered

to bear the sins of many;

and unto them that look for him

shall he appear the second time

without sin

unto salvation.”  Hebrews 9:22-28

Jesus paid the price for our sin, and it cost His precious blood to pay that price.  Scripture is replete with references to our sin and Jesus’ payment for it; so my purpose today is to call us to pay attention to our soul!  Saying I’ve joined a church, or been baptized, or been confirmed, or studied the Bible, or done good deeds isn’t what saves—it’s the blood of Jesus Christ the Lord that cleanses a repentant heart from sin.

“And these things write we unto you,

that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:4-10

If you don’t belong to Jesus (and remember that Jesus IS truth), my friend, then you need to consider that Jesus’ blood, and being born again are the only hope that we have.  Heaven isn’t a myth, nor is hell, and your earthly choice will determine your eternal destiny.  How much time have you wasted?  Are you born again?  Have you given your heart and life to Jesus or are you just living life your way with a little religion tacked on to make God happy!  The time is fleeting—what will you do with your time; for sin is the issue and we will each give an account before God—in time—whether through death or when Jesus returns to planet earth!  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.  And part of the way you can know if you belong to Jesus is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit; have you heard His voice?  Have you repented and trusted in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours?  Paul makes this principle clear.

“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.”  Romans 8:9

Jesus also makes it clear that only by His Spirit can we come to Him, when Jesus knocks on the door of your heart through the power of His Holy Spirit, you can answer or neglect.  But remember you don’t know how much time you may have!

“Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,

Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.

45 It is written in the prophets,

And they shall be all taught of God.

Every man therefore that hath heard,

and hath learned of the Father,

cometh unto me.”  John 6:43-45

“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

Today is all we have—please don’t miss Jesus by one day!  As the old song says, please don’t come ‘one day too late’ (a song written by Lannie Wolf, look it up, the words are powerful)!

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

8 Harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation,

in the day of temptation

in the wilderness…

… 15 While it is said, To day

if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation…

… 18 And to whom sware he

that they should not enter into his rest,

but to them that believed not?

19 So we see that they could not enter in

because of unbelief.”  Portions of Hebrews 3:7-19

Don’t put Jesus off for another day, we never know what’s coming!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

Paul also encouraged us to not delay.  Satan is ever busy keeping us distracted, but please don’t let those distractions keep you from Jesus!  Don’t count on your wisdom, goodness or effort—only Jesus can save!

“We then, as workers together with him,

beseech you also

that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 (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 6:1-2

For sure, God knows your heart!   As Paul told his son in the ministry, Timothy—God knows, and His accounts are accurate!

“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

God knows!  Won’t you come to Him and be saved today!  If you’re His already, won’t you ask God to help you draw near to Him that He may reflect His glory to a lost and dying world!

“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

In closing a reminder from Paul, we are all lost and alienated from God by sin; but Jesus paid our sin debt at Calvary.  It’s time to look to Him!  Today!

“But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received the atonement.”  Romans 5:8-11

Amen and Amen!!!