Author Archives: Blanche

A Friday Boost!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #41

07 Friday Oct 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Confidence, Contentedness, Contentment, Courage, Encouragement

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A Friday Boost!!! A Word from THE WORD!!!  #41

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14

I would like to share a Friday boost for our hearts and minds to end our workweek on a positive note.  No matter how stressed or tired—how many crises arose in our paths—how confused we may feel in our current situations—how many answers we are wrestling with—God still reigns!  He is ever there for us no matter what the world or those around us may say—again, and again, and again!  So, let’s just take a few and look up, walk right, and press on with Jesus today…every day!

“And I heard as it were

the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”  Revelation 19:6

And some of my favorite reminders from the Psalms:

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see

if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

“Create in me

a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.”   Psalm 51:10

How does God do this?  Only one way—through Jesus’ blood and righteousness!

“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 5:21

Paul said it so beautifully—all because of Jesus, we can be– right with our God—at peace with God—recipients of HIS love and redemption:

“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.”  Romans 5:1-8

So, as we all know, even when it looks like HE is four days late—HE is always right on time.  Look up my friends—remember—We Win all because of JESUS!!!  Take heart for, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”, and HE will still be that “fourth man in the fire” with YOU TODAY!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Does Real Faith Worry??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 18

02 Sunday Oct 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Does real faith worry?, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Fret NOT!, Fretting or Faith???, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 18   Does Real Faith Worry???

Worry: to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts…to fret

A cause of uneasiness or anxiety…

I heard a lovely song this morning, which gave me pause to question, for the jest of the song was that we won’t “worry” in heaven, and while that is true, the implication was that we ‘worry’ here and that isn’t necessarily ok!

Worry is a pretty natural state of affairs in most of our lives, yet are we really walking by faith when we live in a state of worry?  I was guilty of this very idea of justifying our “worry” this week in a discussion about an upcoming event in our lives, and I was calling my “concern” everything but “worry”, for I know in my head and in my heart that Jesus makes it clear that walking with HIM by faith will diminish our tendency to “worry and fret”, if not completely eliminate it altogether, and I wasn’t doing that!  That is where I desire to live, even though I know I often fall so far short.  Yet faith that Jesus talks about seems to be the antitheses of modern faith!  I say I trust HIM, yet I keep doing things myself instead of bringing them to Jesus and leaving them at the cross.

I remember a testimony that a friend shared with me many years ago, of a couple whose home he entered to work on a utility problem; as it turned out, he told them he would have to come back, and they said they probably wouldn’t be home, but their home would be unlocked, and he could just come in and do what he needed to do.  Well, needless to say, my friend was shocked! UNLOCKED? So, he questioned the lady, and she simply told him, “Our home belongs to Jesus, along with every possession we have, and whatever HE sees fit to permit, we trust HIM!”  I must tell you, how often that story has come back to me again and again, for I am far from having that kind of faith; yet so many of our missionaries all over the globe, live that kind of faith in ministry, while we have so much more than they do.  And me?  I wrestle with anxiety over being safe, I cannot tell a lie, and I know God has brought me a long way in the area of “trusting” HIM in regard to safety; of “resting” in HIM when I’m alone; of relying upon HIS total care when I am being and doing what HE has called me to!  How about you?  Are you a “fretter”?  Are there areas of life that you have trouble letting go of?

Well, if you are like me, maybe you also need a reminder of what God has called us to; how He wants us to understand that fretting over and clinging to the “cares of this world” ought to be foreign to us.  Let’s see what HIS Word teaches, and I pray that we (ME included most of all—as Paul said, “I am chief” offender!) will learn to have a more exercised faith, and show the world the power of grace, love, and a trust in the power of our crucified, risen and soon coming KING!  The safest place that you or I can ever be, is right, smack in the center of God’s will for us!

“And that which fell among thorns are they,

which, when they have heard,

go forth,

and are choked

with cares

and riches

and pleasures of this life,

and bring no fruit

to perfection.”   Luke 8:14

 And a verse that I run to more often than I can say:

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

“The king’s heart

is in the hand of the LORD,

as the rivers of water:

he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man

is right in his own eyes:

but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”  Proverbs 21:1-2

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not what a day

may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

Jesus also had much to say about this subject—may we heed HIS amazing call to walk by faith:

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more

clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father

knoweth that ye have need

of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:24-34

Oh, if we had time to dig into the depths of this message of Jesus’, but let’s consider this first statement above—”No man can serve two masters”; did you get that “no one”—man, woman, boy, or girl—can truly have divided loyalties!  Either we will choose to follow our Lord, or we will go our own way. For those who have never come to Jesus, this is a disastrous choice that will lead to destruction (See chapter 7); for the believer it could end in a “shipwrecked” life—a life with no “fruit”, or as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 3, no rewards to bring to our king.  I think that passage is also worth our consideration, for it reveals a real danger of a lack of faith and obedience in our life when we miss our Lord’s direction and choose worry/fretting instead of boldly, courageously, walking in faith.  Let’s consider Paul’s message, especially in light of what Jesus says above, which makes it clear that we can be a genuine believer and still miss God’s perfect will and purpose for our life if we go our own way instead of choosing Jesus’ will by faith; by producing our own works, choosing to give inadequate heed to The Word of God, and settling for the popular lead of the world (choosing wood, hay and stubble instead of gold, silver and precious stones)!  Are you choosing the indestructible things of God, or the totally flammable works of the flesh; ashes or precious treasure to honor our KING?.

“For other foundation

can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed

by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not

that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God,

him shall God destroy;

for the temple of God is holy,

which temple ye are.

18 Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you seemeth to be wise

in this world,

let him become a fool,

that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness with God.

For it is written,

He taketh the wise

in their own craftiness.

20 And again,

The Lord knoweth

the thoughts of the wise,

 that they are vain.”  1 Corinthians 3:11-20

As Paul says, “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ”, no matter what is popular—only Jesus IS LORD—only Jesus IS THE WAY—what will you choose today?  Jesus? Or your own way?  The world’s way?  Faith or fretting?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And just as important as that, there are those following you who may never have any witness other than the example and testimony that you leave every day by your footsteps of faith or fretting or settling for your own way.  Who’s following YOU?  Let’s choose to be like Joshua and boldly stand in faith!

“And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Let’s pursue holiness and faithfulness, as the Psalmist calls us to so encouragingly!  Amen and Amen!!!

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth

in his way,

because of the man who bringeth

wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off:

but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth.”  Psalm 37:3-9

Love My Neighbor??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #40

30 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Am I willing to go?, Apart from ME you can do nothing, Good Neighbor, Good Samaritan?, Lord, Love, Love Is Action, Neighbors

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Love My Neighbor??? A Word from THE WORD!!!  #40

I heard a song this morning that brought my attention to my desperate lack of love on many occasions; for Jesus said if we love HIM, we are to love others—our brothers and sisters (in the flesh and in the body of Christ), our loved ones, and our ‘neighbors’!  So, I would simply like to share Jesus’ message on ‘neighbors’! May you and I take heart and truly measure as Jesus did/does!  I want to be found faithful to my Lord and King!

“And he turned him unto his disciples,

and said privately,

Blessed are the eyes

which see the things that ye see:

24 For I tell you,

that many prophets and kings

have desired to see those things

which ye see,

and have not seen them;

and to hear those things

which ye hear,

and have not heard them.

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up,

and tempted him, saying,

Master, what shall I do

to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him,

What is written in the law?

how readest thou?

27 And he answering said,

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy strength,

and with all thy mind;

and thy neighbour

as thyself.

28 And he said unto him,

Thou hast answered right:

this do,

and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself,

said unto Jesus,

And who is my neighbour?”  Luke 10:23-29

Just as this man, we so often are attempting to “justify” ourselves rather than admit that without Jesus, we can’t even understand selfless, godly love!  So, Jesus’ most convicting story is still applicable, and pierces my heart, reminding me that “saying so doesn’t make it so” (I need to be a better child of Jesus/God and leave off the snarky remarks, the gossip, the lack of compassion, the real tendency to be so consumed with self, that others aren’t even on my radar!)  May our hearts hear and respond to the convicting voice of The Holy Spirit speaking to my heart and yours; may we truly love as Jesus loves, and by HIS Spirit and power do better at being “good neighbors”!

“And Jesus answering said,

A certain man went down from Jerusalem

to Jericho,

and fell among thieves,

which stripped him of his raiment,

and wounded him,

and departed,

leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down

a certain priest that way:

and when he saw him,

he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite,

when he was at the place,

came and looked on him,

and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan,

as he journeyed,

came where he was:

and when he saw him,

he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him,

and bound up his wounds,

pouring in oil and wine,

and set him on his own beast,

and brought him to an inn,

and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed,

he took out two pence,

and gave them to the host,

and said unto him,

Take care of him;

and whatsoever thou spendest more,

when I come again,

I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three,

thinkest thou,

was neighbour

unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said,

He that shewed mercy on him.

Then said Jesus unto him,

 Go, and do thou likewise.” Luke 10:30-37

May we be that “good neighbor”!  And just FYI, remember that in that culture, the Jews didn’t even believe there could be a “GOOD SAMARITAN”!  Without Jesus we can’t be good/righteous:

       “…There is none righteous, no, not one:”  Romans 3:10b

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans. 6:23

May we walk with Jesus and truly go “about doing good”—HIS good!

Amen and Amen!!!

Discerning Or Deceived??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #39

28 Wednesday Sep 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Be Steadfast, Deceit or Discernment?, Deceivers, Deniable Truth? Really?, Diligence, Discernment, Knowing Truth

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Discerning Or Deceived??? A Word from THE WORD!!!  #39

Like many believers today, I am concerned with all that I see going on around me, especially within churches that claim the name of “Jesus” but preach a message that is in direct contradiction to The Word of God.  So, I’d like to share a bit of scripture to remind us all that we won’t be in the majority, but we do need to pursue God’s “right-jority”—for God’s truth has seldom if ever been a popular message with any majority, and we want to align ourselves with God Almighty, Jesus The Son, His Word and His ways, by the power of The Holy Spirit, who indwells those who belong to Jesus, having been “born again” of the Spirit of God!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see

the kingdom of God…

   …. Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

 he cannot enter into

the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  Portions of John 3:3-7

Paul makes it clear that truth—God’s truth—is spiritually discerned!  Are you being discerning or deceived?

“But we speak the wisdom of God

in a mystery,

even the hidden wisdom,

which God ordained

before the world

unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:

for had they known it,

they would not have crucified

the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written,

Eye hath not seen,

nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared

for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them

unto us

by his Spirit:

for the Spirit searcheth all things,

yea, the deep things

of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man,

save the spirit of man

which is in him?

even so the things of God

knoweth no man,

but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the spirit

which is of God;

that we might know

the things that are freely given

to us

of God.

13 Which things also we speak,

not in the words

which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which

the Holy Ghost teacheth;

comparing spiritual things

with spiritual.

14 But the natural man

receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto him:

neither can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual

 judgeth all things,

yet he himself is judged

of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord,

that he may instruct him?

But we have

the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:7-16

While we can’t ever (nor should we seek to) instruct God, we do have the “mind of the Lord” through Jesus Christ our Lord and we are to yield to the “mind of Christ” via the Holy Spirit, which helps us to walk right before God in humility, grace, and the crucified life. (To see a picture of this see Philippians 2:5-11) And while we should never align with the “majority” of the world, Jesus, speaking of majority, made it very clear that we are walking a ‘narrow road’!  All while there is a “broad way” filled with “many” which leads to destruction; and I fear that many who claim the name of Jesus are proclaiming it from a spot on the “broad way”, for Satan is always painting a picture of health, wealth and popularity that draws to the “many”, but we must be discerning for our own sake as well as the sake of those whom God has placed in our path to influence and help to find/see the “narrow road”!  Check out their behavior, don’t just follow the tune they are singing!

“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

Knowing this truth, I believe, is at least part of the reason that Paul warns us in his letter to the Galatians, who were also in danger of deceit, to walk in “the Spirit” not the flesh.  We must begin to develop our spiritual senses, if you would, and leave this worldly deceit behind!  Oh Lord, please open my eyes to see what YOU see!  Just because it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, doesn’t mean it IS a duck; it may be a wolf in sheep’s clothes! Watch that behavior, it’s what Jesus said would tell the tale—for us and others!

“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…

…. 25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also

walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16-17 & 25

Peter also broached this subject to the scattered believers and warned them not to be “deceived” by “plastic” words that change with the season, popular ideology, greed, or worldly appeal, and to remember the truth of Jesus and press on; knowing there is a coming judgement of God to prepare for!  Remember God’s Word is the standard by which judgment will come.

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints

and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

And Peter’s warning:

“But there were false prophets

also among the people,

even as there shall be false teachers

among you,

who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,

even denying the Lord that bought them,

and bring upon themselves

swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways;

by reason of whom

the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness

shall they with feigned words

make merchandise of you:

whose judgment now

of a long time

lingereth not,

and their damnation

slumbereth not.”  2 Peter 2:1-3

So, we need to be aware of not only the truth of God’s Word, but that there are also “false prophets” and “false teachers” among us, who desire to deceive us and, as Peter puts it, “make merchandise of you”!  Greed is a great motivator—and there are a lot of greedy people who want to lead us down that “broad road…to destruction”!  So, put on your “whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day”; for the evil day is here—now!  And Paul said it better than I can:

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen and Amen!!!

We Don’t Always Know Now??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 17

25 Sunday Sep 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Know Whom I Believe, Knowing GOD, Knowing Or Going?, Not Of This World, Nothing New, Now is the time....

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 17   We Don’t Always Know Now???

“Boast not thyself

of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

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

I was checking the news earlier today, and there was another automobile accident with a fatality; we’ve had multiple reports of this kind of thing in the last few months, and it leads me to share a bit of God’s Word to remind us that we don’t know what tomorrow (even the rest of today) holds for us!  God reminds us through this proverb that we are not in control over the circumstances and environment around us!  Jesus spoke of this reality, and I think we need to consider that we only have “now”!  I know for me, it is so easy to let my mind run so far afield of where I ‘am’, and fret over what I don’t know or see, yet we are called to walk by faith, trusting God like Job!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

 26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see

for myself,

 and mine eyes

shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

Do you know?  I know that I know that I know that I know…I know!!!  What do you know?  What do you value? Is it Jesus?

“Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life

more than meat,

and the body

than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

 yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought

for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more

clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:25-34

OH, my goodness—please help me, Jesus, to learn what real faith is—to learn how to keep my eyes on YOU and not the world—to seek you first—to learn to trust you when I see nothing but trouble, and the evil in the world—may I be like Job and camp out on YOU, LORD Jesus, walking right before you, no matter what!

“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.”  Hebrews 12:1-4

Will we measure our lives by God’s Word or the world’s?  Have we become molded to the world’s view?  May we receive the word of challenge and encouragement which Paul shared with the believers at Rome, that our life will be a testament before the world of all that is “that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”!  It won’t look like the world’s way or be very popular with those around us!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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.”  Romans 12:1-2

May we pursue the will of God in all we “are and do” remembering there is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain, and there are little feet following us!  Where will we lead them?

Amen and Amen!!!