Category Archives: A Call To Look Unto Jesus!

Following Jesus Into 2025??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #312

05 Sunday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Encouragement, Eternal Treasures, Examine Myself?, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithfulness, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Perilous Times Are Here, Persecution, Perseverance, Suffering With Jesus, Take Up YOUR Cross

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Following Jesus Into 2025???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #312

 

As we go into this new year of 2025, I would like to share a most impactful but often overlooked passage from the Apostle Peter; a passage that can challenge our often-presumptuous attitude toward God and what we consider as our “privilege” in being God’s children.  Suffering is often the call of true believers; yet what is our attitude toward this scriptural principle?  Today we’ll consider truth, first of all from Jesus, then from Peter.  And let me clarify something before I even print it, and that is when Jesus refers to asking anything “in my name” it isn’t a heavenly slot machine using Jesus’ name; rather it is seeking “first the Kingdom of God…and His righteousness…”!  When we put God first, we’ll know His will and not only pursue it but follow it faithfully.  And just FYI, if you’re popular with the world, you may want to examine your relationship with Jesus (not judging simply making an observation, Jesus did!)

“Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father

in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him that sent me.”   John 15:16-21

Peter seems to restate the case for persecution of the believers by reminding us of the example of Jesus.  I pray that you will ponder this call to faithful service to our King regardless of the cost.

“Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters

with all fear;                                   (respect not terror)

not only to the good and gentle,

but also to the froward.  (unreasonable)

19 For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:17-25

As another side note, we are healed from sin by His stripes, so that we can live unto righteousness (See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).  I would also encourage you to read on into chapter 3 for more advice for our homes; remembering that what we live before our children is much more important than just our words.  I pray that God will help me to be more of what He has called me to be—by His grace, through His power, and for His glory.   Won’t you join me in concentrating on our pursuit of God this year—today, and today and the next today!!!

“This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

Amen and Amen!!!

 

You’re Prayed For??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #311

03 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus prayed, Jesus Saves!, Praise Encourages our Heart, Praise God Today!, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

You’re Prayed For???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #311

I want to take today’s post and share some encouraging words from our Lord Jesus—way more important than anything I might say—it’s the Lord Jesus’ prayer for us.  I pray your day; your coming weeks and months will be a year of drawing near to The One who loves you and gave His life for our salvation.  Blessings dear ones—may 2025 bring you joy, peace and spiritual growth like you’ve never known before.

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come;

glorify thy Son,

that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life

to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal,

that they might know thee

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ,

whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth:

I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father,

glorify thou me with thine own self

with the glory which I had with thee

before the world was.

6 I have manifested thy name

unto the men which thou gavest me

out of the world:

thine they were,

and thou gavest them me;

and they have kept thy word.

7 Now they have known that all things

whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words

which thou gavest me;

and they have received them,

and have known surely that I came out from thee,

and they have believed that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them:

I pray not for the world,

but for them which thou hast given me;

for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine,

and thine are mine;

and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world,

but these are in the world,

and I come to thee.

Holy Father,

keep through thine own name

those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one,

as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world,

I kept them in thy name:

those that thou gavest me I have kept,

and none of them is lost,

but the son of perdition;

that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee;

and these things I speak in the world,

that they might have my joy

fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word;

and the world hath hated them,

because they are not of the world,

even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them

out of the world,

but that thou shouldest

keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world,

even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth:

thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world,

even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself,

that they also might be sanctified

through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone,

but for them also which shall believe on me

through their word;

21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father,

art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me

I have given them;

that they may be one,

even as we are one:

23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.

24 Father, I will that they also,

whom thou hast given me,

be with me where I am;

that they may behold my glory,

which thou hast given me:

for thou lovedst me

before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father,

the world hath not known thee:

but I have known thee,

and these have known

that thou hast sent me.

26 And I have declared unto them thy name,

and will declare it:

that the love wherewith thou hast loved me

may be in them,

and I in them.”  John 17:1-26

That says it all.  May your day be filled with Jesus; for He died for you and me, and HE is coming again—sooner than we think, I believe!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Happy New Year, Maybe??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #309

30 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, He Died That We Could Live, Hear ye HIM!, The Same Yesterday, The Word Or The World?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Happy New Year, Maybe???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #309

I would like to share a New Year’s post this morning as I share my heart and prayer for each of you.  It’s an amazing prayer of Paul’s and I pray it often for myself and others, and today you are among those included.  I hope you will be blessed in its truth, hope and challenge to walk right before God and man; for this year as each and every year is spent one day-at-a-time, and we are the one who makes the choices!  We can choose to follow Jesus or our own impulses—the good, the bad or the ugly!  May you find your steps drawing closer to Jesus, The Master, Lord and King; that can come when we dig into His Word, spend time with Him in prayer, and exercise the fruit of The Spirit.  May these passages be a helpful reminder to make it a blessed year for you and yours.

“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.”  Hebrews 13:5-6

And Paul’s prayer for the Colossian believers, and I want to post verse 14 first, for it is the basis for all else that he states.  We must be born again and know Jesus in forgiveness and salvation.

“…translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son

In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:13b-14

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire

that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened

with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 Giving thanks

unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:”   Colossians 1:9-13

And in closing a part of Jesus’ prayer for us just before He went to the cross (I encourage you to read all of John 17 to see His heart for us.).

“I pray for them:

I pray not for the world,

but for them which thou hast given me;

for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine,

and thine are mine;

and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world,

but these are in the world,

and I come to thee.

Holy Father,

keep through thine own name

those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one,

as we are.”  John 17:9-11

May you have a blessed and successful year ahead, and no  matter the battles, remember that you are never alone!  You are loved, appreciated and prayed for by The One who bought you, and me!

“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.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

 and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:12-16 

We pray a blessed and spiritually successful year to you all.  May the joy of The Lord truly be your strength.  There is no battle, trial or trouble that will come our way that our God has not filtered through His fingers of love, grace for our good and His glory…

Happy New Year and even more importantly a blessed one!  We’ll see you in 2025, Lord willing!

Amen and Amen!!!

PS—My new book is available on Amazon, Ebay, and hopefully soon on Facebook.  The Fern In The Urinal by Blanche Brittain.

A Christmas Fortnight??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #303

17 Tuesday Dec 2024

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Peace, Peace Makers, Peace of God, Peace Of The Rock, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Prince of Peace

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

A Christmas Fortnight???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #303

Continuing the reposts for Christmas due to my injured finger—which is much better, just a bit cumbersome to type with.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #124 Prince of PEACE!!!

“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.” Is. 9:6

As we continue, we’ll look at the last of the four names of Jesus we’ve looked at in Isaiah.  “The Prince of PEACE”.  The Son of the Monarch!!!  Our God Almighty’s SON, and His name is ‘THE Prince of Peace”.  What kind of peace?  ALL peace, but most importantly, ‘Peace with GOD’!!!

Romans 5:1-2,

“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.”

Jesus brings us reconciling peace with God, so much so that:

“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.”  Romans 5:8-9

Jesus’ substitutionary death at Calvary makes us right with God; at PEACE with God; just before God.  Not because of my righteousness but HIS!!

Titus 3:4-6,

“But after that the kindness and love

of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”

It’s all God!!!  Our sin, our lostness, our need—JESUS’ cross!!!

Romans 5:10,

“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.”

Why?  How?

2 Corinthians 5:21,

“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.”

Jesus gives us peace with God through His death for our sin.  He credits us with HIS righteousness and because of His power and His Spirit, which He places within us, He empowers us to live in HIS righteousness.

May God grant you eyes to see His truth, and conviction in your hearts to come to Jesus, if you don’t know Him?  May God also grant those of us who belong to Him eyes to see and dig into His Word—HIS truth—and HE will:

“Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133.

How?  Hebrews 12:1-2 tell us how:

“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,”

HOW?    

“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.”

How, you ask; by ‘looking unto Jesus’, by keeping my eyes on the prize—Jesus is the goal and the prize!!!  He is all we need and if we’ll but keep ‘fixing our eyes’ on Jesus—He will ‘direct our paths’.  (See Proverbs 3:5-6)   Because–

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the Lord:

and he delighteth

in his way.”  Psalm 37:23.

May God grant you to receive HIS PEACE—Jesus—now and in the coming New Year and may you allow HIM to order your steps in HIS Word.  He is so faithful and He’s waiting for YOU!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Fortnight??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #301

15 Sunday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Jesus call, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Mighty God, Past-Present-Future, Prince of Peace, Salvation, The Word, Wonderful Counselor!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

A Christmas Fortnight???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #301

Continuing the reposts for Christmas due to my injured finger.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #122 A Christmas Fortnight-Wonderful Counselor?

“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.” Is. 9:6-7

Unto us the promise was and is given!  A child would be given! And “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this”!!  This child would come because God would send HIM, and He would be the ‘wonderful counselor’!!!

Wonderful: inspiring delight, pleasure or admiration; extremely good, marvelous.

Counselor: one who gives guidance, one trained to give guidance.

Jesus would be, is and ever shall be the most wonderful of counselors.  And what would He counsel us about?  Let’s see.

Revelation 3:17-18:

“Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not that

thou art wretched,

and miserable,

 and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

 and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”

Jesus’ advice in a nutshell: Let Him speak to your heart, reveal your sin and then receive HIM as the only cure for your sin problem.  No matter how much we ‘SAY’ that we are sufficient unto ourselves, Jesus reveals the truth of our heart.  But praise God; He doesn’t just leave us there.  He offers to supply (gold), clothes (white garments), and open our eyes to see!!!  To see Him—God, our Redeemer, Jesus!!!

Isaiah 55:1-2,

“Ho, every one that thirsteth,

come ye to the waters,

and he that hath no money;

come ye, buy, and eat;

yea, come,

buy wine and milk without money

and without price.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money

for that which is not bread?

and your labour

for that which satisfieth not?

hearken diligently unto me,

and eat ye that which is good,

and let your soul delight itself in fatness.”

Jesus is our delight, HE who gave HIMSELF for us!!!

John 10:14-15,

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

He willingly laid down HIS life for us to have LIFE!!!

Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”

This ‘Wonderful Counselor” can be our salvation because He Redeemed us with HIS OWN BLOOD.  Jesus laid down HIS life that He could take it back again after 3 days and be victorious over sin, death and hell for all who would believe in HIM.

Revelation 5:9-10,

“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.”

Jesus, the babe, came to die for YOU and ME!!!  If you know Him–praise Him, thank Him and live for Him that the world may know!!  If you don’t know Him—you can today.  Listen to His voice speaking to your heart, repent of your sin and trust in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection to be sufficient to save you, because:

“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.” Rev. 3:20

Won’t you open the door today??

Amen and Amen!!!