Category Archives: A Call To Look Unto Jesus!

Only Jesus Can Save??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #218

09 Thursday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Be ye HOLY, Come to Jesus, Commitment Or Convenience, Faith, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Sharing Our Faith!, Sharing What God Has Given

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Only Jesus Can Save??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #218

Only one life, twill soon be past

Only what’s done for Christ, will last!

This is the refrain from a hymn written by C.T. Studd, a British missionary who served with Hudson Taylor.  I’ll post the entirety at the end of this message, and I pray that it will encourage and challenge you today.  For that is the subject I want to share with you today—it’s all about Jesus; Jesus our Lord who gave His all for you and me, and yet so many who claim His name have no time to spend with Him, no time for serving Him in His church, no time to share the Gospel with others, for we’re often so unfamiliar with God’s Word that we’re not sure what “The Gospel” is, so that’s our subject today!  May this help you to stand!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12

Only One name, only One way:

“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

John’s gospel is replete with the truths of the saving grace of Jesus alone, and we must be born of God not of ourselves.  We can never clean up our act, so to speak, enough to be able to stand before God; it doesn’t matter how much money, or power, or fame, or status you have before the world, only Jesus can bring you into a relationship with God, by the power and  conviction of sin that His precious Holy Spirit brings—and if you never see your sin, you’ll never see your need for Jesus.  You’ll still have the need, but you won’t see it.

“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

Have you experienced the new birth?  Have you come unto Jesus saving grace, bought, and paid for at Calvary?  Jesus told a religious man named Nicodemus that no matter how religious he was, that wasn’t how you get to God.  Yes, we are to be holy and righteous in our living when Jesus saves us, but our good works are the product of our salvation not the producer of it!  We do good works because Jesus forgives, saves, transforms us by the power of His blood.

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

And Jesus own words:

“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…

…. 5 Jesus answered,

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…

….14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

 because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”  Portions of John 3:3-19

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

 ye shall all likewise perish…

… 5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3 & 5

Will you choose life or perish?  Paul’s great “gospel in a nutshell” passage, makes it clear what it is that we are to believe as we repent of our sin—it’s all about Jesus, and only Jesus!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Have you heard the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart about your sin?  I heard that dreaded voice of conviction years ago, and while it wasn’t what I wanted to hear, it was truth and when I fell on my face in repentance of my hard heart of sin, Jesus touched me, and I got up a new person—not perfect but redeemed and He has never left me through all my trials, failures, and mistakes!  He is the God who saves, redeems, forgives, and cleanses us from sin.  Trust Him today if you don’t know Him; and if you do already know Him, won’t you decide to live for HIM today?

“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 1:7-10

It’s a heart issue; what’s in your heart, Jesus, or the enemy of your soul?

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications,                                    thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”   Matthew 15:17-19

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past
by C.T. Studd

 Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,                                                           And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill.
living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,                                                              And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

__ extra stanza __

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s Influencing You??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #212

24 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Compromise, Influence, Influenced by the world or Jesus?, Iron Sharpening Iron, Payday???, Pleasure in sin for a season, Satan's lies., Saved FROM Sin, Stand Fast!, Study to Show Yourself Approved Unto God, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Gospel, the Lamb of God, The Word, The Word Or The World?, There IS (Still) A Fountain, There IS a Test!, Today is the day of Salvation, Too Late To Call?, Transformation, Transformed life, Trendy Or Truth, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Truth, Truth is True, Try yourselves, Wolves in sheep's clothing!, Worldliness

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

What’s Influencing You???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #212

“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

Paul called the believers in Rome to choose to live for Jesus by giving their lives to Him in every situation, circumstance, or trial, telling them and us that this “is your reasonable service”!  What have we chosen to make our ‘service’?  The world is in attack mode toward anything of God, toward anything based in or on The Word of God, especially the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Paul warned us of the danger of conforming to the world, and said we must continually keep guard over our heart and mind by seeking the mind of Jesus!  The main way we do that is by digging into His Word and keeping the lines of communication open with Him through prayer.

Speaking for myself, and maybe you too, it has become too easy to choose to ‘gel’ in the recliner and watch the deceit of the world from “Hellywood’s” perspective.  I recently watched a particular series purported to be “family friendly”, I even read a comment on the series as one that every family should “be like”.  Well, as I considered what was going on, let me share some of the things that we supposedly should mimic:  multiple couples sleeping together without benefit of marriage, a couple who shared ‘vows’ but did not want to marry—concluding it wasn’t necessary in their opinion, sexual perversion accepted and celebrated, staying home with children seen as missing personal and professional success, and I could go on.  There was never one reference to God in any situation much less a church; and this is just one example of how much we accept as tolerable to be entertained.  Consider some of the old TV shows, there were things that we wouldn’t have participated in as Christians, yet we invited those activities to be the center of attention in our living rooms.

Without sharing the entirety of Romans 1, I simply want to share a portion of the close of this chapter.  The enemy is alive and well, and desires to influence, entrap and mislead us into his evil schemes. Remember that he is the enemy—your enemy and mine.  We need to stop playing ‘footsie’ with him!

“And even as they did not like to retain God

in their knowledge,

God gave them over to a reprobate mind,

to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness,

fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God,

that they which commit such things

 are worthy of death,

not only do the same,

but have pleasure in them that do them.”   Romans 1:28-32

Sin is contagious.  And while we are to love the lost, we must heed Paul’s advice from Romans 12 and “be not conformed to this world”!  Satan paints lovely pictures of sin, and it can be pleasurable for a time, but the cost will be more than expected.  As I’ve written before, “Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay!”  And my friends, there is a payday coming, and I believe it is already here, as we see our children and grandchildren being deceived, led astray, and destroyed by the lies of the enemy; and often partly because we failed to see the danger of compromising with the world, for whatever reasons we were deceived by!  There is pleasure in sin “for a season”, yet it seems that payday is here, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t like the taste.  Moses made a choice, and so must we!  What will you choose?  What have you already chosen that you might want to reconsider? What price tag?

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years,

refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25 Choosing rather

to suffer affliction with the people of God,

than to enjoy the pleasures of sin

for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ

greater riches

than the treasures in Egypt:

for he had respect

unto the recompence of the reward.”   Hebrews 11:24-26

The questions: “Whose child are you?”; “What will you choose?”; “Will you compromise by being desensitized to sin?”; or “Will you withstand in the evil day?”!  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test!  Peter says it better than I can.

“But ye are a chosen generation,

a royal priesthood,

an holy nation,

a peculiar people;

that ye should shew forth the praises

of him who hath called you out of darkness

into his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9

Darkness or light?  We must know God’s truth and that takes time, effort, and commitment to study The Word.  We can’t walk in His light without The Holy Spirit within—and He only indwells those who have been born again.  If you know Him, won’t you consider your ways?  If you don’t know Him, you can, by hearing the voice of His Spirit calling you to repentance of your sin and trusting to/believing in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made at Calvary.  Then walk in the light.

“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 1:5-10.

Amen and Amen!!!

Have You Heard God’s Call??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #210

19 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, God's Call, God's Faithfulness, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Salvation, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Call of God!, Wolves in sheep's clothing!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Have You Heard God’s Call???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #210

I have what I consider an important word for us this morning which will hopefully call each of us to examine our heart to see if we have heard the call of The Lord and Savior and responded in repentance and faith.

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver,

if she lose one piece,

doth not light a candle,

and sweep the house,

and seek diligently

till she find it?

9 And when she hath found it,

she calleth her friends

and her neighbours together, saying,

Rejoice with me;

for I have found the piece

which I had lost.

10 Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

over one sinner that repenteth.”  Luke 15:8-10

We seem to have morphed the Gospel into a “formula” of speaking Jesus’ name and thinking we are His, just because we know His name.  I know a lot of famous people by their name, but I don’t “know” them; the same way many call Jesus’ name like a talisman or a heavenly slot machine—put in His name, pull the handle and you have what you want.  NOT!  Jesus made it clear that it’s not just His name, it’s knowing HIM through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, and repentance of my sin!

“There were present at that season some that told him

of the Galilaeans,

whose blood Pilate had mingled

with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said unto them,

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners

above all the Galilaeans,

because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

 ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen,

upon whom the tower in Siloam fell,

and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners

above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:1-5

John chapter 6-8 can be called the hard sayings of Jesus, and many walked away during those teachings of hard things, yet Jesus makes some statements that we need to consider. We can’t come to Jesus just anytime we want, it requires the conviction of the precious Holy Spirit of our sin, God’s calling us to repentance and faith in His Son.  If you’ve heard the voice of God speaking to your heart, I beg you not to turn that voice away—it may not come again.  We never know when God will stop speaking to our heart—don’t miss heaven by neglecting to be a “whosoever will, may come”!  You can choose to be one who walks away from Him, but as Joshua proclaimed, “As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord.”

“The Jews then murmured at him,

because he said,

I am the bread which came down from heaven.

42 And they said,

Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph,

whose father and mother we know?

how is it then that he saith,

I came down from heaven?

43 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…

…64 But there are some of you that believe not.

For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were

that believed not,

and who should betray him.

65 And he said,

Therefore said I unto you,

that no man can come unto me,

except it were given unto him of my Father.

66 From that time many of his disciples

went back, and walked no more with him.”  Portions of John 6:41-66

Don’t miss God’s voice speaking to you—even if you are a church member without Jesus, don’t be ashamed to repent and receive His saving grace and proclaim it to the world!  If you are a religious leader but have never responded to the voice of God—if He is calling you, answer in repentance and faith and proclaim it to the world!  God is looking for such bold servants, who proclaim the truth over error; don’t be misled down that “broad road” of “easy believeism” and miss Jesus and heaven. Jesus says it better than I can!  The many or the few—it’s your choice!

“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…

…. 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.”  Portions of Matthew 7:13-23

These are hard sayings, but they are of eternal import, and your soul’s destiny is at stake.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test—and it’s God’s standard not yours that will prevail.  Ready or not Jesus is coming—and God has given Him the right of judgment!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea

gave up the dead which were in it;

and death and hell

delivered up the dead which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:11-15

Please don’t turn away from the voice of Jesus calling you—no matter your station, your place in the religious community, your pride, power or success, the people who might ridicule you—turn to Jesus in repentance and faith when HE calls to you, and don’t be ashamed of His saving grace!

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,

him will I confess also before my Father

which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men,

him will I also deny before my Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 10:32-33

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.”   2 Peter 3:9

Don’t miss Jesus today!  He’s calling!  He’s coming!  He loves you and so do we!

Amen and Amen!!!

What Is My Life Preaching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #209

17 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Born Again, Narrow way or The Broad way?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Preaching Jesus, Preaching truth about SIN, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Blood Of Jesus, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Call of God!, The Cross or the world?, The foolishness of preaching, Without a Word?, Witness, Worldliness, You can overcome, You can't get yesterday back!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

What Is My Life Preaching???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #209

God has given us physical life, and the saving power of Jesus in imparting to us the new birth—being born again by the blood of Jesus, through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice—but does the world see Jesus IN me, IN you, In the lives of those calling themselves part of the church of Jesus Christ—His bride?  We are called to be faithful witnesses—in fact we are witnesses—the question seems to be, what are we being faithful to?  Are we living in such a way that others see Jesus not only in us, but in our display before the world in our interactions with others.  Do I correct a clerk who undercharged me for an item?  Do I display Jesus when I am being mistreated?  Do I extend Jesus’ love to those who are cross with me?  Do I respond in grace, peace, and love when I am being falsely accused?

“And he said unto them,

It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,

which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power,

after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me

both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judaea,

and in Samaria,

and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things,

while they beheld,

he was taken up;

and a cloud received him

out of their sight.”  Acts 1:7-9

When we read through the book of Acts, we see the accomplishing of this commission from Jesus to the disciples.

I love reading through Acts, to see the successes, the failures, the boldness, and failures to really believe.  Our world is no different!  We must remember that it is the power of The Holy Spirit, who enables us to accomplish God’s work, so I’d like to share a few passages for us to ponder today, and ask God to reveal to us our own heart, and examine our path to see if we are going His way—on that narrow road—or have we slipped into the worldliness of the broad way? (See Matthew 7:13-14.)

The author of Hebrews gives us great advice.

“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.”  Hebrews 12:1-4

Are we resisting the devil and standing for Jesus, or just floating downstream along with the flow?  We have only one message that will help others and that is the cross and Jesus Christ crucified, risen, and coming again—His blood that saves and transforms lives.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize,

but to preach the gospel:

not with wisdom of words,

lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom

of the wise,

and will bring to nothing the understanding

of the prudent…

….21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.”  Portions of 1 Corinthians 1:17-25

And one of my favorite passages, a familiar one in part, and while many often quote Ephesians 2:8-9 to prove that we are only saved by grace through faith, we often stop and don’t read on in verse 10 that we are saved “unto good works”, and not just a doing good deeds, but working out that which God has put in!

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”   Ephesians 2:8-10

The very thing that Paul was referring to in his letter to the Philippian believers.

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13

We can’t work “for” our salvation, but when we are saved, born again, we are to be a display of what God has worked in us.  Working it “out” because God has put it “within” us!  So, my friends, what are our lives “preaching”; even without words?  In fact we preach way more with our actions than our words!  God bless your day my friends, and thanks for joining us!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Amen and Amen!!!

Do You Not See? Not Hear??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #204

03 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Do you not hear?, Do you not see?, God Who Sees, God's Call, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Judgment, Hear ye HIM!, Hearing God, Independence, Iron Sharpens Iron, Isaiah, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Renewing or Reviewing, Repentance, Responding Rightly, Resting Or Wrestling?, REvival, Revival or Recycle?, Righteousness exalts a nation, Seeing Truth, Servanthood, Serving God or Using God?, When Is True NOT?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Who's Listening?, Witness

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Do You Not See? Not Hear??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #204

I don’t know why this particular passage was laid upon my heart, but as it was, I want to share as simply and humbly as I know how the truth that God keeps bringing to my heart.  We are in a difficult place, and I don’t see a lot of people ready to truly come to God The Father, Jesus Christ The Son, through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, in true, honest, repentance and longing for the fire of revival to start in “me”!  May we truly come to the feet of Jesus for the touch of The Master’s hand to cleanse and make us usable, even as Isaiah did.  Lord please open our eyes to see you as YOU are, not as we have tried to conform you to.  When Isaiah saw you, he was humble and open to your will—may I be so!

“In the year that king Uzziah died

I saw also the Lord

sitting upon a throne,

high and lifted up,

and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims:

each one had six wings;

with twain he covered his face,

and with twain he covered his feet,

and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said,

Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts:

the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door moved

at the voice of him that cried,

and the house was filled with smoke.

5 Then said I,

Woe is me! for I am undone;

because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst of a people

of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me,

having a live coal in his hand,

which he had taken with the tongs

from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said,

Lo, this hath touched thy lips;

and thine iniquity is taken away,

and thy sin purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,

Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?

Then said I,

Here am I; send me.

9 And he said,

Go, and tell this people,

Hear ye indeed,

but understand not;

and see ye indeed,

but perceive not.”  Isaiah 6:1-9

Isaiah was brought to see his sin and the sin of his people, he realized that he was unsuitable to serve God, “but God”—oh, that is one of my favorite phrases in all of scripture, “but God”!  I am so glad that God has a plan, and if we will but humble ourselves and turn from our own way, He will send the fire of salvation to our soul.  While the “but God” isn’t specifically in this passage the principle is—as Isaiah saw his own condition before God and then the “but God” principle changed him; and God will change us if and when we let go of our own pride, self-will, and independence and fall on our faces before His holy presence and the convicting power of The Holy Spirit!  We are transformed into the “sent” to share His glory with a lost and dying world—but notice the message isn’t one that most want to hear; and it’s not the only time that Isaiah was compelled by God to speak this message.  Paul’s challenge to us reminds me that we are called today to share the same message of the finished work of Jesus Christ our Lord—the Risen LORD!

“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

And as we ask God to touch our own hearts, may we hear another of Isaiah’s messages, and lay ourselves open before God, truly seeking conviction to the revival of the saved, conviction of sin, unto repentance for the lost, yielding a great harvest from God not our own hands!  Unlike many preach and teach today, it’s not about being “happy”—God is calling us to holiness; and I think God is often offended by what we have tried to make holy for our own convenience; have we become those who hear with our hears but don’t understand, and see with our eyes yet don’t perceive what God is asking from us or even doing around us?  And while Isaiah’s message is a lengthy one, I think it valuable for our consideration.

“To whom then will ye liken God?

or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

19 The workman melteth a graven image,

and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold,

and casteth silver chains.

20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation

chooseth a tree that will not rot;

he seeketh unto him a cunning workman

to prepare a graven image,

that shall not be moved.

21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard?

hath it not been told you

from the beginning?

have ye not understood

from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth,

and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers;

that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain,

and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

23 That bringeth the princes to nothing;

he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

24 Yea, they shall not be planted;

yea, they shall not be sown: yea,

their stock shall not take root in the earth:

and he shall also blow upon them,

and they shall wither,

and the whirlwind shall take them away

as stubble.

25 To whom then will ye liken me,

or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes on high,

and behold who hath created these things,

that bringeth out their host by number:

he calleth them all by names

by the greatness of his might,

for that he is strong in power;

not one faileth.

27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob,

and speakest, O Israel,

My way is hid from the LORD,

and my judgment is passed over from my God?

28 Hast thou not known?

hast thou not heard,

that the everlasting God,

the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

fainteth not,

neither is weary?

there is no searching of his understanding.

29 He giveth power

to the faint;

and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths

shall faint and be weary,

and the young men

shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:18-31

Oh, to be one that waits “upon the LORD”, that is the desire of my heart; and there have been times that I have waited patiently, other times that I waited but not very patiently, but oh my friends, the victory that God will bring is so much more than “worth it”!  Jesus is coming again—hold fast, my friends—our redemption “draweth nigh”; so don’t put off what God is calling you to do!  Will you hear?  Will you see?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming

in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

 and lift up your heads;

for your redemption draweth nigh.”   Luke 21:27-28.

Amen and Amen!!!