Category Archives: A Call To Look Unto Jesus!

Christmas Forthnight Day 9 A Word from THE WORD! #421

20 Saturday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Christ IS Alive!, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Holiness, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Power of The Cross, Praise Encourages our Heart, Praise God Today!, Time, Time Is Grace!, Times and Seasons, To Me To Live Is?, TODAY

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Christmas Fortnight Day 9   A Word from THE WORD! #421

Ornaments, lights, a manger and even trees—we’ve looked at all of these during this Christmas “Time”.  We are a culture of “Time”.  Clocks, watches, alarms, appointments, deadlines, punctuality!!!   All things related to time, so let’s take a ‘minute’ to talk about “Time”.  We mention Christmas ‘time’ as a special ‘time’ to reflect on the incarnation of our Messiah, our Savior, our Lord, yet is this not something that we should reflect on, celebrate and share all the ‘time’?

Philippians 2:7-8 says of Jesus,

“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.” 

Jesus stepped into “Time”,

He took on Himself the ‘likeness of men’.

He ‘humbled himself’,

took on servant hood

and walked to the cross for me and you.

Born to die!!!  It all goes together.  We should celebrate Jesus’ incarnation every day, for He came to “save His people from their sins”.  Jesus, God in the flesh, who (Father, Son and Spirit) exists irrespective of ‘time’. After all, He created ‘time’.

Time is set as a tool not a dictator.  Are we so hung up on ‘times’ and ‘seasons’ that we forget to use our ‘time’ celebrating and sharing the love of God each and every day. Christmas and Resurrection go together.  Jesus is LORD of all ‘Time’.

The Apostle Paul tells us how to celebrate Jesus in this same section of his letter to the Philippians believers.

 “…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.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless,

the sons of God, without rebuke,

in the midst of a crooked

and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth the word of life;…”                Philippians 2:12b-16a

 JESUS! JESUS! JESUS! “Christ in you, the hope of glory..”

May we ever remember that in time, on time, every time is our LORD Jesus!  We need to remember to “abide” in HIM!

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:5

So?  As someone said, ‘Just do it’…  Let’s celebrate Jesus all the “Time”—everyday, everyway ALL days!!!  In time, on time, every time!  He is worthy of our praise, always!

“I will bless the LORD

at all times:

his praise shall

continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

Amen and Amen!!!

Christmas Fortnight Day 6 A Word from THE WORD! #418

17 Wednesday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Christmas Ponderings, GET READY, Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Or Taking?, Gospel, Grace, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails

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Christmas Fortnight Day 6 A Word from THE WORD! #418

We’ve looked at lights and ornaments, today let’s look at money.  Well, not exactly ‘money’ but ‘accounting’.  Most of us think of money when we think of accounting but God may have something different to say. Christmas has become very commercial; there is no doubt but that’s not my focus.  We all have a debt to pay, regardless of what we spend at Christmas.

“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

The sinless Lamb of God came to pay my sin debt so I could be ‘accounted’ righteous before God.  As someone said, “He paid a debt he didn’t owe, I owed a debt I couldn’t pay...”   Praise God for that precious sinless babe—He came to pay MY sin debt.

“For the WAGES of sin

is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord”, Romans 6:23

James also reminds us that Jesus’ death offers you and me the opportunity to receive the righteousness of God through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith,

Abraham believed God,

and it was imputed unto him

for righteousness:

and he was called the Friend of God.”  James 2:23

Abraham like you and I, had a sin debt, and God exercised an accounting transaction for him by faith in the coming Messiah—the One who would pay for sin of all who will believe—by grace through faith (See Ephesians 2:8-10). Imputed means ‘to credit to an account’, God imputed righteousness to Abraham by faith in this coming Messiah and we are saved the same way.  We are made righteous by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, our Messiah as payment for sinners like me!  We sinners can receive the ‘gift’ of salvation to PAY for our sin, all through this baby born to die for sin—yours and mine.

Well, that ought to give us something to celebrate at Christmas time and all year long.  Like I tell people, ‘I love Christmas, because I love Jesus’, and if I belong to Jesus then I can—no I should—celebrate Jesus/Christmas all year long.  I have received a credit to my account, and I need to share it!!!

How?  By letting that ‘light’ we talked about shine through me.  By being an ‘ornament’ of grace that spreads His love and kindness to all those in my path–

At the gas station—

At the bank—

At the grocery store—

In the checkout line—

At church (even there!)–

Everywhere and

all the time

being “God so loved the world that HE gave”

to all.

“Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16.

Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Fortnight: Day 1 A Word from THE WORD! #413

07 Sunday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Christ IS Alive!, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Christmas Ponderings

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A Christmas Fortnight:Day 1 A Word From THE WORD! #413

The Christmas Fortnight: I thought it would be nice to spend a bit of time up to Christmas sharing some of the joys of Christmas.  I’d like to start with the very reason that we celebrate this time of year, without getting into all of the debate about whether or not Christians should even celebrate during this time, I’d like us to simply share the ways that we celebrate Jesus.

Each individual must choose for themselves if and how they will celebrate Christmas.  I celebrate the gift of God’s Son, born of a Virgin, according to the scriptures,

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;

Behold, a virgin shall conceive,

and bear a son, and shall call his name

Immanuel.”  Isaiah 7:14

The promised birth of Jesus was the sign that God’s Messiah would arrive on planet Earth and meet the need for Redemption of fallen man.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

God with us, to save us from our sin.   All for me and you—each a sinner!  How could we not rejoice that the God of the universe loved us so much that He had “Pre-planned” the solution for our sin even before Adam fell.  Oh, how it takes my breath away to know that I am loved that much; that Jesus restrained His glory to put on human flesh, to be born, live and die for me.  As the angels declared

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men.” Luke 2:14.

Smile today—celebrate Jesus!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

What A Sad Change??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #384

10 Wednesday Sep 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Broad road or the Straight Gate?, Broken Cisterns, Busy-ness or Business?

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What A Sad Change??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #384

“Hath a nation changed their gods,

which are yet no gods?

but my people have changed their glory

for that which doth not profit.

12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this,

and be horribly afraid,

be ye very desolate,

saith the LORD.

13 For my people have committed two evils;

they have forsaken me

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed them out cisterns,

broken cisterns,

that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2::11-13

I can’t help but feel that God could have sent this message to America now, instead of Israel—it fits; especially when we have leaders who are now telling us that our liberties aren’t a God-given asset, but rather a “government-given” and “government-controlled” operating system; claiming that our country wasn’t founded on Biblical, Judeo-Christian principles and the Bible!  Talk about a “broken cistern”!

I truly pray that we will pray for our country, for our leaders (regardless of political affiliation), and for God’s own people to humble ourselves and come to the cross seeking cleansing, grace and restoration to biblical principles in our lives, our families, our schools and our government (and I’m not talking about cramming religion down the throats of those who aren’t interested, for truly religion without the redemption offered at the cross is futile, but I am talking about those who love truth to stand up for it!)!  But I also believe that we haven’t stood up because most don’t even know God’s Word enough to stand.  We have forsaken the living water for that which is stagnant!

Jesus encountered a woman with this very problem—and His instruction to her, is still what people need today—especially those who are going to a well that can’t satisfy their soul!  Let’s consider Jesus’ message to this woman!

“There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her,

Give me to drink.

8 (For his disciples were gone away

unto the city to buy meat.)

9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him,

How is it that thou,

being a Jew,

askest drink of me,

 which am a woman of Samaria?

for the Jews have no dealings

with the Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said unto her,

If thou knewest the gift of God,

and who it is that saith to thee,

Give me to drink;

thou wouldest have asked of him,

and he would have given thee

living water.

11 The woman saith unto him,

Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with,

and the well is deep:

from whence then hast thou that living water?

12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob,

which gave us the well,

and drank thereof himself,

and his children,

and his cattle?

13 Jesus answered and said unto her,

Whosoever drinketh of this water

shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water

that I shall give him

shall never thirst;

but the water that I shall give him

shall be in him a well of water

springing up into everlasting life.

15 The woman saith unto him,

Sir, give me this water,

that I thirst not,

neither come hither to draw.”  John 4:7-15

Notice that Jesus told this woman that the “water” that He would give her would be a:                           Well of water…

                                    Springing up into everlasting life…

                                    That we would never thirst…

                                    That His water is living water…

Who could give this kind of water, “living water”?  Only The One who actually made water to begin with.  He not only can but will give unto those who come to HIM in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice.  We must, like the woman at the well, choose whom and what we will believe!  She believed and received, then she shared His truth with those in her town.  What are we doing with Jesus and His truth?  Are we flourishing in this living water, or are we living with spiritual dehydration?  Are we trying to drink from “broken cisterns”, as God told Jeremiah to share, trying to drink from that which cannot hold water.  I find it interesting that we use that phrase regularly, to refer to something that isn’t worthy of credence, yet we refuse the offer of Jesus’ living water, attempting to provide our own resources, when we do, we will find that we have an unquenchable thirst.  Jesus position as creator is established in scripture.  John 1 is one of those passages, as the Apostle John begins His gospel, not at Bethlehem, but in eternity past—not the beginning of “God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”—but the beginning of mankind and the earthly creation; and John makes it clear that Jesus was and is the creator along with His Father and the Holy Spirit.

“In the beginning was

the Word, and

the Word was with God, and

the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

Another perspective of provision is found in the model prayer that Jesus gave to His disciples.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.”  Matthew 6:9-11

Jesus told us to seek God for HIS will, HIS timing, and HIS provision for our sustenance (food and water)!  Whose provision are you depending upon; Jesus? Or broken cisterns?  Cisterns which can’t hold water.  Jesus is my all-in-all, and He can and will provide if we will but come to Him, believing as the woman at the well did!  One of Jesus’ final calls to come is another opportunity for you to receive this living water?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify

unto you

these things in the churches.

I am the root and the offspring of David,

and the bright and morning star.

17 And the Spirit and the bride say,

Come.

And let him that heareth say, Come.

And let him that is athirst come.

And whosoever will,

let him take the water of life freely.”             Revelation 22:16-17

True confidence will usually result in contentment!  Paul gives us a most profound principle for this contentment!

“But godliness with contentment

is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.”  1 Timohty 6:7-8

I pray that you know The Living Water—His name is Jesus and He gave His life for you to be saved!  (Read John chapter 3!)

Amen and Amen!!!

Clamor Or Calm??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #383

07 Sunday Sep 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Calm or Clamor?, Change your attitude, Check Your Knees???, Never Alone, No man can serve two masters!, Paying attention, Peace, Peace Makers, Peace of God, Peace Of The Rock, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Perseverance, Place of Safety, Seek ye first The Kingdom of God, Self-sufficient or Dependent on Jesus?, Servanthood, Serve The Lord with gladness., Serving God or Using God?

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Clamor Or Calm??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #383

 

I must be honest, I am weary of all the clamor going on around us; who we hate, who we don’t hate, who’s right, who’s wrong, what are we supposed to be pursuing?  I would simply like to share a few things that we find in God’s Word, that I pray will help us bring calm to our lives, our hearts and the effect that we have on others.  Jesus didn’t need politics, and we need Jesus instead of anything else!

“These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:25-27

Jesus has promised us HIS peace, via the Holy Spirit—The Spirit of God/Jesus which He promised would bring “all things to your remembrance”!  Notice (as I often teach in my classes) that Jesus said The Spirit would bring things to our “Re’membrance”; and if you go back in mind to your childhood grammar classes, hopefully you’ll remember that the small prefix “re” means to ‘do over’—meaning that we must, I repeat must, “member” it first.  We must put The Word in us and then the Holy Spirit will help us to remember things at the appropriate time. While I won’t put it here, if you’ll go back and read Matthew chapter 4 where Jesus encounters the tempter, Satan, He, Jesus, faced and overcame each temptation with scripture telling the enemy, “It Is Written”. Even when Satan used scripture, Jesus brought him back to the actual context of God’s Word!  That is such a good principle and practice for us to apply to our lives today!

I can’t tell you the peace that I have experienced in life by knowing God’s Word—in its context!  It is such a joy and delight to know Jesus through His Word, and to use Jesus’ own words, it is imperative; for we will either be serving ourselves, the enemy of our souls, or The Lord Jesus Christ!  Jesus said it much better than I can.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye:

if therefore thine eye be single,

thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil,

thy whole body shall be full of darkness.

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness,

how great is that darkness!

24 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.”  Matthew 6:19-24

We can choose to follow The Master who gives peace, grace, love and wisdom; or we can let the clamor of the world keep us in an upheaval, not knowing which way to turn or whom to believe.  When we know Jesus and what He has said in His Word, we will find an amazing peace that “passeth all understanding” (See Philippians 4:7.)

Let me just say, that scripture isn’t calling us to be negligent of our responsibilities, but He is calling us to have right priorities and be pursuing His kingdom priorities as we faithfully serve God and provide for our own families as He directs.  A couple of passages that direct us in putting God first will never direct us to neglect the physical needs of our family, but we will seek to do it God’s way!

“But when ye pray,

use not vain repetitions,

as the heathen do:

for they think that they shall be heard

for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them:

for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of,

before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread…”  Matthew 6:7-11a

Paul had somewhat to say about this also!

“…Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;

but righteousness,

and peace,

and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18 For he that in these things serveth Christ

is acceptable to God,

and approved of men.”  Romans 14:16b-18

I know I wrestle with these things on occasion, and I just plain forget to keep my eyes on the prize—Jesus!  It is so easy to be distracted with all the clamor around us; with all the things seemingly demanding our time, our focus, and attention—things of the world and not of our Lord Jesus!  It’s one of the reasons we are to keep our eyes “fixed on Jesus”!  Isaiah reminded me of God’s faithful provision not long ago, may we ever remember that our God never fails, and HE has promised to never abandon us!  I encourage you to read the context of this passage from Isaiah.

“And the key of the house of David

will I lay upon his shoulder;

so he shall open,

and none shall shut;

and he shall shut,

and none shall open.

23 And I will fasten him

as a nail in a sure place;

and he shall be for a glorious throne

to his father’s house.”  Isaiah 22:22-23

It’s much like the assurance that God gives to us through the author of the book of Hebrews, knowing that even though God may discipline His own, He will never ever abandon us.

“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

Even as the author tells us that we have a great one to run to in our time of need—He never sleeps nor slumbers!

“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 4:15-16

So, as I bring this post to a close, I want us to consider the call that Peter gives to us to know how to walk right before God in this calm assurance; in the power of Jesus to not be overcome of the crazy clamor all around us, but to be the steadfast servants of our King Jesus—living hope, peace and joy that will lead others to the cross of Him who is The way—The truth—The life!  The only way to God, to heaven and to receive eternal life!  May others see His peace and calm in us—in contrast to the clamor of the world!  Let’s reflect Jesus today!!

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here

in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope might be in God.”                         1 Peter 1:14-21

I pray that God’s greatest blessings of peace will fall on you today!  If you need Jesus, please call on Him today— “for by grace ye are saved through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast” (See Ephesians 2:8-10!)

“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.”  Romans 5:1-2

Amen and Amen!!!