Category Archives: A Father’s Love

What’s In Your Book??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #106

10 Monday Jul 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Examine Myself?, Eyes that SEE HIM, Eyes that see not, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Have You Heard?, Judgment, What's in your book?

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What’s In Your Book??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #106

I’m a writer, and I’m also a reader–not as avid as I used to be, but when I take the chance I love to read; but there is a ‘reading’ coming for every man, woman, boy, and girl, and we will all stand before God and give an account of not only our lives, our deeds and our actions, but first and foremost “what we have done with Jesus”!  Every believer and follower of Jesus will give an account of our words and deeds, receiving rewards or losing any reward but not our salvation.

“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.”  1 Corinthians 3:11-15

So, it would seem that we are writing a book each day, hence the question, “What’s In Your Book?”!  Are we writing a book by God’s grace, goodness, and provision, ‘in the Spirit’ worthy of reward ‘In Jesus’?  Or are we writing a book full of our own ways and missing the opportunities which God provides to each of us to display the glory of Jesus?  This is only true for believers, for Jesus made it clear that the choice to believe and receive HIM by repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice IS the determining factor of the judgment that we will face.

“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.”  John 3:16-19

All will give an account–personally, individually, for all eternity!  God is keeping the accounts, not man.

“…Who shall give account

to him that is ready to judge

the quick

and the dead.”  1 Peter 4:5

The judgment will be for the lowly and those in authority, especially Christian leaders (and we are obligated to heed our leaders):

“Obey them that have the rule over you,

and submit yourselves:

for they watch for your souls,

as they that must give account,

that they may do it with joy,

and not with grief:

for that is unprofitable for you.”  Hebrews 13:17

“My brethren,

be not many masters,

knowing that we shall receive

the greater condemnation.”  James 3:1

Jesus again reminds us that it’s a “heart” issue!

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye, being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words

thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words

thou shalt be condemned.”  Matthew 12:34-37

 And in case you are wondering, God IS the judge, and HIS Word is the standard!  So what are you putting into your book–what’s the condition of your heart, for remember Jesus said it’s all “out of the heart”!

“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 a reminder for we who are believers and followers of Jesus–we will also give an account; there are two major judgments in scripture; The Great White Throne for the lost, and The Judgment Seat of Christ for the saved!

“For we must all appear

before the judgment seat of Christ;

that every one may receive

the things done in his body,

according to that he hath done,

whether it be good

or bad.”  2 Corinthians 5:10

“But why dost thou judge

thy brother?

or why dost thou set at nought

thy brother?

for we shall all stand

before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow

to me,

and every tongue shall confess

to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account

of himself to God.”  Romans 14:10-12

In closing, should you reject the offer of salvation and forgiveness that Jesus purchased at Calvary, there is an accounting time for you.  But please choose Jesus while there is time.

“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

So what’s in your “book”?  The blood of Jesus, which “cleanseth us from all sin”; or will you have a debt due for your sin?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Kneel To Prevent Stumbling??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #102

28 Wednesday Jun 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, Kneeling Prevents Stumbling!, Praise God Today!, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?

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Kneel To Prevent Stumbling??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #102

“Confess your faults

one to another,

and pray

one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual

fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.”  James 5:16

Prayer makes a difference, but oftentimes it isn’t what we think it is.  We think of “The Lord’s Prayer”, or one of Paul’s prayers, or going to church and bowing our heads, or even praying for someone in need; all of these things can be ‘prayer’, but there is so much more!  Paul hit the nail on the head.

In the midst of a long list of instructions to the Thessalonian believers, Paul helps us understand that prayer isn’t as restricted as we often think!  It’s not restricted to our “knees” or some of us senior citizens couldn’t pray, for our knees have long-since ceased to allow us to “kneel”, but I/we still pray.  For me, usually in my chair, in bed (but most often only to aid my sleep, for I know that praying and talking with God in bed will sooth my heart and mind and most often lead me into peaceful sleep–which is a good thing!)!  But don’t reserve your prayer time to bedtime or you’ll most often find that you fall asleep before you finish praying.  I often pray in my car where ‘me and Jesus’ (not good grammar but good theology–and with my eyes open!) have some of our best talks! Let’s peruse part of Paul’s list and then I’ll make a few comments and leave you to ponder these truths of prayer!

“Rejoice

evermore.

17 Pray

without ceasing.

18 In every thing

give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.

19 Quench

not the Spirit.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

If I may, I’d like to just paraphrase a bit of this for us today, to kind of “put a handle on it” for us!

Rejoice–always have a spirit of joy, not giddy, silly disregard for circumstances, sorrow, or grief, but the spirit of Jesus in us coming out so others can see HIS power to give JOY even in the midst of sorrow!

Pray–always have a mindset of God’s presence, and a continual conversation with HIM…knowing that Jesus’ is with me even–no especially–in the times I don’t know what to do.  To remember that prayer is a two-way conversation and that listening to God’s voice is even more important than the sound of my own voice.  Always being ready to talk to God in the everyday circumstances of life–driving, washing dishes, planting flowers, or shopping (shopping is one of our greatest missed opportunities to hear God’s voice urging us to speak to someone, or see a person short of some cash in front of us) seeing opportunities to minister Jesus to ‘people’ in real ways, not just talk!  That’s praying ‘without ceasing’, not going around ever falling on our knees physically, but staying on our spiritual knees before God.  As I heard recently, “it’s hard to stumble on bended knees”!

Be thankful–not giddy in difficulty but having that permanent ‘attitude of gratitude’, ever knowing that God is working “all things” to make me more like Jesus–you know, The ONE who walked up Calvary’s hill for ME and YOU!  Using our resources, talents, and energies to serve God and others, not spending them whining (did I just say that?)

Yielding–to the will of God in all things, showing the world that when I say, “I trust HIM”, it shows!

Quench NOT–not being so busy that we don’t hear the voice of the Holy Spirit directing us in a particular direction–especially those we don’t expect!  Being in an attitude of prayer that keeps my heart open to God’s unexpected surprise opportunities of service.

All of these things are part of praying “without ceasing” –not going around with our eyes closed, but having a heart and mind set on God, talking to Him, listening when HE speaks, especially in that “still small voice”, directing us in unexpected ways and places!  Yet oh, what delight when we hear and obey, and watch God work where we never expected it or saw it before.  God’s always on HIS throne, waiting for us to heed the opportunity to be with HIM and reflect HIS glory to a lost and dying world!

“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 4:14-16

Praying for YOU!  Amen and Amen!!!

Eyes On Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #100

23 Friday Jun 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Blessed by God, Encouragement, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Father--heavenly and earthly, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Father's Way!

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Eyes On Jesus???        A Word from THE WORD!!! #100

 

Life happens–trials come and go–difficulties distract us–people annoy us–demands are hovering over our head–dishes to wash–grass to mow–wheeling, dealing, and feelings, all weigh on us seemingly continually–so what do we do?  God’s Word always gives me the answer; and while I don’t always want to hear it and obey; The Word of God IS all I need. For believe me, my friends, JESUS IS The Word of God!  He is the living Word, and the breath of the written Word, and it never fails, if I will but heed its love, wisdom, and provision.

So, let’s receive a bit of advice from God’s Word this morning…..

“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 12:1-2

This amazing passage gives us great advise about God’s work in our lives, but it’s built on chapter 11, which we often call the hall of “faith”, and while people seem to focus on the first 2/3 of the chapter with Abraham (a rich man), Moses (a powerful man), we often overlook the last part of the book, which reveals the hard truth that real faith often suffers for standing true.  It’s not the ‘name and claim it’ mentality, it’s very far from the ‘prosperity’ teaching of many, but God calls us, you and me, to a life of faith in Jesus, NOT our circumstances; for it is God to whom we will give an account, and the standard will be HIS WORD not the world’s/man’s words or ideas!

“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

When our faith is in God not our circumstances we can stand fast in trials, tests, and difficulties as well as times of visible blessings. So, for our consideration today, let’s look at the “other” part of Hebrews 11, those who endured grievous trials–the “others” of faith; for our sufferings aren’t just God’s working “IN” us but it is also HIS provision for those affected by our faithfulness to what we say we believe, and “in whom” our faith is placed–JESUS!

“And others

had trial of cruel mockings

and scourgings,

yea, moreover

of bonds

and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned,

they were sawn asunder,

were tempted,

were slain with the sword:

they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins;

being destitute,

afflicted,

tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:)

they wandered in deserts,

and in mountains,

and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all,

having obtained a good report through faith,

received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing

for us,

that they without us

should not be made perfect.”  Hebrews 11:36-40

No matter which path God leads me/us on, I pray that I/we will be as faithful as they were?  That’s the meaning of chapter 12:1-2; we are to remember the faithfulness of others, not a stadium of people cheering us on, but a “great …cloud of witnesses” who have found GOD faithful, no matter their circumstances.  Where is your faith standing?  Is it in the Redeemer of your soul, or your circumstances!  Do you welcome the accolades, but reject the suffering?  Yes, we can stand on the promises of God, but God never promised us a life of ease, rather Jesus warned us that if we are following Him and His will there will be trials and opposition!  WILL–not–MAYBE!

“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 15:17-21

Our power, praise, provision, and hope is in The One who died for us and redeems us unto HIMSELF!  I belong to Jesus, so my past is forgiven, my present is secure in HIM, and my future is with THE ONE who is coming soon–‘that where HE is we will be”, blessings beyond measure and more than we can “think or imagine”!  All because of JESUS’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for ME–for YOU!  Looking unto Jesus!  If you know HIM, follow Him closely, if you don’t, call upon HIM today, He will deliver YOU!

“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 4:14-16

I pray that this will lift you up today, for we all have down days–but we have the victorious, glorious, King of the universe who loves us, so run to Jesus!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

As Jesus said so long ago:

“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.

21 To him that overcometh

will I grant to sit with me

in my throne,

even as I also overcame,

and am set down with my Father

in his throne.”  Revelation 3:20-21

Amen and Amen!!!

PS–This was for me today as much as for you!  Prayers for your day and the coming week, may God bless you as you pursue HIM!

Jesus On Prayer??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #98

15 Thursday Jun 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Praise God Today!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!

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Jesus On Prayer??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #98

Just feel like sharing some words from our Lord in regard to prayer; and when have we ever needed to pray more!  The “perilous times” are upon us–and our God is to be our focus no matter how much the world’s focus changes.

“And when thou prayest,

thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:

for they love to pray

standing in the synagogues

and in the corners of the streets,

that they may be seen of men.

Verily I say unto you,

They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest,

enter into thy closet,

and when thou hast shut thy door,

pray to thy Father which is in secret;

and thy Father

which seeth in secret

shall reward thee openly.

7 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.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not

into temptation,

but deliver us

from evil:

FOR THINE IS

THE KINGDOM,

AND THE POWER,

AND THE GLORY,

FOR EVER. Amen.” Matthew 6:5-14

Just a few comments and I pray that you’ll rehearse this passage and hear, obey, and grow in grace, truth, and power.  Notice that Jesus said “when” you pray in verse 6, and “in this manner” pray; notice the principles He gives us–

       Pray to, and worship and acknowledge God our Father–

       Pray (first and foremost) that GOD’S WILL BE DONE–

              That GOD’S KINGDOM COME–

              (and if I might add some advice from my experience–

                That “Thy Kingdom come”…IN ME–

                That “Thy will be done”…IN ME–

                That my life will reflect a “heavenly” perspective–

       Pray with God’s pronouns–not ‘me’ but we, us, others…

              Thy Give us our “daily” bread….

               Forgive us as we forgive others…

               Lead us NOT into temptation….

               But deliver us from evil…

       BECAUSE:  THINE IS

THE KINGDOM

THE POWER

THE GLORY

       FOREVER!!!!   AMEN!!!

May God remind you of His total sovereign control–not matter what’s going on in YOUR life—pray, depend on Jesus, and trust HIM for the outcome…. Even as Paul spoke of our Lord Jesus:

“For by him

were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.”  Colossians 1:16-17

Amen and Amen!!!

A Breath Of God’s ‘Air’??? A Word from THE WORD!!!

31 Wednesday May 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith

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A Breath Of God’s ‘Air’??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #95

“Our soul waiteth

for the LORD:

he is our help

and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice

in him,

because we have trusted

in his holy name.

22 Let thy mercy, O LORD,

be upon us,

according as we hope

in thee.”  Psalm 33:20-22

May our hearts be set on The Lord God Almighty, The Son Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit, as we take each step today and each today that God grants to us.  Thank you for your prayers for my arm, it’s much better but not 100% yet. May we keep our eyes “fixed on Jesus”!

“Surely every man walketh

in a vain shew:

surely they are disquieted

in vain:

he heapeth up riches,

and knoweth not who shall gather them.

7 And now, Lord,

what wait I for?

my hope is in thee.

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions:

make me not the reproach of the foolish.”  Psalms 39:6-8

May we pursue God rather than the riches of the world, having the “most toys”, doesn’t gain eternal life, only Jesus saves!

Amen and Amen!!!