Category Archives: A Father’s Love

The Famine Is Here??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #85

16 Sunday Apr 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Biblical Boundaries Matter!, Born Again, Conviction, Famine, Filled With His Spirit, Holy Spirit

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The Famine Is Here???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #85

Famine: extreme and general scarcity of food…extreme hunger or starvation…. (I want us to consider this spiritually).

“Shall not the land tremble for this,

and every one mourn

that dwelleth therein?

and it shall rise up wholly

as a flood;

and it shall be cast out

and drowned,

as by the flood of Egypt.

9 And it shall come to pass in that day,

saith the Lord GOD,

that I will cause the sun to go down at noon,

and I will darken the earth in the clear day:

10 And I will turn your feasts into mourning,

and all your songs into lamentation;

and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins,

and baldness upon every head;

and I will make it as the mourning

of an only son,

and the end thereof

as a bitter day.

11 Behold, the days come,

saith the Lord GOD,

that I will send a famine in the land,

not a famine of bread,

nor a thirst for water,

but of hearing the words of the LORD:

12 And they shall wander from sea to sea,

and from the north even to the east,

they shall run to and fro

to seek the word of the LORD,

and shall not find it.”  Amos 8:8-12

Amos’ message to Israel was a call to repent (although in context, his message was to all the surrounding nations, as well as Israel and Judah) and that for those who refuse to heed God’s message a day will come when they desire God and won’t be able to find HIM or HIS WORD!  Jesus made a statement about coming to Him that most are unaware of or choose to disregard His message–a dual edged message for all, that people can only come to God by the call and revealing of the Holy Spirit of God.

“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

“And this is the will of him

that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.

41 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.”  John 6:40-44

There is a time to hear and respond to God’s call, but HE will not always be calling; will you hear when Jesus knocks at your door, or will you turn HIM away?

“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.”  Revelation 3:20

Paul gave us a warning as he reminded the Thessalonian believers of the time of judgment, which is immanent, I think!

“Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you,

I told you these things?

6 And now ye know what withholdeth

that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity

doth already work:

only he who now letteth will let,

until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed,

whom the Lord shall consume

with the spirit of his mouth,

and shall destroy

with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming

is after the working of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness

in them that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure

in unrighteousness.”   2 Thessalonians 2:5-12

Will you seek God while He is calling you?  Will you receive “the love of the truth, that they might be saved”?  Or will you be one who will be sent the “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie”?  Instead of eternal life through Jesus, will you be left with the consequences of not choosing Jesus that:“they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness”?  Where are you finding your pleasure?  Are you seeking to hear and know truth, or are you going the way of worldly and fleshly pleasure, and missing the opportunity of salvation?

“But with whom was he grieved forty years?

was it not with them that had sinned,

whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

18 And to whom sware he

that they should not enter into his rest,

but to them that believed not?

19 So we see that they could not enter in

because of unbelief.”  Hebrews 3:17-19

I don’t mean to be harsh or unkind, but my friends, the days grow short, and the time of Jesus’ return is at hand–and I want you to join me then!  Don’t starve spiritually!

Amen and Amen!!!

Got Any BE’s??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #84

14 Friday Apr 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Ask God For Wisdom, Assurance IN GOD!, Attitude of Gratitude, Beatitudes, BEattitudes, Busy Bees, Change your attitude, Jesus call

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Got Any BE’s???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #84

We’re going to spend some time this morning being a “biblical apiary” — looking for the “BE’s” from God’s Word so that we may be found faithful “busy bees” when our Lord returns!

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face

in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed

in his deed.”  James 1:22-25

We can choose to “BE” a doer of God’s work or as James says, or forgetful “hearers only.”  Oh, to choose Jesus, HIS Word, and God’s ways is a joy to my soul!  How about you?  Are you “Being” so God can work through your ‘doing’, or have you been so distracted by the world that you have forgotten what “God’s mirror of HIS WORD” reveals?  It takes commitment, devotion, and the power of The Holy Spirit to be and then to DO, but it’s our call, our command, and can be our joy and delight!  The choice is yours and mine, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye

stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour

is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

I’d like to close with my version of the ‘Beatitudes’, which I call the “BEattitudes”, and a practical application from Paul!  I hope it will encourage you today.

“And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are

the poor in spirit:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4

Blessed are

they that mourn:

for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are

the meek:

for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are

they which do hunger and thirst

after righteousness:

for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are

the merciful:

for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are

the pure in heart:

for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are

the peacemakers:

for they shall be called

the children of God.

10 Blessed are

they which are persecuted

for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:2-10

BE ‘poor in spirit’–

those who see their abject poverty to pay for sin

and turn to Jesus.

BE ‘mourners’–

       Those who grieve over the things that grieve God.

BE ‘meek’–

       Those who aren’t weak but have yielded to God’s power!

BE ‘hungry and thirsty for righteousness’–

Those who are always wanting more of JESUS, His WORD

       And HIS ways.

BE ‘merciful’–

Those who recognize the needs of others and meet them as they are able       and directed by The Spirit (whether they deserve it or not, in our view!).

BE ‘pure in heart’–

       Those who have been washed in the blood,

and keep a guard on their heart, mind, and mouth!

BE ‘peacemakers’–

Those who help other receive the “peace of God through

Jesus” and maintain the “peace of God” in their walk.

BE aware and ready to receive ‘persecution for righteousness’–

Those who don’t ‘go along to get along’, but speak the truth                           in love and without fear.

And Paul’s wise advice:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  Philippians 4:8.

Amen and Amen!!!

Hope IS Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #83

11 Tuesday Apr 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Encouragement, Glory of God, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, God Still Reigns, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's Glory, God's got you and me!, God's love, God's provision, God's Wisdom, Godly Wisdom, Gospel, He IS Alive!, HE who began it will complete it!, Holy Living, HOPE, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I Will Never Leave You, It's All About The Cross, Look UP, Look up and Praise The Lord, Now is the time...., Press ON!

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Hope IS Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #83

“Now faith is

the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen…

….6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them

that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Faith by the biblical definition says, “faith is the substance of things hoped for”, yet it isn’t just vain “wishing” but it IS “the evidence of things not seen”!  I didn’t see the resurrection of my Lord Jesus, but I trust to the word of God and the witness and testimony of those who did see HIM.  And why would I do that?  Because the Word is of God a precious love letter to those who will receive it; and through that Word, receive Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our lives.

“For whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him

in whom they have not believed?

and how shall they believe in him

of whom they have not heard?

and how shall they hear

without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach,

except they be sent?

as it is written,

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach

the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

For Esaias saith,

Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then

faith cometh by hearing,

and hearing by the word of God.”   Romans 10:13-17

(Just a side note, “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.” 1 Corinthians 1:21–not entertainment, or gimmicks, or programs but PREACHING of the GOSPEL, see 1 Corinthians 15:1-6)

I heard that voice speaking to my heart some 50 years ago, and responded in repentance of MY sin (yes, a church-member but lost!), and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin, and received the forgiveness that Jesus paid for at Calvary, and HE has never failed me to this day, and HIS WORD has never missed a beat of truth as I have learned to lean upon it, to trust its advice, wisdom, direction and HOPE for today and tomorrow (however many of them I have), yet my call is to live in the ‘today’s’ with gratitude for yesterday and pressing on today (regardless of its circumstances– remembering that God orders my steps!) knowing that God is The Sovereign God over all!

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

I press on with this prayer of the psalmist in my heart (but remember if you don’t put The Word ‘in’–“member it” — you won’t “re”member it)!

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man:

so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;

and teach me thy statutes.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes,

because they keep not thy law.”   Psalm 119:133-136

Jesus Himself reminded us that HE came to give us life–real life–with hope in The One who not only created us but gives us joyous life, no matter our circumstances; and while HE didn’t promise that our circumstances would always be pleasant, HE is faithful to be with us to work them for our good, and HIS glory!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

Paul said it amazingly:

“And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:28-32

Yet there is even more encouragement in the close of chapter 8!

“For I am persuaded, that

neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”                  Romans 8:38-39

There is so much more that I could share about the assurance of hope that we have in Jesus, but I simply want to close with one of my favorite verses of assurance that lights my hope anew again and again.  May Jesus comfort your heart today with HIS truth no matter the battles that you may be facing, the discouragement that may be haunting your soul, or the uncertainty of life’s issues coming at you–remember that Jesus knows, Jesus cares, and Jesus will provide the perfect provision!  I pray that you will find the same comfort, encouragement, and hope that I find in HIM no matter how I “feel” –God works on truth and certainty and feelings change with the wind (and in Oklahoma we know all about the ‘wind’) so look up, walk forward in faith, and cling to HIS WORD not those ‘feelings’!

“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

I pray blessings of hope and encouragement on your heart and life today.

Amen and Amen!!!

Praising No Matter The Storm??? A Word from THE WORD!!!

30 Thursday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Blessed by God, Comfort, Confidence, Contentment, Encouragement, Gratitude, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Praise Encourages our Heart, Praise God Today!, Thankful, That They May Know

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Praising No Matter The Storm???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #81

“Sing unto the LORD,

bless his name;

shew forth his salvation

from day to day.

3 Declare his glory

among the heathen,

his wonders

among all people.

4 For the LORD is great,

and greatly to be praised:

he is to be feared

above all gods.”  Psalm 94:2-4

I just want to spend some time today praising our Awesome God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–who blesses us beyond measure.  May we be found praising HIS name in words, in actions, and love before a lost and dying world.  TODAY!!!

“Make a joyful noise

unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all generations.”  Psalm 100:1-5

And just a few more to encourage us in our praise!!!

“Praise ye the LORD.

O give thanks unto the LORD;

for he is good:

for his mercy endureth for ever.”  Psalm 106:1

“Praise ye the LORD.

Praise,

O ye servants of the LORD,

praise the name of the LORD.

2 Blessed be the name of the LORD

from this time forth and for evermore.

3 From the rising of the sun

unto the going down of the same

the LORD’S name

is to be praised.”  Psalm 113:1-3

“O praise the LORD,

all ye nations:

praise him,

all ye people.

2 For his merciful kindness

is great toward us:

and the truth of the LORD

endureth for ever.

Praise ye the LORD.”  Psalm 117:1-2

May your day be filled and blessed with praise–especially on the tough days!  God is still God and HE NEVER FAILS.

“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

Have a blessed day of praise!

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s On YOUR Mind??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #80

29 Wednesday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, False Lives, Father of lies, Idolatry, IN HIS TIME!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!

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What’s On YOUR Mind???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #80

I’m kind of changing course in the middle of the stream; I really wanted to continue in Jeremiah but feel impressed of The Lord to share some difficult things that I hope God can use to touch our hearts and lead us to examine ourselves and the things that we surround ourselves with, as well as the things to which we give our time, effort, trust, and devotion.  The truth is God’s Word IS TRUTH, no matter how we feel about it.  May we each pray for God to open our eyes, hearts, and minds to have HIS view on life, liberty, and our pursuits?

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

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

We all make choices every day, and Jesus warns us of the danger of wrong choices–may we heed His words and choose wisely by HIS Spirit and not our own earthly “vision”!

“But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:33-34

Jesus goes on in chapter 7 to warn us (still part of His Sermon on The Mount):

“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.”  Matthew 7:13-15

Paul comes along and warns us of the dangers that will come, and my friends, we are there; his list is like reading the daily news, but it seems that we have become so accustomed to the lies of the enemy of our souls, that we don’t even recognize the danger–we seem to be “getting used to the dark”!

“This know also,

that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

 unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

When we read Jeremiah and Lamentations we see a sad reality–that even as Jesus said when He talked to Nicodemus, “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil…”; and we are no different!  We have allowed the ease and comfort of a prosperous (and yes even we who aren’t what we think wealthy, are part of the 2% of the wealthiest peoples in the world-if we own a refrigerator!) environment, and a church that has been more willing to accommodate sin, than to call us to biblical righteousness!  Go through this list above and think of your own life, the life of those inside our churches, the things that we accept every day because it’s ok to ‘go along to get along’!

I’d like to just name a few things that you might want to take note of and see what you think about them, and then ask, “why” you think it’s ok or not?  Is it a biblical decision or a cultural one–things that we have seen and heard so much, have been incorporated into our culture, our lives and even the very Church of Jesus Christ our Lord!  God forbid!  Think of these popular buzz words and activities, and how far we have come from the truth of God’s Word, all by ourselves; or so we think.  Remember Paul’s words that called us to prepare by putting on that armor of God, “that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil….that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day…” (from Ephesians 6:10-18)!  I can’t help but think that we have laid down on the job rather that “standing” with, for, and through the “power of HIS might”!

Won’t you think with me through a few things that I think worth considering/questioning.

Modesty? —

what is left unseen (male and female) …

Integrity? —

telling the truth in all things, keeping our word…

Biblical view of sexuality? —

“God created them male and female…” (Read Genesis 1-3)

Honesty? —

not taking what’s not ours, rendering unto Caesar, giving good measure (working 8 hours for 8 hours pay?), paying our debts (financial and moral)

Zen? —

a real buzz word today, but do you know it’s part of Buddhism?  Would God call this idolatry?

Yoga? —

I’ll lose some of you here, but check out the origin and determine what you are opening your “mind” to (remember, “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” see Philippians 2:5-11) Pantheism maybe?

 Drugs? —

What substances are we putting into our bodies– For medicine,       relief, ecstasy, laziness (we don’twant to face life God’s way, to live by faith rather than sight?), indulgence, addiction??

 Love yourself first? —

Let me simply say, ‘find that in The Word’.  If we’ll “love The Lord your God with ALL…” (See Matthew 22:37+), love God first, confident that HE loves me enough to give “His only begotten Son” to die for my salvation…  then I can rest in HIS love and follow HIS lead…

These seem like such small, relatively, unimportant things, but it only takes a pinhole (unstopped) to sink a ship.  And the danger is revealed by Jesus Himself, in His letter to the church at Laodicea–and whether we are there or just close is up for debate, the danger is real.  Please know that I write from a heart of love and concern, and not a ‘pocket full of rocks’!

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;

These things saith the Amen,

the faithful and true witness,

the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works,

that thou art neither cold nor hot:

I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

and neither cold nor hot,

I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 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…”  Revelation 3:14-17

Here is a church that thought they had “need of nothing” –not even Jesus!  How do I know?  If you go on down and read verse 20, you’ll see that Jesus is knocking at the door to get into HIS own church! Will we open the door to the Master or continue to lock HIM out?  I pray that God will use His Word to open our hearts, minds, and lives to HIS Word that we may have ears that hear and yield to HIM!!!

“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.”  Revelation 3:20

May we hear God’s voice today.

Amen and Amen!!!