Category Archives: A Form of godliness?

Living By Faith Or Entertainment? A Word from THE WORD!!! #88

01 Monday May 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Encouragement, Faith, Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithfulness, Living by Faith or Entertainment?

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Living By Faith Or Entertainment? A Word from THE WORD!!! #88

I’m sorry to be so long in posting, but it’s been a bit hectic at our house, and I’m glad to be back with you all.  Yet my heart is heavy for the things I see going on around us, and so many who claim the name of my Lord Jesus seem to have missed the boat, so to speak, and make no connection between claiming the name of Jesus and walking according to HIS WORD and not our own ways!  While this is a heavy burden on my heart, I hope that this message will be used by The Lord to touch hearts, open eyes, and ears to respond to the work of the precious Holy Spirit in convicting hearts and drawing people to Jesus and HIS Word “he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith”!

“I will stand upon my watch,

and set me upon the tower,

and will watch to see

what he will say unto me,

and what I shall answer

when I am reproved.

2 And the LORD answered me, and said,

Write the vision,

and make it plain upon tables,

that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time,

but at the end it shall speak,

and not lie:

though it tarry,

wait for it;

because it will surely come,

it will not tarry.

4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up

is not upright in him:

but the just shall live

by his faith.

5 Yea also,

because he transgresseth by wine,

he is a proud man,

neither keepeth at home,

who enlargeth his desire as hell,

and is as death,

and cannot be satisfied,

but gathereth unto him all nations,

and heapeth unto him all people:

6 Shall not all these

take up a parable against him,

and a taunting proverb against him,

and say,

Woe to him that increaseth

that which is not his!

how long?

and to him that ladeth himself

with thick clay!”  Habakkuk 2:1-6

I hope we will hear from God and open our hearts to His call to holy living before a lost and dying world, standing in “the gap”.  May we live by our faith in JESUS, not the world, entertainment or our flesh!

“And I sought for a man among them,

that should make up the hedge,

and stand in the gap

before me for the land,

that I should not destroy it:

but I found none.

31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation

upon them;

I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath:

their own way have I recompensed

upon their heads,

saith the Lord GOD.”  Ezekiel 22:30-31

I plead with those of us who belong to Jesus, may we examine our heart and life by God’s standard not by Hellywood’s! Is modesty a part of my life?  Is moderation?  Sobriety (not just lack of substances but an upright, sober thinking life)?  Holy in my speech (not ‘holier than thou’ talk, but a noticeable absence of profanity and vulgar references, or mean talk!)? Do I express kindness and compassion toward people who are different than me–toward all people?  Am I kind and considerate toward those who serve me (at the bank, at the café, at the dollar store, in the retail line when it’s busy, to other drivers–even at 5 O’clock)?  To people on the phone who annoy me?  To my children and/or grandchildren?  Am I compassionate and understanding of my parents/grandparents who may have limitations that annoy and try my patience?  I could go on, but you get the point.  Do I love with God’s love not the selfish lust of the world?

Jesus gives us one of the greatest examples of the difference between what “looks good to men” and “what is acceptable to God”.  Let’s spend just a bit of time considering His words; and even though it’s a lengthy passage I think it well worth our consideration.  May The Holy Spirit open our eyes to GOD’s truth, without the spin of the world!  We will have a hard time being successful sharing the Gospel with others when our lives don’t measure up to the “Good News” that we want to share.  And just before we look at the message from Jesus, a brief word (a preface, if you would) worthy of our consideration from Jeremiah.

“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

Now, the words of our Lord Jesus:

“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.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

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.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass,

when Jesus had ended these sayings,

the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”  Matthew 7:13-29

Which gate have you gone through?  What’s your house built on?  Are you looking good to the world but deficient before God.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  My love and prayers are sent with this message–may God do that which pleases HIM, even as Jesus taught us to pray:

“Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:10

And just as a ‘P.S.’, notice that Jesus didn’t say, “I knew you, but you fell–or I knew you but forgot you–or even I knew you, but you just didn’t measure up”; what He said was “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…”. What’s not of God, can’t please God! (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-18 for Paul’s message this subject)!

Amen and Amen!!!

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!!!

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!!!

Biblical Boundaries Matter??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #78

20 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Be ye doers of the Word, Be ye DOERS of the word NOT hearers only, Be ye HOLY, Biblical Boundaries Matter!, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Cleanliness?, Compromise, Confessing Sin, Consider Your ways, Darkness or Light?, The Word

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Biblical Boundaries Matter???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #78

As our culture seems to be abandoning everything godly and biblical, I would like to call us to consider God’s Word on the matters of godly living, living holy lives, and being a reflection of Jesus rather than popular fashion, morality, and questionable pursuits.  Will you spend some time with me today considering God’s Word in contrast to the popular message of the world.

“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.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

And note “conversation” here means lifestyle not just our words!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.”  1 Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:

We are called to “humble” ourselves under our Lord God, and Jesus The Son, rather than humbling others with our often sharp and crass words.  For when our hearts are humbled before God, we will find opportunities to lift others up and not tear them down.  We will also learn to see people with eyes of love and forgiveness, rather than going around with a pocket full of rocks to throw.

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all

bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye

kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:29-32

Oh, that we can learn to spread kindness and joy rather than the meanness of the world all around us.  When will we (with a capital “ME”) learn to allow the Holy Spirit of Jesus to direct our hearts, lives, words, and actions crying out, “Father, forgive them for the know not what they do….”?  Rather than throwing those rocks that we have in our pockets, Jesus gives us great instruction that is often misunderstood, for Jesus never told us NOT to judge things at all, but to render right judgment with love, kindness, and discernment.  Scripture is replete with instructions in regard to holiness, morality, and just plain right and wrong–and there is still ‘right and wrong’ for the rules haven’t changed.  How are you ‘judging’?  Remember God made mirrors so that we could see our own shortcomings before passing judgment on others.

“Judge not,

that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge,

ye shall be judged:

and with what measure ye mete,

it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou

the mote that is in thy brother’s eye,

but considerest not

the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother,

Let me pull out the mote

out of thine eye;

and, behold,

a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite,

first cast out the beam

out of thine own eye;

and then shalt thou see clearly

to cast out the mote

out of thy brother’s eye.”  Matthew 7:1-5

“For our rejoicing is this,

the testimony of our conscience,

that in simplicity

and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom,

but by the grace of God,

we have had our conversation

in the world,

and more abundantly

to you-ward.”  2 Corinthians 1:12

“Of his own will begat he us

with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits

of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be

swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 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.

26 If any man among you

seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”James 1:18-26

Just ‘hearers’, or are we ‘doers’?  What do we rejoice in?  Simplicity and “godly sincerity” or with the indulgence and excesses of the world?  Satan makes it so subtle that we are often easily influenced if we don’t know God’s Word to “withstand in the evil day”!  And surely, we are in an evil day!

We also live in a day that not only places no value on “life” but have pretty much written off the sanctity of marriage and a biblical home.

“Marriage is honourable in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers and adulterers

God will judge.

5 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 13:4-6

And in closing, I’d like to simply share Paul’s contrast between the deeds of the flesh and the “fruit of the Spirit”.  Where are you walking?  Which set of life-choices are you and I promoting and teaching to those around us–by example as much as by our words (if not more so!)!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16-25

Note which of these things are accepted, promoted, and flourishing in our culture, and which ones are despised.  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And remember what we who are Christ’s are called to in the passage that we began with:

“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.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

Amen and Amen

Hear Ye HIM??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #68

22 Wednesday Feb 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Doers or intenders?, Forgetting or Remembering?, Hear ye HIM!, Hearing God, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Just DO it!

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Hear Ye HIM???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #68

“While he yet spake,

behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:

and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said,

This is my beloved Son,

in whom I am well pleased;

hear ye him.

6 And when the disciples heard it,

they fell on their face,

and were sore afraid.

7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said,

Arise, and be not afraid.

8 And when they had lifted up their eyes,

they saw no man,

save Jesus only.”  Matthew 17:5-8

Have you heard the voice of Jesus?  No, not audibly with your ears, but with your heart and mind?  Jesus speaks in unique ways, at unique times, and usually with a unique calling.  The problem is we don’t always hear for the clatter of the world.  Or sometimes we tempt/test God by saying, “God, if you don’t want me to do this/or that, then stop me!”  Well, I can tell you, I have said that more than once, and on more than one occasion, God has sent events, circumstances, or people to “stop” me, and on more than one occasion I just ran full throttle ahead into a fray that cost me dearly.  Scripture warns us over and over again, that we must cultivate a heart that is open to the voice of God, and that when we don’t there are consequences to pay.

Paul had a lot to say about how to avoid unpleasant consequences.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16

“If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:25

Jesus closed each of the seven letters to the seven churches of Revelation chapters 2 and 3 with a phrase that should resound in our hearts as well as our “ears”!  Do you have an “ear to hear”?

“He that hath an ear,

let him hear

what the Spirit saith…”.  Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 23

If Jesus repeated this call to the seven churches–to those who claimed HIS name, it would seem to merit our attention to what HE is saying to us–to you and me–today, from HIS WORD as well as HIS Holy Spirit’s voice to our hearts.

James described it in another way, as he reminded us of our ability to “forget”. And believe me, at my age, I certainly know that fact well!  But will we heed James’ call and stay in The Word, or will we continue to live lives ruled by our culture rather than our LORD?

“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.

26 If any man among you SEEM TO BE religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but DECEIVETH HIS OWN HEART,

this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion

and undefiled before God and the Father is this,

To visit the fatherless

and widows

in their affliction,

and TO KEEP HIMSELF UNSPOTTED

FROM THE WORLD.”  James 1:22-27.                          (Added emphasis is mine.)

So, my friends, will you “hear ye HIM”, or will you continue to be a “FORGETFUL HEARER” and go your own way?  As Jesus warned us in Matthew 7, the broad way (our way) “leadeth to destruction”!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!