Category Archives: A heart of faith

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

19 Friday Apr 2024

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

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

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

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver,

if she lose one piece,

doth not light a candle,

and sweep the house,

and seek diligently

till she find it?

9 And when she hath found it,

she calleth her friends

and her neighbours together, saying,

Rejoice with me;

for I have found the piece

which I had lost.

10 Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

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

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

“There were present at that season some that told him

of the Galilaeans,

whose blood Pilate had mingled

with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said unto them,

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners

above all the Galilaeans,

because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

 ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen,

upon whom the tower in Siloam fell,

and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners

above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

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

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

“The Jews then murmured at him,

because he said,

I am the bread which came down from heaven.

42 And they said,

Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph,

whose father and mother we know?

how is it then that he saith,

I came down from heaven?

43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,

Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day…

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

For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were

that believed not,

and who should betray him.

65 And he said,

Therefore said I unto you,

that no man can come unto me,

except it were given unto him of my Father.

66 From that time many of his disciples

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

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

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves…

…. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Portions of Matthew 7:13-23

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

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea

gave up the dead which were in it;

and death and hell

delivered up the dead which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

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

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

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,

him will I confess also before my Father

which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men,

him will I also deny before my Father

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

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

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

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

Amen and Amen!!!

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

17 Wednesday Apr 2024

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

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

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

“And he said unto them,

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

which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power,

after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me

both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judaea,

and in Samaria,

and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things,

while they beheld,

he was taken up;

and a cloud received him

out of their sight.”  Acts 1:7-9

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

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

The author of Hebrews gives us great advice.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction

of sinners against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,

striving against sin.”  Hebrews 12:1-4

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

“For Christ sent me not to baptize,

but to preach the gospel:

not with wisdom of words,

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

18 For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom

of the wise,

and will bring to nothing the understanding

of the prudent…

….21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

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

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

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

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

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

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

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

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

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Amen and Amen!!!

Have You Been To The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #202

27 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abundant Life In Jesus, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, Cleansed from all sin, Come to Jesus, Come To Worship HIM, Consider Your ways, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Every Knee Shall Bow, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus is our peace, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Lifting up Jesus, Peace, Peace of God, Peace Of The Rock, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Power of The Cross, Seeing Truth, Serving God or Using God?, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Speaking The Truth In Love

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Have You Been To The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #202

As we celebrate this time of the end of Jesus Christ’s earthly life, and the salvation that He provided in His death, burial, and victorious Resurrection this week, may we remember that  He arose victor over sin, death, and hell; He arose to offer eternal life to all who will come to Him in repentance of sin and faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for that sin—for all who sin, and that my friend is all, everyone!

“And when I saw him,

I fell at his feet as dead.

And he laid his right hand upon me,

saying unto me,

Fear not;

I am the first and the last:

18 I am he that liveth,

and was dead;

and, behold, I am alive

for evermore, Amen;

and have the keys

of hell and of death.”  Revelation 1:17-18

John saw the risen Lord and He spoke to Him and assured him that it was He!  I love reading and studying The Revelation, and while it is a difficult book, it is a great comfort to those who will delve into its riches; there’s even a blessing promised to those who will read it.  Yes, a promised a blessing, yet it’s to those who don’t just read it, but more importantly, to those who will heed the messages in it, or as the KJV says the blessing is to those who keep it.

“Blessed is he

that readeth,

and they that hear the words of this prophecy,

and keep those things which are written therein:

for the time is at hand.”  Revelation 1:3

And my dear friends, the time is truly “at hand”!  Yet, the cross is still calling to all who will hear and heed Jesus’ message to “come unto me”!  Have you come to Jesus?  Do you need to come?  Many have convinced themselves that they are fine, productive people, and Satan is purporting that message at every hand.  But Jesus’ message is still the call to “come unto me”.

Who needs to come?   Let’s look to scripture to answer that question, for scripture will be the judge of every man, woman, boy, and girl—and that day is nearing, my friends.

“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

Paul gives us even more clarity in his beautiful message to the believers at Philippi. Jesus paid the price for my sin and yours, if we will but bow before Him and receive the gift of salvation that His blood purchased; will you receive it or reject it, to pay your own debt. (And FYI, “propitiation” means the payment in full…)

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;” Romans 3:23-25

Jesus’ precious blood shed at Calvary bought salvation for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.  What will you do with The One whose resurrection from the dead we celebrate this week?  He died for you; and God has proclaimed that “every knee shall bow”, so the question isn’t “Will you bow?” for God has declared that all will bow!  The question is, “when will you bow”!  Will you bow before Him as your Lord, Savior, and King, receiving the salvation that He died to provide; or will you bow before Him at His throne of judgment with no recourse for salvation, and pay your own sin debt in hell?  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test, and there is no cheating, for God knows!

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Romans 6:22-23

And Paul’s mighty message of truth, Jesus did it all for me and you:

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 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.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:5-11

I invite you to consider the cross, the peace of God that flows out from it, and the joy of The Lord that Jesus imparts to His own.

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 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.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:6-9

And in closing the most gracious and merciful invitation of The Savior—The One who redeemed my soul, and He is here for you as well.  You will never walk alone when you come to Jesus.  “Today is the day of salvation”, what will you do with it?  I pray that you will hear the call of Jesus and respond in repentance and faith to His invitation to salvation.

“All things are delivered unto me of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever the Son

will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:27-30

And some food for thought as you go about your week thinking about Jesus being lifted up (His death on the cross).  Jesus said He would draw all men to Him by this death on the cross, but He never said He would remove the free will that He imparted to all humans!  It’s your choice but choose wisely there IS a test. (See Numbers 21 if you want to know about the “serpent in the wilderness”!)

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:14-19

May you know the true joy of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!  He is coming again soon.  Are you ready? I pray that you will come to Him.

Amen and Amen!!!

You Can Have Peace??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #197

15 Friday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A heart of faith, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus is our peace, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Peace, Peace Makers, Peace of God, Peace Of The Rock, Peace that passeth ALL understanding

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You Can Have Peace??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #197

There is conflict all around us; in our hearts, the home, the work place, our schools, our government, in areas all around the world.  So what do we do?  We run to our safe place—in a Christian’s life, that’s Jesus, our strong tower, and He’s here for you!

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

I thank God for the strong tower that our precious Lord Jesus IS!  How sad that so many people, even believers, forget, neglect or just plain ignore the “peace that passeth all understanding” (See Philippians 4:7), and carry their own load.  I encourage you to look to The Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ The Risen Lord, who can supply your every need (especially the ones that you don’t know you have!). Jesus promised to ‘yoke up’ with us—to carry the load with us!  Oh, blessed Redeemer, thank you for that gift of your presence as well as your peace.

“All things are delivered unto me

of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:27-30

But where do we find His peace?  Only one place!  At the cross where Jesus shed His blood for our salvation—providing “peace with God” to all who will believe in HIM, as well as deliverance from the wrath that will be poured out on sin one day!  I can’t help but believe that day is sooner than we may think!  Are you ready to meet Jesus?  He gave His life so we could have that peace!  You can know Jesus and receive that peace or reject Him and be at enmity with God—both now and for eternity.

“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.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:1-11

We who are born sinners (which is everyone), can only receive this “Peace with God” in Jesus Christ The Son by repentance of our sin and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our salvation.  Have you found that peace?  If you have, then depend upon it and stop fretting (I struggle with this too, as I tell people, I’m so good at fretting, it’s hard to let go, but in Jesus we can), for in Jesus we can have success today walking by faith!

If you know Jesus, then keep your eyes on the prize (Jesus) rather than the chaos around us.  If you don’t know Him yet, you can; call upon Him today while He can be found.  If you hear His voice, open the door, He will come in!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Redemption Or Rehearsal??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #194

06 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, Contentedness, Contentment, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Greed, Green pastures, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, I will lift up mine eyes, Inspiring Others, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Redemption or Rehearsal?, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Reflecting HIS glory

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Redemption Or Rehearsal??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #194

 

We live in a culture of “rehearsal”, in my opinion!  What do I mean?  Well, people are practicing to be someone else, to get to somewhere else, to work up to some other level of accomplishment, to be the fastest, the prettiest (and these days that is a totally subjective thing), the richest, the best, the most popular, the one with the most toys, awards, money, media presence, time in the spotlight, and of course most are working to get to heaven.  So, people rehearse for the role they have chosen.  I miss the days when you could just be “you” and take the ups with the downs; a day when friends loved you with or without the warts; a day when truth was more important than illusion, or facade, or performance, or “imitation anything”.  Jesus calls us to follow HIM, not the world, no matter the call of the glitter or the glamour.

One of the things that Jesus repeated over and over was and is the call to “follow me”; what followed may have varied, from person to person, but the call was to “follow” Jesus; so let’s consider a few of those calls.

“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren,

Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother,

casting a net into the sea:

for they were fishers.

19 And he saith unto them,

Follow me,

and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And

they straightway left their nets,

and followed him.  

21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren,

James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother,

in a ship with Zebedee their father,

mending their nets;

and he called them.

22 And

they immediately left the ship and their father,

and followed him.”  Matthew 4:18-22

“And he that taketh not his cross,

and followeth after me,

is not worthy of me.”  Matthew 10:38

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

In “Blanche’s Paraphrase”, you can’t rehearse your way into heaven!  There is only “One Way” to heaven and His name is Jesus; and only when we answer His call to salvation can we truly have abundant life, clear direction, and eternal life.  You can never make your own way, or rehearse to “be” good enough, rich enough, powerful enough, or successful enough to make your way into the “heaven awards”!

Paul has a lot to say about following Jesus as well.  Oh, that I had learned to follow HIM more closely and not been caught up in the rehearsal of the world!  How about you?  Have you been distracted from following Jesus by the world’s glitter—it’s a lie and not truth.  We must draw close to our Lord and Savior to know truth, seeking HIM in HIS WORD!  Help us Jesus, to hear your voice and draw nearer to You!

“Be ye followers of me,

even as I also am of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 11:1

Paul gave a great word of encouragement and challenge to his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, from which we can learn a lot, if we will but take heed and examine ourselves rightly.

“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.

9 But they that will be rich

fall into temptation and a snare,

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,

which drown men

in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money

is the root of all evil:

 which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through

with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God,

flee these things;

and follow after

righteousness,

godliness,

faith,

love,

patience,

meekness.”  1 Timothy 6:6-11

Contentment is almost a lost virtue, will we learn to be content rather than greedy (and yes, we all are afflicted with the ‘greedy bug’ from time to time—an affliction that we need to recognize and avoid); are we truly pursuing “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness”?

What are we praying for?  Are we focused on wealth more than holiness; focused on greed more than righteousness; has our heart been side-tracked by the world?  Jesus’ simple model prayer can be a great help, may we seek Him and His ways—following our Lord.  And if you don’t know Him, you can come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith in HIS substitutionary (in your place), atoning (making payment for a debt) sacrifice (the very payment with HIS own blood at Calvary).  If you hear His voice don’t turn Him away!

“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 6:9-13

May our hearts be totally devoted to HIM who redeemed us with His own blood; rehearsal may work for a “performance”, but it won’t bring you eternal life—only Jesus can do that.  Won’t you come to Him today?  If you are HIS, won’t your draw near to Him who loves you and gave Himself for YOU?  May we live like we are part of the Redeemed of The Lord.

“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,” 1 Peter 1:17-20

Praise to our Redeemer—forever and ever!  He’s coming for us soon!

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God by thy blood out of every

kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.”  Revelation 5:9-10

Amen and Amen!!!