Category Archives: Abiding In Jesus

What Are You Thankful For??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #292

25 Monday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Gratitude to Generosity, Great is Thy Faithfulness, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Salvation, Thankful, Thankfulness with joy!, Thanksgiving, That They May Know

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What Are You Thankful For???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #292

Today’s post is a simple reminder that I have shared before; we need to count not only our blessings of “things”, but even more importantly, our blessings of the people that God has placed within our lives.  So I just want to set the example.

First and foremost, I am grateful that Jesus still saves and changes lives, and that He spoke to my heart those many years ago (some 50 years I’ve walked with The Lord Jesus), and I fell on my knees and asked for His forgiveness and salvation.  Oh, what a difference a moment can make!  Thank you, Jesus for dying for me.

I am also thankful for godly parents who loved my siblings and me and taught us the virtues of loving, caring, sharing and thinking of others, and while they are now with our Lord, their impact remains a constant reminder of the power we are given to help or harm other’s lives.  I’m thankful for a brother and sister who love me and are still serving Jesus also, my brother a pastor, my sister, a pastor’s wife! We were so blessed with an extended family who loved us and lived lives worthy of following.  We didn’t have a grandmother (as both of our grandmothers had died before we were born, and a grandfather), while we had one grandfather still living, we didn’t get to see him very often, but we were able to make up a little lost time when he came to live with us for the last months of his life.  What a treat to hear his stories (true or not—who knows) and share his life for a while.

I am more than blessed with friends, my Miss Diane who has been my friend since we were preteens; and many friends who have come and gone, as I’ve heard: some come to stay a while, some for a brief time, some for a lifetime, but each one brings new insights—some joyful, some sorrowful.  There are those friends who have left us behind and joined our Lord in glory.  Oh how I miss them, but how I treasure the times we spent together—the coffee/tea we shared—the stories we rehearsed-the joy we shared.  Even thinking of those stories, I sit here smiling as I write this.

Then there are those who have tired us!  There are those whom we have tried and had to apologize to!  Praise God for forgiveness and restoration, it is such a blessing to enjoy restored relationships.  Yet for some of us sadness burdens our hearts for lost relationships, as we pray for them!

I’ve been blessed to live in many places (I was a Navy brat!) and find friends and people who loved me and impacted my life in countless ways.  There are names I can’t recall now but have glimpses of memories that linger still.

So, why do I share all of this?  Hopefully to spur us to action.  Is there someone that you need to call or go visit to thank for their influence, help, love or just being there?  Make that phone call.  Write that note, or text or email.  Send that gift that would make someone’s day!   And don’t forget to thank God for His gift of Jesus and all His mercies upon us.  Don’t forget sunshine and rain, cold and heat, tears and smiles, a baby’s laugh, a dandelion flower from a three-year-old, God’s love and provision, open arms of grace, and our hope in Jesus’ return.

“Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the people.

9 Sing unto him,

sing psalms unto him,

talk ye of all his wondrous works.

10 Glory ye in his holy name:

let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

11 Seek the LORD and his strength,

seek his face continually.

12 Remember his marvellous works

that he hath done,

his wonders,

and the judgments of his mouth;”   1 Chronicles 16:8-12

And in closing a reminder of the grace of our Lord.

“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 14:14-16

If you know Jesus, rejoice in His love, grace and provision for us!  If you don’t know Him, you can!  He is calling today, if you will but hear and heed His call to repent of your sin and trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours!  Amen!!!

“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

 “For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Amen and Amen!!!

When Do You Need Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #290

20 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, HOPE, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Relying on self or Jesus?, Seeing Truth, Seek ye first The Kingdom of God, Self-sufficient or Dependent on Jesus?, The Word

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When Do You Need Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #290

Life happens, time flies, and the world around us seems to suck us in sometimes but are we who claim the name of Jesus depending on Him or our own devices—the amazement of the techno-world gadgets, our own wisdom, intelligence or are we walking with our Lord, as the old song says, moment by moment!  There are days that I know that I am conscious of depending upon my Lord second by second.  I’d like to share some scripture that may help us to keep our eyes on Jesus—for one of Satan’s ploys is to keep us going on the toddler’s cry, “I can do it myself!”  How about you?  Are you leaning on the promises and truths that God’s Word provides, or something else.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them

to observe all things whatsoever

I have commanded you:

and, lo,

I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world. Amen.”                Matthew 28:18-20

Acts also records Jesus’ instructions as He was about to ascend to heaven, and they are words on which we must depend and keep in mind, for our strength is small, but as Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”!  And Jesus made it clear that, “without me you can do nothing…”!

“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.”  Acts 1:7-8

When we are born again, we receive the gift of Jesus’ Holy Spirit to go with us; we could take a whole session to discuss the things which Jesus said The Spirit would work in and through us but suffice it to say we have all we need in Jesus by The Spirit’s work!  It’s one of the reasons that Paul warned the believers at Thessalonica to “quench not the Spirit”!  Stop the maverick lifestyle!  If you don’t have The Spirit, you don’t have Jesus.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”  Romans 8:8-9

How can we do this?  You hit the nail on the head; “I” can’t but with The Holy Spirit’s work “we” can!  Remember what Jesus said, “without me you can do nothing…”; how much “nothing” are you spending in your own resources?  Let’s check out some great advice from scripture.

“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

Paul also gave some great advice to young Timothy.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”   2 Timothy 2:15

Isaiah also shared an amazingly helpful word that I rely upon continually.

“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity,

and the water of affliction,

yet shall not thy teachers be removed

into a corner any more,

but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way, walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”  Isaiah 30:20-21

So my question for us today is, “Are you walking with Jesus?  Do you need Him, or are you the ‘solo flight’ of the year?”  I close with a passage that is probably familiar to most, yet I want to explain the context.  Jesus is calling to the church at Laodicea who claimed His name, yet Jesus described their attitude as “needing nothing”!  They had become self-sufficient, and Jesus called them to come to Him.  I find it most interesting that Jesus is outside knocking on the door to get in!  Are you walking in your own self-sufficiency or have you opened the door to Jesus and learned to depend upon HIM continually?

“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 & Amen!!!

A Friday Prayer of Praise??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #262

20 Friday Sep 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding In The Vine, Creator, Creator of ALL, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Praise Encourages our Heart, Praise God Today!, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Press ON!, Search me O God?, Seasonal or Steadfast?, Thankful, True Friendship, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Try yourselves

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 A Friday Prayer of Praise???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #262

“I will praise thee;

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvellous are thy works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee,

when I was made in secret,

and curiously wrought

in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance,

yet being unperfect;

and in thy book all my members were written,

which in continuance were fashioned,

when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me,

O God!

how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them,

they are more in number than the sand:

when I awake,

I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God:

depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20 For they speak against thee wickedly,

and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O LORD,

that hate thee?

and am not I grieved with those

that rise up against thee?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred:

I count them mine enemies.”  Psalm 139:14-22

This Psalm of David is an amazing account of David’s recognition of the creator of all things, including us!  How often we forget that we are God’s creation, even as David reminds us in the 100th Psalm:

“Know ye that the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves…”. Psalm 100:3a

As David rehearses the wonder of man’s creation and the worth of our God, not just because of what He does, but because of Who He Is!  Even as Paul told the Corinthian believers—because we are so apt to forget in our pride and arrogance as human beings—even as born-again human beings we can be distracted by our own flesh (and of course Satan is right there handing us the fuel!)

“Not that we are sufficient

of ourselves

to think any thing

as of ourselves;

but our sufficiency is of God;” 2 Corinthians 3:5

Jesus said it Himself as He spent the last hours of His life teaching His followers truth; even knowing that they wouldn’t get it until much later!  After His death, burial and resurrection they not only got it, but shared it unto their death.  And many of them died martyr’s deaths!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch

cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

 no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”  John 15:1-5

The bottom line is relatively simple—we must abide in Jesus, praising Him through thick or thin, happy or sad, simple or difficult—for we are the sheep of His pasture.  I am His and He is mine—and He has never failed me!  Ever!!!  This brings us back to the ending of Psalm 139, a prayer that I pray often, and encourage you to pray it, memorize it (if you haven’t already) and ask God to bring it to your heart as often as necessary!  May our hearts be drawn to The Master!

“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!!!

Today Is Important??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #251

18 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, The Word, TODAY, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?

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Today Is Important???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #251

“Now therefore

fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

We all fall into the habit of thinking and saying, “I can do that tomorrow! Right?” Well, maybe we can and maybe we can’t; as Joshua told the people of Israel, we are to “choose you this day” what we will do, whom we will follow, whom we will serve—God or ourselves (and remember whatever you put before God is your choice!)!  We can only live in the todays; for only God knows what tomorrow holds—and you can trust Him!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

We must remember that the choices we make today, will affect tomorrow, and sometimes many tomorrows; that is why it is important to choose wisely today. I want to share a few things that may help us make wise choices.  The Psalmist shares great principles of living godly, it’s one of my favorites.

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners

in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.”  Psalm 1:1-6

Consider the contrast that the Psalmist makes between the one who chooses to delight in God and His ways, and the ungodly who go their own way—and don’t forget that God keeps accurate accounts, and there is a consequence to every choice.  You and I are free to choose our actions but not the consequences.  And remember we will always reap what we sow, later than we sowed it, and more than we sowed!

Notice the principle here, the blessed man, chooses to cling to godly things and avoid the harmful things that will draw us away from God; yet when we choose the things of God, we will be able to stand like a tree “planted by the rivers of water”; fruitful, unwithered, and successful in following God’s path.

The ungodly “are not so”!  Remember that!  Make wise choices.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together

with unbelievers:

for what fellowship hath righteousness

with unrighteousness?

and what communion hath light

with darkness?”  2 Corinthians 6:14

Be wise in your choice of companions and activities.

“Be not deceived:

evil communications   (or companions)

corrupt good manners.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

The go-to reminder of scripture is from Paul’s letter to the Galatian believers.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

 if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”   Galatians 6:7-10

Remember that tomorrow will bring and reveal the consequences of what we choose today.  Choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

What Season Is It??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #247

07 Wednesday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Seasonal or Steadfast?, This IS The Day, This is the Way, Thy Kingdom Come, Time, Time Is Grace!, Times and Seasons, TODAY, Today and Forever, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?

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What Season Is It???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #247

As we think about times and seasons, many around us are counting that to mean ‘heat’!  It’s one of those really hot Oklahoma summers, and we praise God for the A/C and try to do what we can when it’s the cooler part of the day; which for a ‘scheduler’ like me it has turned my ‘schedule’ upside-down!  But I’m learning to adapt to getting up earlier to walk first thing in the morning, not the late afternoon; to get the outside watering done early as well; and more of it to keep my flowering plants alive through this heat wave!  But I want us to think of a different kind of seasons, and while we all deal with the changing seasons of the year, unique seasonal changes on the outside, yet we also face different and unique seasons of life.

That is what I want us to think about today; to remember that while God created the earthly seasons, He also sets our times and seasons of life; and when we learn to trust Him with our life seasons, it makes for a sweeter walk through this journey of life.  When we walk with God, we can be assured that He has us in His hand, and as a preacher friend says, “God never says, ‘ooops’!”   His timing is perfect!

“The LORD is the portion

of mine inheritance

and of my cup:

thou maintainest my lot.

6 The lines are fallen unto me

in pleasant places;

yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7 I will bless the LORD,

who hath given me counsel:

my reins also

instruct me in the night seasons.

8 I have set the LORD always before me:

because he is at my right hand,

I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad,

and my glory rejoiceth:

my flesh also shall rest in hope.”  Psalm 16:5-9

Our hope is in Jesus our Lord and God The Father; we can trust Him to care for us, to direct our steps and show us the way, if we will but draw near to Him, feed on His Word, and communicate with Him in prayer continually.  That’s what Paul meant when he called us to “pray without ceasing” (See 1 Thessalonians 5:17.)  For prayer is the lifeline of the believer, not just a rote request that God would “give us this day…”, or a quick “forgive us our trespasses” before we go to sleep.  Prayer without ceasing means keeping a mindset of dependence on God to direct our every step—every day—all the way!  After all He is the creator of all—the ruler of all—our soon coming King; Daniel proclaimed His character in one of the most concise prayers of praise in all of scripture; may we heed its truth and beauty today—every day.

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:19-23

God heard and answered Daniel’s prayer (along with his friends who joined him in the prayer vigil), and He will do the same for us when our hearts are set on God rather than set on doing our own thing, our own way; and when God begins to reorder our lives, our abilities, our surroundings, our times and seasons of life, we often balk, pout, stomp, cry and demand that God give us our ________ back (you fill in the blank).  And for many people my age (senior citizens) it’s hard not to want to be able to do what we used to do, to go where we used to go, to have the people, places and things that we used to have!  But the season has changed for us, and probably for many of you reading this post; but the test is, what we will do with the change: get mad, pout and drop out?  Or will we look up, stand fast, and press on with whatever ability, resources and time that God has given us? God hasn’t asked us to do the impossible, but to trust Him to lead us, use us and provide for us as we are faithful stewards of whatever time and season we may enter—be it temporary or permanent, Paul said it best.

“For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”  Galatians 6:8-10

May we remember that Jesus is the One who leads us to those opportunities—sometimes as the giver, and at other times, as gracious receivers!  We will reap what we sow, and God keeps accurate accounts.

“When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh,

what will he do unto those husbandmen?

41 They say unto him,

He will miserably destroy

those wicked men,

and will let out his vineyard

unto other husbandmen,

which shall render him

the fruits in their seasons.”  Matthew 21:40-41

God is faithful to provide that which we need, yet there are those times when Jesus says, “Not now!”, or “Wait!” or as He told His disciples, some things are to be done “by faith without knowing the particular times and seasons”—we are to walk by faith in His timing not our own.  The power, times and seasons belong to Jesus, we are called to Go forth scattering the truth of the Gospel!

“When they therefore were come together,

they asked of him, saying,

Lord, wilt thou at this time

restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 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.

10 And while they looked stedfastly

toward heaven as he went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said,

Ye men of Galilee,

why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

this same Jesus,

which is taken up from you into heaven,

shall so come in like manner

as ye have seen him go into heaven.

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem

from the mount called Olivet,

which is from Jerusalem

a sabbath day’s journey.”  Acts 1:6-12

And one last passage that reminds us that we have a great task, for our Lord will return and He will call us unto Himself!  Will we be found faithful to the season that Jesus has brought us to?  Are we paying attention to the world around us, and sharing the truth of Jesus’ salvation as we are given opportunity?  Or are we running after the past?  A different future?  A different present?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren,

ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly

that the day of the Lord so cometh

as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say,

Peace and safety;

then sudden destruction cometh upon them,

as travail upon a woman with child;

and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren,

are not in darkness,

that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5 Ye are all the children of light,

and the children of the day:

we are not of the night,

nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep,

as do others;

but let us watch

and be sober.

7 For they that sleep

sleep in the night;

and they that be drunken

are drunken in the night.

8 But let us, who are of the day,

be sober,

putting on the breastplate

of faith and love;

and for an helmet,

the hope of salvation.

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath,

but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us,

that, whether we wake or sleep,

we should live together with him.

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together,

and edify one another,

even as also ye do.”  1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Walking with Jesus, we can have peace, joy and comfort knowing that our Lord is in charge—and He has our times and seasons in His hands—both the times and seasons of eternity and our personal times and seasons.  Give it all to Jesus—He knows; He loves you and He has your journey mapped out; so trust Him with it today, and each day!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

God is still God; God is still good; and I still trust HIM! And You?