Category Archives: Approved Unto God

Christmas Fortnight Day 10 A Word from THE WORD! #422

21 Sunday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Approved Unto God, Baby in the manger, Be not conformed to this world, Gifts of the Spirit., Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Or Taking?, Giving Thanks to God!, Glitz, Glory To God, God's Ability for our Inability!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth

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Christmas Fortnight Day 10   A Word from THE WORD! #422

Here we are –only a few days until Christmas Day.  A question.  Which do you enjoy most, giving or receiving gifts?  Of course we all love to receive gifts, it’s nice to know that someone cares about us enough to give a gift.  But when I give, why do I give?  To receive, to be noticed, obligation??

I think the key is to remember the GREATEST GIFT!!

John 3:16 reminds us,

“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.”

God loved us and gave HIS SON to die for us.  What do we give?  Some of us choose and give the perfect gift for each person according to their needs or likes.  Others of us buy a dozen of some great bargain and give one to each person on our list.  Now each style of giving has it’s positives and negatives.  But what is important?  Money, self, time?

1 Peter 4:9-10 says,

“Use hospitality

one to another

without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same

one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God...”

This refers to spiritual gifts, but I think we can learn a lot about giving here.

We are to be hospitable-‘friendly & welcoming to strangers and friends’.

We are to give as we have received,

“For unto whomsoever much is given,

of him shall be much required….” (Lk 12:48b).

In a word—YOURself.   God gave Jesus–I can give ME!!

Don’t get caught up in “price” or “vogue”.  Is there someone who’d love to hear your voice, spend time with YOU, have your help for a difficult task?   Maybe just a visit from YOU?

Think about it!! Is there someone on your list who just needs YOUR time?  Is there someone you need to call today?  Is there someone who needs a token of your LOVE?

Stop!!  Think!!  Listen to your heart!! 

Then just DO IT!

 As Jesus Himself said to us before He went to the cross, so may we live for HIM!

“Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life

for his friends.”  John 15:13

And Paul said it better than I.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Amen and Amen!!!

This IS What It Takes??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #199

20 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Apart from ME you can do nothing, Approved Unto God, Great white throne, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Judgment, Judgment Is Coming, Just Jesus!, Justified by Jesus, King Jesus

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This IS What It Takes??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #199

We talked about “What Will It Take” last time, and I’d like to take it a bit farther and share just some thoughts on what scripture tells us that it takes to be right with God, to understand His ways, and to follow His Word.  Simply put the main thing is that we have come to Jesus for salvation and that we choose to walk with HIM—not just invite Him to rubber stamp our plans, projects, and programs, but rather to walk with HIM in all our ways.  Let’s start with a passage that is partially familiar to many of us, but sometimes we stop reading too soon.  Consider what the Proverb reveals.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.

9 Honour the LORD with thy substance,

and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,

and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD;

neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth;

even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,

and the man that getteth understanding.

14 For the merchandise of it

is better than the merchandise of silver,

and the gain thereof than fine gold.”   Proverbs 3:5-14

The author of Hebrews addresses this issue of discipline as well, and as I often teach in my classes, if you claim to be a follower of Jesus and can go your own way without the corrective hand of Jesus in your life, you might check out what you think got you saved.  Scripture makes it clear that we are to reflect the nature of our “Father”!

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son, despise not thou

the chastening of the Lord,

nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth

every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh

which corrected us,

and we gave them reverence:

shall we not much rather

be in subjection unto the Father of spirits,

and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us

after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit,

that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening

for the present seemeth to be joyous,

but grievous:

 nevertheless afterward

it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness

unto them which are exercised thereby.”  Hebrews 12:5-11

Jesus Himself warned us of trying to “go it on our own”, we must abide with Him, in Him, and He in us!  It’s all about our relationship with Jesus, not our worldly success, wealth, position or seeming importance to the world.  It’s all about Jesus!

“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

Jesus also reminds us that there is a time of accounting—in fact so much of scripture reminds us that we will give an account of our life, our choices, our words, and our influence on others—what we do with it, not just that we have it.

“A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”                      Matthew 12:35-37

How are you using your words?  What words are you using that are inappropriate, unhelpful, or just plain harmful to others.  Is your speech so vitriolic that others avoid you at all costs?

The Apostles had an impact after the resurrection, ascension, and the imparting of the Holy Spirit upon them, such that even those who hated them were brought to make a profound statement of them; one that I pray would be the accusation toward us, if and when we are called into account.

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost,

said unto them,

Ye rulers of the people,

and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed

done to the impotent man,

by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness

of Peter and John,

and perceived

that they were unlearned and ignorant men,

they marvelled;

and they took knowledge of them,

that they had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:8-13

In bringing these thoughts to a close, I want to remind each of us of the accounting that will come—for the believer–we will stand before the “judgment seat of Christ” to give an accounting of our deeds done in the flesh; for the lost who have rejected Jesus, there will be a different accounting.  May you consider these truths and ask God to reveal to us the true state of our hearts.

“But why dost thou judge thy brother?

or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

for we shall all stand

before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account of himself to God.”  Romans 14:10-12

“For other foundation

can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold, silver, precious stones,

wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try

every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.”  1 Corinthians 3:11-15

And the last word is God’s!

“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

The choice is yours.  Where is your name written? Choose wisely there is a test—ready or not Jesus is coming back to gather His own, who have chosen to believer and receive His salvation, but as judge to all who have not.  How will He find you?  May you reach out to Jesus today if you haven’t yet done so, and trust to His saving grace and not your own resources.  If you belong to Jesus, is it time for you to reevaluate your walk with The Master?  May He find us faithfully serving and following His way!

Amen and Amen!!!

Conforming or Being Transformed??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #49

25 Friday Nov 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Approved Unto God, Are you ready?, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, Examine Myself?, Eyes that SEE HIM, God's provision, God's ways are not our ways, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, IN Jesus!

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Conforming or Being Transformed? A Word from THE WORD!!! #49

A simple but profound question for each of us on this day after ‘Thanks-giving’–‘Black Friday’ to many shoppers–decorating day for some, yet perhaps we ought to make it a day for some soul-searching.  Have we allowed so much of the world into our hearts, that we have forgotten the admonitions of scripture to be not only “holy” before God and man, but “wholly” devoted to The One who saves, redeems, and transforms us day by day (when we will cooperate) into the image of Jesus (See Romans 8:28-29). I think Paul says it best.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”  Romans 12:1-3

It saddens my heart that so many around us, many who claim the name of Jesus, are so calloused to the corruption of the world.  We no longer seem to take any regard to the words we use–no matter how crass, vulgar, or hurtful to others they may be; and the word “prove” simply means to display before the world a transformed life–reflecting the grace, glory, and power of our LORD!  Just because a word or phrase is popular, doesn’t mean that it should come out of “my” mouth–the Psalmist says it pretty concisely;

“Who can understand his errors?

cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also

from presumptuous sins;

let them not have dominion

over me:

then shall I be upright,

and I shall be innocent

from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”  Psalm 19:12-14

Even as Paul stated so clearly in Romans 12, we are to be “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”!  The call for holiness in the lives of God’s own, is replete throughout scripture, yet we seem to have relegated it to an “optional” selection for living a Christian life.  I don’t think that God sees it that way.  He loves us, calls us, saves us, by faith through grace, and equips us for HIS service, yet we seem to have forgotten what “service to The King” ought to look like. Peter calls us to remember the cost of our redemption–Jesus’ own blood–how long will we disregard the price paid for our salvation?

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 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.

17 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:” 1 Peter 1:13-19

We are “redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ…”!  So, my challenge to each of us is to spend some time today examining our own heart and asking God to reveal to us what HE sees.  Not measuring with the world’s yardstick but with God’s Word–both the written Word-the Bible–as well as The Living Word, JESUS, who has given us HIS precious Holy Spirit, to guide us “into all truth”!  Will you join me today in the pursuit of holiness?

“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

May Jesus Christ be praised through us as we:

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer”!

And remember there are little eyes and ears watching and listening to what we do, way more than just what we “say do or don’t do”!

Amen and Amen!!!

How Fast Are You Going??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #25

03 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by in Apart from ME you can do nothing, Approved Unto God, Contentedness, Contentment, My Grace Is Sufficient, Never Alone

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How Fast Are You Going???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #25

As I just sat down after watering my flowers before the temperatures soar, I can’t help but thank God for HIS amazing grace, mercy, and love towards us. It’s so easy (muchly because Satan is always nudging that jealousy and discontent button when we see our friends and loved ones in cooler places—in less stressful situations than we are in—doing things we’d like to do, but can’t—you fill in the blank) to grovel in discontent when God calls us to exercise the fruit (no ‘s’) of The Spirit not just once a week as a ‘workout’, but moment by moment as we walk through each day; be it in the heat, in the sorrow of loss, in concern over economic issues, or just the demands of ‘LIFE’!  It’s not an easy task, but it is a doable way of life through Jesus!

“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

And as Paul put so aptly in many ways and places, I want us to ponder all the things that we speed through rather than taking each moment as God leads, directs, prompts, and directs; determining not to be rushed by the enemy of our souls.

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

“But my God shall supply

all your need

according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

“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

Also, in my opinion, one of the most neglected passages of Paul’s today; for instead of “name it and claim it”, God responded to Paul’s prayer with “my grace is sufficient”!  Remember, “not my will but thine by done….”!

“And lest I should be exalted above measure

through the abundance of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan

to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted

above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory

in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Is God’s grace sufficient for you and me?  We can find power to be spiritually successful in JESUS’ power and the work of The Holy Spirit producing the “Fruit of The Spirit” working in and through us, as we yield to HIS work, and HIS power in all we do “Moment by Moment”—no matter the circumstances!!!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

In closing, here’s a great old Hymn that says it way better than I can, I pray that it will encourage you today and point your heart and mind toward Jesus—every moment of every day!  Amen!!!

Moment By Moment by Daniel W. Whittle

1 Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;
Living with Jesus, a new life divine;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.

 

Refrain:
Moment by moment I’m kept in his love;
Moment by moment I’ve life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.

 

2 Never a trial that he is not there,
Never a burden that he doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that he doth not share,
Moment by moment, I’m under his care. [Refrain]

 

3 Never a weakness that he doth not feel,
Never a sickness that he cannot heal;
Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,
Jesus, my Savior, abides with me still. [Refrain]

Amen and Amen!!!

A Confidence Beyond Weariness!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #773

07 Friday Jan 2022

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Approved Unto God, Beauty of Holiness, Choices And Consequences, Doubt and Confusion?, Trials, Troubles, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Walking With Jesus, Weariness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #773 A Confidence Beyond Weariness!!!

 

While I haven’t posted much lately, I have had the faithfulness of God on my mind.  We’ve had some severe health issues facing us lately, and through all of the strain and the weariness, God is ever faithful.  On that I will ever stand, for with Job I count the faithfulness of God above all things

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

 and not another;

 though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

I shall see GOD, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Job knew it, and so do I.  How about you?  We who belong to Jesus shall behold HIM, and yet even more importantly, in this earthly life, is the necessity that we “behold” God here and now, that through HIS Word we come to know HIM more and more personally and intimately!  James reminds us that it is by beholding the reality of God’s person, character, and truth that we can know and behold HIM more and more, here, and now!

“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.”  James 1:21-25

As you/I know more and more of God’s Word, and learn to trust to His faithfulness, we can come to know more and more of our/my GOD, my Lord, and my KING.  We can simply glance at truth, without considering its import.  As Paul told his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, we are to “study” to know God’s Word that we might find ourselves approved before GOD, knowing that God’s Word is perfectly sufficient unto all our needs, especially teaching us of Himself!!!

“All scripture

is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

In our vernacular, mature (not sinlessly perfect), and equipped for all that God calls us to be and do!

“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

As Paul also tells us about salvation and good works—they work together, by God’s faithful provision.

“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

And as we draw near to HIM, we can learn to be more of what God calls us to be, HOLY, and able to fulfill the “good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”. (And you’ll note below that our call is to “holiness” not “happiness”, not a very popular thought today!)

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

 at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 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 1:13-16

It is this confidence in God, HIS Word, and HIS call, that sustains me and will sustain you, if you will but delve into it, and take the truths of God into your heart.  Much like what the Proverbs say:

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct

thy paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

So, if I may sum it all up, we are all faced with trials, crises, difficulties, and times of extreme weariness; we must each choose what we will do with our crises—will we keep our eyes on Jesus, or on our own resources.  It’s your choice, but remember, there is a test.

“Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher of our faith;”  Hebrews 12:2a

Amen and Amen!!!