Category Archives: Be not conformed to this world

A New Years Prayer??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #428

31 Wednesday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Advice for the journey, Be not conformed to this world, Holiness, Holy Living, Not Ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ., Not Of This World, Now is the time...., Obedient or NOT?

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A New Years Prayer???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #428

I would just like to share a few personal thoughts with you today as we are going into a new year.  Not really thinking about resolutions, but about “being resolute” in our devotion and obedience to The Lord Jesus Christ, and I truly believe the best way—perhaps the only way—to do that is to spend time with Him in prayer and in HIS Word!

“Through thy precepts

I get understanding:

therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word

is a lamp unto my feet,

and a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn,

and I will perform it,

that I will keep

thy righteous judgments.”   Psalm 119:104-106

I love these verses for they remind me again and again that God’s Word is my staple for living a holy life!  No matter what pathway you have been on, God’s pathway is the best way!  I am so grateful for the light that He brings into my life.  No I have not attained yet, but I’m closer today than I was before, yet not as close as I long to be.  How about you? Let’s resolve to cling to Jesus’ cross and delve into His Word continually.

“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 19:14

Let’s make it about Jesus this year—pleasing Him, walking with Him in close devotion, hearing, heeding and obeying Him in sweet fellowship.  How?  One word answers that, priority!  We must make Jesus a priority; a priority in our time, in our choices, in our walk, in the places we frequent, in the words we use, in the things that we have allowed to run our live—to make holiness a priority instead of popularity, fashion, trends, social media of all sorts, media in general!  Let’s truly cling to the One who loved us and gave Himself to die that we might have eternal life, and also the ability to live a truly holy life in this world.  We can make a difference in this world.

But it comes at a price; a price of time, energy, limits, convictions, and most of all a knowledge of God’s Word. We must make the choice to draw nearer to our Lord, or we will be drawn closer to the world.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a a test.  Remember, Jesus paid the price for our salvation with His own blood, and we will all give an account before God either at the judgment seat of Christ (see Romans 14:10 & 2 Corinthians 5:10) for believers, or the Great White Throne (See Revelation 20:11-14) for the lost!!

“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

In closing I’d like to share what I consider to be one of Paul’s greatest challenges and words of encouragement from the letter to the believers at Rome, it’s also one my favorite passages, for its great instruction and encouragement in how to have a successful life of faithful and holy living in this world in need of a Savior—Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let’s be light in the dark—in all our ways—shining Jesus’ light to dispel the darkness!

“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

May God bless you as you go into the New Year of 2026!  I pray that we will each draw closer to Jesus in this brand-new year!!!  Today!  And today!  And today for 365 days!

Amen and Amen!!!

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!!!

The Quiet In The Noise??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #408

21 Friday Nov 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Be not conformed to this world, Be Steadfast, Be Still and Know, Influenced by the world or Jesus?, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus is able, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves, Jesus--our all in all, Look up and Praise The Lord, Looking Unto Jesus, Looking up Or around?, Peace of God, Peace of Jerusalem!, Peace that passeth ALL understanding

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The Quiet In The Noise??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #408

Just a few things today about beating the nosiness around us.  There is so much on every hand harping, crying out, shouting the good—the bad—and especially the ugly!  But we have an option, and I encourage you to call on Him today, His name is Jesus. And as we prepare to celebrate His birth, may we draw nearer to Him, as He takes hold on our hand and we can cling to Him with all our heart.  I simply want to share a few passages to encourage your heart today.  Blessings of peace and quiet on you and yours—

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in thee.

4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever:

for in the LORD JEHOVAH

is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26: 3-4

And in Jesus own words to us!

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:

if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth, and

the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:1-6

Amidst all the clutter and clamor going on around us, in our homes, on the job, on the street, on social media of every sort—seemingly everywhere—we have a God, a Savior and Lord who can and will give us peace in the midst of any storm, any clatter, any fear, any trial or difficulty that seems to overwhelm us, Jesus is near at hand if we will but reach out in faith and obedience!  Won’t you reach out and take His hand and let Him lead you into that “perfect peace”?  He is faithful—He is the way to the Father—the way to heaven and eternal life!

Oh, what joy, peace and “quiet” we often miss simply because we fail to realize and trust to the care of our Lord and Savior, Jesus!  A passage that is very special to us, may you find the stillness of Jesus who has you in His hand if you have been born again (and if you haven’t been, you can be by calling on Jesus in repentance of your sin and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine! See John 3)!

“Be still, and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Selah.”  Psalm 46:10-11

 We can keep on going in His “perfect peace”!  Don’t let the clamor stop your peace.  Jesus arose victorious, and we can live in the victory!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen and Amen!!!

Serve The Lord With Gladness? A Word from THE WORD!!! #376

15 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Almost But Lost, Be not conformed to this world, Be ye HOLY, Believe IN Jesus, Praise Encourages our Heart, Praise God Today!, Prayer or Panic?, Rejoice IN The Lord, Renewing or Reviewing, Self-sufficient or Dependent on Jesus?, Serve The Lord with gladness., Service, Serving God or Using God?, Sheep amongst Wolves!!!, Shine as lights in the world, Speaking The Truth In Love, Still Will I Trust HIM, Strong Tower, Worship Him!, Worship?

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Serve The Lord With Gladness? A Word from THE WORD!!! #376

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD

he is God:

 it is he that hath made us,

 and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth

endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5

God not only made us, but He also will give the new birth into Jesus Christ The Lord to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin; we can be “born…of God” (See John 1:11-13) and have eternal life—transforming life.  We can have a change of heart, mind and soul; a change of direction from our own way to God’s way!  Even as Isaiah heard from God.

“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 20:20-21

And even more importantly, Jesus clearly says that HE IS the way; may we walk in His grace, wisdom and truth.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth, and

the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth

ye know him,

and have seen him.”  John 14:6-7

How could they (and us) see The Father?  By knowing Jesus, and Jesus (contrary to what some believe) said clearly that He was, is and ever shall be one with God the Father.  Are you following The One who died for you, The One who Is one with the Father, The One who died for your salvation and mine?

“Jesus answered them,

I told you,

and ye believed not:

the works that I do in my Father’s name,

they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:15-30

So, do you belong to the Shepherd?  Are you following Him?  Are you in His hands?  Are you listening to that still small voice and going God’s way or your own?  Are you serving the “Lord with gladness” or sucking on the proverbial lemon?  Are you being a reflection of the glory of Jesus Christ The Lord and Father God by the power of the Holy Spirit, or have you let the world lead you down that “broad way, that leadeth to destruction”? Even those who seemed to be His followers couldn’t always be found ready to stand with Him. (See Matthew 7:14-28)

“What and if ye shall see the Son of man

ascend up where he was before?

63 It is the spirit that quickeneth;

the flesh profiteth nothing:

the words that I speak unto you,

they are spirit,

and they are life.

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.

 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve,

Will ye also go away?

 68 Then Simon Peter answered him,

Lord, to whom shall we go?

 thou hast the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure

that thou art that Christ,

the Son of the living God.

70 Jesus answered them,

Have not I chosen you twelve,

and one of you is a devil?”  John 6:62-70

By God’s grace I will praise Him, for HE has saved and delivered me from the penalty of my sin!  How about you?  Will you play church or will you truly “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”!!

I pray that you will truly, “Know ye that the LORD he is God”, and that you will serve Him and bow before King Jesus!  You can bow before Him now as your Lord and Savior, or bow before Him later as your judge.  (See Revelation 20:11-15)

“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 2:8-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Are You Fighting Or Trusting??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #335

03 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Be not conformed to this world, Be Steadfast, Be Still and Know, Father's Way!, Fight or Faith?, Fighting With God's Weapons, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Stand by ME!, Stand Fast!, Still Will I Trust HIM, Storms, That They May Know, The Battle IS The Lord's, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The Broad or Narrow Way?

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Are You Fighting Or Trusting???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #335

We often face battles and forget that our Lord is standing with us, for us, and His Spirit will lead and provide if we will but learn to trust Jesus (But I’m doing pretty good by myself, right?) to lead us on that straight path.  Oh, to learn to trust Him more, to rest in HIM more, to follow even in the dark.  One of my favorite reminders of this is King Jehosaphat, and the literal battle that God promised to fight for him and the people of Israel.  What battles are you trying to face alone?  You don’t have to, God is ready, willing, able and He wants you to look to His sufficient grace and provision. (Simple but almost always not easy!!!)

“And he said,

Hearken ye, all Judah,

and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem,

 and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid nor dismayed

by reason of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours,

but God’s.

16 To morrow go ye down against them:

behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz;

and ye shall find them at the end of the brook,

before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:

set yourselves,

stand ye still,

 and see the salvation of the LORD with you,

O Judah and Jerusalem:

 fear not,

nor be dismayed;

to morrow go out against them:

for the LORD will be with you.”                                2 Chronicles 20:15-17

Hallelujah!  Praise be to God!  How many victories have we missed because we wanted to “do it myself”?  God is faithful and trustworthy, and one of the greatest passages in all of scripture reminds us of the character, goodness, and “the power of HIS might” (See Ephesians 6:10-19)!  Daniel and his friends had prayed for God’s deliverance and HIS wisdom to diffuse the King’s angry decree to slay all the ‘wise’ men, including Daniel and his friends.  God heard and I encourage you to rehearse and even memorize this precious declaration of praise and glory to The One who IS God—our great deliverer!!!

“Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known

to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows should not perish

with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 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 2:18-23

I ask you to ponder these things, no matter the battle that you may be facing; God sees, He knows, and He is ready, able and willing to stand with YOU!  I pray that like Daniel and even David with his sling, we will trust God no matter the giants that are coming against us.  Paul said it better than I can.  Remember, we win!!!

“O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin;

and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”                                1 Corinthians 15:55-18

Press on my dear friends, and always let God fight for you!  You are not alone.  If you don’t know Jesus, listen for His voice calling you and come to the cross in repentance of your sin and faith/trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice which saves those who come to Him, turning from sin and giving us eternal life in exchange. “He shall save His people from their sins...” (See Matthew 1:21)

Amen and Amen!!!