Category Archives: Be not conformed to this world

There Is (Still) A Fountain!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 16

13 Sunday Mar 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Be not conformed to this world, Be YE Steadfast, By His Grace, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Conformed to HIS image, Cross, Crucified With Christ, There IS (Still) A Fountain

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 16 There Is (Still) A Fountain!!!

 

I was thinking of this precious song this week and how imperative it is for us to remember that the cross upon which our Savior “bled and died” is the center of our faith; and without the “blood of Jesus that cleanseth us from all sin” (See 1 John 1:7) we have no hope.  I am always drawn back to Paul’s proclamation that is the refrain of my heart.

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness,

and in fear,

and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching

was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom,

but in demonstration of the Spirit

and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand

in the wisdom of men,

but in the power

of God.”  1 Corinthians 2: 1-5

The fountain that flows from Calvary is the saving power of the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord!  He came to die for our sin—and yes, sin IS the issue!  Paul so clearly proclaims the truth and import of the Gospel of the cross and sacrifice of Jesus!  Notice that Paul makes it clear that he claims no significance for himself, his great oratory skills, or his heritage; rather he directs the hearers to recognize that it is by God’s Holy Spirit, power, and wisdom, not man’s, that we find grace and salvation.

“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.”  1 Corinthians 1:21-24

But what does all this mean to you and me?  It means I must join Paul and determine with whom my devotion is aligned.  I must recognize that GOD chose “the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” and keep this truth ever before me in all that I do.

“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

You and I can bank our lives on the surety of the salvation that Jesus gives to all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith; receiving the great power, assurance, and hope that the Cross of Jesus Christ our Lord supplies!  While it is by faith that we live; it’s not blind faith, but a complete confidence in the surety and security of God Almighty and HIS Son Jesus, who paid our sin debt—it’s why HE came—and the veracity (truth) of HIS WORD!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Part of what makes us secure is the truth of God’s Word, what it reveals from Genesis to Revelation about this fountain that flows with salvation, healing (soul always, and body as God sees fit!), restoration, renewal, and peace!  Let’s spend some time looking at the scriptural support for these truths.  I would love to post all of Isaiah 53, but for time and space, we will look at only a few verses (but I encourage you to read all of it when you can) of great import to who Jesus would be and what HE would do for us!  For when we take it in its context, we see that Jesus would pay the price for our salvation—our healing from the plague of SIN!

“Surely he hath borne our griefs,

and carried our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him stricken,

smitten of God,

and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace

was upon him;

and with his stripes

we are healed.

6 All we like sheep

have gone astray;

we have turned every one

to his own way;

and the LORD hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed,

and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth:

he is brought as a lamb

to the laughter,

and as a sheep

before her shearers is dumb,

so he openeth not his mouth.”  Isaiah 53:4-7

And as John the Baptizer confirmed so concisely:

“The next day John seeth Jesus

coming unto him,

and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away

the sin of the world.”  John 1:29

Jesus is our perfect healer!

“Heal me, O LORD,

and I shall be healed;

save me,

and I shall be saved:

for thou art my praise.”  Jeremiah 17:14

Our restorer—on so many fronts!

“And I will restore to you

the years that the locust hath eaten,

the cankerworm,

and the caterpiller,

and the palmerworm,

my great army which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty,

and be satisfied,

and praise the name

of the LORD your God,

that hath dealt wondrously with you:

and my people

shall never be ashamed.”  Joel 2:25-26

“Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners

shall be converted unto thee.”  Psalm 51:12-13

Our renewal—heart, mind, soul, and spirit!

“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.”  Romans 12:1-2

The God of all peace!

“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.”  Romans 5:1-6

And as we consider all these things, I simply want to close with the beloved hymn that reminds me so often of the truth and import of the cross.  It’s my hope, my confidence, my assurance, and my peace.  How about you? The author based the song on Zechariah 13:1:

“In that day there shall be a fountain

opened to the house of David

and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem

for sin and for uncleanness.” (Jesus)

              There Is A Fountain    by William Cowper

“There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains:
Lose all their guilty stains,
Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in His day;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away:
Washed all my sins away,
Washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its pow’r,
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are safe, to sin no more:
Are safe, to sin no more,
Are safe, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are safe, to sin no more.

E’er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die:
And shall be till I die,
And shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.

When this poor, lisping, stamm’ring tongue
Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save:
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save,
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save;
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.”

Amen and Amen!!!

The Cancer Of Me? The Cure??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #765

23 Tuesday Nov 2021

Posted by in Be not conformed to this world, Crucified With Christ, Giving Or Taking?, God Knows His Own, Only Jesus, Only One Way, SIN, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #765   The Cancer Of Me?  The Cure???

 

“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

Our culture has made “ME” the focus of all of life, and we have forgotten the “WE” of family, home and community-be it the local area we live in, the church we belong to, or the people to whom we are related by birth, marriage, or choice!  God has called His own to a better way!  The way of the cross which is the only cure to the cancer of sin, self, and the stubbornness of “self”ishness!  For sin is the issue!

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;”   Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

You see, the cancer of sin will demand the life of all who do not come to God through the substitutionary (in my place), atoning (making me right at JESUS’ expense), sacrifice (the payment for MY sin) of Jesus Christ The Lord at Calvary.  What are you waiting for?  The cancer will not go away without a cure!  Even physical cancer won’t go away (except for divine intervention) without some kind of treatment for the disease, and most people head to the doctor for a regimen of some sort to cure the cancer.  But we have become content in our sin, selfishness and stubbornness and ignored, denied, or just passed over the only way to life!  And that way is Jesus alone—faith alone, in Christ Jesus alone!

“Jesus saith unto him,

 I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Only ONE WAY—and that is through Jesus via the CROSS.  No shortcuts, not substitutions, no self-help solution. The blood of Jesus is the only cure for sin…the only way to God, and to abundant life.

“Saying,

 The Son of man must suffer many things,

and be rejected

of the elders and chief priests

and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

 let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

 or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me

and of my words,

of him shall the Son of man

be ashamed,

when he shall come in his own glory,

and in his Father’s,

 and of the holy angels.”  Luke 9:22-26

Jesus makes it clear that being HIS follower will affect what others see in our life, behavior, and devotion!  To whom or what are you/I devoted?  To Jesus?  Then where is the fruit?  Jesus said in Matthew 7 that our connection to God should show in the fruit that our lives produce, and He goes on to say, (in Blanche’s paraphrase) “saying so doesn’t make it so”!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

 and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them

by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes

of thorns,

 or figs

of thistles?

17 Even so

every good tree bringeth forth

good fruit;

but a corrupt tree bringeth forth

evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast

into the fire.

20 Wherefore

by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he

that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 7:13-21

So, my friends, whose will are you accomplishing?  God’s, man’s or your own?  Jesus reminds us that there is only one way to God—the narrow road—and if we find ourselves contentedly walking with the crowd, we might want to check on our real spiritual condition.  Jesus makes it clear that when we are following HIM, we will do “God’s will” not someone else’s!  The same thing that Paul shared with us at the beginning of this article—”I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”!  It is truly “all about Jesus”!  The cure—Jesus– will enable us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice” in loving gratitude, and devotion for the sacrifice that HE gave for all who will believe and follow HIM!

“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.”  Romans 12:1-2

And in closing two passages that call us to examine ourselves to be sure we truly belong to Jesus.  No change in our life?  You might want to go before God and see what you think has saved you.  God will answer if we truly draw near to HIM!

“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.”  Hebrews 12:6-11

And finally, simply put—no change….no Jesus; (not trying to twist words, just calling us to consider) you decide, have you been transformed by the cross.  If not, Jesus is calling to you to come to Him today!

“He hath delivered my soul in peace

from the battle that was against me:

for there were many with me.

19 God shall hear,

and afflict them,

even he that abideth of old. Selah.

Because they have no changes,

therefore they fear not God.”   Psalm 55:18-19

And Jesus Himself said:

“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

He’s waiting for YOU!

Amen and Amen!!!

Arthritis Theology For Today??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #745

23 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Arthritis Theology, Be not conformed to this world, Bibe Study, Blessed by God, By Him We Live, Guard Your Heart, JESUS

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #745  Arthritis Theology For Today???

 

I know some of you are wondering what “Arthritis Theology” is; well, my friends it came up in one of our conversations this week, and most of the older folks will relate.  I asked my husband to rub some arthritis cream on my back (since I can’t reach it any more…ha ha), and I was giving instructions on how I wanted it done, and I simply said, “If you don’t rub it in, it won’t do any good!”  And I just had to share the similitude to walking with Jesus; for the more we “rub” HIS Word in….the more good it does in our hearts, our minds, and our daily service for our Lord!  I think it may have been what Paul had in mind as he counseled the Colossian believers, let’s consider it.

“Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching

and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God

and the Father by him.”  Colossians 3:12-17

If I may put it in a nutshell, what you put in will come out.  It’s also what Jesus reminds us of on multiple occasions.  What are you putting into your heart?  It’s so easy to be distracted by this busy techno-crazy world and allow harmful and unnecessary things into our heart and lives.  May we choose wisely!

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 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.”   Matthew 12:34-35

“But those things

which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:18-20

May we take HIS words to heart and make sure we keep our hearts right with our Lord and strive to please HIM with a clean heart and a right walk before God and man.  Someone is watching your walk—where are you leading them?

“Keep thy heart

with all diligence;

for out of it

are the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:23

And one of my favorite godly challenges from our brother Paul.

“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

So, may we fill our heart with Jesus, and not fill our hearts with corrupt things, and find ourselves going the wrong way!  If we think it long enough, we will follow through!  Choose wisely, for there is a test.  Let’s rub in the Word of God and walk in victory before our Lord and others!

“For whatsoever is born of God

overcometh the world:

and this is the victory that overcometh the world,

even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world,

but he that believeth

that Jesus is the Son of God?”   1 John 5:4-5

Amen and Amen!!!

Make That Call??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #732

02 Wednesday Jun 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Be not conformed to this world, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Choose You This Day!, Discernment, Doers or intenders?, Don't Wait, Just DO it!, Knowing Or Going?, Obedience, One Day Too Late?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #732 Make That Call Today???

 

I would like to share a bit of a challenge with you today, one which I’ve been reminded of from time to time throughout the years, and one which I try to practice regularly, even continually: and that’s to “listen” to God’s promptings on our hearts!  As we read our Bibles and pray, God will bring people to our remembrance who have affected our lives—those who have helped us, encouraged us, or taught us some great life lesson, or even challenged us to change in a positive way.  I think God isn’t just prodding our memory but perhaps prompting us to “DO” something!  Maybe we need to write a note—yes, a real pen and paper correspondence, almost a lost art today—or make a phone call (Facebook doesn’t count, I’m talking about real human connection)—or maybe even a visit, or Facetime, Zoom or some other “face to face” connection!  A call to say thanks, I was thinking of you!  Why? You ask!  Because time is fleeting and one day that person won’t be here, or you won’t be here to have that opportunity to “make someone’s day”!  TODAY is all you or I have—let’s use it; and here are some scriptures to help us along our way! God has put people in our path for a reason, let’s fulfill our purpose!

“But exhort one another daily,

while it is called To day;

lest any of you be hardened

through the deceitfulness of sin…

…. 15 While it is said, To day

 if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation.”  Hebrews 3:13 & 15

It is so easy to become hardened not only through the “deceitfulness of sin”, but by the crazy hustle and bustle of “busy-ness” today; yet we are called to consider what God has for us to “BE” and “DO” this “day” and not be so distracted by the demands of “tomorrows” which may not come.  We are to be faithful workers for our King and, servants who pay attention to our Lord’s voice.  Not only spreading encouragement, help and correction but also the message of salvation to those who are lost.  It is so easy—so very easy—to be caught up in the demands of ‘living’, the call of the ‘things’ in our life, or just, as Oswald Chambers says, to be distracted by the “mundane”!  Look up>follow!

“For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him…

…..6: 1 We then,

as workers together with him,

beseech you also

that ye receive not the grace of God

in vain.

2 (For he saith,

I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold,

now is the accepted time;

behold,

now is the day of salvation.)”.   2 Corinthians 5:21-6:1-2

Who are you thinking about right now?  Don’t just sit there, get up and “DO” something:  make that call, write that note, walk next door, send those flowers, Facetime that loved one, whatever you can do, DO it!  Today!  Oh, the joy of hearing joy in the voice of someone whom you can encourage and lift up; or the smile of that one whom you haven’t checked on in a while, or the response to a note that made “the day” for someone you care about.  There are so many things that we leave undone, so many opportunities missed, let’s get busy today—sharing Jesus in whatever ways HE directs!  Let’s get your/my focus on listening to Jesus and making a difference in other’s lives not just our own!

“Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life

more than meat,

and the body

than raiment?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

 is the evil thereof.”   Portions of Matthew 6:25-34

Nuff’ said—GO—BE—DO God’s will for you!  Today-Amen!

Your Attitude Matters! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #728

12 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Ask God For Wisdom, Attitude of Gratitude, Be not conformed to this world, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Growing in Jesus!, Keeping our eyes on JESUS!, Whose Sheep are You?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #728  Your Attitude Matters!  Really???

 

I just want to share a relatively brief word of encouragement with you this morning that I hope will lift your heart, mind and eyes heavenward.  It’s so easy to become so bogged down with earth’s seeming drudgery, that we so often miss the very real presence of our Lord.  Like Paul, and while I fall so far short regularly, I desire to reflect Jesus—no more, no less.

“But God forbid that I should glory,

save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom the world is crucified unto me,

and I unto the world.”  Galatians 6;14

We had a little crisis last evening, when we couldn’t find the charger to my husband’s portable oxygen device, and we knew we’d need to charge it to be out of the house today.  Well, last night we hunted and fretted (yes, I know Jesus said, “fret not”, but sometimes it just jumps up on me, like a dog on a bone!) and couldn’t find it.  It was late and I was tired, so I told my husband, ‘I’ll check the car in the morning’, for I wasn’t going to get dressed again to go out to the car!  I really did rest well, because I had asked God to help us; and this morning I prayed again, for I knew I couldn’t fix this problem alone, and sure enough there it was in the car (probably having fallen out of the bag), but it was there and it’s charging as I write this now.  I just praised God for all HIS amazing grace in the “small stuff”—but you see, when we truly learn to walk with Jesus—there “ain’t no small stuff” for we are HIS child, and even more than you and I, HE loves HIS children and wants the best for us.  I’m thinking of the wonderful song by the Collingsworth Family, “If It Matters To You, It Matters To The Master!” (Written by Sarah McCutcheon), for its message is so true (if you haven’t heard it, check it out on the music services or YouTube—you’ll be blessed) and so needed in our culture today!

My point is, we had a choice—and so do you—we could have spent our time “doubting, pouting and dropping outing” (as my former Pastor Brad was wont to say), or we could choose to trust “The Master”—HE who holds us in HIS hands!  And when we will learn to know HIM, we will come to trust HIM more and more each day, trusting Him with greater and greater parts of our lives!  And that, my friends, is the thing that God desires from us—our total trust and devotion.  But remember it is a choice!  We can choose to fill our lives with gratitude, focusing on the cross and our risen LORD; or we can allow the things of this world to crowd HIM out!  Me?  I’m going to do my best to join Paul and make the cross my focal point.

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness,

and in fear,

and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching

was not with enticing words

of man’s wisdom,

but in demonstration of the Spirit

and of power:

5 That your faith

should not stand in the wisdom of men,

but in the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-5

I simply ask that you ponder these things today—in light of whatever crises you are facing.  Who will you run to?  Friends?  Relatives?  TV and modern philosophies?  Will you choose Jesus as your counselor, strength, and confidence?  Or will you settle for the world’s garbage heap?

As I’ve said before, it’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  And I can’t help but believe it’s very near!

“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

And in closing, the words of our Lord:

“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 10:27-30

Whose sheep are you?  Whose voice are you heeding?  Food for thought.  Amen and Amen!