Category Archives: Born Again

Knowing The Faithful Shepherd??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #183

09 Friday Feb 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding In Jesus, Advice for the journey, Are You Ready, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Assurance IN GOD!, Blessings from the Psalms, Born Again, Christ IN YOU, Green pastures, Peace, Peace of God, The fourth man in the FIRE!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God, The Only Way, The Same Yesterday

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Knowing The Faithful Shepherd? A Word from THE WORD!!! #183

As I sit here writing this morning, my heart is full of God’s grace, but at the same time it aches for the pain of loss.  A good friend will be laid to rest today; another good friend is ministering to her family as they bid farewell to their father.  When you reach my age, seeing your friends and loved ones leave this world seems to be a “state of affairs”; the question is, have I told you about Jesus?  Do you know “The Shepherd”?  I’ve told my husband lately that I’m beginning to feel like I have the plague, as all my friends are seemingly dropping like flies, and I wonder, “Is it me?”  But we all know that as scripture says:

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

So I simply want to ask you, “Do you know Jesus, The Great Shepherd”?  Are you prepared to leave?  He is waiting for you if you don’t.  And if you have come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine, then you can boldly say “HE IS my shepherd”!  May you be encouraged, refreshed, and assured of His presence, power and protection as you walk today in this crazy world.

“The LORD

is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down

in green pastures:

he leadeth me

beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth

my soul:

he leadeth me

in the paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk

through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest

a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest

my head with oil;

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me

all the days of my life:

and I will dwell

in the house of the LORD

for ever.”  Psalm 23:1-6

Oh, I pray that you know this precious Shepherd, and that if you don’t you will run to Him today!  Calvary was, is and ever shall be a place of salvation, redemption, and transformation, as well as a place of life, love, and peace.  May you find the restoration that He gives as your hope for the journey.  He has comforted me in sorrow, He has lifted me when I fell flat, He has made the way clear with the path was blocked by spiritual boulders, He has never failed, and He never will!  I praise Him and thank Him even right now for the comfort that heals the broken heart; even though its pain is often recurring, HE never fails to touch the pain and bring unexpressable relief for each moment of pain!  May you know the blessed peace of JESUS today!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

 and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Amen and Amen!!!

The Cross Or The World??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #173

07 Sunday Jan 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Cross, Crucified With Christ, No man can serve two masters!, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Overcoming By His Blood, The Cross or the world?

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The Cross Or The World??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #173

 

Two questions for today, “Do you see the cross through the world’s eyes?” or “Do you see the world through the The Cross?”?  We live in a culture that implies, if not saying it right out, that we can serve/love/follow Jesus and the world at the same time; Jesus said otherwise.  Whom will we choose to believe?  While this passage is a lengthy one, I think it necessary to help us see the real answer to the questions.

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 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?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought

for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more

clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

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.”  Matthew 6:24-34

May we consider what Jesus is telling us, and let it sink in so that we may assess our lives according to God’s Word, not man’s—knowing that our decisions have eternal consequence.  Another thing I would like us to consider is also a message from Jesus, found in His letter to the church at Laodicea.  In my words I see this as what I have often referred to as, “Saying so doesn’t make it so!”

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith

the Amen,

the faithful and true witness,

the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works,

that thou art neither cold nor hot:

I would thou wert

cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

and neither cold nor hot,

I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes

with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”  Revelation 3:14-18

Consider what Jesus tells this “church”—not the lost and dying world, but those who were claiming His name, yet seem to be leaving Him out of their salvation, their priorities, and their lives (they seem to think they have saved themselves—like many churches today maybe—maybe the American church?).  I encourage you to consider what Jesus says above and then to consider this picture of a church that thinks they “have it all” and “need nothing”—how many Christians are living this “mantra” today!  It seems to me that Jesus’ call to this “church” to “buy of me” is an indication that they have tried to “buy” salvation their own way, saying, ‘I claim’ Jesus and therefore, I have no other need—grace is my ‘scapegoat’ to justify me in the eyes of the world—but perhaps not in the eyes of God, especially considering Matthew 6.  You decide?

What are you claiming?  Who are you following?  Where is your confidence?  Is it in the “blood of Jesus that cleanseth us from all SIN” (emphasis mine) or yourself, and your self-sufficiency—whether it be money, power, position, fame, influence, station in life, politics, ‘religion’, family connections, education…. you fill in your ‘blank’ and compare it to what Jesus said.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God…

…. 5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into

the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  Portions of John 3:3-7

I close with this passage that reverberates with truth that we need to heed.  Have you been ‘born…of God’?

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

That is the question.  What is your answer?  If it’s not Jesus’ blood, you might want to reconsider.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test—and it may be coming soon!

Amen and Amen!!!

Your Momma Ain’t Enough??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #171

31 Sunday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Come to Jesus, Eternal Consequences, Eternal Plan of God, Every Knee Shall Bow, Holy Spirit, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Samuel & Eli, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, SIN, Sin IS the issue, There IS a Test!, Whose Sheep are You?, Whose Side Are You On?, You can't get yesterday back!, Your Day?, Your Momma Ain't Enough

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Your Momma Ain’t Enough???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #171

I have a rather brief, but important word for the New Year, as we bid 2023 farewell, adieu, good-bye; but for sure we can’t say “see you later”!  That which is passed will be the past at midnight tonight, so to speak; what have you done with this year?  What will you do with the next 366 (it’s leap year) days?  But even more important than that question is this one, “What have you done with, for and through Jesus in 2023?”  Do you even know HIM?  Have you come to Jesus in repentance of your sin, and trusting in/believing in HIS payment for your sin and mine on that cross at Calvary?

Has your faith been put in Jesus in humble turning from your sin to receive HIS righteousness?  It’s all that matters in the end.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 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.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Jesus paid the price for sin, by taking on all sin, for HE had no sin, yet HE died for my sin and yours, that we might receive HIS righteousness and be able to stand before HOLY GOD ALMIGHTY!  But please hear me, it’s YOUR choice—you must decide, and your decision will set your eternal destiny—heaven with Jesus, or hell without HIM!  It’s your choice—your mother or father can’t save you; grandma/grandpa can’t save you, your preacher, your best friend, your spouse (no matter how much they love you) can never come to Jesus for YOU!  So, I beseech you to come to Jesus today, while there is still a today!  Come to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin. Bow before HIM today while He’s still calling you to grace and not judgment!  You’ll face one or the other!  You make the choice, but the consequence has already been set. (See Revelation 20:11-15)

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”  John 3:16-19

If you hear HIS voice calling you, don’t turn HIM away, but heed the Holy Spirit’s work in your heart.  You’re the only one who can!

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

 Please come to Jesus—make 2024 your New Life New Year.  I’m praying that you will hear Jesus today, whether He is calling you to salvation or restoration from a stumbling.  HE loves you!!!

“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

Catch you next year, Lord willing!!!

 Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Word–Part 2??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #167

20 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, Baby in the manger, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choices And Consequences, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Come To Worship HIM, Every Knee Shall Bow, God's Glory, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Keeping our eyes on JESUS!, Love, Seasonal or Steadfast?, Sin IS the issue, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, Worship Him!, YOU Can do ALL things through Jesus, You can overcome

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A Christmas Word–Part 2???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #167

Christmas is ‘A Promise Fulfilled’, but even more it’s a continuing promise that Jesus is coming again!  He came to redeem all who will believe in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin, and He will call His own to Himself, let Satan loose on planet earth (so to speak) for a time (a specific time, but that’s a subject for another time) and then HE will set foot back on planet earth to rule and reign here on earth!  And when HE comes again it won’t be as a baby placed in a manger—it will be as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and all will bow!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

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

Jesus, this tiny baby we picture in that lowly manger, is coming again in glory; and whether you believe it or not, whether you believe in HIM or not, whether you are ready or not, HE is coming and YOU, my friend will bow—no matter how resistant you are to Jesus now, no matter how stiff-necked, no matter how much you say ‘tomorrow’, no matter what else you are counting on—if you haven’t come to Jesus, the crucified Lamb of God “who taketh away the sin of the world” then you will be bowing before your judge not your Redeemer!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Isaiah promised a baby would come, but he also proclaimed HIS Kingship.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;

Behold, a virgin shall conceive,

and bear a son,

and shall call his name Immanuel.”   Isaiah 7:14

“For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase

of his government

and peace

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David,

and upon his kingdom,

to order it,

and to establish it

with judgment

and with justice

from henceforth even for ever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts

will perform this.”  Isaiah 9:6-7

Matthew proclaimed that Jesus was this baby, as the angel came and declared it to Joseph!  This baby will be King!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:21-23

And my dear friend “God” IS with us—was, is, and ever shall be!  Jesus came to save all who will believe and receive HIM in repentance and faith—today!  For Jesus was God, is God, and is coming to display HIS glory, and it won’t be in a stable!  I pray that you will worship the ‘baby’, but don’t leave Him in the manger, come to Him and His cross for the forgiveness of your sin, and HE will forgive, cleanse, save and Redeem you for HIS own!

“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man

in heaven:

and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,

and they shall see the Son of man

coming in the clouds of heaven

with power and great glory.”  Matthew 24:30

Jesus promised to keep us and to come again to receive us unto Himself, won’t you join us?  And if you are already one of HIS own, rejoice in this amazing gift that we remember and celebrate JESUS not only during this time of year, but every moment of every day!

“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

 

“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

Only One Way—Jesus!  Will you come to HIM this Christmas and become a child of the KING?  He’s waiting for you!  Let us who know Him, spread this amazingly, great and Good News!

“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

Have a Happy, Merry, and Joyous Christmas with The King laid in a manger but coming to rule–soon!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

The Way To Celebrate??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #163

08 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Before the foundation of the world, Behold the Lamb of God, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Follow Jesus, Follow The Star?, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Remember, Repentance, Running The Race!, Salvation, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?

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The Way To Celebrate??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #163

“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

I know it’s not very popular today to stand by the truth that Jesus IS the only way to God—to heaven—to have eternal life!  It’s why Jesus came, and the story was ‘the story’ from “before the foundation of the world”!  The question is, “What will you do with this baby born in a barn, laid in a manger, the One who walked this earth with sinful men, yet remained sinless and walked to Calvary to pay for your sin and mine!”  What will you do with Him?  Leave Him in the manger?  Or bow before Him as your Lord and Savior?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“Father, I will that they also,

whom thou hast given me,

be with me where I am;

that they may behold my glory,

which thou hast given me:

for thou lovedst me

before the foundation of the world.”   John 17:24

Angels proclaimed the truth to Zacharias, to Mary, to Joseph, to shepherds—the good news that The Savior has come.

“And, behold,

thou shalt conceive in thy womb,

and bring forth a son,

and shalt call his name JESUS.

 32 He shall be great,

and shall be called the Son of the Highest:

and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne

of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever;

and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”   Luke 1:31-33

“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

“And the angel said unto them,

Fear not:

for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day

in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:10-11

Great news for all people, yet Jesus reminded us that there is even a greater part of that good news—when we come to HIM for this salvation, HE will not only “save his people from their sins...” but even the angels rejoice at the redemption promised to Adam and Eve, and to us.  All because this tiny baby was headed to Calvary to pay for our sin and restore us to HIS kingdom.  All this planned before “the foundation of the world”!

God knew we would fail, yet He had already provided for our restoration and salvation from the promised penalty of sin—death—a Savior was on the way!

“Father, I will that they also,

whom thou hast given me,

be with me where I am;

that they may behold my glory,

which thou hast given me:

for thou lovedst me

before the foundation of the world.”   John 17:24

“Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings

in heavenly places

in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us

in him

before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy

and without blame

before him in love:” Ephesians 1:3-4

Peter also reminds us that our hope isn’t in a manger, or stars, or miraculous events, but in the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  It’s HIS way or no way!

“And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope might be in God.” 1 Peter 1:17-21

So, I pray that you know HIM, and will “walk worthy” of His grace, His love, and the blood that HE spilled ‘on purpose’ for you and me.  I pray that you will truly remember to celebrate JESUS!  If angels rejoice, we have even more cause!

“Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke15:10

While the angels do rejoice when a sinner repents, remember, Jesus warned us that repentance is necessary for all.  May we take heed to the truths of God’s Word and repent, receive and believe in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that the ‘babe in the manger’ came to be!  May you draw near to Jesus and celebrate His blessings of love, grace, and salvation!

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:5

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.”  Matthew 16:24

May this lost world see us following JESUS!!!

Amen and Amen!!!