Category Archives: Choices And Consequences

Resolutions Or Resolve??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #427

28 Sunday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Commitment Or Convenience, Just Jesus!, Just Talking?, Just words won't do?, Justified by Jesus, King Jesus, Know Whom I Believe, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Knowing Truth, Revival or Recycle?, Righteousness exalts a nation

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Resolutions or Resolve???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #427

Resolution: a formal expression of opinion or intention made…

Resolve:  a decision or determination….to make a firm resolution to do something…

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”  Daniel 1:8

As we think about the new year coming in, we are often prone to make “New Year’s Resolutions”; they run the gambit from being healthier, exercising more, eating out less, eating out more, spending our money more wisely, or even deciding to pursue a new job or career, spending more time with our family, etc.!  The thing is that our resolutions often lack real resolve—we just thought about it, we didn’t resolve, firmly resolve.

You can surmise from the verse above that Daniel is one of my favorite Bible examples of resolve!  Here this young-to-middle teen who has been carried off to Babylon from his home in Jerusalem, he has been taken into captivity as a trainee in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court, yet this young man (along with his three friends) “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself”!

Daniel knew that he would be expected to do things that would violate his conscience, and his commitment to faithfully follow and obey his God!  I wish we had time to dig into all of this book, but I want us to focus on this one decision.  Daniel decided to depend upon the God whom he loved and served faithfully.  But as we look into the context, we find a young man who had also committed himself to do the right thing the right way!

How are we doing things?  What are we devoted to?  What have we purposed to do or not do?  We live in a world going crazy; a world that calls wrong right, and right is called wrong.  Isaiah gives us God’s standard.

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!”  Isaiah 5:20-21

Joshua also made a decision and called his nation to make a decision to choose whom/what to serve.  And yes, you have the right to choose; but choose wisely there is a test coming!

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

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

The Apostle Peter warns of those who will reject who God is and what He has said.  We must be Daniels and determine what we are going to stand for—The Word of God and The God of The Word—or the World and its lies.  And let me remind us all that the only way we can know the difference is to know God’s Word, and being born again, know the author!  If you have been born again, get into The Word. If you haven’t been born again, you can be today!  Come to the cross!  Come to Jesus in repentance and faith in His substitutionary atoning sacrifice for sin.

“This second epistle, beloved,

I now write unto you;

in both which I stir up your pure minds

by way of remembrance:

2 That ye may be mindful of the words

which were spoken before

by the holy prophets,

and of the commandment

of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3 Knowing this first,

that there shall come in the last days scoffers,

walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying,

Where is the promise of his coming?

for since the fathers fell asleep,

all things continue as they were

from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3:1-4

And in closing, Paul reminds us that God never lies, and Satan is the greatest liar of all times (See John 8:44+)!!  May we approach this new year with a commitment to be all that God has called you to be; being resolved to not defile ourselves, trusting all to God’s care, His purposes and His ways—which you can learn all about in HIS WORD!!

“Paul, a servant of God,

and an apostle of Jesus Christ,

according to the faith of God’s elect,

and the acknowledging of the truth

which is after godliness;

2 In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised before the world began;

3 But hath in due times

manifested his word through preaching,

which is committed unto me

according to the commandment of God

our Saviour;” Titus 1:1-3

I pray God’s greatest blessings of wisdom, grace, peace and joy on you in the coming 2026!  Dig into HIS WORD!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s Not Just About Spelling??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #395

11 Saturday Oct 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Come out of her, God's ways are not our ways, Godly Wisdom, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Unrighteous will not inherit

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It’s Not Just About Spelling???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #395

It seems to me that we are living in a time when it is all about the ‘Gospel of “me”…’; it’s not about Jesus anymore, it seems to be about the gratification of our flesh, popularity, the best show or entertainment, or even catchy phrases to grab followers!  We have even taken that which God exalted, that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father…” (See Philippians 2:5-11), and made Jesus’ name a talisman, or a lucky coin you drop in the God-slot-machine and pull the handle for your prize!  I simply say—on the contrary!  God is not a heavenly slot machine that you can manipulate, or dictate to, or order around with your out of context scriptures!  God is God and when we take scripture and twist it to meet our own desires and fleshly lusts, we have missed the truth and import of scripture.  Let’s look first of all at what Jesus said about a biblical prayer life, and our life before the world as well.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven…”  Matthew 6:9-10

Not only do we use Jesus’ name to fulfill our own lusts and desires, but we also forget that Jesus told us that we are to pray for God’s Kingdom to come (in me!); and for God’s will to be done (in me), and in the earth—”as it is in heaven”!  And how is God’s will done in heaven?  Let’s take a look at John’s glimpse into the very throne room of God.

“And the four beasts had each of them

six wings about him;

and they were full of eyes within:

and they rest not day and night, saying,

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,

which was,

and is,

and is to come.

9 And when those beasts

give glory and honour and thanks

to him that sat on the throne,

who liveth for ever and ever,

10 The four and twenty elders

fall down

before him that sat on the throne,

and worship him

that liveth for ever and ever,

and cast their crowns

before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord,

to receive glory and

honour and

power:

for thou hast created

all things,

and for thy pleasure

they are

and were created.”  Revelation 4:8-11

Is this what your response to God looks like?  Or are we begging and pleading with God for our will to be done by Him, regardless of its nature, or its alignment with His Holy Word?  We are like spoiled children, pitching a fit to get our own way!  It seems that we are more concerned with “My will be done”, than God’s!

Jesus talks about our privilege as His sheep, to pray in His name, but that is a holy privilege not a license to sin, live our own way, or have popularity, prosperity, personal gain in whatever arena is of import to you and me!

“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 10:26-30

Jesus tells us to ask in His name, but He also gave us the caveat to that promise! It’s not for our own desires, but for the glory of God.  It makes me extremely sad to see and hear people claiming to pray “in Jesus’ name” yet the things they ask are often for selfish gain in one way or another.  Even when their mouth is saying “Praise God”, their life is saying, “Praise me!”  Let’s examine our life by what Jesus said; and note that He refers to The Holy Spirit (which would come at Pentecost) as “the Spirit of truth”; I find this of great import, for so many claim to be speaking from the “Spirit”, but their words do not align with God’s Word!  To ask “in Jesus’ name” isn’t a magic formula, but rather it is an identification with the Son Of God, who IS truth!  If your use of His name doesn’t align with His Word, then it doesn’t align with Him!  Do our words (regardless of whose name we use) glorify self or The Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

“Believest thou not that I am in the Father,

and the Father in me?

the words that I speak unto you

I speak not of myself:

but the Father that dwelleth in me,

he doeth the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father,

and the Father in me:

or else believe me

for the very works’ sake.

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that believeth on me,

the works that I do shall he do also;

and greater works than these shall he do;

because I go unto my Father.

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,

that will I do,

 that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name,

I will do it.

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.”  John 14:10-18

Do we love Jesus and “keep my commandments”? The author of Hebrews reminds us that the plumbline of all things IS The Word of God, we can choose to heed The Word or reap the consequences of wrong thinking/believing.

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit, and

of the joints and marrow, and

is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

Our accounting before God will be according to God’s Word not our own loose handling of the same; God knows, and truth will be open before Him!  Jesus also told us that our lives are to be serving Him, and that which we ask “in His name” is to be in order to bring glory to God and to increase His kingdom?  How are you using His name?  Do you love Him, or only what you think He will do for you?

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

If a man love me,

he will keep my words:

and my Father will love him,

and we will come unto him,

and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:

and the word which ye hear is not mine,

but the Father’s which sent me.

25 These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.”             John 14:23-26

Jesus had so much to say about the transition from His physical presence to the indwelling Holy Spirit for those who were His own.

“Ye are my friends,

if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father

in my name,

he may give it you.”  John 15:14-16

Did you see the connection between bearing fruit with and for Jesus and asking and receiving from The Father.  We can’t go maverick and expect Jesus’ blessing upon us, and His answers to our demands.  I think that we, much like the religious leaders of Jesus day, are wanting to please God in our flesh and get HIS blessings by our own goodness!  Let’s see what Jesus had to say about choices, behavior and truth, to us!

“Ye hypocrites,

well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me

with their mouth,

and honoureth me

with their lips;

but their heart

is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me,

teaching for doctrines

the commandments of men.”  Matthew 15:7-9

We must continue to be diligent to work and walk in God’s ways, knowing what His Word says, and diligently ordering our steps according to that Word!  So are you and I using words made of letters, claiming to speak in Jesus’ name; or is our life aligned to His Holy Word?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“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 15:55-58

And in closing Jesus’ own words to us all, for remember, saying so, doesn’t make it so!

“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.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

Amen and Amen!!!

Please be sure that your prayers, your words, your life before a lost and dying world is grounded in Jesus, HIS Word, and His ways, and not just empty letters that may spell His name but not be of Him; don’t be just “saying…Lord, Lord”!

Woe Unto_____??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #380

28 Thursday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Christ IN YOU, If not now? When?, In hell it's too late to be a witness?, IN HIS TIME!, Influenced by the world or Jesus?, Inside out or Outside In?, Integrity, Iron Sharpens Iron, Is Small Insignificant?, Isaiah, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, Wait upon the Lord, Well Done Thou good and faithful servant!, What are you listening to?, What do you SEE?, What's coming out of your heart., What's coming out of YOUR mouth?, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?, Who's Listening?, Who's Your Father?

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Woe Unto______???              A Word from THE WORD!!! #380

 

“Woe unto them that

call evil good,

and good evil;

that

put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that

put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that

are wise in their own eyes,

and prudent in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them that

are mighty to drink wine,

and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked

for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous from him!”  Isaiah 5:20-23

Isaiah is an amazing book, and here we see God’s message to Isaiah for an errant and wayward people, who like many Americans were so full of themselves that they couldn’t and wouldn’t see God and His way!   The passage above could be on the front page of our own newspapers; the question is, will we listen to the “Woes” that God is warning us with?  The saddest thing to me is that so many who claim the name of Jesus (much like Israel of old) walk, and talk, and behave just like the world which is what God was talking to Isaiah about!

Let’s go on in Isaiah and see his call from God, and his faithful and willing response to a life of preaching to an unresponsive people!  It was God’s call, even though a less than appealing one, that Isaiah responded to in repentance, humility, and willingness; a ministry to a people, mostly unresponsive to God!  Notice that God knew but reached out to them anyway!  How about us. I can’t help but see the parallel to America!  God have mercy on us today!

Let’s look at Isaiah’s call!

“In the year that king Uzziah died

I saw also the Lord

sitting upon a throne,

high and lifted up,

and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims:

each one had six wings;

with twain he covered his face,

and with twain he covered his feet,

and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said,

Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts:

the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door

moved at the voice of him that cried,

and the house

was filled with smoke.

5 Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man

of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst

of a people of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me,

having a live coal in his hand,

which he had taken

with the tongs

from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said,

Lo, this hath touched thy lips;

and thine iniquity is taken away,

and thy sin purged.”  Isaiah 6:1-7

I pray that we will understand that truly seeing God/Jesus will either bring repentance or rebellion.  When we see God as God, and bow before Him in repentance and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice at Calvary, then and only then will we clearly hear and see.  Who are you listening to?  Have you been converted?

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,

Whom shall I send,

and who will go for us? 

Then said I,

Here am I; send me.

9 And he said,

Go, and tell this people,

Hear ye indeed,

but understand not;

and see ye indeed,

but perceive not.

10 Make the heart of this people fat,

and make their ears heavy,

and shut their eyes;

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart,

and convert,

and be healed.

11 Then said I,

Lord, how long?

And he answered,

Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant,

and the houses without man,

and the land be utterly desolate,

12 And the LORD have removed men

far away,

and there be a great forsaking

in the midst of the land.”  Isaiah 6:8-12

Just because America hasn’t experienced the outright judgment of God, doesn’t mean that it isn’t coming.  Are we willing to answer as Isaiah did, repent, and go where ever God leads, and speak His truth no matter the cost; or are we just going along to get along?  I pray that we will hear the voice of The Lord and heed His voice, repent and obey.  Our good shepherd is all we need, but we must heed His voice and recognize the lies of the enemy!  Remember why Jesus came!

“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 even Jesus Himself tells us that He is the giver of eternal life!

“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

Jesus told us that when we know God, we will know HIM, and when we know HIM, we will know God!  Do you know the Savior, or have you been misled to ignore the truth and buy the lies?  There is only One right way—His name is Jesus—anything else is the wrong way; and hearing God is to belong to Him by being born again by grace through faith in Jesus substitutionary, atoning sacrifice at Calvary.  Whom are you believing—the Lord Jesus or the father of lies.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin?

And if I say the truth,

why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”  John 8:42-47

Please my friends, I pray that you will come to the Savior if you haven’t already; and if you have that you will let Him shine through you!  Don’t let Satan rob you of holiness and truth—he never tells the truth, and his reward is deceit and hell.  Jesus is waiting for you!  I pray that you will hear the voice of The Savior saying welcome home, not “woe”!  Jesus said it also in Matthew—which gate will you enter through?  Will you find destruction or life in Jesus.  It’s your choice.

“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…

….22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.” Portions of Matthew 7:13-23

The woe of missing the target is sad to me.  Don’t miss Jesus!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test coming! Isaiah went willingly to a people who didn’t want to hear truth; what is God asking you and me to do?  Remember HE is faithful.

“Let us draw near with a true heart

in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled

from an evil conscience,

and our bodies washed

with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith

without wavering;

(for he is faithful that promised😉”. Hebrews 10:22-23

Amen and Amen!!!

Two Masters Or Just One??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #377

18 Monday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Broad road or the Straight Gate?, Building up or Tearing down?, By Him We Live, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Christ IS Alive!, Church:Dead Or Alive?, Cleansed from all sin, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Master Builder

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Two Masters Or Just One? A Word from THE WORD!!! #377

I want us to think about our focus, our allegiance, devotion and service today; we live in a world determined to distract us, to lead us astray from God, and lead men, women, boys and girls straight to hell!  Oh, how I pray that you will consider these things and choose to examine yourself and evaluate your own allegiance.  Jesus makes it clear that He is to be our total focus!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not

break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye:

if therefore thine eye be single,

thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil,

thy whole body

shall be full of darkness.

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness,

how great is that darkness!

24 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?”  Matthew 6:19-25

Jesus clearly tells us that we have a choice of mindset; we can set our minds on earthly things or the heavenly things, and the reward will be given accordingly.  If we spend all our time seeking and keeping earthly treasures, we may be neglecting the eternal treasures.  And in this same chapter, Jesus reiterates this same principle.

“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 6:31-34

I pray that we will heed the words of our Lord, and measure our choices by HIS WORD, and not popular opinion—in our behavior, our speech, our actions and activities.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test; but even more than that, Jesus gave us instruction to pray very specifically, and it surely lends credence to His words here.

“But when ye pray,

use not vain repetitions,

as the heathen do:

for they think that they shall be heard

for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them:

for your Father knoweth

what things ye have need of,

before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.”  Matthew 6:7-11

Let’s just peruse some of these ideas that Jesus was calling us to consider; if we want to please our master (if Jesus is your master, if not then you can bow before Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sins) our focus needs to be on today!  We aren’t to fall into vain repletion, thinking that we can twist God’s arm (so to speak) and get what we want.  Our desire is to be what God wants us to be and do in and through the lives of His own, and when I belong to Jesus, I can understand what the Proverb is saying to me!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another man praise thee,

and not thine own mouth;

a stranger,

and not thine own lips.”  Proverbs 27:1-2

Peter has some great advice for us, and I encourage you to heed his words, for God is faithful who has promised!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:  

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11

In closing, I simply want to ask, “Who is your master?”  Have you come to Jesus or are you going your own way—even if it’s a ‘religious’ way, if you haven’t been born again as Jesus said (John 3:1-19), you are still going your way; yet you can bow before Him, and give Him your life, and let Jesus save you today.

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Even as John tells us, may we come to the cross; if you hear His voice don’t turn away without Him?

“But if we walk in the light,

`as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:7-10

I will pray for you as the Psalmist says:

“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

Who’s your master? May you hear and heed His voice?

Amen and Amen!!!

Check It At The Door??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #351

28 Wednesday May 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Check Your Knees???, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Spiritual Procrastination, Spiritual Warfare, Spread the GOOD news!, Stand by ME!, Stand Fast!, Still Will I Trust HIM

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Check It At The Door???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #351

I have a relatively brief word for you today, as I was thinking of one of my favorite teachers, Kay Arthur, entering into the “joy of her Lord” recently, I remember one of the most useful things I ever learned from her (and there are too many to list them all…)!  It’s a brief passage, but one of the most significant, practical and useful things that I know.  I hope you will find it helpful and that you will apply it to your living today!  I will give you the context as well as the specific verse, for remember “context is king”!

“Rejoice in the Lord alway:

and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:4-9

The thing that we must remember is that Satan will come to distract, misdirect, and try to cause you to stumble, but verse 8 is the antidote—when Satan comes knocking just check him at the door (of your mind, for that is where the battle roars—See 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 for more help in spiritual warfare!). If the thought can’t pass the Philippians 4:8 test, then reject it and tell the enemy to “buzz off” (my term, not scriptural, but perhaps helpful to see the reality of our enemy).  If the thought, especially for harmful words and actions to others, isn’t ‘true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous or praise worthy’, then reject it and refrain from going down that wrong path.

I have always found it helpful, for you or I can usually justify through those first three tests (true, honest, and just) for we are using our human reasoning and retribution is the password of our day!  But when I get to “Pure…lovely…good report…virtuous …praise worthy…”, I have to shout ouch!  Even when others are pushing our buttons (maybe you don’t have any ‘buttons’, but I sure do…), we can stop the sin in its tracks and guard our hearts by rehearsing this 8-fold test and rejecting the temptation to react, rather than respond in “the spirit”; we can walk with grace and truth with The Holy Spirit’s power in our lives.  So, check those thoughts at the door, and refuse that which can’t pass the entrance exam.  Have a blessed day my friends and remember, by Jesus’ power and saving grace, we Win!  I encourage you to memorize verse 8 that you will have it at every need!

“…think on these things…”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!