Category Archives: Choosing Jesus or The World?

God Hasn’t Changed??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #463

03 Friday Jul 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Changed Lives, Check Your Knees???, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, God Bless America, God's Faithfulness, God's measure isn't ours, God's ways are not our ways, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Character, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' standard?

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God Hasn’t Changed??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #463

“Jesus Christ

the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.

9 Be not carried about

with divers

and strange doctrines.

For it is a good thing that the heart be established

with grace;

not with meats,

which have not profited them

that have been occupied

therein.”  Hebrews 13:8-9

Jesus hasn’t changed (nor has The Father or The Holy Spirit) yet we seem to attempt to change His Word and His words continually!  If it’s not according to The Word, we have an issue, not God.  We are to stand on the unchangeableness of Father, Son and Holy Spirit; but when we don’t know what God has said (in His Word), we will have a really difficult time ordering our steps in it!

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

We need to heed the connection between the first part of this verse and the second part; there is an irrefutable connection between our devotion to the truths of God’s Word and our ability to not yield to the dominion of sin!  What are you devoted to?  God’s Word or the dominion of the world; and without The Word of God we have little defense to resist the “wiles of the devil” (See Ephesians 6:10-19)!  We need to understand that no matter what the world says, the rules haven’t changed!  God’s Word stands ever true and faithful; we must understand that, or we will be floundering all the time.

James has an amazing message about how important our devotion to God and His Word is.

“From whence come wars and fightings

among you?

come they not hence,

even of your lusts

that war in your members?

2 Ye lust,

and have not:

ye kill,

and desire to have,

and cannot obtain:

ye fight and war,

yet ye have not,

because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it

upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not

that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore

will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us

lusteth to envy?”  James 4:1-5

And if we go back to things that James said earlier, we will see that it is more than “saying so”!  It’s about a real life-changing faith that lives Jesus before the world around us.

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man beholding

his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into

the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26

If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled

before God and the Father is this,

To visit the fatherless and widows

in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

from the world.”  James 1:22-27

God is ever at work to conform us into the image of Jesus; the problem is that we have our own plans. Just remember God hasn’t changed and neither has His Word; as James said above, we will be blessed in our “deed” not our claims; or if you will, a genuine, born-again believer, not just imitation!!! (See Matthew 7:15-23)

“And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover

whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:28-31

Not every word is true—there are those who speak God’s truth and then there are always those who claim to but lie!  Choose wisely, there is a test; and always remember when you belong to Jesus, “If God be for us, who can be against us”!  Jesus makes it quite plain that there is truth and there is a “liar”, Satan, for Jesus said, “he is a liar, and the father of it”! Consider Jesus’ conversation with the religious leaders of His day!

“They answered and said unto him,

Abraham is our father.

Jesus saith unto them,

If ye were Abraham’s children,

ye would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now ye seek to kill me,

a man that hath told you the truth,

which I have heard of God:

this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him,

We be not born of fornication;

we have one Father,

even God.

42 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.”  John 8:39-45

What’s changing in your world?  Remember—

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”!!!

Choose wisely who and what you believe; there is a test—and remember WHO IS TRUTH— “…I am the way, the truth, and the life…”  (See John 14:6)

Amen and Amen!!!

Saying So Isn’t Enough??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #457

08 Monday Jun 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Living For Jesus, Living Right, Living TODAY!, The Word

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Saying So Isn’t Enough? A Word from THE WORD!!! #457

Just saying so, isn’t enough!  We live in a culture that thinks just saying the “right” words is enough, but that which isn’t genuine is fake or, if you would, basically a lie.  Jesus made some amazing statements that we need to consider, and while it’s a lengthy passage, it’s one that I feel is important for us to revisit!

“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.

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 7:13-23

Jesus made it clear that just talking about Him isn’t enough, we must have a relationship with God through Jesus’ saving blood, and when we do it should be evident in how we live!  Paul calls us to live a transformed life—transformed by the saving grace of Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice. Paul has some wise words for us.

“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

 As I’ve heard all my life, “You can fool some of the people, all of the time; and all of the people some of the time; but you can’t fool God.”  God says so, not just old adages.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one

that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timothy 2:19

I pray that this will be helpful to you today.  May we truly keep our eyes on Jesus, not the world!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily

beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

May we determine that our lives will point others to Jesus!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Choices Matter??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #448

07 Thursday May 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Choices And Consequences, Choose Gratitude and show it!, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love

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Choices Matter???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #448

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”  Galatians 6:7-10

While verse 7 is familiar to most people, we often miss the context that follows; there is a marked connection between the flesh and its consequences, as well as between the Spirit and our life everlasting in Jesus.  When our life is marked by a continual sowing to and feeding of the flesh, we ought not be surprised when our consequences lead, as Jesus said on numerous occasions, to destruction (of one sort or another).

By the same token, a life lived in “the Spirit” will lead us to blessings beyond measure, a life of blessedness in the Spirit!  Paul doesn’t stop there; he goes on to remind us that this life of living in the Spirit will call for a perseverance in our  daily walk with Jesus.  It’s not a walk in the park, but it will be a walk of success when we “faint not”!   It doesn’t stop there, we are to exercise goodness toward “all men”, especially to them of the “household of faith”!  Our lives are to be marked by compassion and selflessness; unlike the world around us so focused on greed and self!

Paul talked to the Corinthian believers about generosity, and I want us to consider what marks our lives; greed or generosity?

“But this I say,

He which soweth sparingly

shall reap also sparingly;

and he which soweth bountifully

shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth

in his heart,

so let him give;

not grudgingly,

or of necessity:

for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace

abound toward you;

that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,

may abound to every good work:

9 (As it is written,

He hath dispersed abroad;

he hath given to the poor:

his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower

both minister bread for your food,

 and multiply your seed sown,

and increase the fruits

of your righteousness😉

11 Being enriched in every thing

to all bountifulness,

which causeth through us

thanksgiving to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Generosity doesn’t mean just giving randomly, it does mean having a heart willing to share as we have opportunity to help others.  It means when we see a need that we can legitimately meet, we are to ask God if that is a place for us to render service. As Paul says above, we are to remember that “having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work…”!  We are to have a heart attuned to God and He will direct our steps and our actions; we are to cause others to have cause to give glory to God—never for our own glory or credit.  And that can be difficult in this “attention focused” culture; it seems everyone wants recognition for every little thing—the I deserve a trophy mentality!  I simply want to please my Lord, and for me, that means, as often as possible, doing things anonymously!

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men,

to be seen of them:

otherwise ye have no reward

of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms,

do not sound a trumpet before thee,

as the hypocrites do

in the synagogues

and in the streets,

that they may have glory of men.

Verily I say unto you,

They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms,

let not thy left hand

know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret:

and thy Father

which seeth in secret himself

shall reward thee openly.”  Matthew 6:1-4

Jesus calls us to live differently than the world (even the world within the church—for just saying so doesn’t make it so), especially when we talk about giving!  Our choices do matter—whether it’s our morals, our compassion, or our resources; we are called to put others before ourselves; and Paul has a lot to say about this, so I want us to consider a couple of passages from Paul which remind us  that our lives are to be evidence of the transforming power of Jesus Christ through His sacrifice for our salvation, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of every genuine believer!

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger,

and clamour, and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ’s sake

    hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:29-32

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;

but in lowliness of mind

let each esteem other

better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things,

but every man also on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:”   Philippians 2:3-5

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test. May Jesus be seen in our lives, our work, and our care for others!

His coming is near!!!

What’s Your Excuse Now??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #435

16 Friday Jan 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Joy of The Lord!, Judgment, Judgment Is Coming, This is the Way, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, What's In Your Heart?, Where are you leading those following you?

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What’s Your Excuse Now

??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #435

We live in a culture filled with ready-made excuses—I’ve been deprived, neglected, poor, sick, my parents didn’t do right, they are too strict, too lenient, to tight, to extravagant, I saw it on social media, all my friends are doing it!  I……fill in the blank________!  Jesus talks about our choices—it’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test coming!  And you don’t know when it will come.

“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.

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 7:20-23

Jesus continues on in this passage to give us an amazing example of the import of our choices.  There are choices we make that seem unimportant, and we often think if we make it look good, it doesn’t matter what our foundation is; but Jesus makes it clear that without a proper foundation life will fall apart when the storms come—and they will come!  And please remember that JESUS IS THE ROCK! (The Rock of Ages, if you would!)

“Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”Matthew 7:25-27

What foundation are you laying?  Is your confidence in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus for sin?  Or is your confidence in the world or anything other than the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord!  I pray that you will forsake the excuses and cling to Jesus!

“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

There is a day of accounting coming, I pray that you will take care of business with Jesus—HE is the only way to salvation!  Don’t excuse yourself right into hell.

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face

the earth and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever

was not found written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

Your choices matter—and there will be no excuses to give.  Please be ready to meet Jesus—He is coming soon!

“And, behold,

I come quickly;

and my reward is with me,

to give every man

according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end,

the first and the last.”  Revelation 22:12-13

Amen and Amen!!!

Remember, just saying so doesn’t make it so!!!

What’s your excuse?

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!!!