Category Archives: Cleansed from all sin

Cleansed-Forgiven-Erased?? A Word from THE WORD!!! #480

07 Monday Sep 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Cleansed from all sin, Clothed In His Righteousness, Come And Worship?, Confidence, Confidence or Presumption?, Consider Your ways, Spread the GOOD news!, Still Will I Trust HIM, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?

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Cleansed-Forgiven-Erased? A Word from THE WORD!!! #480

There is an anomaly that I have run across this week, and I want to offer some food for thought; while it’s not new or strange, I did something this weekend that caused me to want to share this situation with you.  So, let’s look at each of the title words first.  When we are saved, we are cleansed, we are forgiven, but does God erase our sin in the way we often think about erasure.

Erasure:  the act of erasing, deleting or the removing of something.  Erasure can be a difficult thing sometimes, as when you use an old-school typewriter instead of a computer; the erasure is seldom gone or completely invisible as on a computer. 

So how would we use that term from a biblical perspective relating to our sin.  Good question; for I have heard some say that forgiveness means things are completely erased.  Maybe, maybe not.  Let’s consider the Psalms first.

“For as the heaven is high above the earth,

so great is his mercy

toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west,

so far hath he removed

our transgressions from us.”   Psalm 103:11-12

Micah has a unique message:

“Who is a God like unto thee,

that pardoneth iniquity,

and passeth by the transgression

of the remnant of his heritage?

he retaineth not his anger for ever,

because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again,

he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities;

and thou wilt cast all their sins

into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19

The angel sent from God, gave Joseph a profound message in regard to why Jesus was coming.

“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

Jesus would save people “from their sins”!  How far from their sins?  The author of Hebrews gives a bit of insight into this question.

“For I will be merciful

to their unrighteousness,

and their sins and their iniquities

will I remember no more.”  Hebrews 8:12

“This is the covenant that I will make with them

after those days, saith the Lord,

I will put my laws

into their hearts,

and in their minds

will I write them;

17 And their sins and iniquities

will I remember no more.”  Hebrews 10:16-17

When we put all these together, we find that Jesus came to forgive and save people from their sin.  The Apostle John expands this picture in his first epistle (letter), giving us an expanded picture of what God does for those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin! While God says He will remember our sin no more, He doesn’t give us a blanket erasure of the past?  Have you been to Calvary?  Have you found His forgiveness and cleansing from sin.  Paul deals with this in his letter to the believers at Colossae.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:12-14

And John’s message to us who claim to know Jesus.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 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 1:6-10

What an amazing salvation we find in Jesus!  So what’s the question; good question (pun intended)!  What we find in living out a life transformed by the power of the blood of Jesus at Calvary, makes an easy answer not the answer!  I came to Jesus in the middle of my second marriage; Jesus forgave and cleansed me from the sin that brought me there; but while God forgives and cleanses, and He puts our past sins behind us, as it says above, He also cleanses us from our sins going forward, when we confess it as sin (to confess means to agree with God about my sin) and to turn from it.  What I’m saying is erasure doesn’t mean what we often try to make it mean, our sins are forgiven but God doesn’t always (while sometimes He does) expunge us from the consequences of our choices.   Two things I want us to consider from scripture.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.”  Galatians 6:7

“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.”  Joel 2:25

What we need to understand is that YES, there is forgiveness, restoration and cleansing in Jesus’ salvation; yet there is the principle of sowing and reaping that will often follow us.  YES, I am absolutely forgiven, and by God’s grace cleansed from the past!  Yet there is almost always a part of those past decisions that will cling to our lives.  I have four children that have reaped the consequences of my past choices, as I have—my salvation saved me from sin, but it couldn’t erase the pain and harm that my choices brought into their lives and the lives of others!  We have lived with some of those choices for over 40 years!  But, praise God, the verse from Joel has been a constant reminder that God will help us to recover many of those years of painful consequences—HE has diminished the crop, but they can never be erased, in the fullest sense of “erasure”!  I remember when I made one of my worst mistakes, my dad came to talk to me and tried to keep me from making a bad choice; while I didn’t heed his warning, I remember to this day what he told me: just before he left me where I was, he said ever so gently,

“I’ll be praying for crop failure!”

And to this day, I know that God heard and answered his prayer, for he did help many of my crops of sin to fail.  And by God’s grace He has restored to me many of “the years that the locust hath eaten”!

I simply want to close with a couple of my favorite scriptural pictures of God’s grace and His call upon our lives!

“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 one of the Psalmists greatest pictures of the contrast between those who love God and those who don’t!  Which description fits you and me?  It’s your call, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not

in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth

in the way of sinners

nor sitteth

in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also

shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand

in the judgment,

nor sinners

in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”  Psalm 1:1-6

May God bless your heart to seek His face, His way and find His cleansing, forgiveness and the erasure that He grants to His own.

Amen and Amen!!!

Ready??? So You Say??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #394

06 Monday Oct 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Christ IN YOU, Church:Dead Or Alive?, Clean Water?, Cleansed from all sin, Clothed In His Righteousness, Come And Worship?, Come out of her, Compromise, Confessing Sin, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, God Is In Charge, God Knows His Own, God Still Reigns, God's Ability for our Inability!, God's Faithfulness, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Just As I Am?

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Ready???  So You Say???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #394

We talked last time about the Word of God, and I want us to continue in that vein of thought but digging even deeper into our relationship to God and His Word.  Do we have a relationship with The Word?  We can’t have a real relationship with The Word until we have a relationship (not a religious experience, or a devotion to religious activity, or even followed any particular set of religious rituals, activities, rules, or even led others to join in religious activity) with The Lord Jesus Christ, by being “born again”!  We must be born again by repentance of our sin, and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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 1:10-13

Jesus’ own words to the religious leader, Nicodemus, (a religious man), revealed that he needed the saving power of Jesus!  Are you being religious without Jesus?  Are you trying to work your way to God? To heaven?  It can’t be done; if we could work our way to heaven, Jesus came in vain.  But as Paul told us in Romans, “all have sinned”, and “the wages of sin is death”!  So even if you never sinned again from this day forward, what can you do to pay for your sins already committed? Jesus said of Himself, “I am the way……no man cometh unto the Father but by me…” (See John 14:6); so let’s see what He had to say to this man of station, prominence, and religious authority!

“There was a man of the Pharisees,

named Nicodemus,

a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night,

and said unto him,

Rabbi, we know

that thou art a teacher come from God:

for no man can do these miracles

that thou doest,

except God be with him.

3 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.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

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.”  John 3:1-7

Jesus called Nicodemus to “be born again”!  Read on into verses 16-19 and see that Jesus says that without being born again we are condemned to hell already. But God offers us this new birth through Jesus Christ, the crucified, buried, resurrected and soon coming King!   What are you depending on to get you heaven?  To know God? To have eternal life?  It can’t be earned!  It can’t be worked up!  It can’t even be attained by faithful religious activity.  Jesus makes that clear in Matthew 7, advising people to understand that it’s by God’s Spirit and the new birth that we can see heaven through the Lord who would die for me and you!  You may be impressing others with your good works, but God is only impressed by the blood that Jesus shed for our salvation, and only the precious Holy Spirit can bring you into that relationship with God—Father, Son and the indwelling Holy Spirit.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test coming!

“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

Paul makes it clear to the believers at Corinth, that we can only know God and His Word when we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, after we are born again.  But before we look at his message to the church at Corinth, let’s consider one verse from the message to the Romans believers; it’s clear truth about the presence of The Holy Spirit in God’s own. (See 2 Timothy 2:19)

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

 if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”  Romans 8:8-9

Let’s go on to Paul’s message to the church at Corinth.

“But as it is written,

Eye hath not seen,

nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared

for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us

by his Spirit:

for the Spirit searcheth all things,

yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man,

save the spirit of man which is in him?

even so the things of God knoweth no man,

but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the spirit which is of God;

that we might know the things

that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak,

not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing

spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man

receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto him:

neither can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.”                             1 Corinthians 2:9-14

Did you get that?  God makes it clear to us that we can only understand His Word, His person, and His ways when we are indwelt by His precious Holy Spirit; and that those who are not born again, cannot understand the Bible, or God’s ways!  Not harsh, my friends, just truth. It’s all about knowing God through His Son, Jesus.  Let’s consider a few things that Jesus made clear in His ministry as well.

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not,

that the spirits are subject unto you;

but rather rejoice,

because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20

Jesus went on to say even more about the fact that it’s our relationship with Him and not mighty works, or impressive activities.  We must get back to the basics of The Gospel!  It’s about Jesus and being born again, not appealing to people’s flesh with entertainment, services that fit people’s fancy, or try to look like the world so they’ll feel ‘at home’!  Well, not to be blunt, my friends, but they can do that without Jesus, and if we don’t tell them that, what favor are we doing.  We’re forgetting that Jesus saves—not us, or our fancy ideas.  God did it in the early days of the church and He’s the one who will do it now, if it gets done.

“And they, continuing daily

with one accord in the temple,

and breaking bread from house to house,

did eat their meat with gladness

and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God,

and having favour with all the people.

And the Lord added to the church daily

such as should be saved.”  Acts 2:46-47

They were living out a “Jesus” life before the world, not putting on a show and inviting the world in!  They were praising God in real life, letting others see Jesus in them outside; they weren’t putting on a show and inviting the outside in!  When we won’t live Jesus outside of the walls of our churches, why would people want what we have, when we’re not living Jesus on the outside.  Why will we not yield to the Spirit and let His work be displayed in us every moment of every day!  Rain or shine!  Good or difficult!  In easy things or hard!  We need to display victory over sin, death and hell by the blood of Jesus to a lost and dying world.  We’re called to be holy before God and the world.  What spews out of your mouth?  Sweet water or bitter water?  (Remember that Jesus said that “out of the heart the mouth speaks”, we may need to check our hearts—would I rather cling to my vocabulary or God’s?)  James says it better than I can.

“But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God,

even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth

blessing and cursing.

My brethren,

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place

sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain both yield

salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation

his works with meekness of wisdom.” James 3:8-13

Have you/I been born again by The Spirit of Jesus?  Is my life displaying godly knowledge, meekness and wisdom?  Or have I allowed the world to color my lifestyle, my speech, my attitudes, my lack of usefulness to our Lord.  As I often say, it’s your choice; but choose wisely there is a test coming, and it may be here sooner than we expect!  God’s in the life-changing business still.  If you hear His voice speaking, don’t turn Him away.

“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

Jesus will forgive, save and cleanse everyone who will come, and He won’t leave us in our sin—He will transform and deliver us from the clutches of the devil!  Truth may not be welcome, but it’s still truth—Jesus IS truth!

“Know ye not that the unrighteous

shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards,

nor revilers, nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you:

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.”  1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Are you ready to come to salvation in Jesus?  I’m praying for you!

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!!!

The Foolishness Of Preaching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #356

15 Sunday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Cleansed from all sin, Confidence, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Signs of the times?, SIN, Sin IS the issue, SMILE!!! Jesus loves YOU!!, Someone is following you!, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Drought!, The Cross or the world?, The Crucified Life, The foolishness of preaching, The Gospel, The Greatest Evangelist, The greatest evangelist? Dead or alive?, The greatest gift!!!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Lord Is My Shepherd, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow, Touch them while you can?, Transformation

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The Foolishness Of Preaching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #356

“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

My heart is grieved that we have, in many places and situations, abandoned this choice of God—”the foolishness of preaching” which is the way that GOD has chosen “to save them that believe”!  Oh dear friends, I have an evangelist that we know, whose family experienced a great loss this week, as they buried their first-born, and I could relate to their pain, but you see, much like me, they had the absolute confidence that their child left this world, and we know whose arms our children passed into!  But so many don’t know The Lord, and likewise their loss brings great remorse, uncertainty, and a grief that has little to no hope!  Yet Paul tells us that God chose preaching as the means to bring the true Good News “to save them that believe”!

Believe what?  Believe in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord for SIN!  It’s why we must share the gospel of Jesus—the only way! Jesus said it Himself—what?  That HE was/is/and ever shall be God in the flesh, the One who came to die for the sins of all who will believe.

“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

No man can come to God but by Jesus!  Why, because no human man, a sinful man, could pay the price to pay for sin, which only a spotless, sinless Lamb of God could pay!  And without His blood payment there is no salvation—for sin is the issue.

“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 as Paul reminds us:

“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

Sin was the issue, is the issue and Jesus came to resolve the sin debt for all who would believe and receive of His abundant grace!  It’s the only way, and preaching is God’s means of getting out the news!  In the simplest terms, preaching is speaking forth God’s truth—not man’s words, but God’s Word!  What are you sharing with people? God’s Word or man’s?  Peter spoke God’s truth in Jerusalem shortly after the day of Pentecost.  It brought amazing results.  But to preach, so to speak, we must know what God says; we must know His Word and put it into our hearts that God can bring it out to others at the right time, and place, unashamedly and boldly but not meanly.  What are you “spouting” out?  God’s Word or the most popular terms that the world is using?  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become

the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

 given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

No other name—but the name of Jesus!  No other man—but the God-man-Savior who died for our sin; it’s why He came.  Don’t die in your sin, but rather IN JESUS—the One whom the world calls insignificant, but we know HE IS the Son of God—the Lamb of God.  John the baptizer said it best.  I pray that you’ll come to Him in repentance (turning away from your own sin and turning to The Savior of the world) and faith in the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sin, He still saves and changes lives today.  How about you?

“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

In closing, here is what I call, Paul’s Gospel in a nutshell (so to speak).  It’s what God calls us to preach; let’s go share!

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 

I praise God for the gift that God imparted to me, many years ago when I trusted in Jesus.  I praise Him for the gift that He gave to my daughter before her death—salvation in a most unlikely spot (but salvation, none the less); I praise God for our evangelist friend and his family, for the same gift that their hope is in as well—a child who belongs to Jesus, both now and for eternity. And as David said so long ago!  May we depend upon God’s ways not man’s!

“And he said, While the child was yet alive,

I fasted and wept: for I said,

Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me,

that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead,

wherefore should I fast?

can I bring him back again?

I shall go to him,

but he shall not return to me.”  2 Samuel 12:22-23

Amen and Amen!!!

The Winning Team??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #348

21 Wednesday May 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Cleansed from all sin, Come And Worship?, Come to Jesus, Conformed or Transformed?, Consider Your ways, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, It's Your Choice, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!

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The Winning Team???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #348

“God is faithful,

by whom ye were called

unto the fellowship of his Son

Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 Now I beseech you, brethren,

by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that ye all speak the same thing,

 and that there be no divisions among you;

but that ye be perfectly joined together

in the same mind

and in the same judgment.”  1 Corinthians 1:9-10

America, the world in fact, is enamored with sports—any sport, no matter the genre, especially team sports, requires a unity of purpose and the drive with the goal of winning in mind!  A team without purpose and unity won’t go far.  As believers in Jesus Christ we are called to be unified, not uniform, but unified in Jesus.  There are things that we must believe and agree on that are essential to our faith, like who Jesus is, why He came and the truth that His death, burial and resurrection on the third day are what bring salvation to all who will come to Him in repentance, and faith/trust/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin.  And when we do that, we are on the winning team with a leader who will never fail!  Do you know this wonderful Savior?  He is coming soon, and our victory will be revealed by our King Jesus, who will come to deliver His own and judge those who have rejected Him and refused His saving grace!

“And I saw heaven opened,

and behold a white horse;

and he that sat upon him was called

Faithful and True,

and in righteousness

he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire,

and on his head were many crowns;

and he had a name written,

that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:

and his name is called

The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven

followed him upon white horses,

clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword,

that with it he should smite the nations:

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:

and he treadeth the winepress

of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh

a name written,

KING OF KINGS,

AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:11-16

Our soon-coming King will reign, and we can share in His glory.  Are you ready?  Oh, my friend don’t stay on the wrong team; I implore you to come to Jesus while there is time, stand on the winning side—Jesus IS Lord—and with Him we win!  He is the only hope for glory!  Come today.

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life,

clear as crystal,

proceeding out of the throne of God

and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it,

and on either side of the river,

was there the tree of life,

which bare twelve manner of fruits,

and yielded her fruit every month:

and the leaves of the tree

were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse:

but the throne of God and of the Lamb

shall be in it;

and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face;

and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there;

and they need no candle, neither light of the sun;

for the Lord God giveth them light:

and they shall reign for ever and ever.

6 And he said unto me,

These sayings are faithful and true:

and the Lord God of the holy prophets

sent his angel to shew unto his servants

the things which must shortly be done.

7 Behold, I come quickly:

blessed is he

that keepeth the sayings

of the prophecy of this book.”  Revelation 22:1-7

If you hear His voice calling you, please respond in repentance and faith and open the door!  He will come in, but He’ll never break down the door.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test, and it may be closer than you thing.

“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.

21 To him that overcometh

will I grant to sit with me in my throne,

even as I also overcame,

and am set down with my Father

in his throne.”  Revelation 3:20-21

Amen and Amen!!!  We win!!!