Category Archives: Come And Worship?

More About Spelling??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #396

12 Sunday Oct 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Come And Worship?, Come to Jesus, Come To Worship HIM, Fruit of the Spirit, Living For Jesus, Living in Christ, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Looking Unto Jesus, Looking up Or around?, Peace of God, Perilous Times Are Here, Perseverance, Power of The Cross, Press ON!

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More About Spelling???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #396

We talked last time about being devoted to Jesus, not being a “misuser” of The Word (both the living Word, Jesus; and the breath of the written Word, Jesus—the real Jesus, who will always align with The Word of God, The Bible!).  I think James can help us understand the principle that it’s not what we say, either about Jesus or ourselves, but it is what we do with God’s Word.  We are to let the Word transform us into the image of our Lord by looking into that mirror of life—the Bible!

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man

be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 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 1:19-27

James isn’t saying that “religion” saves us, but that if we claim to belong to Jesus, our lives should be a reflection of godly character; if you would, “religion” in action before the world, not works to be saved, but as Paul tells the Ephesians, good works that draw people to our Lord Jesus!

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.       Ephesians 2:8-10

We aren’t saved by any work that we can do, but we are saved by grace “unto good works”—not saved by works but saved to do good works before the world by the power of God, in Jesus our Lord.  Even Jesus talks about this, for when we belong to Him, when we are born again by the Spirit of God—our lives should be like the moon which reflects the light of the ‘sun’; we are to reflect the light of the ‘SON’!  Never of works that we do on our own, but the light of The Lord of glory who saves and transforms us!  Are we being salt and light, or have we changed the spelling of Lord of all, to “all for me” and become “good for nothing”?  I don’t know your heart, but God does!  You might need to check the spelling in your life (read my last post to get the picture of the spelling that I’m talking about.)

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light

so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father      

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16

How “so shine”s your light?  Are you reflecting the glory, truth and love of Jesus Christ our Lord, or are you so filled with the world’s darkness that you have no “shine” to show?  Are you walking in your own power or that of the precious Holy Spirit.  Paul makes a pretty powerful statement to the believers at Rome.  How does Paul spell “service” (and if you would, The Holy Spirit, gives spelling lessons!)

“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 8:9

“And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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 8:27-30

Are you ready to walk in The Spirit, or keep on falling down in the flesh?  It’s your choice, but it will make all the difference in the world to your walk!  God has ordained “good works” that you and I might walk in them; we aren’t to continue to wallow in the flesh.

While the following is a lengthy passage, I think it is beneficial and clearer to grasp in its context, remembering what we saw above—” If God be for us, who can be against us…”, remembering that “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me…”!  You can—I can—we can—all because our Lord has not only paid the price but supplies our every need and ever lives to “make intercession” for His own! (See Hebrews 7:25). Also note that when it says things are “manifest”, it means to be visible, evident, and recognizable; telling us that our behavior will reflect what is in our heart!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”  Galatians 5:16-26

So, my question is, are you misspelling?  Changing “Thy kingdom come…” to “my kingdom come”; and “Thy will be done…” to “my will be done”?  It’s your choice, but remember there is a test coming, and Jesus knows the truth.  Paul gives a great example—won’t you measure your heart by this truth?

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

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!!!

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!!!

The Unattended Baby??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 16

01 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Christmas IS?, Come And Worship?, The Things of God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 16   The Unattended Baby???

 

 

As we begin this month of December, there are a lot of things that are significant about this month: it’s the last month of the calendar year;  later this month will officially bring in winter; and most importantly for those who love Jesus, it is the time that we celebrate His birth, the incarnation that brought the God-Man, Savior-Redeemer, The One who would make the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our salvation!  This One who came that we might have life and be freed from the penalty of our sin.

“Then Joseph her husband,

being a just man,

and not willing to make her a publick example,

was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared unto him

in a dream, saying,

Joseph, thou son of David,

fear not to take unto thee Mary

thy wife:

for that which is conceived

in her

is of the Holy Ghost.

21 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 1:19-23

Did you get that?  Joseph was told to “call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”!  HE would save “from” sin, transforming lost sinners into The Redeemed, those to whom the Holy Spirit imparts new life and the righteousness of Jesus.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things

are passed away;

behold, all things

are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

 who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

 the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

God sent Jesus to take our sin upon Himself, that He might impart to us life by faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for those who will come to Him in repentance and faith.

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

Our God gave the greatest gift to a world who not only rejected His Gift of Jesus, but who would rebuff Him, persecute Him, and have Him put to death!  But none of this caught God by surprise, it was part of His plan from the beginning—to bring us back to Himself!  I pray that we will celebrate this season of Christmas, the birth of The Savior and Redeemer of man, with Jesus foremost in our thoughts and actions.  God is ever at work to draw us closer to Himself; first for salvation, and then to ever be conforming us into the image of His Son.

“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…

… 24 And when they (the disciples not the leaders)

heard that,

they lifted up their voice to God with one accord,

and said,

Lord, thou art God,

which hast made heaven,

and earth,

and the sea,

and all that in them is:

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David

hast said,

Why did the heathen rage,

and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth stood up,

and the rulers were gathered together

against the Lord,

and against his Christ.

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus,

whom thou hast anointed,

both Herod,

and Pontius Pilate,

with the Gentiles,

and the people of Israel,

were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand

and thy counsel

determined before

to be done.” Portions of Acts 4:10-28

God is ever at work to accomplish His purpose, and we can stand against Him, or we can commit ourselves to be attentive to His Word, His will, and His ways.

“Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon

in all his glory

was not arrayed

like one of these.

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

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need

of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:27-34

And I can’t help but think of an experience that I had this weekend.  I had a friend come over to help me with some yard work, and we also put out my outdoor nativity sets (I have several that I set outside for a testimony to those who see them, that JESUS IS the reason for the season!).  We were busy with several tasks and we had set up the big display out front and went back to get ‘Joseph,’ but we got distracted by some other tasks and did them and forgot about ‘Joseph’.  Well, when we got those other things done, and my friend left, I was resting for a bit, and happened to glance out the window onto the back patio and saw “Joseph” standing there, and of course thought, “OH NO, we left baby Jesus and Mary ‘unattended’ by Joseph”!  I had no more gotten those words out of my mouth (and yes I talk to myself!) when God seemed to speak to my heart saying, “That’s the problem with many today, you/I have often left the spiritual things of life “Unattended”!  Ouch!  Well, I almost immediately went and put Joseph in his place ‘attending’ to Mary and The Babe; and as I did, I also prayed, asking God to help me do a better job of “attending” to those ‘things of God’!  Choices do have consequences!

“Then Peter took him,

and began to rebuke him, saying,

Be it far from thee, Lord:

this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter,

Get thee behind me,

Satan:

thou art an offence unto me:

for thou savourest not

the things that be of God,

but those that be of men.

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange

for his soul?”   Matthew 16:22-26

So, my question for each of us during this Christmas season is, ‘Will you join me in seeking to pursue and “attend” to “the things that be of God”, rather than “those that be of men”?’  May we truly keep The Lord Jesus in HIS rightful place—HE truly is The Reason for The Season we are celebrating?  May we all enjoy a most joyous time of celebrating the birth of our soon-coming King!  He is worthy of our praise and devotion—and I long to hear His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”!

“His lord said unto him,

Well done, thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things,

I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”  Matthew 25:21

I pray that God will help each of us to pursue HIS approval and attend to HIS business.

“…..wist ye not that I must be about

my Father’s business?”  Luke 2:49

Amen and Amen!

Why Have YOU Come??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #516

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Come And Worship?, Come To Worship HIM, Consider Your ways, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #516  Why Have YOU Come???

 

People think a lot of different things about Jesus, and at this Christmas time I’d like to share a few tidbits to challenge us to examine our hearts and see why “I” have come to Jesus. Or have I truly come to Him?

“Saying,

Where is he

that is born

King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star

in the east,

and are come

to worship him.” Matthew 2:2

The wise men came to worship HIM, but as they brought what they thought would be great news to Herod, his wicked heart was interested for another reason.

“Then Herod,

when he saw that he was mocked

of the wise men,

was exceeding wroth,

and sent forth,

and slew all the children

that were in Bethlehem,

and in all the coasts thereof,

from two years old and under,

according to the time

which he had diligently enquired

of the wise men.” Matthew 2:16

While Herod feigned a desire to “worship” the newborn King, his real motive was to eliminate any competition to his own position. And while most people today wouldn’t kill the babies (but wait a minute—that’s exactly what our culture is doing to the inconvenient and untimely ones!) we do kill the work of conviction and drawing of the Holy Spirit as He calls us to Jesus. How often do we “kill” the work of Jesus in our hearts as He tries to direct our heart and steps in His ways? Refusing to heed His call, kick down doors that He has closed to us, pout and throw tantrums because we don’t get “our” way in things? If you’re like me, at my best I act this way far too often, and I have to repent and seek His face to restore my joy, even as David taught us so long ago.

“Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy

of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners shall be converted

unto thee.” Psalm 51:9-13

Oh, to delight in serving HIM with joy and zeal—not because of what we can get, but to express our gratitude for what we have received from HIM. Jesus came that we might “have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”!

“And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.

15 John bare witness of him,

and cried, saying,

This was he of whom I spake,

He that cometh after me

is preferred before me:

for he was before me.

16 And of his fulness

have all we received,

and grace for grace.” John 1:14-16

Jesus came to save us because we couldn’t save ourselves! He IS the greatest gift of all time! Have you received HIS gift to you? If you haven’t come to HIM in repentance and faith, won’t you make this your best Christmas ever, by receiving this King who came for you, and died for you?

“For by grace

are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

God desires us to “come to worship HIM”! Will you come to Him as the wise men; or will you reject Him and kill His voice, which is speaking to your heart, even right now! Or will you put it off until it’s “One Day Too Late” (A gospel song written by Lanny Wolfe)! Even as King Agrippa told Paul:

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.” Acts 26:28

Please join me in seeking our Lord’s heart, making sure that we have “come to worship HIM”, not simply come to Him as our ‘heavenly slot machine’ to get what we want, when we want it. May our prayer truly be that of our Lord Jesus!

“And he was withdrawn from them

about a stone’s cast,

and kneeled down,

and prayed,

42 Saying, Father,

if thou be willing,

remove this cup from me:

nevertheless

not my will,

but thine, be done.”   Luke 22:41-42

May we truly worship HIM and not the trappings! Blessings on your day!

“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.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13