Category Archives: ‘Come unto me

God’s Plan Not Man’s??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #289

18 Monday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Amazing Grace, IN Jesus!, In The Beginning, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus IN You!, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus lives today!, Jesus said I could come!, Jesus Saves, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, One Day Too Late?, One Foundation, Only Jesus, Only One Way

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God’s Plan Not Man’s???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #289

With the popularity of social media of all kinds it seems that everyone feels called to share their opinion about everything.  While it can be good to have a platform, everything that you read, hear and see on the internet may or may not be true.  I want to talk about one of those subjects, the Bible and God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.  The opinions we hear and see on the internet run the gambit, but I want us to take a look at scripture for our standard, not the opinions of people.  And yes, I’m a ‘people’, but if you’ve followed this blog for very long, you know that I am committed to help people go to God’s Word and read and study it remembering to take all scripture in its context, and in the larger context of the whole counsel of God (meaning all scripture—from Genesis to Revelation!)!  The first passage that I want us to consider is from Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost—50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The followers of Jesus had watched Him ascend into the heavens after He had instructed them to wait for the Holy Spirit to come to them before they began to “go ye therefore” (see Matthew 28:19-20) and spread the good news of The Gospel.  So after about 10 days the assembly of some 120 believers received the Holy Spirit and went forth in great power and purpose to share the truth about Jesus saving sacrifice and His grace to save.

“But Peter, standing up with the eleven,

lifted up his voice, and said unto them,

Ye men of Judaea,

and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem,

be this known unto you,

and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken,

 as ye suppose,

seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken

by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days,

saith God,

I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:

and your sons and your daughters

shall prophesy,

and your young men

shall see visions,

and your old men

shall dream dreams…

…. 21 And it shall come to pass,

that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles and wonders and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Portions of Acts 2:14-24

Jesus wasn’t crucified by the plan of man, rather He laid down His life willingly for your sin and mine.

“Therefore doth my Father love me,

because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me,

but I lay it down of myself.

I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received

of my Father.”  John 10:17-18

Jesus had this power because He was, is and ever shall be God!  And yes, He said so Himself!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

 29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

Are you His sheep?  It’s a question that only you can answer.  Have you come to Jesus in repentance of your sin and faith/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for you—and all of your sin!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is a test, and it may be soon.  So, back to Jesus’ claims.

Jesus went on to proclaim that HE is the only way—one way, one Savior, one who was crucified, buried and risen again in the power of God to pay for our sin; but that cost was His life’s blood on Calvary.

“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

“Then saith Pilate unto him,

Speakest thou not unto me?

knowest thou not that I have power

to crucify thee,

and have power

to release thee?

11 Jesus answered,

Thou couldest have no power at all against me,

except it were given thee from above:

therefore he that delivered me unto thee

hath the greater sin.

12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him:

but the Jews cried out, saying,

If thou let this man go,

thou art not Caesar’s friend:

whosoever maketh himself a king

speaketh against Caesar.”  John 18:10-12

Jesus was the plan from the beginning—before “the beginning”!  God created us knowing that we would sin, yet He loves us so much that He created us anyway.  I’ll share just a few passages that reveal this to us, when we will listen and receive God’s truth, starting in Genesis.

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head,

and thou shalt bruise his heel.”  Genesis 3:15

“Father, I will that they also,

whom thou hast given me,

be with me where I am;

that they may behold my glory,

which thou hast given me:

for thou lovedst me

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

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,

whose names are not written

 in the book of life of the Lamb

slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8 (the ‘him’ mentioned here is the antichrist)

“Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

 that your faith and hope

might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:18-21

And just as the followers watched Jesus ascend into the heavens, He is coming again—and I believe, very soon.  The question then is, are you ready?  Have you bowed before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven

as he went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said,

 Ye men of Galilee,

why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

this same Jesus,

 which is taken up from you into heaven,

shall so come in like manner

as ye have seen him go into heaven.”   Acts 1:10-11

Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly, but grant grace unto those who need to come to YOU!

Amen and Amen!!!

He Lives Within My Heart??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #287

13 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, He lives in my heart., Jesus is able, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Saves!, My sheep hear my voice..., Who's in your heart?

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He Lives Within My Heart???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #287

I grew up singing the old song “He Lives” written by Alfred Ackley, and I encourage you to look him up on the internet and read the story behind this song.  The last line of the chorus is what I want us to think about today, “You ask me how I know He lives; He lives within my heart…!”!  Amen to that—it’s how I know. How about you?

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;

These things saith he

that hath the seven Spirits of God,

and the seven stars;

I know thy works,

that thou hast a name that thou livest,

and art dead.”  Revelation 3:1

Jesus’ words to a church, a group of professing believers who claimed to know Him, yet He goes on to call them to repent!  I encourage you to read the seven letters this week and ask Jesus to reveal what is in your heart; who is in your heart.

I want to share God’s Word today and ask you to peruse the passages and let God examine your heart.  Stop, look and listen!

“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

Jesus also makes it clear in the Sermon on the Mount.

“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.”  Matthew 6:24

If I might make an observation; we often relegate “mammon” to money, and it does include money, but the deeper meaning is anything that we allow to stand between us and God; be that money, fame, popularity, power, success, social standing, ladder climbing, you name it!  We are called to submit to Jesus as Lord and King of our life, not to put him in some back closet until we have a prayer request, or an illness or some other crisis.  There’s an old saying, while not out of scripture, it does lend itself to consideration, “If Jesus isn’t Lord of all, He isn’t Lord at all!”  You decide.  We can all be deceived, I was for many years—but Jesus is the only way, and if we are His, He is ours and the difference should show.  Let’s consider another part of this ‘sermon’, we’ll consider Jesus’ own words and call it a day!  Remember, saying so doesn’t make it so, and Satan is the “father of lies” and he does his job well.  Don’t believe everything you hear or even see—liars will go a long way to convince people of their stories!  Beware and listen to Jesus—and dig into The Word for yourself.  (If you want to see a most specific and truthful picture of false teachers/preachers/prophets read 2 Peter 2—the whole chapter!)

“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 7:15-23

May we heed the words of Jesus!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  Calling wrong right doesn’t make it so.  Be sure you’re standing on God’s Word not man’s!  Please?

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

 is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

Amen & Amen!!!

Which Mirror Are You Using??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #286

10 Sunday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, All Sufficient God!, Faithfulness, Perseverance, SIN, Sin IS the issue

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Which Mirror Are You Using???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #286

We all like to check our appearance in the mirror, making sure everything is straight, and nothing out of place.  There’s nothing wrong with that, but when our attention is on the glass mirror, we may be forgetting to check the spiritual mirror to be sure we are walking with God, for God and in the way God wants us to go. We are living in a culture that wants to camp out on God’s “love” without taking into consideration that God has a standard, and it hasn’t changed.  In fact so often people will ask, “Where does it say that in the Bible?” (that I can’t do such-and-such) as an excuse for their inappropriate behavior.  Well, it does say this in the Bible:

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

God has never changed, and He never will, nor will The Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and usually the things that people don’t think are in the Bible, are simply undiscovered by them, because they want no accountability to God.  But we will all give an account, either to The Lord Jesus before the Judgment Seat of Christ to answer for our deeds done or undone for Jesus, or we will stand before the Great White Throne judgment, where the lost will bow before the God they have rejected and receive their fate with no opportunity of grace.

James gives us a good picture of this.

“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 1:21-27

How do we stay “unspotted from the world”. It ain’t easy, but it is doable.  But only God’s way!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…

…. 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.”  Portions of Galatians 5:16-25

It takes commitment, devotion and a reliance upon Jesus to keep walking in The Spirit (the indwelling Holy Spirit imparted to all who are born again); and we are to be a doer of the word, not just a hearer—as my mom used to say, “in one ear, and out of the other…” or will we live what we claim to believe?!  Scripture talks about presumption, so let’s consider our lives in that mirror of God’s truth.

“Who can understand his errors?

cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also

from presumptuous sins;

let them not have dominion over me:

then shall I be upright,

and I shall be innocent

from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”  Psalm 19:12-14

Being “acceptable in thy sight” is the key—pleasing to our Lord!  Looking in His mirror of The Word!  Peter writes about presumption.

“But chiefly them that walk after the flesh

in the lust of uncleanness,

and despise government.

Presumptuous are they,

selfwilled,

they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.”    2 Peter 2:10

In closing, just a couple of questions.  If we were to be judged solely by our speech, would people know that we love Jesus and are born again?  Does our speech draw people to our Redeemer or do they wonder why we speak and behave in the way we do.  Are we being true testimonies of Jesus or presumptuous imitators?  Food for thought for our week.

“Let your speech be

alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know

how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6

Amen and Amen!!!

Prayer Day 6 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #282

02 Saturday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, God's glory NOT mine!, God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's Time, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Revive us O God!, Righteousness, Righteousness exalts a nation, Salvation

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Prayer Day 6 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #282

 

I pray that you have had a good week, and that even when we change those clocks tonight (and I change mine today—I need more time to adjust…) we will be sure and keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus!  I pray that you will find hope, peace and grace to press on in the scriptures that we have shared; my goal is to please my Lord Jesus and encourage others to pursue Him.  I want to share another of Paul’s prayers with you today and I pray that God will use it to His glory and our good!

“Wherefore I also, after I heard

of your faith in the Lord Jesus,

and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you,

making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of glory,

may give unto you the spirit of wisdom

and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;

that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,

and what the riches of the glory

of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness

of his power to us-ward who believe,

according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ,

when he raised him from the dead,

and set him at his own right hand

in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality,

and power,

and might,

and dominion,

and every name that is named,

not only in this world,

but also in that which is to come:”                   Ephesians 1:15-21

As we bow before this risen King, may we remember that the question isn’t “Will you bow?”, for all will bow.  The question is “When will you bow?”  Will you bow before Jesus now, in humble repentance of your sin and trust/believe in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin that Jesus made at Calvary?  Jesus is the only way to come to God and heaven.  God has declared it.

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:8-11

It’s all about Jesus—not elections, or taxes, or personalities—for all will bow—it’s about Jesus, His will and His righteousness!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed

from faith to faith:

 as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

Amen and Amen!!!

Prayer Day 5 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #281

01 Friday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Good Citizens, Good News, Polluted by the world?, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!

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Prayer Day 5 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #281

 

Hope you’re having a good Friday morning, it’s lovely here in Oklahoma, after a bit of rain, and the fires that have been raging around us are almost contained, and praise God we are expecting more rain this weekend.  Many have been praying for rain and the cessation of all the fire danger around us, but more importantly than that, we need to be praying for the spiritual rain that will quench the spiritual drought about us.  In that vein we’ll look at some things about prayer today; instructions about seeking God’s face and interceding for those around us!  All of those around us, and let me just add when we are praying for the government entities in our culture (no matter where you may live) we are to pray in humble dependence upon our Father God, our precious Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit to lead us in all our ways, and that we will be a genuine reflection of Jesus.  That means that we are ever to be “speaking the truth in love” (See Ephesians 4:15) not disrespect!  And let me simply add that the recipients of the passage below were under unfriendly, often hostile, rulers.  Keep that in mind as you are tempted to complain instead of praying and depending on Jesus! (And I’m not saying we can’t be involved in politics, but that we are called to be those who bridge the gap not those who stir it up!  Remembering that sometimes just speaking the truth in love will stir some things up!). Heed God’s Word!

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

For there is no power but of God:

 the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,

resisteth the ordinance of God:

and they that resist

shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works,

but to the evil.

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?

do that which is good,

and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good.

But if thou do that which is evil,

be afraid;

for he beareth not the sword in vain:

for he is the minister of God,

a revenger to execute wrath

upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject,

not only for wrath,

but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also:

for they are God’s ministers,

 attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues:

tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom;

fear to whom fear;

honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another

hath fulfilled the law.”  Romans 13:1-8

What an amazing picture of God’s will for our responses to those in authority.  I’m not condoning evil that goes on in high places, but when we feel led to participate in “civil disobedience”, we better be sure we are doing so with a clear conscience toward God, and for good cause; not for spite, pride or any other fleshly reason!  The passage about prayer that I want us to look at today isn’t actually a prayer, but instruction on how we are to pray in regard to circumstances, culture and political issues.  (Keeping in mind what Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-18, that our battles aren’t against “flesh and blood” but against unseen spiritual forces.  And another helpful passage in this regard is 2 Corinthians 10:3-5!)

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all,

supplications,

prayers,

intercessions,

and giving of thanks,

be made for all men;

2 For kings,

and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life

in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable

in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God,

and one mediator

between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus;

 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all,

to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher,

and an apostle,

 (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;)

a teacher of the Gentiles

in faith and verity.

8 I will therefore that men pray every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.”  1 Timothy 2:1-8

And let me close by saying that while we are called to pray for others, especially those in authority, it doesn’t mean that we are to condone or promote evil and unbiblical practices, and that’s enough said! (Remember Jesus’ instructions that we saw earlier this week…” Thy kingdom come…. Thy will be done…!)

Amen and Amen!!!