Category Archives: Confidence

Today Is Important??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #251

18 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, The Word, TODAY, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?

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Today Is Important???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #251

“Now therefore

fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

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

We all fall into the habit of thinking and saying, “I can do that tomorrow! Right?” Well, maybe we can and maybe we can’t; as Joshua told the people of Israel, we are to “choose you this day” what we will do, whom we will follow, whom we will serve—God or ourselves (and remember whatever you put before God is your choice!)!  We can only live in the todays; for only God knows what tomorrow holds—and you can trust Him!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

We must remember that the choices we make today, will affect tomorrow, and sometimes many tomorrows; that is why it is important to choose wisely today. I want to share a few things that may help us make wise choices.  The Psalmist shares great principles of living godly, it’s one of my favorites.

“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

Consider the contrast that the Psalmist makes between the one who chooses to delight in God and His ways, and the ungodly who go their own way—and don’t forget that God keeps accurate accounts, and there is a consequence to every choice.  You and I are free to choose our actions but not the consequences.  And remember we will always reap what we sow, later than we sowed it, and more than we sowed!

Notice the principle here, the blessed man, chooses to cling to godly things and avoid the harmful things that will draw us away from God; yet when we choose the things of God, we will be able to stand like a tree “planted by the rivers of water”; fruitful, unwithered, and successful in following God’s path.

The ungodly “are not so”!  Remember that!  Make wise choices.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together

with unbelievers:

for what fellowship hath righteousness

with unrighteousness?

and what communion hath light

with darkness?”  2 Corinthians 6:14

Be wise in your choice of companions and activities.

“Be not deceived:

evil communications   (or companions)

corrupt good manners.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

The go-to reminder of scripture is from Paul’s letter to the Galatian believers.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

 if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

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

Remember that tomorrow will bring and reveal the consequences of what we choose today.  Choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

Standing In Confidence??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #250

16 Friday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, The Word

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Standing In Confidence??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #250

 

I have a few things to share with you this morning, and I pray that they will encourage your heart on this hot summer day (at least here in Oklahoma it’s scorching hot–), but no matter your location, our God is faithful in all things, and we can prevail over the evil around us!

Paul’s great chapter on the confidence that we can have in the resurrection and the return of our Lord concludes with an amazing passage of encouragement.  No matter your situation—God knows your grief, your sorrow, your fears, your uncertainty in the future, your confusion over the world situations—take heart for the Apostle John made it clear in The Revelation!

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”   Revelation 19:6

So, let’s consider Paul’s words of encouragement—We win!!!

“O death,

where is thy sting?

O grave,

where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

 be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

 in the work of the Lord,

 forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:55-58

So, my friends, take heart, God has not stepped down from His throne, nor has He relinquished His omnipotent control of all things!  You can trust to His care, for He keeps His Word!  Always!  We can know truth because Jesus IS truth, and the only way to God and heaven.  So if you know Him, you can “withstand in the evil day” (See Ephesians 6:10-18); and if you don’t know Jesus you can, by simply repenting of your sin, and believing that HE is the one who paid for your sin by His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross.

“Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:5-6

Jesus loves us, and offers us life and victory by His death, burial and resurrection for sin.  Keep your eyes on the prize—JESUS!!!  He is coming again and sooner than we may think!

“In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised before the world began;”   Titus 1:2

Amen and Amen!!!

Parenting–A Lifetime Calling??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #249

14 Wednesday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Godly Parenting, Parenting is a lifetime calling!, Parenting matters

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Parenting—A Lifetime Calling??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #249

As we see schools starting around us, the big yellow buses, and children laughing and playing, there is more to childhood than laughter (yet there is nothing much sweeter than the laughter of babies and young children, any children!).  As a dear old friend (who is now with The Lord) of mine used to say regularly, “The problem with children is ‘parents!”  When we as parents fail to heed the biblical admonition to raise our children in the fear of The Lord and instruct them in righteousness, it seems to me that one of the biggest problems isn’t lack of instruction (while we do lack a biblical world view in much of Christendom), as much as a lack of personal knowledge of God and His Word, and a life that displays the truths of God in all our ways.

Let’s peruse just a few things that The Word says about children and parents, and I’d like to start with a passage that many are familiar with in part; but the extended context can impact us even more, than just verses five and six.

“My son,

forget not my law;

but let thine heart keep my commandments:

2 For length of days,

and long life,

and peace,

shall they add to thee.

3 Let not mercy and truth

forsake thee:

bind them about thy neck;

write them upon the table of thine heart:

4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding

in the sight of God

and man.

 5 Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:1-8

I pray that we will heed the truths which God gives with us and pursue a holy and righteous response to God’s call upon us as His children, as well as being parents to our own children, and an influence upon the lives of those children that God’s puts in our circle of influence!  And you do have influence on these lives, be it good, bad or indifferent—you are making a difference—are you leading them to Jesus or to hell?  Will you and I be the standard that calls others to follow Jesus, or do we repel others by being unfaithful ourselves?  Will you be the one picking up the stones in the way, or being a stumbling block to others—young or old?

“Go through,

go through the gates;

prepare ye the way of the people;

cast up,

cast up the highway;

gather out the stones;

lift up a standard

for the people.”  Isaiah 62:10

Jeremiah left a sobering message for his people; may we heed it today.  I encourage you to read it in context—a warning from God that we do reap what we sow.  (See Galatians 6:7)

“Set ye up a standard in the land,

blow the trumpet among the nations,

prepare the nations against her,

call together against her the kingdoms

of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz;

appoint a captain

against her;

cause the horses to come up

as the rough caterpillers.”  Jeremiah 51:27

Are you holding up God’s standard (banner/flag), or the world’s?  God knows, and the consequence is being set even now.

“Train up a child

in the way he should go:    (See John 14:6)

and when he is old,

he will not depart from it.

7 The rich ruleth over the poor,

and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He that soweth iniquity

shall reap vanity:

and the rod of his anger

shall fail.

9 He that hath a bountiful eye

shall be blessed;

for he giveth of his bread

to the poor.”  Proverbs 22:6-9

Some simple but profound principles of God, and Paul gives us another that we need to heed today.  Many today say, “Anything goes”, and while there may be a measure of truth in that, what they fail to proclaim is that for every choice there is a consequence!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test—and please teach your children what God says, not man!

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.

34 Awake to righteousness,

and sin not;

for some have not the knowledge of God:

I speak this to your shame.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

(or as the NASB says, “…Bad company corrupts good morals..”)

May we dig into God’s Word and be prepared for the battle facing us in this nation; in this world.  We are called to be faithful before our God, and the world—a lost and dying world that needs Jesus!

Paul gives a great standard if we will but heed it:

“Let him that stole

steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands the thing which is good,

that he may have to give to him that needeth.

 29 Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.”  Ephesians 4:28-30

Always remember there are little eyes and ears watching everything we say and do!  As Jesus said, may we be “…wise as serpents, and harmless as doves…” (See Matthew 10:16) Remember parenting is a lifetime calling!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s In Your Sights??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #248

11 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, By His Grace, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Confidence, Grace, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Many or Few?, My Grace Is Sufficient, The Word, When Will You Bow?, Where your treasure is--Your heart is!, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Whom are you trusting?

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What’s In Your Sights???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #248

“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

While Jesus makes it clear that He is the only way to God, Paul also reminds us that it’s our relationship with God through Jesus that saves, not works of any kind, no matter how hard we try to see ourselves as holy or right before God Almighty!

“But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness

toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 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 2:4-10

Let’s look at this backwards, if you would, so we can understand that salvation is all of God, through Jesus; righteous works are a result of Jesus’ righteousness imputed (credited) to us when we come to the cross in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!  When we were lost in sin, Jesus paid the price, and because that price has been paid, we can have eternal life, but not apart from the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  We are saved by God’s grace, through our faith in Jesus’ payment for our sin. Works don’t bring us to salvation, rather real works of righteousness are the result of God’s work in us because of the blood sacrifice that Jesus became for me and you!

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:14-19

So the question isn’t what have you done, but who are you counting on for your salvation?  Are you trying to do good things, positive things, being kinder, smarter, gentler?  Are you being more religious, philosophical, quoting Bible verses, but not knowing the author?  Are you counting on a childhood profession that has never brought forth any fruit in your life?  Paul says it all in Romans chapter 5, and I simply want to let it speak to each of us.  I pray that you will hear the voice of The Holy Spirit speaking to your heart, and you will respond as He leads.  I played church for years, because I knew all the jargon, but until I met Jesus face-to-face my heart never changed.  Yet just as Jesus says in Matthew 7, He knows those who are born again unto life in HIM; those who are truly transformed into the children of God; born of God, not just saying so!

“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 also said:

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

 and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:20-23

What will you say to Jesus?  What will Jesus say to you?  Have you experienced what Paul is describing to the Roman believers?  I pray that if you don’t know Jesus, you will come to Him today!  Please ponder Paul’s message—it’s a boat load of truth.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

 in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:1-11

Have you received the atonement?  Have you bowed before Jesus?  The question isn’t ‘will you bow’, but rather ‘when will you bow’?  Will you bow before Him now in repentance and faith in His sacrifice for your sin and mine, and be born again?  Or will you bow before HIM as your judge with no opportunity for grace or salvation?  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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 2:10-11

Paul says it better than I could, for God has already done the work at Calvary through His Son Jesus. If there’s no change in. your heart, you may want to re-examine what is in your sights as your salvation.

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Lies Are Still Lies??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #246

04 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Father of lies, Father of Lies!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Satan, Satan's lies., Saved by Grace Through Faith

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Lies Are Still Lies???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #246

“But now ye seek to kill me,

a man that hath told you the truth,

which I have heard of God:

this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him,

We be not born of fornication;

we have one Father,

even God.

42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:40-45

Jesus makes it clear that not all who claim to know Him, do!  The Apostle John also said that if we belong to Jesus, we are to walk in the “light” not the dark/flesh, and Paul repeats it over and over again in his writings, as he calls those who claim the name of Jesus to live it.  If we continually choose to walk with the world, we might want to examine what it is that we think has saved us.  The author of the book of Hebrews said it clearly, if we claim to be God’s children and sin with no discipline from God, we are illegitimate—lying to ourselves as well as others.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 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 1:5-10

“For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”  Hebrews 12:6-8

Satan is a liar, as Jesus said, and if we believe his lies and refuse to see our sin and confess it as sin, we will die in our sin, and the lie will take us straight to hell.

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

What have you done about your sin; not anyone else’s sin, but your sin?  We must deal with our sin in the blood of Jesus or pay for it ourselves; which means death and hell.  As Paul said, to the Corinthians, we are to examine ourselves and determine if we actually belong to Jesus and are living in the power of His Holy Spirit.  We are made new through the blood of Jesus, by the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord as His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—mine and yours!  It’s the price that Jesus paid for sin—the only way to God. (See John 14:6)

“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

One of my favorite passages is Paul’s call to the Roman believers to live by the power of Jesus, as a living sacrifice unto our God.  Are you measuring your life by the world or by The Word of God?  Don’t let the lies of the devil lead you astray. As Jesus said above:

“He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it…”

Are you willing to hear Jesus’ truth, or fall for the lies?  It’s your call, but there is a test.  Choose the holy life rather than the conformity to this world.

“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.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.”              Romans 12:1-3

Jesus also says our life will tell the tale; what is your fruit telling about you and your relationship with Jesus?  Have you entered in by the “blood of Jesus… that cleanseth us from all sin” or are you trying to make it on your own good works, and fooling people.  As my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all of the time; and you can fool all of the people some of the time; but you can’t fool God!”  There is a test coming.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.”  Matthew 7:13-17

Jesus is the ‘word’ by which we all shall be judged; what have you done with His payment for sin?  (See Hebrews 4:12-13)

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:14-15

I pray that you will be found in the book.

Amen and Amen!!!