Category Archives: Conformed to HIS image

Trusting In The Dark!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #444

22 Wednesday Apr 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, Confidence, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's Prayer, Darkness or Light?, Delight of my heart

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Trusting In The Dark!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #444

“Unto the upright

there ariseth light in the darkness:

he is gracious,

and full of compassion,

and righteous.

5 A good man

sheweth favour,

and lendeth:

he will guide his affairs with discretion.

6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever:

the righteous

shall be in everlasting remembrance.

7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:

his heart is fixed,

trusting in the LORD.” Psalm 112:4-7

As children many of us were afraid of the dark, and sometimes that fear carried over into adulthood.  I’m not fond of the dark, except when I’m trying to view the stars or a lunar event, but I’m not consumed with fear either, mostly because I know The God who created all things, and I know He is with me no matter the time of day or my circumstances.  And of late I have found God so faithful in every time or circumstance, and I just what us to rehearse today the surety of our God no matter where we may find ourselves.  The Psalmist reassures us that our confidence can rest in God Almighty and His Son, Jesus!  We can rest in the assurance of verse 7 above: “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.”

Oh, how I have come to know that assurance in new and welcome ways.  He has walked with me in recent days, in new ways—ways that I never have experienced before—yet my God is totally faithful and trustworthy.  Even as the author of Hebrews reminds us!

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:5-6

Another powerful passages from the book of Hebrews—one which I can confidently share with others and often do.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto

the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

Our Lord carried our sin to Calvary, for He had no sin of His own, but He paid for my sin, and the sin for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—mine and yours!  What an awesome love that would do that for sinners like me!

I also want to share another great passage from Daniel that amazingly describes the nature of our God!  He has it all in hand—even when we can’t see in the dark.  I pray that this will speak encouragement to your heart as it has mine so many times.

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God

for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth

the times and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep

and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:19-23

Blessings on your day!

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!!!

Comfortable Or Committed??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #374

10 Sunday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Comfort, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Crucified With Christ, Do You See What God Sees?, Every Knee Shall Bow, Eyes that SEE HIM, Fickle or Faithful, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Freedom To Or From?, God Who Sees, God's Call, God's Faithfulness, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Redemption Through HIS Blood

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Comfortable Or Committed???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #374

A passage that we considered recently is one I want to revisit today, but from a different perspective; as you can tell from our title, I want us to assess our life with Jesus!  What have we set our eyes on?  Are we set on being comfortable or committed to whatever Jesus has called us to.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside

every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

Jesus has called us to “lay aside” some things, and to “run with patience” the race that He has set before us; keeping our eyes fixed on Him, because He alone can lead us in the right path. He is the only way to God—the only way of salvation!  And apart from Jesus we have no hope, as Jesus tells us, we must be in The Vine and “abide in HIM”!

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:5

We are called to bring forth much fruit, and that can only happen when we abide in The Master, Jesus; for HE is the vine, not us—we are but branches and dependent upon our attachment to the vine—Jesus!  We can do that as we determine to be committed to Jesus regardless of the difficulty or discomfort.  We get into trouble when we choose comfort over commitment; when we choose frivolity over frugality (being wise stewards over all, not just finances); do we exercise impact spending over impulse (again not just talking about money, but time, talents, desires, and focus)!  It’s so easy to get caught up in social media, ad-fed spending, entertainment distractions, any number of things—you can fill in the blank of the things that try to draw us away from our commitment to Jesus!   Let’s consider a couple of passages that give us good guidance and food for thought as believers to continue to abide in The Vine—Jesus!

“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 Peter’s inspired advice. (And FYI, conversation=lifestyle.)

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

 not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

 Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

 judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 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 1:13-21

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

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!!!

Jesus, The Add On??? Really??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #343

24 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Compromise, Confessing Sin, Confidence or Presumption?, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, Deceit or Discernment?, Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithfulness, No man can serve two masters!, No Sin No Need?, SIN, Sin IS the issue

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Jesus, The Add On???  Really??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #343

 

“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 

Jesus is the only way of salvation—the only way to heaven—the only way to be God’s child—the only way to have new life, hope, joy and peace “that passeth all understanding”!  But we are living in a culture where even the church seems to be ready to abandon the truth of the Gospel, and keep adding things, activities, exercises that are attempting to fill the void in mankind; when only Jesus can and will fill that void.  As it’s often been said, we have a “God-sized hole/void”, and only God can fill that void!  But it seems that we are surely trying to fill it with anything that makes no call of repentance and faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for sin—His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice. The angel told Joseph that the issue was sin; not diet, exercise, meditation, or even fellowship and “love”!  Oh, the things that we are excusing and even promoting that violate God’s Word, but we call it “love” and press on, instead of seeking God’s “approval”!

“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

It’s God’s plan not man’s, yet we keep on trying to make it more palatable, that which even Jesus said would repel people.  Why do we think they killed Him and most of the prophets and preachers throughout scripture.

“If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

 The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not

him that sent me.”  John 15:18-21

It’s part of the message that Jesus gave to Nicodemus, but we conveniently leave off part of “God so loved”!  And God does love, but Father God and Jesus Christ the Son are “the same yesterday, and to day and forever…”! (See Hebrews 13:8). Will we preach Jesus—the only way?  What are we tacking on to Jesus!  Yes, Jesus loves me and you, yet He also makes it clear over and over again that you must choose between the straight road or the broad one—God’s way or the world’s, and the consequences will follow your choice.  (see Matthew 7:13-28)

“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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”  John 3:16-21

So, how do we choose right?  We must seek Jesus and His cross!  Dying to self and giving our life to Jesus, and seeking His will, His way, His truth, and reflecting His life before a lost and dying world by speaking “the truth in love”!  But never change His truth to try and attract a crowd!  It will never work, because it isn’t what He called us to do or to share.  We must share His truth His way.  Paul gives us great advise as He shared with his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy—dig into God’s Word not the world’s!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Study to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”   2 Timothy 2:15

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:15-16

May we be found faithful to God’s Word!  May we learn to measure by HIS WORD not popular opinion, trends, fads, or what is the top thing on social media!  It’s so easy to buy into the cutesy, tear-jerking stories and form opinions that are 180 degrees away from what God has said.  But so many go on feeling rather than the facts and truth of The Word of God!  I know I harp on that, but oh, my friends, we must wake up, repent, and turn from our own wisdom to pursue God’s!  I’d like to close with an amazing passage from Daniel—a young man probably still in his teens, but a young man who knew his God—one who had made up his mind to serve God not man!  This passage is Daniel’s prayer of praise to God for answered prayer.  Who is your God? (See Daniel 1:8)

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might

are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom

and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:19-23

I would encourage you to read through the book of Daniel, even just the first 6 chapters and you’ll find a young man, and his friends, who were committed to their God, to His ways and they always stood firm and never took credit for what God did; even to such a degree that others saw in them the character of God.  But don’t miss the lesson that we must, I say must, learn, and that is when we go God’s way, we will face opposition, hatred, jealousy and we must be like Daniel and his friends and press on faithfully.  Paul reminds us of just that, and I’ll leave you with these thoughts to ponder.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forthunto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize

of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14.

Amen and Amen!!!