Category Archives: Dare To Be Different!

Works Of Darkness??? A Word From THE WORD!!! #497

08 Sunday Nov 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Dare To Be Different!, Darkness or Light?, Lifting up Jesus, Light In The Dark, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Living in Christ, Living Right, Living Waters, Walk in the Spirit, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus, Walking Worthy

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Works Of Darkness??? A Word From THE WORD!!! #497

We are called to continually examine ourselves and our walk of faith and obedience to Jesus Christ our Lord!  The only way we can do that is to know God’s Word and order our steps in accord with what we see; to align ourselves with God’s ways rather than the ways of the world.  Our enemy is a liar; a trickster and we must prepare ourselves for the real battle.  Today I simply want to share some scripture with you that I pray will convict, grow and prepare each of us to walk in a way that pleases our Lord, especially when His return seems very near.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.”  Ephesians 6:10-12

The Psalmist gives us some beautiful advice.

“Order my steps  

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man:

so will I keep thy precepts.”   Psalm 119:133-134

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”   Psalm 37:23-24

The key is to remember to whom we belong; who saved us; who keeps us; who will direct our steps if we will but hear and heed His leading (it comes easier when we dig into HIS WORD continually!!)!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

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

When we come to Jesus in repentance of our sin and belief  in His Substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!  God does a work to grant to us the new birth—as Paul says here, God has (I love the King James wording here) “translated” us into HIS Kingdom and “delivered us from the power of darkness”!  And it’s this power of darkness that I want us to consider today, are we walking in the power of Jesus’ redemption, or are we slipping back into the darkness of the world, because we have failed to pay attention to the battle we are actually in.  The book of Acts recounts some believers who got caught up in the darkness but heard from God and made an amazing decision to get back in the light!

“Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists,

took upon them to call over them

which had evil spirits

the name of the Lord Jesus, saying,

We adjure you by Jesus

whom Paul preacheth.

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva,

a Jew, and chief of the priests,

which did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said,

Jesus I know, and Paul I know;

but who are ye?

16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was

leaped on them,

and overcame them,

and prevailed against them,

so that they fled out of that house

naked and wounded.

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks

also dwelling at Ephesus;

and fear fell on them all,

and the name of the Lord Jesus

was magnified.

18 And many that believed

came, and confessed,

and shewed their deeds.

19 Many of them also which used curious arts

brought their books together,

and burned them before all men:

and they counted the price of them,

and found it fifty thousand

pieces of silver.

20 So

mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”   Acts 19:13-20

So I don’t overload you, a couple of brief verses to remind each of us to stay in the light of Jesus, and to not be influenced by the dark!

“The night is far spent,

the day is at hand:

let us therefore

cast off the works of darkness,

and let us put on the armour of light.”   Romans 13:12

“For ye were sometimes darkness,

but now are ye light in the Lord:

walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit

is in all goodness

and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship

with the unfruitful works of darkness,

but rather reprove them.”   Ephesians 5:8-11

Romans says is better than I can.

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Daniel’s Prayer??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #493

23 Friday Oct 2026

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, Dare To Be Different!, Power of Prayer., Praise Encourages our Heart, Praise God Today!, Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Press ON!, The Word

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Daniel’s Prayer??? A Word From THE WORD!!! #493

I am teaching the book of Daniel right now, and we were looking this week at Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9, and I feel led to share it with you today.  I pray that you will consider these things, especially in the trying times that we are living through.  First of all, I simply want you to read through the verses and consider what we can learn from Daniel and his faithfulness in prayer. (and if you really want to understand Daniel’s view of prayer, read the whole book—it may help you have a new perspective on the import and life-changing principle of faithful, diligent and humbly earnest prayers!)

“In the first year of his reign

I Daniel understood by books

the number of the years,

whereof the word of the LORD

came to Jeremiah the prophet,

that he would accomplish seventy years

in the desolations of Jerusalem.

3 And I set my face unto the Lord God,

to seek by prayer and supplications,

with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God,

and made my confession, and said,

O Lord, the great and dreadful God,

keeping the covenant and mercy

to them that love him,

and to them that keep

his commandments;

5 We have sinned,

and have committed iniquity,

and have done wickedly,

and have rebelled,

even by departing from thy precepts

and from thy judgments:

6 Neither have we hearkened

unto thy servants the prophets,

which spake in thy name to our kings,

our princes,

and our fathers,

and to all the people of the land.

7 O Lord, righteousness

belongeth unto thee,

but unto us confusion of faces,

as at this day;

to the men of Judah,

and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and unto all Israel,

that are near,

and that are far off,

through all the countries

whither thou hast driven them,

because of their trespass

that they have trespassed

against thee.

8 O Lord, to us

belongeth confusion of face, to our kings,

to our princes,

and to our fathers,

because we have sinned

against thee.

9 To the Lord our God

belong mercies and forgivenesses,

though we have rebelled against him;

10 Neither have we obeyed

the voice of the LORD our God,

to walk in his laws,

which he set before us

by his servants the prophets.

11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law,

even by departing,

that they might not obey thy voice;

therefore the curse is poured upon us,

and the oath that is written

in the law of Moses the servant of God,

because we have sinned against him.

12 And he hath confirmed his words,

which he spake against us,

and against our judges that judged us,

by bringing upon us a great evil:

for under the whole heaven

hath not been done as hath been done

upon Jerusalem.

13 As it is written in the law of Moses,

all this evil is come upon us:

yet made we not our prayer

before the LORD our God,

that we might turn from our iniquities,

and understand thy truth…

… 17 Now therefore, O our God,

hear the prayer of thy servant,

and his supplications,

and cause thy face to shine

upon thy sanctuary that is desolate,

for the Lord’s sake.

18 O my God,

incline thine ear,

and hear;

open thine eyes,

and behold our desolations,

and the city which is called by thy name:

for we do not present our supplications

before thee for our righteousnesses,

but for thy great mercies.

19 O Lord, hear;  

O Lord, forgive;

O Lord, hearken and do;

defer not, for thine own sake, O my God:

for thy city and thy people

are called by thy name.”    Portions of Daniel 9:2-19

As we think of praying, what are we to pray for?  Look at Daniel, who was an honorable and obedient servant of God, yet he identified with his own people who had sinned and asked God to forgive and restore them.  Should we not pray with that same attitude toward the situation in our country.  Look at the pronouns that Daniel used—not “them” or “they”, or even “those sinful people”—Daniel identified with the brokenness of his own people.  We are to depend on the Savior to direct our hearts and minds into obedient yieldedness to intercede for others, to ask God to bring the heart of our nation back to Him, to help we who are His children to have a heart of brokenness over sin (our own and our nation) as Daniel did.  America will never experience revival until we who are God’s own are willing to face our own sin, and seek God’s face for forgiveness, renewal, and power to walk with Him, and make a difference in the lives of others.

I want to share just a few New Testament passages that give us an idea of how God desires for us to pray.  Jesus gives us an amazing parallel to Daniel’s prayer.  What did Jesus say?  He used the same idea of identification in the model prayer; our Father…give us this day…Thy kingdom come…Thy will be done…forgive us…as we forgive…lead us not into temptation.

“Confess your faults

one to another,

and pray

one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.”  James 5:16

“Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus

concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.”1 Thessalonians 5:17-19

“For God is my witness,

whom I serve with my spirit

in the gospel of his Son,

that without ceasing

I make mention of you always

in my prayers;” Romans 1:9

“I thank God,

whom I serve from my forefathers

with pure conscience,

that without ceasing

I have remembrance of thee

in my prayers night and day;”   2 Timothy 1:3

May you have a time with God as you consider what prayer means to you, and how God would have you pursue prayer?

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s In My Hand??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #449

11 Monday May 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Dare To Be Different!, God's Faithfulness, God's glory NOT mine!, God's got you and me!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's measure isn't ours, God's provision, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Instruction, Godly Wisdom, Rock-It Science, Running The Race!, Salvation

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What’s In My Hand???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #449

I’ve been reading about David this week, and I couldn’t help but think about myself; we all face giants, but what do we have in our hand?  We can be like David and pick up the tool that he was familiar with—a simple sling—or we can try to come up with elaborate defenses and devices to face our problems, or we can be like David, who refused the professional armor of the king and trusted to his God instead!

“And he took his staff in his hand,

and chose him five smooth stones

out of the brook,

and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had,

even in a scrip;

and his sling was in his hand:

and he drew near to the Philistine.

41 And the Philistine came on

and drew near unto David;

and the man that bare the shield

went before him.

42 And when the Philistine looked about,

and saw David,

he disdained him:

for he was but a youth, and ruddy,

and of a fair countenance.

43 And the Philistine said unto David,

Am I a dog,

that thou comest to me with staves?

And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44 And the Philistine said to David,

Come to me,

and I will give thy flesh

unto the fowls of the air,

and to the beasts of the field.

45 Then said David to the Philistine,

Thou comest to me

with a sword,

and with a spear,

and with a shield:

but I come to thee

in the name of the LORD of hosts,

 the God of the armies of Israel,

whom thou hast defied.

46 This day will the LORD deliver thee

into mine hand;

and I will smite thee,

and take thine head from thee;

and I will give the carcases

of the host of the Philistines this day

unto the fowls of the air,

and to the wild beasts

of the earth;

that all the earth may know

that there is a God in Israel.

47 And all this assembly shall know

that the LORD saveth

not with sword and spear:

for the battle is the LORD’S,

and he will give you into our hands.”  1 Samuel 17:40-47

Oh that we could learn to remember that “the battle is the LORD’S”; that our Father is The totally sovereign Lord God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ who paid the debt for our sin and is working all things to the good of those who are His own, who are the blood bought, born again children of God.

“…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”.Portions of Romans 8:28-29

Will we be like David and leave the victory to The Lord!  It’s so hard sometimes to trust God in the dark, to let God conform us into “the image of his Son” by whatever means HE sees fit.  David went in faith; he used the weapon that God had taught him to use and had blessed in the past.  He didn’t trust to his own wisdom, but in the value and power “in the name of the LORD of hosts”!  He didn’t trust in the king’s armor, but in his Lord God of hosts!  What are you trying to use in your own defense—intelligence, power, position, consorts, or even using the “name of the LORD of hosts” without knowing HIM!  We must have a close and intimate relationship with God, and that only comes with the new birth, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is imparted by Jesus to everyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our personal sin!  Just claiming His name isn’t enough, we must belong to Him by being born again (See John 3:6-19)!  What stones do you have in your hand?  Rocks of offense, or stones of trust in the Savior to guide your/our every step? Jesus makes it clear that it’s our choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  Will you accept His invitation or reject the only hope of salvation and heaven!

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,

thou that killest the prophets,

and stonest them which are sent unto thee,

how often would I have gathered

thy children together,

even as a hen gathereth her chickens

under her wings,

and ye would not!

38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew 23:37-38

And His invitation is still open—but it won’t always be!

“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.

22 He that hath an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit saith…” Revelation 3:20-22

What’s in your hand?  Self?  Ambition? Greed? Popularity? Or the Gospel, for yourself and as you are born again, to share with the world God places before you?  What’s your Goliath?  Will you give it all to Jesus or go your own way?  I pray that you will join me and Job, in proclaiming our total dependence on God, even when we don’t understand—still will I trust HIM even in the pain, sorrow and uncertainty!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

for an hypocrite

shall not come before him.” Job 13:15-16

And in closing Jesus’ own words; you decide!

“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

And one final word from Job—Is Jesus our rock? Our sustenance? My necessary food –the Words of life?

“Neither have I gone back

from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words of his mouth

more than my necessary food.”  Job 23:12

Amen and Amen!!!

Daniel’s Attitude Of Gratitude??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #406

17 Monday Nov 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Assurance IN GOD!, Assurance or Arrogance, Attitude of Gratitude, Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, Dare To Be Different!, Darkness or Light?, God's Ability for our Inability!, God's glory NOT mine!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's measure isn't ours, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godly Character, Godly Wisdom, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Gratitude to Generosity, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Daniel’s Attitude Of Gratitude??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #406

I know that sounds a little strange for this season, but I want us to consider all that we learn from one of Daniel’s prayers!  I want us to be confident in the knowledge of not only what our God does, but who He is in character, nature and sovereign control. He is trustworthy and worthy of our praise and gratitude.

The context of this passage is Daniel’s first encounter with Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams; a dream which the King had that disturbed him, and when none of the wise men of Babylon could interpret it, for he couldn’t even remember what the dream was about, and when they couldn’t tell him what the dream was much less what it meant, he called for them all to be put to death—including Daniel and his friends (read all of chapter 2 for the whole picture, but for our purposes we’re only going to look at Daniel and his friends response to the impending death threat…).

“Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known

to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish

with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 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 2:17-23

May we think on these things, and be like Daniel, who was devoted to his God even in the midst of great trials in being taken captive to Babylon!  Oh, how we fail to praise God so often because of our trials, our difficulties, our challenges, our often-confused minds; seemingly because we live in a world gone crazy!  We live in a culture that is rejecting God at almost every turn; may we be like Daniel and set our hearts and minds to stand pure before our God; as these four young men committed to be faithful to God regardless of what others did!  I see so many claim Jesus’ name in their doings, but it is so often steeped in the bragging on what they have seen, or done, or claiming and/or blaming God for any and every kind of issue.  Here we have four devoted young men—devoted to not defile themselves with the worldly attachments around them!  What are you attached to?  When you claim Jesus’ name whether in blame or credit, is your life aligned with God’s Word?  How can it be if you don’t know what He has said or called us to?

Are we humble or proud?  Are we modest or flamboyantly worldly in our dress, speech, and self-aggrandizement?  It’s your call but remember there is a test—and it’s a test that will be by God’s Word not popular vote or opinion.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”  Daniel 1:8

Here we find a young man whose heart was set on pleasing his God—and then behaving in a manner of humility, respect and submission to God’s will for him.  Such a contrast to much of what we hear in Christendom today—the ability to make demands on God and man, for profit, popularity, or arrogance is not knowing what Jesus tells us is the mindset that we ought to have.

“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.”  Matthew 6:9-10

How it grieves my heart to hear people pronouncing God’s name over their own earthly plans to suit themselves; forget that Jesus clearly tells us we are to pray and seek “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done…” in all our ways!  If He promotes me, fine.  If He keeps me in humbles circumstances, so be it!  I want His will, over mine with God’s Word being the judge in all things.

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are

naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.

14 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 4:12-16

When you’re not sure, dig into The Word!  Scripture tells us right here that we will find help when we need it, when we come to that “throne of grace”, remembering that “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword”!  It is a sword that will guide us to truth—God’s truth, not man’s!  We can fool others, even ourselves—but God knows our heart!   I encourage you to dig into HIS Word and then adjust your life to HIS Word as needed—not the other way around!  Let’s be Daniels in a world full of Nebuchadnezzars!  I’m grateful—how about you!  Put on that attitude of gratitude!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Friday Tidbit??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #358

25 Friday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Dare To Be Different!, Darkness or Light?, Light In The Dark, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Listening To God, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living For Jesus, Living in Christ, Living Right, Looking Unto Jesus, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Light of The World, The Little Things., The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God, The Mind Of Christ

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A Friday Tidbit???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #368

Are we just “calling Jesus Lord”; or are we truly bowing before Him as Lord of our heart, our soul and our life—how we walk—how we talk—how we respond to conflict—how we treat others!  Are we just “talking” the talk, or are we truly “walking” the walk that matches God’s transforming work of salvation?  Remember, sometimes, even often times these days, we will pay a price for “speaking the truth in love”; so be prepared to “withstand in the evil day…”! (Please read 1 Peter 2:11-25 also)

“Blessed are they which are persecuted

for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil against you

falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice,

and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.

13 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 5:10-16

Also, don’t forget that we can only reflect light, The Light of the world—Jesus!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”  John 8:12

Like the moon, we have no light of our own, but when we come to Jesus and are born again, we are to be a reflection of this very “light of the world “!  I pray that we will seek the face of the Savior and Lord and be the truest reflection of His light that we can be!  Some lost soul may be depending on the light that you and I are to be shining!  May we be found faithful to our Lord!  May the world see Jesus in our lives as we heed the Word of God and yield to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Take note of the words of the Apostle Paul—shine my friends, let’s shine!!!

“For it is God which worketh in you

both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be

blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst

of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;”   Philippians 2:13-15

Amen and Amen!!!