Category Archives: Every Knee Shall Bow

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!!!

Gain Or Loss??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #317

24 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Conformed to HIS image, Contentedness, Contentment, Courage, Every Knee Shall Bow, Evil and Adulterous Generation?, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Fruit of the Spirit, Full Of what?, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Character, Godly Wisdom, Good Citizens, Good News

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Gain Or Loss???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #317

I have a hard word to share this morning, as we look at this winter Friday, after snows (or as they say in Louisiana “sneaux”—as in “geaux Tigers”), storms, inaugurations, governmental changes and a country that is almost gridlocked with a seeming inability to work together, I thought a brief word of simple advice from scripture might redirect our Friday thoughts.  We can deal with life differently, but there are some biblical principles that I pray will encourage your heart today.

The context of this passage is Paul’s message to his son-in-the-ministry, reminding us that life can be hard, but God’s ways ought to be our ways, not falling into the snares of worldly lies.

“And they that have believing masters,

let them not despise them,

because they are brethren;

but rather do them service,

because they are faithful and beloved,

partakers of the benefit.

These things teach and exhort.

3 If any man teach otherwise,

and consent not to wholesome words,

even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and to the doctrine

which is according to godliness;

4 He is proud,

knowing nothing,

but doting about questions and strifes of words,

whereof cometh envy,

strife,

railings,

evil surmisings,

5 Perverse disputings

of men of corrupt minds,

and destitute of the truth,

supposing that gain is godliness:

from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.    (ouch!)

9 But they that will be rich

fall into temptation

and a snare,

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,

which drown men

in destruction

and perdition.

10 For the love of money

is the root of all evil:

which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through

with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God,

flee these things;

and follow after

righteousness,

godliness,

faith,

love,

patience,

meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith,

lay hold on eternal life,

whereunto thou art also called,

and hast professed a good profession

before many witnesses.” 2 Timothy 6:2-12

Paul called Timothy to be wise and discerning about those things which are needful—they don’t consist of silver and gold, but rather they consist of the things that Paul has called Timothy and us to follow:

and follow after

righteousness,

godliness,

faith,

love,

patience,

meekness…. now, today, and each day!

And just a reminder of another contrast that Paul gave us in his letter to the Galatian believers; a very clear and concise contrast between the fruit/works of the flesh and the fruit/works of The Spirit. (and just FYI, there is no ‘s’ in the “fruit” of the Spirit.)

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,                                   lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,        23 Meekness, temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another, envying one another.”   Galatians 5:19-26

Are we willing to examine our hearts and ask God to help us be those filled with His Spirit and walking in the power of His Spirit, exhibiting the fruit of The Spirit and not our flesh.  Ouch!  I am praying even as I sit here writing this, that God will help me truly “practice what I preach”!  It’s seldom easy, but it is worth our effort and commitment to be all that God has saved us to be before a lost and dying world; before a world spinning like a top, right into hell.  Will you join me in recommitting to being salt and light in this world of darkness—it’s our calling, even when it’s not welcomed, wanted or accepted—our call is to “withstand in the evil day”!  May we be found standing on God’s Word!!!

“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 5:11-16

Amen and Amen!!!

In His Glory??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #263

23 Monday Sep 2024

Posted by in Every Knee Shall Bow, Examine Myself?, Faith, Glory, Glory of God, Glory To God, God's Faithfulness, God's Glory, God's glory NOT mine!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's love, God's ways are not our ways, Salvation

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 In His Glory???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #263

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things…

…. 13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me…

… 18 But I have all,

and abound:

I am full,

having received of Epaphroditus

the things which were sent from you,

an odour of a sweet smell,

a sacrifice acceptable,

 wellpleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches

in glory

by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father

be glory for ever and ever.

Amen.”  Portions of Philippians 4:6-20

While these are some of my favorite passages, I want to take a little bit of a different spin on them.  God laid something on my heart recently that I had never thought about; for we see so many things in scripture that refer to the “glory” of God—and I think that we may not be thinking about this in its fulness.  We often think of God’s glory as the bright shining light, the beauty that is so aptly described in much of The Revelation about our God and Jesus, The Son, but I think often we get so caught up in the “bling” that we miss something simple—God IS glory—it is His nature, His character as well as the exhibition of His power toward us; especially those things that scripture ties with Jesus’ ministry to His own.  Even as Jesus talks about in the letter to the Laodicean church.  His glory isn’t something we purchase with money, good works, or virtue, but by God’s grace, bought and paid for at Calvary, for whosoever will come to Jesus in repentance and faith/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours—for all have sinned!  Note what Jesus says to this “church”!

“Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art

wretched,

and miserable,

and poor, and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love,

I rebuke

and chasten:

be zealous therefore,

and repent.”  Revelation 3:17-19

This is the work of God, to buy without money!  It comes by faith in His Son; even as Isaiah painted God’s picture of this.

“Ho, every one that thirsteth,

come ye to the waters,

and he that hath no money;

come ye,

buy,

and eat;

 yea, come,

 buy wine

and milk

without money

and without price.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money

for that which is not bread?

and your labour

for that which satisfieth not?

hearken diligently unto me,

and eat ye that which is good,

 and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3 Incline your ear,

and come unto me:

hear,

and your soul shall live;

and I will make an everlasting covenant with you,

even the sure mercies of David.”  Isaiah 55:1-3

Jesus reminds us that even within the church we can become so self-satisfied and consumed with the world.  We can become so deceived that Jesus could say of us:

 “Because thou sayest,

I am rich, and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art

wretched, and miserable,

and poor, and blind, and naked…”

An unexpected message to a self-sufficient church, counting on all their “stuff” as their sufficiency.  Yet Jesus gave them an unexpected, but true, description of their spiritual state; calling them to see their real condition and be zealous to repent.  Isaiah tells us how they can buy without funds?  We must come to God in our abject spiritual poverty seeking what only He can give.  We must come as the tax-collector that Jesus spoke of.

“Two men went up into the temple to pray;

the one a Pharisee,

and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,

God, I thank thee,

that I am not as other men are,

extortioners, unjust,

adulterers,

or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week,

I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican,

standing afar off,

would not lift up so much as his eyes

unto heaven,

but smote upon his breast, saying,

God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you,

this man went down to his house justified

rather than the other:

for every one that exalteth himself

shall be abased;

and he that humbleth himself

shall be exalted.”  Luke 18:10-14

As long as we think we have our own glory, we have no need of God, and we will never understand the glory of God that comes to those who bow, like this publican, and ask for His mercy and saving grace in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin.  He who has no sin, has no need of a Savior (in his own mind)!  God’s glory is His very nature, and He pours out of His grace and mercy so that we can recognize His glory when we bow.  And just a few scriptures to bring this into focus.  Sin is the issue, and if you haven’t seen your sin, you may need to listen to Jesus’ message to the Laodicean church.   Remember Jesus is God and exhibits this very glory in all He does for us!

“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 2:9-11

Jesus came because of our sin.  Have you dealt with yours?

“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

And Jesus’ own call to all will recognize what He is saying and come in response to His call.  Is He knocking at your heart’s door?  Won’t you invite Him in!  You will never regret it and then you will come to know His glory!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Get It? Got It? Holding To It??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #238

12 Friday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Eternal Consequences, Eternal Treasures, Every Knee Shall Bow, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Laying up treasure in heaven, Leading Or Mis-Leading?, Living For Jesus, Nothing New, Now is the time...., Order my steps, Salvation, The Word, Trendy Or Truth, Worship Him!

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Get It? Got it? Holding To It???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #238

We continually wrestle with the draw of the world, the call of the bling, the ads, promos, and enticement to get the newest, fastest, most fashionable things of some celebrity; all the while not realizing that these things will pass away.  We will pass away; and when we do, we will face Jesus as our Lord and Savior and give an account of our life; or we will stand before Jesus The Judge and pay for our own sin!  It’s not about stuff, it’s about peace, joy and loving Jesus more than the world.  And even more subtle, the people and things that offer to make us healthier, wealthier and smarter by using, promoting and making money off of some new thing.  Solomon said it best.

“All things are full of labour;

man cannot utter it:

the eye is not satisfied

with seeing,

nor the ear

filled with hearing.

9 The thing that hath been,

it is that which shall be;

and that which is done

is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing under the sun.

10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said,

See, this is new?

it hath been already of old time,

which was before us.”  Ecclesiastes 1:8-10

We lost two people in our circle this week, one knew Jesus intimately and went right into the presence of Jesus (See 2 Corinthians 5:6-8.); the other may or may not have met Jesus, I don’t know.  But one thing I do know, each of them carried nothing with them but the life they lived, and everything they had collected, they left behind.  What are you collecting?  What did you get that you had to have, and now you’re ready to put it in a garage safe?  Even the priceless treasures that we may value greatly can’t be held onto when we die and face eternity.  What have we invested in that is of eternal value.  First and foremost to be born again, secondly (in my opinion) is to have sent on treasures to heaven that are of true eternal value.  As I heard someone once say, the only thing we can take to heaven with us is love and those we have helped to come to salvation in Jesus!  It has merit!  While I don’t find anywhere is scripture that we are bound to take a vow of poverty, we are called throughout scripture to hold the value of riches loosely and not hoard them to ourselves, but to use them to bless others as we have opportunity.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also…

…24 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.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?…

…33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Portions of Matthew 6:19-34

Peter also reminded the early believers that riches are not eternal, but Jesus and His Word is!  May we not lose sight of the things that are truly eternal, important, and of real value!

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come

as a thief in the night;

in the which the heavens shall pass away

with a great noise,

and the elements shall melt

with fervent heat,

the earth also

and the works that are therein

shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,

what manner of persons ought ye to be

in all holy conversation

and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting

unto the coming of the day of God,

wherein the heavens being on fire

shall be dissolved,

and the elements shall melt

with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we,

according to his promise,

look for new heavens

and a new earth,

wherein dwelleth righteousness.”                            Portions of 2 Peter 3:9-13

So, my friends, the question comes to us, “What will we spend our life on?”  Will we spend our lives accumulating things or pursuing the Kingdom of God and sending our real, eternal treasures on before us.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  May we ask God to search our heart and reveal to us the true state of our affairs?  James has a stern word to those claiming the name of Jesus; will we take heed?

“Ye ask, and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us

lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

 ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”  James 4:3-8

May we get it!  May we ever keep it in our heart!  May we ever hold to JESUS in true love and devotion, as we “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil…”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Listening Is Optional??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #229

12 Wednesday Jun 2024

Posted by in A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Every Knee Shall Bow, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faith, Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Hell, Hell's Hot, Hell's Real, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, The Word, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Try yourselves, Tuned In To Jesus

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Listening Is Optional??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #229

I want to share a most profound account that Jesus gave us.  Some teach it as a parable, but I believe it is a true account—for there is no other parable where Jesus mentions a specific name.  You can decide, but the message that I want us to consider is Jesus’ statement about the rich man’s request to send Lazarus back to testify to his family.  This lost man in hell was more concerned about the salvation of his family than many of us are about ours (what I often call, the greatest evangelist ever).  May we heed the message and get our prayer life focused on the salvation of our loved ones; our life lived in a way that they will desire Jesus; and our mind, as Paul says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”, that people may see Jesus in me! (Read Philippians 2:5-11). What do people see in me? You? Take note and hear the voice of The Lord!

“There was a certain rich man,

which was clothed in purple and fine linen,

and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus,

which was laid at his gate,

full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs

which fell from the rich man’s table:

moreover the dogs came

and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass,

that the beggar died,

and was carried by the angels

into Abraham’s bosom:

the rich man also died,

and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes,

being in torments,

and seeth Abraham afar off,

and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham,

have mercy on me,

and send Lazarus,

that he may dip the tip of his finger in water,

and cool my tongue;

for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said,

Son,

remember that thou in thy lifetime

receivedst thy good things,

and likewise Lazarus

evil things:

but now he is comforted,

and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this,

between us and you

there is a great gulf fixed:

so that they which would pass

from hence to you cannot;

neither can they pass to us,

that would come from thence.

27 Then he said,

I pray thee therefore, father,

that thou wouldest send him

to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren;

that he may testify unto them,

lest they also come

into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him,

They have Moses and the prophets;

let them hear them.

30 And he said,

Nay, father Abraham:

but if one went unto them from the dead,

they will repent.

31 And he said unto him,

If they hear not Moses and the prophets,

neither will they be persuaded,

though one rose from the dead.”  Luke 16:19-31

And a side note in closing, Jesus told this story knowing that His passion was at hand and knew that He would be the very living-out of this statement that, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead…”.  Jesus rose from the dead, yet people still reject Him to this day.  Have you met Jesus?  Have you come to Him in repentance of your sin, and faith/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross–for all our sin!  He came for you and me!  Don’t miss His grace and become an evangelist from hell!

Amen and Amen!!!