Category Archives: Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus

Reach Them Today??? Really!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #342

21 Monday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, TODAY, Today and Forever, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?, Touch them while you can?, Train up a child...., Transformed life

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Reach Them Today??? Really!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #342

I want us to consider time today—no pun intended—but I do pray that we will realize that we are called to live “today”; we’re not to be consumed with yesterdays over which we have no control, or even overly concerned about tomorrow!  I have a prayer that I wrote several years ago that I try to pray every day—I have it taped to my bathroom mirror (you can do the same) and it helps me remember who is in charge today—and the next today!

       Father—

              Your will for today IS mine—

              Your pleasure for today IS mine—

              Your work for today IS mine—

                      Tomorrow is yours alone to reveal—

                      Yesterday is ours alone—

                             Mine– to release to You–                       

                             Yours– to weave into the image of

Jesus Christ my Lord! 

              Amen and Amen!!!

Jesus reminded us of the importance of praying in the right mindset, and the first few lines of His model prayer tell it all.

“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.

11 Give us this day… ”                             Portions of Matthew 6:9-11a

Today is a gift from God and we are to pursue HIS will and HIS way, and for HIS kingdom to come; if I might interject a thought, we can rightly pray Hallowed be thy name to me—by rightly living His ways before a lost and dying world; we can pray Thy Kingdom come in me—by seeking His face through His Word, and walking in obedience to it; we can pray Thy will be done in me today and each today that HE gives us!  My heart grieves that I fail so much and so often, but I keep getting up each time, and Jesus helps me go forward.  You see my friends as we seek God, we can learn to focus on living today not yesterday or tomorrow.

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

 So what will we do with today?  We can choose to pursue Jesus—or something else.  We can choose to pursue a life of holiness, or we can live our own way.  The thing we often forget is that we may not have tomorrow.  Ever consider that even as Jesus told us to pray with today in mind, we can prepare for the future but don’t be so distracted by it that you miss today.  Children grow up way too fast! Life speeds by with no thought of what we are missing.  Don’t wait too long.  There’s an old hymn that haunts me even today, in the sense that we must, I say we must, realize that we may not have a tomorrow; the song was “O Why Not Tonight?”, by Eliza Holmes, and it pleads for the hearer to choose Jesus today. Have you bowed before Jesus in repentance of your sin, and faith/trust/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice.  If not, why not now?   Caskets come in all sizes!  Are you ready to meet Jesus today?

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold,

now is the accepted time;

behold,

now is the day of salvation.)”.   2 Corinthians 6:2

Even as God said in Genesis:

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

for that he also is flesh…”. Genesis 6:3a

So what am I saying?  I’m saying that we must use today wisely and be ready to make a difference in this wicked world and walk in righteousness, grace, and peace as well as behave discreetly, wisely, modestly, respectfully, rightly and responsibly!  I pray that my life will never shame my Lord Jesus.  How about you, are you measuring your life by scripture or ‘Hellywood’?

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake,

happy are ye:

and be not afraid of their terror,

neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

and be ready always to give an answer

to every man that asketh you

 a reason of the hope that is in you

with meekness and fear:

16 Having a good conscience;

that, whereas they speak evil of you,

as of evildoers,

 they may be ashamed

that falsely accuse

your good conversation in Christ.”                            1 Peter 3:14-16

Oh, may we live for Jesus today; may we be found faithful and as Peter said, “ready always to give an answer”!  And remember God isn’t asking us to have all the answers, but to be equipped with His Word to respond to those who ask, “Why do you live that way?”; but most importantly we are to live a life that reflects our Lord not the world, or why would anyone notice unless there’s a difference!  We are supposed to be different.  Remember Noah, he preached about a flood when no one even knew what rain was; he was found faithful to preach truth to those who wouldn’t listen!  May we be called faithful too!

“And spared not the old world,

but saved Noah

the eighth person,

a preacher of righteousness,

bringing in the flood

upon the world of the ungodly;” 2 Peter 2:5

What’s your life preaching today.  What if this was my last “today”?  Oh, Jesus may we be found faithful “today”!  May others see Jesus in me.  Or we can choose to be like those in Noah’s day and Lot’s day!

“And as it was in the days of Noe,

so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

27 They did eat, they drank,

they married wives, they were given in marriage,

until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

and the flood came,

and destroyed them all.

28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot;

they did eat, they drank,

they bought, they sold,

they planted, they builded;

29 But the same day that Lot went out of

Sodom

it rained fire and brimstone

from heaven,

and destroyed them all.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day

when the Son of man is revealed.”  Luke 17:26-30

What is Jesus saying?  Jesus is telling us clearly that those who lived with no thought of God, no thought that tomorrow held judgement, did nothing to get right with God today!  They lived as if today would never end.  Is your life a reflection of Jesus or the world that is “going to hell in a handbasket”?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is an end to today, and a test.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

 Use your todays wisely.  Judgment is coming.  Will you stand with Jesus today?  He’s coming soon!  Please look up today!  Live so those following you will be drawn to the cross!

Amen and Amen!!!

Behold, Now Is The Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #337

06 Sunday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Changed Lives, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Transformation, Transformed life, Transgression, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Behold, Now Is The Day???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #337

“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 5:21

Jesus died to save us from our sin; for sin IS the issue.  What have you done about your sin?

“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

Jesus came to save men, women, boys and girls, “from their sins”!  We seem to have removed sin from the equation, and just made salvation an option of the mind, rather than a response to the convicting power of God which comes to hearts to reveal our sinful condition to our heart.  Not one will ever truly be saved until they see their sin and state of lostness without Jesus.  Paul makes it clear that sin must be dealt with, and only by JESUS!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26

Just as Matthew recorded for us in his gospel, Jesus came to die for our sin, and without the recognition of sin, we will never understand the value of salvation apart from the knowledge and recognition of sin. We seem to have made anything and everything ok, so no one is a sinner; even those who claim the name of Jesus seem to have written a new “code of ethics” for believers which says anything goes—it’s all covered by grace.  I can’t find that in scripture, in fact, when we go back to Paul’s message to the believers at Corinth, he makes it clear that we are to see a ‘Jesus’ difference in people’s lives.  Not a list of rules and dos and don’ts; but rather a life changing difference.

“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

When Jesus saves us from our sin, He gives us new life within—His life.  Again Paul paints one of the most amazing pictures in scripture of our new life in Jesus—ready when He comes?

“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

We have peace with God because of what Jesus did at Calvary—died for my sin and yours, redeemed those who would come to Him in faith, receiving God’s grace, and being reconciled to God, no longer His enemy, through the atonement (the payment) which Jesus purchased with His death, burial and resurrection! And receiving all of this grace and transforming power, our lives should reflect the love, character and grace of our Lord.  But does my life measure up?  Not always, but my deep desire and goal is to please my Lord, and while I fall short so often, His faithful love and by The Holy Spirit’s work of transformation, I draw closer to Him more and more, even when I have to cling to His hand because I need help to get up when I have failed miserably.

One of the passages that helps me, may bring you hope, truth and encouragement as well.

“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

Paul reminds us that our focus is to live through the power of our Lord—a life of sacrifice to HIS will, HIS work, HIS way—not conforming to the world but allowing Jesus to transform us by “renewing of your mind”!  As we dig into God’s Word we will learn more and more about walking in God’s ways; we can only walk in the ways of God when we know what His ways are— knowing His Word more helps us know Him more!  Paul gives us more in this 12th chapter of Romans.  So I’d like to simply post this passage for us to consider; it contains lots of practical information that we can apply to our daily walk.  Will we?

“For as we have many members in one body,

and all members have not the same office:

5 So we,

being many,

are one body in Christ,

and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing

according to the grace that is given to us,

whether prophecy, let us prophesy

according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry,

let us wait on our ministering:

or he that teacheth,

on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth,

on exhortation:

he that giveth,

let him do it with simplicity;

he that ruleth,

with diligence;

he that sheweth mercy,

with cheerfulness.

 9 Let love

be without dissimulation.

Abhor that which is evil;

cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned

one to another with brotherly love;

in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business;

fervent in spirit;

serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope;

patient in tribulation;

continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints;

given to hospitality.

14 Bless them

which persecute you:

bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice,

and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things,

but condescend to men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible,

as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved,

avenge not yourselves,

but rather give place unto wrath:

for it is written, Vengeance is mine;

I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him;

if he thirst, give him drink:

for in so doing

thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil,

but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:4-21

Oh, to be what God wants me to be—today!  What day will you choose to yield your body, mind and will to God?  Because I claim to belong to Jesus; I want to be found faithful to His Word.  Does my life line up with God’s Word or the world’s; in my speech, in my actions, in my attitudes, in my attire, in my leisure time—what I watch, what I listen to, how I treat others–in my willingness to put God first and be available for HIS work?  All done by the grace and provision of our Lord, for Jesus said it all!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Are You Fighting Or Trusting??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #335

03 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Be not conformed to this world, Be Steadfast, Be Still and Know, Father's Way!, Fight or Faith?, Fighting With God's Weapons, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Stand by ME!, Stand Fast!, Still Will I Trust HIM, Storms, That They May Know, The Battle IS The Lord's, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The Broad or Narrow Way?

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Are You Fighting Or Trusting???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #335

We often face battles and forget that our Lord is standing with us, for us, and His Spirit will lead and provide if we will but learn to trust Jesus (But I’m doing pretty good by myself, right?) to lead us on that straight path.  Oh, to learn to trust Him more, to rest in HIM more, to follow even in the dark.  One of my favorite reminders of this is King Jehosaphat, and the literal battle that God promised to fight for him and the people of Israel.  What battles are you trying to face alone?  You don’t have to, God is ready, willing, able and He wants you to look to His sufficient grace and provision. (Simple but almost always not easy!!!)

“And he said,

Hearken ye, all Judah,

and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem,

 and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid nor dismayed

by reason of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours,

but God’s.

16 To morrow go ye down against them:

behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz;

and ye shall find them at the end of the brook,

before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:

set yourselves,

stand ye still,

 and see the salvation of the LORD with you,

O Judah and Jerusalem:

 fear not,

nor be dismayed;

to morrow go out against them:

for the LORD will be with you.”                                2 Chronicles 20:15-17

Hallelujah!  Praise be to God!  How many victories have we missed because we wanted to “do it myself”?  God is faithful and trustworthy, and one of the greatest passages in all of scripture reminds us of the character, goodness, and “the power of HIS might” (See Ephesians 6:10-19)!  Daniel and his friends had prayed for God’s deliverance and HIS wisdom to diffuse the King’s angry decree to slay all the ‘wise’ men, including Daniel and his friends.  God heard and I encourage you to rehearse and even memorize this precious declaration of praise and glory to The One who IS God—our great deliverer!!!

“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 2:18-23

I ask you to ponder these things, no matter the battle that you may be facing; God sees, He knows, and He is ready, able and willing to stand with YOU!  I pray that like Daniel and even David with his sling, we will trust God no matter the giants that are coming against us.  Paul said it better than I can.  Remember, 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 15:55-18

Press on my dear friends, and always let God fight for you!  You are not alone.  If you don’t know Jesus, listen for His voice calling you and come to the cross in repentance of your sin and faith/trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice which saves those who come to Him, turning from sin and giving us eternal life in exchange. “He shall save His people from their sins...” (See Matthew 1:21)

Amen and Amen!!!

Who’s Fighting? You Or Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #327

05 Wednesday Mar 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Be Still and Know, Be ye DOERS of the word NOT hearers only, Believe God?, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Boldness without arrogance., Bow Before our God, Fighting With God's Weapons, Filled With His Spirit, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Proverbs 14:12, Stand Fast!, Standing in the GAP!, Still Will I Trust HIM, The Battle IS The Lord's, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!

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Who’s Fighting? You Or Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #327

“And he said, Hearken ye,

all Judah,

and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid nor dismayed

by reason of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours,

but God’s.

16 To morrow go ye down against them:

behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz;

and ye shall find them at the end of the brook,

before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:

set yourselves,

stand ye still,

and see the salvation of the LORD with you,

O Judah and Jerusalem:

fear not,

nor be dismayed;

to morrow go out against them:

for the LORD will be with you.

18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head

with his face to the ground:

and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem

fell before the LORD,

worshipping the LORD.”  2 Chronicles 15-18

While we live in wicked and difficult days, we must remember “Who” is in charge!  It’s not the government, the political powers, the weather forecasters, or even the leaders amongst us—”the battle is not yours, but God’s”!  What battle or battles are you fretting over?  So many are looking for love, happiness, the perfect job, the perfect mate, children—yet all these things fit in that category of “the battle is not yours, but God’s”!  When will we realize that is the message that Jesus Himself was giving us in the model prayer when He spoke such truth!

“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.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is

the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:9-13

Oh, how we get so frustrated trying to “fix it” in every area of our lives and for those around us!  God calls us to remember that HE is sovereign and in control—He is still on the throne, and it IS HIS battle, our job is to stop—look—and listen to the directing work of His Holy Spirit within us!  We must stop trying to “run” the show!  And believe me, I’m as guilty as anyone, and I so often have to confess, repent and seek God’s work of restoration to be the truly humble servant of The King that I desire to be.  How about you?

We are so like Israel when they were caught between the Red Sea and Pharoah’s army!  And just like us, they saw no way out, BUT GOD! “Thy kingdom come…. Thy will be done”!

“And Moses said unto the people,

Fear ye not,

stand still,

and see the salvation of the LORD,

which he will shew to you to day:

for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day,

ye shall see them again no more forever.

14 The LORD shall fight for you,

and ye shall hold your peace.”  Exodus 14:13-14

Maybe one of the hardest things in my life is to truly obey God and “hold your peace”!  But God, I have the answer; I have the solution; I have a way; I know more than anyone else!  Ouch!  Do you wrestle with the same things that I do?  Oh, to bow before our God and King, and learn to stand still and hold my peace. You know that “peace” (piece) of advice you have to share; that wisdom that you have that no one else has; that brilliant plan that everyone needs to consider!  NOT!  Oh, to learn to walk in humble faith in my God and King—my redeemer—who gave Himself for me!

One of my husband’s and my favorite verses says it all.

“Be still,

and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”   Psalm 46:10-11

May we truly learn to stop fighting the battles alone—may we “Be still”!  Oh such a simple thing, but so hard to do in a world that is constantly calling us to act, buy, pursue, walk, run—to the worldly solutions.  In closing the thing we need to remind ourselves of often—the world lies!  God never does.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

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

Amen and Amen!!!

Following Jesus Into 2025??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #312

05 Sunday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Encouragement, Eternal Treasures, Examine Myself?, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithfulness, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Perilous Times Are Here, Persecution, Perseverance, Suffering With Jesus, Take Up YOUR Cross

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Following Jesus Into 2025???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #312

 

As we go into this new year of 2025, I would like to share a most impactful but often overlooked passage from the Apostle Peter; a passage that can challenge our often-presumptuous attitude toward God and what we consider as our “privilege” in being God’s children.  Suffering is often the call of true believers; yet what is our attitude toward this scriptural principle?  Today we’ll consider truth, first of all from Jesus, then from Peter.  And let me clarify something before I even print it, and that is when Jesus refers to asking anything “in my name” it isn’t a heavenly slot machine using Jesus’ name; rather it is seeking “first the Kingdom of God…and His righteousness…”!  When we put God first, we’ll know His will and not only pursue it but follow it faithfully.  And just FYI, if you’re popular with the world, you may want to examine your relationship with Jesus (not judging simply making an observation, Jesus did!)

“Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father

in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 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 15:16-21

Peter seems to restate the case for persecution of the believers by reminding us of the example of Jesus.  I pray that you will ponder this call to faithful service to our King regardless of the cost.

“Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters

with all fear;                                   (respect not terror)

not only to the good and gentle,

but also to the froward.  (unreasonable)

19 For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:17-25

As another side note, we are healed from sin by His stripes, so that we can live unto righteousness (See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).  I would also encourage you to read on into chapter 3 for more advice for our homes; remembering that what we live before our children is much more important than just our words.  I pray that God will help me to be more of what He has called me to be—by His grace, through His power, and for His glory.   Won’t you join me in concentrating on our pursuit of God this year—today, and today and the next today!!!

“This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

Amen and Amen!!!