Category Archives: Follow Jesus

Where Are You??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #479

04 Friday Sep 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All things that pertain to life and godliness, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Apart from ME you can do nothing, Fickle or Faithful, Filled With His Spirit, Follow Jesus, God's Call, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Presence Not Presents, God's Righteousness Not mine, Godliness will be opposed, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!

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Where Are You???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #479

“Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people draw near me

with their mouth,

and with their lips

do honour me,

but have removed their heart

far from me,

and their fear toward me

is taught by the precept of men:”  Isaiah 29:13

I pray that we will consider where we are in relation to God; it’s not where you are, but if you are where God is.  But by the same token –God is where you are even when you don’t want Him to be.  It’s your choice, but as I often say, choose wisely, there is a test.  We see above that God speaks truth always for HE is truth. What are you doing with God?  Are you like one of those above, talk the talk, and appear to do the ”right things” to please God, but as God says above, are you one who has “removed their heart far from me”?  Are you listening to the ideas of men or are you steeped in God’s Word for your foundation and your walk? It makes a difference.

“Now the Lord is that Spirit:

and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is liberty.

18 But we all,

with open face

beholding as in a glass

the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image

from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Paul has a lot to say about the indwelling Holy Spirit and I’d like to share some passages from the book of Romans; I pray that they will help each of us assess our lives and make sure that we, first of all, are born again and know Jesus personally, and that we understand that when we are born again, The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us and give us aid, guidance and directions.

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.”   Romans 8:1-2

 

“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

Whose are you?  Do you belong to Jesus?  Are you blood bought, redeemed and saved by faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin?  I pray you are; and if you’re not, you can be!  Today!

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit

of bondage again to fear;

but ye have received the Spirit

of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.”  Romans 8:14-18

And two of my favorite passages from Romans chapter 8; I pray that these words from The Word will encourage your heart to seek The Lord’s face, knowing that He is supplying our every need, and if we will but heed His Word, He will guide our every step!

“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…

… 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

So let’s pull this all together with more from Romans chapter 8 and a word from Jesus himself.

“These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things

to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:25-27

And some words of great import from Paul!

“Likewise the Spirit also

helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not

what we should pray for as we ought:

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession

for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things

work together for good

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,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”  Romans 8:26-29

And in closing some of the greatest words of encouragement from our brother Paul.  Remember that when we belong to Jesus, we are called to Him, saved by His blood, and kept by His eternal power.  We can ever be near to our God, no matter the times, the trials or our circumstances.  Take heart my friends, We Win!!!

“As it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:36-39

We can be inseparable from God, when we are “in Jesus”!  How glorious to know that we can be where God is, and that God is always where we are, for if we are born again, He is dwelling in us!!! It’s your choice my friend, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

Follow The Leader??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #477

21 Friday Aug 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, When Is True NOT?, Where are you leading those following you?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who are you listening too!, Who will you believe and follow?, Who will you SEE?, Who's following you?, Who's Listening?, Whole Earth Is Filled with HIS Glory

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Follow The Leader???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #477

We all remember playing the child’s game of follow the leader; and everyone wanted to be the leader—some were creative, some were always trying to trip everyone up, some were stop and go, some were just confused and caused everyone to fall down.  Well, our world is much the same; there are “leaders” crying all around us ‘follow me’, I have the answer—the solution—something brand new—a way out of all your problems—the way to health—the way to wealth —the way to happiness!  Yet God is calling us to a different path; holiness is the call of God, and following Jesus is the only way to find it; and that way is to be born again through the “blood of the Lamb that cleanseth us from all sin”, and to pursue Jesus through God’s Word. (See 1 John 1:7)

“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

“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:”   1 Peter 1:13-19

Jesus hasn’t changed and neither have the rules!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

John recorded a lot about ‘following’ the leader, Jesus.  Let’s consider some of them, asking ourselves if we are truly following Jesus?  Is He my leader?  Or are all the other things of this world calling me away from my Lord and Shepherd—my Leader?

“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

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

As Jesus spoke these things, He was not well received, and we need to be prepared to face opposition when we speak His truth—for HE IS the “truth”!  He told us in advance what we would face!  Are you prepared by setting HIS Word as the priority for your life?

“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 15:17-21

Interestingly enough, John was the Apostle who survived all the others, yet he suffered great persecution; with all that, he was the one to whom the precious Leader and Lord gave the Revelation of Jesus!  Remember when you read and study the book of The Revelation, that it IS the revelation of “Jesus” not all the signs and wonders—it’s about our Leader!

In closing a message that Paul gave to his son-in-the-ministry, Timohty; a word that is timely for us. May we examine our life and ask God to help us truly realize whom we are following.  May Jesus be our focus each and every day.  God bless you to find the truths revealed in His Word by the precious Holy Spirit who indwells every genuine believer!  And note, you can’t “remember” anything that you haven’t yet “membered” (if you put it in, God will bring it out when you need it!)

“But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things

to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.”  John 14:26

And Paul’s words again remind us that character matters—they should resemble The One we claim to be following! Let’s be known as those who are genuinely following our Leader, Jesus!

“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.”   1 Timothy 6:10-11

“Flee also youthful lusts:

but follow

righteousness, faith, charity, peace,

with them that call on the Lord

out of a pure heart.”  2 Timothy 2:22

I pray that this will be an encouragement and a blessing to you today.

Amen and Amen!!! 

A Jesus Mirror??? Or Not? A Word from THE WORD!!! #470

29 Wednesday Jul 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Fruit of the Spirit, Giving Or Taking?, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Marginalizing God

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A Jesus Mirror??? Or Not?  A Word from THE WORD!!! #470

Today I want to focus on a rather lengthy passage from the book of James; it is apropos to the world we live in, and I pray will help us to examine the things we see and hear (especially those things purported to be from and about Jesus—but are often less than true to the Jesus seen in the scriptures!).  It’s like what we looked at recently in Paul’s messages to his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, that we are to study God’s Word not man’s! And as we also considered the truths found in the book of Hebrews, reminding us that God’s Word IS that which is the standard of judgment!  And with so many contrasting messages being put forth in our world, we must—I repeat—we must know what God has said.  And just as a note of reference, we aren’t the only ones to ever rely upon our own wisdom, but when that’s done the results are recorded for us, and they’re not good.

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Judges 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Judges 21:25

Just a note for information, when things are repeated in scripture we need to take extra heed.  We live in such a day, so I’d like us to consider the message of James to those who claimed to be believers.  And I’ll make only this note of my own opinion, it’s not what we claim to believe, but whether or not we have truly been born again and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within; as I often mention, just “saying so, doesn’t make it so!”  Only the new birth can make it so!  Paul said it better than I can. (I encourage you to read all of Romans 8!)

“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.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.”  Romans 8:8-10                                (See 2 Corinthians 5:19-12)

With that being said let’s proceed on to consider James’ message to us!  Will we look into the mirror of God’s Word, or a mirror of our own choosing?  Will we see the truths of Jesus or a cultural modification of our own selection?

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into

the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

 this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled

before God and the Father is this,

To visit the fatherless

and widows in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

from the world.”  James 1:19-27

And one of Jesus’ pictures of those who are His own.

“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

And one last word of Jesus’ to His own.

“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 15:19-21

I pray that you will look unto Jesuss, “the author and finisher of our faith…” (See Hebrews 12:1-3); and when you look in that mirror you will see more and more of Jesus!

Amen and Amen!!!

Valley Or Mountain??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #458

12 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Running in my lane, Running The Race!

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Valley Or Mountain??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #458

I just want us to take a little time this morning to remind ourselves that the same God who made the valley made the mountain; and without the valleys the mountains wouldn’t mean the same thing.  As one of my favorite gospel songs reminds us, it is the same God over mountain or valley; and I’m eternally grateful for that truth!!!  My God is able regardless of geography, weather, joy or fear; no matter if I am experiencing deep grief or lofty exhilaration—God is still God, God is still good, and I still trust Him.  How about you?  Let’s consider some encouraging hope and joy from the scriptures today.

“Bless the LORD,

O my soul.

O LORD my God,

thou art very great;

thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

2 Who coverest thyself with light

as with a garment:

who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain…

…. 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth,

that it should not be removed for ever…

… 10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys,

which run among the hills.

11 They give drink to every beast of the field:

the wild asses quench their thirst.”   Portions of Psalm 104:1-11

God is sufficient unto each day—no matter if I’m on the mountain or in a deep valley.  There is nothing that takes God by surprise, and I find great consolation in the surety of our God.  Are you singing His praises or just complaining about circumstances—get your heart and mind on Jesus!  I am so grateful that I don’t have to be a mountain-climber, just a follower of Jesus, knowing that wherever He leads is the place I want to be.  There is not a safer or better place to be than in the perfect will of God!  The author of Hebrews points this out clearly.  I’m only responsible for walking/running my race, to keep in my lane, with my eyes on Jesus not the obstacles or other runners.  He suffered to pay for my sin, and give me life, hope and power to run the race that HE sets before me/you!  And just FYI, the ‘witnesses’ spoken of here, is not a stadium of fans and admirers, but rather you can go back to chapter 11 and see it’s the host of those who have gone before us—both those who had seemingly easy ways, and those whom God led through the valley of suffering.  He is always faithful no matter the circumstance (we generally don’t get to pick!)!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

But One Thing…??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #432

09 Friday Jan 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding In Jesus, Are You Ready, Be Steadfast, Be Still and Know, Behold the Lamb of God, Believe God?, Believe IN Jesus, Believing God's Words, Born Again, By Him We Live, Crucified With Christ, Deceit or Discernment?, Discernment, Distractions, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, God's glory NOT mine!, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, He was born to die for our sin, Hear ye HIM!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Listening To God

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But One Thing…????  A Word from THE WORD!!! #432

As we continue into this new year, I’d like us to check our perspective; I want to be in tune with Jesus and His Word.  That is such a difficult thing to do consistently, but it is doable, yet I think we often miss the target because we are so easily distracted by this world.  Jesus confronted a young man in his ministry.

“And Jesus said unto him,

Why callest thou me good?

there is none good but one,

that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments,

Do not commit adultery,

Do not kill,

Do not steal,

Do not bear false witness,

Defraud not,

Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him,

Master, all these have I observed

from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him,

and said unto him,

One thing thou lackest:

go thy way,

sell whatsoever thou hast,

and give to the poor,

and thou shalt have treasure

in heaven:

and come,

take up the cross,

and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying,

and went away grieved:

for he had great possessions.”  Mark 10:18-22

Here a seeking young man wasn’t able to comprehend the truth (at least at this time…we don’t know about his future, and some think a young man who later came to Jesus…), and I think this is a story from which we can learn a lot; but we must realize that “One thing thou lackest…”. What are you and I lacking?  Faith? Trust? Obedience? Prioritizing Jesus, His Word and His direction for our lives?  It is so easy to forget that following Jesus is what He has called those who believe to do—taking up my cross doesn’t mean just living with the aches and pains of life—it means dying to self and living for, with and unto Jesus each day.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Paul told the Colossians believers what it meant to belong to Jesus, and it’s one of my favorite, and most concise definitions of our relationship to Jesus—in redemption and forgiveness of sins!!!

“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

And as Paul spoke to the Galatians, we must consider ourselves as dead to self and alive to Christ Jesus!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

And in all simplicity, how do you have a relationship with Jesus?  Only one way; by being born again into God’s kingdom through the blood of The Son of God, Jesus Christ The Lord.

“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…

… 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…

…. 16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”                     John 3:3-5, 16-19

What do you lack?  Are you ready to follow Jesus?  Here are His demands.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself, and

take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

I pray that if you already belong to Jesus, you will join me in a renewed commitment to draw nearer to Jesus and follow Him more closely and undistractedly!  If you don’t know Jesus, I pray that you will call on Him today in repentance of your sin and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—my sin and yours!  His arms are waiting for you!

Amen and Amen!!!