Category Archives: Forgetting or Remembering?

Check The Mirror??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #329

16 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Be ye doers of the Word, Be ye DOERS of the word NOT hearers only, Be ye HOLY, Be YE Steadfast, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Forgetting or Remembering?, Hearing God, Help Thou My Unbelief, Here am I send me!, Holy Living, Looking up Or around?, Memory

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Check The Mirror???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #329

“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.”  James 1:21-26

James tells us that there is a difference between “doers of the word” and those who are “hearers only”; may we take this message to heart and ask God’s help to truly be those who order our steps aright—God’s way, not as forgetful hearers!

“Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

“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

God’s Word reminds us that we are accountable for our actions, and only as we align our lives with God’s Word will we walk in holiness and honor, as a testimony of God’s grace before man!

It grieves me that so many have apparently disconnected a holy life from the claim of being a Christian, a believer in Jesus, and a true and faithful child of God.  Jesus calls us His sheep, let’s peruse the record of Jesus’ description of His own sheep.  Have you looked into that mirror to see truth and follow it, or are you a “forgetful” hearer who claims Jesus’ name while going your own way?

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life for the sheep.”  John 10:14-15

“But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 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 10:26-30

Jesus gave His life that we might have life, yet so many claim to know Him and walk in their own way.  They want life from Jesus without death to self.  Are you His sheep?  Are you ready to follow The Shepherd or keep going your own way?  Jesus calls us to follow HIM.  Paul states this principle simply yet profoundly.

“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

It’s your choice so choose wisely, there is a test; the Lord’s return is eminent!  Are you ready for Jesus–the only way–on His way.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

 and from henceforth ye know him,

and have seen him.”  John 14:6

Do you know the shepherd?  Have you been transformed by Jesus’ saving blood and grace?  He died for you—check your mirror, what do you see?  Whom do you see? Looking unto Jesus!

Amen and Amen!!!

Let Go And Reach UP??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #243

24 Wednesday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Cleansed from all sin, Confidence, Forgetting or Remembering?, Forgiveness, Let go...and let God, Let it go?, Let This Mind Be In You, Let You Light So Shine, Past-Present-Future, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Press ON!, Pursuing Excellence?, Rejoice IN The Lord, Remember, The Word, Walk in the Spirit, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus

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Let Go And Reach Up???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #243

“Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend that

for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect, (mature)

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.”   Philippians 3:12-15

Sometimes life gets to us, and our past failures try to drag us down, so Paul gives us a message of hope and clear instruction.  We are to have a different focus than the world, or what Satan is trying to throw in your face; we can forget that which we have taken to Jesus in confession and repentance, for it is forgiven and buried in the deepest sea, never to be remembered.  There is a favorite Old Testament passage and a New Testament one that assures us of God’s forgiveness and restoration to those who will face their sin, admit it to God and receive His pardon and healing from our sin.  And when God forgives, HE forgets.

“Who is a God like unto thee,

that pardoneth iniquity,

and passeth by the transgression

of the remnant of his heritage?

he retaineth not his anger for ever,

because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again,

he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities;

and thou wilt cast all their sins

into the depths of the sea” Micah 7:18-19

What’s holding you back?  What sin does Satan keep throwing in your face?  If you belong to Jesus my friend, you can have the total forgiveness of God, as well as healing, and cleansing restoration.  Tell the Devil to buzz off!!  You aren’t his after you’ve been born again; so stop walking in the dark and draw near to The Light of the world, Jesus our Lord and Savior.  The Apostle John says it better than I can!  (See Ephesians 2:1-10.)

“And these things write we unto you,

that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness, we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:4-10

One of the greatest reminders that comes to my heart and mind often in those times of doubt, confusion and the attacks of the enemy, is to simply remember, the past is just that, passed!  Let it go and look up to The One who died that we might have “life and have it more abundantly”—forgiven, cleansed and beautifully useable!

“Beloved, believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits

whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.

 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:

Every spirit that confesseth

that Jesus Christ

is come in the flesh

is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not

that Jesus Christ

is come in the flesh

is not of God:

and this is that spirit of antichrist,

whereof ye have heard

that it should come;

and even now already

is it in the world

Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”  1 John 4:1-4

Forget the past…Remember what Jesus has done…Press on!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Follow Your ______??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #201

24 Sunday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Forgetting or Remembering?, Freedom To Or From?, Giving Thanks to God!, The Heart is deceitful and dreadfully wicked..., When Is True NOT?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who Dropped The Ball?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Whose Side Are You On?, Worldliness, You can't get yesterday back!

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Follow Your_______???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #201

I don’t really know where this will go today, but I feel a burden to share some thoughts with you and pray that you will consider whom you will believe—the world or God and His Word.  It sounds so innocent, and yet we are being inundated with sweet-sounding messages that are contrary to The Word of God, but that’s how the enemy works.  Cute lies!  What’s your measuring stick?  Your plumb line?  Your standard?  God’s truth?

“Thus saith the LORD;

Cursed be the man that trusteth in man,

and maketh flesh his arm,

and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert,

and shall not see when good cometh;

but shall inhabit the parched places

in the wilderness,

in a salt land

and not inhabited.

7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree

planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots

by the river,

and shall not see when heat cometh,

but her leaf shall be green;

and shall not be careful

in the year of drought,

neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”                  Jeremiah 17:5-10

The world calls us to “follow our heart”—God says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”  Not to be trite, but whom will we choose to believe, God or man?  I find it amazing that we would rather follow the “empty Gospel” rather than the truth of God’s Word: “…for all have sinned…”!   Jesus makes it very clear in John 15:5b, “without me ye can do nothing”, yet we are often too lazy to study God’s Word, but we’ll (me included) sit and gel in front of a television filled with perverted half-truths and out-right lies of the enemy of our soul!  Is it any wonder that our world is going to “hell in a hand basket”, and in many ways we have contributed to it.  The church has contributed to it, by not holding to The Word of God, but rather have embraced a watered-down gospel without the power of the cross; a cross that calls for repentance of sin and a faith in the work of the cross to transform by Jesus only, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6b

Paul describes the power of the Gospel in Romans 12 most concisely and builds on this truth in 2 Corinthians 5.

“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

Contrary to the message today that men, women, boys, and girls can simply claim the name of Jesus and go to heaven.  We must come to Jesus for the “new birth”, being born again of The Spirit of God, made children of God supernaturally—not by any fleshly means; not good works, not church membership, not baptism, not teaching, not “praying this prayer”, or even preaching, but by being born again, and made a child of God, a new creature in Christ, “born…of God”!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

“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

God transforms us from sinners into saints by the blood of Jesus because Jesus took our sin to Calvary, that we might receive the “righteousness of God in him”, and it should be evident to a lost and dying world—even when they don’t like it.  So what are we to do?  We must prepare ourselves with the “mind of Christ Jesus”!  As Paul wrote in one of the most beautiful passages of all scripture.

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 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.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:5-13

So will you examine your heart and see if you are bringing your heart into submission to Jesus Christ, or are you following a heart full of the world, and looking to “feel good and prosper” (and note here the “working out your own salvation” isn’t working “for” your salvation, but working “out” what God has put “IN”)?  Will you seek the “mind of Jesus Christ” or the mind of Hellywood?  Of Nastyville?  Is your standard set by God’s Word or Hellyvision?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test; and the test is by God’s criterion not man’s! Is your mind set on Jesus or something else, anything else?  And may I add, you will never recognize the lies if you don’t know the truth of God’s Word! (See 2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:16-17) May we join Joshua today, even as he called people to choose long ago:

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Amen and Amen!!!

A Friday Word from Jesus!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #195

08 Friday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Believe God?, Biblical Boundaries Matter!, Blessed by God, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Forgetting or Remembering?, God's Mercies Are New every morning..., God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Instruction, Godly Wisdom, Good News, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all

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A Friday Word from Jesus!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #195

“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.

22 The light of the body is the eye:

if therefore thine eye be single,

thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil,

thy whole body shall be full of darkness.

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness,

how great is that darkness!

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.”  Matthew 6:19-24

I have one simple thing to say today, please go over this passage and list the things that Jesus instructs us to do or not; then list the contrasts that He makes.  Then finally pray over what you see and ask God to search your heart and respond accordingly.

“Every word of God is pure:

he is a shield

unto them that put their trust in him.”  Prov. 30:5

Amen!!!

Peace With The Past??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #87

23 Sunday Apr 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Forgetting or Remembering?, Forgiveness, Peace, Peace of God, Peace that passeth ALL understanding

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Peace With The Past???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #87

“Who is a God like unto thee,

that pardoneth iniquity,

and passeth by the transgression

of the remnant of his heritage?

he retaineth not his anger for ever,

because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again,

he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities;

and thou wilt cast all their sins

into the depths of the sea.”  Micah 7:18-19

Paul tells us in the letter to the believers at Rome that our peace is in, from, and through Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice; it is that which Jesus did for us!

“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.”  Romans 5:1-2

We have peace with God because of what Jesus did at Calvary!  No other way–No other One– could have paid for our sin but the ‘sinless’ Son of God!  And because of that, peace with God and the forgiveness of our sin, we can have peace within ourselves, when we walk in the work that Jesus did for us, within us and will do through us when we yield ourselves to His Spirit working within us. Not, I have to say when we learn (as is so popularly touted today) to “love ourselves”!  We are to love God and rely upon HIS faithful work within us, receiving the forgiveness and cleansing that HE promised to us when we but agree with God about our need for forgiveness (yes, believers need forgiveness every day!)!  John makes that very clear talking to believers!

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:7-10

Because we are forgiven, we can trust God with our past, present, and future; and we don’t have to writhe in the guilt and shame that Satan tries to heap upon our heads, especially for the sins that Jesus has forgiven–and that would be all of them!

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire

that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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 1:9-14

Forgiveness of SINS–God forgives our sins–when we are born again by the blood of Jesus–when we are “delivered…from the power of darkness” and are “translated… into the kingdom of HIS dear Son”!  God said it–Jesus did it–and you can have it!  Paul goes on in his letter to the Roman believers to assure us of our place before God, and our freedom to stand without condemnation–not people’s, not Satan’s and NO, not even our own heart and mind!  When we know God’s truth we can stand in confidence of our state before God!

“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…

…. 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 8:1-2 & 37-39

This new life is in Jesus and He describes it better than I could:

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.”  John 10:9-10

 So, in conclusion, I would like to encourage you to remember that your confidence is in The One who gave HIS life for yours!  His forgiveness places your sin at the bottom of the sea, and as Corrie Ten Boom used to say, “He puts up a ‘no fishin’ sign!”  So stand fast in the evil day and don’t let Satan or people cause you to doubt the scope of the forgiveness that Jesus provided at Calvary!  If you belong to Jesus, you are forgiven and no matter the ’unforgiveness of others’, your place is secure, and you can stand fast in JESUS!

“To open their eyes,

and to turn them

from darkness

to light,

and from the power of Satan

unto God,

that they may receive forgiveness

of sins,

and inheritance

among them which are sanctified

by faith that is in me.”  Acts 26:18

“I write unto you, little children,

because your sins are forgiven you

for his name’s sake.”  1 John 2:12

Jesus sums it all up:

“When Jesus had lifted up himself,

and saw none but the woman, he said unto her,

Woman, where are those thine accusers?

hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord.

And Jesus said unto her,

Neither do I condemn thee:

go, and sin no more.”  John 8:10-11

 I’m forgiven, how about you?  Amen and Amen!!!