Category Archives: Giving Thanks to God!

Christmas Fortnight Day 10 A Word from THE WORD! #422

21 Sunday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Approved Unto God, Baby in the manger, Be not conformed to this world, Gifts of the Spirit., Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Or Taking?, Giving Thanks to God!, Glitz, Glory To God, God's Ability for our Inability!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth

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Christmas Fortnight Day 10   A Word from THE WORD! #422

Here we are –only a few days until Christmas Day.  A question.  Which do you enjoy most, giving or receiving gifts?  Of course we all love to receive gifts, it’s nice to know that someone cares about us enough to give a gift.  But when I give, why do I give?  To receive, to be noticed, obligation??

I think the key is to remember the GREATEST GIFT!!

John 3:16 reminds us,

“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.”

God loved us and gave HIS SON to die for us.  What do we give?  Some of us choose and give the perfect gift for each person according to their needs or likes.  Others of us buy a dozen of some great bargain and give one to each person on our list.  Now each style of giving has it’s positives and negatives.  But what is important?  Money, self, time?

1 Peter 4:9-10 says,

“Use hospitality

one to another

without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same

one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God...”

This refers to spiritual gifts, but I think we can learn a lot about giving here.

We are to be hospitable-‘friendly & welcoming to strangers and friends’.

We are to give as we have received,

“For unto whomsoever much is given,

of him shall be much required….” (Lk 12:48b).

In a word—YOURself.   God gave Jesus–I can give ME!!

Don’t get caught up in “price” or “vogue”.  Is there someone who’d love to hear your voice, spend time with YOU, have your help for a difficult task?   Maybe just a visit from YOU?

Think about it!! Is there someone on your list who just needs YOUR time?  Is there someone you need to call today?  Is there someone who needs a token of your LOVE?

Stop!!  Think!!  Listen to your heart!! 

Then just DO IT!

 As Jesus Himself said to us before He went to the cross, so may we live for HIM!

“Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life

for his friends.”  John 15:13

And Paul said it better than I.

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Gratitude Will Shine??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #410

28 Friday Nov 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Giving and Sharing, Giving Or Taking?, Giving Thanks to God!, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Gratitude to Generosity, Great is Thy Faithfulness, How much goodness is enough?, Humility, Thankful, Thankfulness with joy!, Thanksgiving, That They May Know

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Gratitude Will Shine???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #410

As we have just celebrated Thanksgiving, I want to share a simple reminder that gratitude isn’t about a day, but rather an attitude, that will color our whole outlook toward the world, and shine a measure of love, kindness and helpfulness to those around us.  And while this time of Thanksgiving is so stressful for so many people, your kind smile and a thank you could do wonders for some one!  Let’s look at some scriptures that can help us put on that Jesus’ Shine!!!

“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 5:14-16

Let me make just a few comments on this passage, for we cannot be “the light of the world” unless we know Jesus!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

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

Without “the light of life”, we have no ability to “shine before men”!  Just as the moon has no light of its own but is rather a reflection of the light of the sun!  So without “The Son”, Jesus, we have no light to share with the world—a lost, dark and dying world, in need of light and life!  A world to which Jesus sends us out with His light when we are born again by His Spirit.

“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 1:11-13

Oh, to shine His light in all we do—everywhere we go—in all our ways—in all we say!  Oh, to be Jesus to someone who needs to hear and see how much HE loves them, and so do I!   How much of Jesus are we taking to this world?  Just a bit on Sunday?  Just a bit at Thanksgiving or Christmas, or even Resurrection Sunday?  How about every day, in every way, for all to see Jesus not me!  Giving our gifts in secret to those in need, rather than blowing that trumpet to announce our good works and get the credit!   How about the clerk at the quick mart?  Or the teller at the bank?  Or the checker at those crowded “box stores”?  How about to little children who are sometimes too loud, and too rambunctious?  To that one who has caused us harm or offended us!  One of the verses I had my children learn and speak to each other when they were mad at each other, still works today, for you and me!

“Let all bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:31-32

Now, if you have nothing to be forgiven for, this may not apply to you!  Really?  Not!  We are called to extend to others the grace, forgiveness and mercy that God gives to each of us—each day!

And just to pull all of this together, the prophet Micah, made it clear what God expects at the very minimum.  And don’t devalue his emphasis on “humility”!  Our light can dim in a moments time in the presence of pride!

“He hath shewed thee, O man,

what is good;

and what doth the LORD require of thee,

but to do justly,

and to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with thy God?”  Micah 6:8

Paul gives us a great picture of how humble we are to live!  May we take this to heart as we go forth into a new year soon!

“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…”.Philippians 2:6-9a

Amen and Amen!!!

Who’s Your Builder??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #379

24 Sunday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Except The Lord build the house..., Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fighting With God's Weapons, For Such A Time As This, Giving Thanks to God!, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Tuned In To Jesus, Turn to God's Word, Victory IN Jesus!, What does worldliness look like?, What's coming out of your heart., What's coming out of YOUR mouth?, What's The Word?, Where are you leading those following you?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's following you?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Words Matter

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Who’s Your Builder???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #379

I know some of you are thinking, “I’m not building a house!”; but on the contrary, we are building every day!  We are generally building or tearing down, even when we aren’t even conscious of it.  We are building up our spouse or tearing them down!  We are building up our children or tearing them down (regardless of their age!)!  We can be building up those around us or tearing them down without even being aware of it!  But my friend, we need to be aware—words and attitudes matter!  I want to share a brief Psalm with you this evening, yet one that touches the scope of our lives—our homes, our focus, our family, our attitude toward family, and in our culture, many don’t even consider that a subject to consider.  God says differently through King Solomon.

“Except the LORD build the house,

they labour in vain that build it:

except the LORD keep the city,

the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early,

to sit up late,

to eat the bread of sorrows:

for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children

are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb

is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;

so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man

that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak with the enemies

 in the gate.”  Psalm 127:1-5

May we let God speak to our hearts through His Word and I ask Him to tune our heart to His.  May we seek to have God’s viewpoint on all these things.  Toward our spouse!  Toward our children!  Toward having children!  Toward our pursuits!  Toward what really brings happiness!  Toward power, prominence, influence and financial importance!

The main thing I want to point out, is in the first part of verse one; it says it all!  If we are trying to build our house—be it a structure of brick and mortar—be it a family—be it a future–be it a career–be it a godly home—be it a relationship with those around us, we must put God first!  We must, I repeat must, seek God and His ways first and foremost in all our ways.  Let’s consider two of my favorite passages on this subject.  I pray that you will take these simple thoughts before God and ask Him to examine your heart and mine to give us His viewpoint.

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

Amen and Amen!!!

What Gift Will You Give??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #294

05 Thursday Dec 2024

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding In Jesus, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Or Taking?, Giving Thanks to God!, Love, Love Is Action

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What Gift Will You Give???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #294

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea

in the days of Herod the king,

behold, there came wise men from the east

to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he

that is born King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star in the east,

and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things,

he was troubled,

and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests

and scribes of the people together,

he demanded of them

where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him,

In Bethlehem of Judaea:

for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda,

art not the least

among the princes of Juda:

for out of thee shall come a Governor,

that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called

the wise men,

enquired of them diligently

what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said,

Go and search diligently for the young child;

and when ye have found him,

bring me word again,

that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king,

they departed; and, lo, the star,

which they saw in the east,

went before them,

till it came and stood over

where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star,

they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child with Mary his mother,

and fell down, and worshipped him:

and when they had opened their treasures,

they presented unto him gifts;

gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream

that they should not return to Herod,

they departed into their own country

another way.”   Matthew 2:1-12

Something you may have never considered is what I call us to consider in this scenario—these men (and we don’t know how many there were, but most deduce that since there were three gifts there were possibly three men…) had seen a star, an unusual astronomical sign and they were overwhelmed to see it, and they also were familiar enough with Jewish scripture that they knew a King, a Messiah had been promised by God, so they made this incredible journey to find this King to worship Him—I believe they were seeking the Redeemer.  So they proceeded to the capital of Judah, Jerusalem, to find this King—where else would you seek a King but in a palace.  Not so in this case.  Of course the reigning King, Herod, was a wicked man but feigned interest in the child, to know where he was (and of course tried to kill him later) to join them in worship!  NOT!  But that’s not what I want to consider.

As you read the narrative, Herod called for the religious leaders, who should know where Israel’s Messiah would be born, and as they knew the scripture (even if they didn’t know the author) who gave Herod the information he requested.  Then in his deceptive designs, he sent these visitors to find the child and then “let me know”!  This is where I want us to focus; these men had just advised the king and the religious leaders that there was a newborn King of the Jews (whom you would think to be anxious to seek and honor their promised Messiah/King!); yet not one person from Jerusalem went with these men.  No stir over this newborn King at all!  Not one soul went to seek and worship Him except these strangers!  Are we any different today!

I celebrate Christmas because I love Jesus!  The question I have for us today is do I seek Him?  Am I bringing Him gifts?  I spend time, money and effort on gifts for others, but what have I done for Jesus, what gift have I considered, thought about and purchased for my King—the redeemer of my soul?  What will I do for Jesus this “Christmas” season?  There are so many opportunities to share in HIS name—giving to missions, sharing food for the hungry, giving to organizations that feed and clothe the down-trodden, or perhaps serving at a soup kitchen!

In essence, what gift have I brought to Jesus?  Or will I be like those in Jerusalem, and hear about Him, know He’s arrived, see the needs, and do nothing, go nowhere to worship Him, or just write it off to “I don’t have time for this!”!  Just asking?  God blesses us continuously, what will we do for Him when we have the opportunity.  I encourage you to find out what you can do for this One we claim to love and adore!  Worship isn’t just a word, or an abstract ideal, it’s the giving of ourselves to someone or something in total devotion.  What are you devoted to?  One easy was to find out is to examine your checkbook—not being nosy, just saying what you love, you’ll spend money on; be it self or others.  You get to choose.  But choose wisely, there is a test!

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,

and before honour is humility.”  Proverbs 18:10-12

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!!!