Category Archives: God Knows His Own

A.I.??? Yes? Or No? A Word from THE WORD!!! #315

20 Monday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Bibe Study, Biblical Boundaries Matter!, God Bless America, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God's Ability for our Inability!, God's Faithfulness, God's Glory, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, God's love, God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's Time, God's Wisdom, Study to Show Yourself Approved Unto God

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A.I.???  Yes?  Or No?      A Word from THE WORD!!! #315

I was going to take off on something the pastor said yesterday at church about not neglecting our relationship with Jesus; his point being, we don’t take vacation from our Lord, His Word and our intimate relationship with him.  As I was preparing to write this post, I got the repeated request to “OK” the AI on my laptop, and of course I intentionally ignored it; I like my own thoughts, thank you. Then as I open up my office app, it’s offering their version of AI!  I’m not averse to help, but I don’t think I’m ready for their next step yet (whoever ‘they’ are?).  How about you.

Yet in thinking about all the hype about AI, I’d like to point out some similarities to our personal spiritual life and this AI craze.

“For I would that ye knew what great conflict

I have for you,

and for them at Laodicea,

and for as many as have not seen my face

in the flesh;

2 That their hearts might be comforted,

being knit together in love,

and unto all riches of the full assurance

of understanding,

to the acknowledgement

of the mystery of God,

and of the Father,

and of Christ;

3 In whom are hid

all the treasures of wisdom

and knowledge.

4 And this I say,

lest any man should beguile you

with enticing words.

5 For though I be absent in the flesh,

yet am I with you in the spirit,

joying and beholding your order,

and the stedfastness of your faith

in Christ.

6 As ye have therefore received

Christ Jesus the Lord,

so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him,

and stablished in the faith,

as ye have been taught,

abounding therein

with thanksgiving.”   Colossians 2:1-7

Paul was writing this letter to believers whom he had not met personally, but he had heard about their faith in Jesus and wanted to encourage them in their faith and a continued walk in Jesus!  Take note that Paul warned them about being beguiled with “enticing words”!  Paul wanted us to know as well as them, that we must stand fast in this “evil day”!  What does that mean for you and me?  It means what the old folks used to say when I was younger, “every pot has to sit on its own bottom”—interpretation—you need to keep your relationship with Jesus real, and only you can do that as you study God’s Word, spending time in prayer and pursuit of God, His Word, His ways; and amazingly He has promised to provide all that we need when we walk in fellowship with our Lord Jesus!

As we examine more of Paul’s teaching, take note of the context for some familiar verses, it may help us to understand them more accurately.

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry,

both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done,

that ye did communicate with my affliction…

…16 For even in Thessalonica

ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift:

but I desire fruit that may abound

to your account.

18 But I have all,

and abound:

I am full,

having received of Epaphroditus

the things which were sent from you,

an odour of a sweet smell,

a sacrifice acceptable,

wellpleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father be glory

for ever and ever. Amen.” Portions of Philippians 4:12-19

Are we doing our ‘due diligence’, so to speak, to be found faithful, or are we leaning more on others to keep us afloat?  I knew of a preacher who told his congregation that they didn’t need to bring a Bible to church, for he would tell them everything they needed to know!!!! NOT!  We are impelled to draw near to our God through His Word ourselves!!!  If we haven’t studied God’s Word and you’re not following along with your Pastor, how will you be able to discern truth from false?

One of Paul’s imperatives to Timothy and to us is to study for ourselves!  Without our own personal intimacy with God’s Word we can easily become one of those whom Paul warns us about, “lest any man should beguile you with enticing words”; we can become the beguiled!  Just as Eve believed the lies of the enemy of our souls; Satan is still at work deceiving, misleading, troubling and confusing God’s own—and he does it well and continually (but remember if we “resist devil…he will flee!”).  God’s Word is our defense, as it is the lifeline to our Redeemer.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”   2 Timothy 2:15-16

I know we talked about this recently, yet I feel compelled to remind us again to get into God’s Word, and don’t leave it behind on “vacation”, or times of rest—keep it near you, with you, and most importantly, “In You”!   What we commit to memory, no one can steal!   Also remember that as we learn to be “rightly dividing the word of truth”, it is implied here that the word can be “wrongly” divided—and there are a plethora of false teachers on every hand!  Beware my friends, by getting into God’s Word for yourself, and teach it to you children and grandchildren—reinforce the truth not the lies!

“And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation

through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

 for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Where’s your Bible?  Does it need dusting off?  As an old adage says, “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”  May we heed the wisdom of Solomon, as individuals in our daily walk, as parents/grandparents, leading our children to the cross (rather than to hell); as we sow and reap, may we be faithful stewards of God’s truth not the lies of the devil, what we sow will produce a crop—are you ready for your harvest?  May we all allow The Word to do its Work in us! If you don’t read it, you’ll never know what it says!  God says what He means, and He means what He says—but praise His name He is gracious, merciful and longsuffering toward our weaknesses and failures!  May God’s blessing abound upon your life.

“The way of the wicked is as darkness:

they know not at what they stumble.

20 My son,

attend to my words;

incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes;

keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them,

and health to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence;

for out of it

are the issues of life.”   Proverbs 4:19-23

Amen and Amen!!!

What About Jesus’ Name??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #223

24 Friday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, Eternal Plan of God, Every Knee Shall Bow, Evil will not win, Examine Myself?, Eyes that SEE HIM, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God sees your tears--sorrow is ok!, God Still Reigns, IN HIS TIME!, In Jesus name--means what?, IN Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, The Name of Jesus?, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What About Jesus’ Name??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #223

What’s so special about Jesus’ name?  It is the amazing name of our Lord and Savior — our King of Kings!  Yet today people seem to be using it as a talisman or a magic potion, may it never be!  With so much misinformation, I’d like to share some insight into our use, confidence and dependence upon Jesus and His name.

It saddens me that we treat the name of Jesus like a heavenly slot machine, we drop in our demands, call on the name of Jesus, pull the handle and expect God to perform at will.  NOT!!!  Let’s just let scripture be our plumbline of behavior, belief and truth!  Jesus himself lays our foundation of prayer.

“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.” Matthew 6:9-10

God’s will should be our desire, yet we have somehow acquired a mindset that has caused many to see God as a heavenly grandfather, just waiting to keep all of his grandchildren “happy”!  NOT!  God’s greatest desire is that we become holy—with or without happiness! (happy=circumstantial, holy=internal nature)

“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 8:28-29

God is ever working to make us holy and useful servants in HIS kingdom, not ours; growing into holy, obedient and devoted servants to the Most High God and His Son Jesus—not in our own strength but in the power of the precious Holy Spirit who indwells every born-again believer in Jesus! (See Romans 8:9)

“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.”  1 Peter 1:14-16

We are to be obedient, trusting children, knowing that our God sees the whole picture of our life, and we only see little pieces of that picture at a time.  God is ever working to grow us, to conform us into “the image of his Son”!  Oh the glory of that thought!  And just a note, when Peter uses the word “conversation” above, he is referring to our lifestyle not just our speech—but they are connected, for what is in our heart will come out in our speech and our life-choices!  May we ever remember that Jesus is our true north—our hope—our help—our sustenance when we rely upon Him.  And one of my favorite passages in all of scripture talks about this very thing and let me say when it talks about getting “the desires of our heart”, we must interpret that in context; and the context says that my delight is in “the Lord”.  Then, we can truly say, “Lord, if it pleases you, it pleases me!”

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth in his way,

because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”  Psalm 37:3-8

And one of the most profound passages about who Jesus is and what He did for us is from Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers.  May we heed this truth and fix our eyes on Jesus.

“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.”  Philippians 2:8-11

So, are you bowing or demanding?  We are to examine ourself!

Amen and Amen!!!

Jesus Knows, Always Did, Still Does??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #222

22 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Knows His Own, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Search me O God?, Seasonal or Steadfast?, Seeing Truth, Sovereignty, Speaking The Truth In Love, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Try yourselves

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jesus Knows, Always Did, Still Does??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #222

I’m sorry I’ve been so remiss in writing but there have just been lots of distractions and activity at our house, so I have a brief, but I pray, an important word for us today.  So often we all get distracted and forget our true north—yet God is ever present to hear, and to guide, if we will but heed to His guiding hand.  I remember an old gospel song that I love, “The Unseen Hand” by A.J. Simms, and it just spills over into my heart with the reminder that Jesus’ hand is ever with me—and He’ll be with you if you but stop, look and listen to His voice speaking to your heart!

I have only one main passage to share with you today, and for many, if not most, it is at least, in part, a familiar Psalm.  Yet so often we skim over the familiar things and miss the important principles that God wants us to take in.  I simply ask you to rehearse it through and take it into your heart.  May God remind us of His eternal care for His own—in fact for all, but so many just pass His care off as coincidence, or chance, or just ignore it.  I implore you to take it in, and if you don’t know Jesus, call to Him and He will respond.

“But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them

that diligently seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6

“Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”  James 4:7-8

And the Psalmist David gives us an amazing reminder that God made us, and He keeps His own, and HE knows where you are!  He knows where you have been, and He’s always been just a prayer away—and He still is!

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,

thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down,

and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue,

but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before,

and laid thine hand upon me.

 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit?

or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 

8 If I ascend up into heaven,

thou art there:

if I make my bed in hell,

behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,

and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;

the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee;

but the night shineth as the day:

the darkness and the light

are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins:

thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise thee;

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvellous are thy works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee,

when I was made in secret,

and curiously wrought

in the lowest parts of the earth.  

16 Thine eyes did see my substance,

yet being unperfect;

and in thy book

all my members were written,

which in continuance were fashioned,

when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me,

O God!

how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them,

they are more in number than the sand:

when I awake, I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God:

depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20 For they speak against thee wickedly,

and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee?

and am not I grieved with those

that rise up against thee?

 22 I hate them with perfect hatred:

I count them mine enemies.

23 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 139:1-24

Be sure to not miss those last two verses, they are one of my continual prayers.

Amen and Amen!!!

Jesus Is Here For YOU!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #200

22 Friday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, All About Jesus!, Believe God?, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Come to Jesus, Comfort, Confidence, Conformed or Transformed?, Consider Your ways, Contentedness, Contentment, Courage, Dependence, Encouragement, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Following Jesus or the World?, God Knows His Own, God's Faithfulness, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Mercies Are New every morning..., Great is Thy Faithfulness, You can overcome

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jesus Is Here For YOU!!!   A Word from THE WORD!!! #200

Jesus really cares for you; He has cared for me and my family for many years, and my parents before me, and a grandmother, whom I never knew (because she died when my mother was young), but whose testimony of serving Jesus lives on in the stories of her work for The King.  And I pray that my service and ministry will live on in those God has touched through our service to The King for many years.

I want to share some truth from scripture to remind you that Jesus loves you, He cares for you, and He has promised to carry those burdens with you; and while He doesn’t always take them away, HE will “always walk with us” through them.

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;  

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

This Good Shepherd came to give us life, and to bring fulfillment of the New Covenant of the indwelling Holy Spirit who leads us into truth, grace, and gives us the power to live for Jesus; to be overcomers!  Jesus loves you so much that He shed His blood for your sin and mine.  Won’t you “Come unto” HIM?

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves

and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 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.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:7-11

Jesus, The Great I Am, came to be the God-man Savior of all who would repent of sin, believe, and receive His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  It’s why Jesus came, and who He declared Himself to be! (I encourage you to read all of John 10, an amazing chapter of truth and the proclamation of who Jesus was, is and ever shall be.  Yet they tried to kill Him for saying it.)

“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

If you are one of Jesus’ sheep, won’t you take His yoke and walk “with Him” instead of alone.  Jesus never called us to walk alone, and He said he would never leave us—stop letting Satan lead you away from His yoke and His loving arms of comfort, grace, strength, and wisdom.

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

 6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:5-6                          (And remember that “conversation” means lifestyle.)

If you’re not one of His own, I invite you to call upon Him today in repentance (turning away from sin) and faith (turning to Jesus) in His payment of your sin debt at Calvary.  He did it all for you and me!  He cares for you, don’t miss this amazing gift!  Today is the day of salvation.

“Likewise, ye younger,

submit yourselves unto the elder.

Yea, all of you be subject

one to another,

and be clothed with humility:

for God resisteth the proud,

and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:5-11

He truly loves and cares for you; won’t you keep your eyes on Jesus—look up, not around at the lions!

“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 12:2-3

Amen and Amen!!!

Where Do You See God??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #187

18 Sunday Feb 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A heart of faith, Beauty of God's Creation, Creation, Creator, Creator of ALL, Cross, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God Still Reigns, God Who Sees, God's Glory, God's glory NOT mine!, God's got you and me!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Where Do You See God??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #187

I have a rather brief post this evening—well, maybe it will be short—depending on where it goes.  I just want to remind us all, especially those of us who claim to belong to Jesus Christ The Lord; we ought to see our God in all the times, places, events and especially the beauty of God’s creation in people and nature, even our trials and troubles—our God is at work (Check out Romans 8:28-39)!

“In the beginning

God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, and void;

and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

And the Spirit of God moved

upon the face of the waters.

3 And God said, Let there be…”.   Genesis 1:1-3a

Notice it doesn’t say that God ‘made’, but rather God said, “Let there be….”; yet there were parts of the creation that God did record as “make”, but the creation came into existence because God “spoke”!  Yet, we have allowed the world to rob us of the confidence to know that our God IS the creator, as well as The Son Jesus Christ!  When we recognize the indescribable beauty that God gave us to enjoy it encourages my soul and reminds me of the great creative mastery of our God; not even accounting for the individuality that He put into each of us.

Remember how amazed you were when your child was small as you saw that little one grow each day (and for most of us, way faster than we wish they had, but that too is part of God’s plan) and transform into amazing adults.  So, the greatest gift of God’s amazing design was that HE sent Jesus, HIS only begotten Son, to be born of a woman, walk this sinful old world without sin (See Hebrews 4:15 & 9:28), and be crucified, buried, and risen again for our salvation (for the Gospel in a nutshell see 1 Corinthians 15:1-5) —how can we not praise and see HIM in everything that HE has created around us.  Don’t miss the absolutely intentional way that the Apostle John began his Gospel.

“In the beginning

was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

 and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him

was life;

and the life

was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not…

…9 That was the true Light,

which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

10 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.

14 And the Word

was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”   Portions of John 1:1-14

Here we find Jesus as “The Word”’; let’s look at what we find out about Him in this simple passage, may you consider these truths and thank God for them, I do!!!

He was/is/and ever shall be:

              In the beginning—

              With God—

              Was God—

              In the beginning with God—

         ***All things were made by HIM—(Jesus is the “said”)***

              Without HIM was nothing made—

              In HIM was (/is/ever shall be) life—

              He, the life, was (is/ever shall be) the light of men—

              HE shines in the darkness—

              (but the darkness comprehended “it” not, still doesn’t)

              He is the true light…for all who will see—

              He came into this world—

                      Which He created—

                      His creation didn’t want to receive Him—

              He gives power to all who will receive HIM—

                      To become sons of God—

                      Births them–***

                             Not by blood—

                             Not by the will of the flesh—

                             Not by the will of man—

                             (except by The God/Man Jesus)

                             But BY GOD—

He became flesh and dwelt among us—sinful mankind—

He revealed God’s glory as The Only Begotten of God—

He was/is/ever shall be full of grace and truth—

“Thus saith God the LORD,

he that created the heavens,

and stretched them out;

he that spread forth the earth,

and that which cometh out of it;

he that giveth breath unto the people

upon it,

and spirit to them

that walk therein:” Isaiah 42:5

“For thus saith the LORD

that created the heavens;

God himself

that formed the earth and made it;

he hath established it,

he created it not in vain,

he formed it to be inhabited:

I am the LORD;

and there is none else.”  Isaiah 45:18

God created all this beauty and made us stewards of it, to be sustained by it, and to bring glory to God in our stewardship and service to God, no matter our “occupation”.

I love God’s creation—the mountains, the oceans, the beaches, the trees, the clouds, the smiles, and laughter of children (of anyone really, but there’s nothing much more precious than a child’s pure laughter), the hands of a grandma or grandpa, a roaring fire, and snow!  I’ve gotten old enough, that I don’t look around much when I’m driving to avoid some of those lovely trees, and in Oklahoma, we don’t have any to spare, but I so love sunrises and sunsets, especially with a cup of tea.  May you spend some time today and each day thanking God for the beauty that He has made for us.  And of course, the most beautiful thing on this earth—the beauty of the cross on which Jesus died to save you and me.  I pray that you know Him, and if you don’t, you can; if His Spirit is speaking to your heart and revealing your sin to you, just call on HIM in repentance for your sin, and faith/believing in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for you.  And if you already know Him, then let us all go serve the beautiful Lord Jesus with all we’ve got!  By His grace and to His glory—Paul says it’s what we’re created for!

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

Amen and Amen!!!