Category Archives: God’s Time

Counting Time God’s Way??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #322

13 Thursday Feb 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, God's glory NOT mine!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom

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Counting Time God’s Way???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #322

“Open to me the gates of righteousness:

I will go into them,

and I will praise the LORD:

20 This gate of the LORD,

into which the righteous shall enter.

 21 I will praise thee:

for thou hast heard me,

and art become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders refused

is become the head stone of the corner.

23 This is the LORD’S doing;

it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:19-24

While we often quote this verse in gratitude for our God and creator, Father, Son And Holy Spirit, I think we miss a valid point in this passage; I think we miss the connection of the contextual reference to Jesus, our Corner Stone; “This is the day which the LORD hath made”, is not only a reference to God creating every day, but it’s a specific promise of the coming of Jesus; and that He would come to be the sacrifice for our sin, so we can rejoice  having seen HIS day, as Jesus said repeatedly.

“Jesus answered,

If I honour myself,

my honour is nothing:

it is my Father that honoureth me;

of whom ye say, that he is your God:

55 Yet ye have not known him;

but I know him:

and if I should say, I know him not,

I shall be a liar like unto you:

but I know him,

and keep his saying.

56 Your father Abraham

rejoiced to see my day:

and he saw it,

and was glad.”  John 8:54-56

Abraham saw it in faith of the promise from God Almighty, and he also rejoiced when Jesus came in fulfillment of that promise!  We can rejoice for we know that He came to be the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin—so we can truly say:

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”

Jesus also talked about the “gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter”, and warned us to choose wisely.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”   Matthew 7:13-14

So what is the conclusion of the Psalmists proclamation?  I think Jesus says it best, we all have a choice; but choose wisely, there is a test, you can stay on that “broad way” and end up at the destination of destruction, or you can heed Jesus’ warning and enter through the “straight gate” and receive eternal life in Jesus Christ our King!  While it is a one point in time choice, we are enabled to choose Jesus each and every day and walk in His Spirit as we die to self and walk in Jesus’ will and way! Giving our life up for Jesus!  Paul puts it better than I could.

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope,

that in nothing I shall be ashamed,

but that with all boldness,

as always,

so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body,

whether it be by life,

or by death.

21 For to me to live is Christ,

and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh,

this is the fruit of my labour:

yet what I shall choose I wot not.

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two,

having a desire to depart,

and to be with Christ;

which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh

is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence,

I know that I shall abide and continue

with you all for your furtherance

and joy

of faith;

26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant

in Jesus Christ for me

by my coming to you again.”   Philippians 1:20-26

Don’t miss what Paul really said here, for many misquote Paul, for he didn’t say, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain…”; he said, “to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”!  Paul was reminding us that being with Jesus is the greatest, but it was more needful for him to remain and minister to the Philippian believers as well as others.  His time did come to leave this world, but he was saying, ‘not yet’!  Much like Jesus said of himself, and was so often said of Him, “his hour had not come”!  While Paul didn’t know in the same way that Jesus did, he wanted to see His Lord, but he also knew he had a calling, and he would fulfill it until that time. He also shared this with Timothy.

“But

watch thou in all things,

endure afflictions,

do the work of an evangelist,

make full proof of thy ministry.

6 For I am now ready to be offered,

and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight,

   I have finished my course,

   I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me

a crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous judge,

shall give me at that day:

and not to me only,

but unto all them also

that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:5-8

Am I counting my days as useful to The Lord?  Am I rejoicing in HIS day?  Am I ready to die to self and live to Jesus?  I’ll simply close with Paul’s great call and instruction to we who belong to 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

Amen and Amen!!!  This Day? Will you count time God’s way?

God Answers In HIS Time??? A Word From THE WORD!!! #319

29 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Faith, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, Praise Encourages our Heart, Praise God Today!, Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Redemption Through HIS Blood, The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!, True Gospel, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth

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God Answers In HIS Time???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #319

I want to share a simple lesson that I rehearse again and again, and I have focused on it here multiple times, yet I feel like it needs to be revisited today.  I pray that you will find hope, confidence and a renewed assurance in the sovereign plan of our God.

“And when thou prayest,

thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:

for they love to pray

standing in the synagogues

and in the corners of the streets,

that they may be seen of men.

Verily I say unto you,

They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest,

enter into thy closet,

and when thou hast shut thy door,

pray to thy Father which is in secret;

and thy Father which seeth in secret

shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray,

use not vain repetitions,

as the heathen do:

for they think that they shall be heard

for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them:

for your Father knoweth

what things ye have need of,

before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is

the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:5-13

We must remember that God is God—we are not!  Neither is He a heavenly slot machine, where we drop in our request (in faith of course!), pull the handle and God is obligated to give us what we ask for!  Talk about spoiled children!  Jesus gives us the guideline for our prayer life; Jesus makes it clear that we are to ask of our heavenly Father, without demands—but requests, supplications, intercessions, and all prayed not only in faith in His ability, but also HIS timing, HIS will, HISways, which as Isaiah told us, don’t always match our ideas!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9 

Oh, how hard it can be to recognize and accept that, “I don’t know it all!”  We are to learn to lean on our Lord Jesus, and the perfect will of our Father in heaven!  What He wants!  Where He wants us to be!  How He wants us to exercise our gifts, callings and ministries!  “Thy kingdom come…Thy will be done” is to be our heartbeat in prayer, in life and all we do.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

A worthy goal, but hardly ever an easy one to accomplish consistently!  May we be reminded that we can “…do all things through Christ which strengtheth me…”!  It’s what that verse in Philippians 4:13 means!  It’s not just some abstract idea, but the truth of who and what we are and can accomplish when we will walk in God’s ways—and in HIS timing!  Ouch!  The Holy Spirit doesn’t need to wear a watch—and when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will find peace, joy and recognize the amazing things going on around us—God’s things! We must remember the order of things, not just “ordering” things from God! John has a great reminder for us.

“He that hath the Son

hath life;

and he that hath not the Son of God

hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe

on the name of the Son of God;

that ye may know

that ye have eternal life,

and that ye may believe

on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him,

that, if we ask any thing according to his will,

he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us,

whatsoever we ask,

we know that we have the petitions

that we desired of him.”  1 John 5:12-15

We have an awesome privilege to come before The King of kings, and our Lord of Lords, to seek HIS face and desire to know and do His will.   Yes, praying sometimes to know His will; sometimes to see His will accomplished; other times to cry out in desperation, and other times to rejoice in HIS timely answers!  I pray God’s very best for you today!  May you draw near to The One who died for our salvation.  If you don’t know Jesus, you can come to Him in repentance of your sin, and faith/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for all of my sins and yours!  Jesus is waiting to hear from you, today!

“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:13-16

Amen and Amen!!!

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

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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!!!

The Old And The New??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #308

27 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Diligence, Discernment, Discipline, God's got you and me!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, Godly Character, Godly Instruction, Godly Parenting, Godly Wisdom, Holiness, Holy Living, Honor Or Dishonor?, Jesus--our all in all

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The Old And The New???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #308

As we close out 2024 and prepare to start a new year of 2025, there are a lot of things to consider; many take this time to reassess their goals, progress, financial practices, parenting skills, and in the craziness of our world, often just trying to “get by”!  But I’d like to take a bit of a turn here and call us to examine our walk with Jesus Christ The Lord.  If you know Him, then it’s a call to pursue holiness as we align our walk with the Word of God.  If you don’t know Him, I invite you to come to know Him in repentance of your sin, and trusting/believing in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.  If you’re not familiar with Jesus, I would direct you to read the Gospel of John in the Bible.

Let’s look at the message to struggling believers in the book of Hebrews; the author calls them to study the faith of others in chapter 11 (often called the hall of faith), but he doesn’t stop there.  He goes on to call them to holy living, and that is what I want us to consider as we approach this new year.  (I encourage you to read through chapters 11 -13 for the big picture, for I’ll only share portions of those chapters in this limited space…)

“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.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,

striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son, despise not thou

the chastening of the Lord,

nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him:”  Hebrews 12:1-5

Our challenge continues with an even greater call to obedience and the truth that God disciplines His own.  Discipline is an important part of child-raising—a part which many in our day have abandoned and we are paying an awfully high price for that choice.  But spiritual lack of discipline can be just as tragic, and the absence of it in a person’s life is a call to question one’s relationship with Jesus.  Let’s peruse what the scripture says.

“For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth

every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh

which corrected us,

and we gave them reverence:

shall we not much rather be in subjection

unto the Father of spirits,

and live?

10 For they verily for a few days

chastened us after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit,

that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present

seemeth to be joyous,

but grievous:

nevertheless afterward

it yieldeth the peaceable fruit

of righteousness

unto them which are exercised thereby.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down,

and the feeble knees;”  Hebrews 12:6-12

While I encourage you to ponder these things, I choose to end on a positive note, even as the author of Hebrews chose to do.  Remember whose you are, fix your eyes on the prize, Jesus, and run the race, knowing you are never alone!

“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…

8 Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.” Portions of Hebrews 13:5-

May the blessings of peace, joy, and contentment rule in the closing of the present year and follow you into the new year!

Amen and Amen!!!

Prayer Day 6 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #282

02 Saturday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, God's glory NOT mine!, God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's Time, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Revive us O God!, Righteousness, Righteousness exalts a nation, Salvation

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Prayer Day 6 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #282

 

I pray that you have had a good week, and that even when we change those clocks tonight (and I change mine today—I need more time to adjust…) we will be sure and keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus!  I pray that you will find hope, peace and grace to press on in the scriptures that we have shared; my goal is to please my Lord Jesus and encourage others to pursue Him.  I want to share another of Paul’s prayers with you today and I pray that God will use it to His glory and our good!

“Wherefore I also, after I heard

of your faith in the Lord Jesus,

and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you,

making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of glory,

may give unto you the spirit of wisdom

and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;

that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,

and what the riches of the glory

of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness

of his power to us-ward who believe,

according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ,

when he raised him from the dead,

and set him at his own right hand

in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality,

and power,

and might,

and dominion,

and every name that is named,

not only in this world,

but also in that which is to come:”                   Ephesians 1:15-21

As we bow before this risen King, may we remember that the question isn’t “Will you bow?”, for all will bow.  The question is “When will you bow?”  Will you bow before Jesus now, in humble repentance of your sin and trust/believe in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin that Jesus made at Calvary?  Jesus is the only way to come to God and heaven.  God has declared it.

“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

It’s all about Jesus—not elections, or taxes, or personalities—for all will bow—it’s about Jesus, His will and His righteousness!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed

from faith to faith:

 as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

Amen and Amen!!!