Category Archives: God’s Wisdom

Is God’s Word Truth??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #393

01 Wednesday Oct 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godly Wisdom, The Things of God, The Word, The Word Or The World?, There IS a Test!, This is the Way, Time Is Grace!, Too Late To Call?, Transformed life, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, Unrighteous will not inherit, Victory IN Jesus!, What are you hungry for?, What are you listening to?, What do you SEE?, What's in your book?, What's The Word?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Whose Sheep are You?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Is God’s Word Truth??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #393

I feel led to write this article today, as I just read some startling statistics that break my heart; but I have no doubt that they reflect where our culture is.  The bottom line was that less than 10% of those who claim to be “Christians” actually believe the Word of God/The Bible to be true, authoritative and useful for ordering our lives before a Holy God!  So, I want to share what the Word of God has to say about itself.  It’s your choice, as to what you believer, but choose wisely for there is a test; and believe it or not, God’s Word is and ever will be the plumbline!

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 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.”               Hebrews 4:12-13

You may deny the veracity of The Word of God, but your denial will not diminish the truth that it is what you will stand and be judged by one day!  What you do with Jesus and His Word is truly your choice, but the consequences have already been set.  Paul gives us a most powerful declaration of the truth of the Bible—God’s Word!  Other’s words may be tempting to believe as they usually (almost always) feed the fleshly desires, rather than the truths of God!

“If we believe not,

yet he abideth faithful:

he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in remembrance,

charging them before the Lord

that they strive not about words to no profit,

but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:13-15

And just an observation, if we are called to “rightly” divide the word of God, it is implied that there is a way to “wrongly” divide (or interpret and apply it) God’s Word.  What are you doing with the Bible?  Are you taking other’s opinions of what it says, or are you digging in yourself to see what God says?  Whether we believe and accept it or not, God remains faithful and His Word is true; again I say, it’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test!  Let’s look at what else Paul told this young pastor!

“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,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

Just FYI, the word ‘perfect’ here means stable and mature, it is not a reference to attaining sinless perfection!  This is calling us to understand that it is the Bible, God’s Word, which can help us to know truth (doctrine); to reveal our failure and sin (reproof); to correct us and set our feet back on the road of the light of our God (correction); and one of the greatest things is that it helps us to learn the ways of righteousness (the preventive measures for a godly life, instruction in righteousness!)!  Then Paul lifts us up to see that this very Word of God is what will help us to be mature, useful and equipped spiritually for whatever good works God may set before us!  Oh, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and our heart and flesh feasting on His Word.  It’s like medicine for the soul and our weak flesh.

Jesus said it best as He dealt with the temptation of Satan face to face!

“And when the tempter came to him, he said,

If thou be the Son of God,

command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said,

It is written,

Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word

that proceedeth

out of the mouth of God.”              Matthew 4:3-4

What if our diets were as set on God’s Word as on the physical food that we love –some of us way too much!  So in closing I just want to remind every one of us that there is a day coming when we will give an account—let us consider the fate of those who don’t know Jesus; yet also we need to consider that every genuine believer in Jesus will also give an account.  Are you living according to God’s Word?  How can you if you don’t know it?  You can’t!  So dig in my friend; dig in and feast on the riches of all that God has sent to us in this amazing love letter—from Genesis to Revelation!  It’s all true—whether you believe it or not!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things which were written

in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea

gave up the dead which were in it;

and death and hell

delivered up the dead which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever

was not found written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:11-15

No second chances!

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

Then consider Paul’s explanation of the believer’s accounting.

“For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not

that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:11-16

Are you ordering your steps with Jesus or the world?  It’s your choice but remember there is a test.  May we pray with the Psalmist today?  And the next today…….  And the next today…

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:139

Amen and Amen!!!

Rest Or Wrest??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #391

26 Friday Sep 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choose Wisely, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Resting In Jesus, Resting Or Wrestling?, Revival or Recycle?, Revive us O God!, The Word, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True, Tuned In To Jesus, Turn to God's Word, Where are you leading those following you?, Whose Side Are You On?, Wisdom

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Rest Or Wrest??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #391

Just a few thoughts today that I pray will challenge us to consider our ways!  Will we rest in The Lord Jesus or keep trying to wrest things out of His hands and do it “my way”?  Jesus again and again called the people around Him to come; but He also made it clear that only those who heard the voice of His Father would truly come!  Let’s consider a few things that He shared and see where we land.

“At that time Jesus answered and said,

I thank thee, O Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

because thou hast hid these things

from the wise and prudent,

and hast revealed them

unto babes.

26 Even so, Father:

for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever the Son

will reveal him.

28 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 11:2530                   (See 1 Corinthians 1)

Jesus called us unto Himself, those who didn’t “know it all”!  Those who “knew it all” were ever standing against Him.  The same is happening today—as it has since the beginning; we can go all the way back to Genesis chapter 3!  Adam and Eve thought what Satan said made more sense than obeying God!  Cain thought if he got rid of Abel, he would be better off, for Abel obeyed and Cain did it his own way (which is never acceptable to God!) Jacob took some 20+ years to find out that God’s way is always right and best!  How about you and me?  Are we taking on the yoke that Jesus calls us to or doing it on our own—for surely ‘my ways’ are more efficient, more productive, more beneficial, more lucrative, more fun…you fill in the blank…than God’s ways!

We find that even in His own ministry, Jesus watched people come and go, even those of His closest circle.  Don’t expect any less, Jesus told us it would be so.  I implore you to consider all that you hear and see and compare it to God’s Word not simply what you see and/or hear.  And let me preface what we’re going to look at by simply reminding you that “speaking the truth in love” is not hateful; if I show you biblically that something is wrong, I am trying to save you from heartache, pain or even hell!

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them,

they had not had sin:

but now they have no cloke for their sin.

23 He that hateth me

hateth my Father also.”  John 15:18-23

And backing up a bit in the timeline of Jesus ministry, there came a time when He began to teach harder and harder things for the people to comprehend, let’s see what some of the response was to our Lord Himself.

“Many therefore of his disciples,

when they had heard this, said,

This is an hard saying;

who can hear it?

61 When Jesus knew in himself

that his disciples murmured at it,

he said unto them,

Doth this offend you?

62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man

ascend up where he was before?

63 It is the spirit that quickeneth;

the flesh profiteth nothing:

the words that I speak unto you,

they are spirit,

and they are life.

64 But there are some of you that believe not.

For Jesus knew from the beginning

who they were that believed not,

and who should betray him.

65 And he said,

Therefore said I unto you,

that no man can come unto me,

except it were given unto him of my Father.

66 From that time

many of his disciples went back,

and walked no more with him.”  John 6:60-66

So, as simply as I know how, I want to ask each of us to consider our ways.  Are we going to wrest things out of God’s hands again and again; or are we willing to “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me”?  Do we want to “find rest unto your souls”? Or will we continue to wrest things out of God’s hands and take the wheel for ourselves?  I’ll simply close with Jesus’ own declaration!

“Jesus answered them,

I told you,

 and ye believed not:

the works that I do in my Father’s name,

they bear witness of me.

26 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.

31 Then the Jews took up stones again

to stone him.”   John 10:25-31

Are your hands folded in prayer or about to throw rocks?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

It Must Be Right To God??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #367

22 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God Is In Charge, God Still Reigns, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Judgment, God's measure isn't ours, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godly Wisdom, King David?, Kneeling Prevents Stumbling!, Know Whom I Believe, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Knowing Or Going?, Knowing Truth, Listening To God, Living For Jesus, That They May Know, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Father of Lies!, The Heart is deceitful and dreadfully wicked..., The Light of The Word IS Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

It Must Be Right To God???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #367

As I often write, we must seek God’s face in all our ways, and there are things that are acceptable to God, and others are not.  Even though we live in a culture that denies absolute truth—God hasn’t changed the rules, and I’d like to share an Old Testament picture of this very thing; but first of all a few scriptures to prepare our hearts and minds for truth.

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.

9 Be not carried about

with divers and strange doctrines.

For it is a good thing

that the heart be established with grace…”.  Hebrews 13:8-9a

And the verse that ever stands in my heart.

“There is a way

which seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

       (Also see Matthew 7:13-14, Proverbs 16:25)

David, one whom God called, “a man after God’s own heart”, made a fatal mistake shortly after he was proclaimed to be King over all of Israel.  I simply want to recount this story and call us to pray that we are so immersed in God’s Word that we can recognize and discern truth from error.  David didn’t obey God’s plan at the first incident, but between then and the second part of the story, he had come to know that God had a right way to do things, and he then could rejoice in his God.  He got over his “pouting” spell and rejoiced.  What are you “pouting” over today?  Will you accept God’s truth or fall for the devil’s lies?  It’s your choice but remember there is a test.  David failed at first, as he got angry, yet when he recognized that God was always right—he got right with God and man.  But don’t miss the account of Michal’s anger over David’s joy in The Lord and remember not everyone will like it when you are walking right with God, for oft times we ‘rain on sin’s parade’!  May we ever walk God’s way regardless of the cost!

“And David said unto all the congregation of Israel,

If it seem good unto you,

and that it be of the LORD our God,

let us send abroad unto our brethren

every where,

that are left in all the land of Israel,

and with them also to the priests and Levites

which are in their cities and suburbs,

that they may gather themselves unto us:

3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us:

for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul….

…6 And David went up, and all Israel,

to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim,

which belonged to Judah,

to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD,

that dwelleth between the cherubims,

whose name is called on it.

7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart

out of the house of Abinadab:

and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.

8 And David and all Israel played before God

with all their might,

and with singing,

and with harps,

and with psalteries,

and with timbrels,

and with cymbals,

and with trumpets.

9 And when they came

unto the threshingfloor of Chidon,

Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark;

for the oxen stumbled.

10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled

against Uzza,

and he smote him,

because he put his hand to the ark:

and there he died before God.

11 And David was displeased,

because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza:

wherefore that place

is called Perezuzza to this day.”                                 Portions of 1 Chronicles 13:2-11

David had a good heart, a good intention, and in his mind a good plan.  They wanted to bring the Ark of The Covenant/of God to Jerusalem, the capital city of the nation; a good idea, and it seems that God approved as they worshipped, praised and sang unto Him as they brought The Ark on “a new cart”—seemed like a good idea at the time!  But wait!  God, in the law, had established the mode of transport for the ark, and David missed it.  He was deciding with his own wisdom and apparently without checking with the Levites!  (See Deuteronomy 10:8 & 31:9, 25-26)

But, praise God, David had an attitude adjustment (I believe from God), for after all, he was a man after God’s own heart, but he was a man—a human just like you and me, who made a wrong decision, then got mad when God did not respond as he expected…”but God” brought him to a place of truth and he obeyed. Let’s see what happens as we take note and determine to be found faithful to God’s Word and His way!

“And David made him houses in the city of David,

and prepared a place for the ark of God,

and pitched for it a tent.

2 Then David said,

None ought to carry the ark of God

but the Levites:

for them hath the LORD chosen

to carry the ark of God,

and to minister unto him for ever.

3 And David gathered all Israel together

to Jerusalem,

to bring up the ark of the LORD

unto his place,

which he had prepared for it.

4 And David assembled

the children of Aaron, and the Levites…

…. 12 And said unto them,

Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites:

sanctify yourselves,

both ye and your brethren,

that ye may bring up

the ark

of the LORD God of Israel

unto the place

that I have prepared for it.

13 For because ye did it not at the first,

the LORD our God made a breach

upon us,

for that we sought him not

after the due order.

14 So the priests and the Levites

sanctified themselves

to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

15 And the children of the Levites

bare the ark of God upon their shoulders

with the staves thereon,

as Moses commanded

according

to the word of the LORD…

… 25 So David, and the elders of Israel,

and the captains over thousands,

went to bring up the ark

of the covenant of the LORD

out of the house of Obededom with joy.

26 And it came to pass,

when God helped the Levites

that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD,

that they offered seven bullocks

and seven rams..

… 29 And it came to pass,

as the ark of the covenant of the LORD

came to the city of David,

that Michal the daughter of Saul

looking out at a window

saw king David dancing and playing:

and she despised him in her heart.

1 Chronicles 16:1 So they brought the ark of God,

and set it in the midst of the tent

that David had pitched for it:

and they offered burnt sacrifices

and peace offerings

before God.

2 And when David had made an end

of offering the burnt offerings

and the peace offerings,

he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.”                         Portions of 1 Chronicles 15:13-16:2

May we pursue God, His Son, His Word and His ways, that we might honor our God and bless those around us.  May we ever be a blessing and not a cause of “a breach”!  Are we willing to seek God’s face through His Word and walk in the truth that He helps us to see and understand.  Blessings on you as we pursue our Lord and His will together!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Seeking God’s Will??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #364

13 Sunday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, God's Ability for our Inability!, God's Faithfulness, God's glory NOT mine!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godly Character, Seek ye first The Kingdom of God, The Word, Wisdom, Wise As Serpents, Witness, YOU Can do ALL things through Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Seeking God’s Will???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #364

Walking with Jesus can be as simple as saying “Thank You, Lord”; or it can be as difficult as trying to discern your next step, choice, decision about when, where, or how to serve The Lord.  It’s a matter of listening and obeying—two of the hard parts–and keeping our eyes on Jesus, as the author of Hebrews gives us some good advice in this direction.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside

every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured

such contradiction of sinners against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

This is one of my favorite passages, yet so many seem to me, to interpret verse one as a stadium crowd cheering us on, but I don’t think that fits the context of chapter 11’s roll of faith.  The author of Hebrews is reminding us that when we look at those who have gone on before us, we can consider their race of faith, and how their perseverance, faith in God, and obedience to God’s directions and commands led them to victory—even those who paid with their lives.  But notice that we are called to “lay aside” somethings as we “run…the race that is set before us…”!  We are to run the race which Jesus places before us—in our vernacular, stay in your lane!  For some of us who are a bit ‘driven’ you might say, often see how everyone else’s race ought to be run, neglecting or just plain missing the road signs on our race!

Sometimes we have to just take time, effort and diligence to seek God’s face, when we just can’t seem to discern the right direction or choice that is before us.  We must solve these things on our knees (figuratively, as some of aren’t able to get down on them anymore, but we are to pursue God with diligence and wisdom)!  Where do we find God’s will? Our main focus is to dig into God’s Word, pray and seek godly counsel as we are led; and let me just add, I am speaking of godly counsel for those who have lived a life of godly wisdom, not taking a poll of those we know will say the things we want to hear.

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 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.

10 For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow from heaven,

and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed to the sower,

and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth

out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish

that which I please,

and it shall prosper

in the thing whereto I sent it.

12 For ye shall go out with joy,

and be led forth with peace:

the mountains and the hills

shall break forth before you into singing,

and all the trees of the field

shall clap their hands.”  Isaiah 55:6-12

When we are in tune with God, we will have that peace beyond measure.  James puts it another way!

“But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 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 4:6-7

We must “withstand in the evil day”, by the power of the cross and Jesus’ blood and righteousness!  Paul called Timohty to stand fast, and we must take heed to that message as well.

“For the love of money

is the root of all evil:

which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through

with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God,

flee these things;

and follow after

righteousness,

godliness,

faith,

love,

patience,

meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith,

lay hold on eternal life,

whereunto thou art also called,

and hast professed a good profession

before many witnesses.”  1 Timothy 6:10-12

Where do you go when you are looking for God’s way?  Are you listening to God, through the voice of The Holy Spirit; or are you trying your own reasoning?  We must seek God’s way and not our own—even when the cost is great, or the time is seemingly long!

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

May we seek The Lord’s way and not that of the world; not of Hellywood, not of popular culture, music or media.  I pray that each of us, will seek the right way!  May the Lord be glorified in our lives, our choices and our influence.  The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test!  Let’s pray for one another!

Amen and Amen!!!

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

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?