Category Archives: Good News

Prayer Day 5 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #281

01 Friday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Good Citizens, Good News, Polluted by the world?, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Prayer Day 5 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #281

 

Hope you’re having a good Friday morning, it’s lovely here in Oklahoma, after a bit of rain, and the fires that have been raging around us are almost contained, and praise God we are expecting more rain this weekend.  Many have been praying for rain and the cessation of all the fire danger around us, but more importantly than that, we need to be praying for the spiritual rain that will quench the spiritual drought about us.  In that vein we’ll look at some things about prayer today; instructions about seeking God’s face and interceding for those around us!  All of those around us, and let me just add when we are praying for the government entities in our culture (no matter where you may live) we are to pray in humble dependence upon our Father God, our precious Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit to lead us in all our ways, and that we will be a genuine reflection of Jesus.  That means that we are ever to be “speaking the truth in love” (See Ephesians 4:15) not disrespect!  And let me simply add that the recipients of the passage below were under unfriendly, often hostile, rulers.  Keep that in mind as you are tempted to complain instead of praying and depending on Jesus! (And I’m not saying we can’t be involved in politics, but that we are called to be those who bridge the gap not those who stir it up!  Remembering that sometimes just speaking the truth in love will stir some things up!). Heed God’s Word!

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

For there is no power but of God:

 the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,

resisteth the ordinance of God:

and they that resist

shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works,

but to the evil.

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?

do that which is good,

and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good.

But if thou do that which is evil,

be afraid;

for he beareth not the sword in vain:

for he is the minister of God,

a revenger to execute wrath

upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject,

not only for wrath,

but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also:

for they are God’s ministers,

 attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues:

tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom;

fear to whom fear;

honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another

hath fulfilled the law.”  Romans 13:1-8

What an amazing picture of God’s will for our responses to those in authority.  I’m not condoning evil that goes on in high places, but when we feel led to participate in “civil disobedience”, we better be sure we are doing so with a clear conscience toward God, and for good cause; not for spite, pride or any other fleshly reason!  The passage about prayer that I want us to look at today isn’t actually a prayer, but instruction on how we are to pray in regard to circumstances, culture and political issues.  (Keeping in mind what Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-18, that our battles aren’t against “flesh and blood” but against unseen spiritual forces.  And another helpful passage in this regard is 2 Corinthians 10:3-5!)

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all,

supplications,

prayers,

intercessions,

and giving of thanks,

be made for all men;

2 For kings,

and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life

in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable

in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God,

and one mediator

between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus;

 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all,

to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher,

and an apostle,

 (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;)

a teacher of the Gentiles

in faith and verity.

8 I will therefore that men pray every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.”  1 Timothy 2:1-8

And let me close by saying that while we are called to pray for others, especially those in authority, it doesn’t mean that we are to condone or promote evil and unbiblical practices, and that’s enough said! (Remember Jesus’ instructions that we saw earlier this week…” Thy kingdom come…. Thy will be done…!)

Amen and Amen!!!

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

08 Friday Mar 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

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

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves break through

and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye:

if therefore thine eye be single,

thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil,

thy whole body shall be full of darkness.

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness,

how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Matthew 6:19-24

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

“Every word of God is pure:

he is a shield

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

Amen!!!

The News Ain’t NEW??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #186

16 Friday Feb 2024

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Advice for the journey, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Good News, Gospel, Nothing New, Now is the time...., One Day Too Late?, Perilous Times Are Here, Perseverance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

The News Ain’t NEW??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #186

“The thing that hath been,

it is that which shall be;

and that which is done

is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing under the sun.

10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said,

See, this is new?

it hath been

already of old time,

which was before us.”  Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

Just as Solomon reminded us in his wisdom, there is “no new thing under the sun”, we can go all the way back to Cain, who hated his brother because his brother followed and obeyed God and His truth, but Cain did it “his own way”, and became so angry when God rebuked him for it, that he rose up and killed his innocent and righteous brother—and my friends, it is still going on today.  The wicked rise us and accuse, persecute, and even kill God’s own, don’t be surprised or deceived thinking that we are immune.  As Paul said, “in the last days perilous time will come”, and my friend they’re here, we’re there, and we must draw near to Jesus that we may be able to “withstand in the evil day”!  Are you standing true?

“By faith

Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice

than Cain,

by which he obtained witness

that he was righteous,

God testifying of his gifts:

and by it he being dead

yet speaketh.”  Hebrews 11:4

Abel not only offered an acceptable sacrifice, but his righteousness spoke even after he was dead.  When we live for Jesus and have HIS righteousness applied to our heart and life, the world will see Jesus in and through our witness of His saving, transforming grace.  The question is, what do others see in me now, while I’m alive?  May we ever pursue His righteousness and reveal it to the world, knowing that it isn’t of me, but Him.

“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

I pray that we will heed the Word of God, and His Spirit speaking its truth to our heart and pressing us on to bring glory to God and draw others to the cross of Jesus, and His saving, cleaning blood.

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:7-9

And lest we forget that we are called to examine ourselves to be sure that we truly belong to Jesus, the words of The Lord Jesus will remind us, that the foundation matters—if our faith isn’t built on the blood of the corner stone, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”, or if we aren’t sure, we need to seek God’s face and ask Him to reveal our own heart to us.

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:20-23

The “news” isn’t new, but just as it was back in the garden, the “liar” of all time (“that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world”, See Revelation 12:9) is still lying and deceiving people, and if we miss Jesus, we’ve missed it all.  It doesn’t matter what your “sin” is, what matters is that you see your sin as sin, repent, and trust to and believe in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine on the cross!  That my friends IS the GOOD NEWS!    Come to Him today, or if you’re His already, live what you say you believe and possess!

“I am

crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

 It’s all about what Jesus did for me, how can I do less than give my all to Him, live for Him and stand for Him and His Word!

Amen and Amen!!!

Like Jesus Or The World??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #177

21 Sunday Jan 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God of all comfort!, God Still Reigns, God's Judgment, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Wisdom, Good News, Sweet Words or Bitter Words?, Teach The Children

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Like Jesus Or The World???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #177

I was asked about the last post, if I wrote it or had someone else write it; the person said it was more concise than I usually write.  It was a laugh for both of us, as I know I am prone to write more than that, but I try to write whatever I feel led to write.  For today, I don’t know where that will lead, but I just want to challenge each of us to examine ourselves in light of God’s Word.

“For if we would judge ourselves,

we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged,

we are chastened of the Lord,

that we should not be condemned

with the world.”  1 Corinthians 11:31-32

As believers we are called to judge ourselves and to examine ourselves to confirm our relationship with The Lord.

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”  2 Corinthians 13:5

Paul also gives us the way to prove ourselves to be in the faith, and contrary to popular tactics, it’s not to put a nail in a board, or a piece of gum on a tree, or even nail it down with a date, or a profession of faith; it is biblically to examine ourselves to see if The Holy Spirit dwelleth in us, and if our life aligns with The Word of God, and HIS Spirit is known and seen in our lives.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his…

…. 13 For if ye live after the flesh,

ye shall die:

but if ye through the Spirit

do mortify the deeds of the body,

ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage

again to fear;

but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.”                                   Portions of Romans 8:8-18

I don’t usually stay in only Paul’s writings, but they seem to be fit to our consideration of what God has called us to.  When we come to Jesus, HE transforms us from unforgiven to forgiven, from sinner to saint, from of little use to God to capable of doing “all things through Christ who strengthens me….”!  And Paul makes it clear in Romans 8:9, that if we have not The Spirit, we are not Jesus Christ’s!  God’s Word—not mine!

Paul goes on in chapter 12 to challenge us to be a living sacrifice, what we refer to in Galatians 2:20, as the “crucified life”!  It’s what empowers us to live not only the life described in Galatians but also to be the “living sacrifice” that Paul calls us to in Romans 12.  He also challenges us to reject compromise by not being “conformed to this world”!  In contrast he calls us to let the transforming life of Jesus to have reign in our lives, our witness, and our work in this world.  We are to be “in it” but not “of it”!

“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.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”  Romans 12:1-3

My life is to be evidence to the world, that I belong to Jesus.  How can we claim to be His and yet reject HIS ways, HIS Word, and the power of His Holy Spirit to live victorious, sacrificial, crucified lives?  It saddens me to see the Holy Ghost, Heaven sent, blood-bought salvation dragged through the mud by the very people who claim to have been saved by it.

James says it more concisely that I could, so let’s consider this passage from his letter to the saints, and may we spend time this week, examining our own hearts, lives, speech, actions, and most of all if the love of God is pervading our lives or something else?  It’s your choice but choose wisely (and biblically) for there is a test; and it’s probably going to be a “pop quiz”!

“But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth

proceedeth blessing

and cursing.

My brethren,

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place

sweet water

and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain

both yield salt water

and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation (lifestyle)

his works with meekness of wisdom.”   James 3:8-13

Amen!!!

What does your lifestyle say about your relationship with Jesus?

That Attitude Of Gratitude??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #150

02 Thursday Nov 2023

Posted by in A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Glory To God, God's Presence Not Presents, Good Neighbor, Good News, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Gratitude to Generosity

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

That Attitude Of Gratitude???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #150

November has arrived—the month of cool temperatures (although we ended October here in Oklahoma with a week-long time of night freezes, not just frosts as we usually do, but freezes and seasonably early cool days), colorful leaves, pumpkins, hayrides, and bonfires!  I do love November, not only for the fall colors and temperatures but also for the season of gratitude.  We enjoy the 4th Thursday in November as ‘Thanksgiving Day’ here in the US, but gratitude is an attitude that we all need to cultivate every day, especially those who believe in and follow Jesus.  So rather than the popular “Thanksgiving Train”, or “Days of Thanks”, I simply want us to share a focus on gratitude for most of this month, for it seems to me that we now live in a culture of ‘entitlements’ with no idea of gratitude. Let’s be the change!

The Psalmist has a lot to say about an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ so let’s take a look at Psalm 100 and ask God to mold our hearts into hearts of extreme gratitude—thankful to our God, The Creator of all things; and that we ask HIM to create in us a grateful heart that will spill over on all around us.

“1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

 come before his presence

 with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all generations.”  Psalm 100:1-5

Oh to be the people of gratitude that will put a smile on the face of our Lord Jesus, Father God, and The Holy Spirit; that we can spread the smile of gratitude here on earth, for we will be shouting it in heaven.  Let’s practice our ‘attitude of gratitude’ today—and then again tomorrow!  Then repeat!!!

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude,

which no man could number,

of all nations, and kindreds,

 and people, and tongues,

stood before the throne,

and before the Lamb,

clothed with white robes,

and palms in their hands;

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying,

Salvation to our God

which sitteth upon the throne,

and unto the Lamb.

11 And all the angels stood round about the throne,

and about the elders

and the four beasts,

and fell before the throne on their faces,

and worshipped God,

12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom,

and thanksgiving, and honour, and power,

and might,

be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”  Revelation 7:9-12

Amen and Amen!!!