Category Archives: He Died That We Could Live

What’s In The Mirror??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #434

14 Wednesday Jan 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Character, Good Stewards, Have you not seen?, He Died That We Could Live, Only One Way, Open The Door to JESUS, Opposition, Opposition to Godliness, Order my steps, Perseverance, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True, Turn to God's Word, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, Victory IN Jesus!, Wait upon the Lord, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus

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What’s In The Mirror??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #434

“But who may abide the day of his coming?

and who shall stand when he appeareth?

for he is like a refiner’s fire,

and like fullers’ soap:

3 And he shall sit

as a refiner

and purifier

of silver:

and he shall purify the sons of Levi,

and purge

them as gold and silver,

that they may offer unto the LORD

an offering in righteousness.”  Malachi 3:2-3

“And I will bring the third part through the fire,

and will refine them as silver is refined,

and will try them as gold is tried:

they shall call on my name,

and I will hear them:

I will say,

It is my people:

and they shall say,

The LORD is my God.”  Zechariah 13:9

The refiner is said to have put the metal into the pot—the refining pot—and as it melted, he would skim off the dross (the impurities), and heat it again, then repeat until he could see his reflection in the melted metal.  Oh, that Jesus would see His reflection in me!  So often we/I want to be used of God, but we aren’t willing to stay in the refining pot and let God remove the impurities in my life!  Even as Jeremiah teaches us and wants us to hear what God is saying to you and me today!

“The word which came to Jeremiah

from the LORD, saying,

2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house,

and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

3 Then I went down to the potter’s house,

and, behold,

he wrought a work on the wheels.

4 And the vessel that he made of clay

was marred in the hand of the potter:

so he made it again another vessel,

as seemed good to the potter to make it.

5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

6 O house of Israel,

cannot I do with you as this potter?

saith the LORD.

Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand,

so are ye in mine hand,

O house of Israel.”  Jeremiah 18:1-6

God wants to work in my life and yours if we are willing to yield ourselves to His care, His work and His design to conform us into the image of our Lord; but Jesus made it clear that the refining process is painful, and when we follow Him, we will encounter the same kinds of things that HE faced!  Are you encountering opposition?  Know that Jesus faced it also, unto death!  He went to Calvary for you and me!

“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.”  John 15:17-21

When we consider Paul’s words to the Roman believers it becomes quite clear that living for Jesus isn’t the snap that many try to make.  It’s not just doing things, being in the right ‘crowd’, or even doing ‘godly works’; rather it means trusting Jesus with all that He is teaching me day by day, through thick and thin, through the simple and the most difficult, when I understand and even more when I don’t!  God’s Word is true in all things; we must take the time to dig into it and study it so that we come to know our God through it!  Let’s consider a portion of Romans chapter 8, and while these are lengthy passages, I think they say what we need to hear.  I hope you will find this helpful!

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free from the law

of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law

might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.”  Romans 8:1-4

“But if we hope for that we see not,

then do we with patience wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also

helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:25-31

God is faithful even when we don’t understand.  Joseph is one of my favorite Old Testament examples of this amazing principle.  God gave Joseph prophetic dreams, and upon sharing them in excitement over God’s revelation, his brothers hated him.  Without getting into the debate over Joseph’s attitude, I see Joseph as a young man of character, and after all of his trials, he remained faithful to God and trusted to God’s care!  After bringing his family to Egypt and burying his father, his brother’s feared that he would take revenge upon them for their actions in his youth, and they pled for his grace.  He shared one of the greatest passages on our trust in the sovereign control of God.  I love it and try to remember Joseph’s example every day.  I pray that it will speak to you today!

“And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead,

they said,

Joseph will peradventure hate us,

and will certainly requite us

all the evil which we did unto him.

16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying,

Thy father did command before he died,

saying,

17 So shall ye say unto Joseph,

Forgive, I pray thee now,

the trespass of thy brethren,

and their sin;

for they did unto thee evil:

and now, we pray thee,

forgive the trespass of the servants

of the God of thy father.

And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

18 And his brethren also went

and fell down before his face;

and they said,

Behold, we be thy servants.

19 And Joseph said unto them,

Fear not:

for am I in the place of God?

20 But as for you,

ye thought evil against me;

but God meant it unto good,

to bring to pass,

as it is this day,

to save much people alive.

21 Now therefore fear ye not:

I will nourish you,

and your little ones.

And he comforted them,

and spake kindly unto them.”  Genesis 50:15-21

What do you see in the mirror?  God’s workings and the trust that you can rest in, or are you still trying to work it out yourself?  May God speak to your heart today, and I pray that you will find the confidence to rest in God’s faithful provision—He is the great refiner, if we will but rest to His faithful provision.

Amen and Amen!!!

What’cha Doing With What’cha Know? A Word from THE WORD! #388

19 Friday Sep 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A heart of faith, All About Jesus!, Are you clean?, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you training your children, Ask God For Wisdom, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Good News, Gospel, Grace, Guard Your Heart, Guard Your Mouth, Have you not heard, Have you not seen?, He Died That We Could Live, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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What’cha Doing With What’cha Know? A Word from THE WORD!!! #388

It’s hard to escape all the clutter and clatter going on around us!  What are we to do?  I think the scriptures can help us make our way through all the fog, failure and frustration of this world.  Let’s just dive in.

       “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

We must keep our eyes on the prize—JESUS—who has promised to bring us to glory!  And this “great a cloud of witnesses” isn’t the picture of a great stadium with fans cheering us on!  No, it’s a reference to chapter 11 just previous and the faithful saints who have gone before us—some rich, some poor, some seemingly unsuccessful to the world, some who were persecuted and suffered depravation and torture, even unto death, yet they trusted God to the end!  These are our “witnesses”, testifying by their lives that their faith was in God Almighty, and the one who would come to pay for our sins; The One who came in flesh, the God, Man, Savior!  The One who lived in flesh and “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”  While we won’t be ‘sinless’ in this life, we can have a heavenly mindset, fixed on Jesus, and live a holy victorious life. How?  We must be sure we know truth—and truth IS Jesus!  The more I know Him, not just know about Him, but know HIM in a personal relationship that we each can have, then seeking to have more of His reflection shine before this dark world.

So, what’s your focus?  Who’s your focus?  When we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, by being born again, in repentance of our sin and trusting/believing in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for that sin, then we need to dig into The Word and find out what God says a faithful walk in Jesus looks like; we are to live and pursue holiness in the work that God has prepared for us to do.  What are you doing with what you know?  Are you in the The Word finding out what you need to know about God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, the work that HE has for me/you?  Don’t let the enemy distract and diffuse your journey with Jesus!

       “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

Salvation is all of God!  God created us knowing beforehand that we would sin, yet He created us anyway and had already provided the plan for our redemption; the the Lamb of God, Jesus, to come and pay for the sin of all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in the truth that His blood paid for our sin.  But He doesn’t just save us from sin, for God has set works of righteousness before us to accomplish!  Not works to get saved by earning our salvation but works of righteousness that are to be a reflection of the God who lives within us when we are saved; especially before a world lost in darkness, sin and deception.  Are you and I walking in the truth of His Word?  And my friends, you have to get into The Word to get anything out of it!  It’s all about God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—don’t get focused on men, but keep your eyes fixed on Jesus!

       “O the depth of the riches

              both of the wisdom and                   

              knowledge of God!

       how unsearchable are his judgments,

       and his ways past finding out!

              34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

              or who hath been his counsellor?

              35 Or who hath first given to him,

               and it shall be recompensed unto him again?                      

              36 For of him,

              and through him,

                      and to him,

                             are all things:

              to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”   Romans 11:33-36

It’s all about Jesus—not me (or any other person)!  But when we belong to Jesus there should be a true reflection of Him to the world, in our daily living!  What are you reflecting?  Are you a “doer” of His work, or only as “hearer of the word”?     I want us to consider what James had to say about this, especially in light of recent days—days when everyone seemingly has a word, a thought, an opinion, and they all think their thoughts belong in the public eye!  Stop letting the world, the media, social media, or popular culture dictate what you believe, know and choose to stand on!  Some information may be true, much is not; but God’s Word stands true to this day and will until the end of time!  What do you know to be true?  Did God say so?  Do you know God?  If you know Him, are you reflecting His truth and glory, or the are you covered with the stains of the world?  Do you know His Word?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

       “Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

              let every man be                

                      swift to hear,

                      slow to speak,

                      slow to wrath:

       20 For the wrath of man

    worketh not the righteousness of God.                                

   21 Wherefore lay apart

              all filthiness

              and superfluity of naughtiness,

       and receive with meekness

              the engrafted word,

                      which is able to save your souls.

       22 But be ye doers of the word,

              and not hearers only,

                      deceiving your own selves.       

       23 For if any be a hearer of the word,     

              and not a doer,

       he is like unto a man beholding

              his natural face in a glass:

       24 For he beholdeth himself,                   

              and goeth his way,

\            and straightway forgetteth

                      what manner of man he was.

       25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,                         

and continueth therein,

       he being not a forgetful hearer,

              but a doer of the work,

                      this man shall be blessed in his deed.

       26 If any man among you

              seem to be religious,

              and bridleth not his tongue,

                      but deceiveth his own heart,

              this man’s religion is vain.

       27 Pure religion and undefiled

              before God and the Father is this,

                      To visit the fatherless and widows I

                             n their affliction,

              and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”   James 1:19-27

Which path are you choosing?  And yes, we are free to choose, but we are not free to set the consequences of those choices; and there is a day coming when you will be faced with the consequences of your choices!  Jesus warns us about the choices and calls us to choose wisely for the consequence are evident if we will but pay attention.  Remember just saying so, doesn’t make it so!

“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.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves…

….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.”  Portions of Matthew 7:13-23

And in closing the words of our Shepherd.  Do you know Him?  I pray that you do, and if you don’t that you will call on Him today in repentance and faith in His sacrifice for you and me!  He makes it clear that HE knows His own, and Paul confirms this also.

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life for the sheep…

…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.”  John 10:14-15 & 27

And as Paul said:

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timothy 2:19

Amen and Amen!!!

What’cha doing with what’cha know?

Choose wisely, there is a test!  (Read Revelation 20:11-15)

Happy New Year, Maybe??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #309

30 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, He Died That We Could Live, Hear ye HIM!, The Same Yesterday, The Word Or The World?

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Happy New Year, Maybe???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #309

I would like to share a New Year’s post this morning as I share my heart and prayer for each of you.  It’s an amazing prayer of Paul’s and I pray it often for myself and others, and today you are among those included.  I hope you will be blessed in its truth, hope and challenge to walk right before God and man; for this year as each and every year is spent one day-at-a-time, and we are the one who makes the choices!  We can choose to follow Jesus or our own impulses—the good, the bad or the ugly!  May you find your steps drawing closer to Jesus, The Master, Lord and King; that can come when we dig into His Word, spend time with Him in prayer, and exercise the fruit of The Spirit.  May these passages be a helpful reminder to make it a blessed year for you and yours.

“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 Paul’s prayer for the Colossian believers, and I want to post verse 14 first, for it is the basis for all else that he states.  We must be born again and know Jesus in forgiveness and salvation.

“…translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son

In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:13b-14

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire

that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened

with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 Giving thanks

unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:”   Colossians 1:9-13

And in closing a part of Jesus’ prayer for us just before He went to the cross (I encourage you to read all of John 17 to see His heart for us.).

“I pray for them:

I pray not for the world,

but for them which thou hast given me;

for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine,

and thine are mine;

and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world,

but these are in the world,

and I come to thee.

Holy Father,

keep through thine own name

those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one,

as we are.”  John 17:9-11

May you have a blessed and successful year ahead, and no  matter the battles, remember that you are never alone!  You are loved, appreciated and prayed for by The One who bought you, and me!

“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.

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 4:12-16 

We pray a blessed and spiritually successful year to you all.  May the joy of The Lord truly be your strength.  There is no battle, trial or trouble that will come our way that our God has not filtered through His fingers of love, grace for our good and His glory…

Happy New Year and even more importantly a blessed one!  We’ll see you in 2025, Lord willing!

Amen and Amen!!!

PS—My new book is available on Amazon, Ebay, and hopefully soon on Facebook.  The Fern In The Urinal by Blanche Brittain.

Greater IS HE??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #139

04 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abiding In The Vine, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Greater is HE that is IN US!, He Died That We Could Live, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, Hear ye HIM!, Hearing God

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Greater IS HE??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #139

It is so easy to become dependent on our own strength, wisdom, and strength, but in truth I am so aware of the truth that Jesus spoke in John 15, that I remind myself (my often self-willed and self-determined self) that it is ALL because of Calvary and the ONE who gave Himself for my salvation!  He is my hope, help and supply in all things—not just in so-called “spiritual” things but in all things!  I need to listen to HIS voice and pursue HIS will in ALL things.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch

cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:1-5

There is so much that I could write on this subject, but suffice it to say, we must –yes, we must abide in JESUS—every day, every step of the way, in ups and downs, in good times and difficult ones, whether we understand or not!  All I need to know is that JESUS is my King, my Lord, and my Guide in all that I will release to HIM!  All things!  It’s what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 3, where he contrasts the difference between “wood…hay… stubble… gold…silver….and precious stones”; just as he wrote to the Galatians to “walk in the Spirit” not the flesh!  It’s one of the hardest things to do consistently, walk in HIS SPIRIT and not our own earthly wisdom; but the results call us to strive for God’s will—it will result in eternal, indestructible results that will withstand the judgement of fire before our KING!  And there is a day coming (and very soon, I believe) when we will stand before The Lord Jesus and answer for our decisions, our life, and our work!  Oh, how I want to please HIM, but it means I must learn more and more to “Abide in me, and I in you”!  Right here–right now!  Will you join me in the pursuit of holiness in our Lord Jesus, that we might truly hear HIM say, “well done, thou good and faithful servant”!

HOW?  How do we stand fast and follow?  Well, it’s not easy, but it is doable because we do it “IN HIM”, and John makes it clear for us in his letter to encourage and help believers.

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

John goes on to say:

“If we receive the witness of men,

the witness of God is greater:

for this is the witness of God

which he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God

 hath the witness in himself:

he that believeth not

God hath made him a liar;

because he believeth not the record

that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record,

that God hath given to us eternal life,

and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son

hath life;

and he that hath not the Son of God

hath not life.”  1 John 5 :9-12

Are you running your own show?  Or have you come to Jesus in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for YOU?  He IS able—and HE will keep you, for truly “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”, for those who are HIS own!  I’m so glad HE saved me!  How about you?  John said it all:

“He that hath the Son

hath life;

and he that hath not the Son of God

hath not life.”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Who Missed Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #133

20 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Advice for the journey, Almost But Lost, Believe IN Jesus, Don't Wait, Fruit of the Spirit, Glory of God, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God Still Reigns, God Who Sees, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Judgment, God's measure isn't ours, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Good News, Gospel, Grace, Guard Your Heart, Guard Your Mouth, He Died That We Could Live, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, HE who began it will complete it!, He's Alive, Hell, Hell's Hot, Holiness, Holy Living, If I be lifted up---, IN Jesus!, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The Gospel, the hope of glory!, This is the Way, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Walk in the Spirit, Watch Your Words, Who are you listening to?, Words Matter, You can't get yesterday back!

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 Who Missed Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #133

I am writing this in the semi-light of the dawn, as our power is out, yet fortunately my laptop was charged up!!!  Today my heart was thinking about missed opportunities to share Jesus, but even more significantly those who have missed Jesus because of my failures to walk in The Spirit (Holy Spirit) rather than the flesh!!!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh

lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit

against the flesh:

and these are contrary the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do

the things that ye would…

….22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”  Galatians 5:16 & 25

Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers gives us a great tool to use in our daily struggles.  When ugly, ungodly thoughts, desires or passions come knocking at the door of your mind—just Philippians 4:8 them!  Here’s how:

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye

have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:6-9

Stop the temptation at the door by memorizing Phil 4:8 and if the temptation can’t pass the test of ‘true…honest…” then tell the enemy to ‘buzz off’! For when temptation comes, if you’re anything like me, it seems like the struggle is continual—well, my friends, IT IS!  Even as Paul challenges us to walk “in The Spirit”, he is calling us to be a reflection of Jesus not ‘ourselves’; for I find that my flesh and yours can be really ‘ugly’ sometimes—for our flesh still loves the things of this world!  That is why it was so imperative to heed Paul’s call to walk in the power, strength, and direction of The Holy Spirit, in God’s love which HE has planted in our hearts (See Romans 5:1-11) and not our flesh!  Yet sometimes we let old habits rule our behavior, we let old grudges color our outlook, we let unforgiveness rule our hearts and minds and spill over with unkind words and deeds, we let old corrupt words come out of our mouths, we let the enemy have way in our lives rather than The Holy Spirit—it’s why in Paul’s instructions about ‘the armor of God’ he reminds us that we ‘wrestle’ with unseen enemies in this world!!!  Peter also warned us about the very real danger of the “roaring lion” who is out to ruin your testimony and influence just as he is mine.  Peter reminds us of this fact, and the only solution that works!

“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 5:6-11

We are in a battle my friends, a battle for the hearts and souls of men, women, boys, and girls!  What are you and I doing about it?  I pray that we will heed the call and the warnings of scripture and ask God to daily “order my steps in thy word…” (See Psalm 119:133)!  It grieves my soul to see so much of the world making its way into the church!  Instead of calling people to repentance and faith in Jesus, we call them to just bring the world into our midst.  We will never win the world by competing with their modes and means!  Jesus made it clear in many passages as did the Apostles and other writers of scripture. My challenge for us today is to examine my life, as you examine yours against Scripture—what do others see in me?  A reflection of the world—in my speech, my actions, my attire, my habits, my choices of entertainment, music, and venues?  I could make a list but if you’ll simply get into the “WORD” instead of so much of the “world”, you can learn to listen to the precious Holy Spirit, who will guide you into all truth.

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.”                   John 12:32-33

Jesus knew HE would be lifted up, crucified for our sin, buried, and raised the third day, all according to the scriptures—all for our salvation; for all who would heed His call, repent, and receive His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN; the choice is yours, for HE is calling today!  Whom will you choose—the Christ of glory or the enemy who wants to take you ‘to hell’ with him?  There is no other message, and regardless of all the attractions of the world, I will stand with Paul and proclaim Jesus.

“And I, brethren, when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness,

and in fear,

and in much trembling.

4 And my speech

and my preaching was not with enticing words

of man’s wisdom,

but in demonstration

of the Spirit and of power:” 1 Corinthians 2:1-4

 This man took the One Way-Jesus Gospel in God’s power, not man’s wisdom, plans, or programs!  He preached Jesus! Will we?

“For Christ sent me not to baptize,

but to preach the gospel:

not with wisdom of words,

lest the cross of Christ

should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom

of the wise,

and will bring to nothing

the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.”  1 Corinthians 1:17-21

It’s all about Jesus—because: “it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe”

Oh, that we who believe might return to the message of the cross.  My heart longs for a heaven-sent revival, but I fear that we have come to a place to see the judgment of God upon His own.

Jesus’ and The Cross are not about pantheistic health crazes upon which we try to put “Jesus’ name”, or unholy celebrations to match the world’s evil days, or accepting sin by simply changing its name, I could go on, but I’ve probably said enough.  I remember a time when the church wanted to call people out of the world of sin to the cross and the crucified life, but now it seems more popular to just invite people to bring your sin on into the church, we won’t mind.  There is no need for me to add some “disclaimer” about who or what I’m talking about—take it to Jesus—take it to The Word of God—take it to GOD in prayer, but I think we might have to change some things in our lives!  God is watching and HE will judge His own.

“For the time is come

that judgment must begin at the house of God:

and if it first begin at us,

what shall the end be of them that obey not

the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved,

where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer

according to the will of God

commit the keeping of their souls    

to him in well doing,

as unto a faithful Creator.”1 Peter 4:17-19

What’s going on in your church?  Do you compromise truth for a crowd?  Do you stand up for Jesus, crucified, buried, risen, and coming again, The Gospel of HIS life-changing salvation or something less?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, remember, there is a test!  And I think the “final exam” is closer than we think!

So, my friends, my question is, “Is my/your life drawing people to Jesus or driving them away?”  Does your/my life reflect a love of Jesus or do the words of our mouth, our life-choices and actions turn them away into hell.  Remember there are only two destinies—heaven or hell?  May we be drawing people to the CROSS, not driving them the other way, or justifying sin to please the crowds we want on our pews?  Only One Way—and HE is the crucified, risen and coming again Savior, JESUS!  I pray that this will touch hearts and change lives.  May we cling to The Cross of Jesus!  I’m not claiming to be perfect, just a simple servant of Jesus who pursues HIM and HIS WORD for my life’s journey!  He does save!  He does give new life!  He is coming soon!!!  I pray that you know Him and will join me in following Jesus not anyone or anything else.

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Amen and Amen!!!