Category Archives: Holy Living

Hope IS Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #83

11 Tuesday Apr 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Encouragement, Glory of God, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, God Still Reigns, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's Glory, God's got you and me!, God's love, God's provision, God's Wisdom, Godly Wisdom, Gospel, He IS Alive!, HE who began it will complete it!, Holy Living, HOPE, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I Will Never Leave You, It's All About The Cross, Look UP, Look up and Praise The Lord, Now is the time...., Press ON!

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Hope IS Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #83

“Now faith is

the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen…

….6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them

that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Faith by the biblical definition says, “faith is the substance of things hoped for”, yet it isn’t just vain “wishing” but it IS “the evidence of things not seen”!  I didn’t see the resurrection of my Lord Jesus, but I trust to the word of God and the witness and testimony of those who did see HIM.  And why would I do that?  Because the Word is of God a precious love letter to those who will receive it; and through that Word, receive Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our lives.

“For whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him

in whom they have not believed?

and how shall they believe in him

of whom they have not heard?

and how shall they hear

without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach,

except they be sent?

as it is written,

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach

the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

For Esaias saith,

Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then

faith cometh by hearing,

and hearing by the word of God.”   Romans 10:13-17

(Just a side note, “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 1:21–not entertainment, or gimmicks, or programs but PREACHING of the GOSPEL, see 1 Corinthians 15:1-6)

I heard that voice speaking to my heart some 50 years ago, and responded in repentance of MY sin (yes, a church-member but lost!), and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin, and received the forgiveness that Jesus paid for at Calvary, and HE has never failed me to this day, and HIS WORD has never missed a beat of truth as I have learned to lean upon it, to trust its advice, wisdom, direction and HOPE for today and tomorrow (however many of them I have), yet my call is to live in the ‘today’s’ with gratitude for yesterday and pressing on today (regardless of its circumstances– remembering that God orders my steps!) knowing that God is The Sovereign God over all!

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

I press on with this prayer of the psalmist in my heart (but remember if you don’t put The Word ‘in’–“member it” — you won’t “re”member it)!

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man:

so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;

and teach me thy statutes.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes,

because they keep not thy law.”   Psalm 119:133-136

Jesus Himself reminded us that HE came to give us life–real life–with hope in The One who not only created us but gives us joyous life, no matter our circumstances; and while HE didn’t promise that our circumstances would always be pleasant, HE is faithful to be with us to work them for our good, and HIS glory!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

Paul said it amazingly:

“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?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:28-32

Yet there is even more encouragement in the close of chapter 8!

“For I am persuaded, that

neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”                  Romans 8:38-39

There is so much more that I could share about the assurance of hope that we have in Jesus, but I simply want to close with one of my favorite verses of assurance that lights my hope anew again and again.  May Jesus comfort your heart today with HIS truth no matter the battles that you may be facing, the discouragement that may be haunting your soul, or the uncertainty of life’s issues coming at you–remember that Jesus knows, Jesus cares, and Jesus will provide the perfect provision!  I pray that you will find the same comfort, encouragement, and hope that I find in HIM no matter how I “feel” –God works on truth and certainty and feelings change with the wind (and in Oklahoma we know all about the ‘wind’) so look up, walk forward in faith, and cling to HIS WORD not those ‘feelings’!

“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

I pray blessings of hope and encouragement on your heart and life today.

Amen and Amen!!!

Why Holiness??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #72

03 Friday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, HOPE, IN Jesus!

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Why Holiness???     A Word from THE WORD!!! #72

Just a few thoughts this morning to help us examine our hearts and lives.  Jesus said our heart is the source of our behavior.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:” Matthew 15:18-19

The Psalmist has great advice in this regard.

“Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door

of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart

to any evil thing…”. Psalm 141:3-4a

We are called by God to live “holy” lives, so we must keep a diligent watch over our heart, our mind, and our mouth, to preserve our testimony before the world.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

We are to pursue holiness as a lover of, and follower of Jesus!  Yet we can only do it because God has laid our sin on Jesus and imparted to us the “righteousness of God”!

“17 Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new…

….. 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

 Because of God’s grace and love, Jesus became sin (he did no sin, but God made HIM be sin for us) so that we could receive the “righteousness of God in him”!  Oh, praise God HE has done a work of grace that we might live holy lives! May the world see Jesus in us–in our speech, in our behavior, in our responses, and in our love toward them; not by our own strength but as Paul reminds us:

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

 Will join me today in striving to be Jesus before a lost and dying world–someone’s eternal destiny may depend on you or me!

Amen and Amen!!!

Hear Ye HIM??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #68

22 Wednesday Feb 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Doers or intenders?, Forgetting or Remembering?, Hear ye HIM!, Hearing God, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Just DO it!

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Hear Ye HIM???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #68

“While he yet spake,

behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:

and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said,

This is my beloved Son,

in whom I am well pleased;

hear ye him.

6 And when the disciples heard it,

they fell on their face,

and were sore afraid.

7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said,

Arise, and be not afraid.

8 And when they had lifted up their eyes,

they saw no man,

save Jesus only.”  Matthew 17:5-8

Have you heard the voice of Jesus?  No, not audibly with your ears, but with your heart and mind?  Jesus speaks in unique ways, at unique times, and usually with a unique calling.  The problem is we don’t always hear for the clatter of the world.  Or sometimes we tempt/test God by saying, “God, if you don’t want me to do this/or that, then stop me!”  Well, I can tell you, I have said that more than once, and on more than one occasion, God has sent events, circumstances, or people to “stop” me, and on more than one occasion I just ran full throttle ahead into a fray that cost me dearly.  Scripture warns us over and over again, that we must cultivate a heart that is open to the voice of God, and that when we don’t there are consequences to pay.

Paul had a lot to say about how to avoid unpleasant consequences.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16

“If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:25

Jesus closed each of the seven letters to the seven churches of Revelation chapters 2 and 3 with a phrase that should resound in our hearts as well as our “ears”!  Do you have an “ear to hear”?

“He that hath an ear,

let him hear

what the Spirit saith…”.  Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 23

If Jesus repeated this call to the seven churches–to those who claimed HIS name, it would seem to merit our attention to what HE is saying to us–to you and me–today, from HIS WORD as well as HIS Holy Spirit’s voice to our hearts.

James described it in another way, as he reminded us of our ability to “forget”. And believe me, at my age, I certainly know that fact well!  But will we heed James’ call and stay in The Word, or will we continue to live lives ruled by our culture rather than our LORD?

“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

in their affliction,

and TO KEEP HIMSELF UNSPOTTED

FROM THE WORLD.”  James 1:22-27.                          (Added emphasis is mine.)

So, my friends, will you “hear ye HIM”, or will you continue to be a “FORGETFUL HEARER” and go your own way?  As Jesus warned us in Matthew 7, the broad way (our way) “leadeth to destruction”!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

Amen and Amen!!!

The Desire Of My Heart??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 05

20 Monday Feb 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Delight of my heart, Faithfulness, Father's Way!, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, God's Faithfulness, God's Glory, God's glory NOT mine!, Holy Living

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The Desire Of My Heart??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 05

I have a simple word to share with you today.  I pray that God will touch your heart and mine and draw us close to Himself that we might be a reflection of HIS glory and not our own!

“O give thanks unto the LORD;

call upon his name:

make known his deeds

among the people.

2 Sing unto him,

sing psalms unto him:

talk ye of all

his wondrous works.

3 Glory ye

in his holy name:

let the heart of them rejoice

that seek the LORD.

4 Seek the LORD,

and his strength:

seek his face evermore.”  Psalm 105:1-4

The Psalms always encourage my heart and reading, rehearsing, and memorizing them is worthy of our time and effort, for they remind us continually of the faithfulness of our God and our need for HIS presence, grace, power, and love.  Jesus also reminded us that it is God’s glory we are to pursue not our own–oh, how far our culture has come–and usually in the opposite direction (due in great part to the media–social, broadcast, movies, and music!)!

“Jesus answered them, and said,

My doctrine is not mine,

but his that sent me.

17 If any man will do his will,

he shall know of the doctrine,

whether it be of God,

or whether I speak of myself.

18 He that speaketh of himself

seeketh his own glory:

but he that seeketh his glory that sent him,

the same is true,

and no unrighteousness is in him.”   John 7:16-18

Yet, where do we find ‘righteousness’?  Only in Jesus, through the blood that cleanses us “from all sin”!  Oh, thank you Jesus for the price that you paid for me, that I might have your righteousness, peace, and love.  It’s so hard to not just give you pages of scriptural evidence of HIS power and provision, but I pray that God will lead you to Himself through HIS Word, and one of the most powerful pictures of what God does in us when we come to Jesus is found in Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth!  Its context is amazing, and I pray that it will encourage your heart.

“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

Have you received the blood-bought righteousness of Jesus?  He came that we might “have life…more abundantly…”, all because “God so loved…” you and me!  Again Paul makes this so clear in his letter to the Roman believers.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope of the glory of God.…

….5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly…

…. 8 But God commendeth his love

toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have

now received the atonement.”                        Portions of Romans 5:1-11

Even as Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15, that he could only share that which he had received–so it is for every genuine believer in Jesus–it’s all of God, and we are to praise Him, for HIS amazing gifts–

HIS glory–

HIS grace–

HIS love–

HIS peace–

HIS atoning sacrifice–

HIS joy–

HIS Holy Spirit–

HIS reconciliation–

How could we take HIS glory for ourselves?  I would like to leave you with a portion of one of my favorite Psalms, to ponder on and draw strength, wisdom, grace, and encouragement from, that we will be able to stand fast in this “evil day”, being a reflection of the glory of our God–not self!

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires

of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth

in his way,

because of the man who bringeth

wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.”  Psalm 37:3-8

May your day be filled with the “joy of the Lord” and His sweet presence, glory, and grace; for if HE is my delight, His will and purposes will be a delight to me and the desire of my heart will be to walk with HIM today…and today…and today!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

May Mary’s Heart Be Mine??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #55

16 Friday Dec 2022

Posted by in A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All Sufficient God!, Am I willing to go?, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Father--heavenly and earthly, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Finishing Well, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Grace, Gratitude, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth

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May Mary’s Heart Be Mine???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #55

I have an unusual word for today, for myself more than anyone else.  It is often so difficult to keep my heart and mind focused on the things of my Lord; I get distracted by the smallest things, and I spend a lot of time going into rooms and forgetting what I went in there for!!!  Maybe you don’t suffer from this plague, but if you live long enough you will–ha ha ha!!!  But really, it is a constant battle to keep my mind, heart, and feet on the right track.  I pray that you will join me in praying to have a heart like Mary’s heart of submission and obedience to whatever God asks of me!

“And Mary said,

Behold the handmaid of the Lord;

be it unto me

according to thy word.

And the angel departed from her.

39 And Mary arose in those days,

and went into the hill country with haste,

into a city of Juda;

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias,

and saluted Elisabeth…

….46 And Mary said,

My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced

in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate

of his handmaiden:

for, behold,

from henceforth all generations

shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty

hath done to me great things;

and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy

is on them that fear him

from generation to generation.

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm;

he hath scattered the proud

in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty

from their seats,

and exalted them

of low degree.

53 He hath filled the hungry

with good things;

and the rich he hath

sent empty away.

54 He hath holpen his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers,

to Abraham,

and to his seed for ever.

56 And Mary abode with her about three months,

and returned to her own house.” Luke 1:38-40 & 46-56

I love the simplicity of this account, Mary received a visit from an angel, heard the news of her impending pregnancy, and her only question was, “How…?”, I think wondering if she was to be with Joseph, or what; to which the angel replied that God’s Spirit would overshadow her, and she would become a mother by the hand of God not a “man”!  Her simple reply revealed a wisdom and faith beyond her years (probably about 15 or 16) as she replied to the angel, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word”! This young woman of faith and obedience would bear the Messiah!  Our soon-coming King!  I can’t imagine all the thoughts that went through her mind; but I think she went to see Elizabeth for a confirmation that she had really heard the angel’s message correctly (for who else would be likely to believe her account?  Mom, Dad, I’m pregnant and God did it.  Really???  Even Joseph didn’t believe it until an angel appeared to him and confirmed Mary’s story, see Matthew 1:21)

We’re not told whether she went to her parents, and obviously not to Joseph until she returned some three months later, after her encounter with her elderly cousin Elizabeth.  I can’t even imagine the questions in her heart and mind, but I know she obviously had a faith in her God beyond earthly measure, and I desire to have a growing faith like that!  How about you?  Will we “settle for” getting by–keeping up–doing the ‘churchy’ thing–impressing people?  Or will we desire the approval and pleasure of our Lord Jesus and our Heavenly Father, as we yield ourselves to the work of The Holy Spirit of God in our hearts and lives?  Help me yield to You Lord in all my ways!!!

“If ye then be risen with Christ,

seek those things which are above,

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection

on things above,

not on things on the earth…

…. 14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called in one body;

and be ye thankful.”  Colossians 3:1-2

In closing, may this verse I repeat to myself often, touch your heart and mind today, as we ponder the things of holiness, righteousness, and love.  May others truly see Jesus in me/you?

“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!!!