Category Archives: Jesus Is The Only Way!

Jesus Knows, Always Did, Still Does??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #222

22 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Knows His Own, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Search me O God?, Seasonal or Steadfast?, Seeing Truth, Sovereignty, Speaking The Truth In Love, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Try yourselves

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Jesus Knows, Always Did, Still Does??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #222

I’m sorry I’ve been so remiss in writing but there have just been lots of distractions and activity at our house, so I have a brief, but I pray, an important word for us today.  So often we all get distracted and forget our true north—yet God is ever present to hear, and to guide, if we will but heed to His guiding hand.  I remember an old gospel song that I love, “The Unseen Hand” by A.J. Simms, and it just spills over into my heart with the reminder that Jesus’ hand is ever with me—and He’ll be with you if you but stop, look and listen to His voice speaking to your heart!

I have only one main passage to share with you today, and for many, if not most, it is at least, in part, a familiar Psalm.  Yet so often we skim over the familiar things and miss the important principles that God wants us to take in.  I simply ask you to rehearse it through and take it into your heart.  May God remind us of His eternal care for His own—in fact for all, but so many just pass His care off as coincidence, or chance, or just ignore it.  I implore you to take it in, and if you don’t know Jesus, call to Him and He will respond.

“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 11:6

“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 4:7-8

And the Psalmist David gives us an amazing reminder that God made us, and He keeps His own, and HE knows where you are!  He knows where you have been, and He’s always been just a prayer away—and He still is!

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,

thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down,

and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue,

but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before,

and laid thine hand upon me.

 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit?

or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 

8 If I ascend up into heaven,

thou art there:

if I make my bed in hell,

behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,

and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;

the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee;

but the night shineth as the day:

the darkness and the light

are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins:

thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise thee;

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvellous are thy works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee,

when I was made in secret,

and curiously wrought

in the lowest parts of the earth.  

16 Thine eyes did see my substance,

yet being unperfect;

and in thy book

all my members were written,

which in continuance were fashioned,

when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me,

O God!

how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them,

they are more in number than the sand:

when I awake, I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God:

depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20 For they speak against thee wickedly,

and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee?

and am not I grieved with those

that rise up against thee?

 22 I hate them with perfect hatred:

I count them mine enemies.

23 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 139:1-24

Be sure to not miss those last two verses, they are one of my continual prayers.

Amen and Amen!!!

Sometimes It Ain’t Easy??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #220

15 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abiding In The Vine, Advice for the journey, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Footprints, For Such A Time As This, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Longsuffering, Look up and Praise The Lord, Love, Love Is Action, Never Alone, Purity, Salvation

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Sometimes It Ain’t Easy??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #220

This title kind of says it all, and I want us to consider the truth that we often times try to hedge or compromise; but Jesus calls us to a higher plane.  He calls us to love others as He has, does and ever will love us.  Sounds easy—but it “ain’t”!

“Ye have heard that it hath been said,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour,

and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you,

Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you,

do good to them that hate you,

and pray for them which despitefully use you,

and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children

of your Father which is in heaven:

for he maketh his sun to rise

on the evil

and on the good,

and sendeth rain

on the just

and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you,

what reward have ye?

do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only,

what do ye more than others?

do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect,

even as your Father which is in heaven

is perfect.”  Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus has not only called us to walk a path of hardship but to do it with HIS love in our hearts, and that, my friends can only be accomplished because He has given His precious Holy Spirit to those who are born again.  It’s His Spirit that He promised will bring us into all truth, equip us and fit us for HIS service as well as His kingdom.  Paul talks about this to the Colossian believers.

“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:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14

Also as the Apostle John recorded for us:

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:11-13

Even as Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader who was seeking the truth, and Jesus introduced him to truth—The Son of God Himself.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God…

…5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

 is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:3-8

Have you been born of The Spirit of God?  Without the Spirit we can do nothing, and we can’t even belong to God without the new birth which the conviction of the Holy Spirit brings us to and works into us.  As born-again believers we are to go where The Spirit leads, directs and prepares us for! All by “abiding” in Jesus!

“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 15:4-5

The Holy Spirit indwelling us, is the evidence that we belong to Jesus, and it should show in all we think, and say, and do.  Our behavior will reveal what’s inside!  Which Spirit is within you?  The Holy Spirit of Jesus or the spirit of the world?

“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.” Romans 8:9

As Jesus said:

“Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth

in at the mouth goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 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:

20 These are the things which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:17-20

Paul also makes it as clear as glass for us in his message to the Roman believers; it is our great standing ground of truth.  Will you stand upon it, or will you go your own way and miss the joy, peace and salvation that Jesus died to provide for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin?  While this is a lengthy passage, it is too valuable to cut short here (and I would encourage you to read the entire 5th chapter –in fact chapters 5-8 are amazing.)

“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.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

 knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

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.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

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.” Romans 5:1-11

So, while the commands to love the unlovely aren’t an easy thing, as the title says, “Sometimes It Ain’t Easy”, yet it is doable in Jesus, when we walk in the Spirit not the flesh (See Galatians 5:16 & 25), and that my friends is the catch, if you want to call it that; we must keep in mind that we “can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me”!  (See Philippians 4:13.) I also want to remind you that there is a payday—and while it may not be today, it is coming!  So press on my friends and depend on Jesus through the power of His Holy Spirit to keep on loving like Jesus—not compromise but “speaking the truth in love” we are to press on.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Blessed are they

which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

 and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil

against you falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.”  Matthew 5:10-12

Remember:

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account

of himself to God.”  Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

Only Jesus Can Save??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #218

09 Thursday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Be ye HOLY, Come to Jesus, Commitment Or Convenience, Faith, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Sharing Our Faith!, Sharing What God Has Given

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Only Jesus Can Save??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #218

Only one life, twill soon be past

Only what’s done for Christ, will last!

This is the refrain from a hymn written by C.T. Studd, a British missionary who served with Hudson Taylor.  I’ll post the entirety at the end of this message, and I pray that it will encourage and challenge you today.  For that is the subject I want to share with you today—it’s all about Jesus; Jesus our Lord who gave His all for you and me, and yet so many who claim His name have no time to spend with Him, no time for serving Him in His church, no time to share the Gospel with others, for we’re often so unfamiliar with God’s Word that we’re not sure what “The Gospel” is, so that’s our subject today!  May this help you to stand!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12

Only One name, only One way:

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

John’s gospel is replete with the truths of the saving grace of Jesus alone, and we must be born of God not of ourselves.  We can never clean up our act, so to speak, enough to be able to stand before God; it doesn’t matter how much money, or power, or fame, or status you have before the world, only Jesus can bring you into a relationship with God, by the power and  conviction of sin that His precious Holy Spirit brings—and if you never see your sin, you’ll never see your need for Jesus.  You’ll still have the need, but you won’t see it.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

Have you experienced the new birth?  Have you come unto Jesus saving grace, bought, and paid for at Calvary?  Jesus told a religious man named Nicodemus that no matter how religious he was, that wasn’t how you get to God.  Yes, we are to be holy and righteous in our living when Jesus saves us, but our good works are the product of our salvation not the producer of it!  We do good works because Jesus forgives, saves, transforms us by the power of His blood.

“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

And Jesus own words:

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see

the kingdom of God…

…. 5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into

the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again…

….14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

 because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”  Portions of John 3:3-19

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

 ye shall all likewise perish…

… 5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3 & 5

Will you choose life or perish?  Paul’s great “gospel in a nutshell” passage, makes it clear what it is that we are to believe as we repent of our sin—it’s all about Jesus, and only Jesus!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Have you heard the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart about your sin?  I heard that dreaded voice of conviction years ago, and while it wasn’t what I wanted to hear, it was truth and when I fell on my face in repentance of my hard heart of sin, Jesus touched me, and I got up a new person—not perfect but redeemed and He has never left me through all my trials, failures, and mistakes!  He is the God who saves, redeems, forgives, and cleanses us from sin.  Trust Him today if you don’t know Him; and if you do already know Him, won’t you decide to live for HIM today?

“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.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:7-10

It’s a heart issue; what’s in your heart, Jesus, or the enemy of your soul?

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 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 15:17-19

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past
by C.T. Studd

 Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,                                                           And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill.
living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,                                                              And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

__ extra stanza __

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

Amen and Amen!!!

Waiting For The Rain??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #207

10 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, JESUS, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Rain from heaven., Waiting for the rain

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Waiting For The Rain???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #207

“Be patient therefore, brethren,

unto the coming of the Lord.

Behold, the husbandman

waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth,

and hath long patience for it,

until he receive

the early

and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient;

stablish your hearts:

for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”  James 5:7-8

We live in Oklahoma and drought is often an issue here; we look for the rain and while it sometimes comes with damaging winds, hail, and other frightening weather phenomenon, we are grateful for that earth refreshing water from heaven.  It’s sometimes difficult to wait for rain—to see ponds dry up, green turn to brown, leaves fall off prematurely and other results of drought—but God!  God has a plan, and we have to practice the “patience” which James calls believers to walk in.

James reminds believers to remember that our Lord Jesus Christ is returning, and while some are skeptical, as Peter mentioned in his second letter (See 2 Peter 3:1-12), but we must put on our armor as we wait for the return of our Lord, even as the farmers wait for the rain to bring their crops to harvest.  James goes on to remind us that prayer isn’t an instant fix, but rather it is a display before a lost and dying world of our hope in The One who is sovereignly, totally ruling this world—all of it.  And while He allows Satan to have a measure of power in this world (Ephesians 2:1-10, and that’s a lesson for another time), his time is limited, and God holds the leash!  James mentions the prayer of Elijah as he encountered the prophets of Baal.  We must not forget to check out the context.  God told Elijah to pray—first that it wouldn’t rain for three-plus years, then God sent him out again, and Elijah openly defied Ahab and Jezebel along with the prophets of idolatry.  So Elijah prayed, yes; but He prayed that which God led him to pray, and God heard, and answered, yet not immediately even then!  Don’t be impatient with what God is doing!  We don’t usually see beyond right now, yet God is working eternity into us!  (Read 1 Kings 17 and 18).

“Confess your faults

one to another,

and pray one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.

17 Elias was a man

subject to like passions as we are,

and he prayed earnestly

that it might not rain:

and it rained not on the earth by

the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again,

and the heaven gave rain,

and the earth brought forth her fruit.”   James 5:16-18

Jesus reminded us to look for His return, not fret over the situations around us.  Don’t be alarmed by the activity in God’s creation!  He set it all in place, and all creation heeds His will—except for man.  Will you bow before Jesus, rest in His love, care, and provision, keeping your eyes on Him, or depend on the questionable commentary of man!  Let God’s Word be your standard, your plumbline, your bedrock foundation, so that you can stand fast “in the evil day”!  Amen and Amen!!!

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up, and lift up your heads;

for your redemption draweth nigh.”  Luke 21:28

Amen and Amen!!!

Seeking For A Sign??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #206

07 Sunday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Be not conformed to this world, Commitment Or Convenience, Compromise, Father of Lies!, Father's Way!, Fickle or Faithful, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus is our peace, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Satan, Signs of the times?

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Seeking For A Sign???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #206

We live in a culture, even much of our Christian culture, that seems to be fixated on signs!  Not the signs that we are called to observe (the signs of the times that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 23-25, as well as other places) but seeking proof of God’s presence, His work, and often just to prove a point—Jesus makes it clear that there are “signs of the times”, but He also makes it clear that “seeking signs” is a different thing!  I just want us to consider what Jesus says, in deference to what men may say.

As Jesus spoke to the religious leaders, He didn’t mince words—He never does!  And I don’t think He’s mincing words as He speaks to us today if we’re willing to hear Him!

“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came,

and tempting

desired him

that he would shew them a sign

from heaven.

2 He answered and said unto them,

When it is evening, ye say,

It will be fair weather:

for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning,

It will be foul weather to day:

for the sky is red and lowring.

O ye hypocrites,

ye can discern the face of the sky;

but can ye not

discern the signs of the times?

4 A wicked and adulterous generation

seeketh after a sign;

and there shall no sign be given unto it,

but the sign of the prophet Jonas.

And he left them, and departed.”  Matthew 16:1-4

Jesus talks about this again in Matthew even with a bit more information; He tells us what the “sign of the prophet Jonas” was referring to; for they were demanding that He prove Himself with “a sign” just for them.  What are you asking God to prove to you?  How shall we find the purposes of God?  In Jesus, and by abiding in Him, not looking inside of ourselves as many are promoting these days; our culture, including many Christians, who are turning to pantheistic self-improvement from within ourselves!  I challenge you to find self-improvement in scripture; God’s Word is replete with reminders that “all have sinned” and only Jesus can, will and does provide salvation to those who believe in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—a transforming power.  Paul says it better than I can, we must be transformed by the work of Jesus’ saving power and grace, not self-improvement, or the world’s message to look inside of yourself.  Oh, my friends, only Jesus can change hearts and lives by the blood that He shed for you and me; and three days in the grave from which He arose victorious over sin, death, and hell!  Don’t be like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and reject the only true salvation.  You cannot do it yourself!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

12:1 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 11:36-12:1-3

So, back to the words of Jesus, that we may hear truth from Him who IS truth—The Only Way to God—Jesus!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

On to Jesus’ truth about signs!

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,

Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39 But he answered and said unto them,

An evil and adulterous generation

seeketh after a sign;

and there shall no sign be given to it,

but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights

in the whale’s belly;

so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights

in the heart of the earth.

41 The men of Nineveh

shall rise in judgment with this generation,

and shall condemn it:

because they repented at the preaching of Jonas;

and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

42 The queen of the south

shall rise up in the judgment with this generation,

and shall condemn it:

for she came from the uttermost parts of the

earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon;

and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”            Matthew 12:34-42

And my friends, we must examine the things that we allow into our lives to see whether they be of God or of the world.  As Hebrews chapter 11 puts it so concisely, we must come to God by faith, and then live by faith.  Are we walking by faith or filling our lives with the faulty solutions of the world; we must look unto Jesus “the author and finisher of our faith”!

“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”. 2 Corinthians 5:7

“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

In closing, remember to measure things by God’s yardstick and not the world’s.  Satan, the great deceiver is a master of deception and deceit; don’t fall for his lies.

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself

is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers

also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”   2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Be sure you’re lining up with Jesus and not His enemy; for you can’t ride the fence and not be in danger of falling off on the wrong side.

“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 6:24

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth

and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

 ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

 ye believe me not.”  John 8:42-45

I pray that we will all hear the “truth” speaker, Jesus, and align our lives with His Word and His ways—not fall for the lies of the enemy of our souls.  I pray that this will be received in the love with which I write it!

Amen and Amen!!!