Category Archives: Jesus Never Fails

Nothing Or Something??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #145

18 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abiding In The Vine, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Are you clean?, Are You Ready, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, Grace, Greater is HE that is IN US!, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Something out of nothing

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Nothing Or Something???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #145

 

I have a relatively brief word for us today—and I say ‘us’, for I need this reminder and encouragement today, and thought you might as well.

Jesus’ message to His disciples just before His death, calls us to devotion with a most solemn statement of truth that we need to be reminded of—or maybe it’s just me?  Either way, let’s dig in.

“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

Without Jesus, I would be nothing, but HE took this cracked pot—broken in pieces—and made it all anew by HIS blood, HIS love, HIS forgiveness, and HIS grace.  He gave me (and you, if you’ve been truly born again!) HIS indwelling Holy Spirit to guide me into HIS truth, by knowing HIS WORD, to convict, to encourage, to lead and intercede when we have no words!  OH what a Savior Friend is Jesus, and because of what HE has done in/for me, I can truly be one of God’s creations of ‘something out of nothing’, as Paul made clear.

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:” Romans 3:10

Because I was a lost and wandering sinner (even within and active in a church—a good church) Jesus came to me and broke my heart for my own sin and saved me.  I fell on my face before HIM, broken and wretched—I got up redeemed, forgiven and cleansed.  OH, what a Savior– to do for me what no one else could do, not even myself.  And because of what HE has done, I/we can now say “I CAN”!  All because Jesus said…”I AM”…”I can”….”I will”!  And HE did it all for you and me on Calvary!

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

Press on my friend, if you know Jesus walk on in power, grace, love, and wisdom; if you don’t know HIM, you can by hearing the voice of God’s Holy Spirit calling to your heart to see your sin as sin, to turn to Jesus in repentance of that very sin—yes all of it—and believing/trusting in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine!  OH, what a Savior!  Oh, what a friend!!!  I am praying for you even now!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Speak UP, Please??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #132

17 Sunday Sep 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Judgment, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Words Can Help or Harm?, Words Matter, You can't get yesterday back!

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 Speak UP, Please???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #132

Words are an important tool in our lives; while many think words are empty and meaningless, I would disagree!  Our words will reveal what is in our hearts, and unlike the children’s rhyme says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.”  It’s NOT SO!  Words can break a heart, crush a spirit, leave indelible imprints on a life for years; God says we will give an account of our words to HIM and HIS SON, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Jesus makes this clear.  Will you heed His words or disregard them and face them in a day when there is no opportunity for repentance or salvation.

“Either make the tree good,

and his fruit good;

or else make the tree corrupt,

and his fruit corrupt:

for the tree is known

by his fruit.

34 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.”  Matthew 12:33-37

And what is the difference?  I think it can be laid out pretty simply.  YES, LORD, I believe!  Or, NO, I don’t believe.  We see one of the most profound pictures of this simple but life-changing choice and its consequences at the cross, let’s consider it.

“And the soldiers also mocked him,

coming to him,

and offering him vinegar,

37 And saying,

If thou be the king of the Jews,

save thyself.

38 And a superscription also was written over him

in letters of Greek,

and Latin,

and Hebrew,

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 And one of the malefactors

which were hanged railed on him, saying,

If thou be Christ,

save thyself

and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying,

Dost not thou fear God,

seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly;

for we receive the due reward

of our deeds:

but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus,

Lord,

remember me

when thou comest into thy kingdom. 

43 And Jesus said unto him,

Verily I say unto thee,

To day shalt thou be with me

in paradise.”  Luke 23:36-43

The one thief ridiculed Jesus and wanted to deny Jesus with the same word many use today, “IF”!  If you are God!  If you do this or that for me!  If you make this or that happen for me, if you do this trick or miracle for me…. you fill in the _________!

The other man/thief recognized that Jesus was not only innocent, but worthy of being called “LORD” and that HE was “KING”, that Jesus was The ONE who could grant him entrance into THE KINGDOM of God.  That is the simple test!  Will you turn to Jesus, the ONLY way to God, or reject HIS authority, love, and sacrifice for YOU?  Even as Peter proclaimed to the religious leaders in Jerusalem after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus; he minced no words but proclaimed the total truth—JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY!

“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

And just to pull it all together, there is an accounting coming!  The Judgment of God is at hand, and the only defense for your sin, is to be born again—to believe in Jesus, to have your name written down in the Lamb’s book of life—as John the Baptizer said of Jesus– “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”  If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and been born again, then you will have to pay for your own sin.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test—and JESUS is HIS name, what will your words reveal?  Jesus’ own words will be what will judge YOU!

“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.”  John 3:16-19

And in closing, some food for thought for your week—for your choice of ‘words’!  For God’s WORD will be the standard, not yours or mine!

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints

and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

Will the name of Jesus be your hope, your spoken salvation, and your words unto eternal life?  Or will you face God to pay for your own sin.  It’s your choice but choose wisely—words matter!!!!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged every man

according to their works.

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

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

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

As Jesus said above:

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…”

May God reveal Himself to you and may you see what HE sees!  Your words matter!  Yes? No? Jesus? No Jesus?

“…he said unto them,

Whosoever will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

35 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it;

but whosoever shall lose his life

for my sake

and the gospel’s,

the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”  Mark 8:34-37

Amen and Amen!!!

Faithful GOD??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #131

14 Thursday Sep 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Father--heavenly and earthly, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, False Lives, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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Faithful GOD???        A Word from THE WORD!!! #131

Sometimes we allow ourselves to be ‘dis-couraged’ instead of looking up to our Lord—our God—our Savior—our JESUS—for a word of ‘en-couragement’; so I’d like to take a few minutes today to share some encouragement from God’s Word, and may I add that to truly know the faithfulness of God we have to know HIM in the ”new birth” and know HIS WORD!  For if we don’t know what God has said, how can we be confident in it?  We can’t!  It’s part of the reason (aside from the fact that God called me to it!) that I’ve spent the last 34+ years teaching people how to study God’s Word for themselves.   So let’s dig in to that very Word and see what we can find out about our GOD Almighty—Father, Son-Jesus, and The Holy Spirit.

“And the very God of peace

sanctify you wholly;

and I pray God

your whole spirit

and soul

and body

be preserved blameless

unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you,

who also will do it.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Our God is faithful not because we want Him to be, but because HE IS a faithful GOD!  The Psalms are replete with words of truth about our God, I encourage you to read them (if you read 5 Psalms a day, and 1 chapter of Proverbs a day you will go through both books in a month!  And repeatedly is a plus!).

“Thy mercy, O LORD,

is in the heavens;

and thy faithfulness

reacheth unto the clouds.

6 Thy righteousness

is like the great mountains;

thy judgments

are a great deep:

O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God!

therefore the children of men

put their trust

under the shadow of thy wings.” Psalm 36:5-7

My question is, do you know this Faithful God, and HIS Son, Jesus?  I can’t express the faithfulness that I have experienced in my walk with HIM, and He is there for you if you will but recognize your need.  See your sin as sin, repent and turn to the cross in faith/belief in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine!  Oh, praise God HE forgives, saves, and cleanses us from our sin!  (See Matthew 1:21—it’s why HE came!)

“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

And the Apostle John put it amply well, for both the believer who needs forgiveness and restoration, or the lost who needs a Savior!  And remember JESUS IS “the truth” and “The Word” (See John 14:6 and John 1:1-5)!

“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 1:8-10

This faithful God made provision IN Jesus for our sin to be exchanged for HIS righteousness; Paul put it in a nutshell, so to speak, for us!

“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

Jesus Himself, paints a picture of this transformation by the “indwelling” presence of the Savior within HIS own!  Is HE in you?  Are you in HIM?

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Paul spoke another word of encouragement to the believers in Thessalonica—will you receive it?  Have you received Jesus?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test; and Jesus won’t ask what ‘words’ you said, or what aisle you walked, or where you were baptized; HE will ask if you have been “born again”, “let HIM IN”, “followed HIM”, or did you do it your way?  HE knows!

“But the Lord is faithful,

who shall stablish you,

and keep you from evil.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3

In closing I want to share the words of our Lord—our faithful Lord—who calls us to be faithful too!

“And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?”  Luke 9:23-25

Take up your cross, for the cross is an instrument of death.  Paul defines it spiritually.  I pray that you will repent, die to self, and live to, for, with and by the power of Jesus Christ The Lord—the faithful GOD…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who “loves” us!!!

“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

Only Jesus!

“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

Praying that you are trusting to this faithful REDEEMER!G

Amen and Amen!!!

One Of Them??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #126

27 Sunday Aug 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Father Forgive Them, God's love, Grace, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Salvation, Saved by grace

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One Of Them??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #126

Are you one of “them”?  Well, if you’re not you’re in trouble.  I’m referring to the “them” for whom Jesus prayed from the cross:

“And when they were come to the place

which is called Calvary,

there they crucified him,

and the malefactors,

one on the right hand,

and the other on the left. 

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them;

for they know not what they do.

And they parted his raiment,

and cast lots.

35 And the people stood beholding.” Luke 23:33-35

Here in Luke’s account, we see Jesus dying with sinners–the guiltless Son of God–dying for sinful men, amongst sinful men.  Isaiah describes this in Isaiah 53.

“And he made his grave with the wicked,

 and with the rich in his death;

because he had done no violence,

neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him;

he hath put him to grief:

when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin,

he shall see his seed,

he shall prolong his days,

and the pleasure of the LORD

shall prosper in his hand.”  Isaiah 53:9-10

Jesus fulfilled both parts of verse 9, HE died with the “wicked”, the malefactors, the terrorists who were crucified at the same time and place as Jesus; the second part of this prophecy was fulfilled by His burial in the borrowed tomb of a rich man, Joseph of Arimathaea.

“Joseph of Arimathaea,

an honourable counsellor,

which also waited for the kingdom of God,

came, and went in boldly unto Pilate,

and craved the body of Jesus.”  Mark 14:43

Jesus came to die for you and me–the very people, the “them” that watched HIM die crucified, knew HE was buried, and had to decide if they would believe in HIS resurrection for salvation!  He didn’t come for “good people” but for sinners, will you come?

“And Jesus answering said unto them,

They that are whole

need not a physician;

but they that are sick.

32 I came not to call the righteous,

but sinners

to repentance.”  Luke 5:31-32

Paul makes this clear in his letter to the Roman believers, and we must realize this in our sharing of the gospel, only those who can see their lostness (by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit) can be saved. I wish I had time to share Romans 1 through 3 with you here, but I encourage you to read it through this week.  My summation of those three chapters is: chapter 1–the “UN”-righteous; chapter 2– the “SELF” righteous; chapter 3–the “NONE” righteous!  We can never come to Jesus in our own “righteousness”, our own “value”, our own “goodness”, or our own “self-worth”!  We must see our sin as sin and bow before the redeemer for mercy and grace!  Let’s dive into part of Romans 5.

“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

And another of Paul’s amazing pictures of the beauty of grace by faith that is found IN Jesus, crucified, risen, and coming again!

“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

Are you one of the “them” who has come to Jesus to receive HIS forgiveness; or are you going your own way.  There’s only one way to God, and JESUS IS IT!

“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 4:11-12

Won’t you join us “them”s?  Jesus loves you and so do I!

Amen and Amen!!!

My Days Are IN HIS HAND!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #120

11 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Encouragement, Eternal Consequences, Examine Myself?, Failure Isn't Fatal, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Open The Door to JESUS

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My Days Are IN HIS HAND!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #120

Just some encouragement and thought-provoking challenges from God’s Word.  While the days are long and hot where we live, God is ever faithful and HE stands faithful and true in hot or cold, in the ups and downs, in prosperity or poverty, in sorrow or in joy, JESUS IS all we need.

As some of you already know several of my children went through Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast of MS., and some lost everything, yet they survived to press on.  The storm was in early September, and we went down in March of the next hear to visit; when we went to church with my eldest son it was an amazing experience for me, as we went to this small church where over ten of the families (it was a smallish church) lost everything in the ‘surge’ which meant their insurance didn’t pay anything!  Yet, when we sat in the service there was a spirit of hope, confidence, and joy of The Lord.  When I sang in one of the services, I shared a word with our friends there and told them what I saw; this church who had lost so much (their sanctuary had around ten feet of water in it) and so many had lost basically all they had, yet what I saw was a spirit of joy and generosity that warmed and encouraged my heart beyond measure–all because they had found out that when JESUS is all you have, JESUS IS ENOUGH!  As my friend Bro. Scott says, Glory, Glory, Glory!

“If a man die,

shall he live again?

all the days of my appointed time will I wait,

till my change come.”  Job 14:14

“For I know

that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand at the latter day

upon the earth:” Job 19:25

You see my friends–JESUS IS enough!  And I praise HIM for HIS presence, power and purposes working in my life; and while yes, I have failed in big ways, my GOD is a great God, who paid for my sin, failures, and incompetence at Calvary, and HE IS IN me—oh yes, Glory, Glory, Glory!!!  His precious Holy Spirit walks with HIS OWN all the way, each and every day!!!

So, my friend, wherever you are today, God hasn’t moved–HE is there, here, and everywhere in between, and HIS outstretched arms are open wide for you. He hasn’t moved, but perhaps you have!  Look up, walk forward, and trust The ONE who loves you.

“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

Even if you don’t know JESUS, HE loves you, and HE is calling you to Himself today!  Won’t you answer HIS call and run into the arms that bear the nail prints from my sin and yours!  HE loves YOU!  And if you know HIM and have stumbled, those same arms are outstretched for you!!!  May a blessed day be yours!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!