Category Archives: Jesus–our all in all

Where Is Your Burden??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #354

06 Friday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Advice for the journey, but He's still there., Do You See What God Sees?, Don't believe the Lies, Don't let fear of tomorrow ruin your today, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus Wept--You can too!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer

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Where Is Your Burden???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #354

 

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD,

and he shall sustain thee:

he shall never suffer the righteous

to be moved.”  Psalm 55:22

Someone needs this word this morning—someone besides me that is!  I just wanted to remind us on this lovely Friday morning as the clouds are moving out to make way for the sunshine (at least for a little while here in Oklahoma!).  It’s been a rainy spring, and we are grateful for the rain and the cooler temps before the summer oven-like temperatures.

But the thing I want to point out is that when we think there is no hope—Jesus IS our hope!  He is faithful to His Word.  He has plans that we so often don’t see behind the clouds.  Keep your eyes on Jesus my friends, the clouds won’t be there forever, and when the SON shines, it will renew our strength, courage and by His Spirit enable us to press on and go forward.  He hasn’t moved or changed—so don’t you move away from His promises!  Yet to know His promises, we must be in His Word.  So make that a priority in your life, and don’t let circumstances distract you from the truth!  And remember Jesus IS truth—in person, in word and in the sacrifice that He made for our sin.

“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

So, my friends, choose to make Jesus your “way…truth…life”; He will never fail—never has—still won’t!  The Apostle Peter reminds us of Jesus’ faithfulness, and we can stand in Him, on His truth, able resist the enemy of our souls!  Remember, if you have been born again, we win.  And if you haven’t been born again, you can be, by repenting of your sin, and believing in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for sin at Calvary!   As Jesus said on the cross, “it is finished”, for all who will come to Him!  I implore you to keep your eyes on the prize—Jesus!  In Him, we win!!!  May we each follow Peter’s advice.

“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 5:6-10

Cast your care on Jesus, fixing your eyes on The Prize!

Amen and Amen!!!

Take Heart??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #349

23 Friday May 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Jesus is able, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Take Up YOUR Cross, Teaching Always, We NEED an altar!

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Take Heart???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #349

Just a word of encouragement for this Friday, for The One who gave HIS all—for our salvation; and not only for our earthly life to have peace, hope and joy, but to remember that even when the trials seem to overwhelm our way, that our Lord, Saviour and King walked this same life and said this was the norm for those who choose to follow Him.  But take heart, as I’m often heard to say, remember, We Win!

“Behold,

the hour cometh,

yea, is now come,

that ye shall be scattered,

every man to his own,

and shall leave me alone:

and yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”  John 16:32-33

One of the best ways to walk in victory is to know The Victor (Jesus) better and better through reading and studying HIS Word!  It saddens my heart that we are so easily distracted from the things of our God, for we can so easily be led astray by that which is trying to replace God, His Word, and the love of His Son!  (and that can be other than ‘bad’ things but can be ‘good’ things that are trying to replace Jesus and His Word.)  We must determine to be wise, discerning and committed to measure all things in this life by God’s Word, not man’s opinions!  And that is almost impossible without knowing God’s Word well, and following its directives, even (if not especially) when the cost is suffering or persecution.  May we follow our Lord rather than the world!  Peter gives us an amazing word of encouragement—may we heed it and press on!

“Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.

 

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear;

not only to the good and gentle,

but also to the froward.

19 For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who

did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who,

when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself to him

that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins in his own body on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:17-25

Jesus has delivered those who come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for that (and all) sin.  And not to stir it up, but when Peter says that we are healed by Jesus’ stripes, he is referring to our healing from our disease of sin (see Isaiah 53 and see the picture of this statement), as he goes on to refer to our returning to our creator!

I pray that you will find hope and encouragement to follow the love and example that our Lord Jesus gave to us when He walked that awful road to Calvary for you and me!  May we walk the road He places before us in faith, truth and righteousness!  Remember it is His sacrifice that saves and keeps us!  May you be blessed as you pursue Jesus, His Word and His way before a lost and dying world in need of a Savior—may we be faithful examples of His truth, power and love.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie, and do not the truth:

7 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.”  1 John 1:6-9

Amen and Amen!!!

Is Your Religion Enough??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #346

16 Friday May 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Cleansed from all sin, Come to Jesus, Commitment Or Convenience, Faithful is He that has Promised!, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, My Grace Is Sufficient, My Help Cometh from THE LORD, No man can serve two masters!, No Sin No Need?, Not Of This World, Religion isn't enough?, Relying on self or Jesus?, Salvation, The Word

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Is Your Religion Enough???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #346

What is religion?  Is it enough to get you to heaven?  This is an important question; in fact it’s a matter of life and death—of heaven and hell, so I want us to consider what scripture says about it.  It’s the most important opinion!

“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

in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

from the world.”  James 1:21-27

Notice that James doesn’t begin by saying “be religious”, rather he says that we are to “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls”!  Religion doesn’t save, but when we are saved, we are to become “doers of the word”!  Actions come out of what we become in Jesus, when we are born again by grace through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice. Let’s see some scripture on that very thing.

“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.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”  John 1:10-14

There is also what I call Paul’s ‘gospel in a nutshell’!  Don’t miss heaven by the deception of religious activity, of the world or of Satan’s influence and lies.

“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 15:3-5

(I’d encourage you to read all of chapter 15, it’s long but powerful in revealing the power of the resurrection!)

Then there is the powerful testimony of Peter after the day of Pentecost.  Have you “been with Jesus”?  Have you been to the cross where HE paid for your sin and mine

“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.   

13 Now when they saw the boldness

of Peter and John,

and perceived

that they were unlearned and ignorant men,

they marvelled;

and they took knowledge of them,

that they had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:10-13

 As Jesus himself said to the apostles just before His death.

“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.

6 If a man abide not in me,

he is cast forth as a branch,

and is withered;

and men gather them,

and cast them into the fire,

and they are burned.”  John 15:5-6

And the book of Proverbs reminds us that our actions speak more than our feeble words when they reveal no proof in our living.  Jesus’ counsel to Nicodemus is still the only way to know God and see heaven; you “must be born again”!

“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…

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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”  Portions of John 3:3-20

I know I talk about this a lot, but my friends, it is the only thing that will matter when we face Jesus, and we will all face Him!  (See Philippians 2:5-11)Are you counting on ‘religion’ (any religion, for no religious entity or practice can get you to heaven—only Jesus’ blood can save and forgive sin!), or have you been “born again” by God’s power in the resurrected Jesus Christ The Lord?  Even as Peter said,

“…Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved…”!

I pray that you will find the sufficiency of Jesus’ saving grace.  I’ve walked with Him for many years, and He is ever faithful to bring His own to glory—you and me, I pray that you’ll join me!

“…Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved…”

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s All About Sacrifice??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #340

17 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Speaking The Truth In Love

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It’s All About Sacrifice???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #340

 

We talked last time about fighting like Jesus, and today I would like us to consider the price that Jesus paid for us to be able to be with Him and to reflect His glory as His child!  It means we must be “born again”!  It’s not about bunnies, or eggs, or baskets or even spring!  It is all about the sacrifice that Jesus paid for our sin—and yes, Sin is the issue—and that sacrifice was, is and ever shall supply the payment for sin to all who will come to Jesus in repentance of sin, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  Yet while the payment was made at Calvary, the victory over sin, death and hell came at the tomb!  That very tomb where Satan thought he had won, came to prove that Jesus not only paid for sin at the cross, but HE rose again to bring forgiveness of sin to all who believe; as well as life, hope, joy and a home in heaven for those who come to HIM, when we leave this life behind.

“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

Jesus said of himself that HE came that we might have real life!

“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

 Jesus was the sacrifice for sin to all who believe and trust to His amazing sacrifice.  May we be encouraged and equipped to go forward with Jesus, calling the world to salvation in Jesus and nothing less!  We talked earlier about Paul’s great gospel in a nutshell in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, and we can be confident in what Jesus has done knowing that He has finished the work of salvation!

“By the which will we are sanctified

through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ

once for all.

11 And every priest standeth daily

ministering

and offering oftentimes

the same sacrifices,

which can never take away sins:

12 But this man,

after he had offered one sacrifice

for sins

for ever,

sat down on the right hand of God;”  Hebrews 10:10-12

May we remember what the Apostles and disciples preached and shared after Pentecost—may it ever be our motto and our message without compromise!

“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

Will you be one who believes or one who puts Jesus to death again and again in vain.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just,

and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

15 And killed the Prince of life,

whom God hath raised from the dead;

whereof we are witnesses.”  Acts 3:14-15

The test is coming; are you ready?  Only Jesus can write your name in His book—not your works, not your wealth, not your social standing, not even your religion.  Ready or not, here HE comes:

“And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”   Revelation 20:15

Amen and Amen!!!

Behold, Now Is The Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #337

06 Sunday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Changed Lives, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Transformation, Transformed life, Transgression, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Behold, Now Is The Day???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #337

“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 5:21

Jesus died to save us from our sin; for sin IS the issue.  What have you done about your sin?

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet,

saying, 23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:21-23

Jesus came to save men, women, boys and girls, “from their sins”!  We seem to have removed sin from the equation, and just made salvation an option of the mind, rather than a response to the convicting power of God which comes to hearts to reveal our sinful condition to our heart.  Not one will ever truly be saved until they see their sin and state of lostness without Jesus.  Paul makes it clear that sin must be dealt with, and only by JESUS!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26

Just as Matthew recorded for us in his gospel, Jesus came to die for our sin, and without the recognition of sin, we will never understand the value of salvation apart from the knowledge and recognition of sin. We seem to have made anything and everything ok, so no one is a sinner; even those who claim the name of Jesus seem to have written a new “code of ethics” for believers which says anything goes—it’s all covered by grace.  I can’t find that in scripture, in fact, when we go back to Paul’s message to the believers at Corinth, he makes it clear that we are to see a ‘Jesus’ difference in people’s lives.  Not a list of rules and dos and don’ts; but rather a life changing difference.

“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

When Jesus saves us from our sin, He gives us new life within—His life.  Again Paul paints one of the most amazing pictures in scripture of our new life in Jesus—ready when He comes?

“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

We have peace with God because of what Jesus did at Calvary—died for my sin and yours, redeemed those who would come to Him in faith, receiving God’s grace, and being reconciled to God, no longer His enemy, through the atonement (the payment) which Jesus purchased with His death, burial and resurrection! And receiving all of this grace and transforming power, our lives should reflect the love, character and grace of our Lord.  But does my life measure up?  Not always, but my deep desire and goal is to please my Lord, and while I fall short so often, His faithful love and by The Holy Spirit’s work of transformation, I draw closer to Him more and more, even when I have to cling to His hand because I need help to get up when I have failed miserably.

One of the passages that helps me, may bring you hope, truth and encouragement as well.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.”                Romans 12:1-3

Paul reminds us that our focus is to live through the power of our Lord—a life of sacrifice to HIS will, HIS work, HIS way—not conforming to the world but allowing Jesus to transform us by “renewing of your mind”!  As we dig into God’s Word we will learn more and more about walking in God’s ways; we can only walk in the ways of God when we know what His ways are— knowing His Word more helps us know Him more!  Paul gives us more in this 12th chapter of Romans.  So I’d like to simply post this passage for us to consider; it contains lots of practical information that we can apply to our daily walk.  Will we?

“For as we have many members in one body,

and all members have not the same office:

5 So we,

being many,

are one body in Christ,

and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing

according to the grace that is given to us,

whether prophecy, let us prophesy

according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry,

let us wait on our ministering:

or he that teacheth,

on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth,

on exhortation:

he that giveth,

let him do it with simplicity;

he that ruleth,

with diligence;

he that sheweth mercy,

with cheerfulness.

 9 Let love

be without dissimulation.

Abhor that which is evil;

cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned

one to another with brotherly love;

in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business;

fervent in spirit;

serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope;

patient in tribulation;

continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints;

given to hospitality.

14 Bless them

which persecute you:

bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice,

and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things,

but condescend to men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible,

as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved,

avenge not yourselves,

but rather give place unto wrath:

for it is written, Vengeance is mine;

I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him;

if he thirst, give him drink:

for in so doing

thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil,

but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:4-21

Oh, to be what God wants me to be—today!  What day will you choose to yield your body, mind and will to God?  Because I claim to belong to Jesus; I want to be found faithful to His Word.  Does my life line up with God’s Word or the world’s; in my speech, in my actions, in my attitudes, in my attire, in my leisure time—what I watch, what I listen to, how I treat others–in my willingness to put God first and be available for HIS work?  All done by the grace and provision of our Lord, for Jesus said it all!

“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 15:5

Amen and Amen!!!