Category Archives: Jesus–our all in all

The Old And The New??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #308

27 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Diligence, Discernment, Discipline, God's got you and me!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, Godly Character, Godly Instruction, Godly Parenting, Godly Wisdom, Holiness, Holy Living, Honor Or Dishonor?, Jesus--our all in all

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The Old And The New???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #308

As we close out 2024 and prepare to start a new year of 2025, there are a lot of things to consider; many take this time to reassess their goals, progress, financial practices, parenting skills, and in the craziness of our world, often just trying to “get by”!  But I’d like to take a bit of a turn here and call us to examine our walk with Jesus Christ The Lord.  If you know Him, then it’s a call to pursue holiness as we align our walk with the Word of God.  If you don’t know Him, I invite you to come to know Him in repentance of your sin, and trusting/believing in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.  If you’re not familiar with Jesus, I would direct you to read the Gospel of John in the Bible.

Let’s look at the message to struggling believers in the book of Hebrews; the author calls them to study the faith of others in chapter 11 (often called the hall of faith), but he doesn’t stop there.  He goes on to call them to holy living, and that is what I want us to consider as we approach this new year.  (I encourage you to read through chapters 11 -13 for the big picture, for I’ll only share portions of those chapters in this limited space…)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction

of sinners against himself,

lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,

striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son, despise not thou

the chastening of the Lord,

nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him:”  Hebrews 12:1-5

Our challenge continues with an even greater call to obedience and the truth that God disciplines His own.  Discipline is an important part of child-raising—a part which many in our day have abandoned and we are paying an awfully high price for that choice.  But spiritual lack of discipline can be just as tragic, and the absence of it in a person’s life is a call to question one’s relationship with Jesus.  Let’s peruse what the scripture says.

“For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth

every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh

which corrected us,

and we gave them reverence:

shall we not much rather be in subjection

unto the Father of spirits,

and live?

10 For they verily for a few days

chastened us after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit,

that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present

seemeth to be joyous,

but grievous:

nevertheless afterward

it yieldeth the peaceable fruit

of righteousness

unto them which are exercised thereby.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down,

and the feeble knees;”  Hebrews 12:6-12

While I encourage you to ponder these things, I choose to end on a positive note, even as the author of Hebrews chose to do.  Remember whose you are, fix your eyes on the prize, Jesus, and run the race, knowing you are never alone!

“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…

8 Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.” Portions of Hebrews 13:5-

May the blessings of peace, joy, and contentment rule in the closing of the present year and follow you into the new year!

Amen and Amen!!!

The Word–Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #305

20 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, 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 Knows, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, The Word, The Word Or The World?, There IS (Still) A Fountain

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The Word–Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #305

I want to share John’s account of Jesus—not His birth, in particular, but His self-existent nature as God Almighty, The Son!  Jesus Christ The Lord!  John didn’t start at the manger, or the angels appearing to Zacharias or Mary, he went back to Genesis!  He wanted us to know that Jesus IS God and ever will be.  People say that Jesus never claimed to be God, but I beg to differ!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

When we belong to Jesus by being born again, we belong to God The Father, and The Son, and the Holy Spirit (also God) is given to us—to conform us to the image of The Son!  May we take this time of celebrating His incarnation and bow before Him in joyful gratitude for His gift – the gift of Himself, dying as our substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for all who will come to Him in repentance of our sin, and trust in the blood He shed for me.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.  Let’s see John’s description of the arrival of God in flesh!

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God,

whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness,

to bear witness of the Light,

that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light,

but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light,

which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

10 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 1:1-14

This WORD came to save—He lived truth, He spoke truth, in truth He died for sin, and He rules and reigns today, and HE is coming again.  I pray that your celebration includes The Savior’s birth and His return.

Amen and Amen!!!

Wonderful Counselor??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #304

18 Wednesday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Christ IS Alive!, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Christmas Ponderings, Cleansed from all sin, JESUS, Jesus call, 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 Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus--our all in all, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Joy Is Contagious!, Judgment Is Coming, Just Jesus!, Justified by Jesus, Wonderful Counselor!, Worship Him!, You can't get yesterday back!

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Wonderful Counselor???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #304

 

Well, it’s nice to have my typing finger back on duty (well at least better duty—I can type a bit better with it!!), so we’ll continue our look at Isaiah 9:6-7.

“For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David,

and upon his kingdom,

to order it,

and to establish it

with judgment

and with justice

from henceforth even for ever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts

will perform this.”  Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah declared that the “son is given”, and we know that Jesus is that son; the one who came through the “zeal of the LORD of hosts”, and Jesus cleansed the temple the first time in this very zeal.

“And said unto them that sold doves,

Take these things hence;

make not my Father’s house

an house of merchandise.

17 And his disciples remembered that it was written,

The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him,

What sign shewest thou unto us,

seeing that thou doest these things?

19 Jesus answered and said unto them,

Destroy this temple,

and in three days

I will raise it up.”  John 2:16-19

Note that Jesus acts not only in the “zeal of the LORD” (See Psalm 69:99) as He cleanses the temple of the sellers and merchandisers, He also made reference to His resurrection, as He declared His ability to raise up the temple in three days, if they destroyed it; but the obtuse leaders thought this a most ridiculous claim, not understanding that He meant His body that would be offered as the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!   Even as the angel told Joseph, “He shall save His people from their sin…” in Matthew 1:21.  This Jesus, laid in a manger at His birth, would lay down His life to be nailed to a cross to pay for the sin of the world.  This one whom Isaiah told us would be the “Wonderful Counselor”!  And oh, what a counselor He is!

Jesus was, is and ever shall be our wonderful counselor, for He is God; not only God, but God who laid down His life for my sin and yours!  And while He counseled the disciples and followers in all God’s ways and the fact that He was and is the fulfillment of the promises of God, including Isaiah 9:6.  Not only that but He gave us a gift that would meet our needs as His children when He left and ascended to heaven until His return; He gave us His own Holy Spirit.  And don’t miss what Jesus called him as he prepared His disciples for His death, resurrection and His departure to heaven till His return.

“These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:25-27

Don’t let the “money changers” around us cause you distress, the Wonderful Counselor has given us of Himself by giving His Holy Spirit to walk with us, with all who come to Him in repentance and faith/trust/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—my sin and yours!  It’s why He came!  It’s why He can counsel us, all mankind, who will come to Him, not just at Christmas time but any day!  Every day He is calling men, women, boys and girls to come to Himself, the Wonderful Counselor for salvation, eternal life, abundant life.  Won’t you consider Jesus during these days of celebrating His birth?  If you don’t know Him, you can call upon Him today!  If you do know Him, you can draw closer to Him today!  I’ll simply close with His invitation to 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

The Wonderful Counselor will never steer you wrong, I’ve walked with Him for nigh unto 50 years, and He’s never failed me; even when I fail Him miserably, He is ever near to counsel me back into the right way!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  Life or condemnation—it is your choice!!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Fortnight??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #302

16 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Faithful is He that has Promised!, From the manger To the Cross, JESUS, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus lives today!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Salvation, The Word

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A Christmas Fortnight???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #302

Continuing the reposts for Christmas due to my injured finger—which is much better, just a bit cumbersome to type with.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #123 Mighty God!!!

“For unto us

a child is born,

unto us

a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6

God come in flesh for me and you—for my sin and yours.

Hebrews 2:14-18,

“Forasmuch then as the children

are partakers of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise

took part of the same;

that through death he might destroy him

that had the power of death,

that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them

who through fear of death

were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels;

but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him

to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful and faithful

high priest in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself

hath suffered being tempted,

he is able to succour them

that are tempted.”

Jesus took on a human body that he could pay the price for our sin!!  My sin and yours.  May we never forget that without the incarnation, we could not have life? Eternal life!  Abundant life.  Through Jesus’ sacrifice—His death for us—we can have the peace of God in our hearts by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:1-6,

“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.”

This “mighty God” came and took on flesh, died for us, and gives us “peace with God”.  How? Why?  “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Praise the name of Jesus!!

He came.

He stayed.

He died.

He rose again

That we could have that peace with God that passes understanding.  May you daily focus on the Lord who came for you?  And not only did he come; he’s coming back again, and I believe soon.  Do you know Him?  Are you walking with Him?  Do you have peace with God?  Only Jesus can give that.   Call on him today—He will answer your call!!

Romans 10:13,

“For whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.”   Jesus

Acts 4:12,

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Jesus

That baby whose birth we celebrate is our hope, our redemption- for all who will receive His gift of salvation; for you see, JESUS IS the gift!

Amen and Amen!!!

God’s Plan Not Man’s??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #289

18 Monday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Amazing Grace, IN Jesus!, In The Beginning, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus IN You!, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus lives today!, Jesus said I could come!, Jesus Saves, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, One Day Too Late?, One Foundation, Only Jesus, Only One Way

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God’s Plan Not Man’s???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #289

With the popularity of social media of all kinds it seems that everyone feels called to share their opinion about everything.  While it can be good to have a platform, everything that you read, hear and see on the internet may or may not be true.  I want to talk about one of those subjects, the Bible and God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.  The opinions we hear and see on the internet run the gambit, but I want us to take a look at scripture for our standard, not the opinions of people.  And yes, I’m a ‘people’, but if you’ve followed this blog for very long, you know that I am committed to help people go to God’s Word and read and study it remembering to take all scripture in its context, and in the larger context of the whole counsel of God (meaning all scripture—from Genesis to Revelation!)!  The first passage that I want us to consider is from Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost—50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The followers of Jesus had watched Him ascend into the heavens after He had instructed them to wait for the Holy Spirit to come to them before they began to “go ye therefore” (see Matthew 28:19-20) and spread the good news of The Gospel.  So after about 10 days the assembly of some 120 believers received the Holy Spirit and went forth in great power and purpose to share the truth about Jesus saving sacrifice and His grace to save.

“But Peter, standing up with the eleven,

lifted up his voice, and said unto them,

Ye men of Judaea,

and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem,

be this known unto you,

and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken,

 as ye suppose,

seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken

by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days,

saith God,

I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:

and your sons and your daughters

shall prophesy,

and your young men

shall see visions,

and your old men

shall dream dreams…

…. 21 And it shall come to pass,

that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles and wonders and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Portions of Acts 2:14-24

Jesus wasn’t crucified by the plan of man, rather He laid down His life willingly for your sin and mine.

“Therefore doth my Father love me,

because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me,

but I lay it down of myself.

I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received

of my Father.”  John 10:17-18

Jesus had this power because He was, is and ever shall be God!  And yes, He said so Himself!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

 29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

Are you His sheep?  It’s a question that only you can answer.  Have you come to Jesus in repentance of your sin and faith/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for you—and all of your sin!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is a test, and it may be soon.  So, back to Jesus’ claims.

Jesus went on to proclaim that HE is the only way—one way, one Savior, one who was crucified, buried and risen again in the power of God to pay for our sin; but that cost was His life’s blood on Calvary.

“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

“Then saith Pilate unto him,

Speakest thou not unto me?

knowest thou not that I have power

to crucify thee,

and have power

to release thee?

11 Jesus answered,

Thou couldest have no power at all against me,

except it were given thee from above:

therefore he that delivered me unto thee

hath the greater sin.

12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him:

but the Jews cried out, saying,

If thou let this man go,

thou art not Caesar’s friend:

whosoever maketh himself a king

speaketh against Caesar.”  John 18:10-12

Jesus was the plan from the beginning—before “the beginning”!  God created us knowing that we would sin, yet He loves us so much that He created us anyway.  I’ll share just a few passages that reveal this to us, when we will listen and receive God’s truth, starting in Genesis.

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head,

and thou shalt bruise his heel.”  Genesis 3:15

“Father, I will that they also,

whom thou hast given me,

be with me where I am;

that they may behold my glory,

which thou hast given me:

for thou lovedst me

before the foundation of the world.”  John 17:24

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,

whose names are not written

 in the book of life of the Lamb

slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8 (the ‘him’ mentioned here is the antichrist)

“Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

 that your faith and hope

might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:18-21

And just as the followers watched Jesus ascend into the heavens, He is coming again—and I believe, very soon.  The question then is, are you ready?  Have you bowed before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven

as he went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said,

 Ye men of Galilee,

why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

this same Jesus,

 which is taken up from you into heaven,

shall so come in like manner

as ye have seen him go into heaven.”   Acts 1:10-11

Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly, but grant grace unto those who need to come to YOU!

Amen and Amen!!!