Category Archives: Judgment

When’s Your Appointment??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #363

11 Friday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Eyes that see not, Faith or Entertainment?, Judgment, Judgment Is Coming, Just As I Am?, Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!, Reaping & Sowing, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Redemption or Rehearsal?, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Reflecting HIS glory, Sovereignty, Sowing and Reaping, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?

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When’s Your Appointment???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #363

“And as it is appointed

unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered

to bear the sins of many;

and unto them that look for him

shall he appear the second time

without sin unto salvation.”  Hebrews 9:27

As we look around us at the tragedies going on all over the world, and of late right here at home in the US, it should call us to “consider your ways”! (See Haggai 1:5 & 7). Are we looking to the cross?  Are we blaming God?  Are we questioning God’s sovereign control?  Are we trying to stand in God’s place and judge why these things are happening?  Or are we examining our own heart and life to see if we belong to Jesus; to see if we are pursuing God’s way, God’s Word and God’s Son, Jesus for our salvation by repenting of “my” sin and believing in Jesus’ substitutionary atoning sacrifice to save us!  The sacrifice of the sinless, perfect Lamb of God who came to “taketh away the sin of the world”!  Over and over scripture is replete with the truth of the Gospel—and Jesus is that Gospel, by His blood.  I simply want to spend this time with you, asking you to consider your ways and discern if you are ready to stand before God?  Have you made that life-changing commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ?  Have you made Jesus the king and center of your life, or have you simply gone your own way and tried to tack Jesus on to everything else that you want to have in your life?

It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test?  The test of real faith is found in scripture; not a church roll, not religion, not baptism, not in good works!  I pray that you will join me today as we peruse scripture for truth.

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”  2 Corinthians 13:5

Scripture tells us why Jesus came!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

And the Apostle John records these things for us.

“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 himself, spoke truth to Nicodemus, a religious leader who like many today, had no clue of the truth of the Gospel!

“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.”  Portions of John 3:3-7

Jesus made it clear that we only come to Him by the work of God’s Holy Spirit to convict and draw us to the cross.

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:44

Have you heard the voice of God calling you?  Have you put off responding to God’s call?  Have you ignored or rejected the call of God, because you wanted to do it your way and not God’s?  Are you counting on your way to lead you to heaven?  When we hear the call of God and respond by faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for “my sin”, we can be born again into the kingdom of God, and receive the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Can we really do that?  Scripture says we must—it’s the proof that we belong to Jesus; it’s not your name on a church roll, good works, or any other work apart from the completed work of Jesus on the cross; and the indwelling Holy Spirit is the evidence of our spiritual parentage.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 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 8:8-9

God said it through the Apostle Paul, I didn’t!  Just speaking truth!  What will you do with it.  And a reminder that there is a day coming when we will stand and be judged for our choices—for God or against Him.  Some of the scriptures most impactful passages state this clearly.  You decide—it is your choice!  But choose wisely, remember, there is a test!

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11

We are only able to stand by the blood of the Lamb which, “cleanseth us from all sin” (See 1 John 1:7)!  The Apostle John was also given the truth of these things in the Revelation!  Please take heart, for I pray that you will receive truth from God’s Word, and the convicting power of The Holy Spirit.  To use an old adage, “You can be born once and you will die twice, or you can be born twice and die only once!”

“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

Why?  Because we either believe in Jesus and accept the gift of HIS righteousness, or we go about to establish our own righteousness!  In other words you can pay for your own sin, but the price for that is Hell!

“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

“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 paid it all!  Are you trusting in His sacrifice for you?  Or are you going your own way?  You have an appointment coming?  Will you be prepared?  I pray that you will come to Jesus while there is time, when you hear the voice of the Master!  It’s all about Jesus and what you do with Him!  Ready or not, here He comes!!!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Being Ready??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #320

31 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Are you ready?, Are you training your children, Following Jesus or the World?, Footprints, Judgment, Judgment Is Coming, Just As I Am?, Someone is following you!, Where are you leading those following you?, Who are YOU following?

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Being Ready???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #320

With recent tragedies, I want to share a few passages from God’s Word which call us to “be prepared”!  Are you ready to meet Jesus?  If He comes in the sky or if you leave this life and find yourself in His presence, are you ready?  Do you really know Him, not just about Him but know Him as your Lord, Saviour, Redeemer and King?  It’s your choice but choose wisely and don’t be fooled by the wolves in “sheep’s clothing”!

I don’t wish to be morbid, but I do pray that you will take time to examine your own heart and ask God to reveal your true condition to you.  That is my prayer for today; for your choice will not only affect your eternal destiny (heaven or hell) but it will affect those following behind you!

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered

to bear the sins of many;

and unto them that look for him

shall he appear the second time

without sin unto salvation.”  Hebrews 9:27-28

Jesus’ own words often resound in my ears and in my heart; HE is the only way to The Almighty God of this universe!  Jesus is The Son of God, and He came to pay our sin debt.

“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

“But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 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 10:26-30

Do you belong to Jesus?  If not and you hear His voice calling you, please respond—it’s a life-or-death choice.

“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

 And on a bit of a heavier note, we all need to understand that the “judgment” referred to above is for all; but which judgement we will appear at is up to us.  We can trust in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin and be born again, and stand before the “judgment seat of Christ” to answer for our works after we are saved (the good and the not-so-good), or if we choose to pay for our own sins without Jesus offer of forgiveness and salvation, we will stand before the “Great White Throne” and receive the due penalty of our sin.  I’ll just post those scriptures here for your consideration, as they are relatively self-explanatory.  (Just let me add that the “wood, hay and stubble represent the things done in our flesh, the gold, silver and precious stones represent the things that we do in and at the Holy Spirit’s bidding and supply!). It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test.  The first passage is the judgment seat of Christ, the second The Great White Throne judgment.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold, silver, precious stones,

wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

 he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.”  1 Corinthians 3:11-15

The judgment of the lost—those who have not come to Jesus.  It’s God’s Word, not mine—but it’s truth.

“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

Are you ready?  Where will you stand in the judgment?  I’m praying that you will hear God’s voice speaking to you.  Let me just add this, (my commentary) those who have died in recent tragedies never got in that car, or on that plane or train thinking that they would never get out of it alive.  Ready or not their time came to an end.  What are you doing with your time?  If you were taken today, are you ready?  I pray that you are. Are we believers sharing Jesus like we ought to?

Amen and Amen!!

With Or Without??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #255

01 Sunday Sep 2024

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Great white throne, Guard Your Heart, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Judgment, Judgment Is Coming, Salvation, Saved by Grace Through Faith, The Word

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With Or Without???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #255

Is your life being lived with Jesus, or without Him?  Are you doing things your way, or God’s way.  God makes it clear in the closing chapters of The Revelation of Jesus Christ that it’s all about Jesus.  Before we approach the Revelation, let’s see Jesus’ own words about the decision of most import in life and death.

“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.”  John 3:16-21

Jesus made it very clear to Nicodemus, the religious leader in search of answers; answers that Jesus supplied with insight that we can heed or reject.  The choice is yours and mine—you and I are the “whosoever”—but remember there is a consequence to every choice, and not to be redundant, but Paul said it better than I ever could.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

 if we faint not.”  Galatians 6:7-9

The issue is, what have you done with Jesus?  Have you been born again, by the blood of Jesus?  If you belong to Jesus, are you living for Him and sharing His truth with others as God gives you opportunity?  If you don’t know Him yet, you can; by the repentance of your sin, and trusting/believing in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin.  Payday is coming, and the only acceptable payment is Jesus. (See John 14:6)

“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

So, the choice is yours; will you live your life with Jesus and His saving, transforming grace; or will you live your own way?  As I said, the choice is totally yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Even as Joshua called Israel so many years ago, “choose you this day”!

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

Amen and Amen!!!

Do We Still Have Time??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #211

22 Monday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Commitment Or Convenience, Compromise, Judgment, Judgment Is Coming, Just Jesus!, Just words won't do?, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Drought!, Spiritual Procrastination, Spiritual Warfare, Stand Fast!, Standing in the GAP!, Still Will I Trust HIM, Suffering With Jesus, Take Up YOUR Cross, The Cross or the world?, The Gospel, The Heart is deceitful and dreadfully wicked..., The Right Jesus!, The Struggle IS Real?, The Word Or The World?, Time Is Grace!, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Too Late To Call?, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Unrighteousness, What are you listening to?, What does worldliness look like?, What's In Your Heart?, Who are YOU following?, Wolves in sheep's clothing!

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Do We Still Have Time???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #211

I want to share two passages of scripture for our consideration today.  They are portions of two of the letters that Jesus sent to two of the seven churches in Revelation chapters two and three.  I hope to dig into the entirety of the seven church letters that Jesus had John write, for they contain so much that we need to appraise today.  The Lord’s return is eminent and there is much to consider.  I chose these two for comparison today because we see that Jesus has a standard, and while He extends grace, mercy and love to His bride, there comes a place where He will tolerate no more.  I think it worth our time today.  And we may follow up with another next time, that is also pertinent (as they all are!). But for today, I want us to simply consider a very obvious difference between these two churches, so read these verses through and then I’ll make a few simple observations with the hope that we can return to them in more detail at a later date.  Remember this is Jesus’ assessment, not mine; I just want to point out the contrast!

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;

These things saith he which hath the sharp sword

with two edges;

I know thy works,

and where thou dwellest,

even where Satan’s seat is:

and thou holdest fast my name,

and hast not denied my faith,

even in those days wherein Antipas

was my faithful martyr,

who was slain among you,

where Satan dwelleth.

14 But I have a few things against thee,

because thou hast there them

that hold the doctrine of Balaam,

who taught Balac

to cast a stumblingblock

before the children of Israel,

to eat things

sacrificed unto idols,

and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them

that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans,

which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly,

and will fight against them

with the sword of my mouth.” Revelation 2:13-16

Here we have a church that allowed false teachers and leaders to bring in dangerous and heretical doctrine and teaching.  Without going into detail, this church was allowing immorality, idolatry, and division (of the sort that set some with “special” knowledge above others who were “lesser” believers—totally contrary to truth!). Note that Jesus reproves the church for allowing such into their midst, and Jesus recognized that they lived in a wicked culture (and no, Satan didn’t have a home there, but his presence, principles and perversions were rampant, much like today!) and had held fast to much of His truth, yet they had compromised in subtle and dangerous issues.

The thing I want us to take note of today is verse 16, where Jesus called them to repent (to eliminate the danger—the false teachers and leaders—from their midst.), to turn away from these things, and the people who were promoting them.  And He gives them an ultimatum:

 “Repent; or else

I will come unto thee quickly,

and will fight against them

with the sword of my mouth”!

In Blanche’s paraphrase, “you can take care of this business, or I will come and do it myself!”  What a warning!  Will we heed the call of Jesus to keep His bride pure and ready for her call, or will we blindly accept the popular methods, plans, and programs to build Jesus’ church, or cling to the Gospel and trust to Jesus’ alone to guide, direct and teach us as we dig into HIS Word?

The other passage has some unique differences, and that is what I want us to consider in contrasting these two churches and Jesus’ message to each one.

“And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write;

These things saith the Son of God,

who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire,

and his feet are like fine brass;

19 I know thy works,

and charity,

and service,

and faith,

and thy patience,

and thy works;

and the last to be more than the first.

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,

because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel,

which calleth herself a prophetess,

to teach

and to seduce my servants to commit fornication,

and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication;

and she repented not.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed,

and them that commit adultery with her

into great tribulation,

except they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death;

and all the churches shall know

that I am he which searcheth

the reins

and hearts:

and I will give unto every one of you

according to your works.

24 But unto you I say,

and unto the rest in Thyatira,

as many as have not this doctrine,

and which have not known the depths of Satan,

as they speak;

I will put upon you

none other burden.”  Revelation 2:18-24

Much like the church at Pergamos, Jesus was pleased with some things that were in the church, and in verse 24 He clearly reveals that there were those who were standing fast to Him, true doctrine, and biblical, godly behavior.  But He rebukes them for the false teachers, whose teaching and behavior was being permitted and practiced by His own children who were following the false ones whom they had permitted to lead them astray. They had welcomed the great “C” word, compromise, and compromise with God’s Word and the true Gospel of Jesus is a dangerous thing to play with.

The thing I most want us to notice and compare here are the differences in Jesus’ judgment upon them; in Pergamos Jesus gave them the opportunity to repent and deal with the issue of the false and immoral teaching themselves, and if they didn’t He would!  Yet, to the church at Thyatira, Jesus made it clear that they had allowed this to go on too long and too far!  Jesus does say that those who were truly His and had become deceived and led into immorality by this false teacher (Jezebel—a name simply in comparison to the Old Testament Character. You can read about her in 1 Kings 16-21 and 2 Kings 9.) needed to repent to escape a severe judgment, verse 22.  But Jezebel and her children would be judged with tribulation and death.  Jesus called individual believers to repent, but He doesn’t call the church to take care of the problem, they had let it go too far, and unlike the church at Pergamos, He didn’t call them to take care of the issue; but He does commend those who had stood fast by His truth were promised that, “I will put upon you none other burden” because they had not participated in this deceit within the body of Jesus—the church!

What did He mean?  I can only give you my understanding out of my own study and experience.  When we stand fast for Jesus, His Gospel, and His Word against those who want to “modernize” the church, it is seldom received well.  And when we stand against the enemy, he can and will use deceived, genuine believers to try to bring the stalwarts into compromise.  But we must stand fast digging into God’s Word so that we can stand upon it with confidence!  Because there were those in this church who had stood fast, Jesus promised them that because they had stood firm, He would add no more to their burden of going upstream against the enemy—even when he uses fellow believers whom we love against us!

So my friends, may we feast on His Word and stand fast—no matter the opposition, ridicule or trouble that may come.  Paul said it best:

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all,

taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:10-18

Suit up my friends—the evil day is upon us, even within the walls of our churches! But remember, in Jesus we win!

“He that hath an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit saith

unto the churches.”  Revelation 2:29

Amen and Amen!!!

This IS What It Takes??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #199

20 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Apart from ME you can do nothing, Approved Unto God, Great white throne, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Judgment, Judgment Is Coming, Just Jesus!, Justified by Jesus, King Jesus

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This IS What It Takes??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #199

We talked about “What Will It Take” last time, and I’d like to take it a bit farther and share just some thoughts on what scripture tells us that it takes to be right with God, to understand His ways, and to follow His Word.  Simply put the main thing is that we have come to Jesus for salvation and that we choose to walk with HIM—not just invite Him to rubber stamp our plans, projects, and programs, but rather to walk with HIM in all our ways.  Let’s start with a passage that is partially familiar to many of us, but sometimes we stop reading too soon.  Consider what the Proverb reveals.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.

9 Honour the LORD with thy substance,

and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,

and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD;

neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth;

even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,

and the man that getteth understanding.

14 For the merchandise of it

is better than the merchandise of silver,

and the gain thereof than fine gold.”   Proverbs 3:5-14

The author of Hebrews addresses this issue of discipline as well, and as I often teach in my classes, if you claim to be a follower of Jesus and can go your own way without the corrective hand of Jesus in your life, you might check out what you think got you saved.  Scripture makes it clear that we are to reflect the nature of our “Father”!

“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:

6 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.”  Hebrews 12:5-11

Jesus Himself warned us of trying to “go it on our own”, we must abide with Him, in Him, and He in us!  It’s all about our relationship with Jesus, not our worldly success, wealth, position or seeming importance to the world.  It’s all about Jesus!

“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

Jesus also reminds us that there is a time of accounting—in fact so much of scripture reminds us that we will give an account of our life, our choices, our words, and our influence on others—what we do with it, not just that we have it.

“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 12:35-37

How are you using your words?  What words are you using that are inappropriate, unhelpful, or just plain harmful to others.  Is your speech so vitriolic that others avoid you at all costs?

The Apostles had an impact after the resurrection, ascension, and the imparting of the Holy Spirit upon them, such that even those who hated them were brought to make a profound statement of them; one that I pray would be the accusation toward us, if and when we are called into account.

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost,

said unto them,

Ye rulers of the people,

and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed

done to the impotent man,

by what means he is made whole;

10 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 4:8-13

In bringing these thoughts to a close, I want to remind each of us of the accounting that will come—for the believer–we will stand before the “judgment seat of Christ” to give an accounting of our deeds done in the flesh; for the lost who have rejected Jesus, there will be a different accounting.  May you consider these truths and ask God to reveal to us the true state of our hearts.

“But why dost thou judge thy brother?

or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

for we shall all stand

before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 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 14:10-12

“For other foundation

can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold, silver, precious stones,

wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try

every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.”  1 Corinthians 3:11-15

And the last word is God’s!

“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

The choice is yours.  Where is your name written? Choose wisely there is a test—ready or not Jesus is coming back to gather His own, who have chosen to believer and receive His salvation, but as judge to all who have not.  How will He find you?  May you reach out to Jesus today if you haven’t yet done so, and trust to His saving grace and not your own resources.  If you belong to Jesus, is it time for you to reevaluate your walk with The Master?  May He find us faithfully serving and following His way!

Amen and Amen!!!