Category Archives: Just words won’t do?

Resolutions Or Resolve??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #427

28 Sunday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Commitment Or Convenience, Just Jesus!, Just Talking?, Just words won't do?, Justified by Jesus, King Jesus, Know Whom I Believe, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Knowing Truth, Revival or Recycle?, Righteousness exalts a nation

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Resolutions or Resolve???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #427

Resolution: a formal expression of opinion or intention made…

Resolve:  a decision or determination….to make a firm resolution to do something…

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”  Daniel 1:8

As we think about the new year coming in, we are often prone to make “New Year’s Resolutions”; they run the gambit from being healthier, exercising more, eating out less, eating out more, spending our money more wisely, or even deciding to pursue a new job or career, spending more time with our family, etc.!  The thing is that our resolutions often lack real resolve—we just thought about it, we didn’t resolve, firmly resolve.

You can surmise from the verse above that Daniel is one of my favorite Bible examples of resolve!  Here this young-to-middle teen who has been carried off to Babylon from his home in Jerusalem, he has been taken into captivity as a trainee in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court, yet this young man (along with his three friends) “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself”!

Daniel knew that he would be expected to do things that would violate his conscience, and his commitment to faithfully follow and obey his God!  I wish we had time to dig into all of this book, but I want us to focus on this one decision.  Daniel decided to depend upon the God whom he loved and served faithfully.  But as we look into the context, we find a young man who had also committed himself to do the right thing the right way!

How are we doing things?  What are we devoted to?  What have we purposed to do or not do?  We live in a world going crazy; a world that calls wrong right, and right is called wrong.  Isaiah gives us God’s standard.

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!”  Isaiah 5:20-21

Joshua also made a decision and called his nation to make a decision to choose whom/what to serve.  And yes, you have the right to choose; but choose wisely there is a test coming!

“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

The Apostle Peter warns of those who will reject who God is and what He has said.  We must be Daniels and determine what we are going to stand for—The Word of God and The God of The Word—or the World and its lies.  And let me remind us all that the only way we can know the difference is to know God’s Word, and being born again, know the author!  If you have been born again, get into The Word. If you haven’t been born again, you can be today!  Come to the cross!  Come to Jesus in repentance and faith in His substitutionary atoning sacrifice for sin.

“This second epistle, beloved,

I now write unto you;

in both which I stir up your pure minds

by way of remembrance:

2 That ye may be mindful of the words

which were spoken before

by the holy prophets,

and of the commandment

of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3 Knowing this first,

that there shall come in the last days scoffers,

walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying,

Where is the promise of his coming?

for since the fathers fell asleep,

all things continue as they were

from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3:1-4

And in closing, Paul reminds us that God never lies, and Satan is the greatest liar of all times (See John 8:44+)!!  May we approach this new year with a commitment to be all that God has called you to be; being resolved to not defile ourselves, trusting all to God’s care, His purposes and His ways—which you can learn all about in HIS WORD!!

“Paul, a servant of God,

and an apostle of Jesus Christ,

according to the faith of God’s elect,

and the acknowledging of the truth

which is after godliness;

2 In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised before the world began;

3 But hath in due times

manifested his word through preaching,

which is committed unto me

according to the commandment of God

our Saviour;” Titus 1:1-3

I pray God’s greatest blessings of wisdom, grace, peace and joy on you in the coming 2026!  Dig into HIS WORD!!!

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!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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!!!

Just Words Aren’t Enough??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #161

03 Sunday Dec 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Are you training your children, Children, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Just words won't do?, Speaking, Speaking The Truth In Love, Train up a child....

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just Words Aren’t Enough??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #161

As parents we spend a lot of time talking to our children, but I have realized that we are often talking “at” them and not “to” them, and there is a difference.  Oh, how I wish I could have a ‘redo’ on so many opportunities to communicate with my children.  Parenting isn’t for sissies, or the weak of heart—it takes a heart and mind set on loving our children the way that God loves us, and to know about that we absolutely must be in God’s Word to see His work, His character, His heart, His ways, His commands, demands, instruction and insights into being not only ‘good parents’ but effectively parenting biblically!  It has to be a lifestyle and a commitment to know what God expects and be the example before our children that will impart God’s ways to them, not just ‘talk them to death’ (The old adage, ‘Do what I say, not what I do!)!

“Train up a child

in the way he should go:

and when he is old,

he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

This is a much-debated verse, and I would simply like to give you my take on it; first of all we must remember that the context is Proverbs, principles for godly living—not necessarily promises but principles!  This verse in particular isn’t a promise on raising perfect children, but a principle that there is a ‘way’ in which we are to ‘train’ our children.  The word ‘train’ is key, for we aren’t to run rough-shod over them, neither are we to let them run wild and free, running rough-shod over we parents or other adults in their life.  We are to instruct them in proper behavior—what is acceptable and what is not, living our lives before them in submission to our heavenly Father, setting an example of obedience, respect and regard for God and others in authority.

As a substitute teacher for some 25 years, I know by personal experience and observation that much of the problem we have in our public schools comes from children and parents (YES parents) who have no regard for the authorities in the public school; and while they aren’t ‘all-knowing’ or ‘perfect’ authority figures, they are usually reasonable people who care about our children.  I qualify this by saying that there are those in places of authority in education who think they have more authority than the parent, and we must know our child and what we have taught them and be willing to stand up for them when they are being wrongly accused, bullied, or mistreated by child or adult!  But by the same token we are to extend the same respect and willingness to hear those on the other side.

God has given us the best guide for how to teach, train and prepare our children for adulthood.  I can’t believe that I missed this until most of my children had left home, and I regret that I missed so much opportunity to share truth and godly principles with them.  I was raised in a ‘no backtalk’ environment, and I held pretty tightly to that principle, yet there is a place for open communication between parent and child, not sass, not disrespect, or disregard on either side.  Parents are to ‘parent’ not the child!  Let’s take a look at God’s plan, and while I’d love to share the whole of Deuteronomy 6, we’ll just post selected parts, and you can read the rest on your own—it’s too good to miss!

“Now these are the commandments,

 the statutes,

 and the judgments,

which the LORD your God

commanded to teach you,

that ye might do them

in the land whither ye go to possess it:

2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God,

to keep all his statutes

and his commandments,

which I command thee,

thou,

and thy son,

and thy son’s son,

all the days of thy life;

and that thy days may be prolonged.

4 Hear, O Israel:

The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:” Deuteronomy 6:1-6

Moses was preparing the children of Israel to go into the promised land after his decease, as well as to know how God expected them to behave that they would prosper and succeed in the Land of Canaan; also for their posterity—themselves, their sons, and their son’s sons and all future generations.  The key is that is starts with we parents, You/I must know God personally, to have been ‘born again’ as Jesus said, before we can pass anything on to our children.  God’s Word must be in our hearts, and it gets there not only by studying The Word, but also by the empowering understanding that the indwelling Holy Spirit gives to God’s own.

“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…

…. 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.”   Portions of Romans 5:1-11

Just as Moses encouraged his people to pursue God’s will because HE had delivered them from Egypt and was about to take them into the Promised Land, Paul was reminding the Roman believers of all that God had done and is doing for us through Jesus’ redemption!  He has saved us, keeps us by the power of The Holy Spirit, and is leading us to the eternal ‘Promised Land’ of heaven!  We can live holy lives by the power of God, and we are to share that hope and power with our children, leading them to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  So just as Moses called for commitment to God, we are called to the same, only we have been given the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.   Let’s go back to Deuteronomy and see what other instructions God gave for parenting; they are simple if not easy, but doable by God’s power and obedient love of our Lord, when we know HIM personally!

“And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house,

and on thy gates…

… 13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God,

and serve him,

and shalt swear by his name.

14 Ye shall not go after other gods,

of the gods of the people

which are round about you; …

… 17 Ye shall diligently keep the commandments

of the LORD your God,

and his testimonies,

and his statutes,

which he hath commanded thee.

18 And thou shalt do that

which is right and good in the sight of the LORD:

that it may be well with thee,

and that thou mayest go in

and possess the good land

which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,

19 To cast out all thine enemies

from before thee,

as the LORD hath spoken.

20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come,

saying,

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:…

… 24 And the LORD commanded us

to do all these statutes,

to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

if we observe to do

all these commandments

before the LORD our God,

as he hath commanded us.”  Portions of Deuteronomy 6:7-25

I know that this is a lengthy passage, and I encourage you to read the entire chapter– the more you read it, the more it will sink in, but I’d like to summarize what I think God was telling them as well as us.  Our world is going to “hell in a hand basket” and our children are following the world, we must step in and deliver them as best we can with God’s help, God’s Word and our own diligent prayer and obedient living.

Moses instructed the people that they were to behave like God’s children, having a personal relationship with HIM—they were to not only know God, but know HIS will, HIS Word, and HIS ways!  Then they were to teach their children by word and deed—in the way, when they arose, when they went to bed, when they saw teachable moments, moments that would be reinforced by the godly décor in their home—on the walls, in their media, in their speech, holding to the holy, godly lives that reflected the holiness of God not the ungodliness of the world.  Then in verses 20 and 21 he caps it all off by telling them that if they lived this godly way, their children would come of an age to ask, “why do we live this way?”, then they/we could share with them our own personal testimony of what God has done for us—for you and me!  WOW!  What an opportunity.

But what makes me sad today is that many people I know —both professing Christians and the non-Christians—have vocabularies that would make a gutter-snipe blush!  If you belong to Jesus, your language should reflect HIS character not the vile culture of our world.  I’ll close with Jesus’ own commentary on this situation.  You decide what you need to do about it, or how you can help others grow into more holy living than worldly living.

“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.”  Matthew 12:34-35

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries,

fornications, thefts,

false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:18-20

Do you need to let Jesus ‘wash’ your mouth?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!