Category Archives: Liars

Do You Have Any Lions??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #400

29 Wednesday Oct 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Father of Lies!, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Fruit of the Spirit, Giving Or Taking?, Liars, Lies That Defeat Us, Life, Look up and Praise The Lord, Looking Unto Jesus, Satan, Satan's lies.

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Do You Have Any Lions???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #400

It’s so amazing how time goes so quickly!  As I changed the number to 400 this morning, I couldn’t help but smile and thank God for the privilege of writing this blog.  And that’s only 400 since I changed the name again.  I’ve been doing this blog since 2012—oh my, that’s 13 years, and only God knows where they have gone.  I always pray that He takes them where they need to go.  I hope you are being blessed in these writings from God’s Word!  It’s why I believe God has called me to this ministry and I seek to continue to hear and heed His call to share His Word, not my opinions!

As I say that, I know that one of my lions seems to be trying to keep me from writing as regularly as I try to.  What are your lions?  As I was teaching on Daniel chapter 6 (the den of lions) last evening, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share a few things with you today about those lions; and while most of us won’t face a den full of lions for our faith, the enemy is real, and we need to keep our armor on to overcome by God’s power, grace and wisdom!  So be sure and pray on that armor from Ephesians 6:10-19 every day!

As Daniel faced the trial of those who wanted to get rid of him, the king sees that he had been duped and even in the short time that he had known Daniel, he had come to recognize Daniel’s faith!  What do others see in us?  Read the whole chapter to see that Daniel’s specific crime was praying to his God—openly, regularly, and diligently!  What about our prayer life?  Oh, Lord help me to be more diligent and faithful to spend time with you!

“Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee.”  Daniel 6:16

But that isn’t the only thing we see about this king who just commanded that Daniel be cast into this den of lions; he was concerned for his own failure to see the devices of those who had appealed to his ego in signing the edict that no one could pray to anyone but him!  How big is your ego? Your pride?

“Then the king went to his palace,

and passed the night fasting:

neither were instruments of musick

brought before him:

and his sleep went from him.

19 Then the king arose very early in the morning,

and went in haste unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den,

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake and said to Daniel,

O Daniel,

servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee from the lions?”          Daniel 6:18-20

What anxiety this king must have felt as he called out to this man of faithfulness and integrity; while he recognized the uniqueness of “Daniel’s God”, he wasn’t’ quite sure that he could have power in a den of hungry lions!  Was he in for a pleasant and welcome surprise—and if you don’t know, Daniel was not a young teenager (as many of the pictures depict him) at this time, but he was a man in his eighties approaching ninety years old, who knew his God was able, and he also knew that he was guiltless.

“Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him innocency

was found in me;

and also before thee, O king,

have I done no hurt.”  Daniel 6:21-22

I want to share some scriptural reminders of the reality of our spiritual lions today, and also how we can stand-withstand-and overcome by God’s grace, power and truth, as we serve Him “continually” (not working for our salvation, but letting God work through our daily lives before a lost and dying world!). Now let me say, when we talk about continually serving God, that doesn’t mean that we stay at church all the time, or pass out tracks all the time, or preach or teach all the time!  What it does mean is that we remember that when we claim to have given our lives to Jesus Christ, we need to live the crucified life.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

And Jesus’ call to those who want to be His own!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

So, what about those lions?  Let’s let scripture speak!

“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.”Ephesians 6:10-12

We can stand against the “wiles of the devil” by God’s strength and power—not on our own.  In fact Jesus made this really clear!

“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

Peter also helps us understand this analogy; I wish I’d have thought of this!  I didn’t but I sure can use God’s Word to help others see the dangers of the adversary of our souls!

“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.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

 While we may not be thrown into a den full of lions, we are ever plagued by this enemy of our souls!  But don’t lose heart—for in Jesus, remember—We Win!  But we must be humble before our God and Saviour Jesus Christ The Lord, knowing that He has us!  He knows, cares and is working for our good! He said He would!

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:5-6

And also from the author of the book of Hebrews, a reminder to keep our eyes on the prize not the enemy—for with Jesus we do Win!  And remember you are called to run ‘your’ race not anyone else’s—help them yes, encourage them yes, but stay in your lane! (And just FYI, the witnesses that he mentions are not a reference to a great stadium cheering us on, but rather a reference to the list of the faithful that was just shared in chapter 11, reminding us that we aren’t alone). Remember—others have gone before us in victory, even in horrific circumstances! (Read the biographies of the missionaries of earlier generations!)

“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.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

So, my friends, don’t fear the lions, but walk in the victory that Jesus can and will provide for you when you keep your “eyes fixed on Jesus” (Blanche’s paraphrase!); remembering Paul’s words of encouragement (and Daniel’s faithful example)!

“11 Not that I speak in respect of want:

for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be content…  

…. 13 I can do all things

through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:11-13

We Win!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Lies Are Still Lies??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #246

04 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Father of lies, Father of Lies!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Satan, Satan's lies., Saved by Grace Through Faith

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Lies Are Still Lies???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #246

“But now ye seek to kill me,

a man that hath told you the truth,

which I have heard of God:

this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him,

We be not born of fornication;

we have one Father,

even God.

42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:40-45

Jesus makes it clear that not all who claim to know Him, do!  The Apostle John also said that if we belong to Jesus, we are to walk in the “light” not the dark/flesh, and Paul repeats it over and over again in his writings, as he calls those who claim the name of Jesus to live it.  If we continually choose to walk with the world, we might want to examine what it is that we think has saved us.  The author of the book of Hebrews said it clearly, if we claim to be God’s children and sin with no discipline from God, we are illegitimate—lying to ourselves as well as others.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 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.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:5-10

“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.”  Hebrews 12:6-8

Satan is a liar, as Jesus said, and if we believe his lies and refuse to see our sin and confess it as sin, we will die in our sin, and the lie will take us straight to hell.

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

“For all have sinned,

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

What have you done about your sin; not anyone else’s sin, but your sin?  We must deal with our sin in the blood of Jesus or pay for it ourselves; which means death and hell.  As Paul said, to the Corinthians, we are to examine ourselves and determine if we actually belong to Jesus and are living in the power of His Holy Spirit.  We are made new through the blood of Jesus, by the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord as His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—mine and yours!  It’s the price that Jesus paid for sin—the only way to God. (See John 14:6)

“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

One of my favorite passages is Paul’s call to the Roman believers to live by the power of Jesus, as a living sacrifice unto our God.  Are you measuring your life by the world or by The Word of God?  Don’t let the lies of the devil lead you astray. As Jesus said above:

“He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it…”

Are you willing to hear Jesus’ truth, or fall for the lies?  It’s your call, but there is a test.  Choose the holy life rather than the conformity to this world.

“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

Jesus also says our life will tell the tale; what is your fruit telling about you and your relationship with Jesus?  Have you entered in by the “blood of Jesus… that cleanseth us from all sin” or are you trying to make it on your own good works, and fooling people.  As my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all of the time; and you can fool all of the people some of the time; but you can’t fool God!”  There is a test coming.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.”  Matthew 7:13-17

Jesus is the ‘word’ by which we all shall be judged; what have you done with His payment for sin?  (See Hebrews 4:12-13)

“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 20:14-15

I pray that you will be found in the book.

Amen and Amen!!!

Spiritual Hacking??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #103

02 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Father of lies, Father of Lies!, Liars, Lies That Defeat Us, Spiritual Hacking???

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Spiritual Hacking??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #103

Social media has made “hacking” a key word in our modern vocabulary; and it makes our lives a bit complicated when others seek to harm us in various ways by invading our “space”!  I was thinking about this the other day, as I was giving a bit of practical advice to my friends about keeping their media accounts safe, and I couldn’t help but think of the spiritual application to our lives every day. So, I’d like to spend our time together today considering “our options”.  We can pursue confident, secure, connections, or we can go our own flippant way and do what we want without regard to the consequences.  Are you considering your options?  The consequences?  Let’s see what scripture has to say.

“There is a way which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

And Joshua made his decision clear to those around him.

“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.

16 And the people answered and said,

God forbid that we should forsake the LORD,

to serve other gods;” Joshua 24:15-16

Our Lord Jesus IS the only real security that we can have–all else is simply imitation, pretend, or things with ulterior motives.  Will you take the secure path, or fall to the lies of the one who desires to lead you to death and hell?

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 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 10:7-11

 Jesus also named this “thief” –the one who wants to destroy lives, incapacitate people, and blind the eyes that men, women, boys, and girls will follow his path of self, lies, arrogance, pride, and rebellion toward God!  Give it some thought.

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:42-45

So to pull this all together, let’s sum it up with two of the most important passages about the devil from Isaiah and Ezekiel; and just in case you were wondering, we do have a verifying passage that clearly identifies our enemy!  And to be secure we must cling to our Lord Jesus and recognize that we have an enemy who is ever trying to “hack” our spiritual journey, so we must keep our armor on (our two-step verification, so to speak, although our armor takes more than two steps–see Ephesians 6:10-18), and our eyes on our “account IN JESUS”!

“And the great dragon was cast out,

that old serpent,

called the Devil,

and Satan,

which deceiveth the whole world[…]”.  Revelation 12:9

Now, let’s see where pride in our own way can take us!

“How art thou fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer,

son of the morning!

how art thou cut down to the ground,

which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart,

I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:

I will sit also upon the mount

of the congregation,

in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend

above the heights of the clouds;

I will be like the most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell,

to the sides of the pit.”  Isaiah 14:12-15

And Ezekiel’s account:

“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

12 Son of man, take up a lamentation

upon the king of Tyrus,

 and say unto him,

Thus saith the Lord GOD;

Thou sealest up the sum,

full of wisdom,

and perfect in beauty.

13 Thou hast been in Eden

the garden of God;

every precious stone was thy covering,

the sardius,

topaz,

and the diamond,

the beryl,

the onyx,

and the jasper,

the sapphire,

the emerald,

and the carbuncle,

and gold:

the workmanship of thy tabrets

and of thy pipes

was prepared in thee

in the day that thou wast created.

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth;

and I have set thee so:

thou wast upon the holy mountain of God;

thou hast walked up and down

in the midst of the stones of fire.

15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways

 from the day that thou wast created,

till iniquity was found in thee.

16 By the multitude of thy merchandise

they have filled the midst of thee

with violence,

and thou hast sinned:

therefore I will cast thee as profane

out of the mountain of God:

and I will destroy thee,

O covering cherub,

from the midst of the stones of fire.

17 Thine heart was lifted up

because of thy beauty,

thou hast corrupted thy wisdom

by reason of thy brightness:

I will cast thee to the ground,

I will lay thee before kings,

that they may behold thee.

18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries

by the multitude of thine iniquities,

by the iniquity of thy traffick;

therefore will I bring forth a fire

from the midst of thee,

it shall devour thee,

and I will bring thee to ashes

upon the earth in the sight of all them

that behold thee.

19 All they that know thee among the people

shall be astonished at thee:

thou shalt be a terror,

and never shalt thou be any more.” Ezekiel 28:11-19

So, my friends, will you keep your eyes on Jesus and secure your soul, or will you fall for the lies of “the father of lies” and suffer the consequence?  I pray that we will continually be “fixing our eyes on Jesus”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Truth Or _______??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #101

26 Monday Jun 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Let You Light So Shine, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Trust God, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Truth is True

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Truth Or ________???        A Word from THE WORD!!! #101

All around us we see and hear things that sound so nice but are just a bubble off of plumb.  Yet a half-truth is still a lie, and when it comes to God’s Word, we need to stand in truth for JESUS IS TRUTH; and HE never minced words or backed down from truth.  How about us?

“And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me

and of my words,

of him shall the Son of man be ashamed,

when he shall come in his own glory,

and in his Father’s,

and of the holy angels.”  Luke 9:23-26

To make it even more clear, Jesus was very ‘to the point’!

“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

When I see things that are questionable, I must, I repeat, ‘I must’, go back to scripture.  I am beyond grieved to see so many professing believers in Jesus being led astray, falling for half-truths, lies, and accepting blatant deceit because they “saw it on social media”; all because they want instant biblical maturity but no accountability or investment of themselves!  They somehow have missed the idea of dependence upon God, and the spiritual disciplines, of prayer, Bible study, and assembling together with other Bible believing followers of Jesus.  Jesus said clearly that each of us MUST be willing to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”!

The question seems to be the old, but never changing question that Pilate asked of Jesus, “What is truth?”  The answer is the same yesterday, today and forever!

“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

 Without trying to be redundant, Paul gave his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, some great words that we should all heed (and one way to heed them is to memorize them!)!

“Study to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun

profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase

unto more ungodliness.”  2 Timothy 2:15-16

And just FYI, I consider much of social media to be “profane and vain babblings”!  Also of note, if you can “rightly divide”, it is implied that you can “wrongly” divide God’s Word! You must decide for yourself!  But choose wisely, there is a test!  And a second message to Timothy gives us the plan.

“Yea, and

all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers

shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving,

and being deceived.

14 But continue thou

in the things which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation

through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:12-17

So, what will you believe and adhere to; “truth” or “consequences”? (And just FYI, perfect here means mature…” unto all good works”)  For God has the final word!!!

“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

I pray that we will be found busy in “well doing” not just talking about it!  May God grow us in all truth as we pursue HIM and holiness.

Amen and Amen!!!

Are You Vexed By The World??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #97

11 Sunday Jun 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, False Lives, Let You Light So Shine, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Life or Death?, Vexation, Victory IN Jesus!

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Are You Vexed By The World??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #97

Vexed: irritated, annoyed… much discussed or disputed….tossed about, as waves….

I know ‘vexed’ is an old and seldom used word today, but it fits the thoughts of my heart today; and scripture is replete with lessons about being vexed–both good and bad, so let’s see what we can learn and discern from God’s Word today.

Job is the picture that we often refer to when we think of suffering, yet we find so much truth in the book of Job, as we see this man of integrity stand for righteousness, truth, and his Savior-Redeemer, we can learn so much; and one of the things that encourages me so is Job’s so-called friends, ever telling Job if ‘he hadn’t sinned’ then none of these things would have happened, and calling him to confess and repent.  All the while Job declares his confidence in his GOD and his integrity before HIM!

“As God liveth,

who hath taken away my judgment;

and the Almighty,

who hath vexed my soul;

3 All the while

my breath

is in me,

and the spirit of God

is in my nostrils;

4 My lips

shall not speak wickedness,

nor my tongue

utter deceit.

5 God forbid that I should justify you:

till I die

I will not remove mine integrity from me.

6 My righteousness

I hold fast,

and will not let it go:

my heart

 shall not reproach me so long as I live.”   Job 27:2-6

Job wasn’t bragging on himself, but rather bragging on his God–the Almighty God of the universe–the One in whom he believed and trusted for salvation and deliverance.

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,

yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed within me.”  Job 19:25-27

And again:

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

for an hypocrite

shall not come before him.”  Job 13:15-16

Unlike Job, we often let our friends and acquaintances influence our walk with God and our outlook on our circumstances–we must make sure that like Job, our faith is in God and His Word–Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, knowing that whatever may come our way or come around us, we can truly say with Job, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”!  What does all this have to do with ‘vexation’?  Well that’s a good question, for much like Job’s friends, who had a skewed view of God, many around us have that same skewed view of God and worse.  We have come to be a culture that treats God’s Word, God’s ways, and God’s people with disdain, and like another man of faith who lost his influence due to the culture he chose to be in (and he had a choice, just like we do).  It breaks my heart that our once godly, Christian nation now boldly, blatantly clings to the things of the enemy of our souls.

But, my friends, this is nothing new, just as Solomon once wrote, “there is no new thing under the sun” (See Ecclesiastes 1:9); and while we are taken aback by all the ‘new’ things absorbing our culture–it’s not new at all!  It goes back to Eden, where man chose sin instead of God!  Same story, just new titles, and names!  Peter in his second recorded letter makes this abundantly clear, for there have always been false teachers–liars, betrayers, deceivers–and we must choose whether we will dig into The Word of God and know truth or be deceived by those who desire to steal our soul, our life, our children, and our culture.  I AM VEXED!!!  When will we wake up and measure our own lives by God’s standard rather than man’s?  Lot chose to get accustomed to the sin, filth, and degradation around him, and it cost him his family; his testimony had become worthless to those around him because he had chosen to “go along to get along”!  How about you and me?  What comes out of our mouth is from the heart; what’s in your heart?  What does the world see in your lifestyle; kindness with no truth, vile and filthy language to get along because we allow ourselves to absorb the filth around us?  I’ll let Peter make the case.

“But there were false prophets

also among the people,

even as there shall be false teachers

among you,

who privily shall bring in

damnable heresies,

even denying the Lord that bought them,

and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways;

by reason of whom the way of truth

shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness

shall they with feigned words

make merchandise of you:

whose judgment now of a long time

lingereth not,

and their damnation slumbereth not.

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned,

but cast them down to hell,

and delivered them into chains of darkness,

to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world,

but saved Noah the eighth person,

a preacher of righteousness,

bringing in the flood

upon the world of the ungodly;

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha

into ashes condemned them with an overthrow,

making them an ensample

unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot,

vexed with the filthy conversation

of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man

dwelling among them,

in seeing

and hearing,

vexed his righteous soul

from day to day

with their unlawful deeds😉

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly

out of temptations,

and to reserve the unjust

unto the day of judgment

to be punished:

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh

in the lust of uncleanness,

and despise government.

Presumptuous are they,

selfwilled,

they are not afraid

to speak evil of dignities.”  2 Peter 2:1-10

My friends, judgment is coming–for believers and unbelievers–the judgment seat of Jesus (as described in Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10) for believers, those who have been born again by the blood of The Lamb, where all will “give an account of himself to God”!  The lost (those who have failed/refused to bow before Jesus in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin–your sin and mine– for “all have sinned”!) will stand before God at the Great White Throne with no recourse or payment for their sin, but to be cast into the “lake of fire” (Rev. 20)!  You can live the way you want; you can talk the way you want, you can accept and promote immorality, wickedness, and the vile things of this world, and while it vexes my heart and soul to ‘see and hear’ it, everyone will give an account to God!  I pray that you will hear the voice of the savior if you don’t know Him yet and come to His cross for salvation.  If you are a believer who has compromised, I pray that you will come to that same cross in repentance and call on your Master Jesus for forgiveness, cleansing and restoration–HE is still changing hearts and lives.

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

 

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!