Category Archives: Living For Jesus

Let Your Light Shine??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #366

19 Saturday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Light In The Dark, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living For Jesus, Shine as lights in the world

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Let Your Light Shine???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #366

Just a brief word on this Saturday night as we think about and prepare for a blessed and worshipful Sunday.  May others see Jesus in those of us who claim His name.  Just saying.  Whom do people see when they look at me?  At you?

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden

under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16

We are called to shine Jesus before a lost and dying world living in the darkness. John the Apostle calls us to walk in the light with Jesus, and we will reflect HIS light, not stumble and fall.

“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 1:6-10

Where are you walking?  In the light or in the dark?  Won’t you pursue the light with Jesus—HE is the sun/SON—and we are to reflect HIS light just as the moon reflects the light of the sun!  Don’t let the world come between you and the ‘sun’—we aren’t to be eclipsed by the world, but rather to shine forth “the way, the truth, and the life”!  Someone is watching you and me—may we ever shine truth everywhere we go.  Are you shining the light as you go?  Let’s brighten “the corner where you are” (A hymn written by Ina Duley Ogden.)!  May you have a blessed and enlightening Sunday—and take it out to the world!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

If Not Now??? When??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #361

27 Friday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, Living For Jesus, Living TODAY!, Looking Unto Jesus, Love, Love Is Action, Lovest Thou ME?, Speaking, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Procrastination, TODAY, Today And Tomorrow, Today IS Today!, Too Late To Call?, Touch them while you can?, Train up a child....

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If Not Now???  When???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #361

 

“Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying,

On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,

24 The LORD bless thee,

and keep thee:

25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee,

and be gracious unto thee:

26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee,

and give thee peace.

27 And they shall put my name

upon the children of Israel;

and I will bless them.”  Numbers 6:23-27

God called Moses to call the spiritual leaders of Israel, the Levites, to call God’s blessing over the people.  How much more should we as parents call God’s blessings over our children; not just in our spoken words, but in our life style.  Our children will follow much more of our actions than just our words.  What are you speaking to your children, over them, before them?  Oh, please, my friends, I implore you to not miss today!

My heart has been heavy of late for the words unspoken.  While I often told my children that I loved them, and I still do, how much more time could I have spent putting in positive guidance, and not just being the disciplinarian (and discipline is essential for a well-balanced life!)?  As most of you know, I lost my daughter some five and a half years ago, and it has been heavy on my heart and mind to remind each of you to take advantage of today!

Our children are a blessing from God—be they natural born into our family, adopted, fostered, or just accepting those who are neglected into our circle.  God expects us to share His love with them and count them as a blessing and not a burden.  Enjoy the days that you have—you don’t know what tomorrow holds.

I will simply leave you with a word from God, may you be reminded of the short time we have to influence those precious gifts from God.  Not just in their childhood, but to be a spiritual guide in their lives by example, leading them to the cross.  What kind of heritage are you leaving for those who come after you?

“Except the LORD build the house,

they labour in vain that build it:

except the LORD keep the city,

the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early,

to sit up late,

to eat the bread of sorrows:

for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;

so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man

that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak with the enemies

in the gate.”  Psalm 127:1-5

May you be blessed to hear from God today!  May you spread the love of God and that “peace of God, which that passeth all understanding”; and may you share it, spread it around and don’t let those “I love you’s” go unsaid!  May we spread the love of God as we go—at home, at work, in the store, on errands, even driving!  Have a blessed day my friends, I’m praying for you.

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

Amen and Amen!!!

Thank God, It’s Different Now??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #355

08 Sunday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living For Jesus, Living in Christ, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Living Waters, Looking Unto Jesus, Looking up Or around?, Made like Jesus!, Righteousness, Salvation, Second Chances, Self-sufficient or Dependent on Jesus?

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Thank God, It’s Different Now?  A Word from THE WORD!!! #355

What does your life show to the world?  Does your life show the transforming power of Jesus, or have you let the world color your influence?  Paul reminded the Corinthian believers of the import of being God’s work of glory before a lost and dying world.  Paul reminds us that we have a call when we come to Jesus; what are you and I doing in response to our call?

“For the love of Christ constraineth us;

because we thus judge,

that if one died for all,

then were all dead:

15 And that he died for all,

that they which live

should not henceforth live

unto themselves,

but unto him which died for them,

and rose again.

16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man

after the flesh:

yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh,

yet now henceforth know we him no more.

17 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.”   2 Corinthians 5:14-19

We are to not only display the difference that Jesus makes in our lives, but we are to also share the word of reconciliation—that Jesus saves and forgives us for sin, when we come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!       And Paul goes on to remind believers that we are made new creatures in Jesus Christ, by the resurrection power of our Lord.  Crucified, buried and risen again to make us His children.  Whose image are you reflecting; the world or the One who died for you; we are changed by the blood that He shed to pay for my sin and yours!

“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 5:20-21

Jesus not only paid for my sin, but in His resurrection power, He makes us new creatures who have received the righteousness of God all because Jesus became sin for us.  He paid the debt that we owed, and by trusting in Him and seeking forgiveness and salvation we are made righteous before God by the “blood of The Lamb”!

Paul also has even more good news for us, we can live in peace, hope and usefulness before our God because of this same “blood of The Lamb”!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:13-14

I pray that you will find the joy and strength of The Lord to be not only adequate to the task but more than sufficient for victory by the power, strength and sufficiency of the cross of Jesus Christ my Lord.  Remember we win—all because of Jesus; therefore we are to be a picture of the power of the cross to righteousness and holiness not worldliness!  Whose power are you living in?

I pray that you make today the day that starts your “Victory In Jesus”!

And in closing one of my favorite passages of encouragement, I pray that it will lift your heart today!

“O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin;

and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”                             1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Amen and Amen!!!

Is Holiness Out Of Style??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #331

21 Friday Mar 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Holey, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Light In The Dark, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living For Jesus, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Making a difference, Redefining Christianity?, Redemption or Rehearsal?, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Reflecting HIS glory, Sayers or Doers, Seasonal or Steadfast?, Self-sufficient or Dependent on Jesus?, Sharing What God Has Given

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Is Holiness Out Of Style???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #331

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”  1 Peter 1:13-19

Peter called the scattered believers (due to persecution) to live according to the grace and holiness of God, not as they walked before they were saved.  I think it is a message that we need today!  We need to remember that Jesus shed His precious blood to save, transform and deliver us from sin—not to leave us in the same old life.  Are you and I measuring our words, our actions, our attitudes by The Word of God and the directing of The Holy Spirit? Or are we justifying our spiritual laxity with the old excuse, well “Everyone is doing it!”?  Have we allowed the TV, the movies, the music, the actions of others rub off on us?  Have we forgotten that we are to pursue God’s holiness?  Are you living Jesus in front of your world, or are you allowing the world around you to compromise your faith, your commitment to Jesus and your holiness?  How can we claim to be changed and yet live so worldly that no one really sees Jesus in me or you?  Paul told us we are to walk according to the change that Jesus brought!  What do people see you in?  In me?  Is the righteousness of Jesus showing in us, or are we so caught up with the world that others see more reflections of popular culture than of Jesus?

“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

Is the righteousness of Jesus seen in me?  In you?  Do you claim Jesus with your lips but live a life that may shame or dishonor Him?  Do we brag on the things we watch or listen to, when the contents are vile, corrupt and the language that which we wouldn’t use before our King?  Guess what—your King and mine is ever present and sees and knows.  Do my decisions honor the blood stained cross or shame my Lord and the blood that HE shed for me.  Is my attire modest?  Or do I long for the praise of the world more than the pleasure of my Lord?   I know these aren’t popular things to talk about, but someone must.  And our speech is so often appalling.  Paul addressed that too—not just filthy words, but words that harm, degrade, or hurt others directly or with tacky remarks. (And I understand the struggle, for Jesus has dealt repeatedly with my own tendencies to be a smart alec!  And may I say, that is NOT a spiritual gift, no matter how much we try to excuse it!)

“Charge them that are rich in this world,

that they be not highminded,

nor trust in uncertain riches,

but in the living God,

who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good,

that they be rich in good works,

ready to distribute,

willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store

for themselves a good foundation

against the time to come,

that they may lay hold

on eternal life.

20 O Timothy,

keep that which is committed to thy trust,

avoiding profane and vain babblings,

and oppositions of science

falsely so called:” 1 Timothy 6:17-20

And then again in his second letter to Timothy Paul mentions some of the same things as a reminder, with a challenge that we need to heed as well to “keep that which is committed to thy trust”!  May we receive the reminder and walk holy before our God—style or no style—living real holy lives as a reflection of the glory of our Lord—in all things.

“Of these things put them in remembrance,

charging them before the Lord

that they strive not about words to no profit,

but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 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.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker…:”  2 Timothy 2:14-17a

Don’t let spiritual cancer destroy your witness.  Let’s pursue holiness—not a denomination, but a lifestyle—a transformed lifestyle!!!  And watch those words, as I’ve often said, “Watch your words and keep them sweet—you never know which ones you’ll have to eat!!”

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s The Verdict??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #288

15 Friday Nov 2024

Posted by in Eyes that SEE HIM, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living For Jesus, Living in Christ, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Living Waters

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What’s The Verdict???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #288

There’s a proverb that’s been around for a while, and I think it worth our consideration, especially in the day in which we are living; “If you were put on trial for being a Christian (a believer in and a follower of Jesus), would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  With our culture of “offence”, it is often easy to let our silence be construed as approval.  Now, I don’t think we need to go everywhere with “guns a blazin’ ” as the saying goes, but we are to speak the truth in love.  Oh, how needy our world is of real love—not lust, but real God centered, helping people centered, love of God.

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head,

 even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body

fitly joined together

and compacted

by that which every joint supplieth,

according to the effectual working

in the measure of every part,

maketh increase of the body

unto the edifying

of itself in love.”   Ephesians 4:14-16

Is our light shining for Jesus, reflecting His work in us, or are we letting the enemy have his way in our daily walk; what does my walk—my talk—my actions—my compassion and grace say to people about my Lord Jesus.  Would my life bring a verdict of guilty of belonging to Jesus?  Would there be a hung jury, for the compromise that prevails too often?  Would there be so little evidence that I would be set free for lack of evidence?  Am I more concerned with blending in than shining for Jesus.  Yes, it may have a cost, but nothing like the price that Jesus paid to save me!

Let’s look at what Jesus said our lives ought to look like.

“Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil against you

falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice,

and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:11-16

Nuff’ said!

Amen and Amen!!!