Category Archives: Living For Jesus

The Beauty Of Holiness??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #369

27 Sunday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Be ye HOLY, Be YE Steadfast, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Glory To God, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Jesus--our all in all, Listening To God, Living For Jesus, Living Right, Only Jesus, Testify

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The Beauty Of Holiness???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #369

What is holiness?  Technically, the word means to be set apart, but I want us to look at what God calls us, those of us who claim to be Christians, believers, followers of Jesus, to be, different!  Not oddball, but different from the world—which will make us look like ‘oddballs’ to the world.

“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…

….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:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope

might be in God.” Portions of 1 Peter 1:13-21

Peter reminds us that we have been redeemed, bought back from the penalty of our own sin.  Sin is the issue, but when we are born again, we are transformed, changed from the old man to the new person of God’s transforming grace.  Paul describes this to the Colossian believers.  (See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:12-14

We have been changed, and God hath put His Spirit, The Holy Spirit, within us as He promised, and His Spirit empowers us to live holy lives.  My flesh ever fails, but by God’s Spirit, power, and direction, we are enabled to walk victorious lives before a lost and dying world.  But when we join in the world’s flesh-driven desires, it will never lead us up, but rather it will drag us down and ruin our lives, our witness and our testimony before the world!  It’s not what we are called to do.  Paul told the Colossians believers that God has, “delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”!  It’s all about the transforming, regenerating power of Jesus’ blood, by His death, burial and resurrection that gives us power to overcome!  We can live victoriously—yes, we will stumble and fall, for we are human, but as we walk “in the light, as He is in the light” we will find spiritual victory and success by His grace—translated into HIS kingdom….

While there are many voices who claim to speak for Jesus, we are to measure what we hear by the Word of God, not our own will, words and ways.  God makes it clear that we are not our own ‘god’; but many sure do spend a lot of energy thinking they are.

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:6-9

My question for us today is, are we measuring our life by God’s standard or the world’s?  Are we holy?  Jesus said what comes out of our mouth is a reflection of what is in our heart.  What is our speech revealing to the world; are we just mimicking what we hear around us or are we reflecting the holiness of the Lord that we claim to serve and follow.

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 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 15:17-20

“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.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.”  Matthew 12:34-36

Jesus reminds us that our words do matter.  What is coming out of your mouth?  Mine?  Are they from a transformed heart, or a corrupt one?  I must admit that I am sorely grieved at the language that I hear all around me—people using words that are vulgar, hurtful, vile and often using and taking The Lord’s name in vain.  What comes out of our mouth reveals our heart, even when we don’t want it to.  It takes a lot of prayer, commitment and devotion to stay on track, the Psalmist says it better than I can.

“Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart

to any evil thing,

to practise wicked works

with men that work iniquity:

and let me not

eat of their dainties.”  Psalm 141:3-4

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.”   Psalm 139:23-24

“The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”                Jeremiah 17:9-10

In closing this evening, I share Paul’s great admonition to we who belong to Jesus, to be living sacrifices to our Lord Jesus!  May we renew our minds continually to bring glory to our Lord and lift him up in honor before the darkness around us.

“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 

May we truly “be not conformed” but live holy lives.  How do we do that?  Paul answers for us, we are to “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”!  Not just cleaning up our act but displaying a life transformed by Jesus and His Word!

“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.”  1 John 1:6-7

Amen & Amen!!!

A Friday Tidbit??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #358

25 Friday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Dare To Be Different!, Darkness or Light?, Light In The Dark, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Listening To God, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living For Jesus, Living in Christ, Living Right, Looking Unto Jesus, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Light of The World, The Little Things., The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God, The Mind Of Christ

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A Friday Tidbit???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #368

Are we just “calling Jesus Lord”; or are we truly bowing before Him as Lord of our heart, our soul and our life—how we walk—how we talk—how we respond to conflict—how we treat others!  Are we just “talking” the talk, or are we truly “walking” the walk that matches God’s transforming work of salvation?  Remember, sometimes, even often times these days, we will pay a price for “speaking the truth in love”; so be prepared to “withstand in the evil day…”! (Please read 1 Peter 2:11-25 also)

“Blessed are they which are persecuted

for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 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 5:10-16

Also, don’t forget that we can only reflect light, The Light of the world—Jesus!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”  John 8:12

Like the moon, we have no light of our own, but when we come to Jesus and are born again, we are to be a reflection of this very “light of the world “!  I pray that we will seek the face of the Savior and Lord and be the truest reflection of His light that we can be!  Some lost soul may be depending on the light that you and I are to be shining!  May we be found faithful to our Lord!  May the world see Jesus in our lives as we heed the Word of God and yield to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Take note of the words of the Apostle Paul—shine my friends, let’s shine!!!

“For it is God which worketh in you

both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be

blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst

of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;”   Philippians 2:13-15

Amen and Amen!!!

It Must Be Right To God??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #367

22 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God Is In Charge, God Still Reigns, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Judgment, God's measure isn't ours, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godly Wisdom, King David?, Kneeling Prevents Stumbling!, Know Whom I Believe, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Knowing Or Going?, Knowing Truth, Listening To God, Living For Jesus, That They May Know, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Father of Lies!, The Heart is deceitful and dreadfully wicked..., The Light of The Word IS Jesus

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It Must Be Right To God???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #367

As I often write, we must seek God’s face in all our ways, and there are things that are acceptable to God, and others are not.  Even though we live in a culture that denies absolute truth—God hasn’t changed the rules, and I’d like to share an Old Testament picture of this very thing; but first of all a few scriptures to prepare our hearts and minds for truth.

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.

9 Be not carried about

with divers and strange doctrines.

For it is a good thing

that the heart be established with grace…”.  Hebrews 13:8-9a

And the verse that ever stands in my heart.

“There is a way

which seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

       (Also see Matthew 7:13-14, Proverbs 16:25)

David, one whom God called, “a man after God’s own heart”, made a fatal mistake shortly after he was proclaimed to be King over all of Israel.  I simply want to recount this story and call us to pray that we are so immersed in God’s Word that we can recognize and discern truth from error.  David didn’t obey God’s plan at the first incident, but between then and the second part of the story, he had come to know that God had a right way to do things, and he then could rejoice in his God.  He got over his “pouting” spell and rejoiced.  What are you “pouting” over today?  Will you accept God’s truth or fall for the devil’s lies?  It’s your choice but remember there is a test.  David failed at first, as he got angry, yet when he recognized that God was always right—he got right with God and man.  But don’t miss the account of Michal’s anger over David’s joy in The Lord and remember not everyone will like it when you are walking right with God, for oft times we ‘rain on sin’s parade’!  May we ever walk God’s way regardless of the cost!

“And David said unto all the congregation of Israel,

If it seem good unto you,

and that it be of the LORD our God,

let us send abroad unto our brethren

every where,

that are left in all the land of Israel,

and with them also to the priests and Levites

which are in their cities and suburbs,

that they may gather themselves unto us:

3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us:

for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul….

…6 And David went up, and all Israel,

to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim,

which belonged to Judah,

to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD,

that dwelleth between the cherubims,

whose name is called on it.

7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart

out of the house of Abinadab:

and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.

8 And David and all Israel played before God

with all their might,

and with singing,

and with harps,

and with psalteries,

and with timbrels,

and with cymbals,

and with trumpets.

9 And when they came

unto the threshingfloor of Chidon,

Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark;

for the oxen stumbled.

10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled

against Uzza,

and he smote him,

because he put his hand to the ark:

and there he died before God.

11 And David was displeased,

because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza:

wherefore that place

is called Perezuzza to this day.”                                 Portions of 1 Chronicles 13:2-11

David had a good heart, a good intention, and in his mind a good plan.  They wanted to bring the Ark of The Covenant/of God to Jerusalem, the capital city of the nation; a good idea, and it seems that God approved as they worshipped, praised and sang unto Him as they brought The Ark on “a new cart”—seemed like a good idea at the time!  But wait!  God, in the law, had established the mode of transport for the ark, and David missed it.  He was deciding with his own wisdom and apparently without checking with the Levites!  (See Deuteronomy 10:8 & 31:9, 25-26)

But, praise God, David had an attitude adjustment (I believe from God), for after all, he was a man after God’s own heart, but he was a man—a human just like you and me, who made a wrong decision, then got mad when God did not respond as he expected…”but God” brought him to a place of truth and he obeyed. Let’s see what happens as we take note and determine to be found faithful to God’s Word and His way!

“And David made him houses in the city of David,

and prepared a place for the ark of God,

and pitched for it a tent.

2 Then David said,

None ought to carry the ark of God

but the Levites:

for them hath the LORD chosen

to carry the ark of God,

and to minister unto him for ever.

3 And David gathered all Israel together

to Jerusalem,

to bring up the ark of the LORD

unto his place,

which he had prepared for it.

4 And David assembled

the children of Aaron, and the Levites…

…. 12 And said unto them,

Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites:

sanctify yourselves,

both ye and your brethren,

that ye may bring up

the ark

of the LORD God of Israel

unto the place

that I have prepared for it.

13 For because ye did it not at the first,

the LORD our God made a breach

upon us,

for that we sought him not

after the due order.

14 So the priests and the Levites

sanctified themselves

to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

15 And the children of the Levites

bare the ark of God upon their shoulders

with the staves thereon,

as Moses commanded

according

to the word of the LORD…

… 25 So David, and the elders of Israel,

and the captains over thousands,

went to bring up the ark

of the covenant of the LORD

out of the house of Obededom with joy.

26 And it came to pass,

when God helped the Levites

that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD,

that they offered seven bullocks

and seven rams..

… 29 And it came to pass,

as the ark of the covenant of the LORD

came to the city of David,

that Michal the daughter of Saul

looking out at a window

saw king David dancing and playing:

and she despised him in her heart.

1 Chronicles 16:1 So they brought the ark of God,

and set it in the midst of the tent

that David had pitched for it:

and they offered burnt sacrifices

and peace offerings

before God.

2 And when David had made an end

of offering the burnt offerings

and the peace offerings,

he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.”                         Portions of 1 Chronicles 15:13-16:2

May we pursue God, His Son, His Word and His ways, that we might honor our God and bless those around us.  May we ever be a blessing and not a cause of “a breach”!  Are we willing to seek God’s face through His Word and walk in the truth that He helps us to see and understand.  Blessings on you as we pursue our Lord and His will together!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

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!!!