Category Archives: Not hearers only

Grace For The Journey??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #256

05 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by in Gospel, Grace, Lift up mine eyes, Lifting up Jesus, My Help Cometh from THE LORD, Not hearers only, Now is the time...., Salvation, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Sayers or Doers, Trials, Trust, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Victory IN Jesus!

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Grace For The Journey???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #256

We were traveling a bit this week; we made it home, and while the view was amazing and we had a lovely time (except for a bit of illness), saw people we love, and met some new friends, the trip was a bit tiring, and we got home unloaded, cleaned up a bit and I crashed!  After a good night’s rest, I sit here thinking about the goodness of my Lord and His grace, and thought I’d simply share some thoughts and scripture to encourage your heart on this Thursday (as everyone looks forward to Friday!)

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”   Ephesians 2:8-10

We are saved by God’s grace, and I am personally so grateful for His grace and mercy, and praise Jesus for it; I also pray that you have been saved by that very grace as well.  If you haven’t you can be by repenting of your sin and trusting/believing in the blood that Jesus shed as our substitutionary, atoning sacrifice!  Yet there is so much more to God’s grace than just our salvation; His grace is sufficient for every day’s joys, sorrows, trials and difficult decisions, so here are a few scripture passages that I pray will encourage your heart and help you walk in victory, joy and the fulness of grace that God pours out on us today.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

 that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

The Apostle Paul had great trials and speaks of a particular issue that he had taken to God multiple times, and God’s answer to Paul is just as apropos for us today as it was when God spoke it to Paul. Our God is faithful and trustworthy!

“And lest I should be exalted above measure

through the abundance of the revelations,

 there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory

in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

 in persecutions,

in distresses for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

How amazing that God can and will take our weakness and display His strength, sufficient grace, love and power to a world in need!  And in closing I would like to share one of my favorite Psalms which doesn’t mention the word grace, but it does display the character of grace, power, love and provision that reflects the amazing God that we serve.  May you find hope, grace and encouragement in these words today!  (I would encourage you to print off this Psalm and keep it near as a reminder of God’s presence and provision for us!). Also a note to remind us that our hope isn’t in the “hills” or the valleys, the beaches or cities, the powers that be or the rulers of this world, but our hope is  “My help cometh from the LORD”—remember, our hope is in God’s grace, in the Creator NOT the creation!

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help. (?)

2 My help cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot

to be moved:

he that keepeth thee

will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel

shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is thy keeper:

 the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day,

nor the moon by night.

 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil:

he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out

and thy coming in

from this time forth, and even for evermore.”   Psalm 121:1-8

Amen and Amen!!!

What Matters To You??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #147

25 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Clothed In His Righteousness, Distractions, Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Not hearers only, Not Of This World, NOT the world's wisdom, Obedience, Obedient or NOT?, One Day Too Late?, Only Jesus, Only One Way

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What Matters To You???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #147

Sometimes it’s so hard to keep our focus on Jesus when we are distracted by the things of this world.  I went shopping yesterday for the first time in a long time, and the first time I went alone in a long time, so I went to my favorite antiques store—3 stories of amazingly lovely things of every sort and kind—and just browsed on my way along every aisle, and I couldn’t help but want this or that, and as I took thought of ‘what will I do with it’—do I really need it—can I afford it—is this just “I want” or something useful that I need or will enjoy?  All these thoughts went through my mind as I saw several things that I would love to have had—some for good reason or usefulness, others just because they were pretty!  As I told my friends who own the store, “I have good taste, I just don’t have money!”; and while that was in jest, it is often how we feel.  God has a few things (well a lot) to say about our desires, and the things that we allow to consume us; is it JESUS or the world?  People don’t particularly like to be around people who talk about Jesus all the time, or those who choose a lifestyle of modesty, simplicity, and generosity.  Many believers can’t share with others because they have obligated themselves to ‘pay for’ so many of the things of this world, they aren’t able to invest financially in God’s Kingdom or share with those in need!

“Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask

 of the Father in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him that sent me.”  John 15:16-21

We are to focus on ‘following Jesus’ and living out that which HE has put within our hearts, not only His Holy Spirit, but the principles that are found in The Holy Word of God!  It seems that we have become so satisfied with the world’s “good opinion” that we have forgotten that Jesus said if we followed HIM there would be opposition—no opposition?  We might need to check out our ‘stand’.  Paul makes it clear and plain—there is a cost to following and obeying Jesus.  Are you following Jesus or the world?  It’s a question that only you can answer!

“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

Oh, how I pray that we will see what Paul saw, that God’s Word is our only hope of success in God’s work—and it is truly God’s work, not our own!  Jesus said it, and I am reminded of His words so often for I get distracted so easily. Even this morning as I’m writing this article—the kitchen, a husband in need, the phone, doing tasks in the middle of getting God’s work done—Oh, Lord Jesus, forgive my divided heart.  Help me keep my eyes on YOU!

“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

Did you notice that Jesus referred twice in these verses from John 15 to our “fruit”; we are to bear fruit for HIS Kingdom, He didn’t call us to pursue prosperity, but heavenly fruit.  In fact, if we go back to the beginnings of His ministry, this principle is there too!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

How do we get so distracted?  Partly because it’s everywhere around us, partly because we have allowed the enemy to have more sway in our hearts than our Lord!  I would like to share some verses for you to consider, and a list that you might want to lay before God and ask Him to show you and me where we need to change our focus!  Help us Jesus, to live in such a way that should you call us home (either in the air or through death) we will hear “well done, thou good and faithful servant….”!  That is the desire of my heart, and I fail as much as anyone, but I keep getting up and pressing on with my Lord—by HIS love, grace, and the power of HIS saving blood!  As I’ve often said, “Spiritual success, is getting up one more time than you fall!”

“Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away,

and the lust thereof:

but he that doeth the will of God

abideth for ever.”  1 John 2:15-17

“Behold, what manner of love

the Father hath bestowed upon us,

that we should be called the sons of God:

therefore the world knoweth us not,

because it knew him not.

2 Beloved,

now are we the sons of God,

and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:

but we know that,

when he shall appear,

we shall be like him;

for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him

purifieth himself,

even as he is pure.”  1 John 3:1-3

Do others know that Jesus is IN you/me?  Or are we hiding our light “under a bushel” (see Matthew 5:15+)?  I close with a rather lengthy passage, but there really isn’t a good place to interrupt what James wants us to hear.  May God open our hearts, our minds, and our eyes to see through the eyes of Jesus!  Bless Your Word Lord, to our “conform us” into the image of our Lord Jesus!  To God be the glory!

“From whence come wars and fightings among you?

come they not hence, even of your lusts

that war in your members?

Ye lust,

and have not:

ye kill,

and desire to have,

and cannot obtain:

ye fight and war,

yet ye have not,

because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask,

and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:1-10

A prayer list of worldliness:

Style & Fashion

Popularity & Wealth

Opinions (other than God’s)

Success Or Failure (in the world’s eyes)

Where you live

Your Politics

Your position (where you are, what you do, how you live)

           Your children’s success or lack thereof?

            Your hairstyle Or Your physique…???

Give it to Jesus!!!  “Let this mind be in you…” (Phil. 2:1-5)

Amen and Amen!!!

A Word On The Tongue??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #38

16 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Be ye DOERS of the word NOT hearers only, Controlling the TONGUE!, Not hearers only, Watch Your Words

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A Word On The Tongue???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #38

I would simply like to remind us all—especially myself, as a ‘blogger’—of the amazing words of James on the use of our tongue.  Oh, that we would heed them today—every day!

“My brethren,

be not many masters,

knowing that we shall receive

the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all.

If any man offend not in word,

the same is a perfect man,

and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bits

in the horses’ mouths,

that they may obey us;

and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships,

which though they be so great,

and are driven of fierce winds,

yet are they turned about

with a very small helm,

whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member,

and boasteth great things.

Behold, how great a matter

a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire,

a world of iniquity:

so is the tongue among our members,

that it defileth the whole body,

and setteth on fire

the course of nature;

and it is set on fire

of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts,

and of birds,

and of serpents,

and of things in the sea,

is tamed,

and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue

can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God,

even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth

proceedeth blessing

and cursing.

My brethren,

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth

at the same place

sweet water

and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain

both yield salt water

and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation

his works

with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying

and strife

 in your hearts,

glory not,

and lie not

against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above,

but is earthly,

sensual,

devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is,

there is confusion

and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above

is first pure,

then peaceable,

gentle,

and easy to be intreated,

full of mercy

and good fruits,

without partiality,

and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness

is sown in peace

of them that make peace.”  James 3:1-18

I pray that we will receive the Word of God and lovingly obey!

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.”  James 1:19-22

Amen and Amen!!!