Category Archives: Not Of This World

Ready Or Not??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #360

25 Wednesday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, Are you training your children, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Born Again, Consider Your ways, Contentment, Deceit or Discernment?, Not Ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ., Not Of This World, Someone is following you!, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spread the GOOD news!

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Ready Or Not???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #360

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart,

My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants,

and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day

when he looketh not for him,

and in an hour

that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder,

and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites:

there shall be weeping

and gnashing of teeth.”  Matthew 24:48-51

We are living in a day when truth is exchanged for a lie, often because it’s more convenient to accept the excuses of the world for bad behavior, bad language, worldly dress, deceiving and corrupting entertainment—the philosophy of “If it feels good, do it—who can it hurt?”  Well, my friends, it can hurt you, and can be even more harmful to those young eyes, ears and minds which are following your lead.  Jesus said more than once, in my own paraphrase, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!”  Are you just using the name of Jesus, the church, the Bible for your own justification without ever bowing the knee before The Lord who died for sin—and yes, my friends, sin IS the issue.  What have you done with yours?  Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 7 also, that “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!”

“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.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:13-23

This is the same thing that Jesus was making clear to Nicodemus, the religious leader in John 3.  What we must understand is that it’s not about playing church, or being religious, or even doing good deeds; the people that Jesus describes in Matthew 7 did good deeds and they equated what they had done, to be enough to get them into heaven—into God’s kingdom.  Yet Jesus tells these same people, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”!  There is only one way to God, and His name is Jesus Christ The Lord, and we must be “born again” into His kingdom by the Spirit of God—not our own works!  What are you doing to get to heaven?  Let’s look at some scripture and then see what Jesus has to say!   I pray that these passages will speak to your heart and bring you to the cross, or if you already have been born again, I pray that it will encourage you to draw near to Jesus and lead others to the truth of the Gospel rather than the easy-believe-ism that so many purport as truth. May we stand with Paul!

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

to you that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed

from heaven

against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness of men,

who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God

is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood

by the things that are made,

even his eternal power

and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God,

they glorified him not as God,

neither were thankful;

but became vain in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise,

they became fools,

23 And changed the glory

of the uncorruptible God

into an image made like

to corruptible man,

and to birds, and fourfooted beasts,

and creeping things.”  Romans 1:15-23

What did Jesus say about being ready, let’s see.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  John 3:3

“Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

   he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:5-7

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:11-13

And continuing Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”  John 3:14-21

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test—and Jesus IS coming soon.  I pray that you are ready in Jesus’ eyes—don’t depend on the eyes of men!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Is Your Religion Enough??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #346

16 Friday May 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Cleansed from all sin, Come to Jesus, Commitment Or Convenience, Faithful is He that has Promised!, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, My Grace Is Sufficient, My Help Cometh from THE LORD, No man can serve two masters!, No Sin No Need?, Not Of This World, Religion isn't enough?, Relying on self or Jesus?, Salvation, The Word

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Is Your Religion Enough???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #346

What is religion?  Is it enough to get you to heaven?  This is an important question; in fact it’s a matter of life and death—of heaven and hell, so I want us to consider what scripture says about it.  It’s the most important opinion!

“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.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion

and undefiled before God and the Father is this,

To visit the fatherless and widows

in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

from the world.”  James 1:21-27

Notice that James doesn’t begin by saying “be religious”, rather he says that we are to “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls”!  Religion doesn’t save, but when we are saved, we are to become “doers of the word”!  Actions come out of what we become in Jesus, when we are born again by grace through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice. Let’s see some scripture on that very thing.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But

as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”  John 1:10-14

There is also what I call Paul’s ‘gospel in a nutshell’!  Don’t miss heaven by the deception of religious activity, of the world or of Satan’s influence and lies.

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

 according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

(I’d encourage you to read all of chapter 15, it’s long but powerful in revealing the power of the resurrection!)

Then there is the powerful testimony of Peter after the day of Pentecost.  Have you “been with Jesus”?  Have you been to the cross where HE paid for your sin and mine

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.   

13 Now when they saw the boldness

of Peter and John,

and perceived

that they were unlearned and ignorant men,

they marvelled;

and they took knowledge of them,

that they had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:10-13

 As Jesus himself said to the apostles just before His death.

“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.

6 If a man abide not in me,

he is cast forth as a branch,

and is withered;

and men gather them,

and cast them into the fire,

and they are burned.”  John 15:5-6

And the book of Proverbs reminds us that our actions speak more than our feeble words when they reveal no proof in our living.  Jesus’ counsel to Nicodemus is still the only way to know God and see heaven; you “must be born again”!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God…

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;

 and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one that is born of the Spirit…

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”  Portions of John 3:3-20

I know I talk about this a lot, but my friends, it is the only thing that will matter when we face Jesus, and we will all face Him!  (See Philippians 2:5-11)Are you counting on ‘religion’ (any religion, for no religious entity or practice can get you to heaven—only Jesus’ blood can save and forgive sin!), or have you been “born again” by God’s power in the resurrected Jesus Christ The Lord?  Even as Peter said,

“…Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved…”!

I pray that you will find the sufficiency of Jesus’ saving grace.  I’ve walked with Him for many years, and He is ever faithful to bring His own to glory—you and me, I pray that you’ll join me!

“…Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved…”

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!!!

We Don’t Always Know Now??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 17

25 Sunday Sep 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Know Whom I Believe, Knowing GOD, Knowing Or Going?, Not Of This World, Nothing New, Now is the time....

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 17   We Don’t Always Know Now???

“Boast not thyself

of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

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

I was checking the news earlier today, and there was another automobile accident with a fatality; we’ve had multiple reports of this kind of thing in the last few months, and it leads me to share a bit of God’s Word to remind us that we don’t know what tomorrow (even the rest of today) holds for us!  God reminds us through this proverb that we are not in control over the circumstances and environment around us!  Jesus spoke of this reality, and I think we need to consider that we only have “now”!  I know for me, it is so easy to let my mind run so far afield of where I ‘am’, and fret over what I don’t know or see, yet we are called to walk by faith, trusting God like Job!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

“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

Do you know?  I know that I know that I know that I know…I know!!!  What do you know?  What do you value? Is it Jesus?

“Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life

more than meat,

and the body

than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

 yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought

for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more

clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:25-34

OH, my goodness—please help me, Jesus, to learn what real faith is—to learn how to keep my eyes on YOU and not the world—to seek you first—to learn to trust you when I see nothing but trouble, and the evil in the world—may I be like Job and camp out on YOU, LORD Jesus, walking right before you, no matter what!

“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.”  Hebrews 12:1-4

Will we measure our lives by God’s Word or the world’s?  Have we become molded to the world’s view?  May we receive the word of challenge and encouragement which Paul shared with the believers at Rome, that our life will be a testament before the world of all that is “that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”!  It won’t look like the world’s way or be very popular with those around us!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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.”  Romans 12:1-2

May we pursue the will of God in all we “are and do” remembering there is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain, and there are little feet following us!  Where will we lead them?

Amen and Amen!!!

Bowed or Bowing??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #37

14 Wednesday Sep 2022

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Hearing God, Heaven or Hell, Idolatry, If not now? When?, IN HIS TIME!, Incomprehensible LOVE, Judgment, Just DO it!, King Jesus, King of KIngs, Not Of This World, REvival, Righteousness exalts a nation

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Bowed or Bowing???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #37

We can choose our way, by God’s gift of our own free will; yet this same God has shown us the way and given us the options!  We can choose to ‘bow’ (rhymes with tow) our necks and stand in stiff defiance to the God of all creation, or we can ‘bow’ (rhymes with cow) and bend our knee and heart before HIM in repentance and faith in HIS “only begotten Son”!  I hope that the scripture will pierce your heart and mine—that we who are already believers in Jesus, will seek to know God’s view of our lives and make whatever adjustments HE speaks to us, and that those who don’t know Jesus will be drawn to HIS indescribable love and be born again by JESUS’ precious blood!

“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.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

“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

 I pray that these scriptures will touch your heart and mine, and that we will hear The Holy Spirit’s whisper to our heart and kneel before our King for forgiveness, healing, and restoration of our souls.  May revival break out in God’s own—that we will know HIS presence and power in renewed love, humility and devotion to Jesus, our KING of KINGS!

“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 4:7-10

There is an Old Testament example of God’s pure grace and mercy that I think will be beneficial for us to peruse this morning.  Josiah, a precious King of Israel who, when he heard the Word of God, saw truth, bowed before God in total humility and sent the leaders around him to seek the “words of God” from the prophetess Huldah.  I pray that this passage will move your heart and you will “hear the word of the Lord” and respond in faith, and obedience today.  Help me Jesus, to hear and obey, trusting to your work in me and these who are readying this post.  Be glorified in us!  Please bring a real Holy Ghost, Heaven sent revival to our hearts, our families, our churches, and our nation!  May we be willing to bow before you in earnest repentance and faith!

“10 And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book.

And Shaphan read it before the king.

11 And it came to pass,

when the king had heard the words

of the book of the law,

that he rent his clothes.

12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest,

and Ahikam the son of Shaphan,

and Achbor the son of Michaiah,

and Shaphan the scribe,

and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,

13 Go ye, enquire of the LORD

for me,

and for the people,

and for all Judah,

concerning the words of this book

that is found:

for great is the wrath of the LORD

that is kindled against us,

because our fathers have not hearkened

unto the words of this book,

to do according unto all

that which is written

concerning us.

14 So Hilkiah the priest,

and Ahikam,

and Achbor,

and Shaphan,

and Asahiah,

went unto Huldah the prophetess,

the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah,

the son of Harhas,

keeper of the wardrobe;

(now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;)

and they communed with her.

15 And she said unto them,

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel,

Tell the man that sent you to me,

16 Thus saith the LORD,

Behold, I will bring evil upon this place,

and upon the inhabitants thereof,

even all the words of the book

which the king of Judah hath read:

17 Because they have forsaken me,

and have burned incense unto other gods,

that they might provoke me to anger

with all the works of their hands;

therefore my wrath shall be kindled

against this place,

and shall not be quenched.

18 But to the king of Judah

which sent you to enquire of the LORD,

thus shall ye say to him,

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel,

As touching the words which thou hast heard;

19 Because thine heart was tender,

and thou hast humbled thyself

before the LORD,

when thou heardest what I spake

against this place,

and against the inhabitants

thereof,

that they should become

a desolation

and a curse,

and hast rent thy clothes,

and wept before me;

I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.

20 Behold therefore,

I will gather thee unto thy fathers,

and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave

in peace;

and thine eyes shall not see

all the evil which I will bring

upon this place.

And they brought the king word again.”   2 Kings 22:11-20

While this may not seem to be a message for us, I think we can find great insight in it.  Josiah was granted grace, in what some might call a ‘special dispensation’ from God, in that he would not see the judgment of God on Judah but would die in peace.  And as we go on to read (and I encourage you to read the rest of Josiah’s story), we see that Josiah, in his humility before God and his burden for The Word of The Lord, brought revival to Judah.

He restored the Temple to a place where the people could worship in obedience to God’s commands, he destroyed the idolatrous worship that was taking place at every turn.  He also called the people to celebrate a Passover that scripture refers to as “unparalleled”!  And on a side note, I find it interesting that if you follow the years, it could easily be that the families of some guys we know well—named Daniel, Hananiah, Mishaal and Azariah—were a part of this revival and these young men were brought up by parents who were a part of this amazing time of revival.  And while the judgement of God did come, and these young men found themselves in Babylon as a result of the sin of their nation –not their own personal sin—yet were used by God to make an amazing difference in an unlikely place.

Oh God, please send a life-changing revival among us; and even if we still must endure your judgment, may those be raised up who can make amazing impacts on our world.  Will you bow or be bowed up?  The choice is yours but remember there is a test!

May God have mercy upon us today???

Amen and Amen!!!