Category Archives: Pursuing Excellence?

Prayer Matters??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #494

27 Tuesday Oct 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Advice for the journey, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Preaching Jesus, Prince of Peace, Pursuing Excellence?, Rain from heaven.

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Prayer Matters??? A Word From THE WORD!!! #494

We talked last time about prayer, Daniel’s prayer to be specific and I’d like to continue our conversation about prayer today, knowing the difference that prayer can make in our lives.

Jesus prayed often and set an example for us, as well as instructing us in the matter of prayer.

“And when thou prayest,

thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:

for they love to pray standing

in the synagogues

and in the corners of the streets,

that they may be seen of men.

Verily I say unto you,

They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest,

enter into thy closet,

and when thou hast shut thy door,

pray to thy Father which is in secret;

and thy Father which seeth in secret

shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray,

use not vain repetitions,

as the heathen do:

for they think that they shall be heard

for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them:

for your Father knoweth

what things ye have need of,

before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:5-13

Prayer helps us keep ourselves prepared for life in this world; we are in a battle with the enemy of our souls, and of this Christian life; he is ever diligent to pursue God’s own.  Peter gives us a grave warning of the nature of the battle and the beast who opposes everything godly, including us!!!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11

We ought to heed Paul’s advice which we have looked at recently, which I think needs to be continually before us.

“Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus

concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ

for you all,

that your faith is spoken of

throughout the whole world.

9 For God is my witness,

whom I serve with my spirit

           in the gospel of his Son,

that without ceasing

I make mention of you always

in my prayers;

10 Making request,

if by any means now at length

I might have a prosperous journey

by the will of God

to come unto you.”  Romans 1:8-10

As you ponder on all these things, I pray that you will also think on one of my favorite passages from Paul.  I hope that you will take it to heart and measure your life by God’s Word and His will for those who belong to Jesus’!

“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

God bless and grow you as you dig into His Word!

Amen and Amen!!!

What Armor??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #464

05 Sunday Jul 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Armor of God, Ask God For Wisdom, Assurance IN GOD!, Power of The Cross, Purity, Pursuing Excellence?, Readiness, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Weariness, Well Done Thou good and faithful servant!

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What Armor??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #464

“God that made the world

and all things therein,

seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth,

dwelleth not

in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands,

as though he needed any thing,

seeing he giveth to all

life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood

all nations of men

for to dwell on all the face of the earth,

and hath determined

the times before appointed,

and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord,

if haply they might feel after him,

and find him,

though he be not far

from every one of us:

28 For in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being…”  Acts 17:24-28

God is creator of all things, including us; a fact that most of the world continually denies.  I want us to consider today how we are to live according to God’s Word, and in particular one passage that is my daily go to!  I pray that this will be an encouragement to you and that you will make it a habit to put on your armor first thing each day.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore

take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance and supplication

for all saints;

19 And for me,

that utterance may be given unto me,

that I may open my mouth boldly,

to make known the mystery of the gospel…”.  Ephesians 6:10-19

As we consider this amazing practice that Paul has given us through the power of The Holy Spirit, I want to share some things that I consider most helpful to me as I put on this armor each day.

Whose power: “These words spake Jesus,

and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come;

glorify thy Son,

that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life

to as many as thou hast given him.”   John 17:1-2

And the verses I recall as I put on the armor of God each morning may help you have confidence in all that we have in Jesus!

Truth: “Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14;6

Righteousness: “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 5:21

Peace: “Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:”  Romans 5:1

Shield of Faith: “1 Now faith is the substance

of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen…

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder of them

that diligently seek him.”  Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Helmet of Salvation: “Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:”  Philippians 2:5

Sword of The Spirit: “For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

I pray that God will encourage you in these words from God’s Word!

Amen and Amen!!!

Let Go And Reach UP??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #243

24 Wednesday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Cleansed from all sin, Confidence, Forgetting or Remembering?, Forgiveness, Let go...and let God, Let it go?, Let This Mind Be In You, Let You Light So Shine, Past-Present-Future, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Press ON!, Pursuing Excellence?, Rejoice IN The Lord, Remember, The Word, Walk in the Spirit, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus

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Let Go And Reach Up???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #243

“Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend that

for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 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.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect, (mature)

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.”   Philippians 3:12-15

Sometimes life gets to us, and our past failures try to drag us down, so Paul gives us a message of hope and clear instruction.  We are to have a different focus than the world, or what Satan is trying to throw in your face; we can forget that which we have taken to Jesus in confession and repentance, for it is forgiven and buried in the deepest sea, never to be remembered.  There is a favorite Old Testament passage and a New Testament one that assures us of God’s forgiveness and restoration to those who will face their sin, admit it to God and receive His pardon and healing from our sin.  And when God forgives, HE forgets.

“Who is a God like unto thee,

that pardoneth iniquity,

and passeth by the transgression

of the remnant of his heritage?

he retaineth not his anger for ever,

because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again,

he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities;

and thou wilt cast all their sins

into the depths of the sea” Micah 7:18-19

What’s holding you back?  What sin does Satan keep throwing in your face?  If you belong to Jesus my friend, you can have the total forgiveness of God, as well as healing, and cleansing restoration.  Tell the Devil to buzz off!!  You aren’t his after you’ve been born again; so stop walking in the dark and draw near to The Light of the world, Jesus our Lord and Savior.  The Apostle John says it better than I can!  (See Ephesians 2:1-10.)

“And these things write we unto you,

that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness, we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:4-10

One of the greatest reminders that comes to my heart and mind often in those times of doubt, confusion and the attacks of the enemy, is to simply remember, the past is just that, passed!  Let it go and look up to The One who died that we might have “life and have it more abundantly”—forgiven, cleansed and beautifully useable!

“Beloved, believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits

whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.

 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:

Every spirit that confesseth

that Jesus Christ

is come in the flesh

is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not

that Jesus Christ

is come in the flesh

is not of God:

and this is that spirit of antichrist,

whereof ye have heard

that it should come;

and even now already

is it in the world

Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”  1 John 4:1-4

Forget the past…Remember what Jesus has done…Press on!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Hail And Farewell Challenge??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #170

29 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Living In My Season, Living TODAY!, Press ON!, Pursuing Excellence?, TODAY, Today and Forever, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow

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Hail And Farewell Challenge???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #170

 

My father was a Navy veteran and my “little” brother (he’ll appreciate that, even though he prefers to use the term “younger” brother, for he is younger than me, and always will be…ha ha ha) was in the Army, as well as my brother-in-law, a Vietnam veteran.  So you can see the military has always been a big part of our family; and in the military, when there is a change of command there is a “Hail and Farewell” ceremony of some sort, to bid ‘farewell’ to the departing leader, and ‘hail’ (welcome and salute) to the incoming leader.  As we approach the New Year, we here at our house bid you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Well, you may be saying, Christmas is past, and New Year’s not here; but that’s the point I want us to see and understand, that we who are followers of JESUS celebrate Him and His arrival every day of the year!  I do!  How about you?  What do I mean?  I mean we are called to say farewell to the past failures and even our successes—for they are of yesterday, and we are called to live in the “today”.  Jesus said it Himself when He told us how we ought to pray, and part of that prayer says clearly, “Give us this day….”; but I think sometimes we are so focused on “bread” that we seem to forget that God is talking about life as well as “bread”!  We are to live and focus on today, and let the past be just that— “Passed” (memories to cherish but just that—memories!)!

Paul gives an amazing picture of this in his letter to the Philippians, and I’ll simply let Paul speak this truth!  I pray that each of you have an amazing day today…and today…and today into and through the New Year.  May you lay your regrets, sorrows, confusions, hurt feelings, successes, and whatever else may be a lingering hindrance to living “today” for Jesus.  We have an amazing Lord and Savior who is totally sufficient to meet our every need—whether it’s a ‘hail’ or a ‘farewell’!  Today is a gift given by God to you and me, let’s commit to use each day ‘today’, leaving our regrets before the ‘throne of grace’ (See Hebrews 4:15-16) and our successes at Jesus feet.  God has promised that HE is ever at work conforming His own “into the image of His son” (See Romans 8:28-29), and I’m convinced that God always does good work, even (if not especially) when we mess up, HE said HE would, and HE has proven Himself faithful in my life, and the lives of so many.  Look up my friends, not around at a lost and dying world who needs Jesus, but up to your Father and His Son Jesus who is ever interceding for us to be HIS hands and feet to those lost and dying around us.

“Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather, that is risen again,

 who is even at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession

for us.”  Romans 8:34

So, let’s march confidently into each day—now and into the New Year (so called, for they’ve been coming and going since God set creation in place!  But that’s a study for another time!)!  Here’s Paul’s admonition and encouragement for each of us, “press on”!

“Yea doubtless,

and I count all things but loss

for the excellency of the knowledge

of Christ Jesus my Lord:

for whom I have suffered the loss

of all things,

and do count them but dung,

that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness,

which is of the law,

but that which is through

the faith of Christ,

the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him,

and the power of his resurrection,

and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable unto his death; …

13 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.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, (mature)

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.”  Portions of Philippians 3:8-16

And if I might borrow Paul’s words of conclusion to this part of his call to the Philippian believers, may we be found faithfully standing “fast in the Lord”!  The prayer of my heart is that Jesus will find us so standing when He comes for us or when we go to HIM!  Ready or not here HE comes!

“Therefore,

my brethren dearly beloved

and longed for,

my joy and crown,

so stand fast in the Lord,

my dearly beloved.”  Philippians 4:1

May the blessings of God rain down on you, and your eyes, heart and mind be open to receive them, praising God for them all!

Amen and Amen!!!

Purity Speaks For Itself??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 04

20 Monday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Purity, Pursuing Excellence?, Serving God or Using God?, Speaking The Truth In Love

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 04 Purity Speaks For Itself???

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not

in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth

in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth

in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is

in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners

 in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth

the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.”  Psalm 1:1-6

I’d like us to consider one of my favorite passages, Psalm 1; and while it is a short Psalm, it is packed full of truth and principles of the contrast between righteousness and evil.  There is a continual conflict which we often forget or overlook, and we must go about God’s business with biblical insight not ignorant presumption; for when we don’t stand on truth we will stumble and fall for the lies of the enemy!  Our foundation must be securely placed in Jesus our Lord, and HIS WORD, or we will be like the house on the sand which collapsed when the storms came.  And my friends, the storms will come—not if but ‘when’ is the reality that we must prepare for.

Paul warned his son-in-the-ministry to be prepared to “do the work” that God had called him to; not a life of leisure, indulgence, or presumption on the goodness of God, but the “work” of God!

“Thou therefore, my son,

be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me

among many witnesses,

the same commit thou

to faithful men,

who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness,

as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth

entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;

that he may please him

who hath chosen him to be a soldier

5 And if a man also strive for masteries,

yet is he not crowned,

except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth

must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say;

and the Lord give thee understanding

in all things.”  2 Timothy 2:1-7

We are called to follow Jesus in humble service, striving to please our master, not to presume on HIS goodness, grace, and love; but to serve HIM out of love and gratitude, seeking His will in all things.  The simplest lesson on this is from our Lord:

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

So, as we pursue Jesus, we are to follow His example and truly pray “not my will….but thine be done”!  Yet we hear so much of what I call “slot machine theology”—make your demands on God, pray your quarter in the slot, pull the handle and God “must” respond and grant whatever you have ‘demanded’!  NOT!  How have we come so far from the truth of ‘servanthood’?  I’m not sure, but I know we must return to biblical truth and seek to serve our KING, not dictate to HIM!

“I therefore,

the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you

that ye walk worthy of the vocation

wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness,

with longsuffering,

forbearing one another

in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body,

and one Spirit,

even as ye are called in one hope

of your calling;

5 One Lord,

one faith,

one baptism,

6 One God and Father

of all,

who is above all,

and through all,

and in you all.”  Ephesians 4:1-6

If we truly believe that GOD is “above all, and through all, and in you all”, why do we presume to be wiser than HE is?  May God forgive our presumption, and direct our steps to seek His face, and humbly yield to whatever HE asks of us.  As I have quoted many times in my writing, Paul’s call to the Colossian believers resounds in my heart again and again—the call to “walk worthy”!  Oh, may we yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in us—in me—in you—and those around us!  May God do a great and mighty work in our hearts and lives that others will see JESUS in us, rather than self, sin or ‘settled-for’!

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire

that ye might be filled with the knowledge

of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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 1:9-14

May we be faithfully serving in love, devotion, and allegiance to the truth of scripture, not popular persuasions?  Please, Lord, may we return to YOU today.  May I return to faithful service in holiness, purity, and love.

“This is a faithful saying and worthy

of all acceptation.

10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,

because we trust in the living God,

who is the Saviour of all men,

specially of those that believe.

11 These things command and teach.

12 Let no man despise thy youth;

but be thou an example of the believers,

in word,

in conversation,

in charity,

in spirit,

in faith,

in purity.

13 Till I come,

give attendance

to reading,

to exhortation,

to doctrine.”   1 Timothy 4:9-13

And in closing a Psalm of David, and while I know I have included a great amount of scripture, may we remember and be devoted to the “lodestar” of our faith, which is JESUS and HIS WORD!  HE is the living Word who died for our salvation, to pay for my sin and yours, yet HE is also the “author and finisher” of our faith– the truth of the written Word which is truly “God breathed” by the Father and the very Son of God.  May we heed God’s revelation of HIS truth to our hearts today, as we hear and heed HIS call to be holy, pure-living examples of our Lord Jesus to a lost and dying world!

“Have mercy upon me, O God,

according to thy lovingkindness:

according unto the multitude

of thy tender mercies

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly

from mine iniquity,

and cleanse me

from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:

and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee,

thee only,

have I sinned,

and done this evil in thy sight:

that thou mightest be justified

when thou speakest,

and be clear

when thou judgest.

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou desirest truth

in the inward parts:

and in the hidden part

thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop,

and I shall be clean:

wash me,

and I shall be whiter than snow.  

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;

that the bones which thou hast broken

may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners

shall be converted

unto thee.”  Psalm 51:1-13

When we draw near to HIM, we will flourish in our faith and courage, and others will see Jesus in us; truly being “cross magnets”, drawing sinners to The Savior—The Only Savior!

“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.”  James 4:7-8

Amen and Amen!!!