Category Archives: Renewing or Reviewing

Redeemed Through The Blood?? A Word from THE WORD!!! #392

28 Sunday Sep 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Are You Ready, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Redemption or Rehearsal?, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Regeneration, Renewing or Reviewing, Repentance, Restoration, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, SIN, Sin IS the issue

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Redeemed Through The Blood?? A Word from THE WORD!!! #392

“To the praise of the glory of his grace,

wherein he hath made us accepted

in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of his grace;”  Ephesians 1:6-7

As Paul also told the Colossian believers, almost the same thing.

“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

What is redemption?

Redemption: an act of atoning for guilt…an act or the state  

of being rescued…repurchase of something sold, as to a pawn shop…

Redemption is the act of God’s love in being bought back; in the case of man, being bought back from the penalty of sin, which is death (going all the way back to Genesis chapter 3!)  We must know that sin is the issue, it is the death penalty for all who have sinned, and that includes every human, excepting the God/Man/Savior, Jesus, who did no sin.  He’s the only one.

“For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins

in his own body on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop

of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:21-25

My question is, if you claim to have been redeemed, has it made a difference in your life.  The Apostle John paints a picture for us in his first letter to believers, let’s consider what he calls us to.

“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

How do we “make him a liar”?  We make God a liar when we say we have not sinned—not me, I’m good…I’ve done___!  I’ve been______!  Paul declares the truth that SIN is the issue in his letter to the believers in Rome.

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

But the beauty of God’s plan of redemption, is that we don’t have to stay short of God’s glory, we can find salvation, justification and redemption in JESUS; let’s see what Paul goes on to tell us about this sin issue (Jesus is the cure!)

“24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:24-26

Jesus provided the sacrifice for sin for all who will come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith/belief in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—the only acceptable payment for sin.  Even as Jesus said in John 14:6, “… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”!

And without coming to Jesus, we will face the fate that Paul declares as truth to the Roman believers.

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

To make it simple, have you been born again?  Have you received the “gift of God…Jesus Christ our Lord”?  I pray that you have; but if you haven’t you can call on Him even now, and I’ll leave you with His call to you who don’t now Him. If you do know Him, are you living like the redeemed?  We’ll talk more about that next time.

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!

Where’s The IF??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #390

24 Wednesday Sep 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Brighten Your Corner!, Broken Hearts, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus prayed, Jesus Saves!, Renewing or Reviewing, Repentance, Responding Rightly, Responding to God's call to share the Good news., Responding to the call!, Resting Or Wrestling?, Restoration

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Where’s The IF??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #390

I have seen a lot of things going around on social media and people referring to 2 Chronicles 7:14, but not quoting it, just making a loose paraphrase of it, and then asking people to pray “this prayer”, yet in seeming to be scripture they ask God to “banish what isn’t of Him”!  Excuse me!  There is a day coming when God will certainly banish all that isn’t of Him, but that is the judgment—not now.  Now God has truly called us to be salt and light, not to cling to our own pet sins (mine are ok, yours are not-mentality).  But that isn’t what God says!  So I will simply let scripture say what scripture says in context; you be the judge.

“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night,

and said unto him,

I have heard thy prayer,

and have chosen this place to myself

for an house of sacrifice.

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain,

or if I command the locusts to devour the land,

or if I send pestilence among my people;

14 If my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:12-14

This was God’s message to Solomon at the dedication of the first temple, and God let Solomon know that the people would go into sin, and when they did, HE would discipline them; yet God told Solomon that the turnaround was up to them!  And when we read the scripture, we see that again and again the people sinned grossly—just like us!  So God told Solomon there was a cure, but it came with a great big IF! God’s people—not the world—must be ready to repent!

The IF that most don’t want to talk about!  But clearly God calls us, those called by His name, the people of GOD Almighty, for those called by the name of HIS SON, Jesus Christ The Lord—Christians!  And may I add that just saying so, doesn’t make it so. As Jesus himself said, “ye must be born again”! And if we are of the “born again” congregation, God is calling us also to fall on our faces and,

“shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways “!

And I must say, with all the hoopla going around about revival, I think God is waiting for us to humble ourselves before Him, pray in earnest, seeking HIS face, and being willing to turn from our “wicked ways”!  Where are the tears of conviction?  Where are the hearts broken over sin?  Where are the fires of holy living igniting?  I’m longing to see it—especially in me—but also in those who claim the name of my Lord Jesus!  As I wrote last time, as James said, “sweet water and salt water don’t’ flow out of the same fountain”!  May we truly seek God’s face to revive ‘ME’! And you!  And all of His own!  As Paul said, I cling to the cross, I pray that you will meet me there in earnest desire for God to move among His own—and God knows those who are His!

“For I determined not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ, and him crucified…

…5 That your faith should not stand

in the wisdom of men,

but in the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:2 & 5

And just so you’ll know what the Gospel is, I’ll simply close with Paul’s great “gospel in a nut shell” passage.  Please look up and not around!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 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 15:1-5

Oh, precious Jesus, touch our hearts, speak your truth to us that we may live for you according to your Word.  May we truly come to you in repentance (anew for those of us who are already saved) and faith in your substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!  Thank you for hearing our prayer!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Serve The Lord With Gladness? A Word from THE WORD!!! #376

15 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Almost But Lost, Be not conformed to this world, Be ye HOLY, Believe IN Jesus, Praise Encourages our Heart, Praise God Today!, Prayer or Panic?, Rejoice IN The Lord, Renewing or Reviewing, Self-sufficient or Dependent on Jesus?, Serve The Lord with gladness., Service, Serving God or Using God?, Sheep amongst Wolves!!!, Shine as lights in the world, Speaking The Truth In Love, Still Will I Trust HIM, Strong Tower, Worship Him!, Worship?

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Serve The Lord With Gladness? A Word from THE WORD!!! #376

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD

he is God:

 it is he that hath made us,

 and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth

endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5

God not only made us, but He also will give the new birth into Jesus Christ The Lord to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin; we can be “born…of God” (See John 1:11-13) and have eternal life—transforming life.  We can have a change of heart, mind and soul; a change of direction from our own way to God’s way!  Even as Isaiah heard from God.

“And though the Lord

give you the bread of adversity,

and the water of affliction,

yet shall not thy teachers be removed

into a corner any more,

but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”  Isaiah 20:20-21

And even more importantly, Jesus clearly says that HE IS the way; may we walk in His grace, wisdom and truth.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth, and

the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth

ye know him,

and have seen him.”  John 14:6-7

How could they (and us) see The Father?  By knowing Jesus, and Jesus (contrary to what some believe) said clearly that He was, is and ever shall be one with God the Father.  Are you following The One who died for you, The One who Is one with the Father, The One who died for your salvation and mine?

“Jesus answered them,

I told you,

and ye believed not:

the works that I do in my Father’s name,

they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:15-30

So, do you belong to the Shepherd?  Are you following Him?  Are you in His hands?  Are you listening to that still small voice and going God’s way or your own?  Are you serving the “Lord with gladness” or sucking on the proverbial lemon?  Are you being a reflection of the glory of Jesus Christ The Lord and Father God by the power of the Holy Spirit, or have you let the world lead you down that “broad way, that leadeth to destruction”? Even those who seemed to be His followers couldn’t always be found ready to stand with Him. (See Matthew 7:14-28)

“What and if ye shall see the Son of man

ascend up where he was before?

63 It is the spirit that quickeneth;

the flesh profiteth nothing:

the words that I speak unto you,

they are spirit,

and they are life.

64 But there are some of you that believe not.

For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were

that believed not, and who should betray him.

65 And he said,

Therefore said I unto you,

that no man can come unto me,

except it were given unto him of my Father.

66 From that time many of his disciples went back,

and walked no more with him.

 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve,

Will ye also go away?

 68 Then Simon Peter answered him,

Lord, to whom shall we go?

 thou hast the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure

that thou art that Christ,

the Son of the living God.

70 Jesus answered them,

Have not I chosen you twelve,

and one of you is a devil?”  John 6:62-70

By God’s grace I will praise Him, for HE has saved and delivered me from the penalty of my sin!  How about you?  Will you play church or will you truly “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”!!

I pray that you will truly, “Know ye that the LORD he is God”, and that you will serve Him and bow before King Jesus!  You can bow before Him now as your Lord and Savior, or bow before Him later as your judge.  (See Revelation 20:11-15)

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:8-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Weariness Is Real??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #362

08 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, I Can Do All Things?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I will lift up mine eyes, I Will Never Leave You, IN HIS TIME!, In The Beginning, Renewing or Reviewing, Resting In Jesus, Resting Or Wrestling?, Restoration, Revive us O God!, Salvation, Sanctuary

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Weariness Is Real???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #362

“And the apostles gathered themselves together

unto Jesus,

and told him all things,

both what they had done,

and what they had taught.

31 And he said unto them,

Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place,

and rest a while:

for there were many coming and going,

and they had no leisure

so much as to eat.

32 And they departed into a desert place

by ship privately.”  Mark 6:31 

Here we have Mark recounting the death of John the Baptizer, and his (John’s) disciples took care of his body, and the Apostles also came to Jesus to share what had been done (for if you remember, many of Jesus’ Apostles had been followers of John before they followed Him).  Jesus understood the weariness of not only ministry but of grief, disappointment and stress, so He called them to come and “rest a while”!  Their spiritual tanks were empty, and the demands of ministry had been so constant that Mark tells us that “they had no leisure so much as to eat”!  Ever been there?  I think we all have in one way or another, and as Jesus was God “in the flesh”, He knew the limits of human strength, endurance and the need for rest.

If you remember Matthew also gives us an account of Jesus resting when His disciples became frantic and were apparently distressed that their Master was asleep when they were about to die!  Ever been there?

“Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him,

he gave commandment to depart

unto the other side.

19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him,

Master, I will follow thee

whithersoever thou goest.

20 And Jesus saith unto him,

The foxes have holes,

and the birds of the air have nests;

but the Son of man hath not where

to lay his head.

21 And another of his disciples said unto him,

Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

22 But Jesus said unto him,

Follow me;

and let the dead bury their dead.

23 And when he was entered into a ship,

his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest

in the sea,

insomuch that the ship was covered

with the waves:

but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him,

and awoke him, saying,

Lord, save us:

we perish.

26 And he saith unto them,

Why are ye fearful,

O ye of little faith?

Then he arose,

and rebuked the winds and the sea;

and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying,

What manner of man is this,

that even the winds and the sea

obey him!”  Matthew 8:18-27

I don’t know if you can relate to this, but I feel that I can; I come from hurricane country, and while you have notice, you never know how severe it will be.  I now live in tornado country and they seemingly, can just drop down out of the sky! This can cause great fear and consternation to we who live in uncertain weather locations.  And just this week we have seen the disaster that can come from the flood waters; we can’t understand the massive tragedy that Texas has suffered this week; and like us Jesus’ disciples were afraid that they were about to meet their end.  Yet, Jesus was asleep in the boat!  Oh, to learn to trust to the care of my Heavenly Father this much!  Jesus simply arose when they awakened Him, questioning their lack of faith in the safety that they had with HIM!  How about us?  Satan uses fear like a stick and beats us up with it, and we, like the disciples forget that we are with the Master of all creation.  And in case you didn’t know that Jesus was/is/and ever shall be the creator, let me share a few scriptures to enlighten you on this subject.  (Jesus IS the WORD! —the living WORD and the breath of the written Word!)

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not.”   John 1:1-5

Paul also wrote of this creative nature of our Lord!

“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:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be

thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body,

the church:

who is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead;

that in all things

he might have the preeminence.”                 Colossians 1:12-18

And if you are one of those who say that Jesus never claimed to be God, let me share Jesus’ own words with you today.

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

So where do we go when we are weary to the bone (and I get that way frequently, as you probably do as well!)?  And just by way of a comment, if the people of Jesus’ day rejected Him, don’t be alarmed, discouraged or distracted when people around you and I reject Him.  Our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, master of all and redeemer of those who will come to Him in repentance of our sin, and belief/faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on Calvary, not on those around us—whether they be genuine believers, nay-sayers, or antagonists!  Keep your eyes on the prize—JESUS!

“At that time Jesus answered and said,

I thank thee, O Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

because thou hast hid these things

from the wise and prudent,

and hast revealed them

unto babes. 26 Even so, Father:

for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever

the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:25-30

Oh, my friends, if I only had time to share with you all the many times that Jesus in His mercy, grace and love had been my total strength, rest and restoration to service, health and peace; that very peace that Paul told us about.  Are you resting in Jesus or trying to carry the whole load alone?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, the Master is holding out His arms to lift you up.  Don’t run away or deny The One who loves you and died that you might have life, “more abundantly”!

“Rejoice in the Lord alway:

and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7

Let Jesus have those burdens and weariness—He is more than able!

Amen and Amen!!! (and don’t forget to read verses 8-9!) 

A Hindrance To Revival??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #332

24 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Renewing or Reviewing, REvival, Revival or Recycle?, Revive us O God!, Speaking The Truth In Love, Tuned In, Tuned In To Jesus, Turn to God's Word, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer

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A Hindrance To Revival???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #332

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,

and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak:

for he will speak peace unto his people,

and to his saints:

but let them not turn again to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him;

that glory may dwell in our land.”  Psalm 85:6-9

I have prayed a long time to see a true revival in the midst of God’s people.  A heart stirring, conviction producing, altar-praying, tearful repentance of God’s own; the kind of revivals I saw and experienced as a child and a young adult.  Oh, dear Father—please revive us again!  But then I ask myself, am I being a hindrance to revival? Is my heart willing to hear that voice of conviction from the Holy Spirit; am I willing to turn from my pet sins, my selfish longings and desires, my misuse of God’s gifts?  May we simply lay ourselves before The Lord God Almighty, and our precious Lord and Savior Jesus, and yield to the work of His Spirit within me and you who belong to Him.

It’s so easy to be distracted, and I am chief of the distracted sometimes; yet I long to be all that God wants me to be; to be humble, obedient and willing to go or stay—to go forward or to wait on The Lord!  Let’s consider some truth from scripture that we might ponder, consider and willingly look into that mirror of the soul—God’s Word and the work of the Holy Spirit.  It’s so much easier to flip on the TV, scroll through hours of social media dribble, or watch every sport known to man!  What is your go to escape?  Are we trying to escape form our King?  Or have we just become so accustomed to going our own way, and being more influenced by the world than our Lord?  Oh, Jesus, revive my soul!  May we return to the time when the church led your people instead of the popular call from the world?  Have we allowed our heart to become divided?  Heal my heart oh Lord.  Help me to stop living a life of “long-division” and start living in submission to you, my Lord—adding and multiplying grace and obedience.

“But king Solomon loved many strange women, …

…2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel,

 Ye shall not go in to them,

neither shall they come in unto you:

for surely they will turn away your heart

after their gods:

Solomon clave unto these in love.

3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses,

and three hundred concubines:

and his wives turned away his heart.

4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old,

that his wives turned away his heart

after other gods:

and his heart was not perfect

with the LORD his God, …

…6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD,

and went not fully after the LORD,

as did David his father.

7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh,

the abomination of Moab,

…and for Molech,

the abomination of the children of Ammon.

 8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives,

which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon,

because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel,

which had appeared unto him twice,

10 And had commanded him

concerning this thing,

that he should not go after other gods:

but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.”   1 Kings 11:1-10

Solomon let his heart be compromised (divided)—this wise man—this man to whom God appeared and gave him an amazing gift of greatness; but he was drawn away from his God by worldly compromise!  What are we allowing to draw our heart away from God?  It’s usually the most innocent-seeming things that Satan will use to draw us away; sometimes the busy-ness of doing churchy things gets in the way of obeying our Lord.  Sometimes He leads us aside, when we want to be in the limelight?  Sometimes He calls on us to be quiet, when we want to speak.  Sometimes He calls us to leave our comfort-zone to go to and do the uncomfortable.  Sometimes He convicts us to give up things that we have allowed to become “foreign wives” to us—have I allowed worldly pleasures to come between me and my LORD?  Have we allowed something—anything—to divide our heart like Solomon’s?  Is Jesus on the throne of our heart or something—anything—else?

What comes out of my mouth?  What goes into my eyes?  My ears?  What do I allow that I once wouldn’t?  I’m not going to post a list—ask God and He will reveal truth, if/when we are willing to receive it.

“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

James got pretty blunt in his letter to believers who were living a life of division.  May we heed his word today—for it’s God’s Word to us as well.

“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 4:3-10

May we learn to practice humility before God, holiness by God’s grace, His Word and being devoted to our King, hungering for God’s friendship not the world’s?  I pray that we will be the conduit for true revival not the hindrance.  Let’s keep our hearts pure before God, no matter what others may think or do.

“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.”  Matthew 12:34-35

May our hearts be right before our God!  He knows, no matter what others may think; and we can only fake it for so long, the truth will come out!  Oh, Lord please open our eyes and convict our hearts to truly “Draw nigh to God” that He “will draw nigh to you.”  Please revive us again, oh Lord?

Amen and Amen!!!