Category Archives: The Call of God!

When Is My/Your Time??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #313

09 Thursday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Esther's example., For Such A Time As This, Hear ye HIM!, Hearing God, The Call of God!, The Father of Lies!, The greatest gift!!!, The Only Way, Time, Time Is Grace!, Times and Seasons, TODAY, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When Is My/Your Time???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #313

As we come into this new year (calendar wise), it seems a good time to assess our progress?  What are we (you and me) waiting for?  It seems one of Satan’s favorite tricks is encourage us to put off until tomorrow what God is calling us to do today.

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

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

Jesus gives us a great measuring stick, if we will but heed it and apply it to our lives—today, and today and today.  For tomorrow never comes.

“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 6:31-34

One of the most well-known and repeated passages, is one we need to consider today.  What we pass on today, may never come our way again.   What are you putting off until tomorrow?

One of the stories I share in my new book, is from the day my daughter was murdered.  That morning as I was spending time in prayer, The Spirit kept bringing my daughter to mind, and I’d go on with my praying and the thought would come again, several times.  I finally realized that I needed to act on this prompting, so I messaged my daughter asking (in our code, as she was a dollar store manager—and they are either working or sleeping…) if she was sleeping or working?  She messaged back that she was on her way to work, so I called her, and we chatted for about 25 minutes, and then she said she was at the store, so we said our “goodbyes and our ‘I love you’s’ before we hung up”!  Little did I know that 30 minutes later she would be dead.  Well, my friends, I’m here to tell you, I will thank Jesus through eternity for that last phone call, for I know beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Jesus prompted that phone call, and I am beyond grateful for it—a treasured gift from my Lord.  What if I had said, “I’ll call her tomorrow!”?  Jesus said it best:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you”!

So, let’s close with the aforementioned passage from scripture; I’m sure many of you will recognize it.  The question is, “Will you heed it?”

“And Hatach came and told Esther

the words of Mordecai.

10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach,

and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;

11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know,

 that whosoever,

whether man or woman,

shall come unto the king into the inner court,

who is not called,

there is one law of his to put him to death,

except such to whom the king

shall hold out the golden sceptre,

that he may live:

but I have not been called to come in

unto the king these thirty days.

12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.

13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther,

Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape

in the king’s house,

more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace

at this time,

then shall there enlargement

and deliverance arise

to the Jews

from another place;

but thou and thy father’s house

 shall be destroyed:

and who knoweth whether thou art come

to the kingdom

for such a time as this?

15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai

this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews

that are present in Shushan,

and fast ye for me,

and neither eat nor drink three days,

night or day:

I also and my maidens will fast likewise;

and so will I go in unto the king,

which is not according to the law:

and if I perish,

I perish.”  Esther 4:9-16

Much like the three Hebrew young men who faced Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace, Esther got the point and acted in faith upon it. What do you need to act upon today?  I pray that we will each be found faithfully listening, heeding and stepping out in faith, love and obedience to our King; seeking “first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness”!  I pray that we will set out minds on Jesus and commit to be found seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness—not some alternate plan of our own, or of anyone else’s!  Oh, how easy it is to let the enemy’s voice override the call of our Master—be it out of fear, lack of understanding, distractions of time, circumstance, privilege or lack thereof—Esther received the counsel of her uncle and sought God’s provision in her obedience, knowing that “if I perish, I perish”.  How much are you willing to risk to heed God’s timing for you!  And remember my friends, God’s timing isn’t the same for everyone; don’t measure your call by anyone else’s call.  Just decide to heed, obey and go forward at God’s direction.  I pray that we will each commit to hear, heed and obey.  The time may be short that the simple act of obedience in faith can make a difference—whether it be in a kingdom or in a single life.  Jesus loves each one.

“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 30:21

To God be the glory!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Inside Out Or Outside In??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #239

14 Sunday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Inside out or Outside In?, It's All About The Cross, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Living Stones, Living TODAY!, Salvation, Seeing Truth, SIN, Sin IS the issue, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Blood Of Jesus, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Call of God!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Word, This is the Way, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?, Transformed life, Words Matter, Worldliness, You can't get yesterday back!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Inside Out Or Outside In???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #239

I heard a message today that pricked my heart, for we seldom hear a message which reminds us that, contrary to popular opinion, it’s not what’s on the “outside” that counts; and scripture is replete with teachings that God’s work is always from the inside out (not to say that we are to neglect the outside!)!

“Thus saith the LORD;

Cursed be the man

that trusteth in man,

and maketh flesh his arm,

and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert,

and shall not see when good cometh;

but shall inhabit the parched places

in the wilderness,

in a salt land

and not inhabited.

7 Blessed is the man

that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots by the river,

and shall not see when heat cometh,

but her leaf shall be green;

and shall not be careful in the year of drought,

neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD

search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”                  Jeremiah 17:5-10

We must recognize that we choose to hear the voice of God and respond to Him in repentance and trust in His saving power through the blood of Jesus; or we choose to refuse His call to our hearts and trust in ourselves, the arm of man, or just depart from God, His Son and His Word.  It’s a matter of the heart and what we choose to believe, follow and live out—but we can never live good enough to change our heart, apart from Jesus’ sacrifice.

One of the greatest reminders of this is found in Proverbs 3.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct

thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

The problem is that we have exalted ourselves to think that we are “god”!  But there is only One God and One Way to Him, The Lord Jesus Christ.  You get to choose but the consequence comes without your control.  God gives us the privilege to choose, but the consequences are in His hands.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.”  Galatians 6:7-9

Are you listening to God?  Are you sowing to the flesh or seeking Jesus’ provision for being born again and having new life in Jesus.

“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.”   Matthew 7:13-14

“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

Isaiah shares this same message from the Lord to the people of Judah—a word that is also apropos to us today.

“Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people draw near me

with their mouth,

and with their lips

do honour me,

but have removed their heart

far from me,

and their fear toward me

is taught by the precept of men:

14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed

to do a marvellous work among this people,

even a marvellous work and a wonder:

for the wisdom of their wise men

shall perish,

and the understanding of their prudent men

shall be hid.

15 Woe unto them

that seek deep to hide their counsel

from the LORD,

and their works

are in the dark,

and they say,

Who seeth us?

and who knoweth us?”  Isaiah 29:13-15

People who claim the name of Jesus, yet go their own way, not the way of Jesus or His Word are who this passage is referring to.  Whom are you following? Believing? Trusting in?  Ordering your steps after?  Jesus paints one of the most profound pictures of the choices that face us, reminding us that “saying so, doesn’t make it so”.  Are we just talking about Jesus, or have we been transformed by His blood?  Are we being led by His precious Holy Spirit.  (See Romans 8:9, it tells us that if we don’t have The Holy Spirit, we don’t belong to Jesus!)  The Word said it, not just me.  Is your house built on the “Rock of Ages” or the “sand”?   Note that the storms will come no matter who you are—and the foundation does matter—in fact it’s a life and death choice.

“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.

24 Therefore whosoever

heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one

that heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”                  Matthew 7:17-27

Have you been changed from the inside out—by being born again?  Are you trying to put on a show by impressing others with the outside, but have not received God’s work of salvation to transform a lost sinner into a saint of God?

“The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,

2 Son of man,

thou dwellest in the midst

of a rebellious house,

which have eyes to see,

and see not;

they have ears to hear,

and hear not:

for they are a rebellious house.”  Ezekiel 12:1-2

Rebellion is costly and can cost your soul, or your walk with The King.  It cost King Saul his kingdom—all because he did it his way, rather than God’s.  (Read all of 1 Samuel 14 & 15). There is a point of no return, which forgiveness can’t always restore.

“And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey

is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee from being king.

24 And Saul said unto Samuel,

I have sinned:

for I have transgressed the commandment

of the LORD,

and thy words:

because I feared the people,

and obeyed their voice.

25 Now therefore, I pray thee,

pardon my sin,

and turn again with me,

that I may worship the LORD.

26 And Samuel said unto Saul,

I will not return with thee:

for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

and the LORD hath rejected thee

from being king over Israel.”  1 Samuel 15:22-26

May God open our eyes and show us the true condition of our heart, so that we may receive the true work of redemption and recreation, and live it before a lost and dying world!

“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

Amen & Amen!!!

Quiet And Still Is Hard??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #231

24 Monday Jun 2024

Posted by in Be Steadfast, Be Still and Know, Be ye doers of the Word, Be ye HOLY, It's Your Choice, Jeremiah's faithfulness, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Renewing or Reviewing, Resting Or Wrestling?, Safe Place, Stand by ME!, Stand Fast!, Still Will I Trust HIM, The Call of God!, The Word, Wait on the Lord, Wait upon the Lord, Walk in the Spirit, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quiet And Still Is Hard??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #231

“Be still,

and know

that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Selah.”  Psalm 46:10-11

This precious verse reminds us that God is our peace, our hope and our confidence; we can “Be still, and know that I am God…”.  My husband has a lovely story of an encounter with this verse, and while that is his story to tell, I will say that God pointed him to this truth, and he could “be still” and know that God had him in His hands—and He surely did.  And my friends, He will do the same for us if we will but be listening, sensitive to His voice and dependent upon His care.  Still has several meanings, one is to cease from motion, or activity; another is to keep on keeping on—to go onward continually.  Both are indicators of our ability to see God as God!  Oh, how grateful I am that God IS God and ever at work in our lives, our surroundings and our world!  It’s hard to recognize sometimes, with all the wickedness and evil around us; especially when people of faith compromise with the world so much, and the church has laid down her cross and taken up the world’s method’s.

Have you been antsy lately?  Have you fretted and worried about people, places, things and circumstances, or are you willing to just “Be still, and know that I am God…”, trusting yourself to His care.  Have you been digging into His Word to know Him better and grow in intimacy with The Lord Jesus who gave Himself for our salvation?  The prophet Jeremiah is one of my favorite Bible prophets, for even after he had preached and called the children of Israel to repent (for some 40 years), he was persecuted, rejected and mistreated, and saw the destruction of Jerusalem, yet his heart knew whom he believed?  How about you and me?  Are you ready to keep your eyes on the prize—Jesus.  Only as we learn to know Him through His Word and yield our lives to the power and direction of His precious Holy Spirit can we know Him in fulness and truth, even as Jeremiah did.

“It is of the LORD’S mercies

that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning:

great is thy faithfulness.

24 The LORD is my portion,

saith my soul;

therefore will I hope in him.

25 The LORD is good

unto them that wait for him,

 to the soul that seeketh him.

26 It is good that a man should

both hope

and quietly wait for the salvation

of the LORD.”  Lamentations 3:22-26

And just FYI, this reference to quietly wait isn’t an instruction to wait to come to Jesus, but to wait, as His child, for His saving provision in our circumstances; and notice Jeremiah instructs us to “quietly wait”—not rant, rave, or pitch fits when things don’t come in “my” time!  Remember we are to know that God IS God and behave thusly!  So, here are a few more passages about being still—in both ways!

“Stand in awe,

and sin not:

commune with your own heart

upon your bed,

and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There be many that say,

Who will shew us any good?

LORD, lift thou up the light

of thy countenance upon us.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart,

more than in the time

that their corn

and their wine increased.

8 I will both lay me down

in peace,

and sleep:

for thou, LORD, only

makest me dwell in safety.”   Psalm 4:4-8

“Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:

they will be still praising thee. Selah.”  Psalm 84:4

Will you be still?  Will you pursue the knowledge of The Most High and His Son Jesus?  It’s your choice, 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

Amen and Amen!!!

Have You Heard God’s Call??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #210

19 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, God's Call, God's Faithfulness, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Salvation, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Call of God!, Wolves in sheep's clothing!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have You Heard God’s Call???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #210

I have what I consider an important word for us this morning which will hopefully call each of us to examine our heart to see if we have heard the call of The Lord and Savior and responded in repentance and faith.

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver,

if she lose one piece,

doth not light a candle,

and sweep the house,

and seek diligently

till she find it?

9 And when she hath found it,

she calleth her friends

and her neighbours together, saying,

Rejoice with me;

for I have found the piece

which I had lost.

10 Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

over one sinner that repenteth.”  Luke 15:8-10

We seem to have morphed the Gospel into a “formula” of speaking Jesus’ name and thinking we are His, just because we know His name.  I know a lot of famous people by their name, but I don’t “know” them; the same way many call Jesus’ name like a talisman or a heavenly slot machine—put in His name, pull the handle and you have what you want.  NOT!  Jesus made it clear that it’s not just His name, it’s knowing HIM through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, and repentance of my sin!

“There were present at that season some that told him

of the Galilaeans,

whose blood Pilate had mingled

with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said unto them,

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners

above all the Galilaeans,

because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

 ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen,

upon whom the tower in Siloam fell,

and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners

above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:1-5

John chapter 6-8 can be called the hard sayings of Jesus, and many walked away during those teachings of hard things, yet Jesus makes some statements that we need to consider. We can’t come to Jesus just anytime we want, it requires the conviction of the precious Holy Spirit of our sin, God’s calling us to repentance and faith in His Son.  If you’ve heard the voice of God speaking to your heart, I beg you not to turn that voice away—it may not come again.  We never know when God will stop speaking to our heart—don’t miss heaven by neglecting to be a “whosoever will, may come”!  You can choose to be one who walks away from Him, but as Joshua proclaimed, “As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord.”

“The Jews then murmured at him,

because he said,

I am the bread which came down from heaven.

42 And they said,

Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph,

whose father and mother we know?

how is it then that he saith,

I came down from heaven?

43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,

Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day…

…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.”  Portions of John 6:41-66

Don’t miss God’s voice speaking to you—even if you are a church member without Jesus, don’t be ashamed to repent and receive His saving grace and proclaim it to the world!  If you are a religious leader but have never responded to the voice of God—if He is calling you, answer in repentance and faith and proclaim it to the world!  God is looking for such bold servants, who proclaim the truth over error; don’t be misled down that “broad road” of “easy believeism” and miss Jesus and heaven. Jesus says it better than I can!  The many or the few—it’s your choice!

“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…

…. 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.”  Portions of Matthew 7:13-23

These are hard sayings, but they are of eternal import, and your soul’s destiny is at stake.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test—and it’s God’s standard not yours that will prevail.  Ready or not Jesus is coming—and God has given Him the right of judgment!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea

gave up the dead which were in it;

and death and hell

delivered up the dead which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:11-15

Please don’t turn away from the voice of Jesus calling you—no matter your station, your place in the religious community, your pride, power or success, the people who might ridicule you—turn to Jesus in repentance and faith when HE calls to you, and don’t be ashamed of His saving grace!

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,

him will I confess also before my Father

which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men,

him will I also deny before my Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 10:32-33

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.”   2 Peter 3:9

Don’t miss Jesus today!  He’s calling!  He’s coming!  He loves you and so do we!

Amen and Amen!!!

What Is My Life Preaching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #209

17 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Born Again, Narrow way or The Broad way?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Preaching Jesus, Preaching truth about SIN, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Blood Of Jesus, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Call of God!, The Cross or the world?, The foolishness of preaching, Without a Word?, Witness, Worldliness, You can overcome, You can't get yesterday back!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What Is My Life Preaching???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #209

God has given us physical life, and the saving power of Jesus in imparting to us the new birth—being born again by the blood of Jesus, through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice—but does the world see Jesus IN me, IN you, In the lives of those calling themselves part of the church of Jesus Christ—His bride?  We are called to be faithful witnesses—in fact we are witnesses—the question seems to be, what are we being faithful to?  Are we living in such a way that others see Jesus not only in us, but in our display before the world in our interactions with others.  Do I correct a clerk who undercharged me for an item?  Do I display Jesus when I am being mistreated?  Do I extend Jesus’ love to those who are cross with me?  Do I respond in grace, peace, and love when I am being falsely accused?

“And he said unto them,

It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,

which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power,

after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me

both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judaea,

and in Samaria,

and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things,

while they beheld,

he was taken up;

and a cloud received him

out of their sight.”  Acts 1:7-9

When we read through the book of Acts, we see the accomplishing of this commission from Jesus to the disciples.

I love reading through Acts, to see the successes, the failures, the boldness, and failures to really believe.  Our world is no different!  We must remember that it is the power of The Holy Spirit, who enables us to accomplish God’s work, so I’d like to share a few passages for us to ponder today, and ask God to reveal to us our own heart, and examine our path to see if we are going His way—on that narrow road—or have we slipped into the worldliness of the broad way? (See Matthew 7:13-14.)

The author of Hebrews gives us great advice.

“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.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction

of sinners against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,

striving against sin.”  Hebrews 12:1-4

Are we resisting the devil and standing for Jesus, or just floating downstream along with the flow?  We have only one message that will help others and that is the cross and Jesus Christ crucified, risen, and coming again—His blood that saves and transforms lives.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize,

but to preach the gospel:

not with wisdom of words,

lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom

of the wise,

and will bring to nothing the understanding

of the prudent…

….21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.”  Portions of 1 Corinthians 1:17-25

And one of my favorite passages, a familiar one in part, and while many often quote Ephesians 2:8-9 to prove that we are only saved by grace through faith, we often stop and don’t read on in verse 10 that we are saved “unto good works”, and not just a doing good deeds, but working out that which God has put in!

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

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

The very thing that Paul was referring to in his letter to the Philippian believers.

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13

We can’t work “for” our salvation, but when we are saved, born again, we are to be a display of what God has worked in us.  Working it “out” because God has put it “within” us!  So, my friends, what are our lives “preaching”; even without words?  In fact we preach way more with our actions than our words!  God bless your day my friends, and thanks for joining us!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Amen and Amen!!!