Category Archives: This is the Way

Trusting To Sight Alone??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #445

25 Saturday Apr 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God, This is the Way, Though HE slay me--still will I trust HIM, Though your sins be as scarlet-they shall be white as snow., Trials, Tried by FIRE!, True Knowledge, Trust, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Try yourselves, Tuned In To Jesus, Turn to God's Word, Unexpected Interruptions

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Trusting To Sight Alone???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #445

There’s an old adage that said, “I’ll have to see it to believe it!”  While we’ve probably all said it at one time or another, it is 180 degrees opposite of biblical faith and God’s Word!  I am amazed at all that goes on in our so-called Christian culture with little to no regard for what God has clearly said in His Word.  I simply want to encourage us to consider what it really means to trust God in our daily walk, and I’ll start with one of my favorite passages.  I want us to simply walk through what the scripture actually gives us as a guide for living—not just life, but the living of it—for The Lord; are we ready to heed His Word?

“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.

9 Honour the LORD

with thy substance,

and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled

with plenty,

and thy presses shall burst out

with new wine.

11 My son,

despise not

the chastening of the LORD;

neither be weary

of his correction:” Proverbs 3:5-11

I find it interesting that many of us know verses 5-6 by heart, but we have often left that which follows untouched!  Do you see what God is telling us?  Yes, we are to trust GOD—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—with all our heart; and then God goes on to tell us that we are to “lean not” to our own understanding, abilities, strengths, intuitions, human reasoning, and the justifications of our culture claiming that wrong is right and vice-versa!  Isaiah warned us long ago of the danger of heeding wrong advice!  Isaiah warned of the very thing that we are watching take place in our culture.  Our job is to stand fast in “evil day”; and friends we are there!

“Woe unto them

 that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!”  Isaiah 5:20-21

James warned a group of early believers that our lives ought to reflect God’s nature, the redeemed life, a sanctified life of virtue, character and holiness. Somewhere down the line we have chosen an “easy believism” that neglects repentance, regeneration and a changed life.  We are to keep our eyes on Jesus, The prize, and not the culture around us, no matter whom we fear might be ‘hurt’ by our proclamation of the Truth—Jesus!  Remember, the very proclamation of the truth of Who He was, is and ever shall be, cost Him His life, which He laid down willingly for my sin and yours!  What price are you and I unwilling to pay to proclaim God’s truth?  Let’s consider what James had to say, and I know this is a lengthy passage, but one which I pray will call us to account before our God and our Lord Jesus!

“For every kind of beasts, and of birds,

and of serpents, and of things in the sea,

is tamed,

and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God,

even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after

the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth

proceedeth blessing and cursing.

My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain

send forth at the same place

sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain

both yield salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation

his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife

in your hearts,

glory not,

and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above,

but is earthly,

sensual,

devilish.”  James 3:7-15

As I am often wont to say, “Saying so doesn’t make it so?”  What does my/your life style say? Our speech?  Our treatment of others?  Our generosity, or the lack thereof?  Paul gives us a very clear picture of living a life of faithful obedience or a life devoted to the world. (And just FYI, James isn’t saying that our tongue can’t be tamed; he is saying that no “man” can tame the tongue—only a redeemed heart can affect a man’s speech).  Jesus said it not me.

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things

which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:” Matthew 15:17-19

Let us also consider today (I hope to address this again soon), Paul’s great picture of the contrast between the fleshly life and a holy life—lived in the power of Jesus through the work of His Holy Spirit. It’s your call, but judge wisely according to God’s Word not the world’s standard!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary the one to the other:

 so that ye cannot do

the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,  

which are these;

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,

lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry,

witchcraft, hatred, variance,

emulations,

wrath, strife, seditions,

 heresies, 21 Envyings, murders,

drunkenness, revellings, and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,

faith, 23 Meekness, temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”Galatians 5:16-25

I know that these are heavy things, but they are things that I truly believe we need to be reminded of.  As some of you know, I lost my husband 2 months ago and wound up in the hospital and rehab for a month shortly after his death.  It was a trying time, but my confidence was, has been and still is in the power, goodness and sovereign care of my Jesus!  No, it hasn’t been fun, nor has it been easy, but as Job said so long ago, “…though He slay me, still will I trust Him…” Job 13:15. And in closing I want us to consider another statement from some who trusted God out of the fire and in it!  Where’s your trust?

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee

in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.”  Daniel 3:16-18

Will you choose to stand with Jesus, or buckle under the threat of fire?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test—and I think it may be coming very soon.  I’m praying for you.  As an old song said…” …they wouldn’t bend…they wouldn’t bow…they wouldn’t burn…” (from the song, The Fourth Man in the Fire, by Arthur Smith…), I pray that we will be found as faithful as they were, for they knew their God and His Word!  How about you and me?  I pray that God will find me faithful!

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s Your Excuse Now??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #435

16 Friday Jan 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Joy of The Lord!, Judgment, Judgment Is Coming, This is the Way, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, What's In Your Heart?, Where are you leading those following you?

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What’s Your Excuse Now

??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #435

We live in a culture filled with ready-made excuses—I’ve been deprived, neglected, poor, sick, my parents didn’t do right, they are too strict, too lenient, to tight, to extravagant, I saw it on social media, all my friends are doing it!  I……fill in the blank________!  Jesus talks about our choices—it’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test coming!  And you don’t know when it will come.

“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 7:20-23

Jesus continues on in this passage to give us an amazing example of the import of our choices.  There are choices we make that seem unimportant, and we often think if we make it look good, it doesn’t matter what our foundation is; but Jesus makes it clear that without a proper foundation life will fall apart when the storms come—and they will come!  And please remember that JESUS IS THE ROCK! (The Rock of Ages, if you would!)

“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 7:25-27

What foundation are you laying?  Is your confidence in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus for sin?  Or is your confidence in the world or anything other than the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord!  I pray that you will forsake the excuses and cling to Jesus!

“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

There is a day of accounting coming, I pray that you will take care of business with Jesus—HE is the only way to salvation!  Don’t excuse yourself right into hell.

“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

Your choices matter—and there will be no excuses to give.  Please be ready to meet Jesus—He is coming soon!

“And, behold,

I come quickly;

and my reward is with me,

to give every man

according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end,

the first and the last.”  Revelation 22:12-13

Amen and Amen!!!

Remember, just saying so doesn’t make it so!!!

What’s your excuse?

Hidden Dangers??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #429

02 Friday Jan 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Religion isn't enough?, Relying on self or Jesus?, This is the Way, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, What are you doing with your TIME?, What are you listening to?, What does worldliness look like?, What's coming out of YOUR mouth?, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?, Where are you leading those following you?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's Listening?, Whom are you trusting?, Words Matter

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Hidden Dangers???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #429

As we step into this new year of 2026, I’d like to share a couple of thoughts about being aware of the truths of this world and the enemy who is ever ready to trip us up.  We do have an adversary that we need to be aware of.  We must keep our focus of God and His Word, while realizing that Satan is an ever-present enemy, ever ready to deceive us and we must determine to know truth so that we can make good, realistic and informed (from God’s Word) decisions in all our ways.

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me

from the oppression of man:

so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;

 and teach me thy statutes.” Psalm 119:133-135

And while this verse asks for God to “teach me”, He will teach us, but HE will not open your skull and pour in His ways, but He will help us to know Him through His Word, when we open the Bible and hide His word in our own heart and mind.

“With my whole heart have I sought thee:

O let me not wander

from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O LORD:

teach me thy statutes.”  Psalm 119:10-12

Peter draws us an amazing picture of the battle that we are in; yet we must ever remember that we “we wrestle not again flesh and blood“ (See Ephesians 6:10-18), for “the battle is not yours, but God’s…” (See 2 Chronicles 20:15)!

“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

Our diligent effort will be rewarded at the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, when our King will take His rightful place upon The Throne of this world!  Will you be found faithful?  It’s up to you—it’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test!

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 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 1:13-15

May the joy and peace of The Lord go with you into this new year; and may you grow in grace, truth and power each day!

“Now the God of hope

fill you with all joy

and peace

in believing,

that ye may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Ghost.”  Romans 15:13

And Paul’s word of encouragement to the Philippians believers!

“And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.”  Philippians 4:7-8

Amen and Amen!!!

Is God’s Word Truth??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #393

01 Wednesday Oct 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godly Wisdom, The Things of God, The Word, The Word Or The World?, There IS a Test!, This is the Way, Time Is Grace!, Too Late To Call?, Transformed life, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, Unrighteous will not inherit, Victory IN Jesus!, What are you hungry for?, What are you listening to?, What do you SEE?, What's in your book?, What's The Word?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Whose Sheep are You?

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Is God’s Word Truth??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #393

I feel led to write this article today, as I just read some startling statistics that break my heart; but I have no doubt that they reflect where our culture is.  The bottom line was that less than 10% of those who claim to be “Christians” actually believe the Word of God/The Bible to be true, authoritative and useful for ordering our lives before a Holy God!  So, I want to share what the Word of God has to say about itself.  It’s your choice, as to what you believer, but choose wisely for there is a test; and believe it or not, God’s Word is and ever will be the plumbline!

“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.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”               Hebrews 4:12-13

You may deny the veracity of The Word of God, but your denial will not diminish the truth that it is what you will stand and be judged by one day!  What you do with Jesus and His Word is truly your choice, but the consequences have already been set.  Paul gives us a most powerful declaration of the truth of the Bible—God’s Word!  Other’s words may be tempting to believe as they usually (almost always) feed the fleshly desires, rather than the truths of God!

“If we believe not,

yet he abideth faithful:

he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in remembrance,

charging them before the Lord

that they strive not about words to no profit,

but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:13-15

And just an observation, if we are called to “rightly” divide the word of God, it is implied that there is a way to “wrongly” divide (or interpret and apply it) God’s Word.  What are you doing with the Bible?  Are you taking other’s opinions of what it says, or are you digging in yourself to see what God says?  Whether we believe and accept it or not, God remains faithful and His Word is true; again I say, it’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test!  Let’s look at what else Paul told this young pastor!

“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,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

Just FYI, the word ‘perfect’ here means stable and mature, it is not a reference to attaining sinless perfection!  This is calling us to understand that it is the Bible, God’s Word, which can help us to know truth (doctrine); to reveal our failure and sin (reproof); to correct us and set our feet back on the road of the light of our God (correction); and one of the greatest things is that it helps us to learn the ways of righteousness (the preventive measures for a godly life, instruction in righteousness!)!  Then Paul lifts us up to see that this very Word of God is what will help us to be mature, useful and equipped spiritually for whatever good works God may set before us!  Oh, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and our heart and flesh feasting on His Word.  It’s like medicine for the soul and our weak flesh.

Jesus said it best as He dealt with the temptation of Satan face to face!

“And when the tempter came to him, he said,

If thou be the Son of God,

command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said,

It is written,

Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word

that proceedeth

out of the mouth of God.”              Matthew 4:3-4

What if our diets were as set on God’s Word as on the physical food that we love –some of us way too much!  So in closing I just want to remind every one of us that there is a day coming when we will give an account—let us consider the fate of those who don’t know Jesus; yet also we need to consider that every genuine believer in Jesus will also give an account.  Are you living according to God’s Word?  How can you if you don’t know it?  You can’t!  So dig in my friend; dig in and feast on the riches of all that God has sent to us in this amazing love letter—from Genesis to Revelation!  It’s all true—whether you believe it or not!

“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

No second chances!

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

Then consider Paul’s explanation of the believer’s accounting.

“For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not

that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:11-16

Are you ordering your steps with Jesus or the world?  It’s your choice but remember there is a test.  May we pray with the Psalmist today?  And the next today…….  And the next today…

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:139

Amen and Amen!!!

What Season Is It??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #247

07 Wednesday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Seasonal or Steadfast?, This IS The Day, This is the Way, Thy Kingdom Come, Time, Time Is Grace!, Times and Seasons, TODAY, Today and Forever, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?

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What Season Is It???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #247

As we think about times and seasons, many around us are counting that to mean ‘heat’!  It’s one of those really hot Oklahoma summers, and we praise God for the A/C and try to do what we can when it’s the cooler part of the day; which for a ‘scheduler’ like me it has turned my ‘schedule’ upside-down!  But I’m learning to adapt to getting up earlier to walk first thing in the morning, not the late afternoon; to get the outside watering done early as well; and more of it to keep my flowering plants alive through this heat wave!  But I want us to think of a different kind of seasons, and while we all deal with the changing seasons of the year, unique seasonal changes on the outside, yet we also face different and unique seasons of life.

That is what I want us to think about today; to remember that while God created the earthly seasons, He also sets our times and seasons of life; and when we learn to trust Him with our life seasons, it makes for a sweeter walk through this journey of life.  When we walk with God, we can be assured that He has us in His hand, and as a preacher friend says, “God never says, ‘ooops’!”   His timing is perfect!

“The LORD is the portion

of mine inheritance

and of my cup:

thou maintainest my lot.

6 The lines are fallen unto me

in pleasant places;

yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7 I will bless the LORD,

who hath given me counsel:

my reins also

instruct me in the night seasons.

8 I have set the LORD always before me:

because he is at my right hand,

I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad,

and my glory rejoiceth:

my flesh also shall rest in hope.”  Psalm 16:5-9

Our hope is in Jesus our Lord and God The Father; we can trust Him to care for us, to direct our steps and show us the way, if we will but draw near to Him, feed on His Word, and communicate with Him in prayer continually.  That’s what Paul meant when he called us to “pray without ceasing” (See 1 Thessalonians 5:17.)  For prayer is the lifeline of the believer, not just a rote request that God would “give us this day…”, or a quick “forgive us our trespasses” before we go to sleep.  Prayer without ceasing means keeping a mindset of dependence on God to direct our every step—every day—all the way!  After all He is the creator of all—the ruler of all—our soon coming King; Daniel proclaimed His character in one of the most concise prayers of praise in all of scripture; may we heed its truth and beauty today—every day.

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:19-23

God heard and answered Daniel’s prayer (along with his friends who joined him in the prayer vigil), and He will do the same for us when our hearts are set on God rather than set on doing our own thing, our own way; and when God begins to reorder our lives, our abilities, our surroundings, our times and seasons of life, we often balk, pout, stomp, cry and demand that God give us our ________ back (you fill in the blank).  And for many people my age (senior citizens) it’s hard not to want to be able to do what we used to do, to go where we used to go, to have the people, places and things that we used to have!  But the season has changed for us, and probably for many of you reading this post; but the test is, what we will do with the change: get mad, pout and drop out?  Or will we look up, stand fast, and press on with whatever ability, resources and time that God has given us? God hasn’t asked us to do the impossible, but to trust Him to lead us, use us and provide for us as we are faithful stewards of whatever time and season we may enter—be it temporary or permanent, Paul said it best.

“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.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”  Galatians 6:8-10

May we remember that Jesus is the One who leads us to those opportunities—sometimes as the giver, and at other times, as gracious receivers!  We will reap what we sow, and God keeps accurate accounts.

“When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh,

what will he do unto those husbandmen?

41 They say unto him,

He will miserably destroy

those wicked men,

and will let out his vineyard

unto other husbandmen,

which shall render him

the fruits in their seasons.”  Matthew 21:40-41

God is faithful to provide that which we need, yet there are those times when Jesus says, “Not now!”, or “Wait!” or as He told His disciples, some things are to be done “by faith without knowing the particular times and seasons”—we are to walk by faith in His timing not our own.  The power, times and seasons belong to Jesus, we are called to Go forth scattering the truth of the Gospel!

“When they therefore were come together,

they asked of him, saying,

Lord, wilt thou at this time

restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 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.

10 And while they looked stedfastly

toward heaven as he went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said,

Ye men of Galilee,

why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

this same Jesus,

which is taken up from you into heaven,

shall so come in like manner

as ye have seen him go into heaven.

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem

from the mount called Olivet,

which is from Jerusalem

a sabbath day’s journey.”  Acts 1:6-12

And one last passage that reminds us that we have a great task, for our Lord will return and He will call us unto Himself!  Will we be found faithful to the season that Jesus has brought us to?  Are we paying attention to the world around us, and sharing the truth of Jesus’ salvation as we are given opportunity?  Or are we running after the past?  A different future?  A different present?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren,

ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly

that the day of the Lord so cometh

as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say,

Peace and safety;

then sudden destruction cometh upon them,

as travail upon a woman with child;

and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren,

are not in darkness,

that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5 Ye are all the children of light,

and the children of the day:

we are not of the night,

nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep,

as do others;

but let us watch

and be sober.

7 For they that sleep

sleep in the night;

and they that be drunken

are drunken in the night.

8 But let us, who are of the day,

be sober,

putting on the breastplate

of faith and love;

and for an helmet,

the hope of salvation.

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath,

but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us,

that, whether we wake or sleep,

we should live together with him.

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together,

and edify one another,

even as also ye do.”  1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Walking with Jesus, we can have peace, joy and comfort knowing that our Lord is in charge—and He has our times and seasons in His hands—both the times and seasons of eternity and our personal times and seasons.  Give it all to Jesus—He knows; He loves you and He has your journey mapped out; so trust Him with it today, and each day!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

God is still God; God is still good; and I still trust HIM! And You?