Category Archives: Thy Kingdom Come

Does My Life Match The Word? A Word from THE WORD!!! #371

03 Sunday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Mindset on Jesus!, Modesty, My Grace Is Sufficient, My Help Cometh from THE LORD, My sheep hear my voice..., Not Ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ., The Word, The Word Or The World?, There IS a Test!, Though HE slay me--still will I trust HIM, Though your sins be as scarlet-they shall be white as snow., Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Trusting Jesus?, Try yourselves, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer

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Does My Life Match The Word?  A Word from THE WORD!!! #371

“Beloved,

now are we the sons of God,

and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:

but we know that,

when he shall appear,

we shall be like him;

for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him

purifieth himself,

even as he is pure.”  1 John 3:2-3

John is joined by Peter, who also calls us unto this purity—a purity that is 180 degrees opposite of our culture which says, whatever the market will carry!  We’re told that we need to look like the world, talk like the world, dress like the world, adopt the world’s culture, copy their philosophy, and include worldly philosophy as an ‘add-on’ to Jesus.  Don’t bother with prayer and obedience to Jesus, but get on board with the new age philosophies, the attitude that says do whatever it takes to make the sale, close the deal or be popular and accepted!  Success becomes our ‘god’ rather than Jesus, God The Father or the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

“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.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

 judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

 received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

 and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope

might be in God.

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls

in obeying the truth

 through the Spirit

unto unfeigned love of the brethren,

see that ye love one another

with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

which liveth and abideth

for ever.”  1 Peter 1:13-23

The question that we must answer is “are we purifying ourselves..as He is pure”; or have we bought into the lies of the enemy and aligned our lives with ‘Hellywood’ and the culture of the world, be it TV, social media, politics, the world’s fashions, or financial priorities; or are we delving into The Word of God, recognizing that we are to be set apart unto Jesus, His Word and His holiness?  Oh to be found faithful before God, to be living according to His Word and His ways rather than the world’s! (and just FYI, “conversation” in verse 15 is a reference to lifestyle not just our words.)

“There is a way which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12 

Jesus clearly makes this clear to us in Matthew chapter 7, but we still seem to miss it, especially in today’s culture; even within the church, if not especially in the church.  Do our hemlines and our necklines (male and female) reflect the world’s fashion or modesty.

“Likewise, ye wives,

be in subjection to your own husbands;

that, if any obey not the word,

they also may without the word

be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation

coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be

that outward adorning

of plaiting the hair,

and of wearing of gold,

or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart,

in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament

of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God

of great price.

5 For after this manner

 in the old time

the holy women also,

who trusted in God,

adorned themselves,

being in subjection

 unto their own husbands:”                 1 Peter 3:1-5

And Paul calls us in similar fashion to live modestly before the world.

“I will therefore that men pray every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.

9 In like manner also,

that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,

with shamefacedness

and sobriety;

not with broided hair,

or gold,

or pearls,

or costly array;

10 But (which becometh women

professing godliness)

with good works.”  1 Timohty 2:8-10

And back to what Jesus reveals to us in Matthew chapter 7, one of the most significant chapters in all of scripture.

“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…

…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

Are you working iniquity with the world?  Or are you doing “the will of my Father which is in heaven”?  God knows which path you are walking on; you may fool others, but you can’t fool God!  As my mother told me more than once, “You can fool some of the people all of the time; you can fool all of the people some of the time; but you can’t fool God!”

Lord may we be found faithful before you, living, speaking, dressing, using our words in the ways that you have called holy!  Help me to reflect your glory and not that of the world, to bear fruit of The Spirit and not that of the flesh.  And in closing a bit of a lengthy passage, as Paul makes the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of The Holy Spirit.

“16 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…

…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.”  Portions of Galatians 5:16-25

Where are you walking?  Do my choices reflect Jesus or the lies of the enemy?  Am I walking the “broad way” or the “narrow way”?  My life will reveal the road I’m on!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

What Is God’s Kingdom??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #370

30 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, God's measure isn't ours, God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Wisdom, Good Neighbor, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Knowing Truth, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Time Is Grace!, Today and Forever, Today is the day of Salvation, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's following you?, Who's in your heart?, Who's Listening?, Who's Your Father?, Whom are you trusting?, Whose Sheep are You?, Whose Side Are You On?, Wise As Serpents

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What Is God’s Kingdom???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #370

This seems like a reasonable question, but we must keep our “reason” based on scripture.  Jesus calls us to keep our focus on spiritual things God’s way not our own.  Let’s consider some principles from scripture and then decide what “kingdom” we are living in.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom

come.

Thy will

be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”   Matthew 6:9-10

Jesus calls us to pray to “Our Father”!  Who has this privilege?  Those who are born again and made children of God!

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:11-13

Even as Jesus told Nicodemus, we must be born “of God” by being “born again”!   Only those who have been born again have the right and the privilege to call God Father; and when we call God father, we ought to behave like His children, and our prayer is to be made in pursuit of His Kingdom to “come”, and His will to be “done”!  To put it simply, whose kingdom are you pursuing, which “king” are you bowing before; kingdom, simply put, means the domain of a “king”!  Who is your king; yourself, the world, the enemy of your soul?  You are serving someone, be sure that it is The King of all, the almighty, sovereign, ruler, creator and Lord over all!  And that means just what it says—He is ruler over all; and you can trust in Him to save, keep and deliver.  Paul said it better than I can.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

Jesus began it and He will finish His work in we who come to Him in repentance of our sin and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice at Calvary—the sacrifice that sealed the new covenant for all who will believe in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection for our sin!

“Then said he,

Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.

He taketh away the first,

that he may establish the second.

10 By the which will we are sanctified

through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ

once for all.”  Hebrews 10:9-10

Our assurance and confidence are in the completed work of salvation that Jesus accomplished as the sacrificial “Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world…”; and because of the great victory that Jesus accomplished and imparts to all who believe, we can have the victory!  You and me!  We who will recognize God as the King and choose to receive salvation in Jesus and joining His Kingdom!  That’s where victory is found, for those who respond to the call of God and build their house upon “The Rock”—Jesus!  Sing Rock of Ages to Him today!

“Beloved,

believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:

Every spirit that confesseth

that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh

is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not

that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh

is not of God:

and this is that spirit of antichrist,

whereof ye have heard

that it should come;

and even now already

is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”  1 John 4:14

Where is your kingdom?  Who is your King?  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test!  Jesus made it plain.

“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.

Amen and Amen!!!

As White As Snow??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #316

22 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Self-sufficient or Dependent on Jesus?, Serving God or Using God?, Sharing the blessings, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Though your sins be as scarlet-they shall be white as snow., Thy Kingdom Come, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Today is the day of Salvation, Who Am I?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Whom are you trusting?, Whose Side Are You On?

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As White As Snow???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #316

“And when ye spread forth your hands,

I will hide mine eyes from you:

yea, when ye make many prayers,

I will not hear:

your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash you,

make you clean;

put away the evil of your doings

from before mine eyes;

cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well;

seek judgment,

relieve the oppressed,

judge the fatherless,

plead for the widow.

18 Come now,

and let us reason together,

saith the LORD:

though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson,

they shall be as wool.”  Isaiah 1:15-18

God’s call to Israel through the prophet Isaiah, was a difficult word to hear, and just as in our day, most didn’t want to hear it.  God was calling the people to see their own sin, and to turn to Him, not in vain words, empty sacrifices, or feigned worship, but in hearts of repentance, seeking God’s forgiveness, grace and restoration.  So we, in our country—in our world—are blind to the truth in favor of Satan’s lies which sound so much more palatable to our proud and arrogant self-sufficiency and self-righteousness.

But God’s message through Isaiah reminds us that only His grace can cleanse and forgive our sin.  Paul shared a similar message, and I want to call us to consider God’s call.  Where are you?  Has your sin been forgiven.  Do you have any sin?  Until we see our own sin and need for salvation, we will never come to Jesus.  In Paul’s message to the believers at Rome, he makes the case for sin—all sin.  In chapter one, he describes and calls the blatant sinners to repent; in chapter two he calls the self-righteous to repent; and in chapter three he plainly and clearly calls the “none righteous…no not one” to come to Jesus!  We can never be good enough to eradicate our own sin.

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.”  Romans 3:10-12

Paul goes on to declare:

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

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 3:23-26

We can then proceed on to chapter 6:

“What fruit had ye then in those things

whereof ye are now ashamed?

for the end of those things

is death.

22 But now

being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:21-23

Yet how do we go from sinful, self-righteous, none-righteous to a child of The King?  Paul shares the answer to that question, and I pray that no matter your station or situation in life you will look to Jesus and receive the free gift of His salvation by repentance of your sin, and trusting in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for payment of our sin!  I know this is a lengthy passage but one that we need to hear and heed.

“But what saith it?

The word is nigh thee,

even in thy mouth,

and in thy heart:

that is, the word of faith,

which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart

that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart

man believeth unto righteousness;

and with the mouth confession is made

unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith,

Whosoever believeth on him

shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference

between the Jew and the Greek:

for the same Lord over all

is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him

in whom they have not believed?

and how shall they believe in him

of whom they have not heard?

and how shall they hear

without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach,

except they be sent?

as it is written,

How beautiful are the feet of them

that preach the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

For Esaias saith,

Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing,

and hearing by the word of God.”  Romans 10:8-17

I plead with you to hear The Word?  Don’t miss the master’s gift of salvation.  He’s coming soon, will you be ready?  I pray that if you are not ready—if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior–you will call upon HIM today, for then:

“though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson,

they shall be as wool”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Pray Without Ceasing??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #270

09 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by in PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Press ON!, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Time Is Grace!, What's In Your Heart?

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Pray Without Ceasing???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #270

“Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus

concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

I would like to take a few minutes this morning to consider our call to pray!  Not just a passing thought to ask God to bless our day or forgive us….; but a mindset of seeking God’s will in all things, a mindset of intercession, a mindset of humble petition on behalf of others!  Jesus gave us our direction for prayer—and it has to start with looking upward not around.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us

our debts,

as we forgive

our debtors…”. Matthew 6:9-12

While this is just a portion of the model prayer, I want us to consider a few things that stand out and hopefully will spark us onward and upward in our commitment to “Pray without ceasing”.  First and foremost is the call to lift our prayers upward to “Our Father”; notice Jesus didn’t say “my” but “our” father!  I am never to pray as a spoiled child—thinking that I am the only one that matters!  We are called to pray in consideration of the family of God’s children—all those who are born again by the “blood of the Lamb”!  Notice the pronouns used here—our, us, our, us, we, our; Jesus is reminding us that we aren’t the lone ranger, but He is reminding us that we are part of His sheep!

This first consideration of looking upward is to remind us that we are praying not only to “our” father, but He is our Heavenly Father, and His name is to be revered, honored, and bowed before as we pray pursuing Him:

“Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven”!

Our pursuits in prayer are to ever be focused on our God—His kingdom—His will here on earth (and while I won’t dig into it today, if you want to see what God’s will looks like in heaven, take some time and read and consider Revelation 4 & 5!). This mindset of God being our heavenly slot machine, put in your prayer quarter and pull the handle of God’s/Jesus’ name and the jackpot will fall, is a total misunderstanding of God and prayer.  Prayer is communion with God; seeking to know Him better, to pursue His will not mine; seeking to lead others in His ways not mine; seeking to bring Him glory as we bring others to see the truth of God’s Word and His blood bought salvation through Jesus!

It’s so easy to get distracted by all the needs around us and think it’s impossible to pray well; but when we listen to the precious Holy Spirit directing us, we will find power, hope and reassurance to press on in the right direction with Jesus.

“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

We have the precious gift from Jesus of His indwelling Holy Spirit who will lead us when we learn to seek God’s face and dig into His Word.  Jesus promised to provide all we need—most of all by the gift of His Holy Spirit to dwell within us and guide us into all truth.  Are you pursuing Jesus?  His truth?

“And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.”  John 14:16-18

“But when the Comforter is come,

whom I will send unto you

from the Father,

even the Spirit of truth,

which proceedeth

from the Father,

he shall testify of me:

27 And ye also shall bear witness,

because ye have been with me

from the beginning.”  John 15:26-27

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world

of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged…

….13 Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth, is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine:

therefore said I,

that he shall take of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.”  John 16:7-15

 The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  Will you be found faithfully praying for God’s kingdom and God’s will?  Will you be found faithfully praying “without ceasing”!  Not going around with your head bowed and your eyes closed all the time; but with a heart set on Jesus and listening for His direction as you go about being salt and light in this world of darkness.  There are so many needs in so many places and crises all around us, and we can make a difference as we heed the call and direction of our Lord and Master, Jesus!  May you find the power of that continual spirit of prayer ever working in your heart, life and ministry!  And as you pray while you drive, please don’t close your eyes!!!

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?