Category Archives: Time Is Grace!

Is It PRAY Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #205

05 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's Prayer, Jesus Knows, Peace of God, Peace of Jerusalem!, Perilous Times Are Here, Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Time, Time Is Grace!, will you?

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Is It PRAY Day???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #205

If there was ever a time that we needed to fall on our knees and pray?  I would just like to share some words of challenge, hope and instruction that we may call upon our God with a heart willing to behave and seek HIM in love, conviction, and righteousness.

Some prayer directions that might help us seek HIM:

When are we to pray?

“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

Why are we to pray?

“Confess your faults one to another,

and pray one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.”  James 5:16

“Epaphras,

who is one of you,

a servant of Christ,

saluteth you,

always labouring fervently for you in prayers,

that ye may stand

perfect

and complete

in all the will of God.”  Colossians 4:12

“We give thanks to God

and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

praying always for you,” Colossians 1:3

What are we to pray for?  As we’ve seen above, we are to pray for one another, for spiritual growth and maturity of the brethren, for our own faithful life of righteousness, and that of the family of God!  Our life must line up with our praying, and there is one thing that we are to pray always—and right now, we need to double up (in my humble opinion!)!  If it’s important to God, it ought to be important to us.

“And I will bless them that bless thee,

and curse him that curseth thee:

and in thee

shall all families of the earth

be blessed.”  Genesis 12:3

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem,

which shall never hold their peace

day nor night:

ye that make mention of the LORD,

keep not silence,

7 And give him no rest,

till he establish,

and till he make Jerusalem

a praise in the earth.”  Isaiah 62:6-7

And may we ever stand fast praying:

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

they shall prosper that love thee.”  Psalm 122:6

We are to pray because it is our lifeline to God, and our obligation to a lost and dying world—especially our world today!  And a few words from some praying men’s examples.

“O my God, incline thine ear,

and hear;

open thine eyes,

and behold our desolations,

and the city which is called by thy name:

for we do not present our supplications before thee

for our righteousnesses,

but for thy great mercies.

19 O Lord, hear;

O Lord, forgive;

O Lord, hearken and do; defer not,

for thine own sake, O my God:

for thy city

and thy people are called by thy name.” Daniel 9:18-19                          (And if you really want to see a heart set unto prayer, I encourage you to read all of Daniel 9—one of the most heart-rending prayers and models of all scripture.)

Our prayers are to be according to God’s will, while asking in faith for that which HE has laid upon our hearts.

“And he went a little further,

and fell on his face,

and prayed, saying,

O my Father, if it be possible,

let this cup pass from me:

nevertheless not as I will,

but as thou wilt…

….41 Watch and pray,

that ye enter not into temptation:

the spirit indeed is willing,

but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time,

and prayed, saying,

O my Father,

if this cup may not pass away from me,

except I drink it,

thy will be done.

43 And he came and found them asleep again:

for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them,

and went away again, and

prayed the third time,

saying the same words.” Matthew 26:39 & 41-43

The very best way to pray according to God’s will, is to know God’s Word!  Then trust the precious Holy Spirit will make intercession when we can’t find the right words—He is ever willing to take our heart to God!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.”  Psalm 119:11

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14

And Jesus’ admonition and instruction about prayer:

“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…

….13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory, for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:9-10 & 13

And Paul’s great assurance:

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession for the saints

according to the will of God.”  Romans 8:26-27

And in closing our confidence is ever in our God’s open arms, and His ear!

“For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore

come boldly unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:15-16

I pray that we who claim the name of Jesus Christ The Lord for our salvation, will call upon our God while there is still time to see deliverance.  Are we really the “my people” who will call upon God for wisdom, forgiveness, strength, and deliverance?

“If

my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

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

Amen and Amen!!!

How’s Your Time??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #196

11 Monday Mar 2024

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Judgment Is Coming, Listening To God, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living TODAY!, Look UP, Looking Unto Jesus, Looking up Or around?, Time, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, What are you doing with your TIME?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Who's Listening?, Who's Your Father?, Whom are you trusting?

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How’s Your Time??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #196

I have a few simple questions for us to ponder this evening, and I pray that we will give due consideration to the voice of The Savior.  How often do we make wrong choices because we aren’t tuned in to Jesus through His precious Holy Spirit that He has given to us.  I just pray that we will give heed to what He speaks to our heart as we consider this message.

What if Jesus had no more time for me than I have for Him from day to day?

What if God paid by the hour; what would my spiritual paycheck look like?

What if you’re too busy, when Jesus calls, to hear His voice?  Is His Holy Spirit dwelling within you?

Those are the questions, now I want to simply cover some passages of scripture that I pray will help each of us to examine ourselves with integrity and honesty, asking God to open our eyes to see what He sees, for it is seeking God, not ourselves that conforms us into the “image of His Son”!  (See Romans 8:28-29, Galatians 5:16 & 25, and Hebrews 12:1-3))

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.”  Romans 8:8-10

Peter reminds us that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation—beyond that, He didn’t have to die—He didn’t even have to take on flesh, but He did; He took on flesh to pay for my sin and yours at Calvary and rose to give us life. What are you/I doing for Him?  So often not even heeding His voice or obeying His direction.

“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…

…2:20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself to him

that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins in his own body on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop

of your souls.”  Portions of 1 Peter 1:18-2:25

Jesus not only gave His life for us, but He gave us His precious Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth; not only The Truth of His Word, but I believe the ability to discern and understand what He would have us do in all our ways.  (Like a fulfillment of Proverbs 3:5-8!)

“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

Whose wisdom are you walking in?  Whose path are you following?  Whom are you trusting?  God or your/my own flesh?  It’s so easy to get caught up in the world’s ideas of right and wrong, and miss the truths that Jesus calls us to, when we trust in our own wisdom and understanding-or the latest ideas and books.

But the big issue is missing Jesus completely because we missed the voice of His Spirit speaking to our hearts.  And if you or I miss Jesus completely, we will suffer the consequence, which Paul warned the Thessalonian church about.  A day of judgment is coming—what will be your answer when you face Jesus?  That you refused His grace, or that you have been born again by the “blood of the Lamb that cleanseth us from all sin”?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test. (See Phil. 2:5-11)

“Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you,

I told you these things?

6 And now ye know what withholdeth

that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:

only he who now letteth

will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed,

whom the Lord shall consume

with the spirit of his mouth,

and shall destroy

with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him,

whose coming is after the working of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness

in them that perish;

because they received not the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them strong delusion,

 that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God

for you,

brethren beloved of the Lord,

because God hath from the beginning

chosen you to salvation

through sanctification of the Spirit

and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel,

to the obtaining of the glory

of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Thessalonians 2:5-14

So, what’s your decision?  Will you respond to Jesus in salvation, trust, and obedience?  Like I said, it’s your choice, but choose wisely; as Paul says, there is a test coming! Don’t fall for the lies.

Amen and Amen!!!

Gap Standers Needed??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #144

16 Monday Oct 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Stand by ME!, Stand Fast!, Standing in the GAP!, Study to Show Yourself Approved Unto God, Sweet Words or Bitter Words?, Teachers, The Gospel, The greatest gift!!!, The Love of God, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, There IS a Test!, This IS The Day, This is the Way, Time Is Grace!, Touch them while you can?, Trendy Or Truth, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Turn to God's Word, Victory IN Jesus!, Walking With Jesus, What are you listening to?, What's coming out of YOUR mouth?, What's in your book?, Whose Sheep are You?, Witness, YOU Can do ALL things through Jesus

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Gap Standers Needed???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #144

God is faithful at every turn, and HIS WORD has never changed, nor will it!  We are living in a world full of those who claim the name of Jesus and lead people away from The Word of God; but we’re not the first and if Jesus tarries, we won’t be the last!  Ezekiel has a word from The Lord in this regard, and I’d like us to consider it today, for we have these same “lying prophets” in our culture today!

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2 Son of man,

prophesy against the prophets of Israel

that prophesy,

and say thou unto them that prophesy

out of their own hearts,

Hear ye the word of the LORD;

3 Thus saith the Lord GOD;

Woe unto the foolish prophets,

that follow their own spirit,

and have seen nothing!

4 O Israel, thy prophets

are like the foxes in the deserts.

5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps,

neither made up the hedge

for the house of Israel to stand

in the battle in the day of the LORD.

6 They have seen vanity and lying divination,

saying, The LORD saith:

and the LORD hath not sent them:

and they have made others to hope

that they would confirm the word.”    Ezekiel 13:1-6

And Ezekiel received another similar message from God for this foolish and deceived people.  May we hear The Word of The Lord!

“The people of the land have used oppression,

and exercised robbery,

and have vexed the poor and needy:

yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

30 And

I sought for a man among them,

that should make up the hedge,

and stand in the gap before me

 for the land,

that I should not destroy it:

 but I found none.

31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation

upon them;

I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath:

their own way have I recompensed

upon their heads,

saith the Lord GOD.”  Ezekiel 22:29-31

Do you see the parallel to America?  I do!  Israel had listened to lying prophets, and rejected the true prophets of God, who warned them of God’s coming judgment through Babylon!  We have prophets (preachers & teachers) today who claim the name of Jesus, and yet preach a word that is not biblically sound.  But how do we know?  We MUST be IN it for ourselves, for it IS the standard of truth, right, God’s ways, times, and righteousness.  Paul told His precious son-in-the-ministry to cling to the truths of God’s Word!  What are we clinging to?  God’s Word or the foolish things of the world—the lies of the enemy (See John 8:44)?

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”  2 Timothy 2:15-16

The main things which Paul points out here I’d like to simply repeat for our consideration, that we might examine our own lives in light of these principles:

We are to STUDY GOD’S WORD to know truth—

We are to seek GOD’S approval over man’s—

We are to Be A faithful WORKMAN, living without shame—

We are to “RIGHTLY DIVIDE” GOD’S WORD—                                           (not putting our own ‘spin’ on it but doing honest, diligent study, keeping the whole counsel of God in sight, with the immediate context and larger context always in mind.)

We are to shun that which is profane and senseless.                               (Jesus said, “Cast not your pearls before swine.”)

Paul went on in this letter to the young “Preacher Man” to call him to know that  THE WORD of GOD is what we are to study, not just for information’s sake, but for the increase of our faith, maturity, wisdom, grace, and righteous service to others before a lost and dying world.  We must remember that these instructions aren’t just for the preachers and teachers, but for every child of God; for we are saved to serve God and be full of good works and righteous living!

“All scripture

is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine, (truth, information)

for reproof,   (showing what’s wrong)

for correction, (making the wrong right)

for instruction in righteousness: (prevention)

17 That the man of God

may be perfect, (mature)

throughly furnished (fully equipped)

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

These ‘good works’ are to be an integral part of who we are “IN CHRIST JESUS”, for we have received life, peace, and new life through the power of The Holy Spirit who comes to dwell within each believer!  (See Romans 5:1-11+). God’s work of grace in us is to be a true and effective reflection of Jesus in all we are & all we do!  We must “be HIS” before we can “do HIS” work!

“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.                 (I would encourage you to read all of this precious chapter.)

We must choose to live like it, if we are truly “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works” that Jesus may be seen IN us, for HE IS IN us!  What does my life and yours say to this lost and dying world around us?  Are we being faithful witnesses, by knowing what God has said; or will we waste our time with fruitless “profane and vain babblings” (and if you consider ‘profane’ and ‘babbling’ they are both synonyms of ‘fruitless’!).  May we be found faithful students of God’s Word so that we can truly reflect the “TRUTH” of God—who IS JESUS!  Let’s stand in that gap for our Lord, by HIS power and grace!!!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Time Is Short??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #108

14 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Safe Place, Salvation, Time, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True, Victory IN Jesus!

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Time Is Short??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #108

Just a brief reminder today that Jesus IS coming again, and I believe it could be any day now.  Are you ready?

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God

among you by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.” Acts 2:22-24

And Peter made it clear that it’s only Jesus that can and will give forgiveness of sin and eternal life with HIM!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand

here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12

Will you set Jesus “at nought” or will you come to The One who loves you so much that HE died for YOU!  Call on HIM today–answer the door if He’s knocking today; for HE won’t always be knocking at the door.

“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.

45 It is written in the prophets,

And they shall be all taught of God.

Every man therefore that hath heard,

and hath learned of the Father,

cometh unto me.

46 Not that any man hath seen the Father,

save he which is of God,

he hath seen the Father.

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that believeth on me

hath everlasting life.

48 I am that bread of life.”  John 6:43-48

If HE is knocking, please open that door!  Only YOU can–but remember Jesus alone can save you!  I pray that you will hear HIS voice today.  I’m praying for you to hear and see with the eyes of your heart, the God/Man/Savior who came that you might have life through HIS substitutionary (in your place), atoning (paying your debt), sacrifice (HE died for your sin and mine, a debt he didn’t owe, and a debt we could only pay for in Hell!).  Choose wisely, there is a test.

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!

It’s Time??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #29

18 Thursday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Time, Time Is Grace!, To Me To Live Is?, TODAY, Today is the day of Salvation, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?

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It’s Time???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #29

Now is the time—now is the day; for this is the day “The Lord has made” and we never have assurance of tomorrow.  Make your choice today.

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold,

now

is the accepted time;

behold,

now

is the day of salvation.)”  2 Corinthians 6:2

I pray that this post will encourage us to take advantage of today—it is what we have, and we don’t have a guarantee of tomorrow, or another opportunity to come to Jesus, or to serve HIM obediently.  Paul warned his son-in-the-ministry that there would be difficult days ahead, and “perilous times” would come; well, my friends, Paul’s message could have come off the front page of any newspaper in the world!

“This know also,

that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

It saddens my heart that we are not “turning away” but it seems that we are rather inviting the devil into God’s house and work!  I would encourage you to go over this list and look up these words of description of our world now!  Yet, we can avoid this by following some other advice that Paul gave to Timothy, and to us.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

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

“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,

thoroughly furnished

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

Are you and I using God’s Word to discern or the world’s?  May we truly strive to use God’s Word for our “doctrine…reproof… correction…and instruction in righteousness…”!  And just FYI, “perfect” means maturity not ‘perfection’!

We can have confident assurance that our Lord Jesus is returning, and we are to “Occupy till I come”; yet it seems we have surrendered just as our victory is about to appear.  I would just like to leave us with some food for thought.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test, and it may be closer than you think.

“According to my earnest expectation

and my hope,

that in nothing I shall be ashamed,

but that with all boldness,

as always,

so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body,

whether it be by life,

or by death.

21 For to me to live is Christ,

and to die is gain.”  Philippians 1:20-21

What is it “to you”?  (Don’t miss the “to me” in verse 21, as many quote it and leave that out—it is Paul’s declaration of his decision to be devoted to Jesus in all things—every day)!  Let’s join Paul in devotion to Jesus!!!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Are we living by faith or by sight?  It all belongs to Jesus anyway!!!  Oh, precious Lord Jesus, help me to use my time wisely that I will be found faithful when you come……whenever that may be!!!

Amen and Amen!!!