Category Archives: True Knowledge

Faithful To Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #478

23 Sunday Aug 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Glory To God, God of all comfort!, God's Faithfulness, God's glory NOT mine!, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godly Character, Godly Wisdom, The Only Name That Matters, The Only Way, The Struggle IS Real?, The Things of God, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trendy Or Truth, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True, Turn to God's Word, Victory IN Jesus!

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Faithful To Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #478

I love reading and studying Paul’s letters, they are chock full of so much that can make us better servants of King Jesus; he talks not only about the ‘don’ts’, but also immeasurable treasures about the ‘dos’!  Yes, there are things we are to recognize as harmful to our own walk with Jesus, as well as to those who are following us, and even those whom we encounter even casually.  We are a testimony to the world of Jesus all the time; in fact we are a testimony all the time—be it a good testimony or a harmful witness!  Let’s dig into the scripture and see what we can glean from our observations to help us be better witnesses and servants!

“Wherefore putting away lying,

speak every man truth with his neighbour:

for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not:

let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole

steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands

the thing which is good,

that he may have to give

to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ’s sake

     hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:25-32

Because I am forgiven, I am called, equipped and obligated to extend that same forgiveness to others; not the kind of forgiveness that is often promoted around us, that which says, I forgive you, but I won’t let it go; I forgive you but I will seek retribution; I forgive but I won’t forget what you’ve done to me.  Now, I’m not saying that we can erase the past wrongs done to us, but what we must do is to think on the things of God and remember what Jesus did for me!  I can learn to forgive and release the consequences to Jesus!  I know that is often easier said than done, but scripture is our hope, our truth and our pathway to success.  Let’s check out a few passages—some of my favorites that I rely on regularly.

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

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 4:6-8

“But I beseech you,

that I may not be bold

when I am present

with that confidence,

wherewith I think to be bold

against some,

which think of us

as if we walked

according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds😉

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”                           2 Corinthians 10:2-5

How can we do these things?  By taking heed to scripture and what it teaches us about walking successfully with and before our King!  As Paul says so succinctly in his letter to the Philippian believers.

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:12-13

Jesus can supply our needs when we depend upon Him, His grace, and His power!

“16 This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh…

…25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”  Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

And one of the best ways to keep things in order, is to put on the armor of God—every morning first thing!

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 Wherefore

take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod

with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all,

taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able

to quench all the fiery darts

of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance and supplication

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:10-18

What an amazing opportunity to start our day off in such wonder of what Jesus has not only done for us, but also what He has provided for us to not only survive but to thrive spiritually.  We must rely upon The Word of God—as our hope, confidence and power.  Let’s consider two more passage that give us total assurance in The Word; and remember Jesus is the living Word (See John 1:1-12) and the breath of the written Word.

“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

Jesus has promised to be with us, and you can depend upon Him, yet it is essential that we walk with Him in accordance with His Word.  I pray that you will draw near to Jesus and dig into His Word to get to know Him and His desires for you!

“Marriage is honourable in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness;

and be contentwith such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.” Heb.13:4-6

Amen and Amen!!!

Lack Of Knowledge??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #471

30 Thursday Jul 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Following Jesus or the World?, God's Faithfulness, God's glory NOT mine!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, God's measure isn't ours, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Instruction, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Preaching Jesus, Preaching truth about SIN, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Whose Side Are You On?, Wisdom, Wise As Serpents

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Lack Of Knowledge???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #471

“My people are destroyed

for lack of knowledge:

because thou hast rejected knowledge,

I will also reject thee,

that thou shalt be no priest to me:

seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God,

I will also forget thy children.

7 As they were increased,

so they sinned against me:

therefore will I change their glory

into shame.”  Hosea 4:6-7

We have forgotten to be a people “of the Book” and have changed our focus from teaching others the Word of God to entertainment, programs, appeasement and anything else we could think of to draw people to the church, but it seems we have drawn them to something less than the Biblical Jesus.  The same thing happened to God’s people long ago, and apparently, we have learned no more than they did. Yet we seem to think we can make a better way to reach people than that which God set forth.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize,

but to preach the gospel:

not with wisdom of words,

lest the cross of Christ

should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom

of the wise,

and will bring to nothing

the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.”  1 Corinthians 1:17-21

God chose “the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe”!  God chose what the world calls foolishness-preaching-to save the lost who will believe and come to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, The Lord.  It’s why He came!  He didn’t come to entertain; to appease, to please the masses; in fact the masses who had followed Him around for some three years, turned against Him and less than a week after crying out, “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest…” to “crucify HIM”!  People are fickle, then and now; when will we learn that only as we follow God’s Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit, rather than the popular plans, programs and fascinations of the world, will we see a real move of God?

I simply want to ask you to consider what God has shown us in His Word and ask you to examine the way that you are going.

“My foot hath held his steps,

his way have I kept,

and not declined.

12 Neither have I gone back

from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words of his mouth

more than my necessary food.”  Job 23:11-12

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

And one final passage for you to consider.

“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.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes,

because they keep not thy law.”   Psalm 119:133-136

May we truly learn to be once again, a people of The Word.  Even so Lord Jesus, may it be so?

Amen and Amen!!!

A Word For Your Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #467

15 Wednesday Jul 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Creator of ALL, Crucified With Christ, He lives in my heart., HE makes all things beautiful, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, Times and Seasons, Transformed life, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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A Word For Your Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #467

I just want to share a brief word from the Psalms with you today.  I pray that it will encourage you today.  Have a blessed Wednesday.

“Behold, thou desirest truth

in the inward parts:

and in the hidden part

thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop,

and I shall be clean:

wash me,

and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;

that the bones which thou hast broken

may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;

and sinners shall be converted unto thee…

…. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice;

else would I give it:

thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God

are a broken spirit:

a broken and a contrite heart,

O God, thou wilt not despise.”  Psalm 51:7-13 & 16-17

Amen and Amen!!!

Is Anything Wrong??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #450

13 Wednesday May 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Believe God?, Believing God's Words, Biblical Boundaries Matter!, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Boldness without arrogance., Born Again, Broad road or the Straight Gate?, Righteousness, Righteousness exalts a nation, Today is the day of Salvation, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True, Victory IN Jesus!, Walk in the Spirit, Walking by Faith or Sight?

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Is Anything Wrong???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #450

The subtitle of this post could be: A Yardstick, Biblically Speaking!  I would like to share some food for thought, as we look at our own lives, and the culture around us, especially in light of what God’s Word has to say!  God’s Word which should be the lodestar for the born again—for the church—for Chrisitan faith and practice; but it seems to seldom be what’s held up as right!  You decide, but please base your decision on what God has said, rather than what our culture is broadcasting as “truth”.

Let’s consider first today, what Jesus declared as truth.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,           

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”   Matthew 7:13-15

Jesus declared plainly that HE is the only right way to God.

“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

Jesus also made it clear that Satan is a liar and much of what we hear today, is straight out of hell!  As I often say, “Saying so doesn’t make it so!”  Only Jesus can make it so when we belong to Him, having been truly born again of The Holy Spirit of God—it ought to show it as we order our lives according to God’s Word not the world!  What’s your plumbline? (See John 1:10-13)

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:42-45

And what I believe to be one of Jesus’ most concise descriptions of truth also comes from the Gospel of Matthew.  Please consider it carefully—and yes, I go to this passage often for good cause; Jesus said it, and we need to hear it!  May we heed its truth; which gate are you choosing?

“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7 :19-23

When will we realize that we are called to live like the redeemed; after all it was Jesus’ blood which purchased our forgiveness and pardon of our sin.  Will you trample His blood, or will you withstand in this evil day holding to His Word as God grants us grace and wisdom to follow Him!

“To the praise of the glory of his grace,

wherein he hath made us accepted

in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us

in all wisdom and prudence;” Ephesians 1:6-8

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

‘13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”  Colossians 1:12-14

Are you ready to stand before Him?

“And when he had taken the book,

the four beasts and four and twenty elders

fell down before the Lamb,

having every one of them harps, and golden vials

full of odours,

which are the prayers of saints.

9 And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign

on the earth.”  Revelation5:8-10

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,

Now is come salvation,

and strength,

and the kingdom of our God,

and the power of his Christ:

for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,

which accused them before our God

day and night.

11 And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.” Revelation 12:10-11

What are we loving more than Jesus and His Word?  Peter calls us to live holy lives!  Would that describe you and I today?  Right now?

“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:” 1 Peter 1:13-19

And I’d like to close this article with some hard scriptures that we don’t like to talk about today; mainly, I think, because we have chosen to abandon the truth which they contain—for ourselves, for our children and those closest to us.  We would rather condone bad and sinful behavior than take a stand for righteousness and be ridiculed and/or rejected by those we love and admire.  Give it some thought.

“Marriage is honourable in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers and adulterers

God will judge.

5 Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:4-6

Whom or what are you afraid of in this world?

“Know ye not that

the unrighteous

shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators,

nor idolaters,

nor adulterers,

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves,

nor covetous,

nor drunkards,

nor revilers,

nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you:

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

 but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God…

…. 19 What? know ye not

that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.” Portions of 1 Corinthians 6:9-20

My heart is heavy, and I pray that you will hear the voice of Jesus as He speaks His truth to your heart and mine.  May we be found faithful servants and not those imitators who will hear, “depart from me, I never knew you…”! (Don’t miss the “such were some of you, but…”!  When Jesus saves and redeems us, we are never the same!  Who’s your Father?

Remember, “…ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”  Numbers 32;23

Amen and Amen!!!

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!!!