Category Archives: Trust

A Friday Prayer of Praise??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #262

20 Friday Sep 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding In The Vine, Creator, Creator of ALL, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Praise Encourages our Heart, Praise God Today!, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Press ON!, Search me O God?, Seasonal or Steadfast?, Thankful, True Friendship, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Try yourselves

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 A Friday Prayer of Praise???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #262

“I will praise thee;

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvellous are thy works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee,

when I was made in secret,

and curiously wrought

in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance,

yet being unperfect;

and in thy book all my members were written,

which in continuance were fashioned,

when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me,

O God!

how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them,

they are more in number than the sand:

when I awake,

I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God:

depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20 For they speak against thee wickedly,

and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O LORD,

that hate thee?

and am not I grieved with those

that rise up against thee?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred:

I count them mine enemies.”  Psalm 139:14-22

This Psalm of David is an amazing account of David’s recognition of the creator of all things, including us!  How often we forget that we are God’s creation, even as David reminds us in the 100th Psalm:

“Know ye that the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves…”. Psalm 100:3a

As David rehearses the wonder of man’s creation and the worth of our God, not just because of what He does, but because of Who He Is!  Even as Paul told the Corinthian believers—because we are so apt to forget in our pride and arrogance as human beings—even as born-again human beings we can be distracted by our own flesh (and of course Satan is right there handing us the fuel!)

“Not that we are sufficient

of ourselves

to think any thing

as of ourselves;

but our sufficiency is of God;” 2 Corinthians 3:5

Jesus said it Himself as He spent the last hours of His life teaching His followers truth; even knowing that they wouldn’t get it until much later!  After His death, burial and resurrection they not only got it, but shared it unto their death.  And many of them died martyr’s deaths!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch

cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

 no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”  John 15:1-5

The bottom line is relatively simple—we must abide in Jesus, praising Him through thick or thin, happy or sad, simple or difficult—for we are the sheep of His pasture.  I am His and He is mine—and He has never failed me!  Ever!!!  This brings us back to the ending of Psalm 139, a prayer that I pray often, and encourage you to pray it, memorize it (if you haven’t already) and ask God to bring it to your heart as often as necessary!  May our hearts be drawn to The Master!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see

if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

Amen and Amen!!!

Grace For The Journey??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #256

05 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by in Gospel, Grace, Lift up mine eyes, Lifting up Jesus, My Help Cometh from THE LORD, Not hearers only, Now is the time...., Salvation, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Sayers or Doers, Trials, Trust, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Victory IN Jesus!

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Grace For The Journey???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #256

We were traveling a bit this week; we made it home, and while the view was amazing and we had a lovely time (except for a bit of illness), saw people we love, and met some new friends, the trip was a bit tiring, and we got home unloaded, cleaned up a bit and I crashed!  After a good night’s rest, I sit here thinking about the goodness of my Lord and His grace, and thought I’d simply share some thoughts and scripture to encourage your heart on this Thursday (as everyone looks forward to Friday!)

“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

We are saved by God’s grace, and I am personally so grateful for His grace and mercy, and praise Jesus for it; I also pray that you have been saved by that very grace as well.  If you haven’t you can be by repenting of your sin and trusting/believing in the blood that Jesus shed as our substitutionary, atoning sacrifice!  Yet there is so much more to God’s grace than just our salvation; His grace is sufficient for every day’s joys, sorrows, trials and difficult decisions, so here are a few scripture passages that I pray will encourage your heart and help you walk in victory, joy and the fulness of grace that God pours out on us today.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

 that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 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 4:14-16

The Apostle Paul had great trials and speaks of a particular issue that he had taken to God multiple times, and God’s answer to Paul is just as apropos for us today as it was when God spoke it to Paul. Our God is faithful and trustworthy!

“And lest I should be exalted above measure

through the abundance of the revelations,

 there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory

in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

 in persecutions,

in distresses for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

How amazing that God can and will take our weakness and display His strength, sufficient grace, love and power to a world in need!  And in closing I would like to share one of my favorite Psalms which doesn’t mention the word grace, but it does display the character of grace, power, love and provision that reflects the amazing God that we serve.  May you find hope, grace and encouragement in these words today!  (I would encourage you to print off this Psalm and keep it near as a reminder of God’s presence and provision for us!). Also a note to remind us that our hope isn’t in the “hills” or the valleys, the beaches or cities, the powers that be or the rulers of this world, but our hope is  “My help cometh from the LORD”—remember, our hope is in God’s grace, in the Creator NOT the creation!

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help. (?)

2 My help cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot

to be moved:

he that keepeth thee

will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel

shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is thy keeper:

 the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day,

nor the moon by night.

 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil:

he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out

and thy coming in

from this time forth, and even for evermore.”   Psalm 121:1-8

Amen and Amen!!!

Twisting Or Bowing??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #158

26 Sunday Nov 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Touch them while you can?, Trust, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Twisting Or Bowing???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #158

Some food for thought as we approach the time of not only being thankful but abundantly grateful for God’s gift of “His only begotten Son” for our salvation. But a question that we often miss is “who is God”?  God Almighty the creator of all things or “me”?  We have become so focused on self that we forget that God is God, and we are not; for Jesus makes it very clear that our focus should be ‘bowing’ before our King, not dictating to HIM what we ‘want’!  It’s kind of the difference between being perpetually grateful and celebrating “Thanks” each day of the year rather than a day of “Pride-feasting”!

“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.

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 6:9-13

Jesus called His followers to pray for God’s Kingdom to come, for God’s will to be done—right here on earth, as it is in heaven—perfectly, continually, rightly and to HIS glory and our good.  What are you praying for?  We are told to take our requests to God, but never in the dictatorial manner that so many today practice and promote.  We are told that we can come ‘boldly’ before our God, but never, never, never ‘arrogantly or presumptuously’!  For God is our heavenly Father not our ‘sugar daddy’.  We are called to love Him, to trust Him, and to seek HIS will in all things, because HE IS GOD and HE is trustworthy, and has given to each believer the indwelling Holy Spirit to teach us, lead us, and direct our steps!  We must trust to our God in all things, else how can we walk in union with HIM?

“Can two walk together,

except they be agreed?”  Amos 3:3

To be ‘agreed’ with God, we must know HIM through the ‘blood of Jesus Christ His Son’ that ‘cleanseth us from all sin’; and we must know HIS WORD to enable us to make wise and discerning choices.  Paul gives us amazing assurance that God is working all things around us—even when we don’t understand or see it, God never fails!  You can trust HIM, yet some claim to know HIM but not enough to trust HIM!  Do you really know Him as being trustworthy?

“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.

28 And we know that all things work together

for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:26-31

The author of Hebrews reminds us that we can come to HIM in complete trust, laying our needs, concerns, and burdens at His feet confidently!

“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

So, the question is, are we trying to twist God’s arm, put our quarter in the slot and pull the demand handle and expect God to send the jackpot?  Or are we willing to truly trust in His will, His kingdom work, His will, and His Word?  Are we willing to be contented even when we don’t understand?  Are we willing to go to Calvary as Jesus did, or do we think we are above suffering for the kingdom?  Paul warned Timothy of the danger of discontent, greed, and self.

“Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds,

and destitute of the truth,

supposing that gain is godliness:

from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich

fall into temptation

and a snare,

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,

which drown men in destruction

and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil:

which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through

with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God,

flee these things;

and follow after

righteousness, godliness,

faith, love,

patience, meekness.”   1 Timothy 6:5-11

Paul sums it up for us in his letter to the Philippian believers, they were to have the humility and obedience of Jesus!  May we be found faithful before our God as well as a lost and dying world!  Our world needs the true Gospel—that Jesus died for our sin and calls us to repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin (See 1 Corinthians 15:3-5)!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

 and took upon him the form

of a servant,

and was made

in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”  Philippians 2:5-8

And Jesus’ own words set the record straight, we are called to die to “SELF” and live to Jesus, following HIM even unto death.

“And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?”  Luke 9:23-25

And one of my favorite and often repeated verses says it all:

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Trusting To What/Who??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #127

01 Friday Sep 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Father--heavenly and earthly, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Trusting To What/Who??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #127

Trust is an issue in our world today–in fact it’s always been an issue; whether it was Eve trusting/believing the wrong one, or Abraham and Sarah trusting to their own wisdom, or Saul trusting to his own reasoning, or even Peter trusting to his flesh to help him stand fast.  But there is really only One Person, One way in which we can be sure of that in which we place our faith, confidence, and belief, and assurance–JESUS!  The author of the Book of Hebrews has some great insight as he reminds us of the superiority of JESUS over anything or anyone else.

“But we see Jesus,

who was made a little lower than the angels

for the suffering of death,

crowned with glory and honour;

that he

by the grace of God

should taste death for every man.

10 For it became him,

for whom are all things,

and by whom are all things,

in bringing many sons unto glory,

to make the captain of their salvation perfect

through sufferings.

11 For both he that sanctifieth

and they who are sanctified

are all of one:

for which cause

he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 Saying,

I will declare thy name

unto my brethren,

in the midst of the church

will I sing praise unto thee.

13 And again,

I will put my trust in him.

And again,

Behold I and the children

which God hath given me.

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers

of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise

took part of the same;

that through death

he might destroy him that had the power

of death,

that is,

the devil;

15 And deliver them

who through fear of death

were all their lifetime

subject to bondage.”  Hebrews 2:9-15

Jesus came to die in my place and yours, that we might have life in HIM; that we could place our confidence, trust, and faith in THE ONE who died that we could have eternal life and live with HIM!  Hebrews goes on to remind us that HE is ever there and faithful.  YOU can trust JESUS!

“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.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 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 4:12-16

YOU can trust to God’s Word, God’s care, and God’s provision in JESUS! Run to HIM not the world–they can’t deliver!  JESUS can and does–HE already gave HIS life for YOU and me!

Hear Paul’s assurance to all who will come to Jesus.

“Who gave himself for us,

that he might redeem us from all iniquity,

and purify unto himself a peculiar people,

zealous of good works.”  Titus 2:14

“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

He’s waiting for YOU!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Does Real Faith Worry??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 18

02 Sunday Oct 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Does real faith worry?, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Fret NOT!, Fretting or Faith???, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 18   Does Real Faith Worry???

Worry: to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts…to fret

A cause of uneasiness or anxiety…

I heard a lovely song this morning, which gave me pause to question, for the jest of the song was that we won’t “worry” in heaven, and while that is true, the implication was that we ‘worry’ here and that isn’t necessarily ok!

Worry is a pretty natural state of affairs in most of our lives, yet are we really walking by faith when we live in a state of worry?  I was guilty of this very idea of justifying our “worry” this week in a discussion about an upcoming event in our lives, and I was calling my “concern” everything but “worry”, for I know in my head and in my heart that Jesus makes it clear that walking with HIM by faith will diminish our tendency to “worry and fret”, if not completely eliminate it altogether, and I wasn’t doing that!  That is where I desire to live, even though I know I often fall so far short.  Yet faith that Jesus talks about seems to be the antitheses of modern faith!  I say I trust HIM, yet I keep doing things myself instead of bringing them to Jesus and leaving them at the cross.

I remember a testimony that a friend shared with me many years ago, of a couple whose home he entered to work on a utility problem; as it turned out, he told them he would have to come back, and they said they probably wouldn’t be home, but their home would be unlocked, and he could just come in and do what he needed to do.  Well, needless to say, my friend was shocked! UNLOCKED? So, he questioned the lady, and she simply told him, “Our home belongs to Jesus, along with every possession we have, and whatever HE sees fit to permit, we trust HIM!”  I must tell you, how often that story has come back to me again and again, for I am far from having that kind of faith; yet so many of our missionaries all over the globe, live that kind of faith in ministry, while we have so much more than they do.  And me?  I wrestle with anxiety over being safe, I cannot tell a lie, and I know God has brought me a long way in the area of “trusting” HIM in regard to safety; of “resting” in HIM when I’m alone; of relying upon HIS total care when I am being and doing what HE has called me to!  How about you?  Are you a “fretter”?  Are there areas of life that you have trouble letting go of?

Well, if you are like me, maybe you also need a reminder of what God has called us to; how He wants us to understand that fretting over and clinging to the “cares of this world” ought to be foreign to us.  Let’s see what HIS Word teaches, and I pray that we (ME included most of all—as Paul said, “I am chief” offender!) will learn to have a more exercised faith, and show the world the power of grace, love, and a trust in the power of our crucified, risen and soon coming KING!  The safest place that you or I can ever be, is right, smack in the center of God’s will for us!

“And that which fell among thorns are they,

which, when they have heard,

go forth,

and are choked

with cares

and riches

and pleasures of this life,

and bring no fruit

to perfection.”   Luke 8:14

 And a verse that I run to more often than I can say:

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

“The king’s heart

is in the hand of the LORD,

as the rivers of water:

he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man

is right in his own eyes:

but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”  Proverbs 21:1-2

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not what a day

may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

Jesus also had much to say about this subject—may we heed HIS amazing call to walk by faith:

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more

clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father

knoweth that ye have need

of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:24-34

Oh, if we had time to dig into the depths of this message of Jesus’, but let’s consider this first statement above—”No man can serve two masters”; did you get that “no one”—man, woman, boy, or girl—can truly have divided loyalties!  Either we will choose to follow our Lord, or we will go our own way. For those who have never come to Jesus, this is a disastrous choice that will lead to destruction (See chapter 7); for the believer it could end in a “shipwrecked” life—a life with no “fruit”, or as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 3, no rewards to bring to our king.  I think that passage is also worth our consideration, for it reveals a real danger of a lack of faith and obedience in our life when we miss our Lord’s direction and choose worry/fretting instead of boldly, courageously, walking in faith.  Let’s consider Paul’s message, especially in light of what Jesus says above, which makes it clear that we can be a genuine believer and still miss God’s perfect will and purpose for our life if we go our own way instead of choosing Jesus’ will by faith; by producing our own works, choosing to give inadequate heed to The Word of God, and settling for the popular lead of the world (choosing wood, hay and stubble instead of gold, silver and precious stones)!  Are you choosing the indestructible things of God, or the totally flammable works of the flesh; ashes or precious treasure to honor our KING?.

“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?

17 If any man defile the temple of God,

him shall God destroy;

for the temple of God is holy,

which temple ye are.

18 Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you seemeth to be wise

in this world,

let him become a fool,

that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness with God.

For it is written,

He taketh the wise

in their own craftiness.

20 And again,

The Lord knoweth

the thoughts of the wise,

 that they are vain.”  1 Corinthians 3:11-20

As Paul says, “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ”, no matter what is popular—only Jesus IS LORD—only Jesus IS THE WAY—what will you choose today?  Jesus? Or your own way?  The world’s way?  Faith or fretting?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And just as important as that, there are those following you who may never have any witness other than the example and testimony that you leave every day by your footsteps of faith or fretting or settling for your own way.  Who’s following YOU?  Let’s choose to be like Joshua and boldly stand in faith!

“And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Let’s pursue holiness and faithfulness, as the Psalmist calls us to so encouragingly!  Amen and Amen!!!

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth

in his way,

because of the man who bringeth

wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off:

but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth.”  Psalm 37:3-9