Category Archives: Trusting God

What ‘Ya Doing With Today??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #181

02 Friday Feb 2024

Posted by in God Still Reigns, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's got you and me!, Sovereignty, TODAY, Today and Forever, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?

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What ‘Ya Doing With Today???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #181

Just a brief Friday word of encouragement for “Today”!  I pray that you are looking up rather than around!  For while the world is totally unpredictable, our God is worthy of praise each and every day, and HE has total Sovereign Control.  Learn to rest in Him no matter what you see with your eyes!

Just a word about this passage from Psalm 118, for we usually only quote verse 24, but when you see it with the preceding verses which refer to Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and hell, we have a renewed hope, joy and purpose to press on.  May you willfully rejoice in JESUS today!  Today is in His hands, they were when the Psalmist wrote this, they were when Jesus paid for our sin on the cross, they were when HE rose up from the grave, and they are NOW—today, as we look to HIM in everything.  Don’t let the enemy and his “wiles” distract you!

“The stone which the builders refused

is become the head stone of the corner.

23 This is the LORD’S doing;

it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:22-24

Amen and Amen!!!

God’s Abiding Comfort??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #180

31 Wednesday Jan 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Advice for the journey, All Sufficient God!, Comfort, God's Secret Place, God's Wisdom, Grief, Growing in Jesus!, Guard Your Heart, HE makes all things beautiful, Life, Life or Death?, Living In My Season, Loss, Love, Remember, Responding Rightly, Resting In Jesus, Resting Or Wrestling?, Suffering With Jesus, Take Up YOUR Cross, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, Trials, Tried by FIRE!, Troubles, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Victory IN Jesus!, Weeping Tears., What's your valley?, YOU Can do ALL things through Jesus

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God’s Abiding Comfort???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #180

 

I am writing this morning to remind us that all the comfort of our Lord Jesus and our Heavenly Father is always there, even when we are hurting so badly that we don’t recognize it.  I have heard His voice so often in my pain, sorrow, and confusion reminding me that HE is still God and HE has me in His hand.  He is there for you as well, and no matter the pain, Jesus knows.  We have so many of our loved ones who are going through trials, grief, and sorrow, and I felt that the comfort of God’s Word would be a much needed “balm of Gilead”!

“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

No matter your need this “throne of grace” is always there for you and me; we have a God who loves us and never sleeps, but is ever there for us, night or day—through the good or bad, the simple or the difficult, the ups and the downs, HE knows our every need and is ever waiting for us to stop trying to “fix it” myself and run to, rest in, and rely upon Jesus and His cross.

The Psalmist said it better than I can:

“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.”  Psalm 121:2-5

And one of my favorite passages from the Apostle Paul, which I run to myself, and share with you often, so let’s just rehearse what we know to be true—today, and every day!

“Grace be to you

and peace from God our Father,

and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us

in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort

wherewith we ourselves are comforted

of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

6 And whether we be afflicted,

it is for your consolation and salvation,

which is effectual

in the enduring of the same sufferings

which we also suffer:

or whether we be comforted,

 it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope of you is stedfast,

 knowing, that as ye are partakers

of the sufferings,

so shall ye be also

of the consolation.”  2 Corinthians 1:2-7

And in closing a word from our Lord Jesus, a word for which I am eternally grateful.

“These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:25-27

I pray the prayer of Paul for each of you, may you know God’s presence in new and amazing ways.

“And the very God of peace

sanctify you wholly;

and I pray God

your whole spirit

and soul

and body

be preserved blameless

unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you,

who also will do it.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

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!!!

Lies People Believe??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #135

24 Sunday Sep 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Behold the Lamb of God, Believe God?, Believe IN Jesus, God Knows, God's Faithfulness, God's Judgment, God's love, God's measure isn't ours, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Lies That Defeat Us, Life or Death?, Satan, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting God

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 Lies People Believe???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #135

As I look around me, it seems that on every hand people are drowning in the lies of the enemy of our souls—Satan the great deceiver.  Who said so?  God’s Word says so, and if we don’t acquaint ourselves with what God has said in His Word, we are likely to fall for those lies ourselves.  Our young people have no hope, they don’t know who or what they are because the world is lying to them, and even professing Christians seem to be falling for and failing to recognize those very lies!  God’s Word isn’t outdated, or false, or unreliable—it is the VERY WORD OF GOD, and without it we have no hope at all—but God’s Word is true in every “jot and tittle” as Jesus said!  Whom will you believe?

“And the great dragon was cast out,

that old serpent,

called the Devil,

and Satan,

which deceiveth the whole world:

he was cast out into the earth,

and his angels were cast out with him.”  Revelation 12:9

There is a day coming when God will cast Satan and his angels down to the earth—an awful day of judgment for them, as well as for the inhabitants of earth.  I won’t get into the debate of the time of this event, but I will put it simply, they were cast out of any heavenly access.

“And there was war in heaven:

Michael and his angels

fought against the dragon;

and the dragon fought and his angels,

8 And prevailed not;

neither was their place found any more

in heaven.”  Revelation 12:7-8

The account described here, in my opinion, can’t have taken place before the ‘beginning’ and there is scriptural evidence that we will consider, simply for clarity.  If this event preceded the things that are recorded in scripture, then there would be no record of Satan encountering God in His heaven, but there are several places in scripture where this is referred to, and I want us to just let scripture say what scripture says (and I would encourage you to read Job 1 & 2 for the whole picture.).  In this particular context, the “sons of God” refers to angelic beings, not men!

“Now there was a day when the sons of God

came to present themselves before the LORD,

and Satan came also among them.

7 And the LORD said unto Satan,

Whence comest thou?

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said,

From going to and fro in the earth,

and from walking up and down in it.

8 And the LORD said unto Satan,

Hast thou considered my servant Job,

that there is none like him in the earth,

a perfect and an upright man,

one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said,

Doth Job fear God for nought?”  Job 1:6-9

And chapter 2 of Job reiterates Satan’s presence before God, and keep in mind this is after his encounter of chapter 1.

“Again there was a day when the sons of God

came to present themselves before the LORD,

and Satan came also among them

to present himself before the LORD.

2 And the LORD said unto Satan,

From whence comest thou?

And Satan answered the LORD, and said,

From going to and fro in the earth,

and from walking up and down in it.

3 And the LORD said unto Satan,

Hast thou considered my servant Job,

that there is none like him in the earth,

a perfect and an upright man,

one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

and still he holdeth fast his integrity,

although thou movedst me against him,

to destroy him without cause.

4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said,

Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath

will he give for his life.

5 But put forth thine hand now,

and touch his bone and his flesh,

and he will curse thee to thy face.”  Job 2:1-5

Those of us who are familiar with scripture know that God brought Job through a bevy of troubles, with a few so-called friends who accused Job of every failure under the sun, yet Job maintained his integrity before God; and in the end God honored Job’s faith in Him and restored him completely.  The enemy was a liar then and he’s a liar now, he accused Job causelessly, for he is the enemy of God’s own, and he is still the ENEMY!  How did Jesus, our Lord respond to him? (See Job 13:15)

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

If thou be the Son of God,

command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said,

It is written,

Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that proceedeth

out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city,

and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him,

If thou be the Son of God,

cast thyself down:

for it is written,

He shall give his angels charge

concerning thee:

and in their hands

they shall bear thee up,

lest at any time thou dash thy foot

against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him,

It is written again,

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain,

and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world,

and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him,

All these things will I give thee,

if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him,

Get thee hence, Satan:

for it is written,

Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,

and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him,

and, behold,

angels came and ministered unto him.”  Matthew 4:3-11

If you’ll notice Jesus didn’t debate with the enemy—and we don’t have to either; Jesus answered the enemy’s attacks, temptations, and slanders with only one thing: The Word of GOD!!!  That is our best defense against the “wiles of the devil”.  The Word of God and the Armor of God are our greatest resources, but we must open The Word to avail ourselves of them!

Oh, how my heart aches for the lies that have broken families, sent our young people into the throes of suicide, sexual perversion, confusion, and rejection of God’s design for male and female, marriage, and the home!  Sadly many of our young people are taking these wrong roads following parents who have fallen for the same lies.  When will we realize the cost of abandoning God’s Word, God’s Ways, and God’s standard!  And even sadder still is the fact that even the church has, in many cases, abandoned the Word of The Savior and Lord whom they claim to follow.  If we truly belong to Jesus, we are called to “take up his (your own) cross daily and follow me”!  It’s the way to victory in Jesus—the only way!  As I’ve often said, “say’n so doesn’t make it so”!  James addresses this issue with great wisdom and truth—will we take heed?

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not

the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.” James 1:19-26

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone…

…26 For as the body without the spirit

is dead,

so faith without works

is dead also.” James 2:14-17 & 26

And I’ll close with Paul’s comments on vain faith and what the Gospel is in truth and power:  Jesus Christ crucified, buried, and risen again for our sin!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you

first of all that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Have you been to the cross for YOUR sin?  I met Jesus there some 40+ years ago, when HE came to me in my own living room and said as plain as if He spoke into me ear rather than my heart, when He said, “YOU aren’t mine!”!  I argued with Jesus most of the day before a friend came and pretty much said little just listened to me come face-to-face with my own SIN and call on Jesus to save me and transform me!  I was made a new creation, and while I didn’t get it all right in the beginning, HE has grown me into what I am today—not all I ought to be, but better than I was, and HE’s still working on me!  Oh, the glory that God showers down on we who come to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice!  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  I’m so glad I believed Jesus’ assessment of my heart rather than the enemy’s who kept convincing me that I did ‘church’ really well, and that was enough!  It ain’t!  Only Jesus’ blood can cleanse us from sin, and only when we see our sin and turn to HIM in repentance and faith!!!  How about you?

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:5-10

Whom will you believe?  Will you come to Jesus’ cross?  He’s waiting for you to see your own sin and come to HIS cross in repentance and faith!  He’s waiting for you, but don’t wait too long, He may return today!  Don’t be one day too late!

“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

He who is “the way, the truth, and the life” loves you and died for your sin and mine.  Trust to HIS truth and save your soul today!  Don’t fall for the lies of Satan!  (see John 8:44)

Amen and Amen!!!

Who Missed Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #133

20 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Advice for the journey, Almost But Lost, Believe IN Jesus, Don't Wait, Fruit of the Spirit, Glory of God, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God Still Reigns, God Who Sees, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Judgment, God's measure isn't ours, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Good News, Gospel, Grace, Guard Your Heart, Guard Your Mouth, He Died That We Could Live, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, HE who began it will complete it!, He's Alive, Hell, Hell's Hot, Holiness, Holy Living, If I be lifted up---, IN Jesus!, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The Gospel, the hope of glory!, This is the Way, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Walk in the Spirit, Watch Your Words, Who are you listening to?, Words Matter, You can't get yesterday back!

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 Who Missed Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #133

I am writing this in the semi-light of the dawn, as our power is out, yet fortunately my laptop was charged up!!!  Today my heart was thinking about missed opportunities to share Jesus, but even more significantly those who have missed Jesus because of my failures to walk in The Spirit (Holy Spirit) rather than the flesh!!!

“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…

….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.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”  Galatians 5:16 & 25

Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers gives us a great tool to use in our daily struggles.  When ugly, ungodly thoughts, desires or passions come knocking at the door of your mind—just Philippians 4:8 them!  Here’s how:

“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.

9 Those things, which ye

have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:6-9

Stop the temptation at the door by memorizing Phil 4:8 and if the temptation can’t pass the test of ‘true…honest…” then tell the enemy to ‘buzz off’! For when temptation comes, if you’re anything like me, it seems like the struggle is continual—well, my friends, IT IS!  Even as Paul challenges us to walk “in The Spirit”, he is calling us to be a reflection of Jesus not ‘ourselves’; for I find that my flesh and yours can be really ‘ugly’ sometimes—for our flesh still loves the things of this world!  That is why it was so imperative to heed Paul’s call to walk in the power, strength, and direction of The Holy Spirit, in God’s love which HE has planted in our hearts (See Romans 5:1-11) and not our flesh!  Yet sometimes we let old habits rule our behavior, we let old grudges color our outlook, we let unforgiveness rule our hearts and minds and spill over with unkind words and deeds, we let old corrupt words come out of our mouths, we let the enemy have way in our lives rather than The Holy Spirit—it’s why in Paul’s instructions about ‘the armor of God’ he reminds us that we ‘wrestle’ with unseen enemies in this world!!!  Peter also warned us about the very real danger of the “roaring lion” who is out to ruin your testimony and influence just as he is mine.  Peter reminds us of this fact, and the only solution that works!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11

We are in a battle my friends, a battle for the hearts and souls of men, women, boys, and girls!  What are you and I doing about it?  I pray that we will heed the call and the warnings of scripture and ask God to daily “order my steps in thy word…” (See Psalm 119:133)!  It grieves my soul to see so much of the world making its way into the church!  Instead of calling people to repentance and faith in Jesus, we call them to just bring the world into our midst.  We will never win the world by competing with their modes and means!  Jesus made it clear in many passages as did the Apostles and other writers of scripture. My challenge for us today is to examine my life, as you examine yours against Scripture—what do others see in me?  A reflection of the world—in my speech, my actions, my attire, my habits, my choices of entertainment, music, and venues?  I could make a list but if you’ll simply get into the “WORD” instead of so much of the “world”, you can learn to listen to the precious Holy Spirit, who will guide you into all truth.

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.”                   John 12:32-33

Jesus knew HE would be lifted up, crucified for our sin, buried, and raised the third day, all according to the scriptures—all for our salvation; for all who would heed His call, repent, and receive His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN; the choice is yours, for HE is calling today!  Whom will you choose—the Christ of glory or the enemy who wants to take you ‘to hell’ with him?  There is no other message, and regardless of all the attractions of the world, I will stand with Paul and proclaim Jesus.

“And I, brethren, when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness,

and in fear,

and in much trembling.

4 And my speech

and my preaching was not with enticing words

of man’s wisdom,

but in demonstration

of the Spirit and of power:” 1 Corinthians 2:1-4

 This man took the One Way-Jesus Gospel in God’s power, not man’s wisdom, plans, or programs!  He preached Jesus! Will we?

“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

It’s all about Jesus—because: “it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe”

Oh, that we who believe might return to the message of the cross.  My heart longs for a heaven-sent revival, but I fear that we have come to a place to see the judgment of God upon His own.

Jesus’ and The Cross are not about pantheistic health crazes upon which we try to put “Jesus’ name”, or unholy celebrations to match the world’s evil days, or accepting sin by simply changing its name, I could go on, but I’ve probably said enough.  I remember a time when the church wanted to call people out of the world of sin to the cross and the crucified life, but now it seems more popular to just invite people to bring your sin on into the church, we won’t mind.  There is no need for me to add some “disclaimer” about who or what I’m talking about—take it to Jesus—take it to The Word of God—take it to GOD in prayer, but I think we might have to change some things in our lives!  God is watching and HE will judge His own.

“For the time is come

that judgment must begin at the house of God:

and if it first begin at us,

what shall the end be of them that obey not

the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved,

where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer

according to the will of God

commit the keeping of their souls    

to him in well doing,

as unto a faithful Creator.”1 Peter 4:17-19

What’s going on in your church?  Do you compromise truth for a crowd?  Do you stand up for Jesus, crucified, buried, risen, and coming again, The Gospel of HIS life-changing salvation or something less?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, remember, there is a test!  And I think the “final exam” is closer than we think!

So, my friends, my question is, “Is my/your life drawing people to Jesus or driving them away?”  Does your/my life reflect a love of Jesus or do the words of our mouth, our life-choices and actions turn them away into hell.  Remember there are only two destinies—heaven or hell?  May we be drawing people to the CROSS, not driving them the other way, or justifying sin to please the crowds we want on our pews?  Only One Way—and HE is the crucified, risen and coming again Savior, JESUS!  I pray that this will touch hearts and change lives.  May we cling to The Cross of Jesus!  I’m not claiming to be perfect, just a simple servant of Jesus who pursues HIM and HIS WORD for my life’s journey!  He does save!  He does give new life!  He is coming soon!!!  I pray that you know Him and will join me in following Jesus not anyone or anything else.

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Amen and Amen!!!