Category Archives: Trusting Jesus?

In Our Own Eyes??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #359

23 Monday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Lead them to Jesus., Leading Or Mis-Leading?, Making a difference, Marginalizing God, Righteousness, Righteousness exalts a nation, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's following you?, Who's in your heart?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Who's Your Father?, Whom are you trusting?, Whose Sheep are You?, Witness, Your Momma Ain't Enough

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In Our Own Eyes??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #359

 

I was reading in Judges this morning, it’s a great book, but one most people kind of skim over, but it is full of lessons that are so apropos for us today.  I had planned on writing on another subject but feel clearly lead to share just a few things from this book of Judges.  First of all the name of the book often leads people to think is a book of legality, but rather it’s a record of a willful people and those whom God raised up to not only “judge” the sin of the people, but to deliver them as the judge led them back to God, usually in a great feat of physical deliverance.  I can’t think of a time in our history when we lived in such a time of willful disregard for God, deliberate disobedience to God’s Word, and not only disobedience, but a complete mindset on doing it “our way”—what’s right “in our own eyes”!  This is the thread that goes throughout the book of Judges.

“In those days there was no king in Israel, but

every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Judges 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Judges 21:25

While the “king” isn’t the problem, the people later used that as an excuse to ask God for a king “like everyone else had”!  Rather, the problem was a generation who knew God but apparently failed to share their love and obedience toward God with their children.  Again an amazing parallel to where we live today.

The problem wasn’t God’s faithfulness, but the people’s faithlessness; and apparently a failure of parents and grandparents who failed to pass on their faith. Perhaps taking it for granted that these children would pick it up by osmosis—theirs didn’t and neither have nor will ours.

“And the people served the LORD

all the days of Joshua,

and all the days of the elders

that outlived Joshua,

who had seen all the great works

 of the LORD, that he did for Israel.

8 And Joshua the son of Nun,

the servant of the LORD,

died, being an hundred and ten years old.

9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance

in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim,

on the north side of the hill Gaash.

10 And also all that generation

were gathered unto their fathers:

and there arose another generation after them,

which knew not the LORD,

nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

11 And the children of Israel

did evil in the sight of the LORD,

and served Baalim:

12 And they forsook the LORD God

of their fathers,

which brought them out of the land of Egypt,

and followed other gods,

of the gods of the people

that were round about them,

and bowed themselves

unto them,

and provoked the LORD to anger.

13 And they forsook the LORD,

and served Baal and Ashtaroth.”  Judges 2:7-13

Oh, how it grieves my soul that we (I relate to Paul’s claim to being the greatest sinner and failure—but praise God for grace!) have failed to point our children and grandchildren to the cross of Christ and holy living, instead of friendship with the world.  We are to be a witness to the world of the power of the cross and the blood of Jesus to save and transform lives; yet when we look just like the world, we talk just like the world, we dress just like the world, we take their style, living and especially entertainment instead of the holiness and godliness of scripture.

God gave us the greatest plan for teaching and leading the young ones to Him, if we will but heed and obey.  For simplicity and time I’m going to print portions of Deuteronomy chapter 6, and I encourage you to read the entire chapter and pray it over your life and witness to those who are following in your steps.  I pray that God will speak through His Word to those who have “ears to hear”!

“Now these are

the commandments,

the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD your God commanded

to teach you,

that ye might do them in the land whither ye go

to possess it:

2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God,

to keep all his statutes

and his commandments,

which I command thee,

thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son,

all the days of thy life;

and that thy days may be prolonged.

3 Hear therefore, O Israel,

and observe to do it;

that it may be well with thee,

and that ye may increase mightily,

as the LORD God of thy fathers

hath promised thee,

in the land that floweth

with milk and honey.

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:” Deuteronomy 6:1-6

Point number one: we must love God ourselves, being “born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God…”. (See John 1:11-14 & John 3:16-19)!  We must know Jesus through our own salvation by faith through grace, by repentance and belief in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made at Calvary!  We can only share what we possess!  Let’s continue with God’s insight into parenting.  Remember children learn way more from what we “do”, than from what we “say”!  Especially if they don’t match!

“And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign

upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house,

and on thy gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:6-9

If I may presume and paraphrase a bit, God, through Moses, is telling these adults that it’s their job to make ‘Jesus’ followers!  First of all—Jesus must be in “my” heart—

Then—I must diligently teach what is in my heart to my children-

How? By—talking about and walking with Jesus—

                      Sitting around, walking around, relaxing,

                             Going about—

       By—living Jesus

with what we do with our hands—

what we watch, view, and focus on with our eyes-

With Godly décor that speaks of godliness, and the beauty

Which God provides by creation—

That others (children included) will be pointed to the things of God rather than worldliness!

But it doesn’t stop there, God tells us that there is a consequence to living this way.  Let’s observe!  Obedience will provoke good questions and teachable moments with those we love most.

“Ye shall diligently keep

the commandments of the LORD your God,

and his testimonies, and his statutes,

which he hath commanded thee.

18 And thou shalt do that

which is right and good

in the sight of the LORD:

that it may be well with thee,

and that thou mayest go in and possess

the good land which the LORD sware

unto thy fathers,

19 To cast out all thine enemies from before thee,

as the LORD hath spoken.

20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying,

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:

22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders,

great and sore,

upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh,

and upon all his household,

       before our eyes:

23 And he brought us out from thence,

that he might bring us in,

to give us the land

which he sware unto our fathers.

24 And the LORD commanded us to do

all these statutes,

to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

if we observe to do

all these commandments

before the LORD our God,

as he hath commanded us.”            Deuteronomy 6:17-25

God promised that if we would live this way before our family, there will come a time that they will ask (in our vernacular), “Why do we live this way…do these things…talk about God all the time…?” And we are to tell them why!  Not someone else’s testimony, but our testimony about what God IS doing in our lives past, present and future.  If we’ll live it, they will ask; but so many today live one way at church and another way at home.  Stop it—let’s get on the right track, obey God, and live the way HE calls us to.  Peter says it better than I can (in fact He’s quoting God too!).

“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.”  1 Peter 1:13-15

Will we heed and follow our God and look for His provision, or watch our children be flushed down the toilet of the world?  And just FYI, “conversation” here means our lifestyle, not just our words!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

Where Is Your Burden??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #354

06 Friday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Advice for the journey, but He's still there., Do You See What God Sees?, Don't believe the Lies, Don't let fear of tomorrow ruin your today, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus Wept--You can too!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer

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Where Is Your Burden???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #354

 

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD,

and he shall sustain thee:

he shall never suffer the righteous

to be moved.”  Psalm 55:22

Someone needs this word this morning—someone besides me that is!  I just wanted to remind us on this lovely Friday morning as the clouds are moving out to make way for the sunshine (at least for a little while here in Oklahoma!).  It’s been a rainy spring, and we are grateful for the rain and the cooler temps before the summer oven-like temperatures.

But the thing I want to point out is that when we think there is no hope—Jesus IS our hope!  He is faithful to His Word.  He has plans that we so often don’t see behind the clouds.  Keep your eyes on Jesus my friends, the clouds won’t be there forever, and when the SON shines, it will renew our strength, courage and by His Spirit enable us to press on and go forward.  He hasn’t moved or changed—so don’t you move away from His promises!  Yet to know His promises, we must be in His Word.  So make that a priority in your life, and don’t let circumstances distract you from the truth!  And remember Jesus IS truth—in person, in word and in the sacrifice that He made for our sin.

“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

So, my friends, choose to make Jesus your “way…truth…life”; He will never fail—never has—still won’t!  The Apostle Peter reminds us of Jesus’ faithfulness, and we can stand in Him, on His truth, able resist the enemy of our souls!  Remember, if you have been born again, we win.  And if you haven’t been born again, you can be, by repenting of your sin, and believing in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for sin at Calvary!   As Jesus said on the cross, “it is finished”, for all who will come to Him!  I implore you to keep your eyes on the prize—Jesus!  In Him, we win!!!  May we each follow Peter’s advice.

“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 5:6-10

Cast your care on Jesus, fixing your eyes on The Prize!

Amen and Amen!!!

Behold, Now Is The Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #337

06 Sunday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Changed Lives, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Transformation, Transformed life, Transgression, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Behold, Now Is The Day???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #337

“For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus died to save us from our sin; for sin IS the issue.  What have you done about your sin?

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet,

saying, 23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:21-23

Jesus came to save men, women, boys and girls, “from their sins”!  We seem to have removed sin from the equation, and just made salvation an option of the mind, rather than a response to the convicting power of God which comes to hearts to reveal our sinful condition to our heart.  Not one will ever truly be saved until they see their sin and state of lostness without Jesus.  Paul makes it clear that sin must be dealt with, and only by JESUS!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26

Just as Matthew recorded for us in his gospel, Jesus came to die for our sin, and without the recognition of sin, we will never understand the value of salvation apart from the knowledge and recognition of sin. We seem to have made anything and everything ok, so no one is a sinner; even those who claim the name of Jesus seem to have written a new “code of ethics” for believers which says anything goes—it’s all covered by grace.  I can’t find that in scripture, in fact, when we go back to Paul’s message to the believers at Corinth, he makes it clear that we are to see a ‘Jesus’ difference in people’s lives.  Not a list of rules and dos and don’ts; but rather a life changing difference.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

 reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

When Jesus saves us from our sin, He gives us new life within—His life.  Again Paul paints one of the most amazing pictures in scripture of our new life in Jesus—ready when He comes?

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

 by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom

we have now received the atonement.” Romans 5:1-11

We have peace with God because of what Jesus did at Calvary—died for my sin and yours, redeemed those who would come to Him in faith, receiving God’s grace, and being reconciled to God, no longer His enemy, through the atonement (the payment) which Jesus purchased with His death, burial and resurrection! And receiving all of this grace and transforming power, our lives should reflect the love, character and grace of our Lord.  But does my life measure up?  Not always, but my deep desire and goal is to please my Lord, and while I fall short so often, His faithful love and by The Holy Spirit’s work of transformation, I draw closer to Him more and more, even when I have to cling to His hand because I need help to get up when I have failed miserably.

One of the passages that helps me, may bring you hope, truth and encouragement as well.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.”                Romans 12:1-3

Paul reminds us that our focus is to live through the power of our Lord—a life of sacrifice to HIS will, HIS work, HIS way—not conforming to the world but allowing Jesus to transform us by “renewing of your mind”!  As we dig into God’s Word we will learn more and more about walking in God’s ways; we can only walk in the ways of God when we know what His ways are— knowing His Word more helps us know Him more!  Paul gives us more in this 12th chapter of Romans.  So I’d like to simply post this passage for us to consider; it contains lots of practical information that we can apply to our daily walk.  Will we?

“For as we have many members in one body,

and all members have not the same office:

5 So we,

being many,

are one body in Christ,

and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing

according to the grace that is given to us,

whether prophecy, let us prophesy

according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry,

let us wait on our ministering:

or he that teacheth,

on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth,

on exhortation:

he that giveth,

let him do it with simplicity;

he that ruleth,

with diligence;

he that sheweth mercy,

with cheerfulness.

 9 Let love

be without dissimulation.

Abhor that which is evil;

cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned

one to another with brotherly love;

in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business;

fervent in spirit;

serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope;

patient in tribulation;

continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints;

given to hospitality.

14 Bless them

which persecute you:

bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice,

and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things,

but condescend to men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible,

as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved,

avenge not yourselves,

but rather give place unto wrath:

for it is written, Vengeance is mine;

I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him;

if he thirst, give him drink:

for in so doing

thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil,

but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:4-21

Oh, to be what God wants me to be—today!  What day will you choose to yield your body, mind and will to God?  Because I claim to belong to Jesus; I want to be found faithful to His Word.  Does my life line up with God’s Word or the world’s; in my speech, in my actions, in my attitudes, in my attire, in my leisure time—what I watch, what I listen to, how I treat others–in my willingness to put God first and be available for HIS work?  All done by the grace and provision of our Lord, for Jesus said it all!

“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 15:5

Amen and Amen!!!

Unified Or Divided??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #326

03 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Know not what they do, Knowing GOD, Knowing Truth, Lead them to Jesus., Leading Or Mis-Leading?, Let You Light So Shine, The Word, Trendy Or Truth, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, unity or division?

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Unified Or Divided???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #326

I have a few thoughts to share with you this morning; most know I don’t get political, but I think we need to consider some things that The Word has to say about our attitude, especially toward the thing called “unity”!  I think we often misunderstand unity and confuse it with uniformity; unity means a oneness but not sameness.  As a nation, and especially the followers of Jesus, we need to stop throwing rocks, pray and consider scripture—not the personal version, but the biblical truths that stand the test of time, circumstance, and the human need for God!  We seem to have thrown out the baby with the bath water (look it up if you don’t know what that means!). I simply want to share some scripture for our consideration.  So drop your rocks for a minute or two and let’s peruse a scriptural perspective—not mine but God’s!  Unity calls us to uplift one another, even in our personal differences.

Unity isn’t uniformity—it is the uplifting and building up rather than tearing down with greed and avarice!  It is doing things for the common good, without violating or exchanging God’s principles for greed—avarice—and fleshly lust (as the detective shows always say, “follow the money”!). I pray that this will give us all some food for thought, knowing that we are called to follow scripture’s advice as followers of Jesus. The context in Ephesians 4 is in regard to the giftings that Jesus (via the Holy Spirit) gives to the church in regard to leadership—as those who prove things on the “testing grounds”! And just FYI, the reference to “perfect” is referring to spiritual maturity-not sinless perfection, which only Jesus has (See Hebrews 4:15 and Hebrews 9:28,) — in contrast to being “children”. (And if you’re curious Romans 3:23 and 6:23 remind us that all are sinners except for our Lord Jesus!)

“Till we all come

in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

unto a perfect man,

unto the measure of the stature

of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

This bears out the principle that Paul put forth to the Philippian believers, not a panacea, but a call to keep in mind that whatever Jesus leads us into, HE will provide for.

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

And the Apostle John recorded Jesus’ own words to us.

“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

Are you with Jesus?  Or are you spinning your wheels trying to go your own way rather than the way that is down the “straight” road? (See Matthew 7:14-21, and notice the “many” and the “few”—where are you?)  What we often fail to consider is that when we stand with Jesus’ we will receive the same response that HE often provoked in those who were walking away from God.  We are to lift up without caving to the world’s sinful direction.  While it’s a great dilemma, it’s one that “in Jesus” we can accomplish—remembering what Jesus said, “without me ye can do nothing”!

So, are you spreading unity or division?  It’s a quandary but we who belong to Jesus must stand for the truth, no matter the cost; and without throwing rocks, remembering Paul’s reminder that things are not going to get truly better, until the King of Kings arrives!  And notice that Paul said that “men shall be” not just “do”, but they will “be” evil!  We must never put unity over holiness, but at the same time we are not to spread “discord” (see Proverbs 6:19+)!

“This know also,

that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,

proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,

unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers,

false accusers, incontinent, fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded,

 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

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

Yes, we are to be compassionate and a help to those in need, but we are not to be enablers of continual bad behavior.  We will never eliminate poverty, illness or sin—only Jesus can and will accomplish that when He returns, but until then we must be aware of the failures that we will deal with due to original sin! And we must understand that things are not always what they seem to be; Jesus made an amazing declaration to the disciples over an extravagant act toward Him!

“There came unto him a woman

having an alabaster box of very precious ointment,

and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

8 But when his disciples saw it,

they had indignation, saying,

To what purpose is this waste?

9 For this ointment

might have been sold for much,

and given to the poor.

10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them,

Why trouble ye the woman?

for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

11 For ye have the poor always with you;

but me ye have not always.

12 For in that she hath poured this ointment

on my body,

she did it for my burial.

13 Verily I say unto you,

Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached

in the whole world,

there shall also this,

that this woman hath done,

be told for a memorial of her.”  Matthew 26:7-13

Don’t miss what Jesus didn’t say, He didn’t memorialize this woman, but He did declare what she had done to and for Him would be memorialized—for her love for Him and her willingness to give probably the greatest thing that she owned to honor Jesus; and she gave it without regard to what others might say!  Are we willing to pour ourselves out for Jesus, no matter the cost or the backlash?  We don’t know her name, but we do know that her extravagant love for Jesus is still talked about today.  What are we willing to give to Jesus, no matter what others may say?  I don’t have any “precious ointment”—but I do have me and whatever Jesus has given me to use—even those things that sometimes I’m clinging too tightly to!  How about you?

And as we think about serving others, we need to keep the proper perspective, and I’ll close with one of the greatest “misses” in trying to supposedly “serve God” one’s own way.  And while this is a lengthy passage, I believe it is worthy of our consideration; and please don’t miss what God’s Word says about rebellion (disobedience).  What blessings have we missed because we did it “my way” rather than God’s.  Let’s determine to be those who help bring unity, but never at the price of disobedience. (And remember that being a leader has a great call of responsibility— “to whom much is given, much is required…” See Luke 12:48.)=

“And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him,

Blessed be thou of the LORD:

I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

14 And Samuel said,

What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep

in mine ears,

and the lowing of the oxen

which I hear?

15 And Saul said,

They have brought them from the Amalekites:

for the people spared the best

of the sheep and of the oxen,

to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God;

and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

16 Then Samuel said unto Saul,

Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said

to me this night.

 And he said unto him, Say on.

17 And Samuel said,

When thou wast little in thine own sight,

wast thou not made the head

of the tribes of Israel,

and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey,

and said,

Go and utterly destroy

the sinners the Amalekites,

and fight against them

until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey

the voice of the LORD,

but didst fly upon the spoil,

and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel,

Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD,

and have gone the way which the LORD sent me,

and have brought Agag the king of Amalek,

and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people

took of the spoil,

sheep and oxen,

the chief of the things

which should have been utterly destroyed,

to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God

in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings

and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey

is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken

than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee from being king.”  1 Samuel 15:13-23

May we be busy speaking God’s truth in love; may we pursue unity without leaving God’s Word and holiness behind.  May we see sin as sin, and help others see truth with love and kindness but not compromise.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

God Answers In HIS Time??? A Word From THE WORD!!! #319

29 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Faith, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, Praise Encourages our Heart, Praise God Today!, Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Redemption Through HIS Blood, The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!, True Gospel, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth

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God Answers In HIS Time???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #319

I want to share a simple lesson that I rehearse again and again, and I have focused on it here multiple times, yet I feel like it needs to be revisited today.  I pray that you will find hope, confidence and a renewed assurance in the sovereign plan of our God.

“And when thou prayest,

thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:

for they love to pray

standing in the synagogues

and in the corners of the streets,

that they may be seen of men.

Verily I say unto you,

They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest,

enter into thy closet,

and when thou hast shut thy door,

pray to thy Father which is in secret;

and thy Father which seeth in secret

shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray,

use not vain repetitions,

as the heathen do:

for they think that they shall be heard

for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them:

for your Father knoweth

what things ye have need of,

before ye ask him.

9 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 6:5-13

We must remember that God is God—we are not!  Neither is He a heavenly slot machine, where we drop in our request (in faith of course!), pull the handle and God is obligated to give us what we ask for!  Talk about spoiled children!  Jesus gives us the guideline for our prayer life; Jesus makes it clear that we are to ask of our heavenly Father, without demands—but requests, supplications, intercessions, and all prayed not only in faith in His ability, but also HIS timing, HIS will, HISways, which as Isaiah told us, don’t always match our ideas!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9 

Oh, how hard it can be to recognize and accept that, “I don’t know it all!”  We are to learn to lean on our Lord Jesus, and the perfect will of our Father in heaven!  What He wants!  Where He wants us to be!  How He wants us to exercise our gifts, callings and ministries!  “Thy kingdom come…Thy will be done” is to be our heartbeat in prayer, in life and all we do.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

A worthy goal, but hardly ever an easy one to accomplish consistently!  May we be reminded that we can “…do all things through Christ which strengtheth me…”!  It’s what that verse in Philippians 4:13 means!  It’s not just some abstract idea, but the truth of who and what we are and can accomplish when we will walk in God’s ways—and in HIS timing!  Ouch!  The Holy Spirit doesn’t need to wear a watch—and when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will find peace, joy and recognize the amazing things going on around us—God’s things! We must remember the order of things, not just “ordering” things from God! John has a great reminder for us.

“He that hath the Son

hath life;

and he that hath not the Son of God

hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe

on the name of the Son of God;

that ye may know

that ye have eternal life,

and that ye may believe

on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him,

that, if we ask any thing according to his will,

he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us,

whatsoever we ask,

we know that we have the petitions

that we desired of him.”  1 John 5:12-15

We have an awesome privilege to come before The King of kings, and our Lord of Lords, to seek HIS face and desire to know and do His will.   Yes, praying sometimes to know His will; sometimes to see His will accomplished; other times to cry out in desperation, and other times to rejoice in HIS timely answers!  I pray God’s very best for you today!  May you draw near to The One who died for our salvation.  If you don’t know Jesus, you can come to Him in repentance of your sin, and faith/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for all of my sins and yours!  Jesus is waiting to hear from you, today!

“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 4:13-16

Amen and Amen!!!