Category Archives: Trusting Jesus

Mindset Matters??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #261

18 Wednesday Sep 2024

Posted by in Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Dare To Be Different!, Mindset on Jesus!, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Tuned In To Jesus, Turn to God's Word

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Mindset Matters???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #261

“But Daniel

purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

 nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”  Daniel 1:8

Our mindset matters, because as a quote from Mahatma Ghandi (among others who made similar statements, he seems to have been one of the first) says:

“Watch your thoughts,

they become words;

watch your words,

they become actions;

watch your actions,

they become habits;

watch your habits,

they become character;

watch your character,

for it becomes your destiny.”

Daniel had made up his mind because his heart was purposed on God’s Word and His ways!  Yet, Daniel and his friends were never arrogant or demanding, they had respect and worked through the powers that were over them.  And they could do that because ultimately their confidence was in their God—chapter three confirms this as Daniel’s three friends face the fiery furnace.  For you see, they had made their mind up long before this incident—in verse 8 of chapter 1!

“Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear

the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery,

and dulcimer,

and all kinds of musick,

ye fall down and worship the image

which I have made; well:

but if ye worship not,

ye shall be cast the same hour

 into the midst of a burning fiery furnace;

and who is that God

that shall deliver you out of my hands?

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered

and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee

in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God

whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us out of thine hand,

O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury,

and the form of his visage was changed

against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:

therefore he spake,

and commanded that they should heat the furnace

one seven times more

than it was wont to be heated.” Daniel 3:15-19

The result of their faithful commitment to their God was not only miraculous but gave glory to their God!  Yet the glory only came when they were willing to trust their God to bring them through the fire, or out of it on the other side!  What are you trusting God with?  Or are you trying to do everything yourself?  Even this furious king saw what their God could do, when they were delivered “in the fire”!

“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said,

Blessed be the God

of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

who hath sent his angel,

and delivered his servants

that trusted in him,

and have changed the king’s word,

and yielded their bodies,

that they might not

serve

nor worship

any god,

except their own God.” Daniel 3:28

What are you worshipping?  Where are your time, energies and devotion going?  What does your speech and actions reveal about you and your “god”?

Paul had some very wise counsel for us, and I find it worthy of continual consideration.  May it speak to us today and may each of us draw nearer to our God rather than this world.  May we consider the things that Paul reminds us of and choose wisely in our daily walk.  May we be found to be devoted to the God we claim to love and serve?

“Wherefore putting away lying,

speak every man truth with his neighbour:

for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not:

let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole

steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands the thing which is good,

that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

 but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all

bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:” Ephesians 4:25-31

Oh, that our speech and behavior would reflect the power of God that saves and keeps us!  This flesh is a constant pull against the things of God, we must be like Daniel and make up our mind and our heart to “not defile” ourselves!  Others may throw mud, but we must remain faithful to our God who is ever working to make us into the “image of His Son”!  (See Romans 8:28-29)

May we be faithful testaments of the transforming grace and salvation that Jesus bought with His own blood!  That we would spread holiness, joy and peace not corruption!

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.

34 Awake to righteousness,

and sin not;” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34a

Let’s follow Daniel’s and his friend’s example and keep a holy mindset rather than a worldly one!  It shows!  It matters!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Perfect Peace Or Panic??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #260

16 Monday Sep 2024

Posted by in Daniel's choices, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faith, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Peace, Peace of God, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Perseverance, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Tuned In To Jesus, Weariness

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Perfect Peace Or Panic???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #260

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

 whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in thee.

4 Trust ye in the LORD

for ever:

for in the LORD JEHOVAH

is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26:3-4

Peace can be an elusive commodity—but it is ever found in Jesus and Father God when we determine to set our eyes on God!  To have this peace requires some effort—first of all we must know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and then to commit ourselves to making Jesus a priority.  That is so much easier to sit here and type into this post, than it is to flesh it out in everyday living.  I am committed to this discipline, but when life interferes—like from the moment my feet hit the floor!  Although my goal is to put Jesus first in all things, I get into the kitchen and instead of making my tea and getting to prayer time, I see dishes that need to be loaded into the dishwasher, or crumbs that need to be swept up, clothes that need to be put away, the trash needs to be taken out before the trash man comes, or a thousand other things of less import.  But being human, these things so easily drag me away, and my time is not used where I intended to use it–to be with my Lord.  Now, let me say that even when I’m taking out the trash or watering, or walking I walk with Jesus, but there is a commitment that we must make to see that our “mind is stayed on thee”!

Let’s use scripture to hopefully help us do a better job of keeping our mind stayed, fixed and tuned to Jesus!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us

not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:7-10

As we walk with Jesus and keep ourselves immersed in His Word, we can draw closer to our Lord than most people will understand; for many in our culture want Jesus to stamp their ticket to heaven but they have no desire to serve or follow Him in their life.  How about you?  Are you counting on a punched-ticket, or a personal relationship with the Lord of the universe?  If we know Him Paul reminds us that we can be faithful and successful in all the things that God leads us to.

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:12-13

I can because Jesus Christ my Lord paid the price at Calvary and purchased my soul, heart and life—what less could I do but keep my heart and mind set on Him! No!  I don’t get it right all the time, but I do get up when I fall, repent and seek His forgiveness, cleansing and hope for now and forward, because His Word tells me I can do that!  (I encourage you to read all of 1 John, it’s only a few chapters yet they are powerful and life changing when we heed what John reveals Jesus more and more!)

“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 1:7-10

In bringing these thoughts to a close for today, I want us to consider how we stay in that “perfect peace”; and the author of Hebrews gives us some solid advice, if we will but heed it (and Hebrews 12 is another chapter that I’d encourage you to read in its entirety!)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside

every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1-3

And just FYI, this great cloud of witnesses is not referring to a great arena in the sky applauding loudly to cheer us on, rather (in my opinion) it is a reference back to chapter 11 which many refer to as the chapter of faith, recounting the faithfulness of God to His own, regardless of their circumstances—check it out!

As I want us to get back into the book of Daniel, we see that Daniel, and his friends, are excellent examples of having that perfect peace and how to keep it, in spite of their circumstances or the choices of their peers!  How about you and me?

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself…

…. 17 As for these four children,

God gave them

knowledge

and skill in all learning

and wisdom:

and Daniel had understanding

in all visions and dreams.” Daniel 1:8 & 17

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test. Peace is an amazing place to dwell; so let’s be Daniel’s in a world of lions (and we’ll get to that as we go, Lord willing.)  What an amazing life of faith, peace and power Daniel and his friends lived—even though their circumstances were less than what we would call ideal.  Remember God is faithful to His Word in every single circumstance!  May you pursue the God of peace, keeping your eyes on the prize—Jesus!

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!!!

Still Will I Trust Him??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #233

28 Friday Jun 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Job, Look UP, Look up and Praise The Lord, Looking Unto Jesus, Looking up Or around?, The Word, Trials, Tried by FIRE!, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Tuned In To Jesus

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Still Will I Trust Him??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #233

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

for an hypocrite shall not come before him.”  Job 13:15-16

Job, the well-known sufferer, is one of my favorite characters, even though the first time you try to read through Job it is seemingly boring, but as you read it over again, the flow will begin to lift your heart as you see this man stand fast in The Lord. It is a great encouragement to believers as we go through trials and difficulties—especially the seemingly unexplainable kind!  I want to simply share some words from Job to encourage you today.

“Neither have I gone back

from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words of his mouth

more than my necessary food.

13 But he is in one mind,

and who can turn him?

and what his soul desireth,

even that he doeth.

14 For he performeth the thing

that is appointed for me:

and many such things

are with him.”  Job 23:12-14

May we draw nearer to our Lord so that even in the crises we will know that our faith rests securely in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, The Lord!

“Surely God will not hear vanity,

neither will the Almighty regard it.

14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him,

yet judgment is before him;

therefore trust thou in him.”  Job 35:13-14

And in closing some profound encouragements and challenges from the Psalmists.

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth

in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me

from the oppression of man:

so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine

upon thy servant;

and teach me

thy statutes.”  Psalm 119:133-135

 So, get into The Word—stay in The Word—and listen to the leading, prompting and direction of The Holy Spirit within you!

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!!!