Not A Permanent Goodbye??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #333

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Not A Permanent Goodbye???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #333

Then when Jesus came,

he found that he had lain in the grave

four days already.

18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem,

about fifteen furlongs off:

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary,

to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha,

as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming,

went and met him:

but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus,

Lord, if thou hadst been here,

my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now,

whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,

God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her,

Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him,

I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection

at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection, and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord:

I believe that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come into the world.” John 11:17-27

As I write this article this morning, I am getting ready to attend the funeral of a very dear friend.  I don’t really want to go, because I know how much I miss her already, but I need to be there to remind others that we have hope in Jesus!  Yes, my friend is gone—but we will embrace again; but I sure will miss the phone calls that we shared, the cups of tea that we shared, the love and laughter that our families shared, the beautiful love, care and concern that my dear friend showed to everyone!

Yes, death is painful, not only for the one going through it, but for those of us left behind; but my friends even as Jesus told Martha (and later Mary too) He is life itself!  Jesus has promised that if we will trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, repenting of our sin and calling on Him to forgive us, save us, and give us eternal life in HIMSELF!  Oh, my friends I pray that you know Him.  Don’t leave your family and loved ones to wonder, but trust Jesus for salvation, make it public, and live a life filled with His Spirit and grace.

If you’re the one grieving, then keep your eyes on the prize—Jesus; remembering that He has promised eternal life to those who come to Him; He’s promised that He has gone to prepare us a place—and a life of eternal joy, peace and fellowship with He and the Father, and all the other saints.  Are you ready to meet Him?  Are you willing to trust Him to comfort your heart.  I have suffered multiple times of grief and while some heal quickly, others linger and flare up at what seems like the most inopportune times!  But I know that Jesus said HE would walk with me, He will direct my steps and strengthen me for whatever trial may come.  I pray that you will find comfort in the message that He gave to Martha!  HE IS our hopeHE IS our GodHE IS our Redeemer—our soon-coming King. I pray that you will take your burdens to the cross, where you’ll find the cleansing blood of Jesus is still the perfect balm of Gilead!

And in closing, a few passages to share His comfort with you no matter what your situation.

Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth, and

the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:1-6

As Jesus said in John 3, we “must be born again”!  If you know Jesus in the new birth, I pray that you will draw nearer to Him, and you will never be alone!  If you don’t know Him, I pray that you will bow before Him and ask for His forgiveness and salvation in repentance of your sin trusting to His sacrifice that He made on Calvary for you and me.  Then we can understand what Paul meant in his letter to the Philippian believers.  And remember when we come to those times to say “good-bye”, when we are believers and our dear ones as well, it is truly NOT a permanent “good-bye”!  May our lives be an open book inviting people to our King Jesus—our Lord and Savior!  May our lives truly reflect Jesus rather than a hopeless world!

For to me to live is Christ,

and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh,

this is the fruit of my labour:

yet what I shall choose I wot not.

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two,

having a desire to depart,

and to be with Christ;

which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh

is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence,

I know that I shall abide

and continue with you all

for your furtherance and joy of faith;”  Philippians 1:21-25

As David said so confidently. (Read the whole account for a world of encouragement and to see that God forgives, heals and restores!  Just not all things at the same time!)

And he said,

While the child was yet alive,

I fasted and wept:

 for I said, Who can tell

whether GOD will be gracious to me,

that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead,

wherefore should I fast?

can I bring him back again?

I shall go to him,

but he shall not return to me.”   2 Samuel 12:22-23

Amen and Amen!!!

A Hindrance To Revival??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #332

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A Hindrance To Revival???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #332

Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,

and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak:

for he will speak peace unto his people,

and to his saints:

but let them not turn again to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him;

that glory may dwell in our land.”  Psalm 85:6-9

I have prayed a long time to see a true revival in the midst of God’s people.  A heart stirring, conviction producing, altar-praying, tearful repentance of God’s own; the kind of revivals I saw and experienced as a child and a young adult.  Oh, dear Father—please revive us again!  But then I ask myself, am I being a hindrance to revival? Is my heart willing to hear that voice of conviction from the Holy Spirit; am I willing to turn from my pet sins, my selfish longings and desires, my misuse of God’s gifts?  May we simply lay ourselves before The Lord God Almighty, and our precious Lord and Savior Jesus, and yield to the work of His Spirit within me and you who belong to Him.

It’s so easy to be distracted, and I am chief of the distracted sometimes; yet I long to be all that God wants me to be; to be humble, obedient and willing to go or stay—to go forward or to wait on The Lord!  Let’s consider some truth from scripture that we might ponder, consider and willingly look into that mirror of the soul—God’s Word and the work of the Holy Spirit.  It’s so much easier to flip on the TV, scroll through hours of social media dribble, or watch every sport known to man!  What is your go to escape?  Are we trying to escape form our King?  Or have we just become so accustomed to going our own way, and being more influenced by the world than our Lord?  Oh, Jesus, revive my soul!  May we return to the time when the church led your people instead of the popular call from the world?  Have we allowed our heart to become divided?  Heal my heart oh Lord.  Help me to stop living a life of “long-division” and start living in submission to you, my Lord—adding and multiplying grace and obedience.

But king Solomon loved many strange women, …

…2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel,

 Ye shall not go in to them,

neither shall they come in unto you:

for surely they will turn away your heart

after their gods:

Solomon clave unto these in love.

3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses,

and three hundred concubines:

and his wives turned away his heart.

4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old,

that his wives turned away his heart

after other gods:

and his heart was not perfect

with the LORD his God,

…6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD,

and went not fully after the LORD,

as did David his father.

7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh,

the abomination of Moab,

…and for Molech,

the abomination of the children of Ammon.

 8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives,

which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon,

because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel,

which had appeared unto him twice,

10 And had commanded him

concerning this thing,

that he should not go after other gods:

but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.”   1 Kings 11:1-10

Solomon let his heart be compromised (divided)—this wise man—this man to whom God appeared and gave him an amazing gift of greatness; but he was drawn away from his God by worldly compromise!  What are we allowing to draw our heart away from God?  It’s usually the most innocent-seeming things that Satan will use to draw us away; sometimes the busy-ness of doing churchy things gets in the way of obeying our Lord.  Sometimes He leads us aside, when we want to be in the limelight?  Sometimes He calls on us to be quiet, when we want to speak.  Sometimes He calls us to leave our comfort-zone to go to and do the uncomfortable.  Sometimes He convicts us to give up things that we have allowed to become “foreign wives” to us—have I allowed worldly pleasures to come between me and my LORD?  Have we allowed something—anything—to divide our heart like Solomon’s?  Is Jesus on the throne of our heart or something—anything—else?

What comes out of my mouth?  What goes into my eyes?  My ears?  What do I allow that I once wouldn’t?  I’m not going to post a list—ask God and He will reveal truth, if/when we are willing to receive it.

Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

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

James got pretty blunt in his letter to believers who were living a life of division.  May we heed his word today—for it’s God’s Word to us as well.

Ye ask, and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

 that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

 ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

 ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:

 let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:3-10

May we learn to practice humility before God, holiness by God’s grace, His Word and being devoted to our King, hungering for God’s friendship not the world’s?  I pray that we will be the conduit for true revival not the hindrance.  Let’s keep our hearts pure before God, no matter what others may think or do.

O generation of vipers,

how can ye, being evil, speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man out of the evil treasure

 bringeth forth evil things.”  Matthew 12:34-35

May our hearts be right before our God!  He knows, no matter what others may think; and we can only fake it for so long, the truth will come out!  Oh, Lord please open our eyes and convict our hearts to truly “Draw nigh to God” that He “will draw nigh to you.”  Please revive us again, oh Lord?

Amen and Amen!!!

Is Holiness Out Of Style??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #331

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Is Holiness Out Of Style???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #331

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”  1 Peter 1:13-19

Peter called the scattered believers (due to persecution) to live according to the grace and holiness of God, not as they walked before they were saved.  I think it is a message that we need today!  We need to remember that Jesus shed His precious blood to save, transform and deliver us from sin—not to leave us in the same old life.  Are you and I measuring our words, our actions, our attitudes by The Word of God and the directing of The Holy Spirit? Or are we justifying our spiritual laxity with the old excuse, well “Everyone is doing it!”?  Have we allowed the TV, the movies, the music, the actions of others rub off on us?  Have we forgotten that we are to pursue God’s holiness?  Are you living Jesus in front of your world, or are you allowing the world around you to compromise your faith, your commitment to Jesus and your holiness?  How can we claim to be changed and yet live so worldly that no one really sees Jesus in me or you?  Paul told us we are to walk according to the change that Jesus brought!  What do people see you in?  In me?  Is the righteousness of Jesus showing in us, or are we so caught up with the world that others see more reflections of popular culture than of Jesus?

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

Is the righteousness of Jesus seen in me?  In you?  Do you claim Jesus with your lips but live a life that may shame or dishonor Him?  Do we brag on the things we watch or listen to, when the contents are vile, corrupt and the language that which we wouldn’t use before our King?  Guess what—your King and mine is ever present and sees and knows.  Do my decisions honor the blood stained cross or shame my Lord and the blood that HE shed for me.  Is my attire modest?  Or do I long for the praise of the world more than the pleasure of my Lord?   I know these aren’t popular things to talk about, but someone must.  And our speech is so often appalling.  Paul addressed that too—not just filthy words, but words that harm, degrade, or hurt others directly or with tacky remarks. (And I understand the struggle, for Jesus has dealt repeatedly with my own tendencies to be a smart alec!  And may I say, that is NOT a spiritual gift, no matter how much we try to excuse it!)

Charge them that are rich in this world,

that they be not highminded,

nor trust in uncertain riches,

but in the living God,

who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good,

that they be rich in good works,

ready to distribute,

willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store

for themselves a good foundation

against the time to come,

that they may lay hold

on eternal life.

20 O Timothy,

keep that which is committed to thy trust,

avoiding profane and vain babblings,

and oppositions of science

falsely so called:” 1 Timothy 6:17-20

And then again in his second letter to Timothy Paul mentions some of the same things as a reminder, with a challenge that we need to heed as well to “keep that which is committed to thy trust”!  May we receive the reminder and walk holy before our God—style or no style—living real holy lives as a reflection of the glory of our Lord—in all things.

Of these things put them in remembrance,

charging them before the Lord

that they strive not about words to no profit,

but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker…:”  2 Timothy 2:14-17a

Don’t let spiritual cancer destroy your witness.  Let’s pursue holiness—not a denomination, but a lifestyle—a transformed lifestyle!!!  And watch those words, as I’ve often said, “Watch your words and keep them sweet—you never know which ones you’ll have to eat!!”

Amen and Amen!!!

Are You Recognizing Truth??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #330

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Are You Recognizing Truth???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #330

Contrary to popular belief and opinion—truth must be true or it’s not “truth”; and the ultimate standard of truth is the God-man, Jesus Christ The Lord and His Word.

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

We must know Jesus personally to come to “the Father”!  Without Jesus we can never truly know truth!  Truth isn’t just an idea or an ideal; truth is The person of Jesus Christ come in the flesh to “be” truth and lead men unto truth, grace and the salvation that HE bought and paid for at Calvary with HIS own blood.  If that’s not your truth, you may want to examine what you believe to be true!  As my mother used to say, “You can fool all of the people some of the time; you can fool some of the people all of the time; but you can’t fool God—ever!”  He knows those who are His own—those sheep that Jesus has blood bought, redeemed and is transforming into HIS image.  Paul’s message to his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, verifies this ‘truth’!

But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker:

of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred,

saying that the resurrection

is past already;

and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one

that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timohty 2:16-19

Are you departing from iniquity or reveling in it?  It seems to be the pastime of many who claim the name of Jesus!  If we aren’t walking in His truth, where do you think that puts us?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, remember there is a test!

You can turn away!  You can reject the truth!  You can feign faith!  You can fool those around you, but God knows the truth for HE is truth!  Paul also talks about the deceit of the last days, and my friends, I think this passage is so important to consider, as there are those around us ‘preaching’ a different message.  What message are you following?  Have you compared it to scripture?

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:

only he who now letteth will let,

until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed,

whom the Lord shall consume

with the spirit of his mouth,

and shall destroy

with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming

is after the working of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness in them that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them

strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure

in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12

If you reject Jesus now, you may not have another opportunity to come to Him.  No one is guaranteed tomorrow, and for those who continue to believe the lies of Satan, there is a judgment day coming!  What are you believing?  Have you truly been born again?  Does your life give testimony to Jesus’ truth—or are you going your own way?  Verse 10 above makes it very clear; you can miss your opportunity to be saved!  Don’t sin away your day of grace, or the voice of The Holy Spirit calling you to repentance!  Please come to Jesus today if you haven’t!  God gave us warning all the way back in Genesis!  Please heed the call, if you hear His voice today.

While it is said,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation.”  Hebrews 3:15

And as it has been said, we can go “back to Genesis” to know God’s truth!  There may not be another opportunity if you miss it today.

And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

 for that he also is flesh…”. Genesis 6:3a

And as the author of Hebrews goes on to say…

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

8 Harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation,

in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers tempted me,

proved me,

and saw my works forty years.

10 Wherefore I was grieved

with that generation, and said,

They do alway err in their heart;

and they have not known my ways.

11 So I sware in my wrath,

They shall not enter into my rest.)”.   Hebrews 4:7-11

And in closing this truth from Jesus—The Truth!!  What will you do with it?  Don’t miss The Master—The Redeemer—but be saved by the blood of Jesus, which “cleanseth us from all sin”!

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,

Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:43-44

If you have heard the voice of conviction, please don’t turn away; come unto The One who loves you more than you can even imagine.  Receive The Truth—The Redeemer—The Savior of all who will come to Him—the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin to all who will come to Him in repentance of sin and faith in His finished work of salvation.

Amen and Amen!!!

Check The Mirror??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #329

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Check The Mirror???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #329

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 1:21-26

James tells us that there is a difference between “doers of the word” and those who are “hearers only”; may we take this message to heart and ask God’s help to truly be those who order our steps aright—God’s way, not as forgetful hearers!

Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

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

God’s Word reminds us that we are accountable for our actions, and only as we align our lives with God’s Word will we walk in holiness and honor, as a testimony of God’s grace before man!

It grieves me that so many have apparently disconnected a holy life from the claim of being a Christian, a believer in Jesus, and a true and faithful child of God.  Jesus calls us His sheep, let’s peruse the record of Jesus’ description of His own sheep.  Have you looked into that mirror to see truth and follow it, or are you a “forgetful” hearer who claims Jesus’ name while going your own way?

I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life for the sheep.”  John 10:14-15

But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:26-30

Jesus gave His life that we might have life, yet so many claim to know Him and walk in their own way.  They want life from Jesus without death to self.  Are you His sheep?  Are you ready to follow The Shepherd or keep going your own way?  Jesus calls us to follow HIM.  Paul states this principle simply yet profoundly.

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

It’s your choice so choose wisely, there is a test; the Lord’s return is eminent!  Are you ready for Jesus–the only way–on His way.

Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

 and from henceforth ye know him,

and have seen him.”  John 14:6

Do you know the shepherd?  Have you been transformed by Jesus’ saving blood and grace?  He died for you—check your mirror, what do you see?  Whom do you see? Looking unto Jesus!

Amen and Amen!!!