A New Years Prayer??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #428

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A New Years Prayer???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #428

I would just like to share a few personal thoughts with you today as we are going into a new year.  Not really thinking about resolutions, but about “being resolute” in our devotion and obedience to The Lord Jesus Christ, and I truly believe the best way—perhaps the only way—to do that is to spend time with Him in prayer and in HIS Word!

Through thy precepts

I get understanding:

therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word

is a lamp unto my feet,

and a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn,

and I will perform it,

that I will keep

thy righteous judgments.”   Psalm 119:104-106

I love these verses for they remind me again and again that God’s Word is my staple for living a holy life!  No matter what pathway you have been on, God’s pathway is the best way!  I am so grateful for the light that He brings into my life.  No I have not attained yet, but I’m closer today than I was before, yet not as close as I long to be.  How about you? Let’s resolve to cling to Jesus’ cross and delve into His Word continually.

Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14

Let’s make it about Jesus this year—pleasing Him, walking with Him in close devotion, hearing, heeding and obeying Him in sweet fellowship.  How?  One word answers that, priority!  We must make Jesus a priority; a priority in our time, in our choices, in our walk, in the places we frequent, in the words we use, in the things that we have allowed to run our live—to make holiness a priority instead of popularity, fashion, trends, social media of all sorts, media in general!  Let’s truly cling to the One who loved us and gave Himself to die that we might have eternal life, and also the ability to live a truly holy life in this world.  We can make a difference in this world.

But it comes at a price; a price of time, energy, limits, convictions, and most of all a knowledge of God’s Word. We must make the choice to draw nearer to our Lord, or we will be drawn closer to the world.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a a test.  Remember, Jesus paid the price for our salvation with His own blood, and we will all give an account before God either at the judgment seat of Christ (see Romans 14:10 & 2 Corinthians 5:10) for believers, or the Great White Throne (See Revelation 20:11-14) for the lost!!

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

In closing I’d like to share what I consider to be one of Paul’s greatest challenges and words of encouragement from the letter to the believers at Rome, it’s also one my favorite passages, for its great instruction and encouragement in how to have a successful life of faithful and holy living in this world in need of a Savior—Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let’s be light in the dark—in all our ways—shining Jesus’ light to dispel the darkness!

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

May God bless you as you go into the New Year of 2026!  I pray that we will each draw closer to Jesus in this brand-new year!!!  Today!  And today!  And today for 365 days!

Amen and Amen!!!

Resolutions Or Resolve??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #427

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Resolutions or Resolve???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #427

Resolution: a formal expression of opinion or intention made…

Resolve:  a decision or determination….to make a firm resolution to do something…

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

As we think about the new year coming in, we are often prone to make “New Year’s Resolutions”; they run the gambit from being healthier, exercising more, eating out less, eating out more, spending our money more wisely, or even deciding to pursue a new job or career, spending more time with our family, etc.!  The thing is that our resolutions often lack real resolve—we just thought about it, we didn’t resolve, firmly resolve.

You can surmise from the verse above that Daniel is one of my favorite Bible examples of resolve!  Here this young-to-middle teen who has been carried off to Babylon from his home in Jerusalem, he has been taken into captivity as a trainee in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court, yet this young man (along with his three friends) “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself”!

Daniel knew that he would be expected to do things that would violate his conscience, and his commitment to faithfully follow and obey his God!  I wish we had time to dig into all of this book, but I want us to focus on this one decision.  Daniel decided to depend upon the God whom he loved and served faithfully.  But as we look into the context, we find a young man who had also committed himself to do the right thing the right way!

How are we doing things?  What are we devoted to?  What have we purposed to do or not do?  We live in a world going crazy; a world that calls wrong right, and right is called wrong.  Isaiah gives us God’s standard.

Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!”  Isaiah 5:20-21

Joshua also made a decision and called his nation to make a decision to choose whom/what to serve.  And yes, you have the right to choose; but choose wisely there is a test coming!

Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

The Apostle Peter warns of those who will reject who God is and what He has said.  We must be Daniels and determine what we are going to stand for—The Word of God and The God of The Word—or the World and its lies.  And let me remind us all that the only way we can know the difference is to know God’s Word, and being born again, know the author!  If you have been born again, get into The Word. If you haven’t been born again, you can be today!  Come to the cross!  Come to Jesus in repentance and faith in His substitutionary atoning sacrifice for sin.

This second epistle, beloved,

I now write unto you;

in both which I stir up your pure minds

by way of remembrance:

2 That ye may be mindful of the words

which were spoken before

by the holy prophets,

and of the commandment

of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3 Knowing this first,

that there shall come in the last days scoffers,

walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying,

Where is the promise of his coming?

for since the fathers fell asleep,

all things continue as they were

from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3:1-4

And in closing, Paul reminds us that God never lies, and Satan is the greatest liar of all times (See John 8:44+)!!  May we approach this new year with a commitment to be all that God has called you to be; being resolved to not defile ourselves, trusting all to God’s care, His purposes and His ways—which you can learn all about in HIS WORD!!

Paul, a servant of God,

and an apostle of Jesus Christ,

according to the faith of God’s elect,

and the acknowledging of the truth

which is after godliness;

2 In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised before the world began;

3 But hath in due times

manifested his word through preaching,

which is committed unto me

according to the commandment of God

our Saviour;” Titus 1:1-3

I pray God’s greatest blessings of wisdom, grace, peace and joy on you in the coming 2026!  Dig into HIS WORD!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

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Christmas Fortnight Day 14

MERRY CHIRSTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS!

We’ve all heard about the “fake” interpreter that was found out at the Mandela funeral some years ago.  He appeared to be interpreting for the deaf but in realityhe wasn’t. Yet when the real deaf people and genuine interpreters saw what was being done the ‘truth’ about the ‘fake’ was brought to light.  How often do we do things that are “fake” hoping no one will find out?

Jesus came to earth—God in human flesh. Emmanuel!!  He was, is and ever shall be the “real deal”, so to speak.  There are many voices claiming authenticity today but Jesus is still the ‘real’ Savior.

The ‘real’ Messiah.

The “real” one sent to save us

The ONLY ONE sent to save us.

The only one who can save us.

John 14:6 declares this very fact in the words of Jesus himself,

I am

the way,

the truth and

the life,

no man comes to the Father but by ME”.

This babe born and laid in that manger was the

Son of God

The Word

The Light of Life

The Bread of Life

The Good Shepherd

The LAMB OF GOD

Jesus.  

 Emmanuel

Messiah

Savior.  

Lord of Lords.

 King of Kings.

I could go on without end, but the question I’d like us to consider is this, “What are you doing with Jesus?”

Have you left him in the manger?

Have you left him on the Mount with the Beatitudes?

Have you left Him walking on the water?

OR have you opened the door of your heart

and bowed before the King

in repentance and faith and

invited HIM in.

Rev. 3:20,

Behold, I stand at the door,

and knock: I

f any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.” 

Is Jesus standing outside of your heart?

Is He knocking at your hearts door?

Won’t you let Him in?

The choice is yours.

Leave Him in that manger of straw,

or invite Him in to save and transform your life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says,

Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold,

all things are become new.

Won’t you receive the greatest Christmas gift ever given—

the gift of eternal life???

Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.”  

MERRY ‘CHRIST’MAS FROM THE BRITTAINS….

HE IS LORD!!!

May your Christmas be full of joy to your heart,

delight to others and

 “glory to God in the highest”—

Christ is KING!!!

Christmas Fortnight Day 13 A Word from THE WORD! #425

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Christmas Fortnight Day 13  A Word from THE WORD! #425

Continuing our look at some of the people connected with Jesus’ birth, today I’d like to look at the ‘wise men’.

We’ll look at portions of Matthew 2:1-12,

Now when Jesus was born

in Bethlehem of Judaea

in the days of Herod the king,

behold, there came wise men

from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he

that is born King of the Jews?

For we have seen his star in the east,

and are come to worship him….

…9 When they had heard ..,

they departed

and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east,

went before them,

 till it came and stood over

where the young child was

10 …they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 …they saw the young child….

and fell down, and worshipped him:

and …presented unto him gifts;

gold, and frankincense, and myrrh…

12 And being warned of God

they departed into their own country ….

These men were not keepers of the sheep, nor lowly men but ‘wise’ men.

Men who:

       Had great wealth,

              came from afar, and

                      brought gifts of great value.

Men who:

       Sought HIM diligently

              Rejoiced to see the star and find the Babe,

And then they

WORSHIPPED THE NEWBORN KING!!!

How about you?

If you don’t know Him—seek Him and HE will be found! In fact He’s looking for YOU!  He came to die for my sin and yours!  And HE is faithful to save.

And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

If you know Him—Seek Him today,

His ways continually–

His will diligently–

and obey it.

           Rejoice in Him always.

              WORSHIP THE NEWBORN KING!!!!

                      WORSHIP THE SOON COMING KING!!!

                            The one born to die for us!!!

And remember that worship isn’t just singing or praying or even faithfully serving in a church; it is a life lived in total submission and devotion to our King Jesus!  Consider where your devotion lies—not just on Christmas but each and every day that God gives you! 

Amen and Amen!!!

Christmas Fortnight Day 12 A Word from THE WORD! #424

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Christmas Fortnight Day 12  A Word from THE WORD! #424

As we continue our look at some of the people connected with Jesus’ birth, how about the shepherds?   Shepherds, lowly shepherds.  Those with whom the “elite” didn’t care to spend time.

We’ll look at portions of Luke 2:8-16,

And…. shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord

shone round about them…

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not:

for, behold, I bring you good tidings

of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born ….a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord…

13 And… there was …. a multitude

of the heavenly host

praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth

peace,

good will toward men…

as the angels were gone ….

the shepherds said one to another,

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

and see this thing which is come to pass,

which the Lord hath made known

unto us.

16 And they came

with haste,

and found Mary, and Joseph,

and the babe.….

Keepers of the sheep.

Shepherds—

the lowliest of the low–

Were the first ones to hear the GOOD NEWS.

Had an angel appear to them —

Saw the glory of God around them, and –

Received the greatest ‘birth’ announcement ever–

Heard the angel chorus praise God—

Then, they speedily went and found it

as GOD HAD SAID!!

Have you come to this ONE?

The Savior of the world–

The ONE who reconciles us to the Father—

       Who brings ‘peace’ with God—

As Paul tells us in Romans 5:1,

Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Have you heard the good news in your heart?  Are you looking to this ONE as the shepherds did?  Do you have Hispeace in your heart?  Are you running hither and yon with no peace, or joy?  Are you too proud to bow before the babe in that manger?  He came to die for your sin and mine, don’t let pride, or self-sufficiency keep you from joining the shepherds from bowing before the KING!  Look to Jesus, the SaviorHe still saves and changes hearts and lives today!!  Jesus said it best.

Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

He’s calling today!  Amen and Amen!!!