Tag Archives: Colossians 1:12-14

By Grace Through Faith??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #237

09 Tuesday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Idolatry, Jesus Is The Only Way!, No man can serve two masters!, Obedient or NOT?, One Day Too Late?, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Our God Reigns, Overcoming By His Blood, Salvation, The Word

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By Grace Through Faith???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #237

 

“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

How do you plan on getting to heaven?  Just as Jesus said in John 14:6, there is only one way—and HE IS the “way…the truth…and the life…”—the only way.  I know there is a lot being purported today as ways to heaven: be good, give to this preacher, do this thing, follow this leader, think positive, follow and accept pantheistic activities of all kinds (check out the origins of what you are participating in?)—such as many of the martial arts, yoga, meditation, Zen, and I could go on, I simply ask you to check out what you are following.  If its origin isn’t based in the Gospel, you might want to consider where it came from and what its ultimate goal is.  If it came out of idolatry, where do think it’s wanting to lead you?  If your chosen activities are not to draw you closer to Jesus, then you might want to reconsider.  And one thing that we are misled by most often is the worldly draw of media—movies, music, TV, apps, games….  If you watch much TV, you’d think that the romance movies invented Christmas; even when they throw in Jesus’ name every now and then, the idea is that you can succeed on your own with a bit of luck, fate, or chance, or Christmas magic.

As believers in and followers of Jesus, we need to keep our focus on His death, burial and resurrection for our sin!  When was the last time you heard that word mentioned by anyone on TV?  Well, my friends, sin IS the issue; and ready or not Jesus is coming for His own, and He also will judge those who have ignored Him, disregarded Him, or just plain rejected Him.  What have you done about Jesus’ claims to be the only way through repentance of our own sin, and trust/faith in His substitutionary (in your place), atoning (making restitution for my sin and yours), sacrifice (He became the payment for our sin—the only payment God will accept!)!  That is grace my friend, no cost except faith in what Jesus did at Calvary, the blood bought salvation of the Bible.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

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

Paul makes it clear that it is all about Jesus, and without forgiveness of sin, we have no hope.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”  Colossians 1:12-14

We can praise God because of grace, for we merit nothing, but God has given all that we need in Jesus.  It is all about what He has done not what we have done or ever could do.  I pray that you will receive this word from my heart and God’s Holy Bible, and examine your heart, listening for the voice of The Holy Spirit speaking to you.  God has never failed me yet—and He won’t today!

“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…

…. 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.”                       Portions of Romans 5:1-9

I’m praying for you!

Amen and Amen!!!

Sometimes It Ain’t Easy??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #220

15 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abiding In The Vine, Advice for the journey, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Footprints, For Such A Time As This, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Longsuffering, Look up and Praise The Lord, Love, Love Is Action, Never Alone, Purity, Salvation

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Sometimes It Ain’t Easy??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #220

This title kind of says it all, and I want us to consider the truth that we often times try to hedge or compromise; but Jesus calls us to a higher plane.  He calls us to love others as He has, does and ever will love us.  Sounds easy—but it “ain’t”!

“Ye have heard that it hath been said,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour,

and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you,

Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you,

do good to them that hate you,

and pray for them which despitefully use you,

and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children

of your Father which is in heaven:

for he maketh his sun to rise

on the evil

and on the good,

and sendeth rain

on the just

and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you,

what reward have ye?

do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only,

what do ye more than others?

do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect,

even as your Father which is in heaven

is perfect.”  Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus has not only called us to walk a path of hardship but to do it with HIS love in our hearts, and that, my friends can only be accomplished because He has given His precious Holy Spirit to those who are born again.  It’s His Spirit that He promised will bring us into all truth, equip us and fit us for HIS service as well as His kingdom.  Paul talks about this to the Colossian believers.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14

Also as the Apostle John recorded for us:

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:11-13

Even as Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader who was seeking the truth, and Jesus introduced him to truth—The Son of God Himself.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God…

…5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

 is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:3-8

Have you been born of The Spirit of God?  Without the Spirit we can do nothing, and we can’t even belong to God without the new birth which the conviction of the Holy Spirit brings us to and works into us.  As born-again believers we are to go where The Spirit leads, directs and prepares us for! All by “abiding” in Jesus!

“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 15:4-5

The Holy Spirit indwelling us, is the evidence that we belong to Jesus, and it should show in all we think, and say, and do.  Our behavior will reveal what’s inside!  Which Spirit is within you?  The Holy Spirit of Jesus or the spirit of the world?

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.” Romans 8:9

As Jesus said:

“Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth

in at the mouth goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries, fornications,

thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:17-20

Paul also makes it as clear as glass for us in his message to the Roman believers; it is our great standing ground of truth.  Will you stand upon it, or will you go your own way and miss the joy, peace and salvation that Jesus died to provide for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin?  While this is a lengthy passage, it is too valuable to cut short here (and I would encourage you to read the entire 5th chapter –in fact chapters 5-8 are amazing.)

“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

So, while the commands to love the unlovely aren’t an easy thing, as the title says, “Sometimes It Ain’t Easy”, yet it is doable in Jesus, when we walk in the Spirit not the flesh (See Galatians 5:16 & 25), and that my friends is the catch, if you want to call it that; we must keep in mind that we “can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me”!  (See Philippians 4:13.) I also want to remind you that there is a payday—and while it may not be today, it is coming!  So press on my friends and depend on Jesus through the power of His Holy Spirit to keep on loving like Jesus—not compromise but “speaking the truth in love” we are to press on.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Blessed are they

which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

 and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil

against you falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.”  Matthew 5:10-12

Remember:

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account

of himself to God.”  Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

Are You Washed In His Blood??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #192

01 Friday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, One Day Too Late?, One Foundation, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Open The Door to JESUS, The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!, The Right Jesus!, There IS (Still) A Fountain, This is the Way, Thy Will Be Done, Today is the day of Salvation, Too Late To Call?

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Are You Washed In His Blood??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #192

Just a brief word this morning to remind us all, that it is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from sin; and sin, my friends IS the issue!  But Jesus has paid the price for sin, for all who come to Him in repentance of our sin, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on that cross at Calvary!  I just want to share some scripture to remind of us what we have in Jesus; and if you don’t know Him, you can come to Him today, before it is “one day” too late.  You may not have another opportunity.

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

Jesus Himself reminds us that we can’t just come when we want, but only as The Holy Spirit draws us!  If you hear His voice, don’t delay, He may not call again.

“While it is said,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation.”  Hebrews 3:15

And Jesus own words:

“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 

“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 6:44

The Book of The Revelation reminds of that there is an accounting coming before God.  Ready or not here He comes.

“And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

 and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests

unto God and his Father;

to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds;

and every eye shall see him,

and they also which pierced him:

and all kindreds of the earth

shall wail because of him.

Even so, Amen.”  Revelation 1:5-7

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me,

What are these which are arrayed in white robes?

and whence came they?

14 And I said unto him,

Sir, thou knowest.

And he said to me,

These are they

which came out of great tribulation,

and have washed their robes,

and made them white

in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God,

and serve him day and night in his temple:

and he that sitteth on the throne

shall dwell among them.”  Revelation 7:13-15

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,

Now is come

salvation,

and strength,

and the kingdom of our God,

and the power of his Christ:

for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,

which accused them before our God

day and night.

11 And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.”  Revelation 12:10-11

May you run to His cross where you will find forgiveness, hope and restoration for your soul!  If you belong to Jesus, live like it; if you don’t, I beg you to run to this faithful Savior even right now!  He died for YOU!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”  Colossians 1:12-14

I want to see you in glory!!!  Let’s be ready!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Nothing Or Something??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #145

18 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abiding In The Vine, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Are you clean?, Are You Ready, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, Grace, Greater is HE that is IN US!, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Something out of nothing

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Nothing Or Something???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #145

 

I have a relatively brief word for us today—and I say ‘us’, for I need this reminder and encouragement today, and thought you might as well.

Jesus’ message to His disciples just before His death, calls us to devotion with a most solemn statement of truth that we need to be reminded of—or maybe it’s just me?  Either way, let’s dig in.

“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

Without Jesus, I would be nothing, but HE took this cracked pot—broken in pieces—and made it all anew by HIS blood, HIS love, HIS forgiveness, and HIS grace.  He gave me (and you, if you’ve been truly born again!) HIS indwelling Holy Spirit to guide me into HIS truth, by knowing HIS WORD, to convict, to encourage, to lead and intercede when we have no words!  OH what a Savior Friend is Jesus, and because of what HE has done in/for me, I can truly be one of God’s creations of ‘something out of nothing’, as Paul made clear.

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:” Romans 3:10

Because I was a lost and wandering sinner (even within and active in a church—a good church) Jesus came to me and broke my heart for my own sin and saved me.  I fell on my face before HIM, broken and wretched—I got up redeemed, forgiven and cleansed.  OH, what a Savior– to do for me what no one else could do, not even myself.  And because of what HE has done, I/we can now say “I CAN”!  All because Jesus said…”I AM”…”I can”….”I will”!  And HE did it all for you and me on Calvary!

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

Press on my friend, if you know Jesus walk on in power, grace, love, and wisdom; if you don’t know HIM, you can by hearing the voice of God’s Holy Spirit calling to your heart to see your sin as sin, to turn to Jesus in repentance of that very sin—yes all of it—and believing/trusting in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine!  OH, what a Savior!  Oh, what a friend!!!  I am praying for you even now!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us into the kingdom

of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”                Colossians 1:12-14

Amen and Amen!!!

Because YOU Are Loved??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #137

29 Friday Sep 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Heaven or Hell, Hell, Hell's Hot, Hell's Real, Salvation, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin

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Because YOU Are Loved??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #137

We often run into people who just can’t believe that anyone cares about them, yet there is a God who not only loves them but has called we whom HE has saved to share HIS love, grace, and care with those around us.  And that’s what I want to share with you today—YOU are loved by the Sovereign God Almighty of all creation and HIS Son, Jesus, and by the power of HIS Holy Spirit Who speaks to hearts today—hearts that will receive that gift of salvation that HE has provided, in JESUS!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

This Jesus who loves us so much that HE gave HIS life for you and me—that we might have eternal life and not eternal death in hell.  But we must see that JESUS is the ONE way to God, the ONE way to forgiveness of SIN (See Matthew 1:21).

“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

And probably the most well-known verse in all of scripture tells us that Jesus loves YOU so much that HE gave HIS life for YOU and me!  In HIM you can find forgiveness for sin, a new life by HIS power and grace, and the opportunity to know HIM in this life, right now, and an eternity with Him after this life is over.  What more could you want?

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

It’s your choice, and as Jesus goes on to share in John 3, your choice has a consequence.  Will you trust Jesus or reject HIM and pay for your own sin in hell?  Choose wisely, there is a test!

“17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”  John 3:17-19

I invite you to come to Jesus and find the greatest reason to praise and thank God for this precious gift of LOVE!  Paul paints an amazing picture of this grace and the attitude of gratitude that it should produce in every believer!  How about YOU?  Life or death?  Heaven or Hell?  But just a note for you skeptics:  why would you want to go to heaven anyway?  You have no need of God now, you don’t care to spend time in HIS presence now, why would you want to spend eternity with a God for whom you have no use?  Only you can answer.  But remember, while it’s your choice, the consequence is out of your hands once you reject Jesus.  Thankful or full of regrets, it’s your choice.

I choose gratitude with the Apostle Paul; I’m so grateful for forgiveness and new life IN JESUS!  Forgiveness or debt?  Light or dark?  Life or death?  It’s your choice!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”  Colossians 1:12-14

His nail-scared hands are still reaching out for YOU!  No one can love you more than Jesus.

Amen and Amen!!!