Tag Archives: examine yourselves to see if you be in the faith

The News Ain’t NEW??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #186

16 Friday Feb 2024

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Advice for the journey, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Good News, Gospel, Nothing New, Now is the time...., One Day Too Late?, Perilous Times Are Here, Perseverance

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The News Ain’t NEW??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #186

“The thing that hath been,

it is that which shall be;

and that which is done

is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing under the sun.

10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said,

See, this is new?

it hath been

already of old time,

which was before us.”  Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

Just as Solomon reminded us in his wisdom, there is “no new thing under the sun”, we can go all the way back to Cain, who hated his brother because his brother followed and obeyed God and His truth, but Cain did it “his own way”, and became so angry when God rebuked him for it, that he rose up and killed his innocent and righteous brother—and my friends, it is still going on today.  The wicked rise us and accuse, persecute, and even kill God’s own, don’t be surprised or deceived thinking that we are immune.  As Paul said, “in the last days perilous time will come”, and my friend they’re here, we’re there, and we must draw near to Jesus that we may be able to “withstand in the evil day”!  Are you standing true?

“By faith

Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice

than Cain,

by which he obtained witness

that he was righteous,

God testifying of his gifts:

and by it he being dead

yet speaketh.”  Hebrews 11:4

Abel not only offered an acceptable sacrifice, but his righteousness spoke even after he was dead.  When we live for Jesus and have HIS righteousness applied to our heart and life, the world will see Jesus in and through our witness of His saving, transforming grace.  The question is, what do others see in me now, while I’m alive?  May we ever pursue His righteousness and reveal it to the world, knowing that it isn’t of me, but Him.

“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

I pray that we will heed the Word of God, and His Spirit speaking its truth to our heart and pressing us on to bring glory to God and draw others to the cross of Jesus, and His saving, cleaning blood.

“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.”  1 John 1:7-9

And lest we forget that we are called to examine ourselves to be sure that we truly belong to Jesus, the words of The Lord Jesus will remind us, that the foundation matters—if our faith isn’t built on the blood of the corner stone, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”, or if we aren’t sure, we need to seek God’s face and ask Him to reveal our own heart to us.

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:20-23

The “news” isn’t new, but just as it was back in the garden, the “liar” of all time (“that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world”, See Revelation 12:9) is still lying and deceiving people, and if we miss Jesus, we’ve missed it all.  It doesn’t matter what your “sin” is, what matters is that you see your sin as sin, repent, and trust to and believe in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine on the cross!  That my friends IS the GOOD NEWS!    Come to Him today, or if you’re His already, live what you say you believe and possess!

“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 all about what Jesus did for me, how can I do less than give my all to Him, live for Him and stand for Him and His Word!

Amen and Amen!!!

Like Jesus Or The World??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #177

21 Sunday Jan 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God of all comfort!, God Still Reigns, God's Judgment, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Wisdom, Good News, Sweet Words or Bitter Words?, Teach The Children

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Like Jesus Or The World???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #177

I was asked about the last post, if I wrote it or had someone else write it; the person said it was more concise than I usually write.  It was a laugh for both of us, as I know I am prone to write more than that, but I try to write whatever I feel led to write.  For today, I don’t know where that will lead, but I just want to challenge each of us to examine ourselves in light of God’s Word.

“For if we would judge ourselves,

we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged,

we are chastened of the Lord,

that we should not be condemned

with the world.”  1 Corinthians 11:31-32

As believers we are called to judge ourselves and to examine ourselves to confirm our relationship with The Lord.

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”  2 Corinthians 13:5

Paul also gives us the way to prove ourselves to be in the faith, and contrary to popular tactics, it’s not to put a nail in a board, or a piece of gum on a tree, or even nail it down with a date, or a profession of faith; it is biblically to examine ourselves to see if The Holy Spirit dwelleth in us, and if our life aligns with The Word of God, and HIS Spirit is known and seen in our lives.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 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…

…. 13 For if ye live after the flesh,

ye shall die:

but if ye through the Spirit

do mortify the deeds of the body,

ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage

again to fear;

but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.”                                   Portions of Romans 8:8-18

I don’t usually stay in only Paul’s writings, but they seem to be fit to our consideration of what God has called us to.  When we come to Jesus, HE transforms us from unforgiven to forgiven, from sinner to saint, from of little use to God to capable of doing “all things through Christ who strengthens me….”!  And Paul makes it clear in Romans 8:9, that if we have not The Spirit, we are not Jesus Christ’s!  God’s Word—not mine!

Paul goes on in chapter 12 to challenge us to be a living sacrifice, what we refer to in Galatians 2:20, as the “crucified life”!  It’s what empowers us to live not only the life described in Galatians but also to be the “living sacrifice” that Paul calls us to in Romans 12.  He also challenges us to reject compromise by not being “conformed to this world”!  In contrast he calls us to let the transforming life of Jesus to have reign in our lives, our witness, and our work in this world.  We are to be “in it” but not “of it”!

“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

My life is to be evidence to the world, that I belong to Jesus.  How can we claim to be His and yet reject HIS ways, HIS Word, and the power of His Holy Spirit to live victorious, sacrificial, crucified lives?  It saddens me to see the Holy Ghost, Heaven sent, blood-bought salvation dragged through the mud by the very people who claim to have been saved by it.

James says it more concisely that I could, so let’s consider this passage from his letter to the saints, and may we spend time this week, examining our own hearts, lives, speech, actions, and most of all if the love of God is pervading our lives or something else?  It’s your choice but choose wisely (and biblically) for there is a test; and it’s probably going to be a “pop quiz”!

“But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth

proceedeth blessing

and cursing.

My brethren,

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place

sweet water

and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain

both yield salt water

and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation (lifestyle)

his works with meekness of wisdom.”   James 3:8-13

Amen!!!

What does your lifestyle say about your relationship with Jesus?