Tag Archives: Galatians 6:7-9

With Or Without??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #255

01 Sunday Sep 2024

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Great white throne, Guard Your Heart, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Judgment, Judgment Is Coming, Salvation, Saved by Grace Through Faith, The Word

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With Or Without???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #255

Is your life being lived with Jesus, or without Him?  Are you doing things your way, or God’s way.  God makes it clear in the closing chapters of The Revelation of Jesus Christ that it’s all about Jesus.  Before we approach the Revelation, let’s see Jesus’ own words about the decision of most import in life and death.

“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.

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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”  John 3:16-21

Jesus made it very clear to Nicodemus, the religious leader in search of answers; answers that Jesus supplied with insight that we can heed or reject.  The choice is yours and mine—you and I are the “whosoever”—but remember there is a consequence to every choice, and not to be redundant, but Paul said it better than I ever could.

“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.”  Galatians 6:7-9

The issue is, what have you done with Jesus?  Have you been born again, by the blood of Jesus?  If you belong to Jesus, are you living for Him and sharing His truth with others as God gives you opportunity?  If you don’t know Him yet, you can; by the repentance of your sin, and trusting/believing in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin.  Payday is coming, and the only acceptable payment is Jesus. (See John 14:6)

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:11-15

So, the choice is yours; will you live your life with Jesus and His saving, transforming grace; or will you live your own way?  As I said, the choice is totally yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Even as Joshua called Israel so many years ago, “choose you this day”!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Inside Out Or Outside In??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #239

14 Sunday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Inside out or Outside In?, It's All About The Cross, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Living Stones, Living TODAY!, Salvation, Seeing Truth, SIN, Sin IS the issue, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Blood Of Jesus, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Call of God!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Word, This is the Way, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?, Transformed life, Words Matter, Worldliness, You can't get yesterday back!

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Inside Out Or Outside In???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #239

I heard a message today that pricked my heart, for we seldom hear a message which reminds us that, contrary to popular opinion, it’s not what’s on the “outside” that counts; and scripture is replete with teachings that God’s work is always from the inside out (not to say that we are to neglect the outside!)!

“Thus saith the LORD;

Cursed be the man

that trusteth in man,

and maketh flesh his arm,

and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert,

and shall not see when good cometh;

but shall inhabit the parched places

in the wilderness,

in a salt land

and not inhabited.

7 Blessed is the man

that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots by the river,

and shall not see when heat cometh,

but her leaf shall be green;

and shall not be careful in the year of drought,

neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD

search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”                  Jeremiah 17:5-10

We must recognize that we choose to hear the voice of God and respond to Him in repentance and trust in His saving power through the blood of Jesus; or we choose to refuse His call to our hearts and trust in ourselves, the arm of man, or just depart from God, His Son and His Word.  It’s a matter of the heart and what we choose to believe, follow and live out—but we can never live good enough to change our heart, apart from Jesus’ sacrifice.

One of the greatest reminders of this is found in Proverbs 3.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct

thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

The problem is that we have exalted ourselves to think that we are “god”!  But there is only One God and One Way to Him, The Lord Jesus Christ.  You get to choose but the consequence comes without your control.  God gives us the privilege to choose, but the consequences are in His hands.

“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.”  Galatians 6:7-9

Are you listening to God?  Are you sowing to the flesh or seeking Jesus’ provision for being born again and having new life in Jesus.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”   Matthew 7:13-14

“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

Isaiah shares this same message from the Lord to the people of Judah—a word that is also apropos to us today.

“Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people draw near me

with their mouth,

and with their lips

do honour me,

but have removed their heart

far from me,

and their fear toward me

is taught by the precept of men:

14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed

to do a marvellous work among this people,

even a marvellous work and a wonder:

for the wisdom of their wise men

shall perish,

and the understanding of their prudent men

shall be hid.

15 Woe unto them

that seek deep to hide their counsel

from the LORD,

and their works

are in the dark,

and they say,

Who seeth us?

and who knoweth us?”  Isaiah 29:13-15

People who claim the name of Jesus, yet go their own way, not the way of Jesus or His Word are who this passage is referring to.  Whom are you following? Believing? Trusting in?  Ordering your steps after?  Jesus paints one of the most profound pictures of the choices that face us, reminding us that “saying so, doesn’t make it so”.  Are we just talking about Jesus, or have we been transformed by His blood?  Are we being led by His precious Holy Spirit.  (See Romans 8:9, it tells us that if we don’t have The Holy Spirit, we don’t belong to Jesus!)  The Word said it, not just me.  Is your house built on the “Rock of Ages” or the “sand”?   Note that the storms will come no matter who you are—and the foundation does matter—in fact it’s a life and death choice.

“Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree

that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 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.

24 Therefore whosoever

heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one

that heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”                  Matthew 7:17-27

Have you been changed from the inside out—by being born again?  Are you trying to put on a show by impressing others with the outside, but have not received God’s work of salvation to transform a lost sinner into a saint of God?

“The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,

2 Son of man,

thou dwellest in the midst

of a rebellious house,

which have eyes to see,

and see not;

they have ears to hear,

and hear not:

for they are a rebellious house.”  Ezekiel 12:1-2

Rebellion is costly and can cost your soul, or your walk with The King.  It cost King Saul his kingdom—all because he did it his way, rather than God’s.  (Read all of 1 Samuel 14 & 15). There is a point of no return, which forgiveness can’t always restore.

“And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey

is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee from being king.

24 And Saul said unto Samuel,

I have sinned:

for I have transgressed the commandment

of the LORD,

and thy words:

because I feared the people,

and obeyed their voice.

25 Now therefore, I pray thee,

pardon my sin,

and turn again with me,

that I may worship the LORD.

26 And Samuel said unto Saul,

I will not return with thee:

for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

and the LORD hath rejected thee

from being king over Israel.”  1 Samuel 15:22-26

May God open our eyes and show us the true condition of our heart, so that we may receive the true work of redemption and recreation, and live it before a lost and dying world!

“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.”   Romans 12:1-2

Amen & Amen!!!

Truth Or _______??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #101

26 Monday Jun 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Let You Light So Shine, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Trust God, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Truth is True

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Truth Or ________???        A Word from THE WORD!!! #101

All around us we see and hear things that sound so nice but are just a bubble off of plumb.  Yet a half-truth is still a lie, and when it comes to God’s Word, we need to stand in truth for JESUS IS TRUTH; and HE never minced words or backed down from truth.  How about us?

“And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me

and of my words,

of him shall the Son of man be ashamed,

when he shall come in his own glory,

and in his Father’s,

and of the holy angels.”  Luke 9:23-26

To make it even more clear, Jesus was very ‘to the point’!

“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

When I see things that are questionable, I must, I repeat, ‘I must’, go back to scripture.  I am beyond grieved to see so many professing believers in Jesus being led astray, falling for half-truths, lies, and accepting blatant deceit because they “saw it on social media”; all because they want instant biblical maturity but no accountability or investment of themselves!  They somehow have missed the idea of dependence upon God, and the spiritual disciplines, of prayer, Bible study, and assembling together with other Bible believing followers of Jesus.  Jesus said clearly that each of us MUST be willing to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”!

The question seems to be the old, but never changing question that Pilate asked of Jesus, “What is truth?”  The answer is the same yesterday, today and forever!

“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

 Without trying to be redundant, Paul gave his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, some great words that we should all heed (and one way to heed them is to memorize them!)!

“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.”  2 Timothy 2:15-16

And just FYI, I consider much of social media to be “profane and vain babblings”!  Also of note, if you can “rightly divide”, it is implied that you can “wrongly” divide God’s Word! You must decide for yourself!  But choose wisely, there is a test!  And a second message to Timothy gives us the plan.

“Yea, and

all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers

shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving,

and being deceived.

14 But continue thou

in the things which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation

through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:12-17

So, what will you believe and adhere to; “truth” or “consequences”? (And just FYI, perfect here means mature…” unto all good works”)  For God has the final word!!!

“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.”  Galatians 6:7-9

I pray that we will be found busy in “well doing” not just talking about it!  May God grow us in all truth as we pursue HIM and holiness.

Amen and Amen!!!

Firecrackers Of Regret??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #18

01 Friday Jul 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Are You Ready, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Cleansed from all sin, Confidence, Doubt and Confusion?, Firecrackers of Regret!, Forgetting or Remembering?, Forgiveness, Renewing or Reviewing, Restoration, Take Up YOUR Cross, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Blood Of Jesus, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way

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Firecrackers Of Regret???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #18

It’s firecracker time in America, and while I don’t spend much, if any, time or money shooting fireworks, I do enjoy the light show; yet the money that is spent on fireworks always seemed to me like lighting a match to a hundred dollar bill.  We all make choices, and some choose to indulge in the fun and celebration with fireworks.  But I want to talk about the ‘firecrackers’ of regret that we will often endure for more than the few minutes that the firecracker or other fireworks may last—it’s a puff of smoke and it’s gone—yet our life choices can leave us with a continual barrage of regret more like a gatling gun going off in our heart and mind!

How many regrets will you have because you (like me) failed to make godly, biblical choices in life; and the regrets of tomorrow can seldom be erased, nor the fire put out for long.  Believe me, you may sit one day asking God to ease the pain of the choices you are making today, wishing that you had chosen more wisely.  You may find yourself praying for God’s intervention in the painful consequences of your choices—the ones you make in haste, or in anger, or in total rebellion to God and HIS Word, or just that fleshly indulgence that you wouldn’t let go of.  You’ll be praying for “crop failure” as my father (thank God for a praying, loving father) did for me many years ago.  What do I mean?  Well, I mean—you get to plant your crop, but God sets the harvest!

“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.”  Galatians 6:7-9

How interesting as I write this, God reminded me through the music I’m listening to, that no matter how bad we mess up—if we will look to Jesus, we can find forgiveness at the cross, for “Jesus Paid It All” (written by Elvina M. Hall in 1865)!  Yet, obedience will always prevail over regrets, when we are willing to follow HIS Spirit each step of the way (See Psalm 37:23, in fact you can read the whole Psalm for real insight into God’s plan)!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would…

…. 24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.  

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16-17 & 24-25

What are you sowing today?  The choice is yours but remember there is a test.  And for us adults—remember there are little eyes and ears watching and listening, and they WILL copy our actions much more often than just our words.  Again—we “reap what we sow”!  Yet as we think of all that God has done for us, for our nation, for our world—may we fall before HIM, asking Him to “forgive… and to cleanse” us from our “SIN”.  And I’d like to simply share some scripture for us to ponder today (and each day)!  I pray God’s Spirit will direct each of us to hear and obey!

“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 1:9-10

“Righteousness exalteth a nation:

but sin is a reproach to any people.”   Proverbs 14:34

“For whosoever exalteth himself

shall be abased;

and he that humbleth himself

shall be exalted.”  Luke 14:11

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:” Isaiah 55:6

Please don’t watch your life go up in smoke like the fireworks that will light the skies of America this weekend; remember it’s your choice but choose wisely—there is a test—and a consequence!   Will yours be joy and delight as you see the blessings of God abound, or regrets beyond measure? You can try to justify your actions, but God knows your heart and mine, and HIS accounts are sure and certain!  Yet, praise God, HE heals hearts, HE forgives sin when we repent and receive HIS cleansing.  Look up today—Jesus is waiting for you!

“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.

….10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:7-10

I praise God that He has granted me the forgiveness, healing, and restoration that only the blood of Jesus can provide.  He has truly given the opportunity to “restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten”!  Thank you, Jesus!

“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 12:11

“And I will restore to you

the years that the locust hath eaten,

the cankerworm,

and the caterpiller,

and the palmerworm,

my great army

which I sent among you.”  Joel 2:25

I pray God’s blessing on you and yours!  And—Father God, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and precious Holy Spirit—Please bless America!

Amen and Amen!!!

Call It “Rock-It” Science??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No.05

26 Sunday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Ripples, Rock-It Science, Still Will I Trust HIM, Take Up YOUR Cross, Teach The Children, Teachers, Teaching Always, Teaching Children, Witness, Words Can Help or Harm?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 05. Call It “Rock-It” Science???

I never could skip rocks like a lot of kids could, but I remember the effort and more than that I remember the effects of the action.  No matter how or what you threw into the water, the ripples were evident and on-going!  And I have learned, mostly the hard way, that no matter how good we “want” things to turn out, our choice of stones will reveal themselves in time, be it for the good or worse.  Paul said it best!

“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.”   Galatians 6:7-9

Don’t miss Paul’s warning!  “Be not deceived”!  Oh, what a liar the enemy is; Satan is an expert liar, and his only desire is to “steal…to kill….and to destroy”; and he is most expert at it, and we poor gullible humans are so very susceptible to his deceit.  Jesus had so much to say about this reality, and we so foolishly forget, or just plain fail to heed HIS warnings.  And I want to share truth with you, that I pray will help you to heed that truth which the enemy wants you to ignore!

“Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:44-45

Jesus also warned us of his true character:

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd

giveth his life for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

 We must consider truth—for Jesus IS truth—and yet we live amidst a world that is giving it’s all to convince us that truth is no longer true!

“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

Even as Joshua made his conviction clear to a nation unsure of where they wanted to go!  A nation who came to live by a very similar standard as our nation does today!  Where do you stand?

“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 24:15

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Joshua 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Joshua 21:25

Israel came to this state because they had chosen to stand with Joshua before his death in his clear declaration to serve God; but it seems that they didn’t share that faith and truth with the next generation, and they floundered right into the devil’s hands.  It seems to me that we are in the very same straights—and I think, for the very same reasons.  We have compromised on God’s truth and accepted the lies of the enemy and we have passed this air of compromise onto our children and grandchildren.  What God said was wrong 50 years ago is now accepted as common place, and we watch our children and grandchildren live in sin with no compunction, and very little attempted correction on our part.

I don’t mean to be harsh, but why do our children and grandchildren think it is ok to live in immorality, to drink, to swear, to lie, cheat and stand for the lies of the enemy?  I think perhaps because we have remained silent when we should have been declaring the truth of The Word of God AS truth.  And if we truly accept God’s truth AS truth, why are we not calling the next generation to identify with the truth, accept it, adhere to it as those who claim the name of Jesus Christ AS Lord?  I think one of two things; either we don’t really believe it ourselves, or we say we believe it, yet don’t care to hold our children to the truth of God’s Word!

There was a time when churches called their people to holy living, and we held our ground when the world encroached; there was a time when schools didn’t play ball on Wednesday nights, because the church kids were just that—at church—and they didn’t play ball on Sundays—yet those are sensibilities gone by!  It makes me sad.  I remember a certain school where they wanted some church kids to play on their ball team, and they intended to practice on Wednesday nights, and the father said if they wanted his kids to play, they would not practice on church nights.  He prevailed—why aren’t parents willing to take a stand today?  I can’t answer that question!  Can you?

I don’t mean to carry this on and on, but I would like to close with a couple of simple scriptures for our consideration:

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

Saying so…doesn’t make it so!  Doing so can! Are we being a doer or deceived “hearers only”?

“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.

27 Pure religion

and undefiled

before God and the Father

is this,

To visit the fatherless

and widows

in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

 from the world.”  James 1:22-27

Really loving Jesus will reveal itself in our actions, like the ripples in a pond, obeying God and living out our faith like those very ripples—visiting those in need, meeting the needs of the afflicted, and keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world”.  Our choices will show up in our actions; and that my friends will be noticed by others—good, bad, or indifferent.  As I’ve often said—YOU/I are a witness, albeit a good one or a bad one—we are witnesses in all we do!  Someone is watching whether you know it or not!  Jesus makes it clear that it’s not just ‘words’!

“Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 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 7:17-23

Maybe you’re like me, and you’ve thrown some rocks that made harmful ripples, and by God’s grace and forgiveness you have been restored to usefulness in HIS kingdom.  Just take stock of yourself, your heart, your life-choices, and your influence on others; if need be, seek God’s forgiveness, receive it and be cleansed and restored to HIS service.  Or if you’ve never come to Jesus in repentance and faith, please call on HIM today; HE is waiting for you.

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

He’s waiting for YOU!

Amen and Amen!!!