Tag Archives: Hebrews 13:8

Knowing The Faithful Shepherd??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #183

09 Friday Feb 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding In Jesus, Advice for the journey, Are You Ready, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Assurance IN GOD!, Blessings from the Psalms, Born Again, Christ IN YOU, Green pastures, Peace, Peace of God, The fourth man in the FIRE!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God, The Only Way, The Same Yesterday

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Knowing The Faithful Shepherd? A Word from THE WORD!!! #183

As I sit here writing this morning, my heart is full of God’s grace, but at the same time it aches for the pain of loss.  A good friend will be laid to rest today; another good friend is ministering to her family as they bid farewell to their father.  When you reach my age, seeing your friends and loved ones leave this world seems to be a “state of affairs”; the question is, have I told you about Jesus?  Do you know “The Shepherd”?  I’ve told my husband lately that I’m beginning to feel like I have the plague, as all my friends are seemingly dropping like flies, and I wonder, “Is it me?”  But we all know that as scripture says:

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

So I simply want to ask you, “Do you know Jesus, The Great Shepherd”?  Are you prepared to leave?  He is waiting for you if you don’t.  And if you have come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine, then you can boldly say “HE IS my shepherd”!  May you be encouraged, refreshed, and assured of His presence, power and protection as you walk today in this crazy world.

“The LORD

is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down

in green pastures:

he leadeth me

beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth

my soul:

he leadeth me

in the paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk

through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest

a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest

my head with oil;

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me

all the days of my life:

and I will dwell

in the house of the LORD

for ever.”  Psalm 23:1-6

Oh, I pray that you know this precious Shepherd, and that if you don’t you will run to Him today!  Calvary was, is and ever shall be a place of salvation, redemption, and transformation, as well as a place of life, love, and peace.  May you find the restoration that He gives as your hope for the journey.  He has comforted me in sorrow, He has lifted me when I fell flat, He has made the way clear with the path was blocked by spiritual boulders, He has never failed, and He never will!  I praise Him and thank Him even right now for the comfort that heals the broken heart; even though its pain is often recurring, HE never fails to touch the pain and bring unexpressable relief for each moment of pain!  May you know the blessed peace of JESUS today!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

 and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Amen and Amen!!!

Who’s Watching Right Now??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #114

28 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Children, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU

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Who’s Watching Right Now??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #114

“Give ear,

O my people,

to my law:

incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth in a parable:

I will utter dark sayings of old:

3 Which we have heard and known,

and our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children,

shewing to the generation to come

the praises of the LORD,

and his strength,

and his wonderful works

that he hath done.

5 For he established a testimony in Jacob,

and appointed a law in Israel,

which he commanded our fathers,

that they should make them known

to their children:

6 That the generation to come

might know them,

even the children which should be born;

who should arise and declare them

to their children:

7 That they might set their hope in God,

and not forget the works of God,

but keep his commandments:” Psalm 78:1-7

God wants us to lead our children to HIM, and yet if our lives don’t match our ‘words’ or the mask we wear at church or in other public places, those little eyes and ears will know what’s real and what’s fake.  It seems that we are often more concerned with impressing people who don’t care, rather than impressing our own children.  When was the last time you shared your story with your children?  Have you been open and honest about your failures–even when we need to apologize to our children!  Yes, I said there are times when we need to apologize to our children for our failures, misunderstandings, and negligence–after all they usually already know and know we’re just covering up!  Truth is not only a powerful tool, but even more importantly HE is the very person of Jesus Christ!

“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

Do you believe this?  Have you told your children that you believe it?  Have you helped them come to HIM personally?  There is nothing more important than helping our children to be prepared to hear HIS call, to recognize HIS voice, to desire to know HIM because they see HIM IN US?  Are you living out the never changing character that Jesus desires for us to possess?

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

“We love him,

because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:18

Paul paints a great picture of what we are to be before the world; and who more importantly than our own children?  Renewing our minds in Jesus and helping our children to know HIS ways through not only The Bible, but according to what they see in us!  And what they see in us has way more impact than we think!

“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

And in closing, as we try to do right with the “measure of faith” that has been given to us by God’s grace, love, and the power of the cross, may we pursue one of my favorite passages on parenting; not that I’ve always lived up to it, but my desire is to pursue it diligently.  May HIS Word and way pervade our life?

“Hear, O Israel:

The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign

upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts

of thy house,

and on thy gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:4-9

And God goes on to tell us that there will come a day–when we will have the opportunity to share what God has done and IS doing in our lives; and I believe if we’re living what we profess, it will bear fruit!!!

“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying,

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God

hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:”   Deuteronomy 6:20-21

Will our testimony match what our children see?  There are little eyes and ears watching and listening to you and me!  Every Day! TODAY!!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Eyes On Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #100

23 Friday Jun 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Blessed by God, Encouragement, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Father--heavenly and earthly, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Father's Way!

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Eyes On Jesus???        A Word from THE WORD!!! #100

 

Life happens–trials come and go–difficulties distract us–people annoy us–demands are hovering over our head–dishes to wash–grass to mow–wheeling, dealing, and feelings, all weigh on us seemingly continually–so what do we do?  God’s Word always gives me the answer; and while I don’t always want to hear it and obey; The Word of God IS all I need. For believe me, my friends, JESUS IS The Word of God!  He is the living Word, and the breath of the written Word, and it never fails, if I will but heed its love, wisdom, and provision.

So, let’s receive a bit of advice from God’s Word this morning…..

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

This amazing passage gives us great advise about God’s work in our lives, but it’s built on chapter 11, which we often call the hall of “faith”, and while people seem to focus on the first 2/3 of the chapter with Abraham (a rich man), Moses (a powerful man), we often overlook the last part of the book, which reveals the hard truth that real faith often suffers for standing true.  It’s not the ‘name and claim it’ mentality, it’s very far from the ‘prosperity’ teaching of many, but God calls us, you and me, to a life of faith in Jesus, NOT our circumstances; for it is God to whom we will give an account, and the standard will be HIS WORD not the world’s/man’s words or ideas!

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are

naked

and opened unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

When our faith is in God not our circumstances we can stand fast in trials, tests, and difficulties as well as times of visible blessings. So, for our consideration today, let’s look at the “other” part of Hebrews 11, those who endured grievous trials–the “others” of faith; for our sufferings aren’t just God’s working “IN” us but it is also HIS provision for those affected by our faithfulness to what we say we believe, and “in whom” our faith is placed–JESUS!

“And others

had trial of cruel mockings

and scourgings,

yea, moreover

of bonds

and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned,

they were sawn asunder,

were tempted,

were slain with the sword:

they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins;

being destitute,

afflicted,

tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:)

they wandered in deserts,

and in mountains,

and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all,

having obtained a good report through faith,

received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing

for us,

that they without us

should not be made perfect.”  Hebrews 11:36-40

No matter which path God leads me/us on, I pray that I/we will be as faithful as they were?  That’s the meaning of chapter 12:1-2; we are to remember the faithfulness of others, not a stadium of people cheering us on, but a “great …cloud of witnesses” who have found GOD faithful, no matter their circumstances.  Where is your faith standing?  Is it in the Redeemer of your soul, or your circumstances!  Do you welcome the accolades, but reject the suffering?  Yes, we can stand on the promises of God, but God never promised us a life of ease, rather Jesus warned us that if we are following Him and His will there will be trials and opposition!  WILL–not–MAYBE!

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him that sent me.”   John 15:17-21

Our power, praise, provision, and hope is in The One who died for us and redeems us unto HIMSELF!  I belong to Jesus, so my past is forgiven, my present is secure in HIM, and my future is with THE ONE who is coming soon–‘that where HE is we will be”, blessings beyond measure and more than we can “think or imagine”!  All because of JESUS’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for ME–for YOU!  Looking unto Jesus!  If you know HIM, follow Him closely, if you don’t, call upon HIM today, He will deliver YOU!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

I pray that this will lift you up today, for we all have down days–but we have the victorious, glorious, King of the universe who loves us, so run to Jesus!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

As Jesus said so long ago:

“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.

21 To him that overcometh

will I grant to sit with me

in my throne,

even as I also overcame,

and am set down with my Father

in his throne.”  Revelation 3:20-21

Amen and Amen!!!

PS–This was for me today as much as for you!  Prayers for your day and the coming week, may God bless you as you pursue HIM!

Who Will You SEE??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #74

08 Wednesday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Come to Jesus, Come To Worship HIM, Judgment, Just Jesus!, The Word, Who will you SEE?

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Who Will You SEE???       A Word from THE WORD!!! #74

A simple but profound question for today; there is a day coming for each of us, and our choice in this life will set our eternal consequence; what will you choose?  We will either see Jesus our Savior, Lord and King and spend eternity with HIM, or we will face HIM as our judge at the Great White Throne of judgment and find that our choice about Jesus was the wrong one, and face eternity in the Lake of Fire.  Not a subject that most want to discuss today, but a subject that I feel led to state simply with the truth of God’s Word not mine!

“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

Jesus Himself shared this with Nicodemus who came to Him to know truth, which Jesus provided.

“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

Even as Jesus told Nicodemus earlier:

“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.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

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.”  John 3:3-7

“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 1:12-13

The test question is simply, “What have you done with Jesus?”  Have you been “born again” or not.  The question isn’t “will you bow” before King Jesus; but rather when will you bow?  For God says that “every knee shall bow” and “every tongue… …confess that JESUS IS LORD”!  Will you bow before The Lord Jesus in this life and receive HIS forgiveness for your sin, or will you bow before HIM as your judge with no opportunity for salvation by grace through faith?

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:8-11

Jesus will be the judge and HIS WORD will be the standard.  No matter how much the world says that there are new rules–God hasn’t changed, nor will HIS Word.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday,

and to day, and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”   Hebrews 4:12-13

The choice is yours!  Will you bow before Jesus, seeking His forgiveness of your sin (which HE paid for at Calvary with His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our salvation) and receive His new birth, or reject HIS love, grace, and provision for you to spend eternity with HIM?

“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 1:14

The choice is yours, what will you do?

“For as the Father raiseth up the dead,

and quickeneth them;

even so the Son quickeneth

whom he will.

22 For the Father judgeth no man,

but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

23 That all men should honour the Son,

even as they honour the Father.

He that honoureth not the Son

honoureth not the Father

which hath sent him.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that heareth my word,

and believeth on him that sent me,

hath everlasting life,

and shall not come into condemnation;

but is passed from death

unto life.”  John 5:21-24

It’s your choice, but there is a test coming!  Please receive this KING who loves you and died for your salvation.  He paid the price so you don’t have to, but you must come to Him in repentance and faith, trusting to HIS perfect sacrifice!  I pray that you will heed His call while there is still time.

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Please join me at Jesus’ table for eternity!!!

Whose Side??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #71

01 Wednesday Mar 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Be not conformed to this world, Be YE Steadfast, Come to Jesus, God's Judgment, God's love, His Mercies Are New Every Morning, Holiness, Judgment, Just Jesus!

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Whose Side???        A Word from THE WORD!!! #71

I have a simple but hard word to share this morning.  I am so grieved over the things I see around us–especially what I see and hear coming from the “churches”!  Much like Jeremiah, I grieve over the corruption, greed, lust, and just plain old SIN that is being accepted, promoted, and justified!  God hasn’t changed nor has HIS Word; but it seems that we have.

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

We have presumed upon God’s mercy and grace and tried to make our sin a non-issue; but my friend SIN is the issue and no matter what the popular voices may say being born again makes us a new creation IN JESUS; it’s not a ‘get out of jail free’ card!

“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

It seems that America (our whole world) has rebelled and denied the God who has been the One we have claimed to trust.  It appears to me that God has become not only a “byword”, but just a token that we name when we are in need, or tragedy or crises… we talk about God and prayer, but our lives reveal a total disregard for HIS ways, HIS Word and HIS SON, JESUS!  But there is a day of testing, and judgment coming–which side will you be on?  Paul gives us a warning that many neglect, but it is true, no matter what the movies, books and false prophets say!

“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

And if I might add a note from Jeremiah (which I hope to dig into next week, as The Lord leads) who was grieved over the fall of Jerusalem and the captivity of his own people, because they rejected his word for some 40 years (and God’s for longer). While God is merciful and I pray for His continued grace and mercy toward us, His judgment is coming.  Will you be on HIS side?

“It is of the LORD’S mercies

that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning:

great is thy faithfulness.

24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul;

therefore will I hope in him.

25 The LORD is good

unto them that wait for him,

to the soul that seeketh him.

26 It is good

that a man should both hope and quietly wait

for the salvation of the LORD.”  Lamentations 3:22-26

While God is merciful, judgment is coming, will you be among the deceived who reject HIS mercy, grace, and salvation in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN, or will you believe and be saved?

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold, now is the accepted time;

behold, now is the day of salvation.)”.  2 Corinthians 6:2

I pray that you will heed the voice of the Lord if HE is speaking to your heart and calling you unto Himself; that you won’t wait and try to come one day too late!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!