Tag Archives: Hebrews 4:12-13

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!

A Mother’s Moment??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #91

14 Sunday May 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Motherly Wisdom, Mothers, My Grace Is Sufficient

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A Mother’s Moment??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #91

I’m going to take a little bit of a different take on the post for today, and whether it turns out short or long, there are some things I want to share from my heart–the heart of a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a friend, a neighbor, a Bible teacher as well as a learner; but today I’d like to share some of my own perspective of what I see around me.  What I see in the world around me, in my community, in my own family; while God gave every person the right to choose, we seem to have forgotten God’s admonition to us all.

“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.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”  Galatians 6:7-10

It is your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  And the standard is God and HIS WORD!

“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

We will all give an account, and we can choose to walk our own way or God’s way, but there is a difference, and it is seen from the inside out.  Jesus makes that real clear!

“A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word

that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.”   Matthew 12:35-36

“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

And before we return to the words of Jesus, I’d like us to consider the message of James–And if there was ever a message to a people, a people who like to talk about Jesus but then use language more suited to the gutter than civil conversation; a people who talk about loving Jesus and live in sin, immorality, greed, self-destructive habits, dis-regard for life, righteousness, and mostly the God who reigns on HIS Throne!  I’m not throwing rocks, but I am hoping that God can use this message to call people to repentance, to call the lost to repentance and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin; to call His own to holy living rather than being influenced by the corruption of this world which is leading men, women, boys and girls (and yes there is a difference between ‘girls’ and ‘boys’–God created it and HE hasn’t changed HIS mind or the rules!) straight to hell! !  I many will just stop right here and say I’m old-fashioned, and YES, I thank God I am!  If ‘old-fashioned’ means living God’s way and not the world’s; if it means refusing to use words and phrases that are crude and lude; if it means being respectful of others while refusing to compromise my own personal convictions; if it means trying to live with the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ before the world rather than the lusts of this fleshly world.  James says it better than I could!

“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

his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have

bitter envying

and strife

in your hearts,

glory not,

and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above,

but is earthly,

sensual,

devilish.”  James 3:8-14

And in closing, I leave you with the call of Jesus to examine your heart, and please come to HIM in repentance and faith if you don’t know HIM, or in repentance and restoration if you have already been born again.  The days are drawing close to HIS return, I pray that you will be ready.

“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.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them

by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes

of thorns,

or figs

of thistles?

17 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 7:13-23

I pray that you will examine your heart and your mouth–you are influencing someone today!  And I thank God for the privilege of being a mother, and I hope you hear the heart of this mother calling you to come to Jesus either for salvation, if you are lost in sin, or for cleansing and restoration to HIS service if you are HIS own! I pray that all of you know or will come to know the Father of Heaven who loves you so much that:

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

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!!!

If Jesus Is Worthy??? ____??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 19

10 Monday Oct 2022

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus said I could come!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 19 If Jesus Is Worthy???_______???

What will you answer?  If Jesus is worthy, what have you made Him worthy of; your time, or service, your ideas, money, or pursuits, your LOVE?  What is Jesus worthy of in my/your life?

“And I beheld, and, lo,

in the midst of the throne

and of the four beasts,

and in the midst of the elders,

stood a Lamb

as it had been slain,

having seven horns

and seven eyes,

which are the seven Spirits of God

sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book

out of the right hand of him

that sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book,

the four beasts

and four and twenty elders

fell down before the Lamb,

having every one of them harps,

and golden vials full of odours,

which are the prayers of saints.

 9 And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld,

and I heard the voice of many angels

round about the throne

and the beasts

and the elders:

and the number of them

was ten thousand times ten thousand,

and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power,

and riches,

and wisdom,

and strength,

and honour,

and glory,

and blessing.”  Revelation 5:6-12

Jesus IS worthy of all—from all!  If we consider Paul’s message to the believers at Philippi, we might begin to understand the value and worth of our Lord and King to God our Father, which ought to be our song of praise as well.  Will we give HIM the glory? Or take it to ourselves? You see, the question isn’t will you/I bow, but rather when you will bow.  God has declared that “every knee shall bow”, either before Jesus as Lord and Savior in this life, or as judge when there is no recourse or opportunity for salvation.

“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

If HE isn’t your Lord and Savior, HE will be your judge.  You can refuse to acknowledge HIS worth now, but the day is coming when those who refuse HIM, will bow before HIM as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and judge of all.

“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 20:11-14

My friends, the standard for judgment will be God’s Word—whether you accepted it or not–both the written Word and the Living Word, Jesus, who IS WORTHY of all the praise and honor and glory.  And the written Word is the standard by which ALL will be judged!  What worth are you giving to Jesus?  What are you doing with God’s Word?  What are you doing with Jesus? If HE truly is worthy, and HE IS, what worth and value are you placing on JESUS—have you bowed?  Please don’t put it off.

“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

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly,

that God hath made that same Jesus,

whom ye have crucified,

both Lord and Christ.”  Acts 2:36

There is no more important decision that you can consider.  There is no other action that has the ability to give life or death.  Jesus is calling today, and HE will save all who come to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  He loves YOU—He gave HIS life that you might have salvation, forgiveness of sin, and eternal life.  Won’t you come to HIM and see HIS worth—for HIS arms are open to you today.

“All things are delivered unto me

of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever the Son

will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:27-30

Praise and honor and glory to Jesus as we “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!  HE is calling you!

“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!!!

Discerning Or Deceived??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #39

28 Wednesday Sep 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Be Steadfast, Deceit or Discernment?, Deceivers, Deniable Truth? Really?, Diligence, Discernment, Knowing Truth

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Discerning Or Deceived??? A Word from THE WORD!!!  #39

Like many believers today, I am concerned with all that I see going on around me, especially within churches that claim the name of “Jesus” but preach a message that is in direct contradiction to The Word of God.  So, I’d like to share a bit of scripture to remind us all that we won’t be in the majority, but we do need to pursue God’s “right-jority”—for God’s truth has seldom if ever been a popular message with any majority, and we want to align ourselves with God Almighty, Jesus The Son, His Word and His ways, by the power of The Holy Spirit, who indwells those who belong to Jesus, having been “born again” of the Spirit of God!

“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…

   …. 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.”  Portions of John 3:3-7

Paul makes it clear that truth—God’s truth—is spiritually discerned!  Are you being discerning or deceived?

“But we speak the wisdom of God

in a mystery,

even the hidden wisdom,

which God ordained

before the world

unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:

for had they known it,

they would not have crucified

the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written,

Eye hath not seen,

nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared

for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them

unto us

by his Spirit:

for the Spirit searcheth all things,

yea, the deep things

of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man,

save the spirit of man

which is in him?

even so the things of God

knoweth no man,

but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the spirit

which is of God;

that we might know

the things that are freely given

to us

of God.

13 Which things also we speak,

not in the words

which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which

the Holy Ghost teacheth;

comparing spiritual things

with spiritual.

14 But the natural man

receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto him:

neither can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual

 judgeth all things,

yet he himself is judged

of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord,

that he may instruct him?

But we have

the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:7-16

While we can’t ever (nor should we seek to) instruct God, we do have the “mind of the Lord” through Jesus Christ our Lord and we are to yield to the “mind of Christ” via the Holy Spirit, which helps us to walk right before God in humility, grace, and the crucified life. (To see a picture of this see Philippians 2:5-11) And while we should never align with the “majority” of the world, Jesus, speaking of majority, made it very clear that we are walking a ‘narrow road’!  All while there is a “broad way” filled with “many” which leads to destruction; and I fear that many who claim the name of Jesus are proclaiming it from a spot on the “broad way”, for Satan is always painting a picture of health, wealth and popularity that draws to the “many”, but we must be discerning for our own sake as well as the sake of those whom God has placed in our path to influence and help to find/see the “narrow road”!  Check out their behavior, don’t just follow the tune they are singing!

“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.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 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 7:13-23

Knowing this truth, I believe, is at least part of the reason that Paul warns us in his letter to the Galatians, who were also in danger of deceit, to walk in “the Spirit” not the flesh.  We must begin to develop our spiritual senses, if you would, and leave this worldly deceit behind!  Oh Lord, please open my eyes to see what YOU see!  Just because it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, doesn’t mean it IS a duck; it may be a wolf in sheep’s clothes! Watch that behavior, it’s what Jesus said would tell the tale—for us and others!

“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…

…. 25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also

walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16-17 & 25

Peter also broached this subject to the scattered believers and warned them not to be “deceived” by “plastic” words that change with the season, popular ideology, greed, or worldly appeal, and to remember the truth of Jesus and press on; knowing there is a coming judgement of God to prepare for!  Remember God’s Word is the standard by which judgment will come.

“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

And Peter’s warning:

“But there were false prophets

also among the people,

even as there shall be false teachers

among you,

who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,

even denying the Lord that bought them,

and bring upon themselves

swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways;

by reason of whom

the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness

shall they with feigned words

make merchandise of you:

whose judgment now

of a long time

lingereth not,

and their damnation

slumbereth not.”  2 Peter 2:1-3

So, we need to be aware of not only the truth of God’s Word, but that there are also “false prophets” and “false teachers” among us, who desire to deceive us and, as Peter puts it, “make merchandise of you”!  Greed is a great motivator—and there are a lot of greedy people who want to lead us down that “broad road…to destruction”!  So, put on your “whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day”; for the evil day is here—now!  And Paul said it better than I can:

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen and Amen!!!