Tag Archives: John 10:10-11

A Christmas Word–Part 1??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #166

15 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, By His Grace, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Creation, Creator, Creator of ALL, Cross, JESUS, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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A Christmas Word–Part 1???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #166

I’d like to spend some time today thinking about the only true ‘reason for the season’, and that my friends is JESUS!  No, He wasn’t born on December 25th, but it is the date chosen to honor our Lord’s birth—the long-awaited coming of The Messiah to Redeem mankind; for all who will believe.  So let’s back up a bit and do a short review of why we need Jesus!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

Why do we need this gift, you might ask; well that’s a good question, and we’ll briefly consider the answer—it’s the reason we trust The Word of God—it gives us the ‘whole truth’.  And that begins in Eden with the first man and woman (And yes, God created them “male and female”, read the account!).  We won’t go into the whole story but just some portions of Genesis 1, 2 and 3; and yes, my friends, I believe the Bible from Genesis to Revelation; I believe that we were/are are created in “the image of God….”!  Let’s dig in.

“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

“Forasmuch as ye know that

ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope

might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:18-21

Why was/is man perishing?  It’s because of sin—it’s the disease; we all have it, we can’t cure it, only Jesus can, how did we get in this shape?  Our first parents failed the test, but in God’s love and mercy HE already had a plan in place to redeem us; He knew we would fail, and He created us anyway—a concept that is beyond my comprehension (and yes, I believe in the Genesis account of creation in six literal days).

“In the beginning

God created

the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“And God said,

Let us make man in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man

in his own image,

in the image of God created he him;

male and female

created he them.”  Genesis 1:26-27

Genesis 2 goes on to fill in some more of the details for us and sets the stage for us to understand.

“And the LORD God formed man

of the dust of the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;

and man became a living soul.

8 And the LORD God planted a garden

eastward in Eden;

and there he put the man

whom he had formed…

…16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying,

Of every tree of the garden

thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge

of good and evil,

thou shalt not eat of it:

for in the day that thou eatest thereof

thou shalt surely die.”   Portions of Genesis 2:7-17

The saddest part of this account to me, is that we failed to believe God, at the prompting of Satan, the great “father of lies” (see John 8:44); how sad that we’re still falling for the same old lies!  But we did eat, and we did die spiritually on the spot, and physically later, and still do! It’s why Jesus so boldly and powerfully reminds us:

“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 10:10-11

Jesus came to give us back the life with God that Satan stole, tricked, and deceived our first parents out of.  How much have we been tricked out of by this ‘liar of liars’? There is a price to pay, and we pay it every day, except as we walk “in the Spirit” with our Lord (See Galatians 5:16 & 25)!  But back to Genesis, He’s our Lord not only because He came, but because God promised HIS coming from before the beginning!

“And I will put enmity

between thee and the woman,

and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head,

and thou shalt bruise his heel.”  Genesis 3:15

Jesus IS the great restorer!  Our great and good Redeemer!  Our soon-coming KING!  This is why I celebrate HIS birth!  How about you?

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is, God with us.”   Matthew 1:21-23

Amen and Amen!!!

Smiles Help! Are You Smiling? A Word from THE WORD!!! #162

06 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abundant Life In Jesus, Changed Lives, Check Your Knees???, Joy, Joy Is Contagious!, Joy of The Lord!, Joy To The World?, Smile if you love Jesus!, SMILE!!! Jesus loves YOU!!, Smiling is contagious, Spread a smile, Spread the GOOD news!

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Smiles Help!!  Are You Smiling? A Word from THE WORD!!! #162

Just a few words this morning to hopefully brighten your day.  Joy and laughter are good for the soul, and many are weary and tired, rushed and stressed with work, home, shopping, spending money—or trying to come up with the money to spend!  These are perilous times and scripture told us they would come, but don’t lose heart—our God reigns and Jesus is coming soon!

“And a voice came out of the throne, saying,

Praise our God,

all ye his servants,

and ye that fear him,

both small and great.

6 And I heard

as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”   Revelation 19:5-6

Oh, Hallelujah sings my soul—as I sit here listening to Handel’s Messiah singing the Hallelujah Chorus, one of my favorite pieces of music—and I am smiling.  How about you.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:

but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”  Proverbs 17:22

I pray that you will find the “joy of the Lord” and smile, through your tears if necessary.  I was trying to encourage a friend recently who is carrying a heavy load of caring for an aging parent in the throes of dementia and heart problems; now not to give away any personal secrets but part of our conversation may help you see that sometimes, lightening the spirit with laughter and light-hearted banter can help.  Our texting conversation was something like this:

       “me:  take one step at a time….

         My friend: can I crawl?

        Me:  not unless you’re wearing knee pads…

My friend:  sending a meme of a woman on the floor rolling up into a carpet…

Me: rolling is fine, but you better watch those corners, they’ll get you….”

No great words of wisdom, or spiritual depth, just a friend trying to make another friend smile in the midst of her tears.  Smiling is ok!  Smiling is good for the soul, the spirit, and the face—especially for those looking at it, and it’s often contagious!

“A merry heart

maketh a cheerful countenance:

but by sorrow of the heart

the spirit is broken.”  Proverbs 15:13

“All the days of the afflicted

are evil:

but he that is of a merry heart

hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure

and trouble therewith.”  Proverbs 15:15-16

Money is nice to have, and friends (real friends) are a delight to the soul, and an encouragement to the downhearted, but I’ve learned that you can’t buy love or friendship, but you can nurture and cultivate both, or you can give up and go without—but that is a most dreary way to live.  I’ve known people like that, and I just smile and say, “Have a blessed day!”—and while it sometimes evokes a smile—and sometimes not so much—but either way, I know I’ve spread a little love, cheer, and kindness.  You never know what that little clerk may be facing, or that teller, or that service person on the phone may be worried about; so spread a little cheer with a smile on your face, in your voice and everywhere you go.  It costs little and can do so much good.

Nehemiah was one who stepped up to help his people rebuild out of chaos, and that under circumstances of great stress and fear, but as they gathered to hear The Word of The Lord, their hearts were sad, yet Nehemiah encouraged them to rejoice in what they had heard from God; rather than sorrow, he called them to rejoice, share what they had with those who had none and to, in my paraphrase, “put on a smile, rejoice in the Lord and spread it around”!  Won’t you do the same, especially as we celebrate the gift of our Redeemer’s birth—HE who came to die in our place, so that we could live!

“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 10:10-11

And that my friends, is something to smile about.  Spread the love of Jesus, smile at the world and don’t be ashamed to wish others a “Merry CHRISTmas”!  Blessings on your day!

With a great big smile!

Amen and Amen!!!

Revival Or Recycle??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #124

20 Sunday Aug 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Born Again, Looking Unto Jesus, Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Remember, Renewing or Reviewing, REvival, Revival or Recycle?, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin

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Revival Or Recycle??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #124

I have what will probably be a short post for today as we’ve been out several times today in the heat and it is treacherous!  I’m hot and tired, but I have a few things I’d like to share this evening for your consideration.  A word that I hope will challenge and encourage each of us to ‘examine’ ourselves before God and be sure that we know whose we are, and what we’ve been called to be and do (if we’ve answered God’s call to salvation)!

As the title implies, I want us to consider the difference between ‘recycling’ and ‘Revival’!  I like to recycle and yet it is often hard to find places to recycle items that need recycling. We often try to apply ‘recycling’ principles to our spiritual life; we want to ‘try over’, ‘try harder’, as a once popular quote implied, putting lipstick on a pig doesn’t’ change the pig!  We often apply these kinds of ideas to life–we don’t want to face God the way we are, yet we don’t really want to live HIS way.  We don’t want to face our sin, we just want to justify it, clean it up, call it something else, or convince ourselves that “everyone else is doing it” so that makes it OK!  God has a different perspective–and revival and recycling are two very different things.  When we sing “Revive Us Again”, we need to understand that revival can only come to people who have ‘come to life’ IN Jesus.

Paul paints an amazing (yet often offensive) truth about sin and life.  I’d like us to consider this truth today.

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved😉

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace

in his kindness toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:1-10

To begin with, “quickened” means to make alive, and the only way for us to have spiritual life is to be “born again” so that we have Jesus’ life IN us (being “born again” is referring to “life” from Jesus, in Jesus, and through HIS blood sacrifice).

“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

And as John went on to record the very words of our Lord, I’d like to simply compile some truths from various portions of scripture.

“….Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  John 3:3

“…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”. John 3:5

“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 10-11

One of Jesus’ most profound statements of “truth” is that “life” is found only in HIM, and from ‘the beginning’, all life came from God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

“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

“All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.    

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.”  John 1:3-4

 So, let’s consider what we have observed; Paul makes it clear to the Ephesian believers that their “new” life came from Jesus, because we were all “dead in sins” until God, through Jesus “when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;”.  We were “dead” in sin, and only Jesus can and will give “new life”!  According to John 1, we see that we can’t work up this “new life”–we can’t inherit it by DNA–we can’t work it up by our “will”–and we can’t receive it because someone else “worked it up” for us!  Only Jesus can give LIFE!  And only those who have life can be ‘revived’!

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people may rejoice in thee?”  Psalm 85:6

Jesus gives us new life, for the merciful God of the universe “gave HIS only begotten Son” that by HIS sacrifice we could have “Life” –real life, abundant life, eternal life!  And HE will revive us when we stumble, because He is ever working to conform us into the image of Jesus!  Oh, what a delight to know that The God of the universe is ever working in/on me.  He’s not recycling sin–but making us into the “image of HIS SON”!

“And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.”  Romans 8:28-30

Are you settling for ‘recycling’ or are you pursuing God’s purposes and revival so that we can experience a move of God among HIS own, and then to see the lost affected by the work of God in HIS own! We can see lives changed and transformed by the power of Jesus’ blood and the work of The Word of God!  Not “BY” works, but unto good works, that Jesus might be seen IN US!  Remember we are in a battle, and we must “suit up” to be prepared!

“Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.”   Ephesians 6:11-13

Suit up my friends, we need revival not just recycling!  May Jesus Christ be praised by our living for HIM–revived, renewed and equipped for the battle.  Remember, we win!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Different Mother’s Day??? Repost of Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 10

10 Wednesday May 2023

Posted by in Broken Hearts, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Grief, Growing in Jesus!, Loss, Mothers

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 10 A Different Mother’s Day???                                            A Repost from May of 2020

I want to share just a brief thought or two today; as most of you know my only daughter was murdered last December, causing this to be a unique Mother’s Day this year.  I simply want to share a few things that have gotten me through this time, and hopefully to encourage other mothers (or anyone) who have unique issues they are dealing with.  The main thing I want to say is the same thing I have said since tragedy struck our lives, ‘God is still God! God is still good! And I still trust HIM!’  I say this only because it is true, and like Paul I can say it because I have confidence in my Lord—the One who saves and keeps me every day!  Without fear, shame or doubt I know I can rely upon HIM!

“Be not thou therefore ashamed

of the testimony of our Lord,

nor of me his prisoner:

but be thou partaker

of the afflictions of the gospel

according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us,

and called us

with an holy calling,

not according to our works,

but according to his own purpose

and grace,

which was given us in Christ Jesus

before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest

by the appearing of our Saviour

Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death,

and hath brought life

and immortality to light

through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed

a preacher,

and an apostle,

and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed:

for I know

whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.”  2 Timothy 1:8-12

It is true because “I know whom I have believed”—and HE is my everything!  And while your issues may be different than mine, God knows where you are, and HE will meet you where you are –for HE knows what you feel!

“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

One of the things that has helped me, is to remember that while I feel sorrow, grief and pain in my loss, God is working His will, His purposes, and His glory all around me.  And after all HE has done, is doing and will do for me, how can I do less than trust myself to HIS care.  He has never failed me!  Never!  And one of the passages that is my “go to” for encouragement I’ll share with you, because often times we experience the evil of the world, and we must trust to our God to take care of things that are out of our control.  I forgive, not because I necessarily want to, but because I am forgiven, and I can trust to God’s love, care and justice to accomplish righteousness and justice in HIS own time.

“Fret not thyself

because of evildoers,

neither be thou envious

against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee

the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself

in any wise

to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off:

but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth.”  Psalm 37:1-9

I know that God has walked with me on the good days, and on the difficult days.  He has heard my cries, seen my tears, and comforted my uneasy frustrations—and HE WILL meet you where you are, if you will but turn to HIM.  If you will walk through this Psalm and practice the instructions in it!

Trust—Delight—Commit—Rest—Fret Not—Cease from Anger!

While these are simple sounding instructions, they are not easy, especially when we are hurting.  But when we practice them day by day and watch our faithful God act faithfully, we learn to rely on His character—His love—His perfect ways—and know that HE will meet our every need.

And besides all this Jesus is our faithful intercessor!  I have a close circle of friends whom I know I can depend on for earnest, diligent prayer; and while I take great comfort and confidence in these dear ones and their care for me, there is One greater than them or me who is ever praying for me!

“But this man,

because he continueth ever,

hath an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Wherefore he is able also

to save them to the uttermost

that come unto God by him,

seeing he ever liveth

to make intercession for them.”  Hebrews 7:24-25

Oh, you have no way to know the comfort, strength and assurance that I take from this truth!  You can trust HIM!  And I’ll have to say that my love and appreciation for Him has increased above measure, not diminished, through these recent months.  You see, we all make choices!  We can choose to allow the enemy to distract, depress and discourage us to the point of dejection—or we can stand fast in the truth that we have a Savior who not only prays for us now, but HE also gave HIS life’s blood for me!  And I can only tell you that going through my daughter’s blood soaked clothing (when we got them back from the police) not only brought the reality of her death ‘up close and personal’ but even more importantly planted a truth in my heart that I pray I will never forget;  Her life was stolen from her by evil, but Jesus Christ my Lord shed HIS blood for me—willingly, lovingly, purposely—for without it you and I would have no hope of salvation and eternal life with God!!!  That truth is ever cemented in my heart and mind and without being gory, I praise God that I see John 3:16 in a new light!  May I never forget!

“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

GOD gave HIS SON for me!  For you!  Won’t you trust in the blood that Jesus shed for your salvation, deliverance, and redemption—that you might have “everlasting life”!  And if you already know Him, and are facing difficult circumstances, sorrow, grief, pain, confusion, turmoil or any other problem, won’t you “fix your eyes” on Jesus right now.  Rehearse Psalm 37, and these other verses and let God apply the soothing “Balm of Gilead” to your heart and soul!  Resist the devil and REST in the ONE who cares for YOU!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

In closing I pray that you will find comfort, hope and encouragement in God’s Word tonight.

“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 10:10-11

He gave HIS BLOOD for me!  For YOU!  Amen and Amen!!!

P.S. I needed this reminder again as much as anyone.  Blessings on your Mother’s Day!

Breathe! It’s OK!!! A Word from THE WORD!!!

22 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Advice for the journey, Comfort, Confidence, Creator of ALL, Doubt and Confusion?, Encouragement, Order my steps, Our God Reigns

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Breathe!  It’s OK!!!  A Word from THE WORD!!! #15

Just a brief word to encourage your Wednesday!  Sometimes we get so caught up in the things—the stuff—the appointments—the running—the doing—that we are almost “holding our breath” and running on imagination!  Well, my friends—breathe!  Just take a deep breath in, thank God for today, and breathe out!  Repeat!  And again!

“The Spirit of God

 hath made me,

and the breath of the Almighty

hath given me life.”  Job 33:4

Sometimes our ‘tunnel’ vision overtakes our heart of faith—we only see the small window of our current crises, and we are prone to forget that our God is still in charge, and HE is trustworthy of our attention!

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying, Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice,

and give honour to him….”  Revelation 19:6-7a

Remember Who is in charge—Who loves you—Who has all the “stuff” covered if we will but stop and “breathe” in Jesus!

“For in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being…”. Acts 17:28a

And I simply want to share a few words of hope, encouragement, and peace for you to breathe in today.  I pray that it will help you as it has me.  We all have those times—so stop, take a few minutes, and “breathe” IN JESUS!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that

he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”  Philippians 1:6

Got it?  Jesus is at work in HIS own every minute of every day—for your good and HIS glory!  Count on it.

“And we know that all things work together

for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”  Romans 8:28-29

I praise God that it is all because of Jesus—NOT me—and you can trust HIM, for HE has never failed me yet—and HE won’t today!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.”  Romans 5:1-3

So, press on in confidence—Jesus is enough!

“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 15:56-58

 Jesus has supplied all we need—look up, walk right, and press on!

“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 10:10-11

Breathe and lean on your Shepherd, Jesus!!!

As the gospel hymn says, “The Longer I Serve Him, The Sweeter HE Grows”! (Written by Bill and Gloria Gaither.).

Amen and Amen!!!