Tag Archives: John 8:12

Follow The Leader??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #477

21 Friday Aug 2026

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, When Is True NOT?, Where are you leading those following you?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who are you listening too!, Who will you believe and follow?, Who will you SEE?, Who's following you?, Who's Listening?, Whole Earth Is Filled with HIS Glory

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Follow The Leader???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #477

We all remember playing the child’s game of follow the leader; and everyone wanted to be the leader—some were creative, some were always trying to trip everyone up, some were stop and go, some were just confused and caused everyone to fall down.  Well, our world is much the same; there are “leaders” crying all around us ‘follow me’, I have the answer—the solution—something brand new—a way out of all your problems—the way to health—the way to wealth —the way to happiness!  Yet God is calling us to a different path; holiness is the call of God, and following Jesus is the only way to find it; and that way is to be born again through the “blood of the Lamb that cleanseth us from all sin”, and to pursue Jesus through God’s Word. (See 1 John 1:7)

“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

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

 judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 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:”   1 Peter 1:13-19

Jesus hasn’t changed and neither have the rules!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

John recorded a lot about ‘following’ the leader, Jesus.  Let’s consider some of them, asking ourselves if we are truly following Jesus?  Is He my leader?  Or are all the other things of this world calling me away from my Lord and Shepherd—my Leader?

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am

the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”   John 8:12

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

As Jesus spoke these things, He was not well received, and we need to be prepared to face opposition when we speak His truth—for HE IS the “truth”!  He told us in advance what we would face!  Are you prepared by setting HIS Word as the priority for your life?

“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

Interestingly enough, John was the Apostle who survived all the others, yet he suffered great persecution; with all that, he was the one to whom the precious Leader and Lord gave the Revelation of Jesus!  Remember when you read and study the book of The Revelation, that it IS the revelation of “Jesus” not all the signs and wonders—it’s about our Leader!

In closing a message that Paul gave to his son-in-the-ministry, Timohty; a word that is timely for us. May we examine our life and ask God to help us truly realize whom we are following.  May Jesus be our focus each and every day.  God bless you to find the truths revealed in His Word by the precious Holy Spirit who indwells every genuine believer!  And note, you can’t “remember” anything that you haven’t yet “membered” (if you put it in, God will bring it out when you need it!)

“But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things

to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.”  John 14:26

And Paul’s words again remind us that character matters—they should resemble The One we claim to be following! Let’s be known as those who are genuinely following our Leader, Jesus!

“For the love of money

is the root of all evil:

which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through

with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God,

flee these things;

and follow after

righteousness, godliness, faith,

love, patience, meekness.”   1 Timothy 6:10-11

“Flee also youthful lusts:

but follow

righteousness, faith, charity, peace,

with them that call on the Lord

out of a pure heart.”  2 Timothy 2:22

I pray that this will be an encouragement and a blessing to you today.

Amen and Amen!!! 

Christmas Fortnight Day 5 A Word from THE WORD! #417

16 Tuesday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, Christ IN YOU, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Christmas Ponderings, the hope of glory!, The Joy of The Lord!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Light of The World, The Love of God, The manger leads to the cross, The Mind Of Christ

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Christmas Fortnight Day 5   A Word from THE WORD! #417

I love the music of Christmas, and we often attend the ‘Living Christmas Tree’ at the FBC in Lawton; while we were unable to attend this year, all I can say is Hallelujah at the beauty of their presentation.  It always brings to mind the beauty and glory of the story of Jesus—all the story–that Jesus is THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”   John 8:12

Jesus was speaking this of Himself.  He was, is and ever shall be

The creator of light,

For HE is light,

and when we follow HIM, we can

not only SEE light

but also HAVE light!!!

Wow!!  When Jesus lay in that manger there wasn’t a “hallow” of light around Him, but there was the glow of His nature of light.  The same kind of glow that we see on the face of a precious saint of God who devotes themselves to loving and serving Him with their whole heart.  People ought to see Jesus IN us—in our lives, our actions, our testimony—which usually comes out of our “tests”.  As I heard someone say once, “If you’ve never had a trial or a test, then all you have is the ‘monies’!  How true!  What do you have?  Who is in you?

“…Christ in you the hope of glory….” (See Col 1:27)

In John 9:5 Jesus said,

“As long as I am in the world,

I am the light of the world.” 

His very presence brought God’s light into the world.  And John 1:4 tells us that,

“In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.” 

Jesus brought HIS LIGHT to bring us LIFE –

and His Life gives us Light.

As Matthew reminds us,

EMMANUEL—God with us!

Is He with YOU?

“In whom the god of this world

hath blinded the minds

of them which believe not,

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,

who is the image of God,

should shine unto them.”   2 Corinthians 4:4

Jesus came to make that LIGHT available to all—

to bring light into the darkness.

Do you have Light?

Do you SEE?

HIM?  Light?  Life?

Choose LIFE!  Choose JESUS!

His children then, are ‘ornaments’ of His light—

Matt 5:14a “Ye are the light of the world….” 

His blood changes darkness into light.

Have you been changed?

Do you need a light?

Our job?   To be a reflection of His light in us, before a lost and dying world!

“That ye may be blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst

of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;”                Philippians 2:15

HIS light shining through US!

So,

look to the light,

believe in HIM,

and when you do, you can be HIS ornament that shines HIS story to the world.

Amen & Amen!!!

A Friday Tidbit??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #358

25 Friday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Dare To Be Different!, Darkness or Light?, Light In The Dark, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Listening To God, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living For Jesus, Living in Christ, Living Right, Looking Unto Jesus, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Light of The World, The Little Things., The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God, The Mind Of Christ

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A Friday Tidbit???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #368

Are we just “calling Jesus Lord”; or are we truly bowing before Him as Lord of our heart, our soul and our life—how we walk—how we talk—how we respond to conflict—how we treat others!  Are we just “talking” the talk, or are we truly “walking” the walk that matches God’s transforming work of salvation?  Remember, sometimes, even often times these days, we will pay a price for “speaking the truth in love”; so be prepared to “withstand in the evil day…”! (Please read 1 Peter 2:11-25 also)

“Blessed are they which are persecuted

for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil against you

falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice,

and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:10-16

Also, don’t forget that we can only reflect light, The Light of the world—Jesus!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”  John 8:12

Like the moon, we have no light of our own, but when we come to Jesus and are born again, we are to be a reflection of this very “light of the world “!  I pray that we will seek the face of the Savior and Lord and be the truest reflection of His light that we can be!  Some lost soul may be depending on the light that you and I are to be shining!  May we be found faithful to our Lord!  May the world see Jesus in our lives as we heed the Word of God and yield to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Take note of the words of the Apostle Paul—shine my friends, let’s shine!!!

“For it is God which worketh in you

both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be

blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst

of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;”   Philippians 2:13-15

Amen and Amen!!!

Know Him-Love HIM-Do You??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #232

26 Wednesday Jun 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Broad road or the Straight Gate?, Building up or Tearing down?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Confidence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Forgiveness, He was born to die for our sin, He's Alive, Hearing God, Heaven or Hell?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, The Word, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Turn to God's Word

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Know Him-Love HIM-Do You??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #232

We talked last time about being still and knowing that God IS God, and in this crazy, troubled, uncertain world it’s often hard to be still; yet we need to remember our childhood lesson to “stop, look, and listen”, stop running from God and turn around running to Him, looking up to seek His grace, mercy and wisdom, and listening to His direction for our lives…oh, what a difference we would see and know!  Take some time today to stop for a few, look up to Jesus, and listen for His voice; He is ever ready to meet you where you are—and He already knows where you are and what you really need!

“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

Jesus calls us to Himself!  Have you heard the voice of Jesus calling you?  Are you already His, but you’re confused, tired, frustrated—let go and listen to your shepherd—Jesus!!!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

Jesus is Lord—He is my shepherd—He IS God—and He IS coming back soon!  Are you ready!  Live today with Him, for Him and by His power, grace and truth (dig into His Word!!!)!  Who do you belong to?  Jesus?  The world?  Your fleshly desires and lusts?  Your greed?  Your goals?

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”  John 8:12 

Get out of that dark cellar and look to the “light of the world” and follow Him. Again remember that childhood song we all sang about letting our “little light shine” and the refrain that taught us to not “let Satan blow it out”!  The enemy is ever after us, but we have victory in Jesus when we but stop, look and listen!  (that might make a great song…)!  And if you don’t know Jesus, don’t miss His voice calling you—the wrong way will always look appealing, but it leads the wrong way and only brings destruction and death.  Let’s examine Jesus’ call to all!  A call to His own to shine as a reflection of the true light of the world; if you don’t know Him, He calls you to choose the straight/narrow way and walk with Him.  The journey isn’t easy, but He is ever faithful to walk with us!

“Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus’ great warning of the difference between the two roads; the two choice that we each face; it’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test (and a consequence—you are free to choose but the choice carries its own consequence.)!  Jesus knows your heart!  As my mother used to say, “You can fool all of the people some of the time; you can fool some of the people all the time; but you can’t fool God!” Remember, the majority isn’t always right!  Will you be part of the “few” or the “many”?

“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

“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 7:21-23

God is ever faithful to care for His own.  Jesus has never failed me, and HE won’t fail you either.  Jesus knows His own and He always cares—delivering right on time; and His Word is the standard not the opinions of the world—regardless of how popular they seem to be!  Trust Him today if you haven’t!

“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.

14 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 4:12-16

May the grace and love of Jesus overflow your soul today!

Amen and Amen!!!

The Best Christmas Lights Of All? Bible Ballistics: Repost of BBs #320

16 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Christmas, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Every Knee Shall Bow, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #320 The Best Christmas Lights Of All?

An edited Repost from 2016—I pray that it will be an encouragement to us all.

 

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light

of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light

of life.”  John 8:12

Jesus IS the “light of the world”!  He not only created light but He Himself IS light.  Jesus came into this world to BE the ONLY way to God.  And the very best ‘Christmas lights’ that we can display is a life lived by the power of the cross of Jesus Christ, to be a reflection of God’s light, truth and glory in a world of darkness.  We need to shine that light regardless of the darkness and blindness of those who will not see.  After all Jesus Himself was rejected by those who wanted to stay in the darkness.

“In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light

shineth in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:4-5

Jesus is the creator and sustainer of life who He came into this world to deliver those who will believe in Him, from the penalty, power and eventually even the presence of sin.  It’s what HE came to do, and when our light shines for Him we can share that Good News with those in need of Jesus and His saving grace!

“Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

Our light is to shine for Jesus (Our light IS Jesus!), even when people around us reject the light, or even ridicule and persecute us for our faith in Him.  We can expect the same treatment that our Lord received.

“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.”  John 3:16-19

There will always be those who reject the light, but when we belong to Jesus, His light has been planted within our hearts and it should be the pursuit of our lives to let HIS light shine through us.  We can hide our light or let it shine for HIM!  Just as the moon has no light of its own, neither do we; apart from Jesus (See John 15:5), and much like the wonder of an eclipse, we can be a clear reflection of the light of Jesus shining His light onto those around us, or we can let the world “eclipse” our light and have little to no effect on the people around us.  May we all strive (especially during this time when people are more open to the news of the “Babe in the manger”) to be the “Best Christmas Lights Of All”?

God’s purpose before the creation of the world was the redemption of man—He knew we would sin before He created us and He loves us so much that He created us anyway!  He chose Abraham to be the father of Israel and provided that through his seed the Messiah would come.  And God also promised that He would be the Savior of all who would believe, whether Jew or Gentile.  Just as John wrote, “God so loved the world, that he gave”.  God sent Jesus that we might have life in Him, through the salvation that He would purchase at Calvary.

A baby born to die for our sin—that’s how much God loves YOU!  And if you know Him, shouldn’t your light be shining brighter than any string of decorations?

“Thus saith God the Lord,

he that created the heavens,

and stretched them out;

he that spread forth the earth,

and that which cometh out of it;

he that giveth breath

unto the people upon it,

and spirit

to them that walk therein:

6 I the Lord have called thee

in righteousness,

and will hold

thine hand,

and will keep thee,

and give thee

for a covenant of the people,

for a light of the Gentiles;

7 To open

the blind eyes,

to bring out

the prisoners from the prison,

and them that sit in darkness

out of the prison house.”  Isaiah 42:5-7

God opens the blind eyes to see their own sin (If they will but hear the voice of His Spirit!) and He will deliver them through the sacrifice of Jesus, when they will believe in Him.  He loves you and me today and wants us to come to Him.  We can choose light or darkness.  What are you choosing today?  If you don’t know Jesus, He is calling to you today—if you will but respond in repentance of sin that you can’t fix, and believe in the death, burial and resurrection of the ONE who came to fix/pay for your sin and mine.  It’s why He came.  And coming to Him will enable His light to shine from within you and me, for He places His peace, light, joy and love in our hearts.

“And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.”   Romans 5:5

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;

but righteousness,

and peace,

and joy

in the Holy Ghost.”   Romans 14:17

So SHINE!  SHINE the “the light of the world” TODAY!

Amen and Amen!!!