Tag Archives: Romans 12:1-3

…But…God??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #402

02 Sunday Nov 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, but He's still there., By Him We Live, By His Grace, Glory of God, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God Still Reigns, God Who Sees, God's Ability for our Inability!, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Presence Not Presents, God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways

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…But…God???           A Word from THE WORD!!! #402

One of my favorite phrases in all of scripture is this small two words, “but God”!  Oh praise God for that intervention!  How often I have praised God for it, how about you?  One of my dearest ones comes in the New Testament book of Philippians, which doesn’t use the exact words “but God” yet it is a reference to Jesus—God in the flesh.

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

 and took upon him

the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”  Philippians 2:5-8

I’m so glad that Jesus was willing to “but God” (God The Son) took on flesh to die for you and me; and we are called to “Let this mind be in you”—the mind of humility!  How opposite to the culture we live in!  A culture which calls us to focus on self, sustenance of self, and acquisition of gain for self, and applause for self!  When we come to Jesus, we are be focused on our Lord not self!  Paul says it better than I can.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Paul also calls us to understand this in his message to the Roman believers (another one of my favorites also.)

“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

The Psalms are replete with passages that remind us of the “but God” instances in God’s work in drawing us to Himself, let’s consider some today. 

“But God will redeem my soul

from the power of the grave:

for he shall receive me. Selah.”  Psalm 49:15

“If I regard iniquity in my heart,

the Lord will not hear me:

19 But verily God hath heard me;

he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God,

which hath not turned away my prayer,

nor his mercy from me.”  Psalm 66:18-20

“He that is our God is the God of salvation;

and unto GOD the Lord

belong the issues from death.

21 But God

shall wound the head of his enemies,

and the hairy scalp of such an one

as goeth on still in his trespasses.”  Psalm 68:20-21

“Whom have I in heaven but thee?

and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth:

but God is the strength of my heart,

and my portion for ever.”  Psalm 73:25-26

“The grass withereth,

the flower fadeth:

but the word of our God

shall stand for ever.”  Isaiah 40:8

And changing gears a bit, there is a “but God” that we often don’t want to hear; those things that God has done and said that we don’t see, or understand it, or we have a hard time accepting and incorporating them into our lives; for we don’t always want to change!  Really?

“For ye see your calling, brethren,

how that not many wise men after the flesh,

not many mighty,

not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen

the foolish things of the world

to confound the wise;

and God hath chosen

the weak things of the world

to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world,

and things which are despised,

hath God chosen,

yea, and things which are not,

to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

“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.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-12

And one thing that I think we need reminding of in this day and time; a reminder that it is “of God” not of man!

“Who then is Paul,

and who is Apollos,

but ministers by whom ye believed,

even as the Lord gave to every man?

6 I have planted,

Apollos watered;

but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing,

neither he that watereth;

but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth

and he that watereth

are one:

and every man shall receive his own reward

according to his own labour.

9 For we are labourers together with God:

ye are God’s husbandry,

ye are God’s building.”  1 Corinthians 3:5-9

May we stand fast in this evil day and humble ourselves before our God…because our God is able; “but God” gives the increase not man!

“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.”  1 Peter 5:6-7

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s Your Fountain Saying??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #389

22 Monday Sep 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Only One Way, Open The Door to JESUS, Opposition to Godliness, Order my steps, Our God Reigns, Out of the heart, Overcoming By His Blood, Signs of the times?, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Drought, Springs of Living Water, Standing in the GAP!, Sweet Words or Bitter Words?, Take Up YOUR Cross, Words Can Help or Harm?, Words Matter

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What’s Your Fountain Saying??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #389

As I have observed the things going on around us, not just in America, but throughout the whole world recently.  I see us in what Isaiah said of his people.  We are in need of the coals off of God’s fire to cleanse our lips; not just vulgar talk, which seems to come out of every mouth (especially those of public and popular folks), but the mean-spirited talk, the hate-speech (so-called), the language that demeans, ridicules and calls by unkind names and descriptions.  I want to spend some time today looking at the call of scripture to be a holy people, speaking not only “holy” words, but words of truth that are spoken in love to call the listeners to turn to the cross, not the gutter!

“And one cried unto another, and said,

Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts:

the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door moved

at the voice of him that cried,

and the house was filled with smoke.

5 Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man

of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst of a people

of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me,

having a live coal in his hand,

which he had taken with the tongs

from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth,

and said,

Lo, this hath touched thy lips;

and thine iniquity is taken away,

and thy sin purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,

Whom shall I send,

and who will go for us?

Then said I,

Here am I;

send me.

9 And he said,

Go, and tell this people,

Hear ye indeed,

but understand not;

and see ye indeed,

but perceive not.

10 Make the heart of this people fat,

and make their ears heavy,

and shut their eyes;

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart,

and convert,

and be healed.

11 Then said I,

Lord, how long?

And he answered,

Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant,

and the houses without man,

and the land be utterly desolate,” Isaiah 6:3-11

I would like to start at verse 5, for until we have seen God for ourselves, we will never see our sin before the “King, the LORD of hosts”; not the earthly king who was on the throne of Judah, but God Almighty The King of all creation—the very creator of all.  And just like Isaiah, until we see God—Father, Jesus The Son, and the Holy Spirit in reality, we will never see our sin!  And until we see our sinful self, we have no need of a Savior!  Isaiah saw himself as he was—a sinner in need of a redeemer; and when he recognized His need, God saved and cleansed him!  And God will do the same for us, but we must see ourselves as sinners before we will ever come to Jesus!  It’s my story and it can be yours, if you’ll but listen for His voice and heed His call to your heart (See Revelation 3:20, where Jesus says He is knocking at the door—don’t miss His call!)!

Let’s not miss the rest, for after the angel touched Isaiah’s lips and cleansed and redeemed him from his sin, he was able to hear God’s call; and hearing the call, he responded with availability to God’s call, even though the message was a hard one.  Read again what God told him: they’ll see you without seeing; they’ll hear you without hearing; they’ll have hearts but won’t comprehend how much I love and care for them.  They had gone so far that God Himself said they were gone so far astray that they wouldn’t even understand the urgency of their own need to, “see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed”!  How close is our world to this state of being?  Oh, how my heart bleeds for people to see, and to hear God’s call to salvation and holiness!

Then there’s the saddest thing to me; Isaiah asked the hard question, “Lord, how long?”; how sad that Isaiah answered the call to preach, even to a people who wouldn’t (for the most part) hear or heed his message from The Lord!  Oh, my, I can’t help but see this attitude in our culture.  Even in the present crises going on all around us, people aren’t really willing to hear God’s Word—either the written Word of God or respond in faith and obedience to the Living Word, Jesus!

But what about those of us who truly belong to Jesus; what are we doing?  What are we saying?  Is our life an example of holiness or have we become so influenced by the world that our testimony reeks of the sinful world rather that our Holy God?  Jesus himself talks about our speech—the indicator of the heart!

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye, being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 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.

37 For by thy words

thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words

thou shalt be condemned.”  Matthew 12:34-37

Words do matter!  Jesus said even more about the connection between the mouth and the heart.  Oh, may we take His words to heart and examine our speech, our actions and how we are affecting a lost and dying world.  Are we drawing people to the cross or just blending in?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test coming!

“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

In our vernacular, Jesus makes it clear that it isn’t a matter of cleaning up the outside, but to have a transformed heart, so that Jesus can be seen in us—words, actions and attitudes!  Paul had a few things to say about this, he called us to die to self and live unto Jesus, and to stand up and out for righteousness and not be like the world! I encourage you to take Paul’s message to his “brethren” (and sisters) to heart!  I would encourage you to compare verse 3 below to Romans 8:29, and ask God to reveal to me and you what we are we conforming to?  Jesus or the world?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

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

In trying to bring this to a close, I want us to consider the message that James gave to believers—are we spewing the trash of the world, or pouring forth the truth of Jesus’ Word, knowing that real faith is proved by our actions (not just our words!).  What’s coming out of your mouth?  What’s in your heart?

“For every kind of beasts, and of birds,

and of serpents, and of things in the sea,

is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 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 3:7-15

So, the question is this, “Am I/are you full of sweet fresh water of God—the refreshing, redeeming, renewing water of God?  Or have we been so influenced by the world that rather than being conformed to “the image” of The Son of God, we have gone the way of the world and become worldly salt water?  Have we taken the easy road—as Jesus talked about, that “broad way that leadeth to destruction” or have we recognized the Lord of the cross and chosen to walk with Him down the “narrow road…that leadeth unto life”? His way is the only way to God—to heaven—to eternal life with Jesus!  I pray that you will ponder these things; think about Isaiah and consider whether you have seen the Holy God, and bowed before Him in repentance and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours?  It is truly your choice!  But choose wisely, there is a test!  Paul painted an amazing picture.  You will bow!  The question isn’t “if”; but the question is when will you bow?  Will you bow before Jesus as your Lord and Savior while He is calling?  If you don’t, you will bow before King Jesus, the judge with no opportunity for grace.  I’ll simply close with John’s revealing words.

“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…

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.”                                                Portions of Revelation 20:12-15

Amen and Amen!!!

Where is your name written?  What’s in your heart?  Your mouth?

Sweetness Or Poison??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #373

08 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Speaking, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spread the GOOD news!, What's coming out of your heart., What's coming out of YOUR mouth?, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?, What's The Word?, When Is True NOT?, Where are you leading those following you?, Who are you listening to?, Words Can Help or Harm?, Words Matter

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Sweetness Or Poison???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #373

I would like to share a couple of passages from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ own words; words that we need to hear, for words are important, and what you speak does make a difference!  I am amazed at not only the swear words, but the just plain vulgar and crude words and phrases that have become so easily accepted as “ok”, as “appropriate”!  And those of us who try to call those around us to speak better things, get the rolled eyes, for our prudishness.  What does your speech say about you?  Let’s take a look at what Jesus said about our words; are our words sweetness or poison?  It does make a difference.

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye, being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 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.

37 For by thy words

thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words

thou shalt be condemned.

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,

Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39 But he answered and said unto them,

An evil and adulterous generation

seeketh after a sign;

and there shall no sign be given to it,

but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas

was three days and three nights

in the whale’s belly;

so shall the Son of man

be three days and three nights

in the heart of the earth.”  Matthew 12:34-40

Oh, may we hear the words of The Lord Jesus, and take them to “heart”—a transformed heart by the blood of Jesus that cleanseth us from our sin, and gives us a new heart that is made a residence of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said that the treasure that is in our heart will come out—be it good or evil.  He also said even more about the heart being the source of the goodness and sweetness of a transformed life, and the imitator will be revealed by their words.  Yes, we all stumble and miss-speak sometimes, but the nature of our heart (whether we are regenerated or unregenerate will come out) will reveal the truth of our hearts desires; be it to reflect our Lord or the world.  Jesus brought in the New Covenant with His death, burial and resurrection (See Ezekiel 36:26-27, and Jeremiah 31:31-33) which gives us a new heart.  Let’s hear Jesus’ instruction to His disciples.

“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

Paul gives us some great instruction for keeping our hearts constant.  I pray that you will receive the message, asking Jesus to search your heart even as the Psalmist cried, “Search me, O God…”(See Psalm 139:23-24).  Don’t be one of those searching for “signs”, but one who bows before the king for a true look at our own heart.

“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

Oh, precious Jesus, may our words be sweetness and not poison?

Amen and Amen!!!

The Beauty Of Holiness??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #369

27 Sunday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Be ye HOLY, Be YE Steadfast, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Glory To God, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Jesus--our all in all, Listening To God, Living For Jesus, Living Right, Only Jesus, Testify

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The Beauty Of Holiness???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #369

What is holiness?  Technically, the word means to be set apart, but I want us to look at what God calls us, those of us who claim to be Christians, believers, followers of Jesus, to be, different!  Not oddball, but different from the world—which will make us look like ‘oddballs’ to the world.

“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…

….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:

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.” Portions of 1 Peter 1:13-21

Peter reminds us that we have been redeemed, bought back from the penalty of our own sin.  Sin is the issue, but when we are born again, we are transformed, changed from the old man to the new person of God’s transforming grace.  Paul describes this to the Colossian believers.  (See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

“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 1:12-14

We have been changed, and God hath put His Spirit, The Holy Spirit, within us as He promised, and His Spirit empowers us to live holy lives.  My flesh ever fails, but by God’s Spirit, power, and direction, we are enabled to walk victorious lives before a lost and dying world.  But when we join in the world’s flesh-driven desires, it will never lead us up, but rather it will drag us down and ruin our lives, our witness and our testimony before the world!  It’s not what we are called to do.  Paul told the Colossians believers that God has, “delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”!  It’s all about the transforming, regenerating power of Jesus’ blood, by His death, burial and resurrection that gives us power to overcome!  We can live victoriously—yes, we will stumble and fall, for we are human, but as we walk “in the light, as He is in the light” we will find spiritual victory and success by His grace—translated into HIS kingdom….

While there are many voices who claim to speak for Jesus, we are to measure what we hear by the Word of God, not our own will, words and ways.  God makes it clear that we are not our own ‘god’; but many sure do spend a lot of energy thinking they are.

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:6-9

My question for us today is, are we measuring our life by God’s standard or the world’s?  Are we holy?  Jesus said what comes out of our mouth is a reflection of what is in our heart.  What is our speech revealing to the world; are we just mimicking what we hear around us or are we reflecting the holiness of the Lord that we claim to serve and follow.

“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

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye, being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 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 12:34-36

Jesus reminds us that our words do matter.  What is coming out of your mouth?  Mine?  Are they from a transformed heart, or a corrupt one?  I must admit that I am sorely grieved at the language that I hear all around me—people using words that are vulgar, hurtful, vile and often using and taking The Lord’s name in vain.  What comes out of our mouth reveals our heart, even when we don’t want it to.  It takes a lot of prayer, commitment and devotion to stay on track, the Psalmist says it better than I can.

“Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart

to any evil thing,

to practise wicked works

with men that work iniquity:

and let me not

eat of their dainties.”  Psalm 141:3-4

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.”   Psalm 139:23-24

“The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”                Jeremiah 17:9-10

In closing this evening, I share Paul’s great admonition to we who belong to Jesus, to be living sacrifices to our Lord Jesus!  May we renew our minds continually to bring glory to our Lord and lift him up in honor before the darkness around us.

“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 

May we truly “be not conformed” but live holy lives.  How do we do that?  Paul answers for us, we are to “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”!  Not just cleaning up our act but displaying a life transformed by Jesus and His Word!

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.”  1 John 1:6-7

Amen & Amen!!!

But We’ve Always Done It??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #353

01 Sunday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Deniable Truth? Really?, Dignity, Discernment, Distractions, Do all things decently, Do You See What God Sees?, Faithful, Faithful Father--heavenly and earthly, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithfulness, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, How much goodness is enough?, Modesty

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But We’ve Always Done It???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #353

“Charity suffereth long,

and is kind;

charity envieth not;

charity vaunteth not itself,

is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly,

seeketh not her own,

is not easily provoked,

thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity,

but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things,

believeth all things,

hopeth all things,

endureth all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 From the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul’s great treatise about love/charity, where we see not only the attributes of God’s love, but how God’s love is to be reflected in our lives.  Yet the thing I want us to consider today is the message that real love, God’s love, “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth”!  We are to stand for truth in all our ways, yet living and speaking it with love, compassion, and integrity.

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, even Christ:”  Ephesians 4:14-15

We must share truth, whether or not it is well received; our task is to preach, teach and live Jesus before a lost and dying world, even when we aren’t applauded or sometimes not even liked.  But we are to recognize that rejection isn’t necessarily failure, and there are those from whom we are to walk away when they don’t receive the message.  Jesus’ words not just mine.

“Give not that which is holy

unto the dogs,

neither cast ye your pearls

before swine,

lest they trample them under their feet,

and turn again and rend you.”  Matthew 7:6

“Behold,

I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:

be ye therefore wise as serpents,

and harmless as doves.”  Matthew 10:16

Jesus never sugar-coated following Him, but He called us to be wise—to be aware that not everyone is nice—to be discreet and discerning in all of our dealings, for we live in a lost world where we are to be a light in the darkness, and Jesus even told us about the darkness, as we live in a day of darkness and evil on every hand; a day in which even those who claim to be believers in Jesus, think it’s okay to behave, dress, act, and entertain ourselves like the world does.  We have forgotten the admonitions to “be ye holy, for I am holy”! (See 1 Peter 1:16)

“I will therefore that men pray every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.

9 In like manner also,

that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,

with shamefacedness and sobriety;

not with broided hair,

or gold,

or pearls,

or costly array;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness)

with good works.”  1 Timothy 2:8-10

Paul instructed Timothy to teach men and women to live what they profess, with prayer, holiness, and free from anger and doubts, that even our apparel should not be a distraction to others or from Jesus’ truth!  This seems to be a message that we have missed today, for there was a time when people knew the difference between modest and immodest—between tastefully modest and total exposure.  We are to be known for our good works and godly life not our skin show!  Just because it’s “fashionable” doesn’t mean it reflects godliness. Our speech is to reflect the God we serve not the gutter of this world.

“I have written unto you, fathers,

because ye have known him

that is from the beginning.

I have written unto you, young men,

because ye are strong,

and the word of God abideth in you,

and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away,

and the lust thereof:

but he that doeth the will of God

 abideth for ever.”  1 John 2:14-17

James also had much to say about the world and its effect upon our lives, may we take heed to his warnings.  Just because everyone else is doing it (even those who claim the name of Jesus) I must know God’s Word and what it calls me to be, to do, in being a faithful witness of my Lord!

“Let no man say when he is tempted,

I am tempted of God:

for God cannot be tempted with evil,

neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted,

when he is drawn away of his own lust,

and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived,

it bringeth forth sin:

and sin, when it is finished,

bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us

with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits

of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man

be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.”  James 1:13-20

James chapter 4 is where the rubber meets the road (as we would say!). May The Word do its work to lead us to be conformed into the image of Jesus instead of the world.

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”   James 4:4-8

In closing one of my favorite passages of direction, may it speak to you today as The Word does its work!

“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

Let’s be sure that we are being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and The Word, and not conformed to the world!

Amen and Amen!!!