Tag Archives: The choice is yours–but there is a test.

Do We See What God Sees??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #365

16 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Ears that hear not, Enabler or Transformer?, Eternal Consequences, Evil and Adulterous Generation?, Examine Myself?, Eyes that SEE HIM, Eyes that see not, God Is In Charge, God Knows His Own, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's glory NOT mine!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, God's measure isn't ours, God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Wisdom, Gospel, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Growing in Jesus!, Have you not heard, Have you not seen?

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Do We See What God Sees???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #365

“Blessed be the LORD,

that hath given rest unto his people Israel,

according to all that he promised:

there hath not failed one word

of all his good promise,

which he promised

by the hand of Moses his servant.

57 The LORD our God be with us,

as he was with our fathers:

let him not leave us,

nor forsake us:

58 That he may incline our hearts unto him,

to walk in all his ways,

and to keep his commandments,

and his statutes,

and his judgments,

which he commanded our fathers.

59 And let these my words,

wherewith I have made supplication

before the LORD,

be nigh unto the LORD our God

day and night,

that he maintain the cause of his servant,

and the cause of his people Israel

at all times,

as the matter shall require:

60 That all the people of the earth may know

that the LORD is God,

and that there is none else.

61 Let your heart therefore be perfect

with the LORD our God,

to walk in his statutes,

and to keep his commandments,

as at this day.”  1 Kings 8:56-61

As Solomon and the people of Israel celebrated the completion and dedication of the temple that Solomon had been called to build in his father’s place (See 1 Chronicles 28:3); all had gathered to offer sacrifices and offerings as they rejoiced at the presence of God in their midst.  Solomon praised God and prayed for His continued blessings on the people—sadly many failed to continue in God’s ways, including Solomon (See 1 Kings 11:3), because they chose to go their own way and disregard the law and commands of the God they were praising ‘today’!  How about us?  What are we doing today—both inside and outside of the ‘house of The Lord’!

What does our life say to the world? Why did Solomon proclaim all of these things?  Why was he challenging his people to be found faithful to God?  I think verse 60 says it all.

“That all the people of the earth may know

that the LORD is God,

and that there is none else”

What is my life telling the world about my God?  Is God seeing a true reflection of Himself and Jesus in me?  Jesus said something similar Himself as He prayed for us in John 17, just before going to the cross for us.

“That they all may be one;

as thou, Father,

art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me

I have given them;

that they may be one,

even as we are one:

23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.”   John 17:21-23

Again, what does the world see in me?  Do they see Jesus or a carbon copy of the world with a “Jesus t-shirt” on?  What does God see in me?  Is He saying of me the same thing He spoke to Jeremiah?

“Declare this in the house of Jacob,

and publish it in Judah, saying,

21 Hear now this,

O foolish people,

and without understanding;

which have eyes,

and see not;

which have ears,

and hear not:” Jeremiah 5:20-21

God is talking to this same people who praised His name at the dedication of the temple, yet now they have defiled it with idolatry, immorality and wicked hearts. What are we doing to/in the physical house of The Lord?  What are we doing in, with and to our bodies which, if we are genuinely born again, are the Temple of God (See 1 Corinthians 6:19)?  Have we ignored God’s call to holiness and said of our wicked life choices, “…but I’m under grace…”!  James had something to say to those who claim His name but live under their own power; James says it so much better than I can, I’ll let God’s Word speak for me; God sees the heart inside of every choice we make, be they for Him or against Him—even when we profusely claim “grace” over our sin! I’m not talking about genuine repentant hearts, but presumption on God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness. Ask Jesus to search your heart—I can’t, but HE can and will.

“From whence come wars and fightings among you?

come they not hence, even of your lusts

that war in your members?

2 Ye lust,

and have not:

ye kill,

and desire to have,

and cannot obtain:

ye fight and war,

yet ye have not,

because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 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.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter

be turned to mourning,

and your joy

to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:1-10

Are you drawing near to God or the world?  Are you judging yourself with God’s judgment or the “everyone is doing it” line?  As I often say, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!”, it isn’t simply claiming the name of Jesus, and living our own way, but being transformed by the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin…”!  Have you been washed in the blood or are you trying to work your way to heaven—won’t work!  Here’s what Jesus has to say, it’s what God sees that counts—for He sees the heart not just the words!

“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 7:20-23.                (Be sure and read 24-27 as well)

The Apostle John gives us some wonderful insight, and if we will heed his call to walk in the light, we will not wander around in the dark.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 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.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:5-10

What is God seeing in you and me?  The reflection of His Son or the world?  Please read through this passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans slowly and prayerfully. God will speak, if we but listen.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:26-31

May God guide your heart to Himself.

Amen and Amen!!!

Ready Or Not??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #360

25 Wednesday Jun 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, Are you training your children, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Born Again, Consider Your ways, Contentment, Deceit or Discernment?, Not Ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ., Not Of This World, Someone is following you!, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spread the GOOD news!

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Ready Or Not???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #360

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart,

My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants,

and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day

when he looketh not for him,

and in an hour

that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder,

and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites:

there shall be weeping

and gnashing of teeth.”  Matthew 24:48-51

We are living in a day when truth is exchanged for a lie, often because it’s more convenient to accept the excuses of the world for bad behavior, bad language, worldly dress, deceiving and corrupting entertainment—the philosophy of “If it feels good, do it—who can it hurt?”  Well, my friends, it can hurt you, and can be even more harmful to those young eyes, ears and minds which are following your lead.  Jesus said more than once, in my own paraphrase, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!”  Are you just using the name of Jesus, the church, the Bible for your own justification without ever bowing the knee before The Lord who died for sin—and yes, my friends, sin IS the issue.  What have you done with yours?  Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 7 also, that “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!”

“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

This is the same thing that Jesus was making clear to Nicodemus, the religious leader in John 3.  What we must understand is that it’s not about playing church, or being religious, or even doing good deeds; the people that Jesus describes in Matthew 7 did good deeds and they equated what they had done, to be enough to get them into heaven—into God’s kingdom.  Yet Jesus tells these same people, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”!  There is only one way to God, and His name is Jesus Christ The Lord, and we must be “born again” into His kingdom by the Spirit of God—not our own works!  What are you doing to get to heaven?  Let’s look at some scripture and then see what Jesus has to say!   I pray that these passages will speak to your heart and bring you to the cross, or if you already have been born again, I pray that it will encourage you to draw near to Jesus and lead others to the truth of the Gospel rather than the easy-believe-ism that so many purport as truth. May we stand with Paul!

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

to you that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed

from heaven

against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness of men,

who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God

is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood

by the things that are made,

even his eternal power

and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God,

they glorified him not as God,

neither were thankful;

but became vain in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise,

they became fools,

23 And changed the glory

of the uncorruptible God

into an image made like

to corruptible man,

and to birds, and fourfooted beasts,

and creeping things.”  Romans 1:15-23

What did Jesus say about being ready, let’s see.

“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.”  John 3:3

“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 3:5-7

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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 1:11-13

And continuing Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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 3:14-21

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test—and Jesus IS coming soon.  I pray that you are ready in Jesus’ eyes—don’t depend on the eyes of men!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Which Way Is The Way??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #257

08 Sunday Sep 2024

Posted by in Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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Which Way Is The Way???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #257

The is the question of all questions; it is the question that will determine our eternal destiny!  And yes, everyone has an eternal destiny—heaven or hell; not a popular subject and one that many if not most in our culture don’t accept or just outright object to such a statement.  A statement that we as believers in Jesus proclaim to be truth; truth based on the scriptures which we believe and accept as absolute truth.  It’s your choice of what you will believe, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

 no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:5-6

Jesus claimed to be the way, and He was, is and ever shall be the only way to the Father, because He is the sinless, Son of God—the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  Because He was, is and ever shall be that, for He is God.  (See 1 Cor. 15:1-5)

“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

Many people say that Jesus never claimed to be God, but they miss this absolute, declarative statement that Jesus clearly makes, and the proof is in the response of the religious leaders of the day. (And note that John 14:6 Jesus says, “I AM”! God!)

“Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them,

Many good works have I shewed you

from my Father;

 for which of those works

do ye stone me?

33 The Jews answered him, saying,

 For a good work we stone thee not;

but for blasphemy;

and because that thou,

being a man,

 makest thyself God.”  John 10:31-33

The religious leaders who continually opposed Jesus, understood what He had just said, and they wanted to kill Him for it.  In fact they eventually did have Him put to death on the cross, but as the scripture records again and again, “His time had not yet come…” Jesus also talks about the truth of there being only one way to God, and one of the most profound is found in Matthew chapter 7, and we can almost interpret John 14:6 right out of Matthew 7.

“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.”  Matthew 7:13-20

I would ask you to go back over this part of Matthew 7 and compare it to John 14:6!  Can you see why we hold fast to firmly to the truth that Jesus IS the only way?  I pray that you not only see it, but if you don’t know Him, that you will fall before His cross and give your heart and soul to Jesus!   He is waiting for you to answer His convicting Holy Spirit’s knocking on the door of your heart.

“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

Paul reiterates this thought a bit differently, but just as powerful a message.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”  Romans 1:16-17

The Gospel—the Good News of Jesus—is the truth that we stand on, and like Paul, I am not ashamed to say so.  As you think of the way that you are going—Jesus’ way or not—may we all heed the words that Jesus also spoke in Matthew 7.  I know I post them a lot, but they are so important for “Saying so, doesn’t make it so…”. The choice is life or destruction.

“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.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

 and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

 and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:21-27

God is concerned with our genuine conversion unto salvation, and the forth-coming righteousness and holiness which the Holy Spirit of God works in those who have truly bowed before Jesus.  God, even as Jesus spoke above, isn’t interested in our arrogance or self-righteousness; God will simply look to see if the blood of Jesus has been applied to your life?  For you see, the question isn’t, “Will you bow?”; for all will bow.  The question is “When will you bow?”  Will you bow before Jesus Christ as Lord when you hear the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit, and be saved?  Or you will bow before Jesus Christ as your judge with no opportunity of grace and salvation.

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,

him will I confess also before my Father

which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men,

him will I also deny before my Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 10:32-33

Jesus is calling each of us to understand that HE IS the only way to The Father!  And if we will only accept John 14:6 and Matthew 7, we will see what Jesus was talking about:

       He is The Way—enter at the “straight gate”

                               Walk down the narrow road

                               Be among the Few there be who find it—

 (often because we are obstinate, and the broad way seems to be easier—the reason why there are so “many”)

       He is The Truth—accept it or reject it, it is still Truth.

       He is The Life—The house built on His foundation—the Rock-

                                    will never fall for Jesus Is and gives

                                    Abundant, eternal life.

Will you be among the many on the broad road, or will you follow Jesus down that narrow road, and receive His gift of life.  I encourage you to read all of John chapter 3 this week.  Jesus made it clear to Nicodemus that God sent Him to give eternal life to all who would believe and receive Him in repentance and faith.  He also made it clear that those who reject Him will suffer the consequences of their choice.  Please don’t miss the right and true road—Jesus died for you to be saved.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  (Be sure and read Revelation 20:11-15 if you don’t know about the test.)

I know this is heavy, but heaven is worth the effort, and to miss hell is worthy of your consideration, for Jesus is the only way!  I choose Jesus, how about you?

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Just Asking??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #242

21 Sunday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Righteousness, Righteousness exalts a nation, SIN, Sin IS the issue, The Only Way, The Resurrection Life!, The Word

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Just Asking???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #242

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

 Not accusations, just asking each of us to consider where we are, where we want to go, what God has for us, and how to draw near to HIM.

What if:

       I exchanged my way for God’s way?

       I relied on God’s Word rather than a bottle (of whatever)?

       I relied on offering my heart rather than ‘burnt offerings’?

       I spent as much time on God as TV? Sports? Popularity?

       I wanted to please God as much as myself?

       I thought of others more than myself?

       I chose my attire by God’s standard of modesty not fashion?

       I practiced God’s love toward others as a priority?

       I knew God’s Word as well as I know popular theme songs?

       I put God’s Word in my heart more than:

              Movies, Music, TV

              Books

              Sports Statistics

              Modern pills, eastern religious activities, Mystical ideas?

       I was faithful to God with my resources?

       I lived biblical morality, taught and promoted it?

       I was kind in all my ways (shopping as well as church)?

       My heart was set on pleasing God first in every way?

       My priority was to reflect Jesus before a lost world?

       I/we were as faithful to the church as the world?

We all know that the list could go on, but I just want to call us to examine ourselves so see if we are biblically pleasing to our Lord.

“Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me,

which to you-ward is not weak,

but is mighty in you.

4 For though he was crucified through weakness,

yet he liveth by the power of God.

For we also are weak in him,

but we shall live with him by the power of God

toward you.

5 Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?

6 But I trust that ye shall know

that we are not reprobates.

7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil;

not that we should appear approved,

but that ye should do that

which is honest,

though we be as reprobates.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth,

but for the truth.”  2 Corinthians 13:3-8

May we be known as true children of God, that He may be glorified, and others may be drawn to His Kingdom via the blood of Jesus which “cleanseth us from all sin”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Do You Not See? Not Hear??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #204

03 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Do you not hear?, Do you not see?, God Who Sees, God's Call, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Judgment, Hear ye HIM!, Hearing God, Independence, Iron Sharpens Iron, Isaiah, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Renewing or Reviewing, Repentance, Responding Rightly, Resting Or Wrestling?, REvival, Revival or Recycle?, Righteousness exalts a nation, Seeing Truth, Servanthood, Serving God or Using God?, When Is True NOT?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Who's Listening?, Witness

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Do You Not See? Not Hear??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #204

I don’t know why this particular passage was laid upon my heart, but as it was, I want to share as simply and humbly as I know how the truth that God keeps bringing to my heart.  We are in a difficult place, and I don’t see a lot of people ready to truly come to God The Father, Jesus Christ The Son, through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, in true, honest, repentance and longing for the fire of revival to start in “me”!  May we truly come to the feet of Jesus for the touch of The Master’s hand to cleanse and make us usable, even as Isaiah did.  Lord please open our eyes to see you as YOU are, not as we have tried to conform you to.  When Isaiah saw you, he was humble and open to your will—may I be so!

“In the year that king Uzziah died

I saw also the Lord

sitting upon a throne,

high and lifted up,

and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims:

each one had six wings;

with twain he covered his face,

and with twain he covered his feet,

and with twain he did fly.

3 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.”  Isaiah 6:1-9

Isaiah was brought to see his sin and the sin of his people, he realized that he was unsuitable to serve God, “but God”—oh, that is one of my favorite phrases in all of scripture, “but God”!  I am so glad that God has a plan, and if we will but humble ourselves and turn from our own way, He will send the fire of salvation to our soul.  While the “but God” isn’t specifically in this passage the principle is—as Isaiah saw his own condition before God and then the “but God” principle changed him; and God will change us if and when we let go of our own pride, self-will, and independence and fall on our faces before His holy presence and the convicting power of The Holy Spirit!  We are transformed into the “sent” to share His glory with a lost and dying world—but notice the message isn’t one that most want to hear; and it’s not the only time that Isaiah was compelled by God to speak this message.  Paul’s challenge to us reminds me that we are called today to share the same message of the finished work of Jesus Christ our Lord—the Risen LORD!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.”  Romans 12:1-3

And as we ask God to touch our own hearts, may we hear another of Isaiah’s messages, and lay ourselves open before God, truly seeking conviction to the revival of the saved, conviction of sin, unto repentance for the lost, yielding a great harvest from God not our own hands!  Unlike many preach and teach today, it’s not about being “happy”—God is calling us to holiness; and I think God is often offended by what we have tried to make holy for our own convenience; have we become those who hear with our hears but don’t understand, and see with our eyes yet don’t perceive what God is asking from us or even doing around us?  And while Isaiah’s message is a lengthy one, I think it valuable for our consideration.

“To whom then will ye liken God?

or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

19 The workman melteth a graven image,

and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold,

and casteth silver chains.

20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation

chooseth a tree that will not rot;

he seeketh unto him a cunning workman

to prepare a graven image,

that shall not be moved.

21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard?

hath it not been told you

from the beginning?

have ye not understood

from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth,

and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers;

that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain,

and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

23 That bringeth the princes to nothing;

he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

24 Yea, they shall not be planted;

yea, they shall not be sown: yea,

their stock shall not take root in the earth:

and he shall also blow upon them,

and they shall wither,

and the whirlwind shall take them away

as stubble.

25 To whom then will ye liken me,

or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes on high,

and behold who hath created these things,

that bringeth out their host by number:

he calleth them all by names

by the greatness of his might,

for that he is strong in power;

not one faileth.

27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob,

and speakest, O Israel,

My way is hid from the LORD,

and my judgment is passed over from my God?

28 Hast thou not known?

hast thou not heard,

that the everlasting God,

the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

fainteth not,

neither is weary?

there is no searching of his understanding.

29 He giveth power

to the faint;

and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths

shall faint and be weary,

and the young men

shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:18-31

Oh, to be one that waits “upon the LORD”, that is the desire of my heart; and there have been times that I have waited patiently, other times that I waited but not very patiently, but oh my friends, the victory that God will bring is so much more than “worth it”!  Jesus is coming again—hold fast, my friends—our redemption “draweth nigh”; so don’t put off what God is calling you to do!  Will you hear?  Will you see?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming

in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

 and lift up your heads;

for your redemption draweth nigh.”   Luke 21:27-28.

Amen and Amen!!!