Tag Archives: What does your language say about you?

Does My Life Match The Word? A Word from THE WORD!!! #371

03 Sunday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Mindset on Jesus!, Modesty, My Grace Is Sufficient, My Help Cometh from THE LORD, My sheep hear my voice..., Not Ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ., The Word, The Word Or The World?, There IS a Test!, Though HE slay me--still will I trust HIM, Though your sins be as scarlet-they shall be white as snow., Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Trusting Jesus?, Try yourselves, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Does My Life Match The Word?  A Word from THE WORD!!! #371

“Beloved,

now are we the sons of God,

and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:

but we know that,

when he shall appear,

we shall be like him;

for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him

purifieth himself,

even as he is pure.”  1 John 3:2-3

John is joined by Peter, who also calls us unto this purity—a purity that is 180 degrees opposite of our culture which says, whatever the market will carry!  We’re told that we need to look like the world, talk like the world, dress like the world, adopt the world’s culture, copy their philosophy, and include worldly philosophy as an ‘add-on’ to Jesus.  Don’t bother with prayer and obedience to Jesus, but get on board with the new age philosophies, the attitude that says do whatever it takes to make the sale, close the deal or be popular and accepted!  Success becomes our ‘god’ rather than Jesus, God The Father or the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

“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:

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.

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls

in obeying the truth

 through the Spirit

unto unfeigned love of the brethren,

see that ye love one another

with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

which liveth and abideth

for ever.”  1 Peter 1:13-23

The question that we must answer is “are we purifying ourselves..as He is pure”; or have we bought into the lies of the enemy and aligned our lives with ‘Hellywood’ and the culture of the world, be it TV, social media, politics, the world’s fashions, or financial priorities; or are we delving into The Word of God, recognizing that we are to be set apart unto Jesus, His Word and His holiness?  Oh to be found faithful before God, to be living according to His Word and His ways rather than the world’s! (and just FYI, “conversation” in verse 15 is a reference to lifestyle not just our words.)

“There is a way which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12 

Jesus clearly makes this clear to us in Matthew chapter 7, but we still seem to miss it, especially in today’s culture; even within the church, if not especially in the church.  Do our hemlines and our necklines (male and female) reflect the world’s fashion or modesty.

“Likewise, ye wives,

be in subjection to your own husbands;

that, if any obey not the word,

they also may without the word

be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation

coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be

that outward adorning

of plaiting the hair,

and of wearing of gold,

or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart,

in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament

of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God

of great price.

5 For after this manner

 in the old time

the holy women also,

who trusted in God,

adorned themselves,

being in subjection

 unto their own husbands:”                 1 Peter 3:1-5

And Paul calls us in similar fashion to live modestly before the world.

“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 Timohty 2:8-10

And back to what Jesus reveals to us in Matthew chapter 7, one of the most significant chapters in all of scripture.

“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…

…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.” Portions of Matthew 7:13-23

Are you working iniquity with the world?  Or are you doing “the will of my Father which is in heaven”?  God knows which path you are walking on; you may fool others, but you can’t fool God!  As my mother told me more than once, “You can fool some of the people all of the time; you can fool all of the people some of the time; but you can’t fool God!”

Lord may we be found faithful before you, living, speaking, dressing, using our words in the ways that you have called holy!  Help me to reflect your glory and not that of the world, to bear fruit of The Spirit and not that of the flesh.  And in closing a bit of a lengthy passage, as Paul makes the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of The Holy Spirit.

“16 This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would…

…19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,

lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft,

hatred, variance,emulations,

wrath, strife, seditions,

heresies, 21 Envyings, murders,

drunkenness, revellings, and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,

faith, 23 Meekness, temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Portions of Galatians 5:16-25

Where are you walking?  Do my choices reflect Jesus or the lies of the enemy?  Am I walking the “broad way” or the “narrow way”?  My life will reveal the road I’m on!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

No Riches??? Man’s Opinion??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #345

28 Monday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Born Again, Bow Before our God, In hell it's too late to be a witness?, Jesus' standard?, Lazarus and the rich man., Riches--here or in heaven?, Social media doesn't say it ALL!, Social media isn't the last word!!!!, The greatest evangelist? Dead or alive?, Transformed life, Treasure here or in heaven?, Trendy Or Truth

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No Riches???  Man’s Opinion???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #345

I want to share a familiar passage and story with you today.  In fact I believe it is a true story that Jesus shared, and my main reason is that he never told a parable and named anyone; here Jesus names the beggar, and I think he didn’t name the rich man for people probably would have gasped in horror that this one was in hell?  A common situation would probably exist today if we knew the fate of those the world holds in “high esteem”!  For you see, it doesn’t matter how much or what esteem the world holds us in, if God doesn’t! And unless we have been born again, we have no esteem with God.  But in Jesus, we are the beloved of God, The Holy Spirit our guide, helper and comforter, and heaven our home!  So let’s see what this story reveals about riches, and the change of perspective of one of the characters.  But I’d like to preface it with a call for us to examine our hearts and the speech that comes out of our mouth—be it spoken or “posted on social media”!  It seems that kindness, compassion, and courtesy have gone out of style—and certainly they are greatly absent on social media.  And let me say beforehand that “judge not” here, does not mean to be undiscerning, nor not to make assessments of right or wrong; it does mean that we are not to pass judgment on people’s motives or situations, rather we are to exercise “righteous judgment” (See John 7:24)

“Be ye therefore merciful,

as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not,

and ye shall not be judged:

condemn not,

and ye shall not be condemned:

forgive,

and ye shall be forgiven:

38 Give,

and it shall be given unto you;

good measure,

pressed down,

and shaken together,

and running over,

shall men give into your bosom.

For with the same measure that ye mete

withal it shall be measured to you again.”   Luke 6:36-38

Two points and we’ll press on, our attitude is to be one of compassion and remember just as we are free to make choices, we are not free to choose the consequence—and as Jesus said here, “with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again”!  Or in today’s vernacular, “what goes around, comes around”!  Secondly, my heart is grieved over the meanness that is abundant on social media without measure.

So, let’s go on to see what Jesus said about real riches.  One man had an abundance, the other nothing, nada, zip, zilch; and I want you to notice there is no condemnation on the poor man.  Jesus doesn’t tell us he could have done better; he wasn’t called lazy or any other derogative connotation to this precious man.   Instead he was taken to heaven by the angels, after living a life of hardship for what seems to have been most, if not all, of his adult life.  Yet, he knew God, when the rest of the world were probably accusing him of some kind of sinful life; God said otherwise.  What commentary does God have to make on my life.  Do I want riches that impress the world?  Or do I desire and pursue and life of right standing with my God?

“There was a certain rich man,

which was clothed in purple and fine linen,

and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus,

which was laid at his gate,

full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs

which fell from the rich man’s table:

moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass,

that the beggar died,

and was carried by the angels

into Abraham’s bosom:

the rich man also died,

and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes,

being in torments,

and seeth Abraham afar off,

and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said,

Father Abraham, have mercy on me,

and send Lazarus,

that he may dip the tip of his finger in water,

and cool my tongue;

for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said,

Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime

receivedst thy good things,

and likewise Lazarus

evil things:

but now he is comforted,

and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this,

between us and you there is a great gulf fixed:

so that they which would pass

from hence to you cannot;

neither can they pass to us,

that would come from thence.

27 Then he said,

I pray thee therefore, father,

that thou wouldest send him

to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren;

that he may testify unto them,

lest they also

come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him,

They have Moses and the prophets;

let them hear them.

30 And he said,

Nay, father Abraham:

but if one went unto them from the dead,

they will repent.

31 And he said unto him,

If they hear not Moses and the prophets,

neither will they be persuaded,

though one rose from the dead.”   Luke 16:19-31

I find verse 31 one of the most apropos verses of all scripture!  Here is a man in hell, yet his concern was for his family to avoid his destiny; and note that he knew that they needed repentance, that which he never saw in his own life.  A man who in the world’s eyes had it “all”!  A man who never gave repentance a thought until he was in hell; why not?  I think because the theology of his day said much the same as the notion of our world, if you are affluent, you must be headed to heaven, for you have proven your worth and value to the world; yet without any regard for God, the Gospel, or the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ The Lord, we have no standing before God! But notice what Jesus accounts for us, Abraham told the rich man that if his brethren (just as he had opportunity) would not hear the witness of Moses and the prophets, they wouldn’t believe if “one” (especially Lazarus!) came back from the dead!

I also find a bit of a double nontender here; Jesus was shortly going to be raised from the dead and people refused to believe—still do!  But even more amazing is that Jesus was going to raise one named Lazarus from the dead and most still wouldn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah—most don’t today!  For you see, if we don’t see our sin, and our need for repentance and salvation, why would we come to Jesus!  Oh, my friends, I pray that you will look to the cross and the Savior who gave His life for our salvation.

What riches are you counting on?  God’s riches in Jesus’ sacrifice for us, or something else.  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test, and in hell is too late to choose.

“To the praise of the glory of his grace,

wherein he hath made us accepted

in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches

of his grace;” Ephesians 1:6-7

“To the praise of the glory of his grace,

wherein he hath made us accepted

 in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches

of his grace;” Colossians 1:6-7

“Charge them that are rich in this world,

that they be not highminded,

nor trust in uncertain riches,

but in the living God,

who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good,

that they be rich in good works,

ready to distribute,

willing to communicate;” 1 Timothy 1:17-18

And one final word from Jesus!  Where are your riches?  Oh, to be found faithful when He comes or calls me to Himself.  Where is your heart?  It will tell in the end, and in your journey!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through

nor steal:

 21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

Amen and Amen!!!