On Its Own

1Corinthians 2:1-5 - I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

The Word of God speaks for itself. No need to embellish. All we need to do is know the Word. Seek God first...and all other things (needs, not wants) will be added to us. God has promised us this. The world offers nothing eternal. There is no guarantee of anything in this life. We are not guaranteed life in the next few minutes. God is in complete control of it all. He knows everything about us. He knows the number of our days. He is the one who created us, knit us together in our mothers' wombs. 

All He asks is that we seek Him first, devour His Word. Taste and see that He is good. He offers us the bread of life, the living water. You don't get that without knowing Him and seeking Him. As I write this morning, many of the words (promises) are scriptural. They are all His truth. This is what He wants us to have in the forefront of our minds daily.  

A woman from our church posted this: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8) She emphasized what I underlined.  Boy, couldn't the news media and the world in general consider this! This is what God wants. If we keep our eyes focused on Him, meditate on Him throughout the day, we have achieved that which is best. Scripture even says to seek that which is best.

Before he became the Apostle Paul (who wrote the words following), he persecuted those who followed Christ. He followed the ways of man. When he encountered Jesus, the power of God changed all that! It’s a wonderful thing to have that encounter! (My emphasis.)

For I determined not to know anything among you EXCEPT Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, BUT in demonstration of the SPIRIT and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the POWER OF GOD.

But we speak the WISDOM OF GOD in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

But God has revealed them to us through HIS SPIRIT. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Now we have received, NOT the spirit of the world, but the SPIRIT who is FROM GOD, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us BY God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the HOLY SPIRIT teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1Corinthians 2)

Those things from God are the best. When we allow ourselves to take an interest in God, seek Him first, be in His Word to hear His truths, we receive the best there is. His Word stands the test of time (despite what anyone says)...on its own. 

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Do You Know This?

Romans 8:21-22 - ...creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Do you know this? This is a wonderful promise of God for those who know Him. We can be excited about our future. While the things of the world grow dimmer and creation is now groaning in its troubles, there is a hope of a better life. That hope only comes through Jesus Christ.  

When sin entered into this world thousands of years ago separating us from a holy God, He knew He had to bring about a way (Way) for mankind to be reconciled back to Him. But it would be voluntary. It would not be forced upon anyone. This way He would know it was our choice, by our own will. He would call us and if we would respond...

God sent His Son, Jesus, into this world to reveal Himself to us. He spoke words that would bring life to those who would receive Him and those words. But not everyone liked what they heard. They had their way of living and opted not to choose a new and better way (Jesus Christ). Even today people do not like what they hear.

Some day, as the Bible tells us also, Jesus will return. He will return for what is called His Bride, those who have followed Him, trusted Him and watched as the world crumbles in its sins of diversity (of multiple ways leading to Him or even church doctrine), tolerance (of lifestyles He abhors), murder (abortion) and self (pride)...all forms of what He looks at as wrong and evil. We know He came into this world not to bring peace but division (Luke 12:51)...which we see, because His truth is not accepted.  He will come again (Revelation 1:7), this time to cleanse this world of all that has corrupted it. He will come, next time, to bring peace for His followers.

That bondage of corruption believers must live amidst these days will come to a complete end, leaving those who chose corruption to die in their sins. Those choosing Christ, however, will live with Him forever. We will sit beside Him at His table. We will see Him face to face. We will have received new bodies...no pain, no tears, no sorrow (Revelation 21:4).

This promise is held out here for anyone to receive. He is our Promise. He is our Everlasting Life. He is our Lord and Savior. Don’t think just knowing of Him is enough to be seated at that table with Him. 

Religion doesn’t get one there. Following the rules isn’t enough. Saying a prayer one time and not experiencing a heart change won’t do it. If one does not read His Word, has no desire to, thinks church is an obligation or attendance only necessary at Christmas and Easter, consider themselves a good person, they have been deceived. This is not MY opinion! 

If one’s church doesn’t preach about sin and repentance but only love and mercy, the truth is not being fully heard. He is love but also just. If one hears the truth and becomes angry, it has not been received and neither has He. He offended many during the three years of His ministry. But He never gave up. And today we have His Word in book form to continue to hear those words. He still does not give up!

Oh, the joy unspeakable when one hears the Word and receives it and relishes it! When truth becomes so important and life-giving...when Jesus steps into one’s life.  

We need to shake off the old ideas, the old person and take in the new. The old is corrupt; the new is being regenerated. Praise God for the new life He offers all. It is a heart change, not a head change. The head thinks it’s about ME. The heart knows it’s only what Jesus has done. Who was beaten and whipped? Who remained silent as false accusations were spoken against Him? Who hung on the cross to save souls? Only Jesus. Not any of us. He came to do it all. He chose to do it. Only His blood was shed. Nothing but His blood.

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon this I see: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

For my cleansing this my plea: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Nothing can for sin atone: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Naught of good that I have done: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

This is all my hope and peace: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

This is all my righteousness: 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

O precious is the flow 

that makes me white as snow; 

no other fount I know; 

nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

He chose to die. So we must choose too, to our selves, our beliefs. Choose to believe and follow whole-heartedly this Man called Jesus. Trust in Him. Choose His spilled blood. Choose to listen to His Word and accept His truths. Do not be deceived any longer. He is the only Way, Truth and Life. 

Hebrews 10:19-22 - Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

On This Day

John 15:19-20 - If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Jesus wasn’t accepted by everyone. His words of truth and hope were met with awe and enthusiasm by some while others hated His words because they didn’t match their determined lifestyles. Some saw what good He offered. Others saw Him as a threat. Hah, the majority then overruled...for a brief time He was crucified for speaking the truth. However, someday there will be what seems a minority which will be the victorious ones.

Jesus is alive today! His words are still being heard, received, believed and shared by some. Others will still dismiss them. Those who have rejected the truth will miss out for eternity. Today believers in Jesus’ truths are met with rejection. Believers are thought of as different, overly religious (when it has nothing to do with religion), holy rollers...to avoid, to run from, to mock. 

All I can say is some day the truth will be known. I’m glad for having met the Truth (and Way and Life)...on this very day in 1999. It’s not always easy knowing some think you’re off your rocker. I await the day when someone has heard or read enough (from me or anyone else) to ask the important question: how can I know this Jesus like you do? 

Jesus said this: These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) As long as I live I will see this tribulation, like Jesus and like the new tribulations of today’s world. I won’t push the uncomfortable ways under a rug. I will acknowledge them knowing that the Bible has shown us this will happen and that Jesus will return some day to remove all the evil and restore this world to what it was meant to have been. But not all will be there in the end. Those who have rejected Jesus and the truth of His word cannot be counted with the remnant of believers. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our heart. (1Thessalonians 2:4) 

Jesus’ words were not received even by some of His family. Believers’ words are not always received either. While we care deeply, we cannot be consumed. We continue sharing Christ to any who will listen...or pray someone hears. We all have a choice. We either please ourselves or God. These words ring true: 

Galatians 1:10 - For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

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