😠Just say No!😦

A place of Joy! But wait there's more. A place where there are pleasures for evermore. 

There is not a person reading this that has not heard those words “Just say No.” I’m not sure why I had that thought, it is a great saying but saying no isn’t always that easy, is it? My wife who I love with all my heart plus has a hard time saying no to our grandchildren. You know what she gets from not saying no? Well who do you think they want to see coming? It’s not me and it’s not me that they call. Do you see why I write it’s not always that easy just to say no. I understand that is not the meaning behind what that little saying is referring too. So I asked myself, is that saying in the Bible? Well no it’s not but in my study I did find something interesting. What is that? Well there is only one verse in the KJV Bible that those three words are found. Luke 15:7 (KJV) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

There is joy in heaven over just one sinner that repents. Why is that? Because there are over 99 that think they don’t need to repent, or Just Say No. Who doesn’t want to be joyful? I can’t tell you how many times I have heard someone say to me “Is it wrong just to have a little joy in life?” No I guess not but if my having joy hurts others then what would you say? In this verse above it’s not saying anything about you or I having joy. No it reads about joy in heaven and the joy is over one person that repents. In this verse I read of one person and then I read of 99 people who are not willing to repent. Why is that? Because they think they are “just” for whatever reason. I have met those who think they are just. I have met those who think that they are not that bad. I have met those who compare themselves with others. Did you notice that the joy came from the one who repented? What does that word repent mean? 

To feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken; to repent that we have injured or wounded the feelings of a friend. A person repents only of what he himself has done or said.

I can’t repent for something I haven’t done; did you notice the joy was over what one person repented of? Another thing I noticed we were not told what they repented from. That tells me that the most important thing is the repenting not what they were repenting from. In all the joying there must have been sadness too. Why? Because  we are told of 99 that didn’t repent. There were 99 that didn’t feel remorse for their actions or their hash words. There were 99 who didn’t care how they made others feel. When was the last time you or I apologized, said I’m sorry for how I made you feel. When was the last time someone else came to you and apologized? I don’t know for sure but I think that the one who repented might have felt this way. 

Psalms 16:11 (KJV) Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Just maybe if we were to think of others, serve others that just maybe we would have compassion  one toward another. I don’t know anything that will bring Joy and Pleasures for evermore outside of Jesus Christ. Knowing Jesus, not knowing about Jesus but really knowing Jesus will bring real joy for ever more. My dad had a tie pin he always had on when he went to Church that read “TRY GOD.” Nice saying but my dad didn’t know Jesus Christ personally. One night in a hospital room in Macdonna Georgia I told him what Jesus Christ had done for just him. On that night my dad did much more than try God; he trusted Jesus Christ as his savior. This earthly clock is ticking and not only am I looking forward to seeing Jesus Christ but also my dad because I have sure missed him. I believe we are headed to a joyful place; don't you want to go?

🤔Who is God?🙆🏻‍♂️

First let me say that the God of the Bible isn’t like any other god. He is not only different but He is entirely different. If we think we can understand Him completely we can’t. Why because if we could, how then could He be God?  

Job said it like  this 

Job 11:7 (KJV) Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

Psalms 147:5 (KJV) Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. (Without limits; unbounded; boundless; not circumscribed; applied to time, space and qualities.) God can not be contained. 

 Where is God? God is everywhere.

1 Kings 8:27 (KJV) But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

Acts 17:24 (KJV) God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Jeremiah 23:23 (KJV) Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?

Jeremiah 23:24 (KJV) Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

 Where is God? How do I find God? God is! There should be no question for He is everywhere at once. Jeremiah said He is the God on hand not far off. When we need to ask God a question we don’t have to go looking for him because He is right here with us. When I needed to ask my earthly dad something he always listened, but he didn’t always answer the way I wanted him too. God is like that too, God is not a Jeanine in a bottle. You know why my daddy listened to me? The same reason God does I was his son and he loved me. Now my next door neighbor cared but he didn’t love me like my Dad. Why do I say he cared? One afternoon I was playing in our backyard in the big wild cherry tree. Now no one was around. I was all by myself. My footing slipped and I fell but didn’t hit the ground. The reason being there was a rope in that tree, great you might think but not so. Somehow that rope got around me and somewhat around my neck. If help didn’t come soon I was going to be hanging dead in that big cherry tree. Oh but God had my next door neighbor who had seen me and was on his way to help and get me down. On that day my next door neighbor cared enough to come and save my life. Greater yet, the God that is everywhere at all times night and day. Loved me enough to have my next door neighbor willing and ready to come to my rescue. 

Where is God? He is everywhere at all times, nothing gets by Him.

Job 35:10 (KJV) But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

Job 35:11 (KJV) Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

How does one find God? We don't. He finds us,why? Because He loves us. Mine and your job is to plow and plant. God sends the harvest

1 John 4:10 (KJV) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

When I was born my mom and my dad both loved me but I didn’t love them. Why? Because I didn’t know what love was. Because of their love for me I learned to love them. Many can’t say they love God because they don’t know that God loves them. John 3:16 For God ↘️SO LOVED↙️the world that He did something wonderful. He Gave His only Son Jesús Christ. What a gift for everyone living in the world 🎁. A gift is wonderful but only if it is received. If a person never receives a gift it never becomes theirs.  Ephesians 2:8 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

🎨Imagination 🖼️

Our imagination is the canvas of our mind. Be careful what you paint. 

Webster says that imagination is “The power or faculty of the mind by which it conceives and forms ideas of things communicated to it by the organs of sense.” 

Proverbs 6:18 (KJV) An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 

Proverbs 6:19 (KJV) A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

In the beginning we read about the heart and within that heart there are wicked imaginations. Then we read in the next verse of one who is speaking lies and sowing discord that came from their imaginations. The question is can one control their imaginations? I would say yes and the reason I say that is we read in 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

We are told to cast down or destroy imaginations that exalt (To raise high; to elevate.) We don’t read that we are to cast down all imaginations just the ones that exalt above the knowledge of God. Here is where it gets difficult for many. In order to captivate exalting thoughts that are above the knowledge of God one must know something about the knowledge of God. If you don’t know then how is one to know which imaginations are against the knowledge of God? There are those who read a book and before long they are the captain of the ship dashing over the waves winning the victories. That takes imagination. Oh but wrong imagination we must recognize and get rid of it as fast as possible not letting it grow. I have written a lot about the enemy and we don’t have to guess who that enemy is for the Bible plainly tells us. 

1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

What is a “adversary” An enemy or foe

Be sober, ”Keep your mind clear” be vigilant “be alert” because your adversary “your enemy” the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: “to eat ravenously, as a beast of prey.” Have you ever noticed that many of those imaginations that you and I have are where we are weak. Why is that? Because the enemy knows he can get you thinking wrong and  it won’t be long before you do wrong. That is why we are to coral those imaginations up and destroy them before they harm us. By doing that we will keep the enemy at bay. I tell you the truth I myself want to win every battle but the truth is I don’t. When I lose I don’t like it. Why?  Because I’m wounded and hurt, I wanted to win but didn’t. Can you identify?

 

😮‍💨Strange Woman🥰

A strange illusion is to suppose that beauty is goodness.

As I drive down the road I hear a voice that keeps talking to me. I hear things like you are going too fast and then telling me what the speed limit is.  I’ll hear things like stay in your lane, stay on the road. Do the grandkids have their seatbelts on? Do you have the window lock on? Questions and more questions that require me to give an answer. You know what? I never hear that voice when I’m by myself. As I read the book of Proverbs I keep seeing this little phrase “strange woman.” It is mentioned eight times therefore I have to take notice. Who is this strange woman and what does she want? I noticed it’s about her morals, her values, her dress and the way she leads men into a sinful relationship. Oh my😱!

Proverbs 2:16 (KJV) To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

She leads away how? Her words of flattery. Flattery is no more than false praise. Proverbs 5:3 (KJV) For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

She is one smooth woman and if you fall for her smooth words of false praise then you my friend are headed for real danger. The question is why?

Proverbs 5:20 (KJV) And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

One has to ask themselves why would you fall for such? First she catches you with her words. Then she goes after your eyes. 

Proverbs 6:25 (KJV) Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

How? By her dress. 

Proverbs 7:10 (KJV) And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

Don’t let her dress captivate your eyes, put a guard over your eye gate. Psalms 101:3 (KJV) I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: 

Run past all the warning signs and you are headed for great danger. Proverbs 7:22 (KJV) He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

Proverbs 7:23 (KJV) Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Oh my you let someone or something destroy your life. Never forget the enemy is out to destroy you.

😱Whoops Please Excuse My French🇫🇷

The words of a wise man are like raindrops on dry ground. Only the blade of grass that catches the raindrop will prosper and grow.

Ever heard anybody say that? I’m sure you have. They say that by excusing themselves for saying a word they should have never said in the first place. Sometimes someone might say whoops that word just slipped out. Clever, clever, clever. That word didn’t just slip out nor was that word a French word. No, no, those words were already in the heart and come from the mouth fairly regularly. How do I know that? From that song “Jesus loves me.” In that song we see this wording “for the Bible tells me so.” What does that have to do with this French talking person? A lot. Let me show you.

Luke 6:45 (KJV) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

way before the mouth spoke there was a deeper problem going on it was a no fear problem. Let me explain. When there is no fear 

Romans 3:11 (KJV) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Romans 3:12 (KJV) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans 3:13 (KJV)  Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

Romans 3:14 (KJV)  Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

Romans 3:15 (KJV)  Their feet are swift to shed blood:

Romans 3:16 (KJV)  Destruction and misery are in their ways:

Romans 3:17 (KJV)  And the way of peace have they not known:

Romans 3:18 (KJV)  There is no fear of God before their eyes.

No Fear of God and real problems start.

People go out of their way to do wrong things.

Their tongue utter deception with a mouth full of cursing. There is murder, there is ruin, there is suffering, and there will never be no peace. Why? Simple, No Fear of God! When there is no fear then one believes there’s no danger. Oh but there is a danger therefore there should be a fear. Fear may be the greatest survival we have. Fear of fire doesn’t mean we never use fire. oh no fear of fire means we have a great respect for fire. I have heard more than once that the word fear is mentioned 365 times in the Bible. That sounds good; and then they go on to say that Our Heavenly protects us from fear everyday. That sounds great but after looking for myself the word fear is not mentioned 365 times in the Bible I read and study from. after looking for myself I found it was mentioned 400 times. Hallelujah that thrilled by heart, Why? Because 400 is more than 365; meaning that the God I serve is more than enough. 

First time we read the phrase “much more” in the New Testament is here Matthew 6:30 (KJV) Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Bottomline: never fear God is here! Know God, fear not. know God and know He will not leave you, no separation. Romans 8:35 (KJV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

oh but there’s much more. Romans 8:38 (KJV) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Romans 8:39 (KJV) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Fear comes when we have no fear of God. 

1 John 4:18 (KJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Do we know Who God is? Fear Not!

🎬Contend🏁

Focus on standing up for your beliefs, facing your challenges, and debating ideas without anger.

Jude 1:3 (KJV) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

I have read that verse many times but today it jumped out at me. Maybe because of some recent things that just happened to an outstanding Pastor that just blew my mind as it shook the Christian Community that knew of him.  Are you ready, this is what jumped out at me “it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith.” When I heard the bad news my heart sink my mind couldn’t understand what I was hearing. This Pastor who has reached more people than I ever will fell into sin. 

I needed encouragement and a moment to gather my thoughts, I first looked around and asked myself do we as a Christian people fear God? I have seen the day where you couldn’t get in the Church house. People at the altars with tears running down their cheeks and many asking Christ to come into their heart and forgive them of their sins. The uplifting music about our wonderful savior and this without padded pew, sound systems, FB, Youtube or any other electronic device. I lived when there was nothing open on Sundays, no shopping, no amusement parks, no youth baseball tournaments. I wasn’t brought up in a strong Christian home; what I mean is we didn't read the Bible as a family nor pray as a family. My dad would say prayers with each of us boys as we lay down for the night. We went to Church and Sunday was a special day given to the Lord. I can’t remember Ever seeing anyone get saved or can I remember ever hearing about Salvation. Then in 1968 off to the military I went and that changed my life forever. It wasn’t all bad. I learned a lot real fast and I grew up quicker than most, which helped me greatly. When I got discharged I came home with a bunch of mental  baggage. It wasn’t hard for me to see I was a sinner and in less than 6 months I had given my heart to the Lord and was saved.

Back to the contending for the Faith. Contend means to “continue” . I need to know that I can’t help nor undo what others do. Just because their FAITH got weak and their FEAR level got low and they became a wash out as far as people are concerned; I didn’t say God but people. Paul said to examine your faith. 

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV) 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?

Examine who? “yourselves” and see where my faith level is. If I were in court and questions were asked could I prove myself without question? How do I know Christ is in me? What’s the proof? Why do you know that? I’m glad I asked myself that question and here is why. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

• Did anything change the day I asked Christ to forgive my sins? 
• Has anything  continued since that day? 
• If so, why what made the difference? 

I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins which were many.  Romans 10:9 (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

Although no one showed me that verse that morning, that is what I did. I didn’t leave that Church feeling like a rocket scientist but I did know something happened to me. 

• What was that? 

I was now in Christ and Christ was now in me. 

• How did I know 

because the old things began to pass away and my desires changed and I started walking in a new way with a new mind. Is it real? You better know it is. What happened to that Pastor? Two things, 

• his faith weakened and 
• his fear level of what would happen for his disobedience diminished. 

That is what happens when my or anybody else's self level gets to the point of selfishness. One might say that “God made me this way.” That’s half right because we are all sinners but sin is not to have dominion over us. Romans 6:14 (KJV) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Don’t let sin captive us.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

How does one keep from being “captivity?” One must have the “the knowledge of God” how does one get that? Proverbs 1:7 (KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I just believe I will keep contending for the Faith that was once delivered unto the saints. I know what Jesus Christ did for me; do you? Never forget that God hates sin but also that God loves the sinner and there is forgiveness for our sins. Never let anyone tell you or try to teach you that God won’t forgive you of your sins. Because He will and the proof is in God sending Jesus into this sin cursed world to do just that which he gladly did.  

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.