🤔Forget? I Don't Think So🥰

In Jesus we have forgiveness through his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins:

Luke 15:2 (KJV) And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.(Sinners)

The first thing I see is in the wording “This man (Jesus Christ) receiveth sinners” 

The second thing is that Jesus Christ is not too good to sit down with Sinners.

Jesus overheard the murmuring of the Pharisees and the scribes and gave them a word picture. Jesus looks at them and bringings it down to their level. Which of you having a 100 sheep and one of them went missing would not go looking for the one that was missing? Or would you just say well I still have 99 that’s not too bad.  No you would leave the 99 and go searching for the one that wandered off. You look and look until you find it. When you find it you place it upon your shoulders rejoicing. When you get back home you call your friends and others you know and you tell them the story and now all are rejoicing over one sheep that wandered off. 

Luke 15:4 (KJV) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Luke 15:5 (KJV) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Luke 15:6 (KJV) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Then Jesus gives the meaning of what He just said. 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.

Jesus said in a like manner there is joy in heaven over just one sinner that repents. Then Jesus says that there are 99 who need no repentance. Why? Because they look at themselves as being just. Wow! People are not sorry for their actions, they have no remorse, they have become hard hearted. Have we as a people come to this point that we are unwilling to forgive each other? We hear words like you just don’t know what they said to me and how it made me feel at the time. You have no idea or understanding how those words cut through me, I was so embarrassed. We have all been there and I will agree that those are very uncomfortable moments. Does that justify a lifetime of unforgiveness? I think not. Well how can I ever forget what they did? You may not be able to forget but God didn’t ask you to forget He asked us to forgive. I have heard many say that God has forgotten all our wrongs. Sounds good until you ask yourself what else has God forgotten? Read this verse 

Psalms 103:12 (KJV) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Removed or forgotten? 

Hebrews 8:12 (KJV) For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Hebrews 10:17 (KJV) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

God says that I choose to forgive therefore I refuse to bring it up. Once upon a time I sold a table that my wife ask me not to. Boy was she upset with me and forgiveness was nowhere to be found. Then on top of that I was never paid for the table. Oh boy that was no help I couldn’t say “but look sweetheart we made money.” I had to forgive that man because we went to church together. I saw him every week at least 3 times. Did he forget to pay me for that table? Oh no he just chose not to remember. Our Heavenly Father will never say to us “you haven’t forgotten about that little problem you were having have you?” Oh no He hasn’t forgotten our Lord chooses not to remember when we repented. Think about it, God has not forgotten about anything and when we ask for forgiveness God says you are forgiven and we will never discuss this again. 

Hebrews 8:12 (KJV) For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Well there you go once again we have that in writing.

Well what about my wife? She forgave me. How do I know? She hasn’t said anything about that table in years. She has chosen no to remember. Well has she forgotten? What do you think? My answer would be NO! Oh no I just remembered about that table myself. See how we don’t forget! Forgiveness is not forgetting, it's a choice not to remember. 

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.

When you and I get to heaven and we are introduced. God will not say “I would like everyone to meet; you can place your name here. Bob, the man that had that awful problem with….. That my friend will never happen. That is God Mercy. 

❓The Question How Can🙋‍♂️

Many saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why? 

Accepting without ever asking questions could cause one to accept without ever knowing the why.

Life is good and I'm still excited when I get up each morning. I love the morning. It's a great time to spend with the Lord. No one else in the house gets up when I do, like my dad also said “you are burning daylight son.” That means you are wasting the day. Most of the time I’m waiting for daylight. In my life I haven’t traveled a lot except when I was in the military finding myself in the air flying somewhere I didn’t want to go. There are places I wanted to go like the Grand Canyon which I did. Now I was reading my Bible which got me to think about life and places. It was in John chapter 3 and a man named Nicodemus. He asked Jesus using the phrase “how can” two times. In verse 4 Nicodemus said 

John 3:4 (KJV) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Great question Nic. What if you and I could start over knowing what we know now, a whole new life. I’m interested in what Jesus told him. John 3:5 (KJV) 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.

John 3:6 (KJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

That which is flesh is flesh so that tells me that this flesh will never have its youth back. Tell me about this Spirit, is this something spookie like I might see on some sci fi program? Oh no it's not spookie but it is the real deal. We will have to go all the way back to the beginning, the book of Genesis. Here is the short form. God tells Adam not to eat the fruit of one tree but everything else it’s ok, eat as much as you want. If you do eat from the tree I told you not to, you will die! Die?  What is die? Well you know the story I’m sure if not go read the first 3 chapters in the book of Genesis. Well Adam and his help meet both took and had a bit under the leadership of the devil disguised as a serpent. When they did something happened the Bible reads 

Genesis 3:7 (KJV) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

What happened? Genesis 2:17 (KJV) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Did you notice when they would die? “in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Not 70 years later but that day, dead! But wait they didn’t drop dead that day so what died? Great question. You and I are just like Nicodemus. We were born into this world condemned, because that which we need to have fellowship with our Heavenly Father is dead. 

John 4:24 (KJV) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Just like Nicodemus, we need to have our spirit reborn within us so we can truly worship God. 

🤔Do You Remember👍

Sin always fascinates, but then it assassinates.

A novel written by Charles Monroe Shelton published in 1896 and has sold more than 50 thousand copies. The name of the novel was “In His Steps.” So far I can tell by the confused looks on your faces that; ok, how or what has that got to do with me? Nothing! Until you look at the cover of the novel and then the 1990’s come rushing back into your memory. In big letters on the cover of the book we read IN HIS STEPS then under that title we read these words “what would Jesus do?”  You remember those words? I’m sure you do. They were everywhere we saw them every day. Oh but those words are nowhere to be found in the Bible you say. No they are not but the principle is Proverbs 3:6 (KJV) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

In all thy ways acknowledge, what would Jesus do? and He shall direct your paths. In other words, think before you step, speak and spend your time. David said Psalms 26:2 (KJV) Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

Psalms 139:23 (KJV) Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

I wonder why David was asking God those questions? Remember the one sinner that repented? Then there were 99 that didn’t see the need to do any repenting. Do we even know what displeases our Heavenly Father? Do we have the attitude that I don’t really have sin in my life? Do we  say things like God made me this way therefore I do what He made me to do. Well if that’s the case then I can see why there is no repenting. We have become so comfortable with sin that it has become a normal way of life. Television, music and real life; sin has just been accepted. Four letters words we hear everyday of our life. Watch TV and here they go into the bedroom to commit adultery. Then they let us go in so there is no doubt. Then in real life, divorce is happening and we hear the words I just want to be happy. This being happy we miss because we are looking in all the wrong places. The Queen of Sheba heard about the wisdom of Solomon and came to see for herself. What did she see? That the words she heard were sure and this is what she said. 1 Kings 10:7 (KJV) Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.

 1 Kings 10:8 (KJV) Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.

Maybe we are looking for happiness in the wrong places. The woman that had been married 5 times and was now living in a wrongful relationship with man number 6. That story is recorded for us in John chapter four. She didn’t see her sin, she just wanted to be happy. She wasn’t happy until Jesus showed up at the well and began to speak with her. When the conversation was over she left her water pots and ran back into the city, a very happy woman. Why is that? Here is what Jesus told her John 4:10 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

She learned that day that human relationships will not make you happy. On that day she found out that the gift of God and a relationship with Jesus Christ will trill your heart to the point you have to run to tell others. Her problem was she was drinking from the wrong fountain. Trust in the Lord asks the question, What Would Jesus Do? 

😠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.