The Book of Remembrance

The Book of Remembrance 

Is your name written within its pages?

Malachi 3:16 KJV — 

Then they that feared the LORD 

spake often one to another: 

and the LORD hearkened, 

and heard it, 

and a BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE 

was written before Him 

for them that feared the LORD, 

and that thought upon His name.

The Lord:

Hears

And remembers

Those that: 

fear the Lord 

Talk about Him to one another 

and think on His name 

These are they whose names He has written within the pages of His BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE. 

Is your name written within its pages?

If you only fed your physical body 

as much and as often 

as you feed your spiritual man, 

how long would you last? 

Would you be healthy? Or unhealthy? 

Would you be starving to death or already dead? 

Or would you be alive and thriving?

Daily prayer & Bible reading are vital!

Don't let the spiritual man starve 

While the carnal man thrives.

But He (Jesus) answered and said, 

"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word that proceedeth 

out of the mouth of God." Mt 4:4

Take Up Your Cross

And he said to them all, 

If any man will come after Me, let him.... 

(1) deny himself, 

(2) and take up his cross daily, 

(3) and follow Me.

  — Luke 9:23 (KJV)

Many want to go to heaven 

- But do not want to deny themselves, giving up self will for His will.

- Or take up their cross daily - Crosses are heavy with splinters.  

Many will hang an emblem of one around their neck, but very few want to endure the trials, agony, suffering, and afflictions that come with carrying the cross.  

Occasionally is hard enough to bear, but Jesus said to carry it daily. 

- Following Jesus - it's easy to say, "lead me, Lord, I will follow," but harder to do when He begins to take us down paths we don't want to go or require us to do things we don't want to do. Following Jesus isn't easy, but it's worth it. 

If any man will come after Christ, it will take commitment and perseverance and endurance. 

Are you willing to...

(1) deny yourself?

(2) and take up your cross daily?

(3) and follow Him no matter where He may lead?

What Are You Making Priority?

 If you don’t pray

If you don’t read God's Word (the Bible)

Every day

If your mind is mostly focused 

on cares of this life

And very few thoughts are about the Lord

If you rarely or never go to His House (Church)

You - will - not - make - it - to - Heaven 

That's not being judgmental 

That's a warning cry going out to

Jesus instructed we are to

Seek FIRST the KINGDOM OF GOD

and His Righteousness 

FIRST, before anything else

Put NOTHING before Him.

There is NOTHING on earth 

more important than spending time 

With our Savior, Jesus Christ 

Make God PRIORITY 

or the things you are making priority now

Will keep you from making Heaven your home. 

Where your Treasure is 

(what you make priority)

Shows where your heart is

Jesus instructed in Matthew 22:37...

Thou shalt love the LORD thy God 

with ALL THY HEART, 

(with every feeling and emotions)

and with ALL THY SOUL, 

(With every breath you breathe)

and with ALL THY MIND. 

(In all your deep thoughts)

If God is barely in your thoughts 

And rarely on your mind 

You are NOT loving the Lord your God

With all your heart

Again, all this is not being judgmental 

This is a warning cry going out 

Because God is not willing 

that any should perish 

But we MUST make God PRIORITY 

or the things we are making priority now

Will keep us from making Heaven our home. 

God said in Jeremiah 29:13...

And ye shall seek me, and find me, 

WHEN ye shall search for me 

with ALL your heart.

Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just sharing what came to me strongly during pre-service prayer.

8-18-24

BY THEM is Thy servant WARNED

BY THEM is Thy servant WARNED:

and in KEEPING THEM 

there is GREAT REWARD.

Who can understand his errors?

By what? 

And in keeping of what is GREAT reward? 

What help a us to understand our errors?

THE LAW of the LORD

- it's purpose is to convert the soul

THE TESTIMONY of the LORD

- makes even the simple wise

THE STATUTES of the LORD

- rejoice the heart

THE COMMANDMENT of the LORD

- enlightens the eyes (opens our understanding of God's Word and ways)

THE FEAR of the LORD

- endures forever and is the beginning of wisdom 

THE JUDGMENTS of the LORD

- they are true and righteous

All of these are to be desired more than gold - more than wealth, riches, more than fine gold.

Because they are sweeter to the soul than honey and the honeycomb are to the taste buds. 

They warn us when and of what we are doing wrong in God's sight.

In KEEPING (observing and obeying) them is GREAT REWARD. 

The Scriptures are there to help us see our errors and change our ways to walk in God's ways.

Search the Scriptures 

Read the Scriptures 

Daily

And keep (observe and obey) them

Psalm 19:7-11 + 111:10 + Prov 9:10

2 Timothy 4:4

 And they shall turn away their ears 

from the Truth, 

and shall be turned unto fables.

  — 2 Timothy 4:4 (KJV)

Fables = not founded on fact; not true, i.e. a lie

Don't turn away your ears from hearing the Truth. 💔

I had someone once say to me concerning Truths in God's Word: "I don't believe all that!"

First off, they don't want to believe it.

Secondly, they are not reading the Bible much or in its entirety.  

It doesn't matter what you believe.  

If it's in the Bible then God's Word is Truth and what we believe is false.

COMPEL THEM TO COME IN

 Luk 14:23 - And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and COMPEL THEM TO COME IN, THAT MY HOUSE MAY BE FILLED. 

As I was praying the other day about soul winning and reaching the lost, this Scripture came to my mind. 

Jesus was giving a parable about a Great Supper. He told how many were invited, but when the supper was ready they all made excuses as to why they couldn't come.... too busy, have other obligations to attend to, something else is taking priority, spending time with family was more important, and so on. The same excuses many give nowadays as to why they can't come to Church.  

The first invitation was joyous and peaceful "Come and dine!" But so many refused, not realizing what they were giving up for earthly temporal things.

Next, Jesus said to go invite those who are poor, and maimed, and the halt, and the blind. Because those who have needs and are not rich in the things of this world are more likely to receive Him gladly. 

They did this yet there was still room. So Jesus said the lord instructed to go the highways and hedges and to COMPEL them to come in, that His House may be FILLED. 

Compel means: (1) force or oblige (someone) to do something. (2) bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure. (3) literally meaning to force

That is completely opposite of how most think and operate when it comes to soul winning. I know we can't literally force someone to live for Jesus. But we need to COMPEL them as much as is possible using Godly wisdom because time is running out. We don't want our family, our friends, or anyone to be lost for eternity.  

If you have someone who keeps seeming to badger and hound you about coming to Church, you need to thank God for them. They care about your soul and where you spend eternity enough to risk making you upset with them. But they're doing it because they love you. 

Don't stop compelling others to make the choice to live for Jesus.  

The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. (Mt 9:37) 

Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest will teach you how to be a laborer in His field. Don't look and pray for someone else to do it. We all need to be reaching for the lost while we can. 

So what if they think you're being a little extra. What is that in comparison to eternity.  

COMPEL THEM TO COME IN!

8-13-22

THE INSIDE WAS BITTER

The Inside Was Bitter

This year, my garden did not do well,  but a few years ago we had a good harvest of cucumbers. I had already pickled some and put a few in the fridge wrapped in paper towels and sealed in a ziplock bag to preserve freshness until I could figure out what to do with them.  

I finally had time to pull them out of the fridge and put them in the dehydrator to make healthy cucumber chips. 

They all looked good as I unwrapped them,  so I began to slice the first one up. I grabbed a piece and popped it in my mouth as I sliced them. Suddenly,  I had the most awful bitter taste in my mouth. Ugh! I quickly spit it out (sorry to be so gross) and grabbed a drink to try to wash away the awful taste. That cucumber looked good on the outside but had become bitter and rotten on the inside. So, I removed all its pieces and threw them in the trash.  

I began slicing the second one.  It also looked fine on the outside,  but once again my mouth was filled with the most bitter, horrid taste as I tasted a slice from it.  I spewed it out of my mouth as well. 

The inside was bitter! 

That cucumber and its pieces also went into the trash.  

I was hesitant to try the third and fourth cucumbers, but, thankfully, they tasted fine. So, I sliced and seasoned them, then placed them in the dehydrator to bake. 

While what the outside looks like IS important to God (I can show you many Scriptural passages supporting what I say, beginning in Genesis), the inside is equally as important.  

We can look so good and have everything appear perfect on the outside, but yet be so bitter on the inside.  

The inside matters too! (Matthew 23)

It is important to examine our heart to make sure there is no bitterness taking root and spreading in our heart and mind. Make sure there is no hate, envy, anger, or strife wrestling within us. Cast out and repent of all rebellion and pride which are contrary to God and His nature.

Jesus is coming soon. We don't want anything to cause us to be lost for eternity.  We don't want anything in our heart that is displeasing to God that would cause Him to spew us out of His mouth. 

Eternity is too long and hell is too hot to be lost forever.  

Make sure your heart is clean and pure in God's eyes. (not ours, because: the heart is deceitful above all else and desperately wicked. Who could know it? Jer 17:9) We may not see it, but God does so let HIM search the hearts and minds.  

Make sure the inside is as clean and pure as the outside.  

It's better to have a clean heart and meet Jesus as Savior rather than as Judge.

Make sure, make very sure you're ready.

"GOD WANTS OUR TIME!"

"GOD WANTS OUR TIME!"

Those words woke me out of my sleep. 

Those words are not for me only. 

It is for ALL of us!

How much time and attention are you giving Him?

He is a jealous God!

Set noone and nothing before Him!

Spend quality time with Him.

Talk to Him.

It does matter! 

It is important!

It matters for eternity!

Hear the words of the Lord!

You Can Only Be Who God Created You To Be

In a world telling you 

that you can be anything you want to be, 

you are still and always will be 

the gender God created you to be. 

Your bone structure reveals it. 

Your blood and DNA reveal it. 

That can not be changed.  

So, be what and who GOD created you to be.

Thy Word

have I hid in my heart

that I might not sin

against Thee.

Psalm 119:11

To hide God's Word in our heart:

We have to read it every day. 

Not just skim it, but really read it. 

Reading not just the parts we like and make us feel good.

But reading every word, every jot, every verse from front to back then reading it through again.  

With an open heart and open mind to hear what God is truly saying to His people.  

And memorize Scripture. 

We memorize so many things...people can remember books and songs and touch downs and scores and so much more of things that are temporal and one day will no longer matter. 

But God's Word and what it says will....forever!

So read God's Word...everyday....and hide what God is saying in your heart...

Not just the promises but also the instructions and warnings 

SO THAT we will not sin against Him.

8-8-22

 Job 42:10 - And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, WHEN he prayed for his friends...

Because it turned his focus off from self and his own problems and onto others and their needs.

This is opposite of what the world pushes: "you need more ME time"  "take time for yourSELF" "love yourSELF more" and so on. 

But the Bible shows us the oppposite: that God turned Job's situation around WHEN he focused and prayed for others. 

We all have things we've went through. Many have stories they could tell and books they could write about their trials and what they've endured in life. But, as I was thinking yesterday,  we will always find someone who has had it worse. Many of those  you would never know about it if you didn't already know.  

If you're going through situations and troubles, turn your focus away from the problem and toward praying for others. See what God will do. 

I'm not saying to not pray for your need and situation.  But when you've already prayed and prayed and prayed about it, try turning your prayers more-so to the needs of others and place your personal need in God's hands....then leave it there and trust Him. God blessed Job with double when he focused on praying for others. 

Job 42:10...also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

8-14-22

What Is Sitting Beside Your Chair?

What is sitting beside your chair that you sit in most?

Can the Bible be seen? Found?

Or is it only the TV remote?

And maybe your favorite drink cup? 

Maybe your favorite novel?

If someone sees your Bible, is there evidence that it is often read?

Or is it gathering dust?

Hidden away?

While the TV remote has shiny spots all over it from the oil of your hands and frequent use?

What noise is blasting in your home most of the day?

Can the sound of prayer heard at times?

Or is it mainly/only the sound coming from the TV screen? Hulu? Netflix? Etc.

I could ask more

But I'll leave it at these thoughts.

I just wonder how this makes Jesus feel? 😔

(Repost from 8-5-23,24)

You Call Him LORD, But Do You Serve Him?

You call Him Lord 

But do you serve Him?

Lord means:

someone or something having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler.

This walk with Jesus is more than just calling Him 'LORD'....

When you call Him 'LORD,'

you are acknowledging Him 

as your Ruler and Master; 

the one who has power, authority, 

and influence over you.

Jesus asked in Luke 6:46 KJV — 

And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, 

and do not the things which I say?

If we call Him LORD

then we must obey Him in ALL things.

Is He TRULY your LORD = your Master and Ruler?

Are you obeying His commands?

Have you given Him full power and authority over your life?

Are you doing the things that He says

to do or not do?

You call Him Lord 

But are you serving Him?

WHEN GOD TURNS A DEAF EAR

WHEN GOD TURNS A DEAF EAR

Zechariah 7 (KJV)

¹³ THEREFORE it is come to pass, 

that as He cried, 

and they would not hear; 

so they cried, 

and I would not hear, 

saith the LORD of hosts:

BECAUSE....

¹¹ ...they refused to hearken, 

and pulled away the shoulder, 

and stopped their ears, 

that they should not hear.

¹² Yea, they made their hearts 

as an adamant (hard) stone, 

lest they should hear the law, 

and the words which the LORD of hosts 

hath sent in His Spirit by the former prophets: 

THEREFORE 

came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

Many think of God as a God of love and mercy (and He is), yet there is also a side of God that becomes angry if we harden our hearts and refuse to listen to His Words (the Bible) or the Preachers.  

Stubbornness and rebellion brought God's wrath on the children of Israel. Their refusal to listen angered Him so much that He refused to hear their cries since they refused to hear His cries.  

They were ignoring God, therefore, God was ignoring them. 

If we don't want God to ignore us, we do not need to ignore His Word, His instructions, or what He's telling us through the preachers.

(Repost from fb 7-31-24)