Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.19    Messages From Heaven???#3

 

As we continue to look at the “Messages From Heaven” in the Gospel of John, I’d like to finish up our look at John 1 & 2. As Jesus begins His public ministry, on His way to Calvary, He is identified as The One whom God promised would deliver mankind from sin—both its penalty and its power!!! Mary and Joseph were the first ones to receive this good news (Not disregarding Elizabeth and Zachariah who were told that John would go before ‘Him’, and they were privy to Mary being the mother of this promised One).

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23

God had promised to come and deliver us via the ‘Messiah’, and that is exactly who Jesus IS, why He came, and what He came to do! He came to deliver all, who will come to Him, from the penalty of SIN—Hell, and that is an amazingly good message! Mary’s son was to be called ‘Jesus’ because that name meant one that would save; and the only one who could save, was God Himself come in the flesh, ‘Emmanuel’—“God with us”! And that my friends, is good, Good News!

As the ‘forerunner’, John the Baptizer was given a sign so he would recognize this One who had come to deliver His people—to die for their sin, and give them new life.

“And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” John 1:33-34

What is the significance of Jesus being the one who “baptizeth with the Holy Ghost”? In a word—transformation! Jesus came to die for us that we might be made the children of God, and to impart to us the indwelling Holy Spirit. It took the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to pay for our sin, and to usher in the “New Covenant” which would change the “Law of God” from an engraving on stone to His Spirit ‘writing’ on our hearts to lead, guide and direct our every step. (See Galatians 5:16 & 25) Giving us the privilege to “….. come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16b) This New Covenant was promised by God and prophesied by both Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34

“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:25

The same principle that Paul declares in his letters:

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

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Galatians 6:15

Jesus came so that we could become the children of God; that we could be born again by the ‘Spirit of God’; that we would receive the empowering Holy Spirit to direct our walk in God’s way rather than our own. And how was this made possible? By the coming of “Messiah”, and John helps us see Jesus as this ONE! The Good News from Heaven!! This ‘Son of God’, come in flesh, to be the ‘Son of Man’ who would pay for SIN; the ‘Deliverer’ who would save all who repent and trust in His substitutionary sacrifice, receiving His forgiveness, as well as His Spirit to direct our steps.

So what else does the Apostle John reveal about this new itinerate preacher, Jesus.

“He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him,

We have found the Messias,

which is, being interpreted,

the Christ.” John 1:41

“The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.” John 1:43

“Nathanael answered and saith unto him,

Rabbi,

thou art the Son of God;

thou art the King of Israel.

50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Hereafter ye shall see heaven open,

and the angels of God ascending

and descending

upon the Son of man.” John 1:49-51

“Jesus answered and said unto them,

Destroy this temple,

and in three days

I will raise it up.

20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

22 When therefore he was risen

from the dead,

his disciples remembered

that he had said this

unto them;

and they believed the scripture,

and the word which Jesus had said.”     John 2:19-22

Jesus came to accomplish the will of God—God’s will and plan to redeem mankind, all who will come to Him. He accomplished all that He came to do, all because God loves you and me—He loves the world and:

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering

to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come

to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

The Lord God Almighty sent Jesus to be our substitute—to die in our place, for all who will but repent of their sin and believe in His substitutionary death for “ME” and “YOU”! In a sense it doesn’t really matter that He died for the world, if I don’t recognize that HE died for ME! I must see my own need; I must see that I have a problem that I can’t solve, and that only Jesus has a solution which I can’t live without; and when I see Jesus as my own personal deliverer and bow before Him—all things can be made new. Peter’s message about Jesus on the day of Pentecost, after the followers of Jesus received the gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us understand that all that happened to Jesus was according to God’s plan. And my friends, if God can work out every intricate detail of the life, ministry, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation—HE can take care of you and your life everyday and in every way. His message from heaven is that HE loves YOU, and that Jesus came for YOU and ME!!! If we will but look up and receive Him by faith.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.

25 For David speaketh concerning him,

I foresaw the Lord always before my face,

for he is on my right hand,

that I should not be moved:

26 Therefore did my heart rejoice,

and my tongue was glad;

moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul

in hell,

neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One

to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me

the ways of life;

thou shalt make me full of joy

with thy countenance.

29 Men and brethren,

let me freely speak unto you

of the patriarch David,

that he is both dead and buried,

and his sepulchre is with us

unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet,

and knowing that God had sworn

with an oath to him,

that of the fruit of his loins,

according to the flesh,

he would raise up Christ

to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before

spake of the resurrection of Christ,

that his soul was not left in hell,

neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up,

whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God

exalted,

and having received of the Father

the promise of the Holy Ghost,

he hath shed forth this,

which ye now see and hear.”     Acts 2:22-33

And “which ye now see and hear”—right here, right now—the “Message From Heaven”—Jesus who came  “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (See john 10:10). I

Praise God, He had and has a plan for you and me, if we will but receive it. The Good News from heaven is that God loves you and Jesus died that you might have that abundant LIFE! And how can we know this? First of all, because God cannot lie; and secondly, because when we receive Jesus, He will come to dwell within the new heart that HE gives to all who will believe and open the door to His knock.

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”     Revelation 3:20

As one of my favorite hymns says:

“He lives! He lives!

Christ Jesus lives today!

You ask me how I know He lives?

HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART!”

From ‘He Lives’ by Carlton Pearson

And for each of us who belong to Him, may we live as a reflection of HIS light and glory before a world of darkness and corruption. May we truly be an irrefutable testimony before the world that “HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART”!!!

 

And that should be seen in:

My words—

My deeds—

My responses–

My choices—

My walk—

My passions—

My allegiance—

My devotion!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #306 Messages From Heaven??? #2

 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

As we continue to look at the “messages from heaven” which we find in the Gospel of John, we will consider another name of Jesus in chapter one of John. We talked last time about the significance of “The Word” and its clear reference to the deity, and creative nature of Jesus as the Son of God. It is imperative that we recognize that Jesus IS God! Without that acknowledgment we will never understand the Good News of the Gospel, nor the unparalleled love of God for mankind. Jesus, as God, laid aside His glory and the complete display of His power to take on human flesh. He confined Himself to a body of flesh for some 33 years and walked among us to reveal the Father to us, and to be the sacrifice for our sin. And that is what I’d like us to look at today.

While these two names of Jesus (The Word and The Lamb of God) are not technically part of the “I Am”s that John records in his Gospel, they do lay the foundation for our recognition of not only “who” Jesus was/is, but also what He came to do, be the perfect sacrifice, which He alone could accomplish– the sacrifice required by God for the salvation/redemption of mankind, the world (See John 3:16).

Jesus wasn’t’ an after-thought to deal with the sin of man, rather God had planned salvation before the creation of man, to provide for our failure. That thought, as much as anything I know about God, has amazed me beyond measure—that God would create us knowing that we would fail Him and choose to sin, and yet He not only creates us, regardless of that knowledge, but He already provided for our salvation before the “beginning”—He loved us that much! He loves YOU that much!

“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.”     1 Peter 1:18-21

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:3-4

I am so grateful that God loved us that much—that He wanted to have a relationship with us knowing that the price for that relationship would be His Only Begotten Son! Yet He created us anyway, and saves and delivers those who will come to Him in repentance and faith: repentance from our sin, and faith in the sinless Savior and His death, burial and resurrection for man’s sin.

“Moreover, brethren,

I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you

first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

And praise God He came for me, and for you!!! And that is what John the Baptizer declared before the world as Jesus began His public ministry– This “Lamb” which had been promised.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me:

for he was before me.”     John 1:29-30

The “Lamb of God”, the one whom God had promised would come and resolve the “sin” problem: But why a Lamb? Because only the sacrifice of a perfect, spotless offering could pay for the sin of man, and Jesus was that spotless, sinless “Lamb of God” who “taketh away the sin of the world”! Because “….. without shedding of blood is no remission.” (See Hebrews 9:22) Jesus took away sin with His own life’s blood on Calvary, all for you and me. He had no sin but He gave His sinless life for my sinFUL one! This Lamb from heaven—who was before John because He IS God! John was about 6 months older than Jesus so he wasn’t referring to their physical age, but to the deity of Jesus and His eternal existence—the ONE who come in flesh and blood to DIE for you and me!!!

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

What will you do with the Lamb of God? Will you reject His sacrifice for you or will you bow before Him and let Him make you a new creature. The choice is yours, and the message is for all—“he shall save his people from their sins”! Will you be one of “his people”? He came for you.

“But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.” John 10:26-28

Praise God He came to pay the price for our sin “according to the scriptures”– God promised, and God always keeps HIS promises.

“Surely he hath borne our griefs,

and carried our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him stricken,

smitten of God,

and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace was upon him;

and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned every one to his own way;

and the Lord hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed,

and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth:

he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb,

so he openeth not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:4-7

Jesus didn’t have to speak because HE IS THE WORD–His person, life, ministry, death and resurrection said it all. What will you do with the “Lamb of God”? The choice is yours, and we who belong to Him need to live like HIS sheep before the world!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.18 Messages From Heaven???

 

Last week we talked about the “Message From Hell”, and heard the testimony of one who was suffering in hell, and his concern was for his lost brethren. Yet as disconcerting as thinking about “hell” is, the good news is that we don’t have to go there. The message from heaven is that Jesus has provided salvation which delivers from sin, as well as from death and hell (the “wages” of sin); and I’d like us to spend the next few weeks looking at some of the “Messages From Heaven” that are recorded in the Gospel of John! Where’s the best place to start? It is almost always at the ‘beginning’! Let’s go!

 

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God,

whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness,

to bear witness of the Light,

that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light,

but was sent to bear witness

of that Light.

9 That was the true Light,

which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”     John 1:1-14

John didn’t begin his Gospel with the incarnation of the Messiah through the nativity, or even as Mark began with the public ministry of John The Baptist, who was to “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Instead the Apostle John began his Gospel “In the beginning” with the declaration that Jesus IS the “Word” of God—the person of truth as well as the content of His ‘Words’! Just as Jesus proclaimed of Himself:

“….I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

John began his Gospel by establishing the deity of Jesus and the truth that He and The Father (with the Holy Spirit also) are One! Look at the things that John tells us about Jesus in these few verses:

Jesus was “in the beginning”–

       He was “with God”—

       Jesus “was God” (Was, is and ever will be!) —

       He was, is and ever will be the same “with” God—

John reveals Jesus as God the creator—the “WORD”! And when we look back at Genesis chapter one, we find that God created by “speaking” (..God said ‘let there be’..) all things into existence. Have you ever wondered why God and the Holy Spirit are referenced in Genesis 1, but not the Son? Well, John helps clarify Jesus’ presence by clearly revealing Jesus as “The Word”—The Word of God by whom God spoke all things into existence. So when God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”, He was referring to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit at work together. And John clearly reveals who Jesus always was, ever is and ever will be. His method throughout the Gospel of John is his unique proclamation of the “I AM” declarations of Jesus. And it is imperative that we understand that Jesus IS creator, because He IS God, and “God” (Elohim) created all things—by, with and through Jesus The Son.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom

of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image

of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.”     Colossians 1:12-17

Jesus not only created “ALL” things, but it is by His Word that all things consist and hold together. Need more?

“God, who at sundry times

and in divers manners

spake in time past

unto the fathers

by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days

spoken unto us

by his Son,

whom he hath appointed heir

of all things,

by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory,

and the express image of his person,

and upholding all things

by the word of his power,

when he had by himself purged our sins,

sat down

on the right hand

of the Majesty on high:”    Hebrews 1:1-3

The Good News from heaven is that Jesus IS God, He WAS God in the beginning, and He IS creator and sustainer of all things, past, present and future. Jesus IS God, and HE came into our world, took on flesh and blood so that HE could die for our sin so that we could have eternal life with HIM! Jesus the Son of God took on flesh and blood in order to die for you and me! He was born to die for us! What kind of love cares that much for me? For you? Only God’s gracious, merciful and life-giving love displayed at Calvary, at the cost of HIS “ONLY BEGOTTEN SON”! All for us!

“Forasmuch then as the children

are partakers of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise took part of the same;

that through death he might destroy him

that had the power of death,

that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them

who through fear of death

were all their lifetime

subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him

the nature of angels;

but he took on him

the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him

to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful

and faithful high priest

in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation

for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself

hath suffered being tempted,

he is able to succour them

that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18

Jesus took on flesh and blood for you and me. The message from heaven is that God loves you and me and sent HIS son to be our sacrifice. God sent Jesus to pay for our sins—sins that HE hadn’t committed and that we couldn’t pay for apart from eternity in hell (those ‘wages of sin’). Jesus came as our substitute, and that my friends, is the best news that could ever be. John the Apostle recorded another account of the ‘other’ John—John the Baptizer—who came before Jesus the Messiah to proclaim the truth of His arrival.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me:

for he was before me.

31 And I knew him not:

but that he should be

made manifest to Israel,

therefore am I come baptizing with water.

32 And John bare record, saying,

I saw the Spirit descending from heaven

like a dove,

and it abode upon him.

33 And I knew him not:

but he that sent me to baptize

with water,

the same said unto me,

Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit

descending,

and remaining on him,

the same is he

which baptizeth with

the Holy Ghost.

34 And I saw,

and bare record

that this is the Son of God.

35 Again the next day after John stood,

and two of his disciples;

36 And looking upon Jesus

as he walked,

he saith,

Behold the Lamb of God!” John 1:29-36

So my question to you today is, “Have you heeded the message?” Have you responded to the voice of the Lamb of God speaking to your heart? If you have, are you sharing that truth with others? If you haven’t, then I urge you to call on Jesus today—heed the messages; the message from hell and the message from heaven are calling you to come to Jesus and avoid a destiny in hell. You must choose for yourself—but remember it’s an eternal choice, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Jesus died to give you life, so don’t let the enemy of your soul blind your eyes and ears to the message!!!

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37

Bible Ballistics: BBs #305 Is There Any GOOD News???

 

In a Word yes!!! In fact, The Word is the Good News—Jesus Christ!

 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not……..14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Portions of John 1:1-14

Jesus, The Son of God came in the flesh to redeem (purchase back from sin) mankind—all who will believe in Him. And it is Jesus come in the flesh that reveals to us the glory of God. The God Almighty of all creation—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And the Son took on flesh and blood to pay for our sin at Calvary, after all God couldn’t die, so He took on flesh that He could have a body of flesh in which HE would pay for our sin.

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise

took part of the same;

that through death

he might destroy him

that had the power of death,

that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them

who through fear of death

were all their lifetime

subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him

the nature of angels;

but he took on him the seed

of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him

to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful

and faithful high priest

in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation

for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself

hath suffered being tempted,

he is able to succour

them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18

Jesus took on a body of flesh for you and me, that we might have life—eternal life with HIM. He came to restore that which we (all mankind) lost in Eden, and to do that HE had to come in flesh and blood, walk among men, experience temptation and OVERCOME temptation, sin, death and hell!!! And HE DID! And that is what we must believe and trust in—there is no other way, and that IS the Good News!   But at the same time it is sad news for those who reject Him.

“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:2-3

Jesus IS God, the same Lord God who revealed Himself to Adam and Eve, Enoch, Abraham and Moses– One God in three unique and distinct personalities.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:” Deuteronomy 6:4-6

And just as Moses declared truth here, it’s not having it in your head—it must be “be in thine heart”! And when we receive the forgiveness of sin that Jesus offers, in giving ourselves to Him we receive life, hope, truth and glory. And while many call the “model” prayer the “Lord’s Prayer”, in truth the “Lord’s Prayer” which He prayed for us is recorded in John 17. And I’d like to share portions of that prayer with you today. My challenge to you is to read it (In fact get out your Bible and read the entire prayer.), think on it and read it some more. Let the very word of the Savior of mankind—of your soul if you know HIM—sweep over you and receive the Good News of who HE is, and what HE has done and is doing for you even now—right this very minute! That my friend, is the Best News.

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come;

glorify thy Son,

that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power

over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life

to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal,

that they might know thee

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ,

whom thou hast sent……

7 Now they have known that all things

whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words

which thou gavest me;

and they have received them,

and have known surely that I came

out from thee,

and they have believed

that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them:

I pray not for the world,

but for them

which thou hast given me;

for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine,

and thine are mine;

and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world,

but these are in the world,

and I come to thee.

Holy Father,

keep through thine own name

those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one,

as we are……..

20 Neither pray I for these alone,

but for them also

which shall believe on me

through their word;

21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father,

art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me

I have given them;

that they may be one,

even as we are one:

23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect

in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.”    Portions of John 17:1-23

Jesus IS the Good News, and you and I are made ministers, ambassadors for Jesus Christ. And an ambassador doesn’t speak for himself, he speaks for the One he represents—we are to be ambassadors of the Good News of the King of Glory! And we can be His ambassadors and do His work only and always because He is within us—in Him, through Him and with Him we can do all things that He asks of us!

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”  Colossians 1:25-27

There is GOOD NEWS??? It’s your choice! All or nothing?

“…..for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

Bible Ballistics: BBs #304 Feelings or Certainty???

 

As we face this middle of the week today, I’d like to share a brief word of encouragement with you. Regardless of what each of us is facing, or the emotions and fears that come in times of stress, our God is still faithful and your situation today didn’t catch God off guard! And that my friend you can take to the bank—so to speak!!! We don’t have to allow circumstances to toss us to and fro with our own emotions, but rather we can stand fast in the truths of The Word of God, for our God is able and willing to see us through the difficult days as well as the pleasant ones.

“For the which cause I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed:

for I know whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words,

which thou hast heard of me,

in faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.”     2 Timothy 1:12-13

When we belong to Jesus Christ, we can “know” that we “know” what we “know”, and that is that “he is able” in every situation or circumstance that may confront us. Our God is totally in control—ALL the time. As Evangelist David Ring often says, “God never says ‘OOPS’!“ And I, for one, am grateful and certain of that truth! Isaiah heard it directly from God, and it’s still true today.

“When thou passest through the waters,

I will be with thee;

and through the rivers,

they shall not overflow thee:

when thou walkest through the fire,

thou shalt not be burned;

neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:” Isaiah 43:1-2a

So my dear friends, whatever your situation today, whatever may be confronting you, wherever you may be walking today, remember, God has YOU as well as the situation. He is working on behalf of His own, and we don’t have to run on “feelings”. Instead we can stand in the certainty that our God never fails! He is worthy of our praise, our worship, and most assuredly our confidence and trust. Don’t let emotions keep you on that rollercoaster of “feelings”—instead camp out on the God who never fails! Speak His Word: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him”! Give it to HIM, leave it there, then remember and stand fast—even if you have to keep on telling yourself to look up to the One who has it all in His hand. As you take heart in the truth and rest in Him, here are a few thoughts from The Word to take with you today. Hide His Word in your heart!!!

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”     Psalm 56:3-4

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.”     Daniel 3:17

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:” Job 13:15a