Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.22 No Thank You, I’m Just Fine!

 

What am I thankful for? Or am I thankful for anything? Is my response to God, ‘No thank you, I’ve got this. I don’t need any help. I have only myself to thank for all that I have done.” We live in a culture that is so “me” focused that Thanksgiving has almost become blasé, with many people ungrateful for anything, just wanting to ‘gobble’ up ‘more’—always more. John D. Rockefeller, the first American billionaire, when asked by a reporter, “How much money is enough?” responded, “Just a little bit more.” Why would a billionaire want more? Because you can’t have enough money to satisfy or save your soul. There is only one thing that can bring true personal freedom and satisfaction, and that is Jesus—The only One who can free us from the bondage of sin, lust and the chains of greed.

“As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:30-36

Jesus is the only One who can make us free—not ‘set’ us free but make us judicially free from the bondage and penalty of sin (By the transforming power of salvation by grace through faith. See Ephesians 2:1-10). And eventually, in God’s timing, HE will set us free from the very presence of sin. Jesus gives us life, and peace with God—not just the peace “of” God, but also peace ‘with’ God. How could we not be grateful when we have received such abundant, and amazing grace and mercy?

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:1-6

So much to be grateful for! So much to be thankful for! So much that Jesus Christ has done for us; and by faith we can receive all that He did for us at Calvary. Consider what HE did for us.

Justified us—He paid our legal debt, due for sin—

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

I owed a debt that would cost me eternity in Hell, yet Jesus paid that debt for me with His own blood. As an old song says, “I owed a debt I couldn’t pay, He paid a debt He didn’t owe. I needed someone to wash my sins away…” That is exactly what Jesus did for us, He washes away sin for those who come to Him in repentance and faith; exercising repentance (turning from my way/my sin) and placing my ‘active, receptive trust’/faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for my sin (I borrowed the “active, receptive, trust description from my Pastor, thanks Pastor Brad!). The Gospel of Jesus is the only thing that saves!

“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 15:3-5

Jesus did all this for you and me. I can’t think of anything that should make us more grateful. How about you? But that’s not all. Let’s go back to Romans.

Jesus gives us peace with God—reconciled enemies–

“Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”   Romans 5:9-11

Jesus –justified us, reconciled us, saves us from death by HIS life (given up for us on the cross), atoning for our sin with His own blood! Praise God! Amen! But that’s not all!

Jesus bought us access to God—sonship—

“Seeing then that we have

a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 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.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”     Hebrews 4:14-16

 

“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.” John 1:12-13

Jesus brings us into the family of God, and we can now have intimate, personal fellowship with God The Father. By Jesus’ work at the cross, He offers us His glory—and because of what He has done, is doing, and will do within us, we can glory in all situations because HE enables us to rejoice IN GOD—to know and possess the Joy of The Lord! And that is worthy of our thanks, our gratitude as well as our love and devotion. What Jesus gives us is power and hope, power and hope that prevail in any difficulty because God is at work within us—His Son and His power are at work in us through the power of His Holy Spirit!

“And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us…”

How can we not be grateful for what God has done for us if we are His? And if you don’t belong to Jesus, I invite you to come to Him today and have the greatest “Thanks-giving” ever, rejoicing in the “abundant life” that Jesus gives. I’m not talking about care-free, rose-garden, problem-free life, but a life that has the presence, power and provision of Jesus through any and all of the difficulties and trials of life. I have walked with Him for many years and I have walked some difficult paths, some of my own creation, but He has never failed me, ever. He will always bring glory to Himself, and growth in my life and yours. Jesus NEVER fails—I often fail—Jesus never does, and He is ever at work in all that comes into our lives.

“And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?” Romans 8:28-31

So I just want to thank God for each of you and call each of us to have a heart set on Him with an attitude of gratitude. I would challenge each one of us to take some time this week and sit down and write out a list of things that you are grateful for—not for public view, but just for your own personal encouragement as you rehearse the goodness of God and all the ways He has blessed YOU. I heard someone not very long ago, share a statement they had heard and it had a great impact on me, ‘What would you have tomorrow if you woke up and only had the things that you had thanked God for today?’ Quite a sobering thought. May we truly cultivate an attitude of gratitude—it’s a great cure for greed and selfishness. May we each work on that garden of gratitude every day, not just once a year!

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness:

come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all generations.” Psalm 100

Amen and Amen!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #312 Messages From Heaven #10!!!

 

As we continue to look at the Gospel of John, we come to one of my favorite passages, chapter 10. And why is this one of my favorites? Because Jesus reveals so much of ‘who’ HE IS to us. Some of the most reassuring “I AM”s of John’s gospel are found in chapter 10. While I won’t do an in-depth look at these names and titles of Jesus, I do want us to take heart and hope in all that our Lord Jesus Christ is as well as all that HE has done for us.

It is so important that we truly hear the message from Heaven—Jesus, and understand what He is saying. Like we talked about recently, we must have the good soil of a heart that receives the seed willingly and with faith to believe that Jesus is God, and that He died for our sin providing salvation for those who will come to Him. Don’t be one of those who hear and don’t understand (both then as well as now).

“This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.” John 10:6

Will you receive and embrace the truth that brings life?

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 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 10:7-10

Jesus not only provides salvation for those who will believe but He is Truth—the only true one from God. All others are thieves who come “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”. No matter how pretty a picture the world paints, all those other roads and purported options are simply mirages that Satan uses to trap and ensnare. They steal people’s, joy, life and purpose, but Jesus has come so that we “might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”! Be careful what you listen to and believe. Just because it waddles like a duck, and quacks like a duck—it may not be a duck. Jesus himself warned us about those “wolves in sheep’s clothing”, for HE is the one only one who truly cares for the sheep. He gave His life for us!

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

And praise God that is exactly what He did on the cross! He gave His life for mine! He gave His life for yours! What have you done with this great gift of grace and mercy? He came because He loves us! And because He came as GOD in the flesh, we have but to “hear” Him, repent, and believe:

“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.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

I and my Father are one.” John 10:27-30

Bottom line: Jesus IS God! Jesus IS the only door to heaven! Jesus IS the Good Shepherd and He cares for His sheep! The question: ‘Will you hear and believe?’

Bible Ballistics: BBs #311 Messages From Heaven #9!!!

 

Today we turn to John chapter 6, and while the “Message” is still from heaven, it’s a unique message that we need to hear and heed today. What people believe and pursue is important. Why they believe is also important, and Jesus begins to teach and share some hard things in this chapter of the Gospel of John. In fact, they are so hard that the chapter closes with these verses.

“From that time

many of his disciples went back,

and walked no more with him.

67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve,

Will ye also go away?

68 Then Simon Peter answered him,

Lord, to whom shall we go?

thou hast the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe

and are sure

that thou art that Christ,

the Son of the living God.

70 Jesus answered them,

Have not I chosen you twelve,

and one of you is a devil?

71 He spake of Judas Iscariot

the son of Simon:

for he it was

that should betray him,

being one of the twelve.”    John 6:66-71

In chapters 6-8 of John, Jesus intensifies His teaching, and many could not accept the things He was saying. It is no different today! People want to align themselves with the miraculous things that Jesus can ‘do’, but when the hard sayings come, they go elsewhere. Jesus had been teaching and doing miracles throughout Judea and Galilee causing crowds to flock to Him; yet in chapter 6 He begins to draw that proverbial ‘line in the sand’ and many did not like what they heard, hence the statement in verse 66.

“From that time

many of his disciples went back,

and walked no more with him.”

‘Disciples’ is simply referring to those who were following Jesus, but when He began to make truths about Himself clear, “many” changed their minds about HIM! This was no surprise to Jesus! In fact, He called their motives into account earlier in the chapter. What are our motives today?

“And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

26 Jesus answered them and said,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Ye seek me,

not because ye saw the miracles,

but because ye did eat

of the loaves, and were filled.

27 Labour not for the meat

which perisheth,

but for that meat

which endureth

unto everlasting life,

which the Son of man

shall give unto you:

for him hath God the Father sealed.”    John 6:25-27

After the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus and the twelve had gone around the shore by boat (after Jesus joined them by walking on the water). When the people saw that He wasn’t in the same place they sought after Him and found Him, initiating this exchange. Jesus told them the same thing that He would say to many today: ‘You didn’t look for me because you want to know truth, but because you had your belly filled and you want more’ (Blanche’s paraphrase!). Then Jesus taught truth that caused many of them to cease following HIM! Jesus called them, and He is calling us today, to seek the eternal things rather than the temporal.

We live in, and are influenced by, a culture that is so obsessed with ‘stuff’ and satisfying the ‘flesh’ that we stand in danger of making the same mistakes that those in the very physical presence of Jesus made; being distracted and mislead by the things of this world, to the point of missing Truth–Jesus! “The Way….The Truth…..The Life…”

We must, I repeat, we must examine ourselves and see if we are just fascinated by Jesus or if we truly believe. Consider Jesus’ answer to them; it is something we must consider today. Because, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!”

“36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.”

Have we truly committed ourselves to “WHO” Jesus is, what He came to do, and the truth that HE is the “ONLY” way? Even among the twelve, one didn’t get it, and Jesus knew.

 “Then Simon Peter answered him,

Lord, to whom shall we go?

thou hast the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure

that thou art that Christ,

the Son of the living God.

70 Jesus answered them,

Have not I chosen you twelve,

and one of you is a devil?”

Believer or imposter? God knows, do you?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.21 Messages From Heaven! #8

 

!Jesus! Jesus IS the “message” from heaven; He who came in humility and love to pay for our sin, IS the greatest of all messages—for God sent Him to save you and me and to deliver us from sin, death and hell—and that my friends, is great, good news. I pray that you have availed yourself of His mercy and grace, like the man we’ll consider today. As we see another “message” from the Gospel of John.

“And a certain man was there,

which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lie,

and knew that he had been now

a long time in that case,

he saith unto him,

Wilt thou be made whole?

7 The impotent man answered him,

Sir, I have no man,

when the water is troubled,

to put me into the pool:

but while I am coming,

another steppeth down

before me.

8 Jesus saith unto him,

Rise,

take up thy bed,

and walk.

9 And immediately

the man was made whole,

and took up his bed,

and walked:

and on the same day was the sabbath.” John 5:5-9

Here is a man who had been unable to walk for 38 years, he isn’t cognizant of Jesus, nor did he ask for healing; but Jesus SAW him, had compassion on him and asked him, “Wilt thou be made whole?” And while we may think this has nothing to do with us, it calls us to take a closer look.

This unnamed man had an obvious need; he was at the ‘pool’ waiting for a miracle from God. Yet when Jesus asked if he wanted to be made whole, he replied that there was no one to help him to the pool when the water was stirred, which was when healing was experienced for the “first one” into the pool after the stirring. Can you imagine the expectations around that pool, yet like us they were so focused on their expectations that they missed the very presence of God The Son! Yet Jesus had compassion on this man! Why this man? We don’t know why, except for the grace and mercy of God, just like He offers to we who will hear His call, believe and respond in faith.

We also need to consider the kindred spirit that mankind has with this man’s oblivion to the presence of Jesus and who HE was/is! We should understand that only God can open the eyes of the heart and soul to see Jesus! And when He calls we must choose how we will respond. This man had to make a choice, as do we all.

This man could have rolled back over the other way, thinking, “Can’t he see that I can’t walk?” Or he could have just decided that this man was “out of his head”—he can’t make me walk. But he didn’t do any of those things, instead he heard the voice of Jesus, believed what he heard and he got up and walked away, and created a furor among the religious leaders of the day for carrying his bed on the Sabbath day! Jesus just stirred more than the water; he showed that God has compassion on the lostness of men.

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”     John 3:16-19

We all must choose what we will do with God’s message—HIS SON, come in the flesh to live a sinless life, to die in our place and to rise again from the dead to give “everlasting life” to all who will believe in Him for salvation. It brings to my mind the parable of the sower and the seed.

“And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed,

some seeds fell by the way side,

and the fowls came

and devoured them up:

5 Some fell upon stony places,

where they had not much earth:

and forthwith they sprung up,

because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up,

they were scorched;

and because they had no root,

they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns;

and the thorns sprung up,

and choked them:

8 But other fell into good ground,

and brought forth fruit,

some an hundredfold,

some sixtyfold,

some thirtyfold.

9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”     Matthew 13:3-9

This is one of my favorite parables of Jesus, plain yet complex. The sower and the seed are static—they don’t vary (Jesus=Sower, Word=Seed), but the responses do. We have the ‘way side’, the ‘stony places’, the ‘among thorns” soil, and the ‘good ground”; and all men and women, boys and girls fall into one of these categories of response. We all make choices, and not choosing is a choice! Jesus also gives us the meaning of this parable.

“Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth

the word of the kingdom,

and understandeth it not,

then cometh the wicked one,

and catcheth away

that which was sown in his heart.

This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed

into stony places,

the same is he that heareth the word,

and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself,

but dureth for a while:

for when tribulation

or persecution ariseth

because of the word,

by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns

is he that heareth the word;

and the care of this world,

and the deceitfulness of riches,

choke the word,

and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground

is he that heareth the word,

and understandeth it;

which also beareth fruit,

and bringeth forth,

some an hundredfold,

some sixty,

some thirty.” Matthew 13:18-23

We learn that the way side, represents those who have no desire to hear God, no understanding of the truth of spiritual things, and when the seed is sown it is devoured by the birds— the work of the Devil, the busyness of life, a mind set against God, and set on self, and often influenced by others, all things that keep the seed from bringing forth fruit. Simply put, representative of those who reject God whether it be openly, or simply by neglect.

The second group is the “stony places”, which represents those who hear the word and rejoice in the “Good News”, but have no root in themselves; in other words, they hear the message, rejoice in it’s goodness but don’t allow it to change their hearts, (They aren’t born again) so when difficulty or persecution comes (and it always will come) they fall away, just like a plant that has no roots will die because without roots it isn’t authentic or sustainable—it may come up but it can’t live without roots. You can tie eggs on a tree, but there “ain’t” no such thing as an ‘egg’ tree! (Saying so doesn’t make it so! See Matthew 7:13-28)

The third group is “among the thorns” seeds. This group is more difficult to define. While the ‘way side’ and the ‘stony ground’ are clearly those who don’t truly believe, whether by deliberate rejection, or imitation faith, the seeds sown “among the thorns” is subject to debate. Jesus says that they are those who hear the word but allow the “care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches” to choke the word, and they bring forth NO fruit. They take up ground but produce no produce! (Pun intended.) The debate comes in when we try to determine whether these are those who truly believe yet are so weak in the faith and don’t grow, therefore remain fruitless; or if this refers to those who hear the truth, understand what it means, adhere to it in word only and therefore are choked by the influence of the world because they don’t truly have a relationship with Jesus. Let me simply say that there can be a case built for either view, and I recommend that you study it for yourself and see what the Spirit reveals to you through diligent study. The main point to me is simply, if you belong to Jesus, you need to cling closely to Him and allow His Spirit, His Truth and His people help you to grow in grace, truth and power that you can bear fruit.

And lastly the fourth group is the “good ground”, which hears the word, understands it and brings forth fruit. These are those who genuinely and obviously belong to Jesus and are busy about His business—not just busyness! But there is a “message” that we mustn’t miss, that everyone who is genuine and clearly born again by the Spirit of God (See John 1:12-13) doesn’t produce the same amount of fruit—either in ability, size or effect. Jesus clearly tells us here that the good soil produces fruit, but not all the same. He reveals that the crop is not the same for each believer, for each believer is gifted in unique ways, with individual gifts and callings, but they will “produce fruit”:

some an hundredfold,

some sixty,

some thirty.

One thing we can take away from all of this is that Jesus calls us, we can receive Him or reject Him, the choice is ours, given to us by God Almighty. But the choice carries with it the consequences of whatever choice you make. You/we are free to choose to receive or reject Jesus Christ The Lord, but we are not free to set or eliminate the consequences; those have been set by God.

“He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”

The “Message From Heaven” is for you and it is that Jesus loves you and died for you and you can have eternal life in HIM!!! Jesus may be calling you today to “rise up and walk”! He may be calling you to come to Him in repentance and faith to be saved. He may be calling you to a new place or opportunity of service—to rise up and walk with Him for great and amazing bountiful harvests!!! You can lie there lame, puzzled, bitter, frustrated, disappointed and confused! Or you can get up and walk in the power of HIS name!

“Then the Lord said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do…….”   Exodus 6:1a Get up my friend, get up! God wants you to join Him and “see what I will do.”

Bible Ballistics: BBs #310 Sometimes It Hurts!!!

 

I’m taking a break today from our “Messages From Heaven” to share a word of encouragement that we all may need. Whatever is going on around us, we know that our God reigns! As we in America celebrate ‘Veterans Day’, honoring those who have served our country in the military services, we can also honor the One who gave Himself for our salvation, for our deliverance from sin, and who gives hope for today and the future—because HE IS our future.

Let’s share a few words of scripture, to help focus our attitude of gratitude, and to remind us Who IS our hope in the midst of chaos, fear, confusion, sorrow or grief. Our Lord has already overcome! And we can too!

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus has overcome the world, sin and death at Calvary! He had no sin; He was already The Overcomer and He was/is life, yet He came to die for us. He came that we might have life rather than death and hell! In Him, even separation from those whom we love and care about, can’t erase the peace and hope of His sacrifice, but gives comfort by the surety of a heavenly reunion with those who also belong to Him. And His “life” within us now, brings peace and hope rather than desperation–Peace in the midst of any storm!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience;

and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given

unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.” Romans 5:1-8

We have “peace with God through” HIM, so give it all to Jesus! Whatever you burden is today—Jesus can handle it!

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“……2 My help cometh from the Lord……

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee will not slumber. ….

5 The Lord is thy keeper:………

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:

he shall preserve thy soul. …..

even for evermore.” Portions of Psalm 121