Bible Ballistics: BBs  #367    Winning The Body Battle???

 

Many of you reading this are thinking, “Oh, great, another magic diet!” Or, “Yeah, this will tell me how to have ‘six-pack-abs’ in 48 hours!” Well, sorry, but the ‘Body Battle’ I want to deal with is the fact that Christians, believers and follower of Jesus Christ The Lord, are in a constant battle with our bodies. We are in a war with the ‘flesh’. Paul wrote on this seldom-mentioned principle, but I think it is imperative for us to consider it today; for we live in a culture transfixed on the “flesh”!

“Know ye not that they which run in a race

run all,

but one receiveth the prize?

So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery

is temperate in all things.

Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown;

but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run,

not as uncertainly;

so fight I,

not as one that beateth the air: 

27 But I keep under my body,

and bring it into subjection:

lest that by any means,

when I have preached to others,

I myself should be a castaway.”   1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Paul was determined to “keep under my body, and bring IT into subjection”! It is a constant battle to keep this dying flesh in line, but when we fail to consider its reality, we will be caught off guard by the deceit of the enemy. The lusts of the flesh are ever pulling at our hearts and minds! Why? Because we are still walking around in a body of flesh. It’s what Romans chapter 7 deals with, as Paul helps us understand that we must depend on the Holy Spirit to overcome the desires and demands of our own flesh!

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)

dwelleth no good thing:

for to will is present with me;

but how to perform that which is good

I find not.

19 For the good that I would

I do not:

but the evil which I would not,

that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not,

it is no more I that do it,

but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good,

evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God

after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members,

warring against the law of my mind,

and bringing me into captivity

to the law of sin

which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am!

who shall deliver me

from the body of this death?”    Romans 7:18-24

That’s pretty depressing if you stop there, but Paul answers his own question, “who shall deliver me”, in chapter 8—Praise The Lord Jesus, who provided the deliverance at Calvary!!! We are not hopeless but empowered by The Holy Spirit dwelling within believers. We can overcome the flesh by God’s spiritual power—the Resurrection Power of The Risen Lord Jesus Christ living in us. The Holy Spirit of Jesus/God living and working in us to help us control this “body of this death”. And without going into a lot of detail, Paul is simply assuring us that Jesus provided for our “abundant” overcoming living. How? Let’s continue on.

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh

do mind the things of the flesh;

but they that are after the Spirit

the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death;

but to be spiritually minded

is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”   Romans 8:1-9

To put it simply, those who are ‘born again’ by the power of the Holy Spirit have the supernatural power of God to overcome the sin that is in our flesh. But we must –we must—continually recognize the weakness and sinful draw of our flesh. We must constantly be diligent to “keep under my body, and bring IT into subjection”! And just because my battle is different than yours, it is still a battle with the flesh! For some of us it’s an obsession with food, or it may be drugs, alcohol, foul language, sex, porn, wanderlust or a loose and unguarded tongue! Whatever the battle is, it is always with our own flesh. I think this is why we are so often prone to throw rocks at others. If I can keep other’s attention on your faults, then maybe, just maybe, they won’t notice mine. But Paul reminds us so clearly that if we don’t have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and doing His purifying (cleansing us), and sanctifying (setting us apart from the world) work, then we don’t belong to Jesus—we are “none of his”. What about you/me? Do we sin without compunction? Do we claim the name of Jesus and then continually walk in the flesh without any correcting, convicting work of the Holy Spirit? If so, you might want to check out what you think ‘saved’ you!

Instead, we sons and daughters of God, are called to extend mercy and kindness to others regularly, as we consider our own battles, knowing that the only overcoming victory comes from God, His Word and prayer—not from throwing rocks at others (Praying for them, Yes! Counseling and confronting, when appropriate, yes! But condemning, and gossiping, Never!) Here are a few passages to think on today, as we consider our own weakness and those sins of the flesh that we are battling, and considering the need to encourage others who may need help from us.

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”     Ephesians 4:31-32

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” 1 peter 4:8-9

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”   John 13:35

So whatever your struggles are today—you can walk in victory because Jesus has won the battle over the flesh at Calvary. Will you walk in victory with HIM today or succumb to the sin of your flesh? The choice is yours—but remember there is a test at the end.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

But such “WERE some of you”–but now……!!! How about YOU? Are you “washed”, “sanctified”, “justified” in HIM?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.23 What Call Do You Hear???

 

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have,

which are not of this fold:

them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice;

and there shall be one fold,

and one shepherd……

25 Jesus answered them, I told you,

and ye believed not:

the works that I do in my Father’s name,

they bear witness of me.

26 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.

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.

30 I and my Father are one.”     Portions of John 10:14-30

Jesus declared that He was:

“the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine”!

This brings several things to mind; that it is all about The shepherd, that The Shepherd IS Jesus, that He is the “good” shepherd, and as the shepherd, HE knows HIS sheep, and He IS known of HIS own sheep. Jesus contrasts those who are HIS sheep and those who are not, and He makes it clear that those who “believe not” are not HIS sheep. Earlier in chapter 10, Jesus reveals how we become HIS sheep.

“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.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”     John 10:9-11

Jesus reminds of this just before He went to His death.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

Jesus makes it clear that HE is the only way to God, knowing that He was about to lay down “his life for the sheep”. It’s why Jesus came, and why He is The Only Way To God The Father! Jesus came as the sacrifice for sin, and we can only come to God through His sacrifice for sin.

“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

Jesus came to pay for sin, and to give us abundant life—here and now, and in the then and there!

“I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Yet we must remember that God always initiates salvation. When we come to Him, it’s always in response to His call—it’s never our idea.

“We love him, because he first loved us.”    1 John 4:19

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.” John 6:44

Have you heard the call of God to your heart? Have you responded? If you have come to Jesus in repentance and faith, are you still tuning in to His voice?

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me”

Our calling is to follow Him.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”   Luke 9:23-25

To truly follow Jesus, He calls us to:

deny ourself–

take up our cross–

and follow Jesus–

We must determine if we are willing to “deny” self, to “take up” our own cross, each day, and “follow” Jesus! What are we doing with our day? Today is all we have and as Jesus said above, we cannot save our own life—only Jesus saves. If we try to save ourselves, we will loose our life and our soul, just as Jesus Himself said:

“For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”

And just as HE declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me…” Who’s call are you heading? Who are you following?

Bible Ballistics: BBs  #366    What About Your Works???

 

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”     Ephesians 2:8-10

Paul makes it clear that Jesus alone saves—only by grace—only through faith—unto God’s good works. And while we are never saved by our works, when we are saved, our works should reflect the grace and glory of Jesus our Lord. Our works ought to be led and directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit: The Spirit of Jesus Christ, whom He imparts to us to lead our way, to teach and grow us in the Word of God that we might know the wisdom of God.

When we remember that it is ALL about Jesus, and not about ‘me’, we will find that abundant life that He gives. But we do have an enemy attempting to distract, discourage and lead us into disarray. We must be aware of His deceit so that we can be prepared for the battles we face in our Christian life.     The scripture replete with warnings as it reveals the character of Satan, and we need to take heed.

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:”   Genesis 3:1-4

Satan makes his first appearance in scripture here in Genesis, and we find him opposing and denying God’s words, and instructions to Adam and Eve (And yes I believe in a literal creation, and a literal man and woman who were created by God!); and his tactics haven’t changed in all this time. He is still subtle and wants to stir up doubt of God’s faithful goodness in our hearts and minds. We mustn’t succumb to his lies, regardless of how pretty or true they sound. That is one reason why we must immerse ourselves in the Word of God—so that we will know truth so well, that we quickly recognize the false, imitation and counterfeit claims of the enemy of our souls.

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”     2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Satan is the master of deceit, in fact Jesus minces no words about Satan and those who believe and follow Him. (See Ephesians 2:1-3)

“Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.” John 8:43-45

The bottom line is, we must decide whom we will believe—God and His Son Jesus, who paid for our salvation, or the enemy of our souls, who wants to drag as many people as he can to Hell.

“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 10:9-10

We have an enemy who desires to keep people from God completely, as well as to dilute the influence of God’s own children. We must choose whom we will believe and follow, and when we choose to follow Jesus, His works should abound in our lives. For all of the works of the flesh and of the devil will face the fire! Whose works are you doing???

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs  #365    And Ye Ministered Unto Me???

 

“For I was an hungred,

and ye gave me meat:

I was thirsty,

and ye gave me drink:

I was a stranger,

and ye took me in:

36 Naked,

and ye clothed me:

I was sick,

and ye visited me:

I was in prison,

and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord,

when saw we thee an hungred,

and fed thee?

or thirsty,

and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger,

and took thee in?

or naked,

and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick,

or in prison,

and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them,

Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye have done it

unto one of the least of these

my brethren,

ye have done it unto me.”     Matthew 25:35-40

This great passage that Jesus spoke before His passion, has a lot of deep meaning and many want to take it apart and argue about who He is talking about, or who are the “my brethren”, and other such distracting questions. But I’d like us to simply receive what Jesus is saying to HIS disciples—both then and now. If I might be a bit simplistic, I think we need to take Jesus at His word! Jesus is calling us, His children whom He has saved, to act! If you or I see a need and have the resources and ability, then we ought to meet that need. Yet each of us in our uniqueness will often see different things according to our spiritual gifts.

For instance the teacher may see someone’s lack of knowledge or information and step up to instruct. A person with the gift of mercy will often see a need that others do not see—and seeing it they alleviate the lack to the degree that they are able. The person with the gift of giving, will often perceive a need unseen by others, and will set about to relieve the lack. A person who has the gift of encouragement may see someone’s loneliness in sickness or imprisonment in a way that others cannot, and go about to comfort and sustain that person. Someone gifted differently may see the one who is new—the one that no one else notices—and reach out to welcome the stranger.

What Jesus is calling us to do is utilize what we have been given. Just as we talked last time about that “cup of water”, Jesus has never called anyone to give what they don’t have—what they haven’t received from Him. He is calling us to use our gifts, our experiences, and our spiritual insight to minister as we go along, sharing the good news of the Gospel as we go.

Jesus calls us to “Go ye therefore”, literally meaning ‘as you go’, taking the truth of the Gospel, and meeting needs as you see them. Why: Because it is the way of the cross! We are also called to exercise hospitality—a lost art these days—but none-the-less, it’s what our Lord calls us to do.

“Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:

for thereby some have entertained angels

unawares.

3 Remember them that are in bonds,

as bound with them;

and them which suffer adversity,

as being yourselves also in the body.”      Hebrews 13:1-3

So don’t go through each day with your nose buried so deeply in your cell phone, or your mind a million miles away, or discouraged with your own circumstances; instead LOOK UP!!! See where Jesus is leading you today. Watch for that opportunity to minister that HE is giving you. That kind word that some store clerk may need; that door that someone is having difficulty opening; that person ahead of you in the check out that is $5 short; that prisoner that God may lay on your heart. It doesn’t have to be a big thing—most often they are easy-to-miss opportunities—but ask God to help you have HIS vision, and to order your steps into the places where He has placed someone with a need that “You” or “I” can meet.

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

What will you do with your resources—time, energy, money, compassion, enthusiasm, or encouragement, today? The choice is yours, but remember:

“…….For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…..” Luke 12:48b

Remember–

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your   redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.22 But It’s Just A Cup Of Water!

 

We live in a culture of the “BIG”—big ideas, big business, big money, big gulps, big trucks, big churches, big stars (media, not the sky), and big problems, but we serve an even ‘bigger’ God! While that is a good thing, it can also be a confusing thing. But why? Because we live in this “BIG” minded culture, and that often skews our spiritual perspective, and we focus on size rather than God!

“And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24

Jesus says what counts is our willingness to loose our lives in His, and follow Him. Jesus isn’t concerned about how big we are, or how great our works are in size, but how selflessly we are devoted to Him, and how closely we follow Him. Jesus wants us to faithfully follow Him, hearing and obeying His Spirit in every way—every day!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself

for me.” Galatians 2:20

Being ‘crucified with Christ’, means I have died to my desires and live for His. I need to grow in my knowledge of The Lord and His Word continually, seeking to know Him more, learning to recognize His voice, and willingly and faithfully obey His leading. Just following Jesus!

While we are all the special creation of God, we are not all the children of God—only those who come to God through Jesus Christ are the ‘children’ of God.

“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

We are “born……of God”, “born again”, because Jesus would give His life for us!

“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.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”   John 3:5-7

Unless we are “born again” we are not God’s child, but when we are “born again” we are “birthed” into God’s family and kingdom through Jesus’ sacrifice for us. What less could we do but give all of ourselves to HIM. God takes our all—all our weakness, all our frailty, all our inability and transforms us through HIS ability.

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

Do you get it? Paul didn’t say he could do “big” things through Christ, or even that He could do “great” things, but that what we can do is:

‘all things—

through Christ—

which strengtheneth me—’

Jesus simply calls us to follow Him anywhere that He leads—God will provide. He didn’t ask you to pick-up, think-up and work-up great ideas, plans and programs; but simply to “take up his cross daily, and follow”. Did you catch that? We are to take up our cross, and to do it “daily”, as we “follow” Jesus! Following Him where ever HE leads—close or far, big or small, long or short—He calls us to simply “follow” Him!

Yet Jesus doesn’t give us each the same gifts, but He does call us each to be faithful with the gifts that we are given. So the issue isn’t whether we have big gifts, or prominent gifts, not whether we have speaking gifts, or serving gifts; what matters is our willingness to love and “follow” Him!

“As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak,

let him speak as the oracles of God;

if any man minister,

let him do it as of the ability

which God giveth:

       that God

in all things

may be glorified

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be praise

and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”     1 Peter 4:10-11

Whatever God places in our hands, is to be used to serve Him faithfully so that Jesus Christ may be praised and glorified, and that the world may know Him! No matter how small or insignificant we may feel, God has a purpose, a good work for us to do. It doesn’t matter if we are tall, short, old or young, vibrant and healthy or disabled in some way, out-going or introverted, God has brought us to this place and time, and He is still calling us to simply follow HIM! Even as He addressed his disciples in Mark’s Gospel:

“And he took a child,

and set him in the midst of them:

and when he had taken him in his arms,

he said unto them,

37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children

in my name,

receiveth me:

and whosoever shall receive me,

receiveth not me,

but him that sent me.

38 And John answered him, saying,

Master, we saw one casting out devils

in thy name,

and he followeth not us:

and we forbad him,

because he followeth not us.

39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not:

for there is no man which shall do a miracle

in my name,

that can lightly speak evil of me.

40 For he that is not against us

is on our part.

41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water

to drink in my name,

because ye belong to Christ,

verily I say unto you,

he shall not lose his reward.”     Mark 9:36-41

Jesus will reward us according to what we do with His gifts to us, not according to what we don’t have, or with what someone else has! In Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25, let’s take a look at what He said about those to whom He gave the talents (In this passage, talents are a monetary amount not an ability to do tasks or perform!):

“After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents

came and brought other five talents, saying,

Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold,

I have gained beside them

five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him,

Well done,

thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful

over a few things,

I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said,

Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold,

I have gained two other talents

beside them.

23 His lord said unto him,

Well done,

good and faithful servant;

thou hast been faithful

over a few things,

I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.“.   Matthew 25:19-23

Here are two of three servants mentioned in this parable; the third one is the only one who received a rebuke—and a condemnation, not because He didn’t do what the others did, but because He did nothing.

“Then he which had received the one talent came and said,

Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him,

Thou wicked and slothful servant,

thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not,                                 and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers,

and then at my coming I should have received mine own            with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him,

and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath

shall be given,

and he shall have abundance:

but from him that hath not

shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant

into outer darkness:

there shall be weeping

and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:25-30

Without going into a lot of detail, I’d like to point out a few things about this encounter. What we find here, instead of a faithful servant, willing to use what his “Lord” had given him, is one who took what he had and blamed the character of his Lord for his choice to disregard the call upon his life and work. He rejected the gifts that were given to him. He feigned fear and inequity as his reasons for not using that which God had given him. The response of Jesus reveals the true contrast between the one who had bowed before Jesus as Lord, and the one who rejected God and all of His grace. Jesus describes this one in some powerful ways:

‘Thou wicked and slothful servant’—he chose self.

‘thou knewest’—he rejected truth for sloth.

‘Thou oughtest therefore to have put’—he knew

truth but chose not to go God’s way.

‘Take …… the talent from him’—he lost what

      he refused to accept and utilize.”

This servant refused to receive God’s grace or use His gifts, and there are only two choices in this life; choose Jesus and live, or refuse His salvation and die.

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”     Romans 6:23

If we don’t receive God’s grace in Christ’s gift of salvation, we will have our own sin debt to pay. But when we receive Jesus Christ, and serve Him faithfully, we will receive a reward from our king! And while it won’t be measured by ‘weight’ or ‘size’, it will be according to faithful and obedient service to The Lord and King, Jesus! But those who choose to reject the salvation that Jesus died to provide, will loose even what they think they have! I didn’t say it, Jesus did.

“For unto every one that hath

shall be given,

and he shall have abundance:

but from him that hath not

shall be taken away

even that which he hath.”

And what is it that we ‘have’ or ‘have not’? It is the salvation that Jesus provides at Calvary through His own blood.

“And this is the record,

that God hath given to us eternal life,

and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life;

and he that hath not the Son of God

hath not life.” 1 John 5:11-12

So the question isn’t how big are your gifts, but how willing are you to use the gifts that God has placed in your heart and in your hands? May we earnestly seek to know Him more and serve Him loyally, knowing that Jesus Christ is coming for us soon, and we will each give an account as those in the parable of the “talents”. What are you doing with what God has given you? Are we being faithful to put our gifts to use for our King? A time of accounting is coming, and it won’t be by ‘size’ but by the measure of our faithfulness—even of a cup of cold water!

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.”     1 Corinthians 3:11-14

Paul tells us that Jesus is the only foundation that we are to build on, but we must choose how we build and with what we will build. I believe that the contrast between the two types of building material is simple, we can choose to build with God’s material (Gold, silver or precious stones —things that man can’t make, only discover and mine for use!) or we can choose to build with the fleeting materials of earth (Wood, hay or stubble, that which man can obtain, reproduce and utilize, but which won’t survive the fire!). We can each choose to do it God’s way or our own way, and many today are claiming to do “God’s Work” but doing it “man’s way”. It saddens me, but I think this is the cause for much of the ineffectiveness of the church today. We must be faithful with God’s gift of salvation to us, as well as the service gifts He gives us. But we must use them HIS way—not man’s way! And to recognize the difference we must immerse ourselves in His Word, Prayer and the leadership of His Holy Spirit.

So my question for each of us today is, “What are you/am I doing with the cup of water Jesus has placed in our hands”? He is coming “in the twinkling of an eye”, will we hear “well done” or “depart”? It’s your choice—choose wisely!  (See Matt. 7:16-28)