Category Archives: A Father’s Love

A Real Rock Of Ages??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 01

18 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Every Knee Shall Bow, Follow Jesus, Salvation, SIN

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.01 A Real Rock Of Ages???

 

I love the old gospel songs, and “Rock Of Ages” is one of my favorites.  It was written by Augustus M. Toplady in 1776, and I’d simply like to share its clear gospel message, which has never changed, with you today:

“Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.”

I/we must absolutely come to Jesus with “nothing in my hand”!  It is not by our own righteousness that we receive “everlasting life”, but by faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus! It is HIS blood that imparts forgiveness of sin, salvation and righteousness to us!

“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

Jesus paid the price of our salvation with His own blood, and when we receive Him by faith, God imparts HIS righteousness to us, all because Jesus took on our sin at the cross.  Yet to receive Him we must come empty handed to God, trusting in what Jesus did for us, not our own goodness or works that we have done.  Paul gives us a clear picture in his message to the young preacher Titus. My pastor reminded me of it yesterday morning in his message, and I thought it a timely reminder to share it with you today.

“Put them in mind to be subject

to principalities and powers,

to obey magistrates,

to be ready to every good work,

2 To speak evil of no man,

to be no brawlers,

but gentle,

shewing all meekness

unto all men.

3 For we ourselves also were sometimes

foolish,

disobedient,

deceived,

serving divers lusts

and pleasures,

living in malice

and envy,

hateful,

and hating one another.

4 But after that the kindness

and love of God

our Saviour

toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing

of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us

abundantly

through Jesus Christ

our Saviour;

7 That being justified

by his grace,

we should be made heirs

according to the hope

of eternal life.”  Titus 3:1-7

God makes us His children, heirs of “eternal life” “through Jesus Christ our Saviour”!  He is our “Rock” of all the ages!  The Psalmist pictures this amazing parallel frequently.

“For thou art my rock and my fortress;

therefore for thy name’s sake

lead me,

and guide me.”  Psalm 31:2

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,

when my heart is overwhelmed:

 lead me to the rock

that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2

“He only is my rock

and my salvation:

he is my defence;

I shall not be moved.

7 In God is my salvation

and my glory:

the rock of my strength,

and my refuge,

is in God.”  Psalm 62:6-7

Jesus also uses this analogy of the ‘rock’ to show us that we must depend on HIM, not self!  He paints a clear picture of the difference that knowing Him will make!  And while we can’t judge where others stand with God, we are to judge ourselves, for Jesus says that His presence in His own will make a difference—not always in the same way, not always in the same time frame for everyone!

“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied

in thy name?

and in thy name

have cast out devils?

and in thy name

done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”    Matthew 7:20-23

Jesus makes it clear that just “saying so” doesn’t make one a child of God—but the person who does “the will of my Father”!  It is “not by works of righteousness which we have done”, but by the life-transforming salvation that Jesus’ blood provides; yet Jesus makes it clear that when we are born again we are empowered by His Spirit to do God’s will—and we can, because our house is built on the “Solid Rock”! Even as Paul and James both talk about our life-works reflecting the presence of His Spirit within us—that is the proof of whose we are—not depending on what we say/claim that we ‘are’!

“24 Therefore whosoever

heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house

upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that

heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house

upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”  Matthew 7:19-27

Whether it’s in the construction arena or our spiritual life, a solid foundation is essential to a safe, secure and reliable future!  And JESUS IS the “Rock of Ages” on whom we can depend!  Scripture is replete with references to this very “Rock of Ages”!

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD,

Behold,

I lay in Zion

for a foundation

a stone,

a tried stone,

a precious corner stone,

a sure foundation:

he that believeth

shall not make haste.”  Isaiah 28:16

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,

but fellowcitizens with the saints,

and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation

of the apostles

and prophets,

Jesus Christ himself

being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly

framed together

groweth unto an holy temple

in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are

builded together

for an habitation of God

through the Spirit.”    Ephesians 2:19-22

“To whom coming,

as unto a living stone,

disallowed indeed of men,

but chosen of God,

and precious,

5 Ye also,

as lively stones,

are built up a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood,

to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God

by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture,

Behold, I lay in Sion

a chief corner stone,

elect,

precious:

and he that believeth on him

shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe

he is precious:

but unto them which be disobedient,

the stone

which the builders disallowed,

the same

is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling,

and a rock of offence,

even to them which stumble

at the word,

being disobedient:

whereunto also they were appointed.”  1 Peter 2:4-8

My simple question for each of us is, “Have you come to the Rock of Ages for salvation, by repentance and faith in Jesus, or will you be crushed when you face Him?”  While it may seem over-simplistic, the truth is that we can believe and bow before HIM now as Lord and Savior, or we will bow before HIM as judge—with no opportunity to accept the saving grace He is offering you today!

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue

should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”   Philippians 2:8-11

The question isn’t ‘will you bow?’! The question is ‘when?’ will you bow before Him; now to receive His saving grace, or will you bow before Him at the Great White Throne with no recourse and no excuse!

“For the wrath of God is revealed

from heaven

against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness

of men,

who hold the truth

in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God

is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood

by the things that are made,

even his eternal power

and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:”  Romans 1:18-20.

God hasn’t changed, nor will He ever change—He “is love” and He has offered you salvation in HIS Son, Jesus; but if you choose to reject Him, there is a day of reckoning coming. While I know this isn’t a very popular truth, it is truth, and I must share it—I pray that you will receive it with all the love that God has intended, as a warning to avoid the judgment for sin! And I offer this warning, as a friend of mine often says, “in His love and mine”!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small

and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things which were written

in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death

and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

 according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:11-15

Check out your foundation—the storms will come in this life, and judgment will come for all, and the ‘rock’ or the ‘sand’ will be manifest.  Are you building on “The Rock of Ages”?  Or are you building on the ‘sinking sand’?  The choice is yours, but there is a test coming!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

Increasing Or Decreasing??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 18

23 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Christmas IS?, Decreasing Or Increasing?, Merry Christmas

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.18 Increasing Or Decreasing???

 

As many prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this week, I’d like to send you Christmas greetings with a spin. Instead of “merry and bright” (and there’s nothing wrong with being merry or bright) may we consider what we have done for our “New born King”, or have we spent all our time and efforts on our own gratification and satisfaction? Paul called the Philippians to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”…..who willingly took on the “form of a servant”. John the Baptizer also had the heart and mind of a servant; he was born to play “second fiddle”! Not a thing that most of us want to consider; for we balk at not being first in anything and everything, and we continually push our children to –win “first” place, be in the “first” chair, get the “leading” role, be the “star” player on the sports team. Yet God calls us to serve! Jesus IS the “bright and morning star” and in HIS presence and Kingdom we ought to be the ones subject to HIM, not the ones dictating to HIM our every whim and want! (See Philippians 2:5-11)

Let’s see what John the Baptizer had to say when asked about Jesus’ increase as John was decreasing?

“Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.

26 And they came unto John, and said unto him,

Rabbi,

he that was with thee beyond Jordan,

to whom thou barest witness,

behold, the same baptizeth,

and all men come to him.

27 John answered and said,

A man can receive nothing,

except it be given him

from heaven.

28 Ye yourselves bear me witness,

that I said,

I am not the Christ,

but that I am sent before him.

29 He that hath the bride

is the bridegroom:

but the friend of the bridegroom,

which standeth

and heareth him,

rejoiceth greatly

because

of the bridegroom’s voice:

this my joy therefore

is fulfilled.

30 He must increase,

but I must decrease.

31 He that cometh from above

is above all:

he that is of the earth

is earthly,

and speaketh of the earth:

he that cometh from heaven

is above all.

32 And what he hath seen and heard,

that he testifieth;

and no man receiveth his testimony.

33 He that hath received his testimony

hath set to his seal

that God is true.

34 For he whom God hath sent

speaketh the words of God:

for God giveth not the Spirit

by measure

unto him.

35 The Father loveth the Son,

and hath given all things into his hand.

36 He that believeth on the Son

hath everlasting life:

and he that believeth not the Son

shall not see life;

but the wrath of God

abideth on him.” John 3:25-31

Consider the things that John reveals to us—he knew who he was, and he knew who JESUS was—the Son of God. Let’s consider what John recognized about himself and his successor! John said of himself:

27—a man can only receive what God gives—

28—I told you I wasn’t the “Christ”–

But I am the one sent ‘before’ HIM—

29–I am not the bridegroom—

But the friend of the bridegroom—

Who stands by HIM—

Who hears HIM—

Who rejoices to hear HIM—

Whose joy is fulfilled in HIM—

30—I must decrease (for HE must increase)–

31–I am of the earth (HE is of heaven)—

John knew and understood that true joy comes in being what God called him to be, and doing what HE called him to do, and we ought to do likewise! John was sent to be the ‘forerunner’ of Jesus, the one who would prepare the way—not be the way! The Apostle John told us this in chapter 1.

“15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying,

This was he of whom I spake,

He that cometh after me

is preferred before me:

for he was before me…..

23 He said,

I am the voice of one crying

in the wilderness,

Make straight the way of the Lord,

as said the prophet Esaias……

26 John answered them, saying,

I baptize with water:

but there standeth one among you,

whom ye know not;

27 He it is,

who coming after me

is preferred before me,

whose shoe’s latchet

I am not worthy to unloose……

29 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.”   Portions of John 1:15-30

Oh, to know my Lord so well, that I would recognize Him at every turn; that I would know my place of service, my sacrifice of love, my opportunities sent from Him to make a difference in the hearts and lives of others (more often than not without even knowing that I’ve touched them)! This is the true joy of living for Jesus, and celebrating Christmas all year long. People who come into our home often ask why I have my nativity sets (and I have several) out during the rest of the year, and I almost always reply by telling them that I love Jesus and I want others to know that HE is worthy of our praise, love and acknowledgment every day of the year—not just at Christmas time and/or Resurrection Sunday! Our love for Jesus will be seen in our everyday interactions with others, both near and far, kith and kin, those we love easily and those we struggle to love, for it’s all about Jesus (and only in HIS power can we do anything!)!

But let’s go back to our passage in John 3 and take note of what John the Baptizer had to say about Jesus, as he responded to his followers who were concerned about Jesus’ increase and his own decrease!

27—a man can only receive what God gives—

 and Jesus received the task to redeem mankind—

28—John wasn’t “Christ” but JESUS was—

29—Jesus is the bridegroom—

and HE brings joy to HIS own—

30—HE must increase—

31—HE came from above (John/human –Jesus/deity)—

Because HE IS from above, HE is over ALL—

32—He testifies of what HE has seen and heard—

in heaven, from His father, to reveal life to us—

33—To receive HIS testimony is to receive GOD—

God IS true—

34–Jesus, whom HE sent, IS truth, and speaks truth—

For HE has the limitless power of the Holy Spirit—

35—Jesus IS the Son of God—

God loves HIM—

And God has given ALL things into HIS hand—

36—Jesus IS the giver of life to all who believe in HIM—

Those who believe NOT shall not see life—

but will have the wrath of God abiding on them—

WOW! What a message; what insight, what humility, what glory to so know our own calling that we can speak God’s truth in power, and authority knowing that we are doing HIS work not our own!!! It’s what we are saved and called to be and do!

“In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

32 But he said unto them,

I have meat to eat

that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another,

Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

34 Jesus saith unto them,

My meat is to do the will

of him

that sent me,

and to finish his work.”   John 4:31-34

Are we so busy seeking His blessings that we don’t have time to fulfill HIS call upon our lives. As John Bunyan portrayed in Pilgrim’s Progress, we are on a journey to God’s kingdom, and we have a work in this world as we go! So many today preach and teach the idea of an endless heavenly “slot machine” that pours out the blessings of God in material ways, with no thought that God has called us and saved us to be a reflection of His love to the world, doing HIS work, being HIS witness. It’s so sad that we have so often missed Ephesians 2:10 while camping out on verses 8-9. While we don’t work for our salvation, we do work for our Lord because of the salvation that HE has afforded us at the cross. It’s NOT about me—it’s about JESUS, and if HE came to do God’s will and finish God’s work, how could we expect less from ourselves, we whom HE has saved by HIS own blood?

“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

Jesus himself warned us of the danger of missing HIM:

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23

So as you celebrate the birth of The King, in whatever way you may do that, will you be celebrating The Newborn KING, Jesus, or something else?

“And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.” John 6:40

My Christmas prayer for you and yours is that you will see JESUS in truth and grace; that you will take this special time of year and focus not only on the ‘babe… in the manger’ but also on the Redeeming work that HE accomplished at Calvary!!! He truly came that we might have HIS life in us!

“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

Praying that you know Him, and if you don’t, that you will come to know HIM today!!! It’s why HE came, and it is truly why I/we celebrate!

“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 1:21-24

“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

Amen and Amen!!! Merry Christmas—and in Charles Dickens style, “God bless us every one” in JESUS!!!

Why Have YOU Come??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #516

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Come And Worship?, Come To Worship HIM, Consider Your ways, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #516  Why Have YOU Come???

 

People think a lot of different things about Jesus, and at this Christmas time I’d like to share a few tidbits to challenge us to examine our hearts and see why “I” have come to Jesus. Or have I truly come to Him?

“Saying,

Where is he

that is born

King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star

in the east,

and are come

to worship him.” Matthew 2:2

The wise men came to worship HIM, but as they brought what they thought would be great news to Herod, his wicked heart was interested for another reason.

“Then Herod,

when he saw that he was mocked

of the wise men,

was exceeding wroth,

and sent forth,

and slew all the children

that were in Bethlehem,

and in all the coasts thereof,

from two years old and under,

according to the time

which he had diligently enquired

of the wise men.” Matthew 2:16

While Herod feigned a desire to “worship” the newborn King, his real motive was to eliminate any competition to his own position. And while most people today wouldn’t kill the babies (but wait a minute—that’s exactly what our culture is doing to the inconvenient and untimely ones!) we do kill the work of conviction and drawing of the Holy Spirit as He calls us to Jesus. How often do we “kill” the work of Jesus in our hearts as He tries to direct our heart and steps in His ways? Refusing to heed His call, kick down doors that He has closed to us, pout and throw tantrums because we don’t get “our” way in things? If you’re like me, at my best I act this way far too often, and I have to repent and seek His face to restore my joy, even as David taught us so long ago.

“Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy

of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners shall be converted

unto thee.” Psalm 51:9-13

Oh, to delight in serving HIM with joy and zeal—not because of what we can get, but to express our gratitude for what we have received from HIM. Jesus came that we might “have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”!

“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.

15 John bare witness of him,

and cried, saying,

This was he of whom I spake,

He that cometh after me

is preferred before me:

for he was before me.

16 And of his fulness

have all we received,

and grace for grace.” John 1:14-16

Jesus came to save us because we couldn’t save ourselves! He IS the greatest gift of all time! Have you received HIS gift to you? If you haven’t come to HIM in repentance and faith, won’t you make this your best Christmas ever, by receiving this King who came for you, and died for you?

“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

God desires us to “come to worship HIM”! Will you come to Him as the wise men; or will you reject Him and kill His voice, which is speaking to your heart, even right now! Or will you put it off until it’s “One Day Too Late” (A gospel song written by Lanny Wolfe)! Even as King Agrippa told Paul:

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.” Acts 26:28

Please join me in seeking our Lord’s heart, making sure that we have “come to worship HIM”, not simply come to Him as our ‘heavenly slot machine’ to get what we want, when we want it. May our prayer truly be that of our Lord Jesus!

“And he was withdrawn from them

about a stone’s cast,

and kneeled down,

and prayed,

42 Saying, Father,

if thou be willing,

remove this cup from me:

nevertheless

not my will,

but thine, be done.”   Luke 22:41-42

May we truly worship HIM and not the trappings! Blessings on your day!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

Failure Isn’t Fatal!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #508

14 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Beauty For Ashes, Failure Isn't Fatal, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Holy Spirit, HOPE, JESUS

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #508  Failure Isn’t Fatal!!!

 

“If we confess

our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

As believers in and followers of Jesus, we sometimes think that we have failed our Lord and ruined our ministry, but God says different. Then there are also those times that we are striving diligently to yield to the Spirit’s leading and everything seems to fall apart; but our God clearly tells us that He is ever at work in our lives. While we ought to continually search our hearts for secret sin as well as known sin. And not only does God call us to “confess” our sins (And yes that is plural, for we all fail regularly, and ‘confess’ simply means to agree with God that the sin in our lives, IS sin!), He assures us that when we face our sin and bring it to HIM, that HE will not only forgive us, but He will also “cleanse us from all unrighteousness”! God also knows that we often struggle to know our own hearts—and when we bring that to Him, HE will hear our prayer and reveal any short-coming or sin that we are truly desiring to set aright!

“Search me,

O God,

and know

my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be

any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23

While the Psalmist knew that God would hear and reveal his own heart in a way that he could keep “short accounts” with his God, for the believers since the cross and the New Covenant of grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit we have that privilege continually as The Spirit is our ever-present intercessor!

“Likewise the Spirit

also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not

what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession

for us

with groanings

which cannot be uttered.”    Romans 8:26

Yet we have even more assurance of our recovery from failure—our Lord, even as the author of Hebrews reminds us of HIM!

“Wherefore he is able also

to save them to the uttermost

that come unto God by him,

seeing he ever liveth

to make intercession

for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Our Great High Priest, Jesus, is ever interceding for us and assures us of His faithful provision, grace and cleansing forgiveness!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

Our faithful God is working continually so that we will be “conformed to the image of His Son”! (See Romans 8:28-29) And time and space would fail us to mention those precious saints of old who failed and were restored to their Lord’s service—and so can we be, when we but recognize our sin, turn back to seek HIS face and receive His forgiveness and cleansing. David says it better than I can!

“Have mercy upon me, O God,

according to thy lovingkindness:

according unto the multitude

of thy tender mercies

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly

from mine iniquity,

and cleanse me from

my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:

and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee, thee only,

have I sinned,

and done this evil in thy sight:

that thou mightest be justified

when thou speakest,

and be clear when thou judgest…..

7 Purge me with hyssop,

and I shall be clean:

wash me,

and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;

that the bones which thou hast broken

may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;

and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”   Portions of Psalm 51

God is in the restoration business—He takes ‘cracked pots’ like me and will restore us to become “vessels of honor”, and will so graciously and lovingly give unto us “beauty for ashes”!

So my dear friend, wherever you are—wherever you have been—if you will but seek His face and His heart, HE will meet you and take your ‘failure’ and “ashes” and give you “beauty” in exchange! Don’t despair or give up—but look UP to the One who loves you and has never said “oops”, He can restore you! He is waiting—run to HIM!

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

to give unto them beauty

for ashes,

the oil of joy

for mourning,

the garment of praise

for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called trees of righteousness,   

the planting of the LORD,

that he might be glorified.”   Isaiah 61:3

That They Might Know??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 09

21 Sunday Oct 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Gospel, That They May Know

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 09   That They Might Know???

 

I’m sometimes asked why I teach inductive Bible Study, or why I write a blog, and my answer is usually the same; I teach and write because it is what God called me to do, and for the most part I love doing it. Which is not to say that I don’t get tired, weary, or sometimes discouraged just like you do, but I know that the gifts and calling that God has extended to me are a joy and delight to my soul. But there is another purpose that goes beyond my comfort or even my assurance that I am walking in personal obedience, it is the clear scriptural teaching that God wants the world to “know” Him! Jesus, His disciples and the prophets, remind us again and again that God is at work “that the world may know”!

“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.” John 17:1-3

This beautiful prayer is Jesus’ petition to The Father for Himself and the cross that lay before Him, as well as for us who are His own; as well as for those would come to “know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”! While the ‘model prayer’ that Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6 is often called “The Lord’s Prayer”, this prayer of Jesus’ in John 17 is truly “The Lord’s Prayer”, and what God wants us to “know” IS Him, and The Son whom He sent to die for our sin (See John 3!). God wants us all to know Him personally, to come into an intimate love relationship with Him both now and for all eternity!

When Solomon dedicated the Temple that he had built for God he prayed:

“Hear thou in heaven

thy dwelling place,

and do according to all

that the stranger calleth to thee for:

that all people of the earth

may know thy name,

to fear thee,

as do thy people Israel;

and that they may know

that this house,

which I have builded,

is called by thy name.” 1 Kings 8:43

While Solomon had his issues later in life, he was committed to build the Temple that God had promised his father, David, that he would be privileged to build. He also understood that “this” house was built unto God not for his own glory, and his prayer was that “all people of the earth may know” who God was and that this was “His” house. We also need to learn that our ‘work’ and ‘service’ for God The Father and Jesus The Son, is His work through the power of The Holy Spirit in us, not for our promotion, advancement or wealth! Some today are often far afield when it comes to serving God for HIS glory and not their own!

The Psalmist reminds us powerfully of our purpose, much as the Apostle Paul told us to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”!

“Help me,

O LORD

my God:

O save me

according to thy mercy:

27 That they may know

that this is thy hand;

that thou, LORD,

hast done it.” Psalm 109:26-27

Our goal ought to be to reflect the glory, work, grace and love of our Lord—not seeking to claim the credit for God’s work in us, but being more focused on our own “glory” than on God’s glory; for as Jesus reminds us:

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth

much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”   John 15:5

Isaiah is replete with references to God’s wanting people to “know” HIM—all people! Our goal ought to be that others will come to know Him as Savior (and not have to face Him as Judge when there is no recourse for salvation, for every “knee will bow”—either to the Lord and Savior in this life, or before Judge Jesus when He returns!)! Are you sharing what YOU know? Do you know HIM? Don’t keep it a secret!

“I will plant in the wilderness

the cedar,

the shittah tree,

and the myrtle,

and the oil tree;

I will set in the desert

the fir tree,

and the pine,

and the box tree together:

20 That they may see,

and know,

and consider,

and understand

together,

that the hand of the LORD

hath done this,

and the Holy One of Israel

hath created it.” Isaiah 41:19-20

Oh that we would share the burden of God—that “they may know” the wonder and beauty of the cross. The God who not only loved us so much that “He gave His only begotten son”, but who wants people to know that very love and salvation!

Isaiah had told the people that idols were futile, for they “see not, neither do they hear” yet God wanted them to see that HE IS the only true, sovereign, Almighty God of the universe.

“I am the LORD,

and there is none else,

there is no God beside me:

I girded thee,

though thou hast not known me:

6 That they may know

from the rising of the sun,

and from the west,

that there is none beside me.

I am the LORD,

and there is none else.”   Isaiah 45:5-6

No matter “who” or “what” we set up as our ‘god/idol’—God Almighty is telling Isaiah, his audience and us that “I am the LORD, and there is none else”—no matter whether that is the popular message of the day or not—it is the truth and we will never bring people to genuine, life-changing salvation apart from the Gospel of Jesus, which clearly proclaims that there is no other way.

“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:5-6

Jesus IS the only way, and when we go back to His ‘High Priestly’ prayer in John 17, we find the same message repeated again by our Lord Jesus as He faced the cross!

“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.”    John 17:20-23

When we are born again by the Spirit of God, we become a testimony to the world (good or bad!):

“that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me”!

We are HIS witnesses—witnesses with ONE message—for we have only ONE Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord! And prayerfully the world we see that we have “been with Jesus”

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head

of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness

of Peter and John,

and perceived that they were

unlearned

and ignorant men,

they marvelled;

and they took knowledge of them,

that they had been with Jesus.”   Acts 4:10-13

Jesus IS the only way! We have only One message and Jesus is HIS name—Jesus and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin is the only way to God!!!

“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

We are changed by His saving power—“the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”!!! Amen and Amen. And when we are truly born again, cleansed “from all sin”, it ought to be seen in our living.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2

Our call is to seek HIS face, being transformed by renewing our hearts and minds in HIS Word, being a reflection of our Lord to a lost and dying world in need of the Gospel of The Savior who loves them.

So may we take it to heart and be HIS testimony?

“That they may know

from the rising of the sun,

and from the west,

that there is none beside me.

I am the LORD,

and there is none else”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!