Category Archives: A Form of godliness?

What Do YOU ‘SAY’??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #111

23 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Come out of her, Come to Jesus, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!

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What Do YOU ‘SAY’??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #111

 

I hope we can take a few minutes together today to consider our ‘words’, how we use them, which ones we use, how they come out, and most importantly what are they doing to, for, or against those around us.  Do our words reflect the Lord Jesus that we Christian’s claim to follow, or have we allowed our words to reflect the oft-inappropriate language of the world around us.  Jesus had some strong things to say to the religious leaders of His day, may they speak to our heart and call us to the holiness that we ought to pursue.

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

 bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37

There is a call in the book of The Revelation, that I think is pertinent to us today–whether you and I heed it or not is our call.  But choose wisely, there is a test coming!

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying,

Come out of her,

my people,

that ye be not partakers

of her sins,

and that ye receive not

of her plagues.”  Revelation 18:4

Paul also gives us a warning to watch the life that we live, the companions we choose, and the words that come out of our mouths–which Jesus said come out of our heart.  What’s in your heart?

From Jesus:

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:...”  Matthew 15:14-18

“But let your communication be,

Yea, yea;

Nay, nay:

for whatsoever is more than these

cometh of evil.”  Matthew 5:37

From Paul:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together

with unbelievers:

for what fellowship hath righteousness

with unrighteousness?

and what communion hath light

with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ

with Belial?

or what part hath he that believeth

with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God

with idols?

for ye are the temple of the living God;

as God hath said,

I will dwell in them,

and walk in them;

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them,

and be ye separate, saith the Lord,

and touch not the unclean thing;

and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you,

and ye shall be

my sons and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

We are called to be holy in all our ways, and that includes our speech; are we willing to hear the voice of our Lord and order our steps (and our words, and some of us go around with ‘my foot in my mouth’ instead of on God’s path.) in HIS ways?

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14

James is a bit stronger in his call to us:

“Out of the same mouth proceedeth

blessing

and cursing.

My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place

sweet water

and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain

both yield salt water

and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew

out of a good conversation

his works

with meekness of wisdom.”  James 3:11-13

Paul gives us a great word of encouragement, telling us that we can be what God wants us to be; yet we must do our part, seeking Jesus in all our ways, through prayer, His Word, and the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit!

“I can do all things through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

And in closing, a word from one of my favorite Psalms which will remind each of us of the focus that we are to pursue, and God’s work, words and love will be seen in us.

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers,

neither be thou envious

against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.”  Psalm 37:1-8

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

Let’s go forward trusting Jesus, delighting in HIM, committing everything to Him, and resting in HIM (and that doesn’t mean quitting, but running in HIS strength not our own)by relying on HIS sufficiency–even to control our tongue!  Blessings on your week.  I’ll see you at Bible Ballistics locations from now on!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

What Saved YOU??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #110

20 Thursday Jul 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Born Again, By His Grace, Cross, God Who Sees, Gospel, Grace, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin

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What Saved YOU??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #110

Just a few reminders of the basics today!  There is so much false teaching/preaching going on today, I just thought we’d take some time today to see what God’s Word says about salvation, where do we get it, how, is it me or something/someone else that provides and imparts it to you and me.  Let’s dive in!

What do YOU think ‘saved’ (saves) you?

If you think it’s ‘works’, you’re wrong:

“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 2:8-9

(walking in the good works that come out of salvation, not

 saved by them!)

If you think it’s ‘family’, you’re wrong:

“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

(It’s being “born again” into the family of God by the blood of Jesus Christ The Lord!)

If you think it’s religion or ‘spiritual prestige’, you’re wrong:

“There was a man of the Pharisees,

named Nicodemus,

a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus

by night…

… 3 Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

 he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 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 3:1-7

And some of Jesus’ greatest words to us all–

“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.”  John 3:16-18

There’s only One Way and Jesus IS HIM!!!

“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 gives new birth to all who will come to HIM–in   repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for YOU and ME!

If you think it’s ‘the church’ that saves, you’re wrong:

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

(Not man, not institution, not relation, not salvation in “any other”, but in Jesus’ name, work, death, burial, and resurrection, all for sin…”according to the scripture”!)

“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

(The GOSPEL in a nutshell!)

If you think it’s ‘riches’, ‘success’, ‘fame’ or ‘popularity’–even within the church, you’re wrong:

“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

What are you counting on?  I pray that you will ask God to reveal truth to you, so you know “redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (See Colossians 1:14!).

Amen!!!

Persecution Will Come??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #105

07 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Persecution, Perseverance, Presumption, The Word, The Word Or The World?

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Persecution Will Come???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #105

Just a brief word from the Apostle Paul to remind us to stand fast in the evil day! It’s here!

“ Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers

shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving,                                                                                 and being deceived.

14 But continue thou

in the things which thou hast learned                                            and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable                                                                                        

for doctrine,                                                                                     for reproof,                                                                                        for correction,                                                                                    for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:12-17

Have a blessed Friday!

Amen and Amen!!!

Are You Vexed By The World??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #97

11 Sunday Jun 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, False Lives, Let You Light So Shine, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Life or Death?, Vexation, Victory IN Jesus!

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Are You Vexed By The World??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #97

Vexed: irritated, annoyed… much discussed or disputed….tossed about, as waves….

I know ‘vexed’ is an old and seldom used word today, but it fits the thoughts of my heart today; and scripture is replete with lessons about being vexed–both good and bad, so let’s see what we can learn and discern from God’s Word today.

Job is the picture that we often refer to when we think of suffering, yet we find so much truth in the book of Job, as we see this man of integrity stand for righteousness, truth, and his Savior-Redeemer, we can learn so much; and one of the things that encourages me so is Job’s so-called friends, ever telling Job if ‘he hadn’t sinned’ then none of these things would have happened, and calling him to confess and repent.  All the while Job declares his confidence in his GOD and his integrity before HIM!

“As God liveth,

who hath taken away my judgment;

and the Almighty,

who hath vexed my soul;

3 All the while

my breath

is in me,

and the spirit of God

is in my nostrils;

4 My lips

shall not speak wickedness,

nor my tongue

utter deceit.

5 God forbid that I should justify you:

till I die

I will not remove mine integrity from me.

6 My righteousness

I hold fast,

and will not let it go:

my heart

 shall not reproach me so long as I live.”   Job 27:2-6

Job wasn’t bragging on himself, but rather bragging on his God–the Almighty God of the universe–the One in whom he believed and trusted for salvation and deliverance.

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,

yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed within me.”  Job 19:25-27

And again:

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

for an hypocrite

shall not come before him.”  Job 13:15-16

Unlike Job, we often let our friends and acquaintances influence our walk with God and our outlook on our circumstances–we must make sure that like Job, our faith is in God and His Word–Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, knowing that whatever may come our way or come around us, we can truly say with Job, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”!  What does all this have to do with ‘vexation’?  Well that’s a good question, for much like Job’s friends, who had a skewed view of God, many around us have that same skewed view of God and worse.  We have come to be a culture that treats God’s Word, God’s ways, and God’s people with disdain, and like another man of faith who lost his influence due to the culture he chose to be in (and he had a choice, just like we do).  It breaks my heart that our once godly, Christian nation now boldly, blatantly clings to the things of the enemy of our souls.

But, my friends, this is nothing new, just as Solomon once wrote, “there is no new thing under the sun” (See Ecclesiastes 1:9); and while we are taken aback by all the ‘new’ things absorbing our culture–it’s not new at all!  It goes back to Eden, where man chose sin instead of God!  Same story, just new titles, and names!  Peter in his second recorded letter makes this abundantly clear, for there have always been false teachers–liars, betrayers, deceivers–and we must choose whether we will dig into The Word of God and know truth or be deceived by those who desire to steal our soul, our life, our children, and our culture.  I AM VEXED!!!  When will we wake up and measure our own lives by God’s standard rather than man’s?  Lot chose to get accustomed to the sin, filth, and degradation around him, and it cost him his family; his testimony had become worthless to those around him because he had chosen to “go along to get along”!  How about you and me?  What comes out of our mouth is from the heart; what’s in your heart?  What does the world see in your lifestyle; kindness with no truth, vile and filthy language to get along because we allow ourselves to absorb the filth around us?  I’ll let Peter make the case.

“But there were false prophets

also among the people,

even as there shall be false teachers

among you,

who privily shall bring in

damnable heresies,

even denying the Lord that bought them,

and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways;

by reason of whom the way of truth

shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness

shall they with feigned words

make merchandise of you:

whose judgment now of a long time

lingereth not,

and their damnation slumbereth not.

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned,

but cast them down to hell,

and delivered them into chains of darkness,

to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world,

but saved Noah the eighth person,

a preacher of righteousness,

bringing in the flood

upon the world of the ungodly;

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha

into ashes condemned them with an overthrow,

making them an ensample

unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot,

vexed with the filthy conversation

of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man

dwelling among them,

in seeing

and hearing,

vexed his righteous soul

from day to day

with their unlawful deeds😉

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly

out of temptations,

and to reserve the unjust

unto the day of judgment

to be punished:

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh

in the lust of uncleanness,

and despise government.

Presumptuous are they,

selfwilled,

they are not afraid

to speak evil of dignities.”  2 Peter 2:1-10

My friends, judgment is coming–for believers and unbelievers–the judgment seat of Jesus (as described in Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10) for believers, those who have been born again by the blood of The Lamb, where all will “give an account of himself to God”!  The lost (those who have failed/refused to bow before Jesus in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin–your sin and mine– for “all have sinned”!) will stand before God at the Great White Throne with no recourse or payment for their sin, but to be cast into the “lake of fire” (Rev. 20)!  You can live the way you want; you can talk the way you want, you can accept and promote immorality, wickedness, and the vile things of this world, and while it vexes my heart and soul to ‘see and hear’ it, everyone will give an account to God!  I pray that you will hear the voice of the savior if you don’t know Him yet and come to His cross for salvation.  If you are a believer who has compromised, I pray that you will come to that same cross in repentance and call on your Master Jesus for forgiveness, cleansing and restoration–HE is still changing hearts and lives.

“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

 

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!

The Gospel According To___? A Repost of Vol. 11 No. 17 Bible Ballistics

04 Sunday Jun 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Good News, Good Stewards, Gospel, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth

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The Gospel According To___?  Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 17

We live in a culture that wants to make the “Gospel” something that “appeals” to the masses, and makes everyone “feel” good. There is no mention of sin, no call to the God’s holiness, nor any call for repentance in this worldly gospel—rather it has a message that says God will take everyone to heaven, no matter how they live or what they believe about Him, His Son, His holiness or His Word! God says different!

I used to quote an old adage that said, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it!” but I’ve changed it to more aptly fit the truth of God’s Word, “God said it, and that settles it—whether I believe it or not!” Whether we ‘believe it or not’, God says there is only “one way” to salvation, and that way is HIS way—His name is Jesus!

As we’ve learned from Daniel’s example, knowing God and His Word makes a difference in our lives that the world can see—in word and deed! What does the world see in me/in you?

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”   Daniel 6:16

Who am I serving? Is my service to God reflecting a true picture of my Lord and His Gospel—the Gospel of God’s Word—much different from the one promoted by the world.

“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.”    Acts 4:10-12

Jesus is the only way of salvation—our salvation is why HE came—to save us from our sin, and only when we are willing to recognize our own sin, repent and believe in His substitutionary (He took my place), atoning (He paid my debt), sacrifice (the paying of a debt He didn’t owe, because I had a debt I couldn’t pay, apart from His death for me) believing and receiving the new birth in His saving work at Calvary, in other words, being born again! There is no other way to 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

Being “born…. of God”, having real life, eternal life in HIM!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 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 3:3-7

“Ye must be born again”! Apart from being born again, no one can even “see the kingdom of God”; in fact Jesus goes on to say that unless we are born “of the Spirit” we cannot “enter into the kingdom of God”. And that my friend is important—because not every one who claims to know Jesus knows Him. Not everyone who attends church, or does good deeds, or is right in their own eyes, will “enter into the kingdom of God”, but those who are “born again”—they are the only ones who will “see God”! And the verses we looked at in John 1 remind us that it is the Spirit of God—The Holy Spirit—that works the new birth in those who respond to God’s call to repentance and faith.

I know I have belabored this point, but it has been on my heart of late, and after attending a service recently, I was grief stricken to hear the things that I heard, and I must call us all to consider the “Gospel” according to The Word of God—not according to men!

As I was in attendance at this service there was a bit of scripture read, and even a reference or two to Jesus, but never once was there any reference to salvation being in Jesus. There was lots of talk about the works of men, and the goodness of men, but no mention of salvation by grace. In fact there was no music about God, Jesus, grace or salvation, just worldly music that broke my heart—not because it was bad, but because it was so “not” the gospel. In fact, afterwards I thought how sad, that we just went through a service that presented the “Gospel According to Nashville” not the Gospel of Jesus. Why would anyone want to go to heaven and spend eternity with God, when they have no use for Him in this life? Jesus said that we must repent—stop going our way, and turn to HIM? What happened to that Gospel?

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all

likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

We must repent of our way, and go God’s way. And Jesus knows the difference, and will reveal it! In HIS time!

“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.

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.” (Because it was NOT founded/built upon a rock!)    Matthew 7:21-27

The question is, “Are you building on the ‘rock’ or the ‘sand’?” Have you believed in the true Gospel of Jesus, or the lies of the world, the watered-down Gospel of ‘Nashville’, or ‘Hollywood’, or ‘Detroit’ or ‘New York’? If it is any Gospel other than the biblical one, you need to reconsider what you are trusting in. And if your life isn’t reflecting the truth and Spirit of Jesus in what you ‘do’ (not just what you ‘say’!) you might want to examine what you are counting on to save you!

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”   2 Corinthians 13:5

It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in us that is the evidence that we belong to Jesus, that we have truly believed the Gospel of the Cross of Jesus and been born again. Paul gives us the “Gospel in a nutshell”!

“Moreover, brethren,

I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed

in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

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

Jesus paid it all—the only price that God will accept for sin:

“Christ died for our sins…

that he was buried…

that he rose again the third day…

that he was seen…”

All of this “according to the scriptures”—just as God had promised from Eden to the Cross!

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,

and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head,

and thou shalt bruise his heel.”   Genesis 3:15

The “seed” would be the victor—the eternal victor over sin, death and hell. And Jesus is that seed, and died for all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith! Only Jesus!

“For this corruptible

must put on incorruption,

and this mortal

must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work

of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”   1 Corinthians 15:53-58

Jesus is our victory, regardless of what the world says. God isn’t impressed by men’s works and deeds, but by the blood of the Lamb that cleanses from sin. And only Jesus’ blood will do! Anything else will fail at the end!

“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 20:14-15

There is a time of accounting coming, and just as Jesus spoke in Matthew 7, saying so won’t make it so! Only being born again by the Spirit of God will make you a child of God! And that is only found at the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and soon coming KING!!!

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign

on the earth.”    Revelation 5:9-10

Regardless of what our culture says about Jesus, only salvation by repentance from sin, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice will save. And when we are born again, we can follow Him by the power of The Holy Spirit, The Spirit others ought to see at work in us! All because His Spirit dwells in His own, and writes our names in “the Lamb’s book of life”! The Spirit of God working in us—saving us—changing us—all to point others to the cross!

“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 8:8-9

Jesus’ righteousness imparted to us, to be displayed before a lost and dying world in need of a Savior! What about you? What Spirit is working in YOU? In me? Are we ready to see Him? Do others see Jesus in us!

“And there shall in no wise enter into it

any thing that defileth,

neither whatsoever worketh abomination,

or maketh a lie:

but they which are written

in the Lamb’s book of life.”    Revelation 21:27

I pray that you are relying on Jesus and not the message being preached by popular culture, music, movies, and TV! Only Jesus saves, and when He does, He makes new creatures out of sinners, and writes our name in “the Lamb’s book of life”. Where is your name written? Are you a “new creature”? Not perfect yet, but redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ alone! The Gospel according to Jesus—not Nashville!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17

Have you called on Jesus to make you a new creature? Are you relying on something other than Jesus? Please consider what you are trusting in!!! It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is a test at the end?

No matter how many times we read or quote the 23rd Psalm (which is the most popular passage of scripture mentioned at Funeral services), no on can truly say “The Lord is ‘my’ shepherd” (emphasis mine) unless we are born again by the blood of the Lamb—just as we read above—the Gospel is Jesus work of salvation, not man’s empty efforts to look good to a world with skewed vision. And if Jesus is not your “shepherd”, then you will come up wanting. Please look to Jesus while there is still time!

“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 3:4-7

Don’t put it off too long, or you may hear the same message that Daniel had to deliver to Belshazzar:

“…Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27b

I pray that you will hear the voice of Jesus today and judge with ‘righteous judgment’ and respond in repentance and faith. And if you are already HIS, renew your devotion to His person and His Word—to follow with courage and wisdom!

“As we said before, so say I now again,

If any man preach any other gospel

unto you

than that ye have received,

let him be accursed.”    Galatians 1:9

Amen and Amen!!!