Category Archives: Abiding IN Jesus or the World?

Increase My Faith??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #109

17 Monday Jul 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All Sufficient God!, Are you ready?, Faith, Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Increase my faith?, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Increase My Faith??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #109

Are you ready to meet Jesus?  That’s the most important question of life; are you/I prepared to meet God The Father, Jesus The Son who died for our sin (if you have come to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice; if not then you will be found guilty of your own sin, without any payment except your own life in hell, all because you have trampled underfoot the blood that Jesus shed for YOU!).  What does all this have to do with faith?

“Now faith is

the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen…

…6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.”  Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Amazing! “Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please” God!  Who are you pleasing?  Do you believe?

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Praise God, He’s still in the soul-saving business and if you will but trust HIM today and bow before the King of Kings for salvation now, you won’t have to face HIM later as your judge (with no option for grace or salvation!)!

“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

So, you see, my friends, the question isn’t will you bow; rather, the question is when will you bow?  Will you bow before Jesus now in repentance and faith in His shed blood to save you and forgive your sin; or will you stand before HIM as your judge and join the devil in Hell/The Lake of Fire?  (See Revelation 20)

But what does all of this have to do with ‘increasing my faith’?  Well, it’s pretty simple, if you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior–the Redeemer of your soul–then you have no faith to increase; yet even those who know Jesus often misunderstand what it means to “increase my faith”?  Let me begin by telling you what it’s not:  it’s not ‘name it claim it’; it’s not believing enough to get what you want from God; it’s not trying to twist God and bargain to gain what you want!  Faith is shrouded in prayer–communication with God–not a sugar daddy that I beg favors from–not a heavenly slot machine, where I drop in my coin of ‘faith’, pull the handle of ‘faith-so called’, and expect God to send my ‘jackpot’; not trying to twist God’s arm (so to speak) to get my own way!  IT IS seeking God’s face, God’s will, and God’s ways.  Remember what Jesus told us about prayer?

“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.”  Matthew 6:9-10

Jesus does go on to instruct us to ask God for our physical and material needs, but greed isn’t included in this kind of praying.  One of the things I do when I rehearse this prayer is like this: “Thy kingdom come” …IN me!  “Thy will be done” …IN me! Today!  Whose will are you pursuing today?

So, what does it mean to “increase my faith”?  I can only share with you that which I have learned, and I encourage you to delve into the scriptures and verify these things, it’s amazing what we can learn when we read and study God’s Word. I believe that this “increase” doesn’t mean ‘give me more stuff’; or make me ‘healthy’, ‘wealthy’ and ‘smart’…I didn’t say ‘wise’ for when we pursue God in faith, love and committed obedience we will find wisdom and God will give it to those who ask and truly want to receive it in faith not in vain, or for selfish gain!  This increase is to grow in the expanse of what I KNOW to be TRUE about God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for they are ONE!  Jesus made that perfectly clear to His attackers.

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

You and I need to pursue God/Jesus, to know HIM and to grow in our understanding of HIS character!  Job reveals much of this kind of “faith” to us–trust NOT presumption!

“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

“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

In the midst of some of the most severe suffering ever recorded, Job declared HIS faith and trust in HIS God!  When his wife told him to “curse God and die”, Job rebuked her; and when his friends (so called in my opinion) came to console him, all they could do was call him to confess his sin–for he had to have some ‘sin’ in his life, or all these bad things wouldn’t be happening to him.  We have a lot of that kind of teaching going on today, but it won’t hold ‘water’, the ‘water’ of The Word, that is!  God calls us to walk in faithful obedience seeking His face when we don’t understand and wait on HIM (See Isaiah 40:31)!  For He is often working where we can’t see!  Let’s peruse some examples of God’s work, and what increased faith looks like!

“If it be so,

our God whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.”  Daniel 3:17-18

These precious young men, servants of God, as well as King Nebuchadnezzar, took their stand and refused to bow before the King’s idol.  You can go back and see in Daniel1:8 that they had committed to not “defile themselves”, and by God’s grace their faith was “increased” to be able to stand against the fire!  And while God did deliver them, they trusted HIM whether HE did or not.  In fact, what they said (in Blanche’s paraphrase) was that “our God can, but even if He doesn’t deliver us from the fire, we will be delivered into God’s presence–and out of yours, oh King”!

And the father of a demon-possessed child, asked Jesus to “help thou my unbelief”!  We need to see our need and not presume by our ‘activity’ that we can work-up our faith increase.

“And straightway the father of the child cried out,

and said with tears,

Lord, I believe;

help thou mine unbelief.”  Mark 9:24

There were two thieves on the cross who railed on Jesus as they were all three being crucified, the two for their own sin, and Jesus for the forgiveness of sin to those who would believe.  One changed his mind, and called on Jesus in faith, not the other one.

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged

railed on him, saying,

If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying,

Dost not thou fear God,

seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly;

for we receive the due reward

of our deeds:

but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus,

Lord, remember me

when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him,

Verily I say unto thee,

To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

Small faith, greatly rewarded with salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life with Jesus!  What kind of faith do you have?   Do you need to come to Jesus as this thief and see HIM as the King of Kings, asking for HIS forgiveness and salvation?  Are you a believer who is having trouble “believing”?  Are you wrestling with issues that you can’t understand, that you don’t deserve, that you have no control over?  Jesus is the answer to all the questions that we have!  I have trusted in HIS care for close to 50 years and while I can’t say I’ve always understood, I can say that HE has never failed, and my faith is in HIM, as HE has helped my faith to increase as I know more of HIM through His Word and watching HIS work all around me.  My circumstances can’t change who HE is–they didn’t change Job’s trust, or Daniel’s, or the three young men who faced the fire, or the Apostles as they stood for truth and in many cases faced death for it.

What are you facing today?  Jesus can handle it, and you can draw closer to HIM.  Paul gives us one of the greatest passages of instruction and encouragement if you and willing to heed God’s Word.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there IS a test.  How does your faith “measure” out?

“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.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3

If your faith needs increasing, just ask The Master, HE will provide, if you will but ask and receive, in humble dependence on HIM.

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man

think that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.

8 A double minded man

is unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:5-8

 I pray that you hear HIS voice today, and let Jesus increase your faith!  HE IS The faithful provider!

Amen and Amen!!!

Spiritual Hacking??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #103

02 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Father of lies, Father of Lies!, Liars, Lies That Defeat Us, Spiritual Hacking???

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spiritual Hacking??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #103

Social media has made “hacking” a key word in our modern vocabulary; and it makes our lives a bit complicated when others seek to harm us in various ways by invading our “space”!  I was thinking about this the other day, as I was giving a bit of practical advice to my friends about keeping their media accounts safe, and I couldn’t help but think of the spiritual application to our lives every day. So, I’d like to spend our time together today considering “our options”.  We can pursue confident, secure, connections, or we can go our own flippant way and do what we want without regard to the consequences.  Are you considering your options?  The consequences?  Let’s see what scripture has to say.

“There is a way which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

And Joshua made his decision clear to those around him.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.

16 And the people answered and said,

God forbid that we should forsake the LORD,

to serve other gods;” Joshua 24:15-16

Our Lord Jesus IS the only real security that we can have–all else is simply imitation, pretend, or things with ulterior motives.  Will you take the secure path, or fall to the lies of the one who desires to lead you to death and hell?

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:7-11

 Jesus also named this “thief” –the one who wants to destroy lives, incapacitate people, and blind the eyes that men, women, boys, and girls will follow his path of self, lies, arrogance, pride, and rebellion toward God!  Give it some thought.

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 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 8:42-45

So to pull this all together, let’s sum it up with two of the most important passages about the devil from Isaiah and Ezekiel; and just in case you were wondering, we do have a verifying passage that clearly identifies our enemy!  And to be secure we must cling to our Lord Jesus and recognize that we have an enemy who is ever trying to “hack” our spiritual journey, so we must keep our armor on (our two-step verification, so to speak, although our armor takes more than two steps–see Ephesians 6:10-18), and our eyes on our “account IN JESUS”!

“And the great dragon was cast out,

that old serpent,

called the Devil,

and Satan,

which deceiveth the whole world[…]”.  Revelation 12:9

Now, let’s see where pride in our own way can take us!

“How art thou fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer,

son of the morning!

how art thou cut down to the ground,

which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart,

I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:

I will sit also upon the mount

of the congregation,

in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend

above the heights of the clouds;

I will be like the most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell,

to the sides of the pit.”  Isaiah 14:12-15

And Ezekiel’s account:

“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

12 Son of man, take up a lamentation

upon the king of Tyrus,

 and say unto him,

Thus saith the Lord GOD;

Thou sealest up the sum,

full of wisdom,

and perfect in beauty.

13 Thou hast been in Eden

the garden of God;

every precious stone was thy covering,

the sardius,

topaz,

and the diamond,

the beryl,

the onyx,

and the jasper,

the sapphire,

the emerald,

and the carbuncle,

and gold:

the workmanship of thy tabrets

and of thy pipes

was prepared in thee

in the day that thou wast created.

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth;

and I have set thee so:

thou wast upon the holy mountain of God;

thou hast walked up and down

in the midst of the stones of fire.

15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways

 from the day that thou wast created,

till iniquity was found in thee.

16 By the multitude of thy merchandise

they have filled the midst of thee

with violence,

and thou hast sinned:

therefore I will cast thee as profane

out of the mountain of God:

and I will destroy thee,

O covering cherub,

from the midst of the stones of fire.

17 Thine heart was lifted up

because of thy beauty,

thou hast corrupted thy wisdom

by reason of thy brightness:

I will cast thee to the ground,

I will lay thee before kings,

that they may behold thee.

18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries

by the multitude of thine iniquities,

by the iniquity of thy traffick;

therefore will I bring forth a fire

from the midst of thee,

it shall devour thee,

and I will bring thee to ashes

upon the earth in the sight of all them

that behold thee.

19 All they that know thee among the people

shall be astonished at thee:

thou shalt be a terror,

and never shalt thou be any more.” Ezekiel 28:11-19

So, my friends, will you keep your eyes on Jesus and secure your soul, or will you fall for the lies of “the father of lies” and suffer the consequence?  I pray that we will continually be “fixing our eyes on Jesus”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Kneel To Prevent Stumbling??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #102

28 Wednesday Jun 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, Kneeling Prevents Stumbling!, Praise God Today!, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Kneel To Prevent Stumbling??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #102

“Confess your faults

one to another,

and pray

one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual

fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.”  James 5:16

Prayer makes a difference, but oftentimes it isn’t what we think it is.  We think of “The Lord’s Prayer”, or one of Paul’s prayers, or going to church and bowing our heads, or even praying for someone in need; all of these things can be ‘prayer’, but there is so much more!  Paul hit the nail on the head.

In the midst of a long list of instructions to the Thessalonian believers, Paul helps us understand that prayer isn’t as restricted as we often think!  It’s not restricted to our “knees” or some of us senior citizens couldn’t pray, for our knees have long-since ceased to allow us to “kneel”, but I/we still pray.  For me, usually in my chair, in bed (but most often only to aid my sleep, for I know that praying and talking with God in bed will sooth my heart and mind and most often lead me into peaceful sleep–which is a good thing!)!  But don’t reserve your prayer time to bedtime or you’ll most often find that you fall asleep before you finish praying.  I often pray in my car where ‘me and Jesus’ (not good grammar but good theology–and with my eyes open!) have some of our best talks! Let’s peruse part of Paul’s list and then I’ll make a few comments and leave you to ponder these truths of prayer!

“Rejoice

evermore.

17 Pray

without ceasing.

18 In every thing

give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.

19 Quench

not the Spirit.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

If I may, I’d like to just paraphrase a bit of this for us today, to kind of “put a handle on it” for us!

Rejoice–always have a spirit of joy, not giddy, silly disregard for circumstances, sorrow, or grief, but the spirit of Jesus in us coming out so others can see HIS power to give JOY even in the midst of sorrow!

Pray–always have a mindset of God’s presence, and a continual conversation with HIM…knowing that Jesus’ is with me even–no especially–in the times I don’t know what to do.  To remember that prayer is a two-way conversation and that listening to God’s voice is even more important than the sound of my own voice.  Always being ready to talk to God in the everyday circumstances of life–driving, washing dishes, planting flowers, or shopping (shopping is one of our greatest missed opportunities to hear God’s voice urging us to speak to someone, or see a person short of some cash in front of us) seeing opportunities to minister Jesus to ‘people’ in real ways, not just talk!  That’s praying ‘without ceasing’, not going around ever falling on our knees physically, but staying on our spiritual knees before God.  As I heard recently, “it’s hard to stumble on bended knees”!

Be thankful–not giddy in difficulty but having that permanent ‘attitude of gratitude’, ever knowing that God is working “all things” to make me more like Jesus–you know, The ONE who walked up Calvary’s hill for ME and YOU!  Using our resources, talents, and energies to serve God and others, not spending them whining (did I just say that?)

Yielding–to the will of God in all things, showing the world that when I say, “I trust HIM”, it shows!

Quench NOT–not being so busy that we don’t hear the voice of the Holy Spirit directing us in a particular direction–especially those we don’t expect!  Being in an attitude of prayer that keeps my heart open to God’s unexpected surprise opportunities of service.

All of these things are part of praying “without ceasing” –not going around with our eyes closed, but having a heart and mind set on God, talking to Him, listening when HE speaks, especially in that “still small voice”, directing us in unexpected ways and places!  Yet oh, what delight when we hear and obey, and watch God work where we never expected it or saw it before.  God’s always on HIS throne, waiting for us to heed the opportunity to be with HIM and reflect HIS glory to a lost and dying world!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

Praying for YOU!  Amen and Amen!!!

As I Am??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #99

19 Monday Jun 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, All things that pertain to life and godliness, Amazing Grace, Confessing Sin, Just As I Am?, Just Jesus!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

As I Am???        A Word from THE WORD!!! #99

As I was having some quiet time this morning, I was listening to some music, and an instrumental of one of my favorite songs (but seldom heard these days) came on, and as my mind rehearsed the words, I was taken aback, and I’d like to share with you some of the thoughts that made me sad and happy at the same time.  I pray that you will find some help, comfort, joy, and encouragement as I did.

Those of us who have a little age on us, remember the days when almost every service was closed with an invitation to come to Jesus–to come to the altar for prayer, for confession, for repentance–all to the singing of “Just As I Am” (By Charlotte Elliott in 1835), and those lyrics seemed to haunt my soul this morning; not for any specific issue in my life, but just the thought that we so often sang this song as a call to come to Jesus, just as we are, which we must do; for we can’t clean ourselves up, or get better, or ‘fix it’, or work our way to heaven; for we must come to Jesus realizing that we have a “sin problem” and Jesus IS the only cure–the blood HE shed at Calvary for you and me!  For SIN, and yes SIN is the issue!  Yet another thought crossed my mind (and I don’t think it was by accident, for I had a totally difference plan for this post) almost shock-like!

I came to realize my sin many years ago, as my precious Savior and Lord met me ‘face to face’ about my SIN (no not literally in physical person, but my heart knew HE had come for me!) and I fell before HIM (after an almost all day struggle–and many years of running my own life, my way) and confessed (agreed with HIS exposure) my sin, failure and need for a Redeemer!  I truly came “just as I was”, broken, mean, an unsaved church member, and a failure at ‘being good’ before the church and the world because I couldn’t fix my own SIN problem.  Yet, this morning, it came to my heart in such a profound and powerful way–God is STILL working on me “Just As I Am”!  While I know I belong to Jesus, I still stumble–I still fall–I still misunderstand His will–I still fight against the wrong things–I respond in anger or selfishness or tiredness or just simple weariness of soul, mind, and body; yet JESUS takes me “Just As I Am” and picks me up, and changes my mind, my heart, and my will to match HIS!  Praise God!  Praise God!  Praise God!  It’s exactly what HE promised HE would do!  Not just on the day I got saved—but on each and every day after that!  Good, bad, or indifferent.

“But if we hope for that we see not,

then do we with patience wait for it.

26 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.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know

that all things work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?” Romans 8:25-32

Jesus wanted us to understand that HE knows our hearts and minds–and the shepherd tends HIS own sheep!

“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.”  John 10:14-16

One of my favorite stories of Jesus’ work in us, is the account of Him bringing Peter to restoration after his denial of The Master.  Maybe like Peter (and me) you need a boost today.

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,

Simon, son of Jonas,

lovest thou me more than these?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord;

thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him,

Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time,

Simon, son of Jonas,

lovest thou me?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord;

thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him,

Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time,

Simon, son of Jonas,

lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved

because he said unto him the third time,

Lovest thou me?

And he said unto him,

Lord, thou knowest all things;

thou knowest that I love thee.

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”  John 21:15-17

We are called to “feed my sheep”, not wallow in our failures. The Apostle John gave us the key.  We must recognize our sin, confess it to God (that means agree with God that it IS SIN!), and receive His restoration.

“If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”   1 John 1:8-9

I want to leave you with the lyrics to this precious hymn, for maybe you need the same reminder that I did.  Our Lord is ever at work and when we realize where “I am”, and bring it to Jesus, HE will do HIS mighty work of restoration, so let’s do our part!

“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 Amen!!!

Just As I Am  By Charlotte Elliott

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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!!!