Category Archives: Abiding In Jesus

Be A Can-Do Believer??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #575

02 Friday Aug 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Blessed by God, Choose You This Day!, Comfort, Confidence, Remember, Sanctuary

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #575       Be A Can-Do Believer???

 

Just a brief word of encouragement this Friday morning.  We talked the other day about things that distract and discourage us, and life gets so hectic around us, we just need to be reminded that believers in Jesus belong to the “God Who Sees” (See Genesis 16 for the whole story).  Our God has provided for us through the redeeming sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, and in His power and through His Spirit we can ‘be’ what God has called us to ‘be’; we can do whatever God calls us to do, we can go where-ever God sends us; we can truly be victorious in Jesus (oh, that might make a great song—ha ha)!  So, let’s just take a few minutes this morning (or whatever time of day you are reading this) and rehearse the goodness and provision of our God!

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me

in heaven

and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them

to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo,

I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”  Matthew 29:18-20

It’s said that the “go ye” can literally be translated as “as you are going”—be, do, and take the truth of the cross everywhere you go!  I can do that—because Jesus said I could, because “all power” is HIS, and HE has shared it with His own! And remember that “all” is a simple Greek word that means, “ALL”! Yet God never asks us to be, do or go ‘alone’!

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do

unto me.”   Hebrews 13:5-6

Jesus is our strength, our sustenance, but we are so often distracted from His presence that we allow ourselves to ‘feel’ alone! But remember as we rehearse these truths from The Word of God, we need to rehearse because we are human ‘forgetters’! When one of my granddaughters was a 2 or 3-year-old, she used to say, “Somebody stole my rememberer!”  Well there is more truth to that than we might think, for the enemy of our soul is ever trying to ‘steal’ our joy, our confidence, our assurance, our hope and keep us from “remembering” what GOD has said; for God cannot and does not lie! Count on it!

“In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

 promised

before the world began;”   Titus 1:2

Whoa momma!  God is our hope and confidence and unlike our enemy, who is the “father of lies”, God IS truth, Jesus IS truth; therefore, we can stand in His truth—always.  And of course, we can’t leave out the most familiar of all the passages on ‘do’:

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

My friends—you “can do” whatever God is leading you to do today!  Don’t lose hope, don’t give up, don’t believe the lies of the enemy—but remember who has called you, who has saved you, who has provided us “all things” that we need.

“According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge

of him that hath called us

to glory and virtue:” 2 Peter 1:3

We can count on Jesus, our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and best friend!

“Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go

and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask

of the Father

in my name,

he may give it you.”   John 15:15-16

Amen and Amen!

Recognizing Lies That Defeat??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 24

28 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Liars, Lies That Defeat Us

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 24.  Recognizing Lies That Defeat???

 

We talked last week about the regeneration that Jesus imparts on us when we are born again; and while many of us came to Jesus after falling for the lies of the enemy for years, there are still lies that the enemy uses to make us impotent in our service to our Lord.  That’s what I want us to talk about today—the lies that catch us off guard, the lies that get us distracted from our focus on Jesus, the lies that challenge God’s Word, and the lies that our culture is constantly bombarding us with; yet the power, truth, and love that is the bedrock of our faith still stands—even when our eyes have been diverted by the lies!  Our God reigns, and you can count on HIS faithfulness!

“The LORD reigneth,

he is clothed with majesty;

the LORD is clothed with strength,

wherewith he hath girded himself:

the world also is stablished,

that it cannot be moved.

2 Thy throne is established of old:

thou art from everlasting.

3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD,

the floods have lifted up their voice;

the floods lift up their waves.

4 The LORD on high is mightier

than the noise of many waters,

yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

5 Thy testimonies are very sure:

holiness becometh thine house, O LORD,

for ever.”   Psalm 93:1-5

I love the picture that the Psalmist paints here of the wondrous might, sovereignty and faithfulness of our God; and because HE is faithful in all, ruling over all, and in HIS majesty is our total confidence, we don’t have to settle for lies—we belong to the true God of all—Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  As Jesus said:

“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

Our God is God, and He is in charge—HE reigns, He doesn’t lie!!!

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”   Revelation 19:6

We can have confidence because our Lord Jesus IS “the way, the truth, and the life”, and we don’t have to settle for lies!  But by the same token, we also need to remind ourselves over and over again that our enemy is subtle, deceitful, tricky and ever seeking our destruction.  But Jesus our LORD, IS LORD!

“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 10:10-11

Jesus gave His life for us—the enemy always wants to destroy—for he is the great imitator and perverter, while our Lord gives abundant LIFE!  You can rely upon the “truth” of God’s Word, His person, and His character—you and I don’t have to stay in “the pits”, we simply have to run to our God!

“The name of the LORD

       is a strong tower:

the righteous

 runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

That’s for we who have placed our faith and trust in God to receive the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for all who will believe; and we can count on HIM, we don’t have to be tricked by the lies of the devil.  We can be victorious by keeping our eyes on Jesus.

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

We can have victory in Jesus, but we must pay attention—we must take Peter’s advice, being “humble….careful….sober(right focused)…vigilent” as we “resist stedfast in the faith” the enemy of our souls! I want to help us focus (myself included) on the security that we have IN Jesus—to know Him and His truth more and more as our life-line at every turn.

“And ye shall know

the truth,

and the truth

shall make you free.”  John 8:32

We are made free because of His sacrifice and by the power of His Holy Spirit who births us into HIS kingdom, as His children—sons and daughters of God!

“And now I am no more in the world,

but these are in the world,

 and I come to thee.

 Holy Father,

keep through thine own name

those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one,

as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world,

I kept them in thy name:

those that thou gavest me

I have kept,

and none of them is lost,

but the son of perdition;

that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee;

and these things I speak in the world,

that they might have my joy

fulfilled in themselves…

….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.”    Portions of John 17:11-23

All by the power of The Holy Spirit “translating” us into God’s kingdom, out of the power of darkness.

“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

As Paul said so powerfully:

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”  Colossians 1:12-14

Redemption is ours, bringing with it the power to live a victorious life in HIM, Jesus; forgiveness of our sins, meaning we don’t have to be intimidated or put down by the accusations of the enemy of our life, our work and our effectiveness. We can have victory because Jesus bought the victory at Calvary, giving us liberty, power, deliverance and confidence—all through HIS blood!

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life

in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak

through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin

in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness

of the law

might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not

after the flesh,

but

after the Spirit.”

Romans 8:1-4

Victory for all who will receive Him and walk in HIS Spirit!  We don’t have to live and walk in light of our past, but in the victory that God has provided in Jesus!  We do NOT have to “order our steps” in light of the accusations of the devil, but according to God’s Word!  Amen and Amen. We don’t have to accept the lies that Satan throws at us–for we are God’s, delivered and paid for- but we must recognize and resist the enemy’s lies, as we walk in Jesus’ Spirit, not our flesh!  My past is forgiven!  My future is HIS!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……

25 If we live in the Spirit,

 let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16- & 25

And just a few reminders of the enemy that we face—remembering that he is a defeated foe, and a liar of the first order!

“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.”  John 8:44

And his first schemes and lies were the same as they are today—challenging the Word of God, the heart of God, the goodness of God, and calling men, women, boys and girls, to doubt God and the truth of HIS Word/Words!

“Now the serpent was more subtil

than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.

And he said unto the woman,

Yea, hath God said,

Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent,

We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree

which is in the midst of the garden,

God hath said,

Ye shall not eat of it,

neither shall ye touch it,

lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman,

Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know

that in the day ye eat thereof,

then your eyes shall be opened,

 and ye shall be as gods,

 knowing good and evil.”    Genesis 3:1-5

Satan is still challenging God and His Word.  Will you be as gullible as Eve, or will you “stand fast in the evil day”?  We must know the Word of God, in order to “resist stedfast in the faith”!  Satan doesn’t play by the rules—his rules change according to the situation (remember situational ethics), who do you think promotes that ideology?  Here are some truths that you need to know!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

 into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be

transformed as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

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

Remember—we win.  Don’t let the liars, deceivers, the perverters of God’s Word lead you astray, discourage your journey, or stop your growth in HIM, but continue to keep your eyes on the prize, knowing that your sins have been forgiven and covered in His blood, so press on in power, confidence, and truth—for our God IS truth and HE is coming soon.  Ready or not HE is coming!

“Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come,

that ye shall be scattered,

every man to his own,

and shall leave me alone:

and yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”   John 16:32-33

May we ever press on IN Jesus and His promise of an eternal future with HIM!  Amen and Amen!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

 in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:13-14

Look UP—not around!  Press on dear ones!  Press on!  Amen!!!

Regeneration Is Essential??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 23

21 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Ministry, Regeneration, Service, Spiritual Gifts

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 23    Regeneration Is Essential???

 

Regeneration:  biology–the restoration or new growth by an

organism or organs, tissues, etc., that have been lost, removed or injured…

              theology—spiritual rebirth; religious revival…

While there are several grammatical definitions of regeneration, I want to talk about spiritual regeneration—the work that Jesus does when we are ‘born again’! (And just by way of comment, true ‘revival’ is spiritual not religious!)

“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

Being “born again” is the beginning of our new life in Jesus, for without the ‘life’ of Jesus ‘in’ us we can have no spiritual power!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things

are passed away;

behold, all things

are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;”  2 Corinthians 5:17-18

Oswald Chambers talks about the fact that without regeneration, we cannot truly do God’s work!  But when we are born again by God’s power, we have Jesus Christ’s Spirit within us, to empower and direct our ministry for HIM!  And contrary to popular belief, ministry is NOT just for “ministers”—it’s for every born-again believer, those who receive Jesus and are made “the sons of God”!  We’ve been given this “ministry of reconciliation”!

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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 1:11-12

Jesus is the power for ministry to each of His own! He has a ministry for you and me; what are you doing with the call of God on your life?  Without Jesus we won’t accomplish much of real value, but with HIM we can do anything He calls us to be and do (and you must “BE” born again, before you can ‘do’ His work)!

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 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 15:4-5

Paul makes it clear that God has an order of things, He calls some to lead, teach and grow God’s people into useful, productive ministry (those who minister, not just those who work in a preaching or pastoral position—there is a difference between the gifts of ministry and the offices of ministry leaders)!  Ministry is the privilege of the redeemed—the regenerated—to serve our Lord and King, Jesus!

“And he gave

some, apostles;

and some, prophets;

and some, evangelists;

and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For

the perfecting of the saints,

for

the work of the ministry,

for

the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge

of the Son of God,

unto a perfect man,

unto the measure of the stature

of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body

fitly joined together

and compacted by that

which every joint supplieth,

according to the effectual working

in the measure of every part,

maketh increase

of the body

unto the edifying

of itself

in love.”    Ephesians 4:11-16

God gifts His leaders, not to do all the work, but to teach, educate, encourage, and train those in the ‘body’ to serve Him faithfully in power, truth and love.  Just ponder this list—take each thing and pray for God to direct your steps into the work that HE has for you!  When you or I are gifted and called to be a leader/minister, then we are to help others to grow “in all things” as we speak “the truth in love”!  And when we speak the truth of The Word of God, we are truly demonstrating the love of God.  Condoning sin, coddling those who reject truth, or watering down the truth to win others is never the demonstration of love—for it will never lead people to the cross!  Until we share the truth about ‘sin’, why would anyone need a Savior.  Jesus said it best.

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish…

…5 I tell you, Nay:

 but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”   Luke 13:3 & 5

And to repent, or even know what repentance is, a person must see themselves as sinners—which we all are.  Yet as we share, we must pray for The Holy Spirit to touch, convict and draw hearts to Jesus.

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:44

And the Father only draws people to Jesus—He IS the only way!

“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

Only One Savior, only One Way—Jesus!  And when we receive salvation through faith in His death, burial and resurrection, we are His child–His servant—to minister reconciliation and regeneration to others as we have opportunity!

“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 ministers of truth in our Lord Jesus.  What are you doing with your ministry?  Are you leaving all the work and service to others?  To the pastor?  To the teachers?  To the deacons?  To those with the prominent speaking gifts?  We all have at least one spiritual gift and we are to use them for the edification of the body (the benefit of the church—the people not the building)!

“But the end of all things is at hand:

be ye therefore sober,

and watch unto prayer.

8 And above all things

 have fervent charity among yourselves:

for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality one to another

without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same

one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak,

let him speak as the oracles of God;

if any man minister,

let him do it as of the ability

which God giveth:

that God in all things

may be glorified

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be praise

and dominion

for ever

and ever. Amen.”                           1 Peter 4:7-11

Peter tells us that there are two main categories of gifts: speaking gifts and serving/ministering gifts; and he makes it clear that whatever our gift/gifts are, they are to be used by the power of God, unto His glory!  For even as Jesus told us in John 15, “without me ye can do nothing”!

What are you doing ‘with’ Jesus?  Have you recognized the gift or gifts that God has blessed you with?  When we learn to recognize our gifts, we will find fulfillment in our service, whether it’s in a speaking gift or a serving gift—they are given to every believer as The Spirit sees fit!  It’s HIS call not ours!

“Now there are diversities of gifts,

but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations,

but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations,

but it is the same God which worketh all

in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit

is given to every man

to profit withal.”   1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Paul’s letter to the Romans also reminds us that our gifts are our own individual opportunity to serve our Lord!

“Having then gifts

differing

according to the grace

that is given to us,

whether prophecy,

let us prophesy

according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry,

let us wait on our ministering:

or he that teacheth,

on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth,

on exhortation:

he that giveth,

let him do it with simplicity;

he that ruleth,

with diligence;

he that sheweth mercy,

with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be

without dissimulation.

Abhor that which is evil;

cleave to that which is good.”  Romans 12:6-9

While we have differing gifts, we all have one unified purpose—to follow Jesus, to wait on His leading, and to fulfill the call to share redemptions message, to love and be reconcilers unto Jesus!  We are to fulfill His call and gifting as we lean on HIS power not our own!

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:12-13

So, my simple question for each of us is, have you been redeemed, regenerated?  Are you walking, working, serving, and ministering the grace of God?  We can be and do all that Jesus calls and equips us for—you and me!  We can do all this because “Christ is all, and in all”!  It’s all about Him, and His regenerating sacrifice that gives us new life!

“And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew,

circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian,

bond nor free:

but Christ is all, and in all.”   Colossians 3:10-11

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Who Are You Inspiring??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #572

19 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Influence, Inspiring Others, Just Jesus!, Listening To God, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #572   Who Are You Inspiring???

 

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”   Psalm 119:33

As I write this, my mind goes to those who touched my life—those who helped me walk right before God; and what I find amazing, is that many of them weren’t intentionally trying to influence me, they were simply living for God and making a difference that they were often unaware of! And that ought to be the goal of our life, to touch others as God uses our faithfulness to Him, and our desire to please HIM—Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  And I can only do that as I seek to allow God to “Order my steps”! But did you catch the rest of that phrase?  God will order our steps in HIS “word”!  I must immerse myself in The Word of God, to know it intimately, that I can discern between true and false, right and wrong, good and bad.  In fact, this was one of the things that Solomon asked God for, and it has been my verse for this year.

“Give therefore thy servant

an understanding heart

to judge thy people,

that I may discern

between good

and bad:

for who is able

to judge

this thy so great a people?”  1 Kings 3:9

I would simply like to share my personal paraphrase of this passage.

I am the servant—God is my LORD and master—

(See Exodus 20:3)

I need to seek God’s understanding not my own—

(See Proverbs 3:5-6)

I am to judge/discern people’s behavior—

(but I am not The Judge who will pass sentence—

 (See Matthew 7:15-20 & Revelation 20:11-14)

I am to seek God’s standard of ‘good and bad’ not man’s—

(See Micah 6:8)

I am to recognize that only God/Jesus can help me lead—

(See John 15:1-5)

Just as Jesus told us in John 15, I must depend on Him, abide in Him, and rely upon His presence and power working in me through His precious Holy Spirit.  May we walk His way that others may be drawn to HIS love, salvation and provision by our life of devotion to JESUS, for “without me ye can do nothing”!

“That we should be to the praise of his glory…”.    Ephesians 1:12a

Remember we are influencing others, but are we leading them to Jesus or to Hell? There is generally no in between. Jesus made this clear.  May you ponder His words as we wrap up our time together, and may we truly pray “open our eyes Lord….”, that we might see YOU and follow YOUR way, influencing others for good!

“No man

can serve

two masters:

for either he

will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he

will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

Our path before others is revealing whom you/I are serving.

To Know HIM More Today??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 22

14 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Born Again, King Jesus, Take Up YOUR Cross

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 22     To Know HIM More Today???

 

We heard a good message this morning about our Good King!  Jesus, The King of Glory!  Oh, how blessed we are to know Him, to be His, to be privileged to share the “Good News’ of the salvation that our ‘Good King’ has provided through our Lord Jesus Christ—The very Son of God—our ‘Good King’!  And it’s HIM that we want to focus on today.

“Lift up your heads,

O ye gates;

and be ye lift up,

ye everlasting doors;

and the King of glory

shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?

The LORD strong and mighty,

the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads,

 O ye gates;

even lift them up,

ye everlasting doors;

and the King of glory

shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts,

he is the King of glory. Selah.”  Psalm 24:7-10

And Jesus IS His name—He came through those ‘gates’ once in human flesh and blood!  He lived a perfect life, gave His life to die as the perfect Lamb of God, rose from the dead on the third day, and HE IS coming back again, to walk through those ‘gates’ again.  Do you know HIM?

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them

eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able

to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

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

Jesus was, is and ever shall be “one” with The Father!  And because HE IS God, His sacrifice was the ultimate, perfect sacrifice that provides salvation for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Jesus came—and oh how glad I am that He did; and because He did, we can have new life in Him, now and into eternity.

“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.

14 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.”   John 1:12-14

When we come to Jesus, He gives us His Holy Spirit to dwell within and to provide all that we need to live a life of godliness.

“Grace and peace be multiplied

unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge

of him that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great and precious promises:

that by these

 ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world through lust.”    2 Peter 1:2-4

But, not only do we have all we need for “life and godliness”, we have a Lord and Savior who is coming again to establish His Kingdom on this earth—and I believe HE is coming soon!  Are you ready?

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house

are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place

for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place

for you,

I will come again,

and receive you

unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.

5 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 14:1-6

Jesus is the only way to God, and we can not only be known of Him, but we can draw nearer and nearer to Him, and come to know Him more and more.  That is to be the pursuit of our lives—to know Him more each day.  To grow in intimate relationship and fellowship with Him! Paul paints a wonderful picture of this relationship that we are pursuing.

“But what things were gain to me,

those I counted loss

for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss

for the excellency

of the knowledge of Christ Jesus

my Lord:

for whom I have suffered

the loss of all things,

and do count them but dung,

that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness,

which is of the law,

but that which is through the faith

of Christ,

the righteousness

which is of God

by faith:

10 That I may know him,

and the power of his resurrection,

and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable unto his death;

            11 If by any means I might attain

unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend that

for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:7-14

I’d like us to simply take a walk through this message, my paraphrase, if you will.  With Paul may we:

Measure life with Jesus ruler—

See all as rubbish, compared to Knowing Jesus—

Want to KNOW Jesus more than anything else—

Suffering for Jesus is less than HIS suffering for us—

Victory is in HIS righteousness imparted to us—

To KNOW Him more—is to be conformed to HIS image—

I haven’t arrived, but as I walk with Jesus, I will—

To ‘arrive’, I must

 Forget the past—

 Pursue what is ahead—

 Press toward the God’s ‘mark’—

 Seek His prize—JESUS IS the prize!

Simply said, but not easily done—but it is doable as we follow our Lord in all things—giving up self to seek the Savior!  This picture pricks my heart, every time I read it! It calls me to draw near to God and seek HIS face, and not my own ways.  Oft times that is difficult with all the busyness around us; but we must choose the things of “the Spirit” rather than the things of the flesh.  As Paul said so clearly:

“That I may know him,

and the power of his resurrection,

and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable

unto his death”

And as Paul told the Galatians and us there is only one way to be “made conformable unto his death”, and that is to “die” to self, even as our Lord called us to do!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

Jesus calls it ‘denying self…taking up our cross…and following Jesus’ (And ‘taking up’ your cross  doesn’t mean enduring your daily trails, but it means that I die to self, every day, living unto Jesus—by His power, provision and the presence of HIS Holy Spirit within us!).  Just as Jesus died to give us life, we must die to self, allowing HIS life to be seen through us!!!

“Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things,

and be rejected

of the elders

and chief priests

and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?”  Luke 9:23

I pray that you will join me in “coming after” Jesus!  And the only way that we can live for HIM, is to die to my flesh.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…

….25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.” Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

Will you draw near to Him today? I pray that you know Him and will yield to His work in and through you.  If you don’t know Him, I invite you to call upon this same Jesus who gave Himself for YOU—in His own words:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh

to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”   John 3:14-21

Won’t you seek to know Him more today?  I pray that you will join me as we:

“press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus”!

Amen and Amen!