Category Archives: Abundant Life In Jesus

The Problem With LSD??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 4

30 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Death, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, LSD?, Lust, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.4 The Problem With LSD???

 

Well, for sure that title got some of you to open this page, but it’s not quite what you might expect, we’re going to talk about the danger of “lust”, “sin”, and “death” not the hallucinogenic drug—although they both have a danger that people need to be aware of—death! We’re going to see what James says about this very thing, and hopefully help us all be more aware of the dangers around us.

God sent Jesus to pay the price for sin, for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith. But no one ever comes to Jesus for forgiveness of sin and salvation until they see the reality of sin in their own lives. Why would anyone need a Savior who had no sin? Yet scripture is replete with the truth that we are all in the same boat when it comes to “sin”; we are all drowning in a sea of sin, and Jesus is the Only life-preserver. And while Jesus is the Only way to ‘life’, I think it will be helpful for us to remind ourselves and those around us of the real dangers of sin.

“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

Jesus Christ is the “the gift of God”, coming to be the payment for our sin. But what does sin look like? Is it just a list of ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’, or is it even more basic than that? We all face temptations in this world, because of Adam and Eve’s sin and the curse of death that it brought—that is called original sin. But we also sin because our flesh likes and chooses sin over God’s way? We are all dead in our sin because we are born in sin, and because we choose to sin. We don’t need to teach our children to lie, but they certainly seem to pick it up without instructions. Why? How? Because every person is born with the inclination to sin, and our weak and selfish flesh wants what it wants, when it wants it, and usually right NOW! (See Ephesians 2:1-10)

But God has a better way, He sent Jesus to give us the power to overcome sin by the blood of the Lamb of God.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

“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 16:33

We all have tribulation and temptation in this world, but when we come to Jesus we have the power to overcome the pull and defeat of sin, all because He has overcome sin, death and hell with His own blood which made the sacrifice for our sin; He is the One who came, the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” He paid the price for my sin and yours, and will He give us abundant life and peace with God, all because He loves us and we need a Savior!

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”    Romans 5:1

James also gives us more information that we might know the cure for sin, and how to live out our faith in Him! Knowing Jesus makes a difference, even though many today seem to have forgotten that we are called to holiness !

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”   1Peter 1:13-15

With that in mind, how are you measuring your living? Are you so enamored with the world that you don’t even see sin as sin? Have you listened to that ugly talk so much, that it seems ok now? Are you an example of holiness or ‘un’-holiness? Are you so compromised by the worldly speech, actions and motives that there is not much difference between you and the world? Do people know that you love Jesus by your manners, speech and activities, or is your life a picture of ‘anything’ goes? Have you bought into the lie that Satan has sold the world, that God doesn’t care about sin, and hell isn’t real? Let’s dig into James’ challenge to know and live in the truth of the Gospel—Jesus saves and changes lives still today, and our actions do reveal what we truly love! James 1:12-26

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:

for when he is tried,

he shall receive the crown of life,

which the Lord hath promised

to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted,

I am tempted of God:

for God cannot be tempted with evil,

neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted,

when he is drawn away of his own lust,

and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived,

it bringeth forth sin:

and sin,

when it is finished,

bringeth forth death.”

James makes it clear that sin is not only our ‘birthright’ from Adam, but also our own choice for our own life. Sin comes form the desires of our flesh being illegitimate in respect to the heart, laws and pleasure of God. If God says in His Word that a thing is sin, then it is sin; no matter how much we dress it up, change the terminology, or get used to the darkness around us—sin is still sin, regardless of what the world may say. If my desire is to please God, why would I want to be intimate with sin? I need to be as distant from it as possible, not trying to walk as close to the edge as I can without falling! But James doesn’t stop there; he also encourages us to godly living. Not just a list of ‘don’ts’ but a call to higher ground—holy living!

“16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us

with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits

of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness

of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.”

James reminds believers that we are to march to a different drum than the world; we are to be followers of Jesus, marching to His drum (so to speak) and reflecting the “righteousness of God” NOT the “wrath of man”! It saddens my heart when I see those who claim the name of Jesus as their own, speaking, posting and sharing things for which they need to apologize. May I simply say; if it needs an apology before you speak/post/share it, then it is probably better left unsaid. Paul asked the Corinthians a question, which I think most aptly, applies to many in our day, some good advice, which we ought to heed.

“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

I don’t see a lot of coming “out from among them, and be ye separate”; instead what I see is that often times the church has invited the world in, and changed their convictions to accommodate the world; rather than preaching the Good News that Jesus saves, and allowing God, through the power of His Holy Spirit to save, change and transform lives. May God have mercy on us! James gives us good instruction for our task, and how we ought to behave/look before a lost and unregenerate (unchanged, unsaved) world!

“22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face

in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law

of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed

in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”    James 1:12-26

God said it (via James) not me—but I do heartily agree. God’s Word is truth and we can believe it, and receive it; or we can defy God and His Word and allow the lust in our hearts to become sin, but that sin will lead to death. Jesus gave this same warning to Nicodemus. The Word hasn’t changed; it will never change nor will its author.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”   Hebrews 13:8

The choice is yours, will you choose ‘lust>sin>death’? Or will you come to Jesus and receive His life instead?

“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.”     John 3:16-19

How about you? Will it be lust, sin and death or Jesus? And for those who already belong to Jesus, will we reflect HIS light or be dimmed by the darkness of the world? I implore you dear friends, let’s commit to “walk in the light”!

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.”     1 John 1:7

“Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 1:15-17

The choice is yours, but remember there is a test at the end!

An Open Letter To My Dear Ones! Bible Ballistics: BBs #377

19 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Free Indeed?, Salvation, SIN, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trials, Troubles, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #377 An Open Letter To My Dear Ones!

 

This is a bit off the beaten track for me, but I feel clearly led to share some things with you today that are on my heart. You, my friends, are all dear to me, yet there are those in my life and yours, (or even you, yourself) those “dear ones” close to us who are hurting beyond measure. They are the ones I want to reach out to today. And whether you are one who is hurting, confused, off-track, aimless, misguided or just weary of the battles, I am praying that this word today will bring you to Jesus’ light, truth, comfort and grace. I know that Jesus IS the answer to every need in our lives. So today, whether you are the “dear one” who is hurting, or one of your “dear ones” is hurting—this is for you.

We live in a culture that is consumed with self, and we have allowed that “self” mentality into the churches even accepting blatant error to please the ‘selfies’. Jesus never changed His message to suit any particular seeker, yet as He spoke truth to all, He saved and delivered any who came to Him as the answer to their need. He IS that answer to all our needs today. The problem is that we want to come to Jesus our own way—we want to be saved “in our sins” rather than being saved “from our sin”!

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Jesus came that we might have eternal life, free from the penalty of sin (death), and the power of sin in our lives. While the old hymn, ‘Just As I Am’ (Written by Charlotte Elliott) proclaims the truth that we must come to Jesus, “Just as I am, without one plea”, we must realize that Jesus came to save sinners “from their sins”! Clearly, we must come to Jesus without any plea of our worthiness or of our own ‘self’ righteousness, deserving His saving grace; we must come to Him willingly recognizing, and ready to abandon, our sin to cling to HIM. Another favorite hymn comes to mind, and says it much better than I can, “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.” (Amazing Grace, John Newton) Jesus finds the lost sheep (you and me) to bring us home to Him; He would never find a sheep and leave it where He found it to die. In fact, He loves us so much that He not only finds us, but He puts His Spirit within us so that we can truly say, I “was blind but now I see”! Without God’s amazing salvation and redemption, we have no ability to see the truth that Satan is so busy trying to keep people from seeing. The truth that Jesus saves us “from” our sin! Amen and Amen!

One thing that makes it so difficult for people today is that we all see ourselves as “good people”. We go to church, or we do good things, we aren’t prejudiced, we share, we pay our taxes, we are involved in charitable activities—but not one of these things can save us! No, not any or all of these ‘good works’ can save us, yet we’ll never seek the salvation that Jesus offers until we see ourselves as God sees us! Jesus speaks clearly to this issue in one of His messages to the seven churches—yes, His message to the ‘church’ deals with those who think they’re good enough to be right with God because of their ‘works’ and their ‘wealth’! Familiar??

“Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:17-18

Jesus called the church at Laodicea to open their eyes and see the truth—Jesus Himself! They had become so ‘self’ satisfied that they didn’t even recognize their lostness! And much of America today is in that same boat. Jesus didn’t call them ‘good’, or ‘charitable’, or ‘holy’; He called them “wretched….miserable…..poor….blind….and naked”! Terms never used of the redeemed, but of those who have no relationship with Jesus! Shocking? Yes, but Jesus didn’t leave them with no hope. He called them to come to Him and find the real wealth—the gold of salvation in Christ Jesus alone, by faith alone (never by works, see Ephesians 2:8-10, works come out of our salvation, they’re never what saves us—ever!). He called them to come to Him for real garments of HIS righteousness!!!

“And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”    Revelation 19:8

It is the righteousness that only Christ Jesus provides to those who come to HIM in repentance and faith.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness

of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus’ righteousness is the only ‘righteousness’ that God accepts—and we can only get it at the Cross! So my dear one, whatever you’ve been doing to try and solve your problems, to make yourself feel important, to prove to yourself and the world that you are “important”—stop riding on a merry-go-round that will take you nowhere and give your ALL to Jesus. You will never find your significance in impressing Christians at church (real or fake), or doing good works for men’s praise, or pretending that you are someone that you’re not; or in a bottle; or in sex; or in spending money you don’t have, to impress people you don’t like, all to accomplish what? Only Jesus can truly save, redeem, and deliver us from our own sin!! And my dear one, SIN is the issue—yours and mine—and only the blood of Jesus can cleanse and save us from sin and its death penalty.

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ

his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 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.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:7-10

So, my dear ones, will you give up your lies, to come to Jesus? He is knocking at your hearts door today (See Revelation 3:19-20), and only you can open that door to HIM, “I am come that they might have life, and ….. have it more abundantly.”

Do You Hear What I Hear??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.2

16 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, The Word, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.2  Do You Hear What I Hear???

 

Joshua is one of my favorite Bible characters because he was a faithful servant of God and of Moses. He served as Moses’ “assistant” for some 40 years, and an obedient servant of God. We’re not told much about his early life, but like the rest of the Israelites he was born into slavery in Egypt, but he saw the hand of God along with the Israelites, but he was different from may of them—he believed God. He didn’t just go through the motions of following Moses, crossing the Red Sea, seeing the miracles of God, he believed. And ‘belief’ is necessary to ‘hear’ God!

“While it is said, To day

if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation.

16 For some,

when they had heard,

did provoke:

howbeit not all that came out of Egypt

by Moses.

17 But with whom was he grieved forty years?

was it not with them that had sinned,

whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

18 And to whom sware he

that they should not enter into his rest,

but to them that believed not?”    Hebrews 3:15-18

God reminds us that just being a part of “the crowd” isn’t what saves—only being born again by faith in Jesus saves!!! Salvation for those who believed Messiah was coming to save them, and since the cross for all who believe in His coming, His death, burial and resurrection for our sin!

“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

Jesus did it all for us—and it’s no coincidence that Jesus and Joshua are different forms of the same name!! Joshua served as God’s deliverer of the people into the Promised Land. Jesus was, is and ever shall be God’s deliverer from sin to the ‘Promised Land’ of eternal life–that which Jesus provided at Calvary!

While Joshua wasn’t “The Messiah”, he was the deliverer whom God called to serve him in a particular time and place. And like you and me, he wasn’t always sure of how to do God’s will; and while he didn’t always succeed, he did always pursue God, and even when he failed, he made things right when God revealed his failures and called him to correct them. Joshua stepped out in faith and trust in the God he had followed for 40 years, learning to go where God led, even thought it wasn’t always easy.

“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass,

that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,

2 Moses my servant is dead;

now therefore arise,

go over this Jordan,

thou, and all this people,

unto the land which I do give

to them,

even to the children of Israel….

5 There shall not any man be able to stand

before thee all the days of thy life:

as I was with Moses,

so I will be with thee:

I will not fail thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 Be strong and of a good courage:

for unto this people shalt thou divide

for an inheritance the land,

which I sware

unto their fathers

to give them.” Joshua 1:1-6

As Joshua heard the call to lead God’s people into Canaan, he was also called to “Be strong and of a good courage”; more than once God reminds Joshua of the need to depend on God’s power and provision, not his own!

“7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest……. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid,

neither be thou dismayed:

for the LORD thy God is with thee

whithersoever thou goest.”

“17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. 18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.” Joshua 1:17-18

We can learn from Joshua that God calls us to strength and courage to depend upon Him. When we will hear God, as Joshua did, we will find Him just as sufficient in our weakness. Paul also reminds us to stand up for Jesus. Let’s peruse some passages to help encourage us all today.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong

in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.”     Ephesians 6:10-11

No matter our need, God is sufficient to meet it!

“The LORD is my rock,

and my fortress,

and my deliverer;

my God,

my strength,

in whom I will trust;

my buckler,

and the horn of my salvation,

and my high tower.

3 I will call upon the LORD,

who is worthy to be praised:

so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”    Psalm 18:2-3

God is our strength, the One in whom we trust; He is also the sovereign God of all, and can be trusted in all things—even those trials and puzzles of life which we often don’t understand—yet!!! He is completely trustworthy and it is HIS strength and understanding we can rely on. One of my favorite passages, one I rely on continually, compels us to trust HIM not ourselves.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-6

When we commit to trust God, He provides in every way, even when we face those things beyond our capacity to understand (yet). Paul, one of the great men of God, faced a situation, an affliction, and he sought the Lord’s provision to deliver him from it. But God gave him an answer that he probably wasn’t expecting—nor what we often expect. But God is trustworthy and faithful in every way, both then and now! We need to hear His voice—and heed the message!

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore

will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

       for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

God has promised to be our strength, and He is the provider of our salvation, because we are helpless to save ourselves. He always cares for those who will come to HIM by faith in Jesus! Have you heard His voice? Do you hear Him now?

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.” Romans 5:1-10

Jesus transforms us from enemies of God into the children of God!!! His blood paid for our sin, and saves us from the penalty of sin (death), the power of sin (temptation), and eventually He will return and deliver us from the very presence of sin. Until then, we can depend on HIM to strengthen us and direct our steps; we can give Him our doubts, our worries and fears, knowing that God is ever at work conforming us “to the image of His Son” (See Romans 8:28-29). And we can have victory today!

“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.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us

unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:6-11

God is ever at work to grow us in faith and power by His Spirit, His Word because of the blood of Jesus! Are we hearing and obeying the call of faith?

“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 11:6

Yet we can come to God any time, with any problem.

“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 11:6

So my question for us today is, “Do you hear what I hear?” Are you walking with God and learning to “Be strong and of a good courage”? Are you leaning to hear His voice, studying His Word to recognize truth, and standing courageously for Jesus? May we join Joshua today?

“….choose you this day whom ye will serve; …… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21

What’s That In Your Mouth??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #375

12 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Knowing God's Word, Not By Bread Alone, The Word, The Word Or The World?, What's In Your Mouth?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #375   What’s That In Your Mouth???

 

“And when the tempter came to him,

he said,

If thou be the Son of God,

command that these stones

be made bread.

4 But he answered and said,

It is written,

Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word

that proceedeth

out of the mouth of God.”     Matthew 4:3-4

Most of us are familiar with the “temptation” of Jesus in the wilderness, and the Devil who tempted HIM! I’d like us to take just a few minutes today to consider this first of the three recorded temptations of Jesus. First we notice that the “tempter” came to Him, and He is ever coming to us with subtle and misleading calls to go in some particular direction, and unless we have our hearts and minds set on Jesus, we can fall for his lies, tricks and deceit. We must be on the lookout at all times.

“Be sober, (be awake, pay attention, be wise)

be vigilant; (always on your guard—continually)

because your adversary (your enemy)

the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom

he may devour: (eat you!)

9 Whom resist

stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”     1 Peter 5:8-9

We must be aware of the tactics of the enemy, and Peter warned his readers of the danger of falling for the lies of the enemy, Satan. He seeks to destroy our lives and our testimony—what he’s selling isn’t as cheap as he claims.

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.”    John 10:10

Jesus came to give life to all who will believe and trust in Him. Satan, the Devil, comes to steal, kill and destroy. And we must be aware of his tactics—they are all lies, half-truths (which are just dressed up lies) and deceptions. Look at what he said to Jesus, “If thou be the Son of God”; Satan knew (better than anyone on earth) who Jesus was, but he came to the very Son of God and tried to make HIM doubt and veer from His commitment to follow and obey His Father’s will. Satan hasn’t changed in all these years—he knows who belongs to Jesus, and he comes to stir up doubt in our hearts and minds, and convince us to act independently of God: ‘It’s not a biggy’, he says, ‘go ahead and make this choice. It won’t hurt a thing’!!! Liar, liar, liar! He wants is to destroy us, why do we listen to him? We must refuse his way that “seemeth right unto a man”, and take the sure path of God. We must hear, heed and yield to the continual work of The Holy Spirit within us.

“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 to walk in the Spirit, we must remember what Jesus did, He spoke The Word to defeat and resist the enemy–“It is written”! This is one of the reasons we must immerse ourselves in His Word! Jesus goes on to quote from Deuteronomy 8:3, where Moses reminded the people to keep their heart and mind on The One who had delivered, led and provided for them every step of the way through the wilderness. And that same God and His Son Jesus Christ, delivers, leads and provides for us today. But we must rely on Him and His Word rather than our own resources to meet our own needs—spiritual or physical. What’s that in YOUR mouth? Are you trusting God to supply, or have you stepped out to change YOUR own stones into bread?

“And he humbled thee,

and suffered thee to hunger,

and fed thee with manna,

which thou knewest not,

neither did thy fathers know;

that he might make thee know

that man doth not live by bread only,

but by every word

that proceedeth

out of the mouth

of the LORD

doth man live.”    Deuteronomy 8:3

What are you living on? Imitation ‘Stone Bread’ or by “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God? Who will we choose to hear and obey—His Spirit and His Word, or Satan and self? The choice is yours. What’s that in YOUR mouth? God’s bread or the ‘gravel’ of the enemy?

Free Indeed…..??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No. 26

02 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Free Indeed?, Salvation, SIN, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.26      Free Indeed……….???

 

“Jesus answered them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Whosoever committeth sin

is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not

in the house for ever:

but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore

shall make you free,

ye shall be free indeed.”    John 8:34-36

As we celebrate our freedom here in the U.S., we ought to consider what real freedom is! We can live in any country across the globe, and whether the government is one which extends personal freedom to its constituents or not, unless we have come to know Jesus Christ as Lord through repentance and faith, we can’t understand, experience of possess real freedom. As we have often talked about here at Bible Ballistics, Jesus came to give us eternal life and true freedom—to all who will believe and receive His sacrifice for sin.

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.” John 10:9-11

Jesus came to give us life, at the cost of His own life’s blood on the cross of Calvary, and when we come to HIM, He imparts to us eternal life. He makes us free from the penalty, power and eventually, from the very presence of sin. And just as we saw in the passage above, Jesus gives us life–life that makes us free! We truly become what Paul called himself, the bond-servant of Jesus, and not only servants of God, but His children—children who are “free indeed”, because we are no longer the “servants/slaves” of sin, but we are adopted into God’s family.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us

with all spiritual blessings

in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us

in him

before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy

and without blame

before him

in love:

5 Having predestinated us

unto the adoption of children

by Jesus Christ

to himself,

according to the good pleasure

of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory

of his grace,

wherein he hath made us accepted

in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches

of his grace;”   Ephesians 1:3-7

Jesus bought our redemption “through his blood”, and it is His blood which translates us into sons of God, rather than slaves of sin.

“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

And contrary to popular opinion, SIN is the issue; and without the blood of Jesus which “cleanseth us from all sin”, there is no freedom—no freedom from the penalty of sin, and no freedom to have His “abundant” life! The life that makes us children of God; children of grace, forgiveness and recipients of new life, new life “in Christ”! (See John 3)

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 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.

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 1:10-14

The thing I’d like us to consider is, ‘Whose servant am I?’ Am I the servant of the sin that rules my world, and wants to rule me? Or have I become a servant of “righteousness” through Jesus and His sacrificial, substitutionary death for sin—my sin?

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey,

his servants ye are

to whom ye obey;

or of obedience unto righteousness?

17 But God be thanked,

that ye were the servants of sin,

but ye have obeyed from the heart

that form of doctrine

which was delivered you.

18 Being then made free from sin,

ye became the servants

of righteousness.

19 I speak after the manner of men

because of the infirmity of your flesh:

for as ye have yielded your members

servants to uncleanness

and to iniquity unto iniquity;

even so now yield your members

servants to righteousness

unto holiness.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin,

ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things

whereof ye are now ashamed?

for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”    Romans 6:16-23

Jesus makes us “free from sin”, and “servants to God” instead; and our lives should reflect His presence in our heart and mind! Because we are the recipients of “everlasting life” our fruit (Our behavior and works of devotion to God.) ought to be a reflection of holiness. Being free from the power of sin in our lives by the blood of Jesus we are to influence the world around us by the power of Jesus Christ in us! Doing God’s work because we are made in His image by His redeeming work on the Cross.

“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;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin

for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Jesus bore our sin, when He had none, that we might have His righteousness applied to us, because we had none! The greatest trade of the ages—He took my sin, and imparted His righteousness to me! Jesus is the Savior and Redeemer of all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.

Are you “free indeed”? Or are you still the servant “of sin unto death”, or have you come to the Cross of Jesus Christ for salvation? Jesus gave His all that we might have life. Are you choosing death or life and freedom in Christ Jesus? And if we belong to Him, then we ought to walk and live in His freedom unto His purposes and His glory!

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”