Category Archives: Almost But Lost

I Hope That Works For You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 08

25 Monday Jul 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Are you ready?, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Is Small Insignificant?, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, Redefining Christianity?, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Salvation, Saved by Grace Through Faith, The Crucified Life, The Gospel, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, Time Is Grace!, To Me To Live Is?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 08   I Hope That Works For You???

It is very easy to get caught up in the craziness of this world—the sin, the ungodliness, the temptations, the ease, greed, even forgetting God, and the total rejection of The Lord Jesus Christ!  How, you might ask?  I love Jesus, you might say; I’d never go against HIM!  Yet, we are often so ignorant and neglectful of HIS Word that we fall for the lies of the enemy.  After all they abound on every hand—they are in the music, on the TV, on social media, in the latest popular movies—just a little ‘Kool-Aid’ that has a bit of poison, and a little more, and then a little more until you don’t even notice it.  It is why Paul warned us to put on our armor and be ready to “withstand in the evil day”; and my friends it is here—it is now!

“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.

12 For we wrestle not

against

flesh and blood,

but against

principalities,

against

 powers,

against

the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against

spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

 in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.”  Ephesians 6:10-13

It seems that we have so much imitation “Christianity” today, that many have bought the convenient version, rather than the real; yet the real was described by Jesus:

“And when he had called the people unto him

with his disciples also,

he said unto them,

Whosoever will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

35 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it;

but whosoever shall lose his life

for my sake

and the gospel’s,

the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me

and of my words

in this adulterous

and sinful generation;

of him also

shall the Son of man be ashamed,

when he cometh in the glory of his Father

with the holy angels.”  Mark 8:34-38

Jesus clearly calls us to follow HIM and obey HIS WORD, and to do that we must know Jesus through saving grace, forgiveness of sin, and redemption through HIS blood.  And if I truly know HIM, I am called to surrender my will as well as my heart to HIM—take up HIS cross—which is what Paul also called us to do, yet so many today preach and teach and “easy believe-ism” that negates the cross, sin, repentance, and regeneration.  Jesus still saves and changes lives today…but only through the blood; for SIN my friends IS the issue!  If we deny our sin, we’ll never need a Savior!

“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

Did you get it?  Salvation delivers us “from the power of darkness” for by God’s saving power we are “translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”!  CHANGED—from darkness unto light—The Light—JESUS!!!  Redeemed by HIS blood unto new life, a new creation.  (See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

We are called to take up our cross, live a crucified life, being dead to “self-will” and surrendered to “God’s will” by the power of the cross, Jesus’ blood, and the indwelling Holy Spirit!!!  How’s your choice working?

“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

So, back to our question, ‘Do you belong to Jesus?”; or are you simply shouting “Lord, Lord”, and replaying the ‘days of Noah’?

“But as the days of Noe were,

so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood

they were eating

and drinking,

marrying

and giving in marriage,

until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came,

and took them all away;

so shall also the coming

of the Son of man be.”  Mathew 24:37-39

If I may make a personal observation, and one that I truly believe fits, and have taught for many years, after studying these things for years:  I don’t think Jesus is pointing just to the sin of the days of Noah, but just as importantly, the fact that they were so busy doing “life” that they were oblivious to the message of the impending judgment of God!  America—we need to wake up to the impending judgment and get busy about “my Father’s business”!   Whose business are you taking care of?   Will you be like those in Noah’s day, and just carry on like there’s no tomorrow?  Like Jesus isn’t returning?  Not concerned about the coming flood of judgment, where the lines will be drawn, and if you have rejected Jesus, there will “be HELL to pay”!  No cursing, just fact.

“Even him, whose coming

is after the working of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness

in them that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure

in unrighteousness.”   2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

You have this life to choose Jesus or reject HIM, and believe me, my friends, you might fool the world around you, you may fool your friends, you may fool your mother, you may fool yourself—but YOU won’t fool JESUS!

“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.”   Matthew 7:21-27

I close with a burdened heart asking that you examine yourself to see how your choices are working out for you?  Have you chosen Jesus?  If not, you can choose to bow before HIM and open the door of your heart to HIS transforming salvation, by repenting of your sin, and believing and receiving HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice made for you and me.  And if you’ll notice above, the rains, floods, and winds came to each house—but only the one founded on “The Rock”—Jesus—stood!  The houses looked the same on the outside, but the foundation made the difference.

Remember the question isn’t “will you bow before Jesus”, but when?  For every knee will bow—either now in this life in repentance and faith, or “then” you will bow before Jesus the Judge with no recourse of salvation.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test—and it may be coming sooner than you think!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!

Who Are You Running With??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 07

10 Sunday Jul 2022

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Forgetting or Remembering?, Forgiveness, Prodigal Son, Staying Son, The pig pen?, The prodigal or the Stayer

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 07 Who Are You Running With???

I’m sure most of us are familiar with the parable of the “Prodigal Son”; which could also be called the parable of the son who never left; but our focus today will be on the “Prodigal” and hopefully we’ll address the other at a later time.  Yet the thing I’d like to do today, is a bit of an overview of the main points in the passage I have posted below.  The main point being your choices will determine your results, and Jesus Himself gave us such a poignant and powerful portrait of the choices of this life.  And contrary to popular opinion those you choose as companions will make a difference in your life.

“Be not deceived:

evil communications corrupt good manners.”                                         1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV

Or as the New American Standard Bible says it:

“Do not be deceived:

‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”

So, Luke records this picture that Jesus painted so beautifully:

“Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence

of the angels of God

over one sinner that repenteth.

 

11 And he said,

A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father,

Father, give me the portion of goods

that falleth to me.

And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after

the younger son gathered all together,

and took his journey into a far country,

and there wasted his substance

with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all,

there arose a mighty famine in that land;

and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself

to a citizen of that country;

and he sent him into his fields

to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly

with the husks that the swine did eat:

and no man

gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said,

How many hired servants of my father’s

have bread enough and to spare,

and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father,

and will say unto him,

Father, I have sinned

against heaven,

and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy

to be called thy son:

make me

as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose,

and came to his father.

But when he was yet a great way off,

his father saw him,

and had compassion,

and ran and fell on his neck,

and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him,

Father, I have sinned

against heaven,

and in thy sight,

and am no more worthy

to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants,

Bring forth the best robe,

and put it on him;

and put a ring on his hand,

and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf,

and kill it;

and let us eat,

and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead,

and is alive again;

he was lost,

and is found.

And they began to be merry.”  Luke 15:10-24

Jesus begins this chapter by describing the urgency with which people look for those things which are lost: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.  Painting a beautiful picture of the “joy in heaven” over “one sinner that repenteth”!  The importance of the comparison seeming to be that only when something is lost do we look for it; and until we, as sinners, see our lost condition and repent of our sins, and are ready to trust in/to the substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice that Jesus was about to provide for “the world” on Calvary!  The issue is our choices and those we allow to influence us.

In this parable we see the father (a picture of God The Father) and the two sons—one who openly wanted to go his own way, the other who stayed, but was angry and bitter when his “brother” returned with a repentant heart and a desire to “serve” his father willingly.  Who are you/I wanting to serve?  Self or God/our Father God?  Do we want only His blessings (our inheritance) with no compunction to obey or follow Jesus, or have we seen our sin, and come to God as the prodigal did—in recognition of our sin and a desire for restoration and the opportunity to serve, rather than demanding our own way, indulgence, or greed?

In verse 13 we see the father grant the son’s request and give him a portion of his wealth; then the son departs and goes off to do “his own thing”, with the implication that he squandered his resources with riotous living, also implying that he was probably surrounded by ‘friends’ so long as his generosity lasted, but when his resources had come to an end, he began to “be in want”.  And it comes to mind that his want must have been because all of his ‘temporary friends’ were no longer interested in his “welfare”!  He was alone, destitute and without food because of a famine in the land.  How interesting that we are often persuaded by those ‘friends’ who are looking for ‘something’, usually ‘for nothing’, but leave when it’s no longer convenient or profitable!

Then as we go on, it’s my favorite part, the “pig pen”!  Here is a fine young Jewish man—a wealthy one, and remember to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, wealth meant “God’s favor”—who had chosen foolishly, demanded “his portion” of his father’s wealth, took it, left town, found new friends, spent the wealth foolishly, if not in immorality, indulgently, and in self-importance until the money ran out—the friends ran out—the food ran out—but his belly was now hungry! So, where did he wind up?  In the pig pen! This fine, formerly upstanding, Jewish young man has now been reduced to the “pig pen”, not only feeding the pigs, but being so hungry, he was fain to eat from the very “pig trough”!  But here we have the whole point of the parable—until we see our circumstances in reality—a pig pen of our own making—we have no hope of restoration.

In verses 17-20 we see the key to salvation—recognition of sin—a willingness to see our own sin and be willing to repent (turn from our sin to God), and come to God with no conditions, no demands for blessings or provision of anything but salvation in Jesus!  Oh, what a different message than we often hear around us today!

But then, the most beautiful part of this story, when the son was on his way home, the Father (implying that HE has been looking for his son for all this time) seeing the son, a long way off, ran to greet him, and welcome him home; even before the son made his declaration of repentance—the Father knew!  God knows, when you take that first step.  Don’ let the enemy of your soul prevent you from taking that first step!

I invite you to recognize your pig pen, recognize those people who are holding you in the pig pen, recognize that sin is contagious, and there are those who are willingly sinning and want you to join them in that pig pen, and the judgment it brings.

Paul describes it in a different way, those who are pleased to be in sin, want company.

“And even as they did not like to retain God

in their knowledge,

God gave them over to a reprobate mind,

to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all

unrighteousness, fornication,

wickedness,         covetousness,

maliciousness;     full of envy,

murder,                debate,

deceit,                  malignity;

whisperers,         30 Backbiters,

haters of God,      despiteful,

proud,                  boasters,

inventors of evil things,   disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding,   covenantbreakers,

without natural affection,

implacable,        unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God,

that they which commit such things

are worthy of death,

not only do the same,

but have pleasure in them

that do them.”  Romans 1:28-32

Who are you running with?  Are you caught in a pig pen that you think you can’t get out of?  Remember that Jesus is greater than anyone or anything that may be holding you.  If you don’t know Jesus, you can call on HIM today.  If you do know Him and belong to Him but have let the enemy have a stronghold in your life—you can repent and call on Jesus who will forgive, deliver, and cleanse your sin!  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.  Come to the Father while there is time.

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return

unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:6-9

Don’t run with the pigs—The Father is waiting for you!

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s All About Jesus!!! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #787

06 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Good News, Gospel, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, True Gospel, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #787  It’s All About Jesus!!!  Really???

“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=

My friends, I am sure that some of you are thinking, why is this woman “beating a dead horse”?  Well, this woman is repeating truth again, for there is “One” who is coming back on HIS white horse, with all the armies of heaven to establish HIS eternal kingdom.  And only those who have trusted to HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, (by faith through God’s grace, see Ephesians 2:8-10) will be a part of His kingdom!

“And I saw heaven opened,

and behold a white horse;

and he that sat upon him

was called Faithful and True,

and in righteousness

he doth judge

and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire,

and on his head were many crowns;

and he had a name written,

that no man knew,

but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture

dipped in blood:

and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven

followed him

upon white horses,

clothed in fine linen,

white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword,

that with it he should smite the nations:

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:

and he treadeth the winepress

of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh

a name written,

KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:11-16

All because God will accomplish HIS purpose in all things:

“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.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice,

and give honour to him:”  Revelation 19:6-7a

While the world around us is always talking about “luck”, let me confirm for you that there is no such thing as “luck”; but the providence of God reigns supreme. And while there are things that happen because we live in a fallen world, we must not discount the reality of the spiritual warfare that exists around us.  It is what Paul was talking about in Ephesians 6, when he called us to be sure and put on the ‘armor of God’ in order to “withstand in the evil day”!  And my friends, we are ‘there’!

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.”  Ephesians 6:12-13

How I pray that we will be found “standing”!  And just in case you have missed these things in the past, I would like to share God’s truth about The Redeemer–The One who came to purchase our salvation with “HIS own blood”.

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you

all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore

unto yourselves,

and to all the flock,

over the which the Holy Ghost

hath made you overseers,

to feed the church of God,

which he hath purchased

with his own blood.”  Acts 20:27-18

It’s why HE came!  To be the “lamb of God” and take away the sin of all who will believe and receive HIM.

“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

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me:

for he was before me.”  John 1:29-30

Jesus Himself made it clear that HE was, IS and ever shall be The One and only way to God the Father, and eternal life!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth

ye know him,

and have seen him.”  John 14:6

And Jesus’ own testimony of what HE came to do as He talked to Nicodemus:

“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

So, my question for you/I is, “What have you done/will you do with Jesus?”  Your answer is of eternal import, for there is a time coming when your answer will determine your eternal destiny; and while people don’t like to think about it, it will be heaven or hell—and JESUS is the determining factor.  God’s Word is clear.

“And I saw a great white throne,

 and him that sat on it,

from whose face

the earth

and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

 which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things which were written

in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever

was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 20:11-15

I stand with Paul—it’s all about the cross of Jesus Christ alone!  How about you?

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you

the testimony of God.

2 For I determined

not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”   1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Are you trusting in Jesus?  Or are you going your own way?

“There is a way

which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow

to me,

and every tongue shall confess

to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account

of himself

to God.”  Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

Liars Lie??? Really??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 16

08 Sunday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Life or Death?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 16  Liars Lie???  Really???

 

Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?  Yet, the ‘father of lies’ is still using the same tricks he used on Adam and Eve, and we just trot after him like naïve babes.  I would like us to spend some time today perusing God’s Word and hopefully enlightening ourselves to be prepared, as Paul said to the Ephesian believers: “that you may be able to withstand in the evil day”.  And my dear ones, we are there. (See Ephesians 6:13)

“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

Jesus was, if nothing else (although HE was, is, and ever shall be the very Son of God), a plain-spoken man (the God-Man-Savior), who confronted those who stood against HIM with the truth of who they were, who they were following, and why they wouldn’t receive or believe HIM.  Jesus clearly stated who HE was, where HE was from and WHO sent Him!  He was, is and ever shall be “from God”, and He went on to call the religious hypocrites of HIS day just what they were, children of the devil!  And some of you thought I was blunt!  Jesus identified Satan as a liar, and the one who not only “speaketh a lie” but is “a liar, and the father of it”!  We can go back to the beginning to see his tactics, and while he decorates them a bit differently now, they are the same basic preponderances of untruth, deceit, and fallacy as they have always been.

“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.

6 And when the woman saw

that the tree was good

for food,

and that it was pleasant

to the eyes,

and a tree to be desired

to make one wise,

she took of the fruit thereof,

and did eat,

and gave also unto her husband with her;

and he did eat.”  Genesis 3:1-6

If we go back to Genesis 2, we find out what God really said, and yet Satan deceived Eve into doubting God, twisting what HE said, and not believing in God’s total pure goodness, and the veracity of what HE says!  Let’s take a walk through what he did, and his methods, which have not changed from then until now.  We are just plain ignorant of his tactics and so often fail to put on the “armor of God” to resist him and be able to “withstand in the evil day”!

Satan beguiled Eve and caused her to:

Question what God really said—it’s why we must know

 The Word—

 Did God REALLY SAY……?

Misquoting God’s commands—she added to The Word—

God is ever true to HIS WORD….!

He plainly contradicted God—We must know

God’s Word—

He twisted God’s Word—When we know God’s Word—

We will recognize lies—

He caused Eve to reconsider what she knew about God-

HIS goodness—

HIS veracity—

 His clear instructions—

And decided to rely upon

Her own ‘wisdom’—

What do we do today?  The very same thing, just as in their sin, Adam and Eve caused all mankind to fall and become the children of the devil.

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires

of the flesh

and of the mind;  

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us.

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved😉

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”  Ephesians 2:1-6

Today, Satan does put a little spin on this tactic today in that instead of promising that we will “be wise” and “be like God”, he has convinced modern man that he/she is already wise in his own right and IS God!  And the man/woman who never sees his sin as sin, has no need for a redeemer!  It’s why Jesus came, to deliver us 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

“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

“And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith,

Behold the Lamb of God!”  John 1:36

Even Jesus himself told Nicodemus that self-righteousness was not sufficient nor was religion, or titles or position!  Only one thing can give eternal life.

“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

“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.”   John 3:14-16

While the world says there are many ‘gods’ and many ways to ‘gods’, Jesus said that there was only one way to GOD and HE, Jesus, would purchase that “way” with His own blood.

“And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood…

….9 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 1:5 & 9-10

When we come to Jesus, He, through the power and presence of HIS Holy Spirit, enables us to walk in truth.

“For I rejoiced greatly,

when the brethren came

and testified of the truth that is in thee,

even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy

than to hear that my children

walk in truth.”  3 John 1:3-4

And the bedrock of truth is that Jesus is The redeemer and savior—HE paid for my sin and yours on Calvary and forgives sin—all sin—for those who come to HIM in repentance and faith!

“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

In closing I want to remind each of us of the words of our Lord, that it’s not just “saying so” but being right with our God through the blood of Jesus and doing HIS righteous work!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.”   Matthew 6:33

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

 and few there be

that find it…

…. Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”   Portions of Matthew 7:13-23

Have you entered in through the “strait gate”?  Or are you allowing the enemy of your soul to lie to you and lead you wrongly, for “broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”!  The majority is seldom right!  May you seek to discern the truth from the lies of the enemy.  It’s the difference between eternal life and eternal destruction!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enter IN Or Depart??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #743

16 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Lord, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #743  Enter IN Or Depart???

 

These are the only two options for all eternity, and your choice in this life will decide which of these responses from Jesus you will hear.  I would like to simply leave you with the words of our Lord and pray that you will ask God to search your heart and let you see where you really are in relation to eternity!

“His lord said unto him,

Well done,

thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things,

I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou

into the joy of thy lord.”  Matthew 25:21

Jesus came that we “might have life and have it more abundantly”!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

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

The choice is truly yours, and the choice is simple, but not easy; will you entrust your life to Jesus in repentance and faith in HIS death on the cross for your sin, making your foundation the ROCK of salvation, JESUS!  If you know HIM, then “stand fast” and if you don’t call on HIM today.

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”   Revelation 3:20

You must be willing to hear that still small voice convicting of sin and respond in faith and trust in Jesus—He came for you and me.  Don’t wait for a better day, there isn’t one!

“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

May God speak to your heart and may you draw near to HIM today.

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account of himself

to God.”   Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!