Category Archives: Are you ready?

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

17 Monday Jul 2023

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

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

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

“Now faith is

the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen…

…6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

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

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

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

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

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

 that Jesus Christ is Lord,

 to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11

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

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

“Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

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

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

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

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

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

for an hypocrite

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

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,

yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

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

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

“If it be so,

our God whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

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

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

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

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

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

“And straightway the father of the child cried out,

and said with tears,

Lord, I believe;

help thou mine unbelief.”  Mark 9:24

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

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged

railed on him, saying,

If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying,

Dost not thou fear God,

seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly;

for we receive the due reward

of our deeds:

but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus,

Lord, remember me

when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him,

Verily I say unto thee,

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

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

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

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

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

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3

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

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man

think that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.

8 A double minded man

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

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

Amen and Amen!!!

Yes, Jesus Gets You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 04

12 Sunday Feb 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Are you ready?, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Victory IN Jesus!

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Yes, Jesus Gets You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 04

 

But not in the way you might be thinking, not the way that the modern-day “false prophets” are proclaiming!  Jesus loves you–YES, but He died for your “forgiveness of sin”, your “life transforming salvation FROM sin” not “in your sin”!  It’s why HE came,

“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 to save “sinners” FROM their “sin” not IN their sin, it’s called repentance (one of those terms that the “false prophets” of today want to remove from the “Christian” equation); 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

Jesus makes it very clear in Matthew 7 that His way isn’t easy, popular or ‘one among many’, but that HE is the only way and if you choose the “way of the many” the end is NOT LIFE, but “destruction”!  Read it for yourself.

“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.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves…

… 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 7:9-23

Jesus gives us an amazing example of the difference; yet it is often relegated to only a ‘children’s song’ rather than the truth of our Master, Jesus, THE ONLY WAY!

“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:

7 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.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them

as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”  Matthew 7:24-29

The standard is also laid out in Revelation 20, along with the fate of those who make the wrong choice.

“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

Paul tells us how we get our name written in the “book of life” through Jesus, what we must genuinely believe!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you

the gospel which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you

first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

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

Paul makes it more than clear what we must believe to have real faith:

“that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures…

       that he was buried (because HE DIED!)

       that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures

       that he was seen (alive by many…)”

All “according to the scriptures”, referring to God’s plan from before the foundation of the world.  All because HE created us knowing we would fall into sin, yet HE had already made a plan for Jesus to pay for our sin at Calvary, and only when we see that and are transformed by being “born again” into the Kingdom of God are we forgiven our sin and given eternal life! (See John 3 for the whole story!)

If you go back and look at Matthew 7 and read the whole chapter, you will find that Jesus talks about ‘good trees’ and ‘corrupt trees’ and reminds us that by our fruit we will be known.  What does your fruit say about your relationship with Jesus?  Or do you have a relationship with HIM?  Or do you have a ‘faith’ in your own way, your own goodness?  Paul tells us in Romans the truth of our relationship with a Holy God.

“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

And Jesus’ own words:

“And he said unto them,

Ye are from beneath;

I am from above:

ye are of this world;

I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore unto you,

that ye shall die in your sins:

for if ye believe not that I am he,

ye shall die in your sins.”  John 8:23-24

“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

So my friends, no matter what you see on TV, or hear on your media sources, Jesus didn’t die to leave you in your sin, HE came to “make you free”; so you can believe Jesus, come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for YOUR sin and mine, or you can believe the lies of the enemy of your soul!

“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

Will you receive the Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ, turn from your sin and be born again, or find the destruction at the end of that “broad road”?  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test, and Jesus IS the entrance standard!

Paul describes the difference between fruits. Will you let Jesus transform you or cling to the lies of the enemy.  When you look into the mirror of God’s Word what do you see?

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings, and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:19-25

Paul declares the difference between the real and the fake.

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus

from the dead dwell in you,

he that raised up Christ from the dead

shall also quicken your mortal bodies

by his Spirit

that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:9-11

Will you receive JESUS’ truth, or ‘die in your sins’ (after you’ve lived a life in them)?  But remember, choose wisely there is a test, and we will all give an account to GOD!

“That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:10-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Conforming or Being Transformed??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #49

25 Friday Nov 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Approved Unto God, Are you ready?, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, Examine Myself?, Eyes that SEE HIM, God's provision, God's ways are not our ways, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, IN Jesus!

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Conforming or Being Transformed? A Word from THE WORD!!! #49

A simple but profound question for each of us on this day after ‘Thanks-giving’–‘Black Friday’ to many shoppers–decorating day for some, yet perhaps we ought to make it a day for some soul-searching.  Have we allowed so much of the world into our hearts, that we have forgotten the admonitions of scripture to be not only “holy” before God and man, but “wholly” devoted to The One who saves, redeems, and transforms us day by day (when we will cooperate) into the image of Jesus (See Romans 8:28-29). I think Paul says it best.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”  Romans 12:1-3

It saddens my heart that so many around us, many who claim the name of Jesus, are so calloused to the corruption of the world.  We no longer seem to take any regard to the words we use–no matter how crass, vulgar, or hurtful to others they may be; and the word “prove” simply means to display before the world a transformed life–reflecting the grace, glory, and power of our LORD!  Just because a word or phrase is popular, doesn’t mean that it should come out of “my” mouth–the Psalmist says it pretty concisely;

“Who can understand his errors?

cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also

from presumptuous sins;

let them not have dominion

over me:

then shall I be upright,

and I shall be innocent

from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”  Psalm 19:12-14

Even as Paul stated so clearly in Romans 12, we are to be “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”!  The call for holiness in the lives of God’s own, is replete throughout scripture, yet we seem to have relegated it to an “optional” selection for living a Christian life.  I don’t think that God sees it that way.  He loves us, calls us, saves us, by faith through grace, and equips us for HIS service, yet we seem to have forgotten what “service to The King” ought to look like. Peter calls us to remember the cost of our redemption–Jesus’ own blood–how long will we disregard the price paid for our salvation?

“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.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here

in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb

without blemish

and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:13-19

We are “redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ…”!  So, my challenge to each of us is to spend some time today examining our own heart and asking God to reveal to us what HE sees.  Not measuring with the world’s yardstick but with God’s Word–both the written Word-the Bible–as well as The Living Word, JESUS, who has given us HIS precious Holy Spirit, to guide us “into all truth”!  Will you join me today in the pursuit of holiness?

“Search me,

O God,

and know

my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see

if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

May Jesus Christ be praised through us as we:

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer”!

And remember there are little eyes and ears watching and listening to what we do, way more than just what we “say do or don’t do”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Here Am I!!! Really??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 09

01 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Am I willing to go?, Apart from ME you can do nothing, Are you ready., Are you ready?, Here am I send me!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 09  A Repost of BBs #480

Here Am I!!!  Really???

“Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst of a people

of unclean lips:

 for mine eyes have seen the King,

 the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me,

having a live coal in his hand,

which he had taken with the tongs

from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said,

Lo, this hath touched thy lips;

and thine iniquity is taken away,

and thy sin purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,

Whom shall I send,

and who will go for us?

Then said I,

Here am I;

send me.”  Isaiah 6:5-8

Isaiah had a total transformation when he encountered God, and while most of us don’t see God in His glory at our conversion, as Isaiah did, we do receive the indwelling Holy Spirit when we are born again, when we are “washed in the blood” of Jesus!  So, when we hear the voice of God asking for one to go “in His name” what is our response?  And when we respond, what are we expecting?  Sometimes we must face the reality that ministry isn’t simple, easy, or even pleasant sometimes.  Ministry is work—it’s serving God with our all, no matter the cost, the inconvenience or the difficulty—or the response!

When we respond to God’s call, it’s not always to the task that we expected, and we may not receive the response that we expected.  I can imagine that Isaiah was surprised by God’s response to his volunteering.  What about you and me?  What is our response when God calls?

“And he said,

Go,

and tell this people,

Hear ye indeed,

but understand not;

and see ye indeed,

but perceive not.

10 Make the heart of this people fat,

and make their ears heavy,

and shut their eyes;

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart,

and convert,

and be healed.

11 Then said I,

Lord, how long?

And he answered,

Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant,                                 and the houses without man,                                                           and the land be utterly desolate,

12 And the LORD have removed men

far away,

and there be a great forsaking

in the midst of the land.”  Isaiah 6:9-12

God didn’t water down the difficulty of Isaiah’s task or the fact that he was being sent to a people who, God warned him, would not truly see, or hear, or understand the message, or the urgency of repentance and returning to God!  And that he was being sent to preach this message until God’s judgment fell—because most wouldn’t heed.  Not the fluff and ease that we often hear about today.  Sadly, the people of Isaiah’s day are much like the people around us today—they give God a measure of credence, but they don’t really want to see Him, or hear His truth, or understand that “today is the day of salvation”—yet it’s as true today as it was those many years ago!

One of my favorite prophets is Jeremiah, and the call that he received from God was such a heart-breaking one, that he was later called the “weeping prophet” because of the hardness of the people and the grief that Jeremiah experienced as he preached with such broken-hearted passion to a people who didn’t want to hear his message.  When God calls us, and sends us on a difficult mission, we are often surprised and disappointed to find it full of tears, grief, and sorrow, where there is often no positive reception or response from the “masses”.  Yet like Isaiah and Jeremiah, when we come face-to-face with Jesus, and the holiness, grace, and awe of The Almighty God, it makes a change in our hearts and lives, and we too are empowered to do God’s work, God’s way—regardless of the outcome.  The outcome is God’s job!  We are called to sow (Plant and/or water, but God gives the increase!)  —remember, the harvest belongs to God.

“So then neither is he that planteth any thing,

neither he that watereth;

but God that giveth the increase.”  1 Corinthians 3:7

 “Then saith he unto his disciples,

The harvest truly is plenteous,

but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,

that he will send forth labourers

 into his harvest.”   Matthew 9:37-38

 God is: “Lord of the harvest”—it is “his harvest”!  Jesus reminds us that our focus must be yielding to God as we say, “Here am I; send me”, remembering Jesus’ words:

“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 15:5

Amen and Amen!!!

May we each choose today to respond to God’s call, whatever it may be?  May we each be ready and willing to respond as Isaiah and Jeremiah did, “Here am I; send me”!

May we remember the words of Jesus, and be aware of the hour:

“Say not ye,

There are yet four months,

and then cometh harvest?

behold, I say unto you,

Lift up your eyes,

and look on the fields;

for they are white already to harvest.”  John 4:35

And in closing I can’t help but think of a line from a song:

“My house is full,

but My fields are empty…

…who will go and work for Me today?..

…  it seems My children all want to stay

around My table…

…but no one wants to work in My fields…..”                                             (From “My House Is Full” by Lanny Wolfe.)

Amen and Amen!!!

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!!!