Tags
Are YOU His?, Isaiah 55:7-9, Jesus Saves!, John 10:9-11, John 3:14-18, Matthew 7:21-23, Proverbs 16:25, Psalm 23, Psalm 32:22, Revelation 3:20, Show or Substance, Sorrow's relief!
Bible Ballistics: BBs #670 Show Or Substance???
It’s been a challenging week for a lot of reasons, but mainly just the ups and downs of life, grief and the world around us; so I would like us to consider what we are depending on—where is our hope—who is our security—how do we press on? The only certain answer to all of those questions is Jesus! And because He loves us, HE came to give us life—abundant life, and pardon just as The Father promised.
“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 55:7-9
Even as Jesus told Nicodemus, He came to save, even though it would cost Him His life’s blood; He came to die, to save you and me—He willingly came to die that we might live!
“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.” John 3:14-18
God loves us, He hates the sin that plagues us, so He had already made the plan for our salvation before we needed it! He knew and HE created us anyway! (See John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; and 1 Peter 1:20) What amazing love—a love that is here for you, if you will but reach out and take His hand—receiving His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for your sin and mine! The Psalmist said it better than I can.
“Our soul waiteth for the LORD:
he is our help
and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him,
because we have trusted
in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O LORD,
be upon us,
according as we hope in thee.” Psalms 32:22
Jesus IS our hope and confidence, as I’m often heard to say, “My confidence is in Jesus, not the government nor the weatherman!” And praise God we can rest assured that our God reigns in all and is accomplishing HIS purposes all around us; and when we keep our eyes on HIM and walk in trust and obedience, we will find HE is the “substance” not just a “flash in the pan” show! He is the only One who can not only give us abundant life but sustain us in it—and it in us!!
“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
Are you HIS sheep? Or are you putting on a show for the seeming benefit of others? Remember there is only One way to God, and HIS name is Jesus! And while you may be able to fool the world, you can’t fool God! Remember:
“There is a way that seemeth right
unto a man,
but the end thereof
are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25
And Jesus said it best!
“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
Are you trusting in what “you” say, or what “Jesus has done” for you and me?
On a side note, I’ve been thinking a lot about my daughter this week, and as I was pondering on Psalm 23, God’s Word spoke to my heart in a new way. As David encouraged us to know that even though we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death”, it doesn’t necessarily refer to just our own journey through that valley, but the journey that we sometimes have to take through that valley due to the death of someone else. Yet God is still faithful, and HE is faithful to me now, as I continue to walk through this time of grief, sorrow, and sadness, yet my eyes can bring comfort to my soul as I look heavenward knowing that I need not “fear” any evil because just as David said,
“I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff
they comfort me”!
So, I pray that today you will hear the voice of The One who gave Himself for our salvation and that we might receive HIS “abundant” life; life IN Himself! And if you don’t know Him, I pray that you will hear His voice today, and open your heart’s door to His call.
“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!!!
