Category Archives: Choose You This Day!

Really Free??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 21

01 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Follow Jesus, Free Indeed?, Freedom To Or From?, Real Freedom

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 21 Really Free???

 

We talk a lot about freedom, but what does freedom really look like? When you’re young you think that freedom is the ability to “do what you want”, and you just can’t wait to be an adult and “do what you want”, not to “take orders” from anyone. BUT, when you reach adulthood you find that you still have people telling you “what to do”—people who have control over your future, your income, and your life-circumstances. So what is freedom? Freedom is not simply the absence of restraint, but the opportunity to be involved in your own life choices without constricting restraints—because Jesus has set people free—free to serve Him in love and devotion, “not by constraint, but willingly” out of a grateful heart. (See 1 Peter 5:2).

Liberty:  Freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control….

Freedom from external or foreign rule; independence

Freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice. 

Freedom: The state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement       or under physical restraint.

exemption from external control, interference, or regulation, etc.

the power to determine action without restraint.

Everyone wants to be free but freedom isn’t free, there is a price to pay for every freedom, and the ultimate freedom is only found in Jesus. For every person is bound by their own sin, selfish desires and greed (hard things to say, but we are all plagued by the truth of sin to one degree or another—‘for all have sinned’–but Jesus came to die that we could be freed from the penalty and power of sin! 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

Many people in our world are searching for freedom in the wrong places, without realizing that instead of freedom they are sinking deeper and deeper into the bondage of sin. Enslaved in bondage to the lusts of the flesh—whatever that may look like: drugs, alcohol, sex, money, power, position, control—any thing that we think will bring pleasure, or anything that we use to try to fulfill our lives—to fill that ‘God shaped empty spot’ in every soul. But until we recognize our sin as sin, we’ll never find the freedom that every person desires.

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:”   Romans 3:23-24

All are sinners for whom Jesus died, and until we recognize our sin and come to HIM for “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”, we will never be truly free! Sin has a price—and God has made provision for our sin to be paid for through the blood of His “Only begotten Son”.

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”    Romans 6:23

What amazing Good News! Jesus has paid the ‘death penalty’ for your sin and mine, if we will but come to HIM in repentance and faith. It’s all about Jesus, and real freedom can only be found in HIM, where we can be “free indeed”! We can never overcome sin on our own but IN Jesus there is true freedom, victory and ultimate, perfect purpose for our lives.

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law

might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4

Jesus delivers from the condemnation of sin by His own blood shed at Calvary, providing a freedom that goes beyond clutching and grabbing for things around us, replacing it with God’s power, purpose and provision for life, living and dying! His righteousness imparted to us, that the world might know the Father that we love and serve by the power of His Holy Spirit seen at work in us each day!

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received

the spirit of bondage again

to fear;

but ye have received

the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:”    Romans 8:14-16

God’s children by being ‘born again’ of His Spirit—a work that only God can do, because “ye must be born again”!!!

“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

Born of God—set free from sin—delivered from the penalty of sin, and it’s power over our flesh in this world, and some day soon we’ll be delivered from the very presence of sin when we are in the presence of God eternally.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”    John 1:12-14

Born “of God” to be delivered from sin and know the salvation, deliverance and love of a personal Savior who walks with us by giving His Spirit to dwell within and empower us to live holy lives reflecting his “grace and truth”! God ever at work to make us more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ!

“Likewise the Spirit also

helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not

what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image

of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not

with him

also freely give us

all things?” Romans 8:26-32

Knowing Jesus is freedom—freedom from sin, death and hell.

“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;)”.   Ephesians 2:1-5

Until we see our sin, we are doomed to stay in it, deceived and believing that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” will fulfill our lives and make us free—the American dream, they call it–but only Jesus can truly set you free. And when He sets us free it is for our good and God’s glory, as well as an eternity with Him in His heavenly glory!

So what is your definition of ‘freedom’? Do you know the joy and liberty that Jesus gives? If you don’t, you can, and He will make Himself real in your life and bring the true freedom of salvation, and make you stand righteous before God.

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge

of God’s elect?

It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather,

that is risen again,

who is even at the right hand

of God,

who also maketh intercession

for us.

35 Who shall separate us

from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep

for the slaughter.

37 Nay,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus

our Lord.”   Romans 8:33-39 

Freedom to be HIS and do HIS work, touching others as we walk with HIM, and helping affect change for the glory of GOD, by the love of Jesus that we possess!!!

I invite you to join me in giving ourselves to live each day to God’s glory, by living out holy freedom, using grace as God intends, and not as a license to sin. Using our freedom in Christ Jesus that God’s hand may ever have free reign to work in, around and through us. We can make a difference, as we live out the love of Jesus Christ before a lost and dying world—revealing real freedom to a world bound by sin; real freedom that the world so desperately needs to see and know today through the blood of Jesus!

Amen and Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Are You Passing On??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 20

24 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Crucified With Christ, Follow Jesus, Gospel, Heaven or Hell, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Sanctified To Serve!, Testify, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Transformation, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 20 What Are You Passing On???

 

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served                                that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

Joshua knew that his life was nearing the end, so he called the people together to call them to remember the goodness of God, and to serve Him from a heart of love, gratitude and devotion. He reminded them of all that God had done, challenging them to choose wisely, and declaring his choice before all, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”! Joshua made the choice consistent with his life—he had followed God with Moses, and then God called him to step into Moses place as the leader of Israel. Now at the end of his life, he is still calling people to follow God. And that always requires a personal choice and commitment.

Jesus called people to choose Him recognizing the cost is more than many people expect.

“Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected

of the elders

and chief priests

and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?” Luke 9:22-25

To follow Jesus we must recognize our own inability to deal with our sin, and come to HIM in repentance and faith. We must “deny” (abandon our self-reliance) self, “take up” our “cross daily” (identify with the sacrifice of Jesus), and “follow” Jesus. Paul gives us a clear picture of following:

“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

We are to live unto Jesus, yielding ourselves to the work of the precious Holy Spirit of Jesus, which He imparts to all who come to Him. When we will walk with Him, in the power of His Spirit, God will work in and through us to make a difference in this world.

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

to you that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God

unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed

from faith

to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”    Romans 1:15-17

Jesus is the Gospel! And knowing Jesus through the power of His blood, we are saved and transformed into His servants, being enabled as His witness to a lost and dying world. We can pass on the ‘good news’ and lead others to Jesus, or we can live our own way and lead others to the same “hell” that all will face without Jesus. Even as Jesus shared with Nicodemus:

“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.

8 The wind bloweth

where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one that is born

of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8

When we are ‘born again’, we are able to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, living a life devoted to God according to the faith, gifts and abilities that He gives to His own.

“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

Those who come to Jesus receive all we need to serve Him faithfully and lead others to the cross—to pass on life, not death; all by Him and His Holy Spirit at work within us.

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus

our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.” 2 Peter 1:1-4 

HE gives us “all things” that we need to serve Him—Jesus and His indwelling Holy Spirit. We are born of The Spirit who then dwells within us and is the manifestation of the genuineness of our salvation.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13

Born of God so that we can live by HIS power!!!

“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.”   Romans 8:9

Only The Spirit of Jesus within makes us usable in God’s kingdom! We can choose to walk in The Spirit or the flesh—but there are consequences to each choice. We can pass on the truth and freedom of the Gospel or we can cause others to miss heaven by missing Jesus! What am I passing on? What about you?

“For, brethren,

ye have been called unto liberty;

only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word,

even in this;

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another,

take heed

that ye be not consumed

one of another.

16 This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh………

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 5:13-16 & 24-25

Are you alive in God’s Spirit? Have you been born again? Do you have peace with God? As Paul said so clearly, we can only “pass on” what we have received—the Gospel of Jesus!

“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

What are you ‘passing on’?

“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.” Romans 5:1-2

Amen & Amen!!!

Let It Rain??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #470

20 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Knowing God's Word, Rain, Showers Of Blessing, The Only Way, Trust God, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #470 Let It Rain???

 

You may have noticed that I write a lot about rain; living in Oklahoma will do that to you, for we often experience the lack of rain, a difficult thing to experience. So as it is raining this morning I can’t help but think of the parallel between the physical rain and “spiritual” rain for our heart and soul. God wants us to walk with Him and know Him more intimately, and He provides all we need to grow as we commit ourselves to seek His face continually!

“And it shall come to pass,

if ye shall hearken diligently

unto my commandments

which I command you this day,

to love the LORD your God,

and to serve him

with all your heart

and with all your soul,

14 That I will give you the rain of your land

in his due season,

the first rain

and the latter rain,

that thou mayest gather in thy corn,

and thy wine,

and thine oil.

15 And I will send grass in thy fields

for thy cattle,

that thou mayest eat and be full.

16 Take heed to yourselves,

that your heart be not deceived,

and ye turn aside,

and serve other gods,

and worship them;

17 And then the LORD’S wrath

be kindled against you……. ”     Deuteronomy 11:13-17a

When we acknowledge God as our total source, we will find power and grace for each day, no matter whether it’s “raining on our parade” or the sun is shinning brightly on our way, God is ever at work on our behalf, is we will just open our eyes!

“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.” James 1:17

Our responsibility is to keep our focus on Jesus rather than our circumstances or difficulties.

“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.”    Proverbs 3:5-6

It is easy in our world of techno-everything, to think that we are self-sufficient and don’t need anything or anyone, yet living with that mindset is a danger to a ‘fruitful’ life for God. We can choose to focus on the world or we can heed The Word of God and live a life focused on HIM, seeing HIS hand in all things around us.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run

with patience

the race that is set

before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus went to the cross that we might “have life”, and have it “more abundantly”, yet we must keep “Looking unto Jesus”—our Lord, our Redeemer, our Friend and our soon-coming KING!!! When we take our eyes off of HIM we can be so easily misled, for the enemy of our soul is ever ready to pounce! We must be diligent, staying in tune with The Holy Spirit’s leading in our every step, remembering that we are NOT alone!!!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

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

Amen!!!

Sunshine Or Rain??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #468

13 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Dependence, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, God of all comfort!, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Made like Jesus!, Our God Reigns, Safe In The Storm!, Sovereignty, The Word, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #468 Sunshine Or Rain???

 

Several years ago we had a structural problem with our home, unknown to us, in some remodeling by a long-previous owner, a weight-bearing wall had been removed! Well, being raised in the deep south where most homes were built on piers when I was a child, and everyone knew about weight-bearing walls—and you don’t mess with them. Well, it had taken quite a few years before the problems manifested themselves, and we were forced to take care of the problems that it created.

When we finally found someone to do the work, he did a great job, but on the last day as he finished the repairs he came in and as we were talking, he remarked that he didn’t know how we hadn’t had the ceiling in our laps. I replied to him that I knew how—he looked startled– and I simply replied, “Jesus was taking care of us! That’s why the ceiling wasn’t in our lap!” I have learned to have total confidence in the “providential” care of God in our everyday lives. And that’s what I want to talk to you about today—God’s care—the continual, providential care of God Almighty in all!

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

2 My help

cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee

will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel

shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is thy keeper:

the LORD is thy shade

upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee

by day,

nor the moon

by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve thee

from all evil:

he shall preserve

thy soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve

thy going out

and thy coming in

from this time forth,

and even for evermore.” Psalm 121

May we rehearse this precious Psalm today, rejoicing in who our God is–God Most High, ruler of all:

Creator—

Keeper—

Protector—

Caregiver in the day and night—

The One who preserves—

From evil—

Our soul—

Our going out—

Our coming in—

ALWAYS!!!

So day or night, danger or ease, difficulty or confusion—our God reigns and cares for YOU and me!

“And we know that

all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”       Romans 8:28-29

Where’s Your Sin??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 18

11 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Cross, Every Knee Shall Bow, Gospel, He That Is Without Sin, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Repentance, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 18 Where’s Your Sin???

 

We talk a lot about sin, and what it is, but we haven’t talked about where it is, and scripture talks a lot about “where” sin is. The first thing that we must recognize is that sin is the issue and we all have it!

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no,

not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no,

not one.” Romans 3:10-12

Righteousness is the opposite of sin—doing right in God’s eyes, meeting His standard, and being able to receive His glory!

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

All—that’s you and me—that’s every person born into this world, with the exception of the God Man, Jesus Christ the Lord, who came into this world to pay for our sin, so we wouldn’t have to pay for our own sin (for the only what that we could pay for our own sin is death and hell!).

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”    Romans 6:23

All because Jesus is the only One who had the cure for sin—Himself, the sinless, perfect, Lamb of God—which was His life for yours and mine at Calvary. This sinless Son of God who came that we might live!

“For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 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 4:15-16 

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we can have life, and an advocate—on who stands on our side—who bought our salvation and gives us ‘abundant life’ in this life and in the life to come with Him in heaven! All because HE cares for you! He cared enough to die that we might have life. He is the “Good Shepherd” who gives His life for the sheep, and for those who come to Him in repentance and faith, He gives His life ‘to’ to the sheep. That presence of His Holy Spirit within is us why we are can “come boldly unto the throne of grace”, and oh what a privilege it is to be welcomed into His presence and know that we can always find “grace to help in time of need”! I can never praise Him enough for His faithful provision that I have seen with my own eyes, and know in my own heart and life! Jesus cares for sinners, even though He had no sin, and lived a perfect life to be that sacrifice for us!

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

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin

of the world……

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

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

Behold the Lamb of God!

37 And the two disciples heard him speak,

and they followed Jesus.” John 1:29 & 35-37

Jesus came to be the One who “taketh away the sin of the world”, and the only One who could and would!

While the world had waited for God’s long-awaited Messiah, God had given His Law to Moses to point people to see that they could never save themselves! For, as my pastor says so aptly, the Law is good but it was ‘Partial, Preliminary, and Pointed to the coming Messiah’ this very “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!!! Jesus takes our sin away, but where does He take it!

“Who is a God like unto thee,

that pardoneth iniquity,

and passeth by the transgression

of the remnant of his heritage?

he retaineth not his anger for ever,

because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again,

he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities;

and thou wilt cast all their sins

into the depths of the sea.”    Micah 7:18-19

Jesus is the only One who can forgive and pardon our sin, and He casts them “into the depths of the sea”! Jesus does away with our sin!

“And you,

being dead in your sins

and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

hath he quickened

together with him,

having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances

that was against us,

which was contrary to us,

and took it out of the way,

nailing it to his cross;”    Colossians 2:13-14

Jesus blotted out our sin with His own blood—I praise HIS name that out of HIS great love HE took “MY” sin “out of the way, nailing it to his cross”!! Amen and Amen! What love is this? How can your refuse His call to you? He willingly, lovingly gave that which only His love could give:

“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,” Revelation 1:5

All this because He loves us and wants us to spend eternity with HIM, not to spend eternity in Hell paying for our own sin, when HE has already paid the price.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.”    2 Peter 3:9

What have you done with your sin? Have you come to Jesus in repentance and faith, and let Him take your sin away—to forgive your sin and give you new life in HIM? Do you hear His voice calling to YOU? The price has already been paid—what have you done with that gift?

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”   1 John 2:2

Jesus is the “payment in full” for our sin, and “propitiation for our sins” simply means that Jesus has paid for sin in full, for all who will come to HIM. But HE is the Only Way to receive forgiveness of sin; there is no other way! Even as the Apostle John recorded the words of our Lord:

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

And the Apostle Peter reiterated this same truth as He shared the Gospel after healing the impotent man!

“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

Only One Way then—only One Way now! No matter how men may try to water down the Gospel, it’s still about Jesus and Him alone. And unless you come to Jesus for salvation, you are carrying the debt of your own sin. And there is coming a day when that debt will be due! So my question for today is simple, “Where is your sin?” Is it under the blood, or will you have to pay for your own sin? It is a choice that you can make only in this life, for after we leave this world it is too late….

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this

the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

The question is not “will you bow”, because all will recognize Jesus as the Only Way when He comes, but then it will be too late for those who have refused to bow in life. The question isn’t “will you bow”, but “when will you bow”? Will you bow now before the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and receive His gift of eternal life, forgiveness of your sin, and have Jesus “cast them into the sea” (And as Corrie Ten Boom often said, “He casts them into the sea, and puts up a ‘no fishing’ sign!”) never to be considered again, or will you bow before Him then as your judge?

“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

Jesus paid your debt—will you receive it?

“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

Where is your sin? Is it on you or on Jesus? The choice is yours, but choose wisely there is a test/judgment coming! Don’t wait and find that you come to Him “One Day Too Late!” (The title of an old Lanny Wolfe song!)! May you look to Jesus today—for salvation if you don’t know Him, and in total provision for your every need if you do know Him! For remember:

“For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 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 4:15-16

I’m praying for you! Amen and Amen!