Category Archives: Choosing Jesus or The World?

Hell’s Real, Hot and Eternal??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #116

02 Wednesday Aug 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Come to Jesus, Eternity is Long, Hell, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin

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Hell’s Real, Hot and Eternal??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #116

Hell’s real, Hell’s hot, and Eternity is long!  The choice is yours, but the consequence of your choice is already set!

“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

The presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the New Covenant which Jesus Christ purchased at Calvary; and Paul makes it clear that if “any” person who claims the name of Jesus but doesn’t have The Holy Spirit, “he is none of his”! Are you HIS?  Do you have HIS Holy Spirit?  There is only one way to be HIS and to possess The Holy Spirit (or more correctly to have The Holy Spirit possess you!), and that is to be born again by the blood of Jesus!  I could list scripture upon scripture to show this truth, but I’ll settle for 3 that I pray will help you see JESUS, and come to Him in repentance of your sin, and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice!  No magic words, formula prayers, or church membership will save you–only trusting in God’s grace through faith to deliver you in response to the voice of The Holy Spirit calling you to HIM!

“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

“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

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me draw him:

and I will raise him up at the last day.”  John 6:44

Jesus gave us one of the most beautiful yet sad pictures of the reality of eternal life-vs-eternal death, and I’d like to share it today.  And just my personal note, I think this is a real story that Jesus told, for He never named a real person in any of His parables!  I also believe that He didn’t name the “rich man” because the people would have recognized it if He had (just my opinion, you decide what you see.). And just a little test for you, this is not long before Jesus’ death, so which part of this story would make even more sense and be of an even more staggering truth with that in mind? (Hint: it’s close to the end! And it’s still true today!)

“There was a certain rich man,

which was clothed in purple and fine linen,

and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus,

which was laid at his gate,

full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs

which fell from the rich man’s table:

moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass,

that the beggar died,

and was carried by the angels

into Abraham’s bosom:

the rich man also died,

and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes,

being in torments,

and seeth Abraham afar off,

and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said,

Father Abraham,

have mercy on me,

and send Lazarus,

that he may dip the tip of his finger

in water,

and cool my tongue;

for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said,

Son, remember that thou

in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things,

and likewise Lazarus

evil things:

but now he is comforted,

and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this,

between us and you there is a great gulf

fixed: so that they which would pass

from hence to you cannot;

neither can they pass to us,

that would come from thence.

27 Then he said,

I pray thee therefore, father,

that thou wouldest send him

to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren;

that he may testify unto them,

lest they also come into this place

of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him,

They have Moses and the prophets;

let them hear them.

30 And he said,

Nay, father Abraham:

but if one went unto them from the dead,

they will repent.

31 And he said unto him,

If they hear not Moses and the prophets,

neither will they be persuaded,

though one rose from the dead.”  Luke 17:19-31

I pray that you will hear the voice of Jesus today, and that if you don’t know HIM yet, you will bow before Him today and call on HIM for forgiveness of your sin, and salvation/eternal life that HE paid for at Calvary!  If you know HIM and aren’t living for HIM or in HIS power, I pray that you will see eternity all around you.  How many that we love are headed for hell?  What have you and I done to share Jesus’ truth with them?  Let’s get busy, for surely Hell IS real, Hell IS hot, and eternity IS forever, with no second chances! And just a side note, here we see the greatest evangelist of all time, this rich man was more concerned about his family left behind than we often are!  You decide, when will you share the Gospel of Jesus?

Praying for you!

Amen and Amen!!!

Who’s Watching Right Now??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #114

28 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Children, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU

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Who’s Watching Right Now??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #114

“Give ear,

O my people,

to my law:

incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth in a parable:

I will utter dark sayings of old:

3 Which we have heard and known,

and our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children,

shewing to the generation to come

the praises of the LORD,

and his strength,

and his wonderful works

that he hath done.

5 For he established a testimony in Jacob,

and appointed a law in Israel,

which he commanded our fathers,

that they should make them known

to their children:

6 That the generation to come

might know them,

even the children which should be born;

who should arise and declare them

to their children:

7 That they might set their hope in God,

and not forget the works of God,

but keep his commandments:” Psalm 78:1-7

God wants us to lead our children to HIM, and yet if our lives don’t match our ‘words’ or the mask we wear at church or in other public places, those little eyes and ears will know what’s real and what’s fake.  It seems that we are often more concerned with impressing people who don’t care, rather than impressing our own children.  When was the last time you shared your story with your children?  Have you been open and honest about your failures–even when we need to apologize to our children!  Yes, I said there are times when we need to apologize to our children for our failures, misunderstandings, and negligence–after all they usually already know and know we’re just covering up!  Truth is not only a powerful tool, but even more importantly HE is the very person of Jesus Christ!

“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

Do you believe this?  Have you told your children that you believe it?  Have you helped them come to HIM personally?  There is nothing more important than helping our children to be prepared to hear HIS call, to recognize HIS voice, to desire to know HIM because they see HIM IN US?  Are you living out the never changing character that Jesus desires for us to possess?

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

“We love him,

because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:18

Paul paints a great picture of what we are to be before the world; and who more importantly than our own children?  Renewing our minds in Jesus and helping our children to know HIS ways through not only The Bible, but according to what they see in us!  And what they see in us has way more impact than we think!

“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

And in closing, as we try to do right with the “measure of faith” that has been given to us by God’s grace, love, and the power of the cross, may we pursue one of my favorite passages on parenting; not that I’ve always lived up to it, but my desire is to pursue it diligently.  May HIS Word and way pervade our life?

“Hear, O Israel:

The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign

upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts

of thy house,

and on thy gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:4-9

And God goes on to tell us that there will come a day–when we will have the opportunity to share what God has done and IS doing in our lives; and I believe if we’re living what we profess, it will bear fruit!!!

“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying,

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God

hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:”   Deuteronomy 6:20-21

Will our testimony match what our children see?  There are little eyes and ears watching and listening to you and me!  Every Day! TODAY!!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s On YOUR Mind??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #80

29 Wednesday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, False Lives, Father of lies, Idolatry, IN HIS TIME!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!

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What’s On YOUR Mind???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #80

I’m kind of changing course in the middle of the stream; I really wanted to continue in Jeremiah but feel impressed of The Lord to share some difficult things that I hope God can use to touch our hearts and lead us to examine ourselves and the things that we surround ourselves with, as well as the things to which we give our time, effort, trust, and devotion.  The truth is God’s Word IS TRUTH, no matter how we feel about it.  May we each pray for God to open our eyes, hearts, and minds to have HIS view on life, liberty, and our pursuits?

“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

We all make choices every day, and Jesus warns us of the danger of wrong choices–may we heed His words and choose wisely by HIS Spirit and not our own earthly “vision”!

“But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:33-34

Jesus goes on in chapter 7 to warn us (still part of His Sermon on The Mount):

“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.”  Matthew 7:13-15

Paul comes along and warns us of the dangers that will come, and my friends, we are there; his list is like reading the daily news, but it seems that we have become so accustomed to the lies of the enemy of our souls, that we don’t even recognize the danger–we seem to be “getting used to the dark”!

“This know also,

that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

 unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

When we read Jeremiah and Lamentations we see a sad reality–that even as Jesus said when He talked to Nicodemus, “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil…”; and we are no different!  We have allowed the ease and comfort of a prosperous (and yes even we who aren’t what we think wealthy, are part of the 2% of the wealthiest peoples in the world-if we own a refrigerator!) environment, and a church that has been more willing to accommodate sin, than to call us to biblical righteousness!  Go through this list above and think of your own life, the life of those inside our churches, the things that we accept every day because it’s ok to ‘go along to get along’!

I’d like to just name a few things that you might want to take note of and see what you think about them, and then ask, “why” you think it’s ok or not?  Is it a biblical decision or a cultural one–things that we have seen and heard so much, have been incorporated into our culture, our lives and even the very Church of Jesus Christ our Lord!  God forbid!  Think of these popular buzz words and activities, and how far we have come from the truth of God’s Word, all by ourselves; or so we think.  Remember Paul’s words that called us to prepare by putting on that armor of God, “that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil….that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day…” (from Ephesians 6:10-18)!  I can’t help but think that we have laid down on the job rather that “standing” with, for, and through the “power of HIS might”!

Won’t you think with me through a few things that I think worth considering/questioning.

Modesty? —

what is left unseen (male and female) …

Integrity? —

telling the truth in all things, keeping our word…

Biblical view of sexuality? —

“God created them male and female…” (Read Genesis 1-3)

Honesty? —

not taking what’s not ours, rendering unto Caesar, giving good measure (working 8 hours for 8 hours pay?), paying our debts (financial and moral)

Zen? —

a real buzz word today, but do you know it’s part of Buddhism?  Would God call this idolatry?

Yoga? —

I’ll lose some of you here, but check out the origin and determine what you are opening your “mind” to (remember, “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” see Philippians 2:5-11) Pantheism maybe?

 Drugs? —

What substances are we putting into our bodies– For medicine,       relief, ecstasy, laziness (we don’twant to face life God’s way, to live by faith rather than sight?), indulgence, addiction??

 Love yourself first? —

Let me simply say, ‘find that in The Word’.  If we’ll “love The Lord your God with ALL…” (See Matthew 22:37+), love God first, confident that HE loves me enough to give “His only begotten Son” to die for my salvation…  then I can rest in HIS love and follow HIS lead…

These seem like such small, relatively, unimportant things, but it only takes a pinhole (unstopped) to sink a ship.  And the danger is revealed by Jesus Himself, in His letter to the church at Laodicea–and whether we are there or just close is up for debate, the danger is real.  Please know that I write from a heart of love and concern, and not a ‘pocket full of rocks’!

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;

These things saith the Amen,

the faithful and true witness,

the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works,

that thou art neither cold nor hot:

I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

and neither cold nor hot,

I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked…”  Revelation 3:14-17

Here is a church that thought they had “need of nothing” –not even Jesus!  How do I know?  If you go on down and read verse 20, you’ll see that Jesus is knocking at the door to get into HIS own church! Will we open the door to the Master or continue to lock HIM out?  I pray that God will use His Word to open our hearts, minds, and lives to HIS Word that we may have ears that hear and yield to HIM!!!

“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

May we hear God’s voice today.

Amen and Amen!!!

Biblical Boundaries Matter??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #78

20 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Be ye doers of the Word, Be ye DOERS of the word NOT hearers only, Be ye HOLY, Biblical Boundaries Matter!, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Cleanliness?, Compromise, Confessing Sin, Consider Your ways, Darkness or Light?, The Word

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Biblical Boundaries Matter???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #78

As our culture seems to be abandoning everything godly and biblical, I would like to call us to consider God’s Word on the matters of godly living, living holy lives, and being a reflection of Jesus rather than popular fashion, morality, and questionable pursuits.  Will you spend some time with me today considering God’s Word in contrast to the popular message of the world.

“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.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

And note “conversation” here means lifestyle not just our words!

“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.”  1 Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:

We are called to “humble” ourselves under our Lord God, and Jesus The Son, rather than humbling others with our often sharp and crass words.  For when our hearts are humbled before God, we will find opportunities to lift others up and not tear them down.  We will also learn to see people with eyes of love and forgiveness, rather than going around with a pocket full of rocks to throw.

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all

bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye

kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:29-32

Oh, that we can learn to spread kindness and joy rather than the meanness of the world all around us.  When will we (with a capital “ME”) learn to allow the Holy Spirit of Jesus to direct our hearts, lives, words, and actions crying out, “Father, forgive them for the know not what they do….”?  Rather than throwing those rocks that we have in our pockets, Jesus gives us great instruction that is often misunderstood, for Jesus never told us NOT to judge things at all, but to render right judgment with love, kindness, and discernment.  Scripture is replete with instructions in regard to holiness, morality, and just plain right and wrong–and there is still ‘right and wrong’ for the rules haven’t changed.  How are you ‘judging’?  Remember God made mirrors so that we could see our own shortcomings before passing judgment on others.

“Judge not,

that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge,

ye shall be judged:

and with what measure ye mete,

it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou

the mote that is in thy brother’s eye,

but considerest not

the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother,

Let me pull out the mote

out of thine eye;

and, behold,

a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite,

first cast out the beam

out of thine own eye;

and then shalt thou see clearly

to cast out the mote

out of thy brother’s eye.”  Matthew 7:1-5

“For our rejoicing is this,

the testimony of our conscience,

that in simplicity

and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom,

but by the grace of God,

we have had our conversation

in the world,

and more abundantly

to you-ward.”  2 Corinthians 1:12

“Of his own will begat he us

with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits

of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be

swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man beholding

his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

 this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you

seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”James 1:18-26

Just ‘hearers’, or are we ‘doers’?  What do we rejoice in?  Simplicity and “godly sincerity” or with the indulgence and excesses of the world?  Satan makes it so subtle that we are often easily influenced if we don’t know God’s Word to “withstand in the evil day”!  And surely, we are in an evil day!

We also live in a day that not only places no value on “life” but have pretty much written off the sanctity of marriage and a biblical home.

“Marriage is honourable in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers and adulterers

God will judge.

5 Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:4-6

And in closing, I’d like to simply share Paul’s contrast between the deeds of the flesh and the “fruit of the Spirit”.  Where are you walking?  Which set of life-choices are you and I promoting and teaching to those around us–by example as much as by our words (if not more so!)!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 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 5:16-25

Note which of these things are accepted, promoted, and flourishing in our culture, and which ones are despised.  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And remember what we who are Christ’s are called to in the passage that we began with:

“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.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

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!!!