Category Archives: Death

Not A Permanent Goodbye??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #333

26 Wednesday Mar 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Come to Jesus, Comfort, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Darkness or Light?, Death, Good News, Rejoice IN The Lord, Repentance, Responding to the call!

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Not A Permanent Goodbye???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #333

“Then when Jesus came,

he found that he had lain in the grave

four days already.

18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem,

about fifteen furlongs off:

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary,

to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha,

as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming,

went and met him:

but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus,

Lord, if thou hadst been here,

my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now,

whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,

God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her,

Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him,

I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection

at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection, and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord:

I believe that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come into the world.” John 11:17-27

As I write this article this morning, I am getting ready to attend the funeral of a very dear friend.  I don’t really want to go, because I know how much I miss her already, but I need to be there to remind others that we have hope in Jesus!  Yes, my friend is gone—but we will embrace again; but I sure will miss the phone calls that we shared, the cups of tea that we shared, the love and laughter that our families shared, the beautiful love, care and concern that my dear friend showed to everyone!

Yes, death is painful, not only for the one going through it, but for those of us left behind; but my friends even as Jesus told Martha (and later Mary too) He is life itself!  Jesus has promised that if we will trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, repenting of our sin and calling on Him to forgive us, save us, and give us eternal life in HIMSELF!  Oh, my friends I pray that you know Him.  Don’t leave your family and loved ones to wonder, but trust Jesus for salvation, make it public, and live a life filled with His Spirit and grace.

If you’re the one grieving, then keep your eyes on the prize—Jesus; remembering that He has promised eternal life to those who come to Him; He’s promised that He has gone to prepare us a place—and a life of eternal joy, peace and fellowship with He and the Father, and all the other saints.  Are you ready to meet Him?  Are you willing to trust Him to comfort your heart.  I have suffered multiple times of grief and while some heal quickly, others linger and flare up at what seems like the most inopportune times!  But I know that Jesus said HE would walk with me, He will direct my steps and strengthen me for whatever trial may come.  I pray that you will find comfort in the message that He gave to Martha!  HE IS our hope!  HE IS our God!  HE IS our Redeemer—our soon-coming King. I pray that you will take your burdens to the cross, where you’ll find the cleansing blood of Jesus is still the perfect balm of Gilead!

And in closing, a few passages to share His comfort with you no matter what your situation.

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth, and

the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:1-6

As Jesus said in John 3, we “must be born again”!  If you know Jesus in the new birth, I pray that you will draw nearer to Him, and you will never be alone!  If you don’t know Him, I pray that you will bow before Him and ask for His forgiveness and salvation in repentance of your sin trusting to His sacrifice that He made on Calvary for you and me.  Then we can understand what Paul meant in his letter to the Philippian believers.  And remember when we come to those times to say “good-bye”, when we are believers and our dear ones as well, it is truly NOT a permanent “good-bye”!  May our lives be an open book inviting people to our King Jesus—our Lord and Savior!  May our lives truly reflect Jesus rather than a hopeless world!

“For to me to live is Christ,

and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh,

this is the fruit of my labour:

yet what I shall choose I wot not.

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two,

having a desire to depart,

and to be with Christ;

which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh

is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence,

I know that I shall abide

and continue with you all

for your furtherance and joy of faith;”  Philippians 1:21-25

As David said so confidently. (Read the whole account for a world of encouragement and to see that God forgives, heals and restores!  Just not all things at the same time!)

“And he said,

While the child was yet alive,

I fasted and wept:

 for I said, Who can tell

whether GOD will be gracious to me,

that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead,

wherefore should I fast?

can I bring him back again?

I shall go to him,

but he shall not return to me.”   2 Samuel 12:22-23

Amen and Amen!!!

The Manger Leads To The Cross! A Word from THE WORD!!! #51

07 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Death, Father's Way!, GET READY, Glory To God, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, God Still Reigns, God's love, God's Presence Not Presents, God's ways are not our ways, Power of The Cross, The manger leads to the cross

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The Manger Leads To The Cross! A Word from THE WORD!!! #51

“For unto you is born this day

in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God,

and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will

toward men.

15 And it came to pass,

as the angels were gone away from them

into heaven,

the shepherds said one to another,

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

and see this thing which is come to pass,

which the Lord hath made known

unto us.

16 And they came with haste,

and found Mary,

and Joseph,

and the babe

lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:11-16

Just as this amazing news of The Messiah was told to shepherds, they went to see this child and found him “lying in a manger” because “there was no room for them in the inn”; amazed, like the shepherds, we come to the manger during this wonderful season of celebrating Jesus our King!  Yet we must not be distracted from the truth that Jesus didn’t stay in that manger.  He grew to be the man who was nailed to a cruel Roman cross for my sin and yours!  That is why HE came!  This precious baby endured the trials of all flesh without sin, HE was/is the perfect “lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!  He came to be born that He could be the perfect sacrifice for sin–He was Born to Die–for our sin, to be raised from the dead, and ascend back to heaven where HE ever intercedes for His own!

“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

Yet, there’s more–more that points us to the pain of the cross, so let’s go back to Luke’s account, and while this is a bit lengthy, I think it worth our time and effort!

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem,

whose name was Simeon;

and the same man was just and devout,

waiting for the consolation of Israel:

and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him

by the Holy Ghost,

that he should not see death,

before he had seen

the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit

 into the temple:

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,

to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms,

and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant

depart in peace,

according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared

before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles,

and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled

at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them,

and said unto Mary his mother,

Behold, this child is set

for the fall and rising again

of many in Israel;

and for a sign

which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through

thy own soul also,)

that the thoughts of many hearts

may be revealed.”  Luke 2:25-35

Then we see this prophecy played out at the foot of the cross!

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus

his mother,

and his mother’s sister,

Mary the wife of Cleophas,

and Mary Magdalene.

26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother,

and the disciple standing by, whom he loved,

he saith unto his mother,

Woman, behold thy son!

27 Then saith he to the disciple,

Behold thy mother!

And from that hour that disciple

took her unto his own home.

28 After this, Jesus knowing

that all things were now accomplished,

that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith,

I thirst.

29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar:

and they filled a spunge with vinegar,

and put it upon hyssop,

and put it to his mouth.

30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar,

he said,

It is finished:

and he bowed his head,

and gave up the ghost.”  John 19:25-30

Like some of you, I have experienced the death of a child, and it is like a sword piercing your heart, leaving a hole that seems to always be there–even when the immediate pain subsides, the hole in your heart is ever-present with you!  I can’t imagine the pain that Mary felt, knowing that this was God’s plan for her own salvation; the wonder and questions that flooded her soul, are the same questions that often come to our hearts!  BUT GOD!  God was working His perfect plan for the redemption of mankind, for all who would repent of their sin and trust in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus offered at Calvary.  It’s all about the cross, so don’t linger at the manger and miss the cross, but trust to the sacrifice that this baby came to BE!  And as Paul so clearly reminds us, and which I try to convey in all I write and teach:

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

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

And Paul’s words ever resound in my heart as my hope, my goal, and my encouragement! May it ever spark us on to greater hope and victories as we walk in the power of the precious Holy Spirit whom Jesus imparts to each of His own!

“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

May you draw near to the cross, remembering the greatest gift of all, Who was laid in that manger in Bethlehem; enjoy your celebrations but don’t forget the price that baby came to pay for you and me!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Not Necessarily Disposable!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 10

30 Sunday Jan 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Death, Death and Hell, Disposable things, Eternal Consequences, Hell, Not necessarily disposable?, There is a test

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 10   Not Necessarily Disposable!!!

 

We live in a disposable society!  Not only disposable (throw-away) plates, cups, utensils, diapers, toys, appliances but even babies, old people and the seemingly unwanted, unneeded and those that don’t meet the criteria of the world political scheme.  It saddens my heart to know that we have allowed, sometimes even welcomed, this cultural change; it grieves me that we want to save the puppies, the whales, the trees, but not our own offspring—the babies—whom we are offering up on the altar of convenience, fashion, and liberal ideology of personal entitlement to whatever pleases “ME” regardless of the cost to others!  The idea that we are to be the “caretakers” of the planet but not our own children (and yes, the unborn are children from the moment that they are conceived, worthy of the protection of all mankind, regardless of the political climate that prevails today) is appalling!

But there’s something else that I want us to consider in regard to disposability, and that is not only what we need to consider in regard to our offspring, but to every issue of life– God’s Word and its veracity, its import, and the influence we who believe it should have on a culture gone berserk (I don’t know what else to call a culture with the mindset that it has today!)! But I do know what God has called each and every believer to; and that is to follow Jesus and keep HIS Word as well as HIS words!

“Jesus answered them,

I told you,

and ye believed not:

the works that I do in my Father’s name,

they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:25-30

Regardless of what the world believes or says about Jesus, HE IS GOD!  And yes, HE did say that HE was, is and ever shall be GOD, and that settles it whether you believe it or not.  There is a time coming when those who are HIS by faith through grace, will be eternally separated from the unbelievers. (See Eph. 2:8-10)

“And he that sat upon the throne said,

Behold, I make all things new.

And he said unto me,

Write:

for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me,

It is done.

I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning

and the end.

I will give unto him that is athirst

of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh

shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God,

and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful,

and unbelieving,

and the abominable,

and murderers,

and whoremongers,

and sorcerers,

and idolaters,

and all liars,

shall have their part in the lake

which burneth

with fire

and brimstone:

which is the second death.”  Revelation 21:5-8

As if you need more evidence of what God has said about the unbelieving, let’s check out Revelation 20!

“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

Some of you may be saying, ‘Well, doesn’t that make ‘them’ “disposable”?”  Not exactly, for their torment will last for all eternity, in the “lake of fire” which is the permanent dwelling for all who reject Jesus, along with Satan, his angels, and the beast and false prophet of the “great tribulation”!  God said it—not me!

“And the devil that deceived them

was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,

where the beast and the false prophet are,

and shall be tormented

day and night

for ever and ever.”  Revelation 20:10

You see, humans aren’t disposable—while we do die in our flesh, our souls live on forever, either in eternal bliss with God, through the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus; or in eternal torment in the “lake of fire” with the devil and his angels!  And just FYI, the lake of fire wasn’t made for man, but for Satan and his fallen angels, but when man (Adam and Eve) sinned and died spiritually, they were doomed to share the same fate as the liar whom they had believed over God Almighty, but for Jesus!

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand,

Depart from me,

ye cursed,

into everlasting fire,

prepared for the devil

and his angels:”  Matthew 25:41

So, what choice do we have?  We can choose to recognize Jesus as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords and bow before HIM as our own Lord and Savior, in repentance of our sin, and faith in the sacrifice that HE made to purchase our salvation, so that we can become one of the “whosoever believeth in him shall have everlasting life”!  It is your choice but choose wisely, there is a test!  The “word is nigh thee”—God’s Word, JESUS!  What will you do with HIM?  Even your choice isn’t disposable—you will live with the consequences of your choice for all of eternity!  Heaven or Hell—it’s your choice.  And saying you’re not ‘choosing’, IS choosing!

“But what saith it?

The word is nigh thee,

even in thy mouth,

and in thy heart:

that is, the word of faith,

which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart

that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth

unto righteousness;

and with the mouth confession is made

unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith,

Whosoever believeth on him

shall not be ashamed.”  Romans 10:8-11

When You/I choose to follow Jesus, You/I have a purpose and a goal—to follow Jesus, or as the author of Hebrews says so clearly, Run YOUR Race, not anyone/everyone else’s.

“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

Are you running YOUR race?  Are YOU “Looking unto Jesus”?  Are YOU relying on YOURself or “the author and finisher of (Y)our faith”?

Regardless of what our culture says, no person given life by God, in the womb or out, is disposable.  We need to value life, treasure each opportunity that God gives us to share Jesus with others, and follow our King, in our own lane.  I just want to say that I understand those who wander over into “other’s lanes” for we sometimes want to “solve” everyone’s problems; but my friends Jesus tells us clearly that we are to:

run with patience—don’t try to rush God—

the race—the specific race that Jesus has given us—

                not anyone else’s race—not MY JOB—

set before us—remember Jesus has hand-picked

— YOUR race—

     –Jesus sets it before YOU, no one else—

     — miss YOUR race—YOU miss a blessing—

Looking unto Jesus—

the author

and finisher

of our faith!!!

In a nutshell, “It’s ALL about JESUS”!  The cross couldn’t destroy HIM, the tomb couldn’t keep HIM in, He’s alive and coming again!

Jesus said it best!

“…I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6.

Amen and Amen!!!

THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18

29 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, Choose You This Day!, Darkness or Light?, Death, Evil will not win, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Follow Jesus, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Life, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18 THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!!

 

It has been a long 10 days for my family, as the darkness and evil of this world crowded into our midst through the evil act of one person.  I have seen the light shine brightly regardless of the evil that tried to defeat us and took the life of my only daughter.  The reasons and drama of the “event” isn’t what I want to talk about today, but rather I want to talk to you about the “light of the world” that has prevailed, is prevailing and will prevail for those who look to HIM!  And yes, JESUS IS that light—and like a lighthouse to a sailor, I will fix my eyes on Jesus to make it to shore!

“That was the true Light,

 which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.”  John 1:9-10

“Again, a new commandment I write unto you,

which thing is true

in him

and in you:

because the darkness is past,

and the true light

now shineth.”  1 John 2:8

Jesus is “the true Light”—and without Him we are in darkness, but praise God Almighty, we can not only see Him, but know Him and be a reflection of HIS light!  Despite darkness having invaded our lives, I will stand for the Lord Jesus Christ—my life, my light, and my redeemer; and HE can be yours!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk

in darkness,

but shall have

the light of life.”  John 8:12

We don’t have to run from the darkness, for His light is within us by His grace, love for us, and the forgiveness of sins that He grants to those who repent and believe in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (righted my wrong), sacrifice (paying my sin-debt with HIS own blood); and the indwelling of HIS Holy Spirit!

“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

You see, this same Jesus who IS light, came into a darkened world who didn’t perceive HIS light for they were blinded, just as men are today.  It’s kind of like “snow blindness” when the light is so bright and continual that the eyes can’t tolerate it.  Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader, that having eyes “to see” isn’t enough; we must have God’s convicting revelation to recognize light as light and be born again—have new life!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born

when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

And, just how are we born again?  By the power, grace and saving faith that God’s Holy Spirit draws us to!  Have you heard His voice?  Have you opened the door of your heart to Jesus?  Or have you failed to “see” the “light of the world”?

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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 1:10-14

Jesus came that we might have this new birth–life in HIM–life “more abundantly”!  Have YOU been born again?  John makes it clear that it’s not dependent on our “heritage” (not of blood); it’s not dependent on our “will power” (not..the will of the flesh); it’s not dependent on the ‘prayers of your mother or your grandmother’(not..the will of man)—it’s dependent on YOUR choice to receive Jesus and His atoning sacrifice, and be transformed by the Light Of The World.  Will you choose light or stay in the dark, and if you are His, don’t let the darkness distract you, for we are to be reflecting His light to the world, not letting the dirt of the world dim our light. (See Matt. 5:13-15)

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless

and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst of a crooked

and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth the word of life;

that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,

that I have not run in vain,

neither laboured in vain.”   Philippians 2:14-16

Don’t be deceived by the enemy of your soul—the one who is the “father of lies” (See John 8:44), for there are plenty of his minions going about to “steal…and to kill….and to destroy”!  Beware of what you accepting as truth!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be according

to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Even as Jeremiah the prophet reminds us:

“Declare this in the house of Jacob,

and publish it in Judah, saying,

21 Hear now this,

O foolish people,

and without understanding;

which have eyes,

and see not;

which have ears,

and hear not:”  Jeremiah 5:20-21

And Isaiah takes us to the heart of the matter; we have chosen our own sin over God’s voice of conviction; we have chosen our own sin over God’s way, because we think we can handle it.  Check out your environment—is it light or dark?

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated

between you and your God,

and your sins have hid

his face from you,

that he will not hear.”  Isaiah 59:1-2

So, in closing I’d like to share a passage that lays it all out on the table, as Paul makes it clear that we all need JESUS, but the choice is yours.  But choose wisely, there is a test—and there is only One answer—JESUS!

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead

in trespasses

and sins;

2 Wherein in time past

ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our

conversation in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up

together,

and made us sit

together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”   Ephesians 2:1-10

The light still shines……..is HE shining in YOU?

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy;

whereunto ye do well

that ye take heed,

as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,

until the day dawn,

and the day star

arise in your hearts:”  2 Peter 1:19

I pray that God will speak to your heart and draw you into HIS light!  Amen and Amen!!!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.”   1 Corinthians 15:57

The Problem With LSD??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 4

30 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Death, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, LSD?, Lust, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.4 The Problem With LSD???

 

Well, for sure that title got some of you to open this page, but it’s not quite what you might expect, we’re going to talk about the danger of “lust”, “sin”, and “death” not the hallucinogenic drug—although they both have a danger that people need to be aware of—death! We’re going to see what James says about this very thing, and hopefully help us all be more aware of the dangers around us.

God sent Jesus to pay the price for sin, for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith. But no one ever comes to Jesus for forgiveness of sin and salvation until they see the reality of sin in their own lives. Why would anyone need a Savior who had no sin? Yet scripture is replete with the truth that we are all in the same boat when it comes to “sin”; we are all drowning in a sea of sin, and Jesus is the Only life-preserver. And while Jesus is the Only way to ‘life’, I think it will be helpful for us to remind ourselves and those around us of the real dangers of sin.

“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

Jesus Christ is the “the gift of God”, coming to be the payment for our sin. But what does sin look like? Is it just a list of ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’, or is it even more basic than that? We all face temptations in this world, because of Adam and Eve’s sin and the curse of death that it brought—that is called original sin. But we also sin because our flesh likes and chooses sin over God’s way? We are all dead in our sin because we are born in sin, and because we choose to sin. We don’t need to teach our children to lie, but they certainly seem to pick it up without instructions. Why? How? Because every person is born with the inclination to sin, and our weak and selfish flesh wants what it wants, when it wants it, and usually right NOW! (See Ephesians 2:1-10)

But God has a better way, He sent Jesus to give us the power to overcome sin by the blood of the Lamb of God.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

“These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world

ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”   John 16:33

We all have tribulation and temptation in this world, but when we come to Jesus we have the power to overcome the pull and defeat of sin, all because He has overcome sin, death and hell with His own blood which made the sacrifice for our sin; He is the One who came, the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” He paid the price for my sin and yours, and will He give us abundant life and peace with God, all because He loves us and we need a Savior!

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”    Romans 5:1

James also gives us more information that we might know the cure for sin, and how to live out our faith in Him! Knowing Jesus makes a difference, even though many today seem to have forgotten that we are called to holiness !

“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.”   1Peter 1:13-15

With that in mind, how are you measuring your living? Are you so enamored with the world that you don’t even see sin as sin? Have you listened to that ugly talk so much, that it seems ok now? Are you an example of holiness or ‘un’-holiness? Are you so compromised by the worldly speech, actions and motives that there is not much difference between you and the world? Do people know that you love Jesus by your manners, speech and activities, or is your life a picture of ‘anything’ goes? Have you bought into the lie that Satan has sold the world, that God doesn’t care about sin, and hell isn’t real? Let’s dig into James’ challenge to know and live in the truth of the Gospel—Jesus saves and changes lives still today, and our actions do reveal what we truly love! James 1:12-26

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:

for when he is tried,

he shall receive the crown of life,

which the Lord hath promised

to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted,

I am tempted of God:

for God cannot be tempted with evil,

neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted,

when he is drawn away of his own lust,

and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived,

it bringeth forth sin:

and sin,

when it is finished,

bringeth forth death.”

James makes it clear that sin is not only our ‘birthright’ from Adam, but also our own choice for our own life. Sin comes form the desires of our flesh being illegitimate in respect to the heart, laws and pleasure of God. If God says in His Word that a thing is sin, then it is sin; no matter how much we dress it up, change the terminology, or get used to the darkness around us—sin is still sin, regardless of what the world may say. If my desire is to please God, why would I want to be intimate with sin? I need to be as distant from it as possible, not trying to walk as close to the edge as I can without falling! But James doesn’t stop there; he also encourages us to godly living. Not just a list of ‘don’ts’ but a call to higher ground—holy living!

“16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 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.

18 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.”

James reminds believers that we are to march to a different drum than the world; we are to be followers of Jesus, marching to His drum (so to speak) and reflecting the “righteousness of God” NOT the “wrath of man”! It saddens my heart when I see those who claim the name of Jesus as their own, speaking, posting and sharing things for which they need to apologize. May I simply say; if it needs an apology before you speak/post/share it, then it is probably better left unsaid. Paul asked the Corinthians a question, which I think most aptly, applies to many in our day, some good advice, which we ought to heed.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together

with unbelievers:

for what fellowship hath righteousness

with unrighteousness?

and what communion hath light

with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ

with Belial?

or what part hath he that believeth

with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God

with idols?

for ye are the temple of the living God;

as God hath said,

I will dwell in them,

and walk in them;

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them,

and be ye separate,

saith the Lord,

and touch not the unclean thing;

and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you,

and ye shall be my sons and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty.”    2 Corinthians 6:14-18

I don’t see a lot of coming “out from among them, and be ye separate”; instead what I see is that often times the church has invited the world in, and changed their convictions to accommodate the world; rather than preaching the Good News that Jesus saves, and allowing God, through the power of His Holy Spirit to save, change and transform lives. May God have mercy on us! James gives us good instruction for our task, and how we ought to behave/look before a lost and unregenerate (unchanged, unsaved) world!

“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 1:12-26

God said it (via James) not me—but I do heartily agree. God’s Word is truth and we can believe it, and receive it; or we can defy God and His Word and allow the lust in our hearts to become sin, but that sin will lead to death. Jesus gave this same warning to Nicodemus. The Word hasn’t changed; it will never change nor will its author.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”   Hebrews 13:8

The choice is yours, will you choose ‘lust>sin>death’? Or will you come to Jesus and receive His life instead?

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”     John 3:16-19

How about you? Will it be lust, sin and death or Jesus? And for those who already belong to Jesus, will we reflect HIS light or be dimmed by the darkness of the world? I implore you dear friends, let’s commit to “walk in the light”!

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.”     1 John 1:7

“Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 1:15-17

The choice is yours, but remember there is a test at the end!