Category Archives: God Knows His Own

The Cancer Of Me? The Cure??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #765

23 Tuesday Nov 2021

Posted by in Be not conformed to this world, Crucified With Christ, Giving Or Taking?, God Knows His Own, Only Jesus, Only One Way, SIN, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking The Truth In Love

≈ Leave a comment

Bible Ballistics: BBs #765   The Cancer Of Me?  The Cure???

 

“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

Our culture has made “ME” the focus of all of life, and we have forgotten the “WE” of family, home and community-be it the local area we live in, the church we belong to, or the people to whom we are related by birth, marriage, or choice!  God has called His own to a better way!  The way of the cross which is the only cure to the cancer of sin, self, and the stubbornness of “self”ishness!  For sin is the issue!

“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

You see, the cancer of sin will demand the life of all who do not come to God through the substitutionary (in my place), atoning (making me right at JESUS’ expense), sacrifice (the payment for MY sin) of Jesus Christ The Lord at Calvary.  What are you waiting for?  The cancer will not go away without a cure!  Even physical cancer won’t go away (except for divine intervention) without some kind of treatment for the disease, and most people head to the doctor for a regimen of some sort to cure the cancer.  But we have become content in our sin, selfishness and stubbornness and ignored, denied, or just passed over the only way to life!  And that way is Jesus alone—faith alone, in Christ Jesus alone!

“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

Only ONE WAY—and that is through Jesus via the CROSS.  No shortcuts, not substitutions, no self-help solution. The blood of Jesus is the only cure for sin…the only way to God, and to abundant life.

“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?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me

and of my words,

of him shall the Son of man

be ashamed,

when he shall come in his own glory,

and in his Father’s,

 and of the holy angels.”  Luke 9:22-26

Jesus makes it clear that being HIS follower will affect what others see in our life, behavior, and devotion!  To whom or what are you/I devoted?  To Jesus?  Then where is the fruit?  Jesus said in Matthew 7 that our connection to God should show in the fruit that our lives produce, and He goes on to say, (in Blanche’s paraphrase) “saying so doesn’t make it so”!

“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.

16 Ye shall know them

by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes

of thorns,

 or figs

of thistles?

17 Even so

every good tree bringeth forth

good fruit;

but a corrupt tree bringeth forth

evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast

into the fire.

20 Wherefore

by their fruits

ye shall know them.

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.”  Matthew 7:13-21

So, my friends, whose will are you accomplishing?  God’s, man’s or your own?  Jesus reminds us that there is only one way to God—the narrow road—and if we find ourselves contentedly walking with the crowd, we might want to check on our real spiritual condition.  Jesus makes it clear that when we are following HIM, we will do “God’s will” not someone else’s!  The same thing that Paul shared with us at the beginning of this article—”I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”!  It is truly “all about Jesus”!  The cure—Jesus– will enable us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice” in loving gratitude, and devotion for the sacrifice that HE gave for all who will believe and follow HIM!

“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.”  Romans 12:1-2

And in closing two passages that call us to examine ourselves to be sure we truly belong to Jesus.  No change in our life?  You might want to go before God and see what you think has saved you.  God will answer if we truly draw near to HIM!

“For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh

which corrected us,

and we gave them reverence:

shall we not much rather

be in subjection unto the Father of spirits,

and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us

after their own pleasure;

but he

for our profit,

that we might be partakers

of his holiness.”  Hebrews 12:6-11

And finally, simply put—no change….no Jesus; (not trying to twist words, just calling us to consider) you decide, have you been transformed by the cross.  If not, Jesus is calling to you to come to Him today!

“He hath delivered my soul in peace

from the battle that was against me:

for there were many with me.

19 God shall hear,

and afflict them,

even he that abideth of old. Selah.

Because they have no changes,

therefore they fear not God.”   Psalm 55:18-19

And Jesus Himself said:

“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

He’s waiting for YOU!

Amen and Amen!!!

Thankful For HIS Care??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 04

15 Monday Nov 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Ask God For Wisdom, Attitude of Gratitude, Comfort, Confidence, Dependence, Follow Jesus, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, IN Jesus!, TODAY, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Wisdom

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 04   Thankful For HIS Care???

 

Today I’d like to share a bit of personal testimony as well as God’s Word; sometimes knowing that others are or have been in the same boat as we have been is a help and an encouragement.  I pray that we can encourage one another!

“Blessed be God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us

in all our tribulation,

that we may be able

to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith

we ourselves are comforted

of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”    2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Paul was sending this second letter to the believers at Corinth to encourage them after his first letter and their response of obedience to his instructions in a most difficult situation.  He was also reminding them that he had suffered trials and difficulties himself, and he is reminding them as well as us, that we are to be an encouragement to one another as we all face difficulties in life, and God can and will use all our trials to minister to others along with ourselves.  God’s comfort and provision isn’t to be “hoarded” but shared for God’s glory, our growth and good as well as good for others.

I have wrestled with a lot of life changes and challenges of late, and while it is just that “a challenge” to know what, when, where, or how to respond to the issues that we deal with almost daily, and to maintain a godly, kind, and honest demeanor to the things that seem to assail us with a vengeance.  Paul reminded the Corinthian believers to remember how God had comforted them, and to realize that our experiences are sent and/or permitted by God for our good and HIS glory!  In fact, it brought me to a new understanding of another passage about God’s sovereign work in our lives.

“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 8:28-32

Even as Paul states in verse 26, “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities”, we can have absolute confidence in God’s work in our lives, and the overflow of HIS work into the lives of others, if we will but trust HIM in all things and obey as we see HIS direction and hear HIS Spirit speaking to our heart and mind—and as we feast on HIS Word!  Just as it says above, the Holy Spirit is ever working in my life and yours, in fact in the lives of every born-again believer—working in us and helping us to know how to walk “according to the will of God”!

Oh, how grateful I am that I don’t have to depend on my own wisdom, for sometimes it is in pretty short supply, but God is never delinquent to supply HIS wisdom to all who will “ask…seek… (and)… knock”!

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.

7 For let not that man think

that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.”  James 1:5-7

Paul also gives us insight into the wisdom that we are to seek.  But remember that “godly wisdom” isn’t always welcome, but it is where we must stand by HIS power, grace, and provision—trusting the consequences to our Father and Lord!

“For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish

foolishness;

but unto us

which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy

the wisdom of the wise,

and will bring to nothing

the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews

and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:18-24

Paul goes on to share even more about the difference between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men.  Oh, that we would learn to recognize the difference!

“Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you

seemeth to be wise in this world,

let him become a fool,

that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness with God.

For it is written,

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again,

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise,

that they are vain.

21 Therefore let no man glory in men.

For all things are yours;” 1 Corinthians 3:18-21

I want you to know that as I face the difficulties that come my way, my greatest resource is Jesus Christ my Lord!  I go to HIM in prayer continually, seeking to know how HE wants me to respond in every situation, and going to HIS WORD as the standard for all things.  The Word of God is the standard that God has set, and if we don’t know what it says, we won’t know what God expects.  When I know HIS Word, I will find the confidence and power to run to Jesus instead of the world!

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 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 4:12-16

I pray that this will help you today and encourage your heart to press on with the greatest Lord and friend, Jesus!  For remember, we win!

“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.”  John 14:1-4

And if you don’t know Jesus today, you can come to Him today by repenting of your sin, and trusting to HIS substitutionary (He took our place), atoning sacrifice (He paid our debt) for your sin (The problem we all have and cannot cure.), and receive HIS gift of eternal life.

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Monopoly Mentality??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 08

06 Sunday Jun 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Approved Unto God, Are You Ready, Beauty of Holiness, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, By Him We Live, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Clothed In His Righteousness, Consider Your ways, Deniable Truth? Really?, Faith, Faithfulness, False Lives, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God's Faithfulness, God's Judgment, God's Presence Not Presents, Gospel, He Died That We Could Live, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, If not now? When?, It's Your Choice, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Judgment, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Listening To God, Monopoly Mentality, Only One Way, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Repentance, Salvation, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Word Or The World?, Today is the day of Salvation, Trusting Jesus?, Yesterday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 08 Monopoly Mentality???

 

Most of us have played the game of Monopoly at one time or another, some of us more recently than others; and one thing that most everyone remembers about the Monopoly board is getting a “get out of jail free” card.  I think many today have approached Jesus Christ The Lord in that way, and I’d like to take a few minutes to consider this attitude toward Jesus.  It seems to be a most popular ‘gospel’ and attitude toward Jesus.  Many today preach a message of “name it and claim it”—just use Jesus’ name as your own personal ‘heavenly slot machine’; then there are those who preach the ‘feel-good’ message that God only wants you to ‘feel good’ all the time.  I love what C. S. Lewis said in “Mere Christianity”, “We want not so much a Father but a grandfather in heaven, a God who said of anything we happened to like doing, ‘What does it matter so long as they are contented’?”

How said that we are trying to bring God down to our standard rather than pursuing the holiness that is God!  As Billy Graham once said to Phil Donahue, one of the early talk show hosts on television, “you’re trying to create God in your image” rather than realizing that we are made in God’s image but have fallen due to sin.   And that is an idea that is flourishing today—make the gospel fit us rather than recognizing our sin, repenting and turning to Jesus Christ for salvation—we just want a “grandfather” in heaven, doling out gifts and treats to his ‘grandchildren’.  We simply want a “get out of jail free” card, live how we want—do our own thing—but not have to pay for our sin; in fact, we don’t even want to bring sin into the equation!  Sin is old-fashioned, and we don’t have to call anything sin these days—if it feels good to you, it’s ok, just do it.  If it makes me ‘happy’ it will be pleasing to God.  But God says something different!

“Woe unto them that draw iniquity

with cords of vanity,

and sin

as it were with a cart rope:

19 That say,

Let him make speed,

and hasten his work,

that we may see it:

and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel

draw nigh

and come,

that we may know it!

20 Woe unto them that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise in their own eyes,

and prudent in their own sight!”  Isaiah 5:18-21

Paul paints an amazing picture of man’s relationship to God, and SIN IS the issue.  Sin is a disease which we are born with, a disease for which we all have a bill due, one we will either pay for ourselves– for our sin in hell– or we can accept Jesus’ payment of HIS own blood shed at Calvary for our sin by repentance and faith and have eternal life with HIM!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test (and I believe it is coming soon!)!

“For when ye were the servants of sin,

ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things

whereof ye are now ashamed?

for the end of those things is death.

22 But now

being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.”  Romans 6:20-23

Are you serving “sin” or God?  Do you simply want a “get out of jail free” card, or have you “become servants to God”?  Do you desire to live having “fruit unto holiness”, or living your own way, dabbling in the sin and walking in the darkness of this world?  God says that you can choose to live in sin but notice the consequence: “For the wages of sin is death”!  And according to Paul’s clear truth: you can choose to live in sin or choose to come to Jesus in repentance and faith to be justified (made right with God!)!

“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

Paul also told the Romans what this looks like, I invite you to consider this with me—it is so imperative that we understand what Jesus has done for us and will do for those who come to HIM in repentance and faith!

“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.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given

unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.

12 Wherefore,

as by one man sin entered into the world,

and death by sin;

and so death passed upon all men,

for that all have sinned:”  Romans 5:1-12

If SIN IS the issue—JESUS IS the only cure!  But when Jesus transforms a life—it is HIS work, and it shows.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

Salvation is Jesus’ work of redemption, not man’s work of “self-righteousness”, or “good works”, or an “altered” standard!  When we belong to Jesus, we become new creations of God.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then

we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”   2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Jesus took on my sin, so that I could receive HIS righteousness, and HIS Spirit dwelling in me, which will be evident to one degree or another.  What’s evident in your life?  Jesus? Or a “get out of jail free card”?  Jeremiah and Jesus both have something to say about our attitude toward God.

“…my people have forgotten me days without number…”. Jeremiah 2:32b

Let’s consider Jesus’ own commentary for those who only want to use His name rather than come to HIM in repentance and faith.  As my mother used to say, “You can fool all of the people some of the time, and you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool GOD!”  Who are you trying to fool? (See Matthew 16:24-25)

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

 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.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings

of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

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 foolishman,which

       built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”                   Matthew 7:20-27

And in closing, some food for thought; a passage that is often disregarded, but it is truth, and we must consider it.  I will simply call our attention to the qualifier: “such WERE some of you”…..”but ye are sanctified”.  It doesn’t matter what sin we “had”; it matters what Spirit controls us NOW!  For as Paul says in Romans 8:9b, “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his”! I hope that you will ponder the words of scripture and measure with God’s judgment not man’s, “be not deceived”!

“Know ye not

that the unrighteous shall not inherit

the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators,

nor idolaters,

nor adulterers,

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves,

nor covetous,

nor drunkards,

nor revilers,

nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you:

but

ye are washed,

but

ye are sanctified,

but

ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.”  1 Corinthians 6:9-11

And a final word from Jesus:

“Judge not according to the appearance,

but judge righteous judgment.”  John 7:24

With a Proverb:

“There is a way

that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

The choice is yours but choose wisely—there is a test!  God’s WORD not mine!

Amen and Amen!!!

Come And I Will…??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 06

23 Sunday May 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Are You Ready, Armor of God, Ask God For Wisdom, Be Fruitful And Multiply!, Believe IN Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Clothed In His Righteousness, Compromise, Conviction, Crucified With Christ, Dare To Be Different!, Encouragement, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Father of lies, Fighting With God's Weapons, Follow Jesus, Fruit of the Spirit, God Knows His Own, God's Judgment, God's love, Good News, Holy Living, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Knowing God's Word, Lies That Defeat Us, Listening To God, Not Of This World, Only One Way, Persecution, Redeemed By HIS Blood

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 06 Come And I Will……???

 

I’ve been disturbed lately with so much of what I hear and see around me these days—even things from believers in Jesus.  Things that are so biblically unsound and yet believers jump on the bandwagon because things “sound” good and seems to make sense in our culture gone askew.  Things like “I don’t have to put up with____”, “get rid of _______ kind of people in your life”, “follow your heart”, and I could go on; but the point is believers in, and followers of Jesus are called to walk to the beat of a different drum, not the human heart or human wisdom and ideas.  You can choose to go your own way, but the consequence won’t please you.

“The heart is deceitful

above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD

search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according

to his ways,

and according

to the fruit of his doings.”  Jeremiah 17:9-10

Paul makes it clear to the Galatian believers as well as to us, that we have the freedom to choose, but there is a consequence to every choice; and while we are free to choose our own way, we are not free to set the consequences of our choices.  God has made HIS way clear in His Word, and if we will but seek HIS face through HIS WORD, we will find the wisdom to live godly and discerning lives.  Let’s see what Jeremiah has to say.

“Blessed is the man

that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope

the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree

planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out

her roots by the river,

and shall not see

when heat cometh,

but her leaf

shall be green;

and shall not be careful

in the year of drought,

neither shall cease

from yielding fruit.”   Jeremiah 17:7-8

Living in Oklahoma, this passage is so picturesque—for we see droughts and heat and, what I call ‘brown outs’ when the vegetation all turns brown from the heat and lack of water.  God had Jeremiah remind us that when we walk in God’s ways, and trust to HIS care and HIS ways, we will be like that “tree planted by the waters”!  Being originally from Alabama, where trees are abundant and droughts rare, I learned pretty quickly that if you see trees in southwest Oklahoma, you can know there is water nearby.  Even the Psalmist used this same example of the godly.  Will you be one that spreads out and grows in grace and truth and ceases not “from yielding fruit”, or will you cave to the pressures of the evil day around us?

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel

of the ungodly,

nor standeth

in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth

in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also

shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth

shall prosper.”  Psalm 1:1-3

We have the freedom to choose, but we must decide whom we want to please and be aligned with?  Do we want to dwell in the presence of The Lord Jesus and our Father God (by the power of His Holy Spirit), or will we settle for the lies of the enemy and live in the “pig pen”?  Jesus is so often misrepresented today, He is passed off as a “genie” who will grant all your ‘wishes’ and make your life a ‘garden party’; rather than as The Redeemer of men, women, boys and girls who will receive HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice by repentance and faith.  Jesus came to die for my sin—how could I repay Him with any less than total devotion and allegiance to Him and His Word!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will

lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give in exchange

for his soul?”   Matthew 16:24-26

We must stop measuring things by what the world thinks is good, and measure instead by God’s Word. (Period!). Satan has always been a master of deceit and we need to be aware of this truth—it is so serious that Paul mentions it twice in just a few verses of Ephesians 6.

“Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil..

…. 13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.”  Ephesians 6:10 & 13

And with all my heart, I believe we are in “the evil day” and we must prepare to stand!  Jesus also warned us that we would face what HE faced—opposition, ridicule, spite and rejection; what will you do when righteousness brings the despite of others?

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:17-21

The question is simple (but not easy), do you want to please Jesus and be in HIS Kingdom, or would you rather join the world and “know not him that sent me”?  And those of us who belong to Jesus need to remember that we are called to do things God’s way—not men’s!  And in my heart and mind I truly believe that Jesus has made that plain!

“For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God…

… 20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

 hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe…

…. 23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.”  Portions of 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me

in heaven

and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo,

I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”  Matthew 28:18-20

“There is a way

that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

Consider these things and what we learn from them:

God chose the “foolishness of preaching”—

To save souls and change lives—

Not plans—

Not programs—

Not marketing strategies—

Not worldly entertainment–

Not circuses—

Not parades—

Not activity—

Nor ease—or excuses—or compromise–

Jesus said, “All power is given unto me” —

And because of HIS power, He told us to:

GO—or literally “as you go”—

TEACH—share HIS truth from HIS truth—

 Who—all nations–

BAPTIZE—bring others to identify with HIM—

 TEACH— (the second mention)—instruct—

What—to observe HIS commands—

HIS WORD—

IN HIS POWER—

For HE would be “with you always”!

The Psalmist reminds us, and may we let it resound over and over again in our hearts, that there is a way that “seemeth right unto a man” but it will never end well!  We must decide if we want to go God’s way, our own way, or the way of the world; the Proverbs say it best, in one of my favorite passages.

“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.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.”  Proverbs 3:5-7

There’s that “evil” again—oh how much we have been misled and often outright deceived into using the plans of man to operate the church as a business or organization, rather than an organism—The body of Christ!  I believe God makes it clear that HIS Word settles it all—not popular vote!

“For ever, O LORD,

thy word is settled in heaven.

90 Thy faithfulness

is unto all generations:

thou hast established the earth,

and it abideth.”  Psalm 119:89-90

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Even when Peter and John were brought before the religious leaders of Israel, they proclaimed the truth of the Gospel of Jesus—no more, no less. Only Jesus—He saves, He secures, He sends, He supplies, He sustains!  He anoints, He adds, He orders the steps of HIS own! But it must be HIS way not our own!

“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

“Praising God,

and having favour with all the people.

And the Lord added to the church daily

such as should be saved.”  Acts 2:47

As we bring these thoughts to a close, I share another message of Jesus’—we must each decide if we will hear, heed and obey.

“All things are delivered unto me

of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever

the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:27-30

Even as Jesus said earlier, we are to “Come unto me”, but to come to Jesus we must let go of self and receive HIS rest—not our own sufficiency; for it’s all about Jesus—not man’s ways, man’s philosophy, nor man’s programs but God’s gospel—God’s way—for God’s glory and the transformation of lives today!  I pray that you hear my heart for Jesus!  He is coming soon, and I pray that you are ready!  Jesus still saves and changes lives today—by HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice at Calvary!  May we be found faithfully proclaiming HIS truth—HIS way!

“And they continued

stedfastly

in the apostles’ doctrine

and fellowship,

and in breaking of bread,

and in prayers.”  Acts 2:42

May we be found faithful!

Amen and Amen!!!