Category Archives: God’s love

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

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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!!!

One Way-One Price-JESUS!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #718

02 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Beauty For Ashes, Believe IN Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Cross, Eyes that SEE HIM, God's love, He Died That We Could Live, He IS Alive!, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, JESUS, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #718  One Way-One Price- JESUS!!!

 

He was placed in a tomb—but my friends, HE, Jesus, didn’t stay there.  HE arose triumphant over sin, death and hell!  And HE did it all for YOU and me!  I pray that you will seek Jesus today!

“For God

so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God

sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.”  John 3:16-18

Condemned or Redeemed?  The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test.  And Peter gives us a most beautiful picture of the price that our Lord paid, and how we who are HIS should approach the world!

“For what glory is it, if,

when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if,

when ye do well, and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him

that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we, being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop

of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:20-25

May you see Jesus in this special time, and when you do, may the world see Jesus IN you/me!

Jesus’ love and willingness to die for you and me says it all—

What will YOU do with HIS sacrifice?

Amen and Amen!

 

 

Disappointed Or Devoted??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #702

13 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Daniel's choices, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's Judgment, God's love, God's provision, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Job, King of KIngs, Nebuchadnezzars & Daniels, Reaping & Sowing

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #702   Disappointed Or Devoted???

 

Continuing in our examination of Daniel’s experiences with God, we will begin with a verse from Job that is one of my favorites, for it expresses the trust that I share with Job, and I believe Daniel and his friends.

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will

maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15. Amen and Amen!

May this ever be our heart’s cry and the delight of our life?  As we continue our look at Daniel, I would ask you to consider what you will do when we are called to be under a Nebuchadnezzar?  Will you be a Daniel, and trust to God’s perfect care, or will you “doubt, pout and drop out”?  The choice is yours, but the consequences won’t affect just your life; they will affect those around you, those watching your so-called life of “faith”!  Where does your faith stand?  In God or your ability to control you own circumstances?  Whom do you trust?  Can we proclaim with Job the truth of our Lord and Savior?

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see

for myself,

and mine eyes

shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

Life or death can never separate a true believer from Jesus!

“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?”  John 11:25-26

Just as Jesus asked Mary if she believed, He is asking us today, “do you believe” me—not just “in” me, but believe “ME” for life, now and in the future?  Daniel was faced with the most extreme of trials, let’s see what he did.

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim

king of Judah

came Nebuchadnezzar

king of Babylon

unto Jerusalem,

and besieged it.

2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah

into his hand,

with part of the vessels

of the house of God:

which he carried

into the land of Shinar

to the house of his god;

and he brought the vessels

into the treasure house

of his god.”  Daniel 1:1-2

Here we have the background of the situation with Daniel and his friends; the people of Judah (the southern 2 tribes of Israel, upon the division of the nation after Solomon’s death).  The northern 10 tribes (called Israel) had already gone into captivity to the Assyrians some 100 years earlier, but Judah had been spared because of God’s grace and some good kings (the northern tribes never had a good king, although some were less wicked than others, they all rejected God).  But Judah had refused to respond to the preaching of Jeremiah the prophet to repent, so God’s judgment has come upon them, and God has given them into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.  Yet, there were those who were faithful to The Lord God Almighty of Israel and Daniel and his friends were a part of the faithful remnant within Judah, but you see—a principle that America needs to grasp—when God judges a nation, even the righteous are affected, and Daniel and his friends give us an awesome picture of the character of the godly when they suffer.  Peter had some things to say to us about this as well, it’s a bit lengthy, but I think it will benefit us to consider this important passage.

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered

for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop

of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:19-25

And just as a reminder in the same letter, Peter reminds believers that our call is to faithful devotion, service and submission to whatever God may allow into our lives.  HE is trustworthy, and His purposes are often beyond what we can see, understand or comprehend!

“Beloved, think it not strange

concerning the fiery trial

which is to try you,

as though some strange thing

happened unto you:

13 But rejoice,

inasmuch as ye are partakers

of Christ’s sufferings;

that, when his glory shall be revealed,

ye may be glad also

 with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached

for the name of Christ,

happy are ye;

for the spirit of glory and of God

resteth upon you:

on their part

he is evil spoken of,

but on your part

he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer

as a murderer,

or as a thief,

or as an evildoer,

or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer

as a Christian,

let him not be ashamed;

but let him glorify God

on this behalf.

17 For the time is come

that judgment must begin

at the house of God:

and if it first begin at us,

what shall the end be

of them that obey not

the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved,

where shall the ungodly

and the sinner

appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer

according to the will of God

commit the keeping of their souls

to him in well doing,

as unto a faithful Creator.”   1 Peter 4:12-19

This, along with Paul’s simple reminder that choices matter, of which we need to be mindful, continually.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.”  Galatians 6:7

So, as we look at Daniel’s situation, we can recognize that he was caught up in the “reaping” of the sin of his people, even though he and his friends were so obviously young men of integrity, and devotion to God.  Let’s consider what the next verses of Daniel 1 tell us.

“3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz

the master of his eunuchs,

that he should bring certain

of the children of Israel,

and of the king’s seed,

and of the princes;

4 Children in whom was no blemish,

but well favoured,

and skilful in all wisdom,

and cunning in knowledge,

and understanding science,

and such as had

ability in them

to stand

in the king’s palace,

and whom they might teach

the learning

and the tongue

of the Chaldeans.

5 And the king appointed them

a daily provision of the king’s meat,

and of the wine which he drank:

so nourishing them three years,

that at the end thereof

they might stand before the king.

6 Now among these were

of the children of Judah,

Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah:

7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs

 gave names:

for he gave unto Daniel

the name of Belteshazzar;

and to Hananiah,

of Shadrach;

and to Mishael,

of Meshach;

and to Azariah,

of Abednego.”  Daniel 1:3-7

History tells us is that not only were these young men taken to Babylon for training in public service, but more than likely were also made eunuchs—after all they were under the “master of his eunuchs”, and while we see from our passage that they were outstanding and upstanding young men in the nation; chosen because of their looks and their intelligence; castration was in itself a ceremonial defilement to them (See Deuteronomy 23:1 & Leviticus 21:20). Yet, Daniel and his friends endured this shame, (this was common practice in pagan kingdoms—for many reasons), and while we don’t know how many were taken, (it could have been upwards of 100 young men) only these four are noted by God as faithful!

Consider the situation of Daniel and his friends for a minute, and then we’ll close till next time; Daniel was a young man (probably a mid-teen youth) with intelligence, good looks, and who had no defect.  He is being taken away from his home, his family, and friends to a distant place to learn a foreign language, to be put into service to a pagan king/kingdom, to be trained (literally brain-washed to accept the culture of the kingdom) for civil service; and on top of all that, they were each given a Babylonian name (look up their Jewish names in contrast to the new ones—you may be surprised by what you find)! That’s a boatload, of heartache, but that’s not all, these young men would be inundated with the king’s food and drink.  WOW, that sounds great to most of us, but here are young men with religious convictions in regard to food and drink—in particular, not only the food itself, but the fact that it would have been offered upon idolatrous, pagan altars before it was served to them.  What was Daniel to do?  His friends? Well, we’ll look at verse 8 and leave you to ponder Daniel’s choice, and consider the answer next time!

“But Daniel purposed

in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion

of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine

which he drank:”   Daniel 1:8a

Daniel could have been “dis-appointed” in his circumstances, but I truly believe that he was keeping a divine “HIS-appointment”!  Will you see your ‘disappointment’ as “HISappointment”, and stand devotedly with Job and Daniel, or be one who “doubts—pouts—and drops out”?   It’s your choice—but there is a test!

Blessings on your week!

Amen and Amen!!!

Revival To “Alive”al??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 24

30 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by in Be not conformed to this world, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Cross, Encouragement, Every Knee Shall Bow, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God's Judgment, God's love, God's provision, Good News, Holiness, Holy Spirit, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Only One Way, Salvation, Saved by grace, The Blood Of Jesus, Transformation, Transformed life, Trust God, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 24 Revival To “Alive”al???

 

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people

may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,

and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak:

for he will speak peace

unto his people,

and to his saints:

but let them not turn again

to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is nigh them

that fear him;

that glory may dwell

in our land.”   Psalm 85:6-9

The prayer of my heart for many years has been for God to bring revival to HIS people.  I say that for the same reason that I used the title that I did; many seem to think that revival will bring hoards into the church, hence the church would be “revived” but that is far from true.  Revival is the:

“restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength…an awakening, in a church or community, of interest in and care for matters relating to personal religion…”

Revival is the awakening of those who have life, whereas salvation brings “life” to the spiritually dead.  It’s what Paul so aptly describes in Ephesians 2.

“And you hath he quickened, (brought to life)

who were dead in trespasses and sins; (dead)

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.”   Ephesians 2:1-3

Much like the picture that Paul painted in his treatise to the Roman church (and Romans is the foundational essence of the Christian faith in a capsule, howbeit a large capsule) that sin is sin, we all have it, and only Jesus can provide the cure, and how the ‘cure’ is worked out in each believer!

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone

out of the way,

they are together

become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.”  Romans 3:10-12

“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:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

 that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth

in Jesus.”   Romans 3:24-26

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

Jesus came to “save his people from their sins” and without being “born again” we are dead in sin! But praise God, Jesus came that we could be “born again” and have eternal life with Him, when we come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for us.

“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

Jesus came that we might have “life, and that they might have it more abundantly”!

So, if the church’s job isn’t to infuse itself with “new members”, what is it?  Well, that is a question that Jesus answered before He left this world to take His place at The Father’s right hand. Let’s consider the call/commission that HE gave to His own—those who are born again!!!

“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 28:19-20

Jesus also made some observations as He spoke to the churches in The Revelation; some pertinent messages that I think we need to consider and heed today, several seem to be apropos to our focus today.

“These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars;

I know thy works,

that thou hast a name

that thou livest,

and art dead.”  Revelation 3:1b

“I know thy works:

behold, I have set before thee

an open door,

and no man can shut it:

for thou hast a little strength,

and hast kept my word,

and hast not denied my name.”   Revelation 3:8

And what I think is the most important for us to consider:

“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:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes

with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”  Revelation 3:17-18

So, what can we take away from all of this?  I think we must do as God told Israel through the prophet Haggai, “consider your ways”, good advice that God still has for us today.  We must consider our ways and measure them by God’s Word rather than the popular buzz of the world.  The church is to lead the world to transforming life in Jesus, NOT to be “transformed” into the image of the world.  God calls us to be changed into the image of our Lord, The Son; and when we will choose to yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit of Jesus, we will find that revival will come to us, spread to other believers and then the lost will be drawn to the Master.  Just the way that Jesus told us in John!

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying what death

he should die.”  John 12:32-33

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”  John 3:14-16

He was lifted up for our sin, may we ever lift HIM up to draw others to the cross! Like Paul, I believe the church is called to stand on the gospel of Jesus and not the imitation “religion” of the world, entertaining people right into hell.  False security is no security.  May we determine to stand fast in the sufficiency and total provision of the cross.

“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 2:2

And as Jesus said of Himself:

“…….I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

So, will you join me in truly pursuing Jesus and praying for revival amongst born again believers, so that our transformation into truly holy reflections of our Lord will draw others to the cross—by HIS transforming power!

“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

May our lives ever be reflective of Jesus; may we truly be the evidence that God is ever at work around us?  May we be found faithful to HIS WORD; knowing it’s God’s standard that we will be judged by, not man’s!

“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.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

The choice is yours, but there will be an accounting before God, and only those who have bowed before the cross will be able to stand by JESUS’ blood.

Amen!