Category Archives: Hearing God

Bowed or Bowing??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #37

14 Wednesday Sep 2022

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Hearing God, Heaven or Hell, Idolatry, If not now? When?, IN HIS TIME!, Incomprehensible LOVE, Judgment, Just DO it!, King Jesus, King of KIngs, Not Of This World, REvival, Righteousness exalts a nation

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Bowed or Bowing???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #37

We can choose our way, by God’s gift of our own free will; yet this same God has shown us the way and given us the options!  We can choose to ‘bow’ (rhymes with tow) our necks and stand in stiff defiance to the God of all creation, or we can ‘bow’ (rhymes with cow) and bend our knee and heart before HIM in repentance and faith in HIS “only begotten Son”!  I hope that the scripture will pierce your heart and mine—that we who are already believers in Jesus, will seek to know God’s view of our lives and make whatever adjustments HE speaks to us, and that those who don’t know Jesus will be drawn to HIS indescribable love and be born again by JESUS’ precious blood!

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you

is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be

any wicked way in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

 I pray that these scriptures will touch your heart and mine, and that we will hear The Holy Spirit’s whisper to our heart and kneel before our King for forgiveness, healing, and restoration of our souls.  May revival break out in God’s own—that we will know HIS presence and power in renewed love, humility and devotion to Jesus, our KING of KINGS!

“Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter

be turned to mourning,

and your joy

to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:7-10

There is an Old Testament example of God’s pure grace and mercy that I think will be beneficial for us to peruse this morning.  Josiah, a precious King of Israel who, when he heard the Word of God, saw truth, bowed before God in total humility and sent the leaders around him to seek the “words of God” from the prophetess Huldah.  I pray that this passage will move your heart and you will “hear the word of the Lord” and respond in faith, and obedience today.  Help me Jesus, to hear and obey, trusting to your work in me and these who are readying this post.  Be glorified in us!  Please bring a real Holy Ghost, Heaven sent revival to our hearts, our families, our churches, and our nation!  May we be willing to bow before you in earnest repentance and faith!

“10 And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book.

And Shaphan read it before the king.

11 And it came to pass,

when the king had heard the words

of the book of the law,

that he rent his clothes.

12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest,

and Ahikam the son of Shaphan,

and Achbor the son of Michaiah,

and Shaphan the scribe,

and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,

13 Go ye, enquire of the LORD

for me,

and for the people,

and for all Judah,

concerning the words of this book

that is found:

for great is the wrath of the LORD

that is kindled against us,

because our fathers have not hearkened

unto the words of this book,

to do according unto all

that which is written

concerning us.

14 So Hilkiah the priest,

and Ahikam,

and Achbor,

and Shaphan,

and Asahiah,

went unto Huldah the prophetess,

the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah,

the son of Harhas,

keeper of the wardrobe;

(now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;)

and they communed with her.

15 And she said unto them,

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel,

Tell the man that sent you to me,

16 Thus saith the LORD,

Behold, I will bring evil upon this place,

and upon the inhabitants thereof,

even all the words of the book

which the king of Judah hath read:

17 Because they have forsaken me,

and have burned incense unto other gods,

that they might provoke me to anger

with all the works of their hands;

therefore my wrath shall be kindled

against this place,

and shall not be quenched.

18 But to the king of Judah

which sent you to enquire of the LORD,

thus shall ye say to him,

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel,

As touching the words which thou hast heard;

19 Because thine heart was tender,

and thou hast humbled thyself

before the LORD,

when thou heardest what I spake

against this place,

and against the inhabitants

thereof,

that they should become

a desolation

and a curse,

and hast rent thy clothes,

and wept before me;

I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.

20 Behold therefore,

I will gather thee unto thy fathers,

and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave

in peace;

and thine eyes shall not see

all the evil which I will bring

upon this place.

And they brought the king word again.”   2 Kings 22:11-20

While this may not seem to be a message for us, I think we can find great insight in it.  Josiah was granted grace, in what some might call a ‘special dispensation’ from God, in that he would not see the judgment of God on Judah but would die in peace.  And as we go on to read (and I encourage you to read the rest of Josiah’s story), we see that Josiah, in his humility before God and his burden for The Word of The Lord, brought revival to Judah.

He restored the Temple to a place where the people could worship in obedience to God’s commands, he destroyed the idolatrous worship that was taking place at every turn.  He also called the people to celebrate a Passover that scripture refers to as “unparalleled”!  And on a side note, I find it interesting that if you follow the years, it could easily be that the families of some guys we know well—named Daniel, Hananiah, Mishaal and Azariah—were a part of this revival and these young men were brought up by parents who were a part of this amazing time of revival.  And while the judgement of God did come, and these young men found themselves in Babylon as a result of the sin of their nation –not their own personal sin—yet were used by God to make an amazing difference in an unlikely place.

Oh God, please send a life-changing revival among us; and even if we still must endure your judgment, may those be raised up who can make amazing impacts on our world.  Will you bow or be bowed up?  The choice is yours but remember there is a test!

May God have mercy upon us today???

Amen and Amen!!!

He Said I Could Come??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #738

25 Friday Jun 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Born Again, By Him We Live, Changed Lives, Consider Your ways, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Father's Way!, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, God Who Sees, God's love, Good News, Gospel, Grace, He Died That We Could Live, He IS Alive!, He's Alive, Hearing God, Holy Spirit, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus said I could come!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Only One Way, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #738 He Said I Could Come???

 

I’m borrowing some thoughts from a blurb I saw of Alistair Begg recently, and it spoke volumes to my heart, and I pray that it will reach hearts, minds, and souls today.

Alistair was talking about how we get into heaven, and he talked about the thief on the cross at heaven’s gate: he couldn’t pass a theology test, he couldn’t quote the doctrinal statement of his church, he couldn’t pass a biblical knowledge test, but when asked ‘why he should get to come into heaven’ he simply replied, “the man on the middle cross said I could come”!  It’s all about Jesus!  It’s not your/my credentials that get us into heaven; it’s not our “love” for God and country; it’s not our good works in the church, the community, or our governmental service!  It’s only through the blood of The Lamb of God who came to pay for our sin.  Only when we look to the cross in repentance and faith will we find salvation and the right to a place in heaven.

“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

Jesus came that we might have eternal life, abundant life here and now and for all eternity.  He died so we could live!

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:10-11

Jesus calls us to Himself, just as he invited the thief on the cross, “today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (see Luke 23:43), when he asked Jesus to “remember me….”!  Have you asked Jesus to “remember me”?  If you haven’t, regardless of all your self-acclaimed goodness, Jesus will one day say, “depart from me, I never knew you”!  No sadder words have ever been written or will be spoken.  Yet, the most amazing invitation in the world was spoken to you—and is still valid today!

“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 11:28-20

And I can say, much like the thief on the cross, when I fell on my face in repentance of all my self-righteous arrogance and confessed my sin to Jesus (for I finally saw MY SIN as SIN!) HE touched me, forgave me, and saved me—heart, soul, and mind by HIS power and HIS Holy Spirit, praise God from whom ALL blessing flow!), and I got up a changed woman, not a perfect one, but a redeemed, delivered and transformed one!  How about you?  The Gospel IS JESUS, and I’ll simply share Paul’s words in proclamation of it!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you

the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

 4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:”    1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Have you heard the voice of Jesus speaking to your heart?  Have you come toThe crucified, risen and coming again King of Kings?  Don’t reject His call, for it’s the only way into HIS Kingdom!  If God is calling to your heart, don’t delay—don’t deny Him—don’t defy HIS love for you!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:44

Don’t turn HIM away, today is the day of salvation—the devil’s greatest lie is, “You can wait until tomorrow…!”; don’t let today pass you by without Jesus.

“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

Don’t miss heaven by neglect, or procrastination, but receive Jesus today.

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold,

now is the accepted time;

behold,

now is the day of salvation.)”.   2 Corinthians 6:2

Won’t you receive HIM today?

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

There is no other way but Jesus, and HE won’t call forever—don’t wait/waste your opportunity away!

“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

I’ll simply leave you with one more invitation from Jesus and pray that you will receive HIS love and gift of eternal life today—just as the thief on the cross, The invitation is for YOU too!  Won’t you heed HIS call today—not any of us is guaranteed a tomorrow.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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!!!

Cross Only By The Cross!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 07

31 Monday May 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Are You Ready, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Cross, He's Alive, Hearing God, Heaven or Hell, It's Your Choice, Light In The Dark, Listening To God, One Day Too Late?, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Our God Reigns

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 07 Cross Only By The Cross!!!

 

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

While many around us today proclaim a gospel of “self-righteousness” and multiple ways to God, the scriptures proclaim the exclusiveness of the CROSS—only One way that was provided by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ The Lord!  We will all cross over that ‘vale of death’ and not to be trite, but as the realtors are known to say—it’s “location, location, location”!  Where will YOU spend eternity?  You can come by the cross and have life or you can refuse the cross and face the fires of hell.  My only confidence is in the Cross of Jesus!

“But God forbid

that I should glory,

save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom the world is crucified unto me,

and I unto the world.”  Galatians 6:14

Like Paul, we are to cling to the cross—we are to call others to the “only way” to God—not seek, find or claim that there are many “ways” to God!  Jesus said there is only “one way” to The Father!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,      

but by me.”  John 14:6

And this “one way” who is Jesus, is GOD!  And yes, HE claimed to be GOD!  We must make a choice and either believe in Jesus and who HE claimed to be or deny Who HE IS and go our own way, or someone else’s way!

“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 10:27-30

Are you HIS sheep?  Have you heard HIS voice—HIS knock at your heart’s door, calling you to repent and believe in HIS sacrifice for your sin?  He has come to give life to those who will follow HIM, yet there will be judgment on those who reject HIM!

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:7-11

Life or death, even as Moses called those whom he led, to choose God and life, or reject him and, in essence, choose death.  It’s your choice, just as it was theirs—what will you choose.  Jesus made it clear to Nicodemus, who came to Him seeking to know truth—Jesus gave it to him, and the message is the same to us today.  What will you do with The Truth—Jesus IS Truth!  Will you seek and know HIM, or will you default to condemnation?

“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…

….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…

…..14 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.

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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.”                           Portions of John 3:3-20

What have you done with Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross?  Are you depending on ‘religion’ or ‘relationship’?  Jesus longs to have a relationship with YOU!  He died to prove it!

“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

 Only the cross will bring “life”—but God has given each of us the choice. What will you do with Him when HE comes knocking at your heart’s door?  I pray that you will hear HIS voice and come and let God bring you new birth?

“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.”  John 1:10-13

We come to Jesus just as we are, in humble repentance and faith, He makes us a new creature, and gives us new life “in Christ”!  What is the world seeing in you?  To whom have you chosen to align yourself?  I pray that it’s Jesus—it’s your choice!  But choose wisely, there is a test.

“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

He took our sin and imparts to us HIS righteousness!  Are you letting HIM shine through you?  May we ever bring glory to our Lord—bearing HIS holiness before a lost and dying world of darkness.  Amen and Amen!!!

“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.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

Who’s Serving Who??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #722

16 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Hearing God, Heaven or Hell, Holiness, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, How much goodness is enough?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Power of The Cross, Seeing Truth, Servanthood, Service, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Procrastination, Stand Fast!, Still Will I Trust HIM

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #722  Who’s Serving Who???

 

We often wonder why so many are so confused, frustrated and dissatisfied around us; well, one reason why is that many who “claim” the name of Jesus are walking in direct opposition to HIS Word.  We change the name of our “pet” sin, we listen to the world that says there is ‘NO” sin, or we follow the crowd that is going on that broad way to destruction.  But who am I?  Well, I am a Bible toting, Bible believing, Jesus trusting woman who still believes that God means what HE says!  He created Adam and Eve, He called their sin sin, and He had already provided a Redeemer to restore us to relationship and fellowship with God if we will but “repent” of our “sin” and give our all to Jesus.  Or, if you would, be willing to die to self and live to, for and through Jesus’ Holy Spirit which he has given to all who believe!  Paul said it much better than I can.

“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.”  Romans 5:1-11

We want heaven but we don’t want to get there God’s way!  Kind of like the old song says, “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die…” (Lester Flatt words in the Bluegrass version of a country song written by Jim Collins and Mary Dodson, as best as I can ascertain), especially die to self!  Paul describes a different relationship with his LORD!

“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

And last but surely not least is Jesus’ warning to us all about divided loyalties.  Who are you serving?

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust doth

corrupt,

and where thieves break through

and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth

corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye:

if therefore thine eye be single,

thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil,

thy whole body shall be full of darkness.

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness,

how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Matthew 6:19-24

Jesus also told us the way to be a faithful servant to The Lord Jesus Christ.

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

So, what will you do with Jesus?   Will you be born again (and if you are born again, will you live in obedience to Jesus and HIS Word?) and follow Jesus, or will you follow that “broad way…. that leads to destruction”?  Are you serving HIM?  Or expecting HIM to serve your lusts?  Just a few questions to pique your “thinking hat”:

What comes out of your mouth regularly?

Who are you sleeping with?

How are you treating those under you?

How are you parenting (and by that, I mean are you leading your children to Jesus or turning them over to a world that will take them straight to hell-post haste?)

How are you using your resources—for God or for self?

Who are you trusting?  Jesus or self?

What are you entertaining yourself with?

You get the idea; I pray that God will open our eyes and ears to see and hear HIS truth, and order our lives, our steps accordingly.  My prayer is that God will be “delighted” in me?  How about you?

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”  2 Corinthians 13:5

And as Paul said so concisely, God knows!  Do you?

“Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one

that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timothy 2:19

Amen and Amen!!!

Are You A Part Or Apart??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #716

24 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Clothed In His Righteousness, Come out of her, Commitment Or Convenience, Compromise, Conviction, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, False Lives, Filled With His Spirit, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Forsake Not Assembling, God Who Sees, Growing in Jesus!, He Died That We Could Live, Hearing God, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Iron Sharpening Iron, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #716   Are You A Part Or Apart???

 

We live in a culture, a world in fact, that says we ought to accept everything, believe anything we hear, and follow the crowd.  But God calls us to march to HIS drum not the world’s, and Paul has a great thought in this regard in his letter to the Corinthian church.  We certainly need to hear and heed his admonition today as well.

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

We can walk in victory (not to be confused with popularity) when we keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus—and stand steadfast in His Word and His ways.  Where are you walking?  We are also called to be committed to the body of believers—the church—who are also committed to The Word of God in Spirit and in Truth; not committed in conforming ourselves to look like the culture so as to be appealing to the world.  Jesus Himself, said that the world would hate us if we followed Him in loving devotion to HIS truth—The Word of God!  Why then, do we keep trying to look like the world to appeal to the lost?  The lost world needs what the world can’t provide, and we need to lift up JESUS not popular venues of entertainment—we have been called to lift up Jesus, and to preach the Good News that Jesus saves.  We are to lift up the cross not entertain and placate a pagan culture.

“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

Jesus even told Nicodemus that light and dark are diametrically opposed.  Get off the fence and decide if you want to follow Jesus or the world?

“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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”   John 3:17-20

And as He told his disciples shortly before His death:

“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

Oh, how we need to be reminded that Jesus is our master and lord, and we ought to expect no less difficulty than our Lord and Master told us would come!  We all wrestle with rejection and the opinions of those around us, but Jesus has called us to “take up your cross” and follow HIM, regardless of the cost!  For our salvation caused our Lord to willingly, lovingly, sacrificially lay down HIS life for my/your deliverance from HELL!  Oh?  So, let’s be that “iron” sharpening “iron” and press on together “in spirit and in truth”.  Don’t give up on Christ’s body, we are to love one another and encourage each other to good, true and righteous works and words.  We aren’t called to be like the world but like our Lord and Savior.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove what is that

good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.   

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God

hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.”   Romans 12:1-3

Well said, Brother Paul!  What will we do with this challenge?  May we march to the drumbeat of our Lord and God rather than the world. (I know I’m repeating myself, but maybe you, like myself, need reminding frequently!). Let’s band together for HIM!

“Let us draw near

with a true heart

in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled

from an evil conscience,

and our bodies washed

with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast

the profession of our faith

without wavering;

(for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another

to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling

of ourselves together,

as the manner of some is;

but exhorting one another:

and so much the more,

as ye see the day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:22-27

Sometimes when we are walking with our Lord, He calls us to separation—not isolation, but a calling out from the ways of the world.  Usually, a matter of conviction over particular activities and/or behaviors, yet a calling out to live holy lives that make a difference.  I have learned that when God lays a particular issue on my heart, I need to heed His voice speaking to my heart and obey—no matter the cost or inconvenience.  It’s often the kind of thing that will cause others to think us odd or peculiar, but if God calls me to it—or away from it—I surely try to heed His call and obey no matter what others think or say.  It’s not always easy, in fact it’s usually a hard place to be but I have found God faithful to everything He has ever called me to do or “not” to do or participate in.  What about you?  Are there places you go that dishonor your Lord?  Are there words you use that would embarrass Him?  Are there people that use you as an excuse to participate in questionable activities.  It’s kind of like I read in a life-changing Gospel tract many years ago, its title makes the point concisely, “Others may, YOU cannot”!  God may be calling you to a separation; and when He calls us to a stand on issues of personal holiness, it will usually mean a separation of associates—just saying.  Here’s God’s word on it!

“Wherefore come out from among them,

and be ye separate,

saith the Lord,

and touch not the unclean thing;

and I will receive you,”  2 Corinthians 6:17

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying,

Come out of her, my people,

that ye be not partakers of her sins,

and that ye receive not of her plagues.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven,

and God hath remembered

her iniquities.”   Revelation 18:4

I pray that this will bring conviction to our hearts, and that Jesus would truly find us faithful when HE comes, or when He calls us to Himself.  May we truly pursue His holiness and a heart that honors God by a life well-lived IN, BY and Through the power Jesus’ Holy Spirit living and working within ME/YOU!

“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.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

Praying that we will pursue Him in Holy living.  Blessings on your week.

Amen and Amen!!!