Category Archives: Holy Spirit

What’s In Your Shaker??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 26

05 Sunday Aug 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Changed Lives, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Follow Jesus, He IS Alive!, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 26 What’s In Your Shaker???

 

Ye are the salt of the earth: 

but if the salt have lost his savour, 

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing, 

but to be cast out, 

and to be trodden under foot of men. 

14 Ye are the light of the world. 

A city that is set on an hill 

cannot be hid. 

15 Neither do men light a candle, 

and put it under a bushel, 

but on a candlestick; 

and it giveth light

unto all 

that are in the house. 

16 Let your light so shine

before men, 

that they may see your good works, 

and glorify your Father 

which is in heaven.“” Matthew 5:13-16 

Jesus was teaching his disciples here, as well as the crowd that had gathered, and also those of us who will receive His words even now. He said that we are “the salt of the earth” as well as the “light of the world”. Salt and light are essentials of life, and when we receive “new life” in Jesus, through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice, we receive His life and presence to dwell within us, and that is how as well as what we are to share with others. But we can only share with others what we ourselves have received!

“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…..”     1 Corinthians 15:1-3a

This is one of my favorite passages, for when you continue on, it gives us what I call ‘the Gospel in a nutshell’! Paul presents a clear and concise definition of Biblical salvation—only One way—Jesus: The One who saves. Paul clearly writes that ‘sin’ is the issue—and the only cure for sin is the blood of Jesus. But what I don’t want us to miss today is that Paul also reminds us that he isn’t creating this message but he is simply passing on “that which I also received”! We too, can only share what we have “received”! Yet when we have received it, and not “believed in vain”, the proof of our salvation is the manifestation of Jesus’ life in us—we will have HIS ‘salt’ in our shaker—the salt of being ‘born again’ by the Spirit of God!!! Paul also tells us that there is a “vain” faith—as I’ve been known to say, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!” The proof of our salvation isn’t just our words but our life. Our shaker will have Jesus’ salt coming out of our life, for according to Jesus, without the ‘savor’ salt is impotent.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not frui

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”    John 15:1-5

We need to be sure we have received Jesus’ redeeming grace and salvation, and that we aren’t depending on a pseudo salvation based on our works, ideas, or self-righteousness.

“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

Even as Paul warns, we need to be sure that we belong to Jesus, that we have been “born again”! Even as Jesus says in John, a branch can do nothing of itself. If you cut a branch off of a tree, it dies because it has no ‘life’ in itself apart from the tree. A tree produces branches and not vice-versa—Jesus gives life to those who are dead in sin (whether natural branches or those grafted in—See Romans 11, a lesson for another time), and that’s everyone, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Ro. 3:23)—“But God”—praise God HE has provided—LIFE!

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)”   Ephesians 2:1-5

The truth is we were all “dead in sins”, “But God” brings us to life in Jesus; He has “quickened us together with Christ” (‘quickened’ means to bring to life), and just as He raised Jesus from the dead, He quickens those who come to HIM in repentance and faith in Jesus The Lamb of God!

“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:”    1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Jesus paid the price for sin, and salvation in HIM births us into the family of God, imparting His Holy Spirit to us as our indwelling “comforter” and guide—the One who empowers us to live a victorious life, a shaker full of Jesus’ salt and light! Using the “salt” in our shaker in a way that preserves purifies and provides ‘seasoning’ to those around us in need of The Savior.

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how

ye ought to answer

every man.” Colossians 4:5-6

We can know “how ye ought to answer every man” by The Holy Spirit who dwells within those who believe—because we not only have salt and light, but we ‘are’ “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”! Therefore we are to spread salt and light around in this dark and corrupted world by our very presence—sharing Jesus everywhere we go by the power of His Spirit, and the love of God, which has been imparted, to us. May we share what we have received—salvation in Jesus, peace with God, forgiveness of our sins–resulting in hope for the present and the future for ourselves and others, all because Jesus “died for the ungodly”—you and me! We ought to live a life that reflects the change that we have experienced by the blood of Jesus, manifesting His work in us, “being” the salt and light that God saves us to “BE” (not just do)! When we get the “being” right, the “doing” will come from Jesus—our source, our ‘savor’ and our ‘power’! All because of HIM!

“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.”   Romans 5:1-6

The Holy Ghost is imparted to each believer so we can live in the victory of these truths—the truth that when we live in the power of the cross, we can be salt and light in any situation and circumstance. Yet we must remember that light is supposed to shine, not be hidden, and salt is supposed to be “salty” not bland. But by the same token we aren’t to blind people with a ‘spot light’, or cause them to choke on brine! We are to live, shine and speak: “alway with grace, seasoned with salt”! And Jesus told us the very best way to reflect His glory and affect others is His love in us—coming out of that shaker!!!

“A new commandment I give unto you,

That ye love one another;

as I have loved you,

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know

that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love one to another.”    John 13:34-35

So check your ‘shaker’ and be sure your source is Jesus, and then keep your shaker filled with HIS love, grace and truth, and spread it around—our world is in desperate need of Jesus!!!

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

Devotion Or Distraction??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #478

20 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Holiness, Holy, Holy Spirit

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #478 Devotion Or Distraction???

 

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks,

so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God,

for the living God:

when shall I come and appear before God?”    Psalm 42:1-2

This Psalm has been on my heart and mind all week, and I just wanted to share a few thoughts about it with you today. We live in a busy world—a world that not only distracts us to wicked things, but a world that distracts us in more subtle ways as well. I just can’t seem to escape the thought that I am so easily distracted from God and the things that are pleasing to Him, and as it says we will all “appear before God” and the truth will prevail. (Read Hebrews 4:12-13)

We live in a world that is changing the moorings and leading people away from God by making Him unimportant and minimalizing the things and standards of God. There was a time when black and white were just that, yet now things are being blended together into a mishmash of unidentifiable gray. What truly saddens me is that so many are becoming blinded to the “wiles of the devil”. Things that were once recognized as ‘sin’ are now accepted, and of course “who are we to judge?” Well, to put it simply, I am a child of God, born “of His Spirit, washed in His blood” (From Blessed Assurance, by Fanny J. Crosby) and I believe what HIS Word says and that it IS truth! I am gratefully bound by love and devotion to heed, obey and share it! (And by share I don’t mean beat people over the head with my Bible, but I do mean we are to live out our faith in word and deed continually, without fear or compromise with grace and love.)

I won’t make a list of “do’s and don’ts” but I will mention a few things that we need to be cautious of, and the first is taking Jesus and faith in Him as another distraction of life, rather than devoting ourselves to Him! The Psalmist said that he longed after God as the “deer panteth for the water” (hart is a deer)—and believe me living in Oklahoma with sweltering heat waves, makes ‘panting’ after water a reality. In fact there is no life without water (and Jesus is the water of life!), yet many who claim the name of Jesus, live their lives without any regard for His Word or His ways. God calls His own to live in the power of His Spirit—in holiness.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves according

to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you

is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth

according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here

in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver

and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb

without blemish

and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:13-19

When we belong to Jesus, we receive His Holy Spirit to dwell within us and empower us to live a holy life in HIS power! Yet we settle for pantheistic practices, immoral compromise, language straight from the gutters, and pleasures that drive us to do things that are less than pleasing to our Lord. We have simply added Jesus to our list of options, rather than honoring and following Him as the Lord and love of our lives. Jesus, who gave His blood for our life and salvation—I desire to please and draw near to Him rather than the world, yet sometimes it’s so hard to cling to Him when my hands are so full of distractions, but the choice is ours to make!

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction

with the people of God,

than to enjoy the pleasures of sin

for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ

greater riches

than the treasures in Egypt:

for he had respect

unto the recompence of the reward.”   Hebrews 11:24-26

How? By “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”!!! Hebrews 12:2a

Amen and Amen!

What Are You Passing On??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 20

24 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Crucified With Christ, Follow Jesus, Gospel, Heaven or Hell, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Sanctified To Serve!, Testify, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Transformation, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 20 What Are You Passing On???

 

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served                                that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

Joshua knew that his life was nearing the end, so he called the people together to call them to remember the goodness of God, and to serve Him from a heart of love, gratitude and devotion. He reminded them of all that God had done, challenging them to choose wisely, and declaring his choice before all, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”! Joshua made the choice consistent with his life—he had followed God with Moses, and then God called him to step into Moses place as the leader of Israel. Now at the end of his life, he is still calling people to follow God. And that always requires a personal choice and commitment.

Jesus called people to choose Him recognizing the cost is more than many people expect.

“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?” Luke 9:22-25

To follow Jesus we must recognize our own inability to deal with our sin, and come to HIM in repentance and faith. We must “deny” (abandon our self-reliance) self, “take up” our “cross daily” (identify with the sacrifice of Jesus), and “follow” Jesus. Paul gives us a clear picture of following:

“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

We are to live unto Jesus, yielding ourselves to the work of the precious Holy Spirit of Jesus, which He imparts to all who come to Him. When we will walk with Him, in the power of His Spirit, God will work in and through us to make a difference in this world.

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

to you that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God

unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed

from faith

to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”    Romans 1:15-17

Jesus is the Gospel! And knowing Jesus through the power of His blood, we are saved and transformed into His servants, being enabled as His witness to a lost and dying world. We can pass on the ‘good news’ and lead others to Jesus, or we can live our own way and lead others to the same “hell” that all will face without Jesus. Even as Jesus shared with Nicodemus:

“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.

8 The wind bloweth

where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one that is born

of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8

When we are ‘born again’, we are able to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, living a life devoted to God according to the faith, gifts and abilities that He gives to His own.

“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

Those who come to Jesus receive all we need to serve Him faithfully and lead others to the cross—to pass on life, not death; all by Him and His Holy Spirit at work within us.

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus

our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.” 2 Peter 1:1-4 

HE gives us “all things” that we need to serve Him—Jesus and His indwelling Holy Spirit. We are born of The Spirit who then dwells within us and is the manifestation of the genuineness of our salvation.

“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

Born of God so that we can live by HIS power!!!

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”   Romans 8:9

Only The Spirit of Jesus within makes us usable in God’s kingdom! We can choose to walk in The Spirit or the flesh—but there are consequences to each choice. We can pass on the truth and freedom of the Gospel or we can cause others to miss heaven by missing Jesus! What am I passing on? What about you?

“For, brethren,

ye have been called unto liberty;

only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word,

even in this;

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another,

take heed

that ye be not consumed

one of another.

16 This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh………

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk

in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:13-16 & 24-25

Are you alive in God’s Spirit? Have you been born again? Do you have peace with God? As Paul said so clearly, we can only “pass on” what we have received—the Gospel of Jesus!

“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 15:3-5

What are you ‘passing on’?

“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.” Romans 5:1-2

Amen & Amen!!!

The Gospel According To___? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 17

04 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Cross, Gospel, Holiness, Holy Spirit, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 17 The Gospel According To___?

 

We live in a culture that wants to make the “Gospel” something that “appeals” to the masses, and makes everyone “feel” good. There is no mention of sin, no call to the God’s holiness, nor any call for repentance in this worldly gospel—rather has a message that says God will take everyone to heaven, no matter how they live or what they believe about Him, His Son, His holiness or His Word! God says different!

I used to quote an old adage that said, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it!” but I’ve changed it to more aptly fit the truth of God’s Word, “God said it, and that settles it—whether I believe it or not!” Whether we ‘believe it or not’, God says there is only “one way” to salvation, and that way is HIS way—His name is Jesus!

As we’ve learned from Daniel’s example, knowing God and His Word makes a difference in our lives that the world can see—in word and deed! What does the world see in me/in you?

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”   Daniel 6:16

Who am I serving? Is my service to God reflecting a true picture of my Lord and His Gospel—the Gospel of God’s Word—much different from the one promoted by the world.

“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

Jesus is the only way of salvation—our salvation is why HE came—to save us from our sin, and only when we are willing to recognize our own sin, repent and believe in His substitutionary (He took my place), atoning (He paid my debt), sacrifice (the paying of a debt He didn’t owe, because I had a debt I couldn’t pay, apart from His death for me) believing and receiving the new birth in His saving work at Calvary, in other words, being born again! There is no other way to God.

“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

Being “born…. of God”, having real life, eternal life in HIM!

“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

“Ye must be born again”! Apart from being born again, no one can even “see the kingdom of God”; in fact Jesus goes on to say that unless we are born “of the Spirit” we cannot “enter into the kingdom of God”. And that my friend is important—because not every one who claims to know Jesus knows Him. Not everyone who attends church, or does good deeds, or is right in their own eyes, will “enter into the kingdom of God”, but those who are “born again”—they are the only ones who will “see God”! And the verses we looked at in John 1 remind us that it is the Spirit of God—The Holy Spirit—that works the new birth in those who respond to God’s call to repentance and faith.

I know I have belabored this point, but it has been on my heart of late, and after attending a service recently, I was grief stricken to hear the things that I heard, and I must call us all to consider the “Gospel” according to The Word of God—not according to men!

As I was in attendance at this service there was a bit of scripture read, and even a reference or two to Jesus, but never once was there any reference to salvation being in Jesus. There was lots of talk about the works of men, and the goodness of men, but no mention of salvation by grace. In fact there was no music about God, Jesus, grace or salvation, just worldly music that broke my heart—not because it was bad, but because it was so “not” the gospel. In fact, afterwards I thought how sad, that we just went through a service that presented the “Gospel According to Nashville” not the Gospel of Jesus. Why would anyone want to go to heaven and spend eternity with God, when they have no use for Him in this life? Jesus said that we must repent—stop going our way, and turn to HIM? What happened to that Gospel?

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all

likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

We must repent of our way, and go God’s way. And Jesus knows the difference, and will reveal it! In HIS time!

“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,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded

upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

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 7:21-28 (Because it was NOT founded/built upon a rock!)

The question is, “Are you building on the ‘rock’ or the ‘sand’?” Have you believed in the true Gospel of Jesus, or the lies of the world, the watered-down Gospel of ‘Nashville’, or ‘Hollywood’, or ‘Detroit’ or ‘New York’? If it is any Gospel other than the biblical one, you need to reconsider what you are trusting in. And if your life isn’t reflecting the truth and Spirit of Jesus in what you ‘do’ (not just what you ‘say’!) you might want to examine what you are counting on to save you!

“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

It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in us that is the evidence that we belong to Jesus, that we have truly believed the Gospel of the Cross of Jesus and been born again. Paul gives us the “Gospel in a nutshell”!

“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

Jesus paid it all—the only price that God will accept for sin:

“Christ died for our sins…

that he was buried…

that he rose again the third day…

that he was seen…”

All of this “according to the scriptures”—just as God had promised from Eden to the Cross!

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”   Genesis 3:15

The “seed” would be the victor—the eternal victor over sin, death and hell. And Jesus is that seed, and died for all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith! Only Jesus!

“For this corruptible

must put on incorruption,

and this mortal

must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 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 15:53-58

Jesus is our victory, regardless of what the world says. God isn’t impressed by men’s works and deeds, but by the blood of the Lamb that cleanses from sin. And only Jesus’ blood will do! Anything else will fail at the end!

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:14-15

There is a time of accounting coming, and just as Jesus spoke in Matthew 7, saying so won’t make it so! Only being born again by the Spirit of God will make you a child of God! And that is only found at the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and soon coming KING!!!

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign

on the earth.”    Revelation 5:9-10

Regardless of what our culture says about Jesus, only salvation by repentance from sin, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice will save. And when we are born again, we can follow Him by the power of The Holy Spirit, The Spirit others ought to see at work in us! All because His Spirit dwells in His own, and writes our names in “the Lamb’s book of life”! The Spirit of God working in us—saving us—changing us—all to point others to the cross!

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.” Romans 8:8-9

Jesus’ righteousness imparted to us, to be displayed before a lost and dying world in need of a Savior! What about you? What Spirit is working in YOU? In me? Are we ready to see Him? Do others see Jesus in us!

“And there shall in no wise enter into it

any thing that defileth,

neither whatsoever worketh abomination,

or maketh a lie:

but they which are written

in the Lamb’s book of life.”    Revelation 21:27

I pray that you are relying on Jesus and not the message being preached by popular culture, music, movies, and TV! Only Jesus saves, and when He does, He makes new creatures out of sinners, and writes our name in “the Lamb’s book of life”. Where is your name written? Are you a “new creature”? Not perfect yet, but redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ alone! The Gospel according to Jesus—not Nashville!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17

Have you called on Jesus to make you a new creature? Are you relying on something other than Jesus? Please consider what you are trusting in!!! It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is a test at the end?

No matter how many times we read or quote the 23rd Psalm (which is the most popular passage of scripture mentioned at Funeral services), no on can truly say “The Lord is ‘my’ shepherd” (emphasis mine) unless we are born again by the blood of the Lamb—just as we read above—the Gospel is Jesus work of salvation, not man’s empty efforts to look good to a world with skewed vision. And if Jesus is not your “shepherd”, then you will come up wanting. Please look to Jesus while there is still time!

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace,

we should be made heirs

according to the hope of eternal life.”   Titus 3:4-7

Don’t put it off too long, or you may hear the same message that Daniel had to deliver to Belshazzar:

“…Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27b

I pray that you will hear the voice of Jesus today and judge with ‘righteous judgment’ and respond in repentance and faith. And if you are already HIS, renew your devotion to His person and His Word—to follow with courage and wisdom!

“As we said before, so say I now again,

If any man preach any other gospel

unto you

than that ye have received,

let him be accursed.”    Galatians 1:9

Amen and Amen.

 

 

 

What Time Is It??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.15

20 Sunday May 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Dependence, Faith, For Such A Time As This, Holy Spirit, I Can Do All Things?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Our God Reigns, Sovereignty, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Will Be Done, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Tomorrow, Trust God, Wait on the Lord

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 15    What Time Is It???

 

We’ve been talking a lot about rushing and resting lately, and I’d like to continue in this vein of thought—from a biblical perspective. For without a biblical perspective we don’t have God’s perspective, and that’s how I pray that I/we can learn to view the world. As an old adage says, “Looking through ‘rose-colored’ glasses”, I’d like us to consider whether we are looking at the world with God’s view or the worlds’! Whose ‘glasses’ are we using?

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”   Hebrews 12:1-3

We must make it a priority to keep our eyes “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”. And when we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will enable us to see things through His eyes—to respond appropriately to any and every situation that we encounter. We can walk in the light that Jesus IS and that HE will provide to His own.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Jesus is that light and HE will light our way, helping us see things as HE sees them, not as the world does—and there IS a difference.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”   John 15:1-5

Jesus makes it more than clear, that when we walk in the Spirit—His Holy Spirit—we can accomplish HIS work rather than our own; just as Jesus was doing God’s will/work!

“But he said unto them,

I have meat to eat

that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

34 Jesus saith unto them,

My meat is to do the will

of him that sent me,

and to finish his work.” John 4:32-34

We can choose our own way or God’s! What about you?

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…..

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”    Galatians 5:16 & 25

The problem we fight continually is the battle between our flesh and The Holy Spirit of Christ, which dwells within us! And it is a fight that we can win by the power of God alone. This has always been true and it’s still true now, and when we will walk ‘in The Spirit’, we are not only able to succeed in God’s work, but we can trust to HIS timing, and rest in His perfect grace and provision.

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”     Zechariah 4:6

Oh, what a wonderful promise fulfilled by the indwelling Holy Spirit given to us by the work of Christ Jesus at the cross.

“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.”    Romans 5:1-5

We can “glory in tribulations” because we know who we are ‘in Jesus’, and that His Holy Spirit is ever helping us know God’s will and God’s ways, and to walk in HIS peace! The “peace of God, that passeth all understanding”! We can truly learn to trust to, and rest in “His Time” in all things! And while it’s not easy, it is doable! Amen and amen! All by the power of God’s Holy Spirit!

Solomon shared this truth with us in such a beautiful way:

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:”     Ecclesiastes 3:11a

God’s timetable may not always match our expectations, but that’s what trust is all about—knowing that HE is GOD, and I am NOT! Ouch! Sometimes what looks good to us now, may not be the best for us and/or those around us.

“For man also knoweth not his time:

as the fishes that are taken in an evil net,

and as the birds that are caught in the snare;

so are the sons of men snared

in an evil time,

when it falleth suddenly upon them.

13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun,

and it seemed great unto me:”    Ecclesiastes 9:12-13

We aren’t always able to discern between appearance and what really is! But praise God Almighty, HE can and does see all things, and HE is at work on our behalf with one goal in mind, to conform us into the image of our Lord Jesus. So, I simply want to close with one of my favorite passages from Romans, and tell you that for years I never knew that there was a verse ‘29’! God isn’t erratic or unfeeling—all those things that come into our lives, and their timing are in the hands of our loving God with one purpose in mind! All that He sends, allows, and permits to come into our lives is to make us more like Jesus—no ‘ifs’, no ‘ands’, and no ‘buts’! Remember HE makes all things “beautiful in his time”—not mine! I hope this will minister to you this week as it has to me in recent days. Faithful is HE that has promised—and if you have been born again, HE is at your side!!!

“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?”   Romans 8:28-31

IN HIS TIME!!!!