Category Archives: Jesus Is The Only Way!

Who’s On First??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 05

16 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by in Follow Jesus, Free Indeed?, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Love, The Only Way, The Word, Who's On First?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 05 Who’s On First???

 

I’m sorry for the lengthy absence, but I’ve had some health issues and just haven’t been up to par, and certainly not up to writing anything that could make any sense. But I am feeling better and we’ll see what we can come up with today; hopefully something that will speak to each of us and draw us near to the presence of our Lord! I’ve been looking at Jesus’ letter to the church at Ephesus and His call to us to maintain our relationship with Him—a love relationship that keeps Him in the first place in our hearts.

“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;

These things saith he

that holdeth the seven stars

in his right hand,

who walketh in the midst

of the seven golden candlesticks;

2 I know thy works,

and thy labour,

and thy patience,

and how thou canst not bear them

which are evil:

and thou hast tried them which

say they are apostles,

and are not,

and hast found them liars:

3 And hast borne,

and hast patience,

and for my name’s sake hast laboured,

and hast not fainted.

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat

against thee,

because thou hast left thy first love.

5 Remember therefore

from whence thou art fallen,

and repent,

and do the first works;

or else I will come unto thee quickly,

and will remove thy candlestick

out of his place,

except thou repent.”  Revelation 2:1-5

This first of the seven letters that Jesus had John send to seven specific churches in Asia (The Asia of biblical times), and its message is sometimes elusive, but we are going to dig in and try to see what it has to say to us today.

First of all, let’s consider a bit of context to help us understand the message from our Lord Jesus; there are some uniform things in each of the seven letters: how Jesus describes Himself uniquely to each church (You’ll find these descriptions are also in chapter 1)—how He commends and/or reproves each church—how He knows exactly who ‘we’ are and where ‘we’ are (all the time and at any given moment in each of our lives)—how he has an answer for each situation, whether good or bad—how He also holds us accountable for our choices and responses to HIM. We must recognize His call to, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”, reminding us that we are to hear, receive and respond to “what the Spirit saith unto the churches”! The same message that Paul gave to the church at Galatia:

“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 gift of the Holy Spirit IS the New Covenant into which we come when we are born again—born “of the Spirit”!

“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

“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 3:6-7

When we are born of The Spirit, we are to hear and heed His voice, the work and the direction of God’s Holy Spirit within us! It’s HIS Spirit that enables and empowers us to yield our lives to HIM!

But back to the message to the church at Ephesus; what does Jesus mean when He calls the church to “Remember ….repent…..and redo” the works they did at the first, to do them in view of their love relationship not just the “doing” of works, but “being” in love with Jesus and being yielded to His love and His Spirit’s work ‘in’ and ‘through’ us! When you go back and read Jesus’ commendation to this church, it wasn’t “not” working, but it also wasn’t ardently in love with her Savior. It’s HIS love ‘in us’ that makes us who we “are/be”—we must “be” in love with Him, before we can “do” that which will totally glorify HIM!

“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 5:5-11

We must remember that it’s God’s love that works in us—not the ‘love’ that is of the flesh—but it’s all about Jesus! And when we remember what He has done for us, is doing in and through our lives, as well as what HE is going to bring us to—HIS heavenly glory—how can we but lavish our love and devotion on HIM through all we do.

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

When I think of loving God first, my mind often goes to Job and his devotion to The Lord God Almighty he loved despite his circumstances and his so-called friends. When we love God and place our total trust in Him, we can walk in confidence resting in HIS love and power!!!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”     Job 13:15

When we love Him first and foremost, we can be confident that our “lampstand” will stay where God put it and not be removed due to our careless disregard of our love relationship with HIM. Oh to join with Job and declare our love and confidence in our soon coming KING! (And remember, Job’s confidence was before the cross!!! WOW!!!) I know that I know that I know!!! How about you?

“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

Amen & Amen

Not I But HIM!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #483

10 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Humility, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Seeing Truth, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Walking With Jesus, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #483 Not I But HIM!!!

 

“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

We talked last time about “surveyors”—keeping our eyes on Jesus—the prize that Paul referred to in his letter to the Philippians.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:14 

Oh that we could understand the import of walking with Jesus—totally pressing toward HIS “mark”—totally desiring the “prize”, which is Jesus Himself. Oh, if we could stop being satisfied with that which is fleeting and pursue that which is eternal. It’s what Jesus expects us to do!

“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.”     Matthew 6:19-21

So my simple question for today is, “Where is your treasure?” Have we bought into the modern cultural idea that “I” am the treasure and the world revolves around me? Or have we recognized the truth that only Jesus can satisfy the soul, the heart and the fulness of who God created us to be? ONLY JESUS! And He cares for us—HE gave Himself that we might have “abundant life” IN Him!

“Fear thou not;

for I am with thee:

be not dismayed;

for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee;

yea, I will help thee;

yea, I will uphold thee

with the right hand of my righteousness.”    Isaiah 41:10

He will uphold me because I am HIS own, but I must remember something too:

“What? know ye not

that your body

is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

There’s an old song by George W. Robinson, called ‘I Am His, And He Is Mine‘, and the last line of each verse says, “I am His and He is mine”! Oh that we could remember that as we go through each day, “ye are not your own….. ye are bought with a price…… therefore glorify God”! I fear that we live in a world that would rather sing:

“To ‘me’ be the glory—

  Great things ‘I’ have done—

  So love ‘I’ myself that God calls me ‘sun’—

All this because ‘I’ believe that–

 ‘I’ am the center of the universe

To ‘Me’! (and everyone else)”

A sad commentary that grabbed my heart just this morning as I was pondering what to share with you today, may we look up and pursue our Lord not self-aggrandizement! (Look it up!)

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another man praise thee,

and not thine own mouth;

a stranger,

and not thine own lips.” Proverbs 27:1-2

All I can say to that is, Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

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!!!

 

 

 

Send Me!!! But Not There??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #481

03 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Follow Jesus, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Servanthood, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #481 Send Me!!! But Not There???

 

We talked last time about the call of God to His own to go and serve in His fields, and the difficulty of the task; today I’d like us to consider our own frequent and self-willed unwillingness to go where God wants us to go. Sometimes when God calls (In fact almost always!) it is at, in our opinion, an inopportune moment! But I just want to remind each of us of the inopportune moments that our Lord faced:

Laying aside His glory to take on flesh—

Living in a body of flesh and blood for you and me—

Coming to those whom He created to face rejection—

Coming to a humanity that He loved to be denied—

Taking on the “servant hood” to save us from hell—

Facing the trials, beatings and crucifixion on Calvary—

To save us from our sin, death and hell—

But “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” He didn’t stay in that grave but He rose victorious so that we could “have life, and…..have it more abundantly”—by the power of His resurrection and the indwelling Holy Spirit imparted to His own—those who receive His gift of salvation and 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 are redeemed, delivered and saved from sin by the power of His sacrifice, what could He ask of us that is ‘too much to ask’?

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:12-14

What a price He paid to bring us to God, “redemption through his blood”—what price are we willing to pay to show our gratitude and love for our Lord? When we hear the call of God what will we do? When we are called to suffer for Him, what is our attitude and response? Are we willing to follow the path of Jesus, to submit and obey the call of God? Or are we so consumed with ‘self’ that we whine and complain when God asks us to follow Him? Is it too hard a thing He is asking? Is it to time-consuming? Is it inconvenient and certainly costly to our ‘public image’?

“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

Or do we understand that to walk with Him is to join in His suffering for us—and to pursue the holiness and glory of God in this life, knowing that the “suffering of this present time….” are incomparable to the glory we will share with Him. Will we heed the message that Paul shares with us?

“The Spirit itself

beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs

with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.”   Romans 8:16-18

NO COMPARISON!!! When we choose to obey, there is no sweeter or safer place to be than in the center of God’s will! I always think of Jim and Elizabeth Elliott and their choice to follow Jesus—knowing it could cost them more than the world thought it should. When questioned about his willingness to follow Jesus into a wilderness, Jim Elliott’s response is still profound today and it says it all:

“He is no fool

who gives what he cannot keep

to gain what he cannot lose.”

Amen and Amen! May we ever pursue HIM—are you willing?

“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.” Matthew 16:24

“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

Here Am I!!! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBS #480

01 Wednesday Aug 2018

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, The Word, Trust God, What's In Your Mouth?, Witness

≈ 4 Comments

Bible Ballistics: BBs #480 Here Am I!!! Really???

 

“Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst of a people

of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me,

having a live coal in his hand,

which he had taken with the tongs

from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said,

Lo, this hath touched thy lips;

and thine iniquity is taken away,

and thy sin purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,

Whom shall I send,

and who will go for us?

Then said I,

Here am I;

send me.” Isaiah 6:5-8

Isaiah had a total transformation when he encountered God, and while most of us don’t see God in His glory at our conversion, as Isaiah did, we do receive the indwelling Holy Spirit when we are born again, when we are “washed in the blood” of Jesus! So when we hear the voice of God asking for one to go “in His name” what is our response? And when we respond, what are we expecting? Sometimes we must face the reality that ministry isn’t simple, easy or even pleasant sometimes. Ministry is work—it’s serving God with our all, no matter the cost, the inconvenience or the difficulty—or the response!

When we respond to God’s call, it’s not always to the task that we expected, and we may not receive the response that we expected. I can imagine that Isaiah was surprised by God’s response to his volunteering. What about you and me? What is our response when God calls?

“And he said,

Go,

and tell this people,

Hear ye indeed,

but understand not;

and see ye indeed,

but perceive not.

10 Make the heart of this people fat,

and make their ears heavy,

and shut their eyes;

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart,

and convert,

and be healed.

11 Then said I,

Lord, how long?

And he answered,

Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant,

and the houses without man,

and the land be utterly desolate,

12 And the LORD have removed men

far away,

and there be a great forsaking

in the midst of the land.” Isaiah 6:9-12 

God didn’t water down the difficulty of Isaiah’s task or the fact that he was being sent to a people who, God warned him, would not truly see, or hear, or understand the message, or the urgency of repentance and returning to God! And that he was being sent to preach this message until God’s judgment fell—because most wouldn’t heed. Not the fluff and ease that we often hear about today. Sadly the people of Isaiah’s day are much like the people around us today—they give God a measure of credence but they don’t really want to see Him, or hear His truth, or understand that “today is the day of salvation”—yet it’s as true today as it was those many years ago!

One of my favorite prophets is Jeremiah, and the call that he received from God was such a heart-breaking one, that he was later called the “weeping prophet” because of the hardness of the people and the grief that Jeremiah experienced as he preached with such broken-hearted passion to a people who didn’t want to hear his message. When God calls us, and sends us on a difficult mission, we are often surprised and disappointed to find it full of tears, grief and sorrow, where there is often no positive reception or response from the “masses”. Yet like Isaiah and Jeremiah, when we come face-to-face with Jesus, and the holiness, grace and awe of The Almighty God, it makes a change in our hearts and lives, and we too are empowered to do God’s work, God’s way—regardless of the outcome. The outcome is God’s job! We are called to sow (Plant and/or water, but God gives the increase!) —remember, the harvest belongs to God.

“So then neither is he that planteth any thing,

neither he that watereth;

but God that giveth the increase.”   1 Corinthians 3:7

“Then saith he unto his disciples,

The harvest truly is plenteous,

but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,

that he will send forth labourers

into his harvest.”   Matthew 9:37-38

God is: “Lord of the harvest”—it is “his harvest”! Jesus reminds us that our focus must be yielding to God as we say, “Here am I; send me”, remembering Jesus’ words:

“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 15:5

Amen and Amen!!!

May we each choose today to respond to God’s call, whatever it may be? May we each be ready and willing to respond as Isaiah and Jeremiah did, “Here am I; send me”!

May we remember the words of Jesus, and be aware of the hour:

“Say not ye,

There are yet four months,

and then cometh harvest?

behold, I say unto you,

Lift up your eyes,

and look on the fields;

for they are white already to harvest.”   John 4:35

And in closing I can’t help but think of a line from a song:

“My house is full, but My fields are empty…..who will go and work for Me today?….. it seems My children all want to stay around My table……but no one wants to work in My fields…..”                                                      (From “My House Is Full” by Lanny Wolfe.)