Category Archives: Jesus Knows

Jesus IS Enough–He’s ALL??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #33

31 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, HE who began it will complete it!, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I Will Never Leave You, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all

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Jesus IS Enough—He’s All???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #33

 

Each day is a call to walk in union with my LORD Jesus Christ!  Some days it’s simple to just get up and go and do what HE has asked me, called me, or appointed me to do.  But then there are days when it’s not the doing that is the challenge, but rather it’s the “being” who and what Jesus wants me to BE!  For we can all put on the “doing” suit and go out to impress the world, but some days it takes all that my soul, mind and body can muster to “stand fast in the evil day” to “BE” filled, led, and yielded to HIS precious Holy Spirit!  How about you?  Ever struggle to just take one more step?  I have!  But I have a Savior, Lord and Redeemer who has promised to supply my every need—not just in material ways, but in every single thing I need to press on to bring glory to Jesus.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun

a good work in you

will perform it

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

And more of Paul’s instruction to the believers at Philippi, those to whom he offered no rebuke, but encouraged them to press on as they were doing.

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things

without murmurings

and disputings:

15 That ye may be

blameless

and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst

of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth

the word of life;

that I may rejoice

in the day of Christ,

that I have not run in vain,

neither laboured in vain.”  Philippians 2:12-16

Not to be redundant, but Paul just has so much ‘good stuff’ in this letter to the Philippians, I just couldn’t leave off this word from chapter 4!  I repeat this wonderful instruction, and help for every issue of life or temptation of the enemy, more often than I can count—it’s like a “password” to victory to me, and I encourage you to memorize it to have it on “hand” to defeat the enemy at every turn (for he is there knocking on that door of your heart and mind, but just rehearse those 8 things in verse 8 and he can’t get in the door!!!)

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:6-8

Did you get it—Paul assured us that not only do we have the “peace of God”, but we can also stand confidently knowing that “the God of peace shall be with you”!!!   And continuing, let’s dive into the letter to the Colossian believers; where we’ll find even more help to draw us nearer to our Redeemer and Deliverer, Jesus—for HE is truly all you and I need to “press on”. I encourage you to take these passages and print them off then go over them and note each specific thing that Paul encourages us to be—do—and practice each day as we walk with our KING JESUS!!!

“Where there is neither

Greek nor Jew,

circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian,

bond nor free:

but Christ is all,

and in all.

12 Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word or deed,

do all

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father

by him.”  Colossians 3:11-17

And in closing, a great challenge to walk right before our God, and when we will walk right “before our God”, then we will be right before the world—not always popular or well received, but “right”!!  Then, may we join Paul and “press toward the mark” in all our ways!  Every day—all the way!!!

“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 3:13-14

Press on dear ones—press on!!!  Jesus IS enough!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Incomprehensible Love??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 11

15 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God of all comfort!, Grief, Incomprehensible LOVE, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves, Jesus' Sacrifice

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 11   Incomprehensible Love???

I want to share more of my personal observations than usual, which I just feel led to do today, as I had some amazing thoughts about my Jesus this week, and I’d like to share them with you.

“These things have I spoken unto you,

that my joy might remain in you,

and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment,

That ye love one another,

as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life

for his friends.”  John 15:11-13

God cares for the “world”, and while His love is unconditional, his forgiveness is based on a personal acceptance of Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice in repentance and faith!  God cares for mankind, so much so that HE “gave his only begotten son” to die that we might have eternal life!  And when we come to Jesus, we are called to emulate HIS loving, sacrificial heart!

“But love ye your enemies,

and do good,

and lend,

hoping for nothing again;

and your reward shall be great,

and ye shall be the children of the Highest:

for he is kind unto the unthankful

and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful,

as your Father also is merciful.”  Luke 6:35-36

We are called to a ‘higher’ calling than the world demands, for as Jesus said again in Matthew’s Gospel:

“But I say unto you,

Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you,

do good to them

that hate you,

and pray for them

which despitefully use you,

and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children

of your Father which is in heaven:

for he maketh his sun

to rise on the evil

and on the good,

and sendeth rain

on the just

and on the unjust.”  Matthew 5:44-45

As we consider all these thoughts from God’s Word, I want to share some insights that I had this week.  As I was thinking about what Jesus did for me and you, I was influenced by my own grief, and the grief of close friends who have dealt with great loss in recent days.  Most of us have dealt with more grief in the last two-plus years with Covid than we could have imagined; and as I have been face-to-face with the emotions of grief myself, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus.  Jesus went to Calvary for you and me, and I want us to consider what HE felt as He walked up that hill—not just what He went through in the physical abuse that He suffered at the hands of the Jewish religious leaders, or the Roman guards, or even the soldiers at the cross as He was crucified for your sin and mine—but the thoughts that must have filled His heart and mind as He was driven up that hill to Calvary.

You and I have all experienced sorrow and grief, and we all have family, friends, and loved ones who have left this world and left a hole in our heart; but think a minute with me, if you would, Jesus not only had friends and family whom He loved, but HE created the world—including you and me!!!  Jesus didn’t just have a few folks on HIS heart and mind as HE walked up that hill, He had you and me on His heart and mind, even “before the foundation of the world” (See Ephesians 1:4 and 1 Peter 1:20)!  I can’t imagine the grief and sorrow that HE must have felt over the loss that sin brought into HIS world!  The enemy who deceived Adam and Eve, has continued to work his deceit in God’s world to this day!  BUT, praise God his end is in sight, and our Lord will return to claim HIS own; but until then, we need to consider the grief that our Savior endured not only for us, but for all!  I can’t help but think of the sadness that Jesus must have felt for the creation that HE loves—for the “the just and on the unjust”! He was going to die even for those who would reject HIM!  Oh, the love—the love that God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—has for us!  I can’t even comprehend the grief and sorrow that HIS Spirit bore that day!

We grieve over the loss of maybe a hundred loved-ones and acquaintances, yet Jesus was creator of every human on earth!  HE loves them enough to have come to this earth, took on flesh and blood, lived a sinless life, and was headed to Calvary to ‘buy back’ the creation who had sold themselves into bondage to sin, for it would take HIS life to redeem our souls—ON PURPOSE!

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Acts 2:22-24

I’d simply like to close with two passages, one from the author of Hebrews to help us understand God’s work in sending Jesus to be the payment for our sin, and our deliverer!  All because HE loves us—and all who will come to HIM will find eternal life, and peace, hope and joy!  The other look, at the ultimate passage on thinking as Jesus thought (one of my all-time favorite passages in all of scripture!); I hope they will both be a blessing to you!

“But we see Jesus,

who was made a little lower than the angels

for the suffering of death,

crowned with glory and honour;

that he by the grace of God

should taste death for every man.

10 For it became him,

for whom

are all things,

and by whom

are all things,

in bringing many sons unto glory,

to make the captain of their salvation

perfect through sufferings.

11 For both he that sanctifieth

and they who are sanctified

are all of one:

for which cause

he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 Saying,

I will declare thy name

unto my brethren,

in the midst of the church

will I sing praise unto thee.

13 And again,

 I will put my trust in him.

And again,

Behold I and the children

which God hath given me.

14 Forasmuch then as the children

are partakers of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise

took part of the same;

that through death

he might destroy him

that had the power of death,

that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death

were all their lifetime

subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels;

but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him

to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful

and faithful

high priest in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation

for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself

hath suffered being tempted,

he is able to succour them

that are tempted.”  Hebrews 2:9-18

 Paul’s great passage on the “mind of Christ”!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

 and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:5-13

So, my friends, wherever you may be, whatever sorrow or grief you may be living with—take heart!  Jesus knows your pain and sorrow, the burden you bear!  Won’t you come and rest in HIS ‘Incomprehensible LOVE’ that is there for you today!  Don’t miss that unseen hand of mercy, grace, love and strength that is outstretched to you today!

Amen and Amen!!!

Grace That Sustains??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 21

18 Monday Apr 2022

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Daniel's choices, Good News, Grace, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Repentance, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Turn to God's Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 21   Grace That Sustains???

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.”  Daniel 3:16-18

We’re all familiar with the story of Daniel’s three friends and the fiery furnace, but do we really understand the import of the stand that these three godly young men took?  They demonstrated an amazing trust, confidence and assurance of the grace, power and sufficiency of their GOD—The Sovereign Lord God Almighty of Israel!  The God who reigns in all things; all things that they had seen, and experienced because they had determined to serve their God faithfully no matter the circumstances of their service to a pagan king in Babylon!  They knew that God’s power, grace and provision would deliver them, either out of the fire or through it into HIS presence!  How about you and me?

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince

of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself”. Daniel 1:8

While Daniel and his friends had a faith and confidence in God’s grace, we can also have that amazing, glorious, life-giving grace which God in His mercy has provided for us at Calvary.

“For we ourselves also were sometimes

foolish,

disobedient,

deceived,

serving divers lusts and pleasures,

living in malice and envy,

hateful,

and hating one another.

4 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 3:3-7

Kind of like something I recently heard, “No matter how hard you try, you can’t get an egg from a rooster”!  Now some of you dear city friends may not get it, but just FYI, only “hens” lay eggs!  So, our self-righteousness is just about as likely to get us to heaven on our own, as waiting on an egg from a rooster!  Paul had a great deal to say about our inability to save ourselves, apart from the grace of God.

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

And as he told the believers in Rome:

“What then?

are we better than they?

No, in no wise:

for we have before proved

both Jews and Gentiles,

that they are all under sin;

10 As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no,

not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God…

….23 For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:”   Portions of Romans 3:9-24

We must decide if we want to be a man, woman, boy or girl of faith and obedience, or if we want to walk our own way! Grace is God’s provision, but we must be willing to repent of our sin—going our own way—and believe in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for SIN.  The very resurrection of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus, whose saving work of redemption we celebrate and praise God for each day but especially on this most special day of recognizing the work of grace, love and redemption that God has provided, and continues to provide for “whosoever will”!

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

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

Jesus was lifted up in a ‘wilderness of sin’, just as Moses lifted up the serpent in a geographic wilderness.  The question is which “whosoever” are you?  One of the believers and receivers, or one of the rejecters and hence the doomed?

“And he commanded us to preach

unto the people,

and to testify

that it is he

which was ordained of God

to be the Judge

of quick and dead.

*** 43 To him

give all the prophets witness,  ***

that through his name

whosoever believeth in him

shall receive remission of sins.”  Acts 10:42-43

Paul reiterated to the believers at Rome that salvation is a grace gift that is available to “whosoever” will call upon Jesus!

“But what saith it?

The word is nigh thee,

even in thy mouth,

and in thy heart:

that is, the word of faith,

which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess

with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe

in thine heart

that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart

man believeth unto righteousness;

and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith,

Whosoever believeth on him

shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference

between the Jew and the Greek:

for the same Lord over all

is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.”  Romans 10:8-13

I implore you to please come to The Lord Jesus to receive HIS saving grace!  There is only one alternative, and I pray that you will choose Jesus instead.  God’s sufficient grace is just that, “all sufficient” for saving, leading, keeping and escorting us into the very presence of God, in HIS time!

“And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man according to their works.

14 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 20:12-15

The choice is yours, but don’t miss the grace of God which is there for YOU; not just saving grace, but as I mentioned above, ‘saving, leading, keeping and escorting’ grace—provided by the blood of Jesus Christ, which “cleanseth us from all sin”! (See Matthew 1:21 & 1 John 1:7)!

“But by the grace of God

I am what I am:

and his grace which was bestowed upon me

was not in vain;

but I laboured more abundantly than they all:

yet not I,

but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s All About Jesus!!! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #787

06 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Good News, Gospel, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, True Gospel, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #787  It’s All About Jesus!!!  Really???

“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=

My friends, I am sure that some of you are thinking, why is this woman “beating a dead horse”?  Well, this woman is repeating truth again, for there is “One” who is coming back on HIS white horse, with all the armies of heaven to establish HIS eternal kingdom.  And only those who have trusted to HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, (by faith through God’s grace, see Ephesians 2:8-10) will be a part of His kingdom!

“And I saw heaven opened,

and behold a white horse;

and he that sat upon him

was called Faithful and True,

and in righteousness

he doth judge

and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire,

and on his head were many crowns;

and he had a name written,

that no man knew,

but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture

dipped in blood:

and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven

followed him

upon white horses,

clothed in fine linen,

white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword,

that with it he should smite the nations:

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:

and he treadeth the winepress

of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh

a name written,

KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:11-16

All because God will accomplish HIS purpose in all things:

“And I heard as it were

the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice,

and give honour to him:”  Revelation 19:6-7a

While the world around us is always talking about “luck”, let me confirm for you that there is no such thing as “luck”; but the providence of God reigns supreme. And while there are things that happen because we live in a fallen world, we must not discount the reality of the spiritual warfare that exists around us.  It is what Paul was talking about in Ephesians 6, when he called us to be sure and put on the ‘armor of God’ in order to “withstand in the evil day”!  And my friends, we are ‘there’!

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.”  Ephesians 6:12-13

How I pray that we will be found “standing”!  And just in case you have missed these things in the past, I would like to share God’s truth about The Redeemer–The One who came to purchase our salvation with “HIS own blood”.

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you

all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore

unto yourselves,

and to all the flock,

over the which the Holy Ghost

hath made you overseers,

to feed the church of God,

which he hath purchased

with his own blood.”  Acts 20:27-18

It’s why HE came!  To be the “lamb of God” and take away the sin of all who will believe and receive HIM.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me:

for he was before me.”  John 1:29-30

Jesus Himself made it clear that HE was, IS and ever shall be The One and only way to God the Father, and eternal life!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth

ye know him,

and have seen him.”  John 14:6

And Jesus’ own testimony of what HE came to do as He talked to Nicodemus:

“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.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.” John 3:14-21

So, my question for you/I is, “What have you done/will you do with Jesus?”  Your answer is of eternal import, for there is a time coming when your answer will determine your eternal destiny; and while people don’t like to think about it, it will be heaven or hell—and JESUS is the determining factor.  God’s Word is clear.

“And I saw a great white throne,

 and him that sat on it,

from whose face

the earth

and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

 which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things which were written

in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 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 20:11-15

I stand with Paul—it’s all about the cross of Jesus Christ alone!  How about you?

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you

the testimony of God.

2 For I determined

not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”   1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Are you trusting in Jesus?  Or are you going your own way?

“There is a way

which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow

to me,

and every tongue shall confess

to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account

of himself

to God.”  Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

No Other Name!!! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #780

25 Friday Feb 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Judgment, Just Jesus!, Justice

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #780. No Other Name!!!  Really???

 

“And as they spake unto the people,

the priests, and the captain of the temple,

and the Sadducees,

came upon them,

2 Being grieved

that they taught the people,

and preached through Jesus

the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them,

and put them in hold

unto the next day:

for it was now eventide…

…..10 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.”   Portions of Acts 4:1-12 (Asterisks mine)

I love this simple passage.  Peter and John had gone up to the Temple to worship, and God gave them opportunity to heal a lame man, which led to this encounter with the religious leaders, and after a night in “jail” Peter makes this amazing, simple declaration of the saving power of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ—with the healed lame man as an irrefutable testament to the truth they spoke.  And I simply want to remind us all that not everyone will believe our testimony of the saving power of the cross any more than did those people who were so close to the very events that the Apostles testified to.  Yet, the name of Jesus is just as offensive to people today as it was then, and we must be willing to be as confident, bold, and courageous as Peter and John were in our service for The King!

And we must understand that not all will believe, not all will like us, not all will agree with our proclamation of truth, or even scripture itself; but our job is to speak God’s truth as we have opportunity and share Jesus truthfully!

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body

fitly joined together

and compacted

by that which every joint supplieth,

according to the effectual working

in the measure of every part,

maketh increase of the body

unto the edifying

of itself in love.”   Ephesians 4:14-16

We are to share the Good News that Jesus saves and rely upon God’s faithful provision to add those into His family and the “body” of Christ (the church—the whole church, as well as the local church body).  And as Paul reminds us above, we are to be “speaking the truth in love” that God may be seen in us and allow the truth of the Gospel to work in the hearts and lives of those desperate enough to receive it.  What do I mean by “desperate enough”?  I simply mean that those who think they have no sin, have no need of a Savior!  Until the convicting power of the Holy Ghost/Spirit brings a person to see their own sin and their own need of a Redeemer, they will never be “desperate” enough to need Jesus to “save” them.  The Word speaks to this great miracle, for it is God as work within HIS church to do HIS work reaching those willing to hear!

“And they, continuing daily

with one accord in the temple,

and breaking bread from house to house,

did eat their meat with gladness

and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God,

and having favour with all the people.

And the Lord added to the church daily

such as should be saved.”  Acts 2:46-47

Our job is to speak truth, share grace, act in love without compromise to God’s Word, HIS standard or the consequences of sin to the unredeemed, and wait and watch for God to move; to see the work of God through the conviction of HIS HOLY SPIRIT on the hearts of people.  For without the conviction of the Holy Spirit none will ever see their sin or their need for the Redeemer, Jesus, who told us of the Holy Spirit’s work!

“Nevertheless

I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you

that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world

of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

Jesus is coming again for His own and to bring to pass the total fulfillment of God’s promises—for reward to His own and judgment for those who reject the Lord Jesus.  The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test.

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

 which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things which were written

in the books,

 according to their works…

..and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 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.”                                   Portions of Revelation 20:11-15

No other name—no other way—but Jesus who said it best:

“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: 17-19

May you receive truth—and if you have it—share it for:

“for there is none other name”!

Amen and Amen!!!