Category Archives: JESUS

Is Love Enough??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #623

05 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Holy Living, JESUS, Love, Love Is Action

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #623     Is Love Enough???

 

As we continue talking about love in this month that the world calls the month of ‘love’, I want to be sure that we understand that what the ‘world’ is calling love may not always be what God calls love.  And while we’ve recently looked at 1 Corinthians 13, I’d like to look at some other things that scripture tells us about love, for your perusal.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  John 14:15

To say that I “love” Jesus means that I love Him enough to “do” what HE says!  To love Him is to obey, and to love others “as myself”—and in our culture that is almost unheard of.  We live in a culture of the “me” mentality.  I knew someone once who totally missed the import of God’s unconditional love; which by the way, isn’t license to sin, or selfish indulgence, but is doing that which is always best for the recipient of that love, not as my acquaintance thought, “You be good to me, and I’ll be good to you!”.  We are to keep God’s love in our hearts, but also to shine and share HIS love with those around us.  And contrary to popular belief, if I love you, it doesn’t mean that I will always give in to you, or meet your selfish, unreasonable, or wicked demands.  Love always does right!  And that means that sometimes love must say NO!  It’s only by God’s grace and indwelling Holy Spirit that we can express or extend to others this totally benevolent “God” kind of love.

“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

When we are born again, God puts HIS Spirit within us—the very agent of our spiritual birth into the kingdom of God….  Praise HIS name, we don’t have to rely on our weak and sinful flesh to do God’s work.  Paul painted such a beautiful picture of this kind of relationship that we acquire not only from God, but with Him and He ever works to transform us into the image of His Son, Jesus!

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

 and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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 1:9-14

And while I can’t think of anything better to pray for you, I will add Paul’s admonition to each of us as believers in Jesus, to have that selfless love and devotion to Jesus, as we yield to HIS work of love in us continually!  May we ever be motivated by God’s love rather than selfish ambition, greed, or the pursuit of self-gratification!

“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

I pray God’s blessings on your day!  And while I realize that much of what I am sharing today is repetitive, we are so forgetful and need continual reminders.  I send these reminders to you (and myself) in His love!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18

29 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, Choose You This Day!, Darkness or Light?, Death, Evil will not win, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Follow Jesus, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Life, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18 THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!!

 

It has been a long 10 days for my family, as the darkness and evil of this world crowded into our midst through the evil act of one person.  I have seen the light shine brightly regardless of the evil that tried to defeat us and took the life of my only daughter.  The reasons and drama of the “event” isn’t what I want to talk about today, but rather I want to talk to you about the “light of the world” that has prevailed, is prevailing and will prevail for those who look to HIM!  And yes, JESUS IS that light—and like a lighthouse to a sailor, I will fix my eyes on Jesus to make it to shore!

“That was the true Light,

 which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.”  John 1:9-10

“Again, a new commandment I write unto you,

which thing is true

in him

and in you:

because the darkness is past,

and the true light

now shineth.”  1 John 2:8

Jesus is “the true Light”—and without Him we are in darkness, but praise God Almighty, we can not only see Him, but know Him and be a reflection of HIS light!  Despite darkness having invaded our lives, I will stand for the Lord Jesus Christ—my life, my light, and my redeemer; and HE can be yours!

“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

We don’t have to run from the darkness, for His light is within us by His grace, love for us, and the forgiveness of sins that He grants to those who repent and believe in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (righted my wrong), sacrifice (paying my sin-debt with HIS own blood); and the indwelling of HIS Holy Spirit!

“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

You see, this same Jesus who IS light, came into a darkened world who didn’t perceive HIS light for they were blinded, just as men are today.  It’s kind of like “snow blindness” when the light is so bright and continual that the eyes can’t tolerate it.  Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader, that having eyes “to see” isn’t enough; we must have God’s convicting revelation to recognize light as light and be born again—have new life!

“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

And, just how are we born again?  By the power, grace and saving faith that God’s Holy Spirit draws us to!  Have you heard His voice?  Have you opened the door of your heart to Jesus?  Or have you failed to “see” the “light of the world”?

“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.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory

as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”  John 1:10-14

Jesus came that we might have this new birth–life in HIM–life “more abundantly”!  Have YOU been born again?  John makes it clear that it’s not dependent on our “heritage” (not of blood); it’s not dependent on our “will power” (not..the will of the flesh); it’s not dependent on the ‘prayers of your mother or your grandmother’(not..the will of man)—it’s dependent on YOUR choice to receive Jesus and His atoning sacrifice, and be transformed by the Light Of The World.  Will you choose light or stay in the dark, and if you are His, don’t let the darkness distract you, for we are to be reflecting His light to the world, not letting the dirt of the world dim our light. (See Matt. 5:13-15)

“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 2:14-16

Don’t be deceived by the enemy of your soul—the one who is the “father of lies” (See John 8:44), for there are plenty of his minions going about to “steal…and to kill….and to destroy”!  Beware of what you accepting as truth!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be according

to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Even as Jeremiah the prophet reminds us:

“Declare this in the house of Jacob,

and publish it in Judah, saying,

21 Hear now this,

O foolish people,

and without understanding;

which have eyes,

and see not;

which have ears,

and hear not:”  Jeremiah 5:20-21

And Isaiah takes us to the heart of the matter; we have chosen our own sin over God’s voice of conviction; we have chosen our own sin over God’s way, because we think we can handle it.  Check out your environment—is it light or dark?

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated

between you and your God,

and your sins have hid

his face from you,

that he will not hear.”  Isaiah 59:1-2

So, in closing I’d like to share a passage that lays it all out on the table, as Paul makes it clear that we all need JESUS, but the choice is yours.  But choose wisely, there is a test—and there is only One answer—JESUS!

“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;)

6 And hath raised us up

together,

and made us sit

together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 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 2:1-10

The light still shines……..is HE shining in YOU?

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy;

whereunto ye do well

that ye take heed,

as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,

until the day dawn,

and the day star

arise in your hearts:”  2 Peter 1:19

I pray that God will speak to your heart and draw you into HIS light!  Amen and Amen!!!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.”   1 Corinthians 15:57

Pearl Harbor & A Pearl Of Great Price! Bible Ballistics: BBs #609

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Christmas, Christmas IS?, Church:Dead Or Alive?, Faith, IN Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Only One Way, Pearl Harbor, Pearl of great price, Remember, Salvation, SIN, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #609 Pearl Harbor & A Pearl Of Great Price!

 

As we continue thinking about the Christmas season and the true “reason” for the “season”, I’m sure some of you are scratching your head and thinking, “What does Pearl Harbor have to do with Christmas?”  Good question!  But as a Navy brat (my precious daddy served in the United States Navy for 22 years, and I’m very proud of his service!) naval things are special to me; and Pearl Harbor was a milestone in both American and world history.  The surprise attack took many lives and rocked the world; yet history records that there were many miniscule warning signs that were disregarded, ignored or misunderstood!  That is the connection to Christmas and the coming of The “pearl of great price”; and just as the US military was caught unprepared by the attack, the world missed the coming of The Messiah!  Some who were seeking God, saw truth, but the rest not only missed the import of His birth—but crucified The “King of Glory”—this “pearl of great price”!  How about you?

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto

a merchant man,

seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found

one pearl

of great price,

went

and sold

all that he had,

and bought it.”  Matthew 13:45-46

Will we miss the boat—or worse be destroyed because we didn’t recognize the enemy’s constant ‘surprise attacks’, and miss the true ally and Redeemer of our souls—Jesus?

“And it shall come to pass,

that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

22 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 2:21-24

This merchant of pearls recognized true value when he saw it, but so often we are deceived, tricked and lead astray from this One who loves us beyond measure!  This One who gives life, came and took on flesh knowing that most would reject Him, yet He came anyway—for YOU and for ME!  It’s His birth we celebrate!  What or Whom are you celebrating?

“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.

14 And the Word

was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.” John 1:10-14. AMEN!

So, as we go about our day today I pray that we will consider what we have done with this “babe” in the manger—the one we see all around us–and that we will remember that He came to die for sinful men and women, boys and girls; all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (paid my debt), sacrifice (HE died that I could have eternal life with HIM)!  Talk about a “pearl of great price”; don’t miss the true treasure by believing the lies of the enemy of your soul.  Be sure that you receive the greatest gift of all—don’t be one who “received him not”!  Paul reminds us that while we might be able to fool others—we will never fool God.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth the name

of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timothy 2:19

And Jesus’ own words to “churches”, warning those who play at “religion” to check out what you’re trusting—for He is the One who knows the truth.

“I know thy works,

that thou art

neither cold

nor hot:

I would thou wert

cold

or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

and neither

cold

nor hot,

I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee

to buy of me gold

tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes

with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”  Revelation 3:16-18

One simple question in closing: are you clinging to a treasure that is worthless, or have you received HIS “gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich”?  The choice is yours!  Choose wisely there is a test!

 

Christmas IS About Family??? Pt. 3 Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 17

08 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Christmas IS?, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Every Knee Shall Bow, Follow Jesus, Gospel, Grace, He's Alive, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Joy To The World?, Just Jesus!, Overcoming By His Blood, Rejoice IN The Lord, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Trusting Jesus, Welcome Home, When Will You Bow?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 17 Christmas IS About Family??? Pt.3

 

We talked last time about the first family and how our sin was the reason that Jesus came!  We also talked about the truth that Jesus as The Redeemer was God’s plan for our redemption “foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you”! (See 1 Peter 1:20). Jesus was, is and ever will be “the way….the truth….and the life..” that leads us “unto the Father”!  One plan, provided in the mind of God “before the foundation of the world”!  It is so important that we sink our anchor into this truth, as we continue in the last part of this series; focusing on this One who came that we might celebrate not only Christmas, but every day of the year! For He came that mankind “might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”!  I pray that you are as aware and grateful for that wonder as I am!

Yet Jesus is so much more than a “baby in a manger”!  He is ever God, and in the incarnation, He became the God-Man/Savior by His sacrifice for our sin; so, let’s spend this time together rehearsing the beauty, nature and character of our Lord and King—the Messiah of the world—Jesus Christ The Lord!

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8   Amen

We talked last time about the first family, their sin, and the first promise of the coming Messiah who would redeem mankind—all who would come to Him in repentance and faith.  The promise John spoke of:

“Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away

the sin of the world.”  John 1:29b

This same Jesus—who IS “the same”– identified Himself to the Apostle John in the book of the Revelation amazingly.

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace be unto you,

and peace,

from him which is,

and which was,

and which is to come;

and from the seven Spirits

which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests

unto God and his Father;

to him be glory and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen…

…10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,

and heard behind me a great voice,

as of a trumpet, 11 Saying,

I am Alpha and Omega,

the first and the last:

 and, What thou seest,

write in a book,

and send it unto the

seven churches

which are in Asia;

unto Ephesus,

and unto Smyrna,

and unto Pergamos,

and unto Thyatira,

and unto Sardis,

and unto Philadelphia,

and unto Laodicea.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. 

And being turned,

I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks

one like unto the Son of man,

clothed with a garment

down to the foot,

and girt about the paps

with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs

were white like wool,

as white as snow;

and his eyes

were as a flame of fire;

15 And his feet

like unto fine brass,

as if they burned

in a furnace;

and his voice

as the sound of many waters.”               Portions of Revelation 1:4-15

In verse 6 we see that Jesus ascribed to Himself glory and dominion—that is significant!  Jesus reiterated His deity, just as He did in the Gospel of John.

“I and my Father are one.”   John 10:30

This declaration along with what Jesus says to John here in chapter 1 of The Revelation, requires that Jesus IS God—not God The Father, but God The Son—that “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”; who along with The Holy Spirit comprise the three persons of the trinity.  But God revealed long before what would confirm the deity of Jesus:

“I am the LORD:

that is my name:

and my glory will I not give

to another,

neither my praise

to graven images.”  Isaiah 42:8

And God didn’t give “His” glory to ‘another’, He gave it to “His only begotten son”—that Lamb who came as “God with us” to save us “from our sin”!  We could spend the rest of the year rehearsing the names of Jesus, but we’ll just take our time today and consider what He has told us about Himself!

HE IS:

 Jesus Christ—

 The faithful witness—

 –from GOD–

 –to us—

 The First Begotten from the dead—

  –He Arose—

  –He’s not dead—HE IS ALIVE-

   (No longer a babe but The Risen Redeemer!)

 The Price of the kings of the earth—

  The One who loved us and washed us from our sin—

  –IN HIS own blood—

  –To make us kings and priests unto our God—

  The ONE WAY who is worthy of glory and dominion– FOREVER!

And just as important as these titles is how He revealed Himself to John—the power of His very person:

HE HAS:

Hair like wool, like pure white snow—

He is the sinless Son of God—

 Eyes like fire—

He is the One who sees all of our being—

Feet like brass–

 The day of HIS judgment is coming—

Because God has made Him Lord and Judge—

“For the Father judgeth no man, but

hath committed all judgment unto the Son:”  John 5:22

His voice as the sound of many waters—

 You can avoid listening to Him—

 But you will bow before Him!

The question isn’t will you bow?  But when will you bow?  You can bow before Him now as Lord and Savior, or you will bow before Him as Judge—a judge where there is only one standard, JESUS!

“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

Jesus can be your salvation, hope and life, or He will be your judge.  It’s your choice as to when you will bow, but you will bow!  Choose wisely, there will be a test, and the consequences will be true and righteous according to God’s Word and YOUR choices!

“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.”  Philippians 2:8-11

Praise God we can bow before the Lord Jesus Christ and become children of God, and all the work has been done for those who will repent and believe in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—my sin and your sin!

“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.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus is creator of all and yet He loves us so much that He came to be my sacrifice and yours—for all who will come unto Him.  He is the Alpha and Omega—the beginning and the end—the “author and finisher of our faith”!  Are you counting on knowing about Him, knowing about His Word, or are you counting on knowing the Author of all things, including our salvation?  Will you come to Him and know the real “joy” of Christmas—JESUS?

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:21-23

This Son would pay the price for my/your sin, crying from the cross that HE was paying the price required for sin.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar,

he said, It is finished:

and he bowed his head,

and gave up the ghost.”  John 19:30

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

And there is another time coming when He will call something else “done”, finished—the time when He will complete His work, and He will return as King of Kings not as a babe in the manger; when He will come and take His throne and finally complete the defeat of sin, death and hell!

“For as in Adam all die,

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order:

Christ the firstfruits;

afterward they that are Christ’s

at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end,

when he shall have delivered up the kingdom

to God, even the Father;

when he shall have put down all rule

and all authority

and power.

25 For he must reign,

till he hath put all enemies

under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed

is death.”  1 Corinthians 15:22-26

And after ‘these things’ there will be a new world where we will be with our God and He will dwell with us!

“And I saw a new heaven

and a new earth:

for the first heaven and the first earth

were passed away;

and there was no more sea…

…. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said,

Behold, I make all things new.

And he said unto me,

Write: for these words are true and faithful.”                              Portions of Revelation 21:1-5

Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies of His first coming and just as surely, HE will fulfill those about His second coming!  Are you ready? Are you in the family of God?  Do you know the Christ of Christmas?  I pray that you do, and if so, that you will remember that He came to save us and give us entrance into HIS kingdom!  Rejoice and be glad!!!  It is all about the “family” of God.  If you don’t know Him, He wants to give you life!  Won’t you listen for His voice and respond in repentance and faith to His sacrifice for You.  The angels will rejoice, and you’ll have the best Christmas ever.

“I say unto you,

that likewise joy shall be in heaven

over one sinner that repenteth,

more than over ninety and nine just persons,

which need no repentance.”  Luke 15:7

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”    See Rev. 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!

A Month Of Gratitude??? #4 Bible Ballistics: BBs #602

08 Friday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Ask God For Wisdom, Attitude of Gratitude, Broken Hearts, Divorce, Gratitude, Great is Thy Faithfulness, JESUS, Marriage, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #602     A Month Of Gratitude??? #4

 

Today I want to share a truth that is special to me: I am thankful today that God’s Word still stands true!  God gives us His truth for a reason—because HE is God, and He knows that HIS way is the best way, and HE loves us!  It’s not always the easy way (in fact, it’s almost never the easy way); it’s hardly ever the popular way; and it’s even more seldom the way that appeals to the world.  What brought all this up today?  I saw something on social media; something that hit my heart with a thunderous boom, and I must speak to it, because it’s the same subtle misinformation that helped to lead me astray many years ago.

To start with, let me say that I understood the ‘context’ of the message, and while it is partly true, it is also based in that which is far less than God’s Word purports!  The first line of the ‘post’ is what jumped out at me, it said in part, “divorce IS ok”!  In essence it was referring to difficult marriages, yet when we fail to apply God’s truth, we can so easily be led astray and twist God’s truth unwittingly.  The post went on to talk about walking away, changing directions, starting over, and other issues regarding “divorce”!  But the thing that cut me to the quick, was the last part of the post—which said something like, “don’t stay where you’re not HAPPY!”  That was the very lie that led me to abandon my marriage over 45 years ago—the lie that some of my friends—my Christian friends—even a pastor, told me, and it was just what I wanted to hear!  The pastor told me that “God never intended for some people to ‘be’ married, and God wanted me to be “happy”!  Oh, how justified I felt, knowing that I wanted to excuse my selfish lust and the determination to make ‘myself’ happy, by choosing to leave a marriage that “didn’t make me happy” for one that I was determined would make me “happy”!  All because I was willing, even eager, to believe the lie that justified my selfish, sinful choice!

God is more concerned about my holiness and my character than my “happiness”!  And while I have never (and never will) counsel a woman (or a man if it applied) to stay in a dangerous environment, I will counsel them to pursue God and not the simple solutions of the world—no matter how cutesy or soothing they may seem—yet to be out of harm’s way.  God ever stands by HIS Word and He will meet those who obey Him where they are!  Yes, praise God, forgiveness is found in Jesus, but there are consequences for abandoning the clear principles of God and His Word; and He will direct, protect the weak, and guide those in danger as they pursue Him!  Yet today America’s families are reaping the consequences of forsaking the truths of God’s Word, whether intentionally or due to ignorance, or willfulness!  I don’t usually go on so much without sharing scripture, but I wanted to explain the circumstances and context of what I want to share.  I pray that this will help someone know truth and avoid the pitfalls that caused so much harm in my own life.  Every choice has a consequence, and we always reap more than we sowed—later than we sowed.  Praise God for forgiveness and restoration, but even more for the grace to avoid the pitfalls, and I thank HIM and praise HIM for that truth!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

if we faint not.”   Galatians 6:7-9

He is waiting to hear from YOU—and He stands behind HIS Word!

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:12-16

Please don’t give up on what God hasn’t given up on—and if HE tells you to leave, make sure it’s God not the enemy.  Then trust HIM for each step that you take, and walk in obedience to His Word, His grace, and His direction.  God created the home, He established marriage, and He blesses husbands and wives who will pursue Him—and when we will each draw closer to God, we will draw closer to each other—Imagine a triangle with God at the top, husband and wife at each of the bottom corners, then as you move from each corner toward God, you’ll see that the spouses draw closer together as well.  “Think on these things..” (See Philippians 4:8)!  Note that “putting away” =divorce, in the passage below.

“Yet ye say, Wherefore?

Because the LORD hath been witness

between thee and the wife of thy youth,

against whom thou hast dealt treacherously:

yet is she thy companion,

and the wife of thy covenant.

15 And did not he make one?

Yet had he the residue of the spirit.

And wherefore one?

That he might seek a godly seed.

Therefore take heed to your spirit,

and let none deal treacherously

against the wife of his youth.

16 For the LORD,

the God of Israel, saith

that he hateth putting away:

for one covereth violence

with his garment,

saith the LORD of hosts:

therefore take heed to your spirit,

that ye deal not treacherously.

17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words.

Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him?

When ye say,

Every one that doeth evil

is good in the sight of the LORD,

and he delighteth in them;

or, Where is the God of judgment?”    Malachi 2:14-17

Jesus Himself emphasized the import of marriage, and along with Paul’s writings, told us that adultery, desertion and abandonment were just reasons for divorce (not irreconcilable differences!)!

“It hath been said,

Whosoever shall put away his wife,

let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 But I say unto you,

That whosoever shall put away his wife,

saving for the cause of fornication,

causeth her to commit adultery:

and whosoever shall marry her

that is divorced

committeth adultery.”   Matthew 5:31-32

And I’ll simply say that I don’t believe those who claim that when a person is ‘divorced’ they are always an “adulterer”, but I do believe that when we have divorced without biblical cause, we will ever carry the weight of having “adulterated” a marriage in disobedience to God!  I know that God forgives, heals and restores even those of us who have disobeyed Him, but it’s so much better to obey.  Samuel spoke profoundly in regard to that!

“And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said,

Go

and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites,

and fight against them

until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey

the voice of the LORD,

but didst fly upon the spoil,

and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel,

Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD,

and have gone the way

which the LORD sent me,

and have brought Agag the king of Amalek,

and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people took of the spoil,

sheep and oxen,

the chief of the things

which should have been

utterly destroyed,

to sacrifice unto the LORD

thy God in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings

and sacrifices,

as in obeying

the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected

the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee

from being king.”  1 Samuel 15:18-23

Every choice has a consequence—for saved or lost, but obedience is ever the joy of the Lord!  Will you hear/listen to men or God?

“The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him,

and saying unto him,

Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife

for every cause?

4 And he answered and said unto them,

Have ye not read,

that he which made them

at the beginning

made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause

shall a man leave father

and mother,

and shall cleave

to his wife:

and they twain

shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain,

but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together,

let not man put asunder.

7 They say unto him,

Why did Moses then command

to give a writing of divorcement,

and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them,

Moses because of the hardness of your hearts

suffered you to put away your wives:

but from the beginning

it was not so.

9 And I say unto you,

Whosoever shall put away his wife,

except it be for fornication,

and shall marry another,

committeth adultery:

and whoso marrieth her which is put away

doth commit adultery.”  Matthew 19:3-9

Jesus makes it clear that it was God speaking in Genesis 2; declaring that the “two” shall become “one flesh”—not just sexually, but also spiritually walking and serving God together with one heart, mind and spirit!

“And Adam said,

This is now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh:

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore

shall a man leave his father and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife:

and they shall be one flesh.”   Genesis 2:23-24

So, my friends we can choose to listen to the world, and be deceived, or we can choose to follow God; no matter how often we have failed, we can receive of all His grace, mercy and truth.  Bring it to Jesus, and don’t fall for the subtle lies of the enemy.  We can KNOW truth if we will but turn to Jesus!  Be sure and remember to bring your questions and troubles to that:

“…throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need”!

That’s what I’m thankful for today!  How about you? (I didn’t mean for this to be so long, but I feel that it is an important message from God for each of us.  Especially in this broken world which is continually defying God’s truth—may we ever “stand fast in the evil day”)!   I am so thankful for that “throne of grace”!  I pray that you know it is there for YOU!

Amen and Amen.