Category Archives: Saved by grace

GOD Needs A__Good__??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 22

09 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Be not conformed to this world, Building on The Rock or The Sand?, Choices And Consequences, Consider Your ways, He Died That We Could Live, IN Jesus!, Salvation, Saved by grace, The Broad or Narrow Way?, True Knowledge, Trusting Jesus, Truth

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 22 GOD Needs A ___Good___???

 

Most of us have heard the slogan, “_____needs a few good men…”!  But I’d like us to talk about our God, and while God doesn’t “need” anything, there are some things that God says about what HE desires for His own, for all mankind.

“The Lord knoweth how

to deliver the godly

out of temptations,

and to reserve

the unjust

unto the day of judgment

to be punished:”  2 Peter 2:9

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering

to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come

to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

God truly desires for all to “come to repentance”, for His desire is that none “should perish” but come to Jesus for salvation.  Yet the thing we need to remember is that God isn’t looking for a “few”, nor is He looking for “good” men, He is calling to all who will hear and heed His message of salvation IN JESUS; recognizing that Jesus came to save sinners, not “good” men, those who think they can save themselves.

Paul talked about this ability to recognize our need of a Savior; and as long as we are “good” enough on our own, why would we need a Savior?  But when we see our sin, and understand that we can’t save ourselves, then we can see our need and come to know the One who can remedy our sin problem.

“And the grace of our Lord

was exceeding abundant

with faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful saying,

and worthy of all acceptation,

that Christ Jesus came into the world

to save sinners;

of whom I am chief.”  1 Timothy 1:14-15

Paul talked of this to the Roman believers to remind them of this very thing.

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one…

…. 22 Even the righteousness of God

which is by faith of Jesus Christ

unto all

and upon all them

that believe:

for there is no difference:

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:”  Romans 3:10-12 & 22-24

God doesn’t need us, but we need Jesus; and just as Jesus said in Matthew 7, we must choose wisely for there is only one way—Jesus—and while the broad way may be appealing, it is deceptive.  So, we must consider God’s truth and receive His forgiveness for our sin, by choosing HIS path–JESUS!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it…

…. 21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that

doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”   Matthew 7:13-14 & 21-23

Forgiveness is found only in Jesus, yet just as the song says, the truth IS “Jesus Saves” still! (Written by Priscilla Jane Owens).

“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

Truly we only find that forgiveness when we humble ourselves before God, seeking His forgiveness in Jesus death, burial and resurrection for our sin!

“But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter be turned

to mourning,

and your joy

to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”   James 4:6-10

And as God wants us to know, and choose wisely, He is ever seeking those who will come to HIM!  Remember, as my former pastor says, “Jesus died for our sin, so we don’t have to die IN our sin!”

“The eyes of the LORD

are in every place,

beholding the evil

and the good.”  Proverbs 15:3

So then, who is the “good” one?  No one!  But when Jesus saves and transforms our lives, we are changed into the image of The Son; we are changed from lost sinners to saved saints (and saints aren’t perfect, just forgiven, redeemed and being transformed—see Romans 8:28-29!)!  One of my favorite passages, helps us understand this principle—Jesus saves us “from” our sin, so we won’t have to die “IN” our sin! (See Matthew 1:21)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

 to be sin for us,

 who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”   2 Corinthians 5:17-21

It’s because of God’s saving work that we can understand with the Psalmist, that the “good” man mentioned by the Psalmist is only “good” by God’s saving grace! (Remember Romans 3!)

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth

in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

So, my question for us today is simply this, “Are you one of those who will respond to God’s call?”  Will you recognize your true condition and come to the Savior in repentance and faith?  Will you allow God to save, redeem and transform you?  Or will you go your own way, choosing to pay for your own sin.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.”   Romans 6:22-23

By HIS salvation we can know the power of a truly transformed life, having a renewed heart and mind by the power of Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s Word, and His Holy Spirit.

“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 that you will find peace, joy and rest in this transforming power of salvation in Jesus.  For Jesus isn’t just seeking a “few good men/women”, but all who will see their sin and know that HE is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”!

Won’t you come to this loving Savior who died for you?  And if you already know Him, won’t you share this truth with those around you who don’t?  May God raise us up—the army of The Lord–remembering that:

“And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid

nor dismayed

by reason of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours,

but God’s.”    2 Chronicles 20:15

Blessings on you and yours.  I pray that you will be one of the “few there be that find it”!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

As For Me!!! And You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 20

26 Sunday Jul 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Amazing Grace, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Conviction, Crucified With Christ, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Gospel, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Saves!, Leading Or Mis-Leading?, One Day Too Late?, Only One Way, Salvation, Saved by grace, Take Up YOUR Cross, The Blood Of Jesus, The Crucified Life, The Only Way, Trusting Jesus?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 20 As For Me!!! And You???

 

After Joshua had served God with Moses, led the nation of Israel across Jordan into the promised land after the death of Moses, conquered the land as God used him to lead the nation to possess their promised land, and divided the land as an inheritance to each of the tribes, then took his own possession in the new land of promise.  As he neared the end of his life, he called his people to faithfully serve God—this people, who like us, often rebelled against God, needed this mighty leader to call them to earnest devotion to God.  Among other things he reminded them of his own faithfulness to God and called them to make a choice that would secure their future by relying on God’s faithful provision to those who would obey, he reminded them of God’s words and challenged them to choose wisely!

“And I sent the hornet before you,

which drave them out from before you,

even the two kings of the Amorites;

but not with thy sword,

nor with thy bow.

13 And I have given you a land

for which ye did not labour,

and cities

which ye built not,

and ye dwell in them;

of the vineyards and oliveyards

which ye planted not

do ye eat.

14 Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side

of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:12-15

We will choose whom we will serve but choose wisely for there is a consequence for every choice!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you

in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.”   Matthew 7:13-15

Jesus goes on to tell us that “just saying so, doesn’t make it so”!  Many use His name today for a multitude of things that really have nothing to do with the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus came to “BE” for sinners; rather they seem to only want to capitalize or profit financially, socially or politically from the name of Jesus—nor trust Him to redeem them and to take up the cross and follow Him (it’s one reason that the cross is such a contentious issue today)!

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

Just as Joshua made it clear to the children of Israel, who were now in possession of the “Promised Land”, they needed to be sure that they were in ‘possession’ of the “Promised One”, by faith through grace—same salvation that we can have today; they were looking forward to the coming Messiah, we are looking back at the completed sacrifice that The Messiah came to provide.

“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

We can choose to trust Jesus for forgiveness of our sin, and be redeemed by His blood sacrifice, or we can reject Him and pay for our own sin.  Paul painted an amazing picture of the choice given to every man, woman, boy and girl!  What have you chosen?

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God…

…21 But now the righteousness of God

without the law is manifested,

being witnessed by the law

and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God

which is by faith of Jesus Christ

unto all

and upon all them

that believe:

for there is no difference:

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:”  Romans 3:10-11 & 21-24

When we trust to His saving grace and receive His salvation and forgiveness of sin, we can rejoice always IN HIM!

“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

I find it interesting that both Jesus and Paul share the truth about dying to self and living the crucified life of devotion to Jesus, yet so many today ignore its import.

“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.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man

shall come in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”  Matthew 16:24-27

We can choose to take Paul’s admonition, and find the grace and strength to yield to His work in us, dying to self and living for Him who died for us; or we can ignore God’s warnings and be one who will not believe nor receive HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin to be saved!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

And it’s hard to really grasp, but I think we haven’t a lot of time to waste trying to make up our minds; or waiting to call others to turn to Jesus.  I believe His return is truly eminent!  What if it were today?  Would you be ready?  Have you chosen Jesus?

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold, now is the accepted time;

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

And Paul’s famous appeal to King Agrippa:

“For the king knoweth of these things,

before whom also I speak freely:

for I am persuaded

that none of these things are hidden

from him;

for this thing

was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa,

believest thou the prophets?

I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said,

I would to God,

that not only thou,

but also all that hear me this day,

were both almost,

and altogether

such as I am,

except these bonds.”  Acts 26:26-29

As the old hymn says, “…almost, but lost”! (“Almost Persuaded”, by Philip Bliss), what have you done with Jesus?  I stand with Joshua, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”!  What about you?  When He returns will you shout for joy or mourn because you failed to prepare.  Like it or not there is (as a great Lanny Wolfe song says) the possibility of being “One Day Too Late”!

“And then shall appear the sign

of the Son of man

in heaven:

and then shall all the tribes of the earth

mourn,

and they shall see

the Son of man coming

in the clouds of heaven

with power

and great glory.”  Matthew 26:30

As Paul and John warned us, there is a day coming when we will all give an account.  Are your sins covered in the blood of Jesus, or will you hear Him say “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…”?  I pray that you will come while there is time!

“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 2:9-11

And as John saw in the Revelation, there will be a Great White Throne before which all who have refused to come to Jesus will stand.  It’s your choice, 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.

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

This reminds me of the words of Jesus to Nicodemus.  Like Nicodemus, we can believe and receive, or go our own way!  Will you receive or reject?  Will you choose to serve The Lord or self?

“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 3:16-21

So, I simply ask you to consider your choices, for you have the God-given privilege to choose.  But just as Joshua declared, we will all “choose you this day whom ye will serve”!  And please note—refusing to choose Jesus, IS choosing!  I pray that you will hear His Holy Spirit speaking to your heart and open the door to Jesus—He loves you and is calling today!  Ye must be born again!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”   Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

The Builder’s Guarantee!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #667

10 Friday Jul 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, God's Judgment, God's love, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Guarantee, Master Builder, Salvation, Saved by grace

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #667 The Builder’s Guarantee!!!

 

“Praise ye the LORD:

for it is good to sing praises unto our God;

for it is pleasant;

and praise is comely.

2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem:

he gathereth together

the outcasts of Israel.

3 He healeth the broken in heart,

and bindeth up their wounds.”  Psalm 147:1-3

Oh, how grateful I am that when we have the Lord as our Master Builder, He grants us grace, wisdom and sufficiency to live for HIM!   I would simply like to share a few passages of encouragement with you today, as we all wrestle with the crises at hand.  Remember, my friends, if God is your Master Builder (through Jesus Christ and the salvation HE provided at Calvary!) then you can walk in confidence—because our God reigns!

“Behold, the days come,

saith the LORD,

that I will sow the house of Israel

and the house of Judah

with the seed of man,

and with the seed of beast.

28 And it shall come to pass,

that like as I have watched over them,

 to pluck up,

and to break down,

and to throw down,

and to destroy,

and to afflict;

so will I watch over them,

 to build,

 and to plant,

saith the LORD.”  Jeremiah 31:27-28

This was God’s message for Jeremiah to deliver to Israel—that though He would judge their sin, HE would also bring them back into HIS presence when their heart was repentant and open to HIS Redeemer.  Even as God told Jeremiah when He called him, that HE was about to judge the nation who had, as a whole, rejected Him and His Word.

“But the LORD said unto me,

Say not, I am a child:

for thou shalt go to all

that I shall send thee,

and whatsoever I command thee

thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces:

for I am with thee

to deliver thee,

saith the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth his hand,

and touched my mouth.

And the LORD said unto me,

Behold, I have put my words

in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day

set thee over the nations

and over the kingdoms,

to root out,

and to pull down,

and to destroy,

and to throw down,

to build,

and to plant.”  Jeremiah 1:7-10

While I personally believe we are experiencing the judgment of God on our world (as well as setting the stage for the prophetic future of the scriptures which is close at hand), we can rest assured that the judgment of God is always tempered by His grace and mercy; but there is a step too far, and God does and will judge sin!  And that was the heavy message that Jeremiah was called to deliver to a people who, for the most part, refused to receive the message of God and repent.  Our God truly reigns and cares for HIS own!

“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.”  Revelation. 19:6

“And the LORD said,

My spirit

shall not always strive

with man,

for that he also is flesh…”.   Genesis 6:1a

“Jesus saith unto them,

Did ye never read in the scriptures,

The stone

which the builders rejected,

the same

is become the head of the corner:

this is the Lord’s doing,

and it is marvellous

in our eyes?”  Matthew 21:42

So, what is our response to be to this Sovereign God of all?  Well, it’s pretty simple really (not easy, but it is simple), we must recognize our sin, repent (turn away from sin and turn toward God) of our sin, and believe in and receive Jesus payment for our sin—HIS substitutionary (in my place), atoning (paid my sin debit) , sacrifice (died and rose again  for my salvation)!  Once we receive Jesus, we become a new creature and are called to live in His power, grace and holiness –all by the power of HIS indwelling Holy Spirit.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

And a message of encouragement from the Apostle Paul to lift your heart today (and while it’s a big lengthy, I think it worth our time).

“That ye put off

concerning the former conversation

the old man,

which is corrupt

according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed

in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on

the new man,

which after God is created

in righteousness

and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying,

speak every man truth with his neighbour:

for we are members

one of another.

26 Be ye angry,

and sin not:

let not the sun go down

upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place

to the devil.

28 Let him that stole

steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands

the thing which is good,

that he may have

to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good to the use

of edifying,

 that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.”   Ephesians 4:22-30

Amen and Amen!!!

A Saddened Heart??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 11

17 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Approved Unto God, By Him We Live, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Do all things decently, Faithfulness, Filled With His Spirit, Follow Jesus, God's provision, Gospel, Holiness, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, IN Jesus!, Listening To God, Living Right, Only One Way, Perseverance, Righteousness, Saved by grace, The Word Or The World?, Trendy Or Truth, Victory IN Jesus!, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 11    A Saddened Heart???

 

As I sit here thinking of the things that I have seen come and go, the things that I have loved and lost, the things that I have treasured seemingly vanishing before our eyes, there is a scripture that is often overlooked but it comes to my mind so often, and I believe we ought to consider it as we watch things change all around us.  What are we willing to hold on to and what are we willing to not only let go of but abandon with no regard!

“Thou shalt not remove

thy neighbour’s landmark,

which they of old time

have set in thine inheritance,

which thou shalt inherit

in the land that the LORD thy God

giveth thee

to possess it.”   Deuteronomy 19:14

Many today are not only ‘removing’ the landmarks, they are denying that there ever were any landmarks.  Many are running to abandon the God of The Bible, and The Bible of God Almighty!  Isaiah said it better than I could:

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

 that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them

that are mighty to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked      

for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous from him!

24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble,

and the flame consumeth the chaff,

so their root shall be as rottenness,

and their blossom shall go up as dust:

because they have cast away

the law of the LORD of hosts,

and despised

the word of the Holy One of Israel.”  Isaiah 5:20-24

Just as timely, and so much like history, it is said “those who don’t learn from it are doomed to repeat it” (credited to George Santayana), it seems that our nation, as well as the world around us, are choosing to walk in our own way rather than God’s, and He will requite in HIS own time, yet we can gain a great deal of insight from HIS Word!

“For our transgressions

are multiplied before thee,

and our sins

testify against us:

for our transgressions are with us;

and as for our iniquities,

we know them;

13 In transgressing

and lying against the LORD,

and departing away from our God,

speaking oppression

and revolt,

conceiving and uttering

from the heart

words of falsehood.

14 And judgment

is turned away backward,

and justice

standeth afar off:

for truth

is fallen in the street,

and equity

cannot enter.

15 Yea, truth faileth;

and he that departeth from evil

maketh himself a prey:

and the LORD saw it,

and it displeased him

that there was no judgment.”   Isaiah 59:12-15

We must choose what we are going to do with God, His Word and His Son, Jesus!  Even as Joshua called Israel to choose whom they would serve.

“And I have given you a land

for which ye did not labour,

and cities

which ye built not,

and ye dwell in them;

of the vineyards and oliveyards

which ye planted not

do ye eat.

14 Now therefore fear the LORD,

 and serve him in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil

unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”   Joshua 24:13-15

Even as Joshua made his choice, he called those around him to make their choice—and we are faced with that same challenge today, yet it saddens my heart that we are becoming more and more averse to God’s call to holiness and more and more open to the lies of the enemy of our souls, and the world.  How about you?  Have you given up on God’s call?  Have you decided to just “go along, to get along”?  Or are you hearing and responding to God’s call?

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope

to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

 at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here

in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

 as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation

of the world,

but was manifest

in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him

do believe in God,

that raised him up

from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope

might be in God.”   1 Peter 1:13-21

Where is your faith?  Is your faith in God, His Word and His Son?  Are you living a holy life, even as God called Israel to when He gave them the Law through Moses?

“For I am the LORD your God:

ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves,

and ye shall be holy;

for I am holy:

neither shall ye defile yourselves …

…45 For I am the LORD

that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt,

to be your God:

ye shall therefore be holy,

for I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44-45

A simple consideration for us today, “What will you/I do with God’s call upon your/my life?”  Will we bear God’s burden for the lost and dying world around us, sharing Jesus at every opportunity; or will we disregard their plight and continue on with life “as usual”, living worldly lives of compromise,  rather than drawing near to our Lord, and fulfilling that for which He has saved and equipped us.  May we remember that when Jesus saves us out of darkness, and transforms us from being children of the devil, to being Sons and Daughters of God, we “are bought with a price”.

“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

As Paul makes so clear, we can choose the “joy of The Lord” or the sadness of the world!

“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

When God births us into HIS kingdom, we can rejoice in HIM, HIS Word and HIS ways rather than settle for the darkness of the world—for we no longer belong to the works of the devil; and God has already ordained “good works” for us to produce!

“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

Paul also makes it clear that there is a distinction between the works of The Spirit and the works of the flesh/the devil.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

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

Where are you walking?  In the Spirit or the flesh? May God help us to “fix our eyes on Jesus” living ‘kingdom’ lives.  May our hearts be burdened that those around us will see Jesus in us—in all we do.

“Whether therefore

ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”   1 Corinthians 10:31

“To whom God would make known

what is the riches

of the glory

of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:”   Colossians 1:27

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

 in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know that your labour

is not in vain

in the Lord.”1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen!

The Blood Of Jesus Cleanses??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 03

22 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Perilous Times Are Here, Persecution, Perseverance, Repentance, Salvation, Saved by grace, SIN, The Blood Of Jesus, The Love of God, The Only Way

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 03  The Blood Of Jesus Cleanses???

 

I want to share a difficult thing with you today, a subject that the world avoids, almost at all costs—in fact, at the cost of their souls.

“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.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man

shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”  Matthew 16:24-27

Jesus told his followers that there was only one choice in life that really matters—what you do with HIM!  We can try to save our own lives, or we can trust to the Only One who can truly give eternal life, not only in the “sweet by and by” but in the “here and now”!  Even in the midst of ‘viruses’.  And just as importantly our choice will be judged one day—Jesus is coming again, to claim His own who are His bride, but also to judge those who have rejected HIM, even as He said here, “every man according to his works”!  While the cost of following Jesus is totally by faith, through grace, there is an evidence, as Jesus Himself declares:

“If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.”

We cannot cling to self, flesh, lust, sin, greed, etc… and cling to Jesus at the same time!

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

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

We must make a choice, and we need to consider the import of our privilege to choose—for there is a test coming, and you will answer for yourself!  There won’t be any defense without Jesus—not your momma, not your spouse, not your credentials, not your education, not your money, fame or power…without Jesus you will stand ‘speechless’ before God. (See Revelation 20:11-15)

“And as it is appointed

unto men once to die,

but after this

the judgment:”   Hebrews 9:27

And Jesus will hold us accountable according to HIS Word not my opinion or yours, or the government’s, or Hollywood’s, or popular trends, snaps, chats, or tweets!  And Judge Jesus knows truth (HE is truth) and HIS Word will be the standard.

“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.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

You might want to make a list of all these things that The Word of God is doing, will do and consider your ways!  For Jesus made it very clear that HE knows truth—as my momma always said: “You can fool all of the people some of the time; and you can fool some of the people all of the time; but YOU CAN’T FOOL GOD:” (Not God The Father, God The Son, or God The Holy Spirit!)!

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

 shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many

wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

I know I have belabored this issue, and we’ll get to the hard part in a bit, but I am compelled to remind us all that there is only ONE WAY to God, and HIS name is Jesus, and eternal life isn’t a pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by thing, it is new life right now, eternal living as one who is “seated in” Heavenly places by the blood of Jesus that grants to us not only new life, but abundant life, victorious life, no matter how it looks to a world who hates HIM!  They hated Him when He was here on earth and He warned us that those who are His will suffer the same consequences from time to time.  Jesus reminded His disciples of this very thing on His way to the cross!  And if we have “taken up our cross” and are truly “following” Jesus, our lives will make ripples around us, causing others to keep their distance, ridicule our convictions, and call us unkind names—but we have been warned, by our Lord!

“If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are

not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”   John 15:18-21

Not a very popular message, but one that we desperately need today!  And my friends, if you don’t see the hand of God at work around us, you might want to open your eyes, or take off your blinders!  Jesus is at work in all around us—always has been, ever will be!  Are you listening for His voice, reading His Word and preparing for His return?  Or are you so caught up in the bling of the world that your ears have been dulled, and your eyes don’t see?  Jesus wants all to come, but HE won’t wait forever!  He told Noah, and as true as it was then, it is still true today (although God hasn’t given us the time!)

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

for that he also is flesh:

yet his days shall be

an hundred and twenty years.”   Genesis 6:3

And the Apostle Peter shows us the other side, and reminds us that God’s timing isn’t our timing, but don’t wait too long, for as Jesus said, we don’t know “what a day may bring forth”!

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,

that one day is with the Lord

as a thousand years,

and a thousand years

as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack

concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering

to us-ward,

not willing that any

should perish,

but that all

should come to repentance.”   2 Peter 3:8-9

God wants YOU, but He has given us the privilege of free-will to choose.  What will you do with your choice?  There is a test.

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven,

not to do mine own will,

but the will of him that sent me.

39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me,

that of all which he hath given me

I should lose nothing,

but should raise it up again

at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up at the last day.”  John 6:37-40

And HIS will is for you to come to Him through Jesus!  What will you do with HIM!  He gave His all, His life’s blood for you!

“These words spake Jesus,

and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come;

glorify thy Son,

that thy Son also

may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power

over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life

to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal,

that they might know thee

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ,

whom thou hast sent.”  John 17:1-3

To pull all of this together, I want to remind us that it is the blood of Jesus that saves, cleanses, transforms and provides for all that God has saved us to do.  And without that blood (which so many hate) we have no hope.  I want to share a couple more passages and a testimony that I hope will encourage your heart and speak to those who feel hopeless—for JESUS is our hope, through HIS precious blood that saves and delivers!

“He that despised Moses’ law

died without mercy

under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment,

suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy,

who hath trodden under foot the Son of God,

and hath counted the blood

of the covenant,

wherewith he was sanctified,

an unholy thing,

and hath done despite

unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said,

Vengeance belongeth unto me,

I will recompense,

saith the Lord.

And again,

The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing

to fall into the hands

of the living God.”  Hebrews 10:28-31

Jesus described this dilemma:

“And he beheld them, and said,

 What is this then that is written,

The stone which the builders rejected,

the same is become the head

of the corner?

18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone

shall be broken;

but on whomsoever it shall fall,

 it will grind him to powder.”  Luke 20:17-18

You can bring your brokenness to Jesus and find life, or you can reject His love, grace and salvation and experience His judgment.  I claim the testimony of the saints!

“And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and

by the word of their testimony;

and they loved

not their lives

unto the death.”   Revelation 12:11

How do you come to love Jesus enough to be willing to die for Him?  Only when we realize that HE gave His blood for me; by recognizing the love of God that GAVE HIS SON to pour out His pure, innocent, and sinless blood to pay for the sins of a poor lost wretch like me!  That’s how!  But we have come to a time in our world, in the “church” when the blood of Jesus has little if any value or meaning to many who claim the name of the ONE whose blood was shed for our salvation!  I don’t mean this to be accusatory, but to call us back to the cross and the love of The One who shed HIS blood for ME and YOU—for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.  Some of you may not want to read any further, as this testimony is a bit graphic, but I feel led to share this very private encounter with my God.

As most of you know, my daughter was murdered just before Christmas last, and of course when you deal with the legal authorities, there are papers, hoops, and such to get things done, and we were finally able to reclaim my daughter’s things last week; her personal affects—phone, cards, clothing, etc.….  We picked up the box of possessions and I almost got sick in the parking lot just knowing what was in that box.  The kind police officer had told me from the beginning that I didn’t want some of those things, and I assured him that I certainly did want them.  Some I needed for practical business matters, but the clothing and such he suggested that I not take.  Well, I did take it all.  It was a hard drive home for my husband and myself, but we got home, rested for a bit and then took the box into our den and began to open each of the marked bags of “evidence” of this crime.

Well of course, the tears began to flow, and heartbreak became reality as we opened each bag, read the label and appraised each item.  The items on the top of the stack were relatively benign, but the deeper we got into the box, the more gruesome the things became that we were pulling out.  And I’ll have to say truthfully, my tears poured as my broken heart realized what had been done to my precious, only daughter.  In fact, they are flowing now, as I write this account.  And the cry of “look what ‘he’ did” (the perpetrator) ….kept coming out again and again as we pulled out blood stained garment after garment.  Without being graphic, it was a heart-wrenching task, but one we knew we needed to do.  While the tears brought some relief, they also brought a heart that went to the cross.  As I looked at each of those gruesome items, I had to come face-to-face with what my JESUS did for me.  Cruel, sinful men took the life of God’s “Only Begotten Son” because HE loved me and wanted to save me from my “SIN”, and you from yours!  MY heart was filled to overflow to think that while my daughter was stolen from me, God GAVE Jesus to die for ME.  And Jesus went to that cross and shed HIS BLOOD for me.  Suffice it to say, I look at things differently today than I did just this time last week.  While I love my God and am grateful for all HE did for me at that cross that drained HIS SON of HIS life’s blood, I want to ask you, “Have you recognized the price that God paid to save YOU?”  I pray that I will never think of that cross in the same way again.  I miss my daughter terribly, but because of that “blood of Jesus” that “cleanseth us from all sin” I know where she is—not because she was a good person, or a good worker, or even because she was a victim—but because in a jail cell 11 years ago she had given her heart to Jesus in repentance and faith.  And while she had made some poor decisions, and fallen back into some dangerous habits that ultimately cost her life, I know that the blood of my daughter in my hands (so to speak) took me back to a cross where God willingly poured out Jesus’ blood for me.  How can I do less than serve Him with my whole being?  I can’t do less, even when others think me extreme, fanatic, or old-fashioned; I simply say, that “Old Time Religion” is good enough for me.  May God open your eyes to see His love and the price that HE paid for YOU!

“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;”  Titus 3:3-6

Amen and Amen!!!