Category Archives: The Only Way

Are You Out Of Focus??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #397

27 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Distractions, Faithful is He that has Promised!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Perseverance, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #397   Are You Out Of Focus???

 

I’d like to share a rather lengthy passage with you today, and make a few comments, but mostly I’d like to call each of us to ponder the question that I posed in the title of this article: “Are You Out Of Focus?”

We are all being inundated with political pundits who tell us what we ought to think and feel; with immorality on every hand; with a media that wants to convince us that right is wrong and wrong is right. So what are we to do? We are to follow our Lord Jesus Christ and learn from all that He has taught us! We must “study to shew yourselves approved unto God” by feasting on the Word of God rather than the lies of the world. Just as Paul told his son in the ministry, Timothy, all scripture is “inspired by God” and it is beneficial to holy living because it is: “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” and it will work in our hearts and lives to grow us in spiritual maturity to be “throughly furnished unto all good works”! (See 2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:16-17)

But let’s consider what Jesus said, and “think on these things”! (See Philippians 4:8)

“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.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass

of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought,

saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”     Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus isn’t calling us to be ‘thoughtless’, but to be faithful to follow HIM, doing what He says to do in all our ways. He clearly tells us in verse 33 that if we will “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness”, that God will provide and “all these things shall be added unto you”! So in bringing these thoughts to a close, here are a few things that we might want to consider, some things that may challenge us to “walk worthy” before our Lord and a lost and dying world! (See Eph. 4:1 & Col. 1:10)

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13

Just as Jesus said to His followers in Matthew 6, we can count on Him to keep His word, as ‘we’ keep His Word! So whatever is weighing on you today—give it to Jesus and follow Him. Remember it’s not the government, nor the weatherman, nor the economists, nor the media moguls, nor even honorable politicians that have our days in their hand—IT IS GOD Almighty, the ONE who IS in charge and HE IS TRUSTWORTHY—in all things!

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

How’s your ‘spiritual prosperity’ quotient? Don’t let the things of the world distract you!

“And a voice came out of the throne, saying,

Praise our God,

all ye his servants,

and ye that fear him,

both small and great.

6 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 19:5-6

May we ever keep our eyes on Jesus—our soon coming King! Don’t be distracted! We win, but we’re to keep fighting the “good fight” until He comes. It’s what we’ve been called and saved to do. Amen and Amen!

No More Time??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 11

24 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Let You Light So Shine, Living Right, Salvation, Sanctified To Serve!, Sharing Our Faith!, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Time, TODAY

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.11 No More Time???

 

Time is one of those subjects that is very ‘subjective’, it can be a positive thing or a negative thing, or it can be neither. We talk about having “plenty of time”; about having “no time left”; about things being “timeless”; “time” to rumble, or even “time out”! But what I want us to consider today, is the reality that we all must recognize—there is a “time” coming when “time” will be no more. But another important question that we will all have to answer is, “What have you/I done with ‘time’?” There is a time coming when we will all give an account of our use of the time that we have been given—each one will answer for their use of time. For no matter who we are—prosperous, poor, powerful, peon, plunderer or politician—we will all give an account, and we will all stand before God—as Savior or Judge!

“Blessed is he that readeth,

and they that hear the words of this prophecy,

and keep those things

which are written therein:

for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3

When John received the Revelation from Jesus, and recorded it for us, he is clearly reminds us that the “time is at hand”; and while that doesn’t mean that His coming is so eminent that it will happen today, it may! What he is telling us, is that when Jesus comes—it is going to take most people by surprise—whether we meet Him in the sky or He calls us through the veil of death, we need to be sure we are ready before the time comes! Am I ready? That is the question! My desire today, is to draw hearts to God; to be sure we are ready to meet Him when HE comes; be it in the sky or through death. And HE IS coming!

“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy

of this book:

for the time is at hand.”  Revelation 22:10

Jesus told John that the things that had been revealed to him were not to be sealed up but open to all because “the time is at hand”! And if things were “at hand” then, they are certainly “at hand” now! How much time do we have? Of course no one knows the answer to that question, but we do know that HE is coming, and there will be no second chances for those who reject Him! So there is a two-fold urgency that we need to understand; if you don’t know Jesus, you need to come to Him while you can; and if we do know Jesus, we need to be sharing the Good News of the Gospel with those around us! Today, don’t save it for tomorrow!

“Thus saith the LORD,

the Redeemer of Israel,

and his Holy One,

to him whom man despiseth,

to him whom the nation abhorreth,

to a servant of rulers,

Kings shall see and arise,

princes also shall worship,

because of the LORD that is faithful,

and the Holy One of Israel,

and he shall choose thee.

8 Thus saith the LORD,

In an acceptable time have I heard thee,

and in a day of salvation have I helped thee:

and I will preserve thee,

and give thee for a covenant

of the people,

to establish the earth,

to cause to inherit

the desolate heritages;

9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners,

Go forth;

to them that are in darkness,

Shew yourselves.

They shall feed in the ways,

and their pastures shall be in all

high places.

10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat

nor sun smite them:

for he that hath mercy on them

shall lead them,

even by the springs of water

shall he guide them.” Isaiah 49:7-10

When we come to God through Jesus Christ for salvation, He sends us out with the good news to share with others. Our salvation is a gift that is worth sharing, and there are so many who need to hear the Gospel!

“And he said unto me,

It is done.

I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end.

I will give unto him that is athirst

of the fountain

of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh

shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God,

and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:6-7

Jesus gives “of the fountain of the water of life freely” to all those who will come to Him. But we must come to HIM His way! And the time is now!

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

8 Harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation,

in the day of temptation

in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers tempted me,

proved me,

and saw my works forty years.

10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation,

and said,

They do alway err in their heart;

and they have not known my ways.

11 So I sware in my wrath,

They shall not enter into my rest.)

12 Take heed, brethren,

lest there be in any of you an evil heart

of unbelief,

in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily,

while it is called To day;

lest any of you be hardened

through the deceitfulness of sin.”    Hebrews 3:7-13

The author of Hebrews warns us to be careful of “departing from the living God” like the children of Israel, and being rejected by God because of our lack of faith, and rejection of HIS salvation.

“(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

Today is the only day that we have! God is calling us to Himself, and nothing else is as important as that—both for those who are lost and need salvation, and to those who belong to Jesus and are called to:

“Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them

to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo, I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world. Amen.”    Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus commissioned us to “Go” (or it could be interpreted “as you Go”), and share what He has imparted to us. And when we have received the greatest gift of all, why would we not share it? We have been given eternal life through the precious blood of Jesus our Lord and Savior. Paul even alludes to this very thing, when he calls us to put on the armor of God!

“Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:14-18

We are to have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”! Simply put, we are to leave ‘footprints’ of the Gospel everywhere we go, by a life well lived for Jesus! For we can only have “peace with God” through Jesus, and the time to take care of our relationship with God is “Today”! Consider what Paul told the Romans:

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:1-11

Did you get all that? We have so much in Jesus, how could we keep it secret? How can we not live for HIM before a lost and dying world—a world dying without Jesus? Jesus who grants:

peace with God—the love of God—

the Holy Ghost—the atonement!!!

All because God loves YOU and ME! What will you do with Jesus today? Look up, He could come today! Ready or Not!

Believing A Lie??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #396

22 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Sharing Our Faith!, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Wasting Time

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #396  Believing A Lie???

 

I usually write on lighter issues on Fridays, but feel really burdened and compelled to write on a more serious topic today. I truly believe that the coming of Jesus Christ is eminently near, and it grieves me to know that there are those who don’t know Him, those who have willfully rejected Him, or even more tragic (if that’s possible), those who have simply chosen to put off following Jesus until another day. Paul also saw people made poor decisions as he shared the truth about the Gospel of Jesus to those he had the opportunity to reach.

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered,

Go thy way

for this time;

when I have a convenient season,

I will call for thee.”   Acts 24:25

Paul encountered the Governor, Felix, and shared the Gospel as his defense against the accusations for which he had been placed in custody by the Romans. Felix was compelled by the truth of the message he heard, but chose to wait for a “convenient” time. My friends, if you are waiting on a convenient time to come to Jesus, it will never arrive! We can only come to Jesus when His Spirit pricks and convicts our hearts and minds and reveals our personal sin to us, as Jesus knocks on our hearts door! If He is knocking at the door of your heart, you need to respond today—He may not come 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

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44

Contrary to popular opinion, you cannot be saved whenever you want. Only when the Holy Spirit of Jesus convicts your heart of sin, and calls you to repent and be saved, can you come to HIM! We know that God wants all to repent and believe, but the choice belongs to each individual whether they will respond in repentance and faith and receive Jesus, or reject Him, or delay until it’s too late. It’s your choice, but you don’t know how often God will call you.

“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

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

for that he also is flesh….” Genesis 6:3a

Don’t wait to respond to the call of God to your heart—it could be too late. Don’t reject the message of salvation, and the convicting tug of the Holy Spirit. You might come “One Day Too Late” (An old Gospel song written by Lanny Wolfe!)! Don’t be like King Agrippa, another official who heard the Gospel from Paul, and make a poor choice.

“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 26:27-29

Another false perception that people have bought into today, is the hope that if they reject Jesus, and the rapture occurs, they will recognize the event and come to Jesus, after rejecting Him and His call to them in the past. Paul told the Thessalonians that this was not the case then, and it isn’t the case now. Let’s see what he had to say about some of the events of those last days.

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him,

whose coming is after the working of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness

in them

that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”    2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

Without going into a lot of background, this is a picture of the time of the coming “Anti-Christ”. The one who will come and claim to be God, Messiah and deliverer, but who in reality will be the “imitation” Messiah, the deceiver who will draw almost the whole world to pursue and follow him—including those who have willfully rejected Jesus before that point in time. While there will be many saved during that time, it won’t be anyone who has already heard and rejected the Gospel to the time referred to as “The Great Tribulation”.

Why am I addressing this issue without going into detail about the “end time” events? Because it’s not the timing of the events, or the biblical account of those things that I want to share today; I simply want to urge those of you who don’t know Jesus to respond to His convicting Holy Spirit who may be speaking to your heart today, because you may not have another opportunity to hear His voice. I am so concerned for those who are counting on things other than Jesus to save them, and give them eternal life with The Father and The Son! It’s not church membership that saves, it’s not being baptized that saves, it’s not doing great works in “Jesus’” name that saves, it’s not having parents or grandparents that love God and pray for you that saves (although many of us have come to Jesus because of those who have prayed for us!), and it’s not being a good person. The blood of Jesus, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice, is the only way to salvation and heaven. It is only HIS blood that ‘cleanses us from all sin’! And my friends I don’t want anyone who is reading this post to miss Jesus, and hear the dreaded words that no one wants to hear. What will you hear when HE comes, or when you face HIM in death? Will you hear ‘enter in’ or “Depart”? Today is all we have!! What will you do with Jesus 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

Won’t you come to Him in repentance and faith today, and experience that wonderful loving invitation that He extends to all who are His own?

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

I pray that you will hear the Spirit’s voice today—and respond accordingly.

“And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”   Mark 4:9

And for those of us who already know Him, may we be faithful to share the good news while we have the opportunity! The time may be shorter than we think!

 

 

 

Why Is Everybody Angry??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #395

20 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Anger, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #395 Why Is Everybody Angry???

 

Why do we see so much anger around us? Who ever heard of ‘road rage’ 30 years ago? So were people not angry then? Of course we know that anger has been around for a long time, but it seems to be increasing exponentially today—but why? Let’s consider anger, and examine our own hearts to see if we are a part of the problem or a part of the solution? The first account of anger and its worst-case outcome is found in Genesis.

“And in process of time it came to pass,

that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground

an offering unto the LORD.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings

of his flock and of the fat thereof.

And the LORD had respect

unto Abel and to his offering:

5 But unto Cain and to his offering

he had not respect.

And Cain was very wroth,

and his countenance fell.

6 And the LORD said unto Cain,

Why art thou wroth?

and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest well,

shalt thou not be accepted?

and if thou doest not well,

sin lieth at the door.

And unto thee shall be

his desire,

and thou shalt rule over him.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother:

and it came to pass,

when they were in the field,

that Cain rose up against Abel

his brother,

and slew him.” Genesis 4:3-8

If I might presume to summarize (for the sake of time and space); after Adam and Eve chose to sin and God put them out of Eden, their first two sons grew into adulthood and brought offerings unto The Lord God—Abel brought a blood sacrifice (as Genesis 3 implies that they were instructed to do) to God, and Cain brought of his produce. Simply put, Abel came to God, God’s way, and Cain decided to come his own way—and because of the sin in his heart (self-righteousness) Cain’s offering wasn’t pleasing to God. When God spoke to Cain, He made it clear that Cain had a sin problem, and if he didn’t take care of it, it would take ‘care’ of him. And it did! In rejecting God’s call to repentance and obedience in faith, Cain found himself overcome by sin and his anger boiled over, resulting in the murder of Abel. Why? All because of Cain’s own sin, and refusal to repent—not because of any wrong that Able had done. Jesus addressed this same principle in his conversation with Nicodemus.

“For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:16-19

Do you catch it?

“men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil”!

Just as Cain chose to cling to his own sin, men, women, boys and girls are making the same choice today! The only difference is that we have the multiplied affect of generations of continued sin! Sin is rampant, and sin unchecked by Jesus, will increase anger; for sin focuses on “ME”, “SELF” and “Immediacy”– getting what I want when I want it; regardless of the fact that we live and interact with others daily. We can choose to live with patience, courtesy, and kindness or we can live selfishly regarding only self. When we demand our own way and don’t get it immediately, then anger can take over. Unfulfilled expectations (real or imagined) can cause uncontrolled rage. We must recognize the danger in our own lives, and make right choices. We who follow Jesus are to live differently, keeping our eyes on HIM, and walking in submission and obedience to Him!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction

of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”    Hebrews 12:1-3

The best deterrent to uncontrolled anger, is to trust Jesus in all that we face! By fixing out eyes on Him, keeping our focus on HIM, and not ME, we will be empowered to:

“…..Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16b

The bottom line is this, we must choose to trust God with our lives, or we may find ourselves demanding that things go our own way, now! It isn’t the anger that is the sin, but anger that is out of control. Anger is simply an emotion; we must control our emotions or they will control us.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.”   Ephesians 4:26-27

If we will “walk in the Spirit”, we will find the power to control our emotions—all of them, both the legitimate ones as well as the illegitimate ones; asking God to help us be angry at the right things, at the right time, for the right reasons, and to ever respond in the right way. So let’s check anger? Is it righteous indignation, or are we allowing “rage” to take over and giving glory to “the devil” rather than our Lord. May we ever reflect the character of our Lord, not the angry masses! The bottom line is, “Do I trust God with the ‘now’?” We can have the same confidence that Job had! How about you? Confidence diffuses anger!!!

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

HIS Way Or Mine??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 10

17 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Distractions, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.10 HIS Way Or Mine???

 

We talked last week about the truth of scripture that “every knee shall bow” before The Lord Jesus when He returns! I’d like us to continue in that vein of thought and I ask each of us to “consider your ways”! Those who claim to know Jesus, need to be sure that we are walking in the way that Jesus calls us to walk; we need to examine our own hearts and lives each day and be sure that we are God’s, being what He wants us to be, and doing that which pleases HIM.

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”   2 Corinthians 13:5

This is a call to be certain that we know our genuine spiritual state! It doesn’t matter what others may think of us, what matters is what God knows about us, and that we truly know HIM. And when we know Him, we can be sure of our relationship by His Spirit, which dwells within us.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.” Ro. 8:8-10

The Word God makes it clear that those who belong to Jesus, have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within them, and by His presence we can truly know whose we are!

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” Romans 8:16

“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

God knows those who are His own, those who have been born again by the Spirit of God. But we must be sure that we belong to Him, that we have received the new life in Christ by grace through faith in His redeeming blood!

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:11-13

God brings new birth to those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith, giving us life by the death of Jesus.

“And you hath he quickened, (made alive)

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course

of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all

had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts

of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires

of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead

in sins,

hath quickened us

together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved😉”.  Ephesians 2:1-5

God takes lost sinners and makes them saints, and calls us to know Him and walk in His way—yet HE repeatedly calls us to “consider your ways”! In the book of Haggai, God called His people Israel to do what they had said they would do; to obey Him and do HIS work not their own. These people had returned to the land of Judah, and the city of Jerusalem from the land of Babylon in order to rebuild the temple and the city of God. The people had been called to obey God and rebuild HIS temple, but they had become distracted, and were so busy taking care of themselves, that they neglected to trust God and do HIS will! Instead they had put ‘self’ first—as we often do!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34

We are called to “seek” Jesus first, to follow Him and trust Him in all our ways. In the Model Prayer, Jesus reminds us that our heart’s focus is to be on God—always! Let’s take a look and see what Jesus calls us to do! Watch the pronouns and where Jesus says our allegiance ought to be.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. (God’s kingdom!)

Thy will be done          (God’s will!)

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day      (God’s provision!)

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us        (God’s forgiveness!)

our debts,

as we forgive

our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, (HIS Lead!)

but deliver us from evil:    (HIS provision!)

For thine is the kingdom,           (HIS kingdom!)

and the power,                          (HIS power!)

and the glory,                            (HIS glory!)

for ever.                                     (ALWAYS!)

Amen.” Matthew 6:6:9-13

Our allegiance is to God—first, foremost and always; to HIS kingdom, not our own; to HIS will, not our own, to HIS perfect provision in all! It reminds me of another passage.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

We can only live a spiritually profitable life for God, when we put all our “trust” in HIM, when we “lean not” on our own understanding; when we “acknowledge HIM”; trusting HIM to direct our paths! We cannot trust in our own wisdom, but we must learn to totally trust in God’s wisdom, following His leading and the prompting of HIS Spirit–not our own or the worlds. Let’s hear what God had to say through Haggai!

“Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

4 Is it time for you,

O ye,

to dwell in your cieled houses,

and this house lie waste?

5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:5

What are we choosing to do with our lives: what we want to do, or what God has called us to do: His way or ours?

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Consider your ways.

8 Go up to the mountain,

and bring wood,

and build the house;

and I will take pleasure in it,

and I will be glorified,

saith the LORD.” Haggai 1:7-8

The question that you and I must answer is, “Are we following our God, and doing what HE calls us to do; or are we doing our own thing?” Are we trying to please the world, by popularity, prominence, or wealth? Or are we choosing God’s will? Will you “consider your ways”? We must ask God to search us so that we might walk right before HIM, being cognizant of our own hearts and minds, considering how to truly reflect Jesus to the world, not self! We are living in perilous times; it is imperative that we stand fast!

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”   2 Timothy 3:1-5

Consider that last phrase, “from such turn away”! Are we turning away from the evil, or are we trying to accommodate the evil, and make it palatable? Jesus told us, and Paul reiterates here, that we will be “despised” for following HIM—for living ‘righteous’ by HIS blood and HIS Word!

“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 5:21

We can only be ‘good’/‘righteous’ by the blood of Jesus, when He saves us by His grace, through HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross! Only One way—only One Savior. And when He saves us He gives us HIS Spirit to dwell within us, to enable us to reflect the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ rather than the ‘works of the flesh’. Let’s ask God to examine our hearts to see what is really there—the Spirit of Jesus or the spirit of the world. Take some time this week to read Galatians 5:16-26 and examine your heart in light of the contrast! Then may we each lift up to God one of the simplest, yet greatest prayers in all of scripture:

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

Amen and Amen!!!