Bible Ballistics: Ready or not? 10/27/13 Vol. 2 No.24

We looked recently at the question of our “readiness” and I’d like us to revisit this subject today.  Jesus IS COMING soon ready or not.  Readiness is a question we all need to consider, saved or lost.

I’d like us to look at three things that will occur at or after Jesus’ coming.  Now I won’t get into the timings of the events of His return but the ultimate effect on us personally.

The first option is ‘nothing’.  (For our purposes this week I will be using the first person solely, you put yourself in that place).  I may hear ‘nothing’ (at first)!!  When Christ calls His church out of the world at the rapture, regardless of when I think it is, I may be left behind.  I will not hear the call and I won’t know I didn’t hear the call.  Contrary to the popular movies of the same title we won’t get a second chance if we have rejected Christ at that point.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 Paul states clearly, “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.” 

Here we see plainly that those who have willfully rejected Christ as Savior and Lord will be sent a strong delusion from God because they

“received NOT the …truth, that they might be saved”, and they “believed not the truth”.  

We must receive the Lord when we have the opportunity, we can’t count on a second chance.  Jesus himself said that

“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,

and John 3:5 says, “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.”

John 6:63-64a, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not.”  

Also John 16:7-9, which reveals that it is the Holy Spirit which convicts my heart of sin and calls me to the Savior,

 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;”

 And finally John 14:6,

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ’s personal sacrifice for MY sin.  Only when I experience the conviction of the Holy Spirit touching my heart and showing me my sin and my need of a Savior can I see the need to repent and trust Christ for salvation.  GOD initiates it all and only when HE speaks to me can I come.

If I don’t know Jesus there is only one thing I’ll hear from Him and that is Judgment, as He himself reveals in Matthew 7:23,

“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” 

We won’t quote it here but in the verses that follow, Jesus gives the contrast of the wise and the foolish man; “hear my words and do them=wise man” or “hear my words and do them not=foolish man”.  We’ve probably all sung the children’s song that states the end of both.  One stands, one crashes–referring to “life” not just houses.

Which am I?

Wise?

Foolish?

The second of our options is what I’ll call the “empty Christian life”.

1 Corinthians 3:13-15 says, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 

I can be a true believer, having been born again but not use my life to honor and serve Jesus as I should.  This is not referring to wicked behavior but to selfish and spiritually useless service—doing what pleases, glorifies or satisfies me rather than God. God expects better of me because:

2 Peter 1:3-4, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”  

God gave me all I need to serve HIM when HE delivered me from hell and the corruption that is in the world.  But sometimes we choose to walk too close to the world to be of any spiritual use to God.

Romans 12:1, “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.” 

I have been saved, delivered and changed by the power of Jesus death on the cross, how could I do less than give Him my ALL?  A sacrifice means dead to self (see Gal 2:20).

And finally the simplest of all reasons to serve HIM,

1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.” 

Is anything less than my best what HE is worthy of?  I think not. He loved me FIRST (see Romans 5:6).

And lastly the final of our three options—

“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.

Oh, I long to hear this greeting when I face my Lord.  How about you?

Will you be “left behind” and be rejected in the end?

Or do you know Him but will be ashamed of your life when you stand before Him with only ashes to show for all He’s done for YOU?  We wouldn’t put our paycheck in the fire—why would we waste our lives?

Or will you hear “well done….good and faithful servant”?

Heavy thoughts, but worthy of our attention NOW.  Have a blessed week as you consider your life and walk with or without Jesus.

It’s your choice.

Choose well,

for each choice has a consequence—

an eternal one!!!

Bible Ballistics: Catalytic or Catatonic? 10/20/13 Vol. 2 No.23

A catalyst is ‘a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change’ or ‘a person that precipitates an event..such as a debate’.  For our purposes today we’ll use the former meaning but keeping the later in mind, ‘to change something without being changed ourselves’ (paraphrased).  Catatonic, on the other hand is, ‘of or in an unresponsive stupor’.  Which am I?  You? Are we making a difference in our world or just going to sleep on the job—in an ‘unresponsive stupor’?

 Romans 12:2 says, “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”. 

We are called to be different from the world—not conformed (like an ice cube is conformed to it’s container), but being transformed by the renewing of our minds.  To keep our hearts and minds fixed on Jesus—and on heaven– in order to show God’s will and ways to our world.  What does the world see when it looks at me? You?

Hebrews 12:1-2, “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.” 

Forsaking sin, depending on the supply of Jesus, and standing confidently in what HE has done for us on the cross. 

John 1:12-13 says, “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.” 

1 Thess. 2:12-13,  “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

When I walk with and for Jesus I can be a catalyst for change because God is working in me.

Phil 2:12-13 says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”   

And Jesus himself tells us in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” 

To keep His commands I must know them and to know them I must know His word.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 tells us, “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.” 

When I walk in God’s ways I can be a catalyst for change as the early disciples were in Acts 17:6, “And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;”

Are we “turning the world upside down”?  Or are we being turned upside down by the world?  Remember we are called to be “transformed” not ‘conformed’.  How?  By “the renewing of your mind”, in order to “prove”  or show the world what God’s love looks like in flesh and bone–US—God’s hands and feet in this world. “Christ in YOU the hope of glory” (Col 1:27b)

James 4:4-8 clearly tells us NOT to be like the world, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 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.”

Are we living pure, humble and holy lives, separated from the world though in it? Am I/are we being a catalyst or just ‘going along to get along’? Catatonic?

What does that mean?  To be ‘unresponsive’!!!  To see what is going on around us and do nothing!!!  Not trying to or thinking I can change the world alone, but knowing that when I walk with Jesus,

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”(Phil 4:13)

I don’t have to be catatonic.

I have observed that often times in “Christendom” we try to change the world into our “style” in order to be more comfortable in it, rather than calling the world to Jesus so that HE can change them from the inside out.  Not creating an ‘environment’ to entice the world into the church, but living godly, holy lives of obedience and proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, which will draw a lost world to a life-changing Savior.

John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

It often appears that we have given up on the gospel and created our own ‘slide-show’ appeal to save the world.  I’d like to close with a most thought provoking verse,

1 Cor 1:21, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 

Let’s be a catalyst to bring the world to Jesus without changing what God has called us to be, nor being ‘catatonic’.  May God speak to your heart this week through His Word.  His blessing on you this week.

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”

As we continue this week, we’ll consider the 3^rd of our 5 D’s: Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence.

Discernment– “The ability to judge well”.

To be “ready” for Jesus’ return, we must judge with wisdom in our everyday choices.  We must be discriminating— “having or showing refined taste or good judgment”.

1 Cor. 12:7-11 says, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom…… to another discerning of spirits; …..11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will..”

The gift of the Spirit listed here,  ‘discerning of spirits’, is our subject today.  Rendering supernatural judgment in spiritual matters.

Spiritual gifts given to “every man”, “to profit withal” at the Holy Spirit’s will (verse 11).  Gifts given to each believer, for the good of all at God’s direction.

Ecc 8”5b says, “and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.”

Ezk 44:23, “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” 

So?  Here’s our shot for the day—?????  Be discerning—make choices based on God’s Word. Pay attention and choose the “holy” not the “profane”. God will teach you if you’ll but

read His word,

pray and

listen to His Spirit!!! 

So?  Keep looking up. Seek to be—

Debt free,

Diligent and

Discerning

for the return of our Lord and the increase of His kingdom.

Bible Ballistics: Deny Him? 10/13/13 Vol. 2 No.22

We looked at “incongruity” last week, and found that it refers to things that don’t line up or match.  Looking at Jeremiah lately, I’ve seen an incongruity in Israel. They were talking about being “God’s”, but not really knowing Him.  Are we doing that?  To put a spin on a popular gospel song, “Can we, Could we, Would we—Yes we can, we could and we would but we shouldn’t”….

Who would deny Jesus?  Matthew 10:32-39 says,

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

Jesus tells us here that following Him will not always be a popular thing to do.  Following Him carries a price tag; one that many aren’t willing to pay.  Although salvation is a free “gift” of God, it isn’t “cheap”.  It cost Christ His life-blood on Calvary and it will cost us “losing our life” on the altar of faith and submission.  We see in Romans 12:1-2,

“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.” 

We are called to give our life to Him—after all He paid for it (see 1Cor 6:19-20).  As Galatians 2:20 says,

“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.” 

To place my faith and trust in Jesus Christ, means I am depending on HIM for living my life.

As we see in 2 Peter 1:3, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”.

We hear from Peter, that salvation empowers us to have not only life, but godliness as we live daily.  Enabled to obey Him and His word, as Jesus himself says in

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

What does this have to do with “denying” Him?  I think a lot.  We often see in our “media” resources instructions to “do this or that” to prove we’re not “ashamed” of Him.   They quote Matthew about “confess me before men…..deny me before men…” and the consequence of each particular action to compel us to comply.  Is that what Jesus expects of us?  Does a button “deny” Him or my living?

I believe that Jesus has a much deeper meaning than what we have made it.  In our media saturated culture we have come to believe and base our security on something so flimsy as “tweets”, “posts”, “likes”, and “forwards” and have missed what our Lord has called us to be and do.  We must understand that scripture—all of scripture, teaches us that real saving faith in Jesus is evidenced by our lifestyle not by pushing or not pushing a button. You can’t push enough buttons to get to heaven….  Only faith in Jesus saves!!!!

James gives us a picture of “real faith”.  Not talking about works that save but works that are the evidence of real salvation. Ephesians 2 gives a similar picture.  Let’s look at both.

James 2:17-20, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”   Not a ‘say so’ faith but a ‘do so’ faith.

Real faith is more than words, or just saying one believes in God.  It is a total commitment of ourselves and our souls to the power and deliverance of God through Christ’s sacrifice for my sin.

Ephesians 2:8-10,  “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.” 

Here Paul clearly tells us that we are saved by faith through grace, but we are saved to do good works.  It’s not the vehicle of my salvation but the evidence of it.

As I have been studying Jeremiah in recent weeks, God calls his own people, Israel, to come to Him in truth not just words.

Jeremiah 5:2 says, “And though they say, The Lord liveth; surely they swear falsely.”  

And Isaiah 29:13 mirrors the same idea, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”

So what?

So I think we need to understand that God is holding me/us accountable for our whole life, not just our words (written or spoken).  Just “forwarding”, “liking” or “sharing” something or not doing so, is not the evidence of my allegiance to Jesus.  If I am devoted to HIM, my “LIFE” will reveal that, and others will KNOW that I love and obey HIM by my lifestyle.

How are we living?  Are we (am I) willing to claim love for Jesus when there is no cost other than pushing a button?  Or am I willing to sacrifice my desires and choices daily to follow Jesus?  Does my life show that I love Jesus most or myself?  A question we all need to ask.  May God speak to you this week as you ponder how and where you “walk” and if it’s with Jesus?