Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.14    His Death Brings LIFE!!!

 

As we approach the time when we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, let’s spend some time considering Jesus and the price that HE paid for us.

“And Jesus answered them, saying,

The hour is come,

that the Son of man should be glorified.

²⁴ Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground

and die,

it abideth alone:

but if it die,

it bringeth forth much fruit.

²⁵ He that loveth his life

shall lose it;

and he that hateth his life

in this world

shall keep it unto life eternal.

²⁶ If any man serve me,

let him follow me;

and where I am,

there shall also my servant be:

if any man serve me,

him will my Father honour.

²⁷ Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?

Father, save me from this hour:

but for this cause came I unto this hour.”      John 12:23-27

Jesus came to give His life so that we could live now and in eternity with Him. It was His purpose for coming; it was God’s will to provide the perfect sacrifice for our salvation; it was Jesus’ desire to bring us to The Father, knowing it would cost His death—He loved us that much!

“And no man hath ascended up to heaven,        

but he that came down from heaven,          

even the Son of man which is in heaven.

¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent                      

in the wilderness,                                               

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:      

¹⁵ That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,                                

but have eternal life.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world,                                

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”     John 3:13-16

Jesus took on flesh and blood, to be the sacrifice for sin. He came to pay for our sin, and save us from the penalty of it, hell. Jesus came that we might know Him and The Father, and not only spend eternity with Him, but also have them in our lives for victorious lives in the here and now—victory over sin.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. ²² Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23

“God with us “, Jesus who came as the ‘seed’ of the woman to die for us, and unless we trust Him as payment for our sin, we are doomed to pay for our own sin, and the payment due for sin is ‘death’, eternal death.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

As the old hymn says, “Jesus Paid It All”! And there is no other payment for sin, except Jesus, the only way to God. Jesus came to die for us so we wouldn’t have to pay for our own sin. He came so that we could have life and spend eternity with Him—it IS the reason He came—to die in my place and yours, to bring us to heaven and The Father.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. ⁴ And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. ⁵ Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? ⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:1-6

As Jesus was about to approach the cross, the disciples couldn’t understand what was about to happen. Jesus was trying to prepare them for His eminent departure, and they just couldn’t understand—but then we wouldn’t have either! Jesus was telling the disciples that even though they didn’t understand what was about to happen (just like we don’t always understand what’s going on), that it wasn’t being able to know and/or understand all that was going on about them, but that they, and we, could know the way, because we “know” HIM! He is not ‘a way’ to God, but “THE Way” to God, the only way. And that way is the way of the CROSS! His death for me and you, so that we could be ‘born again’ in His resurrection power!

What totally amazes me, is that God knew even before He created us, that we would fall into sin, yet He had already made the way for us to be saved from that very sin.

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24

God is the eternal God of salvation, and by His love and grace He not only knew we’d need a way, but He sent His only son as The Way! God made the way for us—The Jesus way, knowing the cost was Jesus’ life at Calvary.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: ⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” Ephesians 1:3-5

“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 1:18-21

New life; new hope; a new relationship with the God who created us, and the glory of eternal life with HIM forever! Life from death—not only saved from death, but also saved to new life IN Him.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” Romans 6:3-5

We can have new life IN Jesus! And not only new life In Him, but also HIM IN us—the indwelling Holy Spirit, which HE bought with His own blood.

“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: ²⁷ 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 1:26-27

“Christ in you, the hope of glory”—Christ in those who will come to Him in repentance and faith. The “New Covenant” in HIS blood. Bought at Calvary, received by repentance and faith, our life given to HIM in faith, knowing that it’s Jesus, “ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (see Col 1:14) His life for me! We must choose who can save us, self or Jesus? And receiving Him, means dying to myself:

“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

The saved live by faith—faith alone, in Christ alone, by His grace alone.

“And you hath he quickened, (Meaning make 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;)

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

Saved by Grace!!! Praise God Almighty for His great love.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Jesus, just like the seed planted in the ground to die, and then to bring forth fruit, was planted in death to be raised to life eternal, for us. He already possessed ‘eternity’—yet He died to share it with all who will come to Him in repentance and faith. And when we come to Him, we are to daily take up our cross, dying to self. He empowers us to live unto HIM by His Holy Spirit and the Resurrection power that enables us to live victorious lives IN HIM!

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

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

What will you do? Take up your cross and die to self, or are you holding onto this world, and your own way? You can’t take hold of the cross with your hands full of the world.

“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

Will you take up your cross today? Will you die to self, and let Him raise you up to newness of life? Just like we plant the seeds in the spring, and look to the harvest to come—so Jesus takes our life and plants it in HIS kingdom to raise us up to walk in newness of life—HIS life in us. Just as Paul told the Colossians: “Christ in you, the hope of glory”!

HE is our hope, our joy and our future–Jesus Christ, the seed which died to bring new life! Just as He explained to the disciples in John 14, we don’t have to fear, but believe and trust all things to Him, as He said:

“…if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also….”

We must simply (although it’s not easy) trust Him and obey:

“….run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Remember, we can have “new life” in Him, born from the seed that was planted in death—but raised in victory on that great amazing Resurrection Day! And because of it, we can live victorious, abundant new life in Jesus, because HE gained the victory over death—HE AROSE!!!

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.”   1 Corinthians 15:50-56

And praise to our Lord Jesus it doesn’t stop there:

“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 15:50:58

Jesus is still in the life-changing business. Trust HIM today. If you know HIM, then take up your cross and follow HIM—“ stedfast… unmoveable…. always abounding in the work of the Lord”! Amen and Amen!

Going over some older BBs and thought we all might need a reminder.

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”   Change???

We all encounter change that is out of our control.  We still must make decisions and respond.  How are we to deal with change, especially sudden, unexpected change?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “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.” 

We can be ready for change by living in a “trust” relationship with God.  How do we come to “trust” in God?

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” 

We must know and revere God (the meaning of fear).

When we come to know Him in faith we will find Him trustworthy.

John 17:9-11 “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one, as we are.”

Not just knowing HIM but being one with HIM..  When we are born again we ..’become the sons of God’ (see John 1:12).

Children who come to know that no matter the circumstances they can trust their Father!!

Do you know HIM?

If so trust HIM with your every step…..even the ‘mis’-steps.

He is always faithful.

If not call on Him for salvation in Jesus. Repent of your sin, and trust His death as payment for your sin.  (see Romans 10:8-11)

So?  Here’s our shot for the day—????  Trust Him regardless- “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” 2 Cor. 5:7

So?  ??????  Press on in faith, He is trustworthy.  And keep looking up!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #346 ‘Glory To God In The Highest’???

 

Yes, I know that’s a verse from the story of the coming of Jesus, but today I just want to “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”! Thank you Lord God Almighty for the wondrous rain that you have showered upon our parched ground. Why glory? Because He is worthy of our praise:

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13b

Glory to the God of all creation for—

He created it–

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life

was the light of men.” John 1:1-4

God The Father, God The Son, and the Holy Spirit were one at creation, and they are one today. Just as John reminds us, “All things were made by him”, Jesus, and not only did He create “All things”, but Jesus is the sustainer of all things with God and to the glory of God!

He sustains it–

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:” Hebrews 1:1-3

Our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not only created this world, but sustain it now and until the end (and yes there is an end of ‘this’ world coming—See 2 Peter 3:9-14); and it is God who is in total control. It is NOT the government or the weatherman! They can’t create rain (although some try!) or cause the sun to shine—only God can do that, and I just want to praise HIM for sending us the rain that we so desperately needed.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:10-14

Even as the angels declared on that glorious night so long ago, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”; it was God who was due the glory—not only the highest glory of all, but because He is the Most High God! He is worthy of glory, and sending His Son to bring salvation to all who will believe, is the greatest glory of all. And what about peace and good will? Well, my friends, JESUS is the good will of God toward a lost and dying race—mankind, us—because His death, burial and resurrection for our sin gives us peace with the God from whom we are estranged. And that is the only peace that really matters in this crazy world of chaos and confusion. The “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” can rule in our hearts (See Philippians 4:7). So glory is due to God—and it is to be the highest praise and glory that we are capable of offering to our God. Not just on Sunday (or whatever day of the week that you assemble for worship), but we are to praise and glorify God every day of our lives as children of God through the blood of Jesus our Lord!!!

“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….

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.”     Romans 5:1-2, 6-8

So, today I say “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”! Glory to our God for the rain that has nourished our ground, and for the rain/reign that Jesus is to my soul! How about you? Won’t you join me today in praising God for the “rain” of life—both the ‘water’ and “The Word’! Amen and Amen!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.13    Sheep Or Wolves???

 

We live in a day when the Gospel has been watered down, compromised and changed by many to accommodate the world, or to appeal to the masses whether they want to receive Christ on His terms or not. Scripture is very clear that there is only ONE Way to God, and that is through the death, burial and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ. His sacrifice bought our salvation. And every man, woman, boy and girl will give an account of what they have done with Jesus. Jesus is the ONLY Way—it’s why HE came.

“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 & 23

Jesus came to save us from our sin—because SIN is the issue, and Jesus came to “save his people from their sins”! No matter what the world says, or even what many so-called churches say today, sin is the issue—and Jesus is the only answer, and His death, burial and resurrection are what bought eternal life for all who will believe in HIM. And because of His sacrifice, “God with us”, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is The “name which is above every name”, because His sacrifice was for you and me! But the question is, “What have you done with His sacrifice?”

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”    Philippians 2:8-11

The question is not ‘will you bow?’ but ‘when will you bow’. The Risen Lord will return, and when He does, “every knee” will bow–I will bow, you will bow, every person will bow and confess “Jesus Christ is Lord”. The question every person must consider is, “Will you bow before Him as your personal Lord, Savior and Redeemer” or “Will you bow before Him ‘then’ as your judge?” But if you refuse to bow before Him as your Lord and Savior, you will bow before Him as your judge, with no recourse of salvation. The time of grace will have passed, and contrary to popular opinion, Jesus is the only way, He is the only remedy for sin, the only way to be made sons and daughters of God.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

“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

It’s the same new birth that Jesus told Nicodemus about in John 3. We “must be born again”; our name written in “The Lamb’s Book of Life”, and unless we belong to Jesus we will have to answer for our own sin in eternal death.

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“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

“…….Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…….. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ……7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Portions of John 3:3-7

“Ye must be born again.” Simply put by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself—“Ye must be born again”! There is no other way to have eternal life or “peace with God”!

“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.” Romans 5:1-10

We are sinners without Jesus, headed for hell, but we can be saved sinners, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb who died for us, for all who will believe and receive Him. And my friends, I truly believe that we don’t have a lot of time, and my heart breaks for so many. I pray that those who may see this post, won’t wake up one day, and find that you have come to Him one day too late. Today is the day that we must act—it is all we have. Yesterday is gone and won’t return and tomorrow has not come, and some of us may never see tomorrow. Today is all we have, what will you do with Jesus today.

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (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 6:1-2

“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.” Hebrews 3:7-12

The call is to trust Jesus today, to come to the cross in repentance and faith. Come to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when you hear His voice (Through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit) speaking to your heart. There may not be another opportunity. The Gospel is clear—believe and receive the salvation that the blood of Jesus bought. And be sure that you aren’t relying on a ‘vain faith’.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”     1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Be sure that your faith is placed in the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, not people, or churches or even yourself, but be certain that you have truly been “born again” by the Spirit of God, evidenced by the presence and power of His Holy Spirit in your life. God is always at work in His own children, yet without Jesus there is only death facing those who refuse to trust in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for our sin.

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins……39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” John 8:24, 39-45

Do you believe Jesus? Have you examined yourself to be sure that you are a genuine, legitimate child of God, and not one who claims to believe yet there is no evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ. A day is coming when all will give an account, and the Great and Mighty God, and Jesus Christ The Son will reveal the truth to and about each person, and what each one has truly done with Jesus. We must examine our own hearts to see what we have really done with Jesus. Have we simply used Him for our own purposes, or claimed His name as a “get out of jail free” card? What kind of ‘faith’ do you have?

“For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 5 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 13:4-5

“…the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”    1 Corinthians 15:1-2

Jesus shares in Matthew 7, the question of whether men are real sheep or wolves in “sheep’s clothing”? Are we trees that bring forth ‘good fruit’ or ‘evil fruit’? And the tree will always produce after its kind—an evil tree may try to imitate a good tree but the fruit will reveal the truth of its heritage—either born of God or of the World. (See Eph. 2:1-10)

“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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 7:16-23

Who/what is in your heart? Do you belong to Jesus? If His Spirit is dwelling in you, His presence will be evident to one degree or another, for God will show Himself in the life of His children, for when His own go astray He disciplines them.

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”   Hebrews 12:5-8

Those who belong to God may step out of the light, but God will never leave them there indefinitely, He will discipline His own children. Hebrews tells us clearly, if we live worldly without any compunction or correction from God, then we are NOT His children. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and examine our life continually by the Word of God.

“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. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”  Romans 8:9-11

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”    1 Corinthians 11:31-32

We can judge ourselves rightly and trust the Savior or we will stand before Judge Jesus with no opportunity for salvation. Please be sure you’ve made the right choice before it’s too late. I simply ask you to listen to the voice of God speaking to your heart, and be certain that you are ready to meet The Lord. I pray that God will use these words to draw His own near to His heart, and help us to be diligent to faithfully share the truth with those God places in our path. And if you who don’t know Him, I pray that you will hear His voice and come to the One who loved you so much He laid down His life for you. Jesus still saves and changes lives today. Look up and have a great week.

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #345  It Is Of His Mercy!!!

 

We talked last time about the strength of the Lord, and the sufficiency that we find in Him, and I’d like to continue in that vein today, with a twist. The ‘Weeping Prophet’, Jeremiah, wrote a much over-looked little book. Here find him after more than forty years of preaching the message of God with very little response, other than persecution, humiliation, torture and even attempts on his life; yet this precious man of God with a broken heart for his people and his wonderful Jerusalem, has watched the fall of his nation and her people! He writes in the book of Lamentations about his grief over the failure of his people to turn to The Almighty God of Israel in repentance and faith, with a broken heart! Yet even in his brokenness, his hope holds secure, because his God IS his Hope—and he knew that God never fails, and we can know that too, and count on it.

Even when God has to discipline His people, His ultimate goal is for our restoration and salvation. So, I’d like to share Jeremiah’s words with you this morning, praying that they will encourage and lift you up on this Friday morning regardless of where you are, or what brokenness you may be experiencing in your life. Jeremiah’s words help us keep our direction straight, and our vision keen, as we “keep our eyes” on Jesus, on the prize, on our God and King.

“And I said,

My strength and my hope

is perished from the Lord:

19 Remembering mine affliction

and my misery,

the wormwood and the gall.

20 My soul hath them still in remembrance,

and is humbled in me.

21 This I recall to my mind,

therefore have I hope.

22 It is of the Lord’s mercies

that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning:

great is thy faithfulness.

24 The Lord is my portion,

saith my soul;

therefore will I hope in him.

25 The Lord is good unto them

that wait for him,

to the soul that seeketh him.

26 It is good

that a man should both hope

and quietly wait

for the salvation of the Lord.”    Lamentations 3:18-26

So whatever your burden, or grief, or sorrow, or trial today, remember God is faithful to the challenge before you. You can count on HIM in all things. Even when the nation seems to be falling around us—“great is thy faithfulness” can be the joy of my heart; and it can be yours too, if you’ll but trust HIM!

May God encourage you through His Word? Blessings on your day, and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation as we are surrounded by the wonder of spring—and new life in Jesus!

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

“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