Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.18 Messages From Heaven???

 

Last week we talked about the “Message From Hell”, and heard the testimony of one who was suffering in hell, and his concern was for his lost brethren. Yet as disconcerting as thinking about “hell” is, the good news is that we don’t have to go there. The message from heaven is that Jesus has provided salvation which delivers from sin, as well as from death and hell (the “wages” of sin); and I’d like us to spend the next few weeks looking at some of the “Messages From Heaven” that are recorded in the Gospel of John! Where’s the best place to start? It is almost always at the ‘beginning’! Let’s go!

 

“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.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God,

whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness,

to bear witness of the Light,

that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light,

but was sent to bear witness

of that Light.

9 That was the true Light,

which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

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

John didn’t begin his Gospel with the incarnation of the Messiah through the nativity, or even as Mark began with the public ministry of John The Baptist, who was to “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Instead the Apostle John began his Gospel “In the beginning” with the declaration that Jesus IS the “Word” of God—the person of truth as well as the content of His ‘Words’! Just as Jesus proclaimed of Himself:

“….I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

John began his Gospel by establishing the deity of Jesus and the truth that He and The Father (with the Holy Spirit also) are One! Look at the things that John tells us about Jesus in these few verses:

Jesus was “in the beginning”–

       He was “with God”—

       Jesus “was God” (Was, is and ever will be!) —

       He was, is and ever will be the same “with” God—

John reveals Jesus as God the creator—the “WORD”! And when we look back at Genesis chapter one, we find that God created by “speaking” (..God said ‘let there be’..) all things into existence. Have you ever wondered why God and the Holy Spirit are referenced in Genesis 1, but not the Son? Well, John helps clarify Jesus’ presence by clearly revealing Jesus as “The Word”—The Word of God by whom God spoke all things into existence. So when God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”, He was referring to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit at work together. And John clearly reveals who Jesus always was, ever is and ever will be. His method throughout the Gospel of John is his unique proclamation of the “I AM” declarations of Jesus. And it is imperative that we understand that Jesus IS creator, because He IS God, and “God” (Elohim) created all things—by, with and through Jesus The Son.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom

of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image

of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.”     Colossians 1:12-17

Jesus not only created “ALL” things, but it is by His Word that all things consist and hold together. Need more?

“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

The Good News from heaven is that Jesus IS God, He WAS God in the beginning, and He IS creator and sustainer of all things, past, present and future. Jesus IS God, and HE came into our world, took on flesh and blood so that HE could die for our sin so that we could have eternal life with HIM! Jesus the Son of God took on flesh and blood in order to die for you and me! He was born to die for us! What kind of love cares that much for me? For you? Only God’s gracious, merciful and life-giving love displayed at Calvary, at the cost of HIS “ONLY BEGOTTEN SON”! All for us!

“Forasmuch then as the children

are partakers of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise took part of the same;

that through death he might destroy him

that had the power of death,

that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them

who through fear of death

were all their lifetime

subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him

the nature of angels;

but he took on him

the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him

to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful

and faithful high priest

in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation

for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself

hath suffered being tempted,

he is able to succour them

that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18

Jesus took on flesh and blood for you and me. The message from heaven is that God loves you and me and sent HIS son to be our sacrifice. God sent Jesus to pay for our sins—sins that HE hadn’t committed and that we couldn’t pay for apart from eternity in hell (those ‘wages of sin’). Jesus came as our substitute, and that my friends, is the best news that could ever be. John the Apostle recorded another account of the ‘other’ John—John the Baptizer—who came before Jesus the Messiah to proclaim the truth of His arrival.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me:

for he was before me.

31 And I knew him not:

but that he should be

made manifest to Israel,

therefore am I come baptizing with water.

32 And John bare record, saying,

I saw the Spirit descending from heaven

like a dove,

and it abode upon him.

33 And I knew him not:

but he that sent me to baptize

with water,

the same said unto me,

Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit

descending,

and remaining on him,

the same is he

which baptizeth with

the Holy Ghost.

34 And I saw,

and bare record

that this is the Son of God.

35 Again the next day after John stood,

and two of his disciples;

36 And looking upon Jesus

as he walked,

he saith,

Behold the Lamb of God!” John 1:29-36

So my question to you today is, “Have you heeded the message?” Have you responded to the voice of the Lamb of God speaking to your heart? If you have, are you sharing that truth with others? If you haven’t, then I urge you to call on Jesus today—heed the messages; the message from hell and the message from heaven are calling you to come to Jesus and avoid a destiny in hell. You must choose for yourself—but remember it’s an eternal choice, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Jesus died to give you life, so don’t let the enemy of your soul blind your eyes and ears to the message!!!

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

“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

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37

Bible Ballistics: BBs #305 Is There Any GOOD News???

 

In a Word yes!!! In fact, The Word is the Good News—Jesus Christ!

 

“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. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not……..14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Portions of John 1:1-14

Jesus, The Son of God came in the flesh to redeem (purchase back from sin) mankind—all who will believe in Him. And it is Jesus come in the flesh that reveals to us the glory of God. The God Almighty of all creation—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And the Son took on flesh and blood to pay for our sin at Calvary, after all God couldn’t die, so He took on flesh that He could have a body of flesh in which HE would pay for our sin.

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise

took part of the same;

that through death

he might destroy him

that had the power of death,

that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them

who through fear of death

were all their lifetime

subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him

the nature of angels;

but he took on him the seed

of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him

to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful

and faithful high priest

in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation

for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself

hath suffered being tempted,

he is able to succour

them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18

Jesus took on a body of flesh for you and me, that we might have life—eternal life with HIM. He came to restore that which we (all mankind) lost in Eden, and to do that HE had to come in flesh and blood, walk among men, experience temptation and OVERCOME temptation, sin, death and hell!!! And HE DID! And that is what we must believe and trust in—there is no other way, and that IS the Good News!   But at the same time it is sad news for those who reject Him.

“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:2-3

Jesus IS God, the same Lord God who revealed Himself to Adam and Eve, Enoch, Abraham and Moses– One God in three unique and distinct personalities.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:” Deuteronomy 6:4-6

And just as Moses declared truth here, it’s not having it in your head—it must be “be in thine heart”! And when we receive the forgiveness of sin that Jesus offers, in giving ourselves to Him we receive life, hope, truth and glory. And while many call the “model” prayer the “Lord’s Prayer”, in truth the “Lord’s Prayer” which He prayed for us is recorded in John 17. And I’d like to share portions of that prayer with you today. My challenge to you is to read it (In fact get out your Bible and read the entire prayer.), think on it and read it some more. Let the very word of the Savior of mankind—of your soul if you know HIM—sweep over you and receive the Good News of who HE is, and what HE has done and is doing for you even now—right this very minute! That my friend, is the Best News.

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come;

glorify thy Son,

that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power

over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life

to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal,

that they might know thee

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ,

whom thou hast sent……

7 Now they have known that all things

whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words

which thou gavest me;

and they have received them,

and have known surely that I came

out from thee,

and they have believed

that thou didst send me.

9 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……..

20 Neither pray I for these alone,

but for them also

which shall believe on me

through their word;

21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father,

art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me

I have given them;

that they may be one,

even as we are one:

23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect

in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.”    Portions of John 17:1-23

Jesus IS the Good News, and you and I are made ministers, ambassadors for Jesus Christ. And an ambassador doesn’t speak for himself, he speaks for the One he represents—we are to be ambassadors of the Good News of the King of Glory! And we can be His ambassadors and do His work only and always because He is within us—in Him, through Him and with Him we can do all things that He asks of us!

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 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 1:25-27

There is GOOD NEWS??? It’s your choice! All or nothing?

“…..for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

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

Bible Ballistics: BBs #304 Feelings or Certainty???

 

As we face this middle of the week today, I’d like to share a brief word of encouragement with you. Regardless of what each of us is facing, or the emotions and fears that come in times of stress, our God is still faithful and your situation today didn’t catch God off guard! And that my friend you can take to the bank—so to speak!!! We don’t have to allow circumstances to toss us to and fro with our own emotions, but rather we can stand fast in the truths of The Word of God, for our God is able and willing to see us through the difficult days as well as the pleasant ones.

“For the which cause I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed:

for I know whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words,

which thou hast heard of me,

in faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.”     2 Timothy 1:12-13

When we belong to Jesus Christ, we can “know” that we “know” what we “know”, and that is that “he is able” in every situation or circumstance that may confront us. Our God is totally in control—ALL the time. As Evangelist David Ring often says, “God never says ‘OOPS’!“ And I, for one, am grateful and certain of that truth! Isaiah heard it directly from God, and it’s still true today.

“When thou passest through the waters,

I will be with thee;

and through the rivers,

they shall not overflow thee:

when thou walkest through the fire,

thou shalt not be burned;

neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:” Isaiah 43:1-2a

So my dear friends, whatever your situation today, whatever may be confronting you, wherever you may be walking today, remember, God has YOU as well as the situation. He is working on behalf of His own, and we don’t have to run on “feelings”. Instead we can stand in the certainty that our God never fails! He is worthy of our praise, our worship, and most assuredly our confidence and trust. Don’t let emotions keep you on that rollercoaster of “feelings”—instead camp out on the God who never fails! Speak His Word: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him”! Give it to HIM, leave it there, then remember and stand fast—even if you have to keep on telling yourself to look up to the One who has it all in His hand. As you take heart in the truth and rest in Him, here are a few thoughts from The Word to take with you today. Hide His Word in your heart!!!

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”     Psalm 56:3-4

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.”     Daniel 3:17

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:” Job 13:15a

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.17 A Message From Hell???

 

I know some of you are wondering what in the world is this about! Well my friends, it is an issue that has been on my heart and mind all week. We are facing uncertain times, and there is one issue of which we must be sure, and that is our true relationship with GOD!!!

We can live before the world a life of success, prosperity, popularity and even fame but have no relationship with God because we failed to “believe” God, His Word and His only Son, the Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord! And when we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ through the new birth of salvation, we are transformed by the power of His precious blood, which He shed for our sin. It IS 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

Jesus came to save us from sin, and all who will believe in Him can have eternal life in and with God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit! But there is only one way – Jesus; believing that HE IS God; that He is the Son of God who came to die for our sin; not because He had to, but because He loves us that much.

“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.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:14-19

Jesus came because He loves us, but He gives the privilege of choice to you and me. We will choose whether we believe God or not, and refusing to choose is a choice! If we trust and believe in Jesus, there is life, but if we refuse Him and what He has done for us we stand (Both now and in the end, if we continue in unbelief.) condemned before God. And there is a day coming when every knee will bow before God—those who received Jesus as Lord and Savior bowing in love, gratitude and devotion; but those who refused Him will bow before their judge to receive the just rewards of their choices.

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

Just as the old adage talks about “nothing is certain but death and taxes”, we can be assured that death and judgment before God is certain (Whether you paid your taxes or not!). Without going into a lot of detail here, there are only two options for every person; either trust Jesus and stand before Him at the “Judgment Seat of Christ”, or reject Him and stand before the “Great White Throne”! You will bow before Him at one or the other. You can choose to bow before Him now, as your Lord and Savior, or you can stiffen your neck and go your own way in this world, and bow before Him ‘then’ with no recourse or salvation offered—you will bow before the One that you rejected and receive His true judgment.

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41

For those of us who belong to Jesus, our hearts desire should be that others would come to know Him. We are to share the truth of the Gospel as we have opportunity (The very least that we should be doing!), yet often our message of Jesus is not received any differently than He was. But that is nothing new—the truth has been rejected since the beginning! But often today people compromise the message to get others to “choose” Jesus, but friends, we must understand and clearly embrace the fact that the truth never has changed and still hasn’t today. Just as “Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him” because Abel was righteous before God by faith, and Cain came to God his own way, rather than in the manner which God had prescribed, and through faith in that “way”! And that way was looking forward to Jesus in faith and obedience! And only by faith in Jesus can we receive true “righteousness”.

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts….” Hebrews 11:4a

Just like us, Abel wasn’t righteous in his own merit, but by faith in the promised “One” who would come, the same “One” that saves and changes lives today!!!

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin

for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness

of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Paul also told the Romans that there is not one person that is righteous in and of himself, except Jesus Christ, the God-Man. In Jesus Christ we can receive God’s “righteousness”!

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified

freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins

that are past,

through the

forbearance

of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him

which believeth

in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26

It isn’t our own goodness, kindness, generosity, open-mindedness, justice, love or charity, success or popularity that makes us right with God; but the righteousness of Jesus, which He died to impart to those who will believe. No compromise on our part will make the truth palatable to all. We can share the truth but we can’t make people believe, and Jesus Himself made this clear. If people won’t accept the truth, compromise, spectacular miracles or entertainment can’t change hearts and lives! Let’s look at a familiar account and see what we Jesus had to say.

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass,

that the beggar died,

and was carried by the angels

into Abraham’s bosom:

the rich man also died,

and was buried;

23 And in hell

he lift up his eyes,

being in torments,

and seeth Abraham afar off,

and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said,

Father Abraham,

have mercy on me,

and send Lazarus,

that he may dip the tip of his finger in water,

and cool my tongue;

for I am tormented

in this flame.

25 But Abraham said,

Son, remember

that thou in thy lifetime

receivedst thy good things,

and likewise Lazarus evil things:

but now he is comforted,

and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this,

between us and you

there is a great gulf fixed:

so that they which would pass

from hence to you cannot;

neither can they pass to us,

that would come from thence.

27 Then he said,

I pray thee therefore, father,

that thou wouldest send him

to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren;

that he may testify unto them,

lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him,

They have Moses and the prophets;

let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham:

but if one went unto them

from the dead,

they will repent.

31 And he said unto him,

If they hear not Moses

and the prophets,

neither will they be persuaded,

though one rose

from the dead.”    Luke 16:19-31

I don’t believe that this is a parable as such, but a true story that Jesus shared (He never used ‘names’ in His parables). I think he named the beggar because no one would have remembered him anyway, yet he did not name the rich man, because some people may have remembered and known who he was. And while this account isn’t teaching us that the rich go to hell, and the poor go to heaven—it is teaching us that faith isn’t discriminating toward riches, but eternal destiny is the result faith in Jesus! And death is the end of any opportunity for salvation, and that is in God’s hands.

This account also teaches us that the greatest hearts for the lost are in Hell!!! Those who find themselves in hell, are concerned about those that they left behind, and they aren’t looking to have them join them in a “party” but they are begging that their loved ones be reached with the Gospel, just as this man did. Yet as this rich man asked that Lazarus return from the dead to reach his family, Jesus tells us that even someone “rising from the dead” won’t convince those who willfully reject the truth of the Gospel. I find it interesting that Jesus shares this truth knowing that He Himself would arise from the grave and people would choose unbelief, even in the light of HIS miraculous resurrection from the dead!!! It was true then and it’s true now. It is God’s grace that saves by faith—not fame, wealth or power! This man had it all in life, and lost it all in death. What about you? Are you counting on something other than the cross to save you? Only Jesus can save, and only by faith!

“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 2:8-10

While we aren’t saved “by” our works, we are saved “to do” good “works”!!! We are to “work out” what God has worked in through Jesus, and by the power of His Holy Spirit. We are to be His salt and light before the world. James says that we are not saved by works, but that when we are saved, our works are the evidence to the world that we belong to Jesus.  What we do not just what we say!

“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.” James 2:18

And one of our greatest works is the display of a changed life by the power of the blood of Jesus, before a lost and dying world. People can’t argue with a genuinely changed life!

“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.” Romans 12:1-2

A new life in Christ Jesus is the evidence of that “transformation”– from the Greek word “metamorphoo”– yes the same word that we get our English word “metamorphosis” from. The change from “such a worm as I” to be evidence to the world of “that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. Do you want to be proof of the power of the cross, or a shame, or are you living a sham? The choice is yours, and the message from “Hell” is clear—choose Jesus and avoid being “tormented in this flame”; for just as certain as the reality of heaven, the judgment of Hell is just as certain for all who refuse to come to God through Jesus Christ. There is no second chance—the choices that you make today will have eternal consequences. You can choose life or death—but you will choose! Will you receive the “Message From Hell”? I pray that you will receive the truth while there is still time. For there won’t be a reunion party in “Hell”, but a grief for opportunities past for all of eternity!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

I pray to live like a new creature in Christ, proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, with NO regrets. Or you can spend eternity with futile desires that have no fulfillment? The choice is yours (And mine.), but remember that to every choice there is a consequence; and while you are free to make your own choice, you are not free to set the consequences for that choice. And those consequences are engraved in the hands of Jesus either as Savior or Judge—it’s your choice. My hearts desire and plea is that if you don’t know Jesus you will come to Him in repentance and faith—He wants to save you today. Or if you belong to Him that you will hold fast to the truth and share it today—in His power and not compromise (And you must get into the Word to know what it says! See 2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:16-17)

“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

“(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

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #303 The Blessed Need Not Fear!!!

 

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel

of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the Lord; and

in his law doth he meditate

day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation

of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knoweth

the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”    Psalm 1:1-6

Or as the Amplified Bible puts it:

       “6 For the Lord knows

and fully approves

the way of the righteous,

   But the way of the wicked shall perish.”

Just a brief word this morning—Our God Reigns. Regardless of what is going on around us, the blessed of the Lord are still “Blessed” because we know HIM, and we know the Lord Jesus Christ and are trusting in Him. The blessed of the Lord walk right before Him and we can know the way He wants us to go, and we should confidently walk there—wherever that may be!!! Whether it be the fire or the flood—God walks with His own, His Spirit dwelling within those who are His own. Examine yourself to see if you are His. He will reveal truth to those who seek Him.

“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.” Romans 8:9

And when we belong to God, born again of His Spirit, redeemed and forgiven of our sin, we can walk boldly forward despite the challenges or adversities before us.

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for

I have redeemed thee,

I have called thee by thy name;

thou art mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters,

I will be with thee;

and through the rivers,

they shall not overflow thee:

when thou walkest through the fire,

thou shalt not be burned;

neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the Lord thy God,

the Holy One of Israel,

thy Saviour:” Isaiah 43:1-3

So take heart friends—we win, because Our God Reigns, we can also be confident because:

“….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 13:5b-6

Remember you don’t need to fear when you belong to Jesus, YOU are blessed! Walk like the blessed! Act like the blessed! Trust like the blessed! Let the world see the love of Jesus in your humble attitude of gratitude and confidence in HIM!!! Now “Have a blessed day”!!!