Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.14 You CAN Know Truth!!! Now!!!

 

With all the hoopla, political pundits, and accusations flying across broadcast media as well as social media, what are we to do? We must realize that truth is truth no matter what the popular opinion of the day says; no matter what the latest “poll” says; no matter what sports stars, actors and actresses may say, truth hasn’t changed because GOD has never changed and HIS ‘truth’ IS truth. His truth is not only “words” but also, and more importantly, a person; God sent His own son to be truth, to live truth, to make truth known and available to us through a personal relationship with God, which cost HIS Son’s blood at the Cross for us.

Jesus came so we could not only know ‘about’ truth but so that we could come into relationship with “truth”! Jesus says of Himself that He IS “truth”! No hesitation, no doubt, no option “B”—Jesus boldly declared that HE IS the only way to God—and that way is “the truth”—Jesus Himself! You can choose to accept the truth or not, God gave every person the right to choose, but there are consequences for every choice. We CAN know truth only through Jesus, and Jesus alone, all because of His death burial and resurrection for sin—my sin and yours!

“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

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

“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

We can know truth because truth comes to reside within those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith. And God doesn’t call us to Himself through His Son to leave us to our own devices, but God transforms our lives into the glory and reflection of HIS SON.

“And we know

that all things work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image

of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

God’s saves and transforms us into the image of His Son—that IS truth. God will restore all who will come to Him through the truth of the Gospel—the blood that Jesus shed for all who will believe Him—Him, the truth. And as we said earlier, God doesn’t leave us to do it all alone. He gives us His Holy Spirit to direct our steps, when we simply (though not easily) hear and obey His leading.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:16-17

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……..25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16 & 25

God empowers us to walk in, by, with and through HIS Spirit. The world won’t understand what they see but that’s the point; that truth in us will so ring in their ears, eyes and hearts that some will be drawn to Jesus. That is our true purpose! And while the old adage that you “can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink”, is true; you can “salt” his oats and create a thirst for the “water” of the Word—Jesus!!! And we never do it alone!!!

“I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while,

and the world seeth me no more;

but ye see me:

because I live,

ye shall live also.

20 At that day ye shall know

that I am in my Father,

and ye in me,

and I in you.

21 He that hath my commandments,

and keepeth them,

he it is that loveth me:

and he that loveth me

shall be loved of my Father,

and I will love him,

and will manifest myself to him.”     John 14:18-21

All this because Jesus brings “new birth”! Are you walking in truth with Jesus? Do you love HIM or the world? Have you been “born……of God”? Are you walking with the One who came that you COULD KNOW TRUTH? The choice is totally yours, “receive HIM” or “receive HIM not”—and it truly is a life and death choice. But you CAN know Him/Truth, today!

“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 1:11-14

Jesus, The Son of God, “full of grace and truth”, will impart His grace and truth to those who come to Him, so that we can walk in HIM/truth! His truth in us will be evident to the world by the walk of truth displayed in our lives. Does your walk match your talk? Are you and I being the “truth” that the world needs to see? Or are we liars who are fooling ourselves and living something other than the truth before a lost and dying world? John dealt with this issue in his first letter.

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 1:5-2:6

How do we know that we know? John talks about walking in the “light” of God, and we can only do that when we “walk in the Spirit”—the Holy Spirit which God gives to indwell every one who is “born again”!!! It’s one way that we know we are living a life that displays God’s work within us. Not perfection, as John so aptly states above, but a constant pursuit of God, excellence, His light and His truth!! Yet even when we fail, (And as humans we will stumble!) we “have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”! When we confess our sins, He will forgive and cleanse us—and to confess our sin, means to agree with God that sin IS sin, and realize that we need forgiveness and restoration, not soothing words to justify our sin. We must seek His ways continually—desiring to “know” truth and “walk” in “light” of The Truth, Jesus!

“Shew me thy ways, O Lord;

teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth,

and teach me:

for thou art the God of my salvation;

on thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:4-5

“O send out thy light and thy truth:

let them lead me;

let them bring me unto thy holy hill,

and to thy tabernacles.

4 Then will I go unto the altar of God,

unto God my exceeding joy:

yea, upon the harp will I praise thee,

O God my God.” Psalm 43:3-4

Walking in God’s truth brings joyous fellowship with The Father and The Son, through His Holy Spirit! Jesus came to give us that kind of life and the ability to “know” HIM!!! So the question is, “Do you know Him?” God sent Jesus so that we could “KNOW” truth.

“He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.” Psalm 57:3 (And Jesus is the truth in flesh that God sent to and for us—eternal truth to give eternal life to those who will believe. See John 1 above.)

“For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:5

His truth endures whether any particular person believes it or NOT, for Jesus IS TRUTH and HE IS eternal. He was before all things, and will endure as our Lord, our God and our Savior for all eternity. And if we will but come to HIM we can know truth because HE IS truth, and His Spirit will dwell within us, and we can live with HIM forever throughout eternity! All because He IS eternal truth.

“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.

18 And he is the head of the body,

the church:

who is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead;

that in all things he might have

the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father

that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace

through the blood of his cross,

by him to reconcile

all things unto himself;

by him, I say,

whether they be things

in earth,

or things in heaven.”    Colossians 1:12-20

Jesus is God, and He took on a body of flesh so that we might KNOW truth-Himself, the person and the “word” of truth! All because God is the God of truth and mercy.

“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15

We can walk in HIS mercy and truth, not just by “do’s and don’ts” but by ‘knowing’ truth and “BE”ing what God wants us to “be”! God is way more concerned about your heart than simply your outward actions; because Jesus Himself said that our actions come out of our “heart”. Our actions will eventually reveal, and betray what is truly in our heart. (Mt.15:16-20). Don’t have time for God? Don’t have time for church? Don’t have time to help anyone but yourself? Don’t have time to read the Word of God? What do your actions say about your heart? Truth will prevail, and God will judge by HIS standard NOT yours—and HE will judge!

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”     Hebrews 4:12-13

“Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. …….. 13 Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” Psalm 96:9-13

And because Jesus is truth, we as believers, children of God, are to live truth before the world! It must start in our homes, we are to be the mothers, fathers, step-parents, the sisters, brothers or authority-figures in any young persons life, that live out the Truth of Jesus. We are the only truth that some will see—and that makes it our job, our responsibility, our privilege to live “TRUTH”, to live “JESUS” before a lost and dying world—be it near or far. To live Jesus/Truth before our family, our neighbors, in our workplace, and our community, and in our churches! What truth do your actions reveal? That you love the bar more than God? That you love sports more that God? That you love self more than God? That you love bling more than God? That you love the vulgar instead of the holy? The list could go on endlessly, and only you can answer any of these questions, but they demand an answer, and one day we will all give an answer, whether or not we choose to face it now.

And for those of us who choose to follow Jesus, and HIS truth (That being HIS person, His words, and HIS Word!) there may be other consequences—perhaps the same consequences that Jesus also faced for US!

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. 18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.” John 15:15-23

We must be prepared to pay the price for following Jesus. We will not always be popular, and it is becoming more and more dangerous to live and proclaim Biblical truth! What will we do when it becomes not only unpopular but unlawful? That day could be closer than we think. We must cling to the Cross and it’s message with wisdom and courage. But remember, we can’t share truth if we don’t know it! Or HIM!

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have

renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness,

nor handling the word of God deceitfully;

but by manifestation of the truth

commending ourselves

to every man’s conscience

in the sight of God.

3 But if our gospel be hid,

it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world

hath blinded the minds of them

which believe not,

lest the light of the glorious gospel

of Christ,

who is the image of God,

should shine unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves,

but Christ Jesus the Lord;

and ourselves your servants

for Jesus’ sake.

6 For God,

who commanded the light to shine

out of darkness,

hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light

of the knowledge

of the glory of God

in the face

of Jesus Christ.”     2 Corinthians 4:1-6

While we’re called to it, we must all choose whether we will stand confidently in and for truth, or fall for the lies of the world—and they are abundant around us. To be free of the lies, we MUST know truth, first the Person of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and then to also know what He has said in His Word—all of it!!! When trouble, persecution and conflict come we can only stand fast on the truth of the Word of God. We are marching to the beat of a different drummer than the world, and may our lives ever testify to Him and His Word!!!

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. …… 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:10-14

And don’t forget, that there are those who will refuse to believe—everyone has the right to choose. But there is a consequence to every choice.

“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.

For of this sort are they

which creep into houses,

and lead captive silly women

laden with sins,

led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning,

and never able

to come

to the knowledge

of the truth.”     2 Timothy 3:6-7

We can walk confidently in truth, worshipping God with our lives, in Spirit and Truth—knowing that we know, that we know, that we know!!! So what do you KNOW?

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

Bible Ballistics: BBs #297   “For The Lord IS Good”!!!

 

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into

his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the Lord

is good;

his mercy

is everlasting;

and his truth

endureth

to all generations.” Psalm 100

A word of encouragement for your Friday, for we can truly “Know ye that the Lord he is God” and take comfort and rejoice in that truth. We can know that “the Lord is good” —it is His nature, His character—but His goodness is also in perfect righteousness and holiness. He will accomplish His purpose in all things, because “HE IS GOD” and we are NOT! And I am so glad that we can trust to the perfect, sovereign, just and righteous nature of our Lord God Almighty! And one day all will see Him as He IS!

“Make a joyful noise unto God,

all ye lands:

2 Sing forth

the honour of his name:

make his praise glorious.

3 Say unto God,

How terrible art thou in thy works!

through the greatness of thy power

shall thine enemies submit themselves

unto thee.

4 All the earth shall worship thee,

and shall sing unto thee;

they shall sing to thy name. Selah.” Psalm 66:1-4

Did you get that “All the earth shall worship thee”—ALL? Paul also reminds us “every knee shall bow”! Our God, Jesus His Son, and His Holy Spirit, will be acknowledged by ALL on “that day”. And this fact should make us grateful people, but also burdened people. Burdened to share the truth in our words, our actions, and our lifestyles—our whole lives—to be a living testament to the truth of the life-changing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The One who came and gave all for “the world”! (See John 3:1-21)

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 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.

12 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.”    Philippians 2:1-13

Let’s start at the “end” of this passage, “For it is God which worketh in you”!!! When God saves us, He works in “all things…….to conform us to the image of His Son” (see Romans 8:28-29), because we are then HIS children and He desires the very best for us, and from us. And we are to “work out” what God has put within us—NOT working “for” our salvation, but working “out” the salvation that God has put “within” us!!! We are to have “this mind” of Christ! The mind of a humble servant, because we serve the Living Lord; the King of Kings; the Risen Savior; the One before whom “every knee should bow”! And that should produce confident joy, thanksgiving and praise to our GOD! But we shouldn’t be keeping the Good News to ourselves, for the question isn’t “will YOU bow?”, but “when”, and there are consequences that come with our choices!

Will you bow before HIM now when you hear His voice call to your heart? Will you bow before the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior now, when His Spirit calls you to repent and believe? That is the question–“when” NOT “if”! You can bow before Him now and enjoy “abundant” life with Jesus now and for all eternity! Or you can reject Him now and live life on YOUR terms, Your own way, the way of the world, but you will bow before Him then, when HE comes, as your judge. And then, there won’t be any more opportunity to bow before the Savior Jesus, but you will bow before the Lord Jesus Christ as YOUR judge, and you will have set the verdict by your own choice! (See Rev. 20)

So I’ll simply close with some words from Haggai (A little know minor prophet, with a big message!). You/we can “consider” whose we are and rejoice in being a “child of the King”, or you can ponder who’s you are not along with the consequences of that choice.

“Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts;

Consider your ways.

6 Ye have sown much,

and bring in little;

ye eat,

but ye have not enough;

ye drink,

but ye are not filled with drink;

ye clothe you,

but there is none warm;

and he that earneth wages

earneth wages

to put it into a bag with holes.

7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts;

Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:5-7

Will you rejoice in belonging to Jesus?

Will you come to Him today, if you don’t yet belong to HIM?

Or will you refuse to bow now, knowing you WILL bow then?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #296      Out Of Order??????

 

We were watching a new program on television last evening and it just struck at my heart, but not in a good way. The program took ‘prime time’ opportunity to validate sin. Of course the theme was not only sexual, but involved teenagers and sexuality, so of course, “everything” is “alright”! It made the sex outside of marriage ok. It made perversion ok. And then one of the characters made a remark about the “children hurting”! Well of course, the children are hurting we have led them astray by our complacency, our compromise of the truth, and our lack of courage to “stand fast in the evil day” (See Ephesians 6:10-18)!!! I must tell you, I won’t be watching this program!

 

When will we wake up to the facts that we have failed to do as Deuteronomy 6 instructs parents; first of all to “love The Lord” ourselves, then live lives of obedience to God before our children, and teach them continually as we walk through this lost and dying world with them. We must recognize where we are and stem the tide here. Now! I can’t change the world, but I can be “light” and “salt” right where I am. I must be faithful with the “least” before God can trust me with “great” things. But then we also must remember that what the world calls “great”, GOD may NOT!!! We must be sure that we are walking HIS way, not our way or the world’s way, but GOD’s way! And we find that “way” in the Bible!!!

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated

between you

and your God,

and your sins have hid his face

from you,

that he will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood,

and your fingers with iniquity;

your lips have spoken lies,

your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

4 None calleth for justice,

nor any pleadeth for truth:

they trust in vanity,

and speak lies;

they conceive mischief,

and bring forth iniquity.” Isaiah 59:1-4

If this isn’t America—then I am blind, deaf and dumb. We have abandoned truth for lies, and not only abandoned truth but have changed the truth into a lie, and have embraced lies for truth.

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise in their own eyes,

and prudent in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them

that are mighty to drink wine,

and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous from him!

24 Therefore

as the fire devoureth the stubble,

and the flame consumeth the chaff,

so their root shall be as rottenness,

and their blossom shall go up as dust:

because they have cast away the law

of the Lord of hosts,

and despised the word

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

Again this could have been written to America as well as Israel several thousand years ago. The message is still true and we are still willfully blind to our own sin.

Those of us who hold to the Biblical standard of truth and right are being continually minimalized and marginalized. We are receiving the same ridicule and scorn that our Lord received from the leaders of His day. But what will we do in the face of this harangue against truth? We must stand fast, and continue to “withstand in the evil day” (See Ephesians 6 again), for we are living in “the evil day”! We are not to cave and compromise, but we are to “stand fast” in the Truth of the Word of God, and the Redeemer who came to save this lost and dying world “from their sins”.

“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 his people from their sins”, and when He saves us He doesn’t leave us in our sins, but He is continually changing us into His own image. He makes us NEW, in Himself, and by His blood delivers us from our SIN!!!

“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

And that is exactly what Jesus meant when He talked with Nicodemus, a religious leader who came to Him by night. Jesus told Nicodemus that it wasn’t “religion” that saves and changes lives, but being “born again”.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 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.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”     John 3:3-8

We must be born again by the Word (JESUS is the WORD, as well as His ‘words’!) and the Spirit. The Spirit imparts the “New Birth” to all who will come in repentance and faith.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5

Jesus became flesh and blood to die for us that we might have new life in and by His Spirit. That which had died in man because of sin (See Genesis 3), Christ brings to life anew in those who will come to Him.

“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 1:11-14

Jesus gives new life to those who will receive Him and believe in His sacrificial, atoning death for OUR SIN!!! He died for my sin NOT His own, for He came as the sinless Lamb of God to pay for our sin. He died so that we can have “life” rather than eternal “death” in Hell/The Lake of Fire.

“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

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

And as Jesus saves us “from” our sins, He also “keeps” us, and if there is no change—we better check out what we think saved us! Paul makes it clear that change is part of the evidence of God’s work within us.

“Know ye not

that the unrighteous shall not inherit

the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators,

nor idolaters,

nor adulterers,

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves,

nor covetous,

nor drunkards,

nor revilers,

nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you:

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.”     1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Don’t miss the “KEY” of this passage, yes it’s describing SIN—controlling, pervading, life-consuming sin—yet the “key’ isn’t the sin, it’s the “were” and the “BUT”!!! It says, “such were some of you” and then three times Paul emphasizes the truth of the life-transforming power of the Cross!

“but ye are washed,

 but ye are sanctified,

        but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God”

So the question today is, “Are you living an unregenerate life without Jesus?” Or are you “claiming” to belong to Jesus and still “living an unregenerate life without HIM”? Or are you “born again” by the “Spirit of God” and walking in the victory of the Cross? Are you unsure of where you are? God knows, and if you’ll but ask Him, HE will give you the answers to the questions that are plaguing you.

 

“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

Is something “Out Of Order” in your life? Jesus can set it right and He will, if you will but seek HIS face. He died for you and He will give you “NEW” life through the blood of the Lamb! But there is only ONE WAY—and that way is Jesus, and HE won’t leave you in your sin!!!

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

“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

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 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. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:9-11

The choice is yours—it is a matter of life or death!!! You don’t have to stay “Out Of Order”!!! “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.13  We All Get Weary!!!

 

Dear friends, we all experience times when we become weary and tired of the things going on around us. Sometimes it is physical, at other times it’s emotion stress that brings us to a state of weariness, and then there are sometimes just times when it all seems to pile up on our plate and we don’t think we can take one more step. But God knows that our human struggles can cause us to wobble—but like the old advertisement, “Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down”—yet we can stand fast in the promises, the power and the provision of our God.

What we must do is keep our eyes on Jesus, knowing that He is at work in our lives in all things, conforming us into His image. And that my friends, is sometimes painful and wearisome, but we can press on knowing that our confidence and sufficiency is in our GOD, NOT our SELF!!!

“Hast thou not known?

hast thou not heard,

that the everlasting God,

the Lord,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

fainteth not,

neither is weary?

there is no searching

of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint;

and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint

and be weary,

and the young men shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the Lord

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31

God is reminding us, in this favorite passage of mine, that we will fall on our own—BUT in His power we can persevere!!! We can make it because IN Jesus we are overcomers! And we aren’t doing it on our own because:

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

We have that power which Isaiah and John both referred to—God’s power, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, which the blood of Jesus provides to those who come to Him in repentance and faith. And when we belong to Jesus, He empowers us to press on, not on our own, but BY His Spirit. Because of what Jesus did at Calvary, and what He is doing within our hearts right now, we can press on despite the weariness that plagues our flesh. With Jesus we can overcome, and abiding in Him is the key!

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 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: 4-5

This is also why Paul reminded us about putting on the armor of God, and that putting on God’s armor is an act of dependence on our HIM, not on our flesh.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11

We can be confident that even in our weariness, we can overcome. We can stand, even as Paul goes on in verse 13 to remind us (and we are there, folks, we are there), “that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”

So what must we do? We must keep our eyes on Jesus, we must suit up in our armor every day, and we must walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. Let’s look at some scriptures that I pray will encourage us in those things.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……..25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16 & 25

And if I may paraphrase a bit, if we are “alive” by the Spirit of Christ in Salvation, we are to “walk in the Spirit”! It is the Holy Spirit of Christ who enables us to live victorious, overcoming lives, which can bring glory to God, and increase HIS kingdom. And it is all because of the relationship that we have through the blood of the Lamb, the relationship that Jesus reinstates between God and man, for those who will believe in His atoning sacrifice for sin on Calvary!

“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.”    Romans 5:1-5

God’s love and God’s Spirit are given to us so that we can be a reflection of HIS glory to a lost and dying world. We must not let the weariness of life; the struggles or spiritual battles deter our efforts.

“And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”    Galatians 6:9-10

“But ye, brethren,

be not weary

in well doing.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13

So whether our difficulties are due to the trials of life, the testing of the Lord, or the discipline that God exercises on His children, we are to press on. If we examine ourselves and find sin, we are to repent and press on. If we determine that it’s not sin, then we are to submit to the sovereign work of our God and seek His face and His will in all our ways, pressing on for the reward of a life well lived!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling

of God

in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already

attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.”Philippians 3:13-16

And God reminds us that we are never alone; He is with us, and those who have gone on before us, have left an heritage of faithfulness by their examples in Hebrews 11 (for a start!) and Hebrews 12 goes on to remind us what that should evoke in us.

“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.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,

striving against sin.

5 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.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh

which corrected us,

and we gave them reverence:

shall we not much rather be in subjection

unto the Father of spirits,

and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us

after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit,

that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present

seemeth to be joyous,

but grievous:

nevertheless

afterward

it yieldeth the peaceable fruit

of righteousness

unto them

which are exercised thereby.”    Hebrews 12:1-11

That leaves the question, “Are you a son/daughter of God?” If you are, then there will be trials, disciplines and difficulties in this life but we can trust our God to encourage us when we are “dis”couraged, to lift us up when we are down; to even walk with us through the “valley of the shadow of death”!!! Our God is there for us always—He promised He would be and He IS!!!

“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

The Prophet Jeremiah knew this faithfulness of God, even as his beloved Jerusalem lay in ruins; and God knows your ruins too!!! You can fix your eyes on Jesus and His faithfulness? So will you join Jeremiah and rejoice in the mercies of God?

“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.” Lam. 3:22-24

We must not faint in the heat of the workday, we must press on with Jesus because He will provide!

       “And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.”

       “But ye, brethren,

be not weary

in well doing.”

So, let’s “press toward the mark” and keep our “eyes on the prize”!! And my friends, JESUS is the prize. We have eternal life with God Almighty the Father, Jesus The Son, and The Holy Spirit forever and forever. The reaping is ahead—so let’s not faint in weariness—we WIN!!!

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4

How can we make it? By the blood of the Lamb and the power of HIS Spirit within those who are saved!!!

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

Bible Ballistics: BBs #295      The Rain Of The Word!!!

 

As we talked last time about the refreshing of rain to our world and our souls, I’d like to take that on a step farther and look at the refreshing that our souls need and where we find it. Often we find ourselves in a spiritual desert and wonder how we will survive; yet God has promised that we will never be there alone regardless of our circumstances.

“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 12:5-6

And because my confidence is in Jesus, and The Father God Almighty, I can press on and so can you! Because when we come to Jesus in repentance and faith, He makes us “new” creatures “in Christ Jesus” (See 2 Corinthians 5:17), and are “washed” in the “water of the word”! We become part of the “bride” of Christ Jesus and His body.

“Husbands, love your wives,

even as Christ also loved the church,

and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify

and cleanse it with the washing

of water

by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself

a glorious church,

not having spot,

or wrinkle,

or any such thing;

but that it should be holy and without blemish.”     Ephesians 5:25-27

Jesus bought our salvation with His own blood, and He washes us and cleanses us through His Word, and His words, and His purpose is that we will be sanctified (set apart for His purposes and service) and cleansed (from the filth of the world)—and how are we cleansed and sanctified? By the “water” of “the word”, to the end that we will be pleasing to our “groom” when He comes for us.

No one has ever been to a wedding and watched a lovely “bride” walk down the aisle in a “dirty”, “stained” or “grimy” dress! No, we see a lovely bride walking down the aisle looking for the pleasure and approval of her “groom”—yet we often give no thought of what our lives will look like when our “groom” calls us to Himself, whether it be by death or His calling of His church out of this world. What will your groom see? A lovely, spotless and delightful bride—or will we come with our lives stained and corrupted by the filth of the world all over us. We need to keep ourselves clean for our Lord’s coming, that we might be found ready when He comes. And we can only do that when we willing to walk in God’s ways, to know His Word, and to continually seek His cleansing through the Word of God. It is Jesus-The Word- who saves us and it is Jesus-through the cleansing power of His Word-who keeps us.

“But after that the kindness and love of God

our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us

abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Savior;”    Titus 3:4-6

We have received all that we need to walk in God’s ways, through the regeneration that the blood of Jesus works within His own; for He not only saves us but also equips us to accomplish all that He calls us to do, through Jesus!

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

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:

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.”    2 Peter 1:2-4

And one of the greatest gifts that God has given to us is the Holy Spirit who will give us understanding of the Word of God that we might be “conformed” to the image of The Son Jesus Christ. And I believe another great gift that we have been given, is the Word Of God. But if we don’t avail ourselves of the Word, we will be powerless in our efforts for the Lord. Just playing church will never increase the kingdom of God in a meaningful way. Only the changed, empowered and Spirit-filled lives of people who live what they “talk” and demonstrate to the world the transforming power of the cross and the blood of Jesus. Two things that many find repulsive today—but they are the only hope for our world. So we must get into the word to know what God desires of us, to know what pleases HIM and accomplishes HIS will rather than that which pleases and soothes the feelings of “men”! We must get into The WORD!!!

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”     Hebrews 4:12-13

We must know the Word of God and then yield ourselves to the transforming power that is in it.

“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

God is not calling all of us to die for Him, but He is calling all of us who are His children, to die to ourselves and live for HIM! He is calling us to live by the power of the Holy Spirit with transformed lives; lives that are not conformed to the world but are being continually transformed by the power of the cross, the Word and the Holy Spirit, into the image of “Jesus”! And when we are willing to do that –then the world will see and know that there is a God who saves and transforms lives by the power of the Jesus’ blood.

So won’t you join me today and seek to know Him more by saturating our lives with HIS Word rather than the ways and influences of the world. May we recognize and appropriate the valuable Word of God for ourselves that like Paul we can proclaim:

“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

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17