Bible Ballistics: BBs #282 Repentance Is A Must!!!

With all the talk going on around us about the most recent violence in America, I’d like us to examine an important topic; a topic that most don’t want to think about or talk about—that is repentance. While our Lord God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ love with an unconditional love; a love that always does what is best for the recipient; God’s forgiveness is NOT unconditional. And without forgiveness none can enter God’s heaven—but that is why Jesus came! Jesus came to be the sacrifice necessary to provide the way of salvation—the forgiveness of sin, and salvation from the penalty of that sin. Because the penalty of sin is death-and we are all found guilty of SIN!

“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

Scripture is replete with the message of salvation from “sin”, and that all are sinners. And while all sin, and all are offered the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, not all are willing to hear the message and believe it, and to have faith to be saved. And that is the message that is so repulsive to many in our world today—in fact it’s been repulsive to most of the world since the beginning.

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

All have sinned, but we don’t have to remain in the throes of sin! We can come to Jesus and have victory over sin, death and hell, by repentance (Turning from our sin—our own way, and turning to God), and faith in God’s grace through His Son’s death for all who will believe and receive His sacrifice!

“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

God is ready and willing to forgive those who will come to Jesus, but it must be in repentance from sin and faith toward Jesus and His sacrifice for sin!

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said unto them,

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans

were sinners above all the Galilaeans,

because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen,

upon whom the tower in Siloam fell,

and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners above all men

that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1-5

If I might paraphrase this to our culture:

Someone else’s sin isn’t worse than yours—

It doesn’t matter how we “categorize” sin, IT’S SIN—

Just because some die in tragic ways,

that alone doesn’t make them worse than others—

Just because sins are made “popular” or “legal”,

It’s still SIN—

Throwing rocks at other’s sins,

Doesn’t negate our own sin—

As Jesus says clearly twice, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”! Unless we see our sin, we will never see a need for repentance nor a Savior! And without Jesus our future will be death and hell! There is only one way to have eternal life, and that is through Jesus, and we must come to Him in repentance (of our own way) and faith in His substitutionary, redeeming death for sinners on Calvary’s Cross! There is no other way.

“He is despised and rejected of men;

a man of sorrows,

and acquainted with grief:

and we hid as it were our faces from him;

he was despised,

and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs,

and carried our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him stricken,

smitten of God,

and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace was upon him;

and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned every one to his own way;

and the Lord hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:3-6

The question isn’t ‘Did Jesus pay the price?’, for He did; the question is, ‘Will you turn from your way to God’s and receive the salvation that Jesus offers?’. There is no other way, regardless of what the popular voices in the world are saying. There will be an accounting; a time when all will answer before God, and bow before Jesus. The question isn’t “will you bow”, but rather “when will you bow”! Will you bow before Him now, as your Savior and Lord God, or will you bow before Him as your judge at the end? Will you experience His forgiveness and redemption unto life, or His wrath unto death? The choice is yours. Choose wisely!

“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:”     Col 1:12-14

So will you “partake” of life with Jesus, or experience His wrath?

“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

And just in case you don’t know, that book of life is the “Lamb’s Book of Life”—and Jesus is the Lamb! Where is your name written? The Lamb died for you, and He wants to write your name in His book, but only by repentance and faith in His sacrificial death for YOU!

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27

So in closing, it’s not any “special” sin that sends you to hell, but “any” sin that isn’t under the blood. And when we come to Jesus, He forgives and cleanses us from sin and makes us new! So count on Jesus, not your “lifestyle” whatever it is!

“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

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No. 02  He Will Supply Our Needs!!!

Just a brief word this evening. I’ll be writing a bit shorter articles for the next few weeks due to some health issues, but I do hope to continue to post on my regular schedule. I pray that God will speak to each of us through His Word. After all that is the most important thing that any of us can do any way, to share God’s Word!!!

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

Paul encouraged the Philippians to keep their focus on The Lord Jesus and His sufficiency. They were a faithful church who were dear to the heart of Paul, and Paul encouraged them to stand fast in what they knew—that God is faithful in all His ways, and we can trust Him in all things.

“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:

7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all,

because I have you in my heart;

inasmuch as both in my bonds,

and in the defence

and confirmation of the gospel,

ye all are partakers of my grace.

8 For God is my record,

how greatly I long after you all

in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

9 And this I pray,

that your love may abound

yet more and more

in knowledge

and in all judgment;

10 That ye may approve things

that are excellent;

that ye may be sincere

and without offence

till the day of Christ.

11 Being filled

with the fruits of righteousness,

which are by Jesus Christ,

unto the glory and praise of God.”    Philippians 1:6-11

We stand in confidence in the fact that our Almighty God is at work in us, even working to make us a glory unto Himself through the blood of Jesus and the work of His Holy Spirit. God is performing His wonderful work of grace, and transforming power to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. And Paul helps us to recognize what that looks like.

Our love may abound—

More and more—

In knowledge—

In judgment—

That we may pursue and approve excellence—

That we may be sincere—

That we may be without offence—

That we will be filled with righteous fruits—

Our lives are to be lived unto God’s glory and praise!!! A life lived trusting to God sovereign grace, provision and transforming salvation.

“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

God knows what we need, when we need it and where we need to be to we receive His provision. Jesus came to redeem us to eternal life, and He also promised to make us His friends.

“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.”    John 15:15

God is able, and I trust Him. Whatever lies ahead, we can know that God is there before us, He has our back and He walks beside us all the way. He promised the precious Holy Spirit would come after His ascension, and HE HAS! His job is to work God’s work in each of our individual hears and lives.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;……But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:16 & 26

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 16:7

Do we trust God with all things, or are we depending on ourselves? It’s your choice, but I join with Joshua in proclaiming:

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Our God is in control, but He leaves the choosing up to us!

“Trust in the Lord

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the Lord,

and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7

Just remember, Jesus “shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”! I’m praying that God will lead and direct your steps as you listen and follow Him today and every day.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #281 Take Some Time To Rest???

 

“Rest in the Lord,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7

One of my favorite passages in all of scripture is Psalm 37! A wonderful picture of walking with The Lord, trusting Him with my life, delighting in what delights HIM, and committing all my ways to HIM. But the passage reminds us in verse seven that we all must rest—but not just rest—rest “in the Lord”! And I’d just like to give you a little encouragement on this Friday in June, when things get so rushed (in the hustle and bustle of “vacationing”, “recreating” and supposedly “resting”) to remind you to enjoy some real “Rest in the Lord” with some of my favorite “resting” passages from scripture.

“For thus saith the Lord God,

the Holy One of Israel;

In returning

and rest

shall ye be saved;

in quietness

and in confidence

shall be your strength:

and ye would not.” Isaiah 30:15

Don’t be a “ye would not”!!! Take the time to spend quiet, confident, rest time with The Lord (For you will NEVER find it)!!! What ever you think “can’t” wait, can wait if it stands between you and Jesus. Even Jesus told his busy disciples to take time and “rest”!

“And he said unto them,

Come ye yourselves apart

into a desert place,

and rest a while:

for there were many

coming and going,

and they had no leisure

so much as to eat.” Mark 6:31

Our bodies, minds and souls need rest; the rest that only confident dependence on God produces. And only a heart and life right with God can truly know the peace and rest that Jesus alone gives.

“I have set the Lord always before me:

because he is at my right hand,

I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad,

and my glory rejoiceth:

my flesh also shall rest in hope.”    Psalm 16:8-9

Much like what the Psalmist talks about when he reminded us that the Word of God is a “lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. (See Psalm 119:105)

“Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.” Matthew 11:29

Let the Word of God grow and blossom in your heart and it will bear great fruit of joy, love, peace, contentment and so much more. It will help us to see the need to rest in The Lord and allow His peace to rule in us. And then “the world will know” whose we are. So rest in Him and reflect His peace to a crazy restless world!

“These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send

in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.” John 14:25-27

May God bless you with a joyful and restful day in His peace, love and joy! I’m praying for you to give HIM some time today to rest your soul!!!

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #280 Are You Forgivable???

Our title today may seem to be a little strange but as we talked last week about being “teachable”, I’d like us to consider being “forgivable”. Why? Because to be forgivable, we must realize that we are in need of forgiveness. If we have never realized or recognized our sin as sin, why would we need to be forgiven? To receive the salvation that God has provided through Jesus, a person must recognize that they are lost and sinful without Him. If we never see our own sinfulness, why would we even need a Savior? That’s one of the reasons that I spend so much time talking about “sin”; because until and unless we see our sin we are most unlikely to see any need for forgiveness!

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

And Isaiah also reminds us that while we are all sinners, God already had the solution!

“All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned every one to his own way;

and the Lord hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed,

and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth:

he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb,

so he openeth not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation?

for he was cut off out of the land of the living:

for the transgression of my people

was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked,

and with the rich in his death;

because he had done no violence,

neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him;

he hath put him to grief:

when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin,

he shall see his seed,

he shall prolong his days,

and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper

in his hand.” Isaiah 53:6-10

The solution to sin—Jesus the Redeemer, the Lamb of God, the “sacrifice” for sin—a sinless perfect “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” (See John 1:29)! Jesus came to be the cure for the fatal disease of sin.

“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

And while Jesus came to die for our sin, and the love of God is totally unconditional—there is a condition to HIS forgiveness! Jesus! And without forgiveness there is no life!

“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 3:16-19

So what is God telling us? That Jesus is the only way to receive the forgiveness of God for our own sin. But as I said earlier, unless a person sees his or her own sin, there is little desire to seek Jesus. But when God speaks to a heart through His Holy Spirit and brings the conviction of sin, and that person realizes that Jesus is the only cure for the fatal disease of sin—then and only then will they come to Jesus. And when we realize all that God’s grace through the blood of Jesus has done, how can we help but love and serve this One who gave HIS all that we might have life?

So what is your answer to our title question? Are you “forgivable” or do you see yourself as “good enough” to stand before God? It’s a question that only you can answer, but one that is of eternal import. And when we receive the forgiveness and grace of God it will show.

“Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” Luke 7:47-50

Faith in the One who died for MY sin. How about you, are your sins forgiven?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No. 01  Trust Overcomes Anxiety!!!

There are times in our lives when we face things that alarm or frighten us. I’d like to share a much shorter version of Bible Ballistics this evening for a word of hope and encouragement for those times when we find ourselves being overcome with fear, alarm or anxiety. God is in total control, and we can trust Him, but sometimes we truly can’t see the “forest” for the “trees”!

One of my favorite verses in regard to trust is from the Psalms.

“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

No matter how calm our life seems to be, we will each have those times that come along which cause us to fear, panic or suffer anxiety over the issues of life. So whether it’s life changing issues, health, finances, or family crises, we must remember that our confidence is in our God not our circumstances.

While we live in a culture that seems to focus on the “instant” everything in life, God is concerned for our good, and our spiritual growth into the likeness of Jesus. And HE is trustworthy as He is at work in our lives all the time!!!

“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.

30 Moreover

whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us, who can be against us?”     Romans 8:28-31

God is always doing His work in those who belong to Him, and we can rest in the assurance of His sovereign control. When we learn to understand God’s total sovereignty, then we can ‘stand’ with our armor on, and overcome. Jesus overcame sin, death and hell at Calvary, and “in Him” we can overcome all that comes against us. (See Eph. 6:10+)

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him

that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able

to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus

our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39  (See Romans 5:1-10)

Our confidence is in the blood of Jesus that saves and keeps us. And when we are in the hand of God, then nothing can touch us apart from HIS perfect will. He will use every crisis, every victory and every thing in between to make His own more and more like Jesus. Then we can bring Him glory as He brings us “to” glory; the glory that we will share with Him for all eternity. What price is too great?

“For I reckon

that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy

to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed

in us.” Romans 8:18

(And yes, I love Romans chapter 8, don’t you!!)

So take heart wherever you are in your walk with God! He has a plan and no one can thwart His hand.

“For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27

Our God reigns, and He knows where you are today. He knows where you were yesterday and where tomorrow will lead you. Our job is to love Him, and follow Him where He leads! Here are two of my very favorite passages from all of scripture; I’ll leave you to contemplate and think on these words from God.

“Trust in the Lord

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the Lord,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

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

“Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are

comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also aboundeth

by Christ.”     2 Corinthians 1:2-5