Bible Ballistics: BBs #267    Praying For You!!!

One of the very best things that we can do is to PRAY!!! No matter what comes at us, no matter how our hearts may ache, no matter what answers we can’t seem to find, no matter what direction or understanding we may be seeking —the answer can always be found in prayer. Now I’m not saying the answer will always come “immediately” but it will come, even when it’s not the answer we were expecting or desiring! Our God is always working in our lives to conform us to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ—we have only to seek His face in prayer and through the searching of the scriptures.

“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

We can pray in confidence knowing that God is working in our lives in every thing— every issue, every crisis, every question, every trial, every pain, and every sorrow—every thing! Your problems and concerns are not a surprise to God, and if we’ll but look to HIM in all these things we will find the strength, wisdom and courage to walk forward and press on with and for Jesus. He is faithful!

But the thing I really want to share this morning is that I am praying for you. And like many of the prayers that I pray for others, my prayer for you is from scripture. There is a storehouse of gold to be mined in the prayers of scripture. The one I’d like to share with you this morning is a prayer that is precious to my heart because it is such an all encompassing and heartfelt yearning for the spiritual good and growth of those God sends into our lives. So this my friends, is the prayer of my heart for you today. May God speak to your heart today and meet you where you are—for while I don’t know your specific need, my God does!!!

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire that

ye might be filled

with the knowledge

of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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:”     Colossians 1:9-14

May God bless you to truly to experience and know His presence in “all wisdom and spiritual understanding” today. Amen and Amen! And the reason we can be confident is because of Jesus:

“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.” Colossians 1:15-18

Bible Ballistics: BBs #266    When I Am Afraid???

We’ve shared some pretty heavy subjects lately, but then I’ve had a heavy burden from the Lord. But today I’d like to share a brief word of encouragement to hopefully brighten your day. We all have things facing us, which may bring alarm and/or fear; but whether it’s health issues, financial issues, family problems, work crises, or just plain frustration and confusion in this crazy world we live in, God has a word for us today.

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”    Psalm 56:3

I love this verse for it’s simple power. We all have times of fear, be it justified or imagined, and that fear must be dealt with. Yet our loving God, who knew we would have to face fear, reminds us that He has us, and the issues that we are facing, in His mighty hand, and we can trust it all to HIM! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise HIM!!! He is trustworthy and He never fails—NEVER!

“For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: 24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.” Joshua 4:23-24

Joshua had a message of encouragement for the children of Israel, and that message is as true today as it was those thousands of years ago. Just as our God was faithful to lead and protect His children then, HE is still on the throne watching over His children today—those who have come to Him by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is working through every detail in our life to grow us as well as to glorify Himself through our faithfulness in those fearful times. We are the display case for the power of God!!! But what are we displaying? That is up to us, so let’s choose wisely, because our God never fails! And He IS able!

“Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.” Psalm 89:13

But what is our part? Our part is to yield our will to His, to trust Him to direct our steps and provide for our every need, to humble ourselves before God and submit ourselves, as believers, to one another.

“Likewise, ye younger,

submit yourselves unto the elder.

Yea, all of you

be subject one to another,

and be clothed with humility:

for God resisteth the proud,

and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:5-7

I hope this bit of encouragement will bless you in this middle of the week, and I pray that God will guide, direct and comfort your heart, regardless of what fears may be looming around you. Remember—look up, trust His grace, and press on!!!

“A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold

in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11

Amen and amen!

 

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 7 No. 20  Will HE Say YES Or NO???

The “Gospel” is the “Good News”. But “Good News” is only “good news” if you hear it, respond to what you hear and heed the message. The “good news” is that Jesus died for you and me, but if we don’t heed the “Good News” that Jesus paid the price for our deliverance from sin and hell, then it isn’t “good news” to you! Paul reminds us of the truth of the “Gospel” in his first letter to the Corinthians, the “Gospel” in a nutshell, if you would. So here’s the “Good News”:

“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:

6 After that, he was seen

of above five hundred brethren at once;

of whom the greater part remain

unto this present,

but some are fallen asleep.

7 After that, he was seen of James;

then of all the apostles.”     1 Corinthians 15:1-7

What will you do with this “Good News”? What have you done with it? There are only two choices available: accept it as truth and receive the salvation that Jesus died to provide for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith; or reject the only hope for your deliverance from the penalty of sin—death and hell. I know that’s pretty short and blunt, but it’s the truth and we live in a world and culture that denies the truth of God and is giving false hope to a lost and dying world, saying “there are many ways to God/Heaven”. We’re living in a culture where even the “church” is often giving out the wrong message in a misguided desire to reach “more” people! But to reach them with false hope, and a watered down “Gospel” isn’t really reaching them at all. As we talked about recently, if the watchman doesn’t give out the call—the lost will still die in their sin, and the watchman will be held accountable. But our focus for today isn’t the watchmen but YOUR personal response to the true “Gospel” of Jesus Christ.

Paul clearly gives us the truth in the passage above:

It is a received message, for Paul didn’t invent it—                                                                   He just shared what he had received—                                                                                        The “Good News” that Jesus saves. Have you received the truth?

It is the only way to salvation—deliverance from the penalty of sin. Have you heard and recognized the truth of Jesus?

There is a “vain” faith—an imitation that looks good, sounds good, but isn’t really in Jesus but some other way, usually a ‘self-made’ way to God. What kind of faith do you have?

What Paul received, he shared. When he came to Jesus in repentance and faith, he accepted Jesus and the call to spread the “Good News”!!! If you belong to Jesus, what are you doing with the “Good News”?

The “Gospel” is ALL about Jesus.

       He died for OUR sins, according to the scriptures.

       He was buried, because He really died, for us.

        He was resurrected, according to the scriptures–

He was, is and always will be God’s only plan for saving a lost and dying world.

         He was seen alive by many witnesses.

Witnesses who often gave their lives sharing the truth of Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead, because it displayed His victory over sin, death and hell, just as God had promised!

So the question comes to mind, “What have you done with the ‘Gospel’”? There is no other way, and Jesus Himself gives us the message so clearly throughout His life and ministry on this earth.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5 (He said it twice!)

And why do we need to repent? Because we have gone our own way and not God’s way (by birth into sin, and by personal choice), and only the suffering, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ could pay the debt that our sin incurs.

“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 53:4-6

All our sin was laid upon Jesus!

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken

of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23

“God with us”, and praise God, HE, Jesus, came, HE lived a sinless life, and HE died for you and me!!! We needed a Savior and HE came to pay for my sin and yours. Jesus alone—the God Man– could provide eternal life for those who would believe in Him; and not only eternal life, but also abundant overcoming life; life guided and directed by the Holy Spirit of God; life that can walk with the Lord Jesus, and also can rest in HIM in all the busy-ness and chaos of the world.

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

And that rest can and will only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came and gave Himself that we might have life, hope and peace, the peace of God as well as peace with God.

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

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44

Well, if Jesus is the only way to the Father (and HE is), and no one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws Him (and He does), then how do we come? Only one way, and it’s all of God, from God, by God and through God:

“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.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.” John 14:16-18

Jesus promised His indwelling Spirit would come and be our “Comforter”, the “Spirit of Truth” (and remember Jesus IS truth), who at that time was dwelling with them (Jesus Himself in the flesh), yet would be within them after HE physically left this world!!! Oh what a wonderful promise, the “New Covenant”, Jesus with us always.

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27

Christ Jesus within you and me, who will believe!!! It’s why Jesus came and accomplished the work of salvation, the atonement for our sin, and the redemption (buying us back for the power of the enemy, Satan, see Col. 1:13-14) of our souls and our lives. And in that redemption on the cross, He sealed the New Covenant, which is the promise of God dwelling within us (See Jeremiah 31:31-33 and Ezekiel 36:25-29)! Oh what glory—God’s glory within us so we don’t have to take this Christian journey alone. He has promised to never leave His own!!

“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

We can be confident because the Lord Himself, through His Spirit, is with us always and is accomplishing God’s work in us.

“But when the Comforter is come,

whom I will send

unto you

from the Father,

even the Spirit of truth,

which proceedeth from the Father,

he shall testify of me:” John 15:26

 

And by His Spirit we can overcome the opposition of this world. We can walk in victory by walking “in the Spirit” and then we won’t “fulfill the lusts of the flesh”! Jesus revealed even more of what His Spirit would do for His children.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world is judged.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine:

therefore said I,

that he shall take of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:7-15

What assurance to know that God the Son has given us His Spirit to empower our victory in this walk of faith. But that’s not all; He also gave us His Word. And by that Word we can know how to order our steps, what truth looks like and acts like, and can join the Psalmist and pray:

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23

And when we are focused on the face of our Lord, and dig into His Word we will come to understand that we must die to self and live to Him.

“And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

The very same message that Isaiah shared—we have all gone our own way!! Only in giving our lives to Jesus and accepting HIS life, can we truly live. I must repent of MY sin, stop going my own way and take up the cross of Jesus and receive His life for my death sentence. It is the power of the cross—Jesus gives life, eternal life—life for death!

“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

Praise God, I can live “by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”! What less could I do but give myself to Him. And the very Lord who offers us life, knows those who are truly His own. Do you know you are His? It’s a matter of life and death, for a day is coming when we will all give an account of our choices—whether we have chosen life in Jesus, or chosen to pay for our own sin ourselves. You see, the question isn’t “will you bow before Jesus”, but “when will you bow”? Because “every knee shall bow” before Him and “every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”(See Philippians 2:5-11)! The question is, will you bow before Him now as your Lord and Savior, or will you reject/ignore Him now and bow before Him then as your judge. It will be one or the other, and it’s your choice—but a choice with eternal consequences. And no matter who you may be able to fool in this world, you can’t fool the Lord Jesus Christ. He knows His own!!!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19

So the question to be answered is, “are you His”? If you aren’t you can be! But if you aren’t, no measure of pretense or imitation will fool the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will stand before Him one day. What will you hear there?

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:21-27

Will you hear “depart”, or “well done”? When Jesus says “NO” it means no!!! Oh to hear His “welcome home precious child”! Are you building on the “Rock Of Ages” or the “Sinking Sand”? It’s your choice, but the storms will come! And after the storms will you stand on the “Rock” or fall with the “Sand”? Will you hear depart? Or will you hear ‘well done’?

“His lord said unto him,

Well done,

thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things,

I will make thee ruler

over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.……..

23 His lord said unto him,

Well done, good and faithful servant;

thou hast been faithful over a few things,

I will make thee ruler

over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21 & 23

Will you hear “enter thou into the joy of thy lord”? Or will you hear “NO” way you ‘unprofitable servant’?

“His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,………… 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:26 & 30

Will you say “yes” to Jesus, and hear “enter in”, or will you say “no” to His loving sacrifice for you, and hear “no” when you want to enter His Kingdom. The choice is yours but the consequences are eternal–Yes or No? It is life or death?

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

And a side note in closing, if you don’t have time or desire for HIM now, why would He have a place for you then?

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

Is Jesus your treasure?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #265    Standing In The Gap!!!

 

Those of us who belong to Jesus have been called to share the truth of the gospel, even though we live in a world that has gone after lies; lies about almost any subject that you’d like to mention. So how are we to respond? We must hold fast to the truth, and even when we are opposed on every hand we must cling to, and speak out the truth that Jesus is the ONLY way to God; Jesus is the only way to have peace with God; the only way to have a relationship with God; the only way to receive the forgiveness of sin (See Colossians 1:12-14). And without a personal relationship with God, through repentance and faith in the only Son of God and His death in your place and mine, there is no real hope—now or in eternity. JESUS is the truth and we must hold Him high.

“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

Jesus said of Himself, that HE is the only way to come to the Father. But how do we come to Jesus? We must come to Him realizing our lost, hopeless and desperate condition in our own sins—that we have a problem that we can’t fix. We must come to know and understand that while the “wages of sin is death”, God has made a way for us and Jesus is that way. We must trust and believe that those “wages” have been paid by Jesus; that while “the wages of sin is death”, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus came to deliver us from the power of sin—from the eternal death in hell—and yes, hell is real, but even more so, the “life” that Jesus gives! The choice is ours, yours and mine! (See Romans 3:23 & 6:23)

“And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:23-24

We must believe that Jesus is God the Son, and that He came to dwell in a body of flesh through a virgin birth, that He lived a sinless life, and willingly went to Calvary to pay for MY sin! I have only to see my sinful condition before God, repent of my sin (simply turn from my way to God’s way, see Isaiah 53:6) and give myself to Jesus in faith and total dependence. And when we know the grace and mercy of God’s salvation in Jesus, then we are to share that truth with our world. Sharing with our lives, our words, our actions, and our responses to the evil around us—being a testimony of God’s truth, grace, holiness and love, through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

But who is speaking truth. We hear lies all around us—calling people to be ‘happy’, ‘confident’, and full of “SELF” esteem, when what we need is the gospel which reveals our sin, and calls us to the only Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord!!! But are we standing in the gap of lies with the truth?

“The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. 31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God.” Ezekiel 22:29-31

There is a price to pay for going our own way; we will “reap” what we “sow”!!! God makes His truth available through His Word, and we who know it are responsible for knowing and sharing it, but we have often failed to do so. Whose way are you going? Your own, or God’s? And we can only do God’s work God’s way, through HIS Son and HIS Spirit and power.

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

We must choose to be God’s true and faithful servants, so we don’t fall for he lies of the enemy ourselves. And we also must prophesy the truth—Jesus! God has a message for those who share “lies”.

“And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the Lord;

3 Thus saith the Lord God;

Woe unto the foolish prophets,

that follow their own spirit,

and have seen nothing!

4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.

5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. 6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying,

The Lord saith:

and the Lord hath not sent them:

and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

7 Have ye not seen a vain vision,

and have ye not spoken a lying divination,

whereas ye say,

The Lord saith it;

albeit I have not spoken?

8 Therefore thus saith the Lord God;

Because ye have spoken vanity,

and seen lies,

therefore, behold,

I am against you, saith the Lord God.”    Ezekiel 13:1-8

So, the decision is yours. Will you trust your life and salvation from sin to Jesus? If you already belong to Jesus, will you live a life of obedience, reflecting the holiness of our Lord Jesus Christ to the world? The choice is ours—and the future of our world depends upon us—will we share the truth and bring others to the Savior that we love, or will we be false prophets who give people false hope, or by our silence give them no hope at all? May we all be listening to the voice of the Lord as we walk through this wicked and desperate world? We who know Jesus have been called to follow Him, and share His truth—HE IS TRUTH!!! The world needs us to “stand in the gap”—won’t you join me and ‘stand’?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #264    The Breath Of God!!!

All around us we hear about the “big bang”, or the “explosion of matter”, or other ‘theories’ of creation, yet we who believe in Jehovah God and His Son Jesus Christ know that God revealed our origins in HIS Word! We believe that “In the beginning God” was, He is now, and ever will be the creator of all. But why is it so important that we believe the first eleven chapters of Genesis? It is essential to believe these portions of scripture because without them, the rest of the Bible is of no value or import.

“In the beginning God

created the heaven and the earth…..

And God said,

Let us make man in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God created he him;

male and female created he them……

2:7 And the Lord God formed man

of the dust of the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;

and man became a living soul.”  Portions of Genesis 1 & 2

Why does it matter whether or not you believe this? Simply put, if God didn’t create the ‘heaven and the earth’, then none of the remainder of the account recorded in Genesis 1-11 are true either. If there was not a literal creation by our God, if there was no literal man and woman, called Adam and Eve, if there was no ‘Garden of Eden” and no command in regard to the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”, then we can just throw in the towel. Why? Because if these things aren’t true, then there was no Adam and Eve, there was no breath of God in them, there was no command broken, there is then no “SIN” and we don’t need a “Redeemer”! It’s that simple! Either it’s all true, and we are dead in sin and need a Savior, or it’s not and we have no need of a Savior and Redeemer.

Oh, my friends we must understand that this is why it is so important to know the truth and be ready to defend the faith and the veracity of the Word of God. We must be prepared for the onslaught of the enemy to continue and gain in intensity and scope. We have become “fair game” to the world and it shouldn’t alarm us. It has been happening since the beginning. Those who follow God will often be in conflict with the world. Jude calls us to be aware and ready to “contend for the faith”.

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 1:3

Jesus told us that there would be opposition; after all they opposed and hated Him right to the cross. Why should we expect to be exempt (often because here in America we have historically had religious freedom, but that is changing rapidly)? We must hold to the tenets of scripture, and know that we were and are created in the “image of God”, and while sin brought death to the part of us that had intimate fellowship with God, we have the privilege of being restored to relationship with God through the blood of Jesus, by faith through God’s grace. A blessing, but also a responsibility to know the Truth of God and reflect His Glory! To display the “life “ that He puts within us through His Spirit when we are “born again”. It’s God’s work of grace and redemption that brings the “dead” to “life”—“life” through the blood of Jesus.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:1-7

Have you received the “breath” of God into your life? Have you experienced the “new birth” that Jesus gives? Without it there is no hope. For we will all stand before God—those who have believed and trusted their lives to HIM– before Him as Redeemer for all eternity, but for those who refuse and reject Him a different fate. They will stand before Jesus not as Redeemer, but as Judge, and receive the consequences 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

So will you receive the “breath” of God and become a new and “living” soul, quickened (made alive) by the power of the cross? Will you trust to the saving power of the “blood of the Lamb” and have your name written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life”? Or will you reject Him (by neglecting to respond to His call) and suffer the “breath” of the judge, Jesus Christ, and be “cast into the lake of fire”? The choice is yours. And if you know HIM already, will you be faithful to proclaim His truth and warn those who don’t?

I do not relish writing such heavy words, but they are words we need to hear, and share. The time is short, and we must sound the alarm. It is what we’re called to do.

“So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 33:7-9

You’ve heard the call and the warning. What will you do with it? The choice is yours. May God do a work in our hearts, that we might be faithful “watchmen”! And may He call the lost through us. Even so Lord Jesus!