Category Archives: TODAY

Fighters Or Faith-ers??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 13

08 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Fight or Faith?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Persecution, Perseverance, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Walking With Jesus, Without a Word?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.13    Fighters Or Faith-ers???

 

Yes, I know ‘faithers’ isn’t a real word, but I chose it to make a point; we live in a culture, even much of our (so called) Christian culture has chosen to “fight” rather than suffer for Jesus in ‘faith’. Let’s observe what Isaiah said about the character of the coming Savior, Messiah and Redeemer.

“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.

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.” Isaiah 53:3-7

Jesus came to be the suffering servant that Isaiah described, to pay for your sin and mine, to suffer the punishment for your sin and mine. Yet what was HIS reaction? He “opened not his mouth”, even when taken to the “slaughter”, and before the “shearers” He “opened not his mouth”! Even Pilate couldn’t understand this kind of humility!

“And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.” Matthew 27:12-14

And in John’s account more of the same:

“And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

11 Jesus answered,

Thou couldest have no power at all

against me,

except it were given thee

from above:

therefore he that delivered me

unto thee

hath the greater sin.”   John 19:8-11

Jesus again and again reminds us that when we follow Him, we will face opposition because “men love darkness rather than light” (See John 3:19)!!! And when we follow Him, He clearly told us that people would often treat us as they treated Him, but that they are, in actuality, rejecting God and His kingdom–The God who will hold them accountable! We will all give an account of our choices and actions. Without focusing on the contextual interpretation of the following passage, I’d like us to simply see that Jesus says that everyone will give an account for their choices, in this account He relates just before He went to the cross!

“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred,

and fed thee?

or thirsty,

and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger,

and took thee in?

or naked,

and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick,

or in prison,

and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them,

Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye have done it

unto one

of the least of these my brethren,

ye have done it unto me….

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand,

Depart from me,

ye cursed,

into everlasting fire,

prepared for the devil

and his angels:………

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying,

Lord, when saw we thee an hungred,

or athirst,

or a stranger,

or naked,

or sick,

or in prison,

and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye did it not

to one of the least of these,

ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away

into everlasting punishment:

but the righteous into life eternal.”    Matthew 25:37-46

Jesus clearly tells us that when people mistreat (or treat kindly) “the least of these my brethren”, it is the same as doing that kindness or unkindness to HIM! (Hopefully we can come back to this passage at a later time, and talk about the “specific” interpretation and application within the total context of these chapters!) I only want us to see from Jesus’ words, that when we are HIS—we can trust HIM to care for us who are HIS brethren! We don’t have to fight for ourselves or take our own vengeance (ever), for truly, “vengeance is mine….saith The Lord”!

“Recompense to no man evil for evil.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible,

as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves,

but rather give place unto wrath:

for it is written,

Vengeance is mine;

I will repay,

saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger,

feed him;

if he thirst,

give him drink:

for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:17-20

We have a higher calling; we march to a different drummer—the commands of our Lord Jesus, not the call of the world! But how do we accomplish this high calling? Only One way, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is given to all who come to Jesus in repentance and faith. (See Romans 8:9)

“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……

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…

33 These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”     Portions of John 16:7-33

“I have overcome the world”! Amen and Amen! But there is even more—Jesus has overcome the world in a way that the world doesn’t understand, and we must pursue His ways and not the world’s! Simple but not easy! Jesus went to the cross willingly for us, I just can’t believe that He expects us to follow HIM kicking and screaming all the way. (Please understand, I’m not saying we aren’t to stand up for truth and right, but we are to stand in obedience and compliance with the Word of God, not with the ways of the world!)

“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.”   Luke 9:23

Now taking up our cross isn’t a reference to the daily aches, pains and difficulties of life, it is a reference to “dying” to self while living for Jesus, by His Spirit’s power and grace! Not exalting ourselves but humbling ourselves before the Holy God and His Son Jesus, who has saved us by HIS blood!!! What less could we give?

“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

To continue our consideration of whether we are living as “faithers” or ‘fighters’, let’s look at what I consider to be one of the ultimate passages on “Christ-like” living.

“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.”   Philippians 2:5-11

Won’t you join me in seeking the face of Jesus, and pursuing a life that reveals the “mind of Christ” to a lost and dying world in need of a Savior? And may we remember what Jesus Himself said about our attitude:

“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11

And as James calls us to remember about “faithers”! “Saying so” doesn’t make it so! But a transformed life will be evident!

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith

without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know,

O vain man,

that faith

without works

is dead?”   James 2:14-20

Do you have real “faith” that is displayed in a Christ-like mind-set as pictured in Philippians 2? Or does your life say you’d “rather fight than switch” (pun intended!)!!! Are we humbling ourselves before God and others, or exalting ourselves because we’re too proud to bow? A question that only you can answer, but don’t wait to long!

“He hath delivered my soul

in peace

from the battle that was against me:

for there were many with me.

19 God shall hear,

and afflict them,

even he that abideth of old. Selah.

Because they have no changes,

therefore they fear not God.” Psalm 55:18-19

Let’s fear God, yield to His Spirit and live by faith, rather than walk (or fight) in the flesh? Blessings on your week!

 

 

 

My God IS Sufficient!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #400

06 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, I Will Never Leave You, Made like Jesus!, My Grace Is Sufficient, Praise God Today!, The Word, Time Is Grace!, TODAY

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #400       My God Is Sufficient!!!

 

Just a brief word this morning to wrap up our day. Regardless of the trials that we may be facing I just want us to remember that our GOD is able, and sufficient to any task that we may face. I pray that this word will speak to our hearts and encourage us all on this Friday.

“And now, brethren,

I commend you to God,

and to the word of his grace,

which is able to build you up,

and to give you an inheritance

among all them

which are sanctified.”   Acts 20:32

 

“I commend you to God” because while I may not have the answers that you need—our God does!!! He knows and allows nothing to come into our lives that HE isn’t using to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ 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

We can trust it all to God—“He never says ‘oops’!”! Even as the Apostle Paul sought God in prayer for an infirmity that was plaguing Him and God gave Him assurance that HE had it all under control.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure

through the abundance of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore

will I rather glory

in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And that same is still true for you and me! Even as the Doxology says, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” I pray that God will encourage each of us as we press on in His “grace” which is always “sufficient for thee”! Blessings on your day! Amen and Amen!

 

 

Glitz Or Glory??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 12

01 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Bling, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Distractions, Glitz, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.12    Glitz Or Glory???

 

Today I just have a few things I’d like to share with you! We live in a culture of “Bling”—everyone wants bling—big bling, shiny bling, flashy bling, bling, bling, bling—all around us, but to what end? But the thing I’m noticing is that with all the bling around us everyone seems to be blinded by the light—so blinded by the ‘glitz’ that they can’t see “the light”! Yet without the light we have no hope.

“Then spake Jesus again

unto them,

saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have

the light of life.” John 8:12

Jesus is the “light of the world” and without His light we will be in the darkness no matter how much “bling” or “glitz” we have! Without light—we are in the dark!

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made

by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light

of men.

5 And the light

shineth in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”    John 1:1-5

That very Son of God is “the light”-—“the light” that “shineth in darkness”! Yet we who live in this world are often blinded by the “glitz” so we don’t even recognize the light: “the darkness comprehended it not”! That is the saddest commentary of our time—of all time, that we reject the Lamb of God who came to “take away the sin of the world” and cling to that which will perish in the end!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26

The very words of Jesus call us to examine our lives to see if we have denied self, repented of our sin and come to cling to HIS cross in faith receiving His blood sacrifice; the only thing that can save. Dying to self to live unto Christ, by HIS grace and power.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live

by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”    Galatians 2:20

The whole point of life is to live—and only Jesus can give us real life, real love — real living in the LIGHT! Are you walking in the light or in the dark? Whether we claim to be a Christian or not—our life will express more of what we believe than our words. Just as Jesus said in Matthew 7:

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful

works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”    Matthew 7:20-23

Jesus clearly isn’t impressed by what impresses the world—He sees things as they really are. Our actions won’t be disguised by bling for very long—the Word of God, both the incarnate Word, Jesus, and the written Word, The Bible, will expose truth in God’s time.

“For the word of God is

quick, (alive)

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

It is God before whom we will stand and give an account, and “the word of God” will be the standard—not the bling, or glitz of the world! So we must choose wisely and be sure that we are not being blinded by the world to the true “light of the world”!

And in closing let’s look at another commentary from Jesus about light and darkness.

“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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”    John 3:16-21

Where are you walking? What are you being drawn to? What choices are you making? Are you clinging to the glitz or receiving “grace” and “glory” from the ONE who came to die for our salvation? Are you being led closer to Jesus, or are you being led away from HIM? I pray that we will all see the urgency of the hour in which we are living, and make sure that we are seeing and following the soon coming King! He who called us to be salt and light—not sugar and glitz! Bringing “glory” to the God of our salvation!

 

No More Time??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 11

24 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Let You Light So Shine, Living Right, Salvation, Sanctified To Serve!, Sharing Our Faith!, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Time, TODAY

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.11 No More Time???

 

Time is one of those subjects that is very ‘subjective’, it can be a positive thing or a negative thing, or it can be neither. We talk about having “plenty of time”; about having “no time left”; about things being “timeless”; “time” to rumble, or even “time out”! But what I want us to consider today, is the reality that we all must recognize—there is a “time” coming when “time” will be no more. But another important question that we will all have to answer is, “What have you/I done with ‘time’?” There is a time coming when we will all give an account of our use of the time that we have been given—each one will answer for their use of time. For no matter who we are—prosperous, poor, powerful, peon, plunderer or politician—we will all give an account, and we will all stand before God—as Savior or Judge!

“Blessed is he that readeth,

and they that hear the words of this prophecy,

and keep those things

which are written therein:

for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3

When John received the Revelation from Jesus, and recorded it for us, he is clearly reminds us that the “time is at hand”; and while that doesn’t mean that His coming is so eminent that it will happen today, it may! What he is telling us, is that when Jesus comes—it is going to take most people by surprise—whether we meet Him in the sky or He calls us through the veil of death, we need to be sure we are ready before the time comes! Am I ready? That is the question! My desire today, is to draw hearts to God; to be sure we are ready to meet Him when HE comes; be it in the sky or through death. And HE IS coming!

“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy

of this book:

for the time is at hand.”  Revelation 22:10

Jesus told John that the things that had been revealed to him were not to be sealed up but open to all because “the time is at hand”! And if things were “at hand” then, they are certainly “at hand” now! How much time do we have? Of course no one knows the answer to that question, but we do know that HE is coming, and there will be no second chances for those who reject Him! So there is a two-fold urgency that we need to understand; if you don’t know Jesus, you need to come to Him while you can; and if we do know Jesus, we need to be sharing the Good News of the Gospel with those around us! Today, don’t save it for tomorrow!

“Thus saith the LORD,

the Redeemer of Israel,

and his Holy One,

to him whom man despiseth,

to him whom the nation abhorreth,

to a servant of rulers,

Kings shall see and arise,

princes also shall worship,

because of the LORD that is faithful,

and the Holy One of Israel,

and he shall choose thee.

8 Thus saith the LORD,

In an acceptable time have I heard thee,

and in a day of salvation have I helped thee:

and I will preserve thee,

and give thee for a covenant

of the people,

to establish the earth,

to cause to inherit

the desolate heritages;

9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners,

Go forth;

to them that are in darkness,

Shew yourselves.

They shall feed in the ways,

and their pastures shall be in all

high places.

10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat

nor sun smite them:

for he that hath mercy on them

shall lead them,

even by the springs of water

shall he guide them.” Isaiah 49:7-10

When we come to God through Jesus Christ for salvation, He sends us out with the good news to share with others. Our salvation is a gift that is worth sharing, and there are so many who need to hear the Gospel!

“And he said unto me,

It is done.

I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end.

I will give unto him that is athirst

of the fountain

of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh

shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God,

and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:6-7

Jesus gives “of the fountain of the water of life freely” to all those who will come to Him. But we must come to HIM His way! And the time is now!

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

8 Harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation,

in the day of temptation

in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers tempted me,

proved me,

and saw my works forty years.

10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation,

and said,

They do alway err in their heart;

and they have not known my ways.

11 So I sware in my wrath,

They shall not enter into my rest.)

12 Take heed, brethren,

lest there be in any of you an evil heart

of unbelief,

in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily,

while it is called To day;

lest any of you be hardened

through the deceitfulness of sin.”    Hebrews 3:7-13

The author of Hebrews warns us to be careful of “departing from the living God” like the children of Israel, and being rejected by God because of our lack of faith, and rejection of HIS salvation.

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold, now is the accepted time;

behold, now is the day of salvation.)”    2 Corinthians 6:2

Today is the only day that we have! God is calling us to Himself, and nothing else is as important as that—both for those who are lost and need salvation, and to those who belong to Jesus and are called to:

“Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them

to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo, I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world. Amen.”    Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus commissioned us to “Go” (or it could be interpreted “as you Go”), and share what He has imparted to us. And when we have received the greatest gift of all, why would we not share it? We have been given eternal life through the precious blood of Jesus our Lord and Savior. Paul even alludes to this very thing, when he calls us to put on the armor of God!

“Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:14-18

We are to have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”! Simply put, we are to leave ‘footprints’ of the Gospel everywhere we go, by a life well lived for Jesus! For we can only have “peace with God” through Jesus, and the time to take care of our relationship with God is “Today”! Consider what Paul told the Romans:

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:1-11

Did you get all that? We have so much in Jesus, how could we keep it secret? How can we not live for HIM before a lost and dying world—a world dying without Jesus? Jesus who grants:

peace with God—the love of God—

the Holy Ghost—the atonement!!!

All because God loves YOU and ME! What will you do with Jesus today? Look up, He could come today! Ready or Not!

Believing A Lie??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #396

22 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Sharing Our Faith!, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Wasting Time

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #396  Believing A Lie???

 

I usually write on lighter issues on Fridays, but feel really burdened and compelled to write on a more serious topic today. I truly believe that the coming of Jesus Christ is eminently near, and it grieves me to know that there are those who don’t know Him, those who have willfully rejected Him, or even more tragic (if that’s possible), those who have simply chosen to put off following Jesus until another day. Paul also saw people made poor decisions as he shared the truth about the Gospel of Jesus to those he had the opportunity to reach.

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered,

Go thy way

for this time;

when I have a convenient season,

I will call for thee.”   Acts 24:25

Paul encountered the Governor, Felix, and shared the Gospel as his defense against the accusations for which he had been placed in custody by the Romans. Felix was compelled by the truth of the message he heard, but chose to wait for a “convenient” time. My friends, if you are waiting on a convenient time to come to Jesus, it will never arrive! We can only come to Jesus when His Spirit pricks and convicts our hearts and minds and reveals our personal sin to us, as Jesus knocks on our hearts door! If He is knocking at the door of your heart, you need to respond today—He may not come again.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”   Revelation 3:20

“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

Contrary to popular opinion, you cannot be saved whenever you want. Only when the Holy Spirit of Jesus convicts your heart of sin, and calls you to repent and be saved, can you come to HIM! We know that God wants all to repent and believe, but the choice belongs to each individual whether they will respond in repentance and faith and receive Jesus, or reject Him, or delay until it’s too late. It’s your choice, but you don’t know how often God will call you.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.”   2 Peter 3:9

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

for that he also is flesh….” Genesis 6:3a

Don’t wait to respond to the call of God to your heart—it could be too late. Don’t reject the message of salvation, and the convicting tug of the Holy Spirit. You might come “One Day Too Late” (An old Gospel song written by Lanny Wolfe!)! Don’t be like King Agrippa, another official who heard the Gospel from Paul, and make a poor choice.

“King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said, I would to God,

that not only thou,

but also all that hear me this day,

were both almost,

and altogether such as I am,

except these bonds.” Acts 26:27-29

Another false perception that people have bought into today, is the hope that if they reject Jesus, and the rapture occurs, they will recognize the event and come to Jesus, after rejecting Him and His call to them in the past. Paul told the Thessalonians that this was not the case then, and it isn’t the case now. Let’s see what he had to say about some of the events of those last days.

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him,

whose coming is after the working of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness

in them

that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”    2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

Without going into a lot of background, this is a picture of the time of the coming “Anti-Christ”. The one who will come and claim to be God, Messiah and deliverer, but who in reality will be the “imitation” Messiah, the deceiver who will draw almost the whole world to pursue and follow him—including those who have willfully rejected Jesus before that point in time. While there will be many saved during that time, it won’t be anyone who has already heard and rejected the Gospel to the time referred to as “The Great Tribulation”.

Why am I addressing this issue without going into detail about the “end time” events? Because it’s not the timing of the events, or the biblical account of those things that I want to share today; I simply want to urge those of you who don’t know Jesus to respond to His convicting Holy Spirit who may be speaking to your heart today, because you may not have another opportunity to hear His voice. I am so concerned for those who are counting on things other than Jesus to save them, and give them eternal life with The Father and The Son! It’s not church membership that saves, it’s not being baptized that saves, it’s not doing great works in “Jesus’” name that saves, it’s not having parents or grandparents that love God and pray for you that saves (although many of us have come to Jesus because of those who have prayed for us!), and it’s not being a good person. The blood of Jesus, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice, is the only way to salvation and heaven. It is only HIS blood that ‘cleanses us from all sin’! And my friends I don’t want anyone who is reading this post to miss Jesus, and hear the dreaded words that no one wants to hear. What will you hear when HE comes, or when you face HIM in death? Will you hear ‘enter in’ or “Depart”? Today is all we have!! What will you do with Jesus TODAY??

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”    Matthew 7:21-23

Won’t you come to Him in repentance and faith today, and experience that wonderful loving invitation that He extends to all who are His own?

“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.” Matthew 25:21

I pray that you will hear the Spirit’s voice today—and respond accordingly.

“And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”   Mark 4:9

And for those of us who already know Him, may we be faithful to share the good news while we have the opportunity! The time may be shorter than we think!