Tag Archives: Colossians 1:12-14

Jesus In Genesis Pt. 2!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.06

24 Sunday Mar 2019

Posted by in Creator, Cross, Great is Thy Faithfulness, JESUS, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus Is The Only Way!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.06    Jesus In Genesis Pt.2!!!

 

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:1-13

I’d like for us to continue our look at Jesus, The Son of God, by rehearsing this passage from John 1 which deals with the spiritual life that Jesus creates in those who come to Him in repentance and faith.

“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 1:3-5

Here we find that Jesus IS creator, as well sustainer, of life; not only all things physical, but life and light—spiritual life and light—for all who will believe.  He brings life to the dead—the lost (See Ephesians 2:1-10).  It’s why HE came in the flesh to redeem and rescue God’s crowning glory of creation—man!  Albeit, man who sinned and marred the wondrous creation of God.  Jesus is “The Word”—God made flesh, to redeem flesh and blood humans who will come to Him, and receive His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice which He made at Calvary, with His own blood.  The greatest act of restoration and redemption ever wrought.  And it’s all seen in Genesis!  How did God create?  By His “Word”!

“And God said, Let there be light:

and there was light.” Genesis 1:3

Light—God created light, not the luminaries, but the very essence of time, space and energy that holds creation together.  And that IS Jesus.

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners

spake in time past

unto the fathers

by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days

spoken unto us

by his Son,

whom he hath appointed heir

of all things,

by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness

of his glory,

and the express image

of his person,

and upholding all things

by the word of his power,

when he had by himself

purged our sins,

sat down on the right hand

of the Majesty on high;”   Hebrews 1:1-3

It IS Jesus who holds all creation together, and HE is “upholding all things by the word of his power”; and also has “by himself purged our sins”—all of them!

But let’s get back to Genesis:

“And God said,

Let there be a firmament

in the midst of the waters,

and let it divide

the waters from the waters.”  Genesis 1:6

While Jesus is known to many as a ‘prophet/teacher’ of peace, He also tells us that He is a great divider.

“But I have a baptism

to be baptized with;

and how am I straitened

till it be accomplished!

51 Suppose ye that I am come

to give peace on earth?

I tell you, Nay;

but rather division:

52 For from henceforth

there shall be five in one house divided,

three against two,

and two against three.”    Matthew 12:50-52

The division mentioned here is a spiritual division, those who choose Jesus will pay a price.  What price are you paying?  Paul made this clear to Timothy!

“Yea, and all

that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers

shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou

in the things which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom

thou hast learned them;”   2 Timothy 3:12

Jesus made it clear that following Him would not be popular—no more popular than HE was!

 “If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word

that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not

him that sent me.”  John 15:19-21

Jesus Himself IS the Creator!

“And God said,

Let the earth bring forth grass,

the herb yielding seed,

and the fruit tree

yielding fruit after his kind,

whose seed is in itself,

upon the earth:

and it was so.”  Genesis 1:11

God created that which would sustain the man He would create as His crowning glory!  Well, Jesus is the sustainer of all things—He is the spiritual food for all who will come to HIM!

“And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life:

he that cometh to me

shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me

shall never thirst…

50 This is the bread

which cometh down from heaven,

that a man may eat thereof,

and not die.

51 I am the living bread

which came down from heaven:

if any man eat of this bread,

he shall live for ever:

 and the bread that I will give

is my flesh,

which I will give for the life

of the world.”  John 6:35 & 50-51

Jesus came to be the sacrifice for our sin and sustain us for all eternity with eternal life!  Praise God for such love and care—the sustainer of and giver of life, both now and for eternity!

Now, more from Genesis!

“And God said,

Let there be lights

in the firmament of the heaven

to divide the day from the night;

and let them be for signs,

and for seasons,

and for days,

and years:

15 And let them be for lights

in the firmament of the heaven

to give light upon the earth:

 and it was so.”  Genesis 1:14-15

I love that “God said”…”and it was so”, for Jesus is the “Word” that God spoke on our behalf—all to bring men to the light; the very ‘light of the world’.

“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

 

“But if our gospel be hid,

it is hid

to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world

hath blinded the minds of them

which believe not,

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,

who is the image of God,

should shine unto them.”    2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Jesus delivers us out of darkness, into HIS light by the power of God!

“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 1:12-14

Pressing on—back to Genesis chapter 1.

“And God said,

Let the waters bring forth abundantly

the moving creature that hath life,

and fowl that may fly above the earth

in the open firmament of heaven.

21 And God created

great whales,

and every living creature

that moveth,

which the waters brought forth

abundantly,

after their kind,

and every winged fowl

 after his kind:

and God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:20-21

God is creator of all things, and all that God created was good—yet when man sinned, all creation fell, and while all creation will be redeemed when The Lord returns, it is still groaning with us until that time.

“Because the creature itself

also shall be delivered

from the bondage of corruption

 into the glorious liberty

of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation

groaneth

and travaileth

in pain together

until now.”  Romans 8:21-22

Jesus blood will redeem all of God’s creation, and He will deliver creation from the curse when HE comes!  All because of the sacrifice of His blood for us!

“Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver

and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:”   1 Peter 1:18-19

Continuing with God’s creation, we find not only the cattle and earth created, but also creation’s crowning glory—man!

“And God said,

Let the earth bring forth the living creature

after his kind, cattle,

and creeping thing,

and beast of the earth

after his kind:

and it was so.

25 And God made the beast of the earth

after his kind,

and cattle

after their kind,

and every thing that creepeth upon the earth

after his kind:

and God saw that it was good.

26 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.” Genesis 1:24-27

God created us in His own image, and even though we sinned and ruined His creation, He had already made the plan for our salvation—JESUS! And as the picture, which Paul so beautifully paints for us, makes it clear, Jesus brings spiritual life to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith—those who will receive eternal life, and gain victory over sin, death and hell!

“It is sown a natural body;

it is raised a spiritual body.

There is a natural body,

and there is a spiritual body.

45 And so it is written,

The first man Adam

was made a living soul;

the last Adam

was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first

which is spiritual,

but that

which is natural;

and afterward

that which is spiritual.”  1 Corinthians 15:44-46

This is the same Jesus whom we see from Genesis to Revelation!  The Savior–The sacrifice—The victor—The Soon coming King!

“So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying

that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death,

where is thy sting?

O grave,

where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.”   1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Praise The God from whom all blessings flow!  Father, Son and Holy Spirit—thank you that In Jesus–we win!!!  The God of creation!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

Forgiven??? Forgotten??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 04

10 Sunday Mar 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, I Can Do All Things?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.04    Forgiven??? Forgotten???

 

I’ve been thinking about things from the past lately and want to share some thoughts with you.  I’m not trying to “dig up bones”, so to speak, but I do want to maybe share some insight that I pray will help someone.  I especially pray that you can share this with your children and grandchildren, especially the teens (who so often think they are invincable, and that their choices have nothing to do with their future!).

The first thing that I want to share is that the love of God saves us from “all” sin—past, present and future!

“The LORD is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger,

and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide:

neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us

after our sins;

nor rewarded us

according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,

so great is his mercy

toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is

from the west,

so far hath he removed

our transgressions from us.”  Psalm 103:12

God’s mercy and grace are truly amazing, and we can rest assured of His forgiveness when we come to Jesus and are born again. God has never withheld His forgiveness to those who come to Him through faith in Jesus death, burial and resurrection for sin!  And while the “love” of God is truly unconditional, His forgiveness IS totally conditioned on a person’s response to the Gospel.  It’s only Jesus who saves, delivers and forgives—all through His blood shed for me and you.

“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 1:12-14

What we sometimes forget, is that forgiveness isn’t an eraser that God uses to eliminate our past—good, bad or indifferent; even though sometimes that causes people to doubt God’s forgiveness.   God’s forgiveness is dependable and secure, but we don’t “forget” the life that we have lived with its opportunities and choices; choices made by us which have consequences that can’t be erased.  But they can be eased in our memory, and God often grants us His grace to redeem and restore the outcomes from some of those choices—but not always.

“And I will restore to you

the years that the locust

hath eaten,

the cankerworm,

and the caterpiller,

and the palmerworm,

my great army

which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty,

and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the LORD your God,

that hath dealt wondrously with you:

and my people shall never be ashamed.”    Joel 2:25-26

I take great comfort from this passage, especially in regard to the past, my past, and I pray that it will bring encouragement to you; no matter what situations you find yourself in—whether dealing with choice making or unwanted consequences.  This is a principle that we often fail to convey to the younger generations—we are each free to make our own choices, but we are NOT free to set the consequences of those choices. And the consequences will come—maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but they will come.  I am sharing this hoping to help you “stand fast in the evil day”; for the enemy will come against us with a vengeance using those issues that we can’t erase.

When these things arise, there is another passage that gives me great comfort from Paul’s letter to the Romans, let’s peruse its depths and mine the treasure of God’s faithful Word!

“There is therefore now

no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life

in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak

through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law

might be fulfilled

in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.”   Romans 8:1-4

Jesus paid the price for our (my) sin at Calvary so that we are able to be forgiven and restored to a place of joy.  Paul was answering a question that he put forth in chapter 7, “who can deliver us”!  And the answer is, only God can–through Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—provide the sacrifice which imparts forgiveness of sin and restoration to a relationship with God (“Peace with God” is how Paul describes it in Romans 5:1), and a life that can be lived by the power of God’s Spirit within us!  Even when we fail as believers, God has already provided for our restoration to useful service.

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”   1 John 1:9

David also shows us the beauty of God’s work of forgiveness, healing and restoration of our fellowship with Him!  And it is this beauty which encourages my heart when those unpleasant things raise their ugly heads!

“Hide thy face

from my sins,

and blot out

all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners

shall be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness,

O God, thou God of my salvation:

and my tongue shall sing aloud

of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, open thou my lips;

and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice;

else would I give it:

thou delightest not

in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God

are a broken spirit:

a broken

and a contrite heart, O God,

thou wilt not despise.”   Psalm 51:9-17

David brought his sin and failure to God in contrition, repentance, and a desire to have GOD restore him back to intimate fellowship after his personal sin. And while God honored David’s request, there were still consequences for David in that forgiveness.  Yet remember that God is ever at work in us, using even our errors and sin for His glory, and our good, with His paint brush of grace.

“For as many as are led

by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received

the spirit of bondage

again to fear;

but ye have received

the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:”   Romans 8:14-16

It is God’s power that restores His own, and as we looked at Hebrews 12 recently, those who are God’s will be disciplined by God (child training in all areas), for  God doesn’t waste anything in our lives, even our past failures and sin, our present difficulties, and even the future is His to use in our lives to make us more like Jesus.  Paul gives us God’s assurance that HE is at work in us always. The issue is whether or not I/we will yield to God’s hand and learn the lessons that He is teaching, or will I/we resist His work, and keep having to ‘re-learn’ His principles over and over again.  And while we may be weak, we are never alone!

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth

our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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 8:26-31

God’s Word says it so wonderfully, and we can be assured of our total security IN Jesus!

“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 8:38-39

So, whatever the enemy throws against you or me—we can overcome every time because:

“If God be for us,

who can be against us?”

 because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”   1 John 4:4

My point is, no matter how far we have come, the enemy is ever trying to derail us, but God is greater than our enemy!  Yet I want us to understand that our choices in life are important.  They are important to us personally, they are important to others whom we influence, and they are important to God, that we will be a vessel of Honor in His kingdom, and not a shame to our King!

“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.

20 But in a great house

there are not only vessels of gold

and of silver,

but also of wood

and of earth;

and some to honour,

and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself

from these,

he shall be a vessel

unto honour,

sanctified,

and meet for the master’s use,

and prepared unto every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts:

but follow righteousness,

faith,

charity,

peace,

with them that call on the Lord

out of a pure heart.”    2 Timothy 2:19-22

So, may you ever know that God is at work in us, even when we mess up; but when we mess up, we can find forgiveness and restoration in Jesus.  The thing I want us to grasp and pass on to those in our circle of influence, is that once the words come out of our mouth, we can never take them back.  When we do things that harm ourselves or others, we can never put things back like they were before.  You can never “unhear” or “unsee” that which may defile the heart, mind and soul!  We may be able to restore some things, and some relationships, but others, once lost may never be regained—whether it’s because of our failure or our stand for Jesus.  Simply walk “in the Spirit” and guard your heart with God’s help—and check every thought at the door of Philippians 4:8!

“Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

I can walk in victory over past, present and future, and so can YOU!!   Amen and Amen!!!

 

Not Perfect But Forgiven??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #533

20 Wednesday Feb 2019

Posted by in Forgiveness, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, Saved by grace

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #533   Not Perfect But Forgiven???

 

When we think about being a Christian, we often get so wrapped up in our own world, and activities (Albeit good works, but sometimes our ‘good intentions’ just turn into ‘busy’ness rather than God’s ‘business’!) that we can become proud in our self, rather than Jesus.  We must continually hold ourselves accountable to Jesus and His call; to remember that it is only by HIS grace that we are who we are, where we are, and able to do what we do—doing all for HIS glory, by HIS power, and with the presence of HIS Holy Spirit.  I am reminded so often of what God has done for me, where HE has brought me from, and what HE has brought me through, and the forgiveness that He brought to my heart!

I am not bogged down by false guilt from the past, but I am humbled when I recall the life of sin that God saved me out of.  No, I wasn’t a criminal in the eyes of the world, but I was a sinner in need of a Savior!  And much like Paul, when I remember what was in my heart, and what Jesus cleansed me from, I am humbled and often reminded that I’m not better than anyone else—I must keep my eyes on Jesus and HIS call and biblical standard; yet I must never compare myself to others, or lord it over those who haven’t seen HIM yet.  I ever seek to remember that “but for the grace of God, there go I”!

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,

who hath enabled me,

for that he counted me faithful,

putting me into the ministry;

13 Who was before a blasphemer,

and a persecutor,

and injurious:

but I obtained mercy,

because I did it ignorantly

in unbelief.

14 And the grace of our Lord

was exceeding abundant

with faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful saying,

and worthy of all acceptation,

that Christ Jesus came into the world

to save sinners;

of whom I am chief.

16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy,

that in me first

Jesus Christ might shew forth

all longsuffering,

for a pattern

to them which should hereafter

believe on him

to life everlasting.”   1 Timothy 1:12-16

Salvation is purely and totally initiated by God, we come to Him because He calls us, opens our eyes to see Jesus, and our ears to hear the convicting voice of His precious Holy Spirit calling us to Him! And what a blessed privilege to not only be called to be saved, but to be called, equipped and anointed to share His message with others—remembering that it’s HIM not me, even as John shares the testimony of Jesus!

“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.

45 It is written in the prophets,

And they shall be all taught of God.

Every man therefore that hath heard,

and hath learned

of the Father,

cometh unto me.

 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father,

save he which is of God,

he hath seen the Father.

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that believeth on me

hath everlasting life.”  John 6:44-47

Oh, how much God loves us—and yet we are so easily distracted by the ‘one’ who seeks to destroy us!  Oh, precious Lord, help us to see with your eyes, to see the enemy for what he is!

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.” John 10:10

Jesus has come, lived a perfect life, died for our sin, and arose victorious over sin, death and hell, and in His victory, He grants forgiveness of sin to all who will come to HIM! Today!

“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 1:12-14

And because I’m forgiven, I can extend grace and truth to others—even those who don’t want to receive it.  But I can only do His will through His power—with HIM, never on my own!

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth

much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

I can choose to rely on myself and accomplish ‘nothing’ of eternal value, or I can choose to walk with Him, talk with Him, lean on Him, and follow Him to see and know HIS glorious grace and power.

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”    Philippians 4:13

And Paul tells us how we can maintain this blessed state, and I’ll leave you to ponder “these things” today!  Blessings on your journey!

“Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things

are true,

whatsoever things

are honest,

whatsoever things

are just,

whatsoever things

are pure,

whatsoever things

are lovely,

whatsoever things

are of good report;

if there be

any virtue,

and if there be

any praise,

think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Check every thought at the door, with this eight-fold test of The Word, and the enemy will be thwarted.

“Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee

from you.” James 4:7

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s Your Version??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 24

27 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Born Again, Saved by grace, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.24  What’s Your Version???

 

It’s been a busy week at our house—getting new hardware and software and trying to get it all set up, installed, transferred, and trying to adjust ‘me’ to the new tools and formats.  I wasn’t sure that I could even get today’s article done without throwing the computer across the room, with all the changes.  When we think about the title of this article, several things may come to mind; officers taking accident reports may get several ‘versions’ of what happened, or at the scene of a crime there may be several versions of the who, what, when, where and how the crime transpired.  As Bible students, there are various ‘versions’ of the Bible to study from. But as I was setting up all the new ‘technology’ this week, it was very apparent that ‘syncing’ all the devises required a compatibility of software ‘versions’—in other words, the software had to be compatible across all the devices that I was trying to sync.  I hit a snag several times when some ‘old’ versions of particular items had come over to the new—so I had to remove the ‘old’ and make sure the ‘new’ was ‘in charge’!  The question came to mind that our lives are lived according to our ‘version’ of God, what version are you and I living by?

This will affect our spiritual lives in much the same way as my software/hardware syncing was absolutely essential to the working of my equipment and my being able to efficiently teach, write and post the things that God leads me to share.  But most importantly we must be sure that we have come to Jesus, for when we do, He puts His Spirit in our hearts and I become a ‘new’ version of ‘me’!  Being daily “conformed to the image of His Son”!  A “new creature” “in Christ”!  And that my friends, is what we want to consider today—and every day!

“Therefore

if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us

to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given

to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed

unto us

the word of reconciliation.”    2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Oh, what a glory that God has “reconciled us to himself”, and not only “reconciled us”, but he has “given to us the ministry of reconciliation”.  God has called us to a ministry for Him, to others—we have the good news, and we are to share it.  But it must be the message of Truth, about The Truth, JESUS—and HE still saves, and changes lives today—putting us ‘in sync’ with the God who loves us!

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach

the gospel

to you

that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed

of the gospel

of Christ:

for it is the power of God

unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein

is the righteousness of God

revealed

from faith

to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”     Romans 1:15-17

Sometimes people misunderstand what faith is—it’s not ‘pie in the sky-by and by’ but it is confidence in The One in whom our faith is placed.  Faith is only as good as the object in which it is placed.  I can place my confidence in many things, but if those things aren’t sufficient to the task, I will be disappointed, but GOD will never fail, for HE always keeps HIS word, and when our ‘faith’ is in HIM, we will have the victory for:

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he

that is in you,

than he

that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4 

We must choose our “operating system”!  Will it be God that we choose, or the enemy of our souls.  We can choose to stay in his camp, or we can come to Jesus in repentance and faith.

“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;)”.   Ephesians 2:1-5

We who ‘were’ dead in sin, God “quickened”—made alive—and gave us new life in Jesus Christ our Lord! And Paul goes on in this same passage and paints a glorious picture of our new life in Jesus—a life of faith and good works that come out of our salvation, not works that bring salvation; for salvation is by faith—our operating system—through grace, God’s amazing provision for HIS ‘version’ of redemption.  God doesn’t just clean us up and send us on our way!  NO, He saves, delivers and gives us a hope and a future in Jesus.

“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.

8 For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God

hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”  Ephesians 2:6-10

Praise God for HIS amazing grace—we are delivered from that old ‘operating system’ of sin to the ‘operating system’ of grace, mercy and truth—amazing grace that saves, redeems and transforms.

“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 1:12-14

Saved by His blood, changed by HIS love, continually being transformed by His indwelling Holy Spirit.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

I pray that you will examine your own heart today, and just as I worked on making sure all my ‘devices’ had compatible versions of software, may you be sure that you have come to Jesus in repentance and faith—repentance from your sin, and going your own way, and faith in the substitutionary (He took my/your place), atoning (making our wrong right), sacrifice (He paid the sin-debt we owed with His own blood, when He had no sin!)!  Jesus paid it all for you and me, so that we might have Hislife in us.

“I am the door:

by me

if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth

his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

“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

We can have victory in Jesus as we walk INHim and follow His direction in our lives; and one of the best ways to do that is to dig into HISWord that we can “order my steps in your word”!  And we can’t ask God to order our steps in His Word if we don’t avail ourselves of its content!

“Study

to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman that needeth not

to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”    2 Timothy 2:15

And His Word is trustworthy to the task—HISversion is dependable!

“All scriptureis given

by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction

in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”     2 Timothy 3:16-17

What version are you using?  Self or The Savior?  It’s your choice but remember there is a test at the end!

Amen and Amen!!!

‘How We’ve Overcome’??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 21

06 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by in By And By!, IN Jesus!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.21 ‘How We’ve Overcome’???

 

My title comes from an old hymn written by Charles Albert Tindley, “We’ll Understand It Better By And By”, a beautiful song that I have played and sung many times, but there was one particular time that will ever stand out in my mind, and that’s what I want us to share today. We were part of a small church start many years ago and I had a friend who came to that church—a precious, godly, woman who loved Jesus and made no pretense in her living for Him. I noticed during one service where we were singing and I was playing and could see her in her spot and I noticed that she wasn’t singing this particular song and thought it strange, as she always sang from her heart. After the service I asked her if there was a reason that she wasn’t singing this song, she answered that she couldn’t sing about “overcoming” when she had not “overcome” in so many ways, and so she couldn’t “tell the story how we’ve overcome” for she had nothing to tell.

Well, I smiled and shared with her how I could sing that song with confidence and joy—because “how we’ve overcome” is only through the blood of JESUS, just like her! Our ‘story’ is in relating how HE is the only reason that “we’ve overcome” in any way, yet in that day when we stand before Him and with Him for all eternity, “we’ll understand it better by and by”, for we’ll see HIS hand in all that we’ve been through! It’s all about Jesus—not me!

“O the depth of the riches

both of the wisdom

and knowledge

of God!

how unsearchable

are his judgments,

and his ways

past finding out!

34 For who

hath known the mind

of the Lord?

or who hath been

his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first

given to him,

and it shall be recompensed

unto him again?

36 For of him,                      (Jesus)

and through him,         (Jesus)

and to him,           (Jesus)

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. (Jesus)

Amen.” Romans 11:33-36

The smile that spread across my friends face said it all. I never saw her ‘not’ sing this song again—for now she could truly sing it of and to her Lord! So how do we ‘overcome’? By knowing The Lord Jesus in saving faith, receiving His Spirit, His presence and His power as enough to make us overcomers.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun

a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”    Philippians 1:6

It is the blood that Jesus shed at Calvary that bought our salvation, and makes us overcomers in HIM!

“Neither pray I for these alone,

but for them also which shall believe

on me

through their word;

21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father,

art in me,

and I

in thee,

that they also may be one

in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me

I have given them;

that they may be one,

even as we are one:

23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect

in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.

24 Father, I will that they also,

whom thou hast given me,

be with me

where I am;

that they may behold my glory,

which thou hast given me:

for thou lovedst me

before the foundation

of the world.

25 O righteous Father,

the world hath not known thee:

but I have known thee,

and these have known

that thou hast sent me.”   John 17:20-25

We are made One in Jesus (see verses 21 & 23 above) because HE paid our sin debt at the cross, making us accepted before God IN Him!

“To the praise of the glory

of his grace,

wherein he hath made us

accepted in the beloved.”   Ephesians 1:6

Sin made us enemies of God, but IN Jesus we are restored to fellowship with God, peace from God, as well as the peace ‘of’ God!

“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.”   Romans 5:1-8

When Jesus saves us, we are “translated” into His kingdom, and into Himself by His Spirit!

“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 1:12-14

“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.”    Romans 5:9-11

We are reconciled by Jesus’ sacrifice, receiving overcoming grace through HIS finished work on Calvary!

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,

Now is come salvation,

and strength,

and the kingdom

of our God,

and the power

of his Christ:

for the accuser of our brethren

is cast down,

which accused them before our God

day and night.

11 And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.” Revelation 12:10-11

Even though contextually, this is referring to those who will be alive in the last days, it’s as true for us as for them, even as the song talks about “how we’ve overcome”; and the power of our overcoming is the “blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony”! For our testimony is:

“We love him,

because he first

loved us.” 1 John 4:19

HE “first loved us”, can we do less than gratefully give our all to/for HIM — “they loved not their lives unto the death”, because they loved HIM more!!! His love goes beyond earthly death!

“Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?” John 11:25-26

We receive eternal life from the creator—who IS life Himself– and by His power recreates us “in Christ” by being born again!

“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

God sent Him to die for us, for His death, burial and resurrection make us new, receiving HIS righteousness through which we truly ‘overcome’!

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled

to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Once again, we find that powerful little phrase “in Him” (Jesus). I often encourage people, as the New Year begins, to take a notebook and record each time you read that little phrase. You will be amazed at all that you will learn about Jesus! He truly is our ‘all in all’!

“And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him

that created him:

11 Where there is neither

Greek nor Jew,

circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian,

bond nor free:

but Christ is all,

and in all.

12 Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ

forgave you,

so also do ye.” Colossians 3:10-13

Jesus truly is “how we’ve overcome”, for receiving HIS Spirit enables us to truly “walk in the Spirit”! Paul speaking of Jesus reminds us of what we have in HIM!

“In whom ye also trusted,

after that ye heard the word of truth,

the gospel of your salvation:

in whom also

after that ye believed,

ye were sealed

with that holy Spirit

of promise,

14 Which is the earnest

of our inheritance

until the redemption

of the purchased possession,

unto the praise

of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

So in closing, I hope that you will spend some time this week (and on into the year) thinking on all that you have, all that you are, and all that you can be/do because Jesus is our “hope of glory”, when HE is IN us, and we are IN Him!

“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

May we truly seek the face and the will of the ONE who is “in you, the hope of glory”!

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

Amen and Amen!!!   Even so Lord Jesus!