Tag Archives: Colossians 1:27

Christmas Fortnight Day 5 A Word from THE WORD! #417

16 Tuesday Dec 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, Christ IN YOU, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Christmas Ponderings, the hope of glory!, The Joy of The Lord!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Light of The World, The Love of God, The manger leads to the cross, The Mind Of Christ

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Christmas Fortnight Day 5   A Word from THE WORD! #417

I love the music of Christmas, and we often attend the ‘Living Christmas Tree’ at the FBC in Lawton; while we were unable to attend this year, all I can say is Hallelujah at the beauty of their presentation.  It always brings to mind the beauty and glory of the story of Jesus—all the story–that Jesus is THE 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

Jesus was speaking this of Himself.  He was, is and ever shall be

The creator of light,

For HE is light,

and when we follow HIM, we can

not only SEE light

but also HAVE light!!!

Wow!!  When Jesus lay in that manger there wasn’t a “hallow” of light around Him, but there was the glow of His nature of light.  The same kind of glow that we see on the face of a precious saint of God who devotes themselves to loving and serving Him with their whole heart.  People ought to see Jesus IN us—in our lives, our actions, our testimony—which usually comes out of our “tests”.  As I heard someone say once, “If you’ve never had a trial or a test, then all you have is the ‘monies’!  How true!  What do you have?  Who is in you?

“…Christ in you the hope of glory….” (See Col 1:27)

In John 9:5 Jesus said,

“As long as I am in the world,

I am the light of the world.” 

His very presence brought God’s light into the world.  And John 1:4 tells us that,

“In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.” 

Jesus brought HIS LIGHT to bring us LIFE –

and His Life gives us Light.

As Matthew reminds us,

EMMANUEL—God with us!

Is He with YOU?

“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 4:4

Jesus came to make that LIGHT available to all—

to bring light into the darkness.

Do you have Light?

Do you SEE?

HIM?  Light?  Life?

Choose LIFE!  Choose JESUS!

His children then, are ‘ornaments’ of His light—

Matt 5:14a “Ye are the light of the world….” 

His blood changes darkness into light.

Have you been changed?

Do you need a light?

Our job?   To be a reflection of His light in us, before a lost and dying world!

“That ye may be blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst

of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;”                Philippians 2:15

HIS light shining through US!

So,

look to the light,

believe in HIM,

and when you do, you can be HIS ornament that shines HIS story to the world.

Amen & Amen!!!

A Saddened Heart??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 11

17 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Approved Unto God, By Him We Live, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Do all things decently, Faithfulness, Filled With His Spirit, Follow Jesus, God's provision, Gospel, Holiness, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, IN Jesus!, Listening To God, Living Right, Only One Way, Perseverance, Righteousness, Saved by grace, The Word Or The World?, Trendy Or Truth, Victory IN Jesus!, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 11    A Saddened Heart???

 

As I sit here thinking of the things that I have seen come and go, the things that I have loved and lost, the things that I have treasured seemingly vanishing before our eyes, there is a scripture that is often overlooked but it comes to my mind so often, and I believe we ought to consider it as we watch things change all around us.  What are we willing to hold on to and what are we willing to not only let go of but abandon with no regard!

“Thou shalt not remove

thy neighbour’s landmark,

which they of old time

have set in thine inheritance,

which thou shalt inherit

in the land that the LORD thy God

giveth thee

to possess it.”   Deuteronomy 19:14

Many today are not only ‘removing’ the landmarks, they are denying that there ever were any landmarks.  Many are running to abandon the God of The Bible, and The Bible of God Almighty!  Isaiah said it better than I could:

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

 that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them

that are mighty to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked      

for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous from him!

24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble,

and the flame consumeth the chaff,

so their root shall be as rottenness,

and their blossom shall go up as dust:

because they have cast away

the law of the LORD of hosts,

and despised

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

Just as timely, and so much like history, it is said “those who don’t learn from it are doomed to repeat it” (credited to George Santayana), it seems that our nation, as well as the world around us, are choosing to walk in our own way rather than God’s, and He will requite in HIS own time, yet we can gain a great deal of insight from HIS Word!

“For our transgressions

are multiplied before thee,

and our sins

testify against us:

for our transgressions are with us;

and as for our iniquities,

we know them;

13 In transgressing

and lying against the LORD,

and departing away from our God,

speaking oppression

and revolt,

conceiving and uttering

from the heart

words of falsehood.

14 And judgment

is turned away backward,

and justice

standeth afar off:

for truth

is fallen in the street,

and equity

cannot enter.

15 Yea, truth faileth;

and he that departeth from evil

maketh himself a prey:

and the LORD saw it,

and it displeased him

that there was no judgment.”   Isaiah 59:12-15

We must choose what we are going to do with God, His Word and His Son, Jesus!  Even as Joshua called Israel to choose whom they would serve.

“And I have given you a land

for which ye did not labour,

and cities

which ye built not,

and ye dwell in them;

of the vineyards and oliveyards

which ye planted not

do ye eat.

14 Now therefore fear the LORD,

 and serve him in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil

unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”   Joshua 24:13-15

Even as Joshua made his choice, he called those around him to make their choice—and we are faced with that same challenge today, yet it saddens my heart that we are becoming more and more averse to God’s call to holiness and more and more open to the lies of the enemy of our souls, and the world.  How about you?  Have you given up on God’s call?  Have you decided to just “go along, to get along”?  Or are you hearing and responding to God’s call?

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope

to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

 at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here

in fear:

18 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:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation

of the world,

but was manifest

in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him

do believe in God,

that raised him up

from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope

might be in God.”   1 Peter 1:13-21

Where is your faith?  Is your faith in God, His Word and His Son?  Are you living a holy life, even as God called Israel to when He gave them the Law through Moses?

“For I am the LORD your God:

ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves,

and ye shall be holy;

for I am holy:

neither shall ye defile yourselves …

…45 For I am the LORD

that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt,

to be your God:

ye shall therefore be holy,

for I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44-45

A simple consideration for us today, “What will you/I do with God’s call upon your/my life?”  Will we bear God’s burden for the lost and dying world around us, sharing Jesus at every opportunity; or will we disregard their plight and continue on with life “as usual”, living worldly lives of compromise,  rather than drawing near to our Lord, and fulfilling that for which He has saved and equipped us.  May we remember that when Jesus saves us out of darkness, and transforms us from being children of the devil, to being Sons and Daughters of God, we “are bought with a price”.

“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 1:12-13

As Paul makes so clear, we can choose the “joy of The Lord” or the sadness of the world!

“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.

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 2:1-10

When God births us into HIS kingdom, we can rejoice in HIM, HIS Word and HIS ways rather than settle for the darkness of the world—for we no longer belong to the works of the devil; and God has already ordained “good works” for us to produce!

“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

Paul also makes it clear that there is a distinction between the works of The Spirit and the works of the flesh/the devil.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

 let us also walk in the Spirit.”   Galatians 5:16-25

Where are you walking?  In the Spirit or the flesh? May God help us to “fix our eyes on Jesus” living ‘kingdom’ lives.  May our hearts be burdened that those around us will see Jesus in us—in all we do.

“Whether therefore

ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”   1 Corinthians 10:31

“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

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

 in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know that your labour

is not in vain

in the Lord.”1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen!

Mothers And Crosses??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 13

12 Sunday May 2019

Posted by in Cross, Moms

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.13      Mothers And The Cross???

A Repost Edited from 2013.

A happy Mother’s Day to all-whether you be the mother or the child!!!  What a beautiful day to celebrate our mothers—and to celebrate The God who created us all-mother and child!!

“In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.”    Isaiah 4:2

And Isaiah also wrote:

“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse,     

which shall stand for an ensign of the people;

to It shall the Gentiles seek:                             

and his rest shall be glorious.”   Isaiah 11:10

These verses have a double reference, referring to the future time of the Lord’s return, and also to His “ensign” of the cross. We can take comfort and delight in the joy of the Lord today.  Our Lord who is beautiful and glorious and, I am convinced, soon returning, He who blesses us day by day in more ways than we are aware of!!!

I pray that you took some time to spend with your mother today, or at least spent some time in reflection of her if she is no longer with you; and whether you have/had the “perfect” mother or if you have less pleasant memories—God gave each of us the mother He planned and we can trust Him.  Psalm 139:13-17 reminds us that God knew everything about us—everything!

 “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I    will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and  curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members   were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of    them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!”

Consider the commonality of God and Mothers.   Both made sacrifices for us!!!  Consider and know that God IS—Jesus the Son IS—and God the Holy Spirit IS!!!!!  They are and always were, and without the sovereign, eternal, omniscient God of the universe we wouldn’t even exist.

 “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 he word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of        the Majesty on high”.   Hebrews 1:2-3  

God IS the creator who brought us into existence, and we know that although we sinned, HE had already planned for our redemption before the world was founded!!!  I find that amazing and am reminded that not only did our mothers give us birth, care for and provide for us, but I am also reminded of the GOD who “created” us, provided for our salvation and cares for us continually, through Calvary, and HE is the same God who gave us mothers!  So, whatever your childhood experience, whether good or difficult, God has always been, and continues to be there for you!!!! (see Hebrews. 13:5). He gave HIS own Son for our salvation, and Jesus came, lived and died that we might spend eternity with Him!

“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.”  John 17:24

Jesus confirms His own pre-existence before the world was made (also see Col 1:16 & John 1:3 which clearly reveal Jesus as “Creator”) and scripture tells us in several other places that our salvation was planned before we needed it!!!

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”                        Ephesians 1:4

And Peter wrote:

“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without        spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the  dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”   1 Peter 1:19-21 

As the Dennis Jernigan song says, “I belong to Jesus”!!!  He loved us and gave Himself FOR us.  Do we truly understand that Christ Jesus gave His all for us at Calvary?  When we do, I think we will be able to say with Paul,

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”     1 Corinthians   2:2

Depending on the Cross for our life, breath and being, helps us to live our lives with HIM in mind, as we find in Galatians 2:20:

“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.”  

When we are born into a family, we take on the “name” of our family!  When we are “Born Again” we take on more than the “name” of our heavenly family, we actually receive the Holy Spirit of God who continually conforms us into Jesus’ likeness.

 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the        righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,  and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”   Philippians 3:8-10 

Always reminded that “I am crucified with Christ”, knowing that God is ever working in me. And much like our mothers were teaching us when we weren’t even aware of it, God is always at work in HIS own!

“And we know that all things work together for    good to them that love God, to them who are the        called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he   did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be    conformed to the image of his Son, that he     might be the firstborn among many brethren.”  Romans 8:28-29

God is ever at work, by His Spirit within us (Remember Romans 8:9b, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”), and we can trust His work– ever conforming us into the image of The Lord Jesus!!!

As we think today of our Moms, may we also spend each day appreciating The Lord who created them and us!!!

 “…… this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those  things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

May we commit ourselves anew and afresh to “press toward the mark”; taking our confidence from Colossians 1:27

 “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:” 

Christ is our eternal hope, His Spirit our total supply, and God the Father our complete confidence.  Praise HIM for giving us “Mothers”; but even more that HE GAVE US HIS OWN SON, for our salvation on the cross!!  May God bless you with joy and grace for this coming week’s work for His kingdom. Thank YOU, Lord, for mothers!

‘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!

Unearthed Treasure??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 14

25 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by in Born Again, Salvation, Unearthed

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.14 Unearthed Treasure???

 

“These all died in faith,

not having received the promises,

but having seen them afar off,

and were persuaded of them,

and embraced them,

and confessed

that they were strangers

and pilgrims

on the earth.

14 For they that say such things

declare plainly

that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful

of that country

from whence they came out,

they might have had opportunity

to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country,

that is,

an heavenly:

wherefore God is not ashamed

to be called their God:

for he hath prepared for them a city.”   Hebrews 11:13-16

God reminds us through this great chapter of faith, that those who are God’s and follow Him, are seeking “a better country, that is, an heavenly” kingdom—an eternal one. They have “unearthed” a treasure that this world cannot see or understand apart from Jesus; apart from being “born again” by the blood of The Lamb; “born” of God’s Spirit–having our “place of birth” changed from earth to heaven.

Unearth: means not only ‘to dig or get out of the earth’, but it also can mean ‘to uncover or bring to light by search, inquiry, etc.’. In other words, when we are saved by Jesus and receive His saving grace, we unearth a treasure of unequalled value—a treasure to/for our souls. Our focus is changed from an earthly perspective to a heavenly one. We have not only ‘unearthed’ a treasure but the transforming power of Jesus’ blood “unearth’s” our heart and sets it on things above, not on ‘earthly’ things. But we have to do our part and resist the “wiles of the devil” and keep our heart and mind set on the things of God.

“If ye then be risen with Christ,

seek those things which are above,

where Christ sitteth

on the right hand

of God.

2 Set your affection on things above,

not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2

How? By dwelling on the things of God, even as Paul reminded the church at Philippi!

“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

We can succeed in this only by the power of the Holy Spirit, who God’s gives to His own, through the new birth which Jesus’ sacrifice provides—being “born again…..of God”.

“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 1:12-13

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

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see

the kingdom of God……….

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”   John 3:3 & 5-7

Have you been “un-earthed” by the new birth? Have you been “born…..of the Spirit”? Are you steeped in the “earth” and it’s trappings, or have you discovered the treasure that is only found in Jesus! If you have then don’t get bogged down in the “mud” of the world but pursue the glory of God, by abstaining “from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”!

“Dearly beloved,

I beseech you

as strangers

and pilgrims,

abstain from fleshly lusts,

which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation

honest among the Gentiles:

that, whereas they speak against you

as evildoers,

they may by your good works,

which they shall behold,

glorify God in the day of visitation.”   1 Peter 2:11-12

We must continually and consciously choose to keep our eyes, our heart and our mind on Jesus, and we can do that by God’s wondrous grace, which is continually working in us to change us from glory to glory….

“But if our gospel be hid,

it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world

hath blinded the minds

of them which believe not,

lest the light of the glorious gospel

of Christ,

who is the image of God,

should shine unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves,

but Christ Jesus the Lord;

and ourselves your servants

for Jesus’ sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine

out of darkness,

hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light

of the knowledge

of the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure

in earthen vessels,

that the excellency of the power

may be of God,

and not of us.

8 We are troubled

on every side,

yet not distressed;

we are perplexed,

but not in despair;

9 Persecuted,

but not forsaken;

cast down,

but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body

the dying of the Lord Jesus,

that the life also of Jesus

might be made manifest

in our body.

11 For we which live

are alway delivered unto death

for Jesus’ sake,

that the life also of Jesus

might be made manifest

in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-11

God’s power—God’s Spirit– all for His glory, and our glory IN Him—all because HE is in us.

“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

God’s work to not only grow us, and help us draw closer to Him in intimate fellowship, but also HIS glory shining in and through us before a corrupt world of darkness! May our lives continually pursue that glory—through His Spirit and His Word?

“Now the Lord is that Spirit:

and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is liberty.

18 But we all,

with open face

beholding as in a glass

the glory of the Lord,

are changed

into the same image

from glory

to glory,

even as by the Spirit

of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Just as Jesus told us, we must choose whether we want to be a “stick in the mud” or if we want to be changed into HIS image “from glory to glory”, letting our “little light shine” with HIS glory—so that others will see Him and come to salvation!

“Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light unto all

that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Amen and Amen!