Tag Archives: Entrusting Or Erupting?

Following Jesus Into 2025??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #312

05 Sunday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Encouragement, Eternal Treasures, Examine Myself?, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithfulness, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Perilous Times Are Here, Persecution, Perseverance, Suffering With Jesus, Take Up YOUR Cross

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Following Jesus Into 2025???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #312

 

As we go into this new year of 2025, I would like to share a most impactful but often overlooked passage from the Apostle Peter; a passage that can challenge our often-presumptuous attitude toward God and what we consider as our “privilege” in being God’s children.  Suffering is often the call of true believers; yet what is our attitude toward this scriptural principle?  Today we’ll consider truth, first of all from Jesus, then from Peter.  And let me clarify something before I even print it, and that is when Jesus refers to asking anything “in my name” it isn’t a heavenly slot machine using Jesus’ name; rather it is seeking “first the Kingdom of God…and His righteousness…”!  When we put God first, we’ll know His will and not only pursue it but follow it faithfully.  And just FYI, if you’re popular with the world, you may want to examine your relationship with Jesus (not judging simply making an observation, Jesus did!)

“Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father

in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 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 15:16-21

Peter seems to restate the case for persecution of the believers by reminding us of the example of Jesus.  I pray that you will ponder this call to faithful service to our King regardless of the cost.

“Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters

with all fear;                                   (respect not terror)

not only to the good and gentle,

but also to the froward.  (unreasonable)

19 For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:17-25

As another side note, we are healed from sin by His stripes, so that we can live unto righteousness (See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).  I would also encourage you to read on into chapter 3 for more advice for our homes; remembering that what we live before our children is much more important than just our words.  I pray that God will help me to be more of what He has called me to be—by His grace, through His power, and for His glory.   Won’t you join me in concentrating on our pursuit of God this year—today, and today and the next today!!!

“This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Enabler Or Transformer??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #117

04 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Enabler or Transformer?, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus--our all in all

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Enabler Or Transformer??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #117

I would like to take our time today to address something that I have pondered this week due to a conversation I had recently; was Jesus an enabler?  It has weighed on my mind as I just couldn’t justify that thought with what I know scripture to reveal about my Lord and Savior, so I’d just like to share a few scriptures on that idea.  Jesus IS a transformer of lives by HIS blood, while yes, HE forgives our sins, HE doesn’t condone or ever enable saved people to continue to sin unchecked.  The lost also have a checking, but that judgment will come later, unless they turn to Jesus in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice!

The first passage I want us to consider is the account of the woman caught in adultery; when she was brought to Jesus and accused by the religious leaders, Jesus simply stooped down and wrote in the dirt.  What did He write?  I don’t know, but I do know that His silence in response to their fevered accusations against the woman seems to have evoked a change of heart (and it’s interesting that they brought the woman and not the man, just saying).  So here’s the ‘rest of her story’!

“Now Moses in the law commanded us,

that such should be stoned:

but what sayest thou?

6 This they said, tempting him,

that they might have to accuse him.

But Jesus stooped down,

and with his finger wrote on the ground,

as though he heard them not.

7 So when they continued asking him,

he lifted up himself,

and said unto them,

He that is without sin among you,

let him first cast a stone at her.

8 And again he stooped down,

and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it,

being convicted by their own conscience,

went out one by one,

beginning at the eldest,

even unto the last:

and Jesus was left alone,

and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself,

and saw none but the woman, he said unto her,

Woman, where are those thine accusers?

hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said,

No man, Lord.

And Jesus said unto her,

Neither do I condemn thee:

go,

and sin no more.

12 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 8:5-12

While Jesus told the woman to “go and sin no more”, He didn’t condemn her, but called her to righteous living rather than the sin she had been caught in.  He also went on to define those who follow HIM as those who will “not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”! JESUS!

There is an account of Jesus granting forgiveness to one of His own followers, the disciple Peter–the one who denied Him at His trial leading up to the crucifixion! I won’t list the account of Peter’s failure, but when he knew that what Jesus had told him about denying HIM had happened–that he had failed, he went out weeping (and I believe repentant).  But the Risen Lord didn’t leave it there; He came to Peter (just like He will come to each of us who call HIM LORD, no not in person, but by the power of the voice of the precious Holy Spirit speaking to my heart and yours), for restoration and a task.  Salvation transforms lives, it doesn’t just cover up sin with a religious smile!

Jesus didn’t leave Peter in a fallen state but restored HIM through forgiveness and an empowering commission.  And I believe when you search through scripture, you’ll find it’s almost always the case; and while we won’t take the time today to look at them, there are many accounts of God’s own going to far and facing an early judgment.  The Apostle John talks about a ‘sin unto death’ and this has to be for believers, for the lost are already spiritually dead.  We can keep ourselves close to our Lord, or we can fall into a state of spiritual failure, from where we can still call on Jesus to forgive and cleanse us (See 1 John 1:9).  Yet if we continually disregard God’s Word, call and work in our hearts and minds, HE says HE can take us home before our time.  It’s why we are to encourage one another to live holy, sharing truth as we have the opportunity. (And note Jesus says HE will do the judging and moving (not us), for HE will not enable our sin and failure to continue unchecked.)

“If any man see his brother sin a sin

which is not unto death,

he shall ask,

and he shall give him life

for them that sin not unto death.

There is a sin unto death:

I do not say that he shall pray for it.

17 All unrighteousness is sin:

and there is a sin not unto death.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God

sinneth not;

but he that is begotten of God

keepeth himself,

and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19 And we know that we are of God,

and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come,

and hath given us an understanding,

that we may know him that is true,

and we are in him that is true,

 even in his Son Jesus Christ.

This is the true God, and eternal life.”  1 John 5:16-20

We can choose to walk in The Light, and God will keep us safe from the enemy, but if we choose to wander, there is always a consequence.  Hebrews 12 is very clear about God’s relationship with we who are HIS own.  As I have often taught openly and shared privately as well–if you can sin without regard, then you better check out what you think saved you.  Jesus won’t allow HIS own to go unchecked, there is godly, Holy Spirit discipline toward the redeemed.

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,

nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”  Hebrews 12:5-8

Jesus will never be an “enabler”, but are we choosing to walk close to our Lord, or wander off in the dark?  It’s your choice but remember there is a test, and HE disciplines HIS own (and the Greek word for chastening here, is a word that means all that is included in ‘child training’ not just corporal punishment)!

I pray this will help enlighten us to understand that God is ever at work in HIS own, and we are to pursue holiness and purity; and if we miss the mark (which we all do) God will correct us and restore us as needed.  I’m so grateful for HIS grace that forgives, heals, and restores.  It’s why I’m still here.  How about you?

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Entrusting Or Erupting??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 06

25 Sunday Oct 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Giving Or Taking?, God's Faithfulness, God's Judgment, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Trust, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 06   Entrusting Or Erupting???

 

I would like to share one main, but profound passage tonight, that we might consider our actions, reactions, and attitudes toward those around us.  Jesus called us to be salt and light; yet a lot of those of us who claim His name are behaving more like ‘brine’ and ‘floodlights’ rather than seasoning, preservatives or revealing light in the darkness.  Paul tells us to use our words wisely, not as weapons against those around us.

“Walk in wisdom

toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how ye ought to answer

every man.”  Colossians 4:5-6

The main thing I want to share with you this evening is a passage from Peter.  I pray that it will speak to you and we can each find courage, godly strength, and grace to be a reflection of our Lord Jesus before a lost and dying world regardless of our circumstances—any circumstances!

“Submit yourselves

to every ordinance of man

for the Lord’s sake:

whether it be to the king,

as supreme;

14 Or unto governors,

as unto them that are sent by him

for the punishment

of evildoers,

and for the praise

of them that do well.

15 For so is the will of God,

that with well doing ye may put to silence

the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free,

and not using your liberty

for a cloke of maliciousness,

 but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.

18 Servants,

be subject to your masters

with all fear;

not only to the good and gentle,

but also to the froward.

19 For this is thankworthy,

if a man

for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered

for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who,

when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him

that judgeth righteously:

his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes

ye were healed.   

25 For

ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now

returned unto the Shepherd

and Bishop

of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:13-25

I simply close with a prayer that we will truly let God’s Word be God’s Word, and that we will behave like Jesus IS our LORD!

“For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered

for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye (we) should follow his steps…”

Are you entrusting your behavior to “to him that judgeth righteously”, reflecting your Lord?  Or are you erupting like the rest of our culture?  It’s your choice so choose wisely—there is a test!