Tag Archives: Ephesians 2:1-10

Revival Or Recycle??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #124

20 Sunday Aug 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Born Again, Looking Unto Jesus, Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Remember, Renewing or Reviewing, REvival, Revival or Recycle?, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin

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Revival Or Recycle??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #124

I have what will probably be a short post for today as we’ve been out several times today in the heat and it is treacherous!  I’m hot and tired, but I have a few things I’d like to share this evening for your consideration.  A word that I hope will challenge and encourage each of us to ‘examine’ ourselves before God and be sure that we know whose we are, and what we’ve been called to be and do (if we’ve answered God’s call to salvation)!

As the title implies, I want us to consider the difference between ‘recycling’ and ‘Revival’!  I like to recycle and yet it is often hard to find places to recycle items that need recycling. We often try to apply ‘recycling’ principles to our spiritual life; we want to ‘try over’, ‘try harder’, as a once popular quote implied, putting lipstick on a pig doesn’t’ change the pig!  We often apply these kinds of ideas to life–we don’t want to face God the way we are, yet we don’t really want to live HIS way.  We don’t want to face our sin, we just want to justify it, clean it up, call it something else, or convince ourselves that “everyone else is doing it” so that makes it OK!  God has a different perspective–and revival and recycling are two very different things.  When we sing “Revive Us Again”, we need to understand that revival can only come to people who have ‘come to life’ IN Jesus.

Paul paints an amazing (yet often offensive) truth about sin and life.  I’d like us to consider this truth today.

“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

To begin with, “quickened” means to make alive, and the only way for us to have spiritual life is to be “born again” so that we have Jesus’ life IN us (being “born again” is referring to “life” from Jesus, in Jesus, and through HIS blood sacrifice).

“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

And as John went on to record the very words of our Lord, I’d like to simply compile some truths from various portions of scripture.

“….Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  John 3:3

“…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”. John 3:5

“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 10-11

One of Jesus’ most profound statements of “truth” is that “life” is found only in HIM, and from ‘the beginning’, all life came from God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

“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

“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.”  John 1:3-4

 So, let’s consider what we have observed; Paul makes it clear to the Ephesian believers that their “new” life came from Jesus, because we were all “dead in sins” until God, through Jesus “when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;”.  We were “dead” in sin, and only Jesus can and will give “new life”!  According to John 1, we see that we can’t work up this “new life”–we can’t inherit it by DNA–we can’t work it up by our “will”–and we can’t receive it because someone else “worked it up” for us!  Only Jesus can give LIFE!  And only those who have life can be ‘revived’!

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people may rejoice in thee?”  Psalm 85:6

Jesus gives us new life, for the merciful God of the universe “gave HIS only begotten Son” that by HIS sacrifice we could have “Life” –real life, abundant life, eternal life!  And HE will revive us when we stumble, because He is ever working to conform us into the image of Jesus!  Oh, what a delight to know that The God of the universe is ever working in/on me.  He’s not recycling sin–but making us into the “image of HIS SON”!

“And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

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.”  Romans 8:28-30

Are you settling for ‘recycling’ or are you pursuing God’s purposes and revival so that we can experience a move of God among HIS own, and then to see the lost affected by the work of God in HIS own! We can see lives changed and transformed by the power of Jesus’ blood and the work of The Word of God!  Not “BY” works, but unto good works, that Jesus might be seen IN US!  Remember we are in a battle, and we must “suit up” to be prepared!

“Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.”   Ephesians 6:11-13

Suit up my friends, we need revival not just recycling!  May Jesus Christ be praised by our living for HIM–revived, renewed and equipped for the battle.  Remember, we win!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Simply To The Cross I Go??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #44

21 Friday Oct 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, By Him We Live, By His Grace, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Salvation, Take Up YOUR Cross

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Simply To The Cross I Go??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #44

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you

the testimony of God.

2 For I determined

not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-2

It’s so easy these days for people to preach and share anything but the “Cross”!  It’s easy to hear a message of indulgence, no-demand salvation, almost anything but the call to “take up your cross and follow me” is dangled before the church and the world claiming to offer a “get out of jail free” card—fire insurance- with no regard for the price that Jesus paid for the salvation of those who would come to HIM by faith for forgiveness of sin, and a new birth.  I believe that we must cling to the cross of Jesus and all that it means, for without it there is NO salvation!

“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

We have been “translated…into the kingdom of his dear Son”, Hallelujah, Amen!  That means our heart is new born, our tongue speaks a new language, and our mind can be renewed every day by HIS power and love through the indwelling Holy Spirit who indwells each genuine believer, as we pursue HIS holiness through The Word of God.  Jesus explains it clearly:

“Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things,

and be rejected

of the elders

and chief priests

and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed

of me and of my words,

of him shall the Son of man

be ashamed,

when he shall come in his own glory,

and in his Father’s,

and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:22-26

Many say they can’t understand the “crucified life”, but it’s relatively simple: when we come to the cross of Jesus, we exchange our dead self for new life IN Jesus, a new life that leads us to glory with Jesus!  Paul made it pretty clear as he wrote to the believers in Ephesus; and my friends, if you’ve never been a lost sinner, it’s not likely that you’ve ever had any need for Jesus Christ the Savior, Lord, and King!  You might want to check out what you are depending on to take you to heaven, for there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun?  What are you pursuing?  Have you seen your sin?  Have you brought it to Jesus’ cross?

“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

What are you “walking in”?  Jesus’ way or your own?  Jesus’ way or the world’s?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  For you see, our “works”, be they good, bad, or indifferent, won’t save us, but when we come to Jesus, God leads unto “good works” for God’s glory and our good!  I choose Jesus and have determined to pursue HIM each day!  Won’t you join me?

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

I pray that you will come to HIS cross today!  Amen and 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!

What Love Isn’t??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 23

02 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, By His Grace, Consider Your ways, Faithfulness, Love, Made like Jesus!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 23 What Love Isn’t???

 

February is referred to as the month of love, as Valentine’s Day comes this month, but so does Ground Hog Day—today, Leap Year Day, and President’s Day; yet I really don’t feel led to talk about season’s weather, the extra day we have this month, or politics, but I would like to share a bit about what we need to know about love!  What it is and what it isn’t, and we’ll probably carry this subject over for a couple of sessions, Lord willing.  The main thing I would like to share is what God says love looks like; and the first and foremost issue about love is what God says!

Let’s begin with what Jesus tells us!

“And one of the scribes came,

and having heard them reasoning together,

and perceiving that he had answered them well,

asked him,

Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him,

The first of all the commandments is,

Hear, O Israel;

The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord

thy God

with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy mind,

and with all thy strength:

this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like,

namely this,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

There is none other commandment

greater than these.

32 And the scribe said unto him,

Well, Master,

thou hast said the truth:

for there is one God;

and there is none other but he:

33 And to love him

with all the heart,

and with all the understanding,

and with all the soul,

and with all the strength,

and to love his neighbour

as himself,

is more than

all whole burnt offerings

and sacrifices.”  Mark 12:28-33

Even His enemies couldn’t resist the truth that came from HIM who IS truth—Jesus!  But where do we get that kind of love?  Only from God!  Only when we know God and are known of Him through the blood of Jesus in forgiveness of sin and redemption can we truly express that kind of love!

“We are of God:

he that knoweth God

heareth us;

he that is not of God

heareth not us.

Hereby know we the spirit of truth,

and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another:

for love is of God;

and every one that loveth

is born of God,

and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not

knoweth not God;

for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God

toward us,

because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world,

that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation

for our sins.

11 Beloved,

if God so loved us,

we ought also

to love one another…

…19 We love him,

because he first

loved us.”   1 John 4:6-11, 19

Did you get that?  GOD LOVED US FIRST!  Did then, does now and ever will.  And the beauty of it is that when we will come to HIM in repentance and faith, He imparts not only His righteousness to us, but His love also.

“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 5:21

And as Paul reminded the Romans and us:

“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

Whoa brothers and sister—“while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”—that’s for YOU and ME!  That is love!  God loved us who are unable to save ourselves—poor lost sinners—”But God”! l One of my favorite biblical phrases—”But God”—and I am so grateful that even when I couldn’t save myself, God had a plan to reach me and lift me up out of the pit of hell and deliver my soul—heart—mind and life from wrath and made me HIS child!  How could I not LOVE HIM the same way, and by HIS power not my own!  THAT IS love—but it gets even better—Jesus paid for my sin so I could have life with HIM. It didn’t depend on me, it depends on the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for us at Calvary!  He paid our debt with HIS own blood:

“Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation

for our sins”!

Amen and Amen.  And again that “but God”—the God who loved us and is still saving souls today.  If you know Him won’t you let HIS love shine through you, and if you don’t, I invite you to come to Him today, so you can know true love—the love that God has for you, and wants to share with you, impart to you, and grow in you!  Today

“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

Won’t you seek to know God’s real love?  Don’t settle for the cheap imitation of the world!  It may look good for a time, even scripture tells us that there is “pleasure in sin for a season”, but it also tells us clearly that we will all give an account.  Please hear Him as He speaks to us today; for He won’t always “strive with man”!  (See Genesis 6:3 and Hebrews 11:25)

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

if we faint not.”   Galatians 6:7-9

What are you sowing?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test!

May God bless your week, and may you hear and obey!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18

29 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, Choose You This Day!, Darkness or Light?, Death, Evil will not win, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Follow Jesus, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Life, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18 THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!!

 

It has been a long 10 days for my family, as the darkness and evil of this world crowded into our midst through the evil act of one person.  I have seen the light shine brightly regardless of the evil that tried to defeat us and took the life of my only daughter.  The reasons and drama of the “event” isn’t what I want to talk about today, but rather I want to talk to you about the “light of the world” that has prevailed, is prevailing and will prevail for those who look to HIM!  And yes, JESUS IS that light—and like a lighthouse to a sailor, I will fix my eyes on Jesus to make it to shore!

“That was the true Light,

 which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.”  John 1:9-10

“Again, a new commandment I write unto you,

which thing is true

in him

and in you:

because the darkness is past,

and the true light

now shineth.”  1 John 2:8

Jesus is “the true Light”—and without Him we are in darkness, but praise God Almighty, we can not only see Him, but know Him and be a reflection of HIS light!  Despite darkness having invaded our lives, I will stand for the Lord Jesus Christ—my life, my light, and my redeemer; and HE can be yours!

“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

We don’t have to run from the darkness, for His light is within us by His grace, love for us, and the forgiveness of sins that He grants to those who repent and believe in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (righted my wrong), sacrifice (paying my sin-debt with HIS own blood); and the indwelling of HIS Holy 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

You see, this same Jesus who IS light, came into a darkened world who didn’t perceive HIS light for they were blinded, just as men are today.  It’s kind of like “snow blindness” when the light is so bright and continual that the eyes can’t tolerate it.  Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader, that having eyes “to see” isn’t enough; we must have God’s convicting revelation to recognize light as light and be born again—have new life!

“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.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born

when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb, and be born?

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 3:3-7

And, just how are we born again?  By the power, grace and saving faith that God’s Holy Spirit draws us to!  Have you heard His voice?  Have you opened the door of your heart to Jesus?  Or have you failed to “see” the “light of the world”?

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory

as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”  John 1:10-14

Jesus came that we might have this new birth–life in HIM–life “more abundantly”!  Have YOU been born again?  John makes it clear that it’s not dependent on our “heritage” (not of blood); it’s not dependent on our “will power” (not..the will of the flesh); it’s not dependent on the ‘prayers of your mother or your grandmother’(not..the will of man)—it’s dependent on YOUR choice to receive Jesus and His atoning sacrifice, and be transformed by the Light Of The World.  Will you choose light or stay in the dark, and if you are His, don’t let the darkness distract you, for we are to be reflecting His light to the world, not letting the dirt of the world dim our light. (See Matt. 5:13-15)

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 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;

16 Holding forth the word of life;

that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,

that I have not run in vain,

neither laboured in vain.”   Philippians 2:14-16

Don’t be deceived by the enemy of your soul—the one who is the “father of lies” (See John 8:44), for there are plenty of his minions going about to “steal…and to kill….and to destroy”!  Beware of what you accepting as truth!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be according

to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Even as Jeremiah the prophet reminds us:

“Declare this in the house of Jacob,

and publish it in Judah, saying,

21 Hear now this,

O foolish people,

and without understanding;

which have eyes,

and see not;

which have ears,

and hear not:”  Jeremiah 5:20-21

And Isaiah takes us to the heart of the matter; we have chosen our own sin over God’s voice of conviction; we have chosen our own sin over God’s way, because we think we can handle it.  Check out your environment—is it light or dark?

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated

between you and your God,

and your sins have hid

his face from you,

that he will not hear.”  Isaiah 59:1-2

So, in closing I’d like to share a passage that lays it all out on the table, as Paul makes it clear that we all need JESUS, but the choice is yours.  But choose wisely, there is a test—and there is only One answer—JESUS!

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead

in trespasses

and sins;

2 Wherein in time past

ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our

conversation in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up

together,

and made us sit

together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness toward us

through Christ Jesus.

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

The light still shines……..is HE shining in YOU?

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy;

whereunto ye do well

that ye take heed,

as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,

until the day dawn,

and the day star

arise in your hearts:”  2 Peter 1:19

I pray that God will speak to your heart and draw you into HIS light!  Amen and Amen!!!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

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