Tag Archives: Jesus Is The Only Way!

The Proof Is In THE BOOK??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #350

25 Sunday May 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Come Boldly, Come out of her, Come To Worship HIM, Confidence or Presumption?, Conformed or Transformed?, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Proof Is In THE BOOK???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #350

As we have talked recently, it is in the blood of Jesus that we are saved; and as Peter preached shortly after Pentecost, it’s all about Jesus and His Word—for if you will, Jesus is the living Word and the breath that breathed the written Word to God’s servants.

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

It is all about Jesus, the One Way (See John 14:6), but as the old adage says, “the proof of the pudding is in the tasting”; or as the Psalmist put it:

“O taste and see

that the LORD is good:

blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9 O fear the LORD,

ye his saints:

for there is no want

to them that fear him.”  Psalm 34:8-9

So, how do we “taste and see”?   Only as we consider what The Word instructs us; so let’s consider a few of those places where we see specific instruction.

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:5-10

As the author of Hebrews reminds us—it is all in Jesus and not me!  Paul also reminds us that we find His treasure in His Word!  May we dwell in it and bank our hope in God’s Holy Word; because Jesus paid it all, and grants to us all we need in the depths of His Word!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

So, let’s takes Paul’s admonitions to heart and feast on The Word!

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:15-16

Even as Paul also spoke to the Ephesian believers.  Are you yielding to God?  Or are you going your own way?

“For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10

Amen and Amen!!!

Which Team Are You On??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #272

13 Sunday Oct 2024

Posted by in Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Salvation, SIN, Sin IS the issue

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Which Team Are You On???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #272

We enjoy football at our house, and sometimes our teams win and sometimes they lose.  Sometimes it’s a well-played game and other times it’s just sad to watch; this weekend was one of those times, and as I sat down to write today, I couldn’t help but think of how many of us live the Christian life oft-times like a poorly played sports game.  We don’t do what we do for great fame, or for giant salaries, for popularity or worldly success—we are serving the King of kings and Lord of lords, and the thing that we live for is in light of the price that purchased our salvation on Calvary’s cross.  Jesus’ own blood!  So, I’d like to spend some time today reminding us of the cost of our salvation—a cost that God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—chose to pay deliberately, willingly and determinately.  Peter proclaimed this boldly on the day of Pentecost.

“And it shall come to pass,

that whosoever shall call

on the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him,

being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Acts 2:21-24

God willingly, determinately, lovingly sent Jesus to pay for our sin debt that we might have life—eternal life and not eternity in hell.  For you see, sin is the issue!  Paul makes this clear in his message to the church at Corinth, where he gives us the Gospel in a nutshell, so to speak.

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died

for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Jesus himself, also made this salvation plan of God clear to the religious leader, Nicodemus.  There is only one way—and Jesus is His name; have you come to Him?  Have you made the decision to hear the voice of God and respond in repentance of your sin and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that He fore told to Nicodemus!  I pray that you have made the choice to hear the call of Jesus and respond in faith to be born again and become a child of God!  And John began his gospel with this very picture of the new birth.

“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.”  John 1:11-13

Jesus makes this even more clear.  I pray that you will hear these verses with a heart ready to receive a word from Jesus.  I pray that we will always hear, receive and obey the words that God has given us in scripture.  They are God’s love letter to us, please hear, heed and receive them to your heart.

“There was a man of the Pharisees,

named Nicodemus,

a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him,

Rabbi, we know

that thou art a teacher come from God:

for no man can do these miracles

that thou doest,

except God be with him.

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.

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…

… 12 If I have told you earthly things,

and ye believe not,

how shall ye believe,

if I tell you of heavenly things?

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven,

but he that came down from heaven,

even the Son of man

which is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved…

… 18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he

that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”                         Portions of John 3:1-21

I urge and encourage each of us to examine our own heart and life and see if we have chosen this “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”; and if we are choosing to pursue the holiness and righteousness which the Holy Spirit can produce in those who belong to Jesus.  As my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and you can fool all of the people some of the time.  But you can’t fool God!”  And I’d like to share a few passages that remind us that Jesus was always God’s plan—there was no plan “A” that failed so God came us with plan “B”!  Jesus was, is and ever shall be “the way, the truth and the life” and no person can come to God apart from Jesus substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, which He gave of His own will.

“Therefore doth my Father love me,

because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me,

but I lay it down of myself.

I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received

of my Father.”  John 10:17-18

 He did it for you and me!!!

“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 1:18-21

“And all that dwell upon the earth

shall worship him,

whose names are not written

in the book of life

of the Lamb slain

from the foundation of the world.”              Revelation 13:8

God knew before creation that we would fail, yet He created us anyway having already provided for our salvation—Jesus’ death for our sin on the cross!  Will you look to Him for salvation?  Will you depend upon His Holy Spirit for direction in living for Him?  Will we be found faithful when He comes or when He calls us to Himself?

Paul wrote one of the greatest words of encouragement that has ministered to me, as well as being a reminder of how we are to make sure we are walking on the right team continually; living the crucified life means dependence upon Jesus not myself!  I pray that it will speak to you as well.

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Which Way Is The Way??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #257

08 Sunday Sep 2024

Posted by in Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Which Way Is The Way???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #257

The is the question of all questions; it is the question that will determine our eternal destiny!  And yes, everyone has an eternal destiny—heaven or hell; not a popular subject and one that many if not most in our culture don’t accept or just outright object to such a statement.  A statement that we as believers in Jesus proclaim to be truth; truth based on the scriptures which we believe and accept as absolute truth.  It’s your choice of what you will believe, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

 no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:5-6

Jesus claimed to be the way, and He was, is and ever shall be the only way to the Father, because He is the sinless, Son of God—the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  Because He was, is and ever shall be that, for He is God.  (See 1 Cor. 15:1-5)

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father,

which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able

to pluck them out of

my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

Many people say that Jesus never claimed to be God, but they miss this absolute, declarative statement that Jesus clearly makes, and the proof is in the response of the religious leaders of the day. (And note that John 14:6 Jesus says, “I AM”! God!)

“Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them,

Many good works have I shewed you

from my Father;

 for which of those works

do ye stone me?

33 The Jews answered him, saying,

 For a good work we stone thee not;

but for blasphemy;

and because that thou,

being a man,

 makest thyself God.”  John 10:31-33

The religious leaders who continually opposed Jesus, understood what He had just said, and they wanted to kill Him for it.  In fact they eventually did have Him put to death on the cross, but as the scripture records again and again, “His time had not yet come…” Jesus also talks about the truth of there being only one way to God, and one of the most profound is found in Matthew chapter 7, and we can almost interpret John 14:6 right out of Matthew 7.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.”  Matthew 7:13-20

I would ask you to go back over this part of Matthew 7 and compare it to John 14:6!  Can you see why we hold fast to firmly to the truth that Jesus IS the only way?  I pray that you not only see it, but if you don’t know Him, that you will fall before His cross and give your heart and soul to Jesus!   He is waiting for you to answer His convicting Holy Spirit’s knocking on the door of your heart.

“Behold,

I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

 and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Paul reiterates this thought a bit differently, but just as powerful a message.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”  Romans 1:16-17

The Gospel—the Good News of Jesus—is the truth that we stand on, and like Paul, I am not ashamed to say so.  As you think of the way that you are going—Jesus’ way or not—may we all heed the words that Jesus also spoke in Matthew 7.  I know I post them a lot, but they are so important for “Saying so, doesn’t make it so…”. The choice is life or destruction.

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

 and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

 and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:21-27

God is concerned with our genuine conversion unto salvation, and the forth-coming righteousness and holiness which the Holy Spirit of God works in those who have truly bowed before Jesus.  God, even as Jesus spoke above, isn’t interested in our arrogance or self-righteousness; God will simply look to see if the blood of Jesus has been applied to your life?  For you see, the question isn’t, “Will you bow?”; for all will bow.  The question is “When will you bow?”  Will you bow before Jesus Christ as Lord when you hear the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit, and be saved?  Or you will bow before Jesus Christ as your judge with no opportunity of grace and salvation.

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,

him will I confess also before my Father

which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men,

him will I also deny before my Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 10:32-33

Jesus is calling each of us to understand that HE IS the only way to The Father!  And if we will only accept John 14:6 and Matthew 7, we will see what Jesus was talking about:

       He is The Way—enter at the “straight gate”

                               Walk down the narrow road

                               Be among the Few there be who find it—

 (often because we are obstinate, and the broad way seems to be easier—the reason why there are so “many”)

       He is The Truth—accept it or reject it, it is still Truth.

       He is The Life—The house built on His foundation—the Rock-

                                    will never fall for Jesus Is and gives

                                    Abundant, eternal life.

Will you be among the many on the broad road, or will you follow Jesus down that narrow road, and receive His gift of life.  I encourage you to read all of John chapter 3 this week.  Jesus made it clear to Nicodemus that God sent Him to give eternal life to all who would believe and receive Him in repentance and faith.  He also made it clear that those who reject Him will suffer the consequences of their choice.  Please don’t miss the right and true road—Jesus died for you to be saved.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  (Be sure and read Revelation 20:11-15 if you don’t know about the test.)

I know this is heavy, but heaven is worth the effort, and to miss hell is worthy of your consideration, for Jesus is the only way!  I choose Jesus, how about you?

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Inside Out Or Outside In??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #239

14 Sunday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Inside out or Outside In?, It's All About The Cross, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Living Stones, Living TODAY!, Salvation, Seeing Truth, SIN, Sin IS the issue, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Blood Of Jesus, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Call of God!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Word, This is the Way, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?, Transformed life, Words Matter, Worldliness, You can't get yesterday back!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Inside Out Or Outside In???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #239

I heard a message today that pricked my heart, for we seldom hear a message which reminds us that, contrary to popular opinion, it’s not what’s on the “outside” that counts; and scripture is replete with teachings that God’s work is always from the inside out (not to say that we are to neglect the outside!)!

“Thus saith the LORD;

Cursed be the man

that trusteth in man,

and maketh flesh his arm,

and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert,

and shall not see when good cometh;

but shall inhabit the parched places

in the wilderness,

in a salt land

and not inhabited.

7 Blessed is the man

that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots by the river,

and shall not see when heat cometh,

but her leaf shall be green;

and shall not be careful in the year of drought,

neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD

search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”                  Jeremiah 17:5-10

We must recognize that we choose to hear the voice of God and respond to Him in repentance and trust in His saving power through the blood of Jesus; or we choose to refuse His call to our hearts and trust in ourselves, the arm of man, or just depart from God, His Son and His Word.  It’s a matter of the heart and what we choose to believe, follow and live out—but we can never live good enough to change our heart, apart from Jesus’ sacrifice.

One of the greatest reminders of this is found in Proverbs 3.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct

thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

The problem is that we have exalted ourselves to think that we are “god”!  But there is only One God and One Way to Him, The Lord Jesus Christ.  You get to choose but the consequence comes without your control.  God gives us the privilege to choose, but the consequences are in His hands.

“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

Are you listening to God?  Are you sowing to the flesh or seeking Jesus’ provision for being born again and having new life in Jesus.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”   Matthew 7:13-14

“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

Isaiah shares this same message from the Lord to the people of Judah—a word that is also apropos to us today.

“Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people draw near me

with their mouth,

and with their lips

do honour me,

but have removed their heart

far from me,

and their fear toward me

is taught by the precept of men:

14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed

to do a marvellous work among this people,

even a marvellous work and a wonder:

for the wisdom of their wise men

shall perish,

and the understanding of their prudent men

shall be hid.

15 Woe unto them

that seek deep to hide their counsel

from the LORD,

and their works

are in the dark,

and they say,

Who seeth us?

and who knoweth us?”  Isaiah 29:13-15

People who claim the name of Jesus, yet go their own way, not the way of Jesus or His Word are who this passage is referring to.  Whom are you following? Believing? Trusting in?  Ordering your steps after?  Jesus paints one of the most profound pictures of the choices that face us, reminding us that “saying so, doesn’t make it so”.  Are we just talking about Jesus, or have we been transformed by His blood?  Are we being led by His precious Holy Spirit.  (See Romans 8:9, it tells us that if we don’t have The Holy Spirit, we don’t belong to Jesus!)  The Word said it, not just me.  Is your house built on the “Rock of Ages” or the “sand”?   Note that the storms will come no matter who you are—and the foundation does matter—in fact it’s a life and death choice.

“Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree

that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever

heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one

that heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”                  Matthew 7:17-27

Have you been changed from the inside out—by being born again?  Are you trying to put on a show by impressing others with the outside, but have not received God’s work of salvation to transform a lost sinner into a saint of God?

“The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,

2 Son of man,

thou dwellest in the midst

of a rebellious house,

which have eyes to see,

and see not;

they have ears to hear,

and hear not:

for they are a rebellious house.”  Ezekiel 12:1-2

Rebellion is costly and can cost your soul, or your walk with The King.  It cost King Saul his kingdom—all because he did it his way, rather than God’s.  (Read all of 1 Samuel 14 & 15). There is a point of no return, which forgiveness can’t always restore.

“And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey

is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee from being king.

24 And Saul said unto Samuel,

I have sinned:

for I have transgressed the commandment

of the LORD,

and thy words:

because I feared the people,

and obeyed their voice.

25 Now therefore, I pray thee,

pardon my sin,

and turn again with me,

that I may worship the LORD.

26 And Samuel said unto Saul,

I will not return with thee:

for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

and the LORD hath rejected thee

from being king over Israel.”  1 Samuel 15:22-26

May God open our eyes and show us the true condition of our heart, so that we may receive the true work of redemption and recreation, and live it before a lost and dying world!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2

Amen & Amen!!!

Redemption Or Rehearsal??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #194

06 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, Contentedness, Contentment, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Greed, Green pastures, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, I will lift up mine eyes, Inspiring Others, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Redemption or Rehearsal?, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Reflecting HIS glory

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Redemption Or Rehearsal??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #194

 

We live in a culture of “rehearsal”, in my opinion!  What do I mean?  Well, people are practicing to be someone else, to get to somewhere else, to work up to some other level of accomplishment, to be the fastest, the prettiest (and these days that is a totally subjective thing), the richest, the best, the most popular, the one with the most toys, awards, money, media presence, time in the spotlight, and of course most are working to get to heaven.  So, people rehearse for the role they have chosen.  I miss the days when you could just be “you” and take the ups with the downs; a day when friends loved you with or without the warts; a day when truth was more important than illusion, or facade, or performance, or “imitation anything”.  Jesus calls us to follow HIM, not the world, no matter the call of the glitter or the glamour.

One of the things that Jesus repeated over and over was and is the call to “follow me”; what followed may have varied, from person to person, but the call was to “follow” Jesus; so let’s consider a few of those calls.

“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren,

Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother,

casting a net into the sea:

for they were fishers.

19 And he saith unto them,

Follow me,

and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And

they straightway left their nets,

and followed him.  

21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren,

James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother,

in a ship with Zebedee their father,

mending their nets;

and he called them.

22 And

they immediately left the ship and their father,

and followed him.”  Matthew 4:18-22

“And he that taketh not his cross,

and followeth after me,

is not worthy of me.”  Matthew 10:38

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

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

In “Blanche’s Paraphrase”, you can’t rehearse your way into heaven!  There is only “One Way” to heaven and His name is Jesus; and only when we answer His call to salvation can we truly have abundant life, clear direction, and eternal life.  You can never make your own way, or rehearse to “be” good enough, rich enough, powerful enough, or successful enough to make your way into the “heaven awards”!

Paul has a lot to say about following Jesus as well.  Oh, that I had learned to follow HIM more closely and not been caught up in the rehearsal of the world!  How about you?  Have you been distracted from following Jesus by the world’s glitter—it’s a lie and not truth.  We must draw close to our Lord and Savior to know truth, seeking HIM in HIS WORD!  Help us Jesus, to hear your voice and draw nearer to You!

“Be ye followers of me,

even as I also am of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 11:1

Paul gave a great word of encouragement and challenge to his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, from which we can learn a lot, if we will but take heed and examine ourselves rightly.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich

fall into temptation and a snare,

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,

which drown men

in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money

is the root of all evil:

 which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through

with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God,

flee these things;

and follow after

righteousness,

godliness,

faith,

love,

patience,

meekness.”  1 Timothy 6:6-11

Contentment is almost a lost virtue, will we learn to be content rather than greedy (and yes, we all are afflicted with the ‘greedy bug’ from time to time—an affliction that we need to recognize and avoid); are we truly pursuing “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness”?

What are we praying for?  Are we focused on wealth more than holiness; focused on greed more than righteousness; has our heart been side-tracked by the world?  Jesus’ simple model prayer can be a great help, may we seek Him and His ways—following our Lord.  And if you don’t know Him, you can come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith in HIS substitutionary (in your place), atoning (making payment for a debt) sacrifice (the very payment with HIS own blood at Calvary).  If you hear His voice don’t turn Him away!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is

the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:9-13

May our hearts be totally devoted to HIM who redeemed us with His own blood; rehearsal may work for a “performance”, but it won’t bring you eternal life—only Jesus can do that.  Won’t you come to Him today?  If you are HIS, won’t your draw near to Him who loves you and gave Himself for YOU?  May we live like we are part of the Redeemed of The Lord.

“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,” 1 Peter 1:17-20

Praise to our Redeemer—forever and ever!  He’s coming for us soon!

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God by thy blood out of every

kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.”  Revelation 5:9-10

Amen and Amen!!!