Tag Archives: Jesus still saves and changes lives

Only Jesus Can Save??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #218

09 Thursday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Be ye HOLY, Come to Jesus, Commitment Or Convenience, Faith, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Sharing Our Faith!, Sharing What God Has Given

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Only Jesus Can Save??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #218

Only one life, twill soon be past

Only what’s done for Christ, will last!

This is the refrain from a hymn written by C.T. Studd, a British missionary who served with Hudson Taylor.  I’ll post the entirety at the end of this message, and I pray that it will encourage and challenge you today.  For that is the subject I want to share with you today—it’s all about Jesus; Jesus our Lord who gave His all for you and me, and yet so many who claim His name have no time to spend with Him, no time for serving Him in His church, no time to share the Gospel with others, for we’re often so unfamiliar with God’s Word that we’re not sure what “The Gospel” is, so that’s our subject today!  May this help you to stand!

“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

Only One name, only One way:

“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

John’s gospel is replete with the truths of the saving grace of Jesus alone, and we must be born of God not of ourselves.  We can never clean up our act, so to speak, enough to be able to stand before God; it doesn’t matter how much money, or power, or fame, or status you have before the world, only Jesus can bring you into a relationship with God, by the power and  conviction of sin that His precious Holy Spirit brings—and if you never see your sin, you’ll never see your need for Jesus.  You’ll still have the need, but you won’t see it.

“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.”  John 1:10-13

Have you experienced the new birth?  Have you come unto Jesus saving grace, bought, and paid for at Calvary?  Jesus told a religious man named Nicodemus that no matter how religious he was, that wasn’t how you get to God.  Yes, we are to be holy and righteous in our living when Jesus saves us, but our good works are the product of our salvation not the producer of it!  We do good works because Jesus forgives, saves, transforms us by the power of His blood.

“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 2:8-10

And Jesus own words:

“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…

….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.”  Portions of John 3:3-19

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

 ye shall all likewise perish…

… 5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3 & 5

Will you choose life or perish?  Paul’s great “gospel in a nutshell” passage, makes it clear what it is that we are to believe as we repent of our sin—it’s all about Jesus, and only Jesus!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 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 15:1-5

Have you heard the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart about your sin?  I heard that dreaded voice of conviction years ago, and while it wasn’t what I wanted to hear, it was truth and when I fell on my face in repentance of my hard heart of sin, Jesus touched me, and I got up a new person—not perfect but redeemed and He has never left me through all my trials, failures, and mistakes!  He is the God who saves, redeems, forgives, and cleanses us from sin.  Trust Him today if you don’t know Him; and if you do already know Him, won’t you decide to live for HIM today?

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:7-10

It’s a heart issue; what’s in your heart, Jesus, or the enemy of your soul?

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications,                                    thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”   Matthew 15:17-19

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past
by C.T. Studd

 Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,                                                           And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill.
living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,                                                              And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

__ extra stanza __

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

Amen and Amen!!!

What Is My Life Preaching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #209

17 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Born Again, Narrow way or The Broad way?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Preaching Jesus, Preaching truth about SIN, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Blood Of Jesus, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Call of God!, The Cross or the world?, The foolishness of preaching, Without a Word?, Witness, Worldliness, You can overcome, You can't get yesterday back!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

What Is My Life Preaching???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #209

God has given us physical life, and the saving power of Jesus in imparting to us the new birth—being born again by the blood of Jesus, through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice—but does the world see Jesus IN me, IN you, In the lives of those calling themselves part of the church of Jesus Christ—His bride?  We are called to be faithful witnesses—in fact we are witnesses—the question seems to be, what are we being faithful to?  Are we living in such a way that others see Jesus not only in us, but in our display before the world in our interactions with others.  Do I correct a clerk who undercharged me for an item?  Do I display Jesus when I am being mistreated?  Do I extend Jesus’ love to those who are cross with me?  Do I respond in grace, peace, and love when I am being falsely accused?

“And he said unto them,

It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,

which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power,

after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me

both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judaea,

and in Samaria,

and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things,

while they beheld,

he was taken up;

and a cloud received him

out of their sight.”  Acts 1:7-9

When we read through the book of Acts, we see the accomplishing of this commission from Jesus to the disciples.

I love reading through Acts, to see the successes, the failures, the boldness, and failures to really believe.  Our world is no different!  We must remember that it is the power of The Holy Spirit, who enables us to accomplish God’s work, so I’d like to share a few passages for us to ponder today, and ask God to reveal to us our own heart, and examine our path to see if we are going His way—on that narrow road—or have we slipped into the worldliness of the broad way? (See Matthew 7:13-14.)

The author of Hebrews gives us great advice.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction

of sinners against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,

striving against sin.”  Hebrews 12:1-4

Are we resisting the devil and standing for Jesus, or just floating downstream along with the flow?  We have only one message that will help others and that is the cross and Jesus Christ crucified, risen, and coming again—His blood that saves and transforms lives.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize,

but to preach the gospel:

not with wisdom of words,

lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom

of the wise,

and will bring to nothing the understanding

of the prudent…

….21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.”  Portions of 1 Corinthians 1:17-25

And one of my favorite passages, a familiar one in part, and while many often quote Ephesians 2:8-9 to prove that we are only saved by grace through faith, we often stop and don’t read on in verse 10 that we are saved “unto good works”, and not just a doing good deeds, but working out that which God has put in!

“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 2:8-10

The very thing that Paul was referring to in his letter to the Philippian believers.

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13

We can’t work “for” our salvation, but when we are saved, born again, we are to be a display of what God has worked in us.  Working it “out” because God has put it “within” us!  So, my friends, what are our lives “preaching”; even without words?  In fact we preach way more with our actions than our words!  God bless your day my friends, and thanks for joining us!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Amen and Amen!!!

Worldliness Looks Like___??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #193

03 Sunday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Looking Unto Jesus, Looking up Or around?, Love, What does worldliness look like?, Worldliness

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Worldliness Looks Like___??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #193

What does worldliness look like?  It can be hard to define sometimes because we have made the lines often hard to define; yet, as believers we have one specific instruction to order our steps by, and while it’s a lengthy passage, I think it one that we must consider if we want to walk pleasing to our Lord, and not after the things of this world (a world that will pass away)!

“But if ye bite and devour one another,

take heed that ye be not consumed

one of another.

16 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 5:15-25

To “live in the Spirit” starts with “the Spirit”, The Holy Spirit, living in me; as well as knowing God’s Word–His standard, and Paul’s description of the contrast between the “works of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit” is a concrete list of the difference.  The “fruit of the Spirit “ is one of the evidences that we belong to Jesus (and notice there is no “s” in “fruit”!).

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”  Romans 8:8-9

Our life is a testament of our spiritual heritage, either we belong to Jesus, or we don’t; and the new covenant of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the evidence of the “new birth” into the family of God, by the power of The Holy Spirit.

“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

It’s the new birth that Jesus told Nicodemus about in John chapter 3.  Just as Jesus told Nicodemus, if we are not “born again” we can neither see the Kingdom, nor enter it!  And if we are “born again” it will be evidenced by the presence and work of The Holy Spirit, a work that should be a witness to the world we are to be separate from.  As I see the problem, we have been led to go astray from our true north—both our Lord Jesus and His Word.  Like the old adage says, “The Word of God will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from The Word of God!”, which have you chosen.  Have you been born again?  Are you walking in The Spirit or the flesh?  The Apostle John has something to say about that.

“Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away,

and the lust thereof:

but he that doeth the will of God

abideth for ever.”  1 John 2:15-17

James is even more clear in his assessment of our choices in our behavior.  Will we heed his message?

“From whence come wars and fightings among you?

come they not hence,

even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust,

and have not:

ye kill,

and desire to have,

and cannot obtain:

ye fight and war,

yet ye have not,

because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask,

and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 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.”  James 4:1-8

Jesus makes the ultimate statement for what it means to become His follower and claim Him as our Lord and Savior; it’s not just “saying so”—it’s having a life transformed by the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  Have you been cleansed from sin?  Have you come to the fountain “filled with blood”?  Have you faced your own sin, denied yourself, taken up the cross of Jesus and followed The Lord and Savior of all who will come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith/belief in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin?

“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

And the final thing I want us to consider is Jesus’ own words declaring that “saying so doesn’t make it so”; and there is a day coming when the masks will come off and “every knee shall bow”!

“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.”  Matthew 7:19-23

And in closing, one of my favorite stories that Jesus painted, yet we so often write it off to an insignificant children’s song, rather than a picture of absolute truth.  Is your house built on The Rock?  I pray that you will walk in Jesus’ Holy Spirit and not the world and the flesh.  And notice it’s implied that the houses looked like, but when the storms came—and they will come—the foundation made the difference.  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

“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 7:24-27

Jesus saves—have you come to Him for salvation and forgiveness of sin?  He’s still in the life-changing business!

Amen and Amen!!!

If Jesus Is Worthy??? ____??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 19

10 Monday Oct 2022

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus said I could come!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 19 If Jesus Is Worthy???_______???

What will you answer?  If Jesus is worthy, what have you made Him worthy of; your time, or service, your ideas, money, or pursuits, your LOVE?  What is Jesus worthy of in my/your life?

“And I beheld, and, lo,

in the midst of the throne

and of the four beasts,

and in the midst of the elders,

stood a Lamb

as it had been slain,

having seven horns

and seven eyes,

which are the seven Spirits of God

sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book

out of the right hand of him

that sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book,

the four beasts

and four and twenty elders

fell down before the Lamb,

having every one of them harps,

and golden vials full of odours,

which are the prayers of saints.

 9 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.

11 And I beheld,

and I heard the voice of many angels

round about the throne

and the beasts

and the elders:

and the number of them

was ten thousand times ten thousand,

and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power,

and riches,

and wisdom,

and strength,

and honour,

and glory,

and blessing.”  Revelation 5:6-12

Jesus IS worthy of all—from all!  If we consider Paul’s message to the believers at Philippi, we might begin to understand the value and worth of our Lord and King to God our Father, which ought to be our song of praise as well.  Will we give HIM the glory? Or take it to ourselves? You see, the question isn’t will you/I bow, but rather when you will bow.  God has declared that “every knee shall bow”, either before Jesus as Lord and Savior in this life, or as judge when there is no recourse or opportunity for salvation.

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also

hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory

of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:8-11

If HE isn’t your Lord and Savior, HE will be your judge.  You can refuse to acknowledge HIS worth now, but the day is coming when those who refuse HIM, will bow before HIM as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and judge of all.

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things which were written

in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:11-14

My friends, the standard for judgment will be God’s Word—whether you accepted it or not–both the written Word and the Living Word, Jesus, who IS WORTHY of all the praise and honor and glory.  And the written Word is the standard by which ALL will be judged!  What worth are you giving to Jesus?  What are you doing with God’s Word?  What are you doing with Jesus? If HE truly is worthy, and HE IS, what worth and value are you placing on JESUS—have you bowed?  Please don’t put it off.

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly,

that God hath made that same Jesus,

whom ye have crucified,

both Lord and Christ.”  Acts 2:36

There is no more important decision that you can consider.  There is no other action that has the ability to give life or death.  Jesus is calling today, and HE will save all who come to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  He loves YOU—He gave HIS life that you might have salvation, forgiveness of sin, and eternal life.  Won’t you come to HIM and see HIS worth—for HIS arms are open to you today.

“All things are delivered unto me

of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever the Son

will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:27-30

Praise and honor and glory to Jesus as we “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!  HE is calling you!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

YOU DO Make A Difference??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 15

12 Monday Sep 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Making a difference, My Grace Is Sufficient, Stand Fast!, YOU Can do ALL things through Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 15   YOU DO Make A Difference???

I was thinking about how often we let circumstances get us discouraged, yet God has promised that HE is our sufficiency and strength no matter our circumstance.

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

On the opposite side is the truth that Jesus made clear to His disciples just before He was crucified; without JESUS we can do nothing of eternal spiritual value, but when we are walking with Him, through HIS power we can do anything that HE asks us to do.  We are going to make a difference in one way or another—we will be an influence for good, for GOD, or we will be an influence for the enemy of our souls, and the souls of our children and grandchildren, a difference with eternal consequences.

“I am the vine,

 ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”  John 15:5

So, not to be overly simplistic, we can choose to walk with Jesus in faith, grace, and power, or we can be discouraged, distracted, and disappointed by the influence of the world, which we are called to recognize and reject, by renewing our minds in God’s Word, HIS ways, and HIS supply.  When I know what God has said, I am empowered to walk in victory.  But I must, absolutely must, be grounded in HIS Word to walk in that victory, by walking in the ways of my LORD!  Peter gives us an amazing example of godly behavior patterned after our Lord and Savior!

“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 2:29-25

If we look at the last verse here, verse 25, we are taken back to Isaiah 53, which is one of the ultimate descriptive passages of the “suffering servant”, Jesus, the Shepherd of our souls, by the sacrifice of Himself, the Lamb of God, who heals us from our “sin sickness”, which was and is a fatal disease if we reject the “blood of Jesus” which can cleanse us from all sin; the disease from which we all suffer, and for which Jesus IS the only cure! (I think you would find it most enlightening to read all of Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22—Jesus paid the price for our sin!)

“He is despised and rejected of men;

a man of sorrows,

and acquainted with grief:

and we hid as it were our faces

from him;

he was despised,

and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs,

and carried our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him stricken,

smitten of God,

and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded

for our transgressions,

he was bruised

for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace

was upon him;

and with his stripes

we are healed.

6 All we like sheep

have gone astray;

we have turned every one

to his own way;

and the LORD hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed,

and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth:

he is brought as a lamb

to the slaughter,

and as a sheep

before her shearers is dumb,

so he openeth not his mouth.”  Isaiah 53:3-7

This suffering servant, Jesus, gave His all so that we can become new creatures and fulfill HIS purposes for our lives.  And oh, how grateful I am for God’s grace and mercy that not only cleanses us from sin but makes us clean and fresh for HIS service.

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

All because of HIS blood—there truly is power IN HIS blood.

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.”  1 John 1:7

THIS is how we are able to do “all things through Christ”!  It is how we are equipped to bear that abundant fruit that Jesus spoke of in John 15!  So, what are you doing with that which you have been given?  Will we be examples of faith or reveal a vain faith, as James describes.  And I’ll simply close with two passages from James, and pray that you and I will ponder what God has said, and either get right with God and go forth—whether in being born again by repentance and faith or simply confessing our sin and shortcomings as a child of God and receiving HIS forgiveness and cleansing “from all sin”? Salvation and restoration available!

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not

the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

dwhich is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers

 of the word,

and not

hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face in a glass:

 24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh

into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed

in his deed.”  James 1:19-25

And the second important passage from James:

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister

be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed

and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith

without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know,

O vain man,

that faith without works

is dead?”  James 2:14-19

May God grant us wisdom to receive HIS truth and assessment of our lives and make the appropriate corrections! (See 2 Timothy 2:15 and 3:16-17).  Let’s make a difference FOR Jesus!!!J

Amen and Amen!!!