Tag Archives: John 10:9-11

Are We There Yet??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #647

24 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Come out of her, SIN

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #647   Are We There Yet???

 

We’ve all heard that cry, “Are we there yet?”; most of us have said it at one time or another, but my concern today is that many are “there” when they ought to be “where” God has called them to be.  Many today are running from God, have stomped their foot and refused to move or go where God has called them, and others still are clueless of what God expects; for either no one has taught them, or they have refused to hear God’s Word through study and prayer!  So, I hope that scripture will remind us that what we “sow” we “reap”, and much of our ‘reaping’ will depend on where (both physically, mentally and spiritually) we are-–where we choose to “abide”!

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying,

Come out of her,

my people,

that ye be not partakers

of her sins,

and that ye receive not

of her plagues.”  Revelation 18:4

As we have had the opportunity lately to have time to consider “our ways”, our place, our priorities, our ‘loves’, I believe that God is calling us to return to holiness and devotion to Him.  I think He is calling to His own people to see if we’re “there” yet?

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”   2 Corinthians 13:5

Jesus said that what is in your heart will come out!  Or in techno-lingo, what you put in will come out!

“Now ye are clean

through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 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 15:3-5

The question is, ‘Are we abiding in Jesus?’  Or are we so full of the world, that we don’t hear the voice of God is speaking right now:

“Come out of her,

my people”!

Will we examine ourselves, or will we wake up one day and find that we are not where we thought we were!  The choice is yours but remember, there is a test!

“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 24:15

And remember the choices of today, will show up in triplicate tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.  Choose wisely and reap godliness rather than the world’s deceit!

“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.”   Galatians 6:7-8

The choice is yours—don’t let Satan deceive you—he is a liar and a thief.  Don’t let him steal the hope and joy that is IN JESUS!!!

“Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

 He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth

in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.”  John 8:44

In contrast our Lord Jesus IS LIFE!  Choose LIFE!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 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 10:9-11

He died that you can have life.  Choose HIM today.  His arms are outstretched to you today!  You can have victory “IN JESUS” today!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

A Month Of Gratitude??? #2. Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 12

03 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Gratitude, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Resurrection, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know, Victory IN Jesus!, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 12.   A Month Of Gratitude??? #2

 

As we continue in our consideration of gratitude, I’d like to thank God for being GOD!  I thank God for loving us first and sending Jesus to pay the debt for my sin and yours!

“Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation for our sins…

… 18 There is no fear in love;

but perfect love

casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment.

He that feareth

is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him,

because he first loved us.”   1 John 4:10 & 18-19

Oh, how amazing it is to me that “he first loved us”!  We who are sinners, have received the abundant grace and mercy of God, beyond measure!  And Paul painted such an amazing picture of it.

“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.  

9 Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:1-11

Let those amazing words sink in!  While we were “yet sinners, Christ died for us”—what an amazing gift to all who will believe “in Him” and receive His saving “grace”!  How could we not be thankful to our God and live with a continual ‘attitude of gratitude’!  And while I was thinking about gratitude, I was reminded of Lazarus—one who had received one of Jesus’ greatest miracles—when he was raised from the dead!  The question is, have you “been raised” in Jesus?

“Therefore we are buried with him

by baptism into death:

that like as Christ was raised up

from the dead

by the glory of the Father,

even so we also

should walk in newness of life.”   Romans 6:4

Just as Lazarus was raised up from the dead, we too are raised from the dead spiritually—given new life by the power of HIS blood.

“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.”  Ephesians 2:1-7

Like Lazarus, we can be raised by faith in Jesus, who will save us from our sin, by repentance and faith!  Amen!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

 and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Have you been “made”?  It’s a term often used in the ‘cop shows’ for being detected; but it also means being created into something new, and that is what God does for us—He makes us new IN Jesus!  And IN Jesus, we also receive something else in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus:

“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

What more could we ask from our God—He not only gave “His only begotten Son” to die for us—but to paraphrase Paul:

Jesus—who knew no sin—

 Took on sin—at Calvary for me—

That we who were born in sin—

Who choose to sin—

 Are accounted ‘righteous’—

IN HIM!!!

In contrast to those who think “salvation” is an opportunity to be ‘scot-free’ and do as we please, it is the gift of God which changes us from those who revel in darkness to those who walk in the light with our Lord Jesus!

“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

I’m so grateful that HE has delivered me—translated me—and is ever working to make me/you into the image of Jesus!  We can truly know that “resurrection” power of Jesus, like Lazarus—all because Jesus came that we might have abundant LIFE IN HIM!!!

“For as the Father hath life in himself;

so hath he given to the Son

to have life in himself;”  John 5:26

“And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”   John 6:40

“I am the door:

by me

if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 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 10:9-11

Have you come to the shepherd of your soul?  If no, He’s calling you to Himself today!  If you have come to Him, what more could we have to be thankful for?  I pray that you will join me in this season of gratitude, to share this great gift!  Amen and Amen!!!

Full Of What??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 11

28 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by in Conviction, Filled With His Spirit, Full Of what?, Made like Jesus!, The Mind Of Christ

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.11 Full Of What???

 

We sometimes hear someone say, “I’m as full as as a tick!”; or “I’m so full, I couldn’t take another bite!”  All in reference to having had enough; but how much is enough? Well, it depends on what we are talking about.  I’ve eaten all the “liver” that I ever care to eat, but ice cream, now that’s a different matter.  And when we speak of people, we have all met people (and sometimes we’ve been that person) that we say are “full of themselves”, usually meaning that they think and act with only themselves in mind.  I think that we can find some life lessons in scripture in this regard, and it would behoove us to consider our own ways.  Haggai shares that very comment from God.

“Now therefore

thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Consider your ways.

6 Ye have sown much,

and bring in little;

ye eat,

but ye have not enough;

ye drink,

but ye are not filled with drink;

ye clothe you,

but there is none warm;

and he that earneth wages

earneth wages

to put it into a bag

with holes.

7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:5-7

Haggai was writing to those of Israel who had returned to Judah, after the Babylonian captivity, to rebuild the Temple of God, yet the people had become so distracted with their own desires, that they weren’t rebuilding the Temple.  So, God sent Haggai to call them to come back to God, the One who had brought them back to their home-land and called them to rebuild HIS Temple!  I know lots of us today have also become distracted and get so filled with the things of this world, that we allow ourselves to be distracted by them and forsake the work of God—perhaps a specific work that God has called you/me to.  We often allow our ‘busy’ness, things, our own desires, or the demands of others, to pull us away from God.  We are so full of the world, that sometimes people don’t even know that we belong to Jesus! God called Israel to “Consider your ways” and return to HIM and take care of the things of God, and HE would take care of them, both personally and corporately.  The same is true today for us who belong to Jesus!   He has promised that HE will—and He has never failed.

“If they break my statutes,

and keep not my commandments;

32 Then will I visit their transgression

with the rod,

and their iniquity

with stripes.

33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness

will I not utterly take from him,

nor suffer my faithfulness

to fail.

34 My covenant

will I not break,

nor alter the thing

that is gone out of my lips.”  Psalm 89:31-34

Our God IS faithful!  Always has been, and always will be!  He keeps HIS Word (whether we keep ours or not!)!

“Paul, a servant of God,

and an apostle of Jesus Christ,

according to the faith of God’s elect,

and the acknowledging of the truth

which is after godliness;

2 In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised

before the world began;”  Titus 1:1-2 

I love that Paul related this powerful truth to Titus, “God, that cannot lie, promised”! and what God has promised, HE will accomplish!  And God has promised us “abundant life” in Jesus; He has also promised that His Holy Spirit would dwell within those who come to Him in repentance and faith!  And Jesus is “full” of ‘all’ that we need!

“And such trust have we

through Christ

to God-ward:

5 Not that we are sufficient

of ourselves

to think any thing

as of ourselves;

but our sufficiency

is of God;”  2 Corinthians 3:4-5

Because our God is able, even as God told Paul, we can persevere through HIS grace and power not our own—for we are never alone!!!

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore

will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.”    2 Corinthians 12:8-9

If we will but keep our eyes on Jesus—our all sufficient Lord God– yielding to HIS Sprit, we will find in Him the wisdom, grace and power to overcome the enemy of our souls—the great “liar” who comes only to destroy.  As we serve the living Lord Jesus, we can have that “abundant” life which Jesus imparts!  Don’t let the enemy fill you with his vile and insidious lies.

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 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 10:9-11

And Jesus, the good shepherd who gave HIS life for our salvation, will fill us with HIS Spirit, and as we yield to Him in every way, He will provide all that we need for victorious living “in the Spirit”!

“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…

…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 5:16-17 & 24-25

There is freedom and peace walking in the Spirit of Jesus, allowing HIM to fill us with HIMSELF, rather than continually filling our hearts and minds with more of ‘self’!

“And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”   Ephesians 4:32

How do we walk in this “kindness”?  By yielding to God’s continual working in us.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly,

not as fools,

but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time,

because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise,

but understanding

what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine,

wherein is excess;

but be filled

with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing and making melody

in your heart

to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks

always

for all things

unto God

and the Father

in the name

of our Lord Jesus Christ;”    Ephesians 5:16-20

We are to yield to God’s Holy Spirit who will “fill” us with Himself!  Just as Paul refers to the “control” that wine takes over a person, we are to allow the Holy Spirit to “pervade” our hearts and lives!  Just as a drunken man is controlled (pervaded) by the liquor that is in him, in contrast, we are to be controlled by God’s Holy Spirit!  And when we allow God to “fill us” with Himself—we never have to fear a ‘hang over’ or fear shaming our self or others before God or man!

Paul paints such an amazing word-picture of encouragement on using our senses to stay focused on our Lord—we are to fill our eyes, our ears, and our mind with godly words and music, growing a heart of gratitude and love towards God; being a testimony to a lost and dying world in need of Jesus.  They need to see Jesus in us—in you and in me!

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is the epitome of how to live being filled with the Spirit.  So, I’ll share it with you and pray that you have a blessed week pursuing the “mind of Christ”!  Please ponder these words—they are empowering, heart-changing and life transforming!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who,

being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery

to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 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.

12 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.

14 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;”    Philippians 2:5-15

God’s work—God’s way! Let His Spirit fill you each step of your journey!  Shine on dear friends, Shine on!!!  The choice is yours!  Choose wisely—there is a test!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s Your Version??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 24

27 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Born Again, Saved by grace, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.24  What’s Your Version???

 

It’s been a busy week at our house—getting new hardware and software and trying to get it all set up, installed, transferred, and trying to adjust ‘me’ to the new tools and formats.  I wasn’t sure that I could even get today’s article done without throwing the computer across the room, with all the changes.  When we think about the title of this article, several things may come to mind; officers taking accident reports may get several ‘versions’ of what happened, or at the scene of a crime there may be several versions of the who, what, when, where and how the crime transpired.  As Bible students, there are various ‘versions’ of the Bible to study from. But as I was setting up all the new ‘technology’ this week, it was very apparent that ‘syncing’ all the devises required a compatibility of software ‘versions’—in other words, the software had to be compatible across all the devices that I was trying to sync.  I hit a snag several times when some ‘old’ versions of particular items had come over to the new—so I had to remove the ‘old’ and make sure the ‘new’ was ‘in charge’!  The question came to mind that our lives are lived according to our ‘version’ of God, what version are you and I living by?

This will affect our spiritual lives in much the same way as my software/hardware syncing was absolutely essential to the working of my equipment and my being able to efficiently teach, write and post the things that God leads me to share.  But most importantly we must be sure that we have come to Jesus, for when we do, He puts His Spirit in our hearts and I become a ‘new’ version of ‘me’!  Being daily “conformed to the image of His Son”!  A “new creature” “in Christ”!  And that my friends, is what we want to consider today—and every day!

“Therefore

if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us

to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given

to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed

unto us

the word of reconciliation.”    2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Oh, what a glory that God has “reconciled us to himself”, and not only “reconciled us”, but he has “given to us the ministry of reconciliation”.  God has called us to a ministry for Him, to others—we have the good news, and we are to share it.  But it must be the message of Truth, about The Truth, JESUS—and HE still saves, and changes lives today—putting us ‘in sync’ with the God who loves us!

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach

the gospel

to you

that are at Rome also.

16 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 1:15-17

Sometimes people misunderstand what faith is—it’s not ‘pie in the sky-by and by’ but it is confidence in The One in whom our faith is placed.  Faith is only as good as the object in which it is placed.  I can place my confidence in many things, but if those things aren’t sufficient to the task, I will be disappointed, but GOD will never fail, for HE always keeps HIS word, and when our ‘faith’ is in HIM, we will have the victory for:

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he

that is in you,

than he

that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4 

We must choose our “operating system”!  Will it be God that we choose, or the enemy of our souls.  We can choose to stay in his camp, or we can come to Jesus in repentance and faith.

“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;)”.   Ephesians 2:1-5

We who ‘were’ dead in sin, God “quickened”—made alive—and gave us new life in Jesus Christ our Lord! And Paul goes on in this same passage and paints a glorious picture of our new life in Jesus—a life of faith and good works that come out of our salvation, not works that bring salvation; for salvation is by faith—our operating system—through grace, God’s amazing provision for HIS ‘version’ of redemption.  God doesn’t just clean us up and send us on our way!  NO, He saves, delivers and gives us a hope and a future in Jesus.

“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 2:6-10

Praise God for HIS amazing grace—we are delivered from that old ‘operating system’ of sin to the ‘operating system’ of grace, mercy and truth—amazing grace that saves, redeems and transforms.

“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

Saved by His blood, changed by HIS love, continually being transformed by His indwelling Holy Spirit.

“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

I pray that you will examine your own heart today, and just as I worked on making sure all my ‘devices’ had compatible versions of software, may you be sure that you have come to Jesus in repentance and faith—repentance from your sin, and going your own way, and faith in the substitutionary (He took my/your place), atoning (making our wrong right), sacrifice (He paid the sin-debt we owed with His own blood, when He had no sin!)!  Jesus paid it all for you and me, so that we might have Hislife in us.

“I am the door:

by me

if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 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 10:9-11

“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

We can have victory in Jesus as we walk INHim and follow His direction in our lives; and one of the best ways to do that is to dig into HISWord that we can “order my steps in your word”!  And we can’t ask God to order our steps in His Word if we don’t avail ourselves of its content!

“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

And His Word is trustworthy to the task—HISversion is dependable!

“All scriptureis 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 3:16-17

What version are you using?  Self or The Savior?  It’s your choice but remember there is a test at the end!

Amen and Amen!!!

Increasing Or Decreasing??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 18

23 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Christmas IS?, Decreasing Or Increasing?, Merry Christmas

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.18 Increasing Or Decreasing???

 

As many prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this week, I’d like to send you Christmas greetings with a spin. Instead of “merry and bright” (and there’s nothing wrong with being merry or bright) may we consider what we have done for our “New born King”, or have we spent all our time and efforts on our own gratification and satisfaction? Paul called the Philippians to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”…..who willingly took on the “form of a servant”. John the Baptizer also had the heart and mind of a servant; he was born to play “second fiddle”! Not a thing that most of us want to consider; for we balk at not being first in anything and everything, and we continually push our children to –win “first” place, be in the “first” chair, get the “leading” role, be the “star” player on the sports team. Yet God calls us to serve! Jesus IS the “bright and morning star” and in HIS presence and Kingdom we ought to be the ones subject to HIM, not the ones dictating to HIM our every whim and want! (See Philippians 2:5-11)

Let’s see what John the Baptizer had to say when asked about Jesus’ increase as John was decreasing?

“Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.

26 And they came unto John, and said unto him,

Rabbi,

he that was with thee beyond Jordan,

to whom thou barest witness,

behold, the same baptizeth,

and all men come to him.

27 John answered and said,

A man can receive nothing,

except it be given him

from heaven.

28 Ye yourselves bear me witness,

that I said,

I am not the Christ,

but that I am sent before him.

29 He that hath the bride

is the bridegroom:

but the friend of the bridegroom,

which standeth

and heareth him,

rejoiceth greatly

because

of the bridegroom’s voice:

this my joy therefore

is fulfilled.

30 He must increase,

but I must decrease.

31 He that cometh from above

is above all:

he that is of the earth

is earthly,

and speaketh of the earth:

he that cometh from heaven

is above all.

32 And what he hath seen and heard,

that he testifieth;

and no man receiveth his testimony.

33 He that hath received his testimony

hath set to his seal

that God is true.

34 For he whom God hath sent

speaketh the words of God:

for God giveth not the Spirit

by measure

unto him.

35 The Father loveth the Son,

and hath given all things into his hand.

36 He that believeth on the Son

hath everlasting life:

and he that believeth not the Son

shall not see life;

but the wrath of God

abideth on him.” John 3:25-31

Consider the things that John reveals to us—he knew who he was, and he knew who JESUS was—the Son of God. Let’s consider what John recognized about himself and his successor! John said of himself:

27—a man can only receive what God gives—

28—I told you I wasn’t the “Christ”–

But I am the one sent ‘before’ HIM—

29–I am not the bridegroom—

But the friend of the bridegroom—

Who stands by HIM—

Who hears HIM—

Who rejoices to hear HIM—

Whose joy is fulfilled in HIM—

30—I must decrease (for HE must increase)–

31–I am of the earth (HE is of heaven)—

John knew and understood that true joy comes in being what God called him to be, and doing what HE called him to do, and we ought to do likewise! John was sent to be the ‘forerunner’ of Jesus, the one who would prepare the way—not be the way! The Apostle John told us this in chapter 1.

“15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying,

This was he of whom I spake,

He that cometh after me

is preferred before me:

for he was before me…..

23 He said,

I am the voice of one crying

in the wilderness,

Make straight the way of the Lord,

as said the prophet Esaias……

26 John answered them, saying,

I baptize with water:

but there standeth one among you,

whom ye know not;

27 He it is,

who coming after me

is preferred before me,

whose shoe’s latchet

I am not worthy to unloose……

29 The next day John seeth Jesus

coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me:

for he was before me.”   Portions of John 1:15-30

Oh, to know my Lord so well, that I would recognize Him at every turn; that I would know my place of service, my sacrifice of love, my opportunities sent from Him to make a difference in the hearts and lives of others (more often than not without even knowing that I’ve touched them)! This is the true joy of living for Jesus, and celebrating Christmas all year long. People who come into our home often ask why I have my nativity sets (and I have several) out during the rest of the year, and I almost always reply by telling them that I love Jesus and I want others to know that HE is worthy of our praise, love and acknowledgment every day of the year—not just at Christmas time and/or Resurrection Sunday! Our love for Jesus will be seen in our everyday interactions with others, both near and far, kith and kin, those we love easily and those we struggle to love, for it’s all about Jesus (and only in HIS power can we do anything!)!

But let’s go back to our passage in John 3 and take note of what John the Baptizer had to say about Jesus, as he responded to his followers who were concerned about Jesus’ increase and his own decrease!

27—a man can only receive what God gives—

 and Jesus received the task to redeem mankind—

28—John wasn’t “Christ” but JESUS was—

29—Jesus is the bridegroom—

and HE brings joy to HIS own—

30—HE must increase—

31—HE came from above (John/human –Jesus/deity)—

Because HE IS from above, HE is over ALL—

32—He testifies of what HE has seen and heard—

in heaven, from His father, to reveal life to us—

33—To receive HIS testimony is to receive GOD—

God IS true—

34–Jesus, whom HE sent, IS truth, and speaks truth—

For HE has the limitless power of the Holy Spirit—

35—Jesus IS the Son of God—

God loves HIM—

And God has given ALL things into HIS hand—

36—Jesus IS the giver of life to all who believe in HIM—

Those who believe NOT shall not see life—

but will have the wrath of God abiding on them—

WOW! What a message; what insight, what humility, what glory to so know our own calling that we can speak God’s truth in power, and authority knowing that we are doing HIS work not our own!!! It’s what we are saved and called to be and do!

“In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

32 But he said unto them,

I have meat to eat

that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another,

Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

34 Jesus saith unto them,

My meat is to do the will

of him

that sent me,

and to finish his work.”   John 4:31-34

Are we so busy seeking His blessings that we don’t have time to fulfill HIS call upon our lives. As John Bunyan portrayed in Pilgrim’s Progress, we are on a journey to God’s kingdom, and we have a work in this world as we go! So many today preach and teach the idea of an endless heavenly “slot machine” that pours out the blessings of God in material ways, with no thought that God has called us and saved us to be a reflection of His love to the world, doing HIS work, being HIS witness. It’s so sad that we have so often missed Ephesians 2:10 while camping out on verses 8-9. While we don’t work for our salvation, we do work for our Lord because of the salvation that HE has afforded us at the cross. It’s NOT about me—it’s about JESUS, and if HE came to do God’s will and finish God’s work, how could we expect less from ourselves, we whom HE has saved by HIS own 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

Jesus himself warned us of the danger of missing HIM:

“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 7:21-23

So as you celebrate the birth of The King, in whatever way you may do that, will you be celebrating The Newborn KING, Jesus, or something else?

“And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.” John 6:40

My Christmas prayer for you and yours is that you will see JESUS in truth and grace; that you will take this special time of year and focus not only on the ‘babe… in the manger’ but also on the Redeeming work that HE accomplished at Calvary!!! He truly came that we might have HIS life in us!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 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 10:9-11

Praying that you know Him, and if you don’t, that you will come to know HIM today!!! It’s why HE came, and it is truly why I/we celebrate!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken

of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.” Matthew 1:21-24

“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

Amen and Amen!!! Merry Christmas—and in Charles Dickens style, “God bless us every one” in JESUS!!!