Tag Archives: John 14:6

Clean Water–It’s A Choice??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 23

20 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by in Clean Water?, Holiness, IN Jesus!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Polluted by the world?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.23 Clean Water—It’s A Choice???

 

Some time ago a large northern city changed their water source to save some money, apparently without due diligence in regard to the quality of the water that their residents would be consuming, which lead to quite a scandal when the water was found to be harmful to the consumers, a scandal that is still being resolved. While water is essential for human life, it is also an essential element of our spiritual life—for Jesus is the water of life. Good, clean water will promote a healthy population, while polluted water can bring disease, sickness and other issues that result in an unhealthy population.

I’d like is to consider the spiritual consequences of polluted water in our own spiritual life. If we are walking with Jesus, and drinking from the fountain of His Word, led by His Holy Spirit, our lives should then share pure water, not water polluted by the contaminants of the world. Jesus told the woman of the well that if she came to Him for water it would be an eternal source of sustenance and refreshing.

“Jesus answered and said unto her,

If thou knewest the gift of God,

and who it is that saith to thee,

Give me to drink;

thou wouldest have asked of him,

and he would have given thee

living water.

11 The woman saith unto him,

Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with,

and the well is deep:

from whence then

hast thou that living water?

12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob,

which gave us the well,

and drank thereof himself,

and his children, and his cattle?

13 Jesus answered and said unto her,

Whosoever drinketh of this water

shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water

that I shall give him

shall never thirst;

but the water that I shall give him

shall be

in him

a well of water

springing up

into everlasting life.”   John 4:10-14

As Jesus told this woman of Samaria, and us as well, about “the water that I shall give him”–it is not just for the “after life”, but for “everlasting life”—if you would, for everlasting “living” in this world while we are here, as well for eternity with Jesus in heaven!

When we continually remember that Jesus is our source of all things, we can walk in holy, pure victory every day (not ease but victory!). We can make a difference in this world—but only when we drink from HIS fountain, and allow His Word to pervade our life, our attitudes, and our choices, which will be a reflection of what is truly in our heart; either the filling of the Holy Spirit or the influence of the world—we continually must choose to walk with our Lord or let the darkness pervade our heart and life.

Going back to the law of Moses, God warns us that we aren’t to be led astray by the influences around us—we are to stand fast in God’s ways and not fall for the lies, deceit and perverse ways of the world.

“Thou shalt not raise a false report:

put not thine hand with the wicked

to be an unrighteous witness.

2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude

to do evil;

neither shalt thou speak in a cause

to decline after many

to wrest judgment:

3 Neither shalt thou countenance

a poor man in his cause.”   Exodus 23:1-3

We must keep our eyes on Jesus—and that can often mean a strict line of separation between God’s ways and the world’s ways. We often think that we’re the only ones who have faced the challenges before us, but God warned the children of Israel those many years ago to be cautious of the dangers of ‘lies’—big ones, small ones, seemingly innocent ones, which are still lies and deceit. We are warned to not be false in our own testimony of anything, nor to join the wicked in their lies/deceit regardless of their so-called “good causes”. God said we are to avoid “mob rule”, which can work up a frenzy to the harm of many; nor are we to join others in obstructing justice—for the rich or the poor. We are to follow God not others, no matter how charismatic or charming their lies may seem! God is no part of lies!

“In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised

before the world began;

3 But hath in due times manifested his word

through preaching,

which is committed unto me

according to the commandment

of God our Saviour;” Titus 1:2-3

And while our God IS truth, and “cannot lie”, there is one who is the epitome of all lies, and Jesus called him by name!

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came

from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 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.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me

of sin?

And if I say the truth,

why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.” John 8:42-47

Even as The Lord Jesus told His disciples before He went to the cross:

“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

Jesus IS Truth, and in Him we can know truth, we can walk in truth, we can live truth. Paul painted so many pictures of the ‘truth’ that we possess in, with and through the salvation that is IN HIM!

“That we should be to the praise of his glory,

who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted,

after that ye heard

the word of truth,

the gospel of your salvation:

in whom also after that ye believed,

ye were sealed

with that holy Spirit

of promise,” Ephesians 1:12-13

“But speaking the truth

in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ….

21 If so be that ye have heard him,

and have been taught by him,

as the truth

is in Jesus:” Ephesians 4:15 & 21

“For ye were sometimes darkness,

but now are ye light

in the Lord:

walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit

is in all goodness

and righteousness

and truth😉

10 Proving what is acceptable

unto the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10

It’s not my goodness that is the evidence that I belong to Jesus, but it’s HIS “goodness and righteousness and truth” being displayed in my living before the world as I “walk in the Spirit”, with a heart that is full of Jesus’ “goodness and righteousness and truth”! That will be the ‘proof’ as my mouth speaks forth the things of God! Jesus and James both make reference to this inescapable connection that speaks much louder than mere ‘words’!

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye, being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure

of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.”   Matthew 12:34-36

And again Jesus says:

“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:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”    Matthew 15:18-20

The mouth can be the portal into the heart, to reveal that which is true, right and just, or that which comes out of deceit, wrong and unjust motives. James warns believers to beware of what their mouth reveals.

“Behold also the ships,

which though they be so great,

and are driven of fierce winds,

yet are they turned about

with a very small helm,

whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue

is a little member,

and boasteth great things.

Behold, how great a matter

a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire,

a world of iniquity:

so is the tongue among our members,

that it defileth

the whole body,

and setteth on fire

the course of nature;

and it is set on fire

of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea,

is tamed,

and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue

can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God,

even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude

of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth

blessing

and cursing.

My brethren,

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain

send forth at the same place

sweet water

and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain both yield

salt water

and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge

among you?

let him shew

out of a good conversation

his works

with meekness

of wisdom.”   James 3:6-13

What does our mouth reveal about our walk with the Lord? It grieves my heart that so many who claim the name of Jesus, and even serve in His kingdom in places of leadership have come to accept that which, as a friend wrote recently, presents the “profane mixed with the holy” (From a post by “WholesomeCommunication@Wholesomecommunication” titled “Setting the Spiritual Table”, I encourage you to check out their Facebook page.) God again and again calls us to “be ye holy, as I am holy”, and His holiness is always pure! Even as James says—our words ought to agree with our profession—do we belong to Jesus, and HE to us? Or do our words defile our testimony? Jesus makes it clear that just “saying so” doesn’t “make it so”! Do our words and actions match The Word of The Lord?

“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 7:20-23

And as Jesus goes on to say—it’s the foundation that is the proof, not just the house that is seen above ground! Who is your foundation? Jesus? Where are you getting your water from? Jesus or the polluted water of the world? It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test at the end.

“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.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:”   Matthew 7:24-28

 

Justice Or ‘Just-Ice’??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 22

13 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Just Jesus!, Justice, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.22 Justice or ‘Just-Ice’???

 

Justice:   –the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness,

or moral rightness…

–rightfulness or lawfulness…justness or ground of reason….

–the moral principle determining just conduct.

Simply put, justice is the recognition of, and the ability to choose to do right! For many today that is a fluid thing, it changes from day to day, and from situation to situation; in other words what’s ‘just’ today may not be ‘just’ tomorrow; or what’s ‘just’ for ‘me’ may not be ‘just’ for ‘you’! Praise God “from whom all blessings flow”, that HE is just, and true and right in all things, yet His justice is tempered with mercy, grace and the offer of salvation through “His only begotten Son” so that “whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life”! Grace and mercy offered to all who will believe in and receive Jesus, rather than the just judgment of God Almighty in “that day”!

For that I am most grateful—for, as the song says, “I once was lost, but now am found”—to be found “in Him” saved, and delivered, not left on my own with a defense that could never save me from the penalty or power of sin.

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;”    Romans 3:23-25

We have all sinned—but we can become sinners saved by His grace if we will but repent and believe in HIS saving work in us—it’s why HE came.

“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

He came that we might have life instead of death.

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit

unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.”

All because Jesus paid our debt:

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Romans 6:22-23

Oh, what glory to be born again by HIS Spirit and be made the children—sons and daughters—of God, by HIS work not our own.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man, but

of God.” John 1:12-13

Oh, how glorious to know that I am HIS child, all because “God so loved”! But what we often forget is that when God saves us and imparts His Spirit to dwell within us we are to exercise real “justice” by the power of Jesus; and not just give “just” ‘ice” (from a cold heart, to give a cold shoulder) to others whom God brings into our lives. How often do we miss (or just ignore and overlook) opportunities to “be” Jesus to someone in need? God gave Isaiah a heavy word in this regard to Israel many years ago—but it’s a message that I believe we would do good to heed. How many of us have accepted the standard of the world rather than the standard of our Lord and Savior, Jesus and our Father God?

Have we read The Word, but failed to put it into practice? Have we studied and let God put that very Word in our hearts, or have we “played church” when we ought to “be the church” to a lost and dying world. I truly believe that when we approach The Word with a heart to ‘see what it says, understand what it means in its context, and apply what it means to “MY” life’, that we will experience the true “joy of the Lord” being “our strength”!

“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

Saved to do His service and be HIS hands and feet to a lost and dying world. Yes saved by grace “through faith”—yet saved to serve God and others.

“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

As I said—as God said—we are saved to serve, and our service, when done in the power of His Spirit and not our flesh will draw others to our Lord. But when we just ‘go through the motions’ to please ourselves or others, that is not service unto God, but is self-righteous idolatry—unto the idol of ‘self’, popularity, power, position, or whatever you want to put in the blank. Let’s consider what God said through Isaiah. It’s a lengthy passage, but one worthy of our time and consideration. (If you want a really in-depth look at this idea of ‘self-focused’ leaders and what God thinks of them read and study Ezekiel 34.)

“Cry aloud,

spare not,

lift up thy voice like a trumpet,

and shew my people

their transgression,

and the house of Jacob

their sins.

2 Yet they seek me daily,

and delight to know my ways,

as a nation that did righteousness,

and forsook not the ordinance of their God:

they ask of me the ordinances of justice;

they take delight in approaching to God.

3 Wherefore have we fasted,

say they,

and thou seest not?

wherefore have we afflicted our soul,

and thou takest no knowledge?

Behold,

in the day of your fast

ye find pleasure,

and exact all your labours.

4 Behold,

ye fast for strife

and debate,

and to smite with the fist

of wickedness:

ye shall not fast as ye do this day,

to make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen?

a day for a man to afflict his soul?

is it to bow down his head

as a bulrush,

and to spread sackcloth and ashes

under him?

wilt thou call this a fast,

and an acceptable day to the LORD?

6 Is not this the fast

that I have chosen?

to loose the bands of wickedness,

to undo the heavy burdens,

and to let the oppressed go free,

and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not

to deal thy bread to the hungry,

and that thou bring the poor

that are cast out

to thy house?

when thou seest the naked,

that thou cover him;

and that thou hide not thyself

from thine own flesh?

8 Then shall thy light break forth

as the morning,

and thine health shall spring forth

speedily:

and thy righteousness shall

go before thee;

the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

9 Then shalt thou call,

and the LORD shall answer;

thou shalt cry,

and he shall say, Here I am.

If thou take away from the midst of thee

the yoke,

the putting forth of the finger,

and speaking vanity;

10 And if thou draw out thy soul

to the hungry,

and satisfy the afflicted soul;

then shall thy light rise

in obscurity,

and thy darkness

be as the noonday:

11 And the LORD shall guide thee

continually,

and satisfy thy soul

in drought,

and make fat

thy bones:

and thou shalt be

like a watered garden,

and like

a spring of water,

whose waters fail not.”   Isaiah 58:1-11

God describes for us here a life of service, empowered by HIS grace, His love and His Son’s blood-bought salvation, which we receive by grace through faith! Jesus not only showed us what it looks like, but His blood cleanses us and equips us for HIS service and HIS glory.

“And he said unto them,

The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship

over them;

and they that exercise authority

upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so:

but he that is greatest among you,

let him be as the younger;

and he that is chief,

as he that doth serve.

27 For whether is greater,

he that sitteth at meat,

or he that serveth?

is not he that sitteth at meat?

but I am among you as he that serveth.”   Luke 22:25-27

Jesus made it clear that we are to serve, one another as believers, and the world as we have opportunity. Paul also gives us a clear picture of our place as servants of the King who came and ‘served’ us—giving Himself “a ransom for many”!

“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.”   Philippians 2:5-11

We can do God’s work of service—and walk in justice and truth from a heart of God’s love; instead of being “just” “ice” and giving the world a cold shoulder as they go “to hell in a hand-basket”! We can do because we have Jesus!

“To the praise

of the glory

of his grace,

wherein he hath made us

accepted in the beloved.”    Ephesians 1:6

Accepted in HIM, to be a living sacrifice to God!

“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

Being full of God’s Spirit unto HIS glory—becoming more and more like Jesus as we let HIS Word shine through us—“approved unto God”.

“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

So may we each pursue “justice” in all our ways—God’s justice, mercy and truth found IN Jesus, for HE is God’s truth!

“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!!!

 

 

Brides And Heaven??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #520

04 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Brides And Heaven, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Marriage

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #520   Brides And Heaven???

 

When we think of winter, we don’t think much about weddings; we think of weddings in the spring and summer, but the thing I’d like us to consider this morning is the fact that in our culture we have come to consider “Brides” and “weddings” without any consideration for the “marriage”! It came to my mind this morning as I pondered on this article that we think much the same way about heaven, as an old song goes, “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die!” (As best as I can determine, written by Loretta Lynn [not the modern version]). We have reduced the Gospel to a ticket to heaven with no relationship to God through His Son Jesus, no dealing with sin, and no bowing before the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved and “transformed” by His sacrifice and His Spirit!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness

of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14

You see, we must understand that just as a wedding ought to have a good marriage as its end, a salvation that takes one to heaven must encompass the changing of a heart and life by the power of the blood of Jesus, because SIN IS the issue, and only Jesus can change a sinner into a saint.

“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 5:17-19

Jesus saves, reconciles and delivers men, women, boys and girls from sin! It’s what HE came to do!

“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

Jesus imparts to us HIS righteousness in exchange for our sin, then we are to share the Good News in power and truth!

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 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 5:20-21

Jesus paid a debt HE didn’t owe, so that we could have life in Him, and also be empowered to walk in the righteousness “of God”, but only “in him”–JESUS! All this because God “made him to be sin for us”! HE paid my debt, and gives me HIS life! HE is the only way to heaven for you or me!

“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

No matter how much “everybody” wants to “go” to heaven, JESUS is still the only way—no matter how much the world waters down the truth of the Gospel. Be sure and read Matthew 7, and see what Jesus Himself has to say about those who simply “say” “Lord, Lord”, and don’t truly know Him in repentance and faith, receiving HIS “transforming” salvation! But what does that have to do with “Brides”? A lot really, for the same God, who sent Jesus, gave us marriage, and HE gave it to us as a true and holy picture of His desire to make us “one” with Him. Yet, we have become a culture that has made “weddings” the prime focus—with lots of money spent, extravaganzas put on, yet little or no attention given to the relationship of “one man” and “one woman” until death do us part! That is God’s plan and no matter what the world says, or how much we have drifted from the truth, God will hold us (especially the church who has compromised this issue beyond measure!) accountable for what we have done with The truth.

Now I’m not throwing rocks, for I also bought the lies for many years, messing up my own life and the lives of my children, as well as others around me who warned of the danger that I was taking on in rejecting God’s plan for my own “happiness” my own “way”! What about you? Have you compromised God’s truth because it is so rampant around us? Have you traded God’s truth for cultural “sensitivity”? God’s plan, His Word and His purpose for us has never changed—He loves us and has called us to walk His way, not our own. And we can only do that through the power of Jesus’ blood and His Holy Spirit, who is given to every one who comes to Him in repentance and faith!

“Be not thou therefore ashamed

of the testimony of our Lord,

nor of me his prisoner:

but be thou partaker of the afflictions

of the gospel

according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us,

and called us

with an holy calling,

not according to our works,

but according to his own

purpose and grace,

which was given us

in Christ Jesus

before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest

by the appearing of our

Saviour Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death,

and hath brought life and immortality

to light through the gospel:”   2 Timothy 1:8-10

The rules haven’t changed for ‘brides’ or ‘heaven’.

“Marriage is honourable in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers

and adulterers

God will judge.

5 Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord

is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”   Hebrews 13:4-6

I pray that we will get back to The Truth, and spread the Good News by our lives, our words and our actions!!! It’s what God has called us to do! May we walk in HIS Spirit not our flesh!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh……..

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”   Galatians 5:16 & 25

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!!!

Come To Worship??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 17

16 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abiding In Jesus, Come And Worship?, Worship Him!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.17   Come To Worship HIM???

 

“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 4:9-12

This is the song of praise that is lifted up when The Lamb of God (“who takes away the sin of the world”) takes the “book/scroll” that will initiate the culmination of God’s plan for the ages. Jesus, The Lamb, takes the book and receives this praise, glory and honor that only God is worthy to receive! But then, Jesus is God, and worthy of our praise and worship. Even as Jesus was coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and the crowds were praising Him as the “King” who had come in ‘The Name of The Lord’, and the religious leaders rebuked Him for receiving this praise, He declared His worthiness to receive worship and glory! And worship actually comes from an old English word meaning “worth-ship”. And HE truly is worthy of worship!

“Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him,

Master,

rebuke thy disciples.

40 And he answered and said unto them,

I tell you that,

if these should hold their peace,

the stones

would immediately

cry out.” Luke 19:38-40

Jesus was in conflict with these leaders during most of His earthly ministry, even though He revealed truth to them time and time again, but they didn’t want to receive HIM or HIS testimony of being The Messiah. Yet God had confirmed His deity throughout His mission of salvation, and not once did God rebuke anyone who “worshipped” HIM!

“I am the LORD:

that is my name:

and my glory

will I not give to another,

neither my praise

to graven images.

9 Behold, the former things are come to pass,

and new things do I declare:

before they spring forth

I tell you of them.

10 Sing unto the LORD

a new song,

and his praise

from the end of the earth,

ye that go down to the sea,

and all that is therein;

the isles,

and the inhabitants thereof.”   Isaiah 42:8-10

Jesus, contrary to a lot of teaching going around today, did proclaim Himself to be God—God the Son—who had come to accomplish the work of salvation, which The Father sent Him to do.

“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 1:21-23

Jesus was, “God with us”, who came to “save his people from their sins”, and we are made “his people” by faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice which saves people “from their sins”! Oh, how grateful we are for the “Amazing Grace” that God extends to all who will believe in Jesus, and receive the new birth of salvation, and the “Spirit of God”, who teaches us what real worship is. The same picture that Jesus reveled to the woman at the Well of Sychar—the first person on record to hear Jesus directly proclaim His deity as The Messiah!!!

“But the hour cometh,

and now is,

when the true worshippers

shall worship the Father

in spirit

and in truth:

for the Father seeketh such

to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him

in spirit

and in truth.

25 The woman saith unto him,

I know that Messias cometh,

which is called Christ:

when he is come,

he will tell us all things.

26 Jesus saith unto her,

I that speak unto thee

am he.”   John 4:23-26

Jesus is worthy of our worship because HE is “spirit” and “truth”! He IS God!

“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.

31 Then the Jews took up stones again

to stone him.” John 10:27-31

Jesus clearly proclaimed Himself to be “God”! And notice, not only did they want to stone Him, but also it wasn’t the first time, they “took up stones again to stone him”! But why did they want to stone Him, many say that they didn’t understand, but the scripture tells us different:

“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 10:33

Instead of those multitudes that fall down and worship Him in Revelation 5, these leaders refused to receive the truth, and accused Jesus (the very Savior they said they were looking for) of blasphemy—they truly had, as Jesus told them again and again, no desire to perceive truth!

“Therefore speak I to them in parables:

because they seeing

see not;

and hearing

they hear not,

neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias,

which saith,

By hearing

ye shall hear,

and shall not understand;

and seeing

ye shall see,

and shall not perceive:

15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross,

and their ears are dull of hearing,

and their eyes they have closed;

lest at any time they should see

with their eyes,

and hear

with their ears,

and should understand

with their heart,

and should be converted,

and I should heal them.”    Matthew 13:13-15

Jesus wants us to receive Him and know Him and His Father in the new birth so that we can truly be those who “worship him in spirit and in truth”! We can actually receive the “righteousness of God” which enables us to know Him and walk with Him as a “new creation”—all by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit; for without Jesus and His Spirit we cannot truly worship in “spirit” or “truth”.

“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

And how do we acquire this “spirit”? Only by faith in the Son’s sacrifice for our sin, and by faith the very presence of “The Spirit of Christ”, who is the confirmation of our salvation. It is also by HIS power and direction that we can truly worship in “Spirit and Truth” knowing the very presence of our Lord. Even as Jesus said:

“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

When we receive Him, He is IN us, and we are IN Him, and God is conforming us into the image of His Son, affecting change in us, which will in turn affect those around us.

“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

As we saw in Revelation 5, He bought and paid for our salvation, and makes us children of God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit! (See John 1:12-14)

“for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood”

And contrary to popular belief, there aren’t many ways to God—only ONE—the ONE who shed HIS blood for us!!!

“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

That IS why HE is worthy of our praise, worship and obedient service! How are you worshipping God, in Spirit and truth, or with lip service only? You may be able to fool others, but as my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all the time, and you can fool all of the people some of the time, but you can never fool God!” Are you walking “in the Spirit” or “the flesh”? It will tell, for you must possess (and be possessed by) the Holy Spirit or you are not HIS (Look above at Romans 8:9).

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh……..

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 & 24-25

Are we singing His praises on Sunday, yet living in direct opposition to His Word the other 6 days of the week? That, my friends, is not true worship—no Spirit—no Truth—it’s not worship. Simply put, worship is living life, by The Spirit, in obedience to The One whom we claim as Lord. Jesus made this very clear in Matthew 7.

“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 7:20-23

Are you living a life that “says,” “Lord, Lord” but acts out “Me, Me”? The closing of Jesus message in Matthew 7, puts the icing on the cake—it’s not how your life appears to the world, but what your foundation consists of—Jesus, the rock, or the sand of the world. You may have everyone fooled, but the storms will come and will reveal the truth, no matter how “pretty” your house appears on the outside! This simple example implies that both houses looked alike until the storms came—and they will come! What about YOU?

“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.”   Mathew 7:24-27

So what we find here are two men, each one built a house, and chose the foundation; one chose the “rock” as his foundation, the other chose the “sand” for his foundation, it was easier, it was quicker, it was cheaper, and besides no one would see what foundation he had! But our choices will always bring their own consequences, for the storms will come. Jesus didn’t say, “if the storms came”, He said they “came”—maybe not today, or tomorrow but they will come! And the foundation that you have chosen will be revealed, for the consequence will follow the choice!

“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

I think Paul’s message here parallels what Jesus said about our choice of the road we follow, and our choice of a ‘life’ road will determine our destiny—both the living of it as well as our eternal destiny.

“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

So as we are surrounded by the seasonal things of Christmas, may we truly be like the “Wise Men” and worship HIM not the trappings! They gave—they didn’t seek gifts!

“Saying,

Where is he that is born King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star in the east,

and are come to worship him……..

11 And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child

with Mary his mother,

and fell down,

and worshipped him:

and when they had opened their treasures,

they presented unto him gifts;

gold,

and frankincense,

and myrrh.” Matthew 2:2 & 11

Have you “come to worship HIM”, or have you come to be worshipped? The choice is ours, may we choose wisely, for there is a test at the end. Is our life a sacrifice of praise and worship before Him, or are we too busy taking care of self! May our praise and worship be genuine and offered in Spirit and Truth, to HIM who “is born King of the Jews”? Don’t let the glitter and the busyness of the season rob you of the joy of true worship of our soon-coming KING! May we hear Him say “well done, thou good and faithful servant” not “I never knew you….depart from me”?

“By him therefore

let us offer the sacrifice of praise

to God

continually,

that is,

the fruit of our lips

giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good

and to communicate

forget not:

for with such sacrifices

God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:5-6

Amen and Amen!!!