Tag Archives: John 16:7-11

You Can Do This!!! But How??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #791

27 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Assurance or Arrogance, Changed Lives, Comfort, Confidence, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, TODAY, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Tomorrow, Trendy Or Truth, Trials, Troubles, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, Under His Wings, Unexpected Interruptions, Victory IN Jesus!, Walk in the Spirit, Walking With Jesus, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #791   You Can Do This!!!  But How???

I have a word to share this morning, a word that we all can use on most days and probably today!  And to set just a bit of context before we dive into this first passage, Paul was talking about Israel in the wilderness (and yes, we are to study the Old Testament as well as the New, so we might learn from the testimonies that God recorded for us!), and how we can learn from their choices.  We can know that God is in charge, and our ‘temptations and trials’ are filtered through His fingers of love; we just need to look up, knowing that HE will provide!

“Now all these things happened unto them

for ensamples:

and they are written for our admonition,

 upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth

take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you

but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful,

who will not suffer you to be tempted

above that ye are able;

but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape,

that ye may be able to bear it.”   1 Corinthians 10:11-13

Paul is teaching us to not only live in the truth of God’s written Word, but to remember the examples HE has recorded for us to learn from as we walk through this world of chaos and confusion.  But we need not be either of those things as those who have seen the promise fulfilled of the Messiah who delivered salvation on the cross—salvation for all who will believe and receive the Gospel that Jesus paid for sin—my sin and yours!  And not only has HE paid for our sin but has given HIS gift of The Holy Spirit, just as HE promised to all those who are born again by His power, His provision and His purposes through The Holy Spirit/The Comforter—the source of God’s provision to His own!

So, let’s peruse some references about who the Holy Spirit is, and what HE would accomplish.  First of all, HE is the one who brings us to faith in Jesus (and the “HE” in this passage from John 1 is a reference to Jesus–“The Word…The Creator…The Light of the world!”  The One who promised to send HIS precious Holy Spirit to HIS own!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

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

God brings us to the cross via the conviction (the work of the Holy Spirit in man to bring them to see sin as sin, and Jesus as the only cure, see John 14:16-18 & 16:6-8) of sin which HIS Holy Spirit reveals to man!  He leads to the truth of the gospel—on which I stand like Paul, and you can too!

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

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written,

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

The gospel that Paul declared and stood on is the foundation of our faith—JESUS, and HIS substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for sin– the truth we stand upon! Paul also gave us the “Gospel in a nutshell”, if you would allow me to call it that!  Consider how concisely He proclaims 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

The Gospel IS JESUS:

It can only be shared by those who have “received” it—

Christ died for our sins—the only way (See John 14:6)-

 ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES—

Christ Jesus was buried—HE WAS DEAD—

HE AROSE—on the third day—victorious over—

Sin, death, and hell—

ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES—

HE was seen alive by many witnesses!

Jesus paid the price that only the Lamb of God could pay.  Have you come to HIM in repentance and faith?  I pray that you have and if you haven’t, that you will come to HIM today!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.”  John 1:29

“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.”   John 3:16-19

There is so much more that I wish I had time (and finger strength left) to share here, but I pray that God will open our hearts to receive HIS truth as truth—that we will respond in faith and obedience—and share that which we have received, in whatever ways God provides and leads us to!  I would like to share a few passages to encourage and assure us that Jesus died for you and me—for our sin—but when HE died, rose again, and ascended to heaven (until HIS return), HE sent us the amazing gift of HIS Holy Spirit to reside within and lead us into HIS truth, equipping us to minister truth to a lost and dying world.  Jesus promised that The Holy Spirit would bring us into all truth if we will but receive and heed HIS leading in our lives—our every day, our walking about days, our tear-filled days, our laughing days—our EVERY hour days! Jesus promised us all we would need to press on.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

 I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world

of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

 because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

And some more from Paul’s letters that I pray will help and encourage each of us to look up, walk straight and press on!  (See Acts 1:1-8)

“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,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance

until the redemption

of the purchased possession,

unto the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:13-14

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

 unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:29-32

And the message to the Galatian believers:

“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 walking in The Spirit, or our own ways?  Oh, Jesus, please do your work in our hearts through this precious Holy Spirit which you have imparted to all who are born again by HIS work of conviction and awakening to the debt of sin we owed.  Thank you, Lord, for your love, your sacrifice, and your forgiveness of my sin—for paying my ‘sin debt’!

“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

Jesus gives forgiveness of sin, and we should be recognized by actions which reflect the ONE who lives in us.  How about me?   How about you?  Will we honor the One who saved us—the ONE who calls us to walk in “holiness”?  While it’s simple to remember that God “has it”, it’s not always easy to remember how that looks.  Remember that God filters everything that comes into our lives, and whether its “Job” like tragedy and strife, or blessings—He is working “all things” for our good!

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness,

but unto holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7

“And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”  Romans 8:28-29

‘Nuff said!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

No Other Name!!! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #780

25 Friday Feb 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Judgment, Just Jesus!, Justice

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #780. No Other Name!!!  Really???

 

“And as they spake unto the people,

the priests, and the captain of the temple,

and the Sadducees,

came upon them,

2 Being grieved

that they taught the people,

and preached through Jesus

the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them,

and put them in hold

unto the next day:

for it was now eventide…

…..10 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.”   Portions of Acts 4:1-12 (Asterisks mine)

I love this simple passage.  Peter and John had gone up to the Temple to worship, and God gave them opportunity to heal a lame man, which led to this encounter with the religious leaders, and after a night in “jail” Peter makes this amazing, simple declaration of the saving power of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ—with the healed lame man as an irrefutable testament to the truth they spoke.  And I simply want to remind us all that not everyone will believe our testimony of the saving power of the cross any more than did those people who were so close to the very events that the Apostles testified to.  Yet, the name of Jesus is just as offensive to people today as it was then, and we must be willing to be as confident, bold, and courageous as Peter and John were in our service for The King!

And we must understand that not all will believe, not all will like us, not all will agree with our proclamation of truth, or even scripture itself; but our job is to speak God’s truth as we have opportunity and share Jesus truthfully!

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body

fitly joined together

and compacted

by that which every joint supplieth,

according to the effectual working

in the measure of every part,

maketh increase of the body

unto the edifying

of itself in love.”   Ephesians 4:14-16

We are to share the Good News that Jesus saves and rely upon God’s faithful provision to add those into His family and the “body” of Christ (the church—the whole church, as well as the local church body).  And as Paul reminds us above, we are to be “speaking the truth in love” that God may be seen in us and allow the truth of the Gospel to work in the hearts and lives of those desperate enough to receive it.  What do I mean by “desperate enough”?  I simply mean that those who think they have no sin, have no need of a Savior!  Until the convicting power of the Holy Ghost/Spirit brings a person to see their own sin and their own need of a Redeemer, they will never be “desperate” enough to need Jesus to “save” them.  The Word speaks to this great miracle, for it is God as work within HIS church to do HIS work reaching those willing to hear!

“And they, continuing daily

with one accord in the temple,

and breaking bread from house to house,

did eat their meat with gladness

and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God,

and having favour with all the people.

And the Lord added to the church daily

such as should be saved.”  Acts 2:46-47

Our job is to speak truth, share grace, act in love without compromise to God’s Word, HIS standard or the consequences of sin to the unredeemed, and wait and watch for God to move; to see the work of God through the conviction of HIS HOLY SPIRIT on the hearts of people.  For without the conviction of the Holy Spirit none will ever see their sin or their need for the Redeemer, Jesus, who told us of the Holy Spirit’s work!

“Nevertheless

I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you

that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world

of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

Jesus is coming again for His own and to bring to pass the total fulfillment of God’s promises—for reward to His own and judgment for those who reject the Lord Jesus.  The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test.

“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…

..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.”                                   Portions of Revelation 20:11-15

No other name—no other way—but Jesus who said it best:

“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.”   John 3: 17-19

May you receive truth—and if you have it—share it for:

“for there is none other name”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Worship Is About GOD Not Me??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #748

18 Wednesday Aug 2021

Posted by in Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Worship Him!, Worship?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #748  Worship Is About GOD Not Me???

 

We are called to worship our God in “spirit and in truth”.  What we often seem to be doing is worshipping in the “me” mode rather than the “GOD IS GOD” mode.  In fact, Jesus repeated this phrase twice in His conversation with the woman at the well.

“Our fathers worshipped

in this mountain;

and ye say, that in Jerusalem

is the place where men

ought to worship.

21 Jesus saith unto her,

Woman, believe me,

the hour cometh,

when ye shall neither

in this mountain,

 nor yet at Jerusalem,

worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what:

we know what we worship:

for salvation is of the Jews.

23 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.”  John 4:20-24

The “hour cometh, and now is” ought to call us to heed the things going on around us, especially the things going on in the name of Jesus in, through and from the “church”!  How is it that we have decided that the way of the cross is not sufficient to spread the Gospel.  Jesus had something to say about the effectiveness of appealing to the flesh, I know that this is a lengthy passage, but I think it worth the time and space that we may consider the truth that Jesus was sharing.  Yet, first of all I would like to preface it with one of the most profound, yet simple, and often neglected passages about our preaching!

“Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

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.”  1 Corinthians 1:20-25

Now, back to the words of our Lord:

“When the people therefore saw that Jesus

was not there,

neither his disciples,

they also took shipping,

and came to Capernaum,

seeking for Jesus.

25 And when they had found him

on the other side of the sea,

they said unto him,

Rabbi,

when camest thou hither?

26 Jesus answered them and said,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Ye seek me,

not because ye saw the miracles,

but because ye did eat

of the loaves,

and were filled.

27 Labour not for the meat

which perisheth,

but for that meat

which endureth unto everlasting life,

which the Son of man

shall give unto you:

for him hath God the Father sealed.

28 Then said they unto him,

What shall we do,

that we might work the works of God?

29 Jesus answered and said unto them,

This is the work of God,

that ye believe on him

whom he hath sent.

30 They said therefore unto him,

What sign shewest thou then,

that we may see,

and believe thee?

what dost thou work?

31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert;

as it is written,

He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

32 Then Jesus said unto them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Moses gave you not that bread

from heaven;

but my Father

giveth you the true bread

from heaven.

33 For the bread of God

is he which cometh down from heaven,

and giveth life unto the world.

34 Then said they unto him,

Lord, evermore give us this bread.

35 And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life:

he that cometh to me

shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me

shall never thirst.

36 But I said unto you,

That ye also have seen me,

and believe not.

37 All that the Father giveth me

shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven,

not to do mine own will,

but the will of him

that sent me.”  John 6:24-38

I pray that we will return to dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts of men, women, boys, and girls to bring them to the cross; relying upon the work of The Holy Spirit to convict souls of sin and bring them to repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ for their sin.  When people do not come face to face with their sin, their will never be the life-changing transformation which the blood of Jesus can accomplish in “whosoever will” come!  And remember Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to “go and sin no more”!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:44

“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

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you

that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world

of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

I pray that we will ponder these truths, asking God to open our hearts, minds, and lives to order our “steps in your Word”! Please, Lord?  And in my own words worship is not measured by attendance or exuberance in events but:

Worship IS a life lived

in obedience to The Voice of God—

written,

spoken,

and lived out as

a light in the darkness

and a reflection of the glory of Jesus!!!

Worship is yielding to The Holy Spirit of Christ/God and not feeding, following, or promoting the flesh!  Now, let me say that when we truly worship God, our flesh will be blessed but when we design our worship to feed the flesh, or try to “drive” people into frenzy instead of creating an atmosphere that “leads” and “draws” people to the cross of Christ and not their flesh to jump up and boogie, then we have missed the boat—in my humble opinion!

“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!!!

An Amazing Oxymoron??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #618

17 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Blessed by God, Born Again, Gospel, Grace

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #618     An Amazing Oxymoron???

 

One of my favorite gospel hymns is “Amazing Grace” by John Newton, and while it is “old”, like me, it resounds with truth and hope; and yet this week as I was listening to it for the ‘umpty-dozeneth’ time, it struck me that this powerful song has a most amazing oxymoron, and it just gripped my heart and I’d like to share a few thoughts with you this morning that may speak to you as well.

I’d like to share the second verse with you and delve into its depths.

“T’was Grace

that taught my heart to fear

And Grace,

my fears relieved

How precious did

that grace appear

The hour I first believed.”

Have you ever recognized that it truly is God’s grace that brings us to “fear”—to see our sin and its consequence?  That’s Bible and it’ll preach!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”   John 6:44

God is the One who convicts of sin, and without seeing our sin—without that “Grace that taught my heart to fear”, we have no need for The Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord!  But praise God He sent Jesus to be our substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice!  And it is the Holy Spirit of God who brings that conviction of sin to our hearts, without which we could never be born again into Jesus!

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will

reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

That very Spirit whom Jesus promised to send, is the One who opens our eyes to see our own sin, but the oxymoron is that HE is also the ONE who “my fears relieved”!  And that’s why we can rejoice and sing:

“How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed”!

And not only from that first moment but in every moment since, and in every moment that God grants me to serve Him in this world!  That my friends, is truly “Amazing Grace”!  God’s grace, and He is holding out that very grace to you today, if you don’t know Him yet.  And if you know HIM and are in a hard place, it is that same grace that will carry you through!  God is continually at work through that wonderful grace of Jesus, to not only save us unto Himself, but to conform us into HIS very image—bringing glory to God and accomplishing His purpose in our every step!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”   Romans 11:36

And another of my favorite passages that I pray will bring you hope and encouragement today!

“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 let me close with this thought; many in recent days have made comment regarding my ‘strong faith’, and I appreciate that, but we must understand and know that it’s not “my” faith that is the issue—the issue is The One in whom “my” faith is placed!  It’s the Amazing Savior who saved me many long years ago—The One who has picked me up time and time again.  The One who has walked with me when I was ‘up’, and The One who has walked with me when I was ‘down’!  The One who died that I might have “abundant life”.  And that “abundant life” is my hope, and confidence from and in The One, Jesus, to whom I belong.  And you can have that same life, faith, peace and grace if you will but call out to HIM and receive HIS peace!

“Peace I leave

with you,

my peace I give

unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:26                                                 (Read the whole chapter)

So, I pray that God will speak to your heart that amazing, wonderful grace that Jesus died and rose again to provide for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.  You are loved and prayed for, and that “Amazing Grace” will deliver you too!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

Defacing The Landscape??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 20

01 Monday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Defacing The Landscape?, SIN, Spiritual Drought, Sweet Words or Bitter Words?, The Only Way, The Same Yesterday, The Word, The Word Or The World?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 20  Defacing The Landscape???

 

Deface: 1. to mar the surface or appearance of; disfigure, 

2. to efface, obliterate, or injure the   surface of, as

 to make illegible or invalid…

Landscape:      1. A section or expanse of rural scenery,

usually Extensive, that can be seen for a single viewpoint.

2. a picture representing natural …scenery.

3. Fine Arts, the category of aesthetics subject matter in which natural scenery is represented.

America is a great land—its landscape spans acres of beautiful geography from great ocean expanses to vistas and heights of trees and boulders that seem to touch the sky.  You can find almost any type of landscape that suits your fancy. But it would seem that as a nation we are speeding down a path of rack, ruin and destruction not of our geographical landscape but a cultural one (and if you are in another land, you surely face the same challenges)!  We are heading down a road that I pray we will veer from, but only God can help us out of the situation that we find ourselves in!  God, through Isaiah, aptly describes the state of our land!

“Woe unto them

that draw iniquity

with cords of vanity,

and sin

as it were with a cart rope:

19 That say,

Let him make speed,

and hasten his work,

that we may see it:

and let the counsel

of the Holy One of Israel

draw nigh

and come,

that we may know it!

20 Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them

that are mighty

to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked

for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous from him!

24 Therefore

as the fire

devoureth the stubble,

and the flame

consumeth the chaff,

so their root

shall be as rottenness,

and their blossom

shall go up as dust:

because they have cast away

the law of the LORD of hosts,

and despised

the word of the Holy One of Israel.”  Isaiah 5:18-24

This passage is so full of truth and warnings and I want us to assess our own ‘landscape’ with that described in the message that Isaiah delivered to his own people.  With a heart of love for you, and a burden for our culture, I share it with you!

God proclaims His ‘woe’ on those who cling to sin and its trappings—like clinging to a rope to pull a cart.  Paul also describes the nature of those who reject God as those who cling to sin, but not only cling to it themselves, they pursue others to propagate their wickedness, sharing their heart for evil, and their despite toward God.  It leads to only one fate.

“And even as they did not like to retain God

in their knowledge,

God gave them over

to a reprobate mind,

to do those things

which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all

unrighteousness,

fornication,

wickedness,

covetousness,

maliciousness;

full of

envy,

murder,

debate,

deceit,

malignity;

whisperers,

30 Backbiters,

haters of God,

despiteful,

proud,

boasters,

inventors of evil things,

disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers,

without natural affection,

implacable,

unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God,

that they which commit such things

are worthy of death,

not only do the same,

but have pleasure

in them that do them.”   Romans 1:28-32

Oh friends, God will grant your desires, even when they will lead you to destruction, death and hell.  It’s your choice and mine.  What are you choosing? Remember: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8) And HE said:

 “Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.”   Matthew 7:13-15

According to Jesus, when we choose HIS way we won’t often be fighting ‘crowds’!  We must keep our Lord’s warnings in mind as we deal with others (it’s why I write these articles and posts without regard for the number of respondents—my job is to sow the seed, the numbers and the harvest is God’s business)– understanding that just as Jesus wasn’t always popular, if we share truth, we may not be either! (Take some time and read John 13-17, and you’ll see that Jesus warned us that when we follow HIM, we will experience the same responses that He did—some will heed but not all.)  Jesus also reminded us in John 3 of the fate of those who choose sin over Him. (And remember that ‘not making a choice’ IS making a choice!)

“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.”   John 3:16-19

Our landscape is cluttered with the choices of those who relish sin over righteousness.  We must pray for God’s mercy, His grace, and the conviction of His precious Holy Spirit to show us our failures, as well as to convict the lost of their need for Jesus.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

Steeped in the same message that God shared through Isaiah, God has always called men and women, boys and girls, to come to Himself through faith in the promised ‘deliverer’!  Those in the Old Testament believed and looked forward to His coming, those of us after the cross believe in the completed work of Jesus to save people “from their sins”!  (See Matthew 1:21).  Just as Isaiah described the wicked of his day, we see that same evil flourishing in our day, and yet we have often responded in an ‘other than biblical’ way. If you take your spiritual ques from social media (which we shouldn’t) then you will follow the mindset that we are to rise up and ‘put a stop’ to this or that; well my friends, what we are experiencing is exactly what scripture says we will experience, and we are to respond as Jesus did!  We are to “stand fast in the evil day”; we are to be “salt and light”; we are to understand that in these last days/times “perilous times shall come”!  We must remember and know that even in these times we are saved and called to be faithful proclaimers of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, sharing His truth with all those whom God places in our path; not hateful and crude, but full of HIS Spirit, and not our flesh, as Jesus so aptly put it:

“Blessed are they which are persecuted

for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil

against you falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light unto all

that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:10-16

While we must never be those “that call evil good, and good evil”, or those “that put darkness for light, and light for darkness”, nor ever replace truth with the poison lies of the enemy by being those “that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter”, we are called to love (not compromising truth, but to exhibit compassion).  The Apostle Peter called us to recognize our call to spread truth not lies, to share love not hate—remembering that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood”! (See Eph. 6:10+)

“Finally, be ye all of one mind,

having compassion one of another,

love as brethren,

be pitiful,

be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil,

or railing for railing:

but contrariwise blessing;

knowing that ye are thereunto called,

that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life,

and see good days,

let him

refrain his tongue from evil,

and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him

eschew evil,

and do good;

let him

seek peace,

and ensue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord

are over the righteous,

and his ears

are open unto their prayers:

but the face of the Lord

is against them that do evil.

13 And who is he that will harm you,

if ye be followers of that which is good?

14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake,

happy are ye:

and be not afraid of their terror,

neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

and be ready always

to give an answer

to every man that asketh you a reason

of the hope that is in you

with meekness

and fear:

16 Having a good conscience;

that, whereas they speak evil of you,

as of evildoers,

they may be ashamed

that falsely accuse

your good conversation

 in Christ.”  1 Peter 3:8-16

I know this is a lengthy passage, but so necessary in this day and age in which we live. So, I pray that we will humbly hear God’s voice speaking to our hearts through His Word, and be those who will fulfill Peter’s admonition, and fill our landscape with the “beauty of holiness” rather than the corruption of the world.  Let’s think, live and respond with biblical truth?  May we truly “stand fast in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”! God’s way not man’s! We can change the landscape for Jesus, with Jesus and to HIS glory, and for the redemption of the lost!

“Having a good conscience;

that, whereas they speak evil of you,

as of evildoers,

they may be ashamed

that falsely accuse

 your good conversation in Christ.”

Amen and Amen!