Tag Archives: John 3:16-18

No King??? But Why??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 02

27 Sunday Sep 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Distractions, Don't Wait, King Jesus, King of KIngs

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 02   No King???  But Why???

 

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”   Judges 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Judges 21:25

These are two of the passages that are key in the book of Judges,  “there was no king in Israel”, and yet I want to take a different slant on these familiar verses, for as I was reading and pondering on these verses this morning, I was drawn to a fact that I had never considered before (or if I had, I don’t remember it).  Like us, there are many around us who know about the king but don’t want to personally “know” the king or be “known” by HIM.  In Matthew 7, Jesus makes it clear that just talking about Him, and claiming to know Him aren’t enough; we must have a personal relationship with Him and be born again into HIS kingdom by HIS blood!  And to be a part of HIS “kingdom”, means that we recognize HIS ‘kingship’ over HIS kingdom and ‘me/you’!

Israel had God as their king, and were called to serve, obey and worship HIM only, yet, like us, they were distracted, deluded, and disobedient to their King, and were going their own way, not recognizing that while they had no “earthly” king, they had always had a KING!  What about me?  What about you?  Do we have “no king” in our heart, our living, our choices, and our testimony?  Or are we willing to recognize our failures, repent and be restored to the useful place of God’s child in the place where HE has planted us!  HE is King, and HE is in charge.

“The king’s heart

is in the hand of the LORD,

as the rivers of water:

he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man

is right in his own eyes:

but the LORD

pondereth the hearts.”  Proverbs 21:2

Even as Jesus reminded us:

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things

which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”   Matthew 15:17-20

I spend a lot of time grieving over the language that I hear and read around me—out in public, in the neighborhood, on social media, especially when the ugly language comes from those who claim the name of Jesus.  But Jesus reminds us here that what comes out of our mouths, originates out of the heart.  We must have a transformed heart before we will have a transformed mouth.  And even when we have a new heart transformed by Jesus saving blood, we have to do due diligence to guard our hearts and not allow the vile culture around us to influence our choices, words and character!  We are called to “be” holy and “be” a reflection of God’s character to a lost and dying world around us; rather than reflecting the world before our KING!

“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

God was King in Israel, whether they acknowledged it or not, and HE IS King of Glory.  But are we willing to acknowledge Him “as” King?  Like Israel, who went their own way and found themselves in a quandary every time, we find ourselves in much the same situation.  So, what will we do about it?  The message is clear!

“For if ye shall diligently keep

all these commandments

which I command you,

to do them,

to love the LORD your God,

to walk in all his ways,

and to cleave unto him;

23 Then will the LORD drive out

all these nations from before you,

and ye shall possess greater nations

and mightier than yourselves.

24 Every place whereon the soles of your feet

shall tread shall be yours:

from the wilderness and Lebanon,

from the river, the river Euphrates,

even unto the uttermost sea

 shall your coast be.

25 There shall no man be able to stand

before you:

for the LORD your God

shall lay the fear of you

and the dread of you

upon all the land

that ye shall tread upon,

as he hath said unto you.”  Deuteronomy 11:22-25

Just as God is King, so is The Son, Jesus!  He was, is and ever shall be the promised king, messiah, redeemer, sacrifice, and deliverer that God promised in Genesis 3:15, and He is still in the life-changing business; but we must choose to come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for “my” sin and “yours”!  He is our soon-coming Lord and King; are you ready to meet Him?

“These shall make war with the Lamb,

and the Lamb shall overcome them:

for he is

Lord of lords,

and King of kings:

and they that are with him

are called,

and chosen,

and faithful.”  Revelation 17:14

So, what I see is that Israel had a “king” but because they choose to go their own way, they forgot and abandoned the commands and call of their God, so they experienced this cycle of rebellion, judgment, repentance and restoration.  A cycle much like what we are seeing around us, but I can’t help but grieve that we are seeking every solution but the way of repentance, perhaps because we aren’t listening to  the voice of God’s Spirit convicting our hearts and calling us to an old-fashioned altar of prayer and repentance.  Are we behaving like the people who lauded Jesus on Sunday, yet cried “crucify HIM” four days later?

“On the next day much people

that were come to the feast,

when they heard that Jesus was coming

to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees,

and went forth to meet him,

and cried,

Hosanna:

Blessed is the King of Israel

that cometh

in the name of the Lord.”   John 12:12-13

They missed their King Jesus.  Are you missing Him, or have you bowed before HIM in repentance and faith?  And if you have come to Jesus, are you yielding to HIS Spirit’s work in your heart, that the world may know HIM too?

“That thou keep this commandment without spot,

unrebukeable,

until the appearing

of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in his times he shall shew,

who is the blessed

and only Potentate,

the King of kings,

and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality,

dwelling in the light

which no man

can approach unto;

whom no man

hath seen,

nor can see:

to whom be honour

and power

everlasting.

Amen.”  1 Timothy 6:14-16

The choice is yours to make, but remember, the question is not “will you bow”, but when “will you bow”?  Will you bow before Him now as your Redeemer, Lord and Savior, by His blood; or you will bow before HIM as your judge?

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient

unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

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

There is a KING, even as God reveals in the Revelation:

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place

for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books

were opened:

and another book

was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell

delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”   Revelation 20:11-15

Is your name in The King’s book of “life”?  It can be, won’t you bow before Him and call on HIS name to be saved.  And if you are already HIS, won’t you seek His face and walk in HIS presence and HIS ways!

“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.”   John 3:16-18

I pray that you will bow before your KING, not have to face HIM as your judge with no recourse!  HE truly IS KING—always!

Amen and Amen!

How Good Is Your Goodness??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 01

02 Monday Mar 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Believe IN Jesus, Faith, Repentance, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 01  How Good Is Your Goodness???

 

I would like to share a brief word this morning (for I usually write this ‘Sunday’ post on Sunday evening, and that just didn’t happen yesterday, so I’ll hop on this Monday morning wagon!) that I pray will help us all to remember that I can never be “good” enough to save myself or attain to God’s standard.

“This then is the message

which we have heard

of him,

and declare

unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship

one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ

his Son

cleanseth us

from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.”  1 John 1:5-8

We can never be ‘good enough’ to meet God’s standard, for until we recognize that truth, we will never see our need for a Redeemer and Savior!

“What then?

are we better than they?

No,

in no wise:

for we have before proved

both Jews

and Gentiles,

that they are all under sin;

10 As it is written,

There is none righteous,

 no,

not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no,

not one.”  Romans 3:9-12

Even as Paul told the Corinthians, it was, is and ever shall be Jesus’ righteousness which is imparted to those who come to Him in repentance and faith, and therefore receive HIS righteousness credited to our account!

“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

All because of Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice—for you and me!

“For all have sinned,

 and come short

of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

But we have hope in Jesus—it’s a choice between life and death!

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Romans 6:23

God has provided our way to HIM because HE loves us—but we must understand that while the “love” of God is unconditional, HIS forgiveness is totally conditioned on what we do with Jesus!

“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.”   John 3:16-18

God gave us the ultimate gift in Jesus, what will you do with that gift?  Will you receive it and have eternal life, or will you reject it at the peril of your soul?

“For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”   Matthew 16:25-26

God has given us the free will to choose.  What choice have you made?  What will you do with the life that God has given you?  Will you hear His voice calling you to Himself?

“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

God has provided Jesus to redeem those who will come to Him.  Will you cling to your sin, or let go of it and embrace the Savior who loves you?  I pray that you will hear His voice today.

“But we are all

as an unclean thing,

and all our righteousnesses

are as filthy rags;

and we all do fade

as a leaf;

and our iniquities,

like the wind,

have taken us away.”   Isaiah 64:6

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities

have separated

between you

and your God,

and your sins

have hid his face

from you,

that he will not hear.”   Isaiah 59:1-2

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!  And as Jesus makes so clear:

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish…

 5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

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

May God draw you/me near to Himself today!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

Our Savior And Our Example!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #589

20 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Comfort, Encouragement, Every Knee Shall Bow

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #589 Our Savior And Our Example!!!

 

While Jesus IS our Redeemer and Lord, He is the One to whom we look, the One on whom we depend—and The One who IS the way to God—not one of many but the One and Only Way!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh

unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Jesus lay aside the glory of heaven to come to us, take on flesh and blood, live a sinless life, and die in our stead—all because He and The Father love us!

“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.”  John 3:16-18

Jesus is the only way to life!  No matter how many lies the enemy spreads—God’s Word stands true and is the standard of all judgment in the end; and there is a day of reckoning coming, but in Jesus we are saved from the judgment and wrath of God. The choice is yours and mine, but the consequences of our choice will follow us into eternity!  Choose wisely, there is a test!

“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 2:9-11

The question isn’t ‘will you bow’; for God has declared that “every knee should bow”! As the old hymn says “nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling” (From ‘Rock of Ages’, by Augustus M. Toplady), Jesus came that we might have life and know that we are loved by a faithful Father God, who is working all things for our good and His glory—and they never conflict! (Even when we think they do!)!  But as we learn to know Him and come to trust to His care, we can follow the example of our Lord in the midst of every trial and difficulty.  Jesus didn’t come to simply ‘be’ an example, He came to purchase our salvation with His own blood, but in doing that He left us the greatest example of selfless love ever expressed!

I have learned and continue to learn that HE IS faithful at every turn, and when I keep my eyes fixed on Him, I can be victorious in this walk of faith with my Lord Jesus Christ!  Whatever you may be facing today, I can assure you that HE is faithful and worthy of our love, trust and devotion.  May you find strength and comfort in His Word.  I am praying for YOU!  We can join with Paul and say:

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

And as Peter reminds us, no matter the suffering that we may encounter, we can trust in and rely upon the Lord who suffered the ultimate rejection, and a gruesome death, all for you and me!

“For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes

ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop

of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:20-25

We can choose today, to trust to our God, or try to run our own lives; I’ve done it both ways and, believe me when I say, we can overcome and have victory when we “do all things through Christ” rather than trying to go our own way!  May we all “fix our eyes on Jesus” and “press on” today, and today, and the next today!  For dear ones, today is all we have, and HE is ever faithful!  May Jesus’ words bring comfort and encourage you today!

“But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

Cups Of Water For The Little Ones!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #584

04 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in Blessed by God, Children, Cups of cold water!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #584   Cups Of Water For The Little Ones!!!

 

“Except the LORD build the house,

they labour in vain that build it:

except the LORD keep the city,

the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you

to rise up early,

to sit up late,

to eat the bread of sorrows:

for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children

are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb

is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;

so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man

that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak with the enemies

in the gate.”   Psalm 127:1-5

I just want to share a word today about the joy and delight of children!  We live in a culture of death—kill the babies but save the trees, or the whales, or the puppies, just not the babies—where life is without value and oft-times children (born and unborn) have little or no worth to our world.  Yet children are our hope—the hope that God grants perpetually!

Scripture is replete with stories of the dangers that lie in wait for children; Moses and the male babies were in danger of Pharaoh’s sword; King Joash was hidden by his sister from the wicked Athaliah who sought to kill him; even our precious Lord was delivered from the sword of Herod! There have always been those who take no delight in children for various reasons; and it seems that in our culture we regularly sacrifice our children (both the born and the unborn) to the gods of convenience, selfishness, success, eternal youth, and a host of other self-consuming evils.  God reminds us that children are our heritage—how sad that our ‘heritage’ is in such danger in these wicked days.  I don’t mean to be negative, but we all need to be reminded that GOD gives us children as a reminder of His love, His creative power, His design for the home, and His love for us!

We had the privilege of taking one of our young friends on a day of adventure yesterday, and it is such a delight to be around the young—they are so fresh, so open to see new things and learn from us, yet we are so often unaware of opportunities lost to affect the next generation—if we don’t affect them for God, there are other people and things out there seeking to destroy them!  We must take the time, the energy and the love to touch these precious gifts from God. Send a card, hug a child, give a small gift of love, share a story of your life with one of God’s “little people”!  After all God’s greatest gift to us was a “child”—the one born to save us, to love us, to grow us into HIS own image, and HE LOVES children!

“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.”    John 3:16-18

Children are important to God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit, even the holy angels of heaven!  Here are just a few excerpts of things Jesus said about these “Little Ones”!  May we make the effort to touch and affect these precious “little ones” for Jesus?

“And whosoever shall give to drink

unto one of these little ones

a cup of cold water …”. Matthew 10:42a

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones

which believe in me,

it were better for him

that a millstone were hanged about his neck,

and that he were drowned

in the depth of the sea…

…10 Take heed that ye despise not

one of these little ones;

for I say unto you, That in heaven

their angels do always behold

the face of my Father which is in heaven.

11 For the Son of man is come

to save that which was lost…

…14 Even so it is not the will

of your Father which is in heaven,

that one of these little ones

should perish.”    Portions of Matthew 18:6-14

Watch out today for that little one whom God may send your way!  Make a difference in the life of a child (regardless of their age!)!  Let’s make a difference in our circle of influence—for we each have a different circle—God gave you yours, just as He has given me mine. Enjoy God, bless others, walk faithfully before our Lord today—spreading a simple “cup of cold water” of HIS love today—it’s all we have!!!  Amen and Amen!!!

Are You Tuned In??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #527

30 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Salvation, Tuned In, Tuned In To Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #527    Are You Tuned In???

 

There is an old gospel song, “Turn Your Radio On” (By Albert Lee Brumley) that talks about ‘tuning in’ your radio to God; a very timely song, written in the days when almost everyone was listening to the radio.  I believe the song’s message is timely for us as well, even though we have gone from the radio to ‘mass media’ on a mind-boggling scale. Yet we must ‘tune’ our hearts and minds to Jesus—hearing Him over the world—He is our only hope.

“Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:2

Jesus paid the price for our salvation—the only sinless, perfect sacrifice for sin!  It’s why He came—to pay for our sin and to save us “from” it, not leave us in it!

“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

We become “His” people by bowing before Him in repentance, and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for ‘our’ sin!  For Jesus loves us and willingly laid down His life as payment for sin, and to give us eternal life now, and in heaven with Him!  Again, it’s why He came.

“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.”  John 3:16-18

The choice is yours—have you tuned in? Jesus repeated a call at least seven times in the first three chapters of The Revelation.  Will you hear—tune in to—His call?

“Blessed is he that readeth,

and they that hear

the words of this prophecy,

and keepthose things

which are written therein:”  Revelation 1:3

To the ‘churches’ (yes even people ‘in’ the church need to be sure they have ‘tuned in’ to Jesus!) Jesus gave this repeated admonition: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith….” Revelation 2:7a (2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, 3:22).   I pray that you will ‘tune in’ and hear the message that Jesus is speaking to you; that you will hear and believe, because HE loves YOU!  Amen and Amen!