Tag Archives: Joshua 24:15

Follow Your ______??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #201

24 Sunday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Forgetting or Remembering?, Freedom To Or From?, Giving Thanks to God!, The Heart is deceitful and dreadfully wicked..., When Is True NOT?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who Dropped The Ball?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's Listening Anyway?, Whose Side Are You On?, Worldliness, You can't get yesterday back!

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Follow Your_______???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #201

I don’t really know where this will go today, but I feel a burden to share some thoughts with you and pray that you will consider whom you will believe—the world or God and His Word.  It sounds so innocent, and yet we are being inundated with sweet-sounding messages that are contrary to The Word of God, but that’s how the enemy works.  Cute lies!  What’s your measuring stick?  Your plumb line?  Your standard?  God’s truth?

“Thus saith the LORD;

Cursed be the man that trusteth in man,

and maketh flesh his arm,

and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert,

and shall not see when good cometh;

but shall inhabit the parched places

in the wilderness,

in a salt land

and not inhabited.

7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree

planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots

by the river,

and shall not see when heat cometh,

but her leaf shall be green;

and shall not be careful

in the year of drought,

neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”                  Jeremiah 17:5-10

The world calls us to “follow our heart”—God says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”  Not to be trite, but whom will we choose to believe, God or man?  I find it amazing that we would rather follow the “empty Gospel” rather than the truth of God’s Word: “…for all have sinned…”!   Jesus makes it very clear in John 15:5b, “without me ye can do nothing”, yet we are often too lazy to study God’s Word, but we’ll (me included) sit and gel in front of a television filled with perverted half-truths and out-right lies of the enemy of our soul!  Is it any wonder that our world is going to “hell in a hand basket”, and in many ways we have contributed to it.  The church has contributed to it, by not holding to The Word of God, but rather have embraced a watered-down gospel without the power of the cross; a cross that calls for repentance of sin and a faith in the work of the cross to transform by Jesus only, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6b

Paul describes the power of the Gospel in Romans 12 most concisely and builds on this truth in 2 Corinthians 5.

“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

Contrary to the message today that men, women, boys, and girls can simply claim the name of Jesus and go to heaven.  We must come to Jesus for the “new birth”, being born again of The Spirit of God, made children of God supernaturally—not by any fleshly means; not good works, not church membership, not baptism, not teaching, not “praying this prayer”, or even preaching, but by being born again, and made a child of God, a new creature in Christ, “born…of God”!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

“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.

20 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 5:17-21

God transforms us from sinners into saints by the blood of Jesus because Jesus took our sin to Calvary, that we might receive the “righteousness of God in him”, and it should be evident to a lost and dying world—even when they don’t like it.  So what are we to do?  We must prepare ourselves with the “mind of Christ Jesus”!  As Paul wrote in one of the most beautiful passages of all scripture.

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:5-13

So will you examine your heart and see if you are bringing your heart into submission to Jesus Christ, or are you following a heart full of the world, and looking to “feel good and prosper” (and note here the “working out your own salvation” isn’t working “for” your salvation, but working “out” what God has put “IN”)?  Will you seek the “mind of Jesus Christ” or the mind of Hellywood?  Of Nastyville?  Is your standard set by God’s Word or Hellyvision?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test; and the test is by God’s criterion not man’s! Is your mind set on Jesus or something else, anything else?  And may I add, you will never recognize the lies if you don’t know the truth of God’s Word! (See 2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:16-17) May we join Joshua today, even as he called people to choose long ago:

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Amen and Amen!!!

If God Were Watching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #123

18 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Cross, Crucified With Christ, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Judgment, God's love, God's measure isn't ours, God's Presence Not Presents, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Wisdom, Holey, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Living by Faith or Entertainment?, Living in Christ, Living In My Season, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Take Up YOUR Cross, Teach The Children, Testing and Trials?

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If God Were Watching??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #123

OH! Wait! HE is!  How easy it is to forget that our amazing Lord and King is watching this world as it spins on the axis that HE set in place.  Jesus, The Son of God, Father God Almighty, and the precious Holy Spirit that has been given to those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for MY sin and YOURS!  Yet, even when we come to Jesus for salvation, forgiveness, and the new birth (yes, being born again by the blood of The Lamb who “taketh away the sin of the world” See John 1:29), we still have to walk around in this body of flesh, and it doesn’t usually want to cooperate!!

So, what are we doing with, in and for not only “this” body that God has given us, but the entire body of Christ–the church?  The church was established by Jesus, and we are called to join together with other believers of like faith and practice to spread the Gospel and The Kingdom of God–even when it’s difficult! And it is often difficult and trying for those who are committed to seeing God’s will accomplished, for there is a price to pay!

“Yea, and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”  2 Timothy 3:12

Are we living up to the call of Jesus upon our life as HIS sheep; or have we yielded to the compromise of the world’s cry that we must appeal to the ‘entertainment need’ of the lost?  I’d simply like to share a few scriptures to encourage us to press on in truth and godliness.  You choose what/whom you will listen to and serve?

“And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Paul made his declaration as clear as Joshua’s!  Are you ashamed to live for Jesus?  You know–and God does too, no matter what others think they see!  Let’s truly pursue Jesus and HIS way!

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

 to you that are at Rome also.

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

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed

from heaven

against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness of men,

who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”                 Romans 1:15-18

And I stand with Paul in his declaration that the Gospel of JESUS is our call, not making it an ‘easy-believism’ that deceives people and gives them a false sense of security.  Again, God is watching!

“For I determined not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:2

I pray that we will see that Jesus’ call upon the lives of HIS own is real and we must take heed to it if we want to make a difference in the lives of people who are watching our lives–not just what we say, or where we go to church (if and when we go), they are watching our lives–in the good times, and especially in the bad/hard times!  If Jesus isn’t real every day–then HE’s not real at all.  We are called to reflect God’s character in new-birth, regenerated lives that shine the holiness of Jesus to a world lost and dying in the dark right now.

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy; for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:14-19

While this is a lengthy passage, I encourage you to read the entire chapter–in fact–the entire book would be a great investment of your time.  And in closing the words of Jesus which describe a different picture than many preach today of just say a prayer, join a church, use Jesus’ name as a magic talisman to get your way!  Jesus paints a different way!  Have you been to the cross?  The cross is an instrument of death–death to self, and alive IN JESUS!! If you have, are you taking up “your cross” and walking with Jesus every step of the way?  May it ever be so for each of us–it ain’t easy–but by HIS grace, power, love and being “strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might” …we can “do all things through Christ who strengthens me”!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

 or what shall a man give in exchange

for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man

according to his works.”  Matthew 16:24-27

May we ever bear the cross with gratitude and devotion, following our King where ever HE may lead and direct our steps.  Blessings on you and yours.  Our soon coming King DOES see me/you today!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Amen and Amen!!!

Does Real Faith Worry??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 18

02 Sunday Oct 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Does real faith worry?, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Fret NOT!, Fretting or Faith???, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 18   Does Real Faith Worry???

Worry: to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts…to fret

A cause of uneasiness or anxiety…

I heard a lovely song this morning, which gave me pause to question, for the jest of the song was that we won’t “worry” in heaven, and while that is true, the implication was that we ‘worry’ here and that isn’t necessarily ok!

Worry is a pretty natural state of affairs in most of our lives, yet are we really walking by faith when we live in a state of worry?  I was guilty of this very idea of justifying our “worry” this week in a discussion about an upcoming event in our lives, and I was calling my “concern” everything but “worry”, for I know in my head and in my heart that Jesus makes it clear that walking with HIM by faith will diminish our tendency to “worry and fret”, if not completely eliminate it altogether, and I wasn’t doing that!  That is where I desire to live, even though I know I often fall so far short.  Yet faith that Jesus talks about seems to be the antitheses of modern faith!  I say I trust HIM, yet I keep doing things myself instead of bringing them to Jesus and leaving them at the cross.

I remember a testimony that a friend shared with me many years ago, of a couple whose home he entered to work on a utility problem; as it turned out, he told them he would have to come back, and they said they probably wouldn’t be home, but their home would be unlocked, and he could just come in and do what he needed to do.  Well, needless to say, my friend was shocked! UNLOCKED? So, he questioned the lady, and she simply told him, “Our home belongs to Jesus, along with every possession we have, and whatever HE sees fit to permit, we trust HIM!”  I must tell you, how often that story has come back to me again and again, for I am far from having that kind of faith; yet so many of our missionaries all over the globe, live that kind of faith in ministry, while we have so much more than they do.  And me?  I wrestle with anxiety over being safe, I cannot tell a lie, and I know God has brought me a long way in the area of “trusting” HIM in regard to safety; of “resting” in HIM when I’m alone; of relying upon HIS total care when I am being and doing what HE has called me to!  How about you?  Are you a “fretter”?  Are there areas of life that you have trouble letting go of?

Well, if you are like me, maybe you also need a reminder of what God has called us to; how He wants us to understand that fretting over and clinging to the “cares of this world” ought to be foreign to us.  Let’s see what HIS Word teaches, and I pray that we (ME included most of all—as Paul said, “I am chief” offender!) will learn to have a more exercised faith, and show the world the power of grace, love, and a trust in the power of our crucified, risen and soon coming KING!  The safest place that you or I can ever be, is right, smack in the center of God’s will for us!

“And that which fell among thorns are they,

which, when they have heard,

go forth,

and are choked

with cares

and riches

and pleasures of this life,

and bring no fruit

to perfection.”   Luke 8:14

 And a verse that I run to more often than I can say:

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

“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 21:1-2

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not what a day

may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

Jesus also had much to say about this subject—may we heed HIS amazing call to walk by faith:

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more

clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father

knoweth that ye have need

of all these things.

33 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 6:24-34

Oh, if we had time to dig into the depths of this message of Jesus’, but let’s consider this first statement above—”No man can serve two masters”; did you get that “no one”—man, woman, boy, or girl—can truly have divided loyalties!  Either we will choose to follow our Lord, or we will go our own way. For those who have never come to Jesus, this is a disastrous choice that will lead to destruction (See chapter 7); for the believer it could end in a “shipwrecked” life—a life with no “fruit”, or as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 3, no rewards to bring to our king.  I think that passage is also worth our consideration, for it reveals a real danger of a lack of faith and obedience in our life when we miss our Lord’s direction and choose worry/fretting instead of boldly, courageously, walking in faith.  Let’s consider Paul’s message, especially in light of what Jesus says above, which makes it clear that we can be a genuine believer and still miss God’s perfect will and purpose for our life if we go our own way instead of choosing Jesus’ will by faith; by producing our own works, choosing to give inadequate heed to The Word of God, and settling for the popular lead of the world (choosing wood, hay and stubble instead of gold, silver and precious stones)!  Are you choosing the indestructible things of God, or the totally flammable works of the flesh; ashes or precious treasure to honor our KING?.

“For other foundation

can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed

by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not

that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God,

him shall God destroy;

for the temple of God is holy,

which temple ye are.

18 Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you seemeth to be wise

in this world,

let him become a fool,

that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness with God.

For it is written,

He taketh the wise

in their own craftiness.

20 And again,

The Lord knoweth

the thoughts of the wise,

 that they are vain.”  1 Corinthians 3:11-20

As Paul says, “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ”, no matter what is popular—only Jesus IS LORD—only Jesus IS THE WAY—what will you choose today?  Jesus? Or your own way?  The world’s way?  Faith or fretting?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And just as important as that, there are those following you who may never have any witness other than the example and testimony that you leave every day by your footsteps of faith or fretting or settling for your own way.  Who’s following YOU?  Let’s choose to be like Joshua and boldly stand in faith!

“And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Let’s pursue holiness and faithfulness, as the Psalmist calls us to so encouragingly!  Amen and Amen!!!

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth

in his way,

because of the man who bringeth

wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off:

but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth.”  Psalm 37:3-9

Call It “Rock-It” Science??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No.05

26 Sunday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Ripples, Rock-It Science, Still Will I Trust HIM, Take Up YOUR Cross, Teach The Children, Teachers, Teaching Always, Teaching Children, Witness, Words Can Help or Harm?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 05. Call It “Rock-It” Science???

I never could skip rocks like a lot of kids could, but I remember the effort and more than that I remember the effects of the action.  No matter how or what you threw into the water, the ripples were evident and on-going!  And I have learned, mostly the hard way, that no matter how good we “want” things to turn out, our choice of stones will reveal themselves in time, be it for the good or worse.  Paul said it best!

“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

Don’t miss Paul’s warning!  “Be not deceived”!  Oh, what a liar the enemy is; Satan is an expert liar, and his only desire is to “steal…to kill….and to destroy”; and he is most expert at it, and we poor gullible humans are so very susceptible to his deceit.  Jesus had so much to say about this reality, and we so foolishly forget, or just plain fail to heed HIS warnings.  And I want to share truth with you, that I pray will help you to heed that truth which the enemy wants you to ignore!

“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.”  John 8:44-45

Jesus also warned us of his true character:

“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

 We must consider truth—for Jesus IS truth—and yet we live amidst a world that is giving it’s all to convince us that truth is no longer true!

“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!”  Isaiah 5:20-21

Even as Joshua made his conviction clear to a nation unsure of where they wanted to go!  A nation who came to live by a very similar standard as our nation does today!  Where do you stand?

“And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Joshua 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Joshua 21:25

Israel came to this state because they had chosen to stand with Joshua before his death in his clear declaration to serve God; but it seems that they didn’t share that faith and truth with the next generation, and they floundered right into the devil’s hands.  It seems to me that we are in the very same straights—and I think, for the very same reasons.  We have compromised on God’s truth and accepted the lies of the enemy and we have passed this air of compromise onto our children and grandchildren.  What God said was wrong 50 years ago is now accepted as common place, and we watch our children and grandchildren live in sin with no compunction, and very little attempted correction on our part.

I don’t mean to be harsh, but why do our children and grandchildren think it is ok to live in immorality, to drink, to swear, to lie, cheat and stand for the lies of the enemy?  I think perhaps because we have remained silent when we should have been declaring the truth of The Word of God AS truth.  And if we truly accept God’s truth AS truth, why are we not calling the next generation to identify with the truth, accept it, adhere to it as those who claim the name of Jesus Christ AS Lord?  I think one of two things; either we don’t really believe it ourselves, or we say we believe it, yet don’t care to hold our children to the truth of God’s Word!

There was a time when churches called their people to holy living, and we held our ground when the world encroached; there was a time when schools didn’t play ball on Wednesday nights, because the church kids were just that—at church—and they didn’t play ball on Sundays—yet those are sensibilities gone by!  It makes me sad.  I remember a certain school where they wanted some church kids to play on their ball team, and they intended to practice on Wednesday nights, and the father said if they wanted his kids to play, they would not practice on church nights.  He prevailed—why aren’t parents willing to take a stand today?  I can’t answer that question!  Can you?

I don’t mean to carry this on and on, but I would like to close with a couple of simple scriptures for our consideration:

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

Saying so…doesn’t make it so!  Doing so can! Are we being a doer or deceived “hearers only”?

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man beholding

his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed

 in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

 and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion

and undefiled

before God and the Father

is this,

To visit the fatherless

and widows

in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

 from the world.”  James 1:22-27

Really loving Jesus will reveal itself in our actions, like the ripples in a pond, obeying God and living out our faith like those very ripples—visiting those in need, meeting the needs of the afflicted, and keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world”.  Our choices will show up in our actions; and that my friends will be noticed by others—good, bad, or indifferent.  As I’ve often said—YOU/I are a witness, albeit a good one or a bad one—we are witnesses in all we do!  Someone is watching whether you know it or not!  Jesus makes it clear that it’s not just ‘words’!

“Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:17-23

Maybe you’re like me, and you’ve thrown some rocks that made harmful ripples, and by God’s grace and forgiveness you have been restored to usefulness in HIS kingdom.  Just take stock of yourself, your heart, your life-choices, and your influence on others; if need be, seek God’s forgiveness, receive it and be cleansed and restored to HIS service.  Or if you’ve never come to Jesus in repentance and faith, please call on HIM today; HE is waiting for you.

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

He’s waiting for YOU!

Amen and Amen!!!

Useful Or Love-Worthy??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 02

05 Sunday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Servanthood, Service, Serving God or Using God?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 02   Useful Or Love-Worthy???

While this may seem like a bit of a strange topic, the thing I want us to consider is our attitude towards God—not just our relationship with God—but our attitude toward The God Almighty of the universe.  The God who loves us, who gave “His only begotten Son” for our sin, and yet who tells us clearly that our sin IS the issue, and HE clearly reminds us repeatedly that there is only One Way to be reconciled to HIM!  Jesus!  Yet our modern  culture is more concerned with having a “useful” God, rather than loving The God who has provided for their redemption; to come to salvation by the substitutionary (Jesus took our place), atoning (paying for our sin so we won’t have to pay for it in hell) sacrifice ( the cost for this atonement—the death of The Sinless Son of God for sinful men, women, boys and girls who will accept His life for mine/yours!)!

If Jesus has paid for your sin, why would you not recognize how much we owe HIM—mostly our love, gratitude, and willingness to serve HIM instead of our own selves!

“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

After all, our salvation is why Jesus came—to pay for sin—yours and mine.

“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 in selfless love; we must choose what our response will be.  And while it’s my/your choice, there is a consequence to every choice, good or bad, so choose wisely!

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

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

What does your fruitfulness look like?  All Paul talks about here is the end of God’s amazing grace toward us; and our “fruit” ought to give glory to God, not line our own pockets!  Paul describes how our response ought to look in his letter to the Colossian believers.  How are you and I responding to this amazing prayer?  I often rehearse this prayer for myself, for others whom I love, for those who need to know Jesus, or just in general when I don’t know how else to pray.

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire

that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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 1:9-14

Have you been forgiven?  Let’s continue to read what Paul goes on to say; we will find that it is ALL about Jesus—from before the foundation of the world, to HIS eternal kingdom.  What’s your focus?  Getting from God or giving for HIS Kingdom?

“In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

all things were created

by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body,

the church:

who is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead;

that in all things

he might have the preeminence.”  Colossians 1: 14-18

Who has “the preeminence” in your life?  Jesus or someone or something else? (like ‘self’?). This is what we need to determine’ are we devoted to God’s will or our own?  It’s as simple as what Jesus said:

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

And in closing, a passage that I use again and again:

“…but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15b

Use God or serve God?  The choice is yours!  Remember there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!