Tag Archives: Luke 13:3-5

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!

 

 

 

 

 

God’s Standard Will Stand–Will You??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #590

25 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Conviction, Faith, Follow Jesus, IN Jesus!, Life, Life or Death?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #590  God’s Standard Will Stand-Will You???

 

We live in a culture that becomes more and more focused on ‘self’ each day.  But we who have been “born…..of God” and cleansed by “the blood of Jesus Christ” must remember to keep our eyes on Jesus, the “author and finisher of our faith”!  We must recognize the danger, the lies and the deceit of the enemy of our souls—the enemy of the souls of all men, and “stand fast in the evil day”!  Today, I simply want to share from The Word of God some things to remind us of His truth, even when it’s hard!

Every person must come to Jesus on their own, and no matter how much we pray for it, or desire if for others, only the convicting power of the Holy Spirit can open the eyes of the spiritually blind—may we ever pray for His work to continue, and that we will share God’s truth at every opportunity—spreading the seed as we ask HIM to bring the harvest!

“Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst

of a people of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.”  Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah came face to face with God (spiritually) and recognized his sin, and God delivered him from his sin, and that is what we each must do at some point!  We must acknowledge our sin, for if one has no sin—why would he/she need a savior?  Jesus said that repentance is the flip side of faith, for until I see “me” as a sinner, I’ll never need to trust Him, for I have it all under control (I think!).  Jesus is the answer—but until ‘I’ recognize the need, the answer is of no benefit to ‘me’!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Jesus Himself makes this very thing clear!

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners

above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

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

We can point fingers at other sinners, but without repentance and faith in Jesus, we are in the same boat as they!  Yet, you may ask, what is the standard?  The standard is “The Word Of God”—both the written Word and The Living Word, Jesus!

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

And my friends—it is God “with whom we have to do”!  While I can’t judge your heart (for sometimes we can’t even truly judge our own hearts), God can and will.  There is a day of reckoning coming, and I pray that you will heed the voice of God speaking to you today and respond in repentance and faith!

“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.”   Revelation 20:11-12

Paul reminds us as well:

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow

to me,

and every tongue shall confess

to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account

of himself

to God.”   Romans 14:11-12

So, my question for us today is, are you/I ready to give an account?  It is an account that will be measured by God’s standard, not our own.  We can choose to bow before Him now as our Lord and Savior, or we will bow before Judge Jesus with no recourse of grace!  The choice is yours/mine but choose wisely for there is a test coming!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

 8 For he that soweth

to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

but he that soweth

to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.”   Galatians 6:7-8

Just remember hell is hot and eternity is long—your choice about Jesus will determine your future.  Defy Him or follow Him—the choice is yours!

“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

And remember if you belong to Jesus:

“Ye are of God,

little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he

that is in you,

than he

that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

Regeneration Is Essential??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 23

21 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Ministry, Regeneration, Service, Spiritual Gifts

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 23    Regeneration Is Essential???

 

Regeneration:  biology–the restoration or new growth by an

organism or organs, tissues, etc., that have been lost, removed or injured…

              theology—spiritual rebirth; religious revival…

While there are several grammatical definitions of regeneration, I want to talk about spiritual regeneration—the work that Jesus does when we are ‘born again’! (And just by way of comment, true ‘revival’ is spiritual not religious!)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, `

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born

when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must

be born again.”  John 3:3-7

Being “born again” is the beginning of our new life in Jesus, for without the ‘life’ of Jesus ‘in’ us we can have no spiritual power!

“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;”  2 Corinthians 5:17-18

Oswald Chambers talks about the fact that without regeneration, we cannot truly do God’s work!  But when we are born again by God’s power, we have Jesus Christ’s Spirit within us, to empower and direct our ministry for HIM!  And contrary to popular belief, ministry is NOT just for “ministers”—it’s for every born-again believer, those who receive Jesus and are made “the sons of God”!  We’ve been given this “ministry of reconciliation”!

“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 1:11-12

Jesus is the power for ministry to each of His own! He has a ministry for you and me; what are you doing with the call of God on your life?  Without Jesus we won’t accomplish much of real value, but with HIM we can do anything He calls us to be and do (and you must “BE” born again, before you can ‘do’ His work)!

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth

much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”   John 15:4-5

Paul makes it clear that God has an order of things, He calls some to lead, teach and grow God’s people into useful, productive ministry (those who minister, not just those who work in a preaching or pastoral position—there is a difference between the gifts of ministry and the offices of ministry leaders)!  Ministry is the privilege of the redeemed—the regenerated—to serve our Lord and King, Jesus!

“And he gave

some, apostles;

and some, prophets;

and some, evangelists;

and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For

the perfecting of the saints,

for

the work of the ministry,

for

the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge

of the Son of God,

unto a perfect man,

unto the measure of the stature

of the fulness of Christ:

14 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 4:11-16

God gifts His leaders, not to do all the work, but to teach, educate, encourage, and train those in the ‘body’ to serve Him faithfully in power, truth and love.  Just ponder this list—take each thing and pray for God to direct your steps into the work that HE has for you!  When you or I are gifted and called to be a leader/minister, then we are to help others to grow “in all things” as we speak “the truth in love”!  And when we speak the truth of The Word of God, we are truly demonstrating the love of God.  Condoning sin, coddling those who reject truth, or watering down the truth to win others is never the demonstration of love—for it will never lead people to the cross!  Until we share the truth about ‘sin’, why would anyone need a Savior.  Jesus said it best.

“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

And to repent, or even know what repentance is, a person must see themselves as sinners—which we all are.  Yet as we share, we must pray for The Holy Spirit to touch, convict and draw hearts to Jesus.

“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

And the Father only draws people to Jesus—He IS the 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

Only One Savior, only One Way—Jesus!  And when we receive salvation through faith in His death, burial and resurrection, we are His child–His servant—to minister reconciliation and regeneration to others as we have opportunity!

“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 15:3-5

We are ministers of truth in our Lord Jesus.  What are you doing with your ministry?  Are you leaving all the work and service to others?  To the pastor?  To the teachers?  To the deacons?  To those with the prominent speaking gifts?  We all have at least one spiritual gift and we are to use them for the edification of the body (the benefit of the church—the people not the building)!

“But the end of all things is at hand:

be ye therefore sober,

and watch unto prayer.

8 And above all things

 have fervent charity among yourselves:

for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality one to another

without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same

one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak,

let him speak as the oracles of God;

if any man minister,

let him do it as of the ability

which God giveth:

that God in all things

may be glorified

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be praise

and dominion

for ever

and ever. Amen.”                           1 Peter 4:7-11

Peter tells us that there are two main categories of gifts: speaking gifts and serving/ministering gifts; and he makes it clear that whatever our gift/gifts are, they are to be used by the power of God, unto His glory!  For even as Jesus told us in John 15, “without me ye can do nothing”!

What are you doing ‘with’ Jesus?  Have you recognized the gift or gifts that God has blessed you with?  When we learn to recognize our gifts, we will find fulfillment in our service, whether it’s in a speaking gift or a serving gift—they are given to every believer as The Spirit sees fit!  It’s HIS call not ours!

“Now there are diversities of gifts,

but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations,

but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations,

but it is the same God which worketh all

in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit

is given to every man

to profit withal.”   1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Paul’s letter to the Romans also reminds us that our gifts are our own individual opportunity to serve our Lord!

“Having then gifts

differing

according to the grace

that is given to us,

whether prophecy,

let us prophesy

according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry,

let us wait on our ministering:

or he that teacheth,

on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth,

on exhortation:

he that giveth,

let him do it with simplicity;

he that ruleth,

with diligence;

he that sheweth mercy,

with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be

without dissimulation.

Abhor that which is evil;

cleave to that which is good.”  Romans 12:6-9

While we have differing gifts, we all have one unified purpose—to follow Jesus, to wait on His leading, and to fulfill the call to share redemptions message, to love and be reconcilers unto Jesus!  We are to fulfill His call and gifting as we lean on HIS power not our own!

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:12-13

So, my simple question for each of us is, have you been redeemed, regenerated?  Are you walking, working, serving, and ministering the grace of God?  We can be and do all that Jesus calls and equips us for—you and me!  We can do all this because “Christ is all, and in all”!  It’s all about Him, and His regenerating sacrifice that gives us new life!

“And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew,

circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian,

bond nor free:

but Christ is all, and in all.”   Colossians 3:10-11

Amen and Amen!!!