Tag Archives: Matthew 1:21

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!

 

 

 

 

How Far Is Too Far??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 26

11 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Discipline, Salvation, Sanctified, SIN

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 26  How Far Is Too Far???

 

My heart is heavy with the burden of the world that we live in, and yet even more, that those who claim the name of Jesus have accepted the world’s philosophy and lies over the truth of God’s Word and claim that it’s “OK”!  According to God’s Word—t’ain’t so!  While these are subjects to broach with humility and compassion, I believe that they are subjects that need to be addressed.

“This know also,

that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers

of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers

of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”   2 Timothy 3:1-5

This list is pretty self-explanatory, even to the point of being something that could describe most front-pages of our news any day!  Yet what does this have to do with me/you/us?  A lot, I think, for we are there; yet many who claim to belong to Jesus, don’t seem to be recognizing it as such, but rather joining in with the world and adjusting The Word to meet their lifestyle choices, rather than ordering their “steps in Thy Word”. God has never changed—His character, His Word, or His call to salvation!  Jesus is still The Only Way—and His way will always align with The Word of God!

 “Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

When we come to Jesus—who never changes—HE makes a change in us; and The Word confirms that when we are ‘born again’ we are changed from the inside out—not one who works their way to heaven.  (See Colossians 1:12-14)

“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

Jesus came to save us “from” our sins, and while we must come “just as” we are, God never leaves us as we are—He is working to conform us to the image of His Son. Salvation reconciles us to God, changing us from the enemies of God to His own child.

“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

“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

And when we are saved from our sins, we are made a “new creature” in Jesus, and God says His own won’t be left to ‘their own’ devices without His guiding hand, and His eternal work of redemption and sanctification in our lives.  Jesus disciplines His own, and if we don’t’ experience His work and discipline in our life, we better check out what we think saved us!

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son,

despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,

nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth

every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you

as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father

chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh

which corrected us,

and we gave them reverence:

shall we not much rather

be in subjection unto the Father of spirits,

and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us

after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit,

that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present

seemeth to be joyous,

but grievous:

nevertheless afterward

it yieldeth the peaceable fruit

of righteousness

unto them

which are exercised thereby.”   Hebrews 12:5-11

The fruit of righteousness comes from God’s ‘training’ work in our lives, all to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ His Son.  And yet, I hear all around us of those who claim to be “Christians” and yet are continually “denying the power thereof”. I heard of an instance recently where a popular television program had two professing Christians on it (a reality show of sorts) and when one called the other to avoid immorality, he was rebuked and told that his opinion wasn’t valid –that God will forgive immorality when we ask, and that’s all that is important!  WRONG!  Yes, God will forgive when we seek His forgiveness, but it requires a repentant heart, a recognition of sin as sin, and not an arrogant refusal to accept God’s standard of life and morality but accepting the world’s standard while rejecting God’s truth!

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”   1 John 1:9-10

Jesus tells us that just ‘saying’ so doesn’t ‘make it’ so.  Are you talking a good talk, but living a different way?  How far have we been led astray, how far have you/I gone afield from God?  We must return to the “narrow road” if we truly belong to Jesus.  Jesus said it best; ask His words to truly speak to your heart!

“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.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 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 7:13-23

Just like Jesus continued on, we can have a house built on the rock–Jesus, or we can settle for a house that looks good but is built on the sand of the world.  So, remember, when the storms come–and they will come—the foundation determines the outcome!

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

 which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

 and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”   Matthew 7:24-27

Paul paints a wonderful word picture of our new relationship with God—and it’s not a relationship that minimalizes sin, or covers sin up, or calls wrong right, or right wrong.  Yet just as Paul told Timothy, those “perilous times” have come, we are surrounded by a world that proclaims a ‘modern gospel’ that is false, they have a “form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”!  They don’t want life-changing, transforming salvation that Jesus offers, but they simply want a “get out of hell free” card, that “cheap grace” that Dietrich Bonhoeffer talked about almost 100 years ago.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

 through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience;

and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

 by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure

for a good man some

would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love

toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:1-11

And two final passages that I want to leave with you, are the quintessential revelation of God’s perspective on sin; passages that many reject today, but nonetheless, are still God’s truth, and I will simply list them here for you to ponder.  God’s opinion is the opinion that will matter. (See Hebrews 4:12-13 — God’s Word will be the defining Word of judgment!)

“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;

19 Because that which may be known of God

is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood by the things that are made,

even his eternal power and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God,

they glorified him not as God,

neither were thankful;

but became vain in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise,

they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God

into an image made like to corruptible man,

and to birds,

and fourfooted beasts,

and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up

to uncleanness

through the lusts of their own hearts,

to dishonour their own bodies

between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God

into a lie,

and worshipped and served the creature

more than the Creator,

who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up

unto vile affections:

for even their women did change

the natural use into that

which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men,

leaving the natural use of the woman,

burned in their lust

one toward another;

men with men

working that which

is unseemly,

and receiving in themselves

that recompence of their error

which was meet.

28 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 1:16-32

And lastly:

“Know ye not that the unrighteous

shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators,

nor idolaters,

nor adulterers,

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves,

nor covetous,

nor drunkards,

nor revilers,

nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: (past tense)

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified

 in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.”   1 Corinthians 6:9-11

What’s your answer, “How Far Is Too Far”?  God will show you, if you really want to know!

“God forbid:

yea, let God be true,

but every man a liar;

as it is written,

That thou mightest be justified

in thy sayings,

and mightest overcome

when thou art judged.”  Romans 3:4

Amen and Amen!

To Know HIM More Today??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 22

14 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Born Again, King Jesus, Take Up YOUR Cross

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 22     To Know HIM More Today???

 

We heard a good message this morning about our Good King!  Jesus, The King of Glory!  Oh, how blessed we are to know Him, to be His, to be privileged to share the “Good News’ of the salvation that our ‘Good King’ has provided through our Lord Jesus Christ—The very Son of God—our ‘Good King’!  And it’s HIM that we want to focus on today.

“Lift up your heads,

O ye gates;

and be ye lift up,

ye everlasting doors;

and the King of glory

shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?

The LORD strong and mighty,

the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads,

 O ye gates;

even lift them up,

ye everlasting doors;

and the King of glory

shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts,

he is the King of glory. Selah.”  Psalm 24:7-10

And Jesus IS His name—He came through those ‘gates’ once in human flesh and blood!  He lived a perfect life, gave His life to die as the perfect Lamb of God, rose from the dead on the third day, and HE IS coming back again, to walk through those ‘gates’ again.  Do you know HIM?

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them

eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able

to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”   John 10:27-30

Jesus was, is and ever shall be “one” with The Father!  And because HE IS God, His sacrifice was the ultimate, perfect sacrifice that provides salvation for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith!

“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 came—and oh how glad I am that He did; and because He did, we can have new life in Him, now and into eternity.

“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 1:12-14

When we come to Jesus, He gives us His Holy Spirit to dwell within and to provide all that we need to live a life of godliness.

“Grace and peace be multiplied

unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge

of him that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great and precious promises:

that by these

 ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world through lust.”    2 Peter 1:2-4

But, not only do we have all we need for “life and godliness”, we have a Lord and Savior who is coming again to establish His Kingdom on this earth—and I believe HE is coming soon!  Are you ready?

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house

are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place

for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place

for you,

I will come again,

and receive you

unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither

thou goest;

and how can we know

the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”   John 14:1-6

Jesus is the only way to God, and we can not only be known of Him, but we can draw nearer and nearer to Him, and come to know Him more and more.  That is to be the pursuit of our lives—to know Him more each day.  To grow in intimate relationship and fellowship with Him! Paul paints a wonderful picture of this relationship that we are pursuing.

“But what things were gain to me,

those I counted loss

for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss

for the excellency

of the knowledge of Christ Jesus

my Lord:

for whom I have suffered

the loss of all things,

and do count them but dung,

that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness,

which is of the law,

but that which is through the faith

of Christ,

the righteousness

which is of God

by faith:

10 That I may know him,

and the power of his resurrection,

and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable unto his death;

            11 If by any means I might attain

unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend that

for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:7-14

I’d like us to simply take a walk through this message, my paraphrase, if you will.  With Paul may we:

Measure life with Jesus ruler—

See all as rubbish, compared to Knowing Jesus—

Want to KNOW Jesus more than anything else—

Suffering for Jesus is less than HIS suffering for us—

Victory is in HIS righteousness imparted to us—

To KNOW Him more—is to be conformed to HIS image—

I haven’t arrived, but as I walk with Jesus, I will—

To ‘arrive’, I must

 Forget the past—

 Pursue what is ahead—

 Press toward the God’s ‘mark’—

 Seek His prize—JESUS IS the prize!

Simply said, but not easily done—but it is doable as we follow our Lord in all things—giving up self to seek the Savior!  This picture pricks my heart, every time I read it! It calls me to draw near to God and seek HIS face, and not my own ways.  Oft times that is difficult with all the busyness around us; but we must choose the things of “the Spirit” rather than the things of the flesh.  As Paul said so clearly:

“That I may know him,

and the power of his resurrection,

and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable

unto his death”

And as Paul told the Galatians and us there is only one way to be “made conformable unto his death”, and that is to “die” to self, even as our Lord called us to do!

“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

Jesus calls it ‘denying self…taking up our cross…and following Jesus’ (And ‘taking up’ your cross  doesn’t mean enduring your daily trails, but it means that I die to self, every day, living unto Jesus—by His power, provision and the presence of HIS Holy Spirit within us!).  Just as Jesus died to give us life, we must die to self, allowing HIS life to be seen through us!!!

“Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things,

and be rejected

of the elders

and chief priests

and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?”  Luke 9:23

I pray that you will join me in “coming after” Jesus!  And the only way that we can live for HIM, is to die to my flesh.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…

….25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.” Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

Will you draw near to Him today? I pray that you know Him and will yield to His work in and through you.  If you don’t know Him, I invite you to call upon this same Jesus who gave Himself for YOU—in His own words:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh

to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”   John 3:14-21

Won’t you seek to know Him more today?  I pray that you will join me as we:

“press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus”!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

Putting Asunder??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 10

21 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Cross, Putting Asunder, Trusting Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.10 Putting Asunder???

 

How sad for me on this precious and glorious Resurrection Sunday, to think of how far afield we have come from God’s plan and design for mankind.  The God who created us, made us “male” and “female”—created marriage, and provided for the restoration of our relationship with HIM, which we lost due to sin. Let us consider how far afield we have come.  What have you and I “put asunder”?

“And he answered and said unto them,

Have ye not read,

that he which made them

at the beginning

made them

male

and female,

5 And said, For this cause

shall a man leave father

and mother,

and shall cleave to his wife:

and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain,

but one flesh.

What therefore

God hath joined together,

let not man put asunder.

7 They say unto him,

Why did Moses then command

to give a writing of divorcement,

and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them,

Moses

because of the hardness

of your hearts

suffered you to put away

your wives:

but from the beginning

it was not so.” Matthew 19:4-8

Jesus responded to those who questioned Him and who wanted to trap Him with God’s truth; He reminded them of God’s original plan for man—for marriage.  Jesus made it clear that not only did God create marriage, He created it for a lifetime!  He also tells us that what “God hath joined together, let not man put asunder”!  Yet we live in a world, especially our American culture, that has not only disregarded God’s plan, but we are totally putting it “asunder”!

Asunder:  into separate parts; in or into pieces; 2: apart or widely separated…

We have allowed ourselves to be led astray—not because we didn’t know truth, but because we are rejecting God’s truth on almost every hand.  We have denied, watered down and diluted the very Word of God at every turn.  God’s plan began in Eden, and it hasn’t changed!

“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep

to fall upon Adam,

and he slept:

and he took one of his ribs,

and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib,

which the LORD God had taken from man,

made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said,

This is now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh:

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore

shall a man leave his father

and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife:

and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked,

the man

and his wife,

and were not ashamed.”  Genesis 2:21-25

God would make the two—male and female—one.  There is to be a “leaving” and a “cleaving”—leaving the ties of our parents’ home, and being totally devoted to our spouse; to be not only ‘one’ in a physical sense, but a oneness of body, mind and spirit.  Soul mates in the sense that when we both keep our eyes on Jesus—there will be a drawing closer and closer to God and drawing closer and more intimate with each other.  It is a picture that God painted in the beginning to show us the beauty and wonder of His love for us—a picture of the ONE who had already created the plan to perfectly restore our relationship to Him, after it would be marred by sin! And that plan was JESUS!  The very One whose resurrection we celebrate today.

Paul gave a most interesting picture of this in his letter to the Ephesians, a passage whose beauty we often miss because we place our focus on the instructions to husbands and wives—and miss the wondrous picture of our Risen Lord and HIS church!

“Husbands, love your wives,

even as Christ also loved the church,

and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify

and cleanse it

with the washing of water

by the word,

27 That he might present it

to himself a glorious church,

not having spot,

or wrinkle,

or any such thing;

but that it should be holy

and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives

as their own bodies.

He that loveth his wife

loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated

his own flesh;

but nourisheth

and cherisheth it,

even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body,

of his flesh,

and of his bones.

31 For this cause

shall a man leave his father and mother,

and shall be joined unto his wife,

and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery:

but I speak concerning Christ

and the church.

33 Nevertheless

let every one of you in particular

so love his wife

even as himself;

and the wife

see that she reverence

her husband.”   Ephesians 5:25-33

How sad that we have cast aside the plan of God for our own lusts, desires and happiness (so-called).  I, like many others, was misled and fell for the lies of the enemy and abandoned God’s plan for my own!  That is one of the reasons for my sadness, another is that it I am so inadequate to warn others of the pitfalls of sin, and the lies of the enemy (and he is a liar, on every hand).  God is much more concerned with our love for Him, and our willingness to surrender to His work of holiness within us by the power of the CROSS!  And there is no comparison with the joy that God can give to the heart that will pursue Him rather than the “lusts of the flesh”!  How grateful I am that God reached down, called my ‘sin’ ‘sin’, and heard the prayer of my heart when I confessed my ‘sin’ and asked Jesus to forgive me and save me—and HE did!  Not that I was perfect after that, but things were different, for I now had the Spirit of the ‘Risen Lord” dwelling within me!  Praise HIS name!

Paul warns us, as he warned the Romans of the dangerous downward spiral of sin.  God’s way is diametrically opposite to the cry of the world, which calls us to go our own way, rather than God’s; but it is a plague that all are afflicted with.

 

“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.

(And I encourage you to read all of Romans 1 for the whole picture of the degradation and contagion of sin!)

God, through Isaiah, painted the picture of the ONE who would come and deliver us from our sin—the only ONE who could and would—HE did!

“He is despised and rejectedof men;

a man of sorrows,

and acquainted with grief:

and we hid as it were our faces

from him;

he was despised,

and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne

our griefs,

and carried

our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him

stricken,

smitten of God,

and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded

for our transgressions,

he was bruised

for our iniquities:

the chastisement

of our peace

was upon him;

and with his stripes

we are healed.

6 All we like sheep

have gone astray;

we have turned every one

to his own way;

and the LORD hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.”  Isaiah 53:3-6

Jesus—The Lamb of God—came to be the sacrifice for our sin!  His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice paid the price for my redemption and yours!  I, who was so fallen and full of sin, found His redemption totally abundant and adequate to cleanse my soul of sin.  And HE will do the same for YOU if you will but hear His voice, repent, and open the door of your heart to receive His saving grace!  He came to save us from sin—and He is still saving souls and changing lives today—this very day that we celebrate His victory over sin, death and hell.

“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

It is why HE came—to live a sinless life, and to pay a sin debt that HE didn’t owe, because we owed a sin debt that we could never pay apart from hell!

“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 has given HIS own life for us!  And when we receive HIS salvation, we are made new!

“Therefore being justified

by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love

toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom

we have now received

the atonement.”   Romans 5:1-11

While we were “yet sinners, Christ died for us”; the sinless, Son of God, gave HIS life for my sin!  My sin and yours—I failed—I came short—I rebelled—I sought self, lust, and satisfaction, without regard for the cost to my own soul or the lives of others. Yet, God had already provided for my salvation, forgiveness and redemption.  He has made me whole by the blood of JESUS’ cross, and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.  Therefore, as HE gave me new life, HE will give you life too! If you know Jesus already, press on in the ‘newness’ of life “in him”, He is totally sufficient for all your need!  And if you don’t know Jesus, you can call upon Him today!

“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

We can be ‘new’!  And when He makes us ‘new’, we are truly new in our hearts, and free from the power of sin, by the blood of The Lamb, who “cleanseth us from all sin”!

“If the Son therefore shall make you free,

ye shall be free indeed.”  John 8:36

Free to love Him, to serve Him, to follow Him by taking up our cross and pursuing Jesus in all our ways.  Paul puts it so beautifully, what better way to praise HIM and close our post for today—challenging each of us to give it all to Jesus—by His grace and power!

“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.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”   Romans 12:1-3

May you be blessed on this Resurrection Sunday!

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!