Tag Archives: Matthew 1:21

Resurrected And Returning??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #82

03 Monday Apr 2023

Posted by in JESUS, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Rejoice IN The Lord, Resurrection

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Resurrected And Returning???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #82

“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

As we approach the season of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection from the dead, even as Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15, “for our sin”, I pray that we remember it wasn’t an accident, it wasn’t happenstance, it wasn’t just another political statement–it was the plan of God from before the beginning!  Who said?  God does, past, present and in the promise of HIS return for God’s own!  At Pentecost Peter, anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit proclaimed:

“And it shall come to pass,

that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.” Acts 2:21-24

Other scriptures verify this one, eternal purpose of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for SIN!  And yes, my friends, SIN IS the issue.

“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. (The angel to Joseph)

“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                          (John the Baptizer about Jesus)

“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:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him

do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope

might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:18-21                      (Peter near the end of his earthly life)

Paul also referred to this eternal nature of God’s amazing plan of saving grace through the blood of HIS “only begotten son”!

“Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us

with all spiritual blessings

in heavenly places

in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us

in him

before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy

and without blame

before him in love:” Ephesians 1:3-4

John records Jesus’ own words in much of The Book of the Revelation, and I’d like us to consider a few of these statements in closing, and I pray that your week will include time with Jesus, remembering the price that HE paid for our salvation.  If you belong to Jesus, I pray that you will find peace, hope, and encouragement this week, for we surely live in the “evil day” that scripture talks about, and our Lord Jesus’ return is most imminent in my opinion.  If you don’t know Jesus, I pray that you will hear His voice speaking to your heart and His knock at your heart’s door.

“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

Some thoughts for your consideration:

“Behold, he cometh with clouds;

and every eye shall see him,

and they also which pierced him:

and all kindreds of the earth shall wail

because of him.

Even so, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning

and the ending,

saith the Lord,

which is,

and which was,

and which is to come,

the Almighty.”  Revelation 1:7-8

“Behold, I come quickly:

blessed is he that keepeth the sayings

of the prophecy of this book…

…..12 And, behold, I come quickly;

and my reward is with me,

to give every man

according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end,

the first and the last…

…20 He which testifieth these things saith,

Surely I come quickly.

Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

be with you all.

Amen.”  Portions of Revelation 22:7-21

I pray that you will see the need to be prepared for JESUS’ return–and you can only do that through repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for YOU at Calvary!!!

“Rejoice in the Lord

alway:

and again I say,

Rejoice.”  Philippians 4:4

Amen and Amen!!!

Lifting Up Jesus Or ‘Me’??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #77

17 Friday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, Born Again, Cross, Crucified With Christ, If I be lifted up---, IN HIS TIME!, IN Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Lifting up Jesus, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!

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Lifting Up Jesus Or ‘Me’???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #77

“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.”   John 3:14-16

Jesus told Nicodemus that HE would be lifted up “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness”, and later HE told His disciples the same thing; and I believe HE is calling us to understand the very same thing today.  Even as Paul declared, may we make the same commitment in our hearts, our lives, and our words today.  Who are you and I “lifting up”?  Jesus and the cross upon which HE paid for my sin and yours, or our own agenda, our own opinion, our glory, our advancement, our notoriety?  I stand with Paul and hope to always be lifting up Jesus Christ–and HIM alone!

“And I, brethren, when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

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

save Jesus Christ, and him crucified…

…. 4 And my speech and my preaching

was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom,

but in demonstration of the Spirit

and of power:

5 That your faith

should not stand in the wisdom of men,

but in the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-2 & 4-5

Jesus was born to die!  To die for your sin and mine–intentionally, on purpose, that we might have eternal life.  It wasn’t by accident, it wasn’t by the power of the Jewish leaders, or the Romans, but by God’s intentional purposes for the salvation of all who will believe, and come to HIM in repentance, and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.

“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

Just as Peter preached after the ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Acts 2:22-24

Even as Jesus told His followers before His death; a death they weren’t expecting, but which Jesus wanted them to understand would save all who would believe their message of the cross! (For He also told them that His death would not be the end but that HE would RISE AGAIN! –and HE DID!!!)

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said,

signifying what death

he should die.”  John 12:32-33

So, my friends, will we choose to lift up Jesus or something else?  The choice is yours, but remember there is a test, and I can’t help but believe that The Master is not very long from coming for His own!  Remember HE died for YOU!  May we who belong to Jesus lift HIM up today–He’ll do the rest!

Amen and Amen!!!

Yes, Jesus Gets You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 04

12 Sunday Feb 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Are you ready?, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Victory IN Jesus!

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Yes, Jesus Gets You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 04

 

But not in the way you might be thinking, not the way that the modern-day “false prophets” are proclaiming!  Jesus loves you–YES, but He died for your “forgiveness of sin”, your “life transforming salvation FROM sin” not “in your sin”!  It’s why HE came,

“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 to save “sinners” FROM their “sin” not IN their sin, it’s called repentance (one of those terms that the “false prophets” of today want to remove from the “Christian” equation); 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

Jesus makes it very clear in Matthew 7 that His way isn’t easy, popular or ‘one among many’, but that HE is the only way and if you choose the “way of the many” the end is NOT LIFE, but “destruction”!  Read it for yourself.

“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…

… 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.”  Portions of Matthew 7:9-23

Jesus gives us an amazing example of the difference; yet it is often relegated to only a ‘children’s song’ rather than the truth of our Master, Jesus, THE ONLY WAY!

“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:

7 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.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them

as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”  Matthew 7:24-29

The standard is also laid out in Revelation 20, along with the fate of those who make the wrong choice.

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face

the earth and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things which were written

in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

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

Paul tells us how we get our name written in the “book of life” through Jesus, what we must genuinely believe!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you

the gospel which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you

first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:”  1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Paul makes it more than clear what we must believe to have real faith:

“that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures…

       that he was buried (because HE DIED!)

       that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures

       that he was seen (alive by many…)”

All “according to the scriptures”, referring to God’s plan from before the foundation of the world.  All because HE created us knowing we would fall into sin, yet HE had already made a plan for Jesus to pay for our sin at Calvary, and only when we see that and are transformed by being “born again” into the Kingdom of God are we forgiven our sin and given eternal life! (See John 3 for the whole story!)

If you go back and look at Matthew 7 and read the whole chapter, you will find that Jesus talks about ‘good trees’ and ‘corrupt trees’ and reminds us that by our fruit we will be known.  What does your fruit say about your relationship with Jesus?  Or do you have a relationship with HIM?  Or do you have a ‘faith’ in your own way, your own goodness?  Paul tells us in Romans the truth of our relationship with a Holy God.

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

And Jesus’ own words:

“And he said unto them,

Ye are from beneath;

I am from above:

ye are of this world;

I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore unto you,

that ye shall die in your sins:

for if ye believe not that I am he,

ye shall die in your sins.”  John 8:23-24

“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

So my friends, no matter what you see on TV, or hear on your media sources, Jesus didn’t die to leave you in your sin, HE came to “make you free”; so you can believe Jesus, come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for YOUR sin and mine, or you can believe the lies of the enemy of your soul!

“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

Will you receive the Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ, turn from your sin and be born again, or find the destruction at the end of that “broad road”?  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test, and Jesus IS the entrance standard!

Paul describes the difference between fruits. Will you let Jesus transform you or cling to the lies of the enemy.  When you look into the mirror of God’s Word what do you see?

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings, and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:19-25

Paul declares the difference between the real and the fake.

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus

from the dead dwell in you,

he that raised up Christ from the dead

shall also quicken your mortal bodies

by his Spirit

that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:9-11

Will you receive JESUS’ truth, or ‘die in your sins’ (after you’ve lived a life in them)?  But remember, choose wisely there is a test, and we will all give an account to GOD!

“That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:10-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Christ And HIM Crucified??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 21

21 Monday Nov 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 21 Christ And HIM Crucified???

I have a simple and hopefully encouraging word for today–it’s all about Jesus from one of the most profound scriptures in all of The Word (to me!)!  I pray that it will lift your heart this week, as we here in the U.S. celebrate a day of Thanksgiving; while knowing that “Thanks–Giving” is a heart attitude not just a ‘day’ of family, food, and football; not just a ‘day’ for turkey, treats, and too much dessert; not just a day of sharing our blessings, but truly a day to remember and praise God for HIS amazing gifts of love, mercy, and sustenance!  All because we are loved by the Creator of the universe!!

“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.”  John 3:16

And what did God give His Son to do?  To take on flesh, live among sinful men and give HIS life on the cross for our sin!

“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 for your consideration as we go through this week, hopefully focusing on our “attitude of gratitude”, remembering the beauty of the gift that Jesus became!

“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.”  Philippians 2:5-11

May God bless you with eyes to see and ears to hear.  May we each respond in gratitude for the greatest gift ever given!

Oh, that we will truly be found to be a grateful people, believing in this “only begotten son”, and I pray that you will receive HIS gift of “everlasting life” which JESUS bought and paid for at Calvary with HIS own blood! Thank YOU, JESUS!  (See Revelation 1:5)

Blessings on you and yours, my friends.  And may you enjoy a most love-filled HAPPY THANKS-GIVING!!!

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.”  Psalm 100:4

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!!!