Tag Archives: Matthew 7:13-14

GOD Needs A__Good__??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 22

09 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Be not conformed to this world, Building on The Rock or The Sand?, Choices And Consequences, Consider Your ways, He Died That We Could Live, IN Jesus!, Salvation, Saved by grace, The Broad or Narrow Way?, True Knowledge, Trusting Jesus, Truth

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 22 GOD Needs A ___Good___???

 

Most of us have heard the slogan, “_____needs a few good men…”!  But I’d like us to talk about our God, and while God doesn’t “need” anything, there are some things that God says about what HE desires for His own, for all mankind.

“The Lord knoweth how

to deliver the godly

out of temptations,

and to reserve

the unjust

unto the day of judgment

to be punished:”  2 Peter 2:9

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering

to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come

to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

God truly desires for all to “come to repentance”, for His desire is that none “should perish” but come to Jesus for salvation.  Yet the thing we need to remember is that God isn’t looking for a “few”, nor is He looking for “good” men, He is calling to all who will hear and heed His message of salvation IN JESUS; recognizing that Jesus came to save sinners, not “good” men, those who think they can save themselves.

Paul talked about this ability to recognize our need of a Savior; and as long as we are “good” enough on our own, why would we need a Savior?  But when we see our sin, and understand that we can’t save ourselves, then we can see our need and come to know the One who can remedy our sin problem.

“And the grace of our Lord

was exceeding abundant

with faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful saying,

and worthy of all acceptation,

that Christ Jesus came into the world

to save sinners;

of whom I am chief.”  1 Timothy 1:14-15

Paul talked of this to the Roman believers to remind them of this very thing.

“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…

…. 22 Even the righteousness of God

which is by faith of Jesus Christ

unto all

and upon all them

that believe:

for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:”  Romans 3:10-12 & 22-24

God doesn’t need us, but we need Jesus; and just as Jesus said in Matthew 7, we must choose wisely for there is only one way—Jesus—and while the broad way may be appealing, it is deceptive.  So, we must consider God’s truth and receive His forgiveness for our sin, by choosing HIS path–JESUS!

“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…

…. 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 7:13-14 & 21-23

Forgiveness is found only in Jesus, yet just as the song says, the truth IS “Jesus Saves” still! (Written by Priscilla Jane Owens).

“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

Truly we only find that forgiveness when we humble ourselves before God, seeking His forgiveness in Jesus death, burial and resurrection for our sin!

“But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter be turned

to mourning,

and your joy

to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”   James 4:6-10

And as God wants us to know, and choose wisely, He is ever seeking those who will come to HIM!  Remember, as my former pastor says, “Jesus died for our sin, so we don’t have to die IN our sin!”

“The eyes of the LORD

are in every place,

beholding the evil

and the good.”  Proverbs 15:3

So then, who is the “good” one?  No one!  But when Jesus saves and transforms our lives, we are changed into the image of The Son; we are changed from lost sinners to saved saints (and saints aren’t perfect, just forgiven, redeemed and being transformed—see Romans 8:28-29!)!  One of my favorite passages, helps us understand this principle—Jesus saves us “from” our sin, so we won’t have to die “IN” our sin! (See Matthew 1:21)

“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

It’s because of God’s saving work that we can understand with the Psalmist, that the “good” man mentioned by the Psalmist is only “good” by God’s saving grace! (Remember Romans 3!)

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth

in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

So, my question for us today is simply this, “Are you one of those who will respond to God’s call?”  Will you recognize your true condition and come to the Savior in repentance and faith?  Will you allow God to save, redeem and transform you?  Or will you go your own way, choosing to pay for your own sin.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“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

By HIS salvation we can know the power of a truly transformed life, having a renewed heart and mind by the power of Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s Word, and His Holy Spirit.

“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

I pray that you will find peace, joy and rest in this transforming power of salvation in Jesus.  For Jesus isn’t just seeking a “few good men/women”, but all who will see their sin and know that HE is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”!

Won’t you come to this loving Savior who died for you?  And if you already know Him, won’t you share this truth with those around you who don’t?  May God raise us up—the army of The Lord–remembering that:

“And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid

nor dismayed

by reason of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours,

but God’s.”    2 Chronicles 20:15

Blessings on you and yours.  I pray that you will be one of the “few there be that find it”!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Does Jesus Really Care??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 02

08 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Believe IN Jesus, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 02  Does Jesus Really Care???

 

As most of you are aware, I lost my daughter just before Christmas past to a violent crime.  She was murdered by an ex-boyfriend (I use that term loosely), and I feel that it’s time to share some things about this difficult time, to be an encouragement to you in whatever trials you may be facing.  Let me preface it by sharing Paul’s testimony of God’s faithfulness, regardless of how things may look.

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient

for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore

will I rather glory

in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”   2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Our tragedy seemingly came out of nowhere, but God was not caught ‘off guard’, and I take great comfort in the total and complete sovereignty of my God!  And while God is holy, righteous and pure and in our fallen word, sin does still work around us!  We sometimes forget that when Adam and Eve fell, they threw all mankind into the throes of the after-effects of sin.

“And unto Adam he said,

Because thou hast hearkened

unto the voice of thy wife,

and hast eaten

of the tree,

of which I commanded thee, saying,

Thou shalt not eat of it:

cursed is the ground

for thy sake;

in sorrow shalt thou eat of it

all the days of thy life;

18 Thorns also and thistles

shall it bring forth to thee;

and thou shalt eat

the herb of the field;

19 In the sweat of thy face

shalt thou eat bread,

till thou return unto the ground;

for out of it wast thou taken:

for dust

thou art,

and unto dust

shalt thou return.”   Genesis 3:17-19

We live in a sinful, broken world, and while our personal sin doesn’t necessarily cause our trials and troubles, original sin causes the problems that surround us in our fallen world.  Original sin causes people to choose unwisely, to reject God, to go down a road that Jesus said, “leadeth to destruction”!

“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.”   Matthew 7:13-14

People still ask me, “How do you do it?”; and my reply is the same today as it was the day my daughter died, “God’s still God, God’s still good, and I still trust Him!”  Why? Because, like Paul, I have walked with Jesus through thick and thin; I have succeeded in my Christian walk and I have failed HIM miserably; I have felt exultant joy and indescribable sorrow; I have shouted glory to God on the mountain tops, and cried in deep despair when life seemed to turn to ashes; and in all these things, times, and crises I have had a loving Savior walking beside me who has NEVER failed me—NEVER!  And He will never fail!

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do

unto me.

7 Remember them

which have the rule over you,

who have spoken unto you the word of God:

whose faith follow,

considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:5-8

As Paul declared God’s reassurance to him, we can count on the God whose “grace is sufficient for thee”!  And just as HE was “sufficient” to Paul, HE was, is and ever shall be “sufficient” to us!  HE IS my confidence, strength and hope in all things—especially recent events.  Jesus IS my total confidence because I have received Him as my Lord and Savior, and I have chosen to draw near to Him through His Word and, as the Psalmist said, I “delight” in HIM!  For you see, we have the God-given privilege to choose—we can choose that “broad …way, that leadeth to destruction” or we can respond to God’s call upon our heart and “Enter…in at the strait gate… which leadeth unto life”.  I didn’t just “choose” God on that fateful day that ended my daughter’s life, but I have walked with HIM for nigh unto 45 years, and I have always found Him faithful, even when I have had moments of “faithlessness”, just like everyone else.  We can choose to “stay down” or we can remember that “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”, and repent and find His forgiveness and cleansing.

“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

That’s shouting ground!  I’m not perfect, but I am forgiven, and I know where to find forgiveness when I fall—IN “Jesus Christ the righteous”!  How about you?  I would like to share a brief account of the experience that we have walked through these last weeks and months; I pray that it will serve as a beacon of hope to others, for I have no desire to “go public” for my own glory, but only and always the glory of my KING Jesus!

It was a typical, uneventful Thursday to begin with, as I was praying and reading as usual, yet I just couldn’t get my daughter off of my mind.  I clearly felt prompted of the Lord to call her, and we had our own little code, I texted her to ask if she was sleeping or working (as she was almost always working or trying to catch up on her sleep), and she answered that she was on her way to work. So, I called her (she has a car connection for her phone), and we visited for a while and said our ‘goodbyes’ and our “I love you”s, as she was almost to her store.  Then my eldest son called, as he usually does on weekday mornings, and we had a good visit and hung up about 8ish as usual.  I went about my reading and praying, and about 8:30 my brother called and asked if my middle son was still working at a particular store (he had been working at the same store that my daughter was then managing) and I said “no”, and he replied “good”; which shocked me and I asked, “Why do you say ’good’?”, and he said that a male and a female had been shot and killed at that store.  I told him I’d call him later and hung up, as he didn’t know that my daughter had taken over that store, and started to call my daughter’s phone continually, with no answer.

I called a sheriff friend and asked if he could check to see if it was my daughter who was killed, and he said that was the ‘city’ police and they wouldn’t tell him any details in an active investigation (which I already knew) but I asked him to please check and he did, to no avail.  I then went to our local store where she had been the manager and talked to the present manager (my friend and hers) and she tried to call the district manager (as she would have been the first person the police would have called) with no answer.  I went back home and then my two younger sons started calling and saying they were on the scene and couldn’t find anything out, and they were both beside themselves so I told my husband that we needed to go to Lawton (about 30 miles from our home) to see what was going on (thinking that she could have confronted a thief).  When we left, we stopped by the local store to tell our friend that we were headed to Lawton, and she was bawling like a baby, so I immediately asked if she had just heard from the district manager, and she said, ‘yes’.  I asked if it was my daughter who was killed, and she said ‘yes’, so we immediately headed that way!  That was one of the longest drives that I have ever made, but I kept asking God to help me be and do whatever HE asked of me/us.

When we got to the scene, I went under the barrier and signaled for the officer to come, and he told me to get back out of the barrier and I told him I wanted to know if that was my daughter who had been killed.  We had a brief interchange, and after talking to another officer they told me that they had just identified the victim and sent me to the police station.  At the station the officers were most cordial and helpful to us in such difficult circumstances.  After answering their questions, I asked if the other victim was an employee, and they responded, “no” and I inquired who it was—and long story short—when he called out the name, it was my daughter’s former ‘boyfriend’ (for lack of a better term) and then I was able to tell him what had happened.  She was months out of the relationship–but desperate people do desperate things—and when he was unable to press her return, he intentionally stalked her, found her and shot her to death, then turned the weapon on himself.  I can’t describe the feelings that I experienced, but I know that my Lord was there with me, and I had the calm resolve to go through the interrogation and know that God was not caught off-guard or surprised—saddened, but not surprised.

As we returned home and began to take care of the things that you have to take care of, I found an unrivaled peace that I couldn’t explain, but as I told people on that day and still do, “God’s still God, God’s still good, and I still trust Him.”  I realize that my daughter had made some wrong decisions and choices and one of them cost her her life.  I am a private person, and I told my husband that night that I didn’t think I could write my blog the next morning, and he said to do what I felt like I could.  Through the night The Lord would wake me and give me a scripture, I’d go back to sleep, and then He would wake me with another scripture through the night.  When I woke up the next morning, I told the Lord that I didn’t think that I could write, and I heard His voice (not audibly) whisper in my spirit, “You have hope, others do not!  You. Must. Share. Truth. With. Them!”  And I went into my den and the words flowed so seamlessly from The Lord as I shared the truth of the peace that I felt, all “Because He Lives” in my heart!

I also had determined to avoid the media at all costs, and God spoke to my heart the same message, and after things were settled down a bit, I agreed to a TV interview, yet I still had only one message—God is faithful and women and men need to make choices in compliance with The Word of God!  Just because the world says “sin” is ok—God doesn’t, and the rules haven’t changed. (You can view it on Bible Ballistics FB page 12/31/19).

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

And this same Jesus who gave Himself for us, Is The One who keeps me/us secure in His Love, and like Job I clearly proclaim:

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

So, in closing, my question for all of us is simply, do you “trust in him”?  Not just saying you “trust in him”, but with Job, understanding that our life choices are a testament to a faith in Him or a lack of the same!  I want to close with an old song that I heard just this week, in fact it inspired this post and I pray that it will speak to your heart as it did to mine; for Jesus really does care!

This song was written by Frank E. Graeff, out of personal trials, as he pondered on 1 Peter 5:7, and I’ve included the immediate context that reminds us of God’s perfect provision:

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary

the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us

unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory

and dominion

for ever

and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11 

Does Jesus Care    By Frank E Graeff


Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.         

Amen and Amen!!!

May A Blessed Day Be Yours!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #565

21 Friday Jun 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Dare To Be Different!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #565   May A Blessed Day Be Yours!!!

 

I would like to share a bit of encouragement for each of us today.  I pray that your summer is going well, and that you are making some time to share with family, friends and neighbors, and taking time for some refreshing of your heart, mind and soul.  We all need to take time to rest and refresh; even Jesus called His disciples aside to rest!

“And he said unto them,

Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place,

and rest a while:

for there were many coming and going,

and they had no leisure

so much as to eat.

32 And they departed into a desert place

by ship

privately.”  Mark 6:31-32

We all need proper rest, and ‘it’s good for what ails you’, as my mother was wont to say.  As we try to fit into a world that is going at top speed, we sometimes forget that rushing (haste) isn’t always good, because it can often produce careless or thoughtless actions.  While we need to order our lives with balance, we must make sure that our balance is set by Jesus and The Word of God!  Don’t let the world dictate the right and wrong, but God’s Word.  I would like to share a short but profound Psalm for us to ponder on this Friday!  Are you under God’s blessing or are you making choices that place you somewhere else?  A question that only you can answer!  May this encourage you today!

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate

day

and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also

shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth

shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners

in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD

knoweth the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.”  Psalm 1:1-6

Check your choices; while you’re free to choose, each path will lead to certain ends!  Jesus says it best:

 “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.”   Matthew 7:13-14

Amen and Amen!

Come To Worship??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 17

16 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abiding In Jesus, Come And Worship?, Worship Him!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.17   Come To Worship HIM???

 

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice

of many angels

round about the throne

and the beasts

and the elders:

and the number of them was

ten thousand times ten thousand,

and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power,

and riches,

and wisdom,

and strength,

and honour,

and glory,

and blessing.” Revelation 4:9-12

This is the song of praise that is lifted up when The Lamb of God (“who takes away the sin of the world”) takes the “book/scroll” that will initiate the culmination of God’s plan for the ages. Jesus, The Lamb, takes the book and receives this praise, glory and honor that only God is worthy to receive! But then, Jesus is God, and worthy of our praise and worship. Even as Jesus was coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and the crowds were praising Him as the “King” who had come in ‘The Name of The Lord’, and the religious leaders rebuked Him for receiving this praise, He declared His worthiness to receive worship and glory! And worship actually comes from an old English word meaning “worth-ship”. And HE truly is worthy of worship!

“Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him,

Master,

rebuke thy disciples.

40 And he answered and said unto them,

I tell you that,

if these should hold their peace,

the stones

would immediately

cry out.” Luke 19:38-40

Jesus was in conflict with these leaders during most of His earthly ministry, even though He revealed truth to them time and time again, but they didn’t want to receive HIM or HIS testimony of being The Messiah. Yet God had confirmed His deity throughout His mission of salvation, and not once did God rebuke anyone who “worshipped” HIM!

“I am the LORD:

that is my name:

and my glory

will I not give to another,

neither my praise

to graven images.

9 Behold, the former things are come to pass,

and new things do I declare:

before they spring forth

I tell you of them.

10 Sing unto the LORD

a new song,

and his praise

from the end of the earth,

ye that go down to the sea,

and all that is therein;

the isles,

and the inhabitants thereof.”   Isaiah 42:8-10

Jesus, contrary to a lot of teaching going around today, did proclaim Himself to be God—God the Son—who had come to accomplish the work of salvation, which The Father sent Him to do.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold,

a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name

Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”    Matthew 1:21-23

Jesus was, “God with us”, who came to “save his people from their sins”, and we are made “his people” by faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice which saves people “from their sins”! Oh, how grateful we are for the “Amazing Grace” that God extends to all who will believe in Jesus, and receive the new birth of salvation, and the “Spirit of God”, who teaches us what real worship is. The same picture that Jesus reveled to the woman at the Well of Sychar—the first person on record to hear Jesus directly proclaim His deity as The Messiah!!!

“But the hour cometh,

and now is,

when the true worshippers

shall worship the Father

in spirit

and in truth:

for the Father seeketh such

to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him

in spirit

and in truth.

25 The woman saith unto him,

I know that Messias cometh,

which is called Christ:

when he is come,

he will tell us all things.

26 Jesus saith unto her,

I that speak unto thee

am he.”   John 4:23-26

Jesus is worthy of our worship because HE is “spirit” and “truth”! He IS God!

“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.

31 Then the Jews took up stones again

to stone him.” John 10:27-31

Jesus clearly proclaimed Himself to be “God”! And notice, not only did they want to stone Him, but also it wasn’t the first time, they “took up stones again to stone him”! But why did they want to stone Him, many say that they didn’t understand, but the scripture tells us different:

“33 The Jews answered him, saying,

For a good work we stone thee not;

but for blasphemy;

and because that thou,

being a man,

makest thyself God.” John 10:33

Instead of those multitudes that fall down and worship Him in Revelation 5, these leaders refused to receive the truth, and accused Jesus (the very Savior they said they were looking for) of blasphemy—they truly had, as Jesus told them again and again, no desire to perceive truth!

“Therefore speak I to them in parables:

because they seeing

see not;

and hearing

they hear not,

neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias,

which saith,

By hearing

ye shall hear,

and shall not understand;

and seeing

ye shall see,

and shall not perceive:

15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross,

and their ears are dull of hearing,

and their eyes they have closed;

lest at any time they should see

with their eyes,

and hear

with their ears,

and should understand

with their heart,

and should be converted,

and I should heal them.”    Matthew 13:13-15

Jesus wants us to receive Him and know Him and His Father in the new birth so that we can truly be those who “worship him in spirit and in truth”! We can actually receive the “righteousness of God” which enables us to know Him and walk with Him as a “new creation”—all by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit; for without Jesus and His Spirit we cannot truly worship in “spirit” or “truth”.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 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.” Romans 8:8-9

And how do we acquire this “spirit”? Only by faith in the Son’s sacrifice for our sin, and by faith the very presence of “The Spirit of Christ”, who is the confirmation of our salvation. It is also by HIS power and direction that we can truly worship in “Spirit and Truth” knowing the very presence of our Lord. Even as Jesus said:

“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 15:5

When we receive Him, He is IN us, and we are IN Him, and God is conforming us into the image of His Son, affecting change in us, which will in turn affect those around us.

“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

As we saw in Revelation 5, He bought and paid for our salvation, and makes us children of God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit! (See John 1:12-14)

“for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood”

And contrary to popular belief, there aren’t many ways to God—only ONE—the ONE who shed HIS blood for us!!!

“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

That IS why HE is worthy of our praise, worship and obedient service! How are you worshipping God, in Spirit and truth, or with lip service only? You may be able to fool others, but as my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all the time, and you can fool all of the people some of the time, but you can never fool God!” Are you walking “in the Spirit” or “the flesh”? It will tell, for you must possess (and be possessed by) the Holy Spirit or you are not HIS (Look above at Romans 8:9).

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh……..

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 5:16 & 24-25

Are we singing His praises on Sunday, yet living in direct opposition to His Word the other 6 days of the week? That, my friends, is not true worship—no Spirit—no Truth—it’s not worship. Simply put, worship is living life, by The Spirit, in obedience to The One whom we claim as Lord. Jesus made this very clear in Matthew 7.

“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 7:20-23

Are you living a life that “says,” “Lord, Lord” but acts out “Me, Me”? The closing of Jesus message in Matthew 7, puts the icing on the cake—it’s not how your life appears to the world, but what your foundation consists of—Jesus, the rock, or the sand of the world. You may have everyone fooled, but the storms will come and will reveal the truth, no matter how “pretty” your house appears on the outside! This simple example implies that both houses looked alike until the storms came—and they will come! What about YOU?

“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.”   Mathew 7:24-27

So what we find here are two men, each one built a house, and chose the foundation; one chose the “rock” as his foundation, the other chose the “sand” for his foundation, it was easier, it was quicker, it was cheaper, and besides no one would see what foundation he had! But our choices will always bring their own consequences, for the storms will come. Jesus didn’t say, “if the storms came”, He said they “came”—maybe not today, or tomorrow but they will come! And the foundation that you have chosen will be revealed, for the consequence will follow the choice!

“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

I think Paul’s message here parallels what Jesus said about our choice of the road we follow, and our choice of a ‘life’ road will determine our destiny—both the living of it as well as our eternal destiny.

“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.” Matthew 7:13-14

So as we are surrounded by the seasonal things of Christmas, may we truly be like the “Wise Men” and worship HIM not the trappings! They gave—they didn’t seek gifts!

“Saying,

Where is he that is born King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star in the east,

and are come to worship him……..

11 And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child

with Mary his mother,

and fell down,

and worshipped him:

and when they had opened their treasures,

they presented unto him gifts;

gold,

and frankincense,

and myrrh.” Matthew 2:2 & 11

Have you “come to worship HIM”, or have you come to be worshipped? The choice is ours, may we choose wisely, for there is a test at the end. Is our life a sacrifice of praise and worship before Him, or are we too busy taking care of self! May our praise and worship be genuine and offered in Spirit and Truth, to HIM who “is born King of the Jews”? Don’t let the glitter and the busyness of the season rob you of the joy of true worship of our soon-coming KING! May we hear Him say “well done, thou good and faithful servant” not “I never knew you….depart from me”?

“By him therefore

let us offer the sacrifice of praise

to God

continually,

that is,

the fruit of our lips

giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good

and to communicate

forget not:

for with such sacrifices

God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:5-6

Amen and Amen!!!