Tag Archives: Only One Way

You Can Do This!!! But How??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #791

27 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Assurance or Arrogance, Changed Lives, Comfort, Confidence, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, TODAY, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Tomorrow, Trendy Or Truth, Trials, Troubles, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, Under His Wings, Unexpected Interruptions, Victory IN Jesus!, Walk in the Spirit, Walking With Jesus, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #791   You Can Do This!!!  But How???

I have a word to share this morning, a word that we all can use on most days and probably today!  And to set just a bit of context before we dive into this first passage, Paul was talking about Israel in the wilderness (and yes, we are to study the Old Testament as well as the New, so we might learn from the testimonies that God recorded for us!), and how we can learn from their choices.  We can know that God is in charge, and our ‘temptations and trials’ are filtered through His fingers of love; we just need to look up, knowing that HE will provide!

“Now all these things happened unto them

for ensamples:

and they are written for our admonition,

 upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth

take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you

but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful,

who will not suffer you to be tempted

above that ye are able;

but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape,

that ye may be able to bear it.”   1 Corinthians 10:11-13

Paul is teaching us to not only live in the truth of God’s written Word, but to remember the examples HE has recorded for us to learn from as we walk through this world of chaos and confusion.  But we need not be either of those things as those who have seen the promise fulfilled of the Messiah who delivered salvation on the cross—salvation for all who will believe and receive the Gospel that Jesus paid for sin—my sin and yours!  And not only has HE paid for our sin but has given HIS gift of The Holy Spirit, just as HE promised to all those who are born again by His power, His provision and His purposes through The Holy Spirit/The Comforter—the source of God’s provision to His own!

So, let’s peruse some references about who the Holy Spirit is, and what HE would accomplish.  First of all, HE is the one who brings us to faith in Jesus (and the “HE” in this passage from John 1 is a reference to Jesus–“The Word…The Creator…The Light of the world!”  The One who promised to send HIS precious Holy Spirit to HIS own!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

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 1:10-14

God brings us to the cross via the conviction (the work of the Holy Spirit in man to bring them to see sin as sin, and Jesus as the only cure, see John 14:16-18 & 16:6-8) of sin which HIS Holy Spirit reveals to man!  He leads to the truth of the gospel—on which I stand like Paul, and you can too!

“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.”  Romans 1:16-17

The gospel that Paul declared and stood on is the foundation of our faith—JESUS, and HIS substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for sin– the truth we stand upon! Paul also gave us the “Gospel in a nutshell”, if you would allow me to call it that!  Consider how concisely He proclaims Jesus!

“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

The Gospel IS JESUS:

It can only be shared by those who have “received” it—

Christ died for our sins—the only way (See John 14:6)-

 ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES—

Christ Jesus was buried—HE WAS DEAD—

HE AROSE—on the third day—victorious over—

Sin, death, and hell—

ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES—

HE was seen alive by many witnesses!

Jesus paid the price that only the Lamb of God could pay.  Have you come to HIM in repentance and faith?  I pray that you have and if you haven’t, that you will come to HIM today!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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

“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.”   John 3:16-19

There is so much more that I wish I had time (and finger strength left) to share here, but I pray that God will open our hearts to receive HIS truth as truth—that we will respond in faith and obedience—and share that which we have received, in whatever ways God provides and leads us to!  I would like to share a few passages to encourage and assure us that Jesus died for you and me—for our sin—but when HE died, rose again, and ascended to heaven (until HIS return), HE sent us the amazing gift of HIS Holy Spirit to reside within and lead us into HIS truth, equipping us to minister truth to a lost and dying world.  Jesus promised that The Holy Spirit would bring us into all truth if we will but receive and heed HIS leading in our lives—our every day, our walking about days, our tear-filled days, our laughing days—our EVERY hour days! Jesus promised us all we would need to press on.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

 I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world

of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

 because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

And some more from Paul’s letters that I pray will help and encourage each of us to look up, walk straight and press on!  (See Acts 1:1-8)

“In whom ye also trusted,

after that ye heard the word of truth,

the gospel of your salvation:

in whom also after that ye believed,

ye were sealed with that holy Spirit

of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance

until the redemption

of the purchased possession,

unto the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:13-14

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

 unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:29-32

And the message to the Galatian believers:

“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 walking in The Spirit, or our own ways?  Oh, Jesus, please do your work in our hearts through this precious Holy Spirit which you have imparted to all who are born again by HIS work of conviction and awakening to the debt of sin we owed.  Thank you, Lord, for your love, your sacrifice, and your forgiveness of my sin—for paying my ‘sin debt’!

“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

Jesus gives forgiveness of sin, and we should be recognized by actions which reflect the ONE who lives in us.  How about me?   How about you?  Will we honor the One who saved us—the ONE who calls us to walk in “holiness”?  While it’s simple to remember that God “has it”, it’s not always easy to remember how that looks.  Remember that God filters everything that comes into our lives, and whether its “Job” like tragedy and strife, or blessings—He is working “all things” for our good!

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness,

but unto holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7

“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

‘Nuff said!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

I’m Stumped??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #788

08 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Are You Ready, Believe IN Jesus, Bibe Study, Blessed by God, By His Grace, Choices And Consequences, HOPE, Obedient or NOT?, One Day Too Late?, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Possession or Pretense?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #788       I’m Stumped???

I am truly stumped as I look around and see things going on that grieve my heart –things that I can’t help but believe also grieve the heart of God.  Let’s peruse scripture and see what we find.

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,

that will I do,

that the Father may be glorified

in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing

in my name,

I will do it.

15 If ye love me,

keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world

cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.”  John 14:13-18

Here, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure to the cross (His resurrection and ascension, although they couldn’t grasp the import or reality that HE would die {first}, and be resurrected), even though they couldn’t grasp it all at the time.  Yet, there are some simple principles that we seem to miss, overlook, or simply neglect and disregard.  I have no desire to debate the issue of “which” commands we are to follow, for in its simplest form, Jesus is calling us to heed HIS word/words and receive and learn from the precious Holy Spirit, whom HE would send at Pentecost some 50 days later.

Jesus called His disciples to understand that they would approach the Father from this point forward on the basis of` Jesus’ name, and the work that Jesus is about to accomplish on the cross—His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN, that would completely fulfill the promise of redemption through the Messiah! Jesus was, is and ever shall be the true Messiah—the soon-returning Messiah and King—and HE is the “way” to The Father, in “spirit and truth”!  But there seems to be a presumption on God today that says, we dictate “in the name of Jesus” and God must comply!!!  NOT!  Jesus makes it clear that what we ask is to be asked, done, and accomplished “that the Father may be glorified in the Son”!   He is directing our hearts and minds to understand that we are working in, through and for the glory of God, not ourselves-either individually or in some corporate way-for Jesus clearly calls us to “love” HIM and express it by being willing to “keep my commandments”!  Not very hard to understand, but seemingly today it is!

It seems that we live in a “pick and choose” world where we claim the name of Jesus yet, pick and choose what parts of His Word, His will, or His way, that we will comply with.  We aren’t willing to align our lives to biblical principles, nor does it seem that we are willing to follow The LORD in love and obedience.  I’m stumped?  “If ye love me”?  Do we?

In my opinion, Jesus’ words hold the answer, and while we can’t look at all of “His words”, let’s look at a few key things that should shed some light on the true principles and expectations of scripture and its author (Jesus).

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and

came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.”   John 8:42-43

This is part of a great confrontational discourse with the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, in fact the last few weeks of His earthly journey.  Jesus is making it clear that if they didn’t truly know God—they had no personal relationship with The Father, through faith in the coming Messiah; in fact, the Messiah who had come and was standing in front of them—they didn’t know HIM!  BUT they didn’t believe so they accused Him of being false!  Jesus made short work of their “smart answers” and plainly claimed that HE had come from God.  He also implied that they couldn’t hear because they had no “spiritual ears” to hear.  He goes even farther by making an angering and abrupt statement—we’d say, “not very nice”, but Jesus spoke only truth—in the right way, at the right time, for the right reasons.  How will you respond to HIM?

“44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin?

And if I say the truth,

why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”  John 8:44-27

Paul also commented on this truth in his letter to the Ephesian believers.  It all comes down to “parentage”!  Whose child are you?  Have you been born again and become a “child of God”?  Or are you still controlled by the enemy, who lies, deceives, and seeks to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy”! (See John 10:10)

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all

had our conversation in times past

 in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)”.   Ephesians 2:1-5

Paul also went on to remind us that while salvation is by grace through faith, it is a work of God, when HE calls us to become HIS own!

“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

And back to Jesus’ own words in John 14:

“He that hath my commandments,

and keepeth them,

he it is

that loveth me:

and he that loveth me

shall be loved of my Father,

and I will love him,

and will manifest myself to him.”   John 14:21

And in closing, another word of Jesus’ for us to ponder.  Are you claiming HIS name but not walking HIS way?  Do you claim the name of Jesus, but walk your own way, or will you truly yield to The Spirit of God and reflect the love, grace and truth that IS “Christ in you, the hope of glory”!

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made

by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life

was the light of men…

….. 10 He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world

knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:1-4 & 10-13

Won’t you come to Jesus?  Are you already His?  Do our lives reflect whose we are?  May we pursue God and His righteousness:

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Come And I Will…??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 06

23 Sunday May 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Are You Ready, Armor of God, Ask God For Wisdom, Be Fruitful And Multiply!, Believe IN Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Clothed In His Righteousness, Compromise, Conviction, Crucified With Christ, Dare To Be Different!, Encouragement, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Father of lies, Fighting With God's Weapons, Follow Jesus, Fruit of the Spirit, God Knows His Own, God's Judgment, God's love, Good News, Holy Living, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Knowing God's Word, Lies That Defeat Us, Listening To God, Not Of This World, Only One Way, Persecution, Redeemed By HIS Blood

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 06 Come And I Will……???

 

I’ve been disturbed lately with so much of what I hear and see around me these days—even things from believers in Jesus.  Things that are so biblically unsound and yet believers jump on the bandwagon because things “sound” good and seems to make sense in our culture gone askew.  Things like “I don’t have to put up with____”, “get rid of _______ kind of people in your life”, “follow your heart”, and I could go on; but the point is believers in, and followers of Jesus are called to walk to the beat of a different drum, not the human heart or human wisdom and ideas.  You can choose to go your own way, but the consequence won’t please you.

“The heart is deceitful

above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD

search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according

to his ways,

and according

to the fruit of his doings.”  Jeremiah 17:9-10

Paul makes it clear to the Galatian believers as well as to us, that we have the freedom to choose, but there is a consequence to every choice; and while we are free to choose our own way, we are not free to set the consequences of our choices.  God has made HIS way clear in His Word, and if we will but seek HIS face through HIS WORD, we will find the wisdom to live godly and discerning lives.  Let’s see what Jeremiah has to say.

“Blessed is the man

that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope

the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree

planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out

her roots by the river,

and shall not see

when heat cometh,

but her leaf

shall be green;

and shall not be careful

in the year of drought,

neither shall cease

from yielding fruit.”   Jeremiah 17:7-8

Living in Oklahoma, this passage is so picturesque—for we see droughts and heat and, what I call ‘brown outs’ when the vegetation all turns brown from the heat and lack of water.  God had Jeremiah remind us that when we walk in God’s ways, and trust to HIS care and HIS ways, we will be like that “tree planted by the waters”!  Being originally from Alabama, where trees are abundant and droughts rare, I learned pretty quickly that if you see trees in southwest Oklahoma, you can know there is water nearby.  Even the Psalmist used this same example of the godly.  Will you be one that spreads out and grows in grace and truth and ceases not “from yielding fruit”, or will you cave to the pressures of the evil day around us?

“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.”  Psalm 1:1-3

We have the freedom to choose, but we must decide whom we want to please and be aligned with?  Do we want to dwell in the presence of The Lord Jesus and our Father God (by the power of His Holy Spirit), or will we settle for the lies of the enemy and live in the “pig pen”?  Jesus is so often misrepresented today, He is passed off as a “genie” who will grant all your ‘wishes’ and make your life a ‘garden party’; rather than as The Redeemer of men, women, boys and girls who will receive HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice by repentance and faith.  Jesus came to die for my sin—how could I repay Him with any less than total devotion and allegiance to Him and His Word!

“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?”   Matthew 16:24-26

We must stop measuring things by what the world thinks is good, and measure instead by God’s Word. (Period!). Satan has always been a master of deceit and we need to be aware of this truth—it is so serious that Paul mentions it twice in just a few verses of Ephesians 6.

“Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil..

…. 13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.”  Ephesians 6:10 & 13

And with all my heart, I believe we are in “the evil day” and we must prepare to stand!  Jesus also warned us that we would face what HE faced—opposition, ridicule, spite and rejection; what will you do when righteousness brings the despite of others?

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:17-21

The question is simple (but not easy), do you want to please Jesus and be in HIS Kingdom, or would you rather join the world and “know not him that sent me”?  And those of us who belong to Jesus need to remember that we are called to do things God’s way—not men’s!  And in my heart and mind I truly believe that Jesus has made that plain!

“For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God…

… 20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

 hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe…

…. 23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.”  Portions of 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me

in heaven

and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo,

I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”  Matthew 28:18-20

“There is a way

that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

Consider these things and what we learn from them:

God chose the “foolishness of preaching”—

To save souls and change lives—

Not plans—

Not programs—

Not marketing strategies—

Not worldly entertainment–

Not circuses—

Not parades—

Not activity—

Nor ease—or excuses—or compromise–

Jesus said, “All power is given unto me” —

And because of HIS power, He told us to:

GO—or literally “as you go”—

TEACH—share HIS truth from HIS truth—

 Who—all nations–

BAPTIZE—bring others to identify with HIM—

 TEACH— (the second mention)—instruct—

What—to observe HIS commands—

HIS WORD—

IN HIS POWER—

For HE would be “with you always”!

The Psalmist reminds us, and may we let it resound over and over again in our hearts, that there is a way that “seemeth right unto a man” but it will never end well!  We must decide if we want to go God’s way, our own way, or the way of the world; the Proverbs say it best, in one of my favorite passages.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto

thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.”  Proverbs 3:5-7

There’s that “evil” again—oh how much we have been misled and often outright deceived into using the plans of man to operate the church as a business or organization, rather than an organism—The body of Christ!  I believe God makes it clear that HIS Word settles it all—not popular vote!

“For ever, O LORD,

thy word is settled in heaven.

90 Thy faithfulness

is unto all generations:

thou hast established the earth,

and it abideth.”  Psalm 119:89-90

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Even when Peter and John were brought before the religious leaders of Israel, they proclaimed the truth of the Gospel of Jesus—no more, no less. Only Jesus—He saves, He secures, He sends, He supplies, He sustains!  He anoints, He adds, He orders the steps of HIS own! But it must be HIS way not our own!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

“Praising God,

and having favour with all the people.

And the Lord added to the church daily

such as should be saved.”  Acts 2:47

As we bring these thoughts to a close, I share another message of Jesus’—we must each decide if we will hear, heed and obey.

“All things are delivered unto me

of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever

the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:27-30

Even as Jesus said earlier, we are to “Come unto me”, but to come to Jesus we must let go of self and receive HIS rest—not our own sufficiency; for it’s all about Jesus—not man’s ways, man’s philosophy, nor man’s programs but God’s gospel—God’s way—for God’s glory and the transformation of lives today!  I pray that you hear my heart for Jesus!  He is coming soon, and I pray that you are ready!  Jesus still saves and changes lives today—by HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice at Calvary!  May we be found faithfully proclaiming HIS truth—HIS way!

“And they continued

stedfastly

in the apostles’ doctrine

and fellowship,

and in breaking of bread,

and in prayers.”  Acts 2:42

May we be found faithful!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Month Of Gratitude??? #3 Bible Ballistics: BBs #601

06 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Contentment, Gratitude, JESUS, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #601     A Month Of Gratitude??? #3

 

As we continue on with our month of gratitude, I am thankful for the Word of God, and it’s import to me because it His Word that is our road map, our guide, our encouragement, our true north!  While we live in a world that refutes virtually every principle of godly living—they can’t change “Truth”!

“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

The world around us says we’re all “going” to the same place, we’re just talking different paths, but Jesus makes a defining statement that clearly declares that HE alone is “The Way” to God!  Paul also reinforces this truth in His letter to the Philippian believers.

“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 2:8-11

When we belong to Jesus, we can truly rejoice and thank our God in, for and through every situation.

“In every thing give thanks:

 for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.”   1 Thessalonians 5:18

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour

is not in vain

in the Lord.”   1 Corinthians 15:57-58

“Thanks be unto God

for his unspeakable gift.”  2 Corinthians 9:15

And a final word in regard to thankfulness from Paul.  May it encourage each of us to walk in the spirit of gratitude and reflect a joyful, thankful heart in all we do—to a world desperately in need!

“Rejoice in the Lord

alway:

and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation

be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 4:4-7

Here’s my heart’s word to you today!

“Giving thanks

always

for all things

unto God and the Father

in the name

of our Lord Jesus Christ;”   Ephesians 5:20

You are part of of my list of “all things” to be thankful for!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

If Not Now? When? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 19

24 Monday Jun 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Changed Lives, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, If not now? When?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 19   If Not Now? When?

 

When I consider all that is going on in our world, in our churches and in our families, I can’t help but think of the choices that we all make, and how they affect and trickle down to those around us.  Spiritual strength, character, salvation and revival comes from God!  Yet God has given mankind the opportunity to choose-we can choose to have HIS true spiritual strength through the saving, transforming, new life IN Jesus.  The only “life” that will grow powerful, godly character which can change our culture, and it starts with one person!  “One person” at a time, who will act now; affecting “one family” at a time; reviving “one church” at a time’; spreading that revival to “one community” at a time; to effectively change a world that is lost and drowning in darkness and corruption.  But we can only change the darkness by living “the light” of transformed lives as the redeemed; the redeemed living like the “redeemed”!  That means we who are born again living and heeding The Word of God as The Word/Words of God!  And, oh my dear friends, we must do it NOW!

If not NOW? When will we stand up for Jesus—not in mean, harsh, vindictive ways, but as our Lord Jesus did, taking the truth with us everywhere we go, among all whom we encounter!  Holy living isn’t reserved for Sundays or Wednesdays (or whatever times you have church meeting/service)—we must live for Jesus every day.  If not now, if not today, when?  Let’s consider what God records three times in His Word!

“Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people

draw near me with their mouth,

and with their lips do honour me,

but have removed their heart

far from me,

and their fear toward me

is taught by the precept of men:” Isaiah 29:13

God told the prophet Isaiah that His own people (those who claimed His name, for His blessings, when it was convenient, but had no regard for what His Word called them to be and do—sound familiar?) talked the ‘talk’ but they had no real ‘walk’ with Him!  How about us?  God identified this condition in those who had replaced the true “fear toward me” with the “precept of men”—in our vernacular, they had replaced what God said with men’s watered-down justification for sin! Jesus repeated this commentary in His own earthly ministry.

“Ye hypocrites,

well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me

with their mouth,

and honoureth me

with their lips;

but their heart

is far from me.”   Matthew 15:8

And again:

“Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him,

Why walk not thy disciples

according to the tradition of the elders,

but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6 He answered and said unto them,

Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites,

as it is written,

This people honoureth me with their lips,

but their heart is far from me.

7 Howbeit in vain

do they worship me,

teaching for doctrines

the commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God,

ye hold the tradition of men,

as the washing of pots and cups:

and many other such like things ye do.

9 And he said unto them,

Full well ye reject

the commandment of God,

that ye may keep

your own tradition.”  Mark 7:5-9

Ouch! What would Jesus say to us?  He who has called us to Himself, said that those who are truly His are to follow Him; not because ‘following’ Him saves us, but because when He saves us, we should want to follow the ONE who gave His life for ours. God knows who we really are—who I am? Who YOU are!!!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth the name

of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timothy 2:19

We aren’t saved because we depart from evil, but by the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin—by repentance and faith in HIS accomplished work at Calvary, but as HIS, we ought to avoid it!  Paul said it best:

“But God, who is rich in mercy,

for his great love

wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

 and made us sit together in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness

 toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 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 2:4-10

God loves YOU and ME enough to give His own Son to pay a debt that HE didn’t owe; because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay apart from death and hell!  When Jesus saves us, He saves us “unto good works”!  We are God’s “workmanship” for we are “created in Christ Jesus”!  So, what are your works saying about “whose” you are? If not now?  When?  When will you start to live for Jesus?  He isn’t looking at your words, but your heart, for what is IN the heart, will come OUT!

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed

out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man…”    Matthew 15:17-20

How about you/me?  Do we “yet understand” that God has only one standard—JESUS—The Living Word, as well as the One who breathed scripture through chosen “men of God” (See 2 Peter 1:19-21)!  If not now? When?  WE must stop judging ourselves by the world’s standard instead of God’s.  Just because we change the name of sin, it’s still sin.  Oh, dear ones, we must cling to Jesus’ cross and His Word, taking up our cross NOW!  Please join me in seeking HIS face continually, not just washing our physical hands, while leaving our hearts unchecked and vile?  Apart from the life-changing power of His blood, we have no hope, yet in Him we can be victorious!  How about you?  Now?

“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 9:22-25

What advantage?  NONE! Jesus made it clear to Nicodemus!

“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.”  John 3:14-20

I pray that you will ponder these things and ask God to show you the true condition of your heart.  Please seek Jesus while He may be found!  I’ve talked to so many who say “When I get this new job, then I’ll come”; “When I get past this crises, then I’ll come”;  “I just can’t let go of this__________” (sin, unforgiveness, guilt, anger, selfishness, or self-reliance—it doesn’t matter what’s in your ‘blank’, if it keeps you from Jesus, it will lead you to hell—and that’s sad, for Jesus died for YOU to miss Hell!)!  Whatever is standing between you and God is something that Jesus can and will overcome if you’ll but come to HIM.

“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…

22 He that hath an ear,

 let him hear what the Spirit saith …”    Revelation 3:20 & 22a

Don’t miss heaven for neglect!  I’m praying that you will find Jesus, if you haven’t already! If you go to hell, it will be by trampling the blood of Jesus, and in spite of this servant’s prayers! I’m also praying that if you know HIM, you will take up YOUR cross and follow Him; and that cross isn’t your ‘difficulties’, it IS dying to “self” by living to, for, with and through HIM.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

Amen and Amen!