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Righteousness Exalts A Nation??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 20

11 Monday Apr 2022

Posted by in Confidence or Presumption?, Consider Your ways, Look UP, Looking up Or around?, Righteousness, Righteousness exalts a nation, Unrighteous will not inherit, Unrighteousness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 20   Righteousness Exalts A Nation???

“Righteousness

exalteth a nation:

but sin

is a reproach to any people.”   Proverbs 14:34

Righteousness: 1. the quality or state of being righteous…2.  righteous conduct……3. the quality of state of being just or rightful…

Scripture gives us the most profound and insightful thoughts on the subject, let’s look and consider God’s Word!

“Thy throne,

O God,

is for ever and ever:

the sceptre

of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

7 Thou lovest righteousness,

and hatest wickedness:

therefore God,

thy God,

hath anointed thee

with the oil of gladness

above thy fellows.”  Psalm 45:6-7

A reference to not only God’s righteousness, but the righteousness of the Lord Jesus who would be exalted for the sacrifice HE made for our sin at Calvary.

“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

“And the heavens shall declare

his righteousness:

for God is judge himself.

Selah.”  Psalm 50:6

Jesus made a most profound and yet simple declaration about “righteousness”, and it is up to each of us how we will respond.

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat? or,

What shall we drink? or,

Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father

knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

Will we pursue the “first” of God’s kingdom, or our own?  Will we be recipients of God’s “righteous” provision in Jesus, whose death, burial, and resurrection for victory over sin is our only hope; or will we choose our own unrighteousness, refusing God’s offer of love, forgiveness, and salvation? It’s your choice!

Even as Paul told believers to put on the “breastplate of righteousness” –Christ’s righteousness–imparted to us by God’s grace, and our response of faith to the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus for SIN!  When individual sin spreads through the land unchecked, it erupts into a state of national “UN”-righteousness.  What will be the result?  Just look around us!   We can disregard the gift of God and reap the consequences or accept Jesus, spreading the good news everywhere we go!

“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 5:21

We can choose to be a part of sharing God’s truth of redemption through Jesus, or we can be a part of acerbating the problem of “UN”-righteousness!  And just a few more scriptures regarding those who choose unrighteousness.

“Woe

unto them that decree

unrighteous decrees,

and that write grievousness

which they have prescribed;

2 To turn aside the needy

from judgment,

and to take away the right

from the poor of my people,

that widows may be their prey,

and that they may rob the fatherless!”   Isaiah 10:1-2

Will you choose God, while HE may be found!  May we pray and live a life that promotes righteousness, affecting real change in our world!

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return

unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher

than the earth,

so are my ways higher

than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow from heaven,

and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed to the sower,

and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be

that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing

whereto I sent it.”  Isaiah 55:6-11

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test coming, and it may be soon.  Even as Paul encouraged us:

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

The ONE Who Never Fails??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 12

14 Monday Feb 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, Discernment, Don't believe the Lies, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Gospel, Jesus Never Fails, True Gospel

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 12   The ONE Who Never Fails???

 

As I sit here writing this evening, I am using some notes I made earlier, for my heart is heavy with the disregard that we, as a nation, a culture, often even the church, seem to have for God, His Word, and the pursuit of holiness.  Holiness is an oft-neglected term in regard to the biblical principle, I’m referring to the nature of biblical “holiness”, not the denomination; for “holiness” is not just for those who belong to “Pentecostal” or “charismatic” churches, but rather it is the call to all who belong to Jesus!  And it breaks my heart that we are so neglectful of it.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

Peter reiterated this principle in his second letter, talking about the coming of The Lord and the judgment that HE will bring.

“But the day of the Lord

will come

as a thief in the night;

in the which

the heavens shall pass away with a great noise,

and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,

the earth also

and the works that are therein

shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then

that all these things shall be dissolved,

what manner of persons ought ye to be

in all holy conversation

and godliness,”  2 Peter 3:10-11

We hear a lot about the coming of Jesus for HIS own, but we seldom hear about the judgment that HE will exercise when HE comes! While believers will give an account of their deeds—not for salvation but in regard to rewards or lack thereof—the lost will have no recourse or second chance as they face Jesus as their judge (the redeemer they rejected) with no opportunity for grace, mercy, or salvation.  For as Paul made very clear in his letter to the Philippians, “every knee shall bow”!  For the question isn’t “will you bow”; no matter the disregard, despite, and disrespect that is shown to The Lord that we love and follow, every person “will bow” before Jesus—the ONE who has been appointed by God to save “whosoever will” come to the cross in repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for our SIN, and judge those who reject HIM!!  For sin IS the issue, and your choice matters.  (See 1 Corinthians 3:10-18, Romans 3:23, and Romans 6:23)

“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 us “from” our sins, in contrast to the ever-popular gospel of today, which claims that Jesus will save us “IN” our sin!  Jesus Himself made clear the truth!

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish…

….5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

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

And if we look at Paul’s declaration of truth to the Philippian believers we find the cost of our sin—Jesus’ death on the cross:

“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

Oh, how my heart grieves for those who are buying into a gospel of ease, convenience, and popularity, instead of the gospel that Jesus calls us to:

“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

Those who follow Jesus are called to share in HIS suffering—oh NO!  Not suffering?  Yes, Jesus warned us that if we are truly following HIM there will be rejection, suffering and/or ridicule. Holiness and the “crucified life” are inseparable.

“Yea,

and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”  2 Timothy 3:12

“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

And Jesus own warning which is so often overlooked.

“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.”  John 15:20

Salvation is expressed in “denying self”, “taking up our cross” and “following Jesus”—meeting Jesus at the cross—the place where HE died for your sin and mine!  But we are believing a lie when we hear and see a message that says that we can have Jesus and sin without recourse—Jesus says something different.

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Matthew 6:24

Yet, ‘many’ are tolerating a new gospel that says we can do what we want and still belong to Jesus.  Jesus said even more about this dichotomy of the “new” gospel of our day—there is only ONE way to God, and HIS name is Jesus—the ‘narrow way’!  Kind of gives you a different take on being “narrow minded”!

“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

We seem to be overrun by the “many” culture—if it’s popular with the “many” it must be right—it must be ok.  Yet, Jesus says that the wide and broad way “leadeth to destruction” and it is chosen by the “many…. which go in thereat”!  How it grieves my heart that so many whom I love have bought into the lie.  They claim the name of Jesus yet go the “broad way” with no compunction for the holy things of God.  It’s popular to go with the crowd rather than the “narrow” way which is often a lonely road—but remember that Jesus walked up Calvary’s Hill alone for you and me!  Which way are you going?  I know I am considered “old fashioned”, but I truly believe that God hasn’t changed, and HIS Word still stands as the standard.  Neither politics, social media, or the corrupt entertainment industry set the standard—God has declared truth for HE IS truth, and The Word will be the standard of HIS judgment (Both the written & living Word).

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints

and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

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

This Word of God has been, IS and ever will be the standard of judgment—always–whether you/I have accepted it today or not—and the judge’s name is JESUS—and HE IS the only way to God, and the One to whom every person shall answer!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Jesus is The ONE who never fails.  Ever!  For HE IS 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

And HIS truth is still true whether you believe it, accept it, follow it, or not! Jesus made it clear to Nicodemus, the religious leader seeking truth, that He has the truth, but even more, HE IS the truth, and those who reject HIM will pay the consequence.  And you’ll pay that consequence–death, and hell–in spite of the fact that God loves you so much that HE gave Jesus to die in your place–if you fail to believe HIM and receive HIM into your heart.  (See Revelation 3:20)

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”    John 3:16-21

Jesus never fails—HE has paid the price for our sin; and for those who have chosen to believe and receive HIS gift of salvation, HE will never leave us or forsake us.  What are we willing to do, to be for HIM?  What are we willing to sacrifice for HIM?  Will we be found Holy or Unholy?  Which will you/I choose?

“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.”  Romans 12:1-2

His promise to you and me is incomparable, and worthy of all our praise, devotion, and obedience.  But to obey, we must know what HE says, what HE asks, and know the power of HIS Holy Spirit who will provide all that we need for life and godliness.

“Grace and peace

be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4

Will you/I live in the light of HIS promises or are we falling to the lusts of the world?  You and I may fail, but Jesus never will, and HE promises to walk with His own!  Who is your God?  Your King?  Which road are you taking?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

“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.”  Hebrews 13:5-6

 

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Will You Not Hear? Or See??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #775

26 Wednesday Jan 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Have You Heard?, Have you not heard, Have you not seen?, He Died That We Could Live, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, He was born to die for our sin, He's Alive, Listening To God, Seeing Truth, SIN, Sovereignty

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #775   Will You Not Hear?  Or See???

 

As I hear and see things going on around us, I have to be careful to keep my “eyes on Jesus” and remember that GOD is absolutely in control; yet, I often see all the wickedness, evil and lies and I cry with the saints “under the altar” (a reference to those martyred for The Lord, in my opinion) those gone on before us who saw the same evil that we are seeing today.  How can I say that, you might ask?  Well, I can say that right from God’s Word!

“And when he had opened the fifth seal,

I saw under the altar

the souls of them that were slain

for the word of God,

and for the testimony

which they held:

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying,

How long, O Lord,

holy and true,

dost thou not judge

and avenge

our blood

on them that dwell

on the earth?

11 And white robes were given

unto every one of them;

and it was said unto them,

that they should rest yet

for a little season,

until their fellowservants also

and their brethren,

that should be killed as they were,

should be fulfilled.”   Revelation 6:9-11

Without being trite, we need to understand that the book of The Revelation is the revealing (the unveiling) of Jesus Christ The Lord and how HE will accomplish HIS purpose on the earth and will judge all those who refuse to receive HIM and the salvation HE died to purchase.  As I read through this book, and teach it often, I see again and again the progression of the hearts of men who refuse God’s gift of salvation; and it takes me back to John chapter 3 (and remember John wrote both books, plus 1, 2, & 3 John).

“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

Men, women, boys, and girls are choosing every day to refuse the savior without recognizing the cost to their souls, their lives, and their loved ones.  Jesus made it clear that we refuse HIM, because:

“men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil”

We only have this life, however long or short it may be, to accept the gift of God.  Isaiah the prophet said the same thing, even as Solomon warned us that nothing is new around us—we may try to change the name, dress it up in fresh style, or make the bling shinier—but the truth is, it’s the same “pig” with a bath, but it’s still a “pig” or a lie from the devil!

“Have ye not known?

have ye not heard?

 hath it not been told you

from the beginning?

have ye not understood

from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is he

that sitteth upon the circle of the earth,

and the inhabitants thereof

are as grasshoppers;

that stretcheth out the heavens

as a curtain,

and spreadeth them out

as a tent to dwell in:…

….yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth:

and he shall also blow upon them,

and they shall wither,

and the whirlwind shall take them away

as stubble.

25 To whom then will ye liken me,

or shall I be equal?

saith the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes on high,

and behold who hath created these things,…

….. 27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob,

and speakest, O Israel,

My way is hid from the LORD,

and my judgment is passed over

 from my God?

28 Hast thou not known?

hast thou not heard,

that the everlasting God,

the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

fainteth not,

neither is weary?

there is no searching

of his understanding.”   Portions of Isaiah 40:21-28

God has given us JESUS, we must choose what we will do with HIM, HIM who is God’s gift of salvation by HIS death, burial, and resurrection for our sin!  And remember that saying you “won’t choose” is choosing, for there is an accounting coming, both Paul and John tell us about it.

“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 2:80-11

The question isn’t “will you bow”, for you will bow, according to God’s Word!  The question is, “when will you bow?”! You can bow before Jesus as Lord in this life, or you will bow before HIM as your judge in “that day” with no opportunity for salvation!

As Jesus told Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again”:

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

 is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

The Apostle John reminds us that we will all give an account to the God we have rejected if we aren’t born again!

“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

My friends, I pray that you will hear the voice of Jesus calling to you today.  If you are HIS, that you will not only trust Him for your salvation but obey HIM with your life!  If you don’t know Jesus, I invite you to repent of your sin, to see sin as sin, to turn from it TO JESUS trusting to HIS substitutionary (He died in your place), atoning (HE paid for your sin debt, which earns death and hell without Jesus!), sacrifice (HE willingly laid down HIS life for your sin and mine, dying that we might live with HIM eternally!) offered to you, if you will but hear HIS voice, and see how much HE loves you.

“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.

21 To him that overcometh

will I grant to sit with me

in my throne,

even as I also overcame,

and am set down with my Father

in his throne.”  John 3:20-21

May you hear with your ears, and see with your eyes, and receive Jesus into your heart and life!  And then you can walk with HIM and talk with HIM and hear HIM remind you that YOU belong to JESUS—now and for eternity!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Walking By HIS Power??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 03

18 Sunday Apr 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Power of The Cross, Salvation, Stand Fast!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 03  Walking By HIS Power???

 

“Yea,

though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod

and thy staff

they comfort me.”  Psalm 23:4

I have a short message to share with you today—with you and me—for it is by HIS provision that we have overcoming power!  And we can overcome, even in desperate times, and difficult circumstances.  “Our God Reigns!”  God promised victory even to those in the coming days of “the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth”!  Will you walk by HIS power or your own!

“And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.”   Revelation 12:11

How do I walk in overcoming power?  By the power of my Lord Jesus Christ; who can give to you that same power as well, but it is only found in HIM, and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice at Calvary; as we recognize and lay down our own sin and rebellion believing in The One who gave HIS own life for ours—to give us HIS Spirit to dwell within us, giving us hope and power to live “abundant” lives.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man

will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man

according to his works.”  Matthew 16:24-27

Abundant life in this world and in eternal glory with our Lord in heaven.

“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 be one of HIS sheep, or will you choose your own way?  It’s your choice, but what Jesus gives is more than abundant—it is life-giving hope, and joy and peace!  I have seen what HE can and will do for those who will choose to follow HIM!  Won’t you reach out for this strength and power to walk in victory and not defeat.  I may be weary, tired and confused from time to time, but my eyes are set on Jesus and HE ever holds my hand.  I can “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might…” because of the price HE paid for my salvation!  HE is worth my love, adoration and devotion—won’t you join me.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong

in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles

of the devil.”  Ephesians 6:10-11

WE WIN, because HE won the victory at Calvary!

“Now this I say, brethren,

that flesh and blood cannot inherit

the kingdom of God;

neither doth corruption inherit

incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery;

We shall not all sleep,

but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment,

in the twinkling of an eye,

at the last trump:

for the trumpet shall sound,

and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,

and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible

must put on incorruption,

and this mortal

must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying

that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.”                      1 Corinthians 15:50-57

Praise be to God! As my precious friend Bro. Scott would say:  GLORY, GLORY, GLORY!  And I say Amen!

“To God only wise,

be glory

through Jesus Christ

for ever. Amen.”  Romans 16:27a

“Whether therefore

ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31\

In one of the most humbling of all passages, Paul’s message to the Philippian church; we are to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” humble obedience!

“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

Will you “bow” so that you can stand in abundant victory?  Will you choose to walk in the power and victory of Jesus?  Will you follow God’s Word or your own will?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.”                  Romans 5:1-2

Amen and Amen!!!

No King??? But Why??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 02

27 Sunday Sep 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Distractions, Don't Wait, King Jesus, King of KIngs

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 02   No King???  But Why???

 

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”   Judges 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Judges 21:25

These are two of the passages that are key in the book of Judges,  “there was no king in Israel”, and yet I want to take a different slant on these familiar verses, for as I was reading and pondering on these verses this morning, I was drawn to a fact that I had never considered before (or if I had, I don’t remember it).  Like us, there are many around us who know about the king but don’t want to personally “know” the king or be “known” by HIM.  In Matthew 7, Jesus makes it clear that just talking about Him, and claiming to know Him aren’t enough; we must have a personal relationship with Him and be born again into HIS kingdom by HIS blood!  And to be a part of HIS “kingdom”, means that we recognize HIS ‘kingship’ over HIS kingdom and ‘me/you’!

Israel had God as their king, and were called to serve, obey and worship HIM only, yet, like us, they were distracted, deluded, and disobedient to their King, and were going their own way, not recognizing that while they had no “earthly” king, they had always had a KING!  What about me?  What about you?  Do we have “no king” in our heart, our living, our choices, and our testimony?  Or are we willing to recognize our failures, repent and be restored to the useful place of God’s child in the place where HE has planted us!  HE is King, and HE is in charge.

“The king’s heart

is in the hand of the LORD,

as the rivers of water:

he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man

is right in his own eyes:

but the LORD

pondereth the hearts.”  Proverbs 21:2

Even as Jesus reminded us:

“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:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”   Matthew 15:17-20

I spend a lot of time grieving over the language that I hear and read around me—out in public, in the neighborhood, on social media, especially when the ugly language comes from those who claim the name of Jesus.  But Jesus reminds us here that what comes out of our mouths, originates out of the heart.  We must have a transformed heart before we will have a transformed mouth.  And even when we have a new heart transformed by Jesus saving blood, we have to do due diligence to guard our hearts and not allow the vile culture around us to influence our choices, words and character!  We are called to “be” holy and “be” a reflection of God’s character to a lost and dying world around us; rather than reflecting the world before our KING!

“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.”  Romans 12:1-2

God was King in Israel, whether they acknowledged it or not, and HE IS King of Glory.  But are we willing to acknowledge Him “as” King?  Like Israel, who went their own way and found themselves in a quandary every time, we find ourselves in much the same situation.  So, what will we do about it?  The message is clear!

“For if ye shall diligently keep

all these commandments

which I command you,

to do them,

to love the LORD your God,

to walk in all his ways,

and to cleave unto him;

23 Then will the LORD drive out

all these nations from before you,

and ye shall possess greater nations

and mightier than yourselves.

24 Every place whereon the soles of your feet

shall tread shall be yours:

from the wilderness and Lebanon,

from the river, the river Euphrates,

even unto the uttermost sea

 shall your coast be.

25 There shall no man be able to stand

before you:

for the LORD your God

shall lay the fear of you

and the dread of you

upon all the land

that ye shall tread upon,

as he hath said unto you.”  Deuteronomy 11:22-25

Just as God is King, so is The Son, Jesus!  He was, is and ever shall be the promised king, messiah, redeemer, sacrifice, and deliverer that God promised in Genesis 3:15, and He is still in the life-changing business; but we must choose to come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for “my” sin and “yours”!  He is our soon-coming Lord and King; are you ready to meet Him?

“These shall make war with the Lamb,

and the Lamb shall overcome them:

for he is

Lord of lords,

and King of kings:

and they that are with him

are called,

and chosen,

and faithful.”  Revelation 17:14

So, what I see is that Israel had a “king” but because they choose to go their own way, they forgot and abandoned the commands and call of their God, so they experienced this cycle of rebellion, judgment, repentance and restoration.  A cycle much like what we are seeing around us, but I can’t help but grieve that we are seeking every solution but the way of repentance, perhaps because we aren’t listening to  the voice of God’s Spirit convicting our hearts and calling us to an old-fashioned altar of prayer and repentance.  Are we behaving like the people who lauded Jesus on Sunday, yet cried “crucify HIM” four days later?

“On the next day much people

that were come to the feast,

when they heard that Jesus was coming

to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees,

and went forth to meet him,

and cried,

Hosanna:

Blessed is the King of Israel

that cometh

in the name of the Lord.”   John 12:12-13

They missed their King Jesus.  Are you missing Him, or have you bowed before HIM in repentance and faith?  And if you have come to Jesus, are you yielding to HIS Spirit’s work in your heart, that the world may know HIM too?

“That thou keep this commandment without spot,

unrebukeable,

until the appearing

of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in his times he shall shew,

who is the blessed

and only Potentate,

the King of kings,

and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality,

dwelling in the light

which no man

can approach unto;

whom no man

hath seen,

nor can see:

to whom be honour

and power

everlasting.

Amen.”  1 Timothy 6:14-16

The choice is yours to make, but remember, the question is not “will you bow”, but when “will you bow”?  Will you bow before Him now as your Redeemer, Lord and Savior, by His blood; or you will bow before HIM as your judge?

“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

There is a KING, even as God reveals in the Revelation:

“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

Is your name in The King’s book of “life”?  It can be, won’t you bow before Him and call on HIS name to be saved.  And if you are already HIS, won’t you seek His face and walk in HIS presence and HIS ways!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.”   John 3:16-18

I pray that you will bow before your KING, not have to face HIM as your judge with no recourse!  HE truly IS KING—always!

Amen and Amen!