Tag Archives: Revelation 20:11-15

Inspired NOT Expired??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 09

13 Sunday Jun 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Approved Unto God, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God's Faithfulness, God's Judgment, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, The Things of God, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Will Be Done

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 09  Inspired NOT Expired???

 

I have a word for today that I pray will speak to hearts and help each of us take confidence in God’s Word—our Lode Star—it IS God’s standard!!!

“Heaven and earth

shall pass away,

but my words

shall not pass away.”  Matthew 24:35

The Psalmist rehearses the import of The Word of God, and we can take great comfort and encouragement in the faithfulness of our God and HIS Word!

“For the word of the LORD

is right;

and all his works

are done in truth.

5 He loveth righteousness

and judgment:

the earth is full of the goodness

of the LORD.

6 By the word of the LORD

were the heavens made;

and all the host of them

by the breath of his mouth.”  Psalm 33:4-6

God is creator and Jesus, The Son, was the conduit of HIS creation—for HE is also creator.

“In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image

of the invisible God,

the firstborn

of every creature:

16 For by him

were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before

all things,

and by him

all things consist.”  Colossians 1:14-17

ALL THINGS!  Did you get it?  Paul reminds us that “all things were created by him, and for him”!  And who is “HIM”?  John answers that question for us—and helps us understand that Jesus is the Living WORD, as well as the essence of the Written Word of GOD.

“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.

5 And the light

shineth in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not…

….. 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 1:1-5 & 14

The question is, “What will we do with The Word?”; both the written Word and The Living Word–JESUS?  God tells us through the Apostle Paul how we ought to use HIS Word!

“Study to shew thyself approved ‘    

unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

“All scripture is given

by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

In line with our title, the thing we have to consider is whether we accept The Word of God as “inspired” or “expired”?  So many today disregard God’s Word, call it irrelevant, outdated or not applicable to our lives today.  Yet God’s Word, as Jesus said, will not pass away; and while Jesus fulfilled much of the law and prophets, especially those regarding HIS first coming, HE will also bring all of the remaining prophecies to fulfillment with HIS return.  While all these things are important—they are part of HIS Word—it all boils down to what YOU have done/are doing with God’s Word—both His written Word and HIS crucified, buried, risen and ascended Son, Jesus.  And the message is clear, The Word is what we need to know “what we believe”; “what is wrong”; “how to correct the wrong”; and “how to walk right and prevent the wrong”!  Paul also gives us instruction to help us live out what we have received from Jesus—the NEW Birth!

“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 1:10-13

Another of Paul’s words to help you and me.

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear

and trembling.

13 For it is God

which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things

without murmurings

and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst

of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;” Philippians 2:12-15

What are you “working out”?  The salvation that God has offered to you.  Or the worldliness that pervades us on every hand?  Jesus, The Lamb of God, is not only our Lord but HE left us such an amazing example.  Now don’t misunderstand—HE came to be our sacrifice, not just “an example”; but in HIS coming HE left us the greatest example of all.  But notice the context—the context is about suffering for Jesus.

“For this is thankworthy,

 if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

 this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:19-25

If you don’t know HIM, you can; He gave HIMSELF for your salvation.  Won’t you trust to His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine.  He’s still calling men, women, boys and girls to HIS cross.  He died for YOU!  It’s what HIS Word reveals throughout the pages of all scripture.  You can receive His “inspired” Word of truth or you can reject it as an “expired” myth and pay for your own sin.

“For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:6-11

Will you answer HIS call upon your heart?  The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test.

“Behold,

I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”   Revelation 3:20

The test:

“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…

…. 15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

 was cast into the lake of fire.”   Revelation 20:11-12 & 15

I pray that you will receive the “inspired” Word of God—Jesus—the conduit of the written Word and the Living Word Himself, who laid down His life for you and me!

“Hereby perceive we the love of God,

because he laid down his life

for us:

and we ought to lay down our lives

for the brethren.”  1 John 3:16

“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 3:18

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!

As For Me!!! And You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 20

26 Sunday Jul 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Amazing Grace, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Conviction, Crucified With Christ, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Gospel, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Saves!, Leading Or Mis-Leading?, One Day Too Late?, Only One Way, Salvation, Saved by grace, Take Up YOUR Cross, The Blood Of Jesus, The Crucified Life, The Only Way, Trusting Jesus?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 20 As For Me!!! And You???

 

After Joshua had served God with Moses, led the nation of Israel across Jordan into the promised land after the death of Moses, conquered the land as God used him to lead the nation to possess their promised land, and divided the land as an inheritance to each of the tribes, then took his own possession in the new land of promise.  As he neared the end of his life, he called his people to faithfully serve God—this people, who like us, often rebelled against God, needed this mighty leader to call them to earnest devotion to God.  Among other things he reminded them of his own faithfulness to God and called them to make a choice that would secure their future by relying on God’s faithful provision to those who would obey, he reminded them of God’s words and challenged them to choose wisely!

“And I sent the hornet before you,

which drave them out from before you,

even the two kings of the Amorites;

but not with thy sword,

nor with thy bow.

13 And I have given you a land

for which ye did not labour,

and cities

which ye built not,

and ye dwell in them;

of the vineyards and oliveyards

which ye planted not

do ye eat.

14 Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side

of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:12-15

We will choose whom we will serve but choose wisely for there is a consequence for every choice!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you

in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.”   Matthew 7:13-15

Jesus goes on to tell us that “just saying so, doesn’t make it so”!  Many use His name today for a multitude of things that really have nothing to do with the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus came to “BE” for sinners; rather they seem to only want to capitalize or profit financially, socially or politically from the name of Jesus—nor trust Him to redeem them and to take up the cross and follow Him (it’s one reason that the cross is such a contentious issue today)!

“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 7:21-23

Just as Joshua made it clear to the children of Israel, who were now in possession of the “Promised Land”, they needed to be sure that they were in ‘possession’ of the “Promised One”, by faith through grace—same salvation that we can have today; they were looking forward to the coming Messiah, we are looking back at the completed sacrifice that The Messiah came to provide.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

We can choose to trust Jesus for forgiveness of our sin, and be redeemed by His blood sacrifice, or we can reject Him and pay for our own sin.  Paul painted an amazing picture of the choice given to every man, woman, boy and girl!  What have you chosen?

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God…

…21 But now the righteousness of God

without the law is manifested,

being witnessed by the law

and the prophets;

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 3:10-11 & 21-24

When we trust to His saving grace and receive His salvation and forgiveness of sin, we can rejoice always IN HIM!

“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

I find it interesting that both Jesus and Paul share the truth about dying to self and living the crucified life of devotion to Jesus, yet so many today ignore its import.

“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

We can choose to take Paul’s admonition, and find the grace and strength to yield to His work in us, dying to self and living for Him who died for us; or we can ignore God’s warnings and be one who will not believe nor receive HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin to be saved!

“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 it’s hard to really grasp, but I think we haven’t a lot of time to waste trying to make up our minds; or waiting to call others to turn to Jesus.  I believe His return is truly eminent!  What if it were today?  Would you be ready?  Have you chosen Jesus?

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold, now is the accepted time;

behold, now is the day of salvation.)”  2 Corinthians 6:2

And Paul’s famous appeal to King Agrippa:

“For the king knoweth of these things,

before whom also I speak freely:

for I am persuaded

that none of these things are hidden

from him;

for this thing

was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa,

believest thou the prophets?

I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said,

I would to God,

that not only thou,

but also all that hear me this day,

were both almost,

and altogether

such as I am,

except these bonds.”  Acts 26:26-29

As the old hymn says, “…almost, but lost”! (“Almost Persuaded”, by Philip Bliss), what have you done with Jesus?  I stand with Joshua, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”!  What about you?  When He returns will you shout for joy or mourn because you failed to prepare.  Like it or not there is (as a great Lanny Wolfe song says) the possibility of being “One Day Too Late”!

“And then shall appear the sign

of the Son of man

in heaven:

and then shall all the tribes of the earth

mourn,

and they shall see

the Son of man coming

in the clouds of heaven

with power

and great glory.”  Matthew 26:30

As Paul and John warned us, there is a day coming when we will all give an account.  Are your sins covered in the blood of Jesus, or will you hear Him say “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…”?  I pray that you will come while there is time!

“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 2:9-11

And as John saw in the Revelation, there will be a Great White Throne before which all who have refused to come to Jesus will stand.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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

This reminds me of the words of Jesus to Nicodemus.  Like Nicodemus, we can believe and receive, or go our own way!  Will you receive or reject?  Will you choose to serve The Lord or self?

“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

So, I simply ask you to consider your choices, for you have the God-given privilege to choose.  But just as Joshua declared, we will all “choose you this day whom ye will serve”!  And please note—refusing to choose Jesus, IS choosing!  I pray that you will hear His Holy Spirit speaking to your heart and open the door to Jesus—He loves you and is calling today!  Ye must be born again!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”   Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

Blinded To God’s Way??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 15

14 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Obedience, Our God Reigns, Salvation, SIN, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Love of God, What's In Your Heart?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 15  Blinded To God’s Way???

 

There’s a lot of talk today about being “color-blind” but I think we need to have a different conversation; we need to examine our own hearts, which will reveal our own needs; which will reveal our personal response to God and His Word!  And that my friends is the only thing that will make any significant change in lives, homes, neighborhoods, communities, towns, counties, states and a nation—much less a world!  We can riot, protest, and wreak havoc if we choose, but only Jesus can change a sinner into a saint.  And until we begin to preach the gospel to our world gone amuck, we will not see lasting change!  Jesus said it all!

“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

What we see going on around us is the outflowing of evil hearts; hearts set on satisfying themselves and trying to fill the desires of the heart with things that will never satisfy.  Only Jesus will ever satisfy the heart and give abundant life.  It’s what HE came to be and do—the redeemer of sinners.

“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

God’s people must learn to heed God’s Word and yield our hearts and lives to the obedience of The Word, and the leadership of The Holy Spirit of Jesus/God! Jesus is the only way to know God or His Word; and when we know we are obligated by love to reflect HIS glory to a lost and dying world.  A world set on going “to hell in a hand-basket”, and in a hurry to get there, it seems.

“There is a way

that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

And while I’ve used this passage a lot in recent weeks, I just feel the need to rehearse it again, for the truth of what our Lord Jesus said is so needed today. The truth is the truth, and regardless of what the world says, only Jesus can change hearts and lives—and only changed hearts and lives can make significant change to social upheaval.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would

that men should do

to you,

do ye even so to them:

for this is the law

and the prophets.”  Matthew 7:12

Oh, that we could all practice this ‘golden rule’!  Yet Jesus made it clear that not everyone is on the same page; not all people are pursuing the good of others, especially in this day of the “me” culture that we have produced by our selfish ways and the abandonment of God and His Word!  Let’s spend some time perusing what Jesus told us about the choices that we are all free to make—but remember while we are free moral agents and God has given us the right to choose, He has not freed us from the consequences of our choices, and we don’t get to choose those consequences.  As Paul reminds us, be careful what you choose—you/I will give an account!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth

to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

but he that soweth

to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8

And as Jesus makes perfectly clear, there are two choices—the narrow way or the broad road!  Which have you chosen to follow?  It makes a difference, and we are seeing the result of multitudinous wrong choices!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they

are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them

by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.”  Matthew 7:13-19

And Jesus goes on to declare to all that there is a day of reckoning coming.  (And to see what false teachers and prophets look like, read 2 Peter chapter 2!). Are you ready to face that reckoning?  If Jesus came today (and He could appear any day) where would you stand?  Will you be a wise builder or a foolish one—this is truth, not just a simple children’s Sunday School song!

“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.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”  Matthew 7:21-27

I find it interesting, that just at it is today, the people of Jesus’ day were astounded at His teaching!  How about you?  Will you be astounded and follow Him, or stay astonished and reject Him today?  He has the authority for HE IS GOD; what will you do with HIM today.   And remember just “saying so” doesn’t “make it so”!

“And it came to pass,

when Jesus had ended these sayings,

the people were astonished

at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them

as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”   Matthew 7:28-29

And one final word about the reckoning; it is coming, and there will be no appeal.

“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

May God open your heart and eyes to see Jesus.  He’s still calling today.  Burn with Satan or reign with Jesus!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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.

22 He that hath an ear,

let him hear

what the Spirit saith

unto the churches.”   Revelation 3:20-22

 (And just FYI, being in a church isn’t enough!)

Amen and Amen!!!

Relying On HIS Cross??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 14

07 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Bibe Study, Building on The Rock or The Sand?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 14  Relying On HIS Cross???

 

“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

It is God who will judge, and HIS Word will be the standard of judgment—in all things, for all people, without appeal!  God (And His written Word as well as Jesus, the living Word!) is the final Word, and there will be no other standard that we can use to excuse our sin.  Every person’s judgment will be by The Word of God; not social media, memes, groups crying for “this” cause or “that” cause; so, we must be careful whom we follow; we must be careful of the groups and causes that we align ourselves with.  We need to do our ‘homework’, so to speak, and investigate what/who we are aligning ourselves with; we need to know their goals and motives, and if they say one thing yet have ulterior motives; we need to choose wisely.  And one of the things that we need to check out is there stand toward God (for many who purport to stand for ‘godly’ causes, are in essence against the God of the Bible), His Word, and His beloved Israel.  For God set that standard many years ago.

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram,

Get thee out of thy country,

and from thy kindred,

and from thy father’s house,

unto a land that I will shew thee:

2 And I will make of thee a great nation,

and I will bless thee,

and make thy name great;

and thou shalt be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them

that bless thee,

and curse him

that curseth thee:

and in thee shall all families

of the earth

be blessed.”   Genesis 12:1-3

May we never promote what God abhors!  Jesus also addressed this issue of wisdom and discernment, something that most today don’t want to hear.

“Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them

by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes

of thorns,

or figs

of thistles

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not

forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore

by their fruits

ye shall know them.”   Matthew 7:15-20

It seems these days that people don’t want wisdom or discernment, just to go “viral” on social media!  It doesn’t have to be true just popular.  What are you measuring your life by?  By God’s Word or by the world’s memes?  I am called to follow Jesus and the prayer of my heart is that I will be found faithfully doing His will, His way; that I will always be sharing the truth that God has called me to—the gospel of Jesus Christ, crucified, risen and coming again.  There is no other message that I have been called to share!  I have to join Paul and his proclamation of singularity!  Only One way—Only One message—Only One song—Only One focus—Jesus Christ the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  I am forgiven and transformed by the blood of the Lamb, who takes away the “sin of the world”!

As John the baptizer said:

“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

As Paul told the Corinthians, it is faith alone in Christ alone!

“For Christ sent me not to baptize,

but to preach the gospel:

not with wisdom of words,

lest the cross of Christ should be

made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish

foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:17-18

“And I, brethren, when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.

3 And I was with you

in weakness,

and in fear,

and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching

was not with enticing words

of man’s wisdom,

but in demonstration

of the Spirit

and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand

in the wisdom of men,

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

Jesus is our only hope; yet it’s not just words but our deeds what will reveal whose we are…for it is by our works that we show whose we are!  We aren’t saved by our works, but we are saved to do “good works”!  What do your works say about you/me?  When we are born again by the Spirit of God, we are born again “unto good works” by God’s grace through faith!

“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

Remember, our accounting will be not only before God, but by HIS standard—The Word of God–for both the saved and the lost!

“For it is written,

As I live,

saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow

to me,

and every tongue shall confess

to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account

of himself

to God.”   Romans 14:11-12

And as John records for us in the Revelation, there is a reckoning coming.

“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

So, my question for today is what are you relying on?  Jesus or the popular “viral” issues of the day.  With whom have you aligned yourself?  Are you depending on your words (or the words of others) or the blood of The Lamb?  Are you being faithful to Him or to something or someone else?  Only you can answer that question but remember there is a test.

“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 7:21-23

Jesus gives us a clear example of this principle in His story of the houses, yet we so often write it off as a meaningless children’s song.  But your choice will determine your destiny!  Are you building on the rock or the sand?

“Therefore

whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house

upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings

of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house

upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

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

I pray that you will be wise and discerning while there is still time.  Don’t forget just because it’s on the internet (or TV, or cell phone, or any other media), doesn’t make it necessarily true.  But God’s Word is always true!  Today, tomorrow and forever!  Dig into HIS Word with confidence!!!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”   Hebrews 13:8

And may I simply say that if I don’t join your groups, don’t take it personally—I’ve already joined Jesus, and he is the King of my heart—my priority and His work comes first!

Amen and Amen!!!