Bible Ballistics:Are You Ready? 09/29/13 Vol. 2 No.20

As fall and the changing of the seasons are looming about us, I thought a look another change would be timely.  Of course I am talking about the “season” of the Lord’s return.  As we see in

Acts 1:9-11 “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” 

 This same Jesus—

the same one who had come—

been born in a manger—

lived a perfect life—

preached and taught God’s word and ways—

willingly gave Himself for us on Calvary—

who was raised on the third day –

this same Jesus—

will RETURN.

• Acts 2:21-24 says,  “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”  And Acts 4:12 reminds us that, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”   

Only one way!!!

This same one said of Himself, “….

• “….I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

—the one and only way.

Oh, what He’s done for us and will do in us and through us, if we’ll but trust Him and yield to Him.

Simply stated, bow the knee to HIM….

The thing is, we will bow!!!

• Philippians 2:8-11 declares, “ 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.”  

The question is not “will you bow”, but rather “when will you bow”?  Paul tells us here that “every knee” shall bow—

EVERY knee.

So, will you bow to Jesus as Lord and Savior or

will you delay,

reject Him

and face Him as your judge

rather than your Savior?

This same Jesus who ascended to heaven in Acts 1, is coming back to judge the living and the dead (also referred to as the “quick and the dead”).

• Romans 2:16 says, “ In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”  

Jesus is the standard,

the way—

the only way.

Are you trusting in Him or yourself?  God knows and holds us accountable for our choices.

What does this have to do with the return of Jesus?  Acts 10:42-43 says,

• “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”  

• And 2 Timothy 4:1, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;” 

• And then 1 Peter 4:5,  “Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.” 

The “who” here is a reference specifically to those who reject Jesus.  We will all give an account of our choices!!  The saved will stand before the “judgment seat of Christ” regarding the things “done in the body”.  (See Romans 14:10, 2 Cor. 5:10 & 1 Cor. 3:12-15).  This is a judgment of the deeds of believers not a judgment of whether we are saved or not.  When we are saved we no longer come under judgment.  (See Romans 8:1+)

The lost on the other hand will stand before the “great white throne” and be judged for having rejected Jesus Christ and for  “their works”.

No appeal,

no second chance,

just the final judgment of God

and the consequence of being cast into the “lake of fire”.  (See Rev. 20:11-15).

In conclusion, are YOU ready?

In John 14:3, Jesus tells us… “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” 

A place prepared for glory with God, the place with Jesus for all eternity in HIS glory!!

Or a place not originally prepared for man at all, but Jesus said,

“….Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”. Matt. 25:41.

Which way will you choose?

Glory or torment?

Eternity with Jesus or without Him?

It’s my choice!

It’s your choice!!!

Are you READY?  He could come today. Please prepare yourself by looking to Jesus while His Spirit is calling you.  If you hear His voice today respond to Him.  As Hebrews 4:7b declares, “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”    Because I love Jesus and I love you please look to HIM today.  And remember not to choose, is to choose,

Luke 11:23, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.”   

 

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”   Change?

We all encounter change that is out of our control.  We still must make decisions and respond.  How are we to deal with change, especially sudden, unexpected change?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “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.” 

We can be ready for change by living in a “trust” relationship with God.  How do we come to “trust” in God?

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” 

We must know and revere God (the meaning of fear).

When we come to know Him in faith we will find Him trustworthy.

John 17:9-11 “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one, as we are.”

Not just knowing HIM but being one with HIM..  When we are born again we ..’become the sons of God’ (see John 1:12).

Children who come to know that no matter the circumstances they can trust their Father!!

Do you know HIM?

If so trust HIM with your every step…..even the ‘mis’-steps.

He is always faithful.

If not call on Him for salvation in Jesus. Repent of your sin, and trust His death as payment for your sin.  (see Romans 10:8-11)

So?  Here’s our shot for the day—????  Trust Him regardless- “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” 2 Cor. 5:7

So?  ??????  Press on in faith, He is trustworthy.  And keep looking up!!!

Bible Ballistics: Cancer? Pt 2 09/22/13 Vol. 2 No.19

As we continue our discussion about “spiritual cancer” we have looked at the cancer of sin that leads to death and the deliverance that Jesus bought at Calvary.  We also looked at real men and women who boldly shared the ‘good news’ of salvation in Jesus.  Let’s continue by looking at some others and see what we can learn from them to help stop this “spiritual cancer”, and the death that it brings.

Let’s continue by looking at an evangelist and father named Phillip.

• Acts 8:26-36, “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?”  

We see several things about Phillip;

• 1)He heard and obeyed the voice of the Lord ( now most of us don’t hear from angels but we do have the indwelling Holy  Spirit who is there to lead us in all we do),

• 2) he was ready to share as God gave him opportunity,

• 3) he ran to share and listened to what was going on before he spoke!!!,

• 4)  he asked questions appropriate to the situation,

• 5) he waited for good questions from his audience,

• 6) he then proceeded to share the “answer”—Jesus, using the information that his audience was familiar with.

We can utilize these six elements of sharing in our own efforts

1) listen to God.

2) watch for opportunities.

3) First be an eager listener.

4) Use questions to see where your audience is.

5)  Help them to ask questions and don’t answer before they finish.

6) Then share the truth of Jesus at the level of understanding of your listener.

Yes, Phillip was a “preacher/evangelist” but he was also a faithful father at home (as well as one of the first deacons).   In Acts 21:8-9 we find that his children were faithful proclaimers of the good news,  

• “And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.” 

Oh that we would share a living and vibrant faith with our children and grandchildren.

What kind of example are we being to those who are watching us?

What do our children and grandchildren see in us?

Do they see in us a life devoted to Jesus and others?

Are we living truth before them in such a way that they want to know the Lord?

Leading them to not only know Him but to also have the courage to share what they know?

My favorite passage in regard to sharing truth, especially  with our children, is Deuteronomy 6.  Let’s look at a progression that is revealed in this chapter, we won’t have time to look at all of the chapter but we will look at selected verses that give us a good view of the principles presented.

• Deut. 6:4-6,  “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:”

This first instruction is to “parents”.  We must have the Lord in our own hearts before we can share it with anyone else, especially our family.

Verses 7-9 continue,

• “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”    (them and they being the “words” of God mentioned in verse 6)

Once we love God ourselves (have been born again) then we are to pass this on by:

• 1)Teaching diligently,
  • 2) talking about God’s ways/commands,
    • 3) Using “teachable” moments when we are at home, on the go, resting, when we arise,  with all we do with our hands, our minds and have scripture pervade our homes.

Sripture in our lives—

in our hearts,

in our minds

in our homes.

• Verses 17-18a, “Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. 18 And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord………”   

We are to live what we believe—to “ that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord:”  In front of our loved ones!!!  In front of the world!!!

Then God goes on to tell us what will come of our faithful practice of these principles in verses 20-21,

• “And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you? 21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:”.   

In other words, if we will live faithfully before our children they will eventually ask us “why” we live like we do?  And when they do, we are to tell them what God has done for us.  Not just what He’s done for others but what He has done and is doing for US.

To help others avoid the cancer of sins penalty we must share the “good news” — the cure.  The “gospel” of Jesus that heals and delivers us from sin.

• John 10:10b, ” I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  

Jesus came to give us deliverance from sin –

• Col 1: 13-14  “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:”  

We have the cure.  Let’s not keep it to ourselves.  We must avoid the cancer of sin in our personal lives but just as importantly, we must share the “good news” of the Cross of Christ with others–

• 1 Cor. 2:1-2 “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.”  

Salvation alone in Christ alone—let’s get out the good news—the cure!!!

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”  #9

I found a most profound thing happening on my cell phone lately.  When I try to type “praying”, if I’m not careful it comes out “spay ing”.   Well at first it just annoyed me and then as I kept making the same error (because my fingers are bigger than the keys….haha) it dawned on me that this is a great play on words for our consideration.

Spaying means to “sterilize a female animal”, in other words, to make it infertile or unproductive.  Wow!!!  Praying on the other hand refers to our communication with God, which is always productive. Am I being productive or unproductive, praying or spaying?

Let’s see if we can make a Biblical case?

• Mark 4:19, “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” –- Unproductive

• James 5:15-16,  “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”-–Productive

• James 1:26,  “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” —Unproductive

• Acts 12:5,  “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”—Productive  (see verse 11+ for the God’s answer to this prayer…Wow!!!)

So?  Here’s our shot for the day—?????

• Let’s be prayerfully productive!!   
  • Praying not “spaying”!! 
    • Never barren
      • but always fertile- faithful & diligent to
        • ask, seek, and knock!!!

• YOU can do it—through HIM.

• Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

So?  ??????   Pray on and keep looking up!!!

Bible Ballistics: Cancer? 09/15/13 Vol. 2 No.18

Cancer!  A term we all dread hearing.

• ‘Cancer: the disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body…..a malignant growth (malignant: very virulent or infectious) or tumor resulting from such cells…early English word was canker.’

Why would we want to talk about cancer in our Bible Ballistics this week?  What does cancer have to do with Biblical principles?  Can we learn anything helpful as we consider the subject of cancer?  These are questions I think we can begin to answer today.

Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:15-18,

• ” Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”

Paul is referring to a spiritual problem here.  And that problem is false teaching which leads to  “SIN”.  All forms of sin can eat like a cancer.  Cancer, as we mentioned, is an ‘uncontrolled division of abnormal cells’, that which is not ‘normal’ (conforming to a standard).  What is sin?  It is not conforming to God’s standard.  As we have seen in recent weeks, Romans 3:23 reminds us that

• ‘…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God….(not conformed to the standard)”
• And Romans 6:23, “….the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life …”.

Why are we all so afraid of hearing the word “cancer”? Because it almost always leads to death.  God has told us that “sin” does the same thing.  It leads to death. James 1:14-16, says,

• “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is  finished, bringeth forth death.”  

Yet we need not die, because God has made a way for us to have not only life, but “eternal life”.  Remember

• John 3:16? “….whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life”.

Jesus died so that we won’t have to die.  Yes, we’ll go through the

• “valley of the shadow of death” (Ps 23)
  • physically,
  • but we will live forever with Jesus.
  •  And have a new body to boot!!!
  • A perfect one!!!

• Only this temporary body of flesh will die—
• our soul and being will live forever with Christ
  • if we have committed our lives to Him in faith
  • and trusted to His grace to save us through His cross.

Cancer is so devastating to this life.  We all have family and/or friends who have suffered through this terrible malady.  We have seen some overcome for a time, and others we have lost to death because of cancer.  But what about those around us who are perishing to the death sentence of sin?  While we’ll spend hours, dollars and all of our energy fighting physical cancer, when will we come to be so impassioned about delivering people from the “spiritual” cancer of sin?  It should be our most ardent desire to see those around us come to Jesus.

• Matthew 28:18-20 says,  ”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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” 

Now, I’m not talking about going around beating folks over the head with a Bible, but being ever ready to share in love, grace and humble gratitude the “good news” of the “Gospel of Jesus”.  As Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15,

• ” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 
• • Be ready?
  • Are we ready to give an answer?
  • Peter calls us to ALWAYS be ready.
  • To live in a way that will cause people to ask why we live for Jesus in all that we do.

Let’s look at a few ordinary folks who shared their faith.  Aquila and Priscilla were a couple who worked with Paul making tents, sharing the gospel, and even hosted a church in their home.  We see them in Acts 18:24-28,

• “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” 

They helped this young man know the truth of salvation by sharing Jesus, and he then shared with the world what he learned about Jesus from these two. 

We also see a grandmother and mother named Lois and Eunice who taught Timothy about the scriptures and made him ready to receive the gospel.

• 2 Timothy 1:5, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 

• What kind of parent or grandparent are we being?
• Have we shared our faith in Jesus with those under our care?
• Sharing with our lives and with the scriptures as we have opportunity?

We are compelled to share a vibrant and living faith with the generation following us.  If we do not, how will the next generations possess and flourish in a vibrant faith?

• If we don’t share with them,
• teach them
• and lead them to follow Jesus,
• who will become the future leaders in God’s kingdom?

As there are several other examples I’d like us to discuss, let’s continue this next week.

May you have a good week thinking about the things we’ve shared today.

• Let’s be  sharing what we know
• about the ONE we know—Jesus!!!

Remember

“…study to show thyself approved….”

And share what you learn!!!!!

• Let’s stop the spiritual cancer!
• Now!!!