Bible Ballistics: “BBs”  #55

I saw a passage on Facebook this week that reminded me of something that I’ve been pondering for some time.

Ezekiel 12:1-3, “The word of the Lord also came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house. 3 Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they be a rebellious house.”

God told Ezekiel to live out a message to the rebellious captives in Babylon, that those still in Jerusalem would be judged. A people who were still living rebellious lives even while they were experiencing the judgment and discipline of God, himself. If we back up to the 8^th chapter of Ezekiel, we see some of the reasons that judgment had come upon them. They had done and were doing abominable things in the very temple of God. Their idols decorated and adorned the temple, while their leaders practiced abominable idolatry within the temple, the women were honoring their female idols at the gates, even as the men bowed down to the luminaries of the heaven.

What does this have to do with us? What about our churches? To what ‘idols’ have we bowed down? Brought into “God’s House”?  Do we depend on the empowering of the Holy Spirit, or idols of our own making? Where is the bold and Spirit filled preaching of the word of God? Are we depending on the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God, or the latest book, music and fads of the world? May we examine what we’re doing by God’s standard and fall before God in repentance and seek His face, His will and His word!!! Peter told in 1 Peter 4:17,

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

So here’s our shot for today….   May we examine

our hearts,

our lives,

our church practices,

and follow God not man,

no matter what’s popular?

So?? Remember Hebrews 4:12-13,

“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.”

You decide—following God’s Word or men’s ideas?

 

 

Bible Ballistics: New Creation?? April 27, 2014 Vol.3 #24

I was reminded just today, of the import of knowing the context of any individual verse of scripture. Sometimes we fail to examine the context of individual verses. But we can’t truly understand scripture until and unless we search out the context. Meaning is always affected and colored by the immediate context of the verses.

I was reading 2 Corinthians just today and was moved by the connections that I observed there. I often us 2 Cor. 5:21, to remind us that our righteousness is imparted to us by Christ’s sacrifice for sins when we come to Him. But the context seemed to jump out at me today..

Let’s follow the flow of this passage and make application to our lives. In the beginning of this chapter Paul talks about our eternal, heavenly body/life and our present life in the flesh. He refers to the gift of the Holy Spirit who helps us live life by His power, not the flesh. He also reminds us that we are accountable for our actions in verse 10,

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

He goes on to remind us that our work is to be for God’s glory and the good of the body. And verse 14, where we’ll begin, shows us the conclusions that Paul was leading the Corinthians to. ‘For’, can also be understood as ‘because’, so let’s see what we can learn.

1 Corinthians 5:14-21, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 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.”

Because of what? Because “the love of Christ constraineth us” Constrain means to compel or force. So it is Christ’s love that compels us to live for Jesus. That’s what Paul also tells us in Galatians 2:20,

“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.”

To say that ‘I am crucified’ is a picture of the ‘crucified life’. “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” Just as we learn from verse 15 above, “they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again”.   Christ was crucified for me, for my sin—His blood bought my freedom. So what are we to do for Him? Anything He asks? How? By walking in faith and obedience to Christ and His word, by His Spirit.

Paul goes on to say that we know Christ, not in the flesh but in the Spirit. Even those who knew Him in the flesh when he walked this earth, now know Him in the Spirit. And we continue on to see that those that know Christ by faith are new creatures. Christ gives us new life, and therefore Paul can say,

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”

But we are not made “new” to glorify ourselves but to share in Christ’s ministry of ‘reconciliation’, (the restoration to friendly relations). Why do we need to be reconciled? Romans 5:10 tells us,

“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.”

Sin made us enemies, Jesus death in our place brings reconciliation to God. Without Christ and the salvation that He bought at Calvary, we have no hope. But when we are saved, we are reconciled to God, no longer His enemy but His child. Changed from an enemy to a son/daughter of God.

John 1:12-13, “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.”

Our focal passage goes on to remind us that when we are reconciled by God, we are made partakers of His ministry of reconciliation. We are reconciled by Christ’s sacrifice, and we are to share that reconciliation with the world. Why? Because of what we see in verse 21,

“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.”

We are able to tell others because God has reconciled us. Because we are a ‘new creation’ we serve Christ by HIS power, not our own. We have the power to take this reconciliation to the world, as we live crucified lives by the power of His Spirit. The Good News for all who will hear.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #54    Where do I go?

Just a thought today on how faithful and dependable our God is, always. Let’s just walk through one of my favorite Psalms, and let it encourage our hearts.

Psalm 121

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is thy keeper:

the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:

he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out

and thy coming in from this time forth,

and even for evermore.”

We serve the creator of the universe!!! When trouble comes (and it will) I look up to the God who:

1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Genesis 16:13, “And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?”

Daniel 2:20-23, “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:”

We serve the God who cares, who sees all, and who is the very essence and definition of ‘wisdom and might’. Take those problems, and questions, and issues that confuse to our faithful, sovereign, all knowing and ever-present God. He Cares about YOU!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #53 One Message, One Call????

We believe that Jesus is the only way to God, Jesus said so Himself in John 14:6,

“ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

If Jesus declared Himself to be ‘THE’ only way, then we have only one message. What are we to do with that message? We are to ‘go ye therefore’, with the message of Jesus’ redeeming work on the cross. Each believer has a call to share, remembering that the power is of God, not us. Let’s look at 2 Corinthians 4:7-9,

“ For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”

So??? Here’s our shot for the day—It’s God’s message, God’s power, God’s light and God’s strength and protection. Romans 11:36 reminds us how,

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen..”

It’s all about JESUS—not about me, so don’t be discouraged but press on and let His light  shine through you.

Bible Ballistics: Christ Arose!!! April 20, 2014 Vol.3 #23

Hallelujah!!! Jesus Christ Arose!!! On this Resurrection Sunday many believers around the world celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you had a joyful time in worship and fellowship today. Of all people, we have cause to rejoice in serving the Risen Lord, not an idol made of stone, or someone who remains in the grave. How blessed we are to have new life through Jesus – the Risen Lord—resurrection life!!! As Paul said in Philippians 3:8-10,

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

Oh, the joy of knowing Jesus and being made more and more like him. To walk in the resurrection ‘power’ that He imparts is amazing, but it also means we walk in His sufferings. When we align ourselves with the Savior we will face opposition, just as He did. He warned us of that.

Galatians 2:20 says, “ 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.”

I am to die to self and live my life, day-by-day, moment-by-moment, in resurrection power. To not only know about Him, but to know Him and yield to His power that is at work in me through His blood and His Spirit. Resurrection power!!

Romans 12:1-2, ““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.”

Presenting myself to God as a ‘living sacrifice’ –

a life lived for Jesus,

being conformed to Him

not the world.

Yielding ourselves to His Spirit and walking in the ‘light’ as He is in the light (and He IS light), so our lives are that evidence of His glory and transforming power that we talked about last week. Living ‘proof’ of the ‘good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God’, in all we do each and every day.

But how do we renew our minds? That’s an easy one, sort of!!! We stay in the word, spend time talking to our Lord in prayer, and listen when He speaks through

His word,

His body,

prayer

and our circumstances.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

So how does this workout? Having the mind of Christ.

We must read His Word,

pray

and humbly serve Jesus

by serving those around us.

Humbling ourselves before Jesus and people.

Being evidence of God’s life transforming grace.

Guarding our hearts and minds through His word

and walking in the Holy Spirit.

‘Living’ proof to the world that Jesus is Lord of all. That He came to die for sinners, yet not to leave us as sinners, but to ‘transform’ us into His image, fitting us for His service with resurrection power. Doing all to glorify God and not man. To lead others to have this ‘mind of Christ’. To be an example of God’s handiwork to the world, as Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16,

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

How do we shine? There’s only one way– ‘Christ in you the hope of glory’ Col. 1:27. Jesus is the light and when we receive Him as Lord and Savior, He imparts His light to share with the world. Am I reflecting Jesus?

John 8:12, “ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

When we born again of His Spirit, we become ‘sons’ of God (and daughters) and He is working in us. But the question is, ‘are we walking in the light as He is in the light?’ Or, have we let so much of the ‘darkness’ into our lives and our churches that we don’t realize how ‘dim’ we have become? Are we hiding our light under a bushel? Are we walking in ‘newness of life’, as a ‘new creature’? Or are we shinning brightly? Has our light grown dim? Call on Jesus—He’s ready to forgive and restore. Remember HE IS LIGHT!!!! He makes old things new. Walk in Him—reflecting HIS light.

Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Where are you walking? You choose—light or dark?? Newness of His resurrection power or your own power?? Remember,

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4