Bible Ballistics: BBs #112 For Such a Time As This!!!

Esther 4:14, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

This verse resounded in my heart and mind this morning as I heard it on the radio. What “time” is before you right now? What crises at work, that may demand that you take a stand for God and for right? What personal crises may be looming on your horizon that calls for you to step up and trust God before others that you love? What issues are you wrestling with that God wants to take and use to help others in the same boat? I don’t know the answers to those questions for you, but I know that our God has total sovereign control in all things and HE has placed you and me where we are “for such a time as this”!!!

We must be willing to stand in the gap, to stand out for God, to be bold in our courage to speak for righteousness. For as the Psalmist reminds us:

Psalm 1:1-6, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

Such a short Psalm, but one that so clearly reminds us that being “God’s” child carries some great responsibilities with it, yet even greater rewards. Are we available for God’s service and work at “such a time as this”? A time when it’s not popular or “politically correct” to side with God and His Word? The choice is mine! The choice is yours!

So??? Here’s our shot for today.

Will we be the “blessed” man/woman who walks with God?

Will we avoid the people, places and things that corrupt men’s hearts and minds?

Or will we choose to side with the ‘ungodly’?

It’s a choice that Esther had to make—she made the right choice. Will YOU?

Bible Ballistics: The ‘Blessings of God’ or the ‘God of the Blessings’? Vol. 5 #02

I am teaching a Precept Bible Study class on 1 Samuel, and it has been refreshing and challenging. As I was preparing part of my lessons today, I just felt led to share part of it with you in today’s Bible Ballistics, for we so often seem to confuse the blessings ‘of’ God with the God ‘of’ the blessings.

1 Samuel 4 and 7 give an awesome contrast in this regard and I’d like to share a few thoughts with you today along that line. In chapter 4 we find Israel in a battle with the Philistines (you know, Goliath’s people). They don’t seem to have consulted God, or the priest/judge Eli in this encounter. Nor are we told that they sought Samuel’s counsel, although he was already recognized in Israel as a man, young man though he was, of God (see 4:1). When they are engaged in this battle, they are smitten before the enemy, but rather than seeking the counsel of God, what do they do?

1 Samuel 4:3-5, “And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. 4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.”

The people and their leaders decided that they needed something extra. Notice here: NO prayer, NO counsel from Eli, and NO counsel from Samuel. They just presumed that if they brought ‘God’s Ark of the Covenant’ into their midst, notice, ‘IT’ would deliver them. Not God would deliver them, but the object that God had given them. The ‘blessing’ of God had become their confidence, rather than the God who had given them the blessing.

The people called by God’s name had abandoned their confidence in the God “from whom all blessings flow” to the ‘blessing’ itself. What happened? The same thing that happens to us all when our eyes become distracted by the gifts rather than focused on the giver—they failed.

Jeremiah 2:13, “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Left God’s way for their own devices.

Romans 1:23,25, “And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things…….Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Trusting in the creation rather than the Creator.

So what are we to do? Seek God the giver and not just His gifts. Yes, I love the blessings of God, but when I put the blessings before the love of the God who gives them, I am in sin. As James reminds us:

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 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. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Every truly good thing in life comes from God—‘every good gift and every perfect gift’ is from God. But we are to rejoice in the Lord, the ‘giver,’ and thank Him, not get so caught up in the ‘gifts’ that we forget the giver.

We see a different story of Israel in chapter 7 of 1^st Samuel. Samuel has called the people to repent and turn to God (read all of chapter 7 for a great word of encouragement). As they were worshipping God, the Philistines come against them again, but this time we see a different response on the part of the people. Let’s see the difference that an attitude adjustment can make—a major Godly attitude adjustment.

1 Samuel 7:5-13, “And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord. 6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. 7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. 9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. 10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. 12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. 13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.”

What a difference an attitude makes!!! Do you have an Ebenezer stone? A place where God delivered you? Don’t forget to ‘remember’ what HE has done for YOU!!! Check that attitude.

Ecclesiastes 12:1a, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…..”

Hebrews 10:35-37, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”

I hope this short lesson from 1 Samuel will encourage your heart as it did mine. May we remember that

God is sufficient to any need that we have,

if we will but seek HIM,

repent of our sin,

call on HIM

and trust HIM for our deliverance.

Not relying on our own devices or even the perceived elements of the blessings of God, but truly, totally and completely devote ourselves to stay focused on and dependent on our God ‘of the blessings’. Him “from whom all blessings flow”. So, what is your answer today? Are you worshipping the ‘blessings of God’? Or are you worshipping the ‘God of the blessings’? It’s your call.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #111 Rejoice In The Lord!!!

Just a short word this morning to remind us that God is our hope!!! No matter the difficulty or crisis that you may be in, God is in control. And if you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then God is not only in control but He is on your side! As Romans 8:31 says,

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Who? No one or no thing of more significance than GOD!!!

You have all the power in the world to overcome in our Lord Jesus Christ. He who gives us life gives us hope and assurance.

John 10:28-30, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.”

We are in the hands of Jesus, the hands of God the Father, and the continual care and direction of the Holy Spirit.

So??? Here’s our shot for today. God’s got it!!!

Habakkuk 3:17-19a, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places……”

Look Up dear one!! Look UP!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #110 Precious Tears!!!

Good morning winter!!! I don’t know where you live, but here in Oklahoma winter has arrived. It’s about 24 degrees and dropping, at least for the next hour or so till daylight, and about the same forecast for the rest of the week. Well, it IS winter here, what do we expect? Usually something other than what we have.

I was thinking this morning, about a friend who is about to bury her brother, after some tragic circumstances, and the sadness of her heart. I was reminded of my own sadness from several years ago while caring for my mother who had Alzheimer’s. Then I couldn’t shed tears—the busyness, stress and demands of being a 24/7 caregiver demanded that the tears wait for another time. For 5 years there was no time to cry. It’s only been in the last few years that the healing tears returned. Whether your tears are stopped up or flowing ceaselessly, God has a word for each of us, whether we are ‘captive’ to grief, sorrow, pain, weariness or confusion!

Psalm 126:4-6, “Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

We often think of tears as a bad thing (especially you guys), but God says that tears are productive—they relieve stress, grief, and help heal wounded hearts. Jeremiah, often called the ‘weeping prophet’, tells us that grief and sorrow are a heavy burden to bear, but there is a ‘balm in Gilead’. Gilead was a real place, which was known for a healing balm that was produced there. Yet this picture goes beyond physical balm, and is also a picture of the healing balm of the power and presence of God.

Jeremiah 8:20-9:1, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. 21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? 9 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might for the slain of the daughter of my people!”

Are you burdened, full of tears that just won’t flow? Have you had so much sorrow and grief that you can’t seem to contain it any more? Well, there is a ‘Balm in Gilead’!!!

Psalm 56:8-13, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? 9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. 10 In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. 11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. 13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?”

So??? Here’s our shot for today.

God sees and knows your every grief and tear:

He has your tears in a bottle

He writes them in HIS book

He is for you

He delivers and raises up!!

Give HIM your precious tears and rest in His healing balm!!! He will deliver YOU and He will lead YOU into light and life again!!!

Look up,

rest easy

and press on.

You don’t have to walk alone.

Bible Ballistics: Going to, or Being the Church? Vol. 5 #01

I heard a great message this morning about something that is very dear to my heart—the church. It reminded me of something that I believe and teach often; that ‘going to church doesn’t make you a Christian’, any more than ‘standing in a garage, makes you an automobile’!!! Many are often distracted and deceived about what makes us right with God. We are called to ‘be’ the church within and without of the fellowship of believers. Jesus told a religious leader in John 3 that ‘being’ born again was more important than his ‘religious’ standing amongst other religious people.

What is it that makes us right with God? What I do or what I be (not good grammar but a good example)?

John 3:3-7, “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.”

Jesus declared to Nicodemus three times that a person MUST be ‘born again’. Not ‘do’ a new birth, but ‘BE’ born again. How?

John 1:11-13, “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.”

We are made right with God by being given God’s power to ‘become the sons of God’ by believing in Jesus, His atoning death, burial and resurrection for my sin!!! When we turn to Jesus in repentance (admitting that our way won’t save us) and faith (believing HIS blood will save us) we are ‘born again’ by God. Not by blood (who we come from), not by strength of will (me doing enough to make it so), and not of anyone else’s willing it to be so (by power, money, influence or any other fleshly means). So, it is completely a supernatural work of God that makes me ‘become’ a son/daughter of God.

Therefore it’s not what I do, but who I ‘BE’ (not good grammar but you get the point) in Jesus that makes me right with God and a part of HIS kingdom.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 also says, “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.”

Let’s consider a couple of points here; we are to remember that our victory (in anything) is ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ’—not in or of ourselves– not by good works, fame, fortune or worldly power.   It’s from our God, through the blood of Jesus and applied to us individually by the work of the Holy Spirit. We’re not asked to ‘do’ steadfast, but to ‘BE’ “steadfast, unmoveable… abounding in the work of the Lord…” In the Lord—not of ourselves.

Philippians 2:12-14 gives us a little twist to this principle. While these verses call us to work, they don’t call us to work on our own.

“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:”

How am I to ‘work out’ my own salvation, and ‘do all things’ without complaint? By understanding that God is ‘doing’ the work, that I’m not earning salvation but seeing God working IN me and revealing HIS work to the world. We can see this same idea in a passage most are familiar with.  Ephesians 2:8-9  tells us that our salvation is by grace through faith, but many don’t go on to read verse 10. Let’s look at verses 8-10:

“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.”

Spiritual birth makes me become ‘his workmanship’. Created in Jesus and now we–

ARE His workmanship–

IN Christ Jesus—

UNTO good works—

TO walk in HIS good works.

Our works — the evidence to the world of what God has done, and is doing inside of us. We are to ‘be the church’ to the world, NOT just ‘go to church’ to make ‘brownie points’ with God.

So, are you just ‘going’ to church? Or are you ‘being’ the church? Only you can answer that question. My prayer is that God will reveal Himself to you, and yourself to you, that you may truly know the answer to these questions.