There will be no BBs today due to internet problems. But I would share the verse that is on my heart. Psalm 126:4-5

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalms 126:5-6 KJV)

Bible Ballistics: What Righteousness??? Vol. 6 #01

Matthew 5:18-20, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven? How can we do that? By keeping the ‘Law’? Or is this is a higher call, a call to total ‘righteousness’–God’s righteousness, not man’s. Jesus goes on in this discourse:

Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

We are called to be ‘righteous’ but God also calls us to “be….perfect”. Impossible, you say? Yes and no!!! Can we be ‘perfect’ on our own? No way!!! Then how? How can we be more righteous than the Pharisees? How can we be ‘perfect’ before God? Let’s continue on and find the answer to these questions.

John 4:20-26, “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”

Jesus declares to the ‘Samaritan’ woman that true worship is ‘in spirit and in truth’? But what does that mean? Simply put, “JESUS”, is what that means—the great ‘I AM’ come to dwell among us! Unless we worship through the ‘Son’, and the Holy Spirit that is given to those who believe/trust in Jesus, we cannot worship God acceptably! Jesus declares Himself to be truth in John 14:6, and He also promised in that same chapter to send HIS Spirit, the comforter/Holy Spirit, to be with us after His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. Jesus was, is, and always will be the only way to see God, to know God and to worship God. He is the fulfillment of all Scripture—of all that God promised in His Word! He brought salvation by grace, and as John says in the passage below, Moses gave the Law (which pointed to Jesus) but Jesus brings (IS) grace and truth.

John 1:10-18, “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. 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. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the “Law”. When we are ‘born again’ into Jesus Christ He makes us alive unto God (See Romans 6:11-13). But this cost the greatest price in all of creation—the death of our Lord Jesus Christ–The promised Messiah–The Lamb of God–The deliverer—The Son of God!!!   And when this was done He made the greatest cry and proclamation in all of time and eternity—“IT IS FINISHED”!!!

John 19:28-30, “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” All done so that we could become God’s children.

Why this way? To satisfy the Holiness of God, to satisfy the ‘Righteousness’ of God, who could not tolerate sin. Jesus fulfilled the ‘Righteous’ Requirements of God’s Law—not just the Law of Moses—but also the Law of God’s perfect holiness, perfect justice, perfect righteousness. And because of HIS perfect love for us, God gave “His only begotten Son” to be lifted up and die for ME!!! To die for YOU!!! God’s love is amazing and unconditional, He so ‘loved the world’, that He gave Jesus. While His love is unconditional, His forgiveness and salvation are totally conditional upon our repentance toward our own sin, and faith in this atonement that Jesus Christ bought at Calvary! Nothing else would do. Only a ‘perfect’ sacrifice would do! And only Jesus, come in the flesh could be that perfect sacrifice for us. Remember, God didn’t need a sacrifice, He could have just sent us all to hell—the just dues for our own sinful lives!!! But praise God that He ‘so loved the world, that He gave….’!!!

When God delivers us from sin, and when we are truly saved by God’s grace and re-birthing power, then we are delivered from not only the eternal penalty of sin, but also the very power of sin, we have new life because we are ‘born again’ in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21, “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.” The answer to our “how” questions regarding being ‘perfect’ and totally ‘righteous’!!! It’s “in him”, I repeat it’s “in him”!!!

Not by the ‘Law’ of Moses but by the “Law of God” that paid for our sin! The law of just recompense and reward. The justice that sin requires death (see Ro. 3:23 & 6:23), and only Jesus’ payment of that debt brings deliverance–not because HE owed it, but because I couldn’t pay it—which fulfills God’s demand for perfect justice! Jesus was and is the ONLY ‘perfect’ sacrifice, and the only way that I can receive the ‘perfection’ through His payment applied to my sin debt. Not because I deserve it, earn it or work for it, but because Jesus has already done it all and I simply (but not easily) must believe and trust in HIM for my salvation. To acknowledge and see my sin as a total affront to God; to repent of that willful, selfish, greedy sin that controls my life, and turn to Jesus in faith, believing that God can and will change me into the ‘image of His Son’ (Ro 8:28-29). And He promises to equip us to live this ‘new birth’ life!

John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

He places His Spirit within us to accomplish HIS work in us. The “new covenant”, as promised in Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. 31:31+ and Ezk. 11:19 & 36:26), gives us the ability to walk in that ‘spirit and truth’ which Jesus revealed to the woman at the well. The promise that He spoke of in Acts 1:4-5,

“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

And because God always keeps His promises, we can now ‘walk in the Spirit’ and obey God from our hearts not from tablets of stone.

Galatians 5:16,25, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…..25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Have you come to Jesus? Have you bowed your knee before the King of Kings who died for you? If not, won’t you call on Him today in repentance and brokenness for your own sin, and bow before His throne, and receive the life-transforming work of salvation? Not a flippant, presumptuous formula of ‘name it and claim it’, but a true realization of the vileness of my sin before a Holy God, with sorrow and gratitude for what He did at Calvary. He is standing and waiting for YOU today.

If you know Him, won’t you commit anew to yield yourself to HIS Spirit and live what you claim to posses? You can claim a lot of things, but God knows the truth, and just ‘saying so won’t make it so’!!! Only Jesus—“the way…the truth…the life…” can make it so for YOU and ME!!!

2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless 

the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”

If you’ve claimed His Righteousness for your own through the blood of Jesus—then live it—every day!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #161 Can Do Attitude???

“As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.”   Ecclesiastes 11:5

While I can’t know the unknown or hidden things of the creation, I can know the ONE who does know. We often get distracted by what we don’t know, instead of standing on ‘WHO’ we do know. We who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ can stake our claim on the assurances of Who He IS and that He has us in HIS hand every day and in every step we take—even the wrong ones. I may fail but HE never does!!!

“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 

28 And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin: 

29 And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these. 

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things. 

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness; and

all these things shall be added unto you.”

                      Matthew 6:27-33

So??? Here’s our shot for today! What are YOU seeking? Are you seeking and focusing on the things that GOD can do for, with and through you—as YOU seek HIM? Or are you letting the ‘cares of this world’ keep you so distracted that you have lost your–

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” — attitude? (Philippians 4:13)

So what’s the key? Remember what Jesus says above:

Things may be outside of your control—but not God’s!

Why fret and worry—God doesn’t and He’s got YOU!

God takes care of nature—HE will take care of YOU!

GOD knows what you need and HE’s got YOU covered!

       SEEK HIM FIRST—

       SEEK HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS FIRST (not our own)—

       HE WILL ADD WHAT’S NEEDED!!! Because HE can!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #160 Whose Favor Are We Seeking???

We live in a world focused on “fame” and “popularity”! Everyone is seeking to be recognized, praised, publicized, and awarded the accolades of man. But what am I seeking? What are you seeking? If we are followers of Jesus Christ and children of God, we should have a different pursuit. Our pursuit should be the pleasure and glory of God. We are to be in ‘favor’ with God, and causing no intentional harm to men. Jesus calls us to Christian diligence and awareness:

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16

We are sent out in Christ’s stead, to be His representatives and ambassadors, but what does that look like? Let’s see what scripture says?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Paul is reminding us that when we are “born again”, we are made “new” in Jesus, because we have been ‘reconciled’ to God by the blood of Jesus. God sent His Son to redeem us from the penalty, power and eventually the very presence of sin to a purpose, to become ‘reconcilers’ to the world. To tell the world the good news that Jesus still saves and changes lives today. Not a salvation that condones sin, or leaves a man in the degradation of his sin and ‘lostness’, but a salvation that makes new, redeemed creatures out of sinful men, women, boys and girls. Jesus will see that “all things are become new”. It is our purpose to yield to Him, to trust our lives to Him and let His glory be seen in us everyday, every step of our life journey.

So, are we in tune with our Lord? Are we seeking to please Him in all we do?

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

And when we do all to God’s glory, amazing things can happen; we begin to live in God’s purpose before men:

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

We ARE at “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”!!! And once we are at peace with God, we can grow in grace and holiness and power with Him, and He can use us in the realm of men.

1 Samuel 2:26, “And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.”

Luke 2:52, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

Proverbs 16:7, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

God is in control—

Of my circumstances—

Of my encounters—

 Of my experiences—

 Of my every breath.

So??? Here’s our shot for today.

Will I seek the favor of God or the favor of man?

If I seek the favor of man I will seldom please God.

When I seek the favor of God, He will often bring me into favor with those around me—but not always.

The question to consider is, “Will I please God even if it brings me into ‘disfavor’ with the world around me?”

Am I willing to live for God no matter the cost, or suffering, or discomfort to me?

Will I trust my every step to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Will I live His way?

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

Bible Ballistics: Man Caves or She Sheds??? What Ever Happened to the ‘FAMILY’ Room??? Vol. 5 #26

I was pondering what to write on this Mother’s Day, and I came across a picture on the Internet promoting “She Sheds” in preference to “Man Caves”. Well the thought came to my heart as I sat here thinking about our culture and its problems, “What ever happened to the Family Room?”

What was a family room? It used to be a room in the house where the ‘family-mom, dad and the children’ could play games together, watch TV together or– shock of all shockers—“TALK” together about things in their day!!! For some it was the ‘kitchen table’—a place where the children did homework, where special times with mom helped heal wounded knees and elbows, or even broken hearts. Where mom and dad talked about the difficulties they faced, and about the joys and sorrows of living life and raising children. A place where oneness was developed:

“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:21-24

God created marriage—one man and one woman–two brought together into oneness. Experiencing a oneness of body, mind and heart—a oneness that can bring joy for a lifetime. A oneness that, when torn apart, brings grief to all who are touched by the brokenness. God created an intimate and unified (not uniform) nurturing place for the growth of individuals into families!!! Families that would produce more nurtured and mature adults to continue to form a society of goodness and righteous people to reflect the glory of God. We’ve kind of missed the mark, haven’t we? When sin came into our world it broke the wonderful state that God had created for this man a woman. Those to whom He gave the responsibility of tending to, caring for and populating His world. The man would be required to “leave his father and his mother” and “cleave unto his wife”—to be glued to his wife with whom he was beginning a new ‘FAMILY’ unit. Oneness passed on!

What have we done to God’s wonderful plan? Instead of oneness we teach and promote independence—independence from God, from one another, from intimacy, from the very oneness God established in the beginning. So what does this ‘oneness’ look like? Let’s see if we can gain an understanding from scripture.

1 Corinthians 11:8-12 says, “For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.”

While God created man and woman in an order, he didn’t create them as ‘superior and subservient’; rather He created them to share oneness. Rather than bring our ‘independence’ into the home we are to practice ‘inter-dependence’—dependence upon God, and dependence upon one another. Not two pulling in two different directions, but two unified and pulling together to accomplish shared goals and objectives, and when we are yielded to God, shared allegiance to the God of the Bible– The creator of the universe. Individual rolls but rolls that enhance and compliment (not compete) each the other. We are to be completers not compete-ers.   Not exactly what’s going on in our modern culture? But I take heart when I see godly, Christian families not only believing in, but living oneness. The image of God reflected in a “family room”! And not just a “family room” but a “family house”—a house full of God’s love, God’s Word, God’s love and God’s image displayed before the world!!! In God’s image:

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:26-27

God created ‘them’ each in His own image—man and woman. No superior—no inferior, but by the same token, not “sameness”!!! Men and women are not the same but they are each created in God’s image, with a distinct creativity, gifting and abilities so that each one contributes to a healthy, functioning home!!! If they were the ‘same’ then one of them would be unnecessary. We are to bring our created uniqueness to the marriage–to the ‘home’. Mom and Dad, each bringing their strengths and weaknesses to grow together into a truly God-honoring home.

While we often focus on the “Proverbs 31” woman on Mother’s Day, we need to take it beyond that and see a “Proverbs 31” home. Let’s see some of the principles of this home:

Excerpts from Proverbs 31:10-31,

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her…

12 She will do him good and not evil …..

worketh willingly with her hands.

…. she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night,

and giveth meat to her household…..

16 She considereth a field…

with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength….

….. her candle goeth not out by night.

…. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor…

to the needy.

21 She is not afraid………

23 Her husband is known in the gates…..

he sitteth among the elders of the land. 

25 Strength and honour are her clothing……. 

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom…

in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household ….eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praiseth her…….

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:

but a woman that feareth the Lord,

she shall be praised……….

let her own works praise her in the gates.”

A home—a mother who does the caring for her family; a father who takes care of his responsibilities to his home and maintains his integrity in the community; children who recognize the work and input of their parents and honor them for their faithful leadership and caring. And on top of all of that, we see God, who honors righteousness and faithfulness in His own. Paul adds to our understanding a picture of the oneness that builds godly homes:

Excerpts from Ephesians 5:20-33,

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God …

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife,

even as Christ is the head of the church:

and he is the saviour of the body. (the Savior and lover of his wife—not her dictator)……

25 Husbands, love your wives,

even as Christ also loved the church,

and gave himself for it; …….

28 So ought men to love their wives

as their own bodies.

He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh;

but nourisheth and cherisheth it,

even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body,

of his flesh,

and of his bones. (oneness with Jesus) 

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother,

and shall be joined unto his wife,

and they two shall be one flesh. (remember Genesis??)

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;

and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Different roles with unique expressions given to grow a home into a reflection of the image of Christ—Christ in us who are His.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27b

And the key is in the first two verses of our Ephesians passage—the ones we often forget to include in our assessment of this scripture:

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God…” And

“Submitting yourselves one to another

in the fear of God.”

And in conclusion I simply ask, “Are we building “Family Rooms”? Or are we so busy building “man caves” and “she shelters” that the “family room” goes neglected and could perhaps be one explanation for the dire straights in which the family stands today, particularly in America, even in the church!!!

Have a blessed Mother’s Day—

as the mom being honored—

as the husband of a ‘virtuous woman’—

as the children of a ‘godly woman’—

or as a friend of families every where!!!

May we see God’s truth while there is still time, and make a difference, as a book once said, “One Family At A Time”? May we commit ourselves to a godly priority of family rather than ‘self’ motivation? May you grow a great “Family Room”!!!