Bible Ballistics: BBs #168 What’s It To You???

As I look at all that is going on around us, there is a lot of chaos, confusion and perversion of truth and the Word of God. What do we do when we encounter difficult things? We have several options, one of which is to look at the difficulties and be distressed, disturbed or depressed. Another option is to look at others who are not in the same difficulties as we are, and be consumed with jealousy, regret and even bitterness. We can also cast blame on others, make excuses or covet the ‘ease’, which we perceive that others are living in.

Jesus gives an example of this in the last chapter of John. After the resurrection Peter, John and several others decide to go fishing. After a night of fruitless effort they are told to “cast their nets” on the other side and as they obeyed they were inundated with fish. Realizing that it was Jesus on the shore they join Jesus for a breakfast, which He had prepared for them. After they had eaten, Jesus has the well-known encounter with Peter as He asks him 3 times if he (Peter) loved Him (Jesus). Of course Peter answers in the affirmative—perhaps remembering the 3 times he denied him only a few days earlier. But at the end of this exchange, Jesus prophesies to Peter his future of suffering and martyrdom for the Gospel. I am sure this must have overwhelmed Peter and like we so often do, let’s consider this interesting exchange:

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” John 21:18-23

 

Whoa!!! Let’s take a look at this exchange:

Jesus tells Peter he will die a martyr.

Jesus calls Peter to “Follow me”.

Peter is given insight that few receive. I can’t help but think of Jim Elliott, especially in light of the recent death of his widow Elizabeth Gren, and the statement that Jim made before going into what would be for him, a service of martyrdom: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” This man had a grasp of the cost of discipleship. But let’s consider Peter, and what we can learn from this encounter, and apply to our life.

When told of his difficult future, the still volatile Peter looks around. He doesn’t question Jesus, he doesn’t ponder on what he’s just heard but instead he turns to see who’s looking or listening. As he turns about he sees John, and seemingly trying to take the emphasis off of his future, he asks Jesus, “Lord, and what shall this man do”!!! Oh, how I relate to Peter, the one with his foot in his mouth much of the time; instead of dealing with what the Lord has told him about his own journey of faith with the Lord, Peter calls attention to John and asks “what shall this man do?”

Oh, how often we get our eyes on others instead of our own journey, our own responsibilities, and our own blessings; instead we allow Satan to distract us from “looking unto Jesus” and get our eyes on the circumstances, blessings or position of others! WRONG!!!

Jesus responds seemingly a bit sarcastically to Peter—in our vernacular—“What’s it to YOU?” Jesus tells Peter again, YOU just “follow me”!   In fact Jesus gives him a rebuke that was blown as much out of proportion then as it would be today. Look at verse 23:

“Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?”

Oh friends—let’s get it right. We are to follow JESUS, to keep our eyes on Him and run our own race not someone else’s, no matter how lucrative their race looks.

So??? Here’s our shot for today—keep your eyes on Jesus!!!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

“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:” 1 Peter 2:21-23

TRUST GOD!!!

Bible Ballistics: Faith In The Midst of Trouble??? Vol. 6#05

Today my mind goes to a young man in scripture who gives us one of the most powerful testimonies of faithfulness and righteous living in all of scripture. Apart from Jesus Christ, whom we know is perfect, Daniel and Joseph are the only two men that I have found in scripture against whom God reveals no derogatory account.

Daniel was a young man in Judah when the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar conquered the nation, and the city of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar instructed his servants to select the fairest and finest young me of the nation to take to Babylon and instruct for ‘civil service’ to the king and his kingdom. History implies that these young Jewish men who were selected for service were probably castrated (which was a common practice of the day to keep down the intrigue in the palace). If this is true then Daniel and his three friends were ‘ceremonially’ defiled in regard to temple worship. But we find Daniel ready to stand for His God:

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. 3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:1-8

Let’s consider what we’ve read here; what God has done, what men have done and how Daniel responds to crises.

Daniel was a righteous man living under an ungodly king, and a nation who were in disobedience to God. V1

Daniel was suffering the judgment of God on his nation although he was personally right before his God. V1-2

Daniel was taken captive with others of his nation who were neither godly nor obedient. V3+

Daniel was selected among the fairest and finest of al of Judah’s young men to serve Babylon (some even think that Daniel could have even been of the royal seed). V3-4

Daniel was carried away to an idolatrous nation who didn’t recognize the sovereignty of Daniel’s God. V2

Daniel had an appointed diet and education from King Nebuchadnezzar. V4-5

Daniel was given a new name to identify him with the culture and idolatry of Babylon. V5

All of this thrust upon a young man who was probably still in his teens. This young man was taken from his family, his city and nation to serve the pagan people who had conquered his beloved land of Judah. I find it quite interesting that history suggests there could have been as many as 100 young men taken; yet scripture only gives us the account of 3 who were faithful to God. I can’t help but wonder what those other young men decided to do? Blend in? Enjoy the ride? Enjoy the worldly pleasures afforded them? We don’t know what they chose, but we absolutely know what Daniel and his three friends chose!!!

“8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank:” Daniel 1:8a

Daniel determined in HIS HEART that he would keep himself pure and right before his God, no matter what others did. Daniel chose to “not defile himself” even though he had been defiled by the Babylonians. Daniel was devoted to his God and he intended to be faithful regardless of his circumstances or the expectations he lived under. That’s wonderful in and of itself, but I think we often miss something just as important in this account, and that is that Daniel’s choice wasn’t expressed in rebellion to his surroundings, or arrogance and pride to balk at his situation or murmuring at the injustice of his situation. After all he had been and was still being faithful to his God, and this is seen not only in his choice, but also in his expression of that choice.

“therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” Daniel 1:8

Daniel “requested” permission to deviate from the required diet. He didn’t pout, complain, grumble, or throw a tantrum—he simply asked permission to be compliant to his commitment to his God. The first person that Daniel approached with his request, denied his request, yet only because he feared punishment from those over him. Then Daniel made a second request of the person directly serving him and his friends but a request with a ‘counter-offer’.

“Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.” Daniel 1:11-14

Daniel put his faith to the test. He requested a diet of produce, rather than the diet from the king, which would have included meats that had been sacrificed to or blessed by the Babylonian idolatrous gods. Then he asked another official to try it our way for ten days and if we’re not as good or better than the others we will leave it up to you. Why do you think Daniel suggested this? Well we don’t know for sure because scripture doesn’t tell us, but I think by Daniel’s life example we simply see the courage and strength of his faith in his God. Daniel knew God was with him, but we also have the record of God’s provision for Daniel and his friends.

“Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” Daniel 1:9

God had brought Daniel into favor with the officials over him. And I don’t think Daniel came into favor with an attitude of obstinacy or arrogance, but one of humility and teachableness; and attitude of gratitude and submission to the total sovereignty of his God. What kind of attitude do we maintain and project to the world? Hopefully our life is a godly one that God can use and bless.

But we can’t drop the ball here, what is the outcome of the test for Daniel and his friends? All I can say is WOW. What a God we serve!!! God honored the faithfulness of his servants and HE had a purpose for them that they couldn’t have fully understood as they stood there on the threshold of an amazing future in God’s service—all while serving the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar!!!

“And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.”

And so………

“16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.” Daniel 1:15-16

Praise our God!!! He can and does provide for and use us in difficult places and circumstances. Daniel and his friends didn’t shirk their duty or relationship with God, but they stood fast before their God, with honor and integrity before men. They were respectful of those over them, and yielded to the authorities GOD had placed over them. They weren’t there by accident or chance God had a plan.

But let’s not stop there. Let’s finish up today with the powerful display of the favor of God on Daniel and his three friends– Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—better known to most as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!

“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” Daniel 1:17-20

Don’t miss the glory here—God blessed these three men to the degree that they were not 10 times better than their peers—they were 10 times better than ‘ALL’ the ‘magicians and astrologers” of Bablyon!!! May we commit ourselves to be faithful, yielded and devoted to our Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father in all we do. And we will never accomplish that unless we steep ourselves in the study of HIS Word and spend time with HIM in prayer. So what difficulty are you in today? God is still faithful and works on behalf of those who are His.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

We win!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #167 How Do I Deal With Division???

How nice to be back with you all today. Almost a week with no Internet was a real challenge, but praise the Lord we are back—at least for the moment. So in this moment I write!

I know some of you are thinking, “What is this? A lesson on math?” Well, not exactly. While division is a function in math it is also a reality in life.

We often encounter division in life, be it by a move, a new job, a new school, a disagreement or a change of seasons in our life. How do we respond to division in life? First and foremost always, we must be:

“Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:2-3

We absolutely MUST recognize that Jesus has all things in HIS control, and we just need to look to Him and press on. Sometimes we just need to wait for His leading in a particular situation; sometimes He has already made it clear what we are to do. I know some of you are dealing with heartache and heartbreak over some ‘division’ going on in you life, or it is so recently past that you still feel the pain and sorrow. I pray that today’s lesson will bring you encouragement and comfort.

Most importantly in my heart and mind (and an increasingly prominent issue) is the ‘division’ that takes place for Biblical and spiritual reasons. We live in a most difficult, hostile and unfriendly culture toward anything Biblical that conflicts with the lusts and desires of our world. Jeremiah has a most timely word for us today. Jeremiah is called the ‘weeping prophet’ because he ministered to his own people for about 40 years and he never saw any noticeably positive response. When we stand alone, we aren’t the only one or the first one. Paul talked about standing alone because friends had abandoned him. Many of David’s Psalms deal with the heartache he experienced in his division from, and many conflicts with, Saul and his other enemies.

Let’s look at the conversation between God and Jeremiah over the ‘division’ in his life:

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. 17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail? 19 Therefore thus saith the Lord,

If thou return,

then will I bring thee again,

and thou shalt stand before me:

and if thou take forth the precious from the vile,

thou shalt be as my mouth:

let them return unto thee;

but return not thou unto them.  

20 And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall:

and they shall fight against thee,

but they shall not prevail against thee:

for I am with thee

to save thee

and to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked,

and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.” Jeremiah 15:16-20 

WOW!!! What promises! When the time comes to divide, or when the division comes because of our stand for Christ—leave it in HIS hands, and trust to HIS leading and provision.

So??? Here’s our shot for today.

Keep on “Looking unto Jesus”!!!

Remember that “thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart”—and it still is, so get in the Word!

Remember that we are to “stand before me”–God’s opinion is the important one!

Always “take forth the precious from the vile”. —We must stand for truth no matter the division that comes.

Never forget the promises and faithfulness of GOD:

       “for I am with thee to save thee

and to deliver thee, saith the Lord”

“I will deliver thee”

“I will redeem thee”!!! Look up! Press on!!!

You are never alone, when you belong to Jesus!!!

Bible Ballistics: Is Your GPS Working??? Vol. 6#04

Many of us have a GPS in our automobiles, whether a factory item or an after-market portable one that we utilize.

GPS: “global positioning system”; a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information.”

We use a GPS to tell us where we are, how to get where we are going, as well as various other conditions on the journey. When we use the GPS, we have the option of following directions or going our own way. When we miss a turn, or stop for food or drink, the device begins to advise us to “turn round”, “make a U-turn” or some other timely device to get you back on the recommended path. We have an opportunity to correct our direction, or we can ignore the advice and “go our own way”. Sometimes we know more than the “GPS” does about our destination, but the device is pretty reliable—if we have kept it updated!! Walking with God is a similar scenario—let’s examine the premise.

We must make note of the unique differences—

God is GOD, the only GOD—Sovereign and Eternal:

“See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. 40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.” Deuteronomy 32:39-40

We must acknowledge Him as God:

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Ex. 20:3

God is our only hope:

“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3

Following God gives us all we need, but it will cost us. While we are called to “love one another”, we must understand what real love is. Real love, God’s kind of love, is always true, it always does what is best for the recipient, and that means telling truth, God’s truth. We are called to love our fellow Christians; we are also called to love the world– as Jesus did. We are to call others out of sin into HIS marvelous light, that we all might “obtain mercy” and be the “people of God”.

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

Being the “people of God” has a price tag, it means we align ourselves with our Savior, but it also means we will encounter the same responses that Jesus did:

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.  

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him that sent me.  

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them,

they had not had sin:

but now they have no cloak for their sin.

23 He that hateth me

hateth my Father also.”

John 15:17-23

We know that when Jesus came He addressed the issue of SIN. We must share this same truth. He called men to repent and follow Him, but instead most clung to their own ways and even killed the one who loved them more than anyone else ever had, or ever will, as Peter declared shortly after the ascension of Jesus:

“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12

There is only one way—no matter how many people reject that way—and that way is Jesus, the one who came to save us from sin:

“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

He came because of SIN—it was the issue then—it’s the issue now. We who follow Jesus and accept His Word as truth are being accused of every evil under the sun—from being ‘homophobes’, to being Nazis, hate mongers and other various and sundry derogatory terms of despite. Yet when we come to Jesus it is to be made new in Jesus Christ, and have spiritual vision—to see God’s kingdom and God’s way.

“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.” John 3:3-7

We MUST be “born again”—born of the Spirit of God, transformed into the ‘sons of God’, and as ‘sons of God’, becoming those who walk with God, agree with God and spread the good news of salvation, even when we are being aligned for speaking truth. We must stand fast—it’s a matter of life and death. Jesus came to give us life—to deliver us from sin and it’s penalty of death.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:22-23

Jesus came to give us true, eternal, righteous life–

“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

So the question is, which GPS are you following? Are you following God’s Word and His ways, or are you following your own estimation of life? Are you making your own road map, your own rules, your own way? Or are you reading, hearing and heeding the Word of God? You get to choose but remember, the “wages of sin is death”, regardless of the SIN!!!   God’s Word is not a ‘cafeteria Bible’—it’s all true or it’s not true at all. You can choose your own direction, but God has set the consequences for each choice!!! Jesus and life? Or man’s way to death? Which gate will you go through? Will you depend on the world’s “global positioning system” or be in “God’s positioning relationship at the CROSS”? You get to choose—the consequences are already set! Will you be part of the ‘many’ or part or the ‘few’? Please choose wisely—it really is life or death!

“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.” Matthew 7:13-14

Bible Ballistics: BBs #166 What About The Evil Day???

You can’t miss all the hoopla going on around us—the promotion of evil and the degradation of God, His Word and those people “foolish”, “ignorant”, and “out-of-touch” enough to truly believe God, follow Jesus and live by the Word of God.

We are quickly being seen as the “enemy”. But we shouldn’t be surprised, because Jesus told us it would come to this. There has always been opposition to those who love and trust the Lord God Almighty and those who choose to follow His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We must simply prepare ourselves for the onslaught, which may be simple but certainly NOT easy. We will be called to accept the challenge of Joshua that we talked about a while back:

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, (where we live now)

choose you this day whom ye will serve;   (the choice is yours)

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:          (choose self-made ‘gods’ as you desire)

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Many today are abdicating their choice and think it’s ok to ‘go along to get along’, and while that is a choice, it’s not ‘for’ God(He that is not with me is against me…Mt.12:30)!!! While we live in a culture that accepts anything that is ‘tolerant’, they won’t ‘tolerate’ those who are trying to live a true, moral, biblical life and worldview!!! Hence we have become the enemy and are being deliberately and diligently silenced and many are trying to eliminate our voice by making all that we believe ‘illegal’! Friends, we must wake up and we must equip ourselves for the challenges that are coming rapidly upon us. While this isn’t an exhaustive article, I want to call us all to consider what is going on around us, and to respond as God’s people. We are to take our stand on God’s side, but also God’s way. We have no need to be rude, crude or unkind, although we may be accused of it even when we are being diligently humble and compassionate but uncompromising toward God’s Word.

The truth is simply the truth, but the world and those who hate God, hate truth and hate US!!! Accept that, stand fast and remember what Jesus called us to do:

“But I say unto you,

Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you,

do good to them that hate you,

and pray for them

which despitefully use you,

and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father

which is in heaven:

for he maketh his sun to rise

on the evil and on the good,

and sendeth rain

on the just

and on the unjust.”

Matthew 5:44-45

We can only do this as we heed this principle:

“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.” Galatians 5:16 & 25

And we must remember the parameters of the battle. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:10-13:

“Finally, (NOW)

my brethren, (We who belong to Jesus)

be strong in the Lord, (remember it’s NOT you alone)

and in the power of his might. (the omnipotent God)

11 Put on the whole armour of God, (PUT IT ON)

that ye may be able to stand (and NOT fall or fail)

against the wiles of the devil. (Satan IS the enemy)

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, (men and women are not our enemies, Satan IS)

but against principalities, 

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you (PUT IT ON)

the whole armour of God, (ALL OF IT)

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.”

So??? Put on YOUR armor and STAND—in TRUTH! Today!