Bible Ballistics: Got Any Time??? Maybe Today??? Vol. 7#02

We have spent time giving thanks to God during this season of “Thanksgiving” and now as a time of giving and receiving of gifts approaches, I thought it would be a good ‘time’ to talk about “time”! We often get so busy that we forget the purpose of the season we are celebrating. And more than that we have become a people who live in a constant state of “rushing” about for various reasons; too busy to stop our hectic schedule and “make” time for God in any meaningful way. And believe me my friends, if we don’t “make time” for God, we’ll never “find time” for Him—ever!

James talks about the prayer life of a “righteous man” and I’d like us to consider some things about that man today. Does prayer have anything to do with time for God?

“Confess your faults one to another,

and pray one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.” James 5: 16

James, talking to believers, calls us to be accountable; by confessing our faults one to another and praying for each other in general and for the healing of our infirmities. In other words, we are to care for one another selflessly, and one of the best ways to do that is to “pray” for one another. But James reveals that there is more to prayer than we often consider, that there are some prerequisites to be effective “pray-ers”!

First of all prayer is to be “effectual”—

Successful in producing a desired result.

We are to pray expecting results. But what are the results that we are to expect? (We’ll look at that just a bit later.) We are also to be “fervent” in prayer—

Having or displaying a passionate intensity.

While we are to expect results as we pray in faith, we are also to persevere–to keep on keeping on, as we wait and listen for God’s answers. I am not talking about the “slot machine in the sky” kind of praying—where one drops in a quick minute prayer and expects to hit the “jackpot”, but the kind of prayer that pleases God; the kind of prayer that Jesus talked about:

“And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29

Jesus also described the intensity and hard work of praying in scripture:

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” Luke 18:1-5

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

We are called to persevere in prayer—to “pray, and not to faint” because prayer can be hard work (Paul said to “pray without ceasing”), not because God is “weary” of us, but because HE is sovereign, and trusting HIM means trusting HIM to answer in His perfect will, in His perfect timing, in a way that brings glory to Him, and a growing faith, confidence and usefulness in us. Our praying should have an intensity and devotion that is seeking to know God and to express a heart of compassion toward others. And that also includes the need to also to keep on keeping on! When we check, we find that the grammatical tense of “ask…seek….and knock” in Matthew 7, expresses continual action; we are to keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking. As we said earlier, prayer isn’t dropping your coin in the “slot” and expecting God to meet your demands, but real “effectual fervent” prayer is seeking the heart of God with all of my heart, mind and soul; it is seeking to know God more, to do His will, reflecting His character and love to the world.

Looking back to our passage from James, we find that he gives us an example of the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. He mentions Elijah/Elias as an example of this kind of pray-er:

“17 Elias was

a man

subject to like passions as we are,

and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain:

and it rained not on the earth

by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again,

and the heaven gave rain,

and the earth brought forth her fruit.”   James 5:17-18

Let’s examine this claim: Elijah prayed for it NOT to rain, and it didn’t for 3½ years. He prayed again that it WOULD rain, and it did. Yet, James says that Elijah was a “man”, that he had passions and desires just like us, but when he prayed God heard and answered. What created this kind of prayer warrior? The very real key to understanding what effectual, fervent prayer is all about begins with understanding what a “righteous” man is. This is not a reference to our goodness but to the “righteousness” of God, righteousness which only Jesus can and does impart to those who will believe and meet HIM at Calvary in repentance and faith in HIS death, burial and resurrection for the remission of sin.

“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 5:21

Prayer is always grounded in a relationship with God—the relationship of children with their father, and the children aren’t to tell the Father what to do!!! Really? Instead the “little children” that Jesus spoke of us becoming, were “little children” seeking to be close to and please the Father—to know His favor. That’s one reason Jesus told us we are to pray:

“…Thy kingdom come….

“..Thy will be done…..”  

“on earth as it is in heaven….”

God’s will NOT mine!!! But there’s more. How do we really pray an “effectual, fervent prayer”? I believe that it requires that we:

devote ourselves to seeking the face of God—

devote ourselves to finding out the will of God—

devote ourselves to obeying the will of God.

We must live seeking God’s will, asking for His direction and continually knocking on the doors of heaven. That they would open and pour out God’s power and strength on His own, that we can change the world for Jesus. A life lived seeking God’s face, His purposes and His ways, and then walking in that which HE speaks, reveals and teaches us through prayer and the study of HIS Word.

James tells us that Elijah was just like us—a man of flesh and blood. What made Elijah’s prayers so effective? It wasn’t a magic formula; it wasn’t a flippant use of prayer to accomplish what Elijah wanted. Let’s let scripture tell us about Elijah and his prayer life.

“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab,

As the Lord God of Israel liveth,

before whom I stand,

there shall not be dew

nor rain these years,

but according to my word.”   1 Kings 17:1

Look at Elijah’s prayer…. It was prayed in the confidence of God, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth”. We are to pray seeking God’s face and His glory that we might reflect HIS glory to a lost and dying world. And believe me, Ahab was not only one of the most wicked of men, but one of the most wicked kings that Israel ever had (remember his wife was Jezebel). Our focus in life and prayer is to be on God:

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:3-5

Our confidence in prayer is to be on seeking and knowing GOD, not on getting our own way!! We are to “trust” God, to “delight” in God, to “commit” to God, and wait and watch for God’s work. That’s not “dictation” but “dedication”– seeking God’s face, asking for HIS will and knocking until HE opens (or closes) the door. Being so devoted to the God we love, that we will allow HIM to be God in our lives so that we can reflect His glory and power to the world we live in—and they are looking for real, genuine and faithful men and women of God.

Elijah is a perfect example! Did Elijah act presumptuously? No! He declared to Ahab (one of the most wicked kings of Israel) that it wouldn’t rain, and it came to pass. But in God’s time he went back to Ahab with a new message:

“And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” 1 Kings 18:1

Did you catch that? GOD sent Elijah and said “I will send rain upon the earth”! And we must remember that this was a most harrowing command to Elijah, because Ahab virtually had a reward out for Elijah—he was looking to hold Elijah accountable for his prophecy (and that meant death). But why did Elijah prophesy a drought for 3½ years?

“And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near,

and said,

Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel,

let it be known this day

that thou art God in Israel,

and that I am thy servant,

and that I have done all these things

at thy word.

37 Hear me, O Lord,

hear me,

that this people may know

that thou art the Lord God,

and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell,

and consumed the burnt sacrifice,

and the wood,

and the stones,

and the dust,

and licked up the water that was in the trench.”   1 Kings 18:30-38

What a testimony—God’s people had been led into idolatry, and Elijah was the prophet of the Lord—doing the will of The Lord God Almighty of Israel. He was righteous because He believed in God, His Word and His promises. But let’s not miss the answer to our question, “Why did Elijah prophecy a drought”? Look at Elijah’s prayer from verse 36:

“Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel,

let it be known this day

that thou art God in Israel,

and that I am thy servant,

and that I have done all these things

at thy word.” AMEN!!! 

Do you see the principles? Elijah was God’s servant—he had received the grace of God by his faith, and his faith produced a heart of obedience. He believed God, he followed God, he obeyed God and he walked with God and gave out God’s Word/Words to the people. He prayed in obedience to God’s command to him!

So what’s my point in all of this? Elijah, the example that James used of the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man” which, he said, “availeth much”, didn’t presume on God. His prayer was in direct obedience to the Lord’s command! I am firmly convinced that true and earnest prayer is always initiated by God, by His Holy Spirit who dwells within those who belong to Jesus.

So, how are we praying? In the flesh or in the spirit? Do we have time to draw near to God, so that “HE will draw near to you”? Or are we so preoccupied with the draw of the world that we have no time for God? What do we have time for? Many have time to ‘say’ I’ll pray, but how many really take time to pray? How many are walking with God in an intimate relationship of love and obedience? How many are just saying what others want to hear? How many are living in open, blatant, rebellion to God’s direct and clear revelations and commands in the Word of God? How many are disobeying the very God they claim to serve and refuse to repent and obey? You? Me? Oh God please search and cleanse us.

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.”   Psalm 139:23-24

May we each examine our devotion to God today? What demands and diversions are keeping you from God? As I examine my own heart and seek to draw near to the Father, I pray that you will join me in seeking to be the “salt” and “light” to the world by drawing near to our God. May we be like Elijah and be the “servants” of God, and share His truth with the world. May we call others to repentance appropriately? May we speak the truth in love to those whom God places in our path? How much time do you have for God? For HIS Word? For the world? May we be found devoted and faithful? May we truly be wise stewards of our time and resources? Take ‘time’ today? We may not have tomorrow!

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #225 A Heart Of Joy!

Thank you for sharing the “Thanks-Living” series with me. It was a delight to share all the abundant blessings, which we can thank God for. As I sit here this morning thanking HIM for the wonderful rain that is falling outside my window, I pray you had a wonderful time during this season to share thanks, good food and fellowship with loved ones (or have it planned for this weekend). We had a lovely time with family and wish we could have shared it with you.

As we go forward may we remember that gratitude is a continuing life choice, especially for those who follow Jesus? May we always live it before our world! And today I also thank God for you and Bible Ballistics. It has been such an adventure and a blessing to get to share with so many, and I am grateful for all of your encouraging words, your faithful response to the articles and your input that helps me stay vibrant and relevant to where we really live. It is always a blessing and JOY to share what we have received from God!

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,

so let him give;

      not grudgingly,

      or of necessity:

for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able

to make all grace abound toward you;

that ye,

always having all sufficiency

in all things,

may abound to every good work:

9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad;

he hath given to the poor:

his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower

both minister bread for your food,

and multiply your seed sown,

and increase the fruits of your righteousness😉

11 Being enriched

in every thing

to all bountifulness,

which causeth

through us

thanksgiving

to God.

12 For the administration of this service

not only supplieth the want of the saints,

but is abundant also

by many thanksgivings unto God;”    2 Corinthians 9:7-12

This passage in its natural and normal context is referring to Christians giving to others, yet there is also something just as profound that I’d like to leave with you today. It all starts in the heart! When God changes our hearts, then we can become a reflection of HIS heart to the world, and as much as “God so loved the world”, I am to love the world. I am to have HIS heart of compassion, expressed with a grateful heart, and then I can purpose to minister to others out of the resources that GOD has provided for me. As I provide for others, they see the love of God, the glory of HIS reflection in me, and they can be drawn to HIM in His glory. In other words, as I thank God and act accordingly, others are drawn to know, love and offer “many thanksgivings unto God”! Amen!

And what could bring us more joy than to see others rejoicing in our God and coming to salvation!!! As Jesus said:

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10       AMEN and AMEN!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #224 A Fortnight Of Thanks-Living #14

I thank God for His Amazing Grace. The question was asked at our church last evening, “Does God’s grace still amaze you?” And oh, the answer is a resounding YES!!! Both then, when He saved my wretched soul so many years ago, about 40 in fact, and now even more as I’ve lived in and experienced the love and grace of God on a daily basis! Oh, how precious to know the wonderful, life-changing grace of God. Without Jesus I would be nothing—in truth I wouldn’t even want to think about where or what I would be without HIM!!!

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.” John 8:42

That God loved me enough to send “His only begotten Son” to save me from my sin and hell–that amazes me!  And yes, “SIN” is the issue. And only God’s amazing grace could love you and me enough to provide the one and only way to know Him and to spend now and eternity with Him. It’s HIS grace alone, in Christ alone that transforms and delivers us from not only the penalty of sin (Hell), but also from the power of sin over our lives, and eventually from the very presence of sin. I’m ready! How about you? Have you received this amazing grace into your life? If so give Him daily, continual thanks, praise and honor. If not, then call on His name in repentance and faith in His death, burial and resurrection for YOUR sin, and He will meet you there, but He won’t leave you “there”! He will lift you up to heights beyond anything that you can imagine.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20

God’s amazing grace at work in us, accomplishing God’s great and amazing purposes IN and through us. And His eternal presence that enables us to overcome this world fearlessly, because He will never leave us.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Did you see it? When we are IN Christ Jesus and have His love within us (because HE puts it there)—we can never be separated from HIM. And how does this take place? Well, I’m glad you asked!

“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.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience;

and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because

the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.”    Romans 5:1-6

How amazing that Jesus not only died for my sin, but He rose victorious over sin and death to provide the way—His Holy Spirit—for us to receive “the love of God” into our hearts! It doesn’t get much more amazing than that.

So I’d like to close our “Fortnight Of Thanks-Living” by thanking God for HIS “amazing grace”, and calling each of you to join me, and NOT just today, BUT every day! Because, when we are in Jesus, we are blessed with His salvation for our souls, His love within our hearts, and His presence now and for all eternity.

May God bless you with a wonderful day of sharing your “attitude of gratitude” with all those around you?

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!!!

 

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #223 A Fortnight Of Thanks-Living #13

I thank God for His joy.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:

but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”   Proverbs 17:22

There is a lot of talk today about “natural” medicine. Naturopathic medicine is in the upswing, natural remedies are sought after, and healthier lifestyles are all buzz words of the day. Scripture tells us there is a great medicine that God gave us for our good, and that’s laughter and a merry heart. And while I think we ought to seek natural things in our life, we could do so much for ourselves if we’d just keep a light heart, eyes fixed on Jesus and a spirit of joy and laughter within.

While the rule of success in “real estate” is “location, location, location”, the rule of successful living in Jesus is “attitude, attitude, attitude”!!! If we’ll all simply work on our own “attitude” and maintain that “merry heart”. What does it mean to have a merry heart? Well, I’d rather state what a merry heart is NOT! It’s not a flippant attitude that laughs at everything. It’s not an attitude of denial, which doesn’t live in reality. It’s not an attitude of ridicule toward others or laughing when your heart is broken. Rather it’s a heart that is draws it’s strength and confidence from God.

“………… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Our strength is found in His joy. Joy in KNOWING the God of the universe, and trusting to HIS faithful provision and love for us, displayed at Calvary. Not just a “pie in the sky” dream for tomorrow, but a down-to-earth trust in the sovereign rule and ultimate victory of our God over SIN.

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

to give unto them beauty

for ashes,

the oil of joy

for mourning,

the garment of praise

for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called

trees of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord,

that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3

God’s glory displayed in us, because we have His Spirit within us empowering us to live with HIS peace– and that my friends, produces joy which works in life, so we can:

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8

 

“THINK ON THESE THINGS”— a merry heart and an attitude of gratitude will reflect the peace of God. And when you are at peace with God—you can rejoice today!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #222 A Fortnight Of Thanks-Living #12

I thank God for daughters. That may seem a little strange but I want to thank God for my only daughter and for His faithful work in both of our lives. I thank Him for restoration of relationships that get strained through life, stress, bad choices or conflict. But much like our restoration to God through Jesus Christ and His atoning death for us, God also allows us to realize restored relationships in our personal lives. He returns the “prodigals” not only to their God, but also to their earthly homes and families.

I’m so glad that I can take this time to wish my own daughter a “Happy Birthday” today, but to also praise God for the relationship that God is helping us to share. And for those of you, who are praying for “prodigals”, keep your faith in God– HE does hear and answer prayers, not always when and how we would like, but HE does answer in HIS time and in HIS perfect will.

“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” Joel 2:23-25

This is one of my favorite passages in scripture, and while the context speaks to Israel and her future, I think we can take great comfort in the application to those of us who love the “prodigals”. While some have left due to their poor choices, some have left because of our own poor choices, but God assures us that He is working on our behalf even when we have blown it terribly. Even when God has had to discipline us personally, His ultimate goal is to restore us to Himself, and He desires that we also experience restoration in our broken relationships. Take heart dear friend—God is at work on your behalf.

“The Lord hath done great things for us;

whereof we are glad.

4 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.”   Psalm 126:3-6

What great confidence—God honors our tears with harvests of joy and “re”joicing! And He doesn’t waste one tear!

“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” Psalm 56:8

My dear friends—no matter the difficulty of your sorrow, God is at work! Look up, trust in His grace and mercy, and press on in faith and hope. God has a plan.

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16

So as I wish my dear daughter a Happy Birthday, I thank God for all He is doing to accomplish His purpose in us. And if you have a “prodigal”– pray on, press on and pursue godliness. Our God is the God of restorations. Keep on asking, seeking and knocking!!! Jesus IS the door!!!