Bible Ballistics: BBs #213 A Fortnight Of Thanks-Living #3

I think God for the privilege of worship. Regardless of whether you choose to assemble for corporate worship on Saturday or Sunday, the issue I’d like to address is our worship of God every moment of every day with hearts full of gratitude.

“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.” John 4:23-24

Jesus Himself said that we MUST worship Him in “spirit and in truth”. And we can only do that when we worship the right “God” the right “way”! And who might that be and how? Only one answer:

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth ye know him,

and have seen him.”  John 14:6-7

We worship God through believing Jesus Christ the Son of God, and being “born again” by the Spirit of God. And oh, how grateful I am to have received the gift of eternal life!!! Which God gives to all who come to Him in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Then we are enabled to truly worship God every moment of every day through the power of His Spirit dwelling in us!!! He-the Holy Spirit- is the proof that I belong to Jesus! And dear friends that is the thing I am most grateful for—belonging to Jesus. How about you?

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Romans 8:9

No matter how many words people may use “about” God, unless we know Him in the salvation that Jesus purchased at Calvary, our hearts cannot truly worship. And Jesus came that we could truly worship God in “Spirit and Truth”.

“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 1:12-13

“…….. the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me……..” Isaiah 29:13a

So, are we worshipping God and being grateful for the honor? Do we truly know Him? Are we worshipping Him in “Spirit and Truth”? Or, are we practicing “lip service” only? Only you can answer these questions, and I challenge each one of us to examine our hearts; and then take our real worship of thanks to God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—today and every day, from a heart that belongs to Jesus.

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #212 A Fortnight Of Thanks-Living #2!

I thank God for the five great children in our family, as well as the four wonderful grandchildren. What a blessing to be the parents of children and watch them flourish and grow.

It’s not always easy to be a parent, especially a godly, Bible believing parent. Our prayer is that all our children will come to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and that we will live out a vibrant Biblical faith before them. Being people who truly love children—both having them and taking the time to be a part of their lives, leading them to, and teaching them the truths of God’s Word, to prepare them for the dangers and pitfalls of the world.

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5

While we live in world that claims to “love” children, we see on every hand that children are often only “loved” if they’re convenient, planned, affordable and or timely. I can’t find any of those ideas in the Psalm, but that they are “an heritage of the Lord”. How can we say we “love” children, when we care for and protect the “trees”, and the “whales”, and the “endangered species” but not the unborn? Our world wants to save everything but “human babies”—which seem to be, on the other hand, totally expendable on the altar of convenience, lust, sexual freedom, selfishness, greed and immorality.

I pray that God will truly give us a heart to love, appreciate, desire, and be grateful to have children in our lives again. And when we do, may we teach them diligently the truths of God. And we can only do that successfully when we follow the imperatives of Deuteronomy 6:

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Only when we know and love God ourselves can we share His ways with the children in our care, sharing the truths of God in life lessons all along the way. If we will be diligent to do this God says we will see results:

“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you? 21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:” Deuteronomy 6:20-21

God said that if we will live holy and righteous lives before our children, teach them the truth at every teachable opportunity and lead them to the knowledge of God, according to His Word, they will then, in time, ask us “why” do we live “this way”? Then we can share with them what God has done, and is doing in our lives by His loving grace.

So, I challenge to us all to truly be grateful for our children and grandchildren. To be grateful enough to live before them a holy life, that they might see what it means to know God. And when they ask us “why”, to have an answer that agrees with the life we have been living before them. Are you grateful?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #211 A Fortnight Of Thanks-Living #1!

I am very glad that we spend this time of “Thanksgiving”—a time to remind people to be thankful!!! That’s a pretty tall order in our world of “entitlements” and the demand for one’s “rights”, whether it’s “right” or not! A world lacking “gratitude” is a world gone awry. So, we’re going to spend the time between now and Thanksgiving Day considering some of the things that we can be “grateful” for.

I’d like to start this emphasis on gratitude by thanking God for my spouse, my loving and faithful husband! It is a great privilege and honor to have been blessed by God with a wonderful, godly man to spend my life with, to serve God with, to share the joys and sorrows of life with. God calls us to be conscious of our blessings in this regard:

“Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.” Psalm 5:18

“The aged women likewise, ….. 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,” Titus 2:3-4

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Ephesians 5:25

Whether you’re the husband or the wife, we are called to rejoice with our spouse, to love each another as Christ loved His church—“and gave himself for it”. Self-sacrificing love is a rarity these days, but it’s what we are called to exercise toward those to whom we are married.

But there’s even more that we need to consider from scripture. There is never any attitude of thankfulness that can tolerate an attitude of “superior” and “inferior” within the marriage relationship! We are each made in the image of God—male and female, and as we practice self-less, self-sacrificing love, that we talked about above, we must understand that there is an order of function within the marriage union and the home; an order reflecting God’s establishment of the home—a loving leader and a loving companion. We are to strive for a union of interdependence not one of superiority and subservience.

“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.” 1 Corinthians 11:9-12

While we don’t have time to go into the detailed context of this passage, it is dealing with the marriage relationship, and Paul is calling us to recognize our “interdependence” NOT each one’s “independence”!!! We are to respect and appreciate our differences and acknowledge that “all things of God”, meaning that we are to love, respect and be grateful for the spouse that God has blessed us with-becoming “ONE”. The husband isn’t to “lord it over” his wife, neither the wife to be “demanding” of her own way, but each one is to remember that we were created to “complete” NOT “compete” for dominance in the home. Striving together with gratitude, remembering that God created each of us and He brought us together and has created us to function together for the growth of one another, and His glory! To demonstrate to the world what real love and respect looks like in a godly home.

So, take some time today and tell your special spouse how much you love them, appreciate them and are thankful that God placed them in your life. And I intend to do the same—every day, not just once year!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #210       SALUTE!!!

Happy Veteran’s Day to those here in the United States. As we think about those in any country who lay down their lives to protect and defend their homeland, I personally “Salute” those who serve in the military; who set aside their own personal comfort and convenience to serve and protect. I also “Salute” those who serve every day in communities as Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters!

“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

While Jesus calls us to love one another, that can often be a challenge! But not just “love”; Jesus calls us to love others “as I have loved you”! And Jesus loved us all the way to the cross, where He “lay down his life” for all who will believe in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin. As an old song says, “He paid a debt He didn’t owe, because I owed a debt I could NOT pay”! Jesus laid down His life for ME! For YOU!! He paid MY sin debt!

So we ought to say thank you today and every day to those who give themselves for our safety, first and foremost Jesus Christ who gave Himself that we might LIVE!

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”  Colossians 1:12-14

And while military men and women have died for various nations and causes throughout history, at the very best they accomplished only temporary solutions to various issues of freedom, borders, property or sovereignty. But Jesus was different –He came “once” for “all”.

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10

He is the victor, even though we have not yet seen the final exhibit of HIS SOVEREIGNTY. And just as military men and women must stand with due diligence to fulfill their duty, we are called to serve Jesus in all our ways. To live for Jesus continually with a life lived, by the power of His Holy Spirit and the truth of His Word!

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”   Jude 1:3

And we can contend for the “faith”, because Our Lord Jesus made provision, just as He declared from the cross:

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30

He did it all for you and me. He paid the “ultimate price” as He “lay down his life for his friends”!!! And dear ones you can be His friend if you will but repent of your sin and trust in his sacrifice for YOU!! Accept HIS finished work and live as HIS friend, for He will “never leave you…”

So, “Salute” and ‘thank’ our military veterans who are giving today. And thank God for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. And most importantly, thank God for Jesus—who not only made the “ultimate sacrifice” but who IS the “Ultimate Sacrifice “ for YOU. For all time!!!

 

Bible Ballistics: Amazing Revelations-Part 1??? Vol. 6#25

We looked at the subject of “angels” last week in preparation for delving into Daniel chapters 10-12. These three chapters are all one dream/vision, which Daniel received from God, and to understand it’s import will take us some time, so we will spend the next two or three weeks laying this great section of scripture out in bite-sized pieces. While we won’t be going into great detail we will try to lay out the “main” things and let them be the “plain” things. Remember that we never interpret the “obvious” in light of the “obscure”, but we do lay out the “obvious” and let it shed light on the “obscure”. We also need to remember that there are just some things that we do not yet understand; and that scripture is spiritually discerned and sometimes we just don’t have enough information or personal maturity in the Lord to understand it all, yet. So our goal is to simply lay it out as accurately as we can, and to discern as much as possible of what God has revealed. And more importantly, how it should affect our lives, our behavior, and our testimony before the world.

“In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. 10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.” Daniel 10:1-10

This encounter takes place about two years after the vision of chapter 9. It was in the first year of Darius the Mede, and this tenth chapter takes place in the third year of Cyrus the Persian. What we must remember is that this is the Medo-Persian Kingdom, and that they have co-rulers, one from each side of the house, so to speak. We see in verse 1 a confirmation of the veracity of this vision, and that it’s fulfillment is in the distant future. While some parts of it are closer in time than others, it all points to the things of the “end times”. The skeptics rail on this particular section of Daniel and insist that someone else must have written it, and much later than Daniel lived. And the reason they do so, is because the events that Daniel describes played out so historically accurate that the critics say it couldn’t have been prophesied as far in advance as Daniel’s life would demand. But “they” don’t understand and believe that our God is the God of all history; that He knows the end from the beginning!!! Amen!

In verses 2-3 we see that Daniel was practicing a period of mourning and fasting for three weeks. While we’re not told why he was in this period of intense focus on his God, we know that his sense of devotion and discernment may have lead him to this time. We’re just not told any of the issues that were on his heart, but we did see his burden for his people in his prayer from chapter 9.

In verses 4-6 Daniel sees the “man in linen” for the first time. While the description parallels the description that John gives of The Lord Jesus in Revelation 1, I will just say that it could be a “pre-incarnate” appearance of Jesus or simply a messenger/angel sent by God given this particular appearance before Daniel. We are just not going to be distracted by the messenger and miss the message. Daniel goes on to tell us that he alone saw the vision; but some sort of ‘quaking’ or ‘dread’ affected the men who were with him and they fled away from him. Oh, to be in the presence of such a man of God!

Daniel is so overwhelmed by this sight, that he passes out at the sound of this ‘mans’ words, then a hand (he doesn’t say whose hand) touches him and he rises from flat on his face, to be on his hands and knees. Then comes the message.

“And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. 15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. 18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

20 Then said he,

Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight

with the prince of Persia:

and when I am gone forth,

lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

21 But I will shew thee

that which is noted in the scripture of truth:

and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.” Daniel 10:11-21

Verse 11 is one of the verses in all of scripture that I pray for and desire to be true of me: “O Daniel, a man greatly beloved”. To be a child of God that could hear these words from the heart of my God!!! I can think of nothing greater to strive for in this life than to hear “well done, thou good and faithful servant” and that before God I could be worthy of hearing “greatly beloved” from my King. Oh, dear ones, I so regret how easily I am distracted from the work of the Lord so often. The demands of life, the techno-whirl that calls us on every hand, just the weakness of the flesh—all have the potential to pull us away from our devotion to our Lord God and His Son Jesus Christ. May we take this opportunity to re-commit ourselves to strive for a deeper and more discerning focus on the things of God, to a more faithful commitment to His Word, and to a deeper consciousness of the affect I should have on the world.

As this “messenger” speaks we see he is sent from God to Daniel, and Daniel is finally able to stand to his feet. How I wish we could regain the “awe” and “reverential” aspect of our relationship to God Almighty. We live in a culture, even a Christian culture that often negates and ignores the awesome and unparalleled nature and character of our God—He IS Holy—was, is and ever shall be HOLY God. Not to be regarded flippantly or, as He often is, even disregarded and equated with a level of mere mortals. A sad state of affairs, especially when it the state in many so-called “churches”!

Verses 12-13 are the main reasons that I personally don’t believe this “messenger” to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus, Himself. And the reason? We find here an awesome picture of “spiritual warfare”. This messenger was sent from God when Daniel had begun his season of fasting and mourning before God. But this messenger of God encountered other “angelic” opposition from the demonic angelic realm. He was delayed for three weeks, before he was able to get to Daniel. Now if this had been “Jesus”, I don’t see any powers detaining Him, in any way. But one of the other angelic messengers would be a different case, and only when the archangel Michael came to help did the messenger prevail, and got to Daniel after this three-week delay. This is the same thing that Paul refers to in Ephesians 6:10-19. There are battles going on around us of which we are totally unaware in this world. But God is at work, and sovereign over all these things and will continue to accomplish HIS purposes, and speak to His people in His time and His ways. Don’t become weary precious friend because you haven’t heard from God in the time you expected. HE IS AT WORK ON YOUR BEHALF. You just press on in the power of the Holy Spirit, the comfort and encouragement of the Word of God, and the wise counsel of spiritually mature believers who live out what they believe daily and help and encourage you!

Once again our messenger tells Daniel that he is come to give him a message and understanding of the things of the end. Many things that will affect his people—the people of Israel greatly, and almost continually. And affect them in the near future as well as the long-distant future, in fact to the very end of time. These words again leave Daniel speechless!

As we look at the rest of the passage, I’d like us to jump to verse 21, “But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth”. This messenger is sent with a message of truth directly from God, and “the truth”, Jesus! We don’t have to worry about God’s Word being diluted—He has it recorded in heaven, by the very one who spoke it all into the hearts of His own. Our job is to read it, study it and come to know HIM through His very Word of Truth—both the man and the book!!! His Spirit will direct us if we but yield!

Someone once again touches Daniel, and we simply won’t take time to get into the debate of how many were there with Daniel. There was at least one, but there could have been more than one. It’s just not something that we will spend time on in this brief article. In the discourse between Daniel and this messenger/messengers Daniel once again becomes weak and is touched and strengthened by “one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me”. If we compare this to the messenger he saw at the beginning, it might be an additional messenger who did not have the same appearance as the “man in linen”. It’s just one of those obscure things which we won’t allow to distract us from the message. You can study it more this week, and see what conclusions you come up with.

Daniel is strengthened to receive the message, but we don’t need to stop here as this continues into chapter 11, and it’s imperative that we understand that chapter 11 is a continuation of this dialogue with the messenger. Chapter 11 is the angel still speaking and clarifying for Daniel the “spiritual warfare” that he has encountered and how great a part this plays in the “seen” things, which are affected by the “unseen”!

“Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. 2 And now will I shew thee the truth.” Daniel 11:1-2a

This messenger declares that he has been at work in the part of the kingdom under Darius the Mede from the beginning (See chapters 5 & 6 for this transition). And then he goes on to reveal to Daniel the actual message:

“Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.” Daniel 11:2b

Daniel sees the future of the Medo-Persian Empire in more detail. Remember he was given a brief description of this in chapter 8. The Medes and Persians would rule together for a time, and then the Persians would rise to prominence throughout the end of their kingdom. They would then enrage a growing Grecian Empire. The vision continues:

“And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. 4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.” Daniel 11:3-4

Here Daniel is once again given the picture of the Greeks who will arise as the next world kingdom. Parallel with the vision he was given in chapter 8, Alexander the Great is pictured here, as well as his untimely demise. Daniel is also told again that the kingdom will continue but under four different sections, with four different rulers; none of whom were related to Alexander, as he died without wife or offspring. It took more than 20 years for four of Alexander’s generals to divvy up the kingdom into four main sections, but the directions of the wind; a Northern kingdom, Southern kingdom, Eastern kingdom, and Western kingdom: Lysimachus, Cassander, Seleucus, and Ptolemy being the generals. They divided the kingdom this way: Lysimachus received Thrace and most of Asia Minor. Cassander obtained Macedonia and Greece. Ptolemy was given Egypt, Palestine, Cilicia, Petra, and Cyprus while Seleucus controlled the rest of Asia: Syria, Babylon, Persia, and India.

We will stop here for now, but as you read on into chapter 11 and 12, remember that the two main kingdoms that are dealt with are the “South” and the “North”. This would be the Selucid Dynasty of the “North” and the Ptolemy Dynasty of the “South”. I would suggest that you get out a map of the Mediterranean and see what lies between these two areas? Why would this be important to Daniel? We’ll look at those questions and answers next week. I hope this will challenge you to dig in and see what God has to say, and why it is important to both Daniel and his people, Israel?