Bible Ballistics: Vol. 7 No. 14 Armor NOT Armaments!!!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”    Galatians 2:20

While this is the same verse that we started with last week, it isn’t the same focus or emphasis, but rather a call to remember whose we are! If I belong to Jesus, then I am to “BE” crucified to myself and living for the Jesus to whom I belong. But not just living ‘for’ Him in the sense of giving a bit of my time, but realizing and truly yielding my all—body, mind and soul—for HIM to live through—“but Christ liveth in me”! A life that can only be lived in the power, presence and “the faith of the Son of God” who poured out His own life’s blood for MY sin. What can I rightly and legitimately refuse to yield to Him? I can think of nothing! Why? Because HE is the one “who loved me, and gave himself for me”!!!

“What?

know ye not

that your body

is the temple of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”    1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Today we have often reduced the “Gospel” message to a heavenly ‘slot machine’ mentality—you pay a quarter, call on Jesus’ name, and ‘poof’ you have your ticket to heaven with no other obligation or responsibility toward God. NOT!!! Scripture is replete with the call to “BOW” before the LORD JESUS CHRIST—that’s LORD—the one I come to in abject desperation, knowing that only the blood of the LORD JESUS CHRIST can save me from sin, death and hell!!! Only Jesus! That only the LORD JESUS CHRST was, is and ever shall be the SON OF GOD who IS LORD of all and He demands the ‘God-ship’ in the relationship! I must get off the throne of my heart before I can invite the LORD JESUS CHRIST into my heart. There is only ONE throne! There can be only ONE LORD sitting on that throne! And that will be the LORD JESUS CHRIST or ME/YOU!!! It can’t be both. A car can have only one driver, and can follow only one set of directions. Yet we have often watered down the ‘Gospel’ and led people to believe that they can come to “Jesus”, put in your quarter/His name, and expect that you can enter heaven with a dictatorial, demanding perspective of heaven. Well in a word—NOT now, NOT then, NOT ever. Either you “bow” before the LORD Jesus Christ now and trust to HIS exclusive ability to save you here and now; or you will BOW before THE LORD/KING JESUS CHRIST in the time of judgment. And there will be one!

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”   John 14:6

Only ONE way—and that is to come to Jesus in repentance and faith, believing that He died for YOUR sin, that He was buried, and raised the 3^rd day, according to the scriptures, for OUR sin! So that we might have life and not death!!!

“I am the door:

by me

if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.” John 10:9-11

HE gave HIS life for you, if you will but come to Him! But if you refuse and/or neglect to hear HIS voice as HE is calling to you. You will still bow before HIM, but for judgment rather than salvation, because “every knee shall bow”!! In speaking of Jesus, Paul clearly reminds us:

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue

should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”    Philippians 2:8-11

And there is a day coming when every one who ever lived and rejected Christ, whether by willful rejection or negligent disregard, will give an account!!!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things which were written

in the books, according to their works. 1

3 And the sea

gave up the dead which were in it;

and death and hell

delivered up the dead which were in them:

and they were judged

every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:12-15

Death is real! Hell/The Lake of Fire is hot! And eternity is long! There is opportunity in this life alone to trust Jesus and be saved from our sins. But without Jesus blood applied to our sin, and our name being written in His Lamb’s Book of Life, we will spend eternity away from God, in that place of torment forever—there are no second chances after death!

But what does all this have to do with our title, “Armor NOT Armaments”? Well, I’ll tell you. When we belong to Jesus we’re not just headed for heaven, we are on a journey to heaven and we are in ‘enemy’ territory in this life, while we are in a body of flesh on planet earth. But God didn’t leave us unprotected or without resources, He has given us not only His Holy Spirit dwelling within true believers, but He has given us His Word and His Armor to utilize as we walk through hostile territory, and believe me we are in “HOSTILE” territory and if Jesus delays His return, the hostility will become greater still.

What I’d like us to consider is how we deal with the hostility. While I am firmly in favor of the “right to bear arms”, I am concerned that many Christians today are more focused on protecting that “right” than living for Jesus and depending on HIS ARMOR rather than the armaments that they are amassing! Oh, did I really say that? Am I trampling on “sacred” ground? The Lord knows, and time will tell. Let’s consider what scripture calls us to. I’ll just share the scripture and make a few comments—you must read the Word of God, consider what it says, and choose your response. Don’t “shoot the messenger”! Please? (Pun intended!)

“Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” Matthew 26:52-54

“And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.” Luke 22:35-38

Here we have Jesus telling us that “all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword”, yet I believe He isn’t telling us it’s wrong to defend oneself or to do one’s civil duty as military personnel do, but He is telling us that the sword is never to be taken to do “God’s” work, and Jesus was doing God’s work in this contextual time and place. When we look at the passage in Luke, Jesus advises them that there are times when they may need to defend their physical person. The thing I believe we must consider is the context of both passages—we are not to “depend” on the physical, but on the spiritual power that God has given us and that is the “Armor of God” and the “Word of God” and the “Spirit of God” who dwells within each and every child of God. We are to remember to walk in His Spirit:

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…….. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:14-16 & 24-25

If we will but walk in tune with the Spirit of Christ who is within us, and yield to His voice and direction, we will fulfill the laws, principles and desires of our Father God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Our dependence is to be on the Armor of God, not the ‘armaments’ of the world. There is nothing that I can find wrong with having arms/guns, but when our reliance is on these instead of the sovereign control of our God, we are out of balance. Just as there is nothing wrong with having security systems to protect our person and our possessions, they shouldn’t be where we place our confidence and ultimate trust!!! We are to trust in our God, His ability, and His Sovereign control in all things, after all, HE is trustworthy and totally omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent—always present, always all knowing, and always powerful. I believe it was Charles Stanley that I heard describe it as God isn’t everywhere like a spying camera, but that everywhere we are, GOD IS! Love it!!!

“My help cometh from the Lord,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel

shall neither slumber nor sleep.”    Psalm 121:2-4

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

God is always there for His own. Even when we think He is far off, and we can’t hear His voice, or see His hand—He is there! And our great intercessor is always interceding for us.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

He not only saves us, He not only keeps us, but He is ever interceding for you and me. Praise God for His wondrous grace and mercy. I need Jesus, and I’m glad He’s always there!! Always. But there is a human side to this equation, we are to be diligent to have on the “Armor” of God, we are not to be nonchalant or flippant about life, it’s hard and we live in a very hostile world. A world that calls wrong right, and right wrong demands that we are diligent to have on the armor that God has provided. Realizing that while God fights for us, we must seek His face, know His Word and “suit up” in the armor that He provides.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

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 the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod

with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:10-18

So let’s share a little practical help on this armor so that we can all remember to put it on every day. I try to pray it on every morning before I get out of bed—when your feet hit the ground, you need to be ready for the battle with your:

Belt of Truth—Jesus is truth, and He holds all the other pieces of armor in place (in fact you’ll see HE is the armor!):

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Breastplate of Righteousness—It’s Jesus righteousness given to cover me that is the defense, for my own righteousness is “as filthy rags”:

“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

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace—Not only the “peace of God which passeth all understanding”, but “peace with God”, being reconciled to Him and no longer being His enemy. It is the Good News that Jesus saves, redeems and restores us to a place of “peace with God” rather than being His enemy. Our footprints should leave the message of that Good News everywhere we go!!

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:… 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:1 & 8-10

Shield of Faith—Above all we are to take this shield of faith. That means that every thing that comes as me I am to take through eyes of faith! I am to know that God has it all and that my “faith” is pleasing to God, for without it I can’t even know Him. But when I know Jesus, He is my shield and my defender!

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen….. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:1 & 6

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…..” Hebrews 12:2a

Helmet of Salvation—The battleground is the mind! I must keep my mind on Jesus and His sufficient grace, power and strength. Remember verse 10, “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might”, it’s all about HIS power not mine. His power to use my frailties to bring Him glory.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” Philippians 2:5-6 (The mind of Christ is always on God and humble in Spirit)

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Sword of the Spirit/Word of God—The Word of God is that which sustains our Spirit. It is God’s love letter to our hearts and minds, and to know it is to love it, but we must read it, study it, believe it and practice it for it to accomplish it’s full work in us. It is our only offensive weapon. And we are to always use it while “Praying always”, as it is our protection, and strength and our judge and plumb line!

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:12-13

I hope you noticed that the “belt” that we are to have our “loins girt about” with, is what holds it all together, because if I have girt on the “truth” I will already have on the “breastplate” of His righteousness, therefore my feet can be shod with the same salvation, and I will leave footprints as I go. I am also to use the shield as my defense against the onslaughts of the enemy, putting on that helmet to protect my mind, while knowing my only “offensive” weapon, the Word of God, is at the ready. And to have it ready, I must do as the Psalmist did:

““Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm119:11

I hope this will help you be armored and ready for the battle that is at hand, and that you will remember that whether you are “armed” or not with the “armaments” of the world or not, God is your defender and  “the joy of the Lord is your strength”. Keep that armor on, and be ready for the fray, for the days are at hand. May God open your eyes and ears to see and know truth—Jesus IS truth, and He will lead you in it if you will but follow HIM!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #251   The PPPVR Virus We All Need???

As we approach “Super Tuesday”, I’d like to share a relatively urgent post today. The future direction of America is in our hands; what will we do with it? I personally believe there is a relatively simple answer (NOT easy, but YES simple)! And it’s the PPPVR Virus that could turn the tide that needs to be turned, and that my friends is a change within the hearts of people, which will be reflected in transformed lives which would transform our nation.

“Wisdom

resteth in the heart of him

that hath understanding:

but that which is in the midst of fools

is made known.

34 Righteousness

exalteth

a nation:

but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:33-34

Righteousness is that which exalts, and sin is a reproach. Just as much as wisdom rests with those who have “understanding”. And where do Wisdom and Righteousness come from? It comes from only ONE place—GOD, through HIS Son Jesus Christ.

“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings, and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom unto the wise,

and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.” Daniel 2:20-22

Daniel was praising God for answered prayer, and to praise Him, he rehearses the character of God. Do you want to have wisdom and knowledge to know what to do? Do you want to understand what’s “really” going on? Then turn to GOD!!! It’s the only hope we have!

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8

To ask for wisdom, you must know the “source” of wisdom, and that is God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

I think Daniel knew these verses and He counted on his God to deliver, and because He knew his God and had committed himself to devotedly serve HIM, God honored his prayers, and He will honor ours if we will devote our self to seeking HIS face and HIS ways. Instead we seem to be actively and aggressively pursuing the things of the world rather than the things of God. I hear lots of talk about how bad things are, that we need “change” but not very many are seeking the “change” of heart and life that only God gives to men, women, boys and girls who will trust in HIS Son in repentance and faith!!!

We need a “change” alright—we need a change of heart toward sin=Repentance! We need a change of heart towards greed=Idolatry! We need a change of heart toward self=Pride!!! And only when we are ready to seek God first and do that which pleases Him, will we see a real “change” in America. And I believe that will require the “church” that claims to “follow” Jesus to begin once again to “follow Jesus” and “HIS Word” rather than the “bling” of the world.

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21 (God’s way is almost always foolishness to the world!)

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

God’s time is NOW, God’s way is through His own people. What will you do? Are you one of HIS? If so, then look up, walk forward in obedient faith, and press on with Jesus!

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17

The choice is yours! The choice is mine! What will we do? We must Pray, Pray, Pray and Vote Righteousness! It’s what we MUST do, and do it NOW! Don’t vote for ‘money’! Don’t vote for ‘rights’! Don’t vote for ‘might’! Please vote for ‘righteousness’!

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16b

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” 1 Timothy 2:1-3

So in closing I just ask that you remember the PPPVR—and if “Super Tuesday” is in your area please Go Vote!!! And just a reminder:

“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”  Thomas Jefferson

“All that is necessary for the triumph of Evil is for the Good men to do nothing.”  Unknown

Please don’t “do nothing” or “remain silent”!!!  

PRAY

PRAY

PRAY

VOTE

RIGHTEOUSNESS

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #250   How Great “I” Art???

One of the favorite songs of Christendom is “How Great Thou Art”, but it seems in our day that we have replaced the pronoun “Thou” with “I”! We hear so much banter in these politically charged days that we seem to be forgetting that our allegiance is to God, not man, self, worldly ideologies or material things. Jesus talks about our attitude of service.

“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

7 But which of you,

having a servant

plowing or feeding cattle,

will say unto him by and by,

when he is come from the field,

Go and sit down to meat?

8 And will not rather say unto him,

Make ready wherewith I may sup,

and gird thyself,

and serve me,

till I have eaten and drunken;

and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

9 Doth he thank that servant

because he did the things

that were commanded him?

I trow not. (trow=think)

10 So likewise ye,

when ye shall have done all those things

which are commanded you,

say,

We are unprofitable servants:

we have done that

which was our duty to do.”   Luke 17:6-10

Unprofitable: (of an activity) not beneficial or useful.

What is Jesus telling us? Good question, and I don’t have all the answers, and even if I did we wouldn’t have time or space to cover them all; but I would like us to glean a few bits of encouragement and insight into our role as believers and followers of Jesus Christ.

The context of this passage is the great discussion about forgiveness, where Jesus has just called the disciples to forgive, not 70 times but 70X7, when we are asked for forgiveness (and that’s a subject for another day), and they asked Jesus to “Increase our faith”! Our passage is Jesus response to them, and His first response is to point out to them that “faith” is doesn’t have to be a “large” thing to be effective, but I think we often misunderstand what He is telling us. You see it’s not the “size” of my faith but the “size” of my God! Jesus goes on to remind us pointedly that we are the servants to God and NOT vice versa!

Faith is NOT a dictatorial right to command God to do what “I” want done. Rather, if I have come to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I have ‘bowed the knee’ to the King of kings and Lord of lords, and should be acknowledging that God is my master, which makes “me” the servant. Oh, I am the “servant”?

“And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” Daniel 4:35

God IS God and regardless of the boastings of men, as to their ability, and/or standing before God, it would appear that God’s standard is NOT man’s. We see that Jesus goes on to give a scenario of “servant hood”, and shows us that the comfort and desires of the servant is not the ‘focus but the will and desires of the “master” of the servant.

Jesus says that when we have served our “shift” and the master is in need of personal service, HE doesn’t tell us to sit down and take care of ourselves, but to tend to HIS needs before we attend to our own. WHOA! Do what, don’t I have a “break” due? Well, maybe I do, and maybe I don’t, the point is, “I” am the servant and GOD is the master, and I am to understand to order of things. While I trust my God to know all things, and do what is good for me (because HE has promised He will), I am to realize that my place is to be available to the master for HIS pleasure.

Jesus goes on to say something that seems to fly in the face of reason in our culture of “selfies” and “greed”; Jesus asks a question, “Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?” And His answer pulls most of us up short! Jesus, in our vernacular, said “NOT”! He tells the disciples:

“So likewise ye,

when ye shall have done all those things

which are commanded you,

say,

We are unprofitable servants:

we have done that

which was our duty to do”

So, what is our Lord saying to us? I believe Jesus is reminding us that we aren’t “good Christians” because we speak His name; we’re not “great Christians” because we think we are; we are “servants”, and “servants” are to seek to please the master, and when we have done only “that which was our duty to do” we are “unprofitable servants”, by definition our activity is “not beneficial or useful”! Why? Because we are saved by the grace of God and we are to serve Him from love and devotion, not meeting some artificial standard that men have set as that which makes a “good” Christian. There is only one test of our usefulness to God, and that is what God says about it.

As scripture tells us, we will all give and account to Him who “committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23b). That is who Jesus was trusting, when He endured suffering for our salvation!

There is a day coming when God will judge all men—the righteous, the unrighteous, the deluded and the self-righteous, and the scripture tells us clearly that “self-righteousness” is totally useless.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Romans 3:10-11

“I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands“. Jeremiah 25:14b

So my challenge to all of us, especially to those who belong to Jesus, is to judge righteous judgment. Let’s have the “mind” of Christ as we live our lives in total submission to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and His precious Holy Spirit that He has given to dwell within us. It’s not the boasting that proves our righteousness, but the blood of Jesus working in us!

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship

one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ

his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:6-8

It’s your choice—which song are you singing? “How Great THOU Art” or “How Great “I” Art”!!! There is only one “great” God, and it’s NOT me—or you (Or anyone else for that matter)!!! Wake up and pay attention, the time is short!

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 7 No. 13 How Big Is Your Cross???

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

One of my favorite verses in all of scripture reminds us that when we belong to Jesus we identify with His crucifixion and resurrection. It also reminds us that our power is from the Lord Jesus Christ, and our willingness to walk with Him according to His power and His Spirit.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

We are called to “walk in the Spirit”, the Holy Spirit that is given to every believer, and to order our steps according to His directing. Jesus promised that the work of the Holy Spirit would include revealing Jesus and His truth to us, not just the written word and understanding it, but the power to discern the truth in His Word, applying it to our day-to-day living.

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.”   John 16:13-14

Jesus provides all that we need to live for Him, even as Peter shared in his first letter, preparing believers to endure suffering:

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

And how have we escaped the “corruption that is in the world through lust”? Only one way, and that’s through the blood of Jesus—the one and only way to God, brought to us through the blood of Jesus which saves us from sin, it’s what HE came to do.

“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

And praise God He did just that, with His life’s blood on the cross, and that is why I am devoted to the cross. But let’s consider the title of this article, “How Big Is Your Cross?” The cross was an inanimate object of a particular size, yet we are to live in relation to that cross, and what it signifies to us. In order to do that we must remain close to that very cross.

I borrowed this title from a Bible Study that I attended many years ago at a Ladies Retreat. The lady who taught the class used this title, and had a lovely mural posted in the room with dozens of crosses. But the thing that was so stunning and caused me to remember it was that all the crosses were in declining sizes. There was a large cross and then the crosses became smaller and smaller as they were farther and farther from the original cross. And as she taught the lesson, she directed our attention to the cross and the need to stay close to it—where I am in relation to the cross will determine how big “MY” cross is. It will determine who I am in every aspect of life—the cross will either pervade my life, as I remain close to it and experience it’s effect on my heart, or I can allow life to diminish my ardor in direct proportion to the distance I allow to come between me and the Lord of the cross. If I am “crucified with Christ” then I will draw near to Him and the cross every day and in every way. There is no “idle” in the Christian life, we are either going forward in our faith or loosing ground.

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

It’s all about Jesus and staying connected to Him. That’s one reason Satan works so hard to keep us distracted from our Lord and running in the flesh instead of the “Spirit”! So today we want to search God’s Word ways that we can keep our “eyes on Jesus”, and to continually keep the “cross” in view!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”    Philippians 2:5-11

There is so much packed into this marvelous passage, but the thing I want us to take note of today is that Jesus made Himself a servant and we are called to think the same way. As Paul said:

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus”

We must yield ourselves to the one that we claim as “Lord”—for He is “Lord” of all!!! He is “Lord” of me!!! And that is a continuing work in our walk of faith.

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” Philippians 1:27

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13

So, what do we learn from these scriptures? We are to keep our hearts and minds fixed on Jesus, by letting the mind of Christ rule within us, since we have the “mind of Christ” through the Holy Spirit. We are to stand fast in “one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”—to have single-minded purpose together for the “faith of the gospel”, not any selfish interest!

And how do we accomplish that task? As Peter tells us, we are to “gird up the loins of your mind”, keeping our minds set on the cross, and being “sober”, which is not simply a reference to refraining from alcoholic consumption, but a call to have committed, clear focus on Jesus, much like Paul commands us in Ephesians 5:17-19:

“Wherefore be ye not unwise,

but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine,

wherein is excess;

but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing

and making melody

in your heart

to the Lord;”

We are to be wise and devoted to, as well as yielded to, the “will of the Lord”, and taking note of Paul’s example of being filled with the Spirit, meaning to be controlled or pervaded by the Spirit rather than be controlled or pervaded by external or internal agents, i.e. alcohol, drugs, passions, or material drives, etc. We are to direct our hearts and minds toward the things of God—and praise music is a wonderful way to focus on Jesus. And we also have the commission to make wise choices, by keeping our eyes on Jesus, making sure our hearts don’t become distracted from the “cross” or the one who gave Himself to save us from our sins on that cross.

“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

We are to lay aside the heaviness of life, and the sin which “doth so easily beset us” by “Looking unto Jesus” in all we do, or as the NASB says “fixing our eyes on Jesus”! Our responsibility is to keep ourselves “Near The Cross”:

“1. Jesus, keep me near the cross;

there a precious fountain,

free to all, a healing stream,

flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Refrain:

In the cross, in the cross,

be my glory ever,

till my raptured soul shall find

rest beyond the river.

2. Near the cross, a trembling soul,

love and mercy found me;

there the bright and morning star

sheds its beams around me.

(Refrain)

3. Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

bring its scenes before me;

help me walk from day to day

with its shadow o’er me.

(Refrain)

4. Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,

hoping, trusting ever,

till I reach the golden strand

just beyond the river.

(Refrain)

Words by Fanny Crosby

       Music by William H. Doane

Have a blessed week “Near” your cross, and may the Lord grow us in His grace and truth with “its shadow o’er me”! How big is YOUR cross? A question that only YOU can answer!

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #249   When I Am Afraid, What???

We all have those moments, those nights, those days when things seem to come against us faster than we can even comprehend. Yet our God is never, I repeat never, caught off guard or by surprise. As one of my favorite evangelists, David Ring says, “God NEVER says ‘ooops’!” Praise God, that is so true!!! Our God is in total sovereign control, and we can trust Him in all things, all times and all situations.

The Psalms give us much comfort when we are distressed, confused or desperate for answers, because God is always faithful to His people—ALWAYS! And we can trust and depend on His loving, perfect beneficent care! The Psalms give great comfort to us, especially in those times.

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” Psalm 56:3-4

And God reminds of these things often in scripture:

“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

Whatever your situation today, God is waiting for you to call on Him, to rest in Him, to depend on His care. I am so grateful that I have not had to walk through this life without Jesus; He has walked with me, spoken to my troubled heart, and directed my steps, when I had no idea of which way to turn. And dear friends HE is here for YOU! He came that we could have “LIFE” in Him, that we could know Him and walk confidently with Him through the challenges, and crises that this earthly life naturally presents to each and every person. And God is providing for all who come to Him through the blood of the Lamb. He has given us His Word and His Spirit to guide us into all truth and confidence.

“Stand in awe, and sin not:

commune with your own heart

upon your bed,

and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There be many that say,

Who will shew us any good?  

Lord,

lift thou up the light of thy countenance

upon us.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart,

more than in the time that their corn

and their wine increased.”

SO???

“8 I will both lay me down in peace,

and sleep:

for thou, Lord, only

makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:4-8

So??? Look up, trust God, rest in HIM and walk confidently through each day, knowing that God is there even when you’re not sure what is going on. Rest in Him today—He knows those who are His own, He is in control, and you can trust HIM—ALWAYS!!!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his…” 2 Tim 2:19a