Bible Ballistics: BBs #248 What Do You Desire/Long For???

We all have “longings” or “desires”, whether they are for people, places, things or inanimate ideas or accomplishments. But what are we doing about our longings? Are they what we really need to be focusing on? Or have we allowed the world to skew our view? Let’s take a look at the Word for a few minutes today and see what God calls us to:

“Wherefore laying aside

all malice,

and all guile,

and hypocrisies,

and envies,

and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word,

that ye may grow thereby: ”   1 Peter 2:1-5

God reminds us that there are some things we are to lay aside—things we are to avoid being, doing and/or participating in. We are God’s own, transformed by the power of the cross, and the blood of Jesus Christ, and we are transformed to reflect the glory of our God and King!

But how do we do all that? We must cultivate godly longings and desires. Peter calls the recipients of his letter, and us as well, to put away the evil things of this world but not just to put away evil things; he calls us to desire and long for the “Word of God”, the Bible!! We are to long for the “sincere milk of the word” because it is the source of our spiritual growth, maturity and usefulness to God.

Paul also wrote about this necessary discipline:

“Study

to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase

unto more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:15

We are to study God’s Word so that we can “rightly” divide the Word; implying that there is a “wrong” way to divide God’s Word. We are inundated on every hand with false claims and teachings, and if we haven’t studied the Word of God for ourselves we may not recognize the error, the “profane and vain babblings” that people offer up as truth! And Paul tells us that these false teachings are a danger because “they will increase unto more ungodliness”, and my friends we are seeing this all around us and even in the church today!

Paul also assures us that God’s Word is dependable for the task, and adequate to produce results in our lives.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“ALL” scripture is profitable to us, but not just sitting on a shelf or a table to display our allegiance to it, but the reading and studying of it regularly, diligently and with integrity to allow the Word to say what it says, and then to apply it’s message to our lives. That we could join the Psalmist and ask for God’s provision to:

“Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

So, what are we longing for? Are we longing for the Word of God and growing by its power, or are we so caught up in the world’s distractions that we are living in negligence or outright opposition to God and HIS Word? May God speak to each of us today as we ponder on HIS Word and commit ourselves to seek His face and His good work and will in our lives?

 “He that diligently seeketh good

procureth favour:

but he that seeketh mischief,

it shall come unto him.” Proverbs 11:27

The choice is yours, as Paul reminds us:

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

What crop is coming your way?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 7 No. 12 God So Loved??? And Us???

As we are surrounded by the “Valentine” hearts, roses and love today, I’d like to take a little time to call us to remember the greatest love that ever was, is and ever shall be. And that is God’s love for us, His love for a lost and dying world. A love so great that He didn’t look to receive, but HE GAVE:

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.” John 3:16-17

God “so loved” that “he gave”. Yet so often in our culture the measurement of love is on what we “receive”! God loved us when He created us, even knowing that we would mess it all up, that we would sin, that we would be lost and doomed without Him!!! And HE already had a plan. To me that is just incomprehensible, but it is still totally true.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4

“….the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation13:8b

God had already provided for our salvation, because He knew we would need “saving” from the sin that we would choose. He knew that our choices would cost us our lives. Literally!

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

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

We never come to God on our own, but His love reaches down to us, and if we will but hear His voice, respond in repentance and faith, He is still in the “saving” and “redeeming” business, for all who will believe.

“We love him,

because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God,

and hateth his brother,

he is a liar:

for he that loveth not his brother

whom he hath seen,

how can he love God

whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment

have we from him,

That he who loveth God

love his brother also.” 1 John 4:19-21

But the question often comes, “How do I love others like God does?” Well, that ‘s a good question, but the scripture has the answer. There is only one way to “LOVE” others the way that God does, and that is to know God and receive His Spirit and the ability to love others, revealing what God has done for us and within us!!!

“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.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:

yet peradventure

for a good man

some would even dare to die.

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.”   Romans 5:1-9

God “commendeth his love” toward us because we couldn’t save ourselves, because “all have sinned”—and there isn’t anyone who can overcome sin but Jesus.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

Because all men have a sin problem, it takes one without a sin problem to take care of the sin problem. We have a problem, we owe a debt that we cannot pay, and Jesus paid that debt which He didn’t owe. And contrary to popular belief Jesus IS THE ONLY WAY! He was crucified for my sin and yours, but it’s up to each of us what we will do with that sacrifice. We can talk about it, ignore it, deny it, or we can place our whole trust and confidence in the one who died for us—the “lover of my soul”—Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory. And He is coming back soon!

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28

And because He lives –He is the risen Lord—He can and does impart new life and His Spirit to all who will receive Him, and there is no other way.

“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

He laid down His life and is waiting for you today. He is still waiting on those who are lost, to come to Him because He loves us so much—God gave His Son, and the Son gave His life for us.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

God is waiting for YOU! But he won’t wait forever.

“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” 2 Corinthians 6:2

So the question isn’t really about God’s love, because God “commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. He has, does and will “love” us, but the question is “What will YOU do”? Have you accepted the “love of God”? If you have, are you demonstrating that “love of God” to the world? That love that God has put within us through His Holy Spirit. That love which will call the world to question “how” we can do what others can’t. Do you hear His voice today? Please don’t ignore His love for you!!! And don’t hide your light!

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Bible Ballistics: BBs #247      More Blessed To Give???

As we prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the focus most often is on “what will I get”; but I’d like to challenge us to focus on, “what can I give”. Paul once shared with the Ephesian church leaders, as He passed by on his way to Jerusalem (and ultimately on to imprisonment in Rome), a message that provides a great reminder to check our “focus”—is it on “self” or “others”?

“And now, brethren,

I commend you to God,

and to the word of his grace,

which is able to build you up,

and to give you an inheritance

among all them which are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no man’s

silver,

or gold,

or apparel.

34 Yea, ye yourselves know,

that these hands

have ministered

unto my necessities,

and to them that were with me.

35 I have shewed you all things,

how that so labouring

ye ought to support the weak,

and to remember

the words of the Lord Jesus,

how he said,

It is more blessed to give than to receive.”    Acts 20:32-35

Paul reminds us that our job is to share! And as we see our culture become more and more “self” focused, we must continually remind ourselves that it is “more blessed to give than to receive”! We are not to see the world through “rose colored glasses”, but we are to see the world through “the eyes of Jesus”! And Jesus was always aware of the needs of those who came to Him—their real needs.

Paul reminded his friends that he had worked with his own hands to take care of his personal needs, as well as those in company with him; and he calls his brothers and sisters to follow his example. We are to provide for our own needs but also to “to support the weak” with the thought in mind that it is always, always, always “more blessed to give than to receive”!!! If we can but get it, we would be so much more contented and fulfilled in all our ways!!!

And to share a bit of a jump-start, I’ll share a little help to whet your appetite for giving and doing: it’s often the little things that mean the most to people. When was the last time that you called someone and told them they were special to you, or wrote them a note, or took them a simple flower out of your garden (or bought one if you don’t have a garden)? There are so many small things that we can do that could mean to world to someone else. Here are some simple suggestions:

Ask a widow to lunch—

Make some cookies and share with a neighbor—

Ask a ‘senior’ if they need any tasks done—

Take a single rose to a friend—

Make some baked goodies and take them to:

A nurse’s station at the hospital—

The fire station—

The police/sheriff’s office—

The school office—

A local charity’s office—

Your church office—

You get the idea — just ask God to lead your hands and feet somewhere this weekend to share a smile and an act of kindness with someone who may need it!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #246      Are You Re-Gifting???

In recent years it has become popular and acceptable to “re-gift” items that one has received as a gift, and give it to someone else on an occasion that demands a “gift”. There was a time that this was socially unacceptable, but in our time it has become not only acceptable but also promoted and ideas given in various outlets of ways to do it. But that is not the “re-gifting” that I am referring to. I want us to talk briefly this morning about Christian’s “Spiritual Gifts”. I won’t go into a lot of detail, but I would like to just share one passage and elaborate on what it says about our gifts in a very general way.

“As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same

one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak,

let him speak as

the oracles of God;

if any man minister,

let him do it as

of the ability which God giveth:

that God

in all things

may be glorified

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be praise

and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”    1 Peter 4:10-11

Peter gives us the backbone of information about “Spiritual Gifts” here; while the other three passages (Romans 14, Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12) fill in the body of information and specifics of Spiritual Gifts, what they are, the import and manner of their use and more. For our purposes today, I simply want us to take Peter’s challenge to “Re-Gift” our own spiritual gift/gifts and put them to use by sharing it with others as God has equipped us.

The first thing that Peter tells us is that “every man hath received the gift”—every born again believer has at least one of the named Spiritual Gifts (See the 3 passages listed above for those lists). Then why is the church in such dire straights and working so few so hard? Because many are not sharing their gift or gifts with the church body, so others are being worked nigh unto the point of exhaustion to do the work that God called us ALL to do. What is your gift? Have you even asked God to reveal to you what YOU are supposed to be doing in HIS body? Good questions, and only YOU can answer them for yourself—but there are those who will help if you but ask, seek and knock!

Peter goes on to tell us is that we are to USE our gifts, but not for ourselves—for GOD!!! He also specifies that there are two basic kinds of gifts, there are speaking gifts, and there are service or ministry gifts. But each kind of gift mentioned has a disclaimer of sorts; we are to use them appropriately:

“one to another”—unselfishly

“as good stewards of the … grace of God”-freely

“speak as the oracles of God”—speaking God’s Word

“of the ability which God giveth”—doing God’s Work

“that God … may be glorified”—for God’s glory.

To put it all in a nutshell today, we are to acknowledge we have a gift/gifts from God; we are to exercise our gifts for the benefit of others, not ourselves—after all they ARE God’s gifts–we are simply stewards of HIS grace gifts; if our gift is a speaking gift, we are to speak God’s Words with integrity and honesty; if our gift is a service or ministry gift, we are to use it with a humble heart knowing that it is God’s gift for us to use for the benefit of others; and of greatest import we are to exercise our gifts to glorify God, to bring praise and honor to our Lord Jesus, and that the world may know the one whom we love and serve.

So, the challenge I offer to you (and me) is to seek to recognize your gift/gifts if you haven’t, and to use your gift/gifts for the increase of God’s kingdom, sharing in whatever ways God calls us to serve and share the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—IN WORDS AND IN DEEDS!!! One without the other is incomplete, to say the least.

May we ever strive to let the whole world know whose we are and what HE has done for us, in us, through us, bringing glory to our Lord in all that we do. Just think how much more wonderful a place church would be if everyone was exercising their gift for the benefit of all. It could make “burnout” non-existent!!! Won’t you seek God’s face today and ask HIM what you can do to exercise YOUR gift? I’ll be praying for you to find that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (See Nehemiah 8:10) and using His gifts to His glory is “joy” beyond measure or description. “Re-Gifting” God’s gifts is more than acceptable, it’s God’s expectation, it’s our calling! Try it—you’ll find “joy unspeakable, and full of glory” (See 1 Peter 1:8)!!!

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 7 No. 11 Competition Or Commitment?

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.”   Deuteronomy 6:5

In Deuteronomy chapter 6 God gives one of the most profound lessons on generational faith in all of scripture. And in this discourse on faith and family, God reveals the secret of passing on the heritage of “Truth”. In fact Jesus Himself, quoted from this passage during His earthly ministry, in response to a question meant to trap Him:

“Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:35-40

Deuteronomy gives us an important principle of life; we can’t share what we don’t have. This proves true in spiritual things as well as the financial arena. We can only share what we personally possess! The chapter opens with a call to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart”, and that is where we always must begin. We must personally love the Lord, coming to Him in repentance and faith. Only when we know God through His Son Jesus Christ, and the atoning, substitutionary (taking my place) sacrifice that He made for the sin of the world, can we “know” God. For only when we know Him and His Son, can we share with others the love and life-changing power of the cross of Jesus Christ.

But the chapter goes on to show us the order of life—we receive from God and only then can we share what we have received with others in need, starting at home:

“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.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign

upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house,

and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Simply put, God reveals that we must know Him in our own heart first, then, and only then, can we teach our children, (or any one else) and God tells us how to share. We must not only know the God we profess but also live our faith out each and every day, all along the way: when we’re sitting around, when we’re walking about, when we’re resting, and when we’re rising up. We are also to have the things of God around us—in our homes and surroundings! What we have in our homes almost always reflects what we love—be it things of God, or the things of the world. Is my home full of ungodly material? What we are reading, watching, talking about, and listening to, will affect our lives and our influence. In the vernacular, “what goes in, comes out”; “junk in, junk out”! What does my home say about my heart? What is hanging on my walls, what reading matter is lying around on my tables and racks? What do we watch on TV in my home? What movies am I drawn to, and/or play on my devices? What is displayed on my social media outlets? Do people—especially my own children and grandchildren—see Jesus when they come into my “space”, wherever that may be? Only you can answer that question, but it needs to be answered. When people enter your home does the peace of God pervade their hearts and minds or the smut of the world?

God goes on in chapter 6 of Deuteronomy to tell us that if we “live” this life of faith and holiness (Holy Spirit controlled Holiness, not self-righteous arrogance), the time will come that our children will ask “why” we “live” our lives the way we “live” them? And God gives a most unusual answer; He doesn’t tell them to quote the 10 commandments, or to give the Roman Road to Salvation, or even to preach “holiness” to them; what God tells us is:

“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: 22 And the Lord shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes: 23 And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. 24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.” Deuteronomy 6:20-25

If you allow me to paraphrase a bit, God tells us that when we live a life of obedient faithfulness, it will be noticed by our children and grandchildren! We are to teach them, talk to them, instruct them, but most importantly we are to manifest godliness in “all” we do in our lives—a high standard, but one God tells us is the right one to strive for.

God tells us that the day will come that our children will see the difference between our lives and the lives of those of the world, and at some point in time, they will ask “why” we are living the way we live. They will want to know “why” we are teaching them to honor God, by our lives as well as our words and instructions. And when they ask, God doesn’t give us a “pat” answer like “because I said so” (which believe me, I used way more often than I should have), but God instructs us as parents to share with them our personal testimony of our own experience with God. For Israel, that was their deliverance from Egypt and the entry into the Promised Land; for us it’s whatever God has done for us and wherever He has taken us when we came to Him through the blood of the Lamb!!! And as we share with them what God has done “for” us we are to let them know what God has said in His Word and how God will provide for all those who will come to Him.

It is imperative that we live lives committed to our God and serve Him faithfully so that He can show His awesome power, grace and love to all within our circle of influence. We aren’t in competition with the world, or even with other Christians, although much of popular “churchianity” tries to pit one group against another. Jesus called us to follow Him, not the world, nor even other Christians, regardless of their good sounding words or intentions. We are called to one task:

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.” Matthew 16:24-27

It’s all about being committed to following Jesus not competing with your family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, and for sure not the world. Yet we live in a culture that has invited the “Super Bowl” mentality into the church, into our spiritual lives to the harm of many souls and the kingdom work of God. God has called us to live this life with a “contrite” heart not a competitive one.

Now I am a relatively competitive person myself, but I have learned, and am still learning, that the greatest thing I can do for God’s kingdom is to spend time with my Lord and seek to follow Him through intimate fellowship and communion with Him and His Word! I’m not working for the recognition of the world but the reward of hearing my Lord say, “….Well done, thou good and faithful servant…..” (See Matthew25:21). My Lord, Savior, and Master is Jesus, not man!!! My obedience and faithfulness will be measured by Him and His Word not people—saved or lost!!! My reward will be determined by my King, and He is the one who knows my heart, and the true measure of my obedience—no one else!!!

“He that receiveth you

receiveth me,

and he that receiveth me

receiveth him that sent me.

41 He that receiveth a prophet

in the name of a prophet

shall receive a prophet’s reward;

and he that receiveth a righteous man

in the name of a righteous man

shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

42 And whosoever shall give to drink

unto one of these little ones

      a cup of cold water

only in the name of a disciple,

verily I say unto you,

he shall in no wise lose his reward.”   Matthew 10:40-42

So in conclusion, my simple question to you is, “Are you committing your whole life to Jesus?” Or are you trying to be in competition with a world that hates The One that born again believers love. Jesus warned us that when we follow Him it wouldn’t generally be appreciated by the masses. We forget so easily that we are “pilgrims” passing through this world; that our citizenship is in heaven, and our allegiance is to our Savior, KING JESUS, but remember my friends that there is a cost attached. Count the cost; it’s worth the price!!!

“Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask

of the Father

in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do

unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them,

they had not had sin:

but now they have no cloak for their sin.

23 He that hateth me

hateth my Father also.” John 15:15-23

Whose team are you on? Count the cost—but remember it’s a labor of love, NOT a competition!!!