Bible Ballistics: BBs #290    A Very Present Help!!!

 

Our God reigns!!! No matter what today is bringing your way—God hasn’t been caught off guard, though you may have been. Just as God knew what HE was doing in Job’s life, He is working His work in us. And His goal is to make His own children into the image of The SON, Jesus Christ.

“And we know that

all things work together

for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.”

And what is that purpose? It’s not random or erratic, but God’s purpose is for all of His own to be made like Jesus!

“29 For (because)

whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover

whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us, who can be against us?”     Romans 8:28-31

Our God is working to conform us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ; to bring us to glory, that God will be glorified in us, so that the world may see and know that HE is real and working in this world to bring people to the cross!!! We’re the vessels of HIS message to the world; the message is:

“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.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.”     John 3:16-18

God loves us so much that “HE GAVE” His Son to die for a world lost and dying in sin! But we must believe in Him—there is no other way to God—and when we believe in Him and experience the new birth that Jesus mentioned in the first portion of this chapter, then that new birth brings us into an eternal relationship of “life” with The Living God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ. And when we belong to Jesus we have access into His presence continually to find the help we need to live life victoriously each and every day.

“God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear,

though the earth be removed,

and though the mountains be carried

into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof roar

and be troubled,

though the mountains shake

with the swelling thereof. Seals.”     Psalm 46:1-3

Loving and serving the creator of this world/earth, we can be confident in His sovereign authority. And because Jesus has come and accomplished redemption for those who will come to Him, we have an advocate with the Father who never leaves us alone. NEVER!!!

“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.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

And serving The “Living” God, we can trust to His perpetual care for us—always working to conform us into HIS image.

“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

So take heart, look up, and trust in The One who cares for you, and remember dear ones—HE KNOWS where you are!!!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No. 10 What’s That In Your Hand???

 

There’s an old song that I love because its message is such a beautiful reminder to trust in Jesus not only for our salvation, but also for our living, serving and ministry opportunities. It paints such a clear picture of using what we have for Jesus, and following “HIM” rather than seeking recognition, popularity or worldly success. God is The One who calls, who equips and who sends us as HE sees fit for His glory, our good and the increase of HIS Kingdom.

Jesus referred to this when the disciples wanted Him to rebuke those who were working in “HIS” name, but weren’t part of their “group”. Jesus answered them succinctly:

“But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. 42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” Mark 9:39-42

Jesus reminds us even now that our goal is to follow Him and to not be distracted by what others are doing for Him, or anyone else. And He also warns us that those who speak in His name, and on His behalf better beware of offending the innocent ones. Jesus isn’t saying that we aren’t to speak the truth clearly to all, but that we are to do His work with genuine compassion and sensitivity to those we are sharing with. We are to speak according to the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of our own gift/gifts we are to walk in the Spirit NOT the flesh (See Galatians 5:15 & 25). Claiming to belong to Jesus doesn’t excuse meanness and unkindness. We are told how to speak.

“But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” Matthew 10:19-20

We are to speak wisely, truthfully and with the love of Jesus as the Spirit directs on any particular given opportunity (but this doesn’t mean we don’t study and prepare our hearts and minds with His Word).

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11

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

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:5-6

As someone once said, “God’s Word will keep us from sin, or sin will keep us from God’s Word”—the choice is ours.

And that’s the point I’d like to share today, we are to be “redeeming the time” and living filled by and with grace as we testify and answer the world of “the hope that is in you” (See 1 Peter 3:15). Another thing the Word tells us is that we are to do what “WE” can do through Jesus. God hasn’t called me to be a world famous teacher or speaker, but He has gifted me and given me various opportunities to share His word in many different venues. We are each to do what we are called and equipped to do, where God places us. God gifts each believer and we are to use our gifts for Him. And old adage says, “God doesn’t called the equipped, He equips the called”, and I believe that is a Biblical view. God wants us to use what we have received from HIM when we are saved (See 1 Corinthians 12:7). Moses had an encounter with God about that very thing. “What is that in thine hand?”

“And the Lord said unto him,

What is that in thine hand?

And he said,

A rod.

3 And he said,

Cast it on the ground.

And he cast it on the ground,

and it became a serpent;

and Moses fled from before it.

4 And the Lord said unto Moses,

Put forth thine hand,

and take it by the tail.

And he put forth his hand,

and caught it,

and it became a rod in his hand:

5 That they may believe

that the Lord God of their fathers,

the God of Abraham,

the God of Isaac,

and the God of Jacob,

hath appeared unto thee.”    Exodus 4:2-5

God asked Moses what he had in his hand, not because God didn’t know, but because He wanted Moses to KNOW! And Moses replied, simply a rod. God isn’t asking you to do anyone else’s job—He is asking you “What is that in thine hand?” If we’ve been born again, God has gifted and equipped each one for His service, what are we (YOU) doing with our (YOUR) gift/gifts? Are we following Jesus or others? Are we so concerned about what God is doing in the lives of others that we miss what He is asking us to do? Jesus rebuked the Apostle Peter in this very regard after His resurrection in an encounter with several of the disciples. In this incident, Jesus had restored Peter after his failure during the crucifixion, but when Jesus had told Him that he would die for His Lord, Peter is distracted and asks Jesus a question:

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

When thou wast young,

thou girdest thyself,

and walkedst whither thou wouldest:

but when thou shalt be old,

thou shalt stretch forth thy hands,

and another shall gird thee,

and carry thee

whither thou wouldest not.

19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.” John 21:18-19

Do you see that, even when Jesus told Peter how he would die a martyrs death, He called Peter to do one thing, the same thing that He calls us to do— “Follow me”? Jesus called this giant of a man, this big fisherman, this impetuous man who often had to pull his foot out of his mouth, this man– Jesus called him to “Follow me”!!! Take what I have put in your hand, and follow me!!! And the call hasn’t changed today, but then neither has human nature! Peter and these other disciples who had been with Jesus for some 3-3 ½ years still had a lot to learn. And just like many of us today, Peter immediately missed the lesson, and tried to get out of the hot seat by changing the subject.

“20 Then Peter,

turning about,

seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following;

which also leaned on his breast at supper,

and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus,

Lord, and what shall this man do?

22 Jesus saith unto him,

If I will

that he tarry

till I come,

what is that to thee?

follow thou me.”     John 21:20-22

WOW!!! Just like we so often do, Peter wanted to know about John! Yet Jesus refused to answer that question, and reminded Peter that his only job was to “follow thou me”! And that is His call to us, “follow thou me”! Follow our Lord with what He has put in our hand. But we see even more about human nature—here in the very presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in His resurrected body, these faithful men missed the point, and apparently helped start a “rumor” that was not based in fact. We must be careful to share truth and not rumor. We must know what Jesus has said and share that truth with the world that He places in our path. Don’t be spreading rumors and causing jealousy and attention to be distracted from the Lord Jesus. Just speak the truth in love (See Ephesians 4:15).

“23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” John 21:20-23

So how are we to behave with our gifts? Peter, much later in his life than the event with Jesus and John, wrote to believers that we are to handle our gifts with integrity, humility and submission to God, and the power of His Spirit.

“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

We are to minister as servants of God and His Son Jesus Christ. We are to use the gifts that God gives, to please our Lord, to follow His indwelling Holy Spirit, to bring Glory to God, and to increase the Kingdom. So the question that we need to answer is, “What is that in thine hand?” What has God gifted YOU to be and do? Are YOU being faithful with the gifts that He has blessed you with? Are you a child of God’s? Because if you aren’t you won’t understand what I’m talking about. You need to come to Jesus in recognition of your own sin, and your inability to do anything about your sin, and trust in the sacrifice that Jesus made for you on the cross, where HE paid for your sins, if you will but believe and follow Him.

And those of us, who belong to Jesus, are called to be faithful with that which has been entrusted to us. Are we being faithful with “what’s in our hand”, or are we waiting for some “great” thing to do? Jesus addressed that!

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10

The emphasis is on faithfulness not the size of the gift. While Moses was told to pick up a serpent by the tail—and we all know you don’t pick up a snake, and even if you did want to you wouldn’t pick it up by the tail!!! The important lesson is that He obeyed God. The serpent/snake had been a rod/staff in his hand, but God had transformed it into a serpent/snake, so Moses knew that the God who changed the rod could and would protect him from harm, even if he picked it up by the tail, as GOD told him to. This wasn’t a lesson in “snake handling”, but rather a lesson in trust and obedience. Now, I have to add that God hasn’t told me to pick up any snakes, and I surely am glad, but the issue isn’t “WHAT” is in your hand, but will you faithfully give it to God to do as HE pleases with it and YOU? Are we willing to follow Jesus regardless of where HE leads us? Yet we must be sure we are listening to the voice of Jesus and not the other voices calling for our attention, and bombarding us on every hand.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits

whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

So how do we “try” the spirits/voices that we hear? We must be grounded in the Word of God, and walk closely with His Spirit moment by moment. One hour a week in a church service won’t suffice. You must apply yourself to know God through HIS Word continually, day by day, moment by moment!

“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

While we are called to “rightly” divide (use and understand) the Bible. Implied also is the danger of those who will “wrongly” divide the Word! If you don’t know truth for yourself, you are subject to fall for the lies. We are also called to depend on the reliability of the Word and its supernatural inspiration through the Spirit of God, in its authorship as well as the Spirit led understanding of it.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

“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

But the catch is, you have to open the book and study it, to benefit from it, after all it is God’s love letter to us. He sent it to YOU and me. May we avail ourselves of it to be sure that we are truly “following” Jesus!!!

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:20-21

So, ‘what’s that in your hand’? Have you been wasting God’s time and yours, or are you being faithful in that which is least? If we will be faithful in what HE has given us, then He will be glorified and honored and we will “grow thereby” (see 1 Peter 2:2)…. Won’t you follow Jesus with me, if you are HIS sheep? We don’t have any time to waste!!!

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27

And here’s the song I mentioned at the beginning, may it bless your heart today as it has blessed mine through the years……. 

FOLLOW ME

By Ira Stamphill

“I traveled down a lonely road and no one seemed to care,

The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair,

I oft complained to Jesus how folks were treating me,

And then I heard Him so so tenderly,

“My feet were also weary upon the Calv’ry road,

The cross became so heavy I fell beneath the load,

Be faithful weary pilgrim, the morning I can see,

Just lift your cross and follow close to me.”

 

“I work so hard for Jesus” I often boast and say,

“I’ve sacrificed a lot of things to walk the narrow way,

I gave up fame and fortune; I’m worth a lot to thee,”

And then I heard Him gently say to me,

“I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss,

My hands were nailed in anger upon a cruel cross,

But now we’ll make the journey with your hand safe in mine,

So lift your cross and follow close to me.”

 

Oh Jesus if I die upon a foreign field someday

‘Twould be no more than love demands, no less could I repay,

“No greater love hath mortal man than for a friend to die,”

These are the words he gently spoke to me,

“If just a cup of water I place within your hand

Then just a cup of water is all that I demand,”

But if by death to living they can thy glory see,

I’ll take my cross and follow close to thee.”

May we each “take my cross and follow close to thee”!!! Today, with whatever God has placed in your heart, your mind and your hand press on and follow JESUS! Let’s go!

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #289    His Strength In My Weakness???

 

As many of you know, I’ve been slowed down for a while after having knee surgery. What I have discovered is that being down is disturbing to our state of mind. When we’ve been accustomed to going, doing and accomplishing certain things, we don’t take it very well when that ability is thwarted by anything, and especially when it’s thwarted by things outside of our control. I have found myself identifying with those who are in this state on a long-term or permanent basis—it has made me much more aware of the difficulties of “limitations” or as scripture puts it our human ‘frailties’ and ‘weaknesses’.

What do we do when we find ourselves there? Or when someone close to us is in this position? The right answer is found only in God and His Word. The Psalms are replete with cries of failure, weakness, confusion and desperation—yet the answer is always found in the Lord God Almighty and the recognition of His total sovereignty and reliability. Our God is totally trustworthy even if He is bringing us into a place of “dependence” (and for most people that is an ugly word, for we are determined to be “Independent” or else!) even when it is a place where we don’t want to be. Yet it is a place that God often uses to reveal Himself and His power to us more intimately, for often we fail to “depend” on God as long as we seem to have things under “control”! But God wants us to learn to walk in total, continual devotion and dependence upon Him!! Not an easy thing to do, but one worth the effort it takes to walk there! But how?

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

God wants to walk with us in all our ways, and so often He is waiting for us to simply reach out to HIM and follow His lead! Yet so often we are so consumed with “life” and “living” our own way, that we miss the joy of walking with our Lord. HE has been reminding me lately of the way that I have allowed “noise” and “worldly distractions” to crowd out the times of intimacy that I used to spend with HIM; and that I need to diligently strive to eliminate anything from my life that interferes with an intimate and “dependent” relationship and fellowship with Jesus!!! It goes right to the heart of the commandment:

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

Anything that stands between us and intimacy with Our Lord is a “god” that ought not be there. And God does not accept second place as “OK”! He will work through the Holy Spirit to convict and draw us to a place of repentance and restoration. Even David found this restoration upon his repentance of the incident of Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. David found the pure delight of God’s forgiveness, cleansing and restoration to fellowship with His God! (Although we must remember that there were consequences to his sin, but that’s a lesson for a different day.)

“Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;

and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”   Psalm 51:9-13

And in closing, Paul learned and shared a valuable lesson in this regard. It’s one of my favorite passages, for Paul—the great Apostle of The Lord—with all his gifts, missionary zeal and compassion for the lost, was compelled to endure an ongoing weakness (although we don’t know what it was, it was something he had asked God to remove from him). Let’s look at Paul own account of this experience.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan

to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength

is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore

will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

So will you choose to accept the weaknesses that come to us, and stand fast in God’s strength; and trust Him “with all thine heart”? Or will you balk, and pout and complain, “I don’t deserve this”? It’s your choice! Choose well.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #288    Vile Or Precious???

I would like to share a testimony with you this morning, and I pray that it will be an encouragement and help to you. Quite a few years ago I was involved in a particular ministry and loved what I was doing for The Lord and for others, but some issues arose and because of ideological and motivational differences made it clear, after much prayer, that I needed to excuse myself from the situation. It caused a deep grief in my heart, because I loved the ministry and the work that I was doing, but I also knew that God was leading me to leave at that time.

I found it most difficult because while I knew that God had lead me to leave, He never removed the burden for the ministry from my heart. Several months later it appeared that perhaps I should go back, so I began to earnestly pray and seek God’s face about this circumstance. I even printed off my resume and set it on the desk and told God that whatever HE wanted me to do, I would do. Go back or refrain, I asked Jesus to make it clear to me what I was to do in response to this new dilemma of decision.

As I was praying and reading my Bible the next morning, The Lord brought me to a passage that literally felt like it jumped off of the page and answered so clearly the question that I had laid before my Lord Jesus. I’ll share the verse with you and then –the rest of the story!

“Therefore thus saith the Lord,

If thou return,

then will I bring thee again,

and thou shalt stand before me:

and if thou take forth the precious

from the vile,

thou shalt be as my mouth:

let them return unto thee;
but return not thou unto them.”    Jeremiah 15:19

God made it so clear to me that the stand I had taken was pleasing to HIM, regardless of what others thought about it. He clearly showed me that I should not pursue this situation, but leave it to HIM. He also confirmed for me that in my calling as a believer, a Bible teacher and leader, I needed to continue to hold forth the truths of the Word of God as He called me to do. I wasn’t to be influenced by the arguments of others or the appeal of worldly means and compromises. We as a culture, especially the Christian element of this culture, have often sold out the Word of God for the appeals and programs of worldly means to supposedly do “God’s” work! Friends, there is that which is “precious” to God, but there is also that which is “vile” to Him. And it seems that American Christendom has lost sight of the difference. God made it clear for me that I needed to just stand fast, and sit tight until He moved.

The burden never left but about 12-14 months later I got a call asking me to return as manager of the ministry. I knew it was God and I went back and helped the ministry through a difficult transition and stayed for a time, until God had completed His intended purposes for me there. I knew I had waited on the Lord, and He had provided in such a real way. When I left the ministry after that, the Lord made the timing clear that it was time to go, and He lifted that heavy burden of ministry for that particular opportunity and time.

So how do we face times of uncertainty? We must devote ourselves to The Lord, His Word and time with Him in prayer. We must seek God’s face in spite of what other’s may think or say. The Psalmist has some great words of counsel for us.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

We must walk with our hearts open before God, asking His searching, convicting Holy Spirit to reveal our needs, sins and failures and direction. Then as He reveals, we are to submit, confess, repent and go appropriately for what He speaks to our hearts. But this morning I saw another side of this passage, which I rely on frequently to remind me of my own need. We are to “Search ……. God”! By that I mean we are to search out God, and we can only do that as we bask in His Word, and study it’s depths, earnestly pray and search out HIS face! We are called to know truth and to test the waters around us. The Word demands it:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Even Jesus warned us that not everything that “looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, or waddles like a duck”, IS a duck!!! There are false teachers, imitators and deceitful leaders trying to lead us astray. We must abide in the “vine” and His Word to know truth, and then we can recognize the errors!

“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

And abiding with Him helps us recognize the wolves!

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” Matthew 7:15-16

There is a lot of false information being disseminated around us in the name of “Christianity”, but take heart dear ones, get into the Word of God and learn the truth for yourself. Dig out the details by asking the “who, what, where, when, why and how’s” of every passage. Read the Bible through (I recommend reading it through once a year), and not just mindlessly, to mark off a list, but thoughtfully seeking how each portion you read fits with the rest of scripture. Be active in your local Bible preaching church. And as you do these things you will learn and grow and be able to discern true from false. You will be able to “take forth the precious from the vile”; to be pleasing to God, and then He says, “thou shalt be as my mouth”. We can speak God’s truth to the world! A world that is so caught up in the “vile” that they may hate us for bringing truth to light, but we must speak, it’s what we’ve been called to do. The sowing in ours—the harvest is God’s!!! So go!!!

Blessings on your week and I pray for you as Paul did:

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire

that ye might be filled with the knowledge

of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful in every good work,

and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;” Amen       Colossians 1:9-11

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No. 09 Fearfulness Or Faithfulness???

 

We all face issues from day to day that often assail us with fear and anxiety. Yet God has called us to trust and rest in HIM!!! And while that isn’t always “easy”, it is quite simple. We must consciously keep our heart, mind and eyes on Jesus.

“Wherefore seeing we also

are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily

beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction

of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint

in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1-3

While there is debate over what the “cloud of witnesses” is, the context lends itself to understand that it is a reference to those who have found God faithful in the past. I don’t believe it’s a picture of a stadium full of people cheering us on, but rather a statement of fact—that many have gone before us in faithfulness (that was the message of Hebrews 11) by keeping their hearts and minds fixed on God’s faithfulness rather than their own weakness or immediate dilemmas. This is the confidence that we can take from this passage; that because God has always been faithful, He will continue to be faithful, because God never changes or fails. And through the assurance of the work of Jesus Christ we can lay aside the sin and fear (anxiety-weight) in exchange for the power, courage and ability to “run with patience the race that is set before us”!!! God doesn’t call us to run any race but our own—the race that God has “set before us”. And if God has ‘set’ that race before YOU, then He will provide the ability, courage and endurance to press on and run it with HIM. Scripture is replete with encouraging reminders to help us race on!

“…….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 13:5a-6

We never walk or run alone—it is God who is with us, and because of that we don’t have to fear but press on in confident assurance of whose we are!

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

But in order to “do all” I must be “doing” what God wants me to do, living in accordance with His Word. Then He enables me to overcome the fears, anxieties and challenges of the world—a world that is becoming more and more hostile to people of Biblical faith. But we don’t have to fear—we can walk in confidence fearlessly.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Our confidence is in the God who is all-powerful, and all- knowing (omnipotent and omniscient, as well as omnipresent!), and He has given us His Spirit of power and love, as well as soundness of mind. And if we look up the Greek word translated “sound mind”, it means ‘right thinking’, having a mind that can know and discern truth and right. And we can only do that when we truly know Jesus and walk in His Word. And walk in His Word is what we must do, and to walk in it, we must know it.

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalm 56:3

And I can overcome fear by keeping my heart and mind on the things of God. As Paul says so clearly:

“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.” Philippians 2:5-8

The mind of Christ is the mind of servant hood—servants unto God and unto those around us. We must be willing to die to ourselves and live unto Christ. And a “dead” man doesn’t worry about anything!

“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

When we realize that our life is lived unto Jesus, by the power of Jesus, and for His glory, it makes all the difference in the world. I’m not saying that we’ll have a cakewalk, or a path lined with roses; but I am saying that we will have an overriding confidence that circumstances cannot defeat!!! While I may have moments of doubt, fear and confusion, the precious Holy Spirit will touch my heart and remind me to look “unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”—the one who is always with me. And we must remember that the battleground is in our minds, and our God gives us the victory if we will but avail ourselves of it.

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”    2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I encourage you to memorize these verses so that you will be able to call to mind the power that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have the power to recognize the schemes of the enemy of our soul (Satan, the Devil, the Serpent…. See Revelation 12:9), and to overcome them by the obedience of Christ. Jesus saves us to serve Him, and He equips us to serve Him—we must simply keep our hearts and minds set on Him and that is often a wearisome but worthwhile task.

“He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.” Proverbs 4:4

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

And in closing, one of my favorite passages, and one which I quote to myself often (especially verse 8—I encourage you to commit it to memory if nothing else), because it reminds us of the plumb-line of God’s expectations for our hearts and minds. It is a checklist, if you would, for our thought life; and it will help us keep our hearts and minds on the things of God rather than the fear and confusion that dominates the world around us.

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen

in me,

do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”    Philippians 4:6-9

So put this checklist in your heart and mind and use it to measure your thought life and actions. It will make a difference in your life. And why do we need to do all these things? First and foremost, because God told us to, and also because HE is worthy of our allegiance and praise—and only a life lived in devotion and obedience to God is a real life of worship and praise!!!

“Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying,

Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:12-13

May we all walk in faithfulness before Him, and before a lost and dying world? May we recognize that fearfulness isn’t a place where we need to dwell, but we are to continually turn from fear to faith when confronted with issues that frighten us? Remember our God reigns over all!!!

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Revelation 19:6

Amen!!!