Bible Ballistics: BBs  #360    God’s Faithful Care!!!

 

“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

There is so much going around us; crazy weather, politics in an uproar, people consumed with greed and self, violence at every turn. What are we to do? Exactly what the Psalmist did, when we are confused, fearful, frustrated or just fed up with a world gone amuck! (And if you don’t’ know what that means, the dictionary defines it as: “to rush about wildly; lose self-control”!) And that surely describes our world! But take heart amid all the lunacy, remember, we serve The God who has never lost control! He is in control and He is never caught off-guard. YOU and I can rely on His care!

“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

Our God is omnipotent–The all-powerful God over all. And we can trust Him, for He truly loves and cares for us. In fact He loves lost people so much that He “gave his only begotten Son”, to die for ‘the world’ because He cares! (See John 3:16) So we can trust HIM:

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

So take heart today, for whatever you are facing, it hasn’t caught God by surprise, He truly cares “for you”!!! I pray that this will encourage you today. In Jesus name, Amen!

Bible Ballistics: BBs  #359    What Tracks Are You Making???

 

I remember as a child feasting on the old-time cowboy movies. They were our heroes, and there was almost always a “scout” who would lead the search by following the ‘tracks’ of the persons and horses that they were pursuing. As I was thinking about writing this morning, I thought about the ‘tracks’ that we leave, and if someone had to ‘track’ us, what would they see?

Paul calls us in Ephesians 6 to “put on the whole armor of God”, in fact, in a few verses he reminds us twice to put it on! It’s essential to our victorious Christian walk/life. And part of that armor reminded me of the tracks that we leave. Do our steps leave footprints of Jesus or the world?

“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;”  Ephesians 6:13-15

Paul calls us to have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”; referring to our ‘footprints’, if you would, the affect we have on others. Our life leaves footprints on the world, but what kind of footprints are we leaving? If someone were tracking us, what would they see? Would they see a reflection of the Savior and Lord that we claim to serve, or would they be led astray from Him? And what is this “gospel of peace” that we are to have as our ‘footwear’? In a nutshell, it is the ‘good news’ that Jesus offers a right relationship with God, through His death, burial and resurrection for our sin. (See 1 Cor. 15:3-7)

“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.”    Romans 5:1-8

The Good News is that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”, and because HE died for your/my sin, we can have eternal life with Him–“peace with God”! As we read on in Romans 5, we find that Jesus changes our relationship with God, because we couldn’t do it for ourselves, “when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son”! He died so we could live!

And because He died, we can be reconciled with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and then we are to share this reconciliation with others.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-20

When we receive Jesus, we become HIS ambassadors, leading others to Christ Jesus for redemption through His blood. We are to carry the message everywhere we go. So my question for you and me is, “What Tracks Are You Making?” Are others following us to Jesus? If the world only had my footprints to follow, would they be lead to Jesus? Or would they lead others to a self-centered life, a worldly life, a greedy life, an immoral life, or an addictive life? The list could go on and on, but the important thought that I want us all to consider is that people are following us—our family, our children, our co-workers, our friends, our neighbors, the people we interact with in public places, the people who may be watching us from afar!!! What do these people see in us? Jesus? The Devil? Mediocrity? Hypocrisy? Are we leading them to the “One” who can give them the peace of, and reconciliation to God Almighty in Jesus? We all choose where we walk! What “tracks” are we leaving for others? It is a question of eternal import! Think about it!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.19    What Is A Mother???

 

As we celebrate ‘Mother’s Day’ here in the US, we want to take some time today to consider mothers and what they mean to us; in a relational sense, but also to see the import that the scriptures lend to motherhood—of having a good mother, and being a good mother. Of course the best place to start is at the ‘beginning’.

“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” Genesis 3:20

I believe in the normal and natural interpretation of Genesis, particularly the first 11 chapters. I believe that God created the earth in six literal days, and rested on the seventh. I believe that God created humanity in HIS image.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“And God said,

Let us make man in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,                          and over the fowl of the air,                                                                  and over the cattle,                                                                                    and over all the earth,                                                                           and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man

in his own image,

in the image of God created he him;

male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them,

Be fruitful,

and multiply,

and replenish the earth,

and subdue it:

and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28

God created man and woman, Adam and Eve, for fellowship with Himself, and to be the crowning glory of His earthly creation. Man was given a perfect world, and God also gave man moral responsibility in that perfect world. Only one ‘rule’ and we broke it (In Adam!). Yet God had already set the plans for redemption in place, even before He created us—now THAT is ‘Amazing Grace’! But lest we loose our focus, we are looking at God’s plan for mothers, and the first thing that God established was the family—one man and one woman becoming ‘one’ in marriage, and giving birth to children to nurture and train to know God and His glory!

“And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:23-24

God gave Adam a companion to share his life with, and brought her to him as a gift that they might pursue oneness. And within the marriage, oneness is an ongoing pursuit, which often leads to parenthood, and more specifically for our purposes today, ‘Motherhood’. Motherhood was intended to be inside of marriage, because that’s the way that God created it to be. How sad that our culture has so minimalized motherhood, children and the whole idea of the Biblical ‘family’, it’s no wonder that our culture, our whole world is in chaos! Partially, at least, because we have abandoned the import of the ‘intact’ family. The family as God created it—one man and one woman, together until death parts them!

How did we get so far from the heart of God? I think, partly because we just ignored God and went our own way. We let the enemy convince us through popular culture that we were entitled to have what we want, when we want it regardless of the cost, or the morality! We chose to believe the lies of Satan, rather than the truth of God’s Word. But family and ‘Mothers’ are a large part of God’s plan for the family and the world! What is a mother?

Mother: “noun”

–a female parent,

–a mother-in-law, stepmother, or adoptive mother,

–a term of address for an older or elderly woman,

–a woman exercising control, influence or authority like that of a mother.

       “verb”

–to be the mother of, give rise to.

–to care for, or protect like a mother, act maternally toward.

‘A female parent, one who exercises control, influence or authority…..to be the mother of…’! Are we being parents, or are we settling for being our child’s “friend”? God calls us parents/mothers to ‘parent’ not to ‘befriend’ our children. We are to guide their way, not skip along mindlessly allowing our children to fall into the traps of the enemy. We are to guide their way to God, not lead them in the way to Hell. We must wake up to the truth and live it out in our daily lives—the eternal destiny of our families depends on it.

Eve was the first mother, the one who was created out of and united with Adam by the very Creator of the universe. As Adam so aptly called her, “the mother of all living”! Yet even this mother “of all living” had heartache because of the choices that she and Adam made in taking of the fruit in direct disobedience to God. They lost the intimate presence of God. They died spiritually, and their children after them made choices—the account we find in Genesis 4. While mothers have an affect on others, every person has the God-given privilege to make choices. We can instruct and lead our children to God, to the cross, or to the world, but their choices as adults are their own. While I believe that Eve shared her faith with her children, they didn’t both make good choices, and there were consequences of their choices.

“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel.

And Abel was a keeper of sheep,

but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 And in process of time it came to pass,

that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground

an offering unto the LORD.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.

And the LORD had respect unto Abel

and to his offering:

5 But unto Cain

and to his offering

he had not respect.

And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” Genesis 4:1-5

In the process of time Cain and Abel became adults, and the time came for them to determine their own relationship to God. I think it plausible that Cain and Abel knew about the blood sacrifice because God had taught their parents when He slew the animals from which their clothes of ‘skins’ were made. The covering for their nakedness cost the life of an innocent animal. The cost of sin! As Cain and Abel were old enough to choose for themselves, each brought an offering—one in obedience and faith and the other in self-willed unbelief. Unbelief to the point that Cain thought he could come to God ‘his own way’ rather than ‘God’s way’! Sometimes even the influence of a godly mother of faith can’t change her children’s choices or the consequences of those choices. We have an obligation as children and parents to do what pleases God, but we can’t force others to do right. But we are to pursue and live righteousness.

“Children, obey your parents

in the Lord:

for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers,

provoke not your children to wrath:

but bring them up

in the nurture

and admonition

of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

How can children obey when they aren’t taught God’s principles, or the boundaries of the Word of God? They can’t, and we therefor reap the consequences of our own abandonment of God’s truth. Yet mothers can make a difference, as we pursue godliness in our own lives.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son,

hear the instruction of thy father,

and forsake not the law of thy mother:

9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Proverbs 1:7-10

A call to heed the wisdom of our father and mother; and that implies that we mothers are to pursue God’s wisdom, and God’s knowledge and share it. As we pursue God’s wisdom, we must remember that we can do nothing on our own, apart from HIM! (See John 15:5)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.” Proverbs 9:10-11

And when we are pursuing God’s wisdom, we will affect the lives of others. We don’t always see the results we desire now, but we can trust that God will use us as HE sees fit. Wisdom helps our children see the right way, and while the old adage says, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink”; we can ‘salt his oats’ and create a thirst for God as we reflect God’s light and glory!

“My son, keep thy father’s commandment,                                                  and forsake not the law of thy mother:

21 Bind them continually upon thine heart,

and tie them about thy neck.

22 When thou goest,

it shall lead thee;

when thou sleepest,

it shall keep thee;

and when thou awakest,

it shall talk with thee.

23 For the commandment is a lamp;

and the law is light;

and reproofs of instruction

are the way of life:” Proverbs 6:20-23

We mothers are to be a lamp and light to our children, our grandchildren, our extended family, friends, co-workers and those we encounter day by day! Like the Proverbs 31 woman, may we strive to make a difference in our homes, our churches, our community—and in our world? May we help turn the tide of a lost and dying world—one life at a time! Will we faithfully invest in our own spiritual growth so that others may see Jesus in us? And in closing I’d like to share that great passage for us all—male or female, for the characteristics in this passage apply to us all.

“Who can find a virtuous woman?

for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband

doth safely trust in her,

so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good

and not evil

all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax,

and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants’ ships;

she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night,

and giveth meat to her household,

and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field,

and buyeth it:

with the fruit of her hands

she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength,

and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:                                        her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle,

and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;

yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid

of the snow for her household:

for all her household

are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;

her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen,

and selleth it;

and delivereth girdles

unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing;

and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;

and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,

and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed;

her husband also,

and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously,

but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful,

and beauty is vain:

but a woman that feareth the LORD,

she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;

and let her own works

praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:10-31

A mother is one whose “own works praise her”. May we spend time considering these traits and truly pursue “virtue”– Jesus seen in us! And Jesus ‘in us’ can change the world—one heart at a time! “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 (Virtue in action!!!)

“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

Bible Ballistics: BBs  #358    What Am I Dependent On???

 

As we conclude our series with the last of our 5 D’s, Dependence, what can we say when our culture is obsessed with the supremacy of “independence” at every turn. Will we choose to be ‘independent’ of or ‘dependent’ on the right thing? Will we be dependent on God, or something else?

Dependence– “The state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else”. A synonym of dependent is trust—to rely on, to have faith in.

Do I really trust God? On whom or what do I depend? Self? Money? Power? Others? Or popular opinion? And that would certainly keep you busy, since it changes with the wind. Scripture speaks to this very idea.

“That we henceforth

be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait

to deceive;” Ephesians 4:14

Instead of the populace, or as we call it today—Political Correctness—we are to follow and depend on The Lord!

“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

To succeed in our daily walk with Jesus, we are called to trust/depend on Him with ALL our heart and NOT to lean on our own understanding. When we depend on God, He promises to direct our paths.

The question is, ‘do I want God directing my steps?’ Am I willing to go His way rather than my own? Am I “abiding in Jesus” and depending on His Spirit to direct my steps?

“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 our choice, will we abide in and follow our Lord, or will we go our own way, finding at the end of our lives, that we left behind “much ado about nothing”? Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 3.

“If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ¹⁵ If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. ¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:14-16

If we are the temple of God, our success depends on our relationship to the foundation—Jesus! If the building is resting firmly on it’s foundation all will be well, but if there is a shift in the relationship between the house and its foundation there is disaster ahead. Abiding in Jesus, assures that our work is precious to God, and that we have a reward ahead. But as Jesus said in John 15, “without me ye can do nothing” (that is of eternal value).

Our God is “trustworthy”, and we can depend on Him in all that we face—every day, all the way!!! He is ever at work in our lives, whether we are looking or not. We must develop eyes that ‘see’, and ears that ‘hear’ as we walk “in the Spirit”, knowing that God is working within us in all things!

“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. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son….”. Romans 8:28-29

When we belong to Jesus, we can know that GOD is working everything in our life to conform us, His children, into the “image of his Son”. What a blessed confidence! We just need to learn to recognize the hand of God in all our ways, for HE is at work in “all things”, and we can rely on His provision in good times or adversity! Why? Because we can KNOW that God is working all for our good, and our spiritual growth, so that we can bring Him glory!!! What a way to live—in freedom and peace to the glory of God.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 5:1

So, today will you exercise the traits of Jesus? Will we continually depend on God and pursue Him being: Dependent, Decent, Discerning, Diligent, and striving to be Debt-free? We can have “Victory In Jesus” every day, if we will but ‘abide’ in HIM!

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen and Amen!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #357   Decency Does Matter!!!

 

Today we’ll cover the 4^th of our 5 D’s, Decency (Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence); what does it really mean? That is a big question in our culture.

Decency– “Behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability; modesty and propriety”. For our purposes, God’s standard of Biblical respectability.

In order to live ready for the return of our Lord, ‘decency’ is imperative. Our behavior is to “conform” to God’s standard.

“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 12:2

I know we’ve used this verse a lot lately but I think it is one we need to keep before us, as ‘conformity’ seems to be the order of the day for most; while God calls us to a life of ‘non-conformity’—decency!!!

“Let all things be done decently and in order.”   1 Corinthians 14:40

Simply stated, in context this refers to the use of spiritual gifts, but it also has a general application to our daily lives. We are to practice ‘decency’ in ‘all’ that we do, whenever, and wherever we are, to every one, all the time!!! Small order but a big task! Yet in God’s strength we can achieve it. ‘Decency’, means that I must think about my actions—all of them —moment by moment, Biblically!!! It means that my actions and behavior (One and the same!) are to be pleasing to God in every way. While none of us is perfect, we are called to yield ourselves to God’s working in us. As Romans 8:28-29 so aptly reveals.

“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. ²⁹ For 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.“

Paul puts the icing on the cake in Philippians 2. As we are conformed to Jesus, our focus should change from being “self” consumed, to ‘selfless’ service to others. The decency of a heart set on being Jesus’ hands and feet to others!

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”  Philippians 2:4-5 (Read 4-11 for the whole picture!)

The mind of Christ is to be seen in me; in selfless ‘decency’, always considering the effect on others; all because Jesus loves, saves and changes hearts and lives today! It’s what love always does—God’s love that is!!! Decency matters!

Remember the acrostic

J-Jesus (He died for me)

O-Others (need to see HIM)

Y-You (are His messenger to the world)

Simple but profound! May we be a reflection of Jesus Christ to a lost, indecent world? If we don’t, who will?