Monthly Archives: November 2017

Confession & Rain??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #415

29 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Forgiveness, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, SIN, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #415 Confession & Rain???

 

Confession? A seemingly strange thing for us to be discussing this week but I couldn’t help think about the similarity between the two. Confession is an interesting thing. The Biblical word for “confess/confession/confessing” means “to agree with…..or acknowledge….”. That is where I’d like us to camp out this week, so to speak.

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

John reminds us that we can be forgiven, but it requires a simple thing called ‘confess’ion. But what does it mean to confess our sins? Simply, it means that we “agree” with God that sin is sin, or acknowledge our own sin. If we never see our sin, we can never ‘agree’ with God that it is sin, we will never confess it as sin, and we will never receive the ‘forgiveness’ of God.

Why is that important? It is imperative because without forgiveness of our sin, we can never be one with God.

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

Forgiveness of sin is one of the themes that runs through the book of Acts. Let’s look at some things we learn from Acts.

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31  

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:” Acts 13:38

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:18

All of these verses remind us that Jesus came to “..save his people from their sins…” (See Matt. 1:21). They remind us that only the cross provides forgiveness of our sins, and only through the blood of Jesus. The cross IS the emblem of God’s salvation, for only “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (See 1 John 1:7); The Lamb of God, who “….loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”. (See Revelation 1:5) Oh, how grateful I am for that wonderful blood of Jesus. As the old song says, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus”!!! Praise His name for that.

But do we need to confess only once? Let me share 1 John 1:9 in a different format:

“If (conditional: I have a choice)—

we confess (agree with God) –

our sins (PLURAL—sinS. Not other’s sinS, but MINE)-

HE is faithful (He is true and right toward me no matter how I am)–

and just ( he is legally right because HE has paid the price for sin)–

to forgive us (release from the penalty due for sin)–

our sins (for each and every sin—my sinS)–

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (he not only forgives me but cleanses me from all the sins I confess to HIM—remembering to agree with HIM that it is sin).

IF we confess: not just to be saved, not just once in a while, but every day, every time—each and every time I sin.

But what about rain? Well, living in Oklahoma, we know about drought; about times when it doesn’t rain; times when things get brown, times when things die from the lack of moisture. And it can be the same in our spiritual lives when we go without regularly examining ourselves and confessing our sin to our Father. He wants to hear from us, and while He already knows what’s going on anyway, He wants to hear from us and know we desire His love and forgiveness. He is there—He is here—and He always will be.

“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

When we walk with God…

When we learn to lean on Him….

When we learn the art of contentment ……

When we stop wanting all those things that we “DON’T” have….

When we “confess” our sins…..

Then the rain of God’s presence, power and purifying fire will keep us lively, and growing like the grass that has the continual rain upon it. Without rain all things will eventually die. Without keeping a short list of sin, our relationship with God will suffer the ravages of drought.

We won’t have His intimate presence–

We won’t have His life sustaining power–

And we won’t have real confidence that knows—

“…. that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  

May we keep our lead-time short by, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”? May we let the rain of confession make our walk abundantly bountiful toward God, His kingdom, and the world? Then the world will see Jesus in us, and be drawn to His love, and forgiveness and cleansing. Let’s be God’s water for those around us today!

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:”    Isaiah 55:11

Church Wanted: Selling Or Standing??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 19

26 Sunday Nov 2017

Posted by in Changed Lives, Compromise, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Leading Or Mis-Leading?, Perseverance, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trials, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.19 Church Wanted: Selling Or Standing???

 

On our recent travels, I saw a sign that absolutely pricked my heart and soul in a way that I wasn’t expecting. We passed by a little church and this was the sign that was posted across the door: “Church for Sale”! Now, in and of itself, a ‘For Sale’ sign in front of a building, regardless of what it once was, isn’t particularly unusual, but it struck me to my soul, as I read that sign, that many churches today have already put a “for sale” sign on their doors, and they’ve sold out to the world pretty cheaply!

I don’t mean to be harsh, but we are living in a culture that has so invaded the church of Jesus Christ, that it is often difficult to tell the difference between the church and the world—creating an imitation church, if you would. And there are imitation ‘churches’, just as there are imitation ‘Christians’—always have been always will be.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.

15 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 7:13-16

Jesus made it clear in His preaching that there is only One Way to God, and He is that way. It is a “strait gate” and yet it is not the only gate open to people: there is a “wide” gate, a “broad” way, but its end is “destruction”! And just as importantly, it is the most popular gate, “many there be which go in thereat”—and we need to recognize the fact that the draw of the world is great –but Jesus has called us to be faithful to proclaim HIS truth, and the reality that “narrow is the way”, and a way which we are not to attempt to “widen” or compromise the Word of God, regardless of how “few” believe our message!

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of death.”   Proverbs 16:25

The church has never been called to a smooth/easy way, or to try to make the way of Jesus an appealing one; we are called to lift up the cross and the hope that it brings through the blood of Jesus Christ alone.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:14-19

Jesus came to save those who will believe in His work at Calvary. He knew that was His destination even as He spoke to Nicodemus, and He declared, even before the cross, that His atoning death was the only answer—before, during and after! And the salvation that He offers is the only thing that saves people “from their sins”, but those who reject Him will die in their sins! Men still love “darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”, and we will never win the world by conforming the church to align with the evil that men love. We must call people to repentance and faith in Jesus—to turn from their “sin”, not to make them feel at home in their “sin”! And I’m afraid that much of what is purported to be “church” is simply trying to make sinners comfortable in their sin—don’t ever make anyone feel uncomfortable. But my dear friends, the conviction of sin that the Holy Spirit brings, is the only thing that will bring people to the cross. Without the power of God, no one will ever come to the cross, and making sin look good will never bring anyone to the cross!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.

45 It is written in the prophets,

And they shall be all taught of God.

Every man therefore that hath heard,

and hath learned of the Father,

cometh unto me.” John 6:44-45

The church is called to preach the truth and call people to it—not compromise the truth and let people believe they can relish sin while claiming the name of Jesus! Christ’s church isn’t called to be like the world, but to call the world to the cross! It’s the only “Gospel” that saves and transforms lives—and it’s the message that we must cling to! May we ever join with Paul and “preach Christ crucified”—never “selling out” to the world for numbers, popularity, wealth, ease, political correctness or prominence!

“For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom

of the wise,

and will bring to nothing

the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 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.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews

and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness

of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness

of God

is stronger than men.”   1 Corinthians 1:19-25

Preaching the cross of Jesus and “Christ crucified” is the only message that we have—and it has always been seen by the world as a “stumblingblock” and “foolishness”; but we must never abandon the truth for compromise. We must never sell out for signs, wonders, and worldly illusions. We must never believe the deceit of the enemy and fall for the lies that Satan is spreading throughout western Christendom today, that being like the world will win the world!

“But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

13 For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself

is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers

also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:12-15

Satan often deceives people by pretending to be “an angel of light”—and he has no qualms about telling half-truths, which in reality are lies—just plain lies! And his demon assistants and followers do the same. Remember that saying so doesn’t make it so! Jesus Himself told us the same thing as He warned that not everyone who claims to be His really is His!

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many

wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”    Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus reminds us that just ‘saying so’ isn’t enough; we must know Him in salvation, through repentance and faith in the blood that He shed for SIN! Even doing what appears to be “great” things before the world isn’t necessarily proof of belonging to Jesus. Remember the “angel of light”! Satan is busy imitating real believers, and the day is coming when he will even try to imitate the Son of God! We must be sure that we are sharing, preaching and teaching God’s truth as the Bible tells it! Paul warned the Ephesian church that there would be false teachers and leaders from among their own flock. Just being “in” the church doesn’t mean that we “are” the church.

“And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons……………22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there………24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God...…27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves,

and to all the flock,

over the which the Holy Ghost

hath made you overseers,

to feed the church of God,

which he hath purchased

with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing

shall grievous wolves enter in among you,

not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise,

speaking perverse things,

to draw away disciples

after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember…..

32 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.” Portions of Acts 20:17-32

Paul knew, even then, that there were those who were self-motivated in their work, not genuinely following Jesus—and the same is still true today. That is why it is imperative that we know the Word of God, so we can discern truth from deceit! And dear friends, there is a lot of deceit going around today, and so many are being misled and deceived because they don’t know the Word of God! What about you?

Are we more concerned with avoiding conflict and not suffering for our faith, or are we following Jesus with our whole hearts, not selling out to the world, regardless of the cost? Jesus said a lot about the cost of following HIM!

“And he said unto them,

Ye are from beneath;

I am from above:

ye are of this world;

I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore unto you,

that ye shall die in your sins:

for if ye believe not that I am he,

ye shall die in your sins.”    John 8:23-24

And again:

“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.”   John 15:18-19

“These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”   John 16:33

Paul also prepared Timothy for the cost of following Jesus!

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

Jesus prayed for us, and we also need to pray for wisdom and courage to “stand fast in the evil day”—and my friends, we are there. We must be ready to hold on to the truth and not sell out to the world! It’s the difference between life and death. The gospel and its good news are the reason that we have been left in this world.

“I have given them thy word;

and the world hath hated them,

because they are not of the world,

even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them

out of the world,

but that thou shouldest keep them

from the evil.

16 They are not of the world,

even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth:

thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me

into the world,

even so have I also sent them

into the world.”   John 17:14-18

God has only One Way-Jesus! God has only One Message-Jesus and His cross, and it is the message that we must stand on—without apology and without compromise. We must not sell out to the world; we must follow the way that God has laid out, and that is the Gospel. Salvation in Christ alone, by faith alone—transforming grace!

“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…..

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things

of the world to confound the wise;

and God hath chosen the weak things

of the world to confound

the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world,

and things which are despised,

hath God chosen,

yea, and things which are not,

to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:21 & 27-31

Many today don’t want to suffer with or for Jesus, but when we compromise to avoid conflict and opposition, we forget that people were continually in conflict with Jesus, and the religious people of His day were often in 180-degree opposition to HIM! So, will we stand with our Lord, or sell out to the world for the sake of ease? The world is invading the church, and has caused many churches to so conform to the world that there’s more of the world in the church than of the church in the world. Think on these things and we may continue this train of thought later. Blessings on your week as you stand fast, pressing on with our Lord Jesus– knowing and trusting HIM and HIS Word! Sell or stand?

Love In Action??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #414

24 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Jesus Is The Only Way!, Love Is Action, The Only Way, The Word, TODAY

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #414 Love In Action???

 

We hear the word “love,” bantered about on every hand—I love football, I love baseball, I love hotdogs, I love my dog, and the list could go on and on. But what is love really about? Is it just about affection or does it go beyond ‘feelings’? Let’s spend some time together seeking God’s perspective on that question.

“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 loved us and He “gave”! He gave us Jesus, who took on a body of flesh, lived a perfect life on this earth, and gave Himself as a substitutionary (for me), atoning (paying the debt of another), sacrifice (dying for us, so that we could receive eternal life instead of death)! So love gives—gives for the benefit of others.

Paul paints one of the most detailed pictures of what love looks like in 1 Corinthian 13. The old English word ‘charity’ is just another word for ‘love’!

“Charity

suffereth long,

and is kind;

charity

envieth not;

charity

vaunteth not itself,

is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly,

seeketh not her own,

is not easily provoked,

thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity,

but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things,

believeth all things,

hopeth all things,

endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth:”   1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Wow! What a picture. Do we measure our “love” by this standard? Often not, for the western culture defines ‘love’ as having one’s desires met—God’s definition is quite a bit different; God’s standard paints a picture of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others, rather than ‘getting’. When we love as God loves, we will give of ourselves for the good of those whom we love. Love is an action—not just words!

“Hereby perceive we the love of God,

because he laid down his life for us:

and we ought to lay down our lives

for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world’s good,

and seeth his brother have need,

and shutteth up

his bowels of compassion

from him,

how dwelleth the love of God

in him?

18 My little children,

let us not love in word,

neither in tongue;

but in deed

and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18

John calls us to never simply talk about love, but to live out our love in “deed and in truth”! Love is an action not just a feeling, as we live out our love it won’t be simply lip-service but “love” on display! Having the love of God within us, we are to display it toward others—and if we know Jesus, and have been born again, we do have the love of God within us!

“Beloved,

let us love one another:

for love is of God;

and every one that loveth

is born of God,

and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not

knoweth not God;

for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

We can love with God’s love when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, for He imparts to us not only His Spirit but also His love.

“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. …..

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.”    Portions of Romans 5:1-5

May we walk forward in true godly love, speaking and acting with the love of God, which we receive by His Holy Spirit when we are born again? Have a blessed and loving day—today and each day! I pray God’s greatest blessings on your day!

Thanksgiving Joy??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #413

22 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Attitude of Gratitude, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Gratitude, Longsuffering, Patience, Perseverance, Thanksgiving, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #413 Thanksgiving Joy????

 

Tomorrow is the day that we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the US, but we ought to be a thankful people every day! What are you thankful for today? Are you thankful? Have the trials and troubles of life drained your ‘attitude of gratitude’? I hope we can boost our thankfulness quotient today as we prepare for a day of celebration, family, reflection, and hopefully time looking up to the One who gave HIS life for us!

One of my favorite ‘thanksgiving’ passages is a little different than you might expect, yet it is a passage that often weighs heavy on my heart, for I need continual reminding of the heart that I desire to live out before the world. A heart of gratitude toward God—but even more!

“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;

12 Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers

of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:”     Colossians 1:9-12

We are called to give “thanks” unto God our Father, but I don’t want us to miss the way we are to be “giving thanks”! We are called to be thankful with “all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness”! Ouch!!! Now you know why I said earlier that this passage weighs heavy on my heart! Not just because sometimes I forget to keep my attitude of gratitude, but also because God calls us to an even higher plain—God calls His own to be thankful with ‘patience’, ‘longsuffering’, and ‘joyfulness’! Oh my, the “P” word! Yes, patience. As my husband is often heard to say, “I have patience, there are just times I can’t use it!” We all have trials that are sent to help us develop patience—and the two words used here—patience and longsuffering—deal with two different aspects of patience; one deals with our circumstances and the other deals with people. We are called to keep a grateful attitude and spirit with patience in our difficult circumstances, and also to “suffer long” with those people in our lives who are so good at ‘pushing our buttons’! Ouch again! But that’s not all—we are to do all this with “joyfulness”! How?

Well, I’m not claiming to have the answer to that question, but I would like to offer some insight, if I can. We can only be ‘joyful’ in difficulties as we remember that it is God who holds us, God who saves us, God who gave His only Son to die for us, God who sustains our every breath, and HE is trustworthy! When we trust in the God who IS able to sustain us, we can have hope in the midst of turmoil, comfort in the midst of pain, and power to overcome our circumstances and the difficult people we encounter.

“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

Trusting God in our difficulties will build our confidence, and as our confidence grows, we will gain more gratitude and be a testament to it in our every way. James reminds us of the import of looking to God in the good times as well as the difficult—because our God is in charge of both.

“My brethren, count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect

and entire, wanting nothing.”   James 1:2-4

When we trust ourselves to God with patience, longsuffering and joy—we will stand out in a world of discontent and continual manipulation! We have a higher call! Will we answer that call today, and take time to focus on being thankful to God? Remember, it is all from HIM!

“Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down

from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.”     James 1:17

Take some time to count your blessings—they are many!!!

Welcome Home??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 18

19 Sunday Nov 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Be Fruitful And Multiply!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, The Only Way, The Word, Walking With Jesus, Welcome Home

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.18    Welcome Home???

 

We’ve been on the road for the last week or so, and I’m reminded again of the beauty and warmth of ‘home’! But what is home, really? I’d like to share a few thoughts with you today about home, what it means to me, and what I think we need to remember about “home’!

We often have sentimental thoughts about home, and that’s ok, but home is more than sentiment! Home is the entity that God created to help man be all that God created him to be! Home is the incubator of humanity—good or bad!

“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 us to fill the earth with humankind, to rule over all that HE had placed on the earth for them, and the home and family were God’s plan for accomplishing that! And while we have perverted it to the ultimate –God’s plan hasn’t changed. He created man and woman for each other—to fulfill His purposes for all mankind!

“And the LORD God said,

It is not good that the man should be alone;

I will make him an help meet for him.

19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed

every beast of the field,

and every fowl of the air;

and brought them unto Adam

to see what he would call them:

and whatsoever Adam called every living creature,

that was the name thereof.

20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field;

but for Adam there was not found

an help meet

for him.

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib,

which the LORD God had taken

from man,

made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.

23 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.

25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”   Genesis 2:18-25

God created a “home” by bringing together the man and the woman to become one—to be “one” in the image of God. To come together for one another to dispel the loneliness through companionship of husband and wife; Eve was brought to Adam to complete him relationally. And while Adam and Eve were the first, God declared the future principle of every home—that the man should leave and cleave to his wife! God set up the function and perpetuation of the family—the core of every home! The leaving from father and mother and cleaving “unto his wife” was the order for the first man, and God hasn’t changed the rules, regardless of what the world around us is promoting. We must remember that when we belong to Jesus, we march to a different drummer than the world—we follow God. We are to build our earthly homes on the principle of God’s heavenly home!

“10 For he looked for a city

which hath foundations,

whose builder

and maker is God……

13 These all died in faith,

not having received the promises,

but having seen them afar off,

and were persuaded of them,

and embraced them,

and confessed that they were strangers

and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly

that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out,

they might have had opportunity

to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country,

that is,

an heavenly:

wherefore God is not ashamed

to be called

their God:

for he hath prepared for them a city.”   Hebrews 11:10-16

When we follow Jesus, we seek a home—a heavenly home—that is built by God–The eternal “home” maker. But while on earth, we are to live at home with Jesus in our daily lives, regardless of where we are, and live in such a way that others see our holy and pure lives and want to be at home with Jesus too! While we aren’t at “home” here permanently, we are a reflection of the heavenly home—as we reflect the glory of the God who lives within us.

“And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching

and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace

in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and the Father

by him.” Colossians 3:14-17

We are called to let the “word of Christ dwell in you richly” because we are “one body”—just as the husband and wife are to be ‘one’, we are ‘one’ with Jesus Christ in heart and mind and are at “home” with Him in all we do, as He dwells in us “richly”!!! And when we are ‘one’ with Him we can be at “home” anywhere HE leads us! Jesus desires oneness with us, and oneness in our homes! It’s what Jesus prayed for us before He headed to the cross!

“Neither pray I for these alone,

but for them also

which shall believe on me

through their word;

21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father,

art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one

in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory

which thou gavest me

I have given them;

that they may be one,

even as we are one:

23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect

in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.” John 17:20-23

That “the world may know”—that is our job—that is why God adopts us into HIS family! To be a part of HIS eternal, heavenly ‘home’!

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13

We are born again to be “the sons of God”—children of God, born “of God” to be His children before a lost and dying world; to be at ‘home’ here with Jesus within our hearts, showing the world what a real “home” looks like—real oneness—real love—real purpose—real direction—real, genuine relationship. Not a religion but a real home-life relationship! A relationship that the world needs!   And one day we will spend eternity in God’s heavenly home!!!

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:1-6

Jesus came that we might have an abundant life here and eternal life with Him in heaven—at home eternally with our Father God and His Son Jesus!!!

“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

This great and good shepherd came to give HIS life for us! He came that we could have abundant life—at home while He leaves us here and in eternity when our time on earth is up!!!

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit?

or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven,

thou art there:

if I make my bed in hell,

behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,

and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;

even the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness

hideth not from thee;

but the night shineth

as the day:

the darkness and the light

are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins:

thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise thee;

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvellous are thy works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.”    Psalm 139:7-14

Home is where the heart is—for home is who you are with not where you are—there’s no place like home—when your home is with your Savior, who has made you at home where He is—and HE IS everywhere! Always!!!

Just as the Psalmist reminds us—we are ever in HIS presence—and He has us in HIS hand—at Home with Jesus!