Monthly Archives: March 2018

What’s Good About Friday??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #449

30 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Cross, He IS Alive!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Knowing God's Word, Love, No Sin No Need?, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, Transformed life

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #449 What’s Good About Friday???

 

“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him,

Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which?

Jesus said,

Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him,

If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.”   Matthew 19:16-23

We can choose to pursue religious activity, self-righteous works, and impressive philanthropy, but if we haven’t been born again into a personal relationship with Jesus, we will find ourselves just like the young man that Jesus encountered above. This young man was eager to meet Jesus, and he asked the right question, but he didn’t really want the answer that Jesus gave. Why? We’re not told his motives, but for our purposes today, I’d simply like to say that it appears that he was like many today; he simply came to be praised by Jesus for his “already righteous” life! It wasn’t that he was simply “rich”, but that he was self-righteous in his wealth—knowing something was missing in his life, but unwilling to give up “self” for the “Saviour”!

Paul reminds us that unless we come to Jesus as sinners in need of a Savior, we are seeking the wrong things, and they will disappoint every time. We can have religious interest but miss the relational intimacy that Jesus alone can give, when we come to Him in repentance and faith. I love the book of Romans and in the first three chapters Paul paints an amazing picture of the need for a Savior—and only Jesus fits that bill. He talks about the blatantly open sinners in chapter 1, the self-righteous sinners in chapter 2, and then reminds us that while the gospel is ‘good all the time’—“all have sinned”, in chapter 3!

“As it is written,   

There is none righteous,

no,

not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no,

not one.”   Romans 3:10-12

And that my friends is why Friday is good! That’s why any day is good when you belong to Jesus—for HE IS the One who can make sinners into saints (Not perfect people, but redeemed and transformed people!), and that is “Good News” any and every day, for all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sinners! And then we can join with Paul in the amazing declaration of his devotion to the Gospel of Jesus:

“For I am not ashamed

of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God

unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness

of God

revealed

from faith

to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”   Romans 1:16-17

And while the gospel is “good news” on any day, on this special day when many focus on the crucifixion of Jesus, we know that this One, who was, is and ever shall be “God” in flesh, willingly lay down His life for our sins—when He had no sin to pay for of His own. He came that we could have life IN HIM!

“For he hath made him to be sin

for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness

of God

in him.”   2 Corinthians 5:21

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus

the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 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 4:14-16

And because this sinless Son of God gave His life for our salvation—we can rejoice every day!!!

And while Friday is ‘good’—

Sunday IS coming—

HE AROSE!  

HE IS ALIVE!

AND HE IS COMING AGAIN!

Amen and Amen!!! May The Lord God Almighty bless you and yours as you seek His face today and each day!

Thoughts On The Cross!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #448

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Cross, Glory

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #448 Thoughts On The Cross!!!

 

I would like to share a few thoughts for us to ponder this mid-week before Resurrection Sunday—celebrating the victory that our Lord and Savior won at Calvary. For while the cross is where He shed His precious blood for you and me—the empty tomb is still empty—proclaiming HIS victory over sin, death and hell. HE IS ALIVE!!! And that my friend IS our hope, our joy, our confidence, and our reason for celebration! But let’s be sure we are celebrating in ‘spirit and in truth’!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery

to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

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

And that my friends is the power of the Gospel!! And Paul calls us to practice the same mindset of our Lord.

Not seeking fame or “reputation”—

Humbling ourselves before God and man—

Being obedient in our living until our death—

Dying to self that God might be seen in us!

So as you go about the rest of your week, whatever you are facing or dealing with, be sure and keep your eyes on Jesus! It’s not about ‘eggs’ and ‘bunnies’—it’s about the Son of God who gave it all for “the world”!

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”                 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Regardless of what the world or even popular Christian culture says, sin is the issue and Jesus Christ–crucified, buried and raised “for our sins” IS the only salvation!!!

So my friends may we “think on these things” and be:

Humbly grateful that HE died for me–

Sincerely reflective about my being dead to self and alive in, through, for and to HIM—

Rejoicing in HIS resurrection power that manifested HIS power and victory over sin, death and hell—

For all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith!

Amen and Amen!

Commitment Or Convenience??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 09

25 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Holy Spirit, Perseverance, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Wait on the Lord

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 09 Commitment Or Convenience???

 

We live in a world of rushing, pressure and stress, and often we get so caught up in the “hurry” of the minute that we forget that there are things that we are to set as priorities in keeping our commitments to God and others. But we often say, “I’m in a hurry!” And hurried we are, but have we allowed ‘hurry’ to excuse convenience over commitment? Let’s take a glimpse at a couple of people who show us that the hurried decision isn’t necessarily the right decision!

Let’s start with Abraham (Also known as Abram). Abram had been called by God to leave his country and his people to go to a place that God had for him. Abraham started on a journey of the “unknown” by faith, but a faith that wasn’t the faith that he would come to have. When we read of Abram starting in chapter 12 we find him called by God—and it is always God who initiates our relationship to Him—it was then and it is now. Salvation is never our idea, but God’s!

“Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

44 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.”    John 6:43-44

It’s the convicting work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to God, and keeps us when we come to Jesus in repentance and faith! That’s why the author of the book of Hebrews describes Jesus in the way that he does:

“Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

  endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:2

God by HIS Spirit convicts and calls us to the cross, and then leads us by the power of Jesus’ cross!

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come

unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him

unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:” John 16:7-8

We must understand that God’s work is done by God, and God alone. Only God can bring a sinner to see his sin, and cover that sin with the blood of His “only begotten Son”! We don’t receive salvation at our discretion but at the call of God. But back to Abraham’s call—he was called of God and came to be a believer in the coming Messiah (which is how anyone is saved—by believing in Jesus’ work of atonement for our sin, by His death, burial and resurrection for our sin—whether Old or New Testament believers! They in believing it was coming, us in believing in its accomplishment!)

“And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

6 And he believed in the LORD;

and he counted it to him

for righteousness.

7 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.”   Genesis 15:5-7

Paul helps us to understand that salvation was, is and always will be by grace through faith!!!

“For what saith the scripture?

Abraham believed God,

and it was counted unto him

for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh

is the reward not reckoned of grace,

but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not,

but believeth

on him that justifieth the ungodly,

his faith is counted

for righteousness.”    Romans 4:3-5

“Even as Abraham believed God,

and it was accounted to him

for righteousness.

7 Know ye therefore that

they which are of faith,

the same are the children of Abraham.

8 And the scripture,

foreseeing that God would justify

the heathen

through faith,

preached before

the gospel unto Abraham,

saying,

In thee shall all nations

be blessed.” Galatians 3:6-8

It is by faith that we are God’s, and by faith we walk with HIM—Jesus is that blessing, The Savior! But faith isn’t perfect, and even Abraham had a major faith failure simply because he was “in a hurry” and he and Sarah decided that God needed “help” in bringing His promises to fulfillment. This man who received the promise of God that The Messiah would come through his descendants! But like us, Abraham got into that “I’m in a hurry!” mode!

“Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram,

Behold now,

the LORD hath restrained me

from bearing:

I pray thee,

go in unto my maid;

it may be that

I may obtain children

by her.

And Abram hearkened

to the voice of Sarai.” Genesis 16:1-2

Abraham “hearkened to the voice” of his wife, instead of waiting on God’s provision of that ‘child of promise’; yet even in his failure God still had a divine purpose for Abraham and a time for this ‘child of promise’!

“And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo,

Sarah thy wife shall have a son.

And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age;

and it ceased to be with Sarah

after the manner of women.

12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying,

After I am waxed old

shall I have pleasure, 

my lord being old also? 

13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying,

Shall I of a surety bear a child,

which am old?

14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

At the time appointed

I will return unto thee,

according to the time of life,

and Sarah shall have a son.”   Genesis 18:10-14

Did you get that? “At the time appointed” God said that HE would return to perform HIS promise, and Sarah would bear a son at 90 years old, fathered by a man 100 years old. And God kept His Word! I find it most interesting that the book of Hebrews, once again, confirms what God promised and fulfilled—beyond the boundary of human ability (The ability to conceive and bear a child after the “child-bearing” years have passed, as well as a man’s ability to father a child!) And even as God asked Abraham, He asks us today, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” Yet so often, our answer is, “But Lord, I’m in a hurry?

“Through faith also

Sara herself received strength

to conceive seed,

and was delivered of a child

when she was past age,

because she judged him faithful

who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one,

and him as good as dead,

so many as the stars of the sky

in multitude,

and as the sand which is by the

sea shore innumerable.”    Hebrews 11:11-12

And one thing we need to remember in these volatile days is that we are still reaping the results of Abraham’s “hurried” decision! And when we hurry and go for convenience rather than commitment and devoted “faith” we too will have consequences—some small and some with generational effects! We could go on with our study of Abraham, but there is another man in scripture that I want us to look at today, for while Abraham rushed in and didn’t walk by faith, this other man let “hurry” push him to the point of destroying his own life, testimony and heritage. What about you and I, what are we doing when we get in a “hurry”? Are we waiting on God or rushing in “where angels fear to tread”? Are we more concerned with our own fleshly convenience? Or are we waiting on God to work out HIS will in our lives, in HIS time? Oh, I’ve just got to tell you, this is much easier to write than to practice, especially as we are seeing the need to apply this every day going through a major move in our lives—but the principle is true no matter the test!

Let’s take a look at the first King of Israel, Saul.

“Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?” 1 Samuel 10:1

Saul was anointed King of Israel, and went forth to serve God and lead the nation of Israel. Yet he faltered rather quickly, and while we will only consider one instance of his “faith failure” in this article, you can read of the compromise that he continued to exhibit as he went forward, giving more import to convenience rather than commitment to “wait on the Lord”! (You can read about another instance in 1 Samuel 15!) Oh that we would learn to trust to HIS timing in all our ways! That is my prayer for each of us!

“When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. 7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

8 And he tarried seven days,

according to the set time

that Samuel had appointed:

but Samuel came not to Gilgal;

and the people were scattered from him.

9 And Saul said,

Bring hither a burnt offering

to me,

and peace offerings.

And he offered the burnt offering.

10 And it came to pass,

that as soon as he had made an end

of offering the burnt offering,

behold, Samuel came;

and Saul went out to meet him,

that he might salute him.

11 And Samuel said,

What hast thou done?

And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me,

and that thou camest not

within the days appointed,

and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal,

and I have not made supplication

unto the LORD:

I forced myself therefore,

and offered a burnt offering.

13 And Samuel said to Saul,

Thou hast done foolishly:

thou hast not kept the commandment

of the LORD thy God,

which he commanded thee:

for now would the LORD have

established thy kingdom

upon Israel

for ever.

14 But now thy kingdom

shall not continue:

the LORD hath sought him a man

after his own heart,

and the LORD hath commanded him

to be captain over his people,

because thou hast not kept

that which the LORD

commanded thee.”   1 Samuel 13:6-14

Presumption and what seemed to be the convenient thing brought an end to a dynasty that Saul could have had, all because of his presumption and “I can’t wait!” attitude. Hurry can do that! When we choose convenience over obedience it will never end well. And just a portion about another ‘bad choice’ of Saul’s, may help us understand the import that God places on obedience and commitment to Him—regardless of timing or convenience!

“And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings

and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice

of the LORD?

Behold, to obey

is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken

than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity

and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected

the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee

from being king.

24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.

26 And Samuel said unto Saul,

I will not return with thee:

for thou hast rejected

the word of the LORD,

and the LORD hath rejected

thee

from being king over Israel.”    1 Samuel 15:22-26

What are you afraid of? Will you choose commitment or convenience? The choice is yours! Don’t miss HIS voice!!!

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man…..”

Friday Blessings!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #447

23 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Attitude of Gratitude, Choose You This Day!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #447 Friday Blessings!!!

 

Just a brief word of encouragement for this Friday!!! It seems that we often miss the other 6 days of the week waiting for Friday—or any thing that is in the future—and don’t live in the moment–today.

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

This: “to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., referring to the one nearer in place, time or thought..”! The Psalmist reminds us that ‘today’ is “this” day, and we are to live in it; to “rejoice and be glad in it”; the “day which the LORD hath made”, and given to us to live. For:

“….in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being;…..”   Acts 17:28a

Today is a gift from God, yet we get so busy worrying about yesterday and grasping mindlessly for tomorrow, that we often miss the opportunities that today presents; the opportunities to love God, to serve Him, to minister His grace, love and joy to those around me/us. I know that I often get so distracted that I seemingly wake up in the middle of something and ask myself, “Where have you been?” For I’ve certainly been in “this” place but totally somewhere else in mind and spirit.

May God help me/us to see “today” as the wonderful gift that it is—for today is all we have!!! As an old song says, “yesterday’s gone…..and tomorrow may never be mine” (One Day At A Time, by Damon Albarn, Robert Delnaja), and we ought to treasure the gift that God has given us–today!

Jesus Himself reminds us that we are to focus on God’s provision for today, as well as His direction and work for us.

“Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.” Matthew 6:10-11

While scripture also calls us to be prepared for life and eventualities, we are to focus on God’s face today—whether we have a little or a lot—it’s His gift to us, and we can only use it “today”! Seeking HIs will, His purposes and His kingdom singlemindedly —

“Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done”

So, what is your focus for today? Is it just “Friday”? Or are you ready to “rejoice and be glad in” today, not missing any opportunity that God may place in your/my path on this Friday? May we ever pursue the mind and heart of Jesus as we walk the dusty roads of life—today—every day?

“In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them,

I have meat to eat

that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them,

My meat

is to do the will of him

that sent me,

and to finish his work.

35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:31-35 Amen!

Skipping Rocks??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #446

21 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Compromise, For Such A Time As This

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #446 Skipping Rocks???

 

As a child I never could “skip rocks” like other kids did. I never could get the knack of throwing those rocks across the top of the water so that they would skip/hop across the water, making rings of ripples as it went. While I couldn’t skip rocks, we do all make ripples! And that’s what I want us to consider this morning. Our actions are like those rocks that children (and even adults who can do it) throw across the surface of the puddle, pond, or lake—for you see it doesn’t matter how big or small the body of water is, when you set the ripples to rolling, they continue on across the way; and our actions have the same potential in cause and effect! As an old adage says, “Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, it will keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and it will cost you more than you wanted to pay!” And friends our choices in life can cause ripples for good or harm—choices for right and truth, or choices to sin.

Our choices are like investments, sometimes they reap good benefits, and sometimes they cost us dearly! Jesus told us that our direction of investment would determine the yield.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures

upon earth,

where moth

and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures

in heaven,

where neither moth

nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”   Matthew 6:19-21

Our choices will be motivated from either earthly desires or heavenly ones, so we must direct our hearts toward heaven? We must keep our heart and mind set on Jesus. We must lay aside the things of the flesh and the world and cling to HIM! We must walk in His power by yielding to HIS Spirit and not our greedy, lustful flesh. We can learn what that looks like from Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh……..

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”    Portions of Galatians 5:16-25

We have a choice as to how we ‘throw our rocks’! As I am often want to say, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so”! Knowing Jesus and belonging to Him is a matter of a new heart, not just ‘saying’ you “love Jesus” while living like the world. Paul describes a life that is walking “in the Spirit” in another portion of this same letter—a reminder that we all need!

“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.”Gal. 2:20

Being “crucified with Christ” means that I die to “me” and live to “Jesus”—by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, which is the wonder and beauty of the New Covenant into which Christ births those who believe! Dead sinners, being made “alive” in Jesus — HIS life within me!

“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,

but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known

what is the riches of the glory

of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:26-27 

The presence of Jesus within me—enabling me to spread ripples of His love, joy and peace and all of the “fruit of the Spirit”!!! So as the television ad asks, “what’s in your wallet?” my question for us is “what’s in your heart?” Are your ripples leading others to the cross or the world; are you full of His Spirit or fleshly lusts? Are we spreading the truth of the gospel, or the lies of the enemy? Questions that only you can answer, all worth pondering today; for our ripples can’t be brought back—once they are set in motion and we can’t control where they go! Are you ‘saying’ or ‘being’?

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 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.” Matthew 7:20-21

Only by HIS saving blood, for “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:5