Monthly Archives: July 2018

As Daniel Prayed, So Must I!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 25

29 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Thy Will Be Done, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 25 As Daniel Prayed, So Must I!!

 

Wrestling with fatigue becomes a real annoyance at times, yet there is a place that I find strength–and that is in the Lord. You know those days when you think you can’t take one more step and you cry out to “Thou God seest me”!

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

It is The Lord our God—The Almighty—who is my/our strength and my/our sustenance at all times, especially in times of need. It is when I/we get distracted from Him that we find ourselves lacking. So I would like us to spend some time today considering the call of scripture to maintain our nearness to The Lord.

“Hear my cry, O God;

attend unto my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth

will I cry unto thee,

when my heart is overwhelmed:

lead me to the rock

that is higher than I.

3 For thou hast been a shelter

for me,

and a strong tower

from the enemy.

4 I will abide in thy tabernacle

for ever:

I will trust in

the covert of thy wings. Selah.

5 For thou, O God,

hast heard my vows:

thou hast given me the heritage

of those that fear thy name.” Psalm 62:1-5

God is The One in whom we can trust—do you notice all the descriptives of an active relationship here?

“Hear……………. my cry…..

Attend…………. unto my prayer….

When I cry…….lead me to the ROCK…

Thou are ………my shelter….

And………………my strong tower…..

You cover……. me with your wings….

You have ………heard my vows….

YOU have ………given me your heritage—-“

And because of Who our God is: what He has done, what HE is doing, and what HE has promised to do, we can have total confidence in Him—for it’s not dependent on me, but on JESUS!

“If we believe not,

yet he abideth faithful:

he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13

While we are frail flesh and bone—our God reigns supreme—The God who “cannot lie”! Never has—never will!

“In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised before the world began;

3 But hath in due times

manifested his word

through preaching,

which is committed unto me

according to the commandment

of God our Saviour;”   Titus 1:2-3

Our hope must be in God not self! Daniel had that same hope and confidence in his God. While we’ve looked at Daniel a lot in recent weeks, it’s worth examining again, for we can learn so much from this young godly man and his friends.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself… ” Daniel 1:8a

While Daniel had been taken captive and defiled by others, he made a commitment to “not defile himself”, and he displayed that commitment with his walk with and confidence in his GOD!

“Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven

concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish

with the rest

of the wise men

of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed

unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”   Daniel 2:17-19

Daniel was caught in the midst of a dilemma, a life and death dilemma, and his first response was to call his friends together to pray! It seems that for many of us, we often go to God as a last resort, rather than the first, and that is something we all must strive to turn around. When we come to Jesus we are relying upon a restored relationship with The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and like Daniel we have the privilege of going to God’s throne of grace.

“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 

Praise God we can come into His presence with every need and burden of our heart, and the issues of our life. Daniel understood this and when God answered his prayer, he didn’t forget to thank God, but gave us one of the most insightful and intimate pictures of a man’s relationship with his God—a God he knew!

“Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God

for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might

are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep

and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom

and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.” Daniel 2:20-23

When we come to know God it affects not only our own lives, but also the lives of those we encounter each day. God wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him—to be his sons and daughters, restored by salvation to intimacy with Him– that we may reflect His glory to the world; all this because we have peace with God and not enmity through the blood of Jesus.

“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

Our victory is in God, and we can stand fast in HIM, and bring Him glory in every situation—a showcase of HIS glory.

“Whether therefore

ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.

32 Give none offence,

neither to the Jews,

nor to the Gentiles,

nor to the church of God:

33 Even as I please all men

in all things,

not seeking mine own profit,

but the profit of many,

that they may be saved.”   1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Oh, to be as quick to respond rightly as Daniel—to make the commitment to be right with our God in all our life choices. And because we have been restored to a right relationship with God in Jesus, we can walk in confident victory! I just want to leave you some food for thought—some of my favorite passages to ponder as we consider our expression of God’s presence in us. So as we consider Daniel’s practice of the priority of and dependence on God, may we be reminded of the wonder of our salvation and our new relationship with God—remember whose you are, and don’t let the world’s darkness overcome the light that is within you—JESUS–

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”   John 8:12

Spend some time pondering on the beauty of Paul’s message to the Romans.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy

in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”    Romans 5:1-11

Amen and Amen….

We have peace with God—

We have access into HIS grace–

We can stand in that grace—

We can glory in God’s presence in all our life–

In tribulation which grows our patience–

In patience which grows our experience—

In experience which grows our hope–

And living in HIS presence reveals our hope

to a lost and dying world.

All because Jesus came to die for and save the “ungodly” and make them children of God—because “we have now received the atonement” by the blood of Jesus.

“…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”!

Amen and Amen! Draw close into His presence and share your burdens and joys with the One who loves you! May we pursue a “Daniel-like” commitment to our God?

Cleanliness Is ________??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #479

25 Wednesday Jul 2018

Posted by in Cleanliness?, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #479 Cleanliness Is_____???

 

“Wash me throughly

from mine iniquity,

and cleanse me

from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:

and my sin is ever before me……

7 Purge me with hyssop,

and I shall be clean:

wash me,

and I shall be whiter than snow.”  Psalm 51:2-3

While “cleanliness is next to godliness” is not in the scripture, we must have a clean and pure heart before God, yet the irony of it all is that we can’t have a clean heart unless it has been cleansed by faith in the saving work that Jesus accomplished with His blood at Calvary! Only God can cleanse and He will cleanse all who come to Him in repentance and faith.

Jesus spoke to the church at Laodicea with a message of warning (Just being ‘in’ church can’t save, but Jesus can!) and a call to repentance from their self-righteousness, and while He doesn’t use the word “cleanse”, He does call them to “clean up their act” by coming to Him, rather than themselves for salvation! Only when we recognize the fact that we can’t save ourselves will we seek the cleansing, saving power of Jesus, by His saving, atoning sacrifice.

“Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:17-18

The only way to “buy of me”, is through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross—He did it all for you and me.

This is what the prophet Isaiah was talking about long before the Messiah came—Jesus! You can remain in your sin and filth (God says ‘our’ righteousness/goodness is as ‘filthy rags’! Isaiah 64:6) or you can go to Jesus for a spiritual bath?

“Ho, every one that thirsteth,

come ye to the waters,

and he that hath no money;

come ye, buy,

and eat;

yea, come,

buy wine

and milk

without money

and without price.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money

for that which is not bread?

and your labour

for that which satisfieth not?

hearken diligently unto me,

and eat ye that which is good,

and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3 Incline your ear,

and come unto me:

hear,

and your soul shall live;

and I will make an everlasting covenant

with you,

even the sure mercies of David.” Isaiah 55:1-3

And Jesus, the son of David is the sure mercy and cleansing of God—

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me: for he was before me.”

John 1:29-30

Jesus is that “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”—He took it to Calvary and paid the price for our cleansing before God! And when He saves, He cleanses! Even as He told Peter just before the cross:

“Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10 Jesus saith to him,

He that is washed

needeth not save to wash his feet,

but is clean every whit:

and ye are clean,

but not all.”   John 13:10

Are you clean? Jesus knows and He cares!

‘Having Done All To Stand’??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 24

22 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Spiritual Warfare

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 24 ‘Having Done All To Stand’???

 

Paul calls us to recognize the fact that we are at war with the enemy of our souls. As I go from day to day it is absolutely imperative that we recognize that spiritual warfare is real. I just want to take a few minutes today to remind us of the urgency of the hour!

I simply want us to consider Paul’s 6th chapter of the letter to the Ephesian church, and it’s just as important for us as it was for them. May we spend some time to consider our behavior, it does make a difference.

The first three chapters of this letter deal with our faith in Jesus and the confidence that we can have in Jesus, His saving work of salvation and the assurance of our relationship with HIM! Then in chapter four, he switches gears and calls us to live faithfully before God and man!

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye

walk worthy of the vocation

wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness

and meekness,

with longsuffering,

forbearing one another

in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body,

and one Spirit,

even as ye are called

in one hope

of your calling;

5 One Lord,

one faith,

one baptism,

6 One God and Father

of all,

who is above all,

and through all,

and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us

is given grace

according to the measure

of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:1-7

Every born again believer is “given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” to live according to the “the vocation wherewith ye are called”—we are called to serve God and others, not to ‘sit’ down and ‘soak’ up the blessings of God, and fail to fulfill our calling to serve! And what does this service look like? Well, it doesn’t look like arrogant presumption on God’s goodness rather it expresses itself in:

lowliness— not exalting self (Romans 12:3)

meekness—strength in/Spirit’s control (Gal. 5:22-24)

longsuffering—patience toward people (Col. 3:12-13)

forbearing—holding up against opposition (Ro. 3:25)

in love….pursuing unity—oneness (minds set on Jesus not uniformity) (Ephesians 4:13)

Our character, behavior and attitudes ought to reflect our relationship with our life transforming Lord! We are to have the mind of Jesus—the life of a servant!

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ,

if any comfort of love,

if any fellowship of the Spirit,

if any bowels and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy,

that ye be likeminded,

having the same love,

being of one accord,

of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife

or vainglory;

but in lowliness of mind

let each esteem other

better than themselves.

4 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:

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 2:1-8

We are called to serve—as our Lord served—humbly, totally and all to God’s glory, and the salvation of the lost! And when we serve God the enemy of our souls will not be happy—but we will face opposition, the very spiritual warfare that Paul describes in Ephesians 6. Let’s simply spend time this week pondering the meat of his challenge, as we lay out the principles of godly living as put forth in this passage.

“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.

5 Servants,

be obedient to them that are your masters

according to the flesh,

with fear and trembling,

in singleness of your heart,

as unto Christ;

6 Not with eyeservice,

as menpleasers;

but as the servants of Christ,

doing the will of God from the heart;

7 With good will doing service,

as to the Lord,

and not to men:

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing

any man doeth,

the same shall he receive of the Lord,

whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters,

do the same things unto them,

forbearing threatening:

knowing that your Master

also is in heaven;

neither is there respect of persons

with him.

10 Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.    

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 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;

16 Above all,

taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:1-18

We must have our confidence and focus on The Lord no matter the circumstance—dressed in our armor—

Truth—Jesus is ‘the way—the truth—the life’—

John 14:6

Righteousness—His righteousness applied us—

2 Corinthians 5:21

Gospel of peace—Peace with God and peace of God—

Romans 5:1-2+; Philippians 4:6-7

Faith—Confidence that Jesus is the only way—

Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Salvation—The mind of Christ indwelling us–

Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-10

Word of God—Jesus the living Word and written Word—

John 1:1-5; Proverbs 30:5

Praying always—Keeping the line open with our God—

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

May you find confidence and reassurance in the power of the cross and The Lord who gave His life for you, not just His death, but His resurrection power, which sustains us in all things, times and circumstances?

“Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection, and the life:

he that believeth in me, though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?” John 11:25-26

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Devotion Or Distraction??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #478

20 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Holiness, Holy, Holy Spirit

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #478 Devotion Or Distraction???

 

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks,

so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God,

for the living God:

when shall I come and appear before God?”    Psalm 42:1-2

This Psalm has been on my heart and mind all week, and I just wanted to share a few thoughts about it with you today. We live in a busy world—a world that not only distracts us to wicked things, but a world that distracts us in more subtle ways as well. I just can’t seem to escape the thought that I am so easily distracted from God and the things that are pleasing to Him, and as it says we will all “appear before God” and the truth will prevail. (Read Hebrews 4:12-13)

We live in a world that is changing the moorings and leading people away from God by making Him unimportant and minimalizing the things and standards of God. There was a time when black and white were just that, yet now things are being blended together into a mishmash of unidentifiable gray. What truly saddens me is that so many are becoming blinded to the “wiles of the devil”. Things that were once recognized as ‘sin’ are now accepted, and of course “who are we to judge?” Well, to put it simply, I am a child of God, born “of His Spirit, washed in His blood” (From Blessed Assurance, by Fanny J. Crosby) and I believe what HIS Word says and that it IS truth! I am gratefully bound by love and devotion to heed, obey and share it! (And by share I don’t mean beat people over the head with my Bible, but I do mean we are to live out our faith in word and deed continually, without fear or compromise with grace and love.)

I won’t make a list of “do’s and don’ts” but I will mention a few things that we need to be cautious of, and the first is taking Jesus and faith in Him as another distraction of life, rather than devoting ourselves to Him! The Psalmist said that he longed after God as the “deer panteth for the water” (hart is a deer)—and believe me living in Oklahoma with sweltering heat waves, makes ‘panting’ after water a reality. In fact there is no life without water (and Jesus is the water of life!), yet many who claim the name of Jesus, live their lives without any regard for His Word or His ways. God calls His own to live in the power of His Spirit—in holiness.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves according

to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you

is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth

according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here

in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver

and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb

without blemish

and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:13-19

When we belong to Jesus, we receive His Holy Spirit to dwell within us and empower us to live a holy life in HIS power! Yet we settle for pantheistic practices, immoral compromise, language straight from the gutters, and pleasures that drive us to do things that are less than pleasing to our Lord. We have simply added Jesus to our list of options, rather than honoring and following Him as the Lord and love of our lives. Jesus, who gave His blood for our life and salvation—I desire to please and draw near to Him rather than the world, yet sometimes it’s so hard to cling to Him when my hands are so full of distractions, but the choice is ours to make!

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction

with the people of God,

than to enjoy the pleasures of sin

for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ

greater riches

than the treasures in Egypt:

for he had respect

unto the recompence of the reward.”   Hebrews 11:24-26

How? By “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”!!! Hebrews 12:2a

Amen and Amen!

Hummingbird Theology??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 23

15 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Hummingbird Theology?, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, What's In Your Heart?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 23 Hummingbird Theology???

 

I love to watch the birds outside of my window. I have a birdseed feeder and a hummingbird feeder, and I love watching the birds that God created and enjoying their beauty, and learning from them. The hummingbirds fascinate me; they come again and again and take as much as they need and then return for more, as they need it. Sometimes they feed at one tap and leave, and other times a hummingbird will go to every tap on the feeder at one time. As I was watching them this morning, I couldn’t help but think about our spiritual life like the birds and the feeder. Whose feeder are we feasting at?

“Wherefore laying aside

all malice,

and all guile,

and hypocrisies,

and envies,

and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word,

that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted

that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming,

as unto a living stone,

disallowed indeed of men,

but chosen of God,

and precious,

5 Ye also,

as lively stones,

are built up

a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood,

to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”   1 Peter 2:1-5

If you notice, this passage begins with a “Wherefore”, which means we always ask ‘What’s it there for?’ (Any time the verse starts with a ‘therefore’ or a ‘wherefore’). Well, it simply means that we need to look back to see what was said earlier—so let’s do just that.

“Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

which liveth

and abideth for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass,

and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.

The grass withereth,

and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord

endureth for ever.

And this is the word

which by the gospel

is preached unto you.”    1 Peter 1:23-25

We can grow in the Lord when we feast on “the sincere milk of the word”, and to do that we must spend time in The Word—just like that hummingbird—we must keep going back for the sustenance of life—The Word of God, which brings growth because it is the “word of the Lord” and it “liveth and abideth for ever”! Just like the new birth that Jesus imparts to us when we are born again “of God”! God’s Word is truth always, and it will help us to discern between truth and lies! And it is the standard of God’s judgment along with the blood of Jesus! (And remember that Jesus not only inspired the written Word, HE IS THE LIVING WORD!)

For the word of God is

quick, (alive)

and powerful, 

and sharper than any twoedged sword, 

piercing even to the dividing asunder 

of soul and spirit, 

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner 

of the thoughts 

and intents 

of the heart. 

13 Neither is there any creature 

that is not manifest 

in his sight: 

but all things 

are naked 

and opened 

unto the eyes of him 

with whom we have to do.“    Hebrews 4:12-13

God’s Word encourages us by discernment and bringing truth to light! It’s not just the judgment of God –which it includes—but it also leads us to Jesus, the Lord of Calvary for “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”! Our part is to respond in faith not only to the Gospel for salvation, but also to The Word of God and it’s ability to help us grow in grace and truth as we feast on it continually—just like that little hummingbird, he isn’t very big, but he gets the job done!

“Study

to shew thyself

approved unto God,

a workman

that needeth not

to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”   2 Timothy 2:15

Paul goes on to instruct his young charge, Timothy, even further to rely on the value of God’s Word.

“And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation

through faith

which is in Christ Jesus.

16 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,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”    2 Timothy 3:15-17

How valuable to us to know that God’s Word is what we need; and while there are those who question and even deny the veracity of The Bible, we can stand fast “in the evil day” knowing that The Word of God is God’s love letter to His children—those who are born again—as well as the conduit of God’s Spirit working in our world to bring people to the cross! It truly is “the word of the Lord” and it surely “endureth for ever”! “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Doxology by Thomas Ken), and I’ll praise Him forever for His Word, and the best way to praise Him for His Word is to read and study it faithfully, continually and purposefully!

Remembering that God’s Word is:

Profitable for—not in $ but in truth and character—

 Doctrine—truth for living—

 Reproof—showing us what is wrong—

 Correction—making the wrong right—

Instruction in Righteousness—prevention!

God’s Word helps us be all that God created us to be, and I love what Job says; it is something that I pray will ever be the desire of my heart. How about you?

“But he knoweth the way that I take:

when he hath tried me,

I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot hath held

his steps,

his way

have I kept, and not declined.

12 Neither have I gone back

from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words

of his mouth

more than my necessary food.”    Job 23:10-12

As we desire and feast on His Word, may the words of the Psalmist reverberate in our hearts—as we put The Word “in mine heart”!

“Thy word have I hid

in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O LORD:

teach me thy statutes.”   Psalm 119:11-12

As we hide God’s Word “in mine heart”, I believe the Psalmist would relate to a common adage we hear today (based on this very principle), “The Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from The Word!” The choice is yours and mine, yet it is a continual battle (as Paul talks about in Ephesians 6:10+) to maintain our focus on Jesus and His Word, but it is more than worth the effort. As I’ve been accused of in the past, “You only have one song!” —And may it ever be said of me that I only sing HIS song, for it’s Jesus and His cross, the only way to God and true life!

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony

of God.

2 For I determined

not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 

It’s all about Jesus, and I pray that you will join me in committing to draw near to Him continually. May we single-mindedly pursue Christ Jesus in all our ways. How? By keeping our eyes on HIM!!!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

And while Jesus is truly the “only way” to God for salvation, He is also the “only way” that we can live the victorious Christian life! He came that we might have abundant and victorious life in this world as well as the next!

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Jesus said it best:

“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 10:10-11

“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

Remember the hummingbird—and stay at God’s feeder—The Word of God!!!

Amen and Amen!