Monthly Archives: January 2019

Blessings On Your Day!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #524

18 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Iron Sharpens Iron

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #524   Blessings On Your Day!!!

 

Just a brief word this morning to encourage us all as we press on with and for Jesus. I pray that we will always find ourselves being that “iron sharpening iron” to strengthen and help one another on our journey with Jesus!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth the countenance

of his friend.

18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree

shall eat the fruit thereof:

so he that waiteth on his master

shall be honoured.

19 As in water face answereth to face,

so the heart of man to man.”    Proverbs 27:17-19

While Proverbs is written as “tidbits” of wisdom, and they don’t always come in order, these three verses seemed to flow, so I’ve shared all three.

I love the picture of iron sharpening iron—the thought that sometimes when we need sharpening it comes through conflict! When you sharpen something, two pieces of metal must encounter each other, and that’s sometimes painful. I know I have needed the sharpening of a friend sometimes, but sometimes God has used those who weren’t my friends, to show me my shortcomings and/or sin; and while that is painful and totally humbling—it is a necessary part of our spiritual growth and maturing in our walk of faith and obedience.

We also see a picture of horticulture—tending to the living things and then sharing in the joy and delight of seeing them grow—in the earth as well as in the lives that we are able to influence to growth, fruitful service, and joy—all done in faithful service to our Master and Lord!

And in closing we have the privilege of serving The Lord and each other as if we are looking in the water and seeing our reflection. In talking about this very thing, James reminds us that we must keep our eyes on Jesus without forgetting what He has shown us, but receiving and heeding His Word with an earnest desire to be “doers of the word”.

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face

in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh

into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed

in his deed.” James 1:22-25

May we strive today to live and walk in His Word and be that iron sharpening—helping others, and receiving the sharpening that God sends to us! Amen and Amen!

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”   Psalm 119:133

What’s Defiling Me??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #523

16 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Purity

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #523   What’s Defiling Me???

 

We live in a quickly changing world, and for the most part, the changes aren’t good; and for believers, Jesus followers, it is becoming more and more challenging to “stand fast in the evil day”! I’d like to share just a few things this morning to remind us to “stand fast”—to hold on—to be a reflection of God’s glory to this lost and dying world. We’re not the first ones to face difficulty and we won’t be the last—but let’s look at two contrasting accounts.

“But Daniel

purposed in his heart

that he would not defile

himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”   Daniel 1:8

Briefly put, Daniel was in captivity to the Babylonians and was in a situation where he had to choose faithfulness to his God or compromise of his convictions in a pagan environment. Yet even in his dilemma, Daniel not only chose God’s way, but he responded with respect and decorum in seeking a way to remain faithful to his God. Understand that Daniel had most likely already been physically ‘defiled’, yet he chose to “not defile himself”, and God honored his commitment to integrity!

“And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them,

he found them ten times better

than all the magicians

and astrologers

that were in all his realm.

21 And Daniel continued

even unto the first year of king Cyrus.”   Daniel 1:20-21

God provided for Daniel and his friends—a way around their dilemma, and made them stand out in a pagan world as men of excellence, all because they chose to “not defile” themselves! What are we choosing to compromise in our lives? Will we choose to be like Daniel or will we wind up like Lot?

Lot was a man who was following God, yet he chose to place “himself” in a wicked and depraved environment and took no stand for God—even though he didn’t participate in their sin, he took no visible stand against it until it was too late. We must make choices every day, but we must remember that for every choice that we’re free to make, there is an equal and opposite consequence which we are not free to choose!

When the time of judgment came to Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot had no credibility to his family. All but his two daughters perished in the judgment of God, because Lot had failed to choose wisely!

“And Lot went out,

and spake unto his sons in law,

which married his daughters,

and said,

Up,

get you out of this place;

for the LORD will destroy this city.

But he seemed as one that mocked

unto his sons in law.”  Genesis 19:14

God gives the closing commentaries on Lot, what will God say about our choices? What will our loved ones face because we didn’t’ “stand fast in the evil day”?

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah

into ashes

condemned them with an overthrow,

making them an ensample

unto those that after

should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot,

vexed with the filthy conversation

of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man

dwelling among them,

in seeing and hearing,

vexed his righteous soul

from day to day

with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver

the godly out of temptations,

and to reserve the unjust

unto the day of judgment

to be punished:”   2 Peter 2:6-9

I pray that this will be food-for-thought, and that we will all examine our lives in light of God’s Word to see if we are defiling ourselves with “the filthy conversation of the wicked”. Our life choices have a more far-reaching effect than we realize. May we be found faithful before our God as well as the world around us? What’s defiling you and me? Let’s seek God’s ways not man’s! Amen and Amen!

“Woe unto them that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21

Justice Or ‘Just-Ice’??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 22

13 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Just Jesus!, Justice, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.22 Justice or ‘Just-Ice’???

 

Justice:   –the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness,

or moral rightness…

–rightfulness or lawfulness…justness or ground of reason….

–the moral principle determining just conduct.

Simply put, justice is the recognition of, and the ability to choose to do right! For many today that is a fluid thing, it changes from day to day, and from situation to situation; in other words what’s ‘just’ today may not be ‘just’ tomorrow; or what’s ‘just’ for ‘me’ may not be ‘just’ for ‘you’! Praise God “from whom all blessings flow”, that HE is just, and true and right in all things, yet His justice is tempered with mercy, grace and the offer of salvation through “His only begotten Son” so that “whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life”! Grace and mercy offered to all who will believe in and receive Jesus, rather than the just judgment of God Almighty in “that day”!

For that I am most grateful—for, as the song says, “I once was lost, but now am found”—to be found “in Him” saved, and delivered, not left on my own with a defense that could never save me from the penalty or power of sin.

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;”    Romans 3:23-25

We have all sinned—but we can become sinners saved by His grace if we will but repent and believe in HIS saving work in us—it’s why HE came.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”   Matthew 1:21

He came that we might have life instead of death.

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit

unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.”

All because Jesus paid our debt:

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Romans 6:22-23

Oh, what glory to be born again by HIS Spirit and be made the children—sons and daughters—of God, by HIS work not our own.

“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

Oh, how glorious to know that I am HIS child, all because “God so loved”! But what we often forget is that when God saves us and imparts His Spirit to dwell within us we are to exercise real “justice” by the power of Jesus; and not just give “just” ‘ice” (from a cold heart, to give a cold shoulder) to others whom God brings into our lives. How often do we miss (or just ignore and overlook) opportunities to “be” Jesus to someone in need? God gave Isaiah a heavy word in this regard to Israel many years ago—but it’s a message that I believe we would do good to heed. How many of us have accepted the standard of the world rather than the standard of our Lord and Savior, Jesus and our Father God?

Have we read The Word, but failed to put it into practice? Have we studied and let God put that very Word in our hearts, or have we “played church” when we ought to “be the church” to a lost and dying world. I truly believe that when we approach The Word with a heart to ‘see what it says, understand what it means in its context, and apply what it means to “MY” life’, that we will experience the true “joy of the Lord” being “our strength”!

“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 3:15-16

Saved to do His service and be HIS hands and feet to a lost and dying world. Yes saved by grace “through faith”—yet saved to serve God and others.

“For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”   Ephesians 2:10

As I said—as God said—we are saved to serve, and our service, when done in the power of His Spirit and not our flesh will draw others to our Lord. But when we just ‘go through the motions’ to please ourselves or others, that is not service unto God, but is self-righteous idolatry—unto the idol of ‘self’, popularity, power, position, or whatever you want to put in the blank. Let’s consider what God said through Isaiah. It’s a lengthy passage, but one worthy of our time and consideration. (If you want a really in-depth look at this idea of ‘self-focused’ leaders and what God thinks of them read and study Ezekiel 34.)

“Cry aloud,

spare not,

lift up thy voice like a trumpet,

and shew my people

their transgression,

and the house of Jacob

their sins.

2 Yet they seek me daily,

and delight to know my ways,

as a nation that did righteousness,

and forsook not the ordinance of their God:

they ask of me the ordinances of justice;

they take delight in approaching to God.

3 Wherefore have we fasted,

say they,

and thou seest not?

wherefore have we afflicted our soul,

and thou takest no knowledge?

Behold,

in the day of your fast

ye find pleasure,

and exact all your labours.

4 Behold,

ye fast for strife

and debate,

and to smite with the fist

of wickedness:

ye shall not fast as ye do this day,

to make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen?

a day for a man to afflict his soul?

is it to bow down his head

as a bulrush,

and to spread sackcloth and ashes

under him?

wilt thou call this a fast,

and an acceptable day to the LORD?

6 Is not this the fast

that I have chosen?

to loose the bands of wickedness,

to undo the heavy burdens,

and to let the oppressed go free,

and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not

to deal thy bread to the hungry,

and that thou bring the poor

that are cast out

to thy house?

when thou seest the naked,

that thou cover him;

and that thou hide not thyself

from thine own flesh?

8 Then shall thy light break forth

as the morning,

and thine health shall spring forth

speedily:

and thy righteousness shall

go before thee;

the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

9 Then shalt thou call,

and the LORD shall answer;

thou shalt cry,

and he shall say, Here I am.

If thou take away from the midst of thee

the yoke,

the putting forth of the finger,

and speaking vanity;

10 And if thou draw out thy soul

to the hungry,

and satisfy the afflicted soul;

then shall thy light rise

in obscurity,

and thy darkness

be as the noonday:

11 And the LORD shall guide thee

continually,

and satisfy thy soul

in drought,

and make fat

thy bones:

and thou shalt be

like a watered garden,

and like

a spring of water,

whose waters fail not.”   Isaiah 58:1-11

God describes for us here a life of service, empowered by HIS grace, His love and His Son’s blood-bought salvation, which we receive by grace through faith! Jesus not only showed us what it looks like, but His blood cleanses us and equips us for HIS service and HIS glory.

“And he said unto them,

The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship

over them;

and they that exercise authority

upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so:

but he that is greatest among you,

let him be as the younger;

and he that is chief,

as he that doth serve.

27 For whether is greater,

he that sitteth at meat,

or he that serveth?

is not he that sitteth at meat?

but I am among you as he that serveth.”   Luke 22:25-27

Jesus made it clear that we are to serve, one another as believers, and the world as we have opportunity. Paul also gives us a clear picture of our place as servants of the King who came and ‘served’ us—giving Himself “a ransom for many”!

“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

We can do God’s work of service—and walk in justice and truth from a heart of God’s love; instead of being “just” “ice” and giving the world a cold shoulder as they go “to hell in a hand-basket”! We can do because we have Jesus!

“To the praise

of the glory

of his grace,

wherein he hath made us

accepted in the beloved.”    Ephesians 1:6

Accepted in HIM, to be a living sacrifice to God!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Being full of God’s Spirit unto HIS glory—becoming more and more like Jesus as we let HIS Word shine through us—“approved unto God”.

“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

So may we each pursue “justice” in all our ways—God’s justice, mercy and truth found IN Jesus, for HE is God’s truth!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

Doing HIS Work HIS Way!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #522

11 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Growing in Jesus!, I Can Do All Things?, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Look UP, Roaring Lion, The Love of God, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #522   Doing HIS Work HIS Way!!!

 

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

Just a bit of encouragement this morning to finish out our week looking up—and not around. As I often tell people, we need to be like Daniel and look to the Lord, not at the “lions”; and we all have lions roaming around in our lives! But it is keeping our eyes on Jesus that keeps those lions at bay! God is ever at work conforming us into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ—by Him, for Him and through Him!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth

for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom

he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us

unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered

a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.” 1 Peter 5:6-10

God is ever at work to help us resist that “roaring lion”, for as I heard a preacher say many years ago, “God’s children are really facing a ‘toothless’ foe!” for the blood of Jesus has loosed us from the power of sin, death and hell!

So remember this morning that you “can do all things” that God has called you to do!!! Yes you can! All by the power of The One who has called us and saved us not by our own “works of righteousness”, but by the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

“Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6

So in closing, praises to the One who has defeated that lion—so that we can truly have “Victory In Jesus”! (A Gospel song written by Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sr.) As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 28:7:

“The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise him.”

Amen and Amen!!!

Others May But I Cannot??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #521

09 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Bloom Where You're Planted!, Choices And Consequences, Conviction, Obedience, Still Will I Trust HIM

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #521   Others May But I Cannot???

 

I read a tract many years ago, in fact I still have it, that impacted me and brought conviction and a comfort– that what God asks me to do, He may not ask you to do; or vice-versa! While we are all saved “by grace…through faith” we are not called to the same work of ministry, the same convictions, or the same responsibilities! God calls us all to bear the “fruit of the Spirit” in our personal ministry, but he also calls some to places of responsibility, burdens, convictions and trials that He doesn’t ask of others.

“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.”   Galatians 5:22-25

And when we walk in The Spirit, it is a walk of faith and obedience—even when others don’t understand the constraints that God has placed upon us personally. I have learned through the years that when God calls me to something, or even away from something, I must obey even, in fact especially, when others don’t understand. And sometimes it causes hurt, because people will think that we are hard-hearted or unfeeling, but the call to obey God is our prime objective. Oswald Chambers says it best in his amazing book “My Utmost For His Highest”—that is our goal (and if you’ve never read this book I encourage you to get it and read it through this year, it is one of my ‘go to’ books that I’ve read through on many occasions!). Just as Ezekiel was called to be a ‘watchmen’ to his people, yet he wasn’t very popular, but he did what God asked him to do—even strange and seemingly crazy things, he obeyed. So must we come before God with that kind of heart?

“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel:

therefore hear the word at my mouth,

and give them warning

from me.

18 When I say unto the wicked,

Thou shalt surely die;

and thou givest him not warning,

nor speakest to warn

the wicked

from his wicked way,

to save his life;

the same wicked man shall die

in his iniquity;

but his blood

will I require at thine hand.

19 Yet if thou warn the wicked,

and he turn not

from his wickedness,

nor from his wicked way,

he shall die in his iniquity;

but thou hast delivered thy soul.”   Ezekiel 3:17-19

There are lots of “fluff” preachers and teachers today, but those who are calling people to repent of sin, and turn to Jesus in faith are not the ones being lauded today! But it’s the message that God has delivered throughout HIS Word and throughout history! Who’s listening to the watchman? Not many! But when God gives a call, a conviction, a ministry, an understanding of truth, then we must “stay by the stuff” regardless of the responses of others! I/You must seek to obey Him no matter the response of others. Our kindest attempts can and will often be met with disregard or even rejection, but we must do that which HE calls us to do! Even as Job endured!

“So thou, O son of man,

I have set thee a watchman

unto the house of Israel;

therefore thou shalt hear the word

at my mouth,

and warn them

from me.” Ezekiel 33:7

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain

mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

And Job and Ezekiel could do what they did because their confidence was in their GOD not their circumstances—Ezekiel was captive in a foreign land, Job was tested in ways that he couldn’t understand, yet they stood fast in their call and their GOD for they knew He would deliver and their reward wasn’t necessarily in this life!

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:” Job 19:25 Amen!

Our call is to faithful trust and obedience, and when we draw near to our God He will always prove Himself faithful, even when we face obstacles of misunderstanding, rejection or even as Job proclaimed—“yet will I trust him”! You see it isn’t dependent on our popularity, or the acceptance or rejection of others, our spiritual ‘success’ is dependent on our God, who will “supply all your need…by Christ Jesus”! Oh what glory!

May we continue to deliver the message, fulfill the ministry, follow the call, or, as Oswald Chambers calls it, continue in the ‘mundane’ that God sets before us! It’s all about HIM, and our objective is calling others from the broken cisterns of their lives to the “living water” that IS Jesus! Jeremiah gives a vivid picture that parallels the message of Jesus!

“Hath a nation changed their gods,

which are yet no gods?

but my people have changed their glory

for that which doth not profit.

12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this,

and be horribly afraid,

be ye very desolate,

saith the LORD.

13 For my people have committed two evils;

they have forsaken me

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed them out cisterns,

broken cisterns,

that can hold no water.”   Jeremiah 2:11-13

“But whosoever drinketh of the water

that I shall give him

shall never thirst;

but the water that I shall give him

shall be in him a well of water springing up

into everlasting life.” John 4:14

Amen and Amen—go forward in your Lord’s call, regardless!