Monthly Archives: August 2021

Whose Side Are You On??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 17

15 Sunday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Whose Side Are You On?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 17  Whose Side Are You On???

 

“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp,

and said,

Who is on the LORD’S side?

let him come unto me.

And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves

together unto him.”  Exodus 32:26

You might ask why such a question; well, the truth is it’s really the nature of the question that I want to address today.  Are we asking God to “be on our side”, or do we understand that there is really a much more important question to ask, and answer; “Are we on God’s side?”  Even the question itself says a lot about our mindset; are we focused on trying to convince God to approve of our plans, programs, and propositions, or have we gotten so far afield of our place before God that we no longer seek HIS face and HIS will for every aspect of our lives?  Ouch?

Joshua got it!  He understood that it’s not about our “rights” or our “desires”, it is all about “serving God” not “using God” for our own desires, purposes, plans, programs, and propositions!

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side

of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

The issue isn’t really, “Is God on our side?”; but the issue is whose side are we on?  Have we chosen to “serve the LORD”, or are we demanding that God “serve” us?  I am just a bit weary of people presuming to tell God what HE ought to do—the level of your faith isn’t measured by how much “stuff” you have “claimed” and “received” from God but the usefulness of your life for HIS service.  I remember an old song that Ray Stevens wrote and sung some years ago, and it kind of hit the nail on the head: “Would Jesus Wear A Rolex?”   What did Jesus have to say?  Did He call us to seek more and exalt ourselves or to serve others?

“And said unto them,

Whosoever shall receive this child

in my name

receiveth me:

and whosoever shall receive me

receiveth him that sent me:

for he that is least among you all,

the same shall be great.”  Luke 9:48

Our faithfulness to God is the question, not HIS faithfulness to us!  God is always faithful, but because we have, in many ways, neglected God and HIS Word and because of that, we don’t know what GOD said, so we believe what sounds good to us.  Scripture says something about that too!

“He that is faithful in that which is least

is faithful also in much:

and he that is unjust in the least

is unjust also in much.”   Luke 16:10

Are we being faithful with and to God and His Word?  Are we following the way that “seemeth right” or the way that is in line with The Word of God?

“There is a way which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

James also addressed this issue of the measure of genuine faith.  And no, he didn’t disagree with Paul, he isn’t saying that we earn our faith, but that if we belong to Jesus and have real, saving, life-transforming, faith in Jesus it will be evident by our “actions” not our possessions!  Real faith serves—GOD and man!

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister

be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

 Depart in peace,

be ye warmed

and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith

without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know,

O vain man,

that faith without works

is dead?”  James 2:14-20

Dead means without life, and Jesus said a lot about life, one of those we want to note today!

“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

Jesus came to give HIS life so that we might have “everlasting life”!  Real life, and when we are born again by the blood of Jesus, in repentance and faith, we are called to die to self and live to Jesus.  Faith trusts and depends on the master, but it is never presumptuous.  We are to align ourselves with God, His Word, and His work, not spend our time throwing tantrums when we don’t get out way!  Oops… did I really say that?  Yep!  I did!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”   Matthew 16:24-26

To take up one’s cross means that I die to self and live to, for and through The Lord Jesus Christ; doing all to His glory as HE does all things for HIS glory and my good.\

“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

And another of Paul’s admonitions and encouragements to all believers:

“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,

giving thanks

to God and the Father

by him.”  Colossians 3:15-17

“Whether therefore ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

And one of my favorite and concise calls to selfless living for Jesus is Paul’s call to the “crucified life”—crucified to selfish living and made alive IN JESUS to selfless living for Jesus!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

So, my friends, “whose side are you on”?  Are you on God’s side, doing God’s work, or have you chosen to go your own way, or follow someone or something else?  I’ll simply close with Jesus’ own words and pray that we all pay attention and choose wisely!

“For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”

And a thought in closing, I would remind each of us that the question is not “will you bow”, for all will bow before Jesus!  The question is “when will you bow”; will you bow before HIM in this life as your Lord and Savior, or will you bow before HIM as judge?  The choice is yours but choose wisely—there is a test!

“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 2:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Liars Lie??? Really??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 16

08 Sunday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Life or Death?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 16  Liars Lie???  Really???

 

Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?  Yet, the ‘father of lies’ is still using the same tricks he used on Adam and Eve, and we just trot after him like naïve babes.  I would like us to spend some time today perusing God’s Word and hopefully enlightening ourselves to be prepared, as Paul said to the Ephesian believers: “that you may be able to withstand in the evil day”.  And my dear ones, we are there. (See Ephesians 6:13)

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth

and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

 because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:42-45

Jesus was, if nothing else (although HE was, is, and ever shall be the very Son of God), a plain-spoken man (the God-Man-Savior), who confronted those who stood against HIM with the truth of who they were, who they were following, and why they wouldn’t receive or believe HIM.  Jesus clearly stated who HE was, where HE was from and WHO sent Him!  He was, is and ever shall be “from God”, and He went on to call the religious hypocrites of HIS day just what they were, children of the devil!  And some of you thought I was blunt!  Jesus identified Satan as a liar, and the one who not only “speaketh a lie” but is “a liar, and the father of it”!  We can go back to the beginning to see his tactics, and while he decorates them a bit differently now, they are the same basic preponderances of untruth, deceit, and fallacy as they have always been.

“Now the serpent was more subtil

than any beast of the field

which the LORD God had made.

And he said unto the woman,

Yea, hath God said,

Ye shall not eat of every tree

of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent,

We may eat of the fruit

of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit

of the tree which is in the midst

of the garden,

God hath said,

Ye shall not eat of it,

neither shall ye touch it,

lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman,

Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know

that in the day ye eat thereof,

then your eyes shall be opened,                                and ye shall be as gods,

knowing good and evil.

6 And when the woman saw

that the tree was good

for food,

and that it was pleasant

to the eyes,

and a tree to be desired

to make one wise,

she took of the fruit thereof,

and did eat,

and gave also unto her husband with her;

and he did eat.”  Genesis 3:1-6

If we go back to Genesis 2, we find out what God really said, and yet Satan deceived Eve into doubting God, twisting what HE said, and not believing in God’s total pure goodness, and the veracity of what HE says!  Let’s take a walk through what he did, and his methods, which have not changed from then until now.  We are just plain ignorant of his tactics and so often fail to put on the “armor of God” to resist him and be able to “withstand in the evil day”!

Satan beguiled Eve and caused her to:

Question what God really said—it’s why we must know

 The Word—

 Did God REALLY SAY……?

Misquoting God’s commands—she added to The Word—

God is ever true to HIS WORD….!

He plainly contradicted God—We must know

God’s Word—

He twisted God’s Word—When we know God’s Word—

We will recognize lies—

He caused Eve to reconsider what she knew about God-

HIS goodness—

HIS veracity—

 His clear instructions—

And decided to rely upon

Her own ‘wisdom’—

What do we do today?  The very same thing, just as in their sin, Adam and Eve caused all mankind to fall and become the children of the devil.

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires

of the flesh

and of the mind;  

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us.

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved😉

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”  Ephesians 2:1-6

Today, Satan does put a little spin on this tactic today in that instead of promising that we will “be wise” and “be like God”, he has convinced modern man that he/she is already wise in his own right and IS God!  And the man/woman who never sees his sin as sin, has no need for a redeemer!  It’s why Jesus came, to deliver us from our sin.

“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

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

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.”  John 1:29

“And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith,

Behold the Lamb of God!”  John 1:36

Even Jesus himself told Nicodemus that self-righteousness was not sufficient nor was religion, or titles or position!  Only one thing can give eternal life.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into

the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

“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.”   John 3:14-16

While the world says there are many ‘gods’ and many ways to ‘gods’, Jesus said that there was only one way to GOD and HE, Jesus, would purchase that “way” with His own blood.

“And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood…

….9 And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.”   Revelation 1:5 & 9-10

When we come to Jesus, He, through the power and presence of HIS Holy Spirit, enables us to walk in truth.

“For I rejoiced greatly,

when the brethren came

and testified of the truth that is in thee,

even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy

than to hear that my children

walk in truth.”  3 John 1:3-4

And the bedrock of truth is that Jesus is The redeemer and savior—HE paid for my sin and yours on Calvary and forgives sin—all sin—for those who come to HIM in repentance and faith!

“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

In closing I want to remind each of us of the words of our Lord, that it’s not just “saying so” but being right with our God through the blood of Jesus and doing HIS righteous work!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.”   Matthew 6:33

“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…

…. 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.

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.”   Portions of Matthew 7:13-23

Have you entered in through the “strait gate”?  Or are you allowing the enemy of your soul to lie to you and lead you wrongly, for “broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”!  The majority is seldom right!  May you seek to discern the truth from the lies of the enemy.  It’s the difference between eternal life and eternal destruction!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Know Who’s Standing By Me!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #747

05 Thursday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Stand by ME!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #747  I Know Who’s Standing By Me!!!

 

As we’ve been busy with some important life changes, it has been a great comfort and encouragement to me to know “WHO” has us in HIS hands; and that HIS care is an ever-present help—always!

“God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear,

though the earth

be removed,

and though the mountains

be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof

roar and be troubled,

though the mountains

shake with the swelling thereof.

Selah.”  Psalm 46:1-3

What an awesome God we serve, and I must admit that I am so grateful to know that our God is ever with me, and there is another Psalm that brings me great strength and courage yet is so familiar that we often forget the depth of its import.  I simply want to share it with you today in a different format, may it encourage your heart as much as it does mine.  I also leave you with an amazing song by Charles Albert Tindley, if you’re not familiar with it type it in on your internet browser and there is a great rendition of this hymn by Tennessee Ernie Ford (and yes, I’m that old!)!

“The LORD is

my shepherd;

I shall

not want.

2 He

maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he

leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He

restoreth my soul:

he

leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I

walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear

no evil:

for thou art

with me;

thy rod and thy staff

they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table

before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest

my head with oil;

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me

all the days

of my life:

and I

will dwell

in the house of the LORD

for ever.”  Psalm 23:1-6

I pray that these words from God’s Word and this precious hymn will encourage you as much as they do me!

Stand By Me. By Charles Albert Tindley

When the storms of life are raging, stand by me. 
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea,
thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me.

In the midst of tribulation, stand by me.
In the midst of tribulation, stand by me.
When the hosts of hell assail, and my strength begins to fail,
thou who never lost a battle, stand by me.

In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me.
In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me.
When I do the best I can, and my friends misunderstand,
thou who knowest all about me, stand by me.

In the midst of persecution, stand by me.
In the midst of persecution, stand by me.
When my foes in battle array, undertake to stop my way,
thou who saved Paul and Silas, stand by me.

When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When my life becomes a burden, and I’m nearing chilly Jordan,
O thou Lily of the Valley, stand by me. 

May God’s blessings abound in your heart no matter the trials that may circling around you!  Remember:

“And I heard as it were

the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying,

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.” Revelation 19:6 Amen and Amen!

Waiting Or Rushing Ahead??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 15

01 Sunday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Still Will I Trust HIM, The Gospel, Trusting Jesus?, Wait on the Lord, Walk in the Spirit, Walking With Jesus, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 15  Waiting Or Rushing Ahead???

 

“Hast thou not known?

hast thou not heard,

that

the everlasting God,

the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

fainteth not,

neither is weary?

there is no searching

of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint;

and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint

and be weary,

and the young men

shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait

upon the LORD

shall renew

their strength;

they shall mount up

with wings as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:28-31

Oh, that we could learn to “wait upon the LORD” rather than rushing head-long into the fray without any consideration for what God might be doing in our lives.  We seem to have become so enamored of our “instant” society that we fail to know or trust in the provision of our God “In His Time”!  We have been so influenced by the “name-it-and-claim-it” teaching that we have neglected what God says.  I am often amused that we think this is a new teaching, but if you go back to Job, it was what his friends were purporting to this godly man, who, praise God, knew better!  I think it is one of the reasons that Paul reminded us in Romans chapter 8 that in “all things” God is working.  We fail to rest in God’s absolute, sovereign power, and control.  The Psalmist said it powerfully.

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires

of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall

bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth

thy righteousness as the light,

and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.”  Psalm 37:3-8

I would encourage you to walk through this progression of our spiritual growth and practical trust in our God, who never fails to accomplish HIS purpose in us, even when it requires “spiritual” discipline.  WHAT?  God disciplines?  Yes, God disciplines HIS own; in fact, scripture says if we are without discipline, we better check out who we think saved us!

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son,

despise not thou the chastening

of the Lord,

nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”  Hebrews 12:5-8

And in closing, Jesus Himself gives us the standard; are we producing God’s good works, or our own imitation works, which Jesus calls “iniquity”.

“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.

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 7:20-23

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And remember, just “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!

“And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:12-15

Where is your name written???  It matters!

Amen and Amen!!!