Author Archives: Blanche

God’s Still On HIS Throne??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #727

07 Friday May 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Are You Ready, Be not conformed to this world, Blessed by God, By Him We Live, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Commitment Or Convenience, Compromise, Confessing Sin, Consider Your ways, Darkness or Light?, Erasing The Lines?, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Family, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Forgiveness, God Bless America, God Is In Charge, God Knows His Own, God Who Sees, Godly Women, Good News, Healing, Holy, In The Beginning, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Lies, Light In The Dark, Marriage, Mothers, No Sin No Need?, One Foundation, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Our God Reigns

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #727  God’s Still On His Throne???

 

As we approach Mother’s Day, my heart is often grieved for our nation and the sad state of families and the world’s degraded opinion of mothers.  The world around us is trying to erase the lines of God’s creation, morality and the gift of children is the saddest of all.  We have made children disposable—we have not only denied the blessing of children but have approved of and even promoted the killing of children because they are “unwanted”!

It makes me sad that we have bought the lies of the enemy and are killing our children on the altar of convenience.  And not only the lives of the unborn are at stake, but even the children that have lived are often neglected and mistreated to a degree that is unconscionable and yet we just go on like there is no tomorrow.  This situation is addressed in scripture—God’s Word tells us that this kind of disregard of God, His Word and human life would become rampant in the last days.

“This know also,

that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they

which creep into houses,

and lead captive silly women

laden with sins,

led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning,

and never able

to come to the knowledge

of the truth.”  2 Timothy 3:1-7

Reading this list is like reading a current newspaper—yet it seems to me as though we are reaping what we have sown!  We have denigrated the import of God’s design for mankind—for God created “male and female” and established marriage and the home as the foundation stone of society—not this crazy mixed-up circus that we see today!

“And God said,

Let us make man

in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion…

… over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man

in his own image,

in the image of God

created he him;

male and female

created he them.

28 And God blessed them,

and God said unto them,

Be fruitful,

and multiply,

and replenish the earth,

and subdue it:

and have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and ….. over every living thing

that moveth upon the earth…

…2: 22 And the rib,

which the LORD God had taken from man,

made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said,

This is now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh:

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man

leave his father and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife:

and they shall be one flesh.”                      Portions of Genesis 1:26-28 & 2:22-24

And yes, before you ask, I believe in the Genesis account of creation—it is the foundation on which all other scripture stands, for if there was no creation, there was no Adam and Eve; if there was no Adam and Eve, there was no sin; and if there was no sin, there is NO NEED for a Redeemer!  Yet, Jesus IS The Redeemer of all who will come to Him in repentance and faith, for “all have sinned”! And Jesus Himself confirmed the truth of this Genesis account, and God’s design for mankind, marriage and the home!!!  (See Romans 3:23 & 6:23)

“And he answered and said unto them,

Have ye not read,

that he which made them

at the beginning

made them male and female,

5 And said,

For this cause

shall a man leave father and mother,

and shall cleave to his wife:

and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain,

but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together,

let not man put asunder.”  Matthew 19:4-6

God established marriage, the home and the important priority of parents, yet we have abandoned all of the above today.  Many, if not most, choose to live together without benefit of marriage—for marriage is seen as unimportant–, and if they marry it’s with a swinging door (and I know what it means to believe those lies, as I made some of those same mistakes in the past—and I praise God that HE does forgive, cleanse and restore through Jesus, when we come to HIM!) powered by divorce.  We leave children fatherless or motherless or often today, parentless.  Then we wonder why our culture is falling apart!  We wonder why our children are in distress!  We can’t figure out why our children and young people are committing heinous crimes.  Well, when we reject God and His Word, we will suffer the consequence.

What can we do?  We must come to God in humility and repentance for our part in this mess we have created in our land.  We must face our own sin, turn from it and cling to the cross and HIM who died for us!  We must once again cling to and stand for the righteous truth that God IS GOD, and we need to seek HIS face and HIS truth and live by it.  And we moms must cling to God’s truth NOT the world’s lies!

“In the LORD put I my trust:

how say ye to my soul,

Flee as a bird to your mountain?

2 For, lo,

the wicked bend their bow,

they make ready their arrow upon the string,

that they may privily

shoot at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations be destroyed,

what can the righteous do?

4 The LORD is in his holy temple,

the LORD’S throne is in heaven:

his eyes behold,

his eyelids try,

the children of men.

5 The LORD trieth the righteous:

but the wicked and him that loveth violence

his soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked

he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone,

and an horrible tempest:

this shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the righteous LORD

loveth righteousness;

his countenance

doth behold the upright.”  Psalm 11:1-7

God sees and HE knows!  Our job is to confess our own part—without pointing fingers at everyone else but ourselves—then Jesus can and will respond with “healing in HIS wings”!  And oh, I can’t express the joy of knowing Jesus and the healing and restoration HE brings to my heart, soul, mind and life!

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:7-10

And just as the key word above is “IF”, the “key word” in another passage we often quote, is “IF”; may we who are “HIS” truly repent, receive HIS forgiveness and be cleansed to walk forth in HIS light and glory?  May we sincerely ask GOD to bless America once again, and be willing to obey?

“If my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

And if you’d allow me, “then and only then”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

(And I’m taking Sunday off for Mother’s Day—so Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms and women of godly influence!  May God bless you and yours!)

 

Sharing Motherly Wisdom??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #726

05 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, God's provision, Godly Women, Honor Your Father and Mother, HOPE, Moms, Motherly Wisdom, Mothers, My Grace Is Sufficient

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #726  Sharing Motherly Wisdom???

 

“Who can find a virtuous woman?

for her price

is far above rubies.”  Proverbs 31:10

A virtuous woman is a treasure, not because I said so, but because God’s Word says so!  But what is virtue?

Virtue: moral excellence; goodness; righteousness—

   Conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral

   and ethical principles; uprightness, rectitude…

God seems to be telling us that “virtue” is a prime character trait of the godly woman, and as the Proverb goes on to reveal, a godly woman will also be a godly, virtuous mother; and we are surely in need of virtuous women and mothers today.  As Mother’s Day approaches, I thought it would be a good time to address godly womanhood, and motherhood; I have said this before and I’ll say it again, even women who haven’t given “birth” to a child still affect the lives of the children around them whether or not they ever give “birth” to any particular child.  We need women who value life, goodness and righteousness, ever learning—ever teaching. We are surely experiencing a drought of godly women and mothers; so, what can we do?  I/YOU can live a godly righteous life before God and whoever is watching us each day.  What should that look like?  Let’s check out God’s Word and see.

“She is like the merchants’ ships;

she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night,

and giveth meat to her household,

and a portion to her maidens.”  Proverbs 31:14-15

A godly woman, wife and mother takes care of her home—she provides nutritious food as her means allow, she is diligent to take care of the needs of her household and, as Solomon puts it, she takes care of her “maidens”.  While most of the people in my circle don’t have household helpers in the flesh, we do have helpers and we should take care of them and be grateful for them—such as your washing machine, a dryer, a dishwasher (even the teens you’re teaching to do that task– 🙂 ), a vacuum…you get the picture.  We are to appreciate our blessings and use them to care and provide for our families with all love and strength.

“She considereth a field,

and buyeth it:

with the fruit of her hands

she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength,

and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:

her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle,

and her hands hold the distaff.”   Proverbs 31:16-19

Here we have a woman who is not idle, but spends her time being productive—and whether you are being productive as a “home-maker” full time or working outside the home we are each responsible for the welfare of our home—for our husband and our children!  Many say today that being a “full time” mom is a waste of a woman’s gifts and talents—I beg to differ!  The greatest work a woman can do is to raise godly, mature, productive children who can pass on the baton of godliness and a scriptural worldview, and work-ethic.  And how is this biblical?  Paul says it best (though many don’t care for this passage), it is truly foundational to a godly, healthy, and productive society.

“For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us:

for we behaved not ourselves

disorderly among you;

8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread

for nought;

but wrought

with labour

and travail

night and day,

that we might not be chargeable

to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power,

but to make ourselves an ensample

unto you to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you,

this we commanded you,

that if any would not work,

neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some

which walk among you disorderly,

working not at all,

but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such

we command

and exhort

by our Lord Jesus Christ,

that with quietness

they work,

and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren,

be not weary

in well doing.”  2 Thessalonians 3:7-13

We are to be diligent and not grow “weary in well doing”—and we need to take note of this and be reminded that “well doing” can get tiresome!  As women we can understand that truth.  Jesus Himself got weary during His ministry and you and I will get weary in ours; but we can walk on in confidence that our God will supply as we go about doing HIS will.

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed

both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ which strengtheneth me…

…. 19 But my God shall supply

all your need

according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father

be glory for ever and ever.

Amen.”  Portions of Philippians 4:12-20

We can be confident in our God—and whether you work outside the home or are a ‘staty-at-home’ mom, you can “do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”.  I would just caution each of us to consider truth “in all things”—don’t fall for the lies of the world, that ‘caring for your family is not fulfilling’; or the one that says, ‘you can have it all’; as a friend once told me “you can have your cake and eat it too, just not at the same time”!  What we must consider is, how is GOD calling you/me to use our resources?  You can’t spend time with your spouse and children if you’re never home!  You can’t see the needs of your children if you are never with them!  You can’t grow in a relationship with your spouse if you never make time to be together!  You can’t KNOW God intimately if you never spend time with HIM!  We must consider God’s Word to be the dictate of our heart, not the world’s standard!  We are to be faithful to God, home and others, considering the limitations of our soul, mind and body—with God’s help, and at HIS direction!  Yet we are never to be presumptuous on God’s grace, provision and sovereignty.  Praying always!

Our praying should always align with what Jesus instructed:

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.”  Matthew 6:9-11

Our prayer life should keep us in tune with God’s position as our total provision, then doing our part to be faithful workers—at home, at work, or wherever God leads us! Being godly examples of HIS love—starting at HOME!

“A new commandment I give unto you,

That ye love one another;

as I have loved you,

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know

that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love

one to another.”  John 13:34-35

Ever loving Jesus—our family—and the world—all to God’s glory, in HIS will, keeping our eyes on Jesus, being godly women of faith and joy in HIS WORD and all it teaches us.

“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

So, we can choose, as men, women, boys and girls to follow Jesus, follow His Word, and be true reflections of HIS glory! Or we can reject Jesus and go our own way!  It’s your choice Mom, what will you do?  And remember there is a test—and not only a test–there are little feet following in your/my steps no matter what our words say!

“Grace and peace be multiplied

unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this,

giving all diligence,

add to your faith virtue;

and to virtue knowledge;”  2 Peter 1:2-5

‘Nuff said!  Amen and Amen!

Doing A Job Or Being A Job? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 05

02 Sunday May 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Job, Job or Job?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 05 Doing A Job Or Being A Job?

 

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things

are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 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 5:17-21

We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus—and that blood not only makes us right with God, but makes us “a new creature”, new “in Christ” all because God did a work beyond our wildest comprehension—God laid my/your sin on Jesus for the work of crediting us with the “righteousness of God”!  But the caveat is that this righteousness is only found “in him”!  In Jesus–we must be “in him”—for only being IN HIM and having HIM IN us can we truly have life!  And Job understood that totally—HE KNEW that it is only IN God’s salvation that we can have life and hope no matter our circumstances.

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

Job is such a profound book, and full of truth from a man who had not only faith in God, but a confidence in the care and goodness of that same God, regardless of how things appeared.

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

for an hypocrite

shall not come before him.”  Job 13:15-16

Job understood that his confidence was in God’s salvation, and that belonging to God gave him a heart to follow God’s ways and “maintain mine own ways before him”!  We live in a day that says we can claim to belong to Jesus and live our own way—it denies the claim that Jesus has on HIS own.

“For we are labourers

together with God:

ye are God’s husbandry,

ye are God’s building.

10 According to the grace of God

which is given unto me,

as a wise masterbuilder,

I have laid the foundation,

and another buildeth thereon.

But let every man take heed

how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 3:9-11

Paul was talking to the believers at Corinth and reminding them that there would be an accounting—even for believers.  And God will know and reveal the truth of our lives—the fires of judgment will reveal the real substance of our work.  Paul knew that there is only ONE foundation—Jesus; and when we build on the salvation that Jesus imparts, it will be evident by our behavior—we are a testimony of Jesus, be it a good one, or a poor one—when we claim Jesus as our Lord, we need to understand that we belong to HIM, and our works should reflect HIS presence within us!  Are we being HIS temple or our own?

“Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work

shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not

that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”                                     1 Corinthians 3:12-16

We are the “temple of God” when we have been born again and the Holy Spirit dwells within us, for the Spirit of God makes us that “new creation” in Jesus.  Without the Spirit of God, we aren’t HIS!  Not trying to be blunt or abrupt, but we need to know truth.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.”  Romans 8:8-10

It’s what Jesus called us to—righteousness.  What are you seeking? Is the Spirit of Christ dwelling in you?  Or are you trying to ‘work it up’ in your own power and goodness?

“But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added

unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:33-34

And you may not be sure, but God is—ask HIM and HE will tell you!  We must ever be examining ourselves to see if we are really walking with God/Jesus!

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

Remember God knows—no matter what others think they see!

“Nevertheless

the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one

that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”   2 Timothy 2:19

Why are we so powerless much of the time?  Why is the church so powerless?  We are often unwilling to pay the price to follow Jesus.  We forget that it costs something to truly follow Jesus—it means I put HIS will before mine—it means that I want HIS work to grow in me—and it means I want to grow IN HIS work!  And we must remember that saying so doesn’t make it so—and James tells us what makes the difference.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 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.

26 If any man among you

seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”   James 1:19-26

James makes the case for holy living by the power of God, by the truth that we find in HIS Word, and by diligent seeking to please God rather than self or the world. Even as Job had friends who had no clue of the providential sovereignty of God, yet he stood fast to his own integrity and reliance upon the faithfulness of God.  Job knew that he would maintain his integrity before GOD not man!

“…I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation…”

Are you standing with Job before God, or is your focus on the opinions of self and others?  Are you claiming something that you don’t possess, or are you learning to depend on Jesus more and more?  Is your house built on the rock or the sand?  It’s a simple childlike example that Jesus gave, but it is the import of the eternal destiny of man.

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it;

but whosoever shall lose his life

for my sake and the gospel’s,

the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me

and of my words

in this adulterous

and sinful generation;

of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed,

when he cometh in the glory

of his Father

with the holy angels.”  Mark 8:35-38

And in closing Jesus makes a most profound declaration that I pray will reach your heart and mine.  May we “examine ourselves”!  I know this is a lengthy passage but one I ask you to ponder this week and ask God to open your eyes to see its truth.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 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.

24 Therefore whosoever

heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that

heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”               Matthew 7:13-27

Amen and Amen!!!

Today’s Hope–Jesus!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #725

30 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Encouragement, Eyes that SEE HIM, Fear, Fearlessness, Trials, Trust, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Victory IN Jesus!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #725  Today’s Hope—Jesus!!!

 

“What time I am afraid,

I will trust in thee.

4 In God

I will praise his word,

in God

I have put my trust;

I will not fear

what flesh can do unto me.”  Psalm 56:3-4

We all have fears at times, and that is not a sin!  Fear is an emotion, and it can be a good thing—if you see a poisonous snake or insect, fear tells you to “make tracks” to be somewhere else!!  If you smell smoke in inappropriate places, fear tells you to check it out.  But when fear grips our hearts over things that only God can control, over the past sorrows and failures, it’s time to give those often-irrational fears to The God who cares about us; and HE is worthy of our trust in all things, and as believers in and followers of Jesus we have the confidence to know that Paul was speaking truth when he encouraged the young pastor, Timothy to not let fear rule him.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

God has given us some things better than fear:

Power:

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

Love:

“We love him,

because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:19

“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.”     Romans 5:5

Sound mind:

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:”   Philippians 2:5

I encourage you to spend some time thinking on “these things” and God will help you to overcome the fear that tries to cripple us in His service.  Remember, we win!

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

And in closing some encouragement for that thought life that often let’s fear rule—we have control of our minds when we fix them on Jesus.  Amen and Amen!!!

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.”  Philippians 4:8

Revisiting Deuteronomy 6??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #724

28 Wednesday Apr 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Born Again, Children, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Decency, Obedience, Only Jesus, Only One Way, The Crucified Life, The Little Things., The Things of God, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Will Be Done, Yesterdays made Todays!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #724  Revisiting Deuteronomy 6???

 

We shared last time about God’s plan for man, the home and life, and I’d like to spend our time today taking a closer look at the passage from Deuteronomy 6; it is worth our time to consider the power of the truths in this Word from God about the home.  And if we ever needed to consider God’s plan for the home, it is surely now.

“Now these are

the commandments,

the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD your God

commanded to teach you,

that ye might do them

in the land whither ye go to possess it:

2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God,

to keep all his statutes

 and his commandments,

which I command thee,

thou,

and thy son,

and thy son’s son,

all the days of thy life;

and that thy days may be prolonged.

3 Hear therefore, O Israel,

and observe to do it;

that it may be well with thee,

and that ye may increase mightily,

as the LORD God of thy fathers

hath promised thee,

in the land that floweth

with milk and honey.

4 Hear, O Israel:

The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words,

which I command thee this day,

 shall be in thine heart:”   Deuteronomy 6:1-6

This passage begins with a call to all, but particularly the parents, before launching beyond to the family.  We can never pass on what we don’t possess; be it money, love, truth, morals or most importantly a personal relationship with God through His Son—and for the contextual accuracy of this passage, their belief was in the coming Messiah who would bring in the New Covenant, The Holy Spirit who would save and dwell in them (See Jer. 31:31-34 & Ez. 36:25-27)!

God calls us to recognize that these are HIS precepts and principles for godly living—for successful living—for the passing of the baton to the next generation. We cannot ignore and violate the principles of God and expect to be successful and content in our lives, much less to pass the baton faithfully to our children and grandchildren.  We cannot pass on what we do not possess!  So, we must acknowledge God’s right to lead, and be willing to rely upon the truth of HIS Word for our life, our belief system and our practices of life—otherwise we are just hypocrites and no one see’s hypocricy more quickly than children—especially our own offspring!

God calls us to:

–recognize HIS WORD—we must dig into THE WORD—

–DO IT—obey GOD’S WORD—

–FEAR HIM—in reverential awe and love—

–KEEP HIS COMMANDS—not forsaking HIS way—

(“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”   Isaiah 30:21)

–Share these commands with our offspring—

–Hear them and observe them—

–to be blessed and receive the goodness of God—

–in the land of God’s promise—

And God’s prime directive to all:

— thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might—

And how do we do this?  By having HIS WORD—

— in thine heart—

The bottom line is, I must love GOD myself, and have Jesus, and HIS Holy Spirit, in my heart!  Pretend won’t work.  As a parent I can only impart to my children what I personally have, know and live by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.  Paul describes this much better than I can.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would…

…. If we live in the Spirit,

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

And while those to whom Moses gave these commands were not blessed to have the indwelling Holy Spirit yet, we have the power of God’s Spirit to be able to accomplish God’s ways.  We can be victorious, but we must be born again ourselves in order to have a personal relationship with God and to have HIS Holy Spirit to lead and guide us—HE IS this “new covenant” which Jesus died to impart to us.

“I have yet many things to say unto you,

but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

 is come,

he will guide you

into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.”   John 16:12-14

So, we have an empowerment that the Old Testament saints did not all have; for the Holy Spirit was not imparted to each believer continually then, but to chosen individuals, at chosen times, for specific purposes of God.  We are truly blessed beyond measure.

“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.”   Romans 5:1-5

The question is, have you received this “love of God” which “is shed abroad” in YOUR heart?  We can never share Jesus with others, if we don’t have Jesus in our own hearts—if we haven’t been born again by the Holy Spirit of God.

“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

And as we go back to Deuteronomy 6, we find that with God’s power, and a willingness to walk in HIS ways, we can pass on our love of God to those who walk behind us.  God’s ways are dependable.  Let’s consider what God’s plan was and still is.

“And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them

for a sign upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house,

and on thy gates…

….. Then beware lest thou forget the LORD,

which brought thee forth

out of the land of Egypt,

from the house of bondage.

13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God,

and serve him…..”  Deuteronomy 6:6-13

We are to teach, instruct, serve God, and lead our children to know God and do the same—we are to use teachable moments to share the truths of God with our children and the children we are privileged to have in our lives; we are to live it, teach it, and share it in all our daily activities—walking, sitting, resting, preparing for sleep, or rising up; we are to adorn ourselves with ornaments of godliness rather than the ornaments of worldliness.  We are to have our homes adorned with godly evidence of what we believe and who our GOD is—and what HE means to us; our homes can have great impact on those who enter there—what does your home advertise?  Yet God doesn’t stop there, HE goes on to tell us the ultimate progression of this way of life.

“And when thy son asketh thee

in time to come, saying,

What mean

the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God

hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:

22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders,

great and sore, …

… 23 And he brought us out from thence,

that he might bring us in,

to give us the land

which he sware unto our fathers.

24 And the LORD commanded us to do

all these statutes,

to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

if we observe to do

all these commandments

before the LORD our God,

as he hath commanded us.” Deuteronomy 6:20-25

In Blanche’s paraphrase:  if we lead our children in truth and righteousness before God, when we behave differently than the world, the time will come that our child will ask “why do we do these things, or don’t do other things?” Then we can share the truth of what God has done for “ME/US” and lead them to the cross (for we are on this side of the cross!) where they can find Jesus for themselves.  But our words must match the life we live, or we will have little ability to influence those whom we love the most.  You decide!  Will you live for Jesus and lead those around you to the cross or will you lead them straight to hell by your faithless choices?  The choice is yours!  But choose wisely, there is a test.  And in Jesus own words we find the import of our choices!  For “what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world” or loose “his own children”?

“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?

27 For the Son of man

shall come in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man

according to his works.”  Matthew 16:24-27

May God open our eyes and work in our hearts to help us realize the serious times in which we are living:

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption draweth nigh.”   Luke 21:28

Amen and Amen!!!