Bible Ballistics: BBs #251   The PPPVR Virus We All Need???

As we approach “Super Tuesday”, I’d like to share a relatively urgent post today. The future direction of America is in our hands; what will we do with it? I personally believe there is a relatively simple answer (NOT easy, but YES simple)! And it’s the PPPVR Virus that could turn the tide that needs to be turned, and that my friends is a change within the hearts of people, which will be reflected in transformed lives which would transform our nation.

“Wisdom

resteth in the heart of him

that hath understanding:

but that which is in the midst of fools

is made known.

34 Righteousness

exalteth

a nation:

but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:33-34

Righteousness is that which exalts, and sin is a reproach. Just as much as wisdom rests with those who have “understanding”. And where do Wisdom and Righteousness come from? It comes from only ONE place—GOD, through HIS Son Jesus Christ.

“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings, and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom unto the wise,

and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.” Daniel 2:20-22

Daniel was praising God for answered prayer, and to praise Him, he rehearses the character of God. Do you want to have wisdom and knowledge to know what to do? Do you want to understand what’s “really” going on? Then turn to GOD!!! It’s the only hope we have!

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8

To ask for wisdom, you must know the “source” of wisdom, and that is God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

I think Daniel knew these verses and He counted on his God to deliver, and because He knew his God and had committed himself to devotedly serve HIM, God honored his prayers, and He will honor ours if we will devote our self to seeking HIS face and HIS ways. Instead we seem to be actively and aggressively pursuing the things of the world rather than the things of God. I hear lots of talk about how bad things are, that we need “change” but not very many are seeking the “change” of heart and life that only God gives to men, women, boys and girls who will trust in HIS Son in repentance and faith!!!

We need a “change” alright—we need a change of heart toward sin=Repentance! We need a change of heart towards greed=Idolatry! We need a change of heart toward self=Pride!!! And only when we are ready to seek God first and do that which pleases Him, will we see a real “change” in America. And I believe that will require the “church” that claims to “follow” Jesus to begin once again to “follow Jesus” and “HIS Word” rather than the “bling” of the world.

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21 (God’s way is almost always foolishness to the world!)

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

God’s time is NOW, God’s way is through His own people. What will you do? Are you one of HIS? If so, then look up, walk forward in obedient faith, and press on with Jesus!

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17

The choice is yours! The choice is mine! What will we do? We must Pray, Pray, Pray and Vote Righteousness! It’s what we MUST do, and do it NOW! Don’t vote for ‘money’! Don’t vote for ‘rights’! Don’t vote for ‘might’! Please vote for ‘righteousness’!

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16b

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” 1 Timothy 2:1-3

So in closing I just ask that you remember the PPPVR—and if “Super Tuesday” is in your area please Go Vote!!! And just a reminder:

“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”  Thomas Jefferson

“All that is necessary for the triumph of Evil is for the Good men to do nothing.”  Unknown

Please don’t “do nothing” or “remain silent”!!!  

PRAY

PRAY

PRAY

VOTE

RIGHTEOUSNESS

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #250   How Great “I” Art???

One of the favorite songs of Christendom is “How Great Thou Art”, but it seems in our day that we have replaced the pronoun “Thou” with “I”! We hear so much banter in these politically charged days that we seem to be forgetting that our allegiance is to God, not man, self, worldly ideologies or material things. Jesus talks about our attitude of service.

“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

7 But which of you,

having a servant

plowing or feeding cattle,

will say unto him by and by,

when he is come from the field,

Go and sit down to meat?

8 And will not rather say unto him,

Make ready wherewith I may sup,

and gird thyself,

and serve me,

till I have eaten and drunken;

and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

9 Doth he thank that servant

because he did the things

that were commanded him?

I trow not. (trow=think)

10 So likewise ye,

when ye shall have done all those things

which are commanded you,

say,

We are unprofitable servants:

we have done that

which was our duty to do.”   Luke 17:6-10

Unprofitable: (of an activity) not beneficial or useful.

What is Jesus telling us? Good question, and I don’t have all the answers, and even if I did we wouldn’t have time or space to cover them all; but I would like us to glean a few bits of encouragement and insight into our role as believers and followers of Jesus Christ.

The context of this passage is the great discussion about forgiveness, where Jesus has just called the disciples to forgive, not 70 times but 70X7, when we are asked for forgiveness (and that’s a subject for another day), and they asked Jesus to “Increase our faith”! Our passage is Jesus response to them, and His first response is to point out to them that “faith” is doesn’t have to be a “large” thing to be effective, but I think we often misunderstand what He is telling us. You see it’s not the “size” of my faith but the “size” of my God! Jesus goes on to remind us pointedly that we are the servants to God and NOT vice versa!

Faith is NOT a dictatorial right to command God to do what “I” want done. Rather, if I have come to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I have ‘bowed the knee’ to the King of kings and Lord of lords, and should be acknowledging that God is my master, which makes “me” the servant. Oh, I am the “servant”?

“And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” Daniel 4:35

God IS God and regardless of the boastings of men, as to their ability, and/or standing before God, it would appear that God’s standard is NOT man’s. We see that Jesus goes on to give a scenario of “servant hood”, and shows us that the comfort and desires of the servant is not the ‘focus but the will and desires of the “master” of the servant.

Jesus says that when we have served our “shift” and the master is in need of personal service, HE doesn’t tell us to sit down and take care of ourselves, but to tend to HIS needs before we attend to our own. WHOA! Do what, don’t I have a “break” due? Well, maybe I do, and maybe I don’t, the point is, “I” am the servant and GOD is the master, and I am to understand to order of things. While I trust my God to know all things, and do what is good for me (because HE has promised He will), I am to realize that my place is to be available to the master for HIS pleasure.

Jesus goes on to say something that seems to fly in the face of reason in our culture of “selfies” and “greed”; Jesus asks a question, “Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?” And His answer pulls most of us up short! Jesus, in our vernacular, said “NOT”! He tells the disciples:

“So likewise ye,

when ye shall have done all those things

which are commanded you,

say,

We are unprofitable servants:

we have done that

which was our duty to do”

So, what is our Lord saying to us? I believe Jesus is reminding us that we aren’t “good Christians” because we speak His name; we’re not “great Christians” because we think we are; we are “servants”, and “servants” are to seek to please the master, and when we have done only “that which was our duty to do” we are “unprofitable servants”, by definition our activity is “not beneficial or useful”! Why? Because we are saved by the grace of God and we are to serve Him from love and devotion, not meeting some artificial standard that men have set as that which makes a “good” Christian. There is only one test of our usefulness to God, and that is what God says about it.

As scripture tells us, we will all give and account to Him who “committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23b). That is who Jesus was trusting, when He endured suffering for our salvation!

There is a day coming when God will judge all men—the righteous, the unrighteous, the deluded and the self-righteous, and the scripture tells us clearly that “self-righteousness” is totally useless.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Romans 3:10-11

“I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands“. Jeremiah 25:14b

So my challenge to all of us, especially to those who belong to Jesus, is to judge righteous judgment. Let’s have the “mind” of Christ as we live our lives in total submission to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and His precious Holy Spirit that He has given to dwell within us. It’s not the boasting that proves our righteousness, but the blood of Jesus working in us!

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 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.” 1 John 1:6-8

It’s your choice—which song are you singing? “How Great THOU Art” or “How Great “I” Art”!!! There is only one “great” God, and it’s NOT me—or you (Or anyone else for that matter)!!! Wake up and pay attention, the time is short!

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 7 No. 13 How Big Is Your Cross???

“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

One of my favorite verses in all of scripture reminds us that when we belong to Jesus we identify with His crucifixion and resurrection. It also reminds us that our power is from the Lord Jesus Christ, and our willingness to walk with Him according to His power and His Spirit.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

We are called to “walk in the Spirit”, the Holy Spirit that is given to every believer, and to order our steps according to His directing. Jesus promised that the work of the Holy Spirit would include revealing Jesus and His truth to us, not just the written word and understanding it, but the power to discern the truth in His Word, applying it to our day-to-day living.

“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 16:13-14

Jesus provides all that we need to live for Him, even as Peter shared in his first letter, preparing believers to endure suffering:

“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.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

And how have we escaped the “corruption that is in the world through lust”? Only one way, and that’s through the blood of Jesus—the one and only way to God, brought to us through the blood of Jesus which saves us from sin, it’s what HE came to do.

“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

And praise God He did just that, with His life’s blood on the cross, and that is why I am devoted to the cross. But let’s consider the title of this article, “How Big Is Your Cross?” The cross was an inanimate object of a particular size, yet we are to live in relation to that cross, and what it signifies to us. In order to do that we must remain close to that very cross.

I borrowed this title from a Bible Study that I attended many years ago at a Ladies Retreat. The lady who taught the class used this title, and had a lovely mural posted in the room with dozens of crosses. But the thing that was so stunning and caused me to remember it was that all the crosses were in declining sizes. There was a large cross and then the crosses became smaller and smaller as they were farther and farther from the original cross. And as she taught the lesson, she directed our attention to the cross and the need to stay close to it—where I am in relation to the cross will determine how big “MY” cross is. It will determine who I am in every aspect of life—the cross will either pervade my life, as I remain close to it and experience it’s effect on my heart, or I can allow life to diminish my ardor in direct proportion to the distance I allow to come between me and the Lord of the cross. If I am “crucified with Christ” then I will draw near to Him and the cross every day and in every way. There is no “idle” in the Christian life, we are either going forward in our faith or loosing ground.

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

It’s all about Jesus and staying connected to Him. That’s one reason Satan works so hard to keep us distracted from our Lord and running in the flesh instead of the “Spirit”! So today we want to search God’s Word ways that we can keep our “eyes on Jesus”, and to continually keep the “cross” in view!

“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

There is so much packed into this marvelous passage, but the thing I want us to take note of today is that Jesus made Himself a servant and we are called to think the same way. As Paul said:

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus”

We must yield ourselves to the one that we claim as “Lord”—for He is “Lord” of all!!! He is “Lord” of me!!! And that is a continuing work in our walk of faith.

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” Philippians 1:27

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13

So, what do we learn from these scriptures? We are to keep our hearts and minds fixed on Jesus, by letting the mind of Christ rule within us, since we have the “mind of Christ” through the Holy Spirit. We are to stand fast in “one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”—to have single-minded purpose together for the “faith of the gospel”, not any selfish interest!

And how do we accomplish that task? As Peter tells us, we are to “gird up the loins of your mind”, keeping our minds set on the cross, and being “sober”, which is not simply a reference to refraining from alcoholic consumption, but a call to have committed, clear focus on Jesus, much like Paul commands us in Ephesians 5:17-19:

“Wherefore be ye not unwise,

but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine,

wherein is excess;

but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing

and making melody

in your heart

to the Lord;”

We are to be wise and devoted to, as well as yielded to, the “will of the Lord”, and taking note of Paul’s example of being filled with the Spirit, meaning to be controlled or pervaded by the Spirit rather than be controlled or pervaded by external or internal agents, i.e. alcohol, drugs, passions, or material drives, etc. We are to direct our hearts and minds toward the things of God—and praise music is a wonderful way to focus on Jesus. And we also have the commission to make wise choices, by keeping our eyes on Jesus, making sure our hearts don’t become distracted from the “cross” or the one who gave Himself to save us from our sins on that cross.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy

that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

We are to lay aside the heaviness of life, and the sin which “doth so easily beset us” by “Looking unto Jesus” in all we do, or as the NASB says “fixing our eyes on Jesus”! Our responsibility is to keep ourselves “Near The Cross”:

“1. Jesus, keep me near the cross;

there a precious fountain,

free to all, a healing stream,

flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Refrain:

In the cross, in the cross,

be my glory ever,

till my raptured soul shall find

rest beyond the river.

2. Near the cross, a trembling soul,

love and mercy found me;

there the bright and morning star

sheds its beams around me.

(Refrain)

3. Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

bring its scenes before me;

help me walk from day to day

with its shadow o’er me.

(Refrain)

4. Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,

hoping, trusting ever,

till I reach the golden strand

just beyond the river.

(Refrain)

Words by Fanny Crosby

       Music by William H. Doane

Have a blessed week “Near” your cross, and may the Lord grow us in His grace and truth with “its shadow o’er me”! How big is YOUR cross? A question that only YOU can answer!

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #249   When I Am Afraid, What???

We all have those moments, those nights, those days when things seem to come against us faster than we can even comprehend. Yet our God is never, I repeat never, caught off guard or by surprise. As one of my favorite evangelists, David Ring says, “God NEVER says ‘ooops’!” Praise God, that is so true!!! Our God is in total sovereign control, and we can trust Him in all things, all times and all situations.

The Psalms give us much comfort when we are distressed, confused or desperate for answers, because God is always faithful to His people—ALWAYS! And we can trust and depend on His loving, perfect beneficent care! The Psalms give great comfort to us, especially in those times.

“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

And God reminds of these things often in scripture:

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

Whatever your situation today, God is waiting for you to call on Him, to rest in Him, to depend on His care. I am so grateful that I have not had to walk through this life without Jesus; He has walked with me, spoken to my troubled heart, and directed my steps, when I had no idea of which way to turn. And dear friends HE is here for YOU! He came that we could have “LIFE” in Him, that we could know Him and walk confidently with Him through the challenges, and crises that this earthly life naturally presents to each and every person. And God is providing for all who come to Him through the blood of the Lamb. He has given us His Word and His Spirit to guide us into all truth and confidence.

“Stand in awe, and sin not:

commune with your own heart

upon your bed,

and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There be many that say,

Who will shew us any good?  

Lord,

lift thou up the light of thy countenance

upon us.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart,

more than in the time that their corn

and their wine increased.”

SO???

“8 I will both lay me down in peace,

and sleep:

for thou, Lord, only

makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:4-8

So??? Look up, trust God, rest in HIM and walk confidently through each day, knowing that God is there even when you’re not sure what is going on. Rest in Him today—He knows those who are His own, He is in control, and you can trust HIM—ALWAYS!!!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his…” 2 Tim 2:19a

Bible Ballistics: BBs #248 What Do You Desire/Long For???

We all have “longings” or “desires”, whether they are for people, places, things or inanimate ideas or accomplishments. But what are we doing about our longings? Are they what we really need to be focusing on? Or have we allowed the world to skew our view? Let’s take a look at the Word for a few minutes today and see what God calls us to:

“Wherefore laying aside

all malice,

and all guile,

and hypocrisies,

and envies,

and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word,

that ye may grow thereby: ”   1 Peter 2:1-5

God reminds us that there are some things we are to lay aside—things we are to avoid being, doing and/or participating in. We are God’s own, transformed by the power of the cross, and the blood of Jesus Christ, and we are transformed to reflect the glory of our God and King!

But how do we do all that? We must cultivate godly longings and desires. Peter calls the recipients of his letter, and us as well, to put away the evil things of this world but not just to put away evil things; he calls us to desire and long for the “Word of God”, the Bible!! We are to long for the “sincere milk of the word” because it is the source of our spiritual growth, maturity and usefulness to God.

Paul also wrote about this necessary discipline:

“Study

to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase

unto more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:15

We are to study God’s Word so that we can “rightly” divide the Word; implying that there is a “wrong” way to divide God’s Word. We are inundated on every hand with false claims and teachings, and if we haven’t studied the Word of God for ourselves we may not recognize the error, the “profane and vain babblings” that people offer up as truth! And Paul tells us that these false teachings are a danger because “they will increase unto more ungodliness”, and my friends we are seeing this all around us and even in the church today!

Paul also assures us that God’s Word is dependable for the task, and adequate to produce results in our lives.

“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,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“ALL” scripture is profitable to us, but not just sitting on a shelf or a table to display our allegiance to it, but the reading and studying of it regularly, diligently and with integrity to allow the Word to say what it says, and then to apply it’s message to our lives. That we could join the Psalmist and ask for God’s provision to:

“Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

So, what are we longing for? Are we longing for the Word of God and growing by its power, or are we so caught up in the world’s distractions that we are living in negligence or outright opposition to God and HIS Word? May God speak to each of us today as we ponder on HIS Word and commit ourselves to seek His face and His good work and will in our lives?

 “He that diligently seeketh good

procureth favour:

but he that seeketh mischief,

it shall come unto him.” Proverbs 11:27

The choice is yours, as Paul reminds us:

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

What crop is coming your way?