Bible Ballistics: BBs #241     Really Trusting???

We talked last time about forgiveness and what Jesus said about it in the “Model Prayer”. Jesus calls us to forgive, and He also talks about our focus and emphasis in prayer. Prayer is our ‘life-line’ with our Father God Almighty, and His Son Jesus Christ, so we need to understand what scripture teaches us about prayer, rather than the popular leanings of our day. Proverbs gives us a beautiful picture of an accurate attitude towards prayer.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

How different from popular rhetoric in Christendom that tells people to just “name it and claim it”, or just “speak positively”, or God wants you to be “happy, healthy and wealthy” and if you are lacking those things then you must not have enough faith (See Hebrews 11:32-40)! Well my friends, scripture has a different approach to prayer, and it’s not a blanket manipulation tool to control God! Prayer is to be our “life-line” to know and live in the center of GOD’S will NOT our own! We’re called to:

Trust in the LORD with ALL our heart—

NOT to trust in OUR OWN understanding—

Acknowledge GOD in all our ways NOT self—

Trust GOD’S direction of our path NOT our own—

So what are you doing about prayer? Let’s dig a little deeper into what scripture tells us about prayer. Let’s go back to the “Model Prayer” and we see what Jesus Himself tells us about the pattern for every prayer:

“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.” Matthew 6:9-10

We are to pray! And as we continually pray, we are to seek God’s will in any given situation or request. We are to ask, and seek, and knock until God answers, reveals and/or opens the doors that accomplish HIS will in us and those we pray for. Prayer isn’t a “heavenly slot machine” where we just put in our “coins” of prayer and keep pulling the handle until we “win” God over to our will. God forbid!!! Why have we who claim His name, forgotten that HE is God and not us? Our heart should be to seek HIS face and desire to see HIS will in and through the circumstances and people that HE has placed in our circle of influence.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

People use the example of Elijah’s prayer for the rain to stop, and it stopped; and then his prayer for it to rain and it rained; yet often fail to check out why he prayed that way. But scripture tells us why.

“And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.” 1 K 18:26

Elijah obeyed God in his praying about the rain. Do you get it? Elijah prayed according to the “word” that God spoke to him. How are we to pray? According to His will, and His Word. Our prayer life is to be totally focused on God’s will—God’s will in all the things that burden our hearts—for those who are grieving, those who are suffering, those who are dying, those who are lost without Jesus!

When we truly “trust” God in “all” our ways, and the ways of those around us, we can release the burdens of our hearts into HIS hands. YES, asking for those things we think are pleasing to Him, but always with the caveat of “Thy will be done”; because if it pleases God, it should please us. NO, we won’t always understand, but we can always “TRUST” our Lord God Almighty to do what is best for His purposes, His glory and our good! We can trust the one who loves us and gave Jesus to pay for our “wages of sin”, which was, is and always will be “death” without the gift of God’s salvation through the blood of our Redeemer Jesus! And when we are His, we are His, and HE cares about everything that comes to us and those HE has placed in our circle! We can trust Him with it all. Do you? Or are you dictating to God? Are you willing to trust it all to HIM? None of us do it perfectly right all the time, but may we ever strive to trust HIM more, and stop trying to twist God’s arm to do our will!

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:25-39

PRAY ON!!!   We win!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #240     Forgive Us This Day???

I would just like to take a few minutes today to remind us all that forgiveness, while seldom being easy, is essential. Mostly it is essential because the Lord told us to forgive, bust also for our own spiritual well being we need to forgive others, after all, we are forgiven ourselves. As Jesus commanded us in the model prayer:

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen..”     Matthew 6:12-13

And I don’t know about you, but I am in need of HIS forgiveness on a moment-by-moment basis. Jesus calls us to pray about forgiveness but also to apply forgiveness. He even goes on in this passage to warn us that if we won’t forgive, why would God forgive us. Believers in Jesus have, above all people, an honor and an obligation to extend to others the same kindness that God has extended to us in and through His Son Jesus Christ’s forgiveness.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you..” Ephesians 4:32

Paul also in his prayer for the Colossian church reminds us that while God does love the “world” unconditionally, His forgiveness is totally conditional on the blood of Jesus; and when we have received that forgiveness, we can do nothing but extend to others the forgiveness that we have received and experienced. Even when others hurt our feelings, offend us, disrespect us or treat us harshly, we are compelled to follow the example of Jesus.

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:14

So just as a word of reminder and encouragement today, no matter who has hurt you today, yesterday or ages ago remember that we were all lost in sin without Jesus!

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; …… 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;)” Ephesians 2:1, 4-5

Quickened meaning gave new life, and He tells us twice in these short verses that He gives new life—a forgiven life!!!

Have a blessed day dear friends and as the popular refrain of the day says, “Let it go”, give it to Jesus! Remembering that God in His total sovereignty knows what is going on in your life and HE is working it out for YOUR good.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29

So, remember:

“If God be for us, who can be against us?” Ro. 8:31b

Not any one ultimately because we belong to Jesus!!! Have a blessed day of freedom and joy.

Bible Ballistics: Sorry, I Don’t Go There? Pt. 2 Vol. 7#08

As we continue our thoughts from last week, we know that God saves and changes lives, but “just saying so, doesn’t make it so”! Only the life-changing blood of Jesus can change a heart from sinful to holy!!! And when He does, there is an evidence of His presence.

“Wash you, make you clean;

put away the evil of your doings

from before mine eyes;

cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well;

seek judgment,

relieve the oppressed,

judge the fatherless,

plead for the widow.

18 Come now,

and let us reason together, saith the Lord:

though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson,

they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:16-18

The only way that we can be changed and cleansed from our sin, is by grace through faith in the blood of Jesus—realizing that we can’t save ourselves or change our own hearts apart from Jesus. Playing church won’t do it. Living a lie—no matter how convincing it may be—will never make you a child of God. Only Jesus can do that! What are you depending on?

“Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:” Revelation 3:17

If you are familiar with the context of this passage, Jesus Himself is speaking to a “church”—those who claimed to know Him. Yet their perception of themselves, is totally opposite to what Jesus reveals to be the truth about them! Jesus says that they considered themselves to be “rich… ….increased with goods…” and in “need of nothing”! This is the state of many churches around us today, particularly in America. So many churches aren’t seeking God, for they think they already have all they need. But it would seem that Jesus is warning us that when we think we “have need of nothing”, it may be time to examine where we really are. He also tells us that to accomplish anything of value for His kingdom, we must abide in HIM.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 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 15:4-5

Only what we do with the power and Spirit of Jesus will bear any real and lasting fruit—personally or corporately!!! We can spin our wheels and impress people, or we can “abide” in Jesus and watch God do mighty things (And man isn’t the judge of what is the mighty work of God)! God works in ways often incomprehensible to the world!

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.”      1 Corinthians 1:25-29

It’s all about God—NOT me! As we mentioned last week:

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.”    Romans 11:36

Where is our focus? Let’s see what else Jesus had to say to the church we observed above:

“I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love,

I rebuke and chasten:

be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:18–19

Jesus calls people to repent and buy HIS ‘goods’! But with what? Not with money, but with faith in HIM and HIS atoning work at Calvary, that’s how! We must respond to HIS Spirit’s call with a contrite heart ready to abandon self, and cling to the cross. Here is Jesus’ invitation to YOU:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

And what door is Jesus knocking on? The door of the church? The door of your heart? If any person hear! If the Spirit brings you to the place of hearing the “knock” on the door, and you respond in repentance and faith to “open the door”, He has promised that He will “come in to” YOU, and you will “sup” or dine together—you become His and He will ever be with you because of the “new birth”!

“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

I believe Jesus paints a wonderful picture of this in His ‘Sermon on the Mount’; a beautiful image of realizing our need and receiving the only thing that can meet the need, make the change, and give us life: JESUS!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

But who are the “poor in spirit”? The “poor in spirit” are those who realize and see their own abject spiritual poverty; those who see that without Jesus there is no hope, but that with Him there is no end to hope, life and joy!!! He alone came that we might have life—real life—abundant life! He said so Himself!

“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.” John 10:10

Real life is only found in Jesus. Anything else is an imitation of life from the thief, the enemy of your soul (that we mentioned last week). His desire is to steal, to kill and to destroy, but Jesus can and will give you “abundant” life! Yet belonging to Jesus doesn’t mean the war is over, but it does mean that we can be victorious in the conflict. But we must maintain our vigil, because we still have an enemy who wants to distract us and rob us of our effectiveness and value to God’s kingdom work. And this is a serious issue that we often neglect to address, but James nails it to the wall for us. We need to consider what James warns us about:

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not:

ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain:

ye fight and war,

yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore

will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”    James 4:1-10

We can walk in holiness and righteousness because of HIM, and HIS redeeming work, which has given us “NEW LIFE” –a new life that should be evident in all our ways; or we can be an “adulterer” before the God that we claim to love and serve! Are you willing to “Humble yourselves” before God, or would you rather stand on your own flesh and its merits? It’s your choice, but choose well.

When we truly belong to Jesus, He is always working in us with His purpose in mind. The question we must ask is “Am I cooperating with His work and walking in the Spirit, or am I constantly running from, and wrestling with God?” Do I have to learn everything the “hard way”? Is my confidence in Jesus? When my confidence is in Him, my life can be ordered by Him.

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

And be sure, God knows those who are His:

“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

“For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalm 37:22-24

And if God knows, how ought we to live? First we must be sure we are God’s own, and then seek His face and His will in all our steps. And often that means we refrain from some behaviors.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil…….Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 22 & 24

And praise God we don’t ever have to do this alone, yet we are expected to continually consider our ways.

“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:14

We can have confidence in the one who is working for our good, because He is always with us–always:

“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

So the question isn’t “Is God faithful?”; but rather do you belong to Him. Have you bowed your knee before Jesus Christ in repentance and faith? Or are you counting on something YOU have done to make you right with God? Remember what we said earlier:

“The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity”.

So the main question that we all need to ask and come to grips with is, “Do I belong to Jesus?”. If you say so, where is your evidence? Are you living in accordance with the Spirit of God and the Word of God. Are you claiming a relationship that God doesn’t recognize. It’s a question of eternal import. One that Jesus states clearly!

“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 7:20-27

The question isn’t what do you claim, but who do you possess? Your ‘house’ may look just like the real thing to others, but God knows the foundation that you have chosen to build upon, is it the “Rock Of Ages”, or “Sinking Sand”? If you are on the rock—you will stand with HIM!!! For those who are in Christ Jesus have this grand assurance:

“As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:36-39

Are YOU in HIM? I’m praying!  May God open your eyes to see Him!!!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #239     What Are You Looking To???

I would like to share a word of confidence on this Friday; a word that might encourage you as you deal with the issues of living today. Life is from God, but oftentimes living through the daily grind includes a pathway strewn with difficulty, confusion, pain, heartache and even opposition from not only expected sources, but the most painful of all, opposition and hurt that comes from the closest and most unexpected places. We’ve all had those experiences of disappointment and betrayal; when those we love and trust turn out to have a different motive and agenda than we expected. What do we do when those things come (and if they haven’t come yet, they will)?

Well, what we don’t do, is let our circumstances control our perspective. Let’s take some lessons from the Psalms today and get a glimpse of what God would have us do today and each day we live. Whatever difficulty or pain you may be experiencing and suffering through remember –if you belong to Jesus– YOU are NOT ALONE. God has promised that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us when we belong to HIM!

“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

What must we do? We must learn to live with a contented heart, without covetousness—oh, my isn’t that “un”-American? No! In fact our founding father’s, who signed the Declaration of Independence, pledged to one another, and to this nation “Their Lives, Their Fortunes, and Their Sacred Honor”! Why? Because the things they believed about life, liberty, freedom (particularly religious freedom) and honor weren’t based on greed but selfless devotion to right and freedom. They were “content” to lay it all on the line, and many of them, if not most, trusted that God would provide for them in their just cause.

What has happened to our generation, our culture? We have abandoned God and contentment and we flounder in an ocean of greed and selfishness; while God tells us that He cares for His own and will NEVER leave those who belong to HIM!!! Where is your “contentment”? Is it in God and the here and now, or somewhere down the road in the next raise, a winning wager or ticket, the next rung on the ladder of corporate success? When difficulty comes, or conflict, or opposition, what are we to do? What do the Psalmists have to say!

“In my distress I cried unto the Lord,

and he heard me.

2 Deliver my soul, O Lord,

from lying lips,

and from a deceitful tongue.” Psalm 120:1-2

In our vernacular, “Give it to Jesus”, He knows how to handle your life, if you will but call out to HIM for deliverance—not only for salvation, but also for daily living.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23

And the delight here, I believe, is two-sided. God delights in the way of the “good man”, and the “good man” delights in God’s ways (See verse 4 of Psalm 37). And how do we accomplish this delight in and from God? Good question:

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?

by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee:

O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord:

teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared

all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,

as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts,

and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes:

I will not forget thy word.” Psalm 119:9-16

The Psalmist here asks how, and then proceeds to point us to the WORD as the “how to”!!! He lists multiple actions that we are to take, and they all focus on the Word of God! How about you and me? Are you willing to make the Word of God the primary guide of your life? Are we willing to:

Take heed to it (pay attention)—

Seek it out (along with it’s author)—

Hide it in our hearts (read, study and memorize it)—

Ask God to teach us(through His Holy Spirit)—

Declare it to others when He teaches us(testify)—

Rejoice in His Word and His Ways(Glad God is God)—

Meditate in and on His Word(Read it, think it, live it)—

Respect His ways (follow and love them)—

Delight in His ways (rather than complain)—

Not forget (remember it, don’t be distracted)—

So my dear friends, what are you looking to? Are you looking to the all-sufficient God of the universe or the flimsy and fleeting fancies of the world? It’s your choice. Choose wisely. There is a test at the end! Look up!!!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #238       I Know!!! Do You???

I would like to share a word of encouragement with you this morning. I have been so burdened over the world around us seemingly “going to hell in a hand-basket”, as the old proverb says; but we all need to be balanced and a reminder of hope is much needed. I pray that you will look up and take heart in the One who is totally in charge—always.

Let’s take a walk through Paul’s encouraging words to Timothy, his son in the faith, as Paul faces death for his testimony and service to our Lord Jesus Christ. Even in the face of extreme government opposition, we can have “Victory In Jesus”! Because our hope is NOT settled in terra firma, but in heaven, even as the Psalmist records for us:

“For ever,

O Lord,

thy word

is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89

Do you see that? “For ever” it is “settled in heaven”, regardless of what our physical eyes see happening before us here below, God has it all covered and He hasn’t ever lost control, nor will He! Ever! You can take heart in the sovereignty of our God. Let’s examine what Paul told Timothy using our analytical format.

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

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed

of the testimony of our Lord,

nor of me his prisoner:

but be thou partaker

of the afflictions of the gospel

      according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us,

and called us with an holy calling,

not according to our works,

but according to

his own purpose

and grace,

which was given us

in Christ Jesus

before the world began 

10 But is now made manifest

by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death,

and hath brought life

and immortality

to light through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed

a preacher,

and an apostle,

and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause

I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed:

for I know whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.

13 Hold fast

the form of sound words,

which thou hast heard

of me,

in faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.

14 That good thing

which was committed unto thee

keep by the Holy Ghost

which dwelleth in us.”    2 Timothy 1:7-14

Just to recap:

Don’t fear but think clear IN JESUS—

Don’t be ashamed but courageous in GOD’S POWER—

Don’t be dismayed but confident in GOD’S PURPOSES—

Don’t be intimidated but bold in the GOSPEL’S TRUTH—

Don’t be defeated but KNOW WHOM YOU BELIEVE—

Don’t flounder but HOLD FAST TO GOD’S LOVE—

Don’t be frazzled but REST IN THE HOLY SPIRIT—

 WHO DWELLS IN YOU!!!

So, take heart and sing with me (yes there’s a song written from this passage)—

“for I know whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.”

 “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke21:28

Amen and Amen!!!