Bible Ballistics: Sorry, I Don’t Go There! Pt. 1 Vol. 7#07

As you can surmise from the title designation “Pt. 1”, we will be taking this study through next week, simply because there is too much to share in one article. So next Sunday we will look at Pt. 2 and hopefully give you some serious food for thought. Related to the things we have been talking about so far this year, I continue to call each one to ‘examine’ our own hearts and lives to see where we truly stand with Jesus, because it is too important an issue to ignore or neglect. And I believe that many in our day are far afield from “Biblical Salvation”, a burden the Lord has placed on my heart and I must obey his call and share truth.

I am deeply grieved that our culture is opening it’s arms wider and wider to receive the things of the world and the “prince of this world”, while rejecting and ignoring the things of God and His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord of glory; as well as those who are His (See John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; and Ephesians 2:2 to see that Satan, the serpent, the Devil/Lucifer are references to the same “prince of the world”). We are seeing more and more open, blatant acceptance of this enemy of the souls of men, the one who seems to be becoming the hero of the world, ushering in a time that God prophesied would come in all of scripture (And that’s a subject for another day); a time that scripture warns us abut again and again. Yet it seems many have missed that warning and are under the delusion that they can be on both sides of the fence and can love the world and God at the same time; but scripture tells us that is impossible.

While genuine believers do stumble, and make egregious mistakes and sin, they do not “live” there continually because God disciplines His own children, and brings them to repentance or He may take them home, in fact scripture clearly confirms that very thing.

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Hebrews 12:6-8

“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” 1 John 5:16-17

Now please understand, that while we can’t always discern between a “sin unto death” and a “sin not unto death”, we are to continually pray for our brethren who have stumbled and reach out to them, but God says there is a line that believers can cross. That’s one reason I believe God clearly tells us we are to pray “in the Spirit”, and when we are praying according to the direction of the Spirit, it will be the right thing. But the point I want us see is that God is telling us something important? God is telling us that believers are accountable because they belong to HIM! The lost are already dead in sin, so John is talking to those who are genuine believers. But everyone must be sure they are in the faith!

What do I want to convey in this article today? I earnestly and with a grieved heart call us to examine ourselves and be sure that we truly belong to Jesus, that we might have the confidence of having HIS life in us; to be sure we belong to Him! This is eternal life—not just the promise of heaven, but also the life of Jesus within us, at work in us all the time.

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:7

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13: 3 (And 5, Jesus repeats this twice, that means it is important)

And true repentance brings change, change that God works within that we are to work out. To coin a phrase, “no change, no salvation”:

“God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Psalm 55:19

Have you allowed God to change you? Or are you still walking in your own selfish, sinful ways? Are you a “new man/woman”? Does your lifestyle reflect Jesus’ new life?

“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

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.” John 10:9-11

A real relationship with Jesus is not just a “prayer”, or a “formula”, or “walking an aisle”, or doing “works of the law”, or doing “good works” that we are depending on to save us. It is becoming HIS SHEEP!!! A real relationship with Jesus comes when we sense the conviction of His Holy Spirit calling our heart to forsake our sinful, selfish ways and repent of those sin, and trust in Jesus for transformation and redemption. Paul says it about as well as it can be said in Colossians 1:

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44 God draws us unto the Son via the Holy Spirit, and Jesus brings us unto the Father!

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Only one way—and it’s all of God, we simply respond in repentance and faith to HIS work on the cross, from within our hearts. We are delivered from sin and the power of the devil, and are translated (transferred/placed) into the Kingdom of Jesus. How? By His redemption (buying us back from death) for our sin on the cross where His precious, sinless, divine blood paid the debt that I owed, because my sin made me unable to pay any other way but by death and hell. And by faith in His payment/redemption, which His sacrifice made, our souls can be saved from the clutches of HELL!!! (Remember the “wages” of sin IS “death”!) But praise God for grace—getting what I don’t deserve; and mercy—not getting what I do deserve!!!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:8-10

By the grace of God I am saved, delivered, redeemed and made new—not left to flounder in my sin until I get to heaven, but made a new creation to live the life of Jesus in the here and now! Not saved “BY” good works, but saved “UNTO” good works—I don’t work to be saved, but if I am genuinely saved, His work will be manifest in me! (See James 2:17-19 & John 14:15, 21 & 15:10). Again, my point isn’t to repeat the gospel of grace and faith that gives us this new life, but to remind us that when we receive “eternal life” it is the life of Christ being worked out in us right now. And to experience this, I must understand that true, genuine, heaven sent salvation is a work wherein I die to my own sinful ways, and receive the life of Christ within.

“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. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:1-6

Because “all have sinned” we are “the ungodly”, so we all need Jesus, and when we come to Him we are made “godly” by, in and through HIM, because we can now walk in the Spirit– not the flesh!

“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. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:8-18

Did you notice how many times Paul reminds us of the nature of the transforming “Spirit” within all those who belong to Jesus? And when Jesus is within us, we are enabled to live for Him each and every day, in each and every thing we do. And because He is alive within me, there are places I don’t go, there are things that I don’t do, there are words that I don’t use, and try not to listen to or read as a regular endeavor. Now you might say that is a little harsh and demanding, and you may be right, but what price am I NOT willing to pay to be pleasing to my Lord Jesus Christ and Father God? None! While I’m not perfect, nor do I claim to be, I do earnestly strive to please my Lord in all that I do. Why? Again, Paul says it better than I could:

“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. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8: 28-31

“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.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:20-21

And why do I desire to live this way? How can I?

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

All because of HIM, the One who is worthy because:

HE IS GOD!

HE paid for my sin!

HE provides all that I need to live for HIM!

HE is coming again!

It’s all about Jesus, and if I belong to HIM, then my life should reflect HIM in all I do. What is your life marked by? Jesus? Or something else?

In closing today, I’d like to share my own testimony with you, the story of how I came to know Jesus Christ as my own personal Lord and Savior, and we’ll pick up form there next Sunday.

I was raised in a Christian home, with two parents who loved God and loved us children. We were not only taken to church but also taught to live what we were taught in church and at home, by the example and instruction of our parents.

While I knew the “facts” of biblical teachings, I had a heart of rebellion that ran deep within me. I could talk the talk, and live the life that was expected before others, but deep within my heart there was an emptiness, yet I wasn’t willing to really do things God’s way. I was a people pleaser, but deep within I was full of pride, arrogance and a heart full of grudges and resentments that others didn’t see.

I married when I was 17, the same week I graduated from high school because I wanted to be on my own, and be my own boss, rather than to yield to my parents. I knew very quickly that I had ‘jumped out of the frying pan into the fire’, and the resentment and grudges grew more and more with each passing year. I was so full of discontent that I yielded to the temptation to let my affections wander. This ended up in a divorce from my first husband, and another marriage made of two homes that I was the main cause of destroying. All this time claiming to be a believer, I simply moved to a new town and a new church. In fact I found a preacher that told me that God wanted me to be happy, and “not all marriages were really marriages before God”!! Really? At the time it was just the thing I wanted to hear to fulfill my own lusts and desires and justify my sin, but it IS NOT what God’s Word teaches about the sanctity of marriage. I was an adulterer and I just ran headlong my own way, with no compunction or concern for what it might cost me or the other people that were affected. I resumed my “people pleasing” lifestyle in a new church that simply accepted me as what I pretended to be. I had made so many “professions” of faith in Jesus, and had been baptized enough times to “know all the frogs by first name”, but not once had I faced my own sin and my need to be “changed” and “transformed” by the blood of the Lamb.

After several years in the “new” marriage, I had just participated in a “revival” in the church we were attending (never stopped doing the “good” works before men”), and had been burdened about the true nature of my evil, prideful and resentful heart but just tried to ignore it. On the Monday after the revival, a very dear friend called me on the phone and was so excited to tell me that she (also a worker in this church) had finally come to realize that she was not saved, that she had been trying to save herself all these years, and that the Lord had spoken to her heart and called her to repentance and faith, and she had responded and been saved that very morning! Of course she called on the phone and I feigned excitement and congratulated her, but when I got off the phone I shrugged my shoulders and said to myself, “So what?”

At that point God began to speak through the convicting power of His Holy Spirit, and kept whispering in my ear, “That’s what you need! You aren’t my child”! But yes Lord, I must be yours—I’ve been raised in the church, I’ve been teaching since I was a teenager, I sing, I play, I attend your church faithfully, and everyone is impressed with me. They just elected me as the women’s group leader! Yet God kept on whispering, “You are NOT my child”, but Lord look at all I’ve done. And He kept coming back with that same, still small voice, “You are NOT my child”. In desperation I called a dear friend to come over, and she did, so I argued with God and her for a good while still, (and she said very little but I know she was praying) until I finally had to acknowledge that God was right and I was wrong. I had to fall on my face and confess to God that I was in need of His cleansing, life-changing salvation that only Jesus could give; that I could never earn it myself, and my heart told the story that I knew to be true, regardless of what others thought. He saved me, praise God, so I made my conversion public and while many tried to convince me that I was already saved, I assured them that God knew my heart and I knew what He had truly done in me on that Monday morning, in my own living room, in tears on my face before Him—HE saved me FROM my sin, and put a new heart and spirit within me. The Holy Spirit of Jesus came and redeemed me, and put His love and Spirit within me.

And while I didn’t achieve perfection, I did gain a new heart, a friend that is closer than a brother, and a redeemer who has never forsaken me, but has worked in and through my heart to make me more like Jesus with every day that I walk with Him. Through circumstances of life, I went through two more failed marriages (Both on grounds of immorality against me, you do “reap what you sow” Gal. 6:7) but by God’s grace we made it through the trials and difficulties, and God has never failed me. I came to Oklahoma in 1979 as a single mother with four children between 12 years old and 10 months old, and God has always gone before us; we never missed a meal or went naked because Jesus always provided for us. And I have tried to faithfully serve Him at every opportunity, and in 1987 God sent a wonderful godly man to share my life and the life of my family, and through thick and thin, good and bad God has grown us more and more into the image of His Son. And I thank God for grace, mercy, forgiveness and His restoring work. I serve because of God’s provision, and His power to deliver from sin!

May you know Him in all His fullness! See you next week!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #237 Do You Have The Real Powerball?

The ‘hype’ is all around us over the “PowerBall” drawing!!! People standing in line to buy tickets to try and win a fortune with odds at 1 in 292,000,000. Why do we allow ourselves to be run around in circles to get “something for nothing”? Partly because we have become a culture of self and greed, especially greed apart from honorable and honest, hard work, a culture consumed with ease and $$$. Well there is real “Power” available and you don’t have to gamble to get it.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13

The “POWER” that we can plug into is the “POWER” of God and it is unparalleled, eternal and inexhaustible. It doesn’t require a “ticket” or a charger, but it does require a “transaction”! And that is the ‘transaction’ of being “born again” by the ‘power’ 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

Did you get that? God gives us the “power” to become His children, by being “born……of God”!!! God is then our Father, not just our creator!!! The fall into sin, and the curse of sin is broken at the cross—but only at the cross, and then the power of God works within us to enable us walk a holy and godly life, to resist the enemy of our souls, and gain the victory over the strongholds that try to bind us.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds😉 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We can have the power of God at work within us; we have only to avail ourselves of this power of God by repentance and faith in Jesus. Yielding ourselves to walk in His Spirit, the working of His power in and through us; enabled to walk in His power and will rather than our own.

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2

It’s this “power” of God that we need—not a windfall profit of greed and destruction. We are in dire need of the power of God in our lives, in our families, in our nation and our world—it’s the only thing that will bring real change!!! Because only the creator of the human soul can make it new again! We need the only power that brings “righteousness”!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

We live by faith in the God who can and will empower us to be born again, and walk in His “righteousness”. While the world is looking for “fortune” and “fame” in a lottery ticket, we who know Jesus, have the real power to live above the confusion of this world!

“For the preaching of the cross is

to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.” 1 Cor. 1:18

Have you received this “power of God”? It’s the only power that matters, both now in this life and in eternity! My prayer for each of you is that you will come to know this ‘power’ball of God in Jesus Christ and His salvation, and if you already know Him, that you will walk in the “power of His might” today. You can, you know? I pray for you:

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,” Ephesians 1:17-20

May you live in “the working of his mighty power”! It never fails, and God’s power is available “to every one that believeth” today!!! The choice is yours. Choose wisely!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #236 Arise, Shine–Light Has Come!!!

We talked recently about the multitudes who are asleep to the truths of God, at the least, or completely deceived, at the worst. This burden is still on my heart and I’d like to address it again today.

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isaiah 60:1

Of course, Jesus is that light, the light that came to not only bring truth to those who would receive it, but to “BE” truth—He is God incarnate, in very essence truth! And just as He is the only way—He is the only real light that can open our eyes to see truth.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Jesus is the only way to God, through His death, burial and resurrection, which purchased our forgiveness and redemption (See 1 Cor. 15:3-6)! Jesus said HE is the only way to the ‘Father’—not works, not the law, not religion, not charitable acts of kindness (which can all be good things)—only Jesus can and will bring us into a relationship with God, and eternal life. And Jesus gives NEW LIFE NOW!!! He transforms us and gives us the power to live a different way—the way of light—and the only way to walk in the light in a dark world. And Jesus had a lot to say about ‘light’!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46

Jesus tells us clearly that He IS the “light of the world”—not “a” light but “the” true light of and for the world, and those who follow Him will NOT continually walk in darkness. It grieves my heart greatly that so many around us have latched onto a gospel of “convenience” and “easy-believe-ism” which implies and even blatantly claims that simply ‘praying a prayer’, or ‘claiming the name of Jesus’ without ever realizing or knowing the conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit of God, will guarantee them a “get out of hell free card”; that they need not recognize that they are lost “sinners” in need of repentance and a real trust and commitment to the only one who can deliver anyone from the penalty of sin! God forbid! ONLY JESUS can give life, and He will, to all who will bow before Him as the God Man, who is fully God and fully man, who came to live in a body of flesh, so that He could die for MY sin and YOURS; believing that HE not only died for our sin, but He rose victorious over sin, death and hell (and yes HELL is real, God says so). He will save all who receive the “new birth” and become a “new creature” in “Jesus”.

Jesus also said that if we “follow” Him we will not walk in darkness, and while we can’t do anything to add to our salvation, if we are genuinely “born again” we will walk in “newness of life”. Being dead to ourselves and alive in HIM:

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

Paul gave a clear presentation of this truth as he stood before King Agrippa, and proclaimed that his purpose was to share the gospel that he personally received from Jesus. That he was called and sent:

“To open their eyes,

and to turn them from darkness to light,

and from the power of Satan unto God,

that they may receive forgiveness of sins,

and inheritance among them

which are sanctified

by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:18  (Paul recounting the words of Jesus)

Paul is telling us that the gospel delivers sinners from darkness into the light—the very person of Jesus Christ, and also into the light of His ways working within us. Peter describes it as seeing the “day star arise in your hearts”.

“ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:” 2 Peter 1:19

The light of Jesus enables us to “Arise, shine” because “thy light is come”, and that light IS JESUS! And Jesus Himself said that it is knowing Him, not just talking about Him. When we truly know Him, we can “arise” and “shine” because He is “in us” via His Holy Spirit. (See Romans 8:9)

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 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. 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 1:5-10

Walking in the light, doesn’t mean we are sinless, but that we are pursuing Jesus and living out what He has put within us, as His child. It means that we desire and pursue a more intimate walk with Him, knowing that HE is working in us; knowing that when we fail and sin (and we will), we will see it as sin (agree with God), and confess our sin as sin and then He will not only forgive us, but cleanse us from “all unrighteousness”. And walking with Him we can have confidence in His work in us because:

“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, my challenge to us is that we will be the light the world needs to see. That we will treat the “gospel” with integrity and share the truth that Jesus changes and transforms lives from “darkness unto light”; that we are saved “from” our sin, not “in” it! Let’s “Arise” and “Shine”—HE is our light!!!

Bible Ballistics: What Will You Do With TODAY??? Vol. 7#06

“This is the day

which the Lord hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

As we enter upon a new year of 2016, I am reminded that we often get so busy rehearsing the past, or planning and anticipating the future that we often forget to “live” today. As the old adage says, “Are you so busy making a living, that you forget to make a ‘life’?” Or as the younger generation puts it, “Get a life”, in other words “live” in the here and now—because it is truly all we have.

Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never come, so what will we do with “today”? Scripture is replete with challenges to live the life that God has given us and to do it in the ‘here and now’—in fact ‘now’ is all we have!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”   Proverbs 27:1

But what are we to do with today? Remember that each day is a gift from God, to be given back to Him through our love and service (to God and others).

“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

Jesus isn’t calling us to be irresponsible or flippant about living or caring for the matters of life, but He is calling us to seek God primarily as the provider for each day as it comes. When we put God first in everything, then all else will be taken care of in the proper time and season. Jesus even reveals this mindset in the model prayer, but we often just overlook the simplicity of what He teaches us about prayer. Prayer isn’t just a checklist, or a wish-list that we hand to God expecting Him to meet “our desires”, but a line of communication through which we open ourselves to the heart and mind of God. Let’s examine what Jesus tells us about prayer (not what to pray but how!!) in Matthew 6:9-13.

 “After this manner therefore pray ye:”

In “this way”. Jesus gives us a wonderful pattern of how we are to seek the face of God. We are to pray in “this manner”, and while there is nothing wrong with repeating the words of the “Lord’s Prayer”, Jesus gives it to us as a pattern to use in our praying, not as the ‘words’ we are to speak to God.

“Our Father which art in heaven,”

Just as Jesus depended on His Father God, so are we to know and be confident in the total sovereignty and dependability of our Father God. But He is only “Father” to those who trust in Jesus.

“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

He is the One to whom we cling, along with His only begotten Son–Jesus, our Redeemer, Savior and Lord—the one who gives us the “new birth”. And when we begin by calling on God, we are not only acknowledging Him, but honoring Him and who HE is–God: 

“Hallowed be thy name.”

We are to acknowledge and adore the Holy God whom we serve, with a heart that is ready and willing to seek “HIS” kingdom and “HIS” will, not our own. In contrast to the popular teaching of today that says we can simply “name it and claim it”, or just “speak” our greatest hearts desires ‘positively’ to God in order to receive them (although much of what our ‘heart’ desires is pure worldly lust). Jesus reminds us that our heart is to be seeking what He sought, even as He approached the cross;

“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

Likewise our prayer is to continually be:

“10 Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”

Our prayer should always seek to be in tune with God, seeking to know the heart of God, not trying to twist God’s arm to accomplish our will. While we live in a “selfie” world that is trying to make God into “man’s image” rather than acknowledging that we were made “in the image of God”, we are attempting to create “God in your own image”. But what we should be desiring is for God to make us more “conformed to the image of His Son” (See Romans 8:28-29). To be like the son—not like the world.

Jesus shows us that our focus should be on “today” and a lifestyle of “selflessness” not “selfish” obsession with yesterday and/or tomorrow.

“11 Give us this day our daily bread.”

God desires that we depend on Him for today’s provision. We are to prepare for the future with a heart of trust in God’s total sovereignty and dependability! Today we are to focus on God, on others and our ability to serve both God and man. Our attitudes will reflect our confidence:

“12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:”

We are to forgive because we are forgiven:

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

I don’t forgive because I have to, I forgive because I can—I have been forgiven, therefore I can forgive others because the “love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (See Ro. 5:5).

And why do we do all of this? We can live in “today” because we belong to Jesus, and we can only share what we have received. God’s kingdom is coming in Jesus, but it should also be here right now—Today—in our lives!!! May others see Jesus in us—Today!!! But how:

“For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever.

Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

We belong to God Almighty—ruler of heaven and earth. We can trust Him with today, rest in His forgiving grace and restoring mercy for yesterday, and have confident hope for tomorrow. Will you live for Him today? My prayer for you is that God will grow you in His grace and truth—today and each today!

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire

that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful in every good work,

and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers

      of the inheritance

of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:” Col. 1:9-14

May we share a great new year—ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #235      My New Year’s Prayer!!!

As we start this new year of 2016, I prayer for all those around me, for the world at large and especially for America, which is in great need of prayer. But I pray today especially for those special people in my life (and yours) who are walking in blatant disobedience to what they know to be the truth, and for those who know the truth but have rejected, dismissed or minimalized the seriousness of the Word of God and the truth of the imminent return of Jesus Christ The Lord. My heart is burdened that so many in my life (and I’m sure yours as well) claim the name of Jesus, use cutesy “religious jingles” and “pictures” on social media but have no desire to walk with God or live a lifestyle of “holiness” and Biblical integrity, the can post nice “religious” sayings one minute and curse like the devil in the next. Something is wrong with this picture!

My heart breaks for the reality that many of them, many of you, may be living in deception. So my prayer today is that God will open our eyes, that we will each open ourselves before God and let Him reveal truth to our hearts:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:” Psalm 139:23

“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

And what does it mean to be “in the faith”? It starts with the basics that Jesus declared to Nicodemus!

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God……….. 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 & 5

We must be “born again” by God’s Spirit, and that is a life-changing transformation that only God can perform in the hearts of men, women, boys and girls. A work that comes when we repent of our sin, and trust in the work that Jesus did for us on Calvary—knowing that He paid for our sin—His death for my life.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“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

Being “in the faith” means I have be born “of God”! We all share in the flesh and blood that gave life at our birth, but we must choose to receive the new life that being “born again” imparts– to those who will believe in HIM!

Not just giving “mental assent” to His existence—

Not just walking an aisle

or repeating some “magic formula” prayer—

Not just “speaking” the name of Jesus

and “saying” we believe!

Being born again means I have placed all I am at the feet of Jesus; that I have come to the end of myself and heard the voice of Jesus’ Spirit speaking to me the life bringing truth that I am lost without HIM; it means that I have come to understand the futility and emptiness that exists within me apart from Jesus (regardless of the religious activity that may appear in my life); real faith means I have seen the truth of my failure—my sin—and come to the only ONE who can give me life and peace with GOD and peace from GOD!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

And I can be a “new creature” only by faith in Jesus death for MY sin, in turning from my own way to HIM and His way.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

And because of God’s precious grace we can be “saved” from our sins, given new life and walk in “good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”. Not works that save, but salvation that produces good works, because I have peace with God, as well as the peace of God.

“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.” Romans 5:1-2

So, what am I saying? I am simply saying what Jesus said in Matthew 7, “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!!! It’s not what I say, it’s what I possess from God through Jesus Christ, and if I truly belong to Jesus there will be evidence in my life, to one degree or another. If I really belong to Jesus, I can’t walk in disobedience continually without the discipline of God!

“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.” Matthew 7:18-23

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Hebrews 12:6-8 Are you “real”? Or “illegitimate”/imitation?

If you are living a godless life, but clinging to a past “profession”, “prayer”, “baptism”, “confirmation” or any other “religious” activity to get you to heaven, please, please, please ask God to reveal your heart to you. If you are ignoring God with no thought about it, you should examine what you think “saved” you! Please seek the face of Jesus and His power today, for it is of eternal importance; your eternity depends on it. God knows the truth, no matter what anyone else thinks. Just because your ‘daddy’, or ‘grandma’, or ‘wife’, or ‘husband’ or even your ‘children’ think you are a “good person”, if you don’t really belong to Jesus, you have no hope.

And if you are claiming the name of Jesus and living in open, blatant, unbiblical ways of sin I beg of you to ‘examine’ your heart and ask God to show you your real condition before HIM?

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “were” NOT “are”

I didn’t say it, GOD did! So my prayer is that YOU will take time today and in this coming year to truly come to know God through His Son Jesus, if you don’t. And if you already belong to Jesus, remember that other’s eternity may depend on your example and testimony. Our Lord is coming soon.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:1-6

Jesus is still the only way!!! And He knows not only your “lifestyle” but also your “heart”—just because others don’t see the evil within you, doesn’t mean Jesus can’t! He knew my evil heart and came to confront my sin, and save me and deliver me from my own sin. He will do the same for you today. I pray that you will call on Him while there is still time. Amen and Amen