Bible Ballistics: BBs #194 You Trust WHAT???

We here in America can’t escape the ‘political’ whoopla going on at every turn. Accusations, promises, threats and name-calling abound and many are swayed in one direction or another by the words, actions, advertisements and ugly pictures painted of each politicians own “personal” opponents! What has happened to reason and civility? We don’t have much of either around us today, but more than a lack of reason and civility, I think we have a deeper problem and I’d like to call people, and especially those who claim to follow Jesus, to take a deeper look at what we are doing. Where is our confidence? In the government? In the weatherman? In the economy? In the energy policies? In our border policies? In our moral policies? In our military strength and might? In our “RIGHTS”? Or in our “WRONGS”?

I think we need an attitude and focus adjustment—and only by God, His Word, His Son and His grace can we achieve that.

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7

It doesn’t matter whether you trust in “chariots….or horses”, the picture God is painting here, is that our confidence, to be sound, must be placed in HIM!!! While we live in a country that has historically recognized God as God, we now find ourselves living in a culture hostile to historical and biblical faith, be it the Jewish faith based on the Old Testament or the Christian faith based on the Bible (Old and New Testaments) and Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection as the promised Messiah and Redeemer for mankind! Many who claim the name of Jesus are calling God’s own people to trust in things other than God and His Son Jesus Christ. When will we realize that our only real security and confidence rests in our God? There is NO OTHER HOPE—-

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

It doesn’t matter whether you are an Independent, a Democrat, a Republican or of some other political persuasion—POLITICS WON’T SAVE US!!! Only God can change our circumstances, because contrary to the political jargon, only ‘changed’ hearts will produce a ‘changed’ people, who could then create a ‘changed’ environment! We must, must, must get our hearts and minds on the only true and sovereign solution to our broken families, our broken states, our broken nation, our broken world—and that is God and His Son Jesus Christ, and the Word of God that reveals what we need to know about HIM. Only Jesus can change a heart, and we must focus on Him and seek to share His truth—one person at a time!!!

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” 2 Peter 1:2-9

When we belong to Jesus, He gives us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness”, and we are to affect our world with the “life” and “godliness” that HE gives to all who come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS death, burial and resurrection “for our sin”!!! (See 1 Cor. 15:3-6) And the sad thing is, that today many have forgotten that each one must be “purged from his old sins”—many in ‘Christendom’ have forgotten that the issue IS SIN!!! We have also forgotten that we are called to grow in the “life” and “godliness” that Jesus puts into us by His Holy Spirit, which is given to each true believer, fulfilling HIS purpose for coming to the world. God with US!

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23

Jesus came to save us from our sins!! And only Jesus can and does save us from our sin. BUT HE saves us from our sins to ‘life’ and ‘godliness’, which HE provides. Our confidence must be IN HIM!!! Please friends, get your eyes on Jesus, your minds into HIS Word, your hearts devoted to living for Him, and by HIM in all your ways. The government will never meet your needs! It’s not supposed to. Please seek the Lord in prayer and Bible reading and study that He might show you the way to go! That He may open your eyes to see truth and act accordingly! You can do it because Jesus has supplied all you need for living a godly life!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience;

and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.”   Romans 5:1-5

So??? What about us?

We can have victory in Jesus, no matter what the political scene looks like.

We can have the power to know and see with God’s perspective.

We are to be wise stewards of our citizenship and vote when we have the privilege, but with godly wisdom.

We must remember that our confidence isn’t in the politicians or the process BUT in our God!!! What are you trusting in? Jesus is coming soon. I want my eyes want to be on HIM!!! Because my heart is “fixed” on HIM!!!

Bible Ballistics: Courage To Live With Integrity!!! Vol. 6#18

Well here we are at Daniel chapter 6. A chapter that is chock full of powerful spiritual lessons that we often overlook because all we think about is the “lion’s den”. But this chapter and this man of God has so much more to say to us, I can’t wait for us to dig in. So, let’s go!!

Remember last week in chapter 5 we saw Belshazzar’s fall-literally! Daniel prophesied and saw his last night as king, as the Medes and Persians conquered the city and kingdom of Babylon as surely as Babylon had taken Jerusalem. And as a matter of fact by the same God’s sovereign control and prophecy of what HE would accomplish in Israel’s national life through Nebuchadnezzar first and now Cyrus and Darius.

“And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.”. Daniel 1:21

“Thus saith the Lord,

thy redeemer,

and he that formed thee from the womb,

I am the Lord that maketh all things;

that stretcheth forth the heavens alone;

that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars,

and maketh diviners mad;

that turneth wise men backward,

and maketh their knowledge foolish;

26 That confirmeth the word of his servant,

and performeth the counsel of his messengers;

that saith to Jerusalem,

Thou shalt be inhabited;

and to the cities of Judah,

Ye shall be built,

and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

27 That saith to the deep,

Be dry,

and I will dry up thy rivers:

28 That saith of Cyrus,

He is my shepherd,

and shall perform all my pleasure:

even saying to Jerusalem,

Thou shalt be built;

and to the temple,

Thy foundation shall be laid.” Isaiah 44:24-28

If you remember (if not go back and read it) chapter two identified the kingdom that would replace Babylon as a two-armed kingdom; weaker than Babylon but by God’s sovereign design they would rule the known world, and they would allow for His people to return to Jerusalem and Judah. And now we find Daniel serving in the Medo-Persian kingdom under Darius-the Mede (Who was co-ruler with Cyrus—the Persian). So now that we have a little background we’ll see what causes Daniel’s dilemma.

“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” Daniel 6:1-3

Here we find Daniel making the transition to a new regime, and God is still using and bringing Daniel into favor with the ‘powers that be’. Darius is a delegator and sets up 120 princes (satraps or governors), and 3 presidents (commissioners) over these 120 that “the king should have no damage”, in other words to keep down on the graft, greed and shady dealings of high officials! And once again we find Daniel at the top of the heap! In fact Daniel’s character and integrity is such that the king was considering setting Daniel over the whole realm. One of the things that we miss in this account is the fact that Daniel has already served some 70 years in the Babylonian ‘civil service’. Now if he was an older teenager at his transport to Babylon, and this is 70 years later—Daniel would be maybe 85-90 years old. A different perception than the old Sunday School pictures present. If you’ll think back to your childhood you probably remember a very “young” man pictured in that “lion’s den”! But the truth is Daniel is an older man, and one who has served his God with honor and integrity not in only his private life, but in all his public endeavors. So he must have been a really popular guy, right? WRONG!!! As Paul reinforces in the New Testament, serving God can often have a price.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

Serving God with devotion, honor and total integrity will have a price tag—one that many are not willing to pay. I will do some things that others refuse to do, and I will refrain from doing some things that others find it completely acceptable to do. Righteousness and integrity can bring ridicule, resentment, jealousy and many other negative responses from others. What are we willing to endure to stand with God? What was Daniel willing to face?

“Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom;

but they could find none occasion nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error or fault found in him.

5 Then said these men,

We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,

except we find it against him

concerning the law of his God.”   Daniel 6:4-5

Talk about a ‘hostile’ work environment? Here is a man of such integrity that his co-workers and subordinates couldn’t find anything to charge him with. Now, we’re not talking about Daniel’s best friends glossing over his record, but his enemies who had surely combed through every record in his 70-year history of government service –and all to no avail!! While these men, who were so jealous of Daniel’s integrity, had no desire to seek to copy his integrity, they were set on removing him from their environment and getting him out of the king’s favor. What do we do when we deal with those kinds of people in our lives? Whether at work, or in our families, or in our social settings, or yes, even in our churches? Can people say of us, “We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God”, or do we get so caught up in the ways of the world that we find that we’ve been doing things that are less than honorable before God and men. Satan’s lies always sound good on the front end but the results:

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 16:25

Or have we learned that only God’s ways bring fulfillment and success (Spiritual success by God’s standard NOT man’s)? Daniel had made his choice many years earlier and he has stood by his commitment to God, regardless of the cost in the past, and I think he sees no need to change now. Even when people come against us, we can stand fast in our God, HE is trustworthy and faithful to direct our every step.

“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. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

I think it’s entirely possible, even likely, that Daniel was familiar with these verses, because his life certainly reflected this same commitment to God. And when we look back to chapter 1, he had made his choice.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8

May we ever learn to be men, women, boys and girls of the Word of God, and devotion to the God of the Word!!

“Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.” Daniel 6:6-9

 

Talk about a ‘snow job’—did they sell a bill of goods? Let’s examine this scenario:

They assembled together—WITHOUT DANIEL–

They devise a plot to trap Daniel—IN REGARD TO HIS GOD—

They then deceive the king—that “ALL” the leaders agreed on this plan (except Daniel, their victim)—

These enemies were so sure of Daniel’s character that they knew it was a fail-safe plan—EXCEPT FOR GOD—

While they put their plan into effect—Daniel’s God had a different plan—

And then………….

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed,

he went into his house;

and his windows being open in his chamber

toward Jerusalem,

he kneeled upon his knees three times a day,

and prayed,

and gave thanks before his God,

as he did aforetime.

11 Then these men assembled,

and found Daniel praying

and making supplication before his God.”   Daniel 6:10-11

Now Daniel wasn’t ‘born yesterday’, I have every confidence that he knew exactly what was going on. I think he knew about the plot, I think he knew about the jealousy, I think he knew their evil and selfish motives and that they were out to get him, yet his focus wasn’t on the trouble, but his eyes stayed on task and his trust in his GOD!!! What do we see him do? “Now when Daniel knew” that the law had been enacted, “he went into his house……… and prayed….. and gave thanks before his God”! But be sure not to miss the major phrase here, “as he did aforetime”! Daniel didn’t run to God in a panic! He didn’t start to pray in the crises! He didn’t even call his prayer group together! Daniel simply did what these men knew he would do, because it’s what he had always done—he went to his house and prayed to His God—toward Jerusalem—in front of an open window!!! Daniel simply did what he knew to do, what he had always done, what he was devoted to doing—HE PRAYED!!! He prayed to his GOD even though it was now illegal! How happy these men must have been—he has proven their plan a workable one. But they haven’t even considered the God that Daniel served. They think it’s all in the bag—but Daniel knew it was all in his GOD’s hands. The same God who provided for he and his friends in chapter 1 (Some 70 years ago) is still on His Throne! The same God who answered their prayers regarding the King’s dream in chapter 2 is still on His Throne! The same God who delivered his friends from the fiery furnace in chapter 3 is still on His Throne. The same God who humbled King Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4 is still on His Throne. And the same God who brought down Belshazzar by this new King IS STILL ON HIS THRONE!!! Do you get it? Daniel’s confidence in his God never wavered due to his circumstances, his crises, his prominence or lack thereof—Daniel knew his God. While Daniel had probably not yet received this Word from the Lord, I think it fits his situation, “but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (See Dan. 11:32b)

“Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.” Daniel 6:12-13

The fat is now in the fire, so to speak. These fine upstanding public servants have snapped the trap shut on this “Daniel”, whom they so despise. Do you notice their method—so subtle!! O king, didn’t you….sign the law? O king, didn’t you…..make the irrevocable law? And when the king affirms the veracity of the law, they snap the trap—Daniel has violated YOUR law, O King—your favorite Daniel has disobeyed and disregarded YOUR law. But this King isn’t quite as erratic as Nebuchadnezzar was; instead when he realizes that he has ‘been had’, he is grieved:

“14 Then the king,

when he heard these words,

was sore displeased with himself,

and set his heart on Daniel

to deliver him:

and he laboured

till the going down of the sun

to deliver him.

15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.”   Daniel 6:14-15

This King now regrets his ego that was so easily pumped up by these seemingly ‘interested’ servants, but who in reality were men with an agenda!!! Ever been taken? Been tricked into doing something that you didn’t think through? Well, that’s where Darius is! He is mad at himself, and works all day long to think of a way out………….   THEN along come his ‘interested’ servants, who probably gloatingly remind King Darius that his law is irrevocable, that he must follow through and cast Daniel into the den of lions. But as one of my favorite modern proverbs says, “Watch your words, and keep them sweet, you never know, which one’s you’ll eat”. I think these deceitful public servants are in for a surprise!

“Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee.

17 And a stone was brought,

and laid upon the mouth of the den;

and the king sealed it with his own signet,

and with the signet of his lords;

that the purpose might not be changed

concerning Daniel.

18 Then the king went to his palace,

and passed the night fasting:

neither were instruments of musick

brought before him:

and his sleep went from him.

19 Then the king arose very early in the morning,

and went in haste unto the den of lions.”  Daniel 6:16-19

What a drama of amazement we see here. A pagan king so impressed with the elderly statesman of the God Almighty of all creation, that he was grieved to cause his punishment. Yet because of his hasty judgment, he had to follow through, but notice his confidence in not only this faithful man but also the God in whom his faith and devotion are placed. King Darius was caused by Daniel’s integrity and faithful service to make one of the most powerful declarations in all of scripture:

“Thy God whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee”

Unlike Nebuchadnezzar in chapter three who declared: “and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” We find Darius convinced of the power of Daniel’s God—I think as much in hope for deliverance from his own hasty actions, yet he did hope for Daniel’s vindication. He spent a sleepless night fasting and denying himself the pleasantries that he could have taken comfort in, and then “arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions”. But expecting what? Can you imagine the things that went through his mind? Could Daniel have a God who could control hungry lions? God this elderly statesman survive a night in a rugged den with ravenous wild lions circling him all night long? But God………..

“And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23 Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.” Daniel 6:20-24

Be careful whom you go after. God calls us to remember that “vengeance is mine, saith the Lord…..I will repay”! I guess these men hadn’t heard that message! The picture of the anxiety of Darius on his way to the lion’s den, a desperate man hoping in a God he didn’t really know, and yet not understanding how anyone could survive a night in that place! Can you hear that shaky, fearful, uncertain voice calling out to Daniel: “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” And we don’t need Paul Harvey to find out the rest of the story! Daniel answered powerfully and confidently that” My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” Daniel declared his own innocence and God has confirmed him before the king. What does our life confirm about our faith in God? What do others see in us? Are we the innocent or the guilty? Do our lives testify of the glory of God and our devotion to Him? Our have we allowed so much of the world to creep in that we are ineffective or even an embarrassment to our God, before the world? Remember what Paul tells us in Galatians 6:7:

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

What are you sowing? What kind of crop will our ‘seeds’ bring forth? Or will you find yourself on the side of those who are plotting against God and His own? There is a day of reckoning coming, and only those who have been washed in the “blood of the Lamb” will have ‘everlasting life’. My desire is to finish like Daniel. To be the instrument of God’s grace in the lives of those He places in my path. What did Daniel’s quiet, faithful testimony yield?

 “Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel:

for he is the living God,

and stedfast for ever,

and his kingdom that which shall not be    destroyed,

and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

27 He delivereth and rescueth,

and he worketh signs and wonders

in heaven and in earth,

who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”  Daniel 6:25-28

May our lives be this kind of testimony to the world. OUR GOD REIGNS!!! Won’t you learn to know Him through His Word? May you draw near to Him, that He may draw near to you—that is my prayer for each of YOU and myself!!!

“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.”   James 4:7

Bible Ballistics: BBs #193 Because LIFE Matters!!!

My message today is a follow up to the article on Wednesday, and while it’s for all of us, it is especially a call to fellow believers in Jesus. May we all realize we have an impact on others, often others we’re not even aware of? People who are watching how we live—the teller at the bank, the waiter/waitress at the cafe, the clerk at the grocery store, the worker who we ask for assistance, the salesperson who calls us on the phone, or approaches us at the mall. What do they see in us? Because LIFE does matter, we need to show other individuals that they matter to us—to You and Me. What a difference we could make—TODAY!!!

“Let him that stole steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands

the thing which is good,

that he may have to give

to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:  

32 And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:28-32

A pretty tall order, but this should be our standard, if we claim to be following Jesus Christ The Lord of Glory!!! His glory should be seen in our behavior!! And I’ll go even further and remind us all that this applies to “print” also. What we write, and post, and share and comment on in the “social media” arena is just as important as what we say and do in person!!! OH NO!!! Do your mean I have to watch what I say and share on the “social media” outlets!!! YES! That IS exactly what I mean. What we say DOES matter, because the lives that we affect matter, and we are accountable!

“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”   Matthew 12:25-27

Our words are the evidence of what is in our hearts. Yes we all have moments when we miss the mark, when we are tired or upset or just plain not paying attention, and we say or do something that is not normal to our usual character. But if our life is marked by continuous unkindness, there may be a problem. And Jesus makes it clear for us that the source for our behavior is not the ‘mouth’, but the HEART!

“Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” Matthew 15:17-20

In our vernacular, “What’s inside will come out”. And what comes out reveals what is inside. What do you get when you squeeze a lemon? What ever is inside—usually lemon juice!!! What is inside of us will show before the world. If it’s Jesus—IT WILL SHOW!! And transversely as true if HE is not inside—that WILL SHOW as well!!! As I’m often known to say, “Saying so, doesn’t make is so!”

So??? Here’s our shot for today!

Do people see Jesus in me?

Am I ‘being kind’ to others that they may see Jesus in me?

Or am I treating others with disregard, and unkindness

and therefore declaring to others that “life” doesn’t really matter.

Are we saying to others, “Only MY LIFE matters”?

“You have no import, nor are you worthy of my regard”?

May it be said of ME and YOU as of the ‘virtuous woman” of Proverbs 31:

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” Proverbs 31:26

 

Have a kindly day—by being KIND today!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #192 LIFE Matters—All LIFE Matters!!!

As we hear all the talk around us about “Black lives matter”, “White lives matter”, now “Blue lives matter”, I think we have missed the point — “LIFE” matters because it’s a gift from God! God gave us life, regardless of what the world may say! We are not a ‘chance’ of evolution, or a ‘product’ of the Big Bang! We are created in the image of God, and only the ‘breath of God’ gives life to any and all mankind.

“And God said,

       Let us make man in our image,

       after our likeness:

              and let them have dominion

                      over the fish of the sea,

                      and over the fowl of the air,

                      and over the cattle,

                      and over all the earth,

                      and over every creeping thing

                             that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God created he him;

male and female created he them. ”   Genesis 1:26-27

Scripture clearly declares that God created us in HIS image—not to look like Him– but to be a triune creation, with not only an earthly body, but also a mind, heart and soul. We also know that we only have “life” by the breath of God.

“And

the Lord God formed man

of the dust of the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils

the breath of life;

and man became a living soul.”  Genesis 2:7

GOD Almighty ‘formed’ man, and ‘breathed’ into man “the breath of life”—breath without which, no one has “life”! And mankind, each and every man, woman, boy and girl receives ‘life’ from God. Even with all man’s technology they can’t give ‘life’!!! Only God can, and only by the ‘breath of life’, which God gives, does anyone become a “living soul”!!! All life comes from GOD!!! And that goes for “All the little children of the world”! “Red, and yellow, black and white, they are precious in HIS sight”! God validated that value when He freely sent His Son to pay for our sin that we might have “eternal life”, instead of “eternal death” in hell, which we all deserve. Scripture clearly proclaims:

“….for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God….” Romans 3:23

“…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord”….” Romans 6:23 All because:

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned:

but he that believeth not is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:16-19

God gave man life!!! We sold that life to Satan (the ruler of this world since man sinned by choosing to believing the lies of Satan instead of the truth of God)! But God already had the plan laid out for our salvation—because human LIFE matters. The God-given life that we each have is worthy of respect and regard. We are called to be kind and forgiving; oh to think what our world would look like if we just practiced a little kindness to one another and especially those of us who believe in and follow Jesus. May we ever be “speaking the truth in love”? The truth of the ‘gospel’, the truth of our coming Lord, the truth that we care about others!!! And our actions often speak louder than our words!

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6

We need to remember that we who belong to Jesus “are the salt of the earth” (See Matthew 5:13)! We live in a world that needs our ‘saltiness’ to counter the corruption!!! But when we abandon the source of our ‘saltiness’, we have nothing to give. And that is partly what is wrong in our world—we who profess the name of Jesus, have failed to walk with Him in all our ways!!! We have chosen to go our own way.

We, as a nation, have rejected God—

We removed Him from the public square–

We have abandoned His Word and it’s truth—

We have denied that life is valuable by aborting our babies–

We have chosen the purse over ‘piety’—

We have chosen convenience over ‘obedience’—

We have denied the value of the aged—

We have neglected the care of our young (those who aren’t aborted)—

We have forsaken personal responsibility for the “blame game”—

We have embraced the “Hollywood” culture of godlessness in every venue—

And what do we have? A culture that has no value for life, no respect for law and order, no comprehension of choices and consequences!!! As we shared in Sunday’s Bible Ballistics, our choices will bring consequences—maybe not today—maybe not tomorrow—but we will “reap what we sow”.

“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” Hosea 8:7a

And like Belshazzar, we will reap the consequences in God’s time:

“And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: 24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.” Daniel 5:22-24

For this king, it was “one day too late”– his fate was sealed! The consequences had come due! What about you? Do you value the right “LIFE”? Have you chosen God’s way? Your own? Hollywood’s? Satan’s or Jesus’ way? There’s only one ‘right WAY’, and His name is JESUS! Choose wisely!

Bible Ballistics: Bold Humility In God’s Power? Vol. 6#17

We have been looking at Daniel, a committed man of God, one who stood fast in the midst of difficulty and in captivity. While we meet Daniel and his friends taking a stand for their faith as captives, they did it with humility and integrity toward the authorities over them. Going on to chapter 2 we find them in the crunch of impending death because of the king who couldn’t remember his dream nor could anyone give it’s interpretation. Once again they respond with confidence and dependence on their God—The Lord God Almighty of the universe–the God of Israel, who heard and answered their prayers for deliverance. God honored their faithfulness by using them (Daniel in particular) to reveal His plan for the ages to the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar.

It’s very likely this dream of a large statue, where Daniel revealed Nebuchadnezzar as ‘the head of gold’, lead to the events of chapter 3 and a ‘statue’ of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar erected and calls all the people to worship. Well of course, our 3 Hebrew children refused to bow and then find themselves before the king, who offers them a second chance to bow; but they hold firm and declare clearly that they will not bow to any other ‘god’ but their God-the creator of the universe. The results: an enraged king’s irate command to throw them into the fire, because “who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” And Nebuchadnezzar’s question was answered by the God who could deliver them, and did. God met them in the fire, causing the King to have an immediate change of heart toward these men and their God, but not a life-changer yet!

Chapter 4 also involves a dream, and once again we find Daniel interpreting the king’s dream. We saw his heart of compassion and kindness as he delivered a message of judgment. Yet he also had the boldness to call the king to repentance and acknowledgment toward God. And God’s work brings this mighty king to his knees—literally! With what seems to be a permanent change of heart, which brings us to chapter 5.

One thing we must understand is that there have been many years between chapter one and chapter five. What we find as we approach this chapter is an elderly statesman who has served his God in a pagan land for some 70 years; a man who has stood firm for his God, is probably not in a high ranking position like he had during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, but he is still known in the palace and lives and serves there. So, let’s dig in.

“Belshazzar the king made a great feast

to a thousand of his lords,

and drank wine before the thousand.

2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine,

commanded to bring

the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar

had taken out of the temple

which was in Jerusalem;

that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

3 Then they brought the golden vessels

that were taken

out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem;

and the king,

and his princes,

his wives,

and his concubines,

drank in them.

4 They drank wine,

and praised the gods

of gold,

and of silver,

of brass,

of iron,

of wood,

and of stone.” Daniel 5:1-4

A king throwing a party is one thing, but a king so arrogant that he sends for the ‘treasures’ of the Temple in Jerusalem, the vessels that were used in the worship of Jehovah God, the GOD of Israel. And not only did he send for the vessels, but he sent for them to flaunt his arrogance by drinking in the vessels of the ‘Most High God’ to praise his ‘gods’ of “gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone”—his idols!

“In the same hour

came forth fingers of a man’s hand,

and wrote over against the candlestick

upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace:

and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

6 Then the king’s countenance was changed,

and his thoughts troubled him,

so that the joints of his loins were loosed,

and his knees smote one against another.

7 The king cried aloud

to bring in the astrologers,

the Chaldeans,

and the soothsayers.

And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon,

Whosoever shall read this writing,

and shew me the interpretation thereof,

shall be clothed with scarlet,

and have a chain of gold about his neck,

and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

8 Then came in all the king’s wise men:

but they could not read the writing,

nor make known to the king

the interpretation thereof.

9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled,

and his countenance was changed in him,

and his lords were astonied.” Daniel 5:5-9

From an arrogant, drunken party thrower—to a weak-kneed, trembling, frightened man!! God has a way of accomplishing HIS purpose in amazing ways, and HE will show Himself faithful and sovereign in HIS time. We can be assured of that even today! God has a plan and HE will accomplish HIS purpose, regardless of the party in power—regardless of the treaties signed—regardless of the promises of dishonest politicians. There have always been politicians! There have always been rulers, good and bad! There have always been broken promises and agendas! But our God reigns in TOTAL SOVEREIGNTY! He brought Belshazzar up short, and in His timing He will bring His purposes to fulfillment today—in HIS time! Count on it! He never fails!

Belshazzar is in the midst of a great time of feasting, and celebrating what he thought was his own personal and national invulnerability! Ring any bells? Belshazzar in his fright calls in those infamous ‘wise men’ to no avail, since not one of them could tell him what the handwriting meant. Even with his offer of great wealth and prominence. But then…

“Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: 11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; 12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.” Daniel 5:10-12

It’s important here that we recognize that this isn’t the king’s ‘wife’, because if we check out the preceding text, his wives were at the party (see verse 2). This would appear to be the king’s grandmother, probably the wife of the deceased king Nebuchadnezzar, what we’d call the ‘Queen Mother’. This woman, after hearing of the hoopla at the party, goes in to see the king and advises him to call for Daniel. She would have come to know and have confidence in the counsel of this man she called by his Hebrew name, Daniel. She recommends Daniel to the king seemingly because she knew he could solve this dilemma. She had lived through all the drama that Nebuchadnezzar had experienced with God and Daniel, and Daniel’s great ability to solve hard things. What kind of confidence do others have in our walk with God? What kind of walk with God do we have, that others might see HIM in us? Do others know we care enough to help with ‘godly’ advise? Do others have confidence in our knowledge of God and His Word?

“Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? 14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. 15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: 16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Daniel 5:13-16

Daniel is brought in and the king offers his politically significant rewards to Daniel. The same things that he had offered to the other ‘wise’ men who were unable to reveal the enigma. But we have Daniel, who has still been in the ‘civil service’ corps, and while he has probably not been in a prominent position since the death of King Nebuchadnezzar, when he is called to serve he responds immediately. He comes to be of service—with a different attitude, but one still based on his confidence in God, not man.

“Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O thou king,

the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: 19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar,

hast not humbled thine heart,

though thou knewest all this;

23 But hast lifted up thyself against

the Lord of heaven;

and they have brought the vessels of his house

before thee,

and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines,

have drunk wine in them;

and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know:

and the God in whose hand thy breath is,

and whose are all thy ways,

hast thou not glorified:

24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him;

and this writing was written.” Daniel 5:17-24

Daniel reminds the king of all of the things that God had done to reveal Himself to Nebuchadnezzar. He reminds Belshazzar that not only did he know these things, but he also has chosen to ignore the import of God Almighty– by his own choice. He not only ignored God, but also has insulted and defied this very “God in whose hand thy breath is”! Like many today he had chosen to go his own way. He chose to ignore the truth, which God had revealed, and still reveals, to all men, women, boys and girls! We live in a world much like Belshazzar’s—many have chosen to do their own thing with no regard for the God of all creation, even though He has revealed Himself to the world.  This same “God in whose hand thy breath is” waits for YOU!!!

It’s also an amazing thing, to me, that history tells us that while Belshazzar’s confidence is in ‘things’ like the thick walls of 35-80 feet wide (depending on which ancient sources your believe), and on his own ability to withstand the Medo-Persian army which was right outside the walls. It is reported that he had enough goods to hole-up for years! Yet history tells us that the army outside (which he was ignoring by throwing a party) simply diverted a canal that ran through a conduit into the city. They stopped the flood by diversion of the water, and then going through half-empty conduit, they walked right into the city, through only thigh-high water, to conquer the Babylon virtually without resistance in the night. In fact the same night that Daniel speaks his prophecy to the king. The same night that Daniel confronts an arrogant and rebellious king with the truth—no holds barred! There are times when we must let the truth speak for itself, without any coddling or explanation! There is a time when people have gone too far for too long, and their day of mercy and grace has passed. We don’t know when that day is, but God does, and when God sends us to someone in that state, we must simply speak God’s truth in love—saddened but boldly. Daniel declares that the message is from God Himself, and reveals the meaning to the waiting, rebellious king.

“And this is the writing that was written,

Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.

26 This is the interpretation of the thing:

Mene;

God hath numbered thy kingdom,

and finished it.

27 Tekel;

Thou art weighed in the balances,

and art found wanting.

28 Peres;

Thy kingdom is divided,

and given to the Medes and Persians.

29 Then commanded Belshazzar,

and they clothed Daniel with scarlet,

and put a chain of gold about his neck,

and made a proclamation concerning him,

that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 In that night

was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.

31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom,

being about threescore and two years old.” Daniel 5:25-31

What a sad story of eternal consequences for temporal choices. I think we often miss the import of this chapter, writing it off as a cute little children’s story, without taking away the important lessons that we need to learn:

That we can be faithful to God regardless of our circumstances or our age. Daniel was a man of integrity for his entire life—he was probably somewhere around 80 plus years old here, and God wasn’t through with him yet.

That when called to face the foe, we can face them with boldness and speak the truth unapologetically. Our God promised to never leave us or forsake us. And what a wonderful picture Daniel paints of God’s provision to His faithful servants!

That our God is Sovereign and in control, no matter how things look, or how long it may seem to take! God’s timing is perfect!

That there are evil people—always have been, always will be! But there is also a day of accounting coming. Are you ready? Only through Jesus can we be ready–

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:27-28

“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew12:35-36

So?

Will you be a faithful Daniel, no matter where God has placed you?

Or will you be another Belshazzar, making your own way in the world?

Will you do your own thing, no matter what God says?

Will you depend on God, like faithful Daniel,

even when your senses don’t understand what’s going on?

Or will you walk by what you see, rather than what God has said?

Or will you walk by faith in the God of all creation,

and trust Him,

not your feelings or what you think you see?

“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)…..”    2 Corinthians 5:7

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……… 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16 & 25

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

Which way are you going? Your way?  Or God’s? It’s your choice, but there are consequences. Choose wisely!!!