Bible Ballistics: BBs #93 Do You Have a Real Friend???

Friend: “a person whom one knows and with whom one has a mutual bond of affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.” The dictionary description of friend, a person whom we have closeness to, regardless of other ties we may have. This was on my heart today, as I’ve had the privilege to be with someone with whom I’ve had a life-long friendship. We have been friends for more than 50 years!! People sometimes write tributes to people after their passing, but I wanted to take time this morning to paint you a personal and Biblical picture of friendship-real friendship!!

Proverbs 18:24 tells us, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

First and foremost, we must BE a friend— to HAVE a friend! God calls us to befriend one another. As we do, God sometimes blesses us with a special friend with whom we can share the deepest and most private parts of our lives. You know, the one who knows that closet where all the ‘skeletons’ are. Well, after 50 years my dear friend has loved me through thick and thin, through good choices and bad, along with the consequences of each. She knows things that no one else knows and she’s loved me through them all. I praise God for the blessing of her friendship.

1 Samuel 18:1 reveals a friendship that lasted into the second generation—David and Jonathan. Faithful to each other even when Saul tried to kill each of them, for his own reasons, especially Jonathan’s befriending and protecting of David, knowing David would be king instead of him.

“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”

Selfless love is friendship that puts the welfare of the other ahead of our own needs. A close likeness to ‘agape’ love-which is totally unconditional love. But I need to make one slight deviation from the subject to add that while God’s love is ‘totally unconditional’, His forgiveness is totally ‘conditional’—conditioned on whether or not you believe in, and accept Jesus as your own personal Lord and Savior.

That brings me to my last verse—the greatest friend we can ever have is JESUS!!   And He calls you/me friend when we are His.

John 15:15, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

So??? Here’s our shot for today. Jesus calls we who are His servants, FRIEND!!! And oh, what a friend!! He has also given us one another, and if we are so blessed to have that ‘bosom friend’ (as ‘Anne of Green Gables’ found), then you are abundantly blessed.

So?? Be a friend!!

Guard your friendships with kindness and care.

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

Measure true friendship by the best –

JESUS!!

And remember time and space have no affect on that kind of friendship!!! And I have several of those ‘bosom’ friends!!

And just on a personal note—thank you Miss Diane for always being there for me. I count you as one of my most special treasures from God’s hand to my heart and life, and I thank HIM for YOU!!! And all of my dear friends!! You are each a special joy to my heart and I thank God for YOU!!

Bible Ballistics: Correct Change???? Vol. 4 #18

I was listening to an old song this week, one of my favorites, and it so spoke to my heart that I wanted to share it in this weeks article—as it still resounds in my heart. But first, how are we to live this Christian life while awaiting Christ’s return or our own passing from this life?

Being from Oklahoma, we are familiar with ‘Toll Roads’–a road where you must pay a toll at some point during your drive. Many of the toll collection points have an ‘Exact Change’ lane for those who have the correct coins to toss into a hopper to pay their way through the toll without stopping for a teller to take their money that is other than ‘exact change’. I see a parallel here with our spiritual life –we are on a journey and at some point in time we will meet the ‘Keeper of the Road’ (if you would), who will ask if we have the correct payment to enter the gate. The difference being—there is only one currency that will gain entrance into the heavenly gates, and His name is Jesus, and His precious blood spilled for us. (See 1 John 1:17)

The question won’t be about ‘correct change’ but are you ‘washed in the blood’? Not how many possessions you left earth with, or even how good you were, or if you went to church faithfully, or even went to church at all. The question (the toll) will be: “What have you done with the blood of Jesus”? Has it cleansed you from your sin?

So many around us, people that we love and inter-act with regularly, who talk about being a ‘Christian’, don’t seem to see a connection between belonging to Jesus and living for HIM. They want a heavenly home while being content to live a worldly life. They seem willing to trust in something other than Jesus for living-but hope that Jesus will take care of their dying. Not seeking His will, through His Word, or an intimate relationship with Him. The world has so crept into lives and churches that we don’t recognize sin or try to see our lives through God’s eyes. While some will say, “Who are you to judge?” I don’t have to, God does in His Word, and I am called to speak His ‘truth in love’. (See Eph. 4:15)

Hebrews 10:28-30, “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.” Grace demands my all. (see 1 Peter 4:17)

God has a standard. He had one in the beginning; when He gave Adam one single command, don’t eat of ‘this’ tree.

Genesis 2:16-17, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (See 1 Cor. 15 about “Adam”)

While Adam and Eve disobeyed this simple command and brought sin and death on the whole human family–Jesus brought life through His shed blood for us–for all who will believe. So believing, do I live like I truly believe that Jesus ‘saved’ my life from hell? Like He gave me ‘new life’–abundant life– to live His way before the world? Before those in my own household? While God says clearly in Hebrews 12 that He disciplines His own children, are we yielding to His hand. Have you, or are you now experiencing the discipline of God? If so, know that it’s because you are His and He loves you—don’t’ continue to trample the blood of Jesus, by your life choices? Submit!! (Read Hebrews 12)

Does my speech betray my Lord? Do my actions, my activities, my passions betray my Lord, do they trample under foot His blood? Or is Jesus evident in my daily life?

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

Do I reflect the love of this Christ I claim to know in my treatment of others: those closest to me, to strangers, to those who come against me? Does my home life make others want to know Jesus? Does God’s peace rule in my home, or does conflict and tension abound, causing others to say, “If that’s ‘Christian’, I don’t need it”? Do people see HIM in ME!!! Or am I blocking His Work?

2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

A believer’s life should be free of blatant sin, unkindness, bitterness or meanness!! Ouch!! It hits pretty close to home, doesn’t it. But remember God knows me, and He’s willing to show me how to live if I’ll but “ask….seek….and knock…”. If we come before His throne to “find grace to help in time of need”? Will we “study to show yourselves approved unto God….a workman who needeth not to be ashamed…”? Today? Tomorrow? The next day?

Remember, God is working on His own, and in them. Every day is a new opportunity to live in the Spirit and reflect the love and saving power of Jesus to the world. How? By His Spirit’s work in and through us.

Romans 8:26-30, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 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. ….. If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Think on these things. And as I promised may these lyrics remind you that –

“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 8:18

So ‘until then’ be sure you have the ‘right change’!!!

Until Then     By Stuart Hamblin

“My heart can sing when I pause to remember


A heartache here is but a stepping stone


Along a trail that’s winding always upward,


This troubled world is not my final home. 



 

The things of earth will dim and lose their value


If we recall they’re borrowed for awhile;


And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble,


Remembered there will only bring a smile.

 

This weary world with all its toil and struggle


May take its toll of misery and strife;


The soul of man is like a waiting falcon;


When it’s released, it’s destined for the skies. 



 Chorus:

 But until then my heart will go on singing,


Until then with joy I’ll carry on,


Until the day my eyes behold the city,


Until the day God calls me home.”

Bible Ballistics: BBs #92 Where Have You Been???

I was quoting Psalm 23 yesterday and into the night—just had it on my mind and want to share a few thoughts about it with you. We’ve looked at it before, but its depths are too great to plumb in one look.

Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me

in the paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil;

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Simply put—

HE is my shepherd-the one who cares for me always!!

He provides for me!!

He protects me!!

He restores me when I fall or fail!!

              He leads me to be more like Him-righteous!!

Through Jesus!! (See 2 Cor. 5:21)

He is my constant companion through thick or thin!!

In Him–

I can be fearless!!

I can be comforted—in all things!!

I can be victorious!!

       I can be overshadowed with HIS mercy

and goodness!!

I will spend eternity with HIM!!

So? Here’s our shot for today? Who is your shepherd? Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. He still saves and changes lives. He’s still working on His own—You and Me.!!! Praise be to God!! Let’s follow on to glory!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #91 Where Are You Going??????

We often struggle with the daily grind of life and knowing what to do in any given situation. Some are important and some not as important, we perceive, so we make choices without seeking God’s will for us each step of the way.

How do we have confidence to know what to choose? I don’t often quote other sources than the scriptures, but Martin Luther said something that really puts a ‘spin’ on this idea of choices: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” Meaning, I think, the same thing that Jesus expressed in Luke 19:13,

“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

That we are to live for Jesus in ALL we do, even in yard work, in the seemingly menial tasks, we still reflect our Lord, if done in yielded obedience to Him, and to HIS glory.

We can do every task as unto the Lord, for our standard of living has one focus:

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

We are to be serving God, no—we are serving God; in all that we do, everywhere we go. We are always a witness of Jesus Christ, when we claim to be His own; but sometimes we are a poor witness, and just as often we are a lazy or presumptuous servant. We are often so influenced by the world, that many think of God as the great ‘slot machine’ in the sky. Drop in your request and he is obligated to answer!!! WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! We are the servants NOT the Master, not God. We are to pray, “Thy kingdom come….Thy will be done…” IN ME!!!

We can often forget, or be distracted from remembering, that we are to live every moment, walk every step, monitor our hearts, our thoughts and guard our actions, to please Him—not vice versa!!! As we’ve observed before ‘out of the heart’ come our words and deeds.

So?? Here’s our shot for today!! Check every thought and every action by the Lord’s standard. Two of my favorite checklists are found in Philippians 4:8 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Look them up today and put them on your “Verses to Memorize” list.

“….think on these things”

“….bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”

**Not only obedience to Christ Jesus but “of” Christ Jesus, by His Spirit within us– enabling us to obey and overcome when we belong to HIM!!

So???? Where are you going?

Bible Ballistics: Wisdom to Speak Truth???? Vol. 4 #17

We are on the road again and as I was thinking about traveling, I thought about our journey of faith. When we come to Jesus—we must come to Him in total. Without getting into the ‘Lordship’ debate, suffice it to say scripture tells us that we are to call on the name of the ‘Lord’ Jesus Christ—HE IS LORD. The question is what will you do about it? Will you follow HIM, trust Him and share His truth?

Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Philippians 2:9-11, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

And in Luke 13:2-3 & 5, Jesus tells us that repentance works hand in hand with faith—two sides of the same coin.

“And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish…. 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

I believe we must always share the gospel in the fullness ‘of grace and truth’ (see John 1:14). We are to call sinners to repentance not just hand them a Band-Aid and try to cover their sin, or even as some do, tell them their sin isn’t important. The scripture is truth, but just as important ‘JESUS IS TRUTH’ as John 14:6 tells us. Remember what Paul said about being a “new creature” in Jesus, and Him in us..

Colossians 1:27b, “…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

We should also keep in mind (especially those of us who deal with ‘perfectionism’ or ‘control’ issues), that just because someone’s not doing it ‘my way’ doesn’t necessarily mean they are doing it wrongly. I am not talking about issues of Biblical integrity but differences of opinion in style, manner or methods and personal preferences.

I have very strong opinions about many things (I know those of you who know me personally are laughing out loud about now!!), and there are issues on which I will not compromise because of my own biblical understanding or personal conviction. When we need to take a stand, it may bring us into conflict with others; but we must maintain grace and peace on our part. We must be sure it is God leading us and not our own ‘ego’, and remember Paul reminds us in Romans 12:17-18,

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

We are to be salt and beacons of light in the darkness and corruption of this world, while respecting those who are serving Jesus in a different way than we are. Jesus spoke on this very issue to the disciples; I think we can learn a lot from this passage.

Mark 9:33-41, “……., What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. 38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.”

We are to stand fast for the truth while understanding that not everyone has the same insight that we have; they may be immature or just seeing things from a different perspective. Or they could be false teachers or preachers. We are to know the word in order to discern truth from error, and to recognize simple differences of opinion or perceptions in contrast to that which is clearly false teaching. There is so much information coming at us today that we must continually guard our hearts and minds to know truth. We must be in the WORD!

Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Are we growing and helping others to do the same?

Do we treasure God’s Word? Have we placed it high on our priority list? If I put the word in—God will bring it out at the right time. Do I judge things by my ‘opinion’ or by the Word of God, in love? Am I willing to let God be God and do His work in the life of His own children? Speaking HIS truth as He gives me opportunity, leaving the consequences to HIM?

Job 23:12 “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Do we love His Word? Do we hunger for it like our ‘necessary food’? I want to? It’s about choices!!

We are to love God and His Word more than life itself. And we are to share what we have received with others, because we can only share that which we have received.

1 Corinthians 15:2-4, “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Do we love Him that much?

Is our testimony based on the blood?

We can have the victory—

in life or in death!!!!

When we experience saving grace and receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are compelled to share Christ Jesus with the world. Sharing in our words and actions—our living!! To live what we believe—not just what we ‘say’ we believe; because what I really believe I will live out. And in living it, to reflect the Jesus who saved me, to reflect and reveal the one who changed my heart and life. We are accountable to the truth, to God as well as to one another. (See Hebrews 4:12-13)

Romans 14:1-8, “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Who is watching you/me? Are we helping the weak or harming them? Are we speaking His truth and living it before the saved as well as a lost and dying world? Remembering John 15:5, “..without me you can do nothing…”

1 Corinthians 2:12-16, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.”

How do we accomplish all of this? By knowing that we have all we need in Jesus. By staying in His Word!!!

2 Peter 1:3, “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:” Living virtuously??

We have all we need in Jesus—so let’s be busy about the “Father’s business”. Jesus is coming soon. Will He find us ready? Will He find us loving one anther or throwing rocks? I’m not calling us to compromise but to follow Jesus, and leave the results to HIM.

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand” Ro. 14:4. Let’s serve our master faithfully!!

John 21:22, “Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” Don’t expect to know what God is doing in someone else’s life!!!

Blanche’s paraphrase:

‘Follow your Lord and don’t sweat the rest”.

Help the weak,

testify to the lost and

stay intimate with YOUR LORD!!!