Bible Ballistics: Urgency of the Hour  July 21, 2013   Vol. 2 No.10

I pray that your week has been blessed with peace and strength.  I’d like us to think about the “urgency” of the hour in which we live.  As we look on every hand we see conflict (regardless of which side you are on)—Paula Deen and her “dilemmas”; the Martin trial and it’s verdict; Kirk Cameron and Facebook; the Supreme Court rulings of recent days; the list could go on and on.  What are we to do in these difficult and divisive days?  Well, as Paul tells us in Ephesians 6, we are to “stand fast in the evil day and having done all to stand….” But, stand for what?  That seems to be the question of the day.  How are we to stand? For what are we to stand?  When and where do we to stand?  As always the answers are in God’s word, but more concisely the answer is ‘God’s Word’—Jesus (John 1:1).  He is the answer to all of our questions, but we must dig into His word to know and discern how He would have us to respond to the issues facing us—any issues.

It seems that ‘political correctness’ is abounding on every hand—but  “13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matt 5:13-16.  We are called by Jesus himself to be salt and light.  Why?  Salt seasons and preserves, and light illuminates.  Are we being salty?  Col. 4:5-6 calls us to, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”  Did you ever taste anything without salt?  It’s a bit bland and mostly tasteless.  Are we being bland and tasteless to our culture?  How do I season those around me?  There is an old proverb, ‘ You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.’.  A true statement as far as it goes but there is a way you can get a horse to drink—you salt his oats!!!  Salty oats create a thirst.  Well, that is what we are to be doing in, through and by our lives to a world that is corrupt and needs to drink, even when they don’t realize it.  We are to be so different to the world that they are drawn by the joy and peace in our lives to seek Jesus—to desire to drink of the “water of life”.  Yes, helping people to desire Jesus.  We are to STAND fast in the word, prayer and godly, biblical principles that will attract others to Jesus.  Our lives are to reflect the indwelling Holy Spirit.  The Spirit of Jesus Christ seen in all we do.

How do we stand without trampling over those we reach out to?  Can we accomplish that?  How do we speak the truth without causing harm?  Although we can’t always accomplish these things, they are to be our goals, and we are not to be aggressively, intentionally or abrasively unkind in our lives.  Remember, Jesus said, “if they believe me, they will believe you…and If they don’t believe me, they won’t believe you…..”.  So?  We are to stand ‘in the Spirit’, “This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Gal.5:16 & also Gal. 5:25 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”   If we are walking in the Spirit then we can have God’s wisdom to know how to respond to each situation that comes our way.  We also must bathe our lives, actions, and ministries in prayer.  Phil 4:4-6 “ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” 

Although we may differ in our responses to any particular situation, we must always stand on Biblical principles.  We must exercise Biblical judgment based on God’s Word.   We are to behave with integrity toward the Word and the God of the Word.  We are not to act with malice, and rage—these are works of the flesh (see Gal 5:19+).  Isaiah 59:3-4 describes our day accurately, “3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.”  Sound like America?  Are we responding in the works of the flesh, or by the fruit of the Spirit?  By what the Word says or the influences of our culture?  We must decide!

Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 “ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”  We are living in those “last” days.  The times and signs are all around us.  We read the news headlines and see these same behaviors in the news every day!!  We should not to be amazed but we should never condone wrong.  Just because someone is a “celebrity” does not excuse bad behavior, yet we often accept, condone and excuse it even in those claiming the name of Jesus.  (Now, I am not talking about incidental slips or misjudgments, but blatant bad and vulgar behavior and/or language continually.)  We can also expect “scoffers”, but never join them, 2 Peter 3:2-4 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”   And Paul said in Phil. 3:17-20, “17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” There are those who walk contrary but we are not to influenced by their lifestyles, or accept and follow their ways.  We are to be salt and light!! We are to call them to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus for His salvation.

How urgent is the hour?  I believe we are on the verge of tragedy and we are to be making a difference in our world.  Do folks see Jesus in me, or worldliness?  Are we living faithfully in light of the “last” days, or are we frittering away opportunities to change hearts and lives for eternity, before it is too late?  The question is yours to answer.

***** For those who are  signed up to follow the “blog” I will be adding 2 mid-week “BBs of Encouragement” in a week or so, only those who follow the blog will receive these.  These will be short mid-week bits of encouragement to lift your spirits*****

Bible Ballistics: Feelings?         July 14, 2013         Vol. 2 No.09

I hope this day finds you rejoicing in the Lord.  We had a lovely time with the brethren today and pray that you did as well.  I would like us to look at a curious subject this week—feelings.  We use the word in many ways—how do you feel?  She hurt my feelings!  I Feel like a million dollars!….etc.  Let’s consider the contrast between what I know and how I feel.  Is there a difference and is it significant?  I believe both (I could have said I “feel” like there is…), but let’s look at God’s Word.

Often in scripture the word “feel” is used for the physical sense of touch, one use of the word; but the word can also mean,  ‘having an experience or emotion’, and/or ‘to have a belief or impression without an identifiable reason’.  The latter two will be our focus this week—emotions and impressions.  Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”.  We have a Savior who KNOWS how we feel.  This verse also connects our “infirmities” to sin (not that infirmities[weakness or sickness] are sin, but they can lead us to sin when we don’t respond to them in the Spirit), and declares that Jesus overcame sin in the flesh and knows the temptations that we face, and that HE OVERCAME the very power of sin in HIS flesh.  And remember John 17:3, tells us that eternal life is KNOWING GOD and JESUS in salvation—through the cross by faith.

Confidence comes when we KNOW this.  And knowledge builds the confidence that brings us deliverance from the plague of fleeting and changing feelings.  Paul gives great insight into this question of ‘feelings’ in Ephesians 4, and describes those who have gone past acceptable ‘feelings’ and have lost their own conscience and rejected their only hope—JESUS.  Eph 4:17-24, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”   Be sure and note the contrast of our confidence in the LORD—and if we have been born again by the Spirit of Christ, we are to put on the newness that God has enabled us to walk in.  As the children’s song says, “Jesus loves me, THIS I KNOW” !!!!  What do you KNOW?  Where is your confidence?

How do I gain this kind of confidence and how does it look in practical terms?  Philippians 3:8-10 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the powerof his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”  Let’s consider what Paul speaks to us from the Lord—that he counts all things but loss to gain Christ.  Not simply Christ, but the “excellency of the knowledge of Christ”—to KNOW not only our Lord Jesus, but to KNOW His power (see Eph 6:10), to join in His sufferings AS we are made conformable unto HIS death.  This leads us to Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life with I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  True and growing KNOWLEDGE of Christ is found in our dying to ourselves, and being made alive IN CHRIST (see Rom. 8:28-29 — being conformed to HIS image by all that comes into our lives).  Am I yielded unto HIM in all that comes into my life?  We are called to share in HIS sufferings. Colossians 1:23-24 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church;”  We are called to be one with Jesus, and willing to share in the suffering that comes when we walk faithfully in/with HIM.  (See 2 Timothy 3:12).  John 15:20-21 “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”   Jesus himself, reminds us that when we identify with Him through salvation we will receive the same rejection that He experienced.  And not only rejection but general suffering in our lives from the warfare in which we are engaged daily.

Now what does all this have to do with feelings?  Well, we must understand that we, and our feelings, are  in a battle with unseen forces and only when we remember the source of our strength and power will we walk in victory—and YES we can have victory even in suffering.  How?  By being “strong in the Lord and the power of His might” ”  (see Ehp 6:10), and in that power to “stand fast…..and having done all to stand.  Stand therefore…” (Eph 6:13-14)  I must stand and walk in what I KNOW about the Savior not how I “feel” about my circumstances.  One way to do this is to memorize scripture.  This renews my mind with the knowledge of what is mine in Christ.  When the enemy comes with thoughts of discouragement—“you should feel better”, “you shouldn’t feel this way or that ”,  “your family should feel healthier…  feel wealthier… feel smarter…..feel more successful, ….” , on and on the list could go, what do we do?  What about your own life?  What have you let stay in your mind to disturb you?  Are you waiting to feel better?  Have more money?  Have no problems?  Are you waiting until you can ‘run faster, jump higher”, be “faster than a speeding bullet”, “jump tall buildings”?  Or are you taking control of your emotions and feelings and BEING all that God has called you to be, where you are RIGHT NOW?

We must live by what we KNOW, not how we FEEL, to be victorious.  We must keep   “looking unto Jesus” (Heb 12:1-2), thinking on “these things” (Phil 4:8), remembering that we can pull down the “strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).  We can stand in this knowledge.   I hope this will give you some concrete suggestions and enable you to walk in “KNOWLEDGE”  not ‘feeling’!  Camp out on what you KNOW–NOW!!

Bible Ballistics: Patience/Longsuffering    July 7,2013       Vol. 2 No.08

Blessings to you this fine Lord’s day.  I hope that you spent some time this week thanking God for America and the 237 years that we have stood proud as a nation.  Although we have much to be ashamed of “nationally”, we are still so abundantly blessed by God that we should always offer thanks to Him for this great land.   I’d like us to think about something in regard to the conflict that blessing often creates, that of wants-vs-needs.   Two Biblical words help us see God’s ways, they are patience and longsuffering.

Let’s begin with one of my favorite verses 1 Timothy 6:6 (+5-11), “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”  Verse 6 declares that contentment IS gain.  Verse 5 says that those who teach “that gain is godliness” or “money=blessing” are not speaking God’s truth.  Paul calls us to withdraw from those who teach such things.  Not a very popular thing to say these days, but God said so, therefore I must proclaim it. Paul also reminds us that we arrived on the scene with nothing and our departure will leave all behind.  We also note that we are to be content with food and clothing, and understand that riches are not evil but the “LOVE OF MONEY” is the root of all evil.  (See Matt 15:18)

Is our heart set on things of heaven or of earth?  Colossians 3:1-3 says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”   We know that we are ‘dead’ (to the flesh)when we remember Galatians 2:20 “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.”  If we have been born again, we are ‘crucified’ with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life.  According to Romans 6:4, “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.”, our life is changed from death unto life.  We are empowered by God to do right.  Ephesians 2:1-7 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”  We are made alive in Christ, set free from the bondage of sin, and raised to new life to show the glory and grace of God to the world both now and forever.

What can all of this have to do with patience and/or endurance?  A life of true submission to the Lord Jesus Christ is empowered to have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1) and this peace with God enables us to be at peace with our circumstances and the relationships in our lives.  Now this isn’t a blanket statement but a general principle of “peace” that we are to strive for in our lives.  Scripture reminds us that we are not responsible for the actions or reactions of others.  There are those in this world both near and far, who don’t want peace no matter how hard we may try.  Paul addressed this in Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”  God’s peace enables us to live out two words in scripture, one is often translated “patience” or “endurance”, and the other is often  translated “longsuffering”.  These two special words in scripture help us know that we are called to affect our world with the grace of Christ within us–to show Jesus in all.

Patience is most beautifully pictured in Romans 5:1-5 “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”.  Patience here, is the Greek word “hupomone”, hupo, meaning under, and mone, meaning to abide.  This is the word which pertains to circumstances—being patient under, with and through our circumstantial trials. Here we see that the trial produces the ability to remain under, (see 1 Cor. 10:13), and when we remain under the trial, with God’s provision, we develop experience (confident trust in God’s ability and faithfulness), and experience yields hope in all that we go through!!  How awesome is our God who is working continually in all that comes to us (see Romans 8:28-29).

In Colossians 1:110-12 we see both words used together(as they often are) but we’ll focus on ‘longsuffering”. “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:”  God strengthens us for both ‘patience’ and ‘longsuffering’, and we are to express them both with joyfulness.  The Greek word “makrothumia”, means to suffer long, and is related to persons or God not circumstances as “hupomone” is.  It is aptly described in Romans 12:19,  “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”   We are to trust people to God.  As God’s children we are to trust HIM with our circumstances and our relationships.  I hope this gives you some food for thought this week.

Bible Ballistics: Watchmen    June 30, 2013              Vol. 2 No.07

Happy Birthday America!!  I hope you have a most pleasant and enjoyable 4^th of July.  In 1787 Scottish professor, Alexander Tyler made the following statement: “A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government.  A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.  From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse doe to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.” Sound words, which I think we might be wise to heed.

We have looked at friendship, family and leadership in recent weeks, and I would like to take the time to continue in a related vein and consider the “watchman”, as described in scripture.

We believers, and especially those of us in leadership positions, are called to be “watchmen” to those around us.  Ezekiel gives a most precise picture of our responsibility.  He also establishes the fact that we aren’t accountable for the responses of others, but we are responsible to proclaim the “warning”.  Let’s look at this powerful passage, Ezekiel 33:1-9, “Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”   The thought that I would like to emphasize is in verse 7, “ hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me…..”  Our command is directly related to the “WORD AT GOD’S mouth”.  I am not called or compelled to share the opinion of men, not even my own, but I am to share HIS WORD!!!  ARE WE SOUNDING THE TRUTH?  THE WARNING? 

Hebrews 4:12-13 tell us, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”  God’s Word is alive—always at work, when it is read and proclaimed; it is piercing and dividing to the soul of man, and brings life or death depending on our response to it.  Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”  Hebrews 4 also declares that it is God to whom we will give an account and it is HIS WORD which will be the standard.  Jesus himself in John 17:8 tells us…” For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”  Even as we talked some months ago about prayer, and saw that we are instructed to pray “Thy kingdom come….Thy will be done…..”. And Jesus again in the garden, before the cross prayed “…not my will, but thine be done…” ( Lk 22:42).  Are we holding ourselves accountable to God and HIS word?

God will accomplish His word in all it’s power and truth.  Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”.   Just as we see in Hebrews 4, God’s Word is the power of life, the standard of life and the ultimate and final judgment of all men—believers and unbelievers.  We are to proclaim God’s word and do His work with all our might relying on God alone.  1 Cor. 3:7 “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”   And as John the Baptist said in John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  Every one of us, as a watchman must have this motive and goal in mind.  As we proclaim God’s Word, it must never be for selfish motive or gain, but to be faithful “watchmen” who proclaim the undiluted Word.  God is holding me accountable to HIS Word.  1 Corinthians 3:13 reminds us, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”   Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”        God is God but we can know Him, as Paul tells us in Philippians 3:9-10 “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”  And Jesus own words in John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”  We can KNOW God through salvation in Jesus, but when we KNOW HIM we are called to be faithful “Watchmen”.  Let’s be faithful watchmen who sound the warning, regardless of the response—THAT IS GOD’S JOB!!!  We are living in desperate times with the happenings of recent days– but we are still obligated to sound the warning even if the cost is great.  I’ll close with Jesus word’s from John 15:19-21 “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”  Stand fast my friends Jesus is coming soon.

Bible Ballistics: Family Leadership                        June 23, 2013                      Vol. 2 No.06

I pray you’ve had a blessed week with the Lord, and taken some time to think on the things we have been sharing recently.  We’ve looked at friendship, the Christian family, and to continue on in this vein let’s think about godly leadership– in general and particularly in the home.   We have talked about the cost of friendship, and the Christian family, it’s demands and rewards.  A price that many in our day, have neglected or blatantly refused to pay.  Where is the leadership we need?  Well, as usual let’s go to God’s Word, and we may find that “leadership” begins with “followship”.

I’d like us to start in Proverbs—the book of “wisdom”.  What greater wisdom could we have than God’s? What is God’s desire for families and friends?  It will  reach into the church and community (after all God is the manufacturer)!  When we live godly lives at home, it affects our families.  Godly families then, affect our churches, and churches filled with godly families will affect our communities, and even our country.  Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the  beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Proverbs 3:5-7 “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.”  Proverbs 3:11-14 “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”  Here in the beginning of the book of Proverbs the value of God’s wisdom is made so clear and urgent: to fear the Lord, trusting in Him and yielding to His discipline personally, is required to be a good leader.  Then to trust, obey and share this “fear of God” and “trust in Him” with “my” family.

When we trust in God it will manifest itself in our action, both inside (especially to those closest to us) and outside of our home.  1 Timothy 5:8 declares: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Contextually this refers to material provision, but I don’t believe we’d be far afield to apply this to the spiritual leadership of the home. Proverbs 3:27-29, reveals that our reach doesn’t stop at home:  “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.”  I am to express the grace, integrity and generosity of God to those in my realm of influence—near and far. Remember that Jesus told us “who” our neighbor really is in Luke 10!!  Praise God, He has never refused to hear my cry for help, and He never will.  What less can we do for others.

Sometimes, though,  “LOVE’S” best answer is NO.  Remember God’s “agape“ (agapao) love always does that which is best for the recipient of the love.  The ultimate spiritual good of others should be our highest motive. Romans 5:5b “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”.  By the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we are to exercise the qualities of love, grace, integrity and generosity toward our own family. God’s love at work through us.   I am not referring to indulgence and enablement of bad habits and behaviors, but of truly wise generosity.  In Proverbs 4:23-27 we see the call to “right” living, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”;  and Proverbs 12:5 “The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.”  In other words—think right=do right.  Jesus makes this same point in Matthew 15:18-19 “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:” Hence, I must guard my heart and put good into it that good may come out of it. Mark 10:18,  “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”   I can do be/do good only when I have God’s righteousness in me, 2 Corinthians 5:21 “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”.—Christ’s righteousness accounted to me, and by His Spirit dwelling within me, working itself out in all I do.  Phil. 2:12-13 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”  As God is at work in us we are to live it out,  and Paul gives us a good checklist in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  If it’s not on the checklist, it isn’t good food for our heart or minds—reject it.

I can be a faithful friend, family member, leader and citizen if I keep my heart yielded to God, so that  I will reflect HIS glory.  I must carry the gospel in a clean vessel.   God’s cure for sin is found at Calvary, through repentance and faith, the alternative is “eternal judgment”.  We are called to teach others, to– “go ye therefore and teach all nations”, and there is no generational retirement that I can find in the Word.  Just because I’m a “grand” parent, doesn’t relieve me of my duty to my God, nor my offspring, all of them.  If we claim to be God’s children, then we are to hold to God’s standard.    Do you think maybe that’s why we, as families, churches, communities, and yes even this great nation, have so little influence on the world? Have we failed to hold ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren to God’s standard? To remind them that God will judge and the rules haven’t changed?  Let me close with Philippians 3:14-16 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”   Loosely paraphrased—seek to know truth, do truth, seek to know more truth to receive the prize.  Have a blessed week pursuing the “prize” –Jesus.