Category Archives: Abiding IN Jesus or the World?

Not All Idols Are Statuary!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #760

21 Thursday Oct 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Fickle or Faithful, Idolatry, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, Influence

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #760     Not All Idols Are Statuary!!!

 

I’m sure this seems like an odd title and subject and it probably is, but I think it worthy of our time to consider.  God had a powerful word to Ezekiel about this subject.

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

3 Son of man,

these men have set up their idols

in their heart,

and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity

before their face:

should I be enquired of at all

by them?

4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them,

Thus saith the Lord GOD;

Every man of the house of Israel

that setteth up his idols in his heart,                                    and putteth the stumblingblock

of his iniquity

before his face,

and cometh to the prophet;

I the LORD will answer him that cometh

according to the multitude of his idols;

5 That I may take the house of Israel

in their own heart,

because they are all estranged from me

through their idols.

6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel,

Thus saith the Lord GOD;

Repent,

and turn yourselves

from your idols;

and turn away your faces

from all your abominations.”   Ezekiel 14:2-6

Idols don’t have to be made of stone, wood, or precious metals and jewels; the most harmful and destructive are the idols we erect in our hearts.   This is what God told Ezekiel!  And when we erect idols in our heart, they can not only destroy our lives but the lives of those we influence—and we all influence someone, there are little eyes and ears that are watching us, as well as the eyes and ears of people who are our peers!  What are we teaching by our life choices—are our idols subtilty affecting others?  Are we causing others to take the road to hell instead of the way of the cross?  Small choices can make a big difference in our life and the life of those around us.  Do our actions lead us closer to the cross?  Do they lead others to the cross of Jesus, or the wide road of destruction?  Jesus made it clear that there are two roads and only one of them leads to God and His salvation through Jesus, the other to hell.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

Our eternal destiny and the destiny of those around us are often dependent on our choices, and when we fill our heart with the pleasures and glitter of the world it will affect our life!   Jesus also told us that the evil comes from our own heart, not statues—but our own heart full of evil that we allow to affect us!  What are we allowing into our hearts and minds?  How are you and I being affected by the choice we make in our daily activities, our daily pleasures, our daily media control, or our entertainment influences, and we could go on, but the point is we need to guard what goes into our eyes, our ears, our heart, and our mind—to keep our focus on Jesus, His Word and His way!  We can find some great advice from the Proverbs; will we heed it?

“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.”  Proverbs 4:23-27

And Jesus own advice:

“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…”. Matthew 15:18-20a

There is one passage of scripture which is most convicting, and I think maybe we all need the conviction of The Word and The Spirit of God. (And if you don’t know a word—look it up, you might be surprised!)

“Mortify therefore your members

which are upon the earth;

fornication,

uncleanness,

inordinate affection,

evil concupiscence,

and covetousness,

which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake

the wrath of God cometh

on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked

some time,

when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also

put off all these;

anger,

wrath,

malice,

blasphemy,

filthy communication

out of your mouth.”   Colossians 3:5-8

In closing I want to share God’s Word rather than my own, may we heed it and pursue truth, righteousness, and cleanse our hearts of the idols we have allowed to affect us, which in turn affects those around us.  Let’s be faithful witnesses of Jesus saving grace at Calvary rather than the lies of the world!

“And what agreement

hath the temple of God

with idols?

for ye are the temple of the living God;

as God hath said,

I will dwell in them,

and walk in them;

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them,

and be ye separate,

saith the Lord,

and touch not the unclean thing;

and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you,

and ye shall be my sons

and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty.”    2 Corinthians 6:16-18

“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.”   Matthew 12:35

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

“For a good tree

bringeth not forth

corrupt fruit;

neither doth a corrupt tree

bring forth

good fruit.

44 For every tree

is known by his own fruit.

For of thorns

men do not gather figs,

nor of a bramble bush

gather they grapes.

45 A good man

out of the good treasure

of his heart

bringeth forth that which is good;

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

of his heart

bringeth forth that which is evil:

for of the abundance of the heart

his mouth speaketh.”   Luke3 6:43-45

Where are your idols? What are your idols?  They’re not just statuary—but much more likely, wickedness in our hearts, which we often delude ourselves into thinking it’s acceptable.  So, choose wisely, there is a test; and remember, others are following your steps (even when you don’t know they are there!)—where are my/your steps leading?

Amen and Amen!!!

Keeping Them Sweet??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #758

13 Wednesday Oct 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Consider Your ways, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Speaking, Speaking The Truth In Love, Sweet Words or Bitter Words?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #758     Keeping Them Sweet???

 

“A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold

in pictures of silver.

12 As an earring of gold,

and an ornament of fine gold,

so is a wise reprover

upon an obedient ear.

13 As the cold of snow

in the time of harvest,

so is a faithful messenger

to them that send him:

for he refresheth

the soul of his masters.”   Proverbs 25:11

Being raised in a family full of “smart alecks” The Lord has worked on me for years to order my “words” according to HIS WORD, not my ‘cutting whit’ which often did just that “cut” others in the name of “humor”!  Well, friends, God has, no IS working on my “words” to be more beneficial to others, for our “words” reveal what is in our heart, and I desire to be one who “refresheth the soul of his masters”!  Jesus said it, I didn’t—I just quote it often, mostly to myself, and pray that the purity of my heart will show to others the Jesus I love, not the meanness of the world we live in.

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 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 12:34-3

Ouch!  Yet, Jesus mentioned it again, implicating the import of our words, as well as our accountability.

“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

As an old proverb says, “Watch your words and keep them sweet!  You never know which ones you’ll eat!” (Source unknown) Yet Jesus is talking about our heart—a heart transformed by the power of redemption is enabled by the Holy Spirit to put out “good” words instead of harmful ones!  What are you and I putting out of our mouths?  Are we speaking ‘godly’ words or ‘worldly’ words?  There is a profound difference; not just what we say, but that it is said with love, discernment, and kindness, and to the glory of God (not me getting the “last word”, and I don’t think I’m the only one with that problem!  Am I?)!

Let’s bring this to a close with a word which Paul shared with the young Pastor Timothy; may we learn from it and keep our words sweet—not compromising truth in any way, but words seasoned with love and grace (and just FYI “unfeigned” simply means imitation or pretend).

“Now the end of the commandment

is charity

out of a pure heart,

and of a good conscience,

and of faith unfeigned:”  1 Timothy 1:5

And his message to the Colossian believers, which we ought to heed today, out of our love for and devotion to our Lord, so that others will see Jesus in us and our ‘words’!

“Walk in wisdom

toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how ye ought to answer

every man.”  Colossians 4:5-6.

Amen and Amen!

Real Love Speaks Truth??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 25

11 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Are You Ready, Speaking, Speaking The Truth In Love, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 25 Real Love Speaks Truth???

 

There is a lot of talk these days about “love”, but God’s definition of love is quite different from the world’s view of “love”, and so many equate “love” with ‘not making waves’; but we are called to speak the truth in love—God’s love! Scripture is replete with instructions that help us know the difference between ‘lust’ and ‘love’!  After all, God IS love!

“That ye would walk worthy of God,

who hath called you unto his kingdom

and glory.

13 For this cause also

thank we God

without ceasing,

because, when ye received the word of God

which ye heard of us,

ye received it not as the word of men,

but as it is in truth,

the word of God,

which effectually worketh also

in you that believe.”   1 Thessalonians 2:12-13

While God’s Word has little value to most these days, there is a consequence to not receiving the truth of God; for while God gives every person the freedom to choose Jesus or reject Him, there is a price to pay when we reject the truth for the lies of the enemy of our soul!.  Jesus was/is very clear about who the “liar” is; and ‘who’ is ‘whose’; and HE didn’t mince any words to those who opposed HIM!  And by the way, those who opposed HIM most were those who claimed to be ‘religious’!  That’s why we are called to “receive” Him not just ‘claim’ HIS name. (See John 1:12-13). Truth is ‘true’ whether it’s easy to hear and receive or not!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him,

We be not born of fornication;

we have one Father,

even God.

42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me

of sin?

And if I say the truth,

why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”  John 8:41-47

And how much did they reject Him, you might ask, well John  goes on to tell us how much!

“Then took they up stones

to cast at him:

but Jesus hid himself,

and went out of the temple,

going through the midst of them,

and so passed by.”  John 8:59

And if we back up a little, we will find out that not everyone who ‘hears’, wants to truly ‘listen’ and heed the hard truths of HIM who loves us so much that HE gave HIS life for us!

“From that time

many of his disciples went back,

and walked no more with him.”  John 6:66

Who are you choosing to walk with?  Paul told the Thessalonian believers that consequences would apply to those who willfully reject, as well as those who hear the truth and don’t respond—whether because they think they have time, or because of any other reason, even pretending to be righteous on their own without Jesus.  Paul clearly tells us that without Jesus, it won’t matter who you impress, or what you claim to believe.  Just because truth may be difficult to receive, doesn’t make it any less true!  And remember “WHO” IS truth.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

“And then shall that Wicked

be revealed,

whom the Lord shall consume

with the spirit of his mouth,

and shall destroy

with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him,

whose coming is after the working

of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness

in them that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might

be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them

strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure

in unrighteousness.”  2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

There will come a time when those who willfully reject truth will no longer have opportunity to receive truth—not a popular teaching, but it is God’s truth.

Just as Jesus Himself makes it clear above, that HE IS truth, and no other truth will make you right with God, or have peace with God, or belong to HIM! (See John 1:12-13)

Paul gives us such a powerful summary of all that we have because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and our sin in Romans 5, here are some portions of that chapter!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.”   Romans 5:1-2

“And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:5-11

The thing that we must decide is what will we do with Truth?  Jesus IS truth, and what we do with HIM is the truth of the Gospel. Jesus made it very clear that the choice is ours, but there is a consequence to every choice.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange

for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”   Matthew 16:24-27

Paul puts the truth of the Gospel in a ‘nutshell’ for us, and 1 Corinthians 15 is a great passage to memorize to keep the truth of the Gospel handy in your memory bank to share with others as we have opportunity!!!

“Moreover, brethren,

I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 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:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:”  1 Corinthians 15:1-5

We are saved to speak God’s truth in love; but speaking God’s truth without compromise, even in a world gone crazy with lies!  Jesus is THE “ONE” WAY to God, and we must make sure we don’t miss it, for if we miss Jesus, we miss it all.  But as we speak the truth in love, it is to be full of grace and mercy—but speaking well God’s truth!  Peter and Paul both spoke on this issue, may it touch your heart today.

“Walk in wisdom

toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech

be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how ye ought to answer

every man.”  Colossians 4:5-6

“But sanctify the Lord God

in your hearts:

and be ready always

to give an answer

to every man that asketh you

a reason of the hope

that is in you

with meekness

and fear:

16 Having a good conscience;

that, whereas they speak evil of you,

as of evildoers,

they may be ashamed

that falsely accuse

your good conversation in Christ.”   1 Peter 3:15-16

And a final word from the Apostle Peter, for each of us to keep in mind—for our enemy is becoming bolder every day!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

Amen and Amen!!!

The End From The Beginning??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #757

08 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Believe IN Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Creation, Creator, Creator of ALL, Cross, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #757  The End From The Beginning???

 

I was teaching earlier this week and we were talking about the import of the creation account in Genesis 1, and I thought we’d take a brief look at how encouraging it is to know the creator—He who began this world—and –He who will bring it to a conclusion.  And not only the creation of our world, but the “re-creation” of me and you who have been “born again”.

“Being confident

of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

We can find great confidence and assurance when we understand that Genesis chapters 1-11 are the foundation of it all.  If God didn’t create our world as HE claims HE did, then there was no beginning as God said there was, there was no Adam and no Eve, there was no sin, and we don’t need a Savior to save us from the “wages of sin”!  BUT, praise God HIS Word is true, and we can base every decision and choice in our life on HIS truth—HE who set all things in place—HE who is coming to complete His work of salvation in full.

“In the beginning

God created

the heaven

and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form,

and void;

and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

And the Spirit of God

moved upon the face of the waters.

3 And God said…”.  Genesis 1:1-3a

Here we find God The Father and God The Holy Spirit, but where is Jesus, God The Son, you might ask?  He was there as the “said”, or “the Word” of God, both the ‘living Word’ as well as HE who permeates the ‘written Word”—its very subject and object, if you would, the ‘conduit’ of creation!

“In the beginning

was the Word,

and the Word

was with God,

and the Word

was God.

2 The same was

in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.”   John 1:1-3

It is most interesting to me, that Jesus confirmed creation, but we often miss it. Yet, by Jesus’ own testimony God was the creator in the beginning, and HE also established marriage “in the beginning”.

“And he answered and said unto them,

Have ye not read,

that he which made them

at the beginning

made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause

shall a man leave

father and mother,

and shall cleave

to his wife:

and they twain

shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain,

but one flesh.

What therefore

God hath joined together,

let not man put asunder.”  Matthew 19:4-6

How does all of this give us hope?  Because it is our constant reminder that “our God reigns”; HE began it all and HE will bring it all to its proper conclusion in HIS time!  I can’t believe the time is very far off.  Are you ready?  Do you know the ONE who forgives our sin, saves us, and gives us eternal life?  Or are you choosing to believe the lies of the enemy of your soul, and doing your own ‘thing’?  God loves you and gave HIS “only begotten Son” to die for you, if you will but repent and trust to His blood which was shed on the cross at Calvary to save and transform your life!  Jesus is coming for HIS own, and HE will accomplish His purpose; will you be one of HIS sheep—or bear the penalty for your own sin?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

I’ll simply ask you to ponder these things and fix your eyes on Jesus.  HE is coming soon.  Please be ready!

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,

Behold, the tabernacle of God

is with men,

and he will dwell

with them,

and they shall be

his people,

and God himself

shall be with them,

and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away

all tears from their eyes;

and there shall be no more

death,

neither sorrow,

nor crying,

neither shall there be any more pain:

for the former things

are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said,

Behold, I make all things new.

And he said unto me,

Write:

for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me,

It is done.

I am Alpha

and Omega,

the beginning

and the end.

I will give unto him that is athirst

of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh

shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God,

and he shall be my son.

8 But

the fearful,

and unbelieving,

and the abominable,

and murderers,

and whoremongers,

and sorcerers,

and idolaters,

and all liars,

shall have their part

in the lake

which burneth

with fire

and brimstone:

which is the second death.”   Revelation 21:3-8

Amen and Amen!!!

Searchlight Of HIS WORD??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 24

04 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God's Faithfulness, God's Judgment, God's measure isn't ours, God's ways are not our ways, The Things of God, The Word, The Word Or The World?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 24  Searchlight Of HIS WORD???

 

I would like to challenge us today to examine our lives in light of what God’s Word says we are to ‘be’ and ‘do’.  We are bombarded with so much conflicting information and choices, that it is imperative that we know what God says.  I am truly weary of misinformation which some proclaim to be God’s Word, and people just take it as truth; and while God’s Word is truth not everything that is attributed to God, or His Word is actually from God’s Word.  Please, understand that we MUST get into God’s Word for ourselves, so that we will KNOW what God has said for ourselves, only then can we truly judge our lives and behavior by God’s standard instead of the world’s!

“Search me,

O God,

and know

my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

We are to seek God’s favor not man’s, and the Psalmist knew that we must open ourselves up for God’s searchlight of truth; and while it is often (almost always) somewhat painful—it is always a work of God’s grace, love, and purification of His own, for our good and HIS glory!

“Hearken unto me,

ye that know righteousness,

the people

in whose heart is my law;

fear ye not

the reproach of men,

neither be ye afraid

of their revilings.”  Isaiah 51:7

Paul often shared the import of examining our own lives according to God’s Word and standard, may we heed his advice!

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat

this bread,

and drink

this cup of the Lord,

unworthily,

shall be guilty

of the body

and blood of the Lord.

28 But let a man examine himself,

and so let him eat of that bread,

and drink of that cup…

…. 31 For if we would judge ourselves,

we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged,

we are chastened of the Lord,

that we should not be condemned

with the world.”  Portions of 1 Corinthians 11:27-32

Hebrews gives us one of the clearest messages about how God views our life choice, and how urgent it is that we don’t fail to receive truth and obey it, for God will act and discipline His own, for their good and HIS glory!  I encourage us to ponder the truths contained in this message!

“And ye have forgotten

the exhortation which speaketh unto you

as unto children,

My son,

despise not thou the chastening

of the Lord,

nor faint when thou art rebuked

of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth

every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.

9 Furthermore

we have had fathers of our flesh

which corrected us,

and we gave them reverence:

shall we not much rather

be in subjection unto the Father of spirits,

and live?

10 For they verily for a few days

chastened us

after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit,

that we might be partakers

of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present

seemeth to be joyous,

but grievous:

nevertheless afterward

it yieldeth the peaceable fruit

of righteousness

 unto them which are exercised

thereby.”   Hebrews 12:5-11

Not a passage that we hear very often, but it is God’s Word and we need to not only heed it, but also take note of what God is doing in our lives—especially when HE is correcting us (even if we say ‘ouch’!).  And just FYI, the words in this passage from Hebrews 12, ‘chasten’ and ‘chastise’, are forms of a word that means “child training”, which includes all those lessons that are necessary to help a child learn and grow to maturity!  How many of us are ‘growing’?  How many of us are ‘mature’ users of God’s Word, those who are “approved unto God”?

“Study to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

And Paul also told Timothy that God’s Word and the study of it is ever profitable—and that is true for us today as well.  What are we doing about it?  And FYI, ‘perfect’ in this passage simply means ‘mature’ not sinless!  And there is also an implication that we need to keep in mind, if we are called to be “rightly dividing the word of truth”, it implies that we can (as many today do) “wrongly divide” God’s Word! We must let The Word say what it says, and heed and obey it!

“All scripture is given

by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

Oh, that we would dive into the word of God like we do into our favorite sport, or novel, TV program, or other pleasures. Which can cause us to neglect God’s Word and HIS very presence (oh, Father forgive me for the neglect that marks so many of my days, may I draw near to Thee to hear Your voice and heed Your direction in my life?)!  Oh, may we remember the declaration of the Psalmist:

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth

in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

May our cry be:

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

May we truly pursue the face of God and His holiness in all we are (to be more like Jesus every day) and all we do—for what we ‘do’ comes out of our heart and reveals who/what we ‘are’!  May our heart pursue steps that HE is ordering, for us, day by day!  (See Hebrews 12:1-3)

“And Jesus said,

Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 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 15:16-20

And again, Jesus said:

“Either make the tree good,

and his fruit good;

or else make the tree corrupt,

and his fruit corrupt:

for the tree is known by his fruit.

34 O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 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.”   Matthew 12:33-35

And one last thing to measure by: a question for us all, “What’s in my heart?  The love of God, and Word of God, or not?”   Remember what’s hidden in the heart will come out in word and deed!  What will HIS searchlight find in my/your heart?  God’s light is true!  Am I?

“With my whole heart

have I sought thee:

O let me not wander

from thy commandments.

11 Thy word

have I hid in mine heart,

that I might not sin

against thee.”  Psalm 119:10-11

What’s hiding in my heart?  In yours?

Amen and Amen!!!