Category Archives: Blessed by God

An Amazing Oxymoron??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #618

17 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Blessed by God, Born Again, Gospel, Grace

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #618     An Amazing Oxymoron???

 

One of my favorite gospel hymns is “Amazing Grace” by John Newton, and while it is “old”, like me, it resounds with truth and hope; and yet this week as I was listening to it for the ‘umpty-dozeneth’ time, it struck me that this powerful song has a most amazing oxymoron, and it just gripped my heart and I’d like to share a few thoughts with you this morning that may speak to you as well.

I’d like to share the second verse with you and delve into its depths.

“T’was Grace

that taught my heart to fear

And Grace,

my fears relieved

How precious did

that grace appear

The hour I first believed.”

Have you ever recognized that it truly is God’s grace that brings us to “fear”—to see our sin and its consequence?  That’s Bible and it’ll preach!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”   John 6:44

God is the One who convicts of sin, and without seeing our sin—without that “Grace that taught my heart to fear”, we have no need for The Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord!  But praise God He sent Jesus to be our substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice!  And it is the Holy Spirit of God who brings that conviction of sin to our hearts, without which we could never be born again into Jesus!

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will

reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

That very Spirit whom Jesus promised to send, is the One who opens our eyes to see our own sin, but the oxymoron is that HE is also the ONE who “my fears relieved”!  And that’s why we can rejoice and sing:

“How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed”!

And not only from that first moment but in every moment since, and in every moment that God grants me to serve Him in this world!  That my friends, is truly “Amazing Grace”!  God’s grace, and He is holding out that very grace to you today, if you don’t know Him yet.  And if you know HIM and are in a hard place, it is that same grace that will carry you through!  God is continually at work through that wonderful grace of Jesus, to not only save us unto Himself, but to conform us into HIS very image—bringing glory to God and accomplishing His purpose in our every step!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”   Romans 11:36

And another of my favorite passages that I pray will bring you hope and encouragement today!

“For by grace

are ye saved

through faith; and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created

in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”   Ephesians 2:8-10

And let me close with this thought; many in recent days have made comment regarding my ‘strong faith’, and I appreciate that, but we must understand and know that it’s not “my” faith that is the issue—the issue is The One in whom “my” faith is placed!  It’s the Amazing Savior who saved me many long years ago—The One who has picked me up time and time again.  The One who has walked with me when I was ‘up’, and The One who has walked with me when I was ‘down’!  The One who died that I might have “abundant life”.  And that “abundant life” is my hope, and confidence from and in The One, Jesus, to whom I belong.  And you can have that same life, faith, peace and grace if you will but call out to HIM and receive HIS peace!

“Peace I leave

with you,

my peace I give

unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:26                                                 (Read the whole chapter)

So, I pray that God will speak to your heart that amazing, wonderful grace that Jesus died and rose again to provide for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.  You are loved and prayed for, and that “Amazing Grace” will deliver you too!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

Christmas IS About Family??? Pt. 2 Bible Ballistics: BBs #608

06 Friday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Blessed by God, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Christmas IS?, IN Jesus!, SIN

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #608  Christmas IS About Family??? Pt.2

 

Continuing with our look at Christmas and family, I want us to go back to the first family—the place where the promise of Jesus was first announced (the promise that would culminate in His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension back to His Father—and the “rest of the story”, HIS coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!) in the midst of sin and failure; Adam and Eve’s sin initiated the promise of redemption; which, by the way, was no surprise to God!  For He had the plan all along, for He knew our choices would lead to sin, death and hell for mankind—BUT GOD!  Oh, how I love those words—BUT GOD—our God knew all along that we would fail, yet He had already made provision through the sacrifice of HIS “only begotten son”!

“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.”  Genesis 2:16-17

God warned the man, yet by the same token, without the opportunity to choose, we would have been puppets, rather than free moral agents; and while God knew that man would fail, out of His love for us and desire that we choose Him, He gave Adam and Eve a choice! People often say, ‘Well, they didn’t die!”, so, God didn’t mean what He said!  But truly He did—man died spiritually and lost His soul-tie, and beautiful intimacy with his creator!  His soul was marred by sin, and that’s why Jesus said we must be “born again” to see God’s kingdom, much less enter it!  And Jesus is (as my pastor often says) the ‘issue’ and the “issuer’ of salvation, life to all who will believe in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—my sin and yours!  Jesus was, is and ever shall be the answer to the sin problem. (And sin IS the problem!)

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,                               and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head,

and thou shalt bruise his heel.”  Genesis 3:15

The promise of the One who would crush the serpents head—and bring us victory over sin, death and hell.  Jesus received the ultimate blow from Satan, yet God knew all along that it would only crush His heel, but His resurrection from that blow of death would deliver all who would trust in His blood, crushing Satan!

“O death,

where is thy sting?

O grave,

where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Paul reveals this principle of spiritual death in his letter to the Ephesians—we are all born dead spiritually, but Jesus came that we might have not only “life” but “that they might have it more abundantly.”!  Jesus truly is our all in all, even before the world began—before sin!  Jesus was, is and ever shall be The Only Way!  There never was, nor is there now plan ‘A’ which failed, making Jesus plan ‘B’—Jesus has always been, and now is The Only “way….truth…..life” which reconciles to God!

“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.”  Ephesians 2:1-7

Oh, how excited I get just writing these words on paper—we are so loved, blessed and treasured by the God who created us and ‘bought us back’ from sin, death and hell—Amen and Amen!  Jesus saves today, and I’m so grateful for the truth that He changed me!  How about you—do you know the Christ Jesus of Christmas.  Do the bells ring true in your heart the song of saving grace?  Does the light shine in your heart no matter how dark it is around you?  I pray that you will rejoice in the gift that God gave to us the night that Jesus was born so many years ago; and regardless of the date, or exact spot, or the circumstances—God came into this world as a babe to live the perfect, sinless life that we never could, to die as the Lamb of God who “taketh away the sin of the world”, that we might be “born of God”!

We’ll continue our quest to know God’s truth next time, and I pray that you will ponder these things and that God will draw you to Himself, that you might rest in HIM!  May you rejoice with the angels who proclaimed the glory of this marvelous gift of God!

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings

of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men.”  Luke 2:9-14

Amen!

The Unattended Baby??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 16

01 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Christmas IS?, Come And Worship?, The Things of God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 16   The Unattended Baby???

 

 

As we begin this month of December, there are a lot of things that are significant about this month: it’s the last month of the calendar year;  later this month will officially bring in winter; and most importantly for those who love Jesus, it is the time that we celebrate His birth, the incarnation that brought the God-Man, Savior-Redeemer, The One who would make the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our salvation!  This One who came that we might have life and be freed from the penalty of our sin.

“Then Joseph her husband,

being a just man,

and not willing to make her a publick example,

was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared unto him

in a dream, saying,

Joseph, thou son of David,

fear not to take unto thee Mary

thy wife:

for that which is conceived

in her

is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold,

a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name

Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:19-23

Did you get that?  Joseph was told to “call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”!  HE would save “from” sin, transforming lost sinners into The Redeemed, those to whom the Holy Spirit imparts new life and the righteousness of Jesus.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things

are passed away;

behold, all things

are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

 who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

 the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

God sent Jesus to take our sin upon Himself, that He might impart to us life by faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for those who will come to Him in repentance and faith.

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

Our God gave the greatest gift to a world who not only rejected His Gift of Jesus, but who would rebuff Him, persecute Him, and have Him put to death!  But none of this caught God by surprise, it was part of His plan from the beginning—to bring us back to Himself!  I pray that we will celebrate this season of Christmas, the birth of The Savior and Redeemer of man, with Jesus foremost in our thoughts and actions.  God is ever at work to draw us closer to Himself; first for salvation, and then to ever be conforming us into the image of His Son.

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become

the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved…

… 24 And when they (the disciples not the leaders)

heard that,

they lifted up their voice to God with one accord,

and said,

Lord, thou art God,

which hast made heaven,

and earth,

and the sea,

and all that in them is:

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David

hast said,

Why did the heathen rage,

and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth stood up,

and the rulers were gathered together

against the Lord,

and against his Christ.

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus,

whom thou hast anointed,

both Herod,

and Pontius Pilate,

with the Gentiles,

and the people of Israel,

were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand

and thy counsel

determined before

to be done.” Portions of Acts 4:10-28

God is ever at work to accomplish His purpose, and we can stand against Him, or we can commit ourselves to be attentive to His Word, His will, and His ways.

“Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon

in all his glory

was not arrayed

like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need

of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:27-34

And I can’t help but think of an experience that I had this weekend.  I had a friend come over to help me with some yard work, and we also put out my outdoor nativity sets (I have several that I set outside for a testimony to those who see them, that JESUS IS the reason for the season!).  We were busy with several tasks and we had set up the big display out front and went back to get ‘Joseph,’ but we got distracted by some other tasks and did them and forgot about ‘Joseph’.  Well, when we got those other things done, and my friend left, I was resting for a bit, and happened to glance out the window onto the back patio and saw “Joseph” standing there, and of course thought, “OH NO, we left baby Jesus and Mary ‘unattended’ by Joseph”!  I had no more gotten those words out of my mouth (and yes I talk to myself!) when God seemed to speak to my heart saying, “That’s the problem with many today, you/I have often left the spiritual things of life “Unattended”!  Ouch!  Well, I almost immediately went and put Joseph in his place ‘attending’ to Mary and The Babe; and as I did, I also prayed, asking God to help me do a better job of “attending” to those ‘things of God’!  Choices do have consequences!

“Then Peter took him,

and began to rebuke him, saying,

Be it far from thee, Lord:

this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter,

Get thee behind me,

Satan:

thou art an offence unto me:

for thou savourest not

the things that be of God,

but those that be of men.

24 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?”   Matthew 16:22-26

So, my question for each of us during this Christmas season is, ‘Will you join me in seeking to pursue and “attend” to “the things that be of God”, rather than “those that be of men”?’  May we truly keep The Lord Jesus in HIS rightful place—HE truly is The Reason for The Season we are celebrating?  May we all enjoy a most joyous time of celebrating the birth of our soon-coming King!  He is worthy of our praise and devotion—and I long to hear His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”!

“His lord said unto him,

Well done, thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things,

I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”  Matthew 25:21

I pray that God will help each of us to pursue HIS approval and attend to HIS business.

“…..wist ye not that I must be about

my Father’s business?”  Luke 2:49

Amen and Amen!

A Month Of Gratitude??? #7. Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14

17 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Blessed by God, Follow Jesus, Friends, Friendship, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know, The Crucified Life

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14   A Month Of Gratitude??? #7

 

Friendship: I thank God for friendship!  First of all, I thank Jesus for taking me not only as His child but also to be my best friend!

“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.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go

and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask

of the Father in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 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.”  John 15:15-21

Having Jesus as my Lord and Savior isn’t about having a magic lamp, or a genie—it means being crucified with the One who loves me and gave Himself that I might have life!  He did it all for me and having Jesus as my friend means not only identifying with Him as my Lord and Savior, but also loving Him and yielding to His work in my life; that the world may see Jesus in me and be drawn to Him; and I can only do that as I die to self and live to HIM!

“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.”   Galatians 2:20

Jesus has given all for me, what less could I give to and for Him?  And Jesus Himself told us that the cross is the issue—He died that I might live, and I live by the power of His cross!  My friend, Jesus, gave His life for me—how could I thank Him for His sacrifice with less than my all?

“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?”  Matthew 16:24-26

Because I am grateful for the ONE who gave His life for me, I desire to please Him, and to hear His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” when He calls me to Himself, or when He returns for His own!  Do you have such a friend?

I am also thankful for the precious friends in this life whom God has blessed me with!  I truly believe if you/I have one “real” friend, then we are abundantly blessed.  If you have more than one, then you are greatly blessed; and I count myself as one of those abundantly showered with faithful friends!  I have been so greatly blessed by those whom God has sent into my life—some for most of my life—some for a season—some for a short time.  Some are still here, some have gone on before me; but regardless of when, or where, or how long we had in close proximity, I am blessed beyond measure to have shared my life, love and labors with these unique precious ones.

God’s Word says a lot about friends, and I’d like to share just a few of those principles and truths with you today.

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend

that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

“A friend loveth

at all times,

and a brother

is born for adversity.”   Proverbs 17:17

“Open rebuke

is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds

of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy

are deceitful.”   Proverbs 27:6-7

To have good friends, we must be willing to be a good friend; one who is there through thick and thin; one who stands fast in good times and adversity; one who is willing to hold you accountable to God’s Word; one whose advice is for your ultimate good rather than your momentary satisfaction!  How grateful I am that God has sent those kinds of people into my life—He has also allowed me to help those who stayed for a time; as well as those who stayed only as long as it was beneficial to them; and He has sent me those who have stayed the course despite my humanity!  God is so faithful and His love and care for me, as well as His faithfulness to grow me in His Word have helped me be a better friend, and I pray that I can always be that “friend that sticketh closer than a brother”! While I praise God for my siblings (whom I love and am thankful for also), we have often had great distances between us, and God has sent me friends who have stood by me in that “closer than a brother” kind of way!  My heart’s desire is that I will be that kind of friend to others.

Sometimes friendship has a cost, and just as Jesus paid the price for our salvation out of His great love for us; we ought to share with others that same kind of love in friendship!  True friends live and share the love of Jesus with one another, helping each other to become the best that we can be—to glorify our Lord!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Are we being that “iron” sharpening “iron” by our walk with Jesus, or are we leading our friends down a path of compromise, indulgence and selfish, fleshly lusts?  It’s a tough question because it makes me assess my own walk with Jesus; am I growing in the grace of Jesus and helping others to keep our “eyes on the prize”—Jesus Christ Himself!

“But grow in grace,

and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him be glory

both now

and for ever. Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18

Oh, to stand fast in “the evil day” and bring glory to The Lord Jesus, to encourage those He sends to us, being grateful for each one HE sends into our lives, imparting grace, courage and love!

“Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend that

for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 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.

17 Brethren, be followers

together of me,

and mark them

which walk so

as ye have us for an ensample.”  Philippians 3:12-17

May we ever pursue the example of our Lord—He loved us first!  Loving others as He loves us—may we be the friend to others that Jesus is to us!  Thank you to all my wonderful friends—and a special thank you to those of you who have stood with me through the years—you are a treasure rare—and I truly “thank my God upon every remembrance of you”!  Blessings on your week! (Thank God and be sure and thank a friend!)

“In this was manifested the love of God

toward us,

because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world,

that we might live

through him.

10 Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation

for our sins.

11 Beloved,

if God so loved us,

we ought also

to love one another.”  1 John 4:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!

God’s Bucket List??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 10

20 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Blessed by God, Follow Jesus, God's Faithfulness, God's provision, Jesus Saves!, The Only Way, TODAY, Today and Forever, Transformed life, Trust God, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 10        God’s Bucket List???

 

I know this is a strange title, but I hear so many people these days talking about their “bucket” list; and for a long time I couldn’t figure out what they were talking about, so one day when it came up, I asked one of my children, what it meant.  They laughingly explained that it was a reference to “kicking the bucket”, reference to things people wanted to do before they die.  Well, for a long time since, it has interested me that a culture so anxious to avoid talking about death, was so consumed with talk of the “bucket list”; and as I’ve pondered this from time to time, I have a few thoughts that I’d like to share about this “bucket list”.  Now let me say, there’s nothing wrong with having goals, or having dreams and desires for things that we would like to accomplish, places we’d like to go, or adventures that we would like to experience, but I think this is idea is often used by the ‘enemy of our souls’ to get people so focused on tomorrow that we miss our God-given opportunities of today.  Jesus spoke to this quite clearly.

“From that time forth

began Jesus to shew unto his disciples,

how that he must go unto Jerusalem,

and suffer many things

of the elders

and chief priests

and scribes,

and be killed,

and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him,

and began to rebuke him, saying,

Be it far from thee, Lord:

this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter,

Get thee behind me, Satan:

thou art an offence unto me:

for thou savourest not

the things that be of God,

but those that be of men.

24 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 16:21-27

I love the Apostle Peter—this big fisherman with the ‘big’ mouth– who like me, often spoke before he thought.  Imagine, rebuking his LORD!  But don’t we do the same, when we wrestle with our own pictures of life, plans for the present and the future, and purposes of our own making instead of God’s!  How often do we argue with God, “But God you surely can’t mean for me to ‘be’, ‘do’ or ‘follow’ YOU in ‘That’?”  But in this scenario Jesus rebuked Satan for prompting Peter to be distracted from God’s plan, seeking to distract the Lord Jesus Christ from HIS very mission here on earth!  God calls us to be His children—His followers—His testimony to a lost and dying world, that needs Jesus.

And while God blesses us in so many ways, providing blessings beyond measure, His goal is our “Holiness” not our “Happiness” (although He grants us the delights of so many things that bring us happiness, yet often, we forget that it’s simply His goodness, grace and generosity toward us!).

“Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down

from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.”   James 1:17

God is ever at work in the lives of His children to continually grow and conform us “to the image of his son” (See Romans 8:28-29)!  Please don’t misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the gifts of God, the beauty of His creation, the joys of food, family and friendship; but we need to make sure we keep our eyes on the prize—JESUS– His glory, His grace, and His call upon our lives.  But if God had a ‘bucket list’, His Word tells us what HE wants—which ought to be what we, who are His, want!

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?

by taking heed thereto

according to thy word.

10 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 119:9-11

The Word of God is key to our focus—seeking after God, His ways and His Word with our “whole heart”; yet sadly so many who claim His name today simply want a “get out of hell free” card, and have no desire to know HIM, or to serve HIM!  Something is terribly amiss!  As the Psalmist so vividly paints a picture of devotion to God, we see the connection between putting (hiding) God’s Word in our heart and avoiding the pitfalls of sin!  How sad that we have neglected His Word and have often failed to recognize the lies and schemes of the devil!  Paul reminded the young preacher Timothy, of this very thing.

“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

“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,

throughly furnished

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

And if I may paraphrase for a bit—God’s Word is beneficial for—

What we need to know (doctrine/truth)—

What is wrong (sin/error/reproof)—

What to do to make things right (correction)—

What/How to avoid the wrong by knowing right—

In all we ‘are’ and all we ‘do’ (instruction)!

And here are a couple of things that might help each of us to remember God’s perspective:

“The sacrifices of God

are a broken spirit:

a broken

and a contrite heart,

O God, thou wilt not despise.”    Psalm 51:17

“He hath shewed thee, O man,

what is good;

and what doth the LORD require

of thee,

but to do justly,

and to love mercy,

and to walk humbly

with thy God?”  Micah 6:8

There is a simple reminder that we so often forget in the clear teaching of Jesus on our focus.  So as we go from day to day, making plans, working with our hands, doing the things that God leads us to; as He directs our steps in living for Him, it’s not wrong to desire to go, see, and accomplish new things, but it is important to make sure our focus stays on the ONE we claim to love and follow!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”   Matthew 6:9-10

And as James said so precisely, may we ever remember:

“Go to now, ye that say,

To day or to morrow

we will go into such a city,

and continue there a year,

and buy and sell,

and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not

what shall be on the morrow.

For what is your life?

It is even a vapour,

that appeareth for a little time,

and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say,

If the Lord will,

we shall live,

and do this,

or that.”  James 4:13-15

May we pursue God in all our ways—no matter what you may have on your “bucket list”, may we each draw near to God and remember James admonition in all things (great and small):

“If the Lord will,

we shall live,

and do this,

or that”

Just as Jesus so tenderly reminds me and you:

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”   John 10:27-30

So rest in The One who died for YOU/ME, and make a ‘bucket list’ if you like, but live your “todays” with our soon coming King in mind, that you and I might be found faithful when HE comes—having lived with HIS ‘list’ in mind—being delighted IN Him!

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also

in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires

of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way

unto the LORD;

trust also

in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

 fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.”  Psalm 37:3-8.

Amen and Amen!!!