Category Archives: Blessed by God

God’s Still On HIS Throne??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #727

07 Friday May 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Are You Ready, Be not conformed to this world, Blessed by God, By Him We Live, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Commitment Or Convenience, Compromise, Confessing Sin, Consider Your ways, Darkness or Light?, Erasing The Lines?, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Family, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Forgiveness, God Bless America, God Is In Charge, God Knows His Own, God Who Sees, Godly Women, Good News, Healing, Holy, In The Beginning, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Lies, Light In The Dark, Marriage, Mothers, No Sin No Need?, One Foundation, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Our God Reigns

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #727  God’s Still On His Throne???

 

As we approach Mother’s Day, my heart is often grieved for our nation and the sad state of families and the world’s degraded opinion of mothers.  The world around us is trying to erase the lines of God’s creation, morality and the gift of children is the saddest of all.  We have made children disposable—we have not only denied the blessing of children but have approved of and even promoted the killing of children because they are “unwanted”!

It makes me sad that we have bought the lies of the enemy and are killing our children on the altar of convenience.  And not only the lives of the unborn are at stake, but even the children that have lived are often neglected and mistreated to a degree that is unconscionable and yet we just go on like there is no tomorrow.  This situation is addressed in scripture—God’s Word tells us that this kind of disregard of God, His Word and human life would become rampant in the last days.

“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.

6 For of this sort are they

which creep into houses,

and lead captive silly women

laden with sins,

led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning,

and never able

to come to the knowledge

of the truth.”  2 Timothy 3:1-7

Reading this list is like reading a current newspaper—yet it seems to me as though we are reaping what we have sown!  We have denigrated the import of God’s design for mankind—for God created “male and female” and established marriage and the home as the foundation stone of society—not this crazy mixed-up circus that we see today!

“And God said,

Let us make man

in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion…

… over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man

in his own image,

in the image of God

created he him;

male and female

created he them.

28 And God blessed them,

and God said unto them,

Be fruitful,

and multiply,

and replenish the earth,

and subdue it:

and have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and ….. over every living thing

that moveth upon the earth…

…2: 22 And the rib,

which the LORD God had taken from man,

made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said,

This is now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh:

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man

leave his father and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife:

and they shall be one flesh.”                      Portions of Genesis 1:26-28 & 2:22-24

And yes, before you ask, I believe in the Genesis account of creation—it is the foundation on which all other scripture stands, for if there was no creation, there was no Adam and Eve; if there was no Adam and Eve, there was no sin; and if there was no sin, there is NO NEED for a Redeemer!  Yet, Jesus IS The Redeemer of all who will come to Him in repentance and faith, for “all have sinned”! And Jesus Himself confirmed the truth of this Genesis account, and God’s design for mankind, marriage and the home!!!  (See Romans 3:23 & 6:23)

“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

God established marriage, the home and the important priority of parents, yet we have abandoned all of the above today.  Many, if not most, choose to live together without benefit of marriage—for marriage is seen as unimportant–, and if they marry it’s with a swinging door (and I know what it means to believe those lies, as I made some of those same mistakes in the past—and I praise God that HE does forgive, cleanse and restore through Jesus, when we come to HIM!) powered by divorce.  We leave children fatherless or motherless or often today, parentless.  Then we wonder why our culture is falling apart!  We wonder why our children are in distress!  We can’t figure out why our children and young people are committing heinous crimes.  Well, when we reject God and His Word, we will suffer the consequence.

What can we do?  We must come to God in humility and repentance for our part in this mess we have created in our land.  We must face our own sin, turn from it and cling to the cross and HIM who died for us!  We must once again cling to and stand for the righteous truth that God IS GOD, and we need to seek HIS face and HIS truth and live by it.  And we moms must cling to God’s truth NOT the world’s lies!

“In the LORD put I my trust:

how say ye to my soul,

Flee as a bird to your mountain?

2 For, lo,

the wicked bend their bow,

they make ready their arrow upon the string,

that they may privily

shoot at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations be destroyed,

what can the righteous do?

4 The LORD is in his holy temple,

the LORD’S throne is in heaven:

his eyes behold,

his eyelids try,

the children of men.

5 The LORD trieth the righteous:

but the wicked and him that loveth violence

his soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked

he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone,

and an horrible tempest:

this shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the righteous LORD

loveth righteousness;

his countenance

doth behold the upright.”  Psalm 11:1-7

God sees and HE knows!  Our job is to confess our own part—without pointing fingers at everyone else but ourselves—then Jesus can and will respond with “healing in HIS wings”!  And oh, I can’t express the joy of knowing Jesus and the healing and restoration HE brings to my heart, soul, mind and life!

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:7-10

And just as the key word above is “IF”, the “key word” in another passage we often quote, is “IF”; may we who are “HIS” truly repent, receive HIS forgiveness and be cleansed to walk forth in HIS light and glory?  May we sincerely ask GOD to bless America once again, and be willing to obey?

“If my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

And if you’d allow me, “then and only then”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

(And I’m taking Sunday off for Mother’s Day—so Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms and women of godly influence!  May God bless you and yours!)

 

Ignoring The Manufacturer??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 04

25 Sunday Apr 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Be not conformed to this world, Bibe Study, Blessed by God, By example, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Discernment, Discipline, Encouragement, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Family, Father's Way!, Follow Jesus, God Is In Charge, God Knows His Own, He Died That We Could Live, If not now? When?, Inspiring Others, It's Your Choice, Jesus Saves!, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Manufacturer's Warranty

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 04 Ignoring The Manufacturer???

 

We all buy things these days, and most of the things that we purchase come with a manufacturer’s instructions and usually a warranty (Some even call virtually every day to remind you of your car warranty!  Ha ha ha), but the warranty is usually dependent on the fact that we have followed the instructions for the item.  We have a personal, human manufacturer who has also given us perfect instructions for ‘operation’; but the choice is ours—will we follow HIS instructions and heed to HIS warnings for prime operation, or will we choose to go our own way without regard to HIS instructions but choose wisely there will be a test.

“Now therefore

fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

When we choose to “serve the LORD”, we have aligned ourselves with The One who loves us more than anyone else in this world!

“A new commandment I give unto you,

That ye love one another;

as I have loved you,

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know

that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love

one to another.”  John 13:34

And what does God’s love look like?  That’s clearly stated in God’s Word.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds

were evil.”  John 3:14-19

God loved us so much that HIS plan was always that HE would pay for our sins through HIS own Son, The “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!

He painted a most amazing picture of this for Abraham in Genesis 22.

“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said,

Behold the fire and the wood:

but where is the lamb

for a burnt offering?

8 And Abraham said,

My son,

God will provide himself

a lamb for a burnt offering:

so they went both of them together…

…. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him

out of heaven, and said,

Abraham, Abraham:

and he said,

Here am I.

12 And he said, Lay not thine hand

upon the lad,

neither do thou any thing

unto him:

for now I know that thou fearest God,

seeing thou hast not withheld thy son,

thine only son from me.

13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked,

and behold behind him a ram

caught in a thicket by his horns:

and Abraham went

and took the ram,

and offered him up for a burnt offering

in the stead of his son.”                               Portions of Genesis 22:7-13

And Abraham went on, I think, to let us know that he caught a glimpse of what God was promising:

“And Abraham called the name of that place

Jehovahjireh:

as it is said to this day,

In the mount of the LORD

it shall be seen.”  Genesis 22:14

Historians say that the mountain where God took Abraham and Isaac is the same mountain where God offered “HIS only begotten son” to pay the price for our sin with HIS own blood!

“Husbands,

love your wives,

even as Christ also loved the church,

and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it

with the washing of water

by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself

a glorious church,

not having spot,

or wrinkle,

or any such thing;

but that it should be holy and without blemish.”  Ephesians 5:25-27

And one of the most beautiful pictures of what Jesus did for us out of “His great love”, is painted by Peter in his first letter to believers.

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:19-25

So, my question for today is, are we willing to follow the life-warranty instructions that God gave us for passing the baton to those who follow behind us—especially our own children.  For if we lose those we love the most, how grieved we will be.  But let me also add this caveat, we can only lead our children to see and recognize truth; they must choose for themselves to follow or not; but when we fail to live truth and pass it on by our life and our words, we will always regret our failure!  Here’s the passage that defines the HOME’s job! (not the church’s, or the school’s or the government’s job—but the parents!).

May God speak to our hearts and may we hear and heed The Word of God, The Great Manufacturer!

“Know ye that

the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.”  Psalm 100:3

Be sure not to invalidate the warranty—God won’t call on your cell phone; but HIS WORD is calling us to HIS truth continually—and it’s never a wrong number!  It’s what the Psalmist was referring to:

“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.

12 Blessed art thou,

O LORD:

teach me thy statutes.”  Psalm 119:10-12

“Take heed unto thyself,

and unto the doctrine;

continue in them:

for in doing this

thou shalt both save thyself,

and them that hear thee.”  1 Timothy 4:16

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy;

whereunto ye do well

that ye take heed,

as unto a light that shineth

in a dark place,

until the day dawn,

and the day star arise

in your hearts:”  2 Peter 1:19

And one of the warrants HE has promised:

“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 it ever be so in our lives!

Amen and Amen!!!

Faithful Pray-er Or Panic-er??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 23

28 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Believe IN Jesus, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence or Presumption?, Consider Your ways, Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, God's Faithfulness, Influence, Inspiring Others, Integrity, Liars, Lies, Light In The Dark, Prayer or Panic?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 23 Faithful Pray-er Or Panic-er??

 

As we finish up our look at Daniel and his friends, we look today at chapter 6, and we’ll see quite a contrast in kings and circumstances.  We looked last week at an arrogant king who had no regard for God or the lessons he had the opportunity to learn from; and saw that king meet his doom.  This week we’ll see the conquering king (although there were co-rulers in the empire, we will only consider one king) and even though a wise and discerning king, even the wise and discerning can be subject to ego, vanity and deceit.

“In that night was Belshazzar

the king of the Chaldeans

slain.

31 And Darius the Median

took the kingdom,

being about threescore and two years old.”  Daniel 5:30-31

Darius the Mede has taken control of Babylon after invading the city, as God prophesied through Daniel and the “hand-writing on the wall”!  Have you been paying heed to the “hand-writing” on your wall?  Or will you be taken unaware?  If we will pay attention to God’s voice and hand at work in our life, then we will find ourselves able to practice a faithful prayer life like Daniel.

“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom

an hundred and twenty princes,

which should be over the whole kingdom;

2 And over these

three presidents;

of whom Daniel was first:

that the princes might give accounts

unto them,

and the king should have no damage.

3 Then this Daniel

was preferred

above the presidents

and princes,

because an excellent spirit

was in him;

and the king thought

to set him over the whole realm.

4 Then

the presidents

and princes

sought to find occasion

against Daniel

concerning the kingdom;

but they could find

none occasion

nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error

or fault

found in him.”  Daniel 6:1-4

Remember God’s blessing on Daniel and his three friends?

“And the king communed with them;

and among them all

was found none

like Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah:

therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters

of wisdom

and understanding,

that the king enquired of them,

he found them ten times better

than all the magicians

and astrologers

that were in all his realm.” Daniel 1:19-20

Each of these men along with Daniel had “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself”, and God honored their faithfulness in this hard place, by blessing them with ability and success in all of their endeavors. How does your faithfulness and mine measure up against such integrity?  I hope well, but it doesn’t come without effort and devotion to God and His Word.  God displayed his faithfulness and revealed himself through his faithful servants in a pagan land; and I believe there is a parallel for our consideration today—we are finding ourselves living in a pagan land—a land that is defying the Lord God Almighty; redefining virtually everything that HE has established, for greed, gain and self-promotion.  How will we stand?  For how long?  Daniel has proven himself faithful for some 70 years in Babylon, and even the new Median King Darius sees the integrity and ability in “this Daniel” and promotes him to a place of honor and service; while he is considering an even greater promotion to chief in the land (under the king, of course)!  BUT—not everyone was excited about Daniel’s integrity or his success.  Why?  I think for the same greed, gain and self-promotion that pervades our culture today.  And I think, if you look closely, you’ll find the same tactics used these thousands of years ago, are being used today.  Satan’s tactics never change.  Let’s look?

“Then the presidents and princes

sought to find occasion against Daniel

concerning the kingdom;

but they could find none occasion

nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error

or fault

found in him.

5 Then said these men,

We shall not find any occasion

against this Daniel,

except we find it

against him

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

I find it interesting that even Daniel’s enemies couldn’t find any “occasion against” him in the affairs of state; and just like politicians today, I’m sure they left no stone unturned to find some.  Yet, these men in their eagerness to discredit Daniel, realized that they would have to be cunning and wily to discredit Daniel and could only trip him up with the “law of his God”.  The very thing that brought him into favor with Nebuchadnezzar, would now be used to try and bring him into disfavor with King Darius.  How hard would people have to look to find cause for discrediting us?  For most of us—including me—not very far.  We have all made bad choices, mistakes and just outright failures; but Daniel was a man of total honor, integrity and devotion to his God.  How about you/me?  These enemies went after Daniel in a way that brings me shame, for my faithfulness and consistency is often lacking in regard to my prayer and study of God’s Word.  Let’s see what they come up with.

“Then these presidents and princes

assembled together to the king,

and said thus unto him,

King Darius,

live for ever.

7 All the presidents of the kingdom,

the governors,

and the princes,

the counsellors,

and the captains,

 have consulted together

to establish a royal statute,

and to make a firm decree,

that whosoever shall ask

a petition of any God

or man

for thirty days,

 save of thee,

O king,

he shall be cast

into the den of lions.

8 Now, O king,

establish the decree,

and sign the writing,

that it be not changed,

according to the law

of the Medes and Persians,

which altereth not.

9 Wherefore king Darius

signed the writing

and the decree.”  Daniel 6:6-9

We ought to learn something from these men, a lesson in current affairs; their plan of attack started with a consensus of flattery, lies and deceit—ring any bells?  They told the king that “all” of the “leaders” had agreed to this plan—“all” that is, but Daniel.  But they left that part out!  They included only the information they wanted others to know about, the truth was irrelevant!  Sound familiar?  Then they flattered the king and used his ego to trap Daniel.  Are we so faithful to God that we could be trapped by our faithfulness?   This king fell into the trap of ego and self-importance, and we need to be careful of the trap.  And we also need to understand that the enemy doesn’t play by the same rules that we do!

So, back to Daniel, what does he do?

“Now when Daniel knew

that the writing was signed,

he went into his house;

and his windows being open in his chamber

toward Jerusalem,

he kneeled upon his knees

three times a day,

and prayed,

and gave thanks before his God,

as he did aforetime.

11 Then these men assembled,

and found Daniel praying

and making supplication

before his God.

12 Then they came near,

and spake before the king

concerning the king’s decree;

Hast thou not signed a decree,

that every man that shall ask a petition

of any God or man

within thirty days,

save of thee, O king,

shall be cast into the den of lions?

The king answered and said,

The thing is true,

according to the law

of the Medes and Persians,

which altereth not.

13 Then answered they and said before the king,

That Daniel,

which is of the children of the captivity

of Judah,

regardeth not thee, O king,

nor the decree

that thou hast signed,

but maketh his petition

three times a day.”  Daniel 6:10-13

Here we find Daniel’s enemies gathered—probably at the only “prayer meeting” they’ve ever attended—to catch Daniel being faithful to his God.  And just FYI, when they come to find us faithful to our God, what will they find.  Will we be found continuing to be faithful?  Will we have to scramble to even know how to pray?  Or will we just count it too much trouble and cave to the culture around us?

“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

If you’re not following Him today, when do you intend to start?  God already had a plan for Daniel, who, like Job, knew in Whom he trusted.

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see

for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

God confirmed Daniel’s faith through this pagan king who had seen faithfulness in Daniel on more than one front.

“Then the king,

when he heard these words,

was sore displeased with himself,

and set his heart on Daniel

to deliver him:

and he laboured till the going down

of the sun

to deliver him.

15 Then these men assembled unto the king,

and said unto the king,

Know, O king,

that the law of the Medes and Persians is,

That no decree nor statute

which the king establisheth

may be changed.

16 Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God

whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee.

17 And a stone was brought,

and laid upon the mouth of the den;

and the king sealed it with his own signet,

and with the signet of his lords;

that the purpose might not be changed

concerning Daniel.

18 Then the king went to his palace,

and passed the night fasting:

neither were instruments of musick

brought before him:

and his sleep went from him.”  Daniel 6:14-18

Darius knew by Daniel’s life of faithfulness and integrity that his God would deliver him.  What does our life tell others about our God?  Does our faithfulness cause even our enemies to look to our God?  Or do we look so much like the world that no one can see God in us?

As Peter tells us, our testimony in suffering can make a difference.

“Dearly beloved,

I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,

abstain from fleshly lusts,

which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation honest

among the Gentiles:

that, whereas they speak against you

as evildoers,

they may by your good works,

which they shall behold,

glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance

of man

for the Lord’s sake:

whether it be to the king,

as supreme;

14 Or unto governors,

as unto them that are sent

by him

for the punishment

of evildoers,

and for the praise of them

that do well.

15 For so is the will of God,

that with well doing

ye may put to silence

the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free,

and not using your liberty

for a cloke of maliciousness,

but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.”   1 Peter 2:11-17

So, what did Darius find in the morning?

“Then the king arose very early in the morning,

and went in haste unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den,

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake and said to Daniel,

O Daniel, servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee

from the lions?  

21 Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him

innocency was found in me;

and also before thee, O king,

have I done no hurt.

23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him,

and commanded that they should take Daniel

up out of the den.

So Daniel was taken up out of the den,

and no manner of hurt was found upon him,

because he believed in his God.”    Daniel 6:19-23

Daniel’s eyes were looking up to his GOD, not around at the lions; and his GOD delivered for Daniel’s good and HIS glory!  And, consequently, the destruction of the wicked, while God brought Daniel even greater honor.

“And the king commanded,

and they brought those men

which had accused Daniel,

and they cast them into the den of lions,

them, their children, and their wives;

and the lions

had the mastery of them,

and brake all their bones in pieces

or ever they came at the bottom

of the den.

25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people,

nations, and languages,

that dwell in all the earth;

Peace be multiplied unto you.

26 I make a decree,

That in every dominion of my kingdom

men tremble and fear

before the God of Daniel:

for he is the living God,

and stedfast for ever,

and his kingdom

that which shall not

be destroyed,

and his dominion

shall be even unto the end.

27 He delivereth

and rescueth,

and he worketh signs

and wonders in heaven

and in earth,

who hath delivered Daniel

from the power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered

in the reign of Darius,

and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”   Daniel 6:24-28

Who or what is YOUR GOD?  Are your eyes on the prize—Jesus—or the lions—or the liars?

“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 15:57-58

May God bless and grow us in in HIS Word and HIS ways.  Keep looking up not around!  God hears and answers “prayers” not “panic”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Whose Power Are You Trusting??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #709

12 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Be not conformed to this world, Blessed by God, Broken Hearts, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Contentment, Dependence, Encouragement, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Look UP, Our God Reigns, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #709  Whose Power Are You Trusting???

 

I want to veer off our “Daniel” track for today and just share a word of encouragement for each of us today.  As we’re in the deep freeze here in Oklahoma—and about to get even “freezier” in the next week, there is a warmth in my heart that only comes by knowing WHO is in charge—and for sure it’s not the government or the weatherman—and as the Apostle John recorded for us so long ago:

“And a voice came out of the throne, saying,

Praise our God,

all ye his servants,

and ye that fear him,

both small and great.

6 And I heard as it were

the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God

omnipotent

reigneth.”  Revelation 19:5-6

HE always has, and HE always will be The Lord God Almighty who reigns over all.  And as Zechariah reminded the people who were discouraged at the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple, our strength isn’t from anything in this world!

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying,

This is the word of the LORD

unto Zerubbabel,

saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”   Zechariah 4:6

I quote this verse often to myself and others, and there is one other simple passage that I’d like to leave with you; and I know many of you already have it planted in your heart, but I just want to remind each of us that “our God reigns”!  Our job is to keep our eyes fixed on HIM and trust each of our days to HIS care.  That’s not always an easy task when our eyes, our hearts and our minds see such heartache, carry such heavy burdens in our circumstances, and see so much darkness and chaos around us—but remember, we are called to look up, not around!  I’m so often reminded to look up to our Lord and not around at the “lions”!  Take it to Jesus, my friends; HE is my hope—my joy—and my total confidence, and He’s there for you too; call on HIM today!

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

Blessings on you and yours—and let “your little light shine” today….and today….and today!

Amen and Amen!!!

Assurance-VS-Arrogance??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 20

07 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, All Sufficient God!, Assurance or Arrogance, Be not conformed to this world, Blessed by God, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence or Presumption?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Dare To Be Different!, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Fearlessness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 20    Assurance-VS-Arrogance???

 

We have read continually the decision of Daniel and his friends regarding their devotion to God, their godly character, and integrity; an integrity that we need to take note of and learn from.  We are looking at the behavior of godly men who are captives in a pagan land under a pagan king—Nebuchadnezzar—lessons of godly integrity that we can learn from today, especially today!  We begin again with the verse that makes the difference in their lives and can in ours.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”   Daniel 1:8

What have you and I made our mind up about?  Have we committed to trust in God’s provision or are we pursuing our own solutions to the trials of our day?  We talked last time about the character that our three friends had; and I want us to consider the choices that these men made and what they can mean to us!  If you remember, we find them at a grand “unveiling” of the golden statue that the king had erected (in his own honor) yet the issue wasn’t the statute but the call to “worship” and ‘bow down’ before it!

“And God spake all these words, saying,

2 I am the LORD thy God,

which have brought thee

out of the land of Egypt,

out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee

any graven image,

or any likeness of any thing

that is in heaven above,

or that is in the earth beneath,

or that is in the water

under the earth:

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them,

nor serve them:

for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God,

visiting the iniquity of the fathers

upon the children

unto the third and fourth generation

of them that hate me;

6 And shewing mercy

unto thousands of them

that love me,

and keep my commandments.”   Exodus 20:1-6

Our friends knew the Law of Moses and were committed to keep it—even knowing it could cost them their lives.  The King’s threat was real and as we saw in chapters one and two, Nebuchadnezzar was a man given to temper, and our account in chapter three is a prime example.  But for our purposes we want to focus on the attitudes, responses and humility of our three friends.  Unlike the events of chapter one and two, which were relatively private in nature, this event was a public one and puts our friends on center stage!  What we also see is that their integrity (remember the king promoted them along with Daniel for their wisdom and integrity) has evoked some not-so-nice responses from others!

“Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans

came near,

and accused the Jews.

9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.

10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree,

that every man that shall hear the sound

of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick,

shall fall down

and worship the golden image:

11 And whoso falleth not down

and worshippeth,

that he should be cast into the midst

of a burning fiery furnace.

12 There are certain Jews

whom thou hast set over the affairs

of the province of Babylon,

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego;

these men, O king,

have not regarded thee:

they serve not thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar

in his rage and fury

commanded to bring

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego.

Then they brought these men

before the king.”  Daniel 3:8-13

We could call this the tale of ‘tattlers’, but while our friends were obviously envied, they didn’t respond in kind, but they stood firm in their faith and answered with fearlessness, honor and integrity.  What do you and I do when we are confronted with the ill-will of others?  Do we respond with confidence in our God or our own ‘wits’?  Are you like me and sometimes loose the integrity battle to the smart-mouth urges?  Do we give in to the call of the flesh to answer in kind?  That isn’t what we are called to do, I’m reminded of Paul’s message to the Ephesian church, and while he’s talking about interactions among believers, it applies to the broader context of our relationships with all people.

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all

bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”   Ephesians 4:29-32

Peter also gives us an urgent reminder concerning our behavior, and the import of reflecting our Lord and Savior, Jesus, rather than the world. (And 1 Peter is a great message about suffering for Jesus!)  And friends I believe it’s speeding toward us today!

“Finally,

be ye all of one mind,

having compassion one of another,

love as brethren,

be pitiful,

be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil

for evil,

or railing

for railing:

but contrariwise

blessing;

knowing that ye are thereunto called,

that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life,

and see good days,

let him refrain his tongue

from evil,

and his lips

that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil,

and do good;

let him seek peace,

and ensue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord

are over the righteous,

and his ears

are open unto their prayers:

but the face of the Lord

is against them that do evil.

13 And who is he that will harm you,

if ye be followers

of that which is good?”  1 Peter 3:8-13

Jesus Himself gave us an “other worldly” view of relationships and how His children ought to behave.

“Blessed are they

which are persecuted

for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil against you

falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice,

and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward

in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.”  Matthew 5:10-12

We are not alone, when we suffer for Jesus/God; but we must decide, do we want the blessings of God or His judgment.  And don’t be cocky, thinking Christians are never judged, for God will judge His own—not for condemnation, but for discipline and correction.

“Yet if any man suffer

as a Christian,

let him not be ashamed;

but let him glorify God

on this behalf.

17 For the time is come

that judgment must begin

at the house of God:

and if it first begin at us,

what shall the end be

of them that obey not

the gospel of God?”  1 Peter 4:16-17

And more food for thought from God’s Word!  I’m just the messenger!

“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.”  Hebrews 12:6-8

So, what does this all have to do with our three friends?  Well, they were willing to “withstand in the evil day”!  Are we?  And, no pun intended, they were about to have their “feet put to the fire”, yet they still stood fast trusting to their GOD!

“Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them,

Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

do not ye serve my gods,

nor worship the golden image

which I have set up?

15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick,

ye fall down

and worship the image

which I have made; well:

but if ye worship not,

ye shall be cast the same hour

into the midst of a burning

fiery furnace;

and who is that God

that shall deliver you

out of my hands?

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

answered

and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee

in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not,

be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.”   Daniel 3:14-18

In closing for this session, we see that our friends gave no quarter in their willingness to stand faithfully before their God regardless of the circumstances.  They had seen God’s faithfulness in the past and they trusted their future to Him, and answered the king in humble honesty, knowing that whether God physically delivered them or not—HE would deliver them, and they would NOT BOW!  Are we willing to trust God in all?  Even in the midst of hatred, jealousy and anger.  I’ll leave you with Nebuchadnezzar’s response, and then we’ll pick up next week, with GOD’s response and WOW does GOD have something to say!!!

“Then was Nebuchadnezzar

full of fury,

and the form of his visage

was changed

against

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego:

therefore he spake,

and commanded

that they should heat the furnace

one seven times more

than it was wont to be heated.

20 And he commanded

the most mighty men

that were in his army

to bind

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

and to cast them

into the burning fiery furnace.”   Daniel 3:19-20

What’s burning in your life?  What fires are you afraid of?  Will you look up trusting God to provide?  Do you know Him?  Do you know HIS Word?  I call you to join me in spending time this week asking God to grow us in grace, truth and love toward those around us.  May others see Jesus in you/me?  May we reflect assurance rather than arrogance?

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

 and was made in the likeness of men:

 8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”  Philippians 2:5-8

Amen and Amen!!!