Bible Ballistics: BBs #471 Carrots For Sale???

 

I simply want to share a few scriptures this morning that we might ponder God’s perspective for our lives. As I see all the political hoopla going on around us, I am reminded of a picture in a reading book from my childhood; it was of a man driving a cart with a horse and as he drove he had a long stick with a carrot tied on the end of it to dangle in front of the horse that it would go when he wanted it to go. I can’t help but think that a lot of what is going on in our world politically is like that “driver” holding carrots out in front of people to drive them where ‘they’ want them to go. A lot of button pushing, volatile pictures taken out of context, judgments made with half-truths as their source–just plain impure motives hidden behind glamour and glitz. So here are some things for you to think about today as you attempt to discern truth from fiction in our world of illusions. What carrots have you bought?

“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.”   Philippians 3:13-15

We are to press on toward Jesus not the world.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”    Galatians 6:7-8

What are you sowing? Are you sure of the seeds you are sowing? Be careful, sometimes what you think you see isn’t what really is!

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour

of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about

with truth,

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield

of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able

to quench

all the fiery darts

of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet

of salvation,

and the sword

of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;”    Ephesians 6:12-18 

And all those unseen forces are at work to hamper, delay, destroy and oppose the people of God—so we must be prepared to recognize the true from the false (“Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt. 7:20)

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.”    Galatians 5:19-23

If you don’t know what some of these mean, then look them up—you might be surprised! And lastly, a reminder of “who” is in charge.

“Let every soul be subject

unto the higher powers.

For there is no power

but of God:

the powers that be

are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,

resisteth the ordinance of God:

and they that resist shall receive

to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror

to good works,

but to the evil.

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?

do that which is good,

and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God

to thee

for good.

But if thou do that which is evil,

be afraid;

for he beareth not the sword in vain:

for he is the minister of God,

a revenger to execute wrath

upon him that doeth evil……

13 Let us walk honestly,

as in the day;

not in rioting

and drunkenness,

not in chambering

and wantonness,

not in strife

and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and make not provision for the flesh,

to fulfil the lusts thereof.”    Romans 13:1-4 & 13-14

Remember the words of Jesus:

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.” John 10:10

Simply put—‘nuff said’! Amen and Amen!!!