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Too Late To Call??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 22

21 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by Blanche in All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Are You Ready, Assurance or Arrogance, Be not conformed to this world, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence or Presumption?, Consider Your ways, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Don't Wait, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Father of lies, God Is In Charge, God Who Sees, God's Judgment, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, Judgment, Knowing GOD, Nebuchadnezzars & Daniels, One Day Too Late?, Our God Reigns, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Saved by grace, Today is the day of Salvation, Too Late To Call?

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1 John 2:15-17, 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, Belshazzar's Banquet, Daniel 5:1-31, Genesis 6:3, Genesis 6:7-8, God Is King, God's Judgment, Hebrews 3;15, Mark 7:21-23, Presuming on God

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 22    Too Late To Call???

 

As we continue our study of Daniel and his friends—men of character—we’ll look at Daniel chapter 5 from a perspective that you might not have considered.  I want to preface our study with some of my thoughts for you to consider as we delve into a new chapter and a new king.  A new king with a different perspective from Daniel, as well as a perspective that I think is urgent to share in our current circumstances.

We need to understand that while God is a God of mercy and grace, there is a time when God will not hear or respond to the call of men!  We can go too far, we can reject God too long, we can go beyond rescue! Noah saw this in his day, and I believe it is imminent in ours!

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive

with man,

for that he also is flesh:

yet his days shall be

an hundred and twenty years.”   Genesis 6:3

God was grieved with the way that men had chosen sin and self over their Creator!  We need to understand that this was a specific judgment on mankind of the hour, yet even with the impending judgment, God provided grace for one man who was willing to respond in faith and obedience.

“And the LORD said,

I will destroy man

whom I have created

from the face of the earth;

both man,

and beast,

and the creeping thing,

and the fowls of the air;

for it repenteth me that I have made them.

8 But Noah found grace

in the eyes of the LORD.”  Genesis 6:7-8

Why Noah?  Because he had faith—and his faith was seen in his obedience.  Other scriptures confirm this for us.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah,

being warned of God

of things not seen as yet,

moved with fear,

prepared an ark

to the saving of his house;

by the which he condemned the world,

and became heir of the righteousness

which is by faith.”  Hebrews 11:6-7

Noah became an heir of “the righteousness which is by faith”, and we can too!  The righteousness that Jesus has provided by HIS blood for all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (paying a rightful debt), sacrifice (dying in my place that I could live by HIS blood!) for “my” sin.

“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 5:19-21

I truly believe that the time is coming when God will bring things to a close—HIS closing scene in the events of this earth.  Paul warned us that in the coming of that time there will be those who will reap the consequence of their rejection of God’s salvation by grace.  Those who will have, if you would, “sinned away their day of grace”!  They will be condemned by their own choice, to believe the lies of the enemy who will step up to lead the world in that time.

“For the mystery of iniquity

doth already work:

only he who now letteth

will let,

until he be taken out of the way.

8 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 2:7-12

Without taking the time to go into details of this passage, I want us to notice the cause of judgment in verse 12: “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness”!  Much like what Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3, referring to Himself.

“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 3:18-19

What does all this have to do with Daniel chapter 5?  Good question!  We see a new king, who had a worse problem than his grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar, who repented and acknowledged God, after suffering the judgment of God Almighty.  Yet, according to Daniel (who has been a palace official for almost 70 years) Belshazzar saw and knew this experience of Nebuchadnezzar and refused to learn from it, or to change his ways.  Let’s take a look; but first let’s lay a little background.  Belshazzar is holed up within the walls of Babylon (walls that could hold several chariots riding abreast across the top) throwing a party to boost the morale of his leaders because the armies of Medo-Persia are outside of the gates ready to lay siege to the city.  In fact, it is said that Belshazzar was so confident in his resources for he knew he could supply their needs for up to two years!  But notice what he does at this banquet/party!

“Belshazzar the king made a great feast

to a thousand of his lords,

and drank wine before the thousand.

2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine,

commanded to bring

the golden

and silver vessels

which his father Nebuchadnezzar

had taken out of the temple

which was in Jerusalem;

that the king,

and his princes,

his wives,

and his concubines,

might drink therein.

3 Then they brought the golden vessels

that were taken out of the temple

of the house of God

which was at Jerusalem;

and the king,

and his princes,

his wives,

and his concubines,

drank in them.

4 They drank wine,

and praised the gods

of gold,

and of silver,

of brass,

 of iron,

of wood,

and of stone.”  Daniel 5:1-4

Did you get it?  They took the vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the Temple of God in Jerusalem, to not only use at their party, but to use to praise their own idols and exalt them—rejecting and blaspheming the God to whom the vessels belonged!  Guess what?  God seems to say, “enough is enough”; let’s just see who is in charge!

“In the same hour

came forth fingers of a man’s hand,

and wrote over against the candlestick

upon the plaister of the wall

of the king’s palace:

and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

6 Then the king’s countenance was changed,

and his thoughts troubled him,

so that the joints of his loins

were loosed,

and his knees

smote one against another.”   Daniel 5:5-6

Needless to say, the king had a change of demeanor!  And without listing all of the verses in between, Belshazzar called for those good ole’ “wise men” to read the writing.  But none of them could, yet God had a message and through the advice of his grandmother, he sent for Daniel.  Now remember Daniel is somewhere around 80+ years old and has apparently been out of active service for a time, but he was still a “civil servant” in the palace.  So, Daniel comes in and his demeanor was somewhat different than we saw in him under Nebuchadnezzar.  There was not the respect that he had for Nebuchadnezzar, but an honest and blunt response to this man of arrogance and disregard of the truth he knew about Daniel’s God.  He has gone too far with his arrogance against God.  God has a lot to say about pride and arrogance (virtual synonyms).

“These six things doth the LORD hate:

yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud

look,

a lying

tongue,

and hands

that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth

wicked imaginations,

feet that be swift

in running to mischief,

19 A false witness

that speaketh lies,

 and he that soweth discord

among brethren.”  Proverbs 6:16-19

And Jesus own message:

“For from within,

 out of the heart of men,

proceed evil thoughts,

adulteries,

fornications,

murders,

22 Thefts,

covetousness,

wickedness,

deceit,

lasciviousness,

an evil eye,

blasphemy,

pride,

foolishness:

23 All these evil things

come from within,

and defile the man.”  Mark 7:21-23

The Apostle John also said it clearly:

“Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father

is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away,

and the lust thereof:

but he that doeth the will of God

abideth for ever.”  1 John 2:15-17

So, let’s see what God had to say to Belshazzar through our friend Daniel, and remember that “father” is used for any male ancestor, so Belshazzar is referring to his ‘grand’ father not his male parent.

“Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Art thou that Daniel,

which art of the children

of the captivity of Judah,

whom the king my father

brought out of Jewry?

14 I have even heard of thee,

that the spirit of the gods is in thee,

and that light

and understanding

and excellent wisdom

is found in thee…

… 16 And I have heard of thee,

that thou canst make interpretations,

and dissolve doubts:

now if thou canst read the writing,

 and make known to me the interpretation thereof,

thou shalt be clothed with scarlet,

and have a chain of gold about thy neck,

and shalt be the third ruler

in the kingdom.”   Daniel 5:13-14 & 16

The king who had gone from stiff-necked to “knocking knees” is ready for an answer and will reward Daniel for his service, but let’s consider Daniel’s response, and take it to heart.  Have you been like one of Paul’s listeners, and put off responding to God, claiming “almost thou persuades me”, or will you bend your knee and your heart before God?  Don’t wait too long.  There will be a time when it’s too late to call!  Don’t be like Belshazzar!

“Then Daniel answered and said before the king,

Let thy gifts be to thyself,

and give thy rewards to another;

yet I will read the writing unto the king,

and make known to him the interpretation.

18 O thou king,

the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar

thy father a kingdom,

and majesty,

and glory,

and honour:

19 And for the majesty that he gave him,

all people, nations, and languages,

trembled and feared before him:

whom he would he slew;

and whom he would he kept alive;

and whom he would he set up;

and whom he would he put down.

20 But when his heart was lifted up,

and his mind hardened in pride,

he was deposed from his kingly throne,

and they took his glory from him:

21 And he was driven from

the sons of men;

and his heart was made

like the beasts,

and his dwelling was with

the wild asses:

they fed him

with grass like oxen,

and his body

was wet with the dew of heaven;

till he knew

that the most high God

ruled in the kingdom of men,

and that he appointeth over it

whomsoever he will.

22 And thou his son,

O Belshazzar,

hast not humbled thine heart,

though thou knewest all this;”   Daniel 5:17-22

But Daniel wasn’t finished, his message of judgment was a hard one, and he gave no quarter to this arrogant king who refused to repent or respond to God in faith or regard. The message was final—take note of verses 30-31!

“But hast lifted up thyself

against the Lord of heaven;

and they have brought the vessels

of his house before thee,

and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines,

have drunk wine in them;

and thou hast praised the gods

of silver, and gold, of brass, iron,

wood, and stone,

which see not,

nor hear,

nor know:

and the God in whose hand thy breath is,

and whose are all thy ways,

hast thou not glorified:

24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him;

and this writing was written.

25 And this is the writing that was written,

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of the thing:

MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom,

and finished it.

27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances,

and art found wanting.

28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided,

and given to the Medes and Persians.”  Daniel 5:23-28

Please open your heart to the voice of God—it won’t call forever.  Today IS the day of salvation—not tomorrow.

“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

“While it is said,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation.”  Hebrews 3:15

“We then, as workers together with him,

beseech you also that ye receive not

the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith,

I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

 behold,

now is the accepted time;

behold,

now is the day of salvation.)”.  2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Maybe Medo-Persia isn’t knocking at your door, but God’s judgment is at hand.  Are you ready?  How will you fare when it’s your turn to be “weighed in the balances”?  How sad to really come a day too late!

Be blessed and be prepared! Don’t be a “day late”!

Amen and Amen!!!

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A Testimony Of Truth??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #708

10 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Are You Ready, Assurance or Arrogance, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Choices And Consequences, Confidence or Presumption?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Dare To Be Different!, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Fear, Fearlessness, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This

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Abiding With Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Changing Faces?, Choosing Wisely, Colossians 3:15-17, Daniel 3:19-30, Faithfulness, Fiery Furnace, God Delivers, God's Faithfulness, Hebrews 13:5-8, Matthew 7:13-23, Standing Fast for God, What's you fire?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #708  A Testimony Of Truth???

 

As we continue our look at Daniel chapter 3 and our friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we find that as they stood fast to their God and His truth, God proved Himself faithful.  We never have to prove God’s faithfulness, but when we are faithful to HIM and HIS Word, God will prove Himself faithful every time.  One of our problems today is that many who claim the name of Jesus have compromised, watered down and tried to change God’s truth—the ultimate truth of the Gospel and its total sufficiency to save and deliver!  Daniel and his friends knew that God was The Lord God Almighty and that HE would do that which was right, and they would stand fast in HIM and in HIS ways, leaving the results to GOD—not man!  Do we have that kind of faith today?  We can have that kind of faith or we can settle for the imitation version—which is empty and vain.  The kind that Jesus describes in Matthew chapter 7, and while I’m printing a lengthy portion for our consideration today, I pray that you will ponder the truth of what Jesus is telling us.  Just “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!  Are you a doer of “the word” or just a hearer and pretender?  Our friends in Daniel 3 were a most powerful example of the “real deal”!  Have you entered in at the “strait gate”?  It’s a question with eternal import!

“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.

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you

in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them

by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes

of thorns,

or figs

of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied

in thy name?

and in thy name

have cast out devils?

and in thy name

done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”   Matthew 7:13-23

What do we find in Daniel and his friends?  We find faith in action not just words.  They trusted to their God—and their GOD was, is and ever shall be faithful GOD of all creation!  Let’s pick up with the fiery furnace and see what God can do!  We begin with the fate of standing fast for God before an angry king—and there is no record of their fear and pleading, only their faithful walk of faith into that fire.

“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.

21 Then these men were bound

in their coats,

their hosen,

and their hats,

and their other garments,

and were cast

into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

22 Therefore because the king’s commandment

was urgent,

and the furnace exceeding hot,

the flame of the fire slew those men

that took up

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego.

23 And these three men,

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

fell down bound

into the midst

of the burning fiery furnace.”   Daniel 3:19-23

Do you get the picture here—Nebuchadnezzar in his fury had them heat the furnace hotter than it ever had been—in fact, so hot that the men who took them up to cast them into the furnace died from the heat coming from the furnace.  What fires are you facing today—we all have our fires—but these precious children of God were facing a real “fiery furnace”, yet they had faith that triumphed over fear.  You can have that same faith too, if you’ll but exercise it!  And how do we do that?  We dig into God’s Word to know Him better, we pray to draw close to His heart, inviting Him to “be at home” in my heart, and fellowshipping with like-minded Bible believers in a church where you can hear HIS Word and grow in grace and truth, with a heart of gratitude!

“And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing

one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing

with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks

to God

and the Father

by him.”   Colossians 3:15-17

Praise God He is ever faithful, and our three friends found out just how faithful HE was—and so did the angry king, whose countenance “changed” again.  Let’s look:

“Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied,

and rose up in haste,

and spake, and said unto his counsellors,

Did not we cast three men

bound into the midst of the fire?

They answered and said unto the king,

True, O king.

25 He answered and said,

Lo, I see four men

loose,

walking in the midst of the fire,

and they have no hurt;

and the form of the fourth

is like the Son of God.

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near

to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace,

and spake,

and said,

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

ye servants of the most high God,

come forth,

and come hither.

Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

came forth

of the midst of the fire.”  Daniel 3: 24-26

Not only did our friends find deliverance “IN” the fire, but they had the very presence of God with them (I believe a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ)!  And who was affected by this miracle?  Let’s see!

“And the

princes,

governors,

and captains,

and the king’s counsellors,

being gathered together,

saw these men,

upon whose bodies the fire

had no power,

nor was an hair of their head

singed,

neither were their coats changed,

nor the smell of fire

had passed on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said,

Blessed be the God of

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

who hath sent his angel,

and delivered his servants

that trusted in him,

and have changed the king’s word,

and yielded their bodies,

that they might not serve

nor worship

any god,

except their own God.

29 Therefore I make a decree,

That every people,

nation,

and language,

which speak any thing amiss

against the God of

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

shall be cut in pieces,

and their houses shall be made a dunghill:

30 Then the king promoted

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

in the province of Babylon.”   Daniel 3:27-30

You talk about a “turn-around”!  Consider all that we see here, and we don’t have time to go into detail, but I want to mention just a few of the highlights:

The tattletales were shown up and silenced—

The raging King was awe-struck with this GOD—

There was “NO” evidence of fire upon their person—

The King’s question of “what God” was answered—

God was recognized for HIS unique power!

Even the King had to acknowledge the might of The God of these three young men:

“because there is no other God

that can deliver after this sort…”!

What sort of testimony do we live before the world?  Are we willing to not “worship any god, except their own God” or are we selling out to the ‘loudest liar”?  I pray that you will look at this account with new eyes and a heart like our friends—for God rewarded their faithfulness in HIS time and in HIS way.  And because of their faithful stand in humility, integrity and respect, they were also rewarded by the king.  May God make my heart ready to be found faithful when the fires come.  May you find Him faithful today—and today—and today—!  HE IS still the same.q

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.

7 Remember them which have the rule over you,

who have spoken unto you the word of God:

whose faith follow,

considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:5-8

Amen and Amen!!!

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

07 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by Blanche 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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1 Peter 3:8-13, 1 Peter 4:16-17, Assurance or Arrogance, Daniel 1:8, Daniel 3:14-18, Daniel 3:19-20, Daniel 3:8-13, Daniel's Friends, Ephesians 4:29-32, Exodus 20:1-6, Fearlessness, Fiery Furnaces, Hebrews 12:6-8, Matthew 5:10-12, Philippians 2:5-8, They wouldn't BOW, Trials

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!!!

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Faithfully Standing For ____??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #704

20 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by Blanche in By Him We Live, By His Grace, Confidence or Presumption?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, Nebuchadnezzars & Daniels, Sovereignty, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus, Wisdom

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1 Timothy 4:8-12, Daniel 2:19-23, Hebrews 4:14-16, Jesus Is Truth, John 14:25-26, Matthew 6:5-6, Nebuchadnezzars & Daniels, Standing for....?, Trusting God In All, Truth is True, What are you standing for

Bible Ballistics: BBs #704  Faithfully Standing For ____???

 

“And when thou prayest,

thou shalt not be

as the hypocrites are:

for they love to pray

standing in the synagogues

and in the corners of the streets,

that they may be seen

of men.

Verily I say unto you,

They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest,

enter into thy closet,

and when thou hast shut thy door,

pray to thy Father

which is in secret;

and thy Father which seeth in secret

shall reward thee openly.”  Matthew 6:5-6

This may seem like an odd continuation of our study of Daniel’s character, but in our last session, I believe we saw this principle in action!  Daniel and his friends didn’t whine and complain that they couldn’t “obey”; they didn’t make demands of their “captors”—or if you would, their adversaries—rather they behaved with respect toward those who were over them and went to God with their plight!  How about you and me?  Now, don’t misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with public prayer that lifts others and calls our hearts to join in praise, adoration, and petition for those in need (even ourselves), but we are talking about taking our issues before God rather than men!  Why?  Because if it is God that we truly know and serve, then He should always be our first source of help!  OH, that I could learn to do this better and continually!  For, you see, we have something that Daniel and his friends didn’t have, the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide, teach and support us—God in us and with us continually, the very promise of the New Covenant!  Jesus’ own promise to His followers—even us!

“These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send

in my name,

he shall

teach you all things,

and bring

all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said

unto you.”  John 14:25-26

Now don’t presume on this promise—it is not a promise for instant “knowledge” or “wisdom” from God, but Jesus said that His Holy Spirit would bring things to our “REmembrance”; but if you haven’t taken the time to “member” God’s Word and know His ways by study, exercising truth, and applying it to your life, you won’t have anything to “REmember”!  I love what the author of Hebrews proclaims to God’s children—we have a King and we have been given the privilege to come to HIM who is on the throne—boldly!  Not presumptuously, but as a little child who knows “my daddy” can take care of anything!  Where are you running to when you are in need?  Won’t you stand with me and join Daniel in staying before that amazing and wonderful throne of God!  He is always ‘right’, and ‘right here’ when we will avail ourselves of HIS presence!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore

come boldly

unto the throne

of grace,

that we may obtain

mercy,

and find

grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

Now maybe I’m the only one, but I find that my needs are ever present and continual—oh, to be found pursuing HIS presence and supply rather than my own, or the flimsy solutions of the world!  That was Daniel’s very way of life, even in his youth.  And I praise God for those young friends who encourage my heart that God is still raising up young people who love HIM and are ready to seek, serve and share HIM with others!  Let us be faithful to pray for our young people as we encourage them to Bible study and holy living; even as the Apostle Paul encouraged his young protégé, Timothy, to pursue God with courage, and not be stopped short because of his youth!

“For bodily exercise profiteth little:

but godliness is profitable unto all things,

having promise of the life that now is,

and of that which is to come.

9 This is a faithful saying

and worthy of all acceptation.

10 For therefore we both

labour

and suffer reproach,

because we trust in the living God,

who is the Saviour of all men,

specially of those that believe.

11 These things

command and teach.

12 Let no man

despise thy youth;

but be thou an example

of the believers,

in word,

in conversation,

in charity,

in spirit,

in faith,

in purity.”  1 Timothy 4:8-12

And may I just add that Daniel was a perfect example of this kind of godly commitment to faithful seeking, serving and sharing his faith in God; and we’ll begin our look at chapter 2 in our next post, but I do want to share a portion to whet your appetite, to recognize the understanding and wisdom of these young men of faith who found themselves serving a Nebuchadnezzar!  How about you?  Are you resting in this awesome GOD, or something less?  Do you know HIM in all these characteristics?

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God

for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might

are his:

21 And he changeth

the times and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom

and might,

and hast made known

unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known

unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:19-23

May God encourage your heart today and remind each of us, that no matter what “Nebuchadnezzars” we may live under—God is still KING, and HE still expects us to “quit you like men” and live faithfully like we believe what we profess!  God is still on HIS throne—and HE “never says oops”!

Amen and Amen!!!

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Presuming Or Waiting??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #686

22 Thursday Oct 2020

Posted by Blanche in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Confidence or Presumption?, Elijah, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer

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1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Timothy 1:3-4, Acts 12:5, Hebrews 4:14-16, Isaiah 40:28-31, James 5:16-18, John 17:1-5, Matthew 6:9-10, Prayer, Praying, Presumption or Waiting?, Romans 1:9-10, Waiting on God, Waiting?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #686      Presuming Or Waiting???

 

I have a word for today in regard to a conversation that we had in my Bible Study class this week; we are studying the Beatitudes.   We were discussing the merciful and the pure in heart, when the subject of faith and presumption came up, we went to the Lord’s model prayer to get God’s Word on the subject, for Jesus gives us the bottom line on prayer:

“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

I’d simply like to remind us to not only be faithful in prayer, but to be biblical in our prayer and finding what God has for us.  Prayer isn’t a heavenly slot machine into which we drop our “demands” and pull the handle that requires God to answer according to “my dictates”!  Prayer isn’t a direct “demand” line to heaven, rather it is a direct line to draw near to our God, our Lord and King that we might know HIM and draw nearer to Him and know Him more intimately.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace

to help

in time of need.”   Hebrews 4:14-16

God wants us to know HIM, and to know HIM, just as Jesus said, is to seek HIS kingdom and HIS will not our own. Even as Isaiah wrote so powerfully, we are to “wait” not presume!

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard,

that the everlasting God,

the LORD, the Creator

of the ends of the earth,

fainteth not,

neither is weary?

there is no searching

of his understanding.

29 He giveth power

to the faint;

and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths

shall faint

and be weary,

and the young men

shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up

with wings as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:28-31

James also calls us to pray fervently knowing that God is the Sovereign Lord of all, and HE knows what is best for us in every situation.

“Confess your faults

one to another,

and pray

one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject

to like passions as we are,

and he prayed earnestly

that it might not rain:

and it rained not on the earth

by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again,

and the heaven gave rain,

and the earth brought forth her fruit.”  James 5:16-18

James makes it clear that when we walk in “right” relationship with God, He hears and answers prayers, but don’t miss the message in regard to Elijah (Elias) for when you go back and read the account of Elijah on Mt. Carmel, you’ll find that God called Him to do the things that he did; Elijah didn’t presume on God to answer prayer, but rather relied on God to direct his prayer!  Kind of a different perspective, isn’t it?

So, may we each examine ourselves and pursue God and His will in all we do—even our prayer life—a fervent, ceaseless heart of prayer!

“Pray without ceasing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Peter therefore was kept in prison:

but prayer was made without ceasing

of the church

unto God for him.”  Acts 12:5

“For God is my witness,

whom I serve with my spirit

in the gospel of his Son,

that without ceasing

I make mention of you always

in my prayers;

10 Making request,

if by any means now at length

I might have a prosperous journey

by the will of God

to come unto you.”   Romans 1:9-10

“I thank God,

whom I serve from my forefathers

with pure conscience,

that without ceasing

I have remembrance of thee in my prayers

night and day;

4 Greatly desiring to see thee,

being mindful of thy tears,

that I may be filled

with joy;”   1 Timothy 1:3-4

And in conclusion, part of the very prayer of our Lord for us (and if you want a real blessing read all of John 17):

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come;

glorify thy Son,

that thy Son also

may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power

over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life

to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal,

that they might know thee

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ,

whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee

on the earth:

I have finished the work

which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father,

glorify thou me

with thine own self

with the glory

which I had with thee

before the world was.”   John 17:1-5

Father God, Lord Jesus my Lord, will you take our hearts and minds and fix them on YOU.  To do as the Psalmist said,

“Trust in the LORD, and do good…

… Delight thyself also in the LORD…

… Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass…

… Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently

for him:”,

may we ever pursue you, as we “wait patiently” for your direction in our lives!  Amen and Amen!!!

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