Category Archives: Evil will not win

What About Jesus’ Name??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #223

24 Friday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, Eternal Plan of God, Every Knee Shall Bow, Evil will not win, Examine Myself?, Eyes that SEE HIM, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God sees your tears--sorrow is ok!, God Still Reigns, IN HIS TIME!, In Jesus name--means what?, IN Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, The Name of Jesus?, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

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What About Jesus’ Name??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #223

What’s so special about Jesus’ name?  It is the amazing name of our Lord and Savior — our King of Kings!  Yet today people seem to be using it as a talisman or a magic potion, may it never be!  With so much misinformation, I’d like to share some insight into our use, confidence and dependence upon Jesus and His name.

It saddens me that we treat the name of Jesus like a heavenly slot machine, we drop in our demands, call on the name of Jesus, pull the handle and expect God to perform at will.  NOT!!!  Let’s just let scripture be our plumbline of behavior, belief and truth!  Jesus himself lays our foundation of 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

God’s will should be our desire, yet we have somehow acquired a mindset that has caused many to see God as a heavenly grandfather, just waiting to keep all of his grandchildren “happy”!  NOT!  God’s greatest desire is that we become holy—with or without happiness! (happy=circumstantial, holy=internal nature)

“And we know that all things work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”  Romans 8:28-29

God is ever working to make us holy and useful servants in HIS kingdom, not ours; growing into holy, obedient and devoted servants to the Most High God and His Son Jesus—not in our own strength but in the power of the precious Holy Spirit who indwells every born-again believer in Jesus! (See Romans 8:9)

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:14-16

We are to be obedient, trusting children, knowing that our God sees the whole picture of our life, and we only see little pieces of that picture at a time.  God is ever working to grow us, to conform us into “the image of his Son”!  Oh the glory of that thought!  And just a note, when Peter uses the word “conversation” above, he is referring to our lifestyle not just our speech—but they are connected, for what is in our heart will come out in our speech and our life-choices!  May we ever remember that Jesus is our true north—our hope—our help—our sustenance when we rely upon Him.  And one of my favorite passages in all of scripture talks about this very thing and let me say when it talks about getting “the desires of our heart”, we must interpret that in context; and the context says that my delight is in “the Lord”.  Then, we can truly say, “Lord, if it pleases you, it pleases me!”

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth in his way,

because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”  Psalm 37:3-8

And one of the most profound passages about who Jesus is and what He did for us is from Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers.  May we heed this truth and fix our eyes on Jesus.

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:8-11

So, are you bowing or demanding?  We are to examine ourself!

Amen and Amen!!!

Do You See What God Sees??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 25

19 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by in A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Do You See What God Sees?, Evil will not win, Examine Myself?, Eyes that SEE HIM, Eyes that see not

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Do You See What God Sees???     Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 25

As we look forward to (or even if you’re dreading it) Christmas next week, I couldn’t help but be sad at the state of our nation, our world–a world gone crazy over “self”, man’s opinions, ‘Hellywood’s’ version of love, and our government abandoning truth for lies and deceit!  It also grieves me that I have heard some new “Christian Christmas Songs” that aren’t very biblical but have a worldly spin on them; I heard one purporting something like “we spend more than we’ve got, but so what”?  Really?  “Christ”mas is about the Christ Child, Jesus, and His arrival into our world to “save his people from their sins”!  Oh, my heart aches for God’s people to start acting like God’s people!   But this is nothing new–God in His mercy has put up with us for a long time!

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness

for light,

and light

for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them

that are mighty to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked

for reward,

and take away the righteousness of the righteous

from him!”  Isaiah 5:20-23

We need to heed the words of Paul to the Galatian believers.

“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.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”   Galatians 6:7-10

We live in a world that calls us to see what everyone else sees; yet God calls us to know Him and His Word that we may have life.  We can choose to drink the world’s ‘kool-aid’, or we can choose the way of God’s Word.  To see “what God sees” rather than what the world keeps calling people to see, to speak, to think, to do, and much of it to our shame–especially if we judge it by The Word of God.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion

is vain.

27 Pure religion

and undefiled before God and the Father is this,

To visit the fatherless

and widows

in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

from the world.”  James 1:19-27

If I may, I’d like to remind us that “saying so doesn’t make it so” and that’s the truth even as Jesus proclaimed clearly in Matthew 7!

“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 7:20-23

This reminder from James should convict our hearts–for our words (our lifestyle) do matter, for they come from the heart and reveal what is in it (See Matthew 12:34-35 & Matthew 15:18-19).  As I’m often heard to remind myself as well as others: ‘watch your words and keep them sweet, you never know which ones you’ll eat’!  And we’ve all eaten a bit of “crow” from time to time!  Here’s James’ take on that, and while it’s a lengthy passage, I think it says what is on my heart better than I could.

“Even so the tongue is a little member,   

and boasteth great things.

Behold, how great a matter

a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue

is a fire,

a world of iniquity:

so is the tongue among our members,

that it defileth the whole body,

and setteth on fire the course of nature;

and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts,

and of birds,

and of serpents,

and of things in the sea,

is tamed,

and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God,

even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth

proceedeth blessing

and cursing.

My brethren,

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain

send forth at the same place

sweet water

and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain both yield

salt water

and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation

his works

with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have

bitter envying

and strife

in your hearts,

glory not,

and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above,

but is earthly,

sensual,

devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is,

there is confusion

and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above

is first pure,

then peaceable,

gentle,

and easy to be intreated,

full of mercy

and good fruits,

without partiality,

and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness

is sown in peace

of them that make peace.”  James 3:5-18

So, instead of a song that asks, “do you hear what I hear”, I ask if we “see what God sees”?  Have we settled for the world’s standard instead of pursuing biblical holiness and walking right before God and man?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“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.”  Daniel 5:26-27

What will the “balances” reveal about you and me?  “Do you see what God sees?”

Amen and Amen!!!

What’s On Your Tree??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #783

16 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Evil will not win, Eyes that SEE HIM, Eyes that see not, Faith, Faithful, Faithfulness, Fruit of the Spirit, Full Of what?, GET READY, What's On Your Tree?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #783???    What’s On Your Tree???

 

A word for this Wednesday which I pray will encourage you to press on with Jesus; no matter what the world is doing, saying, acting out or pushing in our faces, our Lord is still KING, and I do believe, a ‘soon coming King’!  May we be found faithful and ready!  But the conflict isn’t new, nor is it temporary, so God gives us good instruction to prepare our hearts, lives, and our walk to align to HIS Word not the world’s voice!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

And to be transformed by the “renewing of your mind” begins with salvation/redemption and then being grounded in The Word of God; and to do that we must read it, study it, and make it our “daily bread”!  Jesus not only faced the same temptations as we do, but HE answered Satan at every turn with The Word!

“And when the tempter came to him, he said,

If thou be the Son of God, command

that these stones be made bread.

 4 But he answered and said,

It is written,

Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word

that proceedeth

out of the mouth of God.”   Matthew 4:3-4

“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.”  Hebrews 4:15

Oh, what a Savior we have—HE met Satan face-to-face and stood His ground by The Word of God!  Oh, that we would learn to do the same.  I don’t have to rely on my own wisdom, intelligence, and ideas to face temptation but on the very same thing that Jesus prevailed with—by knowing The Word of God!  And to help us with the things that we face continually in this fallen world, let’s look at the principles of discernment that Paul shares with us.  I think we can find them a great help to prepare us for the days in which we live, which matches what Isaiah spoke of long ago (truth and mankind haven’t changed—see Ecclesiastes. 1:9)!

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!”  Isaiah 5:20

The “woes” of God are nothing to be disregarded—they have come in the past, and The Word declares that they are coming again—and I can’t help but believe that those final “woes” are very near!  Are you ready?  Are you and I familiar enough with God’s Word that we know what HE has said?  Are your eyes open and your ears attending to the things that God has and is saying?  We need to tune in to God’s station!

“He that hath ears to hear,

let him hear.”  Matthew 11:15

I find it most interesting that not only did Jesus say this to those who were opposing HIM, but He repeated the same call to the seven churches (full of real believers and not so real believers) to heed His call to righteousness for various reasons, but His call to each one was to hear and obey.

“He that hath an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit saith

unto the churches.”  Revelation 3:6

As we continue, Paul gives a great lesson that we need (at least I do) to be reminded of often.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh…

…. 25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous

of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”  Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

In this same chapter, Paul lays out the contrast of the “fruit of the spirit” and the “works of the flesh” (or fruit).  I find it interesting that at this time of year as we prepare for celebrating The Resurrection, as I’ve often shared a good illustration from this time of spring; many of us like to decorate for the seasons, and you will often see yards with “egg trees”; a bare tree with plastic eggs tied on it in lovely colors of spring.  But the truth IS that there is no such thing as an “egg tree”!  And there are many around us today who profess the name of Jesus, but their lives make us wonder if they’re just “egg trees”; they have tied on some religion, some good deeds, some church attendance (maybe) yet there is no love for Jesus or regard for His Word—there is no desire for holiness—and there seems to be a lot of calling “evil good” and “good evil”!  Jesus Himself addressed this issue.  What are we known by—plastic eggs, or the true fruits of the Holy Spirit of God?

“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.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.”  Galatians 5:19-24

And Jesus’ own warning (and for a most detailed description of ‘false’ teachers/prophets see 2 Peter chapter 2):

“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.”  Matthew 7:15-20

So, the question today is, “What’s on your tree?”  Are you bearing the “fruit of the Spirit” (and that is “fruit” not “fruits”—God’s work is evident in His own in all of our ways, not just ‘one proof at a time’!) or are you trying to fool the world, yourself, and God by hanging plastic eggs (the works of the flesh) on your bare tree?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.  (I encourage you to read all of Matthew 7, and FYI the context is clearly talking about ‘living’ a life of redemption or of rebellion, not an isolated stumble or failure but a “lifestyle” that will reflect the work of God or the work of the devil/world!).

“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 7:21-23

Jesus will be your Savior or your judge; the choice is yours.  I’m praying that you will open your eyes to see truth, and your ears to hear the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart and respond appropriately!  (See Revelation 3:20)

Amen and Amen!!!

Be A Safe Place??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 13

18 Sunday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All Sufficient God!, Consider Your ways, Deniable Truth? Really?, Evil will not win, Faithful, Kindness, Knowing God's Word, My Grace Is Sufficient, Place of Safety, Presumption, Safe Place, Seasoned with Salt

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 13   Be A Safe Place???

 

After some intense conversations this week, I have a few things I’d like to share today; in the crazy culture we live in, it’s often difficult to have a safe place to find solace, refuge, and counsel.  I think God has called us to express His love by being that safe place as we have opportunity.

“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

If I can take a bit of liberty, I think we can say that while, “corrupt communication” may not proceed out every “mouth”, it does seem to me that much “corrupt communication” appears on social media, even by those who claim the name of Jesus!  How can we sing “Oh, how I love Jesus” on one day, and write and speak vile, mean, and harmful things to, about and in regard to people we may or may not know the next?  The lack of kindness grieves my heart, and we, as God’s children and followers of Jesus, ought to be shining the light of Jesus, and not the hatred of the enemy.   We are to be building each other up not tearing each other down; or expecting one thing of others and lesser things of ourselves!  We must remember that we are all “forgiven”!

Remember what Jesus said as HE taught us to pray.

“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.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:9-13

We are to be a place where others can find relief, safety and help to find the God who has the answers.

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

Just as the “righteous” run into God’s “strong tower”, we are to be a safe place for others to run to when they need to find hope and peace as well as safety.  Now we need to understand that being a “safe” place doesn’t mean that we compromise God’s truth—HIS Word—but it does mean that we share truth with grace and compassion.

“Walk in wisdom

toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.   

6 Let your speech be

alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know

how ye ought to answer

every man.”  Colossians 4:5-6

And I would simply ask you to think and pray about being God’s instrument of peace, grace, and truth to a lost and dying world; to extend kindness and grace as you speak God’s truth to those HE sends your way.

So, in closing I would simply remind each of us to guard our heart and our tongue; that we may be instruments of God’s service, for His glory and the good of those we encounter.

“Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door

of my lips.”  Psalm 141:3

“Keep thy heart

with all diligence;

for out of it

are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee

a froward mouth,

and perverse lips

put far from thee.”  Psalm 4:23-24

Jesus summed it all up when He told us that the mouth doesn’t defile, but rather a defiled heart which is revealed by the words which come out of our mouth (whether they be oral, written, or acted out!)!  What is coming out of your heart?  Do you need to clean up your heart so that your mouth will reveal Jesus and not the world?

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things

which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:17-20

The choice is yours but choose wisely.  There is a test.  I pray that we will each yield our heart to our LORD and let Jesus be seen in you/me; may we be a blessing and not a defilement!

Amen and Amen!!!

Why We NEED The Altar??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 01

28 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Amazing Grace, Be not conformed to this world, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Compromise, Confessing Sin, Consider Your ways, Crucified With Christ, Distractions, Encouragement, Every Knee Shall Bow, Evil will not win, Father's Way!, God Who Sees, Judgment, Listening To God, We NEED an altar!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 01  Why We NEED The Altar???

 

I recently read a social media post longing for the days when we practiced the “altar call” in more of our churches.  I so identified with the writer, for I know that same longing; yet there was a response disclaiming, of sorts, this longing with the thought that we didn’t need the altar for “everyone” is worshipping, and that the “body of worship” is the new altar.  Well, I would beg to differ, and I’d like to address the reasons I differ.  The altar was the center, the heart of most churches—it wasn’t just the more charismatic churches, but Baptist churches, and Methodist churches and Presbyterian churches, and others who all called congregants to the altar at the conclusion of the services.  Why?  That is the issue, and what I long for; a return to a time when we are called to decide if we will truly hear and heed the Word of The Lord, to respond in obedient to submission to the call of The Lord to each heart.

Today we seem to just glory in the volume of the music, and the activity of raised hands or shouts of glory, but I’ve often watched the faces of the congregation turn to stone after all of this “praise” when The Word of God is opened.  Where is the longing to please God by hearing His Word and responding to the conviction of The Holy Spirit calling us to face our sin, to repent or to yield to God’s direction in our everyday living?  What is worship after all?  It’s not the genre of our music, or the cut of our clothing, or even which translation of the Bible you may use; worship is a life lived in obedience and devotion to God. Even as Jesus said:

“Jesus saith unto her,

Woman, believe me,

the hour cometh,

when ye shall neither in this mountain,

nor yet at Jerusalem,

worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what:

we know what we worship:

for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh,

and now is,

when the true worshippers

shall worship the Father

in spirit

and in truth:

for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him in spirit

and in truth.”  John 4:21-24

And what is this Spirit by which we are to come to God?  It is the indwelling Holy Spirit, the New Covenant, of Jesus who will lead us into all truth.

“Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you

things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine, and

shall shew it unto you.”   John 16:13-14

And what is this truth—it is all The Word of God (the written word and The Living Word)—that which touches the hearts of HIS own and enables us to live holy lives that display God and His Word before a lost and dying world.  Conviction, restoration and truth can be found at an altar—for we who belong to Jesus or want to—by bringing our burdens to lay them at HIS feet!  We are to bring our faults and our failures for His forgiveness and cleansing, as well as our burdens.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 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 1:5-10

God is ever at work conforming us into the image of HIS Son Jesus (See Ro. 8:28-29), yet so many today seem to be content with a praise that omits a life of holiness.  Much like the crowd that greeted Jesus with “Hosanna” on Sunday yet cried “Crucify HIM” four days later.  We want a ‘worship’ that makes us feel good but requires nothing of us: no repentance, no recognition of sin, no willingness to align our lives with The Word of God.  What do I mean, well, let’s be blunt:  we live the way we want, singing “Praise the Lord” on Sunday and curse like the world on Monday; we lift our hands on Sunday and join hands in living with one to whom we’re not married with no compunction or shame and we could go on, but Jeremiah describes much of the Christian culture today, much better than I—yet it grieves my heart.

“For from the least of them

even unto the greatest of them

every one is given to covetousness;

and from the prophet

even unto the priest

every one dealeth falsely.

14 They have healed also

the hurt of the daughter of my people

slightly, saying,

Peace, peace;

when there is no peace.

15 Were they ashamed

when they had committed abomination?

nay, they were not at all ashamed,

neither could they blush:

therefore they shall fall among them that fall:

at the time that I visit them

they shall be cast down,

saith the LORD.

16 Thus saith the LORD,

Stand ye in the ways,

and see,

and ask for the old paths,

where is the good way,

and walk therein,

and ye shall find rest for your souls.

But they said,

We will not walk therein.

17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying,

Hearken to the sound of the trumpet.

But they said,

We will not hearken.”  Jeremiah 6:13-17

“For they have healed

the hurt of the daughter of my people

slightly, saying,

Peace, peace;

when there is no peace.

12 Were they ashamed

when they had committed abomination?

nay, they were not at all ashamed,

neither could they blush:

therefore shall they fall among them that fall:

in the time of their visitation

they shall be cast down,

saith the LORD.”  Jeremiah 8:11-12

Much like our culture, Israel had chosen to be “religious” but not faithful to God.  They renamed sin, just like we do, but it remains sin—then and now, and there is a price to pay!

“Woe unto them that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them that are mighty

to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked

for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous from him!”  Isaiah 5:20-23

Paul warned Timothy of the peril of sin and its toll on mankind and the world; and it would worsen with time.

“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.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

Paul also made a most profound statement to the Philippian church, that I think we ought to take to heart today.

“Beware of dogs,

beware of evil workers,

beware of the concision.

3 For we are the circumcision,

which worship God in the spirit,

and rejoice in Christ Jesus,

and have no confidence

in the flesh.”  Philippians 3:2-3

It’s all about being faithful to “worship God in the spirit”, to “rejoice in Christ Jesus”, and most of all to “have no confidence in the flesh”!  We must return to the altars of days gone by and seek God’s face in repentance, mourning and hope.  Our God hears and answers prayers, and as John said above (in 1 John 1:5-10) we can find forgiveness, and restoration in God, and HE will “cleanse us from all unrighteousness”!  And confess means to agree with God that our sin IS SIN!  We must stop this attitude of self-satisfaction, and seek God’s face, and as the woman at the well, hear Jesus’ assessment of our sin, repent and receive His forgiveness, restoration and cleansing.

What is the altar all about?  Good question.  It is the place of sacrifice—the place of recognizing our sin, and the offering of a sacrifice for it.  The Old Testament believer would take the required animal, slay it before the priest in confession of sin; then he would take the blood and burn it upon the altar, to cover the sin.  Jesus came to be the sin offering for all sin—the ultimate sacrifice.  So, when we come to the altar, we come recognizing our sin and failure to be what God has called us to be, seeking HIS forgiveness and the application of HIS redeeming blood and grace!

“the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin”!

Oh, that we could be willing to humble ourselves before our God and seek HIS face in all we do, even bowing at an altar!

“But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:6-10

The altar is to be a place to bow and draw nearer to God, to seek His face, to discern HIS will for our lives.  The old-timers sometimes referred to the altar (or a portion of it) as the “mourner’s bench”—a place where we intercede over the sins, needs and wickedness of our world.  Oh, that we could have a heart as Daniel had to pray for his people, not in arrogance and self-righteousness, but in identifying with his people, and calling on God to move and call HIS people to HIMSELF in repentance!  Oh, that we would hold ourselves to God’s standard, and humble ourselves in all our ways.

As we see in scripture, over and over again.

“Likewise, ye younger,

submit yourselves unto the elder.

Yea, all of you be subject

one to another,

and be clothed

with humility:

for God resisteth the proud,

and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth for you.”  1 Peter 5:5-7

And as Peter goes on to say, we are to trust to God’s care in humble dependence upon HIM, resisting the devil in faith!

“Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.”  1 Peter 5:8-10

I simply pray that God will take this message and touch my heart and yours, and that we will flock to that altar to find renewed love, holiness, peace, and power to change the world!  So, let’s come to HIM in confidence, seeking HIS face and ways, and not our own, as the church at Laodicea did.  May we take heed to the very words of our Lord and Savior and “see” truth!

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;

These things saith the Amen,

the faithful

and true witness,

the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works,

that thou art neither cold nor hot:

I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

and neither cold nor hot,

I will spue thee

out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold

tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”  Revelation 3:14-18

May HE open our eyes “that thou mayest see”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!