Category Archives: Father’s Way!

Faithful In Little>Faithful In Much??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #734

10 Thursday Jun 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Faith, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Father's Way!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #734 Faithful In Little>Faithful In Much???

 

I have a few simple (yet profound) thoughts to share with you today.  For many often proclaim, “I’d die for Jesus!”; yet these same people don’t have time to “live” for Jesus.  They have no thought of serving God in and through the church; they may or may not grace God with their occasional presence—but their hands are surely held out for the “presents” of God, with very little, if any, thought for HIS “Presence”!  How sad!  Jesus said if we aren’t faithful in the “little” (“the least”) things—like our daily living—we won’t be faithful in the “big” (“much”) things.  I find it quite interesting that Jesus relates ‘unfaithfulness’ with being “unjust”!  It seems to me that Jesus is telling us that if our character exhibits faithfulness and justice toward God and His Word, then we will have that same character in the world—in our daily living before the world!  Then He goes on to remind us that it’s an issue of the heart and “what master” we have chosen to serve—God or self (and self pretty much covers all the choices that are not of God!)!

“He that is faithful

in that which is least

is faithful

also in much:

and he that is unjust

in the least

 is unjust

also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful

in the unrighteous mammon,

who will commit to your trust

the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful

in that which is another man’s,

who shall give you

that which is your own?

13 No servant can serve

two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God

and mammon.

14 And the Pharisees also,

who were covetous,

heard all these things:

and they derided him.

15 And he said unto them,

Ye are they which justify yourselves

before men;

but God knoweth

your hearts:

for that which is highly esteemed

among men

is abomination

 in the sight of God.”   Luke 16:10-15

What are we setting as “highly esteemed” in our lives?  Is it service to God or service to self?  How easy is it for us to find something else to do on Sunday (or Saturday if that is your day of worship) rather than gather for corporate worship, study, and receiving The Word of God in power and truth?  I remember a time when there were no ballgames played on Sundays or Wednesday nights (much less team practices on ‘church’ nights!) because parents had their children in church; in fact, I heard of a man who told the coach that if he wanted his sons to play ball, he had to understand that they would be in church on Sundays and Wednesday nights!  Boy you don’t hear that today! For it seems that today, we find most any excuse to be elsewhere (and no I’m not talking about Covid or illnesses, especially since we are of an age to be affected with health issues that often keep us at home when we’d rather be at church).  And while I’m at it, let me also add that when we watch at home, we try to be up and dressed for worship—and yes, I think that matters.  Why would we claim to be gathering to worship The Almighty God of all creation and come dressed like we’re going to a hog-wrestling match or a peep show!  We wouldn’t dress like that to meet any other important “personage”—but God won’t mind.  No, God’s isn’t judging us by the price-tag or style of our clothes, but HE is interested in our heart, and if we love someone, we usually try to care about our appearance for them!  Worship is coming into God’s presence and seeking His face and desiring to hear HIS voice speak to us! Another message that Jesus had for His disciples is a bit harsh seemingly, especially for our culture of ease, expecting God to be a heavenly slot machine; I drop in my request, and HE produces on demand!  Excuse me—who is the ‘god’ here?

“But which of you, having a servant

plowing

or feeding cattle,

will say unto him by and by,

when he is come from the field,

Go and sit down to meat?

8 And will not rather say unto him,

Make ready wherewith I may sup,

and gird thyself,

and serve me,

till I have eaten and drunken;

and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

9 Doth he thank that servant

because he did the things

that were commanded him?

I trow not.

10 So likewise ye,

when ye shall have done all those things

which are commanded you,

say,

We are unprofitable servants:

we have done that which

was our duty to do.”   Luke 17:7-10

We seem to have forgotten that we belong to Jesus—or that is what scripture tells us!  Yet we seem to have this idea that when we claim the blood and name of Jesus, we are “entitled” to rub our ‘magic lamp” and have our every fleshly desire met! NOT! NOT! NOT!

“What?

know ye not

that your body is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We are called to seek God’s desires, His will, and His way!  Trusting to His care and provision for every area of our lives.  And that’s not always easy; simple yes, but easy, NO!  But as Paul said:

“I can do all things through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

I can testify to this truth, for it is how I’ve gotten through the last 18 months (since the death of my precious daughter)—by trusting to THE ONE who holds my hand every step of the way!  Get your eyes off of the “things” around you and look to Jesus, and seek HIS face, HIS Word, and HIS Kingdom FIRST!

 

“Therefore

 take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But

seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

 and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

 is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

One of the signs of a committed believer and follower of Jesus can often be determined by their ‘wallet’.  But wait, giving isn’t just about our financial resources—it’s about giving our “redeemed life” to Jesus in grateful love, devotion, and service (His service)!

“But this I say,

He which soweth sparingly

shall reap also sparingly;

 and he which soweth bountifully

shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth

in his heart,

so let him give;

not grudgingly,

 or of necessity:

for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace

abound toward you;

that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,

may abound to every good work:

 9 (As it is written,

He hath dispersed abroad;

he hath given to the poor:

his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 Now he that ministereth

seed to the sower

both minister bread for your food,

and multiply your seed sown,

and increase

the fruits of your righteousness;)

11 Being enriched in every thing

to all bountifulness,

which causeth through us

thanksgiving to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:6-11

And while this has been a bit heavy today, I would like to bring us to one of my very favorite passages to lift your hearts to the “Throne of Grace…to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (See Hebrews 4:16).  This is a great passage to memorize for it tells us the “how to” of walking with Jesus each and every day!  Try it—HE has never failed me yet!  And HE IS coming soon for HIS own!  Just remember that “the desires of thine heart” are only filled for good when we “delight thyself…in the LORD”; this isn’t another of those “slot machines”!  Never presume on God—HE is God, I am not!

“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

May you hear the voice of Jesus speaking to your heart. And take note— ‘trust’ and ‘fret not’ are mentioned twice; maybe for a reason!!!  HE is waiting for you to hear and heed to HIS voice!  The days are quickly dwindling past—don’t put God off until it’s too late.  HE is waiting for YOU!

“And therefore will the LORD wait,

that he may be gracious unto you,

and therefore will he be exalted,

 that he may have mercy upon you:

for the LORD is a God of judgment:

blessed are all they that wait for him.”   Isaiah 30:18

Amen and Amen!!!

Who Are You Traveling With??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #729

14 Friday May 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Armor of God, Believe IN Jesus, By Him We Live, Choices And Consequences, Dependence, Discernment, Encouragement, Father's Way!, Fighting With God's Weapons, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, God's provision, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, If not now? When?, It's Your Choice, Jesus IN You!, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Let You Light So Shine, Light In The Dark, Listening To God, Living Right, Living TODAY!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #729  Who Are You Traveling With???

 

Traveling is great fun for me, of course I learned to enjoy it as a child when my father was in the Navy; because we were often away from family and friends, we traveled on our vacation times to see those family members and other friends!  I loved it, except for the challenges of three children in the back seat—me being among them—and all the creative ways our parents used to try and keep us occupied! One of my favorite things to watch for as we drove the roads of America were the “Burma Shave” signs—if you’re too young to know what those are just “google it”, as they say—and life is kind of like that!  On our journey through life, we must watch for the ‘signs’ and if we are believers in Jesus, HE will grant us all we need to follow HIM.

What I want us to consider today is the daily journey of life; we travel along in this life often oblivious to the real things going on around us!  There are spiritual battles going on all around us and we can miss what’s really going on; but God calls us to walk with HIM through this life and be available for HIS service in unexpected and unique encounters that we will miss if we aren’t tuned to to our Father God, and Lord Jesus via HIS Holy Spirit working within us.  I belong to JESUS and ought to live like it, for I have been blood-bought and redeemed!  What less could I do than give my all to Jesus?  Here are some portions of what Paul shared with the people of Greece when he visited there–paying attention.

“God that made the world

and all things therein,

seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth,

dwelleth not in temples

made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped

with men’s hands,

as though he needed any thing,

seeing he giveth to all

life,

and breath,

and all things…

…. and hath determined the times

before appointed,

and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord,

 if haply they might feel after him,

and find him,

though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being…..”  Acts 17:28

Paul was telling the spiritually blind Grecians that “in him we live, and move, and have our being”, how can we who claim to belong to Jesus not realize our calling to order our steps and our lives in light of this truth—all the truth in HIS WORD!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.”  Romans 11:36

God also reminds us that we battle unseen forces all around us and we must put on HIS armor every day to be prepared.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong

 in the Lord,

 and in the power

of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand against

the wiles of the devil.

12 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.”  Ephesians 6:10-12

On this journey we can choose with whom we will walk.  Are you choosing God, His Word and His way, or the world’s destructive lies?  It’s your choice—here’s some guiding scripture that I hope will speak to our hearts and lead our steps!

“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

“The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down

in green pastures:

he leadeth me

beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths

of righteousness

for his name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:1-3

And in closing:

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not

in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth

in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth

in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law doth he meditate

day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

 his leaf also

shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth

shall prosper.”  Psalm 1:1-3

And that kind of sums it up.  So, to repeat our title, “Who are YOU traveling with?”!  Won’t you join me in committing to seek HIS face and walk in HIS ways—and find rest and peace and truth!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.”  John 10:9

 

Amen and Amen!!!

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!!!

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!!!

The Life Is In The Blood??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #696

10 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Confessing Sin, Father's Way!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Only Jesus, Only One Way, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #696  The Life Is In The Blood???

 

We hear a lot of talk these days about blood—blood types, blood anti-bodies for fighting Covid, blood clots—and yet so many today don’t want to hear about the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”!

“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.”   1 John 1:7

There are two things that our world doesn’t want to talk about—the blood of Jesus and sin!  Why?  Because Sin is the issue—it’s why Jesus came, and it’s what HE can and will save us from.  From the penalty of sin—death; from the power of sin, in the lives of believers; and ultimately from the very presence of sin, when we live with HIM in eternity—not pie-in-the-sky, but truth and reality IN JESUS!  Let’s consider what God says in His Word, for regardless of what people may say—Jesus is the only way—and His way (like it or not) is through the cross and HIS shed blood for sin.

“And almost all things

are by the law

purged with blood;

and without shedding of blood

is no remission.”  Hebrews 9:22

Jesus makes it clear that HE is the only way—for it cost His life to save us from our sins, and to give us not only eternal life (with Him in heaven) but abundant, peace-filled, holy life right now.

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 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.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

And as Jesus made it so clear—HE IS THE WAY—the only way!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

No man—rich or poor—famous or unknown—powerful or common—loved or hated (by men)—comes to God except through The Son, Jesus Christ The Lord!  And when we come to Him in repentance and faith, we find His arms open wide.  Won’t you come to Him today?  Or, if you already know Him, and are known by Him, won’t you draw near to HIM instead of the bright lights of the world?  He has a work for each of us to do—but we can only “do” out of the “being” born again to “become” the sons of God!

“All that the Father giveth me

shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven,

not to do mine own will,

but the will of him

that sent me.

39 And this is the Father’s will

which hath sent me,

that of all which he hath given me

I should lose nothing,

but should raise it up again

at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:37-40

If you hear His voice calling, won’t you open the door to HIM today?  Won’t you draw near to the “redeemer” of your heart, soul and life?

“Behold,

I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

All this bought by the blood of the Son of God—who loved us and “gave Himself” for our redemption!

“But God commendeth his love

toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:8-11

Are you trusting to “the blood” or your own devices?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!