Category Archives: God’s ways are not our ways

What Can’t REvive??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 02

29 Sunday Jan 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Born Again, God's Faithfulness, God's ways are not our ways, Good News, Jesus Saves!, Restoration, REvival, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith

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What Can’t REvive??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No.02

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead

in trespasses

and sins;

2 Wherein in time past

ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love

wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 2:1-6

I love God’s Word, it is so true, hopeful, and enlightening to help us see where we have come from, and to see how urgent it is to help others come to Jesus.  The thing I want us to think about today is what does “Revival” mean?  I have prayed for revival for many years and will continue to pray for it until Jesus comes, or HE allows me to see a real Holy Ghost, heaven-sent, knee-bending, sin-confessing, tear-stained altar (and sadly to me, many young people don’t even know what that is!) filling, life changing, church-altering, REVIVAL!  The kind of revivals that I knew and saw as a child and a young adult that brought conviction to bear on believers to the repenting of sin, the recommitment of hearts and lives, then a world that takes note of the change!

But there is a catch!

Revival: restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc. ….an awakening in a church….an evangelistic service or a series of services for the purpose of effecting of a religious (my word is Spiritual) awakening…

The key I want us to note is “restoration”, for to be ‘re’stored, something must exist first; and that is what Paul is pointing out to the Ephesian believers, and to us!  Only when we realize that we are “dead in trespasses and sins” will we see the need to come to Jesus to be “born again”, or as Paul says here in Ephesians 2, that God has “quickened us”, in Blanche’s paraphrase, “God has given us life from the dead”, or as the Apostle John wrote in his gospel:

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

It’s like what Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, we “must be born again” by the power of God through the Holy Spirit!  And my friends, if we haven’t received the new birth–NEW LIFE– from Jesus then we are still “dead in our trespasses and sins” and we can’t be “Revived”! Revival is for those who have received new life in Jesus.  It is for those who know Jesus, but have grown cold toward spiritual things, or have lost their ardor, or just become muddled and confused in the fray of life and need a rekindling of the fire in their heart.  Sort of like a fireplace where the coals are either close to the fire and glowing, or they have become cold with the distance between them and the fire!  Jesus IS our fire!

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,

and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak:

for he will speak peace unto his people,

and to his saints:

but let them not turn again

to folly.”  Psalm 85:6-8

God is ever at work conforming His own into the “image of His Son”; our job is to stay near to our “fire” –the fire of Holiness and truth! Jeremiah shared that he had a fire of God’s power in his life, we also have a call, a ministry, a life of obedience, and I think I understand what Jeremiah means, for God’s call is ever on my heart.  I would love to be the one God calls to write the “fluff stuff”, but God has called me to often speak the hard things, may I ever hear his call and like Jeremiah speak as God directs.

“Then I said,

I will not make mention of him,

nor speak any more in his name.

But his word

was in mine heart

as a burning fire shut up in my bones,

and I was weary

with forbearing,

and I could not stay.”  Jeremiah 20:9

So, as I pray for revival amongst God’s own, won’t you join me and seek revival in your own heart–for revival must start with “ME”!  How about you?  And if you don’t know Jesus and are just trying to play the game, use the right words, do the right deeds, be in the right church, or belong to the right group…God wants YOU and YOUR heart not your stuff or your abilities to get to heaven. HE wants you to come through Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice!

“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

 Jesus calls us to Himself for rest as well as life–take HIS yoke, and you’ll never walk alone!

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Amen!!!

Is This The Way??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #60

11 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God's provision, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Hearing God, This IS The Day, walk ye in it

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Is This The Way???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #60

I have a brief word to share with you this morning, and I hope it will speak to you as it speaks so often to me!  God has a way, and HE will reveal that way to us as we seek HIS face, even as we learned as children, “STOP…LOOK…and LISTEN”!  Such a simple thing, yet so hard to put into practice, to remember, yet God reminds us and is ever at work to direct our steps, hear it?

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct

thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.”  Proverbs 3:5-7

Simple yet so profound–even as God is our strength from day to day, He will direct our steps just as well–we just have to continually readjust our focus!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside

every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run

with patience

the race

that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

Are we “looking unto Jesus…”?  Are our lives so busy that we don’t realize that we are being distracted from our “prime directive”, from our Lord who is ever willing to “direct thy paths”?  Oh, we have such a loving and gracious Lord who is ever at our side if we will but “wait on upon the Lord” and tune our hearts to be ever listening for HIS whisper.

“Be still, and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”  Psalm 46:10-11

We must keep our hearts tuned to God’s voice continually, even as the old hymn by Albert E. Brumley said, “Turn Your Radio ON”!  It takes diligence to see God in the small things as well as the giant ones!  We had an incident happen to us yesterday, and as we got in the car, we were both struck by the clear message that God seemed to be speaking to us in regard to an issue that we had been struggling with; how often we miss God in the things that don’t seem to matter–and yet they may matter greatly!  Isaiah said it better than I can.

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”  Isaiah 30:21

“Hear ye the word of the Lord…”.  Amen and Amen!!!

The Manger Leads To The Cross! A Word from THE WORD!!! #51

07 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Death, Father's Way!, GET READY, Glory To God, God Knows, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, God Still Reigns, God's love, God's Presence Not Presents, God's ways are not our ways, Power of The Cross, The manger leads to the cross

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The Manger Leads To The Cross! A Word from THE WORD!!! #51

“For unto you is born this day

in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God,

and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will

toward men.

15 And it came to pass,

as the angels were gone away from them

into heaven,

the shepherds said one to another,

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

and see this thing which is come to pass,

which the Lord hath made known

unto us.

16 And they came with haste,

and found Mary,

and Joseph,

and the babe

lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:11-16

Just as this amazing news of The Messiah was told to shepherds, they went to see this child and found him “lying in a manger” because “there was no room for them in the inn”; amazed, like the shepherds, we come to the manger during this wonderful season of celebrating Jesus our King!  Yet we must not be distracted from the truth that Jesus didn’t stay in that manger.  He grew to be the man who was nailed to a cruel Roman cross for my sin and yours!  That is why HE came!  This precious baby endured the trials of all flesh without sin, HE was/is the perfect “lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!  He came to be born that He could be the perfect sacrifice for sin–He was Born to Die–for our sin, to be raised from the dead, and ascend back to heaven where HE ever intercedes for His own!

“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 4:15-16

Yet, there’s more–more that points us to the pain of the cross, so let’s go back to Luke’s account, and while this is a bit lengthy, I think it worth our time and effort!

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem,

whose name was Simeon;

and the same man was just and devout,

waiting for the consolation of Israel:

and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him

by the Holy Ghost,

that he should not see death,

before he had seen

the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit

 into the temple:

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,

to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms,

and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant

depart in peace,

according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared

before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles,

and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled

at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them,

and said unto Mary his mother,

Behold, this child is set

for the fall and rising again

of many in Israel;

and for a sign

which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through

thy own soul also,)

that the thoughts of many hearts

may be revealed.”  Luke 2:25-35

Then we see this prophecy played out at the foot of the cross!

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus

his mother,

and his mother’s sister,

Mary the wife of Cleophas,

and Mary Magdalene.

26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother,

and the disciple standing by, whom he loved,

he saith unto his mother,

Woman, behold thy son!

27 Then saith he to the disciple,

Behold thy mother!

And from that hour that disciple

took her unto his own home.

28 After this, Jesus knowing

that all things were now accomplished,

that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith,

I thirst.

29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar:

and they filled a spunge with vinegar,

and put it upon hyssop,

and put it to his mouth.

30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar,

he said,

It is finished:

and he bowed his head,

and gave up the ghost.”  John 19:25-30

Like some of you, I have experienced the death of a child, and it is like a sword piercing your heart, leaving a hole that seems to always be there–even when the immediate pain subsides, the hole in your heart is ever-present with you!  I can’t imagine the pain that Mary felt, knowing that this was God’s plan for her own salvation; the wonder and questions that flooded her soul, are the same questions that often come to our hearts!  BUT GOD!  God was working His perfect plan for the redemption of mankind, for all who would repent of their sin and trust in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus offered at Calvary.  It’s all about the cross, so don’t linger at the manger and miss the cross, but trust to the sacrifice that this baby came to BE!  And as Paul so clearly reminds us, and which I try to convey in all I write and teach:

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-2

And Paul’s words ever resound in my heart as my hope, my goal, and my encouragement! May it ever spark us on to greater hope and victories as we walk in the power of the precious Holy Spirit whom Jesus imparts to each of His own!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

May you draw near to the cross, remembering the greatest gift of all, Who was laid in that manger in Bethlehem; enjoy your celebrations but don’t forget the price that baby came to pay for you and me!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Conforming or Being Transformed??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #49

25 Friday Nov 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Approved Unto God, Are you ready?, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, Examine Myself?, Eyes that SEE HIM, God's provision, God's ways are not our ways, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, IN Jesus!

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Conforming or Being Transformed? A Word from THE WORD!!! #49

A simple but profound question for each of us on this day after ‘Thanks-giving’–‘Black Friday’ to many shoppers–decorating day for some, yet perhaps we ought to make it a day for some soul-searching.  Have we allowed so much of the world into our hearts, that we have forgotten the admonitions of scripture to be not only “holy” before God and man, but “wholly” devoted to The One who saves, redeems, and transforms us day by day (when we will cooperate) into the image of Jesus (See Romans 8:28-29). I think Paul says it best.

“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.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”  Romans 12:1-3

It saddens my heart that so many around us, many who claim the name of Jesus, are so calloused to the corruption of the world.  We no longer seem to take any regard to the words we use–no matter how crass, vulgar, or hurtful to others they may be; and the word “prove” simply means to display before the world a transformed life–reflecting the grace, glory, and power of our LORD!  Just because a word or phrase is popular, doesn’t mean that it should come out of “my” mouth–the Psalmist says it pretty concisely;

“Who can understand his errors?

cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also

from presumptuous sins;

let them not have dominion

over me:

then shall I be upright,

and I shall be innocent

from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”  Psalm 19:12-14

Even as Paul stated so clearly in Romans 12, we are to be “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”!  The call for holiness in the lives of God’s own, is replete throughout scripture, yet we seem to have relegated it to an “optional” selection for living a Christian life.  I don’t think that God sees it that way.  He loves us, calls us, saves us, by faith through grace, and equips us for HIS service, yet we seem to have forgotten what “service to The King” ought to look like. Peter calls us to remember the cost of our redemption–Jesus’ own blood–how long will we disregard the price paid for our salvation?

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 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.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here

in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb

without blemish

and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:13-19

We are “redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ…”!  So, my challenge to each of us is to spend some time today examining our own heart and asking God to reveal to us what HE sees.  Not measuring with the world’s yardstick but with God’s Word–both the written Word-the Bible–as well as The Living Word, JESUS, who has given us HIS precious Holy Spirit, to guide us “into all truth”!  Will you join me today in the pursuit of holiness?

“Search me,

O God,

and know

my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see

if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

May Jesus Christ be praised through us as we:

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer”!

And remember there are little eyes and ears watching and listening to what we do, way more than just what we “say do or don’t do”!

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s HIS Time, Not Mine??? A Word from THE WORD!!!

15 Friday Jul 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Assurance IN GOD!, Attitude of Gratitude, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Contentedness, Doubt and Confusion?, Encouragement, God of all comfort!, God Still Reigns, God Who Sees, God's got you and me!, God's ways are not our ways, HE makes all things beautiful, IN HIS TIME!, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Sovereignty, Stand Fast, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Love of God

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It’s HIS Time, Not Mine???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #21

I have another brief word this morning—one that is precious to my life—my heart!  In fact, I have a painting in my home that has this very sentiment, and it is so true, and brings confidence, comfort, and assurance to my heart.  Assurance that GOD IS in control—that GOD IS still GOD—that GOD IS still good—and that I still love and trust HIM, no matter what my eyes may see, my ears may hear, or my heart may momentarily “feel”!  It’s those times when heartache, tears, confusion, and doubt assail our lives that we absolutely must stand—must camp—on what we KNOW to be true about our GOD, NOT what we “feel”!

We live in a culture that runs on ‘feelings’, ‘desires’, and ‘instant’ everything; from orange juice to happiness (so called)!  But to have the joy and confidence that only God can give, and HIS “peace that passeth all understanding” will get us through every issue that confronts us in this life.  Remember, We Win!

“I have seen the travail, which God hath given

to the sons of men

to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made every thing beautiful

in his time……”  Ecclesiastes 3:10-11a

Nehemiah’s word of encouragement to the people of Jerusalem when their challenge had been provided by The Lord God Almighty, is the same word that you and I can camp on today.

“Then he said unto them,

Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet,

and send portions unto them

for whom nothing is prepared:

for this day is holy unto our Lord:

neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD

is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:10

Amen and Amen!!!