Category Archives: Growing in Jesus!

Doing HIS Work HIS Way!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #522

11 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Growing in Jesus!, I Can Do All Things?, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Look UP, Roaring Lion, The Love of God, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #522   Doing HIS Work HIS Way!!!

 

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

Just a bit of encouragement this morning to finish out our week looking up—and not around. As I often tell people, we need to be like Daniel and look to the Lord, not at the “lions”; and we all have lions roaming around in our lives! But it is keeping our eyes on Jesus that keeps those lions at bay! God is ever at work conforming us into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ—by Him, for Him and through Him!

“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.

8 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 5:6-10

God is ever at work to help us resist that “roaring lion”, for as I heard a preacher say many years ago, “God’s children are really facing a ‘toothless’ foe!” for the blood of Jesus has loosed us from the power of sin, death and hell!

So remember this morning that you “can do all things” that God has called you to do!!! Yes you can! All by the power of The One who has called us and saved us not by our own “works of righteousness”, but by the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

“Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6

So in closing, praises to the One who has defeated that lion—so that we can truly have “Victory In Jesus”! (A Gospel song written by Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sr.) As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 28:7:

“The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise him.”

Amen and Amen!!!

Looking Ahead With Confidence??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #518

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Grace, Growing in Jesus!, Holy Spirit, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Perseverance, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Tomorrow, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #518 Looking Ahead With Confidence???

 

As we approach a new year ahead, let’s take a few minutes to assess our progress. It is helpful to look back and consider our successes and our failures, and while I’m not much on making “resolutions” for the New Year, I do think we can benefit from asking God to help us see where we can improve our walk with HIM! As we seek His face and the leadership of His precious Holy Spirit, we can press on faithfully. And while not dwelling on it, we can consider our past while we pursue the present that God is calling us to! But remember that the enemy will try to keep us focused on our failures, paralyzing us to going forward with Jesus—don’t listen to him! Paul gives us some good advice in this arena.

“Brethren,

I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:13-14

We must accept the past as just that—passed! While our past will always affect our present and our future it doesn’t have to dictate our direction or paralyze us from serving our Lord! God has called us to be a reflection of HIS glory to a lost and dying world, and He will supply our every need as we walk forward in HIS service.

“But ye are a chosen generation,

a royal priesthood,

an holy nation,

a peculiar people;

that ye should shew forth the praises

of him who hath called you

out of darkness

into his marvellous light:

10 Which in time past were not a people,

but are now the people of God:

which had not obtained mercy,

but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

When we receive the mercy of God, we are equipped for HIS service, by His power and might—so we can go forward in confidence regardless of our past, for it has “passed”.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you

that ye walk worthy

of the vocation

wherewith ye are called,”    Ephesians 4:1

We are His called, and He will accomplish His purpose in us as we yield to His Spirit, and walk in His strength, according to His Word and His grace. He is ever at work making us more like our Lord and Master, Jesus. You can take heart, for God is ever at work in and through His own.

“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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?” Romans 8:28-31

I pray that you know HIM, and will commit yourself anew to yield to His working in you. He is your shepherd and His voice is ever leading you, and if you haven’t been listening—you can change that today!!!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.” John 10:27-30

If you don’t know HIM—I pray that you will hear His voice and invite Him in to sit on the throne of your heart! He is calling—won’t you open the door today? I pray that God will make Himself real to YOU today, for as Jesus says:

“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

Head>Heart>Hands??? (More Tidbits from Daniel#4) Bible Ballistics:Vol.11 No.22

08 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Growing in Jesus!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Not Of This World, Our God Reigns, Praise God Today!, Salvation, Sovereignty, The Love of God, The Only Way, The Word, Thy Kingdom Come, Transformation, Troubles, Trust God, Worship Him!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 22 Head>Heart>Hands???   (More Tidbits from Daniel #4)

 

I’ve been thinking about Daniel lately and wanted us to search it out again for more that can help us live a “Daniel” life—a life of faith, confidence and power with, from and for God. That is something worth spending our time on. We’ll be looking at Daniel chapter 2, and while we’ll touch on the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, I want us to focus on the things surrounding that encounter. Lord willing, we’ll address the dream and it’s content in the next week or two.

It is important to remember that Daniel was part of the captives who were taken to Babylon to serve the king, yet his demeanor was always an honor to God and never a detriment. Oh, that we could live that kind of life and hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” when we face our Lord. So many today have a head knowledge of God and The Son Jesus, but don’t know Him, and it is important that we take that knowledge from our ‘head’ to our ‘heart’ and on to our hands.

When Daniel was confronted with a threat of death because of the ‘wisemen’ and their inability to know and interpret the king’s dream, Daniel had only one course of action—and it should always be our first recourse rather than our last!

“Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known

to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven

concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish

with the rest

of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed

unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”   Daniel 2:17-19

Many times when we are confronted with difficult situation, crises, or uncertainty we work on a solution, try to figure it out, run to get answers from others, or just run head-long into situations without the wisdom of God. Daniel knew what James knew and shared with us.

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth is like

a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.

7 For let not that man think

that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable

in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 

God wants us to bring every part of our lives to HIM! I hear so many people say that some things just aren’t important to God, but I must disagree, and I think that I can say that on the authority of scripture. God wants us to come to Him about everything, for HE often sees things differently than we do—God’s ways are the ways that we must seek, and He is ready and willing to reveal Himself and His way to us—we have but to ask! When we “lack wisdom” God wants us to “ask of God” and do so in faith, having total confidence in the ‘giver’ of “every good gift and every perfect gift”. God wants us to know HIM, to walk with HIM and to grow in HIM:

“But grow

in grace,

and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him be glory both

now

and for ever. Amen.”    2 Peter 3:18

Knowing Him and His ways and provision was always on the heart of Daniel, and Isaiah had written these words long before Daniel caught Himself in trouble. In fact remember His decision in the beginning of the book:

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8

Isaiah said it clearly:

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens

are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow

from heaven,

and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed

to the sower,

and bread

to the eater:

11 So shall my word be

that goeth forth

out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me

void,

but it shall accomplish

that which I please,

and it shall prosper

in the thing whereto

I sent it.”   Isaiah 55:6-11

God is ever at work to draw people unto Himself, but He has given every person born into this world the freewill to choose to believe Him or not. God has made His love for us clear and Jesus paid the price for our sin—“For God so loved the world that He gave”—yet Jesus made it clear that we must choose, and there is a consequence for our choices. If we choose Jesus and trust to His blood to save us, we have life, but if we don’t choose HIM, we have chosen death, whether consciously or not—it’s still choosing.

“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 3:17-19

We can choose Jesus and life, or not; we can cling to our sins—our evil deeds, even though we excuse our sinful deeds and think our sin isn’t as bad as the sin of others—and miss life. Why would we do that? Because when man sinned in the beginning, he chose to believe a lie, rather than God, and we’re still doing that today! I beg you to be sure that you have made the right choice!

God is working to call men and women to Himself—it’s why Jesus came, and He is ever working to make His own into the image of Jesus, in everything in our lives!

“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

The evidence of His presence in our lives is the work of His Holy Spirit working in and through us and seen through the godly works of our hands. For when we truly consider God and come to Jesus, moving that information to our hearts in repentance and faith, then God does a work of transformation that appears in our lives, our walk, our speech, and our reactions and responses to people and situations. We are to be living testimonies to God’s grace and transforming power.

“Servants,

obey in all things

your masters according to the flesh;

not with eyeservice,

as menpleasers;

but in singleness of heart,

fearing God:

23 And whatsoever ye do,

do it heartily,

as to the Lord,

and not unto men;

24 Knowing that

of the Lord

ye shall receive the reward

of the inheritance:

for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:22-24

Paul also repeated these things to the Ephesians because we are to live our lives as servants of God—not as “as menpleasers”, but like Daniel, men and women, boys and girls, who are committed to live undefiled lives before God and man!

“Servants,

be obedient to them that are your masters

according to the flesh,

with fear

and trembling,

in singleness of your heart,

as unto Christ;

6 Not with eyeservice,

as menpleasers;

but as the servants of Christ,

doing the will of God

from the heart;

7 With good will

doing service,

as to the Lord,

and not to men:

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing

any man doeth,

the same shall he receive of the Lord,

whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters,

do the same things unto them,

forbearing threatening:

knowing that your Master also

is in heaven;

neither is there respect

of persons with him.”    Ephesians 6:5-9

Whether we are the ‘master’—the boss, or the ‘servant’—the employee, God calls us, saves us to live His glory before a world of sin and darkness. Daniel was a man of God who showed us how to live right no matter the situation, trial or difficulty.

Being people of character not just lip service. As I’ve heard it said, “Real godly character is when you do right when no one is looking.” Or “Real character is revealed by what you do in the dark.” And we can be those people of character because we are saved and kept by the same God who met the needs of Daniel and His friends. And when Daniel received the answer to his prayer, He didn’t forget God, but gave us a wonderful picture of who our God is, and how to truly worship HIM!!!

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God

for ever and ever:

for wisdom

and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep

and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.” Daniel 2:19-23

What an amazing prayer of praise, may we come to know our God as Daniel did; may God’s character be seen in all of our actions, deeds, works and words—may God be praised in our living! Daniel’s faithfulness gave him a great opportunity to share the truth of The Lord God Almighty before the great king Nebuchadnezzar.

“Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said,

The secret which the king hath demanded

cannot the wise men,

the astrologers,

the magicians,

the soothsayers,

shew unto the king;

28 But there is a God in heaven

that revealeth secrets,

and maketh known to the king

Nebuchadnezzar

what shall be in the latter days.

Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

29 As for thee, O king,

thy thoughts came into thy mind

upon thy bed,

what should come to pass

hereafter:

and he that revealeth secrets

maketh known to thee

what shall come to pass.”   Daniel 2:27-29

And yet Daniel never took the credit for God’s work!

“But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me

for any wisdom

that I have more than any living,

but for their sakes

that shall make known the interpretation

to the king,

and that thou mightest know the thoughts

of thy heart.”   Daniel 2:30

Daniel’s crisis was an opportunity for God’s Word and ways that Daniel knew in his head, would stir his heart and work out through his hands and feet! What do others see in us? Nebuchadnezzar saw something in Daniel—God! What do others see in our lives—from our head, to our heart and out through our hands and feet, our every day lives!

“And in the days of these kings

shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom,

which shall never be destroyed:

and the kingdom shall not be left

to other people,

but it shall break in pieces

and consume all these kingdoms,

and it shall stand

for ever……

46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. 47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said,

Of a truth it is,

that your God

is a God of gods,

and a Lord of kings,

and a revealer of secrets,

seeing thou couldest reveal

this secret.”   Daniel 2:44-47 

May others be brought to say of our God, “that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings”! I pray that our God will help us stand fast in this evil day, that others will see the power of God in our lives. From our head—to our heart—seen by the world through our hands and feet!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tidbits From Daniel #2!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 13

29 Sunday Apr 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Changed Lives, Choose You This Day!, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Faith, Growing in Jesus!, Holy Spirit, Knowing God's Word, My Grace Is Sufficient, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Transformed life, Trust God, Worship Him!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 13 Tidbits From Daniel #2!!!

 

Today I’d like us to consider more of the book of Daniel, and looking at chapter 3 (yes we’ll come back to chapter 2 later) and delve into the importance of our confidence in God and our willingness to pursue His will knowing that HE is our hope, assurance and strength in all things.

I recently heard an interview with a Christian business owner who was talking about finding and fulfilling God’s purpose in their work/business, and I couldn’t help but think, as I listened to the owners, that they were fulfilling God’s purpose, as they set out to serve others with a godly environment and a pleasant place for people to spend time, and encourage each other daily. I think God’s purpose is fulfilled when we strive to live out what God calls all of His children to do; and we can learn much from the scriptures as we consider the pictures it paints of God’s purposes being fulfilled through His servants.

When asked by His disciples about prayer, Jesus gave us a beautiful and practical approach to communication with our Father God; and yes prayer is communicating with God—not just a dictatorial session where we submit our list of wants and complaints to God! Prayer is intended to be a time of sharing our heart with God, and seeking His face and heart in order to know Him more, learning to discern His voice and follow the leadership of His Spirit (who dwells within His own) and reflect His way to a lost and dying world!

“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 blessed beyond measure, whether we are paying attention or not, yet God has called us to walk in His ways—even in our prayer life. I think our ultimate purpose can be found in the elements of this ‘Model Prayer” which Jesus shared with us. With 0ur heart, mind and soul we are to love God, and be seeking HIS kingdom

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:32

Seeking God’s kingdom in our lives—the pattern that Jesus gives to us:

Our Father who art in heaven—God is God and not us—

Hallowed be thy name—HOLY and to be revered—

Thy kingdom come—IN me, prevailing in all—

Thy will be done—IN me—not mine—

On earth as it is in heaven—not earthly ways dressed

up to fool God and/or man!

When we come to Jesus in repentance and faith, we are “born again” by the Holy Spirit of God; and when God’s Spirit comes to dwell within us, He makes all things new—a newness that will be reflected in our everyday living!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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 1:10-13

We are born of God’s Holy Spirit:

“Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God

Born of God, to seek HIS will, HIS purposes, HIS ways in all that we do—because we are made new creations in HIM!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.”    2 Corinthians 5:17

God’s kingdom purposes are to be lived out in us where ever and whatever God leads us to! We don’t have to be a “professional” Christian to have a purpose before God! God’s kingdom come “in me”, is ‘me’ being God’s child where ever I am: at the coffee shop, delivering mail, serving others in a bank, a grocery store, a dollar store, maintaining a home and family, or being a professional or executive—whatever my ‘job’ may be– my calling is to serve God and live out “Thy kingdom come” in all my ways! Even if we’re digging ditches or scrubbing floors, we are to do “all” to His glory and for the increase of HIS kingdom.

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

“Whether therefore

ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”   1 Corinthians 10:31

“All” to God’s glory—His “kingdom” coming in, me—that the world may see God by my life and actions. His purposes seen in me, no matter when, where, what or how! That means God’s servant is to serve HIM 24/7—not just on Sunday, or whatever day of the week that you worship! Real worship isn’t just singing, or praising, or being fed by the Word of God—real worship is a life lived in obedience to the Spirit of God who dwells within the children of God, not by our own power but by His power within us!

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”     Romans 11:36

“And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:5-6

Jesus died for the “ungodly”—that’s all of us before we are born again!!! Yet Jesus loves us so much that He died for “the world” and when we know Him, our life should be a reflection of HIS love and glory to the world!

So how do we practically pursue this kind of life? It’s simple but not easy—we must seek Him to know His servant heart, and then trust HIM to direct our steps—ALL of our steps!!

“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.”   Proverbs 3:5-6

Just as God commands us to “have no other gods before me”, we can’t serve God and anything else! And our example from Daniel reveals the heart of three men who knew what it meant to be totally devoted to God—no matter the cost–men who stood firm even in the face of death.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee

in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God

whom we serve

is able

to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not,

be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:

therefore he spake,

and commanded that they should heat

the furnace one seven times more

than it was wont to be heated.”    Daniel 3:16-19

Three young men with a choice to bow and please the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, or to stand and face what seemed to be certain death. Yet these three servants of God stood firm, and faced the ire of King Nebuchadnezzar, and a fire that he commanded to be seven times hotter than normal. And while we know that God delivered them, they simply stood on the surety that God could deliver them, yet even if He didn’t choose to deliver them, they knew they would still serve only HIM no matter what. How about you? Me? How can we stand and follow God’s calling and purposes in our life? There is a good way revealed by the Apostle Paul as he instructs us to put on the armor of God—enabling us to face the “principalities….powers…rulers of darkness…and spiritual wickedness” by putting on the armor of God, and walking in the power of it. Who are you depending on to fight your battles? Are the armor, power and provision of God, your strength? Or are you depending on your own flesh and wisdom? As we close for today, I want to share a few thoughts regarding the armor of God, and trust that you will spend some time rehearsing and taking to heart the message of Ephesians 6:10-18. With God’s armor on, we can “withstand in the evil day….and having done all to stand…”, knowing that “the battle is not yours, but God’s”!

Put on the armor of God—

His truth—JESUS is the truth–

His right—His righteousness applied to my heart–

His gospel of Peace—in our every step—

with a mindset of servanthood—

not pride and arrogance–

Faith in HIM, HIS will, HIS provision—not ourselves—

HIS Word— as our only offensive weapon—

(Jesus Himself–

THE Word-both spoken and written!)

The battle is the Lord’s—when we walk with HIM in faith, pursuing HIS purposes, and trusting to HIS sufficiency!

“And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid

nor dismayed

by reason of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours,

but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

Amen and Amen!!!

Is It Laundry Day??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 10

08 Sunday Apr 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Forgiveness, Growing in Jesus!, He That Is Without Sin, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Knowing God's Word, Let You Light So Shine, Made like Jesus!, No Sin No Need?, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Transformation, Transformed life, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 10 Is It Laundry Day???

 

For most reading this post today, the memories of “laundry day” may not conjure up what it does for some of us who are older. While I don’t remember having to wash in a ‘tub’ in the yard, with water heated over a fire, I do remember helping my mother use an old wringer washer—where you have to wash the clothes in the tub, agitate them and then wash another load; after you were finished with the “dirties”, then you drained the water and filled it with clean rinse water and did the process again, running the rinsed clothes through the “wringer” which removed most of the water from the clothes and then you hung them on the clothesline to dry. Most of us today have automatic washers and dryers, and laundry day is when you run out of clean clothes and decide to do the ‘laundry’ inside! While those are precious memories, I was thinking more in the vein of cleansing our souls—not just the soul cleansing that saves us, but the responsibility of keeping our lives clean before our Lord and Master—a spiritual laundry day—every day!

“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

When we come to know Jesus, He saves us from sin, but we remain in a body of flesh, and in a broken, sinful world; which means we must be on our guard all the time to keep ourselves free from the dust and the dirt of walking through this life! The Apostle John gives us great insight in his first letter to the believers of his day—it’s still true today!

“That which we have seen and heard

declare we unto you,

that ye also may have fellowship

with us:

and truly our fellowship is with the Father,

and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things write we unto you,

that your joy may be full.

5 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 1:3-10

Simply put, John is telling us that until we face our sin we can never be saved—we wouldn’t need to be saved if we had no sin (or we think we have no sin!) —yet when we are saved we are still going to face and struggle with sin in this world, and only Jesus can give us victory over either situation. But we must see sin as sin—seeing our own sin as sin; and when we do that we must come to God for forgiveness and cleansing. But those who completely deny the reality of sin, in general or in their own lives, are calling God “a liar” and “his word is not in” them! Sin is the issue, and only Jesus is the cure! Only the “blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”, and that is our state of “being” when we are “born again”!

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace be unto you,

and peace,

from him which is,

and which was,

and which is to come;

and from the seven Spirits

which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings

of the earth.

Unto him

that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests

unto God

and his Father;

to him be glory

and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:4-6

Jesus loves us so much that He gave Himself to pay for our sin, and to make us “kings and priests unto God”! Only because He cleanses us from our sin to save us, and continually makes us clean as we regularly recognize our sin, failures and shortcomings and:

“confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins

We are forgiven by the blood of Jesus which “cleanseth us from all sin”, and that is our only hope. But when we have that hope we are to share it and not refuse to share what we have received—either the Gospel itself, or the forgiveness that Jesus has extended to us. And that is a big order—a command of our Lord, “freely ye have received, freely give” (See Matthew 10:5-25 for the entire message and context!)

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”    Colossians 1:12-14

Amen and Amen—that’s all I can say—we have been:

Made partakers

Delivered

Translated (changed)

Redeemed

And FORGIVEN!!!

And since we have been forgiven, we must forgive!

“And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

“And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Because I am forgiven—I am to forgive! How can I refuse to forgive others when I have been forgiven? Yet there is another side of this I’d like us to consider, we are to forgive because we all have those from whom we need to ask forgiveness, and just as importantly, we are to forgive and respond to them with grace and truth whether they forgive us or not. So often we have a box that we want to put relationships into, and often times the things that we are expecting from others are foreign to what God has given to us. God didn’t forgive me because I did ‘back-flips’ to deserve it; He forgave me because He loves me and had already made provision for my forgiveness.

Are there those in your life who you think have withheld forgiveness from you? (Based on what you expect that forgiveness to look like?) Are we willing to offer ourselves to those who repel our expressions of reconciliation, and maintain a spirit of grace and openness? Do we often “choke” on that request which we avoid as long as possible, “Please forgive me, no strings attached?” Or do we admit guilt, but then demand that others do “back-flips” to express their acceptance of our apology? Are we arrogant in our repentance rather than humble and conciliatory? God forgives us and makes perfect provision for us to draw near to Him! Christ’s love and forgiveness are to be reflected in all our ways toward others (even the difficult and painful).

“Let us draw near

with a true heart

in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled

from an evil conscience,

and our bodies washed

with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast

the profession of our faith

without wavering;

(for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another

to provoke unto love

and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling

of ourselves together,

as the manner of some is;

but exhorting one another:

and so much the more,

as ye see the day approaching.”    Hebrews 10:22-25

Because I’ve been washed, I ought to respond to others with a pure and true heart, reflecting the glory of my King; the One who has forgiven me. And in closing, I’d like us to consider what Paul reveals about the transformed life! God saves sinners, but HE doesn’t leave us in our sin! If you think you can be saved and remain in the same state of sinfulness as you lived in before, you might want to check out what you think saved you? This is a bit lengthy, but I challenge you to spend some time pondering the truths that Paul lays out for us—truth doesn’t change!

“Know ye not

that the unrighteous shall not inherit

the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators,

nor idolaters,

nor adulterers,

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves,

nor covetous,

nor drunkards,

nor revilers,

nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you:

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.

12 All things are lawful unto me,

but all things are not expedient:

all things are lawful for me,

but I will not be brought under the power

of any.

13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them.

Now the body is not for fornication,

but for the Lord;

and the Lord for the body.

14 And God hath both raised up the Lord,

and will also raise up us

by his own power.

15 Know ye not that your bodies

are the members of Christ?

shall I then take the members of Christ,

and make them the members

of an harlot?

God forbid.

16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body?

for two, saith he,

shall be one flesh.

17 But he that is joined unto the Lord

is one spirit.

18 Flee fornication.

Every sin that a man doeth

is without the body;

but he that committeth fornication

sinneth against his own body.

19 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 6:9-20

We are “bought with a price”, by the blood of Jesus, and we are to “glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s”! As we have been “forgiven”, we are to forgive, as the transformed, changed, cleansed and redeemed—“such were some of you: BUT”! Are you living like the transformed — forgiven and forgiving, regardless of what you “were”? By God’s power we can!

Jesus reiterates the transformation that will appear in the lives of His own as He closes the Revelation that He gave to John.

“He that overcometh

shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God,

and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful,

and unbelieving,

and the abominable,

and murderers,

and whoremongers,

and sorcerers,

and idolaters,

and all liars,

shall have their part

in the lake which burneth

with fire

and brimstone:

which is the second death.”  Revelation 20:7-8

So as we bring our thoughts together this evening, I’d just like to call us all to remember the verse that we started with today, and pray “without ceasing” that God would ever work in our hearts and lives to conform us into “the image of His Son”! Day by day, moment by moment, and in each and every situation—remembering that ‘such were some of you‘ we are forgiven!

“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

Is it your “laundry day”? May God do His cleansing work in us that ‘our laundry’ will shine for Jesus?

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Dan 12:5