Category Archives: Knowing God’s Word

Big “IF”s In God’s Word??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 04

29 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Be not conformed to this world, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Conviction, Crucified With Christ, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God Is In Charge, Gospel, If not now? When?, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Knowing God's Word, Light In The Dark, Living Right, Power of The Cross, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, SIN, Take Up YOUR Cross, That They May Know, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 04  Big “IF”s In God’s Word???

 

As I begin this post, I’m not sure if it will be long or short, for I’m not really sure where this will take me but it’s been on my heart for a long while, and today is the day to pursue what I believe God may have to say to us.  I have seen a lot of information on social media and a lot of scripture posted—some in context, some not so much.  Because of that I want us to consider one of the passages that I have seen and what it may be saying that we don’t want to hear.

“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him,

I have heard

thy prayer,

and have chosen this place

to myself

for an house of sacrifice.

13 If I shut up heaven

that there be no rain,

or if I command

the locusts to devour the land,

or if I send

pestilence among my people;

14 If my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn

from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.

15 Now mine eyes

shall be open,

and mine ears

attent unto the prayer

that is made in this place.

16 For now have I

chosen

and sanctified

this house,

that my name may be there

for ever:

and mine eyes

and mine heart

shall be there perpetually.”  2 Chronicles 7:12-16

This truth was given to Solomon as he was in the midst of the dedication of the temple that he had completed in Jerusalem.  God came and told Solomon that this place would be a place that represented HIS very presence, and that when the people strayed and forsook Him, they could come to this place (or even look toward it) to seek Him again.  But there are some ‘if’s’ here that we often ignore or try to diminish their import.

The first is “if” “my people” will do…., then what?  Who are God’s people?

“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

And Jesus Himself told Nicodemus “who” was His!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again…

… 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 3:3-7, 17-19

Jesus came that we might have life—eternal life—new life IN Jesus!

“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

Jesus did the work, we receive the work, God glorifies the work as He conforms us to HIM.  Whose are YOU?  Who are you allowing to work in your life?  God or Satan? (See Eph. 2:1-10)

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day

of Jesus Christ:”  Philippians 1:6

When we come to Jesus, we are “born again” of His Spirit, and He imparts to us not only His precious Holy Spirit, but also His love which “is shed abroad in our hearts” (see in Romans 5:1-11), but what have we done with that gift?  Are we living in His love or the fear of our circumstances?  Are we living in the Spirit or the flesh?  Is our life identified with Jesus or is there so little resemblance to our Father God and Jesus The Son, that people can’t tell any difference between us and the world?  That “if” that God mentions to Solomon is referring to “my people”—for Solomon that meant the true worshippers of Jehovah God, who looked forward to the coming Messiah who would deliver them from sin not just cover it up from year to year.  We who are on this side of the cross have seen and received the completed work of salvation, and we don’t have to go to Jerusalem or a physical temple—for we are the temple by the redeeming power of Jesus’ blood shed for us.  But how are we treating that temple—His temple?

“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 who have received Jesus’ saving grace, ARE the temple of God—yet we see professing believers, who claim to know Jesus, adopting the so-called ‘morality’ of the world—they say it’s ok to “shack-up” without benefit of marriage, everyone is doing it!  They condone promiscuity, for who can live without sex—it doesn’t have an “on and off” switch to use only when we’re married, does it?  Well, in a word, YES it does—it’s called “self-control” and obedience to God; and God calls His own to live holy and pure lives.  Many people who claim the name of Jesus have justified almost all things that once were seen as sin—drunkenness, immorality, foul language (I am so tired of hearing vulgar words come out of the mouth of those who claim the name of my precious Savior—even taking His name and The Father’s name in vain!), dishonesty (it’s ok to steal, lie, cheat, fudge on the truth, lie on reports, steal from your employer {and not doing your job, is the same as stealing the wages you say you are ‘earning’ when you don’t work}), bullying, treating others with disrespect, mistreating others, cruelty….the list could go on endlessly.  Yet, God called HIS people to recognize their own sin, not just the sin of others, and turn from it and draw near to HIM!

God calls us to “humble” yourselves.  That means to ‘bow’ before God, recognizing that HE IS the Sovereign God of my heart—of all creation for that matter.  And to bow, is to acknowledge that HE IS God and I am not!  We are called “by (His) name”, but we aren’t called to BE HIM!  Yet much that is going on in Christendom today is simply idolatry of “self” dressed up in ‘church clothes”!  Humility means I recognize my own inability and depend on HIS ability working in me.  Taking up my cross—which means dying to self and living unto Jesus in all I/you do!

“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

Have you been “crucified with Christ”? (See Matthew 16:24-26) Or are you living your own life, and trying to tag His stamp of approval on it?  When we are saved, we ought to recognize our own “death” to sin and self for we are “raised to new life”!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness

of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Let’s go on; the next thing God calls us to do is to “pray”—seeking God’s way not mine.  Prayer isn’t dictating to God, rather it is seeking to know my Father and what He desires; Jesus told us how!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

Prayer is seeking to glorify God in all we do; seeking God’s Kingdom; seeking God’s will on earth.  Rather than seeking our own will and wanting it continually– stamped with God’s heavenly approval, of course….that is totally NOT prayer!

God calls us to seek HIS face—that’s real prayer and earnest recognition of who God IS?  Then, God steps on the real issue—we are to “turn from” our “wicked ways”!  That means “ME” and that means “YOU”!  We can’t erase God’s Word with the ‘vote’, or popular ‘polls’, or by “legalizing sin”.  God says sin is still sin, and we MUST turn from it.  Believers must stop sinning and calling it something else—God says we must turn from it—agree with Him that it is sin and STOP IT!  That’s what the Apostle John meant!

“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 1:6-10

To “confess” here means to agree with God about our sin—and as long as we deny our sin, we will not repent (which means to turn away/turn around from; an about-face, if you would!)  As long as we keep justifying our sin with whatever excuse we are using; we will never find forgiveness and cleansing.  Just as John goes on in verse 8 to remind us, to say we have no sin, is to deceive ourselves; and if I may say so, we live in a culture that is doing its best to erase sin by ‘legalizing’ it.  God’s way has never before, still hasn’t and will never, ever change!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

So, the question is the same today as it ever has been, are you willing to “turn” from your way and go God’s way?  Or will you cling to your own sin and reap the consequence.  Isaiah dealt bluntly with this same issue!

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities

have separated

between you and your God,

and your sins

have hid his face

from you,

that he will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood,

and your fingers with iniquity;

your lips have spoken lies,

your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

4 None calleth for justice,

nor any pleadeth for truth:

they trust in vanity,

and speak lies;

they conceive mischief,

and bring forth iniquity.”  Isaiah 59:1-4

Sound familiar?  Even as Paul told the church at Galatia, and God told Solomon, when we pursue God and do things His way, then HE has promised to “heal their land”.  And folks, our land certainly is in need of healing, and I don’t mean just the COVID-19 virus!  We are in need of a real heaven-sent, sin-forsaking, heart changing, move of God!  A revival of God’s own, that the lost may see Jesus in us and come to His cross in repentance and faith to be saved from their sin.  But that’s not likely to happen until God’s own start sowing righteousness and love for God and His way, rather than the lust of the flesh!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”  Galatians 6:7-8

I’d like to bring this all to a close with one of my favorite passages, where Jesus makes it clear that “saying so” doesn’t “make it so”!  Are you talking a ‘talk’ that you can’t walk because you don’t possess Jesus?  Have you been born again, yet you are not walking in “the light”?  Or are you burdened for the broken, lost and suffering world that we live in?  May we truly search our hearts and build our “house on the rock” of Jesus Christ The Lord—the only way to God.  Jesus Christ The Lord, who gave Himself to be our substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin; it’s what He came to be and do!

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”   Matthew 1:21

Yet Jesus’ warning to us is still valid today, what will you choose, The Rock or the sand?  Have you been saved “from” your “sins”?  Jesus saves, delivers and transforms?  What about you?

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it…

 .. 21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended

these sayings,

the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them

as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”                                    Portions of Matthew 7:20-27

So, as you read or post things from scripture, especially 2 Chronicles 7:14, you might want to take some time and be sure you are living what you’re posting!

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”  2 Corinthians 13:5

Are you calling others to do the same and:

“…speaking the truth in love…”  Ephesians 4:15a

What “ifs” are you wrestling with?  May God do HIS work in us, that the world may KNOW that Jesus is Lord and King!!

Amen and Amen!!!

The Gift Of Memory??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #626

19 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Bibe Study, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Distractions, Encouragement, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Great is Thy Faithfulness, JESUS, Jesus IS The Gift!, Knowing God's Word, Listening To God, Memory

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #626     The Gift Of Memory???

 

The memory can be a precious gift of God, and unlike a computer, we don’t have a “delete” button to clear our minds, but we can seek God’s cleansing power to keep our hearts and minds tuned to Him and His truth.  And while there are good memories and unpleasant memories, we can train ourselves to think on the things of God rather than the things of the world, so I simply want to share some scriptures which I pray will help you ‘think’ right and dwell on godly things—doable but not easy!

“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 we learn to pursue the things that God calls us to, and Paul gives us a great instruction for us.

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen

in me,

do:

 and the God of peace

shall be with you.”    Philippians 4:6-9

I pray that you will spend some time today thinking “on these things”.  We face so much wickedness in our world, it takes a mind set on Jesus to keep us on track; but as we pursue God, we will find Him faithful and sufficient!

“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.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this

unto you.”  Philippians 3:13-15.

We need to remember that we are in a spiritual battle, and that battle is won in the mind and heart, and we must do our part by learning to think biblically and measure all things by God’s Word.  The battle is in our minds.

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down

of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”    2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I pray that you will seek God’s heart today as you face the issues of life.

Amen and Amen!!!

“My son,

attend to

my words;

incline thine ear

unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart

from thine eyes;

keep them

in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those

that find them,

and health

to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence;

for out of it are the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:20-23

Is My Life Pleasing To My Lord??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 25

16 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Bibe Study, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Fearlessness, God's provision, Growing in Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus' Sacrifice, Knowing God's Word, Only One Way, Righteousness, Salvation, SIN, Study to Show Yourself Approved Unto God, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Victorious Living, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 25   Is My Life Pleasing To My Lord???

 

I’d like to focus our attention upward, in a way that I pray will be an encouragement to us all.  We live in a culture that is so “me” focused (even the church has bought into the “me” ideology) that all is based on what will “please” the masses, make them comfortable, contented and confused—for compromise will only produce confusion.  Yet God has called us to know HIM and His Word, and when we will commit ourselves to know Him through His Word, we will begin to focus on our Lord not ourselves!

I would like us to consider Paul’s prayer for the Colossians, a passage that I have used often, and pray that we can learn from today.

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire that ye might be filled

with the knowledge

of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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 1:9-14

Paul reminded the believers in Colossae twice in this brief prayer that they needed to grow and increase in the “knowledge” of God!  We can’t live faithful and productive lives for Jesus, without knowing Him personally as well as knowing what His Word says.  We can’t march in the Army of The King, without knowing what our marching orders are!  We are to walk “worthy” of our Lord, His Word, His calling and His purposes.  Yet so many today think we simply receive a ticket to heaven, with no commitment to Jesus who died for our sin, or any allegiance to HIS kingdom.  We have forgotten the admonition of the Lord Jesus as well as of Joshua. (For many have changed to gospel to a “get out of hell free card” rather than a recognition of our sin, and repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord!).

“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

And Jesus’ own warning to all:

“No man 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.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment? …

… 31 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.”  Portions of Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus gives us our marching orders, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness”!  What are you/I seeking?  Are we pursuing God’s kingdom or our own?  Jesus makes it very clear that we can’t serve GOD and self at the same time (mammon simply means that which is of the world—be it money, fame, popularity, power, or simply self-reliance!).  But our churches are full of those who claim the name of Jesus yet continue to live life on their own terms not God’s!  It grieves me that we have so blatantly disregarded The Word of God and its clear teachings and with wholesale disregard have chosen the ways of the world and invited them into the church.  The church is the Body of Christ (the Bride of our soon coming King) and should never rely on the resources of the world to do God’s work!  Jesus also made it clear that “saying so doesn’t make it so”!

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

And then Jesus goes on to give one of the simplest, yet profound pictures of truefaith ever given—yet so many count it only as a children’s song!  So, the question is “What are you building on—HIS will or your own?”—the Rock or the sand?

“Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house

upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house

upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”   Matthew 7:24-27

To be pleasing unto the Lord requires knowing and having Jesus as your Lord and Savior!  Knowing it is never our righteousness that saves, but the sacrifice of Jesus which imparts to us His righteousness and eternal life “in him”.

“For he hath made him

to be sin

for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21. Amen and Amen!

When we possess the ‘righteousness of God in him”; when our foundation is anchored on Jesus, there is no storm that can fell us!  But when our foundation is built on the sand (even if we paint it up to look like a “Jesus” house) it will fail.  In fact, the example implies that both houses looked alike on the outside, but one was on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, the other on sinking sand.   What about you?  What are you doing to please God?  Or are you so busy pleasing self and the world that you’ve missed the foundation of Jesus?

I would like to close with some passages that speak to that which pleases God in the lives of His own; and why we need to diligently pursue Him through His Word!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,  

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

“Study to shew thyself

approved unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun

profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase

unto more ungodliness.”    2 Timothy 2:15-16

“All scripture

is given by inspiration

of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:      

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,  (mature)

throughly furnished  (equipped)

unto all good works.”    2 Timothy 3:16-17

And more of Paul’s teaching to the churches at Colossae and Thessalonica.

“And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father

by him.

18 Wives,

submit yourselves unto your own husbands,

as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands,

love your wives,

and be not bitter against them.

20 Children,

obey your parents

in all things:

for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger,

lest they be discouraged.

22 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 3:17-24

“For our exhortation was not of deceit,

nor of uncleanness,

nor in guile:

4 But as we were allowed of God

to be put in trust with the gospel,

even so we speak;

not as pleasing men,

but God,

which trieth our hearts.”  1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

“And whatsoever we ask,

we receive of him,

because we keep his commandments,

and do those things

that are pleasing in his sight.”   1 John 3:22

And some of my favorite words of encouragement and hope:

“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 3:5-7

Amen and Amen!!!

Whose Box Are You In??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 08

06 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Beauty of Holiness, Children, Choices And Consequences, Consider Your ways, Dare To Be Different!, Encouragement, Family, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Holiness, IN Jesus!, In The Beginning, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Not Of This World, Only One Way, Seeing Truth, Suffering With Jesus, That They May Know, The Father of Lies!, The Word Or The World?, Truth is True, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol.14 No.08     Whose Box Are You In???

 

I’m going to broach a subject that may cause me to lose some of you, but nonetheless, it’s a topic that I feel that Christian women need to consider, especially in light of what we are teaching our young girls and young women.  I think that we have allowed the world to dictate and sway our thinking about women.  Being a woman who was adversely affected by the tripe that was touted in the 60’s about ‘women’ being ‘liberated’, and “bringing home the bacon”, “cooking it up”, and being the “everything to everyone”—the sex-goddess without an apron in the kitchen.  Well, I’m here to tell you—we were lied to!  God’s plan is the only plan that will bring us joy, peace and the opportunity to influence our families, our world, so we can see mountains moved for Jesus.  What I’ve learned in these years of failures and successes is that ultimately, finding out what GOD said about us as women, the home, and our ‘true north’ of focus, is that the only ‘box’ that brings true fulfillment is knowing and pursuing God and His plan.

I read a story recently of a person who was given a fine Swiss watch, but it quit running.  After taking it to several repair shops, who said they couldn’t fix it, someone was going to be in Switzerland on an unrelated task, so they took it to the original manufacturer and told them it wasn’t running.  Sometime later the person received the watch back in perfect running order!  How?  Because the original manufacturer “knew” the watch and what it would take to fix it—for they had created it.  And the point?  God is the “original” creator and He  designed us male and female for a reason; He established marriage with a purpose (and it wasn’t to set up a race for ‘superior and inferior’ member of the union)—but rather that the home would be a place where love would abound, where a man and a woman could grow and blossom into the people that God created them to be—and ‘In Jesus’ we can blossom as we were created to do—male and female, truly becoming ONE—propagating life and the Gospel!

“In whom we have redemption

 through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him

were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

 or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him

all things consist.” Colossians 1:14-17

God is creator, and The Son was right there with Him, so we can trust in our God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—Creator and sustainer!!!  His plan is the best plan ever–still!

“In the beginning

was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things

were made by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him

was life;

and the life

was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth

in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

We live in a culture that at this moment is promoting “strong” women—but often what they are promoting as ‘strength’ is more like defiance of the God-given characteristics of men and women!  We women were never created or called to be men, nor vice-versa.  God created ‘male’ and ‘female’ with intent and purpose; woman was brought to the man as a “completer” not a “competer”, and God made us to encourage and strengthen one another by our unique differences!  God made us as the crowning glory of His work of creation; and the home to be the nurturing incubator to build the next generation—for better or for worse!  Instead of caving to the culture, God wants us to call the culture to the cross—not fall in the gutter with them!

We talked last week about those who were “past feeling”, and this fits in today; we are living amongst a people who have decided that anyone who considers God’s way as the right way, is out of touch with reality!  The truth is that God IS true ‘reality’; yet we often let the world trap, fool and deceive us into accepting and joining in with their rejection and revision of God’s order, forsaking the truth for a lie!  Jesus dealt with these same issues when He walked this earth, the more truth He spoke the more those in positions of authority defied, denied and demeaned Him.

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

 ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin?

And if I say the truth,

why do ye not believe me?

 47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”   John 8:42-47

One thing that we often forget is that Jesus warned us that if we choose to follow Him and go God’s way, then we would face the same things that he faced.  Many don’t like to consider this, for so many preach an ‘easy believe-ism’ that says if we follow Jesus we will always be accepted—healthy, wealthy, painless.  As I had someone tell me once, as I was teaching on suffering and persecution, ‘if you are nice to others, they will be nice to you’; and while that sounds really nice (and we are to be nice to others) it is not always true.  I’ll use the same answer now, as I used then, I simply asked about Jesus—did He always do right; yes!  Did He always respond in truth; yes!  Did He always speak the right thing, to the right person, at the right time, in the right way-yes!  Yet what did ‘they’ do to Him?  The “loved” Him to death—they cried out “crucify Him”!  Less than a week after Palm Sunday’s shouts of “hosanna”, they were crying “Crucify him…”.  We can expect the same—male and female!

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”   John 15:17-21

Back to our thoughts about women and the family, one of the things I want us to consider is, what/who are we holding up to our children as “heroes”?  Who are we teaching/allowing them to dress like, behave like, and listen to?  The people that saturate the media with their ungodliness, or those who lived for God in the past as well as those who are living for Him and honoring Him now.  Are we teaching our young men and women that building a home is a priority, or that it’s simply an ‘add-on’ to living life for your selfish desires, if it fits in?  Are we teaching and leading our children, both our sons and our daughters, to value and pursue godliness, or have we abandoned them to the world, it’s glitz and glamour, and its vile icons?  Are we helping them be like the world or to pursue holiness?  I truly believe that godly women—moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, neighbors, and friends—can still make a difference in the world!  And whether they know it or not, the world needs true, biblical, godly men and women to lead us into the future.  Scripture gives us some guidelines; the problem is we seem to be failing to make teaching our young ones The Word of God a priority.  If your son or daughter can pitch a perfect no-hitter, or make 3-point baskets all night, or if they are a ‘fashion plate’ of modern dress, if they don’t know Jesus, what do they have?  We can’t assure that they will always make good choices, but we are to help them learn the difference between godly and ungodly; and not just our own children, but those we have the opportunity to influence; as well as other adults God sends our way!

“But speak thou the things

which become sound doctrine:

2 That the aged men

be sober,

grave,

temperate,

sound

in faith,

in charity,

in patience.

3 The aged women likewise,

that they be in behaviour

as becometh holiness,

not false accusers,

not given to much wine,

teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach

the young women

to be sober,

to love their husbands,

to love their children,

5 To be discreet,

chaste,

keepers at home,

good,

obedient to their own husbands,

that the word of God

be not blasphemed.

6 Young men likewise

exhort to be sober minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself

a pattern of good works:

in doctrine

shewing uncorruptness,

gravity,

sincerity,

8 Sound speech,

that cannot be condemned;

that he that is of

the contrary part

may be ashamed,

having no evil thing

to say of you.”  Titus 2:1-8

Paul says so much in these few verses, he is calling Christian men and women to live above reproach—that we don’t bring shame to the name of our Lord Jesus!  He calls us to pass on this ‘higher call’ to those among whom we have influence.  And whether we work outside the home or not, godly women should know that love is more importantly ‘acted out’ rather than simply ‘spoken’.  For to speak truth effectively, we must live it!  Continually!

And when we are living truth, we will be used by God to make a difference.  Why do we allow people with, to say the least, questionable character to be praised before our daughters?  Why have we abandoned the truth and power available through the ideal of godly, humble, powerful women of GOD?

It often escapes us that Paul’s admonition to the “older” women to teach the “younger” women, is a two-fold call; for every woman has someone in their life that is ‘younger’, and at the same time we have those who are ‘older’ than we are.  We are to share with one another the power of biblical truth for living!  Get off of your social-media and make a call, make a visit, connect with a real person—in person!  We are quickly losing the art of personal communication—and we need personal relationships NOT virtual ones!

What has happened to sharing with our young ones the call to be an ‘Esther’-a woman with an opportunity to rescue her nation; to be a Hannah, a praying woman and a self-less mother; to be a Ruth, a loving servant to her mother-in-law, and a humble convert and servant of God; to be a Deborah (and I’ll lose some of you here) a godly woman of God, used to be a powerful inspiration to encourage men to follow and accept God’s call to lead and overcome (not to take their place—oooops, I just lost some of you!)!  How about modern women of faith?  Corrie Ten Boom, a powerful woman of faith, truth and strength!   Amy Carmichael, a powerful woman of God who served tirelessly on the mission field! Elizabeth Elliot, who helped show the world that a godly widow can make a difference! Ruth Graham, a quite woman of faith, strength and courage, who supported her husband’s ministry and raised her children with dignity and truth to be servants of God!  The list could go on, but I think you get the point.  We often teach about the Daniels, and Josephs, and we should, but don’t forget God’s examples of godly women!  And one point I’d like to leave with you is to get your children and grandchildren into reading the biographies of the faithful servants of God from the past and the present!  May we be Proverbs 31 women who ‘fear The Lord’ and seek God’s praise over the praise of men, sharing with those around us?

“Favour is deceitful,

and beauty is vain:

but a woman that feareth the LORD,

she shall be praised.   

31 Give her

of the fruit of her hands;

and let her own works

praise her in the gates.”   Proverbs 31:30-31

Let’s stop binge-eating at the world’s table, and feast on The Word of God, and the company of other godly women! (or men as the case may be). Peter reminds us that God has a higher standard than the world—will we accept the challenge or fall for the lies of the enemy.  And note, Peter points out that our “life-style” of holiness (conversation) is more of a testimony than nagging (ouch!)!

Men and women are called to appreciate our respective differences, and pursue God’s work in our lives, as we share each with the other, and for the sake of time and space, I’ll only share a portion of 1 Peter 3.  I encourage you to read chapter 2 and 3 this week (In fact the whole book is a doable thing, and it’s all about suffering for Jesus—for living holy lives in a broken world!).

“Likewise, ye wives,

be in subjection to your own husbands;

that, if any obey not the word,

they also may

without the word

be won by the conversation

of the wives;

2 While they behold

your chaste conversation

coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning

let it not be that outward adorning

of plaiting the hair,

and of wearing of gold,

or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man

of the heart,

 in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament

of a meek

and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God

of great price…

….7 Likewise, ye husbands,

dwell with them

according to knowledge,

giving honour unto the wife,

as unto the weaker vessel,

and as being heirs together

of the grace of life;

that your prayers

be not hindered.

8 Finally,

be ye all of one mind,

having compassion one of another,

love as brethren,

be pitiful,

be courteous:

9 Not rendering

evil for evil,

or railing for railing:

but contrariwise

blessing;

knowing that ye are thereunto called,

that ye should inherit a blessing.”    Portions of 1 Peter 3:1-9

Let me close by saying, God created male and female—and we are to treasure the differences without yielding our God-given roles!  And yes, I believe we have “roles”—not subservient roles (either way) but roles of complementors and completers not competitors!  God calls us to love—agape love—to do that which is always for the other persons good, not just our own!  And sometimes it hurts to love that way, but I’m so grateful that Jesus loved me enough to give His life for mine.  How could I/we do less for one another, especially within a home!!!

“This is my commandment,

That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for his friends.”    John 15:12-13

Amen and Amen!!!

Dents, Dings, And Delicatessens??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 05

15 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Beauty of Holiness, Bling, Changed Lives, Children, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Harmless As Doves, Holiness, Holy Living, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Knowing God's Word, Liars, Lies That Defeat Us, Listening To God, Marriage, Obedience, Power of The Cross, Repentance, Seeing Truth, Take Up YOUR Cross, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Word Or The World?, Trendy Or Truth, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Victorious Living, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol.14 No.05 Dents, Dings, And Delicatessens???

 

I know some of you are wondering what this has to do with our Christian life; others of you who know me better, know that I’ll sure try to make it relevant to our daily living; if I don’t, then I’m not really fulfilling my goal and passion of sharing biblical sustenance with hungry people—believers or not–for believers, because many don’t have a steady diet of biblical truth; for unbelievers, praying that they may be drawn to Jesus! For when it is all said and done, without Jesus, the resurrected Lord of glory, there is no hope! Paul said it so clearly and concisely!

“And if Christ be not raised,

your faith is vain;

ye are yet in your sins.

18 Then they also

which are fallen asleep in Christ

are perished.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ,

we are of all men most miserable.

20 But now is Christ risen

from the dead,

and become the firstfruits

of them that slept.”    1 Corinthians 15:17-20

Jesus is our hope, our joy, and our rejoicing—for without Him we have no ‘hope of glory’, heaven, or eternal life!

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ

by the commandment

of God

our Saviour,

and Lord Jesus Christ,

which is our hope;

2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith:

Grace,

mercy,

and peace,

from God our Father

and Jesus Christ our Lord.”  1 Timothy 1:1-2

We can have hope when we look to Christ Jesus in all things; He is our hope both past, present and future!  How about you, is HE your hope?  Paul gives us a beautiful picture of living by faith in his letter to the Colossian believers:

“But now ye also

put off all these;

anger,

wrath,

malice,

 blasphemy,

filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another,

seeing that ye have put off the old man

with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him

that created him:

11 Where there is neither

Greek nor Jew,

circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian,

bond nor free:

but Christ is all,

and in all.

12 Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly (be at home in you!)

in all wisdom;

teaching

and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

 singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father

 by him.” Colossians 3:8-17

 

Are we living our lives for Jesus in this manner? Or are we so soft, spiritually speaking, that any little thing can keep us from our Lord, from His Word, from His ways, from His principles and expectations?  It seems that all around us people claim the name of Jesus, but have no regard for who HE IS, what HE says, or what HE has called His followers to be and do (and remember, being always precedes doing!)!  We seem to be more concerned about taking care of our new car, than we are about maintaining our testimony for Jesus.  We’ll park a mile away from the door to keep from having someone ding our car; but we’ll get as close to sin as we can, thinking that we can ‘handle’ it.  All the while, letting our intimacy with Jesus slip away!  We’ll be sure and have any little dent in our car or truck buffed out, painted over, or do whatever it takes to fix it and keep it looking new; but what about our walk with Jesus?  We are often more concerned about the appearance of our vehicle, or our wardrobe than about our appearance and testimony before a word that is in desperate need of real, genuine, holy followers of Jesus, those who are truly taking up their “cross” and following HIM!   Are you taking up the cross or hiding your connection to it?

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

 or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”   Matthew 16:24-26

It saddens me that sometimes when I go to church, I see the same immodest (to say the least) attire that I see out in the world. I see just as many bosoms, bulges, and bottoms as I see out in the world!  I just can’t believe that it ought to be this way!

“I will therefore that men pray

every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath

and doubting.

9 In like manner also,

that women adorn themselves

in modest apparel,

with shamefacedness

and sobriety;

not with broided hair,

or gold,

or pearls,

or costly array;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness)

with good works.”   1 Timothy 2:8-10

In other words, God isn’t going to judge our “bling” but our “godliness’!

“Likewise, ye wives,

be in subjection to your own husbands;

 that, if any obey not the word,

they also may

without the word

be won by the conversation

of the wives;

2 While they behold your

chaste conversation

coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be

that outward adorning

of plaiting the hair,

and of wearing of gold,

or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart,

in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament

of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God

of great price,”  1 Peter 3:1-4

Why are we more willing to follow the passions, patterns, and popular fashions of the world, than to be godly women, committed to being a reflection of our Lord in all holiness?  I, for one, pray that my heart will be set on the call of God, rather than the call of the world.  Yet, it’s not just women, the men have a calling as well.  And it’s not to be harsh, selfish, and fixed on the biggest ‘toys’ on the lot!  Peter goes on to call men to holiness, reminding us all that we answer to a higher call than that of the world’s fashion, fad or fickle passions.  We are called to godly faithfulness in our marriages, our outside interactions, and our hearts desires—male and female!

“Likewise, ye husbands,

dwell with them according to knowledge,

giving honour unto the wife,

as unto the weaker vessel,

and as being heirs together

of the grace of life;

that your prayers be not hindered.

8 Finally, be ye all

of one mind,

having compassion one of another,

love as brethren,

be pitiful,

be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil,

or railing for railing:

but contrariwise

blessing;

knowing that ye are

thereunto called,

that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life,

and see good days,

let him refrain his tongue

from evil,

and his lips

that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil,

and do good;

let him seek peace,

and ensue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord

are over the righteous,

and his ears

are open unto their prayers:

but the face of the Lord

is against them that do evil.”   1 Peter 3:7-12

If I may speak to the men, God called you to be the spiritual leaders of your homes, yet we live in a culture when Satan is wreaking havoc in families all around us.  Men are throwing away their families –and women too—for the pleasures of “sin for a season”!  And then we wonder why our families, our children, our homes are falling apart.  One reason is that we have bought into the popular “ME” culture, and if our marriage has a ‘ding’, or a ‘dent’ we just ‘trade up’ for a newer, better, younger, or more ‘suitable’ (in our eyes) person.  Or even more often, we just “shack up”, as my momma used to call it, rather than pursuing a godly commitment to the covenant of marriage.  Without a strong priority for marriage, our homes will continue to fall apart—scarring our children along the way.  (And please understand that I speak this with a heavy heart, for I bought the lies many years ago and caused harm to so many, including my own children! Choices that I have repented of, sought the forgiveness of others, and tried to make amends where I could.  But like the story goes of the little boy who did hurtful things, and his father gave him a pillow and told him to scatter the feathers all over town.  The next day he gave the boy the pillow cover and told him to go and retrieve the feathers. The boy came home with only a small amount of the feathers in the cover, and told the dad, “I couldn’t find any more feathers.”  To which his father replied, “That’s how it is with our words, and our actions, when we say or do harmful things!  We can never go back and totally erase the damage that we have done?  So, you need to be more careful about your choices!” And that story still teaches an important principle today!). God’s commentary is an oft ignored commentary, but still as true as when He spoke it; and the heart of America is much like the heart of Israel to whom Malachi spoke—and just FYI, putting away is a reference to divorce. (Referring to causeless divorce—there are biblical grounds for divorce, but they are for the protection of the innocent, not for the convenience or whims of greedy, lustful men and women!)

“And did not he make one?

Yet had he the residue of the spirit.

And wherefore one?

That he might seek a godly seed.

Therefore take heed to your spirit,

and let none deal treacherously

against the wife of his youth.

16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith

that he hateth putting away:

for one covereth violence

with his garment,

saith the LORD of hosts:

therefore take heed to your spirit,

that ye deal not treacherously.

17 Ye have wearied the LORD

with your words.

Yet ye say,

Wherein have we wearied him?

When ye say,

Every one that doeth evil

is good in the sight of the LORD,

and he delighteth in them;

or, Where is the God of judgment?”    Malachi 2:15-17

Some of you are saying, “Ok, Blanche, we’ve talked about dents and dings, what about the delicatessen?”  Well, it has to do with something I’ve been teaching in my Bible study class on Revelation.  But first I want us to see that we have all in Jesus; we have His provision for our salvation, all because HE loved us first, and calls us to follow His example rather than live delicatessen style.

“We love him,

because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:19

I love delicatessens, we have a new one near our home, and I love to go in and get those ooey, gooey sandwiches and just pick the meat and cheese that I like!  And that’s how many today are claiming to follow Jesus—they pick and choose which parts of His Word they want to accept, follow and yield to!  I pray that we will see the error of our ways, repent of our sin (whether we are believers or unbelievers, for even genuine children of God sin—see 1 John 1:9+), and follow Him faithfully and obediently.

“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 10:10-11

 

Are you following the ‘thief’ or the “good shepherd”?  He repairs dings, dents and helps us choose wisely in all we do, whereas the thief will lie to you and steal your soul, your life and your loved ones!  Don’t let him—look to Jesus instead!

“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.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.

15 John bare witness of him,

and cried, saying,

This was he of whom I spake,

He that cometh after me

is preferred before me:

for he was before me.

16 And of his fulness

have all we received,

and grace for grace.”  John 1:10-16

I would like to bring this to a close with the warning that God gives to the world in the last days—and while we aren’t in ‘the last of the last’ we are closer than we think, in my humble opinion.  It hit me this week as I was studying and working on my lesson, that we live in a world controlled by lusts and passions for the “delicacies” of the world (Babylon being, at the least, a reference to the worldly order).

“For all nations have drunk

of the wine

 of the wrath

of her fornication,

and the kings of the earth

have committed fornication with her,

and the merchants of the earth

are waxed rich

through the abundance of her delicacies.

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying,

Come out of her,

my people,

that ye be not partakers of her sins,

and that ye receive not

of her plagues. ..

… 14 And the fruits

that thy soul lusted after

are departed from thee,

and all things

which were dainty

and goodly

are departed from thee,

and thou shalt find them

no more at all…

..18 And the fruits

that thy soul lusted after

are departed from thee,

and all things

which were dainty

and goodly

are departed from thee,

and thou shalt find them

no more at all..

….22….for by thy sorceries

were all nations deceived.”    Portions of Revelation 18:3-22

I pray that God speaks to our hearts, opens our eyes to see what HE sees, and leads us to be men and women of godly faithfulness before a lost and dying world, for time is short!  Amen and Amen!