Category Archives: Life

Are You Carrying The Word??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #514

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Follow Jesus, Life, Living Right, Salvation, The Word, Walking With Jesus, Witness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #514  Are You Carrying The Word???

 

Or are you letting The Word carry YOU? Sometimes we think that just because we ‘carry’ a Bible around with us that we are special; but the truth is that we are to let “The Word” carry us. While I’m often asked if I am one of those ‘Bible Thumpers’, I don’t’ mind answering in the affirmative, but not in the sense that many think of. I am absolutely confident in the veracity, dependability and relevance of The Word of God—the written Word as well as the Living Word, Jesus; and it is the life that makes me confident. It is not only the foundation of all that I believe as a Christian and follower of Jesus, but it is also the source of my living each and every day for, with and through Jesus.

“To whom God would make known

what is the riches

of the glory of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27

It’s not the Word (my Bible) that I carry around with me, which gives me life, but it is The Word in me—working God’s work amidst a lost and dying world.

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”   Philippians 2:12-13

Not working ‘for’ our salvation, but working out the salvation that God has put within us, for His glory and the propagation of the Gospel! Even Jesus was doing the work of The Father, by the power of His own deity within flesh, and the presence of His Father through the Holy Spirit, it was His very sustenance! When the disciples wondered why He wasn’t hungry on a particular occasion, He taught them this truth:

“Jesus saith unto them,

My meat

is to do the will of him

that sent me,

and to finish his work.” John 4:34

If the very Son of God depended on The Father to accomplish HIS work in and through Him, how much more do we need to yield to HIS work in and through us! We are to live recognizing the truth that it is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”! It’s all about what HE can do through us, when we but give Him the reins of our life to lead, direct and work HIS work today and each day on our life’s journey.

Our job is to put The Word in us—the written Word—and allow The Living Word to be seen as we live out our faith before a world that needs Jesus! Taking God’s Word as our source of life, applying its truths by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who can use even ‘cracked pots’ like me and you. He takes imperfect, marred vessels and transforms us into vessels of honor and value to our KING as we sacrifice our will to HIS!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove what is that

good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2

Transformed lives are our testimony of grace! All by the Word of God—the Living Word, Jesus, and the written Word, the Bible! It is our power of living as believers, and the standard of judgment for all when we stand before The Holy, Almighty God of all creation. So, are you simply carrying around a Bible without letting it affect you? Or are you being transformed into the image of Jesus day by day as HE carries you? The choice is yours! But there is a test!

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”   Hebrews 4:12-13

It’s All About Jesus!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #509

16 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Glory, Grace, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Life, Praise God Today!, The Word, TODAY

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #509  It’s All About Jesus!!!

 

“For I am the least of the apostles,

that am not meet to be called an apostle,

because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God

I am

what I am:

and his grace

which was bestowed upon me

was not in vain;

but I laboured more abundantly than they all:

yet not I,

but the grace of God

which was with me.

11 Therefore whether it were I

or they,

so we preach,

and so ye believed.”   1 Corinthians 15:9-11

I praise God for these words of Paul—“ by the grace of God I am what I am”! What a glorious confidence we can have in Jesus Christ our Lord, for He works His work in us through grace not our own frail efforts/works which Isaiah describes as “filthy rags”! (See Isaiah 64:6) We are to work for Jesus out of His power, grace and strength—never our own; so He can display His wondrous power before a lost and dying world who needs to see Him in us! You and I may be the only “Bible” that some may ever read; and if that is true what are they reading in me today?

We are to seek Him continually in prayer and Bible study—that is where we will grow in Him and He will take what we give to Him and transform it into HIS image for His glory! We simply need to press on with, for and through the power of Jesus Christ our Lord, learning to know Him more intimately each and every day! It’s simple but not easy—it requires devotion and commitment to the things of God rather that the things that call us from a dark and corrupt world trying to rob us of our testimony and influence—don’t succumb to the “wiles of the devil”, but press on with Jesus!

“That I may know him,

and the power

of his resurrection,

and the fellowship

of his sufferings,

being made conformable

unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend

that for which also

I am apprehended of Christ Jesus

13 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 3:10-14

I can do this because of what Jesus has done for me/us!!! His life for mine—for yours! And when He dwells in us we can go forward in HIS power, love and grace!!! Press on dear ones—press on, so that:

“I may know him,

and the power

of his resurrection,

and the fellowship

of his sufferings”

Grace, my friends –grace that saves lost sinners like me!                                       Grace that takes cracked pots and makes us a glory to God!                                    Grace that heals broken hearts and lives, and makes them vessels of honor unto God! Amen! But how? By the indwelling of our Lord via His Holy Spirit living within us and empowering us for “His” work—not our own! (See Jn. 4:34)

“To whom God would make known

what is the riches

of the glory

of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:”   Colossians 1:27

Remember to “forget” “those things which are behind” for God has a new day for you to live today– Right here—Right now. Go for it friend, just keep those eyes on Jesus!

“Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

 

Knowing that: “……. he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25b

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Who’s Your Builder??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 04

03 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in Labor, Life, Work

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 04 Who’s Your Builder???

 

I’d like to share a few things with you today, as many in the US will be celebrating Labor Day; a time when we honor those who live productive lives and support our culture with ‘work’. Work is something we all make jokes about, but if you’ve ever been without ‘work’, you know that the joys of honest, fruitful ‘work’ can be a satisfaction to heart and soul as well as fruitful to the bank account. What we often forget is that God gave us labor—as a gift of His creation—the opportunity to be a part of His glorious creation—whether we are producing actual ‘produce’, skilled work, creativity or intellectual activity. God wants us to take joy in our ‘labor’ and see it as an opportunity to serve Him.

“And the LORD God formed man

of the dust of the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils

the breath of life;

and man became a living soul.

8 And the LORD God planted a garden

eastward in Eden;

and there he put the man whom he had formed.

9 And out of the ground

made the LORD God to grow

every tree that is pleasant to the sight,

and good for food…….

15 And the LORD God took the man,

and put him into the garden of Eden

to dress it

and to keep it.” Portions of Genesis 2:7-15

God provided everything in the creation to support humanity, yet He gave this man, Adam, a job—not because he lacked something, but because work is a good thing, just as God ‘worked’ in creating all these things, He calls us to work to care for ourselves and others—to be an example of a godly work-ethic!

“Neither did we eat any man’s bread

for nought;

but wrought

with labour

and travail

night and day,

that we might not be chargeable

to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power,

but to make ourselves an ensample

unto you

to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you,

this we commanded you,

that if any would not work,

neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some

which walk among you disorderly,

working not at all,

but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such

we command

and exhort

by our Lord Jesus Christ,

that with quietness they work,

and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren,

be not weary

in well doing.” 2 Thessalonians 3:8-13

It seems that Paul had some experience with people who held an “entitlement” mentality—it’s not new! If you read through the Proverbs you’ll find that laziness, sloth and entitlement aren’t new, but God calls His own to set an example of diligent work and provision for our own needs and the needs of those around us who can’t help themselves; God designed us that way, and He expects us to be examples of productivity not laziness and neglect.

“But if any provide not

for his own,

and specially for those

of his own house,

he hath denied the faith,

and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8

Those who claim the name of Jesus ought to be the best in the workforce, no matter their field. It doesn’t mean we all have to be great entrepreneurs or millionaires, but it does mean that we ought to be the best that we can be in the job that we have—every minute that I am at work—not thieves but diligent workers who don’t ‘give to get’ but those who ‘get to give’!

“Let him that stole

steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands

the thing which is good,

that he may have

to give

to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28

We are to work for God’s glory, taking care of our own, and helping others as we have resources and opportunity; living a selfless life of giving—not a selfish life concentrated on getting more money for ourselves. We must keep our eyes on the goal and the prize—JESUS’ glory, our eternal reward!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth

and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through

and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth

nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”   Matthew 6:19-21

As we think of treasure, let’s tie all this together with our title subject of “building”, what are we building and for whom. Who is your builder? Are we honoring God with our labor? Are we laboring for the right reward? These are questions that we all must ask ourselves, for no one else knows your/my heart but God, and He will reveal truth to us if we will but seek HIS face and ask for HIS wisdom!

“Except the LORD build the house,

they labour in vain that build it:

except the LORD keep the city,

the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you

to rise up early,

to sit up late,

to eat the bread of sorrows:

for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;

so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man

that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak with the enemies

in the gate.”   Psalm 127:1-5

God builds on the Rock, Jesus–the expressed love of God in Jesus’ sacrifice for us– not on the values that the world clings to; sins of greed, lies and self. God’s love also values life and children—they are the only heritage that God gives here on earth. It is a gift of passing on life, love and the truth of Jesus to affect and change this lost and dying world.

May we each take time today and examine our lives, our hearts, and our minds to see if we are reflecting the glory of our Lord or settling for the imitation of life that the world offers. May we yield to God’s work in our lives that we may reflect His glory to the world, no matter what our “work” may be—from the mother rocking her baby to the CEO carrying the load of a large entity—from the trash man to the Pastor—from the farmer to the waitress! May we each strive to be God’s handiwork before the world today! Yesterday is already gone—tomorrow may not arrive—but we have today, so let’s go forward! And don’t let the past hold you down, simply be the best “laborer” for God that you/I can be! Today!

“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

Amen and Amen!