Category Archives: Living Right

You’re Not A DIY!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 02

25 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Compromise, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Dependence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Filled With His Spirit, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God Is In Charge, God's provision, Gospel, Growing in Jesus!, Holy Living, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Listening To God, Living Right, Make Like A Tree?, Plumbline?, Polluted by the world?, Salvation, Saved by grace, SIN, Sovereignty, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus, Walking With Jesus, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 02  You’re Not A DIY!!!

 

We live in a culture of DIY—Do it YOURSELF!  But God never calls us to ‘fix’ ourselves but to yield to HIS love, work and transforming power.  I would like to share from the scriptures some food for thought to perhaps readjust our thinking.  I pray that it will touch hearts, encourage the faithful, convict those who have fallen for the lies of the enemy, by speaking the truth of God in love.  I do love and pray for each of you that will read this post, that God will speak HIS Word to your heart; that you will come to know that you don’t have to DIY; you simply have to “let God BE God”!

“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

God begins His work in us by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus—His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice of Himself for us.  We couldn’t save ourselves and apart from Jesus we surely can’t keep ourselves!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”   John 15:1-5

Just as a branch broken off of the tree will not grow—neither will we unless we abide in Jesus.  He has provided everything that we need to be faithful, successful followers of His!  God has called and equipped us to grow IN HIM!

“Grace and peace be multiplied

unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us

all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious

promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4

As Paul said above—God began it—and He will finish the work in 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?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not

with him

also freely give us

all things?”  Romans 8:28-32

And how do we become HIS?  By coming to Jesus in repentance and faith!  Only One Way—only One Savior:  “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And we come by faith in The One who died for you and me, who also said: “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”!  Amen! (See John 14:6 & 6:37)

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”   Ephesians 2:8-10

Instead of a DIY project, God calls us to die to self, and live unto Him, by Him and for Him!

“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

It’s all about JESUS!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

 to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.”  Romans 11:36

So my conclusion is that we must stop working on our own—doing our DIY project on ourselves–and let Jesus do HIS work in us, yielding to His Spirit, knowing His Word, His truth, and trusting to HIS perfect provision and providence (a word that we have mostly forgotten today)! Here are a few passages to help us focus on our Master Builder rather than ourselves!

“For it is God

which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”   Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

And more from our brother Paul:

“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

Finally, how do we know what it looks like to choose HIS way?  Again, Paul gives us an amazing contrast that I’ll leave with you!  You must decide if you will focus on the way of the flesh or The Spirit.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such

there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.”   Galatians 5:19-24

Remember the fruit can only come from abiding in the tree!  May we learn to measure with God’s plumb-line not the world’s; and abide in our LORD Jesus in all our ways!  Be fruitful!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Counterfeit Faith??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #505

02 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Faith, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Seeing Truth, SIN, Spiritual Warfare, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #505      Counterfeit Faith???

 

We’ve talked recently about ‘people of faith’, and I’d like to take a bit of a turn today. I’ve been seeing a lot of billboards, ads and social media input lately that I want to call our attention to because genuine believers are often gullible and naïve when it comes to what we hear and see, especially when it claims to be from “people of faith”. What I want to call us to consider today is ‘the counterfeit’: just because it “walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and even have feathers like a duck”, it may not really be a “duck”! Just like Jesus reminded us, not every thing that says, “baa baa” is a real “sheep”!

“Beware of false prophets,

which come to you

in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.”   Matthew 7:15

Counterfeit sheep–Jesus warned us that we must beware of whom we listen to, trust, and believe—especially in regard to faith. The issue with “people of faith” is that some claim one thing but have an agenda that is 180 degrees opposite of what they are ‘selling’ (or giving away!) and their real goal is to lead people away from biblical, authentic, and righteous ‘faith’ in the ‘blood of Jesus Christ…..that cleanseth us from all sin’!

We need to be careful and always aware that there are a lot of claims floating around from so-called ‘people of faith’ who are pushing a ‘faith’ in a ‘gospel’ that is totally foreign to the biblical Gospel that calls sin sin, and calls people to repentance and faith in Jesus alone, as the Only Way to God–the only way to be saved from sin, and its penalty (death and hell) to live a pure and holy life before God and man. These counterfeit ‘people of faith’ promote (in Jesus name) everything from abortion and sexual immorality to a debauched life and almost anything that is the opposite of a holy, righteous lifestyle conformed to biblical standards! Scripture calls us to examine things before we jump into them, for not every ‘spirit’ that speaks to our hearts and minds is from GOD!

“Beloved,

believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits

whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 

Just because something sounds ‘good’ on the surface, we need to ‘dig a little deeper’ into the source, whether it’s a sign on a billboard, or a cute ‘meme’, or an invitation to something ‘new’ and/or life changing! We must recognize that Satan is extremely busy these days, and we must inform ourselves of the things we encounter, always being ‘ware’ before we join or support anything or anyone who claims to present some new “ministry”. Checking out the “facts” before we contribute our time, money and energy into something that may turn out to be diametrically opposed to the very Savior whom we love and want to serve.

It’s important to know The Word, so that we can recognize the false when it comes along—and my friends, it is coming along in boatloads today—on TV, radio, books, newspapers, billboards and of course on social media. We must be sure we are trying every ‘spirit’ to see if it is “of God”, for not everyone is speaking (or writing) truth!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself

is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end

shall be according to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

I don’t mean to belabor the point, but we must, we simply must know truth to “…withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand…” (See Ephesians 6:10-19) We must keep God’s Word before us and examine the things we see and hear before we buy into what may be lies—as the old adage sums up so aptly, “look before you leap” (or believe, or follow or give!)!

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

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.”    Matthew 7:20-23

We must “try the spirits” that call to us every day and examine them in light of The Word, not the by the “cutesy”, eye-catching pictures, ads and slogans that they are using to mislead people—even genuine people of faith. We need to take special care as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are coming, beware of who you give your money to—you can check them out online to see how much of their ‘donations’ go to the people or causes they claim to be collecting to support and relieve—you might be surprised. I’ll simply leave you with the words of Jesus:

“Behold,

I send you forth

as sheep

in the midst of wolves:

be ye therefore

wise as serpents,

and harmless as doves.”   Matthew 10:16

Amen and Amen!

 

 

Our Life Or His??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #440

28 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Approved Unto God, Choose You This Day!, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Salvation, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Only Way, The Word, Thy Will Be Done, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #440        Our Life Or His???

 

As we talked last time about “blooming” for The Lord where He has planted us, I’d like us to dig a little deeper into how we are to bloom. We are called to be a reflection of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, not self!

“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 

If we will learn to keep this powerful principle before us, we could see so many things change around us—mostly ‘me’! I/we are called to let Christ be seen in us! So let’s take a few minutes this morning to remind ourselves of what He has called us to be—and do. For if we don’t “be” His, we can never “do” His work (pardon the grammar, but you get the point: doing comes out of the being, never vice-versa!)

“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.”   John 10:27-28

When we are HIS sheep we will hear His voice—the Holy Spirit—and we are to follow HIM, not self—HE is Lord!

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.” John 10:14

Jesus is “the good shepherd” and when we are His, He knows us and we will know Him. And as we dig into His Word we will see Him more quickly, respond more promptly, and walk more faithfully before God and man. Paul gives us a great reminder of the import of God’s Word, and the priority it ought to be in our lives—it’s our life compass!

“Study

to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

And I always like to point out that just as we are called to “rightly” divide/understand God’s truth, the implication is, that as there is a “right” way to divide/understand God’s Word, there is also a “wrong” way! And there seems to be a lot of folks “wrongly” dividing—twisting what The Word says. Yet when we will diligently pursue the understanding of His Word, God will help us to not only understand it, but also to apply it consistently and to “order our steps” His way!

“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,

throughly furnished

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

As we pursue living the crucified life, we will come to see what God has for us in His Word. And as we bring this post to a close, let’s consider some things that the Psalmist says to us about pursuing God’s ways, and having His presence and glory evident in our lives.

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

“Trust in the LORD, and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires

of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment as the noonday.”   Psalm 37:3-6

He is the shepherd—the supply—and the sufficiency—today, tomorrow and each day we are given, so may HE ever:

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

Amen and Amen!!!

Clean And Pure! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #437

16 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Anger, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Holiness, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Made like Jesus!, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, Trials, Troubles, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #437   Clean And Pure! Really???

 

We talked last time about Jesus—the real “Valentine”—The One who loves us and gave Himself for our salvation. But how are we to live this life of faith—the life of a child of God. Well there’s only One way to have a clean and pure walk with God, and that’ to walk with HIM, by the power of His Spirit.

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”    Zechariah 4:6

Only by God’s power can we succeed in any part of life, and He has given His Holy Spirit to dwell within each one whom He saves.

“That we should be to the praise of his glory,

who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted,

after that ye heard the word of truth,

the gospel of your salvation:

in whom also after that ye believed,

ye were sealed with that holy Spirit

of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance

until the redemption

of the purchased possession,

unto the praise

of his glory.”    Ephesians 1:12-14

Praise God it is HIS power not our own! As I’m was sitting here writing this—an interruption came! An interruption that has attempted to steal my joy and the power of HIS Spirit in me; an attempt to get my heart and mind off of my Lord and onto the works of my flesh—anger and frustration that take our minds off of HIM and onto ‘me’! But thanks to God’s gentle reminder, I am His and “this too shall pass”, and it’s: “Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts”!

Talk about an ‘object lesson’ right in the middle of this post—God is so good—and He brought this very verse that I was about to write, right into my heart and mind for real!

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us

lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.” James 4:5-8

Lord, I thank you that YOU remind me when my heart and mind start being distracted and get dirty by the interruptions of the world. Help me to “Cleanse” my hands and to “purify” my heart when the enemy tries to distract me from my calling!!! I’m so grateful that you are ever with us, working to make us more like our Master, our Lord and Savior, Jesus!!! May Jesus be praised in us always—and that can only happen when we yield to Your Spirit who is working within us 24/7! Amen and Amen. May you let God reveal your distractions to you today too!

“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….

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake

we are killed

all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep

for the slaughter.

37 Nay,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.”   Romans 8:28-29 & 35-37

Amen and Amen!!!