Category Archives: Perseverance

Drought And Patience??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #416

01 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, Drought & Patience?, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Knowing God's Word, My Grace Is Sufficient, Patience, Perseverance, The Word, Thy Will Be Done, Trials, Troubles, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #416 Drought And Patience???

 

“Be patient therefore, brethren,

unto the coming of the Lord.

Behold, the husbandman waiteth

for the precious fruit of the earth,

and hath long patience for it,

until he receive the early

and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient;

stablish your hearts:

for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

9 Grudge not one against another, brethren,

lest ye be condemned:

behold, the judge standeth

before the door.

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets,

who have spoken in the name of the Lord,

for an example of suffering affliction,

and of patience.

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure.

Ye have heard of the patience of Job,

and have seen the end of the Lord;

that the Lord is very pitiful,

and of tender mercy.” James 5:7-11 

We talked last time about rain and the need to keep short accounts with our personal lives before The Lord Jesus, and today I’d like us to think about the “P” word, and the need for endurance and patience!

James warned his readers about the danger of focusing on riches and material wealth rather than the provision of God. Living here in Oklahoma makes me more aware of drought than I ever have been, for without the rain things get pretty dry, brown and depressing around here. And it is only the provision and power of God that sends the early and the latter rains; and without them it can be disaster! Crops fail, the ponds go dry, the cattle can’t be sustained, and the water sources become desperately depleted. But the Lord is The God who “is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” and when we keep our focus on Him, His will and His Word—we can ‘wait’ for HIS provision–HIS perfect timing. He provides all things according to His will, to accomplish HIS purposes, and He is trustworthy! Always!!!

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways,

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow from heaven,

and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed to the sower,

and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be

that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish that

which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing

whereto I sent it.”    Isaiah 55:6-11

God’s ways, times, thoughts and purposes are not ours, for His ways are exponentially “higher than your ways”! When the times of drought come, we must keep “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”; we must exercise that “patience” that we keep saving for another day!! (One of my husband’s favorite expressions is, ‘I have patience, there are just times when I can’t use it!) We must “patiently” wait “for the precious fruit” that God is producing. The farmer never plants the seed and goes out the next day for the harvest!!! It takes “time”! The times of drought may be consuming your thoughts and energy, but keep your eyes on Jesus, the One who has promised to send the rains at the right and proper time!!! He has never let you or me go and we can wait for His timing—simple but not easy. But we can do it—for we are never alone!

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.……

8 Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”   Hebrews 13:5-6 & 8

Remember, He’s on your side today—rain or shine!!!

Church Wanted: Selling Or Standing??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 19

26 Sunday Nov 2017

Posted by in Changed Lives, Compromise, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Leading Or Mis-Leading?, Perseverance, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trials, Walking With Jesus

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A Repost from several years ago, but an issue I want to revisit, so I’ll share this one and the Part 2 next week, and then share some more current information.

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.19 Church Wanted: Selling Or Standing???

 

On our recent travels, I saw a sign that absolutely pricked my heart and soul in a way that I wasn’t expecting. We passed by a little church and this was the sign that was posted across the door: “Church for Sale”! Now, in and of itself, a ‘For Sale’ sign in front of a building, regardless of what it once was, isn’t particularly unusual, but it struck me to my soul, as I read that sign, that many churches today have already put a “for sale” sign on their doors, and they’ve sold out to the world pretty cheaply!

I don’t mean to be harsh, but we are living in a culture that has so invaded the church of Jesus Christ, that it is often difficult to tell the difference between the church and the world—creating an imitation church, if you would. And there are imitation ‘churches’, just as there are imitation ‘Christians’—always have been always will be.

“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.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them

by their fruits.

       Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?” Matthew 7:13-16

Jesus made it clear in His preaching that there is only One Way to God, and He is that way. It is a “strait gate” and yet it is not the only gate open to people: there is a “wide” gate, a “broad” way, but its end is “destruction”! And just as importantly, it is the most popular gate, “many there be which go in thereat”—and we need to recognize the fact that the draw of the world is great –but Jesus has called us to be faithful to proclaim HIS truth, and the reality that “narrow is the way”, and a way which we are not to attempt to “widen” or compromise the Word of God, regardless of how “few” believe our message!

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of death.”   Proverbs 16:25

The church has never been called to a smooth/easy way, or to try to make the way of Jesus an appealing one; we are called to lift up the cross and the hope that it brings through the blood of Jesus Christ alone.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

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 3:14-19

Jesus came to save those who will believe in His work at Calvary. He knew that was His destination even as He spoke to Nicodemus, and He declared, even before the cross, that His atoning death was the only answer—before, during and after! And the salvation that He offers is the only thing that saves people “from their sins”, but those who reject Him will die in their sins! Men still love “darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”, and we will never win the world by conforming the church to align with the evil that men love. We must call people to repentance and faith in Jesus—to turn from their “sin”, not to make them feel at home in their “sin”! And I’m afraid that much of what is purported to be “church” is simply trying to make sinners comfortable in their sin—don’t ever make anyone feel uncomfortable. But my dear friends, the conviction of sin that the Holy Spirit brings, is the only thing that will bring people to the cross. Without the power of God, no one will ever come to the cross, and making sin look good will never bring anyone to the cross!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.

45 It is written in the prophets,

And they shall be all taught of God.

Every man therefore that hath heard,

and hath learned of the Father,

cometh unto me.” John 6:44-45

The church is called to preach the truth and call people to it—not compromise the truth and let people believe they can relish sin while claiming the name of Jesus! Christ’s church isn’t called to be like the world, but to call the world to the cross! It’s the only “Gospel” that saves and transforms lives—and it’s the message that we must cling to! May we ever join with Paul and “preach Christ crucified”—never “selling out” to the world for numbers, popularity, wealth, ease, political correctness or prominence!

“For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom

of the wise,

and will bring to nothing

the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews

and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness

of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness

of God

is stronger than men.”   1 Corinthians 1:19-25

Preaching the cross of Jesus and “Christ crucified” is the only message that we have—and it has always been seen by the world as a “stumblingblock” and “foolishness”; but we must never abandon the truth for compromise. We must never sell out for signs, wonders, and worldly illusions. We must never believe the deceit of the enemy and fall for the lies that Satan is spreading throughout western Christendom today, that being like the world will win the world!

“But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

13 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 11:12-15

Satan often deceives people by pretending to be “an angel of light”—and he has no qualms about telling half-truths, which in reality are lies—just plain lies! And his demon assistants and followers do the same. Remember that saying so doesn’t make it so! Jesus Himself told us the same thing as He warned that not everyone who claims to be His really is His!

“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

Jesus reminds us that just ‘saying so’ isn’t enough; we must know Him in salvation, through repentance and faith in the blood that He shed for SIN! Even doing what appears to be “great” things before the world isn’t necessarily proof of belonging to Jesus. Remember the “angel of light”! Satan is busy imitating real believers, and the day is coming when he will even try to imitate the Son of God! We must be sure that we are sharing, preaching and teaching God’s truth as the Bible tells it! Paul warned the Ephesian church that there would be false teachers and leaders from among their own flock. Just being “in” the church doesn’t mean that we “are” the church.

“And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons……………22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there………24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God...…27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves,

and to all the flock,

over the which the Holy Ghost

hath made you overseers,

to feed the church of God,

which he hath purchased

with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing

shall grievous wolves enter in among you,

not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise,

speaking perverse things,

to draw away disciples

after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember…..

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Portions of Acts 20:17-32

Paul knew, even then, that there were those who were self-motivated in their work, not genuinely following Jesus—and the same is still true today. That is why it is imperative that we know the Word of God, so we can discern truth from deceit! And dear friends, there is a lot of deceit going around today, and so many are being misled and deceived because they don’t know the Word of God! What about you?

Are we more concerned with avoiding conflict and not suffering for our faith, or are we following Jesus with our whole hearts, not selling out to the world, regardless of the cost? Jesus said a lot about the cost of following HIM!

“And he said unto them,

Ye are from beneath;

I am from above:

ye are of this world;

I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore unto you,

that ye shall die in your sins:

for if ye believe not that I am he,

ye shall die in your sins.”    John 8:23-24

And again:

“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.”   John 15:18-19

“These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”   John 16:33

Paul also prepared Timothy for the cost of following Jesus!

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

Jesus prayed for us, and we also need to pray for wisdom and courage to “stand fast in the evil day”—and my friends, we are there. We must be ready to hold on to the truth and not sell out to the world! It’s the difference between life and death. The gospel and its good news are the reason that we have been left in this world.

“I have given them thy word;

and the world hath hated them,

because they are not of the world,

even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them

out of the world,

but that thou shouldest keep them

from the evil.

16 They are not of the world,

even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth:

thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me

into the world,

even so have I also sent them

into the world.”   John 17:14-18

God has only One Way-Jesus! God has only One Message-Jesus and His cross, and it is the message that we must stand on—without apology and without compromise. We must not sell out to the world; we must follow the way that God has laid out, and that is the Gospel. Salvation in Christ alone, by faith alone—transforming grace!

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe…..

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things

of the world to confound the wise;

and God hath chosen the weak things

of the world to confound

the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world,

and things which are despised,

hath God chosen,

yea, and things which are not,

to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:21 & 27-31

Many today don’t want to suffer with or for Jesus, but when we compromise to avoid conflict and opposition, we forget that people were continually in conflict with Jesus, and the religious people of His day were often in 180-degree opposition to HIM! So, will we stand with our Lord, or sell out to the world for the sake of ease? The world is invading the church, and has caused many churches to so conform to the world that there’s more of the world in the church than of the church in the world. Think on these things and we may continue this train of thought later. Blessings on your week as you stand fast, pressing on with our Lord Jesus– knowing and trusting HIM and HIS Word! Sell or stand?

Thanksgiving Joy??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #413

22 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Attitude of Gratitude, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Gratitude, Longsuffering, Patience, Perseverance, Thanksgiving, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #413 Thanksgiving Joy????

 

Tomorrow is the day that we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the US, but we ought to be a thankful people every day! What are you thankful for today? Are you thankful? Have the trials and troubles of life drained your ‘attitude of gratitude’? I hope we can boost our thankfulness quotient today as we prepare for a day of celebration, family, reflection, and hopefully time looking up to the One who gave HIS life for us!

One of my favorite ‘thanksgiving’ passages is a little different than you might expect, yet it is a passage that often weighs heavy on my heart, for I need continual reminding of the heart that I desire to live out before the world. A heart of gratitude toward God—but even more!

“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:”     Colossians 1:9-12

We are called to give “thanks” unto God our Father, but I don’t want us to miss the way we are to be “giving thanks”! We are called to be thankful with “all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness”! Ouch!!! Now you know why I said earlier that this passage weighs heavy on my heart! Not just because sometimes I forget to keep my attitude of gratitude, but also because God calls us to an even higher plain—God calls His own to be thankful with ‘patience’, ‘longsuffering’, and ‘joyfulness’! Oh my, the “P” word! Yes, patience. As my husband is often heard to say, “I have patience, there are just times I can’t use it!” We all have trials that are sent to help us develop patience—and the two words used here—patience and longsuffering—deal with two different aspects of patience; one deals with our circumstances and the other deals with people. We are called to keep a grateful attitude and spirit with patience in our difficult circumstances, and also to “suffer long” with those people in our lives who are so good at ‘pushing our buttons’! Ouch again! But that’s not all—we are to do all this with “joyfulness”! How?

Well, I’m not claiming to have the answer to that question, but I would like to offer some insight, if I can. We can only be ‘joyful’ in difficulties as we remember that it is God who holds us, God who saves us, God who gave His only Son to die for us, God who sustains our every breath, and HE is trustworthy! When we trust in the God who IS able to sustain us, we can have hope in the midst of turmoil, comfort in the midst of pain, and power to overcome our circumstances and the difficult people we encounter.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.”   Proverbs 3:5-6

Trusting God in our difficulties will build our confidence, and as our confidence grows, we will gain more gratitude and be a testament to it in our every way. James reminds us of the import of looking to God in the good times as well as the difficult—because our God is in charge of both.

“My brethren, count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect

and entire, wanting nothing.”   James 1:2-4

When we trust ourselves to God with patience, longsuffering and joy—we will stand out in a world of discontent and continual manipulation! We have a higher call! Will we answer that call today, and take time to focus on being thankful to God? Remember, it is all from HIM!

“Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down

from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.”     James 1:17

Take some time to count your blessings—they are many!!!

I’m Under His Wings!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #403

18 Wednesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Perseverance, The Only Way, The Word, Trials, Troubles, Under His Wings, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #403       I’m Under His Wings!!!

 

“He that dwelleth in the secret place

of the most High

shall abide under

the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD,

He is my refuge

and my fortress:

my God;

in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee

from the snare of the fowler,

and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee

with his feathers,

and under his wings

shalt thou trust:

his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”     Psalm 91:1-4

Just a word of encouragement this morning that we might remember that we have a God who cares. He loves us, provides for us, and ever knows where we are and we are never out of His care! I take such comfort and hope in that assurance, and the Psalmist expressed that same confidence in God Almighty, and you can take heart in its truth today!

As the Psalmist says here, others may question, but when we belong to Jesus, and His Father God Almighty, there is a secret place that others have no understanding of. It is a place where we ‘abide’ not matter ‘where’ we may be physically—in trouble, in trial, in suffering, in pain, in alarm, or fear, in physical confusion or uncertainty: as we look at our circumstances we can know that God has us in His hand, and under His wings. The Psalmist paints such a marvelous picture of the care of God, and in that \truth we can be confident of HIS perfect provision. We can know that God is “my refuge” and “my fortress”; that He will “deliver thee” (although not always in the way that we expect!), and “cover thee with his feathers”, resting assured that we can trust ourselves to HIS care! HIS truth will be our defense—and what is HIS truth? Well, let me tell you:

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

Jesus IS truth, the very essence and reality of truth! Praise God the truth is the One who gave Himself for us—and that IS the truth, and HE has given to us HIS indwelling Holy Spirit to walk with us all the way. There is also another Psalm that refers to God’s care in the terms of ‘wings’, and that Psalm inspired one of my favorite songs.

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,” Psalm 17:8

This verse so spoke to Stephen Manders that he composed a wonderful hymn to express his confidence in this God who saves, delivers and keeps HIS own.

Under His Wings

By Stephen Manders

Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Refrain
Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Refrain

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

Refrain

I pray that this precious song and the power of The Word will comfort and encourage you today, no matter where you may be walking. Remember:

“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

 

 

Fighters Or Faith-ers??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 13

08 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Fight or Faith?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Persecution, Perseverance, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Walking With Jesus, Without a Word?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.13    Fighters Or Faith-ers???

 

Yes, I know ‘faithers’ isn’t a real word, but I chose it to make a point; we live in a culture, even much of our (so called) Christian culture has chosen to “fight” rather than suffer for Jesus in ‘faith’. Let’s observe what Isaiah said about the character of the coming Savior, Messiah and Redeemer.

“He is despised and rejected of men;

a man of sorrows,

and acquainted with grief:

and we hid as it were our faces from him;

he was despised,

and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs,

and carried our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him stricken,

smitten of God,

and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace was upon him;

and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned every one

to his own way;

and the LORD hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed,

and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth:

he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb,

so he openeth not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:3-7

Jesus came to be the suffering servant that Isaiah described, to pay for your sin and mine, to suffer the punishment for your sin and mine. Yet what was HIS reaction? He “opened not his mouth”, even when taken to the “slaughter”, and before the “shearers” He “opened not his mouth”! Even Pilate couldn’t understand this kind of humility!

“And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.” Matthew 27:12-14

And in John’s account more of the same:

“And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

11 Jesus answered,

Thou couldest have no power at all

against me,

except it were given thee

from above:

therefore he that delivered me

unto thee

hath the greater sin.”   John 19:8-11

Jesus again and again reminds us that when we follow Him, we will face opposition because “men love darkness rather than light” (See John 3:19)!!! And when we follow Him, He clearly told us that people would often treat us as they treated Him, but that they are, in actuality, rejecting God and His kingdom–The God who will hold them accountable! We will all give an account of our choices and actions. Without focusing on the contextual interpretation of the following passage, I’d like us to simply see that Jesus says that everyone will give an account for their choices, in this account He relates just before He went to the cross!

“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred,

and fed thee?

or thirsty,

and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger,

and took thee in?

or naked,

and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick,

or in prison,

and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them,

Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye have done it

unto one

of the least of these my brethren,

ye have done it unto me….

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand,

Depart from me,

ye cursed,

into everlasting fire,

prepared for the devil

and his angels:………

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying,

Lord, when saw we thee an hungred,

or athirst,

or a stranger,

or naked,

or sick,

or in prison,

and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye did it not

to one of the least of these,

ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away

into everlasting punishment:

but the righteous into life eternal.”    Matthew 25:37-46

Jesus clearly tells us that when people mistreat (or treat kindly) “the least of these my brethren”, it is the same as doing that kindness or unkindness to HIM! (Hopefully we can come back to this passage at a later time, and talk about the “specific” interpretation and application within the total context of these chapters!) I only want us to see from Jesus’ words, that when we are HIS—we can trust HIM to care for us who are HIS brethren! We don’t have to fight for ourselves or take our own vengeance (ever), for truly, “vengeance is mine….saith The Lord”!

“Recompense to no man evil for evil.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible,

as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves,

but rather give place unto wrath:

for it is written,

Vengeance is mine;

I will repay,

saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger,

feed him;

if he thirst,

give him drink:

for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:17-20

We have a higher calling; we march to a different drummer—the commands of our Lord Jesus, not the call of the world! But how do we accomplish this high calling? Only One way, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is given to all who come to Jesus in repentance and faith. (See Romans 8:9)

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged……

13 Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath

are mine:

therefore said I,

that he shall take of mine,

and shall shew it unto you…

33 These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”     Portions of John 16:7-33

“I have overcome the world”! Amen and Amen! But there is even more—Jesus has overcome the world in a way that the world doesn’t understand, and we must pursue His ways and not the world’s! Simple but not easy! Jesus went to the cross willingly for us, I just can’t believe that He expects us to follow HIM kicking and screaming all the way. (Please understand, I’m not saying we aren’t to stand up for truth and right, but we are to stand in obedience and compliance with the Word of God, not with the ways of the world!)

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”   Luke 9:23

Now taking up our cross isn’t a reference to the daily aches, pains and difficulties of life, it is a reference to “dying” to self while living for Jesus, by His Spirit’s power and grace! Not exalting ourselves but humbling ourselves before the Holy God and His Son Jesus, who has saved us by HIS blood!!! What less could we give?

“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

To continue our consideration of whether we are living as “faithers” or ‘fighters’, let’s look at what I consider to be one of the ultimate passages on “Christ-like” living.

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself

of no reputation,

and took upon him

the form of a servant,

and was made

in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion

as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also

hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should

confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God

the Father.”   Philippians 2:5-11

Won’t you join me in seeking the face of Jesus, and pursuing a life that reveals the “mind of Christ” to a lost and dying world in need of a Savior? And may we remember what Jesus Himself said about our attitude:

“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11

And as James calls us to remember about “faithers”! “Saying so” doesn’t make it so! But a transformed life will be evident!

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith

without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know,

O vain man,

that faith

without works

is dead?”   James 2:14-20

Do you have real “faith” that is displayed in a Christ-like mind-set as pictured in Philippians 2? Or does your life say you’d “rather fight than switch” (pun intended!)!!! Are we humbling ourselves before God and others, or exalting ourselves because we’re too proud to bow? A question that only you can answer, but don’t wait to long!

“He hath delivered my soul

in peace

from the battle that was against me:

for there were many with me.

19 God shall hear,

and afflict them,

even he that abideth of old. Selah.

Because they have no changes,

therefore they fear not God.” Psalm 55:18-19

Let’s fear God, yield to His Spirit and live by faith, rather than walk (or fight) in the flesh? Blessings on your week!