Category Archives: Pursuing Excellence?

Let Go And Reach UP??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #243

24 Wednesday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Cleansed from all sin, Confidence, Forgetting or Remembering?, Forgiveness, Let go...and let God, Let it go?, Let This Mind Be In You, Let You Light So Shine, Past-Present-Future, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Press ON!, Pursuing Excellence?, Rejoice IN The Lord, Remember, The Word, Walk in the Spirit, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus

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Let Go And Reach Up???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #243

“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.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect, (mature)

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.”   Philippians 3:12-15

Sometimes life gets to us, and our past failures try to drag us down, so Paul gives us a message of hope and clear instruction.  We are to have a different focus than the world, or what Satan is trying to throw in your face; we can forget that which we have taken to Jesus in confession and repentance, for it is forgiven and buried in the deepest sea, never to be remembered.  There is a favorite Old Testament passage and a New Testament one that assures us of God’s forgiveness and restoration to those who will face their sin, admit it to God and receive His pardon and healing from our sin.  And when God forgives, HE forgets.

“Who is a God like unto thee,

that pardoneth iniquity,

and passeth by the transgression

of the remnant of his heritage?

he retaineth not his anger for ever,

because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again,

he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities;

and thou wilt cast all their sins

into the depths of the sea” Micah 7:18-19

What’s holding you back?  What sin does Satan keep throwing in your face?  If you belong to Jesus my friend, you can have the total forgiveness of God, as well as healing, and cleansing restoration.  Tell the Devil to buzz off!!  You aren’t his after you’ve been born again; so stop walking in the dark and draw near to The Light of the world, Jesus our Lord and Savior.  The Apostle John says it better than I can!  (See Ephesians 2:1-10.)

“And these things write we unto you,

that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness, we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:4-10

One of the greatest reminders that comes to my heart and mind often in those times of doubt, confusion and the attacks of the enemy, is to simply remember, the past is just that, passed!  Let it go and look up to The One who died that we might have “life and have it more abundantly”—forgiven, cleansed and beautifully useable!

“Beloved, believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits

whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.

 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:

Every spirit that confesseth

that Jesus Christ

is come in the flesh

is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not

that Jesus Christ

is come in the flesh

is not of God:

and this is that spirit of antichrist,

whereof ye have heard

that it should come;

and even now already

is it in the world

Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”  1 John 4:1-4

Forget the past…Remember what Jesus has done…Press on!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Hail And Farewell Challenge??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #170

29 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Living In My Season, Living TODAY!, Press ON!, Pursuing Excellence?, TODAY, Today and Forever, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow

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Hail And Farewell Challenge???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #170

 

My father was a Navy veteran and my “little” brother (he’ll appreciate that, even though he prefers to use the term “younger” brother, for he is younger than me, and always will be…ha ha ha) was in the Army, as well as my brother-in-law, a Vietnam veteran.  So you can see the military has always been a big part of our family; and in the military, when there is a change of command there is a “Hail and Farewell” ceremony of some sort, to bid ‘farewell’ to the departing leader, and ‘hail’ (welcome and salute) to the incoming leader.  As we approach the New Year, we here at our house bid you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Well, you may be saying, Christmas is past, and New Year’s not here; but that’s the point I want us to see and understand, that we who are followers of JESUS celebrate Him and His arrival every day of the year!  I do!  How about you?  What do I mean?  I mean we are called to say farewell to the past failures and even our successes—for they are of yesterday, and we are called to live in the “today”.  Jesus said it Himself when He told us how we ought to pray, and part of that prayer says clearly, “Give us this day….”; but I think sometimes we are so focused on “bread” that we seem to forget that God is talking about life as well as “bread”!  We are to live and focus on today, and let the past be just that— “Passed” (memories to cherish but just that—memories!)!

Paul gives an amazing picture of this in his letter to the Philippians, and I’ll simply let Paul speak this truth!  I pray that each of you have an amazing day today…and today…and today into and through the New Year.  May you lay your regrets, sorrows, confusions, hurt feelings, successes, and whatever else may be a lingering hindrance to living “today” for Jesus.  We have an amazing Lord and Savior who is totally sufficient to meet our every need—whether it’s a ‘hail’ or a ‘farewell’!  Today is a gift given by God to you and me, let’s commit to use each day ‘today’, leaving our regrets before the ‘throne of grace’ (See Hebrews 4:15-16) and our successes at Jesus feet.  God has promised that HE is ever at work conforming His own “into the image of His son” (See Romans 8:28-29), and I’m convinced that God always does good work, even (if not especially) when we mess up, HE said HE would, and HE has proven Himself faithful in my life, and the lives of so many.  Look up my friends, not around at a lost and dying world who needs Jesus, but up to your Father and His Son Jesus who is ever interceding for us to be HIS hands and feet to those lost and dying around us.

“Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather, that is risen again,

 who is even at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession

for us.”  Romans 8:34

So, let’s march confidently into each day—now and into the New Year (so called, for they’ve been coming and going since God set creation in place!  But that’s a study for another time!)!  Here’s Paul’s admonition and encouragement for each of us, “press on”!

“Yea doubtless,

and I count all things but loss

for the excellency of the knowledge

of Christ Jesus my Lord:

for whom I have suffered the loss

of all things,

and do count them but dung,

that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness,

which is of the law,

but that which is through

the faith of Christ,

the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him,

and the power of his resurrection,

and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable unto his death; …

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.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, (mature)

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.”  Portions of Philippians 3:8-16

And if I might borrow Paul’s words of conclusion to this part of his call to the Philippian believers, may we be found faithfully standing “fast in the Lord”!  The prayer of my heart is that Jesus will find us so standing when He comes for us or when we go to HIM!  Ready or not here HE comes!

“Therefore,

my brethren dearly beloved

and longed for,

my joy and crown,

so stand fast in the Lord,

my dearly beloved.”  Philippians 4:1

May the blessings of God rain down on you, and your eyes, heart and mind be open to receive them, praising God for them all!

Amen and Amen!!!

Purity Speaks For Itself??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 04

20 Monday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Purity, Pursuing Excellence?, Serving God or Using God?, Speaking The Truth In Love

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 04 Purity Speaks For Itself???

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not

in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth

in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth

in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is

in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners

 in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth

the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.”  Psalm 1:1-6

I’d like us to consider one of my favorite passages, Psalm 1; and while it is a short Psalm, it is packed full of truth and principles of the contrast between righteousness and evil.  There is a continual conflict which we often forget or overlook, and we must go about God’s business with biblical insight not ignorant presumption; for when we don’t stand on truth we will stumble and fall for the lies of the enemy!  Our foundation must be securely placed in Jesus our Lord, and HIS WORD, or we will be like the house on the sand which collapsed when the storms came.  And my friends, the storms will come—not if but ‘when’ is the reality that we must prepare for.

Paul warned his son-in-the-ministry to be prepared to “do the work” that God had called him to; not a life of leisure, indulgence, or presumption on the goodness of God, but the “work” of God!

“Thou therefore, my son,

be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me

among many witnesses,

the same commit thou

to faithful men,

who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness,

as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth

entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;

that he may please him

who hath chosen him to be a soldier

5 And if a man also strive for masteries,

yet is he not crowned,

except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth

must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say;

and the Lord give thee understanding

in all things.”  2 Timothy 2:1-7

We are called to follow Jesus in humble service, striving to please our master, not to presume on HIS goodness, grace, and love; but to serve HIM out of love and gratitude, seeking His will in all things.  The simplest lesson on this is from our Lord:

“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

So, as we pursue Jesus, we are to follow His example and truly pray “not my will….but thine be done”!  Yet we hear so much of what I call “slot machine theology”—make your demands on God, pray your quarter in the slot, pull the handle and God “must” respond and grant whatever you have ‘demanded’!  NOT!  How have we come so far from the truth of ‘servanthood’?  I’m not sure, but I know we must return to biblical truth and seek to serve our KING, not dictate to HIM!

“I therefore,

the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you

that ye walk worthy of the vocation

wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness,

with longsuffering,

forbearing one another

in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body,

and one Spirit,

even as ye are called in one hope

of your calling;

5 One Lord,

one faith,

one baptism,

6 One God and Father

of all,

who is above all,

and through all,

and in you all.”  Ephesians 4:1-6

If we truly believe that GOD is “above all, and through all, and in you all”, why do we presume to be wiser than HE is?  May God forgive our presumption, and direct our steps to seek His face, and humbly yield to whatever HE asks of us.  As I have quoted many times in my writing, Paul’s call to the Colossian believers resounds in my heart again and again—the call to “walk worthy”!  Oh, may we yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in us—in me—in you—and those around us!  May God do a great and mighty work in our hearts and lives that others will see JESUS in us, rather than self, sin or ‘settled-for’!

“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

May we be faithfully serving in love, devotion, and allegiance to the truth of scripture, not popular persuasions?  Please, Lord, may we return to YOU today.  May I return to faithful service in holiness, purity, and love.

“This is a faithful saying and worthy

of all acceptation.

10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,

because we trust in the living God,

who is the Saviour of all men,

specially of those that believe.

11 These things command and teach.

12 Let no man despise thy youth;

but be thou an example of the believers,

in word,

in conversation,

in charity,

in spirit,

in faith,

in purity.

13 Till I come,

give attendance

to reading,

to exhortation,

to doctrine.”   1 Timothy 4:9-13

And in closing a Psalm of David, and while I know I have included a great amount of scripture, may we remember and be devoted to the “lodestar” of our faith, which is JESUS and HIS WORD!  HE is the living Word who died for our salvation, to pay for my sin and yours, yet HE is also the “author and finisher” of our faith– the truth of the written Word which is truly “God breathed” by the Father and the very Son of God.  May we heed God’s revelation of HIS truth to our hearts today, as we hear and heed HIS call to be holy, pure-living examples of our Lord Jesus to a lost and dying world!

“Have mercy upon me, O God,

according to thy lovingkindness:

according unto the multitude

of thy tender mercies

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly

from mine iniquity,

and cleanse me

from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:

and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee,

thee only,

have I sinned,

and done this evil in thy sight:

that thou mightest be justified

when thou speakest,

and be clear

when thou judgest.

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou desirest truth

in the inward parts:

and in the hidden part

thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop,

and I shall be clean:

wash me,

and I shall be whiter than snow.  

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;

that the bones which thou hast broken

may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners

shall be converted

unto thee.”  Psalm 51:1-13

When we draw near to HIM, we will flourish in our faith and courage, and others will see Jesus in us; truly being “cross magnets”, drawing sinners to The Savior—The Only Savior!

“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 4:7-8

Amen and Amen!!!

Willing To Wait & Trust??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 17

17 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Daniel's choices, Dare To Be Different!, God Is In Charge, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's provision, Holy Living, Polluted by the world?, Pursuing Excellence?, Servanthood, Testing and Trials?, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Wait on the Lord

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 17 Willing To Wait & Trust???

 

As we continue in our study of Daniel’s character and that of his three close friends, today we will consider their trust in their God in the midst of a crises of faith and obedience.  Their personal faith and integrity are put to the test in the midst of their Babylonian captivity and service to King Nebuchadnezzar.  But let’s rehearse Daniel’s mindset in the midst of his circumstances.

“But Daniel purposed

in his heart

that he would not defile

himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:….”    Daniel 1:8a

This young man (and his 3 friends) had made up his mind and set his heart on God and his faith in Him, with a determination to be faithful to the law of his God, regardless of the circumstances or the consequences.  But the thing I want us to focus on is the rest of verse 8 which shows us Daniel’s behavior with decorum!  What about us—you and me?  What does our behavior reveal?  Sometimes mine just plain slips off the page; how about you?  I need this lesson whether you do or not!  I want to be found faithfully waiting on my Lord with decorum—not the flesh!!!

“…therefore

he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile

himself.”  Daniel 1:8b

Here we find Daniel behaving with that “decorum” that we spoke about last week; behavior that was a reflection of the glory of his God.  Which, in the later years of his life, even his enemies had to admit was the lodestar of his life and behavior.  Note, this passage took place close to 70 years later (a man of some 80-90 years old, and he was still a man of honor, integrity and faithfulness to his God) than the events of chapter 1.

“Then the presidents and princes

sought to find occasion against Daniel

concerning the kingdom;

but they could find none occasion nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error or fault

 found in him.

5 Then said these men,

We shall not find any occasion

against this Daniel,

except we find it

against him

concerning the law

of his God.”   Daniel 6:4-5

Not only did his enemies recognize his integrity (even though they used it against him, God had other plans!) but King Darius recognized in Daniel a heart, mind and life that was different—and it was all due to his service to his GOD! What about you and me?  What would our enemies say about us?

“Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God

whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee…

…Then the king arose very early in the morning,

and went in haste

unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den,

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake

and said to Daniel,

O Daniel,

servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee

from the lions?

21 Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him

innocency was found in me;

and also before thee,

O king,

have I done no hurt.”  Portions of Daniel 6:16-22

The Apostle Peter had a similar thing to say to believers in times of trials, suffering and persecution.

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted

for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who,

when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:”   1 Peter 2:19-23

We see this same kind of commitment in the young man Daniel; he who also “committed himself to him that judgeth righteously”!  How about you and me?  Are we trusting to God to take care of us when we suffer unjustly or are you like me; getting out your pencil and paper and figuring out what “we” need to do.  I think we can learn a lot from Daniel and his friends about trusting, waiting and allowing God to provide in His way, in His time and for His purposes.  And what we’re going to see in the next few weeks as we peruse Daniel’s story, is how God will show Himself faithful time and time again, when we will but love HIM, obey HIM and then just “let God BE God”!

In verse 8 we saw Daniel asking “permission”—well, pardon me, “I” am “entitled”!!!  NOT necessarily, let’s see what Daniel’s experience was; and WHO was really in charge!

“Now God

had brought Daniel into

favour

and tender love

with the prince of the eunuchs.

10 And the prince of the eunuchs

said unto Daniel,

I fear my lord the king,

who hath appointed your meat

and your drink:

for why should he see

your faces worse liking

than the children which

are of your sort?

then shall ye make me endanger

my head to the king.

11 Then said Daniel to Melzar,

whom the prince of the eunuchs

had set over

Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah,

12 Prove thy servants,

I beseech thee,

ten days;

and let them give us pulse to eat,

and water to drink.

13 Then let our countenances

be looked upon before thee,

and the countenance

of the children that eat

of the portion of the king’s meat:

and as thou seest,

deal with thy servants.

14 So he consented to them

in this matter,

and proved them

ten days.”   Daniel 1:9-14

Daniel went, if you would, through ‘channels’ and asked the first level for permission; but when this guy thought about it, he said he was fearful of his “head” if he disobeyed the King’s edict.  Then Daniel went to the next in line and offered a solution to the danger in giving them this leeway of their food and drink.  He asked the official to simply test them for 10 days and then he could decide how they appeared, and Daniel said they would abide by his decision.  No ‘doubting, pouting, and dropping outing’ but a willingness to pursue obedience and trust God for the outcome!  We must abandon our “western” mindset of demanding our way—or no way.  Or if you would, “it’s my way or the highway”!  I don’t know about you, but I wrestle with letting go of “my way” and pursuing and trusting to God’s plan without reservation……as Peter said, we ought to be committing ourselves “to him that judgeth righteously”!!  God is absolutely trustworthy!

The results are amazing when we let “God be God”, and simply do what God asks us to do, and be what HE has transformed us to be!

“Whether therefore

ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

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

And back to Daniel 1:

“And at the end of ten days

their countenances appeared

fairer

 and fatter in flesh

than all the children

which did eat the portion

of the king’s meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away

the portion of their meat,

and the wine that they should drink;

and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children,

God gave them knowledge

and skill

in all learning

and wisdom:

and Daniel

had understanding

in all visions

and dreams.

18 Now at the end of the days that the king

had said he should bring them in,

then the prince of the eunuchs

brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 And the king communed with them;

and among them all

was found none

like Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah:

therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters

of wisdom

and understanding,

that the king enquired of them,

he found them ten times better

than all the magicians and astrologers

that were in all his realm.”    Daniel 1:15-20

So, what do we conclude?  You can make your own conclusions, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”, trusting to His love, care and provision in every matter; and pursue His ways and not my/our own!   Are you ready and willing to trust and wait on God?  I think we better learn, and learn quickly!

Jesus puts it pretty concisely:

“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 15:4-5

Amen and Amen!!!

Erasure Or Experience??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #675

12 Wednesday Aug 2020

Posted by in Encouragement, Erasing The Past?, Past-Present-Future, Pursuing Excellence?, TODAY, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #675       Erasure Or Experience???

 

I want us to consider some things today in the way of not only current issues in our nation and our world; bur eternal issues that are the ones worth considering.  There are voices demanding that we erase our history, but our history is what has contributed to not only our past, but our present and if we disregard the things of the past, our future will be doomed to repeat the worst of history.  But if we will take the time to look at our cumulative past and measure it by the truths of The Word of God, it can help us discern some precepts of truth that are lacking in our culture today and make good progress to affect change in our world!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

 hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”   Romans 5:1-11

The issue is our sin; yours and mine, and without the redemption of Jesus we all walk in our own view of things, rather than God’s.  While our history in America (or any country in the world) is checkered with good choices as well as bad ones, we must look forward, with the past in mind, and pursue righteousness rather than more wrong choices, evil or chaos.  We are to seek God’s face rather than the lies of the enemy of men’s souls, learning to know truth and recognize the lies of the devil.  But by the same token, we must recognize the sinful nature of man—our own included.  We are all sinners, and if we choose to live in our flesh, we will see more and more wrong choices prevail; rather than the fruit of the spirit of God, which is the only thing that can, or will minster change in our world. (See Galatians 5:18-24)

Jeremiah shared God’s opinion of the difference—and there is a vast difference.  I so long to see the fruits of righteousness begin to shine through God’s people; and revival break out in churches all across this nation and the world, that the truth would be recognized, appreciated and lauded as “truth”! May we receive God’s truth as such and act accordingly—biblically!  And to act biblically, we must know what The Bible says!

“Blessed is the man

that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree

planted

by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots

by the river,

and shall not see

when heat cometh,

but her leaf

shall be green;

and shall not be careful

in the year of drought,

neither shall cease

from yielding fruit.

 9 The heart is deceitful

above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit

of his doings.”  Jeremiah 17:7-10

For you see, it’s not just about me—it’s about “choices”—to try and erase—or to pursue excellence by considering the past, and choosing to do right, to do better than before—to choose wisely between good and not good (evil)!  For you see if it’s not good or of God, it is evil—for sin is sin, and God will reveal truth in HIS time.  So, we can try to erase the past, or we can grow from it, pursuing God’s excellence to do better today, and the next “today”, to make a difference in my/your circle of influence.  I can’t change the world, but I can yield to God’s work in me and change what “I” can, leaving the rest to The GOD who reigns!!!  By HIS redeeming grace and for HIS glory—all because of Jesus substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—my sin and yours!

“And that ye put on the new man,

which after God

is created in righteousness

and true holiness.”  Ephesians 4:24

Put up your eraser and put on your thinking cap, and be a reflection of God’s truth, glory and grace to a lost and desperate world!!!

Amen and Amen.