Category Archives: Saved by grace

What Can’t REvive??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No. 02

29 Sunday Jan 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Born Again, God's Faithfulness, God's ways are not our ways, Good News, Jesus Saves!, Restoration, REvival, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith

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What Can’t REvive??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 20 No.02

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead

in trespasses

and sins;

2 Wherein in time past

ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love

wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 2:1-6

I love God’s Word, it is so true, hopeful, and enlightening to help us see where we have come from, and to see how urgent it is to help others come to Jesus.  The thing I want us to think about today is what does “Revival” mean?  I have prayed for revival for many years and will continue to pray for it until Jesus comes, or HE allows me to see a real Holy Ghost, heaven-sent, knee-bending, sin-confessing, tear-stained altar (and sadly to me, many young people don’t even know what that is!) filling, life changing, church-altering, REVIVAL!  The kind of revivals that I knew and saw as a child and a young adult that brought conviction to bear on believers to the repenting of sin, the recommitment of hearts and lives, then a world that takes note of the change!

But there is a catch!

Revival: restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc. ….an awakening in a church….an evangelistic service or a series of services for the purpose of effecting of a religious (my word is Spiritual) awakening…

The key I want us to note is “restoration”, for to be ‘re’stored, something must exist first; and that is what Paul is pointing out to the Ephesian believers, and to us!  Only when we realize that we are “dead in trespasses and sins” will we see the need to come to Jesus to be “born again”, or as Paul says here in Ephesians 2, that God has “quickened us”, in Blanche’s paraphrase, “God has given us life from the dead”, or as the Apostle John wrote in his gospel:

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

It’s like what Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, we “must be born again” by the power of God through the Holy Spirit!  And my friends, if we haven’t received the new birth–NEW LIFE– from Jesus then we are still “dead in our trespasses and sins” and we can’t be “Revived”! Revival is for those who have received new life in Jesus.  It is for those who know Jesus, but have grown cold toward spiritual things, or have lost their ardor, or just become muddled and confused in the fray of life and need a rekindling of the fire in their heart.  Sort of like a fireplace where the coals are either close to the fire and glowing, or they have become cold with the distance between them and the fire!  Jesus IS our fire!

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,

and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak:

for he will speak peace unto his people,

and to his saints:

but let them not turn again

to folly.”  Psalm 85:6-8

God is ever at work conforming His own into the “image of His Son”; our job is to stay near to our “fire” –the fire of Holiness and truth! Jeremiah shared that he had a fire of God’s power in his life, we also have a call, a ministry, a life of obedience, and I think I understand what Jeremiah means, for God’s call is ever on my heart.  I would love to be the one God calls to write the “fluff stuff”, but God has called me to often speak the hard things, may I ever hear his call and like Jeremiah speak as God directs.

“Then I said,

I will not make mention of him,

nor speak any more in his name.

But his word

was in mine heart

as a burning fire shut up in my bones,

and I was weary

with forbearing,

and I could not stay.”  Jeremiah 20:9

So, as I pray for revival amongst God’s own, won’t you join me and seek revival in your own heart–for revival must start with “ME”!  How about you?  And if you don’t know Jesus and are just trying to play the game, use the right words, do the right deeds, be in the right church, or belong to the right group…God wants YOU and YOUR heart not your stuff or your abilities to get to heaven. HE wants you to come through Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

 Jesus calls us to Himself for rest as well as life–take HIS yoke, and you’ll never walk alone!

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Amen!!!

Empty Chairs??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 17

23 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Cross, Perseverance, Polluted by the world?, Power of The Cross, Reaping & Sowing, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Redefining Christianity?, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Stand by ME!, Still Will I Trust HIM, Truth, Tuned In To Jesus, Turn to God's Word, Victory IN Jesus!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 17      Empty Chairs???

 

I heard a message some years ago with an object lesson about three chairs, representing the generational obligation of those who believe in God.  The first chair was occupied by the one who believed God and followed Him in obedient devotion, much like Joshua and his declaration:

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side

of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

I saw a post recently reminding us that our job as born-again believers, is to not only believe the gospel that Jesus Saves, but to live the life-changing transformation that the new birth produces, and to share the Gospel at every opportunity, especially when others inquire of the reason we live ‘differently’ (See 1 Peter 3:15).  Yet, it seems to me that we haven’t joined Joshua in living, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”; but have rather caved to the compromising influences of the world allowing our homes and families to be so attached to the world, that our children and grandchildren have refused or ignored the call to take the next seat.  Often, even when they do fill the second seat, they are so compromised with the world that their children and grandchildren see no difference between the church and the world.  But to me the saddest part is that we have been so negligent of The Word of God, that we have brought our small ones to accept the things that the world calls good, even though God calls them evil.  We have become like the people of Isaiah’s day and are due the same “woe” that God pronounced on them.  Perhaps it’s why we are where we are?  What about that chair?  Are we leading the little ones to know and love Jesus?

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness

for light,

and light

for darkness;

that put bitter

for sweet,

and sweet

for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!”  Isaiah 5:20-21

Repetition usually notes importance of an issue, and Paul addresses this same issue—we cannot rely upon the “wisdom” of men over God’s—we must fill our “chair” with the same determined boldness that Joshua did; Joshua, who called all Israel to “choose you this day”, is our example of godly obedience rather than worldly compromise? We must stand fast on God’s Word?  Yet, what I observe today is the message to just “add Jesus” to your life—no repentance—no change—no transforming salvation; but rather a call to just add Jesus to whatever else you’re leaning on for fulfillment, satisfaction, prosperity, financial success, making Jesus an “addendum” rather than THE Savior and Redeemer!  Salvation requires the recognition of our own sin, then total reliance upon the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus to save us from the penalty of sin—hell, and the transformation that the cleansing blood of Jesus works!  We must heed God’s plan—simple but true (and I note ‘Blanche’s paraphrase’ of Jesus’ own words).

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish…

…. 5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3 & 5

“As you go about your daily living,

teach all nations

(Anyone and everyone

God may place in your path),

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost

(Leading them to identify with Jesus

and His church

through the obedience of baptism):

20 Teaching them to obey/observe

all the things that I have commanded you

to do:

and, take heart,

I am with you always,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”   Blanche’s paraphrase of Matthew 28:19-20

Even as the Apostle Peter proclaimed in the book of Acts:

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Paul’s message to the Corinthian believers is also profound, yet so simple!  We must NEVER abandon the message of the cross—which is, that sin cost Jesus His life, so that we could have eternal life!  Paul puts it so much better than I do!

“For Christ sent me not to baptize,

but to preach the gospel:

not with wisdom of words,

lest the cross of Christ

should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 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 1:17-25

So, what about the third chair?  If the first chair fails to impart truth to the next generation, then the second chair may be filled, but often by one with weak faith, or even vain faith (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-5), leaving the third chair empty; for the truth of God’s plan has been disregarded for the plans of men—so like Israel of long ago, we will see the judgment of God fall upon our nation as well; all for the want of faithful moms and dads, teachers and preachers, and believers willing to stand by the cross—Salvation in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith in JESUS alone—”the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”!  Amen and Amen!!!

This, my friends, will hopefully lead us to call upon our God and to pray the prayer of Daniel 9; a hard prayer to pray, but the loving prayer of a humble man of God who loved his people enough to identify with their sin and spiritual failure, yet interceding, asking God to move and spare us because of HIS mercy not our merit.  I know this is a lengthy passage, but too powerful to shorten!  I pray that you will ponder its import.

“And I prayed unto the LORD my God,

and made my confession, and said,

O Lord,

the great and dreadful God,

 keeping the covenant

and mercy

to them that love him,

and to them that keep his commandments;

5 We have sinned,

and have committed iniquity,

and have done wickedly,

and have rebelled,

even by departing from thy precepts

and from thy judgments:

6 Neither have we hearkened

unto thy servants the prophets,

which spake in thy name

to our kings,

our princes,

and our fathers,

and to all the people

of the land.

7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee,

but unto us confusion of faces,

as at this day;

to the men of Judah,

and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and unto all Israel,

that are near,

and that are far off,

through all the countries

whither thou hast driven them,

because of their trespass

that they have trespassed

against thee.

8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face,

to our kings,

to our princes,

and to our fathers,

because we have sinned against thee.

9 To the Lord our God

belong mercies

and forgivenesses,

though we have rebelled against him;

10 Neither have we obeyed

the voice of the LORD our God,

to walk in his laws,

which he set before us

by his servants the prophets.

11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law,

even by departing,

that they might not obey thy voice;

therefore the curse is poured upon us,

and the oath that is written

in the law of Moses

the servant of God,

because we have sinned against him.

12 And he hath confirmed his words,

which he spake against us,

and against our judges that judged us,

by bringing upon us a great evil:

for under the whole heaven

hath not been done as hath been done

upon Jerusalem.

13 As it is written in the law of Moses,

all this evil is come upon us:

yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God,

that we might turn from our iniquities,

and understand thy truth.

14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil,

and brought it upon us:

for the LORD our God is righteous

in all his works which he doeth:

for we obeyed not his voice.

15 And now, O Lord our God,

that hast brought thy people forth

out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand,

and hast gotten thee renown,

as at this day;

we have sinned,

we have done wickedly.

16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness,

I beseech thee,

let thine anger and thy fury

be turned away

from thy city Jerusalem,

thy holy mountain:

because for our sins,

and for the iniquities of our fathers,

Jerusalem

and thy people are become a reproach

to all that are about us.

17 Now therefore, O our God,

hear the prayer of thy servant,

and his supplications,

and cause thy face to shine

upon thy sanctuary that is desolate,

for the Lord’s sake.

18 O my God,

incline thine ear,

and hear;

open thine eyes,

and behold our desolations,

and the city which is called by thy name:

for we do not present our supplications

before thee

for our righteousnesses,

but for thy great mercies.

19 O Lord, hear;

O Lord, forgive;

O Lord, hearken

and do;

defer not,

for thine own sake,

O my God:

for thy city

and thy people

are called by thy name.”  Daniel 9:4-19

May we recognize as Daniel did, that only God can do the work of salvation—yet God gives us the responsibility to recognize the need for compassionate hearts to see the sin that has caused our demise, and seek God’s mercy, grace, and love for restoration; by asking for HIS forgiveness in our own lives, and conviction of sin unto repentance for those around us.  Amen and Amen!!!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Let’s fill our chair and prepare those around us to continue to pursue God and fill the next chair.  May God have mercy on America—on our world!

Amen and Amen!!!

Advice For The Journey??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #779

18 Friday Feb 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, Cross, Following Jesus, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Sovereignty, The Blood Of Jesus, The Gospel, Who are you listening too!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #779  Advice For The Journey???

 

I want to share a brief word this morning to encourage us all as we walk in this crazy world.  I know the news isn’t very encouraging most days—but the Good News is still The Good News!  Even as Jesus walked the dusty roads of Judea, we are walking in a “dirty, dusty” world, but we can find a refreshing cleansing at the feet of our Lord.

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.”  Matthew 11:28-29

Rest unto our soul!  That’s what our Lord and Master provides at every occasion, when we will take the time and look up for HIS direction, grace, and power.  And how do we know this?

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn

to the right hand,

and when ye turn

to the left.”  Isaiah 30:21

Jesus also gives us great assurance of HIS perfect provision and direction for His own!  God has us in all things, times, and situations.  HE IS the sovereign Lord of all, and we belong to HIM when we come to HIM via the cross of Jesus Christ and HIS cleansing blood!

“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.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

 and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

And as we think of this journey we are on, I want to share a few passages that help me quite often, and I pray that they will minister to you today!

“Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

We must be in God’s Word—it is the standard for our journey—the road map, so to speak, for all the ways we are to go.  Yet sometimes we can’t quite discern what we are to do or how we are to respond in a particular situation.  Here’s a passage that God used in my life to give clear direction, without really saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’!

“Therefore thus saith the LORD,

If thou return,

then will I bring thee again,

and thou shalt stand before me:

and if thou take forth the precious

from the vile,

thou shalt be as my mouth:

let them return unto thee;

but return not thou unto them.

20 And I will make thee unto this people

a fenced brasen wall:

and they shall fight against thee,

but they shall not prevail

against thee:

for I am with thee

to save thee

and to deliver thee,

saith the LORD.”  Jeremiah 15:19-20

I can’t tell you how much assurance God brought to my heart and soul, as well as my mind as I knew HIS answer was sent directly to me through the Prophet Jeremiah!  WOW!

And a final few “words” to remind us that God is ever at work for His own—remember we are only “good” by the blood of Jesus who took our sin upon Himself to take it away and make us “righteous” before God “in HIM”!

“For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

And from the Psalmist:

“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

Amen and Amen!

Too Late To Call??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 22

21 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Are You Ready, Assurance or Arrogance, Be not conformed to this world, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence or Presumption?, Consider Your ways, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Don't Wait, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Father of lies, God Is In Charge, God Who Sees, God's Judgment, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, Judgment, Knowing GOD, Nebuchadnezzars & Daniels, One Day Too Late?, Our God Reigns, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Saved by grace, Today is the day of Salvation, Too Late To Call?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 22    Too Late To Call???

 

As we continue our study of Daniel and his friends—men of character—we’ll look at Daniel chapter 5 from a perspective that you might not have considered.  I want to preface our study with some of my thoughts for you to consider as we delve into a new chapter and a new king.  A new king with a different perspective from Daniel, as well as a perspective that I think is urgent to share in our current circumstances.

We need to understand that while God is a God of mercy and grace, there is a time when God will not hear or respond to the call of men!  We can go too far, we can reject God too long, we can go beyond rescue! Noah saw this in his day, and I believe it is imminent in ours!

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive

with man,

for that he also is flesh:

yet his days shall be

an hundred and twenty years.”   Genesis 6:3

God was grieved with the way that men had chosen sin and self over their Creator!  We need to understand that this was a specific judgment on mankind of the hour, yet even with the impending judgment, God provided grace for one man who was willing to respond in faith and obedience.

“And the LORD said,

I will destroy man

whom I have created

from the face of the earth;

both man,

and beast,

and the creeping thing,

and the fowls of the air;

for it repenteth me that I have made them.

8 But Noah found grace

in the eyes of the LORD.”  Genesis 6:7-8

Why Noah?  Because he had faith—and his faith was seen in his obedience.  Other scriptures confirm this for us.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah,

being warned of God

of things not seen as yet,

moved with fear,

prepared an ark

to the saving of his house;

by the which he condemned the world,

and became heir of the righteousness

which is by faith.”  Hebrews 11:6-7

Noah became an heir of “the righteousness which is by faith”, and we can too!  The righteousness that Jesus has provided by HIS blood for all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (paying a rightful debt), sacrifice (dying in my place that I could live by HIS blood!) for “my” sin.

“To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin

for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:19-21

I truly believe that the time is coming when God will bring things to a close—HIS closing scene in the events of this earth.  Paul warned us that in the coming of that time there will be those who will reap the consequence of their rejection of God’s salvation by grace.  Those who will have, if you would, “sinned away their day of grace”!  They will be condemned by their own choice, to believe the lies of the enemy who will step up to lead the world in that time.

“For the mystery of iniquity

doth already work:

only he who now letteth

will let,

until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed,

whom the Lord shall consume

with the spirit of his mouth,

and shall destroy

with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him,

whose coming is after the working of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness

in them that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure

in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12

Without taking the time to go into details of this passage, I want us to notice the cause of judgment in verse 12: “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness”!  Much like what Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3, referring to Himself.

“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 3:18-19

What does all this have to do with Daniel chapter 5?  Good question!  We see a new king, who had a worse problem than his grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar, who repented and acknowledged God, after suffering the judgment of God Almighty.  Yet, according to Daniel (who has been a palace official for almost 70 years) Belshazzar saw and knew this experience of Nebuchadnezzar and refused to learn from it, or to change his ways.  Let’s take a look; but first let’s lay a little background.  Belshazzar is holed up within the walls of Babylon (walls that could hold several chariots riding abreast across the top) throwing a party to boost the morale of his leaders because the armies of Medo-Persia are outside of the gates ready to lay siege to the city.  In fact, it is said that Belshazzar was so confident in his resources for he knew he could supply their needs for up to two years!  But notice what he does at this banquet/party!

“Belshazzar the king made a great feast

to a thousand of his lords,

and drank wine before the thousand.

2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine,

commanded to bring

the golden

and silver vessels

which his father Nebuchadnezzar

had taken out of the temple

which was in Jerusalem;

that the king,

and his princes,

his wives,

and his concubines,

might drink therein.

3 Then they brought the golden vessels

that were taken out of the temple

of the house of God

which was at Jerusalem;

and the king,

and his princes,

his wives,

and his concubines,

drank in them.

4 They drank wine,

and praised the gods

of gold,

and of silver,

of brass,

 of iron,

of wood,

and of stone.”  Daniel 5:1-4

Did you get it?  They took the vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the Temple of God in Jerusalem, to not only use at their party, but to use to praise their own idols and exalt them—rejecting and blaspheming the God to whom the vessels belonged!  Guess what?  God seems to say, “enough is enough”; let’s just see who is in charge!

“In the same hour

came forth fingers of a man’s hand,

and wrote over against the candlestick

upon the plaister of the wall

of the king’s palace:

and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

6 Then the king’s countenance was changed,

and his thoughts troubled him,

so that the joints of his loins

were loosed,

and his knees

smote one against another.”   Daniel 5:5-6

Needless to say, the king had a change of demeanor!  And without listing all of the verses in between, Belshazzar called for those good ole’ “wise men” to read the writing.  But none of them could, yet God had a message and through the advice of his grandmother, he sent for Daniel.  Now remember Daniel is somewhere around 80+ years old and has apparently been out of active service for a time, but he was still a “civil servant” in the palace.  So, Daniel comes in and his demeanor was somewhat different than we saw in him under Nebuchadnezzar.  There was not the respect that he had for Nebuchadnezzar, but an honest and blunt response to this man of arrogance and disregard of the truth he knew about Daniel’s God.  He has gone too far with his arrogance against God.  God has a lot to say about pride and arrogance (virtual synonyms).

“These six things doth the LORD hate:

yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud

look,

a lying

tongue,

and hands

that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth

wicked imaginations,

feet that be swift

in running to mischief,

19 A false witness

that speaketh lies,

 and he that soweth discord

among brethren.”  Proverbs 6:16-19

And Jesus own message:

“For from within,

 out of the heart of men,

proceed evil thoughts,

adulteries,

fornications,

murders,

22 Thefts,

covetousness,

wickedness,

deceit,

lasciviousness,

an evil eye,

blasphemy,

pride,

foolishness:

23 All these evil things

come from within,

and defile the man.”  Mark 7:21-23

The Apostle John also said it clearly:

“Love not the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world,

the love of the Father

is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away,

and the lust thereof:

but he that doeth the will of God

abideth for ever.”  1 John 2:15-17

So, let’s see what God had to say to Belshazzar through our friend Daniel, and remember that “father” is used for any male ancestor, so Belshazzar is referring to his ‘grand’ father not his male parent.

“Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Art thou that Daniel,

which art of the children

of the captivity of Judah,

whom the king my father

brought out of Jewry?

14 I have even heard of thee,

that the spirit of the gods is in thee,

and that light

and understanding

and excellent wisdom

is found in thee…

… 16 And I have heard of thee,

that thou canst make interpretations,

and dissolve doubts:

now if thou canst read the writing,

 and make known to me the interpretation thereof,

thou shalt be clothed with scarlet,

and have a chain of gold about thy neck,

and shalt be the third ruler

in the kingdom.”   Daniel 5:13-14 & 16

The king who had gone from stiff-necked to “knocking knees” is ready for an answer and will reward Daniel for his service, but let’s consider Daniel’s response, and take it to heart.  Have you been like one of Paul’s listeners, and put off responding to God, claiming “almost thou persuades me”, or will you bend your knee and your heart before God?  Don’t wait too long.  There will be a time when it’s too late to call!  Don’t be like Belshazzar!

“Then Daniel answered and said before the king,

Let thy gifts be to thyself,

and give thy rewards to another;

yet I will read the writing unto the king,

and make known to him the interpretation.

18 O thou king,

the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar

thy father a kingdom,

and majesty,

and glory,

and honour:

19 And for the majesty that he gave him,

all people, nations, and languages,

trembled and feared before him:

whom he would he slew;

and whom he would he kept alive;

and whom he would he set up;

and whom he would he put down.

20 But when his heart was lifted up,

and his mind hardened in pride,

he was deposed from his kingly throne,

and they took his glory from him:

21 And he was driven from

the sons of men;

and his heart was made

like the beasts,

and his dwelling was with

the wild asses:

they fed him

with grass like oxen,

and his body

was wet with the dew of heaven;

till he knew

that the most high God

ruled in the kingdom of men,

and that he appointeth over it

whomsoever he will.

22 And thou his son,

O Belshazzar,

hast not humbled thine heart,

though thou knewest all this;”   Daniel 5:17-22

But Daniel wasn’t finished, his message of judgment was a hard one, and he gave no quarter to this arrogant king who refused to repent or respond to God in faith or regard. The message was final—take note of verses 30-31!

“But hast lifted up thyself

against the Lord of heaven;

and they have brought the vessels

of his house before thee,

and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines,

have drunk wine in them;

and thou hast praised the gods

of silver, and gold, of brass, iron,

wood, and stone,

which see not,

nor hear,

nor know:

and the God in whose hand thy breath is,

and whose are all thy ways,

hast thou not glorified:

24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him;

and this writing was written.

25 And this is the writing that was written,

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of the thing:

MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom,

and finished it.

27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances,

and art found wanting.

28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided,

and given to the Medes and Persians.”  Daniel 5:23-28

Please open your heart to the voice of God—it won’t call forever.  Today IS the day of salvation—not tomorrow.

“In that night was Belshazzar

the king of the Chaldeans slain.

31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom,

being about threescore and two years old.”   Daniel 5:30-31

“While it is said,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation.”  Hebrews 3:15

“We then, as workers together with him,

beseech you also that ye receive not

the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith,

I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

 behold,

now is the accepted time;

behold,

now is the day of salvation.)”.  2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Maybe Medo-Persia isn’t knocking at your door, but God’s judgment is at hand.  Are you ready?  How will you fare when it’s your turn to be “weighed in the balances”?  How sad to really come a day too late!

Be blessed and be prepared! Don’t be a “day late”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Revival To “Alive”al??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 24

30 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by in Be not conformed to this world, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Cross, Encouragement, Every Knee Shall Bow, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God's Judgment, God's love, God's provision, Good News, Holiness, Holy Spirit, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Only One Way, Salvation, Saved by grace, The Blood Of Jesus, Transformation, Transformed life, Trust God, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 24 Revival To “Alive”al???

 

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people

may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,

and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak:

for he will speak peace

unto his people,

and to his saints:

but let them not turn again

to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is nigh them

that fear him;

that glory may dwell

in our land.”   Psalm 85:6-9

The prayer of my heart for many years has been for God to bring revival to HIS people.  I say that for the same reason that I used the title that I did; many seem to think that revival will bring hoards into the church, hence the church would be “revived” but that is far from true.  Revival is the:

“restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength…an awakening, in a church or community, of interest in and care for matters relating to personal religion…”

Revival is the awakening of those who have life, whereas salvation brings “life” to the spiritually dead.  It’s what Paul so aptly describes in Ephesians 2.

“And you hath he quickened, (brought to life)

who were dead in trespasses and sins; (dead)

2 Wherein in time past

ye walked according to the course

of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all

had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires

of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.”   Ephesians 2:1-3

Much like the picture that Paul painted in his treatise to the Roman church (and Romans is the foundational essence of the Christian faith in a capsule, howbeit a large capsule) that sin is sin, we all have it, and only Jesus can provide the cure, and how the ‘cure’ is worked out in each believer!

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone

out of the way,

they are together

become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.”  Romans 3:10-12

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

 that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth

in Jesus.”   Romans 3:24-26

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

Jesus came to “save his people from their sins” and without being “born again” we are dead in sin! But praise God, Jesus came that we could be “born again” and have eternal life with Him, when we come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for us.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born

when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

Jesus came that we might have “life, and that they might have it more abundantly”!

So, if the church’s job isn’t to infuse itself with “new members”, what is it?  Well, that is a question that Jesus answered before He left this world to take His place at The Father’s right hand. Let’s consider the call/commission that HE gave to His own—those who are born again!!!

“Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them

to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo,

I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”  Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus also made some observations as He spoke to the churches in The Revelation; some pertinent messages that I think we need to consider and heed today, several seem to be apropos to our focus today.

“These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars;

I know thy works,

that thou hast a name

that thou livest,

and art dead.”  Revelation 3:1b

“I know thy works:

behold, I have set before thee

an open door,

and no man can shut it:

for thou hast a little strength,

and hast kept my word,

and hast not denied my name.”   Revelation 3:8

And what I think is the most important for us to consider:

“Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not that

thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes

with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”  Revelation 3:17-18

So, what can we take away from all of this?  I think we must do as God told Israel through the prophet Haggai, “consider your ways”, good advice that God still has for us today.  We must consider our ways and measure them by God’s Word rather than the popular buzz of the world.  The church is to lead the world to transforming life in Jesus, NOT to be “transformed” into the image of the world.  God calls us to be changed into the image of our Lord, The Son; and when we will choose to yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit of Jesus, we will find that revival will come to us, spread to other believers and then the lost will be drawn to the Master.  Just the way that Jesus told us in John!

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying what death

he should die.”  John 12:32-33

“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.”  John 3:14-16

He was lifted up for our sin, may we ever lift HIM up to draw others to the cross! Like Paul, I believe the church is called to stand on the gospel of Jesus and not the imitation “religion” of the world, entertaining people right into hell.  False security is no security.  May we determine to stand fast in the sufficiency and total provision of the cross.

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony

of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:2

And as Jesus said of Himself:

“…….I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

So, will you join me in truly pursuing Jesus and praying for revival amongst born again believers, so that our transformation into truly holy reflections of our Lord will draw others to the cross—by HIS transforming power!

“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

May our lives ever be reflective of Jesus; may we truly be the evidence that God is ever at work around us?  May we be found faithful to HIS WORD; knowing it’s God’s standard that we will be judged by, not man’s!

“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

The choice is yours, but there will be an accounting before God, and only those who have bowed before the cross will be able to stand by JESUS’ blood.

Amen!