Category Archives: Seeing Truth

Except The Lord Builds??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #665

08 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by in Remember, Repentance, Seeing Truth, SIN, Sovereignty

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #665 Except The Lord Builds???

 

“Except the LORD build the house,

they labour in vain

that build it:

except the LORD keep the city,

the watchman waketh

but in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early,

to sit up late,

to eat the bread of sorrows:

for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children are an heritage

of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb

is his reward.

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

so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man

that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak

with the enemies in the gate.”   Psalm 127:1-5

I would like us to consider the nature of our “building” activity; for it seems to me that we have become a nation of ‘independent’ builders—doing our own thing—rather than relying on the master builder—The Lord God Almighty!!!

The Psalmist tells us that when we don’t rely upon God’s work, and ‘do our own thing’, so to speak—it is vanity, and even when we set ‘the watchman’ it is vain, if we aren’t relying on God.  It reminds me of the picture that Jesus painted in Matthew 7 about the “wise man” in contrast to the “foolish man”!  The story implies that the houses looked the same on the outside, but the foundation makes the difference between success and failure (heaven and hell)!  If we build on “the rock of my salvation”, Jesus, we can stand fast, because our foundation, Jesus, is sure.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings

of mine, and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings

of mine, and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27

We are in a culture war today, and people are choosing to build on the sand—our world has bought the lies of the enemy, and unlike the Psalmist, we (as a nation) don’t want God’s hand in our “stuff”—our world/nation wants to build its own way (on the sand), to reject the ‘master builder’ and set the foxes to guard the hen house, so to speak.  And I find it most interesting how the Psalmist ties the blessing of children into the blessing and gifts of the “master builder”; and that is one of the core issues of the battle we are in today—the value of life; life for the unborn, the old, the infirmed.

I find it interesting that the “land of promise” here in America (and in other prosperous nations) has become the “land of greed’!  We have forgotten that our very own “Declaration of Independence”, didn’t promise wealth, ease, and the promotion of greed, but rather

“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.

The opportunity to work and earn one’s success!  But when we leave God behind—or out completely—we will reap the consequences of our choices!  And I can’t help but believe that we are seeing the vanity of wrong choices all around us!  But my friends, we must stop ignoring the problem and seek our God’s face—His convicting move amongst us—the repentance of God’s people—and the restoration of the ‘light’ and ‘salt’ of HIS people!  After all, remember, that ‘revival’ is for God’s people; and when we will get right with our God, great and mighty things can happen as a result.

In closing, I would simply like to share some words from the scripture for us to ponder!

“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.”  Isaiah 55:6-9

“For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion,

and as a young lion to the house of Judah:

I, even I,

will tear

and go away;

I will take away,

and none shall rescue him.

15 I will go and return to my place,

till they acknowledge their offence,

and seek my face:

in their affliction

they will seek me early.”   Hosea 5:14-15

Even Jesus told the people of His day to repent!

“There were present at that season some

that told him of the Galilaeans,

whose blood Pilate had mingled

with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said unto them,

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans

were sinners above all the Galilaeans,

because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen,

upon whom the tower in Siloam fell,

and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners

above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?”  Luke 13:1-5

And as we have seen quoted regularly, may we truly hear what God is saying.

“If my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.”   2 Chronicles 7:14

God has spoken, He is speaking—if we will but receive His call—and He will accomplish His purpose through HIS SON Jesus Christ our Lord!  HE is coming again!

“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 2:8-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Who’s building your ‘world’?

Which God Do YOU See??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #659

12 Friday Jun 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Forgiveness, God Is In Charge, God Who Sees, God's love, Salvation, Seeing Truth, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #659      Which God Do YOU See???

 

We talked last time about “the God Who sees”, and I’m so grateful that we can serve The God who is the sovereign ruler over all—The Lord God Almighty!  Yet, the question comes, “Do you see the real God?”   We live in a culture that has created its own ‘god’—a ‘god’ that conforms to the lusts, greed, and permissive desires that seem to rule our world.  A world that says, “if it feels good, do it”, while God is calling us to a new life through Jesus.  John 3:16 is called the ‘gospel in a nutshell’ (and it is), yet we often forget to share the rest of what Jesus told us in this passage.

What many fail to understand is that while the love of God is totally unconditional (God loves us because HE cares for HIS creation, and He desires the best for us not because we deserve His love or the sacrifice that Jesus made to pay for our sin) His forgiveness is NOT unconditional!  God made a way for us to be restored to a relationship and fellowship with Him through Jesus.  We must remember that while God’s love for mankind is unconditional, His forgiveness is conditioned on what we do with Jesus—The only way to God!

“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 3:15-19

Jesus came to be the sacrifice for sin, that we might be saved from our sin, and have eternal life with HIM; but it is conditioned on our repenting of our sin, and believing in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection from the dead for “MY” sin!  Is Jesus the One you have turned to?  Or have you chosen your own ‘gods’ that fit with your lifestyle; rather than receiving this gift of love and salvation that God has provided in The Risen Lord Jesus?  Jesus made it clear that there is a day of accounting coming, and HE will be the One to whom we will give an account.  But remember, “saying so”, doesn’t make it so!  Are you seeing clearly yet?

“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

“And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”   John 6:40

What are you “working” at?  Do you see and know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, or have you settled for your own “gods”!  The choice is yours but remember there is a test.  Do you know the forgiveness of Jesus?

“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 1:12-14

We can have life, and peace with God, in Jesus.  Are you seeing the world through God’s eyes, or seeing God through the world’s eyes?  It makes a difference, Jesus died for YOU!

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Amen and Amen.

Nothing New??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 13

31 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Be Fruitful And Multiply!, Be not conformed to this world, By Him We Live, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Compromise, Consider Your ways, Conviction, Darkness or Light?, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Filled With His Spirit, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God Is In Charge, God's Faithfulness, If not now? When?, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming!, Judgment, Justice, Light In The Dark, Nothing New, One Day Too Late?, Our God Reigns, Righteousness, Seeing Truth, Stand Fast, Still Will I Trust HIM, That They May Know, Thy Kingdom Come, Time, Time Is Grace!, Victory IN Jesus!, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 13    Nothing New???

 

King Solomon said it most eloquently:

“The thing that hath been,

it is that which shall be;

and that which is done

is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing

under the sun.

10 Is there any thing

whereof it may be said,

See,

this is new?

it hath been already of old time,

which was before us.

11 There is no remembrance

of former things;

neither shall there be any remembrance

of things that are to come

with those that shall come after.”    Ecclesiastes 1:9-11

Sadly, it seems, each generation forgets the lessons of the past.  And our world has not only forgotten the faithfulness of our God, but the countless times and ways that He has stood by us through trials and conflicts.  Our culture, our world, has chosen to forsake God, and exercise hatred, greed and jealousy, which ever seem to follow close on the heels of God’s faithfulness since mankind chooses to sin by his own will.  While we often blame others, the times, the culture, the temptations—the truth is, we have each chosen to go our own way!  Will you choose Jesus and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice or your own way?  God has given us the freedom to choose, but each choice will bring a consequence, so choose wisely, there is a test!

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

but the end thereof are the ways of death.”   Proverbs 14:12

The very first parents saw their poor choices affect their children—one chose God’s way, the other chose to go his own way; and the consequence was disastrous!

“And Cain talked with Abel his brother:

and it came to pass,

when they were in the field,

that Cain rose up

against Abel his brother,

and slew him.

9 And the LORD said unto Cain,

Where is Abel thy brother?

And he said,

I know not:

Am I my brother’s keeper?

10 And he said,

What hast thou done?

the voice of thy brother’s blood

crieth unto me

from the ground.”   Genesis 4:8-10

Sin never escapes God’s sight, and HE WILL bring justice to light in HIS time!  He created this world and HE will bring all accounts to their right judgment—in HIS time (and I can’t believe it’s very far away!)!  Abel chose wisely!  How about you?

“Through faith we understand

that the worlds were framed

by the word of God,

so that things which are seen

were not made of things

which do appear.

4 By faith

Abel offered unto God

a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,

by which he obtained witness

that he was righteous,

God testifying of his gifts:

and by it

he being dead

yet speaketh.”   Hebrews 11:3-4

“Whosoever is born of God

doth not commit sin;

for his seed remaineth in him:

and he cannot sin,

because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God

are manifest,

and the children of the devil:

whosoever doeth not righteousness

is not of God,

neither he that loveth not

his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard

from the beginning,

that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain,

who was of that wicked one,

and slew his brother.

And wherefore slew he him?

Because his own works were evil,

and his brother’s righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren,

if the world hate you.”  1 John 3:9-13

We see those who have seemingly gone crazy, those who have taken the opportunity to run amuck, using any excuse to do so; what is the difference between them and me?  When the causes we claim to follow and support turn into wreck, havoc and riot, what do we do?  We must come back to the principles of God and remember that sin is sin, and when we abandon God’s ways, there is a price to pay; compromise with sin/evil will never produce good results!  And our culture has given itself over to pursue sin and evil with a vengeance; rejecting the principles of God and His Word;  using the name of Jesus for a by-word, not the name of the Son of God; are we standing fast with our Lord, or delighting in the sinful ways of those around us.

“Woe unto them

that draw iniquity with cords of vanity,

and sin as it were with a cart rope:

19 That say,

Let him make speed,

and hasten his work,

that we may see it:

and let the counsel

of the Holy One of Israel

draw nigh

and come,

that we may know it!

20 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!

22 Woe unto them

that are mighty

to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked

for reward,

and take away

the righteousness

of the righteous

from him!”  Isaiah 5:18-23

There always have been evil men, and today is no exception, even as Paul warned us of those who are not only evil but take pleasure in doing evil and causing others to follow in their evil schemes.  The choice is yours—who will you follow?  Whom will you believe?  Will you join evil people or “withstand in the evil day”?  (See Ephesians 6:10-19).

God gave you the freedom to choose, but you do not have the freedom to set the consequences!

“And even as they did not like to retain God

in their knowledge,

God gave them over

to a reprobate mind,

to do those things

which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all

unrighteousness,

fornication,

wickedness,

covetousness,

maliciousness;

full of envy,

murder,

debate,

deceit,

malignity;

whisperers,

30 Backbiters,

haters of God,

despiteful,

proud,

boasters,

inventors of evil things,

disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding,

covenantbreakers,

without natural affection,

implacable,

unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God,

that they which commit such things

are worthy of death,

not only do the same,

but have pleasure in them

that do them.”  Romans 1:28-32

And this is scripture—not off of the front page of the newspaper!  We live in a culture that is like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum, only the results are far more deadly—it is destroying lives and property—the very means by which we can live and be productive.  Yet we see rack and riot on every hand, produced not by those who have suffered offense, but by those who desire to cause more offense, and take pleasure in the sin that is rampant, for we have chosen a disastrous course!  But one that God has told us beforehand would come.

“Be astonished,

O ye heavens,

at this,

and be horribly afraid,

be ye very desolate,

saith the LORD.

13 For my people have committed two evils;

they have forsaken me

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed them out cisterns,

broken cisterns,

that can hold no water.”   Jeremiah 2:12-13

We, the culture and our world, have not only chosen broken cisterns over living water, but we have walked head-long into the perilous times that God warned us would come!

“This know also,

that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

So, my question for us today is, will we choose to stand for the right, to be (not just talk about, but “BE”) true reflections of the glory and truth of GOD?   It is our calling—a calling that only the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us can accomplish!

“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.

7 But unto every one of us

is given grace

according to the measure

of the gift of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:1-7

Even as Jesus reminds us, it is by HIS Power—our abiding in HIM that produces fruit.  Are you abiding in Jesus?  If not, what are you abiding in?

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word

which I have spoken

unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”  John 15:1-5

If we will ‘abide” in HIM, HE will produce fruit—HIS fruit in and through us!  Paul also made it clear for us all—we must choose to let GOD work in us, by the power of His Holy Spirit.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh

lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit

against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would…

… 25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”   Galatians 5:16-17 & 25-26

Yet rather, as the author of Hebrews reminds us, provoke one another to good works; as our Pastor Brad always says, “good, good works” (not just ‘good works’ to impress or gain for ourselves, but doing good things for the right reasons!)!

“Let us hold fast

the profession of our faith

without wavering;

(for he is faithful that promised😉

24 And let us consider one another

to provoke unto love

and to good works:”   Hebrews 10:23-24

May we truly be those who are found faithful, regardless of what the world says or does.  And the day is coming, rapidly I believe, when we will be the scape-goat—but may we be found to be “busy about my Father’s business”!

“So then every one of us

shall give account of himself

to God.”  Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

Where Is Your Sin??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #598

25 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Not Of This World, Nothing New, Overcoming By His Blood, Salvation, Seeing Truth, SIN, Speaking The Truth In Love, The Blood Of Jesus, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, What's In Your Heart?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #598       Where Is Your Sin???

 

The issue today doesn’t seem to be “sin”, for according to the world’s standard there isn’t any!  Much like God’s people in the book of Judges, we are totally living in a “selfie” culture in more ways than one.  God warned of the danger of this kind of living, and just as few listened in the past, few are hearing truth today.  Let’s take a walk-through God’s Word this morning to see what God has to say!

“Ye shall not do after

all the things that we do here this day,

every man whatsoever is right

in his own eyes.”  Deuteronomy 12:8

As I’ve heard the old saying, “I’m ok; you’re ok; we’re all ok!”; I don’t think so?  It’s not a new idea, even as Solomon said:

“The thing that hath been,

it is that which shall be;

and that which is done

is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing under the sun.

10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said,

See, this is new?

it hath been already of old time,

which was before us.”  Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

Even as Israel wrestled with the truths of God after the death of Joshua, our culture—our world—is set on self, no matter the consequences.

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that

which was right

in his own eyes.”   Judges 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that

which was right

in his own eyes.”  Judges 21:25

My question for today is the same as our title today: “Where is your sin?”  Is it covered by your own arguments, justification, and excuses or is it under the blood—the blood of Jesus?

“If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

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

God makes it clear that sin is the problem, we have it—we can’t fix it—but Jesus has!  He can and will forgive sin for those who will come to HIM in repentance and faith!

“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 1:12-14

Just as Jesus said, we “must be born again”—by God’s grace, mercy and power, expressed in His “only begotten son”!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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 1:10-13

And praise God Jesus takes care of our SIN when we are “born….of God”! Jesus cleanses us “from all sin”!  Oh, praise God for HIS amazing grace toward we sinners; for HE washes away our sin through the blood of Jesus!  As the old hymn says, “Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus”!  (Written by Robert Lowry in 1876)

“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.”   1 John 1:7-9

Oh, praise His name–His blood will cover our sins; or it will hold you accountable for rejecting HIM—and God’s Word is the standard, not our ‘selfies’!

“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

So, my friend, where’s your sin?  Mine is under the blood of Jesus, my Lord and Savior!  If you don’t know Him, He is waiting for YOU to come to HIM, that you may know His “abundant life” today!

“And from Jesus Christ,

 who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God …to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”   Revelation 1:5-6

Amen and Amen!!!

Whose Box Are You In??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 08

06 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Beauty of Holiness, Children, Choices And Consequences, Consider Your ways, Dare To Be Different!, Encouragement, Family, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Holiness, IN Jesus!, In The Beginning, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Not Of This World, Only One Way, Seeing Truth, Suffering With Jesus, That They May Know, The Father of Lies!, The Word Or The World?, Truth is True, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol.14 No.08     Whose Box Are You In???

 

I’m going to broach a subject that may cause me to lose some of you, but nonetheless, it’s a topic that I feel that Christian women need to consider, especially in light of what we are teaching our young girls and young women.  I think that we have allowed the world to dictate and sway our thinking about women.  Being a woman who was adversely affected by the tripe that was touted in the 60’s about ‘women’ being ‘liberated’, and “bringing home the bacon”, “cooking it up”, and being the “everything to everyone”—the sex-goddess without an apron in the kitchen.  Well, I’m here to tell you—we were lied to!  God’s plan is the only plan that will bring us joy, peace and the opportunity to influence our families, our world, so we can see mountains moved for Jesus.  What I’ve learned in these years of failures and successes is that ultimately, finding out what GOD said about us as women, the home, and our ‘true north’ of focus, is that the only ‘box’ that brings true fulfillment is knowing and pursuing God and His plan.

I read a story recently of a person who was given a fine Swiss watch, but it quit running.  After taking it to several repair shops, who said they couldn’t fix it, someone was going to be in Switzerland on an unrelated task, so they took it to the original manufacturer and told them it wasn’t running.  Sometime later the person received the watch back in perfect running order!  How?  Because the original manufacturer “knew” the watch and what it would take to fix it—for they had created it.  And the point?  God is the “original” creator and He  designed us male and female for a reason; He established marriage with a purpose (and it wasn’t to set up a race for ‘superior and inferior’ member of the union)—but rather that the home would be a place where love would abound, where a man and a woman could grow and blossom into the people that God created them to be—and ‘In Jesus’ we can blossom as we were created to do—male and female, truly becoming ONE—propagating life and the Gospel!

“In whom we have redemption

 through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him

were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

 or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him

all things consist.” Colossians 1:14-17

God is creator, and The Son was right there with Him, so we can trust in our God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—Creator and sustainer!!!  His plan is the best plan ever–still!

“In the beginning

was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things

were made by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him

was life;

and the life

was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth

in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

We live in a culture that at this moment is promoting “strong” women—but often what they are promoting as ‘strength’ is more like defiance of the God-given characteristics of men and women!  We women were never created or called to be men, nor vice-versa.  God created ‘male’ and ‘female’ with intent and purpose; woman was brought to the man as a “completer” not a “competer”, and God made us to encourage and strengthen one another by our unique differences!  God made us as the crowning glory of His work of creation; and the home to be the nurturing incubator to build the next generation—for better or for worse!  Instead of caving to the culture, God wants us to call the culture to the cross—not fall in the gutter with them!

We talked last week about those who were “past feeling”, and this fits in today; we are living amongst a people who have decided that anyone who considers God’s way as the right way, is out of touch with reality!  The truth is that God IS true ‘reality’; yet we often let the world trap, fool and deceive us into accepting and joining in with their rejection and revision of God’s order, forsaking the truth for a lie!  Jesus dealt with these same issues when He walked this earth, the more truth He spoke the more those in positions of authority defied, denied and demeaned Him.

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

 ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin?

And if I say the truth,

why do ye not believe me?

 47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”   John 8:42-47

One thing that we often forget is that Jesus warned us that if we choose to follow Him and go God’s way, then we would face the same things that he faced.  Many don’t like to consider this, for so many preach an ‘easy believe-ism’ that says if we follow Jesus we will always be accepted—healthy, wealthy, painless.  As I had someone tell me once, as I was teaching on suffering and persecution, ‘if you are nice to others, they will be nice to you’; and while that sounds really nice (and we are to be nice to others) it is not always true.  I’ll use the same answer now, as I used then, I simply asked about Jesus—did He always do right; yes!  Did He always respond in truth; yes!  Did He always speak the right thing, to the right person, at the right time, in the right way-yes!  Yet what did ‘they’ do to Him?  The “loved” Him to death—they cried out “crucify Him”!  Less than a week after Palm Sunday’s shouts of “hosanna”, they were crying “Crucify him…”.  We can expect the same—male and female!

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 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.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”   John 15:17-21

Back to our thoughts about women and the family, one of the things I want us to consider is, what/who are we holding up to our children as “heroes”?  Who are we teaching/allowing them to dress like, behave like, and listen to?  The people that saturate the media with their ungodliness, or those who lived for God in the past as well as those who are living for Him and honoring Him now.  Are we teaching our young men and women that building a home is a priority, or that it’s simply an ‘add-on’ to living life for your selfish desires, if it fits in?  Are we teaching and leading our children, both our sons and our daughters, to value and pursue godliness, or have we abandoned them to the world, it’s glitz and glamour, and its vile icons?  Are we helping them be like the world or to pursue holiness?  I truly believe that godly women—moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, neighbors, and friends—can still make a difference in the world!  And whether they know it or not, the world needs true, biblical, godly men and women to lead us into the future.  Scripture gives us some guidelines; the problem is we seem to be failing to make teaching our young ones The Word of God a priority.  If your son or daughter can pitch a perfect no-hitter, or make 3-point baskets all night, or if they are a ‘fashion plate’ of modern dress, if they don’t know Jesus, what do they have?  We can’t assure that they will always make good choices, but we are to help them learn the difference between godly and ungodly; and not just our own children, but those we have the opportunity to influence; as well as other adults God sends our way!

“But speak thou the things

which become sound doctrine:

2 That the aged men

be sober,

grave,

temperate,

sound

in faith,

in charity,

in patience.

3 The aged women likewise,

that they be in behaviour

as becometh holiness,

not false accusers,

not given to much wine,

teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach

the young women

to be sober,

to love their husbands,

to love their children,

5 To be discreet,

chaste,

keepers at home,

good,

obedient to their own husbands,

that the word of God

be not blasphemed.

6 Young men likewise

exhort to be sober minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself

a pattern of good works:

in doctrine

shewing uncorruptness,

gravity,

sincerity,

8 Sound speech,

that cannot be condemned;

that he that is of

the contrary part

may be ashamed,

having no evil thing

to say of you.”  Titus 2:1-8

Paul says so much in these few verses, he is calling Christian men and women to live above reproach—that we don’t bring shame to the name of our Lord Jesus!  He calls us to pass on this ‘higher call’ to those among whom we have influence.  And whether we work outside the home or not, godly women should know that love is more importantly ‘acted out’ rather than simply ‘spoken’.  For to speak truth effectively, we must live it!  Continually!

And when we are living truth, we will be used by God to make a difference.  Why do we allow people with, to say the least, questionable character to be praised before our daughters?  Why have we abandoned the truth and power available through the ideal of godly, humble, powerful women of GOD?

It often escapes us that Paul’s admonition to the “older” women to teach the “younger” women, is a two-fold call; for every woman has someone in their life that is ‘younger’, and at the same time we have those who are ‘older’ than we are.  We are to share with one another the power of biblical truth for living!  Get off of your social-media and make a call, make a visit, connect with a real person—in person!  We are quickly losing the art of personal communication—and we need personal relationships NOT virtual ones!

What has happened to sharing with our young ones the call to be an ‘Esther’-a woman with an opportunity to rescue her nation; to be a Hannah, a praying woman and a self-less mother; to be a Ruth, a loving servant to her mother-in-law, and a humble convert and servant of God; to be a Deborah (and I’ll lose some of you here) a godly woman of God, used to be a powerful inspiration to encourage men to follow and accept God’s call to lead and overcome (not to take their place—oooops, I just lost some of you!)!  How about modern women of faith?  Corrie Ten Boom, a powerful woman of faith, truth and strength!   Amy Carmichael, a powerful woman of God who served tirelessly on the mission field! Elizabeth Elliot, who helped show the world that a godly widow can make a difference! Ruth Graham, a quite woman of faith, strength and courage, who supported her husband’s ministry and raised her children with dignity and truth to be servants of God!  The list could go on, but I think you get the point.  We often teach about the Daniels, and Josephs, and we should, but don’t forget God’s examples of godly women!  And one point I’d like to leave with you is to get your children and grandchildren into reading the biographies of the faithful servants of God from the past and the present!  May we be Proverbs 31 women who ‘fear The Lord’ and seek God’s praise over the praise of men, sharing with those around us?

“Favour is deceitful,

and beauty is vain:

but a woman that feareth the LORD,

she shall be praised.   

31 Give her

of the fruit of her hands;

and let her own works

praise her in the gates.”   Proverbs 31:30-31

Let’s stop binge-eating at the world’s table, and feast on The Word of God, and the company of other godly women! (or men as the case may be). Peter reminds us that God has a higher standard than the world—will we accept the challenge or fall for the lies of the enemy.  And note, Peter points out that our “life-style” of holiness (conversation) is more of a testimony than nagging (ouch!)!

Men and women are called to appreciate our respective differences, and pursue God’s work in our lives, as we share each with the other, and for the sake of time and space, I’ll only share a portion of 1 Peter 3.  I encourage you to read chapter 2 and 3 this week (In fact the whole book is a doable thing, and it’s all about suffering for Jesus—for living holy lives in a broken world!).

“Likewise, ye wives,

be in subjection to your own husbands;

that, if any obey not the word,

they also may

without the word

be won by the conversation

of the wives;

2 While they behold

your chaste conversation

coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning

let it not be that outward adorning

of plaiting the hair,

and of wearing of gold,

or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man

of the heart,

 in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament

of a meek

and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God

of great price…

….7 Likewise, ye husbands,

dwell with them

according to knowledge,

giving honour unto the wife,

as unto the weaker vessel,

and as being heirs together

of the grace of life;

that your prayers

be not hindered.

8 Finally,

be ye all of one mind,

having compassion one of another,

love as brethren,

be pitiful,

be courteous:

9 Not rendering

evil for evil,

or railing for railing:

but contrariwise

blessing;

knowing that ye are thereunto called,

that ye should inherit a blessing.”    Portions of 1 Peter 3:1-9

Let me close by saying, God created male and female—and we are to treasure the differences without yielding our God-given roles!  And yes, I believe we have “roles”—not subservient roles (either way) but roles of complementors and completers not competitors!  God calls us to love—agape love—to do that which is always for the other persons good, not just our own!  And sometimes it hurts to love that way, but I’m so grateful that Jesus loved me enough to give His life for mine.  How could I/we do less for one another, especially within a home!!!

“This is my commandment,

That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for his friends.”    John 15:12-13

Amen and Amen!!!