Category Archives: The Crucified Life

As For Me!!! And You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 20

26 Sunday Jul 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Amazing Grace, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Conviction, Crucified With Christ, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Gospel, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Saves!, Leading Or Mis-Leading?, One Day Too Late?, Only One Way, Salvation, Saved by grace, Take Up YOUR Cross, The Blood Of Jesus, The Crucified Life, The Only Way, Trusting Jesus?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 20 As For Me!!! And You???

 

After Joshua had served God with Moses, led the nation of Israel across Jordan into the promised land after the death of Moses, conquered the land as God used him to lead the nation to possess their promised land, and divided the land as an inheritance to each of the tribes, then took his own possession in the new land of promise.  As he neared the end of his life, he called his people to faithfully serve God—this people, who like us, often rebelled against God, needed this mighty leader to call them to earnest devotion to God.  Among other things he reminded them of his own faithfulness to God and called them to make a choice that would secure their future by relying on God’s faithful provision to those who would obey, he reminded them of God’s words and challenged them to choose wisely!

“And I sent the hornet before you,

which drave them out from before you,

even the two kings of the Amorites;

but not with thy sword,

nor with thy bow.

13 And I have given you a land

for which ye did not labour,

and cities

which ye built not,

and ye dwell in them;

of the vineyards and oliveyards

which ye planted not

do ye eat.

14 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 24:12-15

We will choose whom we will serve but choose wisely for there is a consequence for every choice!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you

in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.”   Matthew 7:13-15

Jesus goes on to tell us that “just saying so, doesn’t make it so”!  Many use His name today for a multitude of things that really have nothing to do with the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus came to “BE” for sinners; rather they seem to only want to capitalize or profit financially, socially or politically from the name of Jesus—nor trust Him to redeem them and to take up the cross and follow Him (it’s one reason that the cross is such a contentious issue today)!

“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

Just as Joshua made it clear to the children of Israel, who were now in possession of the “Promised Land”, they needed to be sure that they were in ‘possession’ of the “Promised One”, by faith through grace—same salvation that we can have today; they were looking forward to the coming Messiah, we are looking back at the completed sacrifice that The Messiah came to provide.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

We can choose to trust Jesus for forgiveness of our sin, and be redeemed by His blood sacrifice, or we can reject Him and pay for our own sin.  Paul painted an amazing picture of the choice given to every man, woman, boy and girl!  What have you chosen?

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God…

…21 But now the righteousness of God

without the law is manifested,

being witnessed by the law

and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God

which is by faith of Jesus Christ

unto all

and upon all them

that believe:

for there is no difference:

23 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:”  Romans 3:10-11 & 21-24

When we trust to His saving grace and receive His salvation and forgiveness of sin, we can rejoice always IN HIM!

“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

I find it interesting that both Jesus and Paul share the truth about dying to self and living the crucified life of devotion to Jesus, yet so many today ignore its import.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man

shall come in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”  Matthew 16:24-27

We can choose to take Paul’s admonition, and find the grace and strength to yield to His work in us, dying to self and living for Him who died for us; or we can ignore God’s warnings and be one who will not believe nor receive HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin to be saved!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

And it’s hard to really grasp, but I think we haven’t a lot of time to waste trying to make up our minds; or waiting to call others to turn to Jesus.  I believe His return is truly eminent!  What if it were today?  Would you be ready?  Have you chosen Jesus?

“(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 6:2

And Paul’s famous appeal to King Agrippa:

“For the king knoweth of these things,

before whom also I speak freely:

for I am persuaded

that none of these things are hidden

from him;

for this thing

was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa,

believest thou the prophets?

I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said,

I would to God,

that not only thou,

but also all that hear me this day,

were both almost,

and altogether

such as I am,

except these bonds.”  Acts 26:26-29

As the old hymn says, “…almost, but lost”! (“Almost Persuaded”, by Philip Bliss), what have you done with Jesus?  I stand with Joshua, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”!  What about you?  When He returns will you shout for joy or mourn because you failed to prepare.  Like it or not there is (as a great Lanny Wolfe song says) the possibility of being “One Day Too Late”!

“And then shall appear the sign

of the Son of man

in heaven:

and then shall all the tribes of the earth

mourn,

and they shall see

the Son of man coming

in the clouds of heaven

with power

and great glory.”  Matthew 26:30

As Paul and John warned us, there is a day coming when we will all give an account.  Are your sins covered in the blood of Jesus, or will you hear Him say “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…”?  I pray that you will come while there is time!

“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 2:9-11

And as John saw in the Revelation, there will be a Great White Throne before which all who have refused to come to Jesus will stand.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things which were written

in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:11-15

This reminds me of the words of Jesus to Nicodemus.  Like Nicodemus, we can believe and receive, or go our own way!  Will you receive or reject?  Will you choose to serve The Lord or self?

“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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”   John 3:16-21

So, I simply ask you to consider your choices, for you have the God-given privilege to choose.  But just as Joshua declared, we will all “choose you this day whom ye will serve”!  And please note—refusing to choose Jesus, IS choosing!  I pray that you will hear His Holy Spirit speaking to your heart and open the door to Jesus—He loves you and is calling today!  Ye must be born again!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

Daniel Measured Up! Do We??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #636

20 Friday Mar 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Bibe Study, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Come To Worship HIM, Crucified With Christ, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Give Us This Day, Great is Thy Faithfulness, It's Your Choice, Remember, Salvation, Teaching Always, That They May Know, The Crucified Life

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #636  Daniel Measured Up!  Do We???

 

I wasn’t going to post today since I shared a guest post yesterday, but with all of the hoopla going around on social media, I feel compelled to share some biblical insight that seems to be lacking around us.

First of all, let me say that we are to interpret life in light of God’s Word, not interpret God’s Word based on the world events going on around us.  God has been, IS, and ever will BE The Sovereign God Almighty of all creation!  We, His people, are to stand on HIS Word not the latest buzz “philosophy” that is drawing a following.  I feel led to share one of my favorite biblical characters, Daniel; for he gives us an example that is, may I say, less than politically correct!  But Daniel was a man of godly character regardless 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:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”  Daniel 1:8

This young man (probably a mid to late teen) made up his mind, he “purposed in his heart”, that he would do nothing to “defile himself”!  This requires a bit of context and history to explain Daniel’s plight.  Much of what we hear going around today, proports that God will protect Christians from every harm if they only do “_____”, and you can fill in the blank.  Yet scripture is replete with accounts of God’s people having to suffer the consequences of those around them—and Daniel and his three friends were some of those.  God had been calling His people to repent for a long while, and yet they refused to heed the warning of impending judgment.  Interestingly enough, they had continued to ‘worship’ in their “temple”, yet God had rejected their hypocritical ‘worship’ and called them to come to HIM not religion!

“Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people draw near me

with their mouth,

and with their lips

do honour me,

but have removed their heart

far from me,

and their fear toward me

is taught by the precept of men:

14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed

to do a marvellous work among this people,

even a marvellous work

and a wonder:

for the wisdom

of their wise men

shall perish,

and the understanding

of their prudent men

shall be hid.”   Isaiah 29:13-14

And this message is one so needed then, and now, that Jesus quoted it to those in His day.

“Ye hypocrites,

well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me

with their mouth,

and honoureth me

with their lips;

but their heart

is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me,

teaching for doctrines

the commandments of men.”  Matthew 15:7-9

What is God telling us?  Just as He told Jeremiah to preach repentance, He is still calling people to repent and believe in The Son of God, Jesus.  And when God calls, we can hear and respond in faith or go our own way!  Daniel had been raised in this country who had walked away from God repeatedly, and even with the fires of revival under a godly king, it was, if you would, too little too late!  But delayed his judgment because of the response of a remnant of genuine believers.  Yet judgment came as God had promised, and Daniel and his friends suffered the penalty of captivity—yet even in that captivity, Daniel determined to remain faithful to His God.

And I personally believe (after much study and prayer) that this decision was so significant because Daniel had probably already been ‘ceremonially’ defiled, as these young men were more than likely castrated (as was the custom of the time, for those taken captive for service in the palace).  Yet Daniel and his friends determined to trust The God whom they had trusted before their captivity.  I also find it interesting that they walked faithfully with their God for the whole record of the book of Daniel, and at least Daniel survived the entire 70 years of captivity.

The thing that I want us to consider is this principle of trusting God even in the crises, for sometimes we do suffer for the choices of others; yet when we do, we are to still keep on trusting our God.  And Paul surely wanted us to remember that “ease” isn’t the what we will usually encounter when we “take up our cross“ and “follow” Jesus!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure, having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth

the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timothy 2:19

“Yea, and all that will live godly

 in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”  2 Timothy 3:12

Oh my, we don’t hear that preached very much!  Daniel suffered because of the sin of his nation, but he didn’t doubt, pout, or drop out (as my friend, Pastor Brad, is known to say!).  Daniel stood fast in “the evil day” in which he lived, and in the “evil place” where he was thrust, and he shared truth at every opportunity—even when it was at his own peril.  Why do we think that we are to be immune for this broken world just because we are born again?

In fact, when Daniel was near the end of his life and ministry, he prayed for his people who were about to go back into the land of Israel!  Hopefully his prayer will open some eyes to see that we are to identify with those around us (not join in their sin but identify with our human plight) offering the hope of our “Redeemer” and His life-giving salvation from sin! (Read Daniel 9 in its entirety).

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Are you spreading the hope of salvation by the “blood of the Lamb”?  Or are you looking for the “easy” way, the ‘gospel of ease’ rather than the gospel of taking up HIS CROSS!  Are you willing to die to self—or cling to it?

“I am crucified

with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth

in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live

by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”    Galatians 2:20

Jesus told us to take up our cross not to dictate to God!  Our circumstances are God’s business, and if all we can do is whine, or complain—who are we really trusting?

And just FYI, Daniel had no temple to attend—he worshipped, prayed, served, and testified where he was because he knew HIS God and HIS Word!  What about you?  I think church attendance is important, and scripture says we aren’t to neglect it, but we must understand that born-again believers “ARE” the church, and we are to “BE” the church not just attend a meeting in a building.  Daniel and his friends prayed together, served God where they were, supported and encouraged one another where they were!  Are we going to follow their example—or stomp our feet and ignore the dangers of our present danger or seek God’s face for our particular situation.  Jesus clearly told us that we aren’t to “tempt God” with our presumption on HIS Word!  I would encourage you to spend some time pondering these things that Jesus left as our example.

“And when the tempter came to him, he said,

If thou be the Son of God,

command that these stones

be made bread.

4 But he answered and said,

It is written,

Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word

that proceedeth

out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city,

and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him,

If thou be the Son of God,

cast thyself down:

for it is written,

He shall give his angels

charge concerning thee:

and in their hands

they shall bear thee up,

lest at any time

thou dash thy foot

against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him,

It is written again,

Thou shalt not tempt

the Lord thy God.

8 Again, the devil taketh him up

into an exceeding high mountain,

and sheweth him all the kingdoms

of the world,

and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him,

All these things will I give thee,

if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him,

Get thee hence, Satan:

for it is written,

Thou shalt worship the Lord

thy God,

and him only shalt thou serve.”  Matthew 4:3-10

Measure what you’re hearing these days by the words of The Master!  Don’t be presumptuous toward God’s sovereignty or His Word; Jesus clearly tells us that we are to trust God for our provision, not step out on our own judgment (See Proverbs 3:5-6); we are never to “tempt” God by presumption on His will or His Word.  Not all promises apply to every situation, there are conditional promises—you need to know God’s Word and the context of what you’re camping on!  And our worship is to totally be directed toward God and not just His blessings and benefits.  Daniel loved, prayed to, served, and worshipped His God continually even though He never made it back to “the temple”!  What about you—do you know HIS Word well enough to practice it at home, to teach it to your children and family?  God calls every believer to know HIS Word!  That means you and me, not just the preachers and teachers!  He doesn’t mean just the “paid” staff!

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase

unto more ungodliness.”   2 Timothy 2:15-16

So, my challenge to each of us is that we will learn to judge things around us biblically and not by popular ‘buzz-words’, memes, and political correctness (which is usually not biblically correct!)!  And Peter’s challenge to us to always consider our Lord’s Word, His life and His example (and while He came to save us from our sin, His life is one we can always trust!), knowing that suffering and persecution are often the normal for genuine believers!  Consider what scripture says, and the lives of those who died for God—in fact spend some time in Hebrews 11:32-40 (it might give you a different take on real ‘Faith’!)

“Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters

with all fear;

not only to the good and gentle,

but also to the froward.

19 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:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we, being dead to sins,

should live

unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop

of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:17-25

Are we measuring up to our Lord’s example?  Won’t you join me in drawing near to Jesus, and measuring those things around us with HIS yardstick not the world’s? And remember what Jesus told the woman at the well!

“Jesus saith unto her,

Woman, believe me, the hour cometh,

when ye shall neither in this mountain,

nor yet at Jerusalem,

worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what:

we know what we worship:

for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is,

when the true worshippers

shall worship the Father

in spirit and in truth:

for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him

in spirit and in truth.”   John 4:21-24

Be safe and blessings on your week.  I’ll be taking some down time and probably won’t post until later next week.  See you soon!

A Month Of Gratitude??? #7. Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14

17 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Blessed by God, Follow Jesus, Friends, Friendship, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know, The Crucified Life

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14   A Month Of Gratitude??? #7

 

Friendship: I thank God for friendship!  First of all, I thank Jesus for taking me not only as His child but also to be my best friend!

“Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not

what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go

and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask

of the Father in my name,

he may give it you.

17 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 15:15-21

Having Jesus as my Lord and Savior isn’t about having a magic lamp, or a genie—it means being crucified with the One who loves me and gave Himself that I might have life!  He did it all for me and having Jesus as my friend means not only identifying with Him as my Lord and Savior, but also loving Him and yielding to His work in my life; that the world may see Jesus in me and be drawn to Him; and I can only do that as I die to self and live to HIM!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

Jesus has given all for me, what less could I give to and for Him?  And Jesus Himself told us that the cross is the issue—He died that I might live, and I live by the power of His cross!  My friend, Jesus, gave His life for me—how could I thank Him for His sacrifice with less than my all?

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

Because I am grateful for the ONE who gave His life for me, I desire to please Him, and to hear His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” when He calls me to Himself, or when He returns for His own!  Do you have such a friend?

I am also thankful for the precious friends in this life whom God has blessed me with!  I truly believe if you/I have one “real” friend, then we are abundantly blessed.  If you have more than one, then you are greatly blessed; and I count myself as one of those abundantly showered with faithful friends!  I have been so greatly blessed by those whom God has sent into my life—some for most of my life—some for a season—some for a short time.  Some are still here, some have gone on before me; but regardless of when, or where, or how long we had in close proximity, I am blessed beyond measure to have shared my life, love and labors with these unique precious ones.

God’s Word says a lot about friends, and I’d like to share just a few of those principles and truths with you today.

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend

that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

“A friend loveth

at all times,

and a brother

is born for adversity.”   Proverbs 17:17

“Open rebuke

is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds

of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy

are deceitful.”   Proverbs 27:6-7

To have good friends, we must be willing to be a good friend; one who is there through thick and thin; one who stands fast in good times and adversity; one who is willing to hold you accountable to God’s Word; one whose advice is for your ultimate good rather than your momentary satisfaction!  How grateful I am that God has sent those kinds of people into my life—He has also allowed me to help those who stayed for a time; as well as those who stayed only as long as it was beneficial to them; and He has sent me those who have stayed the course despite my humanity!  God is so faithful and His love and care for me, as well as His faithfulness to grow me in His Word have helped me be a better friend, and I pray that I can always be that “friend that sticketh closer than a brother”! While I praise God for my siblings (whom I love and am thankful for also), we have often had great distances between us, and God has sent me friends who have stood by me in that “closer than a brother” kind of way!  My heart’s desire is that I will be that kind of friend to others.

Sometimes friendship has a cost, and just as Jesus paid the price for our salvation out of His great love for us; we ought to share with others that same kind of love in friendship!  True friends live and share the love of Jesus with one another, helping each other to become the best that we can be—to glorify our Lord!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Are we being that “iron” sharpening “iron” by our walk with Jesus, or are we leading our friends down a path of compromise, indulgence and selfish, fleshly lusts?  It’s a tough question because it makes me assess my own walk with Jesus; am I growing in the grace of Jesus and helping others to keep our “eyes on the prize”—Jesus Christ Himself!

“But grow in grace,

and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him be glory

both now

and for ever. Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18

Oh, to stand fast in “the evil day” and bring glory to The Lord Jesus, to encourage those He sends to us, being grateful for each one HE sends into our lives, imparting grace, courage and love!

“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,

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.

17 Brethren, be followers

together of me,

and mark them

which walk so

as ye have us for an ensample.”  Philippians 3:12-17

May we ever pursue the example of our Lord—He loved us first!  Loving others as He loves us—may we be the friend to others that Jesus is to us!  Thank you to all my wonderful friends—and a special thank you to those of you who have stood with me through the years—you are a treasure rare—and I truly “thank my God upon every remembrance of you”!  Blessings on your week! (Thank God and be sure and thank a friend!)

“In this was manifested the love of God

toward us,

because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world,

that we might live

through him.

10 Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation

for our sins.

11 Beloved,

if God so loved us,

we ought also

to love one another.”  1 John 4:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Are You Hearing What You’re Seeing??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #574

31 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Compromise, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Crucified With Christ, Father of lies, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Gospel, Have You Heard?, Hearing God, Holy Living, Idolatry, If not now? When?, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Liars, Listening To God, Plumbline?, Polluted by the world?, Seeing Truth, SIN, The Crucified Life, The Father of Lies!, The Mind Of Christ, The Word Or The World?, Trendy Or Truth

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #574 Are You Hearing What You’re Seeing???

 

I know that seems like a ludicrous question, but we live in a world that is ready to accept and believe any ‘cutsey’ meme, video, artsy word picture, social media claim, or celebrity tirade; so I would like us to consider bringing “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (See 2 Cor. 10:3-5)?  Are we willing to measure with God’s plumb-line?  Or have we become accustomed to just measuring by our own/the world’s judgment, without regard to the real truth of what God has said? Who/what is influencing your perceptions and actions?

“The idols of the heathen

are silver and gold,

the work of men’s hands.

16 They have mouths,

but they speak not;

eyes have they,

but they see not;

17 They have ears,

but they hear not;

neither is there any breath

in their mouths.

18 They that make them

are like unto them:

so is every one

that trusteth in them.”  Psalm 135:15-18

While we may not bow down to ‘statues’ of gold and silver, we do have modern idols (as well as the old-fashioned statues and figures that are worshipped by some) that the enemy uses to draw us from God—to distract us from the truth, by feeding us half-truths—pretty, sweet-sounding platitudes!  And when I looked up the word, platitudes, I almost laughed out loud!  It’s the perfect description of most of the ‘media’ we are enamored with!

Platitudes: a flat, dull or trite remark, especially one uttered

as if it were fresh or profound; the quality or state of being flat, dull or trite.

Isaiah received a message from The Lord about the blindness of mankind.

“And he said,

Go,

and tell this people,

Hear ye indeed,

but understand not;

and see ye indeed,

but perceive not.

10 Make the heart of this people fat,

and make their ears heavy,

and shut their eyes;

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart,

and convert,

and be healed.”  Isaiah 6:9-10

We live in a culture that ‘marches’ for or against so many things that you can’t keep up with it; but the issue isn’t will we ‘march’, but will we return to God.  We want to stop violence, but we don’t want God and His ways.  We want to stop ‘disease’, but we aren’t willing to make God first in our lives rather than our flesh.  We want to stop ‘abuse’ of various kinds, but we aren’t willing to seek God’ face and call ‘sin’ sin!  We want our own way, and we want to have the abundant blessings of God, but we aren’t willing to accept HIS principles, hear His Gospel, recognize our sin, repent and be saved—we want our way NOT HIS! That will always bring consequences.  Only Jesus changes hearts! God makes it clear:

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

 if we faint not.”    Galatians 6:7-9

Let’s get ‘back to basics’ by delving into His Word and learning to recognize and discern ‘good from bad’ (See 1 Kings 3:9)!  Only God sets the true moral compass—and yes there still is one, but we must ‘seek’ Him!  We won’t ‘fall into it’ by chance; and the devil will never tell you the truth (See John 8:44)!

Paul gave the Corinthian believers a caution regarding the difference between the spiritual things of God (God’s way) and the natural man (without God), and I think we can gain great insight from it, for, as Solomon put it, “there is no new thing under the sun” (See Ecclesiastes 1:9). While this is a lengthy passage, I want us to consider these truths and take them to heart, so I’ll just print it out here and pray that you will ponder, with me, what we are doing with what we see!  Are we willing to judge what we hear (and see) by what we ‘find’ in God’s Word, and live accordingly, or are we living by the world’s ‘platitudes’?

“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.

3 And I was with you in weakness,

and in fear,

and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching

was not with enticing words

of man’s wisdom,

but in demonstration

of the Spirit

and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand

in the wisdom of men,

but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom

among them that are perfect:

yet not the wisdom of this world,

nor of the princes of this world,

that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God

in a mystery,

even the hidden wisdom,

which God ordained before the world

unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:

for had they known it,

they would not have crucified

the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written,

Eye hath not seen,

nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared

for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us

by his Spirit:

for the Spirit searcheth all things,

yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man,

save the spirit of man which is in him?

even so the things of God knoweth no man,

but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the spirit which is of God;

that we might know the things

that are freely given to us

of God.

13 Which things also we speak,

not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;

comparing spiritual things

with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not

the things of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto him:

neither can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual

judgeth all things,

yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord,

that he may instruct him?

But we have the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-16

And for good measure, Paul told us what “the mind of Christ” looks like!  Are we reflecting HIS mind in us, or the world’s?

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”    Philippians 2:5-8

Am I “crucified with Christ”?  (See Galatians 2:20). Amen!!!

How Far Away Is Your Cross??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #547

10 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, The Crucified Life

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #547  How Far Away Is Your Cross???

 

There’s an old hymn (The Old Rugged Cross, by George Bennard, Public Domain) that I love, which speaks of the cross on “a hill far away” in reference to location from us.  But I’d like to ask how ‘far away’ is your cross and mine?  Have we allowed ourselves to lose sight of the cross in our everyday living?  Or are we committed to following our Lord with the cross in sight.

“Saying, The Son of man must suffer

many things,

and be rejected

of the elders

and chief priests

and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised

the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny

himself,

and take up

his cross

daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?”  Luke 9:22;25

Jesus made it clear that He would die (for our sin), and that those who desired salvation must come to Him and yield their own life for the “life” of Jesus!  In fact, He goes on to say that in HIS cross is the only real salvation—we can’t keep our own lives, our own selves, for, as Paul made clear to the Romans, sin has a cost!

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

And to come short of the glory of God, is to miss life—abundant life here and now, and eternal life with God, all through Jesus’ death on that ‘cross’!  His death bought our eternal life, and makes us free from the power of sin, by keeping close to that very ‘cross’ of Jesus!

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

 our Lord.” Romans 6:22-23

To have Jesus as “our Lord” is the picture of the crucified life—being willing to “take up his cross daily, and follow me”! It’s keeping the cross in sight with each and every step we take, following Jesus where ever He leads!  As a friend shared with me the other day, she had on a shirt that said, “It’s not about “me”—It’s about HIM”.  When someone questioned what the shirt meant (for they thought it was some smart-aleck reference to spouses or something else) she explained to them that it was a reference to living for Jesus, that my life isn’t just about “me” anymore, but it IS about JESUS!  Then she shared with me that she had memorized the verse to share the truth of that when she was asked.  I was so proud of her willingness to keep Jesus and the cross in sight.  And the verse she learned; you can learn too!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

So, my question for us today is, “Are we living the crucified life—with the cross clearly in view?”  Or have we drifted so far from that ‘cross’ and the One who gave Himself for us, that we seldom consider it? He loves us and to be in HIS presence is unequaled joy and peace.  I’ll simply leave you this morning with some words that Paul shared with the church at Philippi:

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things

are true,

whatsoever things

are honest,

whatsoever things

are just,

whatsoever things

are pure,

whatsoever things

are lovely,

whatsoever things

are of good report;

 if there be

any virtue,

and if there be

any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”   Philippians 4:6-9

Amen and Amen!!!