Category Archives: The Only Way

Hummingbird Theology??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 23

15 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Hummingbird Theology?, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, What's In Your Heart?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 23 Hummingbird Theology???

 

I love to watch the birds outside of my window. I have a birdseed feeder and a hummingbird feeder, and I love watching the birds that God created and enjoying their beauty, and learning from them. The hummingbirds fascinate me; they come again and again and take as much as they need and then return for more, as they need it. Sometimes they feed at one tap and leave, and other times a hummingbird will go to every tap on the feeder at one time. As I was watching them this morning, I couldn’t help but think about our spiritual life like the birds and the feeder. Whose feeder are we feasting at?

“Wherefore laying aside

all malice,

and all guile,

and hypocrisies,

and envies,

and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word,

that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted

that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming,

as unto a living stone,

disallowed indeed of men,

but chosen of God,

and precious,

5 Ye also,

as lively stones,

are built up

a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood,

to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”   1 Peter 2:1-5

If you notice, this passage begins with a “Wherefore”, which means we always ask ‘What’s it there for?’ (Any time the verse starts with a ‘therefore’ or a ‘wherefore’). Well, it simply means that we need to look back to see what was said earlier—so let’s do just that.

“Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

which liveth

and abideth for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass,

and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.

The grass withereth,

and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord

endureth for ever.

And this is the word

which by the gospel

is preached unto you.”    1 Peter 1:23-25

We can grow in the Lord when we feast on “the sincere milk of the word”, and to do that we must spend time in The Word—just like that hummingbird—we must keep going back for the sustenance of life—The Word of God, which brings growth because it is the “word of the Lord” and it “liveth and abideth for ever”! Just like the new birth that Jesus imparts to us when we are born again “of God”! God’s Word is truth always, and it will help us to discern between truth and lies! And it is the standard of God’s judgment along with the blood of Jesus! (And remember that Jesus not only inspired the written Word, HE IS THE LIVING WORD!)

For the word of God is

quick, (alive)

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

God’s Word encourages us by discernment and bringing truth to light! It’s not just the judgment of God –which it includes—but it also leads us to Jesus, the Lord of Calvary for “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”! Our part is to respond in faith not only to the Gospel for salvation, but also to The Word of God and it’s ability to help us grow in grace and truth as we feast on it continually—just like that little hummingbird, he isn’t very big, but he gets the job done!

“Study

to shew thyself

approved unto God,

a workman

that needeth not

to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”   2 Timothy 2:15

Paul goes on to instruct his young charge, Timothy, even further to rely on the value of God’s Word.

“And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation

through faith

which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration

of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”    2 Timothy 3:15-17

How valuable to us to know that God’s Word is what we need; and while there are those who question and even deny the veracity of The Bible, we can stand fast “in the evil day” knowing that The Word of God is God’s love letter to His children—those who are born again—as well as the conduit of God’s Spirit working in our world to bring people to the cross! It truly is “the word of the Lord” and it surely “endureth for ever”! “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Doxology by Thomas Ken), and I’ll praise Him forever for His Word, and the best way to praise Him for His Word is to read and study it faithfully, continually and purposefully!

Remembering that God’s Word is:

Profitable for—not in $ but in truth and character—

 Doctrine—truth for living—

 Reproof—showing us what is wrong—

 Correction—making the wrong right—

Instruction in Righteousness—prevention!

God’s Word helps us be all that God created us to be, and I love what Job says; it is something that I pray will ever be the desire of my heart. How about you?

“But he knoweth the way that I take:

when he hath tried me,

I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot hath held

his steps,

his way

have I kept, and not declined.

12 Neither have I gone back

from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words

of his mouth

more than my necessary food.”    Job 23:10-12

As we desire and feast on His Word, may the words of the Psalmist reverberate in our hearts—as we put The Word “in mine heart”!

“Thy word have I hid

in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O LORD:

teach me thy statutes.”   Psalm 119:11-12

As we hide God’s Word “in mine heart”, I believe the Psalmist would relate to a common adage we hear today (based on this very principle), “The Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from The Word!” The choice is yours and mine, yet it is a continual battle (as Paul talks about in Ephesians 6:10+) to maintain our focus on Jesus and His Word, but it is more than worth the effort. As I’ve been accused of in the past, “You only have one song!” —And may it ever be said of me that I only sing HIS song, for it’s Jesus and His cross, the only way to God and true life!

“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 2:1-2 

It’s all about Jesus, and I pray that you will join me in committing to draw near to Him continually. May we single-mindedly pursue Christ Jesus in all our ways. How? By keeping our eyes on HIM!!!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

And while Jesus is truly the “only way” to God for salvation, He is also the “only way” that we can live the victorious Christian life! He came that we might have abundant and victorious life in this world as well as the next!

“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

Jesus said it best:

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”   John 10:10-11

“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 15:5

Remember the hummingbird—and stay at God’s feeder—The Word of God!!!

Amen and Amen!

Head>Heart>Hands??? (More Tidbits from Daniel#4) Bible Ballistics:Vol.11 No.22

08 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Daniel, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Growing in Jesus!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Not Of This World, Our God Reigns, Praise God Today!, Repentance, Salvation, Sovereignty, The Love of God, The Only Way, The Word, Thy Kingdom Come, Transformation, Troubles, Trust God, Worship Him!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 22 Head>Heart>Hands???   (More Tidbits from Daniel #4)

 

I’ve been thinking about Daniel lately and wanted us to search it out again for more that can help us live a “Daniel” life—a life of faith, confidence and power with, from and for God. That is something worth spending our time on. We’ll be looking at Daniel chapter 2, and while we’ll touch on the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, I want us to focus on the things surrounding that encounter. Lord willing, we’ll address the dream and it’s content in the next week or two.

It is important to remember that Daniel was part of the captives who were taken to Babylon to serve the king, yet his demeanor was always an honor to God and never a detriment. Oh, that we could live that kind of life and hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” when we face our Lord. So many today have a head knowledge of God and The Son Jesus, but don’t know Him, and it is important that we take that knowledge from our ‘head’ to our ‘heart’ and on to our hands.

When Daniel was confronted with a threat of death because of the ‘wisemen’ and their inability to know and interpret the king’s dream, Daniel had only one course of action—and it should always be our first recourse rather than our last!

“Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known

to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven

concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish

with the rest

of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed

unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”   Daniel 2:17-19

Many times when we are confronted with difficult situation, crises, or uncertainty we work on a solution, try to figure it out, run to get answers from others, or just run head-long into situations without the wisdom of God. Daniel knew what James knew and shared with us.

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth is like

a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.

7 For let not that man think

that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable

in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 

God wants us to bring every part of our lives to HIM! I hear so many people say that some things just aren’t important to God, but I must disagree, and I think that I can say that on the authority of scripture. God wants us to come to Him about everything, for HE often sees things differently than we do—God’s ways are the ways that we must seek, and He is ready and willing to reveal Himself and His way to us—we have but to ask! When we “lack wisdom” God wants us to “ask of God” and do so in faith, having total confidence in the ‘giver’ of “every good gift and every perfect gift”. God wants us to know HIM, to walk with HIM and to grow in HIM:

“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

Knowing Him and His ways and provision was always on the heart of Daniel, and Isaiah had written these words long before Daniel caught Himself in trouble. In fact remember His decision in the beginning of the book:

“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

Isaiah said it clearly:

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens

are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow

from heaven,

and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed

to the sower,

and bread

to the eater:

11 So shall my word be

that goeth forth

out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me

void,

but it shall accomplish

that which I please,

and it shall prosper

in the thing whereto

I sent it.”   Isaiah 55:6-11

God is ever at work to draw people unto Himself, but He has given every person born into this world the freewill to choose to believe Him or not. God has made His love for us clear and Jesus paid the price for our sin—“For God so loved the world that He gave”—yet Jesus made it clear that we must choose, and there is a consequence for our choices. If we choose Jesus and trust to His blood to save us, we have life, but if we don’t choose HIM, we have chosen death, whether consciously or not—it’s still choosing.

“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 3:17-19

We can choose Jesus and life, or not; we can cling to our sins—our evil deeds, even though we excuse our sinful deeds and think our sin isn’t as bad as the sin of others—and miss life. Why would we do that? Because when man sinned in the beginning, he chose to believe a lie, rather than God, and we’re still doing that today! I beg you to be sure that you have made the right choice!

God is working to call men and women to Himself—it’s why Jesus came, and He is ever working to make His own into the image of Jesus, in everything in our lives!

“And we know that all things

work together

for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”    Romans 8:28-29

The evidence of His presence in our lives is the work of His Holy Spirit working in and through us and seen through the godly works of our hands. For when we truly consider God and come to Jesus, moving that information to our hearts in repentance and faith, then God does a work of transformation that appears in our lives, our walk, our speech, and our reactions and responses to people and situations. We are to be living testimonies to God’s grace and transforming power.

“Servants,

obey in all things

your masters according to the flesh;

not with eyeservice,

as menpleasers;

but in singleness of heart,

fearing God:

23 And whatsoever ye do,

do it heartily,

as to the Lord,

and not unto men;

24 Knowing that

of the Lord

ye shall receive the reward

of the inheritance:

for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:22-24

Paul also repeated these things to the Ephesians because we are to live our lives as servants of God—not as “as menpleasers”, but like Daniel, men and women, boys and girls, who are committed to live undefiled lives before God and man!

“Servants,

be obedient to them that are your masters

according to the flesh,

with fear

and trembling,

in singleness of your heart,

as unto Christ;

6 Not with eyeservice,

as menpleasers;

but as the servants of Christ,

doing the will of God

from the heart;

7 With good will

doing service,

as to the Lord,

and not to men:

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing

any man doeth,

the same shall he receive of the Lord,

whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters,

do the same things unto them,

forbearing threatening:

knowing that your Master also

is in heaven;

neither is there respect

of persons with him.”    Ephesians 6:5-9

Whether we are the ‘master’—the boss, or the ‘servant’—the employee, God calls us, saves us to live His glory before a world of sin and darkness. Daniel was a man of God who showed us how to live right no matter the situation, trial or difficulty.

Being people of character not just lip service. As I’ve heard it said, “Real godly character is when you do right when no one is looking.” Or “Real character is revealed by what you do in the dark.” And we can be those people of character because we are saved and kept by the same God who met the needs of Daniel and His friends. And when Daniel received the answer to his prayer, He didn’t forget God, but gave us a wonderful picture of who our God is, and how to truly worship HIM!!!

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God

for ever and ever:

for wisdom

and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep

and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.” Daniel 2:19-23

What an amazing prayer of praise, may we come to know our God as Daniel did; may God’s character be seen in all of our actions, deeds, works and words—may God be praised in our living! Daniel’s faithfulness gave him a great opportunity to share the truth of The Lord God Almighty before the great king Nebuchadnezzar.

“Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said,

The secret which the king hath demanded

cannot the wise men,

the astrologers,

the magicians,

the soothsayers,

shew unto the king;

28 But there is a God in heaven

that revealeth secrets,

and maketh known to the king

Nebuchadnezzar

what shall be in the latter days.

Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

29 As for thee, O king,

thy thoughts came into thy mind

upon thy bed,

what should come to pass

hereafter:

and he that revealeth secrets

maketh known to thee

what shall come to pass.”   Daniel 2:27-29

And yet Daniel never took the credit for God’s work!

“But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me

for any wisdom

that I have more than any living,

but for their sakes

that shall make known the interpretation

to the king,

and that thou mightest know the thoughts

of thy heart.”   Daniel 2:30

Daniel’s crisis was an opportunity for God’s Word and ways that Daniel knew in his head, would stir his heart and work out through his hands and feet! What do others see in us? Nebuchadnezzar saw something in Daniel—God! What do others see in our lives—from our head, to our heart and out through our hands and feet, our every day lives!

“And in the days of these kings

shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom,

which shall never be destroyed:

and the kingdom shall not be left

to other people,

but it shall break in pieces

and consume all these kingdoms,

and it shall stand

for ever……

46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. 47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said,

Of a truth it is,

that your God

is a God of gods,

and a Lord of kings,

and a revealer of secrets,

seeing thou couldest reveal

this secret.”   Daniel 2:44-47 

May others be brought to say of our God, “that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings”! I pray that our God will help us stand fast in this evil day, that others will see the power of God in our lives. From our head—to our heart—seen by the world through our hands and feet!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His Blessings Abound!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #475

06 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Distractions, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Look UP, Sovereignty, The Only Way, The Word, Trust God, Walking With Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #475  His Blessings Abound!!!

 

Just a few thoughts from scripture this morning to remind us to keep our eyes on the skies—our God is still God, and Jesus His Son is coming soon!!!

“O taste and see

that the LORD is good:

blessed is the man

that trusteth in him.”   Psalm 34:8

Sometimes it’s hard to keep our focus on our Lord, but He is faithful even when we fail, and we simply need to look up at the God who reigns (Because HE holds the ‘reins’!) not the circumstances which distract us!

“For the LORD God

is a sun and shield:

the LORD

will give grace

and glory:

no good thing will he withhold

from them that walk uprightly.

12 O LORD of hosts,

blessed is the man

that trusteth in thee.” Psalm 84:11-12

We must remember that God is God no matter our circumstances, and when we keep our eyes on HIM, we will find victory in our daily walk—not necessarily ease—but victory! Because our God is faithful and sovereign, and is every present in the hearts and lives of His own!

“Blessed is the man

that trusteth

in the LORD,

and whose hope

the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree

planted

by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots

by the river,

and shall not see when heat cometh,

but her leaf shall be green;

and shall not be careful

in the year of drought,

neither shall cease

from yielding fruit.”   Jeremiah 17:7-8

All this confidence in our God who never fails because He saves and keeps His own–always:

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

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

So stand fast today in our Great God Almighty—He’s got this!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

Amen and blessings on your day!!! Keep looking up!

 

 

 

What Are You Passing On??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 20

24 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Crucified With Christ, Follow Jesus, Gospel, Heaven or Hell, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Sanctified To Serve!, Testify, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Transformation, Walking With Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 20 What Are You Passing On???

 

“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 24:15

Joshua knew that his life was nearing the end, so he called the people together to call them to remember the goodness of God, and to serve Him from a heart of love, gratitude and devotion. He reminded them of all that God had done, challenging them to choose wisely, and declaring his choice before all, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”! Joshua made the choice consistent with his life—he had followed God with Moses, and then God called him to step into Moses place as the leader of Israel. Now at the end of his life, he is still calling people to follow God. And that always requires a personal choice and commitment.

Jesus called people to choose Him recognizing the cost is more than many people expect.

“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

To follow Jesus we must recognize our own inability to deal with our sin, and come to HIM in repentance and faith. We must “deny” (abandon our self-reliance) self, “take up” our “cross daily” (identify with the sacrifice of Jesus), and “follow” Jesus. Paul gives us a clear picture of following:

“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

We are to live unto Jesus, yielding ourselves to the work of the precious Holy Spirit of Jesus, which He imparts to all who come to Him. When we will walk with Him, in the power of His Spirit, God will work in and through us to make a difference in this world.

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

to you that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God

unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed

from faith

to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”    Romans 1:15-17

Jesus is the Gospel! And knowing Jesus through the power of His blood, we are saved and transformed into His servants, being enabled as His witness to a lost and dying world. We can pass on the ‘good news’ and lead others to Jesus, or we can live our own way and lead others to the same “hell” that all will face without Jesus. Even as Jesus shared with Nicodemus:

“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.

8 The wind bloweth

where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one that is born

of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8

When we are ‘born again’, we are able to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, living a life devoted to God according to the faith, gifts and abilities that He gives to His own.

“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.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”    Romans 12:1-3

Those who come to Jesus receive all we need to serve Him faithfully and lead others to the cross—to pass on life, not death; all by Him and His Holy Spirit at work within us.

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus

our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.” 2 Peter 1:1-4 

HE gives us “all things” that we need to serve Him—Jesus and His indwelling Holy Spirit. We are born of The Spirit who then dwells within us and is the manifestation of the genuineness of our salvation.

“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

Born of God so that we can live by HIS power!!!

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”   Romans 8:9

Only The Spirit of Jesus within makes us usable in God’s kingdom! We can choose to walk in The Spirit or the flesh—but there are consequences to each choice. We can pass on the truth and freedom of the Gospel or we can cause others to miss heaven by missing Jesus! What am I passing on? What about you?

“For, brethren,

ye have been called unto liberty;

only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word,

even in this;

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another,

take heed

that ye be not consumed

one of another.

16 This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh………

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk

in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:13-16 & 24-25

Are you alive in God’s Spirit? Have you been born again? Do you have peace with God? As Paul said so clearly, we can only “pass on” what we have received—the Gospel of Jesus!

“For I delivered unto you

first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

What are you ‘passing on’?

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

Amen & Amen!!!

Let It Rain??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #470

20 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Knowing God's Word, Rain, Showers Of Blessing, The Only Way, Trust God, Walking With Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #470 Let It Rain???

 

You may have noticed that I write a lot about rain; living in Oklahoma will do that to you, for we often experience the lack of rain, a difficult thing to experience. So as it is raining this morning I can’t help but think of the parallel between the physical rain and “spiritual” rain for our heart and soul. God wants us to walk with Him and know Him more intimately, and He provides all we need to grow as we commit ourselves to seek His face continually!

“And it shall come to pass,

if ye shall hearken diligently

unto my commandments

which I command you this day,

to love the LORD your God,

and to serve him

with all your heart

and with all your soul,

14 That I will give you the rain of your land

in his due season,

the first rain

and the latter rain,

that thou mayest gather in thy corn,

and thy wine,

and thine oil.

15 And I will send grass in thy fields

for thy cattle,

that thou mayest eat and be full.

16 Take heed to yourselves,

that your heart be not deceived,

and ye turn aside,

and serve other gods,

and worship them;

17 And then the LORD’S wrath

be kindled against you……. ”     Deuteronomy 11:13-17a

When we acknowledge God as our total source, we will find power and grace for each day, no matter whether it’s “raining on our parade” or the sun is shinning brightly on our way, God is ever at work on our behalf, is we will just open our eyes!

“Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

Our responsibility is to keep our focus on Jesus rather than our circumstances or difficulties.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

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

It is easy in our world of techno-everything, to think that we are self-sufficient and don’t need anything or anyone, yet living with that mindset is a danger to a ‘fruitful’ life for God. We can choose to focus on the world or we can heed The Word of God and live a life focused on HIM, seeing HIS hand in all things around us.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run

with patience

the race that is set

before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus went to the cross that we might “have life”, and have it “more abundantly”, yet we must keep “Looking unto Jesus”—our Lord, our Redeemer, our Friend and our soon-coming KING!!! When we take our eyes off of HIM we can be so easily misled, for the enemy of our soul is ever ready to pounce! We must be diligent, staying in tune with The Holy Spirit’s leading in our every step, remembering that we are NOT alone!!!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:6-9

Amen!!!