Category Archives: The Word Or The World?

Living In Faith Or Presumption??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #639

01 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Presumption, Speaking The Truth In Love, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #639 Living In Faith Or Presumption???

 

There are a lot of issues floating around in this time of crises and chaos in our world.  We are seeing emotions flare, ideas in conflict, and opinions flying around in abundance.  I have only a few words to share this morning in this regard.  There are those who are claiming to disregard the requests and orders of government officials stating that they are violating their “rights” and are gathering, flaunting their confidence in “God” to deliver them, or protect them from the virus.  It is polarizing people of faith—that is the issue that I wish to comment on this morning.  Is there a difference between standing in faith in God and acting in presumption toward God?  I believe that Scripture gives us clear guidelines in this regard if we will but let them speak and then heed God’s direction.  I share The Word; you will have to decide for yourself what you will do with it.

With that said, I would like to add that being the church is our call, more so than ‘going’ to church. (And I believe that church attendance is a priority, but it is not the do-all, be-all of deciding how to be an affective witness of God’s truth before a lost and dying world.)

“Let every soul be subject 

unto the higher powers. 

For there is no power 

but of God: 

the powers that be 

are ordained of God. 

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, 

resisteth the ordinance of God: 

and they that resist 

shall receive to themselves damnation. 

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, 

but to the evil. 

Wilt thou then not be afraid 

of the power? 

do that which is good, 

and thou shalt have praise of the same: 

4 For he is the minister of God 

to thee 

for good. 

But if thou do that which is evil, 

be afraid; 

for he beareth not the sword in vain: 

for he is the minister of God, 

a revenger to execute wrath 

upon him that doeth evil. 

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, 

not only for wrath, 

but also for conscience sake. 

6 For for this cause 

pay ye tribute also: 

for they are God’s ministers, 

attending continually 

upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore

to all their dues:

tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom;

fear to whom fear;

honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another

hath fulfilled the law.”   Romans 13:1-8

Paul makes it so clear that we are to be honorable citizens to the government powers and subject ourselves to them (and remember that when Paul wrote the commands above the Roman government was not friendly toward ‘Christians’!) unless the commands directly violate The Word of God!

Jesus Himself gives us the greatest instruction and example in regard to presumption in all of scripture.  I simply ask that you consider what He is saying—and while He was speaking to Satan, He had it recorded for us!  I would encourage you to read the entire passage and consider the three things that Satan tempted Jesus to do; meet His own needs outside of God’s will and timing, to tempt God and His Word; and to worship anyone or anything other than GOD!  And remember, Satan used “The Word” to tempt, but Jesus used “The Word” ‘in context’ to refute him!

“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.”   Matthew 4:5-7

And just a note, tempting God with His own Word, is still tempting God.  You decide, are you walking and living in faith “IN GOD” (not in your own faith or interpretation of it) or are you being presumptuous toward God, His Will and His Word?  I’m praying that we will hear HIM and not our flesh or the flesh of others!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Big “IF”s In God’s Word??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 04

29 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Be not conformed to this world, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Conviction, Crucified With Christ, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God Is In Charge, Gospel, If not now? When?, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Knowing God's Word, Light In The Dark, Living Right, Power of The Cross, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, SIN, Take Up YOUR Cross, That They May Know, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 04  Big “IF”s In God’s Word???

 

As I begin this post, I’m not sure if it will be long or short, for I’m not really sure where this will take me but it’s been on my heart for a long while, and today is the day to pursue what I believe God may have to say to us.  I have seen a lot of information on social media and a lot of scripture posted—some in context, some not so much.  Because of that I want us to consider one of the passages that I have seen and what it may be saying that we don’t want to hear.

“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him,

I have heard

thy prayer,

and have chosen this place

to myself

for an house of sacrifice.

13 If I shut up heaven

that there be no rain,

or if I command

the locusts to devour the land,

or if I send

pestilence among my people;

14 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.

15 Now mine eyes

shall be open,

and mine ears

attent unto the prayer

that is made in this place.

16 For now have I

chosen

and sanctified

this house,

that my name may be there

for ever:

and mine eyes

and mine heart

shall be there perpetually.”  2 Chronicles 7:12-16

This truth was given to Solomon as he was in the midst of the dedication of the temple that he had completed in Jerusalem.  God came and told Solomon that this place would be a place that represented HIS very presence, and that when the people strayed and forsook Him, they could come to this place (or even look toward it) to seek Him again.  But there are some ‘if’s’ here that we often ignore or try to diminish their import.

The first is “if” “my people” will do…., then what?  Who are God’s people?

“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

And Jesus Himself told Nicodemus “who” was His!

“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…

… 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 3:3-7, 17-19

Jesus came that we might have life—eternal life—new life IN Jesus!

“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

Jesus did the work, we receive the work, God glorifies the work as He conforms us to HIM.  Whose are YOU?  Who are you allowing to work in your life?  God or Satan? (See Eph. 2:1-10)

“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

When we come to Jesus, we are “born again” of His Spirit, and He imparts to us not only His precious Holy Spirit, but also His love which “is shed abroad in our hearts” (see in Romans 5:1-11), but what have we done with that gift?  Are we living in His love or the fear of our circumstances?  Are we living in the Spirit or the flesh?  Is our life identified with Jesus or is there so little resemblance to our Father God and Jesus The Son, that people can’t tell any difference between us and the world?  That “if” that God mentions to Solomon is referring to “my people”—for Solomon that meant the true worshippers of Jehovah God, who looked forward to the coming Messiah who would deliver them from sin not just cover it up from year to year.  We who are on this side of the cross have seen and received the completed work of salvation, and we don’t have to go to Jerusalem or a physical temple—for we are the temple by the redeeming power of Jesus’ blood shed for us.  But how are we treating that temple—His temple?

“What?

know ye not that your body

is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We who have received Jesus’ saving grace, ARE the temple of God—yet we see professing believers, who claim to know Jesus, adopting the so-called ‘morality’ of the world—they say it’s ok to “shack-up” without benefit of marriage, everyone is doing it!  They condone promiscuity, for who can live without sex—it doesn’t have an “on and off” switch to use only when we’re married, does it?  Well, in a word, YES it does—it’s called “self-control” and obedience to God; and God calls His own to live holy and pure lives.  Many people who claim the name of Jesus have justified almost all things that once were seen as sin—drunkenness, immorality, foul language (I am so tired of hearing vulgar words come out of the mouth of those who claim the name of my precious Savior—even taking His name and The Father’s name in vain!), dishonesty (it’s ok to steal, lie, cheat, fudge on the truth, lie on reports, steal from your employer {and not doing your job, is the same as stealing the wages you say you are ‘earning’ when you don’t work}), bullying, treating others with disrespect, mistreating others, cruelty….the list could go on endlessly.  Yet, God called HIS people to recognize their own sin, not just the sin of others, and turn from it and draw near to HIM!

God calls us to “humble” yourselves.  That means to ‘bow’ before God, recognizing that HE IS the Sovereign God of my heart—of all creation for that matter.  And to bow, is to acknowledge that HE IS God and I am not!  We are called “by (His) name”, but we aren’t called to BE HIM!  Yet much that is going on in Christendom today is simply idolatry of “self” dressed up in ‘church clothes”!  Humility means I recognize my own inability and depend on HIS ability working in me.  Taking up my cross—which means dying to self and living unto Jesus in all I/you do!

“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

Have you been “crucified with Christ”? (See Matthew 16:24-26) Or are you living your own life, and trying to tag His stamp of approval on it?  When we are saved, we ought to recognize our own “death” to sin and self for we are “raised to new life”!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness

of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Let’s go on; the next thing God calls us to do is to “pray”—seeking God’s way not mine.  Prayer isn’t dictating to God, rather it is seeking to know my Father and what He desires; Jesus told us how!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

Prayer is seeking to glorify God in all we do; seeking God’s Kingdom; seeking God’s will on earth.  Rather than seeking our own will and wanting it continually– stamped with God’s heavenly approval, of course….that is totally NOT prayer!

God calls us to seek HIS face—that’s real prayer and earnest recognition of who God IS?  Then, God steps on the real issue—we are to “turn from” our “wicked ways”!  That means “ME” and that means “YOU”!  We can’t erase God’s Word with the ‘vote’, or popular ‘polls’, or by “legalizing sin”.  God says sin is still sin, and we MUST turn from it.  Believers must stop sinning and calling it something else—God says we must turn from it—agree with Him that it is sin and STOP IT!  That’s what the Apostle John meant!

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship

one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:6-10

To “confess” here means to agree with God about our sin—and as long as we deny our sin, we will not repent (which means to turn away/turn around from; an about-face, if you would!)  As long as we keep justifying our sin with whatever excuse we are using; we will never find forgiveness and cleansing.  Just as John goes on in verse 8 to remind us, to say we have no sin, is to deceive ourselves; and if I may say so, we live in a culture that is doing its best to erase sin by ‘legalizing’ it.  God’s way has never before, still hasn’t and will never, ever change!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

So, the question is the same today as it ever has been, are you willing to “turn” from your way and go God’s way?  Or will you cling to your own sin and reap the consequence.  Isaiah dealt bluntly with this same issue!

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities

have separated

between you and your God,

and your sins

have hid his face

from you,

that he will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood,

and your fingers with iniquity;

your lips have spoken lies,

your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

4 None calleth for justice,

nor any pleadeth for truth:

they trust in vanity,

and speak lies;

they conceive mischief,

and bring forth iniquity.”  Isaiah 59:1-4

Sound familiar?  Even as Paul told the church at Galatia, and God told Solomon, when we pursue God and do things His way, then HE has promised to “heal their land”.  And folks, our land certainly is in need of healing, and I don’t mean just the COVID-19 virus!  We are in need of a real heaven-sent, sin-forsaking, heart changing, move of God!  A revival of God’s own, that the lost may see Jesus in us and come to His cross in repentance and faith to be saved from their sin.  But that’s not likely to happen until God’s own start sowing righteousness and love for God and His way, rather than the lust of the flesh!

“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.”  Galatians 6:7-8

I’d like to bring this all to a close with one of my favorite passages, where Jesus makes it clear that “saying so” doesn’t “make it so”!  Are you talking a ‘talk’ that you can’t walk because you don’t possess Jesus?  Have you been born again, yet you are not walking in “the light”?  Or are you burdened for the broken, lost and suffering world that we live in?  May we truly search our hearts and build our “house on the rock” of Jesus Christ The Lord—the only way to God.  Jesus Christ The Lord, who gave Himself to be our substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin; it’s what He came to be and do!

“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

Yet Jesus’ warning to us is still valid today, what will you choose, The Rock or the sand?  Have you been saved “from” your “sins”?  Jesus saves, delivers and transforms?  What about you?

“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…

 .. 21 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.

24 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.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended

these sayings,

the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them

as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”                                    Portions of Matthew 7:20-27

So, as you read or post things from scripture, especially 2 Chronicles 7:14, you might want to take some time and be sure you are living what you’re posting!

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”  2 Corinthians 13:5

Are you calling others to do the same and:

“…speaking the truth in love…”  Ephesians 4:15a

What “ifs” are you wrestling with?  May God do HIS work in us, that the world may KNOW that Jesus is Lord and King!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Communication Or Dictation??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 26

23 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Prayer, Press ON!, Remember, Repentance, Resting Or Wrestling?, SIN, Sovereignty, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Truth, Witness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 26  Communication Or Dictation???

 

One of the gifts God has given to us is prayer, but we often take prayer for granted; or even misunderstand what prayer really is.  I want us to consider our own prayer life, and what we are doing to draw near to God and make a difference in the world around us through our biblical, diligent prayers and living for Jesus!

“But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter

be turned to mourning,

and your joy

to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:6-10

James calls us to remember that it is God who grants us grace for each day, and we are to recognize HIM in all we do.  Consider this list that James records for us and see the desire of God’s heart for His own!  Notice the instructions that he gives:

–resist being proud—

–submit to God—

–resist the devil—

–draw near to God—

–cleanse your hands—

–purify your hearts.

Then James deals with what I believe is a call to have an open heart before God.  We are to be open to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit who Jesus gave to us to grow, prepare, and lead us in His service.  We aren’t to discount our sin, or justify it, or placate our own conscience by measuring our righteousness by the world’s standard rather than God’s.  In dealing with sin, we are to:

–be afflicted in our heart and mind—

–mourn over our sin—

–weep over our sin—

–avoid minimalizing sin—

–don’t laugh at it—

 –don’t rejoice at sin-yours or other’s.

We must humble ourselves before the God we claim to love and trust; knowing that HIS will is to be our will.  Even as Jesus taught us to pray:

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven…”   Matthew 6:9-10

We hear so much today about the “name it and claim it” philosophy that I want us to consider what Jesus said above—our prayer is to be that God’s will be done in our lives, that God’s kingdom will come in our lives, and the lives of those around us, we are to seek on earth the same things that please God in heaven (See Revelation 4 and 5 for a most profound picture of the attitude of heaven, more than any other to me.)!  Many have falsely concluded that prayer is “dictation” to God, rather than “communication” with our heavenly Father, our Redeemer, our King!!  God desires our heart’s devotion not our orders of self-will!  We can walk with Him in intimate fellowship, and when we stumble, fall and offend, we aren’t to justify it, but we are to confess and seek God’s face for His continual work in us before a lost and dying world!  How about you?

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within:

and they rest not day and night, saying,

Holy,

holy,

holy,

Lord God Almighty,

which was,

and is,

and is to come…

… 10 The four and twenty elders

fall down before him that sat on the throne,

and worship him

that liveth for ever and ever,

and cast their crowns

before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord,

to receive glory

and honour

and power:

for thou hast created all things,

and for thy pleasure

they are

and were created.”                      Revelation 4:8 & 10-11

Our prayers are to The One who is able!

“God is faithful,

by whom ye were called

unto the fellowship

of his Son Jesus Christ

our Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:9

“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

As we fellowship with HIM, He directs our steps so that we can recognize our sin and submit to the work of our Father in us; His transforming work that is conforming us into the image of Jesus The Son!  Not trying to conform God’s will and desires into our own!  We are to pursue communication with our Lord, not handing Him our ‘grocery list’ of selfish desires (or even unselfish pursuits) but desiring HIS kingdom to “come” in me, HIS will to be demonstrated to the world through me!  That’s the beauty of trusting God our Father and His Son Jesus, leaning on His Holy Spirit who dwells within every child of God.  Whose will are you seeking?

“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

“And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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 8:27-29

I truly believe that as we hear the voice of God speaking to our hearts, as we dig into His Word, we will find ourselves drawing “nigh to God” rather than the world!  The problem for many of us is that we have allowed ourselves to be so distracted and often deceived that we aren’t listening to God on a regular basis, and we don’t know HIS Word.  But when we will listen to The Spirit, He will convict us of sin and help us to draw near to God in repentance and restoration of fellowship with our Lord!  This is the work of The Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised, and sent upon His departure (His death, burial and resurrection for our sin!)

“And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you

for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.”  John 14:16-18

Are you walking in The Spirit, or the flesh?

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh…

… 25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also

walk in the Spirit.”   Galatians 5:16 & 25

And as we live in The Spirit, we also have an open door to our Lord when we are confused, stumble, sin or fall.

“If we confess

our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

I find no arrogance or any attitude of dictation to God here, but rather a heart of humility and dependence on The One who has called us, saved us and sustains us in all our ways!  And when we do err, Paul tells us that real sorrow has a different outcome than just being sorry that we got caught.  What about you?  Are you in a place of error, and has The Spirit brought you to a place of conviction?  If so, you must choose whether you will go on in your sin, or face your sin, repent and and be restored by God to full fellowship with Him!

“Now I rejoice,

not that ye were made sorry,

but that ye sorrowed

to repentance:

for ye were made sorry

after a godly manner,

that ye might receive damage

 by us in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow

worketh repentance

to salvation

not to be repented of:

but the sorrow of the world

worketh death.

11 For behold this selfsame thing,

that ye sorrowed

after a godly sort,

what carefulness it wrought

in you,

yea, what clearing of yourselves,

yea, what indignation,

yea, what fear,

yea, what vehement desire,

yea, what zeal,

yea, what revenge!

In all things ye have approved yourselves

to be clear in this matter.”  2 Corinthians 7:9-11

So, my question for us today, “Is our life a testament to God’s work in us?  Or have we so conformed to the world that others see nothing of God in us?”  “Are we seeking communication with God, or are we dictating to the Sovereign Lord of all creation?”

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

All by remembering that’s it’s all about GOD not me:

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him,

and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him,

and through him,

 and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.”   Romans 11:34-36

Amen and Amen!!!

Is My Life Pleasing To My Lord??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 25

16 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Bibe Study, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Fearlessness, God's provision, Growing in Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus' Sacrifice, Knowing God's Word, Only One Way, Righteousness, Salvation, SIN, Study to Show Yourself Approved Unto God, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Victorious Living, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 25   Is My Life Pleasing To My Lord???

 

I’d like to focus our attention upward, in a way that I pray will be an encouragement to us all.  We live in a culture that is so “me” focused (even the church has bought into the “me” ideology) that all is based on what will “please” the masses, make them comfortable, contented and confused—for compromise will only produce confusion.  Yet God has called us to know HIM and His Word, and when we will commit ourselves to know Him through His Word, we will begin to focus on our Lord not ourselves!

I would like us to consider Paul’s prayer for the Colossians, a passage that I have used often, and pray that we can learn from today.

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire that ye might be filled

with the knowledge

of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:9-14

Paul reminded the believers in Colossae twice in this brief prayer that they needed to grow and increase in the “knowledge” of God!  We can’t live faithful and productive lives for Jesus, without knowing Him personally as well as knowing what His Word says.  We can’t march in the Army of The King, without knowing what our marching orders are!  We are to walk “worthy” of our Lord, His Word, His calling and His purposes.  Yet so many today think we simply receive a ticket to heaven, with no commitment to Jesus who died for our sin, or any allegiance to HIS kingdom.  We have forgotten the admonition of the Lord Jesus as well as of Joshua. (For many have changed to gospel to a “get out of hell free card” rather than a recognition of our sin, and repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord!).

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side

of the flood

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me

and my house,

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

And Jesus’ own warning to all:

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God

and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment? …

… 31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Portions of Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus gives us our marching orders, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness”!  What are you/I seeking?  Are we pursuing God’s kingdom or our own?  Jesus makes it very clear that we can’t serve GOD and self at the same time (mammon simply means that which is of the world—be it money, fame, popularity, power, or simply self-reliance!).  But our churches are full of those who claim the name of Jesus yet continue to live life on their own terms not God’s!  It grieves me that we have so blatantly disregarded The Word of God and its clear teachings and with wholesale disregard have chosen the ways of the world and invited them into the church.  The church is the Body of Christ (the Bride of our soon coming King) and should never rely on the resources of the world to do God’s work!  Jesus also made it clear that “saying so doesn’t make it so”!

“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 then Jesus goes on to give one of the simplest, yet profound pictures of truefaith ever given—yet so many count it only as a children’s song!  So, the question is “What are you building on—HIS will or your own?”—the Rock or the sand?

“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

To be pleasing unto the Lord requires knowing and having Jesus as your Lord and Savior!  Knowing it is never our righteousness that saves, but the sacrifice of Jesus which imparts to us His righteousness and eternal life “in him”.

“For he hath made him

to be sin

for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21. Amen and Amen!

When we possess the ‘righteousness of God in him”; when our foundation is anchored on Jesus, there is no storm that can fell us!  But when our foundation is built on the sand (even if we paint it up to look like a “Jesus” house) it will fail.  In fact, the example implies that both houses looked alike on the outside, but one was on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, the other on sinking sand.   What about you?  What are you doing to please God?  Or are you so busy pleasing self and the world that you’ve missed the foundation of Jesus?

I would like to close with some passages that speak to that which pleases God in the lives of His own; and why we need to diligently pursue Him through His Word!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,  

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

“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

“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,  (mature)

throughly furnished  (equipped)

unto all good works.”    2 Timothy 3:16-17

And more of Paul’s teaching to the churches at Colossae and Thessalonica.

“And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father

by him.

18 Wives,

submit yourselves unto your own husbands,

as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands,

love your wives,

and be not bitter against them.

20 Children,

obey your parents

in all things:

for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger,

lest they be discouraged.

22 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 3:17-24

“For our exhortation was not of deceit,

nor of uncleanness,

nor in guile:

4 But as we were allowed of God

to be put in trust with the gospel,

even so we speak;

not as pleasing men,

but God,

which trieth our hearts.”  1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

“And whatsoever we ask,

we receive of him,

because we keep his commandments,

and do those things

that are pleasing in his sight.”   1 John 3:22

And some of my favorite words of encouragement and hope:

“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 3:5-7

Amen and Amen!!!

Pearl Harbor & A Pearl Of Great Price! Bible Ballistics: BBs #609

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Christmas, Christmas IS?, Church:Dead Or Alive?, Faith, IN Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Only One Way, Pearl Harbor, Pearl of great price, Remember, Salvation, SIN, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #609 Pearl Harbor & A Pearl Of Great Price!

 

As we continue thinking about the Christmas season and the true “reason” for the “season”, I’m sure some of you are scratching your head and thinking, “What does Pearl Harbor have to do with Christmas?”  Good question!  But as a Navy brat (my precious daddy served in the United States Navy for 22 years, and I’m very proud of his service!) naval things are special to me; and Pearl Harbor was a milestone in both American and world history.  The surprise attack took many lives and rocked the world; yet history records that there were many miniscule warning signs that were disregarded, ignored or misunderstood!  That is the connection to Christmas and the coming of The “pearl of great price”; and just as the US military was caught unprepared by the attack, the world missed the coming of The Messiah!  Some who were seeking God, saw truth, but the rest not only missed the import of His birth—but crucified The “King of Glory”—this “pearl of great price”!  How about you?

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto

a merchant man,

seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found

one pearl

of great price,

went

and sold

all that he had,

and bought it.”  Matthew 13:45-46

Will we miss the boat—or worse be destroyed because we didn’t recognize the enemy’s constant ‘surprise attacks’, and miss the true ally and Redeemer of our souls—Jesus?

“And it shall come to pass,

that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden

of it.”  Acts 2:21-24

This merchant of pearls recognized true value when he saw it, but so often we are deceived, tricked and lead astray from this One who loves us beyond measure!  This One who gives life, came and took on flesh knowing that most would reject Him, yet He came anyway—for YOU and for ME!  It’s His birth we celebrate!  What or Whom are you celebrating?

“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.

14 And the Word

was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.” John 1:10-14. AMEN!

So, as we go about our day today I pray that we will consider what we have done with this “babe” in the manger—the one we see all around us–and that we will remember that He came to die for sinful men and women, boys and girls; all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (paid my debt), sacrifice (HE died that I could have eternal life with HIM)!  Talk about a “pearl of great price”; don’t miss the true treasure by believing the lies of the enemy of your soul.  Be sure that you receive the greatest gift of all—don’t be one who “received him not”!  Paul reminds us that while we might be able to fool others—we will never fool God.

“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

And Jesus’ own words to “churches”, warning those who play at “religion” to check out what you’re trusting—for He is the One who knows the truth.

“I know thy works,

that thou art

neither cold

nor hot:

I would thou wert

cold

or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

and neither

cold

nor hot,

I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee

to buy of me gold

tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes

with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”  Revelation 3:16-18

One simple question in closing: are you clinging to a treasure that is worthless, or have you received HIS “gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich”?  The choice is yours!  Choose wisely there is a test!