Category Archives: The Word Or The World?

Twist His Arm Or Trust His Care??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 13

18 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Praise God Today!, Prayer, Sovereignty, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.13 Twist His Arm Or Trust His Care???

 

I want us to talk about prayer again for it is such an essential to our personal well-being, our churches as well as our nation’s; and there is so much being taught that is off base to say the least. So I want us to take another look to keep ourselves on track with the biblical view of prayer, for it is our lifeline and sustainer of an intimate relationship with God!

We have to be so careful that our faith doesn’t turn into an ‘arm wrestling’ match with God—us trying to convince Him to grant our requests—or even worse demand His attention and reply to our every whim (regardless of it’s agreement with the Word of God or not!)! Prayer also isn’t using Jesus’ name as a ‘magic potion’ to fulfill our lusts and greed! Rather, prayer is depending on our Sovereign God and our Lord Jesus Christ for our every need, direction and sufficiency, knowing that HE knows what HE is doing to accomplish HIS work in, for and through us to make us more like Jesus! He is wise, trustworthy and loves us more than any other person could. And sometimes what HE knows that we need to endure the “refiner’s fire”—not fun but the work that creates in us that reflection of holiness and glory—God’s glory not the world’s!

“For we are saved by hope:

but hope that is seen

is not hope:

for what a man seeth,

why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope

for that we see not,

then do we with patience

wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also

helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not

what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 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 8:24-29

God IS working for our good in “all things”—all things, all the time, every day, all the way—conforming us “to the image of his Son”! God is making us who are “them that love God, to them who are the called”, into the image of Jesus, The Son—what a glory! And while we often become impatient, distracted and loose our focus, God is ever at work conforming us, growing us, into “the image of his Son”; and we can trust ourselves to His care, in each and every prayer that comes across our lips! We can stand with Job, knowing that same God is still GOD!!!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain

mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

Job didn’t understand why he was where he was, but he knew his God! And while Job didn’t know what was going on, he knew the God who held him in His hands! And God revealed it to him in His time.

“Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

2 I know that thou canst do every thing,

and that no thought

can be withholden from thee.” Job 42:1-2

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job,

when he prayed for his friends:

also the LORD gave Job

twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10

I find it interesting and contrary to much that is being touted about today, about what we can “demand” of God because we have enough “faith” and are “King’s Kids”—but here we find that Job asked nothing of God but simply professed his lack of understanding of the ‘awesomeness’ of the Creator! And as he obeyed God in praying for his ‘friends’ (A word loosely used in Job’s case I think!!!)! God restored Job’s riches because it pleased Him to do so, not because Job demanded or even asked for it! What about us? Are we willing to endure trials as James teaches us to, or would we rather pout and try to work up more “faith” to get our own way, our desires met in “our time”! I have lived long enough, and seen enough of God’s faithfulness and glory to know that He has and plan, and I have learned and continue to learn that HIS time and ways are best. While I certainly haven’t arrived or do I get it right all the time, I am learning to trust Him more and more and seek His face more intimately! And much of that time has been spent in the refiner’s fire!

“But who may abide

the day of his coming?

and who shall stand

when he appeareth?

for he is like a refiner’s fire,

and like fullers’ soap:

3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier

of silver:

and he shall purify the sons of Levi,

and purge them as gold and silver,

that they may offer unto the LORD

an offering in righteousness.”   Malachi 3:2-3

God is refining us as silver to serve HIM!

“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……….

9 But ye are a chosen generation,

a royal priesthood,

an holy nation,

a peculiar people;

that ye should shew forth

the praises of him

who hath called you

out of darkness

into his marvellous light:

10 Which in time past

were not a people,

but are now

the people of God:

which had not obtained mercy,

but now have obtained mercy.”   1 Peter 2:5 & 9-10

Oh, what a blessing to know that we are living stones in God’s kingdom and work! And we are to “shew forth the praises” of one of God’s own! Even as Paul told the Colossians, we are changed into a Kingdom different that the darkness of this world!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom

of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”  Colossians 1:12-14

We have received a “transfer” from the darkness of Satan and the world, into God’s kingdom! And we are in a kingdom that is set in God—The God who has total control of not only our circumstances but also every circumstance around us, and HE is working to accomplish HIS purposes and bring His Kingdom to those who will believe in His Son, and are not hardened to His love by the “deceitfulness of sin”. And presumption on God in arrogant demands is sin! Jesus told us how we are to pray, and it’s not arrogant or presumptuous. We can have bold confidence in HIM as we come to Him, but never arrogance!

“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.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.” Matthew 6:9-11

Our prayer is to be focused on God’s name, God’s kingdom coming, God’s will being done—not ours. And we are called to ask for our “daily bread” today, not stocking up for an unknown future—for our future is in our “Father God’s” hands! And because we can trust HIM we can endure whatever He sees fit to send or allow in our lives. So we truly can “count it all joy”!

“My brethren,

count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience

have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect

and entire,

wanting nothing.

5 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.” James 1:2-5

Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we can stand in confidence when the trials come, knowing that our God can deliver, and whether He delivers from any particular situation, He will deliver us ultimately into HIS very presence! And the timing is His choice, and I trust HIM! How about you?

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee

in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God

whom we serve

is able

to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not,

be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve

thy gods,

nor worship

the golden image

which thou hast set up.”   Daniel 3:16-18

These three godly young men stood fast in their faithfulness to their God, even under the threat of the fiery furnace! They knew that God “could” deliver from the fire, but they let the king know that even if God’s provision was not out of the fire, but through it, they would serve only HIM, and not “the golden image” which King Nebuchadnezzar had demanded that they bow to! What about you and me? Have we bowed before the ‘gods’ of this world and failed to stand fast for our God, in pursuit of the world’s distractions? Let us remember that God is worthy of our devotion, faithfulness and a life of glory and praise to our God.

We also need to remember that God deals in reality as well as faith, and “visualizing” isn’t a way of faith, but a way of presumption. Prayer is seeking God’s face, not ‘visualizing’ ‘me’ the way I want ‘me’ to be, and to most of the world that ‘looks’ like riches, wellness, happiness, popularity, comfort and ease. God’s goal is for us to live in the “beauty of holiness” and “His righteousness”! As Jesus told us:

“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.” Matthew 6:31-34

So, how’s your prayer life? Are you seeking God’s Kingdom and righteousness or are you presuming on the love and care of God. He is faithful, but we called to be His servants, not His dictators! He hears and answers prayer—when we seek His face and will not our own!

“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 4:16

Amen and Amen!!

Counterfeit Faith??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #505

02 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Faith, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Seeing Truth, SIN, Spiritual Warfare, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #505      Counterfeit Faith???

 

We’ve talked recently about ‘people of faith’, and I’d like to take a bit of a turn today. I’ve been seeing a lot of billboards, ads and social media input lately that I want to call our attention to because genuine believers are often gullible and naïve when it comes to what we hear and see, especially when it claims to be from “people of faith”. What I want to call us to consider today is ‘the counterfeit’: just because it “walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and even have feathers like a duck”, it may not really be a “duck”! Just like Jesus reminded us, not every thing that says, “baa baa” is a real “sheep”!

“Beware of false prophets,

which come to you

in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.”   Matthew 7:15

Counterfeit sheep–Jesus warned us that we must beware of whom we listen to, trust, and believe—especially in regard to faith. The issue with “people of faith” is that some claim one thing but have an agenda that is 180 degrees opposite of what they are ‘selling’ (or giving away!) and their real goal is to lead people away from biblical, authentic, and righteous ‘faith’ in the ‘blood of Jesus Christ…..that cleanseth us from all sin’!

We need to be careful and always aware that there are a lot of claims floating around from so-called ‘people of faith’ who are pushing a ‘faith’ in a ‘gospel’ that is totally foreign to the biblical Gospel that calls sin sin, and calls people to repentance and faith in Jesus alone, as the Only Way to God–the only way to be saved from sin, and its penalty (death and hell) to live a pure and holy life before God and man. These counterfeit ‘people of faith’ promote (in Jesus name) everything from abortion and sexual immorality to a debauched life and almost anything that is the opposite of a holy, righteous lifestyle conformed to biblical standards! Scripture calls us to examine things before we jump into them, for not every ‘spirit’ that speaks to our hearts and minds is from GOD!

“Beloved,

believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits

whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 

Just because something sounds ‘good’ on the surface, we need to ‘dig a little deeper’ into the source, whether it’s a sign on a billboard, or a cute ‘meme’, or an invitation to something ‘new’ and/or life changing! We must recognize that Satan is extremely busy these days, and we must inform ourselves of the things we encounter, always being ‘ware’ before we join or support anything or anyone who claims to present some new “ministry”. Checking out the “facts” before we contribute our time, money and energy into something that may turn out to be diametrically opposed to the very Savior whom we love and want to serve.

It’s important to know The Word, so that we can recognize the false when it comes along—and my friends, it is coming along in boatloads today—on TV, radio, books, newspapers, billboards and of course on social media. We must be sure we are trying every ‘spirit’ to see if it is “of God”, for not everyone is speaking (or writing) truth!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself

is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end

shall be according to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

I don’t mean to belabor the point, but we must, we simply must know truth to “…withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand…” (See Ephesians 6:10-19) We must keep God’s Word before us and examine the things we see and hear before we buy into what may be lies—as the old adage sums up so aptly, “look before you leap” (or believe, or follow or give!)!

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

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.”    Matthew 7:20-23

We must “try the spirits” that call to us every day and examine them in light of The Word, not the by the “cutesy”, eye-catching pictures, ads and slogans that they are using to mislead people—even genuine people of faith. We need to take special care as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are coming, beware of who you give your money to—you can check them out online to see how much of their ‘donations’ go to the people or causes they claim to be collecting to support and relieve—you might be surprised. I’ll simply leave you with the words of Jesus:

“Behold,

I send you forth

as sheep

in the midst of wolves:

be ye therefore

wise as serpents,

and harmless as doves.”   Matthew 10:16

Amen and Amen!

 

 

“By My Spirit, Saith The Lord”??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #502

24 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Confidence, Encouragement, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Walking With Jesus, What's The Word?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #502   “By My Spirit, Saith The Lord”???

 

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying,

This is the word of the LORD

unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”    Zechariah 4:6

This message from God to Zerubbabel is one of the verses that I ponder and call to mind frequently, for so often in our journey of life we become weary, tired, frustrated, or disappointed, and this powerful word of encouragement is a “strong tower” to the weary soul! It is a sure “word” that we can “take to the bank” of spiritual resources and encouragement, for it is by God’s power that we press on, not our own! Even as Paul told us in Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things

through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Peter also reminds us that God’s Word is THE sure rock in this world of sinking sand! And while men of flesh and blood recorded down, it was truly God’s breath that moved their pen!

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy;

whereunto ye do well

that ye take heed,

as unto a light that shineth

in a dark place,

until the day dawn,

and the day star arise

in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first,

that no prophecy of the scripture

is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not

in old time

by the will of man:

but holy men of God

spake

as they were moved

by the Holy Ghost.”    2 Peter 1:19-21

So regardless of what you face on your journey today, just look up, walk forward and press on for and with Jesus, trusting to HIS wisdom, direction and provision in every way—every day, and diving into HIS Word!

And one final reminder that is truly a life verse for us all, as well as a timely reminder that we can depend on God’s Word and His wisdom no matter what we are facing; and that we don’t have to depend on our own limited understanding.

“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.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health

to thy navel,

and marrow

to thy bones.”   Proverbs 3:5-8

Amen and Amen!

Is Truth Still True??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #488

29 Wednesday Aug 2018

Posted by in Seeing Truth, SIN, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Transformed life, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #488 Is Truth Still True???

 

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness

for light,

and light

for darkness;

that put bitter

for sweet,

and sweet

for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!”   Isaiah 5:20-21 

Sometimes (in fact much of the time) I hear and see things going on around us—things that touch and affect the hearts and lives of those we care about, and we often wonder “why” are ‘things’ this way. This passage in Isaiah often comes to mind as I ponder the situation that we seem to find ourselves in. How did we get here? How did those that we care about get where they are? I think God gives us the answer to those questions?

We live in a culture that has willfully, if foolishly, chosen to walk in a way (as well as away—pun intended) that has abandoned the moorings to God and The Gospel of Jesus Christ. We live in a culture that has changed what it means to be a believer in Jesus—a Christian, if you would—to something most foreign, in my mind, to biblical Christianity. We have made our own ways, and are now reaping the consequences of going “that way”, rather than the way of The Holy God, who gave us His Holy Word to follow, even with all of His warnings of the consequences of walking “away” from Him, His Son and His Word!

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”   Proverbs 16:25

We have failed to acknowledge the truth and are now reaping the consequences of our choices—of believing the lies of the enemy that we are “entitled” to do our own thing, our own way. There is an old (really old) country song that offended me when it was new and still offends me to this day, but a song that clearly describes the cultural direction that we have chosen; “Me And Jesus” was written by Tom T. Hall, and basically summed up what most people are living today, “Me and Jesus got our own thing going!” Well, I’ll have to beg the pardon of Mr. Hall—Jesus has the only “saving thing” going, and it’s found at the cross—and only at the cross. A cross where we come face to face with our sin, repent in faith, trusting to the cleansing power of Jesus substitutionary (He took my place), atoning (He paid the price of my sin-death), sacrifice (His blood was given for me)!

Scripture clearly tells us that:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things

are passed away;

behold,

all things

are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Paul clearly told the Romans what this “new” life looks like and it’s not “our own thing going”—but it’s me going “HIS” way and doing “God’s Work”! (See John 4:34)

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2

I am to be a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God”, and that my friends doesn’t match the world’s definition of Christianity. Let me mention a few things that have changed, in my humble opinion. We have professing Christian parents and grandparents, (and well-meaning friends) justifying their children’s immoral behavior—funding their illicit behavior, allowing their children to live in sin under their own roof (my momma would have called that ‘shacking up’—it’s not marriage, but adultery for the young or old!). We enable these young ones to continue in their sin—enabling their rebellion against God, never holding them accountable for the consequences of their own choices, often intervening to pay those consequences for them—teaching them what? Teaching them that “SIN” is ok as long as you go to church, pay, or ‘pray’ or impress others! In other words if you have children who have no means of support, and you are enabling them to live immorally, whether it’s in a sexual relationship, smoking, drinking, drugs or anything else that requires money and you provide that money for them—YOU are a part of the problem NOT the solution. And forbid it be, that you allow them to spend time in a jail or other facility for their just crimes!

God has called us to live holy lives, and to impart that holy living to our own offspring—to call them to a higher standard than that of the world. Instead we lower the standard at every turn, so as not to “loose” our children—well, my friend, if you’re not leading them to Jesus for salvation, and the Word of God for the standard of living, your have already lost them, with very little hope of them finding the truth that saves! We must wake up and turn this tide before our entire culture falls to anarchy!!! Look around my dear ones—we are watching our culture fall now, and very few are sounding the alarm. I pray that this message has offered no offense, for there is none intended from my heart, but rather a heartfelt burden for we who claim the name of Jesus to wake up and turn back to The Word of God for our standard not the world’s movies, music, books and anything that brings immorality into our homes and our hearts! May we repent, wake-up and see the signs around us, and make a difference in the lives of those God has placed in our circle of influence. Please, I beg of you—let’s make a difference while we can?

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree;

When his branch is yet tender,

and putteth forth leaves,

ye know that summer is nigh:

33 So likewise ye,

when ye shall see all these things,

know that it is near,

even at the doors.

34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away,

but my words shall not pass away.”   Matthew 24:32-35

Amen and Amen!!! Praying for YOU!!! The time is NEAR!!! Join me in asking God to “deliver us from evil”!!!

Not I But HIM!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #483

10 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Humility, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Seeing Truth, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Walking With Jesus, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #483 Not I But HIM!!!

 

“But God forbid that I should glory,

save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom the world is crucified

unto me,

and I

unto the world.”   Galatians 6:14

We talked last time about “surveyors”—keeping our eyes on Jesus—the prize that Paul referred to in his letter to the Philippians.

“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.”   Philippians 3:14 

Oh that we could understand the import of walking with Jesus—totally pressing toward HIS “mark”—totally desiring the “prize”, which is Jesus Himself. Oh, if we could stop being satisfied with that which is fleeting and pursue that which is eternal. It’s what Jesus expects us to do!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures

upon earth,

where moth

and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through

and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures

in heaven,

where neither moth

nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”     Matthew 6:19-21

So my simple question for today is, “Where is your treasure?” Have we bought into the modern cultural idea that “I” am the treasure and the world revolves around me? Or have we recognized the truth that only Jesus can satisfy the soul, the heart and the fulness of who God created us to be? ONLY JESUS! And He cares for us—HE gave Himself that we might have “abundant life” IN Him!

“Fear thou not;

for I am with thee:

be not dismayed;

for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee;

yea, I will help thee;

yea, I will uphold thee

with the right hand of my righteousness.”    Isaiah 41:10

He will uphold me because I am HIS own, but I must remember something too:

“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

There’s an old song by George W. Robinson, called ‘I Am His, And He Is Mine‘, and the last line of each verse says, “I am His and He is mine”! Oh that we could remember that as we go through each day, “ye are not your own….. ye are bought with a price…… therefore glorify God”! I fear that we live in a world that would rather sing:

“To ‘me’ be the glory—

  Great things ‘I’ have done—

  So love ‘I’ myself that God calls me ‘sun’—

All this because ‘I’ believe that–

 ‘I’ am the center of the universe

To ‘Me’! (and everyone else)”

A sad commentary that grabbed my heart just this morning as I was pondering what to share with you today, may we look up and pursue our Lord not self-aggrandizement! (Look it up!)

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another man praise thee,

and not thine own mouth;

a stranger,

and not thine own lips.” Proverbs 27:1-2

All I can say to that is, Amen and Amen!!!