Category Archives: The Word Or The World?

Revisiting Deuteronomy 6??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #724

28 Wednesday Apr 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Born Again, Children, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Decency, Obedience, Only Jesus, Only One Way, The Crucified Life, The Little Things., The Things of God, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Will Be Done, Yesterdays made Todays!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #724  Revisiting Deuteronomy 6???

 

We shared last time about God’s plan for man, the home and life, and I’d like to spend our time today taking a closer look at the passage from Deuteronomy 6; it is worth our time to consider the power of the truths in this Word from God about the home.  And if we ever needed to consider God’s plan for the home, it is surely now.

“Now these are

the commandments,

the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD your God

commanded to teach you,

that ye might do them

in the land whither ye go to possess it:

2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God,

to keep all his statutes

 and his commandments,

which I command thee,

thou,

and thy son,

and thy son’s son,

all the days of thy life;

and that thy days may be prolonged.

3 Hear therefore, O Israel,

and observe to do it;

that it may be well with thee,

and that ye may increase mightily,

as the LORD God of thy fathers

hath promised thee,

in the land that floweth

with milk and honey.

4 Hear, O Israel:

The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words,

which I command thee this day,

 shall be in thine heart:”   Deuteronomy 6:1-6

This passage begins with a call to all, but particularly the parents, before launching beyond to the family.  We can never pass on what we don’t possess; be it money, love, truth, morals or most importantly a personal relationship with God through His Son—and for the contextual accuracy of this passage, their belief was in the coming Messiah who would bring in the New Covenant, The Holy Spirit who would save and dwell in them (See Jer. 31:31-34 & Ez. 36:25-27)!

God calls us to recognize that these are HIS precepts and principles for godly living—for successful living—for the passing of the baton to the next generation. We cannot ignore and violate the principles of God and expect to be successful and content in our lives, much less to pass the baton faithfully to our children and grandchildren.  We cannot pass on what we do not possess!  So, we must acknowledge God’s right to lead, and be willing to rely upon the truth of HIS Word for our life, our belief system and our practices of life—otherwise we are just hypocrites and no one see’s hypocricy more quickly than children—especially our own offspring!

God calls us to:

–recognize HIS WORD—we must dig into THE WORD—

–DO IT—obey GOD’S WORD—

–FEAR HIM—in reverential awe and love—

–KEEP HIS COMMANDS—not forsaking HIS way—

(“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”   Isaiah 30:21)

–Share these commands with our offspring—

–Hear them and observe them—

–to be blessed and receive the goodness of God—

–in the land of God’s promise—

And God’s prime directive to all:

— thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might—

And how do we do this?  By having HIS WORD—

— in thine heart—

The bottom line is, I must love GOD myself, and have Jesus, and HIS Holy Spirit, in my heart!  Pretend won’t work.  As a parent I can only impart to my children what I personally have, know and live by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.  Paul describes this much better than I can.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would…

…. If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Portions of Galatians 5:16-25

And while those to whom Moses gave these commands were not blessed to have the indwelling Holy Spirit yet, we have the power of God’s Spirit to be able to accomplish God’s ways.  We can be victorious, but we must be born again ourselves in order to have a personal relationship with God and to have HIS Holy Spirit to lead and guide us—HE IS this “new covenant” which Jesus died to impart to us.

“I have yet many things to say unto you,

but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

 is come,

he will guide you

into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.”   John 16:12-14

So, we have an empowerment that the Old Testament saints did not all have; for the Holy Spirit was not imparted to each believer continually then, but to chosen individuals, at chosen times, for specific purposes of God.  We are truly blessed beyond measure.

“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.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.”   Romans 5:1-5

The question is, have you received this “love of God” which “is shed abroad” in YOUR heart?  We can never share Jesus with others, if we don’t have Jesus in our own hearts—if we haven’t been born again by the Holy Spirit of God.

“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 as we go back to Deuteronomy 6, we find that with God’s power, and a willingness to walk in HIS ways, we can pass on our love of God to those who walk behind us.  God’s ways are dependable.  Let’s consider what God’s plan was and still is.

“And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them

for a sign upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house,

and on thy gates…

….. Then beware lest thou forget the LORD,

which brought thee forth

out of the land of Egypt,

from the house of bondage.

13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God,

and serve him…..”  Deuteronomy 6:6-13

We are to teach, instruct, serve God, and lead our children to know God and do the same—we are to use teachable moments to share the truths of God with our children and the children we are privileged to have in our lives; we are to live it, teach it, and share it in all our daily activities—walking, sitting, resting, preparing for sleep, or rising up; we are to adorn ourselves with ornaments of godliness rather than the ornaments of worldliness.  We are to have our homes adorned with godly evidence of what we believe and who our GOD is—and what HE means to us; our homes can have great impact on those who enter there—what does your home advertise?  Yet God doesn’t stop there, HE goes on to tell us the ultimate progression of this way of life.

“And when thy son asketh thee

in time to come, saying,

What mean

the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God

hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:

22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders,

great and sore, …

… 23 And he brought us out from thence,

that he might bring us in,

to give us the land

which he sware unto our fathers.

24 And the LORD commanded us to do

all these statutes,

to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

if we observe to do

all these commandments

before the LORD our God,

as he hath commanded us.” Deuteronomy 6:20-25

In Blanche’s paraphrase:  if we lead our children in truth and righteousness before God, when we behave differently than the world, the time will come that our child will ask “why do we do these things, or don’t do other things?” Then we can share the truth of what God has done for “ME/US” and lead them to the cross (for we are on this side of the cross!) where they can find Jesus for themselves.  But our words must match the life we live, or we will have little ability to influence those whom we love the most.  You decide!  Will you live for Jesus and lead those around you to the cross or will you lead them straight to hell by your faithless choices?  The choice is yours!  But choose wisely, there is a test.  And in Jesus own words we find the import of our choices!  For “what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world” or loose “his own children”?

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny

himself,

and take up

his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give in exchange

for his soul?

27 For the Son of man

shall come in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man

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

May God open our eyes and work in our hearts to help us realize the serious times in which we are living:

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption draweth nigh.”   Luke 21:28

Amen and Amen!!!

Laws Don’t Change Hearts!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 26

21 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Believe IN Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confessing Sin, Consider Your ways, Creation, Creator of ALL, Decency, Deniable Truth? Really?, Discernment, Encouragement, Erasing The Lines?, Erasing The Past?, Evil will not win, Eyes that SEE HIM, Father of lies, For Such A Time As This, God Who Sees, God's Judgment, Hate, He Died That We Could Live, Holy Spirit, If not now? When?, In The Beginning, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Judgment, Know Whom I Believe, Knowing God's Word, Laws Don't Change Hearts, Liars, Lies, No Sin No Need?, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Polluted by the world?, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Repentance, Salvation, Seeing Truth, Speaking The Truth In Love, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Blood Of Jesus, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Word Or The World?, Today is the day of Salvation, Transformation, Walking With Jesus, What's In Your Heart?, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 26  Laws Don’t Change Hearts!!!

 

We are surrounded by confusion on every hand; a time in culture and history when we are not only changing the rules, but people are attempting to change the very foundations of mankind—foundations that were established by God “in the beginning” and they haven’t changed regardless of what “men” may say!  But there’s more—men are also attempting to explain sin away!  They pass laws that try to blame “hate” and “prejudice” to erase the simple truth that man’s heart is evil and sinful men commit sinful acts.

They also are determined to eliminate the presence or influence of God in our world.  If laws could change hearts, God would have stopped with the Ten Commandments, but He knew that it would require a sacrifice for sin to provide that which would change the very hearts of men, women, boys and girls—and yes, we are created “male and female” regardless of what the government says!  Political mandates don’t change the eternal Word of God or it being truth.

“In the beginning

God created the heaven

and the earth…

… 26 And God said,

Let us make man in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God

created he him;

male and female

created he them.

28 And God blessed them,

and God said unto them,

Be fruitful,

and multiply,

and replenish the earth,

and subdue it:

and have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over every living thing

that moveth upon the earth…

… 31 And God saw every thing that he had made,

and, behold,

it was very good.

And the evening and the morning

were the sixth day.”   Portions of Genesis 1:1 & 26-31

While many deride the truth of the first eleven chapters of Genesis, they are the very foundation of what I/we believe about God; in fact, without the truth of Genesis 1-11 we can close the book and go do something better with our time and energies.  For without this foundation and truth of the creation of God there would be no man, no Adam and Eve, no sin and no redemption plan—and without sin and the need of a Redeemer, why would we need a Jesus to become the incarnate Son of God, and be crucified, buried and risen for our sin?  But I know that this is God’s truth, and I will stand upon it in confidence and trust in The God who created all things—Father, Son and Holy Spirit– until HE seals my lips or calls me unto Himself!  We find God the Father and God the Holy Spirit specifically in the first few verses of Genesis, yet people ask, “Where is Jesus?”  Well, friends, I can answer that question; When you look at Genesis 1 you will find that every part of creation was “spoken” by God and came into existence—and who is Jesus?

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word

was with God,

and the Word

was God.

2 The same

was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.”  John 1:1-3

Paul also made it clear that Jesus was and is the instrument in the creation of all things—He IS God, not a creation of God!  He is The God-Man-Savior; the One who redeems all mankind who will come to HIM in repentance, and faith in His sacrifice for my sin and yours!

“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:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

all things were created

by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before

all things,

and by him

all things consist.”  Colossians 1:12-17

You and I are created “by him, and for him”, HE ought to be my focus and yours; as the author of Hebrews also makes this truth of Jesus, the creator, clear!

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners

spake in time past

unto the fathers

by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days

spoken unto us

by his Son,

whom he hath appointed

heir of all things,

by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory,

and the express image of his person,

and upholding all things

by the word of his power,

when he had by himself purged our sins,

sat down on the right hand

of the Majesty on high;”  Hebrews 1:1-3

While all of this is imperative to our faith, it is also an accusation against our culture, and even the church, which has seemed to remain silent on this unquestionable foundational truth of our faith—both creation and sin!  Paul told us that the heart of man is the issue—not our circumstances or our culture (yet the culture is often influenced by the hearts of wicked men)—that circle of our relationship with God; the one so aptly pictured in the book of judges (which we won’t quote today) which pictures the cycle of mankind, close to God—rejecting God—leaping headfirst into sin—reaping the consequences of sin—repenting and God providing a redemption for repentant sinners!  Just like HE still does today.  Even Jesus calls us to repentance!

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish…

…5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

What does all this have to do with us today?  Well, it has to do with the fact that God knows that sin is/was the issue, and that The Law couldn’t change hearts, only reveal our need for God’s saving grace.  So, God promised that The Law would show them their sin, but He would send One who would be the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, initiating the New Covenant—the indwelling Holy Spirit who would dwell with all who will believe in Jesus, HE who paid the sin debt for all who would believe.

“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.”  John 14:16-17

Paul makes the distinction very obvious in his letter to the Romans.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 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 1:8-9

Yet, with all this promise in Jesus, Paul reminds us that most will reject the Redeemer and choose to continue in sin, much like what Jeremiah stated!  The bottom line is, SIN is the issue!

“The heart is deceitful

above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?”  Jeremiah 17:9

And Jesus addressed it too:

“A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.”   Matthew 12:35

Now, back to Paul’s message to the church at Rome—one of the most wicked cities of its time; but sin’s not only in big cities, but in every place—at home, on TV, in movies, on social media– sin in a can you can open at will—it’s just renamed to deceive us!  Yet it’s not the “stuff” or the circumstances that dictate our choices but our own selfish, sinful lusts—and no abundance of laws can change one heart—only the “blood of Jesus that cleanseth us from all sin”!

“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.

18 For the wrath of God

is revealed from heaven

against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness of men,

who hold the truth

in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known

of God

is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it

unto them.”  Romans 1:16-19

While our culture is attempting to erase all the lines of moral absolutes, they are also trying to legislate God out of our lives and replace God with their laws which will supposedly make all men equal, the same—uniform–with no room for evil—or the essentials of creation–NOT!  Sin is in the heart of man, and no law can change that; only the saving work of the blood of Jesus can change hearts and lives.  Paul goes on in chapter 1 of Romans, to remind us that sin will never lift anyone up—but will spiral into total chaos, evil, more sin and the very rejection of God that dooms mankind.

“For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood

by the things that are made,

even his eternal power

and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that,

when they knew God,

they glorified him not

as God,

neither were thankful;

but became vain

in their imaginations,

 and their foolish heart

was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise,

they became fools,

23 And changed the glory

of the uncorruptible God

into an image made

like to corruptible man,

and to birds,

and fourfooted beasts,

and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up

to uncleanness

through the lusts

of their own hearts,

to dishonour their own bodies

between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God

into a lie,

and worshipped

and served the creature

more than the Creator,

who is blessed for ever.

Amen.”  Romans 1:20-25

And as Paul goes on to reveal, there is a consequence to every choice, and the choice to reject God will lead to more and more sin, for not only does “misery love company”—sin will not only affect you, but everyone that you come in contact with.  And those who pursue sin, will propagate their lifestyle, their agenda and their corruption regardless of the cost and effect upon themselves or others.

“For this cause

God gave them up unto vile affections:

for even their women

did change the natural use

into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men,

leaving the natural use

of the woman,

 burned in their lust

one toward another;

men with men

working that which is

unseemly,

and receiving in themselves that recompence

of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God

in their knowledge,

God gave them over

to a reprobate mind,

to do those things

which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all

unrighteousness,

fornication,

wickedness,

covetousness,

maliciousness;

full of envy,

murder,

debate,

deceit,

malignity;

whisperers,

30 Backbiters,

haters of God,

despiteful,

proud,

boasters,

inventors of evil things,

disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers,

without natural affection, implacable,

unmerciful:”  Romans 1:26-31

All of this they pursue without regard to the judgment of God, for they take pleasure in that which God hates—yes God does hate!

“Who knowing the judgment of God,

that they which commit such things

are worthy of death,

not only do the same,

but have pleasure

in them that do them.”  Romans 1:32

“These six things doth the LORD hate:

yea, seven are an abomination

unto him:

17 A proud look,

a lying tongue,

and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth

wicked imaginations,

feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness

that speaketh lies,

and he that soweth discord among brethren.”  Proverbs 6:16-19

And in closing, one of the simplest and most profound descriptions of the contrast between the godly and the wicked is Psalm 1.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not

in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth

in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat

of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law doth he meditate

day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also

shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth

shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners

in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth the way

of the righteous:

 but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.”  Psalm 1:1-6

And for your consideration, Jesus own words about the nature of the options.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you

in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

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

Will you be like that “tree planted by the waters” or the condemned/many, apart from God.  It’s your choice–but choose wisely—there is a consequence and a test!

May God open your eyes to see, your ears to hear and your heart to “see God” and come to JESUS!

Amen and Amen!

What’s Turning Your Heart??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #713

11 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Ask God For Wisdom, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Commitment Or Convenience, Compromise, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Dare To Be Different!, Dependence, Encouragement, Erasing The Lines?, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, God Who Sees, God's Judgment, Good News, Sowing and Reaping, The Little Things., The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Truth

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #713   What’s Turning Your Heart???

 

“For it came to pass, when Solomon was old,

that his wives turned away his heart

after other gods:

and his heart was not perfect

with the LORD his God,

as was the heart of David his father.

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth

the goddess of the Zidonians,

and after Milcom

the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And Solomon did evil

in the sight of the LORD,

and went not fully after the LORD,

as did David his father.” 1 Kings 11:4

What an indictment for us to consider today.  Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (other than Jesus, the God-man Savior) made some foolish choices that cost him dearly.  God judged his sin, and the effects of it reached throughout his kingdom, and eventually resulted in a divided kingdom.  But for today I want us to consider the import of guarding our heart by keeping our eyes on Jesus and running the race that HE has set before us and called us to!  And then I’d simply like to share some scriptures with us about the heart and what a difference a right heart and right choices will make!  I’ve learned from experience and God’s Word that “little foxes” can ruin the crop of our heart and life!

“Take us the foxes,

the little foxes,

that spoil the vines:

for our vines

have tender grapes.”  Song of Solomon 2:15

We must guard the “crop” of our heart, for Satan is ever busy throwing his “fiery darts” to distract, deter and delay us until we’ve missed the opportunities of service to our Lord and King.

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.”   1 Corinthians 15:33

Or as the NASB puts it:

“Do not be deceived:

Bad company 

corrupts good morals.”  1 Corinthians 15:33 NASB

May we with the Psalmist ever pursue God and HIS truth rather than the prattle of the world.

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

And again, great counsel from the Psalmist.

“LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me;

give ear unto my voice,

when I cry unto thee.

2 Let my prayer be set forth

before thee as incense;

and the lifting up of my hands

as the evening sacrifice.

3 Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart

to any evil thing,

to practise wicked works

with men that work iniquity:

and let me not eat of their dainties.”   Psalm 141:1-4

It is a fulltime job to keep our heart right with God and it requires diligence and determination to keep our eyes set on Jesus.

“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.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

Only Jesus saves and transforms lives—and the transformed heart, while regenerate, is not free from the trials and fleshly temptations that abound around us, but when we keep our hearts, minds and eyes “Looking unto Jesus” we will find the strength and courage to “withstand in the evil day…and having done all, to stand”!

We must be aware of our surroundings and the danger of compromise, for any reason.  We must keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus.  And while HE will deliver when we seek HIS provision and guidance, HE won’t violate our free will.  He is ever at work to conform us into HIS image, but we are called to “walk in the Spirit” and we will “not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”! (See Galatians 5:16 & 25).  Yet we can choose to compromise as Solomon did and reap the consequences of our choices, or we can trust to the care of HIM who completes HIS work IN US!

“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

So, my friends, we all have a choice, recognize the dangers of compromise and avoid them, or succumb to the “wiles of the devil”!  What’s your pleasure, to allow the things of this world to turn your heart away from God, or to “stand fast in the evil day”?  Jeremiah put it quite succinctly.

“The heart is deceitful

above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?”   Jeremiah 17:9

God knows, God cares, and HE provides a way, if we will but keep our hearts and minds set on HIM.

“Shall not God search this out?

for he knoweth the secrets

of the heart.”  Psalm 44:21

And as the author of Hebrews put it, the standard is and will ever be The Word of God!  What’s your standard?  Like Solomon’s became, due to the influence of his pagan wives?  What’s drawing you away?  Culture, companions, media, sports, movies, popularity, power, lust…. the list could go on, but you get the point.  What will we choose?  But be careful, choose wisely there is a test.

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints

and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things

are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”    Hebrews 4:12-13

And if you want to see a picture of the contrast read and consider Psalm 1.  Blessings on you and yours….

Amen and Amen!!!

Willing To Wait & Trust??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 17

17 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Daniel's choices, Dare To Be Different!, God Is In Charge, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's provision, Holy Living, Polluted by the world?, Pursuing Excellence?, Servanthood, Testing and Trials?, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Wait on the Lord

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 17 Willing To Wait & Trust???

 

As we continue in our study of Daniel’s character and that of his three close friends, today we will consider their trust in their God in the midst of a crises of faith and obedience.  Their personal faith and integrity are put to the test in the midst of their Babylonian captivity and service to King Nebuchadnezzar.  But let’s rehearse Daniel’s mindset in the midst of his circumstances.

“But Daniel purposed

in his heart

that he would not defile

himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:….”    Daniel 1:8a

This young man (and his 3 friends) had made up his mind and set his heart on God and his faith in Him, with a determination to be faithful to the law of his God, regardless of the circumstances or the consequences.  But the thing I want us to focus on is the rest of verse 8 which shows us Daniel’s behavior with decorum!  What about us—you and me?  What does our behavior reveal?  Sometimes mine just plain slips off the page; how about you?  I need this lesson whether you do or not!  I want to be found faithfully waiting on my Lord with decorum—not the flesh!!!

“…therefore

he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile

himself.”  Daniel 1:8b

Here we find Daniel behaving with that “decorum” that we spoke about last week; behavior that was a reflection of the glory of his God.  Which, in the later years of his life, even his enemies had to admit was the lodestar of his life and behavior.  Note, this passage took place close to 70 years later (a man of some 80-90 years old, and he was still a man of honor, integrity and faithfulness to his God) than the events of chapter 1.

“Then the presidents and princes

sought to find occasion against Daniel

concerning the kingdom;

but they could find none occasion nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error or fault

 found in him.

5 Then said these men,

We shall not find any occasion

against this Daniel,

except we find it

against him

concerning the law

of his God.”   Daniel 6:4-5

Not only did his enemies recognize his integrity (even though they used it against him, God had other plans!) but King Darius recognized in Daniel a heart, mind and life that was different—and it was all due to his service to his GOD! What about you and me?  What would our enemies say about us?

“Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God

whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee…

…Then the king arose very early in the morning,

and went in haste

unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den,

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake

and said to Daniel,

O Daniel,

servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee

from the lions?

21 Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him

innocency was found in me;

and also before thee,

O king,

have I done no hurt.”  Portions of Daniel 6:16-22

The Apostle Peter had a similar thing to say to believers in times of trials, suffering and persecution.

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted

for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who,

when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:”   1 Peter 2:19-23

We see this same kind of commitment in the young man Daniel; he who also “committed himself to him that judgeth righteously”!  How about you and me?  Are we trusting to God to take care of us when we suffer unjustly or are you like me; getting out your pencil and paper and figuring out what “we” need to do.  I think we can learn a lot from Daniel and his friends about trusting, waiting and allowing God to provide in His way, in His time and for His purposes.  And what we’re going to see in the next few weeks as we peruse Daniel’s story, is how God will show Himself faithful time and time again, when we will but love HIM, obey HIM and then just “let God BE God”!

In verse 8 we saw Daniel asking “permission”—well, pardon me, “I” am “entitled”!!!  NOT necessarily, let’s see what Daniel’s experience was; and WHO was really in charge!

“Now God

had brought Daniel into

favour

and tender love

with the prince of the eunuchs.

10 And the prince of the eunuchs

said unto Daniel,

I fear my lord the king,

who hath appointed your meat

and your drink:

for why should he see

your faces worse liking

than the children which

are of your sort?

then shall ye make me endanger

my head to the king.

11 Then said Daniel to Melzar,

whom the prince of the eunuchs

had set over

Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah,

12 Prove thy servants,

I beseech thee,

ten days;

and let them give us pulse to eat,

and water to drink.

13 Then let our countenances

be looked upon before thee,

and the countenance

of the children that eat

of the portion of the king’s meat:

and as thou seest,

deal with thy servants.

14 So he consented to them

in this matter,

and proved them

ten days.”   Daniel 1:9-14

Daniel went, if you would, through ‘channels’ and asked the first level for permission; but when this guy thought about it, he said he was fearful of his “head” if he disobeyed the King’s edict.  Then Daniel went to the next in line and offered a solution to the danger in giving them this leeway of their food and drink.  He asked the official to simply test them for 10 days and then he could decide how they appeared, and Daniel said they would abide by his decision.  No ‘doubting, pouting, and dropping outing’ but a willingness to pursue obedience and trust God for the outcome!  We must abandon our “western” mindset of demanding our way—or no way.  Or if you would, “it’s my way or the highway”!  I don’t know about you, but I wrestle with letting go of “my way” and pursuing and trusting to God’s plan without reservation……as Peter said, we ought to be committing ourselves “to him that judgeth righteously”!!  God is absolutely trustworthy!

The results are amazing when we let “God be God”, and simply do what God asks us to do, and be what HE has transformed us to be!

“Whether therefore

ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

And back to Daniel 1:

“And at the end of ten days

their countenances appeared

fairer

 and fatter in flesh

than all the children

which did eat the portion

of the king’s meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away

the portion of their meat,

and the wine that they should drink;

and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children,

God gave them knowledge

and skill

in all learning

and wisdom:

and Daniel

had understanding

in all visions

and dreams.

18 Now at the end of the days that the king

had said he should bring them in,

then the prince of the eunuchs

brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 And the king communed with them;

and among them all

was found none

like Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah:

therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters

of wisdom

and understanding,

that the king enquired of them,

he found them ten times better

than all the magicians and astrologers

that were in all his realm.”    Daniel 1:15-20

So, what do we conclude?  You can make your own conclusions, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”, trusting to His love, care and provision in every matter; and pursue His ways and not my/our own!   Are you ready and willing to trust and wait on God?  I think we better learn, and learn quickly!

Jesus puts it pretty concisely:

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide

in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth

much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”  John 15:4-5

Amen and Amen!!!

Answer For The Perilous Times??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #656

03 Wednesday Jun 2020

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Just Jesus!, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #656 Answer For The Perilous Times???

 

Good morning. I simply want to share some food for thought with you in these “perilous” times.  We often go to Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3, as he warns us of the peril to come, but often we stop with the peril and don’t go on to see what he recommends that we do.  I just ask that you read and ponder Paul’s words which are so timely for today.

“Yea,

and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers

shall wax worse

and worse,

deceiving,

and being deceived.

14 But continue thou

in the things which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom

thou hast learned them;

15 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.

4:1 I charge thee therefore

before God,

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

who shall judge the quick and the dead

at his appearing

and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word;

be instant in season,

out of season;

reprove,

rebuke,

exhort

with all longsuffering

and doctrine.”   2 Timothy 3:12-4:2

Perilous times are upon us; the choice is ours as to how we will respond.  God calls us to stand fast in HIS Word; but to do that you must be IN HIS Word!  May we all be more diligent to pursue our Lord through humble prayer, a hunger for HIS righteousness, and an appetite for HIS Word that can’t be spoiled by the world’s ‘junk food’!

Blessings on your week as you seek HIS face!

Amen and Amen!