Bible Ballistics: Whose Favor Are You Seeking??? Vol. 6#12

Often as we struggle through life we have many distractions, and sometimes it’s hard to keep our focus on the things of our Lord. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle, and the temptation to please men instead of God (Including ourselves). One of my heroes of scripture had a great opportunity to succumb to the pressures that surrounded him, but he remained faithful to his God! That’s the desire of my heart—to be found faithful when HE calls me home or comes for His own.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:  

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God had brought Daniel

into favour

and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.”   Daniel 1:8-9

Let’s examine Daniel’s life and see what we can learn about faithful courage.

First, let’s set the stage: Daniel was a Jewish young man, probably a mid to late teenage, who was taken as a Babylonian captive to be educated (brainwashed) for service in the ‘civil’ government of Babylon. Daniel was one of many Jewish young men from Jerusalem, who were taken into captivity and put into a 3-year training program. They were transported far from home, family and culture. Outstanding young men who were:

“……certain of the children of Israel,

and of the king’s seed,

and of the princes;

4 Children in whom was no blemish,

but well favoured,

and skilful in all wisdom,

and cunning in knowledge,

and understanding science,

and such as had ability in them

to stand in the king’s palace,

and whom they might teach the learning

and the tongue of the Chaldeans.” Daniel 1:3b-4

They were taken because they were the “crème’ de la crème’”– from the families of the leadership and royalty of Judah, those who were good-looking and blemish-free, teachable, taken to be trained to serve in the king’s palace. They were to be ‘transformed’ into “Babylonians”! Maybe close to a hundred young men, and yet we only hear of 4 of these young men after their ‘training’.

What else do we see in Daniel and his three friends that we can assimilate into our lives? Most importantly of all, we see that Daniel was a ‘determined’ young man, he knew his own heart and mind; and what was Daniel’s mindset?

“Daniel purposed in his heart 

that he would not defile himself…”

Daniel had made up his mind (And heart) that he would maintain his integrity before God; that he would “not defile himself”. A decision that might seem useless, as it is most likely that he had already been “ceremonially” defiled by the Babylonians by being castrated, a thing that would have broken his heart ‘religiously’, but it didn’t deter him in his personal devotion to God. Daniel made up his mind to be blameless before his God, much like Job:

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

Daniel was determined to live for God even though no one back home would be watching. He was determined to honor God in everything that was within his power. Yet we often miss a valuable lesson in this passage, Daniel was determined to not only honor his God, but to display an honorable and respectful demeanor to his captors—to all.

Daniel didn’t balk, or pout or stomp and demand his own way; instead he honored the ‘powers’ that were over him and went through the ‘chain of command’ to seek to honor his relationship with God before unbelievers.

“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 1:11-14

Daniel requested permission to be exempt from the diet that would have violated his conscience—he requested permission, and when it was denied on the first request, he then went to the one directly over him and his friends with a reasonable suggestion, that put it all on God. Daniel asked for this official to test him and his friends for 10 days and if he was not satisfied that they were as healthy or healthier than the rest of the captives, they would submit to whatever he decided. And God honored the faithfulness of his servants– because they were honoring God– God Almighty was at work in honoring Daniel and his friends. And how!!!

“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.” Daniel 1:15

WOW! Daniel and his friends were rewarded for their faithfulness—they looked better than any of the other captives/trainees. And as we continue with this story we find that God rewarded Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (better known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) with success in all their endeavors. If we jump to the end of the chapter we find them at the end of their 3-year term of training, and see that God blessed them mightily individually and before the world.

“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, t

hen 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 1:17-20

Not only were these young men found better than their peers, but they were found 10 times better than “than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm”! Did you get that? Ten times better than the entire corps of “wise men”, “astrologers” or “magicians”!!!   To repeat a cliché’, “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called”. God reminds us throughout scripture of His faithfulness—HE is faithful, just determine to trust HIM:

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

“And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  2 Cor. 12:9

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”   Psalm 23

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

So??? Who is it that YOU want to please? I must join with Joshua in proclaiming:

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

How about you? Who will you determine to please? Simply “choose you this day whom ye will serve”? It is your choice. But choose wisely! There is a test at the end!!!

“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.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:35-37

Bible Ballistics: BBs #181 Naked And Bare Or Bold???

“For the word of God is

quick, (living)

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

There is a standard, and it is God’s standard—His written Word to us, and His Word, the Son. The author of Hebrews declares that the “Word of God” is alive and powerful! And it is powerful for ordering our lives:

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23

But it will only “order” our steps when and if we make the time to read and study it, and draw strength, wisdom and grace from its pages.

Yet, we sometimes miss the fact that the “Word of God” will be the standard by which we are judged—and yes we will all face the judgment of God, and the “Word” will be the standard, not only the written “Word of God”, but also the living “Word of God”—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

 

Jesus, the WORD, will judge all. He will judge believers at the judgment seat of Christ (see Ro. 14:10 & 1 Cor. 3:10-15), and the lost before the Great White Throne Judgment (See Rev. 20:11-15)! God’s Word will be the standard—and all will give an account for what we have done with it.

While on vacation recently, we found ourselves at the beach and we were appalled at the ‘lack’ of apparel that most people were ‘not’ wearing. We live in a culture of ‘exposure’ and I saw more bosoms, bellies, and buttocks than I had any desire to see. And sadly it wasn’t just the young, but most everyone who ventured out in public there, were at the least, immodest and at the worst ‘barely’ clad (pun intended)! Why is our culture so ready to expose themselves completely before the world and yet think they can ‘hide’ from God? Wake up people—we’re not hiding from anyone, especially from God. And our passage in Hebrews reminds us that we are all “naked and opened” before the God of the Word!!! And we will all give an account for our choices and actions. But there is hope–Salvation and forgiveness that Jesus bought at the Cross.

“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

He will cleanse and forgive through the BLOOD by which HE bought forgiveness and salvation for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith. He died for YOU and ME!

“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:” Col. 1:13-14

Have you allowed God to transfer YOU into the kingdom of His Son? Oh, how He longs to deliver you from your sin and the payment due for that sin. And for us who already believe and belong to Him, God wants us to yield to His Spirit and more faithfully allow Him to “Order my steps in thy word”!!! And when we realize that it’s God before whom we are “naked and opened”, perhaps we’ll cover up our bodies and open our hearts and minds instead to the work of God’s Spirit leading and helping us to be “conformed to the image of his Son” (Ro. 8:29)! How you might ask? Let’s consider the rest of our passage in Hebrews 4:

“14 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

So, will you stand naked and bare on your own merit? Or will you receive the ‘clothing’ of salvation and the privilege of ‘bold’ access to HIS “throne of grace” and live there? Fellow believers, we must walk ‘ordered’ steps before a watching world!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #180 Help Me, Lord!!!

“Surely he shall deliver thee

from the snare of the fowler,

and from the noisome pestilence.  

4 He shall cover thee

with his feathers,

and under his wings shalt thou trust:

his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;

nor for the arrow that flieth by day;” Psalm91:3-5

We all have those days, sometimes many days when we just don’t know how we’ll take another step. But praise be to our God, HE is faithful and HE will see us through. Perhaps not in the way we expected—but HE will see us through to the place that HE has prepared for us. Yes, the heavenly home that HE is preparing for us, but just as importantly, the place of service that HE has for us in the ‘here and now’!

As the Psalmist declares, we can be assured of His work in our lives—

He will ‘deliver’ us–

He will ‘cover’ us—

He is our ‘shield and buckler’ (our armor)—

Therefore we don’t have to be afraid—

By day—Or by night—Or ever!!!

But how do I practice this kind of faith and trust?

By depending on the only FAITHFUL GOD!!!

By knowing HIS Word—

By knowing His character—

By seeking His face in all things—all the time—

that’s how!!!

We must join with Paul and stand fast in the sovereign trustworthiness of our God!!! I KNOW that I KNOW that I KNOW, that I KNOW! And I do!!!

“Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless

I am not ashamed:

for I know whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words,

which thou hast heard of me,

in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 1:11-13

So, hold fast to HIS Word until “that day”—the day when He calls me/you unto Himself, or comes for us in the air. And yes, I believe in the ‘rapture’! NO, I don’t know when it will be—but I know Jesus told us He will come and “receive you unto myself” (John 14:3). In the meantime I am to keep on “Looking unto Jesus”(Heb. 12:2), and walking forward with HIM, for HIM, through HIS power, and yearning for HIS return. But at the same time, remembering that we are living in the last days (the ‘last days’ started with Jesus, see Hebrews 1:1-3), and in a hostile culture. There is a cost to pay for following Jesus, yet we are not alone, nor are we the first ones to suffer. And though: “…… all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”   2 Timothy 3:12

I KNOW that: “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 Trust HIM!!!

Bible Ballistics: This Is The Day….And??? Vol. 6#11

“This is the day

which the Lord hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad

in it.” Psalm118:24

Which day? This day! The day that God made! We’ve been talking a lot about time and what we need to do with our time, so let’s continue today in search of our purpose—on this day. To live our purpose every day!

“And it shall be said in that day,

Lo, this is our God;

we have waited for him,

and he will save us:

this is the Lord;

we have waited for him,

we will be glad

and rejoice

in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

“(For he saith, I have heard thee

in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:  

behold, now

is the accepted time;

behold, now

is the day of salvation.)” 2 Corinthians 6:2 

Today is the day of salvation!!! We have no assurance of tomorrow, nor do any of our loved ones who don’t know Jesus. Our task is to share the “Good News” of the gospel with those around us, but how? By rejoicing in Jesus and walking in His Spirit. By being a “reconciler” toward the world, and calling them to Jesus. Not condoning the wickedness around us but being a lighthouse of the love of Jesus and the salvation that only HE offers through the blood that HE shed for all who will come to HIM.

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6 

“In him was life;

and the life

was the light of men.” John 1:4

“I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.” John 10:10

There is only one way to God, and Jesus is that way. We are born in sin, born to die, but God has made a way for us to have life and have it abundantly!!! We have abundant life—the life of Jesus within us. Life from the dead!!!

Ephesians 2:1-7 tells us clearly that we can have this life in Jesus, how can we keep it a secret:

“And you hath he quickened, (made alive)

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh (not God’s)

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love

wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew

the exceeding riches of his grace

in his kindness toward us

through Christ Jesus.”   Ephesians 2:1-7

“But God”!!! Praise God for the great “conjunctions” of the Bible. But God had mercy—not just ‘had’ mercy, but our God IS mercy, the very essence of mercy. And HE extends that mercy to you and me. We who were:

dead in trespasses and sins—all of us

walking in the ‘world’ by the ‘worlds’ rules

under Satan’s kingdom-by birth and by choice

–in worldy living

–in worldly lusts

 –in worldly desire

–as children of wrath (the wages of sin is death…)

BUT GOD!!! Oh what a wonderful contrast!!! God reaches down for us, and when we come to know the love and redeeming grace of God we are enabled to live it and share it every day, in every way, by the blood of Jesus!

It’s why we can rejoice in each day that God gives us; each day He gives us to serve Him. Rejoice in each day we are privileged to serve Him and others. We can even rejoice in the difficulties of life, knowing that God has us in HIS hand. In Jesus I can truly give thanks in, and even for all things because I know this day—TODAY—and each and every day which God gives me is an operation of the principle of God’s sovereign working, IN ME, FOR HIS GLORY!

“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

And by His power we can live for God in every way, every day.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31.

“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

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16

“And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:24

“He that overcometh

shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God,

and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:7

We overcome because of what Jesus did for us at Calvary.

1 John 5:4, “For whatsoever is born of God

overcometh the world:

and this is the victory that overcometh the world,

even our faith.”

Therefore we can surely, every day, every way:
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

Rejoice TODAY!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #179 Have You Counted The Cost???

We talked last time about the sufficiency of Jesus Christ to save and deliver from sin; I would like us to consider something more. While Jesus called us to follow Him, He also said his follower is to ‘take up his cross, and follow me”! There is a cost to following Jesus, and many haven’t considered what that cost is, and I believe that is one of the reasons we see so many who have at one time “claimed” to belong to Jesus walk away, or live in a manner that totally denies what they claim to believe. Let’s consider the context of “taking up my cross”.

“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

The call is to choose wisely. We can choose to save our own lives—which is what we’re doing when we live without Jesus Christ—or we can deny self, in repentance and faith take up the cross of Christ, and follow HIM! We can try to ‘save’ ourselves and loose it all, or we can allow Jesus to save us from sin and death and give us life—eternal life—now and in eternity. There really is only one right choice!!! One ‘life’!!!

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4

Jesus came to bring life to those who were dead in their sin, and that’s all of us! These days in our culture we have accepted a gospel of ‘easy-believism’, we have become so eager to gain numbers, popularity, money, fame or whatever motivates people to pervert the Word of God, that we just “tickle” people’s ears to keep them on board.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

So what is the cost? What is the gospel? Well, we have an answer directly from scripture.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel

 which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you

first of all that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”

1 Corinthians 15:1-5

The gospel is JESUS—He was crucified for “our sins”; He was buried (He didn’t swoon and revive—HE DIED); He rose on the third day; He was seen alive by many witnesses. And HE did all of this for us, and He did it all in fulfillment of what was prophesied in the scripture (The Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah) in regard to His first coming!!! And what is the cost for us? Repentance and faith in His atoning, substitutionary work of redemption—He paid my debt, and I must surrender (yield) me to Him, and take up HIS CROSS—I die to “me” and live to “Christ Jesus”.

“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

As the old song says, “Jesus Paid It All”, and I’m so glad He did, yet my part is to ‘die’ to self daily, and ‘live’ by the power of the cross. Not moaning and groaning in my fleshly trials, but walking in confident, devoted and grateful obedience to my Lord’s command. His direction to me—I am to follow Jesus in all I am and all I do. So what’s the cost? Dying to self and living IN/FOR JESUS!!! How? By the power of the cross and the Holy Spirit.

“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

So??? Here’s our shot for today. Have you counted the cost? Are you truly born again, or just talking about it? Are you taking up your cross and following Jesus each day, or going your own way? Following each moment? Following through the trials? Following through the joys? What do your choices reveal? Is Jesus living in YOU? Please, consider the cost, and the consequences of missing Jesus! I’m praying for YOU!!! Remember:

“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.” Matthew 7:20-21

So??? Are you walking what you’re talking? Have you received the price that Jesus paid for YOU? It’s worth the cost!!! “All To Jesus, I Surrender”!!! It’s worth it!!!