Bible Ballistics: BBs #164 Don’t Walk Through Alone!!!

We talked last time about remembering those who have paid the ultimate price, and because Jesus paid the debt due for ‘Sin’, we can have confidence that we are not walking alone. No matter the trial going on around us we can rest assured that Jesus is with us. What HE promises, HE delivers!!! I’d like to simply share a few words of encouragement for those walking through the waters of difficulty, or the fires of grief or even persecution for God. We can be encouraged because He has promised that we ‘never’ walk alone.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:1-2

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-11

And how can we know His presence? Because Jesus promised to send HIS Holy Spirit to His won. When we are saved, we receive the Holy Spirit, the evidence of the New Covenant—God’s Spirit within us. We never have to walk alone.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:16-18

And His ultimate purpose:

“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

So??? Here’s our shot for today. Simply put—look up, trust Jesus, follow Him and press on. You NEVER walk alone!!! Praying that you will hear HIS voice and rest in HIS promises to YOU!!! Remember, rest in Jesus, He’s got YOU!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #163 Remember Those Who Gave!!!

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13

Jesus laid down His life for us!!! That is an historical fact, and I praise God for the salvation He has given to us through the willing offering of the blood of His Lamb on the cross at Calvary. Why would Jesus do that for sinners like us? HE gave because HE loves us. HE loved us then, HE loves us now, and HE also calls us to love one another.

How? By the truth and power of God’s love which is given to us at salvation—not  the world’s ‘love’—but the “love of God”.

That ‘agape’ love: unconditional love, that which always does what is the best for the recipient. And we can only do that when the “love OF God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost”!!!

Romans 5:5-8, “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. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

And we are compelled to share what we have received—the gospel of Jesus Christ– with those around us. But remember, we can only share that which we possess:

“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:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

As the popular proverb says: “all gave some, some gave all”, we know that Jesus gave all for us. And when we receive the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives, we are then compelled to “give all” for Him by serving others.

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 (purchased with the blood of the Lamb!!!)

It’s not always easy,

in fact, it’s seldom easy.

It’s not always convenient,

in fact, it’s seldom convenient.

It’s not always without cost,

in fact, it almost always costs us something

to ‘give all’ to Jesus

through service to others.

I am so grateful for the men and women who have given themselves to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, and that it reached me!!! I am also grateful for those men and women who have given all to purchase our American liberties and the liberties of millions around the world. May we ever carry the torch of truth—God’s truth?

“For the love of Christ constraineth us;

because we thus judge,

that if one died for all, 

then were all dead:

15 And that he died for all,

that they which live

should not henceforth live unto themselves,

but unto him which died for them,

and rose again.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

So??? Here’s our shot for today. Simply put,

“And as ye would that men should do to you,

do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

May we remember the sacrifice of others and:

“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

 

Bible Ballistics: What Crop Are You Expecting??? Vol. 6#02

Many in our area of the country are connected with agriculture in one way or another. There are farmers who plant crops-corn, wheat, sorghum, and other grains for human and animal consumption, as well as those who raise livestock of varying kinds. There are also some who plant produce for direct human consumption—tomatoes, beans, squash and other fruits and vegetables. Agriculture has a simple principle that every farmer or rancher follows, and that is simply, ‘what you put in, you get out’. Or in Biblical terms:

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

Sow a lot and you generally reap an abundant crop. If you are stingy with the seed, then you’ll receive a much smaller harvest. This is a true spiritual principle as well. Our choices can be the seeds we sow, yet God’s principles of the harvest hold true:

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”  Galatians 6:7-8

In other words, ‘junk in, junk out’. You only get out of something what is in it. Sometimes it’s what we’ve put into something that we get out, and sometimes what is already within something will naturally come out. If you squeeze a lemon you expect to get ‘lemon’ juice out of it, but if the lemon has dried up or is bad you won’t get anything of value out of it. Scripture teaches us that what is ‘inside’ will come out. This is an oft-ignored principle and idea within our culture, even in Christian circles. We want to go our own way and yet retain the blessings of God. We want to ‘claim the name of Jesus’, while we ‘live like the devil’!!!

“Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” Matthew 15:17-20

Our words and our actions reveal what is in our heart. What do my actions say to the world about me? About You? Are we choosing wrong and still expecting ‘right’ results? It will never work out that way!!! Let’s look a little closer at the message from Galatians 6:7-8:

 “Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

 that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

We have the God-given right to choose in this life, but we cannot separate our choices from the consequences that will be produced. Scripture makes clear that we cannot circumvent God and His sovereign rule over this world. God has established His principle of ‘choices and consequences’, which simply put, says that we are free to choose but we are NOT free to set or choose our own consequences. Scripture is replete with references to choosing well, with the consequences in mind:

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” Deuteronomy 30:19

And my favorite of all, from Joshua, as he gave his people a powerful challenge, and the call is as profound to us today as it was those thousands of years ago. Let’s consider the verses as we did above:

“ Now therefore fear the Lord,

  and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the Lord.

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

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:14-15

Joshua made it clear that we have a choice, just as we saw in Galatians 6:7-8. We are free to choose but choices bring consequences.

So to make a long story short (which I seldom do!!!) we must choose wisely. What choices are you making today? Are you thinking ahead to the consequences? Are you trusting God to lead and direct your steps? He will!!! What do your actions reveal about your heart? What are you trusting in? Who or what are you following? Let’s look at Proverbs 3:5-8, as we sum up our time together.

“Trust in the Lord (how)

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,

(and the consequences???)

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes:

fear the Lord,

and depart from evil.

(and the consequences???)

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  (God’s direction & supply in our lives!)

Who are you choosing to serve? Your actions will reveal your choices. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve”! With Joshua, I’ll trust my ‘consequences’ to the Lord God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ as I serve and obey HIM!!!

“as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #162 The Peace Of God???

Praise God for His peace, which sustains our souls in days of trail and difficulty. While we missed the last post due to Internet problems from all the storms going on in Oklahoma lately, storms come and go in many areas of life—natural, emotional, spiritual and physical. Let’s spend some time today finding out what God has to say to us about having His peace in the midst of every storm!!! Jesus tells us that His precious Holy Spirit will bring peace, comprehension, confidence (in God’s sovereign work), and recall of God’s Word (which we have put into our hearts and minds), which will generate the peace of God.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27

Note that Jesus tells us that we don’t receive the “peace” that the world gives—not lackadaisical attitudes toward the things around us, not an attitude of compromise and ‘going along, to get along’, not even an attitude of complacency or unconcern over the evil about us; but Jesus tells us that when we are walking with Him, HE will bring peace in the midst of the chaos about us. Peace ‘in the midst of the storm’, not peace ‘from’ it. Philippians also reveals more principles of God’s peace with us:

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer

and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

(and my part is )

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9

When we walk in the peace of God’s Spirit, others won’t always understand. Why? Because, the “peace of God” is beyond the understanding of the world. It’s not the peace that the “world giveth”, but the peace of God that will “keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.

It’s all about Jesus.

It’s all about God’s presence,

power,

and protection

as well as His peace

that will rule in our hearts,

when we yield ourselves to HIM.

So??? Here’s our shot for today. We trust and follow God, knowing that His Peace “passeth all understanding”. And we can learn from God’s recipe for HIS work and peace in our lives.

No matter the conflict,

no matter the controversy,

no matter the crises,

no matter the heartache—

God’s peace is ours, “through Christ Jesus”!!!

“And above all these things

put on charity, (love)

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.” Colossians 3:14-16

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2a

Keep your eyes on Jesus—

not the lions circling around your feet!!!

There will be no BBs today due to internet problems. But I would share the verse that is on my heart. Psalm 126:4-5

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalms 126:5-6 KJV)