Bible Ballistics: The Proof Is In? Or Is It Out? Vol. 5 #25

What does proof have to do with our Christian life? We are called throughout the scripture to live in a way that our faith is a testimony to the world. Jesus told us himself that those who are his will be evident by their ‘character’. Although he compares it to fruit, Jesus is talking about ‘character’ or ’nature’.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 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 7:15-23

A lengthy passage, but one well worth our attention. Let’s consider the message together:

Beware of “false prophets”—

Those who say “baa baa” but in truth are wolves—

They can be recognized by their fruit—

 A tree always produces based on it’s nature—

 There are ‘evil’ trees and ‘good’ trees—

 An evil tree is ‘evil’ by it’s ‘nature’

A good tree is good by ‘nature’—

Those who are Christ’s have a ‘new nature’:

“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

“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. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Galatians 6:14-15

God saves us where we are but HE doesn’t leave us there! When we are ‘born again’ by God’s Spirit (see John 1:10-14), we receive the Holy Spirit of God–who then dwells within us—the New Covenant that Christ purchased at Calvary, consummated at His resurrection, and sent at Pentecost.

Back to Matthew 7, Jesus continues by telling us that there are many who ‘claim’ to know Him, serve Him and represent Him, yet Jesus warns us that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” really belongs to Him. He also tells us that some of them won’t be revealed until the judgment day. But we are to try the spirits and the people who claim to know Jesus and speak for and with HIS Spirit, as John tells us.

1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits whether they are of God:

because many false prophets are gone out

into the world.”

How are we to do that? By following Paul’s directions in 2 Timothy:

“Study

to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

                                           2 Timothy 2:15-16

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

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

We must study God’s Word to know how to be what God wants us to be.   To ‘rightly’ divide the Word of God—in contrast to those who ‘wrongly’ divide God’s Word—the false teachers and preacher/prophets. We must study the Word to avoid being misled by the ‘false prophets’. There have always been false teachers, there still are and there will be until Jesus comes to rule and reign on this earth. Are you standing? Are you falling for the false? Are you able to recognize the false because you know the truth? The only way that we can recognize the false is to truly KNOW the real thing. We must yield ourselves to God and let him work HIS work in our hearts and lives—to let the proof of His presence be displayed to the world around us; whether in season or out of season.

“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.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God

hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3

God desires all of me. He will conform each of us to His image, if and when we really present ourselves to Him continually, to do HIS work within and through us. Then our lives will “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” to the world!!! Then we can:

“Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

So, what is the proof? Is it in the “pudding”(originally, the proof of the pudding is in the eating)? Is proof out of style? NO!!! The proof is our reflection of the light within us. And if the light isn’t within, there will be no reflection. So, what will we do? I pray that you will commit with me to be faithful witnesses for our Lord. If you don’t know Him, call on Him. If you do know Him, then commit to be faithful and to take the charge that Paul gives to Timothy and to us:

“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 long suffering and doctrine.

3 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.

5 But watch thou in all things,

endure afflictions,

do the work of an evangelist,

make full proof of thy ministry.” 1 Timothy 4:1-5

Speak God’s truth–whether they listen or not! Preach (share the Gospel) in season and out! We are to be the proof of God’s power at work in HIS own. What does your life prove to the world? To your family? To your other loved ones? God knows—and He’ll tell you if you’ll but ask Him. (See Mt. 7:7-8)

Bible Ballistics: BBs #157 It’s A New Day!!!

Just a little reminder on this Friday, that yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not here yet, but today is all yours. As my dear preacher friend, Bro. Scott says, “Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours”! I can choose to look up, down or around!

I can look up to God and seek His direction:

“Trust in the Lord

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

I can look down and around at the darkness and evil about me. I can be distracted, discouraged and depressed by all the distress, pressures and chaos that are going on around us. Jeremiah reminds us that even in the throes of judgment and chaos GOD is still at work and He wants to lift us up:

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning:

great is thy faithfulness.

24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul;

therefore will I hope in him. 

25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him,

to the soul that seeketh him.

26 It is good that a man should both hope

and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:22-26

So??? Here’s our shot for today.

 “Be still, and know that I am God..” Psalm 46:10a

God’s mercies are new every morning—TODAY IS A NEW DAY!!! Take time today to “Be still”.

God has given YOU a new opportunity to grow,

a new opportunity to do better,

a new opportunity to get it right,

a new opportunity to touch lives

and change YOUR world!!!

What will you do with TODAY?

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

So, “Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours”!!!

(Thanks Bro. Scott!!!)

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #156    No Change–Ever???

We all like to get ‘change’ back when we spend money, but there is a ‘no-change’ principle that is the foundation of our faith. Our God never changes!

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: …….. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous…..” Portions of Joshua 1:5-7

God called Joshua to be “strong” and “courageous”—but not to just ‘cowboy up’, or ‘tuff up’, or even to ‘man up’ or ‘woman up’!!! God called Joshua to be strong and courageous because “I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”!!! Joshua was called to have confidence in the same God he had served for 40 years under Moses. God assured Joshua of His faithfulness, “as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee”!!! A powerful reminder that our confidence is NOT in man but in our all-powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), ever present (omnipresent) GOD!!! Joshua could lead because God was still God—no change! Will we heed the message?

“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. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6 (conversation=lifestyle)

Our life can be identified with covetousness or by the power of God in our lives. And that only happens when, like Joshua, our confidence isn’t in ‘things’ but in our God! We can walk in contentment and confidence because of the faithfulness of our God. The God who has promised to, “never leave thee, nor forsake thee”.   Then we can stand, knowing: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”! Where is your confidence? Is it in your circumstances, resources of money, health, substances or people? Or have you realized that none of those things can really take care of you. Peter gives us some good advice in this regard:

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,” 2 Peter 3:10-11

Do we see things in proper perspective? Have we realized the world can’t satisfy? Where is our heart and mind?

“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:” Matthew 5:19-20

The God who never changes will change your life and ‘birth’ you into HIS kingdom if you will but forsake your way for HIS—

“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

Change or No Change? It’s your choice! Choose well!!!

Bible Ballistics: Are You An Egg Tree??? Vol. 5 #25

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Jesus saves those who “come unto God by him”!!! There is only one way to God and that is Jesus—Jesus the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and “he is able also to save them to the uttermost”. Jesus saves—only Jesus—and only one way!

“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

“And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:23-24

We live amidst a culture and generation that wants to do everything their own way. But we must come face to face with the truth, no matter the ideologies that are being purported amongst us, there is only one way to God, but there are many ways offered by the world. Jesus calls us to beware of the way that we choose.

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

And Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:13-14,

“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.”

“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:16-20

What does scripture tell us?

There is a way that SEEMS right but is NOT—

it leads to death.

There is a broad way, and many go that WAY—

but it leads to destruction.

There is a straight/narrow way that leads to LIFE—

 and few find the WAY to LIFE!

 A bad tree is known but it’s fruit—

 and will be hewn down.

A good tree is know by its fruit—

 By their “fruits ye shall know them”.

This brings me to our title: “Are You An Egg Tree?” Now I know most of you are wondering what in the world is an ‘egg tree’? Well, it’s an example that I often use to help people understand the futility of trying to wear “sheep’s clothing”, when “inwardly they are ravening wolves.”   People can be fooled but never can you fool God—people can go their own way and find themselves in the throes of destruction, or they can:

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7

We can seek the Lord or go our own way. Egg trees are found during the spring, when we begin to see people celebrating Easter, the resurrection of Jesus and just rejoicing in the joys of spring. One of the things you will often see in front yards is “Egg Trees”. Trees that people have creatively decorated by hanging plastic eggs of various colors on the bare winter branches. An ‘Egg Tree’ is born—but we all know there is no such thing as an “Egg Tree”—it’s a pretend decoration and its ‘fruit’ proves it!!!

Well my friends, there are no egg trees in God’s economy either. You can hang spiritual eggs on your tree and claim to belong to Jesus, but the fruit will betray your real character eventually. As my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all of the time; and you can fool most all of the people some of the time; you can even fool a lot of folks for a long time, but you can’t fool God—any of the time.” And there is a day coming when every thing will be ‘revealed’. And ‘revealed’ according to God’s Word and His standard!!!

Hebrews 4:11-13 reminds us, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 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.”

God will strip all the fake eggs off of every tree and expose the truths of the heart according to HIS Word!!! Do you have real, genuine, true, born again fruit? Or are you hung about with plastic eggs? Please, seek the Lord! “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near…” If you belong to Jesus then let your fruit reveal HIM to the world.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

To shine we must have the light within!!!

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

What’s on your tree?????? And remember the majority is seldom right!!! But Jesus ALWAYS is!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #155 Who Are YOU Serving???

“Behold,

the Lord’s hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But

your iniquities have separated

between you and your God,

and your sins have hid his face from you,

that he will not hear.

3 For (because) 

your hands are defiled with blood,

and your fingers with iniquity;

your lips have spoken lies,

your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

4 None calleth for justice,

nor any pleadeth for truth:

they trust in vanity,

and speak lies;

they conceive mischief,

and bring forth iniquity.”

No, this isn’t out of the front page of the newspaper, though it could be—it’s from the Bible, Isaiah 59:1-4. It’s God pronouncement on the wickedness of those who claim HIS name! What??? Professing believers who behave so badly? Yes, people who claim to belong to God, choose sin instead of the one they claim to serve. What about you? What does your behavior say about your true relationship with God?

Jesus addressed this while He was on earth. Quoting Isaiah 29:13, Jesus declares:

“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matthew 15:7-8

We talked last time about “Where ARE YOU?”, and we also need to examine “Where Do Your Actions Say YOU ARE?”. We may say “Lord, Lord”! But what does Jesus say? Will He say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”? Or, will He say “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”? How I spend my life here and now will affect where and how I spend eternity!!! It’s worth your time and mine to continually examine our hearts and lives.

Do you have time for everything but God?

Do you honor everyone’s requests but God’s?

Does your speech betray a heart that is far from God?

Does your greed for money preclude your serving God?

Does your desire for worldly popularity override God?

Do you MAKE more time for self and none for God?

The choice is yours!!!  But remember:

“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:13 WHO ARE YOU SERVING?