Bible Ballistics: Pure In Body, Speech & Example? Vol. 5 #14

As I look at things around us it grieves me to my soul, to see God’s children behaving like the world. And not just acting like the world but being satisfied and unburdened about the worldliness that pervades their lives. Now, I understand that we all stumble and fall, but when we seem to be drawn to the “wallow” of the world it breaks my heart.

The first thing I’d like us to consider is the call in scripture to prove ourselves to be genuinely in the faith:

2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

Hebrews 3:12-13, “ Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

We must understand that just saying we belong to Jesus doesn’t make it a fact– Only being truly ‘born again’ will make us children of God–ONLY by the supernatural ‘re-creating’ work of God in our lives.

John 1:13, “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” He gives LIFE!

When we are born again, the Spirit of Christ/Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, imparting to us the power to be ‘born again’, to be ‘re-created’ into the ‘children of God’. We are empowered by His Spirit to live in that very power for purity. But as I mentioned earlier, saying so doesn’t make it so! There are those who claim the name of Jesus and yet know nothing about Him, who walk away when believing becomes ‘inconvenient’. Peter describes these people:

2 Peter 2:22, “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

Paul also talks about this in 2 Corinthians 5:17,

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Re-created!!!

Genuine believers become a ‘new creature’—remember that ‘re-creation’ by the Spirit of God. We are not ‘pigs’ that washed themselves up and are still pigs in a pretty bow, until the longing for the ‘wallow’ calls them back to their own ‘nature’. The ‘dogs’ returned to their ‘vomit’, because the dog never was changed, just cleaned up their act and tried to live like a real believer until the true nature came to the top.

But when we have a new heart, and a new nature we are empowered to live for Jesus, by Jesus!!! We are called and equipped to live for Him!

Ephesians is a wonderful book that talks about who we are “in Jesus” and tells us all that we are to do because of ‘who’ we are!!!

Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Ephesians 1:11, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

Ephesians 2:21-22, “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

And Paul goes on throughout this precious book to call us to living that reflects what we posses in Jesus.

Ephesians 4:1, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”

We are to walk/live in a manner worthy of our Lord and the price He paid to redeem us. And he goes on in chapter 5 to get down to the ‘nitty-gritty’!!! Let’s dig in! I’d like to lay this out in our ‘examination’ format–Ephesians 5:1-12,

“Be ye therefore followers of God,

as dear children;

2 And walk in love,

as Christ also hath loved us,

and hath given himself for us

an offering

and a sacrifice

to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, (all immorality of any kind)

and all uncleanness, (moral uncleanness/lewdness)

or covetousness, (greed)

let it not be once named among you,

as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness,   (obscenity)

nor foolish talking, (foolish talking, inappropriate)

nor jesting,    (mischief making)

which are not convenient:  (not proper)

but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that

no whoremonger,

nor unclean person,

nor covetous man, who is an idolater,

hath any inheritance

in the kingdom of Christ

and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words:

for because of these things

cometh the wrath of God

upon the children of disobedience. (see 2:3+)

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness,

but now are ye light in the Lord:

walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is

in all goodness

and righteousness

and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable

unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship

with the unfruitful works of darkness,

but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame

even to speak of those things

which are done of them in secret.”

What are we called to? We are called to holiness, to purity, to godly living and yet not on our own, but ‘IN JESUS’—in the power that God imparts to us through His precious Holy Spirit—who He has placed within us who belong to HIM!!!

We are to be:  following Jesus

                      loving like Jesus

                      being pure in body, speech and example.

My life is to be an example of godliness in all I do. We are to influence the world around us with our ‘Christ-likeness’, not with our worldliness. Are we letting the world change us or are we helping change the world around us by living for Jesus?

At home?

On the job?

In the neighborhood?

On social media?

In secret???????????

Do we have once face for church and a different one for ‘after’ church? Or are we willing to yield ourselves to God, to reflect HIS glory: “whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” That’s ALL!

Romans 12:1-2, “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.”

Are you being evidence for God or a shame to His name?

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #134 First Or Last????

Last Friday I wasn’t able to get out the regular BBs as I was driving home from a funeral service for my uncle. After a 12-hour drive I just couldn’t get my brain to wrap around much of anything except dinner and a pillow!!! But I was thinking this morning about how often we get sidetracked from our focus. Or maybe I’m just the only one who has a problem with “distractions”.

This morning it’s been the teakettle, the dog needing attention, the Internet, the trash needing to be put out by the road—you get the picture. Well, there isn’t anything wrong with any of these things but they can often distract us from our ‘focus’, from our ‘task-at-hand’, from our ‘first love’. I’d like us to just take a minute and assess our diligence to our ‘first love’.

Revelation 2:2-3, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.”

Jesus commends the church at Ephesus in this passage for there diligent work for Him and His kingdom. They had a lot going for them—they were working hard, exercising endurance, faithfully standing against wickedness in their midst, they were testing those who claimed to speak truth but lied, they were diligently pursuing the walk of faith.

BUT, Jesus didn’t stop there; he had something else to say:

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5

He spoke sharp words of rebuke for such fine people. We would have named them ‘church of the year’. They were doing all the right things outwardly, but their motives and true devotions had veered a bit. In fact Jesus said they had ‘left’ their ‘first love’. Not ‘lost’ it but ‘left’ it!!! Left it somewhere along the road of service?

Let’s see if we can put this in perspective? I love my dear husband; I cook, and clean, make the bed, I tend to his clothes, I do the household chores and make sure he has his meds, I even mow and trim the yard, BUT if I don’t make time to spend with him, can he really feel very loved? Jesus is saying the same thing to us, as well as this church! Where are our eyes? Where are our minds? Where are our hearts?   Let’s make this a bit more personal—where are MY eyes, MY mind, MY heart? What’s the solution?

Jesus gives us the solution himself—HIMSELF!!!

Genesis 22:8, “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” And HE did provide the LAMB—then and at Calvary!!! HIMSELF=The Lamb!!!

And only when we ‘Remember’, ‘repent’ and re-‘ do’ the ‘first’ things ‘first’ will we find that joy and passionate energy to do the ‘the first works’. How, you might ask? Simply put, go back and rehearse what Jesus did for you. Just as the way to rekindle passion and love in a marriage is to go back and rehearse all the things that you used to do to show your love to your spouse, before they were your spouse. Doing loving things, rekindles love. We must revisit the cross—the place where we first met our LORD and LOVER of our souls. Remember and redo those things you once did in devotion and excitement and gratitude for all that HE did for you/me when HE saved us. Spend time with HIM and HIS Word. Tell HIM your troubles, your joys, your sorrows and confusions—HE wants to hear and answer all your life issues!!! HE died for the privilege!!!

So??? Here’s our shot for today.

Why are you doing what you’re doing?

For attention?

For recognition?

For power?

For guilt relief?

Expectations of others?

Or for JESUS:

because He called you to it,

He equipped you to do it,

He leads you in every step of the way?

Only you can answer these questions, but I think they are worthy of our consideration.

Is Jesus first or last in my life?

Do I spend more time on others than Him?

On Facebook than in the Word of God?

Watching TV instead of listening to my Lord and praying?

More time telling my friends my troubles

or going to the cross with every care?

1 Peter 5:6-10, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

Remember!!!

Repent!!!

Re-do!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #133   Keep On Keeping IN????

We talked last week about ‘Keeping On’ and today I’d like us to take that a bit deeper and come to know that the only way that we can ‘keep on keeping on’ is to keep on ‘keeping in’!!!

Romans 10:8-9, “ But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

First we must be saved by the “Word”, who is Jesus, coming into our life, by repentance and faith in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection as the only payment for our sin!!! We are to live in this ‘Word’ that is nigh/near to us—‘in thy heart’.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory”… (Col. 1:27b)

John 1:12-13, “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.” Born again in Jesus.

2 Corinthians 2:15-17, “ For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”

We are to live, and speak ‘in Christ’ to the world. To do all, and say all with eternity in view!!!   Lives are at stake!!!

1 Corinthians 15:57-58, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

And while we dwell in the world, we are to live ‘in’ the Word—not just he facts and sentences, but the living ‘Word’– Jesus.

Colossians 3:16, “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.”

With His “grace in your hearts to the Lord”—from HIM and back to HIM!!!

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”  Romans 11:36

We are to remember our strength is—IN JESUS!!!

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”           2 Timothy 2:1

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10

So??? Here’s our shot for today. Be strong “in the Lord” and keep on ‘keeping on’ as you keep on ‘keeping IN’ the “power of his might”. And remember:

 “the battle is not yours, but God’s”!!!                                                    (2 Chronicles 20:15)

Bible Ballistics: A Heritage of Kindness??? Vol. 5 #13

I spent most of this week on the road, traveling over 2,000 miles since last Sunday. Our trip started off as a pleasure trip to see family and friends, but then on our way home we received word of the death of my dad’s only remaining sibling, my Uncle Stuart. While it meant some long hours of driving, we wouldn’t have been anywhere else but there for this special man and his family, who are so dear to my family and me.

While my body was (and still is) tired, it was a blessing beyond measure to see a good and godly man honored for a life well lived. One of those who spoke at the service said something that has been resonant in my heart and mind ever since, and I’d like to share a few thoughts with you about “heritage”. While describing the kindness of my dear uncle, John (a grandson-in-law) stated that being with and around this precious man, had brought him to realize that kindness was a ‘heritable’ thing.

Heritable-able to be inherited.

I have turned this over and over in my mind, and would like to spend our time today considering ‘heritage’. While most people think of material possessions as their ‘heritage’, I want to consider another arena of heritage.

Psalm 16:5-9 says, “The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.”

God calls us to Himself and when we accept Him, He is the “portion of our inheritance”—we become ‘children of God’! Children who are to reflect the character of our God! We are made ‘joint heirs’ with our Lord Jesus; we receive a “heritage” of God, as well as from God. And it is something we are to pass on to our own and the world.

Romans 8:16-18, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Is the power of God at work in me? in you? God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, within us, is the evidence that I belong to Jesus. An evidence within us that is to be displayed to the world by our character. As D. L. Moody once said, “Character is what you are in the dark.” In other words, what you do when no one is looking. And a ‘character’ of kindness and integrity was the heritage that my uncle left to all who knew him. I was abundantly blessed to share in the kindness of this precious man, of his sister and his brothers (one of whom was my father). They were all abundantly endowed with kindness, which they each expressed to their own, and others.

How can we do this? Let’s look at scripture to find out how it should look to those around us:

Luke 6:35-36, “ But love ye your enemies,

 and do good,

and lend,

hoping for nothing again;

and your reward shall be great,

and ye shall be the children of the Highest:

for he is kind unto the unthankful

and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful,

as your Father also is merciful.“

Our kindness is to be expressed to all—

the good,

the not-so-good;

to those who like us

as well as those who don’t.

We are called to extend goodness to others because God extended kindness to us when we were in our sin. This attitude kind of flies in the face of what goes on around us doesn’t it? (Especially on social media??)

Ephesians 4:31-32,

“Let all bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”

Kindness forgives—because I am forgiven. I don’t need to hold on to bitterness, anger, fussing and cussing—I am to be kind instead!!! To be a reflection of God’s character in me. Not always easy, but by God’s grace, do-able!!!

Ephesians 5:9-10, “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; ) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”

Our behavior is to be evidence to the world of what God has done in our hearts. My dear uncle was an example to everyone of what the fruit of the Spirit of God looks like.

Colossians 3:12-17, “ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

 even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity,

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

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

Putting off the unkindness of the world, and putting on what God has put in us—His character by His Spirit.

Romans 5:5, “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.”

God’s love in me and you, being seen by the world. And we can only do that as we trust in Jesus, depend on Him and do things His way. The only way:

John 15:5, “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.”

What heritage am I leaving to those around me? What heritage are you leaving to those around you? Will we live a ‘heritable’ kindness that others will desire to emulate? Or something less?  Thank you Uncle Stuart for the heritage of kindness that you lived before everyone. I’ll miss that wonderful smile and my hugs!!!

Will we live and ‘do all things through Christ’? Or will we go our own way and find that “without me ye can do nothing”?

It’s your choice—today is all we have, and the choice is always yours to make.

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #132   Keep ON Keeping ON???? How do we keep on keeping on when we just get so tired of it? Only one way!!! In learning to trust our God in all things–not easy but do!!! How? We’re enabled by His Spirit. Philippians 4:10-13, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly,

that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want:

for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where and in all things I am instructed

both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

How? “through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I must keep my trust and confidence in the one who sustains me. It’s not always easy, it’s not always painless—it’s often severe and even chronic. But I have to remember:

“For I reckon that

the sufferings of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18,

We keep our eyes on the eternal not the temporary. Keeping our eyes on Jesus not the world or the suffering. He has made us worthy—and royalty:

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 5:9-10