Bible Ballistics: BBs #125 Happy New DAY!!!

As we think about a new year coming in, my thoughts question, how do we use our time? How do we realize the import of living in today? It is only when we look at the Lord Jesus Christ and His Father and ours, The Lord God Almighty. It is only by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which Christ gave to us through His accomplishment of the ‘new covenant’: the promise that God would put His Spirit within us. But only the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus could bring that to fulfillment and reality.

Just before His ascension Jesus instructed His apostles and disciples:

“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:4-5

Jesus instructed His apostles to ‘wait for the promise’!!! What promise? The promise of the Holy Ghost/Spirit! The ‘new covenant’ which God had promised in Ezekiel 36:26-27+ and Jeremiah 31:31-34+. I won’t take time or space to print those here but look them up and you’ll find the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit—the NEW COVENANT! The covenant which Jesus established before His death, accomplished with His death, and works now, after His resurrection, in the death-conquering power of the blood. We have HIS Spirit within us, if we are born again, and we walk in HIS power, not in the externals. His Very Spirit is within us (see John 14-16) to teach, to reprove of sin, righteousness and judgment, to bring His word to our remembrance (after we’ve put it in), and therefore we can have victory over the flesh.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16

Notice that we aren’t told to walk in the ‘law’, or to walk in the ‘knowledge’, or to walk in ‘doctrine or theology’ but to “Walk in the Spirit”. We are to be yielded to God as we walk where, when, how, why, being what HE wants us to be and then doing!!! It’s not about regimen it’s about possession and relationship. Even as the Psalmist reminds us:

Psalm 90:12-17, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 13 Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. 14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. 16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. 17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”

Can we get it? The Psalmist reminds us to number our ‘days’—to live one day at a time. I don’t know that I’ll have tomorrow, yet, when we ‘walk in the Spirit’ God is leading and directing our steps continually, something that the Psalmist could only look forward to. That “promise of the Father” of what was to come. Enablement to “BE” all that God wants us to be: Not by rules, regulations or restrictions but by the indwelling Holy Spirit guiding and directing our every step, every moment, every day. To know that God is ever in control and that HE truly will “establish thou the work of our hands”!!!

So??? Here’s our shot for today. Make this year 2015 a year of ‘days’!

‘Days’ that we ask God to order.

 ‘Days’ that we seek God’s face first in all things.

‘Days’ that will leave

the smell of,

the reminder of,

the flavor of

the desire for,

 God

everywhere we go.

Let’s ‘number our days’ well!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #124 Prince of PEACE!!!

“For unto us

a child is born,

unto us

a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6

As we wrap up this Christmas Fortnight and 2014 we’ll look at the last of the four names of Jesus here in Isaiah. “The Prince of PEACE”. The Son of the Monarch!!! Our God Almighty’s SON, and His name is ‘THE Prince of Peace”. What kind of peace? ALL peace, but most importantly, ‘Peace with GOD’!!!

Romans 5:1-2, “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.”

Jesus brings  reconciling peace with God, so much so that:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Romans 5:8-9,

Jesus’ substitutionary death at Calvary makes us right with God; at PEACE with God; just before God. Not because of our righteousness but HIS!!

Titus 3:4-6, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” It’s all God!!! Our sin, our lostness, our need—JESUS’ cross!!!

Romans 5:10, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Why? How?

2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Jesus gives us peace with God through His death for our sin. He credits us with HIS righteousness and because of His power and His Spirit, which He places within us, He empowers us to live in HIS righteousness.

May God grant you eyes to see His truth, and conviction in your hearts to come to Jesus, if you don’t know Him? May God also grant those of us who belong to Him eyes to see and dig into His Word—HIS truth—and HE will:

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

How? Hebrews 12:1-2 tell us how:

“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,” HOW? “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.”

How??? By ‘looking unto Jesus’, by keeping my eyes on the prize—Jesus is the goal and the prize!!! He is all we need and if we’ll but keep ‘fixing our eyes’ on Jesus—He will ‘direct our paths’. (See Proverbs 3:5-6) Because–

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

May God grant you to receive HIS PEACE—Jesus– in the coming New Year and may you allow HIM to order your steps in HIS Word. He is so faithful and He’s waiting for YOU!!!

Bible Ballistics: Everlasting Father?? Vol. 5 #08

“For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.”

As we continue our look at the names of Jesus mentioned in this prophecy of Isaiah, we’ll focus today on the third of these four names, or titles of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we’ve already seen, He is the ‘wonderful counselor’, He is the ‘mighty God’ and we will dig into the word and search out its depths regarding ‘the everlasting Father’.

Matthew 1:23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”  Referring back to the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14:

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

God foretold that “HE” would come in flesh. Not a representative, but God Himself would come and take on flesh. Hebrews 2 describes this very act of love and ‘redemption’.

Hebrews 2:14-18, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

Praise God, Jesus loved us enough to come in the flesh. He became incarnate in Mary’s womb, to be born a natural, human birth. To live a life in the flesh: as a baby, a toddler, a young child, a teenager, a young man and finally revealed HIMSELF to mankind as the Savior of the World. As John so simply states the very words of our Lord in John 3:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

And more of Jesus’ own words

“I and my Father are one.” John 10:30. Jesus IS one with the Father.

And Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” He was the same Jesus in Genesis 1:1 that He is in Revelation 22:13:

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” The only Redeemer!

Jesus is God, and while many wrestle with His ‘deity’, Peter addresses this in his first letter.

1 Peter 1:18-21, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”

Jesus Christ was ordained by God to be the sacrifice for man’s redemption before the foundation of the world. It has always amazed me that God not only created man, but that he created man knowing we would fall, that we would need a “Redeemer” to buy us back from sin, yet knowing all of that, HE created us anyway. Jesus was there, Jesus knew from the ‘beginning’ what price He would pay for these feeble, sinful creatures called ‘man’.

God loved us so much that He prepared for our failure “before the foundation of the world”!!! God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit knew what we would cost and created us, loved us and provided for us anyway!!!

Even in the apocalyptic scripture we see this indication of the eternal deity of Jesus.

Revelation 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Jesus is the ‘Everlasting Father’, the one who was there at creation in Genesis 1:26-27:

“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.” One with His Father.

He, who was ‘us’, still is ‘one’ with the Father as He always was. Our ‘Everlasting Father’—our ‘Redeemer’—our ‘sacrifice’–our ‘Redemption’!!! This one who is the same ‘yesterday, today and forever’—died for you and me. He is still here for you. He is waiting for you today. He will save you if you don’t know Him! He will comfort and lead you if you are His. Just look up my friend. Just look up!!

Luke 21:28, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

Specifically this is referring to the ‘end times’, but we can apply it to each and every day. No matter what ‘things’ are happening around you, remember to look up, YOUR REDEMPTION is near to YOU!!! This ‘Wonderful Counselor’, this ‘Mighty God’, this ‘Everlasting Father’ is ever here for you. But don’t wait too long!!! Today may be your only chance …because….

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

“And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man,…” Genesis 6:3a

“To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7b

If you hear the voice of the Lord, please respond while you have an opportunity. Don’t wait!!! Come to HIM today while you hear His voice. He may not call again, this “Everlasting Father” may not pass your way again. Don’t be lost when you have one who is seeking to save you.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #123 Mighty God!!!

“For unto us

a child is born,

unto us

a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6

God come in flesh for me/us—for my/our sin.

Hebrews 2:14-18, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

Jesus took on a human body that he could pay the price for our sin!! My sin and yours. May we never forget that without the incarnation, we could not have life? Eternal life! Abundant life! Through Jesus’ sacrifice—His death for us—we can have the peace of God in our hearts by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:1-6, “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. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

This “mighty God” came and took on flesh, died for us, and gives us “peace with God”. How? Why? “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Praise the name of Jesus!!!

He came.               He stayed.

He died.          He rose again.

That we could have that “peace with God” that passes understanding. May you daily focus on the Lord who came for you? And not only did he come; he’s coming back again, and soon I believe . Do you know Him? Are you walking with Him? Do you have peace with God? Only Jesus can give that. Call on him today—He will answer your call!!  He is the “Mighty God“!!!

Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  –Jesus

Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” –Jesus

Bible Ballistics: BBs #122 A Christmas Fortnight-Wonderful Counselor?

“For unto us

a child is born,

unto us

a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David,

and upon his kingdom,

to order it,

and to establish it

with judgment

and with justice

from henceforth even for ever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Is. 9:6

Unto us the promise was and is given! A child would be given! And “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this”!! This child would come because God would send HIM, and He would be the ‘wonderful counselor’!!!

Wonderful: inspiring delight, pleasure or admiration; extremely good, marvelous.

Counselor: one who gives guidance, one trained to give guidance.

Jesus would be, is and ever shall be the most wonderful of counselors. And what would He counsel us about? Let’s see.

Revelation 3:17-18, “Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not that

thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”

Jesus advice in a nutshell: Let Him speak to your heart, reveal your sin and then receive HIM as the only cure for your sin problem. No matter how much we ‘SAY’ that we are sufficient unto ourselves, Jesus reveals the truth of our heart. But praise God; He doesn’t just leave us there. He offers to supply (gold), clothe (white garments), and open (anoint) our eyes to see!!! To see Him—God, our Redeemer, Jesus!!!

Isaiah 55:1-2, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.”

Jesus is our delight and HE gave HIMSELF for us!!!

John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

He willingly laid down HIS life for us to have LIFE!!!

Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

This ‘Wonderful Counselor” can be our salvation because He Redeemed us with HIS OWN BLOOD. He laid down HIS life that He could take it back again after 3 days and be victorious over sin, death and hell for all who would believe in HIM.

Revelation 5:9-10, “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.”

Jesus the babe, came to die for YOU and ME!!! If you know Him–praise Him, thank Him and live for Him that the world may know!! If you don’t know Him—you can today. Listen to His voice speaking to your heart, repent of your sin and trust in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection to be sufficient to save you, because: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3:20  Won’t you open the door today??