Bible Ballistics: BBs #108 When God’s People Pray!!!

Proverbs 21:1-3 says, “The king‘s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. 3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

While we thank God for the privilege of living in a free country, and having the privilege of voting, we also need to remember that God is in charge! For too many years our country has walked it’s own way in rejection of God’s ways, His Word and more and more lately, rejection of HIS people who speak the truth. But our confidence can rest in the total sovereignty of our GOD!!! We can rest in the fact that God is in control. As Evangelist David Ring often says, “God never says ‘oops’!!!” Gotta love it. Our God is never surprised!!!

The prophet Daniel knew his God, understood His character and because of that, he could remain dependent, faithful and true to God, even in life-threatening circumstances. When God is our source and our confidence, we can be good stewards in all things, including our citizenship. After all, Daniel was a captive in a pagan land, but didn’t loose heart or give up on God. Instead he and his friends prayed for deliverance—and God answered. Here’s Daniel’s response to God’s provision in that situation:

Daniel 2:20-23, “Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

For wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons:

he removeth kings, and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom unto the wise,

and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22 He revealeth the deep and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.”

Wow!!! A prayer of gratitude that rehearses the character and faithfulness of God. What a good thing to learn–that our prayers and praises are always an opportunity to rehearse God’s character and faithfulness. We take snapshots of our children and grandchildren to remember the things they’ve done and how they have grown and blessed our hearts. What better thing to do, as we experience the provision of our God, than to take the same idea and record God’s blessings to remind ourselves of His character and His faithfulness to us personally.

So??? Here’s our shot for today. Spend some time today thanking God for what HE has done in your life, and make a ‘Happy List” of how and when He has blessed you and keep it in a place where you can read it and add to it again and again, especially on those days when discouragement creeps in. Praising God is a great cure for discouragement, and reminding ourselves of all He has done for us is a good jump-start to praise. Blessings on your efforts.

Bible Ballistics: Truth or Consequences??? Vol. 4 #26

If you’ve noticed this week, truth is up for debate! From celebrities questioning the motives and beliefs of ‘Bible believing Christians’, and telling us we are ‘sinners’ if we don’t accept immorality and perversion. After all people can love whomever they please (see the BBs for Wed. & Fri.); a religious leader declares that the ‘big bang theory’ and the ‘theory of evolution’ are fact, and we don’t need to trust that God created everything from nothing—after all that would mean God could do anything—and that’s just too much to expect from God (even though He declared Himself to be creator as Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Lastly, this week our political head declares that we “can’t have” moms or dads staying home and out of the work force to care for their own families, instead of being ‘productive’ citizens in the outside workforce! Oh really?

Well I don’t know about you, but I’ve already voted. I may not be in charge or have great power or influence, but I can be a good steward of the freedoms that we still have. Please go vote your beliefs and conscience as elections are upon us here in the U.S. Those of you outside of the U.S., be a good, productive, honorable and responsible Christian citizen in whatever ways are available to you. So what does this have to do with our title, “Truth or Consequences”? Well, a lot I think.

John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Governments may guard and protect freedom, but only God gives real freedom—IN JESUS!!! (Remember John 14:6—Only One Way)

John 14:17, “Even 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.“

God’s truth is ‘revealed’ not acquired from the world, and when we receive Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit who imparts new birth and truth to us, as well as God’s love!!! And we are to study to ‘show yourselves approved unto God’. (See Rom. 5:1-5 & 2 Timothy 2:15)

1 Timothy 2 :1-6, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

We are to pray for our government leaders, that we might live peaceable lives and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. And as Paul mentions above, God wants, “all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth….”. And Peter refers to this same principle in 2 Peter 3:9,

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

We are to live godly lives and be submissive to the government authorities over us, so that we may proclaim the good news of Jesus freely. (See Romans 13:1-7). But by the same token we are never, I repeat NEVER, to compromise the truth to ‘get along’. We are to pray for rulers to make godly decisions, but we are never called to approve of evil, or support it in any way. When we have the freedom to be a part of the solution we are to be diligent to ‘withstand in the evil day”. (See Ephesians 6:10-18)

The disciples/apostles of our Lord faced this dilemma in the days shortly after the coming of the Holy Spirit. They were preaching truth about Jesus, doing miracles and sharing the gospel publicly; because of that they were called into account before the ‘powers that be’. They were commanded to NOT preach in Jesus’ name, so let’s look at the recorded account and take note of their response—not with disrespect, rude or crude behavior, but simply and respectfully proclaiming their commitment to God.

Acts 4:16-21, “Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.”

They took a stand for conscience sake! They spoke truth in power & love! And God was glorified! What about me?  You?

Lastly, I’d like to share some examples of steadfastness with which many of us are familiar, that they may help us understand what true ‘godliness’ looks like in the public arena. Here we have three men who had high government positions, yet when called to violate their conscience and true devotion to their God, they stood firm and spoke truth. They spoke it with courage and power, not in an air of disrespect or arrogance. They responded with humble confidence in their God. Who are you serving? How are you serving when conflict arises? Are others seeing Jesus in us? Are we courageous enough to speak truth when no one wants to hear it? Truth? And consequence?

Daniel 3:16-19, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.” Truth brought a furnace to them!!!

Yet God honored their faithful, humble obedience. But remember they had declared to Nebuchadnezzar, that even if God didn’t deliver them in a visible manner, they would still trust and serve Him. Much like Job’s declaration.

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

So my friends, are we willing to live with integrity before God? Before others? Are we willing to live the “truth” regardless of the consequences? Or are we letting the “consequences” determine our view of “truth”?

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:14-16

You decide!!! It’s your call. Truth? And Consequences?

Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Bible Ballistics: BBs #107 In The Beginning God???

This seems to be a red-letter week. One celebrity comes out and says we ‘Bible believing’ Christians are sinning if we don’t accept moral perversion because we are ‘judging’ others. Now, a religious leader has proclaimed that the ‘THEORY of evolution’ and ‘the big bang THEORY’ are fact, and that “When we read about Creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so,” 

As I said in Wednesday’s article, God will pass judgment on all who reject HIS Word and His moral standard. We are however to live the love of Jesus to the world while speaking the truth about sin and redemption and HIS Word—because,

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Hebrews 13:8-9. God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—never changes!!! Neither does HIS Word!!!

By the same token, if God’s own account of creation in Genesis 1 is not true then we all need to go do something more profitable with our time and energies. There is nothing in true science or math that can demonstrate that order comes out of disorder. God CAN DO ANYTHING He desires to do. While “there are things God won’t do because of His character”, to say that God couldn’t “do everything” is to deny the total sovereignty and omnipotence of Almighty God who spoke all into existence that exists. I don’t believe God is some giant ‘magician’ in the sky, a cosmic slot machine that can be manipulated—but HE IS the Almighty God of ALL Creation!!! He said so!!!

John 1:1-3, “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.” Not His beginning, but ours, for HE MADE IT ALL.

Colossians 1:14-17, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Hebrews 1:1-3, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:”

Genesis 1 clearly says that ‘In the beginning God created’.

He created by simply speaking things into existence.

He created all things in an orderly fashion to provide a place for man.

He created in six days all that was created, and rested on the 7^th day—not 7 billion years later!!!

If evolution was involved then we must accept that there wouldn’t have been a ‘literal’ Adam and Eve. And if there was no ‘literal’ Adam and Eve, then there was

no Eden,

no sin,

no curse and

no need for a redeemer.

So you must decide what you believer. Get into the word and see what it says for yourself.

God’s account is true—HE cannot lie. The New Testament specifically confirms the Old in many places but we’ll just consider a few:

1 Corinthians 15:45, “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” Jesus being the ‘last Adam’!!!

Titus 1:2-3, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;”

Is anything too difficult for God? God Himself says no!! And in closing, I’d like to share a few passages for you to ponder in these times of conflict and confusion.

Genesis 18:13-14, “And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? 14 Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Jeremiah 32:17, 27, “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:….. 27 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”

1 Kings 18:36-38, “And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”

So??? Here’s our shot for today.

It’s all true or none true.

 The decision is one of eternal consequence.

 Consider carefully.

I love and pray for you all.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #106 Do Celebrities Speak for God???

I am posting early this week in response to the recent public announcement by one of “Nashville’s most popular” celebrities. I cannot be silent and let this go unaddressed.

Ok, let me say this—I’m not famous, rich, wealthy, influential or powerful—I simply love the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. The Word of God is truth—and that truth in reality is Jesus!!!

John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Only one way to God—HIS Way!!

No matter who declares that sin isn’t sin, it can’t change what God has said. Every person has the right to choose their own behavior, but that choice does not eliminate God’s Word or the consequences of that choice. God gave us each the free will to choose, but His Word declares that there are consequences to opposing God and/or God’s Word.

Real love speaks the truth and desires what is best for the recipient of that love. I am a sinner saved by grace, because Jesus came to save us ‘from our sin’ (not leave us in it), by paying the price for our sin.

Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

I don’t pass judgment on those in ungodly lifestyles, but God’s Word declares that judgment is coming and if I neglect to share the truth, then their blood would be on my hands. If I don’t tell you what God says, then I really don’t love you. I am called by God to declare His Word and I leave the changing of hearts to Him. But I am compelled to declare HIS truth, even when people don’t like it.

Isaiah 5:20-21 clearly tells us,

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”

Ezekiel 3:17-18, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”

Ezekiel 33:6-11, “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 10 Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? 11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

I pray that you will consider these things and choose wisely, for as Philippians 2:8-11 says of Jesus,

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The choice is truly yours, but the Almighty God of the Universe and His precious Son, Jesus Christ, has already set the consequences. He is coming again. Will you bow before Him as Lord and Savior now or as your Judge then? You may not like what I’ve said but please know that I love you and pray for you to come to the cross.

I find it interesting that when those who promote “gay rights” disagree with me or other Bible believing people, they are simply expressing their freedom of speech and freedom to choose. But when I proclaim what I believe from the Word of God, I am a “hate monger”. I don’t hate those who oppose God, I pray that they will see the truth before it’s too late. And one day it will be too late.

Bible Ballistics: Weary NOT in Well Doing??? Vol. 4 #25

We’ve often talked about tiredness and being weary in our journey and service to our King, Jesus. Today I’d like us to take a little twist on that. Do you sometimes become weary in doing the ‘right thing’? Even when we walk with Jesus, sometimes it’s hard not to be distracted looking around at not only the world, but at other Christians or professing Christians who live like the world or do things differently than we do, or as we think they ought to be done

So what do we do? Throw rocks? There are days that we all could find justification for that choice, but I think we’ll have a hard time finding Biblical support for that choice. Something like ‘turn the other cheek’ might come to mind. So what if the Lord is working in someone else differently than in me? What if someone else gets the opportunities or giftings that I desire? Jesus addressed this very issue as He spent His last days with the disciples before He ascended back to heaven. John relates an account that dealt with Jesus, himself and the apostle Peter.

During a fishing trip, some of the disciples had an encounter with Jesus at breakfast on the shore, it also became a time of restoration between Jesus and Peter, during which time Jesus makes a prophecy regarding Peter and his future:

John 21:18-23, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, **If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. **23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, **If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee**?”

Jesus told Peter that he would die for his faith. That would be pretty disconcerting in and of itself, but Peter turning toward John asks Jesus, “what shall this man do?” (Speaking of John).   Jesus’ answer is not only profound but also timely, and one which we need to take account of!!! Jesus’ admonition being stated twice seems to be pointing out not only its significance but also the nature of mankind—even the first disciples. They couldn’t keep the story straight. Jesus never said John “should not die” but much like the old children’s game of gossip, once a story is repeated it takes on a life of it’s own. John sets the record straight here!!! Jesus simply reminded Peter that “his” story was just that, “his” story. He needed to be concerned with ‘himself’ not with what Jesus had in store for John!!! (Remember that ‘history’ is in fact “his/story”—the end from the beginning.)

How often have devoted Christians gone astray because they got sidetracked by someone else’s success, failure, indiscretion or misunderstanding. Jesus calls us to consider:

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

We are to follow Jesus—keep our eyes on the prize!!! And remember, Jesus is the prize. (See Phil. 3:12-14)

Hebrews 12:1-2, “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, 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.”

I am to run my race!!! Not yours and you aren’t called to run my race!!! We are each to fix our eyes on Jesus!!! Look to Jesus NOT the other runners, imposters, distractors or any one, or anything other than JESUS!!!

So how does this flesh itself out? Let’s see what God says in the following passages, and you can check out the entire context as you think on these things this week.

Galatians 6:7-10, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. …… 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Keep on keeping on IN JESUS!!!! HARVEST WILL COME!!!

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13, “…..For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”

If you’re not working—get busy!!! If you are working, don’t grow “weary in well doing”, but press on with Jesus. Just like the old proverb says—‘it ain’t over till the fat lady sings’!! God’s payday is coming but it’s not TODAY!!! Don’t check out early and miss the best reward!!!

Matthew 10:42, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

You’re only responsible for what GOD asks you to do!!! But do it diligently, faithfully and excellently—as unto the LORD!

Mark 9:41, “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.”

And finally, remember what Jesus had to say about the “hierarchy”….   Maybe not what you were expecting???

Matthew 20:25-28, “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

If Jesus calls you to a ministry—HE WILL SUPPLY YOUR NEED!!! Don’t be distracted or let others weary your soul!! And remember we are to humbly serve—Not arrogantly rule over!!!