Bible Ballistics: BBs #92 Where Have You Been???

I was quoting Psalm 23 yesterday and into the night—just had it on my mind and want to share a few thoughts about it with you. We’ve looked at it before, but its depths are too great to plumb in one look.

Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me

in the paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil;

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Simply put—

HE is my shepherd-the one who cares for me always!!

He provides for me!!

He protects me!!

He restores me when I fall or fail!!

              He leads me to be more like Him-righteous!!

Through Jesus!! (See 2 Cor. 5:21)

He is my constant companion through thick or thin!!

In Him–

I can be fearless!!

I can be comforted—in all things!!

I can be victorious!!

       I can be overshadowed with HIS mercy

and goodness!!

I will spend eternity with HIM!!

So? Here’s our shot for today? Who is your shepherd? Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. He still saves and changes lives. He’s still working on His own—You and Me.!!! Praise be to God!! Let’s follow on to glory!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #91 Where Are You Going??????

We often struggle with the daily grind of life and knowing what to do in any given situation. Some are important and some not as important, we perceive, so we make choices without seeking God’s will for us each step of the way.

How do we have confidence to know what to choose? I don’t often quote other sources than the scriptures, but Martin Luther said something that really puts a ‘spin’ on this idea of choices: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” Meaning, I think, the same thing that Jesus expressed in Luke 19:13,

“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

That we are to live for Jesus in ALL we do, even in yard work, in the seemingly menial tasks, we still reflect our Lord, if done in yielded obedience to Him, and to HIS glory.

We can do every task as unto the Lord, for our standard of living has one focus:

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

We are to be serving God, no—we are serving God; in all that we do, everywhere we go. We are always a witness of Jesus Christ, when we claim to be His own; but sometimes we are a poor witness, and just as often we are a lazy or presumptuous servant. We are often so influenced by the world, that many think of God as the great ‘slot machine’ in the sky. Drop in your request and he is obligated to answer!!! WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! We are the servants NOT the Master, not God. We are to pray, “Thy kingdom come….Thy will be done…” IN ME!!!

We can often forget, or be distracted from remembering, that we are to live every moment, walk every step, monitor our hearts, our thoughts and guard our actions, to please Him—not vice versa!!! As we’ve observed before ‘out of the heart’ come our words and deeds.

So?? Here’s our shot for today!! Check every thought and every action by the Lord’s standard. Two of my favorite checklists are found in Philippians 4:8 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Look them up today and put them on your “Verses to Memorize” list.

“….think on these things”

“….bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”

**Not only obedience to Christ Jesus but “of” Christ Jesus, by His Spirit within us– enabling us to obey and overcome when we belong to HIM!!

So???? Where are you going?

Bible Ballistics: Wisdom to Speak Truth???? Vol. 4 #17

We are on the road again and as I was thinking about traveling, I thought about our journey of faith. When we come to Jesus—we must come to Him in total. Without getting into the ‘Lordship’ debate, suffice it to say scripture tells us that we are to call on the name of the ‘Lord’ Jesus Christ—HE IS LORD. The question is what will you do about it? Will you follow HIM, trust Him and share His truth?

Romans 10:9, “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.”

Philippians 2:9-11, “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.”

And in Luke 13:2-3 & 5, Jesus tells us that repentance works hand in hand with faith—two sides of the same coin.

“And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish…. 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

I believe we must always share the gospel in the fullness ‘of grace and truth’ (see John 1:14). We are to call sinners to repentance not just hand them a Band-Aid and try to cover their sin, or even as some do, tell them their sin isn’t important. The scripture is truth, but just as important ‘JESUS IS TRUTH’ as John 14:6 tells us. Remember what Paul said about being a “new creature” in Jesus, and Him in us..

Colossians 1:27b, “…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

We should also keep in mind (especially those of us who deal with ‘perfectionism’ or ‘control’ issues), that just because someone’s not doing it ‘my way’ doesn’t necessarily mean they are doing it wrongly. I am not talking about issues of Biblical integrity but differences of opinion in style, manner or methods and personal preferences.

I have very strong opinions about many things (I know those of you who know me personally are laughing out loud about now!!), and there are issues on which I will not compromise because of my own biblical understanding or personal conviction. When we need to take a stand, it may bring us into conflict with others; but we must maintain grace and peace on our part. We must be sure it is God leading us and not our own ‘ego’, and remember Paul reminds us in Romans 12:17-18,

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

We are to be salt and beacons of light in the darkness and corruption of this world, while respecting those who are serving Jesus in a different way than we are. Jesus spoke on this very issue to the disciples; I think we can learn a lot from this passage.

Mark 9:33-41, “……., What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. 38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. 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.”

We are to stand fast for the truth while understanding that not everyone has the same insight that we have; they may be immature or just seeing things from a different perspective. Or they could be false teachers or preachers. We are to know the word in order to discern truth from error, and to recognize simple differences of opinion or perceptions in contrast to that which is clearly false teaching. There is so much information coming at us today that we must continually guard our hearts and minds to know truth. We must be in the WORD!

Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Are we growing and helping others to do the same?

Do we treasure God’s Word? Have we placed it high on our priority list? If I put the word in—God will bring it out at the right time. Do I judge things by my ‘opinion’ or by the Word of God, in love? Am I willing to let God be God and do His work in the life of His own children? Speaking HIS truth as He gives me opportunity, leaving the consequences to HIM?

Job 23:12 “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Do we love His Word? Do we hunger for it like our ‘necessary food’? I want to? It’s about choices!!

We are to love God and His Word more than life itself. And we are to share what we have received with others, because we can only share that which we have received.

1 Corinthians 15:2-4, “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:”

Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Do we love Him that much?

Is our testimony based on the blood?

We can have the victory—

in life or in death!!!!

When we experience saving grace and receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are compelled to share Christ Jesus with the world. Sharing in our words and actions—our living!! To live what we believe—not just what we ‘say’ we believe; because what I really believe I will live out. And in living it, to reflect the Jesus who saved me, to reflect and reveal the one who changed my heart and life. We are accountable to the truth, to God as well as to one another. (See Hebrews 4:12-13)

Romans 14:1-8, “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Who is watching you/me? Are we helping the weak or harming them? Are we speaking His truth and living it before the saved as well as a lost and dying world? Remembering John 15:5, “..without me you can do nothing…”

1 Corinthians 2:12-16, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.”

How do we accomplish all of this? By knowing that we have all we need in Jesus. By staying in His Word!!!

2 Peter 1:3, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” Living virtuously??

We have all we need in Jesus—so let’s be busy about the “Father’s business”. Jesus is coming soon. Will He find us ready? Will He find us loving one anther or throwing rocks? I’m not calling us to compromise but to follow Jesus, and leave the results to HIM.

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand” Ro. 14:4. Let’s serve our master faithfully!!

John 21:22, “Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” Don’t expect to know what God is doing in someone else’s life!!!

Blanche’s paraphrase:

‘Follow your Lord and don’t sweat the rest”.

Help the weak,

testify to the lost and

stay intimate with YOUR LORD!!!

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #90 Are You A Bully??????

I am sometimes a bit annoyed by all the “bully” emphases that we see and hear. Not because I think bullying is ok, but because I think we may often have an idyllic perspective. Do I manipulate, intimidate or use my position or power to force others to comply with my will? While we all have the right and privilege to hold opinions, and we should feel free to share them at appropriate opportunities, we don’t have the right to violently impose our will on others (I’m not referring to orderly, authoritative, instructional imposition of will for the good of the recipient, or corporal punishment for wrongs committed).  Each person is created in the image of God and can choose what they believe and what they do (understanding that for every choice there is a consequence).

Now that doesn’t make wrong right or vice versa, but let’s share some food for thought. While we as Christians, believers in Jesus Christ, want to share our faith (in fact we are commanded to share the gospel of Jesus), we must understand and know that not all want to hear and we must be prepared for rejection and suffering from the world, for the message we share. People can be mean!

Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Proverbs 20:11, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”

The heart of man without God is deceitful—young and old. Our confidence must be in God not the ‘goodness’ of man. Bullies have always been, are now and always will be. Until Jesus comes to establish HIS kingdom on this earth and brings this ‘age’ and world to judgment, there will be no ‘bully’less world. But it shouldn’t be true of me/us!!

2 Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

There is a price for following Jesus.

Are you willing to pay it?

By living godly—‘in Christ Jesus’?

It’s what we believers are called to do!

Suffering persecution?

So??? Here’s our shot for today. Do right not wrong. But don’t be surprised by the evil that comes against YOU when you are following Jesus and living a godly life. There will always be bullies but we shouldn’t be one, but rather stand up for the bullied in righteousness!!

1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

1 Peter 3:8-10, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:”

Think on these things. Free from evil words, lies and actions!! Living “godly in Christ Jesus”!!!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #89 Who Are You Voting For??

Well that got your attention!! Really I’m not writing about ‘whom to vote for?’ but rather I’d like to call us to better stewardship of our citizenship.

We worked an election recently and I was saddened that only about 5% of the registered voters showed up to vote. While this doesn’t take into account those who were sick or infirmed, it also doesn’t account for those who have never registered to vote. What does that have to do with anything, you might ask? Well, I think as Christians we have an obligation to participate in the civil process. It’s not only our heritage but also our calling as godly followers of Jesus. We are called to be salt and light in the darkness(See Matt. 5:13+).

Remember, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is  that good men do nothing.” Edmund Burke

Matthew 7:12-14 says, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 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.” Not because it’s hidden but because they are drawn by the ‘broad way’.

We are to be lighthouses of righteousness in the darkness. To do the right thing toward others, regardless of the response!! To obey Christ is to treat others rightly. But it doesn’t stop there; we must understand that we will NEVER, yes I said NEVER, be the majority in this world. We who belong to Jesus have entered in at the ‘straight gate’—that only way to God, Jesus per John 14:6—which leads to life!! But what we modern day Christians often forget is that there is the “broad way” that leads to destruction/hell and MANY go that way, while FEW choose the narrow way!!

So???? Here’s our shot for today.

Do your part.

Be a faithful steward on the narrow road–

of our freedoms—

which we can loose–

unless we stand up

and stand fast.

Romans 13:7, “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

1 Timothy 2:1-4, “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.” By our living testimony!!

We are to live right to influence the world.

Do your part!!

Leave the consequences to God.