Bible Ballistics: “BBs”  #69     Take this Test????

There is an interesting thing going on around us, especially on Facebook. Take ‘this test’ and ‘find out’ who you ought to be, where you ought to live, what you ought to look like, ….etc. Seeing all these in recent weeks, God brought a scripture to my mind, and I’d like to share it with you and make a few short comments.

James 1:22-26, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”

This passage begins and ends with a warning about being deceived, because we live in a world full of deceptions. Satan is the father of lies, and he will do anything to keep your focus on ‘self’ rather than God. He uses the fascination of people with promises of knowledge revealing some new information. Counter-productive? Well, what does God say?

James reminds us ‘man-made’ solutions are futile, and always temporary. Only the Word of God, when pursued diligently, and put into our hearts, can truly change our lives and bring long-term and permanent results. God says that if we look “into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein…” we are:

not just forgetful hearers but–

       doers of the work and —

              we shall be blessed in our work….

So? Here’s our shot for today.

Look to God’s Word in everything!!!

Depend on God

not the world,

not social media,

not Hollywood

nor yourself.

Why?

Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Try this – it lives out !!!

 

Bible Ballistics: Who’s Father???   Vol 4 #6

I extend a Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there, as well as to all you prospective dads. I pray that you’ve had a great day. I’d like to take a bit of a ‘right’ turn today, as we think about ‘Fathers’. We all had a biological father, some who remained in our lives, some have adoptive fathers who stepped up to the plate and became a father. Some of you have fathers who were there but not there—you know the one’s who were so focused on other things that you were never really a part of their lives. Some have, sadly but true, had abusive or negligent fathers, who did not ‘father’ them in one way or another.

So what’s the big deal about ‘Father’s Day’? Some are now even trying to change it to “Family Day”, to accommodate the politically correct ‘alternative’ family that has ‘two dads’ or ‘two moms’ or any other shape or form. Sorry folks, as we’ve said before, God established what a family is and it’s clear—

“And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2: 23-24

Jesus also confirmed and identified the speaker of verse 24 above, as God the ‘Father’. Matthew 19:4-6,

“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” God established marriage—

He made them male and female—

He said for this cause=marriage—

the man was to leave his own mother and father—

the man was to cleave to his wife=the woman—

and to become ‘one flesh’.

He then tells us that what GOD has ‘joined together’—

man is not to separate.

NO,

not by divorce,

not by cohabiting instead of marrying,

not by redefining marriage,

not by ignoring marriage

nor making politically correct ‘alternative’ lifestyles.

Marriage is not a ‘lifestyle’ but a God established covenant relationship, between a man and a woman only, to last for a lifetime. We can’t improve on God—

only pervert and

destroy the foundation of all society.

What does all this have to do with ‘Father’s Day’? A lot I think. There’s a lot that we can learn

about ‘Fathers’ from God’s word.

About man and about God.

Beginning with instructions to fathers—

especially godly,

saved,

believing fathers.

Ephesians 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” We can only share what we already have.

Colossians 3:21 adds an insight, “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”

Fathers are to encourage not discourage.

To build up not tear down.

Hebrews 12 talks about this “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:9-13.

The word for ‘chastise’ is a Greek word that means, ‘child training’. It includes correction or discipline, but it also includes all that is required to ‘train’ and grow a child into a useful, productive and God-honoring adult. Fathers are to ‘train’ and discipline their children with the goal of ‘righteousness’ in mind.

To lift up the weakness of our children, (and others)

to make paths that are straight for them-(for all)

to bring them to ‘healing’ or maturity. (In all)

That they might know and follow God.

The author of Hebrews makes a comparison that takes us to the other twist on Father’s Day that I’d like to point out.

That God is our Father,

both by creative right

and by adoptive relationship in salvation

through Jesus Christ.

This holy, heavenly Father who cares for us, brings all discipline and correction into our life to make us holy, and we could talk about those verses that support this (Rom 8:28-29, Rom 8:31, Phil 1:6 and many more) but I’d like us to look at another familiar passage in our pursuit of understanding.

Matthew 6:9-10, &13b, is part of what we call the “Lord’s Prayer”, although it’s what He gave us as the ‘model’ prayer, (for His prayer is found in John 17–but that’s a topic for another day).

“9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven….For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen..”

Why this portion? Because our focus today is on God, not the rest of the prayer. Just a few quick observations for you to ponder on this ‘”Father’s Day”—

God is our Father in heaven—we are to look up, always.

God’s name is holy/hallowed—we are to revere and honor Him, not misuse or blaspheme His name, or take it lightly.

God’s kingdom coming is to be our desire—not our ‘kingdom’ laid out for HIS approval.

We are to pray for and seek HIS kingdom.

God’s will be done –here on earth as it is in heaven—

not our will be done and God you approve it…

Not my desires first and God gets the ‘leftovers’.

WHY? Because –He is creator of all

All is HIS kingdom

All is in HIS power

(He’s graciously given us a measure of power now—are you abusing your God-given power?)

All is to be to HIS GLORY!!

If I claim HIS name I am to be working to please and glorify the one I claim to Love.

Food for thought on this Father’s Day.

Are we honoring our heavenly Father?

Forever?

Amen?

Blessings on your day.

 

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”  #68     Friday the WHAT????

Today there is a lot of ‘hoopla’ over the fact that today is June 13, and Friday. Well, we as believers should not succumb to the ‘superstitious’ fears that go along with ‘days, mirrors, ladders, cats’ and such. We must remember that we serve the almighty, sovereign (being in total control), God of the universe. He made the days, all of them!!! So what are we to do? Simple!!

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

Glad for each and every day that God brings us to. How can we know that? As the children’s song says, ‘the Bible tells me so’. Let’s look!

Psalm 23:6, “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.” Here with God—there with God!!

Psalm 39:4, “Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.” God’s wisdom to appreciate our days in HIM!!

Isaiah 38:20, “The Lord was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the Lord.” Him in us and us in HIM..

Jeremiah 31:33b, “…. I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” His Spirit in us—us in HIM!

So? Here’s our shot for today!!!

Your days belong to God—

don’t let ‘superstitions’ rule your days.

Let GOD rule,

rejoice and “be glad in it”.

Our God reigns.

Look up– He is coming soon!!!

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”  #67     Sweet or Sour Words????

1 Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Saul had been on a mission for ‘God’, with specific instructions. Yet, his return in apparent victory revealed that he had failed to obey God’s instructions. He had taken liberty with God’s word to him. When called on this by Samuel the prophet, he feigned the excuse that he had returned with the livestock as a sacrifice for God. Samuel’s answer is still true today,

‘to obey is better than sacrifice’.

I’ve been pricked in my heart of late and I’m going to hit a subject that I have covered before. Are we really ‘serving’ God when we use Facebook and other ‘social’ media and put lovely sentiments acknowledging God, yet post and allow posts to be seen on our pages that include the ugliest of words and/or ideas?

Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

In Matthew 12:26 Jesus himself says this,

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Our words are important, whether spoken or written.

So???? Here’s our shot for today!!!! Watch your words.

Remember that ‘to obey is better than sacrifice’.

God wants our lives to reflect Him,

not with just pretty posts and accolades,

but to guard and know Jesus’ call in Luke 6:46,

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

So? Keep looking up!!! Take notice of the things around you and know that,

“….. those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” Matt. 15:18

What’s on your ‘public space’?

What’s in your heart?

It will come out—

words,

writings,

or tolerance of the crude things of the world.

Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

 

Bible Ballistics: The Restoring Shepherd??? Vol 4 #5

Last week we talked about the ‘Good Shepherd’, and what our ‘Good Shepherd’ has done, is doing and will do for us. I’d like to continue in that thought, considering the ‘Restoring Shepherd’; the shepherd who restores the wandering, weak, confused and broken to useful service.

Luke 22:31-32 records the response that Jesus gave to Peter upon his declaration that he would go to death for Him. Here Jesus predicted Peter’s failure and ‘restoration’.

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.”

Here on the last night with his Savior, Peter declares his unshakeable faith while Jesus warned that he would stumble, publicly and blatantly. The shepherd warned Peter that he was not invincible, as most of us think we are. This great, ‘Good Shepherd’ was warning and preparing Peter for what lay ahead. But He also shared the two things that I want to focus on today; that Peter would be ‘converted’ and that when he was, he should then ‘strengthen’ others.

The word ‘converted’ here, means, “to turn, to turn towards or return”. Not that Peter would “loose” his salvation but that he would ‘turn away’, but Jesus would ‘turn’ him back, would ‘convert’, or restore him. Not back to salvation, but back to useful service and in his restoration, Jesus gave him a task—to ‘strengthen’ his brethren. The restored are to strengthen others in need.

Strengthen means, “to set fast, (lit) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, to confirm, …. to stablish, strengthen, to steadfastly set”. Peter was to establish his brethren resolutely in a certain direction—following the risen Lord, because he himself would be restored and established when he saw his weakness and Christ’s strength– which he would experience powerfully at Pentecost. But how did this restoration take place?   Luke 22:62 reveals Peter’s bitter tears of regret, and I think repentance. But Jesus died before He could tell Him how sorry he was to have failed HIM.

“And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

2 Corinthians 7:9-10 reveals this kind of sorrow, “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Not just sorry for being caught but ‘godly sorrow’, which leads one to repentance.

In John 21 we are given the account of this “Restoring Shepherd”. After the resurrection of Jesus and their seeing the risen Lord, several of the disciples went fishing. There the Lord appeared to them and made them breakfast at the lakeshore. After breakfast, we see Jesus speak personally to Peter. In this encounter, Jesus spoke in such a way that brought healing and restoration.

John 21:15-19, “ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 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.”

I wish we had time to search the depths of this marvelous message, but suffice for now, to take from it a bit of solid assurance in our ‘Restoring Shepherd’ and His tender care. Just as God restored Elijah to strength after he fled from Jezebel, Jesus brings clear assurance to Peter that HE, in fact, did indeed ‘know all’, and HE was not finished with Peter. Just as Peter denied his Lord three times, Jesus asked him three times of his love—three times HE asked—three times Peter declared his love for the Lord. In this last response Peter, I think, understood that Jesus did indeed know and still loved him. While Peter wept on that staggeringly frightening night of the Lord’s ‘passion’, he now has faced this denied Lord and felt the ‘restoring’ hand of his ‘Good Shepherd’.

Peter not only encountered true acceptance and restoration but also a revelation that he would stand fast for his Lord and never deny Him again. That he would, in fact, die for his Lord. Oh, what that must have meant to Peter—that his hasty declaration of steadfast devotion that failed, was past and he would be privileged to actually faithfully stand for Jesus, unto his death for His Lord. His faithfulness would be a lesson for the world. He would ‘feed my sheep’!!!

Do you have a failure that is haunting you? Have a need that no one else knows about, but makes you feel like a failure to your Lord? Do you perhaps not even know this Lord and wonder if would accept you? Well, the good news is—this Good Shepherd– who died for the world, is reaching out to you!! Whether you need to come to Him for salvation, or you need a touch of restoring love and grace. This same Jesus is reaching out to you, as Jesus himself said in the Revelation –

Revelation 3:20-21, “ 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. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

He is waiting for you to open the door. This ‘Good Shepherd’, this ‘door of the sheep’, is waiting for YOU. He still SAVES—He still RESTORES.   Look up!!!