Bible Ballistics: Christ Arose!!! April 20, 2014 Vol.3 #23

Hallelujah!!! Jesus Christ Arose!!! On this Resurrection Sunday many believers around the world celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you had a joyful time in worship and fellowship today. Of all people, we have cause to rejoice in serving the Risen Lord, not an idol made of stone, or someone who remains in the grave. How blessed we are to have new life through Jesus – the Risen Lord—resurrection life!!! As Paul said in Philippians 3:8-10,

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

Oh, the joy of knowing Jesus and being made more and more like him. To walk in the resurrection ‘power’ that He imparts is amazing, but it also means we walk in His sufferings. When we align ourselves with the Savior we will face opposition, just as He did. He warned us of that.

Galatians 2:20 says, “ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

I am to die to self and live my life, day-by-day, moment-by-moment, in resurrection power. To not only know about Him, but to know Him and yield to His power that is at work in me through His blood and His Spirit. Resurrection power!!

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.”

Presenting myself to God as a ‘living sacrifice’ –

a life lived for Jesus,

being conformed to Him

not the world.

Yielding ourselves to His Spirit and walking in the ‘light’ as He is in the light (and He IS light), so our lives are that evidence of His glory and transforming power that we talked about last week. Living ‘proof’ of the ‘good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God’, in all we do each and every day.

But how do we renew our minds? That’s an easy one, sort of!!! We stay in the word, spend time talking to our Lord in prayer, and listen when He speaks through

His word,

His body,

prayer

and our circumstances.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

So how does this workout? Having the mind of Christ.

We must read His Word,

pray

and humbly serve Jesus

by serving those around us.

Humbling ourselves before Jesus and people.

Being evidence of God’s life transforming grace.

Guarding our hearts and minds through His word

and walking in the Holy Spirit.

‘Living’ proof to the world that Jesus is Lord of all. That He came to die for sinners, yet not to leave us as sinners, but to ‘transform’ us into His image, fitting us for His service with resurrection power. Doing all to glorify God and not man. To lead others to have this ‘mind of Christ’. To be an example of God’s handiwork to the world, as Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16,

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

How do we shine? There’s only one way– ‘Christ in you the hope of glory’ Col. 1:27. Jesus is the light and when we receive Him as Lord and Savior, He imparts His light to share with the world. Am I reflecting Jesus?

John 8:12, “ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

When we born again of His Spirit, we become ‘sons’ of God (and daughters) and He is working in us. But the question is, ‘are we walking in the light as He is in the light?’ Or, have we let so much of the ‘darkness’ into our lives and our churches that we don’t realize how ‘dim’ we have become? Are we hiding our light under a bushel? Are we walking in ‘newness of life’, as a ‘new creature’? Or are we shinning brightly? Has our light grown dim? Call on Jesus—He’s ready to forgive and restore. Remember HE IS LIGHT!!!! He makes old things new. Walk in Him—reflecting HIS light.

Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

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.”

Where are you walking? You choose—light or dark?? Newness of His resurrection power or your own power?? Remember,

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Bible Ballistics: BBs #52   Blessed Resurrection Day!!!

I wish you a most Holy and Blessed Resurrection Celebration. May the things you do this weekend point to and reflect the glory of the “One” whose resurrection we celebrate. We don’t gather at a cemetery to mourn or weep over a grave or mausoleum—because we celebrate an “EMPTY TOMB”!!!!! Praise God we worship and serve the ‘RISEN LORD JESUS”…..

1 Corinthians 15:1-5, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 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: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”

The Gospel in a nutshell. With Paul, I say that I can only share that which I have received—

the truth of the Word of God—

the truth of Salvation in Jesus—

the truth of the Risen Lord—

the truth that Jesus is the only way.

John 14:2-6, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

So?? Here’s our shot for the day.

God promised a Savior and He came.

He promised a sacrifice for sin and Jesus died for me.

He promised to come again and He’s on the way.

Won’t you come to Jesus today, if you haven’t. He’s coming soon…   Are you ready?

If not please run to the cross.

Run to the one who left an empty tomb

because He rose victorious over

death,

sin,

and hell.

He’s the ONLY WAY!

He’s waiting for you—

He’s calling you—won’t you answer His call?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #51   What’s Between????

Last week we talked about “Nothing Between” my soul and the Savior, and surely we must be diligent to keep our hearts in tune with God. But how do we do that? Let’s take a look at some portions of Philippians 4 and consider Paul’s advice.

Philippians 4:1, “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved ……..

so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved……

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing

by prayer and

supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and

if there be any praise,

think on these things.”

Simply stated yet not always easy, our confidence must be in what God is doing in and through us by His Spirit. Paul began this letter to the Philippians with that very assurance in Philippians 1:6,

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” He saves—He keeps!!

God is continually working to conform us to the image of Jesus. My part is to yield to His direction? Guarding my heart to keep it pure? Walking in the Spirit not the flesh?

So???? Here’s our shot for the day.

Stand fast,

rejoice in the Lord,

practice moderation,

don’t worry

but pray in all things.

Then experience the ‘peace of God’ and ‘think on these things’, keeping our eyes on Jesus and remembering,

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

“for without me ye can do nothing” John 15:5b

It’s all about HIM—May I be found faithful in Him today!!! And you?

Bible Ballistics: Signs or Evidence? April 13, 2014 Vol.3 #22

I’d like to share some food for thought this week. I’m terribly concerned about the direction the ‘church’ in America seems to be taking and I have a question, ‘Are we putting up signs, or being evidence?’ Passing through most towns today we see church marquees with anything from simple lettering with times and details, to flashing, digital, scrolling signs rivaling the biggest secular marquees. What is the reasoning? To advertise our church? To get people’s attention? To proclaim truth? Consider with me?

One meaning of ‘sign’ is: “a notice that is publicly displayed giving information or instructions in a written form”– Nothing wrong with that, but let’s look a little deeper. While signs can convey information about a church—time, events, people, etc., why are we spending enormous amounts of money to put up bigger, better, flashier signs than the next church? Are we becoming more and more reliant upon the methods of the world to reach our communities with the gospel, or following the scriptural mandate to ‘preach the word’?

2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” We are to preach tirelessly!

1 Cor. 2:2, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

1 Cor. 1:18, 21, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God……21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”

Are we using the methods of the world as a substitute for our failure to be Christ’s ‘church’ to the world? Have we, the church, denigrated the preaching of the ‘cross’ to the status of ineffective ‘foolishness’? Perhaps more eager to rely on ‘signs’ and media than the ‘power of God’? My question is, “Are we so busy putting up ‘signs’ that we have failed to proclaim Christ crucified for Sin?” Are we ‘being’ the salt and light that Jesus called us to be, living out our lives by the power of the Spirit, and sharing the truth? Or rather depending on the world’s methods? We are called to ‘walk in the Spirit’, not the flesh. Whose power are we depending on, and walking in?

Have we forgotten what Paul said in Romans 1:16-17?

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Have we decided that God’s ways won’t work in our world? Are we unwilling to ‘be the evidence of the gospel’ by living holy, obedient lives and just put up lights?

Matt. 5:13-16, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

We are to ‘BE’ light, not put up lights; our lives to be the ‘evidence’ of the Gospel to the world.

We are to be salt—

which preserves and flavors!!

We are to be light—

which dispels the darkness.

Have we passed the buck, so to speak, and decided to live our lives our own way and put up bigger and brighter ‘signs’ rather than yielding our lives to the risen Lord—and ‘BEING’ light?. Are we profaning God’s Word, His house, and His message by abandoning the power of the Gospel and settling for the world’s ‘advertising strategies’?

Oh, God forgive us.

Oh, Lord open our eyes.

Are we more concerned about

bringing ‘comfort’

than ‘conviction’?

In our zeal to appeal, have we abandoned God’s truth and power? Jesus quotes form Isaiah 56:7 in

Mark 11:17, “And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

Jesus never established, or called us to imitate the world but

to ‘preach’ the gospel boldly,

and confidently depend on God for the results.

Our Gospel –

Jesus death,

burial

and resurrection

‘for our sins’—

the only hope for the world.

As Jesus said in John 14:6b, “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

There is only one way—Jesus.

We have only one message—Jesus.

Are we willing to preach Christ crucified without compromise—

To live for Him and be salt and light to the dark world—

To be the ‘evidence’ of the life-changing power of the Cross,

not just to getting used to the ‘dark’. How are we to do this?

We who belong to Jesus are the Temple of God through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Are we reflecting the character of God, or just putting up lights? Are we displaying Jesus to the world? Is our life ‘evidence’ of the transforming power of the cross? May we ever be.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 says, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”  

Think on it—

are you putting up signs,

or being evidence?

Being a ‘den of thieves’

or the “house of prayer”?

The ‘house of prayer’ not simply being the place where prayers are wont to be made, but a place where the presence of God is sought, praised and obeyed.

Being light

not just putting up lights….

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #50   Nothing Between????

I’ve had an old song going through my heart and mind for the last week or so and just felt compelled to share it with you in today’s article. It’s amazing to me that God allows us to recall things, seemingly forgotten.  God is always at work around us, and our task is to be sure the line is open to see HIM and hear HIS voice— To have ‘Nothing Between’.

Isaiah 59:1-4,  “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.”

We must guard our hearts from evil of every sort, because ‘our sin’ separates us from ‘our God’, and hides ‘His face’ from us. It creates a barrier between, and John 15:5b tells us, “for without me ye can do nothing”—nothing. And sin will hide HIM from our view. We must ‘abide’ in HIM and ‘lay aside the sin which so easily besets us’ and keep ‘looking unto Jesus….’, (Heb. 12:1+) –having ‘Nothing Between’–The song I’ve been humming and singing all week. I’d like to close this article with the words of this great old hymn, and simply ask, “what’s between” your soul and the Savior? Is there ‘something’ you need to take care of today? Make it right today—repent and return and He will restore—He said so. (See 1 John 1:9)

1. Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
Naught of this world’s delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure;
Jesus is mine, there’s nothing between.

             Refrain:
Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing          preventing the least of His favor;
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.           

2. Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;
Habits of life, though harmless they seem,
Must not my heart from Him ever sever;
He is my all, there’s nothing between.
3. Nothing between, like pride or station;
Self or friends shall not intervene;
Though it may cost me much tribulation,
I am resolved, there’s nothing between.
4. Nothing between, e’en many hard trials,
Though the whole world against me convene;
Watching with prayer and much self-denial,
I’ll triumph at last, there’s nothing between.**

By Charles A. Tindley, 1905