Bible Ballistics: “BBs”   #26

What do we do when we’re walking in obedience to Jesus and everything seems to fall apart?  Many are struggling with unexpected trials, crises and family turmoil.  Things that make us question, doubt and sometimes cry out in total desperation; “Help????”  “What’s going on?????”

We’ve all been there at one time or another.  What do we do when the pressure comes?  In these times we must depend on what we ‘KNOW’, not what we ‘feel’.  Where is relief to be found?  The Psalms are replete with questions about crisis, and cries of desperation.  Let’s look at one such passage, Psalm 121:1-3 today, and we’ll finish the Psalm on Friday.

‘1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.’ 

We must keep our eyes looking heavenward to God.  Some put a question mark here and then take the rest of the Psalm as the answer.  Either way our only real help isn’t available in this ‘world’.

‘2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.’ 

The God who created us knows how to help, and will lead us in/through all things, especially our trials, if we’ll but look to Him.

1 Cor. 10:13b,  (God)“will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

God will provide!!

‘3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.’ 

Remember, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord….”, Psalm 37:24. God has us in HIS hands!  We can trust Him—even when we don’t understand what is going on.

So???  Here’s our shot for the day!!  Trouble?  Look up—call on God?

So???  Jesus is working “all things…for good..to them that love God…”.

So love God,

trust God and

press on in faith.

Bible Ballistics: The Call? January 12, 2014 Vol.3 No.9

I’m sure you’re wondering about our title today, ‘The Call’.  What kind of call are we referring to?  A phone call? Maybe.  A bird call? A duck call? No, but sometimes we try to ‘duck’ out from the call we have from God.  We’ll look at part of Philippians 2 as we consider this ‘call’.  Paul’s letter to the Philippians was a letter to relatively new converts at Philippi.  Those with whom Paul had spent a good deal of time, the place where Paul wound up in a Philippian jail because of preaching the gospel.  He writes this letter as a challenge and encouragement, and includes some of the most deep and enlightening truths about God’s call on us and how we are respond.

Philippians 2:1-11, “ If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 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. 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.”

A lengthy passage, but one we can walk through and hopefully gain an understanding of the call, and how to answer that call. Paul ends chapter one by calling them to endure the persecution they are experiencing because of Christ and goes on in chapter 2 to remind them of where their confidence should be—in Christ.  What do we have in, and through Christ according to this passage? Let’s just walk through it and see.

Part of our confidence can be in the profitability of scripture, remember 2 Timothy 3:15-16,

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”   

All scripture—

inspired by God—

profitable for knowledge—

revealing wrong–

correcting wrong–

and instructing us in righteousness.

All so that we may by—perfect (mature)—prepared by God  to do good works.

Our confidence is in

what God has done in saving us,

what God is doing in growing us and

what God will do in using us for the glory of HIS kingdom,

until He returns or calls us to Himself.  Our call—is God’s call, and we can be as confident as Paul is in Phil 1:6, that what ‘GOD’ begins, HE will complete.  We didn’t, don’t and can’t save ourselves, but it is the work of God in us,

John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” 

Therefore, according to Philippians 2, in Christ we have:

a consolation in Christ Jesus

the comfort of His love

the fellowship of HIS Spirit

and His compassion and mercy to share.

Because we have these things we can:

bring joy to others when we obey

be like-minded (in Christ Jesus)

have and express —Christ’s love

—like-mindedness in Christ

—accord (oneness not the car)!!

We are not to:

cause strife —but be lowly in manner (humble)

be vain and selfish—but put others first.

That’s a pretty tall order all by itself.  How are we to do these things?  Well, dear one, I’m glad you asked.  Paul goes on to give us on of the most profound answers in all of scripture as to how we can live the ‘Christian’ life.  Jesus, our Lord, our Savior, our example, is set before us here.  (also see 1 Peter 2:21-25)

The call:

‘let this mind be in you’—which mind?

‘which was also in Christ Jesus’—.

Who–

Was God (John 1:1-4)

Was ‘equal with God’ (John 1:1)

Became man (John 1:14)

Took the ‘form of a servant’ (Matt 20:28)

As a man he ‘humbled HIMSELF… unto death‘—

‘Death on the cross‘

For you and me (see Ro. 8:3 & 1 Cor. 15:3)

‘Wherefore’—and because HE did that GOD:

Has highly exalted HIM—

‘Given HIM a name… ABOVE every name‘—

SO THAT at that NAME—JESUS

‘Every knee should bow’— (all will bow)

Of things ‘in heaven’

Of things ‘in the earth’

Of things ‘under the earth’

‘Every tongue should confess...’— (all will confess)

That’s every tongue–

‘THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD‘

‘TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.’       

Not to be abrupt, but enough said.  Think on it, ponder it, and see if you have answered the ‘call’?  Have you ‘bowed’? Have you confessed HIM? The question isn’t if, but when?

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”   #25

I pray that you’re having a blessed week.  I have been struggling during these weeks with something that I’d like to share today. ‘Holiness’ in us, in our lives, in our world.

Matthew 5:13-14 says, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted…….. 14 Ye are the light of the world…….” 

We are called to be SALT and LIGHT. Salt and light— preserving righteousness and shining the light of Jesus to the world.   It grieves my heart to hear and see all the crude, rude and questionable language around me, but when I hear it, and see it written all over the internet by my brothers and sisters who claim the name of Jesus I am overwhelmed. What compels us to behave as crudely in our language as the world?  Can that same vulgar language, references to body parts, body functions, and immorality, bring any glory to our Lord.  Are we being salt or light to the world around us?  Where is the ‘difference’, the holiness? The Jesus?

Ephesians 1:4, “….According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

“Holy and without blame”

 before the world?

 Before GOD?

Does my language bring glory or shame to my Jesus?  Are my actions every day those which honor Jesus?  Oh, I want to be found faithful.  Obedience is the evidence that I love Him.

Are my words ‘holy’ or ‘harmful’?

 John 14:15, “If ye love me keep my commandments.”

How about YOU?

So???  Here’s our shot for the day!!  To be ‘Holy’ in word and deed– a glory to the Lord I claim to love and serve?

So???  Jesus is coming soon. Oh, to be found blameless before HIM?

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”   #24

I hope your new year is going well.  What better time to think not only about Spiritual Warfare, as we did in Sunday’s article, but to look at another principle that we should consider in this new year of 2014.

Psalm 46:1, 7 & 10, “1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble…..7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge..…10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Where do we go when we’re weary from the battle?

To our helper,

our refuge

our strength—

the ‘Lord of hosts’ !!

Our God is a refuge to those who will seek Him ‘while He may be found’ (Is 55:6).  Where do we look?

We look to His Son and His Word.  Jesus tells us that He is God, and that He is the only way to His Father.

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.” 

John 8:24, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” 

Only one way–Jesus!  But oh, what a way, what a Savior!!!

‘Be still, and know that I am God’ ? 

Will we take time

to seek Him,

to hear His voice,

to follow His leading?

Why?  Because to KNOW Him is to have a confidence and refuge that the world doesn’t’ understand.  To have the power to make a difference in the world, our world.

Daniel 11:32b, “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

So?  Here’s our shot for the day!! You have a refuge—God.

So? Run to HIM!!.

Be still—

Get to know Him.

Then, be ‘strong, and do exploits’ for our soon coming KING this year!  Today!!

Bible Ballistics:New Year Advice! January 5, 2014 Vol.3 No.8

As we are jumping into this new year of 2014, I’d like us to revisit a topic that will help us face the challenges we face each year, each day, in fact.

First, let’s remember who delivers us.

Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  

Jesus, our substitute, paid the debt we owed because He loves us. God ‘laid on HIM the iniquity of us all’.  As an old song says, “I owed a debt I could not pay, He paid a debt He did not owe.  I needed someone to take my sin away…”  Jesus willingly became that “someone” for me?  Have you called on Him for yourself?  If not, He’s waiting for YOU.

Once we know Him, we don’t begin a walk in the rose garden, instead we become soldiers of the cross and we must arm ourselves accordingly.  That’s what I’d like to talk about today.  Our need to ‘put on our armor’ to be able to ‘stand fast’.  Of course, our scripture to address this issue is Ephesians 6:10-18. I encourage you to memorize these verses and literally put on your ‘armor’ every day.  I do this every morning before I get up.  We must prepare-let’s go.

“10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” 

Depend on God’s strength not your own.

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” 

Who’s power are you depending on?

“11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” 

We have an enemy of our soul and we CAN resist him,

1 Peter 5:8-9, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 

All Christians are in the battle! Are you AWOL?

“12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  

The battle we are in involves the unseen and we must keep our eyes on GOD—not our circumstances.         

2 Cor. 4:18, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal?”   

Are you looking at the temporary or the eternal?

“13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” 

We MUST put on our armor–

God instructs it,

He provides it and

He will direct our use of it.

Psalm 37:23-24, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” 

Are you suited up?

“14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” 

Truth and Righteousness—

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.”   

JESUS IS TRUTH?

2 Cor. 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.”

 Is JESUS your Truth and your RIGHTEOUSNESS?

“15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

JESUS IS the GOSPEL OF PEACE–peace with God.

Do my footprints show the way to peace with God?

“16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”   

It’s not just my ‘faith’

but it’s the OBJECT of my ‘faith’.

Phil. 3:9 says, “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:” 

JESUS—is HE the object of your FAITH?

“17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” 

Salvation and the Word.

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.” 

ONLY JESUS SAVES!

2 Timothy 3:15-16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 

John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

JESUS IS THE WORD—

Do you know Him,

read His Word and

will you stand with and

for HIM?

“18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” 

Prayer is KEY—So PRAY!!

Colossians 1:3, “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,”

1 Thess. 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” 

And Jude 1:20-21, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” 

Jesus prayed,

shouldn’t I be diligent to pray?

To live Romans 11:26, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

It’s all about JESUS—

of HIM,

through HIM and

to HIM…..

So, –Suit up,

stand up,

speak up—

FOR JESUS!!!