Category Archives: The Word

Help Thou My Unbelief??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 03

26 Sunday Aug 2018

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 03 Help Thou My Unbelief???

 

This passage came up earlier this week, and I thought it would be worth our time to consider what this man was asking, and how does it relate to us—to you and me?

“And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son,

which hath a dumb spirit;

18 And wheresoever he taketh him,

he teareth him:

and he foameth,

and gnasheth with his teeth,

and pineth away:

and I spake to thy disciples

that they should cast him out;

and they could not.

19 He answereth him, and saith,

O faithless generation,

how long shall I be with you?

how long shall I suffer you?

bring him unto me.

20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him,

straightway the spirit tare him;

and he fell on the ground,

and wallowed foaming.

21 And he asked his father,

How long is it ago since this came unto him?

And he said,

Of a child.

22 And ofttimes it hath cast him

into the fire,

and into the waters,

to destroy him:

but if thou canst do any thing,

have compassion on us,

and help us.

23 Jesus said unto him,

If thou canst believe,

all things are possible

to him that believeth.

24 And straightway the father of the child

cried out,

and said

with tears,

Lord, I believe;

help thou mine unbelief.

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together,

he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him,

Thou dumb and deaf spirit,

I charge thee,

come out of him,

and enter no more into him.

26 And the spirit cried,

and rent him sore,

and came out of him:

and he was as one dead;

insomuch that many said,

He is dead.

27 But Jesus took him by the hand,

and lifted him up;

and he arose.” Mark 9:17-27

Here we see a desperate father with a child in even more desperation—possessed by a demon. While we often have trouble imagining this, it was a real problem for this father. I want us to consider several things about this man and see what we can learn from this encounter. First of all, Jesus had been absent from the disciples (except for Peter, James and John) on the Mount of Transfiguration; and as He is returning He finds a crowd gathered, including the religious leaders, who were questioning His disciples, as well as this desperate father who cried out to Jesus on behalf of his son. Why couldn’t’ the disciples heal this child? They asked Jesus that same question after the incident was over.

“And when he was come into the house,

his disciples asked him privately,

Why could not we cast him out?

29 And he said unto them,

This kind can come forth by nothing,

but by prayer

and fasting.” Mark 9:28-29

I think we often overthink Jesus’ response. Jesus simply makes it clear that all spiritual battles aren’t won with ease. There are some battles that we must prepare for, in the sense of drawing near to God, and while that can include fasting, it will ALWAYS involve an intimate prayer-life with God. But what is an intimate ‘prayer-life’ with God? We won’t go into great detail here, but praying is, in it’s most simple form, communication with our God! And while prayer takes many forms, we must keep our relationship with God up-to-date; as I often say, prayer helps us ‘shorten’ our lead-time. What I mean by that is when we communicate with our Lord on a continual, regular basis then we will be listening when He calls us to times of intimate preparation; we will be more able to recognize sin as sin, when it knocks at our door, turn from it more quickly when it does, and repent of it sooner when we do stumble into it. An intimate prayer life will help us keep short accounts daily with Jesus!

In this account we have disciples that, like us, often needed reminding of truth even as they walked with Jesus—they were no different than you and I, other than having the privilege of Jesus’ personal presence. Yet we have the privilege of the indwelling Holy Spirit who Jesus gave us to help us have a successful walk with HIM! Jesus said that this particular case was a hard one, needing special preparation. What about this father? What about us?

“And ofttimes it hath cast him

into the fire,

and into the waters,

to destroy him:

but if thou canst do any thing,

have compassion on us,

and help us.”

 A father with a child in need, had come to Jesus for help, he understood and believed enough to come to Jesus for his son’s deliverance. This man asked “if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us”, and I can’t help but believe that this isn’t the first place that he had gone for help—he is at his wit’s end! Jesus relieves his angst and simply says:

“If thou canst believe,

all things are possible

to him that believeth”

‘All things are possible’, is a phrase that is often found in scripture, because God’s thoughts are not our thoughts.

“For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens

are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

So what was this man asking for as he:

“cried out,

and said

with tears,

Lord, I believe;

help thou mine unbelief”

We all wrestle with “mine unbelief” and this man is no different. Sometimes what God asks us to do is just what Jesus called this father to do:

“If thou canst believe,

all things are possible

to him that believeth”!

God calls us to believe that HE is able. Even Abraham wrestled with this issue—sometimes God calls us to great tasks, demanding great faith IN HIM—rather than our own frail abilities and understanding.

“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.”   Genesis 18:13-14

Jeremiah, one of my favorite prophets, when asked by God to buy a property just before the fall of Jerusalem, didn’t understand that God was simply using him to confirm his promises. God told Jeremiah much the same thing that He told Abraham, and the same thing He often says to you and me—HE will help our unbelief when we but ask.

“Then came the word of the LORD

unto Jeremiah, saying,

27 Behold, I am the LORD,

the God of all flesh:

is there any thing too hard for me?”   Jeremiah 32:26-27

Our God is able to do whatever pleases Him, accomplishes His purposes and grows us into the image of HIS Son. We can trust HIM in all things—nothing is “too hard for me”.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not

what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession

for us

with groanings

which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we know

that all things

work together

for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.” Romans 8:26-29

God is using everything—even my mess-ups—to make me more like Jesus. My responsibility is to stay in tune with HIM! To trust Him, to believe Him with my heart and mind, not my “eyes”!

“But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.”    Hebrews 11:6

That means that when my faith may be leaning on a straw, I can cry out to my Lord, “help thou mine unbelief”, and He will meet us where we are! God has us no matter where we are, and He will help us keep our eyes on JESUS!

I remember a very dark time in my life, yet in that time God ministered to me in a way that I wasn’t expecting! At that time, I experienced something like a dream three nights in a row—it wasn’t a dream of anything in particular but I would awake to a very dark, frightening, and disturbing feeling. The first night I just wrote it off to the stress of my circumstances. The next night, I began to be confused and unsettled but didn’t really recognize God’s hand at work. The third night when the same thing happened, the Holy Spirit seemed to be speaking to my heart that God was speaking to me. I remember responding in prayer to God that whatever He was preparing me for, no matter how dark and hard, I would trust HIM to take care of it.

Within the next few weeks I experienced one of the most horrific situations of my life, yet I knew God had prepared me for that tragic and difficult time, and while I didn’t repeat the words of this desperate father, I did feel that sense of Lord, I don’t know where you are taking me but I want to be sure and follow you in faith regardless of the desperation in my heart and soul. I think we are all in need of God’s reassurance at various times, and you may be in one of those times now; I pray that this message will encourage you where ever you may be.

May we re-double our efforts to stay in tune with our father, trusting Him no matter the test or trial that we encounter. And remember that prayer is our continual pipeline with our Father God and Jesus The Son, through The Holy Spirit!

“Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

This doesn’t mean that we have to go around with our heads bowed and our eyes closed, rather it means that we stay in tune with our Father and see every situation through HIS eyes, relying on His wisdom and direction at every turn. Living our life with an attitude of prayer “without ceasing”, always! Ever having the words of our Lord in mind:

“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.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.”    Matthew 6:9-11

Living with His will leading my heart, His pleasure directing my mind, and His work ever being lived out through my every thought, word and deed!

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

What’s In Your Shaker??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 26

05 Sunday Aug 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Changed Lives, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Follow Jesus, He IS Alive!, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 26 What’s In Your Shaker???

 

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.“” Matthew 5:13-16 

Jesus was teaching his disciples here, as well as the crowd that had gathered, and also those of us who will receive His words even now. He said that we are “the salt of the earth” as well as the “light of the world”. Salt and light are essentials of life, and when we receive “new life” in Jesus, through faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice, we receive His life and presence to dwell within us, and that is how as well as what we are to share with others. But we can only share with others what we ourselves have received!

“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…..”     1 Corinthians 15:1-3a

This is one of my favorite passages, for when you continue on, it gives us what I call ‘the Gospel in a nutshell’! Paul presents a clear and concise definition of Biblical salvation—only One way—Jesus: The One who saves. Paul clearly writes that ‘sin’ is the issue—and the only cure for sin is the blood of Jesus. But what I don’t want us to miss today is that Paul also reminds us that he isn’t creating this message but he is simply passing on “that which I also received”! We too, can only share what we have “received”! Yet when we have received it, and not “believed in vain”, the proof of our salvation is the manifestation of Jesus’ life in us—we will have HIS ‘salt’ in our shaker—the salt of being ‘born again’ by the Spirit of God!!! Paul also tells us that there is a “vain” faith—as I’ve been known to say, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!” The proof of our salvation isn’t just our words but our life. Our shaker will have Jesus’ salt coming out of our life, for according to Jesus, without the ‘savor’ salt is impotent.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not frui

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”    John 15:1-5

We need to be sure we have received Jesus’ redeeming grace and salvation, and that we aren’t depending on a pseudo salvation based on our works, ideas, or self-righteousness.

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”    2 Corinthians 13:5

Even as Paul warns, we need to be sure that we belong to Jesus, that we have been “born again”! Even as Jesus says in John, a branch can do nothing of itself. If you cut a branch off of a tree, it dies because it has no ‘life’ in itself apart from the tree. A tree produces branches and not vice-versa—Jesus gives life to those who are dead in sin (whether natural branches or those grafted in—See Romans 11, a lesson for another time), and that’s everyone, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Ro. 3:23)—“But God”—praise God HE has provided—LIFE!

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)”   Ephesians 2:1-5

The truth is we were all “dead in sins”, “But God” brings us to life in Jesus; He has “quickened us together with Christ” (‘quickened’ means to bring to life), and just as He raised Jesus from the dead, He quickens those who come to HIM in repentance and faith in Jesus The Lamb of God!

“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:”    1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Jesus paid the price for sin, and salvation in HIM births us into the family of God, imparting His Holy Spirit to us as our indwelling “comforter” and guide—the One who empowers us to live a victorious life, a shaker full of Jesus’ salt and light! Using the “salt” in our shaker in a way that preserves purifies and provides ‘seasoning’ to those around us in need of The Savior.

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how

ye ought to answer

every man.” Colossians 4:5-6

We can know “how ye ought to answer every man” by The Holy Spirit who dwells within those who believe—because we not only have salt and light, but we ‘are’ “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”! Therefore we are to spread salt and light around in this dark and corrupted world by our very presence—sharing Jesus everywhere we go by the power of His Spirit, and the love of God, which has been imparted, to us. May we share what we have received—salvation in Jesus, peace with God, forgiveness of our sins–resulting in hope for the present and the future for ourselves and others, all because Jesus “died for the ungodly”—you and me! We ought to live a life that reflects the change that we have experienced by the blood of Jesus, manifesting His work in us, “being” the salt and light that God saves us to “BE” (not just do)! When we get the “being” right, the “doing” will come from Jesus—our source, our ‘savor’ and our ‘power’! All because of HIM!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope

of the glory

of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.”   Romans 5:1-6

The Holy Ghost is imparted to each believer so we can live in the victory of these truths—the truth that when we live in the power of the cross, we can be salt and light in any situation and circumstance. Yet we must remember that light is supposed to shine, not be hidden, and salt is supposed to be “salty” not bland. But by the same token we aren’t to blind people with a ‘spot light’, or cause them to choke on brine! We are to live, shine and speak: “alway with grace, seasoned with salt”! And Jesus told us the very best way to reflect His glory and affect others is His love in us—coming out of that shaker!!!

“A new commandment I give unto you,

That ye love one another;

as I have loved you,

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know

that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love one to another.”    John 13:34-35

So check your ‘shaker’ and be sure your source is Jesus, and then keep your shaker filled with HIS love, grace and truth, and spread it around—our world is in desperate need of Jesus!!!

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ

our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

Here Am I!!! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBS #480

01 Wednesday Aug 2018

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, The Word, Trust God, What's In Your Mouth?, Witness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #480 Here Am I!!! Really???

 

“Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst of a people

of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me,

having a live coal in his hand,

which he had taken with the tongs

from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said,

Lo, this hath touched thy lips;

and thine iniquity is taken away,

and thy sin purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,

Whom shall I send,

and who will go for us?

Then said I,

Here am I;

send me.” Isaiah 6:5-8

Isaiah had a total transformation when he encountered God, and while most of us don’t see God in His glory at our conversion, as Isaiah did, we do receive the indwelling Holy Spirit when we are born again, when we are “washed in the blood” of Jesus! So when we hear the voice of God asking for one to go “in His name” what is our response? And when we respond, what are we expecting? Sometimes we must face the reality that ministry isn’t simple, easy or even pleasant sometimes. Ministry is work—it’s serving God with our all, no matter the cost, the inconvenience or the difficulty—or the response!

When we respond to God’s call, it’s not always to the task that we expected, and we may not receive the response that we expected. I can imagine that Isaiah was surprised by God’s response to his volunteering. What about you and me? What is our response when God calls?

“And he said,

Go,

and tell this people,

Hear ye indeed,

but understand not;

and see ye indeed,

but perceive not.

10 Make the heart of this people fat,

and make their ears heavy,

and shut their eyes;

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart,

and convert,

and be healed.

11 Then said I,

Lord, how long?

And he answered,

Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant,

and the houses without man,

and the land be utterly desolate,

12 And the LORD have removed men

far away,

and there be a great forsaking

in the midst of the land.” Isaiah 6:9-12 

God didn’t water down the difficulty of Isaiah’s task or the fact that he was being sent to a people who, God warned him, would not truly see, or hear, or understand the message, or the urgency of repentance and returning to God! And that he was being sent to preach this message until God’s judgment fell—because most wouldn’t heed. Not the fluff and ease that we often hear about today. Sadly the people of Isaiah’s day are much like the people around us today—they give God a measure of credence but they don’t really want to see Him, or hear His truth, or understand that “today is the day of salvation”—yet it’s as true today as it was those many years ago!

One of my favorite prophets is Jeremiah, and the call that he received from God was such a heart-breaking one, that he was later called the “weeping prophet” because of the hardness of the people and the grief that Jeremiah experienced as he preached with such broken-hearted passion to a people who didn’t want to hear his message. When God calls us, and sends us on a difficult mission, we are often surprised and disappointed to find it full of tears, grief and sorrow, where there is often no positive reception or response from the “masses”. Yet like Isaiah and Jeremiah, when we come face-to-face with Jesus, and the holiness, grace and awe of The Almighty God, it makes a change in our hearts and lives, and we too are empowered to do God’s work, God’s way—regardless of the outcome. The outcome is God’s job! We are called to sow (Plant and/or water, but God gives the increase!) —remember, the harvest belongs to God.

“So then neither is he that planteth any thing,

neither he that watereth;

but God that giveth the increase.”   1 Corinthians 3:7

“Then saith he unto his disciples,

The harvest truly is plenteous,

but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,

that he will send forth labourers

into his harvest.”   Matthew 9:37-38

God is: “Lord of the harvest”—it is “his harvest”! Jesus reminds us that our focus must be yielding to God as we say, “Here am I; send me”, remembering Jesus’ words:

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

Amen and Amen!!!

May we each choose today to respond to God’s call, whatever it may be? May we each be ready and willing to respond as Isaiah and Jeremiah did, “Here am I; send me”!

May we remember the words of Jesus, and be aware of the hour:

“Say not ye,

There are yet four months,

and then cometh harvest?

behold, I say unto you,

Lift up your eyes,

and look on the fields;

for they are white already to harvest.”   John 4:35

And in closing I can’t help but think of a line from a song:

“My house is full, but My fields are empty…..who will go and work for Me today?….. it seems My children all want to stay around My table……but no one wants to work in My fields…..”                                                      (From “My House Is Full” by Lanny Wolfe.)

Hummingbird Theology??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 23

15 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Hummingbird Theology?, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, What's In Your Heart?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 23 Hummingbird Theology???

 

I love to watch the birds outside of my window. I have a birdseed feeder and a hummingbird feeder, and I love watching the birds that God created and enjoying their beauty, and learning from them. The hummingbirds fascinate me; they come again and again and take as much as they need and then return for more, as they need it. Sometimes they feed at one tap and leave, and other times a hummingbird will go to every tap on the feeder at one time. As I was watching them this morning, I couldn’t help but think about our spiritual life like the birds and the feeder. Whose feeder are we feasting at?

“Wherefore laying aside

all malice,

and all guile,

and hypocrisies,

and envies,

and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word,

that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted

that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming,

as unto a living stone,

disallowed indeed of men,

but chosen of God,

and precious,

5 Ye also,

as lively stones,

are built up

a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood,

to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”   1 Peter 2:1-5

If you notice, this passage begins with a “Wherefore”, which means we always ask ‘What’s it there for?’ (Any time the verse starts with a ‘therefore’ or a ‘wherefore’). Well, it simply means that we need to look back to see what was said earlier—so let’s do just that.

“Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

which liveth

and abideth for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass,

and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.

The grass withereth,

and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord

endureth for ever.

And this is the word

which by the gospel

is preached unto you.”    1 Peter 1:23-25

We can grow in the Lord when we feast on “the sincere milk of the word”, and to do that we must spend time in The Word—just like that hummingbird—we must keep going back for the sustenance of life—The Word of God, which brings growth because it is the “word of the Lord” and it “liveth and abideth for ever”! Just like the new birth that Jesus imparts to us when we are born again “of God”! God’s Word is truth always, and it will help us to discern between truth and lies! And it is the standard of God’s judgment along with the blood of Jesus! (And remember that Jesus not only inspired the written Word, HE IS THE LIVING WORD!)

For the word of God is

quick, (alive)

and powerful, 

and sharper than any twoedged sword, 

piercing even to the dividing asunder 

of soul and spirit, 

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner 

of the thoughts 

and intents 

of the heart. 

13 Neither is there any creature 

that is not manifest 

in his sight: 

but all things 

are naked 

and opened 

unto the eyes of him 

with whom we have to do.“    Hebrews 4:12-13

God’s Word encourages us by discernment and bringing truth to light! It’s not just the judgment of God –which it includes—but it also leads us to Jesus, the Lord of Calvary for “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”! Our part is to respond in faith not only to the Gospel for salvation, but also to The Word of God and it’s ability to help us grow in grace and truth as we feast on it continually—just like that little hummingbird, he isn’t very big, but he gets the job done!

“Study

to shew thyself

approved unto God,

a workman

that needeth not

to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”   2 Timothy 2:15

Paul goes on to instruct his young charge, Timothy, even further to rely on the value of God’s Word.

“And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation

through faith

which is in Christ Jesus.

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,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”    2 Timothy 3:15-17

How valuable to us to know that God’s Word is what we need; and while there are those who question and even deny the veracity of The Bible, we can stand fast “in the evil day” knowing that The Word of God is God’s love letter to His children—those who are born again—as well as the conduit of God’s Spirit working in our world to bring people to the cross! It truly is “the word of the Lord” and it surely “endureth for ever”! “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Doxology by Thomas Ken), and I’ll praise Him forever for His Word, and the best way to praise Him for His Word is to read and study it faithfully, continually and purposefully!

Remembering that God’s Word is:

Profitable for—not in $ but in truth and character—

 Doctrine—truth for living—

 Reproof—showing us what is wrong—

 Correction—making the wrong right—

Instruction in Righteousness—prevention!

God’s Word helps us be all that God created us to be, and I love what Job says; it is something that I pray will ever be the desire of my heart. How about you?

“But he knoweth the way that I take:

when he hath tried me,

I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot hath held

his steps,

his way

have I kept, and not declined.

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.”    Job 23:10-12

As we desire and feast on His Word, may the words of the Psalmist reverberate in our hearts—as we put The Word “in mine heart”!

“Thy word have I hid

in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O LORD:

teach me thy statutes.”   Psalm 119:11-12

As we hide God’s Word “in mine heart”, I believe the Psalmist would relate to a common adage we hear today (based on this very principle), “The Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from The Word!” The choice is yours and mine, yet it is a continual battle (as Paul talks about in Ephesians 6:10+) to maintain our focus on Jesus and His Word, but it is more than worth the effort. As I’ve been accused of in the past, “You only have one song!” —And may it ever be said of me that I only sing HIS song, for it’s Jesus and His cross, the only way to God and true life!

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony

of God.

2 For I determined

not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 

It’s all about Jesus, and I pray that you will join me in committing to draw near to Him continually. May we single-mindedly pursue Christ Jesus in all our ways. How? By keeping our eyes on HIM!!!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

And while Jesus is truly the “only way” to God for salvation, He is also the “only way” that we can live the victorious Christian life! He came that we might have abundant and victorious life in this world as well as the next!

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Jesus said it best:

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”   John 10:10-11

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

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

Remember the hummingbird—and stay at God’s feeder—The Word of God!!!

Amen and Amen!

Where’s Your Purpose??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #476

11 Wednesday Jul 2018

Posted by in The Word

≈ 2 Comments

Bible Ballistics: BBs #476     Where’s Your Purpose???

 

“But Daniel

purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God had brought Daniel

into favour

and tender love

with the prince of the eunuchs.”   Daniel 1:8-9

We’ve been looking at Daniel recently, and I just can’t get away from the commitment of this young man, a young man taken into captivity—far away from home, family—yet he was determined to be faithful to his God. Daniel could have done whatever he wanted (so to speak) because there were no parents to scold or direct his choices, but he already had a relationship with his God and he committed to do whatever it took to maintain his walk with his God!

Daniel had no control over his circumstances, but he did have control over his responses—and he chose to not do anything to “defile himself”—and if you’ll notice this is mentioned twice in these two verses! Daniel was totally determined to be faithful before The Lord God Almighty.

And because of Daniel’s commitment, God had already been acting on his behalf—he had brought Daniel into favor with those over him—the sovereign will of God at work, but not without the cooperation of a godly character and the humble ways of this young man. Daniel responded with respect toward those over him, and wisdom toward each situation, a way of life that we can learn a lot from in this arrogant and self-willed culture in which we live.

We can determine the purpose that we will pursue, but basically it boils down this: pursuing God and His ways, or pursuing self! I pray that we will choose to stand with Job, clearly knowing that our God reigns and is our eternal hope, no matter our circumstances or season of life.

“For I know

that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy

this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.” Job 19:25-27

Our God reigns and we can be sure of His coming for us—and we too, like Job, can be assured that “in my flesh shall I see God”! Amen. So no matter your circumstances today, won’t you join me and determine to fix “our eyes on Jesus” trusting the order of things to HIM! He is trustworthy, so let’s live like it!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.” Job 13:15

Amen and Amen!