Bible Ballistics: BBs  #369    God’s Secret Place !!!

 

“He that dwelleth in the secret place

of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD,

He is my refuge

and my fortress:

my God;”   Psalm 91:1

I’d just like to share a word of encouragement with you today. As children we all loved “secret” things: secret codes, secret places, just plain secrets–although secrets are seldom kept! But God keeps His secrets until the proper time comes to reveal them. Here the Psalmist mentions the one who “dwelleth in the secret place of the most High”, and tells us that he/she will abide under the “shadow of the Almighty”; a reference to the fact that those who belong to God, are cared for. Just as a sweeping Oak Tree will shade everything under it’s ‘shadow’, God cares for those who are His own. And you can be assured that God knows His own children—we who are His through faith in Jesus Christ The Lord—and we can confidently proclaim with the Psalmist that:

“He is my refuge

and my fortress:

my God;

in him will I trust”

How do we get into that “secret place”? Through faith in Jesus, and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin.

“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

Jesus is the ONLY way to be in that “secret place” of God! And when we come there, God is truly our refuge, and fortress, the One in whom we can always “trust”! Mary, the sister of Lazarus, had to choose what she would believe.

“Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection, and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord:

I believe

that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come into the world.”     John 11:25-27

Mary believed what Jesus said, and she made the decision to trust in HIM. In her specific incident, she believed that Jesus, The Messiah, could take care of her grief in the loss of her brother, and in that belief she saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. And praise God we can all be raised to life with Him, now, as well as after our death, or at His return. And until then we can live victorious lives through His indwelling Holy Spirit.

“Whereof I am made a minister,

according to the dispensation of God

which is given to me

for you,

to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery

which hath been hid from ages

and from generations,

but now is made manifest

to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:25-27

This wonderful “secret”, this “mystery”, is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”! The promise of the New Covenant is Jesus dwelling within us through His Holy Spirit—He is the evidence that we belong to Jesus. He is the power that keeps us! He is the assurance of the glory to come!!! And we ought to depend on this amazing gift of God to guide, teach and direct our steps. He is the “secret” place where we are safe and secure, but even more importantly; He empowers us to serve our God powerfully in that place—through His indwelling presence, “Christ in you”! Are you in Him? Is He in you? If not won’t you come to Him today? If you are His already, won’t you welcome and embrace His will for you? He longs to have you “abide” in Him, in loving gratitude, devotion and dependence!

“Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father

by him.”   Colossians 3:16-17

Amen and Amen!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.24 I Walk The Line???

 

For many of us this conjures up recollections of an old Johnny Cash song, but that really isn’t my focus for today. Instead, I would like us to think about parents/adults and the affect that we have on the young ones who are watching and following us. While the Johnny Cash song said, “Because you’re mine, I walk the line!” as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we can (and should) “walk the line because we are HIS”! And our lives should make a difference in the lives of others whom God has placed in our path.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here

in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb

without blemish

and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:13-19

Peter reminds us that we ought to live our lives “As obedient children” living with regard to the price that Jesus Christ paid for us, rather than being dragged back into the lusts and darkness of the flesh and the world. We are called to remember the price that Jesus paid for our salvation, and pursue His holiness. And we can only do that when we think with the ‘mind of Christ’.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5 (Read 1-11 for more insight.)

And that “mind” of Christ, is a mind set on God, service and sacrifice. Instead we live in a world that continually drives us to pursue a mindset of self, demand to be served, and to consume all we can get on ourselves—two diametrically opposed ideologies. Which mindset are we embracing and pursuing? Do we have a heart and mind set on God, His Word and His ways, or one set on everything opposed to the One we call Lord, Savior and King? He calls to be ‘sober’, and that’s not strictly a reference to our use of alcoholic drinks, but to a right-mindedness that isn’t controlled by the flesh, but by the Spirit of God. Just as Paul talks to the Ephesian Christians about:

“See then that ye walk circumspectly,

not as fools,

but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time,

because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise,

but understanding

what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine,

wherein is excess;

but be filled with the Spirit;” Ephesians 5:15-18

It’s more than coincidental, that the word for “filled” here is a word that means “pervaded by”. And pervaded doesn’t mean just a simple filling, but “to become spread throughout all parts of”; to “be controlled by”. That means we are not to be controlled by outside elements of any kind, but by the Holy Spirit of God. And that is the only way that we can ever “be ye holy”. Yet as we examine the rest of that verse, it is not just an abstract “ideal” of holiness or a ‘denomination’ but a life lived holy “in all manner of conversation”; meaning our lifestyle as well as our words! We are to live a life of holiness before God and man. Just as our Lord and Savior did when He lived in a body of flesh.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Luke 2:52

While we all know that Jesus lived the perfect life, and we can’t; we can walk in the power of His Spirit and “Be ye holy; for I am holy”! It is the “New Covenant”– the indwelling Holy Spirit, the promise and hope of glory.

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27

This is how and why we can “walk the line”, God’s line! Not because we are some cutesy little ‘Goody Two-Shoes’, but because we are God’s redeemed:

“not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ”

We can “walk the line” because we have been ‘redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ”. Jesus came to save us from our sin—not punch our ticket to heaven and leave us in our sin.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Did you get that, Jesus came to save us “from” our sin, not “IN” our sin, and we can only be “HIS” when we are saved, born again by His saving, atoning sacrifice for Sin. When we are born again by the Spirit of God, we are transformed and empowered to live a life pleasing to our Lord and King rather than a life of sin and self.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“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.” John 1:12-13

Being born of God, we get a new heart, and the power to live an abundant victorious life over sin. We are saved immediately from the penalty of sin, we are ‘being’ saved (day by day as we grow in The Word, in the grace and knowledge of our Lord) from the power of sin in our lives, and when our Lord calls us (Either by His return or our leaving this world in death.) we will be delivered from the very presence of sin for all eternity! When we walk in the Spirit, we can overcome the flesh and sin. But it’s a battle that we will constantly wage in this life (See Ephesians 6:9-18). Yet we must learn to recognize the dangers of the lust of the flesh. Satan wants to keep the lost on their road to hell, and the saved from being any kind of witness and influence for Jesus, and he uses sin to disable our witness any way he can. We must pay attention to that “line”!

That is why it’s so important to avoid sin, and not try to walk as close to it as we think we can without falling off the cliff. God calls us to keep our distance and avoid sin, not cozy up to it and play footsy with it.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”     1 Thessalonians 5:22

We have been so deceived by the enemy and have fallen for the lies that he espouses, that he is causing many to compromise their holiness and loose heart. We must separate ourselves from the world and the lusts of the flesh, and Jude warns about the danger of the flesh and its pull upon us. We can keep ourselves separate from the world.

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And of some have compassion,

making a difference:

23 And others save with fear,

pulling them out of the fire;

hating even the garment

spotted by the flesh.” Jude 1:21-23

The flesh and sin are problems and we need to stop thinking a little won’t hurt us. Sin destroys and ruins lives—and we, as God’s children, as parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors, must be ready and willing to sacrifice ‘self’ for the perfect will of our Lord, His Gospel and His glory.

As we examine our lives, we must ask God to help us see where we really are. We must pursue the mind of Christ, and diligently seek to walk in holiness and purity before God and the world. We can never live a life of compromise and expect God to bless it. God clearly tells us how to ‘walk the line’ before those who are following us—whether they be children or adults who need to see Jesus. As I’ve often heard, “You may be the only Bible that some people read!”

“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign

upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house,

and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9

This is one of my favorite passages in all of scripture—the order and flow is notable—we can only pass on and teach what we possess and practice. God told Moses that first of all we ourselves must:

“love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.”

Part of the problem today is that we seem to be living the old adage: “Do what I say, not what I Do!” This practice will never render a very positive outcome. A more relevant adage that I believe to reveal more truth is: “What the parents do (and approve of) in moderation, the children will do to excess!” What are we teaching our children? Are we teaching them things by our life choices that we would rather they didn’t learn? Then we must make a change! We must recognize the urgency of walking God’s line! And God says that if we will walk His way, love Him devotedly and take advantage of every “teachable” moment to point our children to Him, it will bear fruit! He goes on in this passage to reveal the method to us. If we’ll teach and live truth before our children a time will come when they will question what we are doing and why? And that’s a good thing. God tells us why and what to do next!

“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:

22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, …… And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. 24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day” Portions of Deuteronomy 6:20-24

God tells us that if we will live/walk our talk, and talk about why we live that way, there will come a time when our children will ask us “Why?” And when that time comes we are to share with our children our own personal testimony of God’s grace, salvation and provision in our lives, and why we love Him and serve Him. And then we can lead them to the cross. Oh, that we could live this way before our families and the world! It’s our only hope and theirs!

We are loosing the battle for the hearts and minds of our children, mostly because we have abdicated our responsibility to others—especially Hollywood (more like Hellywood) and the liberal media that pervades our culture. We must stand up and resist the “gates of Hell”! When the church (the people not the building) goes forward in the power of God, great and mighty things can happen. But we must “walk the line” with Jesus, not skirt the outside edge of worldliness. My heart aches for the blindness of many of those who claim the name of Jesus our Lord. We have to live what we claim—NOW! And we can only do that through the power of The Holy Spirit!!!

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.”     Romans 8:9-10

All by the power of HIS Spirit:

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

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.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Only as we walk “His” line, in His power, and His Spirit.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh……..

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”     Galatians 5:16 & 24-25

So as we finish up another session together, I simply ask each of us to examine ourselves. What line are you walking? Are you walking God’s line or the world’s? It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test? And remember—somebody may be watching you!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs  #368    Say It Today!!!

 

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”    Proverbs 27:1

We live in a world of “tomorrow”: I’ll go tomorrow, I’ll do that tomorrow, I’ll call them tomorrow, I’ll go see them tomorrow, I’ll tell them tomorrow. Well, what we often forget is that we don’t know if we’ll have a tomorrow! I don’t mean to be morose, but I think it’s a good time to remind ourselves that today is all we have to use: yesterday is gone and done with, and whatever we did or didn’t do, there is no more opportunity in ‘yesterday’. And the plans we have made for tomorrow, or next week or next year may never come to fruition, we only have today.

As most here in the U.S. are thinking about ‘Father’s Day’ on Sunday, I’d just like to remind us that whatever opportunities we may have to share love and kindness with others ought to be exercised ‘today’. Many years ago, as a single mother, one of the things I would save up and splurge on, was sending fresh flowers to my mother and/or father on special occasions (I love fresh flowers—they remind me of God’s wonderful beauty in all of creation!). My mother never said anything, but my dad scolded me, saying that he knew I was struggling as a single mother with four children, and I ‘shouldn’t’ spend money on him. Well, I simply told him that I would spend that money, since it was to express my love and appreciation for him, and that in my opinion, I would rather send him flowers that he could smell, rather than wait to put them on a casket, when he wouldn’t be able to smell them at all! And folks that about sums up how I look at things!

If you want to be kind to people around you, then do it today! Don’t wait for a tomorrow that may never come.

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

THIS is the day. If today were the only day that you had, what would you do with it? When asked a similar question, Martin Luther answered that he would ‘plant my apple tree’. Indicating that he would do all he should do in any day that he had. What are you doing with your today?

Is there someone you need to call and thank for their kindness to you? Is there someone that you need to visit to show your love for them? Is there a wrong that you need to right before it’s too late? I know a family who this very day is saying their goodbyes to the husband, father, brother, and friend that has been a precious godly man in this life. The sad thing is that he never awoke out of the sedation that put him to sleep for surgery. Yet I know this precious, godly family is very close, and they are people who express their feelings and kindnesses, because I have been on the receiving end of their godly kindness, as well as, watched their interaction with one another. It behooves us to learn from their example—what if you were in their shoes? Would there be things you would wish you had said? Would there be acts of love that you would wish you had expressed?

“Open rebuke is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy

are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:5-6

Oh that we will be that faithful friend, wife, husband, child, sister, brother, uncle, aunt, cousin…the list could go on, but the question is, “Will I do and say today what pleases my Lord, and encourages others?” Don’t let today pass without taking advantage of your opportunity to do good, to express your love, to encourage that special someone, to say ‘Thank You’ to those who have made a difference in your life.

Tomorrow may never come. Yesterday is done and gone, never to return. What will you do with today? Make it a day to remember, by expressing your love, gratitude and kindness to those God has placed in your life. We are each abundantly blessed—don’t keep it to yourself—share the wealth (And most acts of kindness don’t cost a dime!)! Share what you’ve been given today—in words and deeds, not for reward or appreciation but because it is what we have been called to do for the one who loves us most—Jesus Christ, The Lord of Glory!!!

“And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”     Galatians 6:9-10

Make this your greatest day–be a blessing! Say it today, for this is Today—it’s all we have! May we follow our Lord’s example, knowing it is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”! Col. 1:27 And Happy Father’s Day to all of you ‘Fathers’!

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” 1 Peter 2:21

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth … who went about doing good, ….for God was with him.” Portions of Acts 10:38

Bible Ballistics: BBs  #367    Winning The Body Battle???

 

Many of you reading this are thinking, “Oh, great, another magic diet!” Or, “Yeah, this will tell me how to have ‘six-pack-abs’ in 48 hours!” Well, sorry, but the ‘Body Battle’ I want to deal with is the fact that Christians, believers and follower of Jesus Christ The Lord, are in a constant battle with our bodies. We are in a war with the ‘flesh’. Paul wrote on this seldom-mentioned principle, but I think it is imperative for us to consider it today; for we live in a culture transfixed on the “flesh”!

“Know ye not that they which run in a race

run all,

but one receiveth the prize?

So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery

is temperate in all things.

Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown;

but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run,

not as uncertainly;

so fight I,

not as one that beateth the air: 

27 But I keep under my body,

and bring it into subjection:

lest that by any means,

when I have preached to others,

I myself should be a castaway.”   1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Paul was determined to “keep under my body, and bring IT into subjection”! It is a constant battle to keep this dying flesh in line, but when we fail to consider its reality, we will be caught off guard by the deceit of the enemy. The lusts of the flesh are ever pulling at our hearts and minds! Why? Because we are still walking around in a body of flesh. It’s what Romans chapter 7 deals with, as Paul helps us understand that we must depend on the Holy Spirit to overcome the desires and demands of our own flesh!

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)

dwelleth no good thing:

for to will is present with me;

but how to perform that which is good

I find not.

19 For the good that I would

I do not:

but the evil which I would not,

that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not,

it is no more I that do it,

but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good,

evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God

after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members,

warring against the law of my mind,

and bringing me into captivity

to the law of sin

which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am!

who shall deliver me

from the body of this death?”    Romans 7:18-24

That’s pretty depressing if you stop there, but Paul answers his own question, “who shall deliver me”, in chapter 8—Praise The Lord Jesus, who provided the deliverance at Calvary!!! We are not hopeless but empowered by The Holy Spirit dwelling within believers. We can overcome the flesh by God’s spiritual power—the Resurrection Power of The Risen Lord Jesus Christ living in us. The Holy Spirit of Jesus/God living and working in us to help us control this “body of this death”. And without going into a lot of detail, Paul is simply assuring us that Jesus provided for our “abundant” overcoming living. How? Let’s continue on.

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh

do mind the things of the flesh;

but they that are after the Spirit

the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death;

but to be spiritually minded

is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”   Romans 8:1-9

To put it simply, those who are ‘born again’ by the power of the Holy Spirit have the supernatural power of God to overcome the sin that is in our flesh. But we must –we must—continually recognize the weakness and sinful draw of our flesh. We must constantly be diligent to “keep under my body, and bring IT into subjection”! And just because my battle is different than yours, it is still a battle with the flesh! For some of us it’s an obsession with food, or it may be drugs, alcohol, foul language, sex, porn, wanderlust or a loose and unguarded tongue! Whatever the battle is, it is always with our own flesh. I think this is why we are so often prone to throw rocks at others. If I can keep other’s attention on your faults, then maybe, just maybe, they won’t notice mine. But Paul reminds us so clearly that if we don’t have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and doing His purifying (cleansing us), and sanctifying (setting us apart from the world) work, then we don’t belong to Jesus—we are “none of his”. What about you/me? Do we sin without compunction? Do we claim the name of Jesus and then continually walk in the flesh without any correcting, convicting work of the Holy Spirit? If so, you might want to check out what you think ‘saved’ you!

Instead, we sons and daughters of God, are called to extend mercy and kindness to others regularly, as we consider our own battles, knowing that the only overcoming victory comes from God, His Word and prayer—not from throwing rocks at others (Praying for them, Yes! Counseling and confronting, when appropriate, yes! But condemning, and gossiping, Never!) Here are a few passages to think on today, as we consider our own weakness and those sins of the flesh that we are battling, and considering the need to encourage others who may need help from us.

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”     Ephesians 4:31-32

“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.” Philippians 2:3-4

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” 1 peter 4:8-9

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”   John 13:35

So whatever your struggles are today—you can walk in victory because Jesus has won the battle over the flesh at Calvary. Will you walk in victory with HIM today or succumb to the sin of your flesh? The choice is yours—but remember there is a test at the end.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

But such “WERE some of you”–but now……!!! How about YOU? Are you “washed”, “sanctified”, “justified” in HIM?