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?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.23 What Call Do You Hear???

 

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have,

which are not of this fold:

them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice;

and there shall be one fold,

and one shepherd……

25 Jesus answered them, I told you,

and ye believed not:

the works that I do in my Father’s name,

they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father,

which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”     Portions of John 10:14-30

Jesus declared that He was:

“the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine”!

This brings several things to mind; that it is all about The shepherd, that The Shepherd IS Jesus, that He is the “good” shepherd, and as the shepherd, HE knows HIS sheep, and He IS known of HIS own sheep. Jesus contrasts those who are HIS sheep and those who are not, and He makes it clear that those who “believe not” are not HIS sheep. Earlier in chapter 10, Jesus reveals how we become HIS sheep.

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture. 

10 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 10:9-11

Jesus reminds of this just before He went to His death.

“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 makes it clear that HE is the only way to God, knowing that He was about to lay down “his life for the sheep”. It’s why Jesus came, and why He is The Only Way To God The Father! Jesus came as the sacrifice for sin, and we can only come to God through His sacrifice for 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

Jesus came to pay for sin, and to give us abundant life—here and now, and in the then and there!

“I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Yet we must remember that God always initiates salvation. When we come to Him, it’s always in response to His call—it’s never our idea.

“We love him, because he first loved us.”    1 John 4:19

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.” John 6:44

Have you heard the call of God to your heart? Have you responded? If you have come to Jesus in repentance and faith, are you still tuning in to His voice?

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me”

Our calling is to follow Him.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”   Luke 9:23-25

To truly follow Jesus, He calls us to:

deny ourself–

take up our cross–

and follow Jesus–

We must determine if we are willing to “deny” self, to “take up” our own cross, each day, and “follow” Jesus! What are we doing with our day? Today is all we have and as Jesus said above, we cannot save our own life—only Jesus saves. If we try to save ourselves, we will loose our life and our soul, just as Jesus Himself said:

“For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”

And just as HE declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me…” Who’s call are you heading? Who are you following?

Bible Ballistics: BBs  #366    What About Your Works???

 

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”     Ephesians 2:8-10

Paul makes it clear that Jesus alone saves—only by grace—only through faith—unto God’s good works. And while we are never saved by our works, when we are saved, our works should reflect the grace and glory of Jesus our Lord. Our works ought to be led and directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit: The Spirit of Jesus Christ, whom He imparts to us to lead our way, to teach and grow us in the Word of God that we might know the wisdom of God.

When we remember that it is ALL about Jesus, and not about ‘me’, we will find that abundant life that He gives. But we do have an enemy attempting to distract, discourage and lead us into disarray. We must be aware of His deceit so that we can be prepared for the battles we face in our Christian life.     The scripture replete with warnings as it reveals the character of Satan, and we need to take heed.

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:”   Genesis 3:1-4

Satan makes his first appearance in scripture here in Genesis, and we find him opposing and denying God’s words, and instructions to Adam and Eve (And yes I believe in a literal creation, and a literal man and woman who were created by God!); and his tactics haven’t changed in all this time. He is still subtle and wants to stir up doubt of God’s faithful goodness in our hearts and minds. We mustn’t succumb to his lies, regardless of how pretty or true they sound. That is one reason why we must immerse ourselves in the Word of God—so that we will know truth so well, that we quickly recognize the false, imitation and counterfeit claims of the enemy of our souls.

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”     2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Satan is the master of deceit, in fact Jesus minces no words about Satan and those who believe and follow Him. (See Ephesians 2:1-3)

“Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.” John 8:43-45

The bottom line is, we must decide whom we will believe—God and His Son Jesus, who paid for our salvation, or the enemy of our souls, who wants to drag as many people as he can to Hell.

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 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.” John 10:9-10

We have an enemy who desires to keep people from God completely, as well as to dilute the influence of God’s own children. We must choose whom we will believe and follow, and when we choose to follow Jesus, His works should abound in our lives. For all of the works of the flesh and of the devil will face the fire! Whose works are you doing???

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs  #365    And Ye Ministered Unto Me???

 

“For I was an hungred,

and ye gave me meat:

I was thirsty,

and ye gave me drink:

I was a stranger,

and ye took me in:

36 Naked,

and ye clothed me:

I was sick,

and ye visited me:

I was in prison,

and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord,

when saw we thee an hungred,

and fed thee?

or thirsty,

and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger,

and took thee in?

or naked,

and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick,

or in prison,

and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them,

Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye have done it

unto one of the least of these

my brethren,

ye have done it unto me.”     Matthew 25:35-40

This great passage that Jesus spoke before His passion, has a lot of deep meaning and many want to take it apart and argue about who He is talking about, or who are the “my brethren”, and other such distracting questions. But I’d like us to simply receive what Jesus is saying to HIS disciples—both then and now. If I might be a bit simplistic, I think we need to take Jesus at His word! Jesus is calling us, His children whom He has saved, to act! If you or I see a need and have the resources and ability, then we ought to meet that need. Yet each of us in our uniqueness will often see different things according to our spiritual gifts.

For instance the teacher may see someone’s lack of knowledge or information and step up to instruct. A person with the gift of mercy will often see a need that others do not see—and seeing it they alleviate the lack to the degree that they are able. The person with the gift of giving, will often perceive a need unseen by others, and will set about to relieve the lack. A person who has the gift of encouragement may see someone’s loneliness in sickness or imprisonment in a way that others cannot, and go about to comfort and sustain that person. Someone gifted differently may see the one who is new—the one that no one else notices—and reach out to welcome the stranger.

What Jesus is calling us to do is utilize what we have been given. Just as we talked last time about that “cup of water”, Jesus has never called anyone to give what they don’t have—what they haven’t received from Him. He is calling us to use our gifts, our experiences, and our spiritual insight to minister as we go along, sharing the good news of the Gospel as we go.

Jesus calls us to “Go ye therefore”, literally meaning ‘as you go’, taking the truth of the Gospel, and meeting needs as you see them. Why: Because it is the way of the cross! We are also called to exercise hospitality—a lost art these days—but none-the-less, it’s what our Lord calls us to do.

“Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:

for thereby some have entertained angels

unawares.

3 Remember them that are in bonds,

as bound with them;

and them which suffer adversity,

as being yourselves also in the body.”      Hebrews 13:1-3

So don’t go through each day with your nose buried so deeply in your cell phone, or your mind a million miles away, or discouraged with your own circumstances; instead LOOK UP!!! See where Jesus is leading you today. Watch for that opportunity to minister that HE is giving you. That kind word that some store clerk may need; that door that someone is having difficulty opening; that person ahead of you in the check out that is $5 short; that prisoner that God may lay on your heart. It doesn’t have to be a big thing—most often they are easy-to-miss opportunities—but ask God to help you have HIS vision, and to order your steps into the places where He has placed someone with a need that “You” or “I” can meet.

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

What will you do with your resources—time, energy, money, compassion, enthusiasm, or encouragement, today? The choice is yours, but remember:

“…….For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…..” Luke 12:48b

Remember–

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your   redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28