Bible Ballistics: BBs  #358    What Am I Dependent On???

 

As we conclude our series with the last of our 5 D’s, Dependence, what can we say when our culture is obsessed with the supremacy of “independence” at every turn. Will we choose to be ‘independent’ of or ‘dependent’ on the right thing? Will we be dependent on God, or something else?

Dependence– “The state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else”. A synonym of dependent is trust—to rely on, to have faith in.

Do I really trust God? On whom or what do I depend? Self? Money? Power? Others? Or popular opinion? And that would certainly keep you busy, since it changes with the wind. Scripture speaks to this very idea.

“That we henceforth

be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait

to deceive;” Ephesians 4:14

Instead of the populace, or as we call it today—Political Correctness—we are to follow and depend on The Lord!

“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.” Proverbs 3:5-6

To succeed in our daily walk with Jesus, we are called to trust/depend on Him with ALL our heart and NOT to lean on our own understanding. When we depend on God, He promises to direct our paths.

The question is, ‘do I want God directing my steps?’ Am I willing to go His way rather than my own? Am I “abiding in Jesus” and depending on His Spirit to direct my steps?

“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

It’s our choice, will we abide in and follow our Lord, or will we go our own way, finding at the end of our lives, that we left behind “much ado about nothing”? Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 3.

“If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ¹⁵ If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. ¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:14-16

If we are the temple of God, our success depends on our relationship to the foundation—Jesus! If the building is resting firmly on it’s foundation all will be well, but if there is a shift in the relationship between the house and its foundation there is disaster ahead. Abiding in Jesus, assures that our work is precious to God, and that we have a reward ahead. But as Jesus said in John 15, “without me ye can do nothing” (that is of eternal value).

Our God is “trustworthy”, and we can depend on Him in all that we face—every day, all the way!!! He is ever at work in our lives, whether we are looking or not. We must develop eyes that ‘see’, and ears that ‘hear’ as we walk “in the Spirit”, knowing that God is working within us in all things!

“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….”. Romans 8:28-29

When we belong to Jesus, we can know that GOD is working everything in our life to conform us, His children, into the “image of his Son”. What a blessed confidence! We just need to learn to recognize the hand of God in all our ways, for HE is at work in “all things”, and we can rely on His provision in good times or adversity! Why? Because we can KNOW that God is working all for our good, and our spiritual growth, so that we can bring Him glory!!! What a way to live—in freedom and peace to the glory of God.

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

So, today will you exercise the traits of Jesus? Will we continually depend on God and pursue Him being: Dependent, Decent, Discerning, Diligent, and striving to be Debt-free? We can have “Victory In Jesus” every day, if we will but ‘abide’ in HIM!

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen and Amen!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #357   Decency Does Matter!!!

 

Today we’ll cover the 4^th of our 5 D’s, Decency (Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence); what does it really mean? That is a big question in our culture.

Decency– “Behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability; modesty and propriety”. For our purposes, God’s standard of Biblical respectability.

In order to live ready for the return of our Lord, ‘decency’ is imperative. Our behavior is to “conform” to God’s standard.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Romans 12:2

I know we’ve used this verse a lot lately but I think it is one we need to keep before us, as ‘conformity’ seems to be the order of the day for most; while God calls us to a life of ‘non-conformity’—decency!!!

“Let all things be done decently and in order.”   1 Corinthians 14:40

Simply stated, in context this refers to the use of spiritual gifts, but it also has a general application to our daily lives. We are to practice ‘decency’ in ‘all’ that we do, whenever, and wherever we are, to every one, all the time!!! Small order but a big task! Yet in God’s strength we can achieve it. ‘Decency’, means that I must think about my actions—all of them —moment by moment, Biblically!!! It means that my actions and behavior (One and the same!) are to be pleasing to God in every way. While none of us is perfect, we are called to yield ourselves to God’s working in us. As Romans 8:28-29 so aptly reveals.

“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.“

Paul puts the icing on the cake in Philippians 2. As we are conformed to Jesus, our focus should change from being “self” consumed, to ‘selfless’ service to others. The decency of a heart set on being Jesus’ hands and feet to others!

“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:”  Philippians 2:4-5 (Read 4-11 for the whole picture!)

The mind of Christ is to be seen in me; in selfless ‘decency’, always considering the effect on others; all because Jesus loves, saves and changes hearts and lives today! It’s what love always does—God’s love that is!!! Decency matters!

Remember the acrostic

J-Jesus (He died for me)

O-Others (need to see HIM)

Y-You (are His messenger to the world)

Simple but profound! May we be a reflection of Jesus Christ to a lost, indecent world? If we don’t, who will?

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”  #356 Are You Discerning Rightly???

As we continue our series today, we’ll consider the 3^rd of our 5 D’s: Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence.

Discernment– “The ability to judge well”.

To be “ready” for Jesus’ return and to live faithful, holy lives, we must judge with wisdom in our everyday choices. And yes, we are to “judge” the things around us continually (and that’s a lesson for another day), we are supposed to judge: whether things are good or bad; right or wrong, true or false; godly or ungodly. We make value judgments every day, and those judgments create the consequences that follow each choice. We must be discerning/discriminating— “having or showing refined taste or good judgment”! God’s judgments are the best form of discernment!

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom…… to another discerning of spirits; …..11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will..”                                  Portions of 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

The spiritual gift of ‘discerning of spirits’, is what we want to consider today. Rendering supernatural judgment in spiritual matters, and godly, daily living is essential to a productive and faithful Christian life.

Spiritual gifts are given to “every man”, “to profit withal” by the Holy Spirit’s choice and will (verse 11). Spiritual gifts are given to each believer, whether man, woman, boy or girl, for the good of the ‘Body of Christ’, and by God’s direction. These gifts benefit the body, and when used humbly and well, the gifts will benefit all around the recipient of the gift. The spiritual gift of “discernment” is a much neglected, but urgently needed gift today. It helps us know the way to go, and while every individual believer has the ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and discern personal right walking, the corporate body is greatly benefitted or harmed by the exercise or lack of this gift.

What does discernment look like in practical terms?

“and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.” Ecclesiastes 8:5b

Knowing when to do something, and whether it is beneficial or harmful, is critical to effective Christian service. And while we each have a gift/gifts, we are each to use them in God’s timing, by His direction, and for HIS glory, not our own.

“As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God.

¹¹ If any man speak,

let him speak as the oracles of God;

if any man minister,

let him do it as of the ability

which God giveth:

that God in all things may be glorified

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be praise

and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

Whether we have a speaking gift or a serving gift, we are to recognize and use them as God’s gifts, for God’s glory and the increase of HIS kingdom, and the maturing and blessing of His own; and in doing so we will be a beacon to a lost and dying world. We are to help God’s people understand His Word, His ways and His principles for holy living.

“And they shall teach my people the difference                                    between the holy and profane,                                                                       and cause them to discern                                                                     between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel 44:23

We are to seek to know God’s will and His ways as we feast on His Word. Then we can grow in our ability to hear His voice. That often means that we must exclude some things from our lives, in order to make time and room for God’s voice to be heard, again–exercising discernment each day.

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”     Isaiah 30:21

Often times we must simply be quiet! We must ‘Stop, Look, and Listen’ for the voice of our Lord, our Shepherd.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

My husband gives testimony of an incident that happened in our lives several years ago. He was having a surgical procedure done, which changed from a 90-minute, routine procedure, into a 4-hour one that almost took His life. He was awake during the procedure and while he didn’t’ know at the time what exactly was going on, he knew they were having problems and his heart even stopped on them at one point. He said he was praying and God spoke to his heart and said “Psalm 46:10”. Now at that time, he didn’t remember what Psalm 46:10 said, but he felt a certain surety that God was telling him that it would be all right. When he finally got to his room, he got the Bible and looked up Psalm 46:10 and read it. His heart was overcome with joy and delight in the fact that while he “had to be still” during the procedure (he was sedated, and on an operating table), his ‘stillness’ was in God’s total, sovereign control. We still take great comfort and confidence in that small incident, but friends what I want you to know is that God is speaking, if we will but “Be still, and know that I am God”, and practice ‘listening’!

What is God saying to you today? Are you listening? Or are you so busy with the hustle and bustle of the world that the voice of God is drowned out by the clamor of all the noise around you? Will you exercise “discernment” and make right choices about your time with Him? Will you run to the One who wants to love, provide and direct you to His arms?

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

The catch is, do you know the One who is that “strong tower”? Are you walking closely with Him, if you do? Or are you so busy with life, that you have not discerned the voice of the “giver of life”? We must learn to listen for His leading, seek His ways in all we do and be available for His will, work, and direction in all our ways.

“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.” Psalm 37:23-24

So?  The question is, ‘Are you exercising godly discernment’? Are you willing to dig out truth in His Word, and walk in light of what it says? Will you ‘be discerning’—making choices based on His Word, and the directing of His Holy Spirit? Will you pay attention to what you learn, and choose discerningly, the “holy” over the “profane”?

God will teach us when we,

read His word,

pray and

listen to His Spirit!!!

Keep looking up dear ones, God’s ways won’t usually be popular, but they are the right way, and I’d much rather have the approval of God than the world, and there is a test at the end! Are you ready? Will you join me in seeking to be—

Debt free?

Diligent?

Discerning?

Look up dear ones—“…..look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28b

Bible Ballistics: BBs #355   The Importance Of Diligence???

 

Continuing in our pursuit of wisdom for living, we will consider the 2^nd of the 5 D’s that we looked at last time: Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence. Diligence.

DILIGENCE– “Careful and persistent work or effort”.

Jesus’ return is nearer than ever before, and in anticipation of seeing Him face-to-face, we must remember that we will give an account for the life that we are living for Him. To be found faithful in our walk, and persistent in our loyalty and obedience to God each day, we must exercise diligence!

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

³⁵ A good man

out of the good treasure

of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

³⁶ But I say unto you,

That every idle word

that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

³⁷ For by thy words

thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words

thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37

Oh, how this rings in my heart! Oh, the times I have been guilty of wasting my words (or using inappropriate words at inappropriate times), or using words for my benefit rather than the glory of God. I am reminded that “The Word” is Jesus, and that His presence in my life, in the person of The Holy Spirit, should be reflected in my words. I am to diligently watch, look and listen to what I am saying, as well as what I am accomplishing with my words. Am I truly speaking the “Words of Life” or am I speaking “Words of Death” to others as I walk through life each day—causing harm or spreading the “Word of God” in love?

“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? ⁶⁸ Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:67-69

“Now ye are clean

through the word

which I have spoken unto you……

⁷ If ye abide in me,

and my words abide in you,

ye shall ask what ye will,

and it shall be done unto you.

⁸ Herein is my Father glorified,

that ye bear much fruit;

so shall ye be my disciples.

⁹ As the Father hath loved me,

so have I loved you:

continue ye in my love.” John 15:3 & 7-9

We are to diligently seek to reflect the glory and love of Jesus in all our ways. Many times our words betray us! Yet we must continue to yield our heart to The Holy Spirit who will guide us and teach us HIS ways. Our words are powerful tools which can spread love or they can spread harm. We must guard our hearts.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

The heart is the seat of our emotions, our desires –our life. If you don’t guard your heart, no one else will. It takes continual “work/effort” to truly guard our heart. Do it-–it will determine your present and future!!!

Peter tells us how to keep our hearts right with God and others. We must keep our “eyes on Jesus”, remembering what He has done, and what He has given to us through His precious blood, which was shed for our salvation.

“Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this,

giving all diligence,

add to your faith virtue;                        

and to virtue knowledge;                

6 And to knowledge temperance;

and to temperance patience;              

and to patience godliness;” 2 Peter 1:4-6

And in closing, Jude also calls us to live with earnest diligence, remembering that we are in a battle for the hearts and souls of men, women, boys and girls. Will we “contend for the faith” earnestly? Or will we be found “playing possum” while the world continues to buy the lies of the enemy?

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”   Jude 1:3

Be ready–walking God’s way; standing unashamed; growing in those things in Peter’s list; looking up; and living in light of His coming—Debt free & Diligent! And we’ll consider “Discernment” next time! Have a blessed day today as you diligently and earnestly seek to follow Jesus!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.18    The Danger Of Debt???

 

I’d like to revisit a series that I posted several years ago, and so for the next several posts we will be looking at the import of not only being ready to meet The Lord Jesus when He comes, but also five things that I think will help us examine our lives in light of His coming:

Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence.

We will take the next five sessions together to consider each of these topics that we might equip ourselves as faithful servants of The Lord Jesus Christ while we are here on “Planet Earth”! There are a lot more things that we could consider, but I pray that these five will help us be better equipped to face each day and the challenges that come our way.

We are inundated with stress, confusion and chaos on a daily basis, and my prayer is that these articles will be a help and an encouragement to each of us, that we can walk forward in Biblical truth and power.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

¹⁴ I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Jesus IS the prize for the believer! Yet we live in a culture that is enamored with “stuff”, and it has given rise to a people who want material things over spiritual things. And this has bred a culture of “DEBT”, even in the community of believers! Personal debt, corporate debt, national debt……debt, debt, debt…..   We must face this issue now, while there is still time.

DEBT–

The number one cause of conflict in most homes is a financial one—DEBT. This is a problem of epidemic proportions and although we can’t solve it all here, we can seek some scriptural advice that will help us make good decisions as we apply scripture to our lives.

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

The first principle we want to consider in controlling, and hopefully avoiding debt, is to remember that Jesus teaches us to pray for our “DAILY” bread. We are to live today, and within the means that we have TODAY!!! We must recognize the danger of living in the past or the future. We are to live in the here and now, even though our hope and our real home is in heavenly places with our Lord. We are to be faithful stewards in all our dealings—both spiritually and physically. Paul gives us some good advise in Romans 13:8,

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”

Our goal ought to be DEBT-FREE!! Why? Firstly, because Jesus calls us to live today, and to pray for our “daily bread”! This doesn’t mean we aren’t to consider and plan for the future, but our focus and dependence is to be on God, today!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

³⁴ Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”     Matthew 6:33-34

When we incur debt, we are spending what we presume will be “tomorrow’s” money. But when tomorrow comes and there isn’t and money there, then how do we meet the “daily” needs of that ‘day’? We won’t, and then the downward spiral begins—more need, more borrowing, more borrowing, more debt, more debt, more stress, more stress, more conflict, more conflict, more discouragement, which can lead to despair, demoralization and despair. Oh my, all this because I sought the ‘lender’ instead of the “lover of my soul”!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

James and Paul both remind us that our sufficiency and provision comes from our Sovereign God Almighty! When we are willing to walk by faith and dependence on God, we will find that He will guide us and provide for our needs. Now I’m not saying that you shouldn’t borrow money to buy a car that you need, or a house for your family, but I am saying we should seek God’s face first, and then proceed to get the car, house or other large ticket items that we may “need”. But we are not to be driven by Madison Avenue advertisers to consume every gadget that they say we “must” have TODAY!!! It’s not the gadgets that will get us into trouble it’s the greed that wants it all TODAY!

When we are confronted with the decision of whether to incur debt or not, we must seek the Lord’s guidance and direction. We need to do our ‘homework’, so to speak, and be sure that we are getting the best thing that we can, at the best price and financing options that we can obtain. We aren’t to just keep buying everyday consumables on credit. That’s what leads people to have thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars in ‘credit card debt’! And that is a bottomless pit almost all of the time. We must seek God’s face in every decision—that is our hope and confidence.

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

⁶ But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.

⁷ For let not that man think that

he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

⁸ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:3-8

We are to keep our eyes on Jesus—on the ‘prize’—and not be that double-minded person who asks, but doesn’t really believe in God, or believe that He will hear and answer. It’s also the believer who asks, and then when God answers, he/she just can’t bring himself to believe that “That is God’s answer!” I can’t do that! I can’t go there! I must have this NOW! We become adult two-year-olds pitching a temper tantrum because God is leading us in a direction that we don’t want to go. We all must decide whether we will keep our eyes on Jesus–The Prize—or on our own selfish desires and dictates?

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

³ For consider him that endured

such contradiction of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint

in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1-3

We must keep our eyes “fixed on Jesus” in all our ways, so that we will be going HIS way and not our own, if we want to be found faithful when He calls us to Himself! The prayer of my heart is to hear HIM say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Are you aware that the reason many young people never make it to the mission field where God has called them is because they have allowed themselves to become trapped in the shackles of debt? And debt can shackle us if we aren’t diligent to hear and obey our Lord!

Anther reason that we ought to beware of debt is so that we can love and share our resources with those around us more freely. God calls us to care for our families, and to care for those around us who are less fortunate than we are. Callings of love often neglected because we have allowed debt to gain control in our lives.

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28

We are to labor and work to be able to provide for our own, and also to share with those in need. We are to share the ‘wealth’, rather than hoard in ‘greed’. As my husband is known to say, we aren’t to “Get all you can. Can all you get. And sit on the can.” We are to have a heart of generosity and compassion as our Lord did. But that’s hard to do when we are shackled by greed and debt!

We are able to love so much more freely without the encumbrance of ‘DEBT’ draining all our time, effort and emotions. Proverbs 22:7 reveals a lot about the reality of debt.

“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

Debt enslaves and should be avoided when possible, waiting until we can afford things because:

“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”    Proverbs 13:12

Waiting is like a “tree of “life”, much to be preferred over the shackles of debt. A message our culture needs to hear.

Where then is the balance? We must live within our means and make decisions accordingly. I don’t have to acquire the biggest, best or fastest – first. God will never lead us to violate His word, but rather to make good choices for ourselves and our loved ones based on His principles. His way will lead us to create a legacy of reason & ‘readiness’, rather than one of merciless debt!

As the religious leaders of the day, were trying to entrap Jesus about money, He revealed a great principle of financial reason and direction.

“And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:20-21.

When we give God His due place in our lives, then he will teach us how to exercise due diligence in the appropriate use of our resources. Just remember Jesus’ call to us:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things                                        

shall be added unto you.”

God’s blessing on you as you ponder these things.