Bible Ballistics: BBs #336 What Did You Say???

 

We often hear in sports that a particular coach or team has determined to “get back to the basics”, sometimes because they have gotten off track. The same could be said about those who are following Jesus, we often get side-tracked and need to “get back to the basics”, and today we’ll look at some basics, that I pray will encourage you today.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1

God is the foundation of all that we believe, and while there is a lot of debate over the account of creation, I am one of those who hold to the truth that God said what He meant. And what God meant is that HE started it all. And He started it with a word—HIS Word.

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4

In Genesis 1 we see God The Father, and The Holy Spirit identified as being at creation, and John 1 reveals to us that Jesus was also there as the agent of that creation. Jesus is “THE WORD”! Why is that significant? Well, let’s take a look at Genesis 1 again:

“3 And God said, Let there be light:

and there was light…

         6 And God said, Let there be a firmament….         

7 And God made the firmament ….

and it was so…..

9 And God said, Let the waters …. be gathered and let the dry land appear:

and it was so…….

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image…

27 So God created man

in his own image,

in the image of God created he him;

male and female created he them.”

Portions of Genesis 1:3-27

 

God spoke and “it was so”, and God is still speaking and it is so, and will be so! We can take God at His Word because God always does what HE says.

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be

that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish that

which I please,

and it shall prosper

in the thing whereto I sent it.

12 For ye shall go out with joy,

and be led forth with peace:

the mountains and the hills shall break forth

before you into singing,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55: 10-12

God is accomplishing HIS purpose by His Word, both His spoken Word, His written Word, and His only begotten Son-The WORD! God isn’t finished yet, He’s not dead, and He’s not deaf to the cry of His children, but He’s on HIS schedule, not ours!

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-15

Just as “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); there is only One Way to God and that is through Jesus The Son. Without Him there is only sin, death and hell—that which He came and overcame, for all who will come to Him in faith and repentance. But for those who reject and refuse Him, there is no hope. I know that sounds severe, but friends, it is truth, the whole truth, God’s truth! And without knowing “the truth”, Jesus, the future is severe. And it’s not just knowing ‘about’ Jesus, but knowing Him through the power of His Spirit who imparts to us the new birth. And those who know HIM receive “abundant life” (See John 10:10) rather than death.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:

for the first heaven and the first earth

were passed away;

and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,

coming down from God

out of heaven,

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,

and he will dwell with them,

and they shall be his people,

and God himself shall be with them,

and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears

from their eyes;

and there shall be no more death,

neither sorrow,

nor crying,

neither shall there be any more pain:

for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said,

Behold,

I make all things new.

And he said unto me,

Write:

for these words are true and faithful.”    Revelation 21:1-5

Redemption will be realized in HIS time!!!

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Prasie Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.

Praise FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST!”

       The Doxology     By Thomas Ken (1674)

We’re not the first ones to praise Him, nor will we be the last; but may we be known as those who lift and sing His praises most faithfully and passionately than any before us. Have a great day praising God our Creator, Jesus The Word of God, who came to save us from the penalty of sin, death and hell, and The Holy Spirit who is given to all who come to Jesus in repentance and faith in His death, burial, and resurrection for sin! If you hear His voice, don’t ignore it today, none of us are guaranteed a ‘tomorrow’!

“….To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…..” A portion of Hebrews 3:15

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.08    Not Without A Fight???

 

Some Christians today live with a naiveté’ toward the world. Some have been led to believe that the Christian life is like a walk in a ‘rose garden’; while others have come to believe that it is a right of “childish temper tantrums” to manipulate God. Then there are those who believe that “If you’re nice to everyone, then everyone will be nice to you!” None of these are biblical perspectives of being a follower of/believer in Jesus Christ; I’d like us to consider a biblical perspective today. After all, a true biblical perspective is the one that we want to possess and live by. Let’s begin with the Psalmist’s perspective in Psalm 2.

“Why do the heathen rage,

and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the Lord,

and against his anointed,

saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder,

and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh:

the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath,

and vex them in his sore displeasure.” Psalm 2:1-5

The world is the territory of the enemy, Satan, and he is always working around us to: “steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (See John 10:10), and he is gaining ground at an alarming pace. We can’t expect the world to like us, or to be happy when we choose to follow Jesus, and the Word of God. We should understand that that while they are against God and His children, they are not our personal enemies, but the one who is the “thief” and the great “liar” is.

“Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand against

the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle

not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.” Ephesians 6:11-12

And while men and women who are deceived by the enemy, are not the enemy, we must realize that they are under the influence of the real enemy, and will often respond to us as enemies. Jesus identifies the character of this enemy.

“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.” John 8:44

We must be aware of the enemies tactics and understand that the world will view us as the enemy, just as they see God as the enemy, yet we are to love the unlovely while standing firm against sin, with Biblical truth. Jesus changes us from the inside out, and gives us eternal life, delivering us from eternal death. It is a choice between life and death.

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b

The Gospel IS the Good News. And just as the light dissipates the darkness, Jesus delivers us from the “darkness” and brings us into HIS light.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”     Colossians 1:12-14

But the darkness doesn’t like the light. And remember, Jesus said it would be this way, not me!

“He that believeth on him is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.”    John 3:18-20

Jesus told us that this is truth, and if it was true of His life, it would be true of His children. But many don’t like to hear this part of the Gospel, the Christian life that Jesus calls us to live.

“If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them,

they had not had sin:

but now they have no cloak for their sin.

23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.”    John 15:18-23

Do you see that? While Jesus tells us that we are not to consider the lost as the enemy, they will often consider us the enemy. They will hate it when we stand for Jesus, the Cross, and the Word of God, yet it is imperative that we walk in truth and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. We also must realize that we won’t always walk forward without a fight with the enemy. Just as Paul told us in Ephesians 6:12, we do “wrestle”! He didn’t say when we wrestle, if we wrestle, or we may wrestle, he said “For we wrestle”, or “because we wrestle”! It is a fact that we are in enemy territory and we will encounter opposition when we walk in obedience to The Lord and His Word. There is a fight, yet we must remember that our fighting isn’t in the flesh but in The Spirit.

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”     2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We can have confidence knowing that while we do “walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh”! God is our strength and power, even as Paul told us in Ephesians 6:10:

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

In my power and strength, I am weak to say the least, but in God’s power we can be victorious overcomers.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

I “can do all things”….. I can be victorious, but it may not always look like I think it will look. Sometimes God takes us through that “valley of the shadow of death”, but remember Jesus has overcome sin, death and hell—but that makes the enemy angry and we should expect opposition. Even more than that, we know that Jesus wins, and that means we win!!! Those who are against God cannot prevail!

“……upon this rock I will build my church;

and the gates of hell

shall not prevail against it.”    Matthew 16:18b

“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.”    John 10:27-29

A war is raging and we serve the soon coming King. How are we serving Him? Are we ready for His return? Are we ready to give an account of “every idle word”? (See Matthew 12:36)

“And I saw heaven opened,

and behold a white horse;

and he that sat upon him

was called Faithful and True,

and in righteousness he doth judge

and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire,

and on his head were many crowns;

and he had a name written,

that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed

with a vesture dipped in blood:

and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies

which were in heaven

followed him upon white horses,

clothed in fine linen,

white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth

goeth a sharp sword,

that with it

he should smite the nations:

and he shall rule them

with a rod of iron:

and he treadeth the winepress

of the fierceness and wrath

of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture

and on his thigh

a name written,

King Of Kings,

And Lord Of Lords.” Revelation 19:11:16

He IS our soon coming King, and when He comes He will “judge and make war”, although it will be a most short-lived war!!! But until that time, the nations rage against Him, and the lost and dying world will often rage against us with hatred, prejudice and persecution.

“And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:18

The earth will become even more belligerent as the time draws close to the coming of The King! And the time will come when Philippians 2 will be fulfilled.

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue

should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”    Philippians 2:8-11

The question isn’t, “Will you bow?” for God tells us that “every knee should bow”! The question isn’t ‘will you bow?’, but when. You will either bow before Him now as your Lord and Savior, or you will bow before Him then, as your judge. It’s your choice! He can and will save you if you call upon HIM! And those who have bowed before Him are to worship, obey and love Him, and I/we can do no less than that, because He has placed His love within us, and HE is worthy of our praise always. Paul told us that we could “give thanks in all things” and “rejoice in all things” because we belong to Jesus.

“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.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.” Romans 5:1-8

While the love of Jesus transforms all who will believe, that transformation can bring opposition. Yet we are to stand in our armor, girded up for battle and standing fast in God’s power and might. Are you ready for the battle? As I was thinking on this article, I thought about how painful “healing” can sometimes be. When a splinter comes into our body, it will fester and can make a horrendous ‘sore’, but it is the body trying to rid itself of the poison, and when that fester is lanced and the poison is expelled from the body, healing can truly take place. Healing and victory are God’s work, when we will but yield to His work in our lives.

Some of us may be in a battle, a time of trial or opposition, or something may be festering—be it a test, or a trial or even discipline for sin—whatever it is, God may be working and using this ‘fester’ to rid us of some poison, be it the past, the present trial or some other unwelcome conflict in our life and/or our body. That’s when we must seek the Father regardless of the trial that we are experiencing, or the battle that we are engaged in. We must remember that victory seldom comes without a ‘fight’ but we can truly have “Victory In Jesus”! Today and every day we can overcome, one step at a time, one day at a time. I pray right now that God will help you find the victory in your battle, whatever it may be. We win—but it may not be ‘Without A Fight’!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #335 Tears And Prayers???

 

Difficulties come, pain, sorrow and tears overwhelm us, and in those times we can cry out to God for answers, for relief, for direction, for comfort:

“These are the time that try men’s souls.”,     Thomas Paine

What about the believer? What do we do when our souls are “tried”? We can go to the only sure place of refuge, our security always; we go to our Lord, to our Redeemer, to the One who said He would “never leave” us alone. When the tears fall until it seems that our tear ducts have dried up, God hasn’t been asleep, as the Psalmist reminds us, deliverance is in The Lord—and we can praise HIS name, because HE never fails, and He loves us.

“My tears

have been my meat

day and night,

while they continually say unto me,

Where is thy God?

4 When I remember these things,

I pour out my soul in me:

for I had gone with the multitude,

I went with them

to the house of God,

with the voice of joy and praise,

with a multitude that kept holyday.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

and why art thou disquieted in me?

hope thou in God:

for I shall yet praise him

for the help of his countenance.”    Psalm 42:3-5

We can take delight, comfort and joy in the sovereign rule and control of our God. Though the foundations shake around us, God is still on HIS Throne, and He is at work all about us. It is “the help of his countenance”, the very presence of His Spirit in us, and at work about us, that gives us the “peace…. which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). We can have confidence in Him whose presence is our sustaining power.

“God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear,

though the earth be removed,

and though the mountains be carried

into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof roar

and be troubled,

though the mountains shake

with the swelling thereof. Selah.”   Psalm 46:1-3

Regardless of what is going on around you this morning, if your eyes are red with weeping over the burden, grief or pain of your present circumstance—you don’t have to fear your circumstances. Our God is the circumventor of any circumstance!!! We can have the confidence of Daniel today, knowing that the same God, who heard and answered his prayer, is listening and answering today. God knows and is working regardless of what our circumstances are—even when we don’t understand. So let’s praise God with Daniel, and remember that Jesus is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Always! Think on this prayer of Daniel in all of its depths and take comfort in it!

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God

for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom unto the wise,

and knowledge to them

that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom

and might,

and hast made known unto me

now what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known

unto us

the king’s matter.”    Daniel 2:19-23

Did you get it? God has it all—

Wisdom—

Might—

Times and seasons—

Politics—

Knowledge—

Understanding—

Revelation of deep and hidden things–

What is in the darkness—

He IS light, HAS light, and GIVES light! (In HIS time!)

“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” Psalm 56:8

Bible Ballistics: BBs #334 What’s Your Problem???

 

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

Everyone has a problem and some have many problems, but what are we to do with our problems? Well, not to over-simplify, we must take them to the Lord Jesus Christ—not just a problem-solver but the Only solution to living a victorious life in spite of our problems, large or small! God told Zerubbabel (The governor of those who had returned to Jerusalem after Babylonian captivity), that despite the evident and obvious obstacles that where before him, he would be victorious! Yet God told him that his victory would come, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

God would supply that which was necessary for Zerubbabel to achieve God’s victory in political, material and social areas, and this principle is still absolutely valid today. For those who will come to Jesus, those who belong to Him and have His Spirit dwelling within, it is “by my spirit”, the Holy Spirit, that victory can be attained no matter what crisis we find ourselves in today.

But we also need to take account of ourselves as we face the issues of life, the crises that confront us, or the battles that rage around us. We must examine ourselves to be sure that we belong to Jesus; we must also ask God to reveal any un-confessed sin that is in our hearts; and also to surrender the outcome to Him, and truly experience, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.” God will reveal His purposes, in His time and as we are willing and able to receive them.

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.”    Psalm 139:23-24

When we allow God to search us, to reveal sin and lead us to repentance and restoration, then we can more clearly assess our situation in light of His purposes, and we will be able to rejoice as David did when he repented and experienced the restoration to fellowship with His God.

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then

will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners

shall be converted

unto thee.” Psalm 51:13

God is working through the presence, power and perfecting work of His Holy Spirit in all that comes to us. He is working all that we might “be conformed to the image of his Son”; (See Romans 8:28-29) and while trials and difficulties aren’t usually pleasant, we know by the promise of our Lord God Almighty, that they are ALWAYS purposeful, even when the purpose is to show us our sin, and correct us when we have erred and/or sinned. And while we may not know or understand the purpose in the midst of the trial, God will reveal things to us later down the road and help us see and understand what He is working; yet even when He doesn’t tell us right away, or maybe not until eternity, He can be trusted for He has promised that:

“…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5b-6

God imparts His Holy Spirit to those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith in the shed blood of the Lamb of God, who alone takes away sin. One of the things that He, The Holy Spirit, does is to help us understand God’s Word—our road map, our lighthouse, our strong tower and our compass in this world which “is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through…..”(From “This World Is Not My Home”, By Alfred E. Brumley); for we are “strangers and pilgrims” in this old sinful world. (See Hebrews 11:13 and 1 Peter 2:11)! But sometimes we simply get way to comfortable in this world, and that can cause us to stumble into sin and/or complacency. How comfortable are you?

We must see the world through God’s eyes, and faithfully speak the “truth in love”, so that others may hear His voice and come to salvation and maturity in Jesus. The Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us, and remind us just as Zechariah told Zerubbabel that it is “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts”! So let’s check ourselves by God’s Word, seek forgiveness of sin where it’s needed, and then “gird up our loins” for battle and follow Jesus, determining to follow Him, no matter the cost. After all, He Wins—and we who are His Win too!!!

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” John 16:7-8

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

I know this is a bit lengthy, but I want you to have these scriptures to think on and listen to the Spirit speaking to our hearts the things of God. Let’s stop seeking the world’s solutions and seek God’s. Stop all the compromise and idolatry that we have bought into and return to the Only One who can truly save, deliver and “cleanse us from ALL sin”. I pray that God will speak to us and that we will:

“Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.” James 4:8

What’s your pet sin? Ready to forsake all and follow Jesus? Remember, Jesus said that not everyone who ‘says’ “Lord, Lord” is really His (See Matthew 7:13-28). Won’t you ask God to reveal what HE sees in you? Time is short and we need to be ready. Here’s what Paul said—it’s God’s Word—don’t shoot the messenger! If you’re clean by virtue of the cross, then live like it, and many of those self-inflicted problems will dissipate, and the Jesus will help you with it all!

“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

So my friend, do you want to continue striving in the “power” and “might” of the world? Or will you depend upon God and His Holy Spirit to do the work IN YOU? God is teaching still, His ‘rest’ is available to all who will follow Jesus and walk “in the Spirit” and not in the flesh. He will teach you “ALL” if you’ll but receive it and obey it!

“But as it is written,

Eye hath not seen,

nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared

for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them

unto us

by his Spirit:

for the Spirit searcheth all things,

yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man,

save the spirit of man which is in him?

even so the things of God knoweth no man,

but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the spirit which is of God;

that we might know the things

that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak,

not in the words

which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;

comparing spiritual things

with spiritual.

14 But the natural man

receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto him:

neither can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual

judgeth all things,

yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord,

that he may instruct him?

but we have the mind of Christ.”     1 Corinthians 2:9-16

Just as Job went through difficult trials trusting HIS God, so must we determine that with Job we will cry out:

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:”     Job 19:25

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”         Job 13:15

So, what’s your problem? Will you choose to trust in chariots and horses, worldly might and power, or the Spirit of God? It’s your choice, but choose wisely! There’s a test!

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”       Psalm 20:7

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.07    Servant Or Usurper???

 

“Ye are my witnesses,

saith the Lord,

and my servant whom I have chosen:

that ye may know

and believe me,

and understand

that I am he:

before me

there was no God formed,

neither shall there be after me.

11 I, even I, am the Lord;

and beside me there is no saviour.

12 I have declared,

and have saved,

and I have shewed,

when there was no strange god

among you:

therefore ye are my witnesses,

saith the Lord,

that I am God.” Isaiah 43:10-12

“I am the Lord:

that is my name:

and my glory

will I not give to another,

neither my praise

to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8

The Lord God Almighty reigns! Always has! Always will! And I’d just like us to take a few minutes today to examine and remind ourselves God is our Sovereign King. No man can stop His hand nor thwart His rule. While He allows the affairs of men to defy and rebel against His authority right now, He never has, and never will relinquish His Sovereign rule. He is working even through those who stand against Him and HE will accomplish His purpose, in His time. We can become so distracted, discouraged, and disheartened by the evil, cruelty and corruption around us that we may need a reminder that God is still in control, and HE will accomplish His purposes—in His time.

“And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord:” Exodus 6:2

“And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the Lord.” Exodus10:2

“Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.” Isaiah 41:4

Our God is He that “hath made us, and not we ourselves”! And when we give Him our lives, through repentance and faith in His “Only Begotten Son”, Jesus Christ, we can grow in confidence of all that He is and does.

“This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. 27 For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” Isaiah 14:26-27

“Know ye that the Lord he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep

of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3

Jesus Himself, told us that He came to bring us into His fold, His pasture, and that He is the “door of the sheep”, “the good shepherd”, and the one who “giveth his life for the sheep”! Praise God that He “so loved the world that HE gave” Jesus to redeem us who are lost without HIM (And that’s everyone!)! Let’s dig into this great passage and feast on the truth of The Word.

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves

and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 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.

12 But he that is an hireling,

and not the shepherd,

whose own the sheep are not,

seeth the wolf coming,

and leaveth the sheep,

and fleeth:

and the wolf catcheth them,

and scattereth the sheep.

13 The hireling fleeth,

because he is an hireling,

and careth not for the sheep.

14 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……..

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.”    John 10:7-15 & 26-30

And because Jesus IS the good shepherd, He saves and delivers those who will believe in Him, from sin, death and hell. It is what HE came to do, and He accomplished His purpose, the purpose of The Father, at Calvary. No surprise to God The Father, or God The Son—because they “are one”! And when we usurp the authority of God we are violating the very core of our faith. And as believers in Jesus, we must stand on the sovereign power and ruler-ship of our God. We must remember it is His power and we are privileged to serve Him (Not vice versa). We can stand in who He is—God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit. It was God’s idea and will to send the Son for us, and it is just as much His will that He will return, and may we strive to be found faithful. We an take confidence just like Mary and Martha in John 11, who while they didn’t fully comprehend what Jesus was about to do for their brother, trusted Him and followed Him in their grief and sorrow to that tomb, because:

“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?” John 11:25-26

Will we follow Jesus to the “tomb”, even though we don’t understand what He is doing? Or will we try to manipulate God; will we try to usurp His ‘ruler-ship’ and do it our own way? Will we bow before Him in our confusion, grief and disappointment? Will we walk on in faith knowing that HE is our loving, merciful and all wise, omniscient God; worthy of our confidence; for He promised to “never leave thee, nor forsake” us (See Hebrews 13:5-6). Jesus came into this world knowing what it would cost Him because God loves us that much. Just as Peter declared on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem so many years ago, God is in control!

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did

by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”      Acts 2:22-24

Just as Jesus asked Martha, “Believest thou this?” will you choose to believe, bow and become HIS follower? Not His dictator, but His servant. He IS GOD—You (Or I) are NOT!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient

unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”     Philippians 2:5-11

Will you bow/serve or usurp? Will we as believers bow before Him in every thing He asks of us? Or will we usurp the authority of the very one that we claim to serve? It’s a question that we each wrestle with daily, to believe, to bow and to be pleasing to our God. Or will we disobey and incur the discipline of the God who loves us (See Hebrews 12:6-11)? It is a choice that we must be conscious of! And we must choose wisely, rightly and consistently to be productive for the Kingdom in these tumultuous days. We must stand fast dear friends for we are in the “evil day”! Our failure may affect someone’s eternal destiny. We must be diligent and focused on Jesus, our ‘soon coming’ King! Will you join me as we bow before Him today—His loving, grateful and faithful servants?

“To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1:25