Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No. 04 A Way That SEEMS Right???

 

It is so good to be back with you all again. I apologize for my absence for the last couple of weeks, but am so glad to be feeling better and I think I’m ready to get back on the “Bible Ballistics” trail! I had knee replacement surgery several weeks ago and that has kept me from my writing. I am doing much better, and while I’m still terribly slow and have a lot of limitations, we are making progress. Thank you for the prayers, messages and calls; your concern has been a real encouragement to me.

I’d like to share some thoughts today about paths and choices. With all the chaos and fear around us, we need to keep our hearts and minds focused on God and His Word. Our confidence is in the creator NOT the creation—and in that is great assurance, as the ‘creation’ isn’t doing to well (since they’ve chosen to walk away from God and HIS ways). And we must remember that God created us with the freedom to choose, to make decisions, we are gifted by God with the free will to choose for ourselves the paths that we take. But we also must take into account that with each choice there is a consequence; and we need to choose wisely and consider the cost!

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

Jesus cautioned us to be aware of the truth and the consequences of missing “truth”. And in the culture that we live in, it is so easy to be caught up in “popular” opinion and miss “truth”!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware

of false prophets,

which come to you

in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly

they are ravening wolves.”     Matthew 7:13-15

Jesus told us that there are two ways—but only one choice. He also declares that the ways are not always what they seem to be, they are not always easily discernable. While one is broad and appealing, and followed by the masses its end is destruction! The other by contrast, is a narrow way yet its end is life—abundant and eternal life, but “few” find this narrow way! Jesus came to give that life—eternal and abundant– to those who will believe in Him and trust in His sacrifice for salvation. His way—the only way!

“Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:5-6

There is only one-way to The Father, and that way IS JESUS! Yet Jesus didn’t come to only give us eternal life in the ‘by and by’, He came that we might know HIM, and The Father through His sacrifice. And in His salvation we receive abundant life, love and the peace of God within our hearts.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience;

and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:1-6

What a mighty God we serve—the One who created us, He who loved us even when we sinned against Him, and also made provision for the Savior to save and redeem us back to the One we failed. He made the way—the only way– for sinners to be reconciled back to Himself—He paid the debt for our sin by giving HIS SON.

“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

And not only save us but give us abundant life! Don’t settle for the imitation of the “thieves”! Look to Jesus!

“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 10:8-11

This great shepherd sacrificed His life so that YOU and I might have life “more abundantly”. Yet that abundant life also has a price tag—a cost to consider. We must remember that following Jesus has a resultant consequence, and Jesus did not leave us in the dark about its certainty, yet it’s a message that isn’t talked about much today. Many are more concerned about what God can give than what we are called to give Him. How sad that so many in our day are focused on “popularity” more that “persecution”!!!

“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.”    John 15:18-21

When we identify with Jesus, we can expect to be treated as He was. As He told us above, when we choose to follow Him, the same kinds of people who persecuted Him then, will persecute us now. Those same kinds of people who hated Him then, will also hate us now. In fact people have challenged me on this issue, saying ‘when we treat others nicely, then they will respond in kind’, but most of those who were alive in Jesus’ day “loved” Him to death—death on the cross. And we can expect to be treated in the same way. When we are speaking life and truth (just as Jesus did), we will be accused of false and heinous things, just as our Lord was. We may suffer for HIS sake and the truth of His Word when we devote ourselves to living according to His Word and His Righteous ways.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

What choices are we making each day? Are we rightly considering the cost? There is so much false information abounding around us, and the acceptance and approval of mediocrity and worldliness seems to be the fare of the day. We must make it our diligent pursuit to know Christ and His Word, and to pursue the things that please God and produce growth in the knowledge of God and holiness in our living. A small price in return for what our Lord has done for us

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:8-10

Oh, to “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings”! Oh, that we might recognize and understand that to suffer with Jesus, is better than to join the crowd of popular majority in ease and indulgent worldliness. We don’t hear a lot of teaching or preaching about the suffering for and with Jesus, but a lot on the indulgence of the flesh—the message of God’s blessings and prosperity to those willing to “manipulate” God and His Word! Do we want to know Jesus and His Word, or do we want ease, comfort and prosperity, when many are loosing their very lives for clinging to the name and hope of Jesus? Are we willing to die to self and live to Jesus, or are we clinging to self and the world?

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

And we must always consider, that whatever we choose, there is a consequence—a true principle of God– and HE is the record keeper, of all and for all.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.” Galatians 6:7-9

We can stand fast in assurance of the Lord Jesus Christ whom we serve, knowing that it is Him to whom we will all give an account, for every word and deed (Ouch!!!)

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”   Matt. 12:36

“For the word of God is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

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

And so, like Joshua, may we all choose to serve God and align ourselves with Him, His Word and His ways.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the Lord.”    Joshua 24:15

The truth is, that all will give an account—and there is no exemption for sex, age, status, family or culture.

“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” Proverbs 20:11

All will give an account! What will your account reveal?

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Revelation 20:12

Oh, to hear Him say:

“His lord said unto him,

Well done,

thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful

over a few things,

I will make thee ruler

over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”    Matthew 25:21

Due to some health issues there won’t be any Bible Ballistics for a while. I hope you have a great week

Bible Ballistics: BBs #284 A Mindset Of Service And Love!!!

One of my favorite men of scripture is Daniel—a mighty man of faith, devotion and service from his youth and through his entire life. In fact even his enemies had something to say of him that I hope can be said of me.

“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Daniel 6:3-5

These men were Daniel’s enemies because they were jealous that the king “preferred” this Daniel, even though the king was new to the kingdom. This tells me that Daniel’s character was such that the righteousness of his life shone through all that he did. Daniel at this time was somewhere upwards of 80 years old, and he was still faithful to God in all his ways. He wasn’t just a “One-day-a-week” believer in God—He was a “full time” believer!!! Daniel had been faithful from the beginning of his encounter with the Babylonians and now, in chapter 6, with the Medes and Persians. What made Daniel such a faithful man?

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” Daniel 1:8-9

Daniel “purposed in his heart” to be faithful to his God, no matter what! He had made up his mind to be true to his God regardless of where he was, or what he was called to do. While our relationship with God is one of “faith”, it also requires a mindset of faithful devotion, commitment and service; and Daniel knew how to make a commitment and hold to his faith regardless of what it might cost him. And we see in verse 9, that God was right there providing for Daniel and his three friends through their entire life in Babylon.

They were three teenagers, away from home (no one would see, no one could tell their families), they were offered the best of the world’s delicacies and yet they determined to keep their commitment to God in all their ways. They chose to hold to God’s law, and yet they did it in a way of respect and submission to the authorities over them. When you follow the actions of Daniel and his friends, you don’t see cocky, arrogant teenagers; you see men of faith, humility and respect, who display their faith at every turn. We also see God providing for them at those turns. We can learn so much from these young men.

How are we ordering our steps? Are we living according to God’s Word or according to our own lusts and desires? We Daniel’s character in the verses at the beginning of this article, and we also see his dependence on his God as danger confronts him. He is about to be thrown into the Lion’s Den, and yet he clearly is depending on God, and even the king has seen in this man something that has made a real impression on him, even in regard to Daniel’s God.

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” Daniel 6:16

And what had put Daniel in such peril? Without going into the whole story, Daniel continued to pray to his God even though it was “against the law”! But the thing I want us to understand, the thing that America MUST understand—Daniel didn’t START praying then—He simply continued to do what he had been doing ALL the time. What about us? If it became illegal tomorrow to pray to Jesus and Father God, would it make any difference in your life? Would it make any difference in how you relate to God now? Or would it not affect you, because you’re not praying now?

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed,

he went into his house;

and his windows being open

in his chamber

toward Jerusalem,

he kneeled upon his knees

three times a day,

and prayed,

and gave thanks before his God,

as he did aforetime.” Daniel 6 10

Does your/my life reflect the sovereign dependability of our God, or do we waver and hem and haw around God and His Word. Do you know Him well enough to cling to who HE is, and trust to what HE has said? Do you know what HE has said? Have you rested and depended on HIM to meet your needs? Or are you running around trying to “fix” your own life issues? I challenge each of us today to live a life that can join with Daniel and be able to proclaim to the world.

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” Daniel 6:22

It’s your choice– Integrity or Indulgence– It will show!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No. 03 What Is Real Love???

As we celebrate Father’s Day today, I can’t help but think of my own godly Father, and that makes me smile, even though he’s been gone for 25 years! Love doesn’t have an expiration date! My father was a quiet man, yet one who lived what he believed—he walked the walk, he didn’t just “talk” the talk! One of the biblical Greek words that is translated “love” is ‘agape’, which means benevolent love; it means selfless love, which always acts or behaves in the best interest of the recipient of that love.

My father was one of the best examples of this god-like kind of love. But what does it look like? How does that kind of love act and respond?

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13  (Jesus even laid down His life for His enemies-See Romans 5:1-11)

As Jesus spoke these words, He was about to lay down His life for His disciples, for the world—for you and me! While we know that Jesus laid down His physical life, He shed His blood for our salvation, I’d like to talk about this concept from a different perspective. People can be willing to die for others; our military men and women pledge themselves to give “all” for the defense of our nation; local people make that same kind of commitment to our fire and law-enforcement departments. Yet there is something more. The question that I’d like us to consider is not just, “Are you willing to ‘die’ for someone/something?” but “Are you willing to give yourself to ‘live’ for others?” Are we willing to sacrifice our personal desires, comfort, and convenience for the benevolent good of others.

We often think of this in regard to true Christian living and martyrdom but do we apply it to our living relationships with others? I’ll have to admit, I don’t always make the grade in this area, but my father was an example of selflessness that took me many years to appreciate it fully. While Jesus left us the greatest of all examples in giving His life’s blood for us: He also gave His ‘living’ in often foregoing His own personal desires to meet the needs of those around Him. He kept on going when He was tired, when He was ridiculed, when He was weary and perhaps even frustrated with the unbelief of those around Him. Jesus gave Himself for others, to serve and minister to them that they might see truth and come to salvation in faith, and we are called to follow HIS example. What are we “giving”? How are we “behaving” toward others?

“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.

5 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.”   Philippians 2:3-8

Jesus laid down His life for us, and we are called to lay down our “self” life, for a life of “selfless” service to Jesus and others; to give of ourselves that others may come to “life” in Jesus. We are also called to humility; to servant-hood; to obedience to our Father God (as well as our earthly father); as we die to our selfish desires and live to God through the power of The Son! When I see the needs of others, my thoughts should go to God, asking ‘What can I do?’ We are living in a culture that has been, and still is, teaching others to focus on “Who will meet my needs?”; rather than “What can I do to help?”! We are to be living unto Jesus and serving others, and we can only do that when we “die” to self!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”    Galatians 2:20

I watched my father live this out in his life with my mother, with us children, and with others. While he had very strict rules about lending and borrowing (he seldom did either); while he wouldn’t loan you his tools, he would come do whatever repair work you needed to have done. While he wouldn’t loan out his mower, he would come mow your lawn if you needed it. He also had strict rules about others driving his car, but if you needed a ride he would escort you wherever you needed to go. He gave of himself to meet the needs of others as he had opportunity.

In the case of my mother he almost always did what pleased her. Many thought he was a “hen-pecked’ husband, but what they didn’t realize was that my mothers happiness and pleasure meant more to him than anything else. He often gave up his desires to please her even when it cost him financially. My father would serve others because He loved serving Jesus in any way that he could. While he was a man of few words, he was a man of selflessness and kindness in every way, and to everyone. What he taught me about self-sacrifice by his life and actions are a priceless heritage and I thank God for His blessing of a godly, honorable, honest and generous father.

He lived out the “fruit of the Spirit” in his daily walk, and I thank God for the things I learned from him. And one of the things that I learned is that you can do a lot of talking, but if your actions don’t match your words, you haven’t really said much worth listening to. I learned that “laying down your life”, doesn’t mean just “dying”, in an even greater way, it means living a life of selfless love in action. Living a life that gives of ‘self’ to secure the good of others to the glory of God. And one can only do that when we have God’s love within us.

“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.”    Romans 5:1-5

When we come to Jesus by faith and repentance, we receive God’s love via the Holy Spirit—we receive the ability to share God’s love with others from within. We also receive the ability to grow in grace and truth by the Holy Spirit of Jesus. You might want to note that we don’t grow in the “fruits” of The Spirit, but in the “fruit” of The Spirit!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.” Galatians 5:22-26

Sometimes doing what is best may mean that we are misunderstood. Real love, godly, ‘agape’ love does what is best for the other person—not what indulges their sinful flesh, and that isn’t always welcome! But I thank God that I have had a wonderful example from my parents and especially my father. I knew the security of truly “unconditional” love and forgiveness from one of the godliest men I ever knew. I am married to another!

If you still have your parents (Especially your father) with you, take time and let them know what they mean to you. If not, then thank our heavenly Father for all that He is and all that He does in providing for us, especially for Jesus who actually gave HIS all for us; and for the blessing of godly parents.

Happy Father’s Day! May our lives bring honor to our Heavenly Father and to our earthly fathers and mothers.

“Honour thy father and thy mother:

that thy days may be long

upon the land

which the Lord thy God

giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

We are all blessed beyond measure, may our lives reflect our gratitude in all we do!!!

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #283 Repentance Is Unique!!!

I’d like to continue on our topic of “repentance” today, as many don’t understand what real repentance is. First let’s identify what repentance is NOT. Repentance is not being sorry you got caught doing wrong. Repentance is not regretting the consequences that are confronting you because of a particular sin. Repentance is not shedding tears of regret to get your way. Repentance is not seeking an escape from the results and consequences of your sin.

So what is “repentance”? It involves the recognition of wrong doing/sin and turning away from it. It is changing one’s mind about the reality of sin, being sorry to the degree that you no longer desire to continue in the direction that you have been going, and turning to something else-JESUS!

Paul gives us a good picture of repentance. Paul had rebuked the church at Corinth for their acceptance of open, blatant sin within the body of believers. He had called them to deal with the offender that he might come to repentance. The church accepted Paul’s counsel and dealt with the offender, bringing him to repentance. Paul has heard of this result from his previous letter, and defines this issue of genuine repentance in the heart of the saved or the lost.

“For, when we were come into Macedonia,

our flesh had no rest,

but we were troubled on every side;

without were fightings,

within were fears.

6 Nevertheless God,

that comforteth those that are cast down,

comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation

wherewith he was comforted in you,

when he told us your earnest desire,

your mourning, your fervent mind toward me;

so that I rejoiced the more.

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter,

I do not repent,

though I did repent:

for I perceive that the same epistle

hath made you sorry,

though it were but for a season.

9 Now I rejoice,

not that ye were made sorry,

but that ye sorrowed to repentance:

for ye were made sorry

after a godly manner,

that ye might receive damage

by us

in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance

to salvation

not to be repented of:

but the sorrow of the world

worketh death.” 2 Corinthians 7:5-10

There is a “godly sorrow” that brings real, genuine repentance—a repentance “not to be repented of”; but there is a “sorrow of the world” that only leads to “death”! That kind of sorrow is all around us, because we have created and accepted a culture that is free of responsibility—where people take no personal responsibility for their actions and choices. A sorrow that only deals with regret of being exposed or caught; which regrets the loss of material or political influence, but has no shame or sorrow for the actions themselves (And often that doesn’t even follow because sin is so readily accepted by the world)!

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” Matthew 3:8

John the Baptizer called the religious crowd to produce the evidence of real repentance, not to depend on their heritage or political position. Real repentance will be manifest.

“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:12-13

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:7

In these passages, Jesus reveals that only those who recognize their own sin will see any need for repentance. Those who think they are “righteous” in and of themselves, have no need to repent or to seek a Savior. Jesus came to save those who would hear the voice of His Spirit convicting of sin and respond in repentance and faith. Faith that Jesus has already paid the penalty for our sin, which we could never do. We don’t have to go to hell—we can have eternal life with Jesus in heaven, but only when we see our sin, turn from it and to the Savior who died to give us new life!

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 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.”    John 3:14-19

Jesus came that we might have life (and have it more abundantly, see John 10:10), and He came to purchase our salvation and life with His own blood—HIS sinless blood.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

Jesus came to earth, took on flesh and blood, lived a sinless life, revealed His Father to us, and voluntarily gave HIS life to pay for our sin, because HE had no sin debt of His own. What have you done with His sacrifice? Have you recognized your own sin and come to Him in repentance and faith? Today is the day of salvation, will you avail yourself of it? Or will you refuse to see sin as sin and go your own way. The choice is yours, but choose wisely—there is a test at the end. (And the test won’t be by man’s standard!!!)