Bible Ballistics: BBs #259      Who Is Crucified???

“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

Paul calls us to die to self and live unto Christ, and by His power by faith. But Paul isn’t the only one who calls us to recognize the necessity to live for Jesus Christ our Lord by dying to self. But we live in a culture that exalts the “self” life within Christianity, just as it does in the world, and that is totally unbiblical!!! As we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, we are called to identify with our Lord in every area of our lives. I live by the presence and power of the indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ.

Jesus Himself declared this freely during His earthly ministry. Our focus is to be on “living” for Christ Jesus by dying to self, living for the one who gave Himself as payment for MY sin, and gives us eternal life—NOW!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.  

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”    Matthew 16:24-27

Jesus came and lived on terra firma, He lived a pure, holy and sinless life within a body of flesh, then He willingly gave His life on Calvary for our sin, it’s what HE came to do!

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23

Jesus came and took on flesh that He might die in our place, what less can we do but to die to self and live unto, for, in and through HIS Spirit and power? To have the mind of Christ in us, that world might know that He claimed to be God and the only way to God?

“I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

“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 way to have eternal life, and that is through repentance of our sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’s atoning death for MY sin. Believing that HE IS GOD, and that He took on flesh to give His life for me!!! How could you not love and serve a God who loves you that much. So as you go through your day today, whether you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus or not, seek the face of God and listen to the voice of His Spirit speaking to you. Get into His Word and find out what HE has said about who we are “in” Christ Jesus.

“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

So as I close for today, I’d like to call each of us to take some time this weekend to examine our hearts and lives and answer the question, “Am I living “crucified with Christ”? Or am I guilty as one who is, by my life choices, living to “…crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”? Who is glorified in my life, the things of the world or the holy and godly character we are called to manifest to the world? May we join with the Psalmist and know God as our judge, and listen to HIM?

“Judge me, O Lord;

for I have walked in mine integrity:

I have trusted also in the Lord;

therefore I shall not slide.

2 Examine me, O Lord,

and prove me;

try my reins

and my heart.

3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes:

and I have walked in thy truth.” Psalm 26:1-3 

And remember “JESUS” is “TRUTH”; am I walking in His life, power, love and grace? Let’s walk together with Him? I’m willing, will you join me and be:

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:”

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #258 Have You Read The Instructions??

I had an interesting experience this week, we had taken our car in for regular service and waited for it to be done, when we were notified and paid for our service we went to the car and when I sat down in the driver’s seat it felt like I had hit the ground. I figured I just miss stepped getting in, so we took off on our way, but the further I drove the more I realized my seat was sitting on the floor (seemingly). I couldn’t even see out of my mirrors I was so low down in the car, so we turned around and went backing thinking they had broken my seat. Wellllllllllll, to our surprise when the technician came out to see what we needed and I told him something was wrong with my seat, he smiled and showed me that the lever for moving the back of the seat ‘up’ and ‘down’ would also lift the entire seat up and down by simply pumping it!!! Oh my—that was a part of the instructions that I had missed somewhere along the line!!! I had failed to understand the “instruction” book, in simply overlooking a function of that lever.

Well, we do the same thing in our lives. We don’t read the instruction manual. I don’t often us clichés, but I did hear one that fits with our focus for today, an acronym for “Bible” is: “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”! And that’s a pretty good description of what we should find in God’s Word!!! And not only “basic” instructions, but also all we need to live, and determine what God has for us—both to be and do.

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life and godliness,

through the knowledge

of him that hath called us

to glory and virtue:

4 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.”    1 Peter 1:2-4

Peter reminds us of all that we have “IN” Jesus, when we belong to Him through repentance and faith, the salvation that HIS blood shed on the cross bought for us. It’s that blood that cleanses us, but if we don’t dig into the Word, we will walk around unaware of what we have “IN” Jesus, and how we are to order our lives. While salvation is by grace-undeserved and unmerited favor of and from God—we have a part in living our lives in accord with our Savior, Master and Lord’s ‘instructions’.

“What?

know ye not

that your body

is the temple of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

As one of my favorite Dennis Jernigan songs says, “I Belong To Jesus”!!! Paul reminds us that we are the “temple” of God’s Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ Jesus who dwells within us and enables us to serve God and minister to others through God’s power, and His truth. But if I don’t know what God has said in His Word, I can be led astray; I can be unaware of what to do, or how to behave! What am I to do? I am to keep my eyes on Jesus and dig into His Word!

“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.” Hebrews 12:1-2

We can find confidence in the testimony of those who have gone before us (Reading Christian biographies is a great way to find this encouragement—Dietrich Bonheoffer, Amy Carmichael, Corrie Ten Boom, Bill Wallace, William Carey to suggest just a few) and learn what courage looks like, as well as finding solace in the faithfulness of our God. In that courage and confidence we can march forward regardless of the obstacles, knowing our God is faithful, able and sufficient to any task HE calls us to. And we can learn more of the ‘instructions’—and see them in action.

We also need to feast on the Word of God, regularly, daily; and not just perusing it’s pages, but digging into the depths of its treasure.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”   2 Timothy 2:15

And “rightly dividing the word of truth” implies that there is a “wrong” way to approach and divide (or understand) scripture—we want to be one who deals with the Word with integrity and respect of the context. Always study any subject or passage within its larger context, and the context of the whole counsel of God (the whole Bible). And we can do that by continually asking the ‘5 W’s and the H’ as we read and study the Word. Ask those questions: who’s writing, who is receiving it, what is the subject, why is it written (does it tell you that), where are those involved, how does it relate to me, and what am I to learn from it? And the most important question, ‘When will I practice what I’m learning in my behavior and life?”

And I can also have confidence in the Word itself, I can depend on its trustworthiness—always!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be

perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.”   2 Timothy 3:16-17

When I study God’s Word it will “profit” me with truth, reprove what is wrong, show me how to correct the wrong, and help me learn to walk rightly before God (preventive maintenance). And in learning all these things, it will equip me to accomplish the good works and ministry that God is leading me into.

So have a great week, get in the Word, and don’t get caught like I did, being unaware of the “instructions”!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 7 No. 16 The Mirror Or The Window???

I am sure those of here in American are tired and weary of all the political bantering, accusations and meaningless promises, but why do we have this dilemma in our midst? I believe at least part of the reason, is that we have abandoned the foundations that God has given us to order our lives—both personal and national. We have done what humanity does by nature, we have turned away from God to go our own way—we have ‘sinned’.

“All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned every one to his own way;

and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

We have made ourselves “god” and decided that we know best, and that we WILL go our own way. But that is exactly why Jesus came into this world, to deliver us from our SIN—and SIN is the issue. We have sinned by nature, the nature which we inherited from our ancestor “Adam” who chose to sin, (And yes I believe in a literal 6 day creation, a literal God who created all that we see, and a real man and woman whom God called Adam and Eve, who chose to believe Satan and not God!) but also by our own personal choice to SIN. We choose to do what we want to do rather than what God calls us to do—that which is always for our good.

And because we have gone astray from the ways of God and His Word, we are reaping the consequences of our choices. We have expelled God from our homes, our schools, and the public square (and many of our churches)—how can we expect to prosper when we continue to walk away from God? We can’t. So what will our future be? It will be a reflection of our choices, regardless of what (or who) they are. Will we choose to stand for truth or cave to the pressure and lies of the world! And in our current cultural climate, if we choose to stand for truth, we must be prepared to pay those consequences also. The consequences of following Jesus–Who is the TRUTH—in a world pervaded by deception will probably not be pleasant or popular, that I can almost guarantee!

But as believer we are called to obey our Lord in all our ways. Even when that obedience may call for “civil disobedience”! Now, I’m not talking about riot or chaos, but I am suggesting that if we choose to stand on the Word of God without compromise, we may be in the position of having to choose whether to obey God or man. We must determine what we believe and how firmly we believe it! If the gospel is true, and Jesus is the only way to God, then we are obligated to proclaim the truth with all our being, regardless of the personal cost to carry the cross. We must decide if we have only “one” message, or if we’ll join the worldly cry that “We’re all going to the same destination, we just choose different ways to get there”? If Jesus isn’t who He said He was, is and ever shall be, then we have a real dilemma! But if Jesus is God—and HE IS—then we have to decide if we will believe in Him and proclaim that truth fearlessly, or accept the consequences of rejecting HIM and HIS Word.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Jesus is either the only way, or He is a liar and or a lunatic, who thought He was something He wasn’t. But the resurrection that we celebrate is the proof of His deity and overcoming power. He has overcome death, hell and the grave and I praise Him for His wondrous saving grace. It’s what Paul talked to the Corinthians about, and I join with him and proclaim unapologetically:

“But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews

and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because

the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren,

how that not many wise men after the flesh,

not many mighty,

not many noble,

are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things

of the world

to confound the wise;

and God hath chosen the weak things

of the world

to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world,

and things which are despised,

hath God chosen,

yea, and things which are not,

to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him

are ye in Christ Jesus,

who of God

is made unto us wisdom,

and righteousness,

and sanctification,

and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written,

He that glorieth,

let him glory in the Lord.

2:1 And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined

not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”     1 Corinthians 1:23-2:2

It’s all about the CROSS! Apart from the cross of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for our SIN, there is no salvation, and hence no hope for mankind—or for you and me!!! Men, women, boys and girls across this world are faced with a decision: will they believe the Son or not? This is the choice that we all face. James talks about this principle and how it “looks”.

“Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 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.

18 Of his own will begat he us

with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits

of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive

with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto

a man beholding

his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh

into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this,

To visit the fatherless

and widows

in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

from the world.” James 1:16-27

 

So the question that I asked in the title comes to us all; will we look through the window and see the world and follow their lead? Will we decide, “I can do that”, and follow the broad road to hell? Or will we look into that “perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein”, and experience the love and power of God in transforming, saving grace. We can choose to go our own way, even knowing it leads to destruction; or we can choose to follow Jesus and have the “abundant life” that Jesus came to give us? Imitate the world and die, or be truly transformed by the power of God and live—now and in eternity? The choice is yours—window or mirror!!! What will you do with your freedom of choice?

Will you look into the mirror of God’s Word, His love and His truth, and be a reflection of His character and grace to the world? Or will you continue to look out of that window and be deceived by the lies of the enemy of your soul? Jesus warned us about our choices—which road are you on?

“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

As an old song so clearly reminds us—only ONE WAY:

“1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee;

let the water and the blood,

from thy wounded side which flowed,

be of sin the double cure;

save from wrath and make me pure.

 

2. Not the labors of my hands

can fulfill thy law’s commands;

could my zeal no respite know,

could my tears forever flow,

all for sin could not atone;

thou must save, and thou alone.

 

3. Nothing in my hand I bring,

simply to the cross I cling;

naked, come to thee for dress;

helpless, look to thee for grace;

foul, I to the fountain fly;

wash me, Savior, or I die.

 

4. While I draw this fleeting breath,

when mine eyes shall close in death,

when I soar to worlds unknown,

see thee on thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee.“

Author: Augustus M Toplady

Music: Thomas Hastings

              (Emphasis mine)

I pray that you will find the rock sufficient for your life—He has never failed me, ever. He is worthy of our devotion and trust; He died so YOU could have LIFE:

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

The window of death, or them mirror of life, it’s your choice? Please choose wisely, your eternal destiny depends on it!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #257 Showers Of Blessing???

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

As I sit here this morning listening to the distant thunder, and hearing the rain refresh our ground, plants and water sources, I just wanted to take this time to thank God for His abundant grace and provision. Despite all the claims around us about the weather and the climate, one thing that escapes most of the political and scientific communities is that they are NOT in charge. While there are practices that claim to be able to create rain, there is not, nor has there ever been any guaranteed method to “create” rain or meet the need of the created order with rain, and nothing refreshes the ground like “rain”. Only the Lord GOD Almighty, who is in charge of all of creation can, and I praise Him for it. Will you join me this morning and just praise the Lord for His wondrous grace and provision as He continues to send HIS rain to us all, regardless of our deservedness to receive it with the bounty it supplies.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour,

and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you,

Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you,

do good to them that hate you,

and pray for them which despitefully use you,

and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father

which is in heaven:

for he maketh his sun to rise

on the evil

and on the good,

and sendeth rain

on the just

and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45

Jesus reminds us that we are called to “love” differently than the world. We are called to “love” like God does, in that we are to reflect the nature and character of our “Father” when we belong to him! God causes “HIS” sun to shine on us, and He sends HIS rain to provide necessary nurture for the earth on which we live (Through HIS SON also!). He provides these necessities of life to ALL—to/for the just and the unjust—to/for the evil people and the good. Likewise, we are to extend grace, mercy and love not only to those who are easy to love, but also to the unlovely! In fact often it’s the “unlovely” who may be in need of love more than others; and God calls us to reflect His grace (undeserved favor) and mercy (help to the helpless, hope for the seemingly hopeless) to those around us.

I hear and see a lot said on every hand about avoiding those who are “negative”; those who are “unkind”; those who “take advantage”; those who “don’t return” our efforts in a way that pleases us. Whoa??? That doesn’t seem to match what God is calling us to be and do! We are called to not only receive God’s blessings gratefully, but to share them freely with others. Why? Because:

 

“……freely ye have received, freely give….”      Matthew 10:8

“And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

So, as we are blessed, so we are to bless others. We should rejoice in our Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ the Son, and the precious Holy Spirit, who has been given to dwell within us so that Christ may be seen in us!

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

May we ever be the blessing to the world that God has called us to be—salt and light affecting and changing our world, by seasoning it with God’s truth in love, which is the only thing that can preserve from corruption. Because only Jesus can and will bring a change of heart – true heart transformation for any person who will come to Him in repentance and faith. It’s your call. God has promised to restore things in His time, but He sends us showers of blessing in the meantime, until we are in His perfect presence.

Won’t you rejoice with me today and be glad in the Lord Jesus Christ and His abundant blessings in this life? The best is yet to come!!!

“ And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26

Bible Ballistics: BBs #256 A Friend Loveth, When???

As an old song once said “What the world needs now, is love….” And that is a relatively accurate statement, but it’s not “lust” that the world needs, but the love of God. For it is only God’s love, through His Son Jesus Christ that can change hearts and lives, and only changed hearts and lives will “CHANGE” anything, including America!

I received a blessing this week in the form of a precious note from a very dear friend. It reminded me how precious it is to have received God’s love, but God doesn’t stop there—He gives us friends, to share our lives and love with, and often those precious ones He sends into our lives become family in our hearts. Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit for enabling me/us to know your love and to have the desire and capacity to share it with flesh and bone people.

“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

I praise God for those precious ones that He has sent to me—the ones who have been there through thick and thin; through pleasant and difficult circumstances; through rejoicing and grief; through the lovely experiences as well as the ‘ugly’ ones. Oh, what a blessing God has given us in friends, but there is one that is the greatest friend of all.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15: 13-15

Jesus is the greatest of friends, because He is not only God, but also the one who “lay down his life for his friends”!!!  What less can we do for our friends? I’m not talking necessarily about ‘dying’ for others, although there are some we would be willing to die for, but I’m talking about laying down our “living” for our friends; doing that which is best for them, helping them and calling them to a higher plane of life and love. Real love empowers greatness; it doesn’t enable wickedness and sin. There is a great difference. But that’s not where I want to focus today, but instead I’d like to call us to be that friend who is ‘always’ there.

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

To have friends, we must be a friendly. We can all act and behave in a ‘friendly’ manner, without being a friend to others. To be a friend requires time, commitment and selfless devotion. While we can’t force our friendship on those who don’t want it, we can be that kind of person who gives our heart and love to those God brings into our lives. Yet we need to be realistic and understand that in this fallen world there are those who will want our friendship for a short time only; there are those who will find our friendship valuable only while it is convenient or agreeable; there are those who will only want our friendship for what it can ‘do’ for them, and when they are disenchanted with us or our ability to ‘give’, they will walk away; there are those who will come into our lives and change us for good, but then be taken away; and those who will come and abide with us.

Regardless of how often we may give without receiving, a real friend is the one who knows our faults and stays by our side through the ‘ugliest’ of difficulties, and loves us anyway. We are called by our Lord to be that kind of friend, because HE is that kind of friend. He is working for our good at all times. He prays for us, without enabling our sin.

“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34

We are ever on the heart of our greatest friend, and likewise we are to pray and intercede for our friends. Just as Jesus does what is best for us, we are to pray for and minister God’s best toward the recipient of our friendship. A true friend loves at the “all times”, even when it is inconvenient, in fact, especially when it is inconvenient. We are to reflect the love and care of our Savior and Lord, Jesus.

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” John 15:12

“These things I command you, that ye love one another.” John 15:17

Jesus loves us, and we are to love others, especially those special people He sends to us as “care” givers, or those in need of “care”!!! So my challenge to each of us, is that we would consider our ways, and not only be that kind of friend, but also be a grateful friend who appreciates those precious ones that God has given to us to share our lives and love with. Thank you Lord for giving me so many precious ones to share my life with, may I truly be a good steward of “friendship”!!! May YOUR love be seen in me? May I always provoke to love and not frustration—only by Your Spirit.

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” Hebrews 10:24