Category Archives: Today and Forever

How Long Will You Wait??? Bible Ballistics:Vol. 19 NO. 10

07 Sunday Aug 2022

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 10   How Long Will You Wait???

There is a story in the book of Acts that I want to touch on today, for I think it is so pertinent to the day in which we live—a day much like Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa—curious, but not really wanting to know God or have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, The Son.  Paul had answered Felix the governor of the charges brought against him by the religious leaders, and Felix, being familiar with the situation had allowed Paul to openly respond, and Paul shared Jesus with him/them, and called his accusers into account for the things they accused him of.  Let’s pick jump in and take it on through portions of Acts 24-26!

“And when Felix heard these things,

having more perfect knowledge of that way,

he deferred them,

and said, When Lysias the chief captain

shall come down,

I will know the uttermost

of your matter.

23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul,

and to let him have liberty,

and that he should forbid

none of his acquaintance

to minister

or come unto him.

24 And after certain days,

when Felix came with his wife Drusilla,

which was a Jewess,

he sent for Paul,

and heard him

concerning the faith in Christ.

25 And as he reasoned

of righteousness,

temperance,

and judgment to come,

Felix trembled, and answered,

Go thy way for this time;

when I have a convenient season,

I will call for thee.”  Acts 24:22-25

And just to remind us of what Solomon said, “there is no new thing under the sun”—politicians haven’t changed:

“He hoped also that money

should have been given him of Paul,

that he might loose him:

wherefore he sent for him the oftener,

and communed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus came

into Felix’ room:

and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure,

left Paul bound.”  Acts 24:26-27

I think we learn something from Paul, though, even though I’m sure he knew that a little “grease across the palm” could have purchased his freedom, God had already told him that HE had plans for his travels so Paul took every occasion to share the gospel with Felix for some two years.  He didn’t give up, get tired of the rejection, and he didn’t resort to fleshly solutions.   How about us?  How about you?  Are you and I becoming “weary” in “well doing” or are you like Felix and just keep putting Jesus off.  You don’t know how long you have.

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

To make a long story a bit shorter, Paul went through almost the same things with Festus so he appealed (as a Roman citizen, he exercised his right to appear before the emperor rather than the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem) to Caesar and in the course of events had the opportunity to speak before King Agrippa, who had heard from Festus about Paul; and it also reminds us that our opportunities aren’t ours to set.

“And he said,

Therefore said I unto you,

that no man can come unto me,

except it were given unto him

of my Father.”  John 6:65

So, as we consider Paul’s encounter with King Agrippa, I think it worthy our examination of our own relationship with Jesus.  What’s your excuse for denying Him?  If you’re HIS, what’s your excuse for not serving HIM now?

“But when Paul had appealed to be reserved

unto the hearing of Augustus,

I commanded him to be kept

till I might send him to Caesar.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus,

I would also hear the man myself.

To morrow, said he,

thou shalt hear him.

23 And on the morrow,

when Agrippa was come,

and Bernice,

with great pomp,

and was entered into the place of hearing,

with the chief captains,

and principal men of the city,

at Festus’ commandment

Paul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us,

ye see this man, about whom all the multitude

of the Jews have dealt with me,

both at Jerusalem,

and also here,

 crying that he ought not

to live any longer.”  Acts 25:21-24

To continue we see the result of Agrippa’s desire to hear Paul.  After sharing his personal testimony, Agrippa made his famous reply.  Will you stand with Agrippa in rejection or bow in repentance and faith before Jesus, and be born again?

“And as he thus spake for himself,

Festus said with a loud voice,

Paul, thou art beside thyself;

much learning doth make thee mad.

25 But he said,

I am not mad, most noble Festus;

but speak forth the words of truth

and soberness.

26 For the king knoweth of these things,

before whom also I speak freely:

for I am persuaded that none of these things

are hidden from him;

for this thing was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa,

believest thou the prophets?

I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said,

I would to God,

that not only thou,

but also all that hear me this day,

were both almost,

and altogether such as I am,

except these bonds.”  Acts 26:24-29

Will you stand with Paul for all of eternity IN JESUS, or will you bow before Jesus in judgment with that said wail: I was “almost persuaded…. but lost”?  I pray that you will hear the voice of God’s call and come to Jesus today!

“…I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

“Behold,

I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

 I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

“(For he saith,

I have heard thee in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation

have I succoured thee:

behold, now is the accepted time;

behold, now is the day of salvation.)”.   2 Corinthians 6:2

Today may be all we have.

Amen and Amen!!!

God’s Bucket List??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 10

20 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Blessed by God, Follow Jesus, God's Faithfulness, God's provision, Jesus Saves!, The Only Way, TODAY, Today and Forever, Transformed life, Trust God, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 10        God’s Bucket List???

 

I know this is a strange title, but I hear so many people these days talking about their “bucket” list; and for a long time I couldn’t figure out what they were talking about, so one day when it came up, I asked one of my children, what it meant.  They laughingly explained that it was a reference to “kicking the bucket”, reference to things people wanted to do before they die.  Well, for a long time since, it has interested me that a culture so anxious to avoid talking about death, was so consumed with talk of the “bucket list”; and as I’ve pondered this from time to time, I have a few thoughts that I’d like to share about this “bucket list”.  Now let me say, there’s nothing wrong with having goals, or having dreams and desires for things that we would like to accomplish, places we’d like to go, or adventures that we would like to experience, but I think this is idea is often used by the ‘enemy of our souls’ to get people so focused on tomorrow that we miss our God-given opportunities of today.  Jesus spoke to this quite clearly.

“From that time forth

began Jesus to shew unto his disciples,

how that he must go unto Jerusalem,

and suffer many things

of the elders

and chief priests

and scribes,

and be killed,

and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him,

and began to rebuke him, saying,

Be it far from thee, Lord:

this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter,

Get thee behind me, Satan:

thou art an offence unto me:

for thou savourest not

the things that be of God,

but those that be of men.

24 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 16:21-27

I love the Apostle Peter—this big fisherman with the ‘big’ mouth– who like me, often spoke before he thought.  Imagine, rebuking his LORD!  But don’t we do the same, when we wrestle with our own pictures of life, plans for the present and the future, and purposes of our own making instead of God’s!  How often do we argue with God, “But God you surely can’t mean for me to ‘be’, ‘do’ or ‘follow’ YOU in ‘That’?”  But in this scenario Jesus rebuked Satan for prompting Peter to be distracted from God’s plan, seeking to distract the Lord Jesus Christ from HIS very mission here on earth!  God calls us to be His children—His followers—His testimony to a lost and dying world, that needs Jesus.

And while God blesses us in so many ways, providing blessings beyond measure, His goal is our “Holiness” not our “Happiness” (although He grants us the delights of so many things that bring us happiness, yet often, we forget that it’s simply His goodness, grace and generosity toward us!).

“Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down

from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.”   James 1:17

God is ever at work in the lives of His children to continually grow and conform us “to the image of his son” (See Romans 8:28-29)!  Please don’t misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the gifts of God, the beauty of His creation, the joys of food, family and friendship; but we need to make sure we keep our eyes on the prize—JESUS– His glory, His grace, and His call upon our lives.  But if God had a ‘bucket list’, His Word tells us what HE wants—which ought to be what we, who are His, want!

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?

by taking heed thereto

according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart

have I sought thee:

O let me not wander

from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid

in mine heart,

that I might not sin

against thee.”  Psalm 119:9-11

The Word of God is key to our focus—seeking after God, His ways and His Word with our “whole heart”; yet sadly so many who claim His name today simply want a “get out of hell free” card, and have no desire to know HIM, or to serve HIM!  Something is terribly amiss!  As the Psalmist so vividly paints a picture of devotion to God, we see the connection between putting (hiding) God’s Word in our heart and avoiding the pitfalls of sin!  How sad that we have neglected His Word and have often failed to recognize the lies and schemes of the devil!  Paul reminded the young preacher Timothy, of this very thing.

“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

“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,

throughly furnished

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

And if I may paraphrase for a bit—God’s Word is beneficial for—

What we need to know (doctrine/truth)—

What is wrong (sin/error/reproof)—

What to do to make things right (correction)—

What/How to avoid the wrong by knowing right—

In all we ‘are’ and all we ‘do’ (instruction)!

And here are a couple of things that might help each of us to remember God’s perspective:

“The sacrifices of God

are a broken spirit:

a broken

and a contrite heart,

O God, thou wilt not despise.”    Psalm 51:17

“He hath shewed thee, O man,

what is good;

and what doth the LORD require

of thee,

but to do justly,

and to love mercy,

and to walk humbly

with thy God?”  Micah 6:8

There is a simple reminder that we so often forget in the clear teaching of Jesus on our focus.  So as we go from day to day, making plans, working with our hands, doing the things that God leads us to; as He directs our steps in living for Him, it’s not wrong to desire to go, see, and accomplish new things, but it is important to make sure our focus stays on the ONE we claim to love and follow!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”   Matthew 6:9-10

And as James said so precisely, may we ever remember:

“Go to now, ye that say,

To day or to morrow

we will go into such a city,

and continue there a year,

and buy and sell,

and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not

what shall be on the morrow.

For what is your life?

It is even a vapour,

that appeareth for a little time,

and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say,

If the Lord will,

we shall live,

and do this,

or that.”  James 4:13-15

May we pursue God in all our ways—no matter what you may have on your “bucket list”, may we each draw near to God and remember James admonition in all things (great and small):

“If the Lord will,

we shall live,

and do this,

or that”

Just as Jesus so tenderly reminds me and you:

“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 10:27-30

So rest in The One who died for YOU/ME, and make a ‘bucket list’ if you like, but live your “todays” with our soon coming King in mind, that you and I might be found faithful when HE comes—having lived with HIS ‘list’ in mind—being delighted IN Him!

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also

in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires

of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way

unto the LORD;

trust also

in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

 fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.”  Psalm 37:3-8.

Amen and Amen!!!

Check Your Knees??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 9

10 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by in Check Your Knees???, Choose You This Day!, Every Knee Shall Bow, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, Sharing Our Faith!, The Only Way, The Word, Today and Forever

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.9 Check Your Knees???

 

One of my favorite passages about Jesus is found in Philippians chapter 2, where Paul calls us to have the mind of Christ; and the only way that anyone can have the mind of Christ Jesus, is to be ‘born again” by the Spirit and power of God.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:10-13

Jesus came to impart the “new birth”, just as He told Nicodemus in John 3:

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.”    John 3:3b

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”   John 3:5b-7

Jesus wants us to understand that salvation isn’t something that we can accomplish for ourselves—no matter how hard we may try. Salvation only come to those who will see their own sin, and come to the Savior for this ‘new birth’ of salvation. Just as we see above, it is being “born… …of God.” It’s not what family you are born in; it’s not by working up the will to change; and it’s not brought by the will of others; it is the supernatural work of God that changes sinners into saints!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Some of you are asking, “What does this have to do with my knees?” Well, that’s a good question and the answer is found in the first passage that we mentioned at the beginning of our post today. Let’s dig in and see what we can learn about out knees, and why they are important to our spiritual welfare.

“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 what is Paul telling us? Well, let’s start at the end of the passage if you would, for as we’ve already said, without being born again it’s a moot issue, but what must we do to come to Jesus for this new birth. It’s really simple, but it’s never easy, because it’s never easy to give up our own will and bow to Jesus. Jesus came and laid down His life for our sin when He “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Just as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:21 God sent Him to die as the sinless Lamb of God, to pay for our sin, so that we could receive the “righteousness of God” and be found IN Him!

And because of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, God has given “him a name which is above every name”; and that name requires a response—a response that involves YOUR knees and mine.

“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”!!!

I need to make something clear in all of this, God has declared, “every knee should bow” and believe me (well really you need to believe GOD!) “every knee” will bow, and “every tongue” will confess. But wait, not everyone is confessing Jesus, and certainly not every knee has bowed before Him! Well, what we need to realize is that the time is coming when it will happen! So, if it is going to happen, what is the question? The question isn’t “Will you bow?” But the question is ‘When will you bow?’ What am I talking about? I am talking about the fact that

God has declared His way to the world:

“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 3:16-19

Jesus came because He loves us—He loves the world—and He IS The Way for us to be forgiven of our sin and have eternal life. And while God’s love is unconditional—He loves everyone—His forgiveness is totally conditional on what we do with Jesus, The Son of God, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” It is what Jesus came to do, and unless we bow before Him as Lord and Savior while we have the opportunity, we will bow before Him as the judge of all men, with no opportunity of salvation!

So the question is simply, will we choose to bow before the Lord who died for our sin, and receive His salvation and the ‘new birth’ and be ‘born again’? Or will we refuse Him and His saving sacrifice and grace and bow before the “Great White Throne” to pay for our own sin? What have you done with Jesus? Have you bowed your knee before Him? Jesus won’t ask what church you belong to; He won’t ask how many times or where you were baptized; He won’t ask how much ‘good’ you have done; He won’t even ask what ‘bad’ you have done, for He already knows the answer to all those questions. The only question that will be asked is “What have you done with Jesus, and His sacrifice for your sin?” And regardless of what others may think of you, the only thing that will matter is whether you have bowed before the Lamb of God, for no matter how impressed others are with you, it’s what Jesus knows that will count in the end. His name calls for all to bow the knee and proclaim HIM LORD, and the standard is The Word of God—the written Word, the Bible, and the Living Word, Jesus!

“For the word of God is

quick, (alive)

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

The measuring stick will be The Word of God! How will you stand? What will be your defense—your works, your money, your prominence, your history, your family, your open mind, your position, or something else? It won’t matter, for the only defense in that day will be the “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son” that “cleanseth us from all sin” (See 1 John 1:7)! Will you bow your knees now or then? Your eternity depends on your choice.

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me

in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a

wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded

upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a

foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall

of it.”    Matthew 7:21-27

You can choose to be ‘wise’ and have your house built on the rock of salvation; the One before whom you have bowed your heart and mind in repentance (of your sin), and faith (in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for YOU!), or you can choose to be like the ‘foolish man’! It’s your choice. But choose wisely, there is a test at the end.

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 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.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 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 20:11-15

Praying that you will seek God and His way—Jesus, He’s waiting for YOU!!! And if you know Him—let it shine!!!

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

 

Unexpected Interruptions??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #390

01 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, I Will Never Leave You, Praise God Today!, The Word, TODAY, Today and Forever, Trials, Troubles, Unexpected Interruptions, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #390   Unexpected Interruptions???

 

We all have “un”expected interruptions, as an old Yiddish proverb says “Man plans, God laughs!” and that’s a pretty accurate observation. We are so busy making “plans” that we often forget to ‘live’ our lives, particularly to ‘live’ them for God, seeking His will and desire for our every step.

The prophet Jeremiah called his people to repent and turn to God for some 40 years, with very little response. He called them to return to their God and avoid God’s judgment of the coming Babylonian captivity, but to no avail—they just kept right on doing their own thing; making their own ‘plans’ with no regard for the God they claimed as their own! As I’m often wont to say, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!” We must examine our plans, and seek to pursue the ways, plans and will of God—for He knows what lies ahead. As another prophet penned (Daniel after the fall of Jerusalem, in Babylonian captivity, as a servant of Nebuchadnezzar the king) in Daniel 2:20-22:

“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.”

Daniel was praising God for answered prayer, and in his praise he rehearses the character of God for us. Jeremiah warned the people of the coming judgment, but also the mercy that God wanted to bestow upon them. Yet even in His judgment of sin and the discipline of His own people, God’s desire is for our good and His glory. Exactly what Jeremiah reminded the people of as He preached of the perfect goodness of God to all who would come to HIM!

“For I know the thoughts

that I think toward you,

saith the LORD,

thoughts of peace,

and not of evil,

to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon me,

and ye shall go

and pray unto me,

and I will hearken

unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me,

and find me,

when ye shall search

for me

with all your heart.”    Jeremiah 29:11-13

So often this passage is taken out of context, and while God does have good things for us, it’s not always what we would pick! God is interested in our ‘holiness’ not our ‘happiness’: happiness is always connected to circumstances, holiness is spiritual in nature and reveals the desire of God to mature us, and bring us into an intimate relationship with Him. And when we learn to recognize the hand of God in all things, we will gain a confidence and maturity that can sustain us through any trial or detour! God calls us to “seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart”, but we are often too distracted with our own plans to “seek” Him! But following God’s way is always the best and always the most rewarding, although it will almost always be the way of the ‘greatest’ resistance—the world won’t like the one who faithfully stands with and for God!

“Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways,

and my thoughts than your thoughts.”    Isaiah 59:7-9

Oh to understand the things that God wants to teach us! Oh to learn to follow Him expecting the unexpected; to go where He leads regardless of the interruption; to declare with the Psalmist that our steps are ‘ordered’ by The Lord—expected or not!

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”   Isaiah 30:21

Wherever you are walking today, remember that if things turn around, seek God and look for His Hand, He is at work for our good and His glory!!! Things aren’t always what you think they are. God is working that which will produce “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”!

“For all things are for your sakes,

that the abundant grace

might through the thanksgiving

of many

redound to the glory of God.

16 For which cause we faint not;

but though our outward man perish,

yet the inward man

is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction,

which is but for a moment,

worketh for us

a far more exceeding

and eternal

weight of glory;

18 While we look not

at the things which are seen,

but at the things which are not seen:

for the things which are seen

are temporal;

but the things which are not seen

are eternal.”   2 Corinthians 4:15-18

So remember today, what you see isn’t really what you get—God’s glory is so real and we must keep “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”; (See Hebrews 12:2), knowing that God is working ‘all things’ for our good, that we might “be conformed to the image of his Son”!!! Amen and Amen! (See Romans 8:28-29) Just keep following Jesus—through the expected and the “un”expected!!! Whatever is going on, it hasn’t caught God by surprise!!!

 

Erasing The Lines??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #385

16 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Erasing The Lines?, Every Knee Shall Bow, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Lust, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Today and Forever, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #385 Erasing The Lines???

 

As I’ve watched the ‘news’ lately (which I don’t do often, because it’s so ‘not’ new), I was taken with a thought that I’d like to share with you today. It seems that all of the ‘old’ ideas, principles, morals and standards are being erased little by little, and much like the frog in the pot of water that is turned up gradually, we have been lulled into ignoring the danger about us. We are about to find ourselves in a lot of hot water! The lines are being erased, and those of us that still believe that there ought to be ‘lines’ may find that we are in that proverbial pot of hot water when it’s too late to jump out of the pot. It seems that many around us are truly jumping ‘out of the frying pan, and into the fire’!

Those of us who have committed our lives to Jesus Christ The Lord, must reassess where we are—are we focusing on Jesus or have we allowed ourselves to become so wrapped up in the events going on about us that we have forgotten the call of Jesus to be salt and light in a world of darkness? Are we, like an old McKamey’s gospel song, “Getting Used To The Dark”? May God help us to see that He has never lost control and we don’t need to panic, or join forces with evil, or compromise our Biblical faith and standards—but we must recognize the enemy and be willing to “withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand”! But to stand, we must know what we ‘stand’ for.

“In the beginning

God

           created the heaven and the earth.”     Genesis 1:1

It all began with God, and He hasn’t lost control yet! Our God still reigns and He is working in this world, and He will accomplish His purposes in His own time, but to be found faithful we must know truth and stand fast in it, by the power of His Spirit (who dwells within every true believer)!

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God

omnipotent

reigneth.” Revelation 19:6

Amen and Amen! This should be our battle cry, and yes friends we are in a spiritual battle, but so many who are claiming the name of Jesus are trying to fight the battle with worldly weapons and that is not what we are called to do. We have a higher calling, with a higher purpose—we are called to obey Jesus, even when it may cost us everything. And in this day we may be called to join those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for following the commands of our Lord Jesus. Are we willing to be like Jim Elliott and Nate Saint and their friends, and go where God sends us, armed with HIS weapons? We must be willing and able, and to do that we must know what our weapons are, and what they are not!

“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

And believe me friends, when I say, Jesus has never called HIS people to walk in the flesh, to sin, to erase the lines! It’s not ok to sin! It’s not ok to hate! It’s not ok to be mean, to speak ungodly things, to run rampant with riot and mindless vengeance! God calls us to bring every thought—every thought—captive “to the obedience of Christ”! And we can walk in obedience to Jesus, because it is Jesus that is holding it all together, but we must depend on HIS faithfulness and sovereign power. He IS still on the throne with His Father!!

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days

spoken unto us

by his Son,

whom he hath appointed heir

of all things,

by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory,

and the express image of his person, and upholding all things

by the word of his power,

when he had by himself

purged our sins,

sat down

on the right hand

of the Majesty on high;”     Hebrews 1:1-3

We who serve the living God and His Son, Jesus, are to walk in His Spirit that and “not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Yet what is going on all around us? Full-blown “lust of the flesh”! In most of our world people have forsaken the truth of God and chosen to believe the lies—from the ‘father of lies’, Satan. But God has made it clear that the lines haven’t been erased. Sin is still sin and God will judge every person according to HIS Word and His standard, not the world’s! Will you stand in “the power of HIS might”, or fall to the “wiles of the devil”? The lines haven’t been erased, and God’s standard will be the judge. Where do you stand?

“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

What/who are you choosing to follow? Will you believe and follow God’s Word or the ‘eraser’ of the world? Will you choose the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ or the ‘works of the flesh’? It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test at the end, and Jesus IS “the same yesterday, and today and forever”—no erasers allowed:

“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 3:19