Category Archives: Truth is True

Living In Faith Or Presumption??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #639

01 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Presumption, Speaking The Truth In Love, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #639 Living In Faith Or Presumption???

 

There are a lot of issues floating around in this time of crises and chaos in our world.  We are seeing emotions flare, ideas in conflict, and opinions flying around in abundance.  I have only a few words to share this morning in this regard.  There are those who are claiming to disregard the requests and orders of government officials stating that they are violating their “rights” and are gathering, flaunting their confidence in “God” to deliver them, or protect them from the virus.  It is polarizing people of faith—that is the issue that I wish to comment on this morning.  Is there a difference between standing in faith in God and acting in presumption toward God?  I believe that Scripture gives us clear guidelines in this regard if we will but let them speak and then heed God’s direction.  I share The Word; you will have to decide for yourself what you will do with it.

With that said, I would like to add that being the church is our call, more so than ‘going’ to church. (And I believe that church attendance is a priority, but it is not the do-all, be-all of deciding how to be an affective witness of God’s truth before a lost and dying world.)

“Let every soul be subject 

unto the higher powers. 

For there is no power 

but of God: 

the powers that be 

are ordained of God. 

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, 

resisteth the ordinance of God: 

and they that resist 

shall receive to themselves damnation. 

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, 

but to the evil. 

Wilt thou then not be afraid 

of the power? 

do that which is good, 

and thou shalt have praise of the same: 

4 For he is the minister of God 

to thee 

for good. 

But if thou do that which is evil, 

be afraid; 

for he beareth not the sword in vain: 

for he is the minister of God, 

a revenger to execute wrath 

upon him that doeth evil. 

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, 

not only for wrath, 

but also for conscience sake. 

6 For for this cause 

pay ye tribute also: 

for they are God’s ministers, 

attending continually 

upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore

to all their dues:

tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom;

fear to whom fear;

honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another

hath fulfilled the law.”   Romans 13:1-8

Paul makes it so clear that we are to be honorable citizens to the government powers and subject ourselves to them (and remember that when Paul wrote the commands above the Roman government was not friendly toward ‘Christians’!) unless the commands directly violate The Word of God!

Jesus Himself gives us the greatest instruction and example in regard to presumption in all of scripture.  I simply ask that you consider what He is saying—and while He was speaking to Satan, He had it recorded for us!  I would encourage you to read the entire passage and consider the three things that Satan tempted Jesus to do; meet His own needs outside of God’s will and timing, to tempt God and His Word; and to worship anyone or anything other than GOD!  And remember, Satan used “The Word” to tempt, but Jesus used “The Word” ‘in context’ to refute him!

“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city,

and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him,

If thou be the Son of God,

cast thyself down:

for it is written,

He shall give his angels

charge concerning thee:

and in their hands

they shall bear thee up,

lest at any time

thou dash thy foot

against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him,

It is written again,

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”   Matthew 4:5-7

And just a note, tempting God with His own Word, is still tempting God.  You decide, are you walking and living in faith “IN GOD” (not in your own faith or interpretation of it) or are you being presumptuous toward God, His Will and His Word?  I’m praying that we will hear HIM and not our flesh or the flesh of others!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Pearl Harbor & A Pearl Of Great Price! Bible Ballistics: BBs #609

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Christmas, Christmas IS?, Church:Dead Or Alive?, Faith, IN Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Only One Way, Pearl Harbor, Pearl of great price, Remember, Salvation, SIN, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #609 Pearl Harbor & A Pearl Of Great Price!

 

As we continue thinking about the Christmas season and the true “reason” for the “season”, I’m sure some of you are scratching your head and thinking, “What does Pearl Harbor have to do with Christmas?”  Good question!  But as a Navy brat (my precious daddy served in the United States Navy for 22 years, and I’m very proud of his service!) naval things are special to me; and Pearl Harbor was a milestone in both American and world history.  The surprise attack took many lives and rocked the world; yet history records that there were many miniscule warning signs that were disregarded, ignored or misunderstood!  That is the connection to Christmas and the coming of The “pearl of great price”; and just as the US military was caught unprepared by the attack, the world missed the coming of The Messiah!  Some who were seeking God, saw truth, but the rest not only missed the import of His birth—but crucified The “King of Glory”—this “pearl of great price”!  How about you?

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto

a merchant man,

seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found

one pearl

of great price,

went

and sold

all that he had,

and bought it.”  Matthew 13:45-46

Will we miss the boat—or worse be destroyed because we didn’t recognize the enemy’s constant ‘surprise attacks’, and miss the true ally and Redeemer of our souls—Jesus?

“And it shall come to pass,

that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden

of it.”  Acts 2:21-24

This merchant of pearls recognized true value when he saw it, but so often we are deceived, tricked and lead astray from this One who loves us beyond measure!  This One who gives life, came and took on flesh knowing that most would reject Him, yet He came anyway—for YOU and for ME!  It’s His birth we celebrate!  What or Whom are you celebrating?

“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.

14 And the Word

was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.” John 1:10-14. AMEN!

So, as we go about our day today I pray that we will consider what we have done with this “babe” in the manger—the one we see all around us–and that we will remember that He came to die for sinful men and women, boys and girls; all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (paid my debt), sacrifice (HE died that I could have eternal life with HIM)!  Talk about a “pearl of great price”; don’t miss the true treasure by believing the lies of the enemy of your soul.  Be sure that you receive the greatest gift of all—don’t be one who “received him not”!  Paul reminds us that while we might be able to fool others—we will never fool God.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth the name

of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timothy 2:19

And Jesus’ own words to “churches”, warning those who play at “religion” to check out what you’re trusting—for He is the One who knows the truth.

“I know thy works,

that thou art

neither cold

nor hot:

I would thou wert

cold

or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

and neither

cold

nor hot,

I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee

to buy of me gold

tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes

with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.”  Revelation 3:16-18

One simple question in closing: are you clinging to a treasure that is worthless, or have you received HIS “gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich”?  The choice is yours!  Choose wisely there is a test!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #604 A Month Of Gratitude??? #8 Truth

20 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Only One Way, Our God Reigns, SIN, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #604    A Month Of Gratitude??? #8 Truth

 

I am grateful for God’s Word (which I already spoke about) and the fact that it is truth—truth, no matter what others may say about it, accept it or deny it—I thank God that HIS truth IS true, and that it never changes.  Times may change, people may change, opinions my change, cultural norms may change but God and His Word never change, and for that I am truly grateful.  I read some things recently that just grieve my soul, for the cultural attacks on our faith in The Word of God, and the God of The Word.  Regardless of whether you or I believe or accept God’s Word, it doesn’t change the fact that HIS Word is set!  It will be our judge—both the spoken/written Word as well as the Living Word, Jesus!

“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

Jesus Himself told us who He was, is and ever shall be—The Living Word—The Truth—The Light—the very hope of the world.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

 no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:65

Jesus was and is truth embodied, and He came that we might have life IN Him!  But we can’t hold to the lies of the culture and still claim to know truth—written or living!  We must stand upon The Word of God or perish!

“There is a way

that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

Jesus is the Only Way—The One Way to God—and His way will never contradict His own Word!  He is that Way, and He is the gate into God’s kingdom, and we can only enter by faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice.  And not to be rude, but “news flash” if you or I have never seen, nor do we now see our “sin” as “sin”, we may have never met the Jesus who died for SIN!  For Jesus saves us from our sin—and cleanses us “from all sin”!  But many claim that their behavior isn’t sin—it’s the way God made them, or it’s my right to choose (and it is but remember there is a consequence for every choice).  But when Jesus saves us, HE not only forgives our sin, but He cleanses us from it.  Jesus talked about this disparity that is so prevalent in our culture—our world—today.

“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.

16 Ye shall know them

by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes

of thorns,

or figs

of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.”  Matthew 7:13-19

And the Apostle John spoke to this as well.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ

his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth

is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:6-10

And just as food for thought today, as we think about The Word of God, and God Himself, one of the Ten Commandments comes to mind.

“Thou shalt not

take the name

of the LORD thy God

in vain;

for the LORD

will not hold him guiltless

that taketh his name

in vain.”  Exodus 20:7

While this is clearly referring to speaking God’s name lightly, in jest, in ridicule or disparagingly, it also means to use God’s name in a vain way!  What do I mean?  I mean this isn’t simply a command to refrain from what we call “cursing” (which is a command that we need reminding of today, for sure) it is a reference to the fact that GOD is GOD, and worthy of worship, and acknowledgment of His authority; yet we hear people on every hand claiming to speak for God—God wouldn’t send someone to hell—God would or wouldn’t do or not do any particular thing—yet their words are contrary to HIS Word.  That is also taking His name in vain!  It’s also laying the fault of our sin at the feet of the Holy God Almighty of the universe!  So many today are making unbiblical claims and charges for and against God that are contrary to His Word, His character and His standard!  God “will not hold him guiltless”!

Jesus said there is one cause for this kind of behavior:

“Then said they unto him,

Where is thy Father?

Jesus answered,

Ye neither know me,

nor my Father:

if ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also…

… 23 And he said unto them,

Ye are from beneath;

I am from above:

ye are of this world;

I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore unto you,

that ye shall die in your sins:

for if ye believe not

that I am he,

ye shall die in your sins…

… 34 Jesus answered them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Whosoever committeth sin

is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not

in the house for ever:

but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore

shall make you free,

ye shall be free indeed…

… 38 I speak that

which I have seen with my Father:

and ye do that

which ye have seen with your father…

.. 42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth

and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

 ye believe me not.”  Portions of John 8:19-45

I know this is a lengthy passage but one that I thought necessary, and I’d encourage you to read John 6-8 on your own—Jesus’ message wasn’t always well received by the people, in fact they killed Him because HE spoke truth and they didn’t want to hear truth.  I simply want to remind those who are born-again children of God, our job is to live faithfully, speak truthfully and press on in the power of our Lord, knowing that as they rejected our Lord they will often reject us and our message (we are even now being called “haters” for speaking the truth of God!).  Jesus gave us a little jewel of advice and I’ll leave you with it.  And may I kindly remind us all (myself included) social media is a divider—intentionally—and we must not let the enemy trick us into “foolish debate” with those who have no desire to receive truth!

“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 15:19-21

“Give not that which is holy

unto the dogs,

neither cast ye your pearls

before swine,

lest they trample them

under their feet,

and turn again

and rend you.”   Matthew 7:6

‘Nuff said!!!

Amen and Amen!

Where Is Your Sin??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #598

25 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Not Of This World, Nothing New, Overcoming By His Blood, Salvation, Seeing Truth, SIN, Speaking The Truth In Love, The Blood Of Jesus, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, What's In Your Heart?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #598       Where Is Your Sin???

 

The issue today doesn’t seem to be “sin”, for according to the world’s standard there isn’t any!  Much like God’s people in the book of Judges, we are totally living in a “selfie” culture in more ways than one.  God warned of the danger of this kind of living, and just as few listened in the past, few are hearing truth today.  Let’s take a walk-through God’s Word this morning to see what God has to say!

“Ye shall not do after

all the things that we do here this day,

every man whatsoever is right

in his own eyes.”  Deuteronomy 12:8

As I’ve heard the old saying, “I’m ok; you’re ok; we’re all ok!”; I don’t think so?  It’s not a new idea, even as Solomon said:

“The thing that hath been,

it is that which shall be;

and that which is done

is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing under the sun.

10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said,

See, this is new?

it hath been already of old time,

which was before us.”  Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

Even as Israel wrestled with the truths of God after the death of Joshua, our culture—our world—is set on self, no matter the consequences.

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that

which was right

in his own eyes.”   Judges 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that

which was right

in his own eyes.”  Judges 21:25

My question for today is the same as our title today: “Where is your sin?”  Is it covered by your own arguments, justification, and excuses or is it under the blood—the blood of Jesus?

“If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”   1 John 1:10

God makes it clear that sin is the problem, we have it—we can’t fix it—but Jesus has!  He can and will forgive sin for those who will come to HIM in repentance and faith!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

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

Just as Jesus said, we “must be born again”—by God’s grace, mercy and power, expressed in His “only begotten son”!

“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

And praise God Jesus takes care of our SIN when we are “born….of God”! Jesus cleanses us “from all sin”!  Oh, praise God for HIS amazing grace toward we sinners; for HE washes away our sin through the blood of Jesus!  As the old hymn says, “Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus”!  (Written by Robert Lowry in 1876)

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth

is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”   1 John 1:7-9

Oh, praise His name–His blood will cover our sins; or it will hold you accountable for rejecting HIM—and God’s Word is the standard, not our ‘selfies’!

“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

So, my friend, where’s your sin?  Mine is under the blood of Jesus, my Lord and Savior!  If you don’t know Him, He is waiting for YOU to come to HIM, that you may know His “abundant life” today!

“And from Jesus Christ,

 who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God …to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”   Revelation 1:5-6

Amen and Amen!!!

Whose Box Are You In??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 08

06 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Beauty of Holiness, Children, Choices And Consequences, Consider Your ways, Dare To Be Different!, Encouragement, Family, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Holiness, IN Jesus!, In The Beginning, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Not Of This World, Only One Way, Seeing Truth, Suffering With Jesus, That They May Know, The Father of Lies!, The Word Or The World?, Truth is True, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol.14 No.08     Whose Box Are You In???

 

I’m going to broach a subject that may cause me to lose some of you, but nonetheless, it’s a topic that I feel that Christian women need to consider, especially in light of what we are teaching our young girls and young women.  I think that we have allowed the world to dictate and sway our thinking about women.  Being a woman who was adversely affected by the tripe that was touted in the 60’s about ‘women’ being ‘liberated’, and “bringing home the bacon”, “cooking it up”, and being the “everything to everyone”—the sex-goddess without an apron in the kitchen.  Well, I’m here to tell you—we were lied to!  God’s plan is the only plan that will bring us joy, peace and the opportunity to influence our families, our world, so we can see mountains moved for Jesus.  What I’ve learned in these years of failures and successes is that ultimately, finding out what GOD said about us as women, the home, and our ‘true north’ of focus, is that the only ‘box’ that brings true fulfillment is knowing and pursuing God and His plan.

I read a story recently of a person who was given a fine Swiss watch, but it quit running.  After taking it to several repair shops, who said they couldn’t fix it, someone was going to be in Switzerland on an unrelated task, so they took it to the original manufacturer and told them it wasn’t running.  Sometime later the person received the watch back in perfect running order!  How?  Because the original manufacturer “knew” the watch and what it would take to fix it—for they had created it.  And the point?  God is the “original” creator and He  designed us male and female for a reason; He established marriage with a purpose (and it wasn’t to set up a race for ‘superior and inferior’ member of the union)—but rather that the home would be a place where love would abound, where a man and a woman could grow and blossom into the people that God created them to be—and ‘In Jesus’ we can blossom as we were created to do—male and female, truly becoming ONE—propagating life and the Gospel!

“In whom we have redemption

 through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him

were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

 or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him

all things consist.” Colossians 1:14-17

God is creator, and The Son was right there with Him, so we can trust in our God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—Creator and sustainer!!!  His plan is the best plan ever–still!

“In the beginning

was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things

were made by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him

was life;

and the life

was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth

in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

We live in a culture that at this moment is promoting “strong” women—but often what they are promoting as ‘strength’ is more like defiance of the God-given characteristics of men and women!  We women were never created or called to be men, nor vice-versa.  God created ‘male’ and ‘female’ with intent and purpose; woman was brought to the man as a “completer” not a “competer”, and God made us to encourage and strengthen one another by our unique differences!  God made us as the crowning glory of His work of creation; and the home to be the nurturing incubator to build the next generation—for better or for worse!  Instead of caving to the culture, God wants us to call the culture to the cross—not fall in the gutter with them!

We talked last week about those who were “past feeling”, and this fits in today; we are living amongst a people who have decided that anyone who considers God’s way as the right way, is out of touch with reality!  The truth is that God IS true ‘reality’; yet we often let the world trap, fool and deceive us into accepting and joining in with their rejection and revision of God’s order, forsaking the truth for a lie!  Jesus dealt with these same issues when He walked this earth, the more truth He spoke the more those in positions of authority defied, denied and demeaned Him.

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

 ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin?

And if I say the truth,

why do ye not believe me?

 47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”   John 8:42-47

One thing that we often forget is that Jesus warned us that if we choose to follow Him and go God’s way, then we would face the same things that he faced.  Many don’t like to consider this, for so many preach an ‘easy believe-ism’ that says if we follow Jesus we will always be accepted—healthy, wealthy, painless.  As I had someone tell me once, as I was teaching on suffering and persecution, ‘if you are nice to others, they will be nice to you’; and while that sounds really nice (and we are to be nice to others) it is not always true.  I’ll use the same answer now, as I used then, I simply asked about Jesus—did He always do right; yes!  Did He always respond in truth; yes!  Did He always speak the right thing, to the right person, at the right time, in the right way-yes!  Yet what did ‘they’ do to Him?  The “loved” Him to death—they cried out “crucify Him”!  Less than a week after Palm Sunday’s shouts of “hosanna”, they were crying “Crucify him…”.  We can expect the same—male and female!

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 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 15:17-21

Back to our thoughts about women and the family, one of the things I want us to consider is, what/who are we holding up to our children as “heroes”?  Who are we teaching/allowing them to dress like, behave like, and listen to?  The people that saturate the media with their ungodliness, or those who lived for God in the past as well as those who are living for Him and honoring Him now.  Are we teaching our young men and women that building a home is a priority, or that it’s simply an ‘add-on’ to living life for your selfish desires, if it fits in?  Are we teaching and leading our children, both our sons and our daughters, to value and pursue godliness, or have we abandoned them to the world, it’s glitz and glamour, and its vile icons?  Are we helping them be like the world or to pursue holiness?  I truly believe that godly women—moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, neighbors, and friends—can still make a difference in the world!  And whether they know it or not, the world needs true, biblical, godly men and women to lead us into the future.  Scripture gives us some guidelines; the problem is we seem to be failing to make teaching our young ones The Word of God a priority.  If your son or daughter can pitch a perfect no-hitter, or make 3-point baskets all night, or if they are a ‘fashion plate’ of modern dress, if they don’t know Jesus, what do they have?  We can’t assure that they will always make good choices, but we are to help them learn the difference between godly and ungodly; and not just our own children, but those we have the opportunity to influence; as well as other adults God sends our way!

“But speak thou the things

which become sound doctrine:

2 That the aged men

be sober,

grave,

temperate,

sound

in faith,

in charity,

in patience.

3 The aged women likewise,

that they be in behaviour

as becometh holiness,

not false accusers,

not given to much wine,

teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach

the young women

to be sober,

to love their husbands,

to love their children,

5 To be discreet,

chaste,

keepers at home,

good,

obedient to their own husbands,

that the word of God

be not blasphemed.

6 Young men likewise

exhort to be sober minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself

a pattern of good works:

in doctrine

shewing uncorruptness,

gravity,

sincerity,

8 Sound speech,

that cannot be condemned;

that he that is of

the contrary part

may be ashamed,

having no evil thing

to say of you.”  Titus 2:1-8

Paul says so much in these few verses, he is calling Christian men and women to live above reproach—that we don’t bring shame to the name of our Lord Jesus!  He calls us to pass on this ‘higher call’ to those among whom we have influence.  And whether we work outside the home or not, godly women should know that love is more importantly ‘acted out’ rather than simply ‘spoken’.  For to speak truth effectively, we must live it!  Continually!

And when we are living truth, we will be used by God to make a difference.  Why do we allow people with, to say the least, questionable character to be praised before our daughters?  Why have we abandoned the truth and power available through the ideal of godly, humble, powerful women of GOD?

It often escapes us that Paul’s admonition to the “older” women to teach the “younger” women, is a two-fold call; for every woman has someone in their life that is ‘younger’, and at the same time we have those who are ‘older’ than we are.  We are to share with one another the power of biblical truth for living!  Get off of your social-media and make a call, make a visit, connect with a real person—in person!  We are quickly losing the art of personal communication—and we need personal relationships NOT virtual ones!

What has happened to sharing with our young ones the call to be an ‘Esther’-a woman with an opportunity to rescue her nation; to be a Hannah, a praying woman and a self-less mother; to be a Ruth, a loving servant to her mother-in-law, and a humble convert and servant of God; to be a Deborah (and I’ll lose some of you here) a godly woman of God, used to be a powerful inspiration to encourage men to follow and accept God’s call to lead and overcome (not to take their place—oooops, I just lost some of you!)!  How about modern women of faith?  Corrie Ten Boom, a powerful woman of faith, truth and strength!   Amy Carmichael, a powerful woman of God who served tirelessly on the mission field! Elizabeth Elliot, who helped show the world that a godly widow can make a difference! Ruth Graham, a quite woman of faith, strength and courage, who supported her husband’s ministry and raised her children with dignity and truth to be servants of God!  The list could go on, but I think you get the point.  We often teach about the Daniels, and Josephs, and we should, but don’t forget God’s examples of godly women!  And one point I’d like to leave with you is to get your children and grandchildren into reading the biographies of the faithful servants of God from the past and the present!  May we be Proverbs 31 women who ‘fear The Lord’ and seek God’s praise over the praise of men, sharing with those around us?

“Favour is deceitful,

and beauty is vain:

but a woman that feareth the LORD,

she shall be praised.   

31 Give her

of the fruit of her hands;

and let her own works

praise her in the gates.”   Proverbs 31:30-31

Let’s stop binge-eating at the world’s table, and feast on The Word of God, and the company of other godly women! (or men as the case may be). Peter reminds us that God has a higher standard than the world—will we accept the challenge or fall for the lies of the enemy.  And note, Peter points out that our “life-style” of holiness (conversation) is more of a testimony than nagging (ouch!)!

Men and women are called to appreciate our respective differences, and pursue God’s work in our lives, as we share each with the other, and for the sake of time and space, I’ll only share a portion of 1 Peter 3.  I encourage you to read chapter 2 and 3 this week (In fact the whole book is a doable thing, and it’s all about suffering for Jesus—for living holy lives in a broken world!).

“Likewise, ye wives,

be in subjection to your own husbands;

that, if any obey not the word,

they also may

without the word

be won by the conversation

of the wives;

2 While they behold

your chaste conversation

coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning

let it not be that outward adorning

of plaiting the hair,

and of wearing of gold,

or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man

of the heart,

 in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament

of a meek

and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God

of great price…

….7 Likewise, ye husbands,

dwell with them

according to knowledge,

giving honour unto the wife,

as unto the weaker vessel,

and as being heirs together

of the grace of life;

that your prayers

be not hindered.

8 Finally,

be ye all of one mind,

having compassion one of another,

love as brethren,

be pitiful,

be courteous:

9 Not rendering

evil for evil,

or railing for railing:

but contrariwise

blessing;

knowing that ye are thereunto called,

that ye should inherit a blessing.”    Portions of 1 Peter 3:1-9

Let me close by saying, God created male and female—and we are to treasure the differences without yielding our God-given roles!  And yes, I believe we have “roles”—not subservient roles (either way) but roles of complementors and completers not competitors!  God calls us to love—agape love—to do that which is always for the other persons good, not just our own!  And sometimes it hurts to love that way, but I’m so grateful that Jesus loved me enough to give His life for mine.  How could I/we do less for one another, especially within a home!!!

“This is my commandment,

That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for his friends.”    John 15:12-13

Amen and Amen!!!