‘Having Done All To Stand’??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 24

22 Sunday Jul 2018

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 24 ‘Having Done All To Stand’???

 

Paul calls us to recognize the fact that we are at war with the enemy of our souls. As I go from day to day it is absolutely imperative that we recognize that spiritual warfare is real. I just want to take a few minutes today to remind us of the urgency of the hour!

I simply want us to consider Paul’s 6th chapter of the letter to the Ephesian church, and it’s just as important for us as it was for them. May we spend some time to consider our behavior, it does make a difference.

The first three chapters of this letter deal with our faith in Jesus and the confidence that we can have in Jesus, His saving work of salvation and the assurance of our relationship with HIM! Then in chapter four, he switches gears and calls us to live faithfully before God and man!

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye

walk worthy of the vocation

wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness

and meekness,

with longsuffering,

forbearing one another

in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body,

and one Spirit,

even as ye are called

in one hope

of your calling;

5 One Lord,

one faith,

one baptism,

6 One God and Father

of all,

who is above all,

and through all,

and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us

is given grace

according to the measure

of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:1-7

Every born again believer is “given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” to live according to the “the vocation wherewith ye are called”—we are called to serve God and others, not to ‘sit’ down and ‘soak’ up the blessings of God, and fail to fulfill our calling to serve! And what does this service look like? Well, it doesn’t look like arrogant presumption on God’s goodness rather it expresses itself in:

lowliness— not exalting self (Romans 12:3)

meekness—strength in/Spirit’s control (Gal. 5:22-24)

longsuffering—patience toward people (Col. 3:12-13)

forbearing—holding up against opposition (Ro. 3:25)

in love….pursuing unity—oneness (minds set on Jesus not uniformity) (Ephesians 4:13)

Our character, behavior and attitudes ought to reflect our relationship with our life transforming Lord! We are to have the mind of Jesus—the life of a servant!

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ,

if any comfort of love,

if any fellowship of the Spirit,

if any bowels and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy,

that ye be likeminded,

having the same love,

being of one accord,

of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife

or vainglory;

but in lowliness of mind

let each esteem other

better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things,

but every man also on the things

of others.

5 Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery

to be equal with God:

7 But made himself

of no reputation,

and took upon him the form

of a servant,

and was made in the likeness

of men:

8 And being found in fashion

as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient

unto death,

even the death

of the cross.”   Philippians 2:1-8

We are called to serve—as our Lord served—humbly, totally and all to God’s glory, and the salvation of the lost! And when we serve God the enemy of our souls will not be happy—but we will face opposition, the very spiritual warfare that Paul describes in Ephesians 6. Let’s simply spend time this week pondering the meat of his challenge, as we lay out the principles of godly living as put forth in this passage.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord:

for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children

to wrath:

but bring them up

in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

5 Servants,

be obedient to them that are your masters

according to the flesh,

with fear and trembling,

in singleness of your heart,

as unto Christ;

6 Not with eyeservice,

as menpleasers;

but as the servants of Christ,

doing the will of God from the heart;

7 With good will doing service,

as to the Lord,

and not to men:

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing

any man doeth,

the same shall he receive of the Lord,

whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters,

do the same things unto them,

forbearing threatening:

knowing that your Master

also is in heaven;

neither is there respect of persons

with him.

10 Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.    

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about

with truth,

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod

with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all,

taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:1-18

We must have our confidence and focus on The Lord no matter the circumstance—dressed in our armor—

Truth—Jesus is ‘the way—the truth—the life’—

John 14:6

Righteousness—His righteousness applied us—

2 Corinthians 5:21

Gospel of peace—Peace with God and peace of God—

Romans 5:1-2+; Philippians 4:6-7

Faith—Confidence that Jesus is the only way—

Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Salvation—The mind of Christ indwelling us–

Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-10

Word of God—Jesus the living Word and written Word—

John 1:1-5; Proverbs 30:5

Praying always—Keeping the line open with our God—

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

May you find confidence and reassurance in the power of the cross and The Lord who gave His life for you, not just His death, but His resurrection power, which sustains us in all things, times and circumstances?

“Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection, and the life:

he that believeth in me, though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?” John 11:25-26

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Devotion Or Distraction??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #478

20 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Holiness, Holy, Holy Spirit

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #478 Devotion Or Distraction???

 

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks,

so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God,

for the living God:

when shall I come and appear before God?”    Psalm 42:1-2

This Psalm has been on my heart and mind all week, and I just wanted to share a few thoughts about it with you today. We live in a busy world—a world that not only distracts us to wicked things, but a world that distracts us in more subtle ways as well. I just can’t seem to escape the thought that I am so easily distracted from God and the things that are pleasing to Him, and as it says we will all “appear before God” and the truth will prevail. (Read Hebrews 4:12-13)

We live in a world that is changing the moorings and leading people away from God by making Him unimportant and minimalizing the things and standards of God. There was a time when black and white were just that, yet now things are being blended together into a mishmash of unidentifiable gray. What truly saddens me is that so many are becoming blinded to the “wiles of the devil”. Things that were once recognized as ‘sin’ are now accepted, and of course “who are we to judge?” Well, to put it simply, I am a child of God, born “of His Spirit, washed in His blood” (From Blessed Assurance, by Fanny J. Crosby) and I believe what HIS Word says and that it IS truth! I am gratefully bound by love and devotion to heed, obey and share it! (And by share I don’t mean beat people over the head with my Bible, but I do mean we are to live out our faith in word and deed continually, without fear or compromise with grace and love.)

I won’t make a list of “do’s and don’ts” but I will mention a few things that we need to be cautious of, and the first is taking Jesus and faith in Him as another distraction of life, rather than devoting ourselves to Him! The Psalmist said that he longed after God as the “deer panteth for the water” (hart is a deer)—and believe me living in Oklahoma with sweltering heat waves, makes ‘panting’ after water a reality. In fact there is no life without water (and Jesus is the water of life!), yet many who claim the name of Jesus, live their lives without any regard for His Word or His ways. God calls His own to live in the power of His Spirit—in holiness.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves according

to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you

is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth

according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here

in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver

and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb

without blemish

and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:13-19

When we belong to Jesus, we receive His Holy Spirit to dwell within us and empower us to live a holy life in HIS power! Yet we settle for pantheistic practices, immoral compromise, language straight from the gutters, and pleasures that drive us to do things that are less than pleasing to our Lord. We have simply added Jesus to our list of options, rather than honoring and following Him as the Lord and love of our lives. Jesus, who gave His blood for our life and salvation—I desire to please and draw near to Him rather than the world, yet sometimes it’s so hard to cling to Him when my hands are so full of distractions, but the choice is ours to make!

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction

with the people of God,

than to enjoy the pleasures of sin

for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ

greater riches

than the treasures in Egypt:

for he had respect

unto the recompence of the reward.”   Hebrews 11:24-26

How? By “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”!!! Hebrews 12:2a

Amen and Amen!

Hummingbird Theology??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 23

15 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Hummingbird Theology?, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, What's In Your Heart?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 23 Hummingbird Theology???

 

I love to watch the birds outside of my window. I have a birdseed feeder and a hummingbird feeder, and I love watching the birds that God created and enjoying their beauty, and learning from them. The hummingbirds fascinate me; they come again and again and take as much as they need and then return for more, as they need it. Sometimes they feed at one tap and leave, and other times a hummingbird will go to every tap on the feeder at one time. As I was watching them this morning, I couldn’t help but think about our spiritual life like the birds and the feeder. Whose feeder are we feasting at?

“Wherefore laying aside

all malice,

and all guile,

and hypocrisies,

and envies,

and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word,

that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted

that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming,

as unto a living stone,

disallowed indeed of men,

but chosen of God,

and precious,

5 Ye also,

as lively stones,

are built up

a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood,

to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”   1 Peter 2:1-5

If you notice, this passage begins with a “Wherefore”, which means we always ask ‘What’s it there for?’ (Any time the verse starts with a ‘therefore’ or a ‘wherefore’). Well, it simply means that we need to look back to see what was said earlier—so let’s do just that.

“Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

which liveth

and abideth for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass,

and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.

The grass withereth,

and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord

endureth for ever.

And this is the word

which by the gospel

is preached unto you.”    1 Peter 1:23-25

We can grow in the Lord when we feast on “the sincere milk of the word”, and to do that we must spend time in The Word—just like that hummingbird—we must keep going back for the sustenance of life—The Word of God, which brings growth because it is the “word of the Lord” and it “liveth and abideth for ever”! Just like the new birth that Jesus imparts to us when we are born again “of God”! God’s Word is truth always, and it will help us to discern between truth and lies! And it is the standard of God’s judgment along with the blood of Jesus! (And remember that Jesus not only inspired the written Word, HE IS THE LIVING WORD!)

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

God’s Word encourages us by discernment and bringing truth to light! It’s not just the judgment of God –which it includes—but it also leads us to Jesus, the Lord of Calvary for “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”! Our part is to respond in faith not only to the Gospel for salvation, but also to The Word of God and it’s ability to help us grow in grace and truth as we feast on it continually—just like that little hummingbird, he isn’t very big, but he gets the job done!

“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

Paul goes on to instruct his young charge, Timothy, even further to rely on the value of God’s Word.

“And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation

through faith

which is in Christ Jesus.

16 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 3:15-17

How valuable to us to know that God’s Word is what we need; and while there are those who question and even deny the veracity of The Bible, we can stand fast “in the evil day” knowing that The Word of God is God’s love letter to His children—those who are born again—as well as the conduit of God’s Spirit working in our world to bring people to the cross! It truly is “the word of the Lord” and it surely “endureth for ever”! “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Doxology by Thomas Ken), and I’ll praise Him forever for His Word, and the best way to praise Him for His Word is to read and study it faithfully, continually and purposefully!

Remembering that God’s Word is:

Profitable for—not in $ but in truth and character—

 Doctrine—truth for living—

 Reproof—showing us what is wrong—

 Correction—making the wrong right—

Instruction in Righteousness—prevention!

God’s Word helps us be all that God created us to be, and I love what Job says; it is something that I pray will ever be the desire of my heart. How about you?

“But he knoweth the way that I take:

when he hath tried me,

I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot hath held

his steps,

his way

have I kept, and not declined.

12 Neither have I gone back

from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words

of his mouth

more than my necessary food.”    Job 23:10-12

As we desire and feast on His Word, may the words of the Psalmist reverberate in our hearts—as we put The Word “in mine heart”!

“Thy word have I hid

in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O LORD:

teach me thy statutes.”   Psalm 119:11-12

As we hide God’s Word “in mine heart”, I believe the Psalmist would relate to a common adage we hear today (based on this very principle), “The Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from The Word!” The choice is yours and mine, yet it is a continual battle (as Paul talks about in Ephesians 6:10+) to maintain our focus on Jesus and His Word, but it is more than worth the effort. As I’ve been accused of in the past, “You only have one song!” —And may it ever be said of me that I only sing HIS song, for it’s Jesus and His cross, the only way to God and true life!

“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 2:1-2 

It’s all about Jesus, and I pray that you will join me in committing to draw near to Him continually. May we single-mindedly pursue Christ Jesus in all our ways. How? By keeping our eyes on HIM!!!

“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

And while Jesus is truly the “only way” to God for salvation, He is also the “only way” that we can live the victorious Christian life! He came that we might have abundant and victorious life in this world as well as the next!

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Jesus said it best:

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”   John 10:10-11

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”   John 15:5

Remember the hummingbird—and stay at God’s feeder—The Word of God!!!

Amen and Amen!

God’s Purpose Is Trustworthy??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #477

13 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by in Faithful is He that has Promised!, Sovereignty

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #477 God’s Purpose Is Trustworthy???

 

We’ve talked about Daniel’s faithfulness, and I thought we’d look at another faithful young man today. His name is Joseph, you know, the one with the coat of many colors. But today, I want to consider the later years of this man’s life.

In brief, Joseph was a young man with a heart after God, and one to whom God revealed things through dreams, much like Daniel, but Joseph was not very popular with his brothers. Many have said that he was “a brat”, but I beg to differ—God never calls him that, and I won’t either. God doesn’t generally favor those who are ‘selfish’ or ‘bratty’, but God was present in a visible way in Joseph’s life.

 

“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt;      

and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian,

bought him of the hands

of the Ishmeelites,

which had brought him down thither.

2 And the LORD was with Joseph,

and he was a prosperous man;

and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

3 And his master saw

that the LORD was with him,

and that the LORD made all that he did

to prosper in his hand.

4 And Joseph found grace in his sight,

and he served him:

and he made him overseer over his house,

and all that he had he put into his hand.”   Genesis 39:1-4

Yet while the favor of God was upon him, Joseph wasn’t done with trials and troubles, (Faith in God doesn’t necessarily eliminate trials and struggles!) he was not only sold into slavery, but he was also falsely accused and put into the prison—but God was there too.

“And Joseph’s master took him,

and put him into the prison,

a place where the king’s prisoners

were bound:

and he was there in the prison.

21 But the LORD was with Joseph,

and shewed him mercy,

and gave him favour

in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

22 And the keeper of the prison

committed to Joseph’s hand

all the prisoners that were in the prison;

and whatsoever they did there,

he was the doer of it.” Genesis 39:20-22

But God wasn’t done yet– Joseph was finally brought before Pharaoh (to interpret his frightening dream) and became his ‘right-hand’ man to deal with the coming drought and famine. Yet the thing I want us to consider today is Joseph’s response to his circumstances, knowing God’s perfect, faithful sovereignty. Consider his response when reunited with the brothers who sold him into slavery; we find a faithful man who trusted in the total sovereignty of God—a trustworthy God who is ever at work to accomplish His purpose, His glory, and the good of HIS own!

“Now therefore be not grieved,

nor angry with yourselves,

that ye sold me hither:

for God did send me before you

to preserve life.

6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

7 And God sent me before you

to preserve you a posterity in the earth,

and to save your lives

by a great deliverance.” Genesis 45:5-7

Again after his father died and his brothers feared his retribution for their evil behavior, Joseph displayed that faithful trust in His God again.

“And Joseph said unto them,

Fear not:

for am I in the place of God?

20 But as for you,

ye thought evil against me;

but God meant it unto good,

to bring to pass,

as it is this day,

to save much people alive.”     Genesis 50:19-20

So regardless of your trials today, even if you are suffering unjustly, remember that God has it all under control—He is the Sovereign Almighty God and He hasn’t said “oops”! You can trust Him at every hand. Amen and Amen!!!

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake,

happy are ye:

and be not afraid of their terror,

neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

and be ready always

to give an answer to every man

that asketh you a reason

of the hope that is in you

with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:14-15

Where’s Your Purpose??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #476

11 Wednesday Jul 2018

Posted by in The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #476     Where’s Your Purpose???

 

“But Daniel

purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God had brought Daniel

into favour

and tender love

with the prince of the eunuchs.”   Daniel 1:8-9

We’ve been looking at Daniel recently, and I just can’t get away from the commitment of this young man, a young man taken into captivity—far away from home, family—yet he was determined to be faithful to his God. Daniel could have done whatever he wanted (so to speak) because there were no parents to scold or direct his choices, but he already had a relationship with his God and he committed to do whatever it took to maintain his walk with his God!

Daniel had no control over his circumstances, but he did have control over his responses—and he chose to not do anything to “defile himself”—and if you’ll notice this is mentioned twice in these two verses! Daniel was totally determined to be faithful before The Lord God Almighty.

And because of Daniel’s commitment, God had already been acting on his behalf—he had brought Daniel into favor with those over him—the sovereign will of God at work, but not without the cooperation of a godly character and the humble ways of this young man. Daniel responded with respect toward those over him, and wisdom toward each situation, a way of life that we can learn a lot from in this arrogant and self-willed culture in which we live.

We can determine the purpose that we will pursue, but basically it boils down this: pursuing God and His ways, or pursuing self! I pray that we will choose to stand with Job, clearly knowing that our God reigns and is our eternal hope, no matter our circumstances or season of life.

“For I know

that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy

this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.” Job 19:25-27

Our God reigns and we can be sure of His coming for us—and we too, like Job, can be assured that “in my flesh shall I see God”! Amen. So no matter your circumstances today, won’t you join me and determine to fix “our eyes on Jesus” trusting the order of things to HIM! He is trustworthy, so let’s live like it!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.” Job 13:15

Amen and Amen!