Believing A Lie??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #396

22 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Sharing Our Faith!, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Wasting Time

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #396  Believing A Lie???

 

I usually write on lighter issues on Fridays, but feel really burdened and compelled to write on a more serious topic today. I truly believe that the coming of Jesus Christ is eminently near, and it grieves me to know that there are those who don’t know Him, those who have willfully rejected Him, or even more tragic (if that’s possible), those who have simply chosen to put off following Jesus until another day. Paul also saw people made poor decisions as he shared the truth about the Gospel of Jesus to those he had the opportunity to reach.

“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 24:25

Paul encountered the Governor, Felix, and shared the Gospel as his defense against the accusations for which he had been placed in custody by the Romans. Felix was compelled by the truth of the message he heard, but chose to wait for a “convenient” time. My friends, if you are waiting on a convenient time to come to Jesus, it will never arrive! We can only come to Jesus when His Spirit pricks and convicts our hearts and minds and reveals our personal sin to us, as Jesus knocks on our hearts door! If He is knocking at the door of your heart, you need to respond today—He may not come again.

“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

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44

Contrary to popular opinion, you cannot be saved whenever you want. Only when the Holy Spirit of Jesus convicts your heart of sin, and calls you to repent and be saved, can you come to HIM! We know that God wants all to repent and believe, but the choice belongs to each individual whether they will respond in repentance and faith and receive Jesus, or reject Him, or delay until it’s too late. It’s your choice, but you don’t know how often God will call you.

“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

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

for that he also is flesh….” Genesis 6:3a

Don’t wait to respond to the call of God to your heart—it could be too late. Don’t reject the message of salvation, and the convicting tug of the Holy Spirit. You might come “One Day Too Late” (An old Gospel song written by Lanny Wolfe!)! Don’t be like King Agrippa, another official who heard the Gospel from Paul, and make a poor choice.

“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 26:27-29

Another false perception that people have bought into today, is the hope that if they reject Jesus, and the rapture occurs, they will recognize the event and come to Jesus, after rejecting Him and His call to them in the past. Paul told the Thessalonians that this was not the case then, and it isn’t the case now. Let’s see what he had to say about some of the events of those last days.

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him,

whose coming is after the working of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness

in them

that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”    2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

Without going into a lot of background, this is a picture of the time of the coming “Anti-Christ”. The one who will come and claim to be God, Messiah and deliverer, but who in reality will be the “imitation” Messiah, the deceiver who will draw almost the whole world to pursue and follow him—including those who have willfully rejected Jesus before that point in time. While there will be many saved during that time, it won’t be anyone who has already heard and rejected the Gospel to the time referred to as “The Great Tribulation”.

Why am I addressing this issue without going into detail about the “end time” events? Because it’s not the timing of the events, or the biblical account of those things that I want to share today; I simply want to urge those of you who don’t know Jesus to respond to His convicting Holy Spirit who may be speaking to your heart today, because you may not have another opportunity to hear His voice. I am so concerned for those who are counting on things other than Jesus to save them, and give them eternal life with The Father and The Son! It’s not church membership that saves, it’s not being baptized that saves, it’s not doing great works in “Jesus’” name that saves, it’s not having parents or grandparents that love God and pray for you that saves (although many of us have come to Jesus because of those who have prayed for us!), and it’s not being a good person. The blood of Jesus, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice, is the only way to salvation and heaven. It is only HIS blood that ‘cleanses us from all sin’! And my friends I don’t want anyone who is reading this post to miss Jesus, and hear the dreaded words that no one wants to hear. What will you hear when HE comes, or when you face HIM in death? Will you hear ‘enter in’ or “Depart”? Today is all we have!! What will you do with Jesus TODAY??

“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.”    Matthew 7:21-23

Won’t you come to Him in repentance and faith today, and experience that wonderful loving invitation that He extends to all who are His own?

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

I pray that you will hear the Spirit’s voice today—and respond accordingly.

“And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”   Mark 4:9

And for those of us who already know Him, may we be faithful to share the good news while we have the opportunity! The time may be shorter than we think!

 

 

 

Why Is Everybody Angry??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #395

20 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Anger, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #395 Why Is Everybody Angry???

 

Why do we see so much anger around us? Who ever heard of ‘road rage’ 30 years ago? So were people not angry then? Of course we know that anger has been around for a long time, but it seems to be increasing exponentially today—but why? Let’s consider anger, and examine our own hearts to see if we are a part of the problem or a part of the solution? The first account of anger and its worst-case outcome is found in Genesis.

“And in process of time it came to pass,

that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground

an offering unto the LORD.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings

of his flock and of the fat thereof.

And the LORD had respect

unto Abel and to his offering:

5 But unto Cain and to his offering

he had not respect.

And Cain was very wroth,

and his countenance fell.

6 And the LORD said unto Cain,

Why art thou wroth?

and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest well,

shalt thou not be accepted?

and if thou doest not well,

sin lieth at the door.

And unto thee shall be

his desire,

and thou shalt rule over him.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother:

and it came to pass,

when they were in the field,

that Cain rose up against Abel

his brother,

and slew him.” Genesis 4:3-8

If I might presume to summarize (for the sake of time and space); after Adam and Eve chose to sin and God put them out of Eden, their first two sons grew into adulthood and brought offerings unto The Lord God—Abel brought a blood sacrifice (as Genesis 3 implies that they were instructed to do) to God, and Cain brought of his produce. Simply put, Abel came to God, God’s way, and Cain decided to come his own way—and because of the sin in his heart (self-righteousness) Cain’s offering wasn’t pleasing to God. When God spoke to Cain, He made it clear that Cain had a sin problem, and if he didn’t take care of it, it would take ‘care’ of him. And it did! In rejecting God’s call to repentance and obedience in faith, Cain found himself overcome by sin and his anger boiled over, resulting in the murder of Abel. Why? All because of Cain’s own sin, and refusal to repent—not because of any wrong that Able had done. Jesus addressed this same principle in his conversation with Nicodemus.

“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

Do you catch it?

“men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil”!

Just as Cain chose to cling to his own sin, men, women, boys and girls are making the same choice today! The only difference is that we have the multiplied affect of generations of continued sin! Sin is rampant, and sin unchecked by Jesus, will increase anger; for sin focuses on “ME”, “SELF” and “Immediacy”– getting what I want when I want it; regardless of the fact that we live and interact with others daily. We can choose to live with patience, courtesy, and kindness or we can live selfishly regarding only self. When we demand our own way and don’t get it immediately, then anger can take over. Unfulfilled expectations (real or imagined) can cause uncontrolled rage. We must recognize the danger in our own lives, and make right choices. We who follow Jesus are to live differently, keeping our eyes on HIM, and walking in submission and obedience to Him!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction

of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”    Hebrews 12:1-3

The best deterrent to uncontrolled anger, is to trust Jesus in all that we face! By fixing out eyes on Him, keeping our focus on HIM, and not ME, we will be empowered to:

“…..Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16b

The bottom line is this, we must choose to trust God with our lives, or we may find ourselves demanding that things go our own way, now! It isn’t the anger that is the sin, but anger that is out of control. Anger is simply an emotion; we must control our emotions or they will control us.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.”   Ephesians 4:26-27

If we will “walk in the Spirit”, we will find the power to control our emotions—all of them, both the legitimate ones as well as the illegitimate ones; asking God to help us be angry at the right things, at the right time, for the right reasons, and to ever respond in the right way. So let’s check anger? Is it righteous indignation, or are we allowing “rage” to take over and giving glory to “the devil” rather than our Lord. May we ever reflect the character of our Lord, not the angry masses! The bottom line is, “Do I trust God with the ‘now’?” We can have the same confidence that Job had! How about you? Confidence diffuses anger!!!

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

HIS Way Or Mine??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 10

17 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Distractions, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.10 HIS Way Or Mine???

 

We talked last week about the truth of scripture that “every knee shall bow” before The Lord Jesus when He returns! I’d like us to continue in that vein of thought and I ask each of us to “consider your ways”! Those who claim to know Jesus, need to be sure that we are walking in the way that Jesus calls us to walk; we need to examine our own hearts and lives each day and be sure that we are God’s, being what He wants us to be, and doing that which pleases HIM.

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”   2 Corinthians 13:5

This is a call to be certain that we know our genuine spiritual state! It doesn’t matter what others may think of us, what matters is what God knows about us, and that we truly know HIM. And when we know Him, we can be sure of our relationship by His Spirit, which dwells within us.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.” Ro. 8:8-10

The Word God makes it clear that those who belong to Jesus, have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within them, and by His presence we can truly know whose we are!

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” Romans 8:16

“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

God knows those who are His own, those who have been born again by the Spirit of God. But we must be sure that we belong to Him, that we have received the new life in Christ by grace through faith in His redeeming blood!

“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 1:11-13

God brings new birth to those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith, giving us life by the death of Jesus.

“And you hath he quickened, (made alive)

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course

of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all

had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts

of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires

of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead

in sins,

hath quickened us

together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved😉”.  Ephesians 2:1-5

God takes lost sinners and makes them saints, and calls us to know Him and walk in His way—yet HE repeatedly calls us to “consider your ways”! In the book of Haggai, God called His people Israel to do what they had said they would do; to obey Him and do HIS work not their own. These people had returned to the land of Judah, and the city of Jerusalem from the land of Babylon in order to rebuild the temple and the city of God. The people had been called to obey God and rebuild HIS temple, but they had become distracted, and were so busy taking care of themselves, that they neglected to trust God and do HIS will! Instead they had put ‘self’ first—as we often do!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34

We are called to “seek” Jesus first, to follow Him and trust Him in all our ways. In the Model Prayer, Jesus reminds us that our heart’s focus is to be on God—always! Let’s take a look and see what Jesus calls us to do! Watch the pronouns and where Jesus says our allegiance ought to be.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. (God’s kingdom!)

Thy will be done          (God’s will!)

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day      (God’s provision!)

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us        (God’s forgiveness!)

our debts,

as we forgive

our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, (HIS Lead!)

but deliver us from evil:    (HIS provision!)

For thine is the kingdom,           (HIS kingdom!)

and the power,                          (HIS power!)

and the glory,                            (HIS glory!)

for ever.                                     (ALWAYS!)

Amen.” Matthew 6:6:9-13

Our allegiance is to God—first, foremost and always; to HIS kingdom, not our own; to HIS will, not our own, to HIS perfect provision in all! It reminds me of another passage.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

We can only live a spiritually profitable life for God, when we put all our “trust” in HIM, when we “lean not” on our own understanding; when we “acknowledge HIM”; trusting HIM to direct our paths! We cannot trust in our own wisdom, but we must learn to totally trust in God’s wisdom, following His leading and the prompting of HIS Spirit–not our own or the worlds. Let’s hear what God had to say through Haggai!

“Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

4 Is it time for you,

O ye,

to dwell in your cieled houses,

and this house lie waste?

5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:5

What are we choosing to do with our lives: what we want to do, or what God has called us to do: His way or ours?

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Consider your ways.

8 Go up to the mountain,

and bring wood,

and build the house;

and I will take pleasure in it,

and I will be glorified,

saith the LORD.” Haggai 1:7-8

The question that you and I must answer is, “Are we following our God, and doing what HE calls us to do; or are we doing our own thing?” Are we trying to please the world, by popularity, prominence, or wealth? Or are we choosing God’s will? Will you “consider your ways”? We must ask God to search us so that we might walk right before HIM, being cognizant of our own hearts and minds, considering how to truly reflect Jesus to the world, not self! We are living in perilous times; it is imperative that we stand fast!

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”   2 Timothy 3:1-5

Consider that last phrase, “from such turn away”! Are we turning away from the evil, or are we trying to accommodate the evil, and make it palatable? Jesus told us, and Paul reiterates here, that we will be “despised” for following HIM—for living ‘righteous’ by HIS blood and HIS Word!

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

We can only be ‘good’/‘righteous’ by the blood of Jesus, when He saves us by His grace, through HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross! Only One way—only One Savior. And when He saves us He gives us HIS Spirit to dwell within us, to enable us to reflect the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ rather than the ‘works of the flesh’. Let’s ask God to examine our hearts to see what is really there—the Spirit of Jesus or the spirit of the world. Take some time this week to read Galatians 5:16-26 and examine your heart in light of the contrast! Then may we each lift up to God one of the simplest, yet greatest prayers in all of scripture:

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

Amen and Amen!!!

Compassion Or Cherry Bombs??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #394

15 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Cherry Bombs, Compassion, Confidence, Harmless As Doves, The Word, Wise As Serpents

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #394 Compassion Or Cherry Bombs???

 

Due to the urgent needs all around us, I’d like to continue today talking about compassion, what it is and what it isn’t (Or rather, what it shouldn’t be!). James talks about one of the things that compassion isn’t; it isn’t just nice words:

“If a brother or sister be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.” James 2:15-18

Simply put, James is saying that if we have real life-changing faith, it will be seen in our responses to others and their needs. We are not to simply “say” we have compassion, we are to reach out as we talked about last time. Giving ‘Lip-service’ and speak compassionately, isn’t enough; we are to alleviate needs as we are able to. No we can’t meet every need, for everyone, in every way all the time, but God will show us how we can help, if we will but ask for His direction, and listen to His Spirit; sometimes that is just helping someone find the right resources to meet their need.

But there’s something else that compassion isn’t, and that’s ‘grand-standing’! If you’re wondering about our title today, what I want us to consider, is that we ought to have compassion on others and meet needs humbly and generously as we have opportunity, but never for show! Some of us can remember a time when young schoolboys would try sneaking cherry bombs (a small firework that requires no fire, just pop them on the ground and they make a loud bang) into the school. The result was usually loud and mostly comical, but the culprit always made a trip to the principal’s office for appropriate discipline, for they were dangerous to use in enclosed settings like school! But they certainly stole the show, for a few minutes anyway! Some people give just to be seen, or to be noticed or lauded for their deeds. Jesus gives clearly defines appropriate giving and true compassion, as well as the false. Let’s dig in to see what we can learn (‘alms’ is a reference to good works)!

“Take heed that ye do not your alms

before men,

to be seen of them:

otherwise ye have no reward

of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms,

do not sound a trumpet before thee,

as the hypocrites do

in the synagogues

and in the streets,

that they may have glory

of men.

Verily I say unto you,

They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms,

let not thy left hand know

what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret:

and thy Father which seeth in secret

himself shall reward thee

openly.” Matthew 6:1-4

Jesus calls us to a higher standard, to give selflessly without thought of attention or earthly reward. We are to exercise our compassion before “God” without seeking the praise of others. This doesn’t mean that we have to do everything anonymously, but it does mean we are to do things discreetly, without calling attention to ourselves or the gift given. Sometimes it is appropriate to give anonymously, other times it’s necessary to reveal ourselves, but always with humility, without seeking reward or recognition. We could carry this to great depths, but suffice it to say, we are to have pure hearts before God, remembering as we saw in our last post, people won’t always like those of us who are following Jesus; for we are often marching to the beat of a different drummer; the One which the world rejects.

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16

As the crises seem to multiply exponentially, may our compassion also grow by God’s grace, as we reach out to others humbly, without pride or the desire to be recognized for our deeds? May we be the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost world, as we give, and go and serve in Jesus name!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”   Matthew 6:19-21

Go—-See—–Serve others humbly in HIS Name!

Compassionate But Not Blinded!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #393

13 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Harmless As Doves, Knowing God's Word, The Word, Wise As Serpents

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #393 Compassionate But Not Blinded!!!

 

“For the LORD shall be thy confidence,

and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

27 Withhold not good

from them

to whom it is due,

when it is in the power

of thine hand to do it.” Proverbs 3:26-27

We are inundated with requests for ‘money’, ‘aid’, ‘help’, and ‘contributions’ for those in need; so what are we to do? We obviously can’t meet every need, or give to everyone that sends us a request in the mail to donate to their ‘cause’. So what standard of our giving are we to exercise? While we can’t answer that question in depth here today, I’d like to just share a few biblical principles of giving, and some insight that I have gained through the years that has helped me in trying to give wisely.

The verses above compel us first of all to make sure our confidence is in The Lord God Almighty, and His Son Jesus! And as verse 5-6 of this same chapter of Proverbs reminds us He will “direct thy paths” when we trust Him and “acknowledge him” in “all” our ways (including giving) rather than our own human understanding. He has promised to direct our steps, and through His Word to “light” our path, our part is to seek Him through His Word, and then listen to His Spirit’s direction in our daily lives. We are compelled to not “withhold” good to those who truly have needs, “when it is in the power of thine hand to do it”! Simply put God is telling us that we can only give what we have—we can’t give what we don’t have; but we are to care about others and share what we do have as we are given opportunity. But that doesn’t mean we are to give blindly to everyone who asks.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

All the while remembering what Jesus warned us of:

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16

Jesus warned us that He was sending out as “sheep in the midst of wolves”, and believe me friends; there are many out there ‘asking’ who are simply asking for themselves—their only goal is to ‘fleece the sheep’! It is our job to be wise in our giving—not stingy, or resentful—but wisely generous. That means you need to know who you are giving to—anyone can go online and see the financial structure of most charitable organizations; to see what percentage of the money received actually goes to the intended recipients, and how they compensate their leadership! I do not give to very many “mainstream” national organizations, particularly those most widely promoted in the media, because if you’ll check out their financial structure they have very high-paid upper echelon leadership, and often times they are totally rude and crude to the grass-roots organizations who are actually in the front lines of the battle meeting needs. I’ve seen it and while this isn’t a smear campaign against any organization, you just need to do your “homework” before you give.

What I counsel people who ask me, is to check out your denominational organization to see if they have a “disaster relief” arm that will funnel the contributions directly through local churches to meet the most urgent local needs. The other organization that I recommend most is the Salvation Army, who have done great works of ministry for over 100 years, and even their upper level administrators live on a modest and reasonable salary, not the outrageous and unreal salaries that many of the mainstream organizations try to justify, at the givers expense.

We are to give willingly, as we are able, and with a cheerful heart, not because we “have” more but because we “have” something to give, and because we recognize that we are giving to others “as unto the Lord”! So as you see all the needs around us in this time of crises on every hand, be kind, generous and compassionate—but also be wise and harmless.

And just a side note, as a personal testimony of why I believe “local” is almost always the best way to go, rather than through the ‘national’ level or the ‘government’, I’ll share just a brief account of my experiences in this regard.

I went through Hurricane Camille in 1969 (at the time, the worst storm on record prior to Katrina) on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. There was horrific devastation all across the coast and for miles inland. There were hundreds of tornados spawned out of the storm, as well as record setting flooding in places never affected by floods before. While that seems like ages ago, in a different time in history, everyone who could help did! And the majority of help came through the local churches that were the distribution points for most of the residents of the area. The major ‘national’ organizations were more concerned with paper work, and judging whom they deemed worthy of their help, while the churches were busy trying to alleviate the needs and shortages of everything from food to clothes, from linens to staples, and everything in between. There weren’t “FEMA” provisions, only low interest loans to those who were wiped out without recourse. I personally have never given one thin dime to the major national relief organizations since that day. I give to grass-roots organizations that use the funds they receive to meet needs, not line their own pockets and increase their public “image”, because if you’ve ever been on the front lines of disasters of these unbelievable proportions, you know who does the work.

And while I didn’t go through Katrina, three of my children did, and once again it was the local churches and grass-roots organizations that met the needs. I can say from personal knowledge that there was hardly a local church that had a useable structure left standing, that didn’t use those buildings to house, feed and coordinate recovery efforts for the people of the Gulf Coast long after the “glory seekers” were gone (some for more than a year!). Many of those churches were staging areas and dormitories for those who came in through individual denominations and organizations to clean up mud, remove debris, minister to those who were hurting, rebuild homes for those who had but lost it all because they had no ‘flood insurance’. I saw people reaching out to people, taking pillows and stuffed animals to schools so the children could have something that was ‘theirs’, when so many of them had nothing! I saw these groups take people to the stores and purchase their appliances, furniture and other basic needs once their dwellings were ready to live in. And not one red government dollar was involved in all of this, but did you hear about it? NO! Because it wasn’t being done for show! You didn’t hear about it unless you were there and saw what went on in those ‘staging areas’ in hundreds of churches across the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Louisiana. Yes, I’m passionate about helping others, but I’m also passionate about every follower of Jesus Christ who gives being informed in their giving!!!

So my challenge to you today is to give, YES—but be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” and know who you’re giving to and what they’re doing with your funds. And pray, pray, pray for those in harms way, and for God to please “deliver us from evil” in this ‘evil day’!