Bible Ballistics: BBs #329 Teach Me O Lord???

“Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.” Psalm 119:108

“Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.” Psalm 119:12

“Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.” Psalm 25:4

“Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalm 86:11

One of the themes throughout the book of Psalms is teaching and learning. And while we can call upon The Lord to teach us, to inform, direct and make wise our hearts, it is an undeniable principle that their must be a willing learner on the asking side of the equation! Just like our own children whom we attempt to “teach” some task or skill, yet there is often an absence of attention, mind and/or desire to learn the subject of our encounter; we must be a willing learner when we seek and request the help of God.

We need to remember the words of Jesus, as He told His disciples about the principles of true prayer, and understand that the focus of our request/prayer must be on God’s will, intent, and purposes rather than our own. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”! I invite you join me in asking God to redirect our hearts and minds to HIS ways, to HIS times, to HIS desires, to HIS purposes, to HIS timeless principles of single-minded, and devoted love, holiness, mercy and grace, which only God can truly impart!

Oh Lord, please hear our prayer. Please “unite my heart” to Yours, and teach me the discipline of “making” YOU first in my life and in my day; the strength to “withstand in the evil day” as I suit up in YOUR armor; the humility to face my own sin and shortcomings and seek Your face in repentance, asking for Your forgiveness, cleansing and the revival of my love and devotion toward YOU! May we, as YOUR children, forsake the self-life for the self-less life of pure devotion? May we be willing learners, even when the lessons are inconvenient and difficult for our ears to hear, and our hearts to yield to?

O Lord, teach me YOUR ways!

O Lord, refine my heart by YOUR fire!

O Lord, renew righteous hunger in my soul!

O Lord, I humbly and truly shout with the Psalmist this morning:

“Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.” Psalm 51:10-11

I pray this word will draw each of us into HIS presence this morning—for HIS glory and that we would be a truer and more holy reflection of JESUS to the world around us.

Amen and Amen

Bible Ballistics: BBs #328      Enough To Live On!!!

 

“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

Martha and her sister Mary had lost their brother, Lazarus. Each had a heart full of grief, loss and wonder. Why had Jesus delayed His arrival and not come to heal Lazarus? Why didn’t Jesus come sooner? These questions both Mary and Martha asked their Lord about, the same questions that we often ask. Why, Lord? Why not now, Lord? Why this, or that did or didn’t happen? These are valid questions and God the neither Father, nor Jesus the Son are ever offended at our honest, heart-felt inquiries. While some say that we aren’t to question God, I don’t believe that means that we are not free to ask God the questions on our hearts. We are not to doubt God, or question His purposes that we cannot fully comprehend, but we are free to bring Him our burdens and questions—He tells us to.

Jesus gave His life to grant to us the privilege of coming directly before God with all our burdens, questions, griefs and uncertainties. (And there is no time limit on grief!)

“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

We can come to Jesus because of Calvary, and His sacrifice brought the New Covenant of His Holy Spirit, who imparts the honor, privilege and opportunity to bring our every desire, burden, question and grief directly before our Lord.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

We come to The Father, Son and Holy Spirit only through the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus. And in verses 12 & 13 of this chapter, you’ll find that the judge of all things is the Word of God—the living Word, Jesus, and the written Word, the Bible. God knows where we are, and we can trust Him to hear and answer our prayers to our good, and to reveal His glory to us, in us and through us. And may we never forget to come before Him in worship—the only One worthy of worship! The privilege of asking, and the honor of receiving warrants our worship and gratitude for HIS sufficiency—He is enough to live on!

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4: 11   Amen and Amen!!!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.04 March For ‘Rights’ Or ‘Wrongs’?

 

We in America have seen, heard and experienced a lot of events in this last week, yet I’d like to address only one that seems to be causing a lot of upheaval. While I don’t intend to address the specifics of the “march”, I do want to focus on the differences that many of us have with the things that were being promoted. Our Republic grants the right to dissent to every American, but when the masses demand the ‘right’ to do what is ‘wrong’ (in the ideology of others) there will always be conflict, and we as followers of Jesus will always be in the midst of conflict when we stand faithfully on the Word of God. Jesus Himself said that we would find ourselves in this situation, because He was in that situation, almost continually, Himself.

“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 15:18-21

Jesus told us then, and it continues to be true today, that if and when we belong to Him, and follow Him and His Word, the world would hate us. I find it most ironic that it seems that those shouting out ‘hate’ accusations, are the very ones who epitomize the very essence of ‘hate’! How sad that we have come to this place. How sad that even genuine believers have allowed the world to dictate how they ought to think and act in this media world we live in. We are to be light and salt in the world of darkness and corruptions. Yet salt burns when put on a wound—it is to be expected that many will howl in pain when the salt is applied.

I also find it interesting that the context of the “salt and light” passage is right after Jesus’ last of the Beatitudes which says that we are blessed when we endure persecution for “righteousness” sake—for Jesus’ sake.

“Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil

against you falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden

under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all

that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”    Matthew 5:11-16

We are to be the salt, which slows and hinders the corruption, and light will repel the darkness. But much like Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’, when he was overcome by the ‘light’ of the first visiting spirit, and asked that the light be dimmed for it hurt his eyes; we are living in a culture like that now, a culture that is more and more demanding that we dim our light, or put it out altogether. Yet, like Peter and John, we must decide who we will follow—God or men! Will we shine or hide under a bushel?

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said,

We ought to obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers

raised up Jesus,

whom ye slew

and hanged on a tree.

31 Him hath God exalted

with his right hand

to be a Prince and a Saviour,

for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are his witnesses of these things;

and so is also the Holy Ghost,

whom God hath given to them that obey him.

33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.” Acts 5:27-33

Peter and John stood fast for the truth of the Gospel of Jesus atoning sacrifice for sin, the sacrifice that would save those who will believe. And while those who heard them were “cut to the heart”, they DID NOT respond in faith to believe the truth, but “took counsel to slay them”. When we stand for truth we will not always be well received. But let us not loose heart but press on for the glory of God, and our eternal reward with him. We are called to persevere, understanding that while God IS working all things to our good, it doesn’t mean that only good things come to His children. God is working in our lives to use “all things” to mature and refine us to be a glorious work of grace and glory, to make a difference in this world of darkness and corruption. Trials and opposition are often the sign of God’s working His discipline and “child training” in our lives. (The Greek word for chastening in Hebrews 12, below, is a word that includes punishment, but much more the word describes all that is necessary in training a child to become a useful, productive adult.) He is continually working on us!

“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. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son,

despise not thou the chastening

of the Lord,

nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you

as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.” Hebrews 12:1-8

In this glorious passage we are called to “run with patience the race that is set before us”—and it is a cross-country challenge not a 50-yard dash! And to run that cross-country race we must keep our eyes on Jesus in all things, knowing that I am called to run “my” race for Jesus and not yours. We also learn that life is a training ground where God is at work in the lives of His children maturing us, and as Paul told us in Romans 8, He is working in and through all things in our lives so that we may be “conformed to the image of his Son”! God through His Holy Spirit is working in the lives of every regenerate man, woman, boy and girl, to form the “image of his Son” in us. God is continually working on that image within us, working so that the light and salt of regeneration will be evident in our lives, and affect the culture around us. What we must remember is that it will not always be well received. Others will take offense (no matter how hard we try not to ‘give’ offense, and there is a difference) because just as Jesus said,

“But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”

So my point in all of this is, that no matter how many of the masses ‘march’ for what they perceive as their ‘rights’, they will never change the immutability of God (The very unchangeableness of God)! Because HE is:

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

Marching, legislating, enforcing, bullying or any other method will never change the Truth of God, which Jesus came to BE the embodiment of! The question then isn’t “rights” but ‘Righteousness’, and only those who have been born again can fully possess and embody truth and righteousness. Because Jesus is Truth and He alone provides righteousness to and for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith. And as Hebrews 12 says, those who are without the discipline/chastening/correction of God in their lives, better check out what they think gives them salvation. For God says clearly:

“8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons”

God said it; I’m just sharing His Word with you. Those who know Jesus receive the impartation of the ‘Righteousness of Jesus’ to their lives—eternally! The question is, “Are you a ‘new creature’ “in Christ”? It is a question of eternal import. Or will you join with those who ‘march’ to have ‘wrongs’ called ‘rights’ in spite of the clear teaching of God’s Word. Have you received the righteousness of Jesus Christ to your account? Have you come to God HIS way? Have you been made new? Sin is the issue dear ones! And only Christ’s righteousness can bring light to the darkness, and restore the corrupt to wholeness! It IS the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from sin!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 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 5:17-21

Sin can be forgiven, but only in Jesus and the work that He accomplished at Calvary. It is only the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from sin, only the blood of Jesus that can transform our ‘wrongs’ into His “right”. Have you come to Him? Are you marching “Onward Christian Soldiers”? Or have you been lulled into accepting the lies of the world, in place of the “truth” that is Jesus Christ—The Only Way, always. How can you know the way? By knowing “The Way”!

“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:5-6

I’d like to extend a challenge to each of us. May we all run our race daily, making a difference, by being different in the power of the Holy Spirit?

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Gal. 4:5-6

Bible Ballistics: BBs #327 A Day That The Lord Has Made!!!

 

Just a few words that I pray will keep our eyes on the right things. God is The Lord and Creator, and Jesus His Son the Only Redeemer of souls. May we not be distracted by the glitz and the glamor–regardless of what part of it we’re being distracted by? Like every day before and every day that comes after:

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm118:24

And my friends we can always rejoice in God’s day, because God has made the day and HE is in charge of all that takes place in it, and no man can defeat God’s purposes.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”   Proverbs 21:1

God uses wicked men to accomplish His purposes, whether it is for prosperity or judgment. God can use good men in the same way. But the greatest privilege is to be God’s child and be useable in His purposes in every thing we do and say. But what we must remember is that we don’t accomplish spiritual victories through worldly means.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” 1 Corinthians 1:27

So my friends, regardless of your perspective of the things that are happening today, just be sure that your eyes are on the right prize, and you’re trust is in the right place, for: it’s “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 AMEN

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.03 Eyewitness Or Tale-Bearer???

 

“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20

We can only share what we possess. We live in a culture of presumption and greed. ‘Name-It-And-Claim-It’ theology has lead many believers to focus on self instead of Christ Jesus and it has produced a “Christian” culture that is totally focused on self—self-promotion, self-gratification, self-aggrandizement, resulting in a self-first focus. All this “self-focus”, is replacing our call to being and living as children of God, children who put God first, and are devoted to The Father and The Son, willing to suffer loss of all things to bring glory to our Lord Jesus! Jim Elliot caused great stir when he and several others forsook all to take the Gospel to those who had never heard; to those who could present an imminent threat to their lives; those in fact, who did take the lives of five godly missionaries. Jim Elliot’s answer to those who would question his purpose and resolve rocked the world then, and still does for those who will grasp its simple power today: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot.

What a mighty statement and reminder of the fleeting nature of earthly life, especially when contrasted to the eternal nature of God’s Kingdom. God’s Kingdom, which can only be entered into through the blood of The Lord Jesus Christ and His substitutionary, atoning death alone. And we can only share that truth if we have received Jesus as Savior and Lord, and entered into that kingdom. Many people can’t share the Gospel because they don’t know Jesus, except as a by-word or a magic potion to be pulled out in emergencies or crises. Paul so aptly reminds us of something so simple, yet so profound—we can only give what we possess.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Jesus died for the sins of the world, and just like Saul (Who became Paul after his conversion), only those who receive Him as Lord and Savior will ever know the freedom of being saved “from their sins”! It’s why He came. Jesus saved and changed Saul into the Apostle Paul, and HE is still saving and changing lives today. How about you? Have you received Him personally?

“.… and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21b

When Jesus saves us form our sins, He makes us “children” of God; joint heirs with Himself, The Son. But to be His, we must come to Him in repentance and faith, receiving the “life” which He came to give—we experience a new birth in Jesus, through HIS blood. Jesus imparts real, vibrant and abundant life in and through Himself and His Spirit. Life transforming power that is worth sharing!

“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

Until we behold “his glory”, we will never have anything to share. For only Jesus gives life, abundant life that is worth sharing: life that is powerful enough to change others when we share HIS truth and glory, calling others to Jesus. But only when we have His salvation, know Him and posses His eternal life, can we do that which is truly pleasing to God. We can choose to be an “eye-witness” to the wonder and glory of the Redeemer and Lord, Jesus Christ, or we can simply be content as talebearers. Telling about that which we have never truly seen and heard in our own hearts. We can only give “hearsay” testimony not the real, vibrant and pulsing life of Jesus that dwells in those who genuinely come to Him in repentance and faith. Then we will have the power to fulfill His purpose for our lives.

“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

His own child/brother/sister, abiding and devoted to the Him who is the only One who can and will give His life to those who come to Him! And only those who see and recognize their own emptiness and futility will ever come to Jesus. Until people see their lostness without Jesus, they will never see the need for The Savior.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

The Gospel of The Savior came to one who was hated and despised by men—a tax collector, a publican! Zacchaeus, the wee little man of children’s song, ran ahead of the crowd to climb up into a tree to see this traveling preacher and teacher, and when Jesus called to him, he responded in repentance and faith (Read the whole story in Luke 19 for yourself!). What an amazing situation to those witnessing this encounter, that Jesus would save such a great sinner (As the world judges things!), yet Jesus clearly proclaimed that He came for sinners! And until we see our own sin, we will never have any desire to come to Jesus. We can choose to justify our actions to others, and ourselves or we can hear the voice of God speaking to our hearts and respond in the same kind of repentance and faith that brought salvation to Zacchaeus! You can become an eyewitness—or you can remain in your sin and continue to not know Jesus or His power in your life.

Will we stand with Peter and John and declare that we must share what we “have seen and heard”? Will we continue in our own ways, our own sins, our own choices and consequences? Or will we come to the only One who can and will save those bow before Him. And I must remind you that the question isn’t “Will you bow?” for the time is coming when “every knee shall bow”! Well, if “every knee shall bow”, why are we having this conversation? Because it is a life or death subject—we can choose to bow before the Lord Jesus Christ in this life and know Him in redemption and salvation, or you WILL bow before Him as the final judge with no option available for salvation.

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth

and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”   Revelation 20:11-15

The choice is yours, but don’t wait too long, for none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Are you an eyewitness of what Jesus has done in your life? Or are you a talebearer, speaking only that which is second-hand news, or even ‘fake-news’? The choice is completely yours, but choose wisely, there is a test at the end! Don’t waste your opportunity; God’s grace won’t always be available! My calling, as His child, is to speak “the truth in love” and remind us all to be ready, for the Lord and King is coming—and very soon, I believe!

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”   2 Corinthians 6:1-2

“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

I pray that you will hear the voice of God’s Holy Spirit speaking to your heart and bow before Jesus today, calling on the name of Jesus, and through His blood receiving the forgiveness of your sin, and redemption of your soul. And if you already know Him, will you join me, in bowing before our King, asking Him to search our hearts and cleanse us; bringing us anew to the place of “first love” service and relationship with Him. (See Revelation 2:1-11) I want to be HIS eyewitness not just a “tale-bearer” trying to work up something that will impress the world. May our desire ever be to seek Him and bring glory to Him in all we do? How about you? Where are your priorities? May we faithfully be the light of the world as Jesus works in and through our humble surrender to Him, a light before the world, that those who see us will recognize that we have “been with Jesus”(Acts 4:13)! Oh, may that be my epitaph when my days are over. God saved me by His grace, through the blood of Jesus, and I want to be found faithful before Him. My Redeemer and the One who has forgiven my sin, and made me HIS child—will you join me as an eyewitness to HIS saving grace!!!

“And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:22-24

Thank Him today.

Shine for Him today.

Be a real, genuine eyewitness.

Leave the tale-bearing behind, and follow the one who has delivered, transformed, redeemed and forgiven all who will come to Him in repentance and faith! As John told us so clearly:

“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” John 1:12

Amen and Amen.

“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