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A Word from THE WORD!!! #4 Bible Ballistics

04 Wednesday May 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Associations?, Bad Companions Corrupt..., Busy-ness or Business?, Children, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Compromise, Confidence, Order my steps

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1 Corinthians 15:33, Amos 3:3, Bad Companions Corrupt..., Business or Busy-ness?, Following Jesus or others?, Order my steps in YOUR Word, Philippians 4:5-9, Psalm 119:133, Think on These Things, Trusting Jesus

A Word from THE WORD!!!  #4

“Let your moderation

be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

 if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:5-9

What things are you and I thinking on?  It’s sometimes difficult to keep our eyes “on Jesus” and not be distracted by all the things going on around us—sometimes our busyness, is far from God’s “busi-ness”, but God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us “into all truth”!  We are called to control our thoughts, our hearts, and our minds in order to control our actions!  And as parents and grandparents we need to be teaching these things to our young ones, and helping them make wise “association” choices—they do make a difference in our lives, adult and child!

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

Or as it is written in the NASB:

“Do not be deceived:

“Bad company

corrupts good morals.””

We must pay attention to the people, things and activities that we surround ourselves with.  We are to be a witness to the lost but not a partaker in their ways, showing our little ones the right way to live and choose—in God’s wisdom!

“Can two walk together,

except they be agreed?”  Amos 3:3

Food for thought and pondering today.  Where are you walking today?

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

Amen and Amen

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What Righteousness??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 18

27 Sunday Mar 2022

Posted by Blanche in All About Jesus!, Changed Lives, Justified by Jesus, Righteousness, Unrighteous will not inherit

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1 Corinthians 15:33, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 John 1:7-8, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 4:14-15, Isaiah 53:6, John 3:14-19, Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 139:23-24, Righteousness or Unrighteousness?, Romans 1:28-32, Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:22-23, The rules haven't changed, WE can make a difference, What Righteousness?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 18      What Righteousness???

 

Can we be righteous?  How can one be righteous?  We must consider scripture to answer both of these questions, and to do that we must consider what is “un”righteousness?

“Know ye not

that the unrighteous shall not inherit

the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived:

neither fornicators,

nor idolaters,

nor adulterers,

nor effeminate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves,

nor covetous,

nor drunkards,

nor revilers,

nor extortioners,

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you:

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Romans chapter 1 deals intently with this subject as well, reminding us that (in Blanche’s paraphrase) unrighteousness is contagious.

“And even as they did not like to retain God

in their knowledge,

God gave them over

to a reprobate mind,

to do those things

which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all

unrighteousness,

fornication,

wickedness,

covetousness,

maliciousness;

full of envy,

murder,

debate,

deceit,

malignity;

whisperers,

30 Backbiters,

haters of God,

despiteful,

proud,

boasters,

inventors of evil things,

disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers,

without natural affection,

implacable,

unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God,

that they which commit such things

are worthy of death,

not only do the same,

but have pleasure in them

that do them.”  Romans 1:28-32

For you see, even as Paul also mentions in the book of Romans, we are all sinners/unrighteous:

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.”  Romans 3:10-12

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit

unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Romans 6:22-23

Even as Isaiah said long before the Apostles:

“All we like sheep

have gone astray;

we have turned every one

to his own way;

and the LORD hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.”  Isaiah 53:6

So, what does all of this have to do with righteousness?  The message is clear– sin IS the issue—we have it, yet we can’t fix it, for only Jesus can provide the “cure”; the cure is HIS blood which HE shed at Calvary for our SIN!  No matter what the world says, no matter how much those around us deny the reality of sin; no matter how popular sin becomes; no matter how much we paint it, fluff it up, disguise it, rename it, or justify it—the rules haven’t changed, for God says that “the wages of sin IS death”!

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you

all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves,

and to all the flock,

over the which the Holy Ghost

hath made you overseers,

to feed the church of God,

which he hath purchased

with his own blood.”  Acts 20:28

“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.”  1 John 1:7-8

Without Jesus we have no hope; but with, in, and through Jesus we can have eternal life.  Eternal life that relieves us of the penalty and condemnation of sin (hell), even as Jesus Himself said!

“And as Moses

lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must

the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

(for=Because– my commentary)

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds

were evil.”  John 3:14-19

If you remember the story from Numbers, Moses ‘lifted up’ the brazen serpent and whoever looked unto it for healing lived—so Jesus would be ‘lifted up’(crucified for our sin).  So, when we choose to follow Him, and receive the salvation that HIS death, burial, and resurrection provides, we can walk in the light “as he is in the light”!  Just as Paul gave the Corinthians a list of sins (inclusive but not exhaustive) in contrast to what they now had become (and we can be) through Jesus’ righteousness:

 “…such were some of you:

but ye are washed,

but ye are sanctified,

but ye are justified

in the name of the Lord Jesus”

All due to the exchange that God makes when we come to Jesus—the work of salvation that only God can accomplish.

“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

I said earlier that I believe that “sin” is contagious, and I think scripture proves this out, both in Paul’s writings as well as throughout the Proverbs and Psalms. We must be careful of the things and people that we allow to have influence in our lives.  As the author of Proverbs warns:

“Keep thy heart

with all diligence;

for out of it

are the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:23

And just one from the Psalmist:

“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

In closing, a few words of warning from the Apostle Paul, that we ought to take to heart in our own lives and the lives of our little ones.  You can make a difference in the life of a child, but you must choose to be involved, and exercise parental control, by being a real example of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (See Colossians 1:27).   Choose wisely, righteous, or unrighteous—there is a test?

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, even Christ:”   Ephesians 4:14-15

Amen and Amen!!!

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What’s Turning Your Heart??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #713

11 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Ask God For Wisdom, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Commitment Or Convenience, Compromise, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Dare To Be Different!, Dependence, Encouragement, Erasing The Lines?, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, God Who Sees, God's Judgment, Good News, Sowing and Reaping, The Little Things., The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Truth

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1 Corinthians 15:33, 1 Kings 11:4-6, Compromise, Culture--Versus--Truth, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Hebrews 12:1-3, Hebrews 4:12-13, Jeremiah 17:9, Philippians 1:6, Psalm 139:23-24, Psalm 141:1-4, Psalm 44:21, Settled for?, Song of Solomon 2:15, Spirit-vs-Flesh, What's Turning YOUR Heart?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #713   What’s Turning Your Heart???

 

“For it came to pass, when Solomon was old,

that his wives turned away his heart

after other gods:

and his heart was not perfect

with the LORD his God,

as was the heart of David his father.

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth

the goddess of the Zidonians,

and after Milcom

the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And Solomon did evil

in the sight of the LORD,

and went not fully after the LORD,

as did David his father.” 1 Kings 11:4

What an indictment for us to consider today.  Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (other than Jesus, the God-man Savior) made some foolish choices that cost him dearly.  God judged his sin, and the effects of it reached throughout his kingdom, and eventually resulted in a divided kingdom.  But for today I want us to consider the import of guarding our heart by keeping our eyes on Jesus and running the race that HE has set before us and called us to!  And then I’d simply like to share some scriptures with us about the heart and what a difference a right heart and right choices will make!  I’ve learned from experience and God’s Word that “little foxes” can ruin the crop of our heart and life!

“Take us the foxes,

the little foxes,

that spoil the vines:

for our vines

have tender grapes.”  Song of Solomon 2:15

We must guard the “crop” of our heart, for Satan is ever busy throwing his “fiery darts” to distract, deter and delay us until we’ve missed the opportunities of service to our Lord and King.

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.”   1 Corinthians 15:33

Or as the NASB puts it:

“Do not be deceived:

Bad company 

corrupts good morals.”  1 Corinthians 15:33 NASB

May we with the Psalmist ever pursue God and HIS truth rather than the prattle of the world.

“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

And again, great counsel from the Psalmist.

“LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me;

give ear unto my voice,

when I cry unto thee.

2 Let my prayer be set forth

before thee as incense;

and the lifting up of my hands

as the evening sacrifice.

3 Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart

to any evil thing,

to practise wicked works

with men that work iniquity:

and let me not eat of their dainties.”   Psalm 141:1-4

It is a fulltime job to keep our heart right with God and it requires diligence and determination to keep our eyes set on Jesus.

“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

Only Jesus saves and transforms lives—and the transformed heart, while regenerate, is not free from the trials and fleshly temptations that abound around us, but when we keep our hearts, minds and eyes “Looking unto Jesus” we will find the strength and courage to “withstand in the evil day…and having done all, to stand”!

We must be aware of our surroundings and the danger of compromise, for any reason.  We must keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus.  And while HE will deliver when we seek HIS provision and guidance, HE won’t violate our free will.  He is ever at work to conform us into HIS image, but we are called to “walk in the Spirit” and we will “not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”! (See Galatians 5:16 & 25).  Yet we can choose to compromise as Solomon did and reap the consequences of our choices, or we can trust to the care of HIM who completes HIS work IN US!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

So, my friends, we all have a choice, recognize the dangers of compromise and avoid them, or succumb to the “wiles of the devil”!  What’s your pleasure, to allow the things of this world to turn your heart away from God, or to “stand fast in the evil day”?  Jeremiah put it quite succinctly.

“The heart is deceitful

above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?”   Jeremiah 17:9

God knows, God cares, and HE provides a way, if we will but keep our hearts and minds set on HIM.

“Shall not God search this out?

for he knoweth the secrets

of the heart.”  Psalm 44:21

And as the author of Hebrews put it, the standard is and will ever be The Word of God!  What’s your standard?  Like Solomon’s became, due to the influence of his pagan wives?  What’s drawing you away?  Culture, companions, media, sports, movies, popularity, power, lust…. the list could go on, but you get the point.  What will we choose?  But be careful, choose wisely there is a test.

“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

And if you want to see a picture of the contrast read and consider Psalm 1.  Blessings on you and yours….

Amen and Amen!!!

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Love Or Hate–May Not Be What You Think??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 16

10 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by Blanche in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Deniable Truth? Really?, Discernment, Faithful is He that has Promised!, False Lives, Father of lies, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's Judgment, Hate, Hearing God, Heaven or Hell, Holy Living, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Love

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1 Corinthians 15:33, 1 John 2:1-5, 1 John 3:10-12, 1 John 4:4-11, 1 John 5:3-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12, Are You Ready, Daniel 1:8, God's Judgment, Hate or Love?, Isaiah 5:18-23, Jeremiah 18:9-12, Jesus Is Coming!, Lies, Lies or Truth?, Proverbs 1:23-33, Psalms 144:15, Psalms 146:5-6, Psalms 33:10-13, Truth, Truth IS Truth--Jesus Is Truth

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 16 Love Or Hate–May Not Be What You Think???

 

This is the beginning article of a multi-week series in which I want us to consider the book of Daniel—not necessarily the prophetic emphasis, but rather a look at choices, character, honor, integrity, real courage, and devotion of Daniel (and his friends) to GOD!

“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.”   Daniel 1:8

Like many of you, I am just plain tired of the noise and clamor that is going on in our country—all the opinions, reports (true and false), and the voices all over the national media as well as social media.  Yet, contrary to popular belief haters may not be “hating” and those who claim to love may not truly “love”.  What I want to do is to lay out some foundational passages of scripture that will define the principles that I believe in and try to live by.  The other thing that must be set out in the beginning, and which I believe we must recognize and acknowledge, is that there IS the force of evil in the world, and it is “alive and well” in our culture, our world, yet there is coming a time of judgment by God’s standard not man’s!  I pray that you will consider these passages as we begin our series from Daniel.

“My little children, these things write I unto you,

that ye sin not.

And if any man sin,

we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation

for our sins:

and not for ours only,

but also for the sins

of the whole world.

3 And hereby we do know that we know him,

if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith,

I know him,

and keepeth not his commandments,

is a liar,

and the truth

is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word,

in him verily is the love of God perfected:

hereby know we that we are in him.”  1 John 2:1-5

“In this the children of God are manifest,

and the children of the devil:

whosoever doeth not righteousness

is not of God,

neither he that loveth not his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard

from the beginning,

that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain,

who was of that wicked one,

 and slew his brother.

And wherefore slew he him?

Because his own works were evil,

and his brother’s righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren,

if the world hate you.”  1 John 3:10-12

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world:

therefore speak they of the world,

and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God:

he that knoweth God heareth us;

he that is not of God

 heareth not us.

Hereby know we the spirit of truth,

and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another:

for love is of God;

and every one that loveth

is born of God,

and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not

knoweth not God;

for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God

toward us,

because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world,

that we might live

through him.

10 Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he

loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us,

we ought also to love one another.”   1 John 4:4-11

“For this is the love of God,

that we keep his commandments:

and his commandments

are not grievous.

4 For whatsoever is born of God

overcometh the world:

and this is the victory that overcometh the world,

even our faith. ‘

5 Who is he that overcometh the world,

but he that believeth that Jesus

is the Son of God?”  1 John 5:3-5

Do you see how God’s “love” is manifest?  He sent Jesus to be the “propitiation” (payment in full for our sin debt—see Rom. 3:23 & 6:23) for sin.  Love takes a stand for truth and righteousness—love doesn’t compromise the TRUTH, for Jesus IS truth (See John 14:6)!  What ‘truth’ is our culture clinging to, while it professes “love—love—love” yet denies and defies GOD!   Another important passage that defines much of what I have to say is from the prophet Isaiah.

“Woe unto them

that draw iniquity with cords of vanity,

and sin as it were with a cart rope:

19 That say,

Let him make speed,

and hasten his work,

that we may see it:

and let the counsel of the Holy One

of Israel

draw nigh and come,

that we may know it!

20 Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness

for light,

and light

for darkness;

that put bitter

for sweet,

and sweet

for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them

that are mighty

to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked

for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous

from him!”  Isaiah 5:18-23

While Isaiah’s words were addressed to the conditions in his day, they are totally apropos to our culture today—and I believe this is the root of the problem in our nation and our world—for men have redefined “evil” and “good”; the result is that we find ourselves with two sides who not only disagree but are diametrically opposed in the basic principles of truth, morality and decency.  How can we have meaningful, productive exchanges if we are speaking two different languages?  Not likely!  So as a follower of Jesus Christ, who has been born again by the blood of the Lamb, how are we to respond?  We MUST respond biblically, and with commitment to “stand fast in the evil day”—and yes there is “evil” afoot, whether you acknowledge and recognize it or not!  What does that look like?  Well, I hope to share my personal understanding of biblical truth and how we can apply it to our lives in these evil days.  I invite you to join me as we peruse and consider what God says, and while I will give my opinion and commentary, I pray that you will hear what God has to say, and study for yourself.  After all, it is God we will answer to, not men!

I would like to make some preliminary observations that are important to me and can hopefully be helpful and thought-provoking for you.

First and foremost, we have abandoned The God of The Word as well as The Word of God!  As a culture we no longer respect, honor or promote godly, biblical living, even within many of our churches.

Secondly, we have abandoned the biblical principle of the family.  What do I mean by “the family”?  I am referring to the God-established home of one man and one woman in marriage for life, to comfort, be companionable to one another, sharing life together, as well as to procreate the human race.  God makes it clear that from the “beginning” (which we have also abandoned—the very foundation of scripture, God, man, and the God-breathed creation of all that exists, we deny not only the Genesis account, but the many other scriptures replete with the truth that God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit were present at creation and all things hinge on their creative power and love!) God knew we would fail and sin, yet He created us anyway, and had already made provision for our salvation through the Lamb of God who “takes away the sin of the world”!  But we must recognize and acknowledge that SIN is the issue! (See Genesis 1-3: John 1:1-5: Colossians 1:12-17: Hebrews 1:1-4; Eph. 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20 for more insight!)

In our homes, we have, as a nation, failed our children by teaching (by example if nothing else) our young people that sex is a toy—our young women can (and are almost encouraged to) have babies out of wedlock.  How can I say that?  Well, just look around you, we financially support these young women, yet if they choose to marry and live “moral” lives with the man with whom they are sleeping, they get no “support”, no “medical care” or other help.  But if they just “shack-up” denying the benefits of godly marriage, they will get their “check”!  One reason our country is falling apart with floundering children raised without fathers in the home, with no compunction (look it up) to live morally—yes biblical morality!  Also, we have not only accepted sexual perversion but promoted it, in our educational institutions—taxpayer funded institutions–as well as our churches.  I might also add, we have turned our children loose to the influences of “Hellywood” and in many cases exert no control or interest in what we allow to influence them—often because the parents practice the same things.  We allow (even encourage) our small children, as well as our teenagers, to dress like, act like, pursue and follow people of ungodly character, lude and immodest attire, with outright vulgar and wicked songs, actions, movies and other media influences.  Then we wonder what’s wrong with our culture!  Pardon my French, but “DUH”? Where have we put God?

“The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen

to nought:

he maketh the devices of the people

of none effect.

11 The counsel of the LORD ‘

standeth for ever,

the thoughts of his heart

to all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;

and the people whom he hath chosen

for his own inheritance.

13 The LORD looketh from heaven;

he beholdeth all the sons of men.”   Psalm 33:10-13

“Happy is that people,

that is in such a case: yea,

happy is that people,

whose God is the LORD.”  Psalm 144:15

“Happy is he

that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope

is in the LORD his God:

6 Which made heaven, and earth,

the sea,

and all that therein is:

which keepeth truth

for ever:”  Psalm 146:5-6

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.”   1 Corinthians 15:33]

We can choose to honor, worship and obey The God Almighty of creation—The God of the Bible—or we can walk in the world’s ways and devices and reap the consequences.

The Proverbs speak so well to the fate of those who reject God and His ways.

“Turn you at my reproof:

behold,

I will pour out my spirit

unto you,

I will make known my words

unto you.

24 Because I have called,

and ye refused;

I have stretched out my hand,

and no man regarded;

25 But ye have set at nought

all my counsel,

and would none of my reproof:

26 I also will laugh

at your calamity;

I will mock

when your fear cometh;

27 When your fear cometh

as desolation,

and your destruction cometh

as a whirlwind;

when distress and anguish cometh

upon you.

28 Then shall they call upon me,

but I will not answer;

they shall seek me early,

but they shall not find me:

29 For that they hated

knowledge,

and did not choose

the fear of the LORD:

30 They would none of my counsel:

they despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit

of their own way,

and be filled

with their own devices.

32 For the turning away of the simple

shall slay them,

and the prosperity of fools

shall destroy them.

33 But whoso hearkeneth

unto me

shall dwell safely,

and shall be quiet

from fear of evil.”  Proverbs 1:23-33

And Jeremiah’s word to Israel is so fitting for us today.

“And at what instant I shall speak

concerning a nation,

and concerning a kingdom,

to build and to plant it;

10 If it do evil in my sight,

that it obey not my voice,

then I will repent of the good,

wherewith I said

I would benefit them.

11 Now therefore go to,

speak to the men of Judah,

and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

saying,

Thus saith the LORD;

Behold, I frame

evil against you,

and devise a device

against you:

return ye now every one

from his evil way,

and make your ways

and your doings

good.

12 And they said,

There is no hope:

but we will walk

 after our own devices,

 and we will every one

do the imagination

of his evil heart.”   Jeremiah 18:9-12

I don’t like to be all doom and gloom, but real love speaks truth; it warns of danger.  If I were to shout at people to not continue down a road where the bridge was out, you wouldn’t call it “hate”, you’d call it “love”; yet we have called “evil good….and good evil” and reject those who warn us of moral danger.  We can’t escape the consequences if we continually fail to recognize our error or turn to Jesus in repentance and faith!

Paul in his letter to the Thessalonian church, advises us that in the last days those who choose wrongly will reap the consequence of their choice—because God is righteous, holy, and just as well as “love”—and if you/I reject truth, He will allow each one who willfully rejects HIM to believe the lie.  Real love will warn you that sin is to your detriment; but you must decide what you will do with real love and truth, and remember, saying you won’t choose, is choosing!

“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

Yet there is hope, if you will but turn to Jesus, who saves, transforms and delivers us from the penalty of sin, and its power over us!  And HE is coming to deliver us from the very presence of sin!  How about you?  Are you ready?  Will you believe the truth while you have the opportunity, or will you be deceived when the time comes and believe the lie and doom your soul (and probably the souls of those around you!)?  I pray that you will hear the truth from a loving heart, and come to Jesus today.  And if you belong to Jesus, please stop whining (perilous times are here) and “stand fast in the evil day” by keeping your eyes on “the prize”, Jesus, (See Phil. 3:13-15) and digging into HIS Word not the world’s words of deceit and delusion.  Paul gave the Thessalonians a powerful word of encouragement after the grave warning from his loving heart.

“But we are bound to give thanks

alway to God

for you,

brethren beloved of the Lord,

because God hath from the beginning chosen you

to salvation

through sanctification of the Spirit

and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you

by our gospel,

to the obtaining of the glory

of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Therefore, brethren,

stand fast,

and hold the traditions

which ye have been taught,

whether by word, or our epistle.

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself,

and God, even our Father,

which hath loved us,

and hath given us

everlasting consolation

and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts,

and stablish you

in every good word

and work.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Amen and Amen!!!

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Where Are Your Dominoes??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12. No.11

04 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Commitment Or Convenience

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

1 Corinthians 15:33, 1 Kings 11:1-6, 1 Kings 3:5-14, Compromise, Falling For The Lies, Galatians 6:7-9, Hebrews 11:23-27, Hebrews 13:1-6, Hebrews 13:8, John 15:1-5, Matthew 7:12-13, Philippians 4;13, Pleasure of Sin, Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:25, Psalm 37:3-6, Romans 1:21-32

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.11  Where Are Your Dominoes???

 

I remember playing with dominoes as a child, not always the “game” of dominoes but laying them out in a line and then watching them fall on each other and thinking that was so amazing. And we’ve all seen those elaborate dominoes that take people hours and days to set up and then in just a few short minutes the dominoes fall in intricate patterns to amaze us all. But the dominoes that I want to talk about today are the cultural “dominoes” that are falling all around us—and the results are anything but happily amazing—they are tragic and frightening and we need to wake up and make some changes while we still can!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

if we faint not.” Galatians 6:7-9

We are reaping not the fancy, cutesy, domino stunts that we see on videos, but we are reaping Satan’s domino effect which is tragic—ruining our homes, churches, cities and our nation (besides the world at large!). Many of us bought the lies as young people (I am a product of the 50’s and 60’s and the end has been less than admirable—divorces, rebellion, child abuse, pornography, drugs, no work ethic, not even considering the rejection of God!), and made choices in light of our belief in and acceptance of those half-truths and lies (And just FYI—half-truths are lies!) and now we are watching the consequences of those choices, even we who have repented and returned to God. I must share the things that are on my heart. We bought into the “soap opera” mentality—that if we “love” anyone or anything then what we do for that “love” is all right! But that isn’t what God says—sin is sin and if we sow sin to our flesh, we will reap corruption and destruction. Even as Jesus told us:

“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.” Matthew 7:12-13

Jesus told us that there are two ways to go—a popular way, and a straight/narrow way (and I mean that any way you want to take it!) —and we have the privilege to choose which way we will go, but we aren’t privileged to set the consequence, for God has already set the consequences, and warned all that will receive His Word of the danger of sin, and the deliverance that HE has provided to all who will “hear what the Spirit says…” about the Son of God who gave HIS life for us! But what we must come to grips with is that we have created most of the problems that we are now facing in our country (and the world in general) by choosing the wisdom of men over the true wisdom of God.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”   Proverbs 16:25

I’ve learned in reading and studying the Bible, that when something is repeated, we need to take note of—it is important—and God wants us to know that sin will look good in the beginning for Satan is the greatest advertising executive of all time—He can paint a picture of beauty and glory, but it is all gilded with lies, and the truth will come to light, but often too late to escape an inevitable consequence. Even scripture tells that there is “pleasure” in sin, but at what price? Let’s consider what the “faith” chapter tells us about the prophet Moses.

“By faith Moses,

when he was born,

was hid three months of his parents,

because they saw

he was a proper child;

and they were not afraid

of the king’s commandment.

24 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.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt,

not fearing the wrath of the king:

for he endured,

as seeing him

who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:23-27

We see two examples of faith here; we see Moses’ parents, who hid him for three months “because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment”! The Pharaoh had commanded that all the baby boys should be killed, yet Moses’ parents kept him hidden from the king and later trusted him to God as Jochebed put him in a basket and placed him where he could be found by some Egyptian who would take pity on him. Then beyond imagination, Pharaoh’s daughter took Moses to be her own child, and paid his mother to nurse him until he was weaned. Yet when Moses became an adult (I can’t help but believe he remembered the stories that Jochebed shared with him as a child!) he recognized that there was a difference between God’s people, and ways and the “pleasures of sin for a season” in the Egyptian palace! Moses could have continued to live in opulent wealth, prestige and power, yet he saw that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was the true God, and His ways were worth the cost! He had set his heart on the true Almighty God, and chose to follow Him “not fearing the wrath of the king”! Moses, unlike some of us, recognized the fleeting, seasonal nature of sin, and he chose God’s way.

And while it took forty years in the dessert for God to prepare him for the difficult task ahead, God had his heart. What about you and me? There is another man of God who made good choices in his youth but messed up in his latter years, who reminds us that Satan is no respecter of age—he tempts the young, the middle-aged, and the older generation. Sin has no age limit! We must choose to serve God, God’s way! He hasn’t changed the rules no matter what people may think. Sometimes it seems that people have more faith in their “check” than in God. And marriage is one of Satan’s main targets! Yet God has made His standard clear, and how He feels about marriage and adultery (and any sex outside of marriage is adultery—pre, current or post marriage!) is key! The author of Hebrews reminds us of how believers ought to behave before the world, and where our confidence ought to be—and it’s not in the government (checks or no checks) or the weather person!

“Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:

for thereby some

have entertained angels unawares.

3 Remember them that are in bonds,

as bound with them;

and them which suffer adversity,

as being yourselves

also in the body.

4 Marriage is honourable

in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers

and adulterers

God will judge.

5 Let your conversation be

without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”   Hebrews 13:1-6

The rules haven’t changed! And the other man I want us to look at is Solomon. A young man who started strong but fell into sin—and you might be amazed at what caused his demise!

“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said,

Ask what I shall give thee.

6 And Solomon said,

Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David

my father

great mercy,

according as he walked before thee

in truth,

and in righteousness,

and in uprightness of heart

with thee;

and thou hast kept for him

this great kindness,

that thou hast given him a son

to sit on his throne,

as it is this day.

7 And now, O LORD my God,

thou hast made thy servant king

instead of David my father:

and I am but a little child:

I know not how to go out

or come in.

8 And thy servant is in the midst

of thy people

which thou hast chosen,

a great people,

that cannot be numbered

nor counted for multitude.

9 Give therefore thy servant

an understanding heart

to judge thy people,

that I may discern

between good

and bad:

for who is able to judge this

thy so great a people?

10 And the speech pleased the Lord,

that Solomon had asked this thing.

11 And God said unto him,

Because thou hast asked this thing,

and hast not asked for thyself long life;

neither hast asked riches for thyself,

nor hast asked the life of thine enemies;

but hast asked for thyself

understanding to discern judgment;

12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise

and an understanding heart;

so that there was none like thee

before thee,

neither after thee

shall any arise like unto thee.

13 And I have also given thee

that which thou hast not asked,

both riches,

and honour:

so that there shall not be any

among the kings

like unto thee

all thy days.

14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways,

to keep my statutes

and my commandments,

as thy father David did walk,

then I will lengthen thy days.”  1 Kings 3:5-14

Solomon knew that only God could give him a heart of wisdom and understanding to rule God’s people, and God was so pleased with his humble request, that He not only granted Solomon’s request, but God also granted him riches and honor. God also told him that if he would walk in HIS ways, like David had, He would “lengthen thy days”! The catch was Solomon’s heart of compromise toward the pagan women that he took as wives (and remember he had a lot of them—700 wives and 300 concubines!) who caused him to stumble and fall away from faithfully serving God. And to borrow from the NASB “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals” (See 1 Corinthians 15:33)

“But king Solomon

loved many strange women,

together with the daughter of Pharaoh,

women of the Moabites,

Ammonites,

Edomites,

Zidonians,

and Hittites;

2 Of the nations

concerning which the LORD said

unto the children of Israel,

Ye shall not go in to them,

neither shall they come in unto you:

for surely they will turn away

your heart

after their gods:

Solomon clave unto these in love.

3 And he had seven hundred wives,

princesses,

and three hundred concubines:

and his wives turned away his heart.

4 For it came to pass,

when Solomon was old,

that his wives turned away his heart

after other gods:

and his heart was not perfect

with the LORD his God,

as was the heart of David

his father.

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess

of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And Solomon did evil

in the sight of the LORD,

and went not fully after the LORD,

as did David his father.”   1 Kings 11:1-6

Solomon chose foolishly—he surrounded himself with pagan wives (“bad companions”, regardless of the reasoning—whether it was for political positioning, or lust, or seasonal pleasure) who turned his heart away from following God! And when we choose the way of the world, it will always be in a direction opposite from God’s way! We can choose that “broad way” and face the destruction, or we can choose the “narrow… way” and have life. Yet Jesus said, “few there be that find it”—it has never been popular to follow God’s way, and it never will be, but it IS the only way to God.

Who will you follow—what dominoes are you setting up? Who will follow you (and your dominoes)? Are you leading them to God, or will they be lead to destruction. Paul talks about those who willingly and gladly lead others down the wrong road, and our world abounds with such people!

“Because that,

when they knew (recognized) God,

they glorified him not as God,

neither were thankful;

but became vain in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise,

they became fools…

32 Who knowing the judgment of God,

that they which commit such things

are worthy of death,

not only do the same,

but have pleasure in them

that do them.” Portions of Romans 1:21-32

We/I/you can only turn our culture around one choice at a time—we must repent of our failures and wrong choices (our sin) which have demeaned the truth of the Gospel, and come back to The Word of God as our lodestar, before the dominoes completely crash around our feet. May we all seek to “stand fast in the evil day”, being a reflection of the glory of our Lord, not falling for the lies of the enemy, nor being drawn astray by the “pleasures of sin” for any season! Oh God forgive our failure to stand for YOUR truth in days gone past, as well as today, and help us to keep our eyes on JESUS—the only way, who is the same always.

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”   Hebrews 13:8

Keeping our eyes on HIM, and abiding IN HIM, that His glory may be seen in us each and every day!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word

which I have spoken

unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 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 15:1-5

When we belong to Jesus, we are empowered by His Holy Spirit to do HIS work, and by His power we can truly pray and see:

“Thy kingdom come……Thy will be done…”

Praying with a heart set on HIM, knowing HE will prevail!!!

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

I’ll close with a passage from Psalms:

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” Psalm 37:3-6

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