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What Do You Have On Tap??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 01

18 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by Blanche in Abundant Life In Jesus, Peace Makers, What's On Tap?

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1 John 1:9-10, 2 Timothy 2:19, 2 Timothy 3:12, James 3:17-18, James 3:7-16, Jeremiah 15:18-21, John 10:27-30, John 14:15, John 15:20-21, John 6:37, Mark 6:11-12, Mark 8:36-37, Matthew 12:34-37, Matthew 15:18-20, Out of the mouth?, Repentance, Revelation 3:20, Romans 5:1-2, Speech, What do my words say?, What's On Your Tap?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 01  What Do You Have On Tap???

 

When we go out to a ‘fast food’ restaurant, which we don’t do often, they usually hand us a cup so you can fill it yourself. You choose what soft drink you want at the soda dispenser, and when you put your cup under the tap, you usually get what the label says you’ll get.  But there are those times when there is a major faux pas; you sometimes get all syrup, or all soda water; or even worse you get the wrong ‘flavor’!  YUCK!  Now sometimes, it’s just hoses that got crossed up, but usually it’s because something is empty or someone didn’t do their job—either way, what “IS” in the tap, “IS” what you get, whether you want it or not!  I think it’s often the same way with us; we don’t always keep our hearts and minds set on Jesus, and when people pull the tab, or push the button, or insert their cup, so to speak, they are surprised, disappointed, angry, sick, offended, or totally caught off guard with the results of what was ‘on tap’!  Scripture has a lot to say about this issue—and I think it would behoove us to ponder what scripture has to say to me and you about what we keep ‘on tap’!  James gives us a great place to start.

“For every kind of beasts,

and of birds,

and of serpents,

and of things in the sea,

is tamed,

and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth

blessing

and cursing.

My brethren, these things

ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place

sweet water

and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain both yield

salt water

and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation

his works

with meekness

of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife

in your hearts,

glory not,

and lie not

against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above,

but is earthly,

sensual,

devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is,

there is confusion

and every evil work.”  James 3:7-16

“17 But the wisdom that is from above

is first pure,

then peaceable,

gentle,

and easy to be intreated,

full of mercy

and good fruits,

without partiality,

and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness

is sown in peace

of them

that make peace.” James 3:17-18

Let me say that the only way we can make “peace”, is when we have the “peace” of Jesus in our hearts.  It’s what I believe Jesus was talking about when He mentioned the “peace makers” in the beatitudes—not those who stop fights and wars, but those who have “peace with God”, and bring others to Jesus, to have “peace with God”!  And having peace with God, is having His Spirit within us (the Spirit of Jesus Christ), for Jesus is the only man (the God Man) who can ‘tame the tongue’ (or the heart)—mine or yours!  I can’t help but smile when I remember that James never heard of ‘social media’, but he surely seems to be describing it!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope

of the glory of God.”    Romans 5:1-2

Having “peace with God”, is cause for rejoicing, yet so many seem to have no inspiration to rejoice, when all you hear from them is moaning and groaning (and while my age and my joints may give me cause to moan and groan in my aches and pains—my heart is full of gratitude and rejoicing in the LORD who delivered my soul from hell, and set my heart, mind and feet on a path toward glory!!  Amen and Amen)! It’s kind of like the old question, “What do you get when you squeeze a lemon?”, the answer isn’t lemon juice (which is what you ought to get, because it’s a lemon) but the true answer is, “You get out, whatever is inside?”!  The same is true with us!  Jesus reminds us of that on multiple occasions—what is ‘inside’ will come ‘out’, and Jesus must be ‘in’ our hearts to affect our ‘outside’ behavior!

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word

that men shall speak,

 they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words

thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words

thou shalt be condemned.”   Matthew 12: 34-37

Do my/your words reflect Jesus’ redeeming justification, or condemnation?  It’s your choice and it will bring the consequence!

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”   Matthew 15:18-20

Simply put, you can wash the dirt off of your hands, but if you haven’t let Jesus wash your heart, it will keep putting out that which is vile.  Yet as a believer, my job is to speak truth and let people know truth, that there is a difference between the precious and the vile, and like Jeremiah, that isn’t always an easy job—in fact it hardly ever is!  But, when God saves us, and calls us to serve Him in a particular way, we may find that it may hurt, yet God’s grace “is sufficient” for it all (not because I say so, but because God says so, and I have found HIM faithful to the task—always!). Jeremiah wrote words that have often lifted my heart and encouraged my soul to press on!

“Why is my pain perpetual,

and my wound incurable,

which refuseth to be healed?

wilt thou be altogether unto me

as a liar,

and as waters that fail?

19 Therefore thus saith the LORD,

If thou return,

then will I bring thee again,

and thou shalt stand before me:

and if thou take forth

the precious

from the vile,

thou shalt be as my mouth:

let them return unto thee;

but return not thou unto them.

20 And I will make thee unto this people

a fenced brasen wall:

and they shall fight

against thee,

but they shall not prevail against thee:

for I am with thee

to save thee

and to deliver thee,

saith the LORD.

21 And I will deliver thee

out of the hand of the wicked,

and I will redeem thee

out of the hand of the terrible.”    Jeremiah 15:18-21

Much like John wrote in the Book of The Revelation, sometimes we are called to “go out from among them”; there are those who will not receive our testimony of truth, as well as those who will revile us for standing with Jesus.  We must stand as Joshua did and declare, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”; and sometimes that will cause others to reject you.  But I’d much rather stand with Jesus and truth and let the world judge me as they like, than to fall for the lies of the devil and face God’s judgment and lose my soul!

“For what shall it profit a man,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give

in exchange

for his soul?”  Mark 8:36-37

Whatever is in your tap will come out.

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

 and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able

to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

Have you heard HIS voice and come to Him in repentance and faith; realizing and admitting that you have a sin problem that only Jesus can fix; believing that HIS substitutionary (He took your place at Calvary), atoning (He paid for my sin), sacrifice (He died for my sin debt), for I owed a debt that I couldn’t pay, and HE took my place to pay a debt that He didn’t owe; all because He loves me and you!  Because of HIS love and saving grace, how could I do any less than love Him in devotion and obedience before a lost and dying world in need of a Savior! I want to keep my tanks full of Jesus and may my ‘tap’ ever flow with HIS truth, love, power and grace!

 “If ye love me,

keep my commandments.”  John 14:15

Yet it’s not about ‘rules’ but relationship—a relationship with the ruler of the world who loved me and died for ME/YOU! Knowing that when we follow Him the world won’t like it!  But I’m going to keep on giving out JESUS regardless of the cost!  And unless Jesus returns soon, we need to know that persecution and suffering is on the way!

“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 15:20-21

And again, as Jesus sent out the disciples to preach The Kingdom:

“And whosoever shall not receive you,

nor hear you,

when ye depart thence,

shake off the dust under your feet

for a testimony against them.

Verily I say unto you,

It shall be more tolerable

for Sodom

and Gomorrha

in the day of judgment,

than for that city.

12 And they went out,

and preached that men should repent.”    Mark 6:11-12

Paul reminded his son-in-the-ministry with a clear message that we must not miss (even though it’s not a popular message today—it IS truth)!

“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

“Yea, and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”  2 Timothy 3:12

So, my question for us today is simply, “What do you have on your tap?”  Is Jesus your shepherd?  Are you walking with Him in obedience and devotion, or have you allowed the enemy to steal your joy, peace and love?   Or have you never come to Jesus?  If He is knocking at the door of your heart you only have to open it up to Him!

“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 implore you to come to HIM—He is ever faithful! And if you know Him, but are not walking in the light, repent and He will cleanse you today.  Jesus is in the ‘cracked pot’ restoring business—I know because I am one!  I praise God for it!

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:9-10

Tap into Jesus—

“……..and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out.”   John 6:37b

And that means YOU my friend—that means YOU!

Amen and Amen!!!

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How Far Is Too Far??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 26

11 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by Blanche in Discipline, Salvation, Sanctified, SIN

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Tags

1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 John 1:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Discipline, Hebrews 12:5-11, Hebrews 13:8, Holiness, How Far Is Too Far?, Let God Be True, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 7:13-27, Repentance Or Rejection?, Romans 1:16-32, Romans 3:4, Romans 5:1-11, Romans 8:28-29, Sanctification

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 26  How Far Is Too Far???

 

My heart is heavy with the burden of the world that we live in, and yet even more, that those who claim the name of Jesus have accepted the world’s philosophy and lies over the truth of God’s Word and claim that it’s “OK”!  According to God’s Word—t’ain’t so!  While these are subjects to broach with humility and compassion, I believe that they are subjects that need to be addressed.

“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

This list is pretty self-explanatory, even to the point of being something that could describe most front-pages of our news any day!  Yet what does this have to do with me/you/us?  A lot, I think, for we are there; yet many who claim to belong to Jesus, don’t seem to be recognizing it as such, but rather joining in with the world and adjusting The Word to meet their lifestyle choices, rather than ordering their “steps in Thy Word”. God has never changed—His character, His Word, or His call to salvation!  Jesus is still The Only Way—and His way will always align with The Word of God!

 “Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

When we come to Jesus—who never changes—HE makes a change in us; and The Word confirms that when we are ‘born again’ we are changed from the inside out—not one who works their way to heaven.  (See Colossians 1:12-14)

“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

Jesus came to save us “from” our sins, and while we must come “just as” we are, God never leaves us as we are—He is working to conform us to the image of His Son. Salvation reconciles us to God, changing us from the enemies of God to His own child.

“And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

 he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”   Romans 8:28-29

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

And when we are saved from our sins, we are made a “new creature” in Jesus, and God says His own won’t be left to ‘their own’ devices without His guiding hand, and His eternal work of redemption and sanctification in our lives.  Jesus disciplines His own, and if we don’t’ experience His work and discipline in our life, we better check out what we think saved us!

“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.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh

which corrected us,

and we gave them reverence:

shall we not much rather

be in subjection unto the Father of spirits,

and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us

after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit,

that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present

seemeth to be joyous,

but grievous:

nevertheless afterward

it yieldeth the peaceable fruit

of righteousness

unto them

which are exercised thereby.”   Hebrews 12:5-11

The fruit of righteousness comes from God’s ‘training’ work in our lives, all to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ His Son.  And yet, I hear all around us of those who claim to be “Christians” and yet are continually “denying the power thereof”. I heard of an instance recently where a popular television program had two professing Christians on it (a reality show of sorts) and when one called the other to avoid immorality, he was rebuked and told that his opinion wasn’t valid –that God will forgive immorality when we ask, and that’s all that is important!  WRONG!  Yes, God will forgive when we seek His forgiveness, but it requires a repentant heart, a recognition of sin as sin, and not an arrogant refusal to accept God’s standard of life and morality but accepting the world’s standard while rejecting God’s truth!

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”   1 John 1:9-10

Jesus tells us that just ‘saying’ so doesn’t ‘make it’ so.  Are you talking a good talk, but living a different way?  How far have we been led astray, how far have you/I gone afield from God?  We must return to the “narrow road” if we truly belong to Jesus.  Jesus said it best; ask His words to truly speak to your heart!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 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 7:13-23

Just like Jesus continued on, we can have a house built on the rock–Jesus, or we can settle for a house that looks good but is built on the sand of the world.  So, remember, when the storms come–and they will come—the foundation determines the outcome!

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

 which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

 and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”   Matthew 7:24-27

Paul paints a wonderful word picture of our new relationship with God—and it’s not a relationship that minimalizes sin, or covers sin up, or calls wrong right, or right wrong.  Yet just as Paul told Timothy, those “perilous times” have come, we are surrounded by a world that proclaims a ‘modern gospel’ that is false, they have a “form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”!  They don’t want life-changing, transforming salvation that Jesus offers, but they simply want a “get out of hell free” card, that “cheap grace” that Dietrich Bonhoeffer talked about almost 100 years ago.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

 through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience;

and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

 by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure

for a good man some

would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love

toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:1-11

And two final passages that I want to leave with you, are the quintessential revelation of God’s perspective on sin; passages that many reject today, but nonetheless, are still God’s truth, and I will simply list them here for you to ponder.  God’s opinion is the opinion that will matter. (See Hebrews 4:12-13 — God’s Word will be the defining Word of judgment!)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God

unto salvation to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven

against all ungodliness and unrighteousness

of men, who hold the truth

 in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God

is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood by the things that are made,

even his eternal power and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew 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,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God

into an image made like to corruptible man,

and to birds,

and fourfooted beasts,

and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up

to uncleanness

through the lusts of their own hearts,

to dishonour their own bodies

between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God

into a lie,

and worshipped and served the creature

more than the Creator,

who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up

unto vile affections:

for even their women did change

the natural use into that

which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men,

leaving the natural use of the woman,

burned in their lust

one toward another;

men with men

working that which

is unseemly,

and receiving in themselves

that recompence of their error

which was meet.

28 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 1:16-32

And lastly:

“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: (past tense)

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

What’s your answer, “How Far Is Too Far”?  God will show you, if you really want to know!

“God forbid:

yea, let God be true,

but every man a liar;

as it is written,

That thou mightest be justified

in thy sayings,

and mightest overcome

when thou art judged.”  Romans 3:4

Amen and Amen!

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