Tag Archives: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Eyes Open! Really? To What??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #678

21 Friday Aug 2020

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Darkness or Light?, SIN, Truth, Truth is True, Wisdom

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #678  Eyes Open!  Really?  To What???

 

Just a brief word this morning to help each of us to guard our hearts, and minds; we are bombarded with so much information, how do we discern the true from the false?  How do we separate the sheep from the wolves?  Only by the power of God’s Spirit and His Word.

“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?”  1 Kings 3:9

I love this verse and it’s one that I pray regularly, for we live in a world askew; and while I’m no “king” (as Solomon), I am a child of The King of Kings, and if we will ask, HE will help us to discern between the “wolves in sheep’s clothing” and the best options in the human situations and decisions that we face and encounter continually.  But what we must remember is that the enemy doesn’t always (in fact seldom) speak truth, and we must hear with more than just our ears.

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself

is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers

also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

We must be diligent to know God’s Word and measure what we hear by The Word not by our own human judgment and reason.  I heard someone reason that “love” justifies sin, reasoning if “they love each other” then sinful behavior is ok.  Well, I hate to differ, but God’s standard doesn’t change because of our lusts!  Sin is still sin no matter what we hear or say, or what we call it!

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

And as Isaiah warned:

“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!”  Isaiah 5:20-21

God’s warning is as true today as when Isaiah wrote it; may we hear and heed while there is still time.

Amen and Amen!

What’s A Remnant??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 23

16 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Born Again, Consider Your ways, Salvation, Still Will I Trust HIM

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 23 What’s A Remnant???

 

I’ve heard a lot lately about a “remnant”, and I think I’d like to share a few things about a/the remnant that we may not have considered.  The first thing I want us to consider is the English meaning of remnant.

Remnant:  “a small remaining, usually small part, quantity, number or the like;  a fragment or scrap; a trace; vestige .…”

For our purposes today we could even refer to ‘remnant’ as the “remainder” in the Greek language used in the New Testament; in the Hebrew of the Old Testament, it is defined also as remainder or residue (something that remains after a part is removed).  So, the issue is the remainder (in general) of something, but we must let the context determine what the scripture is saying about ‘a’/’the’ remnant.  And just in general, the remnant, as mentioned in the Old Testament is almost always referring to the nation and/or the people of Israel, except where it is used in a simple general way of anything or anyone that “remains” of something (sometimes specific, sometimes just a general, unspecific people or thing).

Why is this important?  Because we must base our conclusions, teachings and our doctrines on the whole counsel of God, not a bit here or a bit there without continuity.  We must let The Word of God speak truth to our hearts.  God has made promises, that is sure and certain, but all of the promises are not for everyone—there are specific promises, that were made to specific people/s, times, events and/or nations and we must remember that “Context Is King”!  So, let’s consider some scriptures and see what conclusions we can make; letting scripture interpret scripture.

Paul spent all of Romans 9-11 explaining to us the promises and future of Israel in regard to the Gospel; we’ll just consider part of chapter 9 and hear what God has to say!  The context begins with Paul relating the words of Elijah—a prophet of God who had his ups and downs just like we do.  (See James 5:16)

“God hath not cast away his people

which he foreknew.

Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias?

how he maketh intercession to God

against Israel, saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets,

and digged down thine altars;

and I am left alone,

and they seek my life.

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him?

I have reserved to myself

seven thousand men,

who have not bowed the knee

to the image of Baal.

5 Even so then

at this present time also

there is a remnant

according to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace,

then is it no more of works:

otherwise grace is no more grace.

But if it be of works,

then is it no more grace:

otherwise work is no more work.

7 What then?

Israel hath not obtained

that which he seeketh for;

 but the election hath obtained it,

and the rest were blinded

8 (According as it is written,

God hath given them

the spirit of slumber,

eyes that they should not see,

and ears that they should not hear;)

unto this day…..

11 I say then,

Have they stumbled that they should fall?

God forbid:

but rather through their fall

salvation is come unto the Gentiles,

for to provoke them

to jealousy…

…20 Well; because of unbelief

they were broken off,

and thou standest

by faith.

Be not highminded, but fear:…

… 25 For I would not, brethren,

that ye should be ignorant of this mystery,

lest ye should be wise

in your own conceits;

that blindness in part

is happened to Israel,

until the fulness of the Gentiles

be come in.

26 And so all Israel

shall be saved:

as it is written,

There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer,

and shall turn away ungodliness

from Jacob:

27 For this is my covenant unto them,

when I shall take away their sins.

28 As concerning the gospel,

they are enemies for your sakes:

but as touching the election,

they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

29 For the gifts

and calling

of God

are without repentance…

…33 O the depth of the riches

both of the wisdom

and knowledge of God!

how unsearchable

are his judgments,

and his ways

past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him,

and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”   Portions of Romans 11:2-36

While Paul is talking about Israel coming to faith in Jesus, that time has not yet come when Israel (as a nation) will come to Jesus, but it will!  Paul refers to individual Jews who have believed, but as a nation there is a time coming when Israel will repent and believe in the Crucified Lamb!  And only a diligent study of scripture will give us true insight into the times and seasons; so, we have to be careful of our conclusions and be sure that they line up with The Word!  Let’s consider some passages and I’d like to simply give my opinion/conclusion of the immediate context/subject being mentioned as a/the ‘remnant’!  We are living in a time of deceit and disregard of God, His Word and HIS SON!

“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

While ‘remnant’ isn’t used here, Paul makes it clear that “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!  There are those who claim the name of Jesus, but have not made a true commitment to Jesus, in repentance and faith—there are those (I know them and so do you) who are familiar with scripture, who have been in church their whole lives, but put off committing their lives to Jesus in saving faith.  They know enough about scripture to claim that when the ‘anit-christ’ comes they will choose to follow Jesus; Paul says that won’t happen; for if they have chosen to reject (and putting off salvation is rejecting) Jesus until some other time, then God says that HE has a different plan, “for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie”!  They will fall for the lie because they “believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness”!  God said it, not me—I’m simply one of the messengers!  We who are God’s must look up and press on, knowing that the times are speeding upon us!

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption draweth nigh.”   Luke 21:28

And while the time is late, you can still respond to God’s convicting call on your heart; but remember, that time will not go on forever. As God also told Noah:

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

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

It is only God’s grace that has given us the time that we have.

“The Lord is not slack

concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering

to us-ward,

not willing

that any should perish,

but that all

should come to repentance.”   2 Peter 3:9

God is ever working to bring men and women, boys and girls to Himself, but we must understand and recognize that the enemy of men’s souls is ever at work to ‘steal..kill…and destroy’, and He uses lies and deceit to fool and blind the eyes of mankind and keep them from the cross.  So, we must be careful what we believe and always measure our beliefs by God’s Word!  In other words, let The Word of God be your plumbline.  God will lead us into truth if we will but “study to shew thyself approved unto God”!  (See 2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:15-16). Satan is ever at work sabotaging truth—God’s truth; but his time is short!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also

be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”   2 Corinthians 11:13-15

The apostle John addresses an issue, reminding us that “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!  Are you following the world, or Jesus?  Do you just have ‘words’ or do you have the Savior?

“For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

is not of the Father,

but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away,

and the lust thereof:

but he that doeth the will of God

abideth for ever.

18 Little children,

it is the last time:

and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,

even now are there many antichrists;

whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us,

but they were not of us;

for if they had been of us,

they would no doubt have continued with us:

but they went out,

that they might be made manifest

that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction

from the Holy One,

and ye know all things.”  1 John 2:16-20

Even as Jesus said in Matthew 7:

“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 7:20-23

I love what the author of Hebrews challenges us to pursue, the life of focus—focus on Jesus not the world.  And our lives can be encouraged by the testimony of those who have gone before us—and our lives ore to be an encouragement to those who are following in our footsteps.  Where are your footsteps leading those around you?  If there is a remnant of the faithful, are you part of it?  Or are you failing to lead down the narrow way?  Will you run YOUR race or God’s?

“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

We can endure!  We can lead others to the cross where Jesus still saves, and changes lives today!  Today is the day of salvation!  Will you come to HIM?  If you are already HIS, won’t you live for HIM— by HIS power today.  There is a lost and dying world that needs to see Jesus in you and me!

“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

It is by HIS Power we are saved; and it is by HIS power that we are kept in HIS ways, and whatever God may say about a remnant, we can walk close with HIM by HIS power, and for HIS glory!  Don’t be one of those who walks away to be made manifest “that they were not all of us”!  For God knows, no matter what others may think!

“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 2:9

“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

“Now unto him that is able

to keep you from falling,

and to present you

faultless before the presence of his glory

with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour,

be glory

and majesty,

dominion

and power,

both now

and ever. Amen.”   Jude 1:24-25

And just for reference sake, here are some New Testament passages on ‘remnant’ for you to consider.  Let’s base our conclusions on God’s Word/words and “stand fast in the evil day” so that “having done all” we may stand and be found faithful!!!  If you are interested, you can find others with the aid of a concordance.  Most of the Old Testament references are either specific to Israel or used in general reference and conversation of persons or things other than Israel.

Romans 11:5– (a remainder) of Israel

Romans. 9:27—of Israel

Matthew 22:6–(Remaining ones) parable—in general

Romans 9:27–of Israel

Revelation 11:3.–Of Israel & General

Revelation 12:17—of Israel @ tribulation

Revelation 19:21—of the ‘beasts’ army” & general

I hope this will bless you and encourage you to consider studying God’s Word regularly, always keeping context in mind for “Context IS King”!

Amen and Amen!

THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18

29 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, Choose You This Day!, Darkness or Light?, Death, Evil will not win, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Follow Jesus, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Life, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18 THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!!

 

It has been a long 10 days for my family, as the darkness and evil of this world crowded into our midst through the evil act of one person.  I have seen the light shine brightly regardless of the evil that tried to defeat us and took the life of my only daughter.  The reasons and drama of the “event” isn’t what I want to talk about today, but rather I want to talk to you about the “light of the world” that has prevailed, is prevailing and will prevail for those who look to HIM!  And yes, JESUS IS that light—and like a lighthouse to a sailor, I will fix my eyes on Jesus to make it to shore!

“That was the true Light,

 which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.”  John 1:9-10

“Again, a new commandment I write unto you,

which thing is true

in him

and in you:

because the darkness is past,

and the true light

now shineth.”  1 John 2:8

Jesus is “the true Light”—and without Him we are in darkness, but praise God Almighty, we can not only see Him, but know Him and be a reflection of HIS light!  Despite darkness having invaded our lives, I will stand for the Lord Jesus Christ—my life, my light, and my redeemer; and HE can be yours!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk

in darkness,

but shall have

the light of life.”  John 8:12

We don’t have to run from the darkness, for His light is within us by His grace, love for us, and the forgiveness of sins that He grants to those who repent and believe in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (righted my wrong), sacrifice (paying my sin-debt with HIS own blood); and the indwelling of HIS Holy Spirit!

“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

You see, this same Jesus who IS light, came into a darkened world who didn’t perceive HIS light for they were blinded, just as men are today.  It’s kind of like “snow blindness” when the light is so bright and continual that the eyes can’t tolerate it.  Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader, that having eyes “to see” isn’t enough; we must have God’s convicting revelation to recognize light as light and be born again—have new life!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born

when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

And, just how are we born again?  By the power, grace and saving faith that God’s Holy Spirit draws us to!  Have you heard His voice?  Have you opened the door of your heart to Jesus?  Or have you failed to “see” the “light of the world”?

“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

Jesus came that we might have this new birth–life in HIM–life “more abundantly”!  Have YOU been born again?  John makes it clear that it’s not dependent on our “heritage” (not of blood); it’s not dependent on our “will power” (not..the will of the flesh); it’s not dependent on the ‘prayers of your mother or your grandmother’(not..the will of man)—it’s dependent on YOUR choice to receive Jesus and His atoning sacrifice, and be transformed by the Light Of The World.  Will you choose light or stay in the dark, and if you are His, don’t let the darkness distract you, for we are to be reflecting His light to the world, not letting the dirt of the world dim our light. (See Matt. 5:13-15)

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless

and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst of a crooked

and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth the word of life;

that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,

that I have not run in vain,

neither laboured in vain.”   Philippians 2:14-16

Don’t be deceived by the enemy of your soul—the one who is the “father of lies” (See John 8:44), for there are plenty of his minions going about to “steal…and to kill….and to destroy”!  Beware of what you accepting as truth!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be according

to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Even as Jeremiah the prophet reminds us:

“Declare this in the house of Jacob,

and publish it in Judah, saying,

21 Hear now this,

O foolish people,

and without understanding;

which have eyes,

and see not;

which have ears,

and hear not:”  Jeremiah 5:20-21

And Isaiah takes us to the heart of the matter; we have chosen our own sin over God’s voice of conviction; we have chosen our own sin over God’s way, because we think we can handle it.  Check out your environment—is it light or dark?

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated

between you and your God,

and your sins have hid

his face from you,

that he will not hear.”  Isaiah 59:1-2

So, in closing I’d like to share a passage that lays it all out on the table, as Paul makes it clear that we all need JESUS, but the choice is yours.  But choose wisely, there is a test—and there is only One answer—JESUS!

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead

in trespasses

and sins;

2 Wherein in time past

ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our

conversation in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up

together,

and made us sit

together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”   Ephesians 2:1-10

The light still shines……..is HE shining in YOU?

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy;

whereunto ye do well

that ye take heed,

as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,

until the day dawn,

and the day star

arise in your hearts:”  2 Peter 1:19

I pray that God will speak to your heart and draw you into HIS light!  Amen and Amen!!!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.”   1 Corinthians 15:57

Recognizing Lies That Defeat??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 24

28 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Liars, Lies That Defeat Us

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 24.  Recognizing Lies That Defeat???

 

We talked last week about the regeneration that Jesus imparts on us when we are born again; and while many of us came to Jesus after falling for the lies of the enemy for years, there are still lies that the enemy uses to make us impotent in our service to our Lord.  That’s what I want us to talk about today—the lies that catch us off guard, the lies that get us distracted from our focus on Jesus, the lies that challenge God’s Word, and the lies that our culture is constantly bombarding us with; yet the power, truth, and love that is the bedrock of our faith still stands—even when our eyes have been diverted by the lies!  Our God reigns, and you can count on HIS faithfulness!

“The LORD reigneth,

he is clothed with majesty;

the LORD is clothed with strength,

wherewith he hath girded himself:

the world also is stablished,

that it cannot be moved.

2 Thy throne is established of old:

thou art from everlasting.

3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD,

the floods have lifted up their voice;

the floods lift up their waves.

4 The LORD on high is mightier

than the noise of many waters,

yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

5 Thy testimonies are very sure:

holiness becometh thine house, O LORD,

for ever.”   Psalm 93:1-5

I love the picture that the Psalmist paints here of the wondrous might, sovereignty and faithfulness of our God; and because HE is faithful in all, ruling over all, and in HIS majesty is our total confidence, we don’t have to settle for lies—we belong to the true God of all—Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  As Jesus said:

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Our God is God, and He is in charge—HE reigns, He doesn’t lie!!!

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”   Revelation 19:6

We can have confidence because our Lord Jesus IS “the way, the truth, and the life”, and we don’t have to settle for lies!  But by the same token, we also need to remind ourselves over and over again that our enemy is subtle, deceitful, tricky and ever seeking our destruction.  But Jesus our LORD, IS LORD!

“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

Jesus gave His life for us—the enemy always wants to destroy—for he is the great imitator and perverter, while our Lord gives abundant LIFE!  You can rely upon the “truth” of God’s Word, His person, and His character—you and I don’t have to stay in “the pits”, we simply have to run to our God!

“The name of the LORD

       is a strong tower:

the righteous

 runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

That’s for we who have placed our faith and trust in God to receive the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for all who will believe; and we can count on HIM, we don’t have to be tricked by the lies of the devil.  We can be victorious by keeping our eyes on Jesus.

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

We can have victory in Jesus, but we must pay attention—we must take Peter’s advice, being “humble….careful….sober(right focused)…vigilent” as we “resist stedfast in the faith” the enemy of our souls! I want to help us focus (myself included) on the security that we have IN Jesus—to know Him and His truth more and more as our life-line at every turn.

“And ye shall know

the truth,

and the truth

shall make you free.”  John 8:32

We are made free because of His sacrifice and by the power of His Holy Spirit who births us into HIS kingdom, as His children—sons and daughters of God!

“And now I am no more in the world,

but these are in the world,

 and I come to thee.

 Holy Father,

keep through thine own name

those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one,

as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world,

I kept them in thy name:

those that thou gavest me

I have kept,

and none of them is lost,

but the son of perdition;

that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee;

and these things I speak in the world,

that they might have my joy

fulfilled in themselves…

….21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father,

art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one

in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 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.”    Portions of John 17:11-23

All by the power of The Holy Spirit “translating” us into God’s kingdom, out of the power of darkness.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

As Paul said so powerfully:

“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

Redemption is ours, bringing with it the power to live a victorious life in HIM, Jesus; forgiveness of our sins, meaning we don’t have to be intimidated or put down by the accusations of the enemy of our life, our work and our effectiveness. We can have victory because Jesus bought the victory at Calvary, giving us liberty, power, deliverance and confidence—all through HIS blood!

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life

in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak

through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin

in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness

of the law

might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not

after the flesh,

but

after the Spirit.”

Romans 8:1-4

Victory for all who will receive Him and walk in HIS Spirit!  We don’t have to live and walk in light of our past, but in the victory that God has provided in Jesus!  We do NOT have to “order our steps” in light of the accusations of the devil, but according to God’s Word!  Amen and Amen. We don’t have to accept the lies that Satan throws at us–for we are God’s, delivered and paid for- but we must recognize and resist the enemy’s lies, as we walk in Jesus’ Spirit, not our flesh!  My past is forgiven!  My future is HIS!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……

25 If we live in the Spirit,

 let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16- & 25

And just a few reminders of the enemy that we face—remembering that he is a defeated foe, and a liar of the first order!

“Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not

in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.”  John 8:44

And his first schemes and lies were the same as they are today—challenging the Word of God, the heart of God, the goodness of God, and calling men, women, boys and girls, to doubt God and the truth of HIS Word/Words!

“Now the serpent was more subtil

than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.

And he said unto the woman,

Yea, hath God said,

Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent,

We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree

which is in the midst of the garden,

God hath said,

Ye shall not eat of it,

neither shall ye touch it,

lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman,

Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know

that in the day ye eat thereof,

then your eyes shall be opened,

 and ye shall be as gods,

 knowing good and evil.”    Genesis 3:1-5

Satan is still challenging God and His Word.  Will you be as gullible as Eve, or will you “stand fast in the evil day”?  We must know the Word of God, in order to “resist stedfast in the faith”!  Satan doesn’t play by the rules—his rules change according to the situation (remember situational ethics), who do you think promotes that ideology?  Here are some truths that you need to know!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

 into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be

transformed as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Remember—we win.  Don’t let the liars, deceivers, the perverters of God’s Word lead you astray, discourage your journey, or stop your growth in HIM, but continue to keep your eyes on the prize, knowing that your sins have been forgiven and covered in His blood, so press on in power, confidence, and truth—for our God IS truth and HE is coming soon.  Ready or not HE is coming!

“Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come,

that ye shall be scattered,

every man to his own,

and shall leave me alone:

and yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”   John 16:32-33

May we ever press on IN Jesus and His promise of an eternal future with HIM!  Amen and Amen!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

 in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:13-14

Look UP—not around!  Press on dear ones!  Press on!  Amen!!!

Subtle Dependence??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #545

03 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by in Father of lies, Subtle Dependence

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #545  Subtle Dependence???

 

“Not that I speak in respect of want:

for I have learned,

in whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed

both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”    Philippians 4:11-13

We are living in a day and time when people, even good godly people, are falling into the trap of placing our trust and dependence on things other than God—namely the government.  We live in an age of ‘entitlement’—I am entitled to _____!  You fill in the blank!  We are being led by our culture—through the media, TV, movies, music, political banter, and a “subtle” encroachment into our hearts and minds, causing us to accept things that we once would have questioned.  And even if we question them now, we hear the reasoned arguments that confirm our “entitlement” to a specific provision.  But I want to share a few thoughts that might help us all (me included) to reconsider some of our current ideology.

“Now the serpent was more subtil

than any beast of the field

which the LORD God had made.

And he said unto the woman,

Yea, hath God said,

Ye shall not eat of every tree

of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent,

We may eat of the fruit of the trees

of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree

which is in the midst of the garden,

God hath said,

Ye shall not eat of it,

 neither shall ye touch it,

 lest ye die.

 4 And the serpent said unto the woman,

Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know

that in the day ye eat thereof,

then your eyes shall be opened,

and ye shall be as gods,

knowing good and evil.

6 And when the woman

saw

that the tree was good for food,

and that it was pleasant to the eyes,

and a tree to be desired

to make one wise,

she took of the fruit thereof,

and did eat,

and gave also unto her husband

with her;

and he did eat.”   Genesis 3:1-6

Here we find the ‘great deceiver’ encountering Eve in the Garden of Eden, (and yes, I believe in a literal 6 day creation, a man and a woman who were created in perfection, and the fall of man and woman into sin—requiring a Redeemer to save and deliver them from the penalty of sin—death—through JESUS!) appearing to her in the form of a serpent, leading her to disregard God’s commands for the “more” that she would have if she acted on her own!  The same tempter who comes to us today, with the same lies—tempting us to doubt God, His goodness, and His integrity!  And He is a ‘liar’ extraordinaire!  Yet his tactics haven’t changed—he is always trying to convince us that God is not sufficient.  And while he even appears to us as a purveyor of truth and provision—he IS a liar.

Satan’s tactics are to distract us from truth, with things that sound good, causing us to doubt and misrepresent God.  Even Eve added to what God had told Adam, when she said they couldn’t “touch” the tree!  (See Genesis 2:16-17)

We must be careful to believe God and His Word, yet to do that we must know HIM and HIS Word in its contextual truth!  Satan is an expert at twisting God’s words!  If you’ll remember he used God’s Word when he was tempting our Lord, but Jesus always came back with the truthful context of The Word, not isolated snippets of truth (which is what we often hear and do ourselves sometimes!). Be aware of what you are listening to and believing.

“For such are false apostles,

 deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also

be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”  2 Corinthians 11:13-15

God knows truth because He is truth, and all things will be judged according to HIS Word—both the spoken/written Word and the living Word—Jesus!

“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

We will all give an account before God, and when we do, will our defense be the devices of men or The Word of God and the truth by which we have chosen to live, trusting in Jesus?  Even as Solomon told us many years ago:

“The thing that hath been,

it is that which shall be;

and that which is done

is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing

under the sun.

10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said,

See, this is new?

it hath been already of old time,

 which was before us.”  Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

There certainly is “no new thing under the sun”, so we must learn to recognize the difference between God’s truth and the subtle lies of the enemy of our souls!  I’ll share a couple of examples of what I’m talking about.  Many years ago I was in a conversation with some friends, some younger and some older, and the topic came up regarding the widowed marrying again, and one lady said (half-jokingly, then but it has become reality today), “I won’t give up my $$$ pension to marry, I’d just ‘shack-up’ and keep my money!”  Well we’ve come to see that to be the mindset of many ‘seniors’—even those who claim the name of Jesus, who now refuse to ‘marry’ because it would cost them a ‘pension’, so they ‘shack-up’ instead.  Well, I simply ask, where is our confidence?  Is it in the government or our God, who calls that adultery?

Another example is from a recent conversation about caring for elderly parents, and the options of government benefits.  The subject turned to the elderly and Medicare/Medicaid, and how to ‘shelter’ their money so the government will pay for their care, instead of using their own money to care for them.  The conversation led to some statements to the end that ‘they’ needed to ‘shelter’ their money by giving it to their children so the government couldn’t take it to care for them; claiming that they had ‘worked hard’ to earn that money, land….etc.!  Well, I ask, what did they earn that money for if not to care for themselves? Instead we have often allowed ourselves to fall into the mindset that I ought to keep what’s ‘mine’ and let the government care for my parents!  I know that’s dangerous ground to walk on, and I’ve walked that path, and not always made the right choices.  But it’s something that we need to examine in our own hearts (and God knows our hearts and what our circumstances are!).  And while I agree that there are great inconsistencies in how our government uses the resources that our tax dollars provide, we must make sure that our personal vision, our ‘biblical worldview’, has not been skewed by the greed of our government, and the injustice of how it often spends the ‘public largess’!  The care of those in our family is something that Jesus said was not to be relegated to others (See Mark 7:10-12).  And while we often need help to accomplish ‘care-giving’, we must not allow greed a foothold into our hears, with the defense that ‘everyone else is doing it’ or ‘they owe it to them/me’ (See Luke 12:13-21)! Our confidence must be in God not man!

I pray that this will spark in each of us the desire to seek God’s face and His will in our own choices and ‘world-view’!  For it is God who provides for His own! And because HE does—“I can do all” things rightly!

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me….

19 But my God shall supply

all your need

according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:13 & 19

And the verse that sustains and calls me to that “higher plain”!

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

 and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

 in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.”  Proverbs 3:5-7

May we truly be purveyors of truth and confidence in JESUS, not deceived by the subtle lies of the enemy of truth, nor misplacing our confidence!

“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

Amen and Amen!