Tag Archives: Choosing Wisely

Comfortable Or Committed??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #374

10 Sunday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Comfort, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Crucified With Christ, Do You See What God Sees?, Every Knee Shall Bow, Eyes that SEE HIM, Fickle or Faithful, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Freedom To Or From?, God Who Sees, God's Call, God's Faithfulness, God's glory NOT mine!, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Redemption Through HIS Blood

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Comfortable Or Committed???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #374

A passage that we considered recently is one I want to revisit today, but from a different perspective; as you can tell from our title, I want us to assess our life with Jesus!  What have we set our eyes on?  Are we set on being comfortable or committed to whatever Jesus has called us to.

“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

Jesus has called us to “lay aside” some things, and to “run with patience” the race that He has set before us; keeping our eyes fixed on Him, because He alone can lead us in the right path. He is the only way to God—the only way of salvation!  And apart from Jesus we have no hope, as Jesus tells us, we must be in The Vine and “abide in HIM”!

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:5

We are called to bring forth much fruit, and that can only happen when we abide in The Master, Jesus; for HE is the vine, not us—we are but branches and dependent upon our attachment to the vine—Jesus!  We can do that as we determine to be committed to Jesus regardless of the difficulty or discomfort.  We get into trouble when we choose comfort over commitment; when we choose frivolity over frugality (being wise stewards over all, not just finances); do we exercise impact spending over impulse (again not just talking about money, but time, talents, desires, and focus)!  It’s so easy to get caught up in social media, ad-fed spending, entertainment distractions, any number of things—you can fill in the blank of the things that try to draw us away from our commitment to Jesus!   Let’s consider a couple of passages that give us good guidance and food for thought as believers to continue to abide in The Vine—Jesus!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

And Peter’s inspired advice. (And FYI, conversation=lifestyle.)

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

 not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

 Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

 judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:13-21

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

Touch Them While You Can??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 19

03 Sunday Apr 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, Children, Choices And Consequences, Making a difference, Touch them while you can?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 19   Touch Them While You Can???

“Except the LORD build the house,

they labour in vain that build it:

except the LORD keep the city,

the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you

to rise up early,

to sit up late,

to eat the bread of sorrows:

for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children

are an heritage

of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb

is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;

so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man

that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak with the enemies

in the gate.”  Psalm 127:1-5

We are living in a culture that minimalizes, ignores, and even tries to replace the value of children in the home; yet God places great stock in the value of children!  As the Psalmist says above, it is GOD who will “build the house”, “keep the city”, and gives “his beloved sleep”; it is also clear that God speaks clearly to the import of “children” in the home—they are:

“an heritage of the LORD”

“his reward”

“As arrows …. in the hand of a mighty man”!

God also says that children can produce “Happy” men—families!  They present an opportunity to spread the good news of God’s salvation to our posterity, to see faithful successful children following our God, and accomplishing great things for God, for mankind in general, and families!  Spreading the good news, as we teach them God’s truth from The Word of God, rather than entertaining them from the lies of the world.

Paul encouraged Timothy to remember the import, in his own life, of the truth of scripture and the passing on of faith to our children and grandchildren.

“But continue thou in the things

which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom

thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation through faith

which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”   2 Timothy 3:14-17

Just as Paul had already credited Timothy’s family for teaching him truth, knowing that faithfulness in truth and righteousness is contagious!

“I thank God,

whom I serve from my forefathers

with pure conscience,

that without ceasing

I have remembrance of thee in my prayers

night and day;

4 Greatly desiring to see thee,

being mindful of thy tears,

that I may be filled with joy;

5 When I call to remembrance

the unfeigned faith

that is in thee,

which dwelt first

in thy grandmother Lois,

and thy mother Eunice;

and I am persuaded that in thee also.

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance

that thou stir up the gift of God,

which is in thee

by the putting on of my hands.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”   2 Timothy 1:3-7

The sad thing to my heart is that we are living in a society that is actively sacrificing our children on the altar of popular culture.

We must set our minds to know God’s truth (by digging into the Word of God) and being willing to stand by it with faithful confidence!  Jesus Himself made the priority of children clear.

“Then were there brought unto him little children,

that he should put his hands on them,

and pray:

and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said,

Suffer little children,

and forbid them not,

to come unto me:

for of such

is the kingdom of heaven.

15 And he laid his hands on them,

and departed thence.”  Matthew 19:13-15

Paul also reminds us that we are to depend upon the Word of God—it is not only our guide but our assurance in all things.

“Study to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

Thinking of “rightly dividing”, there is an implication that if we don’t “rightly” divide, we may be guilty of “wrongly” dividing it! One of my favorite passages to ‘divide’ is in the book of Deuteronomy, and I encourage you to read all of chapter 6, but for time and space here, we’ll only look at a portion of the passage that I pray will help us understand the family’s responsibility, especially the father’s, to live, preserve and pass on the ‘Gospel’ by living what we “say” we believe, in order to pass on a godly heritage.  Let’s consider the order:  first the parents must love God and determine to trust and follow HIM faithfully, to live a faithful life of obedience to God, and then see the conclusion of a faithful life in their children asking, “why do we live this way” (Blanche’s paraphrase)? Then we, as parents, are to share our living, active relationship of faith with the God who saves, for our children to observe.

“Hear, O Israel:

The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them

diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them when thou sittest

in thine house,

and when thou walkest

by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them

for a sign upon thine hand,

and they shall be

as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house,

and on thy gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Our love for God is to be evident in all that we say and do; our children are to see God IN us, in our words and ways.  We are to be a reflection of God’s glory to our children just as importantly (if not more importantly) as to others!

Continuing with Deuteronomy 6:

“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying,

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God

hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:

22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders,

great and sore,

upon Egypt,

upon Pharaoh,

and upon all his household,

before our eyes:

23 And he brought us out from thence,

that he might bring us in,

to give us the land

which he sware unto our fathers.

24 And the LORD commanded us

to do all these statutes,

to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

if we observe to do all these commandments

before the LORD our God,

as he hath commanded us.”   Deuteronomy 6:20-25

What value are you placing on children?  Are they a nuisance or a treasure?  Are they an inconvenience or a blessing?  Are they worthy of the cost of time, energy and money, or is it cheaper to have a “pet” instead? (I have no problem with pets, but I do have a problem with those who diminish the value of children and try to replace human offspring with pets!  No offense intended!). It seems to me that we are oft-times feeding our lusts and offering our offspring on the altar of our own lust, greed, and convenience!  Abortion is promoted, and how sad it must make God that we kill our own children while rescuing trees, whales, and other animals! What has happened to our priorities?

I have a friend who teaches what I call “the littles”, and she and her husband spend their time teaching the “littles” about Jesus; not just entertaining them with frou-frou, movies, and things of the world, but teaching them the word of God, the love of Jesus, what we truly celebrate at “Christmas” and on “Resurrection” Sunday, and how to live according to God’s Word and HIS SON—JESUS (not a man in a red suit or a bunny with eggs)!  These children learn that Jesus saves, and they learn that they can see HIM at work all around them!  She is so blessed to bring these “littles” to the cross, that the parents want to be in her class too!  What are you doing for the “little people” in your life?  Do you have time for them?  Or are we so busy we give them a fist full of money and send them elsewhere?  Will you see them and touch their lives before they are gone, or will you miss your window of opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children?  Believe me it is much better to have a great relationship than a heart full of regret for opportunities missed, and lives ruined by not knowing God, or seeing HIM in the lives of the adults in their lives!

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, if we lose another generation, we may not have a choice or a second chance!

“The fool hath said in his heart,

There is no God.

They are corrupt,

they have done abominable works,

there is none that doeth good.

2 The LORD looked down from heaven

upon the children of men,

to see if there were any

that did understand,

and seek God.”  Psalm 14:1-2

May God help us to see through His eyes and be the example HE intends for us to be!  After all our future is at stake!

“If the foundations be destroyed,

what can the righteous do?

4 The LORD is in his holy temple,

the LORD’S throne is in heaven:

his eyes behold,

his eyelids try,

the children of men.”  Psalm 11:3-4

Amen and Amen!!!

Who’s Serving Who??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #722

16 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Hearing God, Heaven or Hell, Holiness, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, How much goodness is enough?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Power of The Cross, Seeing Truth, Servanthood, Service, Speaking The Truth In Love, Spiritual Procrastination, Stand Fast!, Still Will I Trust HIM

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #722  Who’s Serving Who???

 

We often wonder why so many are so confused, frustrated and dissatisfied around us; well, one reason why is that many who “claim” the name of Jesus are walking in direct opposition to HIS Word.  We change the name of our “pet” sin, we listen to the world that says there is ‘NO” sin, or we follow the crowd that is going on that broad way to destruction.  But who am I?  Well, I am a Bible toting, Bible believing, Jesus trusting woman who still believes that God means what HE says!  He created Adam and Eve, He called their sin sin, and He had already provided a Redeemer to restore us to relationship and fellowship with God if we will but “repent” of our “sin” and give our all to Jesus.  Or, if you would, be willing to die to self and live to, for and through Jesus’ Holy Spirit which he has given to all who believe!  Paul said it much better than I can.

“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

We want heaven but we don’t want to get there God’s way!  Kind of like the old song says, “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die…” (Lester Flatt words in the Bluegrass version of a country song written by Jim Collins and Mary Dodson, as best as I can ascertain), especially die to self!  Paul describes a different relationship with his LORD!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

And last but surely not least is Jesus’ warning to us all about divided loyalties.  Who are you serving?

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust doth

corrupt,

and where thieves break through

and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth

corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye:

if therefore thine eye be single,

thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil,

thy whole body shall be full of darkness.

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness,

how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Matthew 6:19-24

Jesus also told us the way to be a faithful servant to The Lord Jesus Christ.

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

So, what will you do with Jesus?   Will you be born again (and if you are born again, will you live in obedience to Jesus and HIS Word?) and follow Jesus, or will you follow that “broad way…. that leads to destruction”?  Are you serving HIM?  Or expecting HIM to serve your lusts?  Just a few questions to pique your “thinking hat”:

What comes out of your mouth regularly?

Who are you sleeping with?

How are you treating those under you?

How are you parenting (and by that, I mean are you leading your children to Jesus or turning them over to a world that will take them straight to hell-post haste?)

How are you using your resources—for God or for self?

Who are you trusting?  Jesus or self?

What are you entertaining yourself with?

You get the idea; I pray that God will open our eyes and ears to see and hear HIS truth, and order our lives, our steps accordingly.  My prayer is that God will be “delighted” in me?  How about you?

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”  2 Corinthians 13:5

And as Paul said so concisely, God knows!  Do you?

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Why Here? Why Now? Why Me? Bible Ballistics: BBs #714

17 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Choices And Consequences, Come To Worship HIM, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Contentment, Dependence, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, That They May Know, The Only Way, Trials, Troubles, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus, Truth

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #714   Why Here? Why Now? Why Me?

 

I would like to share some thoughts with you this morning about God’s faithfulness and His totally trustworthy sovereignty!  We’ve all asked these questions at various time—particularly “Why Me?”!  But scripture assures us that if we will learn to depend fully on our God, our Lord and Savior, we will walk in victory; even when we don’t understand we can take Jesus at HIS Word, for no matter where, or when trials come, we are NEVER alone!  So, let’s start there, and remember ‘conversation’ is a reference to ‘life-style’ not just our speech!

“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 13:5-6

Are you walking in contentment or are you allowing the enemy to lead you into disruption, distrust, and subtle dissatisfaction?  When we walk in contentment and the confidence of knowing “our God reigns”, we will find that “peace…..which passeth all understanding”!

“But godliness with contentment

is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.”  1 Timothy 6:6-8

And while it seems that “contentment” is the antithesis of the American dream, it isn’t and even if it were, it’s what God has called us to!  In fact, discontent is one of the chief factors that drive us into bad situations (by our own bad choices, more often than not!).  Even as Jesus’ message to John in The Revelation, we must consider our ways in light of God’s Word—and to do that we must be IN The Word.

“Blessed is

he that readeth,

and they that hear

the words of this prophecy,

and keep those things

which are written therein:

for the time is at hand.”   Revelation 1:3

The blessing isn’t promised to those who simply read or peruse the ‘words’ that are written in this message, but to those who read it—hear it (regarding what they hear)—and keep it!  We must heed all of God’s Word and pursue our relationship with Jesus, knowing that like Esther we are here for God’s purposes!

“and who knoweth

whether thou art come to the kingdom

for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:4b

And, my dear friends, if there ever were “such a time as this”—it is now, and we must, absolutely must, “stand fast in the evil day” which is upon us!  But stand in God’s power, wisdom and ways not our own.

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying,

This is the word of the LORD

unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”   Zechariah 4:6

It’s the how and why of Paul’s encouragement to the Philippian believers.  It’s how we live, walk and have victory in all we do!

“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

Are you wrestling with blame, confusion, uncertainty, or just plain fear of the future?  God has a better way for you!

“For God hath not given us

the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

Don’t succumb to the enemy of your soul, but stand fast in the truth that truly, “our God reigns”!  And Satan is a defeated foe!  Jeremiah is often referred to as the ‘weeping prophet’ because his task was difficult and God told him beforehand that it would be—but God supplied his every need and his burden for truth and God’s people was beyond comprehension, and perhaps these words of Jeremiah’s that mean so much to me in making it through some difficult struggles will also speak to you today.

“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 15:19-21

Jesus gave us our marching orders and HIS way is always best, even when the way looks long and dreary (what Oswald Chambers refers to as “the mundane”), or even scary– our God is ever by us, before us, behind us and is causing our steps to glorify HIM!

“Having your conversation honest

among the Gentiles:

that, whereas they speak against you

as evildoers,

they may by your good works,

which they shall behold,

glorify God

in the day of visitation.”  1 Peter 2:12

Jesus’ own words direct our hearts, steps, and our choices:

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

In closing, what do we think and do?  We guard our hearts and minds from the enemy of our souls; and think on the things of God, as someone once said— “Check the enemy at the door of your mind!”  Don’t let the “Father of lies” deceive you into less than GOD has for you!

“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.”  Philippians 4:6-8

I pray that we will all march forward to victory in Jesus (that would make a great song!) each day, knowing that:

“And a voice came out of the throne, saying,

Praise our God,

all ye his servants,

and ye that fear him,

both small

and great.

6 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.

7 Let us be glad

and rejoice,

and give honour to him….”   Revelation 19:5-7a

May you have a blessed week and keep your eyes fixed on the prize—Jesus.  Don’t let the bend in the road distract you from God’s love and purposes!

“…God is love…”!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Testimony Of Truth??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #708

10 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Are You Ready, Assurance or Arrogance, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Choices And Consequences, Confidence or Presumption?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Dare To Be Different!, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Fear, Fearlessness, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #708  A Testimony Of Truth???

 

As we continue our look at Daniel chapter 3 and our friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we find that as they stood fast to their God and His truth, God proved Himself faithful.  We never have to prove God’s faithfulness, but when we are faithful to HIM and HIS Word, God will prove Himself faithful every time.  One of our problems today is that many who claim the name of Jesus have compromised, watered down and tried to change God’s truth—the ultimate truth of the Gospel and its total sufficiency to save and deliver!  Daniel and his friends knew that God was The Lord God Almighty and that HE would do that which was right, and they would stand fast in HIM and in HIS ways, leaving the results to GOD—not man!  Do we have that kind of faith today?  We can have that kind of faith or we can settle for the imitation version—which is empty and vain.  The kind that Jesus describes in Matthew chapter 7, and while I’m printing a lengthy portion for our consideration today, I pray that you will ponder the truth of what Jesus is telling us.  Just “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!  Are you a doer of “the word” or just a hearer and pretender?  Our friends in Daniel 3 were a most powerful example of the “real deal”!  Have you entered in at the “strait gate”?  It’s a question with eternal import!

“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

What do we find in Daniel and his friends?  We find faith in action not just words.  They trusted to their God—and their GOD was, is and ever shall be faithful GOD of all creation!  Let’s pick up with the fiery furnace and see what God can do!  We begin with the fate of standing fast for God before an angry king—and there is no record of their fear and pleading, only their faithful walk of faith into that fire.

“Then was Nebuchadnezzar

full of fury,

and the form of his visage

was changed against

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego:

therefore he spake, and commanded

that they should heat the furnace

one seven times more

than it was wont to be heated.

20 And he commanded the most mighty men

that were in his army

to bind

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

and to cast them

into the burning fiery furnace.

21 Then these men were bound

in their coats,

their hosen,

and their hats,

and their other garments,

and were cast

into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

22 Therefore because the king’s commandment

was urgent,

and the furnace exceeding hot,

the flame of the fire slew those men

that took up

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego.

23 And these three men,

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

fell down bound

into the midst

of the burning fiery furnace.”   Daniel 3:19-23

Do you get the picture here—Nebuchadnezzar in his fury had them heat the furnace hotter than it ever had been—in fact, so hot that the men who took them up to cast them into the furnace died from the heat coming from the furnace.  What fires are you facing today—we all have our fires—but these precious children of God were facing a real “fiery furnace”, yet they had faith that triumphed over fear.  You can have that same faith too, if you’ll but exercise it!  And how do we do that?  We dig into God’s Word to know Him better, we pray to draw close to His heart, inviting Him to “be at home” in my heart, and fellowshipping with like-minded Bible believers in a church where you can hear HIS Word and grow in grace and truth, with a heart of gratitude!

“And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing

one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing

with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks

to God

and the Father

by him.”   Colossians 3:15-17

Praise God He is ever faithful, and our three friends found out just how faithful HE was—and so did the angry king, whose countenance “changed” again.  Let’s look:

“Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied,

and rose up in haste,

and spake, and said unto his counsellors,

Did not we cast three men

bound into the midst of the fire?

They answered and said unto the king,

True, O king.

25 He answered and said,

Lo, I see four men

loose,

walking in the midst of the fire,

and they have no hurt;

and the form of the fourth

is like the Son of God.

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near

to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace,

and spake,

and said,

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

ye servants of the most high God,

come forth,

and come hither.

Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

came forth

of the midst of the fire.”  Daniel 3: 24-26

Not only did our friends find deliverance “IN” the fire, but they had the very presence of God with them (I believe a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ)!  And who was affected by this miracle?  Let’s see!

“And the

princes,

governors,

and captains,

and the king’s counsellors,

being gathered together,

saw these men,

upon whose bodies the fire

had no power,

nor was an hair of their head

singed,

neither were their coats changed,

nor the smell of fire

had passed on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said,

Blessed be the God of

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

who hath sent his angel,

and delivered his servants

that trusted in him,

and have changed the king’s word,

and yielded their bodies,

that they might not serve

nor worship

any god,

except their own God.

29 Therefore I make a decree,

That every people,

nation,

and language,

which speak any thing amiss

against the God of

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

shall be cut in pieces,

and their houses shall be made a dunghill:

30 Then the king promoted

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

in the province of Babylon.”   Daniel 3:27-30

You talk about a “turn-around”!  Consider all that we see here, and we don’t have time to go into detail, but I want to mention just a few of the highlights:

The tattletales were shown up and silenced—

The raging King was awe-struck with this GOD—

There was “NO” evidence of fire upon their person—

The King’s question of “what God” was answered—

God was recognized for HIS unique power!

Even the King had to acknowledge the might of The God of these three young men:

“because there is no other God

that can deliver after this sort…”!

What sort of testimony do we live before the world?  Are we willing to not “worship any god, except their own God” or are we selling out to the ‘loudest liar”?  I pray that you will look at this account with new eyes and a heart like our friends—for God rewarded their faithfulness in HIS time and in HIS way.  And because of their faithful stand in humility, integrity and respect, they were also rewarded by the king.  May God make my heart ready to be found faithful when the fires come.  May you find Him faithful today—and today—and today—!  HE IS still the same.q

“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.

7 Remember them which have the rule over you,

who have spoken unto you the word of God:

whose faith follow,

considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:5-8

Amen and Amen!!!