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Who’s Grace, Peace And Love??? Bible Ballistics: BBs 786

30 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Choices And Consequences, Good News, Gospel, Grace, Love, Love Is Action, Peace, Peace Of The Rock, Salvation, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Trusting Jesus?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #786   Who’s Grace, Peace And Love???

 

I was thinking this morning about the profound theology that we often miss from the Apostle’s letters, and I’d like us to just consider the simple truth that we may often miss.

“To all that be in Rome,

beloved of God,

called to be saints:

Grace to you

and peace

from God our Father,

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ

for you all,

that your faith is spoken of

throughout the whole world.”  Romans 1:7-8

What is grace?  Grace is often defined as “unmerited favor” and while that is true, it is so much more in our biblical understanding of the favor of God to extend to us the act of forgiveness of our SIN through the blood of Jesus.

“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

So, Paul was praying God’s continued grace upon the Romans not just for saving grace but grace to daily live for Jesus!  We need the same today!  Even as Paul prayed for the Corinthian believers as well.

“Grace be unto you,

and peace,

from God our Father,

and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always on your behalf,

for the grace of God

which is given you by Jesus Christ;

5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him,

in all utterance,

and in all knowledge;”   1 Corinthians 1:3-5

Our life should reflect the grace that we have received from our Lord Jesus—saving grace—but also the “living” grace which we are to grow in daily—in fact moment by moment.  Peter also mentions this grace.

“Ye therefore, beloved,

seeing ye know these things before,

beware lest ye also, being led away

with the error of the wicked,

fall from your own

stedfastness.  

18 But grow in grace,

and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour

Jesus Christ.

To him be glory

both now and for ever.

Amen.”  2 Peter 3:17-18

We are to be aware of those who are deceivers, liars, and false teacher/preachers, knowing The Word of God for ourselves; growing in this grace that God imparts to those who come to Him through Jesus!  And Jesus Himself told us the import of love!

“By this shall all men know

that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love

one to another.”  John 13:35

“If ye love me,

keep my commandments.”  John 14:15

As we pray for one another may we spread the faith, love, hope and encouragement of God’s Word one with another.  It was important for the Apostles, and it should be important to us.  Remember ‘love’ here is “agapao” or agape love—the heart that does that which is best for the recipient—be it Jesus or those around us!  Lord help me see through the eyes of your “love”?

“But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

And one of scripture’s greatest reminders:

“For now we see through a glass, darkly;

 but then face to face:

now I know in part;

but then shall I know

even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity,

these three;

but the greatest of these is charity.”   1 Corinthians 13:12-13

Amen and Amen!!!

‘Nuff said…….!

 

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Kindness Has No Expiration Date!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #781

02 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Do all things decently, Encouragement, Kindness has no expiration date., Sowing and Reaping, Speaking, Speaking The Truth In Love, Words Matter

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1 Peter 3:13-17, Colossians 4:5-6, Encourage with your words, Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 4:29-32, Ephesians 6:18, Kindness has no expiration date., Matthew 6:9-10, Speak with God's Word In view, Speaking Kind Words, Speaking The Truth In Love, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Watch Your Words

Bible Ballistics: BBs #781 Kindness Has No Expiration Date!!

 

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness,

and wrath,

 and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”   Ephesians 4:29-32

How often I forget that “words” matter, and “kindness” can be broadcast or crushed by our words.  As a proverb that I often quote says, “Watch your words, and keep them sweet!  You never know which ones you’ll eat!”; yet so often I forget that my words are of eternal import—not because I’m of any particular import, but because my words have the power to heal or to wound, to lift up or put down, to lead others to Jesus or drive them away!  Ouch! And remember once the “word” is out, we can’t take it back, recover the scope or often repair any damage done! When was the last time that we considered our “words”?  Let’s do just that today by comparing what God calls us to be and do to what we are actually doing.  As I sit here writing this article the Spirit of God is pouring out conviction over my own personal failures.

Yet, in that conviction there is hope for ‘correction’, and Paul has even more to say to us about our speech—our words!

“Walk in wisdom

toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway

with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know

how ye ought to answer

every man.”   Colossians 4:5-6

We are to exercise wisdom in all our ways, especially in our words—how untrue is the children’s little chant, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me!”  Words can harm, hurt, and injure a soul to the core, so we are called to be wise in choosing how to reply to others, when to offer correction and instruction, and when and how to offer encouragement. (And remember we’re to be like seasoning–NOT like brine!)

Peter has a timely word in this regard:

“And who is he that will harm you,

if ye be followers of that which is good?

14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake,

happy are ye:

and be not afraid of their terror,

neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

and be ready always

to give an answer

to every man that asketh you

a reason of the hope that is in you

with meekness and fear:

16 Having a good conscience;

that, whereas they speak evil of you,

as of evildoers,

they may be ashamed that falsely accuse

your good conversation in Christ.

17 For it is better,

if the will of God be so,

that ye suffer for well doing,

than for evil doing.”   1 Peter 3:13-17

Peter reminds us (and remember he is writing to believers who are being persecuted for their faith) that we are to be bold and confident in our Lord who has us in HIS hand.  We can and are to:

Not fear what “man can do to me”—

Be happy to share in Christ’s suffering—

Sanctify The Lord in our hearts—

BE READY to give and answer for our faith—

Answer with meekness and fear (awe of God not man)-

Have a good conscience—not being a poor witness—

(For we are all witnesses—good or bad—we are witnesses!)

Ready to accept God’s will regarding suffering—

Jesus says it best, yet we often forget this in our lives and our prayers!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”   Matthew 6:9-10

And lastly, for today, but certainly not least, Paul’s message about our armor and how it was to be put on– “Praying always”!!!  For all the saints—wherever they may be!

“Praying always

with all prayer and supplication

 in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;”  Ephesians 6:18

Instead of criticism, or gossip, or comparing others faults to our perceived strengths, let us be “Praying always” for those we are tempted to put down.  May or goal be to truly speak God’s truth “in love”.

“But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

May we ever be known as those who speak “the truth in love”!  But to speak “truth” we must know truth by being in The Word of God!  Oh Father, may we be found faithful, true, and kind by the power of your precious Holy Spirit!  Always!!!

 

Amen and Amen!!!

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Big “IF”s In God’s Word??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 04

29 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Be not conformed to this world, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Conviction, Crucified With Christ, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God Is In Charge, Gospel, If not now? When?, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Knowing God's Word, Light In The Dark, Living Right, Power of The Cross, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, SIN, Take Up YOUR Cross, That They May Know, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?

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1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 John 1:6-10, 2 Chronicles 7:12-16, 2 Corinthians 13:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Ephesians 4:15, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 6:7-8, Hebrews 13:8, Isaiah 59:1-4, John 1:12-13, John 3:3-19, Living For Jesus, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 6:9-10, Matthew 7:20-27, Philippians 1:6, Pleasing God Or Man?, Romans 8:28-29, SIN, Spirit and Truth

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 04  Big “IF”s In God’s Word???

 

As I begin this post, I’m not sure if it will be long or short, for I’m not really sure where this will take me but it’s been on my heart for a long while, and today is the day to pursue what I believe God may have to say to us.  I have seen a lot of information on social media and a lot of scripture posted—some in context, some not so much.  Because of that I want us to consider one of the passages that I have seen and what it may be saying that we don’t want to hear.

“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him,

I have heard

thy prayer,

and have chosen this place

to myself

for an house of sacrifice.

13 If I shut up heaven

that there be no rain,

or if I command

the locusts to devour the land,

or if I send

pestilence among my people;

14 If my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn

from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.

15 Now mine eyes

shall be open,

and mine ears

attent unto the prayer

that is made in this place.

16 For now have I

chosen

and sanctified

this house,

that my name may be there

for ever:

and mine eyes

and mine heart

shall be there perpetually.”  2 Chronicles 7:12-16

This truth was given to Solomon as he was in the midst of the dedication of the temple that he had completed in Jerusalem.  God came and told Solomon that this place would be a place that represented HIS very presence, and that when the people strayed and forsook Him, they could come to this place (or even look toward it) to seek Him again.  But there are some ‘if’s’ here that we often ignore or try to diminish their import.

The first is “if” “my people” will do…., then what?  Who are God’s people?

“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

And Jesus Himself told Nicodemus “who” was His!

“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…

… 17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:3-7, 17-19

Jesus came that we might have life—eternal life—new life IN Jesus!

“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

Jesus did the work, we receive the work, God glorifies the work as He conforms us to HIM.  Whose are YOU?  Who are you allowing to work in your life?  God or Satan? (See Eph. 2:1-10)

“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

When we come to Jesus, we are “born again” of His Spirit, and He imparts to us not only His precious Holy Spirit, but also His love which “is shed abroad in our hearts” (see in Romans 5:1-11), but what have we done with that gift?  Are we living in His love or the fear of our circumstances?  Are we living in the Spirit or the flesh?  Is our life identified with Jesus or is there so little resemblance to our Father God and Jesus The Son, that people can’t tell any difference between us and the world?  That “if” that God mentions to Solomon is referring to “my people”—for Solomon that meant the true worshippers of Jehovah God, who looked forward to the coming Messiah who would deliver them from sin not just cover it up from year to year.  We who are on this side of the cross have seen and received the completed work of salvation, and we don’t have to go to Jerusalem or a physical temple—for we are the temple by the redeeming power of Jesus’ blood shed for us.  But how are we treating that temple—His temple?

“What?

know ye not that your body

is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We who have received Jesus’ saving grace, ARE the temple of God—yet we see professing believers, who claim to know Jesus, adopting the so-called ‘morality’ of the world—they say it’s ok to “shack-up” without benefit of marriage, everyone is doing it!  They condone promiscuity, for who can live without sex—it doesn’t have an “on and off” switch to use only when we’re married, does it?  Well, in a word, YES it does—it’s called “self-control” and obedience to God; and God calls His own to live holy and pure lives.  Many people who claim the name of Jesus have justified almost all things that once were seen as sin—drunkenness, immorality, foul language (I am so tired of hearing vulgar words come out of the mouth of those who claim the name of my precious Savior—even taking His name and The Father’s name in vain!), dishonesty (it’s ok to steal, lie, cheat, fudge on the truth, lie on reports, steal from your employer {and not doing your job, is the same as stealing the wages you say you are ‘earning’ when you don’t work}), bullying, treating others with disrespect, mistreating others, cruelty….the list could go on endlessly.  Yet, God called HIS people to recognize their own sin, not just the sin of others, and turn from it and draw near to HIM!

God calls us to “humble” yourselves.  That means to ‘bow’ before God, recognizing that HE IS the Sovereign God of my heart—of all creation for that matter.  And to bow, is to acknowledge that HE IS God and I am not!  We are called “by (His) name”, but we aren’t called to BE HIM!  Yet much that is going on in Christendom today is simply idolatry of “self” dressed up in ‘church clothes”!  Humility means I recognize my own inability and depend on HIS ability working in me.  Taking up my cross—which means dying to self and living unto Jesus in all I/you do!

“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

Have you been “crucified with Christ”? (See Matthew 16:24-26) Or are you living your own life, and trying to tag His stamp of approval on it?  When we are saved, we ought to recognize our own “death” to sin and self for we are “raised to new life”!

“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

Let’s go on; the next thing God calls us to do is to “pray”—seeking God’s way not mine.  Prayer isn’t dictating to God, rather it is seeking to know my Father and what He desires; Jesus told us how!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

Prayer is seeking to glorify God in all we do; seeking God’s Kingdom; seeking God’s will on earth.  Rather than seeking our own will and wanting it continually– stamped with God’s heavenly approval, of course….that is totally NOT prayer!

God calls us to seek HIS face—that’s real prayer and earnest recognition of who God IS?  Then, God steps on the real issue—we are to “turn from” our “wicked ways”!  That means “ME” and that means “YOU”!  We can’t erase God’s Word with the ‘vote’, or popular ‘polls’, or by “legalizing sin”.  God says sin is still sin, and we MUST turn from it.  Believers must stop sinning and calling it something else—God says we must turn from it—agree with Him that it is sin and STOP IT!  That’s what the Apostle John meant!

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship

one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 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 1:6-10

To “confess” here means to agree with God about our sin—and as long as we deny our sin, we will not repent (which means to turn away/turn around from; an about-face, if you would!)  As long as we keep justifying our sin with whatever excuse we are using; we will never find forgiveness and cleansing.  Just as John goes on in verse 8 to remind us, to say we have no sin, is to deceive ourselves; and if I may say so, we live in a culture that is doing its best to erase sin by ‘legalizing’ it.  God’s way has never before, still hasn’t and will never, ever change!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

So, the question is the same today as it ever has been, are you willing to “turn” from your way and go God’s way?  Or will you cling to your own sin and reap the consequence.  Isaiah dealt bluntly with this same issue!

“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.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood,

and your fingers with iniquity;

your lips have spoken lies,

your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

4 None calleth for justice,

nor any pleadeth for truth:

they trust in vanity,

and speak lies;

they conceive mischief,

and bring forth iniquity.”  Isaiah 59:1-4

Sound familiar?  Even as Paul told the church at Galatia, and God told Solomon, when we pursue God and do things His way, then HE has promised to “heal their land”.  And folks, our land certainly is in need of healing, and I don’t mean just the COVID-19 virus!  We are in need of a real heaven-sent, sin-forsaking, heart changing, move of God!  A revival of God’s own, that the lost may see Jesus in us and come to His cross in repentance and faith to be saved from their sin.  But that’s not likely to happen until God’s own start sowing righteousness and love for God and His way, rather than the lust of the flesh!

“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.”  Galatians 6:7-8

I’d like to bring this all to a close with one of my favorite passages, where Jesus makes it clear that “saying so” doesn’t “make it so”!  Are you talking a ‘talk’ that you can’t walk because you don’t possess Jesus?  Have you been born again, yet you are not walking in “the light”?  Or are you burdened for the broken, lost and suffering world that we live in?  May we truly search our hearts and build our “house on the rock” of Jesus Christ The Lord—the only way to God.  Jesus Christ The Lord, who gave Himself to be our substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin; it’s what He came to be and do!

“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

Yet Jesus’ warning to us is still valid today, what will you choose, The Rock or the sand?  Have you been saved “from” your “sins”?  Jesus saves, delivers and transforms?  What about you?

“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…

 .. 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.

24 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.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended

these sayings,

the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them

as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”                                    Portions of Matthew 7:20-27

So, as you read or post things from scripture, especially 2 Chronicles 7:14, you might want to take some time and be sure you are living what you’re posting!

“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

Are you calling others to do the same and:

“…speaking the truth in love…”  Ephesians 4:15a

What “ifs” are you wrestling with?  May God do HIS work in us, that the world may KNOW that Jesus is Lord and King!!

Amen and Amen!!!

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Hush Money Or True Hope??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 03

01 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Free Indeed?, God's Faithfulness, Gospel, HOPE, I Can Do All Things?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, If not now? When?, JESUS, Light In The Dark, Overcoming By His Blood, Salt & Light, SIN, Speaking The Truth In Love, Stand Fast, That They May Know, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True, Witness

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Acts 3:1-8, Acts 4:1-21, Culture--Versus--Truth, Ephesians 4:15, Ezra 3:10-11, Hush Money Or Truth?, Jesus IS Our Hope, John 14:6, John 15:5, John 8:32, Know Truth--Jesus, Philippians 4;13, Psalm 25:4-5, Psalm 33:4-5, Revelation 12:11, Romans 12:1-3, Romans 8:28-29

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 03  Hush Money Or True Hope???

 

We talked last week about ‘DIY’ and I’d like to take off on that idea and look from another side of the issue.  We are living in a culture that is so full of an “it’s all about me” ideology, and even when we speak truth, we are seen as ‘haters’! I hope that we can let scripture reveal true hope, not placating people with ‘hush’ money, so to speak, by our silence, rather than helping them see Jesus as we speak and share truth!

“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

Jesus IS truth, and without Him, we have no hope, no truth, no opportunity to reach a lost and dying world.  Yet when we follow HIM, we can see great things accomplished in His kingdom (even though the world may disregard what we call great ‘in Him’!)

“I can do all

things through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

In the way of the world, unless we have ‘riches’ we don’t have anything to offer; but God does things in ways that are so far beyond the ‘worldly’ way, that we can truly come to have hope and confidence in our Lord and HIS ways—and we aren’t to be ‘quiet’ about it, Jesus said the rocks would ‘cry out’ if men didn’t!

“And when the builders laid the foundation

of the temple of the LORD,

they set the priests in their apparel

with trumpets,

and the Levites the sons of Asaph

with cymbals,

to praise the LORD,

after the ordinance of David

king of Israel.

11 And they sang together by course

in praising

and giving thanks

unto the LORD;

because he is good,

for his mercy endureth for ever

toward Israel.

And all the people shouted with a great shout,

when they praised the LORD,

because the foundation

of the house of the LORD

was laid.”  Ezra 3:10-11

When we see God at work, we can truly learn to trust His hand as well as His heart toward us.  Here we have the children of Israel returning to Jerusalem and they are rejoicing that the temple is rebuilt.  And if you read the entire account, you see that some of the elders of the people wept for the remembrance of the original Temple of Solomon, yet God has restored them by His ‘outstretched arm’, and shown Himself faithful to a people (who much like us) had not been faithful to HIM!  They had suffered the judgment of God, and had truly reaped the ‘whirlwind’, yet God wasn’t finished with them!  His faithfulness is so much more than we can even fathom!  God had spoken truth through His prophets, yet they had listened to the false prophets, and ‘hushed’ up the men of God by ignoring them, persecuting them, and even putting many of them to death.  How sad that we are living in a very similar day.  Will we sell out to the purveyors of “hush money” or will we stand and speak God’s truth?

“And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth

shall make you free.”  John 8:32

Notice that He will “make you free” not ‘set’ you free—when Jesus saves us, He delivers us—especially from ourselves; and we are to give ourselves to Him, His way and His truth—all the way!

“And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.”  Revelation 12:11

Jesus doesn’t simply issue a “get out of hell free” card; rather He saves and transforms lives to “be conformed” to HIS image.

“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

Jesus is ever at work conforming us into HIS image; but we have a part in that work as well, we are to yield to His Holy Spirit’s work in our heart and life, remembering that it’s ALL about Jesus. It’s not about ‘pride’ but humbly learning from HIM, following HIM, and touching the world as HE gives us opportunity.

“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.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God

hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.”   Romans 12:1-3

We can trust to HIS care, remembering what Jesus said!

“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 must keep our eyes on Jesus, as we feast on His Word.

“Shew me thy ways,

O LORD;

teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth,

 and teach me:

for thou art the God of my salvation;

on thee do I wait

all the day.”   Psalm 25::4-5

“For the word of the LORD is right;

and all his works are done

in truth.

5 He loveth righteousness

and judgment:

the earth is full

of the goodness of the LORD.”   Psalm 33:4-5

And to bring all of our thoughts together today, I’d like us to consider an encounter that Peter and John had, taking heart from these who had little in the world’s eyes, but who had JESUS, and they knew HE IS TRUTH—and they took no “hush” money!

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb

was carried,

whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple

which is called Beautiful,

to ask alms of them that entered

into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John

about to go into the temple

asked an alms.

4 And Peter,

fastening his eyes upon him with John, said,

Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them,

expecting to receive something

of them.

6 Then Peter said,

Silver and gold have I none;

but such as I have

give I thee:

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth

rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand,

and lifted him up:

and immediately his feet and ankle bones

received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood,

and walked,

and entered with them into the temple,

walking,

and leaping,

and praising God.”  Acts 3:1-8

Peter and John gave of what they had (who they possessed, and who possessed them), and yet they were tempted to cave!  And for time and space we’ll just jump to the response from the rulers.  (You can read chapters 3 and 4 for the whole picture!). They proclaimed Jesus at each turn, and when threatened they stood firm—and weren’t “hushed” up by threats; they were trusting to HIS care!  Remember not everyone is happy with God’s working in the lives of men, women, boys and girls!

“And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people,

and preached through Jesus

the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them,

and put them in hold unto the next day:

for it was now eventide…

….16 Saying, What shall we do to these men?

for that indeed a notable miracle

hath been done

by them

is manifest to all them

that dwell in Jerusalem;

and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it spread no further among the people,

let us straitly threaten them,

that they speak henceforth to no man

in this name.

18 And they called them,

and commanded them

not to speak at all nor teach

in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them,

Whether it be right in the sight of God

to hearken unto you

more than unto God,

judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things

which we have seen

and heard.

21 So when they had further threatened them,

they let them go,

finding nothing how they might punish them,

because of the people:

for all men glorified God

for that which was done.”   Portions of Acts 4:1-21

So my challenge for us today is a call to be faithful to our Lord; to grow in His Word, to be bold—but not arrogant, to be confident—but not prideful, to be ready to follow HIM in all—no matter where HE leads us, or what the cost may be.  We won’t let the enemy ‘hush’ us up, but we will “stand fast in the evil day”!  We never know how God will use our willingness to obey!

“But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:”  Ephesians 4:15.

Amen and Amen!

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