Tag Archives: Galatians 2:20

Choosing What To See??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 02

12 Monday Apr 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Courage, Crucified With Christ, Discernment, Encouragement, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 02  Choosing What To See???

 

I spoke recently at a ladies gathering to share my experiences of going through the murder of my daughter some sixteen months ago.  It’s not a pleasant story, but it is a story of hope and confidence in our God, and the fact that we can “stand fast in the evil day”!  It all comes down to knowing God through the Lord Jesus Christ and learning to see things through the lens of faith and a knowledge of God’s Word!  I can choose how I look at things and how I will respond to my circumstances.  I can choose to see things through eyes of faith in Jesus, or, as my former Pastor Brad McCoy used to say, “I can doubt, pout and drop out”!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  I choose to proclaim with Paul:

“Who hath saved us, and called us

with an holy calling,

not according to our works,

but according to his own purpose and grace,

which was given us in Christ Jesus

before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest

by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death,

and hath brought life

and immortality to light

through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher,

and an apostle,

and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed:

for I know whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words,

which thou hast heard of me,

in faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.”  2 Timothy 1:9-13

In fact, this is almost an addendum to what Paul reminded Timothy of in verse 7:

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

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

It’s interesting that the phrase “sound mind” can mean “right thinking”, for we can choose what we think, and it is imperative that we guard our hearts and minds, and think biblically.  How?

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”   Philippians 2:5-8

Even as Paul reminded the Galatians, we are to live a crucified life of humble reliance upon God, trusting to His sovereign control in all things—and while God never said all things would be good, HE did tell us that HE is working IN all things for our good.  Will we trust HIM in all things?  Will we die to self and live for, by and through the power that Jesus supplies?

“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

But how do I live the crucified life? By the power of God and learning to control my thought life and the desires of our heart!

“Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen

in me, do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”   Philippians 4:8-9

We must understand that the battle will almost always begin in our mind—and while we can’t control what comes into our mind, I can control what I will permit to stay in my mind!  As a friend says, check the devil at the door (of your mind!)!  If he can’t pass the Philippians 4:8 test, give him the boot (so to speak).  Yield to God’s Spirit and find victory!

“But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”  James 4:6-8

Paul gives us great advice for these spiritual battles of the mind!

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”                                  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

The key is “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”, and I would encourage you to commit Philippians 4:8-9 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 to memory—they are invaluable assets to have in your “memory” bank!  They help us to keep our “seeing” straight, as we keep our “eyes” on Jesus, and as I’m often heard to say, keep looking up not around at the “lions”!

“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.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

As we keep our eyes “Looking unto Jesus”, we can know that HE hears, HE cares, and HE is ever providing all that we need.  Just as I could trust HIM in the tragic circumstance of December 19, 2019, you can trust HIM to ever supply your needs and comfort and encourage your heart, your mind, and your decisions!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched with the feeling

of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”   Hebrews 4:14-16

Knowing that with Paul, we can boldly say:

“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

I pray that you will “see” through God’s lenses, and not let your circumstances distract you from running “the race that is set before” YOU!  Remember it’s God who set your race and mine, and HE is always there for YOU, with YOU, and before you and behind you, if we will but heed HIS voice.  Do you have eyes that see?  I pray that you will!

“Hear now this, O foolish people,

and without understanding;

which have eyes, and see not;

which have ears, and hear not:” Jeremiah 5:21

Open our eyes Lord—to see YOU!

“And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said,

What will ye that I shall do unto you?

33 They say unto him, Lord,

that our eyes may be opened.”  Matthew 20:32-33

Amen and Amen!

He’s Alive!!! Are You??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #719

05 Monday Apr 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Are You Ready, Know Whom I Believe, Lies That Defeat Us, Listening To God, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #719  He’s Alive!!!  Are You???

 

“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.”  Ephesians 2:1-7

God’s amazing grace brings life to the “dead in sins”, and Paul reminds us that we are all born in sin, as well as the fact that we choose to sin!  “But God” loved us so much that He sent Jesus to give us life—that’s what “quicken” means—to give life to those “dead in trespasses and sins”; and because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too can be raised to “walk in newness of life”!

“Therefore we are buried with him

by baptism

into death:

that like as Christ was raised up

from the dead

by the glory of the Father,

even so we also

should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together

in the likeness of his death,

we shall be also

in the likeness of his resurrection:”   Romans 6:4-5

I would encourage you to read all of Romans 6 to get a real picture of the life victorious over sin and death that Jesus will grant to those who come to HIM in repentance and faith. It’s the crucified life—I choose to follow The Christ who died for me, receiving HIS life and living by HIS power and grace through His Holy Spirit dwelling within me!

“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

So, my simple question for us today is this:  Have you been crucified with Christ?  Has the Holy Spirit confronted you with your sin?  Have you heard the voice of Jesus calling you to repent and believe in His substitutionary (in your place), atoning (paying your cost), sacrifice (being the very payment for sin by HIS precious blood)?

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

That means you and me!  But God didn’t stop there—praise be to HIS name!

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Romans 6:23

So, in conclusion, I pray that the words of Jesus HIMSELF will speak to your heart and cause you to examine yourself and see if you have “resurrection life” from THE ONE who can give you eternal life, if you will but hear and receive, because HE IS ALIVE!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in

to him,

and will sup

with him,

and he

with me.”  Revelation 3:20

God is waiting for you today—don’t put it off!

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.”  Acts 26:28

I implore you, don’t be like Agrippa and the old gospel hymn, “almost–but lost”!  (From Almost Persuaded, by Philip Bliss).  Won’t you come to Jesus today.

“How shall we escape,

if we neglect so great salvation…”  Hebrews 2:3a

Don’t let the enemy of your soul lie to you and cause you to miss Jesus and the LIFE that He gives!  Choose LIFE!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 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.”  John 10:9-10

Amen and Amen!!!

Rewarded To Serve??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 19

31 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Ask God For Wisdom, Be not conformed to this world, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Dare To Be Different!, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Trust, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Victory IN Jesus!, Walk in the Spirit

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 19    Rewarded To Serve???

 

We left off last week with Daniel receiving the answer to the prayers of he and his three friends.  We have seen the integrity, character and faithfulness to God of these four young men who exemplify the response of a godly servant of God!  We are all called to faithfulness; and the example that we find in Daniel ought to encourage each of us to righteous living and the courage to pursue godliness, and character that reflect God The Father, Jesus The Son, and The Holy Spirit before a world in desperate need of a Savior and Redeemer!  Daniel was certainly in the minority!

Let’s review not only Daniel’s prayer and his praise to The God who hears and answers prayer, but compare these, as we go. to the things that Daniel shared before the King!

“Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven

concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish with the rest

of the wise men of Babylon

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might

are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep

and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom

and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”   Daniel 2:18-23

Daniel and his friends made a habit of prayer, and so should we; as we said last week, prayer should be our first line of defense, not our last resort.  How’s your prayer life?  Are you developing a true and intimate relationship with The Almighty God of the universe and His Son, Jesus, or are you running your own ‘show’?  Are we willing to pursue real intimacy with God and learn to trust to His care and direction in all our ways?  Not just for ‘results’, but for the glory of our God and the increase of HIS kingdom!  Let’s consider Daniel’s behavior after he receives the answers that he and his friends asked of God.  Remember the decorum with which Daniel inspired the king to grant him the time to pray and give him the answer to his ‘dream dilemma’.  He went through the “powers” that be, and even when he received the answer he still behaved with godly decorum.

“Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch,

whom the king had ordained

to destroy the wise men of Babylon:

he went and said thus unto him;

Destroy not the wise men of Babylon:

bring me in before the king,

and I will shew unto the king

the interpretation.

25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel

before the king in haste,

and said thus unto him,

I have found a man

of the captives of Judah,

that will make known

unto the king

the interpretation.

26 The king answered and said to Daniel,

whose name was Belteshazzar,

Art thou able to make known

unto me

the dream which I have seen,

and the interpretation thereof?”   Daniel 2:24-26

Here we see that Daniel honors those who have the authority over him and the decree to kill all the ‘wise’ men; instead of storming the castle with the answer, he goes through Arioch, the captain of the guard, and allows him to take some credit for finding the answer for the king.  It never hurts us to share kindness and opportunities of glory with others.  So, Daniel is brought in before the king, and is asked if he can help.  Let’s continue to look at Daniel’s response to the king (considering that he has the opportunity to take all the credit unto himself); while remembering that Daniel is a captive and openly acknowledging his GOD could be dangerous.

“Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said,

The secret which the king hath demanded

cannot the wise men,

the astrologers,

the magicians,

the soothsayers,

shew unto the king;

28 But there is a God in heaven

that revealeth secrets,

and maketh known

to the king Nebuchadnezzar

what shall be in the latter days.

Thy dream, and the visions of thy head

upon thy bed,

are these;

29 As for thee, O king,

thy thoughts came into thy mind

upon thy bed,

what should come to pass hereafter:

and he that revealeth secrets

maketh known to thee

what shall come to pass.

30 But as for me,

this secret is not revealed to me

for any wisdom

that I have more than any living,

but for their sakes

that shall make known

the interpretation to the king,

and that thou mightest know

the thoughts of thy heart.”   Daniel 2:27-30

I encourage you to rehearse Daniel’s prayer, his praise to God for the answer, and then his response to the king; consider all that you learn about this young man (and remember he is probably barely 20, if that) and his character, as well as his confidence in his God.  What is your ‘confidence quotient’ toward God?  Are you walking in the flesh or the spirit?  Paul reminded us that we are to walk in the power of The Spirit who lives within every true believer in and follower of Jesus Christ our Lord!

“16 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.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”  Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

Daniel’s character is such an encouraging standard for me, oh, that I could attain to such integrity, and dependence upon our Lord!  Let’s consider Daniel’s choices before this pagan king; he still held to and uplifted his GOD above all.  He desired no credit for himself, only that God would be glorified.  Even as Paul told us in his letter to the Galatian believers.

“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

Consider Daniel’s actions:

He stated clearly

that the ‘wise men’ couldn’t do it—

(which the king already knew)

that there is a GOD in heaven who could—

who reveals secrets—

and that is revealing future things—

to Nebuchadnezzar—

and is revealing secrets to the king—

about what shall come to pass—

that the secrets weren’t revealed due to Daniel—

not for his deliverance alone, but

for the deliverance of the faithful.

 So, God could make it known to Nebuchadnezzar!

Do you see the connection between what Daniel knew as he proclaimed the character of God in his praise to God for the answered prayer, and what he shares with Nebuchadnezzar?  We can only share what we know and have come to trust in our God by experience!  The more you know HIM, the more you will come to trust HIM, and the more you trust HIM the more you will have to share.

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Daniel knew HIS God and that nothing done for Him, in Him or through HIM would be in vain.  While we won’t be going into the prophetic import of the dream at this time, we do want to look at the results at the end of the revelation.

“Then the king Nebuchadnezzar

fell upon his face,

and worshipped Daniel,

and commanded that they should

offer an oblation

and sweet odours

unto him.

47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said,

Of a truth it is,

that your God

is a God of gods,

and a Lord of kings,

and a revealer of secrets,

seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

48 Then the king made Daniel

a great man,

and gave him

many great gifts,

and made him ruler

over the whole province of Babylon,

and chief of the governors

over all the wise men of Babylon.

49 Then Daniel requested of the king,

 and he set

Shadrach,

Meshach,

and Abednego,

over the affairs of the province of Babylon:

but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.”   Daniel 2:46-49

What is amazing, is that this encounter between Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar brought glory to God, promotion for a faithful servant, and his friends.  And hopefully we’ll get into chapter 3 next week and focus on a different “four” friends.  May God bless you and encourage your heart and draw you near to Him and grow you in grace, faithfulness, godly character and integrity!  It is important, and it could be the difference between heaven and hell for those around you!

Amen and Amen!!!

Does Choosing Matter??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 07

01 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, God Bless America, God Is In Charge, Good News, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Resting In Jesus, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 07  Does Choosing Matter???

 

This will be another short post this week, as I really feel like we need to all be called to prayer—for our own relationships, for the state of our homes, cities, states, nations, and even our world.  I hope that this will be a word of encouragement to you and me to “fix” our eyes on Jesus.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside

every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run

with patience

the race

that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.”   Hebrews 12:1-2

It’s all about Jesus—I have to keep my eyes on HIM—for it is HE that bought our salvation on the cross and gives us the new birth.  It is by His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that I can be “born again” into the kingdom of God.  And when I am born into God’s kingdom, I can make a difference in the worldly kingdom in which I reside.  How?  The same way that Joshua did, by standing for Jesus and the truth of HIS Word!

“Now therefore

fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served that were

on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

And one of my favorite men of scripture, Daniel, made a choice in the midst of a hostile environment; a choice that made him one of the most important prophetic writers of all scripture.  All beginning with a choice to “fix his eyes” on God and His Word!

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”   Daniel 1:8

If you’ll take note here, Daniel wasn’t concerned about what others would do, but what he would do to keep his relationship right with HIS God! (His 3 friends also apparently made the same decision by what we see of them in Daniel)!  The question is what will we do to keep our eyes on Jesus?

Here are some verses to ponder this week as we pursue our Lord and His Word; I hope this will encourage you and me as we seek to make a difference wherever God has placed you or me!

Being a living sacrifice unto our Lord 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

To “prove” is to show to the world the work of God in me—not I but Christ!

“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

The question was addressed by Jesus and we’ll take that as our closing thought, and I pray that we will all heed HIS words!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”    Matthew 16:24-27

I pray that you have a blessed week, and that God will move in a mighty way in our nation, and our world!  It’s all about JESUS!  For regardless of what we “see”—God’s still in charge!  (See Revelation 19:6)

“…Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth….”

Amen and Amen!!!

What Price Revival??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 01

20 Sunday Sep 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Remember, Repentance, REvival

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 01    What Price Revival???

 

It’s been a long week at our home, but God’s still God, God’s still good and I still trust Him.  While I don’t always know what God wants to accomplish in my life, I do know that if I will but wait, listen and seek to obey, He will reveal what I cannot see, in HIS time.  What about you?  I’d like to share some things that I pray will help us each draw near to our Savior and Lord, Jesus in these difficult days!

“But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings

as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

God is ever doing HIS work in us, because when we are born again—we are His children, and HE is working to make us more and more like Jesus.  But we must remember whose we are!  We live in such a “me” culture that it’s often hard to not get caught up in its focus on self!  Much like the church at Corinth, we need to be reminded that we belong to God!  (Also see Romans 8:28-29)

“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

Did you get that?  We are to glorify God, because we are “bought with a price”!  We must reject the popular idea that we can claim Jesus saving power and give Him no allegiance!  We will never truly experience the power of God in our lives, until our lives are truly yielded to Jesus!  We must recognize the priority of Jesus’ authority in my/your life!

“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 we can accomplish this seemingly impossible task only when we depend upon the power supplied by the redeeming work of Jesus at Calvary through HIS Holy Spirit within us!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 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 10:9-11

While Jesus spoke these words before His passion, He knew what HE would do for His sheep, and He told us before that HE would give us not only eternal life, but life here and now, “more abundantly” than we could ever know without Him!  We can have this life today, and tomorrow and each day of our lives if we will but walk in the light of His Spirit.  And when we will yield our lives to that leading of our Shepherd, we can be a part of seeing a move of God about us!  As many of us have prayed for revival for a long time, it is a prayer that still wafts heavenward from my own lips!  And in light of that prayer, I’d like to take some liberty with a familiar passage and break it down into bite-sized pieces to consider things that we may have missed.  I pray that this will touch your heart and mine and bring us humbly to HIS cross that alone can save, transform and renew lives, as well as recharge HIS own!

“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.”   2 Chronicles 7:14

When we consider the context of this much quoted verse, we are brought to see that it is not only God’s promise to hear and answer when His people returned to Him, it is a reminder from God that they would rebel again (as they had ever since Moses led them out of Egypt) and that HE would judge them because of it.  But the comfort and assurance that we find here, is that HE told them HE would (much like the father in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son) be ready to hear, forgive, restore them to favor, and heal their land, (which He would judge because of their sin); for it would take His judgment upon them to get their attention!  Sound familiar?  We still suffer from the same spiritual forgetfulness, and I pray that we will remedy this trait in our own hearts today and each day ahead.

So, back to the verse—let’s ponder its value:

If—supposing or based on a condition (you do…I do…)

–whosoever will…(See John 3:16)

–no other name….(See Acts 4:12)

My people—a promise to those who belong to GOD…

–not a blanket promise to all mankind…

–a principle for believers…

(See Jn. 10:26-28 & Jn 3:16; Acts 4:12)

Which are called by MY name—the regenerate…

–those born again by God’s Spirit..

(See John 1:12-13 & John 3:3,5,16)

–bought with a price…

(See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Shall humbles themselves—bow to/yield to God

–We are called to humble ourselves…

–Not to be puffed up..

–Not arrogant..

–Not self-satisfied..

 –To be like Isaiah before God…

(“Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man

of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst of a people

of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me,

having a live coal in his hand,

which he had taken with the tongs

from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth,

 and said,

Lo, this hath touched

thy lips;

and thine iniquity

is taken away,

and thy sin

purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord,

saying, Whom shall I send,

and who will go for us?

Then said I,

Here am I;

send me.”  Isaiah 6:5-8)

Shall—

humbles themselves,—

and pray,—

and seek my face,—

and turn

from their wicked ways; –REPENT…

–of self…

–of prayerlessness/self-dependence…

/independence…

–of neglecting to seek God’s face…

–of embracing wickedness freely…

(We must practice the fruit of The Spirit…

rather than the fruit of the flesh!!!

(See Galatians 5:18-24)

THEN–God’s response to our “IF” we do the above…

Will I hear from heaven–

God sees and knows, ever ready to respond…

(See Psalm 11:4, 34:15; Proverbs 15:3)

              God hears the prayers of the righteous…

(See James 5:16)

And will forgive their sin—

The sins of HIS own when we confess…

(See 1 John 1:8-10; Matthew 6:12)

And will heal their land—restore from judgment…

The preface—verse 7:13

***“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;”  2 Chronicles 7:13

Our choice is to hear and obey God or reap the consequences!  There is hope of God’s provision when we will return to HIM, but we can’t be presumptuous and continue to disobey on the expectation of God’s forgiving grace without consideration of HIS judgment.  I’ll simply close with a somber reminder from Paul, and I pray that you will ponder these things—I pray that we who are HIS will stand in the gap for a nation in desperate straits!  What are you sowing?  Where are you bowing to?  The choice is yours but remember there is a test!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!