Tag Archives: Galatians 5:16 &25

Discerning Or Deceived??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #39

28 Wednesday Sep 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Be Steadfast, Deceit or Discernment?, Deceivers, Deniable Truth? Really?, Diligence, Discernment, Knowing Truth

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Discerning Or Deceived??? A Word from THE WORD!!!  #39

Like many believers today, I am concerned with all that I see going on around me, especially within churches that claim the name of “Jesus” but preach a message that is in direct contradiction to The Word of God.  So, I’d like to share a bit of scripture to remind us all that we won’t be in the majority, but we do need to pursue God’s “right-jority”—for God’s truth has seldom if ever been a popular message with any majority, and we want to align ourselves with God Almighty, Jesus The Son, His Word and His ways, by the power of The Holy Spirit, who indwells those who belong to Jesus, having been “born again” of the Spirit of God!

“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…

   …. 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.”  Portions of John 3:3-7

Paul makes it clear that truth—God’s truth—is spiritually discerned!  Are you being discerning or deceived?

“But we speak the wisdom of God

in a mystery,

even the hidden wisdom,

which God ordained

before the world

unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:

for had they known it,

they would not have crucified

the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written,

Eye hath not seen,

nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared

for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them

unto us

by his Spirit:

for the Spirit searcheth all things,

yea, the deep things

of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man,

save the spirit of man

which is in him?

even so the things of God

knoweth no man,

but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the spirit

which is of God;

that we might know

the things that are freely given

to us

of God.

13 Which things also we speak,

not in the words

which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which

the Holy Ghost teacheth;

comparing spiritual things

with spiritual.

14 But the natural man

receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto him:

neither can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual

 judgeth all things,

yet he himself is judged

of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord,

that he may instruct him?

But we have

the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:7-16

While we can’t ever (nor should we seek to) instruct God, we do have the “mind of the Lord” through Jesus Christ our Lord and we are to yield to the “mind of Christ” via the Holy Spirit, which helps us to walk right before God in humility, grace, and the crucified life. (To see a picture of this see Philippians 2:5-11) And while we should never align with the “majority” of the world, Jesus, speaking of majority, made it very clear that we are walking a ‘narrow road’!  All while there is a “broad way” filled with “many” which leads to destruction; and I fear that many who claim the name of Jesus are proclaiming it from a spot on the “broad way”, for Satan is always painting a picture of health, wealth and popularity that draws to the “many”, but we must be discerning for our own sake as well as the sake of those whom God has placed in our path to influence and help to find/see the “narrow road”!  Check out their behavior, don’t just follow the tune they are singing!

“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

Knowing this truth, I believe, is at least part of the reason that Paul warns us in his letter to the Galatians, who were also in danger of deceit, to walk in “the Spirit” not the flesh.  We must begin to develop our spiritual senses, if you would, and leave this worldly deceit behind!  Oh Lord, please open my eyes to see what YOU see!  Just because it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, doesn’t mean it IS a duck; it may be a wolf in sheep’s clothes! Watch that behavior, it’s what Jesus said would tell the tale—for us and others!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth

against the Spirit,

and the Spirit

against the flesh:

and these are contrary the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do

the things that ye would…

…. 25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also

walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16-17 & 25

Peter also broached this subject to the scattered believers and warned them not to be “deceived” by “plastic” words that change with the season, popular ideology, greed, or worldly appeal, and to remember the truth of Jesus and press on; knowing there is a coming judgement of God to prepare for!  Remember God’s Word is the standard by which judgment will come.

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints

and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

And Peter’s warning:

“But there were false prophets

also among the people,

even as there shall be false teachers

among you,

who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,

even denying the Lord that bought them,

and bring upon themselves

swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways;

by reason of whom

the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness

shall they with feigned words

make merchandise of you:

whose judgment now

of a long time

lingereth not,

and their damnation

slumbereth not.”  2 Peter 2:1-3

So, we need to be aware of not only the truth of God’s Word, but that there are also “false prophets” and “false teachers” among us, who desire to deceive us and, as Peter puts it, “make merchandise of you”!  Greed is a great motivator—and there are a lot of greedy people who want to lead us down that “broad road…to destruction”!  So, put on your “whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day”; for the evil day is here—now!  And Paul said it better than I can:

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

How About MY Heart??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 NO. 13

28 Sunday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Be ye doers of the Word, Clothed In His Righteousness, Sayers or Doers

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 13   How About MY Heart???

It seems that we are living in a world gone amuck with power, money, and disregard of The Lord God Almighty, HIS Word, and HIS SON!  But the real question is, “What about “MY” heart?”  I think Jesus’ words make it clear what we need to consider—and notice that Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders in this first passage.

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye, being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words

thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words

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

And as Jesus said in another place:

“And Jesus said,

Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed

out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

 and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:16-20

The Psalmist reminds us that what comes out of our mouth is under our control, and as we avoid the evil, we are to appreciate and desire the correction of the righteous—to both receive it, and to be that “iron sharpening iron” to others!

“Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door

of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart

to any evil thing,

to practise wicked works

with men that work iniquity:

and let me not

eat of their dainties.

5 Let the righteous smite me;

it shall be a kindness:

and let him reprove me;

it shall be an excellent oil,

which shall not break my head…”   Psalm 141:3-5a

So, what is in my heart?  In yours?  Only God knows all about me, but what comes out of my mouth, according to Jesus’ words, will reveal what is truly in my heart.  I’m not talking about a stray word when someone bangs his thumb, but I am talking about the evil, vile words of hatred, spite, and cruelty that spew from many who claim the name of Jesus.  And there is a difference between what the Psalmist is describing as the reproof and accountability of the righteous toward one another.  James contrasts it as real faith and vain faith—that which is confirmed by a righteous, holy lifestyle, in contrast to a lifestyle of nothing but words!  Jesus talked about this in Matthew 7, (And just let me clarify, I don’t think Paul and James disagreed on faith and grace—James isn’t denying faith, but simply distinguishing the difference between “just saying so”, and “being so”!)

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister

be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding

ye give them not those things

which are needful to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith

without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know,

O vain man,

that faith without works

 is dead?”  James 2:14-20

And as James also said (in the same vein):

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.”  James 1:22

Jesus makes the delineation clear:

“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…

…. 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 7:13-14, 20-23

We are impowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to live in The Spirit and not the flesh if we will but yield to HIS work and obey!

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered

for us

in the flesh,

arm yourselves likewise

with the same mind:

for he that hath suffered

in the flesh

hath ceased from sin;

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time

in the flesh

to the lusts of men,

but to the will of God.”  1 Peter 4:1-2

Paul gives us a key to walking in victory over our heart and mind, which leads us to victory over our tongue.  Are you and I heeding The Holy Spirit as we should?  Or going our own way?  As I’ve said before, it’s your choice (and mine), but remember there is a test!

“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

And in closing, Paul’s amazing reminder of what The Spirit’s work looks like in us!  I encourage you to spend some time and memorize these verses (at least 22-23) for your good and God’s glory!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such

there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.”  Galatians 5:22-24

So, the question we all must answer is, “How about my heart?”!  It’s what Jesus calls us to, and scripture is replete with the call to us is to be “salt…and light…” to a world lost in sin and darkness!  What will you do with your “light”?

“Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:16

Amen and Amen!!!

Firecrackers Of Regret??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #18

01 Friday Jul 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Are You Ready, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Cleansed from all sin, Confidence, Doubt and Confusion?, Firecrackers of Regret!, Forgetting or Remembering?, Forgiveness, Renewing or Reviewing, Restoration, Take Up YOUR Cross, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Blood Of Jesus, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way

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Firecrackers Of Regret???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #18

It’s firecracker time in America, and while I don’t spend much, if any, time or money shooting fireworks, I do enjoy the light show; yet the money that is spent on fireworks always seemed to me like lighting a match to a hundred dollar bill.  We all make choices, and some choose to indulge in the fun and celebration with fireworks.  But I want to talk about the ‘firecrackers’ of regret that we will often endure for more than the few minutes that the firecracker or other fireworks may last—it’s a puff of smoke and it’s gone—yet our life choices can leave us with a continual barrage of regret more like a gatling gun going off in our heart and mind!

How many regrets will you have because you (like me) failed to make godly, biblical choices in life; and the regrets of tomorrow can seldom be erased, nor the fire put out for long.  Believe me, you may sit one day asking God to ease the pain of the choices you are making today, wishing that you had chosen more wisely.  You may find yourself praying for God’s intervention in the painful consequences of your choices—the ones you make in haste, or in anger, or in total rebellion to God and HIS Word, or just that fleshly indulgence that you wouldn’t let go of.  You’ll be praying for “crop failure” as my father (thank God for a praying, loving father) did for me many years ago.  What do I mean?  Well, I mean—you get to plant your crop, but God sets the harvest!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.”  Galatians 6:7-9

How interesting as I write this, God reminded me through the music I’m listening to, that no matter how bad we mess up—if we will look to Jesus, we can find forgiveness at the cross, for “Jesus Paid It All” (written by Elvina M. Hall in 1865)!  Yet, obedience will always prevail over regrets, when we are willing to follow HIS Spirit each step of the way (See Psalm 37:23, in fact you can read the whole Psalm for real insight into God’s plan)!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would…

…. 24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.  

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16-17 & 24-25

What are you sowing today?  The choice is yours but remember there is a test.  And for us adults—remember there are little eyes and ears watching and listening, and they WILL copy our actions much more often than just our words.  Again—we “reap what we sow”!  Yet as we think of all that God has done for us, for our nation, for our world—may we fall before HIM, asking Him to “forgive… and to cleanse” us from our “SIN”.  And I’d like to simply share some scripture for us to ponder today (and each day)!  I pray God’s Spirit will direct each of us to hear and obey!

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

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

“Righteousness exalteth a nation:

but sin is a reproach to any people.”   Proverbs 14:34

“For whosoever exalteth himself

shall be abased;

and he that humbleth himself

shall be exalted.”  Luke 14:11

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:” Isaiah 55:6

Please don’t watch your life go up in smoke like the fireworks that will light the skies of America this weekend; remember it’s your choice but choose wisely—there is a test—and a consequence!   Will yours be joy and delight as you see the blessings of God abound, or regrets beyond measure? You can try to justify your actions, but God knows your heart and mine, and HIS accounts are sure and certain!  Yet, praise God, HE heals hearts, HE forgives sin when we repent and receive HIS cleansing.  Look up today—Jesus is waiting for you!

“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.

….10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:7-10

I praise God that He has granted me the forgiveness, healing, and restoration that only the blood of Jesus can provide.  He has truly given the opportunity to “restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten”!  Thank you, Jesus!

“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

“And I will restore to you

the years that the locust hath eaten,

the cankerworm,

and the caterpiller,

and the palmerworm,

my great army

which I sent among you.”  Joel 2:25

I pray God’s blessing on you and yours!  And—Father God, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and precious Holy Spirit—Please bless America!

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s What I’m CALLED To Do!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 09

23 Sunday Jan 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Conformed to HIS image, Cross, Dependence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Father of lies, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Glory To God, Responding Rightly, Resting In Jesus, Roaring Lion, Strength-vs-weakness, The Call of God!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 09   It’s What I’m CALLED To Do!!!

 

My call is to service—whether teaching, or serving others to meet their physical needs, their material needs, their spiritual needs, or their dying needs—it is what God has saved, called, and equipped me to do.  Even when we become weary—God is faithful to meet our needs.  Jesus became weary, but HE knew HE was doing the will of HIS Father—yes, HE rested, but HE walked up that hill regardless of HIS weakness—HE even fell, but God sent HIM help to get up and go on.  It’s the example that JESUS left for me/us!

“For what glory is it, if,

when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if,

when ye do well, and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself to him

that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”   1 Peter 2:20-25

While weariness is often hard to bear and work through, trusting to the sovereignty of God/Jesus, IS the source of my confidence, strength, and power!  Yes, I can get weary sometimes and be ‘driven’ instead of ‘lead’, but my absolute lodestar is the Cross of Jesus! For He died for me, and I am called to die to “ME” and live for HIM in weariness or strength, no matter what others may think.  When I am asked, “How do you do this or that, or how do you go on?”, my answer is and must always be ‘through my Lord and King’s power and Spirit’!  For I KNOW that HE is working all these things out for my good, and HIS glory.  Little else matters!

“And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:28-29

Because Jesus is working “all things” to conform His children, including you and me—and all who have been born again, into HIS image, Paul could assure the Philippian believers that they could do “all things” regardless of what they may have been facing.  All by God’s grace and power—the power of the Cross, and the risen LORD Jesus–including ‘resting’ in Jesus (I will give you rest, see Matthew 11:28!) when HE says “come… apart… and rest” (See Mark 6:31), I just need to work on the listening.

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

While it is often hard to do the things that Jesus calls, leads and directs me/you to do, I must—I must press on, for HIM, through HIM and to HIS glory—praying with the Psalmist, “order my steps in thy word” (see Psalm 119:33), not my flesh!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

 in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14

Of primary importance, as I pray the armor of God on each day, and put on that “helmet of salvation”, is, I believe, the call to have the “mind of Christ Jesus” my Lord in all these things—even when I don’t like it—even when I fail by trying to do it in my flesh—when I don’t understand the strain—it IS THEN that I must go back to the cross, pursuing that “mind of Christ Jesus” to be able to serve with total trust in the sovereign control of God my King, and my Lord Jesus Christ!

“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.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more

in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God

which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”   Philippians 2 :5-13

I almost always come back to what Paul told the Corinthian believers when I fail, or become distracted, or forget my focus.

“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

In contrast to what Satan is ever using to pull us down, we are to rehearse all the truths of whose I am/you are, and determine to walk in that truth, especially when I’m weak, weary, or worn.  It’s His Person, His truth, His power, and His Spirit, that carry me, as the song says, there’s often “one set of footprints in the sand” (‘Footprints In The Sand’, by Margaret Fishback Powers)! Yet, remember we do have an enemy of our soul, but he is a defeated foe, a ‘toothless lion’—one who roars loudly, but his end is certain by the blood of Jesus, our victorious King!

“Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not…

….47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”  Portions of John 8:44-47

I must hear and believe God’s truth—JESUS— not the lies of the enemy!  So, in considering a difficult question, “How am I to take care of ‘myself’?”; I do try, but I often simply forget what that looks like, and I need to remember that my Father will direct me to rest, if I will but listen to HIM, and let go of the perfectionism, the desire to control, the false need to ‘correct all wrongs’, and the plain old “FLESH”!  I MUST learn to more consistently “walk in the Spirit” not “the flesh”!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would…

….25 If we live in the Spirit,

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

And to me, the greatest call of all is to “abide” in the right person, place, and things!  JESUS and HIS WORD!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch

cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 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 15:1-5

May I sing ever in recognition of my weakness becoming strength in HIM: “TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS” (by Helen Howarth Lemmel); truly learning to lean on HIS strength, obeying in all things—whether in service or in rest! Even as God told Paul, “my strength is made perfect in weakness”! ‘Nuff said!!!

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.”  2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Amen and Amen!!!

Worship Is About GOD Not Me??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #748

18 Wednesday Aug 2021

Posted by in Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Worship Him!, Worship?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #748  Worship Is About GOD Not Me???

 

We are called to worship our God in “spirit and in truth”.  What we often seem to be doing is worshipping in the “me” mode rather than the “GOD IS GOD” mode.  In fact, Jesus repeated this phrase twice in His conversation with the woman at the well.

“Our fathers worshipped

in this mountain;

and ye say, that in Jerusalem

is the place where men

ought to worship.

21 Jesus saith unto her,

Woman, believe me,

the hour cometh,

when ye shall neither

in this mountain,

 nor yet at Jerusalem,

worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what:

we know what we worship:

for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is,

when the true worshippers

shall worship the Father

in spirit and in truth:

for the Father seeketh such

to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him

in spirit and in truth.”  John 4:20-24

The “hour cometh, and now is” ought to call us to heed the things going on around us, especially the things going on in the name of Jesus in, through and from the “church”!  How is it that we have decided that the way of the cross is not sufficient to spread the Gospel.  Jesus had something to say about the effectiveness of appealing to the flesh, I know that this is a lengthy passage, but I think it worth the time and space that we may consider the truth that Jesus was sharing.  Yet, first of all I would like to preface it with one of the most profound, yet simple, and often neglected passages about our preaching!

“Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.”  1 Corinthians 1:20-25

Now, back to the words of our Lord:

“When the people therefore saw that Jesus

was not there,

neither his disciples,

they also took shipping,

and came to Capernaum,

seeking for Jesus.

25 And when they had found him

on the other side of the sea,

they said unto him,

Rabbi,

when camest thou hither?

26 Jesus answered them and said,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Ye seek me,

not because ye saw the miracles,

but because ye did eat

of the loaves,

and were filled.

27 Labour not for the meat

which perisheth,

but for that meat

which endureth unto everlasting life,

which the Son of man

shall give unto you:

for him hath God the Father sealed.

28 Then said they unto him,

What shall we do,

that we might work the works of God?

29 Jesus answered and said unto them,

This is the work of God,

that ye believe on him

whom he hath sent.

30 They said therefore unto him,

What sign shewest thou then,

that we may see,

and believe thee?

what dost thou work?

31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert;

as it is written,

He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

32 Then Jesus said unto them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Moses gave you not that bread

from heaven;

but my Father

giveth you the true bread

from heaven.

33 For the bread of God

is he which cometh down from heaven,

and giveth life unto the world.

34 Then said they unto him,

Lord, evermore give us this bread.

35 And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life:

he that cometh to me

shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me

shall never thirst.

36 But I said unto you,

That ye also have seen me,

and believe not.

37 All that the Father giveth me

shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven,

not to do mine own will,

but the will of him

that sent me.”  John 6:24-38

I pray that we will return to dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts of men, women, boys, and girls to bring them to the cross; relying upon the work of The Holy Spirit to convict souls of sin and bring them to repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ for their sin.  When people do not come face to face with their sin, their will never be the life-changing transformation which the blood of Jesus can accomplish in “whosoever will” come!  And remember Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to “go and sin no more”!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:44

“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

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you

that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world

of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

I pray that we will ponder these truths, asking God to open our hearts, minds, and lives to order our “steps in your Word”! Please, Lord?  And in my own words worship is not measured by attendance or exuberance in events but:

Worship IS a life lived

in obedience to The Voice of God—

written,

spoken,

and lived out as

a light in the darkness

and a reflection of the glory of Jesus!!!

Worship is yielding to The Holy Spirit of Christ/God and not feeding, following, or promoting the flesh!  Now, let me say that when we truly worship God, our flesh will be blessed but when we design our worship to feed the flesh, or try to “drive” people into frenzy instead of creating an atmosphere that “leads” and “draws” people to the cross of Christ and not their flesh to jump up and boogie, then we have missed the boat—in my humble opinion!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh…

…. 25 If we live in the Spirit,

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

Amen and Amen!!!