Tag Archives: Hebrews 4:14-16

When Is True NOT??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 02

01 Monday Nov 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God Is In Charge, God Knows, God Who Sees, God's Judgment, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Truth is True, When Is True NOT?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 02   When Is True NOT???

 

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many

will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied

in thy name?

and in thy name

have cast out devils?

and in thy name

done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:20-23

In Blanche’s paraphrase, Jesus is clearly telling us that “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!  Many today (and notice that the many are “not” truly following Jesus but claim to be) are using the name of Jesus for a multitude of things that don’t line up with God’s Word.  THAT IS the test—God’s Word is the standard by which we must judge and discern all things—yet today “many” claim to have a “new” revelation, or a “new” word, or a “new” understanding that changes what God has said, in order to accommodate sin!  Yet God has set truth in order, and it cannot be changed by man!  Truth has a name!

“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

The author of Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that this very Word of God—both the living Word, Jesus, and the written Word of God, the Bible—is, has been and ever will be the standard of truth, and every person will be held accountable to it.  What are you accepting as “true”?  Have you checked it out by The Word?

“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

All because Jesus came to earth, walked as a man, lived, and died for our sin, we can be “righteous” before our God and have the honor and privilege of coming into HIS presence for help and support every day, no matter the situation!  Have you run to HIM lately; or have you settled for the counsel of the world?

“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

Oh, how grateful I am that Jesus is my source of strength, wisdom and understanding (for I have very little in myself—so I praise God for such a Savior…). He was “made sin”, so I could be “made” righteous with and before God.

“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

So, the next time you hear something that doesn’t seem to “set well” in your spirit, take it to God’s Word and check it out, and verify whether it is “true” or “NOT”, then order your steps accordingly, praying for God’s wisdom as you go to HIS throne of mercy for help!  He is always faithful to provide when we will but ask!

“Beloved,

believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits

whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.”   1 John 4:1

Jesus called them “wolves in sheep’s clothing”!  And I can’t help but believe that we are inundated with “wolves” today!

“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…..”   Matthew 7:13-16a

Peter used the metaphor of “lions” rather than sheep, but his warning was the same, be aware of what you hear and see, and let God’s Word guide your steps, not the culture!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory

and dominion

for ever

and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:

Notice the traits that Peter calls us to rely upon, traits of righteous character and humility before our God.  And ‘sober’ isn’t simply a reference to ‘outside substances that control us’, but a reference to our life of self-control—or even more accurately, “spirit control”!  Peter calls us to “God-control” by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in humility, dependence upon God’s care, self-controlled, vigilant (always on guard), and aware that we have an enemy whom we are to resist (and “he will flee”, see James 4:7), knowing that regardless of our circumstances, our God is ever faithful to the situation!  Oh, how true HE IS—we can depend on HIM—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—while doing our part!

“Rejoice in the Lord alway:

and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation

be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

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 4:4-9

‘Nuff said!

Amen and Amen!!!

Living In My Season??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 26

18 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's provision, Living In My Season, Running in my lane, Seasonal or Steadfast?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 26   Living In My Season???

 

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

I am a ‘senior’ citizen, and while I can’t do, or go or produce like I once did, there are so many things that I can still do, and what I’d like to share today is that regardless of our season of life, we are called to “rejoice and be glad in it”!  But are we?  There are times when we can all be distracted by the “what if’s” and allow the enemy to steal our joy, by getting our attention onto the other person’s lane.  You remember the old saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!”  And those of us who live in cattle country, whether we raise cattle or not, see those cows stretching their necks through the fence to get that “other” grass regardless of the grass that is in their own pasture.  The author of Hebrews deals with this very issue, let’s consider his counsel.

“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

I love this passage, yet it is so often misunderstood as our being ‘cheered on in a great stadium’, when, in reality, it is a conclusion of chapter 11—the great ‘Hall of Faith’ chapter—which paints the amazing picture of faith through the ages.  A passage revealing those in prosperous circumstances as well as those who endured distress, torture, and even death for their faith.  Yet they kept on keeping on regardless of the circumstances or season they were called to endure.

We can learn so much from this brief passage about the seasons of life, and how we are to respond; I would like to simply share some insight from this great passage. Firstly, we are called to consider and learn from the faith of those who have gone before us, both those in near proximity as well as those long gone, as Hebrews 11 pictures.  To do that we must delve into the Word of God to know our God and those who have left us great examples of faith, strength, and courage; those who set examples of how to “lay aside” the sins, weights of life, and challenges which confront each of us daily—sometimes moment by moment!  God reminds us that we don’t have to be “beset” or thrown off track by these things; and while sin is almost always an issue, we can overcome it by “Looking unto Jesus”!  And no matter our season of life, Jesus is ever sufficient to lead, guide and provide for us, for HE has “been to Calvary” for us; and because HE endured every attack of Satan, sin, and life—yet without sin!

“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.”  Hebrews 4:15

“Without sin”!  As the Southern Gospel song proclaims, “Oh, What A Savior” (written by Marvin P Dalton), I am so glad that He “endured the cross” for you and me—and because of HIS sacrifice we can run “the race that is set before us” with confidence no matter the time, season, trial, or temptation!  He accomplished our victory at Calvary!  Oh, how grateful I am, that my past is under the blood—forgiven–, my present is perfectly in HIS hands, regardless of the season of life I am in, and my future is secure in HIS victory of salvation accomplished at Calvary!

As Paul described it so beautifully, the sacrifice of Jesus, for you and me (If you would, the Gospel in a nutshell, and combined with John 3:16-19, all we need to know about what Jesus did, does and will do for us!) is DONE:

“Moreover, brethren,

I declare unto you

the gospel which I preached

unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed

in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you

first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:”  1 Corinthians 15:1-5

His blood has bought and paid for my sin, and because I have come to HIM in repentance and faith, I can run this “race that is set before” me.  For you see, it is the race that Jesus has set before “ME”, and that HE has set before “YOU”—and while they are not in the same lane or course, the sufficiency isn’t yours or mine, but in the blood bought victory of Jesus Christ our Lord!  The Apostle John recorded it beautifully in the Revelation.

“And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,       

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him

that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,”  Revelation 1:5

Oh, praise HIS dear name—He did it all for you and me!  And HIS work isn’t seasonal—it is full time–permanent, regardless of time, age, season, troubles, or successes!  He has bought and paid for the victory!  I’m so glad that Jesus knew, knows, and will always know what I need—what you need—and where my lane and yours is going.  Just think of it, Samuel was called as a young child, Daniel as a teenager (and both of these young people served God into their 80’s/90’s)!  Then there’s Moses who didn’t really get started with His greatest work until he was 80!  And Jesus our Lord’s work was finished (by God’s design) at some 33 years!

So, my friends, it doesn’t matter our “season” of life, or ministry, or work, or leisure, or any other limitations that we may think are on our life and service, God has set our race, and HE simply calls us to run it with grace, power, faith, and dependence upon HIS all-sufficient power, to just keep running!  He doesn’t call us to be as speedy as our neighbor or friend, HE simply calls us to be faithful with what HE has given to us to be and do!  My race isn’t yours, nor yours mine!  We are called to keep our eyes “looking unto Jesus” not anyone else’s lane!

“Moreover

it is required in stewards,

that a man be found faithful.”  1 Corinthians 4:2

And as faithful stewards we are given access to our Lord for every need.

“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

And if I may simply add that no matter what you are facing, no matter the season of life, trial, struggle, success, power, or weakness you are “running” with, remember that God has you, HE has your race, HE is in that lane with you.  Look up my friend, run to that “throne of grace”, and press on!  WE WIN!!!  Amen and Amen!!!

Pray On Knowing God Hears??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #756

01 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in Confidence, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #756  Pray On Knowing God Hears???

 

Just a brief word this morning to encourage our hearts to keep on praying, not matter what you “see” or “hear”!  It’s all about “the God who sees” not the world around us!

“Hear my prayer,

O LORD,

give ear

to my supplications:

in thy faithfulness

answer me,

and in thy righteousness.”  Psalm 143:1

We can pray because our God is truly the faithful “answerer”; and while we may not always understand what we see, or what HE seems to be doing we can trust to HIS care in all things.  So, my friend, pray on!  Believing in the goodness, wisdom, and grace of God Almighty and His Son, our Redeemer, Jesus!

“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

We can pray in confidence knowing that Jesus paid the price for your sin and mine, HE hears the prayers of HIS children, and HE is ever working for our good and HIS glory.

“But ye, beloved,

building up yourselves

on your most holy faith,            

praying in the Holy Ghost,” Jude 1:20

Pray on dear ones!!!  We win!

“And I heard as it were

the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”  Revelation 19:6

Pray with assurance “for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

My Hope Is Secure??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 21

12 Sunday Sep 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Fear, Fearlessness, Holy Living, HOPE

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 21  My Hope Is Secure???

 

“As the hart panteth

after the water brooks,

so panteth my soul

after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God,

for the living God:

when shall I come

and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my meat

day and night,

while they continually say unto me,

Where is thy God?

4 When I remember these things,

I pour out my soul in me:

for I had gone with the multitude,

I went with them to the house of God,

with the voice of joy

and praise,

with a multitude

that kept holyday.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

and why art thou disquieted in me?

hope thou in God:

for I shall yet praise him

for the help of his countenance.

6 O my God,

my soul is cast down within me:

therefore will I remember thee

from the land of Jordan,

and of the Hermonites,

from the hill Mizar.

7 Deep calleth unto deep

at the noise of thy waterspouts:

all thy waves and thy billows

are gone over me.

8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness

in the daytime,

and in the night his song

shall be with me,

and my prayer

unto the God of my life.

9 I will say unto God my rock,

Why hast thou forgotten me?

why go I mourning

because of the oppression of the enemy?

10 As with a sword in my bones,

mine enemies reproach me;

while they say daily unto me,

Where is thy God?

11 Why art thou cast down,

O my soul?

and why art thou disquieted within me?

hope thou in God:

for I shall yet praise him,

who is the health of my countenance,

and my God.”  Psalm 42:1-11

As we consider many of the things going on around us, we can often become what the Psalmist describes as, “cast down, O my soul”……and our souls may become “disquieted in me”!  Yet, we can take heart and have the same confidence that the Psalmist had, and surely “hope thou in God”.  We must keep our eyes on Jesus, the “author and finisher of our faith”!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside

every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds”. Hebrews 12:1-3

Our call is to follow Jesus, keep our eyes on HIM, and to run the race that HE has set before us; all in the assurance that many have experienced the faithfulness of God before us—in believing the witnesses, laying aside sin and the weights of trials that surround us, running the persistent race, with our Lord and HIS Word in view!  We must recognize that the great “cloud of witnesses”, are not a stadium of spectators, but the faithful who have walked the journey of faith before us.  In fact, many of them gave testimony to God’s faithfulness in chapter 11—known as the faith chapter!  And as we experience more and more of God’s faithfulness we can truly learn to walk consistently by faith!  And oh, what a faithful GOD we serve!  Paul gave us great advise for pursuing excellence in following our God.

“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.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing

ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this

unto you.”  Philippians 3:13-15

As we pursue the prize of our calling in Jesus, may we truly learn to live the crucified life: crucified to self and alive unto Jesus our Lord and King in all our ways!

“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 friends, where is your hope placed?  Don’t let the enemy deceive you into hoping in yourself or the world, for God truly is our “very present help in trouble”!  And if there was ever a world in trouble, we’re living in it!  But don’t lose heart—we win because our GOD wins!!!

“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

Oh, what a God we serve!  Will you serve HIM with your whole heart?  Will you walk in confidence of HIS grace and mercy toward us!  May your week be full of blessings and grace!

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

but of power,

 and of love,

and of a sound mind…

…. 9 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,”   2 Timothy 1:7 & 9

Amen and Amen!!!

Humbly Trusting Our God??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 14

26 Monday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Conformed to HIS image, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Knows, Humility, I Know Whom I Have Beleived

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 14  Humbly Trusting Our God???

 

I want to let you know that posts may be a bit sporadic for a while, as we are making some life changes at our house and for the next couple of weeks, we’ll have things going on that may keep me from writing on my regular schedule.  I am so thankful for each of you, and thank you for your prayers, encouraging words, notes, reactions, and replies to our work.  My prayer is that God will always be lifted up, HIS Word exalted, and hearts and lives encouraged and drawn nearer to the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord.  So, for today a brief word that is an encouragement to me, and I pray to you!

“Let nothing be done

through strife

or vainglory;

but in lowliness of mind

let each esteem other

better than themselves.

4 Look not every man

on his own things,

but every man

also on the things of others.

5 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.”  Philippians 2:3-11

May we each choose to seek Jesus’ face, and humble ourselves before God and be like Jesus; it’s what God is working into our lives in every circumstance!  We can trust to HIS care.

“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

And just a little side note in closing, for many years I had heard Romans 8:28 “all things”, and it seemed rather flippant and often made God seem erratic or unfeeling to just flip out this or that to whomever!  BUT—then I found out there was a verse 29 in this amazing chapter of Romans!  Oh, praise God, HE has a purpose in all our trials, suffering, stumblings, even in our successes and failures!  OH, praise God—HE has promised that HE is at work in every situation that we might be “conformed to the image of his Son”!  I can’t tell you what joy and confidence that brought to my heart, and I hope it will do the same for you today!

May we seek HIM continually, humbling ourselves before God regardless of our circumstances, life changes, heartaches, or trials, and especially in the successes of life that can often build our “ego” rather than build our humble faith!

Be blessed and rejoice in all that God IS, not just what HE IS doing.  He is truly our “strong tower” and we can “run into it” any time.  Run to Jesus!  (See Proverbs 18:10)

“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

Amen and Amen!!!