Tag Archives: Isaiah 5:20-21

They Don’t Play Fair??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #530

08 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by in God Is In Charge, It's Your Choice, They Don't Play Fair

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #530    They Don’t Play Fair???

 

Many of us are burdened over the state of our nation—our world, and yet we must remember that our confidence is in The One who actually is in charge! And that is God not man!  Yet it is disheartening as we are vexed at the things that we continually see and hear around us.  We truly are living in an age and time when people are willfully rejecting God, His Word and His way.

“Woe unto them

that call evil

good,

and good

evil;

that put darkness

for light,

and light

for darkness;

that put bitter

for sweet,

and sweet

for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!”  Isaiah 5:20-21 

We must be diligent to keep our eyes on Jesus and judge righteous judgment; even though many say that we are “not” to judge at all, scripture calls us to judge righteously and not for self-promotion, or by just what we think we see!

“Judge not

according to the appearance,

but judge

righteous judgment.”   John 7:24

Yet as we discern and judge what’s going on around us, we can take comfort and encouragement that God knows exactly where we are and what is going on, and HE will bring His Kingdom in His time!  For Jesus is the only way into God’s family and Kingdom, and whether we be ‘king’ or ‘peasant’ there is only One way—and HIS name is Jesus—and He will save those who call upon Him!  But to reject Him is to perish!

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son

of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”    John 3:14-19

Jesus came that we could have life—the choice is yours, mine, and it is ‘theirs’—that ‘they’ who think they run the world!  The Psalmist gives us a most eloquent picture of the world we live in, still; and a picture of The One who was coming for salvation to those who would believe, yet judgment for those who refuse HIM!

“Why do the heathen rage,

and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the LORD,

and against his anointed,

saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder,

and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens

shall laugh:

the Lord shall

have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them

in his wrath,

and vex them

in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king

upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree:

the LORD hath said unto me,

Thou art my Son;

this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me,

and I shall give thee the heathen

for thine inheritance,

and the uttermost parts of the earth

for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them

with a rod of iron;

thou shalt dash them in pieces

like a potter’s vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore,

O ye kings:

be instructed,

ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son,

lest he be angry,

and ye perish

from the way,

when his wrath

is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all they

that put their trust

in him.”  Psalm 2:1-12

May God encourage your heart today and remind you that no matter who ‘doesn’t play fair’, HE is in charge—He will requite!  As Jeremiah 51:56b says, “for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.”

‘Nuff said!

Amen and Amen.

 

 

Redefining Christianity??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #526

25 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Lies, Redefining Christianity?, Righteousness, Stand Fast, The Father of Lies!, Truth

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #526    Redefining Christianity???

 

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21

Isaiah warned those in his day of “woe” that would come upon those who lived and walked diametrically opposed to God and His way; and that message is as apropos today as it was those thousands of years ago, for “there is no new thing under the sun” (See Ecc. 1:9)! We are living in a time when men and women, boys and girls of all ages are determined to defy God and call it ‘ok’! The popular but false refrain says, “I’m ok, you’re ok, we’re all ok!” Well, my friends, we are NOT ok! When a willful people, make a deliberate choice to say that it’s not ‘ok’ for a state to impart the death penalty to convicted criminals, but it is ‘ok’ to kill a real, living baby in the womb right up to the time of delivery, we have totally gone over the edge. We are those people who are right “now” calling “evil good, and good evil”—and those who cry out against it are being ridiculed, marginalized and disregarded as everything but good and righteous.

My heart aches for the lives that will be taken—murdered—due to this horrendous ‘law’! I think of Isaiah and Jeremiah who were the ones called to deliver difficult messages to the people they loved—they didn’t hate their people they were broken hearted for the blindness of those who do not want to see—those who have been blinded by the lies of the enemy of their souls, “the father” of lies, Satan! And yes he is real, and he is busy at work around us at full throttle.

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself

is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also

be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Those who are caught up in the destructive, life-taking lies of the enemy, not only push their evil agenda, many of them call themselves “Christians”, while promoting the wickedness of the darkness. Paul warned us about these times, and we must commit ourselves to dig into The Word, equipping ourselves for the battle that we are in; while recognizing that we are quickly becoming the enemy of the majority of those around us. They are on a full frontal attack against God, Jesus, righteousness and goodness (biblical goodness, not the imitation that the world is offering!), and we must be aware, prepared and “strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might” (see Eph. 6:10-18)! They won’t tell the truth and they don’t “play fair”!

“This know also, that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,        

covetous,

boasters,                                   

proud,

blasphemers,       

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,                                

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,      

trucebreakers,                    

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Oh, my friends, if we are followers of Jesus, and living in obedience to Him and His Word—we will be ‘despised’, and we are on many fronts already. But we must stand fast and follow our Lord into the fray—in HIS power and way, not our own! Jesus Himself told us to be prepared for the lies, and even the church in many cases today, has so compromised the gospel and The Word of God that most don’t even know what a “Christian” really is. Even here in Oklahoma there are billboards all around us advertising that the ‘advertisers’ are “Christians” who understand that abortion is ‘ok’—call ‘us’ not those who call it ‘murder’! Jesus hit the nail on the head.

“And Jesus answered and said unto them,

Take heed

that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come

in my name,

saying, I am Christ;

and shall deceive many.”   Matthew 24:4-5

Jesus didn’t say a ‘few’ would come, but that “many shall come” saying that they are speaking for HIM! But The Word is the test—not popular polls and opinions! Jesus told the false religious leaders of his day, that they would believe a lie rather than HIS truth—it’s still true today!

“But I know you,

that ye have not the love of God

in you.

43 I am come

in my Father’s name,

and ye receive me not:

if another shall come

in his own name,

him ye will receive.

44 How can ye believe,

which receive honour

one of another,

and seek not the honour

that cometh from God only?”   John 5:42-44

The standard is God’s not man’s! Who are you believing—the true One or the ‘father of lies’? The Word will reveal it in the end.

“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 as Paul said to the Philippians, “think on these things”! I know this is a bit lengthy, but it is on my heart and I had to share it with you all today. May God bless you with “ears to hear” and a heart tuned to HIM! Precious Lord, please “deliver us from evil” that we may once again be the recipients of your blessings! ‘Nuff said!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s Defiling Me??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #523

16 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Purity

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #523   What’s Defiling Me???

 

We live in a quickly changing world, and for the most part, the changes aren’t good; and for believers, Jesus followers, it is becoming more and more challenging to “stand fast in the evil day”! I’d like to share just a few things this morning to remind us to “stand fast”—to hold on—to be a reflection of God’s glory to this lost and dying world. We’re not the first ones to face difficulty and we won’t be the last—but let’s look at two contrasting accounts.

“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

Briefly put, Daniel was in captivity to the Babylonians and was in a situation where he had to choose faithfulness to his God or compromise of his convictions in a pagan environment. Yet even in his dilemma, Daniel not only chose God’s way, but he responded with respect and decorum in seeking a way to remain faithful to his God. Understand that Daniel had most likely already been physically ‘defiled’, yet he chose to “not defile himself”, and God honored his commitment to integrity!

“And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them,

he found them ten times better

than all the magicians

and astrologers

that were in all his realm.

21 And Daniel continued

even unto the first year of king Cyrus.”   Daniel 1:20-21

God provided for Daniel and his friends—a way around their dilemma, and made them stand out in a pagan world as men of excellence, all because they chose to “not defile” themselves! What are we choosing to compromise in our lives? Will we choose to be like Daniel or will we wind up like Lot?

Lot was a man who was following God, yet he chose to place “himself” in a wicked and depraved environment and took no stand for God—even though he didn’t participate in their sin, he took no visible stand against it until it was too late. We must make choices every day, but we must remember that for every choice that we’re free to make, there is an equal and opposite consequence which we are not free to choose!

When the time of judgment came to Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot had no credibility to his family. All but his two daughters perished in the judgment of God, because Lot had failed to choose wisely!

“And Lot went out,

and spake unto his sons in law,

which married his daughters,

and said,

Up,

get you out of this place;

for the LORD will destroy this city.

But he seemed as one that mocked

unto his sons in law.”  Genesis 19:14

God gives the closing commentaries on Lot, what will God say about our choices? What will our loved ones face because we didn’t’ “stand fast in the evil day”?

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah

into ashes

condemned them with an overthrow,

making them an ensample

unto those that after

should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot,

vexed with the filthy conversation

of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man

dwelling among them,

in seeing and hearing,

vexed his righteous soul

from day to day

with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver

the godly out of temptations,

and to reserve the unjust

unto the day of judgment

to be punished:”   2 Peter 2:6-9

I pray that this will be food-for-thought, and that we will all examine our lives in light of God’s Word to see if we are defiling ourselves with “the filthy conversation of the wicked”. Our life choices have a more far-reaching effect than we realize. May we be found faithful before our God as well as the world around us? What’s defiling you and me? Let’s seek God’s ways not man’s! Amen and Amen!

“Woe unto them that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21