Tag Archives: Job 13:15

Who Am I??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 08

16 Sunday Jan 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Consider Your ways, Looking up Or around?, Resting In Jesus, Resting Or Wrestling?, Who Am I?, Who's Listening Anyway?

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

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

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 08   Who Am I???

 

This is a unique kind of post and while I am writing it in the first person, I am also writing it as a guide for each of us to question and discern who we are being for Jesus, and why we choose the way that we do in our life choices.

While I am the culmination of all my life experiences, I am not just that—I am the product of the work of God in my life; I am a blood bought, born again, heaven bound, grace saved, believer in Jesus, who has the mark of God on my life, and it is HIS work that is to be seen in me.

“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

But who do I think and act like I am?  Is what others see a true reflection of the ONE who bought and paid for my salvation, that “abundant life” that HE, Jesus, died to provide?  That is the question that I’d like us to consider today, and I hope my method of investigation here will help us to draw near to God, and see what HE sees, for James said if we draw near to HIM, HE will draw near to us!

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 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.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:5-10

Have we drawn near to HIM or let the world come in between?  We are to assess our lives on a regular basis to be sure that we are truly hearing and obeying the call of God on our lives, and expressing the glory, grace, and power of our God, with the gifts that HE has given to each of His own.

“As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same

one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak,

let him speak as the oracles of God;

if any man minister,

let him do it as of the ability

which God giveth:

that God in all things

may be glorified

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be praise and dominion

for ever and ever.

Amen.”  1 Peter 4:10-11

So, who am I? If I might do some exploring with you, there are some things that apply to me, and they may apply to you, or you may have different gifts and callings, but we are each to do what with them?  And if you’ll notice there are two main groups of gifts, speaking gifts, and serving gifts, both necessary for the function and edification of the church body!  We are to obey and follow our Lord and serve with humility and total dependence upon God’s provision—His gifts, His provision, to His glory and for other’s good. All to reflect Jesus to a lost and dying world!   What will I do with my gift/gifts? You?

“He said unto them,

But whom say ye that I am?

Peter answering said,

The Christ of God.

21 And he straitly charged them,

and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

22 Saying,

The Son of man

must suffer many things,

and be rejected

of the elders and chief priests

and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?”   Luke 9:20-25

I am a follower of Jesus, and that means I have a cross to bear for my LORD, not for my salvation, but as an identifying mark of the Master who paid for my sin!  I am one who has a debt of love that I pray will be reflected in everything I do! How about you?  What are some of the gifts that we may have?  Let’s take a look at some of the callings of God, and as I have shared before, there is sometimes a call on my life, that may not be on yours; as a little tract I read many, many years ago called to my heart, and is still calling today, “Others may, you cannot!”  I am bound to The King of my soul no matter what others do or think of what I am called to be and do!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

It’s all about Jesus—the only WAY—the only FOUNDATION!

“For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,    

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?”   1 Corinthians 3:11-16

Our culture, even the Christian culture around us today, says that there are many “foundations”, and that we are all going to the same destination, we are just going different ways!  NOT!  Paul said it so clearly—”other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ”, and we must heed his warning and be sure that we are building on the right foundation—the only foundation!  For even Jesus Himself made it clear that there is only ONE WAY!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth

ye know him,

and have seen him.”  John 14:6-7

Jesus also made it clear that HE IS GOD!  First, last, and always.

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

If we are HIS sheep, how are we building on that foundation?  Are we building with “wood, hay, stubble” or “gold, silver, precious stone”?  Choose wisely, for there is a test, and Paul declares that the test of our works will be by fire, and we all know what’s left after fire on the “wood, hay, stubble”, nothing but ashes, and Paul goes on to say that when genuine believers see our “self” works go up in smoke, we “shall be saved; yet so as by fire”!  How sad to stand before our Lord, with nothing to show for the gifts, callings, and opportunities that HE has given to us!  How sad, indeed!

But there is more to consider!

“Son of man,

I have made thee a watchman

unto the house of Israel:

therefore hear the word at my mouth,

and give them warning

from me.

18 When I say unto the wicked,

Thou shalt surely die;

and thou givest him not warning,

nor speakest to warn the wicked

from his wicked way,

to save his life;

the same wicked man

shall die in his iniquity;

but his blood will I require

at thine hand.

19 Yet if thou warn the wicked,

and he turn not from his wickedness,

nor from his wicked way,

he shall die in his iniquity;

but thou hast delivered thy soul.”  Ezekiel 3:17-19

God went on to give Ezekiel an even more graphic picture of the responsibility of a watchman; and take note that a watchman isn’t always listened to, and is often unpopular, but when God calls us to it, we are HIS watchmen and watchwomen!  What has God called you to do?  God gave Ezekiel another message about the watchman, and while it is a bit lengthy, I think it necessary for us to consider the import of our calling—be it a speaking or serving gift!

“Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them,

When I bring the sword upon a land,

if the people of the land take a man of their coasts,

and set him for their watchman:

3 If when he seeth the sword come

upon the land,

he blow the trumpet,

and warn the people;

4 Then whosoever heareth the sound

of the trumpet,

and taketh not warning;

if the sword come, and take him away,

his blood shall be upon his own head.

5 He heard the sound of the trumpet,

and took not warning;

his blood shall be upon him.

But he that taketh warning

shall deliver his soul.

6 But if the watchman see the sword come,

and blow not the trumpet,

 and the people

be not warned;

if the sword come,

and take any person from among them,

he is taken away in his iniquity;

but his blood will I require

at the watchman’s hand.

7 So thou, O son of man,

I have set thee a watchman

unto the house of Israel;

therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth,

and warn them from me.

8 When I say unto the wicked,

O wicked man, thou shalt surely die;

if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked

from his way,

that wicked man shall die in his iniquity;

but his blood will I require

at thine hand.

9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked

of his way

to turn from it;

if he do not turn from his way,

he shall die in his iniquity;

but thou hast delivered thy soul.”  Ezekiel 33:2-8

As we saw Peter’s instruction in 1 Peter 4 above, God gives the gifts, and we are responsible for what we do with them; we are blood bought children of God (if we have been born again by the Spirit of God, see John 1:11-13 and John 3:3-19)), and it is HIS power that we are to walk in, not our own.  Scripture is replete with reminders to “walk in the Spirit” and not the flesh, as we share the Gospel truth, trusting God to bring it to fruition. But if we don’t share?  Whose blood is on my hands?

“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 15:4-5

“Nothing”!  Ouch!  Crucifixion hurts—it hurt Jesus to pay for our sin on that Roman cross, and it will cost us, if and when we choose to “take up his cross daily, and follow” Jesus!  The cross is not just a cute piece of jewelry that some wear, for whatever reason, but the cross is an instrument of death!  It killed my Lord, though HE willingly laid down HIS life for you and me, how can we do any less for HIM whom we claim to love and serve!  Serving Jesus gets messy, and is often, as Oswald Chambers calls it, mundane to the eyes of men, yet when we are serving our Lord, the results will be seen for eternity in glory.  It’s why, with Job, I can honestly declare:

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

So, what does all this mean?  Good question: yet sometimes the answer is a difficult one, but sometimes not so difficult, for we can see our duty and our service opportunities clearly; but sometimes we wrestle with balance, discernment, heavy loads, life events that test and try our faith, uncertainty, or just plain bodily weariness.  Does God know?  Does God care?  That I can answer, ABSOLUTELY—HE loves us and cares about every thing that concerns you and me. (If you haven’t heard it, find the Collingsworth Family’s song, “If it matters to you, it matters to The Master”—it will bless your soul!). Jesus loved YOU/ME to death—HIS death– for our SIN!

“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 5:6-11

And as the Psalmist says:

“Sing unto the LORD,

O ye saints of his,

and give thanks

at the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his anger endureth

but a moment;

in his favour

is life:

weeping may endure for a night,

but joy cometh in the morning.”  Psalm 30:4-5

And in conclusion, I would simply like to say that even when I’m confused, tired, weary, or even uncertain of the next step, GOD STILL REIGNS!  He is my faithful Lord, and I trust HIM—and because I have found Him faithful in every way, I can go on, I can take a break and go on.  I can find rest in fellowship, sleep, time away, even outside counsel when I need it.  After all, when Elijah ran from Jezebel, God didn’t fuss at him, He told him to go to sleep, and sent food by the birds to feed his body!  God cares for you and me, and we can take care of ourselves in living a balanced life, but we must be sure that our eyes stay “fixed on Jesus”—The One who died for me, and Who is working “all things” for me, in me, through me, to HIS glory and my/your good!  Amen!

And I leave you with a few passages to ponder through your day, week and beyond.

“O the depth of the riches

both of the wisdom

and knowledge

of God!

how unsearchable

are his judgments,

and his ways

past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him,

and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever.

Amen.”  Romans 11:33-36

“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 8:28-31

And remember that when you take up that “cross” of Jesus, you are also “yoked” together with HIM, and you will NEVER “pull” alone!

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:5-6

May God’s voice speak and direct your steps today!

Amen and Amen!!!

Faithful Pray-er Or Panic-er??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 23

28 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Believe IN Jesus, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence or Presumption?, Consider Your ways, Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, God's Faithfulness, Influence, Inspiring Others, Integrity, Liars, Lies, Light In The Dark, Prayer or Panic?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 23 Faithful Pray-er Or Panic-er??

 

As we finish up our look at Daniel and his friends, we look today at chapter 6, and we’ll see quite a contrast in kings and circumstances.  We looked last week at an arrogant king who had no regard for God or the lessons he had the opportunity to learn from; and saw that king meet his doom.  This week we’ll see the conquering king (although there were co-rulers in the empire, we will only consider one king) and even though a wise and discerning king, even the wise and discerning can be subject to ego, vanity and deceit.

“In that night was Belshazzar

the king of the Chaldeans

slain.

31 And Darius the Median

took the kingdom,

being about threescore and two years old.”  Daniel 5:30-31

Darius the Mede has taken control of Babylon after invading the city, as God prophesied through Daniel and the “hand-writing on the wall”!  Have you been paying heed to the “hand-writing” on your wall?  Or will you be taken unaware?  If we will pay attention to God’s voice and hand at work in our life, then we will find ourselves able to practice a faithful prayer life like Daniel.

“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom

an hundred and twenty princes,

which should be over the whole kingdom;

2 And over these

three presidents;

of whom Daniel was first:

that the princes might give accounts

unto them,

and the king should have no damage.

3 Then this Daniel

was preferred

above the presidents

and princes,

because an excellent spirit

was in him;

and the king thought

to set him over the whole realm.

4 Then

the presidents

and princes

sought to find occasion

against Daniel

concerning the kingdom;

but they could find

none occasion

nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error

or fault

found in him.”  Daniel 6:1-4

Remember God’s blessing on Daniel and his three friends?

“And the king communed with them;

and among them all

was found none

like Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah:

therefore stood they before the king.

20 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.” Daniel 1:19-20

Each of these men along with Daniel had “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself”, and God honored their faithfulness in this hard place, by blessing them with ability and success in all of their endeavors. How does your faithfulness and mine measure up against such integrity?  I hope well, but it doesn’t come without effort and devotion to God and His Word.  God displayed his faithfulness and revealed himself through his faithful servants in a pagan land; and I believe there is a parallel for our consideration today—we are finding ourselves living in a pagan land—a land that is defying the Lord God Almighty; redefining virtually everything that HE has established, for greed, gain and self-promotion.  How will we stand?  For how long?  Daniel has proven himself faithful for some 70 years in Babylon, and even the new Median King Darius sees the integrity and ability in “this Daniel” and promotes him to a place of honor and service; while he is considering an even greater promotion to chief in the land (under the king, of course)!  BUT—not everyone was excited about Daniel’s integrity or his success.  Why?  I think for the same greed, gain and self-promotion that pervades our culture today.  And I think, if you look closely, you’ll find the same tactics used these thousands of years ago, are being used today.  Satan’s tactics never change.  Let’s look?

“Then the presidents and princes

sought to find occasion against Daniel

concerning the kingdom;

but they could find none occasion

nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error

or fault

found in him.

5 Then said these men,

We shall not find any occasion

against this Daniel,

except we find it

against him

concerning the law of his God.”  Daniel 6:4-5

I find it interesting that even Daniel’s enemies couldn’t find any “occasion against” him in the affairs of state; and just like politicians today, I’m sure they left no stone unturned to find some.  Yet, these men in their eagerness to discredit Daniel, realized that they would have to be cunning and wily to discredit Daniel and could only trip him up with the “law of his God”.  The very thing that brought him into favor with Nebuchadnezzar, would now be used to try and bring him into disfavor with King Darius.  How hard would people have to look to find cause for discrediting us?  For most of us—including me—not very far.  We have all made bad choices, mistakes and just outright failures; but Daniel was a man of total honor, integrity and devotion to his God.  How about you/me?  These enemies went after Daniel in a way that brings me shame, for my faithfulness and consistency is often lacking in regard to my prayer and study of God’s Word.  Let’s see what they come up with.

“Then these presidents and princes

assembled together to the king,

and said thus unto him,

King Darius,

live for ever.

7 All the presidents of the kingdom,

the governors,

and the princes,

the counsellors,

and the captains,

 have consulted together

to establish a royal statute,

and to make a firm decree,

that whosoever shall ask

a petition of any God

or man

for thirty days,

 save of thee,

O king,

he shall be cast

into the den of lions.

8 Now, O king,

establish the decree,

and sign the writing,

that it be not changed,

according to the law

of the Medes and Persians,

which altereth not.

9 Wherefore king Darius

signed the writing

and the decree.”  Daniel 6:6-9

We ought to learn something from these men, a lesson in current affairs; their plan of attack started with a consensus of flattery, lies and deceit—ring any bells?  They told the king that “all” of the “leaders” had agreed to this plan—“all” that is, but Daniel.  But they left that part out!  They included only the information they wanted others to know about, the truth was irrelevant!  Sound familiar?  Then they flattered the king and used his ego to trap Daniel.  Are we so faithful to God that we could be trapped by our faithfulness?   This king fell into the trap of ego and self-importance, and we need to be careful of the trap.  And we also need to understand that the enemy doesn’t play by the same rules that we do!

So, back to Daniel, what does he do?

“Now when Daniel knew

that the writing was signed,

he went into his house;

and his windows being open in his chamber

toward Jerusalem,

he kneeled upon his knees

three times a day,

and prayed,

and gave thanks before his God,

as he did aforetime.

11 Then these men assembled,

and found Daniel praying

and making supplication

before his God.

12 Then they came near,

and spake before the king

concerning the king’s decree;

Hast thou not signed a decree,

that every man that shall ask a petition

of any God or man

within thirty days,

save of thee, O king,

shall be cast into the den of lions?

The king answered and said,

The thing is true,

according to the law

of the Medes and Persians,

which altereth not.

13 Then answered they and said before the king,

That Daniel,

which is of the children of the captivity

of Judah,

regardeth not thee, O king,

nor the decree

that thou hast signed,

but maketh his petition

three times a day.”  Daniel 6:10-13

Here we find Daniel’s enemies gathered—probably at the only “prayer meeting” they’ve ever attended—to catch Daniel being faithful to his God.  And just FYI, when they come to find us faithful to our God, what will they find.  Will we be found continuing to be faithful?  Will we have to scramble to even know how to pray?  Or will we just count it too much trouble and cave to the culture around us?

“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?” Matthew 16:24-26

If you’re not following Him today, when do you intend to start?  God already had a plan for Daniel, who, like Job, knew in Whom he trusted.

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see

for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

God confirmed Daniel’s faith through this pagan king who had seen faithfulness in Daniel on more than one front.

“Then the king,

when he heard these words,

was sore displeased with himself,

and set his heart on Daniel

to deliver him:

and he laboured till the going down

of the sun

to deliver him.

15 Then these men assembled unto the king,

and said unto the king,

Know, O king,

that the law of the Medes and Persians is,

That no decree nor statute

which the king establisheth

may be changed.

16 Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God

whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee.

17 And a stone was brought,

and laid upon the mouth of the den;

and the king sealed it with his own signet,

and with the signet of his lords;

that the purpose might not be changed

concerning Daniel.

18 Then the king went to his palace,

and passed the night fasting:

neither were instruments of musick

brought before him:

and his sleep went from him.”  Daniel 6:14-18

Darius knew by Daniel’s life of faithfulness and integrity that his God would deliver him.  What does our life tell others about our God?  Does our faithfulness cause even our enemies to look to our God?  Or do we look so much like the world that no one can see God in us?

As Peter tells us, our testimony in suffering can make a difference.

“Dearly beloved,

I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,

abstain from fleshly lusts,

which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation honest

among the Gentiles:

that, whereas they speak against you

as evildoers,

they may by your good works,

which they shall behold,

glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance

of man

for the Lord’s sake:

whether it be to the king,

as supreme;

14 Or unto governors,

as unto them that are sent

by him

for the punishment

of evildoers,

and for the praise of them

that do well.

15 For so is the will of God,

that with well doing

ye may put to silence

the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free,

and not using your liberty

for a cloke of maliciousness,

but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.”   1 Peter 2:11-17

So, what did Darius find in the morning?

“Then the king arose very early in the morning,

and went in haste unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den,

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake and said to Daniel,

O Daniel, servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee

from the lions?  

21 Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him

innocency was found in me;

and also before thee, O king,

have I done no hurt.

23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him,

and commanded that they should take Daniel

up out of the den.

So Daniel was taken up out of the den,

and no manner of hurt was found upon him,

because he believed in his God.”    Daniel 6:19-23

Daniel’s eyes were looking up to his GOD, not around at the lions; and his GOD delivered for Daniel’s good and HIS glory!  And, consequently, the destruction of the wicked, while God brought Daniel even greater honor.

“And the king commanded,

and they brought those men

which had accused Daniel,

and they cast them into the den of lions,

them, their children, and their wives;

and the lions

had the mastery of them,

and brake all their bones in pieces

or ever they came at the bottom

of the den.

25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people,

nations, and languages,

that dwell in all the earth;

Peace be multiplied unto you.

26 I make a decree,

That in every dominion of my kingdom

men tremble and fear

before the God of Daniel:

for he is the living God,

and stedfast for ever,

and his kingdom

that which shall not

be destroyed,

and his dominion

shall be even unto the end.

27 He delivereth

and rescueth,

and he worketh signs

and wonders in heaven

and in earth,

who hath delivered Daniel

from the power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered

in the reign of Darius,

and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”   Daniel 6:24-28

Who or what is YOUR GOD?  Are your eyes on the prize—Jesus—or the lions—or the liars?

“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

May God bless and grow us in in HIS Word and HIS ways.  Keep looking up not around!  God hears and answers “prayers” not “panic”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Responding Rightly??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 18

24 Sunday Jan 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, Responding Rightly, Sovereignty, Stand Fast!, Still Will I Trust HIM, Trust, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 18    Responding Rightly???

 

As we continue our look at Daniel and his friends, we begin our look at chapter 2, and what a help it can be, if we’ll but pay attention to the actions of our “faithful four”!  To set us up, our friends have completed their time in training and are in service in the king’s court along with a multitude of other Babylonian “wise men” when a major “royal crisis” arises.  While we will not be dealing with the prophetic nature of this crisis, we will be looking at what we can learn from the character, choices and consequences of these four.  What lessons of faith and obedience we can learn from these young men—emphasis on young—in commitment, character and total consistency!  What kind of “Daniels” will we be when faced with a “Nebuchadnezzar” crisis?

The crises:

“And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams,

wherewith his spirit was troubled,

and his sleep brake from him.

2 Then the king commanded to call

the magicians,

and the astrologers,

and the sorcerers,

and the Chaldeans,

for to shew the king his dreams.

So they came and stood before the king.

3 And the king said unto them,

I have dreamed a dream,

and my spirit was troubled

to know the dream.

4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack,

O king, live for ever:

tell thy servants the dream,

and we will shew the interpretation.

5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans,

The thing is gone from me:

if ye will not make known unto me the dream,

with the interpretation thereof,

ye shall be cut in pieces,

and your houses

shall be made a dunghill.

6 But if ye shew the dream,

and the interpretation thereof,

ye shall receive of me

gifts

and rewards

and great honour:

therefore shew me the dream,

and the interpretation thereof.”  Daniel 2:1-6

The king has a disturbing dream, and he is frantic to know what it means!  But there is a major dilemma in this situation, the king can’t remember the dream, just that it disturbed him.  So, he has called in his “senior staff” to reveal the dream and its meaning to him.  First crisis—he can’t remember the dream!  Second crisis—he is demanding that they tell him the dream or face a brutal death.  But the trouble continues!  Third crisis—he apparently doesn’t trust his own “wise men” of this senior staff.

“They answered again and said,

Let the king tell his servants the dream,

and we will shew the interpretation of it.

8 The king answered and said,

I know of certainty

that ye would gain the time,

because ye see the thing is gone from me.

9 But if ye will not make known unto me

the dream,

there is but one decree for you:

for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words

to speak before me,

till the time be changed:

therefore tell me the dream,

and I shall know that ye can shew me

the interpretation thereof.

10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said,

There is not a man upon the earth

that can shew the king’s matter:

therefore there is

no king,

lord,

nor ruler,

that asked such things

at any magician,

or astrologer,

or Chaldean.

11 And it is a rare thing

that the king requireth,

and there is none other

that can shew it before the king,

except the gods,

whose dwelling is not with flesh.

12 For this cause the king was angry

and very furious,

and commanded to destroy

all the wise men of Babylon.”  Daniel 2:7-12

I love this scenario—the king demanding that these men not only “interpret” his dream but tell him the dream, for he has forgotten it!  But we see more than that here, we see an undercurrent of distrust—the king is not confident when they request more time, but thinks they are simply stalling until they think the urgency will pass.  But the king is threatening their lives and their “houses” (implying that their families would also be destroyed) if they fail—but great reward if they succeed.  Yet, we find a “God-insidence” here, as God is setting up an amazing turn of affairs in this crisis.  Oh, how we need to learn to trust in our Lord God—He is never caught by surprise, He never says “oops”, and He never leaves His will to chance—HE IS the Sovereign Lord of all—in or out of Babylon—under a Nebuchadnezzar or a David—in total freedom or in seemingly unescapable servitude!  Where are you today?  It’s not a surprise to God, and if we’ll just learn some of the valuable lessons that are here in this account, we will be equipped for success in God’s eyes no matter our circumstances!

All this being said, these “wise men” make an amazing statement without being truly aware of what they are acknowledging.

“it is a rare thing that the king requireth,

and there is none other

that can shew it before the king,

except the gods,

whose dwelling is not with flesh…”

WOW!!!  If we could really get a hold on this truth and the reality and difference that it would make when we realize the truth and contrast that this simple statement reveals.  These pagan astrologers/Chaldeans/counselors admit the king is asking something that “MEN” cannot do.  They also acknowledge that only “the gods” (little ‘g’ gods) can reveal this thing, and that “the gods”—their ‘gods’—dwell “not with flesh”!  But “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”, Daniel served a different GOD—The God Almighty of all creation—who does dwell with men (women, boys, and girls) who will choose to trust and follow HIM!

The response of these ‘wise men’ was not well received by the King, and he is virtually in a rage as he commands the destruction of “all” the wise men in the kingdom.  Enter crisis number four—Daniel and his friends are a part of this order of servants in the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar!  What will they do now?  Let’s see?

“And the decree went forth

that the wise men should be slain;

and they sought Daniel and his fellows

to be slain.

14 Then Daniel answered

with counsel and wisdom

to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard,

which was gone forth

 to slay the wise men of Babylon:

15 He answered and said

to Arioch the king’s captain,

Why is the decree so hasty

from the king?

Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

16 Then Daniel went in,

and desired of the king

that he would give him time,

and that he would shew the king

the interpretation.”  Daniel 2:13-16

The soldiers come to seek Daniel and his friends, but Daniel didn’t panic; rather he behaved himself with “counsel and wisdom” to “Arioch the captain of the king’s guard” as Daniel seeks to find out the cause of the extreme measures that seek the lives of these young men.  But notice what Daniel does and the response; don’t miss the import of this “young” man’s character and demeanor—he went into the king, who didn’t trust the other “wise men”, yet he seems to trust and have confidence in this Jewish young man, and grants Daniel the time he wouldn’t give to the “wise men” to give him the answer to his questionable, disturbing dream.  This is huge!  When we will choose to follow The Lord Jesus, and be faithful to His Word and His ways, God will go before us and make the way for us.  But the lessons that we can learn from the piety of these (not pride or arrogance) young men are lessons that we must not only seek, but pursue, with ardent fervor to be found as faithful in our crises as these young men. What next?  Let’s see.

“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.”  Daniel 2:17-19

What was Daniel’s plan?  A plan that we all can learn from—he didn’t panic—he didn’t doubt, pout or drop out—he didn’t scream or pitch a fit–or even whine because it ‘wasn’t fair’—NO—HE PRAYED and called his friends to join him in seeking God’s face in prayer for “mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret”!  But let’s go back and rehearse something of import from chapter one when God honored our four young men for their obedience before the King:

“As for these four children,

God gave them

Knowledge

 and skill

in all learning

and wisdom:

and Daniel had understanding

in all visions and dreams.”  Daniel 1:17

Daniel’s gift from God included the ability to understand and interpret dreams and visions!  Oh, what a coincidence! NOT!  God has a plan for you and me just as HE did for Daniel—not necessarily the same plan, but HIS plan.  Just as the author of Hebrews reminds us.

“…let us run with patience

the race

that is set before us…”.   Hebrews 12:1b

God doesn’t call me to run your race, or you to run mine, rather, HE simply calls us to faithful obedience to follow HIM on “our race”—the race that HE has “set before us”!

Jesus also reminded us that all of our gifts are not the same, but God is at work all the same.

“For whosoever shall give you

a cup of water to drink

in my name,

because ye belong to Christ,

verily I say unto you,

he shall not lose his reward.”  Mark 9:41

Daniel and His friends sought God’s face in prayer that they would be delivered!  There is nothing wrong with praying for deliverance, when we understand that God is trustworthy, and we can declare with Job (perhaps a declaration that Daniel knew as well!) that no matter God’s answer we will still trust HIM!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain

mine own ways before him.”  Job 13:15

And Jesus own direction for prayer’s parameters:

“Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:10

So, my friends—Daniel prayed!  How about you and me?  Is prayer our first line of defense or our last resort?  But there’s more!  For God heard and answered Daniel’s prayer and gave him the answer he requested, but in closing for today, I want us to think on Danie’s response to answered prayer!  Have you prayed for a deliverance?  What did you do when God answered?  What if the answer wasn’t what you asked for?  Daniel makes it clear that he KNEW the God to whom he prayed.  Please ponder these thoughts this week, and I pray that it will encourage and speak to your heart!  I also pray that you will ponder the strength and sovereignty of our GOD!  May Jesus Christ be praised….  Remember “our God reigns”!  And we’ll look at the results next week. (By the way this is a great passage to commit to memory!)

“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 2:19-23

May God bless you in your pursuit of HIM this week!!!  Blessings on you and yours as we press on with, for and through Jesus our Lord!

Amen and Amen!!!

Disappointed Or Devoted??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #702

13 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Daniel's choices, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, God's Judgment, God's love, God's provision, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Job, King of KIngs, Nebuchadnezzars & Daniels, Reaping & Sowing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Bible Ballistics: BBs #702   Disappointed Or Devoted???

 

Continuing in our examination of Daniel’s experiences with God, we will begin with a verse from Job that is one of my favorites, for it expresses the trust that I share with Job, and I believe Daniel and his friends.

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will

maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15. Amen and Amen!

May this ever be our heart’s cry and the delight of our life?  As we continue our look at Daniel, I would ask you to consider what you will do when we are called to be under a Nebuchadnezzar?  Will you be a Daniel, and trust to God’s perfect care, or will you “doubt, pout and drop out”?  The choice is yours, but the consequences won’t affect just your life; they will affect those around you, those watching your so-called life of “faith”!  Where does your faith stand?  In God or your ability to control you own circumstances?  Whom do you trust?  Can we proclaim with Job the truth of our Lord and Savior?

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see

for myself,

and mine eyes

shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

Life or death can never separate a true believer from Jesus!

“Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth

in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?”  John 11:25-26

Just as Jesus asked Mary if she believed, He is asking us today, “do you believe” me—not just “in” me, but believe “ME” for life, now and in the future?  Daniel was faced with the most extreme of trials, let’s see what he did.

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim

king of Judah

came Nebuchadnezzar

king of Babylon

unto Jerusalem,

and besieged it.

2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah

into his hand,

with part of the vessels

of the house of God:

which he carried

into the land of Shinar

to the house of his god;

and he brought the vessels

into the treasure house

of his god.”  Daniel 1:1-2

Here we have the background of the situation with Daniel and his friends; the people of Judah (the southern 2 tribes of Israel, upon the division of the nation after Solomon’s death).  The northern 10 tribes (called Israel) had already gone into captivity to the Assyrians some 100 years earlier, but Judah had been spared because of God’s grace and some good kings (the northern tribes never had a good king, although some were less wicked than others, they all rejected God).  But Judah had refused to respond to the preaching of Jeremiah the prophet to repent, so God’s judgment has come upon them, and God has given them into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.  Yet, there were those who were faithful to The Lord God Almighty of Israel and Daniel and his friends were a part of the faithful remnant within Judah, but you see—a principle that America needs to grasp—when God judges a nation, even the righteous are affected, and Daniel and his friends give us an awesome picture of the character of the godly when they suffer.  Peter had some things to say to us about this as well, it’s a bit lengthy, but I think it will benefit us to consider this important passage.

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 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 2:19-25

And just as a reminder in the same letter, Peter reminds believers that our call is to faithful devotion, service and submission to whatever God may allow into our lives.  HE is trustworthy, and His purposes are often beyond what we can see, understand or comprehend!

“Beloved, think it not strange

concerning the fiery trial

which is to try you,

as though some strange thing

happened unto you:

13 But rejoice,

inasmuch as ye are partakers

of Christ’s sufferings;

that, when his glory shall be revealed,

ye may be glad also

 with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached

for the name of Christ,

happy are ye;

for the spirit of glory and of God

resteth upon you:

on their part

he is evil spoken of,

but on your part

he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer

as a murderer,

or as a thief,

or as an evildoer,

or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer

as a Christian,

let him not be ashamed;

but let him glorify God

on this behalf.

17 For the time is come

that judgment must begin

at the house of God:

and if it first begin at us,

what shall the end be

of them that obey not

the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved,

where shall the ungodly

and the sinner

appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer

according to the will of God

commit the keeping of their souls

to him in well doing,

as unto a faithful Creator.”   1 Peter 4:12-19

This, along with Paul’s simple reminder that choices matter, of which we need to be mindful, continually.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.”  Galatians 6:7

So, as we look at Daniel’s situation, we can recognize that he was caught up in the “reaping” of the sin of his people, even though he and his friends were so obviously young men of integrity, and devotion to God.  Let’s consider what the next verses of Daniel 1 tell us.

“3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz

the master of his eunuchs,

that he should bring certain

of the children of Israel,

and of the king’s seed,

and of the princes;

4 Children in whom was no blemish,

but well favoured,

and skilful in all wisdom,

and cunning in knowledge,

and understanding science,

and such as had

ability in them

to stand

in the king’s palace,

and whom they might teach

the learning

and the tongue

of the Chaldeans.

5 And the king appointed them

a daily provision of the king’s meat,

and of the wine which he drank:

so nourishing them three years,

that at the end thereof

they might stand before the king.

6 Now among these were

of the children of Judah,

Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah:

7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs

 gave names:

for he gave unto Daniel

the name of Belteshazzar;

and to Hananiah,

of Shadrach;

and to Mishael,

of Meshach;

and to Azariah,

of Abednego.”  Daniel 1:3-7

History tells us is that not only were these young men taken to Babylon for training in public service, but more than likely were also made eunuchs—after all they were under the “master of his eunuchs”, and while we see from our passage that they were outstanding and upstanding young men in the nation; chosen because of their looks and their intelligence; castration was in itself a ceremonial defilement to them (See Deuteronomy 23:1 & Leviticus 21:20). Yet, Daniel and his friends endured this shame, (this was common practice in pagan kingdoms—for many reasons), and while we don’t know how many were taken, (it could have been upwards of 100 young men) only these four are noted by God as faithful!

Consider the situation of Daniel and his friends for a minute, and then we’ll close till next time; Daniel was a young man (probably a mid-teen youth) with intelligence, good looks, and who had no defect.  He is being taken away from his home, his family, and friends to a distant place to learn a foreign language, to be put into service to a pagan king/kingdom, to be trained (literally brain-washed to accept the culture of the kingdom) for civil service; and on top of all that, they were each given a Babylonian name (look up their Jewish names in contrast to the new ones—you may be surprised by what you find)! That’s a boatload, of heartache, but that’s not all, these young men would be inundated with the king’s food and drink.  WOW, that sounds great to most of us, but here are young men with religious convictions in regard to food and drink—in particular, not only the food itself, but the fact that it would have been offered upon idolatrous, pagan altars before it was served to them.  What was Daniel to do?  His friends? Well, we’ll look at verse 8 and leave you to ponder Daniel’s choice, and consider the answer next time!

“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:”   Daniel 1:8a

Daniel could have been “dis-appointed” in his circumstances, but I truly believe that he was keeping a divine “HIS-appointment”!  Will you see your ‘disappointment’ as “HISappointment”, and stand devotedly with Job and Daniel, or be one who “doubts—pouts—and drops out”?   It’s your choice—but there is a test!

Blessings on your week!

Amen and Amen!!!

Please Don’t Quit??? We Win! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 25

09 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Confidence, Consider Your ways, HOPE

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 25 Please Don’t Quit???  We Win!

 

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain

mine own ways before him.”  Job 13:15

This is for YOU my friend, for I know you are aching.  God knows, and I care!  I want you to know that you are loved by the creator of the universe—the ONE who died for YOU—no matter how many of Satan’s lies you have allowed to put you down—GOD LOVES YOU RIGHT NOW!  And so do I!

I know the pain of walking alone, of the disappointments of those around you who are supposed to love you.  I know the frustrations of being disappointed with yourself.  I know the pain of loss of the dearest things to your heart.  But my dear one, please know that you have those around you and those in heaven above who have led the way, who have left the example for us of faithfulness, and Job is just one, one of the most amazing ones, but there are so many, and the greatest of all is our Lord Jesus, who is standing right there, right now just waiting for you to run into HIS arms and find the healing, restoration, comfort and peace that will dispel the work of the enemy of your life and soul!  JESUS cares!

“What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him also freely

give us all things?”  Romans 8:32

But sometimes he is working, testing and pruning in our lives to do amazing things that we can’t understand!  Don’t give up!  Don’t give in to the one who hates YOU and wants to destroy you and the the amazing things that God has in store.  He wants to destroy the work that you have poured out laboriously for so long.  Don’t give up—but look UP!  Look to The ONE who paid the price, who did all that HE did for you and me.  And don’t forget that I love you—that HE loves you—that there is one standing by you that LOVES you and is suffering to the core for, with and because of your pain.  Don’t give up—but look up.

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 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 2:19-25

Please hear the cry of my heart, the tears that are flowing even right now—the tears of love, care and concern for you.  The tears that have cried over my own loss to the enemy of one so dear to me (just as you are), who lost the battle and was taken from me too soon.  My heart can’t bear the thought of watching you walk down a path of wrong choices as she did.  Even as I did, so many years ago; and still suffer from the scars, the sorrows and the consequences of those lies that I believed.  But praise God Almighty, HE rescued me before it was too late.  Please, my dear one, don’t give in to the enemy!

“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

And this good shepherd, my friend, is calling to you in that mountain of lostness that you are in right now!  Please stop what you’re doing and listen to that voice that is calling so gently to YOU!

“And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

 4 What man of you,

having an hundred sheep,

if he lose one of them,

doth not leave the ninety and nine

in the wilderness,

and go after that

which is lost,

 until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it,

he layeth it on his shoulders,

rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home,

he calleth together his friends

and neighbours,

saying unto them,

 Rejoice with me;

for I have found my sheep

which was lost.”   Luke 15:3-6

All this because YOU are HIS!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

Even as Job knew, I know that you know truth—don’t let your pain hide that truth, don’t forget the goodness that God has poured out on you for so long, because of the troubles of recent days (long days, months and even years, yes, but not compared to the glory HE has for you!)!

“Then said his wife unto him,

Dost thou still retain thine integrity?

curse God, and die.

10 But he said unto her,

Thou speakest

as one of the foolish women speaketh.

What?

shall we receive good

at the hand of God,

and shall we not receive evil?

In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”  Job 2:9-10

Job knew—even in his pain, sorrow and confusion—he knew that his God never fails; that even when we can’t see what HE is doing, we can trust that HIS work is always for our good and HIS glory!

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

Just as Paul recorded for us, he asked for relief, yet God reminded HIM that HE ‘had this’; that HE is trustworthy—HE never fails—He never says “OOPS”!

“And lest I should be exalted

above measure

through the abundance of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan

to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted

above measure.

8 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.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

You will never know how I long to carry this burden for you, and while I can help carry it with you, only you can decide to “stand fast in the evil day”!  Only you can decide to pursue the restoration of the JOY of HIS salvation—the salvation that HE has given you; not the salvation that we earn, or deserve, or work for, but the salvation that was paid for at Calvary with the precious blood of our Redeemer, King and Savior, Jesus!  And while HIS grace is sufficient, YOU must avail yourself of it, or keep on trying to reason things out in your own way.

Just remember that God knows your name, and so do I—and I keep it before HIS throne.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth

the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house

there are not only vessels of gold

and of silver,

but also of wood

and of earth;

and some to honour,

and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself

from these,

he shall be a vessel unto honour,

sanctified,

and meet

for the master’s use,

and prepared

unto every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts:

but follow righteousness,

faith,

charity,

peace,

with them that call on the Lord

out of a pure heart.”  2 Timothy 2:19-22

Please, my friend, don’t lose heart—but rather take heart in The One who LOVES YOU, and this one who loves you and prays for you even in this wee hour of the morning with tears, love and confidence in The ONE who hears and answers prayer.

“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 I share just some final things that hold me fast and have held me for these many years.  May you and all to whom this reaches out, find hope, help and deliverance today!  My prayers rest on this message!

“Let your conversation be without covetousness;                                         and be content with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do

unto me.”   Hebrews 13:5-6

And Paul’s amazing declaration of our blessed hope!

“Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather,

that is risen again,

who is even at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession

for us.

35 Who shall separate us

from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep

for the slaughter.

37 Nay,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus

our Lord.”   Romans 8:24-29

With prayers and tears—you are loved.  We win!!!

“Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners

shall be converted unto thee.”   Psalm 51:10-13

Amen and Amen!