Tag Archives: Philippians 4:12-13

Perfect Peace Or Panic??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #260

16 Monday Sep 2024

Posted by in Daniel's choices, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faith, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Peace, Peace of God, Peace that passeth ALL understanding, Perseverance, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Tuned In To Jesus, Weariness

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Perfect Peace Or Panic???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #260

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

 whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in thee.

4 Trust ye in the LORD

for ever:

for in the LORD JEHOVAH

is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26:3-4

Peace can be an elusive commodity—but it is ever found in Jesus and Father God when we determine to set our eyes on God!  To have this peace requires some effort—first of all we must know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and then to commit ourselves to making Jesus a priority.  That is so much easier to sit here and type into this post, than it is to flesh it out in everyday living.  I am committed to this discipline, but when life interferes—like from the moment my feet hit the floor!  Although my goal is to put Jesus first in all things, I get into the kitchen and instead of making my tea and getting to prayer time, I see dishes that need to be loaded into the dishwasher, or crumbs that need to be swept up, clothes that need to be put away, the trash needs to be taken out before the trash man comes, or a thousand other things of less import.  But being human, these things so easily drag me away, and my time is not used where I intended to use it–to be with my Lord.  Now, let me say that even when I’m taking out the trash or watering, or walking I walk with Jesus, but there is a commitment that we must make to see that our “mind is stayed on thee”!

Let’s use scripture to hopefully help us do a better job of keeping our mind stayed, fixed and tuned to Jesus!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us

not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:7-10

As we walk with Jesus and keep ourselves immersed in His Word, we can draw closer to our Lord than most people will understand; for many in our culture want Jesus to stamp their ticket to heaven but they have no desire to serve or follow Him in their life.  How about you?  Are you counting on a punched-ticket, or a personal relationship with the Lord of the universe?  If we know Him Paul reminds us that we can be faithful and successful in all the things that God leads us to.

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:12-13

I can because Jesus Christ my Lord paid the price at Calvary and purchased my soul, heart and life—what less could I do but keep my heart and mind set on Him! No!  I don’t get it right all the time, but I do get up when I fall, repent and seek His forgiveness, cleansing and hope for now and forward, because His Word tells me I can do that!  (I encourage you to read all of 1 John, it’s only a few chapters yet they are powerful and life changing when we heed what John reveals Jesus more and more!)

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

 cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:7-10

In bringing these thoughts to a close for today, I want us to consider how we stay in that “perfect peace”; and the author of Hebrews gives us some solid advice, if we will but heed it (and Hebrews 12 is another chapter that I’d encourage you to read in its entirety!)

“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

And just FYI, this great cloud of witnesses is not referring to a great arena in the sky applauding loudly to cheer us on, rather (in my opinion) it is a reference back to chapter 11 which many refer to as the chapter of faith, recounting the faithfulness of God to His own, regardless of their circumstances—check it out!

As I want us to get back into the book of Daniel, we see that Daniel, and his friends, are excellent examples of having that perfect peace and how to keep it, in spite of their circumstances or the choices of their peers!  How about you and me?

“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…

…. 17 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 1:8 & 17

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test. Peace is an amazing place to dwell; so let’s be Daniel’s in a world of lions (and we’ll get to that as we go, Lord willing.)  What an amazing life of faith, peace and power Daniel and his friends lived—even though their circumstances were less than what we would call ideal.  Remember God is faithful to His Word in every single circumstance!  May you pursue the God of peace, keeping your eyes on the prize—Jesus!

Amen and Amen!!!

Close But Yet So Far??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #776

03 Thursday Feb 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All Sufficient God!, Obedience, Obedient or NOT?, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Samuel & Eli, The Word, The Word Or The World?, True Knowledge, Trusting God

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Bible Ballistics: BBs #776   Close But Yet So Far???

 

We talked recently about recognizing God’s truth, and I’d like us to revisit that thought with a bit of a twist.

“Have ye not known?

have ye not heard?

hath it not been told you

from the beginning?

 have ye not understood

from the foundations of the earth?”   Isaiah 40:21

Isaiah called his people to examine themselves and see what they had done with the truths of God.  That question is still pertinent for us today, in fact possibly even more urgent than it was back then, for we have spent so much time diminishing the import of The Word of God, perverting what God has said, and changing the truth for lies of convenience.  In fact, we have done the same thing that Israel had done during Isaiah’s day.

“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!

22 Woe unto them

that are mighty

to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked

for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous from him!”   Isaiah 5:20-23

Woe is a strong word from God, and we need to be paying attention, whether we are genuine believers or those who claim the name of One they don’t know.  We find one of the most important warnings to both in the story of Samuel and Eli (the high priest).  If you remember, Samuel was the young son of answered prayer that Hannah received from God. She then gave him back to God for HIS service; when he was weaned, she took him to Eli as a servant of the tabernacle (the temple wasn’t built at the time)! Without listing all of the scriptures in this story, let’s peruse some of the highlights and see the danger of not walking “close” to our Lord, and thinking disobedience and neglect are OK.

“Now Hannah,

she spake in her heart; only her lips moved,

but her voice was not heard:

therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14 And Eli said unto her,

How long wilt thou be drunken?

put away thy wine from thee.”   1 Samuel 1:13-14

This portion of the story is important to understand the outcome; Eli rebuked Hannah because he thought she was ‘drunk’, yet she was only deeply in tune with God in prayer for a child.  Eli missed what was going on, and Hannah had to correct him, and then he blessed her for her obvious devotion to seek God for her needs.  God did answer her prayer and when the time came, she returned the child Samuel to serve God for a lifetime. It would seem that Eli judged her by the standard of his sons.  In time God spoke to Samuel and called him into his service with a message of “woe” to Eli, and the reason makes what happened with Hannah, most ironic, puzzling, and very insightful as a lesson we should learn from.

“And she said,

Oh my lord,

as thy soul liveth, my lord,

 I am the woman that stood by thee here,

praying unto the LORD.

27 For this child I prayed;

and the LORD hath given me my petition

which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also

I have lent him to the LORD;

as long as he liveth

he shall be lent to the LORD.

And he worshipped the LORD there.”  1 Samuel 1:26-28

Hannah came to worship, as Samuel began his service to God, and when God called him personally, he replied in obedience to a hard task.  Yet Eli, on the other hand, was unwilling to correct his sons, who were reprobate before God, and he knew what they were doing!

“Now Eli was very old,

and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel;

and how they lay with the women that

assembled at the door of the

tabernacle of the congregation

23 And he said unto them,

Why do ye such things?

for I hear of your evil dealings

by all this people.

24 Nay, my sons;

 for it is no good report that I hear:

ye make the LORD’S people

to transgress.

25 If one man sin against another,

the judge shall judge him:

but if a man sin against the LORD,

who shall intreat for him?

Notwithstanding they hearkened not

unto the voice of their father,

because the LORD would slay them.

26 And the child Samuel grew on,

and was in favour both with the LORD,

and also with men.”  1 Samuel 2:22-26

Eli understood the principles of ‘obedient leadership’ but apparently not enough to deal with his own sons’ immoral and wicked behavior.  The New Testament confirms the call of obedience for all.

“And that servant,

which knew his lord’s will,

and prepared not himself,

neither did according to his will,

shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not,

and did commit things worthy of stripes,

shall be beaten with few stripes.

For unto whomsoever much is given,

of him shall be much required:

and to whom men have committed much,

of him they will ask the more.

49 I am come to send fire on the earth;

and what will I,

if it be already kindled?”  Luke 12:47-49

“My brethren,

be not many masters,

knowing that we shall receive

the greater condemnation.”   James 3:1

Eli had been given the title, the privilege, and the responsibility for the spiritual welfare of Israel, yet he didn’t even take care of the spiritual welfare of his own family.  Now, don’t misunderstand—we can instruct, train, and set a good example before our children and family, but as adults, each person is responsible for his/her own choices.  In fact, scripture says even children are accountable.

“Even a child is known by his doings,

whether his work be pure,

and whether it be right.”  Proverbs 20:11

But Eli was not just a parent, he was the high priest, and his sons were also priests by Gods’ call to the sons of Aaron, as spiritual leaders to Israel.  But Eli apparently did not take his responsibility seriously enough, and was allowing his sons to behave immorally, with complete disregard to the import of God’s instructions for the sacrificial system and its use in building a relationship to God, and yet he did nothing!  God’s Word settles it!

“So then every one of us

shall give account

of himself to God.”  Romans 14:12

God gave Samuel a heavy load for his first commission, and he proved faithful, for God had already been preparing Eli for the coming accounting!

“Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith,

I said indeed that thy house,

and the house of thy father,

should walk before me for ever:

but now the LORD saith,

Be it far from me;

for them that honour me

I will honour,

and they that despise me

shall be lightly esteemed.

31 Behold, the days come,

that I will cut off thine arm,

and the arm of thy father’s house,

that there shall not be an old man

in thine house.

32 And thou shalt see an enemy

in my habitation,

in all the wealth

which God shall give Israel:

and there shall not be an old man

in thine house for ever.

33 And the man of thine,

whom I shall not cut off from mine altar,

shall be to consume thine eyes,

and to grieve thine heart:

and all the increase of thine house

shall die in the flower of their age.

34 And this shall be a sign unto thee,

that shall come upon thy two sons,

on Hophni and Phinehas;

in one day they shall die

both of them.

35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest,

that shall do according to that

which is in mine heart

and in my mind:

and I will build him a sure house;

and he shall walk before mine anointed

for ever.”  1 Samuel 2:30-35

A previous prophet gave a warning to Eli, then God sent Samuel—I think not only for Eli, but for Samuel to know that he was being called by God to lead Israel back to Himself, to restore truth and God’s presence before them.

“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD,

neither was the word of the LORD

yet revealed unto him…

…..8 And the LORD called Samuel

again the third time.

 And he arose and went to Eli,

 and said, Here am I;

for thou didst call me.

And Eli perceived that the LORD

 had called the child.

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel,

Go, lie down:

and it shall be,

if he call thee,

that thou shalt say,

Speak, LORD;

for thy servant heareth.

So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called

as at other times,

Samuel, Samuel.

Then Samuel answered,

Speak; for thy servant heareth.

11 And the LORD said to Samuel,

Behold, I will do a thing in Israel,

at which both the ears

of every one that heareth it

shall tingle.

12 In that day

I will perform against Eli all things

which I have spoken

concerning his house:

when I begin,

I will also make an end.

13 For I have told him

that I will judge his house for ever

for the iniquity which he knoweth;

because his sons

made themselves vile,

and he restrained them not.

14 And therefore I have sworn

unto the house of Eli,

that the iniquity of Eli’s house

shall not be purged

with sacrifice

nor offering

 for ever.”   1 Samuel 3:8-14

What a heavy load for a young boy, but God reminds us of the sufficiency of HIS provision.

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

 and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

 both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:12-13

While Samuel’s task was a difficult one, he pressed on with respect for Eli, and regard for the message of God.  We can learn a lot from these two men of God—one drew near to God as He heard His voice—the other had allowed his own permissiveness toward his children to cause him to fail his God!  Yet, I do believe God allowed him to ‘redeem’ some of the time he had wasted, to have a second chance with Samuel—a chance to make a difference in this young boy’s life—and it would seem that he used it wisely and set an example of humble submission to the judgment of God!  How about you and me?  How do we respond to the call of God, and/or his judgment and discipline?  Samuel revealed the truth of God to Eli—I believe with a broken heart, but a humble, submissive heart that spoke the truth in love!

“And Samuel told him every whit,

 and hid nothing from him.

And he said,

It is the LORD:

let him do what seemeth him good.

19 And Samuel grew,

and the LORD was with him,

and did let none of his words

fall to the ground.

20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba

knew that Samuel was established

to be a prophet of the LORD.

21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh:

for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel

in Shiloh

by the word of the LORD.”   I Samuel 4:18-21

So, my question for each of us today is, are we so compromised that we have missed the task that Jesus has called us to, or are you one who talks about the master but doesn’t know HIM personally?  The choice is yours, and truly there is a test.  Are you walking in God’s “way”—Jesus (See John 14:6)?  Or are you choosing to go your own way as Eli’s sons did.  Or maybe you’re a parent who has failed to correct and lead your children to know and do God’s truth. There is a word for each of us if we will but heed the message God is speaking to our hearts.

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

“So then every one of us shall give account

of himself to God.”  Romans 14:12

Will your account be that of one drawn close to the Father, or have you walked so far away that you have lost sight of God and His truth, or never really known HIM?  I join with Joshua even today!  How about you?

“And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

 in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

 we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Paul sums it up concisely:

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, even Christ:”   Ephesians 4:14-15

Amen and Amen!!!

Up, Down, Or Around??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 10

21 Monday Jun 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Children, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Conviction, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Father's Way!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 10  Up, Down, Or Around???

 

I’m sorry to be late with this post, but it’s been a bit hectic around our house, and we have some health issues that come up pretty regularly these days, and we just have to do what we can, when we can—so here I am on this Monday morning instead of our normal Sunday evening.  But God’s Word stands true and faithful no matter the timing of our lives!  And for that I am totally grateful.  I want to start with a Psalm of encouragement for each of us, and then hopefully touch on the import of the family dynamic.

“I will

lift up mine eyes

unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will

not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee

will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel

shall neither slumber

nor sleep.

5 The LORD is

thy keeper:

the LORD is

thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall

preserve thee from all evil:

he shall

preserve thy soul.

8 The LORD shall

preserve thy going out

and thy coming in

from this time forth,

and even for evermore.”  Psalm 121:1-8

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that regardless of the chaos in our lives, the peace and sovereignty of God never ceases or changes!  He truly is the one to whom I “lift up mine eyes”!  How about you?  Is something keeping your eyes cast down?  What draw of the world is calling you away from The One who loves you and gave His life for yours; that you and I could have salvation, forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with our God?  He’s waiting for you to look UP and remember HIS faithful provision for you and me!  Lift up your eyes—seek The ONE who is waiting for you to open the door and let HIM come in and walk with you every step of the way.  I can’t even express how I feel to know and experience HIS presence in the grief, the sorrow, the fatigued days, the demanding days when you/I feel that we can’t go on—but by God’s all-sufficient grace we can go on, IN JESUS strength!

“I know

both how to be abased,

and I know

how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both

to be full

and to be hungry,

both

to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:12-13

Paul also reminds us that God’s promises are faithful; because God IS God, and because JESUS IS His greatest promise–fulfilling God’s promise of salvation at Calvary (a promise that goes all the way back to Genesis 3:15), and we can depend on every promise of God!  But we also must remember that we have to respond to God’s call to those promises, and many of them are preceded by a great big “IF”!  (See 2 Chronicles 7:14 & Psalm 81:8 to list two!)

“For the Son of God, Jesus Christ,

who was preached among you by us,

even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus,

was not yea and nay,

but in him was yea.

20 For all the promises of God

in him

are yea,

and in him

Amen,

unto the glory of God

by us.

21 Now he which stablisheth us with you

in Christ,

and hath anointed us,

is God;

22 Who hath also sealed us,

and given the earnest of the Spirit

 in our hearts.”  2 Corinthians 1:19-22

Jesus IS the ultimate culmination of every promise of God, even those yet to be fulfilled in HIS return!  Yet God left us some instructions to enable us to pass the baton of faith to the next generation; and sadly, we have failed to heed God’s Word and its instruction to our total detriment.  But I pray that we still have time, “if” we will seek HIS face and do HIS will!  Let’s simply consider God’s plan—it works.  We’ll look at some sections (but I encourage you to read the whole 6th chapter for yourself) rather than the whole chapter for time and space sake.

“Now these are the commandments,

the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD your God

commanded to teach you,

that ye might do them

in the land whither ye go

to possess it:

2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God,

to keep all his statutes

and his commandments,

which I command thee,

thou,

and thy son,

and thy son’s son,

all the days of thy life;

and that thy days may be prolonged.”   Deuteronomy 6:1-2

God instructed His people to heed HIS Word and to pass it on!  We have decided that is unnecessary today; let every child choose for himself—and while every person does have the right to choose, we are to lead them to know and choose God’s way.  Even as Joshua declared: “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”!  I think the catch in our day and culture is that we have chosen to serve other things before God.  We want to claim HIS name for our benefit and in times of trouble but make HIM optional the rest of the time; but Moses set a different standard, let’s continue.

“Hear, O Israel:

The LORD our God

is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt

love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:”   Deuteronomy 6:4-6

God makes it clear that “godly” families begin with those who have chosen to believe in God, HIS promises and HIS plan of redemption, by grace, in faith—for you see the plan never changed—it’s always been about salvation by grace through faith in a coming Messiah, and for us that very Messiah, Jesus Christ The Lord—crucified, buried and risen again for the “forgiveness of sin”!

“Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:13-14

Have you been forgiven?  Have you been to the cross to find new life, in a new birth from Jesus, through HIS shed blood for your sin?  It’s the only way, Jesus said so Himself.

“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

Even Moses told the people that they had to know God themselves before they could share HIM, HIS truth, and HIS ways with anyone else.  It is our responsibility to share what we have with those we love, especially our children and grandchildren.  But you can’t share what you don’t have!  So, what do we share, and how?

“And thou shalt teach them

diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign

upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house,

and on thy gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:7-9

Simple but profound instructions; we are to live lives before our children that reflect the glory, truth, and power of God.  We are to take advantage of every teachable moment to share God with them.  We are NOT to leave it to the church, the school, or the grandparents!  PARENTS are to pass on their faith—and whether or not we deliberately instruct our children, our lives will instruct them in one thing or the other!   We are to live godly before our children (and the world): in our ‘talk’, when we ‘sit around’, when we ‘are on the go’, when we ‘go to bed’, when we ‘get up in the morning’, when we ‘work with our hands’, what we choose to ‘look at’, what we ‘have in our homes, for décor, entertainment, for attire’!  We will either lead them to the cross or to hell!  It’s your choice but choose wisely the eternal destiny of our children is at stake.  And God tells us how it will work.

“And when thy son asketh thee

in time to come, saying,

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God

hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:

22 And the LORD shewed

signs

and wonders,

great and sore,

upon Egypt,

upon Pharaoh,

and upon all his household,

before our eyes:

23 And he brought us out from thence,

that he might bring us in,

to give us the land

which he sware

unto our fathers.

24 And the LORD commanded us

to do all these statutes,

to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

 if we observe to do all these commandments

before the LORD our God,

as he hath commanded us.”  Deuteronomy 6:20-25

In Blanche’s paraphrase: if we live in godly, and holy obedience before our children and have godly standards, it will stand out to our family and the world! And because it will be different than the culture around us, the day will come that our children will come and ask, “why” do we “DO” these things.  What we “DO” will make way more difference than what we “SAY”, if we don’t back it up with a life that matches our words!  What questions will your children ask?  And when they ask, we will have the opportunity to tell them what GOD has done and is doing in our lives—our testimony!  And believe me they will have questions, and our actions will affect them—for eternity!

So, the question for today is, “Where are you leading your family to?”  We can choose to take a path toward God or follow the world to hell.  The choice is yours, but please choose wisely, there is a test; not just a test for you but a test of the influence that you have shared with those who follow your steps!  And there’s only one life to share.

“And as it is appointed unto men

once to die,

 but after this

the judgment:”  Hebrews 9:27

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”             Revelation 3:20

‘Nuff said.  Amen and Amen!!!

 

Regeneration Is Essential??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 23

21 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Ministry, Regeneration, Service, Spiritual Gifts

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 23    Regeneration Is Essential???

 

Regeneration:  biology–the restoration or new growth by an

organism or organs, tissues, etc., that have been lost, removed or injured…

              theology—spiritual rebirth; religious revival…

While there are several grammatical definitions of regeneration, I want to talk about spiritual regeneration—the work that Jesus does when we are ‘born again’! (And just by way of comment, true ‘revival’ is spiritual not religious!)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, `

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born

when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must

be born again.”  John 3:3-7

Being “born again” is the beginning of our new life in Jesus, for without the ‘life’ of Jesus ‘in’ us we can have no spiritual power!

“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;”  2 Corinthians 5:17-18

Oswald Chambers talks about the fact that without regeneration, we cannot truly do God’s work!  But when we are born again by God’s power, we have Jesus Christ’s Spirit within us, to empower and direct our ministry for HIM!  And contrary to popular belief, ministry is NOT just for “ministers”—it’s for every born-again believer, those who receive Jesus and are made “the sons of God”!  We’ve been given this “ministry of reconciliation”!

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:11-12

Jesus is the power for ministry to each of His own! He has a ministry for you and me; what are you doing with the call of God on your life?  Without Jesus we won’t accomplish much of real value, but with HIM we can do anything He calls us to be and do (and you must “BE” born again, before you can ‘do’ His work)!

“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

Paul makes it clear that God has an order of things, He calls some to lead, teach and grow God’s people into useful, productive ministry (those who minister, not just those who work in a preaching or pastoral position—there is a difference between the gifts of ministry and the offices of ministry leaders)!  Ministry is the privilege of the redeemed—the regenerated—to serve our Lord and King, Jesus!

“And he gave

some, apostles;

and some, prophets;

and some, evangelists;

and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For

the perfecting of the saints,

for

the work of the ministry,

for

the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge

of the Son of God,

unto a perfect man,

unto the measure of the stature

of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body

fitly joined together

and compacted by that

which every joint supplieth,

according to the effectual working

in the measure of every part,

maketh increase

of the body

unto the edifying

of itself

in love.”    Ephesians 4:11-16

God gifts His leaders, not to do all the work, but to teach, educate, encourage, and train those in the ‘body’ to serve Him faithfully in power, truth and love.  Just ponder this list—take each thing and pray for God to direct your steps into the work that HE has for you!  When you or I are gifted and called to be a leader/minister, then we are to help others to grow “in all things” as we speak “the truth in love”!  And when we speak the truth of The Word of God, we are truly demonstrating the love of God.  Condoning sin, coddling those who reject truth, or watering down the truth to win others is never the demonstration of love—for it will never lead people to the cross!  Until we share the truth about ‘sin’, why would anyone need a Savior.  Jesus said it best.

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish…

…5 I tell you, Nay:

 but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”   Luke 13:3 & 5

And to repent, or even know what repentance is, a person must see themselves as sinners—which we all are.  Yet as we share, we must pray for The Holy Spirit to touch, convict and draw hearts to Jesus.

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:44

And the Father only draws people to Jesus—He IS the only way!

“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

Only One Savior, only One Way—Jesus!  And when we receive salvation through faith in His death, burial and resurrection, we are His child–His servant—to minister reconciliation and regeneration to others as we have opportunity!

“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 15:3-5

We are ministers of truth in our Lord Jesus.  What are you doing with your ministry?  Are you leaving all the work and service to others?  To the pastor?  To the teachers?  To the deacons?  To those with the prominent speaking gifts?  We all have at least one spiritual gift and we are to use them for the edification of the body (the benefit of the church—the people not the building)!

“But the end of all things is at hand:

be ye therefore sober,

and watch unto prayer.

8 And above all things

 have fervent charity among yourselves:

for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality one to another

without grudging.

10 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 4:7-11

Peter tells us that there are two main categories of gifts: speaking gifts and serving/ministering gifts; and he makes it clear that whatever our gift/gifts are, they are to be used by the power of God, unto His glory!  For even as Jesus told us in John 15, “without me ye can do nothing”!

What are you doing ‘with’ Jesus?  Have you recognized the gift or gifts that God has blessed you with?  When we learn to recognize our gifts, we will find fulfillment in our service, whether it’s in a speaking gift or a serving gift—they are given to every believer as The Spirit sees fit!  It’s HIS call not ours!

“Now there are diversities of gifts,

but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations,

but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations,

but it is the same God which worketh all

in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit

is given to every man

to profit withal.”   1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Paul’s letter to the Romans also reminds us that our gifts are our own individual opportunity to serve our Lord!

“Having then gifts

differing

according to the grace

that is given to us,

whether prophecy,

let us prophesy

according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry,

let us wait on our ministering:

or he that teacheth,

on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth,

on exhortation:

he that giveth,

let him do it with simplicity;

he that ruleth,

with diligence;

he that sheweth mercy,

with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be

without dissimulation.

Abhor that which is evil;

cleave to that which is good.”  Romans 12:6-9

While we have differing gifts, we all have one unified purpose—to follow Jesus, to wait on His leading, and to fulfill the call to share redemptions message, to love and be reconcilers unto Jesus!  We are to fulfill His call and gifting as we lean on HIS power not our own!

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:12-13

So, my simple question for each of us is, have you been redeemed, regenerated?  Are you walking, working, serving, and ministering the grace of God?  We can be and do all that Jesus calls and equips us for—you and me!  We can do all this because “Christ is all, and in all”!  It’s all about Him, and His regenerating sacrifice that gives us new life!

“And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew,

circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian,

bond nor free:

but Christ is all, and in all.”   Colossians 3:10-11

Amen and Amen!!!