Tag Archives: Proverbs 18:10

As Daniel Prayed, So Must I!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 25

29 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Daniel, Prayer, Thy Will Be Done, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 25 As Daniel Prayed, So Must I!!

 

Wrestling with fatigue becomes a real annoyance at times, yet there is a place that I find strength–and that is in the Lord. You know those days when you think you can’t take one more step and you cry out to “Thou God seest me”!

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

It is The Lord our God—The Almighty—who is my/our strength and my/our sustenance at all times, especially in times of need. It is when I/we get distracted from Him that we find ourselves lacking. So I would like us to spend some time today considering the call of scripture to maintain our nearness to The Lord.

“Hear my cry, O God;

attend unto my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth

will I cry unto thee,

when my heart is overwhelmed:

lead me to the rock

that is higher than I.

3 For thou hast been a shelter

for me,

and a strong tower

from the enemy.

4 I will abide in thy tabernacle

for ever:

I will trust in

the covert of thy wings. Selah.

5 For thou, O God,

hast heard my vows:

thou hast given me the heritage

of those that fear thy name.” Psalm 62:1-5

God is The One in whom we can trust—do you notice all the descriptives of an active relationship here?

“Hear……………. my cry…..

Attend…………. unto my prayer….

When I cry…….lead me to the ROCK…

Thou are ………my shelter….

And………………my strong tower…..

You cover……. me with your wings….

You have ………heard my vows….

YOU have ………given me your heritage—-“

And because of Who our God is: what He has done, what HE is doing, and what HE has promised to do, we can have total confidence in Him—for it’s not dependent on me, but on JESUS!

“If we believe not,

yet he abideth faithful:

he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13

While we are frail flesh and bone—our God reigns supreme—The God who “cannot lie”! Never has—never will!

“In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised before the world began;

3 But hath in due times

manifested his word

through preaching,

which is committed unto me

according to the commandment

of God our Saviour;”   Titus 1:2-3

Our hope must be in God not self! Daniel had that same hope and confidence in his God. While we’ve looked at Daniel a lot in recent weeks, it’s worth examining again, for we can learn so much from this young godly man and his friends.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself… ” Daniel 1:8a

While Daniel had been taken captive and defiled by others, he made a commitment to “not defile himself”, and he displayed that commitment with his walk with and confidence in his GOD!

“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

Daniel was caught in the midst of a dilemma, a life and death dilemma, and his first response was to call his friends together to pray! It seems that for many of us, we often go to God as a last resort, rather than the first, and that is something we all must strive to turn around. When we come to Jesus we are relying upon a restored relationship with The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and like Daniel we have the privilege of going to God’s throne of grace.

“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 4:15-16 

Praise God we can come into His presence with every need and burden of our heart, and the issues of our life. Daniel understood this and when God answered his prayer, he didn’t forget to thank God, but gave us one of the most insightful and intimate pictures of a man’s relationship with his God—a God he knew!

“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 2:20-23

When we come to know God it affects not only our own lives, but also the lives of those we encounter each day. God wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him—to be his sons and daughters, restored by salvation to intimacy with Him– that we may reflect His glory to the world; all this because we have peace with God and not enmity through the blood of Jesus.

“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

Our victory is in God, and we can stand fast in HIM, and bring Him glory in every situation—a showcase of HIS glory.

“Whether therefore

ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.

32 Give none offence,

neither to the Jews,

nor to the Gentiles,

nor to the church of God:

33 Even as I please all men

in all things,

not seeking mine own profit,

but the profit of many,

that they may be saved.”   1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Oh, to be as quick to respond rightly as Daniel—to make the commitment to be right with our God in all our life choices. And because we have been restored to a right relationship with God in Jesus, we can walk in confident victory! I just want to leave you some food for thought—some of my favorite passages to ponder as we consider our expression of God’s presence in us. So as we consider Daniel’s practice of the priority of and dependence on God, may we be reminded of the wonder of our salvation and our new relationship with God—remember whose you are, and don’t let the world’s darkness overcome the light that is within you—JESUS–

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”   John 8:12

Spend some time pondering on the beauty of Paul’s message to the Romans.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy

in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”    Romans 5:1-11

Amen and Amen….

We have peace with God—

We have access into HIS grace–

We can stand in that grace—

We can glory in God’s presence in all our life–

In tribulation which grows our patience–

In patience which grows our experience—

In experience which grows our hope–

And living in HIS presence reveals our hope

to a lost and dying world.

All because Jesus came to die for and save the “ungodly” and make them children of God—because “we have now received the atonement” by the blood of Jesus.

“…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”!

Amen and Amen! Draw close into His presence and share your burdens and joys with the One who loves you! May we pursue a “Daniel-like” commitment to our God?

Are You Discerning Rightly??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #356

08 Monday May 2017

Posted by in The Word

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Bible Ballistics: “BBs”  #356 Are You Discerning Rightly???

As we continue our series today, we’ll consider the 3rd of our 5 D’s: Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence.

Discernment– “The ability to judge well”.

To be “ready” for Jesus’ return and to live faithful, holy lives, we must judge with wisdom in our everyday choices. And yes, we are to “judge” the things around us continually (and that’s a lesson for another day), we are supposed to judge: whether things are good or bad; right or wrong, true or false; godly or ungodly. We make value judgments every day, and those judgments create the consequences that follow each choice. We must be discerning/discriminating— “having or showing refined taste or good judgment”! God’s judgments are the best form of discernment!

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom…… to another discerning of spirits; …..11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will..”                                  Portions of 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

The spiritual gift of ‘discerning of spirits’, is what we want to consider today. Rendering supernatural judgment in spiritual matters, and godly, daily living is essential to a productive and faithful Christian life.

Spiritual gifts are given to “every man”, “to profit withal” by the Holy Spirit’s choice and will (verse 11). Spiritual gifts are given to each believer, whether man, woman, boy or girl, for the good of the ‘Body of Christ’, and by God’s direction. These gifts benefit the body, and when used humbly and well, the gifts will benefit all around the recipient of the gift. The spiritual gift of “discernment” is a much neglected, but urgently needed gift today. It helps us know the way to go, and while every individual believer has the ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and discern personal right walking, the corporate body is greatly benefitted or harmed by the exercise or lack of this gift.

What does discernment look like in practical terms?

“and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.” Ecclesiastes 8:5b

Knowing when to do something, and whether it is beneficial or harmful, is critical to effective Christian service. And while we each have a gift/gifts, we are each to use them in God’s timing, by His direction, and for HIS glory, not our 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

Whether we have a speaking gift or a serving gift, we are to recognize and use them as God’s gifts, for God’s glory and the increase of HIS kingdom, and the maturing and blessing of His own; and in doing so we will be a beacon to a lost and dying world. We are to help God’s people understand His Word, His ways and His principles for holy living.

“And they shall teach my people the difference                                    between the holy and profane,                                                                       and cause them to discern                                                                     between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel 44:23

We are to seek to know God’s will and His ways as we feast on His Word. Then we can grow in our ability to hear His voice. That often means that we must exclude some things from our lives, in order to make time and room for God’s voice to be heard, again–exercising discernment each day.

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”     Isaiah 30:21

Often times we must simply be quiet! We must ‘Stop, Look, and Listen’ for the voice of our Lord, our Shepherd.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

My husband gives testimony of an incident that happened in our lives several years ago. He was having a surgical procedure done, which changed from a 90-minute, routine procedure, into a 4-hour one that almost took His life. He was awake during the procedure and while he didn’t’ know at the time what exactly was going on, he knew they were having problems and his heart even stopped on them at one point. He said he was praying and God spoke to his heart and said “Psalm 46:10”. Now at that time, he didn’t remember what Psalm 46:10 said, but he felt a certain surety that God was telling him that it would be all right. When he finally got to his room, he got the Bible and looked up Psalm 46:10 and read it. His heart was overcome with joy and delight in the fact that while he “had to be still” during the procedure (he was sedated, and on an operating table), his ‘stillness’ was in God’s total, sovereign control. We still take great comfort and confidence in that small incident, but friends what I want you to know is that God is speaking, if we will but “Be still, and know that I am God”, and practice ‘listening’!

What is God saying to you today? Are you listening? Or are you so busy with the hustle and bustle of the world that the voice of God is drowned out by the clamor of all the noise around you? Will you exercise “discernment” and make right choices about your time with Him? Will you run to the One who wants to love, provide and direct you to His arms?

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

The catch is, do you know the One who is that “strong tower”? Are you walking closely with Him, if you do? Or are you so busy with life, that you have not discerned the voice of the “giver of life”? We must learn to listen for His leading, seek His ways in all we do and be available for His will, work, and direction in all our ways.

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the Lord:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the Lord upholdeth him

with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

So?  The question is, ‘Are you exercising godly discernment’? Are you willing to dig out truth in His Word, and walk in light of what it says? Will you ‘be discerning’—making choices based on His Word, and the directing of His Holy Spirit? Will you pay attention to what you learn, and choose discerningly, the “holy” over the “profane”?

God will teach us when we,

read His word,

pray and

listen to His Spirit!!!

Keep looking up dear ones, God’s ways won’t usually be popular, but they are the right way, and I’d much rather have the approval of God than the world, and there is a test at the end! Are you ready? Will you join me in seeking to be—

Debt free?

Diligent?

Discerning?

Look up dear ones—“…..look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28b