Tag Archives: Repentance

Will I Pray Like Daniel??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 03

04 Sunday Oct 2020

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's Prayer, Humility, Repentance, REvival

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 03   Will I Pray Like Daniel???

 

I don’t usually do an article like this, but there are times when God’s Word needs no commentary other than to ask that we do that which Jesus calls us to do in the Book of The Revelation.  And that is the question that I want to ask us today, as we consider Daniel’s prayer in Daniel chapter 9.  I simply share this question with you and pray that we will get it.

“Blessed is he that readeth,

and they that hear the words of this prophecy,

and keep those things

which are written therein:

for the time is at hand.”  Revelation 1:3

May we all:

Read it—

Hear it—

Keep it—

For surely “the time is at hand”?

My heart breaks as we see around us the same hearts of rebellion and disregard towards God that Daniel saw around him; but will we identify with Daniel’s heart for his people (and us for ours) or will we be “rude—crude—and unkind” as we throw verbal rocks at those around us rather than praying for God to touch our hearts with a burden like Daniel had for revival of his nation!  I share only one other caveat about our own attitude’s part in it all.

“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

May we ponder these words of Daniel, seeking God’s face, and asking God to use you and me to make a difference in our world.

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes,

which was made king over the realm

of the Chaldeans;

2 In the first year of his reign

I Daniel understood by books

the number of the years,

whereof the word of the LORD

came to Jeremiah the prophet,

that he would accomplish

seventy years

in the desolations

of Jerusalem.

3 And I set my face unto the Lord God,

to seek by prayer

and supplications,

with fasting,

and sackcloth,

and ashes:

4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God,

and made my confession, and said,

O Lord,

the great and dreadful God,

keeping the covenant

and mercy

to them that love him,

and to them that keep

his commandments;

5 We have sinned,

and have committed iniquity,

and have done wickedly,

and have rebelled,

even by departing from thy precepts

and from thy judgments:

6 Neither have we hearkened

unto thy servants the prophets,

which spake in thy name

to our kings,

our princes,

and our fathers,

and to all the people of the land.

7 O Lord,

righteousness belongeth unto thee,

but unto us confusion of faces,

as at this day;

to the men of Judah,

and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and unto all Israel,

that are near,

and that are far off,

through all the countries

whither thou hast driven them,

because of their trespass

that they have trespassed

against thee.

8 O Lord,

to us belongeth confusion of face,

to our kings,

to our princes,

and to our fathers,

because we have sinned

against thee.

9 To the Lord our God

belong mercies

and forgivenesses,

though we have rebelled against him;

10 Neither have we obeyed the voice

of the LORD our God,

to walk in his laws,

which he set before us

by his servants the prophets.

11 Yea, all Israel

have transgressed thy law,

even by departing,

that they might not obey thy voice;

therefore the curse is poured upon us,

and the oath that is written

in the law of Moses the servant of God,

because we have sinned against him.

12 And he hath confirmed his words,

which he spake against us,

and against our judges

that judged us,

by bringing upon us a great evil:

for under the whole heaven

hath not been done

as hath been done

upon Jerusalem.

13 As it is written in the law of Moses,

all this evil is come upon us:

yet made we not our prayer

before the LORD our God,

that we might turn

from our iniquities,

and understand thy truth.

14 Therefore hath the LORD

watched upon the evil,

and brought it upon us:

for the LORD our God

is righteous in all his works which he doeth:

for we obeyed not his voice.

15 And now, O Lord our God,

that hast brought thy people forth

out of the land of Egypt

with a mighty hand,

and hast gotten thee renown,

as at this day;

we have sinned,

we have done wickedly.

16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness,

I beseech thee,

let thine anger

and thy fury

be turned away

from thy city Jerusalem,

thy holy mountain:

because for our sins,

and for the iniquities

of our fathers,

Jerusalem

and thy people

are become a reproach

to all that are about us.

17 Now therefore, O our God,

hear the prayer of thy servant,

and his supplications,

and cause thy face to shine

upon thy sanctuary

that is desolate,

for the Lord’s sake.

18 O my God,

incline thine ear,

and hear;

open thine eyes,

and behold our desolations,

and the city

which is called by thy name:

for we do not present our supplications

before thee

for our righteousnesses,

but for thy great mercies.

19 O Lord, hear;

O Lord, forgive;

O Lord, hearken

and do;

defer not,

for thine own sake,

O my God:

for thy city

and thy people

are called by thy name.”   Daniel 9:1-19

May it be so dear Lord?  May our hearts be moved to seek Thy face?  May we truly fulfill your call:

“If my people, which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

Amen and Amen!!!

What Price Revival??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 01

20 Sunday Sep 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Remember, Repentance, REvival

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 01    What Price Revival???

 

It’s been a long week at our home, but God’s still God, God’s still good and I still trust Him.  While I don’t always know what God wants to accomplish in my life, I do know that if I will but wait, listen and seek to obey, He will reveal what I cannot see, in HIS time.  What about you?  I’d like to share some things that I pray will help us each draw near to our Savior and Lord, Jesus in these difficult days!

“But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings

as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

God is ever doing HIS work in us, because when we are born again—we are His children, and HE is working to make us more and more like Jesus.  But we must remember whose we are!  We live in such a “me” culture that it’s often hard to not get caught up in its focus on self!  Much like the church at Corinth, we need to be reminded that we belong to God!  (Also see Romans 8:28-29)

“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

Did you get that?  We are to glorify God, because we are “bought with a price”!  We must reject the popular idea that we can claim Jesus saving power and give Him no allegiance!  We will never truly experience the power of God in our lives, until our lives are truly yielded to Jesus!  We must recognize the priority of Jesus’ authority in my/your life!

“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

And we can accomplish this seemingly impossible task only when we depend upon the power supplied by the redeeming work of Jesus at Calvary through HIS Holy Spirit within us!

“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

While Jesus spoke these words before His passion, He knew what HE would do for His sheep, and He told us before that HE would give us not only eternal life, but life here and now, “more abundantly” than we could ever know without Him!  We can have this life today, and tomorrow and each day of our lives if we will but walk in the light of His Spirit.  And when we will yield our lives to that leading of our Shepherd, we can be a part of seeing a move of God about us!  As many of us have prayed for revival for a long time, it is a prayer that still wafts heavenward from my own lips!  And in light of that prayer, I’d like to take some liberty with a familiar passage and break it down into bite-sized pieces to consider things that we may have missed.  I pray that this will touch your heart and mine and bring us humbly to HIS cross that alone can save, transform and renew lives, as well as recharge HIS own!

“If

my people,

which are called by my name,

shall

humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn

from their wicked ways;

then

will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.”   2 Chronicles 7:14

When we consider the context of this much quoted verse, we are brought to see that it is not only God’s promise to hear and answer when His people returned to Him, it is a reminder from God that they would rebel again (as they had ever since Moses led them out of Egypt) and that HE would judge them because of it.  But the comfort and assurance that we find here, is that HE told them HE would (much like the father in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son) be ready to hear, forgive, restore them to favor, and heal their land, (which He would judge because of their sin); for it would take His judgment upon them to get their attention!  Sound familiar?  We still suffer from the same spiritual forgetfulness, and I pray that we will remedy this trait in our own hearts today and each day ahead.

So, back to the verse—let’s ponder its value:

If—supposing or based on a condition (you do…I do…)

–whosoever will…(See John 3:16)

–no other name….(See Acts 4:12)

My people—a promise to those who belong to GOD…

–not a blanket promise to all mankind…

–a principle for believers…

(See Jn. 10:26-28 & Jn 3:16; Acts 4:12)

Which are called by MY name—the regenerate…

–those born again by God’s Spirit..

(See John 1:12-13 & John 3:3,5,16)

–bought with a price…

(See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Shall humbles themselves—bow to/yield to God

–We are called to humble ourselves…

–Not to be puffed up..

–Not arrogant..

–Not self-satisfied..

 –To be like Isaiah before God…

(“Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man

of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst of a people

of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me,

having a live coal in his hand,

which he had taken with the tongs

from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth,

 and said,

Lo, this hath touched

thy lips;

and thine iniquity

is taken away,

and thy sin

purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord,

saying, Whom shall I send,

and who will go for us?

Then said I,

Here am I;

send me.”  Isaiah 6:5-8)

Shall—

humbles themselves,—

and pray,—

and seek my face,—

and turn

from their wicked ways; –REPENT…

–of self…

–of prayerlessness/self-dependence…

/independence…

–of neglecting to seek God’s face…

–of embracing wickedness freely…

(We must practice the fruit of The Spirit…

rather than the fruit of the flesh!!!

(See Galatians 5:18-24)

THEN–God’s response to our “IF” we do the above…

Will I hear from heaven–

God sees and knows, ever ready to respond…

(See Psalm 11:4, 34:15; Proverbs 15:3)

              God hears the prayers of the righteous…

(See James 5:16)

And will forgive their sin—

The sins of HIS own when we confess…

(See 1 John 1:8-10; Matthew 6:12)

And will heal their land—restore from judgment…

The preface—verse 7:13

***“If I shut up heaven

that there be no rain,

***or if I command the locusts

to devour the land,

***or if I send pestilence

among my people;”  2 Chronicles 7:13

Our choice is to hear and obey God or reap the consequences!  There is hope of God’s provision when we will return to HIM, but we can’t be presumptuous and continue to disobey on the expectation of God’s forgiving grace without consideration of HIS judgment.  I’ll simply close with a somber reminder from Paul, and I pray that you will ponder these things—I pray that we who are HIS will stand in the gap for a nation in desperate straits!  What are you sowing?  Where are you bowing to?  The choice is yours but remember there is a test!

“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.”  Galatians 6:7-8

Amen and Amen!!!

The Builder’s Guarantee!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #667

10 Friday Jul 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, God's Judgment, God's love, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Guarantee, Master Builder, Salvation, Saved by grace

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #667 The Builder’s Guarantee!!!

 

“Praise ye the LORD:

for it is good to sing praises unto our God;

for it is pleasant;

and praise is comely.

2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem:

he gathereth together

the outcasts of Israel.

3 He healeth the broken in heart,

and bindeth up their wounds.”  Psalm 147:1-3

Oh, how grateful I am that when we have the Lord as our Master Builder, He grants us grace, wisdom and sufficiency to live for HIM!   I would simply like to share a few passages of encouragement with you today, as we all wrestle with the crises at hand.  Remember, my friends, if God is your Master Builder (through Jesus Christ and the salvation HE provided at Calvary!) then you can walk in confidence—because our God reigns!

“Behold, the days come,

saith the LORD,

that I will sow the house of Israel

and the house of Judah

with the seed of man,

and with the seed of beast.

28 And it shall come to pass,

that like as I have watched over them,

 to pluck up,

and to break down,

and to throw down,

and to destroy,

and to afflict;

so will I watch over them,

 to build,

 and to plant,

saith the LORD.”  Jeremiah 31:27-28

This was God’s message for Jeremiah to deliver to Israel—that though He would judge their sin, HE would also bring them back into HIS presence when their heart was repentant and open to HIS Redeemer.  Even as God told Jeremiah when He called him, that HE was about to judge the nation who had, as a whole, rejected Him and His Word.

“But the LORD said unto me,

Say not, I am a child:

for thou shalt go to all

that I shall send thee,

and whatsoever I command thee

thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces:

for I am with thee

to deliver thee,

saith the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth his hand,

and touched my mouth.

And the LORD said unto me,

Behold, I have put my words

in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day

set thee over the nations

and over the kingdoms,

to root out,

and to pull down,

and to destroy,

and to throw down,

to build,

and to plant.”  Jeremiah 1:7-10

While I personally believe we are experiencing the judgment of God on our world (as well as setting the stage for the prophetic future of the scriptures which is close at hand), we can rest assured that the judgment of God is always tempered by His grace and mercy; but there is a step too far, and God does and will judge sin!  And that was the heavy message that Jeremiah was called to deliver to a people who, for the most part, refused to receive the message of God and repent.  Our God truly reigns and cares for HIS own!

“And I heard as it were the voice

of a great multitude,

and as the voice

of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”  Revelation. 19:6

“And the LORD said,

My spirit

shall not always strive

with man,

for that he also is flesh…”.   Genesis 6:1a

“Jesus saith unto them,

Did ye never read in the scriptures,

The stone

which the builders rejected,

the same

is become the head of the corner:

this is the Lord’s doing,

and it is marvellous

in our eyes?”  Matthew 21:42

So, what is our response to be to this Sovereign God of all?  Well, it’s pretty simple really (not easy, but it is simple), we must recognize our sin, repent (turn away from sin and turn toward God) of our sin, and believe in and receive Jesus payment for our sin—HIS substitutionary (in my place), atoning (paid my sin debit) , sacrifice (died and rose again  for my salvation)!  Once we receive Jesus, we become a new creature and are called to live in His power, grace and holiness –all by the power of HIS indwelling Holy Spirit.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

And a message of encouragement from the Apostle Paul to lift your heart today (and while it’s a big lengthy, I think it worth our time).

“That ye put off

concerning the former conversation

the old man,

which is corrupt

according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed

in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on

the new man,

which after God is created

in righteousness

and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying,

speak every man truth with his neighbour:

for we are members

one of another.

26 Be ye angry,

and sin not:

let not the sun go down

upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place

to the devil.

28 Let him that stole

steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands

the thing which is good,

that he may have

to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good to the use

of edifying,

 that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.”   Ephesians 4:22-30

Amen and Amen!!!

Except The Lord Builds??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #665

08 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by in Remember, Repentance, Seeing Truth, SIN, Sovereignty

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #665 Except The Lord Builds???

 

“Except the LORD build the house,

they labour in vain

that build it:

except the LORD keep the city,

the watchman waketh

but in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early,

to sit up late,

to eat the bread of sorrows:

for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children are an heritage

of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb

is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;

so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man

that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak

with the enemies in the gate.”   Psalm 127:1-5

I would like us to consider the nature of our “building” activity; for it seems to me that we have become a nation of ‘independent’ builders—doing our own thing—rather than relying on the master builder—The Lord God Almighty!!!

The Psalmist tells us that when we don’t rely upon God’s work, and ‘do our own thing’, so to speak—it is vanity, and even when we set ‘the watchman’ it is vain, if we aren’t relying on God.  It reminds me of the picture that Jesus painted in Matthew 7 about the “wise man” in contrast to the “foolish man”!  The story implies that the houses looked the same on the outside, but the foundation makes the difference between success and failure (heaven and hell)!  If we build on “the rock of my salvation”, Jesus, we can stand fast, because our foundation, Jesus, is sure.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings

of mine, and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings

of mine, and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27

We are in a culture war today, and people are choosing to build on the sand—our world has bought the lies of the enemy, and unlike the Psalmist, we (as a nation) don’t want God’s hand in our “stuff”—our world/nation wants to build its own way (on the sand), to reject the ‘master builder’ and set the foxes to guard the hen house, so to speak.  And I find it most interesting how the Psalmist ties the blessing of children into the blessing and gifts of the “master builder”; and that is one of the core issues of the battle we are in today—the value of life; life for the unborn, the old, the infirmed.

I find it interesting that the “land of promise” here in America (and in other prosperous nations) has become the “land of greed’!  We have forgotten that our very own “Declaration of Independence”, didn’t promise wealth, ease, and the promotion of greed, but rather

“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.

The opportunity to work and earn one’s success!  But when we leave God behind—or out completely—we will reap the consequences of our choices!  And I can’t help but believe that we are seeing the vanity of wrong choices all around us!  But my friends, we must stop ignoring the problem and seek our God’s face—His convicting move amongst us—the repentance of God’s people—and the restoration of the ‘light’ and ‘salt’ of HIS people!  After all, remember, that ‘revival’ is for God’s people; and when we will get right with our God, great and mighty things can happen as a result.

In closing, I would simply like to share some words from the scripture for us to ponder!

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher

than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:6-9

“For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion,

and as a young lion to the house of Judah:

I, even I,

will tear

and go away;

I will take away,

and none shall rescue him.

15 I will go and return to my place,

till they acknowledge their offence,

and seek my face:

in their affliction

they will seek me early.”   Hosea 5:14-15

Even Jesus told the people of His day to repent!

“There were present at that season some

that told him of the Galilaeans,

whose blood Pilate had mingled

with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said unto them,

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans

were sinners above all the Galilaeans,

because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen,

upon whom the tower in Siloam fell,

and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners

above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?”  Luke 13:1-5

And as we have seen quoted regularly, may we truly hear what God is saying.

“If my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.”   2 Chronicles 7:14

God has spoken, He is speaking—if we will but receive His call—and He will accomplish His purpose through HIS SON Jesus Christ our Lord!  HE is coming again!

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue

should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory

of God the Father.”   Philippians 2:8-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Who’s building your ‘world’?

What May Be Hampering Revival??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 07

19 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by in Amazing Grace, REvival, SIN, Speaking The Truth In Love

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Bible Ballistics:Vol. 15 No. 07 What May Be Hampering Revival???

 

I for one, have prayed for ‘revival’ to come to America (and me personally) as many of you have; yet I see many things that may be hampering true revival, and what saddens me is that many of these things are not only present, but sorely prevalent among those that claim the name of Jesus!  What is real revival?  Firstly, revival is not for the ‘lost’ but for those who are God’s own, and have, if you would, have allowed themselves to be drawn away from the fire of God and have cooled in their ardor for their Lord! And almost always we will find sin at the heart of our lack of ardor in our love for God; sometimes blatant, public sin, but just as often the hidden sins of our heart.  Paul gives a good standard to use in comparing the fruit (and there is no ‘s’ in that word that Paul uses) of the Spirit that should be evident in our lives (And I ask that we—you and me– might take some time going over this list of the works “of the flesh”, and ask God to “search my heart o God”—that we might truly hear God’s voice to our hearts—and repent and humbly bow before our God and our King!)!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh.

17 For the flesh

lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit

against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one

to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit

is love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”   Galatians 5:16-24

We are called to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit which God has given to us when we are saved, and when we walk in “The Spirit” we will “not fulfil the lust of the flesh”!  And Peter also reminds believers that we are to not walk in the way that the world does, but we are called to reflect the character of our Father God and The Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here

in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver

and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb

without blemish

and without spot:”   1 Peter 1:13-19

We can and ought to walk in the light of what our Lord Jesus did at Calvary; we can live victoriously because of His blood that cleanses us “from sin”!  Jesus saves us “from sin” so we don’t have to stay “in” our sin.

“Seeing ye have purified your souls

in obeying the truth

through the Spirit

unto unfeigned love

of the brethren,

see that ye love one another

with a pure heart

fervently:

23 Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

which liveth

and abideth for ever.”  1 Peter 1:22-23

Even as Joseph was told before Jesus’ birth!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”   Matthew 1:21

When we come to Jesus in repentance and faith we are born again by the Spirit of God; and God will never leave us where He finds us—He transforms us into “the image of His Son”!  Our part is to yield to Him in obedient love and devotion—not obeying, or living holy lives to be saved, but obeying and living holy because we are “born again” by God’s Spirit.

“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 1:11-13

And as Paul makes clear to us in his second letter to the Corinthians (the second one of the recorded letters) God is ever at work in His own.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us

to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin

for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”   2 Corinthians 5:17-21

One thing I want you to know is that when I speak of revival, I am not drawing anyone to “be like me”—for like every other Christian, I am a “sinner” saved by grace; but that doesn’t mean I say ‘my’ sin is ok, and yours is not!  What I want us to recognize, is that God hates sin—any sin—all sin—every sin.  HIS Son paid for those sins with His precious blood; why would those who know Him by saving faith and grace want to cling to those things which put my Lord to death?  We ought to be clinging to our precious Lord and walking in the power of His Holy Spirit and not our flesh…for He came to “save his people from their sins”!  As Paul said, in more than one place in the scripture, we are to die to ourselves and live unto Jesus who saved us from our sin!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

“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

Even Jesus addressed this issue of dying to self!

“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 16:24-25

So as we think of living holy lives I’d simply like to share some food for thought—not throwing stones but rather sharing things for each of us to consider what is happening, not only in the world around us, but considering how many of these issues have we allowed to creep into our worldview, or even into our homes and lives.

“Marriage is honourable in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers

and adulterers

God will judge.”  Hebrews 13:4

“Mortify therefore your members

which are upon the earth;

fornication,

uncleanness,

inordinate affection,

evil concupiscence,

and covetousness,

which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake

the wrath of God

cometh on the children

of disobedience:”  Colossians 3:5-6

“Let him that stole

steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands

the thing which is good,

that he may have to give

to him that needeth.”  Ephesians 4:28

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.”   Ephesians 4:29-30

“But godliness

with contentment

is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.”   1 Timothy 6:6-8

“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 4:14-16

And in closing a passage from Paul and one from Isaiah, may they prick our hearts and bring us to our knees, that revival may start ‘in me’; for if I don’t seek revival, I am not likely to experience revival.

“See that none render evil

for evil unto any man;

but ever follow that which is good,

both among yourselves,

and to all men.

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things;

hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very God of peace

sanctify you wholly;

and I pray God

your whole spirit

and soul

and body

be preserved blameless

unto the coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

24 Faithful is he that calleth you,

who also will do it.”  1 Thessalonians 5:15-24

“Behold, the LORD’S hand

 is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities

have separated between you

and your God,

and your sins have hid his face

from you,

that he will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled

with blood,

and your fingers

with iniquity;

your lips

have spoken lies,

your tongue hath muttered

perverseness.

4 None calleth

for justice,

nor any pleadeth

for truth:

they trust in vanity,

and speak lies;

they conceive mischief,

and bring forth iniquity.”   Isaiah 59:1-4

And as I have mentioned often of late, may we pray that our nation will bow before God, and as the old hymn says may we truly pray:

“….Lord send a revival….and let it begin with me”!                             (Written by B. B. McKinney)

May we be willing to “humble ourselves…pray….seek God’s face…and turn from our wicked ways…” that our God will “hear…heal…and forgive” our land—our churches—ME!  May we find anything that is “separating” us from God!

“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night,

and said unto him,

I have heard thy prayer,

and have chosen this place

to myself

for an house of sacrifice.

13 If I shut up heaven

that there be no rain,

or if I command the locusts

to devour the land,

or if I send pestilence

among my people;

14 If my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear

from heaven,

and will forgive

their sin,

and will heal

their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:12-14

Lord, please send your revival fires upon your own, and may we hear the “still…small…voice” of your Holy Spirit breaking our hearts for revival, and repent of our sins—and receive your touch!  May the world see YOU in us!