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Pray For Someone Else??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #19

07 Thursday Jul 2022

Posted by Blanche in Broken Hearts, Check Your Knees???, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Following Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Intercessors, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Standing in the GAP!

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Ezekiel 22:29-31, Intercessors, John 19:26-27, John 19:28-30, John 3:16-19, Luke 23:27-31, Luke 23:33-38, Luke 23:39-43, Matthew 26:45-46, Praying for others, Praying for others in our suffering, Psalm 22:1, Revelation 1:7-8, Standing in the GAP!, suffering selflessly, Suffering With Jesus

Pray For Someone Else???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #19

Say what?  I want us to consider taking our Lord’s advice and example.  What do I mean?  Well, what I mean is that our Lord was in excruciating pain, yet HE chose to pray for us in His hour of greatest need (in the human perspective); He took that time of extreme distress and prayed for the forgiveness of those who were ridiculing HIM, those who were mocking HIM, those who were oblivious of what was really happening, as well as those of us who would need redemption so far down the road—you and me—in fact for all who would receive His saving grace in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice which HE completed that day!!  He also extended grace to a dying thief, hanging next to Him, when he asked for it!  He didn’t stop there; He also appointed the Apostle John to care for His mother!

One of the few things that Jesus said in regard to Himself, was recorded by Matthew and Mark:

“Now from the sixth hour

there was darkness over all the land

unto the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour

Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,

Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?

that is to say,

My God, my God,

why hast thou forsaken me?”  Matthew 26:45-46

And even this was to fulfill scripture:

“My God, my God,

why hast thou forsaken me?

why art thou so far

from helping me,

 and from the words

of my roaring?”  Psalm 22:1.

(And I would encourage you to read Psalm 22 in its entirety!)

Jesus came to die in our place and even in this time when physical pain was racking his body, mind and spirit, His main thought was of we who are ever in need of His grace and love.  Yet when we are in pain what is our first thought?  Usually, to moan and complain to God and man (maybe you’re better than I am, but that is usually my ‘go to’ choice); but I’m calling us to take the example of Jesus and learn to take those moments of anguish and pain and become Christ-like intercessors.  So, let’s look at what Jesus said on His way to Calvary, as well as His final words from the cross, and take them to heart—for He spoke those words directed toward not only those who were physically present, but to you and me today!

“And there followed him a great company of people,

and of women,

which also bewailed

and lamented him.

28 But Jesus turning unto them said,

Daughters of Jerusalem,

weep not for me,

but weep for yourselves,

and for your children.

29 For, behold, the days are coming,

in the which they shall say,

Blessed are the barren,

and the wombs that never bare,

and the paps which never gave suck.

30 Then shall they begin to say

to the mountains,

Fall on us;

and to the hills,

Cover us.

31 For if they do these things in a green tree,

what shall be done in the dry?”  Luke 23:27-31

To put it simply, Jesus was telling them, even though you see this with your own eyes, this is NOT the end, and worse things will come—but never a better, except for the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, JESUS—crucified, buried yet raised again to ever live and have victory over sin, death, and hell!

“Behold, he cometh with clouds;

and every eye shall see him,

and they also which pierced him:

and all kindreds of the earth

shall wail because of him.

Even so, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning

and the ending,

saith the Lord,

which is,

and which was,

 and which is to come,

the Almighty.”  Revelation 1:7-8

So, back to the cross:

“And when they were come to the place,

which is called Calvary,

there they crucified him,

and the malefactors,

one on the right hand,

and the other on the left.

34 Then said Jesus,

Father, forgive them;

for they know not what they do.

And they parted his raiment,

and cast lots.

35 And the people stood beholding.

And the rulers also with them

derided him, saying,

He saved others;

let him save himself,

if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

36 And the soldiers also

mocked him,

coming to him,

and offering him vinegar,

37 And saying,

If thou be the king of the Jews,

save thyself.

38 And a superscription also was written

over him in letters

of Greek,

and Latin,

and Hebrew,

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”  Luke 23:33-38

With their own eyes they saw Him, with their own ears they had heard Him, with their own hearts they rejected HIM!  How about you?  For HE continued in compassion, love, and grace to shed HIS life’s blood for them, for you, and for me!  Will we receive it or reject, rebuke, and ridicule the LORD of all creation—the Redeemer of all who will believe and come to HIM alone for salvation!  The ultimate of examples of man’s opportunity and Christ Jesus’ offer of grace even when rejection seems to rule.

“And one of the malefactors

which were hanged railed on him, saying,

If thou be Christ,

save thyself

and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying,

Dost not thou fear God,

seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we

indeed justly;

for we receive the due reward

of our deeds:

but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus,

Lord, remember me

when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him,

Verily I say unto thee,

To day

shalt thou be with me

in paradise.”  Luke 23:39-43

Which one will you be?  The rejector or the acceptor—one who will receive grace and eternal life or the condemnation justly due?

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

 is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”  John 3:16-19

Let’s look at the last few things that Jesus said from the cross, for our perusal and consideration.  What do you/I “care” about?

“When Jesus therefore saw his mother,

and the disciple standing by,

whom he loved,

he saith unto his mother,

Woman, behold thy son!

27 Then saith he to the disciple,

Behold thy mother!

And from that hour that disciple

took her unto his own home.”  John 19:26-27

 And the other human request that Jesus made:

“After this,

Jesus knowing that all things

were now accomplished,

that the scripture might be fulfilled,

saith,

I thirst.

29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar:

and they filled a spunge with vinegar,

and put it upon hyssop,

and put it to his mouth.

30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar,

he said,

It is finished:

and he bowed his head,

and gave up the ghost.”   John 19:28-30

So, the thing I want us to consider, is this precious thing that Jesus did in HIS most difficult hour; HE thought of others when HIS own need was beyond our understanding.  What will you and I do when we are in need?  When we don’t know what to do, or where to go; will we take heart from our Redeemer and keep our focus on others?  Will we pray “Father forgive THEM”, or hold onto our grudges; will we pray “Father into thine hands….” and let it go, or will we stubbornly hold onto our own way, our own needs, our own problems?  Or will we pray for those in need around us, for those we know are serving God in precarious circumstances, for those who need an intercessor desperately?  Will we follow our Lord into battle for the needy, or moan and groan about the place that God has allowed us to be in?  It’s your choice, and mine!  Please, Father, teach us to remember to rehearse the commands of The Master, “THY kingdom come…THY will be done”, not only for me but those around me with needs greater than mine.  May I remember to count my blessings, and stand in the gap for others as God called and equipped us to do?  Ezekiel said it best, and I’ll close with his message from God.  Will you join me in praying for others, seeking God’s face on behalf of those in need, especially when we are hurting, in pain, in confusion, or just stumped physically or spiritually; God is never ‘stumped’, nor does HE ever say “oooops”?  May we ever “stand in the gap” instead of focusing on self—speaking the “truth in love”—but speaking GOD’S TRUTH—not man’s; and lifting other to the throne of grace!

“The people of the land have

used oppression,

and exercised robbery,

and have vexed the poor and needy:

yea, they have oppressed

the stranger wrongfully.

30 And I sought for a man among them,

that should make up the hedge,

and stand in the gap

before me for the land,

that I should not destroy it:

but I found none.

31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation

 upon them;

I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath:

their own way have I recompensed

upon their heads,

saith the Lord GOD.”  Ezekiel 22:29-31

How sad!  God have mercy!!!  Amen and Amen!!!

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Used Where They Were? Really?? Bible Ballistics: BBs #707

04 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Trials, Troubles, Trust, Trust God, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Under His Wings, You can overcome

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1 Peter 2:19-23, Choose Wisely, Civil Disobedience, Daniel 1:8, Daniel 3:1-6, Daniel 3:16-18, Faithful service, Isaiah 52:7, Psalm 47:8, Revelation 19:6, Suffering, Suffering With Jesus, Trials, Uncivil behavior, Used Where They Were, Used where YOU are

Bible Ballistics: BBs #707 Used Where They Were?   Really??

 

I would like to take some time today taking a preview look at Daniel chapter 3. Why, you might ask; and the answer would be that there is so much to consider besides the exciting story of the “fiery furnace” which is often missed when we just read the story and go on to the next chapter.  I want to give you some homework, if you would, that I think will make our next session together of more benefit to you and me both!

“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold,

whose height was threescore cubits,

and the breadth thereof six cubits:

he set it up in the plain of Dura,

in the province of Babylon.

2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together

the princes,

the governors,

and the captains,

the judges,

the treasurers,

the counsellors,

the sheriffs,

and all the rulers of the provinces,

to come to the dedication

of the image which Nebuchadnezzar

the king had set up.

3 Then

the princes,

the governors,

and captains,

the judges,

the treasurers,

the counsellors,

the sheriffs,

and all the rulers of the provinces,

were gathered together

unto the dedication

of the image that Nebuchadnezzar

the king had set up;

and they stood before the image

that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 Then an herald cried aloud,

To you it is commanded,

O people,

nations,

and languages,

5 That at what time ye hear the sound

of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer,

and all kinds of musick,

ye fall down and worship

the golden image

that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

6 And whoso falleth not down

and worshippeth

shall the same hour

be cast into the midst

of a burning fiery furnace.”   Daniel 3:1-6

Here we have an encounter that involved three of the four young men that we have been following; and I’ll just tell you up front, we don’t know where Daniel was, but he, at the very least, isn’t mentioned in this account; now whether he was away on government business or assigned to keep charge of the palace in the King’s absence, we just don’t know.  But his three friends are the subject and the object of this account.  If you take a few minutes to go back and review chapter 2’s prophetic part, you’ll find that the emphasis was on a statue, of which King Nebuchadnezzar was represented by the “head of gold”!  No matter what else the king heard from this dream’s interpretation from Daniel, it would appear that his own “head” has been puffed up with the thought of this “head of gold”!  So, he has built and erected a 90-foot-tall statue of “gold”!  And I have no doubt that the likeness of this statue was very likely the likeness of King Nebuchadnezzar—a man of pride, and temper.

The king has not only built this giant statue, but he has also called everyone of import to the ‘reveal’ of the image of gold; and not only a ‘reveal’ but a call to “worship” this image he has set up!  How ‘coincidental’ that he has called all the people to worship this image—including our three friends!  What I want us to consider today is the fact that our three friends find themselves in a dilemma of choosing how to respond to the king’s command!  There’s an old southern gospel song that sums it up: “They Wouldn’t Bend, They Wouldn’t Bow, They Wouldn’t Burn” (Written by Arthur Smith)!  But when did these three choose?  When will you choose?

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”    Daniel 1:8

Daniel and his friends made up their minds at the beginning to follow and serve their God no matter where they were!  They knew God and they trusted HIM to care for them one way or another!  Their faith and devotion was in their GOD not ‘religion’!  They had already chosen to trust God and follow HIM no matter where it led; whether it was pleasant, convenient or fair—they determined before the crises came that they would not do anything to “defile” themselves; and remember they had already been ceremonially defiled by their captors!  They weren’t filled with hate, but they were filled with love for and trust in the Almighty God of creation, their GOD, knowing that HE would use them whereever HE placed them.  God can use YOU/ME right where we are (or where ever HE may lead us) if we will repent of our sin, turn to Jesus and give our lives to HIM for HIS service where ever we are!  When we decide to follow Jesus any–where HE leads and to trust to HIS care, we will find that God will do amazing things—no matter whether the circumstances are pleasant or not—no matter if it is convenient or not—no matter if it seems ‘fair’ or not!  Our God reigns in all!  Here are some reminders for us to consider.

“God reigneth over the heathen:

God sitteth upon the throne

of his holiness.”  Psalm 47:8

“How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him

that bringeth good tidings,

that publisheth

peace;

that bringeth good tidings

of good,

that publisheth

salvation;

that saith unto Zion,

Thy God reigneth!”  Isaiah 52:7

“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

So, as we wind down for today, I would like to ask you to spend some time this week reading through and pondering the content of Daniel chapter 3 and noting what these men did, how they did it, why they did it and in whom their trust was secured!  How could they be so bold (never arrogant) as to face a raging king and respectfully stand fast trusting God!

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered

and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee

in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not,

be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.”  Daniel 3:16-18

How will you respond when you are under a Nebuchadnezzar who challenges your faith?  If we are ever called to ‘civil dis-obedience’ will we behave with godly civility or be arrogantly uncivil.  And if you need to see even more of an example ponder this with deep humility.

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it, if,

when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable

with God.

21 For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered

for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow

his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him

that judgeth righteously:” 1 Peter 2:19-23

May you hear from God as you ponder these things.  I pray that we will each bow before our God not the world!

Lord willing, we’ll take this back up Sunday!

Amen and Amen!!!

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Expect Suffering, Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #554

08 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by Blanche in Persecution, Perseverance, Suffering With Jesus

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2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Timothy 4:3, Acts 17:23-32, Crucified Life, Galatians 2:20, John 15:29-20, Persecution, Philippians 3:8-10, Romans 8:16-18, Suffering, Suffering With Jesus

Bible Ballistics: BBs #554    Expect Suffering, Really???

We appear  to be living in a culture that is pervaded by an entitlement mentality.  I’m entitled to be happy and have my needs met, and ‘you’ are responsible to see to that! A stark contrast to the intent of the founders of this country who said, we have the ‘right’ to “life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness”; a totally different thing!  Even Christians are being influenced by this pervasive mindset!  We no longer desire to know God’s will, God’s Word or God’s way, but we simply want to be entertained for a time, have our ‘ruffled feathers’ soothed, and our consciences put to sleep as we continually seek to have our “ears tickled”! Paul confronted those of Athens with a similar issue on his journeys.

“Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens,

I perceive that in all things

ye are too superstitious…

…24 God that made the world

and all things therein…

…. seeing he giveth to all life,

and breath,

and all things; …

..27 That they should seek the Lord,

 if haply they might feel after him,

and find him,

though he be not far

from every one of us:

28 For in him we live,

and move,

and have our being; …

..[and] commandeth all men

every where to repent:

31 Because he hath appointed a day,

in the which he will judge the world

in righteousness

by that man whom he hath ordained;

whereof he hath given assurance

 unto all men,

 in that he hath raised him

from the dead.

32 And when they heard

of the resurrection of the dead,

some mocked:

and others said,

We will hear thee again

of this matter.”   Portions of Acts 17:23-32

Paul shared the Gospel of Jesus with the Athenians, and they were eager to hear what he had to say until he got to the “resurrection” of Jesus, then they mocked and put him off.  Why would we expect people to treat us differently when we are sharing the truth of the Gospel?  We ought not! But we are to share continually the truth of Jesus, knowing that some will receive it others will not; and some will ridicule and oppose us.  Jesus Himself said that we should expect it!

“If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.” John 15:19-20

And if you remember correctly, ‘they’ put Him to death!  I would like to share a few passages of scripture with you to encourage you to remember that we are called to suffer with HIM! It’s not an option, for Paul made it clear that those who choose to follow Jesus will pay a price.

“Yea,

and all that will live godly

 in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”   2 Timothy 3:12

“The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

 then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.”   Romans 8:16-18

And in closing a wonderful message of assurance.

“Yea doubtless,

and I count all things but loss

for the excellency

of the knowledge of Christ Jesus

my Lord:

 for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,

and do count them but dung,

that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness,

which is of the law,

but that which is through the faith

of Christ,

the righteousness

which is of God

by faith:

10 That I may know him,

and the power of his resurrection,

and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable

unto his death;”  Philippians 3:10

All because of His provision for us to live the ‘crucified’ 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

Are you suffering with HIM?  Only you can answer that question; and if we’re not willing to live for Him under persecution, why would we think we’d be willing to die for Him?

 

 

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