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Little Children

Do you ever ponder over the things of God? Do you wonder about His ways? What about the little children? What is their fate? What is ours?

children-are-innocent-childrens-world-16382924-670-405

INNOCENCE

See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. – Ecclesiastes 7:29 ESV

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:14 ESV

And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 18:3 ESV

But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” – 2 Samuel 12:23 ESV

Autosomal-recessive-inheritance

INHERITANCE

The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. – Ezekiel 18:20 ESV

For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. – 1 Corinthians 7:14 ESV

And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. – Deuteronomy 1:39 ESV

Knowledge

KNOWLEDGE

For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. – Isaiah 7:16 ESV

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. – James 4:17 ESV

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. – Proverbs 20:11 ESV

The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies. – Psalm 58:3 ESV

I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. – Romans 7:9-11 ESV

Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the Lord’s offering. – Exodus 30:14 ESV

The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. – Psalm 14:2-3 ESV

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. – John 3:6 ESV

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. – Romans 7:14 ESV

quote-David-Herbert-Lawrence-this-is-the-very-worst-wickedness-that-90120

SIN

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. – Genesis 6:5 ESV

Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. – Ephesians 2:12 ESV

salvation

SALVATION

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, – Romans 4:1-25 ESV

And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. – Genesis 8:21 ESV

Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. – 1 Peter 1:18-19 ESV

Zech4_6

POWER

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being – Ephesians 3:16 ESV

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. – 1 Corinthians 4:20 ESV

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, – Colossians 1:11 ESV

That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:5 ESV

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV

repentance

REPENTANCE / RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT

Ezekiel 18:1-32
The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

“If a man is righteous and does what is just and right— if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord God.

“If he fathers a son who is violent, a shedder of blood, who does any of these things (though he himself did none of these things), who even eats upon the mountains, defiles his neighbor’s wife, oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore the pledge, lifts up his eyes to the idols, commits abomination, lends at interest, and takes profit; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself.

“Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise: he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife, does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, withholds his hand from iniquity, takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father’s iniquity; he shall surely live. As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity.

“Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

“But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.

“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”

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Deep Need, Great Mercy, Amazing Love

I have heard all about you, Lord .
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger, remember your mercy.
Habakkuk 3:2 NLT
http://bible.com/116/hab.3.2.NLT

We have heard about Him. In fact so many have heard the name of Jesus in today’s world where there are churches on so many corners. But how many of us are in awe of God when science offers us the answers of men in their attempt to understand and explain the wonders of creation and existence? How many of us recognize our deep need for Him and cry out to Him for help?

The Lord  is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.
The Lord  is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.
Psalms 145:17-19 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.145.17-19.NKJV

God is Holy and righteous. And those who call upon the name of Jesus Christ,  who believe and receive the cleansing and redeeming Blood of the Lamb of God are not only forgiven, but receive His Holy Spirit to guide and teach us His desires, His will, His purpose for our lives. Our old ways of slavery to sin and death are cast away and we are free to live a new life being reconciled to be more like Him. We are to be equipped and prepared for His Holy use. Yes, us who were once wretched and wicked and proud and lost and blind – we who were serving another master – are now offered a place in our living heavenly Father’s family.

I will exalt you, Lord ,
for you rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
O  Lord my God,
I cried to you for help,
and you restored my health.
You brought me up from the grave, O  Lord .
You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
Sing to the Lord , all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Psalms 30:1-5 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.30.1-5.NLT

We have so much to be thankful for. God has given us eternal life, life abundant, life filled with His ways, His Truth, His life. What can we offer in return for such an unmerited, undeserved gift?

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.12.1-2.NLT

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.22.37-40.NLT

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Learning Repentance, Receiving Peace

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.  Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
2 Peter 3:9-11 ESV
http://bible.com/59/2pe.3.9-11.ESV

Teach me Your way, O Lord , And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. I  would  have  lost  heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord ; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord !
Psalms 27:11-14 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.27.11-14.NKJV

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the  death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the  life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:8-14 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rom.6.8-14.NKJV

“The Lord  bless you and keep you; The Lord  make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’
Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/num.6.24-26.NKJV

Your ways confound the wise. Men of flesh fear their own deaths, as their instinct is to avoid it at all costs. But you have taught us that death is the way to life. Help us to do what is difficult – to die to ourselves, to kill our old ways and to become new, walking in your will.  Teach us to be genuinely sorry for our sin,  to hate it more and more,  and to run away from it and into the life and purpose you have for us. Teach us to bring glory and honor to your name in the lives that we live. Strengthen us to see our enemies of temptation, rebellion, worldliness, and self fall dead and defeated at the foot of the cross. Amen.

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Clean hands, Pure heart

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered. 
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 32:1-2 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.32.1-2.ESV

We all have had dirty hands before. Did we just leave them dirty,  or did we wash them until they were clean? Did we just run some water over them but not scrub them clean? Or did we diligently wash them with soap and water,  getting all of the filth and grime off of them,  even from underneath or fingernails,  because we know that the filth and germs are not good for us?

Isn’t it the same with our hearts,  our Spirit,  our soul? Isn’t it clear to us that it needs to be washed by the blood of the Lamb,  by our faith and belief and following in Christ’s footsteps,  turning away from the filth and enticements and ways of this world to walk in a new way,  bearing the fruit of His Holy Spirit?

So we must encourage one another,  to not play around with empty religious practice by just running our flesh under the water but never really intending our lives to be delivered,  surrendered, washed clean – but to instead seek that fully surrendered, born again life that is renewed daily by the redeeming power of the blood, by the strength of Christ who lives in us,  by the renewing of our minds as we seek God’s will for our lives.  

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord ?
And who shall stand in his holy place? 
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully. 
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
Psalm 24:3-6 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.24.3-6.ESV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which  is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of  himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Romans 12:1-3 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rom.12.1-3.NKJV

hballingerLeave a comment

Truth produces Hope, Faith, Love & War

Hope is found in His mercy.

Have mercy on me,
O God, because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But you desire honesty from the womb,
teaching me wisdom even there.
Psalms 51:1-6 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.51.1-6.NLT

In order to find Hope, in order to know His unfailing love and His mercy – we must first open our eyes to see our own sins and rebellion. We must yield our rebellious nature of selfishness and pride and sinfulness – to acknowledge and accept what is sinful in His sight. It is only when we recognize our guilt, and when we recognize that His judgement of us is just – that we have learned the wisdom of what He teaches us so that we are ready for change. Yes, then we are ready for those old ways to die, to be cut out and cast off,  for those chains to be broken, for us to be freed from sin.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me— now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
Psalms 51:7-12 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.51.7-12.NLT

And our faithfulness, even that is, His grace at work. It is not found in our own strength,  but it is found in our own humbling ourselves to seek, find,  follow,  and worship Him as the Lord of our lives.

Once we’ve found enough wisdom to understand the Hope that is available in Christ, our old hunger and thirst for the things of this world is replaced with a new hunger for righteousness. We lay down those carnal things – those treasures and pleasures that the enemy has to offer us in this brief existence to distract us from our only portion and prize. We lay them down,  not as a sacrifice or a tithe or offering to God,  but because we realize they are a temptation, a poisonous snake,  a trap,  an unnecessary burden, and a fruitless path.

And we find that in doing this, the one and only worthy sacrifice – of our surrendered heart, of our surrendered life is being offered to our Lord God Almighty – not as a proud “see what I have done” but as a humble “forgive me for what I have done,  change me,  teach me your ways,  and use me for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven”. Yes, Faith is not our striving under our own power,  but us getting ourselves out of the way for Him to do the work through us.

Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit— with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.
Psalms 51:13-19 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.51.13-19.NLT

You see,  once we have found Hope, and once we know the power of His Spirit that is found in Faith, we are walking in a different way than the rebel that we used to be. But we are still amongst the same world of rebellion that used to be our master – and our eyes are opened to those still asleep in captivity,  those still hungering for the only food they have known,  those eating their fill of sin and death – not knowing there is something better. And we find ourselves a soldier,  with a Sword of Truth coming out of our mouths,  and this, Word of God does not slay flesh and blood, but it does shine light on sin and rebellion and hatred and unforgiveness and anything that falls short of glorifying God. But that light has, a warmth and a glow that they have not yet felt – not the cruel coldness of their old master’s traps and addiction and unwanted consequences – but the warmth of the love of a forgiving Father.

Yes, it is this grace poured out in His blood on that cross,  it is the sacrifice that He made for us, that breaks us,  that tears down the walls, that allows us to bring forth a sacrifice – not of “slain evil men”, because our enemies are not flesh and blood,  but are the unseen evils of this world holding our brothers and sisters captive. No, we bring living sacrifices,  slaves set free from their old masters, lives awakened by the undeniable difference in lives that are powered by His Holy Spirit.

We walk with light that shines into the darkness. We walk with a fire in our bones yearning to share this Good News. We walk as the savory salt of Christian love and charity and sacrifice for our fellow man, even for strangers and enemies,  which is clearly different than the taste of the world’s ways. We walk as the trumpeter,  heralding the return of the Lord,  crying out,  “Repent,  for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” We stand guard as the watchman, sharing truth and accountability for the dangers of sin, of worldliness, of carnality, of anything short of a surrendered heart – because we know many do not hear, many turn back, many trample the Son of God underfoot willfully sinning after coming to knowledge of the truth – and as a result,  few walk the narrow gate and path to our intended destination.

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:26-31 NLT
http://bible.com/116/heb.10.26-31.NLT

If this passage hurts you,  friend. If you feel as though you are bleeding from my sword, understand that I am not slaying you, but I am after your sin. It is my goal to drive this sword deep into the beast that holds you captive. But it is not your blood that is being shed. You are not cut and bleeding.

Get up and run to the, Lord,  and do not look back. I have been sent to free the captives, not to make them comfortable in their cages. Those feeding you sugar are fattening you up for the slaughter. Hear the Word of God. Let it touch your heart and motivate you into action. And do not leave your brothers and sisters captive if you are called and chosen. If you are spiritually mature and no longer battling to break free yourself, but you are trusting fully in the Lord this hour – Stand up against the enemy in Truth. Put on the whole armor of God. Prepare yourself for battle.

hballingerLeave a comment

Because they trust in Him

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord ,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him  with His hand.
Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright;
For the future of that man is peace.
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together;
The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord ;
He  is their strength in the time of trouble.
And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;
He shall deliver them from the wicked,
And save them,
Because they trust in Him.
Psalms 37:23-24, 37-40 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.37.23-40.NKJV

I want to walk blameless and upright, but I find myself at times – distracted and speeding – saying something negative about my job/workplace – having told someone I would see them on a certain day and circumstances end up making me a liar – or not guarding my thoughts quite closely enough when someone comes against me (even when it might not show outwardly).

You see, I’ve given up and surrendered those big, visible sins of my old life, but I am not yet perfected. There is still room in my life for me to learn and grow and walk out a better life. And you might ask why I would care about such “little things” when the Bible tells us that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ” – and some might even cry out “legalism” without having listened to my whole message – but I would answer that the two reasons for my wanting to walk a more perfect walk have nothing to do with me.

My first, and greatest reason for wanting to walk a life more like Christ is because He gave His best on that cross for me when He didn’t have to – and He is my example. So I want to give Him my best – even though I know that it is not my works that could ever build myself a way to heaven, I want my life to be a living sacrifice,  a testimony of what He has done for me. He has done so much,  forgiven so much,  redeemed so much of my life from my old ways, that I’m now hungering for righteousness. I want to be pure of heart. I want to see His face.

The second reason is the others around me. There are so many that call themselves “Christians” but who look no differently in their daily lives than the worldly and the carnal and the rebellious and the wicked – and these are the very people that at one time made me sick of the hypocrisy of religion and who sent me running away from “the church”. I just don’t want my life to stumble someone else. I’m not just satisfied talking the words of Christ, I want to walk in the footsteps of Christ.

And yes,  I know the warning of Matthew 20:22 just as I know the call of Matthew 16:24. But when I have come to the realization of John 6:68 and I know the warnings of Hebrews 10:26-31, what other choice do I have? I find myself a slave to Christ, a traveler in this temporary world, a messenger sent to deliver this Good News to a dying world that is many times white satisfied being spiritually blind,  naked,  and penniless. And as stark and hopeless as that might sound to our human minds – it is turning out to be the most abundant life. His ways are truly different than ours, and they are so much better – and I’m experiencing it all because I trust in Him.

He has me sharing the Good News to the world daily through this blog. He has me teaching and leading my family daily in devotionals and prayer and service unto others. He has me studying to become an ordained minister. He has me preaching in the jail each week and counseling and helping those imprisoned and their families. He has me providing food and Bible Study weekly in my home for all who will join us. He has me helping those wanting to recover from addiction and step into a life of discipleship by preaching and counseling weekly at a Rehab center. And He has me sharing my testimony daily in my actions,  and yes,  sometimes with words.

Someone will say, what a selfish message,  he just talked about himself the whole time – and if so, you’ve missed the whole point. Because I know what my life looked like when I was the one in control. I’m telling you about what He is doing in my life. This is not Harold Ballinger’ life anymore.

And this is not me standing proud saying look what I’m doing. No,  this is me standing back,  humbled and amazed,  and even a bit frightened – saying, look what the, Lord is doing,  even with someone like me.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Revelation 12:11 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rev.12.11.NKJV

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
I Timothy 1:12-17 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1ti.1.12-17.NKJV

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The confidence of the foolish

Listen to this, all of you –
whether the world considers you lowly or honored, whether you are wealthy or in need – these words will share wisdom, and the truth pouring from my heart will give understanding. I have studied true and valuable pieces of wisdom from the Word of God, and I will share with you the dark warning that is uncovered in the light of revelation.

Fools will ask themelves,  “Why should I be afraid when trouble arises, haven’t I made preparations? Even if enemies surround me, like so many snakes and scorpions at my heals, can’t I look down on them from the high place that I have prepared for myself?”

Yes,  fools think much of themselves and of their own preparations. They trust in their wealth and their works (even in their religious preparations),  and boast proudly in their riches and evidence of their works,  while none of these things can redeem their own brother or friend from the coming destruction. They can’t offer a ransom for others (nor do many concern themselves with much more than themselves) – because the redemption of souls is not a cost they are ready to pay,  it is costly beyond what they are willing or able to buy.

And it is true that redemption by cost and sacrifice and purchase has ceased, because of the price paid by the Lord Jesus Christ from the cross to the tomb to the right hand of God Almighty, so that He can continue to live eternally with His children, so that they will not see the pit of destruction that this world so bitterly deserves.

The Lord sees wise men die, and the fools and those with no understanding. They all leave their wealth (those many things they have accumulated) to others. They believe in their things (more than they ever believed in the Lord) that their houses will not fall, that their land and possessions will be passed down through all their coming generations, with it remaining in the names (of men) that they honor so highly (while they give little if any real honor to the name of the Lord).

But the worldly man, the carnal man, even if he is a greatly honored man among men, doesn’t remain. Like the animals, he will die. Yes,  this is the end for the foolish who trust in themselves, and of those who revere their ways of worldliness as being wise.

Like sheep they will die,  and the world having been their master – death, the prince of this world, the end to the things of the world, will consume them (as they rot and are eaten by the worms).

The upright (who fear in the Lord and place their confidence in those things eternal) will have dominion over them in the morning (when the eternal light of His vindication is come into the world), and the essence of their being will be eaten away in Sheol, because they have no communion,  no habitation,  no place, and no memory in the presence of the Lord.

And we say,  “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me.”

They say, “I won’t be afraid if I become rich, when the glory of my name increases in the mouths of men; because when I die, I’ll carry nothing away; I know that any glory won’t descend after me into the grave.”

But while they live, they bless themselvesselves. And other worldly men will rise up and praise them when they do well for themselves. But these men will go to the same end as their fathers before them. They will never see the light of that morning, because a man who honored by men, but does not understand these things, is just like the animals that will be slaughtered and butchered, their end is in the same destination.

Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, Both low and high, Rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall  give understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp. Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me? Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, None of  them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him— For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever— That he should continue to live eternally, And  not see the Pit. For he sees wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, And leave their wealth to others. Their inner thought is  that their houses will  last forever, Their dwelling places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish. This is the way of those who are  foolish, And of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah Like sheep they are laid in the grave; Death shall feed on them; The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see light. A man who  is in honor, yet does not understand, Is like the beasts that perish.
Psalms 49:1-20 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.49.1-20.NKJV

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Our confidence is in His mercy

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.
Psalms 33:18-22 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.33.18-22.NKJV

Our confidence is in your mercy,  Lord, not in our worthiness. We have nothing to boast in but you,  Lord. Our security is found in you,  not our works,  not our wealth,  not even in our religious sacrifices – only in you.

Hear this, all peoples;
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
Why should I fear in the days of evil,
When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
Those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the multitude of their riches,
None of  them can by any means redeem his brother,
Nor give to God a ransom for him—
For he sees wise men die;
Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish,
And leave their wealth to others.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave,
For He shall receive me. Selah
Psalms 49:1, 5-7, 10, 15 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.49.1-15.NKJV

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Will we choose peace?

We can have the peace that God wants us to find in His guidance and example, or we can participate in the evil rebellion that hurts us and others around us. He offers us delivery from the traps of our old ways, and the strength to overcome and be set free, it is our choice that remains and that will determine the fruit of our lives.

The old way of the flesh:

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,  thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Mark 7:21-23 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mrk.7.21-23.NKJV

The promise of peace:

Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.
Psalms 119:165 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.119.165.NKJV

The strength offered:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/php.4.13.NKJV

The fruit to be born in our lives:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gal.5.22-25.NKJV

Lord, we imagine how much brighter this world would be if filled with lives bearing your fruit abundantly. And even as we hope for a move of your Holy Spirit across our city, our state, our nation, our continent, our earth – even as we pray for and lay claim to your territory – we realize that we are the vessels carrying your Good News, your nourishing fruit, out to serve the world around us. Let our lives shine brightly reflecting your glory, Lord. Let us continue loving each small opportunity to show your love to others, not to just talk about you, but to live like you, too follow in your footsteps, sharing our life as a testimony, walking with you, and not loving our own lives even unto death. Rescue us, Lord, from that old man, that flesh, that enemy of your ways that wants to cling to us like burdensome chains of sin, death, guilt, shame, bitterness, unforgiveness, or unbelief. Free the captives, Lord, starting with us – equipping us, and guiding us, and using us for your glory and honor, forever and ever, Amen.

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Yestrrday’s destination landed you here. Where are you headed tomorrow?

Don’t we usually think of an inheritance as a future destination? Are we overlooking today’s inheritance because our eyes are on tomorrow’s destination? Are we missing an inheritance today because we had no clear direction or destination yesterday?

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Psalm 16:5-6 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.16.5-6.ESV

Yes, we each have an inheritance.

Let’s hold that thought for a moment, though. Because I want to talk about the journey for a minute, let’s talk about treasure –

What is the picture of a follower of God, if it isn’t someone who chooses God’s will and purpose for their lives over their own? And someone will say, “That sounds costly. That sounds like work. Isn’t grace supposed to be a free gift? Not of man’s doing or striving so that no one might boast?”

It goes back to treasure. What is our treasure?

You see, it isn’t costly when our eyes are opened to see the worthless and temporary nature of the things of this world. It isn’t costly when we realize the trappings and snares that the enemy sets with the worldly and carnal and sensual enticements that he can offer as bait. It isn’t costly when our eyes are opened in belief,  in faith,  that there are blessings eternal like love,  joy,  peace,  patience,  kindness,  goodness,  faithfulness and self-control that are far more valuable than what that other master has to offer.

And we can grasp the concept in our minds that eternal treasures are better than temporary treasures,  but until we believe it in our hearts,  it just doesn’t have much impact on our lives, because knowing and doing are two very different things.

Because “knowing” is not always “believing”,  is it?

I’m going to share something that I think is crucial to understanding the life and perspective of a born again Christian and what it has to do with treasure. 

Before I was His and walking in my calling and purpose,  I saw those boundary lines of His divine instruction as restrictive,  as confining – I wasn’t satisfied or content in my inheritance – I wanted more. I was seeking more treasure.

And that left me ungrateful for the blessings that I already had and envious of what was not yet mine. It also caused me to struggle against His instructions, as my desires pushed me to step over those boundary lines that had been set to protect me,  and only my mind came into play as the guardian when I thought that I may have taken things too far and put myself at to great a risk of getting caught or facing punishment. It was all about me, me, me and more, more, more. Yes, this is a carnal nature full of the wrong desires,  living by the flesh as an enemy of God.

My treasure had me trapped.

But God granted me the grace of a changed heart,  of a born again life serving Him – and the battle lines didn’t shift, but my heart changed sides. Now, my desires are changed to want to do God’s will. And my heart is so joyful and content resting safely inside those boundary lines of my inheritance, of an abundant life filled with the very fruit of His nature,  those eternal blessings that are nourishing to our soul and to those around us. But there is still a battle, and the lines are still there – I’ve just changed my mind about where I want to be.

Before, I was packing my bags for the final destination that I was headed to. I was filling up my life with all kinds of sin,  because my eyes were set on getting out of the cage,  breaking free of this oppressive set of laws and rules,  having an opportunity to “enjoy life” – but I was really trying to enjoy death. I was really drinking down the poison of those things whose taste wears off and leaves us hungry and thirsty for more,  more,  more. You see,  I was packing my bags and preparing myself for a place of hunger, of thirst,  of pain,  of emptiness,  of longing,  and of suffering.  I was preparing myself for a final destination of hell and eternal torment where I would be far from the only true and good nourishment that only comes from God.

I was gathering the wrong kind of treasure – things that weren’t treasure at all.

But that was the old man. I am now new. I am now His,  and I am grateful for these boundary lines that have fallen into pleasant places for my life. And if I cross over those lines at all,  it is not to indulge and conform to the ways of this world,  but it is to share light in the darkness. But it is my heart and my desire now to stay within these boundaries and it isn’t burdensome,  but it’s a wonderful assurance and comfort to rest in the safety of the green pastures of my inheritance. You see,  my inheritance doesn’t wait until after I’m dead,  I get to experience and enjoy His presence in my life even today. And I’m packing my bags with a life of upright and righteous living,  of service and love towards my brother,  of hating evil and sin – even the garment that is stained with it.

save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Jude 1:23 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jud.1.23.ESV

And here’s the kicker. As wonderful and amazing as it is to rest within the boundary lines after having lived a life caught in the traps and snares – the wounds begin to heal. The annointing of His very Spirit and nature being poured out over and into our lives repairs those areas of our lives that used to be open wounds for the enemy to attack and exploit and trick us into stumbling,  falling,  turning back in retreat. But once healed, equipped and prepared forbattle, there is no room for retreat any longer,  friends – there is nothing ahead but victory.

And this is not victory over the boundary lines. This is not escape from our rightful resting place following His commandments and living a righteous,  upright life. This is not escape so that we can occupy new lands outside those safe boundary lines, No! This is not freedom TO sin.  That would not be victory but defeat!

We cross the battle lines not so that we can return to the ways of the enemy – we cross the lines to find and offer rescue to our brothers and sisters who are still in captivity.

The Lord is our chosen portion and prize – the only treasure worth having.

Know what it is that you desire,  friend. Because whatever you desire is your treasure, and it will be your inheritance.

Don’t misunderstand His promise to give you the desires of your heart to be a promise of prosperity alone, when it should be a fearful warning about what reveals our final destination.

What is your treasure?

Are you willing to gain the world and forfeit your soul?

What is the desire of your heart today?

If you get what you desire,  what are you giving up for it?

If you are desiring Christ,  and understanding that everything this temporary world has to offer is worthless – peace be with you,  friend.

But if you are not, my hope is that you might come to know the truth before it is too late. I would rather you be burned by any fire of conviction in my words, so that you might turn back today and revive His gift of grace, rather than be left in the flames for eternity.

Someone will, say,  “Whoa, that escalated quickly. We were talking about treasure,  now you’re judging me as hell bound!” No, I am sharing truth written on paper, only your heart can testify to your destination and what it is you treasure.

But even if you are feeling the conviction,  the question,  the doubt of your heart’s true desires,  I have Good News!

Jesus Christ died on the cross for you,  friend. But even more importantly,  He was raised from the dead on the third day as an example and demonstration of what He offers you. This gift of grace is not something you buy with a tithe. It is not getting your name written down on a church membership list. It is not something that you earn through your good works. It is a gift that you seek, ask, and knock at the narrow gate of Jesus Christ. That gate is found when we stop trying to escape His guidance and will and purpose for our lives, and we turn to Him – the word for this is repentance. It simply means turning to look to Him as the way,  the truth, and the life that you want to follow. And through this repentance, He offers us an internal baptism, a washing away of our sins, and a change of our hearts to desire those eternal treasures.

And as we continue to seek Him in prayer, in studying His Word, and in serving faithfully, we gain sight and understanding and we are equipped to no longer be blind to those traps of the enemy. It is a growing process,  it is a race to the finish – so start packing your bags friend! We have a destination in store!

Yes,  we have an inheritance!