Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.13  We All Get Weary!!!

 

Dear friends, we all experience times when we become weary and tired of the things going on around us. Sometimes it is physical, at other times it’s emotion stress that brings us to a state of weariness, and then there are sometimes just times when it all seems to pile up on our plate and we don’t think we can take one more step. But God knows that our human struggles can cause us to wobble—but like the old advertisement, “Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down”—yet we can stand fast in the promises, the power and the provision of our God.

What we must do is keep our eyes on Jesus, knowing that He is at work in our lives in all things, conforming us into His image. And that my friends, is sometimes painful and wearisome, but we can press on knowing that our confidence and sufficiency is in our GOD, NOT our SELF!!!

“Hast thou not known?

hast thou not heard,

that the everlasting God,

the Lord,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

fainteth not,

neither is weary?

there is no searching

of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint;

and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint

and be weary,

and the young men shall utterly fall:

31 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 40:28-31

God is reminding us, in this favorite passage of mine, that we will fall on our own—BUT in His power we can persevere!!! We can make it because IN Jesus we are overcomers! And we aren’t doing it on our own because:

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

We have that power which Isaiah and John both referred to—God’s power, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, which the blood of Jesus provides to those who come to Him in repentance and faith. And when we belong to Jesus, He empowers us to press on, not on our own, but BY His Spirit. Because of what Jesus did at Calvary, and what He is doing within our hearts right now, we can press on despite the weariness that plagues our flesh. With Jesus we can overcome, and abiding in Him is the key!

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.” John 15: 4-5

This is also why Paul reminded us about putting on the armor of God, and that putting on God’s armor is an act of dependence on our HIM, not on our flesh.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11

We can be confident that even in our weariness, we can overcome. We can stand, even as Paul goes on in verse 13 to remind us (and we are there, folks, we are there), “that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”

So what must we do? We must keep our eyes on Jesus, we must suit up in our armor every day, and we must walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. Let’s look at some scriptures that I pray will encourage us in those things.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……..25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16 & 25

And if I may paraphrase a bit, if we are “alive” by the Spirit of Christ in Salvation, we are to “walk in the Spirit”! It is the Holy Spirit of Christ who enables us to live victorious, overcoming lives, which can bring glory to God, and increase HIS kingdom. And it is all because of the relationship that we have through the blood of the Lamb, the relationship that Jesus reinstates between God and man, for those who will believe in His atoning sacrifice for sin on Calvary!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.”    Romans 5:1-5

God’s love and God’s Spirit are given to us so that we can be a reflection of HIS glory to a lost and dying world. We must not let the weariness of life; the struggles or spiritual battles deter our efforts.

“And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”    Galatians 6:9-10

“But ye, brethren,

be not weary

in well doing.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13

So whether our difficulties are due to the trials of life, the testing of the Lord, or the discipline that God exercises on His children, we are to press on. If we examine ourselves and find sin, we are to repent and press on. If we determine that it’s not sin, then we are to submit to the sovereign work of our God and seek His face and His will in all our ways, pressing on for the reward of a life well lived!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling

of God

in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already

attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.”Philippians 3:13-16

And God reminds us that we are never alone; He is with us, and those who have gone on before us, have left an heritage of faithfulness by their examples in Hebrews 11 (for a start!) and Hebrews 12 goes on to remind us what that should evoke in us.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured

such contradiction of sinners against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,

striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son,

despise not thou the chastening

of the Lord,

nor faint when thou art rebuked

of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father

chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh

which corrected us,

and we gave them reverence:

shall we not much rather be in subjection

unto the Father of spirits,

and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us

after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit,

that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present

seemeth to be joyous,

but grievous:

nevertheless

afterward

it yieldeth the peaceable fruit

of righteousness

unto them

which are exercised thereby.”    Hebrews 12:1-11

That leaves the question, “Are you a son/daughter of God?” If you are, then there will be trials, disciplines and difficulties in this life but we can trust our God to encourage us when we are “dis”couraged, to lift us up when we are down; to even walk with us through the “valley of the shadow of death”!!! Our God is there for us always—He promised He would be and He IS!!!

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

The Prophet Jeremiah knew this faithfulness of God, even as his beloved Jerusalem lay in ruins; and God knows your ruins too!!! You can fix your eyes on Jesus and His faithfulness? So will you join Jeremiah and rejoice in the mercies of God?

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” Lam. 3:22-24

We must not faint in the heat of the workday, we must press on with Jesus because He will provide!

       “And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.”

       “But ye, brethren,

be not weary

in well doing.”

So, let’s “press toward the mark” and keep our “eyes on the prize”!! And my friends, JESUS is the prize. We have eternal life with God Almighty the Father, Jesus The Son, and The Holy Spirit forever and forever. The reaping is ahead—so let’s not faint in weariness—we WIN!!!

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4

How can we make it? By the blood of the Lamb and the power of HIS Spirit within those who are saved!!!

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

Bible Ballistics: BBs #295      The Rain Of The Word!!!

 

As we talked last time about the refreshing of rain to our world and our souls, I’d like to take that on a step farther and look at the refreshing that our souls need and where we find it. Often we find ourselves in a spiritual desert and wonder how we will survive; yet God has promised that we will never be there alone regardless of our circumstances.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”    Hebrews 12:5-6

And because my confidence is in Jesus, and The Father God Almighty, I can press on and so can you! Because when we come to Jesus in repentance and faith, He makes us “new” creatures “in Christ Jesus” (See 2 Corinthians 5:17), and are “washed” in the “water of the word”! We become part of the “bride” of Christ Jesus and His body.

“Husbands, love your wives,

even as Christ also loved the church,

and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify

and cleanse it with the washing

of water

by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself

a glorious church,

not having spot,

or wrinkle,

or any such thing;

but that it should be holy and without blemish.”     Ephesians 5:25-27

Jesus bought our salvation with His own blood, and He washes us and cleanses us through His Word, and His words, and His purpose is that we will be sanctified (set apart for His purposes and service) and cleansed (from the filth of the world)—and how are we cleansed and sanctified? By the “water” of “the word”, to the end that we will be pleasing to our “groom” when He comes for us.

No one has ever been to a wedding and watched a lovely “bride” walk down the aisle in a “dirty”, “stained” or “grimy” dress! No, we see a lovely bride walking down the aisle looking for the pleasure and approval of her “groom”—yet we often give no thought of what our lives will look like when our “groom” calls us to Himself, whether it be by death or His calling of His church out of this world. What will your groom see? A lovely, spotless and delightful bride—or will we come with our lives stained and corrupted by the filth of the world all over us. We need to keep ourselves clean for our Lord’s coming, that we might be found ready when He comes. And we can only do that when we willing to walk in God’s ways, to know His Word, and to continually seek His cleansing through the Word of God. It is Jesus-The Word- who saves us and it is Jesus-through the cleansing power of His Word-who keeps us.

“But after that the kindness and love of God

our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us

abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Savior;”    Titus 3:4-6

We have received all that we need to walk in God’s ways, through the regeneration that the blood of Jesus works within His own; for He not only saves us but also equips us to accomplish all that He calls us to do, through Jesus!

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us

all things that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world through lust.”    2 Peter 1:2-4

And one of the greatest gifts that God has given to us is the Holy Spirit who will give us understanding of the Word of God that we might be “conformed” to the image of The Son Jesus Christ. And I believe another great gift that we have been given, is the Word Of God. But if we don’t avail ourselves of the Word, we will be powerless in our efforts for the Lord. Just playing church will never increase the kingdom of God in a meaningful way. Only the changed, empowered and Spirit-filled lives of people who live what they “talk” and demonstrate to the world the transforming power of the cross and the blood of Jesus. Two things that many find repulsive today—but they are the only hope for our world. So we must get into the word to know what God desires of us, to know what pleases HIM and accomplishes HIS will rather than that which pleases and soothes the feelings of “men”! We must get into The WORD!!!

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”     Hebrews 4:12-13

We must know the Word of God and then yield ourselves to the transforming power that is in it.

“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

God is not calling all of us to die for Him, but He is calling all of us who are His children, to die to ourselves and live for HIM! He is calling us to live by the power of the Holy Spirit with transformed lives; lives that are not conformed to the world but are being continually transformed by the power of the cross, the Word and the Holy Spirit, into the image of “Jesus”! And when we are willing to do that –then the world will see and know that there is a God who saves and transforms lives by the power of the Jesus’ blood.

So won’t you join me today and seek to know Him more by saturating our lives with HIS Word rather than the ways and influences of the world. May we recognize and appropriate the valuable Word of God for ourselves that like Paul we can proclaim:

“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

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #294      As Refreshing As Rain!!!

 

“Who hath divided a watercourse

for the overflowing of waters,

or a way for the lightning of thunder;

26 To cause it to rain on the earth,

where no man is;

on the wilderness,

wherein there is no man;

27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground;

and to cause the bud

of the tender herb

to spring forth?” Job 38:25-27

And the answer is, GOD!!! Not the government nor the weatherman—but God sends the rain to refresh the wilderness or the inhabited places, regardless of whether any “man” is there or not!!! God sends the refreshing that we need, whether it be the rain to refresh the parched ground, or the dryness of our parched hearts and souls—God knows that we need refreshing, and He desires that we bring forth fruit to HIS glory! And we can with His provision, for there is none other that can do what our God does! We will never find peace and refreshing anywhere else—because it isn’t there!

“Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.” Jeremiah 14:22

God is providing all the time so that His children might flourish—but we must be paying attention and ready to “wait upon thee”. Yet often we get so caught up in the distractions of the world and life that we miss the provisions of God right in front of our faces. Sometimes we get in such a hurry, that we don’t’ “wait upon thee”, and God’s ways aren’t always immediately visible—but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there!!! We must seek God and His will and way, and then His spiritual rain can refresh us to serve!

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways,

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow

from heaven,

and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed to the sower,

and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be

that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish

that which I please,

and it shall prosper

in the thing whereto I sent it.”   Isaiah 55:9-11

Oh, that we would bask in the rain of God’s words so that we could be useful vessels to “accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it….”! We can trust God to do His work in us if we’ll but set our hearts and minds on knowing and hearing HIM!!!

“…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32b

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

 

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.12 When All Else Fails-God Won’t!!!

 

We all have times when the “roof falls in”, or the “bottom drops out”, or the “water is filling the boat”! What do we do when those things “blind side” us and catch us off guard? We must know that our foundation is secure; we must have confidence in our moorings, and know that our vessel is secure. Even when our vessel is afloat and trouble comes, we must fix our eyes on the Captain/Master at the helm. And when Jesus is your Master, you can have confidence and assurance that the moorings will hold, and that the true Master is at the helm. The danger for many of us is that we have forgotten that ‘a boat in the water is by design, but water in the boat is disaster’. We are so often allowing ourselves to be deceived into compromise with the world, and our boats are full of water—a deadly situation. We MUST fix our eyes on Jesus and keep our hearts and minds set on HIM!!!

As the author of Hebrews reminds us, faith in God is our substance and hope. And as he paints a picture of those who have walked in faith and obedience before us, he calls us to steadfastness in our own faith.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report……

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah,

being warned of God

of things not seen as yet,

moved with fear,

prepared an ark

to the saving of his house;

by the which he condemned the world,

and became heir of the righteousness

which is by faith…….

13 These all died in faith,

not having received the promises,

but having seen them afar off,

and were persuaded of them,

and embraced them,

and confessed that they were strangers

and pilgrims on the earth……

32 And what shall I more say?

for the time would fail me to tell of

Gedeon,

and of Barak,

and of Samson,

and of Jephthae;

of David also,

and Samuel,

and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms,

wrought righteousness,

obtained promises,

stopped the mouths of lions…….

36 And others

had trial of cruel mockings

and scourgings,

yea, moreover of bonds

and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned,

they were sawn asunder,

were tempted,

were slain with the sword:

they wandered about in sheepskins

and goatskins;

being destitute,

afflicted,

tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:)

they wandered in deserts,

and in mountains,

and in dens

and caves of the earth.

39 And these all,

having obtained a good report

through faith,

received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us,

that they

without us

should not be made perfect…..”

Portions of Hebrews 11

But the writer didn’t stop there, he goes on in chapter 12 to remind us that we can take heart and confidence from the testimony and lives of faithful servants of God, those whose trust and obedience in the face of extreme circumstances display the faithfulness of God. Many today are often so caught up in the success and prosperity of many listed in the first portions of the chapter, that they forget those mentioned and praised in verses 37 and following; those who suffered and experienced sore trials and difficulties in the midst of their faith in God. Nowhere in scripture are we promised a life of “ease”—but we are called to live the “crucified” life and that means dying to self and living with total faith in what God is doing in, through and around us, regardless of the circumstances that we may encounter. As Hebrews 12 continues:

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set

before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,

striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you

as unto children,

My son,

despise not thou the chastening

of the Lord,

nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”   Hebrews 12:1-8

Keeping our eyes on Jesus, we are to go forward knowing that Jesus endured the “cross” for our life and deliverance, and we have been saved to serve, not saved to be served—yet we have developed and encouraged a culture and generation of people who demand service and have no desire to serve Jesus. This is contrary to the nature of belonging to Jesus. What are we teaching in our Christian circles? Often anything and everything except the “Word of God”! Let’s get in the book and find out what God has to say about the expectations that God has for His own children. These verses remind us that God is using all events in our lives to grow us into “Adult” believers. While not all of our difficulties and trials are due to personal sin, we do need to examine ourselves and ask God to reveal HIS truth to us, that we might “order our steps” in HIS Word! But when the trials are just those circumstances that God has allowed into our lives to shape us into mature children, we must trust Him, look up and press on.

And in those experiences we can learn to “order our steps” in the Word, to know that God will meet us where we are and lead us into HIS place of provision. Something which only God’s children can know with confidence; not only the strength of the Lord, but the “joy” of the Lord as well as His power, peace, strength and understanding as we continue on.

“…..for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

How amazing and reassuring it is to walk in the confident knowledge that our God “reigns”!!! He is always working on our behalf and in Him we are secure—regardless of how it looks, in our own eyes or to others. Our God never fails!!!

“Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. 34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Psalm 89:33-34

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (See John 1:12-13)

“With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 32:8

“And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

Is HE in YOU? Are you depending on the “arm of flesh” or the arm of the Lord God Almighty? If He is your God, your Lord and Savior through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for your own personal sin, then you can have that same confidence; you can know that the “battle is not yours, but God’s”! We can join the Psalmist in the confidence and assurance that our help won’t come from some unknown ‘person, place or thing’, but it will come from the arm of The LORD God Almighty!!! And you can rest in His provision in all times and things that you may face, knowing the “battle is not yours, but God’s”!!!

So let’s join the Psalmist, and trust to the provision of our God, and Praise Him knowing that our “help cometh from the Lord”!!!

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel

shall neither slumber

nor sleep.

5 The Lord is thy keeper:

the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee

from all evil:

he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out

and thy coming in

from this time forth,

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

So my question for you today is, ‘Where is your confidence placed?” Is it in the Lord? Is it in worldly things that will fail? Look up, trust God and press on in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Cross that bought our salvation!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #293 A Testament To Faithfulness & Love!

 

Today I want to share a story of faithfulness and love that is a story of the ages. A story of deep and abiding love of God as well as love of a husband and a wife. Some of you who know me personally have followed the story of Jayd and Jacee, and I would like to honor them both today upon the passing of Jayd into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was not the end any of us were praying for but it was the end that God allowed to come. We don’t understand why, but we do know that the God we serve does right—our God is good—all the time. Because all the time—God is good, and we believe that and trust HIM!

I want to share just a part of their story, because I could never do it the justice that it deserves, although I pray that God would bring the ones closest to it to share it all, at some point in time. My purpose today is to simply express the joy and pride (not the ugly pride but the total delight in the extreme goodness of something) that I have for this precious couple, and to share the testament to love that they lived out. While I have known Jayd since he was born, I only came to know Jacee when she became of part of Jayd’s life, but she has stolen my heart, love and deep admiration. These two young people encouraged my faith and hope in what God is still doing among us, even in days of distress and horrific evil, which abounds all around us.

Jayd and Jacee both loved God through His Son Jesus, and lived lives that brought honor and glory to Him and were individual testaments to the world around them. But when God brought them together, little did they or any of us know what God would do through this precious couple. The impact that they have had on those around them and the world is without measure, until we join the Lord and see it through HIS eyes, and the actual scope of their influence and ministry through this journey.

Jayd and Jacee had been married barely six months when the dreaded “cancer” word entered their lives with the earth-shattering effect of a 10-point earthquake! I remember those days and the horror, grief and concern that so many of us felt. Yet this little couple and the family that stood by them were firm in their confidence that “God has this”! As it would turn out, the insurance that they thought they had, had been cancelled without notification. OH NO!!! Yet God in His sovereign plan opened a door for Jayd’s treatment back in Tennessee where he grew up, instead of his beloved Texas (his grandmother’s beloved home—yes a “Longhorn”!).

God provided treatments, doctors and so much more—so “GOD at work”! Jayd as a cowboy, had been working as a horse-wrangler in Texas and with his diagnosis he was now unemployed, and with the continual trauma of treatment, and the need for constant care, employment for Jacee was impossible, and she has been by his side almost without separation for the last thirty-plus months.

Well, what does a couple do when they are literally destitute? They depend upon God, and these two did that completely—and God was faithful to provide in various ways. God provided resources, places to stay at various stages and places for treatment. God provided for this precious couple all along the way through His means and ways–in amazing ways!!! This precious couple and the family that has stood by them have blessed my soul and I would like to share what I think God might say about them, and what He is calling us to in our life choices each day. We can all shine!

Jayd and Jacee—this is for you.

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,” Philippians 1:3

Jayd was a godly man who touched his world, and these are just a few of the things that scripture spoke to me about this man of character and integrity! May we take them to heart!

“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” Proverbs 17:27

“A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” Psalm 37:16

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

“…..but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32b

And the exploits that Jayd and Jacee have experienced speak volumes to the goodness of our God. And part of Jayd’s character is that he waited for the woman that God had for him, and boy, did God provide!!!

Jacee you make my heart sing with delight and you have lived this picture of a godly woman before the world, standing faithfully beside the man that you devoted yourself to. I know that GOD has great and amazing things ahead for you. Due to space I have chosen some portions of Proverbs 31 that just jumped off the page with your name on it. And in answer to the question “Who can find a virtuous woman?” there are two obvious answers—God found you for Jayd, and Jayd found you because He was following the same God that you each loved and served!!!

“Who can find a virtuous woman?

for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust

in her,

so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil

all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax,

and worketh willingly with her hands…….. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength,

and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth

that her merchandise is good:

her candle goeth not out by night………..

23 Her husband is known in the gates,

when he sitteth among the elders

of the land……..

25 Strength and honour are her clothing;

and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;

and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways

of her household,

and eateth not the bread of idleness. ……..

her husband also,

and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously,

but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful,

and beauty is vain:

but a woman that feareth the Lord,

she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;

and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Portions of Proverbs 31:10-31

And Jacee, you and Jayd will be praised in the Lord’s gates and HE will exalt you. I’m praising God for your faithful love and I’m excited to see what God has ahead!!! I LOVE YOU, and “thank my God upon every remembrance of you”!