Going over some older BBs and thought we all might need a reminder.

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”   Change???

We all encounter change that is out of our control.  We still must make decisions and respond.  How are we to deal with change, especially sudden, unexpected change?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” 

We can be ready for change by living in a “trust” relationship with God.  How do we come to “trust” in God?

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” 

We must know and revere God (the meaning of fear).

When we come to know Him in faith we will find Him trustworthy.

John 17:9-11 “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one, as we are.”

Not just knowing HIM but being one with HIM..  When we are born again we ..’become the sons of God’ (see John 1:12).

Children who come to know that no matter the circumstances they can trust their Father!!

Do you know HIM?

If so trust HIM with your every step…..even the ‘mis’-steps.

He is always faithful.

If not call on Him for salvation in Jesus. Repent of your sin, and trust His death as payment for your sin.  (see Romans 10:8-11)

So?  Here’s our shot for the day—????  Trust Him regardless- “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” 2 Cor. 5:7

So?  ??????  Press on in faith, He is trustworthy.  And keep looking up!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #346 ‘Glory To God In The Highest’???

 

Yes, I know that’s a verse from the story of the coming of Jesus, but today I just want to “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”! Thank you Lord God Almighty for the wondrous rain that you have showered upon our parched ground. Why glory? Because He is worthy of our praise:

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13b

Glory to the God of all creation for—

He created it–

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life

was the light of men.” John 1:1-4

God The Father, God The Son, and the Holy Spirit were one at creation, and they are one today. Just as John reminds us, “All things were made by him”, Jesus, and not only did He create “All things”, but Jesus is the sustainer of all things with God and to the glory of God!

He sustains it–

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:” Hebrews 1:1-3

Our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not only created this world, but sustain it now and until the end (and yes there is an end of ‘this’ world coming—See 2 Peter 3:9-14); and it is God who is in total control. It is NOT the government or the weatherman! They can’t create rain (although some try!) or cause the sun to shine—only God can do that, and I just want to praise HIM for sending us the rain that we so desperately needed.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:10-14

Even as the angels declared on that glorious night so long ago, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”; it was God who was due the glory—not only the highest glory of all, but because He is the Most High God! He is worthy of glory, and sending His Son to bring salvation to all who will believe, is the greatest glory of all. And what about peace and good will? Well, my friends, JESUS is the good will of God toward a lost and dying race—mankind, us—because His death, burial and resurrection for our sin gives us peace with the God from whom we are estranged. And that is the only peace that really matters in this crazy world of chaos and confusion. The “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” can rule in our hearts (See Philippians 4:7). So glory is due to God—and it is to be the highest praise and glory that we are capable of offering to our God. Not just on Sunday (or whatever day of the week that you assemble for worship), but we are to praise and glorify God every day of our lives as children of God through the blood of Jesus our Lord!!!

“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….

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love

toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.”     Romans 5:1-2, 6-8

So, today I say “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”! Glory to our God for the rain that has nourished our ground, and for the rain/reign that Jesus is to my soul! How about you? Won’t you join me today in praising God for the “rain” of life—both the ‘water’ and “The Word’! Amen and Amen!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.13    Sheep Or Wolves???

 

We live in a day when the Gospel has been watered down, compromised and changed by many to accommodate the world, or to appeal to the masses whether they want to receive Christ on His terms or not. Scripture is very clear that there is only ONE Way to God, and that is through the death, burial and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ. His sacrifice bought our salvation. And every man, woman, boy and girl will give an account of what they have done with Jesus. Jesus is the ONLY Way—it’s why HE came.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name Jesus:

for he shall save his people from their sins.”    Matthew 1:21 & 23

Jesus came to save us from our sin—because SIN is the issue, and Jesus came to “save his people from their sins”! No matter what the world says, or even what many so-called churches say today, sin is the issue—and Jesus is the only answer, and His death, burial and resurrection are what bought eternal life for all who will believe in HIM. And because of His sacrifice, “God with us”, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is The “name which is above every name”, because His sacrifice was for you and me! But the question is, “What have you done with His sacrifice?”

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

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

The question is not ‘will you bow?’ but ‘when will you bow’. The Risen Lord will return, and when He does, “every knee” will bow–I will bow, you will bow, every person will bow and confess “Jesus Christ is Lord”. The question every person must consider is, “Will you bow before Him as your personal Lord, Savior and Redeemer” or “Will you bow before Him ‘then’ as your judge?” But if you refuse to bow before Him as your Lord and Savior, you will bow before Him as your judge, with no recourse of salvation. The time of grace will have passed, and contrary to popular opinion, Jesus is the only way, He is the only remedy for sin, the only way to be made sons and daughters of God.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:11-13

It’s the same new birth that Jesus told Nicodemus about in John 3. We “must be born again”; our name written in “The Lamb’s Book of Life”, and unless we belong to Jesus we will have to answer for our own sin in eternal death.

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:22-23

“…….Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…….. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ……7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Portions of John 3:3-7

“Ye must be born again.” Simply put by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself—“Ye must be born again”! There is no other way to have eternal life or “peace with God”!

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:1-10

We are sinners without Jesus, headed for hell, but we can be saved sinners, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb who died for us, for all who will believe and receive Him. And my friends, I truly believe that we don’t have a lot of time, and my heart breaks for so many. I pray that those who may see this post, won’t wake up one day, and find that you have come to Him one day too late. Today is the day that we must act—it is all we have. Yesterday is gone and won’t return and tomorrow has not come, and some of us may never see tomorrow. Today is all we have, what will you do with Jesus today.

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Hebrews 3:7-12

The call is to trust Jesus today, to come to the cross in repentance and faith. Come to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when you hear His voice (Through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit) speaking to your heart. There may not be another opportunity. The Gospel is clear—believe and receive the salvation that the blood of Jesus bought. And be sure that you aren’t relying on a ‘vain faith’.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”     1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Be sure that your faith is placed in the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, not people, or churches or even yourself, but be certain that you have truly been “born again” by the Spirit of God, evidenced by the presence and power of His Holy Spirit in your life. God is always at work in His own children, yet without Jesus there is only death facing those who refuse to trust in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for our sin.

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins……39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” John 8:24, 39-45

Do you believe Jesus? Have you examined yourself to be sure that you are a genuine, legitimate child of God, and not one who claims to believe yet there is no evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ. A day is coming when all will give an account, and the Great and Mighty God, and Jesus Christ The Son will reveal the truth to and about each person, and what each one has truly done with Jesus. We must examine our own hearts to see what we have really done with Jesus. Have we simply used Him for our own purposes, or claimed His name as a “get out of jail free” card? What kind of ‘faith’ do you have?

“For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:4-5

“…the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”    1 Corinthians 15:1-2

Jesus shares in Matthew 7, the question of whether men are real sheep or wolves in “sheep’s clothing”? Are we trees that bring forth ‘good fruit’ or ‘evil fruit’? And the tree will always produce after its kind—an evil tree may try to imitate a good tree but the fruit will reveal the truth of its heritage—either born of God or of the World. (See Eph. 2:1-10)

“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:16-23

Who/what is in your heart? Do you belong to Jesus? If His Spirit is dwelling in you, His presence will be evident to one degree or another, for God will show Himself in the life of His children, for when His own go astray He disciplines them.

“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 12:5-8

Those who belong to God may step out of the light, but God will never leave them there indefinitely, He will discipline His own children. Hebrews tells us clearly, if we live worldly without any compunction or correction from God, then we are NOT His children. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and examine our life continually by the Word of God.

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”  Romans 8:9-11

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”    1 Corinthians 11:31-32

We can judge ourselves rightly and trust the Savior or we will stand before Judge Jesus with no opportunity for salvation. Please be sure you’ve made the right choice before it’s too late. I simply ask you to listen to the voice of God speaking to your heart, and be certain that you are ready to meet The Lord. I pray that God will use these words to draw His own near to His heart, and help us to be diligent to faithfully share the truth with those God places in our path. And if you who don’t know Him, I pray that you will hear His voice and come to the One who loved you so much He laid down His life for you. Jesus still saves and changes lives today. Look up and have a great week.

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #345  It Is Of His Mercy!!!

 

We talked last time about the strength of the Lord, and the sufficiency that we find in Him, and I’d like to continue in that vein today, with a twist. The ‘Weeping Prophet’, Jeremiah, wrote a much over-looked little book. Here find him after more than forty years of preaching the message of God with very little response, other than persecution, humiliation, torture and even attempts on his life; yet this precious man of God with a broken heart for his people and his wonderful Jerusalem, has watched the fall of his nation and her people! He writes in the book of Lamentations about his grief over the failure of his people to turn to The Almighty God of Israel in repentance and faith, with a broken heart! Yet even in his brokenness, his hope holds secure, because his God IS his Hope—and he knew that God never fails, and we can know that too, and count on it.

Even when God has to discipline His people, His ultimate goal is for our restoration and salvation. So, I’d like to share Jeremiah’s words with you this morning, praying that they will encourage and lift you up on this Friday morning regardless of where you are, or what brokenness you may be experiencing in your life. Jeremiah’s words help us keep our direction straight, and our vision keen, as we “keep our eyes” on Jesus, on the prize, on our God and King.

“And I said,

My strength and my hope

is perished from the Lord:

19 Remembering mine affliction

and my misery,

the wormwood and the gall.

20 My soul hath them still in remembrance,

and is humbled in me.

21 This I recall to my mind,

therefore have I hope.

22 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.

25 The Lord is good unto them

that wait for him,

to the soul that seeketh him.

26 It is good

that a man should both hope

and quietly wait

for the salvation of the Lord.”    Lamentations 3:18-26

So whatever your burden, or grief, or sorrow, or trial today, remember God is faithful to the challenge before you. You can count on HIM in all things. Even when the nation seems to be falling around us—“great is thy faithfulness” can be the joy of my heart; and it can be yours too, if you’ll but trust HIM!

May God encourage you through His Word? Blessings on your day, and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation as we are surrounded by the wonder of spring—and new life in Jesus!

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27

Bible Ballistics: BBs #344  His Strength Not Mine!!!

 

Sometimes we get weary—be it from over activity, stress, illness, family demands, work demands, church demands or any plethora of drains on our strength and energy. Just like a battery will just stop working when it’s out of power, so will we come to a place of “stopping” our productivity if we don’t recognize our need to ‘re-charge’ and make sure we are plugged into the right power source, and using our energies in the right places, at the right times and in the right ways.

I want us to take a few minutes today and focus on our “Power Source”, to remind ourselves of WHO provides our every need when we are doing what He’s called us to do.

“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

Our God has promised “never” to leave us, those who are His own by the blood of Jesus. God is ever at work to conform us into the image of His Son, and you can trust to His strong hand. You can run into His shelter—and find safety, for He has promised to be our “strong tower”.

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

And we can find the strength of our provider in HIS Word, which speaks to our hearts, directs our steps, and reveals HIS heart to ours that we might know the way to go!

“Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.” Psalm 119:104-106

And the more we know Him, the more we will learn to trust Him in every situation, every time. We will learn that HIS timing is perfect, and even when we don’t understand what HE is doing, we can trust in His perfect love for us. We will learn to ‘wait on the Lord’!

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

Believe it or not, waiting is often the ‘gas station’ of our souls, as well as our heart and mind. God may be fueling you for the next leg of the journey. Don’t rush, just rest in HIS perfect, sovereign will today! After all, we all know what happens when we try to run a car without gas; we wind up stranded somewhere that we don’t usually want to be!

“But they that wait upon the Lord

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings

as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

So whatever you’re struggling with today—be it the regular hustle and bustle of mid-week activity, an extreme personal crisis, a health issue that has you frightened or alarmed, or any other plague that is weighing on your heart and mind—take heart, the Lord God Almighty still reigns, and He hasn’t said “oops”, for He is working in and through all these events to bring you, and me, nearer to Him; and to show the world His glory, strength and power. You can stand fast in His love for you, just get your ‘thinking cap’ on and focus on Jesus, not the ‘lions’ snapping at your feet.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”     2 Timothy 1:7

Look up my friend, God has you safe in HIS hands, and He NEVER fails!!! Just keep your eyes on Jesus!

“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.”     Hebrews 12:2

So have a blessed day trusting in HIS strength, you don’t have to rely on your own strength when you have God’s strength at hand!!!