Monthly Archives: March 2020

Constant? Bible Ballistics: BBs #635

19 Thursday Mar 2020

Posted by in Confidence, Consider Your ways, Constant, Courage, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Family, Trials

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Today I share with you a guest post by my friend Taryn Spurlock.  I thought her words so important that I am sharing them today rather than our regular posting time.  I hope you find it as touching and encouraging as I have.

Wednesday, March 18th, 2020

Taryn Spurlock

con·stant

/ˈkänstənt/

noun

    1. a situation or state of affairs that does not change. 

I’m a pretty routine person. We have a family of three that has pretty consistent order to our week. For me, most weekdays consist of a 4:20am alarm, workout, home a little after 6, quiet time, off to work at 7:30, Creede gets to school, and I get off at 5, and we move on to our evening activity depending on the day of the week. It’s how we roll. For the 1st time in the 11 years of my career I was sent home from work until further notice due to COVID-19 and the recommendations pertaining to my job. My daily situation changed really fast.

As I sit here on my porch writing this, the weather went from cold to hot rather quickly as well. Living in Oklahoma, I know what potential that has for a March day… STORMS. It’s gorgeous right now though. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, my son is out playing with his cousin. You see, that’s how life was rolling along for us… we just bought a new house with land, my husband’s busy season of work was around the corner, and we were all jiving just fine.

But one microscopic virus changed everything all of a sudden.

But you know what else it changed in less than 24 hours… ME.

This morning I found myself on my husband’s side of the bed kneeling and having a conversation with God. Acknowledging God was in control. Acknowledging this is out of my control. Asking God to change my heart. Asking God to protect us. Asking God to give my son and I a wonderful day together. Asking God to heal our country. Asking God to show me how to use my time not working as a hygienist wisely and for His glory.

  • Philippians 4:6-8

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I walked away with peace. 

●     Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Does that mean I haven’t thought about this crazy unknown situation today? No.

But I have remembered that moment beside my bed this morning many, many times.

So, as I mentioned, it’s looking beautiful right now and feeling nice outside. But I know the chance of storms are there.  So, I also spent some time this morning cleaning up the porch and making sure things outside were hunkered down, etc.

I’M PREPARING.

●     Proverbs 6:6-11

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, …

Storms are going to come. Sometimes they come with a warning and sometimes there is no warning at all. Regardless, they will come. God has commanded us to be good stewards. Last Sunday our church was unable to meet “like normal” in order to aid in limiting potential COVID-19 spread. I was unable to drop our tithe check as usual. Right after we were informed of our new work situation, I went to my wallet to get $5 I owed somebody at work and saw the check. My second patient didn’t show so I went to the church and dropped it off. KNOWING the storm was here, I also knew it did not change the fact I was to obey in the giving of my tithe. Normally, that is a routine thing that I never think twice about. That day, God increased my faith and said, “this doesn’t change.”

  • Malachi 3:10

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need…

●     Proverbs 3:9

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

My husband and I have always strived to live within our means. People have made fun of us at times for the things we refuse to spend money on and our thoughts on saving. But I am so thankful for the sunny days where we had the opportunity to prepare. It may be different. It may be hard. It may do some damage to “our plans.” However, in the end, the sun will come back out.

●     Proverbs 21:20

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

●     Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

God not only wants me to prepare for the storms financially, but also spiritually. My relationship with Him is what drove me to my knees this morning. I knew he would be there. I knew He already knew my heart. I knew I was safe there because He had been there before both on the sunny days and the stormy days.

I plan to spend the next few weeks looking for the ways God can use me in such a time as this.

While this storm may change our constant. Our God is constant in His love and promises toward His children. And because of that, TODAY AND EVERY DAY, I PRAISE HIM.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Malachi 3:6

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

#5 Of The 5 “D”s Of Readiness??? Bible Ballistics: BBS #634

18 Wednesday Mar 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Dependence, Diligence, Discernment

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #634  #5 Of The 5 “D”s Of Readiness???

An Edited Repost of Bible Ballistics: BBs #15

As we discuss this last of our 5 D’s, Dependence, what can we learn when we have such a mindset of “independence” around us.  Am I ‘independent’ of or ‘dependent’ on God?

Dependence– “The state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else”.

A synonym of dependent is trust, to rely on, to have faith in.  Do I really trust God?  On whom or what do I depend?  Self? Money? Power? Others or popular opinion? What does scripture say to us?

“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.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

We are called to trust/depend on God with ALL our heart and NOT to lean on our own understanding.  When we depend on God, He promises to direct our paths.

The question is, ‘do I want God directing my steps?’

Scripture continually reminds us that our God is “trustworthy”!!

“And we know that all things

work together for good

to them

that love God,

to them

who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,”  Romans 8:28-29a  

When we belong to Jesus, we can know that GOD is working all things in my life to conform me into the image of Jesus.  What more could we desire? Am I striving for Debt-free, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence?   How about you?

Will you join me in striving to depend on God and pursue Him: continually, consistently, seeking to be Dependent, Decent, Discerning, Diligent, and working to be Debt-free.  So?  Keep looking up. Depend on God each moment!  He never fails, for He promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”!  (See Hebrews 13:5).

Amen and Amen!!!

#4 Of The 5 “D”s Of Readiness??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #633

15 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by in Be not conformed to this world, Do all things decently

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #633   #4 Of The 5 “D”s Of Readiness???

An Edited Repost of Bible Ballistics: BBs #14

 

As we discuss this 4th of our 5 D’s, Decency, (Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence) what does it really mean? A big question in our culture.

Decency– “Behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability; modesty and propriety”.

For our purposes, “God’s standard, and Biblical respectability”.  Because we are called to live ready for the return of our Lord, ‘decency’ is imperative.  Our behavior is to “conform” to God’s standard.  Remember what Paul reminds us of:

“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 12:2

I know we’ve used this verse a lot lately, but I believe it is one we need to keep before us, as ‘conformity’ seems to be the order of the day for most in our culture, our world.  Yet we need to remember we are called to be ‘non-conformists’ in regard to the world’s ways, but rather evidence of God’s transforming work before a lost and dying world (which by the way, isn’t our home)!

As Paul told the church at Corinth:

“Let all things be done decently 

and in order.”  1 Cor. 14:40

Simply stated, in context, this refers to the use of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, but it also has a general application to our individual daily lives.  We are called to practice ‘decency’:

in all that we do;

wherever we are,

to every one,

all the time!!!

A seemingly small order but a big demand.  It means I must think about my actions—all of them —moment by moment, Biblically!!!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Yet we will only succeed in this challenge as we pursue the “mind of Christ Jesus” as Paul instructed us in his letter to the Philippians.

“Look not every man

on his own things,

but every man also

on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery

to be equal with God:

7 But made himself

of no reputation,

and took upon him

the form of a servant,

and was made

in the likeness of men:

8 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 2:4-11 

All because “God so loved” me, how can I do less than reflect His love and character to all, and in all I do.  May my life be a testimony of the life-changing redemption of Jesus my Lord; as I behave with decency, considering my love for HIM, and the effect it may have on others….   Love always affects others—God’s love that is!!!  

So?  Keep looking up. Remember the acrostic

J-Jesus (died for me)

O-Others (need to see HIM)

Y-You (are His messenger to the world)!

Simple but profound.  Amen and Amen!!!

#3 Of The 5 “D”s Of Readiness??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #632

13 Friday Mar 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Discernment, Judgment, Just Jesus!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #632   #3 Of The 5 “D”s Of Readiness???

An Edited Repost of Bible Ballistics: BBs #13

 

As we continue this week, we’ll consider the 3rd of our 5 D’s: Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence. 

Discernment- “The ability to judge well”.

To be “ready” for Jesus’ return, we must judge with wisdom in our everyday choices.  We must be discriminating— “having or showing refined taste or good judgment”. (Remember that ‘discrimination’ in and of itself isn’t a ‘bad’ word!)

“But the manifestation of the Spirit 

is given to every man 

to profit withal. 

8 For to one is given

by the Spirit

the word of wisdom…

… to another discerning of spirits …

…11 But all these worketh

that one and the selfsame Spirit,

dividing to every man severally as he will..”                          Portions of 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

The gift of the Spirit listed here, ‘discerning of spirits’, is our subject today; to render supernatural judgment in spiritual matters.  Spiritual gifts are given to “every man” (believers), “to profit withal” (all the believers) at the Holy Spirit’s will (verse 11).  Spiritual gifts are given to every believer, for the good of all, at God’s direction.  As Ecclesiastes 8:5b says:

“and a wise man’s heart

discerneth both time 

and judgment.”

In Ezekiel 44:23, the prophet gives a great insight straight from God that we might know we are called to “discern” truth!

“And they shall teach

my people

 the difference

between the holy

and profane,

and cause them

to discern

between the unclean

and the clean.”  

So, we are to be diligent to seek God’s ways, that His ways may become our ways!   Being discerning means making choices based on God’s Word, not the whims, fashions, and charms of the world.  It means paying attention to God and His Word as we make His ways our priority; it means  choosing the “holy” not the “profane”. God will teach us if we will but tune in to HIM rather than the world, as God said to Isaiah:

“For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens

are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.

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 55:8-11

So, won’t you join me in making God’s Word and His ways the pursuit of our daily living by:

reading His word,

praying

and listening to His Spirit!!!

Let us keep looking up, continually seeking to be— 

Debt free,

Diligent and 

Discerning—

As we await the return of our Lord and pursue the increase of His kingdom.  By His power, for our good and the good of a lost and dying world, and always in all things seeking God’s glory.

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast, unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour

is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen and Amen!!!

#2 Of The 5 “D”s Of Readiness Bible Ballistics: BBs #631

11 Wednesday Mar 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Diligence, Readiness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #631   #2 Of The 5 “D”s Of Readiness???

An Edited Repost of Bible Ballistics: BBs #12

 

As we continue with the physical side of being “ready” as well as the spiritual side, we’ll consider the 2nd of our 5 D’s:  Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence.

DILIGENCE– “Careful and persistent work or effort”.

To be “ready” for Jesus’ return, we must be careful in our walk and persistent in our loyalty and obedience to God each day.  Proverbs 4:23 says:

“Keep thy heart 

with all diligence;

for out of it

are the issues of life..”

Our heart is the seat of our emotions, our desires, and hence our life.  If you don’t guard your heart, no one else will.  It takes continual “work or effort” to truly guard your heart.  Do it –it will determine your present and future!!!

Peter tells us how we can keep our hearts right with God and others in 2 Peter 1:4-6:

“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. 

5 And beside this,

giving all diligence,

add to your faith 

virtue;

and to virtue 

knowledge;

6 And to knowledge 

temperance;

and to temperance 

patience;

and to patience 

godliness;” 

As we guard our hearts and draw near to God, learning from Him and His Word, we will be developing the character traits of the One whom we love—God our Father, and Jesus His Son, through the power of His Holy Spirit. Looking into HIS mirror! (See Ja. 1:25)

Jude also calls believers not to take their faith for grated but to “contend” for it—in its truth and power!  It’s this same power that Paul told us to “be strong in” as we put on our armor of God! (See Ephesians 6:10-19)

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence 

to write unto you of the common salvation,

it was needful for me to write unto you,

and exhort you

that ye should earnestly contend

for the faith 

which was once delivered

unto the saints.”   Jude 1:3

Are you paying attention?  Are you ready?  Will you be diligent to walk God’s way?   When He comes will you be caught off guard and be ashamed in His presence?  Or will you hear “Well done” because you have been diligently growing in the 6 things Peter names.  I encourage each of us to keep looking up, walking in obedience, and living like He’s coming today—He could!!!  And remember—Debt free & Diligent.  Amen!!!