Monthly Archives: April 2020

The Cross Is My Anchor??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #645

17 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Cross, Faithfulness, JESUS, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #645   The Cross Is My Anchor???

 

“But God forbid

that I should glory,

save in the cross

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom the world

is crucified unto me,

and I

unto the world.”   Galatians 6:14

We make choices every day—some important, some not as important, some easy, some very difficult—and I want to remind us all that we, as believers, need to make our decisions with the cross in mind.  In these difficult days we are experiencing all around the world, we must stand in confidence of our Lord and WHO He is—“Sovereign Lord” of all who died to redeem and save us, and we need to “fix our eyes” on HIM in all things.

“Beware lest any man spoil you

through philosophy

and vain deceit,

after the tradition of men,

after the rudiments of the world,

and not after Christ.

9 For in him

dwelleth all the fulness

of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete

in him,

which is the head

of all principality

and power:”  Colossians 2:8-10

Paul also told this precious church at Colossae about living in light of the cross; let’s determine to receive The Word and walk accordingly in these perilous times—in all times!  Don’t let fear or frustration send you down the wrong road.

“Lie not one to another,

seeing that ye have put off the old man

with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him

that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek

nor Jew,

circumcision

nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian,

Scythian,

bond

nor free:

but Christ is all,

and in all.

12 Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing

one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace

in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks

to God

and the Father

by him.”    Colossians 3:9-17

I pray that these words of truth, hope and encouragement will minister to you this morning, and may you have a blessed day.  Remember that the cross is our anchor—it’s where Jesus accomplished our redemption—and HE died for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith…

“As for our redeemer,

the LORD of hosts is his name,

the Holy One of Israel.”  Isaiah 47:4

Amen and Amen.

 

 

 

Only ONE Will Always Be There!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #643

15 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Darkness or Light?, Dependence, Discipline, Distractions, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Judgment, Just Jesus!, Listening To God, Living Right, Perseverance, Righteousness, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #643   Only ONE Will Always Be There!!!

 

In these days of “quarantine” and being ‘home alone’ or for some “Not” alone, we are finding new ways to manage; whether it be cooking, or shopping in new ways, keeping our distance (without being distant!), meetings via the internet, learning to converse anew, being cut off from our loved ones, friends, neighbors and our church families; whatever the difficulty in your life right now, may we ever remember that our solution isn’t the weatherman or the government—even when they send out “checks”—for there is only ONE who has promised to always care for HIS own!  And the good, no the great news, is that you can come into His family, His fold!

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”   Matthew 11:28-30

But there is only one way to come to HIM, and that is in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—yours and mine–and HIS grace is extended to “whosoever will” come to Him.

“And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life:

he  that cometh to me

shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me

shall never thirst.

36 But I said unto you,

That ye also have seen me,

and believe not.

37 All that the Father giveth me

shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven,

not to do mine own will,

but the will of him that sent me.

39 And this is the Father’s will

which hath sent me,

that of all which he hath given me

I should lose nothing,

but should raise it up again

 at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:35-40

Jesus came to give His life that we might live, and HE is coming back again (and a lot sooner, I think, than we can imagine!) and take His own to Himself and set all things right on this earth!  Are you His?  Are you ready if He came today?  It truly is a matter of life and death!

I am so glad that I have Jesus as my Lord, my Master, My King; and I can trust Him to accomplish His purpose in me and use me as HE sees fit—no matter the cost, or the pain that comes my way.  I know, as the old song says, WHO holds not only “tomorrow” but The One Who holds today—be it sunny or gray!  He is trustworthy, and I choose to trust Him and obey His Word and His voice to my heart in the person of The Holy Spirit!  Thank you, Jesus!

We need to understand that Jesus loves the world, yet He not only loves His own but also disciplines them—that we may be “conformed to the image” of Himself!

“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

Pretty strong language with a message that so many ignore or reject today—but it is God’s Word!  If you can sin and have no discipline in your life, you better check out what you think saved you!  There are those who found Jesus’ own words too hard to accept, what about you?  The choice is yours but remember there is a test!

“Jesus said unto him,

If thou wilt be perfect,

go and sell that thou hast,

and give to the poor,

and thou shalt have treasure

in heaven:

and come

and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying,

he went away sorrowful:

for he had great possessions.”   Matthew 19:21-22

What are you clinging to instead of Jesus?  Don’t let your ‘idols’ keep you from the Master!  Won’t you let go of your fears, your greed, your dependency on substances (of whatever sort they are), your pride, or clinging to your own way, and take His “yoke upon you” and truly receive what HE promises and delivers, ”ye shall find rest unto your souls…”!  I pray that you will choose Jesus for HE loves you more than you know, and He promises to never leave you!

“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

I pray that you will hear the voice of this Jesus, THE ONE who loves you and wants to deliver you and give you “rest unto your souls…”!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

Is Almost/Tomorrow Too Late??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 06

12 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Glory To God, One Day Too Late?, The Resurrection Life!, You can overcome

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 06    Is Almost/Tomorrow Too Late???

 

I have a simple message to share on this Resurrection Sunday—what are you doing with the resurrected Lord Jesus?  Are you waiting for ‘a better time’?  Are you waiting for the ‘perfect’ life?  It will never arrive!  If you keep putting things off—you may find yourself calling on God one day too late!  And if you are His, what are you doing with the power HE has imparted to You?

“For the king knoweth of these things,

before whom also I speak freely:

for I am persuaded that none of these things

are hidden from him;

for this thing was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa,

believest thou the prophets?

I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said,

I would to God,

that not only thou,

but also all that hear me this day,

were both almost,

and altogether such as I am,

except these bonds.”   Acts 26:26-29

Like Paul, my prayer is that you will respond to the Gospel of Jesus; coming to Him in repentance and faith in the risen Lord who gave His life for You and me! It’s why we believers honor this day—for The Lamb slain for our sin, that we might have life.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved

the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever

believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds

should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds

may be made manifest,

that they are wrought

in God.”  John 3:14-21

And when we choose Jesus in response to His call to our hearts, He empowers us to walk in victory, but we must yield ourselves to walk in HIS power not our own; abiding in the vine not our flesh!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 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 15:1-5

Won’t you look up to Him and walk forward in HIS power?  My prayer is that you will hear His voice and answer His call!  He IS the answer—are willing to receive it?

“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.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:1-11

And with that I’ll simply say, “May God lead you in the way HE has for you”; and I am praying that you hear HIS voice today and learn to walk in HIS overcoming power!!!  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

“For whatsoever is born of God

overcometh the world:

and this is the victory

that overcometh the world,

even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world,

but he that believeth

that Jesus is the Son of God?”  1 John 5:4-5

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HE Died So I Could Live!!! Bible Ballistics:

10 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by in Crucified With Christ, Good News, He Died That We Could Live, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #642       He Died So I Could Live!!!

 

I hope this glorious Friday morning finds you well; and I say that knowing that many are suffering, but because “HE” lives, we can be well even when we are ‘unwell’ physically.  I pray that you and I will take time today to reflect on The One who willingly laid down HIS life for our salvation.

“This is my commandment,

That ye love one another,

as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life

for his friends.”  John 15:12-13

That is exactly what Jesus did for you and me!  Jesus gave Himself willingly, lovingly for sinners like me—oh, what a Savior!  I would simply like to leave you with the words of our Lord as He was headed to that cross where HE poured out His blood for you and me.  May these words ring true in our hearts! I pray that if you’ve never come to Jesus in repentance and faith, you will come today, for HE died for YOU!

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves and robbers:

but the sheep did not

hear them.

9 I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep…

…14 I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life

for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have,

which are not of this fold:

them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice;

and there shall be one fold,

and one shepherd.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me,

because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me,

but I lay it down of myself.

I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received

of my Father.”  Portions of John 10:7-18

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice, and open the door,

I will come in to him, and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20. Amen!

A Living HOPE??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #641

08 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, He IS Alive!, HOPE, IN Jesus!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Resurrection, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Love of God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #641       A Living HOPE???

 

“Behold, the eye of the LORD

is upon them

 that fear him,

upon them

that hope in his mercy;

19 To deliver their soul from death,

and to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waiteth

for the LORD:

he is our help

and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice

in him, because

we have trusted

in his holy name.

22 Let thy mercy,

O LORD,

be upon us,

according as we hope

in thee.”  Psalm 33:18-22

As we approach the celebration of our Lord Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, I just want to remind each of us of the HOPE that we have in Jesus—regardless of our circumstances!  So may these words of scripture encourage your heart along with mine, as we rehearse the goodness, grace and love of our God and Father, through the gift of His Son, Jesus for our sin; as well as the precious gift to every believer of the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide, direct, teach and lead us as we yield to Him and God’s Word (which He helps us to understand and conform to!)!

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself,

and God, even our Father,

which hath loved us,

and hath given us

everlasting consolation

and good hope

through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts,

and stablish you

in every good word

and work.”  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

May we each rest in that comfort that only God can give, my friends, despite the current events plaguing our world; don’t let ‘these things’ take your eyes off of the victory that our Lord Jesus purchased at Calvary and delivered at the “empty” tomb!  HE AROSE—so we can have victory.  Don’t let the enemy distract you with fear, discouragement, worry, and especially “hopelessness”; for of all people in this world the children of God have an eternal HOPE!!!  HIS name is JESUS—and HE LIVES!

“Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which according to his abundant mercy

hath begotten us again

unto a lively hope

by the resurrection

of Jesus Christ

from the dead,

4 To an inheritance

incorruptible,

and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away,

reserved in heaven

for you,

5 Who are kept

by the power of God

through faith

unto salvation

ready to be revealed

in the last time.”   1 Peter 1:3-5

Not only is HE RISEN—HE is coming back again—and sooner, I believe, than we might think!  Are you ready to meet HIM?  Have you let the enemy get your eyes on your surroundings instead of our living Lord?  Take time today to rejoice in whose we are—and WHO has given us this eternal, living “HOPE”!  Even as Paul told the young preacher boy, Titus so many years ago; and as an old song reminds us of the truth that we’re closer home than we’ve ever been before! Amen!  Hallelujah!  Praise The God from whom all blessings flow!

“Looking for that blessed hope,

and the glorious appearing

of the great God

and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself

for us,

that he might redeem us

from all iniquity,

and purify unto himself

a peculiar people,

zealous of good works.”    Titus 2:13-14

Remember the words of our dear Lord before He left this world!

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house

are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place

for you.

3 And if I go

and prepare a place

for you,

I will come again,

and receive you

unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

1 Peye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not

whither thou goest;

and how can we know

the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh

unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:1-6

All because of HIS grace, HIS love, and HIS sacrifice!  Thank You, Jesus.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  Our redeemer IS coming for us!

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption

draweth nigh.”  Luke 21:28

Amen and Amen!