Monthly Archives: September 2021

Faithful Even On 9-11!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #753

11 Saturday Sep 2021

Posted by in 9-11-01 20th Anniversary

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #753  Faithful Even On 9-11!!!

 

I just want to share a word of reflection and encouragement on this 20thanniversary of the disaster of September 11, 2001.  I want to make it simple but hopeful for all who might read this post, that GOD is still GOD, GOD is still good, and I still trust HIM!!!  YOU can too!

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying,

This is the word of the LORD

unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”  Zechariah 4:6

And what God did, does, and will do to save those who will come unto HIM in repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus for my/our sin!

“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:”   1 Corinthians 15:1-4

And as Paul so aptly reminds us of in his letter to the church at Rome, may we remember that “we love HIM because HE first loved us” (emphasis mine, see 1 John 4:19)!

“For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

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 5:7-11

All because HE loves you and me—no matter the crises!

“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;”  Titus 3:5

Only Two!!! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #752.

10 Friday Sep 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Creation, Creator, Creator of ALL, Family, Father's Way!, God Knows, The Things of God, The Word Or The World?, Trusting God, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #752      Only Two!!!  Really???

 

I would like to share an important post with you this morning, and while I won’t comment a lot, it’s not because I don’t have much to say, but because I simply want to share God’s Word with you and offer a few comments and ask you to consider what you are accepting and following as truth.

“In the beginning

God created the heaven and the earth…

…And God said,

Let us make man

in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man

in his own image,

in the image of God

created he him;

male and female

created he them.”  Portions of Genesis 1:1 & 26-27

More of the details are revealed in Genesis 2, with the account of the establishment of marriage, the home, and our moral boundaries.

“And the LORD God said,

It is not good

that the man should be alone;

I will make him an help meet for him…

…21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep

to fall upon Adam,

and he slept:

and he took one of his ribs,

and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib,

which the LORD God had taken

from man,

made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said,

This is now

bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh:

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man

leave his father and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife:

and they shall be one flesh.”  Portions of Genesis 2:18-24

While many dispute and deny the truth of the Genesis account of creation, and also deny that the New Testament even deals with creation, I would challenge you to check it out!  For there are many references not only to the Genesis account of creation, but Jesus Himself confirmed the truth of scripture and mentioned not only the Genesis account of creation, particularly God’s establishment of marriage, but he also referred to Daniel and Jonah—two of the most debated and denied books of scripture.

“And he answered and said unto them,

Have ye not read,

 that he which made them

at the beginning

made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause

shall a man leave father and mother,

and shall cleave to his wife:

and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain,

but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together,

let not man put asunder.”  Matthew 19:4-6

While our culture has almost completely disregarded God’s plan and instructions for marriage, I praise God that He forgives and restores.  He gives that “living water” that heals the soul of sin and makes us “new creatures” in Jesus.  I know because I am one of those “Samaritan women” who needed saving and healing from my sin and disregard of God’s way!  What an amazing God we serve.  Like the Samaritan woman, until we see our sin as sin, we have no need of a Savior! How about you?  Are you a sinner in need of a Savior?  Jesus is waiting for you to call upon Him to drink of His living water!

“Jesus answered and said unto her,

Whosoever drinketh of this water

shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water

that I shall give him

shall never thirst;

but the water that I shall give him

shall be in him a well of water

 springing up into everlasting life.

15 The woman saith unto him,

Sir, give me this water,

that I thirst not,

neither come hither to draw.

16 Jesus saith unto her,

Go, call thy husband,

and come hither.

17 The woman answered and said,

I have no husband.

Jesus said unto her,

 Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

18 For thou hast had five husbands;

and he whom thou now hast

is not thy husband:

in that saidst thou truly…

…24 God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him in spirit and in truth.

25 The woman saith unto him,

I know that Messias cometh,

which is called Christ:

when he is come,

he will tell us all things.

26 Jesus saith unto her,

I that speak unto thee am he…

…28 The woman then left her waterpot,

and went her way into the city,

and saith to the men,

29 Come, see a man,

which told me all things that ever I did:

is not this the Christ?”  Portions of John 4:13-29

Here was a woman who had completely strayed from God’s plan and Jesus brought faith, restoration, and a new vibrant testimony of finding the Messiah.  And this is an amazing thing, for this is the first recorded account of Jesus revealing Himself openly—and not only to a woman, but a Samaritan woman!  A totally ‘anti-cultural’ move, truly declaring that “whosoever will, may come”!  The choice is ours/yours—to believe in Jesus or to reject/deny Him.  It’s your choice—to believe in Jesus—to honor marriage or desecrate it—to obey or to reject the ONE who died for YOU.  “Come, see a man”!  God did create male and female, and HE set the design and plan for mankind and the home, and regardless of what men may say today, God has spoken, and HE will hold men accountable.

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me

before men,

him will I confess

also before my Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me

before men,

him will I also deny

before my Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 10:32-33

Please consider what God has said and respond to HIS call on your heart.  Jesus is ready to save right now!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:9-10

Amen and Amen!!!

Joyfulness Is Contagious!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #751

08 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God's love, God's provision, Joy, Joy Is Contagious!, Joy To The World?, The Joy of The Lord!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #751  Joyfulness Is Contagious!!!

 

I truly believe this statement of our title—joyfulness is contagious—but we must have joy before we can share it!  I also believe that we can often be distracted from the “joy of the Lord” and become consumed with the “doubt of the world” instead.  Joy is a choice of those who belong to Jesus; a choice to walk in the confidence that our God gives and overcome the doubt that surrounds us.

“Then he said unto them,

Go your way,

eat the fat,

and drink the sweet,

and send portions unto them

for whom nothing is prepared:

for this day is holy unto our Lord:

neither be ye sorry;

for the joy of the LORD

is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:10

This passage is from the prophet Nehemiah’s instructions to the people as they celebrated the completion of the wall around the city of Jerusalem.  If you take the time to read the entire book you will find that Nehemiah had led the people in not only a building project, but a project that was completed under great difficulty and opposition.  Here Nehemiah was encouraging the people to put their confidence in God’s provision, and to remember that “the joy of the LORD is your strength”!  It is what we must remember and count on as well.

No matter the challenge, God is ever faithful to provide us with everything that we need; there is never a trial or test that catches our God unaware!  He is ever faithful to provide, especially for HIS own—and God knows those who are really HIS own!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one

that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”   2 Timothy 2:19

And as Jesus said, HE knows HIS own sheep, and they know HIM, and follow HIM!  The question is, who are you following?  From whom or what do you get your strength? The world’s praise?  A bottle (no matter what is in it)?  Success on your job?  Wealth, fame, popularity, or any other worldly prize?  If your confidence and hope are not in Jesus, you have allowed yourself to be misdirected.  But the straight way is still here!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father,

which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man

is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

For those who deny Jesus’ deity, this passage sets it straight; Jesus made this clear and certain statement of His own deity, “I and my Father are one”!  For those who claim that Jesus never claimed to be God, here is the true statement that HE made, and HE IS GOD!  And back to that straight way!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

This is a contrast that many don’t want to consider today, but Jesus said it, and that settles it, whether you/I believe it or not!  If I may paraphrase, Jesus said that there is a wide, easy, popular way that MANY will choose—but it leads to destruction!  Yet Jesus called us to choose the “strait gate”, even though it is narrow, difficult, and not very popular, for “few there be that find it”!  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.  And we who know Jesus and belong to HIM will have HIS joy, as well as HIS strength to press on for HIS glory and our good.

“As the Father hath loved me,

so have I loved you:

continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments,

ye shall abide in my love;

even as I have kept my Father’s commandments,

and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you,

that my joy might remain in you,

and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment,

That ye love one another,

as I have loved you.”  John 15:9-12

So, will you walk in “the joy of the Lord”, or flounder around in the lies of the world?  Won’t you join me and choose JOY?

Please do—HE has never failed me and HE never will, and Jesus surely came that our “joy might be full”!  Let your joy be contagious!!!

“Nevertheless my lovingkindness

will I not utterly take from him,

nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.”  Psalm 89:33

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Amen and Amen!!!

No Matter The Valley??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 20

05 Sunday Sep 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Looking up Or around?, Valley of The Shadow of Death, Walk in the Spirit, What's your valley?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 20  No Matter The Valley???

 

Perhaps like your household, we have been through many changes in recent days; some due to our health, some simply due to times and seasons of change.  Yet I have been reminded in these perilous and roller-coaster-days that God is still God—God is still good—and I still trust HIM.  I think the Psalmist said it best!

“The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down

in green pastures:

he leadeth me

beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth

my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk

through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff

they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table

before me

in the presence

of mine enemies:

thou anointest

my head with oil;

my cup

runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell

in the house of the LORD

for ever.”  Psalm 23:1-6

David makes it so clear that his confidence is in The Lord—

The One who is HIS shepherd—

And HE can be ours—JESUS—

The One who meets our needs—

Physical—Mental–Spiritual—

He provides for us in every way—

Rest—

Direction—

Leadership—

Restoration—

Both physical and spiritual—

HIS presence in the “valley” of death—

Comfort in our trials—

Assurance of HIS care—

A place in HIS kingdom forever—

We simply have to receivce HIM as our shepherd personally.

“All that the Father giveth me

shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out…

…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 6:37 & 39-40

Jesus makes it clear throughout scripture that when we come to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice, HE will give us eternal life with HIM—and that eternal life starts immediately when we believe not just when we “get to heaven”!  His promise is faithful for every task, every trial, and every valley that we may encounter!

“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.”  John 10:7-11

The good shepherd, Jesus, gave HIS life for us at Calvary, and we will only find life in HIM.  There is only One Way to God and HIS name is Jesus; and when we receive HIM, we will have that peace, direction, rest and all we need to face every valley—even the one that is the “shadow of death”, where we can “fear no evil” when Jesus is with us, in us, and working through us for HIS glory and our good.  All by the power of the precious Holy Spirit of God, who comes to dwell in those who come to Jesus.

“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.”  Romans 5:1-6

Jesus saved us because HE loved us, and only you can decide what you will do with the free gift of salvation that Jesus purchased “with his own blood”!  As Jesus told Mary that HIS life (and death) would deliver us from sin, death, and hell, giving us “LIFE”!

“Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming,

went and met him:

but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus,

Lord, if thou hadst been here,

my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now,

whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,

God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her,

Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him,

I know that he shall rise again

in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?”  John 11:20-26

Even as we consider Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, we find that Jesus is the only way!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

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…

….14 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.” Portions of John 3:3-19

So, the question is, have you believed and received Jesus, or will you continue to cling to your darkness and evil deeds (Jesus said it not me!)!  No matter the valley you may be facing Jesus will guide you through it if you will but look up instead of around.

“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

And in closing, Paul’s words from the letter to the Roman believers as there are always those in the church who still need to hear the truth.

“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.

12 Wherefore,

as by one man sin entered into the world,

and death by sin;

and so death passed upon all men,

for that all have sinned:”   Romans 5:8-12

Won’t you come to The One who loves you and gave HIS life for you; and He will fill you with His Spirit when you come to HIM.

Amen and Amen!!!