Author Archives: Blanche

Really Thankful Or What??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #693

20 Friday Nov 2020

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #693  Really Thankful Or What???

 

“And be not drunk with wine,

wherein is excess;

but be filled

with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing and making melody

in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always

for all things unto God and the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another

in the fear of God.”  Ephesians 5:18-20

Paul reminds us, along with the Ephesian believers, that our lives matter—not just our words, and feelings, but our lives—our living.  We live in a day when outside substances are the rage—sipping wine, taking drugs—of all sorts–pursuing sexual lusts, or just getting a little relief from any or every source but Jesus!  Yet Paul calls us to be “filled with the Spirit”—not by various outside substances.  Would you/I rather be controlled by the world’s elements or by the Spirit of God, who will direct our steps in God’s ways—yielding a heart full of gratitude?  What a testament to a world pursuing “self”!

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all generations.”   Psalm 100:1-5

While gratitude is often overlooked, God reminds us of its importance!  In Paul’s warning to the Romans about the consequences of sin—where it leads, what it does to those who pursue it, and how our ‘ingratitude’ can be a sign of danger to our souls —a warning sign that is totally apropos in today’s culture.

“For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood

by the things that are made,

even his eternal power

and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God,

they glorified him not

as God,

neither were thankful;

but became vain

in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart

was darkened.”  Romans 1:20-21

So, as we consider the “or what” in contrast to gratitude, where do you and I stand?  Have we bowed the knee before The Lord Jesus Christ, or do we continue to go our own way—with no regard for the God who gives us breath, or His Son who came that we might have life—eternal life in glory as well as abundant life with Jesus here and now—life to be grateful for; life that can be used by our Lord to make a difference in a world of greed and selfish attention to “me” first in all things!  God’s life within us—a new life for which we can be eternally grateful.  So, how is your “attitude of gratitude”?  Do you have one?  May we shout with the Psalmist and praise our God as we express our gratitude toward HIM before a world desperately needing to see it in us?

“Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name”

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

Today IS What We Have!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 09

15 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Life, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Living TODAY!, Running The Race!, Salt & Light

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 09  Today IS What We Have!!!

 

“Take heed, brethren,

lest there be in any of you

an evil heart

of unbelief,

in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily,

while it is called To day;

lest any of you be hardened

through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ,

if we hold the beginning of our confidence

stedfast unto the end;

15 While it is said,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation…

…19 So we see that they could not enter in

because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:12-15, 19

I have heard it told of Martin Luther, that when asked what he would do “if he knew the Lord would come tomorrow?”; he replied, “I’d plant another tree!”  What did he mean?  I think that he meant that he would live faithfully today and tomorrow, and the next day in anticipation of his Lord’s return.  And that is how each of us ought to live; for today is all we have!  As I ponder the realities of life and death, I am brought to treasure the fact that we only have this day, this moment, this present hour, and we have to live it now.  We can’t put things off until tomorrow…or live in the yesterdays that failed, disappointed, or shattered our hearts, minds and lives.  Jesus has given us today—and we only have today to receive HIM!  We only have today to love HIM!  We only have today to serve HIM!  We also only have today to touch, treasure, enjoy and make a difference in the lives around us.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that we have the choice to receive and believe Jesus, as we respond in faith and obedience to His voice speaking to our hearts; or we can let the enemy of our souls deceive, distract and destroy our life!  Jesus reminds us that HE came that we might have life—and do God’s work–today!

“I must work the works of him

that sent me,

while it is day:

the night cometh,

when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world,

I am the light of the world.”  John 9:4-5

“Jesus saith unto them,

My meat is to do the will of him

that sent me,

and to finish his work.

35 Say not ye,

There are yet four months,

and then cometh harvest?

behold,

I say unto you,

Lift up your eyes,

and look on the fields;

for they are white already

to harvest.”  John 4:34-35

And what work has Jesus called you to?  He has called you and I to run “the race” that He has set before us!  God isn’t asking you to run my race!  Nor is He calling me to run yours!  HE sets our own race before each of us—our job is to run it today, and each today that sets before us!  We are called to be salt and light as we run our race today!  Whose life have you and I failed to season or brighten, simply because we missed our opportunity; often by looking back on yesterday or waiting for tomorrow (or dreading it and what it “might hold” for us or those that we love)?

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot

of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16

Are we willing to follow Jesus today, so that HE might accomplish His work in us, through us, and bless others?  Will we run in our lane by His grace, power and love?  It’s your call, what will you choose?  Don’t faint; but “stand fast” in this evil day!

“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.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

Will you join me and proclaim, like Job, that we will live for HIM today because we know “HE” lives and will return soon, and we will be with HIM, when we have been born of God.  So, let us “faint” not and press on!

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed within me.”    Job 19:25

May we truly live today for our God—today–and each “today” that He sets before us.

HAmen and Amen!!!

It’s Not Tomorrow Yet??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #692

13 Friday Nov 2020

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #692  It’s Not Tomorrow Yet???

 

I simply want to share a brief (you do know that is a totally subjective word!) word of encouragement with you on this Friday; and I hope it will lift you up wherever you are “today”!

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad

in it.”  Psalm 118:24

Unlike the song from Annie, if I don’t’ “love you today”, I may not get ‘tomorrow’. I may be gone—you may be gone—our circumstances may prohibit our being together, you/I only have today!  And today is “the day” which God has set before us; what will we do with it?  Let’s make today a day to “rejoice” and “be glad” in all that our God is!  Not just what HE does, but who HE is and the great confidence that we can have when we are HIS!

“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

When we belong to Jesus, having been born again of His Spirit, we can know that HE has us in HIS hand, and He keeps that which is HIS.  We just need to be sure that we are HIS!  And when we belong to Jesus, we can sing with confidence “Because He Lives” (A Hymn written by Bill and Gloria Gaither)…I can____!

“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 1:12-13

“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

God is ever at work in His own, and we can be sure of HIM today; and while we never know what tomorrow holds—even Jesus’ eminent return—God knows those who are HIS own and what each day holds for each of us!  Always!

“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

So, my simple advice to us all is, “Be ready”!  Jesus could come today!  And even if He tarries, may we be found faithfully serving our King when HE does come!

If you don’t know Him, and you hear His voice speaking to your heart, then open that door!

“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 for those of us who are His sheep, may we live in such a way that we will hear Jesus say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant……enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (See Matthew 25:21)!

Praise God we can ‘rejoice’ and ‘be glad’ today!  What’s your decision?  Will you choose to rejoice today?  May it ever be so!

Amen and Amen!

Worship–A State Not A Place??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #691

11 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, Dependence, Glory To God, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Salvation, Witness, Worship Him!, Worship?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #691  Worship—A State Not A Place???

 

Just a few thoughts this morning about worship: what is worship; where does it take place; when does it take place; why does it take place; who really worships; how can we become true worshippers?  All these are questions we need to consider, especially in these tumultuous days which seem to confront us in such mind-boggling ways!  If worship is a state of mind and heart rather than a “place”, how do we get there.  Let’s allow scripture to answer these questions.

Worship—reverent homage and honor paid to God or a

Sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred-

One of the definitions of the Greek word that Jesus used in Matthew 4:10, says:

Worship–To crouch…to prostrate oneself in homage…to do reverence to…to adore—worship—

Jesus makes it clear for us that real worship of God will yield service in the life of the worshipper.  I find it apropos that this was one of the three temptations that Satan challenged Jesus in; what would our answer have been?  What have we bowed down to?  Where have we failed to truly worship God?

“Then saith Jesus unto him,

Get thee hence, Satan:

for it is written,

Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,

and him only

shalt thou serve.”  Matthew 4:10

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus makes it clear that we are called to be “exclusionists”—not a popular idea—but we are called here by Jesus to worship “him only” and we are to serve “him only”.  Jesus also makes this clear in another passage that we need to consider in our ‘multi-tasking’ mindset.  We have allowed our cultural influence to rollover into our idea of worship (thinking we just add worship on to our already loaded schedule and give “God a nod” when we have the time!).  Jesus says different!

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot

serve God

and mammon.”  Matthew 6:24

And as we spoke of recently—we must understand and acknowledge that we are “bought with a price” and we are living in God’s presence—whether we act like it or not—and to know and submit ourselves to our God and King is the beginning of true worship.  Living in God’s presence at every turn, giving ourselves to be His “witnesses” before a lost and dying world.

“What?

know ye not

that your body is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

When we are “born again” we receive new life in Jesus, and our life is to be lived unto Him.  Paul put it best to the Romans—we need a mindset toward God in all things.

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”  Romans 11:36

Whom are we glorifying?  Self?  The powers that be?  Power that we want?  Fame?  Fortune? Prominence?  We are to be the witnesses of Jesus.  It’s what He left us here to BE!  And when we will BE His witness, the right doing will always accompany the ‘being’!

“When they therefore were come together,

they asked of him, saying,

Lord, wilt thou at this time

restore again the kingdom

to Israel?

7 And he said unto them,

It is not for you to know

the times

or the seasons,

which the Father hath put

in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power,

after that the Holy Ghost

is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me

both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judaea,

and in Samaria,

and unto the uttermost part

of the earth.”  Acts 1:6-8

Don’t fret over yesterday or tomorrow, or the times and seasons, rather live for Jesus in each and every moment that HE gives us “TODAY”!  Live in His presence deliberately!  Walk in His ways continually!  Speak godliness in all things.  Remember that we “are” a witness in all we do and say—all be it, a good one or a bad one, but we are witnesses!  Are you glorying God by a life of worship?  Or are you ashamed to let others know that you are HIS?  Or even worse, are you oblivious to your condition and you unwittingly bring shame to the name of Jesus?

I’d like to share two other passages that I pray will encourage you on your way as good witnesses to the King who bought our salvation with His own blood.  May God speak anew and afresh to you and me through HIS Word!

“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

Is your labor “in the Lord”?  If you’ve been born again, it ought to be?  Consider Paul’s call to the believers at Rome:

“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

May God speak to our hearts, and may we truly learn to live a life of total worship before our God; not just in songs (of whatever kind) at church or raising “holy hands” in a “worship service” (not that there is anything wrong with those things—But God wants our all—all the time), but by living a life of devotion to the God who saves us, keeps us and desires for our hearts to be in tune with HIM.  Even as Jesus prayed for us all in John 17.

“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…

….23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect

in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.”  John 17:11 & 23

Amen and Amen!!!

Has Harvest Passed??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 08

08 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by in Faithful, One Foundation, The Harvest is past

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 08  Has Harvest Passed???

 

I am still burdened over the subject from last week of the “harvest” and what that means to our nation and our world; much like Israel in Jeremiah’s day, we are living in a world gone mad with rejection of God, His Word and His ways. Regardless of any political situations going on around us, we must face the fact of our sins against God and either continue in the way we have gone or turn to God through His Son, Jesus in repentance and faith unto obedience.  I would like to consider a rather lengthy passage that God gave to Jeremiah.  I pray that we will hear “the word of the Lord” and respond in recognition of our own sin, repentance toward God/Jesus, and a broken heart for those around us.  Only God can make the changes that we need!

“Why do we sit still?

 assemble yourselves,

and let us enter into the defenced cities,

and let us be silent there:

for the LORD our God

hath put us to silence,

and given us water of gall to drink,

because we have sinned

against the LORD.

15 We looked for peace,

but no good came;

and for a time of health,

and behold trouble!

16 The snorting of his horses

was heard from Dan:

the whole land trembled

at the sound of the neighing

of his strong ones;

for they are come,

and have devoured the land,

and all that is in it;

the city,

and those that dwell therein.

17 For, behold,

I will send serpents,

cockatrices,

among you,

which will not be charmed,

and they shall bite you,

saith the LORD.

18 When I would comfort myself

against sorrow,

my heart is faint in me.

19 Behold the voice of the cry

of the daughter of my people

because of them that dwell in a far country:

Is not the LORD in Zion?

 is not her king in her?

Why have they provoked me to anger

with their graven images,

and with strange vanities?

20 The harvest is past,

the summer is ended,

and we are not saved.

21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people

am I hurt;

I am black;

astonishment hath taken hold on me.

22 Is there no balm in Gilead;

is there no physician there?

why then

is not the health of the daughter

of my people

recovered?”  Jeremiah 8:14-22

May God’s people—you and I who are born again by the “blood of the Lamb” who was slain for us “before the foundation of the world” (See Ephesians 1:3-5 & Revelation 12:11)—see and acknowledge that our Lord is totally worthy of our devotion.  And devotion to Him is seen in our love for Jesus and His Word, as well as that Word being lived out in all we do and say.  James said it best:

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face

 in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh

into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being

not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer

of the work,

this man shall be blessed

in his deed.

26 If any man among you

seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion

is vain.

27 Pure religion

and undefiled before God and the Father

is this,

To visit the fatherless

and widows

in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

from the world.”   James 1:21-27

What ‘spots’ do you/I have?  Our lives are to be a testament to the Lord Jesus Christ who has redeemed us and called us to do a work for HIM.

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”   Ephesians 2:8-10

What have you and I done with the “good works” that God has “ordained” for HIS own?  Have we fiddled away our summer as the grasshopper, or have we been busy about “my Father’s business”?  Has my opportunity for harvest passed?  Have I been doing God’s work or my own?  Am I depending on Jesus strength, power and grace to do HIS work by abiding in HIM?  Jesus Himself gave us the key; abiding in HIM!  It’s all about Jesus—not me.  And the harvest will reflect my focus.

“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

And in closing, Paul’s message to the Corinthians, reminds us that there is a day of accounting coming, and the only foundation we are to build on is the Gospel of JESUS!  What are you building on?  What with—gold, silver and precious stones; or wood, hay, and stubble?  It’s your choice but choose wisely!  There is a test (accounting)!

“According to the grace of God

which is given unto me,

as a wise masterbuilder,

I have laid the foundation,

and another buildeth thereon.

But let every man take heed

how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation

can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work

shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed

by fire;

and the fire

shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work

shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not

that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?”   1 Corinthians 3:10-16

I pray that we each will heed the Word of God and pursue the harvest that counts!  Oh, to see a great harvest of souls before we have to cry with Jeremiah, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved”!  May we stand in the gap for those who need JESUS!  Consider the fire’s affect on—gold, silver, gems-vs-wood, hay, stubble?

Amen and Amen!!!