Author Archives: Blanche

The Webs We Weave??? Bible Ballistics: B?Bs #544

29 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Lies, Life

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #544  The Webs We Weave???

 

There’s and old adage which says, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when once we practice to deceive.”  (Written by Sir Walter Scott, in his 1808 poem, “Marmion”.). And while this isn’t scripture, it certainly is founded in scripture, for lies and deception will cause trouble, confusion and trouble for the deceiver and the ones affected by the deception and lies!

“A wicked doer

giveth heed to false lips;

and a liar

 giveth ear

to a naughty tongue.”  Proverbs 17:4

When we practice deceit, we lie—it’s that simple; it’s not a “joke”, it’s not “teasing”, it’s not “just for fun”— a lie is a deception whether it is spoken, or simply a false impression that we intentionally allow to go uncorrected.  And when we practice deceit, we align ourselves against God!

“The foolish shall not stand

in thy sight:

thou hatest

all workers of iniquity.

6 Thou shalt destroy them

that speak leasing:

the LORD will abhor

the bloody

and deceitful man.” Psalm 5:5-6 

We can choose truth, integrity and honor, or we can fall into speaking as the world speaks!  And the world (as a whole) is following the greatest liar of all.

“The transgression of the wicked

saith within my heart,

that there is no fear of God

before his eyes.

2 For he flattereth himself

in his own eyes,

until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

3 The words of his mouth

are iniquity

and deceit:

he hath left off to be wise,

and to do good.”  Psalm 36:1-3

Will we heed the truth or follow the “father of lies”?  Will we choose to believe and follow Jesus, “the truth”; or will we fall for the lies of the enemy of our souls?

“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 8:44-45

The truth isn’t always popular—even Jesus was minimalized, ridiculed, and rejected for speaking absolute truth, for HE IS truth!  What will you and I choose to believe and follow?  Jesus and His Father God, or will we choose to believe the lies. You do have the God-given right to choose but remember there is a consequence to every choice; and while we are free to make our own choices, we aren’t free to set the consequences. Jesus has made it clear that there is only “One Way” to God—and He IS it!  What will you choose?

“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

The question is simple, “Whom will you/I choose to follow?” Will we spin more and more webs of deceit, even deceiving ourselves; or will we choose “Truth” and come to Jesus in repentance and faith.  We are free to choose—what will you do with that freedom?  Every choice has a consequence, and there is a test at the end!  It could be today!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

 if we faint not.”   Galatians 6:7-9

May we stand with Joshua in the “power of HIS might” (God’s), without webs of deceit!  (See Ephesians 6:10-18)

“but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”. Joshua 24:15b.

Amen and Amen!!!

In The Strength Of HIS Might??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #543

27 Wednesday Mar 2019

Posted by in Confidence, Keeping our eyes on JESUS!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #543  In The Strength Of HIS Might???

 

We all have those times when weariness, frustration or exhaustion seem to overwhelm our daily living.  What are we to do when we feel like we just can’t do ‘any’ thing!  In my heart and experience, I have come to know that there is only one thing to do—look up and not around.  I often remind myself and others that we must be like Daniels then, and look up to the Lord and not around at the ‘lions’!  Our God is never caught off guard or caught by surprise.  As Evangelist David Ring often says, “God never says, ‘oops’!”  And praise HIS name—that is a fact.

“I am the LORD:

that is my name:

and my glory

will I not give to another,

neither my praise

to graven images.

 9 Behold, the former things

are come to pass,

and new things

 do I declare:

before they spring forth

I tell you of them.”  Isaiah 42:8-9

God knows where we have been; He knows what our choices have been—the good ones and the bad ones; and He knows what our future holds!  He is omniscient (all knowing); omnipotent (all powerful), and omnipresent (all present, and I like to think of it as God is not just “every where”, but where ever “I” am, He “is”!)  He truly knows my “beginning” and my “ending”!

“Remember the former things of old:

 for I am God,

and there is none else;

I am God,

and there is none like me,

10 Declaring the end

from the beginning,

and from ancient times

the things that are not yet done,

saying,

My counsel shall stand,

and I will do all my pleasure:”    Isaiah 46:9-10

He knows!  He always and already knows what today holds.  As a prayer that I wrote some years ago, and I pray every day, says:

       “Father,

              Your will for today IS mine!

              Your pleasure for today IS mine!

              Your work for today IS mine!

              Tomorrow is Yours alone—

 to reveal.

              Yesterday is ours alone—

                      Mine to release to you,

                      Yours to weave into the image

of Jesus Christ my Lord!”

So, I pray that you will keep your eyes on Jesus, rest in Him, and press on each ‘today’, regardless of the issues that face you.  God’s got those ‘issues’, and He’s got YOU!

“So teach us

to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts

unto wisdom.”  Psalm 90:12

Praying blessings on your day!!! Amen and Amen!!!

 

Jesus In Genesis Pt. 2!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.06

24 Sunday Mar 2019

Posted by in Creator, Cross, Great is Thy Faithfulness, JESUS, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus Is The Only Way!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.06    Jesus In Genesis Pt.2!!!

 

“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 1:1-13

I’d like for us to continue our look at Jesus, The Son of God, by rehearsing this passage from John 1 which deals with the spiritual life that Jesus creates in those who come to Him in repentance and faith.

“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.

5 And the light

shineth in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:3-5

Here we find that Jesus IS creator, as well sustainer, of life; not only all things physical, but life and light—spiritual life and light—for all who will believe.  He brings life to the dead—the lost (See Ephesians 2:1-10).  It’s why HE came in the flesh to redeem and rescue God’s crowning glory of creation—man!  Albeit, man who sinned and marred the wondrous creation of God.  Jesus is “The Word”—God made flesh, to redeem flesh and blood humans who will come to Him, and receive His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice which He made at Calvary, with His own blood.  The greatest act of restoration and redemption ever wrought.  And it’s all seen in Genesis!  How did God create?  By His “Word”!

“And God said, Let there be light:

and there was light.” Genesis 1:3

Light—God created light, not the luminaries, but the very essence of time, space and energy that holds creation together.  And that IS Jesus.

“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

It IS Jesus who holds all creation together, and HE is “upholding all things by the word of his power”; and also has “by himself purged our sins”—all of them!

But let’s get back to Genesis:

“And God said,

Let there be a firmament

in the midst of the waters,

and let it divide

the waters from the waters.”  Genesis 1:6

While Jesus is known to many as a ‘prophet/teacher’ of peace, He also tells us that He is a great divider.

“But I have a baptism

to be baptized with;

and how am I straitened

till it be accomplished!

51 Suppose ye that I am come

to give peace on earth?

I tell you, Nay;

but rather division:

52 For from henceforth

there shall be five in one house divided,

three against two,

and two against three.”    Matthew 12:50-52

The division mentioned here is a spiritual division, those who choose Jesus will pay a price.  What price are you paying?  Paul made this clear to Timothy!

“Yea, and all

that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers

shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou

in the things which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom

thou hast learned them;”   2 Timothy 3:12

Jesus made it clear that following Him would not be popular—no more popular than HE was!

 “If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word

that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not

him that sent me.”  John 15:19-21

Jesus Himself IS the Creator!

“And God said,

Let the earth bring forth grass,

the herb yielding seed,

and the fruit tree

yielding fruit after his kind,

whose seed is in itself,

upon the earth:

and it was so.”  Genesis 1:11

God created that which would sustain the man He would create as His crowning glory!  Well, Jesus is the sustainer of all things—He is the spiritual food for all who 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…

50 This is the bread

which cometh down from heaven,

that a man may eat thereof,

and not die.

51 I am the living bread

which came down from heaven:

if any man eat of this bread,

he shall live for ever:

 and the bread that I will give

is my flesh,

which I will give for the life

of the world.”  John 6:35 & 50-51

Jesus came to be the sacrifice for our sin and sustain us for all eternity with eternal life!  Praise God for such love and care—the sustainer of and giver of life, both now and for eternity!

Now, more from Genesis!

“And God said,

Let there be lights

in the firmament of the heaven

to divide the day from the night;

and let them be for signs,

and for seasons,

and for days,

and years:

15 And let them be for lights

in the firmament of the heaven

to give light upon the earth:

 and it was so.”  Genesis 1:14-15

I love that “God said”…”and it was so”, for Jesus is the “Word” that God spoke on our behalf—all to bring men to the light; the very ‘light of the world’.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”  John 8:12

 

“But if our gospel be hid,

it is hid

to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world

hath blinded the minds of them

which believe not,

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,

who is the image of God,

should shine unto them.”    2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Jesus delivers us out of darkness, into HIS light by the power of God!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”    Colossians 1:12-14

Pressing on—back to Genesis chapter 1.

“And God said,

Let the waters bring forth abundantly

the moving creature that hath life,

and fowl that may fly above the earth

in the open firmament of heaven.

21 And God created

great whales,

and every living creature

that moveth,

which the waters brought forth

abundantly,

after their kind,

and every winged fowl

 after his kind:

and God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:20-21

God is creator of all things, and all that God created was good—yet when man sinned, all creation fell, and while all creation will be redeemed when The Lord returns, it is still groaning with us until that time.

“Because the creature itself

also shall be delivered

from the bondage of corruption

 into the glorious liberty

of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation

groaneth

and travaileth

in pain together

until now.”  Romans 8:21-22

Jesus blood will redeem all of God’s creation, and He will deliver creation from the curse when HE comes!  All because of the sacrifice of His blood for us!

“Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver

and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:”   1 Peter 1:18-19

Continuing with God’s creation, we find not only the cattle and earth created, but also creation’s crowning glory—man!

“And God said,

Let the earth bring forth the living creature

after his kind, cattle,

and creeping thing,

and beast of the earth

after his kind:

and it was so.

25 And God made the beast of the earth

after his kind,

and cattle

after their kind,

and every thing that creepeth upon the earth

after his kind:

and God saw that it was good.

26 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.” Genesis 1:24-27

God created us in His own image, and even though we sinned and ruined His creation, He had already made the plan for our salvation—JESUS! And as the picture, which Paul so beautifully paints for us, makes it clear, Jesus brings spiritual life to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith—those who will receive eternal life, and gain victory over sin, death and hell!

“It is sown a natural body;

it is raised a spiritual body.

There is a natural body,

and there is a spiritual body.

45 And so it is written,

The first man Adam

was made a living soul;

the last Adam

was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first

which is spiritual,

but that

which is natural;

and afterward

that which is spiritual.”  1 Corinthians 15:44-46

This is the same Jesus whom we see from Genesis to Revelation!  The Savior–The sacrifice—The victor—The Soon coming King!

“So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying

that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death,

where is thy sting?

O grave,

where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.”   1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Praise The God from whom all blessings flow!  Father, Son and Holy Spirit—thank you that In Jesus–we win!!!  The God of creation!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

Am I Listening??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #542

22 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in Confidence, Hearing God, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #542   Am I Listening???

 

“The fear of the LORD

is the beginning of knowledge:

but fools

despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son,

hear the instruction of thy father,

and forsake not

the law of thy mother:

9 For they shall be an ornament of grace

unto thy head,

and chains

about thy neck.”  Proverbs 1:7-9

Proverbs is one of the books of ‘poetry’ and is also referred to as ‘wisdom’ literature; and here we see wisdom proclaimed in the first chapter. The question is, ‘will we listen and heed the message’?  Or will we neglect truth to our own detriment?  I pray that today we will determine to listen to God’s voice (via His Spirit) and refuse the other voices that clamor for our time, attention and devotion!

“Come, ye children,

hearken unto me:

I will teach you

the fear of the LORD.”  Psalm 34:11

We live in a “self-sufficient” culture—I can take care of myself!  I can make my own way!  I can pull myself up by my own ‘boot straps’: but the point is, we are not able to care for ourselves, and we certainly can’t save ourselves—only Jesus can do that for those who come to HIM His way!  Yet we must have ears to hear and a heart willing to seek God and hear His direction.

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:44

“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

God has made provision for our salvation, but we must hear His voice, and receive His grace, through faith in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection “for our sin”!  And when we come to Jesus, He will transform our lives and impart to us His indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and direct our steps—and we must never quench His work in our hearts and lives.  Yet we often do, by our willful neglect of our relationship with HIM!  I pray that this will remind us to draw near to HIM, that we might come to know Him intimately and grow in our confidence that HE IS ever working to make me/you more like Jesus.

“And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we knowthat 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,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”  Romans 8:27-29

Jesus The Son, God The Father, and the precious Holy Spirit are ever at work in us—it’s our job to yield to His work in us.  May we ever turn our ears, our hearts and our minds to hear and know all that Jesus has called and will equip us to be!  He is ever faithful!

“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

We have a Father who loves us, A Savior and Redeemer who loves us and gave Himself for us!  Are you hearing from HIM?  To whom and what are you yielding?  Give it all to Jesus, He’s worthy of our trust, may we say with Paul:

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

 yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20.

Amen!!!

You Are Teaching!!!: Bible Ballistics: BBs #541

20 Wednesday Mar 2019

Posted by in Teaching Always, Testify

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #541   You Are Teaching!!!

 

“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7

I like to call this whole chapter the guide to ‘diligent, determined, directional parenting’.  Something that we are in desperate need of today!  But I want to take a bit of a spin on this ‘teaching’ and remind us that even when we aren’t “diligent, determined, or directional” in our parenting—in fact, in our lives, we are still teaching.  We are teaching almost every day of our lives, whether we are aware of it or not; and that is true for you, for me, for every person in this world. We are teaching every day—whether we say a word or not!

Our actions teach!  God told Moses to make this clear to the people of Israel; that they were to understand the priority and import of living as a ‘teacher’!  He began by telling them that “they” had to be right with God first—we can only share what we have and know.  Paul also made this clear to the Corinthians in his first letter to the church there.

“Moreover, brethren,

I declare unto you the gospel

 which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

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

Paul makes it clear that we can only share that which we ourselves have “received” (“by grace…. through faith”).  The same message that Moses was sharing with Israel, for the principle is universal—you can’t use, give or share what you don’t have.  We can only share with others what we possess and know ourselves! Christianity isn’t a ‘religion’, it’s a relationship with the Only Son of God, who paid the price for our sin—a gift we can receive from God; and while the Old Testament saints were saved by looking forward to “HIS” saving work, we are saved by looking back to the completed work of Christ Jesus on the cross.  And when we follow Him faithfully, others will see Jesus in us.  The question is, “Are we leading/teaching others the truth of the cross?”  Or are we so deceived and misguided that we are leading/teaching others down the wrong road to miss Jesus?

Moses finished his discourse on the responsibility to teach those who are in our circle of influence by telling us that ‘if we live it, they will see and question why we do what do’?  Then we will have opportunity to share what God is “doing” in our lives—not just in the distant past, but right now!

“And when thy son asketh thee

in time to come, saying,

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God

hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out

of Egypt

with a mighty hand:”    Deuteronomy 6:20-21

So, I’d like us to consider this: “Is my life leading/teaching others the way to the Master”?  Or am I letting them go to hell in a handbasket, because I am not living what I profess to possess?  Am I HIS?  Do I love HIM?  Is my life teaching godly principles with every action and word? Am I sitting/walking/sleeping in places I shouldn’t be?  Am I failing those around me?  Have we missed the first principle? We need to fix our own heart first:

“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:”

Jesus says it best:

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

 the mouth speaketh.”   Matthew 12:34. Amen!