Author Archives: Blanche

‘Tis The Season–Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #418

13 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Perseverance, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, Time, TODAY, Unexpected Interruptions, Wait on the Lord, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #418   ‘Tis The Season–Really???

 

As I sit here writing this morning, I am thankful that my computer is running again—we had issues last week and that is why we haven’t posted on our normal schedule. Then this morning I get up and start to write, and voila—now no Internet! I couldn’t help but think of what the scriptures say about a time and season for all things—and this seems to be the season for interruptions. But I have learned that ‘interruptions’ don’t have to always be a bad thing. God often allows interruptions to get our attention, to teach us some new lesson, or to review an old one that we keep forgetting, or sometimes God just wants us to come aside and be with HIM!

I want to share a passage with you today that is worthy of our time and attention; a passage that was made famous in song some years ago, yet perhaps with little thought to the God who inspired the principle! And what is that principle? That God is God, and when we love, trust and serve Him through His Son Jesus Christ, we can rest in the assurance that God is at work in “ALL” things, no matter the season!

While God isn’t the author of evil, He does allow evil to continue because when man chose to sin, we essentially gave Satan the “title deed” to planet earth, you might say! Yet even in this disaster, God loved us so much, that He, already knowing what we would do, had provided a plan for HIS “Only Begotten Son” to take on flesh and blood, live and walk on planet earth, and die for our sins on a cruel, Roman cross! But, praise God, HE didn’t stay dead—He arose on the third day, triumphant over sin, death and hell, and all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith can know the full assurance of His saving grace, His presence within, as well as His promises to keep us no matter what is going on without!

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born,

and a time to die;       

a time to plant,

and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill,

and a time to heal;

a time to break down,

and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep,

and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn,

and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones,

and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace,

and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get,

and a time to lose;

a time to keep,

and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend,

and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence,

and a time to speak;

8 A time to love,

and a time to hate;

a time of war,

and a time of peace.

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10 I have seen the travail,

which God hath given to the sons of men

to be exercised in it.

11 HE hath made every thing beautiful

in his time:

also he hath set the world in their heart,

so that no man can find out

the work that God maketh

from the beginning

to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

God set the world to be our gift and our challenge—one which we can successfully meet only with His grace and power within, in the person of the Holy Spirit (who comes and dwells within every believer). It’s what Jesus came to provide!!! It’s what the Christmas ‘season’ is really about—

not just food and fun—

not just toys and tinsel—

not just snow and songs—

not just family and frolicking–

but Christmas is about The Christ Child who came to “save His people from their sins”! God allows seasons of life to help us grow, learn and mature into faithful, productive children of God— “exercised in it”! HE never leaves us alone, or on our own in any season, He’s ever working on us!

“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 are rebuked

of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeath 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

It is important to note that the word used here for “chastisement” is a Greek word that refers to “child training”—all that is involved in training a child unto adulthood, not just corrective discipline.

James also reminds us that interruptions and seasons of life aren’t necessarily a bad thing.

“My brethren,

count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect (mature)

and entire, (complete in Jesus)

wanting (lacking) nothing.”    James 1:2-4

And in closing our thoughts today, I simply want to leave you with another passage of assurance to ponder.

“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, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29

And “ALL”, my friends, means “ALL”!!! Today and Today…!

A Little Dab Or A Drenching??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #417

06 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Will Be Done, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #417 A Little Dab Or A Drenching???

 

I heard a pastor recently make the comparison of wanting just a little bit of “Jesus” or do we want to be “drenched” in Him, His Word and His Spirit, and it just struck a chord with me. In fact, I remembered two old advertisements; “A little dab’ll do ya!” and “Fill’er Up”! And I think these two can describe the choice that we face in life; do we want to be “filled” or are we just seeking a “dab” of goodness or religion? Jesus calls us to “take up your cross” and that isn’t just a “little dab”!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”   Matthew 16:24-26

When Jesus calls us to “take up his cross”, He is talking about the same thing that the Apostle Paul was calling the Galatian Christians to consider.

“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

We are to die to ourselves and live by faith unto Jesus in “all” we are and all we do! And this isn’t talking about simply self-denial—but learning to victoriously live “by the faith of the Son of God” through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and yielding to His work and direction in all of our ways. It is the only thing that will give us victory and spiritual maturity. It’s Jesus’ call to us every moment of every day—not part-time; not just a ‘little dab’.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth

against the Spirit,

and the Spirit

against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would…

… 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”    Portions of Galatians 5:16-25

We must choose to hear and obey the voice of God speaking to our hearts, and order our steps accordingly; or we will find ourselves listening to our flesh and settling for that “little dab”. May we truly seek to be ‘drenched’ in HIS Spirit, and filled with HIS Word, understanding Isaiah’s call to listen!

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”    Isaiah 30:21

Jesus reminds us that His own will hear His voice—what are you choosing to listen to today?

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine……

…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….

26 But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 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.” John 10:14, 16 & 26-28

May we examine our hearts today and see if we are HIS sheep, if we are hearing HIS voice, if we are known of HIM, if we are following Jesus or someone or something else? Just as Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, no one can see the kingdom except they are “born again”, and when we are “born again” we are “born” of God’s/Jesus’ Holy Spirit and are known of HIM, and the same Holy Spirit then comes to dwell within those who receive Jesus. And by the Holy Spirit we can live holy, victorious lives in a world of darkness and corruption; and the Spirit is the evidence of whose we are.

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead

because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.”   Romans 8:9-10

Will you settle for a “little dab” or seek the “filling” of The Spirit? Choose wisely—there is a test at the end!

Church Wanted: Dead Or Alive??? Pt. 2 Bible Ballistics: Repost

03 Sunday Dec 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Changed Lives, Church:Dead Or Alive?, Confidence, Dare To Be Different!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Leading Or Mis-Leading?, Living Stones, Made like Jesus!, Perseverance, Salvation, The Only Way, The Same Yesterday, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Will Be Done, Walking With Jesus

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A continuation of this article from last week.  and next week, I hope to have some more to share next week…..

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.20 Church Wanted: Dead Or Alive??? Pt. 2

As we continue with our thoughts from last week, I’d like to take a bit of a turn. I’d like us to not only examine the state of the church, but the state of our hearts; for the state of the hearts of God’s people is the state of the church. If our hearts are fixed on things other than the love, adoration and worship of Jesus Christ the Son who brings us to the Father, then we are off track! God has a plan to reach the world and He has given it to us—now it isn’t always worked out the same in every local body of believers–but it will always be rooted in the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Son of God who is the Only Way to God! And He hasn’t changed neither has His Word!

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

Amen and Amen! Let’s press on.

“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

ye 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.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth ye know him,

and have seen him.” John 14:1-7

Jesus made it clear to His disciples, as He was about to face the cross, be crucified and rise on the third day, that HE IS the only way to God, and those who believe in Him and receive His sacrifice for our sin, not only know God, but see God—God the Father—for they were, are and ever shall be ONE—Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Amen and Amen!

“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 “must be born again” of the Holy Spirit of God/Jesus, and when we are, we “know” Jesus and because we “know” Him, we also “know” God The Father, and those who were with Him physically had seen the very “I AM”; The God of all creation, for He and the Son are ONE! And those who are HIS, He knows, He saves and He keeps—because salvation is of GOD not man! Always has been, always will be. And when we, the church, try to live, work and function in any other way, we are spinning our wheels! We must ask God to search and reveal to us that which HE sees in our hearts—then we can adjust whatever needs adjusting to walk as HIS sheep! (See John 1:12-13 & 3:16)

“Search me,

O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me in the way

everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

We have a call, as the children of God, to walk in HIS ways, and we can only do that with the power, and strength of the Holy Spirit, and by immersing ourselves in the Word of God. We must know HIS Word or the world will subtly creep into our hearts and minds and lead us astray. Studying and knowing the Word of God and the intimate presence of its author are imperative to a faithful, and productive Christian life. One directed by God and not self!

But there is also a great challenge for those of us who teach, preach and lead the flock now—and sin, selfishness and worldliness will “trickle down” from the top to the flock. We must guard against being “mis-leaders” and be true ‘leaders’, living, working and ministering in the power of His Spirit and His Word! God is holding us accountable!

“Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed:

but ye feed not the flock.

4 The diseased have ye not strengthened,

neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away,

neither have ye sought that which was lost;

but with force and with cruelty

have ye ruled them.

5 And they were scattered,

because there is no shepherd:

and they became meat to all the beasts of the field,

when they were scattered.

6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill:

yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth,

and none did search

or seek after them.

7 Therefore, ye shepherds,

hear the word of the LORD;

8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD,

surely because my flock became a prey,

and my flock became meat

to every beast of the field,

because there was no shepherd,

neither did my shepherds search

for my flock,

but the shepherds

fed themselves,

and fed not my flock;” Ezekiel 34:3-8 

James warned of this same danger to those who were in positions of leadership in the church—God doesn’t take the care of His flock lightly. Nor will He hold a person guiltless who abuses the privilege and call of leadership!

“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” James 3:1 (masters=leaders, teachers, preachers)

Jesus revealed the work of His children to Peter after the resurrection.

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,

Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas,

lovest thou me?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,

Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas,

lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him,

Feed my sheep.

……19 …… And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.”   Portions of John 21:15-19

Peter had denied his Lord three times at the crucifixion, but here Christ asks Peter the same question three times, I think to remind Him of the forgiveness that the blood of Jesus provides. Yet we often forget that in forgiveness of sin, is the commission to go forward and do HIS work: but His work in HIS power, not our own. We are to feed the sheep—those who are Christ’s—and to fish for the sheep that don’t know Him (I know, a bad mixed metaphor, but you get the picture!) and teach them as well. And we can only do that as we heed Jesus closing words in this portion of the passage printed here: “Follow me”! That is the imperative—we are to follow Jesus!

You see, I don’t know who is hungry and needs to be fed; I don’t know who is floundering in the sea and needs to be brought to the shore of salvation—to become HIS sheep! But when I follow the Master, He does know and He is always working to lead us where He wants to use us; and sometimes (often in fact) it is in unlikely places, ministering in unlikely ways to the most unlikely people!!! We must stop measuring things by the world’s standard and “Follow” Jesus, by heeding the voice of His Holy Spirit—dying to self and living unto HIM!

“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

Peter came to know this in power and truth and shared it with the believers in one of his letters later in his life. He called for the leaders to lead in God’s power and the followers to follow in earnest pursuit of holiness and a desire to be Jesus to a lost and dying world. It seems that today many are more interested in plans, programs and gimmicks than in ‘living’ Jesus before the world (It’s easier but that doesn’t make it right!)! And remember the “elders” that he refers to are the leaders, not just elder or aged in physical years (Even as Paul told young Pastor Timothy not to let others hold his ‘youth’ against him—in 1 Tim. 4:12)

“The elders which are among you I exhort,

who am also an elder,

and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,

and also a partaker of the glory

that shall be revealed:

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof,

not by constraint,

but willingly;

not for filthy lucre,

but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage,

but being ensamples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear,

ye shall receive a crown of glory

that fadeth not away.

5 Likewise, ye younger,

submit yourselves unto the elder.

Yea, all of you be subject one to another,

and be clothed with humility:

for God resisteth the proud,

and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:1-7

Praise God HE does care for us, and wants to save and care for those who will believe and come to Jesus! He makes us the building material of His church! We are the church—the living, breathing organism that is “the church”—not a building that can be bought or sold, but a living organism that is “sold out” to Jesus not the world! How about you? Are you living as a part of His body? Let’s peruse a portion of 1 Peter 2:

“As newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word,

that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted

that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone,

disallowed indeed of men,

but chosen of God,

and precious,

5 Ye also, as lively stones,

are built up a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood,

to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion

a chief corner stone,

elect,

precious:

and he that believeth on him

shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe

he is precious:

but unto them which be disobedient,

the stone which the builders disallowed,

the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling,

and a rock of offence,

even to them which stumble

at the word,

being disobedient:

whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation,

a royal priesthood,

an holy nation,

a peculiar people;

that ye should shew forth the praises

of him who hath called you

out of darkness

into his marvellous light:

10 Which in time past were not a people,

but are now the people of God:

which had not obtained mercy,

but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you

as strangers

and pilgrims,

abstain from fleshly lusts,

       which war against the soul;”   1 Peter 2:2-11

When we are born again, we are “babes” who should desire the “milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”; and we are to grow into “living” stones that make up the “house” of God, the servants of God, those who offer up “spiritual sacrifices” that are acceptable and pleasing unto God, because we belong to HIS Son!!! What are you doing with your ‘stone’? Are you living for Jesus and sharing His truth, or have you fallen for the lies of the enemy of our souls? Let’s be “living” stones for Jesus—“sold out” to Him and not “for sale” to the highest worldly bidder!

“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

 Let’s all commit today to be a display of the glory of God, doing His work His way. After all—God saved us and set the parameters of HIS work.

“For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe…..

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things

of the world

to confound the wise;

and God hath chosen the weak things

of the world

to confound the things which

are mighty;

28 And base things of the world,

and things which are despised,

hath God chosen, yea,

and things which are not,

to bring to nought things

that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.”   1 Corinthians 1:21 & 27-29

Just as God reminded Isaiah so many years ago, may we take heed and know that God’s ways are God’s ways!

“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, dear friends, I challenge each of us to be diligent to let God’s Word do its “perfect work” in us, and be the faithful witnesses to the world that HE has saved us to be. May we truly be “sold out” to HIM, and not “for sale” to the world and it’s bling and ease. Jesus is coming, and He told us:

“And, behold,

I come quickly;

and my reward is with me,

to give every man

according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end,

the first and the last.” Revelation 22:12-13

He spoke us into existence—may He be pleased with our use of His gifts to us. May we each find out what God is doing around us and join HIM in HIS work—as ‘living stones’ not a ‘dead church’! Praying that He will ever be seen in you and me!!! Always!!!

Drought And Patience??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #416

01 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, Drought & Patience?, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Knowing God's Word, My Grace Is Sufficient, Patience, Perseverance, The Word, Thy Will Be Done, Trials, Troubles, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #416 Drought And Patience???

 

“Be patient therefore, brethren,

unto the coming of the Lord.

Behold, the husbandman waiteth

for the precious fruit of the earth,

and hath long patience for it,

until he receive the early

and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient;

stablish your hearts:

for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

9 Grudge not one against another, brethren,

lest ye be condemned:

behold, the judge standeth

before the door.

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets,

who have spoken in the name of the Lord,

for an example of suffering affliction,

and of patience.

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure.

Ye have heard of the patience of Job,

and have seen the end of the Lord;

that the Lord is very pitiful,

and of tender mercy.” James 5:7-11 

We talked last time about rain and the need to keep short accounts with our personal lives before The Lord Jesus, and today I’d like us to think about the “P” word, and the need for endurance and patience!

James warned his readers about the danger of focusing on riches and material wealth rather than the provision of God. Living here in Oklahoma makes me more aware of drought than I ever have been, for without the rain things get pretty dry, brown and depressing around here. And it is only the provision and power of God that sends the early and the latter rains; and without them it can be disaster! Crops fail, the ponds go dry, the cattle can’t be sustained, and the water sources become desperately depleted. But the Lord is The God who “is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” and when we keep our focus on Him, His will and His Word—we can ‘wait’ for HIS provision–HIS perfect timing. He provides all things according to His will, to accomplish HIS purposes, and He is trustworthy! Always!!!

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 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 55:6-11

God’s ways, times, thoughts and purposes are not ours, for His ways are exponentially “higher than your ways”! When the times of drought come, we must keep “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”; we must exercise that “patience” that we keep saving for another day!! (One of my husband’s favorite expressions is, ‘I have patience, there are just times when I can’t use it!) We must “patiently” wait “for the precious fruit” that God is producing. The farmer never plants the seed and goes out the next day for the harvest!!! It takes “time”! The times of drought may be consuming your thoughts and energy, but keep your eyes on Jesus, the One who has promised to send the rains at the right and proper time!!! He has never let you or me go and we can wait for His timing—simple but not easy. But we can do it—for we are never alone!

“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.……

8 Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”   Hebrews 13:5-6 & 8

Remember, He’s on your side today—rain or shine!!!

Confession & Rain??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #415

29 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Forgiveness, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, SIN, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #415 Confession & Rain???

 

Confession? A seemingly strange thing for us to be discussing this week but I couldn’t help think about the similarity between the two. Confession is an interesting thing. The Biblical word for “confess/confession/confessing” means “to agree with…..or acknowledge….”. That is where I’d like us to camp out this week, so to speak.

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

John reminds us that we can be forgiven, but it requires a simple thing called ‘confess’ion. But what does it mean to confess our sins? Simply, it means that we “agree” with God that sin is sin, or acknowledge our own sin. If we never see our sin, we can never ‘agree’ with God that it is sin, we will never confess it as sin, and we will never receive the ‘forgiveness’ of God.

Why is that important? It is imperative because without forgiveness of our sin, we can never be one with 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

Forgiveness of sin is one of the themes that runs through the book of Acts. Let’s look at some things we learn from Acts.

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31  

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:” Acts 13:38

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:18

All of these verses remind us that Jesus came to “..save his people from their sins…” (See Matt. 1:21). They remind us that only the cross provides forgiveness of our sins, and only through the blood of Jesus. The cross IS the emblem of God’s salvation, for only “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (See 1 John 1:7); The Lamb of God, who “….loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”. (See Revelation 1:5) Oh, how grateful I am for that wonderful blood of Jesus. As the old song says, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus”!!! Praise His name for that.

But do we need to confess only once? Let me share 1 John 1:9 in a different format:

“If (conditional: I have a choice)—

we confess (agree with God) –

our sins (PLURAL—sinS. Not other’s sinS, but MINE)-

HE is faithful (He is true and right toward me no matter how I am)–

and just ( he is legally right because HE has paid the price for sin)–

to forgive us (release from the penalty due for sin)–

our sins (for each and every sin—my sinS)–

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (he not only forgives me but cleanses me from all the sins I confess to HIM—remembering to agree with HIM that it is sin).

IF we confess: not just to be saved, not just once in a while, but every day, every time—each and every time I sin.

But what about rain? Well, living in Oklahoma, we know about drought; about times when it doesn’t rain; times when things get brown, times when things die from the lack of moisture. And it can be the same in our spiritual lives when we go without regularly examining ourselves and confessing our sin to our Father. He wants to hear from us, and while He already knows what’s going on anyway, He wants to hear from us and know we desire His love and forgiveness. He is there—He is here—and He always will be.

“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

When we walk with God…

When we learn to lean on Him….

When we learn the art of contentment ……

When we stop wanting all those things that we “DON’T” have….

When we “confess” our sins…..

Then the rain of God’s presence, power and purifying fire will keep us lively, and growing like the grass that has the continual rain upon it. Without rain all things will eventually die. Without keeping a short list of sin, our relationship with God will suffer the ravages of drought.

We won’t have His intimate presence–

We won’t have His life sustaining power–

And we won’t have real confidence that knows—

“…. that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  

May we keep our lead-time short by, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”? May we let the rain of confession make our walk abundantly bountiful toward God, His kingdom, and the world? Then the world will see Jesus in us, and be drawn to His love, and forgiveness and cleansing. Let’s be God’s water for those around us today!

“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:”    Isaiah 55:11