Bible Ballistics: BBs #224 A Fortnight Of Thanks-Living #14

I thank God for His Amazing Grace. The question was asked at our church last evening, “Does God’s grace still amaze you?” And oh, the answer is a resounding YES!!! Both then, when He saved my wretched soul so many years ago, about 40 in fact, and now even more as I’ve lived in and experienced the love and grace of God on a daily basis! Oh, how precious to know the wonderful, life-changing grace of God. Without Jesus I would be nothing—in truth I wouldn’t even want to think about where or what I would be without HIM!!!

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.” John 8:42

That God loved me enough to send “His only begotten Son” to save me from my sin and hell–that amazes me!  And yes, “SIN” is the issue. And only God’s amazing grace could love you and me enough to provide the one and only way to know Him and to spend now and eternity with Him. It’s HIS grace alone, in Christ alone that transforms and delivers us from not only the penalty of sin (Hell), but also from the power of sin over our lives, and eventually from the very presence of sin. I’m ready! How about you? Have you received this amazing grace into your life? If so give Him daily, continual thanks, praise and honor. If not, then call on His name in repentance and faith in His death, burial and resurrection for YOUR sin, and He will meet you there, but He won’t leave you “there”! He will lift you up to heights beyond anything that you can imagine.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20

God’s amazing grace at work in us, accomplishing God’s great and amazing purposes IN and through us. And His eternal presence that enables us to overcome this world fearlessly, because He will never leave us.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Did you see it? When we are IN Christ Jesus and have His love within us (because HE puts it there)—we can never be separated from HIM. And how does this take place? Well, I’m glad you asked!

“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

How amazing that Jesus not only died for my sin, but He rose victorious over sin and death to provide the way—His Holy Spirit—for us to receive “the love of God” into our hearts! It doesn’t get much more amazing than that.

So I’d like to close our “Fortnight Of Thanks-Living” by thanking God for HIS “amazing grace”, and calling each of you to join me, and NOT just today, BUT every day! Because, when we are in Jesus, we are blessed with His salvation for our souls, His love within our hearts, and His presence now and for all eternity.

May God bless you with a wonderful day of sharing your “attitude of gratitude” with all those around you?

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!!!

 

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #223 A Fortnight Of Thanks-Living #13

I thank God for His joy.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:

but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”   Proverbs 17:22

There is a lot of talk today about “natural” medicine. Naturopathic medicine is in the upswing, natural remedies are sought after, and healthier lifestyles are all buzz words of the day. Scripture tells us there is a great medicine that God gave us for our good, and that’s laughter and a merry heart. And while I think we ought to seek natural things in our life, we could do so much for ourselves if we’d just keep a light heart, eyes fixed on Jesus and a spirit of joy and laughter within.

While the rule of success in “real estate” is “location, location, location”, the rule of successful living in Jesus is “attitude, attitude, attitude”!!! If we’ll all simply work on our own “attitude” and maintain that “merry heart”. What does it mean to have a merry heart? Well, I’d rather state what a merry heart is NOT! It’s not a flippant attitude that laughs at everything. It’s not an attitude of denial, which doesn’t live in reality. It’s not an attitude of ridicule toward others or laughing when your heart is broken. Rather it’s a heart that is draws it’s strength and confidence from God.

“………… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Our strength is found in His joy. Joy in KNOWING the God of the universe, and trusting to HIS faithful provision and love for us, displayed at Calvary. Not just a “pie in the sky” dream for tomorrow, but a down-to-earth trust in the sovereign rule and ultimate victory of our God over SIN.

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

to give unto them beauty

for ashes,

the oil of joy

for mourning,

the garment of praise

for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called

trees of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord,

that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3

God’s glory displayed in us, because we have His Spirit within us empowering us to live with HIS peace– and that my friends, produces joy which works in life, so we can:

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8

 

“THINK ON THESE THINGS”— a merry heart and an attitude of gratitude will reflect the peace of God. And when you are at peace with God—you can rejoice today!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #222 A Fortnight Of Thanks-Living #12

I thank God for daughters. That may seem a little strange but I want to thank God for my only daughter and for His faithful work in both of our lives. I thank Him for restoration of relationships that get strained through life, stress, bad choices or conflict. But much like our restoration to God through Jesus Christ and His atoning death for us, God also allows us to realize restored relationships in our personal lives. He returns the “prodigals” not only to their God, but also to their earthly homes and families.

I’m so glad that I can take this time to wish my own daughter a “Happy Birthday” today, but to also praise God for the relationship that God is helping us to share. And for those of you, who are praying for “prodigals”, keep your faith in God– HE does hear and answer prayers, not always when and how we would like, but HE does answer in HIS time and in HIS perfect will.

“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” Joel 2:23-25

This is one of my favorite passages in scripture, and while the context speaks to Israel and her future, I think we can take great comfort in the application to those of us who love the “prodigals”. While some have left due to their poor choices, some have left because of our own poor choices, but God assures us that He is working on our behalf even when we have blown it terribly. Even when God has had to discipline us personally, His ultimate goal is to restore us to Himself, and He desires that we also experience restoration in our broken relationships. Take heart dear friend—God is at work on your behalf.

“The Lord hath done great things for us;

whereof we are glad.

4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

as the streams in the south.

5 They that sow in tears

shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth,

bearing precious seed,

shall doubtless come again

with rejoicing,

bringing his sheaves with him.”   Psalm 126:3-6

What great confidence—God honors our tears with harvests of joy and “re”joicing! And He doesn’t waste one tear!

“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” Psalm 56:8

My dear friends—no matter the difficulty of your sorrow, God is at work! Look up, trust in His grace and mercy, and press on in faith and hope. God has a plan.

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16

So as I wish my dear daughter a Happy Birthday, I thank God for all He is doing to accomplish His purpose in us. And if you have a “prodigal”– pray on, press on and pursue godliness. Our God is the God of restorations. Keep on asking, seeking and knocking!!! Jesus IS the door!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #221 A Fortnight Of Thanks-Living #11

I thank God for life and strength. As we live from day to day, sometimes we forget how blessed we are to be able to “go”. I count it a privilege and a blessing to still have the ability to be mobile, to see, to hear, to taste, to feel, to smell and to know. There are so many around us who would love to have gotten out of bed this morning, to stand alone, or to be able to care for themselves without assistance.

Solomon describes the difficulties of aging (or disabilities), along with the challenge to be faithful to God with the strength you have. So, I am thankful for the ability to “go” on in this life, to still be able to care for myself, my family and others as well. May I be a faithful servant to The Lord and to those He places in my path with the strength I have.

“Remember now thy Creator

in the days of thy youth,

while the evil days come not,

nor the years draw nigh,

when thou shalt say,

I have no pleasure in them;

2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened,

nor the clouds return after the rain:

3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble,

and the strong men shall bow themselves,  

and the grinders cease because they are few, 

and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets,

when the sound of the grinding is low,

and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird,

and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high,

and fears shall be in the way,

and the almond tree shall flourish,

and the grasshopper shall be a burden,

and desire shall fail:

because man goeth to his long home,

and the mourners go about the streets:

6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed,

or the golden bowl be broken,

or the pitcher be broken at the fountain,

or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was:

and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”   Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

Did you get that? “…the spirit shall return unto God who gave it”—the spirit of every man, woman, boy and girl will stand and give account to God—either to hear “well done, thou good and faithful servant” or “depart from me, I never knew you”. Are you thankful for your life today? Are you ready to meet God? Life is precious and we should be thankful and appreciative of what we have, no matter how limited we may be. God has something for each of us to do, regardless of our unique abilities and/or the lack thereof. Be grateful for what you have, and use it for God.

Bible Ballistics: Thankful For What??? Vol. 7#1

I hope you enjoyed and were helped by our look at Daniel. We’ll take some time to reflect on some current issues over the next few weeks, and then we may try another continuing study of a particular part of God’s Word. Please let me know how these are working for you, as my desire to is please God through this ministry and to meet your needs through His Word as much as I can.

As we here in America are celebrating Thanksgiving, it seems an interesting “Holiday”. For while there are many who are “thankful”, there are even more who have no concept of gratitude, thankfulness or any recognition of the blessings they have received—neither from God nor anyone else! We live in a society of expectations and entitlements– a culture of “gimme”, “gimme”, “gimme”! It is at least refreshing that we can still use the word “thanks-giving”.

For those of you who follow my blog either by email, Facebook or the Bibleballistics.com website, you know I’ve been focusing on a series called “Thanks-Living”. And for those of us who believe in and follow Jesus Christ, we are called to live lives of gratitude to God and others; it should be a way of life, not just a time of year! But like everyone, we get distracted, mis-directed and forgetful of the need for an “attitude of gratitude”. One of my favorite signs of all time is the Thanksgiving one that said: “Are you humbly grateful, or grumbly hateful?” That kind of says it all—it’s a matter of attitude, and scripture reveals what our attitude ought to be:

“In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.”   1 Thessalonians 5:18

And since we are to give thanks in “every thing”, I’d like us to take a journey through scripture to observe some of the people, places, things, and events for which some of the characters in scripture gave thanks. Let’s go:

“Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.” 2 Samuel 22:50

David is thanking God for delivering the kingdom into his hands after years of running and hiding for his life.

“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people….. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever..” 1 Chronicles 16:8 & 34

David continues to thank God for successfully bringing the ‘Ark of the Covenant’ into Jerusalem. And if you go back and read about the earlier attempt, you’ll find that David had a very bad experience and became angry with God. But David came to learn that “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.. And when David got right with God, and followed God’s prescribed ways, he was able to rejoice in The Lord again.

“And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 31:2

King Hezekiah upon calling the people of Judah to return to God and cleanse the land of idolatry. He set the Levites to lead the praise and worship of the people before God.

“And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.” Nehemiah 12:24

The re-establishment of temple worship after the return from Babylonian exile brought gratitude of heart and the desire to praise God in worship (as David had prescribed).

“Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.” Psalm 18:49

If you’ll notice, this is a duplicate of what is above from 2 Samuel 22:50, where David wrote this song of praise to his God. I find it note-worthy that this was such a powerful song that it was also recorded in the “song book” of Psalms for posterity sake, and for corporate worship! And while we could list numerous verses from the Psalms, suffice it to say that the songbook of Israel is replete with praise and thanks to the God of all creation, but we must sing them from a heart of gratitude not just with lips that aren’t truly grateful! God wants people of true devotion to worship Him, and HE knows the difference even when others may not.

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” Isaiah 29:13

Where is your heart—near to God, or are you just offering “lip” service”? Only you can answer that question, but it is a question that needs to be answered.

“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21

Here King Jehoshaphat is leading his army out in obedience to the direction of The Lord in a totally absurd (to the world) walk of faith. A walk that had the army led by people singing praises to God. Whoa!!! What an act of obedient faith and worship! That’s a game changer—and they won if you were wondering; go back and read the whole account. It will encourage your soul!

“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

Jesus himself was giving thanks for the opportunity to die for me—for you! Gratitude that is so devoted to God that He could give thanks for His sacrifice! Now that puts me to shame! How about you? When was the last time we were willing to “give thanks” for the privilege of suffering for Jesus? Maybe never? Oh precious Lord, give me a heart willing to praise you in all things—I desire to be more like YOU!

“He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.” Romans 14:6

Paul tells us that we are to respect the different convictions of others, in fact just a few verses earlier he reminds us that we are God’s servants, and we answer to HIM individually:

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4

It is God who holds me accountable, and it is also God who holds me up and leads me in His Word to be what He wants me to be. He is working all things to make me more like Jesus. (See Romans 8:28-29)

“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. 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 15:56-58

Paul reminds us that whether in life or in death we have the victory—“ thanks be to God”—we win. So whether you’re facing difficulties in life, or are dealing with death right in your face, God has given us the victory and we can thank HIM and praise HIM in “all things”!!! As an old song by Marvin V. Frey (1918-1992) says:

“Praise Him in the morning, Praise Him in the noontime….Praise Him when the sun goes down…..”  Just praise HIM!!!

We are not only to be thankful to and for God, but also thankful for one another:

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;” 1 Thess. 1:2

“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:” 2 Thessalonians 2:13

We are to give thanks to God for one another and the joy that we are privileged to share in knowing Jesus and the salvation that HE has provided for us.

“Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” Revelation 11:17

We can thank God that HE will accomplish HIS purpose in and on this old world—He will rule and reign on this earth, and I don’t believe the time is very far away. Are you ready for that day? For my dear friends we must remember that:

“behold, now is the day of salvation….” 2 Corinthians 6:2b

Today is the day of salvation! You may not have tomorrow, and the question isn’t “will you bow” before Jesus–the question is when. Will you bow before Him now and call on Him to save your soul, or will it be “then” when you bow before Him as your judge, with no opportunity for salvation? Only you can answer the question!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient

unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”   Philippians 2: 5-11

Please know I am praying for you to be saved if you are not, or to obey Him in gratitude if you are already saved!

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” Isaiah 52:7

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“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

And what is this “good news”, the gospel that we are grateful for?

“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: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Jesus died for you, my friend, and there is no greater joy than to know Him and the new life that He imparts. Won’t you make this the greatest “Thanksgiving” of all—and thank and trust the one who died for you. He’s waiting for YOU!

“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 my dear ones that is one door I’ve never regretted opening. And for Jesus I am eternally GRATEFUL!! God bless you with eyes to see and ears to hear!