Category Archives: A Father’s Love

Where Is Your Sin??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #598

25 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Not Of This World, Nothing New, Overcoming By His Blood, Salvation, Seeing Truth, SIN, Speaking The Truth In Love, The Blood Of Jesus, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, What's In Your Heart?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #598       Where Is Your Sin???

 

The issue today doesn’t seem to be “sin”, for according to the world’s standard there isn’t any!  Much like God’s people in the book of Judges, we are totally living in a “selfie” culture in more ways than one.  God warned of the danger of this kind of living, and just as few listened in the past, few are hearing truth today.  Let’s take a walk-through God’s Word this morning to see what God has to say!

“Ye shall not do after

all the things that we do here this day,

every man whatsoever is right

in his own eyes.”  Deuteronomy 12:8

As I’ve heard the old saying, “I’m ok; you’re ok; we’re all ok!”; I don’t think so?  It’s not a new idea, even as Solomon said:

“The thing that hath been,

it is that which shall be;

and that which is done

is that which shall be done:

and there is no new thing under the sun.

10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said,

See, this is new?

it hath been already of old time,

which was before us.”  Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

Even as Israel wrestled with the truths of God after the death of Joshua, our culture—our world—is set on self, no matter the consequences.

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that

which was right

in his own eyes.”   Judges 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that

which was right

in his own eyes.”  Judges 21:25

My question for today is the same as our title today: “Where is your sin?”  Is it covered by your own arguments, justification, and excuses or is it under the blood—the blood of Jesus?

“If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

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

God makes it clear that sin is the problem, we have it—we can’t fix it—but Jesus has!  He can and will forgive sin for those who will come to HIM in repentance and faith!

“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

Just as Jesus said, we “must be born again”—by God’s grace, mercy and power, expressed in His “only begotten son”!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

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 1:10-13

And praise God Jesus takes care of our SIN when we are “born….of God”! Jesus cleanses us “from all sin”!  Oh, praise God for HIS amazing grace toward we sinners; for HE washes away our sin through the blood of Jesus!  As the old hymn says, “Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus”!  (Written by Robert Lowry in 1876)

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth

is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”   1 John 1:7-9

Oh, praise His name–His blood will cover our sins; or it will hold you accountable for rejecting HIM—and God’s Word is the standard, not our ‘selfies’!

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints

and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

So, my friend, where’s your sin?  Mine is under the blood of Jesus, my Lord and Savior!  If you don’t know Him, He is waiting for YOU to come to HIM, that you may know His “abundant life” today!

“And from Jesus Christ,

 who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God …to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”   Revelation 1:5-6

Amen and Amen!!!

Pray On To Press On??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #597

23 Wednesday Oct 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Encouragement, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Prayer

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #597       Pray On To Press On???

 

I want to share a simple and brief call to each of us who belong to Jesus!  Our lives, our families, our schools, our cities, and states, as well as our nation need a touch—a touch that only God can extend.  May we intercede while there is still time!  Our only hope, as I see it, is personal repentance and revival, which can lead to revived churches, which can lead to communities transformed, which can lead to a true and powerful heart of righteousness all around us.  God Himself gave Solomon the key!

“If my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.”   2 Chronicles 7:14

The principle, If:

We are called HIS—

We humble ourselves (the one I can humble)-

We PRAY—

We seek GOD’s face—

We REPENT of OUR sin—

GOD will:

Hear from heaven—

Forgive OUR sin—

Heal OUR land!

It all begins with MY willingness to seek God’s face, asking Him to reveal my own failures, short-comings and sins, that I may know the conviction of The Holy Spirit, mourn and repent before MY God, ask HIS forgiveness for MY sin, and receive His “Balm of Gilead”—the grace to heal and restore “my soul”, that I can be a catalyst of revival in my realm of influence!  Will you join me in seeking HIM?

“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

Accept whatever HE reveals—and deal with it!  Agree with God!

“If we confess

our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”    1 John 1:9

Then we can join Paul in pressing on to victory.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”    Philippians 3:13-14

Amen and Amen!

No Passing Zone??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #596

18 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Amazing Grace, His Mercies Are New Every Morning, No Passing Zone, Peace, Peace Makers

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #596       No Passing Zone???

 

It’s so nice to be back with you all, and I thank you for your faithful prayers and encouragement to me as I write and post to remind us all to look up and know that our “redemption draweth nigh”; and while we all have struggles in this life, even as it becomes more and more “un-politically correct” to speak God’s truth, may we remember that Jesus warned us of reality!

“These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

 In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Jesus death, burial and resurrection are our hope; His willing, substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for “MY” sin is my joy, hope and confidence—and it can be yours as well!  The peace that Jesus gives is immeasurable, and certain!

“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.”    Philippians 4:6-7

Paul tells us how to keep this thankful, God-centered mindset; a mindset that we all struggle with in these difficult days.  But when we remember that our Lord is faithful and HE has promised to empower us for victory, we can press on, keeping our eyes on the ‘prize’—Jesus—not the ‘pries’—those things in everyday life that try to “pry” us away from our safe place in our Lord.

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

Oh, how glorious!  We must remember that our battle is in the mind, and we have to keep our eyes (and minds) “looking unto Jesus”, thinking on the things that are pleasing to Him, for our hope is in HIS power, provision and protection!  So, we must not ‘pass’ up HIS ways.  (See 2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

“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.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me, do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:8-9

Have you noticed that God’s peace is mentioned over and over again in relation to our obedience and devotion to our Lord?  Just a word from Jeremiah as we wrap up today’s post.  I pray that wherever you are, whatever is going on around you, you will remember to look up and not let your surroundings rob you of the love, peace and provision that God IS!  May Jeremiah’s words resound in our hearts today; for remember, he had watched his own people reject God’s Word and reap the whirlwind in the Babylonian defeat of Jerusalem—yet he rehearsed the goodness of God in stark contrast to the defeat and rubble that lay around him.  He was lifted up as he remembered the truths of God’s character, no matter our circumstances.  Don’t let the “peace of God” pass you by—we can make it a “no passing” zone by trusting to The One who has you/me and our circumstances; remembering, as our brother David Ring often says, “God never says oops!”

“This I recall to my mind,

therefore have I hope.

22 It is of the LORD’S mercies

that we are not consumed,

because his compassions

fail not.

23 They are new every morning:

great is thy faithfulness.

24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul;

therefore will I hope

in him.

25 The LORD is good

unto them that wait for him,

to the soul that seeketh him.

26 It is good that a man

should both hope

and quietly wait

for the salvation of the LORD.”  Lamentation 3:21-26

And as the Psalmist wrote long ago:

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress,

and my deliverer; my God, my strength,

 in whom I will trust;

my buckler, and the horn of my salvation,

and my high tower.”  Psalm 18:2. Amen!

God’s Goodness!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #593

04 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Amazing Grace, Glory, God's Faithfulness, God's provision

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #593       God’s Goodness!!!

 

Some things speak for themselves, and today I’d like to share some portions from Psalm 145 to lift, encourage, and remind us that our God is sooooooo good—all the time!  And not to be trite, but ALL THE TIME—God IS good!  May He speak to your heart today, and may we share His goodness with others whom God places in our path!  Thank you to each of you, for blessing me!

“I will extol thee,

my God,

O king;

and I will bless thy name

for ever and ever.

2 Every day will I bless thee;

and I will praise thy name

for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD,

and greatly to be praised;

and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall praise

thy works

to another,

and shall declare

thy mighty acts.

5 I will speak of the glorious honour

of thy majesty,

and of thy

wondrous works…

… 8 The LORD is gracious,

and full of compassion;

slow to anger,

and of great mercy.

9 The LORD is good to all:

and his tender mercies are over all his works.

10 All thy works

shall praise thee, O LORD;

and thy saints

shall bless thee.

11 They shall speak

of the glory of thy kingdom,

and talk

of thy power;

12 To make known to the sons of men

his mighty acts,

and the glorious majesty of his kingdom…

… 17 The LORD is righteous

in all his ways,

and holy

in all his works.

18 The LORD is nigh unto all them

that call upon him,

to all that call upon him

in truth.

19 He will fulfil

the desire of them that fear him:

he also will hear

their cry,

and will save them.

20 The LORD preserveth all them

that love him:

but all the wicked

will he destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak

the praise

of the LORD:

 and let all flesh

bless his holy name

for ever and ever.”  Portions of Psalm 145:1-21

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

An Amazing Prayer??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #592

02 Wednesday Oct 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Jesus Saves!, Joy, Resting Or Wrestling?, Sanctuary

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #592  An Amazing Prayer???

 

I would simply like to share one of Paul’s prayers with you all today; a prayer that I pray often for myself, for my family, for my friends, for the lost, and like Paul, for those I’ve only met by mail, blog or email!  May it touch and encourage your heart, and I pray that you will ponder on its message.  And just to set it in context Paul has just acknowledged that he had heard of the Colossians’ faithful love for Jesus—that’s the ‘cause’!

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

 and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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 1:9-14

And a few comments from me, if you would, I pray that you have found this “redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” which Jesus has provided for all who will repent (change direction) and believe/trust in Him; and if you have, that you will truly grow in grace and truth as you seek His face continually.  That you also will learn to trust Him more and more as you are being: “filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”!

And if you don’t know Him yet, that you will trust Him today, for He truly loves YOU!  He died for YOU!  He is calling YOU today!

“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

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”   Matthew 11:28-30

Amen and Amen!!!