Category Archives: Abiding IN Jesus or the World?

Waiting Or Rushing Ahead??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 15

01 Sunday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Still Will I Trust HIM, The Gospel, Trusting Jesus?, Wait on the Lord, Walk in the Spirit, Walking With Jesus, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 15  Waiting Or Rushing Ahead???

 

“Hast thou not known?

hast thou not heard,

that

the everlasting God,

the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

fainteth not,

neither is weary?

there is no searching

of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint;

and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint

and be weary,

and the young men

shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait

upon the LORD

shall renew

their strength;

they shall mount up

with wings as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:28-31

Oh, that we could learn to “wait upon the LORD” rather than rushing head-long into the fray without any consideration for what God might be doing in our lives.  We seem to have become so enamored of our “instant” society that we fail to know or trust in the provision of our God “In His Time”!  We have been so influenced by the “name-it-and-claim-it” teaching that we have neglected what God says.  I am often amused that we think this is a new teaching, but if you go back to Job, it was what his friends were purporting to this godly man, who, praise God, knew better!  I think it is one of the reasons that Paul reminded us in Romans chapter 8 that in “all things” God is working.  We fail to rest in God’s absolute, sovereign power, and control.  The Psalmist said it powerfully.

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires

of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall

bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth

thy righteousness as the light,

and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.”  Psalm 37:3-8

I would encourage you to walk through this progression of our spiritual growth and practical trust in our God, who never fails to accomplish HIS purpose in us, even when it requires “spiritual” discipline.  WHAT?  God disciplines?  Yes, God disciplines HIS own; in fact, scripture says if we are without discipline, we better check out who we think saved 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 art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth 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

And in closing, Jesus Himself gives us the standard; are we producing God’s good works, or our own imitation works, which Jesus calls “iniquity”.

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:20-23

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And remember, just “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!

“And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:12-15

Where is your name written???  It matters!

Amen and Amen!!!

Humbly Trusting Our God??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 14

26 Monday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Conformed to HIS image, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Knows, Humility, I Know Whom I Have Beleived

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 14  Humbly Trusting Our God???

 

I want to let you know that posts may be a bit sporadic for a while, as we are making some life changes at our house and for the next couple of weeks, we’ll have things going on that may keep me from writing on my regular schedule.  I am so thankful for each of you, and thank you for your prayers, encouraging words, notes, reactions, and replies to our work.  My prayer is that God will always be lifted up, HIS Word exalted, and hearts and lives encouraged and drawn nearer to the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord.  So, for today a brief word that is an encouragement to me, and I pray to you!

“Let nothing be done

through strife

or vainglory;

but in lowliness of mind

let each esteem other

better than themselves.

4 Look not every man

on his own things,

but every man

also on the things of others.

5 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 2:3-11

May we each choose to seek Jesus’ face, and humble ourselves before God and be like Jesus; it’s what God is working into our lives in every circumstance!  We can trust to HIS care.

“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 just a little side note in closing, for many years I had heard Romans 8:28 “all things”, and it seemed rather flippant and often made God seem erratic or unfeeling to just flip out this or that to whomever!  BUT—then I found out there was a verse 29 in this amazing chapter of Romans!  Oh, praise God, HE has a purpose in all our trials, suffering, stumblings, even in our successes and failures!  OH, praise God—HE has promised that HE is at work in every situation that we might be “conformed to the image of his Son”!  I can’t tell you what joy and confidence that brought to my heart, and I hope it will do the same for you today!

May we seek HIM continually, humbling ourselves before God regardless of our circumstances, life changes, heartaches, or trials, and especially in the successes of life that can often build our “ego” rather than build our humble faith!

Be blessed and rejoice in all that God IS, not just what HE IS doing.  He is truly our “strong tower” and we can “run into it” any time.  Run to Jesus!  (See Proverbs 18:10)

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

 and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

Amen and Amen!!!

Be A Safe Place??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 13

18 Sunday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All Sufficient God!, Consider Your ways, Deniable Truth? Really?, Evil will not win, Faithful, Kindness, Knowing God's Word, My Grace Is Sufficient, Place of Safety, Presumption, Safe Place, Seasoned with Salt

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 13   Be A Safe Place???

 

After some intense conversations this week, I have a few things I’d like to share today; in the crazy culture we live in, it’s often difficult to have a safe place to find solace, refuge, and counsel.  I think God has called us to express His love by being that safe place as we have opportunity.

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all

bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”   Ephesians 4:29-32

If I can take a bit of liberty, I think we can say that while, “corrupt communication” may not proceed out every “mouth”, it does seem to me that much “corrupt communication” appears on social media, even by those who claim the name of Jesus!  How can we sing “Oh, how I love Jesus” on one day, and write and speak vile, mean, and harmful things to, about and in regard to people we may or may not know the next?  The lack of kindness grieves my heart, and we, as God’s children and followers of Jesus, ought to be shining the light of Jesus, and not the hatred of the enemy.   We are to be building each other up not tearing each other down; or expecting one thing of others and lesser things of ourselves!  We must remember that we are all “forgiven”!

Remember what Jesus said as HE taught us to pray.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:9-13

We are to be a place where others can find relief, safety and help to find the God who has the answers.

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

Just as the “righteous” run into God’s “strong tower”, we are to be a safe place for others to run to when they need to find hope and peace as well as safety.  Now we need to understand that being a “safe” place doesn’t mean that we compromise God’s truth—HIS Word—but it does mean that we share truth with grace and compassion.

“Walk in wisdom

toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.   

6 Let your speech be

alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know

how ye ought to answer

every man.”  Colossians 4:5-6

And I would simply ask you to think and pray about being God’s instrument of peace, grace, and truth to a lost and dying world; to extend kindness and grace as you speak God’s truth to those HE sends your way.

So, in closing I would simply remind each of us to guard our heart and our tongue; that we may be instruments of God’s service, for His glory and the good of those we encounter.

“Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door

of my lips.”  Psalm 141:3

“Keep thy heart

with all diligence;

for out of it

are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee

a froward mouth,

and perverse lips

put far from thee.”  Psalm 4:23-24

Jesus summed it all up when He told us that the mouth doesn’t defile, but rather a defiled heart which is revealed by the words which come out of our mouth (whether they be oral, written, or acted out!)!  What is coming out of your heart?  Do you need to clean up your heart so that your mouth will reveal Jesus and not the world?

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things

which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:17-20

The choice is yours but choose wisely.  There is a test.  I pray that we will each yield our heart to our LORD and let Jesus be seen in you/me; may we be a blessing and not a defilement!

Amen and Amen!!!

Perhaps A Simple Thank YOU? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 12

11 Sunday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Grace, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Walking With Jesus, Walking Worthy

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 12 Perhaps A Simple Thank YOU?

 

I’d like to turn our attention to gratitude for a few minutes this evening—and yes, I know it’s not November; but gratitude is an attitude that we ought to cultivate every day of the year, not just in November, or on Thanksgiving Day! Gratitude is a biblical mindset, and we ought to pursue it daily.  Paul gives us a list of godly characteristics that we are to cultivate, and I pray that we can be encouraged through the scriptures.

“Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things;

hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”   1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

We can hardly rejoice and pray effectively when we don’t have a grateful spirit; for we can find ourselves caught up in a spirit of resentment, bitterness, and selfishness when we allow our attitude to forget to have scripture as our guide and not the world around us.  We must reject the mindset of the world which most often is one of greed, lust, and self-gratification; rather than one of joy, prayer, and gratitude, and not “quenching” the Spirit of God!  Ouch!  There is an Old Testament passage that I think gives some great insight into this dilemma.

“The LORD liveth;

and blessed be my rock;

and exalted be the God

of the rock of my salvation.

48 It is God that avengeth me,

and that bringeth down the people under me,

49 And that bringeth me forth

from mine enemies:

thou also hast lifted me up on high

above them that rose up against me:

thou hast delivered me

from the violent man.

50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee,

O LORD,

among the heathen,

and I will sing praises

unto thy name.

51 He is the tower of salvation

for his king:

and sheweth mercy to his anointed,

unto David,

and to his seed

for evermore.”  2 Samuel 22:47-51

“I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen”!  We are to give “thanks unto” The Lord, “among the heathen”, living a life of gratitude among a world of self, greed, and lust!  We are to live a life that reflects WHO our “tower of salvation” IS!  Part of the 100th Psalm reminds us of the awesome power of our Creator—our Lord—our Redeemer—our Savior!

“Make a joyful noise

unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth

endureth to all generations.”   Psalm 100:1-5

Even as John recorded in the Book of the Revelation:

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying,

Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

which was,

and is,

and is to come.

9 And when those beasts

give glory

and honour

and thanks

to him that sat on the throne,

who liveth for ever and ever,

10 The four and twenty elders fall down

before him that sat on the throne,

and worship him

that liveth for ever and ever,

and cast their crowns

before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord,

to receive glory

and honour

and power:

for thou hast created all things,

and for thy pleasure

they are

and were created.”   Revelation 4:8-11

And as John continues, regarding The Lamb of God “who takes away the sin of the world”, the only One who IS worthy to open the scroll/book.

“And they sung a new song, saying,

`Thou art worthy

to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

 10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign

on the earth.

11 And I beheld,

and I heard the voice of many angels

round about the throne

and the beasts

and the elders:

and the number of them was ten thousand

times ten thousand,

and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power,

and riches,

and wisdom,

and strength,

and honour,

and glory,

and blessing.

13 And every creature

which is in heaven,

and on the earth,

and under the earth,

and such as are in the sea,

and all that are in them, heard I saying,

Blessing,

and honour,

and glory,

and power,

be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,

and unto the Lamb

for ever and ever.

14 And the four beasts said,

Amen.

And the four and twenty elders

fell down and worshipped him

that liveth for ever and ever.”   Revelation 5:9-14

As God is “worthy” of our praise and our gratitude, we are to live worthy lives unto The One who loves us, and cares for us, and gave HIMSELF for our eternal life!  Paul makes it clear that we are called to “walk worthy” of HIM who died for us.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you that ye walk worthy

of the vocation

wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness

and meekness,

with longsuffering,

forbearing one another

in love;”  Ephesians 4:1-2

“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;”   Colossians 1:9-10

“As ye know how we

exhorted

and comforted

and charged

every one of you,

as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy

of God,

who hath called you

unto his kingdom and glory.”   1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

And as we are thinking about gratitude, and walking worthy of our Lord, I simply want to direct our hearts and minds to that which our Lord taught us about a life of prayer—prayer that is focused on God, in His Word, and pursuing HIS will and HIS Kingdom in all we do.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine

is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:9-13

When was the last time you/I said “thank you” to our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit?   May God truly help us to cultivate an “attitude of gratitude”, walking worthy of the blood that cleanses us from all sin!  May others see a grateful heart reflecting The Lord who transforms lives!

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God,

and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:

but we know that,

when he shall appear,

we shall be like him;

for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him

purifieth himself,

even as he is pure.”  1 John 3:2-3  Amen!!!