Category Archives: Abiding In Jesus

Help Or Relief??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #539

14 Thursday Mar 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Help Thou My Unbelief, Humility

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #539   Help Or Relief???

 

Several years ago, I heard a pastor share about people who came to him for counsel; what he said was so true.  He said that “while some people truly come for help, most people only come for relief”, and it’s as true today as it was the first time I heard it.  Many people today simply want ‘relief’ from their present circumstances—they don’t want to change themselves, or find out what God has for them, or what scripture says about the life of a believer and follower of Jesus, or how we are to live and interact with those around us.  Yet God is ever ready to help those who will come to Him desiring Him and His truth, and not just seeking His blessings.

“This people draweth nigh unto me

with their mouth,

and honoureth me with their lips;

but their heart is far from me.”   Matthew 15:8

God wants us to know Him, and He will draw near to us when we draw near to Him.  It’s why Jesus came—that we might know Him and be one with God through The Son—Jesus Christ our Lord!  As Jesus prayed just before He faced the cross for you and me:

“And now I am no more in the world,

but these are in the world,

and I come to thee. Holy Father,

keep through thine own name

those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one,

as we are……

20 Neither pray I for these alone,

 but for them also which shall believe

on me

through their word;

21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father, art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one

in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me

I have given them;

that they may be one,

even as we are one:

23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect

in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.”    John 17:11 & 20-23

Oh, to be walking in oneness with my Lord!  It is the prayer of my heart for myself and for you. It’s not an easy walk—but it is a joyous one.  And as we submit to our Father and His Son Jesus, He will lead and direct our every step.

“But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purifyyour hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter

be turned to mourning,

and your joy

to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”   James 4:6-10

As long as we are content in our sin, and have justified it in our own minds, we will never seek God’s face!  This is why James was/is calling us to be “afflicted”—over our sin; that rather than gloat in our “liberty” we are to weep over our hard hearts and “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord”!  And while that is easy to say, it is not an easy thing to accomplish, for we are growing used to the dark, rather than basking in HIS light!  The Apostle John has much to say about this in his first letter (spend some time in 1 John to see what he says about “the light”)!  Even as the author of Hebrews reminds us—we have One who is ever interceding for us!  Thank YOU, Jesus!  We can truly find “help” in Him, not just relief for a moment!

“God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help

in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear,

though the earth

be removed,

 and though the mountains

be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof

roar and be troubled,

though the mountains shake

with the swelling thereof. Selah.”    Psalm 46:1-3

We truly can find help in our Lord Jesus–always!

“Wherefore he is able also to save them

to the uttermost

that come unto God

by him,

 seeing he ever liveth

to make intercession for them.”    Hebrews 7:25

And because HE is “able also to save”, we don’t have to fear our circumstances, and continually be seeking ‘relief’, but we can “stand fast in the evil day”!

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”    Psalm 56:3

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

May you find help today in HIS “power….and love…and… …sound mind”!  And sound mind simply means right thinking!  As Paul said to the Philippians:

“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 4:7-8

Amen and Amen—“think on these things”!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forgiven??? Forgotten??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 04

10 Sunday Mar 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, I Can Do All Things?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.04    Forgiven??? Forgotten???

 

I’ve been thinking about things from the past lately and want to share some thoughts with you.  I’m not trying to “dig up bones”, so to speak, but I do want to maybe share some insight that I pray will help someone.  I especially pray that you can share this with your children and grandchildren, especially the teens (who so often think they are invincable, and that their choices have nothing to do with their future!).

The first thing that I want to share is that the love of God saves us from “all” sin—past, present and future!

“The LORD is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger,

and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide:

neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us

after our sins;

nor rewarded us

according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,

so great is his mercy

toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is

from the west,

so far hath he removed

our transgressions from us.”  Psalm 103:12

God’s mercy and grace are truly amazing, and we can rest assured of His forgiveness when we come to Jesus and are born again. God has never withheld His forgiveness to those who come to Him through faith in Jesus death, burial and resurrection for sin!  And while the “love” of God is truly unconditional, His forgiveness IS totally conditioned on a person’s response to the Gospel.  It’s only Jesus who saves, delivers and forgives—all through His blood shed for me and you.

“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

What we sometimes forget, is that forgiveness isn’t an eraser that God uses to eliminate our past—good, bad or indifferent; even though sometimes that causes people to doubt God’s forgiveness.   God’s forgiveness is dependable and secure, but we don’t “forget” the life that we have lived with its opportunities and choices; choices made by us which have consequences that can’t be erased.  But they can be eased in our memory, and God often grants us His grace to redeem and restore the outcomes from some of those choices—but not always.

“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.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty,

and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the LORD your God,

that hath dealt wondrously with you:

and my people shall never be ashamed.”    Joel 2:25-26

I take great comfort from this passage, especially in regard to the past, my past, and I pray that it will bring encouragement to you; no matter what situations you find yourself in—whether dealing with choice making or unwanted consequences.  This is a principle that we often fail to convey to the younger generations—we are each free to make our own choices, but we are NOT free to set the consequences of those choices. And the consequences will come—maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but they will come.  I am sharing this hoping to help you “stand fast in the evil day”; for the enemy will come against us with a vengeance using those issues that we can’t erase.

When these things arise, there is another passage that gives me great comfort from Paul’s letter to the Romans, let’s peruse its depths and mine the treasure of God’s faithful Word!

“There is therefore now

no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life

in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak

through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law

might be fulfilled

in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.”   Romans 8:1-4

Jesus paid the price for our (my) sin at Calvary so that we are able to be forgiven and restored to a place of joy.  Paul was answering a question that he put forth in chapter 7, “who can deliver us”!  And the answer is, only God can–through Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—provide the sacrifice which imparts forgiveness of sin and restoration to a relationship with God (“Peace with God” is how Paul describes it in Romans 5:1), and a life that can be lived by the power of God’s Spirit within us!  Even when we fail as believers, God has already provided for our restoration to useful service.

“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

David also shows us the beauty of God’s work of forgiveness, healing and restoration of our fellowship with Him!  And it is this beauty which encourages my heart when those unpleasant things raise their ugly heads!

“Hide thy face

from my sins,

and blot out

all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners

shall be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness,

O God, thou God of my salvation:

and my tongue shall sing aloud

of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, open thou my lips;

and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice;

else would I give it:

thou delightest not

in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God

are a broken spirit:

a broken

and a contrite heart, O God,

thou wilt not despise.”   Psalm 51:9-17

David brought his sin and failure to God in contrition, repentance, and a desire to have GOD restore him back to intimate fellowship after his personal sin. And while God honored David’s request, there were still consequences for David in that forgiveness.  Yet remember that God is ever at work in us, using even our errors and sin for His glory, and our good, with His paint brush of grace.

“For as many as are led

by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received

the spirit of bondage

again to fear;

but ye have received

the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:”   Romans 8:14-16

It is God’s power that restores His own, and as we looked at Hebrews 12 recently, those who are God’s will be disciplined by God (child training in all areas), for  God doesn’t waste anything in our lives, even our past failures and sin, our present difficulties, and even the future is His to use in our lives to make us more like Jesus.  Paul gives us God’s assurance that HE is at work in us always. The issue is whether or not I/we will yield to God’s hand and learn the lessons that He is teaching, or will I/we resist His work, and keep having to ‘re-learn’ His principles over and over again.  And while we may be weak, we are never alone!

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth

our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we 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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:26-31

God’s Word says it so wonderfully, and we can be assured of our total security IN Jesus!

“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

So, whatever the enemy throws against you or me—we can overcome every time because:

“If God be for us,

who can be against us?”

 because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”   1 John 4:4

My point is, no matter how far we have come, the enemy is ever trying to derail us, but God is greater than our enemy!  Yet I want us to understand that our choices in life are important.  They are important to us personally, they are important to others whom we influence, and they are important to God, that we will be a vessel of Honor in His kingdom, and not a shame to our King!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth the name

of Christ

depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house

there are not only vessels of gold

and of silver,

but also of wood

and of earth;

and some to honour,

and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself

from these,

he shall be a vessel

unto honour,

sanctified,

and meet for the master’s use,

and prepared unto every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts:

but follow righteousness,

faith,

charity,

peace,

with them that call on the Lord

out of a pure heart.”    2 Timothy 2:19-22

So, may you ever know that God is at work in us, even when we mess up; but when we mess up, we can find forgiveness and restoration in Jesus.  The thing I want us to grasp and pass on to those in our circle of influence, is that once the words come out of our mouth, we can never take them back.  When we do things that harm ourselves or others, we can never put things back like they were before.  You can never “unhear” or “unsee” that which may defile the heart, mind and soul!  We may be able to restore some things, and some relationships, but others, once lost may never be regained—whether it’s because of our failure or our stand for Jesus.  Simply walk “in the Spirit” and guard your heart with God’s help—and check every thought at the door of Philippians 4:8!

“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 4:8

I can walk in victory over past, present and future, and so can YOU!!   Amen and Amen!!!

 

If It’s In It Will Come Out??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #357

06 Wednesday Mar 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Victory IN Jesus!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #537   If It’s In It Will Come Out???

 

“Shall not God search this out?

for he knoweth the secrets

of the heart.”  Psalm 44:21

We often talk about making lemonade out of the ‘lemons’ that we find ourselves with, but there’s a catch to that.  As the old adage asks, “What do you get when you squeeze a lemon?”  While most say, “lemon juice”, the truth is, you’ll only get out of the lemon what is in it! If it’s a dry lemon, you won’t get any juice at all—you’ll just squeeze and get nothing.  Well, our spiritual walk with God is much the same; when the squeeze comes—trials, burdens, sorrows, difficulties, or tragedies—and it will come, what you’ve put in your heart will come out; what we continually put into our hearts and minds, will be revealed when that ‘squeeze’ comes.  Jesus tells us the same thing, and more than once!

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.”    Matthew 12:34-35

And again, Matthew records:

“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 15:18-20

Jesus makes it clear that what is IN our heart will come out sooner or later!  We can fool others, we can even fool ourselves, but we will never fool God.  And when the crisis comes—what is inside will be revealed, and it may surprise even us! So, it’s important to spend time with God personally, reading His Word, praying and seeking His face, His will and His way.  I understand that we all have to deal with life, but we are to “walk in the Spirit”; meaning that we are to live every moment—at work, at home, at play, at school—asking, seeking, and knocking with God’s eyes and perspective in all we do.  Whether it’s making coffee for a friend, or washing dirty clothes and dishes, or digging ditches, or checking out of the grocery store—it’s all to be done by His power which is within each one who is His own.  But that means we must-–must—guard our hearts and minds from the attacks of the enemy.

“Keep thy heart

with all diligence;

for out of it

are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

And as Paul told the Colossians, we are to work and live in His love and peace (both of which only Jesus can impart to lost hearts and minds)!

“And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching

and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing

with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father

by him.”  Colossians 3:14-17

We are to continually pursue the holiness of Jesus, and “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus”; and that doesn’t mean just slapping “in Jesus’ name” on the things we do, but doing His work, His way, for His glory and our continual surrender to HIM!  His name isn’t a magic “potion”, but HIS presence in HIS own is a supernatural power of grace, mercy and redemption!

So, what’s inside you?  Have you opened every room of your heart to Jesus’ presence, work and control? Or have you those locked off rooms that are coming out in the most inopportune times?  Jesus is ready, willing and able to forgive, restore and renew your life and walk with Him!  Won’t you join me today as we check out what’s “inside”?  It will come out, and what we have put in will truly come out!!!

“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 15:57-58

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faithful Is HE Who Promised!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #536

01 Friday Mar 2019

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #536   Faithful Is HE Who Promised!!!

 

There is a conundrum (something that puzzles) in speaking of God’s promises, in that not all of His promises may apply to us specifically!  What do I mean?  Simply put, we must always consider the context of any promise, for some things that people consider ‘promises’ are simply principles of truth instead of promises; and also, some promises are to specific people in specific situations or times.  We can never violate the context to claim any promise!  Let’s look at some promises and principles.

“And the very God of peace

sanctify you wholly;

and I pray God

your whole spirit

and soul

and body

be preserved blameless

unto the coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he

that calleth you,

who also will do it.”   1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Paul was free to pray for his friends in this church—to pray for their sanctification and spiritual maturity unto “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Paul wasn’t speaking for God, but simply praying for his friends, and reminding them to trust The One who was able to grow them, the faithful God who had called them to Christ!  Our confidence must always be totally in HIM, not ourselves.

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth

take heed lest he fall. 

13 There hath no temptation taken you

but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful,

who will not suffer you to be tempted

above that ye are able;

but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape,

that ye may be able to bear it.”   1 Corinthians 10:12-13

There are those who debate what this passage means, and whether it is a promise; but I’d rather simply look at what Paul says!  He warns those who think they are ‘above’ stumbling, to take heed and remember that it is God who delivers, keeps and protects—not self!  Paul also reminds these believers that “God is faithful”, that we will never face anything that is outside of God’s sovereign control!  He assures them—and us—that no matter what temptation or trial we may face, GOD knows where we are, and HEwill provide a means to “able to bear it”!  God will get us through it, whether He gets us “out of it”, or as the three Hebrew children in Daniel 3 understood—if it’s not in God’s timing or will to deliver us “out of” the fire—HE is still faithful and will deliver out of or through–and we can trust HIM (so we will not bow before other ‘gods’)!

Job understood this principle of the faithfulness of God, and I pray that we will all learn to trust Him and rest in His promises and His principles—and there is often a difference.

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain

mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:10

Job knew that God’s faithfulness was totally trustworthy, but he also understood that he had a responsibility to live a life of integrity before God and man. And we only do that, with our eyes fixed on Jesus, in the power of the cross, and by His indwelling Holy Spirit!  Job knew about abiding in God.

“Now ye are clean through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abidein me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abidein the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abidein me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:3-5

So, let us take heart today, no matter the trials or temptations that you/I are facing—our
God is faithful and we can draw near to Him!

“Let us draw near

with a true heart

in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled

from an evil conscience,

and our bodies washed

with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast

the profession of our faith

without wavering;

(for he is faithful that promised😉”   Hebrews 10:22-23

All because, “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”!

Amen and Amen!

 

Jesus IS Our Hope!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #529

06 Wednesday Feb 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, HOPE

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #529    Jesus IS Our Hope!!!

 

Sunday’s post was a bit heavy, so I thought I’d simply like to share a word of encouragement and hope this morning.  So, buckle your seat belt, and let’s take our day to Jesus!

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”    James 4:6-8

James reminds us that it’s God who gives us grace to live by, but we must draw near to HIM and resist the enemy of our souls.  May our hearts be humble before Him, as we stand fast and resist the devil, as we draw nigh to God cleansing our hands, hearts and minds.  As we continue to draw near to Him, we can have the confidence of Job.

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:”  Job 19:25

Our hope is in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—our soon coming KING—HE is our confidence and hope.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Jesus shared this with the disciples after telling them of His leaving that would be followed by His absolute return.  Even Job knew that his “Redeemer” would stand on this earth—in victory as the King–only after coming as the suffering servant who would pay for our sin.

“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.”  John 14:2-4

Jesus gives us the confident assurance of HIS return; and while the disciples were baffled at this conundrum (look it up 🙂 ), Jesus assured them of who He was!  I can’t comprehend the sadness and disappointment that they struggled with for that three days between the crucifixion and Resurrection Sunday!  But WOW!  The riddle was no longer a riddle—just the power and glory of the resurrected Jesus, giving them the confident hope and assurance that helped them take the Gospel throughout the whole known world!  Powered by His Spirit to confident boldness, and courage to speak truth!

So, take hope today—Jesus is coming soon, and HE knows where you are today, and will make the way clear as you “draw near to” HIM! Blessings on your day!  Amen and Amen!