Category Archives: Abiding In Jesus

A Word from THE WORD #5 Bible Ballistics

06 Friday May 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Encouragement, Eternal Plan of God, Every Knee Shall Bow, Eyes that SEE HIM, May the fourth be with you!!!, The fourth man in the FIRE!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

A Word from THE WORD!!!  #5

Most people don’t know (and some are shocked when they find out! Ha ha) that I am a big Star Wars fan.  From the first one that my sister-in-law and I took the children to see at the drive-in some 40+ years ago.  But I must admit that I didn’t watch the “prequels” until just the last year or so, and while they are ok, they’re not the original.  I say all this to talk about the cutesy little meme that comes around every year at this time, “May the ‘fourth’ be with you!” (On May the 4th, in case you didn’t know) in reference to the “force be with you” from the Star Wars series of movies.  Well, for the last couple of years I have used a borrowed meme that has a picture of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and that “fourth man…. the Son of God” with them; I believe that “fourth man” was a preincarnate appearance of our Lord Jesus in the fire with them. And that my friends, is way, way more important than any movie!  Is Jesus with YOU?  I pray that HE is, and I would like to share a couple of passages of scripture with you this morning to remind us all that God has a plan that will never fail.  Jesus saves, delivers, accompanies His own, and HE IS coming again, and perhaps very soon!  Here’s some food for thought, encouragement, and hope!  Remember, we win!

“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

And one of the greatest practical examples of trust, and confidence in God from Daniel chapter 3:

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God

whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up…

…. And these three men,

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

fell down bound

into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied,

 and rose up in haste,

and spake, and said unto his counsellors,

Did not we cast three men bound

into the midst of the fire?

They answered and said unto the king,

True, O king.

25 He answered and said,

Lo, I see four men

loose,

walking in the midst of the fire,

and they have no hurt;

and the form of the fourth

is like the Son of God.”   Portions of Daniel 3:16-25

May this same Jesus be seen in us, in our living, our language and in our love, by the power, spirit, and grace of The Lord Jesus, who will never “leave you, or forsake you”, THE ONE who still changes hearts and lives—one at a time!!!  And in closing for today, one of the most beautiful passages regarding God’s eternal, total, omnipresent person, and presence with HIS own, is from one of David’s Psalms.

“Whither shall I go

from thy spirit?

or whither shall I flee

from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven,

thou art there:

if I make my bed in hell,

behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,

and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;

even the night shall be light about me.   

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not

from thee;

but the night shineth as the day:

the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”    Psalm 139:7-12

Amen and Amen!!!

What/Who Are YOU Waiting For??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 23

02 Monday May 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, There IS a Test!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 23 What/Who Are YOU Waiting For???

We are all waiting on something; a package we have ordered, a new piece of furniture, a new baby (one of the greatest gifts that God gives us—be it child, grandchild or great-grandchild), moving into a new house, or a new season of life, and this time of year we see many new seasons—graduates going off to adult life, those taking off on summer adventures, and during the trials of the last 2 years, many have had to adjust to life changes, loss, and trying to deal with unexpected grief, physical trials and challenges that have caused us all to “wait” on one thing or another.  Changes are a part of life and so is ‘waiting’!  The key is to know what we are waiting for—or more importantly—WHO we are waiting for.  Some are waiting for a ‘prince charming’ who will solve all their problems, others for that job that will take them to new heights of power and fame; for some, it’s waiting for that ‘special someone’ to “make me happy”!  Well, my friends, happiness is a word related to circumstances, but JOY is the peace of mind, heart and soul that only Jesus can and does give to those who will choose HIM—and wait for HIS direction, will and provision, and it goes far beyond circumstance but is grounded in the security of The Savior who paid the price to redeem us to Himself, and will direct our way when we seek HIM.

“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

Every person has a God-given freedom to choose, we can choose wisely, or we can choose foolishly.  Jesus gave a great lesson in this regard.  The choice is to believe and receive Jesus, or to go our own way, focused on ‘self’! You will choose the ‘rock’ or the ‘sand’—the lesson implies that each house ‘appears’ to the world to be the same, but the foundation makes the difference.  One person chose Jesus—The Rock; the other chose ‘self’—the sand.  You can impress the world or have peace with God—but most generally you can’t have them both at the same time; whether we look at coming to Jesus and accepting His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice; or the living out of either trusting and obeying Jesus or trusting and yielding to our own wisdom and fleshly wisdom.  (See Romans 5:1-11)

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him

unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened

unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus

had ended these sayings,

the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them

as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”  Matthew 7:24-29

Joshua gave one of the greatest summations of this personal dilemma of all time, for we must “choose” whom we will wait for, wait on and look unto for all of life’s issues, especially the salvation of our souls!

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Jesus is the “rock of my salvation” and HE will be yours if you will look to HIM! Oh, how I love Jesus!

“I will love thee, O LORD,

my strength.

2 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.

3 I will call upon the LORD,

who is worthy to be praised:

so shall I be saved

from mine enemies.”  Psalm 18:1-3

The question is, what and who are you “waiting” for?  After many years of life, experience, disappointments, joys, and learning that there is only ONE person who is worthy of my focus, my continual devotion, and on whom I can depend, HIS name is JESUS!  And while I am blessed with many faithful and trusted friends, there is only ONE upon whom I place my total confidence, my best friend, JESUS!  And HE is worth waiting for—and I truly believe that His return is imminent!  Are you ready?

“I had fainted,

unless I had believed to see

the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the LORD:

be of good courage,

and he shall strengthen thine heart:       

wait, I say,

on the LORD.”  Psalm 27:13-14

“Wait on the LORD,

and keep his way,

and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land:

when the wicked are cut off,

thou shalt see it.”  Psalm 37:34

As we wait upon “The Lord”, we can be assured that Jesus is “God”, not an imposter or just ‘one’ of many ways to God!  HE IS GOD, He said so Himself, and He also said HE is coming back again, and HE is trustworthy—and I’m looking UP expectantly!!!

“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.”  John 14:6

So, my friends, what/who are you waiting on?  You can choose to believe in the ONE who is coming back for HIS own, waiting with joy and expectancy. Or not?  Choose “you this day” to go your own way or God’s?  And just as a bit of reminder for some of you and news for others of you, let’s rehearse what scripture says about “who/what” Jesus claimed Himself to be from the Gospel of John—one of my favorite books about Jesus.  A great New Testament book to read if you want to know more about Him!  And note “the Word” is Jesus—the living WORD, as well as the author of the written Word, and here, as well as several other passages, identified as “creator”.  (See Colossians 1:16)

“In the beginning

was the Word,

and the Word

was with God,

and the Word

was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made

by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth

in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5.  (See John 3:19-21 for more)

Jesus’ first express revelation of His deity was to the woman at the well:

“The woman saith unto him,

I know that Messias cometh,

which is called Christ:

when he is come,

he will tell us all things.

26 Jesus saith unto her,

I that speak unto thee am he.”   John 4:25-26

Yet sometimes “seeing” isn’t “believing”:

“And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life:

he that cometh to me

shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me

shall never thirst.

36 But I said unto you,

That ye also have seen me,

and believe not…

….48 I am that bread of life…

….51 I am the living bread

which came down from heaven:

if any man eat of this bread,

he shall live for ever:

and the bread that I will give

is my flesh,

which I will give

for the life of the world.”   John 6:35-36 & 48, 51

Without Jesus there is no way to God—you can choose to believe Him or reject Him, but choose wisely, there is a test, and a consequence.

“And he said unto them,

Ye are from beneath;

I am from above:

ye are of this world;

I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore unto you,

that ye shall die in your sins:

for if ye believe not

that I am he,

ye shall die in your sins.”  John 8:23-24

“Jesus said unto them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Before Abraham was,

I am.

59 Then took they up stones to cast at him:

but Jesus hid himself,

and went out of the temple,

going through the midst of them,

and so passed by.”  John 8:58-59

“Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord:

I believe

that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come into the world.”                       John 11:25-27

What do you believe?  Jesus spoke the truth and they wanted to kill Him, and we who follow Him won’t always be believed or accepted, and we need to know that Jesus prepared us for this truth (hard to accept sometimes, but true and becoming more and more evident every day!).  It’s important to remember that when we choose Jesus, and walk in obedience, we will suffer with HIM.

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not

him that sent me.”  John 15:17-21

Paul also said something very similar to us—a verse that is often ignored, but much needed today!

“Yea,

and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”  2 Timothy 3:12

And in closing, are you, am I, willing to “live godly in Christ Jesus”?  If not, what are you waiting for?  Holy or NOT?  The choice is yours but choose wisely, there is a test!  And remember God’s call upon those who are His own.  Don’t wait too long!

“But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy; for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:15.-16

Amen and Amen!!!

You Can’t Get Yesterday Back??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 22

25 Monday Apr 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Children, Choices And Consequences, Family, Teach The Children, You can't get yesterday back!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 22  You Can’t Get Yesterday Back???

A prayer that I wrote several years ago, and which I try to pray before The Lord each day, touches on what I want to share tonight.  We have “today”—no more, no less, in reality, we can have memories, we can have wonderful feelings of days gone by, we can have regrets that will haunt us beyond comprehension, but we can never second-guess God’s tomorrows, or bring back yesterdays of regret.  But we can live “today” in JESUS!

“Father,

Your will for today—IS mine

Your pleasure for today—IS mine

Your work for today—IS mine—

Tomorrow IS yours alone to reveal—

Yesterday IS ours alone—

mine to release to you,

yours to weave into the image                                    of Jesus Christ my Lord!”

The key to true “joy of The Lord” is living in the “todays” of life.  Even as Jesus commanded us to in the Model Prayer.

“Give us this day our daily bread.”  Matthew 6:11

The Psalmist also calls us to consider our days with respect.

“So teach us

to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts

unto wisdom.”  Psalm 90:12

Oh, that we can learn to live each day to God’s glory, and by His grace and wisdom.  I can’t tell you how many times I have wished to have certain occasions back to change my actions or behaviors, to get some time and life back, but that won’t happen; but God does often give opportunities to be restored, but sometimes—gone IS gone!  Yet Paul reminds us that when we have been born again by the power of God we have a different take on life—by dying to self, and living to Jesus in all I am and all I do, the world can see what Jesus can do in a life submitted to HIM (even when my heart is broken over missed, and lost opportunities, for some are still fresh on my mind some 2 ½ years after my dear daughter’s violent death, when a life is gone, we can never say those things we wish we had said, we can never see that smile again, we can never offer help or share that encouraging word that we wish we had…. BUT GOD—restores, heals and turns pain into sweet memories, if we let Him).  When I live for Jesus today, HIS provision is perfect!

“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

I would like to speak to parents and grandparents, to all who hold a child’s life in your hands; for the lives we hold in our hands are there for such a short time.  Even though in those developing years they seem like such long years, with so much busy-ness of little minds and fast bodies, as we chase them all around the house and yard in perpetual motion it seems; then they are grown and gone in the flash of an eye.  Yet, oh I must tell you how often I have wished that I could regain those years for a “re-do”.  How I wish that I could have seen through the eyes of God’s Word, and taken those moments more seriously and with more love and commitment to doing things God’s way!  How about you?  Do have regrets?  What are we to do with those regrets?  We bring them to Jesus, and focus upon HIS Word, and His provision, redemption, and restoring grace.

“Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend

that for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 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.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing

ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this

unto you.”  Philippians 3:12-15

So, parents and grandparents, we can reclaim the future by the power of God and HIS Word; by determining to live for, with and through Jesus, and by joining the Psalmist in praying:

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

And again:

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”   Psalm 37:23-24

We must be governed by God’s Word and know our children (as the scripture calls them) are a blessing, a heritage, and a gift from God, deserving of our love, time and effort:

“Lo, children are an heritage

of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb

is his reward.

4 As arrows are

in the hand of a mighty man;

so are children

of the youth.

5 Happy is the man

that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak with the enemies

in the gate.”  Psalm 127:3-5

How I wish that I had seen the import of the time that I put into my children—not just the clean house I provided for them, or the home-cooked meals that I provided, or even the clothing that was provided for them, but more importantly the time that I often neglected to spend with them, or the teachable moments that I missed because I was distracted doing my own thing!  To put it in a more modern example—I was too busy watching my “soaps”; or talking on the telephone (you know the one with the 25-foot cord so I could walk around the house while I conversed with my friends at will—we didn’t need “cell phones” ha ha ha), spending perhaps more time on my apps, my texts, my games, my communications with people much less important than my children!.  God gives the best advise that I could ever pass along; and while I shared some of it recently, I hope this review will help each of us reassess how we look at opportunities for “teachable” moments.

“Hear, O Israel:

The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest

in thine house,

and when thou walkest

by the way,

and when thou

 liest down,

and when thou

risest up.”  Deuteronomy 6:4-7

We are to be open for every opportunity to teach our children the ways of God, His laws, principles, and His longing to have a relationship with us–not just ‘religion’ (a practice of a set of rituals) but a relationship.  God wants to extend to us, and us to our children the truths of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life that Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection purchased at Calvary.  All this means that my children are to be one of the most important things in my life, not just an add on for the future; we are to teach them by sharing truth at every opportunity, teaching by example as well as speaking the truths of God’s Word; we are to live out our relationship with Jesus (and this portion of scripture reminds us that we can only share what we possess!) in all our ways—from the inside out—not just teaching with our words; but by talking and living out the Word of God– when we sit around, when we walk around/or drive around, when we get ready for bed (a most teachable time for our children as we share their day’s activities with them), and when we rise up to get them ready for a successful day “in the Lord”, be that at home with mom or to a school environment!

God gave Moses such an amazing picture of the home which I think we have lost sight of (I know I did all those years ago, and I so regret not making better use of my time to make a greater difference in the lives of my children and grandchildren [especially my daughter who is lost to me through a violent death] and been a more effective witness in their lives)!  So, I encourage you to live a life without regrets by wisely, and diligently using the time that you have—for you can’t get it back– heeding the plan of God from Deuteronomy 6! For God says if we live it, our children (and others) will ask, “Why are we living this way?”, then we can share what God has done, and is doing in our lives.  But to share a testimony, we have to have one!!!

“And thou shalt bind them

for a sign upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house,

and on thy gates…

….. 20 And when thy son asketh thee

in time to come, saying,

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God

hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:

22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders,

great and sore,

upon Egypt,

upon Pharaoh,

and upon all his household,

before our eyes:

23 And he brought us out from thence,

that he might bring us in,

to give us the land

which he sware unto our fathers.

24 And the LORD commanded us to do

all these statutes,

to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

if we observe to do all these commandments

before the LORD our God,

as he hath commanded us.”   

Portions of Deuteronomy 6:8-25

Will we live for Jesus today…and today….and today?  You’ll never get one back—no, not one!  But you can build memories without regret!

“Then he said unto them,

Go your way,

eat the fat,

and drink the sweet,

and send portions unto them

for whom nothing is prepared:

for this day is holy unto our Lord:

 neither be ye sorry;

for the joy of the LORD

is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:10

I can have this joy because Jesus gave His life for mine, and yours!  And when He gives us “new birth”, God imparts to us, HIS righteousness, then we are enabled to make a difference in the lives of our posterity, and others!  Let’s live each “today” and make a difference in the lives of those whom God brings across our path—kin or not!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Now in closing, there are many who read this article who are like me, of an age when we don’t have the opportunities we once did, but I want to remind us all, regardless of your age, God is a gracious and merciful God, and even if you’re like me, with many regrets, the God of mercy gave me a “word from HIS word” long ago, one that may bring as much comfort to you as it has to me!  And I must say, I praise God today for answering many of my prayers in that regard!  I praise HIM for His restorative love and mercy to bring life, and resurrection power in so many ways to that which the “locusts” had eaten.  So, take heart my friends, Satan may come to “steal…kill….and destroy..”, but Jesus can bring LIFE and restoration to “stolen” relationships!  But don’t wait too long—for while we can’t get “yesterday” back, we can live in Jesus’ power TODAY, and watch God restore “the years that the locust hath eaten” as we walk with HIM today and each day that He gives us.  And believe me, I have learned that each day is truly a gift from God to be used to bring HIM glory and benefit those around us—especially the children!

“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 2:25

Amen and Amen!!!

T.G.F.T.F.??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #789

15 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Repentance, Resurrection, Salvation

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #789       T.G.F.T.F.???

OK!  What is TGFTF?  Pretty simply, much like our famous “TGIF” (thank goodness it’s Friday), I just want us to ponder our need to “Thank God for “this” Friday”!  And while I won’t take the time today to debate the issue of the truth that Jesus wasn’t crucified on a “Friday”, I do want us to thank The Lord God Almighty for the gift of HIS SON, Jesus, and the sacrifice that HE made for our sin, and the absolute truth that HE was raised from the grave three days later.  That is a gift and a “Friday” to thank God for.

So, I just want to share a few scriptures together this morning to draw our hearts and minds to our Lord Jesus Christ and the amazing grace that HE extended to us at Calvary!

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him,

being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Acts 2:22-24

And again, a short time later Peter reminded the people of who Jesus really was, and what HE had really done, and that HE died to save men, women, boys, and girls—all who will believe in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here before you

whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become

the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

 for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

Oh, what glorious news!  Jesus saves!  He did then, and He still does today.  Do you know HIM?  Can you celebrate HIS resurrection in spirit and truth?  I pray that you can, and that you will!  Blessings on your “Good Friday” and the blessed “Resurrection Day” that is the symbol of us being raised to walk in newness of LIFE in Jesus.  And the glory of “Christ in you, the hope of glory”!

“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

And even as Jesus told Martha, who was heartbroken over the death of her brother, and not understanding that Jesus had delayed His arrival that a much greater thing than Lazarus’ recovery was about to happen—“I AM”!

“Then said Martha unto Jesus,

Lord, if thou hadst been here,

my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now,

whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,

God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her,

Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him,

I know that he shall rise again

in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection,

 and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord:

I believe

that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come

into the world.”  John 11:21-27

In closing I simply ask, “Do YOU believe?”  If not, I pray that you will call upon HIS name in repentance and faith (simply put, turning from your sin, and running to Jesus instead)!  If you already know HIM, I pray that you and I will draw near to the Risen Lord and reflect HIS glory to a lost and dying world today and every day, in all that we do.

“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?

27 For the Son of man

shall come

 in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”   Matthew 16:24-27

Amen and Amen!!!

Who’s Grace, Peace And Love??? Bible Ballistics: BBs 786

30 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Choices And Consequences, Good News, Gospel, Grace, Love, Love Is Action, Peace, Peace Of The Rock, Salvation, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Trusting Jesus?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #786   Who’s Grace, Peace And Love???

 

I was thinking this morning about the profound theology that we often miss from the Apostle’s letters, and I’d like us to just consider the simple truth that we may often miss.

“To all that be in Rome,

beloved of God,

called to be saints:

Grace to you

and peace

from God our Father,

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ

for you all,

that your faith is spoken of

throughout the whole world.”  Romans 1:7-8

What is grace?  Grace is often defined as “unmerited favor” and while that is true, it is so much more in our biblical understanding of the favor of God to extend to us the act of forgiveness of our SIN through the blood of Jesus.

“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

So, Paul was praying God’s continued grace upon the Romans not just for saving grace but grace to daily live for Jesus!  We need the same today!  Even as Paul prayed for the Corinthian believers as well.

“Grace be unto you,

and peace,

from God our Father,

and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always on your behalf,

for the grace of God

which is given you by Jesus Christ;

5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him,

in all utterance,

and in all knowledge;”   1 Corinthians 1:3-5

Our life should reflect the grace that we have received from our Lord Jesus—saving grace—but also the “living” grace which we are to grow in daily—in fact moment by moment.  Peter also mentions this grace.

“Ye therefore, beloved,

seeing ye know these things before,

beware lest ye also, being led away

with the error of the wicked,

fall from your own

stedfastness.  

18 But grow in grace,

and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour

Jesus Christ.

To him be glory

both now and for ever.

Amen.”  2 Peter 3:17-18

We are to be aware of those who are deceivers, liars, and false teacher/preachers, knowing The Word of God for ourselves; growing in this grace that God imparts to those who come to Him through Jesus!  And Jesus Himself told us the import of love!

“By this shall all men know

that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love

one to another.”  John 13:35

“If ye love me,

keep my commandments.”  John 14:15

As we pray for one another may we spread the faith, love, hope and encouragement of God’s Word one with another.  It was important for the Apostles, and it should be important to us.  Remember ‘love’ here is “agapao” or agape love—the heart that does that which is best for the recipient—be it Jesus or those around us!  Lord help me see through the eyes of your “love”?

“But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

And one of scripture’s greatest reminders:

“For now we see through a glass, darkly;

 but then face to face:

now I know in part;

but then shall I know

even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity,

these three;

but the greatest of these is charity.”   1 Corinthians 13:12-13

Amen and Amen!!!

‘Nuff said…….!