Category Archives: Abiding In Jesus

I Know Who’s Standing By Me!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #747

05 Thursday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Stand by ME!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #747  I Know Who’s Standing By Me!!!

 

As we’ve been busy with some important life changes, it has been a great comfort and encouragement to me to know “WHO” has us in HIS hands; and that HIS care is an ever-present help—always!

“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

What an awesome God we serve, and I must admit that I am so grateful to know that our God is ever with me, and there is another Psalm that brings me great strength and courage yet is so familiar that we often forget the depth of its import.  I simply want to share it with you today in a different format, may it encourage your heart as much as it does mine.  I also leave you with an amazing song by Charles Albert Tindley, if you’re not familiar with it type it in on your internet browser and there is a great rendition of this hymn by Tennessee Ernie Ford (and yes, I’m that old!)!

“The LORD is

my shepherd;

I shall

not want.

2 He

maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he

leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He

restoreth my soul:

he

leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I

walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear

no evil:

for thou art

with me;

thy rod and thy staff

they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table

before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest

my head with oil;

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me

all the days

of my life:

and I

will dwell

in the house of the LORD

for ever.”  Psalm 23:1-6

I pray that these words from God’s Word and this precious hymn will encourage you as much as they do me!

Stand By Me. By Charles Albert Tindley

When the storms of life are raging, stand by me. 
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea,
thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me.

In the midst of tribulation, stand by me.
In the midst of tribulation, stand by me.
When the hosts of hell assail, and my strength begins to fail,
thou who never lost a battle, stand by me.

In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me.
In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me.
When I do the best I can, and my friends misunderstand,
thou who knowest all about me, stand by me.

In the midst of persecution, stand by me.
In the midst of persecution, stand by me.
When my foes in battle array, undertake to stop my way,
thou who saved Paul and Silas, stand by me.

When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me.
When my life becomes a burden, and I’m nearing chilly Jordan,
O thou Lily of the Valley, stand by me. 

May God’s blessings abound in your heart no matter the trials that may circling around you!  Remember:

“And I heard as it were

the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying,

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.” Revelation 19:6 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!!!

Arthritis Theology For Today??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #745

23 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Arthritis Theology, Be not conformed to this world, Bibe Study, Blessed by God, By Him We Live, Guard Your Heart, JESUS

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #745  Arthritis Theology For Today???

 

I know some of you are wondering what “Arthritis Theology” is; well, my friends it came up in one of our conversations this week, and most of the older folks will relate.  I asked my husband to rub some arthritis cream on my back (since I can’t reach it any more…ha ha), and I was giving instructions on how I wanted it done, and I simply said, “If you don’t rub it in, it won’t do any good!”  And I just had to share the similitude to walking with Jesus; for the more we “rub” HIS Word in….the more good it does in our hearts, our minds, and our daily service for our Lord!  I think it may have been what Paul had in mind as he counseled the Colossian believers, let’s consider it.

“Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 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 3:12-17

If I may put it in a nutshell, what you put in will come out.  It’s also what Jesus reminds us of on multiple occasions.  What are you putting into your heart?  It’s so easy to be distracted by this busy techno-crazy world and allow harmful and unnecessary things into our heart and lives.  May we choose wisely!

“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

“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

May we take HIS words to heart and make sure we keep our hearts right with our Lord and strive to please HIM with a clean heart and a right walk before God and man.  Someone is watching your walk—where are you leading them?

“Keep thy heart

with all diligence;

for out of it

are the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:23

And one of my favorite godly challenges from our brother Paul.

“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

So, may we fill our heart with Jesus, and not fill our hearts with corrupt things, and find ourselves going the wrong way!  If we think it long enough, we will follow through!  Choose wisely, for there is a test.  Let’s rub in the Word of God and walk in victory before our Lord and others!

“For whatsoever is born of God

overcometh the world:

and this is the victory that overcometh the world,

even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world,

but he that believeth

that Jesus is the Son of God?”   1 John 5:4-5

Amen and Amen!!!

Learning To Wait And Listen??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #742

14 Wednesday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Walk in the Spirit, Walking With Jesus, Wisdom

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #742  Learning To Wait And Listen???

 

“My brethren,

count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience

have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect

and entire,

wanting nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

 is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.

7 For let not that man think

that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.

8 A double minded man

is unstable

in all his ways.”  James 1:2-8

James gives us some amazing advice, yet we so often find ourselves being “double minded”!  What does that mean?  Well, I’ll give you my grasp on that picture, and I think it’s simple; it’s when we try to serve “God and self”.  Jesus calls it trying to serve “God…and mammon”, if you would, the things of this world—money, luxury, ease, power, popularity, promotion, worldly success, and the list could go on to include any idol that we build or allow to consume our thoughts, our time, our energies, our money, and desires.  As I’ve often heard, and said myself, “Let me look at your checkbook and I’ll show you what you love.”  Try it yourself!  So, what is our desire to be set on?  We choose what we love and then that love will conform us to one thing or another, usually the divide between God and the world.

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Matthew 6:24

Jesus goes on to call us to realize that when we know HIM and Father God, we can depend on HIM to supply our every need; even when we’re not sure what that looks like.  Just as James talks about, there are times when we just don’t know which choice to make, yet our GOD WILL grant us direction when we choose to seek HIS face and wait upon HIS answers.  Even when they seem difficult, we can trust our God completely for “HE careth for you”! (See 1 Peter 5:7)

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

What are you/I seeking?  Our actions will usually reveal the answer to that question.  And to keep this brief, I want to take us to a great passage in the Psalms that is one of my ‘go to’ favorites; reminding me ‘how to’ keep my “eyes on Jesus”!  I pray that it will help you and encourage you in whatever choices you may be facing.  And know that I totally understand as we are also facing some life-changing decisions at our house too.  But I know that our God is able, faithful, and true to HIS Word!  He has never failed me yet, though I have often failed HIM, and I know HE will continue to direct our steps as we seek HIS face.  And my great prayer is that I will be found faithful before HIM!  How about you?  And just a reminder, what you “delight” in will usually lead to the desires of your heart!

“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 in closing a bit of advice from James again, to remind us that we must strive to walk in The Spirit not the flesh.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not

the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

And Paul gives a great closing challenge; may we take heed to our walk—are we in the flesh or The Spirit?  It’s your choice but choose wisely!  There is a test!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh…

… 25 If we live in the Spirit,

 let us also walk in the Spirit.”   Galatians 5:16 & 25

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Living By Grace In Faith!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #741

09 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #741  Living By Grace In Faith!!!

“And lest I should be exalted above measure

through the abundance

of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

 the messenger of Satan to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory

in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Oh, how often I praise God for this amazing testimony of Paul’s.  Here we have one of the most powerful men of God, one who was called to be Christ’s Apostle, and yet HE had this trial, this burden, this affliction allowed to come into HIS life that HE could remind us that GOD is sufficient to any situation that HE sends, permits, or allows to come into our lives as well.  What reassurance this brings to my heart, for much like all of you we have trials at our house also; and I am reminded of what Paul told us in his passage on spiritual warfare;  an amazing reminder that I count on daily, especially in our present station of life.  You may have noticed that I haven’t posted recently, for we took some time to get away and be refreshed by some dear friends; yet even that turned into quite the encounter as we drove home, but I praise God that HE is always with us.  My mind goes to Ephesians 6, even as I sit here writing to myself as well as for you.

“Finally, (God always has the last word)–

my brethren, (for all saints IN JESUS)–

be strong in the Lord, (IN HIM NOT me)–

and in the power (IN HIS power not mine)–

of his might.”(BY HIS total provision)–  Ephesians 6:10

When my body is in pain, or weary to the bone; when I just feel like I can’t go one step farther; when I feel like I’m drowning in the demands I face, or that if one more request comes, I will crumble; when all these things, feelings and thoughts come pouring in, I must look up—and so can you!  And we will find our precious LORD sufficient to restore, refresh and renew our hearts, minds, and souls—even though the body may still hurt—God is ever working for our good and HIS glory.

I’d simply like to share a few passages to encourage your heart and mine today in the sufficiency of our Lord in ALL things—ALL the time!

“There is no fear in love;

but perfect love

casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment.

He that feareth

is not made perfect

in love.

19 We love him,

because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:18-19

John also encourages us again in The Revelation:

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace be unto you,

and peace,

from him which is,

and which was,

and which is to come;

and from the seven Spirits

which are before his throne;

5 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,”  Revelation 1:4-5

And remember our hope and secure assurance is totally in our Lord Jesus Christ. We win!

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he

that is in you,

 than he

 that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

In closing may these words resound in our hearts, that we may “stand fast in the evil day”!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

 because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

 9 Whom resist

stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

I pray The Lord Jesus lift, comfort and encourage your heart today, as we remember that our GOD IS sufficient in all!

“Not that we are sufficient

of ourselves

to think any thing

as of ourselves;

but our sufficiency

is of God;”  2 Corinthians 3:5

Amen and Amen!!!