Category Archives: Abundant Life In Jesus

Freed From Bondage??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #594

11 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Fear, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #594       Freed From Bondage???

 

I just want to share an encouraging word with you today about real freedom—freedom that we have IN Jesus!  We have been saved to serve The Sovereign God Almighty and His Son Jesus, through the power of saving grace and the impartation of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Power to be God’s children and live in a manner worthy of the “heritage” that we have received from our Lord Jesus Christ.

“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

Oh, praise God for that deliverance and translation into God’s glorious kingdom—one that is free from fear and bondage!  All because of what Jesus did for us through His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice at Calvary!  Paul reminds us to “remember” whose we are, because of Jesus’ completed work of salvation!

“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:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also

glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.”                  Romans 8:14-18

Oh, praise God, I just want to shout—in fact I just did—Amen, thank You, Jesus!  Yet, we also have a call to follow our Lord in word and deed—Paul says it better than I can (and in so many places, but I’ll share just one this morning):

“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;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity

of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.”   Ephesians 4:1-3

All things that we can be victorious in as we walk “in the Spirit” and not the flesh.  Sometimes (often times) we find ourselves yielding to the flesh, when we ought to be looking up and not around!  As one of my dear friends is often heard to say, “we have to remember what Paul told the young preacher, Timothy, and not be afraid”!  No matter how often we may stumble or fall, the key to success in God’s kingdom, is to just get up, look up and press on for our KING!

“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

I pray that these few words of encouragement will lift your spirit today!  I love the Greek word translated here “sound mind”, for it literally means “right thinking”; and as I heard someone say long ago, we need to look up to our Lord, and “quit your ‘stinkin’ ‘thinkin’!”  May it ever be so, and as a final reminder, don’t let fear rule your heart but follow Paul’s admonition for ‘thinking’:

“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

Amen and Amen!

 

“I Put My Trust In Thee”??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #594

09 Wednesday Oct 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Trust God, Trusting Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #594       “I Put My Trust In Thee”???

 

We often wrestle with “time” and the bustle of “activity” all around us.  Where is the balance of “life”?  There is only one answer—Jesus, who IS the source of strength to those who will come to Him in repentance and faith!  People often claim that Jesus is simply ‘one of many’ ways to God, or that Jesus never claimed to ‘be God’; but Jesus made both of those truths clear in His teaching!

“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

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them

eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father,

which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

All because of “Who” Jesus IS, you and I can walk in confidence through life.  We can press on in those difficult days; we can find comfort in our pain, sorrow and grief; we can stand fast “in the evil day”!  All due to the work that Jesus accomplished at Calvary; all because of the precious Holy Spirit whom Jesus has given to those who come to Him and receive the new birth (See John 1:12-13)!  The Psalms paint such amazing pictures of God’s faithfulness, His grace, His sufficiency, and His faithful keeping of His children for our good and His glory.  May this passage from Psalm 25 comfort and encourage your heart where ever you may be today!  May His grace, mercy and peace lift you up!

“What man is he that feareth the LORD?

him shall he teach

in the way that he shall choose.

13 His soul

shall dwell at ease;

and his seed

shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the LORD

is with them that fear him;

and he will shew them

his covenant.

15 Mine eyes are ever

toward the LORD;

for he shall pluck my feet

out of the net.

16 Turn thee unto me,

and have mercy upon me;

for I am desolate

and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart

are enlarged:

O bring thou me

out of my distresses.

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;

and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;

and they hate me with cruel hatred.

20 O keep my soul,

and deliver me:

let me not be ashamed;

for I put my trust in thee.

21 Let integrity

and uprightness

 preserve me;

for I wait on thee.”  Psalm 25:12-21

And just for good measure, one of my favorite verses:

“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 40:31

Amen and Amen!

 

 

God’s Standard Will Stand–Will You??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #590

25 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Conviction, Faith, Follow Jesus, IN Jesus!, Life, Life or Death?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #590  God’s Standard Will Stand-Will You???

 

We live in a culture that becomes more and more focused on ‘self’ each day.  But we who have been “born…..of God” and cleansed by “the blood of Jesus Christ” must remember to keep our eyes on Jesus, the “author and finisher of our faith”!  We must recognize the danger, the lies and the deceit of the enemy of our souls—the enemy of the souls of all men, and “stand fast in the evil day”!  Today, I simply want to share from The Word of God some things to remind us of His truth, even when it’s hard!

Every person must come to Jesus on their own, and no matter how much we pray for it, or desire if for others, only the convicting power of the Holy Spirit can open the eyes of the spiritually blind—may we ever pray for His work to continue, and that we will share God’s truth at every opportunity—spreading the seed as we ask HIM to bring the harvest!

“Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst

of a people of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.”  Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah came face to face with God (spiritually) and recognized his sin, and God delivered him from his sin, and that is what we each must do at some point!  We must acknowledge our sin, for if one has no sin—why would he/she need a savior?  Jesus said that repentance is the flip side of faith, for until I see “me” as a sinner, I’ll never need to trust Him, for I have it all under control (I think!).  Jesus is the answer—but until ‘I’ recognize the need, the answer is of no benefit to ‘me’!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Jesus Himself makes this very thing clear!

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners

above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3-5

We can point fingers at other sinners, but without repentance and faith in Jesus, we are in the same boat as they!  Yet, you may ask, what is the standard?  The standard is “The Word Of God”—both the written Word and The Living Word, Jesus!

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

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

And my friends—it is God “with whom we have to do”!  While I can’t judge your heart (for sometimes we can’t even truly judge our own hearts), God can and will.  There is a day of reckoning coming, and I pray that you will heed the voice of God speaking to you today and respond in repentance and faith!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 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.”   Revelation 20:11-12

Paul reminds us as well:

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow

to me,

and every tongue shall confess

to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account

of himself

to God.”   Romans 14:11-12

So, my question for us today is, are you/I ready to give an account?  It is an account that will be measured by God’s standard, not our own.  We can choose to bow before Him now as our Lord and Savior, or we will bow before Judge Jesus with no recourse of grace!  The choice is yours/mine but choose wisely for there is a test coming!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

 8 For he that soweth

to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

but he that soweth

to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.”   Galatians 6:7-8

Just remember hell is hot and eternity is long—your choice about Jesus will determine your future.  Defy Him or follow Him—the choice is yours!

“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

And remember if you belong to Jesus:

“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

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

Our Savior And Our Example!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #589

20 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Comfort, Encouragement, Every Knee Shall Bow

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #589 Our Savior And Our Example!!!

 

While Jesus IS our Redeemer and Lord, He is the One to whom we look, the One on whom we depend—and The One who IS the way to God—not one of many but the One and Only Way!

“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 lay aside the glory of heaven to come to us, take on flesh and blood, live a sinless life, and die in our stead—all because He and The Father love us!

“For God so loved

the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.”  John 3:16-18

Jesus is the only way to life!  No matter how many lies the enemy spreads—God’s Word stands true and is the standard of all judgment in the end; and there is a day of reckoning coming, but in Jesus we are saved from the judgment and wrath of God. The choice is yours and mine, but the consequences of our choice will follow us into eternity!  Choose wisely, there is a test!

“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 2:9-11

The question isn’t ‘will you bow’; for God has declared that “every knee should bow”! As the old hymn says “nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling” (From ‘Rock of Ages’, by Augustus M. Toplady), Jesus came that we might have life and know that we are loved by a faithful Father God, who is working all things for our good and His glory—and they never conflict! (Even when we think they do!)!  But as we learn to know Him and come to trust to His care, we can follow the example of our Lord in the midst of every trial and difficulty.  Jesus didn’t come to simply ‘be’ an example, He came to purchase our salvation with His own blood, but in doing that He left us the greatest example of selfless love ever expressed!

I have learned and continue to learn that HE IS faithful at every turn, and when I keep my eyes fixed on Him, I can be victorious in this walk of faith with my Lord Jesus Christ!  Whatever you may be facing today, I can assure you that HE is faithful and worthy of our love, trust and devotion.  May you find strength and comfort in His Word.  I am praying for YOU!  We can join with Paul and say:

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

And as Peter reminds us, no matter the suffering that we may encounter, we can trust in and rely upon the Lord who suffered the ultimate rejection, and a gruesome death, all for you and me!

“For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto

were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes

ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop

of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:20-25

We can choose today, to trust to our God, or try to run our own lives; I’ve done it both ways and, believe me when I say, we can overcome and have victory when we “do all things through Christ” rather than trying to go our own way!  May we all “fix our eyes on Jesus” and “press on” today, and today, and the next today!  For dear ones, today is all we have, and HE is ever faithful!  May Jesus’ words bring comfort and encourage you today!

“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 6:33-34

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

By HIS Grace We Live And Breathe??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #588

18 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Blessed by God, By Him We Live, By His Grace, Encouragement

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #588   By HIS Grace We Live And Breathe???

 

“For in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being;

as certain also of your own poets have said,

For we are also his offspring.”    Acts 17:28

Paul’s message here was to the Athenians, as he shared the gospel of Jesus with them, seeking to bring them to Jesus.  For Jesus is our hope in all things, and just as Paul shared the truth of the resurrection and was rejected by these who were attentive to his teaching until he proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus, we too must stand by the truth of Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for our sin, and His glorious resurrection from the dead, knowing that HE has won the victory over life and death—and IN HIM, we have that same victory!

“Now this I say, brethren,

that flesh and blood

cannot inherit the kingdom of God;

neither doth corruption

inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery;

We shall not all sleep,

but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment,

in the twinkling of an eye,

at the last trump:

for the trumpet shall sound,

and the dead shall be raised

incorruptible,

and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible

must put on incorruption,

and this mortal

must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying

that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 15:50-57 Amen!

I know this is a bit lengthy, but I just want to remind each of us that our hope is in JESUS, our soon coming King!  And while the storms and turmoil may rage around us continually—our Lord God Almighty and Jesus Christ HIS Son, still reign. GOD is on His throne.  We win—IN HIM!  And just for good measure another reminder from Paul, that it is by God’s grace that we have been saved—we didn’t earn it, we can’t be good enough to get it or keep it—but by HIS grace we can live victorious lives of faith and usefulness to our GOD, IN JESUS!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy

in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom

we have now received

the atonement.”   Romans 5:1-11

I’ll simply say Amen and Amen and pray that blessings will abound around you (and remember, just because you don’t recognize them, doesn’t mean that they’re not there!). Amen!

“So being affectionately desirous of you,

we were willing to have imparted unto you,

not the gospel of God only,

but also our own souls,

because ye were dear unto us.”    1 Thessalonians 2:8

From my heart to yours!  Amen!