Category Archives: All Sufficient God!

Today IS What We Have!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 09

15 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Life, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Living TODAY!, Running The Race!, Salt & Light

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 09  Today IS What We Have!!!

 

“Take heed, brethren,

lest there be in any of you

an evil heart

of unbelief,

in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily,

while it is called To day;

lest any of you be hardened

through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ,

if we hold the beginning of our confidence

stedfast unto the end;

15 While it is said,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation…

…19 So we see that they could not enter in

because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:12-15, 19

I have heard it told of Martin Luther, that when asked what he would do “if he knew the Lord would come tomorrow?”; he replied, “I’d plant another tree!”  What did he mean?  I think that he meant that he would live faithfully today and tomorrow, and the next day in anticipation of his Lord’s return.  And that is how each of us ought to live; for today is all we have!  As I ponder the realities of life and death, I am brought to treasure the fact that we only have this day, this moment, this present hour, and we have to live it now.  We can’t put things off until tomorrow…or live in the yesterdays that failed, disappointed, or shattered our hearts, minds and lives.  Jesus has given us today—and we only have today to receive HIM!  We only have today to love HIM!  We only have today to serve HIM!  We also only have today to touch, treasure, enjoy and make a difference in the lives around us.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that we have the choice to receive and believe Jesus, as we respond in faith and obedience to His voice speaking to our hearts; or we can let the enemy of our souls deceive, distract and destroy our life!  Jesus reminds us that HE came that we might have life—and do God’s work–today!

“I must work the works of him

that sent me,

while it is day:

the night cometh,

when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world,

I am the light of the world.”  John 9:4-5

“Jesus saith unto them,

My meat is to do the will of him

that sent me,

and to finish his work.

35 Say not ye,

There are yet four months,

and then cometh harvest?

behold,

I say unto you,

Lift up your eyes,

and look on the fields;

for they are white already

to harvest.”  John 4:34-35

And what work has Jesus called you to?  He has called you and I to run “the race” that He has set before us!  God isn’t asking you to run my race!  Nor is He calling me to run yours!  HE sets our own race before each of us—our job is to run it today, and each today that sets before us!  We are called to be salt and light as we run our race today!  Whose life have you and I failed to season or brighten, simply because we missed our opportunity; often by looking back on yesterday or waiting for tomorrow (or dreading it and what it “might hold” for us or those that we love)?

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot

of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16

Are we willing to follow Jesus today, so that HE might accomplish His work in us, through us, and bless others?  Will we run in our lane by His grace, power and love?  It’s your call, what will you choose?  Don’t faint; but “stand fast” in this evil day!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race

that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down

at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

Will you join me and proclaim, like Job, that we will live for HIM today because we know “HE” lives and will return soon, and we will be with HIM, when we have been born of God.  So, let us “faint” not and press on!

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed within me.”    Job 19:25

May we truly live today for our God—today–and each “today” that He sets before us.

HAmen and Amen!!!

It’s Not Tomorrow Yet??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #692

13 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Praise God Today!, Rejoice IN The Lord

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #692  It’s Not Tomorrow Yet???

 

I simply want to share a brief (you do know that is a totally subjective word!) word of encouragement with you on this Friday; and I hope it will lift you up wherever you are “today”!

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad

in it.”  Psalm 118:24

Unlike the song from Annie, if I don’t’ “love you today”, I may not get ‘tomorrow’. I may be gone—you may be gone—our circumstances may prohibit our being together, you/I only have today!  And today is “the day” which God has set before us; what will we do with it?  Let’s make today a day to “rejoice” and “be glad” in all that our God is!  Not just what HE does, but who HE is and the great confidence that we can have when we are HIS!

“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

When we belong to Jesus, having been born again of His Spirit, we can know that HE has us in HIS hand, and He keeps that which is HIS.  We just need to be sure that we are HIS!  And when we belong to Jesus, we can sing with confidence “Because He Lives” (A Hymn written by Bill and Gloria Gaither)…I can____!

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

“Being confident

of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day

of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

God is ever at work in His own, and we can be sure of HIM today; and while we never know what tomorrow holds—even Jesus’ eminent return—God knows those who are HIS own and what each day holds for each of us!  Always!

“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.”  2 Timothy 2:19

So, my simple advice to us all is, “Be ready”!  Jesus could come today!  And even if He tarries, may we be found faithfully serving our King when HE does come!

If you don’t know Him, and you hear His voice speaking to your heart, then open that door!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

And for those of us who are His sheep, may we live in such a way that we will hear Jesus say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant……enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (See Matthew 25:21)!

Praise God we can ‘rejoice’ and ‘be glad’ today!  What’s your decision?  Will you choose to rejoice today?  May it ever be so!

Amen and Amen!

You Don’t Always Know??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #689

04 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Are You Ready, Testing and Trials?, That They May Know, Trials, Troubles

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #689  You Don’t Always Know???

 

Those of you who follow my blog know that I often close with a couple of phrases, “It’s your choice!  Choose wisely, there is a test!” (I borrowed this from a Pastor Friend, Bro. Scott Wright).  I often use this in regard to the final test at Christ’s coming, or our facing HIM at our death, but there are other tests.  I’d like to talk about them.

We don’t always know when the tests may come, but we can know how to handle them!  We handle our trials and tests by keeping our eyes on Jesus not the world.  Much like Daniel.

“Then these men assembled unto the king,

 and said unto the king,

Know, O king,

that the law of the Medes and Persians is,

That no decree nor statute

which the king establisheth

may be changed.

16 Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God

whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee.

17 And a stone was brought,

and laid upon the mouth of the den;

and the king sealed it

with his own signet,

and with the signet of his lords;

that the purpose might not be changed

concerning Daniel.”  Daniel 6:15-16

I love Daniel and he stands in such contrast to our day’s politics, for Daniel was a godly man serving in an ungodly society—but his integrity was undeniable, even by his enemies who had to seek alternate ideas to discredit him.  Yet even when Daniel was set up, caught and accused of “civil disobedience” because of his faithful service to his God, his enemies were seen for what they were.  But, Daniel still wound up in the “den of lions”, yet even the king knew that Daniel’s God would take care of him.  What would God think of us—you and me—as we face opposition, false accusation, or just plain hate that is so rampant in our culture today.  You and I don’t always know when or where the test may come, but we can always be assured that, like Daniel, we can trust to our Lord God and King—Jesus!  And because of Daniel’s faith (not his doubting, pouting or dropping outing—also borrowed my former pastor Brad McCoy!—just giving some credit where credit is due!), accompanied by a life of faithful, continual service to God and others, he was openly acknowledged by his God.  My question of us is, “Do others see Jesus IN us?  IN our actions?  IN our speech?  IN our attitudes?  IN our work?  Has your test come and you failed it?  Today is a new day!  Let’s pursue the excellence that Daniel did—consider the results!

“Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den,

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake and said to Daniel,

O Daniel,

servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee

from the lions?

21 Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him

innocency was found in me;

and also before thee, O king,

have I done no hurt.

23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him,

and commanded that they should take Daniel

up out of the den.

So Daniel was taken up out of the den,

and no manner of hurt was found upon him,

because he believed in his God.”  Daniel 6:19-23

God showed up for HIS glory, Daniel’s good and the increase of The Kingdom—God’s Kingdom, that is!  And if you want to see what happened to his enemies you can read the rest of the chapter!  Just remember that real faith/belief is always exhibited through obedience!

So, my encouragement for us today is a challenge for each of us to walk in faithful integrity before our God and others.  God is ready to be real in your life if you’ll but trust Him and be willing and diligent to live a life (like Daniel) of faithfulness to God, to His Word and to His ways!  It’s then that the tests won’t cause you to stumble or try to “fix it yourself”!  Daniel relied upon HIS God to take care of his enemies—it isn’t easy, but with God’s help it’s doable!

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

That’s all folks!  Blessings on you and yours!

Amen and Amen!!!

There’s Still Time??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #688

30 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Diligence, Discernment, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Press ON!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #688     There’s Still Time???

 

I believe in “putting on” the “armor of God”!  I don’t think it was an attempt at a frivolous metaphor by Paul, but an urgent reminder that we recognize that spiritual warfare is real.  And as we put on that armor, there is a part of that Ephesians 6 passage that I simply want to remind us of again, because it is imperative that we, God’s children—followers of Jesus Christ The Lord— “withstand in the evil day”!  I want to share a few scripture passages with you and ask that you “think on these things” and do your civic duty, exercising good stewardship of our freedoms!

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty

through God

to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

And a part of Daniel’s prayer in Daniel chapter 9:

“O my God,

incline thine ear,

and hear;

open thine eyes,

and behold our desolations,

and the city which is called by thy name:

for we do not present our supplications

before thee

for our righteousnesses,

but for thy great mercies.

19 O Lord, hear;

O Lord, forgive;

O Lord, hearken and do;

defer not,

for thine own sake,

O my God:

for thy city

and thy people

are called by thy name.”  Daniel 9:18-19

May God hear our prayer (and may HIS people be faithful to be praying—and not depending on our own wisdom!) and guide us in the right way!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

Even as Paul gave us instruction to “put on the whole armour of God”, there is a part that we often forget, and I challenge you to read through Ephesians 6:10-19 noting verse 18, regarding our attitude as we “suit up”!

“Praying always

with all prayer and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance and supplication

for all saints;”  Ephesians 6:18. Amen!

Praying On??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #687

28 Wednesday Oct 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Dependence, Diligence, Praise God Today!, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Sovereignty, Speaking The Truth In Love

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #687      Praying On??

 

I think it important that we realize the need to pray in these difficult days that God’s will would be accomplished!  I would simply like to present Daniel’s praise to God for hearing and answering the prayer that he and his friends had offered to meet their dilemma and spare their lives.  I ask that we would each peruse its truths and stand upon the Sovereign rule of our God.

“Then Daniel went in,

and desired of the king

that he would give him time,

and that he would shew the king

the interpretation.

17 Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known

to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven

concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish

with the rest of the wise men

of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed

unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God

for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might

are his:

21 And he changeth

the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep

and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me

wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me

now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known

unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:16-23

What are you praying about?  Have you thanked and praised God for the answers you’ve already seen?  Will you join me and lift up to heaven prayers for God to make known before the world HIS power and work through HIS people (if you would) in “the king’s matter”! May we be faithful and diligent to stand in God’s grace and truth?  Amen & Amen!!!

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour

of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.”  Ephesians 6:13