Category Archives: All Sufficient God!

No King??? But Why??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 02

27 Sunday Sep 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Distractions, Don't Wait, King Jesus, King of KIngs

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 02   No King???  But Why???

 

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”   Judges 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that which was right

in his own eyes.”  Judges 21:25

These are two of the passages that are key in the book of Judges,  “there was no king in Israel”, and yet I want to take a different slant on these familiar verses, for as I was reading and pondering on these verses this morning, I was drawn to a fact that I had never considered before (or if I had, I don’t remember it).  Like us, there are many around us who know about the king but don’t want to personally “know” the king or be “known” by HIM.  In Matthew 7, Jesus makes it clear that just talking about Him, and claiming to know Him aren’t enough; we must have a personal relationship with Him and be born again into HIS kingdom by HIS blood!  And to be a part of HIS “kingdom”, means that we recognize HIS ‘kingship’ over HIS kingdom and ‘me/you’!

Israel had God as their king, and were called to serve, obey and worship HIM only, yet, like us, they were distracted, deluded, and disobedient to their King, and were going their own way, not recognizing that while they had no “earthly” king, they had always had a KING!  What about me?  What about you?  Do we have “no king” in our heart, our living, our choices, and our testimony?  Or are we willing to recognize our failures, repent and be restored to the useful place of God’s child in the place where HE has planted us!  HE is King, and HE is in charge.

“The king’s heart

is in the hand of the LORD,

as the rivers of water:

he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man

is right in his own eyes:

but the LORD

pondereth the hearts.”  Proverbs 21:2

Even as Jesus reminded us:

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 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 15:17-20

I spend a lot of time grieving over the language that I hear and read around me—out in public, in the neighborhood, on social media, especially when the ugly language comes from those who claim the name of Jesus.  But Jesus reminds us here that what comes out of our mouths, originates out of the heart.  We must have a transformed heart before we will have a transformed mouth.  And even when we have a new heart transformed by Jesus saving blood, we have to do due diligence to guard our hearts and not allow the vile culture around us to influence our choices, words and character!  We are called to “be” holy and “be” a reflection of God’s character to a lost and dying world around us; rather than reflecting the world before our KING!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

God was King in Israel, whether they acknowledged it or not, and HE IS King of Glory.  But are we willing to acknowledge Him “as” King?  Like Israel, who went their own way and found themselves in a quandary every time, we find ourselves in much the same situation.  So, what will we do about it?  The message is clear!

“For if ye shall diligently keep

all these commandments

which I command you,

to do them,

to love the LORD your God,

to walk in all his ways,

and to cleave unto him;

23 Then will the LORD drive out

all these nations from before you,

and ye shall possess greater nations

and mightier than yourselves.

24 Every place whereon the soles of your feet

shall tread shall be yours:

from the wilderness and Lebanon,

from the river, the river Euphrates,

even unto the uttermost sea

 shall your coast be.

25 There shall no man be able to stand

before you:

for the LORD your God

shall lay the fear of you

and the dread of you

upon all the land

that ye shall tread upon,

as he hath said unto you.”  Deuteronomy 11:22-25

Just as God is King, so is The Son, Jesus!  He was, is and ever shall be the promised king, messiah, redeemer, sacrifice, and deliverer that God promised in Genesis 3:15, and He is still in the life-changing business; but we must choose to come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for “my” sin and “yours”!  He is our soon-coming Lord and King; are you ready to meet Him?

“These shall make war with the Lamb,

and the Lamb shall overcome them:

for he is

Lord of lords,

and King of kings:

and they that are with him

are called,

and chosen,

and faithful.”  Revelation 17:14

So, what I see is that Israel had a “king” but because they choose to go their own way, they forgot and abandoned the commands and call of their God, so they experienced this cycle of rebellion, judgment, repentance and restoration.  A cycle much like what we are seeing around us, but I can’t help but grieve that we are seeking every solution but the way of repentance, perhaps because we aren’t listening to  the voice of God’s Spirit convicting our hearts and calling us to an old-fashioned altar of prayer and repentance.  Are we behaving like the people who lauded Jesus on Sunday, yet cried “crucify HIM” four days later?

“On the next day much people

that were come to the feast,

when they heard that Jesus was coming

to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees,

and went forth to meet him,

and cried,

Hosanna:

Blessed is the King of Israel

that cometh

in the name of the Lord.”   John 12:12-13

They missed their King Jesus.  Are you missing Him, or have you bowed before HIM in repentance and faith?  And if you have come to Jesus, are you yielding to HIS Spirit’s work in your heart, that the world may know HIM too?

“That thou keep this commandment without spot,

unrebukeable,

until the appearing

of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in his times he shall shew,

who is the blessed

and only Potentate,

the King of kings,

and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality,

dwelling in the light

which no man

can approach unto;

whom no man

hath seen,

nor can see:

to whom be honour

and power

everlasting.

Amen.”  1 Timothy 6:14-16

The choice is yours to make, but remember, the question is not “will you bow”, but when “will you bow”?  Will you bow before Him now as your Redeemer, Lord and Savior, by His blood; or you will bow before HIM as your judge?

“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 2:8-11

There is a KING, even as God reveals in the Revelation:

“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.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell

delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”   Revelation 20:11-15

Is your name in The King’s book of “life”?  It can be, won’t you bow before Him and call on HIS name to be saved.  And if you are already HIS, won’t you seek His face and walk in HIS presence and HIS ways!

“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

I pray that you will bow before your KING, not have to face HIM as your judge with no recourse!  HE truly IS KING—always!

Amen and Amen!

A People Whose God IS The Lord? Bible Ballistics: BBs #683

25 Friday Sep 2020

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #683. A People Whose God IS The Lord?

 

“Blessed is the nation

whose God is the LORD;

and the people whom he hath chosen

for his own inheritance.”  Psalm 33:12

I pray that this morning finds you ready to pray, for that is the intent of this post, and I intend to repost it every Friday for the next five weeks from today.  I pray that God will use it to convict our hearts to decide as Joshua called Israel to decide:

“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

I simply want to share some passages to help us get our eyes on Jesus and His Word rather than the throughs of men, regardless of our politics.  We must choose wisely, for the very future of our liberty is at stake.  May we pursue God’s perspective and pray fervently, stand faithfully, and vote wisely and righteously!  Then leave the rest in God’s hands—The Lord God Almighty who reigns over ALL!

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all,

supplications,

prayers,

intercessions,

and giving of thanks,

be made for all men;

2 For kings,

and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life

in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable

in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge

of the truth.

5 For there is one God,

and one mediator

between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom

for all,

to be testified in due time.”  1 Timothy 2:1-6

And as Jesus Himself told Pilate, God IS in charge!

“Then saith Pilate unto him,

Speakest thou not unto me?

knowest thou not that I have power

to crucify thee,

and have power

to release thee?

11 Jesus answered,

Thou couldest have no power

at all

against me,

except it were given thee

from above:

therefore he that delivered me

unto thee

hath the greater sin.”  John 18:10-11

May we ponder these things and remember the assurance of God’s Word that prayer is powerful, and may we also remember that apart from grace we all deserve hell.  Praise God that Jesus paid the price for our salvation—not we ourselves!

“Confess your faults one to another,

and pray one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.”  James 5:16

And we are only “righteous” when we have received the new birth from, through and in JESUS; for His righteousness is imparted to us, for our sin was laid on HIM.  Whose righteousness are you depending on?

“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 5:21

And I simply close with the words of our Lord Jesus about prayer.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven…”   Matthew 6:9-10

Amen and Amen!!!

Worship??? Really? Bible Ballistics: BBs #682

23 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, When Will You Bow?, Who are YOU following?, Worship Him!, Worship?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #682  Worship???  Really?

 

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me,

the hour cometh,

when ye shall neither

in this mountain,

nor yet at Jerusalem,

worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what:

we know what we worship:

for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is,

when the true worshippers

shall worship the Father

in spirit

and in truth:

for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him in spirit and in truth.

25 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 4:21-26

This woman learned the truth about worship.  How do we know?  Because she was willing to learn and know.  So often we come to church, or Bible study, or prayer with a ‘know-it-all’ attitude which is never a spirit of worship.  We must be ready to seek God, knowing that our prayer and pursuit ought always to be:

“Thy kingdom come….

…Thy will be done..

…on earth as it is in heaven…”

Or, in our vernacular, ‘YOUR will come and be done IN ME’!  In me, now and each day that we are given to pursue the true worship of God.  Not just singing “worship” songs, but truly yielding our lives to the obedience of Jesus Christ in all things.  As Paul told the Corinthians about spiritual warfare—which is simply living in a state of continual worship (for all who seek God continually will encounter spiritual warfare regularly.  See 2 Timothy 3:12)

“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 as Jesus prayed in His greatest hour of suffering.

“And he was withdrawn from them

about a stone’s cast,

and kneeled down,

and prayed,

42 Saying, Father,

 if thou be willing,

remove this cup from me:

nevertheless not my will,

but thine, be done.”   Luke 22:41-42

To truly worship we must continually be seeking God.  That’s what Paul meant when he instructed us to “pray without ceasing”—not going around all the time with our eyes closed, or knelt down, or outward bowing, but our hearts open and bowed before our KING, seeking HIS will not our own!  And while God is a merciful God of second chances (and more) He won’t always wait until YOU think YOU are ready to obey and follow HIM!

“And ye shall seek me,

and find me,

when ye shall search for me

with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:13

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:”  Isaiah 55:6

And as Paul made so clear to the Athenians:

“God that made the world and all things therein,

seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth,

dwelleth not in temples

made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped

with men’s hands,

as though he needed any thing,

seeing he giveth to all life,

and breath,

and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men

for to dwell on all the face of the earth,

and hath determined the times before appointed,

and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord,

if haply they might feel after him,

and find him,

though he be not far

from every one of us:

28 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 17:24-28

Paul wanted them to understand, as we need to understand today, that it’s not outward temples, churches, or loud assemblies that is acceptable to GOD as ‘worship’, but a heart that is seeking HIM through His Son Jesus Christ, the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for all who will believe.  And that, my friends, includes you and me!  And as Paul reminds us, we aren’t anything special apart from what Jesus can and will do in the heart of those who come to HIM.  But, it’s all about Jesus—not about ‘me’!

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”   John 15:4-5

Paul put it this way:

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past

ye walked according to the course

of this world,

according to the prince of the power

of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love

wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)”.   Ephesians 2:1-5

So, in closing I would simply like to share a brief outline of some points of worship, as I see revealed in scripture.  May we each consider ourselves and our own ideas of worship? Are you/I reserving “worship” to one day a week?  Or are we living and walking “in the Spirit” of worship in all we do?  The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test!

Worship:

Being in God’s presences continually (as His child)–

“Jesus said unto him,

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38

Being in God’s presence moment by moment—

Living for Jesus each day; responding to HIS WORD in all I do.

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.”   James 1:22

Being God’s vessel of true praise, not just ‘lip service’—

“Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this   people draw near me

with their mouth,

and with their lips

do honour me,

but have removed their heart

far from me,

and their fear toward me

is taught by the precept of men:”   Isaiah 29:13

“God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him

in spirit

and in truth.“  John 4:24

And may we ever live with HIS praise on our lips, and reflected in our everyday lives.  Amen and Amen!

“By him therefore let us offer

the sacrifice of praise to God continually,

that is, the fruit of our lips

 giving thanks to his name.”  Hebrews 13:15

Abiding With Whom??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #681

18 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #681  Abiding With Whom???

 

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

 that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch

cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”   John 15:1-5

As I write this morning, I am sitting here listening to some great Southern Gospel music and it delights my heart to rehearse the times I have heard and sung many of these songs.  In fact, the word I want to share with you this morning was triggered by and old song; and I pray that it will encourage our hearts to “Abide” in and with Jesus, who wants to “Abide” in and with YOU and me.

Just as Jesus spoke to the disciples in the passage above, He calls us to “Abide” with Him in all our ways; and He promises that if we will “Abide” IN Him we will bear fruit, and even as the Father prunes our lives, we will grow into fruitful branches.  Are you a branch of Jesus’?  Are you fighting the pruning this morning?  Or are you ready to rejoice in the fact that Jesus is “the true vine” and we “are the branches”? Or are you trying to be your own “vine”?

It seems to me, that much of what proports to be ‘Christianity’ today is simply greed and selfish lust dressed up in church clothes!  Jesus paints a different picture of HIS body—a body of commitment to HIM, abiding in HIM personally.  Jesus IS the vine, not the church building, or its hierarchy, much less congregations who are clamoring for entertainment, comfort and prosperity!  The church is The Body of Jesus Christ—branches who are abiding in The Vine!  Paul told Timothy a hard truth—but none the less, truth—and not very popular today!

“Yea, and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”  2 Timothy 3:12

As we spoke the other day, Jesus keeps HIS own, even in the trials and persecutions!  The question is, “Are you HIS own?”  It’s a question that only you can answer, but Jesus knows the answer, and there is a test!

“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

Are you HIS?  Are you abiding IN HIM?  HE is ready to abide IN you!  If you aren’t HIS, then I invite you to bow before my King Jesus, repent of your sin and ask HIM to forgive your sin; for that is why HE came as the substitutionary (in our place), atoning (making payment for our sin), sacrifice (HE died to BE that very payment for our sin), and He is still saving and changing lives today.  In fact, He transformed me, and HE is ready to give you a new heart and life; or to revive your heart if you are His already!!!  When we receive His life-changing grace, He enables us to walk in that transforming grace as we yield to HIS work in our lives through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit—abiding IN HIM! Transformed—abiding—and bearing HIS fruit!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

And there’s an old song that I have been pondering lately, I pray that it will encourage your heart to pursue HIS abiding presence, for HE Has promised to be there for us, for it is HIS abiding IN us that prevails!  Don’t give up—abide!

“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

       Abide With Me    By Henry Francis Lyte

“Abide with me! fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings;
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings:
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea;
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour:
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless:
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness:
Where is death’s sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.”

Amen and Amen!

Please Don’t Quit??? We Win! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 25

09 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Confidence, Consider Your ways, HOPE

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 25 Please Don’t Quit???  We Win!

 

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain

mine own ways before him.”  Job 13:15

This is for YOU my friend, for I know you are aching.  God knows, and I care!  I want you to know that you are loved by the creator of the universe—the ONE who died for YOU—no matter how many of Satan’s lies you have allowed to put you down—GOD LOVES YOU RIGHT NOW!  And so do I!

I know the pain of walking alone, of the disappointments of those around you who are supposed to love you.  I know the frustrations of being disappointed with yourself.  I know the pain of loss of the dearest things to your heart.  But my dear one, please know that you have those around you and those in heaven above who have led the way, who have left the example for us of faithfulness, and Job is just one, one of the most amazing ones, but there are so many, and the greatest of all is our Lord Jesus, who is standing right there, right now just waiting for you to run into HIS arms and find the healing, restoration, comfort and peace that will dispel the work of the enemy of your life and soul!  JESUS cares!

“What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him also freely

give us all things?”  Romans 8:32

But sometimes he is working, testing and pruning in our lives to do amazing things that we can’t understand!  Don’t give up!  Don’t give in to the one who hates YOU and wants to destroy you and the the amazing things that God has in store.  He wants to destroy the work that you have poured out laboriously for so long.  Don’t give up—but look UP!  Look to The ONE who paid the price, who did all that HE did for you and me.  And don’t forget that I love you—that HE loves you—that there is one standing by you that LOVES you and is suffering to the core for, with and because of your pain.  Don’t give up—but look up.

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God

endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 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 2:19-25

Please hear the cry of my heart, the tears that are flowing even right now—the tears of love, care and concern for you.  The tears that have cried over my own loss to the enemy of one so dear to me (just as you are), who lost the battle and was taken from me too soon.  My heart can’t bear the thought of watching you walk down a path of wrong choices as she did.  Even as I did, so many years ago; and still suffer from the scars, the sorrows and the consequences of those lies that I believed.  But praise God Almighty, HE rescued me before it was too late.  Please, my dear one, don’t give in to the enemy!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10: 9-11

And this good shepherd, my friend, is calling to you in that mountain of lostness that you are in right now!  Please stop what you’re doing and listen to that voice that is calling so gently to YOU!

“And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

 4 What man of you,

having an hundred sheep,

if he lose one of them,

doth not leave the ninety and nine

in the wilderness,

and go after that

which is lost,

 until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it,

he layeth it on his shoulders,

rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home,

he calleth together his friends

and neighbours,

saying unto them,

 Rejoice with me;

for I have found my sheep

which was lost.”   Luke 15:3-6

All this because YOU are HIS!

“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

Even as Job knew, I know that you know truth—don’t let your pain hide that truth, don’t forget the goodness that God has poured out on you for so long, because of the troubles of recent days (long days, months and even years, yes, but not compared to the glory HE has for you!)!

“Then said his wife unto him,

Dost thou still retain thine integrity?

curse God, and die.

10 But he said unto her,

Thou speakest

as one of the foolish women speaketh.

What?

shall we receive good

at the hand of God,

and shall we not receive evil?

In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”  Job 2:9-10

Job knew—even in his pain, sorrow and confusion—he knew that his God never fails; that even when we can’t see what HE is doing, we can trust that HIS work is always for our good and HIS glory!

“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 19:25-27

Just as Paul recorded for us, he asked for relief, yet God reminded HIM that HE ‘had this’; that HE is trustworthy—HE never fails—He never says “OOPS”!

“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

You will never know how I long to carry this burden for you, and while I can help carry it with you, only you can decide to “stand fast in the evil day”!  Only you can decide to pursue the restoration of the JOY of HIS salvation—the salvation that HE has given you; not the salvation that we earn, or deserve, or work for, but the salvation that was paid for at Calvary with the precious blood of our Redeemer, King and Savior, Jesus!  And while HIS grace is sufficient, YOU must avail yourself of it, or keep on trying to reason things out in your own way.

Just remember that God knows your name, and so do I—and I keep it before HIS throne.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth

the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house

there are not only vessels of gold

and of silver,

but also of wood

and of earth;

and some to honour,

and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself

from these,

he shall be a vessel unto honour,

sanctified,

and meet

for the master’s use,

and prepared

unto every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts:

but follow righteousness,

faith,

charity,

peace,

with them that call on the Lord

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

Please, my friend, don’t lose heart—but rather take heart in The One who LOVES YOU, and this one who loves you and prays for you even in this wee hour of the morning with tears, love and confidence in The ONE who hears and answers prayer.

“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

And I share just some final things that hold me fast and have held me for these many years.  May you and all to whom this reaches out, find hope, help and deliverance today!  My prayers rest on this message!

“Let your conversation be without covetousness;                                         and be content with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do

unto me.”   Hebrews 13:5-6

And Paul’s amazing declaration of our blessed hope!

“Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather,

that is risen again,

who is even at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession

for us.

35 Who shall separate us

from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep

for the slaughter.

37 Nay,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus

our Lord.”   Romans 8:24-29

With prayers and tears—you are loved.  We win!!!

“Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners

shall be converted unto thee.”   Psalm 51:10-13

Amen and Amen!