Category Archives: All Sufficient God!

Paying Attention! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #764

19 Friday Nov 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All Sufficient God!, Are You Ready, Comfort, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Influence, Opposition to Godliness, Paying attention, Rejoice IN The Lord, This IS The Day

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #764   Paying Attention!  Really???

 

“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

We are called to take the armor of God, to put it on, to be gird about, having its parts in/on our heart, mind and soul for every day’s challenges.  The problem is that we often get so distracted that we forget, or get busy, or just plain don’t pay attention.  I pray on this armor most every morning, yet sometimes we have those emergencies that interrupt our regular set of tasks and dash off without “suiting up”—it happens to me and I’m sure it happens to you; and there are those times we simply are so accustomed to something that we truly don’t pay attention.  This happened to me just recently, when my son sent a text, and since he sends the same text most every day when we get to visit, I just read the first “good morning” and called him.  He answered and laughed and said, “You didn’t read the whole message, did you?”  And of course, I had to say no, so he advised me to read it for it said “don’t call” this morning……ha ha ha ha.

We both had a good laugh and talked later in the day, but the point I want to make is that we must pay attention to what’s going on, even when (in fact especially when) we think we know what is going on!  We need to be ready for whatever the day may bring by putting on “the whole armour of God”!  Don’t get caught as I did, by presuming you know what you may not know!  Be in God’s Word, praying “without ceasing”, and trusting to HIS care.  We can’t be obsessed with being in control when that, my friends, is GOD’s job, and HE always does it perfectly!  So here are some scriptures that I pray will encourage your heart and mind to “look up” rather than “around” at all the chaos surrounding us!

“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 37:7-8

“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.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life

more than meat,

and the body

than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father

feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?”   Matthew 6:24-26

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

So, what will you rejoice in?  Choose Jesus!  He truly is that friend who “sticketh closer than a brother” and speaking for myself—I sure am glad….!  Keep your eyes on JESUS!

Amen and Amen!!!

Keeping My Eyes On Jesus??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #763

17 Wednesday Nov 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All Sufficient God!, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Contentedness, Contentment, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #763   Keeping My Eyes On Jesus???

 

Back today with a word to encourage each of us, no matter the road we may be on.  When we determine to keep Jesus as the lens through which we view all of life, it will make our life more peaceful than we could imagine—not simple or easy, but we will find that perfect peace with God far outweighs anything the devil or the world can offer! I pray that Word of God will speak to our hearts this day, and that the peace of God will reign in your heart!

“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.” Romans 5:1-2

I find such reassurance in this powerful revelation of truth that Paul so graciously shared by the power of the same Holy Spirit who dwells in each believer—but we must know it (by studying God’s Word) and stand confidently in what Jesus has accomplished for us and is ever working in and through our lives.  Remember that Jesus is ever praying for our spiritual success, for HE IS ALIVE—and praying for US!

“Wherefore he is able also

to save them to the uttermost

that come unto God by him,

seeing he ever liveth

to make intercession

for them.”  Hebrews 7:25

Not only are we to pray for one another, but we can stand fast knowing that our God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave HIS life for our salvation, is ever praying for you and me no matter the challenges we may be facing, the sorrow that we are trying to endure, or the uncertainty of the days before us—JESUS is praying for me and for you!  Always!

In that truth and surety, we can be at perfect peace no matter what we are facing; and we can learn to live in the contentment of What God is doing in our lives—simple but not always easy (in fact hardly ever easy—but greatly rewarding)!

“But godliness

with contentment

is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain

we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.”  1 Timothy 6:6-8

Ouch!  Not exactly the message of the world in America; but it is God’s message for us today!  Not that we are to pursue indigence, but we are to learn contentedness as we pursue God rather than just wealth.  We can choose to be a scrooge or a sharing saint!  As one Bible translations says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus” is how we are to view the world!

“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.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus gave us the principle in the “model prayer” as He said something that applies to more than just “bread”:

 “Give us this day our daily…..”

 Wisdom, Work, Service, and our Attitude….

If we will but choose to know our Lord more and more, and draw near to HIM, we will always find HIM faithful and sufficient to our every need.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter

be turned to mourning,

and your joy

to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:7-10

Amen and Amen!!!

Thankful For HIS Care??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 04

15 Monday Nov 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Ask God For Wisdom, Attitude of Gratitude, Comfort, Confidence, Dependence, Follow Jesus, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, IN Jesus!, TODAY, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Wisdom

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 04   Thankful For HIS Care???

 

Today I’d like to share a bit of personal testimony as well as God’s Word; sometimes knowing that others are or have been in the same boat as we have been is a help and an encouragement.  I pray that we can encourage one another!

“Blessed be God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us

in all our tribulation,

that we may be able

to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith

we ourselves are comforted

of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”    2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Paul was sending this second letter to the believers at Corinth to encourage them after his first letter and their response of obedience to his instructions in a most difficult situation.  He was also reminding them that he had suffered trials and difficulties himself, and he is reminding them as well as us, that we are to be an encouragement to one another as we all face difficulties in life, and God can and will use all our trials to minister to others along with ourselves.  God’s comfort and provision isn’t to be “hoarded” but shared for God’s glory, our growth and good as well as good for others.

I have wrestled with a lot of life changes and challenges of late, and while it is just that “a challenge” to know what, when, where, or how to respond to the issues that we deal with almost daily, and to maintain a godly, kind, and honest demeanor to the things that seem to assail us with a vengeance.  Paul reminded the Corinthian believers to remember how God had comforted them, and to realize that our experiences are sent and/or permitted by God for our good and HIS glory!  In fact, it brought me to a new understanding of another passage about God’s sovereign work in our lives.

“Likewise the Spirit also

helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not

what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 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 8:28-32

Even as Paul states in verse 26, “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities”, we can have absolute confidence in God’s work in our lives, and the overflow of HIS work into the lives of others, if we will but trust HIM in all things and obey as we see HIS direction and hear HIS Spirit speaking to our heart and mind—and as we feast on HIS Word!  Just as it says above, the Holy Spirit is ever working in my life and yours, in fact in the lives of every born-again believer—working in us and helping us to know how to walk “according to the will of God”!

Oh, how grateful I am that I don’t have to depend on my own wisdom, for sometimes it is in pretty short supply, but God is never delinquent to supply HIS wisdom to all who will “ask…seek… (and)… knock”!

“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.”  James 1:5-7

Paul also gives us insight into the wisdom that we are to seek.  But remember that “godly wisdom” isn’t always welcome, but it is where we must stand by HIS power, grace, and provision—trusting the consequences to our Father and Lord!

“For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish

foolishness;

but unto us

which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy

the wisdom of the wise,

and will bring to nothing

the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews

and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:18-24

Paul goes on to share even more about the difference between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men.  Oh, that we would learn to recognize the difference!

“Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you

seemeth to be wise in this world,

let him become a fool,

that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness with God.

For it is written,

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again,

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise,

that they are vain.

21 Therefore let no man glory in men.

For all things are yours;” 1 Corinthians 3:18-21

I want you to know that as I face the difficulties that come my way, my greatest resource is Jesus Christ my Lord!  I go to HIM in prayer continually, seeking to know how HE wants me to respond in every situation, and going to HIS WORD as the standard for all things.  The Word of God is the standard that God has set, and if we don’t know what it says, we won’t know what God expects.  When I know HIS Word, I will find the confidence and power to run to Jesus instead of the world!

“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.

14 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 4:12-16

I pray that this will help you today and encourage your heart to press on with the greatest Lord and friend, Jesus!  For remember, we win!

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house

are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go

and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.”  John 14:1-4

And if you don’t know Jesus today, you can come to Him today by repenting of your sin, and trusting to HIS substitutionary (He took our place), atoning sacrifice (He paid our debt) for your sin (The problem we all have and cannot cure.), and receive HIS gift of eternal life.

“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.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:16-19

Amen and Amen!!!

My Strength Isn’t My Own! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 19

30 Monday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Confidence, Contentment, Encouragement

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 19.  My Strength Isn’t My Own!

 

“The LORD is my strength

and my shield;

my heart trusted in him,

and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise him.”   Psalm 28:7

We have gone through some extreme changes in the last six weeks, and I have to admit, my body is totally weary and tired, but by God’s grace, strength, and power I have been able to do the things that needed doing.  We are in a new season, time, and place in our lives and yet our God is where HE has always been—in total, sovereign control, and I can’t tell you how much comfort, assurance, and confidence this gives to my heart.  It is my sustenance and I praise God for it.  I want to simply share a few passages of scripture to lift our hearts heavenward this morning.  The first may seem a little out of place but I hope you will consider the import of what it says—in fact I believe it is the foundational premise of the segment it begins.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.”  Ephesians 6:10

This beginning of the “armor of God” passage is often skipped as we jump into the “important” list of the armor, but have you considered the import of this introductory statement that Paul makes?  As Jesus said in John 15, without HIM and HIS power, we “can do nothing”!  Whose strength are you relying on?

“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

And in closing this brief post with you today, I pray that you will look up and not depend on your own “grit” and “power”, but on The Lord God Almighty whom I know reigns.  Is HE reigning in you?

“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!!!

Our Hope Is IN GOD!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #749

20 Friday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #749  Our Hope Is IN GOD!!!

 

I’ve had a very busy week, but I wanted to share a brief word with you today; in fact, one that I just shared with a young friend that I pray for continually!  As I sent him a short “prayer text”, I thought, ‘I just need to share this with us all’, for the days are surely causing many to wonder what is going on.  Well, I’ll tell you the simple truth, while we may not know what is going on, our GOD does, and WE WIN IN JESUS!!!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

for an hypocrite shall not come before him.”   Job 13:15-16

Where is your confidence?  Is it in Jesus?  Is it in your circumstances?  Your wealth—or the lack thereof?  Is it in the government?  Maybe the weather forecasters?  I think not!  Like Job, I can confidently say “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”—not because I’m so smart, or faithful, but because my GOD IS EVER FAITHFUL, and, as many of you have heard me say, “I still trust HIM”!

Jesus is coming again, and I can’t believe it’s very far away, but whenever it is, near or farther down the road—I know HE will return for HIS own!  And regardless of how others may choose to speak, act, believe, or not believe, I choose Jesus; for my friends, while you may fool others, you will never, ever fool GOD!

“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 run where you will; do what you like, blame everyone and everything but yourself for the consequences that you are bearing, but know this. “The Lord knoweth them that are his”, and if we claim Jesus’ name as our own, our lives are to reflect HIS character, HIS love, and HIS transforming work within not the crud of the world! (See Hebrews 12:5-11 and 1 John 1:9)

For as Job also said:

“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

So, whatever your trial, your grief, the sad but rightly deserved consequences you may be facing, or the uncertainty of our world, remember God’s character and HIS care for HIS own!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!