Category Archives: Amazing Grace

Daniel Prayed–Will You??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #591

27 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Confessing Sin, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's Prayer, Transgression

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #591  Daniel Prayed–Will You???

 

I would like to paraphrase of a passage of scripture that has grabbed my heart this week as I was reading and studying for a Bible study class.  I pray that it will reach out to your heart and call each of us to be willing to identify with the desperate condition of our land, our culture, and our world!  I will share my paraphrase and at the end Daniel’s actual prayer.  I would encourage you to spend some time in Daniel chapter 9 this week.

“I determined to pray,

fast,

and seek God’s face

in total mourning. 

I prayed unto The Lord, my God;

confessing my own sin

as well as the sin of my people. 

I praised God for His awesome power and might, for His faithfulness to keep His word, His covenants, and His promises—both those for blessings and those for judgment.

O Lord, we have sinned, doing wrong, behaving wickedly, rebelling against YOU, oh Lord, and we have forsaken Your Word, Your will, and Your ways.

We have not heeded or listened to those you sent to preach truth to us all; to our fathers and mothers; to our teachers and professors, to our mayors, governors, congressional leaders, and our judges and presidents; to all the people of our land!

O Lord, you are the righteous Lord of all, and even knowing your truth, we have rejected You, Your word, and Your ways.  We deserve the confusion and chaos that is rampant in our land, for we have turned away from You to go our own way—those who claim Your name as well as those who don’t know you at all—those in the country—those in the city—those who are educated—those who are less educated; all have walked away from Your way!

O Lord, we deserve the consequences of our choices that have come upon us, but by Thy mercy we have not been totally consumed—the small and the great—the rich and the poor—those of every political persuasion!  We have abandoned truth for lies, and now can’t grasp how we could be in the shape that we are in.  We have sinned against You!   

Praise Your name, O Lord, for we have abandoned You, and yet your mercy has been extended to us beyond measure.  You have called us again and again back to Yourself, yet we have continued to refuse to respond in repentance or faith!

You have called again and again, yet we have all refused to hear Your word, and can’t comprehend why we are reaping the harvest that we sowed!

We haven’t heeded Your Word and or responded to your grace and truth, instead we have continued to cling to our sinful and wicked ways, doing our best to relabel all our pet sins and legitimize them.

O Lord, we don’t deserve your mercy because of our great sin, but O Lord, we ask that you restore us to your favor by bringing conviction, grace and truth to those who will heed.  Spare us from your judgment, which we totally deserve, and save us.

 O Lord, hear the prayer of your servants, and save us today?  You are righteous, holy and good—and we need the salvation that Jesus bought for us at Calvary!

O Lord, hear? 

O Lord, forgive? 

Oh Lord, hearken and do

your work of grace and redemption upon our land,

not because we deserve it,

but because of Your great love and mercy!  Amen and Amen”

And here is Daniel’s prayer for his people, made in total identification with his sinful people, may we not exalt ourselves, but identify with our fallen nation and seek God’s face while there is still time.

“And I set my face unto the Lord God,

to seek by prayer and supplications,

with fasting,

and sackcloth,

and ashes:

4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said,

O Lord, the great and dreadful God,

keeping the covenant and mercy

to them

that love him,

and to them

that keep his commandments;

5 We have sinned,

and have committed iniquity,

and have done wickedly,

and have rebelled,

even by departing from thy precepts

and from thy judgments:

6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants

the prophets,

which spake in thy name

to our kings,

our princes,

and our fathers,

and to all the people of the land.

7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee,

but unto us confusion of faces,

as at this day;

to the men of Judah,

and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and unto all Israel,

that are near,

and that are far off,

through all the countries

whither thou hast driven them,

because of their trespass

that they have trespassed against thee.

8 O Lord,

to us belongeth confusion of face,

to our kings,

to our princes,

and to our fathers,

because we have sinned against thee.

9 To the Lord our God belong

mercies

and forgivenesses,

though we have rebelled against him;

10 Neither have we obeyed

the voice of the LORD our God,

to walk in his laws,

which he set before us

by his servants

the prophets.

11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law,

even by departing,

that they might not obey thy voice;

therefore the curse is poured upon us,

and the oath that is written

in the law of Moses the servant of God,

because we have sinned against him.

12 And he hath confirmed his words,

which he spake against us,

and against our judges that judged us,

by bringing upon us a great evil:

for under the whole heaven hath not

been done as hath been done

upon Jerusalem.

13 As it is written in the law of Moses,

all this evil is come upon us:

yet made we not our prayer

before the LORD our God,

that we might turn from our iniquities,

and understand thy truth.

14 Therefore hath the LORD watched

upon the evil,

and brought it upon us:

for the LORD our God is righteous

in all his works which he doeth:

for we obeyed not his voice.

15 And now, O Lord our God,

that hast brought thy people forth

out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand,

and hast gotten thee renown,

as at this day;

we have sinned,

we have done wickedly.

16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness,

I beseech thee,

let thine anger and thy fury

be turned away from thy city Jerusalem,

thy holy mountain:

because for our sins,

and for the iniquities of our fathers,

Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach

to all that are about us.

17 Now therefore, O our God,

hear the prayer of thy servant,

and his supplications,

and cause thy face to shine

upon thy sanctuary that is desolate,

for the Lord’s sake.

18 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 9:2-19

Even so Lord Jesus!  Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

Live, Breathe, Be??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 16

02 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Consider Your ways, Crucified With Christ, Filled With His Spirit, For Such A Time As This, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, SIN, The Love of God, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 16   Live, Breathe, Be???

 

I have friends, and you probably do too, who have chronic illnesses, in fact I have several friends who have not only chronic illnesses, but genetically based diseases.  That would be a hard thing to deal with, knowing that you could pass on a disease to your children and/or grandchildren, especially since it is out of my/your control.; but there’s something else that we need to consider, for it is even more far-reaching than a chronic disease, and if not treated appropriately, it is truly fatal.  That is “SIN”, and while we all pass it on to our children and our grandchildren, there is something that we can do—something that IS within our control!  And that something is JESUS!  While we may not have a choice about the genetic pool that is passed on to us, we do have a choice about our response to sin, and the choice that we make will affect those around us whether we are related or not!

Scripture clearly tells us that we are all afflicted with the disease of sin!

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no,

not one:”  Romans 3:10

That means that sin is the issue—we all have it, but only Jesus can provide the cure (so to speak)!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;”  Romans 3:23

All–that means me; and that means you!  Every human being is born into sin (except the God-Man Savior, Jesus), and we can choose to respond to the gospel of Jesus, hear the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit, repent and receive the saving grace that He died to provide; or you can choose to pay for you own sin!

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Romans 6:23

We are all born in sin, but when we come to Jesus in repentance and faith, we don’t have to die in our sin.  Jesus has already done that for us; therefore, Hell doesn’t have to be our future.  We can have life now and forever—abundant life IN Jesus!

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves

and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 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 10:7-11

Jesus IS the good shepherd, for HE gave His life for our salvation, all because God loved us.

“We love him, because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:19

What a wonderful verse!  Salvation was, is and ever shall be God’s idea, God pursued us, for salvation is always initiated by God—it’s not our idea!  We can only respond to HIS grace which has been extended to us as His Spirit reveals Him to us.  Have you heard His voice? His knock at your heart’s 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 to be the Redeemer, Jesus gave His own life, of His own will to save us!  God sent Jesus to pay for ‘my’ sin and ‘yours’!

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God

among you by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”   Acts 2:22-24

Not only preached by Peter and the apostles, but also foretold by Jesus Himself.

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:

them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice;

and there shall be one fold,

and one shepherd.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me,

because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me,

but I lay it down of myself.

I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received

of my Father.”   John 10:16-18

Jesus came out of love for us and obediently lay down HIS life for me and you!  Praise God for His amazing grace that saves and keeps those who will come to HIM! Oh, to have the words to describe the wondrous grace that He has bestowed on me/us, and to express the gratitude that fills my heart.  And because of that gratitude and recognition of the blessings of God, we ought to behave in accord with what we have received.  I truly believe that one of the problems we face today is an overabundance of people who profess what they don’t possess!  But God knows those who are HIS, and Jesus made it clear that what’s in our hearts will come out—one way or another; sooner or later!

“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

We can find victory in living when we learn to depend on the direction, provision and instruction of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit.

“16 This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…..

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”   Galatians 5:16 & 24-25

How much we miss when we forget that when we belong to Jesus, He provides all we need for faithful, godly living.

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us

all things that pertain

unto life and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

 having escaped the corruption

that is in the world through lust.”  2 Peter 1:3

Power to overcome is found in The Spirit and The Word of Him who laid down His life for me and you!  We can live and prevail by His grace, as we die to self and live “in Jesus”!

“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

“I am crucified with Christ:

 nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

All because Jesus holds it all together—right now, and always.

“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person,

and upholding all things

by the word of his power,

when he had by himself purged our sins,

sat down on the right hand

of the Majesty on high;”  Hebrews 1:3

So, a few questions, “In “whom” (or how) do you ‘live, and move, and have your being”?   Have you died to self at the cross, to live by “faith of the Son of God”?  The choice is yours but choose wisely; there is a test at the end!

One last word to challenge our minds!

“And be not drunk

with wine, wherein is excess;

but be filled

with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing and making melody

 in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always

for all things

unto God and the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves

one to another

in the fear of God.”  Ephesians 5:18-21

Are you “filled with the Spirit” (which means to be pervaded, controlled by) or is something else ‘controlling’ you? (It matters not if it’s drugs, liquor, sex, greed, lying and deceit, power, manipulation, ego, sloth, or ambition).  What are you filling your life with!

The Only “Name” That Matters!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #550

19 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Resurrection, The Only Name That Matters

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #550  The Only “Name” That Matters!!!

 

Just a brief word this morning as many are celebrating the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus.  I would simply like to share with you a couple of passages that might encourage you today to “consider Jesus”, and that others may see by our lives that we have “been with Jesus”!

“If we this day be examined of the good deed

done to the impotent man,

by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man

 stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness

of Peter and John,

and perceived

that they were unlearned

and ignorant men,

 they marvelled;

and they took knowledge of them,

that they had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:9-13

And what was it that made Peter and John so bold?  The same One who will empower you and I to live boldly today—by the power of the precious Holy Spirit whom Jesus imparts to those who come to Him in repentance and faith!

“And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.”  Revelation 12:11

Boldness that can even face death with an assurance and courage based on the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of the One whose resurrection we rejoice in this week—and every Sunday—every day!!!  It’s all about JESUS!  And He is still in the soul-saving, life-changing business.  If you don’t know Him, won’t you make this the greatest celebration of all and receive Him into your heart and life.  Here’s the Gospel in a nutshell, so to speak.  Truth that can and will transform your life, if you will but hear His voice and heed His call!

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died

for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again

the third day

 according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:”  1 Corinthians 15:3-5

This IS why we celebrate—

“HE IS NOT HERE—HE IS RISEN”!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Overcoming Prejudice??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 15

03 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Overcoming Prejudice, Prejudice

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.15 Overcoming Prejudice???

 

Prejudice: “any unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand, without knowledge, thought or reason; any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable; unreasonable feelings, opinions or attitudes, especially of a hostile nature, regarding an ethnic, racial, social, or religious group.” Simply put it means to ‘judge’ something beforehand.

There’s a lot of talk about “prejudice” regarding race, ethnicity, social issues as well as religious beliefs, yet oft times it’s simply a matter coming back to God’s Word and remembering that God created “man” in His own image! Contrary to popular teaching, all things were created by God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and when remember that, it should change some attitudes!

“And God said,

Let us make man in our image,
after our likeness:

and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God

created man

in his own image,

in the image of God

created he him;

male and female

created he them.” Genesis 1:26-27

God The Creator made “man in our image”, creating us “In the beginning” and “in his own image” (Father, Son and Holy Spirit): All mankind—in—Adam! (See 1 Cor. 15:45)

“In the beginning God

created the heaven and the earth….

2…….And the Spirit of God

moved upon the face of the waters……….

And God said,

Let there be…..” Portions of Genesis 1:1-3

We find the Holy Spirit of God involved in this account of creation, and we know that Jesus was/is God and He was there as well. The Apostle John fills in the details in this regard.

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.”   John 1:1-3

John clearly assures us that Jesus was God, is God and all things “were made by him”, who was there with the Father and Holy Spirit in the Genesis creation account! Interestingly enough God created through something so simple that we often overlook its import, “And God said, Let there be..”—God spoke and “there was”! Jesus is so aptly described by John as “the Word”—the very vehicle of God’s demonstrated creative power through His Son, The Word! Paul also proclaims this creative work of Jesus in his letter to the Colossians, Jesus who is God, was God and ever shall be God, is holding all things together! (See Heb. 1:3)

“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:

15 Who is the image

of the invisible God,

the firstborn

of every creature:

16 For by him

were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible

and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:13-17

When we recognize God as The Creator, we must also recognize that since God The Father, Jesus The Son, and The Holy Spirit are the agent of creation, and “mankind” was created as the crowning glory we must act upon it! The Word clearly reveals to us that “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him”—all men, women, boys and girls were and are created “in the image of God”! That my friend is regardless of color, race, ethnic origin, social order or religious beliefs. God calls us to remember that HE is creator and we are to respect all of His creation, especially His crowning glory! How can we hold those who are created in the image of God as less worthy of regard than we are? While we may differ greatly in our backgrounds, our opinions, our beliefs and our actions (and generally our real beliefs will dictate our actions), we are to treat each other with at the very least kindness not arrogant disregard for whatever reason.

What does all this have to do with overcoming “prejudice”? I think it has a lot to do with it, because when we judge others unworthy of God’s grace and salvation because of any ‘external’ issue, we have put ourselves in God’s place!

How much does it cost to be kind and respectful? Not much! And I want to make it clear that I’m not talking about compromise with sin, biblical Christianity, salvation or the truths of God’s Word, but I am talking about acting as though we are better than others because we are followers of Jesus, or of a particular skin-color, or from a particular social group or have more “stuff”, or more “culture”, or more “knowledge” than other persons. Daniel reminds us in his prayer of praise for answered prayer, that God is totally in control, and it’s only by God’s grace that we are who we are, where we are and possessing the opportunities that we have been given.

“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 2:19-23

Daniel was focused on God in all things, and we must do the same—Daniel was in service to a pagan king who was the enemy of his people, yet he served him with honor, respect, and faithful service by always honoring God and crediting HIM for his own abilities, and for answered prayer. We ought to be kind and helpful to those whom God brings into our lives by His sovereign work—regardless of how they look, or smell, or behave (Not compromising truth but “speaking the truth in love”, see Ephesians 4:15!), or whether or not they accept our kindness or believe our witness!

I had an experience that God used to get my attention just last week. We were traveling and happened to go to a particular restaurant and there saw an employee who was less than attentive or kind, and while she was different from us, it seemed that she didn’t feel well and I asked her about how she felt, and she shared that she didn’t feel well, and I offered to pray for her to feel better soon (And I did pray for her as we sat down). In God’s providence, the next day we ‘happened’ to return to that same restaurant (for we had planned to go elsewhere yet circumstances took us back to that same place), and this same employee was there again and seemed to be better. As we were seated she walked by and I asked about her well-being and she said she did feel better, and I told her something like, “God hears and answers prayer!” and she smiled broadly and was most attentive to our party—a totally different person than she was the day before! Now I don’t say this to brag, but to remind us that a simple act of kindness and Christian compassion may make a difference to someone that we may be tempted to “pre” judge as too different from us and not worthy of our regard, compassion, patience or kindness!

As John wrote in his 1st epistle, we are to love one another (And yes I understand the context is referring to brother and sister believers, but the principle also applies to those whom Jesus called our “neighbors”! See Luke 10:29-37) because God “first loved us”! Not because we were worthy but because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son….”!

“We love him,

because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God,

and hateth his brother,

he is a liar:

for he that loveth not his brother

whom he hath seen,

how can he love God

whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him,

That he who loveth God

love his brother also.” 1 John 4:19-21

Who are we “loving”?  What are we “giving”?  Are we only kind to those who are kind to us? Do we see the world through God’s eyes, or through our own prejudices?

So, my simple question for us today is, “Are we overcoming ‘prejudice’ or are our ‘prejudices’ overcoming our faith and the Word of God?” Are we so entrenched in pride, self, arrogance, and self-righteousness that we have missed the fact that just because we are a follower of Jesus, God doesn’t excuse our sin? And snubbing, hating and disregarding others simply because they are different or because we don’t agree with them isn’t how we ought to behave—it’s not ‘love in action’! Are we hating what/who God loves? Or does God hate what we love or what we use to excuse our behavior? Sin is sin, not matter who commits it!

“These six things doth the LORD hate:

yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look,

a lying tongue,

and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,

feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies,

and he that soweth discord among brethren.

20 My son, keep thy father’s commandment,

and forsake not the law of thy mother:

21 Bind them continually upon thine heart,                                         and tie them about thy neck.

22 When thou goest,

it shall lead thee;

when thou sleepest,

it shall keep thee;

and when thou awakest,

it shall talk with thee.

23 For the commandment is a lamp;

and the law is light;

and reproofs of instruction

are the way of life:” Proverbs 6:16-23

Did you notice the last two? A “false witness that speaketh lies” and “he that soweth discord among brethren” are two of the seven things that God hates because they are contrary to the nature of God; and when we “pre” judge someone without the facts, simply because we think we “know” about “their kind”—that they are “one of ‘those’ people”—we may very well be speaking lies and sowing discord. And there certainly is a lot of discord being sown with wrong motives and agendas that don’t line up with The Word of God! Often because we are practicing the first thing in God’s list—pride!

So may we remember that even those people with whom we may rightly disagree, are worthy of our kindness and compassion—maybe God sent them to us so that we could lead them to the cross—not run them off with the stick of our mean, selfish, prideful imaginings against them! And please believe me when I tell you, this message has been to me just as much as to anyone else; yet only when we yield ourselves to God’s work of love, grace and truth will we find the strength and power to take HIS message to a lost and dying world one kindness at a time, without “pre” judging those God sends our way!

“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.” Romans 5:1-5

Amen and Amen!

It’s All About Jesus!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #509

16 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Glory, Grace, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Life, Praise God Today!, The Word, TODAY

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #509  It’s All About Jesus!!!

 

“For I am the least of the apostles,

that am not meet to be called an apostle,

because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God

I am

what I am:

and his grace

which was bestowed upon me

was not in vain;

but I laboured more abundantly than they all:

yet not I,

but the grace of God

which was with me.

11 Therefore whether it were I

or they,

so we preach,

and so ye believed.”   1 Corinthians 15:9-11

I praise God for these words of Paul—“ by the grace of God I am what I am”! What a glorious confidence we can have in Jesus Christ our Lord, for He works His work in us through grace not our own frail efforts/works which Isaiah describes as “filthy rags”! (See Isaiah 64:6) We are to work for Jesus out of His power, grace and strength—never our own; so He can display His wondrous power before a lost and dying world who needs to see Him in us! You and I may be the only “Bible” that some may ever read; and if that is true what are they reading in me today?

We are to seek Him continually in prayer and Bible study—that is where we will grow in Him and He will take what we give to Him and transform it into HIS image for His glory! We simply need to press on with, for and through the power of Jesus Christ our Lord, learning to know Him more intimately each and every day! It’s simple but not easy—it requires devotion and commitment to the things of God rather that the things that call us from a dark and corrupt world trying to rob us of our testimony and influence—don’t succumb to the “wiles of the devil”, but press on with Jesus!

“That I may know him,

and the power

of his resurrection,

and the fellowship

of his sufferings,

being made conformable

unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend

that for which also

I am apprehended of Christ Jesus

13 Brethren, I count not myself

to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:10-14

I can do this because of what Jesus has done for me/us!!! His life for mine—for yours! And when He dwells in us we can go forward in HIS power, love and grace!!! Press on dear ones—press on, so that:

“I may know him,

and the power

of his resurrection,

and the fellowship

of his sufferings”

Grace, my friends –grace that saves lost sinners like me!                                       Grace that takes cracked pots and makes us a glory to God!                                    Grace that heals broken hearts and lives, and makes them vessels of honor unto God! Amen! But how? By the indwelling of our Lord via His Holy Spirit living within us and empowering us for “His” work—not our own! (See Jn. 4:34)

“To whom God would make known

what is the riches

of the glory

of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:”   Colossians 1:27

Remember to “forget” “those things which are behind” for God has a new day for you to live today– Right here—Right now. Go for it friend, just keep those eyes on Jesus!

“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 12:2

 

Knowing that: “……. he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25b

Amen and Amen!!!