Category Archives: Amazing Grace

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

25 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Power of Prayer., PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

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?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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!

What’s Your Water Source??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #676

14 Friday Aug 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Amazing Grace, Cups of cold water!, Have You Heard?, Salvation

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #676     What’s Your Water Source???

 

As many of you know, we live in Oklahoma; it’s summer, and it’s HOT, really hot, triple digit hot!  A cool drink of water is welcome to quench the thirst and keep a body hydrated in extreme heat, yet there is a heat beyond imagination for those who refuse to drink of Jesus’ offer of “living water”!  The woman of Samaria—an outcast, a woman of ill-repute, a loner, a woman despised by ‘decent’ women—simply came to get her water for the day (remember she had no “faucet” to turn on!) but she came at noon!  Most of the women would draw water early in the morning or in the late evening, the cooler parts of the day; yet this woman, the outcast, came at noon and who did she find but Jesus—a Jew!  And Jesus added amazement to her day by simply asking for a drink of water; but then HE led her to see that HE could give her “living water”! (It would be good to take some time today and read the entire chapter for yourself.)

“There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water:

Jesus saith unto her,

Give me to drink…

…9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him,

How is it that thou, being a Jew,

askest drink of me,

which am a woman of Samaria?

for the Jews have no dealings

with the Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said unto her,

If thou knewest the gift of God,

and who it is that saith to thee,

Give me to drink;

 thou wouldest have asked of him,

and he would have given thee

 living water.

12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob,

 which gave us the well,

and drank thereof himself,

and his children,

and his cattle?

13 Jesus answered and said unto her,

Whosoever drinketh of this water

shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water

that I shall give him

shall never thirst;

but the water that I shall give him

shall be in him a well of water

springing up

into everlasting life.

15 The woman saith unto him,

Sir, give me this water,

that I thirst not,

neither come hither to draw.”   Portions of John 4:7-15

Later, at a feast in Jerusalem, Jesus called men, women, boys and girls to Himself, the very source of God’s “living water”—water that can quench the thirst of your soul and mine!!!  I’m so grateful that Jesus came to me, not in person like the Samaritan woman, but in just as desperate a condition, and Jesus revealed my black heart, so that I could see what HE saw, then HE called me to repent and trust HIM to save me, rather than my own self-generated, good works done to impress others and convince them that I was a ‘good’ person.  Oh, praise HIS name, Jesus knew about me, and He knows about you!  Won’t you take of His water? You’ll find His grace and peace unequaled; I came to Him over 40 years ago, and HE has never failed me—ever!  Especially in this last few months of dealing with the grief over the loss of my only daughter, HE has carried me, comforted me, dried my tears, and reminded me over and over again to come to HIS cross for more of HIS life-sustaining water!  Oh, what a wonderful Savior!  Pour it on Lord, pour it on?

“In the last day, that great day of the feast,

Jesus stood and cried, saying,

If any man thirst,

 let him come unto me,

and drink.

38 He that believeth on me,

as the scripture hath said,

out of his belly shall flow

rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit,

which they that believe on him

should receive:

for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;

because that Jesus was not yet

glorified.)”. John 7:37-39

Jesus came to be the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours; He not only can and will save you, but He will fill your soul with peace, joy and rest!  His water has never run dry when I come to Him in the sweltering heat of life, even knowing the many times that I fail Him—HE never fails me!  His water is an ever-flowing artesian well of life, restoration, and refreshing to my soul!  I invite you to take of HIS water and forsake that muddy puddle that you’ve been drinking from.  Jeremiah recorded God’s judgment concerning the choice of “drinking water”!

“Hath a nation changed their gods,

which are yet no gods?

 but my people have changed their glory

for that which doth not profit.

12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this,

and be horribly afraid,

be ye very desolate,

saith the LORD.

13 For my people have committed two evils;

they have forsaken me

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed them out cisterns,

broken cisterns,

that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:11-13

There is a time coming for those who will choose to follow Jesus in repentance and faith, when we will lay down our burdens, rest in His presence, drink of those fountains eternally without restraint, and have our tears wiped away!  Oh, glorious day!  Hallelujah!  May we be found faithful when HE calls, and I can’t believe it’s long till that trumpet sounds!  Are you ready!

“They shall hunger no more,

neither thirst any more;

neither shall the sun light on them,

nor any heat.

17 For the Lamb

which is in the midst of the throne

shall feed them,

 and shall lead them

unto living fountains of waters:

and God shall wipe away all tears

from their eyes.”  Revelation 7:16-17

May you have a blessed day and be filled with Jesus’ “water of life” today!!!

Amen and Amen!

Control Or Gratitude??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #673

05 Wednesday Aug 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Amazing Grace, Follow Jesus, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Praise God Today!, Testify, Thankful, Thanksgiving

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #673       Control Or Gratitude???

 

“I will praise thee

with my whole heart:

before the gods

will I sing praise unto thee.

2 I will worship

toward thy holy temple,

and praise thy name

for thy lovingkindness

and for thy truth:

for thou hast magnified thy word

above all thy name.”   Psalms 138:1-2

I love the Psalms!  They are an amazing mixture of praise, distress, confusion, hope, joy and sorrow; and more than we can list here this morning.  I want us to look at this particular Psalm today, for we often need reminding that we are to be a people of praise and gratitude.  We all fail to recognize the import of gratitude—we want to control God—in fact we want to control almost everything much of the time—in our lives, and that as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ The Lord, we should ever be overflowing with praise and gratitude.

This is on my heart this morning for it has been a most difficult week for me, not only dealing with the continuing grief over the loss of my only daughter, but I also had a dear friend who was struggling with a very serious illness, and was alarmingly ill with, at times, what seemed like a hopeless situation.  Well, my friends, I tell you that the tears have flowed for days in prayers, in fear of the loss of my dear friend, in hope and faith in my God to heal—all these emotions, mixed with faith, hope and fear.  I know that many talk about fear being the antithesis of faith, but I think that sometimes (even though we don’t like to admit it) we can have both at the same time.  Much like the father of the demon-possessed child who came to Jesus for Him to heal the child—he believed that Jesus could heal his son, but he was afraid of another lost effort.  We are no different for if we are truly praying in faith, we are praying that “Thy Will Be Done”, and that is walking by faith through my fear.  Knowing that I serve the God Who Knows!

I have often prayed that same “Lord, help thou my unbelief”!  How about you?  Yet, God knows our frailty and humanity and when we come to HIM, we can trust to His care, His love, and His Word.  Even as the Psalmist said above, God honors HIS own Word.  He IS His Word! (See John 1:1-5).  As we continue on with the Psalm, let us consider Paul’s admonition for our need of gratitude.

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

“Continue in prayer,

and watch in the same

with thanksgiving;”   Colossians 4:2

Oh, if we could simply realize the power of gratitude!  Even as the Psalmist said in verse one, “I will praise thee with my whole heart”!  Let’s peruse the rest of this Psalm—it’s so full of encouraging truth!  I pray that you and I will ponder these words and their import!

“In the day when I cried

thou answeredst me,

and strengthenedst me

with strength in my soul.

4 All the kings of the earth

shall praise thee, O LORD,

when they hear the words of thy mouth.

5 Yea, they shall sing

in the ways of the LORD:

for great is the glory of the LORD.

6 Though the LORD be high,

yet hath he respect unto the lowly:

but the proud

he knoweth afar off.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

thou wilt revive me:

thou shalt stretch forth thine hand

against the wrath of mine enemies,

and thy right hand

shall save me.

8 The LORD will perfect that

which concerneth me:

thy mercy, O LORD,

endureth for ever:

forsake not the works

of thine own hands.”  Psalm 138:3-8

And as my own eyes flowed with tears this week (and I might add, healing and comforting tears, as well as tears of earnest love and concern!) I know that God heard and answered our prayers, for many things, but especially for my friend who is doing much better.  And for that I will gladly praise and thank my LORD for hearing and answering my heart’s desire!  So, my question for us today is simply this, “Will you pursue gratitude or control?”  It’s your choice but choose wisely; there is a test!

Amen and Amen!