Category Archives: Blessed by God

Good Citizens For Jesus’ Sake!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #664

03 Friday Jul 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Be not conformed to this world, Blessed by God, God Bless America, Good Citizens

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #664  Good Citizens For Jesus’ Sake!!!

 

I would simply like to wish each of you a most blessed and “Happy Independence Day”-4th of July, here in the US!  And a blessed and joyous day to all!  I just want to share a message from God through the Apostle Paul in regard to our duty to our governmental leaders no matter where we live, no matter the perilous times we may live in!  We as believers and followers of Jesus, are called to follow God and respect the authorities that God has established.  I simply want to share a couple of passages for your perusal sometime this weekend as you spend time with family and friends, celebrating the blessings of God in establishing this great country!  And I pray that God will please “Bless America”, and “deliver us from evil”!  Amen!

“Let every soul be subject

unto the higher powers.

For there is no power

but of God:

the powers that be

are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,

resisteth the ordinance of God:

and they that resist

shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works,

but to the evil.

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?

do that which is good,

and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee

for good.

But if thou do that which is evil,

be afraid;

for he beareth not the sword in vain:

for he is the minister of God,

a revenger to execute wrath

upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject,

not only for wrath,

but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also:

for they are God’s ministers,

attending continually

upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore

to all their dues:

tribute

to whom tribute is due;

custom

to whom custom;

fear

to whom fear;

honour

to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another

hath fulfilled the law.”   Romans 13:1-8

And from Paul’s letter to his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy!

“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 may we, each one, seek to please our Lord in all we say and do, letting our “little light shine”!

“Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

May God’s blessing be seen at every turn in your life—He’s there—are we paying attention?  Let’s do!

Amen and Amen!!!

Does Your God See??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #658

10 Wednesday Jun 2020

Posted by in Blessed by God, Choose You This Day!, God Who Sees, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #658      Does Your God See???

 

“And Abraham called the name of that place

Jehovahjireh:

as it is said to this day,

In the mount of the LORD

it shall be seen.”   Genesis 22:14

God had called Abraham to go to a place he didn’t know, led by a God he wanted to know, through a journey of joy and sorrow, obedience and failure, to know God in saving faith, and finally receive the child of promise—Isaac!  Yet when Isaac was almost grown, God called Abraham to offer him as a sacrifice.  In this test we see that Abraham had learned to trust God to do whatever was right.  A place where we can’t arrive through a life of ease and pleasure, but a life of testing; a life of failure and successes that lead and grow us into a KNOWledge of God Almighty, and learning to KNOW His Son Jesus (for Abraham only saw Jesus’ coming by faith!)!  We can come to that place, and with Abraham, boldly call our God, Jehovah Jireh—The God who sees it all.  The God who sees the ending from the beginning!

The author of Hebrews makes it clear to us what Abraham believed!  What do you believe?  What are you willing to trust God with?

“By faith Abraham,

when he was tried,

offered up Isaac:

and he that had received the promises

offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said,

That in Isaac

shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able

to raise him up,

even from the dead;

from whence also

he received him

in a figure.”  Hebrews 11:17-19

When we dig into this amazing story of Abraham, we find that Abraham was called to offer his son on the same mount where God offered HIS “only begotten son” for our sin. Think about it—that is amazing—so amazing that Abraham not only received his son back, but he was living out a picture of what God was going to do to “bless” all nations through his descendant, Jesus (crucified for our sin, risen from the dead, and coming again).  He believed the promises of God, and clung to them in absolute confidence and trust, knowing that God keeps HIS Word!  Where is your confidence today?  What/who are you counting on?  What/who are you resting in?  Have you come to the place of trusting God with what you can’t see!  Or are you still choosing to walk by sight rather than faith!

“And God is able

to make all grace abound toward you;

that ye,

always having all sufficiency

in all things,

may abound

to every good work:”   2 Corinthians 9:8

Scripture testifies to Abraham’s faith, what does our faith testify of to those around us?  Are you wrestling with issues that you can’t let go of?  God wants to give you rest, if you’ll but come to HIM for answers and provision.  I know that is much easier said than done, but it is a ‘doable’ if we’ll but keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting in HIS amazing grace, power and all-sufficient Sovereignty; forsaking the world’s call to “do it yourself”, rather than walking in confidence with the ONE who can and will lead, direct and deliver us, if we will just look up—rather than around!

“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

So, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, letting go of the weight of the world, the draw of sin, and clinging to the ONE who knows the answers already.  Bring it to Jesus—He is ever waiting for your call!  We can rest in HIS faithfulness—for He will never fail—for HE sees tomorrow today!  You can trust to HIS care, and rest IN HIM!

“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 4:16

Amen and Amen!

An Amazing Oxymoron??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #618

17 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Blessed by God, Born Again, Gospel, Grace

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #618     An Amazing Oxymoron???

 

One of my favorite gospel hymns is “Amazing Grace” by John Newton, and while it is “old”, like me, it resounds with truth and hope; and yet this week as I was listening to it for the ‘umpty-dozeneth’ time, it struck me that this powerful song has a most amazing oxymoron, and it just gripped my heart and I’d like to share a few thoughts with you this morning that may speak to you as well.

I’d like to share the second verse with you and delve into its depths.

“T’was Grace

that taught my heart to fear

And Grace,

my fears relieved

How precious did

that grace appear

The hour I first believed.”

Have you ever recognized that it truly is God’s grace that brings us to “fear”—to see our sin and its consequence?  That’s Bible and it’ll preach!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”   John 6:44

God is the One who convicts of sin, and without seeing our sin—without that “Grace that taught my heart to fear”, we have no need for The Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord!  But praise God He sent Jesus to be our substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice!  And it is the Holy Spirit of God who brings that conviction of sin to our hearts, without which we could never be born again into Jesus!

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will

reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

That very Spirit whom Jesus promised to send, is the One who opens our eyes to see our own sin, but the oxymoron is that HE is also the ONE who “my fears relieved”!  And that’s why we can rejoice and sing:

“How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed”!

And not only from that first moment but in every moment since, and in every moment that God grants me to serve Him in this world!  That my friends, is truly “Amazing Grace”!  God’s grace, and He is holding out that very grace to you today, if you don’t know Him yet.  And if you know HIM and are in a hard place, it is that same grace that will carry you through!  God is continually at work through that wonderful grace of Jesus, to not only save us unto Himself, but to conform us into HIS very image—bringing glory to God and accomplishing His purpose in our every step!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”   Romans 11:36

And another of my favorite passages that I pray will bring you hope and encouragement today!

“For by grace

are ye saved

through faith; and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created

in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”   Ephesians 2:8-10

And let me close with this thought; many in recent days have made comment regarding my ‘strong faith’, and I appreciate that, but we must understand and know that it’s not “my” faith that is the issue—the issue is The One in whom “my” faith is placed!  It’s the Amazing Savior who saved me many long years ago—The One who has picked me up time and time again.  The One who has walked with me when I was ‘up’, and The One who has walked with me when I was ‘down’!  The One who died that I might have “abundant life”.  And that “abundant life” is my hope, and confidence from and in The One, Jesus, to whom I belong.  And you can have that same life, faith, peace and grace if you will but call out to HIM and receive HIS peace!

“Peace I leave

with you,

my peace I give

unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:26                                                 (Read the whole chapter)

So, I pray that God will speak to your heart that amazing, wonderful grace that Jesus died and rose again to provide for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.  You are loved and prayed for, and that “Amazing Grace” will deliver you too!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

Christmas IS About Family??? Pt. 2 Bible Ballistics: BBs #608

06 Friday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Blessed by God, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Christmas IS?, IN Jesus!, SIN

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #608  Christmas IS About Family??? Pt.2

 

Continuing with our look at Christmas and family, I want us to go back to the first family—the place where the promise of Jesus was first announced (the promise that would culminate in His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension back to His Father—and the “rest of the story”, HIS coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!) in the midst of sin and failure; Adam and Eve’s sin initiated the promise of redemption; which, by the way, was no surprise to God!  For He had the plan all along, for He knew our choices would lead to sin, death and hell for mankind—BUT GOD!  Oh, how I love those words—BUT GOD—our God knew all along that we would fail, yet He had already made provision through the sacrifice of HIS “only begotten son”!

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying,

Of every tree of the garden

thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge

of good and evil,

thou shalt not eat of it:

for in the day that thou eatest thereof

thou shalt surely die.”  Genesis 2:16-17

God warned the man, yet by the same token, without the opportunity to choose, we would have been puppets, rather than free moral agents; and while God knew that man would fail, out of His love for us and desire that we choose Him, He gave Adam and Eve a choice! People often say, ‘Well, they didn’t die!”, so, God didn’t mean what He said!  But truly He did—man died spiritually and lost His soul-tie, and beautiful intimacy with his creator!  His soul was marred by sin, and that’s why Jesus said we must be “born again” to see God’s kingdom, much less enter it!  And Jesus is (as my pastor often says) the ‘issue’ and the “issuer’ of salvation, life to all who will believe in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—my sin and yours!  Jesus was, is and ever shall be the answer to the sin problem. (And sin IS the problem!)

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,                               and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head,

and thou shalt bruise his heel.”  Genesis 3:15

The promise of the One who would crush the serpents head—and bring us victory over sin, death and hell.  Jesus received the ultimate blow from Satan, yet God knew all along that it would only crush His heel, but His resurrection from that blow of death would deliver all who would trust in His blood, crushing Satan!

“O death,

where is thy sting?

O grave,

where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Paul reveals this principle of spiritual death in his letter to the Ephesians—we are all born dead spiritually, but Jesus came that we might have not only “life” but “that they might have it more abundantly.”!  Jesus truly is our all in all, even before the world began—before sin!  Jesus was, is and ever shall be The Only Way!  There never was, nor is there now plan ‘A’ which failed, making Jesus plan ‘B’—Jesus has always been, and now is The Only “way….truth…..life” which reconciles to God!

“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;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness

toward us

through Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:1-7

Oh, how excited I get just writing these words on paper—we are so loved, blessed and treasured by the God who created us and ‘bought us back’ from sin, death and hell—Amen and Amen!  Jesus saves today, and I’m so grateful for the truth that He changed me!  How about you—do you know the Christ Jesus of Christmas.  Do the bells ring true in your heart the song of saving grace?  Does the light shine in your heart no matter how dark it is around you?  I pray that you will rejoice in the gift that God gave to us the night that Jesus was born so many years ago; and regardless of the date, or exact spot, or the circumstances—God came into this world as a babe to live the perfect, sinless life that we never could, to die as the Lamb of God who “taketh away the sin of the world”, that we might be “born of God”!

We’ll continue our quest to know God’s truth next time, and I pray that you will ponder these things and that God will draw you to Himself, that you might rest in HIM!  May you rejoice with the angels who proclaimed the glory of this marvelous gift of God!

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings

of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men.”  Luke 2:9-14

Amen!

The Unattended Baby??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 16

01 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Christmas IS?, Come And Worship?, The Things of God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 16   The Unattended Baby???

 

 

As we begin this month of December, there are a lot of things that are significant about this month: it’s the last month of the calendar year;  later this month will officially bring in winter; and most importantly for those who love Jesus, it is the time that we celebrate His birth, the incarnation that brought the God-Man, Savior-Redeemer, The One who would make the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our salvation!  This One who came that we might have life and be freed from the penalty of our sin.

“Then Joseph her husband,

being a just man,

and not willing to make her a publick example,

was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared unto him

in a dream, saying,

Joseph, thou son of David,

fear not to take unto thee Mary

thy wife:

for that which is conceived

in her

is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold,

a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name

Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”  Matthew 1:19-23

Did you get that?  Joseph was told to “call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”!  HE would save “from” sin, transforming lost sinners into The Redeemed, those to whom the Holy Spirit imparts new life and the righteousness of Jesus.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things

are passed away;

behold, all things

are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

 who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

 the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 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 5:17-21

God sent Jesus to take our sin upon Himself, that He might impart to us life by faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for those who will come to Him in repentance and faith.

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

Our God gave the greatest gift to a world who not only rejected His Gift of Jesus, but who would rebuff Him, persecute Him, and have Him put to death!  But none of this caught God by surprise, it was part of His plan from the beginning—to bring us back to Himself!  I pray that we will celebrate this season of Christmas, the birth of The Savior and Redeemer of man, with Jesus foremost in our thoughts and actions.  God is ever at work to draw us closer to Himself; first for salvation, and then to ever be conforming us into the image of His Son.

“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…

… 24 And when they (the disciples not the leaders)

heard that,

they lifted up their voice to God with one accord,

and said,

Lord, thou art God,

which hast made heaven,

and earth,

and the sea,

and all that in them is:

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David

hast said,

Why did the heathen rage,

and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth stood up,

and the rulers were gathered together

against the Lord,

and against his Christ.

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus,

whom thou hast anointed,

both Herod,

and Pontius Pilate,

with the Gentiles,

and the people of Israel,

were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand

and thy counsel

determined before

to be done.” Portions of Acts 4:10-28

God is ever at work to accomplish His purpose, and we can stand against Him, or we can commit ourselves to be attentive to His Word, His will, and His ways.

“Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon

in all his glory

was not arrayed

like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need

of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:27-34

And I can’t help but think of an experience that I had this weekend.  I had a friend come over to help me with some yard work, and we also put out my outdoor nativity sets (I have several that I set outside for a testimony to those who see them, that JESUS IS the reason for the season!).  We were busy with several tasks and we had set up the big display out front and went back to get ‘Joseph,’ but we got distracted by some other tasks and did them and forgot about ‘Joseph’.  Well, when we got those other things done, and my friend left, I was resting for a bit, and happened to glance out the window onto the back patio and saw “Joseph” standing there, and of course thought, “OH NO, we left baby Jesus and Mary ‘unattended’ by Joseph”!  I had no more gotten those words out of my mouth (and yes I talk to myself!) when God seemed to speak to my heart saying, “That’s the problem with many today, you/I have often left the spiritual things of life “Unattended”!  Ouch!  Well, I almost immediately went and put Joseph in his place ‘attending’ to Mary and The Babe; and as I did, I also prayed, asking God to help me do a better job of “attending” to those ‘things of God’!  Choices do have consequences!

“Then Peter took him,

and began to rebuke him, saying,

Be it far from thee, Lord:

this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter,

Get thee behind me,

Satan:

thou art an offence unto me:

for thou savourest not

the things that be of God,

but those that be of men.

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange

for his soul?”   Matthew 16:22-26

So, my question for each of us during this Christmas season is, ‘Will you join me in seeking to pursue and “attend” to “the things that be of God”, rather than “those that be of men”?’  May we truly keep The Lord Jesus in HIS rightful place—HE truly is The Reason for The Season we are celebrating?  May we all enjoy a most joyous time of celebrating the birth of our soon-coming King!  He is worthy of our praise and devotion—and I long to hear His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”!

“His lord said unto him,

Well done, thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things,

I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”  Matthew 25:21

I pray that God will help each of us to pursue HIS approval and attend to HIS business.

“…..wist ye not that I must be about

my Father’s business?”  Luke 2:49

Amen and Amen!