Category Archives: Blessed by God

By HIS Grace We Live And Breathe??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #588

18 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Blessed by God, By Him We Live, By His Grace, Encouragement

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #588   By HIS Grace We Live And Breathe???

 

“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

Paul’s message here was to the Athenians, as he shared the gospel of Jesus with them, seeking to bring them to Jesus.  For Jesus is our hope in all things, and just as Paul shared the truth of the resurrection and was rejected by these who were attentive to his teaching until he proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus, we too must stand by the truth of Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for our sin, and His glorious resurrection from the dead, knowing that HE has won the victory over life and death—and IN HIM, we have that same victory!

“Now this I say, brethren,

that flesh and blood

cannot inherit the kingdom of God;

neither doth corruption

inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery;

We shall not all sleep,

but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment,

in the twinkling of an eye,

at the last trump:

for the trumpet shall sound,

and the dead shall be raised

incorruptible,

and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible

must put on incorruption,

and this mortal

must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying

that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 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.”  1 Corinthians 15:50-57 Amen!

I know this is a bit lengthy, but I just want to remind each of us that our hope is in JESUS, our soon coming King!  And while the storms and turmoil may rage around us continually—our Lord God Almighty and Jesus Christ HIS Son, still reign. GOD is on His throne.  We win—IN HIM!  And just for good measure another reminder from Paul, that it is by God’s grace that we have been saved—we didn’t earn it, we can’t be good enough to get it or keep it—but by HIS grace we can live victorious lives of faith and usefulness to our GOD, IN JESUS!

“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.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy

in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom

we have now received

the atonement.”   Romans 5:1-11

I’ll simply say Amen and Amen and pray that blessings will abound around you (and remember, just because you don’t recognize them, doesn’t mean that they’re not there!). Amen!

“So being affectionately desirous of you,

we were willing to have imparted unto you,

not the gospel of God only,

but also our own souls,

because ye were dear unto us.”    1 Thessalonians 2:8

From my heart to yours!  Amen!

 

 

Cups Of Water For The Little Ones!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #584

04 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in Blessed by God, Children, Cups of cold water!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #584   Cups Of Water For The Little Ones!!!

 

“Except the LORD build the house,

they labour in vain that build it:

except the LORD keep the city,

the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you

to rise up early,

to sit up late,

to eat the bread of sorrows:

for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children

are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb

is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;

so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man

that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak with the enemies

in the gate.”   Psalm 127:1-5

I just want to share a word today about the joy and delight of children!  We live in a culture of death—kill the babies but save the trees, or the whales, or the puppies, just not the babies—where life is without value and oft-times children (born and unborn) have little or no worth to our world.  Yet children are our hope—the hope that God grants perpetually!

Scripture is replete with stories of the dangers that lie in wait for children; Moses and the male babies were in danger of Pharaoh’s sword; King Joash was hidden by his sister from the wicked Athaliah who sought to kill him; even our precious Lord was delivered from the sword of Herod! There have always been those who take no delight in children for various reasons; and it seems that in our culture we regularly sacrifice our children (both the born and the unborn) to the gods of convenience, selfishness, success, eternal youth, and a host of other self-consuming evils.  God reminds us that children are our heritage—how sad that our ‘heritage’ is in such danger in these wicked days.  I don’t mean to be negative, but we all need to be reminded that GOD gives us children as a reminder of His love, His creative power, His design for the home, and His love for us!

We had the privilege of taking one of our young friends on a day of adventure yesterday, and it is such a delight to be around the young—they are so fresh, so open to see new things and learn from us, yet we are so often unaware of opportunities lost to affect the next generation—if we don’t affect them for God, there are other people and things out there seeking to destroy them!  We must take the time, the energy and the love to touch these precious gifts from God. Send a card, hug a child, give a small gift of love, share a story of your life with one of God’s “little people”!  After all God’s greatest gift to us was a “child”—the one born to save us, to love us, to grow us into HIS own image, and HE LOVES children!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the

only begotten Son of God.”    John 3:16-18

Children are important to God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit, even the holy angels of heaven!  Here are just a few excerpts of things Jesus said about these “Little Ones”!  May we make the effort to touch and affect these precious “little ones” for Jesus?

“And whosoever shall give to drink

unto one of these little ones

a cup of cold water …”. Matthew 10:42a

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones

which believe in me,

it were better for him

that a millstone were hanged about his neck,

and that he were drowned

in the depth of the sea…

…10 Take heed that ye despise not

one of these little ones;

for I say unto you, That in heaven

their angels do always behold

the face of my Father which is in heaven.

11 For the Son of man is come

to save that which was lost…

…14 Even so it is not the will

of your Father which is in heaven,

that one of these little ones

should perish.”    Portions of Matthew 18:6-14

Watch out today for that little one whom God may send your way!  Make a difference in the life of a child (regardless of their age!)!  Let’s make a difference in our circle of influence—for we each have a different circle—God gave you yours, just as He has given me mine. Enjoy God, bless others, walk faithfully before our Lord today—spreading a simple “cup of cold water” of HIS love today—it’s all we have!!!  Amen and Amen!!!

The Beauty Of HIS Holiness!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #580

21 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by in Blessed by God, Encouragement

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #580      The Beauty Of HIS Holiness!!!

 

We all have days when we’re down, when we aren’t ‘feeling’ well, when we just feel discouraged or confused.  Well, I tweaked my back yesterday and I was sitting here thinking of how blessed I am—that my/our God is so faithful no matter how I/we “feel”! I was so encouraged this morning when I opened my blinds to sit and write this post this morning, as I saw a cute little hummingbird, and then looked out a minute later and a lovely red cardinal was feeding at the seed feeder.  It was like a special delivery message from the Lord who loves me, that all would be fine.  In fact, as I’m writing now, those little hummingbirds are buzzing my cannas at the window!  How blessed we are, if we’ll but open our hearts and our eyes!  I just want to remind each of us that no matter our circumstances, or our feelings we can take heart knowing that:

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”   Revelation 19:6

God hasn’t slept through your crisis, nor has he been surprised by sudden calamity, for HE is working in our behalf—HE reigns—in your life, in my life, in our world!  Remember, as Bro. David Ring often says, “God never says ‘oops’!”  Amen! So, here are just a few tidbits from The Word to encourage your heart and mine this morning.  I pray that God will use them to lift your eyes to the skies, and your heart to our KING!

“Then he said unto them,

Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared:

for this day is holy unto our Lord:

neither be ye sorry;

for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”   Nehemiah 8:10

The joy HE gives—the joy HE is—the joy HE has for you/me!

“And when he had consulted with the people,

he appointed singers unto the LORD,

as they went out before the army,

and to say,

Praise the LORD;

for his mercy endureth for ever.”  2 Chronicles 20:21. (Read the entire chapter for a real boost to your day!)

Praising God will always send the enemy fleeing! We can stand with Job in the midst of chaos and hold fast to God’s faithfulness.

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain

mine own ways before him.”   Job 13:15

As. my brother-in-law is always saying, no matter what’s happening in our lives we must just, “Do right, do right, do right, and then just DO RIGHT!”  God will always be honored when we do right—for it is as ‘unto the Lord’ knowing that our soon-coming King sees, and knows, saying, “and my reward is with me” (See Rev. 22:12)!

“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:”  Job 19:25-26

Whose Battles Are You Fighting??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #576

07 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Blessed by God, Comfort, Confidence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fearlessness, Fight or Faith?, JESUS, Sovereignty, The Love of God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #576      Whose Battles Are You Fighting???

 

I have a very brief word to share this morning as the sun pops over the horizon.  I can’t help but thank God that HE IS my strength and my redeemer, and we just need to keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus!  And while heaven is my home, I still have to live this life as long as God gives me breath; maybe you need a word of encouragement along with me this morning—let’s dig in.

“The LORD is my light

and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

the LORD is the strength

of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalm 27:1

No one!  We can walk in confidence and overcome the fears that confront me/you; and while my fears will be different from your fears, we can look up to The One who has us in His hand; and as believers in Jesus, we have been given His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

“Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

is come,

he will guide you

into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you

things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.”    John 16:13-14

And I am so thankful that Paul reminded his son-in-the-ministry of this very thing.  So, friends, may we remember that we are not alone, and as King Solomon wrote “there is no new thing under the sun” (See Ecclesiastes 1:9)!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

I find it interesting that the word for “sound mind” here, is a word that means “right thinking”, and ‘right thinking’ means thinking God’s thoughts, and remembering that HE has it all in His hand!

“And all Judah stood before the LORD,

with their little ones,

their wives,

and their children.

14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah,

a Levite of the sons of Asaph,

came the Spirit of the LORD

in the midst of the congregation;

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah,

and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid

nor dismayed by reason

of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”    2 Chronicles 20:13-15

Take some time today and read this whole episode in the life of Jehoshaphat, it will encourage your soul, no matter what trials or battles you may be facing; for remember God has told us as well, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (See Hebrews 13:5-6)!  May you have a blessed day—look up—our God reigns!

Be A Can-Do Believer??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #575

02 Friday Aug 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Blessed by God, Choose You This Day!, Comfort, Confidence, Remember, Sanctuary

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #575       Be A Can-Do Believer???

 

Just a brief word of encouragement this Friday morning.  We talked the other day about things that distract and discourage us, and life gets so hectic around us, we just need to be reminded that believers in Jesus belong to the “God Who Sees” (See Genesis 16 for the whole story).  Our God has provided for us through the redeeming sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, and in His power and through His Spirit we can ‘be’ what God has called us to ‘be’; we can do whatever God calls us to do, we can go where-ever God sends us; we can truly be victorious in Jesus (oh, that might make a great song—ha ha)!  So, let’s just take a few minutes this morning (or whatever time of day you are reading this) and rehearse the goodness and provision of our God!

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me

in heaven

and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them

to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo,

I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”  Matthew 29:18-20

It’s said that the “go ye” can literally be translated as “as you are going”—be, do, and take the truth of the cross everywhere you go!  I can do that—because Jesus said I could, because “all power” is HIS, and HE has shared it with His own! And remember that “all” is a simple Greek word that means, “ALL”! Yet God never asks us to be, do or go ‘alone’!

“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

Jesus is our strength, our sustenance, but we are so often distracted from His presence that we allow ourselves to ‘feel’ alone! But remember as we rehearse these truths from The Word of God, we need to rehearse because we are human ‘forgetters’! When one of my granddaughters was a 2 or 3-year-old, she used to say, “Somebody stole my rememberer!”  Well there is more truth to that than we might think, for the enemy of our soul is ever trying to ‘steal’ our joy, our confidence, our assurance, our hope and keep us from “remembering” what GOD has said; for God cannot and does not lie! Count on it!

“In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

 promised

before the world began;”   Titus 1:2

Whoa momma!  God is our hope and confidence and unlike our enemy, who is the “father of lies”, God IS truth, Jesus IS truth; therefore, we can stand in His truth—always.  And of course, we can’t leave out the most familiar of all the passages on ‘do’:

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

My friends—you “can do” whatever God is leading you to do today!  Don’t lose hope, don’t give up, don’t believe the lies of the enemy—but remember who has called you, who has saved you, who has provided us “all things” that we need.

“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:” 2 Peter 1:3

We can count on Jesus, our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and best friend!

“Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go

and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask

of the Father

in my name,

he may give it you.”   John 15:15-16

Amen and Amen!