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Bible Ballistics

Category Archives: Choose you this day?

A Word from THE WORD #5 Bible Ballistics

06 Friday May 2022

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Encouragement, Eternal Plan of God, Every Knee Shall Bow, Eyes that SEE HIM, May the fourth be with you!!!, The fourth man in the FIRE!

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DAniel 3:16-25, Faith in the Fire., God is totally in control., Jesus Is Coming Again., Omnipresent God, Omniscient God, Psalm 139:7-12, Psalm 37:3-8, The fourth man in the FIRE!, Where is YOUR Faith when the fire is burning?

A Word from THE WORD!!!  #5

Most people don’t know (and some are shocked when they find out! Ha ha) that I am a big Star Wars fan.  From the first one that my sister-in-law and I took the children to see at the drive-in some 40+ years ago.  But I must admit that I didn’t watch the “prequels” until just the last year or so, and while they are ok, they’re not the original.  I say all this to talk about the cutesy little meme that comes around every year at this time, “May the ‘fourth’ be with you!” (On May the 4th, in case you didn’t know) in reference to the “force be with you” from the Star Wars series of movies.  Well, for the last couple of years I have used a borrowed meme that has a picture of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and that “fourth man…. the Son of God” with them; I believe that “fourth man” was a preincarnate appearance of our Lord Jesus in the fire with them. And that my friends, is way, way more important than any movie!  Is Jesus with YOU?  I pray that HE is, and I would like to share a couple of passages of scripture with you this morning to remind us all that God has a plan that will never fail.  Jesus saves, delivers, accompanies His own, and HE IS coming again, and perhaps very soon!  Here’s some food for thought, encouragement, and hope!  Remember, we win!

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself

in any wise to do evil.”   Psalm 37:3-8

And one of the greatest practical examples of trust, and confidence in God from Daniel chapter 3:

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God

whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up…

…. And these three men,

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

fell down bound

into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied,

 and rose up in haste,

and spake, and said unto his counsellors,

Did not we cast three men bound

into the midst of the fire?

They answered and said unto the king,

True, O king.

25 He answered and said,

Lo, I see four men

loose,

walking in the midst of the fire,

and they have no hurt;

and the form of the fourth

is like the Son of God.”   Portions of Daniel 3:16-25

May this same Jesus be seen in us, in our living, our language and in our love, by the power, spirit, and grace of The Lord Jesus, who will never “leave you, or forsake you”, THE ONE who still changes hearts and lives—one at a time!!!  And in closing for today, one of the most beautiful passages regarding God’s eternal, total, omnipresent person, and presence with HIS own, is from one of David’s Psalms.

“Whither shall I go

from thy spirit?

or whither shall I flee

from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven,

thou art there:

if I make my bed in hell,

behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,

and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;

even the night shall be light about me.   

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not

from thee;

but the night shineth as the day:

the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”    Psalm 139:7-12

Amen and Amen!!!

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A Word from THE WORD!!! #4 Bible Ballistics

04 Wednesday May 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Associations?, Bad Companions Corrupt..., Busy-ness or Business?, Children, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Compromise, Confidence, Order my steps

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1 Corinthians 15:33, Amos 3:3, Bad Companions Corrupt..., Business or Busy-ness?, Following Jesus or others?, Order my steps in YOUR Word, Philippians 4:5-9, Psalm 119:133, Think on These Things, Trusting Jesus

A Word from THE WORD!!!  #4

“Let your moderation

be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 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.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

 if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:5-9

What things are you and I thinking on?  It’s sometimes difficult to keep our eyes “on Jesus” and not be distracted by all the things going on around us—sometimes our busyness, is far from God’s “busi-ness”, but God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us “into all truth”!  We are called to control our thoughts, our hearts, and our minds in order to control our actions!  And as parents and grandparents we need to be teaching these things to our young ones, and helping them make wise “association” choices—they do make a difference in our lives, adult and child!

“Be not deceived:

evil communications

corrupt good manners.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

Or as it is written in the NASB:

“Do not be deceived:

“Bad company

corrupts good morals.””

We must pay attention to the people, things and activities that we surround ourselves with.  We are to be a witness to the lost but not a partaker in their ways, showing our little ones the right way to live and choose—in God’s wisdom!

“Can two walk together,

except they be agreed?”  Amos 3:3

Food for thought and pondering today.  Where are you walking today?

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

Amen and Amen

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What/Who Are YOU Waiting For??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 23

02 Monday May 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, There IS a Test!

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1 Peter 1:15-16, 2 Timothy 3:12, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Isaiah 40:28-31, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Saves!, John 11:25-27, John 14:1-6, John 15:17-21, John 1:1-5, John 4:25-26, John 6:35-51, John 8:23-24, John 8:58-59, Joshua 24:15, Matthew 7:24-29, Psalm 18:1-3, Psalm 27:13-14, Psalm 37:34, What are you waiting for?, Who are you waiting for?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 23 What/Who Are YOU Waiting For???

We are all waiting on something; a package we have ordered, a new piece of furniture, a new baby (one of the greatest gifts that God gives us—be it child, grandchild or great-grandchild), moving into a new house, or a new season of life, and this time of year we see many new seasons—graduates going off to adult life, those taking off on summer adventures, and during the trials of the last 2 years, many have had to adjust to life changes, loss, and trying to deal with unexpected grief, physical trials and challenges that have caused us all to “wait” on one thing or another.  Changes are a part of life and so is ‘waiting’!  The key is to know what we are waiting for—or more importantly—WHO we are waiting for.  Some are waiting for a ‘prince charming’ who will solve all their problems, others for that job that will take them to new heights of power and fame; for some, it’s waiting for that ‘special someone’ to “make me happy”!  Well, my friends, happiness is a word related to circumstances, but JOY is the peace of mind, heart and soul that only Jesus can and does give to those who will choose HIM—and wait for HIS direction, will and provision, and it goes far beyond circumstance but is grounded in the security of The Savior who paid the price to redeem us to Himself, and will direct our way when we seek HIM.

“Hast thou not known?

hast thou not heard,

that the everlasting God,

the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

fainteth not,

neither is weary?

there is no searching of his understanding.

29 He giveth power

to the faint;

and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths

shall faint and be weary,

and the young men

shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings

as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:28-31

Every person has a God-given freedom to choose, we can choose wisely, or we can choose foolishly.  Jesus gave a great lesson in this regard.  The choice is to believe and receive Jesus, or to go our own way, focused on ‘self’! You will choose the ‘rock’ or the ‘sand’—the lesson implies that each house ‘appears’ to the world to be the same, but the foundation makes the difference.  One person chose Jesus—The Rock; the other chose ‘self’—the sand.  You can impress the world or have peace with God—but most generally you can’t have them both at the same time; whether we look at coming to Jesus and accepting His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice; or the living out of either trusting and obeying Jesus or trusting and yielding to our own wisdom and fleshly wisdom.  (See Romans 5:1-11)

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him

unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened

unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus

had ended these sayings,

the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them

as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.”  Matthew 7:24-29

Joshua gave one of the greatest summations of this personal dilemma of all time, for we must “choose” whom we will wait for, wait on and look unto for all of life’s issues, especially the salvation of our souls!

“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

Jesus is the “rock of my salvation” and HE will be yours if you will look to HIM! Oh, how I love Jesus!

“I will love thee, O LORD,

my strength.

2 The LORD is my rock,

and my fortress,

and my deliverer;

my God,

my strength,

in whom I will trust;

my buckler,

and the horn

of my salvation,

and my high tower.

3 I will call upon the LORD,

who is worthy to be praised:

so shall I be saved

from mine enemies.”  Psalm 18:1-3

The question is, what and who are you “waiting” for?  After many years of life, experience, disappointments, joys, and learning that there is only ONE person who is worthy of my focus, my continual devotion, and on whom I can depend, HIS name is JESUS!  And while I am blessed with many faithful and trusted friends, there is only ONE upon whom I place my total confidence, my best friend, JESUS!  And HE is worth waiting for—and I truly believe that His return is imminent!  Are you ready?

“I had fainted,

unless I had believed to see

the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the LORD:

be of good courage,

and he shall strengthen thine heart:       

wait, I say,

on the LORD.”  Psalm 27:13-14

“Wait on the LORD,

and keep his way,

and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land:

when the wicked are cut off,

thou shalt see it.”  Psalm 37:34

As we wait upon “The Lord”, we can be assured that Jesus is “God”, not an imposter or just ‘one’ of many ways to God!  HE IS GOD, He said so Himself, and He also said HE is coming back again, and HE is trustworthy—and I’m looking UP expectantly!!!

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

So, my friends, what/who are you waiting on?  You can choose to believe in the ONE who is coming back for HIS own, waiting with joy and expectancy. Or not?  Choose “you this day” to go your own way or God’s?  And just as a bit of reminder for some of you and news for others of you, let’s rehearse what scripture says about “who/what” Jesus claimed Himself to be from the Gospel of John—one of my favorite books about Jesus.  A great New Testament book to read if you want to know more about Him!  And note “the Word” is Jesus—the living WORD, as well as the author of the written Word, and here, as well as several other passages, identified as “creator”.  (See Colossians 1:16)

“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.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth

in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5.  (See John 3:19-21 for more)

Jesus’ first express revelation of His deity was to the woman at the well:

“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 4:25-26

Yet sometimes “seeing” isn’t “believing”:

“And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life:

he that cometh to me

shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me

shall never thirst.

36 But I said unto you,

That ye also have seen me,

and believe not…

….48 I am that bread of life…

….51 I am the living bread

which came down from heaven:

if any man eat of this bread,

he shall live for ever:

and the bread that I will give

is my flesh,

which I will give

for the life of the world.”   John 6:35-36 & 48, 51

Without Jesus there is no way to God—you can choose to believe Him or reject Him, but choose wisely, there is a test, and a consequence.

“And he said unto them,

Ye are from beneath;

I am from above:

ye are of this world;

I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore unto you,

that ye shall die in your sins:

for if ye believe not

that I am he,

ye shall die in your sins.”  John 8:23-24

“Jesus said unto them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Before Abraham was,

I am.

59 Then took they up stones to cast at him:

but Jesus hid himself,

and went out of the temple,

going through the midst of them,

and so passed by.”  John 8:58-59

“Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord:

I believe

that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come into the world.”                       John 11:25-27

What do you believe?  Jesus spoke the truth and they wanted to kill Him, and we who follow Him won’t always be believed or accepted, and we need to know that Jesus prepared us for this truth (hard to accept sometimes, but true and becoming more and more evident every day!).  It’s important to remember that when we choose Jesus, and walk in obedience, we will suffer with HIM.

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not

him that sent me.”  John 15:17-21

Paul also said something very similar to us—a verse that is often ignored, but much needed today!

“Yea,

and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”  2 Timothy 3:12

And in closing, are you, am I, willing to “live godly in Christ Jesus”?  If not, what are you waiting for?  Holy or NOT?  The choice is yours but choose wisely, there is a test!  And remember God’s call upon those who are His own.  Don’t wait too long!

“But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy; for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:15.-16

Amen and Amen!!!

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Not Necessarily Disposable!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 10

30 Sunday Jan 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Death, Death and Hell, Disposable things, Eternal Consequences, Hell, Not necessarily disposable?, There is a test

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Choices And Consequences, Choices Matter, Choose Wisely--there is a test!, Death and Hell, Eternal Consequences, Hebrews 12:1-2, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is Coming!, John 10:25-30, John 14:6, Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:5-8, Romans 10:8-11, There is an accounting coming.

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 10   Not Necessarily Disposable!!!

 

We live in a disposable society!  Not only disposable (throw-away) plates, cups, utensils, diapers, toys, appliances but even babies, old people and the seemingly unwanted, unneeded and those that don’t meet the criteria of the world political scheme.  It saddens my heart to know that we have allowed, sometimes even welcomed, this cultural change; it grieves me that we want to save the puppies, the whales, the trees, but not our own offspring—the babies—whom we are offering up on the altar of convenience, fashion, and liberal ideology of personal entitlement to whatever pleases “ME” regardless of the cost to others!  The idea that we are to be the “caretakers” of the planet but not our own children (and yes, the unborn are children from the moment that they are conceived, worthy of the protection of all mankind, regardless of the political climate that prevails today) is appalling!

But there’s something else that I want us to consider in regard to disposability, and that is not only what we need to consider in regard to our offspring, but to every issue of life– God’s Word and its veracity, its import, and the influence we who believe it should have on a culture gone berserk (I don’t know what else to call a culture with the mindset that it has today!)! But I do know what God has called each and every believer to; and that is to follow Jesus and keep HIS Word as well as HIS words!

“Jesus answered them,

I told you,

and ye believed not:

the works that I do in my Father’s name,

they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:25-30

Regardless of what the world believes or says about Jesus, HE IS GOD!  And yes, HE did say that HE was, is and ever shall be GOD, and that settles it whether you believe it or not.  There is a time coming when those who are HIS by faith through grace, will be eternally separated from the unbelievers. (See Eph. 2:8-10)

“And he that sat upon the throne said,

Behold, I make all things new.

And he said unto me,

Write:

for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me,

It is done.

I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning

and the end.

I will give unto him that is athirst

of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh

shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God,

and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful,

and unbelieving,

and the abominable,

and murderers,

and whoremongers,

and sorcerers,

and idolaters,

and all liars,

shall have their part in the lake

which burneth

with fire

and brimstone:

which is the second death.”  Revelation 21:5-8

As if you need more evidence of what God has said about the unbelieving, let’s check out Revelation 20!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell

delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”                       Revelation 20:11-15

Some of you may be saying, ‘Well, doesn’t that make ‘them’ “disposable”?”  Not exactly, for their torment will last for all eternity, in the “lake of fire” which is the permanent dwelling for all who reject Jesus, along with Satan, his angels, and the beast and false prophet of the “great tribulation”!  God said it—not me!

“And the devil that deceived them

was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,

where the beast and the false prophet are,

and shall be tormented

day and night

for ever and ever.”  Revelation 20:10

You see, humans aren’t disposable—while we do die in our flesh, our souls live on forever, either in eternal bliss with God, through the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus; or in eternal torment in the “lake of fire” with the devil and his angels!  And just FYI, the lake of fire wasn’t made for man, but for Satan and his fallen angels, but when man (Adam and Eve) sinned and died spiritually, they were doomed to share the same fate as the liar whom they had believed over God Almighty, but for Jesus!

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand,

Depart from me,

ye cursed,

into everlasting fire,

prepared for the devil

and his angels:”  Matthew 25:41

So, what choice do we have?  We can choose to recognize Jesus as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords and bow before HIM as our own Lord and Savior, in repentance of our sin, and faith in the sacrifice that HE made to purchase our salvation, so that we can become one of the “whosoever believeth in him shall have everlasting life”!  It is your choice but choose wisely, there is a test!  The “word is nigh thee”—God’s Word, JESUS!  What will you do with HIM?  Even your choice isn’t disposable—you will live with the consequences of your choice for all of eternity!  Heaven or Hell—it’s your choice.  And saying you’re not ‘choosing’, IS choosing!

“But what saith it?

The word is nigh thee,

even in thy mouth,

and in thy heart:

that is, the word of faith,

which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart

that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth

unto righteousness;

and with the mouth confession is made

unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith,

Whosoever believeth on him

shall not be ashamed.”  Romans 10:8-11

When You/I choose to follow Jesus, You/I have a purpose and a goal—to follow Jesus, or as the author of Hebrews says so clearly, Run YOUR Race, not anyone/everyone else’s.

“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

Are you running YOUR race?  Are YOU “Looking unto Jesus”?  Are YOU relying on YOURself or “the author and finisher of (Y)our faith”?

Regardless of what our culture says, no person given life by God, in the womb or out, is disposable.  We need to value life, treasure each opportunity that God gives us to share Jesus with others, and follow our King, in our own lane.  I just want to say that I understand those who wander over into “other’s lanes” for we sometimes want to “solve” everyone’s problems; but my friends Jesus tells us clearly that we are to:

run with patience—don’t try to rush God—

the race—the specific race that Jesus has given us—

                not anyone else’s race—not MY JOB—

set before us—remember Jesus has hand-picked

— YOUR race—

     –Jesus sets it before YOU, no one else—

     — miss YOUR race—YOU miss a blessing—

Looking unto Jesus—

the author

and finisher

of our faith!!!

In a nutshell, “It’s ALL about JESUS”!  The cross couldn’t destroy HIM, the tomb couldn’t keep HIM in, He’s alive and coming again!

Jesus said it best!

“…I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6.

Amen and Amen!!!

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Christmas Ponderings #7 Bible Ballistics: BBs #771

17 Friday Dec 2021

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Are You Ready, Believe God?, Believe IN Jesus, Choose you this day?, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Come To Worship HIM, Trust, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Who are you listening too!, Worship Him!, Worship?

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A blessed meeting!, Believing God's Word, Faithful Joseph-, Faithful Women of God!, Honorable Followers, Joseph, Joseph's adventure, Luke 1:11-16, Luke 1:26-33, Luke 1:41-45, Luke 1:46-56, Mary, Matthew 1:21, The Truth or The World?, Trusting God, Who are you believing?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #771   Christmas Ponderings!!! #7

 

As we approach Christmas week, and we think of all the activities, errands, shopping, wrapping, mailing, cards, gifts, baking and cooking we may become overwhelmed, but I want us to take a few minutes today to remind ourselves of the JOY of Christmas, and WHO it’s ALL about!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

This amazing message is what Joseph received from the angel of The Lord as he was trying to decide on a course of action regarding his “espoused”, Mary, who was by this time some 3 or 4 months pregnant (remember she went to Elizabeth almost immediately after receiving the message from the angel for some 3 months).  Scripture tells us that Joseph was a just man, and only wanted to do the right thing-–even for Mary.  I’ve always wondered about that conversation that Mary had to have with her parents, for while her cousin Elizabeth (the mother of John the Baptizer) knew that her pregnancy was supernatural, we’re not told that her parents had the same spiritual insight.  I don’t mean to be irreverent, but can’t you just imagine Mary telling her parents that she was pregnant, but it was a work of God!  And then she had to tell Joseph—that had to be an interesting conversation—and he simply wanted to do the right thing for Mary!  But once again God stepped in and assured Joseph that his beloved Mary was telling the truth!  I can’t even imagine the courage that it took, for surely the neighbors there in Nazareth were just as “gossipy” as neighbors today, and the rumors flew around town; and remember that Joseph would have been presumed to be the father—one who had violated Mary’s purity, and the marriage contract prematurely.

Yet in all of this, there was one other who believed—Elizabeth; and from their encounter we have two of the most beautiful of all declarations of the faith of two women in all of scripture (excepting perhaps the declaration of Hannah)—one who was past childbearing years and was gifted by God to bear a child!  The other an engaged maiden who was pregnant without benefit of the marriage being consummated!  Elizabeth got the news of her blessing from her husband Zacharias, who also received an angelic visitation and message about “John”!

“And there appeared unto him

an angel of the Lord

standing on the right side

of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him,

he was troubled,

and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said unto him,

Fear not, Zacharias:

for thy prayer is heard;

and thy wife Elisabeth

shall bear thee a son,

and thou shalt call his name John.

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness;

and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15 For he shall be great

in the sight of the Lord,

and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;

and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost,

even from his mother’s womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel

shall he turn to the Lord their God.”   Luke 1:11-16

This faithful servant of God received amazing news via an angelic visit!  The angel’s message came to pass, and Zacharias’ wife Elizabeth would receive a visit from another mother of a special child; and six months into her pregnancy, a divine encounter took place, often overlooked in our rush to Bethlehem.

“And in the sixth month

the angel Gabriel was sent from God

unto a city of Galilee,

named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man

whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David;

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said,

Hail, thou that art highly favoured,

the Lord is with thee:

blessed art thou

among women.

29 And when she saw him,

she was troubled at his saying,

and cast in her mind

what manner of salutation

this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her,

Fear not, Mary:

for thou hast found favour with God

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive

in thy womb,

and bring forth a son,

and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great,

and shall be called

the Son of the Highest:

and the Lord God

shall give unto him

the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign

over the house of Jacob

for ever;

and of his kingdom

there shall be no end.”  Luke 1:26-33

And while Mary may have struggled to accept what the angel told her, she accepted the message from God and then went to visit her cousin Elizabeth.  Maybe to confirm what she had been told, maybe to not be in Nazareth as her condition began to show; we don’t know why, except it seems to have been a God designed visit, and the encounter between these two blessed women of God gives us cause to worship and praise our God for the gift of HIS plan of salvation, which came to fruition through a simple Jewish girl of faith with an amazing devotion to her God!

Let’s simply let these two women bring us to the throne of grace today.  There is nothing I could add to what they have to say.  May we rejoice with such ardor and love!

“And it came to pass, that,

when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary,

the babe leaped in her womb;

and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said,

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me,

that the mother of my Lord

should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice

of thy salutation sounded in mine ears,

the babe leaped in my womb

for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed:

for there shall be a performance

of those things which were told her

from the Lord.”   Luke 1:41-45

And Mary’s response:

“And Mary said,

My soul doth magnify

the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced

in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate

of his handmaiden:

for, behold, from henceforth

all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty

hath done to me great things;

and holy is

his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him

from generation to generation.

51 He hath shewed strength

with his arm;

he hath scattered the proud

in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty

from their seats,

and exalted them

of low degree.

53 He hath filled the hungry

with good things;

and the rich

he hath sent empty away.

54 He hath holpen his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers,

to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

56 And Mary abode with her about three months,

and returned to her own house.”  Luke 1:46-56

May you find comfort knowing the fullness of joy that is found in The Word of The Lord!

Amen and Amen!!!

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