Category Archives: Choose You This Day!

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

16 Friday Nov 2018

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

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

 

“For I am the least of the apostles,

that am not meet to be called an apostle,

because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God

I am

what I am:

and his grace

which was bestowed upon me

was not in vain;

but I laboured more abundantly than they all:

yet not I,

but the grace of God

which was with me.

11 Therefore whether it were I

or they,

so we preach,

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

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

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

“That I may know him,

and the power

of his resurrection,

and the fellowship

of his sufferings,

being made conformable

unto his death;

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

12 Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend

that for which also

I am apprehended of Christ Jesus

13 Brethren, I count not myself

to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:10-14

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

“I may know him,

and the power

of his resurrection,

and the fellowship

of his sufferings”

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

“To whom God would make known

what is the riches

of the glory

of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:”   Colossians 1:27

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

“Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

 

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

Amen and Amen!!!

 

What I’ll Never Say??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #498

10 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Never Alone

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #498 What I’ll Never Say???

 

“Two are better than one;

because they have a good reward

for their labour.

10 For if they fall,

the one will lift up his fellow:

but woe to him that is alone when he falleth;

for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together,

then they have heat:

but how can one be warm

alone?

12 And if one prevail against him,

two shall withstand him;

and a threefold cord

is not quickly broken.”   Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

We all face things that are tragic, hurtful, frightening, and just plain heart breaking, but when we belong to Jesus, we will never face those things alone!!! Never alone! Solomon describes the benefit of help and cooperation, whether it is for work, companionship, or defense; and we all know that good friends are a special treasure—if you have one you are blessed–and if you have more you are blessed beyond measure. I thank God for the wonderful friends that HE has blessed me with through the years. Some have stayed the course, some came only for a season, but each one has contributed to my life’s journey, and I’m grateful for them.

But there are times when even our closest friends can’t touch the hurt, or grief or confusion that we face, but we can rest assured that our Lord Jesus Christ, God our Father and the precious Holy Spirit who are ever with us can!

“And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.”   John 14:16-18

So, my friend, whatever you are facing today—you don’t have to face it alone. If you are a follower of Jesus, HE is there with you. If you don’t know Him, you can call on Him today in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary (for you), atoning (Paying the debit of sin in our place), sacrifice (His death so that we could live with HIM forever!) for sin and salvation. He loves you/me and gave Himself so that we could have life IN Him!

“Behold,

I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

You can rest assured that you will never walk alone! Jesus loves you/me and HE cares, so we can walk with Him in total confidence, no matter where you are right now or ever!

“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

Amen and Amen!

Not I But HIM!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #483

10 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Humility, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Seeing Truth, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Walking With Jesus, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #483 Not I But HIM!!!

 

“But God forbid that I should glory,

save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom the world is crucified

unto me,

and I

unto the world.”   Galatians 6:14

We talked last time about “surveyors”—keeping our eyes on Jesus—the prize that Paul referred to in his letter to the Philippians.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:14 

Oh that we could understand the import of walking with Jesus—totally pressing toward HIS “mark”—totally desiring the “prize”, which is Jesus Himself. Oh, if we could stop being satisfied with that which is fleeting and pursue that which is eternal. It’s what Jesus expects us to do!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures

upon earth,

where moth

and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through

and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures

in heaven,

where neither moth

nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”     Matthew 6:19-21

So my simple question for today is, “Where is your treasure?” Have we bought into the modern cultural idea that “I” am the treasure and the world revolves around me? Or have we recognized the truth that only Jesus can satisfy the soul, the heart and the fulness of who God created us to be? ONLY JESUS! And He cares for us—HE gave Himself that we might have “abundant life” IN Him!

“Fear thou not;

for I am with thee:

be not dismayed;

for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee;

yea, I will help thee;

yea, I will uphold thee

with the right hand of my righteousness.”    Isaiah 41:10

He will uphold me because I am HIS own, but I must remember something too:

“What? know ye not

that your body

is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

There’s an old song by George W. Robinson, called ‘I Am His, And He Is Mine‘, and the last line of each verse says, “I am His and He is mine”! Oh that we could remember that as we go through each day, “ye are not your own….. ye are bought with a price…… therefore glorify God”! I fear that we live in a world that would rather sing:

“To ‘me’ be the glory—

  Great things ‘I’ have done—

  So love ‘I’ myself that God calls me ‘sun’—

All this because ‘I’ believe that–

 ‘I’ am the center of the universe

To ‘Me’! (and everyone else)”

A sad commentary that grabbed my heart just this morning as I was pondering what to share with you today, may we look up and pursue our Lord not self-aggrandizement! (Look it up!)

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another man praise thee,

and not thine own mouth;

a stranger,

and not thine own lips.” Proverbs 27:1-2

All I can say to that is, Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Send Me!!! But Not There??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #481

03 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Cross, Crucified With Christ, Follow Jesus, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Servanthood, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #481 Send Me!!! But Not There???

 

We talked last time about the call of God to His own to go and serve in His fields, and the difficulty of the task; today I’d like us to consider our own frequent and self-willed unwillingness to go where God wants us to go. Sometimes when God calls (In fact almost always!) it is at, in our opinion, an inopportune moment! But I just want to remind each of us of the inopportune moments that our Lord faced:

Laying aside His glory to take on flesh—

Living in a body of flesh and blood for you and me—

Coming to those whom He created to face rejection—

Coming to a humanity that He loved to be denied—

Taking on the “servant hood” to save us from hell—

Facing the trials, beatings and crucifixion on Calvary—

To save us from our sin, death and hell—

But “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” He didn’t stay in that grave but He rose victorious so that we could “have life, and…..have it more abundantly”—by the power of His resurrection and the indwelling Holy Spirit imparted to His own—those who receive His gift of salvation and new birth!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”   John 1:10-13

We are redeemed, delivered and saved from sin by the power of His sacrifice, what could He ask of us that is ‘too much to ask’?

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”   Colossians 1:12-14

What a price He paid to bring us to God, “redemption through his blood”—what price are we willing to pay to show our gratitude and love for our Lord? When we hear the call of God what will we do? When we are called to suffer for Him, what is our attitude and response? Are we willing to follow the path of Jesus, to submit and obey the call of God? Or are we so consumed with ‘self’ that we whine and complain when God asks us to follow Him? Is it too hard a thing He is asking? Is it to time-consuming? Is it inconvenient and certainly costly to our ‘public image’?

“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 2:20-25

Or do we understand that to walk with Him is to join in His suffering for us—and to pursue the holiness and glory of God in this life, knowing that the “suffering of this present time….” are incomparable to the glory we will share with Him. Will we heed the message that Paul shares with us?

“The Spirit itself

beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs

with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.”   Romans 8:16-18

NO COMPARISON!!! When we choose to obey, there is no sweeter or safer place to be than in the center of God’s will! I always think of Jim and Elizabeth Elliott and their choice to follow Jesus—knowing it could cost them more than the world thought it should. When questioned about his willingness to follow Jesus into a wilderness, Jim Elliott’s response is still profound today and it says it all:

“He is no fool

who gives what he cannot keep

to gain what he cannot lose.”

Amen and Amen! May we ever pursue HIM—are you willing?

“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.” Matthew 16:24

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Really Free??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 21

01 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Follow Jesus, Free Indeed?, Freedom To Or From?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 21 Really Free???

 

We talk a lot about freedom, but what does freedom really look like? When you’re young you think that freedom is the ability to “do what you want”, and you just can’t wait to be an adult and “do what you want”, not to “take orders” from anyone. BUT, when you reach adulthood you find that you still have people telling you “what to do”—people who have control over your future, your income, and your life-circumstances. So what is freedom? Freedom is not simply the absence of restraint, but the opportunity to be involved in your own life choices without constricting restraints—because Jesus has set people free—free to serve Him in love and devotion, “not by constraint, but willingly” out of a grateful heart. (See 1 Peter 5:2).

Liberty:  Freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control….

Freedom from external or foreign rule; independence

Freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice. 

Freedom: The state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement       or under physical restraint.

exemption from external control, interference, or regulation, etc.

the power to determine action without restraint.

Everyone wants to be free but freedom isn’t free, there is a price to pay for every freedom, and the ultimate freedom is only found in Jesus. For every person is bound by their own sin, selfish desires and greed (hard things to say, but we are all plagued by the truth of sin to one degree or another—‘for all have sinned’–but Jesus came to die that we could be freed from the penalty and power of sin! Free indeed!

“Jesus answered them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Whosoever committeth sin

is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant

abideth not in the house for ever:

but the Son

abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore

shall make you free,

ye shall be free indeed.”   John 8:34-36

Many people in our world are searching for freedom in the wrong places, without realizing that instead of freedom they are sinking deeper and deeper into the bondage of sin. Enslaved in bondage to the lusts of the flesh—whatever that may look like: drugs, alcohol, sex, money, power, position, control—any thing that we think will bring pleasure, or anything that we use to try to fulfill our lives—to fill that ‘God shaped empty spot’ in every soul. But until we recognize our sin as sin, we’ll never find the freedom that every person desires.

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:”   Romans 3:23-24

All are sinners for whom Jesus died, and until we recognize our sin and come to HIM for “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”, we will never be truly free! Sin has a price—and God has made provision for our sin to be paid for through the blood of His “Only begotten Son”.

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”    Romans 6:23

What amazing Good News! Jesus has paid the ‘death penalty’ for your sin and mine, if we will but come to HIM in repentance and faith. It’s all about Jesus, and real freedom can only be found in HIM, where we can be “free indeed”! We can never overcome sin on our own but IN Jesus there is true freedom, victory and ultimate, perfect purpose for our lives.

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law

might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4

Jesus delivers from the condemnation of sin by His own blood shed at Calvary, providing a freedom that goes beyond clutching and grabbing for things around us, replacing it with God’s power, purpose and provision for life, living and dying! His righteousness imparted to us, that the world might know the Father that we love and serve by the power of His Holy Spirit seen at work in us each day!

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received

the spirit of bondage again

to fear;

but ye have received

the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:”    Romans 8:14-16

God’s children by being ‘born again’ of His Spirit—a work that only God can do, because “ye must be born again”!!!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.” John 3:3-7

Born of God—set free from sin—delivered from the penalty of sin, and it’s power over our flesh in this world, and some day soon we’ll be delivered from the very presence of sin when we are in the presence of God eternally.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”    John 1:12-14

Born “of God” to be delivered from sin and know the salvation, deliverance and love of a personal Savior who walks with us by giving His Spirit to dwell within and empower us to live holy lives reflecting his “grace and truth”! God ever at work to make us more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ!

“Likewise the Spirit also

helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not

what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image

of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 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 8:26-32

Knowing Jesus is freedom—freedom from sin, death and hell.

“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

Until we see our sin, we are doomed to stay in it, deceived and believing that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” will fulfill our lives and make us free—the American dream, they call it–but only Jesus can truly set you free. And when He sets us free it is for our good and God’s glory, as well as an eternity with Him in His heavenly glory!

So what is your definition of ‘freedom’? Do you know the joy and liberty that Jesus gives? If you don’t, you can, and He will make Himself real in your life and bring the true freedom of salvation, and make you stand righteous before God.

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge

of God’s elect?

It is God that justifieth.

34 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 8:33-39 

Freedom to be HIS and do HIS work, touching others as we walk with HIM, and helping affect change for the glory of GOD, by the love of Jesus that we possess!!!

I invite you to join me in giving ourselves to live each day to God’s glory, by living out holy freedom, using grace as God intends, and not as a license to sin. Using our freedom in Christ Jesus that God’s hand may ever have free reign to work in, around and through us. We can make a difference, as we live out the love of Jesus Christ before a lost and dying world—revealing real freedom to a world bound by sin; real freedom that the world so desperately needs to see and know today through the blood of Jesus!

Amen and Amen.