Category Archives: Choose You This Day!

God’s Standard Will Stand–Will You??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #590

25 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Conviction, Faith, Follow Jesus, IN Jesus!, Life, Life or Death?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #590  God’s Standard Will Stand-Will You???

 

We live in a culture that becomes more and more focused on ‘self’ each day.  But we who have been “born…..of God” and cleansed by “the blood of Jesus Christ” must remember to keep our eyes on Jesus, the “author and finisher of our faith”!  We must recognize the danger, the lies and the deceit of the enemy of our souls—the enemy of the souls of all men, and “stand fast in the evil day”!  Today, I simply want to share from The Word of God some things to remind us of His truth, even when it’s hard!

Every person must come to Jesus on their own, and no matter how much we pray for it, or desire if for others, only the convicting power of the Holy Spirit can open the eyes of the spiritually blind—may we ever pray for His work to continue, and that we will share God’s truth at every opportunity—spreading the seed as we ask HIM to bring the harvest!

“Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst

of a people of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.”  Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah came face to face with God (spiritually) and recognized his sin, and God delivered him from his sin, and that is what we each must do at some point!  We must acknowledge our sin, for if one has no sin—why would he/she need a savior?  Jesus said that repentance is the flip side of faith, for until I see “me” as a sinner, I’ll never need to trust Him, for I have it all under control (I think!).  Jesus is the answer—but until ‘I’ recognize the need, the answer is of no benefit to ‘me’!

“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

Jesus Himself makes this very thing clear!

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners

above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3-5

We can point fingers at other sinners, but without repentance and faith in Jesus, we are in the same boat as they!  Yet, you may ask, what is the standard?  The standard is “The Word Of God”—both the written Word and The Living Word, Jesus!

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

And my friends—it is God “with whom we have to do”!  While I can’t judge your heart (for sometimes we can’t even truly judge our own hearts), God can and will.  There is a day of reckoning coming, and I pray that you will heed the voice of God speaking to you today and respond in repentance and faith!

“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.”   Revelation 20:11-12

Paul reminds us as well:

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow

to me,

and every tongue shall confess

to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account

of himself

to God.”   Romans 14:11-12

So, my question for us today is, are you/I ready to give an account?  It is an account that will be measured by God’s standard, not our own.  We can choose to bow before Him now as our Lord and Savior, or we will bow before Judge Jesus with no recourse of grace!  The choice is yours/mine but choose wisely for there is a test coming!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

 8 For he that soweth

to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

but he that soweth

to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.”   Galatians 6:7-8

Just remember hell is hot and eternity is long—your choice about Jesus will determine your future.  Defy Him or follow Him—the choice is yours!

“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?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then

he shall reward every man

according to his works.”   Matthew 16:24-27

And remember if you belong to Jesus:

“Ye are of God,

little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he

that is in you,

than he

that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

You Can Overcome!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #579

16 Friday Aug 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Cross, Follow Jesus, Gospel, Holy Living, I Can Do All Things?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, JESUS, Jesus' Sacrifice, Just Jesus!, Obedience, Overcoming By His Blood, Power of The Cross, Victory IN Jesus!, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #579      You Can Overcome!!!

 

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,

Now is come salvation,

and strength,

and the kingdom of our God,

and the power of his Christ:

for the accuser of our brethren

is cast down,

which accused them before our God

day and night.

11 And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.”  Revelation 12:10-11

While this is a prophetic passage, the principle is ever true, we can overcome the “wiles of the devil” (See Ephesians 6:10-18) by the power of the cross—”by the blood of the Lamb”!  It’s all about Jesus!  I take my stand with Paul:

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-2

People often ask me about writing more or less; about writing about this issue or that; about addressing politics or government issues, and I am always brought back to this passage and reminded that Jesus has called me to share HIS truth, and not be side-tracked by other’s interests or agendas.  I have been called to serve Jesus as a teacher, and writer; and my goal is to overcome by HIS blood, HIS saving grace, ever proclaiming the truth that JESUS still saves and changes lives today.  I can’t change myself without His help, much less anyone else.  But I can pray, read and study His Word, live a holy life of obedience, and share as I have opportunity!  But what are we to share?  Jesus!  We are to tell others the good news that Jesus has paid the price for us with His own blood—HE is the only acceptable, substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver

and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him

do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope might be

in God.

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls

in obeying the truth through the Spirit

unto unfeigned love of the brethren,

see that ye love one another

with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

which liveth and abideth for ever.”  1 Peter 1:18-23

Here Peter gives us the truth about the “blood of The Lamb” and what  the “word of our testimony” is—Jesus (and remember John 1 tells us that Jesus IS ‘the word of God’)—before, during and after all is said and done—it’s all about Jesus.  Even Jesus told us about having overcoming power and victory.

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

 except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”   John 15:4-5

And Praise God Almighty—We can overcome “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony”!  So, whatever you may be facing today, I pray that these words from God’s Word, will encourage you, and remind you to “look up…. your redemption draweth nigh”!  As Paul so aptly reminds us:

“I can

do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

Amen and Amen!

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!

HE IS FAITHFUL!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #568

03 Wednesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Dependence, Faithful is He that has Promised!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #568   HE IS FAITHFUL!!!

 

Just a short word this morning to wish those in the USA a happy 4thof July—Independence Day.  And to remind us all that in Jesus Christ we have all that we need to “depend” upon!  We are no longer “in”dependent—but totally dependent upon Jesus.  When discouragement, disappointment or disillusionment comes (whether it be with the government, the people around us, the circumstances that come our way, or even those that we love the most) we can be assured that our God reigns!

“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

I take great comfort and confidence in the faithfulness of The Lord God Almighty, who reigns over all—and that simply means ALL!!!  No more no less—and that’s enough for me.  I will not stay down—but I will fix my eyes on Jesus NOT the lions!

“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

I pray that you will look up and not around! For we can often become discouraged by the actions, choices and reactions of others; but remember GOD still reigns.  He has never said ‘oops’; and HE loves you with an everlasting love.  Don’t let the enemy distract you from the truth!  Put on your armor, press on and praise The Lord God in all things. (See Ephesians 6:10-19)

“For this is the love of God,

that we keep his commandments:

and his commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatsoever is born of God

overcometh the world:

and this is the victory

that overcometh the world,

even our faith.

5 Who is he that

 overcometh the world,

but he that believeth

that Jesus is the Son of God?”    1 John 5:3-5

And I close with the words of Paul:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Ghost,

be with you all. Amen….”    2 Corinthians 13:14a

Just FYI we’re taking a few days off, so I’ll see you all Sunday, Lord willing!  Blessings on your day!

 

 

 

Choosing Is Your Choice??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #566

26 Wednesday Jun 2019

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #566   Choosing Is Your Choice???

 

We are living in a culture that wants to remove ‘consequences’ from life choices.  Well, while they be delayed, denied or dismissed by the masses—consequences will come for our choices!  God says so—not me!  So, I simply want to share a reminder for us all of what God has said.  If you need to make a ‘change’ in your “choosing”, may this encourage you in that direction.  If you are dealing with the effect of other’s choices on your life, may you find God’s direction for you in these passages.  I pray that we all can be found walking “worthy” of our Lord.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

 if we faint not.”  Galatians 6:7-9

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15And 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

And Jesus’ own words to each of us.  And as my mother used to say:

 “You can fool some of the people

all of the time;

you can fool all of the people

some of the time;

but YOU can’t fool God!”

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Matthew 6:24

“Then saith Jesus unto him,

Get thee hence, Satan:

for it is written,

Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,

and him only shalt thou serve.”   Matthew 4:10

Who are you choosing to serve?  It’s your choice but there is a consequence to every choice.  Whose servant are you?

“Know ye not,

that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey,

his servants ye are to whom ye obey;

whether of sin unto death,

or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16

Amen and Amen!