Category Archives: Choose You This Day!

Pressing On God’s Way??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #424

03 Wednesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Dare To Be Different!, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, Living Right, The Only Way, The Word, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #424 Pressing On God’s Way???

 

I have been mostly ‘off’ of Facebook for a while, except for posting my Bible Ballistics Blog, yet I have noticed a lot of posts advising people to “detox” in the New Year—get rid of people who are ‘negative’, lie, cheat, etc.! As I noticed these ideas, I couldn’t help but think, “I’m so glad that God doesn’t “detox” Himself of us when we mess up.”

Now I don’t believe we are to allow people to corrupt our hearts and minds with bad behaviors, but I do think we need to get back to thinking biblically and behaving towards others remembering that God has extended grace, mercy and forgiveness to us. I seriously think we need to stop being ‘taught’ and ‘trained’ in our faith, and behavior by the national media, social media, television and the movies. We need to do that which pleases God NOT man. While we are called to be aware of those around us, and to call them to a higher plain, we are to do it with truth and grace.

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about with every wind

of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait

to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:” Ephesians 4:14-15

We are called to speak the truth in love—never discarding people because we don’t like their behavior; but by our life, love and example calling them to a higher plane that only Jesus lift us to! And when we hold ourselves to that ‘higher’ call, others will often do one of two things; they will desire to know the One whom we follow, or they will hate what we say and walk away in disgust. But we are to maintain our integrity, even as Job declared his confidence in God before his friends who were ready and willing to condemn him unjustly. We march to a different drummer!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.” Job 13:15

Job understood that it is God who set the standard; it is God who will judge what we do with it; and Job was committed to live a life of integrity before God, regardless of what others thought of him. We who claim to follow Jesus can do no less! Yet we are to be cautious of our intimate companions—for they can affect our heart and our mind.

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

And another passage from Paul reminds us that we are to press on in The Spirit not the flesh—and believe me (as you’ve seen for yourself), social media is inundated with the flesh!!!

“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.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”   Galatians 6:7-10

While we are called to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (See Matt. 10:16), it is to be from a heart filled with the “love of God” which has been “shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost” and that ought never to be diluted with the hatred of the world! (See Ro. 5:1-10)

So I challenge each of us today, to determine in our hearts and minds to be a true reflection of Jesus to the dark and wicked world around us—uncorrupted by the “wiles of the devil”! We can choose to be “bitter” in the flesh, or we can choose to be “better” by the power of God’s Spirit and His Word working within us and manifested before others!

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking,

be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”    Ephesians 4:31-32

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Press on dear ones—Press on for Jesus!!! Amen and Amen!

Jeremiah Wasn’t A Bullfrog!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #423

29 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Compassion, Confidence, Jeremiah Wasn't A Bullfrog !, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Joy To The World?, No Sin No Need?, Perseverance, SIN, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #423  Jeremiah Wasn’t A Bullfrog!!!

 

I know my schedule has been off lately, but with technical issues and personal issues, it’s been a bit of a challenge to stay on track recently; but hopefully, we have all the techno things taken care of, and the other issues are getting better. So I just wanted to share a thought with you this morning, and while it may seem a little strange, it really reflects how I am feeling going into the New Year.\

While Jeremiah wasn’t a ‘bullfrog’, he was a great, faithful prophet of God—in fact he is called the weeping prophet because he ministered to the people of Judah for some forty years, with little visible response, because the people of his day thought that they were all “OK”! And I believe that is where we here in the U.S. are, in that same place; and I often relate to Jeremiah and his broken heart for the people that he ministered to. May I ever be as faithful to my calling as Jeremiah was to his, and the passage that I would like to share with you today epitomizes that sense of grief and sorrow that he felt (and I do also) over those around us!

“The harvest is past,

the summer is ended,

and we are not saved.

21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people

am I hurt;

I am black;

astonishment hath taken hold on me.

22 Is there no balm in Gilead;

is there no physician there?

why then is not the health

of the daughter of my people

recovered?”   Jeremiah 8:20-22

Jeremiah asked the rhetorical question that many who follow Jesus are asking today, including me, “why then is not …. my people recovered”? Why isn’t America saved? Why isn’t the world saved? Why is there a “cure” for sin, but most refuse to acknowledge the ‘cure’? Because most are denying the diagnosis—SIN!

And if there is no sin, then there is no need for a redeemer. Jesus Himself, told us that He wouldn’t be popular, and most would reject Him! Even those around Him couldn’t see who He was, because of SIN!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”     Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus told us that the “many” would take the popular “broad” way, and only a “few” would take His narrow way—the way of the cross. Why? Jesus gave Nicodemus the answer to that question:

“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.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.”     John 3:18-20

We can choose to trust in Jesus and His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for our sin, or we can cling to our sin and take the “broad” way to destruction. You can choose to run with the “bullfrog” named Jeremiah, or you can come to Jesus and receive a “Jeremiah” heart that God can use to reach others. And remember that many whom God calls, He sends out to meet the world with tears of genuine compassion and love. But remember, God’s ways aren’t our ways. Which road will you choose? Who will you follow? May we ever join the Psalmist in understanding that the harvest is worth the planting? Or as I’ve been known to say, ‘The blooms are worth the wait!”

“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

5 They that sow in tears

shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth,

bearing precious seed,

shall doubtless come again

with rejoicing,

bringing his sheaves with him.”    Psalm 126:3-6

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

Are We Knowing Or Going??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #421

22 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Choose You This Day!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Joy To The World?, Knowing Or Going?, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, Worship Him!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #421 Are We Knowing Or Going???

 

As we approach Christmas Day, I want us to consider an unusual twist on a familiar part of the story of the incarnation and birth of Jesus. The most important part of the truth of Christmas isn’t in the celebrating, or the frou-frou, or even the food and fellowship that we enjoy during our celebrations, but the most important thing is what each person chooses do with Jesus?

Let’s consider two groups of people in this account; one group knew the facts yet had no interest in pursuing them or finding the ‘Newborn King’, the other group followed a star in faith, believing that it would lead them to The King—and they found HIM!

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying,

Where is he that is born King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star in the east,

and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him….he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes ….he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him,

In Bethlehem of Judaea:

for thus it is written by the prophet,….

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, …… he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king,

they departed;

and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east,

went before them,

till it came and stood over

where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star,

they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child with Mary his mother,

and fell down,

and worshipped him:

and when they had opened their treasures,

they presented unto him gifts;

gold,

and frankincense,

and myrrh.”     Portions of Matthew 2:1-11

When the ‘wise men’ found Him, they worshipped Him and gave Him gifts, expressing their own personal faith in, and love for Jesus and what He had come to bring—salvation to all who would believe. Yet those who knew the facts sat unaffected in Jerusalem, without any interest in going the short six miles, or so, to Bethlehem to see this long-promised Messiah and Savior! These strangers from the east came looking for the Messiah; they were “going without knowing”, much like Abraham. Yet when they came to those who did ‘know the place’, and found out where to go, they continued their quest, while those in the ‘know, didn’t go’! These religious leaders had no interest in finding Israel’s long-promised Messiah! That is amazing to me, yet not so much, for many today respond to Jesus in the same way; they know the facts about Jesus, but have no desire to know HIM personally. What about you?

What have you done with the King? Have you heard all about Him, but have no interest in bowing before Him, or worshipping Him, or loving Him? Or are have you chosen to seek and follow Him in faith and to worship Him in devotion, and obedience out of love and gratitude for the gift of His life given on the cross for our salvation? He knew He was born to die.

I pray that we will all be like the ‘wise men’ and seek the Savior Jesus Christ every day, being a reflection of HIS glory to a world in desperate need of a Savior!!! The choice is yours, but remember there’s a test at the end! May you truly know Him in fullness and truth, and rejoice in this season of celebrating His coming into our world to save and deliver us from our sin.

“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

“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 1:14

Amen and Amen!!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

HE truly IS “Joy To The World”!!!

**And just a ‘heads up’, our Sunday post will feature a guest writer, and I know you’re going to be blessed by what she has to share.**

 

But It’s Only ‘Today’??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #409

08 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Distractions, Praise God Today!, The Word, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #409 But It’s Only ‘Today’???

 

I’d like to share a brief word of encouragement for each of us today—for today is what we have!

“This is the LORD’S doing;

it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad

in it.” Psalm 118:23-24

It is so easy to get caught up in the “big” picture, and the “future” plans we have that we forget to “live” today! The Psalmist reminds us that whatever is before us—the sunshine, the rain, the beauty, the ugly, the easy or the difficult—“This is the LORD’S doing”! We know that God is totally in charge, but we are so easily distracted and momentarily forget!

What we need to practice is reveling in the truth that our God is ever at work—in all things, and in ‘our’ things, no matter what that involves—and it ought to be “marvellous in our eyes”! When we practice being marveled at the works of God, it helps us enjoy those very marvelous characteristics and traits of our God! And part of that beauty is the wonder of ‘today’!

For “This is the day”—

The day that God has made—

The day that God has given to you/me—

The day that you/I can rejoice in HIM—

The day that God knows your sorrows and your joys—

The day that God will draw you/I closer to Himself!

If we’ll but “rejoice and be glad in it”, because HE reigns!

What About Tomorrow??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #408

03 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Praise God Today!, The Word, Thy Kingdom Come, TODAY, Tomorrow, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #408 What About Tomorrow???

 

We all get caught up in the rush to tomorrow, but Jesus told us clearly that we are to live in “the now” not the “then”! Jesus calls us to fully live today without “fretting” about what tomorrow may bring. As the old gospel song says, “I don’t know about tomorrow, but I know WHO holds my hand”! Our confidence is in who ‘has’ tomorrow, not what tomorrow ‘has’; and my friends, JESUS had it, has it, will have it and HE not only knows what is there, He know what He is going to do for us, in us and through us as we keep our “eyes fixed on Jesus”!

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need

of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:31-34

There is enough evil to go around, so we don’t have to spend our time fretting and worrying about what lies ahead, we just need to keep our eyes focused on JESUS, His will, His ways, and His faithful provision for every step we take TODAY! And as we “seek ye first the kingdom of God” God will provide the necessities of life! But He did NOT promise a life of ease and pleasure, rather He calls us to a contented life of devotion, sacrifice and often persecution.

“But godliness with contentment

is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Ouch! That’s almost un-American, isn’t it? Well even if it is, it’s God’s truth and we need to readjust our lives to God, not try to squeeze God into our “materialistic” mold, for we are also warned that it may cost us something to follow Jesus!

“Yea, and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”   2 Timothy 3:12

We need to “pray without ceasing” because praying today will prepare us for whatever tomorrow brings! Remember, God NEVER says “ooooops”! And as we think of prayer I’d just like to close our session today with one of my favorite prayers from the Bible.

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire

that ye might be filled with the knowledge

of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;     

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful in every good work,

and increasing in the knowledge

of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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:

15 Who is the image

of the invisible God,

the firstborn

of every creature:”     Colossians 1:9-15

This is my prayer for you today! May we ever pray this for ourselves, and all of those in our circle of influence? May we ever be seeking “His kingdom” and “His righteousness” first and foremost, trusting our daily cares to HIM who “hath delivered us from the power of darkness”! Ever being sure we’re seeking HIM rather than always asking ourselves, “What about tomorrow?” Have a blessed day TODAY, my friend!

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”    Romans 11:36