Category Archives: Comfort

Paying Attention! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #764

19 Friday Nov 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All Sufficient God!, Are You Ready, Comfort, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Influence, Opposition to Godliness, Paying attention, Rejoice IN The Lord, This IS The Day

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #764   Paying Attention!  Really???

 

“Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.”  Ephesians 6:13

We are called to take the armor of God, to put it on, to be gird about, having its parts in/on our heart, mind and soul for every day’s challenges.  The problem is that we often get so distracted that we forget, or get busy, or just plain don’t pay attention.  I pray on this armor most every morning, yet sometimes we have those emergencies that interrupt our regular set of tasks and dash off without “suiting up”—it happens to me and I’m sure it happens to you; and there are those times we simply are so accustomed to something that we truly don’t pay attention.  This happened to me just recently, when my son sent a text, and since he sends the same text most every day when we get to visit, I just read the first “good morning” and called him.  He answered and laughed and said, “You didn’t read the whole message, did you?”  And of course, I had to say no, so he advised me to read it for it said “don’t call” this morning……ha ha ha ha.

We both had a good laugh and talked later in the day, but the point I want to make is that we must pay attention to what’s going on, even when (in fact especially when) we think we know what is going on!  We need to be ready for whatever the day may bring by putting on “the whole armour of God”!  Don’t get caught as I did, by presuming you know what you may not know!  Be in God’s Word, praying “without ceasing”, and trusting to HIS care.  We can’t be obsessed with being in control when that, my friends, is GOD’s job, and HE always does it perfectly!  So here are some scriptures that I pray will encourage your heart and mind to “look up” rather than “around” at all the chaos surrounding us!

“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 37:7-8

“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.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life

more than meat,

and the body

than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father

feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?”   Matthew 6:24-26

“This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

So, what will you rejoice in?  Choose Jesus!  He truly is that friend who “sticketh closer than a brother” and speaking for myself—I sure am glad….!  Keep your eyes on JESUS!

Amen and Amen!!!

Thankful For HIS Care??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 04

15 Monday Nov 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Ask God For Wisdom, Attitude of Gratitude, Comfort, Confidence, Dependence, Follow Jesus, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, IN Jesus!, TODAY, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Wisdom

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 04   Thankful For HIS Care???

 

Today I’d like to share a bit of personal testimony as well as God’s Word; sometimes knowing that others are or have been in the same boat as we have been is a help and an encouragement.  I pray that we can encourage one another!

“Blessed be God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us

in all our tribulation,

that we may be able

to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith

we ourselves are comforted

of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”    2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Paul was sending this second letter to the believers at Corinth to encourage them after his first letter and their response of obedience to his instructions in a most difficult situation.  He was also reminding them that he had suffered trials and difficulties himself, and he is reminding them as well as us, that we are to be an encouragement to one another as we all face difficulties in life, and God can and will use all our trials to minister to others along with ourselves.  God’s comfort and provision isn’t to be “hoarded” but shared for God’s glory, our growth and good as well as good for others.

I have wrestled with a lot of life changes and challenges of late, and while it is just that “a challenge” to know what, when, where, or how to respond to the issues that we deal with almost daily, and to maintain a godly, kind, and honest demeanor to the things that seem to assail us with a vengeance.  Paul reminded the Corinthian believers to remember how God had comforted them, and to realize that our experiences are sent and/or permitted by God for our good and HIS glory!  In fact, it brought me to a new understanding of another passage about God’s sovereign work in our lives.

“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 8:28-32

Even as Paul states in verse 26, “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities”, we can have absolute confidence in God’s work in our lives, and the overflow of HIS work into the lives of others, if we will but trust HIM in all things and obey as we see HIS direction and hear HIS Spirit speaking to our heart and mind—and as we feast on HIS Word!  Just as it says above, the Holy Spirit is ever working in my life and yours, in fact in the lives of every born-again believer—working in us and helping us to know how to walk “according to the will of God”!

Oh, how grateful I am that I don’t have to depend on my own wisdom, for sometimes it is in pretty short supply, but God is never delinquent to supply HIS wisdom to all who will “ask…seek… (and)… knock”!

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.

7 For let not that man think

that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.”  James 1:5-7

Paul also gives us insight into the wisdom that we are to seek.  But remember that “godly wisdom” isn’t always welcome, but it is where we must stand by HIS power, grace, and provision—trusting the consequences to our Father and Lord!

“For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish

foolishness;

but unto us

which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy

the wisdom of the wise,

and will bring to nothing

the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews

and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:18-24

Paul goes on to share even more about the difference between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men.  Oh, that we would learn to recognize the difference!

“Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you

seemeth to be wise in this world,

let him become a fool,

that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness with God.

For it is written,

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again,

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise,

that they are vain.

21 Therefore let no man glory in men.

For all things are yours;” 1 Corinthians 3:18-21

I want you to know that as I face the difficulties that come my way, my greatest resource is Jesus Christ my Lord!  I go to HIM in prayer continually, seeking to know how HE wants me to respond in every situation, and going to HIS WORD as the standard for all things.  The Word of God is the standard that God has set, and if we don’t know what it says, we won’t know what God expects.  When I know HIS Word, I will find the confidence and power to run to Jesus instead of the world!

“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.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:12-16

I pray that this will help you today and encourage your heart to press on with the greatest Lord and friend, Jesus!  For remember, we win!

“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.”  John 14:1-4

And if you don’t know Jesus today, you can come to Him today by repenting of your sin, and trusting to HIS substitutionary (He took our place), atoning sacrifice (He paid our debt) for your sin (The problem we all have and cannot cure.), and receive HIS gift of eternal life.

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.

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.”   John 3:16-19

Amen and Amen!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #710. COMFORTABLE

17 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by in Comfort, Commitment Or Convenience, Sovereignty, Trust God, Trusting Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #710  COMFORTABLE???

A Guest Post from my friend Taryn Spurlock

When you search the definition of COMFORTABLE you may find “providing a position of contentment and security.” Eleven months ago, I received a phone call from a sweet mentor asking me to consider writing occasionally for her blog. Eleven months ago, we were facing the beginning of a “historical event” known as The Covid-19 Pandemic. Here I sit today as a witness of another “historical event” all within a year’s time. This time we are facing multiple states experiencing historic cold temperatures and snowfall. This is just plain crazy. You know you have said the exact same thing.

The past few days have brought on so many challenges to stay warm, prevent damage to our homes and businesses, and our personal family favorite (NOT) virtual learning! However, my observations the past 24 hours have stirred my heart to think of the word “comfortable.” Please give me a moment to explain.

Multiple states and millions of people have been asked to turn off as much as possible to conserve energy. They are asking us to look at the “long haul” to avoid long term issues. Here are some comments that I have heard:

    • “Ummm… there are subzero temperatures out there and you want us to turn down the heater? It’s cold! I’ll freeze!”
    • “How do I keep my pipes from bursting?”
    • “How come I experienced my power being turned off but those people over there didn’t? Not fair!”
    • “How come the internet is running slow?”
    • “Don’t they know I pay them to have all the power I want!”
    • “My kids deserve to have fun and not have to do school work!”
    • “I deserve to be COMFORTABLE!”

These words keep coming to my mind:

When God wants you to grow, He makes you uncomfortable.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”                   Matthew 5:3-12

How many times do we find ourselves having those same types of complaints with God?

    • “God, have you seen my schedule? I don’t have time to do ministry and have any time to relax.”
    • “God, you want me to give 10% of MY EARNINGS? Seriously! I worked for that!”
    • “God, I go to church, I teach on Wednesdays, I serve on the welcome team, and THEY get their prayers answered and I don’t?!?!?”
    • “God, I need you to give me an answer NOW! Quit being soooo slow! I don’t have time for this!”
    • “God, I tithed… NOW GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!”
    • “God, I know our family has missed church several Sundays this year, but this team means the world to my kid and they deserve to have a fun childhood.”
    • “God, I deserve to be COMFORTABLE!”

Yep… I’ve said some things like this in 35 years… I admit.

GOD DOES NOT CALL US TO COMFORT. 

We want to serve God, but we also want to remain comfortable. But if we’re honest, true spiritual growth happens in our most uncomfortable seasons of life.

I’m currently going through a study about Elijah. When I read these words today regarding Deuteronomy 29:16-29, they stopped me.

“Despite the fact that these negative results of the people’s disobedience would adversely affect Elijah too — such as the land being “unsown and unproductive” so that “no grass grows in it” (Duet. 29:23) — he was brave enough and committed to God enough that he still prayed for it. Out there in Gilead, in the remote starting point of Elijah’s ministry — the starting point of his process — he had developed such a commitment to Yahweh that he was willing to pray for His will to be done above all else, EVEN ABOVE HIS OWN COMFORT.”   

-Priscilla Shirer, ‘Elijah’

It is my prayer that I take the uncomfortable moments in my life, in the past and in the future, and seek how God wants me to grow instead of complaining or comparing. They are a part of my testimony; therefore, they are part of my ministry. God sees “the long haul” when He takes us to uncomfortable places.

Thank you God, for the cold, gray, and uncomfortable days. Use them for Your Glory and may we seek to see the beauty in those moments.

Don’t Let Fear Rule YOU??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 12

06 Sunday Dec 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Choose You This Day!, Comfort, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Contentment, Encouragement, Fear, Fearfulness, Fearlessness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 12 Don’t Let Fear Rule YOU???

 

I have a very brief and simple word for today—God’s is trustworthy, and we don’t have to fear what HE is doing.

“What time I am afraid,

I will trust in thee.

4 In God I will praise his word,

in God I have put my trust;

I will not

fear what flesh can do unto me.” Psalm 56:3-4

Even when we are facing uncertain days, as we are now on every hand, we can count on God to direct our steps.  I hope that this will be a word of encouragement for you and me!  While things in the world may alarm or distress us, it’s just natural to experience fear or alarm; when our health is less than stellar, or the people that we love are plagued by uncertain futures, our God is still in charge.

“For God hath not given us

the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

Paul assured Timothy that God gives us what we need to be successful in His kingdom, and we don’t have to let fear rule our hearts, minds or our lives!  Fear is an emotion, not a sin, but when we let sin take control of us, it can lead us to sin.  That is why we must remember where we are grounded, and that is in Jesus Christ and Him alone; keeping our eyes on Him, and our hearts and minds steeped in HIS Word!

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

Even the author of Hebrews assures us that wherever we go, or whatever we do, we are never alone, and we can walk in confidence with our God.  It’s been a little uncertain and precarious at our house lately, and maybe you are having uncertain things encircle you and yours; but I am here to remind you that we need not fear, but just keep our eyes on our Jesus for HE is always there.  And no matter the need HE knows—and HE cares.  You can trust to HIS care and come into HIS presence with confidence!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

“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

Chapter 13 of Hebrews continues with a powerful message of assurance!

“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

So, friends, my word to you (and me) is that we fix our eyes on Jesus, remembering that HE never fails, and we can trust that HE is working all things for our good and to His glory.  I trust HIM!!!  Do you???  Remember—He IS coming back—He wins, and so do we!  So, let’s serve Him fearlessly and faithfully in all we do, no matter the trials or difficulties that we encounter; remember don’t let fear rule your decisions and your life!  Instead, let Jesus rule—HE will always lead you rightly—without fear!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore,

my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour

is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

As God told Isaiah:

“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

That kind of says it all….God’s got you and whatever your “it” is!  God’s got “it”—and “YOU”!!!  Trust HIM—HE never fails!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

My Weakness–His Canvas??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #695

03 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Comfort, Encouragement, Job, Strength-vs-weakness, Strong Tower

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #695  My Weakness—His Canvas???

 

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory

in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Paul had an amazing testimony of God’s sufficiency to not only meet our needs, but to bless us and use our weakness as a canvas of HIS grace, strength and provision.  We often don’t see God’s plans at a particular time, but when we KNOW HIM, we learn that we can trust to HIS faithful care.

The author of Hebrews told us that those who walk in faith, even when they don’t see what’s really going on, or understand the ways of their Lord, keep trusting HIM.  That my friends, is real faith, not getting your own way all the time, or dictating to God! (For a real blessing of faith, read all of Hebrews 11).

“Who through faith

subdued kingdoms,

wrought righteousness,

obtained promises…

…out of weakness were made strong,

waxed valiant in fight,

turned to flight the armies of the aliens…

… 36 And others had trial

of cruel mockings

and scourgings,

yea, moreover

of bonds

and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned,

they were sawn asunder,

were tempted,

were slain with the sword:

they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins;

being destitute,

afflicted,

tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:)

they wandered in deserts,

and in mountains,

and in dens

and caves of the earth.

39 And these all,

having obtained a good report

through faith,

received not the promise:.” (Yet!)                              Portions of Hebrews 11:33-39

I love what Job said and quote it frequently—and you can trust in it too! So, let’s look at two of Job’s mighty declarations of faith—beyond what his eyes saw at the time!  Now, remember that Job was sharing this testimony with his “so-called” friends, in defense of their accusations of his supposed ‘wrong-doing’’, trust God’s opinion, not men’s!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

for an hypocrite shall not come before him.”   Job 13:15-16

Job knew that, God was not only faithful, but that Messiah would come, and his faith would end in sight—regardless of his own physical death!  His canvas revealed God’s work even when the world didn’t recognize it!  Ours can too!

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19: 25-27

I simply share these truths with you that we can all take heart in difficult days, knowing that our God reigns—and JESUS is coming again soon!  Take heart my friends and look up!  God’s canvas in your life can make a difference—trust HIM!

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption

draweth nigh.”  Luke 21:28

Ready or NOT?  Here He comes!   Amen and Amen!!!