Category Archives: Confidence

Pray On Knowing God Hears??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #756

01 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in Confidence, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #756  Pray On Knowing God Hears???

 

Just a brief word this morning to encourage our hearts to keep on praying, not matter what you “see” or “hear”!  It’s all about “the God who sees” not the world around us!

“Hear my prayer,

O LORD,

give ear

to my supplications:

in thy faithfulness

answer me,

and in thy righteousness.”  Psalm 143:1

We can pray because our God is truly the faithful “answerer”; and while we may not always understand what we see, or what HE seems to be doing we can trust to HIS care in all things.  So, my friend, pray on!  Believing in the goodness, wisdom, and grace of God Almighty and His Son, our Redeemer, Jesus!

“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

We can pray in confidence knowing that Jesus paid the price for your sin and mine, HE hears the prayers of HIS children, and HE is ever working for our good and HIS glory.

“But ye, beloved,

building up yourselves

on your most holy faith,            

praying in the Holy Ghost,” Jude 1:20

Pray on dear ones!!!  We win!

“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

Pray with assurance “for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

My Strength Isn’t My Own! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 19

30 Monday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Confidence, Contentment, Encouragement

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 19.  My Strength Isn’t My Own!

 

“The LORD is my strength

and my shield;

my heart trusted in him,

and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise him.”   Psalm 28:7

We have gone through some extreme changes in the last six weeks, and I have to admit, my body is totally weary and tired, but by God’s grace, strength, and power I have been able to do the things that needed doing.  We are in a new season, time, and place in our lives and yet our God is where HE has always been—in total, sovereign control, and I can’t tell you how much comfort, assurance, and confidence this gives to my heart.  It is my sustenance and I praise God for it.  I want to simply share a few passages of scripture to lift our hearts heavenward this morning.  The first may seem a little out of place but I hope you will consider the import of what it says—in fact I believe it is the foundational premise of the segment it begins.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.”  Ephesians 6:10

This beginning of the “armor of God” passage is often skipped as we jump into the “important” list of the armor, but have you considered the import of this introductory statement that Paul makes?  As Jesus said in John 15, without HIM and HIS power, we “can do nothing”!  Whose strength are you relying on?

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken

unto you.

4 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 15:1-5

And in closing this brief post with you today, I pray that you will look up and not depend on your own “grit” and “power”, but on The Lord God Almighty whom I know reigns.  Is HE reigning in you?

“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. Amen!!!

Our Hope Is IN GOD!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #749

20 Friday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #749  Our Hope Is IN GOD!!!

 

I’ve had a very busy week, but I wanted to share a brief word with you today; in fact, one that I just shared with a young friend that I pray for continually!  As I sent him a short “prayer text”, I thought, ‘I just need to share this with us all’, for the days are surely causing many to wonder what is going on.  Well, I’ll tell you the simple truth, while we may not know what is going on, our GOD does, and WE WIN IN JESUS!!!

“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

Where is your confidence?  Is it in Jesus?  Is it in your circumstances?  Your wealth—or the lack thereof?  Is it in the government?  Maybe the weather forecasters?  I think not!  Like Job, I can confidently say “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”—not because I’m so smart, or faithful, but because my GOD IS EVER FAITHFUL, and, as many of you have heard me say, “I still trust HIM”!

Jesus is coming again, and I can’t believe it’s very far away, but whenever it is, near or farther down the road—I know HE will return for HIS own!  And regardless of how others may choose to speak, act, believe, or not believe, I choose Jesus; for my friends, while you may fool others, you will never, ever fool GOD!

“Nevertheless

the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one

that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”    2 Timothy 2:19

So run where you will; do what you like, blame everyone and everything but yourself for the consequences that you are bearing, but know this. “The Lord knoweth them that are his”, and if we claim Jesus’ name as our own, our lives are to reflect HIS character, HIS love, and HIS transforming work within not the crud of the world! (See Hebrews 12:5-11 and 1 John 1:9)

For as Job also said:

“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

So, whatever your trial, your grief, the sad but rightly deserved consequences you may be facing, or the uncertainty of our world, remember God’s character and HIS care for HIS own!

“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!!!

 

Up, Down, Or Around??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 10

21 Monday Jun 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Children, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Conviction, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Father's Way!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 10  Up, Down, Or Around???

 

I’m sorry to be late with this post, but it’s been a bit hectic around our house, and we have some health issues that come up pretty regularly these days, and we just have to do what we can, when we can—so here I am on this Monday morning instead of our normal Sunday evening.  But God’s Word stands true and faithful no matter the timing of our lives!  And for that I am totally grateful.  I want to start with a Psalm of encouragement for each of us, and then hopefully touch on the import of the family dynamic.

“I will

lift up mine eyes

unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will

not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee

will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel

shall neither slumber

nor sleep.

5 The LORD is

thy keeper:

the LORD is

thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall

preserve thee from all evil:

he shall

preserve thy soul.

8 The LORD shall

preserve thy going out

and thy coming in

from this time forth,

and even for evermore.”  Psalm 121:1-8

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that regardless of the chaos in our lives, the peace and sovereignty of God never ceases or changes!  He truly is the one to whom I “lift up mine eyes”!  How about you?  Is something keeping your eyes cast down?  What draw of the world is calling you away from The One who loves you and gave His life for yours; that you and I could have salvation, forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with our God?  He’s waiting for you to look UP and remember HIS faithful provision for you and me!  Lift up your eyes—seek The ONE who is waiting for you to open the door and let HIM come in and walk with you every step of the way.  I can’t even express how I feel to know and experience HIS presence in the grief, the sorrow, the fatigued days, the demanding days when you/I feel that we can’t go on—but by God’s all-sufficient grace we can go on, IN JESUS strength!

“I know

both how to be abased,

and I know

how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both

to be full

and to be hungry,

both

to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:12-13

Paul also reminds us that God’s promises are faithful; because God IS God, and because JESUS IS His greatest promise–fulfilling God’s promise of salvation at Calvary (a promise that goes all the way back to Genesis 3:15), and we can depend on every promise of God!  But we also must remember that we have to respond to God’s call to those promises, and many of them are preceded by a great big “IF”!  (See 2 Chronicles 7:14 & Psalm 81:8 to list two!)

“For the Son of God, Jesus Christ,

who was preached among you by us,

even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus,

was not yea and nay,

but in him was yea.

20 For all the promises of God

in him

are yea,

and in him

Amen,

unto the glory of God

by us.

21 Now he which stablisheth us with you

in Christ,

and hath anointed us,

is God;

22 Who hath also sealed us,

and given the earnest of the Spirit

 in our hearts.”  2 Corinthians 1:19-22

Jesus IS the ultimate culmination of every promise of God, even those yet to be fulfilled in HIS return!  Yet God left us some instructions to enable us to pass the baton of faith to the next generation; and sadly, we have failed to heed God’s Word and its instruction to our total detriment.  But I pray that we still have time, “if” we will seek HIS face and do HIS will!  Let’s simply consider God’s plan—it works.  We’ll look at some sections (but I encourage you to read the whole 6th chapter for yourself) rather than the whole chapter for time and space sake.

“Now these are the commandments,

the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD your God

commanded to teach you,

that ye might do them

in the land whither ye go

to possess it:

2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God,

to keep all his statutes

and his commandments,

which I command thee,

thou,

and thy son,

and thy son’s son,

all the days of thy life;

and that thy days may be prolonged.”   Deuteronomy 6:1-2

God instructed His people to heed HIS Word and to pass it on!  We have decided that is unnecessary today; let every child choose for himself—and while every person does have the right to choose, we are to lead them to know and choose God’s way.  Even as Joshua declared: “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”!  I think the catch in our day and culture is that we have chosen to serve other things before God.  We want to claim HIS name for our benefit and in times of trouble but make HIM optional the rest of the time; but Moses set a different standard, let’s continue.

“Hear, O Israel:

The LORD our God

is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt

love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words,

which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:”   Deuteronomy 6:4-6

God makes it clear that “godly” families begin with those who have chosen to believe in God, HIS promises and HIS plan of redemption, by grace, in faith—for you see the plan never changed—it’s always been about salvation by grace through faith in a coming Messiah, and for us that very Messiah, Jesus Christ The Lord—crucified, buried and risen again for the “forgiveness of sin”!

“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 1:13-14

Have you been forgiven?  Have you been to the cross to find new life, in a new birth from Jesus, through HIS shed blood for your sin?  It’s the only way, Jesus said so Himself.

“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

Even Moses told the people that they had to know God themselves before they could share HIM, HIS truth, and HIS ways with anyone else.  It is our responsibility to share what we have with those we love, especially our children and grandchildren.  But you can’t share what you don’t have!  So, what do we share, and how?

“And thou shalt teach them

diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign

upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house,

and on thy gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:7-9

Simple but profound instructions; we are to live lives before our children that reflect the glory, truth, and power of God.  We are to take advantage of every teachable moment to share God with them.  We are NOT to leave it to the church, the school, or the grandparents!  PARENTS are to pass on their faith—and whether or not we deliberately instruct our children, our lives will instruct them in one thing or the other!   We are to live godly before our children (and the world): in our ‘talk’, when we ‘sit around’, when we ‘are on the go’, when we ‘go to bed’, when we ‘get up in the morning’, when we ‘work with our hands’, what we choose to ‘look at’, what we ‘have in our homes, for décor, entertainment, for attire’!  We will either lead them to the cross or to hell!  It’s your choice but choose wisely the eternal destiny of our children is at stake.  And God tells us how it will work.

“And when thy son asketh thee

in time to come, saying,

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God

hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:

22 And the LORD shewed

signs

and wonders,

great and sore,

upon Egypt,

upon Pharaoh,

and upon all his household,

before our eyes:

23 And he brought us out from thence,

that he might bring us in,

to give us the land

which he sware

unto our fathers.

24 And the LORD commanded us

to do all these statutes,

to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

 if we observe to do all these commandments

before the LORD our God,

as he hath commanded us.”  Deuteronomy 6:20-25

In Blanche’s paraphrase: if we live in godly, and holy obedience before our children and have godly standards, it will stand out to our family and the world! And because it will be different than the culture around us, the day will come that our children will come and ask, “why” do we “DO” these things.  What we “DO” will make way more difference than what we “SAY”, if we don’t back it up with a life that matches our words!  What questions will your children ask?  And when they ask, we will have the opportunity to tell them what GOD has done and is doing in our lives—our testimony!  And believe me they will have questions, and our actions will affect them—for eternity!

So, the question for today is, “Where are you leading your family to?”  We can choose to take a path toward God or follow the world to hell.  The choice is yours, but please choose wisely, there is a test; not just a test for you but a test of the influence that you have shared with those who follow your steps!  And there’s only one life to share.

“And as it is appointed unto men

once to die,

 but after this

the judgment:”  Hebrews 9:27

“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

‘Nuff said.  Amen and Amen!!!

 

Godliness Will Be Opposed??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #730

20 Thursday May 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Conviction, Courage, Fear, Fight or Faith?, God Knows, Godliness will be opposed, He IS Alive!, Help Thou My Unbelief, Holy Living, I Can Do All Things?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I Will Never Leave You, IN Jesus!, Opposition

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #730 Godliness Will Be Opposed???

 

Elijah was one of the most powerful and amazing prophets of God, yet we find that even in great victory there is opposition– to God’s people and God’s ways; so, we shouldn’t be alarmed or discouraged when we face opposition for speaking God’s truth or doing God’s will in our lives and ministries.  Yet God knows our hearts and even Elijah was plagued by discouragement (what some call depression) and ran from the death-threats of Jezebel.  What kind of Jezebel are you facing today?  A spiritual one?  A physical or health-scare one?  A Jezebel of grief or sorrow?  Or one of fear over financial issues, the future, or family issues?  God was still God when Elijah encountered the abominable evil of Ahab and Jezebel—and my friends, God is still God in the midst of your greatest fears, uncertainties, and confusion of how to deal with your weariness and burdens over the things surrounding you!

“And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice,

that Elijah the prophet came near, and said,

LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel,

let it be known this day

that thou art God in Israel,

and that I am thy servant,

 and that I have done all these things

at thy word.

37 Hear me, O LORD,

hear me,

that this people may know

that thou art the LORD God,

 and that thou hast turned their

heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell,

and consumed the burnt sacrifice,

and the wood, and the stones,

and the dust,

and licked up the water

that was in the trench.

 39 And when all the people saw it,

they fell on their faces:

and they said,

The LORD, he is the God;

the LORD, he is the God.”  1 Kings 18:36-39.

(Take some time and read chapters 18 & 19 for even more insight into Elijah and his God!)

Here we have a mighty man of God in what many consider to be his greatest victory over the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel.  God proved Himself mighty to save and bring the people to proclaim their allegiance to God (though it often proved to be a short-lived devotion) and much like people today, words come easy, but faithfulness comes with much drudgery and, as Oswald Chambers calls it, the mundane.  It’s why I believe that Paul gave us great advice for such situations—advice that I often have to remind myself of by quoting these verses to myself; for I need reminding as much as the Galatian and the Thessalonian believers did.

“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 6:9-10

“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”                             2 Thessalonians 3:13

Don’t stop serving God, even when you need to take a rest—even Jesus called His disciples to come aside and rest (See Mark 6:31)!  And just FYI, I haven’t written since last week for that very reason, we took some time away to rest and recoup from a very trying season of our lives.  I hope you know that I pray for you, that God will use my words always to glorify HIMSELF and be an encouraging word to you!  If I can depend upon HIM for what HE has called me to be and do—SO. CAN. YOU!  But back to Elijah—great victory is no assurance of ease!  Quite the contrary, when we find great victory in Jesus, there is usually a trial lurking just around the corner, but when we are informed (by God’s Word) and prepared (by The Holy Spirit), we learn to rely upon God’s faithful provision; especially in the midst of trail, or when we need rest from the weariness of our body and soul.  God knows, God cares, and GOD will always provide, when I’m ready to be still and listen and obey!  Elijah faced just such a trial!

“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets

with the sword.

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying,

 So let the gods do to me, and more also,

if I make not thy life

as the life of one of them

by to morrow about this time.

3 And when he saw that,

he arose,

and went for his life,

and came to Beersheba,

which belongeth to Judah,

and left his servant there…

…But he himself went a day’s journey

into the wilderness,

and came and sat down under a juniper tree:

and he requested for himself that he might die; and said,

It is enough; now, O LORD,

take away my life;

for I am not better than my fathers.

 5 And as he lay and slept

under a juniper tree,

behold, then an angel touched him,

and said unto him,

Arise and eat.

6 And he looked, and, behold,

there was a cake baken on the coals,

and a cruse of water at his head.

And he did eat and drink,

and laid him down again.

 7 And the angel of the LORD came again

the second time,

and touched him, and said,

Arise and eat;

because the journey is too great

for thee.

 8 And he arose,

and did eat and drink,

and went in the strength of that meat

forty days and forty nights

unto Horeb

the mount of God.” 1 Kings 19:1-8

And as we go on, we find that Elijah learned that God doesn’t always speak in the “loud” miracles, but quietly.  I want you to also note that God didn’t reprimand Elijah for being weary, instead GOD provided sleep, his meat and drink for a long journey ahead—my friend, know that GOD knows where you are and HE will supply, if you will but hear and heed HIS voice.  God took Elijah to a special place for a special word of encouragement!  How about you?

“And he said,

Go forth, and stand upon the mount

before the LORD.

And, behold,

the LORD passed by,

and a great and strong wind

rent the mountains,

and brake in pieces the rocks

before the LORD;

but the LORD was not in the wind:

and after the wind an earthquake;

but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire;

but the LORD was not in the fire:

and after the fire a still small voice.”  1 Kings 19:11-12

That still small voice that is ever present with me/you in good days and in difficult ones (for all my days are blessed, even the ‘so-called’ bad days!) is a constant strength, and life-giving hope to press on with my LORD!  The Psalmist also knew this voice, and that sometimes we just need to (as we used to teach the schoolchildren) “stop”, “look”, and “listen”!

“Be still,

and know

that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts

is with us;

the God of Jacob

is our refuge. Selah.”   Psalm 46:10-11

MY God is faithful to the load—the task—the trial—the fear—the difficulties of life that are unspeakable to others—HE IS MY GOD!  How about you?  Have you found HIM faithful?  Have you learned to trust HIM with your burden?  I’m learning every day that HE is ever faithful, not just when I am weary, but especially when I am weary, tired, sorrowful, or just overloaded in my own mind!  How about you?  Will you learn to lean on HIM?

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

 acknowledge him,

and he shall direct

thy paths.

 7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

And a couple of encouraging words to close this post for today—and I must tell you, this is not the article I sat down to write, but I believe it is the article God desired from me.  I pray that it will be used by HIM to help YOU today!

“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

“Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity have dominion

 over me.”  Psalm 119:133

Amen and Amen!