Category Archives: Consider Your ways

The Gift Of Memory??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #626

19 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Bibe Study, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Distractions, Encouragement, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Great is Thy Faithfulness, JESUS, Jesus IS The Gift!, Knowing God's Word, Listening To God, Memory

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #626     The Gift Of Memory???

 

The memory can be a precious gift of God, and unlike a computer, we don’t have a “delete” button to clear our minds, but we can seek God’s cleansing power to keep our hearts and minds tuned to Him and His truth.  And while there are good memories and unpleasant memories, we can train ourselves to think on the things of God rather than the things of the world, so I simply want to share some scriptures which I pray will help you ‘think’ right and dwell on godly things—doable but not easy!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be

any wicked way in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”   Psalm 139:23-24

May we learn to pursue the things that God calls us to, and Paul gives us a great instruction for us.

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen

in me,

do:

 and the God of peace

shall be with you.”    Philippians 4:6-9

I pray that you will spend some time today thinking “on these things”.  We face so much wickedness in our world, it takes a mind set on Jesus to keep us on track; but as we pursue God, we will find Him faithful and sufficient!

“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.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this

unto you.”  Philippians 3:13-15.

We need to remember that we are in a spiritual battle, and that battle is won in the mind and heart, and we must do our part by learning to think biblically and measure all things by God’s Word.  The battle is in our minds.

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down

of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”    2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I pray that you will seek God’s heart today as you face the issues of life.

Amen and Amen!!!

“My son,

attend to

my words;

incline thine ear

unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart

from thine eyes;

keep them

in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those

that find them,

and health

to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence;

for out of it are the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:20-23

Is My Life Pleasing To My Lord??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 25

16 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Bibe Study, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Fearlessness, God's provision, Growing in Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus' Sacrifice, Knowing God's Word, Only One Way, Righteousness, Salvation, SIN, Study to Show Yourself Approved Unto God, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Victorious Living, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 25   Is My Life Pleasing To My Lord???

 

I’d like to focus our attention upward, in a way that I pray will be an encouragement to us all.  We live in a culture that is so “me” focused (even the church has bought into the “me” ideology) that all is based on what will “please” the masses, make them comfortable, contented and confused—for compromise will only produce confusion.  Yet God has called us to know HIM and His Word, and when we will commit ourselves to know Him through His Word, we will begin to focus on our Lord not ourselves!

I would like us to consider Paul’s prayer for the Colossians, a passage that I have used often, and pray that we can learn from today.

“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:”   Colossians 1:9-14

Paul reminded the believers in Colossae twice in this brief prayer that they needed to grow and increase in the “knowledge” of God!  We can’t live faithful and productive lives for Jesus, without knowing Him personally as well as knowing what His Word says.  We can’t march in the Army of The King, without knowing what our marching orders are!  We are to walk “worthy” of our Lord, His Word, His calling and His purposes.  Yet so many today think we simply receive a ticket to heaven, with no commitment to Jesus who died for our sin, or any allegiance to HIS kingdom.  We have forgotten the admonition of the Lord Jesus as well as of Joshua. (For many have changed to gospel to a “get out of hell free card” rather than a recognition of our sin, and repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord!).

“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.

15 And 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 24:14-15

And Jesus’ own warning to all:

“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? …

… 31 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.”  Portions of Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus gives us our marching orders, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness”!  What are you/I seeking?  Are we pursuing God’s kingdom or our own?  Jesus makes it very clear that we can’t serve GOD and self at the same time (mammon simply means that which is of the world—be it money, fame, popularity, power, or simply self-reliance!).  But our churches are full of those who claim the name of Jesus yet continue to live life on their own terms not God’s!  It grieves me that we have so blatantly disregarded The Word of God and its clear teachings and with wholesale disregard have chosen the ways of the world and invited them into the church.  The church is the Body of Christ (the Bride of our soon coming King) and should never rely on the resources of the world to do God’s work!  Jesus also made it clear that “saying so doesn’t make it so”!

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

And then Jesus goes on to give one of the simplest, yet profound pictures of truefaith ever given—yet so many count it only as a children’s song!  So, the question is “What are you building on—HIS will or your own?”—the Rock or the sand?

“Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house

upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house

upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”   Matthew 7:24-27

To be pleasing unto the Lord requires knowing and having Jesus as your Lord and Savior!  Knowing it is never our righteousness that saves, but the sacrifice of Jesus which imparts to us His righteousness and eternal life “in him”.

“For he hath made him

to be sin

for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21. Amen and Amen!

When we possess the ‘righteousness of God in him”; when our foundation is anchored on Jesus, there is no storm that can fell us!  But when our foundation is built on the sand (even if we paint it up to look like a “Jesus” house) it will fail.  In fact, the example implies that both houses looked alike on the outside, but one was on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, the other on sinking sand.   What about you?  What are you doing to please God?  Or are you so busy pleasing self and the world that you’ve missed the foundation of Jesus?

I would like to close with some passages that speak to that which pleases God in the lives of His own; and why we need to diligently pursue Him through His Word!

“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

“Study to shew thyself

approved unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun

profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase

unto more ungodliness.”    2 Timothy 2:15-16

“All scripture

is given by inspiration

of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:      

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,  (mature)

throughly furnished  (equipped)

unto all good works.”    2 Timothy 3:16-17

And more of Paul’s teaching to the churches at Colossae and Thessalonica.

“And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father

by him.

18 Wives,

submit yourselves unto your own husbands,

as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands,

love your wives,

and be not bitter against them.

20 Children,

obey your parents

in all things:

for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger,

lest they be discouraged.

22 Servants,

obey in all things

your masters according to the flesh;

not with eyeservice,

as menpleasers;

but in singleness of heart,

fearing God:

23 And whatsoever ye do,

do it heartily,

as to the Lord,

and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward

of the inheritance:

for ye serve the Lord Christ.”  Colossians 3:17-24

“For our exhortation was not of deceit,

nor of uncleanness,

nor in guile:

4 But as we were allowed of God

to be put in trust with the gospel,

even so we speak;

not as pleasing men,

but God,

which trieth our hearts.”  1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

“And whatsoever we ask,

we receive of him,

because we keep his commandments,

and do those things

that are pleasing in his sight.”   1 John 3:22

And some of my favorite words of encouragement and hope:

“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.”  Proverbs 3:5-7

Amen and Amen!!!

Choices And Clothing Affect Others!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #624

12 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Bling, Children, Choices And Consequences, Clothed In His Righteousness, Compromise, Consider Your ways, JESUS, Modesty, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #624   Choices and Clothing Affect Others!!!

 

We talked last time about spiritual ‘clothing’—being clothed in Jesus, by the power of His Spirit whom we receive when we are born again.  I also mentioned then, that we are to be modest in our attire, and I’d like to take that a step farther today, as our choices do affect the world around us!  It seems to me that we have taken our cues of behavior and attire from the world rather than from our Lord and His Word; modesty has been relegated to ‘days gone by’!  But I caution each of us to remember that God’s standard never changes, and our choices bring consequences; and when we choose to disregard God’s principles, we will pay a steep consequence.  It is what has brought us to where we are today!  And, where are we?  Living in a culture that is removing all the boundaries and standards of righteousness that protect, and ought to mark the people of God.

“Righteousness

exalteth a nation:

but sin

is a reproach to any people.”  Proverbs 14:34

Whose standard are we buying into?  Is it affecting others?  The truth is that every choice has a consequence, and we seem to have allowed the media to dictate what is acceptable.  Scripture calls us to be modest and holy, and what the world is dictating is something totally opposite, yet we have embraced it and allowed our children to embrace it (if not led them to embrace it by our own choices).  While I don’t think there’s anything wrong with fashion or “bling” per se, when it becomes our source of significance, or import,  or leads us to do wrong, we might want to examine our motives.  Am I striving to please men or God?

“I will therefore that men

pray every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath

and doubting.

9 In like manner also, that women

adorn themselves in modest apparel,

with shamefacedness

and sobriety;

not with broided hair,

or gold,

or pearls,

or costly array;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness)

with good works.”  1 Timothy 2:9

I don’t think that Paul is saying that women can’t wear pretty things, but that “women professing godliness” ought to clothe themselves with “good works”, one of which is to dress in a manner worthy of our Lord, considering our influence on others rather than caving to the latest fashion.  Necklines to the navel, and hemlines to the buttocks are, to say the least, less than modest; not to mention, skin-tight, see-through, and seductive apparel ought not to be the choice of those seeking to please God.

“Likewise, ye wives,

be in subjection

to your own husbands;

that, if any obey not the word,

they also may

without the word

be won by the conversation (lifestyle)

of the wives;

2 While they behold your

chaste conversation (lifestyle)

 coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be

that outward adorning

of plaiting the hair,

and of wearing of gold,

or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man

of the heart,

in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament

of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God

of great price.”  1 Peter 3:1-4

Women, and men, are to adorn themselves with that “which is not corruptible”—and believe me (believe your own eyes) when we look at the things on the TV, in the movies, on the ‘award’ shows, talked about in the music we hear, how can we miss the corruption that is being not only accepted, but promoted in this world.  Whose example are you following?  What example are you setting for your children and grandchildren?  Are you buying the things of the world and in essence telling your sons and daughters that this is acceptable before God (and man)?  We allow our little children to idolize sin, wickedness, and immorality all in the name of “celebrity”!  Then wonder why they become worldly and promiscuous!

God calls us to a higher standard!  I’d just like to leave you with some food for thought today, scripture always says it best.  I pray that you will ponder the things that you are choosing to bring into your life, into the lives of your children and grandchildren.  I beg you to consider where you are leading those who are following you—and believe you me, someone is following you–whether you realize it or not!  Please choose wisely while there is still time to make a difference!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2                               (Read the whole chapter for even more insight!)

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end for the grace

that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

And one last passage to speak to our hearts!  Amen and Amen!!!

“And make straight paths for your feet,

lest that which is lame be turned out of the way;

but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace

with all men,

and holiness,

without which

no man shall see the Lord:”  Hebrews 12:13-14

What Love Isn’t??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 23

02 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, By His Grace, Consider Your ways, Faithfulness, Love, Made like Jesus!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 23 What Love Isn’t???

 

February is referred to as the month of love, as Valentine’s Day comes this month, but so does Ground Hog Day—today, Leap Year Day, and President’s Day; yet I really don’t feel led to talk about season’s weather, the extra day we have this month, or politics, but I would like to share a bit about what we need to know about love!  What it is and what it isn’t, and we’ll probably carry this subject over for a couple of sessions, Lord willing.  The main thing I would like to share is what God says love looks like; and the first and foremost issue about love is what God says!

Let’s begin with what Jesus tells us!

“And one of the scribes came,

and having heard them reasoning together,

and perceiving that he had answered them well,

asked him,

Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him,

The first of all the commandments is,

Hear, O Israel;

The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord

thy God

with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy mind,

and with all thy strength:

this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like,

namely this,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

There is none other commandment

greater than these.

32 And the scribe said unto him,

Well, Master,

thou hast said the truth:

for there is one God;

and there is none other but he:

33 And to love him

with all the heart,

and with all the understanding,

and with all the soul,

and with all the strength,

and to love his neighbour

as himself,

is more than

all whole burnt offerings

and sacrifices.”  Mark 12:28-33

Even His enemies couldn’t resist the truth that came from HIM who IS truth—Jesus!  But where do we get that kind of love?  Only from God!  Only when we know God and are known of Him through the blood of Jesus in forgiveness of sin and redemption can we truly express that kind of love!

“We are of God:

he that knoweth God

heareth us;

he that is not of God

heareth not us.

Hereby know we the spirit of truth,

and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another:

for love is of God;

and every one that loveth

is born of God,

and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not

knoweth not God;

for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God

toward us,

because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world,

that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation

for our sins.

11 Beloved,

if God so loved us,

we ought also

to love one another…

…19 We love him,

because he first

loved us.”   1 John 4:6-11, 19

Did you get that?  GOD LOVED US FIRST!  Did then, does now and ever will.  And the beauty of it is that when we will come to HIM in repentance and faith, He imparts not only His righteousness to us, but His love also.

“For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”   2 Corinthians 5:21

And as Paul reminded the Romans and us:

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet

without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.”   Romans 5:1-8

Whoa brothers and sister—“while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”—that’s for YOU and ME!  That is love!  God loved us who are unable to save ourselves—poor lost sinners—”But God”! l One of my favorite biblical phrases—”But God”—and I am so grateful that even when I couldn’t save myself, God had a plan to reach me and lift me up out of the pit of hell and deliver my soul—heart—mind and life from wrath and made me HIS child!  How could I not LOVE HIM the same way, and by HIS power not my own!  THAT IS love—but it gets even better—Jesus paid for my sin so I could have life with HIM. It didn’t depend on me, it depends on the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for us at Calvary!  He paid our debt with HIS own blood:

“Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation

for our sins”!

Amen and Amen.  And again that “but God”—the God who loved us and is still saving souls today.  If you know Him won’t you let HIS love shine through you, and if you don’t, I invite you to come to Him today, so you can know true love—the love that God has for you, and wants to share with you, impart to you, and grow in you!  Today

“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;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness

toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”   Ephesians 2:1-10

Won’t you seek to know God’s real love?  Don’t settle for the cheap imitation of the world!  It may look good for a time, even scripture tells us that there is “pleasure in sin for a season”, but it also tells us clearly that we will all give an account.  Please hear Him as He speaks to us today; for He won’t always “strive with man”!  (See Genesis 6:3 and Hebrews 11:25)

“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

What are you sowing?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test!

May God bless your week, and may you hear and obey!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Hope Is In Jesus–Always!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 19

05 Sunday Jan 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Believe IN Jesus, Changed Lives, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, God of all comfort!, God's Faithfulness, Great is Thy Faithfulness, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Listening To God, Made like Jesus!, Only One Way, Salvation, Speaking The Truth In Love, Transformed life, Trusting Jesus?, Victory IN Jesus!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 19 Our Hope Is In Jesus—Always!!!

 

The thing that I want to share with you all today, is very simple—my/our hope is truly IN Jesus!  Regardless of the tragedy that our family has experienced in these past weeks, I know that God is still God, God is still good, and I still trust Him!  People have asked how we can go on, and our answer has ever been and ever will be—our confidence is IN JESUS!  He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords, and we pray that our lives will ever help others know that Jesus cares about them/YOU.  I’d simply like to share a few passages of scripture that I pray will encourage your heart today no matter where your life-journey has taken you.  Jesus is still in the life-changing, soul-saving business and He loves you more than you can ever imagine.  In fact, HE came, lived, died and rose again to save sinners just like me!  And I pray that HE is knocking at your heart’s door today!  Open the door and HE will come in to YOU!

“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.

21 To him that overcometh

will I grant to sit with me

in my throne,

even as I also overcame,

and am set down

with my Father

in his throne.”  Revelation 3:20-21

Paul paints a most glorious picture of our hope in Jesus in his letter to the Romans, let’s peruse those words, and may they sink into your heart and bring you to HIS cross:

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

 and rejoice

in hope

of the glory of God.

 3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure

for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy

in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom

we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:1-11

Oh, how those words ring in my ears and my heart—one of my favorite phrases in all of scripture: “But God” loves you and sent Jesus to Redeem you, save you, and transform you into “the image of His Son”.  And how do we walk in Him?  Let’s see what the Psalmist has to say—what GOD has to say!

“Fret not thyself

because of evildoers,

 neither be thou envious

against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down

like the grass,

and wither

as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 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.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off:

but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth.”  Psalm 37:1-9

Amen and Amen—may we keep our eyes on the One who gave Himself that we might have “abundant life”!

“Be merciful unto me, O God:

for man would swallow me up;

he fighting daily

oppresseth me.

2 Mine enemies

would daily swallow me up:

for they be many

that fight against me,

O thou most High.

3 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 56:1-4

And my total confidence in the promise of God have been, are and ever will be my eternal hope!!!  He is The God who never changes, and never lies!

“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

May you find the hope that God alone can and will give to YOU!

Amen and Amen!!!