Category Archives: Cross

His Grace Reaches Me??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 11

27 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, By His Grace, Cross, Gospel, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 11        His Grace Reaches Me???

 

I love the old songs, and there is one that is a special message to my heart, and it resounds with truth—deep truth—written by Augustus Toplady in 1763.  How could such an old song still be pertinent?  Because the good news of the Gospel hasn’t changed!  Never has, never will!

Rock Of Ages  (Augustus Toplady 1763)

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

Not the labour of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die!

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

I love the third verse and the simplicity of its message:

“Nothing in my hand I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling…”

Our hope is in the sufficiency of God’s grace that is full and powerful enough to save us from sin.

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become

the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

This precious ‘corner stone’ is Jesus and He came that we might have life—real life in and through HIM!  Peter who was speaking in the account above, to answer the opposition there, also mentioned this ‘corner stone’ in his first Epistle to the scattered believers.

“Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture,

Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone,

elect,

precious:

and he that believeth on him

shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe

he is precious:

 but unto them which be disobedient,

the stone which the builders disallowed,

the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling,

and a rock of offence,

even to them which stumble

at the word,

being disobedient:

whereunto also they were appointed.”  1 Peter 2:6-8

I am so grateful that no matter where I am, or what is going on around me (or around those that I love), I have confidence in the truth that I can always “simply to Thy cross I cling”!  Jesus IS my all-in-all!

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness

of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete

in him,

which is the head of all principality

and power:”   Colossians 2:9-10

And another part of the letter that Paul wrote to the Colossians, reminds us how to look to HIM in all things, because HE is the One who sustains all things.  But before we look at the Colossians passage, we can see HIS power, grace and provision in Hebrews.

“God,

who at sundry times

and in divers manners

spake in time past

unto the fathers

by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken

unto us

by his Son,

whom he hath appointed heir

of all things,

by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness

of his glory,

and the express image

of his person,

and upholding all things

by the word of his power,

when he had by himself

purged our sins,

sat down

on the right hand

of the Majesty on high;”   Hebrews 1:1-3

Jesus is God’s final Word; and the book of the Revelation is the “unveiling” of all that God will accomplish through “His only begotten Son”!  Jesus is the creator, the sustainer, the redeemer, the very One who IS/WAS the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin—yours and mine!  Oh, how grateful I am for His unfailing grace—His all-sufficient grace—His supreme sovereign control—through which we can have victory in our daily lives.  Oh, how grateful I am that HIS grace reached down for me, saving and delivering me from my own sin, doing HIS continual work of that grace in me—conforming you and me  into the “image of His son” (Romans 8:28-29, in fact the whole chapter is an amazing word picture of all that we have in HIS amazing grace!). Now let’s take a look at Colossians 3 and see what this amazing grace looks like working through our hands, our feet, and our mouth—yes, you and I who have His Spirit within!

“Lie not one to another,

seeing that ye have put off the old man

with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him

that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek

nor Jew,

circumcision

nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian,

Scythian,

bond

nor free:

but Christ is all,

and in all.

12 Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel

against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching

and admonishing

one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace

in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 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.”   Colossians 3:9-17

And all this by our Lord’s grace and power which we received.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,

so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him,

and stablished in the faith,

as ye have been taught,

abounding therein

with thanksgiving.”   Colossians 2:6-7

May we ever walk “in him”, remembering who we are, all because of whose we are; all because of His far-reaching, out-reaching grace that brings abundant life!  Amen and Amen!

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.”  John 10:10. Amen!

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

16 Friday Aug 2019

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

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

 

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,

Now is come salvation,

and strength,

and the kingdom of our God,

and the power of his Christ:

for the accuser of our brethren

is cast down,

which accused them before our God

day and night.

11 And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.”  Revelation 12:10-11

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

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

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

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

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver

and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him

do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope might be

in God.

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls

in obeying the truth through the Spirit

unto unfeigned love of the brethren,

see that ye love one another

with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again,

not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible,

by the word of God,

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

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

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

 except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

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

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

“I can

do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

Amen and Amen!

A Broken Heart??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 21

07 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in Broken Hearts, Confidence, Cross, Healing

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 21     A Broken Heart???

 

Ever have a broken heart?  Most of us have had a broken heart at one time or another, and while it’s not something that we seek after, it is something that God understands.  And I don’t know about you, but I am eternally grateful for God’s love, care, and provision for those who experience a broken heart—in fact, for all!

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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.”  John 3:14-18

God gave His all—His Best—Himself–that we might have life, abundant life in His Son, Jesus.  I can’t imagine the heartache that God felt as His Son hung on that cross for ‘my’ sin and ‘yours’!  And no matter what has caused your heart to break, God understands what you feel, He cares for the brokenhearted.

“The LORD is nigh unto them

that are of a broken heart;

and saveth such

as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous:

but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”    Psalm 34:18

And while God has promised us deliverance, his deliverance doesn’t always look like we think it will.  While God’s promises are “yes and amen”, His timing may be different than ours, but His work is ever secure and sure in His love, care and goodness.

“Wherefore let him

that thinketh he standeth

take heed

lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you

but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful,

who will not suffer you to be tempted

above that ye are able;

but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape,

that ye may be able to bear it.”  1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Paul reminds us, as he shares God’s message with us, that we are all subject to temptation in this human condition, and because of sin (original sin that came on all of Adam’s descendants, and personal sin that we all find ourselves in) we are subject to its insidious grip—but we don’t have to succumb!  God has provided through the sacrifice of Jesus, a way of escape—when we ‘fix our eyes’ on Jesus.  God wants to draw near to us when we are hurting—He knows and feels our pain.

“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 4:15-16

Jesus tread the paths of human frailty and accomplished the victory for us—and because He did—we can trust Him with our heartaches, our sorrows, our grief, our confusion, our emotions!  Jesus cares and He has provided because He walked the same paths that we walk; He felt what we feel; He loved a world which for the most part didn’t love Him, and broke His heart—in fact they put Him to death—we put Him to death– because of our sin.  But unlike us, Jesus knew what He came to do, He knew that He was born to die for me and you; He knew that it would cost Him the cross, and because He paid that price, He saves us and makes those who will come to Him a part of HIS family, and invites us into His throne room to find a Father’s love and provision.  What are you in need of today?  Is your heart broken?  God loves you and is waiting for you to give it to Him!

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD

is upon me;

because the LORD

hath anointed me

to preach good tidings

unto the meek;

he hath sent me

to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty

to the captives,

and the opening of the prison

to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year

of the LORD,

and the day of vengeance

of our God;

to comfort

all that mourn;

3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

to give unto them beauty

for ashes,

the oil of joy

for mourning,

the garment of praise

for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called

trees of righteousness,

 the planting of the LORD,

that he might be glorified.”  Isaiah 61:1-3

We can be “the planting of the LORD” because He gave “His only begotten Son” to be the payment for our sin.  And even as Isaiah wrote hundreds of years before Jesus arrived, He was the plan for our redemption, and confirmed this in His public ministry.

“And there was delivered unto him

the book of the prophet Esaias.

And when he had opened the book,

he found the place where it was written,

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he hath anointed me

to preach the gospel to the poor;

he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,

to preach deliverance to the captives,

 and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he closed the book,

and he gave it again to the minister,

and sat down.

And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue

were fastened on him.

21 And he began to say unto them,

This day is this scripture

fulfilled in your ears.”    Luke 4:17-21

Just like those in the synagogue that day, many today hear the Word of The Lord, and yet don’t perceive or hear what God is saying unto them; Jesus proclaimed to them that “HE” was the fulfillment of the promise of God recorded by Isaiah the prophet.  Yet on this occasion and others, the people took offense rather than believe, and people do the same thing today.  Yet God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit, accomplished the work of redemption at Calvary!  Oh, praise His name—you and I don’t have to stay broken!  Do you need healing?  Do you need mending?  Do you need a Savior?  Jesus is standing at the door of your heart knocking—calling—loving you!  You can choose HIM and His love or suffer on your own.

“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

Jesus is ever working to draw us near to Him that we might truly experience that “abundant life” He supplies!  We just have to keep our eyes on Him and run the race (even the ones that bring heartache and anguish) trusting to HIS care, not our own wisdom.  We have the complete testament of scripture to fill our hearts with examples of assurance and hope!

“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

Jesus gave His all for us.  We can not only find peace, love and joy in Him, but we can trust HIM for our heartache, to clear the confusion we experience, and to overcome the challenges that life may bring.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine ownunderstanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he

shall direct thy paths.”   Proverbs 3:5-6

How?  By simply pursuing Jesus, His Word and resting in HIS care—He truly is a heart healer! I know—He has healed my heart more than once.  He has restored me when I got angry because His answers didn’t match my demands!  He has lifted me up when I didn’t have the strength to go on!  He has even given me grace to do things that were (and often still are) difficult. And I simply close with one of the passages that strengthens and renews my heart again and again.  He has soothed my heart when it has been broken by the very ones that I love the most!  He will do the same for you, if you will but “give it to Jesus”!

“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.”   Psalm 37:3-8

May you find HIS healing!  There truly is a ‘balm in Gilead’ (see Jeremiah 8:22 & 46:11).  Blessings on your week!

Amen and Amen!!!

Do You Know What You’re Doing??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #561

05 Wednesday Jun 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Born Again, Choices And Consequences, Consider Your ways, Cross, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, Free Indeed?, Gospel, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Know not what they do, Knowing God's Word, Listening To God, Persecution, Perseverance, Power of The Cross, Salvation, SIN, The Word Or The World?, Transformed life, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #561    Do You Know What You’re Doing???

 

We live in a culture of knowledge and education, but sometimes we may have a degree of knowledge but not know what we need to know.  We used to talk about “common sense”, but I have come to say that, in my opinion, “common sense” isn’t very ‘common’ these days.  But even more important than “common sense” we need to have knowledge toward God—God sense—to know Him and His ways is to have true knowledge.  Jesus said something on the cross that haunts my heart and mind, mainly because it seems to be so true today!

“And when they were come to the place,

which is called Calvary,

there they crucified him,

and the malefactors,

one on the right hand,

and the other on the left.

34 Then said Jesus,

Father, forgive them;

for they know not what they do.

And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

35 And the people stood beholding.

And the rulers also with them

derided him, saying,

He saved others;

let him save himself,

if he be Christ,

the chosen of God.

36 And the soldiers also mocked him,

coming to him,

and offering him vinegar,

37 And saying,

If thou be the king of the Jews,

save thyself.”  Luke 23:33-37

I find it most interesting that when you read the entire account of the crucifixion, everyone (except the believers who stayed at the cross) derided, mocked, and chided Jesus for not “saving” Himself.  It’s most interesting that by their own words they acknowledged that they ‘heard’ what He had said, that they ‘understood’ what He claimed of Himself, that they knew who He claimed to be—yet still rejected HIM.  And I’m so glad that HE didn’t ‘save’ Himself, so that HE could ‘SAVE’ us! But the phrase that I want us to take note of today is what still rings true today!

“Father, forgive them;

for they know not what they do”!

It’s important to realize that just having the ‘facts’ isn’t enough.  Just storing up information (even Biblical information) isn’t enough!  We must KNOW truth—JESUS IS The truth:

“And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth shall make you free.”  John 8:32

“Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

 because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:20-21

Jesus IS the test and the evidence of our faith—HE IS the only way to God; whether it is politically correct or not—Jesus IS truth, and without HIM we really “know not” what we do! Daniel talked about the last days in terms that ring so true today—a world stepped in ‘knowledge’, human intelligence and progress (so called) but without God it is to no good end!  Even though so many today are preaching a message of prosperity, Jesus preached a message of persecution and suffering for those who would truly hear HIS voice and trust Him in repentance and faith.

“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

Only one way to God, Jesus, and we must recognize the import of “abiding” in HIM!

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

 and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”  John 15:4-5

Even as Daniel was told hundreds of years earlier:

“But thou, O Daniel,

shut up the words,

and seal the book,

even to the time of the end:

many shall run to and fro,

and knowledge shall be increased…

…9 And he said,

Go thy way, Daniel:

for the words are closed up

and sealed

till the time of the end.

10 Many shall be purified,

and made white,

and tried;

but the wicked shall do wickedly:

and none of the wicked shall understand;

but the wise shall understand.”    Daniel 12:4 & 9-10

So, the question is, would Jesus pray for us “Father, forgive them, for they ‘know not’ what they do”?  Not because we didn’t hear, but because we refused to truly respond with our heart and mind, and heed what was revealed to us.  Will we be those who “fight against God”, or will we hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Many in Israel heard, and recognized that God could be in this “message of Jesus”, but they truly knew “not what they do”!  How about you?  What/Who do you know?

“And now I say unto you,

Refrain from these men,

and let them alone:

for if this counsel or this work be of men,

it will come to nought:

39 But if it be of God,

ye cannot overthrow it;

lest haply ye be found

even to fight against God.”   Acts 5:38-39

Here we see the religious leader’s response to Peter and John (and the other disciples), and later as Paul stood before a similar group of leaders, they made almost the same determination—they weren’t all ready to condemn Paul, but they refused to believe his message of Jesus! We can expect no different response today.  How about you?

“And there arose a great cry:

and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose,

and strove, saying,

We find no evil in this man:

but if a spirit

or an angel hath spoken to him,

let us not fight against God.”  Acts 23:9

But praise God we have Jesus as our security, and our hope; so, don’t let persecution or ridicule discourage you—we belong to the ONE who has changed us from “enemies” of God, to being His child—a son of God!

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

All because of Jesus!

“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 8:6-11

We can be redeemed by the blood of Jesus, that atoned (paid for) for our sin.  And when we “know” Him, and are “known” by HIM, we can press on in victory!  We can KNOW HIM, and declare with Paul:

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss

for the excellency of the knowledge

of Christ Jesus my Lord:

for whom I have suffered the loss

of all things,

and do count them but dung,

that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness,

which is of the law,

but that which is through

the faith of Christ,

the righteousness which is of God

by faith:

10 That I may know him,

and the power of his resurrection,

and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable

 unto his death;”  Philippians 3:8-10

Mothers And Crosses??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 13

12 Sunday May 2019

Posted by in Cross, Moms

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.13      Mothers And The Cross???

A Repost Edited from 2013.

A happy Mother’s Day to all-whether you be the mother or the child!!!  What a beautiful day to celebrate our mothers—and to celebrate The God who created us all-mother and child!!

“In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.”    Isaiah 4:2

And Isaiah also wrote:

“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse,     

which shall stand for an ensign of the people;

to It shall the Gentiles seek:                             

and his rest shall be glorious.”   Isaiah 11:10

These verses have a double reference, referring to the future time of the Lord’s return, and also to His “ensign” of the cross. We can take comfort and delight in the joy of the Lord today.  Our Lord who is beautiful and glorious and, I am convinced, soon returning, He who blesses us day by day in more ways than we are aware of!!!

I pray that you took some time to spend with your mother today, or at least spent some time in reflection of her if she is no longer with you; and whether you have/had the “perfect” mother or if you have less pleasant memories—God gave each of us the mother He planned and we can trust Him.  Psalm 139:13-17 reminds us that God knew everything about us—everything!

 “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I    will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and  curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members   were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of    them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!”

Consider the commonality of God and Mothers.   Both made sacrifices for us!!!  Consider and know that God IS—Jesus the Son IS—and God the Holy Spirit IS!!!!!  They are and always were, and without the sovereign, eternal, omniscient God of the universe we wouldn’t even exist.

 “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by he word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of        the Majesty on high”.   Hebrews 1:2-3  

God IS the creator who brought us into existence, and we know that although we sinned, HE had already planned for our redemption before the world was founded!!!  I find that amazing and am reminded that not only did our mothers give us birth, care for and provide for us, but I am also reminded of the GOD who “created” us, provided for our salvation and cares for us continually, through Calvary, and HE is the same God who gave us mothers!  So, whatever your childhood experience, whether good or difficult, God has always been, and continues to be there for you!!!! (see Hebrews. 13:5). He gave HIS own Son for our salvation, and Jesus came, lived and died that we might spend eternity with Him!

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”  John 17:24

Jesus confirms His own pre-existence before the world was made (also see Col 1:16 & John 1:3 which clearly reveal Jesus as “Creator”) and scripture tells us in several other places that our salvation was planned before we needed it!!!

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”                        Ephesians 1:4

And Peter wrote:

“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without        spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the  dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”   1 Peter 1:19-21 

As the Dennis Jernigan song says, “I belong to Jesus”!!!  He loved us and gave Himself FOR us.  Do we truly understand that Christ Jesus gave His all for us at Calvary?  When we do, I think we will be able to say with Paul,

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”     1 Corinthians   2:2

Depending on the Cross for our life, breath and being, helps us to live our lives with HIM in mind, as we find in Galatians 2:20:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  

When we are born into a family, we take on the “name” of our family!  When we are “Born Again” we take on more than the “name” of our heavenly family, we actually receive the Holy Spirit of God who continually conforms us into Jesus’ likeness.

 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the        righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,  and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”   Philippians 3:8-10 

Always reminded that “I am crucified with Christ”, knowing that God is ever working in me. And much like our mothers were teaching us when we weren’t even aware of it, God is always at work in HIS own!

“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.”  Romans 8:28-29

God is ever at work, by His Spirit within us (Remember Romans 8:9b, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”), and we can trust His work– ever conforming us into the image of The Lord Jesus!!!

As we think today of our Moms, may we also spend each day appreciating The Lord who created them and us!!!

 “…… 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.” Philippians 3:13-14

May we commit ourselves anew and afresh to “press toward the mark”; taking our confidence from Colossians 1:27

 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” 

Christ is our eternal hope, His Spirit our total supply, and God the Father our complete confidence.  Praise HIM for giving us “Mothers”; but even more that HE GAVE US HIS OWN SON, for our salvation on the cross!!  May God bless you with joy and grace for this coming week’s work for His kingdom. Thank YOU, Lord, for mothers!