Category Archives: Distractions

A Testimony Of Grace??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #445

16 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Confidence, Dependence, Distractions, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Growing in Jesus!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, My Grace Is Sufficient, Perseverance, The Only Way, The Word, Walking With Jesus, Weariness

≈ Leave a comment

Bible Ballistics: BBs #445 A Testimony Of Grace???

 

It’s a lovely spring morning here in Oklahoma as I write this morning. I’m a bit late so the sun is coming up and the birds are singing—I just love the spring and fall, when we go from the cold of winter into the warmth of spring, and then after the summer’s heat we are so glad to see the cooling off of the fall. Our spiritual walk with Jesus is kind of like that–we go through seasons of the cold hard issues of life jumping in our face and then rejoice as God sends relief and we see the blooms and refreshing of spring bringing new life. Life that has been waiting in the cold ground and upon the changes of temperature and the light of the sun, the proof of life comes popping through to our delight!

It is a wonderful gift of God that the seasons remind us of new life—new life in Jesus is much the same—for we all have seasons in our life—the good, the difficult, the welcome and the not-so-welcome, the simple and the complex—yet God is faithful through them all. He has promised to “

“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 3:1

Like Paul, Oswald Chambers talks about the “humdrum” that often distracts us, and how we must be diligent to avoid growing “weary in well doing”; for sometimes “well doing” isn’t fun! It’s not always “fun” chasing children, or cleaning toilets, or the cooking and cleaning up of meal preparation, mowing, or digging, or hoeing a garden!!! Life can be ‘wearying’ to the max! But we are to keep our eyes on Jesus, Who provides the insight we need to overcome the sin and humdrum—the doldrums, as some people say—of living in a broken, fallen world.

“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

So what am I saying? I’m simply saying that life is often tedious and difficult, and we must recognize that when it sneaks up and “whacks” us on the back of the head, we must keep our eyes on Jesus! We must strive to shorten our “lead time”, so to speak, and as we walk more closely with Jesus each day, we will see sin, as sin, sooner, we can avoid it more often because we will recognize it, as sin (“the wiles of the devil”), and when we do stumble (and we all do), we can get up more quickly and learn from what we’ve experienced! Praise God Almighty! Amen and Amen! We can join Paul in pressing on with joy, courage and God’s strength and power instead of “weariness”!

“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.”    Philippians 3:13-14

So press on dear friends, and don’t let the weariness of life drag you down. Jesus is sufficient unto the need and He has promised to be with us.

“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

All because of grace:

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 Amen!!!

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

08 Wednesday Nov 2017

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

≈ Leave a comment

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

 

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

“This is the LORD’S doing;

it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad

in it.” Psalm 118:23-24

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

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

For “This is the day”—

The day that God has made—

The day that God has given to you/me—

The day that you/I can rejoice in HIM—

The day that God knows your sorrows and your joys—

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

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

Glitz Or Glory??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 12

01 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Bling, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Distractions, Glitz, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.12    Glitz Or Glory???

 

Today I just have a few things I’d like to share with you! We live in a culture of “Bling”—everyone wants bling—big bling, shiny bling, flashy bling, bling, bling, bling—all around us, but to what end? But the thing I’m noticing is that with all the bling around us everyone seems to be blinded by the light—so blinded by the ‘glitz’ that they can’t see “the light”! Yet without the light we have no hope.

“Then spake Jesus again

unto them,

saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have

the light of life.” John 8:12

Jesus is the “light of the world” and without His light we will be in the darkness no matter how much “bling” or “glitz” we have! Without light—we are in the dark!

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made

by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light

of men.

5 And the light

shineth in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”    John 1:1-5

That very Son of God is “the light”-—“the light” that “shineth in darkness”! Yet we who live in this world are often blinded by the “glitz” so we don’t even recognize the light: “the darkness comprehended it not”! That is the saddest commentary of our time—of all time, that we reject the Lamb of God who came to “take away the sin of the world” and cling to that which will perish in the end!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26

The very words of Jesus call us to examine our lives to see if we have denied self, repented of our sin and come to cling to HIS cross in faith receiving His blood sacrifice; the only thing that can save. Dying to self to live unto Christ, by HIS grace and power.

“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.”    Galatians 2:20

The whole point of life is to live—and only Jesus can give us real life, real love — real living in the LIGHT! Are you walking in the light or in the dark? Whether we claim to be a Christian or not—our life will express more of what we believe than our words. Just as Jesus said in Matthew 7:

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 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 7:20-23

Jesus clearly isn’t impressed by what impresses the world—He sees things as they really are. Our actions won’t be disguised by bling for very long—the Word of God, both the incarnate Word, Jesus, and the written Word, The Bible, will expose truth in God’s time.

“For the word of God is

quick, (alive)

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”    Hebrews 4:12-13

It is God before whom we will stand and give an account, and “the word of God” will be the standard—not the bling, or glitz of the world! So we must choose wisely and be sure that we are not being blinded by the world to the true “light of the world”!

And in closing let’s look at another commentary from Jesus about light and darkness.

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come

into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”    John 3:16-21

Where are you walking? What are you being drawn to? What choices are you making? Are you clinging to the glitz or receiving “grace” and “glory” from the ONE who came to die for our salvation? Are you being led closer to Jesus, or are you being led away from HIM? I pray that we will all see the urgency of the hour in which we are living, and make sure that we are seeing and following the soon coming King! He who called us to be salt and light—not sugar and glitz! Bringing “glory” to the God of our salvation!

 

Are You Out Of Focus??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #397

27 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Distractions, Faithful is He that has Promised!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Perseverance, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Bible Ballistics: BBs  #397   Are You Out Of Focus???

 

I’d like to share a rather lengthy passage with you today, and make a few comments, but mostly I’d like to call each of us to ponder the question that I posed in the title of this article: “Are You Out Of Focus?”

We are all being inundated with political pundits who tell us what we ought to think and feel; with immorality on every hand; with a media that wants to convince us that right is wrong and wrong is right. So what are we to do? We are to follow our Lord Jesus Christ and learn from all that He has taught us! We must “study to shew yourselves approved unto God” by feasting on the Word of God rather than the lies of the world. Just as Paul told his son in the ministry, Timothy, all scripture is “inspired by God” and it is beneficial to holy living because it is: “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” and it will work in our hearts and lives to grow us in spiritual maturity to be “throughly furnished unto all good works”! (See 2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:16-17)

But let’s consider what Jesus said, and “think on these things”! (See Philippians 4:8)

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow;

they toil not,

neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass

of the field,

which to day is,

and to morrow is cast into the oven,

shall he not much more clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

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.”     Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus isn’t calling us to be ‘thoughtless’, but to be faithful to follow HIM, doing what He says to do in all our ways. He clearly tells us in verse 33 that if we will “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness”, that God will provide and “all these things shall be added unto you”! So in bringing these thoughts to a close, here are a few things that we might want to consider, some things that may challenge us to “walk worthy” before our Lord and a lost and dying world! (See Eph. 4:1 & Col. 1:10)

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

“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

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13

Just as Jesus said to His followers in Matthew 6, we can count on Him to keep His word, as ‘we’ keep His Word! So whatever is weighing on you today—give it to Jesus and follow Him. Remember it’s not the government, nor the weatherman, nor the economists, nor the media moguls, nor even honorable politicians that have our days in their hand—IT IS GOD Almighty, the ONE who IS in charge and HE IS TRUSTWORTHY—in all things!

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

How’s your ‘spiritual prosperity’ quotient? Don’t let the things of the world distract you!

“And a voice came out of the throne, saying,

Praise our God,

all ye his servants,

and ye that fear him,

both small and great.

6 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 19:5-6

May we ever keep our eyes on Jesus—our soon coming King! Don’t be distracted! We win, but we’re to keep fighting the “good fight” until He comes. It’s what we’ve been called and saved to do. Amen and Amen!

HIS Way Or Mine??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 10

17 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Distractions, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.10 HIS Way Or Mine???

 

We talked last week about the truth of scripture that “every knee shall bow” before The Lord Jesus when He returns! I’d like us to continue in that vein of thought and I ask each of us to “consider your ways”! Those who claim to know Jesus, need to be sure that we are walking in the way that Jesus calls us to walk; we need to examine our own hearts and lives each day and be sure that we are God’s, being what He wants us to be, and doing that which pleases HIM.

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”   2 Corinthians 13:5

This is a call to be certain that we know our genuine spiritual state! It doesn’t matter what others may think of us, what matters is what God knows about us, and that we truly know HIM. And when we know Him, we can be sure of our relationship by His Spirit, which dwells within us.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.” Ro. 8:8-10

The Word God makes it clear that those who belong to Jesus, have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within them, and by His presence we can truly know whose we are!

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” Romans 8:16

“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

God knows those who are His own, those who have been born again by the Spirit of God. But we must be sure that we belong to Him, that we have received the new life in Christ by grace through faith in His redeeming blood!

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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 1:11-13

God brings new birth to those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith, giving us life by the death of Jesus.

“And you hath he quickened, (made alive)

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😉”.  Ephesians 2:1-5

God takes lost sinners and makes them saints, and calls us to know Him and walk in His way—yet HE repeatedly calls us to “consider your ways”! In the book of Haggai, God called His people Israel to do what they had said they would do; to obey Him and do HIS work not their own. These people had returned to the land of Judah, and the city of Jerusalem from the land of Babylon in order to rebuild the temple and the city of God. The people had been called to obey God and rebuild HIS temple, but they had become distracted, and were so busy taking care of themselves, that they neglected to trust God and do HIS will! Instead they had put ‘self’ first—as we often do!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34

We are called to “seek” Jesus first, to follow Him and trust Him in all our ways. In the Model Prayer, Jesus reminds us that our heart’s focus is to be on God—always! Let’s take a look and see what Jesus calls us to do! Watch the pronouns and where Jesus says our allegiance ought to be.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. (God’s kingdom!)

Thy will be done          (God’s will!)

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day      (God’s provision!)

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us        (God’s forgiveness!)

our debts,

as we forgive

our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, (HIS Lead!)

but deliver us from evil:    (HIS provision!)

For thine is the kingdom,           (HIS kingdom!)

and the power,                          (HIS power!)

and the glory,                            (HIS glory!)

for ever.                                     (ALWAYS!)

Amen.” Matthew 6:6:9-13

Our allegiance is to God—first, foremost and always; to HIS kingdom, not our own; to HIS will, not our own, to HIS perfect provision in all! It reminds me of another passage.

“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

We can only live a spiritually profitable life for God, when we put all our “trust” in HIM, when we “lean not” on our own understanding; when we “acknowledge HIM”; trusting HIM to direct our paths! We cannot trust in our own wisdom, but we must learn to totally trust in God’s wisdom, following His leading and the prompting of HIS Spirit–not our own or the worlds. Let’s hear what God had to say through Haggai!

“Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

4 Is it time for you,

O ye,

to dwell in your cieled houses,

and this house lie waste?

5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:5

What are we choosing to do with our lives: what we want to do, or what God has called us to do: His way or ours?

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Consider your ways.

8 Go up to the mountain,

and bring wood,

and build the house;

and I will take pleasure in it,

and I will be glorified,

saith the LORD.” Haggai 1:7-8

The question that you and I must answer is, “Are we following our God, and doing what HE calls us to do; or are we doing our own thing?” Are we trying to please the world, by popularity, prominence, or wealth? Or are we choosing God’s will? Will you “consider your ways”? We must ask God to search us so that we might walk right before HIM, being cognizant of our own hearts and minds, considering how to truly reflect Jesus to the world, not self! We are living in perilous times; it is imperative that we stand fast!

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”   2 Timothy 3:1-5

Consider that last phrase, “from such turn away”! Are we turning away from the evil, or are we trying to accommodate the evil, and make it palatable? Jesus told us, and Paul reiterates here, that we will be “despised” for following HIM—for living ‘righteous’ by HIS blood and HIS Word!

“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

We can only be ‘good’/‘righteous’ by the blood of Jesus, when He saves us by His grace, through HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross! Only One way—only One Savior. And when He saves us He gives us HIS Spirit to dwell within us, to enable us to reflect the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ rather than the ‘works of the flesh’. Let’s ask God to examine our hearts to see what is really there—the Spirit of Jesus or the spirit of the world. Take some time this week to read Galatians 5:16-26 and examine your heart in light of the contrast! Then may we each lift up to God one of the simplest, yet greatest prayers in all of scripture:

“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

Amen and Amen!!!