Category Archives: Encouragement

Breathe! It’s OK!!! A Word from THE WORD!!!

22 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Advice for the journey, Comfort, Confidence, Creator of ALL, Doubt and Confusion?, Encouragement, Order my steps, Our God Reigns

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Breathe!  It’s OK!!!  A Word from THE WORD!!! #15

Just a brief word to encourage your Wednesday!  Sometimes we get so caught up in the things—the stuff—the appointments—the running—the doing—that we are almost “holding our breath” and running on imagination!  Well, my friends—breathe!  Just take a deep breath in, thank God for today, and breathe out!  Repeat!  And again!

“The Spirit of God

 hath made me,

and the breath of the Almighty

hath given me life.”  Job 33:4

Sometimes our ‘tunnel’ vision overtakes our heart of faith—we only see the small window of our current crises, and we are prone to forget that our God is still in charge, and HE is trustworthy of our attention!

“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.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice,

and give honour to him….”  Revelation 19:6-7a

Remember Who is in charge—Who loves you—Who has all the “stuff” covered if we will but stop and “breathe” in Jesus!

“For in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being…”. Acts 17:28a

And I simply want to share a few words of hope, encouragement, and peace for you to breathe in today.  I pray that it will help you as it has me.  We all have those times—so stop, take a few minutes, and “breathe” IN JESUS!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that

he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”  Philippians 1:6

Got it?  Jesus is at work in HIS own every minute of every day—for your good and HIS glory!  Count on it.

“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

I praise God that it is all because of Jesus—NOT me—and you can trust HIM, for HE has never failed me yet—and HE won’t today!

“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.”  Romans 5:1-3

So, press on in confidence—Jesus is enough!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”   1 Corinthians 15:56-58

 Jesus has supplied all we need—look up, walk right, and press on!

“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.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:10-11

Breathe and lean on your Shepherd, Jesus!!!

As the gospel hymn says, “The Longer I Serve Him, The Sweeter HE Grows”! (Written by Bill and Gloria Gaither.).

Amen and Amen!!!

Don’t Be Deceived??? A Word from THE WORD!!! Bible Ballistics

13 Friday May 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Dare To Be Different!, Discernment, Don't believe the Lies, Encouragement, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Father of lies, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, Still Will I Trust HIM, The Father of Lies!, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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A Word from THE WORD!!! #7   Don’t Be Deceived???   Bible Ballistics

 

On the surface that seems like a simple instruction, and Jesus Himself warned us to be aware that deception and the deceiver are all about us, and without the direction, wisdom, and power of The Word of God we can fall prey to the deceiver’s lies.

“Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.”  John 8:43-44

Whose child are you?  A simple yet hard question, but one with eternal consequence.  Just remember that when we belong to Jesus we are to heed and pursue HIS ways not our own, or the lies of the enemy, and my friend they are everywhere around us-especially on social media.  Pay attention, please, it can affect not only you but those who are under your influence, those who are following you!

“And Jesus answered and said unto them,

Take heed that no man deceive you.” Matthew 24:4

Just because it seems ‘cutesy’ or nice, be sure what you share is biblically sound, and check out where it came from; you might be surprised at the source of some of the things you are posting!  We are to share Jesus and HIS Word, not just cute things that are often half-truths that mislead and cause disillusionment when the “promised blessing” doesn’t come as they read.

“There is a way

which seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

Jesus also warned about the difference between the two ways that confront us, and we must choose wisely; and to do that we must be in HIS WORD!  May we all grow and share truth as we have opportunity!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”  Matthew 7:13-15

May your journey be blessed as you press forward on that “narrow…way”; and I pray that you have entered through that “strait gate”—JESUS!  He is waiting for you!  Don’t miss heaven because of the lies!  Jesus IS the only “way…truth….and… life“

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

A Word from THE WORD #5 Bible Ballistics

06 Friday May 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Encouragement, Eternal Plan of God, Every Knee Shall Bow, Eyes that SEE HIM, May the fourth be with you!!!, The fourth man in the FIRE!

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A Word from THE WORD!!!  #5

Most people don’t know (and some are shocked when they find out! Ha ha) that I am a big Star Wars fan.  From the first one that my sister-in-law and I took the children to see at the drive-in some 40+ years ago.  But I must admit that I didn’t watch the “prequels” until just the last year or so, and while they are ok, they’re not the original.  I say all this to talk about the cutesy little meme that comes around every year at this time, “May the ‘fourth’ be with you!” (On May the 4th, in case you didn’t know) in reference to the “force be with you” from the Star Wars series of movies.  Well, for the last couple of years I have used a borrowed meme that has a picture of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and that “fourth man…. the Son of God” with them; I believe that “fourth man” was a preincarnate appearance of our Lord Jesus in the fire with them. And that my friends, is way, way more important than any movie!  Is Jesus with YOU?  I pray that HE is, and I would like to share a couple of passages of scripture with you this morning to remind us all that God has a plan that will never fail.  Jesus saves, delivers, accompanies His own, and HE IS coming again, and perhaps very soon!  Here’s some food for thought, encouragement, and hope!  Remember, we win!

“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

And one of the greatest practical examples of trust, and confidence in God from Daniel chapter 3:

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God

whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up…

…. And these three men,

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

fell down bound

into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied,

 and rose up in haste,

and spake, and said unto his counsellors,

Did not we cast three men bound

into the midst of the fire?

They answered and said unto the king,

True, O king.

25 He answered and said,

Lo, I see four men

loose,

walking in the midst of the fire,

and they have no hurt;

and the form of the fourth

is like the Son of God.”   Portions of Daniel 3:16-25

May this same Jesus be seen in us, in our living, our language and in our love, by the power, spirit, and grace of The Lord Jesus, who will never “leave you, or forsake you”, THE ONE who still changes hearts and lives—one at a time!!!  And in closing for today, one of the most beautiful passages regarding God’s eternal, total, omnipresent person, and presence with HIS own, is from one of David’s Psalms.

“Whither shall I go

from thy spirit?

or whither shall I flee

from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven,

thou art there:

if I make my bed in hell,

behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,

and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;

even the night shall be light about me.   

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not

from thee;

but the night shineth as the day:

the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”    Psalm 139:7-12

Amen and Amen!!!

Kindness Has No Expiration Date!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #781

02 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Do all things decently, Encouragement, Kindness has no expiration date., Sowing and Reaping, Speaking, Speaking The Truth In Love, Words Matter

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #781 Kindness Has No Expiration Date!!

 

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness,

and wrath,

 and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”   Ephesians 4:29-32

How often I forget that “words” matter, and “kindness” can be broadcast or crushed by our words.  As a proverb that I often quote says, “Watch your words, and keep them sweet!  You never know which ones you’ll eat!”; yet so often I forget that my words are of eternal import—not because I’m of any particular import, but because my words have the power to heal or to wound, to lift up or put down, to lead others to Jesus or drive them away!  Ouch! And remember once the “word” is out, we can’t take it back, recover the scope or often repair any damage done! When was the last time that we considered our “words”?  Let’s do just that today by comparing what God calls us to be and do to what we are actually doing.  As I sit here writing this article the Spirit of God is pouring out conviction over my own personal failures.

Yet, in that conviction there is hope for ‘correction’, and Paul has even more to say to us about our speech—our words!

“Walk in wisdom

toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway

with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know

how ye ought to answer

every man.”   Colossians 4:5-6

We are to exercise wisdom in all our ways, especially in our words—how untrue is the children’s little chant, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me!”  Words can harm, hurt, and injure a soul to the core, so we are called to be wise in choosing how to reply to others, when to offer correction and instruction, and when and how to offer encouragement. (And remember we’re to be like seasoning–NOT like brine!)

Peter has a timely word in this regard:

“And who is he that will harm you,

if ye be followers of that which is good?

14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake,

happy are ye:

and be not afraid of their terror,

neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

and be ready always

to give an answer

to every man that asketh you

a reason of the hope that is in you

with meekness and fear:

16 Having a good conscience;

that, whereas they speak evil of you,

as of evildoers,

they may be ashamed that falsely accuse

your good conversation in Christ.

17 For it is better,

if the will of God be so,

that ye suffer for well doing,

than for evil doing.”   1 Peter 3:13-17

Peter reminds us (and remember he is writing to believers who are being persecuted for their faith) that we are to be bold and confident in our Lord who has us in HIS hand.  We can and are to:

Not fear what “man can do to me”—

Be happy to share in Christ’s suffering—

Sanctify The Lord in our hearts—

BE READY to give and answer for our faith—

Answer with meekness and fear (awe of God not man)-

Have a good conscience—not being a poor witness—

(For we are all witnesses—good or bad—we are witnesses!)

Ready to accept God’s will regarding suffering—

Jesus says it best, yet we often forget this in our lives and our prayers!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”   Matthew 6:9-10

And lastly, for today, but certainly not least, Paul’s message about our armor and how it was to be put on– “Praying always”!!!  For all the saints—wherever they may be!

“Praying always

with all prayer and supplication

 in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;”  Ephesians 6:18

Instead of criticism, or gossip, or comparing others faults to our perceived strengths, let us be “Praying always” for those we are tempted to put down.  May or goal be to truly speak God’s truth “in love”.

“But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

May we ever be known as those who speak “the truth in love”!  But to speak “truth” we must know truth by being in The Word of God!  Oh Father, may we be found faithful, true, and kind by the power of your precious Holy Spirit!  Always!!!

 

Amen and Amen!!!

The Truest Blessing!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #774

21 Friday Jan 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Confidence, Encouragement, HOPE, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Saves, Lord, Love Is Action, Never Alone, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #774      The Truest Blessing!!!

 

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me

 in heaven

and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo,

I am with you

alway,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”   Matthew 28:18-20

As I sit here listening to “Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem” (written by R. Fisher Boyce in a milk barn, of all things), and yes, I know it’s past Christmas season, but my Jesus is ever in my heart and I’m so glad HE came and took on flesh; and yes, I’m one of those who thinks that we ought to sing those songs all year long, yet as you can tell by the passage above, I want to talk about our Lord’s departure—but a departure that isn’t final!  Jesus IS coming again!  But that isn’t even the thing I want to share!

So, what is it that I want to share with you this morning?  I want to remind us all, that while we are to take the message of the cross everywhere we go, there’s something just as sweet to my heart from this passage—in fact it’s one of the most important parts of this “Great Commission”, that we sometimes overlook, and even disregard in our zeal to “GO”!

What is it?  It is the simple yet profound truth:

“I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world”!

Oh, my friends, if I could just find the words to tell you the joy and delight, the strength and power, the comfort and courage, the reassurance and confidence, the absolute ability to press on that this simple yet profound statement brings to my heart, mind, and soul.  I often respond to people’s question, “How are you?”, with a true statement, “I’m blessed beyond measure!”  And this simple verse is part of the reason—in fact one of the greatest reasons–that I do consider myself blessed, and blessed so far beyond any human measure, all because I AM NOT ALONE!  Can you understand what that means?  I think some of you can, especially those of us who have had times in our lives that we felt like we were the most “alone” person in the world!  Yet, the truth of the presence of my LORD, has always come to reassure me that HE was, is and ever shall be with me!  I am never alone—

not in the fiercest storm,

not in the raging battle,

not in the stress of uncertain circumstances,

not even in the face of death—

be it our own impending death,

or that of a dear loved one!

JESUS IS ALWAYS THERE/HERE with me!

His presence is almost touchable it’s so real. I know HE is with me, partly just because HE said HE would be, partly because I have felt HIM so near sometimes, it is beyond my ability to convey to you the “realness” of it.  And I can have that confidence, comfort, and power because I choose to walk with HIM, even as the old hymn says, “HE walks with me, and HE talks with me, and HE tells me I am HIS own”!  (from In The Garden, by Charles Austin Miles).

The author of Hebrews says it succinctly—with another word of reassurance and instruction, “be content”!

“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

I pray that you will receive this word of encouragement and hope, a word of truth that will never fail—not ever—if we are willing to receive it, rest in it, and follow our shepherd.

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.”  John 10:27-28

Are you HIS?  If you are, then stop fretting and rest in your shepherd.  If you’re not HIS, won’t you bow in repentance of your sin, and trust in Jesus’ payment for your sin and mine.  He’s calling today, as Jesus declares in Revelation 3:20!

“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.”

Amen And Amen!!!