Category Archives: Encouragement

You’re Not A DIY!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 02

25 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Compromise, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Dependence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Filled With His Spirit, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God Is In Charge, God's provision, Gospel, Growing in Jesus!, Holy Living, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Listening To God, Living Right, Make Like A Tree?, Plumbline?, Polluted by the world?, Salvation, Saved by grace, SIN, Sovereignty, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus, Walking With Jesus, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 02  You’re Not A DIY!!!

 

We live in a culture of DIY—Do it YOURSELF!  But God never calls us to ‘fix’ ourselves but to yield to HIS love, work and transforming power.  I would like to share from the scriptures some food for thought to perhaps readjust our thinking.  I pray that it will touch hearts, encourage the faithful, convict those who have fallen for the lies of the enemy, by speaking the truth of God in love.  I do love and pray for each of you that will read this post, that God will speak HIS Word to your heart; that you will come to know that you don’t have to DIY; you simply have to “let God BE God”!

“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

God begins His work in us by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus—His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice of Himself for us.  We couldn’t save ourselves and apart from Jesus we surely can’t keep ourselves!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”   John 15:1-5

Just as a branch broken off of the tree will not grow—neither will we unless we abide in Jesus.  He has provided everything that we need to be faithful, successful followers of His!  God has called and equipped us to grow IN HIM!

“Grace and peace be multiplied

unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us

all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious

promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4

As Paul said above—God began it—and He will finish the 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.

30 Moreover

 whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

 them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not

with him

also freely give us

all things?”  Romans 8:28-32

And how do we become HIS?  By coming to Jesus in repentance and faith!  Only One Way—only One Savior:  “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And we come by faith in The One who died for you and me, who also said: “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”!  Amen! (See John 14:6 & 6:37)

“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 2:8-10

Instead of a DIY project, God calls us to die to self, and live unto Him, by Him and for Him!

“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

It’s all about JESUS!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

 to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.”  Romans 11:36

So my conclusion is that we must stop working on our own—doing our DIY project on ourselves–and let Jesus do HIS work in us, yielding to His Spirit, knowing His Word, His truth, and trusting to HIS perfect provision and providence (a word that we have mostly forgotten today)! Here are a few passages to help us focus on our Master Builder rather than ourselves!

“For it is God

which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”   Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

And more from our brother Paul:

“What?

know ye not

that your body is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Finally, how do we know what it looks like to choose HIS way?  Again, Paul gives us an amazing contrast that I’ll leave with you!  You must decide if you will focus on the way of the flesh or The Spirit.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such

there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.”   Galatians 5:19-24

Remember the fruit can only come from abiding in the tree!  May we learn to measure with God’s plumb-line not the world’s; and abide in our LORD Jesus in all our ways!  Be fruitful!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Beauty Of HIS Holiness!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #580

21 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by in Blessed by God, Encouragement

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #580      The Beauty Of HIS Holiness!!!

 

We all have days when we’re down, when we aren’t ‘feeling’ well, when we just feel discouraged or confused.  Well, I tweaked my back yesterday and I was sitting here thinking of how blessed I am—that my/our God is so faithful no matter how I/we “feel”! I was so encouraged this morning when I opened my blinds to sit and write this post this morning, as I saw a cute little hummingbird, and then looked out a minute later and a lovely red cardinal was feeding at the seed feeder.  It was like a special delivery message from the Lord who loves me, that all would be fine.  In fact, as I’m writing now, those little hummingbirds are buzzing my cannas at the window!  How blessed we are, if we’ll but open our hearts and our eyes!  I just want to remind each of us that no matter our circumstances, or our feelings we can take heart knowing that:

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”   Revelation 19:6

God hasn’t slept through your crisis, nor has he been surprised by sudden calamity, for HE is working in our behalf—HE reigns—in your life, in my life, in our world!  Remember, as Bro. David Ring often says, “God never says ‘oops’!”  Amen! So, here are just a few tidbits from The Word to encourage your heart and mine this morning.  I pray that God will use them to lift your eyes to the skies, and your heart to our KING!

“Then he said unto them,

Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared:

for this day is holy unto our Lord:

neither be ye sorry;

for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”   Nehemiah 8:10

The joy HE gives—the joy HE is—the joy HE has for you/me!

“And when he had consulted with the people,

he appointed singers unto the LORD,

as they went out before the army,

and to say,

Praise the LORD;

for his mercy endureth for ever.”  2 Chronicles 20:21. (Read the entire chapter for a real boost to your day!)

Praising God will always send the enemy fleeing! We can stand with Job in the midst of chaos and hold fast to God’s faithfulness.

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain

mine own ways before him.”   Job 13:15

As. my brother-in-law is always saying, no matter what’s happening in our lives we must just, “Do right, do right, do right, and then just DO RIGHT!”  God will always be honored when we do right—for it is as ‘unto the Lord’ knowing that our soon-coming King sees, and knows, saying, “and my reward is with me” (See Rev. 22:12)!

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,

yet in my flesh shall I see God:”  Job 19:25-26

Whose Battles Are You Fighting??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #576

07 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Blessed by God, Comfort, Confidence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fearlessness, Fight or Faith?, JESUS, Sovereignty, The Love of God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #576      Whose Battles Are You Fighting???

 

I have a very brief word to share this morning as the sun pops over the horizon.  I can’t help but thank God that HE IS my strength and my redeemer, and we just need to keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus!  And while heaven is my home, I still have to live this life as long as God gives me breath; maybe you need a word of encouragement along with me this morning—let’s dig in.

“The LORD is my light

and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

the LORD is the strength

of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalm 27:1

No one!  We can walk in confidence and overcome the fears that confront me/you; and while my fears will be different from your fears, we can look up to The One who has us in His hand; and as believers in Jesus, we have been given His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

“Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

is come,

he will guide you

into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you

things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.”    John 16:13-14

And I am so thankful that Paul reminded his son-in-the-ministry of this very thing.  So, friends, may we remember that we are not alone, and as King Solomon wrote “there is no new thing under the sun” (See Ecclesiastes 1:9)!

“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

I find it interesting that the word for “sound mind” here, is a word that means “right thinking”, and ‘right thinking’ means thinking God’s thoughts, and remembering that HE has it all in His hand!

“And all Judah stood before the LORD,

with their little ones,

their wives,

and their children.

14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah,

a Levite of the sons of Asaph,

came the Spirit of the LORD

in the midst of the congregation;

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah,

and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid

nor dismayed by reason

of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”    2 Chronicles 20:13-15

Take some time today and read this whole episode in the life of Jehoshaphat, it will encourage your soul, no matter what trials or battles you may be facing; for remember God has told us as well, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (See Hebrews 13:5-6)!  May you have a blessed day—look up—our God reigns!

Greater Than Your Need??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #563

14 Friday Jun 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Encouragement, Faith

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #563    Greater Than Your Need???

 

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he

that is in you,

than he

that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

I have a few things to share that I pray will encourage your walk with Jesus today.  I know some of you are facing dire circumstances, carrying heavy loads, lifting the weight of the world (or it sure seems that way!), enduring seemingly unending trials—yet we have a hope! One of my favorite phrases in the scripture is, “but God”!  Oh how grateful I am that God has it; no matter the difficulties I may face, or how my ‘feelings’ seem to waver, no matter the fear, or anxiety, or tears that often flood my soul–God is my safe place, my strong tower, and I’m so glad! May these verses encourage you to “look up”!  God’s got this.

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

Jesus calls us to take His “yoke” upon us, simply referring to a harness that joins two animals together to pull the load with the strength of two sharing a load.  Jesus wants to share your load.

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus is a Savior who understands our every trial and promises to walk with us all the way.  I’d like to close with a few passages that I pray will speak to your heart today, whatever your burden is.  For:

              God is bigger than your problem—

              God is stronger than your heavy burden—

              God is greater than any load that you carry—

                     And HE has promised to ever walk with YOU!

“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

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption draweth nigh.”   Luke 21:28

“Wherefore he is able also to save them

to the uttermost

that come unto God

by him, seeing he ever liveth

to make intercession for them.”   Hebrews 7:25

Amen and Amen!

A Struggle To Focus??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #559

29 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Armor of God, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Consider Your ways, Distractions, Encouragement, Filled With His Spirit, Follow Jesus, Growing in Jesus!, Holy Spirit, It's Your Choice, Obedience, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #559     A Struggle To Focus???

 

I just had an issue come up this morning as I was working on this post, and it reminded me of the challenge it is to keep our focus on God and keep our ways right before Him.  So, I’d simply like to share a few things to help us to keep our focus!

“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.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction

of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

In other words, “Looking unto Jesus” will help us to think right and live a consistent holy life, knowing what our salvation cost our Lord! Just as when we drive, we have to keep our eyes on the road, or we find ourselves veering off the road, we must “fix our eyes” (the NASB version) on Jesus in our daily walk to stay on track (and I’m to run “MY” race not yours or anyone else’s).

I try to begin each day by putting on the “armor of God”, so that I will be prepared for the battles of the day (for we are in a continual battle with the enemy of our soul—and he is an expert at ‘distraction’!). Paul talked about this ‘spiritual warfare’ in several of his letters, and we’ll consider a portion of a couple of them to encourage our hearts as we press on with, through and for JESUS!

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong

in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers,

of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.”  Ephesians 6:10-13

Paul clearly tells us that we are in this “wrestling” match with our enemy, so we must be aware of the enemy and keep our heart and mind ‘suited’ up in our armor.  Spend some time today rehearsing that armor in verses 14-18—it’s a worthwhile practice to pray it on every day!  We need it!  And there’s another important passage in regard to this ‘spiritual warfare’ we are in, we must actively, diligently and faithfully bring our thoughts captive to “the obedience of Christ”.  And believe me, I have just as much trouble with my thoughts, as you do with yours—because the battle is in the realm of our minds, thoughts and focus!  Our walk in the flesh is determined by our success in the spirit!

“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

Living a victorious Christian life requires more than spending a couple of hours in ‘church’ one day a week!  It requires a daily, moment by moment walk with Jesus; learning to recognize the “wiles of the devil”, knowing that we can be victorious when we keep our eyes on Jesus; but that takes diligent effort and awareness of God’s presence in every step we take, and keeping right thoughts at every turn.  One key verse that I rehearse regularly, to remind myself to think right is from Philippians 4. (And a right thought life, will manifest itself in our choices—just as a wrong thought life will show up eventually in our actions!)  May these help you today!

“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.”  Philippians 4:6-8

As Martin Luther was reported to have said:

“You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair”!

Amen and Amen!!!