Category Archives: Encouragement

Did You Say Thank YOU??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #504

31 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #504 Did You Say Thank YOU???

 

I have had some situations of late that have allowed me to praise and thank GOD for His abundant care and mercy!!! I try to maintain an “attitude of gratitude” but sometimes we just get distracted and forget to say “Thank YOU Lord!” Whether it’s answered prayer, a special blessing you weren’t expecting, a close call for harm, or any other circumstance—we can always thank our precious Lord Jesus and our Heavenly Father God, for “Thank YOU” is always a reminder to humble ourselves with gratitude (and there’s not much as intolerable as an attitude of “ingratitude”)!

One of my favorite passages is found in Lamentations, first because I love the writings of Jeremiah; not because they’re always easy to read, but because he was a man with a single, God-given, “unpopular”, and often rejected message—but he faithfully delivered it with a broken heart for the judgment that was surely coming on his people and his beloved city of Jerusalem. Yet after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, he gave us one of the greatest writings on grief and sorrow in all of scripture, with one of the greatest reminders in scripture, of the source of our hope! All written from the broken heart of an obedient servant (Always a reminder that when we are called to preach/teach the hard things of God, we are to be humble and broken rather than puffy, self-righteous or arrogant.)

I would simply like to share Jeremiah’s wondrous words with you this morning. Perhaps you need a reminder to ‘say thank you’, or maybe you’ve been questioning why you should be thankful, or perhaps you’re just weeping from a broken heart or loss. I pray that this portion of God’s Word will encourage you, and bless you today!

“Remembering mine affliction

and my misery,

the wormwood and the gall.

20 My soul hath them still in remembrance,

and is humbled in me.

21 This I recall to my mind,

therefore have I hope.

22 It is of the LORD’S mercies

that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning:

great is thy faithfulness.

24 The LORD is my portion,

saith my soul;

therefore will I hope in him.

25 The LORD is good unto them

that wait for him,

to the soul

that seeketh him.

26 It is good

that a man should both hope

and quietly wait

for the salvation of the LORD.”    Lamentations 3:19-26

As the great old hymn says, “Great IS THY Faithfulness” (written by Thomas Chisholm)! Thank YOU Lord for Your faithfulness, for because YOU are faithful we can say:

“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.” Heb. 13:5-6

Amen and Amen!!!

“By My Spirit, Saith The Lord”??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #502

24 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Confidence, Encouragement, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Walking With Jesus, What's The Word?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #502   “By My Spirit, Saith The Lord”???

 

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying,

This is the word of the LORD

unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”    Zechariah 4:6

This message from God to Zerubbabel is one of the verses that I ponder and call to mind frequently, for so often in our journey of life we become weary, tired, frustrated, or disappointed, and this powerful word of encouragement is a “strong tower” to the weary soul! It is a sure “word” that we can “take to the bank” of spiritual resources and encouragement, for it is by God’s power that we press on, not our own! Even as Paul told us in Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things

through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Peter also reminds us that God’s Word is THE sure rock in this world of sinking sand! And while men of flesh and blood recorded down, it was truly God’s breath that moved their pen!

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy;

whereunto ye do well

that ye take heed,

as unto a light that shineth

in a dark place,

until the day dawn,

and the day star arise

in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first,

that no prophecy of the scripture

is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not

in old time

by the will of man:

but holy men of God

spake

as they were moved

by the Holy Ghost.”    2 Peter 1:19-21

So regardless of what you face on your journey today, just look up, walk forward and press on for and with Jesus, trusting to HIS wisdom, direction and provision in every way—every day, and diving into HIS Word!

And one final reminder that is truly a life verse for us all, as well as a timely reminder that we can depend on God’s Word and His wisdom no matter what we are facing; and that we don’t have to depend on our own limited understanding.

“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

Amen and Amen!

My “Peace” Of The Rock!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #492

19 Wednesday Sep 2018

Posted by in Encouragement, Peace Of The Rock

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #492  My “Peace” Of The Rock!!!

 

I want to share a word of encouragement with you today, that prayerfully will help each of us to remember where our “peace” and victory lies!

“In thee, O LORD,

do I put my trust;

let me never be ashamed:

deliver me in thy righteousness.

2 Bow down thine ear

to me;

deliver me speedily:

be thou my strong rock,

for an house of defence

to save me.

3 For thou art my rock

and my fortress;

therefore for thy name’s sake

lead me,

and guide me.”   Psalm 31:1-3

Jesus will be our “Rock Of Ages” today and always, when we trust in HIM! We can have total confidence, no matter the circumstance or situation for He is the sure foundation!

“Blessed is he

whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man

unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity,

and in whose spirit there is no guile.”    Psalm 32:1-2

Here are some passages to encourage you today. Look up, walk forward, and press on toward the goal/prize–Jesus!!!

“From the end of the earth

will I cry unto thee,

when my heart is overwhelmed:

lead me to the rock

that is higher than I.

3 For thou hast been a shelter

for me,

and a strong tower

from the enemy.” Psalm 61:2-3

“He only is my rock

and my salvation:

he is my defence;

I shall not be moved.

7 In God is my salvation

and my glory:

the rock of my strength,

and my refuge,

is in God.

8 Trust in him

at all times;

ye people,

pour out your heart

before him:

God is a refuge

for us. Selah.” Psalm 62:6-8

And just for good measure—because some days are tough—remember HE has you ‘under His wings’!

“I will say of the LORD,

He is my refuge

and my fortress:

my God;

in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee

from the snare of the fowler,

and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee

with his feathers,

and under his wings

shalt thou trust:

his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”     Psalm 91:2-4

I pray that you will find the peace and security of “The Rock” of all creation–Jesus. He is the sure foundation and will carry you if you will but call on HIM today!!

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct

thy paths.”   Proverbs 3:5-6

God’s got this—trust HIM! Jesus is reaching out to YOU!

“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

Amen and Amen.

Jesus is ready—are you?