Category Archives: Encouragement

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!!!

My Strength Isn’t My Own! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 19

30 Monday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Confidence, Contentment, Encouragement

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 19.  My Strength Isn’t My Own!

 

“The LORD is my strength

and my shield;

my heart trusted in him,

and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise him.”   Psalm 28:7

We have gone through some extreme changes in the last six weeks, and I have to admit, my body is totally weary and tired, but by God’s grace, strength, and power I have been able to do the things that needed doing.  We are in a new season, time, and place in our lives and yet our God is where HE has always been—in total, sovereign control, and I can’t tell you how much comfort, assurance, and confidence this gives to my heart.  It is my sustenance and I praise God for it.  I want to simply share a few passages of scripture to lift our hearts heavenward this morning.  The first may seem a little out of place but I hope you will consider the import of what it says—in fact I believe it is the foundational premise of the segment it begins.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.”  Ephesians 6:10

This beginning of the “armor of God” passage is often skipped as we jump into the “important” list of the armor, but have you considered the import of this introductory statement that Paul makes?  As Jesus said in John 15, without HIM and HIS power, we “can do nothing”!  Whose strength are you relying on?

“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

And in closing this brief post with you today, I pray that you will look up and not depend on your own “grit” and “power”, but on The Lord God Almighty whom I know reigns.  Is HE reigning in you?

“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. Amen!!!

Living By Grace In Faith!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #741

09 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #741  Living By Grace In Faith!!!

“And lest I should be exalted above measure

through the abundance

of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

 the messenger of Satan to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 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.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Oh, how often I praise God for this amazing testimony of Paul’s.  Here we have one of the most powerful men of God, one who was called to be Christ’s Apostle, and yet HE had this trial, this burden, this affliction allowed to come into HIS life that HE could remind us that GOD is sufficient to any situation that HE sends, permits, or allows to come into our lives as well.  What reassurance this brings to my heart, for much like all of you we have trials at our house also; and I am reminded of what Paul told us in his passage on spiritual warfare;  an amazing reminder that I count on daily, especially in our present station of life.  You may have noticed that I haven’t posted recently, for we took some time to get away and be refreshed by some dear friends; yet even that turned into quite the encounter as we drove home, but I praise God that HE is always with us.  My mind goes to Ephesians 6, even as I sit here writing to myself as well as for you.

“Finally, (God always has the last word)–

my brethren, (for all saints IN JESUS)–

be strong in the Lord, (IN HIM NOT me)–

and in the power (IN HIS power not mine)–

of his might.”(BY HIS total provision)–  Ephesians 6:10

When my body is in pain, or weary to the bone; when I just feel like I can’t go one step farther; when I feel like I’m drowning in the demands I face, or that if one more request comes, I will crumble; when all these things, feelings and thoughts come pouring in, I must look up—and so can you!  And we will find our precious LORD sufficient to restore, refresh and renew our hearts, minds, and souls—even though the body may still hurt—God is ever working for our good and HIS glory.

I’d simply like to share a few passages to encourage your heart and mine today in the sufficiency of our Lord in ALL things—ALL the time!

“There is no fear in love;

but perfect love

casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment.

He that feareth

is not made perfect

in love.

19 We love him,

because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:18-19

John also encourages us again in The Revelation:

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace be unto you,

and peace,

from him which is,

and which was,

and which is to come;

and from the seven Spirits

which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings

of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,”  Revelation 1:4-5

And remember our hope and secure assurance is totally in our Lord Jesus Christ. We win!

“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

In closing may these words resound in our hearts, that we may “stand fast in the evil day”!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

 because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

 9 Whom resist

stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

I pray The Lord Jesus lift, comfort and encourage your heart today, as we remember that our GOD IS sufficient in all!

“Not that we are sufficient

of ourselves

to think any thing

as of ourselves;

but our sufficiency

is of God;”  2 Corinthians 3:5

Amen and Amen!!!