Category Archives: Faith

Sunshine Or Rain??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #468

13 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Dependence, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, God of all comfort!, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Made like Jesus!, Our God Reigns, Sovereignty, The Word, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #468 Sunshine Or Rain???

 

Several years ago we had a structural problem with our home, unknown to us, in some remodeling by a long-previous owner, a weight-bearing wall had been removed! Well, being raised in the deep south where most homes were built on piers when I was a child, and everyone knew about weight-bearing walls—and you don’t mess with them. Well, it had taken quite a few years before the problems manifested themselves, and we were forced to take care of the problems that it created.

When we finally found someone to do the work, he did a great job, but on the last day as he finished the repairs he came in and as we were talking, he remarked that he didn’t know how we hadn’t had the ceiling in our laps. I replied to him that I knew how—he looked startled– and I simply replied, “Jesus was taking care of us! That’s why the ceiling wasn’t in our lap!” I have learned to have total confidence in the “providential” care of God in our everyday lives. And that’s what I want to talk to you about today—God’s care—the continual, providential care of God Almighty in all!

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

2 My help

cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee

will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel

shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is thy keeper:

the LORD is thy shade

upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee

by day,

nor the moon

by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve thee

from all evil:

he shall preserve

thy soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve

thy going out

and thy coming in

from this time forth,

and even for evermore.” Psalm 121

May we rehearse this precious Psalm today, rejoicing in who our God is–God Most High, ruler of all:

Creator—

Keeper—

Protector—

Caregiver in the day and night—

The One who preserves—

From evil—

Our soul—

Our going out—

Our coming in—

ALWAYS!!!

So day or night, danger or ease, difficulty or confusion—our God reigns and cares for YOU and me!

“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

Walking In His Way!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #465

01 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Confidence, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #465   Walking In His Way!!!

 

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth

in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”   Psalm 37:23-24

Oh, to have my steps “ordered by the LORD”, is the prayer of my heart. How often do we find ourselves distracted and walking in ways that we didn’t intend? Well, if you’re like me, way more often than we’d like. I truly pray and desire to be found faithful before my Lord and hear HIM say:

“Well done,

thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things,

I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21b

 It is always good to be recognized for a job well done, but to hear that commendation  from my Lord would be the delight of my life. I’ve had life-confirming events in my life, and I thank God for them, but when I think of facing my Lord Jesus Christ, I truly want o see a smile on His face and know that HE is pleased with me. But who is good enough for that? Only those who know Jesus in salvation and have received His grace, truth and power of the New Birth—to have received HIS righteousness for my sin, by faith and grace!

“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

Jesus paid for my sin on Calvary, so that I could receive HIS righteousness to my account! Jesus paid for my sin, so that I wouldn’t have to pay for it myself—by eternal death! And when we receive Jesus, by repentance and faith, we become new creatures (See 2 Corinthians 5:17+) IN Jesus, and His Spirit will lead and direct our steps when we but hear and respond to Him in obedience and faith.

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”   Isaiah 30:21

Jesus also told His disciples (and us) that He was sending His Spirit to dwell within us and guide our steps in God’s way, and the indwelling Holy Spirit can make a sinner a “a good man” whose steps can be “ordered by the LORD”—and that my friend is the desire of my heart! How about you? And just how important is the Holy Spirit? It is His presence that verifies that we belong to Jesus, for HE is the Spirit of Jesus.

“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.”   Romans 8:9

Jesus reminds us: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (Jn. 10:27). Who is ordering your steps? Which voices are you heeding? Be sure!!!

What Time Is It??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.15

20 Sunday May 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Dependence, Faith, For Such A Time As This, Holy Spirit, I Can Do All Things?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Our God Reigns, Sovereignty, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Will Be Done, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Tomorrow, Trust God, Wait on the Lord

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 15    What Time Is It???

 

We’ve been talking a lot about rushing and resting lately, and I’d like to continue in this vein of thought—from a biblical perspective. For without a biblical perspective we don’t have God’s perspective, and that’s how I pray that I/we can learn to view the world. As an old adage says, “Looking through ‘rose-colored’ glasses”, I’d like us to consider whether we are looking at the world with God’s view or the worlds’! Whose ‘glasses’ are we using?

“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

We must make it a priority to keep our eyes “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”. And when we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will enable us to see things through His eyes—to respond appropriately to any and every situation that we encounter. We can walk in the light that Jesus IS and that HE will provide to His own.

“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 that light and HE will light our way, helping us see things as HE sees them, not as the world does—and there IS a difference.

“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

Jesus makes it more than clear, that when we walk in the Spirit—His Holy Spirit—we can accomplish HIS work rather than our own; just as Jesus was doing God’s will/work!

“But he said unto them,

I have meat to eat

that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

34 Jesus saith unto them,

My meat is to do the will

of him that sent me,

and to finish his work.” John 4:32-34

We can choose our own way or God’s! What about you?

“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.”    Galatians 5:16 & 25

The problem we fight continually is the battle between our flesh and The Holy Spirit of Christ, which dwells within us! And it is a fight that we can win by the power of God alone. This has always been true and it’s still true now, and when we will walk ‘in The Spirit’, we are not only able to succeed in God’s work, but we can trust to HIS timing, and rest in His perfect grace and provision.

“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

Oh, what a wonderful promise fulfilled by the indwelling Holy Spirit given to us by the work of Christ Jesus at the cross.

“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.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience;

and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.”    Romans 5:1-5

We can “glory in tribulations” because we know who we are ‘in Jesus’, and that His Holy Spirit is ever helping us know God’s will and God’s ways, and to walk in HIS peace! The “peace of God, that passeth all understanding”! We can truly learn to trust to, and rest in “His Time” in all things! And while it’s not easy, it is doable! Amen and amen! All by the power of God’s Holy Spirit!

Solomon shared this truth with us in such a beautiful way:

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:”     Ecclesiastes 3:11a

God’s timetable may not always match our expectations, but that’s what trust is all about—knowing that HE is GOD, and I am NOT! Ouch! Sometimes what looks good to us now, may not be the best for us and/or those around us.

“For man also knoweth not his time:

as the fishes that are taken in an evil net,

and as the birds that are caught in the snare;

so are the sons of men snared

in an evil time,

when it falleth suddenly upon them.

13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun,

and it seemed great unto me:”    Ecclesiastes 9:12-13

We aren’t always able to discern between appearance and what really is! But praise God Almighty, HE can and does see all things, and HE is at work on our behalf with one goal in mind, to conform us into the image of our Lord Jesus. So, I simply want to close with one of my favorite passages from Romans, and tell you that for years I never knew that there was a verse ‘29’! God isn’t erratic or unfeeling—all those things that come into our lives, and their timing are in the hands of our loving God with one purpose in mind! All that He sends, allows, and permits to come into our lives is to make us more like Jesus—no ‘ifs’, no ‘ands’, and no ‘buts’! Remember HE makes all things “beautiful in his time”—not mine! I hope this will minister to you this week as it has to me in recent days. Faithful is HE that has promised—and if you have been born again, HE is at your side!!!

“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?”   Romans 8:28-31

IN HIS TIME!!!!

In HIS Care??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #461

18 Friday May 2018

Posted by in Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, God of all comfort!, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #461   In HIS Care???

 

“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

As we face this beautiful Friday, where are you focused? Are you overwhelmed by the circumstances that surround you? Are you grieving over a loss? Are you tired and weary of the battles that have been raging about you? Well, my friend, I have good news for you—YOU are not alone, and God cares about every moment of your day! We all have times when we just need to be reminded to keep on:

“Casting all your care

upon him

for he careth for you.”

The enemy of our souls is always trying to tell us that we are alone and hopeless, but God has already declared that “he careth for you”! One of the things that I have always found helpful is rehearsing the blessings of God. While we can’t control the future—but our God can and does—we can go over the blessings and goodness of God in our own lives. I keep a journal, and sometimes I pull out one of the old ones and go over the things that God has done, simply to remind myself of HIS faithful provision and care for me! And God never changes, even as the Proverb reminds us, “Remove not the old landmark”, in part a reference to remembering the past to learn from it and be blessed by what God has done with it, because HE is also working in your “today” and mine!

“And I said,

My strength and my hope

is perished

from the LORD:

19 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.”    Lamentations 3:18-23

“They are new every morning”—and that is true for you and me—today! So whatever you’re facing this morning, remember to keep “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” for “he careth for you”!

Amen and Amen!!!

‘This Is My Story’! What’s Yours? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 14

13 Sunday May 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Faith, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 14 ‘This Is My Story’! What’s Yours?

 

We are celebrating “Mother’s Day” here in the US, but I’d like to look at a different subject today—our confidence in Jesus. And whether you’re a mother or father, a sister or a brother, or just a loner, there is a Savior who cares for you, and what you do about it is crucial and will determine your future and destiny!

Some of you will recognize part of the title as being from an old Fanny Crosby Hymn—and that is where I want us to focus today; ‘Blessed Assurance, Jesus IS Mine’! And that friends, is “my” story! What is your story? Have you come to Jesus, and found Him faithful? We all have a story, because we all get to make choices—but we often forget that each choice has a consequence; and when we choose Jesus, in response to His Holy Spirit’s call to our heart, we become a child of God, and HE becomes our story! Other choices will bring their own consequences, yet while we are free to make our own choices, we are NOT free to set the consequences!!!

“That was the true Light,

which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 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 1:9-13

God births us as HIS own children by the work of The Holy Spirit, restoring us to relationship with Him!!! All by the blood of Jesus, which ‘cleanseth us from all sin’, for without Jesus there is only hopeless desperation, and that is my story! The story of love, forgiveness and redemption from sin and desperation!!!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers

of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom

of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”    Colossians 1:12-14

Jesus has “delivered us from the power of darkness”, because that is where we all are without Him!

“And you hath he quickened,

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;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 2:1-6

Oh, what a wondrous phrase, “But God”—and I’m so glad that God rewrote my story by His grace and the blood of Jesus. For without the blood of Jesus, we have no hope, but through His blood we have eternal life “in Christ Jesus”, and just as importantly, we also have Christ Jesus in us!

“Whereof I am made a minister,

according to the dispensation of God

which is given to me

for you,

to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery

which hath been hid

from ages

and from generations,

but now is made manifest

to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known

what is the riches

of the glory

of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:”    Colossians 1:25-27

“Christ in you, the hope of glory” is the New Covenant, which Jesus affected at Calvary:

“Behold, the days come,

saith the LORD,

that I will make a new covenant

with the house of Israel,

and with the house of Judah:

32 Not according to the covenant

that I made with their fathers

in the day that I took them

by the hand

to bring them out of the land

of Egypt;

which my covenant they brake,

although I was an husband unto them,

saith the LORD:

33 But this shall be the covenant

that I will make with the house of Israel;

After those days,

saith the LORD,

I will put my law in their inward parts,

and write it in their hearts;

and will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

34 And they shall teach no more

every man his neighbour,

and every man his brother, saying,

Know the LORD:

for they shall all know me,

from the least of them

unto the greatest of them,

saith the LORD:

for I will forgive their iniquity,

and I will remember their sin no more.”   Jeremiah 31:31-34

And that my friends, is what Jesus did for me, and He will do the same for you also. He forgives our sin and remembers them no more, all because of the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that HE made for “my” sin and “yours” when Jesus went to Calvary for all who will receive HIM!

“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said,

Take this,

and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you,

I will not drink of the fruit of the vine,

until the kingdom of God shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying,

This is my body

which is given for you:

this do

in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying,

This cup is the new testament

in my blood,

which is shed for you.”   Luke 22:17-20

Jesus Himself revealed His work at the cross, as “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you”

the price due from all for sin—

the debt every person owes—

the penalty due for missing the mark—

the only way to God!!!

Yet Jesus made the way for us willingly, at the cost of His sinless, perfect life—that friend, is ‘my’ story! How about you?

“Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

The Apostle John wrote even more about this “way”!

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light,

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship

one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have

no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth

is not in us.”   1 John 1:5-8

So my question for us today is simple, what is your “assurance” based on? Do you know the love and forgiveness of Jesus, or are you depending on yourself, or something else to bring fulfillment to your life. It’s only Jesus that gives life—abundant life—and He gives it by the sacrifice of His life for you and me at Calvary!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in

and out,

and find pasture.

10 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 10:9-11

Do you know the “good shepherd”? He is waiting for you today, if you will but hear His voice and respond to Him in repentance and faith! He is calling—will you respond?

“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 

And I can’t close without sharing the great message that Fanny Crosby penned so long ago. And it’s as true today as it was then!

Blessed Assurance     By Fanny J. Crosby

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Amen and Amen! May your assurance rest in JESUS!