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Godliness Will Be Opposed??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #730

20 Thursday May 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Conviction, Courage, Fear, Fight or Faith?, God Knows, Godliness will be opposed, He IS Alive!, Help Thou My Unbelief, Holy Living, I Can Do All Things?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I Will Never Leave You, IN Jesus!, Opposition

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1 Kings 18:36-39, 1 Kings 19:1-8, 1 Kings 19:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Elijah, Galatians 6:9-10, Opposition to Godliness, Proverbs 3:5-8, Psalm 119:133, Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 46:10-11, Put My Trust In Thee, Rest In The Lord!, Rest is OK, Still I will trust HIM, Trust, Trusting to HIS care, Weary not in well doing

Bible Ballistics: BBs #730 Godliness Will Be Opposed???

 

Elijah was one of the most powerful and amazing prophets of God, yet we find that even in great victory there is opposition– to God’s people and God’s ways; so, we shouldn’t be alarmed or discouraged when we face opposition for speaking God’s truth or doing God’s will in our lives and ministries.  Yet God knows our hearts and even Elijah was plagued by discouragement (what some call depression) and ran from the death-threats of Jezebel.  What kind of Jezebel are you facing today?  A spiritual one?  A physical or health-scare one?  A Jezebel of grief or sorrow?  Or one of fear over financial issues, the future, or family issues?  God was still God when Elijah encountered the abominable evil of Ahab and Jezebel—and my friends, God is still God in the midst of your greatest fears, uncertainties, and confusion of how to deal with your weariness and burdens over the things surrounding you!

“And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice,

that Elijah the prophet came near, and said,

LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel,

let it be known this day

that thou art God in Israel,

and that I am thy servant,

 and that I have done all these things

at thy word.

37 Hear me, O LORD,

hear me,

that this people may know

that thou art the LORD God,

 and that thou hast turned their

heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell,

and consumed the burnt sacrifice,

and the wood, and the stones,

and the dust,

and licked up the water

that was in the trench.

 39 And when all the people saw it,

they fell on their faces:

and they said,

The LORD, he is the God;

the LORD, he is the God.”  1 Kings 18:36-39.

(Take some time and read chapters 18 & 19 for even more insight into Elijah and his God!)

Here we have a mighty man of God in what many consider to be his greatest victory over the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel.  God proved Himself mighty to save and bring the people to proclaim their allegiance to God (though it often proved to be a short-lived devotion) and much like people today, words come easy, but faithfulness comes with much drudgery and, as Oswald Chambers calls it, the mundane.  It’s why I believe that Paul gave us great advice for such situations—advice that I often have to remind myself of by quoting these verses to myself; for I need reminding as much as the Galatian and the Thessalonian believers did.

“And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”           Galatians 6:9-10

“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”                             2 Thessalonians 3:13

Don’t stop serving God, even when you need to take a rest—even Jesus called His disciples to come aside and rest (See Mark 6:31)!  And just FYI, I haven’t written since last week for that very reason, we took some time away to rest and recoup from a very trying season of our lives.  I hope you know that I pray for you, that God will use my words always to glorify HIMSELF and be an encouraging word to you!  If I can depend upon HIM for what HE has called me to be and do—SO. CAN. YOU!  But back to Elijah—great victory is no assurance of ease!  Quite the contrary, when we find great victory in Jesus, there is usually a trial lurking just around the corner, but when we are informed (by God’s Word) and prepared (by The Holy Spirit), we learn to rely upon God’s faithful provision; especially in the midst of trail, or when we need rest from the weariness of our body and soul.  God knows, God cares, and GOD will always provide, when I’m ready to be still and listen and obey!  Elijah faced just such a trial!

“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets

with the sword.

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying,

 So let the gods do to me, and more also,

if I make not thy life

as the life of one of them

by to morrow about this time.

3 And when he saw that,

he arose,

and went for his life,

and came to Beersheba,

which belongeth to Judah,

and left his servant there…

…But he himself went a day’s journey

into the wilderness,

and came and sat down under a juniper tree:

and he requested for himself that he might die; and said,

It is enough; now, O LORD,

take away my life;

for I am not better than my fathers.

 5 And as he lay and slept

under a juniper tree,

behold, then an angel touched him,

and said unto him,

Arise and eat.

6 And he looked, and, behold,

there was a cake baken on the coals,

and a cruse of water at his head.

And he did eat and drink,

and laid him down again.

 7 And the angel of the LORD came again

the second time,

and touched him, and said,

Arise and eat;

because the journey is too great

for thee.

 8 And he arose,

and did eat and drink,

and went in the strength of that meat

forty days and forty nights

unto Horeb

the mount of God.” 1 Kings 19:1-8

And as we go on, we find that Elijah learned that God doesn’t always speak in the “loud” miracles, but quietly.  I want you to also note that God didn’t reprimand Elijah for being weary, instead GOD provided sleep, his meat and drink for a long journey ahead—my friend, know that GOD knows where you are and HE will supply, if you will but hear and heed HIS voice.  God took Elijah to a special place for a special word of encouragement!  How about you?

“And he said,

Go forth, and stand upon the mount

before the LORD.

And, behold,

the LORD passed by,

and a great and strong wind

rent the mountains,

and brake in pieces the rocks

before the LORD;

but the LORD was not in the wind:

and after the wind an earthquake;

but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire;

but the LORD was not in the fire:

and after the fire a still small voice.”  1 Kings 19:11-12

That still small voice that is ever present with me/you in good days and in difficult ones (for all my days are blessed, even the ‘so-called’ bad days!) is a constant strength, and life-giving hope to press on with my LORD!  The Psalmist also knew this voice, and that sometimes we just need to (as we used to teach the schoolchildren) “stop”, “look”, and “listen”!

“Be still,

and know

that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts

is with us;

the God of Jacob

is our refuge. Selah.”   Psalm 46:10-11

MY God is faithful to the load—the task—the trial—the fear—the difficulties of life that are unspeakable to others—HE IS MY GOD!  How about you?  Have you found HIM faithful?  Have you learned to trust HIM with your burden?  I’m learning every day that HE is ever faithful, not just when I am weary, but especially when I am weary, tired, sorrowful, or just overloaded in my own mind!  How about you?  Will you learn to lean on HIM?

“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

And a couple of encouraging words to close this post for today—and I must tell you, this is not the article I sat down to write, but I believe it is the article God desired from me.  I pray that it will be used by HIM to help YOU today!

“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

“Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity have dominion

 over me.”  Psalm 119:133

Amen and Amen!

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Help Or Relief??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #539

14 Thursday Mar 2019

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Help Thou My Unbelief, Humility

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2 Timothy 1:7, Able to Save!, Faithful God, Hebrews 7:25, Help or Relief?, James 4:6-10, John 17:11-23, Matthew 15:8, Philippians 4:7-8, Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 56:3

Bible Ballistics: BBs #539   Help Or Relief???

 

Several years ago, I heard a pastor share about people who came to him for counsel; what he said was so true.  He said that “while some people truly come for help, most people only come for relief”, and it’s as true today as it was the first time I heard it.  Many people today simply want ‘relief’ from their present circumstances—they don’t want to change themselves, or find out what God has for them, or what scripture says about the life of a believer and follower of Jesus, or how we are to live and interact with those around us.  Yet God is ever ready to help those who will come to Him desiring Him and His truth, and not just seeking His blessings.

“This people draweth nigh unto me

with their mouth,

and honoureth me with their lips;

but their heart is far from me.”   Matthew 15:8

God wants us to know Him, and He will draw near to us when we draw near to Him.  It’s why Jesus came—that we might know Him and be one with God through The Son—Jesus Christ our Lord!  As Jesus prayed just before He faced the cross for you and me:

“And now I am no more in the world,

but these are in the world,

and I come to thee. Holy Father,

keep through thine own name

those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one,

as we are……

20 Neither pray I for these alone,

 but for them also which shall believe

on me

through their word;

21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father, art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one

in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me

I have given them;

that they may be one,

even as we are one:

23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect

in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.”    John 17:11 & 20-23

Oh, to be walking in oneness with my Lord!  It is the prayer of my heart for myself and for you. It’s not an easy walk—but it is a joyous one.  And as we submit to our Father and His Son Jesus, He will lead and direct our every step.

“But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purifyyour hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter

be turned to mourning,

and your joy

to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”   James 4:6-10

As long as we are content in our sin, and have justified it in our own minds, we will never seek God’s face!  This is why James was/is calling us to be “afflicted”—over our sin; that rather than gloat in our “liberty” we are to weep over our hard hearts and “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord”!  And while that is easy to say, it is not an easy thing to accomplish, for we are growing used to the dark, rather than basking in HIS light!  The Apostle John has much to say about this in his first letter (spend some time in 1 John to see what he says about “the light”)!  Even as the author of Hebrews reminds us—we have One who is ever interceding for us!  Thank YOU, Jesus!  We can truly find “help” in Him, not just relief for a moment!

“God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help

in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear,

though the earth

be removed,

 and though the mountains

be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof

roar and be troubled,

though the mountains shake

with the swelling thereof. Selah.”    Psalm 46:1-3

We truly can find help in our Lord Jesus–always!

“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

And because HE is “able also to save”, we don’t have to fear our circumstances, and continually be seeking ‘relief’, but we can “stand fast in the evil day”!

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”    Psalm 56:3

“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

May you find help today in HIS “power….and love…and… …sound mind”!  And sound mind simply means right thinking!  As Paul said to the Philippians:

“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 4:7-8

Amen and Amen—“think on these things”!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pop Quizzes Happen!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #435

09 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by Blanche in Help Thou My Unbelief, Pop Quizzes Happen, TODAY, Trials

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #435    Pop Quizzes Happen!!!

 

We all remember those times (long ago for some of us!!) when we would go to school and the teacher would announce: “We’re having a ‘pop’ quiz!” And most of us would be like a deer in headlights! Why? Because we weren’t prepared! We knew that we had been given an assignment, yet we thought we had “time” to prepare, and the “time” had run out, and we had to put or shut up—well, in reality we had to put up or get a failing grade.

Well, there is something way more important than a school quiz, and that is the life that we are living. We all make choices daily, and often seemingly insignificant choices can lead us to ends that aren’t what we expected. As we often hear, “Life happens” regardless of our preparedness! But we can prepare by looking to and trusting in Jesus Christ The Lord! He IS the only right answer to every life test or trial!

“My brethren,

count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience

have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect

and entire, wanting nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth

to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.”   James 1:2-5

James reminded us that those “pop quizzes” come to grow our faith, and if we will but trust God with what is going on, we will develop confidence in Him and spiritual maturity in the process. We can make it through because God has us in His hands, and He will supply our every need, when we call on Him for wisdom, grace and power to respond rightly and in ways that bring HIM glory, and see the pitfalls before us!

I recently had a couple of experiences that have reminded me that God is faithful to meet us at the “exam” station to help us pass those ‘pop quizzes’! Our goal is to keep our focus on Jesus, and listen as He guides our steps by His precious Holy Spirit! Oh What A Savior!!!

“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.“    Hebrews 12:1-2

“Looking unto Jesus” is the joy of my life, for when those tests come, and they’ll come, HE always meets my needs, even when I’m totally unprepared for the specific test that comes—even when they’re totally unexpected! And He will be there for you, as we prepare ourselves by seeking His face continually, and digging into HIS Word! Here are some scriptures to ponder as we prepare for the “pop quizzes” of life—for they are coming. As someone has said about every believer, “they are coming out of a test, going into a test, or getting ready for one”! And that’s a pretty accurate observation—because those “quizzes” will come!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be

any wicked way in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”   Psalm 139:23-24

“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

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

And there are those times when we just have to cry out to Jesus as the father who asked Jesus to heal his son:

“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears,

Lord, I believe;

help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24 Amen!

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