Category Archives: Life

Today IS What We Have!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 09

15 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Life, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Living TODAY!, Running The Race!, Salt & Light

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 09  Today IS What We Have!!!

 

“Take heed, brethren,

lest there be in any of you

an evil heart

of unbelief,

in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily,

while it is called To day;

lest any of you be hardened

through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ,

if we hold the beginning of our confidence

stedfast unto the end;

15 While it is said,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation…

…19 So we see that they could not enter in

because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:12-15, 19

I have heard it told of Martin Luther, that when asked what he would do “if he knew the Lord would come tomorrow?”; he replied, “I’d plant another tree!”  What did he mean?  I think that he meant that he would live faithfully today and tomorrow, and the next day in anticipation of his Lord’s return.  And that is how each of us ought to live; for today is all we have!  As I ponder the realities of life and death, I am brought to treasure the fact that we only have this day, this moment, this present hour, and we have to live it now.  We can’t put things off until tomorrow…or live in the yesterdays that failed, disappointed, or shattered our hearts, minds and lives.  Jesus has given us today—and we only have today to receive HIM!  We only have today to love HIM!  We only have today to serve HIM!  We also only have today to touch, treasure, enjoy and make a difference in the lives around us.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that we have the choice to receive and believe Jesus, as we respond in faith and obedience to His voice speaking to our hearts; or we can let the enemy of our souls deceive, distract and destroy our life!  Jesus reminds us that HE came that we might have life—and do God’s work–today!

“I must work the works of him

that sent me,

while it is day:

the night cometh,

when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world,

I am the light of the world.”  John 9:4-5

“Jesus saith unto them,

My meat is to do the will of him

that sent me,

and to finish his work.

35 Say not ye,

There are yet four months,

and then cometh harvest?

behold,

I say unto you,

Lift up your eyes,

and look on the fields;

for they are white already

to harvest.”  John 4:34-35

And what work has Jesus called you to?  He has called you and I to run “the race” that He has set before us!  God isn’t asking you to run my race!  Nor is He calling me to run yours!  HE sets our own race before each of us—our job is to run it today, and each today that sets before us!  We are called to be salt and light as we run our race today!  Whose life have you and I failed to season or brighten, simply because we missed our opportunity; often by looking back on yesterday or waiting for tomorrow (or dreading it and what it “might hold” for us or those that we love)?

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot

of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16

Are we willing to follow Jesus today, so that HE might accomplish His work in us, through us, and bless others?  Will we run in our lane by His grace, power and love?  It’s your call, what will you choose?  Don’t faint; but “stand fast” in this evil day!

“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

Will you join me and proclaim, like Job, that we will live for HIM today because we know “HE” lives and will return soon, and we will be with HIM, when we have been born of God.  So, let us “faint” not and press on!

“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:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed within me.”    Job 19:25

May we truly live today for our God—today–and each “today” that He sets before us.

HAmen and Amen!!!

Arise–Shine–THE Light IS Come!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #613

01 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abiding In Jesus, Faithfulness, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Saves!, King Jesus, Life, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #613  Arise—Shine—THE Light IS Come!!!

 

There is a verse that I learned long ago as a child, and it is ever true today.  I can walk in “The Light” because my Jesus IS “The Light” of the world; and when we know Him, we are called to shine.

“Arise,

shine;

for thy light is come,

and the glory of the LORD

is risen upon thee.”  Isaiah 60:1

That light has not only come into the world, but He has come into my heart and life.  While events of recent days, have caused us pain and sorrow, we press on; this has caused some to ask us ‘how’ do you go on?  It has caused others to compliment our ‘strength’, and I simply remind them that just as the children’s song says, “I am weak, but HE IS strong” (From Jesus Loves Me by Anna Bartlett Warner).  And as The Lord reminded Paul:

“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.”   2 Corinthians 12:8-9

So, you see it’s not about me—it’s about the light that has shone in my heart and saved me; and my heart’s desire is that the world may see Jesus in me!  HIS light shining in us!  How could I do less, after all that HE has done in, for, by, and through me!  I love Him and I pray continually that I can be pleasing to my Lord and King!  After all, it’s what HE told us to do, and He empowers us to do it by the gift of His indwelling Holy Spirit!  As Paul so aptly put it:

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

May we ever remember the call that Jesus set before us, and ‘arise’, ‘shining’ His light to a dark world—knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ IS “THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD”!  Are you shining for Him?  Or have you let the smut of the world dim your globe?  You can fix your eyes on Jesus—keeping your eyes on the prize!  For me that is the heartfelt desire, to hear His “Well done thou good and faithful servant”!  He is the joy and light of my life!

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden

under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light unto

all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16

So Happy New Year to you and yours and “let your little light shine”—there are people who need to see!  Amen and Amen!!!

THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18

29 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, Choose You This Day!, Darkness or Light?, Death, Evil will not win, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Follow Jesus, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Life, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 18 THE Light Overcomes The Dark!!!

 

It has been a long 10 days for my family, as the darkness and evil of this world crowded into our midst through the evil act of one person.  I have seen the light shine brightly regardless of the evil that tried to defeat us and took the life of my only daughter.  The reasons and drama of the “event” isn’t what I want to talk about today, but rather I want to talk to you about the “light of the world” that has prevailed, is prevailing and will prevail for those who look to HIM!  And yes, JESUS IS that light—and like a lighthouse to a sailor, I will fix my eyes on Jesus to make it to shore!

“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.”  John 1:9-10

“Again, a new commandment I write unto you,

which thing is true

in him

and in you:

because the darkness is past,

and the true light

now shineth.”  1 John 2:8

Jesus is “the true Light”—and without Him we are in darkness, but praise God Almighty, we can not only see Him, but know Him and be a reflection of HIS light!  Despite darkness having invaded our lives, I will stand for the Lord Jesus Christ—my life, my light, and my redeemer; and HE can be yours!

“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

We don’t have to run from the darkness, for His light is within us by His grace, love for us, and the forgiveness of sins that He grants to those who repent and believe in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (righted my wrong), sacrifice (paying my sin-debt with HIS own blood); and the indwelling of HIS Holy Spirit!

“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

You see, this same Jesus who IS light, came into a darkened world who didn’t perceive HIS light for they were blinded, just as men are today.  It’s kind of like “snow blindness” when the light is so bright and continual that the eyes can’t tolerate it.  Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader, that having eyes “to see” isn’t enough; we must have God’s convicting revelation to recognize light as light and be born again—have new life!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born

when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

And, just how are we born again?  By the power, grace and saving faith that God’s Holy Spirit draws us to!  Have you heard His voice?  Have you opened the door of your heart to Jesus?  Or have you failed to “see” the “light of the world”?

“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.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory

as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”  John 1:10-14

Jesus came that we might have this new birth–life in HIM–life “more abundantly”!  Have YOU been born again?  John makes it clear that it’s not dependent on our “heritage” (not of blood); it’s not dependent on our “will power” (not..the will of the flesh); it’s not dependent on the ‘prayers of your mother or your grandmother’(not..the will of man)—it’s dependent on YOUR choice to receive Jesus and His atoning sacrifice, and be transformed by the Light Of The World.  Will you choose light or stay in the dark, and if you are His, don’t let the darkness distract you, for we are to be reflecting His light to the world, not letting the dirt of the world dim our light. (See Matt. 5:13-15)

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless

and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst of a crooked

and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth the word of life;

that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,

that I have not run in vain,

neither laboured in vain.”   Philippians 2:14-16

Don’t be deceived by the enemy of your soul—the one who is the “father of lies” (See John 8:44), for there are plenty of his minions going about to “steal…and to kill….and to destroy”!  Beware of what you accepting as truth!

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be according

to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Even as Jeremiah the prophet reminds us:

“Declare this in the house of Jacob,

and publish it in Judah, saying,

21 Hear now this,

O foolish people,

and without understanding;

which have eyes,

and see not;

which have ears,

and hear not:”  Jeremiah 5:20-21

And Isaiah takes us to the heart of the matter; we have chosen our own sin over God’s voice of conviction; we have chosen our own sin over God’s way, because we think we can handle it.  Check out your environment—is it light or dark?

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated

between you and your God,

and your sins have hid

his face from you,

that he will not hear.”  Isaiah 59:1-2

So, in closing I’d like to share a passage that lays it all out on the table, as Paul makes it clear that we all need JESUS, but the choice is yours.  But choose wisely, there is a test—and there is only One answer—JESUS!

“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:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 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 2:1-10

The light still shines……..is HE shining in YOU?

“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:”  2 Peter 1:19

I pray that God will speak to your heart and draw you into HIS light!  Amen and Amen!!!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.”   1 Corinthians 15:57

God’s Standard Will Stand–Will You??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #590

25 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Conviction, Faith, Follow Jesus, IN Jesus!, Life, Life or Death?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #590  God’s Standard Will Stand-Will You???

 

We live in a culture that becomes more and more focused on ‘self’ each day.  But we who have been “born…..of God” and cleansed by “the blood of Jesus Christ” must remember to keep our eyes on Jesus, the “author and finisher of our faith”!  We must recognize the danger, the lies and the deceit of the enemy of our souls—the enemy of the souls of all men, and “stand fast in the evil day”!  Today, I simply want to share from The Word of God some things to remind us of His truth, even when it’s hard!

Every person must come to Jesus on their own, and no matter how much we pray for it, or desire if for others, only the convicting power of the Holy Spirit can open the eyes of the spiritually blind—may we ever pray for His work to continue, and that we will share God’s truth at every opportunity—spreading the seed as we ask HIM to bring the harvest!

“Then said I,

Woe is me!

for I am undone;

because I am a man of unclean lips,

and I dwell in the midst

of a people of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen the King,

the LORD of hosts.”  Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah came face to face with God (spiritually) and recognized his sin, and God delivered him from his sin, and that is what we each must do at some point!  We must acknowledge our sin, for if one has no sin—why would he/she need a savior?  Jesus said that repentance is the flip side of faith, for until I see “me” as a sinner, I’ll never need to trust Him, for I have it all under control (I think!).  Jesus is the answer—but until ‘I’ recognize the need, the answer is of no benefit to ‘me’!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Jesus Himself makes this very thing clear!

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them,

think ye that they were sinners

above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3-5

We can point fingers at other sinners, but without repentance and faith in Jesus, we are in the same boat as they!  Yet, you may ask, what is the standard?  The standard is “The Word Of God”—both the written Word and The Living Word, Jesus!

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

And my friends—it is God “with whom we have to do”!  While I can’t judge your heart (for sometimes we can’t even truly judge our own hearts), God can and will.  There is a day of reckoning coming, and I pray that you will heed the voice of God speaking to you today and respond in repentance and faith!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.”   Revelation 20:11-12

Paul reminds us as well:

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow

to me,

and every tongue shall confess

to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account

of himself

to God.”   Romans 14:11-12

So, my question for us today is, are you/I ready to give an account?  It is an account that will be measured by God’s standard, not our own.  We can choose to bow before Him now as our Lord and Savior, or we will bow before Judge Jesus with no recourse of grace!  The choice is yours/mine but choose wisely for there is a test coming!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

 8 For he that soweth

to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

but he that soweth

to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.”   Galatians 6:7-8

Just remember hell is hot and eternity is long—your choice about Jesus will determine your future.  Defy Him or follow Him—the choice is yours!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then

he shall reward every man

according to his works.”   Matthew 16:24-27

And remember if you belong to Jesus:

“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

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

The Webs We Weave??? Bible Ballistics: B?Bs #544

29 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Lies, Life

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #544  The Webs We Weave???

 

There’s and old adage which says, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when once we practice to deceive.”  (Written by Sir Walter Scott, in his 1808 poem, “Marmion”.). And while this isn’t scripture, it certainly is founded in scripture, for lies and deception will cause trouble, confusion and trouble for the deceiver and the ones affected by the deception and lies!

“A wicked doer

giveth heed to false lips;

and a liar

 giveth ear

to a naughty tongue.”  Proverbs 17:4

When we practice deceit, we lie—it’s that simple; it’s not a “joke”, it’s not “teasing”, it’s not “just for fun”— a lie is a deception whether it is spoken, or simply a false impression that we intentionally allow to go uncorrected.  And when we practice deceit, we align ourselves against God!

“The foolish shall not stand

in thy sight:

thou hatest

all workers of iniquity.

6 Thou shalt destroy them

that speak leasing:

the LORD will abhor

the bloody

and deceitful man.” Psalm 5:5-6 

We can choose truth, integrity and honor, or we can fall into speaking as the world speaks!  And the world (as a whole) is following the greatest liar of all.

“The transgression of the wicked

saith within my heart,

that there is no fear of God

before his eyes.

2 For he flattereth himself

in his own eyes,

until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

3 The words of his mouth

are iniquity

and deceit:

he hath left off to be wise,

and to do good.”  Psalm 36:1-3

Will we heed the truth or follow the “father of lies”?  Will we choose to believe and follow Jesus, “the truth”; or will we fall for the lies of the enemy of our souls?

“Ye are of your father

the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.” John 8:44-45

The truth isn’t always popular—even Jesus was minimalized, ridiculed, and rejected for speaking absolute truth, for HE IS truth!  What will you and I choose to believe and follow?  Jesus and His Father God, or will we choose to believe the lies. You do have the God-given right to choose but remember there is a consequence to every choice; and while we are free to make our own choices, we aren’t free to set the consequences. Jesus has made it clear that there is only “One Way” to God—and He IS it!  What will you choose?

“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 question is simple, “Whom will you/I choose to follow?” Will we spin more and more webs of deceit, even deceiving ourselves; or will we choose “Truth” and come to Jesus in repentance and faith.  We are free to choose—what will you do with that freedom?  Every choice has a consequence, and there is a test at the end!  It could be today!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

 if we faint not.”   Galatians 6:7-9

May we stand with Joshua in the “power of HIS might” (God’s), without webs of deceit!  (See Ephesians 6:10-18)

“but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”. Joshua 24:15b.

Amen and Amen!!!