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Righteousness Exalts A Nation??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 20

11 Monday Apr 2022

Posted by Blanche in Confidence or Presumption?, Consider Your ways, Look UP, Looking up Or around?, Righteousness, Righteousness exalts a nation, Unrighteous will not inherit, Unrighteousness

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1 Corinthians 15:57-58, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Choose Wisely, Isaiah 10:1-2, Isaiah 55:6-11, It's Your Choice, Matthew 6:31-34, Philippians 2:8-11, Proverbs 14:34, Psalm 45:6-7, Psalm 50:6, Righteousness exalts a nation, Unrighteousness, Woe to the unrighteous

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 20   Righteousness Exalts A Nation???

“Righteousness

exalteth a nation:

but sin

is a reproach to any people.”   Proverbs 14:34

Righteousness: 1. the quality or state of being righteous…2.  righteous conduct……3. the quality of state of being just or rightful…

Scripture gives us the most profound and insightful thoughts on the subject, let’s look and consider God’s Word!

“Thy throne,

O God,

is for ever and ever:

the sceptre

of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

7 Thou lovest righteousness,

and hatest wickedness:

therefore God,

thy God,

hath anointed thee

with the oil of gladness

above thy fellows.”  Psalm 45:6-7

A reference to not only God’s righteousness, but the righteousness of the Lord Jesus who would be exalted for the sacrifice HE made for our sin at Calvary.

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”   Philippians 2:8-11

“And the heavens shall declare

his righteousness:

for God is judge himself.

Selah.”  Psalm 50:6

Jesus made a most profound and yet simple declaration about “righteousness”, and it is up to each of us how we will respond.

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat? or,

What shall we drink? or,

Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father

knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

Will we pursue the “first” of God’s kingdom, or our own?  Will we be recipients of God’s “righteous” provision in Jesus, whose death, burial, and resurrection for victory over sin is our only hope; or will we choose our own unrighteousness, refusing God’s offer of love, forgiveness, and salvation? It’s your choice!

Even as Paul told believers to put on the “breastplate of righteousness” –Christ’s righteousness–imparted to us by God’s grace, and our response of faith to the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus for SIN!  When individual sin spreads through the land unchecked, it erupts into a state of national “UN”-righteousness.  What will be the result?  Just look around us!   We can disregard the gift of God and reap the consequences or accept Jesus, spreading the good news everywhere we go!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 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

We can choose to be a part of sharing God’s truth of redemption through Jesus, or we can be a part of acerbating the problem of “UN”-righteousness!  And just a few more scriptures regarding those who choose unrighteousness.

“Woe

unto them that decree

unrighteous decrees,

and that write grievousness

which they have prescribed;

2 To turn aside the needy

from judgment,

and to take away the right

from the poor of my people,

that widows may be their prey,

and that they may rob the fatherless!”   Isaiah 10:1-2

Will you choose God, while HE may be found!  May we pray and live a life that promotes righteousness, affecting real change in our world!

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return

unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher

than the earth,

so are my ways higher

than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow from heaven,

and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed to the sower,

and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be

that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing

whereto I sent it.”  Isaiah 55:6-11

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test coming, and it may be soon.  Even as Paul encouraged us:

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen and Amen!!!

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Whose Power Are You Trusting??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #709

12 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Be not conformed to this world, Blessed by God, Broken Hearts, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Contentment, Dependence, Encouragement, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Look UP, Our God Reigns, Walking With Jesus

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Encouragement Today, God Reigns, God's Got This, Look Up Not Around, Proverbs 3:5-8, Revelation 19:5-6, Zechariah 4:6

Bible Ballistics: BBs #709  Whose Power Are You Trusting???

 

I want to veer off our “Daniel” track for today and just share a word of encouragement for each of us today.  As we’re in the deep freeze here in Oklahoma—and about to get even “freezier” in the next week, there is a warmth in my heart that only comes by knowing WHO is in charge—and for sure it’s not the government or the weatherman—and as the Apostle John recorded for us so long ago:

“And a voice came out of the throne, saying,

Praise our God,

all ye his servants,

and ye that fear him,

both small and great.

6 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 19:5-6

HE always has, and HE always will be The Lord God Almighty who reigns over all.  And as Zechariah reminded the people who were discouraged at the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple, our strength isn’t from anything in this world!

“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

I quote this verse often to myself and others, and there is one other simple passage that I’d like to leave with you; and I know many of you already have it planted in your heart, but I just want to remind each of us that “our God reigns”!  Our job is to keep our eyes fixed on HIM and trust each of our days to HIS care.  That’s not always an easy task when our eyes, our hearts and our minds see such heartache, carry such heavy burdens in our circumstances, and see so much darkness and chaos around us—but remember, we are called to look up, not around!  I’m so often reminded to look up to our Lord and not around at the “lions”!  Take it to Jesus, my friends; HE is my hope—my joy—and my total confidence, and He’s there for you too; 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.

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

Blessings on you and yours—and let “your little light shine” today….and today….and today!

Amen and Amen!!!

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They Saw The Star And Followed!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #611

18 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by Blanche in 'Tis The Season?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Believe IN Jesus, Christmas IS?, Follow Jesus, Follow The Star?, From the manger To the Cross, HOPE, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, Look UP

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Acts 4:12, Believe, Believe It Or Not, Christmas Gift!, Don't leave Jesus in the manger, Follow HIS Star, Hebrews 12:1-2, John 14:6, Matthew 2:1-2, Matthew 2:9-11, Philippians 2:5-11

Bible Ballistics: BBs #611  They Saw The Star And Followed!!!

 

I love the night sky—the stars, the moon, the wonder of light shining in the dark.  How amazing that God uses truths of the sky to reveal to us the wonder of being light (and salt) in this world of darkness and corruption!  God used a ‘star’ in the night sky to announce to wise men from the east, that the Jewish Messiah—the King of the Jews—had arrived.  So, these men took off on an amazing journey to find this ‘newborn king’; they followed the star, and “rejoiced with exceeding great joy”, presenting their gifts as they had come “to worship him”!  What about you?  What are you following?  Have you set your sights on the sinking sands of the world, or have you set your eyes on Jesus!

“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

Matthew records the strange arrival of these wisemen (and no, we don’t know how many or exactly where they came from) who came to worship the ‘newborn king’)!

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea

in the days of Herod the king,

behold, there came wise men from the east

to Jerusalem,

2 Saying,

Where is he

that is born King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star in the east,

and are come

to worship him.”  Matthew 2:1-2

So, my simple thoughts for us today are, have you seen HIS star?  Have you come to bow down and worship HIM?  Have you bowed your knee before this babe in the manger?  Or are you missing the light that God sent to not only ‘show us the way’, but to BE the way?  Will you follow the ‘star’ from the manger to the cross?

“When they had heard the king,

they departed;

and, lo, the star,

which they saw in the east,

went before them,

till it came and stood

over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star,

they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child with Mary his mother,

and fell down,

and worshipped him:

and when they had opened their treasures,

they presented unto him gifts;

gold,

and frankincense,

and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:9-11

I’m so glad Jesus took on flesh and blood and came to be our redeemer; paying our sin debt.  Yet you and I must not only see the star but come to Him in repentance and faith; believing that He is the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”! He is the only “way”—the only “star” that leads to life.  Won’t you make this your best Christmas ever, and come to HIM for salvation, if you haven’t already?  And if you do know Him and His ‘redeeming grace’, won’t you determine to be a reflection of HIS light, love and truth?  Let’s tie this up in a bow with a couple of passages that clearly reveal HIM for who HE is—not just a baby in a manger, but the LORD of ALL!

“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

One of the most wonderful portraits of how to follow our “star”, Jesus, is painted by Paul in Philippians 2!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery

to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient

unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ

is Lord,

to the glory

of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:5-11

Merry Christmas—and may the “mind” of the Redeemer pervade your life!  After all, the question isn’t “will you bow”; for “every knee” will bow; the question is, ‘will you bow before Him as your Lord and Savior now, while you have the opportunity?’; or ‘will you bow before HIM as your judge with no opportunity for salvation?’  The choice is yours but choose wisely—there is a test!

And one last word from the Apostle Peter who put it so concisely:

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

It was true then, it’s still true today!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

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Doing HIS Work HIS Way!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #522

11 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Growing in Jesus!, I Can Do All Things?, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Look UP, Roaring Lion, The Love of God, The Only Way, The Word

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1 Peter 5:6-10, Philippians 4;13, Praise HIM, Psalm 28:7, Roaring Lion, Titus 3:5-6, We win

Bible Ballistics: BBs #522   Doing HIS Work HIS Way!!!

 

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

Just a bit of encouragement this morning to finish out our week looking up—and not around. As I often tell people, we need to be like Daniel and look to the Lord, not at the “lions”; and we all have lions roaming around in our lives! But it is keeping our eyes on Jesus that keeps those lions at bay! God is ever at work conforming us into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ—by Him, for Him and through Him!

“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.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us

unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered

a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.” 1 Peter 5:6-10

God is ever at work to help us resist that “roaring lion”, for as I heard a preacher say many years ago, “God’s children are really facing a ‘toothless’ foe!” for the blood of Jesus has loosed us from the power of sin, death and hell!

So remember this morning that you “can do all things” that God has called you to do!!! Yes you can! All by the power of The One who has called us and saved us not by our own “works of righteousness”, but by the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

“Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6

So in closing, praises to the One who has defeated that lion—so that we can truly have “Victory In Jesus”! (A Gospel song written by Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sr.) As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 28:7:

“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.”

Amen and Amen!!!

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His Blessings Abound!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #475

06 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by Blanche in Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Distractions, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Look UP, Sovereignty, The Only Way, The Word, Trust God, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #475  His Blessings Abound!!!

 

Just a few thoughts from scripture this morning to remind us to keep our eyes on the skies—our God is still God, and Jesus His Son is coming soon!!!

“O taste and see

that the LORD is good:

blessed is the man

that trusteth in him.”   Psalm 34:8

Sometimes it’s hard to keep our focus on our Lord, but He is faithful even when we fail, and we simply need to look up at the God who reigns (Because HE holds the ‘reins’!) not the circumstances which distract us!

“For the LORD God

is a sun and shield:

the LORD

will give grace

and glory:

no good thing will he withhold

from them that walk uprightly.

12 O LORD of hosts,

blessed is the man

that trusteth in thee.” Psalm 84:11-12

We must remember that God is God no matter our circumstances, and when we keep our eyes on HIM, we will find victory in our daily walk—not necessarily ease—but victory! Because our God is faithful and sovereign, and is every present in the hearts and lives of His own!

“Blessed is the man

that trusteth

in the LORD,

and whose hope

the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree

planted

by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots

by the river,

and shall not see when heat cometh,

but her leaf shall be green;

and shall not be careful

in the year of drought,

neither shall cease

from yielding fruit.”   Jeremiah 17:7-8

All this confidence in our God who never fails because He saves and keeps His own–always:

“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

So stand fast today in our Great God Almighty—He’s got this!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

Amen and blessings on your day!!! Keep looking up!

 

 

 

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