Category Archives: Praise God Today!

Jesus Loves Even ME!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #433

02 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by in Attitude of Gratitude, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Holy Spirit, I Will Never Leave You, Praise God Today!, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #433    Jesus Loves Even ME!!!

 

Praise God, He loves you and me—He loves us so much that HE gave us Jesus—and that is worthy of our praise and gratitude. I’d just like to share a little joy and praise for your day!

“Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down

from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us

with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits

of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:” James 1:16-19

Slow to get angry (a seemingly foreign concept in our culture), but quick to listen and praise God—by the power of His Holy Spirit, we can live lives that please and praise our God! For “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above”, and Jesus is the greatest gift of all—as Fernando Ortega sings, “Just Give Me Jesus”! Oh, to ever live with that on my mind, in my heart and coming from my lips!!! May it ever be–because God saved me/you at the cost of His “only begotten Son”!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.” John 3:16-17

Amen and Amen!!! All because HE loves us!

“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.

24 The LORD is my portion,

saith my soul;

therefore will I hope in him.

25 The LORD is good unto them

that wait for him,

to the soul that seeketh him.”   Jeremiah 3:21-25

What a faithful God we love and serve!!! Truly we can praise Him and rejoice in HIS great faithfulness. Here’s some more food for thought for your day.

“We love him, because he first loved us.”    1 John 4:19

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Sleeping In Heavenly Peace??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #419

15 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Praise God Today!, Salvation, Silent Night?, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Trials, Troubles, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #419   Sleeping In Heavenly Peace???

 

Of course we have all been hearing the Christmas music around us, and the other day as I was listening to some Christmas Carols, one of everyone’s favorites was playing, “Silent Night”. As I was listening it struck me in a way that I’d never perceived before. So often we hear things but we don’t grasp the depth of what we are hearing; well, that is what happened to me as I heard that line that we have probably all sung repeatedly, “Sleep in heavenly peace”. Even as I type it I can’t help but sing that lovely old Carol. But what was so profound to me was that it occurred to me, how does one “sleep in heavenly peace”?

 

Of course the Christ child could “sleep in heavenly peace” because He was from heaven, come to earth to “save his people from their sins” (See Matt. 1:21), but what about you and I? Can we “sleep in heavenly peace”? As best as I can discern and determine from scripture, there is only One Way to be able to do that, and that is to be “born again” by repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross!

“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 1:12-13

Jesus was born into this world that we might be “born again” to eternal life!!! Not to be trite, but that is what “Christmas” is all about! Jesus, the Messiah of all mankind, taking on human flesh and blood to pay the price for our sin! Without Him, we would have no hope, for only HE can give us that “heavenly peace”, even as scripture declares!

“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.”    Romans 5:1-2

Jesus has reconciled us to God, for we were at enmity with Him because of our sin, even as Romans 5 continues:

“For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:6-11

What a wonder, that the sinless, holy and perfect Son of God would come to save us, you and me—sinners who deserved the destiny of hell, restored to relationship, love and peace with God. Not just the “peace of God that passeth all understanding” which Paul wrote about to the Philippians, but “peace with God”, the very God who hates sin (always has, still does, and always will!), but loved us so much that “He gave His only begotten Son” to pay for our sin! Just as Paul declared in the above passage:

“while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us……

       when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God”

Amen and Amen! To God be the glory, that He sent Jesus—God with us, Emmanuel—to pay for our sin, and to give us HIS peace within, no matter the chaos and trouble without! We often think that peace is the absence of turmoil, but peace is so much more—it is the perfect “peace of God” as well as “peace with God” that is with us regardless of the outward circumstance! And when I have HIS peace and His presence, I can truly “sleep in heavenly peace”! Even as the Psalmist declared so long ago, may we sleep well! And rejoice in the glory of Jesus every day!!!

“I will both lay me down

in peace,

and sleep:

for thou, LORD, only

makest me dwell in safety.”    Psalm 4:8

Gratitude Is An Attitude Not Just A Day!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #410

10 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Attitude of Gratitude, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Gratitude Is Timeless, Praise God Today!, Thanksgiving, The Word, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #410 Gratitude Is An Attitude Not Just A Day!!!

 

“But I am poor and sorrowful:

let thy salvation,

O God,

set me up on high.

30 I will praise the name of God

with a song,

and will magnify him

with thanksgiving.

31 This also shall please the LORD

better than an ox

or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.”    Psalm 69:29-31

I just want to share a few passages to remind us to keep our “Attitude of Gratitude” every day, not just one day a year. My favorite question for this time of year is, “Are you humbly grateful, or grumbly hateful?” It’s a question that only you can answer!

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD:

let us make a joyful noise

to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before his presence

with thanksgiving,

and make a joyful noise

unto him with psalms.

3 For the LORD is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.”   Psalm 95:1-3

May we ever praise Him with our grateful hearts, and live a continual life of praise and gratitude before a world full of ‘selflies’, greed, and entitlement. May our heart of gratitude be contagious to those we encounter each day. A smile can change the world around us—some sourpuss may be waiting to see you smiling ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ today. May we spread the gratitude and thankfulness everywhere we go!

“Oh that men would praise the LORD

for his goodness,

and for his wonderful works

to the children of men!

22 And let them sacrifice

the sacrifices of thanksgiving,

and declare his works

with rejoicing.”   Psalm 107:21-22

Even as James reminds us today:

“Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down

from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.”     James 1:16-17

Remember ‘gratitude’ and ‘thankfulness’ aren’t just a “seasonal” option:

“Then he said unto them,

Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry;

for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”   Nehemiah 8:10

“I will praise thee,

O LORD,

with my whole heart;

I will shew forth

all thy marvellous works.

2 I will be glad

and rejoice

in thee:

I will sing praise

to thy name,

O thou most High.”    Psalm 9:1-2

Amen and Amen!!!

Let’s determine to truly “shew forth” all His “marvellous works” with our genuinely grateful hearts– full of His wondrous love and grace. Blessings on your day!

But It’s Only ‘Today’??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #409

08 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Distractions, Praise God Today!, The Word, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #409 But It’s Only ‘Today’???

 

I’d like to share a brief word of encouragement for each of us today—for today is what we have!

“This is the LORD’S doing;

it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad

in it.” Psalm 118:23-24

It is so easy to get caught up in the “big” picture, and the “future” plans we have that we forget to “live” today! The Psalmist reminds us that whatever is before us—the sunshine, the rain, the beauty, the ugly, the easy or the difficult—“This is the LORD’S doing”! We know that God is totally in charge, but we are so easily distracted and momentarily forget!

What we need to practice is reveling in the truth that our God is ever at work—in all things, and in ‘our’ things, no matter what that involves—and it ought to be “marvellous in our eyes”! When we practice being marveled at the works of God, it helps us enjoy those very marvelous characteristics and traits of our God! And part of that beauty is the wonder of ‘today’!

For “This is the day”—

The day that God has made—

The day that God has given to you/me—

The day that you/I can rejoice in HIM—

The day that God knows your sorrows and your joys—

The day that God will draw you/I closer to Himself!

If we’ll but “rejoice and be glad in it”, because HE reigns!

What About Tomorrow??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #408

03 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Praise God Today!, The Word, Thy Kingdom Come, TODAY, Tomorrow, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #408 What About Tomorrow???

 

We all get caught up in the rush to tomorrow, but Jesus told us clearly that we are to live in “the now” not the “then”! Jesus calls us to fully live today without “fretting” about what tomorrow may bring. As the old gospel song says, “I don’t know about tomorrow, but I know WHO holds my hand”! Our confidence is in who ‘has’ tomorrow, not what tomorrow ‘has’; and my friends, JESUS had it, has it, will have it and HE not only knows what is there, He know what He is going to do for us, in us and through us as we keep our “eyes fixed on Jesus”!

“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

There is enough evil to go around, so we don’t have to spend our time fretting and worrying about what lies ahead, we just need to keep our eyes focused on JESUS, His will, His ways, and His faithful provision for every step we take TODAY! And as we “seek ye first the kingdom of God” God will provide the necessities of life! But He did NOT promise a life of ease and pleasure, rather He calls us to a contented life of devotion, sacrifice and often persecution.

“But godliness with contentment

is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Ouch! That’s almost un-American, isn’t it? Well even if it is, it’s God’s truth and we need to readjust our lives to God, not try to squeeze God into our “materialistic” mold, for we are also warned that it may cost us something to follow Jesus!

“Yea, and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”   2 Timothy 3:12

We need to “pray without ceasing” because praying today will prepare us for whatever tomorrow brings! Remember, God NEVER says “ooooops”! And as we think of prayer I’d just like to close our session today with one of my favorite prayers from the Bible.

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire

that ye might be filled with the knowledge

of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;     

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful in every good work,

and increasing in the knowledge

of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 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:

15 Who is the image

of the invisible God,

the firstborn

of every creature:”     Colossians 1:9-15

This is my prayer for you today! May we ever pray this for ourselves, and all of those in our circle of influence? May we ever be seeking “His kingdom” and “His righteousness” first and foremost, trusting our daily cares to HIM who “hath delivered us from the power of darkness”! Ever being sure we’re seeking HIM rather than always asking ourselves, “What about tomorrow?” Have a blessed day TODAY, my friend!

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”    Romans 11:36