Category Archives: Resurrection

A Living HOPE??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #641

08 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, He IS Alive!, HOPE, IN Jesus!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Resurrection, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Love of God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #641       A Living HOPE???

 

“Behold, the eye of the LORD

is upon them

 that fear him,

upon them

that hope in his mercy;

19 To deliver their soul from death,

and to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waiteth

for the LORD:

he is our help

and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice

in him, because

we have trusted

in his holy name.

22 Let thy mercy,

O LORD,

be upon us,

according as we hope

in thee.”  Psalm 33:18-22

As we approach the celebration of our Lord Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, I just want to remind each of us of the HOPE that we have in Jesus—regardless of our circumstances!  So may these words of scripture encourage your heart along with mine, as we rehearse the goodness, grace and love of our God and Father, through the gift of His Son, Jesus for our sin; as well as the precious gift to every believer of the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide, direct, teach and lead us as we yield to Him and God’s Word (which He helps us to understand and conform to!)!

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself,

and God, even our Father,

which hath loved us,

and hath given us

everlasting consolation

and good hope

through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts,

and stablish you

in every good word

and work.”  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

May we each rest in that comfort that only God can give, my friends, despite the current events plaguing our world; don’t let ‘these things’ take your eyes off of the victory that our Lord Jesus purchased at Calvary and delivered at the “empty” tomb!  HE AROSE—so we can have victory.  Don’t let the enemy distract you with fear, discouragement, worry, and especially “hopelessness”; for of all people in this world the children of God have an eternal HOPE!!!  HIS name is JESUS—and HE LIVES!

“Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which according to his abundant mercy

hath begotten us again

unto a lively hope

by the resurrection

of Jesus Christ

from the dead,

4 To an inheritance

incorruptible,

and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away,

reserved in heaven

for you,

5 Who are kept

by the power of God

through faith

unto salvation

ready to be revealed

in the last time.”   1 Peter 1:3-5

Not only is HE RISEN—HE is coming back again—and sooner, I believe, than we might think!  Are you ready to meet HIM?  Have you let the enemy get your eyes on your surroundings instead of our living Lord?  Take time today to rejoice in whose we are—and WHO has given us this eternal, living “HOPE”!  Even as Paul told the young preacher boy, Titus so many years ago; and as an old song reminds us of the truth that we’re closer home than we’ve ever been before! Amen!  Hallelujah!  Praise The God from whom all blessings flow!

“Looking for that blessed hope,

and the glorious appearing

of the great God

and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself

for us,

that he might redeem us

from all iniquity,

and purify unto himself

a peculiar people,

zealous of good works.”    Titus 2:13-14

Remember the words of our dear Lord before He left this world!

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house

are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place

for you.

3 And if I go

and prepare a place

for you,

I will come again,

and receive you

unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

1 Peye know.

5 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 14:1-6

All because of HIS grace, HIS love, and HIS sacrifice!  Thank You, Jesus.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  Our redeemer IS coming for us!

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption

draweth nigh.”  Luke 21:28

Amen and Amen!

 

A Month Of Gratitude??? #2. Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 12

03 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Gratitude, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Resurrection, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know, Victory IN Jesus!, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 12.   A Month Of Gratitude??? #2

 

As we continue in our consideration of gratitude, I’d like to thank God for being GOD!  I thank God for loving us first and sending Jesus to pay the debt for my sin and yours!

“Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation for our sins…

… 18 There is no fear in love;

but perfect love

casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment.

He that feareth

is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him,

because he first loved us.”   1 John 4:10 & 18-19

Oh, how amazing it is to me that “he first loved us”!  We who are sinners, have received the abundant grace and mercy of God, beyond measure!  And Paul painted such an amazing picture of it.

“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.

6 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 5:1-11

Let those amazing words sink in!  While we were “yet sinners, Christ died for us”—what an amazing gift to all who will believe “in Him” and receive His saving “grace”!  How could we not be thankful to our God and live with a continual ‘attitude of gratitude’!  And while I was thinking about gratitude, I was reminded of Lazarus—one who had received one of Jesus’ greatest miracles—when he was raised from the dead!  The question is, have you “been raised” in Jesus?

“Therefore we are buried with him

by baptism into death:

that like as Christ was raised up

from the dead

by the glory of the Father,

even so we also

should walk in newness of life.”   Romans 6:4

Just as Lazarus was raised up from the dead, we too are raised from the dead spiritually—given new life by the power of HIS blood.

“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.”  Ephesians 2:1-7

Like Lazarus, we can be raised by faith in Jesus, who will save us from our sin, by repentance and faith!  Amen!

“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

Have you been “made”?  It’s a term often used in the ‘cop shows’ for being detected; but it also means being created into something new, and that is what God does for us—He makes us new IN Jesus!  And IN Jesus, we also receive something else in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus:

“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

What more could we ask from our God—He not only gave “His only begotten Son” to die for us—but to paraphrase Paul:

Jesus—who knew no sin—

 Took on sin—at Calvary for me—

That we who were born in sin—

Who choose to sin—

 Are accounted ‘righteous’—

IN HIM!!!

In contrast to those who think “salvation” is an opportunity to be ‘scot-free’ and do as we please, it is the gift of God which changes us from those who revel in darkness to those who walk in the light with our Lord Jesus!

“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

I’m so grateful that HE has delivered me—translated me—and is ever working to make me/you into the image of Jesus!  We can truly know that “resurrection” power of Jesus, like Lazarus—all because Jesus came that we might have abundant LIFE IN HIM!!!

“For as the Father hath life in himself;

so hath he given to the Son

to have life in himself;”  John 5:26

“And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”   John 6:40

“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

Have you come to the shepherd of your soul?  If no, He’s calling you to Himself today!  If you have come to Him, what more could we have to be thankful for?  I pray that you will join me in this season of gratitude, to share this great gift!  Amen and Amen!!!

The Only “Name” That Matters!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #550

19 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Resurrection, The Only Name That Matters

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #550  The Only “Name” That Matters!!!

 

Just a brief word this morning as many are celebrating the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus.  I would simply like to share with you a couple of passages that might encourage you today to “consider Jesus”, and that others may see by our lives that we have “been with Jesus”!

“If we this day be examined of the good deed

done to the impotent man,

by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man

 stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness

of Peter and John,

and perceived

that they were unlearned

and ignorant men,

 they marvelled;

and they took knowledge of them,

that they had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:9-13

And what was it that made Peter and John so bold?  The same One who will empower you and I to live boldly today—by the power of the precious Holy Spirit whom Jesus imparts to those who come to Him in repentance and faith!

“And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.”  Revelation 12:11

Boldness that can even face death with an assurance and courage based on the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of the One whose resurrection we rejoice in this week—and every Sunday—every day!!!  It’s all about JESUS!  And He is still in the soul-saving, life-changing business.  If you don’t know Him, won’t you make this the greatest celebration of all and receive Him into your heart and life.  Here’s the Gospel in a nutshell, so to speak.  Truth that can and will transform your life, if you will but hear His voice and heed His call!

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died

for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again

the third day

 according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:”  1 Corinthians 15:3-5

This IS why we celebrate—

“HE IS NOT HERE—HE IS RISEN”!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Because Jesus IS Alive!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 07

31 Sunday Mar 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, He's Alive, Power of The Cross, Resurrection

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.07   Because Jesus IS Alive!!!

 

As we approach the season of celebrating the resurrection Of Jesus Christ our Lord, I thought we’d just take a few minutes today to simply rehearse the wonder of HIS victory.

“And the angel answered and said

unto the women,

Fear not ye:

for I know that ye seek Jesus,

which was crucified.

6 He is not here:

for he is risen,

as he said.

Come, see the place

where the Lord lay.

7 And go quickly,

and tell his disciples

that he is risen

from the dead;

and, behold,

he goeth before you

into Galilee;

there shall ye see him:

lo, I have told you.”  Matthew 28:5-7

HE is risen—just “as he said”!  And Jesus did “say” he would rise from the dead and overcome sin, death and hell!

“And while they abode in Galilee,

Jesus said unto them,

The Son of man shall be betrayed

into the hands of men:

23 And they shall kill him,

and the third day

he shall be raised again.

And they were exceeding sorry.”  Matthew 17:22-23

And Mark also gave us a great insight into the way that Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for the coming night of despair that they would endure—but they just didn’t understand the morning of GLORY that would turn their despair into JOY!  Exultant, exuberant, JOY “unspeakable”!  They had no way of comprehending all that this Master, Rabbi and Messiah had truly come to accomplish—that what started (and seemed to end) on the cross—would bring in the fulfillment of all that God had promised for the redemption of man.

“Saying, Behold,

we go up to Jerusalem;

and the Son of man shall be delivered

unto the chief priests,

and unto the scribes;

and they shall condemn him

to death,

and shall deliver him

to the Gentiles:

34 And they shall mock him,

and shall scourge him,

and shall spit upon him,

and shall kill him:

and the third day he shall rise again.”   Mark 10:33-34

He told them that HE would “rise again”!  But how would you comprehend what you had never seen before; for even though Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead—it wasn’t to eternal life, for he would die again—Jesus was raised as victor over death and He not only overcame death, but He gives “eternal life” to those who come to Him in repentance and faith.

The book of Acts shows us the wonder of God’s plan for our salvation and deliverance from sin!  It was God’s plan from before the “beginning”—our beginning, not God’s!  As Peter proclaimed on the day of Pentecost.

“And it shall come to pass,

that whosoever shall call on the name

of the Lord

shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God

among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves

also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”   Acts 2:21-24

Jesus is the “power of God unto salvation”—God’s plan to deliver us!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God

unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein

is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”   Romans 1:16-17

Praise God and thank Him for His amazing grace that brings us life—abundant life, and keeps us unto salvation.

“Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which according to his abundant mercy

hath begotten us again

unto a lively hope

by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead,

4 To an inheritance

incorruptible,

and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away,

reserved in heaven

for you,

5 Who are kept

by the power of God

through faith

unto salvation

ready to be revealed

in the last time.”   1 Peter 1:3-5

While we are saved at the point of our faith in Jesus and receiving His Holy Spirit, or hope is in our eternal, perfect, sinless future hope in Jesus.  And while we struggle in this world, we have a hope sure and certain in glory with our Lord!  Yet, we have an intercessor sure and certain in our Lord Jesus, and His Holy Spirit who takes our feeble thoughts and words and works God’s work in us and before the Father!  It’s what Paul describes in Romans 8.

“For we know that the whole creation

groaneth

and travaileth

in pain together

until now.

23 And not only they,

but ourselves also,

which have the firstfruits

of the Spirit,

even we ourselves groan

within ourselves,

waiting for the adoption,

to wit,

the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope:

but hope that is seen

is not hope:

for what a man seeth,

why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not,

then do we with patience

wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also

helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not

what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession

for us

with groanings

which cannot be uttered.”   Romans 8:22-26

Our risen Lord has accomplished the great work of redemption and sits at the right hand of The Father ever interceding for us!  Praying for you and me on the basis of the redemption that He bought for us at Calvary–because HE didn’t stay dead, but HE arose!!!

“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.

26 For such an high priest became us,

who is holy,

harmless,

undefiled,

separate from sinners,

and made higher than the heavens;

27 Who needeth not daily,

as those high priests,

to offer up sacrifice,

first for his own sins,

and then for the people’s:

for this he did once,

when he offered up himself.”  Hebrews 7:25-27

He gave Himself for us!  And for that I am eternally grateful!  How about you?  Are you celebrating bunnies or the Risen Lord!

“Grace be to you

and peace

from God the Father,

and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins,

that he might deliver us

from this present evil world,

according to the will of God

and our Father:

5 To whom be glory

for ever and ever. Amen.”    Galatians 1:3-5

And because He gave Himself for me, what less can I offer Him?  How about you?  May we truly take this season to focus on the real wonder of our redemption.

“Looking for that blessed hope,

and the glorious appearing of the great God

and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us,

that he might redeem us

from all iniquity,

and purify unto himself

a peculiar people,

zealous of good works.”    Titus 2:13-14

And finally, may we all pursue with Paul, the crucified life!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”    Galatians 2:20

Amen and Amen!