Category Archives: Sovereignty

Communication Or Dictation??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 26

23 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Prayer, Press ON!, Remember, Repentance, Resting Or Wrestling?, SIN, Sovereignty, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Truth, Witness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 26  Communication Or Dictation???

 

One of the gifts God has given to us is prayer, but we often take prayer for granted; or even misunderstand what prayer really is.  I want us to consider our own prayer life, and what we are doing to draw near to God and make a difference in the world around us through our biblical, diligent prayers and living for Jesus!

“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 purify your 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

James calls us to remember that it is God who grants us grace for each day, and we are to recognize HIM in all we do.  Consider this list that James records for us and see the desire of God’s heart for His own!  Notice the instructions that he gives:

–resist being proud—

–submit to God—

–resist the devil—

–draw near to God—

–cleanse your hands—

–purify your hearts.

Then James deals with what I believe is a call to have an open heart before God.  We are to be open to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit who Jesus gave to us to grow, prepare, and lead us in His service.  We aren’t to discount our sin, or justify it, or placate our own conscience by measuring our righteousness by the world’s standard rather than God’s.  In dealing with sin, we are to:

–be afflicted in our heart and mind—

–mourn over our sin—

–weep over our sin—

–avoid minimalizing sin—

–don’t laugh at it—

 –don’t rejoice at sin-yours or other’s.

We must humble ourselves before the God we claim to love and trust; knowing that HIS will is to be our will.  Even as Jesus taught us to pray:

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven…”   Matthew 6:9-10

We hear so much today about the “name it and claim it” philosophy that I want us to consider what Jesus said above—our prayer is to be that God’s will be done in our lives, that God’s kingdom will come in our lives, and the lives of those around us, we are to seek on earth the same things that please God in heaven (See Revelation 4 and 5 for a most profound picture of the attitude of heaven, more than any other to me.)!  Many have falsely concluded that prayer is “dictation” to God, rather than “communication” with our heavenly Father, our Redeemer, our King!!  God desires our heart’s devotion not our orders of self-will!  We can walk with Him in intimate fellowship, and when we stumble, fall and offend, we aren’t to justify it, but we are to confess and seek God’s face for His continual work in us before a lost and dying world!  How about you?

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within:

and they rest not day and night, saying,

Holy,

holy,

holy,

Lord God Almighty,

which was,

and is,

and is to come…

… 10 The four and twenty elders

fall down before him that sat on the throne,

and worship him

that liveth for ever and ever,

and cast their crowns

before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord,

to receive glory

and honour

and power:

for thou hast created all things,

and for thy pleasure

they are

and were created.”                      Revelation 4:8 & 10-11

Our prayers are to The One who is able!

“God is faithful,

by whom ye were called

unto the fellowship

of his Son Jesus Christ

our Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:9

“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

As we fellowship with HIM, He directs our steps so that we can recognize our sin and submit to the work of our Father in us; His transforming work that is conforming us into the image of Jesus The Son!  Not trying to conform God’s will and desires into our own!  We are to pursue communication with our Lord, not handing Him our ‘grocery list’ of selfish desires (or even unselfish pursuits) but desiring HIS kingdom to “come” in me, HIS will to be demonstrated to the world through me!  That’s the beauty of trusting God our Father and His Son Jesus, leaning on His Holy Spirit who dwells within every child of God.  Whose will are you seeking?

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not

the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”  Romans 8:9

“And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we know

that all things work together

for good

to them

that love God,

 to them

who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”   Romans 8:27-29

I truly believe that as we hear the voice of God speaking to our hearts, as we dig into His Word, we will find ourselves drawing “nigh to God” rather than the world!  The problem for many of us is that we have allowed ourselves to be so distracted and often deceived that we aren’t listening to God on a regular basis, and we don’t know HIS Word.  But when we will listen to The Spirit, He will convict us of sin and help us to draw near to God in repentance and restoration of fellowship with our Lord!  This is the work of The Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised, and sent upon His departure (His death, burial and resurrection for our sin!)

“And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you

for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.”  John 14:16-18

Are you walking in The Spirit, or the flesh?

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh…

… 25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also

walk in the Spirit.”   Galatians 5:16 & 25

And as we live in The Spirit, we also have an open door to our Lord when we are confused, stumble, sin or fall.

“If we confess

our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

I find no arrogance or any attitude of dictation to God here, but rather a heart of humility and dependence on The One who has called us, saved us and sustains us in all our ways!  And when we do err, Paul tells us that real sorrow has a different outcome than just being sorry that we got caught.  What about you?  Are you in a place of error, and has The Spirit brought you to a place of conviction?  If so, you must choose whether you will go on in your sin, or face your sin, repent and and be restored by God to full fellowship with Him!

“Now I rejoice,

not that ye were made sorry,

but that ye sorrowed

to repentance:

for ye were made sorry

after a godly manner,

that ye might receive damage

 by us in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow

worketh repentance

to salvation

not to be repented of:

but the sorrow of the world

worketh death.

11 For behold this selfsame thing,

that ye sorrowed

after a godly sort,

what carefulness it wrought

in you,

yea, what clearing of yourselves,

yea, what indignation,

yea, what fear,

yea, what vehement desire,

yea, what zeal,

yea, what revenge!

In all things ye have approved yourselves

to be clear in this matter.”  2 Corinthians 7:9-11

So, my question for us today, “Is our life a testament to God’s work in us?  Or have we so conformed to the world that others see nothing of God in us?”  “Are we seeking communication with God, or are we dictating to the Sovereign Lord of all creation?”

“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

All by remembering that’s it’s all about GOD not me:

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him,

and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him,

and through him,

 and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.”   Romans 11:34-36

Amen and Amen!!!

You’re Not A DIY!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 02

25 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Born Again, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Compromise, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Dependence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Filled With His Spirit, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, God Is In Charge, God's provision, Gospel, Growing in Jesus!, Holy Living, If not now? When?, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Listening To God, Living Right, Make Like A Tree?, Plumbline?, Polluted by the world?, Salvation, Saved by grace, SIN, Sovereignty, The Only Way, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus, Walking With Jesus, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 02  You’re Not A DIY!!!

 

We live in a culture of DIY—Do it YOURSELF!  But God never calls us to ‘fix’ ourselves but to yield to HIS love, work and transforming power.  I would like to share from the scriptures some food for thought to perhaps readjust our thinking.  I pray that it will touch hearts, encourage the faithful, convict those who have fallen for the lies of the enemy, by speaking the truth of God in love.  I do love and pray for each of you that will read this post, that God will speak HIS Word to your heart; that you will come to know that you don’t have to DIY; you simply have to “let God BE God”!

“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

God begins His work in us by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus—His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice of Himself for us.  We couldn’t save ourselves and apart from Jesus we surely can’t keep ourselves!

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”   John 15:1-5

Just as a branch broken off of the tree will not grow—neither will we unless we abide in Jesus.  He has provided everything that we need to be faithful, successful followers of His!  God has called and equipped us to grow IN HIM!

“Grace and peace be multiplied

unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us

all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious

promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4

As Paul said above—God began it—and He will finish the work in His own!

“And we know

that all things work together

for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover

 whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

 them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not

with him

also freely give us

all things?”  Romans 8:28-32

And how do we become HIS?  By coming to Jesus in repentance and faith!  Only One Way—only One Savior:  “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And we come by faith in The One who died for you and me, who also said: “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”!  Amen! (See John 14:6 & 6:37)

“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 2:8-10

Instead of a DIY project, God calls us to die to self, and live unto Him, by Him and for Him!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

It’s all about JESUS!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

 to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.”  Romans 11:36

So my conclusion is that we must stop working on our own—doing our DIY project on ourselves–and let Jesus do HIS work in us, yielding to His Spirit, knowing His Word, His truth, and trusting to HIS perfect provision and providence (a word that we have mostly forgotten today)! Here are a few passages to help us focus on our Master Builder rather than ourselves!

“For it is God

which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”   Galatians 5:16 & 25-26

And more from our brother Paul:

“What?

know ye not

that your body is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Finally, how do we know what it looks like to choose HIS way?  Again, Paul gives us an amazing contrast that I’ll leave with you!  You must decide if you will focus on the way of the flesh or The Spirit.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such

there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.”   Galatians 5:19-24

Remember the fruit can only come from abiding in the tree!  May we learn to measure with God’s plumb-line not the world’s; and abide in our LORD Jesus in all our ways!  Be fruitful!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whose Battles Are You Fighting??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #576

07 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Blessed by God, Comfort, Confidence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fearlessness, Fight or Faith?, JESUS, Sovereignty, The Love of God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #576      Whose Battles Are You Fighting???

 

I have a very brief word to share this morning as the sun pops over the horizon.  I can’t help but thank God that HE IS my strength and my redeemer, and we just need to keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus!  And while heaven is my home, I still have to live this life as long as God gives me breath; maybe you need a word of encouragement along with me this morning—let’s dig in.

“The LORD is my light

and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

the LORD is the strength

of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalm 27:1

No one!  We can walk in confidence and overcome the fears that confront me/you; and while my fears will be different from your fears, we can look up to The One who has us in His hand; and as believers in Jesus, we have been given His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

“Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

is come,

he will guide you

into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you

things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.”    John 16:13-14

And I am so thankful that Paul reminded his son-in-the-ministry of this very thing.  So, friends, may we remember that we are not alone, and as King Solomon wrote “there is no new thing under the sun” (See Ecclesiastes 1:9)!

“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

I find it interesting that the word for “sound mind” here, is a word that means “right thinking”, and ‘right thinking’ means thinking God’s thoughts, and remembering that HE has it all in His hand!

“And all Judah stood before the LORD,

with their little ones,

their wives,

and their children.

14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah,

a Levite of the sons of Asaph,

came the Spirit of the LORD

in the midst of the congregation;

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah,

and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid

nor dismayed by reason

of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”    2 Chronicles 20:13-15

Take some time today and read this whole episode in the life of Jehoshaphat, it will encourage your soul, no matter what trials or battles you may be facing; for remember God has told us as well, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (See Hebrews 13:5-6)!  May you have a blessed day—look up—our God reigns!

Twist His Arm Or Trust His Care??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 13

18 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Praise God Today!, Prayer, Sovereignty, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Trust God, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.13 Twist His Arm Or Trust His Care???

 

I want us to talk about prayer again for it is such an essential to our personal well-being, our churches as well as our nation’s; and there is so much being taught that is off base to say the least. So I want us to take another look to keep ourselves on track with the biblical view of prayer, for it is our lifeline and sustainer of an intimate relationship with God!

We have to be so careful that our faith doesn’t turn into an ‘arm wrestling’ match with God—us trying to convince Him to grant our requests—or even worse demand His attention and reply to our every whim (regardless of it’s agreement with the Word of God or not!)! Prayer also isn’t using Jesus’ name as a ‘magic potion’ to fulfill our lusts and greed! Rather, prayer is depending on our Sovereign God and our Lord Jesus Christ for our every need, direction and sufficiency, knowing that HE knows what HE is doing to accomplish HIS work in, for and through us to make us more like Jesus! He is wise, trustworthy and loves us more than any other person could. And sometimes what HE knows that we need to endure the “refiner’s fire”—not fun but the work that creates in us that reflection of holiness and glory—God’s glory not the world’s!

“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.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind

of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we know

that all things work together

for good

to them

that love God,

to them

who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”    Romans 8:24-29

God IS working for our good in “all things”—all things, all the time, every day, all the way—conforming us “to the image of his Son”! God is making us who are “them that love God, to them who are the called”, into the image of Jesus, The Son—what a glory! And while we often become impatient, distracted and loose our focus, God is ever at work conforming us, growing us, into “the image of his Son”; and we can trust ourselves to His care, in each and every prayer that comes across our lips! We can stand with Job, knowing that same God is still GOD!!!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain

mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

Job didn’t understand why he was where he was, but he knew his God! And while Job didn’t know what was going on, he knew the God who held him in His hands! And God revealed it to him in His time.

“Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

2 I know that thou canst do every thing,

and that no thought

can be withholden from thee.” Job 42:1-2

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job,

when he prayed for his friends:

also the LORD gave Job

twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10

I find it interesting and contrary to much that is being touted about today, about what we can “demand” of God because we have enough “faith” and are “King’s Kids”—but here we find that Job asked nothing of God but simply professed his lack of understanding of the ‘awesomeness’ of the Creator! And as he obeyed God in praying for his ‘friends’ (A word loosely used in Job’s case I think!!!)! God restored Job’s riches because it pleased Him to do so, not because Job demanded or even asked for it! What about us? Are we willing to endure trials as James teaches us to, or would we rather pout and try to work up more “faith” to get our own way, our desires met in “our time”! I have lived long enough, and seen enough of God’s faithfulness and glory to know that He has and plan, and I have learned and continue to learn that HIS time and ways are best. While I certainly haven’t arrived or do I get it right all the time, I am learning to trust Him more and more and seek His face more intimately! And much of that time has been spent in the refiner’s fire!

“But who may abide

the day of his coming?

and who shall stand

when he appeareth?

for he is like a refiner’s fire,

and like fullers’ soap:

3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier

of silver:

and he shall purify the sons of Levi,

and purge them as gold and silver,

that they may offer unto the LORD

an offering in righteousness.”   Malachi 3:2-3

God is refining us as silver to serve HIM!

“Ye also, as lively stones,

are built up a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood,

to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God

by Jesus Christ……….

9 But ye are a chosen generation,

a royal priesthood,

an holy nation,

a peculiar people;

that ye should shew forth

the praises of him

who hath called you

out of darkness

into his marvellous light:

10 Which in time past

were not a people,

but are now

the people of God:

which had not obtained mercy,

but now have obtained mercy.”   1 Peter 2:5 & 9-10

Oh, what a blessing to know that we are living stones in God’s kingdom and work! And we are to “shew forth the praises” of one of God’s own! Even as Paul told the Colossians, we are changed into a Kingdom different that the darkness of this world!

“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

We have received a “transfer” from the darkness of Satan and the world, into God’s kingdom! And we are in a kingdom that is set in God—The God who has total control of not only our circumstances but also every circumstance around us, and HE is working to accomplish HIS purposes and bring His Kingdom to those who will believe in His Son, and are not hardened to His love by the “deceitfulness of sin”. And presumption on God in arrogant demands is sin! Jesus told us how we are to pray, and it’s not arrogant or presumptuous. We can have bold confidence in HIM as we come to Him, but never arrogance!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.” Matthew 6:9-11

Our prayer is to be focused on God’s name, God’s kingdom coming, God’s will being done—not ours. And we are called to ask for our “daily bread” today, not stocking up for an unknown future—for our future is in our “Father God’s” hands! And because we can trust HIM we can endure whatever He sees fit to send or allow in our lives. So we truly can “count it all joy”!

“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

Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we can stand in confidence when the trials come, knowing that our God can deliver, and whether He delivers from any particular situation, He will deliver us ultimately into HIS very presence! And the timing is His choice, and I trust HIM! How about you?

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee

in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God

whom we serve

is able

to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not,

be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve

thy gods,

nor worship

the golden image

which thou hast set up.”   Daniel 3:16-18

These three godly young men stood fast in their faithfulness to their God, even under the threat of the fiery furnace! They knew that God “could” deliver from the fire, but they let the king know that even if God’s provision was not out of the fire, but through it, they would serve only HIM, and not “the golden image” which King Nebuchadnezzar had demanded that they bow to! What about you and me? Have we bowed before the ‘gods’ of this world and failed to stand fast for our God, in pursuit of the world’s distractions? Let us remember that God is worthy of our devotion, faithfulness and a life of glory and praise to our God.

We also need to remember that God deals in reality as well as faith, and “visualizing” isn’t a way of faith, but a way of presumption. Prayer is seeking God’s face, not ‘visualizing’ ‘me’ the way I want ‘me’ to be, and to most of the world that ‘looks’ like riches, wellness, happiness, popularity, comfort and ease. God’s goal is for us to live in the “beauty of holiness” and “His righteousness”! As Jesus told us:

“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

So, how’s your prayer life? Are you seeking God’s Kingdom and righteousness or are you presuming on the love and care of God. He is faithful, but we called to be His servants, not His dictators! He hears and answers prayer—when we seek His face and will not our own!

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Amen and Amen!!

Sovereign Control??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #506

07 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in JESUS, Jesus Is Coming!, Sovereignty

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #506      Sovereign Control???

I have a very simple but profound passage to share with you today. After the election in the U.S. yesterday I just wanted to remind us all that our God is faithful and sovereign over all things. So no matter how the elections turned out—God Still Reigns—Amen and Amen.

“Why do the heathen rage,

and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth

set themselves,

and the rulers

take counsel together,

against the LORD,

and against his anointed,

saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder,

and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens

shall laugh:

the Lord shall have them

in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them

in his wrath,

and vex them

in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king

upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree:

the LORD hath said unto me,

Thou art my Son;

this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me,

and I shall give thee the heathen

for thine inheritance,

and the uttermost parts of the earth

for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them

with a rod of iron;

thou shalt dash them in pieces

like a potter’s vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore,

O ye kings: be instructed,

ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son,

lest he be angry,

and ye perish from the way,

when his wrath

is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all they

that put their trust in him.” Psalm 2:1-11

God is at work in our world to accomplish HIS purpose in all things—leading to the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ at any time—and that my friend is our hope, joy and confidence!!! Will you be blessed to be HIS child or one that HE will receive His wrath? The choice is yours but there is a test at the end!

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse;

and he that sat upon him was called

Faithful and True,

and in righteousness

he doth judge

and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire,

and on his head were many crowns;

and he had a name written,

that no man knew,

but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture

dipped in blood:

and his name is called

The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven

followed him upon white horses,

clothed in fine linen,

white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth

goeth a sharp sword,

that with it he should smite the nations:

and he shall rule them

with a rod of iron:

and he treadeth the winepress

of the fierceness

and wrath

of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture

and on his thigh

a name written,

KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”   Revelation 19:11-16

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus, our eternal “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS”!!! Amen and Amen!

Are you ready? If not I pray that you will come to Jesus today in repentance and faith—for HE gave HIS own life’s blood to save YOU/me from our sin! And I pray that those of us who are HIS will faithfully, “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” in His power, love and grace!

Blessings on your day!!! Amen and Amen.