Category Archives: That They May Know

Bible Ballistics: BBs #605 A Month Of Gratitude? #9 Courage

22 Friday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, By His Grace, Courage, Finishing Well, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Testify, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know, Witness

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #605  A Month Of Gratitude??? #9 Courage

 

On this Friday before the big “Thanksgiving” day celebration, a dear friend is being laid to rest—and she is the inspiration for this post today.  Miss Carolyn was one of the most faithful, godly and courageous women I have ever known. In these last few years when I got to know her, she was frail in body, but her heart and soul were mighty before God, even though she wrestled with a chronic and debilitating ailment, but her spirit soared before God and man!, partly (I believe) because she understood what Paul reminded the Corinthians of, where our courage comes from:

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I am so grateful to God for the faithful influences that He has brought into my life, and Miss Carolyn is one of those at the top of my list of blessings and encouragers—her presence will be sorely missed by many.  She was an amazing teacher, a wife, who still grieved for her beloved “Jim” (with whom she is now reunited), a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother!  So many lives touched by the influence of her devotion to God, His Word and His ways!

Thank you, Lord, for those great, holy, and powerful men and women of faith that You send, and have sent, into our lives.  I think this is what the author of Hebrews wanted to remind us of.

“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

This passage isn’t picturing some “great stadium in the sky” where the saints of God are cheering on as spectators of the events on earth—no way!  It is picturing the faithful witness that God’s servants, who have just been described in the chapter 11’s ‘hall of faith’, have exhibited before the world for their good and ours!!  It is referring to the testimony of faithful witnesses (witnesses which we all are—be it a good witness or a poor one—ever a witness of what/who we “really” believe); those who have run the race, fought the fight, stood their ground, and kept their eyes on the prize—Jesus!  The passage goes on to remind us of the faithful example of service, love and obedience that our Lord demonstrated.

What a mighty God we serve—He not only sent Jesus to live a perfect life, pay the sacrifice for our sin, to be raised from the dead for our salvation, but He has given believers His precious Holy Spirit to dwell within us empowering us to be an example for others—yet the cost is higher  for some than it is for others.  Miss Carolyn paid a price for her faithful service—pain in her physical body—but she was ever pressing on for Jesus, and the people she loved—a witness to the power and provision of God –as a faithful warrior not a spectator, even with her physical limitations. She was a great teacher, a prayer warrior for so many who knew her, and I count it an honor to have been one who depended on and benefitted from her faithful prayers!  Thank You Jesus!

May we ever remember the witness of our Lord, and the encouraging testimony of those He places in our path?  May we strive to follow their example, ever keeping the cross in sight that we might reflect its glory, power and grace!

“For what glory is it, if,

when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if,

when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

 he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes

ye were healed.”  1 Peter 2:20-24

We have been empowered by HIS stripes which “healed” us from our sin disease!  Let’s run the race that HE has set before us that we might also be found faithful in His service.

“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

Thank You Lord for the faithful witness of your servants, and the encouragement and instruction that they pass on to us.  As the song says, “may those who come behind us find us faithful”!  (From “Find Us Faithful” by Steve Green)!

Blessings on your day, and don’t forget to not only thank God for those special people in your life, but a phone call, note, card, email, text, or even a visit is in order to let them know how they’ve blessed you/me!  Go—be thankful—spread that “attitude of gratitude”!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

A Month Of Gratitude??? #7. Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14

17 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Blessed by God, Follow Jesus, Friends, Friendship, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know, The Crucified Life

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14   A Month Of Gratitude??? #7

 

Friendship: I thank God for friendship!  First of all, I thank Jesus for taking me not only as His child but also to be my best friend!

“Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not

what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go

and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask

of the Father in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world

hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do

unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:15-21

Having Jesus as my Lord and Savior isn’t about having a magic lamp, or a genie—it means being crucified with the One who loves me and gave Himself that I might have life!  He did it all for me and having Jesus as my friend means not only identifying with Him as my Lord and Savior, but also loving Him and yielding to His work in my life; that the world may see Jesus in me and be drawn to Him; and I can only do that as I die to self and live to HIM!

“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

Jesus has given all for me, what less could I give to and for Him?  And Jesus Himself told us that the cross is the issue—He died that I might live, and I live by the power of His cross!  My friend, Jesus, gave His life for me—how could I thank Him for His sacrifice with less than my all?

“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?”  Matthew 16:24-26

Because I am grateful for the ONE who gave His life for me, I desire to please Him, and to hear His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” when He calls me to Himself, or when He returns for His own!  Do you have such a friend?

I am also thankful for the precious friends in this life whom God has blessed me with!  I truly believe if you/I have one “real” friend, then we are abundantly blessed.  If you have more than one, then you are greatly blessed; and I count myself as one of those abundantly showered with faithful friends!  I have been so greatly blessed by those whom God has sent into my life—some for most of my life—some for a season—some for a short time.  Some are still here, some have gone on before me; but regardless of when, or where, or how long we had in close proximity, I am blessed beyond measure to have shared my life, love and labors with these unique precious ones.

God’s Word says a lot about friends, and I’d like to share just a few of those principles and truths with you today.

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend

that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

“A friend loveth

at all times,

and a brother

is born for adversity.”   Proverbs 17:17

“Open rebuke

is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds

of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy

are deceitful.”   Proverbs 27:6-7

To have good friends, we must be willing to be a good friend; one who is there through thick and thin; one who stands fast in good times and adversity; one who is willing to hold you accountable to God’s Word; one whose advice is for your ultimate good rather than your momentary satisfaction!  How grateful I am that God has sent those kinds of people into my life—He has also allowed me to help those who stayed for a time; as well as those who stayed only as long as it was beneficial to them; and He has sent me those who have stayed the course despite my humanity!  God is so faithful and His love and care for me, as well as His faithfulness to grow me in His Word have helped me be a better friend, and I pray that I can always be that “friend that sticketh closer than a brother”! While I praise God for my siblings (whom I love and am thankful for also), we have often had great distances between us, and God has sent me friends who have stood by me in that “closer than a brother” kind of way!  My heart’s desire is that I will be that kind of friend to others.

Sometimes friendship has a cost, and just as Jesus paid the price for our salvation out of His great love for us; we ought to share with others that same kind of love in friendship!  True friends live and share the love of Jesus with one another, helping each other to become the best that we can be—to glorify our Lord!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Are we being that “iron” sharpening “iron” by our walk with Jesus, or are we leading our friends down a path of compromise, indulgence and selfish, fleshly lusts?  It’s a tough question because it makes me assess my own walk with Jesus; am I growing in the grace of Jesus and helping others to keep our “eyes on the prize”—Jesus Christ Himself!

“But grow in grace,

and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him be glory

both now

and for ever. Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18

Oh, to stand fast in “the evil day” and bring glory to The Lord Jesus, to encourage those He sends to us, being grateful for each one HE sends into our lives, imparting grace, courage and love!

“Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend that

for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless,

whereto we have already attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers

together of me,

and mark them

which walk so

as ye have us for an ensample.”  Philippians 3:12-17

May we ever pursue the example of our Lord—He loved us first!  Loving others as He loves us—may we be the friend to others that Jesus is to us!  Thank you to all my wonderful friends—and a special thank you to those of you who have stood with me through the years—you are a treasure rare—and I truly “thank my God upon every remembrance of you”!  Blessings on your week! (Thank God and be sure and thank a friend!)

“In this was manifested the love of God

toward us,

because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world,

that we might live

through him.

10 Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation

for our sins.

11 Beloved,

if God so loved us,

we ought also

to love one another.”  1 John 4:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!

A Month Of Gratitude??? #4 Bible Ballistics: BBs #602

08 Friday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Ask God For Wisdom, Attitude of Gratitude, Broken Hearts, Divorce, Gratitude, Great is Thy Faithfulness, JESUS, Marriage, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #602     A Month Of Gratitude??? #4

 

Today I want to share a truth that is special to me: I am thankful today that God’s Word still stands true!  God gives us His truth for a reason—because HE is God, and He knows that HIS way is the best way, and HE loves us!  It’s not always the easy way (in fact, it’s almost never the easy way); it’s hardly ever the popular way; and it’s even more seldom the way that appeals to the world.  What brought all this up today?  I saw something on social media; something that hit my heart with a thunderous boom, and I must speak to it, because it’s the same subtle misinformation that helped to lead me astray many years ago.

To start with, let me say that I understood the ‘context’ of the message, and while it is partly true, it is also based in that which is far less than God’s Word purports!  The first line of the ‘post’ is what jumped out at me, it said in part, “divorce IS ok”!  In essence it was referring to difficult marriages, yet when we fail to apply God’s truth, we can so easily be led astray and twist God’s truth unwittingly.  The post went on to talk about walking away, changing directions, starting over, and other issues regarding “divorce”!  But the thing that cut me to the quick, was the last part of the post—which said something like, “don’t stay where you’re not HAPPY!”  That was the very lie that led me to abandon my marriage over 45 years ago—the lie that some of my friends—my Christian friends—even a pastor, told me, and it was just what I wanted to hear!  The pastor told me that “God never intended for some people to ‘be’ married, and God wanted me to be “happy”!  Oh, how justified I felt, knowing that I wanted to excuse my selfish lust and the determination to make ‘myself’ happy, by choosing to leave a marriage that “didn’t make me happy” for one that I was determined would make me “happy”!  All because I was willing, even eager, to believe the lie that justified my selfish, sinful choice!

God is more concerned about my holiness and my character than my “happiness”!  And while I have never (and never will) counsel a woman (or a man if it applied) to stay in a dangerous environment, I will counsel them to pursue God and not the simple solutions of the world—no matter how cutesy or soothing they may seem—yet to be out of harm’s way.  God ever stands by HIS Word and He will meet those who obey Him where they are!  Yes, praise God, forgiveness is found in Jesus, but there are consequences for abandoning the clear principles of God and His Word; and He will direct, protect the weak, and guide those in danger as they pursue Him!  Yet today America’s families are reaping the consequences of forsaking the truths of God’s Word, whether intentionally or due to ignorance, or willfulness!  I don’t usually go on so much without sharing scripture, but I wanted to explain the circumstances and context of what I want to share.  I pray that this will help someone know truth and avoid the pitfalls that caused so much harm in my own life.  Every choice has a consequence, and we always reap more than we sowed—later than we sowed.  Praise God for forgiveness and restoration, but even more for the grace to avoid the pitfalls, and I thank HIM and praise HIM for that truth!

“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

He is waiting to hear from YOU—and He stands behind HIS Word!

“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.

14 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 4:12-16

Please don’t give up on what God hasn’t given up on—and if HE tells you to leave, make sure it’s God not the enemy.  Then trust HIM for each step that you take, and walk in obedience to His Word, His grace, and His direction.  God created the home, He established marriage, and He blesses husbands and wives who will pursue Him—and when we will each draw closer to God, we will draw closer to each other—Imagine a triangle with God at the top, husband and wife at each of the bottom corners, then as you move from each corner toward God, you’ll see that the spouses draw closer together as well.  “Think on these things..” (See Philippians 4:8)!  Note that “putting away” =divorce, in the passage below.

“Yet ye say, Wherefore?

Because the LORD hath been witness

between thee and the wife of thy youth,

against whom thou hast dealt treacherously:

yet is she thy companion,

and the wife of thy covenant.

15 And did not he make one?

Yet had he the residue of the spirit.

And wherefore one?

That he might seek a godly seed.

Therefore take heed to your spirit,

and let none deal treacherously

against the wife of his youth.

16 For the LORD,

the God of Israel, saith

that he hateth putting away:

for one covereth violence

with his garment,

saith the LORD of hosts:

therefore take heed to your spirit,

that ye deal not treacherously.

17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words.

Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him?

When ye say,

Every one that doeth evil

is good in the sight of the LORD,

and he delighteth in them;

or, Where is the God of judgment?”    Malachi 2:14-17

Jesus Himself emphasized the import of marriage, and along with Paul’s writings, told us that adultery, desertion and abandonment were just reasons for divorce (not irreconcilable differences!)!

“It hath been said,

Whosoever shall put away his wife,

let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 But I say unto you,

That whosoever shall put away his wife,

saving for the cause of fornication,

causeth her to commit adultery:

and whosoever shall marry her

that is divorced

committeth adultery.”   Matthew 5:31-32

And I’ll simply say that I don’t believe those who claim that when a person is ‘divorced’ they are always an “adulterer”, but I do believe that when we have divorced without biblical cause, we will ever carry the weight of having “adulterated” a marriage in disobedience to God!  I know that God forgives, heals and restores even those of us who have disobeyed Him, but it’s so much better to obey.  Samuel spoke profoundly in regard to that!

“And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said,

Go

and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites,

and fight against them

until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey

the voice of the LORD,

but didst fly upon the spoil,

and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel,

Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD,

and have gone the way

which the LORD sent me,

and have brought Agag the king of Amalek,

and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people took of the spoil,

sheep and oxen,

the chief of the things

which should have been

utterly destroyed,

to sacrifice unto the LORD

thy God in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings

and sacrifices,

as in obeying

the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected

the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee

from being king.”  1 Samuel 15:18-23

Every choice has a consequence—for saved or lost, but obedience is ever the joy of the Lord!  Will you hear/listen to men or God?

“The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him,

and saying unto him,

Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife

for every cause?

4 And he answered and said unto them,

Have ye not read,

that he which made them

at the beginning

made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause

shall a man leave father

and mother,

and shall cleave

to his wife:

and they twain

shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain,

but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together,

let not man put asunder.

7 They say unto him,

Why did Moses then command

to give a writing of divorcement,

and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them,

Moses because of the hardness of your hearts

suffered you to put away your wives:

but from the beginning

it was not so.

9 And I say unto you,

Whosoever shall put away his wife,

except it be for fornication,

and shall marry another,

committeth adultery:

and whoso marrieth her which is put away

doth commit adultery.”  Matthew 19:3-9

Jesus makes it clear that it was God speaking in Genesis 2; declaring that the “two” shall become “one flesh”—not just sexually, but also spiritually walking and serving God together with one heart, mind and spirit!

“And Adam said,

This is now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh:

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore

shall a man leave his father and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife:

and they shall be one flesh.”   Genesis 2:23-24

So, my friends we can choose to listen to the world, and be deceived, or we can choose to follow God; no matter how often we have failed, we can receive of all His grace, mercy and truth.  Bring it to Jesus, and don’t fall for the subtle lies of the enemy.  We can KNOW truth if we will but turn to Jesus!  Be sure and remember to bring your questions and troubles to that:

“…throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need”!

That’s what I’m thankful for today!  How about you? (I didn’t mean for this to be so long, but I feel that it is an important message from God for each of us.  Especially in this broken world which is continually defying God’s truth—may we ever “stand fast in the evil day”)!   I am so thankful for that “throne of grace”!  I pray that you know it is there for YOU!

Amen and Amen.

 

 

A Month Of Gratitude??? #3 Bible Ballistics: BBs #601

06 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Contentment, Gratitude, JESUS, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Ballistics: BBs #601     A Month Of Gratitude??? #3

 

As we continue on with our month of gratitude, I am thankful for the Word of God, and it’s import to me because it His Word that is our road map, our guide, our encouragement, our true north!  While we live in a world that refutes virtually every principle of godly living—they can’t change “Truth”!

“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 world around us says we’re all “going” to the same place, we’re just talking different paths, but Jesus makes a defining statement that clearly declares that HE alone is “The Way” to God!  Paul also reinforces this truth in His letter to the Philippian believers.

“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

When we belong to Jesus, we can truly rejoice and thank our God in, for and through every situation.

“In every thing give thanks:

 for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.”   1 Thessalonians 5:18

“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

“Thanks be unto God

for his unspeakable gift.”  2 Corinthians 9:15

And a final word in regard to thankfulness from Paul.  May it encourage each of us to walk in the spirit of gratitude and reflect a joyful, thankful heart in all we do—to a world desperately in need!

“Rejoice in the Lord

alway:

and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation

be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 4:4-7

Here’s my heart’s word to you today!

“Giving thanks

always

for all things

unto God and the Father

in the name

of our Lord Jesus Christ;”   Ephesians 5:20

You are part of of my list of “all things” to be thankful for!

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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!!!