Category Archives: The Lord Is My Shepherd

Looking Ahead With Confidence??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #518

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Grace, Growing in Jesus!, Holy Spirit, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Perseverance, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Tomorrow, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #518 Looking Ahead With Confidence???

 

As we approach a new year ahead, let’s take a few minutes to assess our progress. It is helpful to look back and consider our successes and our failures, and while I’m not much on making “resolutions” for the New Year, I do think we can benefit from asking God to help us see where we can improve our walk with HIM! As we seek His face and the leadership of His precious Holy Spirit, we can press on faithfully. And while not dwelling on it, we can consider our past while we pursue the present that God is calling us to! But remember that the enemy will try to keep us focused on our failures, paralyzing us to going forward with Jesus—don’t listen to him! Paul gives us some good advice in this arena.

“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.”   Philippians 3:13-14

We must accept the past as just that—passed! While our past will always affect our present and our future it doesn’t have to dictate our direction or paralyze us from serving our Lord! God has called us to be a reflection of HIS glory to a lost and dying world, and He will supply our every need as we walk forward in HIS service.

“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 2:9-10

When we receive the mercy of God, we are equipped for HIS service, by His power and might—so we can go forward in confidence regardless of our past, for it has “passed”.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you

that ye walk worthy

of the vocation

wherewith ye are called,”    Ephesians 4:1

We are His called, and He will accomplish His purpose in us as we yield to His Spirit, and walk in His strength, according to His Word and His grace. He is ever at work making us more like our Lord and Master, Jesus. You can take heart, for God is ever at work in and through 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?” Romans 8:28-31

I pray that you know HIM, and will commit yourself anew to yield to His working in you. He is your shepherd and His voice is ever leading you, and if you haven’t been listening—you can change that today!!!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.” John 10:27-30

If you don’t know HIM—I pray that you will hear His voice and invite Him in to sit on the throne of your heart! He is calling—won’t you open the door today? I pray that God will make Himself real to YOU today, for as Jesus says:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice, and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”   Revelation 3:20

Walking In His Way!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #465

01 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Confidence, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, The Lord Is My Shepherd, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #465   Walking In His Way!!!

 

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth

in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”   Psalm 37:23-24

Oh, to have my steps “ordered by the LORD”, is the prayer of my heart. How often do we find ourselves distracted and walking in ways that we didn’t intend? Well, if you’re like me, way more often than we’d like. I truly pray and desire to be found faithful before my Lord and hear HIM say:

“Well done,

thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things,

I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21b

 It is always good to be recognized for a job well done, but to hear that commendation  from my Lord would be the delight of my life. I’ve had life-confirming events in my life, and I thank God for them, but when I think of facing my Lord Jesus Christ, I truly want o see a smile on His face and know that HE is pleased with me. But who is good enough for that? Only those who know Jesus in salvation and have received His grace, truth and power of the New Birth—to have received HIS righteousness for my sin, by faith and grace!

“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

Jesus paid for my sin on Calvary, so that I could receive HIS righteousness to my account! Jesus paid for my sin, so that I wouldn’t have to pay for it myself—by eternal death! And when we receive Jesus, by repentance and faith, we become new creatures (See 2 Corinthians 5:17+) IN Jesus, and His Spirit will lead and direct our steps when we but hear and respond to Him in obedience and faith.

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”   Isaiah 30:21

Jesus also told His disciples (and us) that He was sending His Spirit to dwell within us and guide our steps in God’s way, and the indwelling Holy Spirit can make a sinner a “a good man” whose steps can be “ordered by the LORD”—and that my friend is the desire of my heart! How about you? And just how important is the Holy Spirit? It is His presence that verifies that we belong to Jesus, for HE is the Spirit of Jesus.

“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

Jesus reminds us: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (Jn. 10:27). Who is ordering your steps? Which voices are you heeding? Be sure!!!

What Time Is It??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.15

20 Sunday May 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Dependence, Faith, For Such A Time As This, Holy Spirit, I Can Do All Things?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Our God Reigns, Sovereignty, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Will Be Done, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Tomorrow, Trust God, Wait on the Lord

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 15    What Time Is It???

 

We’ve been talking a lot about rushing and resting lately, and I’d like to continue in this vein of thought—from a biblical perspective. For without a biblical perspective we don’t have God’s perspective, and that’s how I pray that I/we can learn to view the world. As an old adage says, “Looking through ‘rose-colored’ glasses”, I’d like us to consider whether we are looking at the world with God’s view or the worlds’! Whose ‘glasses’ are we using?

“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

We must make it a priority to keep our eyes “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”. And when we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will enable us to see things through His eyes—to respond appropriately to any and every situation that we encounter. We can walk in the light that Jesus IS and that HE will provide to His own.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Jesus is that light and HE will light our way, helping us see things as HE sees them, not as the world does—and there IS a difference.

“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

Jesus makes it more than clear, that when we walk in the Spirit—His Holy Spirit—we can accomplish HIS work rather than our own; just as Jesus was doing God’s will/work!

“But he said unto them,

I have meat to eat

that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

34 Jesus saith unto them,

My meat is to do the will

of him that sent me,

and to finish his work.” John 4:32-34

We can choose our own way or God’s! What about you?

“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

The problem we fight continually is the battle between our flesh and The Holy Spirit of Christ, which dwells within us! And it is a fight that we can win by the power of God alone. This has always been true and it’s still true now, and when we will walk ‘in The Spirit’, we are not only able to succeed in God’s work, but we can trust to HIS timing, and rest in His perfect grace and provision.

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”     Zechariah 4:6

Oh, what a wonderful promise fulfilled by the indwelling Holy Spirit given to us by the work of Christ Jesus at the cross.

“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.”    Romans 5:1-5

We can “glory in tribulations” because we know who we are ‘in Jesus’, and that His Holy Spirit is ever helping us know God’s will and God’s ways, and to walk in HIS peace! The “peace of God, that passeth all understanding”! We can truly learn to trust to, and rest in “His Time” in all things! And while it’s not easy, it is doable! Amen and amen! All by the power of God’s Holy Spirit!

Solomon shared this truth with us in such a beautiful way:

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:”     Ecclesiastes 3:11a

God’s timetable may not always match our expectations, but that’s what trust is all about—knowing that HE is GOD, and I am NOT! Ouch! Sometimes what looks good to us now, may not be the best for us and/or those around us.

“For man also knoweth not his time:

as the fishes that are taken in an evil net,

and as the birds that are caught in the snare;

so are the sons of men snared

in an evil time,

when it falleth suddenly upon them.

13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun,

and it seemed great unto me:”    Ecclesiastes 9:12-13

We aren’t always able to discern between appearance and what really is! But praise God Almighty, HE can and does see all things, and HE is at work on our behalf with one goal in mind, to conform us into the image of our Lord Jesus. So, I simply want to close with one of my favorite passages from Romans, and tell you that for years I never knew that there was a verse ‘29’! God isn’t erratic or unfeeling—all those things that come into our lives, and their timing are in the hands of our loving God with one purpose in mind! All that He sends, allows, and permits to come into our lives is to make us more like Jesus—no ‘ifs’, no ‘ands’, and no ‘buts’! Remember HE makes all things “beautiful in his time”—not mine! I hope this will minister to you this week as it has to me in recent days. Faithful is HE that has promised—and if you have been born again, HE is at your side!!!

“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?”   Romans 8:28-31

IN HIS TIME!!!!

Our Life Or His??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #440

28 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Approved Unto God, Choose You This Day!, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Living Right, Salvation, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Only Way, The Word, Thy Will Be Done, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #440        Our Life Or His???

 

As we talked last time about “blooming” for The Lord where He has planted us, I’d like us to dig a little deeper into how we are to bloom. We are called to be a reflection of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, not self!

“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 

If we will learn to keep this powerful principle before us, we could see so many things change around us—mostly ‘me’! I/we are called to let Christ be seen in us! So let’s take a few minutes this morning to remind ourselves of what He has called us to be—and do. For if we don’t “be” His, we can never “do” His work (pardon the grammar, but you get the point: doing comes out of the being, never vice-versa!)

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.”   John 10:27-28

When we are HIS sheep we will hear His voice—the Holy Spirit—and we are to follow HIM, not self—HE is Lord!

“I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.” John 10:14

Jesus is “the good shepherd” and when we are His, He knows us and we will know Him. And as we dig into His Word we will see Him more quickly, respond more promptly, and walk more faithfully before God and man. Paul gives us a great reminder of the import of God’s Word, and the priority it ought to be in our lives—it’s our life compass!

“Study

to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

And I always like to point out that just as we are called to “rightly” divide/understand God’s truth, the implication is, that as there is a “right” way to divide/understand God’s Word, there is also a “wrong” way! And there seems to be a lot of folks “wrongly” dividing—twisting what The Word says. Yet when we will diligently pursue the understanding of His Word, God will help us to not only understand it, but also to apply it consistently and to “order our steps” His way!

“All scripture

is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”    2 Timothy 3:16-17

As we pursue living the crucified life, we will come to see what God has for us in His Word. And as we bring this post to a close, let’s consider some things that the Psalmist says to us about pursuing God’s ways, and having His presence and glory evident in our lives.

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

“Trust in the LORD, and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires

of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment as the noonday.”   Psalm 37:3-6

He is the shepherd—the supply—and the sufficiency—today, tomorrow and each day we are given, so may HE ever:

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

Amen and Amen!!!

What Are You Wanting??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #438

21 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, Dependence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Love, Salvation, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Only Way, The Word, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #438   What Are You Wanting???

 

I’d like to share a few thoughts today on one of my favorite Psalms—almost everyone’s favorite, or close—with a bit of a twist. I pray that this will help us all to stop and think about our guarding our hearts and minds from the darkness around us.

“The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down

in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside

the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths

of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod

and thy staff

they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table

before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head

with oil;

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me

all the days of my life:

and I will dwell

in the house of the LORD

for ever.”   Psalm 23:1-6

What an amazing progression of confidence, comfort and courage the Psalmist paints for us. And two of the things that always jump out at me are, “The LORD is my shepherd” and “I shall not want”! Have you ever taken in the breadth of that concept—when I choose Jesus as “my shepherd” and become HIS child (sheep) through the blood of Jesus, He gives me “abundant life” in Himself by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit, and we can have confidence in His Spirit’s leading, comfort for any conflict, and the courage to live in HIS victorious power!!!

“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………

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.” Romans 5:5-6 & 8-9

Jesus, the Great Shepherd gave His life for us—He paid for our sin by His own blood on Calvary’s Cross! He did that for you and me, and when we will come to Him in repentance and faith, He saves, delivers and keeps us—He becomes “my shepherd”, and I am His own! And because I am HIS, I have confidence in His faithful provision; because of His Shepherd’s heart “I shall not want”! He will lead me in the right path, to the right provision and rest, through the difficult circumstances, and He will vindicate me in His time. I don’t have to seek my own justification or vengeance—that is HIS job!

So take a few minutes today to ponder and mull over the depth and beauty of the 23rd Psalm, and let the “Great Shepherd” be “YOUR” shepherd today. If you know Him, then yield to His Sprit’s leading in your heart and life. If you don’t know Him yet, bow your knee in repentance of your own sin, and trust to His sacrifice for you—His substitutionary (He took your place), atoning (He paid your sin debt), sacrifice (He gave what He didn’t to owe, to pay what you couldn’t pay)—and He will save you.

“But what saith it?

The word is nigh thee,

even in thy mouth,

and in thy heart:

that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart

that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth

unto righteousness;

and with the mouth confession is made

unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith,

Whosoever believeth on him

shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference

between the Jew

and the Greek:

for the same Lord over all

is rich unto all

that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13

Amen and Amen. Rest in The Shepherd’s love today!