Bible Ballistics: BBs #105    Stolen Memory???

When one of our granddaughters was small and she didn’t want to do something, she would say, “somebody stole my memory”. Well it was funny from a 3 year-old child but for we adults it’s often not so funny. Add technology to that and it’s often worthy of tears instead of laughter. I went to write this article this morning and had some notes I had recorded on my IPhone and guess what, ‘somebody stole my memory’. I didn’t realize that upgrading the operating system on my phone would erase my recordings!!! Aghast for just a few minutes, I was brought to remember that it’s not the phone that I serve but the Almighty God.

Revelation 4:8-11 says, “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. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 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.”

My/our God is the Lord God Almighty—

Who was, and is, and is to come—

Who lives forever and ever—

Who is worthy of worship—

Worthy of MY Worship—

Worthy of MY Thanks–

HE is worthy of –

Glory and Honor and Power—

Because “…thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”

My God is creator of all!! And my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is also creator. He was there, is here and will be forever also.

Colossians 1:16-17, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

So??? Here’s our shot for today. I may forget things, loose things, misunderstand things—

But my God never does!!!

He can supply my every need, regardless of what it is. If He can’t bring those things back to my heart and mind, then guess what??? He’s got something better for me to consider.

Philippians 4:19,

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

My memory may come and go but Psalm 97:1 says,

“The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.“

AMEN AND AMEN!!! Look up and press on!!! God’s got it!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #104    Changing Seasons???

Good morning!! I hope you are enjoying a pleasant fall where you are. It’s warm again here in Oklahoma but cooler than it has been. We’re still waiting for the color to begin to show but it’ll take a few more cool nights before that happens. As we think about seasons, it comes to mind that our lives are a series of ‘seasons’. How do we live them?

Matthew 6:10-11, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread.” He provides today—don’t fret about tomorrow—live today.

Proverbs 27:1, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Today is all I have—will I use it wisely, now?

Live life NOW—it’s the only ‘season’ we have. How often do we waste time wishing or longing for a by-gone season. When we were 18, 25, 30, 45, or 65…??? When the children were small (every parent misses that), but more importantly we are to live today, today!!! Today, this day, is the only day we have; God calls us to use it for Him now.

Am I willing to seek God’s will TODAY? To truly seek His will and His kingdom in all I am and all I do? To be a godly example in whatever season I’m in, to God’s glory, to “be instant in season, out of season;” (see 2 Tim. 4:2)

1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

In practical terms: parent to God’s glory, give a day’s work for a day’s pay to God’s glory, mow, cook, clean, drive to God’s glory (now that’s a hard one!). I am to live today as a mom, grandma, grandpa, employee, pastor, teacher, neighbor, friend, –in every ‘season’, time and place. And finally a bit of encouragement on how we are to do this:

1 Corinthians 15:57-58, “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.”

Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

So??? Here’s our shot for today.

Be grateful to God always, wherever you are.

Remember in HIM we have victory!!!

Be steadfast (firm and unwavering)

Immoveable (stand firm)

Abounding in God’s work (faithful)

Remember—our victory is in Jesus—in HIM we can win!!

Speak TRUTH with love in your heart and actions—

Use your words to reflect God’s truth, glory and love to all!!!

So??? Get busy—You can do it in season or out!!

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Live today in HIS strength!!!

Bible Ballistics: Here, Have a Drink??? Vol. 4 #24

A popular call of today—on TV, in the movies, in books—just ‘have a drink’ and all will be well. In fact I don’t watch the food channels much anymore because almost every show seemed to be pushing ‘alcohol’ consumption as a normal and acceptable relaxer, problem solver, rest aid, social mixer…etc. Yet, as I see it, alcohol presents far more problems than solutions. But, I’m really not on a tirade about the evils of drink today, but it was a great lead in. The world is obsessed with booze, pills, sex, fame, and fortune: the panaceas that bring perfect happiness and ‘happily ever after’ lives!!!

Alert! Alert! Alert! They are wrong!!! As almost every day’s headlines prove in one way or another. What I’d like to share today is the real solution to all of life’s problems, sorrows, griefs and confusion. It’s a drink—and it’s a person! Like many of the ads read today: “A Beautiful (home, face, car…) Starts with*****”, you fill in the product!! It’s not more products that we need, it’s more of the only thing that really makes a difference—Jesus Christ–crucified, buried and raised from the dead—for you and me!!! What does He have to offer???

Jesus, in His conversation with the woman at the well of Sychar made an amazing statement:

John 4:11-14, “The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

This woman’s question was genuine: she wanted to know how this stranger, this “man” (remember men didn’t talk to women in public, especially ‘worldly women’), this Jewish man (for the Jews hated the Samaritans), would speak to her, not only speak but engage her in conversation. But we know Jesus was a ‘barrier’ breaker!!! He forgave the woman taken in adultery, and sent her away to ‘sin no more’. He healed Mary Magdalene, who was demon possessed. He granted a request for healing from a Canaanite woman!!! Jesus met the needs of people, and He did more to elevate the status of women than any other person in history. In fact, this Samaritan woman was the first person recorded, to whom Jesus clearly and openly revealed that He was the Messiah.

John 4:25-26, “The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”

Jesus also calls us to receive this ‘water of life’ (also a picture of the Holy Spirit He would send after His ascension).

John 7:37-39, “… In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” Life—God in us life—forever!!!

Jesus was, is and ever shall be the ‘water of life’. In Revelation 21 and 22 we also see this ‘water of life’.

Revelation 21:6, “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” The choice is yours, now.

Revelation 22:1 & 17, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb…… 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

What are you drinking? Are you settling for the ‘have a drink’ that the world offers—be it booze, pills, immorality, money, fame, fortune, power, lewdness or just self-satisfaction? None of these will ever satisfy the longing thirst of your soul. Only Jesus can do that. Israel of old found out that forsaking God and creating their ‘own way world’, their ‘own gods’ and ‘own drink’ was, at best, a great disappointment. Jeremiah talks about this and it is so apropos for America.

Jeremiah 2:11-14 says, “Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. 12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. 13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. 14 Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?” WHY???

I love to go to the mountains where you sometimes see spigots on the side of the road, spigots that provide water from artesian wells. Wells that come up on their own and provide such sweet, cold water that you think you’ve never really had water before. Well this is the picture that God is painting for Israel and for us today. He is a wonderful artesian spring of fresh, vibrant, life-giving water. But are you choosing to drink from God’s spring, or have you done what Israel did and made an alternative choice?

“For my people have committed two evils;

they have forsaken me

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed them out cisterns,

broken cisterns,

that can hold no water.”

A people who have forsaken God–

Gone their own way–

Dug out their own cisterns–

Leaking cisterns

That can’t hold WATER—

Dirty water at that!!!

And doing this they forsook the

Real

Original

Pure

Clean

Life-producing

Living Water.

How about you? What are you drinking? Won’t you “have a drink” of the ‘water of life’? Imbibe at the ‘fountain of living waters’ and, like the woman at the well, never have to “settle for” the

Imitation

Stagnant

Contaminated

Dirty

Unhealthy—

Water of Death again!!!

And one last passage for us to think on this week, as we think about the ‘water of life’. When we belong to Jesus, this water of life empowers us to live victoriously.

Ephesians 5:15-21,

“See then that ye walk circumspectly,

not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time,

because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise,

but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine,

wherein is excess;

but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing and making melody

in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always

for all things unto God

and the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another

in the fear of God.”

‘Think on these things‘……(see Phil.4:8). Whatever you put in will come out!!! What are you drinking???

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #103 Strength for Today???

We’ve talked recently about being weary and tired and how God is our resource to overcome and get through those times. But what about maintaining our strength, how do we ‘press on’ in those times of continuing difficulty and crises. Paul talks about this a lot, but I’d like us to look at two passages dealing with this subject.

Philippians 3:12-15, “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.”

OK, what is Paul telling us? Paul was encouraging the church at Philippi to ‘press on’. You hear me say that a lot, and now you know—it’s Biblical!!! If you’ll allow me to paraphrase for us:

I haven’t arrived yet—but I’m on my way

I’m not perfect yet (mature)—but I’m growing

I’m not there yet—but I’m following Jesus

I AM—forgetting the past (failures and successes)

–reaching for what’s ahead (as He leads)

–pressing on for the prize-JESUS is the prize

–hearing and obeying God’s call on ME

–calling YOU to do the same!!!

And the other passage links hand in hand with this challenge. It’s Paul’s testimony to the ‘total sufficiency’ of God!!! He has been chased, persecuted, beaten, jailed, falsely accused…. etc., yet he shares his source of courage:

2 Corinthians 12:7-10, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory

in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses2 C

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”

What place are you in today? Suffering, anguish, pain, lack, or sorrow? It doesn’t matter what the need: the Lord God Almighty and His Son Jesus are sufficient to the task.

So??? Here’s our shot for today!!!

Forget what’s behind—it’s done and can’t be erased!!!

Take today in hand with Jesus and press on!!!

Remember our ‘weakness’ is often God’s tool to reveal HIS glory and power to the world!! Through YOU!!!

He is conforming us into HIS image!!! (See Ro. 8:28-29)

Bible Ballistics: BBs #102 No More Tears???

No, I’m not talking about children’s shampoo!! I’m talking about all the sorrow, grief, confusion, hurt, and frustrations of life that bring tears and pain. A time is coming, for the children of God, when all those tears will be dried to never return.

Our Lord Jesus is returning for His own!! Not only His own people, but also His own ‘heaven and the earth’. That ‘In the beginning God’, in the person of Jesus Christ the Son, will return to reclaim—redeem—that which is His. That which He ‘redeemed’ (paid for) with His own blood at Calvary!   Because of His sacrifice, we can have not only life here, but also eternal, glorious, perfect life with God in Heaven. Yes, I believe in Heaven!!! Not because of books or movies, but because my God said so in His Word!!! What do you believe? Why? Here’s what God has to say.

Revelation 21:4-5, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”

Our God will overcome, and we as His children will be with Him. The curse of Eden will be triumphed over by our coming Lord. He will restore things on planet earth, but there is a time coming when even that will perish and He will ‘make all things new’!!! Sin will be gone, and with it the sorrows it ‘created’. I’m ready, how about you? The thing to be sure of is that we are the children of God!!! How?

John 1:11-14, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

John 3:3-5, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”  **The Holy Spirit is the vehicle that imparts the new birth to us–makes us ‘born… of God‘.**

So??? Here’s our shot for today.

Have you been “born again”?

Have you been “born…of the will…of God”?

Have you been “born of water and of the Spirit”? (see ** above)

Your answer will determine the future of your tears!!! Will you spend eternity with God in heaven? If you have believed in Jesus, and have received the ‘new birth’ from God, are you sharing the truth with those around you? Let’s be sure we’re not keeping the ‘good news’ of the gospel to ourselves?

Have a blessed day in the Lord—

trust Him if you haven’t –

love and obey Him if you have!!!

The eternal destiny of those around you may depend on YOU!!!

Prayers and weeping now for great reward, but joy comes in the morning!!!

Psalm 30:5, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

I’m ready. Are you?