Bible Ballistics: BBs #48   Resting??

Let’s go a step farther than running today. What do we find when we ‘run’ to God? Run, not only in those difficult times, but every day, moment by moment?

With a pulled muscle, I’ve been down and unable to walk very far unassisted, and I have experienced firsthand, the need to ‘rest’. Literally, I have had to rest in the Lord (and lean on my precious husband), as I can’t do much more than recline. I was reminded to:

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7.

‘Running’ to God, I find ‘rest’ in HIM. He IS trustworthy.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10.

I can trust to His ability to

keep,

comfort and

protect me.

In other words, I am safe there. So often when we ‘run’ to the Lord, we check in, and then check right out. God is my source and I should remain in His presence.

‘Resting’ is our privilege as well as ‘running’, and God gives us the choice to stay or go,

“For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” Isaiah 30:15

So?   Here’s our shot for the day.

Run to,

rest in, and

remain with

the Father who cares.

Because–He cares for YOU.

1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

He’s there, where are you?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #47   Running??

We all go through times of pain and suffering, heartache and grief and I know so many are wrestling with so much I just wanted to visit this issue again today. Are you hurting today? Is pain a part of your life? Can Jesus meet your needs? I heartily and confidently say YES!!! He can, He does!!! Because Jesus cares, when no one else does—Jesus does.

Hebrews 4:14-16, “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.”

We have a Savior who knows and understands. Who walked this earth like us, who got tired, had to face frustrations, had pain and sorrow, “Jesus wept”. Read the Gospel of John sometime to see the heart of the “Great Shepherd”, who cares for the sheep. Who cares so much that He gave His own sinless, perfect life to save my sinful, imperfect life and transform it into His image (see Rom 8:28-29). How do I know? ‘….the Bible tells me so…’.

Look at what our verses tell us:

My Savior is the SON OF GOD!!!

My Savior is my HIGH PRIEST;

but not a feeling less one, so high above that he is untouched with my pain.

My Savior, God and High Priest took on flesh to actually

feel my pain

and die so I could live

(though in a broken world for now),

and know the Savior

who had been touched with my feelings and

could help me bear and overcome them.

He bought victory at Calvary. (See Hebrews 2:14-15).

So?? Here’s our shot for the day.

Run “boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

He’s there to hold you,

to comfort and

encourage you.

Yes, even to cry with you.

Run, don’t wait.

Run to your loving Savior NOW—

He’s never off duty

or too busy for YOU!!!!

 

Bible Ballistics: Alert? Pt. 3, March 30, 2014 Vol.3 #20

Since this week would be our regular Q&A time I’d like to write just a short follow-up in regard to being on the alert. We have so much going on around us and we need to be on ‘spiritual alert’ for our Lord. As Peter closed his second letter he reminds us of the necessity to keep a true perspective and to “be diligent ….”. Let’s walk our way through.

2 Peter 3:11-18, “ Seeing then that

 all these things shall be dissolved, (earthly things)

what manner of persons ought ye to be

in all holy conversation

and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, (be ready)

wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we,

 according to his promise,

look for new heavens and a new earth,

       wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, (SO)

seeing that ye look for such things,

be diligent that ye may be found

of him

in peace,

without spot,

and blameless.

 

15  And account that  (take notice)

the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;

even as our beloved brother Paul also

according to the wisdom

 given unto him

hath written unto you;

16 As also in all his epistles,

speaking in them of these things;

in which are some things hard to be understood,

which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest,

as they do also the other scriptures,

unto their own destruction.

17 Ye therefore, beloved,

seeing ye know these things before,

beware lest ye also,

being led away with the error of the wicked,

fall from your own stedfastness.

18 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.”

In other words, pay attention to the ‘Word of God’. Remember that this world is ‘temporary’ and will not last, so make sure you are investing in the eternal. Don’t fall for all the lies of the enemy/the world but know truth and share it.

How do I do this?  By walking with Jesus.  Paul gives a great lesson about walking diligently in Philippians 3:7-15,

“But what things were gain to me,

 those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for

the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:

for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,

and do count them but dung,

that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness,

which is of the law,

but that which is through the faith of Christ,

the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him,

and the power of his resurrection,

and the fellowship of his sufferings,

being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 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, (mature)

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.”

So, forget the past,

keep your eyes on Jesus

and press on toward HIS MARK—oneness with God (See John 17:21).

Seeking God’s gain, not the world’s—‘lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven’ (Matt 6:18-20) not on earth. God never forgets your work for Him, and His accounting is always correct.  (Is 59:18 and Romans 2:6).  Have a blessed week watching for and listening to God’s Spirit as He speaks and leads your steps.  Be on the ‘alert’, be diligent, every day! Today!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #45 Noah?? Fact or Fantasy?

Noah—a hot topic of the day.  To see the ‘movie’ or not to see the ‘movie’.  I have a bit to share in that regard.

Genesis 6:6-8,11 “And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord…11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”

‘Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.’ Why?

Hebrews 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

John 1:12, “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:”

Noah believed God (faith, believe, receive are used synonymously here), obeyed Him, built an ark, and saved his own family’s lives, as well as the animals God had made.  What else did Noah do for the 100+ years that he built on the ark?  How did he ‘condemn’ the world while he built?  Well!!! The answer is where????? Of course you know.

1 Peter 2:5, “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;”

He preached for 100 years of the coming judgment of God on ungodliness.  Did anyone listen?  NO. What about us?

Matthew 24:37-39, “ But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”  Ring any bells?

So?? Here’s our shot for the day. We are living in the days of Noah.  Will you go see the movie?  That’s your decision, but as for “me and my house, we will serve the Lord” at home.  Just because the ‘world’ uses ‘Bible’ names, terms, events and issues, doesn’t make it “Bible”.  What is the motivation??? $$$$$ Your money, time, energy and influence. Why not use yours for God’s kingdom rather than funding the world’s.  It’s your decision.

So?? Instead, read the book (the Bible), get to know the author, find out what it really says (in total), follow His will and ways (OBEY), and increase His kingdom with your time, talents, energy and resources—NOT the world’s.  I believe we’re in that day, and only those who are following God through Jesus (Noah’s message also) will know truth and see.  Get on the Ark—in Jesus!! The rest will know not “until” the flood comes to take them away. Know God now as Savior or bow before Him then as Judge!!! A bit longer than I usually share in a ‘BBs’ article, but I felt compelled to address this issue. God bless you with spiritual understanding—Colossians 1:9-14 is my prayer for you. Oh, and by the way, God Is Not Dead, I just talked to Him.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #45 Victory’s Source

As we’ve been talking about victory in the perilous times in which we live, I’d like to continue with our thoughts on standing in the ‘evil day’.  How do we have consistent victory? As usual the answer is in the ‘Word’.

2 Timothy 3:10-17, “But thou hast fully known my

doctrine,

manner of life,

purpose,

faith,

longsuffering,

charity,

patience,

11 Persecutions,

afflictions,which came unto me at Antioch…… what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 **Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.** 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 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 (or woman of God)may be

perfect (mature),

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Wow!! What more can I say?

Know what the word says—

about doctrine/truth—

about what’s wrong—

about how to fix our own lives

so others can see the real Jesus clearly in us—

to prevent error by knowing righteousness.

So?  Here’s our shot for the day—?????

Get in the WORD—

be equipped,

mature,

and show Jesus

to the world

by your works.

Others are watching you, and like Paul, we can be confident in what we’re showing them today when it’s the ‘WORD’.

So?  Get in it today, and know persecution will come!