Bible Ballistics: BBs #349         Peace In HIS Presence!!!

 

With chaos and turmoil all around us, where do we find peace? In a word, real peace can only be found in “God”! And God’s peace is available to those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith—both “peace with God”, and the “peace of God”. Jesus paid the price for “peace with God” at Calvary, and those who come to Him have peace with God, but they also have the “peace of God” in their lives.

“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.” Romans 5:1-8

Did you get that? God cares about us–“while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”—Jesus didn’t wait for us to become good enough, HE died for sinners; He saves sinners and transforms them into saints! Calvary’s sacrifice offers “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” to all who will receive the gift of salvation by grace, through faith in the life-changing atonement Jesus made on the cross, when HE shed HIS blood willingly for you and me!

But it doesn’t stop there, God doesn’t simply declare that we have ‘peace’; HE is our peace, in Jesus. Oh, the joy of knowing His presence and the peace that we have when we walk with Him, that peace which the world can’t understand!

“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.

⁸ Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8

God’s peace accompanies our yieldedness and obedience, as we exercise control over our hearts, minds and actions. As Paul so succinctly reminds us, we must be diligent to “think on these things”. We must resist the temptations to be distracted, disturbed or depressed by the things going on around us, while resting in the “peace of God” that flows from having “peace with God”; remembering that He gave His all for our salvation and peace! That’s real peace!

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Will you walk in His peace today? It’s your choice, His peace or the world’s turmoil. I’ll take Jesus every time!

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17

Bible Ballistics: BBs #348           Steadfast In The Race???

 

Talking about racing isn’t something that I’m very familiar with, since I don’t run—in fact I’ve always done well to be able to walk without stumbling. I’m a bit clumsy at times so racing was never something that I pursued or excelled at in the physical realm, but we are called to “run with patience the race that is set before us”. (See Hebrews 12:1-2)

The thing that I have observed about racing is that the runner must be focused on “his own race/lane” and not what is going on around him. If he tries to glance behind him, he will loose his own focus and perhaps slow down, stumble or even fall behind. It is the same in the spiritual realm! We must keep our eyes focused on the prize—Jesus; we must run “our own race” in obedience to what our LORD is leading us to do; we must persevere in practice, training and purpose to run successfully. And God calls us to run this race before us with patience, in His strength and power.

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” Colossians 1:10-11

Did you get that? We are called to work, run, serve and minister in HIS strength and might; to be empowered by HIS “glorious power”; and, oh my, not the “P” word, with “all patience and longsuffering”! We are to exercise patience and longsuffering—the two biblical words that encompass all “patience”, one regarding circumstances (abiding under the load), and the other regarding people (putting up with)! But there’s even more—we are not only called to run with patience and longsuffering/endurance, but to exercise these “with joyfulness”!

Now I have to tell you that is a big one for me—I struggle to always and immediately rejoice when I encounter things that require patience and/or longsuffering on my part. But it’s what we are called to do. But how? Well my friends, there is only one way, and that is to always be walking “in the Spirit” of our Lord (See Galatians 5:16 & 25). To be “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power”! We must avail ourselves of all the spiritual resources that are found only in Jesus! It is by His power that we can run successfully, and consistently. And we must run—other people’s eternity may depend upon it!

So take heart friends, Jesus has bought the victory for us, and we must simply follow Him, for it is by His power, strength, grace and mercy that we will find the hope and strength to patiently run—even those of us who aren’t necessarily ‘runners’ by nature. We are equipped and empowered by our Lord to “run to win”!

“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

 Thank you Paul for reminding us that the victory belongs to the One who bought us with His precious blood. So take heart friend, we may get tired—but IN JESUS, we win!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 9 No.14    His Death Brings LIFE!!!

 

As we approach the time when we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, let’s spend some time considering Jesus and the price that HE paid for us.

“And Jesus answered them, saying,

The hour is come,

that the Son of man should be glorified.

²⁴ Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground

and die,

it abideth alone:

but if it die,

it bringeth forth much fruit.

²⁵ He that loveth his life

shall lose it;

and he that hateth his life

in this world

shall keep it unto life eternal.

²⁶ If any man serve me,

let him follow me;

and where I am,

there shall also my servant be:

if any man serve me,

him will my Father honour.

²⁷ Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?

Father, save me from this hour:

but for this cause came I unto this hour.”      John 12:23-27

Jesus came to give His life so that we could live now and in eternity with Him. It was His purpose for coming; it was God’s will to provide the perfect sacrifice for our salvation; it was Jesus’ desire to bring us to The Father, knowing it would cost His death—He loved us that much!

“And no man hath ascended up to heaven,        

but he that came down from heaven,          

even the Son of man which is in heaven.

¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent                      

in the wilderness,                                               

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:      

¹⁵ That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,                                

but have eternal life.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world,                                

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”     John 3:13-16

Jesus took on flesh and blood, to be the sacrifice for sin. He came to pay for our sin, and save us from the penalty of it, hell. Jesus came that we might know Him and The Father, and not only spend eternity with Him, but also have them in our lives for victorious lives in the here and now—victory over sin.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. ²² Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23

“God with us “, Jesus who came as the ‘seed’ of the woman to die for us, and unless we trust Him as payment for our sin, we are doomed to pay for our own sin, and the payment due for sin is ‘death’, eternal death.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

As the old hymn says, “Jesus Paid It All”! And there is no other payment for sin, except Jesus, the only way to God. Jesus came to die for us so we wouldn’t have to pay for our own sin. He came so that we could have life and spend eternity with Him—it IS the reason He came—to die in my place and yours, to bring us to heaven and The Father.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. ⁴ And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. ⁵ Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? ⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:1-6

As Jesus was about to approach the cross, the disciples couldn’t understand what was about to happen. Jesus was trying to prepare them for His eminent departure, and they just couldn’t understand—but then we wouldn’t have either! Jesus was telling the disciples that even though they didn’t understand what was about to happen (just like we don’t always understand what’s going on), that it wasn’t being able to know and/or understand all that was going on about them, but that they, and we, could know the way, because we “know” HIM! He is not ‘a way’ to God, but “THE Way” to God, the only way. And that way is the way of the CROSS! His death for me and you, so that we could be ‘born again’ in His resurrection power!

What totally amazes me, is that God knew even before He created us, that we would fall into sin, yet He had already made the way for us to be saved from that very sin.

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24

God is the eternal God of salvation, and by His love and grace He not only knew we’d need a way, but He sent His only son as The Way! God made the way for us—The Jesus way, knowing the cost was Jesus’ life at Calvary.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: ⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” Ephesians 1:3-5

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; ¹⁹ But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: ²⁰ Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, ²¹ Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” 1 Peter 1:18-21

New life; new hope; a new relationship with the God who created us, and the glory of eternal life with HIM forever! Life from death—not only saved from death, but also saved to new life IN Him.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ 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. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” Romans 6:3-5

We can have new life IN Jesus! And not only new life In Him, but also HIM IN us—the indwelling Holy Spirit, which HE bought with His own blood.

“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: ²⁷ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:26-27

“Christ in you, the hope of glory”—Christ in those who will come to Him in repentance and faith. The “New Covenant” in HIS blood. Bought at Calvary, received by repentance and faith, our life given to HIM in faith, knowing that it’s Jesus, “ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (see Col 1:14) His life for me! We must choose who can save us, self or Jesus? And receiving Him, means dying to myself:

“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

The saved live by faith—faith alone, in Christ alone, by His grace alone.

“And you hath he quickened, (Meaning make alive.)

       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.

⁸ 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 2:1-10

Saved by Grace!!! Praise God Almighty for His great love.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Jesus, just like the seed planted in the ground to die, and then to bring forth fruit, was planted in death to be raised to life eternal, for us. He already possessed ‘eternity’—yet He died to share it with all who will come to Him in repentance and faith. And when we come to Him, we are to daily take up our cross, dying to self. He empowers us to live unto HIM by His Holy Spirit and the Resurrection power that enables us to live victorious lives IN HIM!

“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 15:5

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

What will you do? Take up your cross and die to self, or are you holding onto this world, and your own way? You can’t take hold of the cross with your hands full of the world.

“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? ²⁷ For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”  Matthew 16:24-27

Will you take up your cross today? Will you die to self, and let Him raise you up to newness of life? Just like we plant the seeds in the spring, and look to the harvest to come—so Jesus takes our life and plants it in HIS kingdom to raise us up to walk in newness of life—HIS life in us. Just as Paul told the Colossians: “Christ in you, the hope of glory”!

HE is our hope, our joy and our future–Jesus Christ, the seed which died to bring new life! Just as He explained to the disciples in John 14, we don’t have to fear, but believe and trust all things to Him, as He said:

“…if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also….”

We must simply (although it’s not easy) trust Him and obey:

“….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.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Remember, we can have “new life” in Him, born from the seed that was planted in death—but raised in victory on that great amazing Resurrection Day! And because of it, we can live victorious, abundant new life in Jesus, because HE gained the victory over death—HE AROSE!!!

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.”   1 Corinthians 15:50-56

And praise to our Lord Jesus it doesn’t stop there:

“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 15:50:58

Jesus is still in the life-changing business. Trust HIM today. If you know HIM, then take up your cross and follow HIM—“ stedfast… unmoveable…. always abounding in the work of the Lord”! Amen and Amen!

Going over some older BBs and thought we all might need a reminder.

Bible Ballistics: “BBs”   Change???

We all encounter change that is out of our control.  We still must make decisions and respond.  How are we to deal with change, especially sudden, unexpected change?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” 

We can be ready for change by living in a “trust” relationship with God.  How do we come to “trust” in God?

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” 

We must know and revere God (the meaning of fear).

When we come to know Him in faith we will find Him trustworthy.

John 17:9-11 “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one, as we are.”

Not just knowing HIM but being one with HIM..  When we are born again we ..’become the sons of God’ (see John 1:12).

Children who come to know that no matter the circumstances they can trust their Father!!

Do you know HIM?

If so trust HIM with your every step…..even the ‘mis’-steps.

He is always faithful.

If not call on Him for salvation in Jesus. Repent of your sin, and trust His death as payment for your sin.  (see Romans 10:8-11)

So?  Here’s our shot for the day—????  Trust Him regardless- “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” 2 Cor. 5:7

So?  ??????  Press on in faith, He is trustworthy.  And keep looking up!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #346 ‘Glory To God In The Highest’???

 

Yes, I know that’s a verse from the story of the coming of Jesus, but today I just want to “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”! Thank you Lord God Almighty for the wondrous rain that you have showered upon our parched ground. Why glory? Because He is worthy of our praise:

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13b

Glory to the God of all creation for—

He created it–

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life

was the light of men.” John 1:1-4

God The Father, God The Son, and the Holy Spirit were one at creation, and they are one today. Just as John reminds us, “All things were made by him”, Jesus, and not only did He create “All things”, but Jesus is the sustainer of all things with God and to the glory of God!

He sustains it–

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:” Hebrews 1:1-3

Our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not only created this world, but sustain it now and until the end (and yes there is an end of ‘this’ world coming—See 2 Peter 3:9-14); and it is God who is in total control. It is NOT the government or the weatherman! They can’t create rain (although some try!) or cause the sun to shine—only God can do that, and I just want to praise HIM for sending us the rain that we so desperately needed.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:10-14

Even as the angels declared on that glorious night so long ago, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”; it was God who was due the glory—not only the highest glory of all, but because He is the Most High God! He is worthy of glory, and sending His Son to bring salvation to all who will believe, is the greatest glory of all. And what about peace and good will? Well, my friends, JESUS is the good will of God toward a lost and dying race—mankind, us—because His death, burial and resurrection for our sin gives us peace with the God from whom we are estranged. And that is the only peace that really matters in this crazy world of chaos and confusion. The “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” can rule in our hearts (See Philippians 4:7). So glory is due to God—and it is to be the highest praise and glory that we are capable of offering to our God. Not just on Sunday (or whatever day of the week that you assemble for worship), but we are to praise and glorify God every day of our lives as children of God through the blood of Jesus our Lord!!!

“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….

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.”     Romans 5:1-2, 6-8

So, today I say “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”! Glory to our God for the rain that has nourished our ground, and for the rain/reign that Jesus is to my soul! How about you? Won’t you join me today in praising God for the “rain” of life—both the ‘water’ and “The Word’! Amen and Amen!