Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.24 Need Your Eyes Examined???

 

“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 12:2-3

It is so easy to be distracted. In fact, we live in a distracted world—distracted drivers, distracted marriages, distracted parents, distracted walkers, you can fill in the blank with any activity you can think of. Our world seems to be ever seeking something or somewhere other than what they have or where they are. We live in a world of ever-increasing greed and discontent. And it seems to be a malady that spans the gambit of culture, gender, age, or class. Everyone wants something that someone else has, and many are willing to exercise violence to alleviate the lack.

Even believers/Christians get caught up in this mindset. It’s so easy to buy into the draw and appeal of Madison Avenue advertising glitz. They paint such beautiful pictures and create desires that are based on exaggerated expectations. But as believers in Jesus Christ we have a higher call for our vision. We are to keep our eyes, as well as our hearts and minds set on Jesus. We are to continually be “Looking unto Jesus” for our every need and desire. But how do we overcome the call of the world? How do we overcome the appeal of the glitz and glamour? How do we overcome the drive to perfection and success that is measured in dollars and cents rather than character, integrity and selflessness? Well, let’s see what we can discover from the scripture.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God

hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.”     Romans 12:1-3

God calls us to a higher plane of living. Paul reminds us and calls us to live as the “servants” of God not His “directors”! We are to recognize our position as beloved children, but at the same time to be devoted servants to the one who redeemed us from the penalty and power of sin in our lives (and He will even deliver us from the very presence of sin when Jesus Christ returns, or we meet Him in death first). How can we not appreciate and cultivate a servant heart that real gratitude produces? Remember the “Prodigal” son who had a complete change of heart when he returned to his father in brokenness and repentance—his father welcomed him with open arms but his heart was ready to serve the father in love and remorse for his sin. Those open arms are there for us but we also need to possess the gratitude that His grace should produce in our lives, as well as keeping our eyes on Jesus to reflect His character and love.

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father.

But when he was yet a great way off,

his father saw him,

and had compassion,

and ran,

and fell on his neck,

and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him,

Father,

I have sinned against heaven,

and in thy sight,

and am no more worthy

to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:17-24

This son who had walked away from his father (“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Ro. 3:23) came home in recognition of the goodness of his father, and his own personal failure and sin. That is how we must come to God the Father, in response to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, with a heart of repentance and faith in the saving power of the blood of the Lamb! And while God welcomes us with open arms and makes us his children through the new birth, we aren’t to become arrogant, presumptuous children but grateful, humble “bond-servants” of the living God of all creation. We should be grateful for His grace and salvation that makes us His own.

“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 1:12-13

And when we are “born…..of God” we have the power to live the transformed life that Romans 12 refers to, and I can do that only through the power of Jesus Christ; yielding to His power’s work in and through me!

“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

Living life with a servant heart demands a heart that is focused on the Savior Jesus Christ rather than self. Oh that sound so easy, but believe me, it is simple but not easy. It requires a change of heart, and a change of mind resulting in a change of behavior—yielding to the Spirit of God in my life and living a life of faith and obedient submission to the One who loves me completely and gave HIMSELF for me!

“5 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

“Let this mind be in you”–with our eyes on Jesus! We must practice this life of submission to the One who loves and leads us, if we will but hear, follow and obey! We must daily, moment by moment “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” by knowing the Word of God and putting it into practice in our every choice and decision; living our life by faith and not by sight—especially the sight of the glitz and glamour (so-called) of the world, but the sight of the One who took on flesh for me; the One who gave His life for mine: the One who was resurrected that we might live in resurrection power! We have the power to live a JESUS focused life when we remember to live as Paul describes, “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”! And remember the reward for those who will have their eyes examined by the Lord, and walk in the vision that His Spirit will give us.

“His lord said unto him, Well done, 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 25:23

And that reward can come if we will but realize that our battle is spiritual and it is of the mind. So we must daily, keep our minds set on Jesus, our eyes looking to Him in all things. Here are a couple of thoughts to take with you through this week—they help me, I hope they will minister to you and help you walk victoriously with your eyes on Jesus!

“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

Recognize the battles—and focus on the Lord! Keep thinking and living by His Word!!!

“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 4:8

“Looking unto Jesus Looking unto Jesus….

present your bodies a living sacrifice…..

crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live…

Let this mind be in you…..”

It’s your choice!!! But remember what the old children’s song says, “Oh be careful little eyes what you see….” Don’t let the things of the world “distract” YOU!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #316 Balancing Rest In Ministry???

 

Many people get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, and especially during this holiday season and approaching end of the year. I’m not trying to “preempt” New Year’s but it is often a time of reflection, resolutions and renewals for a lot of folks, and today I’d like to borrow from that mindset a bit, to remind us that regardless of the times and seasons, we must seek to maintain a healthy balance in our daily lives, both physically and spiritually. We must have balance. Ministry (An every believer is in it, whether we’re paying attention or not; whether we’re a good ‘minister’ or a negligent one) is demanding and it requires strength of soul, heart and mind, which is always dependent on the Holy Spirit!

Jesus called His disciples to rest! He had sent them out on a mission and when they returned, the ‘busy-ness’ surrounded them and Jesus stepped in with good advice; advice that we should heed, and remember in our daily lives.

“And the apostles gathered themselves together

unto Jesus,

and told him all things,

both what they had done,

and what they had taught.

31 And he said unto them,

Come ye yourselves apart

into a desert place,

and rest a while:

for there were many coming

and going,

and they had no leisure

so much as to eat.

32 And they departed

into a desert place

by ship

privately.” Mark 6:30-32

Rest is necessary for balance! And we want to be balanced Christians/Believers who are useful to the Master. But we must also guard against laziness and realize that we are to be about God’s business in all we do. We are to rest in Him, giving our body, mind, and spirit good, healthy, and appropriate rest.

“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”    John 4:34

But we must guard against laziness and sloth, especially in a culture that worships ease, and leisure! We are to be an example of excellence NOT excess, in all our service to God; knowing that we are to be about God’s “business” in every word and deed, and finding that balance of rest and work by listening to the Holy Spirit.

We must make time to learn from God—alone with Him, feasting on His Word and dwelling intimately in His presence through prayer (For prayer isn’t just talking, it also requires listening and meditating on what we have learned from HIS Word!). Then we can have the right time for ministry to others, whatever kind of ministry God has given us; whether it’s a mom at home meeting the needs of her family in a godly way; whether it’s a pastor pushed beyond human limits; or a doctor facing the worst of circumstances on a daily basis; or a entry level worker looking toward promotion. Even if you’re retired and have time for travel, helping or volunteering in various ways; is Jesus seen in all your activities? We must learn to hear and obey the call of God to whatever ministry He has for us, in whatever season of life we may be living—in fact God has a job that YOU need to do! But we must first cultivate intimacy with God and spend time with Him, then go forward to reach our corner of the world for Jesus! Taking time to rest along the way, but not getting into that ‘lazy’ mindset that says something like, “I’ve done my share, now I get to sit down and enjoy life”!!! Duh! When I’m serving Jesus, I AM enjoying life—abundant and complete life. But it takes determination and a devotion to God—seeking Him first in all we do and say, and He will provide and teach us balance, if we will but listen and yield to His Spirit!!! Not man’s idea of balance, but God’s! Excellence not perfection!!!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34

Seek Him and rest in HIM today. Blessings on your day!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #315 A Refuge Amidst The Chaos!!!

 

I just want to share a bit from the Word of God this morning to encourage and lift up all of us in the busy-ness of the times. Sometimes we all become overwhelmed by the activities around us and the demands that come knocking at our door unexpectedly. There is no better encouragement than the truths and promises of the Word of God! Just a few tidbits of truth to boost your spirits and brighten your day.

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”                                                           Psalm 23:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalm 28:7

“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalm 73:28

I pray that this will give you some food for thought (and there are no calories in this ‘food’) today, and that God will speak to your heart and lift your eyes to the heavens and the one who Reigns from there. Remember God’s got this and you can trust HIM!!! Have a blessed day dear ones!!!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.23 Getting Past Your Past???

 

Even as we think about the approaching celebration of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (And I know that HE wasn’t born on December 25^th, but it’s a time in which we celebrate the truth of His incarnation for our redemption!) there are many who have a hard time during this season which is replete with family celebrations of all kinds. There are many who have lost someone they love, others are just in difficult circumstances, which make this a hard time of year, and many others are just struggling with life in general. But the beauty of Christmas to me is the truth that Jesus came to save the lost and give “abundant” life to those who will repent and believe in His coming, His death burial and resurrection for our sin. The very joy that was proclaimed those thousands of years ago is still a joyous proclamation to those who will receive it!

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary

was espoused to Joseph,

before they came together,

she was found with child

of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband,

being a just man,

and not willing to make her a public example,

was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things,

behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared

unto him

in a dream,

saying,

Joseph,

thou son of David,

fear not to take unto thee

Mary thy wife:

for that which is conceived

in her

is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name Jesus:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”     Matthew 1:18-21

Now we have to understand a few things about the context of this situation; first an espousal was legally a marriage but the couple had not come together or consummated the marriage. And then there’s the scandal! “What scandal?” you might ask? Well think about it. Here is small town Nazareth, where everyone knew everyone else. Mary received the visit from the angel that she would become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit, and she believed the prophecy spoken over her and went almost immediately to visit and spend time with Elizabeth her cousin, who was also miraculously pregnant. Mary spent approximately three months with Elizabeth and returned home—duh—very obviously pregnant, and Joseph knew it wasn’t his child!

Well, that’s pretty scandalous, would you agree? Well, maybe not in our day of rampant immorality, but it was certainly scandalous then, and shouldn’t be accepted now as right. I have often wondered about Mary’s conversation with her mother and father, “Well, yes mom, I am pregnant but an angel told me that this would happen and it’s all of God!” RIGHT? When God is at work in the lives of His own, it is often unbelievable to those around them! But let’s not forget Joseph.

Joseph has of course heard the news upon Mary’s return, and we’re not told whether Mary had told him, or the rumor had come to him from others. But what we are told is that Joseph was a just man, a godly and compassionate man. He could have had Mary stoned, as her legal husband, knowing that the child wasn’t his, but he must have loved her dearly, for he was considering simply giving her a “writ” of divorce and putting her away privately, and not having her stoned for ‘adultery’. But God had other plans! While sleeping Joseph was visited by an angel (We don’t know if it was the same Angel Gabriel who visited Mary. See Luke 1:26) who reassured Joseph that Mary’s explanation of her virginal pregnancy was true, and that she was to give birth to the Messiah. He was also told what to name this baby, for His name would reflect His purpose—to “save his people from their sins”. When Joseph received this truth from God he simply obeyed.

“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.” Matthew 1:24-25

I think we often miss the import of Joseph’s obedience. Joseph in obeying God was saying to the world, by his actions, that Mary’s child was his, and that he was taking her to be his wife. Yet before God he maintained her virginity until after the baby Jesus was born. Can you just imagine the snickering, the whispering, and the gossip that went around Nazareth about this scandalous couple? Yet here we have two devoted young people, listening to God and stepping out in faith and obedience to hear and follow God’s call upon them.

Now, I know you are thinking, “What does this have to do with my ‘past’?” Well it has a lot to do with my past, and yours; because Jesus came to give us a future that forgives and eases our past, when we will give it to HIM!

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”     Psalm103:12

Jesus came so that we could live—and live victoriously today, in spite of our ‘past’! He even told us to pray that way!

“Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:10-12

Jesus so clearly teaches us that life and prayer should be intertwined; that our focus should be on God, and on HIS will being accomplished in and through us; that we are to live today for today—in it’s needs and provisions; and that our hearts are to exercise forgiveness, because we are forgiven. And forgiven means we have been cleansed from our sin by the precious blood of Jesus our Lord.

“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

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

We are forgiven through the blood of Jesus when we come to Him in repentance and faith. Not walking our own way, but recognizing that we have sinned, and we can’t fix it, and also recognizing that Jesus fixed what He hadn’t broken so that we could be restored to God.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 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 5:17-21

I’m reminded of something that Corrie Ten Boom used to say, “God has put your sin in the deepest ocean, and has put up a ‘No Fishing’ sign!” When God has forgiven us—we ARE FORGIVEN. We are a “new creature” in Christ Jesus.

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience….” Hebrews 10:22a

And when Jesus cleans us, we are clean. Even though we are walking in a corrupt and sin-filled world, we are clean before God. And even when we sin after we are saved, we are simply in need of having our “feet” washed and asking God to forgive us of the sin that we commit—we are redeemed and saved, but we are not perfect yet!

“Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” John 13:10

Because we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ by virtue of His redeeming sacrifice for us on Calvary, we have the privilege of coming to the Father when our feet are dirty and we have ‘stumbled’ into sin (and we all do!)! And just as we are to come to the Father/Son when we have failed, to find His forgiveness and cleansing, we are to extend that same gracious compassion and forgiveness to others in the power and love of The Lord Jesus Christ!

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14

“If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10

Jesus came that we might have life through the forgiveness of our sins, by the shedding of His blood for those very sins when He died on the cross. It was for your sin and mine that He died, for HE had no sin. And when we come to Him, we are made new, forgiven and redeemed back to God. Sinners made right with God—oh what a treasure. And when we are right with God, we can be right before the world, even when they won’t let us be ‘right with’ them because they hate our message of the exclusiveness of the message of the cross. When we share the truth that Jesus is the only way to God, men often reject us—but we don’t have to allow them to throw a forgiven past up in our faces. We are forgiven and free from the penalty of the past!

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life

in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death.”     Romans 8:1-2

Our walk is in the Spirit of God-the Holy Spirit-and when we walk in yieldedness to The Holy Spirit of God, we can have victory, even when we are in the midst of seeming defeat!

“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

Because we receive the Holy Spirit of Christ when we are saved (See Romans 8:9), we are empowered to live a victorious and over-coming life through His presence and direction. But we must learn to hear His voice, and yield to His directing in our lives. And one of the best ways to cultivate good “ears that hear” is by studying the Word of God regularly and continually. It is our plumb line, our level to know truth from false, to know right from wrong; and God’s Word will never contradict itself, nor will the Holy Spirit lead us to do anything contrary to the Word of God.

But we must learn to hear and heed the Word and the Spirit. He will keep us from sin. As an old adage says, “The Word of God will keep you from sin, Or sin will keep you from the Word of God.”

So our job is to stay in the Word and know truth, not only the Person of Jesus, but also the Word that He has given us as His love letter to His own. That which will help us grow into mature, powerful believers. But there is something else that I want us to consider, what about the effect of the ‘past’? How do we deal with that? For while we are forgiven, we still have issues that becoming a believer won’t erase. If a person has lost an arm because they were driving drunk, that arm won’t grow back because they are saved. If I’ve had a divorce before I got saved, Jesus won’t erase all the consequence of broken homes, broken children and broken and strained relationships, but HE will help us learn to deal with those things in His power, His Spirit and His provision. Having lived that experience, I have learned to appreciate an Old Testament passage with great gratitude. Let’s look at it and then I’ll share more about it.

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.” Joel 2:25-26

God had punished His people for their sin and idolatry, but He is promising that He will restore them. And for me and the messed up life that Jesus saved me from, it was a testing ground for His Word, and He provided! I had so messed up my life and the lives of my children that when I truly came to know the Lord, I couldn’t see how it would all work out, but God had a plan and while I didn’t always get it right—God did. My children aren’t perfect, but I see God working in their lives, and restoring many of the “years that the locust hath eaten”. He has healed and restored many relationships, yet some He hasn’t’! But He has given and is giving me grace to respond in HIS Spirit and not my own. Now please don’t misunderstand, I’m certainly not claiming that I’ve “GOT IT”, because I don’t, I still have to walk in dependence upon my Lord who saves and delivers; but I am saying that as we learn to yield to Him, as we continue to delve into His Word and learn His character and His principles, we will grow and see things change as time goes by. And while the “past” is still my “past”, its effect on me is lessened. I still have regrets, I think we always will, but not to the point that it consumes or takes over my life. What I have learned is that yes, we do “reap what we sow” (See Galatians 6:7), but God in His abundant mercy and grace will often allows us to have “crop failure” and our consequences are softened by grace. Praise HIS name!

So what I’d like to remind us of today is that we can be overcomers—and that includes my past and yours! We do not have to live in the past, we are to live the “this day” that Jesus has given us to it’s fullest. And when those locusts pop up their heads to eat our crops today, we can simply take them to the cross, and walk in its power and the reality of forgiveness. Yes, there are things and people who will still try to conquer us with their “hammer” of reminders of that past, but we can simply and kindly remind them that we are “forgiven” and it’s is under the blood of Jesus. It also means that I am to keep very ‘short’ accounts with God! When there is sin in my life I am to confess it to Him (meaning agree with God that it is sin, and turn from it), aksing for His forgiveness and cleansing which He promises to us in 1 John 1:9. Did you see that? He promises not only to forgive us, but also to cleanse us from “all unrighteousness”!!! I can overcome by living in obedience to HIM, and walking in His Spirit not the world’s. But we must leave the past in the “past”, and walk in victory today, bringing your life into alignment with the Spirit of God and the Word of God, and living in the ‘Here and Now’ for Jesus, by living IN Jesus.

“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

And a great way to do that is found in Philippians 4:8—we are to check every thought at the door (So to speak!). If it doesn’t pass the eight-point check up of Philippians 4:8, then reject it and think on “these things”!

“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.”

Think on “these things”! And pray as Jesus taught us in the Model Prayer (Blanche’s paraphrased and amplified version):

Give us THIS DAY:

Our daily bread—

Our daily love—

Our daily/TODAY living—

Our daily strength—

Our daily forgiveness—

 Our daily courage—

 Our daily ‘cheek-turning’ power—

 Our daily trusting heart—

 Our daily hunger for your Word–

 Our daily ‘letting go’ of the PAST—

Our daily embracing of TODAY, this moment!!!

Have a blessed day rehearsing the forgiveness and cleansing grace of Jesus in your heart and life. And live TODAY, TODAY! Don’t let yesterday rob your joy of today. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never come—so live in the victory of Jesus this day. It’s all we have for now—and it’s all under HIS blood!

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”   Hebrews 13:5-6

Announcement: All Bible Ballistics Followers!!!

We are now able to offer a “Translator” tab on our blog site. If you prefer to read the posts in another language or know of others who would like to follow if they could have the posts in their language—It’s now available. Just follow the blog sight or click on the “BibleBallistics.org” link on all of the posts and you will be directed to the actual website and have the “translate” option. We are so glad to have this opportunity from Word Press. Please let us know what you think about this, and feel free to share with others.

Thanks,

Blanche