Bible Ballistics: BBs #314 A Grateful Heart!!!

 

I don’t usually repost but I saw this post earlier today and just felt it was timely to post again. May we all have an attitude of gratitude?

 

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”     1 Timothy 6:6

November 25, 2014

Thank you Lord that you hear and answer prayer.  That you know a mother’s heart and can touch and change the hearts of those we love, to bring them to your cross.  I thank you for tears that are never wasted in prayer, for you put them in your bottle and see them as a sacrifice of praise.  I’m so thankful that I don’t have to carry the load alone; that you Father, have invited us into your presence when we belong to you through Jesus.  Thank you that we can bring our burdens to your throne.  May I faithfully carry your cross before this world of darkness and grief?  You are our only hope!!!

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.”

Come—He’s waiting for YOU!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #313 My Thanksgiving Prayers!!!

 

I would simply like to share two of my favorite prayers from scripture with you today. I also pray that your Thanksgiving will be a time of reflection and gratitude, knowing that “my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” I pray that we all enjoy the beauty and love that God so abundantly blesses us with, and be sure to remember those who may be alone or struggling and reach out as you have opportunity. May our attitude of gratitude by totally contagious. I’m always reminded of my favorite church sign slogan: “Are you humbly grateful, or grumbly hateful?” The choice is yours.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful

unto him,

and bless

his name.

5 For the Lord is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth to all generations.”     Psalm 100

And my prayer for you, with Paul in Colossians 1:9-13

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire

that ye might be filled with the knowledge

of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 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;

12 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:”

AMEN and AMEN!

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 8 No.22 No Thank You, I’m Just Fine!

 

What am I thankful for? Or am I thankful for anything? Is my response to God, ‘No thank you, I’ve got this. I don’t need any help. I have only myself to thank for all that I have done.” We live in a culture that is so “me” focused that Thanksgiving has almost become blasé, with many people ungrateful for anything, just wanting to ‘gobble’ up ‘more’—always more. John D. Rockefeller, the first American billionaire, when asked by a reporter, “How much money is enough?” responded, “Just a little bit more.” Why would a billionaire want more? Because you can’t have enough money to satisfy or save your soul. There is only one thing that can bring true personal freedom and satisfaction, and that is Jesus—The only One who can free us from the bondage of sin, lust and the chains of greed.

“As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:30-36

Jesus is the only One who can make us free—not ‘set’ us free but make us judicially free from the bondage and penalty of sin (By the transforming power of salvation by grace through faith. See Ephesians 2:1-10). And eventually, in God’s timing, HE will set us free from the very presence of sin. Jesus gives us life, and peace with God—not just the peace “of” God, but also peace ‘with’ God. How could we not be grateful when we have received such abundant, and amazing grace and mercy?

“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 5:1-6

So much to be grateful for! So much to be thankful for! So much that Jesus Christ has done for us; and by faith we can receive all that He did for us at Calvary. Consider what HE did for us.

Justified us—He paid our legal debt, due for sin—

“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

I owed a debt that would cost me eternity in Hell, yet Jesus paid that debt for me with His own blood. As an old song says, “I owed a debt I couldn’t pay, He paid a debt He didn’t owe. I needed someone to wash my sins away…” That is exactly what Jesus did for us, He washes away sin for those who come to Him in repentance and faith; exercising repentance (turning from my way/my sin) and placing my ‘active, receptive trust’/faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for my sin (I borrowed the “active, receptive, trust description from my Pastor, thanks Pastor Brad!). The Gospel of Jesus is the only thing that saves!

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again

the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Jesus did all this for you and me. I can’t think of anything that should make us more grateful. How about you? But that’s not all. Let’s go back to Romans.

Jesus gives us peace with God—reconciled enemies–

“Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”   Romans 5:9-11

Jesus –justified us, reconciled us, saves us from death by HIS life (given up for us on the cross), atoning for our sin with His own blood! Praise God! Amen! But that’s not all!

Jesus bought us access to God—sonship—

“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.”     Hebrews 4:14-16

 

“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

Jesus brings us into the family of God, and we can now have intimate, personal fellowship with God The Father. By Jesus’ work at the cross, He offers us His glory—and because of what He has done, is doing, and will do within us, we can glory in all situations because HE enables us to rejoice IN GOD—to know and possess the Joy of The Lord! And that is worthy of our thanks, our gratitude as well as our love and devotion. What Jesus gives us is power and hope, power and hope that prevail in any difficulty because God is at work within us—His Son and His power are at work in us through the power of His Holy Spirit!

“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…”

How can we not be grateful for what God has done for us if we are His? And if you don’t belong to Jesus, I invite you to come to Him today and have the greatest “Thanks-giving” ever, rejoicing in the “abundant life” that Jesus gives. I’m not talking about care-free, rose-garden, problem-free life, but a life that has the presence, power and provision of Jesus through any and all of the difficulties and trials of life. I have walked with Him for many years and I have walked some difficult paths, some of my own creation, but He has never failed me, ever. He will always bring glory to Himself, and growth in my life and yours. Jesus NEVER fails—I often fail—Jesus never does, and He is ever at work in all that comes into our lives.

“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

So I just want to thank God for each of you and call each of us to have a heart set on Him with an attitude of gratitude. I would challenge each one of us to take some time this week and sit down and write out a list of things that you are grateful for—not for public view, but just for your own personal encouragement as you rehearse the goodness of God and all the ways He has blessed YOU. I heard someone not very long ago, share a statement they had heard and it had a great impact on me, ‘What would you have tomorrow if you woke up and only had the things that you had thanked God for today?’ Quite a sobering thought. May we truly cultivate an attitude of gratitude—it’s a great cure for greed and selfishness. May we each work on that garden of gratitude every day, not just once a year!

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness:

come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all generations.” Psalm 100

Amen and Amen!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #312 Messages From Heaven #10!!!

 

As we continue to look at the Gospel of John, we come to one of my favorite passages, chapter 10. And why is this one of my favorites? Because Jesus reveals so much of ‘who’ HE IS to us. Some of the most reassuring “I AM”s of John’s gospel are found in chapter 10. While I won’t do an in-depth look at these names and titles of Jesus, I do want us to take heart and hope in all that our Lord Jesus Christ is as well as all that HE has done for us.

It is so important that we truly hear the message from Heaven—Jesus, and understand what He is saying. Like we talked about recently, we must have the good soil of a heart that receives the seed willingly and with faith to believe that Jesus is God, and that He died for our sin providing salvation for those who will come to Him. Don’t be one of those who hear and don’t understand (both then as well as now).

“This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.” John 10:6

Will you receive and embrace the truth that brings life?

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:7-10

Jesus not only provides salvation for those who will believe but He is Truth—the only true one from God. All others are thieves who come “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”. No matter how pretty a picture the world paints, all those other roads and purported options are simply mirages that Satan uses to trap and ensnare. They steal people’s, joy, life and purpose, but Jesus has come so that we “might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”! Be careful what you listen to and believe. Just because it waddles like a duck, and quacks like a duck—it may not be a duck. Jesus himself warned us about those “wolves in sheep’s clothing”, for HE is the one only one who truly cares for the sheep. He gave His life for us!

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

And praise God that is exactly what He did on the cross! He gave His life for mine! He gave His life for yours! What have you done with this great gift of grace and mercy? He came because He loves us! And because He came as GOD in the flesh, we have but to “hear” Him, repent, and believe:

“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.

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

Bottom line: Jesus IS God! Jesus IS the only door to heaven! Jesus IS the Good Shepherd and He cares for His sheep! The question: ‘Will you hear and believe?’

Bible Ballistics: BBs #311 Messages From Heaven #9!!!

 

Today we turn to John chapter 6, and while the “Message” is still from heaven, it’s a unique message that we need to hear and heed today. What people believe and pursue is important. Why they believe is also important, and Jesus begins to teach and share some hard things in this chapter of the Gospel of John. In fact, they are so hard that the chapter closes with these verses.

“From that time

many of his disciples went back,

and walked no more with him.

67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve,

Will ye also go away?

68 Then Simon Peter answered him,

Lord, to whom shall we go?

thou hast the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe

and are sure

that thou art that Christ,

the Son of the living God.

70 Jesus answered them,

Have not I chosen you twelve,

and one of you is a devil?

71 He spake of Judas Iscariot

the son of Simon:

for he it was

that should betray him,

being one of the twelve.”    John 6:66-71

In chapters 6-8 of John, Jesus intensifies His teaching, and many could not accept the things He was saying. It is no different today! People want to align themselves with the miraculous things that Jesus can ‘do’, but when the hard sayings come, they go elsewhere. Jesus had been teaching and doing miracles throughout Judea and Galilee causing crowds to flock to Him; yet in chapter 6 He begins to draw that proverbial ‘line in the sand’ and many did not like what they heard, hence the statement in verse 66.

“From that time

many of his disciples went back,

and walked no more with him.”

‘Disciples’ is simply referring to those who were following Jesus, but when He began to make truths about Himself clear, “many” changed their minds about HIM! This was no surprise to Jesus! In fact, He called their motives into account earlier in the chapter. What are our motives today?

“And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

26 Jesus answered them and said,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Ye seek me,

not because ye saw the miracles,

but because ye did eat

of the loaves, and were filled.

27 Labour not for the meat

which perisheth,

but for that meat

which endureth

unto everlasting life,

which the Son of man

shall give unto you:

for him hath God the Father sealed.”    John 6:25-27

After the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus and the twelve had gone around the shore by boat (after Jesus joined them by walking on the water). When the people saw that He wasn’t in the same place they sought after Him and found Him, initiating this exchange. Jesus told them the same thing that He would say to many today: ‘You didn’t look for me because you want to know truth, but because you had your belly filled and you want more’ (Blanche’s paraphrase!). Then Jesus taught truth that caused many of them to cease following HIM! Jesus called them, and He is calling us today, to seek the eternal things rather than the temporal.

We live in, and are influenced by, a culture that is so obsessed with ‘stuff’ and satisfying the ‘flesh’ that we stand in danger of making the same mistakes that those in the very physical presence of Jesus made; being distracted and mislead by the things of this world, to the point of missing Truth–Jesus! “The Way….The Truth…..The Life…”

We must, I repeat, we must examine ourselves and see if we are just fascinated by Jesus or if we truly believe. Consider Jesus’ answer to them; it is something we must consider today. Because, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so!”

“36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.”

Have we truly committed ourselves to “WHO” Jesus is, what He came to do, and the truth that HE is the “ONLY” way? Even among the twelve, one didn’t get it, and Jesus knew.

 “Then Simon Peter answered him,

Lord, to whom shall we go?

thou hast the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure

that thou art that Christ,

the Son of the living God.

70 Jesus answered them,

Have not I chosen you twelve,

and one of you is a devil?”

Believer or imposter? God knows, do you?