Category Archives: TODAY

What Time Is It??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.15

20 Sunday May 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Dependence, Faith, For Such A Time As This, Holy Spirit, I Can Do All Things?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Our God Reigns, Sovereignty, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Will Be Done, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Tomorrow, Trust God, Wait on the Lord

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 15    What Time Is It???

 

We’ve been talking a lot about rushing and resting lately, and I’d like to continue in this vein of thought—from a biblical perspective. For without a biblical perspective we don’t have God’s perspective, and that’s how I pray that I/we can learn to view the world. As an old adage says, “Looking through ‘rose-colored’ glasses”, I’d like us to consider whether we are looking at the world with God’s view or the worlds’! Whose ‘glasses’ are we using?

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us 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.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”   Hebrews 12:1-3

We must make it a priority to keep our eyes “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”. And when we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will enable us to see things through His eyes—to respond appropriately to any and every situation that we encounter. We can walk in the light that Jesus IS and that HE will provide to His own.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Jesus is that light and HE will light our way, helping us see things as HE sees them, not as the world does—and there IS a difference.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 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 15:1-5

Jesus makes it more than clear, that when we walk in the Spirit—His Holy Spirit—we can accomplish HIS work rather than our own; just as Jesus was doing God’s will/work!

“But he said unto them,

I have meat to eat

that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

34 Jesus saith unto them,

My meat is to do the will

of him that sent me,

and to finish his work.” John 4:32-34

We can choose our own way or God’s! What about you?

“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

The problem we fight continually is the battle between our flesh and The Holy Spirit of Christ, which dwells within us! And it is a fight that we can win by the power of God alone. This has always been true and it’s still true now, and when we will walk ‘in The Spirit’, we are not only able to succeed in God’s work, but we can trust to HIS timing, and rest in His perfect grace and provision.

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”     Zechariah 4:6

Oh, what a wonderful promise fulfilled by the indwelling Holy Spirit given to us by the work of Christ Jesus at the cross.

“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.”    Romans 5:1-5

We can “glory in tribulations” because we know who we are ‘in Jesus’, and that His Holy Spirit is ever helping us know God’s will and God’s ways, and to walk in HIS peace! The “peace of God, that passeth all understanding”! We can truly learn to trust to, and rest in “His Time” in all things! And while it’s not easy, it is doable! Amen and amen! All by the power of God’s Holy Spirit!

Solomon shared this truth with us in such a beautiful way:

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:”     Ecclesiastes 3:11a

God’s timetable may not always match our expectations, but that’s what trust is all about—knowing that HE is GOD, and I am NOT! Ouch! Sometimes what looks good to us now, may not be the best for us and/or those around us.

“For man also knoweth not his time:

as the fishes that are taken in an evil net,

and as the birds that are caught in the snare;

so are the sons of men snared

in an evil time,

when it falleth suddenly upon them.

13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun,

and it seemed great unto me:”    Ecclesiastes 9:12-13

We aren’t always able to discern between appearance and what really is! But praise God Almighty, HE can and does see all things, and HE is at work on our behalf with one goal in mind, to conform us into the image of our Lord Jesus. So, I simply want to close with one of my favorite passages from Romans, and tell you that for years I never knew that there was a verse ‘29’! God isn’t erratic or unfeeling—all those things that come into our lives, and their timing are in the hands of our loving God with one purpose in mind! All that He sends, allows, and permits to come into our lives is to make us more like Jesus—no ‘ifs’, no ‘ands’, and no ‘buts’! Remember HE makes all things “beautiful in his time”—not mine! I hope this will minister to you this week as it has to me in recent days. Faithful is HE that has promised—and if you have been born again, HE is at your side!!!

“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

IN HIS TIME!!!!

Commitment Or Convenience??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 09

25 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Holy Spirit, Perseverance, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, Wait on the Lord

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 09 Commitment Or Convenience???

 

We live in a world of rushing, pressure and stress, and often we get so caught up in the “hurry” of the minute that we forget that there are things that we are to set as priorities in keeping our commitments to God and others. But we often say, “I’m in a hurry!” And hurried we are, but have we allowed ‘hurry’ to excuse convenience over commitment? Let’s take a glimpse at a couple of people who show us that the hurried decision isn’t necessarily the right decision!

Let’s start with Abraham (Also known as Abram). Abram had been called by God to leave his country and his people to go to a place that God had for him. Abraham started on a journey of the “unknown” by faith, but a faith that wasn’t the faith that he would come to have. When we read of Abram starting in chapter 12 we find him called by God—and it is always God who initiates our relationship to Him—it was then and it is now. Salvation is never our idea, but God’s!

“Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up at the last day.”    John 6:43-44

It’s the convicting work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to God, and keeps us when we come to Jesus in repentance and faith! That’s why the author of the book of Hebrews describes Jesus in the way that he does:

“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 12:2

God by HIS Spirit convicts and calls us to the cross, and then leads us by the power of Jesus’ cross!

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come

unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him

unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:” John 16:7-8

We must understand that God’s work is done by God, and God alone. Only God can bring a sinner to see his sin, and cover that sin with the blood of His “only begotten Son”! We don’t receive salvation at our discretion but at the call of God. But back to Abraham’s call—he was called of God and came to be a believer in the coming Messiah (which is how anyone is saved—by believing in Jesus’ work of atonement for our sin, by His death, burial and resurrection for our sin—whether Old or New Testament believers! They in believing it was coming, us in believing in its accomplishment!)

“And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

6 And he believed in the LORD;

and he counted it to him

for righteousness.

7 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.”   Genesis 15:5-7

Paul helps us to understand that salvation was, is and always will be by grace through faith!!!

“For what saith the scripture?

Abraham believed God,

and it was counted unto him

for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh

is the reward not reckoned of grace,

but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not,

but believeth

on him that justifieth the ungodly,

his faith is counted

for righteousness.”    Romans 4:3-5

“Even as Abraham believed God,

and it was accounted to him

for righteousness.

7 Know ye therefore that

they which are of faith,

the same are the children of Abraham.

8 And the scripture,

foreseeing that God would justify

the heathen

through faith,

preached before

the gospel unto Abraham,

saying,

In thee shall all nations

be blessed.” Galatians 3:6-8

It is by faith that we are God’s, and by faith we walk with HIM—Jesus is that blessing, The Savior! But faith isn’t perfect, and even Abraham had a major faith failure simply because he was “in a hurry” and he and Sarah decided that God needed “help” in bringing His promises to fulfillment. This man who received the promise of God that The Messiah would come through his descendants! But like us, Abraham got into that “I’m in a hurry!” mode!

“Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram,

Behold now,

the LORD hath restrained me

from bearing:

I pray thee,

go in unto my maid;

it may be that

I may obtain children

by her.

And Abram hearkened

to the voice of Sarai.” Genesis 16:1-2

Abraham “hearkened to the voice” of his wife, instead of waiting on God’s provision of that ‘child of promise’; yet even in his failure God still had a divine purpose for Abraham and a time for this ‘child of promise’!

“And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo,

Sarah thy wife shall have a son.

And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age;

and it ceased to be with Sarah

after the manner of women.

12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying,

After I am waxed old

shall I have pleasure, 

my lord being old also? 

13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying,

Shall I of a surety bear a child,

which am old?

14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

At the time appointed

I will return unto thee,

according to the time of life,

and Sarah shall have a son.”   Genesis 18:10-14

Did you get that? “At the time appointed” God said that HE would return to perform HIS promise, and Sarah would bear a son at 90 years old, fathered by a man 100 years old. And God kept His Word! I find it most interesting that the book of Hebrews, once again, confirms what God promised and fulfilled—beyond the boundary of human ability (The ability to conceive and bear a child after the “child-bearing” years have passed, as well as a man’s ability to father a child!) And even as God asked Abraham, He asks us today, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” Yet so often, our answer is, “But Lord, I’m in a hurry?

“Through faith also

Sara herself received strength

to conceive seed,

and was delivered of a child

when she was past age,

because she judged him faithful

who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one,

and him as good as dead,

so many as the stars of the sky

in multitude,

and as the sand which is by the

sea shore innumerable.”    Hebrews 11:11-12

And one thing we need to remember in these volatile days is that we are still reaping the results of Abraham’s “hurried” decision! And when we hurry and go for convenience rather than commitment and devoted “faith” we too will have consequences—some small and some with generational effects! We could go on with our study of Abraham, but there is another man in scripture that I want us to look at today, for while Abraham rushed in and didn’t walk by faith, this other man let “hurry” push him to the point of destroying his own life, testimony and heritage. What about you and I, what are we doing when we get in a “hurry”? Are we waiting on God or rushing in “where angels fear to tread”? Are we more concerned with our own fleshly convenience? Or are we waiting on God to work out HIS will in our lives, in HIS time? Oh, I’ve just got to tell you, this is much easier to write than to practice, especially as we are seeing the need to apply this every day going through a major move in our lives—but the principle is true no matter the test!

Let’s take a look at the first King of Israel, Saul.

“Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?” 1 Samuel 10:1

Saul was anointed King of Israel, and went forth to serve God and lead the nation of Israel. Yet he faltered rather quickly, and while we will only consider one instance of his “faith failure” in this article, you can read of the compromise that he continued to exhibit as he went forward, giving more import to convenience rather than commitment to “wait on the Lord”! (You can read about another instance in 1 Samuel 15!) Oh that we would learn to trust to HIS timing in all our ways! That is my prayer for each of us!

“When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. 7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

8 And he tarried seven days,

according to the set time

that Samuel had appointed:

but Samuel came not to Gilgal;

and the people were scattered from him.

9 And Saul said,

Bring hither a burnt offering

to me,

and peace offerings.

And he offered the burnt offering.

10 And it came to pass,

that as soon as he had made an end

of offering the burnt offering,

behold, Samuel came;

and Saul went out to meet him,

that he might salute him.

11 And Samuel said,

What hast thou done?

And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me,

and that thou camest not

within the days appointed,

and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal,

and I have not made supplication

unto the LORD:

I forced myself therefore,

and offered a burnt offering.

13 And Samuel said to Saul,

Thou hast done foolishly:

thou hast not kept the commandment

of the LORD thy God,

which he commanded thee:

for now would the LORD have

established thy kingdom

upon Israel

for ever.

14 But now thy kingdom

shall not continue:

the LORD hath sought him a man

after his own heart,

and the LORD hath commanded him

to be captain over his people,

because thou hast not kept

that which the LORD

commanded thee.”   1 Samuel 13:6-14

Presumption and what seemed to be the convenient thing brought an end to a dynasty that Saul could have had, all because of his presumption and “I can’t wait!” attitude. Hurry can do that! When we choose convenience over obedience it will never end well. And just a portion about another ‘bad choice’ of Saul’s, may help us understand the import that God places on obedience and commitment to Him—regardless of timing or convenience!

“And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings

and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice

of the LORD?

Behold, to obey

is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken

than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity

and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected

the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee

from being king.

24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.

26 And Samuel said unto Saul,

I will not return with thee:

for thou hast rejected

the word of the LORD,

and the LORD hath rejected

thee

from being king over Israel.”    1 Samuel 15:22-26

What are you afraid of? Will you choose commitment or convenience? The choice is yours! Don’t miss HIS voice!!!

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man…..”

The Battle Is God’s!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #443

09 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Confidence, Fearlessness, God of all comfort!, Holy Spirit, HOPE, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Praise God Today!, The Word, TODAY, Unexpected Interruptions, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #443 The Battle IS God’s!!!

 

We all have difficulties, trials, unexpected “interruptions”, and surprises, so I’d just like to take a few minutes this morning to remind us all that God is still God and HE has it.

“And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid

nor dismayed

by reason of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours, but God’s…….

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:

set yourselves,

stand ye still,

and see the salvation

of the LORD with you,

O Judah and Jerusalem:

fear not,

nor be dismayed;

to morrow go out against them:

for the LORD will be with you.”   2 Chronicles 20:15 & 17

We must always keep our eyes on Jesus, our Father God and His precious Holy Spirit. God has it—no matter where you are or what you are going through, remember, “the battle is not yours, but God’s”, so let Him have it!!! We can trust Him and walk in HIS Spirit.

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying,

This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”     Zechariah 4:6

So as we go about our living ‘today’, may we remember that the battle “is not yours, but God’s”—and God is our strength and redeemer. Our part is to follow Him, keep our eyes on Him, and walk in the power, provision and wisdom of HIS Holy Spirit

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”   Galatians 5:1

God calls us to walk with Him, and He will provide our every need—our job is to consciously walk “in the Spirit” not our own selfish flesh and desires, but in HIS Spirit and HIS way.

“If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

And we can do that because Jesus has given us His Spirit, who empowers us to live through the new covenant; which is the indwelling Holy Spirit:

“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 1:27

And the Christ in me—never fails:

“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

Amen and Amen. God’s got it!!!

In The Shadows??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #441

02 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, God of all comfort!, Growing in Jesus!, I Will Never Leave You, Love, Perseverance, Shadows, The Only Way, The Word, TODAY, Troubles

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #441        In The Shadows???

 

There are many around us today who are going through difficult circumstances, trying times, and deep sorrows and grief, so I thought we’d take a few minutes today to remind ourselves that even though the “shadows” come, we serve the God of light—He is light, and He walks with His own—even in the dark!

Daniel rehearsed the character of God as he praised HIM for answering his prayer for help along with his three friends, who were in peril of their lives. It is an amazing reminder of who our God IS, and that we can praise HIM also! Today!!!

“Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God

for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep

and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.”    Daniel 2:20-22

God knows the valley that you are going through—no matter how dark it seems, no matter how long that valley may seem, and He is with us through it all.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff

they comfort me.”   Psalm 23:4

I pray that this brief post will encourage your heart today no matter where you are, or what you may be going through; and that you will remember that God never wastes any opportunity to use our circumstances to grow us in His grace– and to display His love and grace in us, making us a beacon of His love, light and grace to a world that needs Jesus!!! A world that is in the dark!

“Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort

wherewith we ourselves

are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ

abound in us,

so our consolation also

aboundeth by Christ.”   2 Corinthians 1:2-5

And this “God of all comfort” is ready to comfort and encourage you today; won’t you look up and open your heart and mind to see His hand extended to you! And as I close our time together today, I’d like to share an old gospel song that God brought to my mind as I sat here writing this post. May it comfort and encourage you and it has my heart so often through the years, especially when those “shadows deepen, and my heart bleeds”!

We’ll Talk It Over

By Ira Stanphill

“Tho’ shadows deepen, and my heart bleeds,
I will not question the way He leads;
This side of Heaven we know in part,
I will not question a broken heart. 

We’ll talk it over in the bye and bye.
We’ll talk it over, my Lord and I.
I’ll ask the reasons – He’ll tell me why,
When we talk it over in the bye and bye. 

I’ll trust His leading, He’ll never fail,
Thru darkest tunnels or misty vales.
Obey his bidding and faithful be,
Tho’ only one step ahead I see. 

We’ll talk it over in the bye and bye.
We’ll talk it over, my Lord and I.
I’ll ask the reasons – He’ll tell me why,
When we talk it over in the bye and bye. 

I’ll hide my heartache behind a smile
And wait for reasons ’til after while.
And tho’ He try me, I know I’ll find
That all my burdens are silver lined. 

We’ll talk it over in the bye and bye.
We’ll talk it over, my Lord and I.
I’ll ask the reasons – He’ll tell me why,
When we talk it over in the bye and bye.”

May you recognize that our awesome “God of all comfort” is simply waiting for you to reach out to HIM!!! Have a blessed day my friend and know you are loved and prayed for. Amen and Amen!!!

Blooms Are Worth The Wait!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 05

26 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Growing in Jesus!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Perseverance, The Only Way, Time, TODAY, Wait on the Lord, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.05 Blooms Are Worth The Wait!!!

 

I love flowers. I love the beauty, the aroma (most of the time!), and the joy of watching those spikes and leaves pop up through the earth and produce the wonder of blooms. The daffodils, and crocus that peep through the cold ground to remind us that spring is on the way, are a delight to my soul. And then the forsythia and iris that make that amazing and wondrous show across the landscapes of our communities. I just love it!

Today, I thought we would take some time and consider the reality of blooming. Blooms are the yield of waiting—we plant many of the early-blooming bulbs in the fall, down in the earth—unseen, unnoticed—unaware of the growth that is going on ‘out of sight’. Yet while we can’t observe it with our eyes, those bulbs are putting down roots, nourishing that bulb to be able to bloom. We all love the show of the blooms, but seldom do we consider the cost of the wait—and if there isn’t the proper winter nourishment and time to develop, there won’t be much in the way of the beauty of blooms. The blooms are growing and preparing in that dark earth, the cold earth of winter—under the ground, under the snow, under the ice—doing what is necessary to be what God created them to be: flowers blooming where they were planted. Placed there for a purpose, placed there whether by design or just the propagation of nature—the blooms are still beautiful and the wait is still necessary. The same is true of our spiritual lives!

We can’t expect to be great, beautiful, awe-inspiring blooms if we’re not willing to endure the difficulty of the winter growing seasons! Yet oh my friends, it’s worth the wait! And while the blooms are often short-lived, we enjoy their beauty for that time, and God has a purpose and a plan for our ‘winter’ too, and our blooms can yield eternal results!

“The wilderness and the solitary place

shall be glad for them;

and the desert shall rejoice,

and blossom as the rose.

2 It shall blossom abundantly,

and rejoice even with joy and singing:

the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon,

they shall see the glory of the LORD,

and the excellency of our God.”   Isaiah 35:1-2

While the literal desert will bloom (And it is already blooming in God’s land of Israel—promises are being fulfilled!), we need to let God prepare the desert areas of our heart to begin to bloom. We must give Him our all, our dark places (and we all have them hidden from view—but not from God) so He can do His work in us, and no matter how long the winter, God can bring the blooms as we yield to His spiritual gardening skills.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word

which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 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 15:1-5

Jesus reminds us that only as we “Abide in me, and I in you”, can we grow as we ought, and see God bring forth the blooms. We so often try to “force” the blooms to come before the time, instead of learning to “abide in” Jesus! You can’t rush spiritual growth, although we are to pursue it and learn to yield to Jesus, and allow His Holy Spirit to take us to the heights of glory as we seek His face in His Word, in prayer and by spending time in His presence! It is only in dying to self, and living to, for, with, and through HIS Spirit that the blooms will abound—in HIS time!

“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

Jesus is the root, the provision and nutrition for our life! Will we allow His Spirit to accomplish HIS purpose and will in our hearts and lives, or will we keep on trying to “force” our blooms in our own way, with our own strength or “Miracle Grow”—which isn’t a miracle at all, but self-will. But when we don’t practice the “crucified with Christ” life, we miss the joy of genuine blooms; when we don’t practice the “abiding” life, we miss the joy of His presence and work in us; we miss the beauty of blooms that have been grown out of sight of the world, and then amazingly in HIS time, they come forth to bring truth, beauty and life to the dark and dreary winter of the world around us—JESUS in us!

Jesus told a parable dealing with the contrast between “self” blooming or the true work of God, of being His or being master of our own soul!

“And he spake a parable unto them, saying,

The ground of a certain rich man

brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying,

What shall I do,

because I have no room

where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said,

This will I do:

I will pull down my barns,

and build greater;

and there will I bestow

all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul,

Soul, thou hast much goods

laid up for many years;

take thine ease,

eat,

drink,

and be merry.

20 But God said unto him,

Thou fool,

this night thy soul shall be required

of thee:

then whose shall those things be,

which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure

for himself,

and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said unto his disciples,

Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat;

neither for the body,

what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat,

and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens:

for they neither sow nor reap;

which neither have storehouse nor barn;

and God feedeth them:

how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought

can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able

to do that thing which is least,

why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow:

they toil not,

they spin not;

and yet I say unto you,

that Solomon in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass,

which is to day in the field,

and to morrow is cast into the oven;

how much more will he clothe you,

O ye of little faith?”   Luke 12:16-28

While Jesus isn’t saying not to be productive, He is telling us to trust our all to God, and not “fret” about tomorrow (or even later today!), but trust God to provide in those dark winter days, as well as the sunshine of the blooms! He’ll do HIS work in HIS time for HIS glory and our good! Oh, to be found faithful when He comes, or when He calls me to Himself! How about you

Jesus also had a message for those who claim to be “His” within the church, those who thought they had “it all” themselves, much like the rich man above! In my own vernacular—“saying so, doesn’t make it so”! Knowing the Master and Lord who is “the way….the truth….and the life…” is the only way to have a ‘genuine’ life that blooms for God!

“I know thy works,

that thou art neither cold

nor hot:

I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm,

and neither cold

nor hot,

I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love,

I rebuke

and chasten:

be zealous therefore,

and repent.

20 Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”   Revelation 3:15-18

Without going into all of the contextual interpretations of the “who” or “what” specifically in these verses, my purpose today is to simply see what Jesus said to some who claimed to be His own, and if I might amplify that part it for us today as we bring these thoughts to a close, I’d like to leave you some food for thought to ponder throughout your day and week. Who is your Lord? Where is your treasure? Are you in a dark time of winter, waiting for the blooms? If so Jesus is sufficient to the task, and God has a plan at work—don’t rush His timing (And oh, I know how hard that is to practice—that “waiting” is just about the hardest thing that God asks us to do, but with His grace we can “wait”, and the “Blooms are worth the wait!”) Are you running your own life, trying to save and provide for your own soul? Is God about to say to you what He said to the rich man we looked at? As Paul said to the Philippians “think on these things….” (See Philippians 4:8-9)

Jesus said, “I KNOW”–

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”   2 Timothy 2:19

Jesus said, “You say….but don’t know!”!

“….without me you can do nothing…”

You think you are self-sufficient, but you’re not!

Jesus said, “YOU are blind”!

What you say doesn’t match what I see or say!

YOU “knowest not” your real state!

Jesus said, “buy from me” what only faith buys!

 What you have isn’t equal to save anyone.

 “For by grace are you saved”

Not by works, wealth, power, prominence,

Self-righteousness, there’s IS only ONE way!

Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock”!

(He was on the outside of His church!)

Self-righteousness will never save anyone!

You measure by what you see, not what is!

Jesus said, “open the door”!

If you are on the throne, Jesus can’t be!

Is He on the outside?

Or have you invited Him in?

Jesus said, “I will come in”!

Jesus will come in to those who bow before Him!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”

Jesus wants to help you bloom where you’re planted, but first we must bow before The “Master” gardener, and trust it all to HIM, that we might “be conformed to the image of his Son”, reflecting HIS glory as we bloom—right there where HE has planted YOU! The blooms are worth the wait!