Category Archives: TODAY

“This” Time Is Now!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #428

17 Wednesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, For Such A Time As This, Jesus Is The Only Way!, The Only Way, The Word, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #428    “This” Time Is Now!!!

 

As we make our way through this cold winter weather that is gripping much of the U.S., I couldn’t help but think about the times that we live in—things are cold and then they get hot! When they’re cold everyone is crying for it to get warm, when it is hot, people clamor for it to cool off! It’s the nature of the dissatisfied human heart. But for those of us who are believers in Jesus Christ the King of Glory—we ought to look at things with different eyes; we ought to recognize that God is ever at work in our lives, regardless of the temperature, the time or the political climate. God has called us to serve Him faithfully wherever HE has placed us; or as someone as so aptly put it, “Bloom where you’re planted”; and while that isn’t scripture it does have it’s roots in scripture. Let’s take a ‘gander’ at The Word.

Esther was a godly young woman who found herself in a pagan culture, in the palace of a King—yet God hadn’t placed her there by mistake.

“Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther,

Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape

in the king’s house,

more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace

at this time,

then shall there enlargement

and deliverance arise to the Jews

from another place;

but thou and thy father’s house

shall be destroyed:

and who knoweth

whether thou art come

to the kingdom

for such a time as this?

15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan,

and fast ye for me,

and neither eat nor drink

three days,

night or day:

I also and my maidens

will fast likewise;

and so will I go in unto the king,

which is not according to the law:

and if I perish,

I perish.

17 So Mordecai went his way,

and did according to all

that Esther had commanded him.”   Esther 4:13-17

Esther wasn’t looking to be a hero, but when confronted with the opportunity to serve God ‘where she was planted’, even at the risk of her life, she chose to be available to God, for His service, even if it cost her life—so she fasted, prayed and obeyed God!

What is your “such a time as this”? What circumstances are you wanting to change, get out of, rearrange or scream and cry about? Well my friend, those circumstances haven’t caught God by surprise. “God never says ‘oops’!” and He hasn’t misplaced you or me! We are living here, now because God created us “for such a time as this”—no matter what our “this” is!

Only “YOU” can do what God has created ‘you’ to do, and we ought not wait for someone else to do what God wants us to do. Just as Mordecai told Esther, God’s plans won’t be thwarted because of our cowardice, laziness, apathy, fear or greed—God will use someone else if we refuse to heed His call. And we will never know the blessings that God had for us if we fail to step up to the bat right where we are!

We’re not called to fret over tomorrow, or yesterday but to live “this” day to its fullest for Jesus, to follow Him anywhere/everywhere He leads—to minister His Word, His grace and His love in whatever way He has called us to minister! And YES, we are all ministers of that which we have received from Jesus! Praying always, as He taught us!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.(in me)

10 Thy kingdom come (in me)

Thy will be done

in earth, (in me)

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread……”.   Matthew 6:9-11a

We are to seek His kingdom, His will, and His provision for each day! Just a little further on in this ‘Sermon On The Mount’, Jesus spoke these words to all of us who are HIS!

“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

So what’s your “this”? You’re there for “such a time as this”; what will you do with your “this” today? Pray and obey, as Esther did, or desert? The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there’s a test at the end! Amen and Amen!

Send The Showers Of Blessing??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #420

20 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Perseverance, Salvation, Spiritual Drought, The Only Way, The Word, Time, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #420 Send The Showers Of Blessing???

 

I’m sitting here this morning praising God for the wonderful rain that we received yesterday! After almost two months without rain, we here in Oklahoma always get a little edgy when it starts getting dry, and we’ve experienced two years with good rains and a welcomed recovery from the previous five years of drought. And whether folks recognize it or not, only God can send the rains that we need, and my confidence is in HIM— not the government nor the weather forecasters (Even though we appreciate the meteorologist’s efforts to keep us informed, they still can’t create the weather at all.)!

Spiritually speaking, we also can go through periods of spiritual drought—times when we just can’t seem to get on track, or stay on track, or keep our focus on God and His desire for us, we feel dry and barren! But just as God sends the rain to relieve the parched ground, and nourish the trees and flowers, in the same way HE sends the spiritual rain to refresh our souls. But sometimes we just aren’t looking or listening to see or receive the rain that is providing.

“After two days will he revive us:

in the third day he will raise us up,

and we shall live in his sight.

3 Then shall we know,

if we follow on to know the LORD:

his going forth is prepared

as the morning;

and he shall come unto us

as the rain,

as the latter

and former rain

unto the earth.”   Hosea 6:3

The prophet Hosea understood that God had not only ‘the plan’ for his life and the nation of Israel, but that God also has a ‘time’, His own ‘time’, the ‘time’ in which HE will accomplish His will in all things—including us! God is ever at work in our lives, even when we think we don’t see Him! And as many are busy with the hustle and bustle of the season, I just want to share a word of encouragement for those of us who sometimes feel that ‘drought’ in our hearts and need a refreshing rain of God’s Spirit to renew and encourage us so that we can press on faithfully.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day

of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

So don’t loose heart or your confidence in God the Father, Jesus the Son, or the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is in each believer! Seeing isn’t always ‘believing’!

“God is,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear,

though the earth be removed,

and though the mountains be carried

into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof roar

and be troubled,

though the mountains shake

with the swelling thereof. Selah.”   Psalm 46:1-3

Remember it’s not what you see that keeps you going, but what you KNOW about God’s faithfulness as revealed in His Word! And that is a constant, assuring confidence!

“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

Our ever-present help—Jesus, our Lord–has promised to “never leave thee, nor forsake thee”! So, regardless of what we see or feel, we can rest in the “Blessed Assurance” of God’s constant, faithful presence!

“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.

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

In other words—if you are HIS—He has YOU–always! Don’t forget, but take confidence in the One who never sleeps, don’t let the past ruin your present! Press on for the prize!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

‘Tis The Season–Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #418

13 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Perseverance, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, Time, TODAY, Unexpected Interruptions, Wait on the Lord, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #418   ‘Tis The Season–Really???

 

As I sit here writing this morning, I am thankful that my computer is running again—we had issues last week and that is why we haven’t posted on our normal schedule. Then this morning I get up and start to write, and voila—now no Internet! I couldn’t help but think of what the scriptures say about a time and season for all things—and this seems to be the season for interruptions. But I have learned that ‘interruptions’ don’t have to always be a bad thing. God often allows interruptions to get our attention, to teach us some new lesson, or to review an old one that we keep forgetting, or sometimes God just wants us to come aside and be with HIM!

I want to share a passage with you today that is worthy of our time and attention; a passage that was made famous in song some years ago, yet perhaps with little thought to the God who inspired the principle! And what is that principle? That God is God, and when we love, trust and serve Him through His Son Jesus Christ, we can rest in the assurance that God is at work in “ALL” things, no matter the season!

While God isn’t the author of evil, He does allow evil to continue because when man chose to sin, we essentially gave Satan the “title deed” to planet earth, you might say! Yet even in this disaster, God loved us so much, that He, already knowing what we would do, had provided a plan for HIS “Only Begotten Son” to take on flesh and blood, live and walk on planet earth, and die for our sins on a cruel, Roman cross! But, praise God, HE didn’t stay dead—He arose on the third day, triumphant over sin, death and hell, and all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith can know the full assurance of His saving grace, His presence within, as well as His promises to keep us no matter what is going on without!

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born,

and a time to die;       

a time to plant,

and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill,

and a time to heal;

a time to break down,

and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep,

and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn,

and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones,

and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace,

and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get,

and a time to lose;

a time to keep,

and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend,

and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence,

and a time to speak;

8 A time to love,

and a time to hate;

a time of war,

and a time of peace.

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10 I have seen the travail,

which God hath given to the sons of men

to be exercised in it.

11 HE hath made every thing beautiful

in his time:

also he hath set the world in their heart,

so that no man can find out

the work that God maketh

from the beginning

to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

God set the world to be our gift and our challenge—one which we can successfully meet only with His grace and power within, in the person of the Holy Spirit (who comes and dwells within every believer). It’s what Jesus came to provide!!! It’s what the Christmas ‘season’ is really about—

not just food and fun—

not just toys and tinsel—

not just snow and songs—

not just family and frolicking–

but Christmas is about The Christ Child who came to “save His people from their sins”! God allows seasons of life to help us grow, learn and mature into faithful, productive children of God— “exercised in it”! HE never leaves us alone, or on our own in any season, He’s ever working on us!

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son,

despise not thou the chastening

of the Lord,

nor faint when thou are rebuked

of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeath with you

as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.” Hebrews 12: 5-8

It is important to note that the word used here for “chastisement” is a Greek word that refers to “child training”—all that is involved in training a child unto adulthood, not just corrective discipline.

James also reminds us that interruptions and seasons of life aren’t necessarily a bad thing.

“My brethren,

count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect (mature)

and entire, (complete in Jesus)

wanting (lacking) nothing.”    James 1:2-4

And in closing our thoughts today, I simply want to leave you with another passage of assurance to ponder.

“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.” Romans 8:28-29

And “ALL”, my friends, means “ALL”!!! Today and Today…!

Love In Action??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #414

24 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Jesus Is The Only Way!, Love Is Action, The Only Way, The Word, TODAY

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #414 Love In Action???

 

We hear the word “love,” bantered about on every hand—I love football, I love baseball, I love hotdogs, I love my dog, and the list could go on and on. But what is love really about? Is it just about affection or does it go beyond ‘feelings’? Let’s spend some time together seeking God’s perspective on that question.

“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.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.” John 3:16-18

God loved us and He “gave”! He gave us Jesus, who took on a body of flesh, lived a perfect life on this earth, and gave Himself as a substitutionary (for me), atoning (paying the debt of another), sacrifice (dying for us, so that we could receive eternal life instead of death)! So love gives—gives for the benefit of others.

Paul paints one of the most detailed pictures of what love looks like in 1 Corinthian 13. The old English word ‘charity’ is just another word for ‘love’!

“Charity

suffereth long,

and is kind;

charity

envieth not;

charity

vaunteth not itself,

is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly,

seeketh not her own,

is not easily provoked,

thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity,

but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things,

believeth all things,

hopeth all things,

endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth:”   1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Wow! What a picture. Do we measure our “love” by this standard? Often not, for the western culture defines ‘love’ as having one’s desires met—God’s definition is quite a bit different; God’s standard paints a picture of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others, rather than ‘getting’. When we love as God loves, we will give of ourselves for the good of those whom we love. Love is an action—not just words!

“Hereby perceive we the love of God,

because he laid down his life for us:

and we ought to lay down our lives

for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world’s good,

and seeth his brother have need,

and shutteth up

his bowels of compassion

from him,

how dwelleth the love of God

in him?

18 My little children,

let us not love in word,

neither in tongue;

but in deed

and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18

John calls us to never simply talk about love, but to live out our love in “deed and in truth”! Love is an action not just a feeling, as we live out our love it won’t be simply lip-service but “love” on display! Having the love of God within us, we are to display it toward others—and if we know Jesus, and have been born again, we do have the love of God within us!

“Beloved,

let us love one another:

for love is of God;

and every one that loveth

is born of God,

and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not

knoweth not God;

for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

We can love with God’s love when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, for He imparts to us not only His Spirit but also His love.

“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. …..

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.”    Portions of Romans 5:1-5

May we walk forward in true godly love, speaking and acting with the love of God, which we receive by His Holy Spirit when we are born again? Have a blessed and loving day—today and each day! I pray God’s greatest blessings on your day!

Gratitude Is An Attitude Not Just A Day!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #410

10 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Attitude of Gratitude, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Gratitude Is Timeless, Praise God Today!, Thanksgiving, The Word, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #410 Gratitude Is An Attitude Not Just A Day!!!

 

“But I am poor and sorrowful:

let thy salvation,

O God,

set me up on high.

30 I will praise the name of God

with a song,

and will magnify him

with thanksgiving.

31 This also shall please the LORD

better than an ox

or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.”    Psalm 69:29-31

I just want to share a few passages to remind us to keep our “Attitude of Gratitude” every day, not just one day a year. My favorite question for this time of year is, “Are you humbly grateful, or grumbly hateful?” It’s a question that only you can answer!

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD:

let us make a joyful noise

to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before his presence

with thanksgiving,

and make a joyful noise

unto him with psalms.

3 For the LORD is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.”   Psalm 95:1-3

May we ever praise Him with our grateful hearts, and live a continual life of praise and gratitude before a world full of ‘selflies’, greed, and entitlement. May our heart of gratitude be contagious to those we encounter each day. A smile can change the world around us—some sourpuss may be waiting to see you smiling ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ today. May we spread the gratitude and thankfulness everywhere we go!

“Oh that men would praise the LORD

for his goodness,

and for his wonderful works

to the children of men!

22 And let them sacrifice

the sacrifices of thanksgiving,

and declare his works

with rejoicing.”   Psalm 107:21-22

Even as James reminds us today:

“Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down

from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.”     James 1:16-17

Remember ‘gratitude’ and ‘thankfulness’ aren’t just a “seasonal” option:

“Then he said unto them,

Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry;

for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”   Nehemiah 8:10

“I will praise thee,

O LORD,

with my whole heart;

I will shew forth

all thy marvellous works.

2 I will be glad

and rejoice

in thee:

I will sing praise

to thy name,

O thou most High.”    Psalm 9:1-2

Amen and Amen!!!

Let’s determine to truly “shew forth” all His “marvellous works” with our genuinely grateful hearts– full of His wondrous love and grace. Blessings on your day!