Category Archives: Troubles

What Comfort??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 08

09 Tuesday Oct 2018

Posted by in Trials, Troubles, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics:What Comfort??? An Editied Repost of Vol. 02 No. 15

 

After a week helping a friend during a difficult time in the hospital, I feel led to look at the Biblical perspective of trials and comforts.  We all have those times when we don’t understand the things that go on in and around our lives.  2 Corinthians 1:3-5 declares,

“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.” 

Often God uses our circumstances to equip and train us to help others around us in their times of need.  That seems a bit unfair to many but let’s think this through.

Who has trouble?

Everyone!!!!

Ever since Eden we have lived in a fallen world and will experience trials and difficulties because of the fallen nature of our world, until the Savior returns to establish HIS OWN KINGDOM!!!  But we can have a confidence and a perspective that the world can’t understand. As James 1:2-5 says,

 “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 and entire, wanting nothing.“

We are called to “count it all joy”, when we face the trials and temptations of life, and the word patience here is referring to “endurance”.  While rials are a given in life, when we walk with Jesus Christ we have the ability to:

“Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice…” (Phil 4:4).

And Phililippians 4:6-7 goes on to say:

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”    

We are enabled by the Spirit of Christ to walk in confidence and joy no matter the circumstances we are encountering.

Why?  Because Christ paid the price for our victory.  Job 14:1 tells us that:

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.” 

We are born into a broken world and Job reminds of this clearly but Job also reassures us that we can have confidence in the God who saves and keeps us.

Job 19:5 “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” 

And 1 Cor. 15:54-58 proclaims that coming “victory”,

”So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”  

OUR VICTORY IS IN JESUS….!!!!  (That would make a marvelous song…)

So how does this work out in all practicality?  Well, simply but not necessarily easily.  We must remember that God is sovereignly in charge.

He knows all,

sees all,

and controls all.

And even more importantly in application—I can trust HIM (and I do–how about you?).

Psalm 73:1 declares that, “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.” 

And Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”

Micah 6:8 also tells us that God will show us what is good for us to do/be, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” 

And Jesus himself tells us in Mark 10:18

“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”  

 God is “good”!! All the time!!

So our hope is in HIM!

I have the “blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin”,

I have been “made the righteousness of God, in Christ Jesus”,

and I can be and do “all things through Christ which strengthens me”.

I can have “victory” in Jesus. And because I have “victory” in Jesus as I go through each days trials and difficulties, I am enabled by God’s Spirit to not only receive that comfort/victory but to be that “comfort” to others who need God’s

comfort,

strength,

and grace.

How?

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given”.  James 1:5

GOD has promised that if I’ll but ask for His wisdom-he will give it.  In 2 Cor. 1:12  Paul tells us,

“For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”  

We are to seek and apply God’s wisdom to our own lives and circumstances, and as we do God shows himself faithful to our needs and circumstances. We then learn to have confidence in Him, not with fleshly wisdom but with “God’s” wisdom.  Producing a confidence that we can boldly share with others in their times of need.

Right back to our beginning verses in 2 Cor. 1,

“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”. 

Our God -“the God of all comfort”…–

the one who brings joy to my sadness,

strength to my weakness,

answers to my questions,

and as we talked last week, hope to any hopeless situation.

I pray this will give you food for thought this week and that you will lean on your “God of all comfort”, and be a comfort to those around you.  Let’s press on together for Jesus.

 

 

Head>Heart>Hands??? (More Tidbits from Daniel#4) Bible Ballistics:Vol.11 No.22

08 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by in Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Growing in Jesus!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Not Of This World, Our God Reigns, Praise God Today!, Salvation, Sovereignty, The Love of God, The Only Way, The Word, Thy Kingdom Come, Transformation, Troubles, Trust God, Worship Him!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 22 Head>Heart>Hands???   (More Tidbits from Daniel #4)

 

I’ve been thinking about Daniel lately and wanted us to search it out again for more that can help us live a “Daniel” life—a life of faith, confidence and power with, from and for God. That is something worth spending our time on. We’ll be looking at Daniel chapter 2, and while we’ll touch on the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, I want us to focus on the things surrounding that encounter. Lord willing, we’ll address the dream and it’s content in the next week or two.

It is important to remember that Daniel was part of the captives who were taken to Babylon to serve the king, yet his demeanor was always an honor to God and never a detriment. Oh, that we could live that kind of life and hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” when we face our Lord. So many today have a head knowledge of God and The Son Jesus, but don’t know Him, and it is important that we take that knowledge from our ‘head’ to our ‘heart’ and on to our hands.

When Daniel was confronted with a threat of death because of the ‘wisemen’ and their inability to know and interpret the king’s dream, Daniel had only one course of action—and it should always be our first recourse rather than our last!

“Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known

to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven

concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish

with the rest

of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed

unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”   Daniel 2:17-19

Many times when we are confronted with difficult situation, crises, or uncertainty we work on a solution, try to figure it out, run to get answers from others, or just run head-long into situations without the wisdom of God. Daniel knew what James knew and shared with us.

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth is like

a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.

7 For let not that man think

that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable

in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 

God wants us to bring every part of our lives to HIM! I hear so many people say that some things just aren’t important to God, but I must disagree, and I think that I can say that on the authority of scripture. God wants us to come to Him about everything, for HE often sees things differently than we do—God’s ways are the ways that we must seek, and He is ready and willing to reveal Himself and His way to us—we have but to ask! When we “lack wisdom” God wants us to “ask of God” and do so in faith, having total confidence in the ‘giver’ of “every good gift and every perfect gift”. God wants us to know HIM, to walk with HIM and to grow in HIM:

“But grow

in grace,

and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him be glory both

now

and for ever. Amen.”    2 Peter 3:18

Knowing Him and His ways and provision was always on the heart of Daniel, and Isaiah had written these words long before Daniel caught Himself in trouble. In fact remember His decision in the beginning of the book:

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8

Isaiah said it clearly:

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts:

and let him return unto the LORD,

and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens

are higher than the earth,

so are my ways

higher than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down,

and the snow

from heaven,

and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth and bud,

that it may give seed

to the sower,

and bread

to the eater:

11 So shall my word be

that goeth forth

out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me

void,

but it shall accomplish

that which I please,

and it shall prosper

in the thing whereto

I sent it.”   Isaiah 55:6-11

God is ever at work to draw people unto Himself, but He has given every person born into this world the freewill to choose to believe Him or not. God has made His love for us clear and Jesus paid the price for our sin—“For God so loved the world that He gave”—yet Jesus made it clear that we must choose, and there is a consequence for our choices. If we choose Jesus and trust to His blood to save us, we have life, but if we don’t choose HIM, we have chosen death, whether consciously or not—it’s still choosing.

“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.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”   John 3:17-19

We can choose Jesus and life, or not; we can cling to our sins—our evil deeds, even though we excuse our sinful deeds and think our sin isn’t as bad as the sin of others—and miss life. Why would we do that? Because when man sinned in the beginning, he chose to believe a lie, rather than God, and we’re still doing that today! I beg you to be sure that you have made the right choice!

God is working to call men and women to Himself—it’s why Jesus came, and He is ever working to make His own into the image of Jesus, in everything in 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.”    Romans 8:28-29

The evidence of His presence in our lives is the work of His Holy Spirit working in and through us and seen through the godly works of our hands. For when we truly consider God and come to Jesus, moving that information to our hearts in repentance and faith, then God does a work of transformation that appears in our lives, our walk, our speech, and our reactions and responses to people and situations. We are to be living testimonies to God’s grace and transforming power.

“Servants,

obey in all things

your masters according to the flesh;

not with eyeservice,

as menpleasers;

but in singleness of heart,

fearing God:

23 And whatsoever ye do,

do it heartily,

as to the Lord,

and not unto men;

24 Knowing that

of the Lord

ye shall receive the reward

of the inheritance:

for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:22-24

Paul also repeated these things to the Ephesians because we are to live our lives as servants of God—not as “as menpleasers”, but like Daniel, men and women, boys and girls, who are committed to live undefiled lives before God and man!

“Servants,

be obedient to them that are your masters

according to the flesh,

with fear

and trembling,

in singleness of your heart,

as unto Christ;

6 Not with eyeservice,

as menpleasers;

but as the servants of Christ,

doing the will of God

from the heart;

7 With good will

doing service,

as to the Lord,

and not to men:

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing

any man doeth,

the same shall he receive of the Lord,

whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters,

do the same things unto them,

forbearing threatening:

knowing that your Master also

is in heaven;

neither is there respect

of persons with him.”    Ephesians 6:5-9

Whether we are the ‘master’—the boss, or the ‘servant’—the employee, God calls us, saves us to live His glory before a world of sin and darkness. Daniel was a man of God who showed us how to live right no matter the situation, trial or difficulty.

Being people of character not just lip service. As I’ve heard it said, “Real godly character is when you do right when no one is looking.” Or “Real character is revealed by what you do in the dark.” And we can be those people of character because we are saved and kept by the same God who met the needs of Daniel and His friends. And when Daniel received the answer to his prayer, He didn’t forget God, but gave us a wonderful picture of who our God is, and how to truly worship HIM!!!

“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 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.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.” Daniel 2:19-23

What an amazing prayer of praise, may we come to know our God as Daniel did; may God’s character be seen in all of our actions, deeds, works and words—may God be praised in our living! Daniel’s faithfulness gave him a great opportunity to share the truth of The Lord God Almighty before the great king Nebuchadnezzar.

“Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said,

The secret which the king hath demanded

cannot the wise men,

the astrologers,

the magicians,

the soothsayers,

shew unto the king;

28 But there is a God in heaven

that revealeth secrets,

and maketh known to the king

Nebuchadnezzar

what shall be in the latter days.

Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

29 As for thee, O king,

thy thoughts came into thy mind

upon thy bed,

what should come to pass

hereafter:

and he that revealeth secrets

maketh known to thee

what shall come to pass.”   Daniel 2:27-29

And yet Daniel never took the credit for God’s work!

“But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me

for any wisdom

that I have more than any living,

but for their sakes

that shall make known the interpretation

to the king,

and that thou mightest know the thoughts

of thy heart.”   Daniel 2:30

Daniel’s crisis was an opportunity for God’s Word and ways that Daniel knew in his head, would stir his heart and work out through his hands and feet! What do others see in us? Nebuchadnezzar saw something in Daniel—God! What do others see in our lives—from our head, to our heart and out through our hands and feet, our every day lives!

“And in the days of these kings

shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom,

which shall never be destroyed:

and the kingdom shall not be left

to other people,

but it shall break in pieces

and consume all these kingdoms,

and it shall stand

for ever……

46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. 47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said,

Of a truth it is,

that your God

is a God of gods,

and a Lord of kings,

and a revealer of secrets,

seeing thou couldest reveal

this secret.”   Daniel 2:44-47 

May others be brought to say of our God, “that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings”! I pray that our God will help us stand fast in this evil day, that others will see the power of God in our lives. From our head—to our heart—seen by the world through our hands and feet!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tidbits From Daniel #3!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 16

27 Sunday May 2018

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Dare To Be Different!, Dependence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Peace, Perseverance, The Only Way, The Word, Troubles, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 16 Tidbits From Daniel #3!!!

 

It’s been a while, but we’re heading back to Daniel for more gleanings from the life of this faithful, godly man. Today we’ll consider part of Daniel chapter 2, and see what we can learn from this young man and his personal character. (We’ll deal with the dreams later.) Especially in these days of the flamboyancy and the flare for the dramatic on public display as the defining import of any one or any thing!

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

Just because something is popular and culturally accepted, or even promoted, doesn’t make it right. As my mother used to say, “If someone jumped off of a cliff, would you do it too?” (And I’m sure many of you heard that same motherly wisdom on multiple occasions!) We live in a culture that claims wrong to be right, and right to be wrong—in fact we’re not the first culture to experience this phenomenon, and God warned of this predilection many years ago.

“Woe unto them

that draw iniquity with cords of vanity,

and sin as it were with a cart rope:

19 That say, Let him make speed,

and hasten his work,

that we may see it:

and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel

draw nigh and come,

that we may know it!

20 Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:18-21

God gave Isaiah a warning for those who claimed to be “His” own. He had long called Judah to repentance, and Isaiah delivered these warnings to those in need of repentance. While Isaiah lived through some good kings, as well as some who weren’t so good, he continually delivered God’s message to people then as well as to us now! And our culture desperately needs to hear the call to repentance today, and the call to God’s own people to stand fast for and in the truth of God—and we must know truth to stand in it.

It is becoming increasingly unpopular to speak the truth, to define good and evil as God defines them; rather than to be swept along with those who “call evil good, and good evil”, or those who “put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter”. God is still calling people to “consider your ways” as Haggai called his people to do, to seek HIS wisdom and ways, rather than settling for the wisdom of men who “are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight”—going their own way rather than God’s! This brings us right back to our first verse from Proverbs, and the admonition to do that which IS right, rather than that which “seemeth right unto a man”!

So how do we know God’s way? Much in the same way that Daniel did, by faith and knowing HIS Word.

“Now faith is the substance

of things hoped for,

the evidence

of things not seen…..

6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.”    Hebrews 11:1 & 6

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:” Isaiah 55:6

Jesus reminds us that we must respond to the call of God to the hearts of men and women—for salvation is always initiated by God, not man! So if you hear his voice, open the door while you can.

“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 3:20

Daniel had come out of a great time of revival in Judah, and yet he and his friends suffered for the failure of their nation (as a whole) to repent and turn to God. Daniel not only knew the word but also made a decision that we need to heed and follow today.

“But Daniel

purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”    Daniel 1:8

Daniel knew that what God said, he wanted to pursue, and even in the pagan land where he found himself, he was determined to pursue God and live holy toward Him and His laws regardless of his circumstances. But, as we have discussed before, he followed God with courtesy and respect for those in authority over him as well as his friends. Daniel made up his mind to serve God unwaveringly, and lived out what he professed to believe. What about us? Are we experiencing the favor of God in our commitment to Him, or are we reaping the consequence of poor choices? God rewarded Daniel for his faithfulness and Daniel honored God’s favor by living right before God and man.

“Now God had brought Daniel into favour ”

“God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom”

God not only blessed them spiritually, but He blessed and prepared them for service that they didn’t even realize would be ahead of them:

“And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”   Daniel 1:20

All this brings us to chapter 2 and the dilemma that Daniel and his friends found themselves in, how they responded, and how God’s plans for the ages played out in all that came to pass!

Chapter 2 finds Daniel and his friends promoted to serve in the king’s court as counselors in the ‘wisemen’ corp (so to speak). King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that disturbed him, and when he called for his ‘wisemen’ they were unable to interpret his dream because he couldn’t relate the essentials of the dream to them. This short-tempered king went into frenzy and called for the death of all of the ‘wisemen’ to be killed unless they could tell him what he wanted to know. When they soldiers came to get Daniel and his friends (who were a part of the ‘wisemen’ corp!) to put them to death with the others, we find Daniel handling the situation with great discernment and discretion.

“And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain;

and they sought Daniel and his fellows

to be slain.

14 Then Daniel answered

with counsel

and wisdom

to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:

15 He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain,

Why is the decree so hasty from the king?

Then Arioch

made the thing known to Daniel.”   Daniel 2:13-15

Here we have Daniel about to be put to death, along with his friends, yet we see no sense of panic or despair in them. We find a young man, probably in his late teens by now, responding with a wise and understanding heart—a heart that was devoted to the God whom he had “purposed in his heart” to serve faithfully, with no fear. Let’s continue on.

“Then Daniel went in,

and desired of the king

that he would give him time,

and that he would shew the king

the interpretation.”  Daniel 2:16

I find it most significant that Daniel simply requested to see the king, and when he went in to him, simply asked for time to reveal “the interpretation” of the King’s dream—which also meant that he would have to ‘know’ the dream without Nebuchadnezzar telling him what it was! It is important to note here that the King had been so angry and untrusting of the other ‘wisemen’ that when they asked for time, he refused to give them time believing that they only wanted to stall until he was over his anger; yet when Daniel asks for time, he has caused such confidence in the king, that he was granted what was denied to the other, older and senior ‘wisemen’! Why would the king do this? I think that he saw in Daniel a spirit that produced confidence rather than doubt! What about you and I? What do others think about our word? Do we live in such a way as to create confidence in our relationship with God and man; or do we live such wishy-washy lives, that others find it hard to believe anything we say—especially about our faith or our God? Ouch?

Yet here in Daniel we find three young men who were so devoted to, and confident in God’s provision that they were willing to put their lives on the line with a king who had already decreed their death! So let’s see how Daniel handles the situation.

“Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven

concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish with the rest

of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed

unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”    Daniel 2:17-19

Daniel went to his three friends, and called them to join him in praying for God’s provision in their time of need. Daniel went to God first! Daniel called his friends together to pray—not to fret, or wring their hands, or seek human solutions, or figure out a way of escape—they came together to PRAY! And not only to pray, but to receive the answer from God! They asked of God, and HE answered. But don’t stop there—“Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven”! Daniel not only asked but he blessed/praised God for the answer when it came. And in praising God, he gave us one of the most beautiful accounts of the character and work of GOD in all of scripture!

“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.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom

and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known

unto us

the king’s matter.”    Daniel 2:20-23

This is one of my favorite passages in all of scripture, for it reveals so much about God, and answers question of who God is and what He does. HE is God, and there is nothing that is outside of His control, so let’s rehearse these truths about His power, strength and wisdom. To Him belong:

Wisdom—

Might—

Times—

Seasons—

Setting up of kings—

Removal of kings—

Granting of wisdom to the wise—

(Given to Daniel rather than the world’s ‘wise’ men!)

Granting knowledge to those of understanding—

Revealer of the deep and hidden things—

What is in the darkness—

Light, for HE IS light!!!

IF we could really get a hold on these truths deep down in our hearts and minds, oh what it would do for our peace and confidence in God, much like what Paul encouraged the Philippians to pursue and rest in!

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9

Did you notice the mention of peace twice:

“the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus”

As believers we receive the “peace of God”, because the blood of Jesus brings us into a right relationship with God, giving us “peace with God”:

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:…..

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 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.” Romans 5:1 & 8-10

We who have come to Jesus have been “reconciled to God by the death of his Son”—the blood of Jesus has given us not only the “peace of God” but also “peace with God”! And I believe this precious, godly young man named Daniel was filled with the confidence of his relationship with God (although he was looking forward to the blood of the sacrifice and we are looking back at it)! So my friends, where is your confidence? Have you learned to walk with this God who holds it all, or are you trying to be your own “wiseman”, depending on the world’s wisdom? Oh, how much we can learn from Daniel and his friends—more about God—more about His character—more about His faithfulness—more about His abundant care and provision– no matter what we may be facing! Even angry kings!

May we grow in our confidence of God just like Daniel?

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”        1 John 2:28

Amen!

All His Ways Are Good??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #453

13 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in Changed Lives, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, God of all comfort!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Made like Jesus!, Praise God Today!, The Only Way, Trials, Troubles, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #453 All His Ways Are Good???

 

God is ever at work in our lives—and HE is good all the time, for goodness is HIS nature! He is righteous and true, holy and just, He IS love– among His other attributes. As I heard it described recently, God isn’t a jumble of part goodness, part love and part all these other things to make a “Job’s mix”; but God is 100% love, 100% truth, and on and on with all the attributes of God! So as God is working in our lives, HE is always just, true and He is love! When things seem to overwhelm us, our God has it in control—whether for our instruction, our growth, our correction, or our increased usefulness in the Kingdom!

“Behold, happy is the man

whom God correcteth:

therefore despise not thou

the chastening

of the Almighty:

18 For he maketh sore,

and bindeth up:

he woundeth,

and his hands make whole.”   Job 5:17-18

As an old praise song says:

“Praise Him in the morning, Praise Him in the noontime. Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him when the sun goes down!” (Lyrics by Byron Cage)

We are to praise Him with our lives, not just our tongues, and when our hearts are set on HIM, we will find the peace, confidence, and joy that comes only from walking with Jesus! And we can walk with complete confidence in God’s sovereignty in every thing that is going on in our lives. Just “fix your eyes” on Jesus and:

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires

of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth

in his way,

because of the man who bringeth

wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself

in any wise

to do evil.” Psalm 37:3-8

God is ever working on our behalf and I pray that you can find comfort today for whatever issues you are facing. God is at work on behalf of His children, whether for correction, or for training, or to draw you nearer to Himself!

“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 art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.” Hebrews 12:5-6

Scripture goes on to assure us that God is ever working in our lives for our good and His glory, that we will be a minister to others in all our ways—often when we’re not even looking!!!

“Now no chastening for the present

seemeth to be joyous,

but grievous:

nevertheless afterward

it yieldeth

the peaceable fruit of righteousness

unto them

which are exercised thereby.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands

which hang down,

and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths

for your feet,

lest that which is lame

be turned out of the way;

but let it rather be healed.”    Hebrews 12:11-13

So whatever you are facing, remember that God is at work in all who belong to Him. And if you don’t belong to HIM, you can come to HIM today!

“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 3:20

I WILL Trust In YOU, LORD!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #451

06 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fearfulness, Fearlessness, Growing in Jesus!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Look UP, Made like Jesus!, Sanctuary, The Word, Trials, Troubles, Trust God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #451 I WILL Trust In YOU, LORD!!!

 

We all have trials and difficulties—it’s common to all of us—but what’s not common is the ability to trust our past, present and future to The Lord God Almighty through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, I want to take a few minutes this morning to remind us all to just look up!

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption

draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28

I know the immediate context of this verse is the “latter days”, yet we can take heart today because this is true whenever or whatever the difficulty, or how hard of a trial we are encountering. Our hope is in our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and HE will see us through. It hasn’t caught Him by surprise, and as one of my favorite evangelists says, “God never says, ‘oops’!” And I’m sure glad that’s true. God is ever at work molding His own and making us more and more like The Son.

“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

God’s purpose for you and for me is that we will become more and more like Jesus!!! And my dear friends, when we get a hold on that reality, it will transform how we view the difficulties that come upon us! God isn’t wasting one iota of our circumstances—HE is orchestrating them to lead us closer to Himself, and more like Jesus!!! I can’t balk at that!

So whatever your situation or circumstance today, step back and take another look up, and remember that God has YOU in HIS hand, and He’s not letting go! You can trust Him and overcome your fears and frustrations when we just remember to “lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh”! And I believer He is more “nigh” than we believe! Take heart my friend—don’t be afraid—don’t give up—press on—for we win!

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.“     Psalm 56:3

And our old standby reminder:

“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

Blessings on your day, and remember—Look UP! Amen and Amen!!!