Category Archives: Trust God

Let It Rain??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #470

20 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Knowing God's Word, Showers Of Blessing, The Only Way, Trust God, Walking With Jesus

≈ Leave a comment

Bible Ballistics: BBs #470 Let It Rain???

 

You may have noticed that I write a lot about rain; living in Oklahoma will do that to you, for we often experience the lack of rain, a difficult thing to experience. So as it is raining this morning I can’t help but think of the parallel between the physical rain and “spiritual” rain for our heart and soul. God wants us to walk with Him and know Him more intimately, and He provides all we need to grow as we commit ourselves to seek His face continually!

“And it shall come to pass,

if ye shall hearken diligently

unto my commandments

which I command you this day,

to love the LORD your God,

and to serve him

with all your heart

and with all your soul,

14 That I will give you the rain of your land

in his due season,

the first rain

and the latter rain,

that thou mayest gather in thy corn,

and thy wine,

and thine oil.

15 And I will send grass in thy fields

for thy cattle,

that thou mayest eat and be full.

16 Take heed to yourselves,

that your heart be not deceived,

and ye turn aside,

and serve other gods,

and worship them;

17 And then the LORD’S wrath

be kindled against you……. ”     Deuteronomy 11:13-17a

When we acknowledge God as our total source, we will find power and grace for each day, no matter whether it’s “raining on our parade” or the sun is shinning brightly on our way, God is ever at work on our behalf, is we will just open our eyes!

“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 1:17

Our responsibility is to keep our focus on Jesus rather than our circumstances or difficulties.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.”    Proverbs 3:5-6

It is easy in our world of techno-everything, to think that we are self-sufficient and don’t need anything or anyone, yet living with that mindset is a danger to a ‘fruitful’ life for God. We can choose to focus on the world or we can heed The Word of God and live a life focused on HIM, seeing HIS hand in all things around us.

“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.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus went to the cross that we might “have life”, and have it “more abundantly”, yet we must keep “Looking unto Jesus”—our Lord, our Redeemer, our Friend and our soon-coming KING!!! When we take our eyes off of HIM we can be so easily misled, for the enemy of our soul is ever ready to pounce! We must be diligent, staying in tune with The Holy Spirit’s leading in our every step, remembering that we are NOT alone!!!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:6-9

Amen!!!

Sunshine Or Rain??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #468

13 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Dependence, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, God of all comfort!, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Made like Jesus!, Our God Reigns, Sovereignty, The Word, Trust God

≈ Leave a comment

Bible Ballistics: BBs #468 Sunshine Or Rain???

 

Several years ago we had a structural problem with our home, unknown to us, in some remodeling by a long-previous owner, a weight-bearing wall had been removed! Well, being raised in the deep south where most homes were built on piers when I was a child, and everyone knew about weight-bearing walls—and you don’t mess with them. Well, it had taken quite a few years before the problems manifested themselves, and we were forced to take care of the problems that it created.

When we finally found someone to do the work, he did a great job, but on the last day as he finished the repairs he came in and as we were talking, he remarked that he didn’t know how we hadn’t had the ceiling in our laps. I replied to him that I knew how—he looked startled– and I simply replied, “Jesus was taking care of us! That’s why the ceiling wasn’t in our lap!” I have learned to have total confidence in the “providential” care of God in our everyday lives. And that’s what I want to talk to you about today—God’s care—the continual, providential care of God Almighty in all!

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

2 My help

cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee

will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel

shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is thy keeper:

the LORD is thy shade

upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee

by day,

nor the moon

by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve thee

from all evil:

he shall preserve

thy soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve

thy going out

and thy coming in

from this time forth,

and even for evermore.” Psalm 121

May we rehearse this precious Psalm today, rejoicing in who our God is–God Most High, ruler of all:

Creator—

Keeper—

Protector—

Caregiver in the day and night—

The One who preserves—

From evil—

Our soul—

Our going out—

Our coming in—

ALWAYS!!!

So day or night, danger or ease, difficulty or confusion—our God reigns and cares for YOU and me!

“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

Where’s Your Sin??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 18

11 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Cross, Every Knee Shall Bow, Gospel, He That Is Without Sin, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Trust God

≈ Leave a comment

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 18 Where’s Your Sin???

 

We talk a lot about sin, and what it is, but we haven’t talked about where it is, and scripture talks a lot about “where” sin is. The first thing that we must recognize is that sin is the issue and we all have it!

“As it is written,

There is none righteous,

no,

not one:

11 There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good,

no,

not one.” Romans 3:10-12

Righteousness is the opposite of sin—doing right in God’s eyes, meeting His standard, and being able to receive His glory!

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

All—that’s you and me—that’s every person born into this world, with the exception of the God Man, Jesus Christ the Lord, who came into this world to pay for our sin, so we wouldn’t have to pay for our own sin (for the only what that we could pay for our own sin is death and hell!).

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”    Romans 6:23

All because Jesus is the only One who had the cure for sin—Himself, the sinless, perfect, Lamb of God—which was His life for yours and mine at Calvary. This sinless Son of God who came that we might live!

“For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16 

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we can have life, and an advocate—on who stands on our side—who bought our salvation and gives us ‘abundant life’ in this life and in the life to come with Him in heaven! All because HE cares for you! He cared enough to die that we might have life. He is the “Good Shepherd” who gives His life for the sheep, and for those who come to Him in repentance and faith, He gives His life ‘to’ to the sheep. That presence of His Holy Spirit within is us why we are can “come boldly unto the throne of grace”, and oh what a privilege it is to be welcomed into His presence and know that we can always find “grace to help in time of need”! I can never praise Him enough for His faithful provision that I have seen with my own eyes, and know in my own heart and life! Jesus cares for sinners, even though He had no sin, and lived a perfect life to be that sacrifice for us!

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin

of the world……

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith,

Behold the Lamb of God!

37 And the two disciples heard him speak,

and they followed Jesus.” John 1:29 & 35-37

Jesus came to be the One who “taketh away the sin of the world”, and the only One who could and would!

While the world had waited for God’s long-awaited Messiah, God had given His Law to Moses to point people to see that they could never save themselves! For, as my pastor says so aptly, the Law is good but it was ‘Partial, Preliminary, and Pointed to the coming Messiah’ this very “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!!! Jesus takes our sin away, but where does He take it!

“Who is a God like unto thee,

that pardoneth iniquity,

and passeth by the transgression

of the remnant of his heritage?

he retaineth not his anger for ever,

because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again,

he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities;

and thou wilt cast all their sins

into the depths of the sea.”    Micah 7:18-19

Jesus is the only One who can forgive and pardon our sin, and He casts them “into the depths of the sea”! Jesus does away with our sin!

“And you,

being dead in your sins

and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

hath he quickened

together with him,

having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances

that was against us,

which was contrary to us,

and took it out of the way,

nailing it to his cross;”    Colossians 2:13-14

Jesus blotted out our sin with His own blood—I praise HIS name that out of HIS great love HE took “MY” sin “out of the way, nailing it to his cross”!! Amen and Amen! What love is this? How can your refuse His call to you? He willingly, lovingly gave that which only His love could give:

“And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,” Revelation 1:5

All this because He loves us and wants us to spend eternity with HIM, not to spend eternity in Hell paying for our own sin, when HE has already paid the price.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.”    2 Peter 3:9

What have you done with your sin? Have you come to Jesus in repentance and faith, and let Him take your sin away—to forgive your sin and give you new life in HIM? Do you hear His voice calling to YOU? The price has already been paid—what have you done with that gift?

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”   1 John 2:2

Jesus is the “payment in full” for our sin, and “propitiation for our sins” simply means that Jesus has paid for sin in full, for all who will come to HIM. But HE is the Only Way to receive forgiveness of sin; there is no other way! Even as the Apostle John recorded the words of our Lord:

Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, 

the truth, 

and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, 

but by me.“” John 14:6

And the Apostle Peter reiterated this same truth as He shared the Gospel after healing the impotent man!

“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here before you

whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”    Acts 4:10-12

Only One Way then—only One Way now! No matter how men may try to water down the Gospel, it’s still about Jesus and Him alone. And unless you come to Jesus for salvation, you are carrying the debt of your own sin. And there is coming a day when that debt will be due! So my question for today is simple, “Where is your sin?” Is it under the blood, or will you have to pay for your own sin? It is a choice that you can make only in this life, for after we leave this world it is too late….

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this

the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

The question is not “will you bow”, because all will recognize Jesus as the Only Way when He comes, but then it will be too late for those who have refused to bow in life. The question isn’t “will you bow”, but “when will you bow”? Will you bow now before the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and receive His gift of eternal life, forgiveness of your sin, and have Jesus “cast them into the sea” (And as Corrie Ten Boom often said, “He casts them into the sea, and puts up a ‘no fishing’ sign!”) never to be considered again, or will you bow before Him then as your judge?

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”    Philippians 2:8-11

Jesus paid your debt—will you receive it?

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:11-15

Where is your sin? Is it on you or on Jesus? The choice is yours, but choose wisely there is a test/judgment coming! Don’t wait and find that you come to Him “One Day Too Late!” (The title of an old Lanny Wolfe song!)! May you look to Jesus today—for salvation if you don’t know Him, and in total provision for your every need if you do know Him! For remember:

“For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

I’m praying for you! 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

≈ Leave a comment

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!

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

≈ Leave a comment

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!!!!