Category Archives: Trusting God

You Can Do This!!! But How??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #791

27 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Assurance or Arrogance, Changed Lives, Comfort, Confidence, Conformed to HIS image, Consider Your ways, TODAY, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Tomorrow, Trendy Or Truth, Trials, Troubles, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, Under His Wings, Unexpected Interruptions, Victory IN Jesus!, Walk in the Spirit, Walking With Jesus, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #791   You Can Do This!!!  But How???

I have a word to share this morning, a word that we all can use on most days and probably today!  And to set just a bit of context before we dive into this first passage, Paul was talking about Israel in the wilderness (and yes, we are to study the Old Testament as well as the New, so we might learn from the testimonies that God recorded for us!), and how we can learn from their choices.  We can know that God is in charge, and our ‘temptations and trials’ are filtered through His fingers of love; we just need to look up, knowing that HE will provide!

“Now all these things happened unto them

for ensamples:

and they are written for our admonition,

 upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth

take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you

but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful,

who will not suffer you to be tempted

above that ye are able;

but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape,

that ye may be able to bear it.”   1 Corinthians 10:11-13

Paul is teaching us to not only live in the truth of God’s written Word, but to remember the examples HE has recorded for us to learn from as we walk through this world of chaos and confusion.  But we need not be either of those things as those who have seen the promise fulfilled of the Messiah who delivered salvation on the cross—salvation for all who will believe and receive the Gospel that Jesus paid for sin—my sin and yours!  And not only has HE paid for our sin but has given HIS gift of The Holy Spirit, just as HE promised to all those who are born again by His power, His provision and His purposes through The Holy Spirit/The Comforter—the source of God’s provision to His own!

So, let’s peruse some references about who the Holy Spirit is, and what HE would accomplish.  First of all, HE is the one who brings us to faith in Jesus (and the “HE” in this passage from John 1 is a reference to Jesus–“The Word…The Creator…The Light of the world!”  The One who promised to send HIS precious Holy Spirit to HIS own!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.” John 1:10-14

God brings us to the cross via the conviction (the work of the Holy Spirit in man to bring them to see sin as sin, and Jesus as the only cure, see John 14:16-18 & 16:6-8) of sin which HIS Holy Spirit reveals to man!  He leads to the truth of the gospel—on which I stand like Paul, and you can too!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed from faith to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”  Romans 1:16-17

The gospel that Paul declared and stood on is the foundation of our faith—JESUS, and HIS substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for sin– the truth we stand upon! Paul also gave us the “Gospel in a nutshell”, if you would allow me to call it that!  Consider how concisely He proclaims Jesus!

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you

the gospel which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory what I preached

unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

 5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

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

The Gospel IS JESUS:

It can only be shared by those who have “received” it—

Christ died for our sins—the only way (See John 14:6)-

 ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES—

Christ Jesus was buried—HE WAS DEAD—

HE AROSE—on the third day—victorious over—

Sin, death, and hell—

ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES—

HE was seen alive by many witnesses!

Jesus paid the price that only the Lamb of God could pay.  Have you come to HIM in repentance and faith?  I pray that you have and if you haven’t, that you will come to HIM today!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

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

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.”  John 1:29

“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.

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 3:16-19

There is so much more that I wish I had time (and finger strength left) to share here, but I pray that God will open our hearts to receive HIS truth as truth—that we will respond in faith and obedience—and share that which we have received, in whatever ways God provides and leads us to!  I would like to share a few passages to encourage and assure us that Jesus died for you and me—for our sin—but when HE died, rose again, and ascended to heaven (until HIS return), HE sent us the amazing gift of HIS Holy Spirit to reside within and lead us into HIS truth, equipping us to minister truth to a lost and dying world.  Jesus promised that The Holy Spirit would bring us into all truth if we will but receive and heed HIS leading in our lives—our every day, our walking about days, our tear-filled days, our laughing days—our EVERY hour days! Jesus promised us all we would need to press on.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

 I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world

of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

 because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

And some more from Paul’s letters that I pray will help and encourage each of us to look up, walk straight and press on!  (See Acts 1:1-8)

“In whom ye also trusted,

after that ye heard the word of truth,

the gospel of your salvation:

in whom also after that ye believed,

ye were sealed with that holy Spirit

of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance

until the redemption

of the purchased possession,

unto the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:13-14

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

 unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:29-32

And the message to the Galatian believers:

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh…

….. 24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”   Galatians 5:16 & 24-25

Are we walking in The Spirit, or our own ways?  Oh, Jesus, please do your work in our hearts through this precious Holy Spirit which you have imparted to all who are born again by HIS work of conviction and awakening to the debt of sin we owed.  Thank you, Lord, for your love, your sacrifice, and your forgiveness of my sin—for paying my ‘sin debt’!

“Giving thanks

unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”  Colossians 1:12-14

Jesus gives forgiveness of sin, and we should be recognized by actions which reflect the ONE who lives in us.  How about me?   How about you?  Will we honor the One who saved us—the ONE who calls us to walk in “holiness”?  While it’s simple to remember that God “has it”, it’s not always easy to remember how that looks.  Remember that God filters everything that comes into our lives, and whether its “Job” like tragedy and strife, or blessings—He is working “all things” for our good!

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness,

but unto holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7

“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

‘Nuff said!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s All About Jesus!!! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #787

06 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Good News, Gospel, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, True Gospel, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #787  It’s All About Jesus!!!  Really???

“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=

My friends, I am sure that some of you are thinking, why is this woman “beating a dead horse”?  Well, this woman is repeating truth again, for there is “One” who is coming back on HIS white horse, with all the armies of heaven to establish HIS eternal kingdom.  And only those who have trusted to HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin, (by faith through God’s grace, see Ephesians 2:8-10) will be a part of His kingdom!

“And I saw heaven opened,

and behold a white horse;

and he that sat upon him

was called Faithful and True,

and in righteousness

he doth judge

and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire,

and on his head were many crowns;

and he had a name written,

that no man knew,

but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture

dipped in blood:

and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven

followed him

upon white horses,

clothed in fine linen,

white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword,

that with it he should smite the nations:

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:

and he treadeth the winepress

of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh

a name written,

KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:11-16

All because God will accomplish HIS purpose in all things:

“And I heard as it were

the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice,

and give honour to him:”  Revelation 19:6-7a

While the world around us is always talking about “luck”, let me confirm for you that there is no such thing as “luck”; but the providence of God reigns supreme. And while there are things that happen because we live in a fallen world, we must not discount the reality of the spiritual warfare that exists around us.  It is what Paul was talking about in Ephesians 6, when he called us to be sure and put on the ‘armor of God’ in order to “withstand in the evil day”!  And my friends, we are ‘there’!

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.”  Ephesians 6:12-13

How I pray that we will be found “standing”!  And just in case you have missed these things in the past, I would like to share God’s truth about The Redeemer–The One who came to purchase our salvation with “HIS own blood”.

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you

all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore

unto yourselves,

and to all the flock,

over the which the Holy Ghost

hath made you overseers,

to feed the church of God,

which he hath purchased

with his own blood.”  Acts 20:27-18

It’s why HE came!  To be the “lamb of God” and take away the sin of all who will believe and receive HIM.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

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

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me:

for he was before me.”  John 1:29-30

Jesus Himself made it clear that HE was, IS and ever shall be The One and only way to God the Father, and eternal life!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth

ye know him,

and have seen him.”  John 14:6

And Jesus’ own testimony of what HE came to do as He talked to Nicodemus:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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.

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.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.” John 3:14-21

So, my question for you/I is, “What have you done/will you do with Jesus?”  Your answer is of eternal import, for there is a time coming when your answer will determine your eternal destiny; and while people don’t like to think about it, it will be heaven or hell—and JESUS is the determining factor.  God’s Word is clear.

“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

I stand with Paul—it’s all about the cross of Jesus Christ alone!  How about you?

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you

the testimony of God.

2 For I determined

not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”   1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Are you trusting in Jesus?  Or are you going your own way?

“There is a way

which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow

to me,

and every tongue shall confess

to God.

12 So then every one of us

shall give account

of himself

to God.”  Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

Close But Yet So Far??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #776

03 Thursday Feb 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All Sufficient God!, Obedience, Obedient or NOT?, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Samuel & Eli, The Word, The Word Or The World?, True Knowledge, Trusting God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #776   Close But Yet So Far???

 

We talked recently about recognizing God’s truth, and I’d like us to revisit that thought with a bit of a twist.

“Have ye not known?

have ye not heard?

hath it not been told you

from the beginning?

 have ye not understood

from the foundations of the earth?”   Isaiah 40:21

Isaiah called his people to examine themselves and see what they had done with the truths of God.  That question is still pertinent for us today, in fact possibly even more urgent than it was back then, for we have spent so much time diminishing the import of The Word of God, perverting what God has said, and changing the truth for lies of convenience.  In fact, we have done the same thing that Israel had done during Isaiah’s day.

“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!

22 Woe unto them

that are mighty

to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked

for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous from him!”   Isaiah 5:20-23

Woe is a strong word from God, and we need to be paying attention, whether we are genuine believers or those who claim the name of One they don’t know.  We find one of the most important warnings to both in the story of Samuel and Eli (the high priest).  If you remember, Samuel was the young son of answered prayer that Hannah received from God. She then gave him back to God for HIS service; when he was weaned, she took him to Eli as a servant of the tabernacle (the temple wasn’t built at the time)! Without listing all of the scriptures in this story, let’s peruse some of the highlights and see the danger of not walking “close” to our Lord, and thinking disobedience and neglect are OK.

“Now Hannah,

she spake in her heart; only her lips moved,

but her voice was not heard:

therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14 And Eli said unto her,

How long wilt thou be drunken?

put away thy wine from thee.”   1 Samuel 1:13-14

This portion of the story is important to understand the outcome; Eli rebuked Hannah because he thought she was ‘drunk’, yet she was only deeply in tune with God in prayer for a child.  Eli missed what was going on, and Hannah had to correct him, and then he blessed her for her obvious devotion to seek God for her needs.  God did answer her prayer and when the time came, she returned the child Samuel to serve God for a lifetime. It would seem that Eli judged her by the standard of his sons.  In time God spoke to Samuel and called him into his service with a message of “woe” to Eli, and the reason makes what happened with Hannah, most ironic, puzzling, and very insightful as a lesson we should learn from.

“And she said,

Oh my lord,

as thy soul liveth, my lord,

 I am the woman that stood by thee here,

praying unto the LORD.

27 For this child I prayed;

and the LORD hath given me my petition

which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also

I have lent him to the LORD;

as long as he liveth

he shall be lent to the LORD.

And he worshipped the LORD there.”  1 Samuel 1:26-28

Hannah came to worship, as Samuel began his service to God, and when God called him personally, he replied in obedience to a hard task.  Yet Eli, on the other hand, was unwilling to correct his sons, who were reprobate before God, and he knew what they were doing!

“Now Eli was very old,

and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel;

and how they lay with the women that

assembled at the door of the

tabernacle of the congregation

23 And he said unto them,

Why do ye such things?

for I hear of your evil dealings

by all this people.

24 Nay, my sons;

 for it is no good report that I hear:

ye make the LORD’S people

to transgress.

25 If one man sin against another,

the judge shall judge him:

but if a man sin against the LORD,

who shall intreat for him?

Notwithstanding they hearkened not

unto the voice of their father,

because the LORD would slay them.

26 And the child Samuel grew on,

and was in favour both with the LORD,

and also with men.”  1 Samuel 2:22-26

Eli understood the principles of ‘obedient leadership’ but apparently not enough to deal with his own sons’ immoral and wicked behavior.  The New Testament confirms the call of obedience for all.

“And that servant,

which knew his lord’s will,

and prepared not himself,

neither did according to his will,

shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not,

and did commit things worthy of stripes,

shall be beaten with few stripes.

For unto whomsoever much is given,

of him shall be much required:

and to whom men have committed much,

of him they will ask the more.

49 I am come to send fire on the earth;

and what will I,

if it be already kindled?”  Luke 12:47-49

“My brethren,

be not many masters,

knowing that we shall receive

the greater condemnation.”   James 3:1

Eli had been given the title, the privilege, and the responsibility for the spiritual welfare of Israel, yet he didn’t even take care of the spiritual welfare of his own family.  Now, don’t misunderstand—we can instruct, train, and set a good example before our children and family, but as adults, each person is responsible for his/her own choices.  In fact, scripture says even children are accountable.

“Even a child is known by his doings,

whether his work be pure,

and whether it be right.”  Proverbs 20:11

But Eli was not just a parent, he was the high priest, and his sons were also priests by Gods’ call to the sons of Aaron, as spiritual leaders to Israel.  But Eli apparently did not take his responsibility seriously enough, and was allowing his sons to behave immorally, with complete disregard to the import of God’s instructions for the sacrificial system and its use in building a relationship to God, and yet he did nothing!  God’s Word settles it!

“So then every one of us

shall give account

of himself to God.”  Romans 14:12

God gave Samuel a heavy load for his first commission, and he proved faithful, for God had already been preparing Eli for the coming accounting!

“Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith,

I said indeed that thy house,

and the house of thy father,

should walk before me for ever:

but now the LORD saith,

Be it far from me;

for them that honour me

I will honour,

and they that despise me

shall be lightly esteemed.

31 Behold, the days come,

that I will cut off thine arm,

and the arm of thy father’s house,

that there shall not be an old man

in thine house.

32 And thou shalt see an enemy

in my habitation,

in all the wealth

which God shall give Israel:

and there shall not be an old man

in thine house for ever.

33 And the man of thine,

whom I shall not cut off from mine altar,

shall be to consume thine eyes,

and to grieve thine heart:

and all the increase of thine house

shall die in the flower of their age.

34 And this shall be a sign unto thee,

that shall come upon thy two sons,

on Hophni and Phinehas;

in one day they shall die

both of them.

35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest,

that shall do according to that

which is in mine heart

and in my mind:

and I will build him a sure house;

and he shall walk before mine anointed

for ever.”  1 Samuel 2:30-35

A previous prophet gave a warning to Eli, then God sent Samuel—I think not only for Eli, but for Samuel to know that he was being called by God to lead Israel back to Himself, to restore truth and God’s presence before them.

“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD,

neither was the word of the LORD

yet revealed unto him…

…..8 And the LORD called Samuel

again the third time.

 And he arose and went to Eli,

 and said, Here am I;

for thou didst call me.

And Eli perceived that the LORD

 had called the child.

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel,

Go, lie down:

and it shall be,

if he call thee,

that thou shalt say,

Speak, LORD;

for thy servant heareth.

So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called

as at other times,

Samuel, Samuel.

Then Samuel answered,

Speak; for thy servant heareth.

11 And the LORD said to Samuel,

Behold, I will do a thing in Israel,

at which both the ears

of every one that heareth it

shall tingle.

12 In that day

I will perform against Eli all things

which I have spoken

concerning his house:

when I begin,

I will also make an end.

13 For I have told him

that I will judge his house for ever

for the iniquity which he knoweth;

because his sons

made themselves vile,

and he restrained them not.

14 And therefore I have sworn

unto the house of Eli,

that the iniquity of Eli’s house

shall not be purged

with sacrifice

nor offering

 for ever.”   1 Samuel 3:8-14

What a heavy load for a young boy, but God reminds us of the sufficiency of HIS provision.

“I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

 and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

 both to abound

and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:12-13

While Samuel’s task was a difficult one, he pressed on with respect for Eli, and regard for the message of God.  We can learn a lot from these two men of God—one drew near to God as He heard His voice—the other had allowed his own permissiveness toward his children to cause him to fail his God!  Yet, I do believe God allowed him to ‘redeem’ some of the time he had wasted, to have a second chance with Samuel—a chance to make a difference in this young boy’s life—and it would seem that he used it wisely and set an example of humble submission to the judgment of God!  How about you and me?  How do we respond to the call of God, and/or his judgment and discipline?  Samuel revealed the truth of God to Eli—I believe with a broken heart, but a humble, submissive heart that spoke the truth in love!

“And Samuel told him every whit,

 and hid nothing from him.

And he said,

It is the LORD:

let him do what seemeth him good.

19 And Samuel grew,

and the LORD was with him,

and did let none of his words

fall to the ground.

20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba

knew that Samuel was established

to be a prophet of the LORD.

21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh:

for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel

in Shiloh

by the word of the LORD.”   I Samuel 4:18-21

So, my question for each of us today is, are we so compromised that we have missed the task that Jesus has called us to, or are you one who talks about the master but doesn’t know HIM personally?  The choice is yours, and truly there is a test.  Are you walking in God’s “way”—Jesus (See John 14:6)?  Or are you choosing to go your own way as Eli’s sons did.  Or maybe you’re a parent who has failed to correct and lead your children to know and do God’s truth. There is a word for each of us if we will but heed the message God is speaking to our hearts.

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

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

“So then every one of us shall give account

of himself to God.”  Romans 14:12

Will your account be that of one drawn close to the Father, or have you walked so far away that you have lost sight of God and His truth, or never really known HIM?  I join with Joshua even today!  How about you?

“And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

 in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

 we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15

Paul sums it up concisely:

“That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about

with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, even Christ:”   Ephesians 4:14-15

Amen and Amen!!!

A Confidence Beyond Weariness!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #773

07 Friday Jan 2022

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Approved Unto God, Beauty of Holiness, Choices And Consequences, Doubt and Confusion?, Trials, Troubles, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Walking With Jesus, Weariness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #773 A Confidence Beyond Weariness!!!

 

While I haven’t posted much lately, I have had the faithfulness of God on my mind.  We’ve had some severe health issues facing us lately, and through all of the strain and the weariness, God is ever faithful.  On that I will ever stand, for with Job I count the faithfulness of God above all things

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

 and not another;

 though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

I shall see GOD, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Job knew it, and so do I.  How about you?  We who belong to Jesus shall behold HIM, and yet even more importantly, in this earthly life, is the necessity that we “behold” God here and now, that through HIS Word we come to know HIM more and more personally and intimately!  James reminds us that it is by beholding the reality of God’s person, character, and truth that we can know and behold HIM more and more, here, and now!

“Wherefore

lay apart all filthiness

and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh

 into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed

in his deed.”  James 1:21-25

As you/I know more and more of God’s Word, and learn to trust to His faithfulness, we can come to know more and more of our/my GOD, my Lord, and my KING.  We can simply glance at truth, without considering its import.  As Paul told his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, we are to “study” to know God’s Word that we might find ourselves approved before GOD, knowing that God’s Word is perfectly sufficient unto all our needs, especially teaching us of Himself!!!

“All scripture

is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

In our vernacular, mature (not sinlessly perfect), and equipped for all that God calls us to be and do!

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

As Paul also tells us about salvation and good works—they work together, by God’s faithful provision.

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

And as we draw near to HIM, we can learn to be more of what God calls us to be, HOLY, and able to fulfill the “good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”. (And you’ll note below that our call is to “holiness” not “happiness”, not a very popular thought today!)

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought

unto you

 at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

It is this confidence in God, HIS Word, and HIS call, that sustains me and will sustain you, if you will but delve into it, and take the truths of God into your heart.  Much like what the Proverbs say:

“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

So, if I may sum it all up, we are all faced with trials, crises, difficulties, and times of extreme weariness; we must each choose what we will do with our crises—will we keep our eyes on Jesus, or on our own resources.  It’s your choice, but remember, there is a test.

“Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher of our faith;”  Hebrews 12:2a

Amen and Amen!!!

Thankful For HIS Care??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 04

15 Monday Nov 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Ask God For Wisdom, Attitude of Gratitude, Comfort, Confidence, Dependence, Follow Jesus, God Knows His Own, God of all comfort!, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, IN Jesus!, TODAY, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Truth is True, Wisdom

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 04   Thankful For HIS Care???

 

Today I’d like to share a bit of personal testimony as well as God’s Word; sometimes knowing that others are or have been in the same boat as we have been is a help and an encouragement.  I pray that we can encourage one another!

“Blessed be God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us

in all our tribulation,

that we may be able

to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith

we ourselves are comforted

of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”    2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Paul was sending this second letter to the believers at Corinth to encourage them after his first letter and their response of obedience to his instructions in a most difficult situation.  He was also reminding them that he had suffered trials and difficulties himself, and he is reminding them as well as us, that we are to be an encouragement to one another as we all face difficulties in life, and God can and will use all our trials to minister to others along with ourselves.  God’s comfort and provision isn’t to be “hoarded” but shared for God’s glory, our growth and good as well as good for others.

I have wrestled with a lot of life changes and challenges of late, and while it is just that “a challenge” to know what, when, where, or how to respond to the issues that we deal with almost daily, and to maintain a godly, kind, and honest demeanor to the things that seem to assail us with a vengeance.  Paul reminded the Corinthian believers to remember how God had comforted them, and to realize that our experiences are sent and/or permitted by God for our good and HIS glory!  In fact, it brought me to a new understanding of another passage about God’s sovereign work in our lives.

“Likewise the Spirit also

helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not

what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up

for us all,

how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?” Romans 8:28-32

Even as Paul states in verse 26, “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities”, we can have absolute confidence in God’s work in our lives, and the overflow of HIS work into the lives of others, if we will but trust HIM in all things and obey as we see HIS direction and hear HIS Spirit speaking to our heart and mind—and as we feast on HIS Word!  Just as it says above, the Holy Spirit is ever working in my life and yours, in fact in the lives of every born-again believer—working in us and helping us to know how to walk “according to the will of God”!

Oh, how grateful I am that I don’t have to depend on my own wisdom, for sometimes it is in pretty short supply, but God is never delinquent to supply HIS wisdom to all who will “ask…seek… (and)… knock”!

“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.”  James 1:5-7

Paul also gives us insight into the wisdom that we are to seek.  But remember that “godly wisdom” isn’t always welcome, but it is where we must stand by HIS power, grace, and provision—trusting the consequences to our Father and Lord!

“For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish

foolishness;

but unto us

which are saved

it is the power of God.

19 For it is written,

I will destroy

the wisdom of the wise,

and will bring to nothing

the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews

and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:18-24

Paul goes on to share even more about the difference between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men.  Oh, that we would learn to recognize the difference!

“Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you

seemeth to be wise in this world,

let him become a fool,

that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness with God.

For it is written,

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again,

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise,

that they are vain.

21 Therefore let no man glory in men.

For all things are yours;” 1 Corinthians 3:18-21

I want you to know that as I face the difficulties that come my way, my greatest resource is Jesus Christ my Lord!  I go to HIM in prayer continually, seeking to know how HE wants me to respond in every situation, and going to HIS WORD as the standard for all things.  The Word of God is the standard that God has set, and if we don’t know what it says, we won’t know what God expects.  When I know HIS Word, I will find the confidence and power to run to Jesus instead of the world!

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:12-16

I pray that this will help you today and encourage your heart to press on with the greatest Lord and friend, Jesus!  For remember, we win!

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house

are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go

and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.”  John 14:1-4

And if you don’t know Jesus today, you can come to Him today by repenting of your sin, and trusting to HIS substitutionary (He took our place), atoning sacrifice (He paid our debt) for your sin (The problem we all have and cannot cure.), and receive HIS gift of eternal life.

“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.

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 3:16-19

Amen and Amen!!!