Category Archives: Trusting Jesus?

Christmas Ponderings #7 Bible Ballistics: BBs #771

17 Friday Dec 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Are You Ready, Believe God?, Believe IN Jesus, Choose you this day?, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Come To Worship HIM, Trust, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Who are you listening too!, Worship Him!, Worship?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #771   Christmas Ponderings!!! #7

 

As we approach Christmas week, and we think of all the activities, errands, shopping, wrapping, mailing, cards, gifts, baking and cooking we may become overwhelmed, but I want us to take a few minutes today to remind ourselves of the JOY of Christmas, and WHO it’s ALL about!

“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

This amazing message is what Joseph received from the angel of The Lord as he was trying to decide on a course of action regarding his “espoused”, Mary, who was by this time some 3 or 4 months pregnant (remember she went to Elizabeth almost immediately after receiving the message from the angel for some 3 months).  Scripture tells us that Joseph was a just man, and only wanted to do the right thing-–even for Mary.  I’ve always wondered about that conversation that Mary had to have with her parents, for while her cousin Elizabeth (the mother of John the Baptizer) knew that her pregnancy was supernatural, we’re not told that her parents had the same spiritual insight.  I don’t mean to be irreverent, but can’t you just imagine Mary telling her parents that she was pregnant, but it was a work of God!  And then she had to tell Joseph—that had to be an interesting conversation—and he simply wanted to do the right thing for Mary!  But once again God stepped in and assured Joseph that his beloved Mary was telling the truth!  I can’t even imagine the courage that it took, for surely the neighbors there in Nazareth were just as “gossipy” as neighbors today, and the rumors flew around town; and remember that Joseph would have been presumed to be the father—one who had violated Mary’s purity, and the marriage contract prematurely.

Yet in all of this, there was one other who believed—Elizabeth; and from their encounter we have two of the most beautiful of all declarations of the faith of two women in all of scripture (excepting perhaps the declaration of Hannah)—one who was past childbearing years and was gifted by God to bear a child!  The other an engaged maiden who was pregnant without benefit of the marriage being consummated!  Elizabeth got the news of her blessing from her husband Zacharias, who also received an angelic visitation and message about “John”!

“And there appeared unto him

an angel of the Lord

standing on the right side

of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him,

he was troubled,

and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said unto him,

Fear not, Zacharias:

for thy prayer is heard;

and thy wife Elisabeth

shall bear thee a son,

and thou shalt call his name John.

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness;

and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15 For he shall be great

in the sight of the Lord,

and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;

and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost,

even from his mother’s womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel

shall he turn to the Lord their God.”   Luke 1:11-16

This faithful servant of God received amazing news via an angelic visit!  The angel’s message came to pass, and Zacharias’ wife Elizabeth would receive a visit from another mother of a special child; and six months into her pregnancy, a divine encounter took place, often overlooked in our rush to Bethlehem.

“And in the sixth month

the angel Gabriel was sent from God

unto a city of Galilee,

named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man

whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David;

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said,

Hail, thou that art highly favoured,

the Lord is with thee:

blessed art thou

among women.

29 And when she saw him,

she was troubled at his saying,

and cast in her mind

what manner of salutation

this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her,

Fear not, Mary:

for thou hast found favour with God

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive

in thy womb,

and bring forth a son,

and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great,

and shall be called

the Son of the Highest:

and the Lord God

shall give unto him

the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign

over the house of Jacob

for ever;

and of his kingdom

there shall be no end.”  Luke 1:26-33

And while Mary may have struggled to accept what the angel told her, she accepted the message from God and then went to visit her cousin Elizabeth.  Maybe to confirm what she had been told, maybe to not be in Nazareth as her condition began to show; we don’t know why, except it seems to have been a God designed visit, and the encounter between these two blessed women of God gives us cause to worship and praise our God for the gift of HIS plan of salvation, which came to fruition through a simple Jewish girl of faith with an amazing devotion to her God!

Let’s simply let these two women bring us to the throne of grace today.  There is nothing I could add to what they have to say.  May we rejoice with such ardor and love!

“And it came to pass, that,

when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary,

the babe leaped in her womb;

and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said,

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me,

that the mother of my Lord

should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice

of thy salutation sounded in mine ears,

the babe leaped in my womb

for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed:

for there shall be a performance

of those things which were told her

from the Lord.”   Luke 1:41-45

And Mary’s response:

“And Mary said,

My soul doth magnify

the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced

in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate

of his handmaiden:

for, behold, from henceforth

all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty

hath done to me great things;

and holy is

his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him

from generation to generation.

51 He hath shewed strength

with his arm;

he hath scattered the proud

in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty

from their seats,

and exalted them

of low degree.

53 He hath filled the hungry

with good things;

and the rich

he hath sent empty away.

54 He hath holpen his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers,

to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

56 And Mary abode with her about three months,

and returned to her own house.”  Luke 1:46-56

May you find comfort knowing the fullness of joy that is found in The Word of The Lord!

Amen and Amen!!!

Validated Not Void!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #759

15 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Salvation, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #759     Validated Not Void!!!

 

Jesus IS the only way to God, eternal life, and abundant life in this world.  Yet, we so often slough Him off and go our own way.  I would like to share a few thoughts with you about The One who has bought our salvation, provided The Way to restoration with God, and our complete validation as a child of God—not just the creation of God, but a child born again by The Spirit of God.

“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.”  John 1:11-13

This is truly the amazing grace of God who loves you and me!  But we must come while God is working in us, while HIS voice is calling us to Himself.  As God said in Genesis 6, “my spirit shall not always strive with man”!  Don’t pass by and ignore the voice of God who gave HIS “only begotten Son” to die in your place and mine; for all who will believe/trust, in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN will receive new life in JESUS.  SIN is the problem—we all have it, we can’t fix it, but Jesus can and will fix it for you if you will but humble yourself, repent of your sin and receive HIS gift of eternal life.  Isaiah says it beautifully.

“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

And if I may make a bit of a tie in, God’s Word, that came forth from HIM IS Jesus!

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth

and came from

God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.”  John 8:42

Jesus IS God, came from God, and is One with The Father, and Is The WORD that comes “forth out of my mouth”, as the Apostle John records for us.

“In the beginning

was the Word,

and the Word

was with God,

and the Word

was God.

2 The same was

in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth

in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

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

The question is, will you choose to receive the ‘light’ and walk in it, or will you continue to walk in the dark and refuse to “comprehend” HIS light!  Jesus Himself, made it the clearest of all.  May you heed HIS Words?

“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

The choice is yours.  Darkness and hell, or the Light of Jesus, and heaven!  Choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

Real Love Speaks Truth??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 25

11 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Are You Ready, Speaking, Speaking The Truth In Love, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 25 Real Love Speaks Truth???

 

There is a lot of talk these days about “love”, but God’s definition of love is quite different from the world’s view of “love”, and so many equate “love” with ‘not making waves’; but we are called to speak the truth in love—God’s love! Scripture is replete with instructions that help us know the difference between ‘lust’ and ‘love’!  After all, God IS love!

“That ye would walk worthy of God,

who hath called you unto his kingdom

and glory.

13 For this cause also

thank we God

without ceasing,

because, when ye received the word of God

which ye heard of us,

ye received it not as the word of men,

but as it is in truth,

the word of God,

which effectually worketh also

in you that believe.”   1 Thessalonians 2:12-13

While God’s Word has little value to most these days, there is a consequence to not receiving the truth of God; for while God gives every person the freedom to choose Jesus or reject Him, there is a price to pay when we reject the truth for the lies of the enemy of our soul!.  Jesus was/is very clear about who the “liar” is; and ‘who’ is ‘whose’; and HE didn’t mince any words to those who opposed HIM!  And by the way, those who opposed HIM most were those who claimed to be ‘religious’!  That’s why we are called to “receive” Him not just ‘claim’ HIS name. (See John 1:12-13). Truth is ‘true’ whether it’s easy to hear and receive or not!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him,

We be not born of fornication;

we have one Father,

even God.

42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me

of sin?

And if I say the truth,

why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”  John 8:41-47

And how much did they reject Him, you might ask, well John  goes on to tell us how much!

“Then took they up stones

to cast at him:

but Jesus hid himself,

and went out of the temple,

going through the midst of them,

and so passed by.”  John 8:59

And if we back up a little, we will find out that not everyone who ‘hears’, wants to truly ‘listen’ and heed the hard truths of HIM who loves us so much that HE gave HIS life for us!

“From that time

many of his disciples went back,

and walked no more with him.”  John 6:66

Who are you choosing to walk with?  Paul told the Thessalonian believers that consequences would apply to those who willfully reject, as well as those who hear the truth and don’t respond—whether because they think they have time, or because of any other reason, even pretending to be righteous on their own without Jesus.  Paul clearly tells us that without Jesus, it won’t matter who you impress, or what you claim to believe.  Just because truth may be difficult to receive, doesn’t make it any less true!  And remember “WHO” IS truth.

“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 then shall that Wicked

be revealed,

whom the Lord shall consume

with the spirit of his mouth,

and shall destroy

with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him,

whose coming is after the working

of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness

in them that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might

be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them

strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure

in unrighteousness.”  2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

There will come a time when those who willfully reject truth will no longer have opportunity to receive truth—not a popular teaching, but it is God’s truth.

Just as Jesus Himself makes it clear above, that HE IS truth, and no other truth will make you right with God, or have peace with God, or belong to HIM! (See John 1:12-13)

Paul gives us such a powerful summary of all that we have because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and our sin in Romans 5, here are some portions of that chapter!

“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.”   Romans 5:1-2

“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.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

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.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:5-11

The thing that we must decide is what will we do with Truth?  Jesus IS truth, and what we do with HIM is the truth of the Gospel. Jesus made it very clear that the choice is ours, but there is a consequence to every choice.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange

for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”   Matthew 16:24-27

Paul puts the truth of the Gospel in a ‘nutshell’ for us, and 1 Corinthians 15 is a great passage to memorize to keep the truth of the Gospel handy in your memory bank to share with others as we have opportunity!!!

“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

We are saved to speak God’s truth in love; but speaking God’s truth without compromise, even in a world gone crazy with lies!  Jesus is THE “ONE” WAY to God, and we must make sure we don’t miss it, for if we miss Jesus, we miss it all.  But as we speak the truth in love, it is to be full of grace and mercy—but speaking well God’s truth!  Peter and Paul both spoke on this issue, may it touch your heart today.

“Walk in wisdom

toward them that are without,

redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech

be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how ye ought to answer

every man.”  Colossians 4:5-6

“But sanctify the Lord God

in your hearts:

and be ready always

to give an answer

to every man that asketh you

a reason of the hope

that is in you

with meekness

and fear:

16 Having a good conscience;

that, whereas they speak evil of you,

as of evildoers,

they may be ashamed

that falsely accuse

your good conversation in Christ.”   1 Peter 3:15-16

And a final word from the Apostle Peter, for each of us to keep in mind—for our enemy is becoming bolder every day!

“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 and Amen!!!

Worship Is About GOD Not Me??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #748

18 Wednesday Aug 2021

Posted by in Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Worship Him!, Worship?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #748  Worship Is About GOD Not Me???

 

We are called to worship our God in “spirit and in truth”.  What we often seem to be doing is worshipping in the “me” mode rather than the “GOD IS GOD” mode.  In fact, Jesus repeated this phrase twice in His conversation with the woman at the well.

“Our fathers worshipped

in this mountain;

and ye say, that in Jerusalem

is the place where men

ought to worship.

21 Jesus saith unto her,

Woman, believe me,

the hour cometh,

when ye shall neither

in this mountain,

 nor yet at Jerusalem,

worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what:

we know what we worship:

for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is,

when the true worshippers

shall worship the Father

in spirit and in truth:

for the Father seeketh such

to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him

in spirit and in truth.”  John 4:20-24

The “hour cometh, and now is” ought to call us to heed the things going on around us, especially the things going on in the name of Jesus in, through and from the “church”!  How is it that we have decided that the way of the cross is not sufficient to spread the Gospel.  Jesus had something to say about the effectiveness of appealing to the flesh, I know that this is a lengthy passage, but I think it worth the time and space that we may consider the truth that Jesus was sharing.  Yet, first of all I would like to preface it with one of the most profound, yet simple, and often neglected passages about our preaching!

“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.

25 Because the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.”  1 Corinthians 1:20-25

Now, back to the words of our Lord:

“When the people therefore saw that Jesus

was not there,

neither his disciples,

they also took shipping,

and came to Capernaum,

seeking for Jesus.

25 And when they had found him

on the other side of the sea,

they said unto him,

Rabbi,

when camest thou hither?

26 Jesus answered them and said,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Ye seek me,

not because ye saw the miracles,

but because ye did eat

of the loaves,

and were filled.

27 Labour not for the meat

which perisheth,

but for that meat

which endureth unto everlasting life,

which the Son of man

shall give unto you:

for him hath God the Father sealed.

28 Then said they unto him,

What shall we do,

that we might work the works of God?

29 Jesus answered and said unto them,

This is the work of God,

that ye believe on him

whom he hath sent.

30 They said therefore unto him,

What sign shewest thou then,

that we may see,

and believe thee?

what dost thou work?

31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert;

as it is written,

He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

32 Then Jesus said unto them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Moses gave you not that bread

from heaven;

but my Father

giveth you the true bread

from heaven.

33 For the bread of God

is he which cometh down from heaven,

and giveth life unto the world.

34 Then said they unto him,

Lord, evermore give us this bread.

35 And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life:

he that cometh to me

shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me

shall never thirst.

36 But I said unto you,

That ye also have seen me,

and believe not.

37 All that the Father giveth me

shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven,

not to do mine own will,

but the will of him

that sent me.”  John 6:24-38

I pray that we will return to dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts of men, women, boys, and girls to bring them to the cross; relying upon the work of The Holy Spirit to convict souls of sin and bring them to repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ for their sin.  When people do not come face to face with their sin, their will never be the life-changing transformation which the blood of Jesus can accomplish in “whosoever will” come!  And remember Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to “go and sin no more”!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:44

“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

“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

I pray that we will ponder these truths, asking God to open our hearts, minds, and lives to order our “steps in your Word”! Please, Lord?  And in my own words worship is not measured by attendance or exuberance in events but:

Worship IS a life lived

in obedience to The Voice of God—

written,

spoken,

and lived out as

a light in the darkness

and a reflection of the glory of Jesus!!!

Worship is yielding to The Holy Spirit of Christ/God and not feeding, following, or promoting the flesh!  Now, let me say that when we truly worship God, our flesh will be blessed but when we design our worship to feed the flesh, or try to “drive” people into frenzy instead of creating an atmosphere that “leads” and “draws” people to the cross of Christ and not their flesh to jump up and boogie, then we have missed the boat—in my humble opinion!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Waiting Or Rushing Ahead??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 15

01 Sunday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Still Will I Trust HIM, The Gospel, Trusting Jesus?, Wait on the Lord, Walk in the Spirit, Walking With Jesus, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 15  Waiting Or Rushing Ahead???

 

“Hast thou not known?

hast thou not heard,

that

the everlasting God,

the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

fainteth not,

neither is weary?

there is no searching

of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint;

and to them that have no might

he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint

and be weary,

and the young men

shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait

upon the LORD

shall renew

their strength;

they shall mount up

with wings as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:28-31

Oh, that we could learn to “wait upon the LORD” rather than rushing head-long into the fray without any consideration for what God might be doing in our lives.  We seem to have become so enamored of our “instant” society that we fail to know or trust in the provision of our God “In His Time”!  We have been so influenced by the “name-it-and-claim-it” teaching that we have neglected what God says.  I am often amused that we think this is a new teaching, but if you go back to Job, it was what his friends were purporting to this godly man, who, praise God, knew better!  I think it is one of the reasons that Paul reminded us in Romans chapter 8 that in “all things” God is working.  We fail to rest in God’s absolute, sovereign power, and control.  The Psalmist said it powerfully.

“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

I would encourage you to walk through this progression of our spiritual growth and practical trust in our God, who never fails to accomplish HIS purpose in us, even when it requires “spiritual” discipline.  WHAT?  God disciplines?  Yes, God disciplines HIS own; in fact, scripture says if we are without discipline, we better check out who we think saved us!

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son,

despise not thou the chastening

of the Lord,

nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”  Hebrews 12:5-8

And in closing, Jesus Himself gives us the standard; are we producing God’s good works, or our own imitation works, which Jesus calls “iniquity”.

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:20-23

The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And remember, just “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!

“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 20:12-15

Where is your name written???  It matters!

Amen and Amen!!!