Category Archives: Uncertainty–God HAS the answer

Unified Or Divided??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #326

03 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Know not what they do, Knowing GOD, Knowing Truth, Lead them to Jesus., Leading Or Mis-Leading?, Let You Light So Shine, The Word, Trendy Or Truth, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, unity or division?

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Unified Or Divided???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #326

I have a few thoughts to share with you this morning; most know I don’t get political, but I think we need to consider some things that The Word has to say about our attitude, especially toward the thing called “unity”!  I think we often misunderstand unity and confuse it with uniformity; unity means a oneness but not sameness.  As a nation, and especially the followers of Jesus, we need to stop throwing rocks, pray and consider scripture—not the personal version, but the biblical truths that stand the test of time, circumstance, and the human need for God!  We seem to have thrown out the baby with the bath water (look it up if you don’t know what that means!). I simply want to share some scripture for our consideration.  So drop your rocks for a minute or two and let’s peruse a scriptural perspective—not mine but God’s!  Unity calls us to uplift one another, even in our personal differences.

Unity isn’t uniformity—it is the uplifting and building up rather than tearing down with greed and avarice!  It is doing things for the common good, without violating or exchanging God’s principles for greed—avarice—and fleshly lust (as the detective shows always say, “follow the money”!). I pray that this will give us all some food for thought, knowing that we are called to follow scripture’s advice as followers of Jesus. The context in Ephesians 4 is in regard to the giftings that Jesus (via the Holy Spirit) gives to the church in regard to leadership—as those who prove things on the “testing grounds”! And just FYI, the reference to “perfect” is referring to spiritual maturity-not sinless perfection, which only Jesus has (See Hebrews 4:15 and Hebrews 9:28,) — in contrast to being “children”. (And if you’re curious Romans 3:23 and 6:23 remind us that all are sinners except for our Lord Jesus!)

“Till we all come

in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

unto a perfect man,

unto the measure of the stature

of the fulness of Christ:

14 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 4:15

This bears out the principle that Paul put forth to the Philippian believers, not a panacea, but a call to keep in mind that whatever Jesus leads us into, HE will provide for.

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

And the Apostle John recorded Jesus’ own words to us.

“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

Are you with Jesus?  Or are you spinning your wheels trying to go your own way rather than the way that is down the “straight” road? (See Matthew 7:14-21, and notice the “many” and the “few”—where are you?)  What we often fail to consider is that when we stand with Jesus’ we will receive the same response that HE often provoked in those who were walking away from God.  We are to lift up without caving to the world’s sinful direction.  While it’s a great dilemma, it’s one that “in Jesus” we can accomplish—remembering what Jesus said, “without me ye can do nothing”!

So, are you spreading unity or division?  It’s a quandary but we who belong to Jesus must stand for the truth, no matter the cost; and without throwing rocks, remembering Paul’s reminder that things are not going to get truly better, until the King of Kings arrives!  And notice that Paul said that “men shall be” not just “do”, but they will “be” evil!  We must never put unity over holiness, but at the same time we are not to spread “discord” (see Proverbs 6:19+)!

“This know also,

that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,

proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,

unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers,

false accusers, incontinent, fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded,

 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

Yes, we are to be compassionate and a help to those in need, but we are not to be enablers of continual bad behavior.  We will never eliminate poverty, illness or sin—only Jesus can and will accomplish that when He returns, but until then we must be aware of the failures that we will deal with due to original sin! And we must understand that things are not always what they seem to be; Jesus made an amazing declaration to the disciples over an extravagant act toward Him!

“There came unto him a woman

having an alabaster box of very precious ointment,

and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

8 But when his disciples saw it,

they had indignation, saying,

To what purpose is this waste?

9 For this ointment

might have been sold for much,

and given to the poor.

10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them,

Why trouble ye the woman?

for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

11 For ye have the poor always with you;

but me ye have not always.

12 For in that she hath poured this ointment

on my body,

she did it for my burial.

13 Verily I say unto you,

Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached

in the whole world,

there shall also this,

that this woman hath done,

be told for a memorial of her.”  Matthew 26:7-13

Don’t miss what Jesus didn’t say, He didn’t memorialize this woman, but He did declare what she had done to and for Him would be memorialized—for her love for Him and her willingness to give probably the greatest thing that she owned to honor Jesus; and she gave it without regard to what others might say!  Are we willing to pour ourselves out for Jesus, no matter the cost or the backlash?  We don’t know her name, but we do know that her extravagant love for Jesus is still talked about today.  What are we willing to give to Jesus, no matter what others may say?  I don’t have any “precious ointment”—but I do have me and whatever Jesus has given me to use—even those things that sometimes I’m clinging too tightly to!  How about you?

And as we think about serving others, we need to keep the proper perspective, and I’ll close with one of the greatest “misses” in trying to supposedly “serve God” one’s own way.  And while this is a lengthy passage, I believe it is worthy of our consideration; and please don’t miss what God’s Word says about rebellion (disobedience).  What blessings have we missed because we did it “my way” rather than God’s.  Let’s determine to be those who help bring unity, but never at the price of disobedience. (And remember that being a leader has a great call of responsibility— “to whom much is given, much is required…” See Luke 12:48.)=

“And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him,

Blessed be thou of the LORD:

I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

14 And Samuel said,

What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep

in mine ears,

and the lowing of the oxen

which I hear?

15 And Saul said,

They have brought them from the Amalekites:

for the people spared the best

of the sheep and of the oxen,

to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God;

and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

16 Then Samuel said unto Saul,

Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said

to me this night.

 And he said unto him, Say on.

17 And Samuel said,

When thou wast little in thine own sight,

wast thou not made the head

of the tribes of Israel,

and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey,

and said,

Go and utterly destroy

the sinners the Amalekites,

and fight against them

until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey

the voice of the LORD,

but didst fly upon the spoil,

and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel,

Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD,

and have gone the way which the LORD sent me,

and have brought Agag the king of Amalek,

and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people

took of the spoil,

sheep and oxen,

the chief of the things

which should have been utterly destroyed,

to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God

in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings

and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey

is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken

than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee from being king.”  1 Samuel 15:13-23

May we be busy speaking God’s truth in love; may we pursue unity without leaving God’s Word and holiness behind.  May we see sin as sin, and help others see truth with love and kindness but not compromise.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

We Can Know Truth!!! Do You? A Word from THE WORD!!! #165

13 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, the Lamb of God, The Love of God, The New Covenant, They that sow in tears...., This is the Way, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Turn to God's Word, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, Wait upon the Lord

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We Can Know Truth!!!  Do You? A Word from THE WORD!!! #165

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said,

 signifying what death he should die.”   John 12:32-33

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again—the babe in the manger was born to die for our sin.  I pray that you know HIM; and if you know HIM, if you have been “born … of God” then you have received The indwelling Holy Spirit of God/Christ Jesus!  He was promised to those who belong to Jesus, to lead us into truth, to direct us, to help us know which way to go!  HE is the conduit of the New Covenant.  Isaiah alluded to it, and Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied of the coming of this New Covenant, God IN us!

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”  Isaiah 30:21

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make

with the house of Israel;

After those days, saith the LORD,

I will put my law in their inward parts,

and write it in their hearts;

and will be their God,

and they shall be my people.”  Jeremiah 31:33

Ezekiel received the same message from God and presented it a bit differently, partly because Jeremiah’s message was before the Babylonian captivity of Israel, and Ezekiel’s was after/during the captivity.  In fact Ezekiel wrote from Babylon.

“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you,

and ye shall be clean:

from all your filthiness,

and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also

will I give you,

and a new spirit

will I put within you:

and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,

and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you,

 and cause you to walk in my statutes,

and ye shall keep my judgments,

and do them.”  Ezekiel 36:25-27

Jesus’ birth, life among men, His death, burial, and resurrection for the redemption of sinful man brought this New Covenant into reality! He promised His disciples this very thing before His death before He was “lifted up from the earth”!  Let’s consider the promises of Jesus and ponder them as we focus on His coming—without forgetting the goal of His coming was to pay for sin!  Jesus also promised HE would return to complete HIS work!  Jesus knew what was coming, and at the end He told His disciples some important things so that when He fulfilled them, they would remember what He said, and know WHO and WHAT HE was/is/ever shall be—the Son of God, The Redeemer of all who will come to HIM, for He truly was, as John the Baptizer said, “The Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world”!  Have you let Him ‘take away’ your sin?

“I speak not of you all:

I know whom I have chosen:

but that the scripture may be fulfilled,

He that eateth bread with me

hath lifted up his heel against me.

19 Now I tell you before it come,

that, when it is come to pass,

ye may believe that I am he.

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that receiveth whomsoever I send

receiveth me;

and he that receiveth me

receiveth him that sent me.”  John 13:18-20

Jesus went on in this last short time before He faced the cross, that His followers might understand what awaited them—yes, suffering, persecution, toil, and grief, but also “the joy of The Lord” in a new way, as they would have the gift of The Holy Spirit within, to teach, to guide and to help them remember what HE had said and done!

“But this cometh to pass,

that the word might be fulfilled

that is written in their law,

They hated me without a cause.

26 But when the Comforter is come,

whom I will send unto you from the Father,

even the Spirit of truth,

which proceedeth from the Father,

he shall testify of me:

27 And ye also shall bear witness,

because ye have been with me

from the beginning.”  John 15:25-27

While Jesus had given them the facts, The Holy Spirit would empower and enable them to share them with perfect assurance and confidence in The Lamb—their Lord—their King—their Redeemer—Jesus, The King of the Jews (and of all who come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for that sin!)!

“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.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you,

but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine:

therefore said I,

that he shall take of mine,

and shall shew it unto you…

…. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

That ye shall weep and lament,

but the world shall rejoice:

and ye shall be sorrowful,

but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow,

because her hour is come:

but as soon as she is delivered of the child,

she remembereth no more the anguish,

for joy that a man is born into the world.

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow:

but I will see you again,

and your heart shall rejoice,

and your joy no man taketh from you.

23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing.

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father

in my name,

he will give it you.”  Portions of John 16:8-23

So, my friends, do YOU know truth?  JESUS IS truth; and will impart HIS Spirit to those who are His own! And in closing, a few words from Paul to the believers at Rome, reminding them whose they are and how they got there!

“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…

…. 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.”  Portions of Romans 5:1-11

(I encourage you to read all of this amazing chapter –all of this amazing book-for it is full of truth!)

So, will you take time during this celebration of The Redeemer and be sure you know HIM; and if you don’t you can by faith in HIS atoning death for you.  If you do know HIM, don’t miss the joy of knowing HIS truth through the work of HIS Holy Spirit leading you into HIS WORD!!!  It’s why we’re here!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

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!!!

Because I DON’T Know??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 03

08 Monday Nov 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Doubt and Confusion?, Trials, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 03   Because I DON’T Know???

 

I shared some things in a study recently and really feel led to share them with you today; sometimes we wonder what we are supposed to do, where we are to go, or how we are to minister and use our gifts and callings to God’s glory and not our own; that is when we must run to our shepherd for HE has the answers, and will direct our steps if we will but “stop, look, and listen”!

“The LORD is

my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh

me

to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth

me

beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth

my soul:

he leadeth

me

in the paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with

me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort

me.

5 Thou preparest

a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest

my head with oil;

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy

 shall follow me

all the days of my life:

and I will dwell

in the house of the LORD

for ever.”  Psalm 23:1-6

Oh, thank you Shepherd, for leading me—even when I’m slow to get it—you’re still leading.  Help me to ever seek your face in all I do; for in following YOU I cannot fail.

The Psalmist has more to say that has always spoken to my heart, and I pray that it will speak to you.  If we want to follow Jesus we must dig into HIS Word and use it as our road map of life, and our lode star, as well as our direction finder!

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

Oh, to be found faithful before The Lord God Almighty, and Jesus, The Son, and we can only do that fully as we yield to HIS Spirit teaching us, guiding us, and helping us to understand what God is saying to us.  HE opens our eyes when we can’t really see!  HE speaks to our hearts when they feel dead, and HE will bring God’s Word to our heart when we need it most, if we will but heed HIS promptings.  But ‘remember’, HE can only bring to our “re-membrance” what we have put in from the Word of God, or if you would, you have to “member” it before you can “re-member” it.

And in closing another of the Psalms to help set our direction toward our Lord, it’s one which I quote often to myself.  I pray that it will encourage our hearts and help you draw near to God, for as James says:

“Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”  James 4:8

And from the Psalmist:

“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

Just a bit of commentary—

When we trust The Lord—

it should show in our good and kind behavior.

And God’s provision will ever be present.

We are to delight ourselves in God—His person & His Word—

As we are delighted in God, our desires will be HIS!

Even as Jesus taught us…”THY kingdom…THY will”

We are to be committed to God in every way—

Trusting to HIS care, and patiently serving in grace—

Knowing that God will “bring it to pass”!

We must learn to rest in HIS providential care—

Knowing that true judgment IS IN HIS HANDS!

And the ‘biggy’—

We must “cease” from letting anger control our actions!

For while anger is an emotion, we must control it—

OR it will control us—

most often leading to evil actions

and often regret.

I pray that this will be of help and encouragement to you.  And another word on anger (for it is a most dangerous tool of the enemy!)

“Be ye angry,

and sin not:

let not the sun go down

upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place

to the devil.”  Ephesians 4:26-27

May you be blessed as you let Jesus “order” your steps!

Amen and Amen!!!