Be A Safe Place??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 13

18 Sunday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All Sufficient God!, Consider Your ways, Deniable Truth? Really?, Evil will not win, Faithful, Kindness, Knowing God's Word, My Grace Is Sufficient, Place of Safety, Presumption, Safe Place, Seasoned with Salt

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 13   Be A Safe Place???

 

After some intense conversations this week, I have a few things I’d like to share today; in the crazy culture we live in, it’s often difficult to have a safe place to find solace, refuge, and counsel.  I think God has called us to express His love by being that safe place as we have opportunity.

“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

If I can take a bit of liberty, I think we can say that while, “corrupt communication” may not proceed out every “mouth”, it does seem to me that much “corrupt communication” appears on social media, even by those who claim the name of Jesus!  How can we sing “Oh, how I love Jesus” on one day, and write and speak vile, mean, and harmful things to, about and in regard to people we may or may not know the next?  The lack of kindness grieves my heart, and we, as God’s children and followers of Jesus, ought to be shining the light of Jesus, and not the hatred of the enemy.   We are to be building each other up not tearing each other down; or expecting one thing of others and lesser things of ourselves!  We must remember that we are all “forgiven”!

Remember what Jesus said as HE taught us to pray.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:9-13

We are to be a place where others can find relief, safety and help to find the God who has the answers.

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

Just as the “righteous” run into God’s “strong tower”, we are to be a safe place for others to run to when they need to find hope and peace as well as safety.  Now we need to understand that being a “safe” place doesn’t mean that we compromise God’s truth—HIS Word—but it does mean that we share truth with grace and compassion.

“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

And I would simply ask you to think and pray about being God’s instrument of peace, grace, and truth to a lost and dying world; to extend kindness and grace as you speak God’s truth to those HE sends your way.

So, in closing I would simply remind each of us to guard our heart and our tongue; that we may be instruments of God’s service, for His glory and the good of those we encounter.

“Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door

of my lips.”  Psalm 141:3

“Keep thy heart

with all diligence;

for out of it

are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee

a froward mouth,

and perverse lips

put far from thee.”  Psalm 4:23-24

Jesus summed it all up when He told us that the mouth doesn’t defile, but rather a defiled heart which is revealed by the words which come out of our mouth (whether they be oral, written, or acted out!)!  What is coming out of your heart?  Do you need to clean up your heart so that your mouth will reveal Jesus and not the world?

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things

which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:17-20

The choice is yours but choose wisely.  There is a test.  I pray that we will each yield our heart to our LORD and let Jesus be seen in you/me; may we be a blessing and not a defilement!

Amen and Amen!!!

Enter IN Or Depart??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #743

16 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, Almost But Lost, Lord, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #743  Enter IN Or Depart???

 

These are the only two options for all eternity, and your choice in this life will decide which of these responses from Jesus you will hear.  I would like to simply leave you with the words of our Lord and pray that you will ask God to search your heart and let you see where you really are in relation to eternity!

“His lord said unto him,

Well done,

thou good and faithful servant:

thou hast been faithful over a few things,

I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou

into the joy of thy lord.”  Matthew 25:21

Jesus came that we “might have life and have it more abundantly”!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“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 7:21-23

The choice is truly yours, and the choice is simple, but not easy; will you entrust your life to Jesus in repentance and faith in HIS death on the cross for your sin, making your foundation the ROCK of salvation, JESUS!  If you know HIM, then “stand fast” and if you don’t call on HIM today.

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”   Revelation 3:20

You must be willing to hear that still small voice convicting of sin and respond in faith and trust in Jesus—He came for you and me.  Don’t wait for a better day, there isn’t one!

“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

May God speak to your heart and may you draw near to HIM today.

“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!!!

Learning To Wait And Listen??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #742

14 Wednesday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Walk in the Spirit, Walking With Jesus, Wisdom

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #742  Learning To Wait And Listen???

 

“My brethren,

count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience

have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect

and entire,

wanting nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

 is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.

7 For let not that man think

that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.

8 A double minded man

is unstable

in all his ways.”  James 1:2-8

James gives us some amazing advice, yet we so often find ourselves being “double minded”!  What does that mean?  Well, I’ll give you my grasp on that picture, and I think it’s simple; it’s when we try to serve “God and self”.  Jesus calls it trying to serve “God…and mammon”, if you would, the things of this world—money, luxury, ease, power, popularity, promotion, worldly success, and the list could go on to include any idol that we build or allow to consume our thoughts, our time, our energies, our money, and desires.  As I’ve often heard, and said myself, “Let me look at your checkbook and I’ll show you what you love.”  Try it yourself!  So, what is our desire to be set on?  We choose what we love and then that love will conform us to one thing or another, usually the divide between God and the world.

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Matthew 6:24

Jesus goes on to call us to realize that when we know HIM and Father God, we can depend on HIM to supply our every need; even when we’re not sure what that looks like.  Just as James talks about, there are times when we just don’t know which choice to make, yet our GOD WILL grant us direction when we choose to seek HIS face and wait upon HIS answers.  Even when they seem difficult, we can trust our God completely for “HE careth for you”! (See 1 Peter 5:7)

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

What are you/I seeking?  Our actions will usually reveal the answer to that question.  And to keep this brief, I want to take us to a great passage in the Psalms that is one of my ‘go to’ favorites; reminding me ‘how to’ keep my “eyes on Jesus”!  I pray that it will help you and encourage you in whatever choices you may be facing.  And know that I totally understand as we are also facing some life-changing decisions at our house too.  But I know that our God is able, faithful, and true to HIS Word!  He has never failed me yet, though I have often failed HIM, and I know HE will continue to direct our steps as we seek HIS face.  And my great prayer is that I will be found faithful before HIM!  How about you?  And just a reminder, what you “delight” in will usually lead to the desires of your heart!

“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

And in closing a bit of advice from James again, to remind us that we must strive to walk in The Spirit not the flesh.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not

the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

And Paul gives a great closing challenge; may we take heed to our walk—are we in the flesh or The Spirit?  It’s your choice but choose wisely!  There is a test!

“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!!!

 

Perhaps A Simple Thank YOU? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 12

11 Sunday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Grace, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Walking With Jesus, Walking Worthy

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 12 Perhaps A Simple Thank YOU?

 

I’d like to turn our attention to gratitude for a few minutes this evening—and yes, I know it’s not November; but gratitude is an attitude that we ought to cultivate every day of the year, not just in November, or on Thanksgiving Day! Gratitude is a biblical mindset, and we ought to pursue it daily.  Paul gives us a list of godly characteristics that we are to cultivate, and I pray that we can be encouraged through the scriptures.

“Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things;

hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”   1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

We can hardly rejoice and pray effectively when we don’t have a grateful spirit; for we can find ourselves caught up in a spirit of resentment, bitterness, and selfishness when we allow our attitude to forget to have scripture as our guide and not the world around us.  We must reject the mindset of the world which most often is one of greed, lust, and self-gratification; rather than one of joy, prayer, and gratitude, and not “quenching” the Spirit of God!  Ouch!  There is an Old Testament passage that I think gives some great insight into this dilemma.

“The LORD liveth;

and blessed be my rock;

and exalted be the God

of the rock of my salvation.

48 It is God that avengeth me,

and that bringeth down the people under me,

49 And that bringeth me forth

from mine enemies:

thou also hast lifted me up on high

above them that rose up against me:

thou hast delivered me

from the violent man.

50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee,

O LORD,

among the heathen,

and I will sing praises

unto thy name.

51 He is the tower of salvation

for his king:

and sheweth mercy to his anointed,

unto David,

and to his seed

for evermore.”  2 Samuel 22:47-51

“I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen”!  We are to give “thanks unto” The Lord, “among the heathen”, living a life of gratitude among a world of self, greed, and lust!  We are to live a life that reflects WHO our “tower of salvation” IS!  Part of the 100th Psalm reminds us of the awesome power of our Creator—our Lord—our Redeemer—our Savior!

“Make a joyful noise

unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth

endureth to all generations.”   Psalm 100:1-5

Even as John recorded in the Book of the Revelation:

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying,

Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

which was,

and is,

and is to come.

9 And when those beasts

give glory

and honour

and thanks

to him that sat on the throne,

who liveth for ever and ever,

10 The four and twenty elders fall down

before him that sat on the throne,

and worship him

that liveth for ever and ever,

and cast their crowns

before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord,

to receive glory

and honour

and power:

for thou hast created all things,

and for thy pleasure

they are

and were created.”   Revelation 4:8-11

And as John continues, regarding The Lamb of God “who takes away the sin of the world”, the only One who IS worthy to open the scroll/book.

“And they sung a new song, saying,

`Thou art worthy

to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

 10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign

on the earth.

11 And I beheld,

and I heard the voice of many angels

round about the throne

and the beasts

and the elders:

and the number of them was ten thousand

times ten thousand,

and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power,

and riches,

and wisdom,

and strength,

and honour,

and glory,

and blessing.

13 And every creature

which is in heaven,

and on the earth,

and under the earth,

and such as are in the sea,

and all that are in them, heard I saying,

Blessing,

and honour,

and glory,

and power,

be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,

and unto the Lamb

for ever and ever.

14 And the four beasts said,

Amen.

And the four and twenty elders

fell down and worshipped him

that liveth for ever and ever.”   Revelation 5:9-14

As God is “worthy” of our praise and our gratitude, we are to live worthy lives unto The One who loves us, and cares for us, and gave HIMSELF for our eternal life!  Paul makes it clear that we are called to “walk worthy” of HIM who died for us.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you that ye walk worthy

of the vocation

wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness

and meekness,

with longsuffering,

forbearing one another

in love;”  Ephesians 4:1-2

“For this cause we also,

since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;”   Colossians 1:9-10

“As ye know how we

exhorted

and comforted

and charged

every one of you,

as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy

of God,

who hath called you

unto his kingdom and glory.”   1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

And as we are thinking about gratitude, and walking worthy of our Lord, I simply want to direct our hearts and minds to that which our Lord taught us about a life of prayer—prayer that is focused on God, in His Word, and pursuing HIS will and HIS Kingdom in all we do.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine

is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:9-13

When was the last time you/I said “thank you” to our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit?   May God truly help us to cultivate an “attitude of gratitude”, walking worthy of the blood that cleanses us from all sin!  May others see a grateful heart reflecting The Lord who transforms lives!

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God,

and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:

but we know that,

when he shall appear,

we shall be like him;

for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him

purifieth himself,

even as he is pure.”  1 John 3:2-3  Amen!!!

Living By Grace In Faith!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #741

09 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #741  Living By Grace In Faith!!!

“And lest I should be exalted above measure

through the abundance

of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

 the messenger of Satan to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory

in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Oh, how often I praise God for this amazing testimony of Paul’s.  Here we have one of the most powerful men of God, one who was called to be Christ’s Apostle, and yet HE had this trial, this burden, this affliction allowed to come into HIS life that HE could remind us that GOD is sufficient to any situation that HE sends, permits, or allows to come into our lives as well.  What reassurance this brings to my heart, for much like all of you we have trials at our house also; and I am reminded of what Paul told us in his passage on spiritual warfare;  an amazing reminder that I count on daily, especially in our present station of life.  You may have noticed that I haven’t posted recently, for we took some time to get away and be refreshed by some dear friends; yet even that turned into quite the encounter as we drove home, but I praise God that HE is always with us.  My mind goes to Ephesians 6, even as I sit here writing to myself as well as for you.

“Finally, (God always has the last word)–

my brethren, (for all saints IN JESUS)–

be strong in the Lord, (IN HIM NOT me)–

and in the power (IN HIS power not mine)–

of his might.”(BY HIS total provision)–  Ephesians 6:10

When my body is in pain, or weary to the bone; when I just feel like I can’t go one step farther; when I feel like I’m drowning in the demands I face, or that if one more request comes, I will crumble; when all these things, feelings and thoughts come pouring in, I must look up—and so can you!  And we will find our precious LORD sufficient to restore, refresh and renew our hearts, minds, and souls—even though the body may still hurt—God is ever working for our good and HIS glory.

I’d simply like to share a few passages to encourage your heart and mine today in the sufficiency of our Lord in ALL things—ALL the time!

“There is no fear in love;

but perfect love

casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment.

He that feareth

is not made perfect

in love.

19 We love him,

because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:18-19

John also encourages us again in The Revelation:

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace be unto you,

and peace,

from him which is,

and which was,

and which is to come;

and from the seven Spirits

which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings

of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,”  Revelation 1:4-5

And remember our hope and secure assurance is totally in our Lord Jesus Christ. We win!

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he

that is in you,

 than he

 that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

In closing may these words resound in our hearts, that we may “stand fast in the evil 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

I pray The Lord Jesus lift, comfort and encourage your heart today, as we remember that our GOD IS sufficient in all!

“Not that we are sufficient

of ourselves

to think any thing

as of ourselves;

but our sufficiency

is of God;”  2 Corinthians 3:5

Amen and Amen!!!