Friday Blessings!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #447

23 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Attitude of Gratitude, Choose You This Day!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #447 Friday Blessings!!!

 

Just a brief word of encouragement for this Friday!!! It seems that we often miss the other 6 days of the week waiting for Friday—or any thing that is in the future—and don’t live in the moment–today.

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

This: “to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., referring to the one nearer in place, time or thought..”! The Psalmist reminds us that ‘today’ is “this” day, and we are to live in it; to “rejoice and be glad in it”; the “day which the LORD hath made”, and given to us to live. For:

“….in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being;…..”   Acts 17:28a

Today is a gift from God, yet we get so busy worrying about yesterday and grasping mindlessly for tomorrow, that we often miss the opportunities that today presents; the opportunities to love God, to serve Him, to minister His grace, love and joy to those around me/us. I know that I often get so distracted that I seemingly wake up in the middle of something and ask myself, “Where have you been?” For I’ve certainly been in “this” place but totally somewhere else in mind and spirit.

May God help me/us to see “today” as the wonderful gift that it is—for today is all we have!!! As an old song says, “yesterday’s gone…..and tomorrow may never be mine” (One Day At A Time, by Damon Albarn, Robert Delnaja), and we ought to treasure the gift that God has given us–today!

Jesus Himself reminds us that we are to focus on God’s provision for today, as well as His direction and work for us.

“Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.” Matthew 6:10-11

While scripture also calls us to be prepared for life and eventualities, we are to focus on God’s face today—whether we have a little or a lot—it’s His gift to us, and we can only use it “today”! Seeking HIs will, His purposes and His kingdom singlemindedly —

“Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done”

So, what is your focus for today? Is it just “Friday”? Or are you ready to “rejoice and be glad in” today, not missing any opportunity that God may place in your/my path on this Friday? May we ever pursue the mind and heart of Jesus as we walk the dusty roads of life—today—every day?

“In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them,

I have meat to eat

that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them,

My meat

is to do the will of him

that sent me,

and to finish his work.

35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:31-35 Amen!

Skipping Rocks??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #446

21 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Compromise, For Such A Time As This

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #446 Skipping Rocks???

 

As a child I never could “skip rocks” like other kids did. I never could get the knack of throwing those rocks across the top of the water so that they would skip/hop across the water, making rings of ripples as it went. While I couldn’t skip rocks, we do all make ripples! And that’s what I want us to consider this morning. Our actions are like those rocks that children (and even adults who can do it) throw across the surface of the puddle, pond, or lake—for you see it doesn’t matter how big or small the body of water is, when you set the ripples to rolling, they continue on across the way; and our actions have the same potential in cause and effect! As an old adage says, “Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, it will keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and it will cost you more than you wanted to pay!” And friends our choices in life can cause ripples for good or harm—choices for right and truth, or choices to sin.

Our choices are like investments, sometimes they reap good benefits, and sometimes they cost us dearly! Jesus told us that our direction of investment would determine the yield.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures

upon earth,

where moth

and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures

in heaven,

where neither moth

nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

do not break through

nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”   Matthew 6:19-21

Our choices will be motivated from either earthly desires or heavenly ones, so we must direct our hearts toward heaven? We must keep our heart and mind set on Jesus. We must lay aside the things of the flesh and the world and cling to HIM! We must walk in His power by yielding to HIS Spirit and not our greedy, lustful flesh. We can learn what that looks like from Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh……..

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

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.”    Portions of Galatians 5:16-25

We have a choice as to how we ‘throw our rocks’! As I am often want to say, “Saying so, doesn’t make it so”! Knowing Jesus and belonging to Him is a matter of a new heart, not just ‘saying’ you “love Jesus” while living like the world. Paul describes a life that is walking “in the Spirit” in another portion of this same letter—a reminder that we all need!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”Gal. 2:20

Being “crucified with Christ” means that I die to “me” and live to “Jesus”—by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, which is the wonder and beauty of the New Covenant into which Christ births those who believe! Dead sinners, being made “alive” in Jesus — HIS life within me!

“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,

but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known

what is the riches of the glory

of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:26-27 

The presence of Jesus within me—enabling me to spread ripples of His love, joy and peace and all of the “fruit of the Spirit”!!! So as the television ad asks, “what’s in your wallet?” my question for us is “what’s in your heart?” Are your ripples leading others to the cross or the world; are you full of His Spirit or fleshly lusts? Are we spreading the truth of the gospel, or the lies of the enemy? Questions that only you can answer, all worth pondering today; for our ripples can’t be brought back—once they are set in motion and we can’t control where they go! Are you ‘saying’ or ‘being’?

“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.” Matthew 7:20-21

Only by HIS saving blood, for “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

Holey?? Holy?? Or Wholly?? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 08

18 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Compromise, Confidence, For Such A Time As This, Growing in Jesus!, Holiness, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, My Grace Is Sufficient, Sanctified, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Transformation, Transformed life, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 08 Holey?? Holy?? Or Wholly??

 

I’d like to share a few brief thoughts with you today. My pastor recently used a ‘visual aid’ that has stuck in my mind, and I’d like to share some of my thoughts about it with you today.

The subject he was teaching about was regarding ‘holiness’, ‘heresy’, and ‘truth’. The thing I want to focus on today is holiness. The aid that our pastor used was a large card (poster board), on one side it had holes like a piece of Swiss cheese, to remind us of “holiness”, which the dictionary says is, “the quality or state of being holy, sanctity…”.

The word used for ‘holy’ in the New Testament is “hagios”: “holy, set apart, sanctified, consecrated”, and comes from a root that means “chaste, pure…..with a fundamental idea of, separation, consecration, and devotion to God, and sharing in God’s purity and abstaining from earth’s defilement” (From Spiros Zodihates Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament.). Now that’s a mouth-full, much less a heart and mind full! But full of what? Our own ways? Or God’s ways?

“Holey” means ‘having holes’. Are we living a life with “holes” in it? Do we continually have gaps in judgment, speech or behavior? Are we conforming to the world instead of God and His Word? Are we continually striving for ‘holiness’ before God and man, as HE has called and enabled us to be/do?

“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 1:15-16

Conversation, as mentioned here is a reference to “life style” not just our speech, but also our way of living, and God calls us to live a holy life.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

Many today have come far afield of Paul’s call to live godly lives of sacrifice and holiness. Let’s examine this passage and then look at the rest of the call in verse 2. Paul says that our call (I beseech you) is so important that he begs the Romans, and us, to stand up, not on our own power, but by “the mercies of God”. Even as Paul reminded the Philippians:

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”    Philippians 4:13

We can’t be “holy” apart from the power of God—the power that makes us the “sons of God” (children of God). Jesus saves and gives us abundant life—life “in HIM”—life that can rise above the world’s drain, by the God’s power that supplies that “all things through Christ” power! Paul implores us to live godly lives by God’s mercy extended to them/us, as we present our “bodies a living sacrifice” unto God! Our lives yielded to God for HIS service—to sacrifice our lives by our ‘living’ so that HIS holiness will be seen in us in all we do and say! He goes on to help us know how to accomplish this.

“And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace

given unto me,

to every man

that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”    Romans 12:2-3

I love this passage, and just as Paul called us to sacrifice our living unto God, he helps us understand that it involves not just “holy” living, but a determination to “be not conformed to this world”, but to renew our minds by the Word of God, which is part of the transforming power of God! What does transformation look like? We can gain a lot of insight by understanding the word “transformed”; it is from a Greek word, “metamorphoo”. It may look familiar to you, for it is the root from which we get our English word “metamorphosis”—the transformation that takes place when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly! That is what God does in us—HE transforms us from sinners to saints. He makes us “fit” for HIS kingdom by the blood of Jesus and the work of The Holy Spirit.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet (fit)

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

It’s all about Jesus, His work within us, and His transforming power, which enables us to NOT conform to the world, but to yield ourselves to His transforming work from within. A transformation, which will be evident to prove:

“what is that good,

 and acceptable,

 and perfect,

 will of God”

God’s transforming power manifested through our behavior-a testimony of grace to the world. We are delivered and changed to be His witnesses, by His power and truth. And as we see in Romans 3:12, this transformation will always be evidenced by humility and not arrogance—servants of God not self-promoters. Paul gives us a wonderful picture of ‘holiness’ and “wholly”ness in his letter to the Thessalonians. For when we are living “holy” lives, we will be “whole” in our testimony before God and the world. “Holy” believers, living “wholly” holy lives of witness for our Lord, to a lost and dying world!

“See that none render evil for evil

unto any man;

but ever follow that which is good,

both among yourselves,

and to all men.

16 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.

23 And the very God of peace

sanctify you wholly;

and I pray God

your whole spirit

and soul

and body

be preserved blameless unto the coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you,

who also will do it.”   1 Thessalonians 5:15-24

And one of Paul’s last messages to his son-in-the-faith, Timothy, is a word that we ought to heed and take to heart. It’s as true for us now as it was for Timothy then!

“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” 1 Timothy 4:1

It’s your choice: Holey? Or Wholly Holy? Chose wisely, there is a test at the end!

A Testimony Of Grace??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #445

16 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Confidence, Dependence, Distractions, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Growing in Jesus!, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, My Grace Is Sufficient, Perseverance, The Only Way, The Word, Walking With Jesus, Weariness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #445 A Testimony Of Grace???

 

It’s a lovely spring morning here in Oklahoma as I write this morning. I’m a bit late so the sun is coming up and the birds are singing—I just love the spring and fall, when we go from the cold of winter into the warmth of spring, and then after the summer’s heat we are so glad to see the cooling off of the fall. Our spiritual walk with Jesus is kind of like that–we go through seasons of the cold hard issues of life jumping in our face and then rejoice as God sends relief and we see the blooms and refreshing of spring bringing new life. Life that has been waiting in the cold ground and upon the changes of temperature and the light of the sun, the proof of life comes popping through to our delight!

It is a wonderful gift of God that the seasons remind us of new life—new life in Jesus is much the same—for we all have seasons in our life—the good, the difficult, the welcome and the not-so-welcome, the simple and the complex—yet God is faithful through them all. He has promised to “

“And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good

unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household

of faith.”   Galatians 6:9-10

“But ye, brethren,

be not weary

in well doing.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Like Paul, Oswald Chambers talks about the “humdrum” that often distracts us, and how we must be diligent to avoid growing “weary in well doing”; for sometimes “well doing” isn’t fun! It’s not always “fun” chasing children, or cleaning toilets, or the cooking and cleaning up of meal preparation, mowing, or digging, or hoeing a garden!!! Life can be ‘wearying’ to the max! But we are to keep our eyes on Jesus, Who provides the insight we need to overcome the sin and humdrum—the doldrums, as some people say—of living in a broken, fallen world.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside

every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run

with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

So what am I saying? I’m simply saying that life is often tedious and difficult, and we must recognize that when it sneaks up and “whacks” us on the back of the head, we must keep our eyes on Jesus! We must strive to shorten our “lead time”, so to speak, and as we walk more closely with Jesus each day, we will see sin, as sin, sooner, we can avoid it more often because we will recognize it, as sin (“the wiles of the devil”), and when we do stumble (and we all do), we can get up more quickly and learn from what we’ve experienced! Praise God Almighty! Amen and Amen! We can join Paul in pressing on with joy, courage and God’s strength and power instead of “weariness”!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling

of God

in Christ Jesus.”    Philippians 3:13-14

So press on dear friends, and don’t let the weariness of life drag you down. Jesus is sufficient unto the need and He has promised to be with us.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”    Hebrews 13:5-6

All because of grace:

“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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 Amen!!!

God’s Grace In God’s Own??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #444

14 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #444 God’s Grace In God’s Own???

 

We talked last time about the grace of God that offers salvation to those who will come to Jesus; grace that saves, transforms, and supplies all we need for living. God knows His own and we can know Him, and grow in grace and intimacy as we feast on His Word. Then we are enabled and equipped to be a reflection of HIS glory, grace and love to a world in desperate need. But remember our message won’t always be welcomed, but we are to respond with the grace and dignity of the Spirit of Jesus that dwells within us!

“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

Words and actions that are “seasoned with salt”; and salt makes things palatable! But don’t miss “seasoned”—not brined, but “seasoned”. We are to be a preserving agent—preserving the good and godly things and drawing people to the “Good Shepherd”, not drowning them in brine! YUK! Our life and our words should express “wisdom”, as we are “redeeming the time” by God’s grace; and when we are walking in His ways, He will help us to “know how ye ought to answer” anyone who asks. Peter says the same thing in a different way.

“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 to give an answer we must know the answer—JESUS—who gives us all we need to succeed in our walk with HIM!

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge

of him that hath called us

to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious promises:

that by these ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.”     2 Peter 1:2-4

He has given us to all we need do HIS work—right where you are! Remember God knows who you are, and where you are—He hasn’t said “oops”! So let’s pursue the things of God so that the world will see Jesus in us—God’s grace lived out day by day as we walk through this world of darkness and corruption. We are to be spreading the grace of God everywhere we go, leaving the harvest to the Father! He knows those who are His, and He is at work in us!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth

the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”   2 Timothy 2:19

Even as Jesus said:

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:” John 10:27

And if you don’t know Jesus, my friend, you can. If you hear His voice speaking to your heart, simply recognize that you have sinned—and can’t fix it; that Jesus died for that very sin—and He will fix it; repent and believe in His substitutionary (He took your place), atoning (He paid the penalty for your sin with His own blood), sacrifice (He paid the debt He didn’t owe, so we could have life that we didn’t deserve)! That my friend IS God’s grace. Amen and Amen!

“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