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Today’s Hope–Jesus!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #725

30 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Encouragement, Eyes that SEE HIM, Fear, Fearlessness, Trials, Trust, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Victory IN Jesus!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #725  Today’s Hope—Jesus!!!

 

“What time I am afraid,

I will trust in thee.

4 In God

I will praise his word,

in God

I have put my trust;

I will not fear

what flesh can do unto me.”  Psalm 56:3-4

We all have fears at times, and that is not a sin!  Fear is an emotion, and it can be a good thing—if you see a poisonous snake or insect, fear tells you to “make tracks” to be somewhere else!!  If you smell smoke in inappropriate places, fear tells you to check it out.  But when fear grips our hearts over things that only God can control, over the past sorrows and failures, it’s time to give those often-irrational fears to The God who cares about us; and HE is worthy of our trust in all things, and as believers in and followers of Jesus we have the confidence to know that Paul was speaking truth when he encouraged the young pastor, Timothy to not let fear rule him.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

God has given us some things better than fear:

Power:

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

Love:

“We love him,

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

“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.”     Romans 5:5

Sound mind:

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:”   Philippians 2:5

I encourage you to spend some time thinking on “these things” and God will help you to overcome the fear that tries to cripple us in His service.  Remember, 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

And in closing some encouragement for that thought life that often let’s fear rule—we have control of our minds when we fix them on Jesus.  Amen and Amen!!!

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.”  Philippians 4:8

What’s On Your Tree??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #721

14 Wednesday Apr 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Are You Ready, Be not conformed to this world, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Faith, Fruit of the Spirit, JESUS, Jesus IN You!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #721  What’s On Your Tree???

 

Jesus gives us a great measuring tool for our lives, and I’d like us to consider what kind of “fruit” we are exhibiting before the world.  As I’ve talked about before, we can be like the “egg trees” that we see all around us at this spring season—where people will hang plastic-colored eggs on their bare tree and call it an “egg tree”; but we all know there is no such thing as an “egg tree”!  Yet many people who claim the name of Jesus have no fruit, just plastic eggs hanging on their tree/lives.  What about you and me?

May we ponder the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and measure our lives by what HE has to say rather than using popular standards—even the standards of many churches.  After all—there is only one “right” way and that is Jesus, and God’s Word will stand as the measuring stick/plumb line!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them

by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns,

or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth

good fruit

is hewn down,

and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.”  Matthew 7:13-20

There is only one thing that makes a “good tree”—being born again of The Spirit of God—born again through the blood of Jesus, by repentance and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice for our sin.  Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection for sin IS the “strait gate”—the only “gate” to God!  (See John 1:11-13)

“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

Jesus IS the only way to have a relationship with God, and when we receive HIS salvation, we are being made like HIM (see Romans 8:28-29)!

“Hereby perceive we the love of God,

because he laid down his life

for us:

and we ought to lay down our lives

for the brethren.”  1 John 3:16

John used a different example of darkness and evil in contrast to The Light of God!

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.”  1 John 1:6-8

Paul paints one of the most profound pictures of the difference between what Jesus does to make the flesh able to produce good fruit, and the corrupt fruit of the flesh—and there is a difference!  (Also see 2 Corinthians 5:21)

“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.”  Galatians 5:19-21

And the contrast—which we should all take note of–(I would encourage you to put this fruit of The Spirit to memory!):

“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.”   Galatians 5:22-25

What’s on your tree?  Spiritual gifts or fleshly lusts?  Is Jesus IN you?

“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

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  Amen!!!

Why Are You Waiting??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 04

12 Monday Oct 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 04  Why Are You Waiting???

 

I love Southern Gospel Music and there are a plethora of songs about no tears in heaven, no blindness, no deaf ears, no sorrow, and I love those songs but it seems to me that many today are living so much for what heaven holds that they are missing living for Jesus right here and now!

We are to live seeking God and His ways each day or we are missing opportunities that HE is placing before us each and every day.  God is ever working to grow us into the image of The Son, Jesus, through every circumstance in our lives.

“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

As God is ever working to conform us into Jesus’ image, our part is to pursue God, His Word and His ways. Jesus tells us to seek God’s purposes not the greedy ways of the world; we are to seek God first in all things, for He has promised to provide our every need.

“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 6:33-34

Jesus reminds us that we live in an evil world, but our focus is to be on our Lord and His will for us; we are to follow Him, pursuing Him and His will, and we can only do that consistently as we delve into the scriptures and follow the leadership of His precious Holy Spirit.  We are called to choose the good over the profane—and that is most difficult in this profane world we live in.  But God has promised to provide for those who will exercise this principle.  Jeremiah gives testimony of the need to go or halt at God’s bidding, and if we are faithful to God and stand fast for His truth, HE promises to be with us.

“Therefore thus saith the LORD,

If thou return,

then will I bring thee again,

and thou shalt stand

before me:

and if thou take forth the precious

from the vile,

thou shalt be as my mouth:

let them return unto thee;

but return not thou unto them.

20 And I will make thee unto this people

a fenced brasen wall:

and they shall fight against thee,

but they shall not prevail

against thee:

for I am with thee

to save thee

and to deliver thee,

saith the LORD.

21 And I will deliver thee

out of the hand of the wicked,

and I will redeem thee

out of the hand of the terrible.”  Jeremiah 15:19-21

What terrible things are you facing today?  God promised not only Jeremiah deliverance, but He has promised to walk with us through our difficulties each and every day, if we will but seek HIS face.

“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

Here and now—not just later in heaven!  And a few more passages to encourage you today.

“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

It’s all because of Jesus!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”  Philippians 1:6

And a few words of challenge and hope for us all.

“Study to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase

unto more ungodliness.”   2 Timothy 2:15-16

“All scripture

is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

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

If you would– to know truth—to heed conviction of sin/error—to yield to God’s discipline—and to receive and obey His words of righteousness—all to grow us unto spiritual maturity!

And in Jesus’ own words, we are reminded that our work on earth is to be done in HIS power, as we “abide” in our “vine”!

“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 15:5

May we draw near to our Lord that HE may be seen in us—as we bring forth HIS fruit!  NOW!!!

“But it is good for me

to draw near to God:

I have put my trust

in the Lord GOD,

that I may declare

all thy works.”  Psalm 73:28

May you/I be “about my Father’s business” here and now, not just looking forward to heaven (which we are to do, but not to the exclusion of the present work of God)!

Amen and Amen!!!

Abiding With Whom??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #681

18 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #681  Abiding With Whom???

 

“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

As I write this morning, I am sitting here listening to some great Southern Gospel music and it delights my heart to rehearse the times I have heard and sung many of these songs.  In fact, the word I want to share with you this morning was triggered by and old song; and I pray that it will encourage our hearts to “Abide” in and with Jesus, who wants to “Abide” in and with YOU and me.

Just as Jesus spoke to the disciples in the passage above, He calls us to “Abide” with Him in all our ways; and He promises that if we will “Abide” IN Him we will bear fruit, and even as the Father prunes our lives, we will grow into fruitful branches.  Are you a branch of Jesus’?  Are you fighting the pruning this morning?  Or are you ready to rejoice in the fact that Jesus is “the true vine” and we “are the branches”? Or are you trying to be your own “vine”?

It seems to me, that much of what proports to be ‘Christianity’ today is simply greed and selfish lust dressed up in church clothes!  Jesus paints a different picture of HIS body—a body of commitment to HIM, abiding in HIM personally.  Jesus IS the vine, not the church building, or its hierarchy, much less congregations who are clamoring for entertainment, comfort and prosperity!  The church is The Body of Jesus Christ—branches who are abiding in The Vine!  Paul told Timothy a hard truth—but none the less, truth—and not very popular today!

“Yea, and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.”  2 Timothy 3:12

As we spoke the other day, Jesus keeps HIS own, even in the trials and persecutions!  The question is, “Are you HIS own?”  It’s a question that only you can answer, but Jesus knows the answer, and there is a test!

“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

Are you HIS?  Are you abiding IN HIM?  HE is ready to abide IN you!  If you aren’t HIS, then I invite you to bow before my King Jesus, repent of your sin and ask HIM to forgive your sin; for that is why HE came as the substitutionary (in our place), atoning (making payment for our sin), sacrifice (HE died to BE that very payment for our sin), and He is still saving and changing lives today.  In fact, He transformed me, and HE is ready to give you a new heart and life; or to revive your heart if you are His already!!!  When we receive His life-changing grace, He enables us to walk in that transforming grace as we yield to HIS work in our lives through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit—abiding IN HIM! Transformed—abiding—and bearing HIS fruit!

“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.

2 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.”  Romans 12:1-2

And there’s an old song that I have been pondering lately, I pray that it will encourage your heart to pursue HIS abiding presence, for HE Has promised to be there for us, for it is HIS abiding IN us that prevails!  Don’t give up—abide!

“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

       Abide With Me    By Henry Francis Lyte

“Abide with me! fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings;
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings:
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea;
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour:
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless:
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness:
Where is death’s sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.”

Amen and Amen!

Is Almost/Tomorrow Too Late??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 06

12 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Glory To God, One Day Too Late?, The Resurrection Life!, You can overcome

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 06    Is Almost/Tomorrow Too Late???

 

I have a simple message to share on this Resurrection Sunday—what are you doing with the resurrected Lord Jesus?  Are you waiting for ‘a better time’?  Are you waiting for the ‘perfect’ life?  It will never arrive!  If you keep putting things off—you may find yourself calling on God one day too late!  And if you are His, what are you doing with the power HE has imparted to You?

“For the king knoweth of these things,

before whom also I speak freely:

for I am persuaded that none of these things

are hidden from him;

for this thing was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa,

believest thou the prophets?

I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said,

I would to God,

that not only thou,

but also all that hear me this day,

were both almost,

and altogether such as I am,

except these bonds.”   Acts 26:26-29

Like Paul, my prayer is that you will respond to the Gospel of Jesus; coming to Him in repentance and faith in the risen Lord who gave His life for You and me! It’s why we believers honor this day—for The Lamb slain for our sin, that we might have life.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved

the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever

believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds

should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds

may be made manifest,

that they are wrought

in God.”  John 3:14-21

And when we choose Jesus in response to His call to our hearts, He empowers us to walk in victory, but we must yield ourselves to walk in HIS power not our own; abiding in the vine not our flesh!

“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

Won’t you look up to Him and walk forward in HIS power?  My prayer is that you will hear His voice and answer His call!  He IS the answer—are willing to receive it?

“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.

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 5:1-11

And with that I’ll simply say, “May God lead you in the way HE has for you”; and I am praying that you hear HIS voice today and learn to walk in HIS overcoming power!!!  Because:

“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

“For whatsoever is born of God

overcometh the world:

and this is the victory

that overcometh the world,

even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world,

but he that believeth

that Jesus is the Son of God?”  1 John 5:4-5

Amen and Amen!