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I’m Stumped??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #788

08 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Are You Ready, Believe IN Jesus, Bibe Study, Blessed by God, By His Grace, Choices And Consequences, HOPE, Obedient or NOT?, One Day Too Late?, Only Jesus, Only One Way, Possession or Pretense?

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2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:1-5, Ephesians 2:8-10, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus saves--Only Jesus!, Jesus' way or mine?, John 14:13-18, John 14:21, John 1:1-13, John 8:42-43, John 8:44-47, Knowing About God or Knowing God?, Only One Way, Pretense or Possession, Saying so doesn't Make It So, Whose way are you going?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #788       I’m Stumped???

I am truly stumped as I look around and see things going on that grieve my heart –things that I can’t help but believe also grieve the heart of God.  Let’s peruse scripture and see what we find.

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,

that will I do,

that the Father may be glorified

in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing

in my name,

I will do it.

15 If ye love me,

keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world

cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.”  John 14:13-18

Here, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure to the cross (His resurrection and ascension, although they couldn’t grasp the import or reality that HE would die {first}, and be resurrected), even though they couldn’t grasp it all at the time.  Yet, there are some simple principles that we seem to miss, overlook, or simply neglect and disregard.  I have no desire to debate the issue of “which” commands we are to follow, for in its simplest form, Jesus is calling us to heed HIS word/words and receive and learn from the precious Holy Spirit, whom HE would send at Pentecost some 50 days later.

Jesus called His disciples to understand that they would approach the Father from this point forward on the basis of` Jesus’ name, and the work that Jesus is about to accomplish on the cross—His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN, that would completely fulfill the promise of redemption through the Messiah! Jesus was, is and ever shall be the true Messiah—the soon-returning Messiah and King—and HE is the “way” to The Father, in “spirit and truth”!  But there seems to be a presumption on God today that says, we dictate “in the name of Jesus” and God must comply!!!  NOT!  Jesus makes it clear that what we ask is to be asked, done, and accomplished “that the Father may be glorified in the Son”!   He is directing our hearts and minds to understand that we are working in, through and for the glory of God, not ourselves-either individually or in some corporate way-for Jesus clearly calls us to “love” HIM and express it by being willing to “keep my commandments”!  Not very hard to understand, but seemingly today it is!

It seems that we live in a “pick and choose” world where we claim the name of Jesus yet, pick and choose what parts of His Word, His will, or His way, that we will comply with.  We aren’t willing to align our lives to biblical principles, nor does it seem that we are willing to follow The LORD in love and obedience.  I’m stumped?  “If ye love me”?  Do we?

In my opinion, Jesus’ words hold the answer, and while we can’t look at all of “His words”, let’s look at a few key things that should shed some light on the true principles and expectations of scripture and its author (Jesus).

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and

came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.”   John 8:42-43

This is part of a great confrontational discourse with the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, in fact the last few weeks of His earthly journey.  Jesus is making it clear that if they didn’t truly know God—they had no personal relationship with The Father, through faith in the coming Messiah; in fact, the Messiah who had come and was standing in front of them—they didn’t know HIM!  BUT they didn’t believe so they accused Him of being false!  Jesus made short work of their “smart answers” and plainly claimed that HE had come from God.  He also implied that they couldn’t hear because they had no “spiritual ears” to hear.  He goes even farther by making an angering and abrupt statement—we’d say, “not very nice”, but Jesus spoke only truth—in the right way, at the right time, for the right reasons.  How will you respond to HIM?

“44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin?

And if I say the truth,

why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”  John 8:44-27

Paul also commented on this truth in his letter to the Ephesian believers.  It all comes down to “parentage”!  Whose child are you?  Have you been born again and become a “child of God”?  Or are you still controlled by the enemy, who lies, deceives, and seeks to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy”! (See John 10:10)

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all

had our conversation in times past

 in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)”.   Ephesians 2:1-5

Paul also went on to remind us that while salvation is by grace through faith, it is a work of God, when HE calls us to become HIS own!

“For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk in them.”   Ephesians 2:8-10

And back to Jesus’ own words in John 14:

“He that hath my commandments,

and keepeth them,

he it is

that loveth me:

and he that loveth me

shall be loved of my Father,

and I will love him,

and will manifest myself to him.”   John 14:21

And in closing, another word of Jesus’ for us to ponder.  Are you claiming HIS name but not walking HIS way?  Do you claim the name of Jesus, but walk your own way, or will you truly yield to The Spirit of God and reflect the love, grace and truth that IS “Christ in you, the hope of glory”!

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning

with God.

3 All things were made

by him;

and without him

was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life

was the light of men…

….. 10 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.”  John 1:1-4 & 10-13

Won’t you come to Jesus?  Are you already His?  Do our lives reflect whose we are?  May we pursue God and His righteousness:

“For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

 the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

Amen and Amen!!!

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Advice For The Journey??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #779

18 Friday Feb 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, Cross, Following Jesus, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Sovereignty, The Blood Of Jesus, The Gospel, Who are you listening too!

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2 Corinthians 5:21, Advice for the journey, Dirty Roads--Clean Feet, Isaiah 30:21, Jeremiah 15:19-20, Jesus Keeps HIS own., Jesus Saves!, John 10:27-30, Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 119:133, Psalm 37:23-24, Walking by HIS power, Walking With Jesus

Bible Ballistics: BBs #779  Advice For The Journey???

 

I want to share a brief word this morning to encourage us all as we walk in this crazy world.  I know the news isn’t very encouraging most days—but the Good News is still The Good News!  Even as Jesus walked the dusty roads of Judea, we are walking in a “dirty, dusty” world, but we can find a refreshing cleansing at the feet of our Lord.

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.”  Matthew 11:28-29

Rest unto our soul!  That’s what our Lord and Master provides at every occasion, when we will take the time and look up for HIS direction, grace, and power.  And how do we know this?

“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

Jesus also gives us great assurance of HIS perfect provision and direction for His own!  God has us in all things, times, and situations.  HE IS the sovereign Lord of all, and we belong to HIM when we come to HIM via the cross of Jesus Christ and HIS cleansing blood!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

 and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

And as we think of this journey we are on, I want to share a few passages that help me quite often, and I pray that they will minister to you today!

“Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

We must be in God’s Word—it is the standard for our journey—the road map, so to speak, for all the ways we are to go.  Yet sometimes we can’t quite discern what we are to do or how we are to respond in a particular situation.  Here’s a passage that God used in my life to give clear direction, without really saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’!

“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.”  Jeremiah 15:19-20

I can’t tell you how much assurance God brought to my heart and soul, as well as my mind as I knew HIS answer was sent directly to me through the Prophet Jeremiah!  WOW!

And a final few “words” to remind us that God is ever at work for His own—remember we are only “good” by the blood of Jesus who took our sin upon Himself to take it away and make us “righteous” before God “in HIM”!

“For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

And from the Psalmist:

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”   Psalm 37:23-24

Amen and Amen!

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I Wish I’d Known The Cost??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 11

29 Monday Nov 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abundant Life In Jesus, Children, Choices And Consequences, Darkness or Light?, Let You Light So Shine, Lies

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2 Corinthians 5:21, Falling For The Lies, Forgiveness, Galatians 6:7-8, Jesus Saves!, Joel 2:25, Numbers 32:23, Philippians 3:13-14, Regrets, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 3:20, Romans 8:28-31, Truth

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 11 I Wish I’d Known The Cost???

 

I would like to share some things that have been on my heart and mind lately.  As most of you know (those who follow my blog) it’s coming up on a year since my daughter was murdered, and while I miss her terribly, my thoughts have gone in a different direction recently, and I’d like to share a few of them with you.  I pray that my insights will bring hope, help and healing to some besides myself.

I was raised in a Christian home, and was blessed to have parents who loved me, taught me and had expectations for my life.  I was a young woman in the 60’s and 70’s and I bought into many of the lies of the enemy—the “me” lies—that my wants and desires were the most important thing in life.  I made some poor—no sinful—choices that followed that mindset; and while I chose to follow my “heart” in a fleshly sense, at the same time I defied the principles of God.  Sadly, many of the people I listened to (even faithful believers and pastors) counseled me unbiblically that “God” wanted me to be “happy”, and if a divorce would make me “happy”, then I should “go for it”.  I chose to pursue my selfish, fleshly lusts and desires dragging my children along for the ride—to their detriment and mine.

Without going into all the gory details, suffice it to say that God’s Word proved true when the counsel that I chose to follow didn’t!  Just like God’s Word said!

“But if ye will not do so,

behold, ye have sinned against the LORD:

and be sure

your sin

will find you out.”  Numbers 32:23

Much like the prodigal son (or daughter), I learned the hard way that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also pure and holy, and we must face our sin, repent and come to Jesus, as the song says, “Just As I Am”!  But praise God, HE never leaves us “As” we were!  But there are consequences to our sin; and while we have quoted this verse again and again, it is ever true and apropos in our culture today.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8

My choices caused my children harm that I can’t forget, but by God’s grace I have tried to face them with truthfulness and hope for the future.  But one of the choices I made led to an abuse of my daughter, the effects of which followed her and me into her adulthood and ultimately led to some poor choices that ended in her death.  I can’t describe how I have wrestled with these issues of my past; and maybe you’ve had issues from your past that haunt you as well.  I’m here to tell you that God forgives, heals and restores as we yield to HIM, giving God the opportunity to transform us into the image of our Lord Jesus.  There is a verse in Joel that has brought me such comfort and courage on this journey of life, because as God promised Israel a time of restoration, HE gave that same assurance to me many years ago.  Many have asked through the years, how I can go on serving God so faithfully with a past that was so checkered, and I always reply, “It’s God’s grace!”, and I can go on because of God’s righteousness, power and grace as HE enables me to be and do all that HE saved me to be/do.  I can walk in the light of HIS forgiveness and cleansing, knowing that He forgives and cleanses as I keep the lines open between HIM and me!

“And I will restore to you the years

that the locust hath eaten,

the cankerworm,

and the caterpiller,

and the palmerworm,

my great army which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty,

and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the LORD

your God,

that hath dealt wondrously with you:

and my people shall never be ashamed.”  Joel 2:25

I have a relationship with Jesus based on His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin—and HE has imparted to me HIS righteousness, and called and equipped me to walk in it—in confidence of HIS adequacy not my own!

“For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

Do you know Jesus?  Have you made a mess of your past? Is your present questionable?  Well, my friend, when you belong to Jesus, HE is ever working to make you a vessel of honor in HIS kingdom!

“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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:28-31

If you don’t know Jesus, you can come to 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

When we belong to Jesus, we are called to march to the “Jesus” drumbeat and not the world’s.  So, my friends where ever you are in life—look up—walk forward—and press on for, with and through Jesus.  He has won the battle for our LIFE, and in HIM—we WIN!

“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

In closing, a mighty word from the Apostle Paul!

“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

Press on dear ones—yes, I wish I’d known—but God did, and HE has picked me up, dusted me off (by the blood of Jesus) and sent me forth in HIS service.  But the price of choosing poorly can be high.  I wish I’d known, yet I know that HE is still waiting for you, and HE is a forgiving, life-changing God!

I simply remind us all to please choose wisely, so that you won’t have to live with regrets of the past.  If you listen to God today instead of the enemy of your soul, the regrets will be few, and the blessings abundant (and even if you’ve already made those poor choices—God is here to lift you up, restore you to usefulness, and glorify HIMSELF in YOU!). Jesus still saves and changes lives today—

HE is ready to transform your life today—

Because of His sacrifice on the cross!

Open that door—HE will come in!   Amen and Amen!!!

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Remember To Forget??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #754

17 Friday Sep 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Fear, Fearfulness, Fearlessness, Follow Jesus, Forgetting or Remembering?, Forgiveness

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1 John 1:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Forgetting The Past, Forgiving and Forgetting?, Hebrews 12:5-8, I forgive because I'm forgiven, Live peaceably, Mark 11:25, Matthew 5:23-24, Micah 7:19, Philippians 3:12-15, Philippians 4;13, Remember I am forgiven, Romans 12:17-18, Romans 5:5-8

Bible Ballistics: BBs #754  Remember To Forget???

 

I’m sure you’re thinking, ‘what a strange title’, and yes, it is a bit strange but there are some things that scripture reminds us that we ought to forget and press on regardless.  Let’s delve into a few and see what we can find out.

“Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend

that for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 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.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this

unto you.”  Philippians 3:12-15

Here we have a passage of encouragement from the Apostle Paul to the church at Philippi—a letter of commendation with very little correction.  Yet, his instruction was a word of warning to walk faithfully before our God, and a watching world.  And we ought to take heed to his instruction and press on with our eyes wide open and our hearts and minds on guard, diligently remembering what to forget.

We begin our look at this passage with Paul’s declaration that he (in Blanche’s paraphrase) had “not arrived”, or in his words “not already attained” to all that God had for him to “be” and “do”.  We so often forget what we should remember; that ‘being’ comes before ‘doing’.  When we belong to Jesus we are to yield our hearts and minds to him, as Paul reminded them of in chapter 2.

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who,

being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery

to be equal with God:

7 But made himself

of no reputation,

and took upon him

the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”   Philippians 2:5-8

When we pursue the mind of Christ—the heart and mind of servanthood, as well as living the crucified life—the willingness to be “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”!  Yet so much of the American Christian culture is focused on making Christianity a convenience rather than a sacrificed life!  But back to our consideration of “forgetting”.

Paul told the church at Philippi, as he is telling us today, that he has yielded his life to be what he called being “apprehended of Christ Jesus”, a total contrast of a culture that has and is trying to make Jesus/God a magic genie who is at our disposal for ease, comfort, and the supply of every worldly device that we might be enthralled with!  Instead, Paul goes on to give us the true key to walking with The Lord in power, peace, and productivity by HIS Spirit!  Ouch! But he goes on to remind us that we are not only “apprehended of” Jesus, but we are to continually purse the things of God by HIS power, grace and HIS Word!  Paul says something so powerful that we often miss it in the sheer simplicity of his words:

“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”

WOW!  ONE. THING. I. DO.

I press toward the mark—

As I forget those things which are behind me–

 As I reach forth for what is before me—

Knowing that I am pressing on—

For the prize-

Of the high calling

Of GOD

IN JESUS!

And my dear ones, JESUS. IS. THE. PRIZE.!!!  Paul also reminds us that if we are mature this is the mindset that should mark our lives before a lost and dying world!  He also says that if we are pursuing Jesus, The Prize, HE will lead us and correct us; and if we are without any correction from the Lord, then we better examine what or who we think saved us.

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you

as unto children,

My son,

despise not thou the chastening

of the Lord,

nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”  Hebrews 12:5-8

Jesus told us that there are things to remember, even things that we want to forget.  The problem is we often fall into the habit of walking in the past with fear of tomorrow, not what God has called us to.  With God’s forgiveness, and cleansing, we can forget the failures of the past and boldly remind the enemy that we are forgiven, when we repent, confess, and receive not only God’s forgiveness but His cleansing and healing. For God has “not given us the spirit of fear;, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind…“!

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:9-10

Our forgiven sin is not subject to the enemy’s use or reminders.  We can forget what God has forgotten, by reminding ourselves (and others) that we ARE forgiven!

“He will turn again,

he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities;

and thou wilt cast all their sins

into the depths of the sea.”  Micah 7:19

How can God forget our sin, and see us as righteous?  Good question, but one that scripture answers clearly.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

As Corrie Ten Boom often said, “God buries our sins in the depths of the sea and then puts up a sign that reads, “No Fishing.””  Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice paid my sin debt and yours (He paid it for all who will believe in His death, burial, and resurrection for our sin, See John 3:16-19 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-5), therefore God sees those who are born again through the shed blood of Jesus—making us righteous before God, all because Jesus took my sin upon Himself and paid for it at Calvary!  Hence our sins are covered by the blood, forgiven, and forgotten before God—soooo, remember to forget what God has forgotten and forgiven.  Be sure to keep short accounts on sin and keep it under the blood.  And if others have sinned against us, we are to forgive liberally, and if we have wronged others, we are to seek forgiveness.  Then let it go, in the vernacular, “forget it”!

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar,

and there rememberest

that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar,

and go thy way;

first be reconciled to thy brother,

and then come and offer thy gift.”   Matthew 5:23-24

“And when ye stand praying,

forgive,

if ye have ought

against any:

that your Father also which is in heaven

may forgive you

your trespasses.”  Mark 11:25

Let me just say, I know the old saying as well as anyone, “I can forgive but I can’t forget!”  But may we consider the words of Paul again—while maybe I can’t, God can!

 

“I can do all things through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

All because of what Jesus has done for me.

“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.”  Romans 5:5-8

And in closing, let me simply say, what can I refuse to forgive someone else of, that would equal what Jesus has forgiven me of!  Nothing!  And believe me, I have wrestled with forgiveness just like you, but I have learned that when I “give it to Jesus” and remember that HE HAS forgiven me for more than I can (or want to) remember, I must rest in HIS work in me, and the truth of scripture, forgiving, and forgetting (the offense not the reality of an action). (Meaning to receive God’s power to live in Jesus’ forgiveness when I can’t erase the thoughts!)!  And believe me, there are thoughts that keep coming back again and again, but if I can depend on God to supply my need, so can YOU!  Remember—you can forget, by remembering Philippians 2:5, “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”  “Father forgive them“!

And one simple verse that brings reality to what I’m trying to share; God knows it’s not always up to you alone!  Others don’t always desire peace.

“Recompense to no man

evil for evil.

Provide things honest

in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible,

as much as lieth in you,

 live peaceably with all men.”   Romans 12:17-18

Remember, we win!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

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I Wish I’d Known The Cost??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 11

29 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by Blanche in Abundant Life In Jesus, Children, Choices And Consequences, Darkness or Light?, Let You Light So Shine, Lies

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2 Corinthians 5:21, Falling For The Lies, Forgiveness, Galatians 6:7-8, Jesus Saves!, Joel 2:25, Numbers 32:23, Philippians 3:13-14, Regrets, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 3:20, Romans 8:28-31, Truth

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 11 I Wish I’d Known The Cost???

 

I would like to share some things that have been on my heart and mind lately.  As most of you know (those who follow my blog) it’s coming up on a year since my daughter was murdered, and while I miss her terribly, my thoughts have gone in a different direction recently, and I’d like to share a few of them with you.  I pray that my insights will bring hope, help and healing to some besides myself.

I was raised in a Christian home, and was blessed to have parents who loved me, taught me and had expectations for my life.  I was a young woman in the 60’s and 70’s and I bought into many of the lies of the enemy—the “me” lies—that my wants and desires were the most important thing in life.  I made some poor—no sinful—choices that followed that mindset; and while I chose to follow my “heart” in a fleshly sense, at the same time I defied the principles of God.  Sadly, many of the people I listened to (even faithful believers and pastors) counseled me unbiblically that “God” wanted me to be “happy”, and if a divorce would make me “happy”, then I should “go for it”.  I chose to pursue my selfish, fleshly lusts and desires dragging my children along for the ride—to their detriment and mine.

Without going into all the gory details, suffice it to say that God’s Word proved true when the counsel that I chose to follow didn’t!  Just like God’s Word said!

“But if ye will not do so,

behold, ye have sinned against the LORD:

and be sure

your sin

will find you out.”  Numbers 32:23

Much like the prodigal son (or daughter), I learned the hard way that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also pure and holy, and we must face our sin, repent and come to Jesus, as the song says, “Just As I Am”!  But praise God, HE never leaves us “As” we were!  But there are consequences to our sin; and while we have quoted this verse again and again, it is ever true and apropos in our culture today.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8

My choices caused my children harm that I can’t forget, but by God’s grace I have tried to face them with truthfulness and hope for the future.  But one of the choices I made led to an abuse of my daughter, the effects of which followed her and me into her adulthood and ultimately led to some poor choices that ended in her death.  I can’t describe how I have wrestled with these issues of my past; and maybe you’ve had issues from your past that haunt you as well.  I’m here to tell you that God forgives, heals and restores as we yield to HIM, giving God the opportunity to transform us into the image of our Lord Jesus.  There is a verse in Joel that has brought me such comfort and courage on this journey of life, because as God promised Israel a time of restoration, HE gave that same assurance to me many years ago.  Many have asked through the years, how I can go on serving God so faithfully with a past that was so checkered, and I always reply, “It’s God’s grace!”, and I can go on because of God’s righteousness, power and grace as HE enables me to be and do all that HE saved me to be/do.  I can walk in the light of HIS forgiveness and cleansing, knowing that He forgives and cleanses as I keep the lines open between HIM and me!

“And I will restore to you the years

that the locust hath eaten,

the cankerworm,

and the caterpiller,

and the palmerworm,

my great army which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty,

and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the LORD

your God,

that hath dealt wondrously with you:

and my people shall never be ashamed.”  Joel 2:25

I have a relationship with Jesus based on His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin—and HE has imparted to me HIS righteousness, and called and equipped me to walk in it—in confidence of HIS adequacy not my own!

“For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21

Do you know Jesus?  Have you made a mess of your past? Is your present questionable?  Well, my friend, when you belong to Jesus, HE is ever working to make you a vessel of honor in HIS kingdom!

“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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:28-31

If you don’t know Jesus, you can come to 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

When we belong to Jesus, we are called to march to the “Jesus” drumbeat and not the world’s.  So, my friends where ever you are in life—look up—walk forward—and press on for, with and through Jesus.  He has won the battle for our LIFE, and in HIM—we WIN!

“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

In closing, a mighty word from the Apostle Paul!

“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

Press on dear ones—yes, I wish I’d known—but God did, and HE has picked me up, dusted me off (by the blood of Jesus) and sent me forth in HIS service.  But the price of choosing poorly can be high.  I wish I’d known, yet I know that HE is still waiting for you, and HE is a forgiving, life-changing God!

I simply remind us all to please choose wisely, so that you won’t have to live with regrets of the past.  If you listen to God today instead of the enemy of your soul, the regrets will be few, and the blessings abundant (and even if you’ve already made those poor choices—God is here to lift you up, restore you to usefulness, and glorify HIMSELF in YOU!). Jesus still saves and changes lives today—

HE is ready to transform your life today—

Because of His sacrifice on the cross!

Open that door—HE will come in!   Amen and Amen!!!

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