Tag Archives: Abundant Life In Jesus

Jesus-Our Strength!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #10 Bible Ballistics

28 Saturday May 2022

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus

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Jesus- Our Strength!!!  A Word from THE WORD!!! #10

Bible Ballistics

Just a brief word to remind us that Jesus IS our strength as well as our Redeemer.  If you’re tired, weary, frustrated, or confused, look up to The One who purchased our salvation—HE gave HIS life that we might have “abundant life”!  He promised abundant life—and I know that he delivers!  Look up my friends, look up!

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.”  John 10:10

A few powerful reminders from the Psalmists!

“The LORD is my strength

and my shield;

my heart trusted in him,

and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise him.”  Psalm 28:7

 “The LORD is my strength and song,

and is become my salvation.”  Psalm 118:14

And a reiteration from Isaiah the Prophet.

“Behold, God is my salvation;

I will trust,

 and not be afraid:

for the LORD JEHOVAH

is my strength and my song;

he also is become my salvation.”  Isaiah 12:2

Amen and Amen!!!

Because HE Left The Manger??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #697

20 Sunday Dec 2020

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Amazing Grace, Christmas, Christmas IS?, Grief, Holy Spirit, HOPE, What's In Your Heart?, Worship Him!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #697  Because HE Left The Manger???

 

As we approach Christmas this week, I just want to share a post from last year about this time.  In fact, I’d like to share with you the post that I wrote one year ago today—the morning after the murder of my daughter.  It’s been a long year, but thanks to Jesus, who didn’t stay in the manger, but grew to be a man who redeemed my soul, my daughter’s soul, and HE has and will continue to redeem all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith.

“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

And as the Apostle John recorded in his Gospel, HE came to save us, and HE will save all who will believe and receive HIM!

“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 1:10-13

As much as I knew and received of HIS strength to go on a year ago, I know HE is the ONE who is carrying me today; and HE will carry YOU, whatever your need, pain or sorrow may be.  Yes, there have been difficult days!  Yes, there have been times of pain that I have no words to describe!  Yes, I am weary, tired and often so lonely for the sound of my dear Donna’s voice, laughter and to see her room-brightening smile that I ache!  But God The Father, Jesus The Son, and The Holy Spirit have lifted me, calmed my fears, anger, frustration and eased the painful grief in my heart; even as Paul reminded us that grief is normal, but we have a Savior who has given us a life-giving, heart-lifting HOPE in our grief.

“And that ye study to be quiet,

and to do your own business,

and to work with your own hands,

as we commanded you;

12 That ye may walk honestly

toward them that are without,

and that ye may have lack of nothing.

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant,

brethren,

concerning them which are asleep,

that ye sorrow not,

even as others

which have no hope.

14 For if we believe

that Jesus died

and rose again,

even so them also

which sleep in Jesus

will God bring with him.”                                           1 Thessalonians 4:11-14 Amen!

I pray that God will use this post to heal, comfort, and lift the down-hearted during this time of rejoicing in the birth of our Savior; for it often brings much sadness to many because of our loss and grief.  But Jesus IS our hope and comfort!

Following is the post that wrote a year ago today, with a heart broken by loss, may it be used again today as it was a year ago!  God’s still God!  God’s still good!  And I still trust HIM!

“Bible Ballistics: BBs #612 Because HE Lives—I Can Walk On!

Christmas is many things to many people—some are filled with glee and joy, others think deeply on the meaning of the coming of This Newborn King, still others have difficult circumstances or memories that invade their celebration. But I’m here to let you know that regardless of what is going on around you/me, whether for us or against us, GOD is still GOD and we can trust HIM. I’m writing an article that I never expected to write, but it is one that I am compelled to write. I lost my only daughter under most tragic circumstances yesterday, and my heart is breaking but I have to share, for all who also have broken hearts, not just at Christmas time but anytime, that GOD IS ABLE!

As Jesus told a grieving Martha and Mary, HE is still reminding us today that He has the final word—in fact HE IS THE WORD!

“Martha saith unto him,

I know that he shall rise again

in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her,

I am

the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord: I believe

that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come into the world.”   John 11:24-27

It is totally because HE not only lived a perfect, sinless life, died a substitutionary, atoning sacrificial death, but my friends HE AROSE! And because HE lives—I can live another day; my daughter who had given her heart to him years ago is in HIS arms today! While our hearts are breaking, my heart is, at the very same time, full of gratitude for a Redeemer who loves me, and HE loves you—no matter the heartache that you may be experiencing today—whether new or old. Like David I can rejoice in the truth of God’s incredible sovereignty!

“Then said his servants unto him,

What thing is this that thou hast done?

thou didst fast and weep for the child,

while it was alive;

but when the child was dead,

thou didst rise and eat bread.

22 And he said,

While the child was yet alive,

I fasted

and wept:

for I said,

 Who can tell

whether GOD will

be gracious to me,

that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead,

wherefore should I fast?

can I bring him back again?

I shall go to him,

but he shall not return to me.”    2 Kings 12:21-23

As the old song says, “We shall behold HIM…” (Written by Dottie Rambo). My eyes are filled with tears, but my confidence is fully in my Lord Jesus Christ and His promise that He is coming for me (and you who have come to Him in repentance and faith)!

At this precious Christmas time, I rejoice in the truth that God keeps HIS promises!

“For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:

and the government

shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Jesus IS the source of the peace that I feel right now, and I pray that you will rest in that peace yourself. If you don’t know Him, you can!

“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

Jesus came to be our sacrifice and coming to Him gives us not only the “peace of God” but also “peace with God”.

“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.” Romans 5:1-2

I don’t know why the events of yesterday took my loved one, but I do know that the God who does know, loves my daughter, He loves me, and HE has a plan that I am resting in, even in the pain of my heart, and through the tears in my eyes. And I’ll simply leave you with some passages of confidence and assurance in this ONE who gave Himself for you and me.

“Therefore we are always confident,

knowing that,

whilst we are at home in the body,

we are absent from the Lord:

7 (For we walk by faith,

not by sight:)

8 We are confident, I say,

and willing rather

to be absent from the body,

and to be present

with the Lord.”.   2 Corinthians 5:6-8

And as Peter reminds us:

“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.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

And Jesus word for each of us:

“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.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”   Matthew 11:28-30. Amen!”

May you have a blessed and joyous Christmas, and I’ll be back next week, as I’m taking this week off for some rest and refreshing myself!  God bless each of you!!

“The LORD bless thee,

and keep thee:

25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee,

and be gracious unto thee:

26 The LORD lift up his countenance

upon thee,

and give thee peace.”   Numbers 6:24-26

Amen and Amen!!!  Merry Christmas.

The Life Is In The Blood??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #696

10 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Confessing Sin, Father's Way!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Only Jesus, Only One Way, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #696  The Life Is In The Blood???

 

We hear a lot of talk these days about blood—blood types, blood anti-bodies for fighting Covid, blood clots—and yet so many today don’t want to hear about the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”!

“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.”   1 John 1:7

There are two things that our world doesn’t want to talk about—the blood of Jesus and sin!  Why?  Because Sin is the issue—it’s why Jesus came, and it’s what HE can and will save us from.  From the penalty of sin—death; from the power of sin, in the lives of believers; and ultimately from the very presence of sin, when we live with HIM in eternity—not pie-in-the-sky, but truth and reality IN JESUS!  Let’s consider what God says in His Word, for regardless of what people may say—Jesus is the only way—and His way (like it or not) is through the cross and HIS shed blood for sin.

“And almost all things

are by the law

purged with blood;

and without shedding of blood

is no remission.”  Hebrews 9:22

Jesus makes it clear that HE is the only way—for it cost His life to save us from our sins, and to give us not only eternal life (with Him in heaven) but abundant, peace-filled, holy life right now.

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

And as Jesus made it so clear—HE IS THE WAY—the only way!

“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

No man—rich or poor—famous or unknown—powerful or common—loved or hated (by men)—comes to God except through The Son, Jesus Christ The Lord!  And when we come to Him in repentance and faith, we find His arms open wide.  Won’t you come to Him today?  Or, if you already know Him, and are known by Him, won’t you draw near to HIM instead of the bright lights of the world?  He has a work for each of us to do—but we can only “do” out of the “being” born again to “become” the sons of God!

“All that the Father giveth me

shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven,

not to do mine own will,

but the will of him

that sent me.

39 And this is the Father’s will

which hath sent me,

that of all which he hath given me

I should lose nothing,

but should raise it up again

at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:37-40

If you hear His voice calling, won’t you open the door to HIM today?  Won’t you draw near to the “redeemer” of your heart, soul and life?

“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

All this bought by the blood of the Son of God—who loved us and “gave Himself” for our redemption!

“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 5:8-11

Are you trusting to “the blood” or your own devices?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Jesus IS My Source Of Strength!!!

06 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, By His Grace, Dependence, Encouragement, God of all comfort!, God's Faithfulness, HOPE, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, JESUS, Keeping our eyes on JESUS!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #649 Jesus IS My Source Of Strength!!!

 

As many are struggling around us with the current crises, I simply want to take the time today to share with you some scriptures of encouragement.  We all need to remember WHO is the source of life, hope, and salvation—Jesus!

“I will love thee, O LORD,

my strength.

2 The LORD is my rock,

and my fortress,

and my deliverer;

my God,

my strength,

in whom I will trust;

my buckler,

and the horn of my salvation,

and my high tower.”  Psalm 18:1-2

He (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is our “high tower”, and so much more.

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

Oh, how often I run into that “strong tower” when no one sees, when no one knows, when no one else understands—for HE reminds me that I am safe in HIS arms, under His wings there is comfort, help and restoration!

“Be merciful unto me, O God,

be merciful unto me:

for my soul trusteth in thee:

yea, in the shadow of thy wings

will I make my refuge,

 until these calamities be overpast.

2 I will cry unto God most high;

unto God

that performeth all things for me.”   Psalm 57:1-2

How often I need to be reminded that my strength comes when I kneel—rather than when I try to stand in my own strength, wisdom or power!  He is my all in all—always!

“Where there is neither

Greek nor Jew,

circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian,

bond nor free:

but Christ is all,

and in all.” Colossians 3:11

We can know that Christ Jesus is in us, because He has promised His Holy Spirit to all who come to Him in repentance and faith, in fact The Holy Spirit in us IS the evidence that we are HIS!  And Jesus gave us His promise that His Spirit will be with us.

“These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send

in my name,

he shall teach you

all things,

and bring all things

to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said

unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”   John 14:25-27

And may the words of Paul comfort and encourage us to keep our eyes “fixed on Jesus”, and not only receive His comfort and strength but share HIM with those around us!

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing

one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word or deed,

do all

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks

to God and the Father

by him.”   Colossians 3:15-17

“Now the God of hope fill you

with all joy and peace in believing,

that ye may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Ghost.”  Romans 15:13

Amen and Amen!!!

He Is Not Dead–He Has Risen!!! Bible Ballistics: BBS #549

17 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Jesus Is Alive

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #549   HE Is Not Dead—He Has Risen!!!

 

As we approach the celebration this weekend of the resurrection of Jesus Christ my Lord, I thought it would be a good time to remind us all of what we are celebrating!  I love to celebrate Jesus—and that, my friends, is what this season is all about; whether you call it “Resurrection Sunday” or “Easter” we need to keep our focus on Jesus—not eggs, and bunnies, and candy, and egg hunts—for it is Jesus who gave HIS life for our salvation! (And it is each person’s choice of what practices they will incorporate into the seasonal celebration—that is a subject for another time.)

Let’s simply rehearse the wonder of what Jesus has done for all who will receive HIM!

“I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.

12 But he that is an hireling,

and not the shepherd,

whose own the sheep are not,

seeth the wolf coming,

and leaveth the sheep,

and fleeth:

and the wolf catcheth them,

and scattereth the sheep.

13 The hireling fleeth,

because he is an hireling,

and careth not for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life

for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have,

which are not of this fold:

them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice;

and there shall be one fold,

and one shepherd.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me,

because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me,

but I lay it down

of myself.

I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received

of my Father.”  John 10:11-18

I love this beautiful picture that Jesus paints of His love for us—the sheep; He loved us then, He loves us now, and He laid down His life that we might have life “in HIM”!   Jesus makes it clear that HE gave HIS life for us because He loves us—not because He had to—not because anyone took His life from Him, but because “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself” And as Jesus said in this same chapter, He gave His life because He IS the “good shepherd” and not a “thief”!  Have you given your heart to The One who loves you or have you given your heart to a thief?

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

 and that they might have it

more abundantly.”  John 10:9-10

That enemy is real, and we must be sure that we are listening to the right voices and making the right choices—for there is a consequence to each choice!  We are ever free to choose, but we are not free to set the consequences of our choices! Jesus gave His all that we might have life “more abundantly”!  And Jesus can deliver on that truth, because He didn’t stay dead!  HE arose to conquer sin, death and hell for you and me!

“And the angel answered and said unto the women,

Fear not ye:

for I know that ye seek Jesus,

which was crucified.

6 He is not here:

for he is risen,

as he said.

Come, see the place

where the Lord lay.

7 And go quickly,

and tell his disciples

that he is risen

from the dead;

 and, behold, he goeth before you

into Galilee;

there shall ye see him:

lo, I have told you.”  Matthew 28:5-7

The most wonderful words of life:

 “He is not here:

for he is risen,

as he said”!

Amen and Amen!

This same Jesus rose victorious and has offered that same victory to us through repentance from our sin, and faith in what He accomplished on the cross—and also at the tomb!  HE arose!  We can walk in victory—each day that we choose to trust HIM with it all.  All by the work of His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours—for He had no sin of His own.  He died to pay a debt that you and I owed and could never pay apart from hell!  That’s how much HE loves YOU!

“For this corruptible

must put on incorruption,

and this mortal

must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

 and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

 then shall be brought to pass the saying

that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death,

where is thy sting?

O grave,

where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin;

and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour

is not in vain

 in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:53-57

All this because we have a “risen” savior!  A Savior who loved you then—and He loves you now.

“This is my commandment,

 That ye love one another,

as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life

for his friends.”   John 15:12-13

And while I have had and still have many wonderful, precious and faithful friends, Jesus is the best friend I have ever had.  He loves me, He bought my salvation, and He supplies my every need!  What have you done with Him?  And if you know Him, have you shared that love and faithfulness with others?

“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

He laid down His life for me, and if I belong to Him and have been redeemed by the “blood of the Lamb”, how could I do less than pursue Him, His Word and His will for every area of my life?  I leave you with Paul’s challenge to us to be yielding to His Spirit’s work in us.  Let’s “work out” our salvation in our everyday life, and take some time during this time of holy remembrance to “consider our ways”! (Not working for but letting what God has put ‘in’to us be “worked out” in our daily walk with Jesus!)

“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.

9 Wherefore God also

hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that

every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ

is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

 not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear

and trembling.”   Philippians 2:5-12

Amen and Amen.  He IS Alive!!!  So let us live what we profess to believe!!!  May His presence pervade our celebrations and His life be seen in us in all our ways!!!