Tag Archives: Choices Matter

Let What Go??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #685

07 Wednesday Oct 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Choose You This Day!, Let it go?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #685      Let What Go???

 

 

Just a post this morning to perhaps offer some food for thought.  There is so much going on around us, and many are struggling to find hope, and in difficult times we often turn to the wrong people, places and things to help.  But I can assure you on the basis of The Word of God, that there is only ONE hope—and His name is Jesus—The Redeemer of all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.  Yet, God has given each one of us the free will to choose to “read …hear…and keep” His Word, or we can go our own way!

“For my people have committed two evils;

they have forsaken me

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed them out cisterns,

broken cisterns,

that can hold no water.”  Jeremiah 2:13

Jeremiah also recorded more of God’s truth about our choices—are we letting go of God and His way—or letting go of the the wrong people, places and things that draw us away from the cross?

“A voice was heard upon the high places,

weeping

and supplications

of the children of Israel:

for they have perverted

their way,

and they have forgotten

the LORD their God.

22 Return, ye backsliding children,

and I will heal your backslidings.

Behold,

we come unto thee;

for thou art the LORD our God.

23 Truly in vain

is salvation hoped for

from the hills,

and from the multitude of mountains:

truly in the LORD our God

is the salvation of Israel.”  Jeremiah 3:21-23

And another word from Jeremiah:

“If that nation,

against whom I have pronounced,

turn from their evil,

I will repent of the evil

that I thought to do unto them.

9 And at what instant I shall speak

concerning a nation,

and concerning a kingdom,

to build and to plant it;

10 If it do evil in my sight,

that it obey not my voice,

then I will repent of the good,

wherewith I said I would benefit them.

11 Now therefore go to,

speak to the men of Judah,

and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,

Thus saith the LORD;

Behold, I frame evil against you,

and devise a device against you:

return ye now every one

from his evil way,

and make your ways and your doings

good.

12 And they said,

There is no hope:

but we will walk after our own devices,

and we will every one

do the imagination

of his evil heart.”  Jeremiah 18:8-12

Jesus proclaims clearly that HE is the hope we need, but we must come to Him in repentance and faith, then we will receive of Him all that we need.

“At that time Jesus answered and said,

I thank thee, O Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

because thou hast hid these things

from the wise and prudent,

and hast revealed them

unto babes.

26 Even so, Father:

for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered

unto me

of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever

the Son will reveal him.

28 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 11:25-30

I don’t know about you, but I am so grateful for the hope, grace, truth and strength that Jesus has supplied to me—and He’s also reaching out to you, if you will but let your own way “go” and cling to His cross.

“Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which according to his abundant mercy

hath begotten us again

unto a lively hope

by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible,

and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away,

reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power

of God

through faith unto salvation

ready to be revealed

in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5

 

How about you; will you be “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation”?  Or will you keep on going your own way.  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness,

reap in mercy;

break up your fallow ground:

for it is time to seek the LORD,

till he come and rain righteousness

upon you.

13 Ye have plowed wickedness,

ye have reaped iniquity;

ye have eaten the fruit of lies:

because thou didst trust in thy way,

in the multitude of thy mighty men.”  Hosea 10:12-13

Amen and Amen!

Choices And Clothing Affect Others!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #624

12 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Bling, Children, Choices And Consequences, Clothed In His Righteousness, Compromise, Consider Your ways, JESUS, Modesty, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #624   Choices and Clothing Affect Others!!!

 

We talked last time about spiritual ‘clothing’—being clothed in Jesus, by the power of His Spirit whom we receive when we are born again.  I also mentioned then, that we are to be modest in our attire, and I’d like to take that a step farther today, as our choices do affect the world around us!  It seems to me that we have taken our cues of behavior and attire from the world rather than from our Lord and His Word; modesty has been relegated to ‘days gone by’!  But I caution each of us to remember that God’s standard never changes, and our choices bring consequences; and when we choose to disregard God’s principles, we will pay a steep consequence.  It is what has brought us to where we are today!  And, where are we?  Living in a culture that is removing all the boundaries and standards of righteousness that protect, and ought to mark the people of God.

“Righteousness

exalteth a nation:

but sin

is a reproach to any people.”  Proverbs 14:34

Whose standard are we buying into?  Is it affecting others?  The truth is that every choice has a consequence, and we seem to have allowed the media to dictate what is acceptable.  Scripture calls us to be modest and holy, and what the world is dictating is something totally opposite, yet we have embraced it and allowed our children to embrace it (if not led them to embrace it by our own choices).  While I don’t think there’s anything wrong with fashion or “bling” per se, when it becomes our source of significance, or import,  or leads us to do wrong, we might want to examine our motives.  Am I striving to please men or God?

“I will therefore that men

pray every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath

and doubting.

9 In like manner also, that women

adorn themselves in modest apparel,

with shamefacedness

and sobriety;

not with broided hair,

or gold,

or pearls,

or costly array;

10 But (which becometh women professing godliness)

with good works.”  1 Timothy 2:9

I don’t think that Paul is saying that women can’t wear pretty things, but that “women professing godliness” ought to clothe themselves with “good works”, one of which is to dress in a manner worthy of our Lord, considering our influence on others rather than caving to the latest fashion.  Necklines to the navel, and hemlines to the buttocks are, to say the least, less than modest; not to mention, skin-tight, see-through, and seductive apparel ought not to be the choice of those seeking to please God.

“Likewise, ye wives,

be in subjection

to your own husbands;

that, if any obey not the word,

they also may

without the word

be won by the conversation (lifestyle)

of the wives;

2 While they behold your

chaste conversation (lifestyle)

 coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be

that outward adorning

of plaiting the hair,

and of wearing of gold,

or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man

of the heart,

in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament

of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God

of great price.”  1 Peter 3:1-4

Women, and men, are to adorn themselves with that “which is not corruptible”—and believe me (believe your own eyes) when we look at the things on the TV, in the movies, on the ‘award’ shows, talked about in the music we hear, how can we miss the corruption that is being not only accepted, but promoted in this world.  Whose example are you following?  What example are you setting for your children and grandchildren?  Are you buying the things of the world and in essence telling your sons and daughters that this is acceptable before God (and man)?  We allow our little children to idolize sin, wickedness, and immorality all in the name of “celebrity”!  Then wonder why they become worldly and promiscuous!

God calls us to a higher standard!  I’d just like to leave you with some food for thought today, scripture always says it best.  I pray that you will ponder the things that you are choosing to bring into your life, into the lives of your children and grandchildren.  I beg you to consider where you are leading those who are following you—and believe you me, someone is following you–whether you realize it or not!  Please choose wisely while there is still time to make a difference!

“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                               (Read the whole chapter for even more insight!)

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end for the grace

that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 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 1:13-16

And one last passage to speak to our hearts!  Amen and Amen!!!

“And make straight paths for your feet,

lest that which is lame be turned out of the way;

but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace

with all men,

and holiness,

without which

no man shall see the Lord:”  Hebrews 12:13-14