Tag Archives: Enduring Trials

Living By Grace In Faith!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #741

09 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #741  Living By Grace In Faith!!!

“And lest I should be exalted above measure

through the abundance

of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

 the messenger of Satan to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory

in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Oh, how often I praise God for this amazing testimony of Paul’s.  Here we have one of the most powerful men of God, one who was called to be Christ’s Apostle, and yet HE had this trial, this burden, this affliction allowed to come into HIS life that HE could remind us that GOD is sufficient to any situation that HE sends, permits, or allows to come into our lives as well.  What reassurance this brings to my heart, for much like all of you we have trials at our house also; and I am reminded of what Paul told us in his passage on spiritual warfare;  an amazing reminder that I count on daily, especially in our present station of life.  You may have noticed that I haven’t posted recently, for we took some time to get away and be refreshed by some dear friends; yet even that turned into quite the encounter as we drove home, but I praise God that HE is always with us.  My mind goes to Ephesians 6, even as I sit here writing to myself as well as for you.

“Finally, (God always has the last word)–

my brethren, (for all saints IN JESUS)–

be strong in the Lord, (IN HIM NOT me)–

and in the power (IN HIS power not mine)–

of his might.”(BY HIS total provision)–  Ephesians 6:10

When my body is in pain, or weary to the bone; when I just feel like I can’t go one step farther; when I feel like I’m drowning in the demands I face, or that if one more request comes, I will crumble; when all these things, feelings and thoughts come pouring in, I must look up—and so can you!  And we will find our precious LORD sufficient to restore, refresh and renew our hearts, minds, and souls—even though the body may still hurt—God is ever working for our good and HIS glory.

I’d simply like to share a few passages to encourage your heart and mine today in the sufficiency of our Lord in ALL things—ALL the time!

“There is no fear in love;

but perfect love

casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment.

He that feareth

is not made perfect

in love.

19 We love him,

because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:18-19

John also encourages us again in The Revelation:

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace be unto you,

and peace,

from him which is,

and which was,

and which is to come;

and from the seven Spirits

which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings

of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,”  Revelation 1:4-5

And remember our hope and secure assurance is totally in our Lord Jesus Christ. 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

In closing may these words resound in our hearts, that we may “stand fast in the evil day”!

“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.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

 because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

 9 Whom resist

stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

I pray The Lord Jesus lift, comfort and encourage your heart today, as we remember that our GOD IS sufficient in all!

“Not that we are sufficient

of ourselves

to think any thing

as of ourselves;

but our sufficiency

is of God;”  2 Corinthians 3:5

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Seasonal Or Steadfast??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #720

08 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abiding In Jesus, Are You Ready, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Holy Living, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Seasonal or Steadfast?, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Stand Fast!, Trendy Or Truth, Trials, Troubles, Trusting Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #720  Seasonal Or Steadfast???

 

As we see so much chaos, sickness and uncertainty around us today, I would like to share a word or encouragement and warning at the same time.  It’s so easy to get caught up in the circumstances and forget the surety and certainty of The God whom we serve.  HE is the same always and the rules haven’t changed; and Jesus doesn’t change to accommodate culture or generation.  HE never changes!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Paul encouraged the young ‘preacher boy’ Timothy to stand fast in truth and not waver—we need to heed that same word of truth today.

“I charge thee therefore before God,

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

 who shall judge the quick and the dead

at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word;

be instant

in season,

out of season;

reprove,

rebuke,

exhort

with all longsuffering

and doctrine.

3 For the time will come

when they will not endure sound doctrine;

but after their own lusts

shall they heap to themselves teachers,

having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears

from the truth,

and shall be turned

unto fables.”  2 Timothy 4:1-4

Sounds like today, doesn’t it?  But Paul calls us, as well as Timothy, to stand fast, regardless of the season or times, the responses of other, or the trends of the moment.  We’ve been called to follow Jesus, to take up our cross and not fall for the lies of the devil.  Peter warns us clearly about the constant spiritual danger around 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.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us

unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory

and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11

Sometimes we must endure seasons of suffering, trials and challenges, yet it is important that we keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the trials, or the blessings and provisions of deliverance themselves.  King Hezekiah, went to God in earnest prayer requesting healing from what the prophet told him was a fatal illness, and God answered his prayer.  But Hezekiah didn’t use the 15 years that God granted him with wisdom and humility, but rather made poor choices, and left Judah in the hands of an unprepared young king who became one of the worst, if not the worst since Ahab, kings causing more harm, and misleading more people of Judah, than just about any other King.  Don’t be a Hezekiah and blow it after God blesses and delivers; if /when God brings you into a season of opportunity, keep your eyes humbly on Jesus not yourself, or the blessing you received!

“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death.

And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz

came to him, and said unto him,

Thus saith the LORD,

Set thine house in order;

for thou shalt die, and not live.

2 Then he turned his face to the wall,

and prayed unto the LORD…

… And Hezekiah wept sore.

4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out

into the middle court,

that the word of the LORD came to him,

saying,

5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah

the captain of my people,

Thus saith the LORD, the God of David

thy father,

I have heard thy prayer,

I have seen thy tears:

behold, I will heal thee…

…6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years;

and I will deliver thee and this city

out of the hand of the king of Assyria;

and I will defend this city

for mine own sake,

and for my servant David’s sake.”  2 Kings 20:1-6

Has God answered your prayers?  Have you responded to God’s grace with humble gratitude, or presumption, or even disregard?  We must be continually vigilant to stand fast in the “evil day”, just as Peter called us to above.  I pray that God’s Word will help us to stand fast and be like Jeremiah; being so devoted to God, regardless of the circumstances, that we are compelled to obey and serve HIM faithfully in spite of the circumstances or response!

“…I am in derision daily,

every one mocketh me.

8 For since I spake,

I cried out,

I cried violence and spoil;

because the word of the LORD

was made a reproach unto me,

and a derision, daily.

9 Then I said,

I will not make mention of him,

nor speak any more in his name.

But his word was in mine heart

as a burning fire

shut up in my bones,

and I was weary with forbearing,

and I could not stay.”  Jeremiah 20:7b-9

May we stand with this same assurance knowing that “our God reigns” and that HE WILL accomplish HIS purpose in and through us if we will but heed HIS voice!  I pray God’s blessings and work in your heart today, knowing that HE is working in, on, with and through you and me!

“What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing

to the charge of God’s elect?

It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather, that is risen again,

who is even at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession

for us.

35 Who shall separate us

from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake

we are killed

all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep

for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him

that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

 nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus

our Lord.”  Romans 8:31-39

We win IN JESUS!!!  May you stand steadfast and not seasonally!  Our Lord’s return is truly imminent, are you ready?  I pray that you are and if you’re not that you will call on HIM today!

Amen and Amen!