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Tag Archives: Ephesians 4:32

But I Don’t FEEL Like It??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #694

27 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, Walk in the Spirit, Walking With Jesus

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Ephesians 4:32, Forgiven, Forgiveness, Galatians 5:16-26, I don't want to!, Sowing and Reaping, Walking In The Spirit

Bible Ballistics: BBs #694  But I Don’t FEEL Like It???

 

As we celebrate our attitude of “gratitude”, reality is ever present with us—we will invariably encounter those people who push our buttons, who are unkind, who say and do hurtful things—what then?  Well, I want you to know, I have those same people in my life and if we’re going to be real here, there are times I just don’t “FEEL” like being nice.  But God calls us to a higher plane, and I just want to remind each of us (especially me) that our feelings are to be kept under control by our heart and mind by the Holy Spirit!

“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.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”   Galatians 6:7-10

Paul reminds us so clearly, and even as I sit here typing this post, God is reminding me that I have the freedom, and privilege to choose how I will respond to others—even to those who hurt my feelings, wound my heart, or just irritate me seemingly at every turn.  Do you have any of those people in your life?  Well, God gives us the truth that we are called to live by—regardless of how others choose to behave!  We are called to remember—

the principle of sowing and reaping—

the constant conflict of the flesh-vs-the spirit—

the reality of ‘weariness’—

the encouragement to press on—to faint not—

we are called to “do good unto all men”

       –as God gives us opportunity—

       –especially to the family of faith!

So, as we consider these things, God will help us to function in HIS Spirit and not our flesh.  But it is a constant battle, yet a battle that we can prevail in with The Holy Spirit of God within us!  Oh, how I praise His name that we don’t have to do it on our own.

“For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:15-16

We have a God who cares!  We have a redeemer who walked where we walk, and yet HE overcame sin and bought our salvation!  HE overcame not only death, but the power of sin in our lives; yet we must avail ourselves of the truths of HIS Word that we might fight the good fight of faith.  We can only do that when we walk in the power of The Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus/God The Father and feast on The Word!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth

against the Spirit,

and the Spirit

against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot

do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law…

…. 25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”   Galatians 5:16-18 & 25-26=

We must choose continually whether we will be filled with The Holy Spirit or the spirit of the world!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely; remember what we learned above, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”!  What are you sowing?  Will you join me in committing to seek God’s ways, by HIS Spirit and remember, with me, a verse that I used to have my children quote when they were at odds with their siblings—it was good for them—and it is good for you and me. (Check out Galatians 5:19-24 too)

“And be ye kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”   Ephesians 4:32

Amen!!!

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Iron Or Putty??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #582

28 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by Blanche in By example, Friends, Friendship, Iron Sharpening Iron

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Ephesians 2:8-10, Ephesians 4:32, Faithful God, Friends, Friendship, Iron Sharpening Iron, Proverbs 17:7, Proverbs 18:24, Proverbs 27:17

Bible Ballistics: BBs #582     Iron Or Putty???

 

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance

of his friend.”   Proverbs 27:17

“A friend loveth

at all times,

and a brother

is born for adversity.”  Proverbs 17:7

I want to take just a few moments today to celebrate ‘friends’!  I have been abundantly blessed through the years with amazing friends.  Scripture tells us the key to having real friends is relatively simple—not easy but simple!

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend

that sticketh closer

than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24

To have friends, we must ‘be’ a friend! We must be willing to risk heartache as we reach out to others.  Now, this isn’t a popular idea if you follow the ideology of social media; which says, “If you don’t meet my needs, or if you are inconvenient, or if you fail in some way—then I just need to avoid, dump or otherwise exclude you from my life.”  I’m not saying that we aren’t to have boundaries, but we are to exercise grace, love and endurance toward others, as Jesus has extended these qualities to us!

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”    Ephesians 4:31-32

That must not be right!  Afterall, I am the center of the universe! Right?  Well, to be quite truthful, that may be a popular attitude, but it surely isn’t biblical!  We are called to be iron sharpening iron—not silly putty, that changes to match the shape of the moment.  So, my question for us today is simply this; “Are we being ‘iron’ support for our friends, or are we so demanding of perfection from others, that we have failed to realize that we have been saved by grace, to serve Jesus and others?”  Are we walking in His ways or the popular social trend of the day?  Scripture makes it quite clear that our goal is to do God’s good works- not the imitation ‘goodness’ of the world; which is basically ‘me and my four, and no more’!

“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

So, my friends let’s press on and be that ‘iron sharpening iron’ that someone may need today!  Blessings on your journey of faith and obedience-don’t ‘putty’ out!  Amen and Amen!!!

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Grateful For What??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #567

28 Friday Jun 2019

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, Contentment, Gratitude, Kindness, Thankful

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1 Chronicles 16:34, 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 2 Peter 3:9, Attitude of Gratitude, Ephesians 4:32, Gratitude, JESUS, John 15:5, Kindness, Romans 8:28-29, Thankfulness, Truth

Bible Ballistics: BBs #567   Grateful For What???

 

Just a short word this morning to remind each of us to never forget to be grateful!  An attitude of gratitude will affect our whole outlook; when we are grateful to God, when we show gratitude to our family members, when we express thankfulness to those we encounter.

A grateful heart will help us focus on others more than ourselves!  And that, my friends, is always a lesson worth reminding ourselves of.

“Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

David rejoiced in his God because he had experienced His faithful provision, protection and power!  What do you have to thank God for?

“O give thanks unto the LORD;

for he is good;

 for his mercy endureth for ever.”  1 Chronicles 16:34

God in His love and mercy toward us has given us Jesus to save us, lead us, grow us in grace, truth and love into children of God who bring HIM glory.

“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

Oh, how grateful I am for God’s mercy and longsuffering toward us.  I can hardly go one day without thanking Him for touching me, saving me, and growing me in His Word, His grace, His power and His love!  Without Him I would have nothing to be thankful for!  But with Him, I can rejoice every day—in Who He Is and all He is doing in me, for me, through me—all helping me to “be conformed to the image of his Son”!  How could I not rejoice and thank HIM always?  All because HE loves me enough to send Jesus to pay for my sin!  And He’ll do the same for you—He isn’t slow, but He does want people to be saved!

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering

to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.”   2 Peter 3:9

Will you join me today in thanking HIM for all HE does for us?  And then don’t forget that special phrase as you encounter folks today!  Thank You!  You can use it at the bank, as you shop, at the local café, at home, to all as you have opportunity.

“And the Lord make you to increase

and abound

in love

one toward another,

and toward all men,

even as we do

toward you:”    1 Thessalonians 3:12

And we can do all this in HIS power, remembering that, “without me ye can do nothing.”  (See John 15:5)!  Thank YOU, and thank YOU Jesus!  Praying that each of you have a blessed day as you remember to express thanks to God continually, and others as you have opportunity.  There may be a waitress out there who needs a word of encouragement, or a bank teller, or a store clerk, or a co-worker, or employer (just because they’re the boss, doesn’t mean that they don’t need a word of encouragement or an expression of gratitude!)—so go to it!!!  And a smile helps almost everything!

“And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:32

 

Amen and Amen!

 

 

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Full Of What??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 11

28 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by Blanche in Conviction, Filled With His Spirit, Full Of what?, Made like Jesus!, The Mind Of Christ

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2 Corinthians 12:8-9, 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 5:16-20, Ephesians 5:16-25, Filled With His Spirit, Haggai 1:5-7, John 10:9-11, Philippians 2:5-15, Psalm 89:31-34, The Mind Of Christ, Titus 1:1-2, What Are YOU Full Of?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No.11 Full Of What???

 

We sometimes hear someone say, “I’m as full as as a tick!”; or “I’m so full, I couldn’t take another bite!”  All in reference to having had enough; but how much is enough? Well, it depends on what we are talking about.  I’ve eaten all the “liver” that I ever care to eat, but ice cream, now that’s a different matter.  And when we speak of people, we have all met people (and sometimes we’ve been that person) that we say are “full of themselves”, usually meaning that they think and act with only themselves in mind.  I think that we can find some life lessons in scripture in this regard, and it would behoove us to consider our own ways.  Haggai shares that very comment from God.

“Now therefore

thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Consider your ways.

6 Ye have sown much,

and bring in little;

ye eat,

but ye have not enough;

ye drink,

but ye are not filled with drink;

ye clothe you,

but there is none warm;

and he that earneth wages

earneth wages

to put it into a bag

with holes.

7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:5-7

Haggai was writing to those of Israel who had returned to Judah, after the Babylonian captivity, to rebuild the Temple of God, yet the people had become so distracted with their own desires, that they weren’t rebuilding the Temple.  So, God sent Haggai to call them to come back to God, the One who had brought them back to their home-land and called them to rebuild HIS Temple!  I know lots of us today have also become distracted and get so filled with the things of this world, that we allow ourselves to be distracted by them and forsake the work of God—perhaps a specific work that God has called you/me to.  We often allow our ‘busy’ness, things, our own desires, or the demands of others, to pull us away from God.  We are so full of the world, that sometimes people don’t even know that we belong to Jesus! God called Israel to “Consider your ways” and return to HIM and take care of the things of God, and HE would take care of them, both personally and corporately.  The same is true today for us who belong to Jesus!   He has promised that HE will—and He has never failed.

“If they break my statutes,

and keep not my commandments;

32 Then will I visit their transgression

with the rod,

and their iniquity

with stripes.

33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness

will I not utterly take from him,

nor suffer my faithfulness

to fail.

34 My covenant

will I not break,

nor alter the thing

that is gone out of my lips.”  Psalm 89:31-34

Our God IS faithful!  Always has been, and always will be!  He keeps HIS Word (whether we keep ours or not!)!

“Paul, a servant of God,

and an apostle of Jesus Christ,

according to the faith of God’s elect,

and the acknowledging of the truth

which is after godliness;

2 In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised

before the world began;”  Titus 1:1-2 

I love that Paul related this powerful truth to Titus, “God, that cannot lie, promised”! and what God has promised, HE will accomplish!  And God has promised us “abundant life” in Jesus; He has also promised that His Holy Spirit would dwell within those who come to Him in repentance and faith!  And Jesus is “full” of ‘all’ that we need!

“And such trust have we

through Christ

to God-ward:

5 Not that we are sufficient

of ourselves

to think any thing

as of ourselves;

but our sufficiency

is of God;”  2 Corinthians 3:4-5

Because our God is able, even as God told Paul, we can persevere through HIS grace and power not our own—for we are never alone!!!

“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.”    2 Corinthians 12:8-9

If we will but keep our eyes on Jesus—our all sufficient Lord God– yielding to HIS Sprit, we will find in Him the wisdom, grace and power to overcome the enemy of our souls—the great “liar” who comes only to destroy.  As we serve the living Lord Jesus, we can have that “abundant” life which Jesus imparts!  Don’t let the enemy fill you with his vile and insidious lies.

“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 Jesus, the good shepherd who gave HIS life for our salvation, will fill us with HIS Spirit, and as we yield to Him in every way, He will provide all that we need for victorious living “in the Spirit”!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh

lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit

against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would…

…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 5:16-17 & 24-25

There is freedom and peace walking in the Spirit of Jesus, allowing HIM to fill us with HIMSELF, rather than continually filling our hearts and minds with more of ‘self’!

“And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”   Ephesians 4:32

How do we walk in this “kindness”?  By yielding to God’s continual working in us.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly,

not as fools,

but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time,

because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise,

but understanding

what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine,

wherein is excess;

but be filled

with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing and making melody

in your heart

to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks

always

for all things

unto God

and the Father

in the name

of our Lord Jesus Christ;”    Ephesians 5:16-20

We are to yield to God’s Holy Spirit who will “fill” us with Himself!  Just as Paul refers to the “control” that wine takes over a person, we are to allow the Holy Spirit to “pervade” our hearts and lives!  Just as a drunken man is controlled (pervaded) by the liquor that is in him, in contrast, we are to be controlled by God’s Holy Spirit!  And when we allow God to “fill us” with Himself—we never have to fear a ‘hang over’ or fear shaming our self or others before God or man!

Paul paints such an amazing word-picture of encouragement on using our senses to stay focused on our Lord—we are to fill our eyes, our ears, and our mind with godly words and music, growing a heart of gratitude and love towards God; being a testimony to a lost and dying world in need of Jesus.  They need to see Jesus in us—in you and in me!

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is the epitome of how to live being filled with the Spirit.  So, I’ll share it with you and pray that you have a blessed week pursuing the “mind of Christ”!  Please ponder these words—they are empowering, heart-changing and life transforming!

“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.

13 For it is God

which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things

without murmurings

and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless

and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst of a crooked

and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;”    Philippians 2:5-15

God’s work—God’s way! Let His Spirit fill you each step of your journey!  Shine on dear friends, Shine on!!!  The choice is yours!  Choose wisely—there is a test!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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He Is All I Need!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #548

12 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by Blanche in The Word

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Colossians 3:9-14, Ephesians 4:32, He is enough!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #548   He Is All I Need!!!

 

I’m kind of late today but wanted to share a brief passage to remind us, that Jesus IS enough.

 

“Lie not one to another,

seeing that ye have put off the old man

with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him

that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek

nor Jew,

circumcision

nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian,

Scythian,

bond

nor free:

but Christ is all,

and in all.

12 Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving

one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ

forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.”    Colossians 3:9-14

And because God is always faithful, we can walk in love and forgiveness—because He imparts His Spirit to us.  As I used to have my children quote when they quarreled or had problems with one another.

“And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”   Ephesians 4:32

By His power we can be all that God has saved us to be—and always remember that the “doing” always comes out of the “being”!  Never vice-versa!  God equips the called!  He calls, He saves, and He enables.  That’s why we can join Paul and clearly proclaim in confident assurance:

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

All because our God reigns—today, tomorrow, and forever!

“….. my God shall supply

all your need

according to his riches

in glory

by Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

Look up to the all sufficient Lord!!!   Amen and Amen!!!

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