Bible Ballistics: BBs #560     Still Faithful???

 

We talked the last time about staying focused on Jesus, and I thought it would be a good thing on this Friday, and the last day of the month to remember the faithfulness of our God.  We all have times when discouragement comes knocking at the door and we simply have to let God’s Word open the door—and we will find victory to overcome our enemy.

We have the choice to keep our eyes on Jesus or to let those momentary distractions become long-term and life altering!  The choice is ours, and we can choose to keep God’s Word on our tongues, coming out of the “abundance of the heart”!  Here are are few reminders that you might want to take note of, rehearse and memorize for future use!

“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

We are never alone—for God is faithful to be with us, and our Christian brothers and sisters are enduring the trials of life as well!

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”  James 4:6-8

Praise God, HE is ever able and willing to help us see HIM!  So let’s humble ourselves before HIM—not the world; submit to HIM; resist the enemy; draw near to HIM; cleanse our hands (actions) and our hearts (our thoughts and intents…see Hebrews 4:12-13); and He will prove Himself faithful, for HIS grace “is sufficient”!

“If we believe not,

yet he abideth faithful:

he cannot deny himself.”  2 Timothy 2:13

And Isaiah reminds us:

“When thou passest through the waters,

I will be with thee;

and through the rivers,

they shall not overflow thee:

when thou walkest through the fire,

thou shalt not be burned;

neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the LORD thy God,”  Isaiah 43:2-3a

And like Job, we can know our Redeemer will deliver—when He knows the timing is right for our good and HIS glory!

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:”  Job 19:25

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

 before him.”  Job 13:15

We must determine to maintain our own “ways before him”, and not be led astray by the false wonders of the enemy. For scripture tells us that sin can be enticing and pleasant—but only for a time.  The payment will come due sooner than we expect!

“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”    Hebrews 11:25

As the old adage says (Origin unknown):

“Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go-

Keep you longer than you wanted to stay—

 And cost you more than you wanted to pay!”

I pray that these words from God’s Word will encourage you today and remind each of us that HE is always with us and faithful in every way—every day!

And we can live victorious lives all because of HIM, keeping our minds thinking “on these things”: the true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praise worthy things (See Philippians 4:8)!  Press on dear friends—we win IN Jesus!

Amen and Amen!