Tag Archives: Faithful God

Faithful Provider, Always!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #750

27 Friday Aug 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abraham's Test, All About Jesus!, Faith, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, God Knows, God Who Sees, God's love, God's provision, Grace, Let go...and let God, Trusting God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #750  Faithful Provider, Always!!!

 

“Know therefore

that the LORD thy God,

he is God,

the faithful God,

which keepeth covenant

and mercy

with them that love him

and keep his commandments

to a thousand generations;”   Deuteronomy 7:9

When things start (or continue) whirling around you and your strength seems to be sapped, your mind runs rampant with doubt, confusion, and uncertainty, it is then along with every other time in our lives that we need to look UP to our faithful Lord God Almighty, and HIS Son, Jesus, The Lamb of God which “taketh away the sin of the world”!  It is imperative that we understand the import of the truth that Jesus came to save sinners, and as Paul said, “of whom I am chief”, praise God, Jesus came to save sinners like me.

How about you?  Will you run to the One who died that you might have eternal life—abundant life—a transformed, holy life?  Oh, if I could sit down with you and share with you all that HE has done for me, pointing you to HIS cross.  It is why HE came.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Jesus said of Himself:

“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

This went beyond even what John the Baptizer had said of Him!

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away

the sin of the world.” John 1:29

“I indeed baptize you

with water

unto repentance:

but he that cometh after me

is mightier than I,

whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:

he shall baptize you

with the Holy Ghost,

and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand,

and he will throughly purge his floor,

and gather his wheat into the garner;

but he will burn up the chaff

with unquenchable fire.”   Matthew 3:11-12

I love the Gospel of John for its beautiful and picturesque descriptions of Jesus and His many faceted work as the Lamb of God, The Good Shepherd, The Door, The Water of Life, The Bread of Life and more (I encourage you to delve into the Gospel of John and search these out for yourself!)!  This faithful God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—is ever working on our behalf; and if we will but avail ourselves of His provision, we would find a hope, power, and strength to press on no matter the challenges that confront us.

One of my favorite examples of the faithfulness of God is found in Genesis 22, where God puts Abraham’s faith to the test, and the result gave Abraham, and us, a profound picture of the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless “all” through Abraham (See Genesis 12:3).  Let’s peruse just the highlights of this amazing truth.

“And he said,

Take now thy son,

thine only son Isaac,

whom thou lovest,

and get thee into the land of Moriah;

and offer him there for a burnt offering

upon one of the mountains

which I will tell thee of.

3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning,

and saddled his ass,

and took two of his young men with him,

and Isaac his son,

and clave the wood for the burnt offering,

and rose up, and went unto the place

of which God had told him.”   Genesis 22:2-3=

God called Abraham to yield up this “son of promise” and he willingly obeyed, as Hebrews makes so clear; for Abraham knew God would keep HIS promise.

“By faith Abraham,

when he was tried,

offered up Isaac:

and he that had received the promises

offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said,

That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up,

even from the dead;

from whence also he received him

in a figure.”  Hebrews 11:17-19

This is the crux of the story, that God gave Abraham a picture (“in a figure”) of what HE was going to do to fulfill HIS promises to Abraham; God would give HIS own son for us, just as God provided a ‘ram’ in Isaac’s place—God would provide “Himself”—”The Lamb of God”– to take “away the sin of the world”!  Redemption for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith, yesterday, today and until HE comes for HIS own!  For there is coming a time when many will find themselves coming one day “too late”!  But let’s finish up with Abraham’s story, with just a few verses to highlight the events, and you can fill in the rest as you take some time to read the entire chapter.

“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said,

My father:

and he said, Here am I, my son.

And he said,

Behold the fire

and the wood:

but where is the lamb

for a burnt offering?

8 And Abraham said,

My son,

God will provide himself

a lamb

for a burnt offering:

so they went both of them together.”  Genesis 22:7-8

And they went on and even as Abraham held the knife God spoke and provided! Praise God!  Praise God!  Praise God!  Jesus died for you and me!  God didn’t spare Jesus, because for you and me to be spared, “God so loved the world that HE GAVE” Jesus!!! (emphasis is mine).

“And Abraham stretched forth his hand,

and took the knife

to slay his son.

11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him

out of heaven, and said,

Abraham, Abraham:

and he said, Here am I.

12 And he said,

Lay not thine hand upon the lad,

neither do thou any thing unto him:

for now I know that thou fearest God,

seeing thou hast not withheld thy son,

thine only son from me.

13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes,

and looked,

and behold behind him a ram

caught in a thicket by his horns:

and Abraham went and took the ram,

and offered him up for a burnt offering

in the stead of his son.

14 And Abraham called the name of that place

Jehovahjireh:

as it is said to this day,

In the mount of the LORD

it shall be seen.”  Genesis 22:10-14

And in closing, I encourage you to ponder the wonder of what God truly revealed to Abraham!  Have you tuned your heart, mind, and ears to hear and see what the Lord has provided on your “Mount” of sacrifice?  I find it most interesting that it is likely that the same site of this experience for Abraham could have been the very spot of the sacrifice of God’s “only begotten son”!  Food for thought!

Wont’ you let HIM have your issues today?  It is so hard sometimes to humble ourselves and simply “let God” “be God”!  May this word from James remind and encourage each of us today.

“Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall

lift you up.”  James 4:10

Amen and Amen!!!

Our Hope Is IN GOD!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #749

20 Friday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #749  Our Hope Is IN GOD!!!

 

I’ve had a very busy week, but I wanted to share a brief word with you today; in fact, one that I just shared with a young friend that I pray for continually!  As I sent him a short “prayer text”, I thought, ‘I just need to share this with us all’, for the days are surely causing many to wonder what is going on.  Well, I’ll tell you the simple truth, while we may not know what is going on, our GOD does, and WE WIN IN JESUS!!!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

for an hypocrite shall not come before him.”   Job 13:15-16

Where is your confidence?  Is it in Jesus?  Is it in your circumstances?  Your wealth—or the lack thereof?  Is it in the government?  Maybe the weather forecasters?  I think not!  Like Job, I can confidently say “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”—not because I’m so smart, or faithful, but because my GOD IS EVER FAITHFUL, and, as many of you have heard me say, “I still trust HIM”!

Jesus is coming again, and I can’t believe it’s very far away, but whenever it is, near or farther down the road—I know HE will return for HIS own!  And regardless of how others may choose to speak, act, believe, or not believe, I choose Jesus; for my friends, while you may fool others, you will never, ever fool GOD!

“Nevertheless

the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one

that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”    2 Timothy 2:19

So run where you will; do what you like, blame everyone and everything but yourself for the consequences that you are bearing, but know this. “The Lord knoweth them that are his”, and if we claim Jesus’ name as our own, our lives are to reflect HIS character, HIS love, and HIS transforming work within not the crud of the world! (See Hebrews 12:5-11 and 1 John 1:9)

For as Job also said:

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed within me.”  Job 19:25-27

So, whatever your trial, your grief, the sad but rightly deserved consequences you may be facing, or the uncertainty of our world, remember God’s character and HIS care for HIS own!

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”   Hebrews 13:5-6

Amen and Amen!!!

 

An Enduring Faithful GOD!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #746

29 Thursday Jul 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, God's Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #746  An Enduring Faithful GOD!!!

I would simply like to share a word of encouragement from God’s Word this morning.  While life gets hectic, and we often fret and worry, our GOD is ever the same and HIS faithfulness endures and continues forever!  HIS Word never fails and HE is the same yesterday, today and forever!

“For ever, O LORD,

thy word is settled in heaven.

90 Thy faithfulness

is unto all generations:

thou hast established the earth,

and it abideth.

91 They continue this day

according to thine ordinances:

for all are thy servants.

92 Unless thy law had been my delights,

I should then have perished

in mine affliction.

93 I will never forget thy precepts:

for with them thou hast quickened me.

94 I am thine,

save me;

for I have sought thy precepts.

95 The wicked have waited for me

to destroy me:

but I will consider

thy testimonies.

96 I have seen an end

of all perfection:

but thy commandment

is exceeding broad.”   Psalm 119:89-96

Paul gives us a great insight into the surety of God and those who are His own.  I pray that you know Jesus and if not that you will come to HIM in repentance and faith.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God

standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one

that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”   2 Timothy 2:19

Are you HIS?  If so, have you departed “from iniquity” or can the world find no reflection of The Lord Jesus in you?  May we seek God’s face through HIS Word and prayer, and yield to HIS work in us; for HE is ever at work to conform us into the “image of his Son”!  Jesus died that we might have “life”, abundant “life”!  Are you living abundantly or settling for the world’s imitation that will never produce peace!

“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

I pray that God will speak to our hearts and that we will hear and heed HIS voice!

“Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

Amen!

Thank YOU Jesus??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #723

22 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Encouragement, Faith, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, God Who Sees, God's Faithfulness, HOPE, Humility

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #723  Thank YOU Jesus???

 

Just a note to end the week on a positive note of encouragement (and yes, I know it’s not Friday, but this will be the last post for the week) lifting our eyes upward—to Jesus, where they need to be!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run

with patience

the race

that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author

and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction

of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

As we face challenges each day, may we remember that God calls us to walk in faith, knowing that HE is ever faithful to those who believe in HIM, and follow HIM faithfully. Just as Hebrews 11 tells us:

“Now faith is

the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen…

…. 5 By faith Enoch

was translated that he should not see death;

and was not found,

because God had translated him:

for before his translation

he had this testimony,

that he pleased God.

6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.”              Hebrews 11:1 & 5-6

This is why it is so important to be in The Word of God—to know who HE is, and what HE says.  It is my hope and total confidence; and I want to always share that confidence with you.  Not confidence in my ability or judgment, but in God’s eternal sovereignty, knowing that HE never changes, and that HE is ever working for our good, and HIS Word is true!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

And in HIS “sameness” of total holiness, righteousness and truth, we can know that our God is at work in and through us!  Oh, how I praise HIM for HIS faithful work in our lives in all things; all to conform us to the “image of His son”!

“But if we hope for that we see not,

then do we with patience wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession

for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 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 8:25-29

Because God is ever working in we—you and me—who are following Jesus, we can confidently come into HIS presence for aid, hope, and answers from The One who took on flesh, lived, died and was raised for the payment of our sin, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 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 4:14-16

HE is always ready to grant us grace, wisdom and hope.

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.”  James 1:5-6

I pray that we will each be encouraged to keep “looking unto Jesus” rather than self, others, and especially not the world’s ideas for solutions.  Satan is still the “father of lies” who only wants to destroy us.  Look up friends, to Jesus, not around at the “lions”!  We are victors not “lion food”!  Stand fast in JESUS!

“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:” 1 Peter 5:6-8

By HIS Grace–Each Day??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 24

07 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Faithful, For Such A Time As This, Glory To God, God Who Sees, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 24.  By HIS Grace—Each Day???

 

“Therefore by the deeds of the law

there shall no flesh be justified

in his sight:

for by the law

is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God

without the law is manifested,

being witnessed

by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God

which is by faith of Jesus Christ

unto all

and upon all

them that believe:

for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth in Jesus.”  Romans 3:20-26

It’s God’s grace that saved me, and it’s God’s grace that keeps me and is ever at work in me and by His sovereign grace, He can be seen in me, through all I say and do, as I yield myself to His Holy Spirit and power within me!  Being a living sacrifice, as Paul describes to the Roman and the Galatian believers as well.  All because it is Christ IN me!

“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.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”   Romans 12:1-3

The key is remembering that it’s all about “Who” is living in me—or, if you would, who is sitting on the throne of my life?  Me or Jesus?  I must die to self and live to Jesus by the grace that HE imparts to HIS own for every-day victory!!!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God:

for if righteousness come by the law,

then Christ is dead in vain.”  Galatians 2:20-21

God’s ministry of grace in us—to minister to others!

“Whereof I am made a minister,

according to the dispensation of God

which is given to me for you,

to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery

which hath been hid from ages

and from generations,

but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known

what is the riches of the glory

of this mystery among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:”    Colossians 1:25-27

All by HIS grace—unmerited favor–bought by the blood of Jesus which “cleanseth us from all sin”! (See 1 John 1:7)

“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

It is all about Jesus—and I’m so glad!  For as Paul said so aptly, “no good thing” dwelleth in me!  It has to be all about HIM, even Jesus made this very clear.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken

unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit

of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth

much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”  John 5:1-5

So, the question for each of us is, are we abiding in “the vine” and therefore able to “bring forth more fruit” or are we trying to bear our own fruit?  The choice is yours, but Jesus said plainly that “without me ye can do nothing”! And Paul describes this issue in 1 Corinthians 3—are we working with our own resources or God’s?  The test is by fire—are you working in “wood, hay and stubble” or “gold, silver and precious stones”!  The fire will reveal our real work!  It has to be ALL “of HIM…through HIM…and to HIM”!

“According to the grace of God

which is given unto me,

as a wise masterbuilder,

I have laid the foundation,

and another buildeth thereon.

But let every man take heed

how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

 but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:10-16

It all depends on the foundation—Jesus!  Am I abiding IN HIM, relying ON HIM, and using HIS supply?  Or am I settling for less—and what the world offers is always LESS?  The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test.  We can be found faithful as we continue to abide IN HIM!

“Not that I speak in respect of want:

for I have learned,

in whatsoever state I am,

 therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.”

HOW?  Only one way! 

“13 I can do all things

       through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:11-13

And to put all of these things in perspective, I’d like to remind each of us of Jesus’ instruction for our prayer life—while I am free to come to God with all my requests, burdens, troubles and trials, I am not free to dictate to God in the name of “faith”; I can trust God to do right no matter what is going on!  And I do!  How about you?  We can hold on to the assurance that OUR GOD reigns, and HE invites us to come to HIM in all things.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 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 4:14-16

Let’s stay before HIS throne in humble gratitude for the grace that supplies our every need if we will but cling to HIS cross.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”   Matthew 6:9-10

May God bless you as you seek HIS face in confidence and total reliance upon HIM, shouting: (See Revelation 19:6)

“Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”!

We win!!!  Amen and Amen!!!