Tag Archives: God IS in Control

Bible Ballistics: BBs #710. COMFORTABLE

17 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by in Comfort, Commitment Or Convenience, Sovereignty, Trust God, Trusting Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #710  COMFORTABLE???

A Guest Post from my friend Taryn Spurlock

When you search the definition of COMFORTABLE you may find “providing a position of contentment and security.” Eleven months ago, I received a phone call from a sweet mentor asking me to consider writing occasionally for her blog. Eleven months ago, we were facing the beginning of a “historical event” known as The Covid-19 Pandemic. Here I sit today as a witness of another “historical event” all within a year’s time. This time we are facing multiple states experiencing historic cold temperatures and snowfall. This is just plain crazy. You know you have said the exact same thing.

The past few days have brought on so many challenges to stay warm, prevent damage to our homes and businesses, and our personal family favorite (NOT) virtual learning! However, my observations the past 24 hours have stirred my heart to think of the word “comfortable.” Please give me a moment to explain.

Multiple states and millions of people have been asked to turn off as much as possible to conserve energy. They are asking us to look at the “long haul” to avoid long term issues. Here are some comments that I have heard:

    • “Ummm… there are subzero temperatures out there and you want us to turn down the heater? It’s cold! I’ll freeze!”
    • “How do I keep my pipes from bursting?”
    • “How come I experienced my power being turned off but those people over there didn’t? Not fair!”
    • “How come the internet is running slow?”
    • “Don’t they know I pay them to have all the power I want!”
    • “My kids deserve to have fun and not have to do school work!”
    • “I deserve to be COMFORTABLE!”

These words keep coming to my mind:

When God wants you to grow, He makes you uncomfortable.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”                   Matthew 5:3-12

How many times do we find ourselves having those same types of complaints with God?

    • “God, have you seen my schedule? I don’t have time to do ministry and have any time to relax.”
    • “God, you want me to give 10% of MY EARNINGS? Seriously! I worked for that!”
    • “God, I go to church, I teach on Wednesdays, I serve on the welcome team, and THEY get their prayers answered and I don’t?!?!?”
    • “God, I need you to give me an answer NOW! Quit being soooo slow! I don’t have time for this!”
    • “God, I tithed… NOW GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!”
    • “God, I know our family has missed church several Sundays this year, but this team means the world to my kid and they deserve to have a fun childhood.”
    • “God, I deserve to be COMFORTABLE!”

Yep… I’ve said some things like this in 35 years… I admit.

GOD DOES NOT CALL US TO COMFORT. 

We want to serve God, but we also want to remain comfortable. But if we’re honest, true spiritual growth happens in our most uncomfortable seasons of life.

I’m currently going through a study about Elijah. When I read these words today regarding Deuteronomy 29:16-29, they stopped me.

“Despite the fact that these negative results of the people’s disobedience would adversely affect Elijah too — such as the land being “unsown and unproductive” so that “no grass grows in it” (Duet. 29:23) — he was brave enough and committed to God enough that he still prayed for it. Out there in Gilead, in the remote starting point of Elijah’s ministry — the starting point of his process — he had developed such a commitment to Yahweh that he was willing to pray for His will to be done above all else, EVEN ABOVE HIS OWN COMFORT.”   

-Priscilla Shirer, ‘Elijah’

It is my prayer that I take the uncomfortable moments in my life, in the past and in the future, and seek how God wants me to grow instead of complaining or comparing. They are a part of my testimony; therefore, they are part of my ministry. God sees “the long haul” when He takes us to uncomfortable places.

Thank you God, for the cold, gray, and uncomfortable days. Use them for Your Glory and may we seek to see the beauty in those moments.

Acting Or Taking Action??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #701

08 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Holiness, Holy Living, Sovereignty

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #701 Acting Or Taking Action???

 

I have a simple and brief word for this morning, especially for those in the US—“God never says ‘oops’!”  That’s Never!  I could take off on a rant today, or I can do that which God has called me to do, and that’s to share HIS WORD with confidence and try to remind each of us that God’s Word has and will continue to stand the test of time.  God never lies, and what He says will come to pass—in HIS time.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God

among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him,

being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”    Acts 2:22-24

God set the times and seasons for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord, and HE knew that HE sent HIS SON to die for my sin and yours!  While the disciples couldn’t grasp the fact that their Master died for those three days HE was in the grave—I can’t even imagine the joy, amazement and wonder that filled them on that resurrection Sunday.  We must learn from their experience and know that God didn’t lose track of anyone, HE is working, and we must STOP “doubting, pouting, and dropping outing” (as my former Pastor Brad McCoy often said) and do as Paul directed us in Ephesians 6!  Take some time today and read it and think about what we are called to do: not sleep, sit or STOP living holy lives, but to “stand”!  Ponder on the actions that we called to take—actions of faith, obedience and holy courage.  Here’s a focused look at some key phrases in this passage.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not

against flesh and blood, …

…13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

….. 15 And your feet shod…

… 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit, …

… 18 Praying always …..

… and watching …

… with all perseverance;”    Portions of Ephesians 6:10-18

What kind of life are you living before the world?  Before your family?  Before your friends?  Before your church family?  Before your neighborhood?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test—and God already knows!

“Follow peace with all men,

and holiness,

without which

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

Amen and Amen!!!

They Don’t Play Fair??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #530

08 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by in God Is In Charge, It's Your Choice, They Don't Play Fair

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #530    They Don’t Play Fair???

 

Many of us are burdened over the state of our nation—our world, and yet we must remember that our confidence is in The One who actually is in charge! And that is God not man!  Yet it is disheartening as we are vexed at the things that we continually see and hear around us.  We truly are living in an age and time when people are willfully rejecting God, His Word and His way.

“Woe unto them

that call evil

good,

and good

evil;

that put darkness

for light,

and light

for darkness;

that put bitter

for sweet,

and sweet

for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!”  Isaiah 5:20-21 

We must be diligent to keep our eyes on Jesus and judge righteous judgment; even though many say that we are “not” to judge at all, scripture calls us to judge righteously and not for self-promotion, or by just what we think we see!

“Judge not

according to the appearance,

but judge

righteous judgment.”   John 7:24

Yet as we discern and judge what’s going on around us, we can take comfort and encouragement that God knows exactly where we are and what is going on, and HE will bring His Kingdom in His time!  For Jesus is the only way into God’s family and Kingdom, and whether we be ‘king’ or ‘peasant’ there is only One way—and HIS name is Jesus—and He will save those who call upon Him!  But to reject Him is to perish!

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son

of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”    John 3:14-19

Jesus came that we could have life—the choice is yours, mine, and it is ‘theirs’—that ‘they’ who think they run the world!  The Psalmist gives us a most eloquent picture of the world we live in, still; and a picture of The One who was coming for salvation to those who would believe, yet judgment for those who refuse HIM!

“Why do the heathen rage,

and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the LORD,

and against his anointed,

saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder,

and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens

shall laugh:

the Lord shall

have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them

in his wrath,

and vex them

in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king

upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree:

the LORD hath said unto me,

Thou art my Son;

this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me,

and I shall give thee the heathen

for thine inheritance,

and the uttermost parts of the earth

for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them

with a rod of iron;

thou shalt dash them in pieces

like a potter’s vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore,

O ye kings:

be instructed,

ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son,

lest he be angry,

and ye perish

from the way,

when his wrath

is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all they

that put their trust

in him.”  Psalm 2:1-12

May God encourage your heart today and remind you that no matter who ‘doesn’t play fair’, HE is in charge—He will requite!  As Jeremiah 51:56b says, “for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.”

‘Nuff said!

Amen and Amen.

 

 

Sovereign Control??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #506

07 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in JESUS, Jesus Is Coming!, Sovereignty

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #506      Sovereign Control???

I have a very simple but profound passage to share with you today. After the election in the U.S. yesterday I just wanted to remind us all that our God is faithful and sovereign over all things. So no matter how the elections turned out—God Still Reigns—Amen and Amen.

“Why do the heathen rage,

and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth

set themselves,

and the rulers

take counsel together,

against the LORD,

and against his anointed,

saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder,

and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens

shall laugh:

the Lord shall have them

in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them

in his wrath,

and vex them

in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king

upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree:

the LORD hath said unto me,

Thou art my Son;

this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me,

and I shall give thee the heathen

for thine inheritance,

and the uttermost parts of the earth

for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them

with a rod of iron;

thou shalt dash them in pieces

like a potter’s vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore,

O ye kings: be instructed,

ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son,

lest he be angry,

and ye perish from the way,

when his wrath

is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all they

that put their trust in him.” Psalm 2:1-11

God is at work in our world to accomplish HIS purpose in all things—leading to the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ at any time—and that my friend is our hope, joy and confidence!!! Will you be blessed to be HIS child or one that HE will receive His wrath? The choice is yours but there is a test at the end!

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse;

and he that sat upon him was called

Faithful and True,

and in righteousness

he doth judge

and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire,

and on his head were many crowns;

and he had a name written,

that no man knew,

but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture

dipped in blood:

and his name is called

The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven

followed him upon white horses,

clothed in fine linen,

white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth

goeth a sharp sword,

that with it he should smite the nations:

and he shall rule them

with a rod of iron:

and he treadeth the winepress

of the fierceness

and wrath

of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture

and on his thigh

a name written,

KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”   Revelation 19:11-16

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus, our eternal “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS”!!! Amen and Amen!

Are you ready? If not I pray that you will come to Jesus today in repentance and faith—for HE gave HIS own life’s blood to save YOU/me from our sin! And I pray that those of us who are HIS will faithfully, “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” in His power, love and grace!

Blessings on your day!!! Amen and Amen.