Tag Archives: God is still God

Who’s Fighting? You Or Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #327

05 Wednesday Mar 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Advice for the journey, All About Jesus!, Be Still and Know, Be ye DOERS of the word NOT hearers only, Believe God?, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Bloom Where You're Planted!, Boldness without arrogance., Bow Before our God, Fighting With God's Weapons, Filled With His Spirit, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Proverbs 14:12, Stand Fast!, Standing in the GAP!, Still Will I Trust HIM, The Battle IS The Lord's, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!

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Who’s Fighting? You Or Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #327

“And he said, Hearken ye,

all Judah,

and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid nor dismayed

by reason of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours,

but God’s.

16 To morrow go ye down against them:

behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz;

and ye shall find them at the end of the brook,

before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:

set yourselves,

stand ye still,

and see the salvation of the LORD with you,

O Judah and Jerusalem:

fear not,

nor be dismayed;

to morrow go out against them:

for the LORD will be with you.

18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head

with his face to the ground:

and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem

fell before the LORD,

worshipping the LORD.”  2 Chronicles 15-18

While we live in wicked and difficult days, we must remember “Who” is in charge!  It’s not the government, the political powers, the weather forecasters, or even the leaders amongst us—”the battle is not yours, but God’s”!  What battle or battles are you fretting over?  So many are looking for love, happiness, the perfect job, the perfect mate, children—yet all these things fit in that category of “the battle is not yours, but God’s”!  When will we realize that is the message that Jesus Himself was giving us in the model prayer when He spoke such truth!

“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.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is

the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

for ever. Amen.”  Matthew 6:9-13

Oh, how we get so frustrated trying to “fix it” in every area of our lives and for those around us!  God calls us to remember that HE is sovereign and in control—He is still on the throne, and it IS HIS battle, our job is to stop—look—and listen to the directing work of His Holy Spirit within us!  We must stop trying to “run” the show!  And believe me, I’m as guilty as anyone, and I so often have to confess, repent and seek God’s work of restoration to be the truly humble servant of The King that I desire to be.  How about you?

We are so like Israel when they were caught between the Red Sea and Pharoah’s army!  And just like us, they saw no way out, BUT GOD! “Thy kingdom come…. Thy will be done”!

“And Moses said unto the people,

Fear ye not,

stand still,

and see the salvation of the LORD,

which he will shew to you to day:

for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day,

ye shall see them again no more forever.

14 The LORD shall fight for you,

and ye shall hold your peace.”  Exodus 14:13-14

Maybe one of the hardest things in my life is to truly obey God and “hold your peace”!  But God, I have the answer; I have the solution; I have a way; I know more than anyone else!  Ouch!  Do you wrestle with the same things that I do?  Oh, to bow before our God and King, and learn to stand still and hold my peace. You know that “peace” (piece) of advice you have to share; that wisdom that you have that no one else has; that brilliant plan that everyone needs to consider!  NOT!  Oh, to learn to walk in humble faith in my God and King—my redeemer—who gave Himself for me!

One of my husband’s and my favorite verses says it all.

“Be still,

and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”   Psalm 46:10-11

May we truly learn to stop fighting the battles alone—may we “Be still”!  Oh such a simple thing, but so hard to do in a world that is constantly calling us to act, buy, pursue, walk, run—to the worldly solutions.  In closing the thing we need to remind ourselves of often—the world lies!  God never does.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Sovereign God??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #191

28 Wednesday Feb 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Amazing Grace, Glory of God, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Still Reigns, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Gratitude, Sovereignty

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A Sovereign God??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #191

 

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 Let us be glad

and rejoice,

and give honour to him…”. Revelation 19:6-7a

I watched a movie on television recently, one that I had seen before and remembered it being a good flick; but this time I was watching intently (rather than between tasks) and it struck me how something seemingly innocent, was a direct challenge to what I know that scripture teaches.  What’s that, you might ask?  Well the movie’s main characters had opposite outlooks, one who believed that some unknown cosmic force ordered circumstances, while the other said that it was random chance, which science or mathematical probabilities could often explain.  Well, my friends, this is just not biblical, true, or acceptable to those who believe in Almighty God, Jesus The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

Scripture is replete with direct statements of God’s total sovereign control; and while this isn’t something that most people think about, it is the absolute foundation of our faith.  It is one of the things that brings me hope, comfort and insight into the things happening around us.  I have taught the Book of The Revelation on numerous occasions, in depth, teaching people that they can understand much of this great book (and yes there are some things that were even hidden from John; and note that this is THE Revelation—no “s”).  And like the familiar adage, “How do you eat an elephant?”, we know of course, the answer comes, “ONE Bite at a time!”  And that is how you must approach all of scripture but particularly the Book of The Revelation (and if you’ll read the title, you’ll see it’s The Revelation OF JESUS, not the revelation of specific events as such, or even the horrific things that are held in check at this time but will come in God’s time!  It is the revealing of God’s plan for His Son’s victorious coming, to judge and rule this present world in person, and eternity after that (and there is an “after that”).

Because God IS in charge, we as believers can stand confident in God’s total sovereignty in all things.  So I simply want to give you some food for thought today as you face life and its trials where ever you are!  You can depend upon God’s almighty hand at work not only in His own, but in all things!  Let’s peruse some passages of scripture in this regard, and I pray will help you to “withstand in the evil day” (See Ephesians 6:10-19).  And just on a side note, if you read my posts on Facebook there is a simple text post, but also a link to the Bible Ballistics website where it is printed with scripture in color as well as in a grammatical diagram of sorts, to help clarify our understanding (I think it’s helpful).

“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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:26-31

When we learn to walk in the peace, and trust in God’s sovereign control, the confidence we find is unequaled; I can testify to God’s faithful provision and care in the midst of some of life’s greatest heartaches, for I know who IS in control!  HE has never failed me, and HE won’t!  And just a note on the big, scary “predestination” subject, it is used here of our state IN Jesus, not how we got saved.  I have no intention of trying to explain God’s foreknowledge and how that works out in humankind.  I will simply say that we must let scripture say what scripture says, and the same Word of God that talks about “predestination”, “election”, and “choosing”, also says clearly that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. (See Romans 10:13, John 3:15-16) We humans have an affinity for making what is simple for God, hard for people to understand.  So for today, we’ll just leave this discussion for another day.

Let’s peruse some passages that confirm God’s total control over all things.  I pray that you will find comfort, peace, and even some answers to question that may have plagued you.  God loves you and has things in control—even though on our human side of things they are totally askew; God still does “Reign”!

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering,

and come before him:

worship the LORD

in the beauty of holiness.

30 Fear before him,

all the earth:

the world also shall be stable,

that it be not moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad,

and let the earth rejoice:

and let men say among the nations,

The LORD reigneth.”  1 Chronicles 16:29-31

And a word from Isaiah:

“Therefore my people shall know my name:

therefore they shall know in that day

that I am he that doth speak:

behold, it is I.

7 How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,

that publisheth peace;

that bringeth good tidings of good,

that publisheth salvation;

that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”   Isaiah 52:6-7

Just a few of the many references from the Psalmists also help:

“The LORD reigneth,

he is clothed with majesty;

the LORD is clothed with strength,

wherewith he hath girded himself:

the world also is stablished,

that it cannot be moved.

2 Thy throne is established of old:

thou art from everlasting.” Psalm 93:1-2

“The LORD reigneth;

let the earth rejoice;

let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.”   Psalm 97:1

“O worship the LORD

in the beauty of holiness:

fear before him,

all the earth.

10 Say among the heathen that

the LORD reigneth:

the world also shall be established

that it shall not be moved:

he shall judge the people righteously.”  Psalm 96:9-10

Now, two final passages from the Psalms.  One a reference to God’s sovereignty, the other a picture of what our response ought to be:

“The LORD reigneth;

let the people tremble:

he sitteth between the cherubims;

let the earth be moved.

2 The LORD is great in Zion;

and he is high above all the people.

3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name;

for it is holy.”  Psalm 99:1-3

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness:

come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

 and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth

endureth to all generations.”  Psalm 100:1-5

Amen and Amen!!!

A Different Mother’s Day??? Repost of Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 10

10 Wednesday May 2023

Posted by in Broken Hearts, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Grief, Growing in Jesus!, Loss, Mothers

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 10 A Different Mother’s Day???                                            A Repost from May of 2020

I want to share just a brief thought or two today; as most of you know my only daughter was murdered last December, causing this to be a unique Mother’s Day this year.  I simply want to share a few things that have gotten me through this time, and hopefully to encourage other mothers (or anyone) who have unique issues they are dealing with.  The main thing I want to say is the same thing I have said since tragedy struck our lives, ‘God is still God! God is still good! And I still trust HIM!’  I say this only because it is true, and like Paul I can say it because I have confidence in my Lord—the One who saves and keeps me every day!  Without fear, shame or doubt I know I can rely upon HIM!

“Be not thou therefore ashamed

of the testimony of our Lord,

nor of me his prisoner:

but be thou partaker

of the afflictions of the gospel

according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us,

and called us

with an holy calling,

not according to our works,

but according to his own purpose

and grace,

which was given us in Christ Jesus

before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest

by the appearing of our Saviour

Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death,

and hath brought life

and immortality to light

through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed

a preacher,

and an apostle,

and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed:

for I know

whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.”  2 Timothy 1:8-12

It is true because “I know whom I have believed”—and HE is my everything!  And while your issues may be different than mine, God knows where you are, and HE will meet you where you are –for HE knows what you feel!

“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

One of the things that has helped me, is to remember that while I feel sorrow, grief and pain in my loss, God is working His will, His purposes, and His glory all around me.  And after all HE has done, is doing and will do for me, how can I do less than trust myself to HIS care.  He has never failed me!  Never!  And one of the passages that is my “go to” for encouragement I’ll share with you, because often times we experience the evil of the world, and we must trust to our God to take care of things that are out of our control.  I forgive, not because I necessarily want to, but because I am forgiven, and I can trust to God’s love, care and justice to accomplish righteousness and justice in HIS own time.

“Fret not thyself

because of evildoers,

neither be thou envious

against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee

the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself

in any wise

to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off:

but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth.”  Psalm 37:1-9

I know that God has walked with me on the good days, and on the difficult days.  He has heard my cries, seen my tears, and comforted my uneasy frustrations—and HE WILL meet you where you are, if you will but turn to HIM.  If you will walk through this Psalm and practice the instructions in it!

Trust—Delight—Commit—Rest—Fret Not—Cease from Anger!

While these are simple sounding instructions, they are not easy, especially when we are hurting.  But when we practice them day by day and watch our faithful God act faithfully, we learn to rely on His character—His love—His perfect ways—and know that HE will meet our every need.

And besides all this Jesus is our faithful intercessor!  I have a close circle of friends whom I know I can depend on for earnest, diligent prayer; and while I take great comfort and confidence in these dear ones and their care for me, there is One greater than them or me who is ever praying for me!

“But this man,

because he continueth ever,

hath an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Wherefore he is able also

to save them to the uttermost

that come unto God by him,

seeing he ever liveth

to make intercession for them.”  Hebrews 7:24-25

Oh, you have no way to know the comfort, strength and assurance that I take from this truth!  You can trust HIM!  And I’ll have to say that my love and appreciation for Him has increased above measure, not diminished, through these recent months.  You see, we all make choices!  We can choose to allow the enemy to distract, depress and discourage us to the point of dejection—or we can stand fast in the truth that we have a Savior who not only prays for us now, but HE also gave HIS life’s blood for me!  And I can only tell you that going through my daughter’s blood soaked clothing (when we got them back from the police) not only brought the reality of her death ‘up close and personal’ but even more importantly planted a truth in my heart that I pray I will never forget;  Her life was stolen from her by evil, but Jesus Christ my Lord shed HIS blood for me—willingly, lovingly, purposely—for without it you and I would have no hope of salvation and eternal life with God!!!  That truth is ever cemented in my heart and mind and without being gory, I praise God that I see John 3:16 in a new light!  May I never forget!

“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.”   John 3:16

GOD gave HIS SON for me!  For you!  Won’t you trust in the blood that Jesus shed for your salvation, deliverance, and redemption—that you might have “everlasting life”!  And if you already know Him, and are facing difficult circumstances, sorrow, grief, pain, confusion, turmoil or any other problem, won’t you “fix your eyes” on Jesus right now.  Rehearse Psalm 37, and these other verses and let God apply the soothing “Balm of Gilead” to your heart and soul!  Resist the devil and REST in the ONE who cares for YOU!

“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

In closing I pray that you will find comfort, hope and encouragement in God’s Word tonight.

“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 10:10-11

He gave HIS BLOOD for me!  For YOU!  Amen and Amen!!!

P.S. I needed this reminder again as much as anyone.  Blessings on your Mother’s Day!

Faithful Even On 9-11!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #753

11 Saturday Sep 2021

Posted by in 9-11-01 20th Anniversary

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #753  Faithful Even On 9-11!!!

 

I just want to share a word of reflection and encouragement on this 20thanniversary of the disaster of September 11, 2001.  I want to make it simple but hopeful for all who might read this post, that GOD is still GOD, GOD is still good, and I still trust HIM!!!  YOU can too!

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying,

This is the word of the LORD

unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”  Zechariah 4:6

And what God did, does, and will do to save those who will come unto HIM in repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Jesus for my/our sin!

“Moreover, brethren,

I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:”   1 Corinthians 15:1-4

And as Paul so aptly reminds us of in his letter to the church at Rome, may we remember that “we love HIM because HE first loved us” (emphasis mine, see 1 John 4:19)!

“For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”   Romans 5:7-11

All because HE loves you and me—no matter the crises!

“Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”  Titus 3:5

A Trustworthy, Faithful God!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #628

26 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Amazing Grace, Confidence, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Trust God, Trusting Jesus, Truth

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #628    A Trustworthy, Faithful God!!!

 

Just a brief word of encouragement this morning; no matter the trial, crises, or tragedy—God IS ever faithful.  And when you learn to trust Him in the everyday things, you will find your confidence adequate in the “biggies”!

“Thy mercy,

O LORD,

is in the heavens;

and thy faithfulness

reacheth unto the clouds.”  Psalm 36:5

God is faithful to accomplish HIS work in this world, in our lives and HE will be with you, for HE has promised to be with His own to conform us into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ,

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”  Philippians 1:6

I pray that whatever you are facing today, that you will set your eyes on Jesus, and not the issue!  Remember Daniel—his eyes were on his faithful God not the lions.  Peter even reminds us of this analogy—may it encourage you today!

“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 5:8-11

And in closing one of my favorite passages from the prophet Jeremiah, who wrote these words after he saw the fall of Jerusalem—knowing that God remained faithful in the rubble of broken dreams!

“This I recall to my mind,

therefore have I hope.

22 It is of the LORD’S mercies

that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning:

great is thy faithfulness.

24 The LORD is my portion,

saith my soul;

therefore will I hope in him.

25 The LORD is good unto them

that wait for him,

to the soul that seeketh him.

26 It is good that a man should both

hope

and quietly wait

for the salvation of the LORD.”   Lamentations 3:21-26.

Amen and Amen!