Tag Archives: HOPE

Is It Always MY Way??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #452

11 Wednesday Apr 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, God of all comfort!, Great is Thy Faithfulness, I Will Never Leave You, Look UP

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #452 Is It Always MY Way???

 

Just a short word this morning, as I sit here watching the windmill turn in the breeze—and for Oklahoma, it’s nice to have a breeze and not the gusty winds we often have—and relish the beauty of God’s creation. I couldn’t help but think about how often we begin to think that we are the “creator” and have the right to tell God what to do. Yet God calls us to come to Him with our burdens, our needs and our frustrations, trusting to His provision and care not 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

Praise God for His abundant grace and mercy—He saves us and calls us unto Himself, that we might know His goodness and faithful provision. As an old song says, “if I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that He could solve them…” (Through It All, by Andre’ Crouch!), and we can trust all our cares to the One who gave Himself for us.

“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.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

So instead of exalting ourselves in our own pride and self-importance, we must humble ourselves before The One who loves us and cares about everything in our life, especially His work of drawing us near to His own heart, to conform us into the image of His Son!

“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

No luck, no chance, but the mighty hand of Almighty God ever at work in the lives of His children to conform us “to the image of his Son” that we might have life “more abundantly” through Jesus Christ The Son! And the ultimate picture of the life that Jesus lived on earth is seen in one of my favorite passages. Ponder it today; think on it’s principles; feast on its power; and rejoice in the goodness of our God—and humble yourself in HIS presence—God’s got this (no matter what your “this” it!)

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:5-6  Amen and Amen!!!

How Much Good Is Enough??? Bible Ballistics: Vol.11 No. 07

11 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Follow Me, Grace, He That Is Without Sin, How much goodness is enough?, I Can Do All Things?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, My Grace Is Sufficient, No Sin No Need?, Repentance, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Time Is Grace!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.07 How Much Good Is Enough???

 

I was most encouraged by the message I heard this morning, as it reminded me of the awesome wonder of “Grace”—God’s “Amazing Grace” for sure! But what is grace? We’ve all heard the definition of grace, “underserved and unmerited favor”! But grace goes so much farther than this simple idea. What is it that saves us? It is God’s grace for sure, but what does that look like?

Let’s peruse some familiar passages in scripture and see what we can conclude. Is it our goodness that saves, or is it God’s goodness? Goodness which according to Paul’s letter to the Romans is totally underserved! But I praise God that HE has saved me anyway!!! That HE is willing to save all who will come to HIM through Jesus!

“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.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 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 5:1-11

We are “justified” by faith in Jesus; made right with God—we who were “without strength”, who were “the ungodly”; and yet God loved us “while we were yet sinners”—all who are apart from Jesus!!!

“while we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son“

There is “none righteous, (good before God) no, not one” –apart from Jesus’ righteousness, we are all lost! And that’s what we must come to understand! It’s all about the sacrifice that Jesus made, not how “good” we can be! We can’t be good enough to cover the sin we’ve already, committed, much less the sins that we fall to each and every day! Paul has even more to say to the Ephesians, which reiterates the truth that we are all “sinners”, in need of a Savior—and only God’s grace provides the solution to our need—Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for our salvation (See 1 Corinthians 15:3-6)!!!

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses

and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince of the power

of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind;

and were by nature the children

of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love

wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew

the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness

toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 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 2:1-10

Did you get that?

“we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God

hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them”

It’s all about HIM—not about us! We “are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus”! There aren’t enough good works that we can do to ‘save’ ourselves, and because of that—sin– GOD sent us Jesus to do what we could never do—save ourselves! There aren’t enough good works to make up for the sin that we have done, are doing and will do—never enough!

“Therefore

if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us

to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then

we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you

by us:

we pray you

in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled

to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

God accepts Christ Jesus’ sacrifice—our sin placed on HIM–and credits to our account Jesus’ perfect righteousness! He who “knew no sin” took on my sin, because He loves me, and you; all so that you and I might be made “the righteousness of God in him”! And it’s only “in him”! Only One Way—Jesus! And as Paul also said in another of his letters, when we know Jesus:

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

As Jesus himself reminds us, when we “abide” in Him, He will supply everything that we need to live, grow and be of service to HIM!

“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 15:1-5

So, my question for us today is, how much goodness are you depending on? How much goodness must one have to be right with God? Whose goodness? How much grace must God show to you before you will believe that He has made provision for YOU?

“But God

commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us”

Until we see ourselves as “sinners” we will never need a Savior! There is not enough ‘goodness’ in the world to save—but there is a ‘good’ God who has already paid the price to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.

“Testifying both to the Jews,

and also to the Greeks,

repentance toward God,

and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”    Acts 20:21

Amen and Amen!!! Grace at it’s best—IN Jesus!!!

The Battle Is God’s!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #443

09 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Confidence, Fearlessness, Follow Me, God of all comfort!, Holy Spirit, HOPE, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Praise God Today!, Rest In The Lord, Safe In The Storm!, The Word, TODAY, Unexpected Interruptions, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #443 The Battle IS God’s!!!

 

We all have difficulties, trials, unexpected “interruptions”, and surprises, so I’d just like to take a few minutes this morning to remind us all that God is still God and HE has it.

“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…….

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.”   2 Chronicles 20:15 & 17

We must always keep our eyes on Jesus, our Father God and His precious Holy Spirit. God has it—no matter where you are or what you are going through, remember, “the battle is not yours, but God’s”, so let Him have it!!! We can trust Him and walk in HIS Spirit.

“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

So as we go about our living ‘today’, may we remember that the battle “is not yours, but God’s”—and God is our strength and redeemer. Our part is to follow Him, keep our eyes on Him, and walk in the power, provision and wisdom of HIS Holy Spirit

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”   Galatians 5:1

God calls us to walk with Him, and He will provide our every need—our job is to consciously walk “in the Spirit” not our own selfish flesh and desires, but in HIS Spirit and HIS way.

“If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

And we can do that because Jesus has given us His Spirit, who empowers us to live through the new covenant; which is the indwelling Holy Spirit:

“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 1:27

And the Christ in me—never fails:

“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. God’s got it!!!

In The Shadows??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #441

02 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Me, God of all comfort!, Growing in Jesus!, I Will Never Leave You, Love, Perseverance, Rest In The Lord, Shadows, The Only Way, The Word, TODAY, Troubles

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #441        In The Shadows???

 

There are many around us today who are going through difficult circumstances, trying times, and deep sorrows and grief, so I thought we’d take a few minutes today to remind ourselves that even though the “shadows” come, we serve the God of light—He is light, and He walks with His own—even in the dark!

Daniel rehearsed the character of God as he praised HIM for answering his prayer for help along with his three friends, who were in peril of their lives. It is an amazing reminder of who our God IS, and that we can praise HIM also! Today!!!

“Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God

for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep

and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.”    Daniel 2:20-22

God knows the valley that you are going through—no matter how dark it seems, no matter how long that valley may seem, and He is with us through it all.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff

they comfort me.”   Psalm 23:4

I pray that this brief post will encourage your heart today no matter where you are, or what you may be going through; and that you will remember that God never wastes any opportunity to use our circumstances to grow us in His grace– and to display His love and grace in us, making us a beacon of His love, light and grace to a world that needs Jesus!!! A world that is in the dark!

“Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort

wherewith we ourselves

are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ

abound in us,

so our consolation also

aboundeth by Christ.”   2 Corinthians 1:2-5

And this “God of all comfort” is ready to comfort and encourage you today; won’t you look up and open your heart and mind to see His hand extended to you! And as I close our time together today, I’d like to share an old gospel song that God brought to my mind as I sat here writing this post. May it comfort and encourage you and it has my heart so often through the years, especially when those “shadows deepen, and my heart bleeds”!

We’ll Talk It Over

By Ira Stanphill

“Tho’ shadows deepen, and my heart bleeds,
I will not question the way He leads;
This side of Heaven we know in part,
I will not question a broken heart. 

We’ll talk it over in the bye and bye.
We’ll talk it over, my Lord and I.
I’ll ask the reasons – He’ll tell me why,
When we talk it over in the bye and bye. 

I’ll trust His leading, He’ll never fail,
Thru darkest tunnels or misty vales.
Obey his bidding and faithful be,
Tho’ only one step ahead I see. 

We’ll talk it over in the bye and bye.
We’ll talk it over, my Lord and I.
I’ll ask the reasons – He’ll tell me why,
When we talk it over in the bye and bye. 

I’ll hide my heartache behind a smile
And wait for reasons ’til after while.
And tho’ He try me, I know I’ll find
That all my burdens are silver lined. 

We’ll talk it over in the bye and bye.
We’ll talk it over, my Lord and I.
I’ll ask the reasons – He’ll tell me why,
When we talk it over in the bye and bye.”

May you recognize that our awesome “God of all comfort” is simply waiting for you to reach out to HIM!!! Have a blessed day my friend and know you are loved and prayed for. Amen and Amen!!!

Watch MY Words, Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #439

23 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Free Speech?, Knowing God's Word, Speaking, The Word, The Word Or The World?, TODAY, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?, Words Matter

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #439   Watch MY Words, Really???

 

We talk about the right to “Free Speech” in our country, and while we do have the “Freedom” of “Speech”, speech isn’t free. Speech comes with a cost! The words we choose to use—out loud—do have a cost: a cost to our relationships; a cost to the feelings of others; a cost to the influence that we bear and how it affects others–either for the good or for the worse; a cost of honor or shame; a cost of attention-be it good or bad attention. Yet our speech is often used without thought or regard for the effect of our words—we just don’t always ‘Think’ before we ‘speak’. So I’d just like us to take a few minutes this morning to remind ourselves to, as a favorite secular proverb says, “Watch your words, and keep them sweet, you never know, which ones you’ll eat!”

Our tongue can spread great joy and goodwill, or we can change the air around us with our lack of wisdom and self-control.

“If any man among you

seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”   James 1:26

Our words reveal to others who we really are and what we believe and feel. Jesus told us about this very thing.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”             Matthew 15:18-19

What we choose to speak with our “mouth” in reality will “come forth from the heart”; and while we may smile and say, “I’m just joking!”, people will eventually see that our motives are often less than pure! We who are following Jesus ought to speak out of a heart full of love for Him and others. And God’s love always does that which is best for the recipient! After all, He gave us the standard, “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and “love thy neighbor as thyself”! And we all know that while the children shout “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” it is far from true, and “words” do hurt—often to the depth of the soul. So we ought to be careful how we use our words, for love makes a difference! James had a lot to say about the tongue.

“Even so the tongue is a little member,

and boasteth great things.

Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire,

a world of iniquity:

so is the tongue among our members,

that it defileth the whole body,

and setteth on fire the course of nature;

and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea,

is tamed,

and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue

can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.” James 3:5-8 

How about you and me? Are our words poison or blessing—are we uplifting others or putting them down? We are called to be a blessing to the world, not poison!

“Finally, be ye all of one mind,

having compassion one of another,

love as brethren,

be pitiful,

be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil,

or railing for railing:

but contrariwise blessing;

knowing that ye are thereunto called,

that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life,

and see good days,

let him refrain his tongue from evil,

and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil,

and do good;

let him seek peace,

and ensue it.” 1 Peter 3:8-11

So may we each go forth today and render blessings with our words—never compromising the truth–but calling others to the cross, to the Savior who loves them so much that He gave His life for our salvation!!! May our words spread the peace of God with the world around us, rather than discord!

“And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace shall be with you.”    Philippians 4:7-9

So “think on these things” today, and each day………and speak accordingly!!!

“Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O LORD,

my strength,

and my redeemer.”   Psalm 19:14

Amen and Amen!!!