Tag Archives: HOPE

Jesus IS My Source Of Strength!!!

06 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, By His Grace, Dependence, Encouragement, God of all comfort!, God's Faithfulness, HOPE, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, JESUS, Keeping our eyes on JESUS!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #649 Jesus IS My Source Of Strength!!!

 

As many are struggling around us with the current crises, I simply want to take the time today to share with you some scriptures of encouragement.  We all need to remember WHO is the source of life, hope, and salvation—Jesus!

“I will love thee, O LORD,

my strength.

2 The LORD is my rock,

and my fortress,

and my deliverer;

my God,

my strength,

in whom I will trust;

my buckler,

and the horn of my salvation,

and my high tower.”  Psalm 18:1-2

He (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is our “high tower”, and so much more.

“The name of the LORD

is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it,

and is safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

Oh, how often I run into that “strong tower” when no one sees, when no one knows, when no one else understands—for HE reminds me that I am safe in HIS arms, under His wings there is comfort, help and restoration!

“Be merciful unto me, O God,

be merciful unto me:

for my soul trusteth in thee:

yea, in the shadow of thy wings

will I make my refuge,

 until these calamities be overpast.

2 I will cry unto God most high;

unto God

that performeth all things for me.”   Psalm 57:1-2

How often I need to be reminded that my strength comes when I kneel—rather than when I try to stand in my own strength, wisdom or power!  He is my all in all—always!

“Where there is neither

Greek nor Jew,

circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian,

bond nor free:

but Christ is all,

and in all.” Colossians 3:11

We can know that Christ Jesus is in us, because He has promised His Holy Spirit to all who come to Him in repentance and faith, in fact The Holy Spirit in us IS the evidence that we are HIS!  And Jesus gave us His promise that His Spirit will be with us.

“These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send

in my name,

he shall teach you

all things,

and bring all things

to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said

unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”   John 14:25-27

And may the words of Paul comfort and encourage us to keep our eyes “fixed on Jesus”, and not only receive His comfort and strength but share HIM with those around us!

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing

one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word or deed,

do all

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks

to God and the Father

by him.”   Colossians 3:15-17

“Now the God of hope fill you

with all joy and peace in believing,

that ye may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Ghost.”  Romans 15:13

Amen and Amen!!!

A Living HOPE??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #641

08 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Born Again, He IS Alive!, HOPE, IN Jesus!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Resurrection, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Love of God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #641       A Living HOPE???

 

“Behold, the eye of the LORD

is upon them

 that fear him,

upon them

that hope in his mercy;

19 To deliver their soul from death,

and to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waiteth

for the LORD:

he is our help

and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice

in him, because

we have trusted

in his holy name.

22 Let thy mercy,

O LORD,

be upon us,

according as we hope

in thee.”  Psalm 33:18-22

As we approach the celebration of our Lord Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, I just want to remind each of us of the HOPE that we have in Jesus—regardless of our circumstances!  So may these words of scripture encourage your heart along with mine, as we rehearse the goodness, grace and love of our God and Father, through the gift of His Son, Jesus for our sin; as well as the precious gift to every believer of the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide, direct, teach and lead us as we yield to Him and God’s Word (which He helps us to understand and conform to!)!

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself,

and God, even our Father,

which hath loved us,

and hath given us

everlasting consolation

and good hope

through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts,

and stablish you

in every good word

and work.”  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

May we each rest in that comfort that only God can give, my friends, despite the current events plaguing our world; don’t let ‘these things’ take your eyes off of the victory that our Lord Jesus purchased at Calvary and delivered at the “empty” tomb!  HE AROSE—so we can have victory.  Don’t let the enemy distract you with fear, discouragement, worry, and especially “hopelessness”; for of all people in this world the children of God have an eternal HOPE!!!  HIS name is JESUS—and HE LIVES!

“Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which according to his abundant mercy

hath begotten us again

unto a lively hope

by the resurrection

of Jesus Christ

from the dead,

4 To an inheritance

incorruptible,

and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away,

reserved in heaven

for you,

5 Who are kept

by the power of God

through faith

unto salvation

ready to be revealed

in the last time.”   1 Peter 1:3-5

Not only is HE RISEN—HE is coming back again—and sooner, I believe, than we might think!  Are you ready to meet HIM?  Have you let the enemy get your eyes on your surroundings instead of our living Lord?  Take time today to rejoice in whose we are—and WHO has given us this eternal, living “HOPE”!  Even as Paul told the young preacher boy, Titus so many years ago; and as an old song reminds us of the truth that we’re closer home than we’ve ever been before! Amen!  Hallelujah!  Praise The God from whom all blessings flow!

“Looking for that blessed hope,

and the glorious appearing

of the great God

and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself

for us,

that he might redeem us

from all iniquity,

and purify unto himself

a peculiar people,

zealous of good works.”    Titus 2:13-14

Remember the words of our dear Lord before He left this world!

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house

are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place

for you.

3 And if I go

and prepare a place

for you,

I will come again,

and receive you

unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

1 Peye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not

whither thou goest;

and how can we know

the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh

unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:1-6

All because of HIS grace, HIS love, and HIS sacrifice!  Thank You, Jesus.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  Our redeemer IS coming for us!

“And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption

draweth nigh.”  Luke 21:28

Amen and Amen!

 

The Gift Of Memory??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #626

19 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Bibe Study, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Distractions, Encouragement, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Great is Thy Faithfulness, JESUS, Jesus IS The Gift!, Knowing God's Word, Listening To God, Memory

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #626     The Gift Of Memory???

 

The memory can be a precious gift of God, and unlike a computer, we don’t have a “delete” button to clear our minds, but we can seek God’s cleansing power to keep our hearts and minds tuned to Him and His truth.  And while there are good memories and unpleasant memories, we can train ourselves to think on the things of God rather than the things of the world, so I simply want to share some scriptures which I pray will help you ‘think’ right and dwell on godly things—doable but not easy!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be

any wicked way in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”   Psalm 139:23-24

May we learn to pursue the things that God calls us to, and Paul gives us a great instruction for us.

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 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 4:6-9

I pray that you will spend some time today thinking “on these things”.  We face so much wickedness in our world, it takes a mind set on Jesus to keep us on track; but as we pursue God, we will find Him faithful and sufficient!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this

unto you.”  Philippians 3:13-15.

We need to remember that we are in a spiritual battle, and that battle is won in the mind and heart, and we must do our part by learning to think biblically and measure all things by God’s Word.  The battle is in our minds.

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down

of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”    2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I pray that you will seek God’s heart today as you face the issues of life.

Amen and Amen!!!

“My son,

attend to

my words;

incline thine ear

unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart

from thine eyes;

keep them

in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those

that find them,

and health

to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence;

for out of it are the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:20-23

A Word Of Encouragement For All!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #625

14 Friday Feb 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Believe IN Jesus, Born Again, Choose You This Day!, Encouragement, God's Secret Place, Grief, The Secret Place

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #625. A Word Of Encouragement For All!!!

A Repost from the past that touched my heart and I hope it will touch yours!

“Bible Ballistics: BBs  #369    God’s Secret Place !!!

“He that dwelleth in the secret place

of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD,

He is my refuge

and my fortress:

my God;”   Psalm 91:1

I’d just like to share a word of encouragement with you today. As children we all loved “secret” things: secret codes, secret places, just plain secrets–although secrets are seldom kept! But God keeps His secrets until the proper time comes to reveal them. Here the Psalmist mentions the one who “dwelleth in the secret place of the most High”, and tells us that he/she will abide under the “shadow of the Almighty”; a reference to the fact that those who belong to God, are cared for. Just as a sweeping Oak Tree will shade everything under it’s ‘shadow’, God cares for those who are His own. And you can be assured that God knows His own children—we who are His through faith in Jesus Christ The Lord—and we can confidently proclaim with the Psalmist that:

“He is my refuge

and my fortress:

my God;

in him will I trust”

How do we get into that “secret place”? Through faith in Jesus, and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,                                                                                          the truth,                                                                                                and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,                                                                         but by me.” John 14:6

Jesus is the ONLY way to be in that “secret place” of God! And when we come there, God is truly our refuge, and fortress, the One in whom we can always “trust”! Mary, the sister of Lazarus, had to choose what she would believe.

“Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection, and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord:

I believe

that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come into the world.”     John 11:25-27

Mary believed what Jesus said, and she made the decision to trust in HIM. In her specific incident, she believed that Jesus, The Messiah, could take care of her grief in the loss of her brother, and in that belief she saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. And praise God we can all be raised to life with Him, now, as well as after our death, or at His return. And until then we can live victorious lives through His indwelling Holy Spirit.

“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

This wonderful “secret”, this “mystery”, is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”! The promise of the New Covenant is Jesus dwelling within us through His Holy Spirit—He is the evidence that we belong to Jesus. He is the power that keeps us! He is the assurance of the glory to come!!! And we ought to depend on this amazing gift of God to guide, teach and direct our steps. He is the “secret” place where we are safe and secure, but even more importantly; He empowers us to serve our God powerfully in that place—through His indwelling presence, “Christ in you”! Are you in Him? Is He in you? If not won’t you come to Him today? If you are His already, won’t you welcome and embrace His will for you? He longs to have you “abide” in Him, in loving gratitude, devotion and dependence!

“Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father

by him.”   Colossians 3:16-17

Amen and Amen!!!”

Faithful IS HE Who Promised!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 20

12 Sunday Jan 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Amazing Grace, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 20  Faithful IS HE Who Promised!!!

 

I have a brief word to share with you today—GOD IS FAITHFUL!  If I don’t know anything else, I know that God has been, is, and will continue to be the source of my strength, especially in recent days!

“And he said,

It is a light thing that thou shouldest

be my servant

to raise up the tribes of Jacob,

and to restore the preserved of Israel:

I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles,

that thou mayest be my salvation

unto the end of the earth.

7 Thus saith the LORD,

the Redeemer of Israel,

and his Holy One,

to him whom man despiseth,

to him whom the nation abhorreth,

to a servant of rulers,

Kings shall see

and arise,

princes also

shall worship,

because of the LORD

that is faithful,

and the Holy One

of Israel,

and he shall choose thee.”   Isaiah 49:6-7

I am praying for all of you who read this, that God may comfort and encourage you today, and that you may hear The Lord’s voice speaking to you.  No matter where you are or what your circumstances are, may The Spirit of The Living God open your eyes to see HIS Redeemer!  May you know that He cares for you and respond in repentance and faith to His call!

“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

In recent days I have rested in the faithfulness of this God who cares for you and me; and I am trusting to HIS sufficient provision to do HIS will in and through my life, and yours, for:

God IS who He says HE is—The I AM!

God DOES what He says HE will do—Save us from our sin!!

God NEVER fails—HE IS MY all in all!

God IS still at work, and Jesus IS coming back—for His own!

I truly believe The Lord Jesus’ return is eminent, and I pray that you are ready.

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place

for you.

3 And if I go

and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not

whither thou goest;

and how can we know

the way?”  John 14:1-5

Do you know the way?  I pray that if you don’t, you will turn to Him today—for JESUS IS the way!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

I would simply like to leave you with some food for thought, that your confidence may rest in Him today!

“Faithful is he that calleth you,

who also will do it.”  1 Thessalonians 5:24

“And Jesus said unto them,

I am the bread of life:

he that cometh to me

shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me

shall never thirst.

36 But I said unto you,

That ye also have seen me,

and believe not.

37 All that the Father giveth me

shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven,

not to do mine own will,

but the will of him that sent me.

39 And this is the Father’s will

which hath sent me,

that of all which he hath given me

I should lose nothing,

but should raise it up again

at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”   John 6:35-40

May this assurant truth encourage your heart, for it is as true today as it was when it was written, and ever shall be!  Won’t you look to Jesus today?

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven

as he went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said,

Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

this same Jesus, which is taken up from you

into heaven, shall so come in like manner

as ye have seen him go into heaven.”   Acts 1:10-11