Bible Ballistics: BBs #640 Keeping Our Eyes On The Prize???

 

I would like to share a word of encouragement today for all of us as we continue to watch the world caught up in this pandemic.  Those of us who know Jesus, should have a confidence and peace that will cause others to see our Lord Jesus in us, rather than the worldly chaos that is all around us.  May you take heart in these reminders.

“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.”   Philippians 3:13-14

When we recognize our calling to follow Jesus, rather than the call of the world, we will find that we have to “forget” something, and set our sights, if you would, “on things above”!  Remembering that we have a great testimony of the faithful to encourage us!  Not a cheering squad in heaven, but rather, testifiers to the faithfulness of our God.

“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.”   Hebrews 12:1-2

I encourage you to read through Hebrews chapter 11 for a boost to your faith, hope and confidence in The God Almighty of the universe, and His Son Jesus! Isaiah gave us a picture of God’s faithfulness even when we have great trials surrounding us!  God never said we wouldn’t have trials, or that simply speaking “His Name” would make us immune to the realities of life in a broken world, but  He did promise that He would be there with us, and He would accomplish His purpose in, with, and through us, if we will but trust to HIS perfect will and provision!

“But now thus saith the LORD

that created thee, O Jacob,

and he that formed thee, O Israel,

Fear not:

for I have redeemed thee,

I have called thee by thy name;

thou art mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters,

I will be with thee;

and through the rivers,

they shall not overflow thee:

when thou walkest through the fire,

thou shalt not be burned;

neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the LORD thy God,

the Holy One of Israel,

thy Saviour… ”   Isaiah 43:1-3a

God never said we’d never have difficulties—but He did say we’d never walk through them alone (and Isaiah implies here that these are not things of our own making or presumption).  May these words ring in your heart and mind as you face a broken, sick world that is going crazy around us.

“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

May God bless and comfort your heart; and may He also grant you wisdom in your decisions in this difficult time.

Amen and Amen!!!