Tag Archives: Jesus Saves!

An Amazing Oxymoron??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #618

17 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Blessed by God, Born Again, Gospel, Grace

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #618     An Amazing Oxymoron???

 

One of my favorite gospel hymns is “Amazing Grace” by John Newton, and while it is “old”, like me, it resounds with truth and hope; and yet this week as I was listening to it for the ‘umpty-dozeneth’ time, it struck me that this powerful song has a most amazing oxymoron, and it just gripped my heart and I’d like to share a few thoughts with you this morning that may speak to you as well.

I’d like to share the second verse with you and delve into its depths.

“T’was Grace

that taught my heart to fear

And Grace,

my fears relieved

How precious did

that grace appear

The hour I first believed.”

Have you ever recognized that it truly is God’s grace that brings us to “fear”—to see our sin and its consequence?  That’s Bible and it’ll preach!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”   John 6:44

God is the One who convicts of sin, and without seeing our sin—without that “Grace that taught my heart to fear”, we have no need for The Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord!  But praise God He sent Jesus to be our substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice!  And it is the Holy Spirit of God who brings that conviction of sin to our hearts, without which we could never be born again into Jesus!

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will

reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.”  John 16:7-11

That very Spirit whom Jesus promised to send, is the One who opens our eyes to see our own sin, but the oxymoron is that HE is also the ONE who “my fears relieved”!  And that’s why we can rejoice and sing:

“How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed”!

And not only from that first moment but in every moment since, and in every moment that God grants me to serve Him in this world!  That my friends, is truly “Amazing Grace”!  God’s grace, and He is holding out that very grace to you today, if you don’t know Him yet.  And if you know HIM and are in a hard place, it is that same grace that will carry you through!  God is continually at work through that wonderful grace of Jesus, to not only save us unto Himself, but to conform us into HIS very image—bringing glory to God and accomplishing His purpose in our every step!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”   Romans 11:36

And another of my favorite passages that I pray will bring you hope and encouragement today!

“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 2:8-10

And let me close with this thought; many in recent days have made comment regarding my ‘strong faith’, and I appreciate that, but we must understand and know that it’s not “my” faith that is the issue—the issue is The One in whom “my” faith is placed!  It’s the Amazing Savior who saved me many long years ago—The One who has picked me up time and time again.  The One who has walked with me when I was ‘up’, and The One who has walked with me when I was ‘down’!  The One who died that I might have “abundant life”.  And that “abundant life” is my hope, and confidence from and in The One, Jesus, to whom I belong.  And you can have that same life, faith, peace and grace if you will but call out to HIM and receive HIS peace!

“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 14:26                                                 (Read the whole chapter)

So, I pray that God will speak to your heart that amazing, wonderful grace that Jesus died and rose again to provide for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.  You are loved and prayed for, and that “Amazing Grace” will deliver you too!

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

My Shepherd–My Lord!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #617

15 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Amazing Grace, Peace, Perilous Times Are Here, Rejoice IN The Lord, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Love of God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #617     My Shepherd –My Lord!!!

I’d like to share a repost of BBs #389 with you today, as it speaks  the truth of what my heart is standing in today!

Bible Ballistics: BBs  #389   Safe In Your Storm???

“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.”  Isaiah 42:2

God never promised that we wouldn’t encounter storms!  But He does promise that He will be with us when we face stormy situations.  He promises to be with us, and Psalmist, David understood who His God was, is and ever shall be:

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”   Psalm 23:1

Like David, we can come to know God as the faithful Shepherd, Redeemer and Deliverer, for God never says, “oops”, and He is never caught off guard!  Instead He is our “all in all”, in any and every situation.  (See Colossians 3:11)

“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.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

We must simply (though it’s not ‘easy’) trust in the Lord God Almighty and His Son Jesus to direct our steps!!!  I have learned through the years, that when we will trust and obey the clear directions of God, HE absolutely will direct our paths—yet we so often choose to go ‘our own’ way!  But when we choose to walk in His ways, He promises that He will never leave us to walk HIS path alone!

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be contentwith 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

He has never failed me, and He never will, for He is The God Most High, who cannot lie, and keeps His ‘Word’, all of it!  I’d like to share the first verses of a few of the Psalms from 23-35 (Read them all for yourself!), they all speak to the faithfulness of The God who saves and delivers!  Here are a few for you to ponder today, no matter the storm that you may be facing!!!

“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1

“Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1

“Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.”  Psalm 26:1

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalm 27:1

True  then—still true today!!!  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

He Opens Blinded Eyes To SEE??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #614

03 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Darkness or Light?, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #614  He Opens Blinded Eyes To SEE???

 

I must admit it’s been a long week at our house—yet God is truly faithful to “strengthen the weak hands” (and hearts, See Job 4:3).

“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

You see, just as David wrote the 23rd Psalm, he spoke of “my” shepherd—and that’s the point; have you come to the shepherd?  Has He opened your eyes?  Are you willing to trust Him to save you from your sin, or are you contented ‘in’ your sin?  These are all important questions, that we each ought to consider, for we all have blinded eyes without the convicting power of the Holy Spirit of God/Jesus!  He is the one who opens blinded eyes—He opened my eyes many long years ago, when I was so consumed with my own self-righteousness.  After all, I’d been in the church since I was born, I knew all the jargon, I knew how to blend in and keep people happy with me, but one day Jesus came to me!  No, not in person, but that convicting voice that calls to the heart spoke truth to my soul and said clearly, “You’re NOT mine!”  And I won’t take the time to describe the arguing that went on for hours, until finally I was willing to receive His truth about my own sin, fall on my knees and repent of trying to “save myself by my impressive ‘churchy’ stuff”, and called on Jesus to forgive my sin and save me by His blood sacrifice for me!  I got up from my living room floor a different woman!  And for the last 40+ years I am ever learning, from my Lord, how to see as HE sees!  How about you?  Let’s look at some truth from scripture that I pray will speak to your heart whether you know Jesus already (and need to hear His voice calling you to repent and recommit your “all” to Him—See 1 John 1:19); or if you’ve never bowed before this King of Kings and Lord of Lords, may He speak clearly to your heart, and may you open your ears to hear, your eyes to see, and your heart to believe, and receive the greatest gift of all.

As I was reading some public comments on an interview that I did regarding our recent tragedy, I was amazed at the number of people who had an “opinion” but totally missed the point of what was shared.  I thanked God that I was/am trusting HIM to use it to speak to eyes that are willing to see, ears that are willing to hear, and hearts that are desperate for help!  As a preacher friend of mine said long ago (and it gave me freedom from the “reaction/response” distraction!), “You can’t force feed people who don’t want to eat?”

“But though he had done so many miracles

before them,

yet they believed not on him:

38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake,

Lord,

who hath believed

our report?

and to whom hath the arm of the Lord

been revealed?

39 Therefore they could not believe,

because that Esaias said again,

40 He hath blinded their eyes,

and hardened their heart;

that they should not see

with their eyes,

nor understand

with their heart,

and be converted,

and I should heal them.”   John 12:37-40

These people who saw Jesus in the flesh refused to believe, with their own eyes, ears and heart, the very Son of God, and when we refuse, we aren’t guaranteed another opportunity!  What about me/you?  Has God spoken truth to your heart, and you have rejected it?

“But if our gospel be hid,

it is hid to them

that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world

hath blinded the minds

of them which believe not,

lest the light of the glorious gospel

of Christ,

who is the image of God,

should shine unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves,

but Christ Jesus the Lord;

and ourselves

your servants

for Jesus’ sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light

to shine out of darkness,

hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light

of the knowledge of the glory

of God

in the face of Jesus Christ.”  2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Even Jesus Himself reminded us that there is a “way that seemeth right” to a man/woman/boy/girl, but it leads the wrong way.

“Enter ye in

at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”   Matthew 7:13-15

In closing, may I challenge you to spend some time today, this weekend, considering your own vision!  For you see, the choice is yours, but be careful—there is a consequence for every choice, and that consequence isn’t set by you!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh

reap corruption;

 but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit

reap life everlasting.”   Galatians 6:7-8

My prayers are that you will have “eyes to see” and “ears to hear” and come to this Savior who gave HIS life for you!

Amen and Amen!!!

Arise–Shine–THE Light IS Come!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #613

01 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abiding In Jesus, Faithfulness, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Saves!, King Jesus, Life, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #613  Arise—Shine—THE Light IS Come!!!

 

There is a verse that I learned long ago as a child, and it is ever true today.  I can walk in “The Light” because my Jesus IS “The Light” of the world; and when we know Him, we are called to shine.

“Arise,

shine;

for thy light is come,

and the glory of the LORD

is risen upon thee.”  Isaiah 60:1

That light has not only come into the world, but He has come into my heart and life.  While events of recent days, have caused us pain and sorrow, we press on; this has caused some to ask us ‘how’ do you go on?  It has caused others to compliment our ‘strength’, and I simply remind them that just as the children’s song says, “I am weak, but HE IS strong” (From Jesus Loves Me by Anna Bartlett Warner).  And as The Lord reminded Paul:

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,

that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect

in weakness.

Most gladly therefore

will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ

may rest upon me.”   2 Corinthians 12:8-9

So, you see it’s not about me—it’s about the light that has shone in my heart and saved me; and my heart’s desire is that the world may see Jesus in me!  HIS light shining in us!  How could I do less, after all that HE has done in, for, by, and through me!  I love Him and I pray continually that I can be pleasing to my Lord and King!  After all, it’s what HE told us to do, and He empowers us to do it by the gift of His indwelling Holy Spirit!  As Paul so aptly put it:

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

May we ever remember the call that Jesus set before us, and ‘arise’, ‘shining’ His light to a dark world—knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ IS “THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD”!  Are you shining for Him?  Or have you let the smut of the world dim your globe?  You can fix your eyes on Jesus—keeping your eyes on the prize!  For me that is the heartfelt desire, to hear His “Well done thou good and faithful servant”!  He is the joy and light of my life!

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden

under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light unto

all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16

So Happy New Year to you and yours and “let your little light shine”—there are people who need to see!  Amen and Amen!!!