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What’cha Doing With Your Cup??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 16

19 Monday Sep 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Cups of cold water!, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, For Such A Time As This

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1 Corinthians 12:1-12, 1 Corinthians 3:10-16, Being God's servant, Being willing to go, Doing God's Work, Following Jesus, John 15:1-5, Just a cup of cold water, Matthew 10:40-42, Matthew 9:35-38, Praying the Lord of the harvest....., Romans 11:34-36, Spiritual Gifts, What'cha got in your cup?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 16   What’cha Doing With Your Cup???

Just a reminder this morning that God knows where you are and where I am, with all of our circumstances, pains, weakness, sorrow, or confusion, and HE speaks to us; will we but hear and heed what HE has to say!  We are called to follow HIM and leave the results and/or credit to JESUS!

“He that receiveth you

receiveth me,

and he that receiveth me

receiveth him that sent me.

41 He that receiveth a prophet

in the name of a prophet

shall receive a prophet’s reward;

and he that receiveth a righteous man

in the name of a righteous man

shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

42 And whosoever shall give to drink

unto one of these little ones

a cup of cold water

only in the name of a disciple,

verily I say unto you,

 he shall in no wise lose his reward.”  Matthew 10:40-42

One of the things that Jesus is telling us here is that none of us minister alone, and sometimes we’re called to be the “water boy” to assist the “prophet” on their way!  So, according to Jesus, if we are the “prophet” or the “water boy”, we each have our reward for service to HIM!  If we take up our cross and follow Jesus, the work and the rewards are according to HIS call and our willingness to serve, regardless of the task!

What are we doing for Jesus?  What has HE called you to be and do?  For the “being” must precede the doing, for if I have not yet become a child of God by being born again, the “doing” is our own, and not HIS work.  And as we have looked at recently, Jesus makes it clear in John 15, that we must abide in “the vine” to produce worthwhile fruit.

“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

What is your source; that upon which you depend for life, hope, strength, and direction?  If it’s not Jesus, then our work is of no real value.  Paul describes it in the most concise and picturesque way, let’s peruse its truth.

“According to the grace of God

which is given unto me,

as a wise masterbuilder,

I have laid the foundation,

and another buildeth thereon.

But let every man take heed

how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation

can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed

by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work

shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not

that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:10-16

Just as Jesus told His disciples, and us, in John 15, “for without me ye can do nothing”!  Do we really understand what this means?  Jesus makes it clear that He has called us to “do HIS work” not our own.  We can build with the wood, hay, and stubble, but when put to the fire test, it will burn for it is only that which is of “this world”, in contrast to the mined treasures that God created in the belly of the earth, and they must be mined by our earnest labor in the “field” of God; pursuing the things of God not the things that impress men!  The harvest is God’s, and we must labor in HIS Spirit, and HIS power not our own.

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages,

teaching in their synagogues,

and preaching the gospel of the kingdom,

and healing every sickness and every disease

among the people.

36 But when he saw the multitudes,

he was moved with compassion on them,

because they fainted,

and were scattered abroad,

as sheep having no shepherd.

37 Then saith he unto his disciples,

The harvest truly is plenteous,

but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,

 that he will send forth labourers

into his harvest.”  Matthew 9:35-38

I find it curious that in this conversation with His disciples, Jesus didn’t say “GO”, but HE said “PRAY” that God, “the Lord of the harvest” would “send forth labourers into his harvest”!  The harvest is God’s, and we are to pray that HE will send forth at HIS will, direction, calling and equipping!  And my friend, if you decide that YOU want to go “harvest”, you better be sure that it is God’s call and not your own—for HE IS LORD of the harvest, the work, the calling, and the sending; and if you are moved to do a work, you better be praying that God will send forth the right workers for the right job.  And that may or may not be YOU.

GOD may be calling you to support the work of those who are sent.  We aren’t to run ahead of God but take the cup of water that HE puts in our hand and supply whatever need Jesus places in front of us—with or without the recognition of the world.  God doesn’t call the equipped—he equips the called!

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren,

I would not have you ignorant.

2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles,

carried away unto these dumb idols,

even as ye were led.

3 Wherefore I give you to understand,

that no man speaking by the Spirit of God

calleth Jesus accursed:

and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord,

but by the Holy Ghost.

4 Now there are diversities of gifts,

but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations,

but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations,

but it is the same God

which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit

is given to every man

to profit withal.

8 For to one is given

by the Spirit the word of wisdom;

to another

the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith

by the same Spirit;

to another the gifts of healing

by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles;

to another prophecy;

to another discerning of spirits;

to another divers kinds of tongues;

to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh

that one and the selfsame Spirit,

dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one,

and hath many members,

and all the members of that one body,

being many,

are one body:

so also is Christ.”  1 Corinthians 12:1-12

While this is a lengthy passage, the main thing I wanted us to see is that the gifts are given by the “Holy Spirit” at His will—HIS choosing—the choice of God The Holy Spirit to accomplish HIS work within and through the body of Christ, the church; one body doing a corporate, yet individual, work of their LORD JESUS!  It’s not about ‘me’ or ‘you’—it’s about JESUS, our Lord!  What are we doing with the ‘cup of water’ that Jesus has given each of us.  Are we so busy doing our thing, that we have missed the “call of God” upon our life?  May we do as God told the nation of Israel in the book of Haggai, when they had returned to Jerusalem, “consider your ways”.  Maybe we’ll look at that little book soon.

May God speak to our hearts today and open our eyes to see HIS call.  May we truly “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers“! May we use our cup wisely and obediently for God’s glory not our own!

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him,

and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things: to whom be glory

 for ever. Amen.”  Romans 11:34-36

Amen and Amen!!!

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How Fast Are You Going??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #25

03 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by Blanche in Apart from ME you can do nothing, Approved Unto God, Contentedness, Contentment, My Grace Is Sufficient, Never Alone

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1 Timothy 6:6-11, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Contentedness, Contentment, Galatians 5:22-23, How Fast are YOU going?, John 15:1-5, Moment by Moment, My Grace Is Sufficient, Philippians 4:19, Philippians 4;13, The fruit of The Spirit, Without me you can do NOTHING

How Fast Are You Going???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #25

As I just sat down after watering my flowers before the temperatures soar, I can’t help but thank God for HIS amazing grace, mercy, and love towards us. It’s so easy (muchly because Satan is always nudging that jealousy and discontent button when we see our friends and loved ones in cooler places—in less stressful situations than we are in—doing things we’d like to do, but can’t—you fill in the blank) to grovel in discontent when God calls us to exercise the fruit (no ‘s’) of The Spirit not just once a week as a ‘workout’, but moment by moment as we walk through each day; be it in the heat, in the sorrow of loss, in concern over economic issues, or just the demands of ‘LIFE’!  It’s not an easy task, but it is a doable way of life through Jesus!

“But godliness

with contentment

is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain

we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich

fall into temptation

and a snare,

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,

which drown men

in destruction

and perdition.

10 For the love of money

is the root of all evil:

which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through

with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God,

flee these things;

and follow after

righteousness,

godliness,

faith,

love,

patience,

meekness.”  1 Timothy 6:6-11

And as Paul put so aptly in many ways and places, I want us to ponder all the things that we speed through rather than taking each moment as God leads, directs, prompts, and directs; determining not to be rushed by the enemy of our souls.

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

“But my God shall supply

all your need

according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

“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

Also, in my opinion, one of the most neglected passages of Paul’s today; for instead of “name it and claim it”, God responded to Paul’s prayer with “my grace is sufficient”!  Remember, “not my will but thine by done….”!

“And lest I should be exalted above measure

through the abundance of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan

to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted

above measure.

8 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.

10 Therefore I take pleasure

in infirmities,

in reproaches,

in necessities,

in persecutions,

in distresses

for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak,

then am I strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Is God’s grace sufficient for you and me?  We can find power to be spiritually successful in JESUS’ power and the work of The Holy Spirit producing the “Fruit of The Spirit” working in and through us, as we yield to HIS work, and HIS power in all we do “Moment by Moment”—no matter the circumstances!!!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

In closing, here’s a great old Hymn that says it way better than I can, I pray that it will encourage you today and point your heart and mind toward Jesus—every moment of every day!  Amen!!!

Moment By Moment by Daniel W. Whittle

1 Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;
Living with Jesus, a new life divine;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.

 

Refrain:
Moment by moment I’m kept in his love;
Moment by moment I’ve life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.

 

2 Never a trial that he is not there,
Never a burden that he doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that he doth not share,
Moment by moment, I’m under his care. [Refrain]

 

3 Never a weakness that he doth not feel,
Never a sickness that he cannot heal;
Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,
Jesus, my Savior, abides with me still. [Refrain]

Amen and Amen!!!

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It’s What I’m CALLED To Do!!! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 09

23 Sunday Jan 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Conformed to HIS image, Cross, Dependence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Father of lies, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Glory To God, Responding Rightly, Resting In Jesus, Roaring Lion, Strength-vs-weakness, The Call of God!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus

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1 Peter 2:20-25, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, 2 Corinthians 6:19-20, Called to Follow HIM, Following Jesus not man, Galatians 5:16 &25, John 15:1-5, John 8:44-47, My weakness>His Strength, Philippians 2:5-13, Philippians 3:13-14, Philippians 4;13, Resting In Jesus, Resting Or Wrestling?, Romans 8:27-31, Strength-vs-weakness, What I'm Called To Do?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 09   It’s What I’m CALLED To Do!!!

 

My call is to service—whether teaching, or serving others to meet their physical needs, their material needs, their spiritual needs, or their dying needs—it is what God has saved, called, and equipped me to do.  Even when we become weary—God is faithful to meet our needs.  Jesus became weary, but HE knew HE was doing the will of HIS Father—yes, HE rested, but HE walked up that hill regardless of HIS weakness—HE even fell, but God sent HIM help to get up and go on.  It’s the example that JESUS left for me/us!

“For what glory is it, if,

when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if,

when ye do well, and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself to him

that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”   1 Peter 2:20-25

While weariness is often hard to bear and work through, trusting to the sovereignty of God/Jesus, IS the source of my confidence, strength, and power!  Yes, I can get weary sometimes and be ‘driven’ instead of ‘lead’, but my absolute lodestar is the Cross of Jesus! For He died for me, and I am called to die to “ME” and live for HIM in weariness or strength, no matter what others may think.  When I am asked, “How do you do this or that, or how do you go on?”, my answer is and must always be ‘through my Lord and King’s power and Spirit’!  For I KNOW that HE is working all these things out for my good, and HIS glory.  Little else matters!

“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 8:28-29

Because Jesus is working “all things” to conform His children, including you and me—and all who have been born again, into HIS image, Paul could assure the Philippian believers that they could do “all things” regardless of what they may have been facing.  All by God’s grace and power—the power of the Cross, and the risen LORD Jesus–including ‘resting’ in Jesus (I will give you rest, see Matthew 11:28!) when HE says “come… apart… and rest” (See Mark 6:31), I just need to work on the listening.

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

While it is often hard to do the things that Jesus calls, leads and directs me/you to do, I must—I must press on, for HIM, through HIM and to HIS glory—praying with the Psalmist, “order my steps in thy word” (see Psalm 119:33), not my flesh!

“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

Of primary importance, as I pray the armor of God on each day, and put on that “helmet of salvation”, is, I believe, the call to have the “mind of Christ Jesus” my Lord in all these things—even when I don’t like it—even when I fail by trying to do it in my flesh—when I don’t understand the strain—it IS THEN that I must go back to the cross, pursuing that “mind of Christ Jesus” to be able to serve with total trust in the sovereign control of God my King, and my Lord Jesus Christ!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who,

being in the form of God, thought it not robbery

to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient

unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more

in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God

which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”   Philippians 2 :5-13

I almost always come back to what Paul told the Corinthian believers when I fail, or become distracted, or forget my focus.

“What? know ye not

that your body

is the temple of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”  1 Corinthians 6:19-20

In contrast to what Satan is ever using to pull us down, we are to rehearse all the truths of whose I am/you are, and determine to walk in that truth, especially when I’m weak, weary, or worn.  It’s His Person, His truth, His power, and His Spirit, that carry me, as the song says, there’s often “one set of footprints in the sand” (‘Footprints In The Sand’, by Margaret Fishback Powers)! Yet, remember we do have an enemy of our soul, but he is a defeated foe, a ‘toothless lion’—one who roars loudly, but his end is certain by the blood of Jesus, our victorious King!

“Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not…

….47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”  Portions of John 8:44-47

I must hear and believe God’s truth—JESUS— not the lies of the enemy!  So, in considering a difficult question, “How am I to take care of ‘myself’?”; I do try, but I often simply forget what that looks like, and I need to remember that my Father will direct me to rest, if I will but listen to HIM, and let go of the perfectionism, the desire to control, the false need to ‘correct all wrongs’, and the plain old “FLESH”!  I MUST learn to more consistently “walk in the Spirit” not “the flesh”!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would…

….25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Portions of Galatians 5:16-25

And to me, the greatest call of all is to “abide” in the right person, place, and things!  JESUS and HIS WORD!

“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

May I sing ever in recognition of my weakness becoming strength in HIM: “TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS” (by Helen Howarth Lemmel); truly learning to lean on HIS strength, obeying in all things—whether in service or in rest! Even as God told Paul, “my strength is made perfect in weakness”! ‘Nuff said!!!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

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Jesus Said It–That Settles It!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #740

02 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Are You Ready, Ashes or Reward?, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Humility, Judgment, Only Jesus, Only One Way, The Word Or The World?, Thy Kingdom Come, Tried by FIRE!, Trust God

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1 Corinthians 3:10-16, A Living Sacrifice, Jesus said it--that settles it, John 15:1-5, John 15:18-21, Judgment, Reward or?, Romans 12:1-2, Tired By Fire, We will give an account

Bible Ballistics: BBs #740  Jesus Said It—That Settles It!!!

 

I am sorely grieved that social media has become the be all do all in many lives; even Christians are being swayed by what appears on social media rather than pursuing the Word of God and ordering our lives accordingly.  We must return to the pursuit of not only holiness, but “truth” based on the Word of God not man’s opinions, posts, songs, or drama!  Jesus has told us what to expect from the world, yet HE calls us to abide in HIM—not rant our opposition or agreement with various ideas and popular “hot buttons”!  We are called to “take up our cross’ and “follow” Jesus not the latest buzz topics on the public forum!  No matter how great a ‘debater’ we may be if we’re not living as obedient servants of Christ, we have missed the point.

I’ll just let scripture speak today.  You can pick your topic and measure it by The Word of God!

“If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:18-21

When we live like the world around us, they will never see a Jesus’ difference in us.  If I dress like a slut (even if I don’t live like one), how can I reflect the Holy Lord; if I talk like a vile reprobate, how can I expect others to desire the Jesus I claim to follow; if I have no use for godly things, but cling to the worldly, how can I draw the lost to the cross?  I could go on, but I think you get the point.  Many would often rather be ‘fashionable’ than holy; rather be affluent than humble servants; would rather go their/our own way than suffer for going God’s way!  There’s only one way to truly reflect Jesus in all we do and say, and Jesus said it better than I ever could.

“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

What kind of fruit are you and I bearing before not only the world, but before our Lord?  Remember all that we do is ever before HIS eyes!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”   Romans 12:1-3

I simply want to leave you with Paul’s sober warning to us that there will be an accounting—and there won’t be any excuses or reasoning before The One who knows and will hold us accountable!

“According to the grace of God

which is given unto me,

as a wise masterbuilder,

I have laid the foundation,

and another buildeth thereon.

But let every man take heed

how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed

by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which

he hath built thereupon,

 he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not

that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:10-16

What will you present to your king?  Gold, silver, and precious stones (all things that God created and that we must mine out as we live for Jesus by the strength, wisdom, and grace only HE can supply!); or will you see your wood, hay and stubble burn up before your eyes and HIS, as your only gift of service to your KING—by your own choice?

The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test—by fire!  And I truly believe our King is coming soon—very soon!

‘Nuff said!

Amen and Amen!!!

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By HIS Grace–Each Day??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 24

07 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Faithful, For Such A Time As This, Glory To God, God Who Sees, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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1 Corinthians 3:10-16, By Grace Through Faith, By HIS Grace--Each Day, Colossians 1:25-27, Faithful God, Galatians 2:20-21, God's Grace, Hebrews 4:14-16, John 15:1-5, Living By Grace, Philippians 4:11-13, Revelation 19:6, Romans 12:1-3, Romans 3:20-26, Romans 5:1-2, Who's On THE Throne?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 24.  By HIS Grace—Each Day???

 

“Therefore by the deeds of the law

there shall no flesh be justified

in his sight:

for by the law

is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God

without the law is manifested,

being witnessed

by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God

which is by faith of Jesus Christ

unto all

and upon all

them that believe:

for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth in Jesus.”  Romans 3:20-26

It’s God’s grace that saved me, and it’s God’s grace that keeps me and is ever at work in me and by His sovereign grace, He can be seen in me, through all I say and do, as I yield myself to His Holy Spirit and power within me!  Being a living sacrifice, as Paul describes to the Roman and the Galatian believers as well.  All because it is Christ IN me!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”   Romans 12:1-3

The key is remembering that it’s all about “Who” is living in me—or, if you would, who is sitting on the throne of my life?  Me or Jesus?  I must die to self and live to Jesus by the grace that HE imparts to HIS own for every-day victory!!!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God:

for if righteousness come by the law,

then Christ is dead in vain.”  Galatians 2:20-21

God’s ministry of grace in us—to minister to others!

“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

All by HIS grace—unmerited favor–bought by the blood of Jesus which “cleanseth us from all sin”! (See 1 John 1:7)

“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.”  Romans 5:1-2

It is all about Jesus—and I’m so glad!  For as Paul said so aptly, “no good thing” dwelleth in me!  It has to be all about HIM, even Jesus made this very clear.

“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 5:1-5

So, the question for each of us is, are we abiding in “the vine” and therefore able to “bring forth more fruit” or are we trying to bear our own fruit?  The choice is yours, but Jesus said plainly that “without me ye can do nothing”! And Paul describes this issue in 1 Corinthians 3—are we working with our own resources or God’s?  The test is by fire—are you working in “wood, hay and stubble” or “gold, silver and precious stones”!  The fire will reveal our real work!  It has to be ALL “of HIM…through HIM…and to HIM”!

“According to the grace of God

which is given unto me,

as a wise masterbuilder,

I have laid the foundation,

and another buildeth thereon.

But let every man take heed

how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

 but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:10-16

It all depends on the foundation—Jesus!  Am I abiding IN HIM, relying ON HIM, and using HIS supply?  Or am I settling for less—and what the world offers is always LESS?  The choice is yours but choose wisely there is a test.  We can be found faithful as we continue to abide IN HIM!

“Not that I speak in respect of want:

for I have learned,

in whatsoever state I am,

 therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased,

and I know how to abound:

every where

and in all things

I am instructed both to be full

and to be hungry,

both to abound

and to suffer need.”

HOW?  Only one way! 

“13 I can do all things

       through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:11-13

And to put all of these things in perspective, I’d like to remind each of us of Jesus’ instruction for our prayer life—while I am free to come to God with all my requests, burdens, troubles and trials, I am not free to dictate to God in the name of “faith”; I can trust God to do right no matter what is going on!  And I do!  How about you?  We can hold on to the assurance that OUR GOD reigns, and HE invites us to come to HIM in all things.

“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

Let’s stay before HIS throne in humble gratitude for the grace that supplies our every need if we will but cling to HIS cross.

“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.”   Matthew 6:9-10

May God bless you as you seek HIS face in confidence and total reliance upon HIM, shouting: (See Revelation 19:6)

“Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”!

We win!!!  Amen and Amen!!!

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