Tag Archives: Philippians 1:6

‘Dis’Traction Is No ‘Traction’??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #392

08 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Distractions, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Perseverance, Safe In The Storm!, The Only Way, The Word, TODAY, Traction, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #392 ‘Dis’Traction Is No ‘Traction’???

 

I thought we’d take this Friday and remind ourselves to watch out for the “distractions” of the world, for when we get side-tracked by the distractions of the world, we wind up with ‘No Traction” spiritually. And when we aren’t going forward with Jesus we are not standing still, we are loosing ground. And God calls us to press onward not backward!

“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, (mature)

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless,

whereto we have already attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.”    Philippians 3:13-16

One of the big things that I believe that Paul is telling us today, is that if we will heed The Word, and learn how to walk with and before our God, we are to “keep up the good work!” We are to persevere in His ways.

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”    Luke 18:1

We are often cautioned in the scripture to willfully press on, without distraction, keeping our eyes on Jesus—HE is our purpose! He will supply all we need to not “faint”!

“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.

3 For consider him

that endured such contradiction

of sinners

against himself,

lest ye be wearied

and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1-3

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture; for it reminds us so clearly that our goal is to follow Jesus. I don’t believe (as some do, and that’s ok) that this is the picture of a great sports arena in heaven, and the saints are sitting around cheering us on; rather I believe this is a summation of chapter 11 (The great chapter of faith!), reminding us that as those who have gone before us have been faithful, and have testified to the faithfulness of God, we are also to press on with no distractions, but rather “Looking unto Jesus”! And we can only do that when we determine to not be ‘distracted’ and loose our traction—not to loose our footing in the race. And, as the author of Hebrews so clearly reminds us, we are to run “the race that is set before us” with our hearts and minds “Looking unto Jesus”, not being distracted by the race that others may be running or any other distractions around us. We keep our traction by focusing on Jesus and running ‘our’ race in ‘our’ own lane!!!

We can do that all because Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith”! He brings us to Himself, and He provides all that we need to run the race that HE has “set before us”! So take heart my friends, we serve the God who is able and faithful to supply our every need, if we’ll but keep our eyes ‘fixed on Jesus’! He is our ‘true’ north!

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

He is “the author and finisher of our faith”; He knows where you are today. Look up, press on, and walk forward on your race—with ‘traction’ not ‘dis’tractions! God has a job for YOU—today! Go for it dear one—Go for it!!!

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10

You can do it!!! It’s hardly ever easy:

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”    Philippians 4:19

Where Is Your Sanctuary??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #388

25 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Rest In The Lord, Sanctuary, Strong Tower, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #388   Where Is Your Sanctuary???

 

Just a few minutes of our time today, to consider a question; ‘Is your sanctuary Jesus, or a building?” It seems we often forget that Jesus IS the sanctuary NOT the building where we assemble together to worship Him, fellowship and grow in His grace, truth, and love together into mature believers.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

While it is a biblical imperative that we are to gather with our fellow believers—for our good, and Christ’s glory in HIS church—we are not to worship the ‘gathering place’! It’s not the building that saves and delivers from sin; it’s Jesus Christ our Lord, Redeemer, Savior and friend. Jesus came to ‘seek and to save’ the lost, and give us “life…..more abundantly”! He wants to be our sanctuary—the One who is there with us all the time, not just on one day a week when we are gathered together!

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.” Proverbs 18:10-11

It is The Lord who is our “strong tower”, not a building, or something as fleeting as wealth, or ease, or security in worldly things, and we certainly shouldn’t rely on our “own conceit”! So the thing I want us to consider today is, “Is our confidence in The Lord Jesus and our Father God (through the power of His Holy Spirit!)?” “Or is your confidence in a ‘brick and mortar’ building, or any other earthly substance or thing?” Instead we ought to run to our “strong tower” in every situation, for He is The One who has promised to walk with us, assuring us that He will not forsake or leave us—ever!

“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

I love this passage of scripture; it is the conclusion of a list of instructions for successful Christian living, and it reminds me so clearly that “contentment” is a key element in the life of effective believers. Even as Jesus Himself told us:

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air:

for they sow not,

neither do they reap,

nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought

can add one cubit unto his stature? ……..

31 Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need

of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”     Matthew 6:24-27 & 31-34

So take sanctuary IN Jesus, seeking first His Kingdom, for He is able to keep His own! We can run to Him, we can rest in Him, we can depend on Him—but we must let go of the world! Consider wisely, there is a test at the end—and Jesus IS the answer, always—and a sanctuary for His children!

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

“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 12:2

Check your perspective, you have a true sanctuary-Jesus!

The Faithful Promisor!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #384

11 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Knowing God's Word, Rest In The Lord, Salvation, Showers Of Blessing, The Word, Trials, Troubles, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #384 The Faithful Promisor!!!

 

As I sit here praising God for the wonderful ‘August’ rain here in Oklahoma, my mind goes to the scripture that God has given to us as a shower of His love, His Spirit and His truth into our lives, if we will but avail ourselves of it. The Word reminds us endlessly that God is our anchor in the storms. And God’s Spirit will open our hearts to receive and understand the truths of The Word. So let’s spend a few minutes together this morning rehearsing God’s goodness as He reveals truth in The Word, and He keeps every promise! (Always practice integrity toward The Word and don’t take specific promises out of their normal, natural context!! There are general promises for all, specific promises for particular individuals/groups, and specific promises for particular times or events. Remember—Context Is King!)

“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”    Matthew 11:27-30

Jesus calls us to come to Him for every need, and our greatest need is His saving grace! And He has promised to give us rest, in fact total release, from the burden of sin that weighs us down. And He keeps His promises, and we can rest assured of His faithful provision as HE brings us to maturity, to be all that HE has created and gifted us to be.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

And we can take that confidence with us through every day and every difficulty or trail that we may encounter, and not only for ourselves, but also to share our confidence, hope and encouragement with one another as we go!!!

“Let us draw near

with a true heart

in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled

from an evil conscience,

and our bodies washed

with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;

(for he is faithful that promised😉

24 And let us consider one another

to provoke unto love

and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling

of ourselves together,

as the manner of some is;

but exhorting one another:

and so much the more,

as ye see the day approaching.”    Hebrews 10:22-25

So, take heart today, for faithful is HE that has “promised”!

“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” Titus 1:2