Tag Archives: Philippians 4;13

Standing, Sitting, Or Sleeping??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #663

02 Thursday Jul 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Prayer, Spiritual Warfare, Stand Fast, Still Will I Trust HIM

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #663  Standing, Sitting, Or Sleeping???

 

I just want to share a word of encouragement today as we see so much going on around us.  God has called us to stand fast—but we can only do that as we “stand” in HIM!  Here’s my presentation of the passage that I go to daily.  I pray that it will help to adjust your focus!

“Finally, my brethren, (now—2 Corinthians 6:2)

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of

his might.  

(in God’s Spirit and power-Gal.5:16 &25)

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

(His provision—Philippians 4:13)

that ye may be able to stand

(persevere—James 4:7)

against the wiles of the devil.

(resist—1 Peter 5:8)

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but (not ‘when’ but continually in the battle–

       1 Peter 5:9-10)

against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

(the unseen things—Ephesians 2:1-3)

13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.

(persist in God’s light—Romans 13:12)

14 Stand therefore,

(Don’t quit—1 Corinthians 16:13)

having your loins girt about

with truth,

       (Jesus—John. 14:6)

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

(Jesus—2 Corinthians 5:21)

15 And your feet shod

with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

(Jesus—Romans 5:1-2)

16 Above all,

taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able

to quench all the fiery darts

of the wicked.

                             (Jesus—John 12:46)

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

(Jesus—Philippians 2:5-8)

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

       (Jesus—John 1:1-5, 14 & Hebrews 4:12-13)

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication

in the Spirit,

              (In Jesus—John 15:16)

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;”   Ephesians 6:10-18

(Through Jesus our intercessor—John 16:26 & Hebrews 7:25)

May God open our eyes to see beyond this world and “withstand in the evil day”?  Suit up my friends, the only victory is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen and Amen!!!

HIS Power NOT Mine??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 12

24 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Armor of God, Choices And Consequences, Distractions, Faith, Fighting With God's Weapons, Filled With His Spirit, Follow Jesus, Full Of what?, Holy Spirit, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Only One Way, Salvation, Strong Tower, The Little Things., The Things of God, The Word, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Trendy Or Truth, True Knowledge, Walking With Jesus, Who are YOU following?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 12    HIS Power NOT Mine???

 

“O the depth of the riches

both of the wisdom

and knowledge

of God!

how unsearchable

are his judgments,

and his ways

past finding out!

34 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 11:33-36

I saw something the other day, and the gest was that because I have faith “I” have power to do _____, whatever you want to put in the blank.  What I want to say is that it is never my rights, my power, my strength, or my wisdom that I am to walk in!  It is all about God!  It’s HIS power, HIS grace and HIS strength that motivates, empowers, and sustains me for HIS work.  For when I yield to Jesus’ work in me, HE will accomplish all that He is calling, leading, equipping, and directing me to be and do!

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

When we are born again by The Spirit of God, we are enabled to walk in that very Spirit, accomplishing the works of God and not the flesh.  Yet, when we presume to take things upon ourselves, we will find that we are caught up in self-will, self-indulgence, and often disregard of God’s will and His Word! Jesus tells us how to keep our focus right through prayer when HE instructed us to pray, “Thy kingdom come…..Thy will be done”, God’s will not mine—a totally opposite agenda than what many purport today!  We are called to “let this mind be in you” (See Philippians 2:5-11) and to let His Word “dwell in you richly”.  His Word, His way, His will—His power NOT mine!

“Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 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 3:12-17

It is with and in the power of God that we are to function, not our own resources!

“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 15:5

Paul gives the ultimate description of where our resources come from when we put on the armor of God.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.”   Ephesians 6:10

Paul reminded us that by the power of God we are to put on that “armor of God”—not by our own intelligence, wisdom or even our “faith”!  My faith is only as strong as the object in which it is placed—Jesus!  We can choose to be a channel of God’s work or produce our own—and the fruit will reveal our choice.  And that “shield of faith” is what will “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked”—not because of my faith in me, or even my faith in faith, but because of my faith in The One who saves and delivers me, allowing His power to be displayed through my life!

“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.”   1 Corinthians 3:11-14

It’s all about Jesus—not me!  HE is my all in all, my “strong tower”!  And believe me, I run into that tower often!

“For in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being…”. Acts 17:28a

All because of Jesus and the price that HE paid for my sin and yours—it’s why HE came!  He came not to be just an example—though HE was one.  Not just to show us the way to God—although HE did—but because HE IS the way, by His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin–mine and yours!

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

When I order my steps in God’s ways, by His power and for His glory, great and mighty things will be accomplished for the kingdom of God—not because I have great faith, or great wisdom, but because I love, follow and adore The One who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings—the ONLY way to God.

“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

It is only by God’s grace that we can be of service to our King!  WE win because God has provided all we need in Jesus, our soon-coming King!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know that your labour

is not in vain

 in the Lord.”   1 Corinthians 15:57-58

The work of The Lord—oh what a glory—to serve The One who gave HIS life for me; knowing that HE loves us/me and can be seen and glorified in us/me as we yield to HIS will!  May we never become so distracted by the outward blessings and elements of God’s grace and power that we forget it’s all about HIM not me!

“In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded

toward us in all wisdom

and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us

the mystery of his will,

according to his good pleasure

which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation

of the fulness of times

he might gather together

in one

all things

in Christ,

both which are in heaven,

and which are on earth;

even in him:

11 In whom also

we have obtained an inheritance,

being predestinated

according to the purpose

of him who worketh all things

after the counsel

of his own will:

12 That we should be

to the praise of his glory,

who first trusted in Christ.”    Ephesians 1:7-12

And as the author of Hebrews reminds us, may we find power, comfort and delight in this loving Lord Jesus, without being distracted or forgetting Who is our power and might!

“Now the God of peace,

that brought again from the dead

our Lord Jesus,

that great shepherd of the sheep,

through the blood

of the everlasting covenant,

21 Make you perfect

in every good work

to do his will,

working in you

that which is wellpleasing

in his sight,

through Jesus Christ;

to whom be glory

for ever and ever.

Amen.”   Hebrews 13:20-21

HIS Power NOT Mine!!!

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!!!

Our Savior And Our Example!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #589

20 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Comfort, Encouragement, Every Knee Shall Bow

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #589 Our Savior And Our Example!!!

 

While Jesus IS our Redeemer and Lord, He is the One to whom we look, the One on whom we depend—and The One who IS the way to God—not one of many but the One and Only 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

Jesus lay aside the glory of heaven to come to us, take on flesh and blood, live a sinless life, and die in our stead—all because He and The Father love us!

“For God so loved

the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.”  John 3:16-18

Jesus is the only way to life!  No matter how many lies the enemy spreads—God’s Word stands true and is the standard of all judgment in the end; and there is a day of reckoning coming, but in Jesus we are saved from the judgment and wrath of God. The choice is yours and mine, but the consequences of our choice will follow us into eternity!  Choose wisely, there is a test!

“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.”   Philippians 2:9-11

The question isn’t ‘will you bow’; for God has declared that “every knee should bow”! As the old hymn says “nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling” (From ‘Rock of Ages’, by Augustus M. Toplady), Jesus came that we might have life and know that we are loved by a faithful Father God, who is working all things for our good and His glory—and they never conflict! (Even when we think they do!)!  But as we learn to know Him and come to trust to His care, we can follow the example of our Lord in the midst of every trial and difficulty.  Jesus didn’t come to simply ‘be’ an example, He came to purchase our salvation with His own blood, but in doing that He left us the greatest example of selfless love ever expressed!

I have learned and continue to learn that HE IS faithful at every turn, and when I keep my eyes fixed on Him, I can be victorious in this walk of faith with my Lord Jesus Christ!  Whatever you may be facing today, I can assure you that HE is faithful and worthy of our love, trust and devotion.  May you find strength and comfort in His Word.  I am praying for YOU!  We can join with Paul and say:

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

And as Peter reminds us, no matter the suffering that we may encounter, we can trust in and rely upon the Lord who suffered the ultimate rejection, and a gruesome death, all for you and me!

“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

We can choose today, to trust to our God, or try to run our own lives; I’ve done it both ways and, believe me when I say, we can overcome and have victory when we “do all things through Christ” rather than trying to go our own way!  May we all “fix our eyes on Jesus” and “press on” today, and today, and the next today!  For dear ones, today is all we have, and HE is ever faithful!  May Jesus’ words bring comfort and encourage you today!

“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 6:33-34

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

Hush Money Or True Hope??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 03

01 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Free Indeed?, God's Faithfulness, Gospel, HOPE, I Can Do All Things?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, If not now? When?, JESUS, Light In The Dark, Overcoming By His Blood, Salt & Light, SIN, Speaking The Truth In Love, Stand Fast, That They May Know, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True, Witness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 03  Hush Money Or True Hope???

 

We talked last week about ‘DIY’ and I’d like to take off on that idea and look from another side of the issue.  We are living in a culture that is so full of an “it’s all about me” ideology, and even when we speak truth, we are seen as ‘haters’! I hope that we can let scripture reveal true hope, not placating people with ‘hush’ money, so to speak, by our silence, rather than helping them see Jesus as we speak and share truth!

“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 truth, and without Him, we have no hope, no truth, no opportunity to reach a lost and dying world.  Yet when we follow HIM, we can see great things accomplished in His kingdom (even though the world may disregard what we call great ‘in Him’!)

“I can do all

things through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

In the way of the world, unless we have ‘riches’ we don’t have anything to offer; but God does things in ways that are so far beyond the ‘worldly’ way, that we can truly come to have hope and confidence in our Lord and HIS ways—and we aren’t to be ‘quiet’ about it, Jesus said the rocks would ‘cry out’ if men didn’t!

“And when the builders laid the foundation

of the temple of the LORD,

they set the priests in their apparel

with trumpets,

and the Levites the sons of Asaph

with cymbals,

to praise the LORD,

after the ordinance of David

king of Israel.

11 And they sang together by course

in praising

and giving thanks

unto the LORD;

because he is good,

for his mercy endureth for ever

toward Israel.

And all the people shouted with a great shout,

when they praised the LORD,

because the foundation

of the house of the LORD

was laid.”  Ezra 3:10-11

When we see God at work, we can truly learn to trust His hand as well as His heart toward us.  Here we have the children of Israel returning to Jerusalem and they are rejoicing that the temple is rebuilt.  And if you read the entire account, you see that some of the elders of the people wept for the remembrance of the original Temple of Solomon, yet God has restored them by His ‘outstretched arm’, and shown Himself faithful to a people (who much like us) had not been faithful to HIM!  They had suffered the judgment of God, and had truly reaped the ‘whirlwind’, yet God wasn’t finished with them!  His faithfulness is so much more than we can even fathom!  God had spoken truth through His prophets, yet they had listened to the false prophets, and ‘hushed’ up the men of God by ignoring them, persecuting them, and even putting many of them to death.  How sad that we are living in a very similar day.  Will we sell out to the purveyors of “hush money” or will we stand and speak God’s truth?

“And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth

shall make you free.”  John 8:32

Notice that He will “make you free” not ‘set’ you free—when Jesus saves us, He delivers us—especially from ourselves; and we are to give ourselves to Him, His way and His truth—all the way!

“And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.”  Revelation 12:11

Jesus doesn’t simply issue a “get out of hell free” card; rather He saves and transforms lives to “be conformed” to HIS image.

“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.”   Romans 8:28-29

Jesus is ever at work conforming us into HIS image; but we have a part in that work as well, we are to yield to His Holy Spirit’s work in our heart and life, remembering that it’s ALL about Jesus. It’s not about ‘pride’ but humbly learning from HIM, following HIM, and touching the world as HE gives us opportunity.

“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

We can trust to HIS care, remembering what Jesus said!

“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 15:5

We must keep our eyes on Jesus, as we feast on His Word.

“Shew me thy ways,

O LORD;

teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth,

 and teach me:

for thou art the God of my salvation;

on thee do I wait

all the day.”   Psalm 25::4-5

“For the word of the LORD is right;

and all his works are done

in truth.

5 He loveth righteousness

and judgment:

the earth is full

of the goodness of the LORD.”   Psalm 33:4-5

And to bring all of our thoughts together today, I’d like us to consider an encounter that Peter and John had, taking heart from these who had little in the world’s eyes, but who had JESUS, and they knew HE IS TRUTH—and they took no “hush” money!

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb

was carried,

whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple

which is called Beautiful,

to ask alms of them that entered

into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John

about to go into the temple

asked an alms.

4 And Peter,

fastening his eyes upon him with John, said,

Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them,

expecting to receive something

of them.

6 Then Peter said,

Silver and gold have I none;

but such as I have

give I thee:

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth

rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand,

and lifted him up:

and immediately his feet and ankle bones

received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood,

and walked,

and entered with them into the temple,

walking,

and leaping,

and praising God.”  Acts 3:1-8

Peter and John gave of what they had (who they possessed, and who possessed them), and yet they were tempted to cave!  And for time and space we’ll just jump to the response from the rulers.  (You can read chapters 3 and 4 for the whole picture!). They proclaimed Jesus at each turn, and when threatened they stood firm—and weren’t “hushed” up by threats; they were trusting to HIS care!  Remember not everyone is happy with God’s working in the lives of men, women, boys and girls!

“And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people,

and preached through Jesus

the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them,

and put them in hold unto the next day:

for it was now eventide…

….16 Saying, What shall we do to these men?

for that indeed a notable miracle

hath been done

by them

is manifest to all them

that dwell in Jerusalem;

and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it spread no further among the people,

let us straitly threaten them,

that they speak henceforth to no man

in this name.

18 And they called them,

and commanded them

not to speak at all nor teach

in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them,

Whether it be right in the sight of God

to hearken unto you

more than unto God,

judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things

which we have seen

and heard.

21 So when they had further threatened them,

they let them go,

finding nothing how they might punish them,

because of the people:

for all men glorified God

for that which was done.”   Portions of Acts 4:1-21

So my challenge for us today is a call to be faithful to our Lord; to grow in His Word, to be bold—but not arrogant, to be confident—but not prideful, to be ready to follow HIM in all—no matter where HE leads us, or what the cost may be.  We won’t let the enemy ‘hush’ us up, but we will “stand fast in the evil day”!  We never know how God will use our willingness to obey!

“But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:”  Ephesians 4:15.

Amen and Amen!