Tag Archives: Psalm 100:1-5

Really Thankful Or What??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #693

20 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Ingratitude, SIN

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #693  Really Thankful Or What???

 

“And be not drunk with wine,

wherein is excess;

but be filled

with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing and making melody

in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always

for all things unto God and the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another

in the fear of God.”  Ephesians 5:18-20

Paul reminds us, along with the Ephesian believers, that our lives matter—not just our words, and feelings, but our lives—our living.  We live in a day when outside substances are the rage—sipping wine, taking drugs—of all sorts–pursuing sexual lusts, or just getting a little relief from any or every source but Jesus!  Yet Paul calls us to be “filled with the Spirit”—not by various outside substances.  Would you/I rather be controlled by the world’s elements or by the Spirit of God, who will direct our steps in God’s ways—yielding a heart full of gratitude?  What a testament to a world pursuing “self”!

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all generations.”   Psalm 100:1-5

While gratitude is often overlooked, God reminds us of its importance!  In Paul’s warning to the Romans about the consequences of sin—where it leads, what it does to those who pursue it, and how our ‘ingratitude’ can be a sign of danger to our souls —a warning sign that is totally apropos in today’s culture.

“For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood

by the things that are made,

even his eternal power

and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God,

they glorified him not

as God,

neither were thankful;

but became vain

in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart

was darkened.”  Romans 1:20-21

So, as we consider the “or what” in contrast to gratitude, where do you and I stand?  Have we bowed the knee before The Lord Jesus Christ, or do we continue to go our own way—with no regard for the God who gives us breath, or His Son who came that we might have life—eternal life in glory as well as abundant life with Jesus here and now—life to be grateful for; life that can be used by our Lord to make a difference in a world of greed and selfish attention to “me” first in all things!  God’s life within us—a new life for which we can be eternally grateful.  So, how is your “attitude of gratitude”?  Do you have one?  May we shout with the Psalmist and praise our God as we express our gratitude toward HIM before a world desperately needing to see it in us?

“Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name”

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

A Month Of Gratitude??? #5. Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 13

10 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Gratitude, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Thankful, Thanksgiving

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 13   A Month Of Gratitude??? #5

 

As we continue in our month of gratitude, I want to share a brief word today in hopes that it will make us all cognizant of the import of a grateful heart.  I want to share God’s Word in this regard with only a few comments.

“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 3:14-17

We are to pursue Christ—making out heart an open home for HIM—gaining His wisdom, teaching, and sharing with each other—all with HIS grace in our hearts!  Doing all that we do “in the name of the Lord” and thanking God by HIM!  And “in” His name doesn’t mean the meaninglessly tacking on of Jesus name as we follow our own way—it means doing all things with the life of Jesus Christ in us, by His power, His love and for HIS glory.

“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.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died

for the ungodly.”  Romans 5:1-6

Paul goes on to remind us of this amazing grace of God that reaches out to “all we like sinners”—that’s you and me!  Oh, how can we not be thankful for this God who loves us so much!

“For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love

toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath

through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now

received the atonement.”   Romans 5:7-11

I’m so grateful for “the atonement”!  How about you?  Have you come to the Redeemer?  If not, He’s there calling YOU!  If you do know Him, don’t let the world keep you so busy that you forget to thank HIM for His grace, love and provision for us; even as Paul goes on to tell the church at Ephesus that focusing on gratitude toward our God helps us keep Him first—not being controlled by substances, circumstances, or the distractions of the world!

“Wherefore be ye not unwise,

but understanding

what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine,

wherein is excess;

but be filled

with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing

and making melody

in your heart

to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always

for all things unto God and the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”  Ephesians 5:17-20

Have you noticed how often Paul reminds people that singing and praising God are to be a big part of our “attitude of gratitude”!  I know from experience that God speaks to my heart and mind through music—it nurtures the soul, soothes the emotions, and helps us keep our focus on God and not our circumstances!

I’d simply like to share a few of the Psalms to rehearse the beauty of a thankful heart.  I pray that God will lift you up as we share these things regarding gratitude.

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness:

come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all generations.”   Psalm 100:1-5

“O come, let us sing

unto the LORD:

let us make a joyful noise

to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before his presence

with thanksgiving,

and make a joyful noise

unto him with psalms.

3 For the LORD is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.”  Psalm 95:1-3

And in closing a reminder of our God who is worthy of our gratitude; and may the world see our joy and gratitude and be drawn to our Redeemer!

“Sing unto the LORD

with thanksgiving;

sing praise

upon the harp unto our God:”   Psalm 147:7

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.”  Philippians 4:6. Amen

Spending Time With Jesus??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #519

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Just Jesus!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #519  Spending Time With Jesus???

 

When we come to salvation in Jesus, we receive the privilege of spending time with HIM, yet we are often so busy spending our time (and we all receive the same 24 hours each and every day—how wisely we use them is up to us!) on unimportant things (that seem important at the moment) that we neglect the most important relationship in our life—or the world, for that matter!

So let’s spend just a bit of time this morning looking at the privilege of fellowship with our master—who calls us His friend.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”   Revelation 3:20 

We don’t serve an image made by man, but the living Lord Jesus Christ—God incarnate—who came and took on flesh and blood that He could go to the cross at Calvary and pay for our sin, and have a relationship with us, and draw us near to Himself. Not like other ‘religions’ of the world that call people to work their way into some acceptance or approval of some unknown ‘god’; but we serve a God who loves us, who paid for our salvation with HIS own blood, and wants to have a love relationship with us in the sweet relationship of love and obedience to the Sovereign God of the universe!

“Henceforth

I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not

what his lord doeth:

but I have called you

friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known

unto you.” John 15:15

And the beauty of the relationship of love and obedience is so beautifully painted in John 15, yet there is something that we must understand—we are not on our own, but we walk with our Lord and Savior in total dependence upon His grace, love and wisdom in all things! Without Him we will wind up spinning our wheels in frustration and confusion. Jesus is the answer in all things!

“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 15:4-5

Jesus gave HIS all for us, what less can we do for Him; especially when our “All” is totally JESUS!

“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 4:16-17 

We have the privilege to “sup” with Him, and He with us, and also to “come boldly unto the throne of grace” that we “may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”! Not coming to our Lord in arrogance or dictating to Him our every whim and craving, but laying heart and mind open to Him to show us the way to go day by day, in trail or success, in confusion and uncertainty, in pain and sorrow, in joy or sadness!!! We serve The Risen Lord of all! And we have but to listen to His Spirit and we will hear and recognize HIS voice speaking peace and comfort to our souls.

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them

eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father,

which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able

to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.” John 10:27-30 Amen!

So, let us start off this New Year, and continue each day of it, spending time praising the Lover of our Soul—Jesus!

“Make a joyful noise

unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye

that the LORD

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD

is good;

his mercy

is everlasting;

and his truth

endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5

So I invite you to join me in seeking the face of our Lord—in the morning, in the noontime, in the evening time—spending time in HIS presence. After all it’s not HIS ‘presents’ that should thrill us as much as HIS “presence”!

Amen and Amen!!!