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Godliness Will Be Opposed??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #730

20 Thursday May 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Conviction, Courage, Fear, Fight or Faith?, God Knows, Godliness will be opposed, He IS Alive!, Help Thou My Unbelief, Holy Living, I Can Do All Things?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I Will Never Leave You, IN Jesus!, Opposition

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1 Kings 18:36-39, 1 Kings 19:1-8, 1 Kings 19:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Elijah, Galatians 6:9-10, Opposition to Godliness, Proverbs 3:5-8, Psalm 119:133, Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 46:10-11, Put My Trust In Thee, Rest In The Lord!, Rest is OK, Still I will trust HIM, Trust, Trusting to HIS care, Weary not in well doing

Bible Ballistics: BBs #730 Godliness Will Be Opposed???

 

Elijah was one of the most powerful and amazing prophets of God, yet we find that even in great victory there is opposition– to God’s people and God’s ways; so, we shouldn’t be alarmed or discouraged when we face opposition for speaking God’s truth or doing God’s will in our lives and ministries.  Yet God knows our hearts and even Elijah was plagued by discouragement (what some call depression) and ran from the death-threats of Jezebel.  What kind of Jezebel are you facing today?  A spiritual one?  A physical or health-scare one?  A Jezebel of grief or sorrow?  Or one of fear over financial issues, the future, or family issues?  God was still God when Elijah encountered the abominable evil of Ahab and Jezebel—and my friends, God is still God in the midst of your greatest fears, uncertainties, and confusion of how to deal with your weariness and burdens over the things surrounding you!

“And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice,

that Elijah the prophet came near, and said,

LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel,

let it be known this day

that thou art God in Israel,

and that I am thy servant,

 and that I have done all these things

at thy word.

37 Hear me, O LORD,

hear me,

that this people may know

that thou art the LORD God,

 and that thou hast turned their

heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell,

and consumed the burnt sacrifice,

and the wood, and the stones,

and the dust,

and licked up the water

that was in the trench.

 39 And when all the people saw it,

they fell on their faces:

and they said,

The LORD, he is the God;

the LORD, he is the God.”  1 Kings 18:36-39.

(Take some time and read chapters 18 & 19 for even more insight into Elijah and his God!)

Here we have a mighty man of God in what many consider to be his greatest victory over the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel.  God proved Himself mighty to save and bring the people to proclaim their allegiance to God (though it often proved to be a short-lived devotion) and much like people today, words come easy, but faithfulness comes with much drudgery and, as Oswald Chambers calls it, the mundane.  It’s why I believe that Paul gave us great advice for such situations—advice that I often have to remind myself of by quoting these verses to myself; for I need reminding as much as the Galatian and the Thessalonian believers did.

“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

“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”                             2 Thessalonians 3:13

Don’t stop serving God, even when you need to take a rest—even Jesus called His disciples to come aside and rest (See Mark 6:31)!  And just FYI, I haven’t written since last week for that very reason, we took some time away to rest and recoup from a very trying season of our lives.  I hope you know that I pray for you, that God will use my words always to glorify HIMSELF and be an encouraging word to you!  If I can depend upon HIM for what HE has called me to be and do—SO. CAN. YOU!  But back to Elijah—great victory is no assurance of ease!  Quite the contrary, when we find great victory in Jesus, there is usually a trial lurking just around the corner, but when we are informed (by God’s Word) and prepared (by The Holy Spirit), we learn to rely upon God’s faithful provision; especially in the midst of trail, or when we need rest from the weariness of our body and soul.  God knows, God cares, and GOD will always provide, when I’m ready to be still and listen and obey!  Elijah faced just such a trial!

“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets

with the sword.

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying,

 So let the gods do to me, and more also,

if I make not thy life

as the life of one of them

by to morrow about this time.

3 And when he saw that,

he arose,

and went for his life,

and came to Beersheba,

which belongeth to Judah,

and left his servant there…

…But he himself went a day’s journey

into the wilderness,

and came and sat down under a juniper tree:

and he requested for himself that he might die; and said,

It is enough; now, O LORD,

take away my life;

for I am not better than my fathers.

 5 And as he lay and slept

under a juniper tree,

behold, then an angel touched him,

and said unto him,

Arise and eat.

6 And he looked, and, behold,

there was a cake baken on the coals,

and a cruse of water at his head.

And he did eat and drink,

and laid him down again.

 7 And the angel of the LORD came again

the second time,

and touched him, and said,

Arise and eat;

because the journey is too great

for thee.

 8 And he arose,

and did eat and drink,

and went in the strength of that meat

forty days and forty nights

unto Horeb

the mount of God.” 1 Kings 19:1-8

And as we go on, we find that Elijah learned that God doesn’t always speak in the “loud” miracles, but quietly.  I want you to also note that God didn’t reprimand Elijah for being weary, instead GOD provided sleep, his meat and drink for a long journey ahead—my friend, know that GOD knows where you are and HE will supply, if you will but hear and heed HIS voice.  God took Elijah to a special place for a special word of encouragement!  How about you?

“And he said,

Go forth, and stand upon the mount

before the LORD.

And, behold,

the LORD passed by,

and a great and strong wind

rent the mountains,

and brake in pieces the rocks

before the LORD;

but the LORD was not in the wind:

and after the wind an earthquake;

but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire;

but the LORD was not in the fire:

and after the fire a still small voice.”  1 Kings 19:11-12

That still small voice that is ever present with me/you in good days and in difficult ones (for all my days are blessed, even the ‘so-called’ bad days!) is a constant strength, and life-giving hope to press on with my LORD!  The Psalmist also knew this voice, and that sometimes we just need to (as we used to teach the schoolchildren) “stop”, “look”, and “listen”!

“Be still,

and know

that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The LORD of hosts

is with us;

the God of Jacob

is our refuge. Selah.”   Psalm 46:10-11

MY God is faithful to the load—the task—the trial—the fear—the difficulties of life that are unspeakable to others—HE IS MY GOD!  How about you?  Have you found HIM faithful?  Have you learned to trust HIM with your burden?  I’m learning every day that HE is ever faithful, not just when I am weary, but especially when I am weary, tired, sorrowful, or just overloaded in my own mind!  How about you?  Will you learn to lean on HIM?

“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.

 7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

And a couple of encouraging words to close this post for today—and I must tell you, this is not the article I sat down to write, but I believe it is the article God desired from me.  I pray that it will be used by HIM to help YOU today!

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

 and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

“Order my steps in thy word:

and let not any iniquity have dominion

 over me.”  Psalm 119:133

Amen and Amen!

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Give It A Rest! Yes YOU!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #715

19 Friday Mar 2021

Posted by Blanche in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Encouragement, Press ON!, Resting In Jesus, Resting Or Wrestling?

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Ephesians 6:10, Give it a rest! Yes YOU!, HE Cares For YOU!!!, In the power of HIS might, Look to Jesus, Philippians 3:13-14, Psalm 37:3-8, Psalm 62:7-8, Rest In The Lord!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #715   Give It A Rest!  Yes YOU!!!

 

I truly have a simple and brief word for us this morning: take a breath, look up and rest in The Lord!  For only by resting in HIM do we find our strength.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong

in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.”  Ephesians 6:10

As the Psalmist put so aptly:

“In God is my salvation

and my glory:

the rock of my strength,

and my refuge,

is in God.

8 Trust in him at all times; ye people,

pour out your heart before him:

God is a refuge

for us. Selah.”  Psalm 62:7-8

As the stresses of life often leave us dry, drained, and down-hearted, we need only lift up our eyes to the ONE who is our hope, our sustenance and our safe place. May we all take the advice of another of my favorite Psalms today, and just rest “in The Lord”!  I’m so grateful that HE is always there!

“Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee

the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth

thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.”  Psalm 37:3-8

We can rest in Jesus when we keep our eyes on HIM—pressing ever onward in HIS power, strength and grace.

“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

Press on by resting IN JESUS!  Blessings on your day my friends!

Amen and Amen!

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Resting Or Wrestling??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #507

09 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by Blanche in Confidence, Resting Or Wrestling?

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2 Chronicles 14:10-12, 2 Samuel 7:1, Confidence, Hebrews 4:9-10, Psalm 37:7-8, Rest In The Lord!, Resting Or Wrestling?, Revelation 14:13, Ruth 1:9

Bible Ballistics: BBs #507  Resting Or Wrestling???

 

I’d simply like to share a bit of encouragement with you all today; a word to help us face the busy, hectic pace of life that confronts us all. I pray that you will find comfort and refreshment from God’s Word.

“The LORD grant you that ye may find rest,

each of you

in the house of her husband.

Then she kissed them;

and they lifted up their voice, and wept.”   Ruth 1:9

Naomi wished her daughters-in-law the Lord’s blessing of new husbands and the ‘rest’ of a peaceful marriage and home. A home can be the blessing of a lifetime or it an bring turmoil and grief; Naomi wished for her loved ones the peace and “rest” that only God could provide within marriage.

“And it came to pass,

when the king sat in his house,

and the LORD had given him rest

round about

from all his enemies;” 2 Samuel 7:1

Here we find King David in the latter part of his reign, finding the peace of God from the many wars that he had lead his armies in. No matter the wars that we may face—God will bring the peace in HIS time.

“Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said,

LORD, it is nothing with thee to help,

whether with many,

or with them that have no power:

help us, O LORD our God;

for we rest on thee,

and in thy name

we go against this multitude.

O LORD, thou art our God;

let not man prevail against thee.

12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians

before Asa,

and before Judah;

and the Ethiopians fled.”   2 Chronicles 14:10-12

King Asa asked for God’s help going into the battle—and he understood that even in the fray of battle “we rest on thee, and in thy name”! So even in the middle of your battles you can “rest” in God’s faithfulness in every situation. He never says “oops”, and He always knows where you are, and where HE is taking you!

“Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently

for him:

fret not thyself

because of him who prospereth in his way,

because of the man who bringeth

wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself in any wise

to do evil.” Psalm 37:7-8   (Read the entire chapter for an extra blessing!)

The Psalmist reminds us that we can have total confidence in our Lord and we can “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him”! We don’t have to fret over those who are wicked and stand against us! We don’t have to take our own “vengeance” but can leave that to our Lord, and walk in peace even when others may come against us! My rest is in the Lord, not man!

And finally, we can take great confidence in the knowledge that our Lord will bring about ultimate and final rest in Him for eternity.

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me,

Write,

Blessed are the dead

which die in the Lord from henceforth:

Yea, saith the Spirit,

that they may rest from their labours;

and their works do follow them.”   Revelation 14:13

The key is to be sure that we have placed our faith and our confidence in the salvation that only Jesus can impart! Be sure that you have placed your faith in Him and nothing else! We can have HIS rest when we have Jesus, but if we are steeped in unbelief (like those that Hebrews 3 & 4 are talking about) there is no ‘rest’!

“There remaineth therefore a rest

to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest,

he also hath ceased from his own works,

as God did from his.

11 Let us labour therefore

to enter into that rest,

lest any man fall

after the same example

of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:9-10

Are you resting or wrestling? The choice is yours, but there is a test coming!

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