Tag Archives: Revelation 19:6

Does Choosing Matter??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 07

01 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, God Bless America, God Is In Charge, Good News, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Resting In Jesus, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 07  Does Choosing Matter???

 

This will be another short post this week, as I really feel like we need to all be called to prayer—for our own relationships, for the state of our homes, cities, states, nations, and even our world.  I hope that this will be a word of encouragement to you and me to “fix” our eyes on Jesus.

“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.”   Hebrews 12:1-2

It’s all about Jesus—I have to keep my eyes on HIM—for it is HE that bought our salvation on the cross and gives us the new birth.  It is by His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that I can be “born again” into the kingdom of God.  And when I am born into God’s kingdom, I can make a difference in the worldly kingdom in which I reside.  How?  The same way that Joshua did, by standing for Jesus and the truth of HIS Word!

“Now therefore

fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served that were

on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

And one of my favorite men of scripture, Daniel, made a choice in the midst of a hostile environment; a choice that made him one of the most important prophetic writers of all scripture.  All beginning with a choice to “fix his eyes” on God and His Word!

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”   Daniel 1:8

If you’ll take note here, Daniel wasn’t concerned about what others would do, but what he would do to keep his relationship right with HIS God! (His 3 friends also apparently made the same decision by what we see of them in Daniel)!  The question is what will we do to keep our eyes on Jesus?

Here are some verses to ponder this week as we pursue our Lord and His Word; I hope this will encourage you and me as we seek to make a difference wherever God has placed you or me!

Being a living sacrifice unto our Lord Jesus!

“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 12:1-2

To “prove” is to show to the world the work of God in me—not I but Christ!

“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.”  Galatians 2:20

The question was addressed by Jesus and we’ll take that as our closing thought, and I pray that we will all heed HIS words!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”    Matthew 16:24-27

I pray that you have a blessed week, and that God will move in a mighty way in our nation, and our world!  It’s all about JESUS!  For regardless of what we “see”—God’s still in charge!  (See Revelation 19:6)

“…Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth….”

Amen and Amen!!!

Rejoice And Be Glad!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #669

17 Friday Jul 2020

Posted by in Believe IN Jesus, Blessed by God, Comfort, Encouragement, Only One Way, Our God Reigns

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #669  Rejoice And Be Glad!!!

 

I just thought we might all need a word of hope and encouragement in these challenging days!  So let’s just let God’s Word speak hope, truth and joy to each of us today.  I pray that God will lift your hearts through HIS Word, draw our eyes and minds upward, for our God reigns!  He hasn’t changed His view, His Word, or His love for you and me!

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

“The LORD is my rock,

and my fortress,

and my deliverer;

my God,

my strength,

in whom I will trust;

my buckler,

and the horn of my salvation,

and my high tower.

3 I will call upon the LORD,

who is worthy to be praised:

so shall I be saved from mine enemies…

30 As for God,

his way is perfect:

the word of the LORD

is tried:

he is a buckler

to all those that trust in him.

31 For who is God

save the LORD?

or who is a rock

save our God?

32 It is God that girdeth me

with strength,

and maketh my way perfect.”   Psalm 18:2-3 & 30-32

And as God told Paul in response to his difficulties, one of my greatest words of hope and confidence that our God is at work on our behalf—always!  Even when it may not look like it!

“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 12:8-10

And one that we all know, but often fail to remember!

“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

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake

we are killed all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep

for the slaughter.

37 Nay,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life, nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus

our Lord.”  Romans 8:35-39

May God speak peace to your heart today!  We win, because our God reigns!

“And I heard as it were the voice

of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God

omnipotent

reigneth.”  Revelation 19:6

Amen and Amen!!!

The Builder’s Guarantee!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #667

10 Friday Jul 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, God's Judgment, God's love, Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Guarantee, Master Builder, Salvation, Saved by grace

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #667 The Builder’s Guarantee!!!

 

“Praise ye the LORD:

for it is good to sing praises unto our God;

for it is pleasant;

and praise is comely.

2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem:

he gathereth together

the outcasts of Israel.

3 He healeth the broken in heart,

and bindeth up their wounds.”  Psalm 147:1-3

Oh, how grateful I am that when we have the Lord as our Master Builder, He grants us grace, wisdom and sufficiency to live for HIM!   I would simply like to share a few passages of encouragement with you today, as we all wrestle with the crises at hand.  Remember, my friends, if God is your Master Builder (through Jesus Christ and the salvation HE provided at Calvary!) then you can walk in confidence—because our God reigns!

“Behold, the days come,

saith the LORD,

that I will sow the house of Israel

and the house of Judah

with the seed of man,

and with the seed of beast.

28 And it shall come to pass,

that like as I have watched over them,

 to pluck up,

and to break down,

and to throw down,

and to destroy,

and to afflict;

so will I watch over them,

 to build,

 and to plant,

saith the LORD.”  Jeremiah 31:27-28

This was God’s message for Jeremiah to deliver to Israel—that though He would judge their sin, HE would also bring them back into HIS presence when their heart was repentant and open to HIS Redeemer.  Even as God told Jeremiah when He called him, that HE was about to judge the nation who had, as a whole, rejected Him and His Word.

“But the LORD said unto me,

Say not, I am a child:

for thou shalt go to all

that I shall send thee,

and whatsoever I command thee

thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces:

for I am with thee

to deliver thee,

saith the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth his hand,

and touched my mouth.

And the LORD said unto me,

Behold, I have put my words

in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day

set thee over the nations

and over the kingdoms,

to root out,

and to pull down,

and to destroy,

and to throw down,

to build,

and to plant.”  Jeremiah 1:7-10

While I personally believe we are experiencing the judgment of God on our world (as well as setting the stage for the prophetic future of the scriptures which is close at hand), we can rest assured that the judgment of God is always tempered by His grace and mercy; but there is a step too far, and God does and will judge sin!  And that was the heavy message that Jeremiah was called to deliver to a people who, for the most part, refused to receive the message of God and repent.  Our God truly reigns and cares for HIS own!

“And I heard as it were the voice

of a great multitude,

and as the voice

of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”  Revelation. 19:6

“And the LORD said,

My spirit

shall not always strive

with man,

for that he also is flesh…”.   Genesis 6:1a

“Jesus saith unto them,

Did ye never read in the scriptures,

The stone

which the builders rejected,

the same

is become the head of the corner:

this is the Lord’s doing,

and it is marvellous

in our eyes?”  Matthew 21:42

So, what is our response to be to this Sovereign God of all?  Well, it’s pretty simple really (not easy, but it is simple), we must recognize our sin, repent (turn away from sin and turn toward God) of our sin, and believe in and receive Jesus payment for our sin—HIS substitutionary (in my place), atoning (paid my sin debit) , sacrifice (died and rose again  for my salvation)!  Once we receive Jesus, we become a new creature and are called to live in His power, grace and holiness –all by the power of HIS indwelling Holy Spirit.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world

unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses

unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

And a message of encouragement from the Apostle Paul to lift your heart today (and while it’s a big lengthy, I think it worth our time).

“That ye put off

concerning the former conversation

the old man,

which is corrupt

according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed

in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on

the new man,

which after God is created

in righteousness

and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying,

speak every man truth with his neighbour:

for we are members

one of another.

26 Be ye angry,

and sin not:

let not the sun go down

upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place

to the devil.

28 Let him that stole

steal no more:

but rather let him labour,

working with his hands

the thing which is good,

that he may have

to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good to the use

of edifying,

 that it may minister grace

unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.”   Ephesians 4:22-30

Amen and Amen!!!

One, Two, One??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 17

28 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, By Him We Live, Consider Your ways, Conviction, God Is In Charge, God's Faithfulness, God's provision, Repentance, Resting In Jesus, SIN, Sovereignty

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 17    One, Two, One???

 

This may be a short post, or it may grow as we go along, but I feel it’s a message that we need to consider.  We have choices in this life—and God has made it clear that while He has given us the freedom to choose, He also tells us that each choice has consequences.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 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 6:7-10

God’s standard/salvation is the only ‘way’ that provides eternal life, and, unlike man’s ways—HE hasn’t changed—nor will HE ever.  What HE says is true; just like HIS Son, who is truth!  The “One” way—the “Only” way (from before the foundation of the world)!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”   Hebrews 13:8

“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

Just as Paul told the Galatians, we have the freedom to choose, but not to set the consequences; yet even when we make wrong choices, God’s grace reaches down, through the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary—the “blood of the Lamb” that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  Jesus is our only hope!  The world has gone crazy and many (even believers) are fearful, and alarmed, but God gives us the assurance that HE is accomplishing HIS purposes in HIS time!  Godly people will pay a price for following Jesus, yet even when evil men prosper in their ways, God provides for HIS own!

“Yea, and all that will live godly

in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers

shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving,

and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things

which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom

thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation

through faith

which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:13-17 

Even when evil abounds around us (and surely it is rampant today) we can be confident in God’s faithful work, ever learning HIS Word so that we can truly obey and have comfort in our Lord, our God, our KING!

“And I heard as it were

the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying, Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”   Revelation 19:6

Amen and Amen!  The Psalmist gloriously declares that even when the heathens rage, and the crowds revel in vanity, God laughs—for HE IS in control!!!

“Why do the heathen rage,

and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth

set themselves,

and the rulers

take counsel together,

against the LORD,

and against his anointed,

saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder,

and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens

shall laugh:

the Lord shall have them

in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them

in his wrath,

and vex them

in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king

upon my holy hill of Zion.”  Psalm 2:1-6

Our Lord reigns, and His day of vengeance will come!  Will you be one of those who “rage” at God and HIS Son?  Or will you be one who calls upon the name of the Lord, and receives HIS salvation IN Jesus?

“But what saith it?

The word is nigh thee,

even in thy mouth,

and in thy heart:

that is,

the word of faith,

which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess

with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe

in thine heart

that God hath raised him

from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth

unto righteousness;

and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith,

Whosoever believeth on him

shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference

between the Jew and the Greek:

for the same Lord over all

is rich unto all

that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.”  Romans 10:8-13

Jesus Himself declared clearly what the issue is—and to make clear the title of this post—the ONE issue is SIN,  there are only TWO choices—believe/receiveJesus for salvation, or reject Him and pay for your own sin; yet there will be only ONE result– the consequences of your choice!  It’s your choice but choose wisely—there is a test!

“And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:15

There is only “One” issue—SIN!  There is only “One” choice-although there are two options, believe or reject– but remember the consequence will be an eternal one!  To use Jesus’ own words:

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds

may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”  John 3:16-21

Every “ONE” is free to choose; but of the “TWO” choices only “ONE” leads to God; the other “ONE” leads to hell!  The choice is yours and mine.  God said that evil men shall “wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived”, and we are surely seeing that happen before our very eyes.  Sad, but true!  Will we be brave enough to shine the light everywhere we go?  Will we be diligent to learn God’s Word so that we can share it with confidence and integrity?  Will we be swayed by the rhetoric of the day—the media (social and national), the politics, the false prophets and leaders, the desire for popularity and to go “viral”?  Or will we “stand fast in the evil day”—and, my friends, it is upon us!  It won’t be “one, two, three, go”; it will be a “yes” or a “no” to Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!  It’s why HE came—to “BE” the way, and save us:  “…he shall save his people from their sins…”!

The bottom line is that there are only two kinds of people—the lost without Jesus, and the saved who have been “born again” by the blood of Jesus.  It’s God’s work not ours—but when we receive Jesus, we are compelled to share it with all we encounter.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

Have you come to Jesus?  Have you been “born again” into the kingdom of God?  I’d like to close with one of my favorite passages of Paul’s which so concisely reveals what we receive when we receive the “WHO” of salvation—JESUS!

I ask that you spend some time pondering these truths—it will bless and encourage your heart if you will receive it!

“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.

7 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 5:1-11

May God bless you and open your eyes to see His truth, that we may “stand fast in the evil day”!  It is upon us!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

Our Sovereign God Still Reigns!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #660

17 Wednesday Jun 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Amazing Grace, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God's Faithfulness, God's love, God's provision, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #660  Our Sovereign God Still Reigns!!!

 

“Thou art worthy,

O Lord,

to receive glory

and honour

and power:

for thou hast created all things,

and for thy pleasure

they are

and were created.”   Revelation 4:11

Our God, the creator and ruler of all is still in charge regardless of what is going on around us.  God calls us to not only keep our eyes on Jesus, but to look up knowing that our redeemer LIVES!  And HE is coming again!

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming

in a cloud

with power

and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass,

then look up,

and lift up your heads;

for your redemption

draweth nigh.”   Luke 21:27-28

Amen and Amen!  And we could just stop there but I would like to share a bit of hope and encouragement with you in this disconcerting time.  We can be confident and secure in our Lord Jesus Christ!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

That “sound mind” means ‘right thinking’—and since Jesus is ‘truth’ we can think on the things of God and walk in victory—not ease—but victory!

“Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Guard your heart and mind with The Word of God—it will prepare us for the battle that we are in.  And we can stand fast in the certainty of our God’s sovereign rule in truth and right!  His goodness is sure, and HE is worthy of our praise, for God sent His Son to give us life—and it cost HIM HIS!  HE IS WORTHY (as well as trust-worthy!)!!!

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings

and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld,

and I heard the voice of many angels

round about the throne

and the beasts

and the elders:

and the number of them was ten thousand

times ten thousand,

and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power,

and riches,

and wisdom,

and strength,

and honour,

and glory,

and blessing.”   Revelation 5:9-12. Amen!

You can rest in His care, for HE is ever the same, and HE cares for YOU!

“My help cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:

he that keepeth thee

will not slumber.”   Psalm 121:2-3

I hope you find this post helpful and encouraging as you face uncertain days; but remember our God is NEVER unsure or uncertain—HE REIGNS!

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings,

saying,

Alleluia:

for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”  Revelation 19:6.   Amen!!!