Tag Archives: Stand Fast

Brighten Your Own Corner??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #17

29 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by in Brighten Your Corner!

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Brighten Your Own Corner???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #17

There’s an old song that we used to sing all the time, and it still rings through my heart and mind oft-times when I’m down over some lost opportunity, or uncertainty!  Jesus has called us to be faithful where we are not to keep trying to change our place, opportunities, or circumstances; if we really trust to HIS care, we can trust Him to lead, guide and provide “in His time” and in HIS way.  Job is such an inspiration to me, and while it is a most difficult book to read (the first time through), but as we read it again and again, we find the faith, courage, and strength that Job possessed and that his friends wrestled so inadequately to see!

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

When I’m confused, frustrated or just plain old tired, I rehearse this precious declaration from Job!  It’s all about Jesus!  Do I trust HIM or do I NOT?  Job knew that The Lord would come—sooner—or later—Jesus would come!  Is that amazing or what?

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,

yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

Job didn’t run, he didn’t hide, he stayed right where he was when tragedy struck in ways beyond our comprehension; he sat faithful before his God and stood fast in truth before his ‘so-called’ friends who had no clue of what God was doing.  Even Job didn’t know what God was doing, but he KNEW his God was still the faithful ruler of all.

Where are you?  Are you shining or pouting?  Has God asked something of you that you don’t want to do or deal with?  Are there difficult people around you; and while the world says, “you don’t have to put up with that”, God has called you to stand fast and speak the “truth in love” as you have opportunity.

Are we shining our little light?  Or are we hiding it under a bushel while we run, hide, seek our own way, or are we just sit and pout?  Jesus calls us to “be” salt and light, not “do” salt or light!  We are to BE and then shining will come!  And then sinners will be drawn to the “life-giving” cross and the Lord Jesus Christ who shed His “life-changing” blood for you and me—for all who will repent and believe in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin!

“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

David also demonstrates faith and ‘shining’ in his cry before God in humble repentance for his failure, knowing that only God could restore and do mighty things with a humble, and contrite heart!  God could brighten his corner!  How about you and me?  Have we let Satan dim our light with our failures!  Stop it!  Take David’s example and the instructions we have in 1 John 1:9:

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.” 

God is great at cleaning lamps!

“Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit from me.  

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners shall be converted

unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness,

O God,

 thou God of my salvation:

and my tongue shall sing aloud

of thy righteousness.”  Psalm 51:10-14

Being one who has known and experienced the forgiveness and restoration of The Lord Jesus, I can assure you that HE does good work!  So, I encourage you to meet Jesus at whatever place you are and let HIM light your lamp–either in salvation through faith in His sacrifice for you—or in restoration, having HIM refresh your flame.  Turn up that light and shine on that corner where HE has placed you—where HE has placed me!  Let’s stand fast in this “evil day”!  Our Lord is coming soon; oh, that HE will find us faithful and that we might hear “well done, thou good and faithful servant….”!  Here are the lyrics of the song I mentioned, and I pray they will encourage you today as they have me so often.

Brighten The Corner Where You Are! By Ina D Ogden

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar;
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Refrain:
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Go shine!

“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

Shine!  Shine!!  Shine!!!

Brighten YOUR corner!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Who Are You Fighting With??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 09

03 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Armor of God, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Fighting With God's Weapons, IN Jesus!, Spiritual Warfare, Stand Fast

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 09 Who Are You Fighting With???

 

As we all wrestle with the circumstances surrounding us, we often find ourselves wrestling, even fighting, with others.  No, not usually fisticuffs, but sword-fighting with our words, our emotions, and our fleshly wits.  Let’s take just a few minutes today to remind ourselves of the resources we have, IN Jesus, to overcome our own wrestlings—no matter our “perceived” adversaries!

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong

in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.”   Ephesians 6:10

Even as Jesus told us so clearly in John 15, our strength, power, wisdom, and ability to follow HIM comes from HIM!  It’s what Paul was reminding the Ephesian Christians of; our strength is IN “the Lord” and IN “the power of his might”!  Just as we talked earlier about the battle being The Lord’s—our strength is from HIM—always!

“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

“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

Paul also continued to tell the Ephesian believers:

“Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not

against flesh and blood,

but

against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.”  Ephesians 6:11-12

And because we are in a battle with unseen forces, Paul tells us that this battle requires heavenly weapons, just as he told the believers at Corinth to be aware and prepared, so must we.

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare

are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down

of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing

that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience

of Christ;”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

So, as you take on that armor of God, just a quick guide to what that armor represents in our life every day!

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

Righteousness:

“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 15:21

Peace:

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:”  Romans 5:1

“And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts

and minds

through Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 4:7

Faith:

“And be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness,

which is of the law,

but that which is through the faith

of Christ,

the righteousness

which is of God

by faith:”  Philippians 3:9

Salvation:

“Neither is there salvation

in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven.”   Acts 4:12

The Word of God:

The Living Word:

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.”    John 1:1

The written Word:

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any

twoedged sword,

piercing even to the

dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints

and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.

14 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.”   Hebrews 4:12-14

Prayer:

“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 4:15-16

(Remember prayer is not “dictation” to God, but rather the “pursuit” of HIM, HIS will, HIS way, and HIS purposes for me!)

So, dear brothers and sisters—hold fast to the one who loves you, gave His life for our salvation, and ever lives to intercede for us.  May you draw near to Him and overcome those battles—no matter who the adversary is!

“Wherefore he is able also

to save them

to the uttermost

that come unto God

by him,

seeing he ever liveth

to make intercession for them.”  Hebrews 7:25

Amen and Amen!!!

Redefining Christianity??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #526

25 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Lies, Redefining Christianity?, Righteousness, Stand Fast, The Father of Lies!, Truth

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #526    Redefining Christianity???

 

“Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet,

and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21

Isaiah warned those in his day of “woe” that would come upon those who lived and walked diametrically opposed to God and His way; and that message is as apropos today as it was those thousands of years ago, for “there is no new thing under the sun” (See Ecc. 1:9)! We are living in a time when men and women, boys and girls of all ages are determined to defy God and call it ‘ok’! The popular but false refrain says, “I’m ok, you’re ok, we’re all ok!” Well, my friends, we are NOT ok! When a willful people, make a deliberate choice to say that it’s not ‘ok’ for a state to impart the death penalty to convicted criminals, but it is ‘ok’ to kill a real, living baby in the womb right up to the time of delivery, we have totally gone over the edge. We are those people who are right “now” calling “evil good, and good evil”—and those who cry out against it are being ridiculed, marginalized and disregarded as everything but good and righteous.

My heart aches for the lives that will be taken—murdered—due to this horrendous ‘law’! I think of Isaiah and Jeremiah who were the ones called to deliver difficult messages to the people they loved—they didn’t hate their people they were broken hearted for the blindness of those who do not want to see—those who have been blinded by the lies of the enemy of their souls, “the father” of lies, Satan! And yes he is real, and he is busy at work around us at full throttle.

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself

is transformed

into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers also

be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”    2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Those who are caught up in the destructive, life-taking lies of the enemy, not only push their evil agenda, many of them call themselves “Christians”, while promoting the wickedness of the darkness. Paul warned us about these times, and we must commit ourselves to dig into The Word, equipping ourselves for the battle that we are in; while recognizing that we are quickly becoming the enemy of the majority of those around us. They are on a full frontal attack against God, Jesus, righteousness and goodness (biblical goodness, not the imitation that the world is offering!), and we must be aware, prepared and “strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might” (see Eph. 6:10-18)! They won’t tell the truth and they don’t “play fair”!

“This know also, that in the last days

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be

lovers of their own selves,        

covetous,

boasters,                                   

proud,

blasphemers,       

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,                                

unholy,

3 Without natural affection,      

trucebreakers,                    

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures

more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness,

but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Oh, my friends, if we are followers of Jesus, and living in obedience to Him and His Word—we will be ‘despised’, and we are on many fronts already. But we must stand fast and follow our Lord into the fray—in HIS power and way, not our own! Jesus Himself told us to be prepared for the lies, and even the church in many cases today, has so compromised the gospel and The Word of God that most don’t even know what a “Christian” really is. Even here in Oklahoma there are billboards all around us advertising that the ‘advertisers’ are “Christians” who understand that abortion is ‘ok’—call ‘us’ not those who call it ‘murder’! Jesus hit the nail on the head.

“And Jesus answered and said unto them,

Take heed

that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come

in my name,

saying, I am Christ;

and shall deceive many.”   Matthew 24:4-5

Jesus didn’t say a ‘few’ would come, but that “many shall come” saying that they are speaking for HIM! But The Word is the test—not popular polls and opinions! Jesus told the false religious leaders of his day, that they would believe a lie rather than HIS truth—it’s still true today!

“But I know you,

that ye have not the love of God

in you.

43 I am come

in my Father’s name,

and ye receive me not:

if another shall come

in his own name,

him ye will receive.

44 How can ye believe,

which receive honour

one of another,

and seek not the honour

that cometh from God only?”   John 5:42-44

The standard is God’s not man’s! Who are you believing—the true One or the ‘father of lies’? The Word will reveal it in the end.

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper

than any twoedged sword,

piercing even

to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints

and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”   Hebrews 4:12-13

And as Paul said to the Philippians, “think on these things”! I know this is a bit lengthy, but it is on my heart and I had to share it with you all today. May God bless you with “ears to hear” and a heart tuned to HIM! Precious Lord, please “deliver us from evil” that we may once again be the recipients of your blessings! ‘Nuff said!

Amen and Amen!