Tag Archives: Thanksgiving

Christ And HIM Crucified??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 21

21 Monday Nov 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 21 Christ And HIM Crucified???

I have a simple and hopefully encouraging word for today–it’s all about Jesus from one of the most profound scriptures in all of The Word (to me!)!  I pray that it will lift your heart this week, as we here in the U.S. celebrate a day of Thanksgiving; while knowing that “Thanks–Giving” is a heart attitude not just a ‘day’ of family, food, and football; not just a ‘day’ for turkey, treats, and too much dessert; not just a day of sharing our blessings, but truly a day to remember and praise God for HIS amazing gifts of love, mercy, and sustenance!  All because we are loved by the Creator of the universe!!

“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.”  John 3:16

And what did God give His Son to do?  To take on flesh, live among sinful men and give HIS life on the cross for our sin!

“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

And for your consideration as we go through this week, hopefully focusing on our “attitude of gratitude”, remembering the beauty of the gift that Jesus became!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 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 2:5-11

May God bless you with eyes to see and ears to hear.  May we each respond in gratitude for the greatest gift ever given!

Oh, that we will truly be found to be a grateful people, believing in this “only begotten son”, and I pray that you will receive HIS gift of “everlasting life” which JESUS bought and paid for at Calvary with HIS own blood! Thank YOU, JESUS!  (See Revelation 1:5)

Blessings on you and yours, my friends.  And may you enjoy a most love-filled HAPPY THANKS-GIVING!!!

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him,

and bless his name.”  Psalm 100:4

Amen and Amen!!!

What Am I Thankful For??? A Thanksgiving Word for today! #1

01 Tuesday Nov 2022

Posted by in Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Thankful, Thanksgiving

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What Am I Thankful For???  A Thanksgiving Word for today! #1

When I don’t know what to do?

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think

that he shall receive any thing

of the Lord.

8 A double minded man

is unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:5-8

I am thankful that The Almighty God of all creation loves me and has promised to grant me wisdom for each day.  You can count on Jesus!  He never fails.

Amen and Amen!!!

A Month Of Gratitude?? #11. Bible Ballistics: BBs #606

27 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Thankful, Thanksgiving

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #606  A Month Of Gratitude??? #11

 

I am so thankful for the privilege of gratitude!  Thank you, Lord, for the “image” of yourself that you have imparted to us—I am so glad that we can express gratitude back to you.  I’d simply like to call each of us to spend some time this weekend considering the blessings that we have to be thankful for.  For I have found this simple adage to be true: “Are you humbly grateful, or grumbly hateful?”  Gratitude is a choice, and I pray that we will pursue and maintain our “attitude of gratitude”!

May we work on our list of thankfulness!

Thank you LORD for:__________________(You fill in the blank!)

“I will praise thee with my whole heart:

before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

2 I will worship toward thy holy temple,

and praise thy name

for thy lovingkindness

and for thy truth:

for thou hast magnified thy word

above all thy name.

3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me,

and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

4 All the kings of the earth

shall praise thee,

O LORD,

when they hear the words of thy mouth.

5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD:

for great is the glory of the LORD.

6 Though the LORD be high,

yet hath he respect unto the lowly:

but the proud he knoweth afar off.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

thou wilt revive me:

thou shalt stretch forth thine hand

against the wrath of mine enemies,

and thy right hand

shall save me.

8 The LORD will perfect that

which concerneth me:

thy mercy, O LORD,

endureth for ever:

forsake not the works

of thine own hands.”   Psalm 138:1-8

Thank You Lord!

Amen and Amen!

Happy Thanksgiving to You and Yours!

 

A Month Of Gratitude? #10 Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 15

24 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Dependence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Gratitude, IN Jesus!, Independence, Thankful, Thanksgiving

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 15   A Month Of Gratitude??? #10

 

Dependent Or Independent?  I thank God, not only in this time set aside for gratitude, but every day, for His perfect provision!  What does that have to do with “dependence”?  Well, it is most significant to our successful walk with Jesus, yet we must make a decision of our will whether we will walk in obedience or rebellion.  It can affect our daily walk, as well as our prayer life, both of which are oft neglected and distorted, by the flesh today.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

Jesus told His disciples that prayer wasn’t for our own selfish whims, but for the glory of God, to draw us closer to Him, to seek to know HIS will, His desires, and to increase HIS kingdom—not our own!  Jesus told us that our desire in prayer was and is to praise God—”Hallowed be thy name”; we are to seek God’s glory as we praise Him, not our own ‘independent’way!

We are to pray for God’s kingdom to come—not our own! Yet so many today are being taught and led to believe that we can manipulate God by using certain words, by having enough, or a right kind of faith, or claiming what we want in a particular way!  But Jesus calls us to pray seeking God’s kingdom and God’s will to be accomplished in this worldly realm.  We are never called to pray for God to endorse our plans, but we are to pursue God’s will, His ways, being willing to wait for His timing.  Not the easiest thing to do; but the thing that will grow us into the “image” of Jesus!  (See Romans 8:28-29)

“But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up

with wings as eagles;

they shall run,

and not be weary;

and they shall walk,

and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

Oh, how hard it is to learn to “wait upon the LORD”—yet it is the pathway to strength, courage, stamina, endurance—for God has a plan that we can never know except to walk in His light.

“There is a way that seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

As we walk “in the Spirit”, we can avoid the pitfalls of the flesh; learning and pursuing God’s pathway of light, and His direction, as we yield to HIS Spirit’s work in us. (See Gal. 5:16,25)

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”   Matthew 6:13-14

Jesus goes on in this passage to remind us that just “saying so” doesn’t make it so; but a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ The Son.

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”   Matthew 7:21-23

Just as the proverb told us, there is “a way” that seems right—our own way–yet God calls us to walk HIS way—the way of light.

“Thy word is a lamp

unto my feet,

and a light

unto my path.”  Psalm 119:105

The Apostle John also called us to walk in God’s pathway of light.

“This then is the message

which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God

is light,

and in him

is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ

his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.”   1 john 1:5-7

Oh, what precious words, ”the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”.  One of my favorite passages clearly displays the contrast between walking in “dependence” upon God, and the “independent” person who chooses to forsake God and go his own way.  We are free to choose but remember there is a test!  Choose wisely—you can be independent and trust to your own “goodness” to save you—or you can trust to God’s provided salvation in Jesus. There is only One Way—and His name is Jesus!

“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?”   Matthew 16:26

And the beautiful Psalm 1:

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also

shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth

shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand

in the judgment,

nor sinners

in the congregation

of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth

the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.”  Psalm 1:1-6

And remember that the only righteousness that will give us a right standing with God is the Righteousness of Jesus, imparted by God, to those who come to Jesus, in repentance and faith!  It’s His blood that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  Are you cleansed and depending on His grace; or are you living independent from God!  Thank YOU Lord, that we can depend on YOU!

“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 5:20-21

Jesus will be your righteousness, if you will depend on HIM:

“Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”  Matthew 11:29

Amen and Amen!!!

A Month Of Gratitude??? #5 Prayer Bible Ballistics: BBs #603

15 Friday Nov 2019

Posted by in Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Prayer, Thankful, Thanksgiving, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #603    A Month Of Gratitude??? #5 Prayer

 

I am most grateful for the privilege of prayer!  It is the greatest gift of communication that we could have, and God has extended not only His ear, but His heart and compassion to us—24/7/365.

“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

I’d like to share an ‘amplified’ version of the 23rd Psalm that I did several years ago, may it remind us that the One that we pray to hears, guides and provides according to His perfect will—for HE knows what is ahead, and we can trust HIM.  Is HE your shepherd?

“The Lord

King of Kings–

Lord of Lords–

Creator and sustainer of the universe–

Lover of my soul–

The “ONLY” way–

The “ONLY” truth—

The “ONLY” life, blood bought at Calvary—

And because of Calvary the victor over death—

is my shepherd;

He belongs to me; He is MY shepherd—

Because I belong to Him through the cross—

As He gave HIS life’s blood for the sheep—

My keeper—

My guard—

My teacher—

My protector—

My dearest friend–

I shall not want.

Because my God is watching over me—

He knows my needs before I do—

My heart is set on Him—

If it pleases my Shepherd, it pleases me—

Because He “loves” me—

I can trust Him and His tender care—

I can trust HIS perfect will in all things–

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He provides for my sustenance—

When I follow Him, all is well with my soul—

His pastures (like His will) provide the best care—

In His pastures I can rest my weary soul–

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

His water is still so I can drink to the full—

His still waters will never overwhelm me—

His waters will never drag me down in the mire—

His waters are still for my nourishment–

my safety—

my security– 

3 He restoreth my soul:

My shepherd knows my soul needs restoring—

He leads me to quiet places even in the storm—

He can restore simply by HIS presence—

If we’ll but seek Him—

If we’ll but listen—

If we’ll but rest in Him—

If we’ll but trust and believe—

He’ll never send us out powerless–

He’ll never send us out unprotected—

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

My shepherd leads my every step if I’ll go—

My shepherd knows the way before me—

My shepherd gives me a lamp for my feet—

My shepherd gives me a light for my path—

My shepherd provides for my way at Calvary—

His blood imparts His righteousness to me—

I can walk in those paths because HE lives—

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

And we all will die physically—

But with my shepherd death is only a door—

A door that leads to “LIFE” for eternity with HIM—

And because of that—

I will fear no evil:

Because I belong to the Sovereign Lord of ALL—

Because the “joy of the Lord” is my strength—

Because I have “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”- 

for thou art with me;

Just as He promised,

to never leave me—

to never forsake me—

The indwelling Holy Spirit is in me—

Jesus has come in to dine with me—

I can dine with Him regardless of time or place—

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.   

He is conforming me into the image of the SON—

Whether in reproof or instruction He is there—

He is working all things for my good—

As HE conforms me to the image of Jesus—

So, I can take comfort in the discipline of God—

Whether it’s instruction or correction—

It will bring comfort to my soul–              

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: 

When others may come against me, God knows—

God wants my responses to reflect HIS glory, for—

God is weaving me into a tapestry of holiness—

He IS doing HIS work IN me, HIS child—

He often does His best work under duress—

I can trust to HIS ways, public and private– 

thou anointest my head with oil;   

My shepherd will reveal that I am His—

He will verify my work for HIM—

He will identify me as HIS own—

He will welcome me home, my real home—

Because of ALL HE IS…..

my cup runneth over.

I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude—

The abundance of my soul bursts with love—

His love that HE places within me—

My fullness of joy affects everything around me—

To lead others to know my wonderful Shepherd—

And the results are always in HIS hands.

And the results of knowing and following my dear Shepherd are incomparable:

6 Surely goodness and mercy 

shall follow me all the days of my life: 

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 

for ever.  Psalm 23

May you ever bask in the joy of this Shepherd who loves you and laid down His life for you? If you know Him, trust Him with it all—HE cares. If you don’t know Him, I pray that you will call on Him to today, in repentance and faith, believing that His perfect life sacrificed for you is sufficient to forgive and cleanse you of all sin. God bless your journey to HIM and with HIM! The choice is still yours.

Amen and Amen!!!