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Breathe! It’s OK!!! A Word from THE WORD!!!

22 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Advice for the journey, Comfort, Confidence, Creator of ALL, Doubt and Confusion?, Encouragement, Order my steps, Our God Reigns

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1 Corinthians 15:57-58, Acts 17:28a, Breathe, Encouragement Today, God's Got This, Jesus knows about it, Job 33:4, John 10:10-11, Look up and press on, Philippians 1:6, Pressing On With Jesus, Revelation 19:6-7, Romans 5:1-3, Romans 8:28-29, Take a breath, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus

Breathe!  It’s OK!!!  A Word from THE WORD!!! #15

Just a brief word to encourage your Wednesday!  Sometimes we get so caught up in the things—the stuff—the appointments—the running—the doing—that we are almost “holding our breath” and running on imagination!  Well, my friends—breathe!  Just take a deep breath in, thank God for today, and breathe out!  Repeat!  And again!

“The Spirit of God

 hath made me,

and the breath of the Almighty

hath given me life.”  Job 33:4

Sometimes our ‘tunnel’ vision overtakes our heart of faith—we only see the small window of our current crises, and we are prone to forget that our God is still in charge, and HE is trustworthy of our attention!

“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.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice,

and give honour to him….”  Revelation 19:6-7a

Remember Who is in charge—Who loves you—Who has all the “stuff” covered if we will but stop and “breathe” in Jesus!

“For in him

we live,

and move,

and have our being…”. Acts 17:28a

And I simply want to share a few words of hope, encouragement, and peace for you to breathe in today.  I pray that it will help you as it has me.  We all have those times—so stop, take a few minutes, and “breathe” IN JESUS!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that

he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”  Philippians 1:6

Got it?  Jesus is at work in HIS own every minute of every day—for your good and HIS glory!  Count on it.

“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

I praise God that it is all because of Jesus—NOT me—and you can trust HIM, for HE has never failed me yet—and HE won’t today!

“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.”  Romans 5:1-3

So, press on in confidence—Jesus is enough!

“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 15:56-58

 Jesus has supplied all we need—look up, walk right, and press on!

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:10-11

Breathe and lean on your Shepherd, Jesus!!!

As the gospel hymn says, “The Longer I Serve Him, The Sweeter HE Grows”! (Written by Bill and Gloria Gaither.).

Amen and Amen!!!

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Who Am I??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 08

16 Sunday Jan 2022

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Consider Your ways, Looking up Or around?, Resting In Jesus, Resting Or Wrestling?, Who Am I?, Who's Listening Anyway?

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1 Corinthians 3:11-16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Peter 5:6-11, Ezekiel 33:2-8, Ezekiel 3:17-19, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 13:5-6, James 4:5-10, Job 13:15, John 10:27-30, John 14:6-7, John 15:4-5, Knowing GOD, Luke 9:20-25, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 30:4-5, Resting In Jesus, Romans 11:33-36, Romans 8:28-31, Spiritual Gifts, Trusting God, Who Am I?

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 08   Who Am I???

 

This is a unique kind of post and while I am writing it in the first person, I am also writing it as a guide for each of us to question and discern who we are being for Jesus, and why we choose the way that we do in our life choices.

While I am the culmination of all my life experiences, I am not just that—I am the product of the work of God in my life; I am a blood bought, born again, heaven bound, grace saved, believer in Jesus, who has the mark of God on my life, and it is HIS work that is to be seen in me.

“What? know ye not

that your body is the temple

of the Holy Ghost

which is in you,

which ye have of God,

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God

in your body,

and in your spirit,

which are God’s.”   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

But who do I think and act like I am?  Is what others see a true reflection of the ONE who bought and paid for my salvation, that “abundant life” that HE, Jesus, died to provide?  That is the question that I’d like us to consider today, and I hope my method of investigation here will help us to draw near to God, and see what HE sees, for James said if we draw near to HIM, HE will draw near to us!

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:5-10

Have we drawn near to HIM or let the world come in between?  We are to assess our lives on a regular basis to be sure that we are truly hearing and obeying the call of God on our lives, and expressing the glory, grace, and power of our God, with the gifts that HE has given to each of His own.

“As every man hath received the gift,

even so minister the same

one to another,

as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak,

let him speak as the oracles of God;

if any man minister,

let him do it as of the ability

which God giveth:

that God in all things

may be glorified

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be praise and dominion

for ever and ever.

Amen.”  1 Peter 4:10-11

So, who am I? If I might do some exploring with you, there are some things that apply to me, and they may apply to you, or you may have different gifts and callings, but we are each to do what with them?  And if you’ll notice there are two main groups of gifts, speaking gifts, and serving gifts, both necessary for the function and edification of the church body!  We are to obey and follow our Lord and serve with humility and total dependence upon God’s provision—His gifts, His provision, to His glory and for other’s good. All to reflect Jesus to a lost and dying world!   What will I do with my gift/gifts? You?

“He said unto them,

But whom say ye that I am?

Peter answering said,

The Christ of God.

21 And he straitly charged them,

and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

22 Saying,

The Son of man

must suffer many things,

and be rejected

of the elders and chief priests

and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?”   Luke 9:20-25

I am a follower of Jesus, and that means I have a cross to bear for my LORD, not for my salvation, but as an identifying mark of the Master who paid for my sin!  I am one who has a debt of love that I pray will be reflected in everything I do! How about you?  What are some of the gifts that we may have?  Let’s take a look at some of the callings of God, and as I have shared before, there is sometimes a call on my life, that may not be on yours; as a little tract I read many, many years ago called to my heart, and is still calling today, “Others may, you cannot!”  I am bound to The King of my soul no matter what others do or think of what I am called to be and do!

“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

It’s all about Jesus—the only WAY—the only FOUNDATION!

“For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,    

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God

dwelleth in you?”   1 Corinthians 3:11-16

Our culture, even the Christian culture around us today, says that there are many “foundations”, and that we are all going to the same destination, we are just going different ways!  NOT!  Paul said it so clearly—”other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ”, and we must heed his warning and be sure that we are building on the right foundation—the only foundation!  For even Jesus Himself made it clear that there is only ONE WAY!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.

7 If ye had known me,

ye should have known my Father also:

and from henceforth

ye know him,

and have seen him.”  John 14:6-7

Jesus also made it clear that HE IS GOD!  First, last, and always.

“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

If we are HIS sheep, how are we building on that foundation?  Are we building with “wood, hay, stubble” or “gold, silver, precious stone”?  Choose wisely, for there is a test, and Paul declares that the test of our works will be by fire, and we all know what’s left after fire on the “wood, hay, stubble”, nothing but ashes, and Paul goes on to say that when genuine believers see our “self” works go up in smoke, we “shall be saved; yet so as by fire”!  How sad to stand before our Lord, with nothing to show for the gifts, callings, and opportunities that HE has given to us!  How sad, indeed!

But there is more to consider!

“Son of man,

I have made thee a watchman

unto the house of Israel:

therefore hear the word at my mouth,

and give them warning

from me.

18 When I say unto the wicked,

Thou shalt surely die;

and thou givest him not warning,

nor speakest to warn the wicked

from his wicked way,

to save his life;

the same wicked man

shall die in his iniquity;

but his blood will I require

at thine hand.

19 Yet if thou warn the wicked,

and he turn not from his wickedness,

nor from his wicked way,

he shall die in his iniquity;

but thou hast delivered thy soul.”  Ezekiel 3:17-19

God went on to give Ezekiel an even more graphic picture of the responsibility of a watchman; and take note that a watchman isn’t always listened to, and is often unpopular, but when God calls us to it, we are HIS watchmen and watchwomen!  What has God called you to do?  God gave Ezekiel another message about the watchman, and while it is a bit lengthy, I think it necessary for us to consider the import of our calling—be it a speaking or serving gift!

“Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them,

When I bring the sword upon a land,

if the people of the land take a man of their coasts,

and set him for their watchman:

3 If when he seeth the sword come

upon the land,

he blow the trumpet,

and warn the people;

4 Then whosoever heareth the sound

of the trumpet,

and taketh not warning;

if the sword come, and take him away,

his blood shall be upon his own head.

5 He heard the sound of the trumpet,

and took not warning;

his blood shall be upon him.

But he that taketh warning

shall deliver his soul.

6 But if the watchman see the sword come,

and blow not the trumpet,

 and the people

be not warned;

if the sword come,

and take any person from among them,

he is taken away in his iniquity;

but his blood will I require

at the watchman’s hand.

7 So thou, O son of man,

I have set thee a watchman

unto the house of Israel;

therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth,

and warn them from me.

8 When I say unto the wicked,

O wicked man, thou shalt surely die;

if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked

from his way,

that wicked man shall die in his iniquity;

but his blood will I require

at thine hand.

9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked

of his way

to turn from it;

if he do not turn from his way,

he shall die in his iniquity;

but thou hast delivered thy soul.”  Ezekiel 33:2-8

As we saw Peter’s instruction in 1 Peter 4 above, God gives the gifts, and we are responsible for what we do with them; we are blood bought children of God (if we have been born again by the Spirit of God, see John 1:11-13 and John 3:3-19)), and it is HIS power that we are to walk in, not our own.  Scripture is replete with reminders to “walk in the Spirit” and not the flesh, as we share the Gospel truth, trusting God to bring it to fruition. But if we don’t share?  Whose blood is on my hands?

“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

“Nothing”!  Ouch!  Crucifixion hurts—it hurt Jesus to pay for our sin on that Roman cross, and it will cost us, if and when we choose to “take up his cross daily, and follow” Jesus!  The cross is not just a cute piece of jewelry that some wear, for whatever reason, but the cross is an instrument of death!  It killed my Lord, though HE willingly laid down HIS life for you and me, how can we do any less for HIM whom we claim to love and serve!  Serving Jesus gets messy, and is often, as Oswald Chambers calls it, mundane to the eyes of men, yet when we are serving our Lord, the results will be seen for eternity in glory.  It’s why, with Job, I can honestly declare:

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

So, what does all this mean?  Good question: yet sometimes the answer is a difficult one, but sometimes not so difficult, for we can see our duty and our service opportunities clearly; but sometimes we wrestle with balance, discernment, heavy loads, life events that test and try our faith, uncertainty, or just plain bodily weariness.  Does God know?  Does God care?  That I can answer, ABSOLUTELY—HE loves us and cares about every thing that concerns you and me. (If you haven’t heard it, find the Collingsworth Family’s song, “If it matters to you, it matters to The Master”—it will bless your soul!). Jesus loved YOU/ME to death—HIS death– for our SIN!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory

and dominion

for ever

and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11

And as the Psalmist says:

“Sing unto the LORD,

O ye saints of his,

and give thanks

at the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his anger endureth

but a moment;

in his favour

is life:

weeping may endure for a night,

but joy cometh in the morning.”  Psalm 30:4-5

And in conclusion, I would simply like to say that even when I’m confused, tired, weary, or even uncertain of the next step, GOD STILL REIGNS!  He is my faithful Lord, and I trust HIM—and because I have found Him faithful in every way, I can go on, I can take a break and go on.  I can find rest in fellowship, sleep, time away, even outside counsel when I need it.  After all, when Elijah ran from Jezebel, God didn’t fuss at him, He told him to go to sleep, and sent food by the birds to feed his body!  God cares for you and me, and we can take care of ourselves in living a balanced life, but we must be sure that our eyes stay “fixed on Jesus”—The One who died for me, and Who is working “all things” for me, in me, through me, to HIS glory and my/your good!  Amen!

And I leave you with a few passages to ponder through your day, week and beyond.

“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

“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.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?”  Romans 8:28-31

And remember that when you take up that “cross” of Jesus, you are also “yoked” together with HIM, and you will NEVER “pull” alone!

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 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.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

“Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:5-6

May God’s voice speak and direct your steps today!

Amen and Amen!!!

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Christmas Ponderings #7 Bible Ballistics: BBs #771

17 Friday Dec 2021

Posted by Blanche in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Are You Ready, Believe God?, Believe IN Jesus, Choose you this day?, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Come To Worship HIM, Trust, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Who are you listening too!, Worship Him!, Worship?

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A blessed meeting!, Believing God's Word, Faithful Joseph-, Faithful Women of God!, Honorable Followers, Joseph, Joseph's adventure, Luke 1:11-16, Luke 1:26-33, Luke 1:41-45, Luke 1:46-56, Mary, Matthew 1:21, The Truth or The World?, Trusting God, Who are you believing?

Bible Ballistics: BBs #771   Christmas Ponderings!!! #7

 

As we approach Christmas week, and we think of all the activities, errands, shopping, wrapping, mailing, cards, gifts, baking and cooking we may become overwhelmed, but I want us to take a few minutes today to remind ourselves of the JOY of Christmas, and WHO it’s ALL about!

“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

This amazing message is what Joseph received from the angel of The Lord as he was trying to decide on a course of action regarding his “espoused”, Mary, who was by this time some 3 or 4 months pregnant (remember she went to Elizabeth almost immediately after receiving the message from the angel for some 3 months).  Scripture tells us that Joseph was a just man, and only wanted to do the right thing-–even for Mary.  I’ve always wondered about that conversation that Mary had to have with her parents, for while her cousin Elizabeth (the mother of John the Baptizer) knew that her pregnancy was supernatural, we’re not told that her parents had the same spiritual insight.  I don’t mean to be irreverent, but can’t you just imagine Mary telling her parents that she was pregnant, but it was a work of God!  And then she had to tell Joseph—that had to be an interesting conversation—and he simply wanted to do the right thing for Mary!  But once again God stepped in and assured Joseph that his beloved Mary was telling the truth!  I can’t even imagine the courage that it took, for surely the neighbors there in Nazareth were just as “gossipy” as neighbors today, and the rumors flew around town; and remember that Joseph would have been presumed to be the father—one who had violated Mary’s purity, and the marriage contract prematurely.

Yet in all of this, there was one other who believed—Elizabeth; and from their encounter we have two of the most beautiful of all declarations of the faith of two women in all of scripture (excepting perhaps the declaration of Hannah)—one who was past childbearing years and was gifted by God to bear a child!  The other an engaged maiden who was pregnant without benefit of the marriage being consummated!  Elizabeth got the news of her blessing from her husband Zacharias, who also received an angelic visitation and message about “John”!

“And there appeared unto him

an angel of the Lord

standing on the right side

of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him,

he was troubled,

and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said unto him,

Fear not, Zacharias:

for thy prayer is heard;

and thy wife Elisabeth

shall bear thee a son,

and thou shalt call his name John.

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness;

and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15 For he shall be great

in the sight of the Lord,

and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;

and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost,

even from his mother’s womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel

shall he turn to the Lord their God.”   Luke 1:11-16

This faithful servant of God received amazing news via an angelic visit!  The angel’s message came to pass, and Zacharias’ wife Elizabeth would receive a visit from another mother of a special child; and six months into her pregnancy, a divine encounter took place, often overlooked in our rush to Bethlehem.

“And in the sixth month

the angel Gabriel was sent from God

unto a city of Galilee,

named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man

whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David;

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said,

Hail, thou that art highly favoured,

the Lord is with thee:

blessed art thou

among women.

29 And when she saw him,

she was troubled at his saying,

and cast in her mind

what manner of salutation

this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her,

Fear not, Mary:

for thou hast found favour with God

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive

in thy womb,

and bring forth a son,

and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great,

and shall be called

the Son of the Highest:

and the Lord God

shall give unto him

the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign

over the house of Jacob

for ever;

and of his kingdom

there shall be no end.”  Luke 1:26-33

And while Mary may have struggled to accept what the angel told her, she accepted the message from God and then went to visit her cousin Elizabeth.  Maybe to confirm what she had been told, maybe to not be in Nazareth as her condition began to show; we don’t know why, except it seems to have been a God designed visit, and the encounter between these two blessed women of God gives us cause to worship and praise our God for the gift of HIS plan of salvation, which came to fruition through a simple Jewish girl of faith with an amazing devotion to her God!

Let’s simply let these two women bring us to the throne of grace today.  There is nothing I could add to what they have to say.  May we rejoice with such ardor and love!

“And it came to pass, that,

when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary,

the babe leaped in her womb;

and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said,

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me,

that the mother of my Lord

should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice

of thy salutation sounded in mine ears,

the babe leaped in my womb

for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed:

for there shall be a performance

of those things which were told her

from the Lord.”   Luke 1:41-45

And Mary’s response:

“And Mary said,

My soul doth magnify

the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced

in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate

of his handmaiden:

for, behold, from henceforth

all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty

hath done to me great things;

and holy is

his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him

from generation to generation.

51 He hath shewed strength

with his arm;

he hath scattered the proud

in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty

from their seats,

and exalted them

of low degree.

53 He hath filled the hungry

with good things;

and the rich

he hath sent empty away.

54 He hath holpen his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers,

to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

56 And Mary abode with her about three months,

and returned to her own house.”  Luke 1:46-56

May you find comfort knowing the fullness of joy that is found in The Word of The Lord!

Amen and Amen!!!

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The Struggle Is Real??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 01

25 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Confidence, Conformed to HIS image, The Struggle IS Real?, Trials, Tried by FIRE!, Troubles, Trust God, Trusting God

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1 Corinthians 15:57-58, 1 Peter 5:6-11, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Ephesians 6:10-12, God's Grace IS Sufficient, Hebrews 4:12-13, Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 40:31, Our God Reigneth!, Philippians 4;13, Resting Or Wrestling?, Revelation 19:6, The Struggle IS Real?, Trusting God

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 18 No. 01   The Struggle Is Real???

 

There are times when things “roll on” with little or no difficulties; and then there are those times which come, and often stay way longer than we expected, yet our God still reigns. So, regardless of the trials, difficulties, choices, and uncertainty that I/we may face, our God always has the answer; if we will but hear, heed, and follow HIM.

“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

We have but to “fix our eyes” on Jesus and learn to “wait” on HIM—oh, that is so easy to write, but not so easy to do all the time.

“And thine ears shall hear

a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn

to the right hand,

and when ye turn

to the left.”  Isaiah 30:21

And of course, the wonderful passage reminding us of God’s perfect provision that is always there when we are weak.  Paul wrestled with this dilemma just like we do, yet God gave him the same assurance that we have today; for God’s grace is always my/our strength when we find ourselves feeling weak, desperate, or confused about which way to go.

“And lest I should be exalted

above measure

through the abundance of the revelations,

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan

to buffet me,

lest I should be exalted

above measure.

8 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 12:7-10

Even as Paul told the Philippian believers:

“I can do

all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

Paul also told the believers at Ephesus that the battle is real, but we have all we need from God—put on that armor of GOD!

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong

in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.

11 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 6:10-12

We can count on God’s Word, for that very reason!  What reason, you might ask?  Because it IS GOD’S WORD—and it was, is and ever shall be the standard against which all things will be measured!

“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

It is GOD “with whom we have to do”!  As I often say, “Choose wisely, there is a test!”  It will be God’s test, according to The Word of God, regardless of what you have done with it in this life.  And a closing word from the Apostle Peter to those who were suffering for their faith.  May we be found faithful in all we say and do!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us

unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you. 

11 To him be glory

and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11

Remember, “the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”!

“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

“Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth

for you”

Waiting isn’t our favorite, but it is what God often calls us to!

 “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

Amen and Amen!!!

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Humbly Trusting Our God??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 14

26 Monday Jul 2021

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Conformed to HIS image, Glory To God, God Is In Charge, God Knows, Humility, I Know Whom I Have Beleived

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All thing for our good, Comformed to the image of Jesus, Hebrews 4:14-16, Humble obeying, Humbly Trusting our God!, Philippians 2:3-11, Romans 8:28-29, Self or Christ?, Trusting God

Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 14  Humbly Trusting Our God???

 

I want to let you know that posts may be a bit sporadic for a while, as we are making some life changes at our house and for the next couple of weeks, we’ll have things going on that may keep me from writing on my regular schedule.  I am so thankful for each of you, and thank you for your prayers, encouraging words, notes, reactions, and replies to our work.  My prayer is that God will always be lifted up, HIS Word exalted, and hearts and lives encouraged and drawn nearer to the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord.  So, for today a brief word that is an encouragement to me, and I pray to you!

“Let nothing be done

through strife

or vainglory;

but in lowliness of mind

let each esteem other

better than themselves.

4 Look not every man

on his own things,

but every man

also on the things of others.

5 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 2:3-11

May we each choose to seek Jesus’ face, and humble ourselves before God and be like Jesus; it’s what God is working into our lives in every circumstance!  We can trust to HIS care.

“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

And just a little side note in closing, for many years I had heard Romans 8:28 “all things”, and it seemed rather flippant and often made God seem erratic or unfeeling to just flip out this or that to whomever!  BUT—then I found out there was a verse 29 in this amazing chapter of Romans!  Oh, praise God, HE has a purpose in all our trials, suffering, stumblings, even in our successes and failures!  OH, praise God—HE has promised that HE is at work in every situation that we might be “conformed to the image of his Son”!  I can’t tell you what joy and confidence that brought to my heart, and I hope it will do the same for you today!

May we seek HIM continually, humbling ourselves before God regardless of our circumstances, life changes, heartaches, or trials, and especially in the successes of life that can often build our “ego” rather than build our humble faith!

Be blessed and rejoice in all that God IS, not just what HE IS doing.  He is truly our “strong tower” and we can “run into it” any time.  Run to Jesus!  (See Proverbs 18:10)

“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 4:14-16

Amen and Amen!!!

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