Tag Archives: Trusting Jesus

God Always Knows??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 21

02 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by in All About Jesus!, Comfort, Compassion, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, JESUS, Our God Reigns, Sovereignty, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Worship Him!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 21     God Always Knows???

 

“But he knoweth the way that I take:

when he hath tried me,

I shall come forth as gold.

11 My foot hath held his steps,

his way have I kept,

and not declined.

12 Neither have I gone back

from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words of his mouth

more than my necessary food.”   Job 23:10-12

HE knows….   What an amazing truth on which I stand and take great comfort.  It has been a difficult day, and the comfort in my soul knowing that God has not only me in His hands, but those whom I love dearly.  Just as Job, in the midst of trials—trials that were allowed by his God—Job knew that God was in charge!  And with Job, I proclaim as he did:

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”   Job 13:15

We all make choices—choices to trust God or not.  To believe in Him or not; to trust God or the world and its lies instead!  Yet through all of the grief and sorrow of these recent months (after the loss of my daughter) my confidence is not in my own strength, but in the solace and comfort that God continues to supply!  God’s comfort is the strength of my heart, soul and mind, and I thank Him for the many reminders of His presence and His provision.

While I have good days and difficult days, God is ever at work to remind me of His faithfulness.  I have noticed that it has made me more sensitive to the losses and trials of those around me, and I have to say I am grateful when the tears come, whether for myself or in prayer for those I love and care for.  I am so grateful that God knows where I am and where those are whom I love and pray for; and while there is much suffering and many trials for the faithful going on around us, we can take comfort with the Psalmist that our God knows.  Let’s peruse the insight that David shares in Psalm 139.

“O LORD, thou hast searched me,

and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting

and mine uprising,

thou understandest my thought

afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path

and my lying down,

and art acquainted

with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue,

but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me

behind

and before,

and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high,

I cannot attain unto it.”   Psalm 139:1-6

David reminds us that God is–as he said elsewhere— “a very present help in trouble”!  I am so glad that I am not alone, that God knows not only what I have been through, but what I face today and even tomorrow.  Praise God, I know “who holds tomorrow”—and today, and the yesterdays that I have entrusted to His healing grace!

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit?

or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven,

thou art there:

if I make my bed in hell,

behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,

and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;

even the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness

hideth not from thee;

but the night shineth

as the day:

the darkness and the light

are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins:

thou hast covered me

in my mother’s womb.”   Psalm 139:7-13

David so clearly reveals to us his unwavering faith in the true nature of God Almighty, The One who not only knows our past, but our present and our future; and He is ever the sovereign God over all—the good, the bad and the unpleasant.  He is sufficient to our every need.

“But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father

be glory for ever

and ever. Amen.”  Philippians 4:19-20

David gives us even more insight as we continue with Psalm 139:

“I will praise thee;

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvellous are thy works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee,

when I was made in secret,

and curiously wrought

in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance,

yet being unperfect;

and in thy book

all my members were written,

which in continuance were fashioned,

when as yet

there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me,

O God!

how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them,

they are more in number than the sand:

when I awake,

I am still with thee.”   Psalm 139:14-18

You/I are truly “fearfully and wonderfully made” by this amazing God of Gods, and King of Kings.  I pray that you will join me and rejoice in the glory of our sovereign Lord of all.  He can be trusted, and as David said, “marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well”!  I hope you know this God who loves you and me, and that you will find comfort and peace in His presence!  He loves you more than you can imagine.

“But as it is written,

Eye hath not seen,

nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared

for them

that love him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9

Will you love HIM?  He loves you enough to die for YOU!  And HIS comfort is unparalleled!

“Blessed be God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us

in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort

wherewith we ourselves

are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ

abound in us,

so our consolation

also aboundeth by Christ.”  2 Corinthians 2:3-5

May I simply say, as God comforts me, He enables me to help bring comfort to you and others, so that we can share HIS comfort with those He brings across our path!  Won’t you receive of His consolation and pass it on!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

Does Your God See??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #658

10 Wednesday Jun 2020

Posted by in Blessed by God, Choose You This Day!, God Who Sees, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #658      Does Your God See???

 

“And Abraham called the name of that place

Jehovahjireh:

as it is said to this day,

In the mount of the LORD

it shall be seen.”   Genesis 22:14

God had called Abraham to go to a place he didn’t know, led by a God he wanted to know, through a journey of joy and sorrow, obedience and failure, to know God in saving faith, and finally receive the child of promise—Isaac!  Yet when Isaac was almost grown, God called Abraham to offer him as a sacrifice.  In this test we see that Abraham had learned to trust God to do whatever was right.  A place where we can’t arrive through a life of ease and pleasure, but a life of testing; a life of failure and successes that lead and grow us into a KNOWledge of God Almighty, and learning to KNOW His Son Jesus (for Abraham only saw Jesus’ coming by faith!)!  We can come to that place, and with Abraham, boldly call our God, Jehovah Jireh—The God who sees it all.  The God who sees the ending from the beginning!

The author of Hebrews makes it clear to us what Abraham believed!  What do you believe?  What are you willing to trust God with?

“By faith Abraham,

when he was tried,

offered up Isaac:

and he that had received the promises

offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said,

That in Isaac

shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able

to raise him up,

even from the dead;

from whence also

he received him

in a figure.”  Hebrews 11:17-19

When we dig into this amazing story of Abraham, we find that Abraham was called to offer his son on the same mount where God offered HIS “only begotten son” for our sin. Think about it—that is amazing—so amazing that Abraham not only received his son back, but he was living out a picture of what God was going to do to “bless” all nations through his descendant, Jesus (crucified for our sin, risen from the dead, and coming again).  He believed the promises of God, and clung to them in absolute confidence and trust, knowing that God keeps HIS Word!  Where is your confidence today?  What/who are you counting on?  What/who are you resting in?  Have you come to the place of trusting God with what you can’t see!  Or are you still choosing to walk by sight rather than faith!

“And God is able

to make all grace abound toward you;

that ye,

always having all sufficiency

in all things,

may abound

to every good work:”   2 Corinthians 9:8

Scripture testifies to Abraham’s faith, what does our faith testify of to those around us?  Are you wrestling with issues that you can’t let go of?  God wants to give you rest, if you’ll but come to HIM for answers and provision.  I know that is much easier said than done, but it is a ‘doable’ if we’ll but keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting in HIS amazing grace, power and all-sufficient Sovereignty; forsaking the world’s call to “do it yourself”, rather than walking in confidence with the ONE who can and will lead, direct and deliver us, if we will just look up—rather than around!

“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

So, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, letting go of the weight of the world, the draw of sin, and clinging to the ONE who knows the answers already.  Bring it to Jesus—He is ever waiting for your call!  We can rest in HIS faithfulness—for He will never fail—for HE sees tomorrow today!  You can trust to HIS care, and rest IN HIM!

“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 4:16

Amen and Amen!

A Different Mother’s Day??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 10

10 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, By Him We Live, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Forgiveness, HOPE, Moms, Mothers, Salvation, Trials, Troubles, Trusting Jesus, Truth

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 10 A Different Mother’s Day???

 

I want to share just a brief thought or two today; as most of you know my only daughter was murdered last December, causing this to be a unique Mother’s Day this year.  I simply want to share a few things that have gotten me through this time, and hopefully to encourage other mothers (or anyone) who have unique issues they are dealing with.  The main thing I want to say is the same thing I have said since tragedy struck our lives, ‘God is still God! God is still good! And I still trust HIM!’ I say this only because it is true, and like Paul I can say it because I have confidence in my Lord—the One who saves and keeps me every day!  Without fear, shame or doubt I know I can rely upon HIM!

“Be not thou therefore ashamed

of the testimony of our Lord,

nor of me his prisoner:

but be thou partaker

of the afflictions of the gospel

according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us,

and called us

with an holy calling,

not according to our works,

but according to his own purpose

and grace,

which was given us in Christ Jesus

before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest

by the appearing of our Saviour

Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death,

and hath brought life

and immortality to light

through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed

a preacher,

and an apostle,

and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed:

for I know

whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.”   2 Timothy 1:8-12

It is true because “I know whom I have believed”—and HE is my everything!  And while your issues may be different than mine, God knows where you are, and HE will meet you where you are –for HE knows what you feel!

“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

One of the things that has helped me, is to remember that while I feel sorrow, grief and pain in my loss, God is working His will, His purposes, and His glory all around me.  And after all HE has done, is doing and will do for me, how can I do less than trust myself to HIS care.  He has never failed me!  Never!  And one of the passages that is my “go to” for encouragement I’ll share with you, because often times we experience the evil of the world, and we must trust to our God to take care of things that are out of our control.  I forgive, not because I necessarily want to, but because I am forgiven, and I can trust to God’s love, care and justice to accomplish righteousness and justice in HIS own time.

“Fret not thyself

because of evildoers,

neither be thou envious

against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee

the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself

in any wise

to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off:

but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth.”   Psalm 37:1-9

I know that God has walked with me on the good days, and on the difficult days.  He has heard my cries, seen my tears, and comforted my uneasy frustrations—and HE WILL meet you where you are, if you will but turn to HIM.  If you will walk through this Psalm and practice the instructions in it!

Trust—Delight—Commit—Rest—Fret Not—Cease from Anger!

While these are simple sounding instructions, they are not easy, especially when we are hurting.  But when we practice them day by day and watch our faithful God act faithfully, we learn to rely on His character—His love—His perfect ways—and know that HE will meet our every need.

And besides all this Jesus is our faithful intercessor!  I have a close circle of friends whom I know I can depend on for earnest, diligent prayer; and while I take great comfort and confidence in these dear ones and their care for me, there is One greater than them or me who is ever praying for me!

“But this man,

because he continueth ever,

hath an unchangeable priesthood.

25 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 7:24-25

Oh, you have no way to know the comfort, strength and assurance that I take from this truth!  You can trust HIM!  And I’ll have to say that my love and appreciation for Him has increased above measure, not diminished, through these recent months.  You see, we all make choices!  We can choose to allow the enemy to distract, depress and discourage us to the point of dejection—or we can stand fast in the truth that we have a Savior who not only prays for us now, but HE also gave HIS life’s blood for me!  And I can only tell you that going through my daughter’s blood soaked clothing (when we got them back from the police) not only brought the reality of her death ‘up close and personal’ but even more importantly planted a truth in my heart that I pray I will never forget;  Her life was stolen from her by evil, but Jesus Christ my Lord shed HIS blood for me—willingly, lovingly, purposely—for without it you and I would have no hope of salvation and eternal life with God!!!  That truth is ever cemented in my heart and mind and without being gory, I praise God that I see John 3:16 in a new light!  May I never forget!

“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

GOD gave HIS SON for me!  For you!  Won’t you trust in the blood that Jesus shed for your salvation, deliverance, and redemption—that you might have “everlasting life”!  And if you already know Him, and are facing difficult circumstances, sorrow, grief, pain, confusion, turmoil or any other problem, won’t you “fix your eyes” on Jesus right now.  Rehearse Psalm 37, and these other verses and let God apply the soothing “Balm of Gilead” to your heart and soul!  Resist the devil and REST in the ONE who cares for YOU!

“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.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

In closing I pray that you will find comfort, hope and encouragement in God’s Word tonight.

“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

He gave HIS BLOOD for me!  For YOU!  Amen and Amen!!!

The Cross Is My Anchor??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #645

17 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Cross, Faithfulness, JESUS, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #645   The Cross Is My Anchor???

 

“But God forbid

that I should glory,

save in the cross

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom the world

is crucified unto me,

and I

unto the world.”   Galatians 6:14

We make choices every day—some important, some not as important, some easy, some very difficult—and I want to remind us all that we, as believers, need to make our decisions with the cross in mind.  In these difficult days we are experiencing all around the world, we must stand in confidence of our Lord and WHO He is—“Sovereign Lord” of all who died to redeem and save us, and we need to “fix our eyes” on HIM in all things.

“Beware lest any man spoil you

through philosophy

and vain deceit,

after the tradition of men,

after the rudiments of the world,

and not after Christ.

9 For in him

dwelleth all the fulness

of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete

in him,

which is the head

of all principality

and power:”  Colossians 2:8-10

Paul also told this precious church at Colossae about living in light of the cross; let’s determine to receive The Word and walk accordingly in these perilous times—in all times!  Don’t let fear or frustration send you down the wrong road.

“Lie not one to another,

seeing that ye have put off the old man

with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him

that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek

nor Jew,

circumcision

nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian,

Scythian,

bond

nor free:

but Christ is all,

and in all.

12 Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing

one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace

in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks

to God

and the Father

by him.”    Colossians 3:9-17

I pray that these words of truth, hope and encouragement will minister to you this morning, and may you have a blessed day.  Remember that the cross is our anchor—it’s where Jesus accomplished our redemption—and HE died for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith…

“As for our redeemer,

the LORD of hosts is his name,

the Holy One of Israel.”  Isaiah 47:4

Amen and Amen.

 

 

 

“I Put My Trust In Thee”??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #594

09 Wednesday Oct 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Amazing Grace, Trust God, Trusting Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #594       “I Put My Trust In Thee”???

 

We often wrestle with “time” and the bustle of “activity” all around us.  Where is the balance of “life”?  There is only one answer—Jesus, who IS the source of strength to those who will come to Him in repentance and faith!  People often claim that Jesus is simply ‘one of many’ ways to God, or that Jesus never claimed to ‘be God’; but Jesus made both of those truths clear in His teaching!

“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

“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

All because of “Who” Jesus IS, you and I can walk in confidence through life.  We can press on in those difficult days; we can find comfort in our pain, sorrow and grief; we can stand fast “in the evil day”!  All due to the work that Jesus accomplished at Calvary; all because of the precious Holy Spirit whom Jesus has given to those who come to Him and receive the new birth (See John 1:12-13)!  The Psalms paint such amazing pictures of God’s faithfulness, His grace, His sufficiency, and His faithful keeping of His children for our good and His glory.  May this passage from Psalm 25 comfort and encourage your heart where ever you may be today!  May His grace, mercy and peace lift you up!

“What man is he that feareth the LORD?

him shall he teach

in the way that he shall choose.

13 His soul

shall dwell at ease;

and his seed

shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the LORD

is with them that fear him;

and he will shew them

his covenant.

15 Mine eyes are ever

toward the LORD;

for he shall pluck my feet

out of the net.

16 Turn thee unto me,

and have mercy upon me;

for I am desolate

and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart

are enlarged:

O bring thou me

out of my distresses.

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;

and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;

and they hate me with cruel hatred.

20 O keep my soul,

and deliver me:

let me not be ashamed;

for I put my trust in thee.

21 Let integrity

and uprightness

 preserve me;

for I wait on thee.”  Psalm 25:12-21

And just for good measure, one of my favorite verses:

“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!