Tag Archives: Trusting Jesus

Your Attitude Matters! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #728

12 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Ask God For Wisdom, Attitude of Gratitude, Be not conformed to this world, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Growing in Jesus!, Keeping our eyes on JESUS!, Whose Sheep are You?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #728  Your Attitude Matters!  Really???

 

I just want to share a relatively brief word of encouragement with you this morning that I hope will lift your heart, mind and eyes heavenward.  It’s so easy to become so bogged down with earth’s seeming drudgery, that we so often miss the very real presence of our Lord.  Like Paul, and while I fall so far short regularly, I desire to reflect Jesus—no more, no less.

“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 had a little crisis last evening, when we couldn’t find the charger to my husband’s portable oxygen device, and we knew we’d need to charge it to be out of the house today.  Well, last night we hunted and fretted (yes, I know Jesus said, “fret not”, but sometimes it just jumps up on me, like a dog on a bone!) and couldn’t find it.  It was late and I was tired, so I told my husband, ‘I’ll check the car in the morning’, for I wasn’t going to get dressed again to go out to the car!  I really did rest well, because I had asked God to help us; and this morning I prayed again, for I knew I couldn’t fix this problem alone, and sure enough there it was in the car (probably having fallen out of the bag), but it was there and it’s charging as I write this now.  I just praised God for all HIS amazing grace in the “small stuff”—but you see, when we truly learn to walk with Jesus—there “ain’t no small stuff” for we are HIS child, and even more than you and I, HE loves HIS children and wants the best for us.  I’m thinking of the wonderful song by the Collingsworth Family, “If It Matters To You, It Matters To The Master!” (Written by Sarah McCutcheon), for its message is so true (if you haven’t heard it, check it out on the music services or YouTube—you’ll be blessed) and so needed in our culture today!

My point is, we had a choice—and so do you—we could have spent our time “doubting, pouting and dropping outing” (as my former Pastor Brad was wont to say), or we could choose to trust “The Master”—HE who holds us in HIS hands!  And when we will learn to know HIM, we will come to trust HIM more and more each day, trusting Him with greater and greater parts of our lives!  And that, my friends, is the thing that God desires from us—our total trust and devotion.  But remember it is a choice!  We can choose to fill our lives with gratitude, focusing on the cross and our risen LORD; or we can allow the things of this world to crowd HIM out!  Me?  I’m going to do my best to join Paul and make the cross my focal point.

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness,

and in fear,

and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching

was not with enticing words

of man’s wisdom,

but in demonstration of the Spirit

and of power:

5 That your faith

should not stand in the wisdom of men,

but in the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-5

I simply ask that you ponder these things today—in light of whatever crises you are facing.  Who will you run to?  Friends?  Relatives?  TV and modern philosophies?  Will you choose Jesus as your counselor, strength, and confidence?  Or will you settle for the world’s garbage heap?

As I’ve said before, it’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  And I can’t help but believe it’s very near!

“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

And in closing, the words of our Lord:

“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

Whose sheep are you?  Whose voice are you heeding?  Food for thought.  Amen and Amen!

 

Choosing What To See??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 02

12 Monday Apr 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, All Sufficient God!, Commitment Or Convenience, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Courage, Crucified With Christ, Discernment, Encouragement, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 02  Choosing What To See???

 

I spoke recently at a ladies gathering to share my experiences of going through the murder of my daughter some sixteen months ago.  It’s not a pleasant story, but it is a story of hope and confidence in our God, and the fact that we can “stand fast in the evil day”!  It all comes down to knowing God through the Lord Jesus Christ and learning to see things through the lens of faith and a knowledge of God’s Word!  I can choose how I look at things and how I will respond to my circumstances.  I can choose to see things through eyes of faith in Jesus, or, as my former Pastor Brad McCoy used to say, “I can doubt, pout and drop out”!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  I choose to proclaim with Paul:

“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.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words,

which thou hast heard of me,

in faith

and love

which is in Christ Jesus.”  2 Timothy 1:9-13

In fact, this is almost an addendum to what Paul reminded Timothy of in verse 7:

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

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

It’s interesting that the phrase “sound mind” can mean “right thinking”, for we can choose what we think, and it is imperative that we guard our hearts and minds, and think biblically.  How?

“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.”   Philippians 2:5-8

Even as Paul reminded the Galatians, we are to live a crucified life of humble reliance upon God, trusting to His sovereign control in all things—and while God never said all things would be good, HE did tell us that HE is working IN all things for our good.  Will we trust HIM in all things?  Will we die to self and live for, by and through the power that Jesus supplies?

“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

But how do I live the crucified life? By the power of God and learning to control my thought life and the desires of our heart!

“Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen

in me, do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”   Philippians 4:8-9

We must understand that the battle will almost always begin in our mind—and while we can’t control what comes into our mind, I can control what I will permit to stay in my mind!  As a friend says, check the devil at the door (of your mind!)!  If he can’t pass the Philippians 4:8 test, give him the boot (so to speak).  Yield to God’s Spirit and find victory!

“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.”  James 4:6-8

Paul gives us great advice for these spiritual battles of the mind!

“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

The key is “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”, and I would encourage you to commit Philippians 4:8-9 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 to memory—they are invaluable assets to have in your “memory” bank!  They help us to keep our “seeing” straight, as we keep our “eyes” on Jesus, and as I’m often heard to say, keep looking up not around at the “lions”!

“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

As we keep our eyes “Looking unto Jesus”, we can know that HE hears, HE cares, and HE is ever providing all that we need.  Just as I could trust HIM in the tragic circumstance of December 19, 2019, you can trust HIM to ever supply your needs and comfort and encourage your heart, your mind, and your decisions!

“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

Knowing that with Paul, we can boldly say:

“I can

do all things through Christ

which strengtheneth me…

… “19 But my God shall supply

all your need

according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:13 & 19

I pray that you will “see” through God’s lenses, and not let your circumstances distract you from running “the race that is set before” YOU!  Remember it’s God who set your race and mine, and HE is always there for YOU, with YOU, and before you and behind you, if we will but heed HIS voice.  Do you have eyes that see?  I pray that you will!

“Hear now this, O foolish people,

and without understanding;

which have eyes, and see not;

which have ears, and hear not:” Jeremiah 5:21

Open our eyes Lord—to see YOU!

“And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said,

What will ye that I shall do unto you?

33 They say unto him, Lord,

that our eyes may be opened.”  Matthew 20:32-33

Amen and Amen!

Why Here? Why Now? Why Me? Bible Ballistics: BBs #714

17 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Choices And Consequences, Come To Worship HIM, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Contentment, Dependence, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, That They May Know, The Only Way, Trials, Troubles, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus, Truth

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #714   Why Here? Why Now? Why Me?

 

I would like to share some thoughts with you this morning about God’s faithfulness and His totally trustworthy sovereignty!  We’ve all asked these questions at various time—particularly “Why Me?”!  But scripture assures us that if we will learn to depend fully on our God, our Lord and Savior, we will walk in victory; even when we don’t understand we can take Jesus at HIS Word, for no matter where, or when trials come, we are NEVER alone!  So, let’s start there, and remember ‘conversation’ is a reference to ‘life-style’ not just our speech!

“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

Are you walking in contentment or are you allowing the enemy to lead you into disruption, distrust, and subtle dissatisfaction?  When we walk in contentment and the confidence of knowing “our God reigns”, we will find that “peace…..which passeth all understanding”!

“But godliness with contentment

is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.”  1 Timothy 6:6-8

And while it seems that “contentment” is the antithesis of the American dream, it isn’t and even if it were, it’s what God has called us to!  In fact, discontent is one of the chief factors that drive us into bad situations (by our own bad choices, more often than not!).  Even as Jesus’ message to John in The Revelation, we must consider our ways in light of God’s Word—and to do that we must be IN The Word.

“Blessed is

he that readeth,

and they that hear

the words of this prophecy,

and keep those things

which are written therein:

for the time is at hand.”   Revelation 1:3

The blessing isn’t promised to those who simply read or peruse the ‘words’ that are written in this message, but to those who read it—hear it (regarding what they hear)—and keep it!  We must heed all of God’s Word and pursue our relationship with Jesus, knowing that like Esther we are here for God’s purposes!

“and who knoweth

whether thou art come to the kingdom

for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:4b

And, my dear friends, if there ever were “such a time as this”—it is now, and we must, absolutely must, “stand fast in the evil day” which is upon us!  But stand in God’s power, wisdom and ways not our own.

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying,

This is the word of the LORD

unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might,

nor by power,

but by my spirit,

saith the LORD of hosts.”   Zechariah 4:6

It’s the how and why of Paul’s encouragement to the Philippian believers.  It’s how we live, walk and have victory in all we do!

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me…

… 19 But my God

shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:13 & 19

Are you wrestling with blame, confusion, uncertainty, or just plain fear of the future?  God has a better way for you!

“For God hath not given us

the spirit of fear;

but of power,

and of love,

and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

Don’t succumb to the enemy of your soul, but stand fast in the truth that truly, “our God reigns”!  And Satan is a defeated foe!  Jeremiah is often referred to as the ‘weeping prophet’ because his task was difficult and God told him beforehand that it would be—but God supplied his every need and his burden for truth and God’s people was beyond comprehension, and perhaps these words of Jeremiah’s that mean so much to me in making it through some difficult struggles will also speak to you today.

“Therefore thus saith the LORD,

If thou return,

then will I bring thee again,

and thou shalt stand before me:

and if thou take forth the precious

from the vile,

thou shalt be as my mouth:

let them return unto thee;

but return not thou unto them.

20 And I will make thee unto this people

a fenced brasen wall:

and they shall fight against thee,

but they shall not prevail against thee:

for I am with thee

to save thee

and to deliver thee,

saith the LORD.

21 And I will deliver thee

out of the hand of the wicked,

and I will redeem thee

out of the hand of the terrible.”   Jeremiah 15:19-21

Jesus gave us our marching orders and HIS way is always best, even when the way looks long and dreary (what Oswald Chambers refers to as “the mundane”), or even scary– our God is ever by us, before us, behind us and is causing our steps to glorify HIM!

“Having your conversation honest

among the Gentiles:

that, whereas they speak against you

as evildoers,

they may by your good works,

which they shall behold,

glorify God

in the day of visitation.”  1 Peter 2:12

Jesus’ own words direct our hearts, steps, and our choices:

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things

do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

In closing, what do we think and do?  We guard our hearts and minds from the enemy of our souls; and think on the things of God, as someone once said— “Check the enemy at the door of your mind!”  Don’t let the “Father of lies” deceive you into less than GOD has for you!

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.”  Philippians 4:6-8

I pray that we will all march forward to victory in Jesus (that would make a great song!) each day, knowing that:

“And a voice came out of the throne, saying,

Praise our God,

all ye his servants,

and ye that fear him,

both small

and great.

6 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 19:5-7a

May you have a blessed week and keep your eyes fixed on the prize—Jesus.  Don’t let the bend in the road distract you from God’s love and purposes!

“…God is love…”!

Amen and Amen!!!

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!