Bible Ballistics: BBs #121 A Christmas Fortnight-Cardinals and Christmas Cactus?

I love the wonderful creation of God: the trees, the grass, the clouds and the sunshine, the rain and snow– all wonders of God’s amazing creation. And two of my favorite things sing the joy of Christmas to my heart: a joy of the Father’s handiwork in this awesome world — “cardinals” and “Christmas Cactus”. They just sing “Glory to God” to my heart. I love watching the cardinals at my feeders, and at the window where I watch them, the lovely cactus blooming–which God made so lovely– to bring joy to our hearts. That it puts out it’s lovely pink flowers at this wondrous time of year—in winter—is a reminder that even death brings life!!! The deadness of winter and the deadness of “sin” can receive new life.

Jesus came that we might have life. Do you see it? Paul reminds us of the reality in Romans 1:16-20,

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

The ‘just shall live by faith’!!! Faith in the great corner stone—Jesus!! We don’t believe because we are “JUST”, but we are made just because we have believed in what Jesus came to do: to be born of a virgin, to live a sinless life in a sinful world with a body of flesh, to die for sins he didn’t commit, to be buried and to rise again, so that we would know that it is Jesus, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (Col. 1:14)

This is why I celebrate HIS coming to earth as a baby boy. Not just the story but also the person of Jesus Christ–who came for me, and for YOU. He who was, is and ever will be the only way—He said so Himself in response to Thomas’ question in John 14:5-6:

“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

One way—

Only One Way!!!

Peter reiterated this in response to those questioning the miracle of the lame man in Acts 4.

Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

No other way but Jesus. The Lord who created my lovely cardinals, who makes the lovely cactus bloom in winter—this Lord and creator came as a baby to die on a cross for YOU!!! Won’t you take heart from the beauty and look to the wonderful creator who came to give you real LIFE?

I pray that you’ll find Him in Christmas!!!

I also pray that those of us, who already know Him personally,

will take joy and pleasure in Him and all of His beauty in creation.

Today and every day—He reminds us of His power and love!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #120 A Christmas Fortnight-Response?

We’ve talked about angelic messengers and their message; let’s take time today to think about our response. What should our attitude be toward God’s gift to us—to all? Of course our first answer should be ‘gratitude’, but let’s take a cue from the angels who brought the message to the shepherds.

While these great messengers can’t comprehend the love and grace that Jesus came to bring to us, they willingly delivered the messages they were assigned. Let’s look at the message given to the shepherds.

Luke 2:8-14, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Let’s take it apart—backwards if you will:

Jesus came because of His ‘good will toward men’

“… God so loved.. HE gave His..Son” (Jn. 3:16)

Jesus brought real peace because He is

“The Prince of Peace” (Is 9:6)

His arrival was and IS worthy of our praise:

“Glory to God in the Highest”

 “Praising God…”

For “a Savior”…

For “all people”….

So??? Spread the “good news”

The “tidings of good joy”…

We have glorious reason to rejoice and celebrate. And what’s the best way to celebrate? By spreading this glorious, good news of the “Savior which is CHRIST THE LORD”. Are you celebrating Jesus? Don’t let the tinsel of the world distract from our LORD Jesus—He is the Savior—He came for you and me!!! And HE’s coming again!!

Bible Ballistics: Christmas Fortnight-Why?? Vol. 5 #06

We talked last time about the ‘when’ of Christmas. That Jesus was, is and always will be God, our Redeemer. So true, and we have to make sure that we remember that  ‘Christ’ Jesus is Christmas. Today we’ll consider the ‘why’ of Christmas, and why this birth is of such import that we celebrate it.

Jesus came for one reason—to save sinful man. Every man, woman, boy and girl who will come to Him will find the cure for the disease that plagues the human race. SIN!! Sin is the issue now, it was the issue then and it will continue to be the issue until Jesus returns and sets up His eternal kingdom.

Matthew 1:19-21, “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

He ‘shall save’ HIS people from their sins. His people? Of course–those that He created and placed on planet earth. His people that chose to sin and go their own way and not His.

Genesis 2:16-17, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” They did and brought death on all mankind!!

God gave man moral responsibility. He created man with a free will and here God gives the man the opportunity to choose. And Eve and Adam chose to disobey God. They chose to reject God’s word and listen instead to lies of the enemy. (See Genesis 3) That old serpent, the deceiver who lied to them—still lies to people today. All who will listen, in fact? There is coming a time when he will be defeated, but that time is yet in the future. For the time being the only way to overcome Satan is through the blood of Jesus.

Revelation 12:9-11, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Our Lord came that we might have life from the dead. We who were dead in sin have been brought back to life, by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Romans 6:22-23, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

We all have the plague of sin, yet Jesus came to cure sin. While we all have sinned, Jesus came and paid for sin HE didn’t commit. He paid a debt He didn’t owe, because I owed a debt I couldn’t pay.

2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Hebrews 4:14-16, “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.”

Jesus didn’t just come as a baby in a manger to make a cute story for people to pass down and share with others! He came as the ‘God-man” to redeem fallen, sinful man, because we couldn’t save nor redeem ourselves from that death penalty of sin–Only Jesus’ sacrificial, atoning death could do that. So He went to Calvary for you and me—it’s WHY HE CAME. And as Ephesians 2 tells us so clearly—we who were once ‘dead in trespasses and sins’ have been brought to life in Jesus. If you don’t know Him, I invite you to call on the one who came for you. That babe born in the manger came to die for you and me. He’s still here for YOU!!!

Ephesians 2:1-10, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Won’t you call on Jesus! Why did HE come? He came for you!!! Won’t you trust HIM with your life and let HIM save and change your life forever? Then you can walk with Him in life every day. And if you already know HIM—walk with HIM closely every day!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #119 A Christmas Fortnight-When???

As we celebrate the incarnation of the Messiah Jesus Christ, I’d like to remind us all that Jesus didn’t begin in Mary’s womb. He has always been, still is and always will be. As Hebrews 13:8 says,

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Our Lord Jesus — always God!!! When?

Gen 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Father, Son and Holy Ghost/Spirit.

John 1:1-4, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” Jesus is creator God. Why? He declared it Himself!

John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” Jesus is one with the Father!!! He claimed to be God—HE is!!!

Mark 1:1, “And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” God the Father declared it so!!!  It’s truth!!!

Colossians 1:14-17, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” He created all things and holds them together. How? Let’s see what Hebrews 1:1-3 has to say,

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:” He upholds “all things” by HIS power–Jesus is creator with His Father and the Holy Spirit. HE purged sin– for all who will come to him in repentance and faith.

It’s why He came.

Born to die for YOU and ME!

When? Before the foundation of the world, God set Jesus Christ to be our redeemer.

1 Peter 1:18-21, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” Jesus did it all so we could have life!

So, as you celebrate during this season, and every day—

remember who it is that gave HIS life for you and me!!!

God took on flesh—

came as a babe—

that HE might redeem us

back from the penalty of sin

at Calvary,

and give us eternal life—

in Christ Jesus.

Do you know HIM personally? If not He’s waiting for you.

Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Jesus wants fellowship with you—He died for the privilege.

How can you come? Come believing in the “gospel”, which is:

1 Corinthians 15:1-5,   “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”

Accept His death, burial and resurrection for your sin. He came for YOU and me!!! Won’t you seek Him while He may be found? Is He knocking at your hearts door? Simply open the door to HIM!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #118 A Christmas Fortnight-More Angelic Messengers!!!

We looked earlier at the angelic birth announcements preceding the birth of John and Jesus. God made these prophecy-fulfilling declarations through angelic messengers. We ought to appreciate the wondrous revelations without letting our focus be wrongly aligned on God’s servants rather than God Himself. Scripture clearly tells us the role of angels.

Hebrews 1:13-14, “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Ministering spirits—for God, to us. Not to be worshipped.

2 Peter 2:11, “Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.” While they are greater in power and might than we are, they are not presumptuous to accuse but to call on God. Neither should we be presumptuous toward God or these unseen powers.

Jude 1:9, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” We can learn from Michael, the great archangel—to trust God to rebuke the unseen angelic powers. Don’t presume on God or overstep our authority either before God, the world or those “…… principalities, … powers, … rulers of the darkness of this world, … spiritual wickedness in high places.“ (Eph 6:10b)

Now back to our Christmas Fortnight—God sent angelic messengers to announce not only Jesus’ coming birth, but also the very birth itself. And God chose the lowliest of the low to make this announcement to—to shepherds. Those often looked down upon by others. Even in our American history, there has been the stigma of ‘shepherds’ being unwanted in ‘cattle’ country. Turf wars even came out of this animosity. Yet GOD chose ‘shepherds’ to be the recipients of HIS GREAT GOOD NEWS.

Luke 2: 8-17, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 …. as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”

So how about YOU? Have you received and believed the “Good News” of the Savior born for you? The Savior born to DIE for YOU? We also see that the shepherds not only heard the message, but they believed it, acted upon it, and received the truth they heard and saw. But they didn’t stop there!!! They then spread the word about this ‘child’. How about us? Are we spreading the truth—if not let’s get busy? The news is still GOOD!!! This child born to die for our sin—still saves, TODAY!!!