Monthly Archives: December 2018

Why Have YOU Come??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #516

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Come And Worship?, Come To Worship HIM, Consider Your ways, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #516  Why Have YOU Come???

 

People think a lot of different things about Jesus, and at this Christmas time I’d like to share a few tidbits to challenge us to examine our hearts and see why “I” have come to Jesus. Or have I truly come to Him?

“Saying,

Where is he

that is born

King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star

in the east,

and are come

to worship him.” Matthew 2:2

The wise men came to worship HIM, but as they brought what they thought would be great news to Herod, his wicked heart was interested for another reason.

“Then Herod,

when he saw that he was mocked

of the wise men,

was exceeding wroth,

and sent forth,

and slew all the children

that were in Bethlehem,

and in all the coasts thereof,

from two years old and under,

according to the time

which he had diligently enquired

of the wise men.” Matthew 2:16

While Herod feigned a desire to “worship” the newborn King, his real motive was to eliminate any competition to his own position. And while most people today wouldn’t kill the babies (but wait a minute—that’s exactly what our culture is doing to the inconvenient and untimely ones!) we do kill the work of conviction and drawing of the Holy Spirit as He calls us to Jesus. How often do we “kill” the work of Jesus in our hearts as He tries to direct our heart and steps in His ways? Refusing to heed His call, kick down doors that He has closed to us, pout and throw tantrums because we don’t get “our” way in things? If you’re like me, at my best I act this way far too often, and I have to repent and seek His face to restore my joy, even as David taught us so long ago.

“Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy

of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners shall be converted

unto thee.” Psalm 51:9-13

Oh, to delight in serving HIM with joy and zeal—not because of what we can get, but to express our gratitude for what we have received from HIM. Jesus came that we might “have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”!

“And the Word was made flesh,

and dwelt among us,

(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten

of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.

15 John bare witness of him,

and cried, saying,

This was he of whom I spake,

He that cometh after me

is preferred before me:

for he was before me.

16 And of his fulness

have all we received,

and grace for grace.” John 1:14-16

Jesus came to save us because we couldn’t save ourselves! He IS the greatest gift of all time! Have you received HIS gift to you? If you haven’t come to HIM in repentance and faith, won’t you make this your best Christmas ever, by receiving this King who came for you, and died for you?

“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.” Ephesians 2:8-10

God desires us to “come to worship HIM”! Will you come to Him as the wise men; or will you reject Him and kill His voice, which is speaking to your heart, even right now! Or will you put it off until it’s “One Day Too Late” (A gospel song written by Lanny Wolfe)! Even as King Agrippa told Paul:

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a Christian.” Acts 26:28

Please join me in seeking our Lord’s heart, making sure that we have “come to worship HIM”, not simply come to Him as our ‘heavenly slot machine’ to get what we want, when we want it. May our prayer truly be that of our Lord Jesus!

“And he was withdrawn from them

about a stone’s cast,

and kneeled down,

and prayed,

42 Saying, Father,

if thou be willing,

remove this cup from me:

nevertheless

not my will,

but thine, be done.”   Luke 22:41-42

May we truly worship HIM and not the trappings! Blessings on your day!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

Savory And Bright??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #515

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Born Again, Darkness or Light?, Salt & Light, Savory And Bright

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #515  Savory And Bright???

 

“Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot

of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light

so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”    Matthew 5:13-14

When we look around us, it seems that our world is falling apart; or as an old adage says, “The world is going to Hell in a hand-basket”! As I often wonder why, I see how the world has changed in my lifetime, and I can’t help but think how sad it is that God’s own children have failed to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”! I believe that we who claim to be His children have failed to be the salt and light that God called us and saved us to be!

We are to ‘be’ not ‘do’ “the light of the world” for we have no light of our own, but only Jesus’ indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to “reflect” the “light of the world”! But the world doesn’t like light, much like the Charles Dickens tale of Scrooge who asked the “spirit of Christmas past” to dim the light because it hurt his eyes; so it is in our world today! Yet instead of shining brighter and stronger in “the power of His might”, we have dimmed our light to accommodate the whims of men instead!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall

have the light of life.” John 8:12

Even as Jesus said in our Matthew passage above, we are to shine so that the world will “see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”, reflecting HIS light, not our own!

“I am come a light into the world,

that whosoever believeth on me

should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46

When we are born again, we possess the light and He us! But not everyone likes the light, but don’t let that stop you from shining!

“And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.”   John 3:19-20

In fact the darkness so hated the light of Jesus, that they put HIM to death, and He told us that what they did to Him they would do to us! And our world has come to feel the same way about the truth of the Gospel that we preach, and instead of standing firm on The Word of God, many have watered down the truth, and compromised it for various reasons! Yet when we compromise God’s Word—we are forsaking the light and will find ourselves in the darkness! And we are being trampled as salt that has lost its savor, wondering why our world is what it is! When the light fails to shine, the darkness will pervade! When light shines brightly, darkness cannot occupy the same space—we must stop hiding our light “under a bushel” and once again reflect the true light our Lord Jesus Christ!

We must stop excusing our sin, repent and seek God’s forgiveness and cleansing so that His light will once again shine through HIS own!

“For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things

without murmurings

and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless

and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst of a crooked

and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine as lights

in the world;” Philippians 2:13-15

May we see the urgency of the hour and “withstand in the evil day” (See Eph. 6:10-18)– our culture depends on it! We can make a difference, one person at a time! People still need Jesus—the One Way to God—and the hope and abundant life that HE alone can give. We must commit our whole heart, and soul and mind to HIM in every thing, every day; giving Him our mind and our heart, reflecting HIM in our speech and actions. James makes it clear that our actions reflect what is in our hearts, and from what I see around me, there are a lot of dark hearts claiming to be in “the light”!

“But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God,

even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth

proceedeth blessing

and cursing.

My brethren,

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place

sweet water

and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain

both yield salt water

and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation

his works

with meekness of wisdom.”   James 3:8-13

Jesus Himself tells us the truth of the matter is in the heart.

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.”   Matthew 12:34-35

“But those things

which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries, fornications,

thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”   Matthew 15:18-19

So as our title suggests are we being the savory salt and the bright light of Jesus to the world? Or have we become useless to a dark and corrupt world because our light has dimmed and our salt has no savor? In closing, a simple reminder that Jesus stands ready to restore our shine and our savor! HE is Lord? But is HE your Lord?

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”    1 John 1:9

Come To Worship??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 17

16 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Abiding In Jesus, Come And Worship?, Worship Him!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.17   Come To Worship HIM???

 

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice

of many angels

round about the throne

and the beasts

and the elders:

and the number of them was

ten thousand times ten thousand,

and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power,

and riches,

and wisdom,

and strength,

and honour,

and glory,

and blessing.” Revelation 4:9-12

This is the song of praise that is lifted up when The Lamb of God (“who takes away the sin of the world”) takes the “book/scroll” that will initiate the culmination of God’s plan for the ages. Jesus, The Lamb, takes the book and receives this praise, glory and honor that only God is worthy to receive! But then, Jesus is God, and worthy of our praise and worship. Even as Jesus was coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and the crowds were praising Him as the “King” who had come in ‘The Name of The Lord’, and the religious leaders rebuked Him for receiving this praise, He declared His worthiness to receive worship and glory! And worship actually comes from an old English word meaning “worth-ship”. And HE truly is worthy of worship!

“Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him,

Master,

rebuke thy disciples.

40 And he answered and said unto them,

I tell you that,

if these should hold their peace,

the stones

would immediately

cry out.” Luke 19:38-40

Jesus was in conflict with these leaders during most of His earthly ministry, even though He revealed truth to them time and time again, but they didn’t want to receive HIM or HIS testimony of being The Messiah. Yet God had confirmed His deity throughout His mission of salvation, and not once did God rebuke anyone who “worshipped” HIM!

“I am the LORD:

that is my name:

and my glory

will I not give to another,

neither my praise

to graven images.

9 Behold, the former things are come to pass,

and new things do I declare:

before they spring forth

I tell you of them.

10 Sing unto the LORD

a new song,

and his praise

from the end of the earth,

ye that go down to the sea,

and all that is therein;

the isles,

and the inhabitants thereof.”   Isaiah 42:8-10

Jesus, contrary to a lot of teaching going around today, did proclaim Himself to be God—God the Son—who had come to accomplish the work of salvation, which The Father sent Him to do.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold,

a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name

Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.”    Matthew 1:21-23

Jesus was, “God with us”, who came to “save his people from their sins”, and we are made “his people” by faith in His substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice which saves people “from their sins”! Oh, how grateful we are for the “Amazing Grace” that God extends to all who will believe in Jesus, and receive the new birth of salvation, and the “Spirit of God”, who teaches us what real worship is. The same picture that Jesus reveled to the woman at the Well of Sychar—the first person on record to hear Jesus directly proclaim His deity as The Messiah!!!

“But the hour cometh,

and now is,

when the true worshippers

shall worship the Father

in spirit

and in truth:

for the Father seeketh such

to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him

in spirit

and in truth.

25 The woman saith unto him,

I know that Messias cometh,

which is called Christ:

when he is come,

he will tell us all things.

26 Jesus saith unto her,

I that speak unto thee

am he.”   John 4:23-26

Jesus is worthy of our worship because HE is “spirit” and “truth”! He IS God!

“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.

31 Then the Jews took up stones again

to stone him.” John 10:27-31

Jesus clearly proclaimed Himself to be “God”! And notice, not only did they want to stone Him, but also it wasn’t the first time, they “took up stones again to stone him”! But why did they want to stone Him, many say that they didn’t understand, but the scripture tells us different:

“33 The Jews answered him, saying,

For a good work we stone thee not;

but for blasphemy;

and because that thou,

being a man,

makest thyself God.” John 10:33

Instead of those multitudes that fall down and worship Him in Revelation 5, these leaders refused to receive the truth, and accused Jesus (the very Savior they said they were looking for) of blasphemy—they truly had, as Jesus told them again and again, no desire to perceive truth!

“Therefore speak I to them in parables:

because they seeing

see not;

and hearing

they hear not,

neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias,

which saith,

By hearing

ye shall hear,

and shall not understand;

and seeing

ye shall see,

and shall not perceive:

15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross,

and their ears are dull of hearing,

and their eyes they have closed;

lest at any time they should see

with their eyes,

and hear

with their ears,

and should understand

with their heart,

and should be converted,

and I should heal them.”    Matthew 13:13-15

Jesus wants us to receive Him and know Him and His Father in the new birth so that we can truly be those who “worship him in spirit and in truth”! We can actually receive the “righteousness of God” which enables us to know Him and walk with Him as a “new creation”—all by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit; for without Jesus and His Spirit we cannot truly worship in “spirit” or “truth”.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.” Romans 8:8-9

And how do we acquire this “spirit”? Only by faith in the Son’s sacrifice for our sin, and by faith the very presence of “The Spirit of Christ”, who is the confirmation of our salvation. It is also by HIS power and direction that we can truly worship in “Spirit and Truth” knowing the very presence of our Lord. Even as Jesus said:

“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 15:5

When we receive Him, He is IN us, and we are IN Him, and God is conforming us into the image of His Son, affecting change in us, which will in turn affect those around us.

“For he hath made him

to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made

the righteousness

of God

in him.”   2 Corinthians 5:21

As we saw in Revelation 5, He bought and paid for our salvation, and makes us children of God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit! (See John 1:12-14)

“for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood”

And contrary to popular belief, there aren’t many ways to God—only ONE—the ONE who shed HIS blood for us!!!

“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

That IS why HE is worthy of our praise, worship and obedient service! How are you worshipping God, in Spirit and truth, or with lip service only? You may be able to fool others, but as my mother used to say, “You can fool some of the people all the time, and you can fool all of the people some of the time, but you can never fool God!” Are you walking “in the Spirit” or “the flesh”? It will tell, for you must possess (and be possessed by) the Holy Spirit or you are not HIS (Look above at Romans 8:9).

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh……..

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”   Galatians 5:16 & 24-25

Are we singing His praises on Sunday, yet living in direct opposition to His Word the other 6 days of the week? That, my friends, is not true worship—no Spirit—no Truth—it’s not worship. Simply put, worship is living life, by The Spirit, in obedience to The One whom we claim as Lord. Jesus made this very clear in Matthew 7.

“Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord,

Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say

to me

in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess

unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”   Matthew 7:20-23

Are you living a life that “says,” “Lord, Lord” but acts out “Me, Me”? The closing of Jesus message in Matthew 7, puts the icing on the cake—it’s not how your life appears to the world, but what your foundation consists of—Jesus, the rock, or the sand of the world. You may have everyone fooled, but the storms will come and will reveal the truth, no matter how “pretty” your house appears on the outside! This simple example implies that both houses looked alike until the storms came—and they will come! What about YOU?

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings

of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings

of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”   Mathew 7:24-27

So what we find here are two men, each one built a house, and chose the foundation; one chose the “rock” as his foundation, the other chose the “sand” for his foundation, it was easier, it was quicker, it was cheaper, and besides no one would see what foundation he had! But our choices will always bring their own consequences, for the storms will come. Jesus didn’t say, “if the storms came”, He said they “came”—maybe not today, or tomorrow but they will come! And the foundation that you have chosen will be revealed, for the consequence will follow the choice!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary

in well doing:

for in due season

we shall reap,

if we faint not.” Galatians 6:7-9

I think Paul’s message here parallels what Jesus said about our choice of the road we follow, and our choice of a ‘life’ road will determine our destiny—both the living of it as well as our eternal destiny.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

So as we are surrounded by the seasonal things of Christmas, may we truly be like the “Wise Men” and worship HIM not the trappings! They gave—they didn’t seek gifts!

“Saying,

Where is he that is born King of the Jews?

for we have seen his star in the east,

and are come to worship him……..

11 And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child

with Mary his mother,

and fell down,

and worshipped him:

and when they had opened their treasures,

they presented unto him gifts;

gold,

and frankincense,

and myrrh.” Matthew 2:2 & 11

Have you “come to worship HIM”, or have you come to be worshipped? The choice is ours, may we choose wisely, for there is a test at the end. Is our life a sacrifice of praise and worship before Him, or are we too busy taking care of self! May our praise and worship be genuine and offered in Spirit and Truth, to HIM who “is born King of the Jews”? Don’t let the glitter and the busyness of the season rob you of the joy of true worship of our soon-coming KING! May we hear Him say “well done, thou good and faithful servant” not “I never knew you….depart from me”?

“By him therefore

let us offer the sacrifice of praise

to God

continually,

that is,

the fruit of our lips

giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good

and to communicate

forget not:

for with such sacrifices

God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:5-6

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You Carrying The Word??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #514

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Follow Jesus, Life, Living Right, Salvation, The Word, Walking With Jesus, Witness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #514  Are You Carrying The Word???

 

Or are you letting The Word carry YOU? Sometimes we think that just because we ‘carry’ a Bible around with us that we are special; but the truth is that we are to let “The Word” carry us. While I’m often asked if I am one of those ‘Bible Thumpers’, I don’t’ mind answering in the affirmative, but not in the sense that many think of. I am absolutely confident in the veracity, dependability and relevance of The Word of God—the written Word as well as the Living Word, Jesus; and it is the life that makes me confident. It is not only the foundation of all that I believe as a Christian and follower of Jesus, but it is also the source of my living each and every day for, with and through Jesus.

“To whom God would make known

what is the riches

of the glory of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27

It’s not the Word (my Bible) that I carry around with me, which gives me life, but it is The Word in me—working God’s work amidst a lost and dying world.

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”   Philippians 2:12-13

Not working ‘for’ our salvation, but working out the salvation that God has put within us, for His glory and the propagation of the Gospel! Even Jesus was doing the work of The Father, by the power of His own deity within flesh, and the presence of His Father through the Holy Spirit, it was His very sustenance! When the disciples wondered why He wasn’t hungry on a particular occasion, He taught them this truth:

“Jesus saith unto them,

My meat

is to do the will of him

that sent me,

and to finish his work.” John 4:34

If the very Son of God depended on The Father to accomplish HIS work in and through Him, how much more do we need to yield to HIS work in and through us! We are to live recognizing the truth that it is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”! It’s all about what HE can do through us, when we but give Him the reins of our life to lead, direct and work HIS work today and each day on our life’s journey.

Our job is to put The Word in us—the written Word—and allow The Living Word to be seen as we live out our faith before a world that needs Jesus! Taking God’s Word as our source of life, applying its truths by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who can use even ‘cracked pots’ like me and you. He takes imperfect, marred vessels and transforms us into vessels of honor and value to our KING as we sacrifice our will to HIS!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove what is that

good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2

Transformed lives are our testimony of grace! All by the Word of God—the Living Word, Jesus, and the written Word, the Bible! It is our power of living as believers, and the standard of judgment for all when we stand before The Holy, Almighty God of all creation. So, are you simply carrying around a Bible without letting it affect you? Or are you being transformed into the image of Jesus day by day as HE carries you? The choice is yours! But there is a test!

“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

Christmas Is What??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 16

09 Sunday Dec 2018

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.16 Christmas Is What???

 

I love the glitter, and sparkle of the Christmas lights as much as any little tyke, and the joy and excitement in the eyes of the children (and adults!), as well as the goodies, the smiles and the opportunities to share the gospel that we have during this time of year, seemingly more than any other. Yet, we must be aware that in our world, the majority of people who celebrate the “season” know nothing of the “reason for the season”! Jesus has been relegated to some peripheral part of the ‘holiday’ without any significant importance to the “season”! We have come so far that I read some time ago of a person who was walking through a mall that had allowed a Christian nativity display to be put up and those who sponsored it were singing Christmas Carols, a couple was overheard walking by the display saying, “Would you look at that, those ‘Christians’ are even horning in on ‘Christmas’ now!” Sad but that is where our culture is!

So I’d like to spend a bit of time today rehearsing the truth of the reason that we ought to celebrate—and while the gifts, the lights, the parties, the Christmas programs and musicals, are most enjoyable, they are not the focus of what genuine believers in Jesus celebrate. We have the greatest gift that was ever given to mankind to celebrate!

“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

Joseph was given the significant purpose of the Messiah who Mary was carrying—she would bring forth the God-Man-Savior, who would save the world through His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary! All because God loved us then—and He loves us now–providing the One Way for us to be reconciled and redeemed to Himself (bought back from the curse of sin—which Adam chose for us all, see Genesis 3) to receive the intimate relationship, fellowship, and oneness with God Almighty that only Jesus can give to those who come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS saving, substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—mine and yours! How? By the blood of Jesus, that’s how!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here before you

whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head

of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12

It’s HIS name, the God-Man-Savior, Jesus that we celebrate—HIS coming that we might have real “life, and that they might have it more abundantly”! And that, my friends, is what we celebrate—His arrival on planet earth to “save his people from their sins”, and while sin is the issue; Jesus is the solution/cure for sin.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away

the sin of the world.” John 1:29

John goes on in the the account of Nicodemus’ visit to Jesus in chapter 3, to give us Jesus’ own testimony!

“3 Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God……..

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”   John 3:3 & 14-2

When we belong to Jesus by faith, we do His works!

“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.”   Ephesians 2:8-10

This is why Jesus came—for you and me—to save us from our sins, and equip us for HIS good works, that others might come to HIM!

“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:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Jesus came as a precious human baby—born a King—yet not born in a palace, but in a stable, and placed in a manger, a feeding trough in a barn/stable that sheltered Mary as she delivered the Messiah, The Savior of the world! The gift that Jesus told Nicodemus of “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son”, was this tiny baby whom we celebrate at Christmas time! But don’t leave the Savior in the manger—He grew into a man who willingly laid down His life that we might be saved by His sacrifice.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God

among you by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Acts 2:22-24

God sent “His only begotten Son” not to stay a ‘babe in the manger’ but to be the Savior of the world—to all who will believe in Him! Jesus came because men have a sin problem and only His perfect sacrifice would provide the means for us to be redeemed to God—redeemed from the death and darkness of sin and brought into God’s kingdom by HIS blood—the blood that HE was born to shed for your sin and mine.

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

    but the gift of God is eternal life

 through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

While Christmas is about the babe in the manger, HE didn’t stay in the manger, He grew into the perfect, sinless sacrifice that was the only solution for man’s lostness—for man’s salvation. He came to deliver us from darkness into the “kingdom of His dear son”!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

    which hath made us meet

       to be partakers

              of the inheritance

                      of the saints in light:

           13 Who hath delivered us

                      from the power of darkness,

           and hath translated us

              into the kingdom

                      of his dear Son:

                             14 In whom we have redemption

                                    through his blood,

                      even the forgiveness of sins:”    Colossians 1:12-14

We who were lost are now “born…of God” (See John 1:12-14), forgiven, and “translated….into the kingdom” of Jesus! Praise God for that “tiny little baby” who came to die for you and me!

“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.”     Ephesians 2:1-7

And that my friends IS Christmas—quickened (made alive) in Jesus, the soon-coming King of all, He who took on flesh and blood to be God’s sacrifice for my salvation and yours. What will you do with the babe? Will you trust to His saving sacrifice for you, or leave Him in a manger and miss His Gift to you? He left heaven so you could live with Him there—don’t miss the salvation and power for living that He gives to those who will come to Him! He has never failed me in all the years that I have walked with Him—and you too will find Him a faithful Redeemer!

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers

of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise

took part of the same;

that through death

he might destroy him that had the power

of death,

that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through

fear of death

were all their lifetime

subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him

the nature of angels;

but he took on him

the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him

to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful

and faithful high priest

in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation

for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself

hath suffered being tempted,

he is able to succour

them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18

The important question of Christmas and every season is, “Do YOU know Jesus?” If you do know Him, then praise Him, and keep Him on the throne of your life every day of the year. If you don’t know Him, you can, by simply recognizing your own sin—that you have a problem you can’t fix, yet Jesus died to fix it and give you life—and then give HIM your life in repentance from your sin, and faith in His sacrifice for you.

“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said,

Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said,

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and thou shalt be saved,

and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him

the word of the Lord,

and to all that were in his house.”   Acts 16:29-32

May you truly know the “Christ” of Christmas and celebrate HIS wonderful gift to us—JESUS, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS”!

Amen and Amen!