Tags
2 Timothy 2:19, A Pearl of great price, Acts 2:21-24, Choices And Consequences, Christmas, It's Your Choice, John 1:10-14, Matthew 13:45-46, Pearl Harbor, Revelation 3:16-18, Truth
Bible Ballistics: BBs #609 Pearl Harbor & A Pearl Of Great Price!
As we continue thinking about the Christmas season and the true “reason” for the “season”, I’m sure some of you are scratching your head and thinking, “What does Pearl Harbor have to do with Christmas?” Good question! But as a Navy brat (my precious daddy served in the United States Navy for 22 years, and I’m very proud of his service!) naval things are special to me; and Pearl Harbor was a milestone in both American and world history. The surprise attack took many lives and rocked the world; yet history records that there were many miniscule warning signs that were disregarded, ignored or misunderstood! That is the connection to Christmas and the coming of The “pearl of great price”; and just as the US military was caught unprepared by the attack, the world missed the coming of The Messiah! Some who were seeking God, saw truth, but the rest not only missed the import of His birth—but crucified The “King of Glory”—this “pearl of great price”! How about you?
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto
a merchant man,
seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found
one pearl
of great price,
went
and sold
all that he had,
and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46
Will we miss the boat—or worse be destroyed because we didn’t recognize the enemy’s constant ‘surprise attacks’, and miss the true ally and Redeemer of our souls—Jesus?
“And it shall come to pass,
that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord
shall be saved.
22 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 2:21-24
This merchant of pearls recognized true value when he saw it, but so often we are deceived, tricked and lead astray from this One who loves us beyond measure! This One who gives life, came and took on flesh knowing that most would reject Him, yet He came anyway—for YOU and for ME! It’s His birth we celebrate! What or Whom are you celebrating?
“He was in the world,
and the world was made by him,
and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own,
and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him,
to them gave he power
to become the sons of God,
even to them
that believe on his name:
13 Which were born,
not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man,
but of God.
14 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.” John 1:10-14. AMEN!
So, as we go about our day today I pray that we will consider what we have done with this “babe” in the manger—the one we see all around us–and that we will remember that He came to die for sinful men and women, boys and girls; all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (paid my debt), sacrifice (HE died that I could have eternal life with HIM)! Talk about a “pearl of great price”; don’t miss the true treasure by believing the lies of the enemy of your soul. Be sure that you receive the greatest gift of all—don’t be one who “received him not”! Paul reminds us that while we might be able to fool others—we will never fool God.
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his.
And, Let every one that nameth the name
of Christ
depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19
And Jesus’ own words to “churches”, warning those who play at “religion” to check out what you’re trusting—for He is the One who knows the truth.
“I know thy works,
that thou art
neither cold
nor hot:
I would thou wert
cold
or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm,
and neither
cold
nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest,
I am rich,
and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing;
and knowest not
that thou art wretched,
and miserable,
and poor,
and blind,
and naked:
18 I counsel thee
to buy of me gold
tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed,
and that the shame of thy nakedness
do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes
with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:16-18
One simple question in closing: are you clinging to a treasure that is worthless, or have you received HIS “gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich”? The choice is yours! Choose wisely there is a test!