Category Archives: A Call To Look Unto Jesus!

A Christmas Forthnight??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #299

13 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Responding to God's call to share the Good news., Responding to the call!

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A Christmas Fortnight???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #299

Continuing the reposts for Christmas due to my injured finger.

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 great 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!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Fortnight??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #297

11 Wednesday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, Amazing Grace, Angelic visitations!, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Good News, Gospel, Grace, JESUS, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!

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A Christmas Fortnight???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #297

Continuing the reposts for Christmas due to my injured finger.

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 angels are greater in power and might than we are, they are not presumptuous to accuse, but rather to defer to God.  So, 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.  We aren’t to 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 share this announcement with—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?  Also notice 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!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

What Gift Will You Give??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #294

05 Thursday Dec 2024

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding In Jesus, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Or Taking?, Giving Thanks to God!, Love, Love Is Action

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What Gift Will You Give???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #294

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea

in the days of Herod the king,

behold, there came wise men from the east

to Jerusalem,

2 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.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things,

he was troubled,

and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests

and scribes of the people together,

he demanded of them

where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him,

In Bethlehem of Judaea:

for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda,

art not the least

among the princes of Juda:

for out of thee shall come a Governor,

that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called

the wise men,

enquired of them diligently

what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said,

Go and search diligently for the young child;

and when ye have found him,

bring me word again,

that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king,

they departed; and, lo, the star,

which they saw in the east,

went before them,

till it came and stood over

where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star,

they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

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.

12 And being warned of God in a dream

that they should not return to Herod,

they departed into their own country

another way.”   Matthew 2:1-12

Something you may have never considered is what I call us to consider in this scenario—these men (and we don’t know how many there were, but most deduce that since there were three gifts there were possibly three men…) had seen a star, an unusual astronomical sign and they were overwhelmed to see it, and they also were familiar enough with Jewish scripture that they knew a King, a Messiah had been promised by God, so they made this incredible journey to find this King to worship Him—I believe they were seeking the Redeemer.  So they proceeded to the capital of Judah, Jerusalem, to find this King—where else would you seek a King but in a palace.  Not so in this case.  Of course the reigning King, Herod, was a wicked man but feigned interest in the child, to know where he was (and of course tried to kill him later) to join them in worship!  NOT!  But that’s not what I want to consider.

As you read the narrative, Herod called for the religious leaders, who should know where Israel’s Messiah would be born, and as they knew the scripture (even if they didn’t know the author) who gave Herod the information he requested.  Then in his deceptive designs, he sent these visitors to find the child and then “let me know”!  This is where I want us to focus; these men had just advised the king and the religious leaders that there was a newborn King of the Jews (whom you would think to be anxious to seek and honor their promised Messiah/King!); yet not one person from Jerusalem went with these men.  No stir over this newborn King at all!  Not one soul went to seek and worship Him except these strangers!  Are we any different today!

I celebrate Christmas because I love Jesus!  The question I have for us today is do I seek Him?  Am I bringing Him gifts?  I spend time, money and effort on gifts for others, but what have I done for Jesus, what gift have I considered, thought about and purchased for my King—the redeemer of my soul?  What will I do for Jesus this “Christmas” season?  There are so many opportunities to share in HIS name—giving to missions, sharing food for the hungry, giving to organizations that feed and clothe the down-trodden, or perhaps serving at a soup kitchen!

In essence, what gift have I brought to Jesus?  Or will I be like those in Jerusalem, and hear about Him, know He’s arrived, see the needs, and do nothing, go nowhere to worship Him, or just write it off to “I don’t have time for this!”!  Just asking?  God blesses us continuously, what will we do for Him when we have the opportunity.  I encourage you to find out what you can do for this One we claim to love and adore!  Worship isn’t just a word, or an abstract ideal, it’s the giving of ourselves to someone or something in total devotion.  What are you devoted to?  One easy was to find out is to examine your checkbook—not being nosy, just saying what you love, you’ll spend money on; be it self or others.  You get to choose.  But choose wisely, there is a test!

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,

and before honour is humility.”  Proverbs 18:10-12

Amen and Amen!!!

What Are You Thankful For??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #292

25 Monday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Gratitude to Generosity, Great is Thy Faithfulness, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Salvation, Thankful, Thankfulness with joy!, Thanksgiving, That They May Know

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What Are You Thankful For???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #292

Today’s post is a simple reminder that I have shared before; we need to count not only our blessings of “things”, but even more importantly, our blessings of the people that God has placed within our lives.  So I just want to set the example.

First and foremost, I am grateful that Jesus still saves and changes lives, and that He spoke to my heart those many years ago (some 50 years I’ve walked with The Lord Jesus), and I fell on my knees and asked for His forgiveness and salvation.  Oh, what a difference a moment can make!  Thank you, Jesus for dying for me.

I am also thankful for godly parents who loved my siblings and me and taught us the virtues of loving, caring, sharing and thinking of others, and while they are now with our Lord, their impact remains a constant reminder of the power we are given to help or harm other’s lives.  I’m thankful for a brother and sister who love me and are still serving Jesus also, my brother a pastor, my sister, a pastor’s wife! We were so blessed with an extended family who loved us and lived lives worthy of following.  We didn’t have a grandmother (as both of our grandmothers had died before we were born, and a grandfather), while we had one grandfather still living, we didn’t get to see him very often, but we were able to make up a little lost time when he came to live with us for the last months of his life.  What a treat to hear his stories (true or not—who knows) and share his life for a while.

I am more than blessed with friends, my Miss Diane who has been my friend since we were preteens; and many friends who have come and gone, as I’ve heard: some come to stay a while, some for a brief time, some for a lifetime, but each one brings new insights—some joyful, some sorrowful.  There are those friends who have left us behind and joined our Lord in glory.  Oh how I miss them, but how I treasure the times we spent together—the coffee/tea we shared—the stories we rehearsed-the joy we shared.  Even thinking of those stories, I sit here smiling as I write this.

Then there are those who have tired us!  There are those whom we have tried and had to apologize to!  Praise God for forgiveness and restoration, it is such a blessing to enjoy restored relationships.  Yet for some of us sadness burdens our hearts for lost relationships, as we pray for them!

I’ve been blessed to live in many places (I was a Navy brat!) and find friends and people who loved me and impacted my life in countless ways.  There are names I can’t recall now but have glimpses of memories that linger still.

So, why do I share all of this?  Hopefully to spur us to action.  Is there someone that you need to call or go visit to thank for their influence, help, love or just being there?  Make that phone call.  Write that note, or text or email.  Send that gift that would make someone’s day!   And don’t forget to thank God for His gift of Jesus and all His mercies upon us.  Don’t forget sunshine and rain, cold and heat, tears and smiles, a baby’s laugh, a dandelion flower from a three-year-old, God’s love and provision, open arms of grace, and our hope in Jesus’ return.

“Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the people.

9 Sing unto him,

sing psalms unto him,

talk ye of all his wondrous works.

10 Glory ye in his holy name:

let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

11 Seek the LORD and his strength,

seek his face continually.

12 Remember his marvellous works

that he hath done,

his wonders,

and the judgments of his mouth;”   1 Chronicles 16:8-12

And in closing a reminder of the grace of our Lord.

“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 14:14-16

If you know Jesus, rejoice in His love, grace and provision for us!  If you don’t know Him, you can!  He is calling today, if you will but hear and heed His call to repent of your sin and trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours!  Amen!!!

“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.”  Revelation 3:20

 “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…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Amen and Amen!!!

God’s Plan Not Man’s??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #289

18 Monday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Amazing Grace, IN Jesus!, In The Beginning, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus IN You!, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus lives today!, Jesus said I could come!, Jesus Saves, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, One Day Too Late?, One Foundation, Only Jesus, Only One Way

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God’s Plan Not Man’s???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #289

With the popularity of social media of all kinds it seems that everyone feels called to share their opinion about everything.  While it can be good to have a platform, everything that you read, hear and see on the internet may or may not be true.  I want to talk about one of those subjects, the Bible and God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.  The opinions we hear and see on the internet run the gambit, but I want us to take a look at scripture for our standard, not the opinions of people.  And yes, I’m a ‘people’, but if you’ve followed this blog for very long, you know that I am committed to help people go to God’s Word and read and study it remembering to take all scripture in its context, and in the larger context of the whole counsel of God (meaning all scripture—from Genesis to Revelation!)!  The first passage that I want us to consider is from Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost—50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The followers of Jesus had watched Him ascend into the heavens after He had instructed them to wait for the Holy Spirit to come to them before they began to “go ye therefore” (see Matthew 28:19-20) and spread the good news of The Gospel.  So after about 10 days the assembly of some 120 believers received the Holy Spirit and went forth in great power and purpose to share the truth about Jesus saving sacrifice and His grace to save.

“But Peter, standing up with the eleven,

lifted up his voice, and said unto them,

Ye men of Judaea,

and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem,

be this known unto you,

and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken,

 as ye suppose,

seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken

by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days,

saith God,

I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:

and your sons and your daughters

shall prophesy,

and your young men

shall see visions,

and your old men

shall dream dreams…

…. 21 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.”  Portions of Acts 2:14-24

Jesus wasn’t crucified by the plan of man, rather He laid down His life willingly for your sin and mine.

“Therefore doth my Father love me,

because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me,

but I lay it down of myself.

I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received

of my Father.”  John 10:17-18

Jesus had this power because He was, is and ever shall be God!  And yes, He said so Himself!

“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

Are you His sheep?  It’s a question that only you can answer.  Have you come to Jesus in repentance of your sin and faith/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for you—and all of your sin!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is a test, and it may be soon.  So, back to Jesus’ claims.

Jesus went on to proclaim that HE is the only way—one way, one Savior, one who was crucified, buried and risen again in the power of God to pay for our sin; but that cost was His life’s blood on Calvary.

“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

“Then saith Pilate unto him,

Speakest thou not unto me?

knowest thou not that I have power

to crucify thee,

and have power

to release thee?

11 Jesus answered,

Thou couldest have no power at all against me,

except it were given thee from above:

therefore he that delivered me unto thee

hath the greater sin.

12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him:

but the Jews cried out, saying,

If thou let this man go,

thou art not Caesar’s friend:

whosoever maketh himself a king

speaketh against Caesar.”  John 18:10-12

Jesus was the plan from the beginning—before “the beginning”!  God created us knowing that we would sin, yet He loves us so much that He created us anyway.  I’ll share just a few passages that reveal this to us, when we will listen and receive God’s truth, starting in Genesis.

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head,

and thou shalt bruise his heel.”  Genesis 3:15

“Father, I will that they also,

whom thou hast given me,

be with me where I am;

that they may behold my glory,

which thou hast given me:

for thou lovedst me

before the foundation of the world.”  John 17:24

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,

whose names are not written

 in the book of life of the Lamb

slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8 (the ‘him’ mentioned here is the antichrist)

“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.”  1 Peter 1:18-21

And just as the followers watched Jesus ascend into the heavens, He is coming again—and I believe, very soon.  The question then is, are you ready?  Have you bowed before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven

as he went up,

behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said,

 Ye men of Galilee,

why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

this same Jesus,

 which is taken up from you into heaven,

shall so come in like manner

as ye have seen him go into heaven.”   Acts 1:10-11

Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly, but grant grace unto those who need to come to YOU!

Amen and Amen!!!