Category Archives: Christmas Lights

Merry Christmas Friends!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #56

21 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by in Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Merry Christmas!!!

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Merry Christmas Friends!!!  A Word from THE WORD!!! #56

“Then he said unto them,

Go your way,

eat the fat,

and drink the sweet,

and send portions

unto them

for whom nothing is prepared:

for this day is holy unto our Lord:

neither be ye sorry;

for the joy of the LORD

is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:10

I know this seems like an unusual Merry Christmas verse, but it describes how I feel about Jesus, and this time of celebrating HIS coming!  And while I know that Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th–HE was born, and I can celebrate every day of the year–and I try to!  So I send you warm greetings from the Brittain’s and our Bible Ballistics ministry, may God bless, keep, and guard your ways, and direct your steps.

“The LORD bless thee,

and keep thee:

25 The LORD make his face

shine upon thee,

and be gracious unto thee:

26 The LORD lift up his countenance

upon thee,

and give thee peace.”  Numbers 6:24-26

Amen and Amen!!!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and our love to all.  We’ll see you in the New Year, Lord willing.

Who’s In Your Manger??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #54

14 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, Baby in the manger, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, JESUS, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, The greatest gift!!!, Who's in your manger?

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Who’s In Your Manger??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #54

I love Nativity sets, I have them all around my house all year round.  People often ask, “Why do you have nativity sets out when it’s not Christmas?”  I always answer the same way, “I love Jesus all year long!”, and it makes me smile to remember the gift that God gave to all who would receive it.  It also causes people to ask “why”, and I have an opportunity to share about how much I love Jesus!  My question for us today is, “Who” is in your manger?

As you decorate (or even if you don’t choose to celebrate the season) what or who is the focus of your celebration, your life?  Is it the baby born that we could be saved from our sin?

“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

Why two names?  I believe Matthew was helping us to see that Jesus would save us from our sins, because HE was/is/shall ever be the “only begotten Son of God”, who is the only one who could save us from our sins!  And after all, sin IS the issue and only Jesus could be the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN! So, friends, I love the reminder that my nativity sets bring to my heart, soul, and mind! That’s just me!  But who is in your manger?  Just a little image of a baby in a set of figures, or a toy that comes out at this time of year?  Or do you know Jesus, the King of Kings?  Is Jesus the One that your heart rejoices in, or just the presents, tinsel, and parties?  John says it better than I could, as he states clearly the reason for his gospel account.

“Jesus saith unto him,

Thomas, because thou hast seen me,

thou hast believed:

blessed are they that have not seen,

and yet have believed.

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus

in the presence of his disciples,

which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written,

that ye might believe

that Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of God;

and that believing

ye might have life

through his name.”  John 21:29-31

The birth of Jesus, His life, ministry, miracles weren’t a show to impress man, but they were part of the real reason for His coming; He came to die for you and me–for all who will believe and come to Jesus to have their sins forgiven and to receive eternal life. To know that He was raised from the dead for you and me, for all who will believe this truth!

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly,

that God hath made that same Jesus,

whom ye have crucified,

both Lord and Christ.”  Acts 2:36

Paul makes the simplest declaration of this gospel truth, and may we examine our hearts today, to know WHO is in ‘my manger’?

“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:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

If you don’t know Jesus today, won’t you invite Him in today.  He truly is the Risen Lord, and HE is coming again– soon, I believe!

“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

Blessings on your day my friends, and may you know the peace, joy, and love that Jesus gives today.  He is the greatest gift ever given.  Don’t miss the real “baby” in the manger!

Amen and Amen!!!

Christmas Reflections #1!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #51

02 Friday Dec 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Behold the Lamb of God, Blessed by God, Bow Before our God, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, JESUS, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, SIN, Sin IS the issue

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Christmas Reflections #1!!!   A Word from THE WORD!!! #51

“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 came to take care of the sin issue.  We have sinned–born in sin–choosing to sin–living in sin, willfully sinning– for which the penalty and price is death and hell.  Yet Jesus came to pay the penalty for our sin; all because HE came as the Holy Son of God, born without the nature of sin, for HIS father was, is, and ever shall be The Almighty God.  He had no sin, which made HIM the perfect, holy Lamb of God who would pay for MY sin and yours at Calvary if we will but believe in and give our lives to The Lamb of God, Jesus!

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him,

and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me:

for he was before me.”  John 1:29-30

John the Baptizer saw Jesus, and proclaimed that HE was, is and ever shall be the “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”, for HE came to deliver you and me from the payment due for sin–HELL with HIS own blood!  He came because HE loves us. John the Apostle, saw this proclaimed in heaven above, and one day (soon I believe) all will see; some in joy and rejoicing, others in sorrow and regret for eternity!

“And I beheld,

and, lo, in the midst of the throne

and of the four beasts,

and in the midst of the elders,

stood a Lamb

as it had been slain,

having seven horns

and seven eyes,

which are the seven Spirits of God

sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came

and took the book out of the right hand

of him that sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book,

the four beasts

and four and twenty elders

fell down before the Lamb,

having every one of them harps,

and golden vials full of odours,

which are the prayers of saints.

9 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…

…. 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 5:6-10 & 12

This IS what we celebrate at this precious CHRISTmas time.  Won’t you honor King Jesus?  If you don’t know HIM, what better time than the season in which we celebrate HIS coming in flesh to pay for your sin and mine!  It’s why HE came, and He is still calling people to Himself today!  Won’t you respond to HIS call.  And may we who know HIM, reflect HIS glory not our selfish flesh?

“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

Won’t you bow before the King today?  He loves you!  He gave His life’s blood for your salvation.

“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

The door is yours to open to The King!

Amen and Amen!!!

The Best Christmas Lights Of All? Bible Ballistics: Repost of BBs #320

16 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Christmas, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Every Knee Shall Bow, Light In The Dark, Listening To God

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #320 The Best Christmas Lights Of All?

An edited Repost from 2016—I pray that it will be an encouragement to us all.

 

“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

Jesus IS the “light of the world”!  He not only created light but He Himself IS light.  Jesus came into this world to BE the ONLY way to God.  And the very best ‘Christmas lights’ that we can display is a life lived by the power of the cross of Jesus Christ, to be a reflection of God’s light, truth and glory in a world of darkness.  We need to shine that light regardless of the darkness and blindness of those who will not see.  After all Jesus Himself was rejected by those who wanted to stay in the darkness.

“In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light

shineth in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:4-5

Jesus is the creator and sustainer of life who He came into this world to deliver those who will believe in Him, from the penalty, power and eventually even the presence of sin.  It’s what HE came to do, and when our light shines for Him we can share that Good News with those in need of Jesus and His saving grace!

“Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

Our light is to shine for Jesus (Our light IS Jesus!), even when people around us reject the light, or even ridicule and persecute us for our faith in Him.  We can expect the same treatment that our Lord received.

“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.”  John 3:16-19

There will always be those who reject the light, but when we belong to Jesus, His light has been planted within our hearts and it should be the pursuit of our lives to let HIS light shine through us.  We can hide our light or let it shine for HIM!  Just as the moon has no light of its own, neither do we; apart from Jesus (See John 15:5), and much like the wonder of an eclipse, we can be a clear reflection of the light of Jesus shining His light onto those around us, or we can let the world “eclipse” our light and have little to no effect on the people around us.  May we all strive (especially during this time when people are more open to the news of the “Babe in the manger”) to be the “Best Christmas Lights Of All”?

God’s purpose before the creation of the world was the redemption of man—He knew we would sin before He created us and He loves us so much that He created us anyway!  He chose Abraham to be the father of Israel and provided that through his seed the Messiah would come.  And God also promised that He would be the Savior of all who would believe, whether Jew or Gentile.  Just as John wrote, “God so loved the world, that he gave”.  God sent Jesus that we might have life in Him, through the salvation that He would purchase at Calvary.

A baby born to die for our sin—that’s how much God loves YOU!  And if you know Him, shouldn’t your light be shining brighter than any string of decorations?

“Thus saith God the Lord,

he that created the heavens,

and stretched them out;

he that spread forth the earth,

and that which cometh out of it;

he that giveth breath

unto the people upon it,

and spirit

to them that walk therein:

6 I the Lord have called thee

in righteousness,

and will hold

thine hand,

and will keep thee,

and give thee

for a covenant of the people,

for a light of the Gentiles;

7 To open

the blind eyes,

to bring out

the prisoners from the prison,

and them that sit in darkness

out of the prison house.”  Isaiah 42:5-7

God opens the blind eyes to see their own sin (If they will but hear the voice of His Spirit!) and He will deliver them through the sacrifice of Jesus, when they will believe in Him.  He loves you and me today and wants us to come to Him.  We can choose light or darkness.  What are you choosing today?  If you don’t know Jesus, He is calling to you today—if you will but respond in repentance of sin that you can’t fix, and believe in the death, burial and resurrection of the ONE who came to fix/pay for your sin and mine.  It’s why He came.  And coming to Him will enable His light to shine from within you and me, for He places His peace, light, joy and love in our hearts.

“And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.”   Romans 5:5

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;

but righteousness,

and peace,

and joy

in the Holy Ghost.”   Romans 14:17

So SHINE!  SHINE the “the light of the world” TODAY!

Amen and Amen!!!