Category Archives: Jesus IS The Gift!

A Call To Look Unto Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #159

29 Wednesday Nov 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Jesus call, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Light In The Dark

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A Call To Look Unto Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #159

“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.

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 1:20-23

One of my sister’s favorite Bible phrases is, “and it came to pass”, and it always does!  Come—to pass—that is; for God is a faithful God, and HE sent Jesus to fulfill His promises of a Messiah who would call His people to salvation, redemption, and eternal life; to restore us to relationship, hope and the life with God that we lost in Eden!  Sin had separated us from God, and Jesus came to save us from that sin and the penalty of it—death!  He came to bring life to those who would come to Him in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin!  The babe placed in a manger instead of on a throne, came to be the sacrifice for your sin and mine, and HE is waiting for you to respond to the call to come to HIM today, for today is all that we have, tomorrow may or may not be ours, yet Praise God, HE keeps HIS own and is conforming us into the image of HIS SON!

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6 

“In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised before the world began;” Titus 1:2

For our hope of eternal life is IN JESUS and no other.

“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

John also introduced Jesus, not from a manger bed, but from HIS existence before the foundation of the world!

“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.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

To me one of the saddest of all commentary in scripture is, “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”!  Jesus came to save us, and we wouldn’t recognize who HE was; yet HE was, is and always has been the only way to God, but the question is a personal one, ‘What will YOU do with Jesus?’

You can receive and believe Jesus’ witness of who HE IS, or you can go your own way, and pay for your own sin, it’s your call!  But remember there is a test, and a soon coming one, I truly believe!  Are you ready.  Jesus’ own words say it better than I can.

“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 3:14-21

It’s not just the baby in the manger that we celebrate at this time of year, but it IS the work that HE was born to do—to die for your sin and mine, that we might have eternal life with HIM through that faith in HIS ‘substitutionary, atoning sacrifice’! He paid the price, but it can only be received through repentance and faith in HIS payment for our sin!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things

which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14

All this because God loves you and me, but there is a debt due; I owed a debt I couldn’t pay except in death and hell, yet Jesus paid a debt HE didn’t owe so that we could have life and escape hell!  What will you do with HIS gift this Christmas?  Accept it?  Celebrate it?  Rejoice in God’s goodness, love, and peace?  Or reject it and suffer the consequences, for we are free to choose or reject Jesus, but the consequence has already been set.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test (See Revelation 20:11-15)!

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth in Jesus.”  Romans 3:23-26

“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.”  Romans 6:22-23

So friends, my challenge to you is simply to invite you to answer HIS call to your heart.  If you haven’t been born again by the blood of Jesus, you can be today if you will but call on Jesus to save you in repentance of your sin, and faith in HIS payment for them!  If you are HIS, won’t you reevaluate your walk with HIM and commit anew and afresh to live Jesus before a lost and dying world, as well as those around you at home—they all need to see JESUS IN Christmas IN you and me!

“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.”  Luke 2:10-14

Amen and Amen!!!

Like Jesus Not Each Other??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #142

11 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Following Jesus, Help from The Lord, Here am I send me!, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Not a competition

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Like Jesus Not Each Other???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #142

I’d like to share a word that The Lord brought to my mind and heart recently and maybe it will resonate with you as well.  We live in a hostile and divided world, a country where we are at odds with one another; it shouldn’t be so in the Body of Christ.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you that ye walk worthy

of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all

lowliness

and meekness,

with longsuffering,

forbearing one another

in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body,

and one Spirit,

even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord,

one faith,

one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all,

who is above all,

and through all,

and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us

is given grace

according to the measure of the gift

of Christ…

….11 And he gave some,

apostles;

and some,

prophets;

and some,

evangelists;

and some,

pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints,

for the work of the ministry,

for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

unto a perfect man,

unto the measure of the stature

of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children,

tossed to and fro,

and carried about with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men,

and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:” Portions of Ephesians 4:1-15

We are called by God unto The Lord Jesus, who by the power and indwelling Holy Spirit, gifts, equips, and uses us when, where, how and as HE sees fit.  Yet so often we think that everyone else has to minister “like I do”!  Everyone has to understand what I do!  Everyone who is right with Jesus has to agree with “me”! Duh!  Not necessarily so!  In fact Paul was telling the believers in Ephesus (and us) that we are to work together by the power, gifting, and love of Jesus, which should produce “unity” NOT “uniformity”!  Sometimes we who live in America, forget that God calls us to ‘godly DEPENDENCE’ AND ‘godly interdependence’ NOT that “good ol’ American INDEPENDENCE”!  As the modern proverb is so often slung about, “It’s MY way or the highway!”  Jesus said something that I often have to be reminded of, because I forget it so often in my own zeal and ardor for The Word of God.  Just as Jesus sent out the ‘apostles’ to different places, to encounter unique and different people, with the truth of The Gospel—that Jesus, Himself, would be “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-5)!  Upon that we stand, not all the little nuances and uniquenesses of our individuality.  As long as it matches The Word of God, we are to work within our own giftings and callings from JESUS Himself!

We aren’t to be clannish, or judge others who carry out God’s work differently than “I” do, according to the truths in The Word!  Jesus had to adjust the thinking of His own disciples—those who walked the closest with HIM.  How about you and me; don’t we often miss it also (Just remember that the ‘wisdom of this world isn’t God’s wisdom)?

“Then there arose a reasoning among them,

which of them should be greatest.

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart,

took a child,

and set him by him,

48 And said unto them,

Whosoever shall receive this child

in my name

receiveth me:

and whosoever shall receive me

receiveth him that sent me:

for he that is least among you all,

the same shall be great.

49 And John answered and said,

Master,

we saw one casting out devils

in thy name;

 and we forbad him,

because he followeth not with us.

50 And Jesus said unto him,

Forbid him not:

for he that is not against us

is for us.”  Luke 9:46-50

Sounds like a lot of believers today, doesn’t it?  Oh, that Jesus could mold my heart to see what HE sees, to go where, when, and how HE is leading “me” and allow others to do the same, as long as it isn’t in conflict with The WORD of GOD!  GRACE is a big word, that we often use selectively, and often remove the “amazing” from it!

Paul addressed this same issue in Romans 14, and I’ll share it with you that you may ponder what he says, and you and I can, as they say, mull it over—take it before our LORD—and walk worthy of our calling!  While this is a lengthy passage, I think it worth our attention, and I encourage you (as well as myself—for I can be as harsh as anyone, when my flesh jumps ahead of The Holy Spirit who is working ‘in me’ and ‘in you’) to consider that there are others besides ‘us’ who belong to Jesus!

“Him that is weak in the faith

receive ye,

but not to doubtful disputations.

2 For one believeth that he may eat all things:

another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

3 Let not him that eateth

despise him that eateth not;

and let not him which eateth not

judge him that eateth:

for God hath received him.

4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?

to his own master he standeth or falleth.

Yea, he shall be holden up:

for God is able to make him stand.

5 One man esteemeth one day above another:

another esteemeth every day alike.

Let every man be fully persuaded

in his own mind.

6 He that regardeth the day,

regardeth it unto the Lord;

and he that regardeth not the day,

to the Lord he doth not regard it.

He that eateth,

eateth to the Lord,

for he giveth God thanks;

and he that eateth not,

to the Lord he eateth not,

and giveth God thanks.

7 For none of us liveth to himself,

and no man dieth to himself.

8 For whether we live,

we live unto the Lord;

and whether we die,

we die unto the Lord:

whether we live therefore,

or die,

we are the Lord’s.

9 For to this end

Christ both died,

and rose,

and revived,

that he might be Lord

both of the dead and living.

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother?

or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

for we shall all stand

before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.”   Romans 14:1-11

May we each continually be “sharpeners” for God’s purposes and glory, and the good of all the brethren! (And remember that “the judgment seat of Christ” is for believers only!)

“Iron

sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.”  Proverbs 27:17

So, let’s get to sharpening!!!  Keeping our eyes on the PRIZE!!!

“Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life

for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends,

if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.”  John 15:13-15

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my

sake shall find it.”  Matthew 16:24-25

May we join with Paul, in his proclamation of faithful service to our KING in Galatians 2:20

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”

Amen and Amen!!!

Faithful GOD??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #131

14 Thursday Sep 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Father--heavenly and earthly, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, False Lives, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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Faithful GOD???        A Word from THE WORD!!! #131

Sometimes we allow ourselves to be ‘dis-couraged’ instead of looking up to our Lord—our God—our Savior—our JESUS—for a word of ‘en-couragement’; so I’d like to take a few minutes today to share some encouragement from God’s Word, and may I add that to truly know the faithfulness of God we have to know HIM in the ”new birth” and know HIS WORD!  For if we don’t know what God has said, how can we be confident in it?  We can’t!  It’s part of the reason (aside from the fact that God called me to it!) that I’ve spent the last 34+ years teaching people how to study God’s Word for themselves.   So let’s dig in to that very Word and see what we can find out about our GOD Almighty—Father, Son-Jesus, and The Holy Spirit.

“And the very God of peace

sanctify you wholly;

and I pray God

your whole spirit

and soul

and body

be preserved blameless

unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you,

who also will do it.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Our God is faithful not because we want Him to be, but because HE IS a faithful GOD!  The Psalms are replete with words of truth about our God, I encourage you to read them (if you read 5 Psalms a day, and 1 chapter of Proverbs a day you will go through both books in a month!  And repeatedly is a plus!).

“Thy mercy, O LORD,

is in the heavens;

and thy faithfulness

reacheth unto the clouds.

6 Thy righteousness

is like the great mountains;

thy judgments

are a great deep:

O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God!

therefore the children of men

put their trust

under the shadow of thy wings.” Psalm 36:5-7

My question is, do you know this Faithful God, and HIS Son, Jesus?  I can’t express the faithfulness that I have experienced in my walk with HIM, and He is there for you if you will but recognize your need.  See your sin as sin, repent and turn to the cross in faith/belief in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine!  Oh, praise God HE forgives, saves, and cleanses us from our sin!  (See Matthew 1:21—it’s why HE came!)

“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

And the Apostle John put it amply well, for both the believer who needs forgiveness and restoration, or the lost who needs a Savior!  And remember JESUS IS “the truth” and “The Word” (See John 14:6 and John 1:1-5)!

“If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:8-10

This faithful God made provision IN Jesus for our sin to be exchanged for HIS righteousness; Paul put it in a nutshell, so to speak, for us!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit,

that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then

we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

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.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Jesus Himself, paints a picture of this transformation by the “indwelling” presence of the Savior within HIS own!  Is HE in you?  Are you in HIM?

“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

Paul spoke another word of encouragement to the believers in Thessalonica—will you receive it?  Have you received Jesus?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test; and Jesus won’t ask what ‘words’ you said, or what aisle you walked, or where you were baptized; HE will ask if you have been “born again”, “let HIM IN”, “followed HIM”, or did you do it your way?  HE knows!

“But the Lord is faithful,

who shall stablish you,

and keep you from evil.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3

In closing I want to share the words of our Lord—our faithful Lord—who calls us to be faithful too!

“And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?”  Luke 9:23-25

Take up your cross, for the cross is an instrument of death.  Paul defines it spiritually.  I pray that you will repent, die to self, and live to, for, with and by the power of Jesus Christ The Lord—the faithful GOD…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who “loves” us!!!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Only Jesus!

“Neither is there salvation

in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

Praying that you are trusting to this faithful REDEEMER!G

Amen and Amen!!!

May I Hide Myself IN THEE??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 26

01 Sunday Jan 2023

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, One Foundation, Only One Way

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May I Hide Myself IN THEE???     Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 26

“A good name

is rather to be chosen

than great riches,

and loving favour

rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor meet together:

the LORD is the maker

of them all.

3 A prudent man

foreseeth the evil,

and hideth himself:

but the simple

pass on,

and are punished.

4 By humility

and the fear of the LORD

are riches,

and honour,

and life…

….17 Bow down thine ear,

and hear the words of the wise,

and.

18 For it is a pleasant thing

if thou keep them within thee;

they shall withal be fitted

in thy lips.

19 That thy trust may be in the LORD,

I have made known to thee this day,

even to thee.

20 Have not I written to thee

excellent things

in counsels

and knowledge,

21 That I might make thee know

the certainty of the words of truth;

that thou mightest answer the words of truth

to them that send unto thee?”  Proverbs 22:1-4 & 17-21

This passage that I read this morning just hit me as a great verse for this New Year’s Day!  That we truly might strive to pursue God’s truth and heed the words of the Psalmist in that same vein!

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth

in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

All of this brings me to share an old song, that doesn’t seem to be sung very much anymore, yet it is so full of truth and a powerful reminder that it’s all about Jesus.

Rock Of Ages by Augustus M. Toplady

1.Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

2.Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

3.Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

4.While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

So, I have but a few simple questions for us today: where are you hiding?  What are you hiding behind?  Where is your confidence placed?  If the answer to all of these isn’t JESUS, you might want to reconsider your choices.  It is your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

“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

Jesus is that stone, and HE made it clear that HE was, is and ever shall be “the only way” –you can trust in Him, or set HIM at nought as many did all those years ago!

“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

And Jesus told Martha the same thing in a different way.

“Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord:

I believe that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come into the world.”                    John 11:25-27

Will you proceed through 2023 with Jesus or rely on something or someone else?  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

Happy New Year!!!

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!!!