Category Archives: ‘Tis The Season?

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!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

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!!! #298

12 Thursday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Christ IN YOU, Christ IS Alive!, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Christmas Ponderings, He IS Alive!, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

A Christmas Fortnight???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #298                                 Continuing the reposts for Christmas due to my injured finger.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #119 A Christmas Fortnight-When???

As we celebrate the incarnation of the Messiah Jesus Christ, I’d like to remind each of us that Jesus didn’t begin in Mary’s womb.  He has always been, still is and always will be.  As Hebrews 13:8 says,

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”

Our Lord Jesus — always God!!!  When?

Gen 1:1,  “In the beginning

God created the heaven and the earth.”                                                   Father, Son and Holy Ghost/Spirit.

John 1:1-4,

“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.”

 Jesus is creator God.  Why?  He declared it Himself!

John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.”

Jesus is one with the Father!!!

He claimed to be God—HE is!!!

Mark 1:1,

“And there came a voice from heaven, saying,

Thou art my beloved Son,

in whom I am well pleased.”

God the Father declared it so!!!

Colossians 1:14-17,

“In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones, or dominions,

or principalities, or powers:

all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.”

He created all things and holds them together.  How? Let’s see what Hebrews 1:1-3 has to say,

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners

spake in time past unto the fathers

by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,

whom he hath appointed heir of all things,

by whom also he made the worlds;  

3 Who being the brightness of his glory,

and the express image of his person,

and upholding all things by the word of his power,

when he had by himself purged our sins,

sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:”

He upholds “all things” by HIS power–Jesus is creator with His Father and the Holy Spirit.  HE purged sin– for all who will come to him in repentance and faith.It’s why He came.  Born to die for YOU and ME!

When?  Before the foundation of the world, God set Jesus Christ to be our redeemer.

1 Peter 1:18-21,

“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.”

Jesus did it all so we could have life!

So, as you celebrate during this season, and every day—remember who it is that gave HIS life for you and me!!!  God took on flesh—came as a babe—

that HE might redeem us  

back from the penalty of sin

at Calvary,

and give us eternal life—

 Christ Jesus. 

Do you know HIM personally?  If not, He’s waiting for you.

Revelation 3:20,

“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.”

Jesus wants fellowship with you—He died for the privilege.

How can you come?  Come believing in the “gospel”, which is:

1 Corinthians 15:1-5,

“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:” 

Accept His death, burial and resurrection for your sin.  He came for YOU and me!!!  Won’t you seek Him while He may be found?  Is He knocking at your heart’s door?  Simply open the door to HIM!

Amen and Amen!!!

Below is the QR code to purchase my new book, The Fern In The Urinal.

A Christmas Fortnight??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #296

10 Tuesday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, Angelic visitations!, Christ IS Alive!, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Joseph--see an angel!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Christmas Fortnight???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #296

Due to an injury to my finger, I’m not very able to type right now, so I will be sharing a series of Christmas Fortnight articles from the past.  I pray that they will be a blessing to you.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #117  A Christmas Fortnight-Angelic Messengers!!!

The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ was a supernatural event.  God stepped into time and became man.  Why would he do this?  Because HE loved us and as scripture reveals in Hebrews 2:14-18:

“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.”

He can comfort YOU!!!

He was born to die: to take on flesh and blood for you and me– to pay the debt of sin that we owe and give us eternal life through the cross.  HE WAS BORN TO DIE FOR ME!!!  And that’s cause to celebrate!  God made all this known to the parties involved through angelic messengers.  This God who hadn’t spoken openly for over 300 years, now stepped into time and humanity and announced this great event through His angelic messengers.  They were sent to three special, chosen, particular people who would play a part in God’s great unveiling.  Just regular, every day, godly servants of the Most High God—chosen to receive messages from God Himself.  Ponder on these things as we celebrate the birth of our Lord.

Luke 1:11-13, “And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord

standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him,

he was troubled,

and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias:

for thy prayer is heard;

and thy wife Elisabeth

shall bear thee a son,

and thou shalt call his name John.”

A birth announcement to an elderly father-to-be!!!  Amazing!

Luke 1:26-29, “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel

was sent from God unto a city of Galilee,

named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin

espoused to a man whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David;

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said,

Hail, thou that art highly favoured,

the Lord is with thee:

blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him,

she was troubled at his saying,

and cast in her mind

what manner of salutation this should be.”

A birth announcement to a young virgin girl engaged to be married.

Matthew 1:19-21, “Then Joseph her husband,

being a just man,

and not willing to make her a public example,

was minded to put her away privily.

20 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.”

Confirmation to a righteous and gentle man in the midst of a dilemma, of God’s will for his life, Mary’s life and her child’s.

While we don’t generally see ‘angelic’ messengers, the same God who spoke then, speaks to hearts and lives today.  Whatever HE is speaking to your heart, won’t you listen?

Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Fortnight??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #295

09 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Choices And Consequences, Christ IS Alive!, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas Ponderings, God With Us!, SIN, Sin IS the issue

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

A Christmas Fortnight???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #295

 

Due to an injury to my finger, I’m not very able to type right now, so I will be sharing a series of Christmas Fortnight articles from the past.  I pray that they will be a blessing to you.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #116  A Christmas Fortnight-God With Us!!!

The season of Christmas is upon us, and I’ll be sharing a “Christmas Fortnight” again this year but with a twist.  I’ll be sharing my take on Christmas in each article, but instead of writing a short article each day of the fortnight (2 weeks), I’ll be sharing on the regular days plus Christmas Day, and that will equate to a fortnight!  I hope this will be a blessing, as well as be informative for each of us.

We’ll begin with a simple passage from Matthew 1:21-23:

“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.”

The Promise of the Messiah!!!

He shall be called Jesus!!

He shall save His people from their sins!!

He fulfilled the promise!!

                             He was born of a virgin!!

                                   He shall be called Emmanuel!!

Jesus came to Redeem us from SIN!!  Sin is the issue—we are all sinners, and Jesus came that we might be saved from our sin! ‘God with us’—here to redeem sinful man.  Do you know HIM?  If not, He’s here for YOU!!  Look to the Cross!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Love One Another??? Really? A Word from THE WORD!!! #275

20 Sunday Oct 2024

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's Judgment, God's love, Love, Love Is Action, Lovest Thou ME?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Love One Another???  Really?   A Word from THE WORD!!! #275

Jesus left us multiple instructions, but some of the most intense teaching, instruction and outpouring of Himself, happened on the last days before the crucifixion.  He knew what lay ahead, and He loves us so much that He cared about preparing His disciples and us to live lives of love, power and world-changing influence.  The first thing I want us to look at deals with our topic today.

“A new commandment

I give unto you,

That ye love one another;

as I have loved you,

that ye also love one another.

35 By this

shall all men know

that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love one to another.”  John 13:34-35

Don’t miss the import of the little words; “as I have loved you”-Jesus calls us to treat others with the love He has showered upon us.  Paul put it another way.

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren,

and exhort you by the Lord Jesus,

that as ye have received of us

how ye ought to walk

and to please God,

so ye would abound more and more.

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you

by the Lord Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

Are we willing to receive the truths of scripture and walk in them, or will we reject them and do it our our way!  Paul encouraged the Colossian believers as to how they should walk before God and man!

“Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.”  Colossians 3:12-15

Not to belabor the point, but we are called to love God and others—how we treat others will realistically reveal how much we love God; Jesus made it very clear that our treatment of others reflects how much we love God, as he repsonded to a question meant to trick Him.

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him,

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy mind.

38 This

is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

40 On these two commandments

hang all the law

and the prophets.”  Matthew 22:36-40

You may be asking the question, “How do we do this?”  And that is an honest question, and I will close with the passage that I believe answers that question of how we are to live in spiritual success.  Paul addresses this in his letter to the Romans, and it’s one of my favorite passages of comfort, courage and hope for today and tomorrow!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also

we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 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.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom

we have now received the atonement.”  Romans 5:1-11

I pray that this will encourage you today to know that you can “Really!  Love One Another?”, by the power of the cross and our blessed Redeemer Jesus.  May you remember that you can exercise love, “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”!  Give the Holy Spirit place in your life today and let that “love of God” flow through you and make a difference in your circle of influence!

Amen and Amen!!!