11 Wednesday Dec 2024
Posted in The Word
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10 Tuesday Dec 2024
Tags
A baby born to die for my sin!, A baby born to die for us?, Angelic messages., Angelic messengers, Christmas Fortnight., Hebrews 2:14-18, Jesus came to save., Joseph--visitations., Luke 1:11-13, Luke 1:26-29, Mary, Matthew 1:19-21, Zacharias
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!!!
09 Monday Dec 2024
Tags
A baby born to die for my sin!, Emmanuel, God With Us!, Jesus saves and forgives sin, Matthew 1:21-23
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!!!
06 Friday Dec 2024
Posted in The Word
05 Thursday Dec 2024
Tags
Disregard of the King., Gifts for Jesus, Gifts for our King., Ignoring the KING!, Jesus gave all for us!, Matthew 2:1-12, Proverbs 18:10-12, Sharing the Good News., The wise men, Too busy to give to Jesus., Too busy to serve for Jesus., What will you give to Jesus?
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!!!
Bible Ballistics 