Tag Archives: Jesus Saves!

From An Enemy To A Son??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #172

03 Wednesday Jan 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Christ IN YOU, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Now is the time...., Obedience, One Day Too Late?, Only One Way, SIN, Sin IS the issue, SMILE!!! Jesus loves YOU!!

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From An Enemy To A Son???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #172

 

With wars raging all around the world, and the political crises all around us here at home, I just want to start this new year off with a reminder for us all, that when we belong to Jesus, when we have been born again by the “blood of the Lamb” who died that we might have life—eternal life—abundant life.  Yet not just life, for we are made sons and daughters of God through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin!

“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.”  John 1:10-13

Sin IS the issue, and while it’s not a very popular topic today, it is still the truth, and Paul states it so concisely (which I seldom can 😊) that I want us to see how amazing God’s love, mercy, and grace are toward us, to extend this gift to us, pursuing us while most of us were clearly running from HIM!  I’m so glad that I finally “ran” right into HIS arms when HE spoke so clearly to my heart that day so long ago, but as fresh as yesterday!

“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

How grateful I am for Paul’s calling and gifts, for he left us so much truth, and it is such a powerful truth here, to remind us that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”!!! Praise God—Praise God—Praise God–“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”! (2 Corinthians 9:15).  Have you thanked God for saving you?  If you know HIM, how could you not continually thank HIM?  If you don’t know JESUS you can; it’s why HE came—to save, to redeem, to transform sinners into saints!  He will transform your life if you’ll but let HIM!  And we who are already HIS need to remember this too!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;” Romans 12:1-3

How, might you ask?  It’s pretty simple—not easy—but simple, I’ll let the Apostle Peter’s words speak.

“Likewise,

ye younger,

submit yourselves unto the elder.

Yea, all of you

be subject one to another,

and be clothed with humility:

for God resisteth the proud,

and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.”  1 Peter 5:5-7.

And the Apostle John has some great wisdom for us today, even as he wrote to the church so long ago.

“Behold,

what manner of love the Father hath bestowed

upon us,

that we should be called the sons of God:

therefore the world knoweth us not,

because it knew him not.

2 Beloved,

now are we the sons of God,

and it doth not yet appear

what we shall be:

but we know that,

when he shall appear,

we shall be like him;

for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him

purifieth himself,

even as he is pure.”  1 John 3:1-3

My friends, in this beginning of a new year, won’t you invite Jesus to search your heart, and receive Him either as your Lord and Savior, or hear His voice of conviction and restore HIM to the throne of your heart and life.  May God’s insight, truth, and blessings rest upon your choices!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

And a final word from James, to remind us of the difficulty of the battle—but IN JESUS, we win!  But we are in enemy territory and the battle is real.

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”   James 4:5-8

Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Word–Part 2??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #167

20 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Are you ready for Jesus' return?, Are you ready?, Baby in the manger, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choices And Consequences, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Come To Worship HIM, Every Knee Shall Bow, God's Glory, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Keeping our eyes on JESUS!, Love, Seasonal or Steadfast?, Sin IS the issue, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, Worship Him!, YOU Can do ALL things through Jesus, You can overcome

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A Christmas Word–Part 2???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #167

Christmas is ‘A Promise Fulfilled’, but even more it’s a continuing promise that Jesus is coming again!  He came to redeem all who will believe in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin, and He will call His own to Himself, let Satan loose on planet earth (so to speak) for a time (a specific time, but that’s a subject for another time) and then HE will set foot back on planet earth to rule and reign here on earth!  And when HE comes again it won’t be as a baby placed in a manger—it will be as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and all will bow!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:5-11

Jesus, this tiny baby we picture in that lowly manger, is coming again in glory; and whether you believe it or not, whether you believe in HIM or not, whether you are ready or not, HE is coming and YOU, my friend will bow—no matter how resistant you are to Jesus now, no matter how stiff-necked, no matter how much you say ‘tomorrow’, no matter what else you are counting on—if you haven’t come to Jesus, the crucified Lamb of God “who taketh away the sin of the world” then you will be bowing before your judge not your Redeemer!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

Isaiah promised a baby would come, but he also proclaimed HIS Kingship.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;

Behold, a virgin shall conceive,

and bear a son,

and shall call his name Immanuel.”   Isaiah 7:14

“For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase

of his government

and peace

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David,

and upon his kingdom,

to order it,

and to establish it

with judgment

and with justice

from henceforth even for ever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts

will perform this.”  Isaiah 9:6-7

Matthew proclaimed that Jesus was this baby, as the angel came and declared it to Joseph!  This baby will be King!

“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

And my dear friend “God” IS with us—was, is, and ever shall be!  Jesus came to save all who will believe and receive HIM in repentance and faith—today!  For Jesus was God, is God, and is coming to display HIS glory, and it won’t be in a stable!  I pray that you will worship the ‘baby’, but don’t leave Him in the manger, come to Him and His cross for the forgiveness of your sin, and HE will forgive, cleanse, save and Redeem you for HIS own!

“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man

in heaven:

and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,

and they shall see the Son of man

coming in the clouds of heaven

with power and great glory.”  Matthew 24:30

Jesus promised to keep us and to come again to receive us unto Himself, won’t you join us?  And if you are already one of HIS own, rejoice in this amazing gift that we remember and celebrate JESUS not only during this time of year, but every moment of every day!

“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

 

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:

if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

and receive you unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know,

and the way ye know.

 5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:1-6

Only One Way—Jesus!  Will you come to HIM this Christmas and become a child of the KING?  He’s waiting for you!  Let us who know Him, spread this amazingly, great and Good News!

“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

Have a Happy, Merry, and Joyous Christmas with The King laid in a manger but coming to rule–soon!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Word–Part 1??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #166

15 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, By His Grace, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Creation, Creator, Creator of ALL, Cross, JESUS, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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A Christmas Word–Part 1???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #166

I’d like to spend some time today thinking about the only true ‘reason for the season’, and that my friends is JESUS!  No, He wasn’t born on December 25th, but it is the date chosen to honor our Lord’s birth—the long-awaited coming of The Messiah to Redeem mankind; for all who will believe.  So let’s back up a bit and do a short review of why we need Jesus!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

Why do we need this gift, you might ask; well that’s a good question, and we’ll briefly consider the answer—it’s the reason we trust The Word of God—it gives us the ‘whole truth’.  And that begins in Eden with the first man and woman (And yes, God created them “male and female”, read the account!).  We won’t go into the whole story but just some portions of Genesis 1, 2 and 3; and yes, my friends, I believe the Bible from Genesis to Revelation; I believe that we were/are are created in “the image of God….”!  Let’s dig in.

“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.”  John 3:16

“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

Why was/is man perishing?  It’s because of sin—it’s the disease; we all have it, we can’t cure it, only Jesus can, how did we get in this shape?  Our first parents failed the test, but in God’s love and mercy HE already had a plan in place to redeem us; He knew we would fail, and He created us anyway—a concept that is beyond my comprehension (and yes, I believe in the Genesis account of creation in six literal days).

“In the beginning

God created

the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“And God said,

Let us make man in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man

in his own image,

in the image of God created he him;

male and female

created he them.”  Genesis 1:26-27

Genesis 2 goes on to fill in some more of the details for us and sets the stage for us to understand.

“And the LORD God formed man

of the dust of the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;

and man became a living soul.

8 And the LORD God planted a garden

eastward in Eden;

and there he put the man

whom he had formed…

…16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying,

Of every tree of the garden

thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge

of good and evil,

thou shalt not eat of it:

for in the day that thou eatest thereof

thou shalt surely die.”   Portions of Genesis 2:7-17

The saddest part of this account to me, is that we failed to believe God, at the prompting of Satan, the great “father of lies” (see John 8:44); how sad that we’re still falling for the same old lies!  But we did eat, and we did die spiritually on the spot, and physically later, and still do! It’s why Jesus so boldly and powerfully reminds us:

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd

giveth his life for the sheep.”  John 10:10-11

Jesus came to give us back the life with God that Satan stole, tricked, and deceived our first parents out of.  How much have we been tricked out of by this ‘liar of liars’? There is a price to pay, and we pay it every day, except as we walk “in the Spirit” with our Lord (See Galatians 5:16 & 25)!  But back to Genesis, He’s our Lord not only because He came, but because God promised HIS coming from before the beginning!

“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

Jesus IS the great restorer!  Our great and good Redeemer!  Our soon-coming KING!  This is why I celebrate HIS birth!  How about you?

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

We Can Know Truth!!! Do You? A Word from THE WORD!!! #165

13 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, the Lamb of God, The Love of God, The New Covenant, They that sow in tears...., This is the Way, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Turn to God's Word, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, Wait upon the Lord

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We Can Know Truth!!!  Do You? A Word from THE WORD!!! #165

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said,

 signifying what death he should die.”   John 12:32-33

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again—the babe in the manger was born to die for our sin.  I pray that you know HIM; and if you know HIM, if you have been “born … of God” then you have received The indwelling Holy Spirit of God/Christ Jesus!  He was promised to those who belong to Jesus, to lead us into truth, to direct us, to help us know which way to go!  HE is the conduit of the New Covenant.  Isaiah alluded to it, and Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied of the coming of this New Covenant, God IN us!

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”  Isaiah 30:21

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make

with the house of Israel;

After those days, saith the LORD,

I will put my law in their inward parts,

and write it in their hearts;

and will be their God,

and they shall be my people.”  Jeremiah 31:33

Ezekiel received the same message from God and presented it a bit differently, partly because Jeremiah’s message was before the Babylonian captivity of Israel, and Ezekiel’s was after/during the captivity.  In fact Ezekiel wrote from Babylon.

“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you,

and ye shall be clean:

from all your filthiness,

and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also

will I give you,

and a new spirit

will I put within you:

and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,

and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you,

 and cause you to walk in my statutes,

and ye shall keep my judgments,

and do them.”  Ezekiel 36:25-27

Jesus’ birth, life among men, His death, burial, and resurrection for the redemption of sinful man brought this New Covenant into reality! He promised His disciples this very thing before His death before He was “lifted up from the earth”!  Let’s consider the promises of Jesus and ponder them as we focus on His coming—without forgetting the goal of His coming was to pay for sin!  Jesus also promised HE would return to complete HIS work!  Jesus knew what was coming, and at the end He told His disciples some important things so that when He fulfilled them, they would remember what He said, and know WHO and WHAT HE was/is/ever shall be—the Son of God, The Redeemer of all who will come to HIM, for He truly was, as John the Baptizer said, “The Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world”!  Have you let Him ‘take away’ your sin?

“I speak not of you all:

I know whom I have chosen:

but that the scripture may be fulfilled,

He that eateth bread with me

hath lifted up his heel against me.

19 Now I tell you before it come,

that, when it is come to pass,

ye may believe that I am he.

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that receiveth whomsoever I send

receiveth me;

and he that receiveth me

receiveth him that sent me.”  John 13:18-20

Jesus went on in this last short time before He faced the cross, that His followers might understand what awaited them—yes, suffering, persecution, toil, and grief, but also “the joy of The Lord” in a new way, as they would have the gift of The Holy Spirit within, to teach, to guide and to help them remember what HE had said and done!

“But this cometh to pass,

that the word might be fulfilled

that is written in their law,

They hated me without a cause.

26 But when the Comforter is come,

whom I will send unto you from the Father,

even the Spirit of truth,

which proceedeth from the Father,

he shall testify of me:

27 And ye also shall bear witness,

because ye have been with me

from the beginning.”  John 15:25-27

While Jesus had given them the facts, The Holy Spirit would empower and enable them to share them with perfect assurance and confidence in The Lamb—their Lord—their King—their Redeemer—Jesus, The King of the Jews (and of all who come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for that sin!)!

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you,

but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine:

therefore said I,

that he shall take of mine,

and shall shew it unto you…

…. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

That ye shall weep and lament,

but the world shall rejoice:

and ye shall be sorrowful,

but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow,

because her hour is come:

but as soon as she is delivered of the child,

she remembereth no more the anguish,

for joy that a man is born into the world.

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow:

but I will see you again,

and your heart shall rejoice,

and your joy no man taketh from you.

23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing.

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father

in my name,

he will give it you.”  Portions of John 16:8-23

So, my friends, do YOU know truth?  JESUS IS truth; and will impart HIS Spirit to those who are His own! And in closing, a few words from Paul to the believers at Rome, reminding them whose they are and how they got there!

“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…

…. 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.”  Portions of Romans 5:1-11

(I encourage you to read all of this amazing chapter –all of this amazing book-for it is full of truth!)

So, will you take time during this celebration of The Redeemer and be sure you know HIM; and if you don’t you can by faith in HIS atoning death for you.  If you do know HIM, don’t miss the joy of knowing HIS truth through the work of HIS Holy Spirit leading you into HIS WORD!!!  It’s why we’re here!

“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

Amen and Amen!!!

The Manger>The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #164

11 Monday Dec 2023

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., The manger leads to the cross, The Manger To The Cross, The Mind Of Christ, The Only Name That Matters, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus, What's The Word?, Where your treasure is--Your heart is!, Who are YOU following?

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The Manger>The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #164

“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

Without the cross the manger is, in and of itself, rather insignificant; it’s the story of a baby born in strange and difficult circumstances, but when we consider the truth that Jesus was born to die for our sin, it changes everything!  Jesus then stands out in history as the only ‘God-Man-Savior’ who came that we might have life; even as the angel told Joseph, “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”!  Amen, what an amazing gift from God—the greatest gift of all—a “Savior which is Christ The Lord”!

“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.”  Luke 2:10-12

The most amazing ‘birth announcement’ in history, Jesus’ birth was proclaimed by angels, unto the lowliest of men, shepherds who were tending their sheep; and the announcement was totally amazing, so much so that they were ‘scared to death’, but found out it was ‘life’ that was being shared with them, for the birth being announced, was Jesus’, The Son of God, “THE way, the truth and THE LIFE” for all who would believe and receive His saving grace!  And just FYI, Jesus wasn’t “born in a manger”, He was simply “placed” in the manger, His cradle, so to speak.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them

in the inn.”  Luke 2:7

Jesus wasn’t born in a palace, or laid in a golden cradle, or surrounded with people of note; rather he came amongst the lowliest of people, but people who loved God, believed what HE revealed to them, and acted upon it in faith and obedience!  We are faced with the same choice today.  We can believe and receive the God-Man-Savior, or we can reject Him; we can say we believe, we can go to church, we can do good deeds before men, but are we truly walking in the faith, hope and love of The Savior?  Are we willing to ‘leave the sheep’ and pursue the New Born King’?  Are we willing to stand in faithful service to our King Jesus, and do what He bids, go where He sends, serve the lowly as He did?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  For what’s the point, yes, the nativity story is an amazing gift from God, but the real gift was and is that Jesus came to die for you and me; to die for our sin.  Have you seen “your sin” and come to Jesus in repentance and faith to be forgiven of your sin; or are you playing games with God and putting on a show before men?  God knows!  So do you if you really search your heart!  Jesus said it better than I can:

“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them,

They that be whole

need not a physician,

but they that are sick.

13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth,

I will have mercy,

and not sacrifice:

for I am not come to call the righteous,

but sinners to repentance.”  Matthew 9:13

Ponder these things, as you go through your day, and don’t lose sight of the truth that the “manger” points to the cross; and without the cross we have no hope.

“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them,

Whosoever will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me. 35

For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it;

but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake

and the gospel’s,

the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give in exchange

for his soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words

in this adulterous and sinful generation;

of him also

shall the Son of man be ashamed,

when he cometh

in the glory of his Father                 with the holy angels.”   Mark 8:34-38

Jesus is coming again, and it won’t be in a manger, or on a cross again—He’s coming in “the glory of his Father with the holy angels”!  Are you ready?  Don’t celebrate the manger without the cross.  Jesus came to save you and me, my friend.  Don’t miss the cross, it is our only eternal hope!

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said,

signifying what death he should die.”   John 12:32-33

He died for you and me—don’t miss it!

Amen and Amen!!!