When It Is Over,, Christmas Is Over, Right?

 

I'm always on the lookout for new and meaningful Christmas poems.  This one, by the well-known Helen Steiner Rice, was on the back of a vintage Christmas card I recently came upon.  It surely fits in with the spirit of my Christmas blog, since I like to celebrate Christmas all year round (google)

LET US LIVE CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY 

Christmas is more than a day at the end of the year, more than a season of joy and good cheer,

Christmas is really God's pattern for living, to be followed all year by unselfish giving ...

For the holiday season awakens good cheer and draws us closer to those we hold dear,

And we open our hearts and find it is Good to live among men As We Always Should ...

But as soon as the tinsel is stripped from the tree, the spirit of Christmas fades silently

Into the background of daily routine and is lost in the whirl of life's busy scene,

And all unawares we miss and forego the greatest blessing that mankind can know ...

For if we lived Christmas each day, as we should, and made it our aim to always do good, 

We'd find the lost key to meaningful living that comes not from Getting, 

but from unselfish Giving.

Helen Steiner Rice 

This is one of my favorite Christmas poems but I have given away all the printed cards I had. Soo, I went to Google and found more information than I was looking for. 

SOOO, Be sure you make Jesus Christ the center of every day!

Blessings, Gma J

 

The Wonder and Awe of the Christmas Story

 

Monday, December 14, 2015

 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

Hey Gang, There is no doubt that the Christmas story is filled with wonder and awe. It fills young and old with delight that is even more enjoyable and amazing because it is all true! I found the following quips about Christmas somewhere in my travels and will share them with you this morning.

Shepherds, at the bottom of the social fabric of that time, were entertained and blessed by a choir of angels that filled the night with glory and hope. Mysterious Wise Men from the East followed a star that brought them to Bethlehem, where they worshipped and presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the child- King.

Then there is the centerpiece of the story: A young couple, at least was a teenager, were uniquely chosen to bring the Christ-child into the world and raise Him. They faced a challenge of faith and courage that was undergirded by angelic visitations! Mary, the young virgin maiden, was with child without ever knowing a man before marriage; an outward looking scandal, by any stretch of the imagination. Then there was Joseph, who had to endure the gossip and “whispering” in a community that knew nothing of the angelic announcement heralding the birth of Jesus.

More sinister still was Herod’s plot to kill the child and, and if successful, would frustrate the will and purpose of God for world redemption. The Christmas story is truly beautiful, amazing and thought provoking. For Christians, it teaches us:

       1. Christmas is worth celebrating, since all of Heaven did so and gave beautiful voice to the wondrous events as they were unfolding in Bethlehem. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke devote lengthy passages to this story of wonder and great joy. We should do the same.

       2. Christmas is the hope of the world. God became man and did so to save us from our sins and give us a new beginning. The message is ever the same - peace and goodwill to all the world; a peace and goodwill which has to be appropriated individually by repentance and faith in the finished work of the Son of God on the cross.

      3. Christmas has a unique message in the gifts delivered to the Christ-child by the Magi from the East. Gold was a tribute to his identity, royalty, as King of the Jews and the King of kings of all the world. Frankincense, a priestly connection of His diety, meant His life would be pleasing to God and sinless. Myrrh, foreshadowed His death, which we know that would be for the sins of world – for all who would repent and accept His salvation. This is because myrrh was a burial ointment that was used to prepare the body for its final resting place. He died in our place.

     4. Christmas reminds us of a conflict that ever rages over the souls of men. Dark forces were at work on that beautiful, awe inspiring night; they sought to destroy the babe born to Mary and Joseph and thus they ultimately sought the destruction of all of humankind. This battle continues!

Soooo good buddies, we would do well then to gather our families together and carefully read this wonderful narrative from the Gospels. Worship and prayers of thanksgiving and joy should ascend to Heaven and sweet carols and should bathe our souls in the wondrous love of God. We would do well to visit the House of God on Christmas Eve or morning and there, together with all the family of God, give thanks for God’s Gift of all gifts that became ours on Christmas Day.

Blessings,

Gramps

Christmas hassel or Peace? You choose

 Hey Gang, Soo often devotionals I read say things that are in my heart.  Christmas is such a special Holiday for Christ-followers, celebrating with families, the Birth of our Savior, Jesus, the God’s special gift to us and inspires our own gift giving. 

But the world and our culture continue to try to obscure even His name (Christmas some now call Winter Festival) -with glitz and glitter, merchandise, hustle and bustle -instead of the joy of sacrificial giving with music celebrating Jesus’ birth. 

I pray you will enjoy family, and gift giving in memory of the special God gave to us – Jesus our hope of Eternity together in Glory.

Jesus IS the Light of the world (John 8:12). Let His Light shine brightly and boldly through You, (Matthew 5:14) that others may see your good works and glorify our Father in heaven….  He was born a baby – all of God that could be put in human flesh –“A white hot moment when eternity melted into time” …but died a willing sacrifice for my sin and yours.

From my Mornings with Jesus  by Guideposts  Dec 10, 2022,

“She brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for the in the Inn.” Luke 2:7 (NKJV)

            I live in a divided household. My husband, Hal, always wants a real live tree for Christmas. I am fond of artificial evergreens for their convenience. Hal has won the annual tree standoffs.

            One recent Christmas I felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities and expectations.  The big day was a week away, and we didn’t have a tree.  I told Hal to forget about finding one.  We didn’t need it. Hal thought otherwise and said, ”Ill get us a tree.”

 A few days later, I walked into our living room and found that Hal had made good on his promise.  Here in the corner was a miniature ceramic Christmas sitting on top of some boxes that were draped with a tablecloth. This homemade display was wrapped in a single string of lights. I call it our Charlie Brown tree – reminiscent of the sapling the Peanuts character chose for a holiday celebration—and it made me smile.

Our humble little tree was special, even without all the usual flashing lights, ornaments, and ribbon. It reminded me of Jesus, who also had humble beginnings. Born in a stable surrounded by animals and hay, the Savior of the world entered with no fanfare or bright lights, except for the angels who sang to the shepherds.

            I hope our Charlie Brown tree will be a new tradition, reminding me to focus more on Jesus and less on the holiday hoopla.                                            ___Barbranda Lumpkins Walls

 

Faith Step: What can you decrease so that Jesus will increase in your life this holiday season?  

Have a Christ -filled Christmas

 Gma J                                                                                                                                                             

Christmas in story and daily living

 

Gramps was not into seasonal blogs. But as you see had an imaginative mind! A couple years I wrote on Advent and stories of the Carols.  But – as those of you who know us – Christmas is important and you can still find Nativity sets on display at our house all year.

This Devotional from My Mornings With Jesus  December 2, 2022.

“Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” which is translated, God with us,” Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)  (Read Isaiah 7:14)

     I love the whole Christmas story in the Bible, but if I had to pick a favorite Christmas verse, Matthew 1:23  would be it.  There’s just nothing else that expresses what really happened – what Christmas means-  like “GOD with US.”

     We have a tradition in our family that illustrated the beauty of this concept.  Every Christmas Eve, the whole Triple F Ranch family gathers at my house. We make cookies, turtles, Mexican food, and mischief of one kind or another.  The culminating event is a live Nativity play, which is cast and directed by all the children. The best laid plans are always perfect, until the play starts – then chaos ensues. Crowns fall off, angels fight for position, baby Jesus cries and Joseph ends up smacking somebody with his staff. It is always a comedy of errors – a complete Zoo. Not unlike life!

    Wasn’t you spouse perfect before you got married? Your vacation perfect before you took it? What about retirement? My kids were perfect before I had them. So was my job. In my head, church is perfect, and so are friendships, and so am I.  And then there is what happens outside my head, in real life.  But Jesus enters into the mess, the joy, the heart ache, the accidents, the headaches, the good choices and the bad. HE IS WITH US THROUGH IT ALL!              -------Gwen Ford Faulkenberry 

 In my mind Christmas’s are perfect – as I remember many of them: growing up as a pastor’s kid and all the church activities followed by an hour trip to grandparents. As a teen I remember playing football on Christmas in KS: as a Parent with young family in CA - no snow there either.  However, back in MI – snow; breakfasts were special and reading the Bible Story– our first snowmobile (second hand). Moving to Eagle Village LIGHTS, platforms of home-made lighted villages and visitors. Gramps made us hunt for gifts – sometimes a scavenger hunts, over 500 acres!  One year my gift was hanging in a tree.  Fun and laughs - often with grandparents and Eagle Village boys. Fun stories -  

Today we continue to gather as a family – share a meal, fun and games and always the Christmas Story – Jesus, God wrapped in human flesh – “ The Creator became the created” to experience life as we know it, crucified as sacrifice for our sins, rose from the grave and lives with Father in heaven – our Hope of life eternal – if we choose to accept him as Savior and Lord.

One last quote  from one of my favorite Christmas books The Wonder of Christmas by Daniel Partner:  “Christmas – that white-hot moment when Eternity melted into Time.’

Have a Christ-filled Christmas

Gma J

 

 

Christmas: Wonder and Awe

 

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).(NASB)

 Hey Gang, there is no doubt that the Christmas story is filled with wonder and awe. It fills young and old with delight that is even more enjoyable and amazing because it is all true! I found the following quips about Christmas somewhere in my travels and share them with you this morning.

Shepherds, at the bottom of the social fabric of that time, were entertained and blessed by a choir of angels that filled the night with glory and hope. Mysterious Wise Men from the East followed a star that brought them to Bethlehem, where they worshipped and presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the new-born King.

Then there is the centerpiece of the story: a young couple, she at least was a teenager, who were uniquely chosen to bring the Christ-child into the world. They faced a challenge of faith and courage that was undergirded by angelic visitations! Mary, the young virgin maiden, was with child without ever knowing a man before marriage; an outward looking scandal by any stretch of the imagination. Then there was Joseph, who had to endure the gossip and “whisperings” of a community who knew nothing of the angelic announcement heralding the birth of Jesus.

More sinister still was Herod’s plot to kill the child and, by so doing, frustrate the will and purpose of God for world redemption. The Christmas story is truly beautiful, amazing and thought provoking. For Christians, it teaches us:

       1.  That Christmas is worth celebrating since all of Heaven did so and gave beautiful voice to the wondrous events as they were unfolding in Bethlehem. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke devote lengthy passages to this story of wonder and great joy. We should do the same Re-read them carefully.

     2.  That Christmas is the ‘Hope of the world’. God became man and did so to save us from our sins and give us a new beginning. The message is ever the same: peace and goodwill to all the world; a peace and goodwill which has to be appropriated individually through repentance and faith in the finished work of the Son of God on the cross.

     3.  That Christmas has a unique message in the gifts delivered to the Christ-child by the Magi from the East. Gold was a tribute to his identity-He is King of the Jews and the King of Kings of all the world. Frankincense has a priestly connection, meaning his life would be pleasing to God and sinless. And myrrh foreshadowed that he would die for the sins of world – for any who would repent and accept His salvation. This is because myrrh was a burial ointment was used to prepare the body for its final resting place.

     4.  That Christmas reminds us of a conflict that ever rages over the souls of men. Dark forces were at work on that beautiful, awe-inspiring night. They sought to destroy the babe born to Mary and Joseph and ultimately sought the destruction of all of humankind. This battle continues! The enemy wants death for us all.

So good buddies, we would do well, then, to gather our families together and carefully read this wonderful narrative from the Gospels. Worship and prayers of thanksgiving and joy should ascend to Heaven and sweet carols of years gone by should bathe our souls in the wondrous love of God. We would do well to visit the House of God on Christmas morning and there, together with all the family of God, give thanks for the gift of all gifts that became ours on Christmas Day.

Blessings,

 Gramps

 PS from Gma – Choose your favorite Christmas Carol and read ALL the verses. See how much of the ‘Life of Redemption’ you find.  Most of us think these only tell of Baby Jesus; see if you see the Cross and Resurrection in the Carols.

Give Thanks, For This is the Will of God

 Wednesday, November 27, 2013

      As Children of God, we should practice Thanksliving Daily!  I sometimes cannot remember, at the end of the day, how many times and for what I have said ‘Thank you LORD.” Be sure it is part of your daily thinking!

     Did you notice the spelling?  Did you know this is an extremely rare event that Thanksgiving and Hanukkah fall on the same day? The last time this happened (say some) Thanksgiving had not yet been recognized as a Holiday. Because of the difference in our calendar and the lunar calendar - the projection for this to happen again is not in this century!

        "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another is psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Ephesians. 5:18-20).

       Hey gang:  It is my sincere opinion that designating a day called ‘Thanksgiving’ is, in reallly for those who are non-believers in the goodness of Jesus Christ.   Why do I say that? Because Paul teaches us, in I Thessalonian's 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  In other words, thanksgiving should not be a special day, but an on-going lifestyle for believers –Thanksliving”.  I have good news for you, there is never a day goes by that God does not bless us in some way!

      Let me put some meat on that statement.  We recently spent a month volunteering at Voice of Martyrs in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. We had one week left on our commitment, but all and we finished our task a week early, so we packed up and headed home.  In packing I placed a notebook that contained financial records for the past ten years in the bottom of a box, without thinking. 

       Later I needed something from the notebook, and I could not find it anywhere.  We frantically looked in every nook and cranny with no success.  We even called the motel in Branson, Missouri, where we had stayed during Veteran’s Week, but it was not there either.  My nerves were rapidly becoming frazzled.

        My prayer was very simple and to the point, "Lord, I do not need this frustration at this time.”  Later that day we headed to town for a dinner engagement and, as I pulled out of the driveway, I heard a noise in the back of the car. When I checked, the box that contained the notebook, along with other materials, fell over and opened!  Now wasn't that lucky?  No way, Hosea!

       Several years ago, I was pulling our RV home from a weekend in the woods. We were on a back road, doing around fifty miles an hour, when a car pulled out of a driveway about five hundred feet in front of us.  Corrective action prevented my hitting the car, but shortly after that the driver slammed on the breaks and began a left turn off the roadway!  There was no way in the world I was going to keep from plowing into the car, but somehow, not only did I not hit the car, but did not shake up the contents of the coach! 

       I think about that incident each time I drive by that spot and thank God, again, for what He did that day.  Have you ever taken the time to sit down and make a listing of the times God blessed you with a very special blessing?  Have you ever considered the times He may have saved your life and you knew nothing about it?  Are you one who tends to use the phrase, “Boy that was lucky”?  (Try saying “Thank you LORD.)

        If the will of God in Christ Jesus is to give thanks to God in everything, every believer should know why we should give thanks and be grateful at all times.  Gratitude is a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for everything that Almighty God is doing in our daily life. 

       Soooo, young colleagues, may I suggest that sometime - in the leisure of your Thanksgiving celebration- take your Bible and concordance and do a word study on thanksgiving and gratitude.  You will find many such references in both Old and New Covenants, for it is God’s will. 

 George Washington’s First Thanksgiving Proclamation

            Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection aid and favors…

            Now, therefore, I recommend and assign Thursday the 26^th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these states to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be that we may them all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind of care and protection of the people of this country, and for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

 Blessings this Thanksgiving day,  and again in 2022!

 Gramps

Remembering our Veterans

 

Gramps –over 65 years ago!  

We recently celebrated Veterans Day – Like the police, firemen, first responders and others, we should celebrate them every day! We tend to take them for granted until we have a special need for them. Over 30 of our immediate two families served, not only men. We were blessed to have them all come home, some with injuries seen and unseen.

Today’s blog is taken from My Mornings With Jesus Devotional Veterans Day

 

“Only be strong and courageous.  Joshua 1:7

When I was a student, one of my favorite books was The Red Badge of Courage. The Author, Steven Crane, created a character who was self-shamed for his cowardice and believed that the only thing that would erase the shame and legitimize him as a soldier was a war wound - a blood-red badge of courage.

The character’s internal struggle forms the framework of the entire novel. He faces numerous opportunities to do the courageous thing. But crippled by fear. He opted for cowardice… until the pivotal moment when he chose bravery above comfort. 

Many Scripture verses’ instruction us to “…be strong and take courage” first thing God’s people facing was battles.  But if I apply these verses to internal warfare – the battles in our minds and emotions about choosing the comfortable thing versus the courageous option – those Scripture verses take on a whole new meaning. When does a day pass when I don’t face a choice between personal comfort or the greater good, between self-satisfaction and selflessness, between Jesus’ way and human nature’s way?

My red badge of courage isn’t my own war wound, but the wounds Jesus bore. The blood He shed as He walked bravely into harm’s way for me. The scars He bore, visible even after His resurrection, are evidence that our shame is gone.

The foundation of any bravery I need was secured for me by Jesus’ love and sacrifice. His unsurpassed badge of courage.                                                                                                         _______Cynthia Ruchti

 

Faith Step: Conduct an internet search for how often the word courage appears in the Bible. If this one of the Bible’s favorite then shouldn’t it be ours a well?

Check out these Scriptures: Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:1

 

Ammunition For The So

 

Friday, November 28, 2014

This picture is bigger and brighter on gmail - but couldn't make it bigger here!

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).  

 Hey Gang:  Paul wrote, “There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing us truth, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way” (2 Tim 3:16 Hainley rendition).  In other words, what you say isn’t very important, but what God says has eternal significance! 

 Jesus said, "See to it that no one misleads you, For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ, and will mislead many" "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another" (Matthew 24:4-5/11).

 The antidote for falling away: 

 You say, “It’s impossible”; He says, “With me all things are possible” (Luke 18:27).  You say, “I’m exhausted”; He says, “Wait on Me, I’ll renew your strength” (Isaiah 40:31). You say, “Nobody loves me”; He says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (John. 31:3).  You say, “I can’t go on”; He says, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).  You say, “I don’t know what to do”; He says, “I’ll direct you” (Proverbs 3:5). 

 You say, “I can’t do it;” He says, “You can do all things through Me” (Philppians 3:13).  You say, “It’s not worth it”; He says, “It will be – just keep going” (Galatians 6:9).  You say, “I can’t forgive myself”; He says, “You can – because I have” (Ephesians 4:32).  You say, “I can’t make ends meet”; He says, “I’ll supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19). 

 You say, “I’m afraid:” He says, “I didn’t give you a spirit of fear, but of…power” (2 Timothy. 1:7).  You say, “I can’t handle this”;  He says, “Give it to me; I’ll carry it for you” (Psalm. 55:22).  You say, “I don’t have enough faith”;  He says, “I’ll give your faith” (Ro. 12:3).

 You say, “I’m not smart enough”;  He says, “I’ll give you wisdom” (I Corinthians 1:30).  You say, “I’m all alone”; He says, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

 Soooo,  my  friends , God honors our obedience and choices! He does not tamper with your free will.  There is an adage that I have pinned on the inside of my dome of intellect that says, “My values determine my choices which in turn determine my destiny.”  You will make choices today – Who will sit on the throne of your life today?

 Blessings,

Gramps

The Answer to a Mystery

 

Saturday, October 22, 2016

 I was excited to re-read this blog today. Several months ago, I learned about a book that was impacting Jewish people and many were accepting Yeshua of Nazareth as their Messiah.  This of course was causing an uproar in the Orthodox Community.  Copyright 2018! I have read this book twice and given it to many people. It is the story of Jewish revival! The Rabbi, the Secret Message (and the Identity of) Messiah!  By Carl Gallups  it is hard to put down and has short chapters.  Gma J

 “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery – so that you will not be wise in your own estimation – that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so, all Israel will be saved: just as it is written” (Rom. 11:25-26a).

 Hey Gang:  I thought I had completed my blog-writing, prior to leaving for Israel, but there is a rapidly developing miracle coming together; I felt I should alert you so you can do some research on your own - to put meat on the skeleton. 

 In the past year or so there has been tidbits showing up that indicate many Jews are beginning to recognize the emptiness in their chest cavity, just the size of Yeshua Ha Mashiah; they are asking very serious questions.  This is a relatively new phenomenon yet, in some ways, it is not.  We have witnessed the rise in numbers of Messianic Communities in Israel and America, and other places in the world, for more than twenty years. 

 Although the number of Messianic Jews is relatively small, the seed-planting program that “Jesus is their long awaited for Messiah”, seems to be growing at a steady and rapid pace. 

 Several weeks ago, a story surfaced that the leadership of the Orthodox communities of Israel doing all in their power to squelch this growing interest.  That said, the young, especially woman of Orthodox community, have been growing very cold towards the emptiness of the Orthodox teachings.  

  What began with a small prayer- group type, sharing this feeling with each other, began to rapidly expand throughout the communities?  It is now suggested that more than 30,000 Orthodox Jews are in serious study to find out who Jesus is, and, is ‘He the One?’  as John the Baptist asked?

 My friends, this is no small issue.  Up until recently the Orthodox Leadership were literally willing to go to very drastic extremes to prevent the “Yeshua as Messiah” belief from penetrating their very closed world. Joel Rosenberg shared an amazing story this week: “Have you heard that Israeli leaders are urging Jews to read through the entire Bible, verse by verse, chapter by chapter?” 

 Imagine an announcement from our White house: “Now folks, this is what I believe will fix our nation. I want you to join with me and the Senators and Representatives, and all the underlings in the Belt Way- to read through the Bible.”  Every medical facility in America world receive mega calls from people having heart attacks just hearing this

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kicked off the new school year by encouraging children to rediscover the Word of God and Biblical roots of their Jewish Heritage. 

Netanyahu, known as Bibi to his friends, with his bride, hosted another in a series of Bible study groups in their official residence. They are studying, “What is the connection Jews have to the Temple Mount?”  

 So much for separation of church and state!  (The recent ruling by the U.N that the Temple Mount has no Jewish roots and is Palestinian and has always shown the bias of that Organization.)

 Meanwhile, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, and several government officials have launched something they call the “929” Chapters.  Purpose – to encourage all Israelis – even the most secular and non-religious among the people- to continue reading verse by verse, chapter by chapter through the full Hebrew Bible or “Tanakh”, until everyone finished together in the summer of 2018 for the 70th anniversary of the prophetic rebirth of the Jewish State.  

 Exciting times!  I will close with this challenge!  Read the Bible through -verse by verse, chapter by chapter. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. It is Okay if you don’t understand it all-   God cannot bring to your remembrance what you have not mut in your Think-Tank!

 Blessings

Gramps

 

God Is Awesome and Mighty! How Mighty in Your Eye

 

Friday, October 27, 2017

 Behold, these are but the outskirts of His ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of Him!  But the thunder of his power who can understand?”  (Psalm 79:11).

 Hey Gang:  Have you ever looked around you and notice how vast is this universe that God has made? Scientists tell us they do not have a clue how big the universe really is.  I think we could all agree that “God is truly all powerful”. The power of God is amazing and has always been a wonder for me.

  Recently, I watched a documentary on the Weather Channel about the most violent storms ever recorded.  One that stands out in my memory bank was St Helen’s.  We had the opportunity to drive through the devastation caused by that mighty storm and the only word that seemed to fit was – “awesome!”

 (FYI- Scientists learned at that site that trees can be petrified in a matter of minutes, not necessarily ions!  God is an Awesome Creator!)

 The news is filled with rhetoric from Iran and other Muslim nations that they now have enough power to annihilate the little Satan (Israel) and the big Satan (the United States).  Iran claims that they will soon have the materials to build six atomic bombs.  In their warped minds they believe they will have sufficient power to spit in God’s eye and blow away the “apple of God’s eye”. 

 Ezekiel paints us a totally different picture!  He wrote the following words of assurance to the children of Israel: “You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers, so you will be My people, and I will be your God.” (36:28)

  Each day we make decisions, will we feed the black dog of our lives or the white dog.  The question is ever before us, “Whom will I serve today?”  God is faithful and true and makes no promises that He does not intend to keep.  Keep in mind the adage: “Your values, determine your choices and your choices determine your destiny!”

Soooo, brothers and sisters, one does not have to be a rocket scientist to know that “something is fixing to happen” and we make decisions each day that will determine which side of the fence we will be when the event of all times – the coming of Yeshua to collect His sheep- will occur. 

I pray this morning that each, and every one who reads this Gramp’s Message, will have their Spiritual house in order, their armor spit-shined and in place and have made sure those around them also know of the great event that is just around the corner.  Jesus is coming again – SOON!

Blessings,

Gramps

 

You Are Something Very Special!

 

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well" (Psa. 139:14).

 Hey Gang, As I have traversed through this life on earth, I have grown more amazed daily at the magnificence of God's creation, namely me.  I have been amazed with the unlimited capabilities of the control center that God placed in our heads.  I have read and heard it said many times that the average person uses but a tiny bit of that capacity.  Have you ever taken a moment or two just to take a deeper look at the center of your electrical system, your brain? 

  God placed this magnificent miracle in each, and every person whom He created.  You do believe you were created by God even before time began, don't you?  Paul made this clear in his letter to the Colossians, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him" (Col. 1:16).

  I woke up this morning with the song "We Shall Behold Him" running through my electrical system.  I wish I could say I always wake up with a song on my heart but that would be an untruth.  But within a few moments the song passed, and the challenges of the day became my focus.

  Now for the ‘goodie’ of the day, God also gave us the ability to program our electrical systems to bring honor and glory to our Creator.  I have often used the analogy that we have knobs on the inside of our foreheads which are designed for us to hang knowledge on,  so that God can pull it out of us when the need should arise. 

  Here is a question for you to ponder this morning?  Can God pull out of you knowledge or truth that you never put in? Oh, I know the God is all powerful and can do as He pleases but do you think He might depend on you to put into your brain things so that He can pull out when the alligators begin to snap at your heels?  

  I do believe that is what Paul was talking about in his letter to the Romans when he wrote, "I urge you, brethren by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship."   That is the principle; now he gives the application "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Rom. 12:1-2). 

  Soooo, good and faithful believers in Yeshua, your task for the day is - take a few minutes and hang a new piece of God’s truth on one of those knobs in your head that God can use to mold you into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. He gave you 66 books to choose from.

 Blessings, 

Gramps

Protection For Troubles Times!

 

Friday, December 30, 2016

 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

 Hey Gang:  Did you know “…man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).  Does that mean that, if we seek His Word, He will reveal it to me personally?  You beat your sweet bippy that is what it means!  Peter put it this way “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (I Peter 2:2). 

 Wow, that is pure milk to the soul.  Stop for minute, before the day begins to fill your brain with the mundane things of the world, and write these words down on a card or the palm of your hand: “Your Word, my Lord is like milk and honey to my soul”. 

 I pray you will hear the words of a battled scared old dude who has been around the mountain a few times when I say – I can measure the peaks and valleys of my life by the times I let God take control of my life and the times when I said, “Okay God, I can take it from here.”  

  Isaiah nailed it down in Chapter 53:6 when he wrote: “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way”.  Now turn up your dome of intellect a notch before reading the final phrase of this verse, “For the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him”. 

 Wow! Can you beat that!  He carried every sin, every iniquity, and every transgression to the cross on his back.  I have heard many say they wish they could wash away the mistakes they made in their past.  If that is you, wish no more, for the price has been paid in full. That is what the cross is all about – forgiveness and being washed as white as snow.  Neat – heh! 

 So good folks, be advised that when you run into a clinker in the road today, or tomorrow, or perhaps you will luck out and make it to next week, – but this I know, Satan has his dart machine loaded and will watch your every step and every thought and fire when he knows you have left your armor in the closet.  But know this also, God has provided a hedge of protection to protect His children from the evil one’s attacks! – His Word; His Name; His Armor; His Presence! Hallelujah!!

Blessings.

Gramps