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