Enjoy these perspectives of Christmas as you participate in this glorious season of the year.
The Birthday of Jesus
Christmas was His birthday. The Cross and Resurrection was our birthday. His birthday was Heaven breaking into the realm of selfishness to unveil Love. He knew why He came. He knew what the end would mean, yet Love drove Him as a leaf upon a stream. It was Love incarnate in that manger cradle. The Helpless Babe by E.W. Kenyon.
The Love Gift
The reason we give gifts on this day is because Love came… a new kind of Love. For the first time in human history, men found that giving is a part of their very being. They gave themselves first to the Lord, then they gave themselves to the ministry of Love. Love had never been before. All actions sprang from the common stem of selfishness. Selfishness was born in the human heart in the Garden when man fell.
Today we give, because He gave to us. Today we love, because He shed His Love in our hearts. We are celebrating Love’s natal day. Love’s birthday into the realm of selfishness." The Helpless Babe by E.W. Kenyon
Great Joy
The final scene takes us to the moonlit hills of Bethlehem, as recorded in Luke chapter 2. It was here that the temple flocks were kept until needed as sacrifices for the worship of God. And it was here that the world was soon to see the Lamb of God Who came to take away the sin of the world — your sin and mine.
One night some shepherds were suddenly startled by another angelic appearance, and with a very similar result to those already discussed. The shepherds “were sore afraid” — terror-stricken. But the angel said unto them, “Fear not… behold a Savior” (Luke 2:10-11). The answer to fear then is the Savior, Christ the Lord. And to prove that it applies to you, listen to the complete message given by the angel: “Fear Not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord.”
What did the shepherds do? You will find the answer in Luke 2:15: “The shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem…” They went to the place where Christ could be found and they, in turn, found satisfaction. “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20).
There is satisfaction for you also, and it is to be found in the Christ. He said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!” (Matthew 11:28). Right now, you can find the real meaning of Christmas — Christ within! Then fear will be a thing of the past, and faith the guiding factor in your life. Fear Not: Behold a Savior by Peter Wade.
Agape, Bob
[Note: E.W. Kenyon was a dynamic man of God in the early 1900’s that touched hearts around the world. Peter Wade is from Australia and is a remarkable man of God that always hits the heart with his insightful teachings. His works are available at: www.peterwade.com]
When I look at God’s Word I am amazed at the noteworthy way God introduces significant events. Rainbows for no more floods; Astronomical displays recognizing the birth of Christ; and speaking in tongues introducing the beginning of Christianity.
Many people unjustly dismiss the significance of speaking in tongues recorded on the Day of Pentecost. God did not leave it up to man to highlight its greatness. God simply had his believers speaking in a language “not unto men, but unto God.” (I Corinthians 14:2).
The very first response from those filled with the new birth spirit is a perfect prayer to God who is magnified for His magnificent works. "We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." (Acts 2:11) "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." (Acts 10:46).
God had the 12 apostles speaking known languages that were unknown to them, yet they spoke it in a miraculous way that all the foreign visitors heard them speak in their own language! That is nothing short of being phenomenal.
The enormity of speaking in tongues is evident in all that it does, including: You know that you are a child of God and a joint heir of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:16 & 17); You speak directly to God, along with divine secrets (I Corinthians 14:2); You edify or build yourself up (I Corinthians 14:4 & Jude 20); You give thanks well (I Corinthians 14:15 & 17); You worship God truly with the spirit (Philippians 3:3 & John 4:23 & 24). These and what was mentioned earlier provides an unparalleled source of communication and blessings to the knowledgeable believer.
Speak in tongues much. It is a beautiful reality!
Agape,
Bob
Yesterday, October 31, 2017, marked 500 years to the day that Martin Luther nailed 95 thesis to the door of the Wittenberg Church.
A flame was started that turned into a blazing fire, challenging the church to get back to the Scriptures.
For 1,500 years the Bible was a hidden book only available to select priests and written in a language [Latin], the common people could not understand. Today, with the Word of God so abundantly available, it is astounding that for such a long period, the Word of God was brushed aside.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Declares Romans 10:17. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 expounds.
We should never take the Bible for granted. It is more than a good book. It is the book of life. Without it man is without hope and without God.
We need to be a workman, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” as instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15.
The Word of God is reaching around the world in virtually every country. These are incredible days with computers allowing us to touch everyone with all the information imaginable. There are more than 1,400 languages that have access to the New Testament!
There is a new life in Christ awaiting those who come to God’s Word. There is nothing like it period! A man or a woman can learn about the Lord Jesus Christ, believe and get filled with that eternal life spirit.
Let’s keep holding forth the words of life. As we magnify our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ let’s remember we stay put on God’s Word, just like Martin Luther declared: “Solo Scriptura.”
Agape,
Bob
There is a question we ask ourselves every day. No matter who you are and what you do, you ask this question at least every day. What will I wear today?
We arise in the morning and put off our pajamas and then make a decision what to wear.
God in His Word uses this concept of putting off and putting on clothes in regard to living a successful spiritual walk.
A vital key to living a successful spiritual walk with our Heavenly Father is what the Bible calls the renewed mind. The picture God paints for us is to take things out of our mind that are harmful and put His things in our mind that will bless us. As you read these Scriptures note the word for “put off” and “put on” refers to the action of taking clothes off and putting clothes on.
Colossians 3:8-14:
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity [love of God], which is the bond of perfectness.
What is in your closet that you have hanging around? Do you allow yourself to hang on to “anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy communication out of your mouth” or have you cleaned your closet from these and have only the Godly apparel to put on such as, “mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering [patience] forbearance with everyone, forgiveness and most of all the love of God. Check Ephesians 4:22-32 for other items to either put off or put on in your closet.
Recently in our fellowship I challenged everyone to check what is in their closet and clean out the “old man” stuff and put on the “new man” qualities.
Check and see what you are wearing! Out with the old man; in with the new man, the Christ in you!
Agape,
Bob
Have you ever been reading God’s Word, the Bible and BAM, a verse jumps out at you and grabs your attention?
The latest “BAM” verse for me has been II Timothy 1:9.
The other day a group of believers were together talking about the things of God. When I shared II Timothy 1:9, one of the persons who was relatively new to the Bible, remarked with, “Wow, that is a game changer.” We were talking about having a purpose in life and getting the most out of being alive. It made an obvious impact on him.
II Timothy 1:9:
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to
our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was
given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
God has saved us, or rescued us and called us with a special, sanctified purpose. This was done not at our request but God figured it out special just for us before the world began. Another awesome point to see here is that it was given to us through Christ, the once and for all, perfect redeemer of all mankind. Wow, BAM, see what I mean!
If you want to expand this awesome revelation, read the chapter and see the context of which this verse stands.
Ah! What effect one verse can have in our life.
Agape,
Bob
PS1: What verses lately have been BAM verses for you?
PS2: Speak in tongues much!