As the manager of “Wooly World” at the Toorak Hotel shopping plaza in Melbourne, Australia, I met a lot of men and women looking for high-end sheepskin garments. The most shocking experience of my sales life happened there in 1982.
Category: Jesus Christ
Have you ever seen a newborn puppy or kitten, though blind, find their mother and begin to nurse? God built these “basics” (like feeding ourselves) into life. The basics are simple and easy to find and understand. When things get complicated, they can lose their value. Russian writer Leo Tolstoy said, “Give thanks to God who made necessary things simple, and complicated things unnecessary.”
I learned about my Dad by reading old newspapers about his Navy and Army service in World War II. I also heard stories about him from my Mom and other relatives. But the way I knew him best was by living with him, hearing what he had to say, and seeing his love for me in daily actions—like playing “catch” or praying together.
Both the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of holy spirit on Pentecost were spiritually pivotal moments in world history. To this very day, we are still enjoying the life-giving benefits of what our heavenly Father had prepared for us in Christ at that time.
Lessons from Scouting Days
I have many fond memories of being a boy scout. There were 10-mile hikes through beautiful forests that ended in a refreshing swim in a cool spring, nights of camping under clear, star-filled skies, the fun of learning to swim and rescue others at summer camp.
I recently looked through my old scout handbook and found this:
“A boy who doesn’t know first aid is of little use when someone is hurt. A boy who can’t swim has little chance to rescue a drowning person. As a Scout you will know what to do–and do it. ”
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Truly He Is Risen
The devil thought he’d won it when they laid Christ in the tomb,
His plot to kill Messiah and to spread hate, death, and gloom.
But God Almighty had a plan, and to our foe’s surprise,
Our lord got up in glory, out of the grave to rise!
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Jesus of Nazareth
Simon Peter was one of Jesus Christ’s most intimate friends and co-workers. He knew what he was talking about when he spoke to Cornelius and his household.
Acts 10:38:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
At times, born-again believers need to speak for God, to help others learn to worship Him, and to lead them into practically walking with the Father. Those three jobs are similar to what an Old Testament prophet, priest, and king would do. God prophetically foretold that the coming Messiah would be a prophet like Moses, a priest like Melchizedek, and a king like David. Jesus Christ was all three!
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Glad Tidings to ALL People
Angels know what they are talking about, because they speak what God wants them to announce. Here, the Father is announcing the birth of His Son. This birth announcement is good tidings—wonderful news! And it brings great joy, not just for the shepherds who heard it, but for ALL people!
Luke 2:10,11: And the angel said unto them, 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Jesus Christ was sent to minister to Israel while on earth.
Matthew 15:24: But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
But Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, and making available the gift of holy spirit has far-reaching blessings for ALL people. Today, we can be born-again sons of God with “Christ in” us, the hope of glory!
I John 3:1,2: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God….
Beloved, now are we the sons of God.
Colossians 1:27: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Why are these glad tidings to all people? Because they announce the fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem mankind through the accomplishments of His only-begotten Son. Our loving heavenly Father wants all people to be saved and know the truth. Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and mankind, the savior of the world!
I Timothy 2:4-6:[God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
These glad tidings of great joy are the “game changer.” What Adam lost for all mankind, Jesus Christ got back—and much more!
I Corinthians 15:22: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Romans 5:19-21: For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
By Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, God’s grace abounds to us today. We are saved by grace.
Ephesians 2:8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
We receive eternal life when we believe on Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9,10: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Let’s have a wonderful holiday season, rejoicing in the glad tidings of great joy that our heavenly Father sent to announce the birth of His Son, our lord and savior Jesus Christ! This is the greatest blessing and good news to ALL PEOPLE!
Categories
One Wondrous Night
As Jacob sat on the low stone wall
Sharing his evening bread
With Matthew, his fellow shepherdsman,
He savored God’s goodness and said: