The Christmas Eve Bird 2017

The Christmas Eve Bird 2017

Hello everybody, I heard this story by Paul Harvey many years ago, PLEASE, TAKE TIME TO READ IT !!

The Man and the Birds 
by Paul Harvey

The man to whom I’m going to introduce you was not a scrooge, he was a kind decent, mostly good man. Generous to his family, upright in his dealings with other men. But he just didn’t believe all that incarnation stuff which the churches proclaim at Christmas Time. It just didn’t make sense and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. He just couldn’t swallow the Jesus Story, about God coming to Earth as a man.

“I’m truly sorry to distress you,” he told his wife, “but I’m not going with you to church this Christmas Eve.” He said he’d feel like a hypocrite. That he’d much rather just stay at home, but that he would wait up for them. And so he stayed and they went to the midnight service.

Shortly after the family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window to watch the flurries getting heavier and heavier and then went back to his fireside chair and began to read his newspaper. Minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound…Then another, and then another. Sort of a thump or a thud…At first he thought someone must be throwing snowballs against his living room window. But when he went to the front door to investigate he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They’d been caught in the storm and, in a desperate search for shelter, had tried to fly through his large landscape window.

Well, he couldn’t let the poor creatures lie there and freeze, so he remembered the barn where his children stabled their pony. That would provide a warm shelter, if he could direct the birds to it.

Quickly he put on a coat, galoshes, tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light, but the birds did not come in. He figured food would entice them in. So he hurried back to the house, fetched bread crumbs, sprinkled them on the snow, making a trail to the yellow-lighted wide open doorway of the stable. But to his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs, and continued to flap around helplessly in the snow. He tried catching them…He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around them waving his arms…Instead, they scattered in every direction, except into the warm, lighted barn.

And then, he realized that they were afraid of him. To them, he reasoned, I am a strange and terrifying creature. If only I could think of some way to let them know that they can trust me…That I am not trying to hurt them, but to help them. But how? Because any move he made tended to frighten them, confuse them. They just would not follow. They would not be led or shooed because they feared him.

“If only I could be a bird,” he thought to himself, “and mingle with them and speak their language. Then I could tell them not to be afraid. Then I could show them the way to safe, warm…to the safe warm barn. But I would have to be one of them so they could see, and hear and understand.”

At that moment the church bells began to ring. The sound reached his ears above the sounds of the wind. And he stood there listening to the bells – Adeste Fidelis – listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas.

And he sank to his knees in the snow.

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This is one of my favorite Christmas stories by one of my favorite radio men from yester-year Paul Harvey.  It tells us one of the great meanings of Christmas and I just love it and I wish to share it with you all.

 

But Dear friend, For God so loved the world that He gave  . . .  the gift of God . . . (not of works)

Please accept that gift and accept Jesus as your Savior.

 

God bless you and Merry Christmas Friend,

 

RevDanSam

He gave us His gift

 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph.2:8

Many gifts are given at the Christmas Season.  And yet God's gift to this world is His dear son. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, so God gave us this GIFT for three reasons.

First, He gave us His gift because of the LAW. Of course, I am talking about the Ten commandments.  It was placed on stone tablets, and they are stone cold and clear. It was never intended to redeem man, only to show / teach us where we have come short. The law was weak in that, it could not save.  see Romans 8:3,
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. 

So man realized, from the law, he had come short and could not do anything about it to justify himself. So because of the law, God provided to way, a gift.

Secondly, He gave us a gift because of His LOVE. But God commendeth (demonstrated) 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. Romans 5:8-9 

God demonstrated His love to us. I will give them a way out and He did so through the Lord Jesus Christ.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Eph. 2:4

Thirdly, He gave us a gift because of Life, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
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

God wanted us to have a good life while we are on this earth. We can if we follow Christ's  words, wisdom and ways. Our past life can be forgiven, our present life can be following Him and our future is eternity with Him.

But dear friend, will you give yourself to the Lord?? God gave you a gift, because of the law, His great Love and Life that you can have, just by calling on His name, calling on the only Begotten son, Jesus, the gift of God to you. For whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

May God Bless you,
RevDanSam

Truth from a great mystery part 7 (conclusion)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1Tim. 3:16

Truth from a great mystery part 7 (conclusion)

Well, never I have ever seen a verse like this where I immediately saw a bible series like this one.  (I was told that this would happen as I became an older minister) ha,ha.

The Apostle Paul preceded v.16 as he mentioned the pillar and ground of truth. And it's like He wanted to make it very clear to young Timothy the actual pillars and grounds of Truth. One version of the bible says "without controversy" indicating make no mistake, while another modern version said "by common confession" meaning it was things that had happened and was known and talked about, in that day.  I'm afraid these things are NOT so common and rarely mentioned if at all these days.  Even with the main believers, you can just do a test, what was mentioned in you church about God??  At the time of this writing it's Christmas time and the Christmas season, so the lesson "God was manifested in the flesh" is very obvious to us. But the message to all on any given Sunday, you must ask yourself what is being said?? 

The "How to" lessons, finding joy lessons, and some have their place, but I pray as Bible preachers and bible teachers, we stay with the outline given by the Apostle Paul, to his young preacher boy Timothy, and that outline is this:
- God was manifested in the flesh, it's good to use at Christmas
- justified in the Spirit
- seen of angels
- preached unto the Gentiles (and lost nations)
- believed on in the world, (well He said go unto ALL the world)
- received up in the glory (heaven)

What a great outline, what a truth from a great mystery, which is now, in our day a hidden and being hidden to a lost and dying world. So sad (smh!!)

I can tell you this, it will be my marching orders, my mandate and mission, with what time time I have on this earth and if my blog continues to grow in interest.

But dear friend, are you saved?? Have you been born again?? Have you ever accepted Jesus into your heart?? If not, you may call on Him today. For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  Trust in the Lord with ALL your, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.  Only trust Him, only trust Him now.

May God bless you,
RevDanSam

Truth from the great mystery part 6

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1Tim.3:16

Truth from the great mystery part 6 - "received up into glory"

Once on a hillside, people were gathered for Jesus had risen from the grave and soon would ascend, but then as He blessed them, He arose to the Heavens (words from the great song "We shall see Jesus"

Notice what the angels said,

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11

Yes, the last great hidden truth, that the Apostle Paul wrote to his young preacher and follower, Timothy,  was that God in the flesh, JESUS, was received up into glory!! 

Jesus went to heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father and to intercede for us, you and me daily. Our daily High Priest. Praise- the -Lord!!  He who lived and served on this earth, died a sacrificial death, was buried in a tomb, arose and ascended up to Heaven.

Truly, He was received up into glory, heaven.  You see, while on earth He, was that great prophet. Proclaiming the gospel, but now He is in Heaven, seated by the Father and interceding for you and me, as Priest, out great High Priest. ( and will return as King) So Jesus fulfilled the office of prophet, and now as Priest, and will be our future King. (I had to put this in here)

But many do not know this about Jesus, yet it's a hidden truth, a mystery, if you will. That Jesus was received up into glory, Heaven. And I say Hallelujah, Amen and praise the Lord!!

But dear friend, do you want to go to heaven to be with Jesus?? Just call on the name of the Lord, believed in you heart, confess and He will save you.

May God Bless you,
RevDanSam

Truth from the great mystery part 5

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Tim.3:16

Truth from the great mystery part 5 - believed on in the world

And many more believed because of his own word; 42 and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. John 4:41- 42

It would be the Apostle John, John the beloved, his writing his view of the Gospel, the Gospel of John, that tells the most times, the He, Jesus, was "believed on in the world"  And why not, John wrote this book to tell us that Jesus is the Son of God. Yes indeed, many many, believed on Him in the world. 

Either the ones who were Healed, those who were helped and those who were made happy by Jesus' words, ways and wisdom. Yea truly many in the world believed!!

Human beings, the religious, rich men and the rejected ALL believed on Him. As he moved on their heart, then with their mouth confession made publicly and loudly. 

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. john 4:49

And many believed on him there.John 10:42

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. John 2:23

The Samaritans, Jews, Greeks and Romans. The Roman soldier saying Truly this is the Son of God!! 

And sad to say, this truth is hidden to world. BUT, Hallelujah!! Many believed on Him. The three, the inner circle, the twelve disciples, the seventy, those of the 500 brethren and many more. On the hill side as He ascended, praise-the-Lord!!

But dear friend, what about you?? Do you believe on Him, do you believe in Jesus?? Well, you may, you can today, for whosoever shall call on the the name of the Lord shall be saved!!  So, please call on Him today.

May God bless you,
RevDanSam

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Truth from the great mystery part 3

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Truth from the great mystery part 3 - seen of angels

None other have followed Jesus earthly ministry more than angels.  The angels sang in chorus as they welcome His birth.  Angels fed Jesus after His 40 days in the wilderness.  The angels were there after His glorious resurrection and ascension back to Heaven.   Some have said of Jesus, he could have called ten thousand angels, while He hung on the cross, but He did not, because He had to endure the cross.

But what are Angels saying about Jesus?? What are they trying to tell us??

First our Savior is born.  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. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke Chapter 2

Yes, this was a hidden truth and the angels declared it to men, the Shepherds. A Savior which is Christ the Lord.  

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

And all of this was started by the appearing of the angels to the shepherds.

Then at Jesus resurrection, the angel was there to declare to all,
He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; see Matthew 28

A another hidden truth that had to be made known to all. Praise-the-Lord!!

Then at Jesus' great ascension back to Heaven, the angels said,
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.  see Acts Chapter 1

Yes indeed, He, Jesus was seen of Angels while on this earth, a great hidden truth.  They had much to say after they saw His birth, His resurrection and His ascension.  They announced His birth, they announced He's alive !! And they announced at He is ascending to Heaven and coming again, Praise-the -Lord!!

This great truth is hidden to many, but many needs to know that Jesus was seen of Angels.

May God bless you,
RevDanSam

Truth from the great mystery part 4

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Tim.3:16

Truth from the great mystery part #4 "preached unto the Gentiles"

Truly the story of Jesus will never grow old.  Yet, the hidden truth and what was not seen, was the fact that Jesus preached unto the Gentiles too. Jews and Gentiles heard the message of Jesus. For the Jews, He came unto His own and they received Him not, The Apostle John tells us this early in his book the Gospel of John, Chapter 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

The word Gentiles can mean nations too, so John said in verse 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

Please understand many Jews heard and received Jesus' message and so did the Gentiles too, remember it's a whosoever salvation message. I am one and YOU can be too.

But the mystery, the unseen truth is that Jesus was preached unto the Gentiles and many received Him.  Did Jesus only appeal to the Jews, Well they were given first choice and the door was opened to them for a long time, some say even until the stoning of Stephen after Jesus great resurrection, but that's another lesson for another time. Only to say the "door was open"  

Yes, the message of Jesus was preached to the Gentiles!! Especially, by the 12 Disciples, who become Apostles, one sent with a message, and they went unto ALL the known world at that time, and Praise- the- Lord for that too !!

May God bless you,
Revdansam

Truth from the great mystery part 2

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Truth from the great mystery #2 -  justified in the Spirit

Part 2 here in this verse of mystery, says Jesus was justified in the spirit. And my mind goes back to John Chapter 1 when Jesus was baptized.  He allowed John the Baptist to baptize him, although, John thought he was not worthy,

John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Jesus was declared right by the Holy Spirit.  A hidden truth and many did not see this, but it was so.  Jesus is the son of God !!  Matthew tells us in Chapter 3, they heard voice, God's voice, and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

For on that day, which was the baptism of Jesus, The Holy Trinity was there.  Of course Jesus, God the Son, the Holy Spirit, descending from Heaven, God the Holy Spirit and God the Father, saying aloud in voice," this is my beloved Son".

So the hidden truth that many do not see and did not see, Jesus Christ was justified in the Spirit, declare right from God.

And He is right for you.

RevDanSam