THE FIFTH CRADLE                                                                                                                                                                                               

THE FIRST CRADLE  –  On the way to revealing the mystery of the fifth cradle, we know that God the Father first determined that a young virgin named Mary would become involved.  The seed of the Father’s Son would be sown within Mary’s womb.  An immaculate conception  would occur, develop and grow and be therein incubated for nine months  –  thus, the first cradle.

THE SECOND CRADLE  –  Upon Christ’s birth, before any other cradle would occupy its preordained position  –  now listen closely  –  Mary’s arms would comfort the newborn in her arms, so came the second cradle.  This one would endure for a considerable time subsequent to Jesus’ birth.

THE THIRD CRADLE  –  Almost simultaneously in terms of its time of coming into use, the actual crib designated as a bed for Jesus became the third cradle.  In a natural progression of events, Jesus left His first cradle, the womb, then was placed in Mary’s arms, the second cradle, and, thereinafter, moved From Mary’s loving arms into this home-crafted structure.  While there, Jesus would dream dreams while sleeping and observe, among other activities, his new surroundings when in awakened state.

THE FOURTH CRADLE  –  Though few might have considered the following or even realized it or even accepted the fact or not, another miraculous event had to occur.

Though Mary carried Christ within, delivered Him into the world, and cared for her God-given Son, she would have to prepare yet another cradle for Him herself.  This cradle would become one in which she would set her Son apart  –  as is required by all  –   as Lord.   Like all others, Mary, the one who delivered Jesus, would likewise have to be delivered by Him, as the song goes.  Therein lies the fourth cradle, the cradle within her very own heart, the cradle of her belief that Jesus, her son was truly the Son of God.

Listen closely about the fourth cradle  –  and this applies to every person who reaches the age of accountability  — it is unto each person (each of us) to decide whether or not he/she/  will permit his/her heart to become a cradle in which to receive Christ.  Nevertheless, the fourth cradle (the heart) represents the womb in which eternal life becomes conceived and Jesus becomes set apart as Lord (1 Peter 3:15).

THE FIFTH CRADLE  –  In our time and day  –  and that includes this Christmas  –  you as individuals live as potential bearers of the fifth cradle.  The fourth cradle theologically constitutes the spiritual site and the location for the mandatory imperative that Jesus spoke about to Nicodemus: “You must be born again” (John 3:3).

Those who have therefore become born again (have come to believe) become bearers  of Christ as the fifth cradle, the heart in which Christ resides.

Christ required that his very own mother would have to become born again in order to enter into the kingdom of God (no favourites) and if that is so, and it is, then, why would it not be so for you or me?   Mary became born again.  Do not let this Christmas pass without cradling Jesus in your heart.  Let Jesus enter in.  Will you prepare your heart to become a womb in which to receive and cradle Christ as He becomes born in you today?   Will you become another Fifth Cradle?

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Bad Words (Satire)

A pair of bad words even in certain religious circles today is “born again.”  Their very absence in many churches speaks to the reality of why they are omitted: They’re the truth.  If your faith refers to a Bible at all as a reference, just read John 3:3.  It says: “You must be born again.”  But to teach that and have people experience it would once again turn the whole world upside down.

Nevertheless, Jesus (a word and Person yet allowed into some churches) came to die on the cross.  His shed blood (a concept nearing extinction)  became the purchase price to redeem any who come to believe and become born again (Oops!).  Yet, indeed, only the blood of Jesus washes away the guilt of sin (a word giving rise to resistance).  The Bible states that Jesus died to save people from their sins (plural word, maybe twice the resistance).

The cross (infrequently discussed) on which He was crucified (nearing obsolescence) and the preaching of it is foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18) unto those who are perishing but the power of God to those who are saved (a dying concept).

The saved become instantly indwelt by the Holy Spirit (allowed word but certainly disconnected from the born again experience).  If Jesus were to return today, those indwelt by the Holy Spirit would be drawn away with Him in an event identified as the rapture (an oftentimes untouchable word in many so-called Christian circles).  Imagine being swept up to heaven (most people love this word) at the speed of light, one might say.

Everybody speaks of heaven but most people seldom mention its counterpart: “hell” (terrible and non existing place not only to non believers, even to many self-professing Christians).  Nonetheless, these words have been so eradicated from Jesus’ teachings that people scoff at the mere mention of them as they resurface.  Most won’t find out for themselves, either due to spiritual blindness or perhaps fearing the radical change required in the lifestyle of a true believer.

Other words which increase in degree of unmentionability are the resurrection, the Judgment Seat of Christ, the Great White Throne Judgment, the second death, the lake of fire and so forth.

Those who teach by omission good (truth as non existent) as evil and evil as good must read again Isaiah 5:20.  As for you, let no one teach you that you need not be born again.   Believe and know the difference.  

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When God Knows You

When God knows you, He knows that you fear Him.  He knows that He can trust you to keep His commandments.  Knowing that, He can lengthen your days (Deut. 6:2).  Yes, God knows everything and everybody, but the “knowing” He has for those who fear Him is a special knowing.

Those who fear Him are indeed His children.  They listen to Him.  His children hear His voice and they obey Him (John 10:27).  By the same token, God also knows those who don’t know Him, don’t want to know Him.  They have rejected His Son.  Nonetheless, He still loves them and sent His Son Christ to die for them too.  He wants none to perish (2 Pet. 3:9) but all to come to know Him through Christ.  Essentially, He wants all to become his children.

God’s word says that those who know Him are wise (Ps. 111:10).  God listens to the wise for the wise do His will (John 9:31).  Even though fools despise wisdom, God knows them as well, just not in the same way as He knows His own children (Prov. 1:7).

When God knows you in that special way, he places an angel in your proximity.  “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him” (Ps. 34:7).  His word says, “those who fear him lack nothing” (Ps. 34:9).   Furthermore, when God knows you, He strengthens you (2 Chron 16:9).

Yes, when God knows you, your prayers amount to something (James 5:16).   Be warned though, God loves those who love Him (Prov. 8:1); nevertheless, those who love Him get to know His discipline (Prov. 3:12) for He disciplines those He loves.

Meanwhile, when God knows you, He takes delight in your way, keeps His eye on you, and is overall pleased with your reverence for Him (Ps. 37:23).  He will continue His love those who know Him (Ps. 36:10).

When you know God and when God knows you, you will be a part of His eternal resurrection design and plan, for the resurrection of the dead is for the just, for those who obeyed God.  They  will rule and reign with Him during the millennial reign.  When God knows you to be in a saving relationship with Him, you will be in His presence forever.

To be sure that God knows you in a saving relationship, get to know His Son Jesus (John 14:6).  That’s the only way to be saved (Acts 4:12).

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The wolves are gone; the herd is small Now you won’t have to fear at all The predators have many taken; indeed they’ve culled the herd But now the flock, no longer shaken strengthens in God’s word Our sheep will welcome all new lambs and love them as their own Passing on to everyone the teachings God has shown Not all who come in clothes of sheep are sheep beneath the wool Indeed they come as ravenous wolves and eat till stomach’s full If your sheep to you don’t bleat,the wolf is in your flock Herding them unto himself with his seditious talk Sound the alarm; ring the bell; beckon all yours night.

Try to rescue all you can from those so doomed to die Teach all your sheep to test the spirits to see who is of God The one who sows himself in you is nothing but a fraud A wolf will take you to one side to whisper in your ear With half-truth and full blown lie he’ll draw you ever near Please realize that you’re the meal before the fatal bite And bleat to warn your shepherd that something isn’t right The wolves are never really gone; they always circle herds Looking for the innocents to snare them with their words

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Jesus did only as His Father instructed. He said, “…the world must learn…that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me…” (John 14:31). Can I say that? If one does not follow Jesus, one does not only fail to hear from God but would not be doing as God says. John 8:47 says, “He who belongs to God hears what God says…” God has a hard enough time to locate obedience within the realms of those who claim to be His. In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Can I say that? The true follower can say that. Jesus also said, (John 8:29), “The one who sent me is with me, for I always do what pleases him.”

Can the saved say, “The one who saved me is with me (indwelt by the Holy Spirit), for I always do what pleases him…” Let us ask ourselves today, “Can I say that?” While in our midst Jesus said (John 8:28), “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” Can the one who professes Christ say, “I do nothing on my own but speak (say / do) just what my Lord and Saviour has taught me”? “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me” (John 7:16). Can the disciple of Christ say, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from Him who saved me”? To remain in Jesus’ love His followers obey His commands (John 15:10), and become His friends by obeying (John 15:14), and love each other as Jesus loves them (John 15:12).

Let each believer ask himself/herself, “Can I say that?” Another thing Jesus said is, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). Can the believer say, “I am bringing You glory on the earth by completing the work you are giving me to do…? “Do not believe me,” Jesus said, “unless I do what my Father does” (John 10: 37). Someone leading another to Jesus wants to be able to say, “Do not believe me unless I do what my Lord and Saviour says”? In order to become a part of any of the foregoing, one must first be born again. Ask yourself today, “Can I say that I am?

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God did not create man out of a need. Psalm 115:3 states that God does whatever He pleases, and it did please Him to create man. Furthermore, He created man for a reason. People of God are created for His glory (Isa. 43:7). People passively reflect God’s glory by their very existence. God also created His people to perform His will and to “do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Christians, those who believe in God, become God’s agents in the world: They are Christ’s ambassadors, as God makes His appeal to a lost and dying world through them (2 Cor. 5:20). God completes His tasks on the planet through His children. “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God had before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). The people of God have a mission and must do their part. “And he gave some to be, apostles…and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers…” (Eph 4:11). In effect, God called all of those claiming to be His to be obedient to His word. In reality, we are either God’s partners or His adversaries, for or against Him, in the overall unfolding of His plan to redeem the lost. Despite the fact that many important roles have already been assigned and worked out, God still has a part for every one who goes to Him through Christ.

The prophetic roles announcing the coming of Jesus are documented. The key persons to bear Him, raise Him, train Him, prepare the way for the debut of His ministry, to follow Him, to betray Him, to crucify Him — all have all been acted out. All parts and scripts yet to be done call for applicants to come and remain on set to continue to work out the great commission. Despite the fact that a lost and dying world along with many who claim to be His, prefer spiritual welfare (salvation without perspiration), God is always inviting workers into the field. God promises much for a people who will humble themselves, pray, seek his face, and turn from their wicked ways. He said He will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14). God’s people, who are they? Those who have received Christ. Do that and become a part of His plan

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To the Christian a blessing may be understood as a divine gift which causes success in a person’s life. To non Christians good things which befall a person may be said to be “good luck” and credit thus given to Lady Luck. The blessing, however, translates as God’s presence with us (Gen. 26:3), His strength, power, and help as well. The blessing sees God working in and through a person to produce good. Who qualifies for God’s blessing and what do they have to do? Well, Jesus says, (John 10:27), “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” The one who follows Christ learns of the following conditionality of any blessing: “If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God…and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom” (Deut. 28:13).

“The LORD will make you the head, not the tail…” God’s people must choose to want the blessing after understanding that it comes with a cost. A blessing comes via obedience, sometimes a cost to dear for many. His children likewise know the caveat which entails a cursing through a choice of disobedience (Read Deut. 30:11-20). Fixing one’s eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2) targets the source of blessing. Believing in Him, loving Him and obeying Him indicates that one serves one master, the author and finisher of one’s faith. In conjunction with the preceding, the removal of everything from one’s life which could hinder the blessing is obligatory. This translates as putting aside the deeds of darkness (Rom. 13:12), a definite prerequisite. Ephesians 4:22 calls one to drop the “old self” which is easily corrupted by its deceitful desires. The “old self” is the embodiment of all that was contrary to Christ. The “new self” is Christ-centered.

Throwing off everything that hinders and sin that entangles (Heb. 12:1) further aligns a person along the path of God’s blessing. In simplest terms, Jesus says that if His followers obey His commands they will remain in His love (John 15:10). In addition, Jesus goes on to say His friends obey His commands (John 15:14). Furthermore, Christ said that the Father would give whatever is asked in His Son Jesus’ name (John 15:17). One needs to know that luck plays no part in eternal life, but the blessing of serving an awesome God certainly does.

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Who will enter the kingdom of heaven? Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Beyond believing (John 3:16) and receiving Christ, is setting Him apart in the heart as Lord (1 Pet. 3:15). Doing the foregoing embodies serving Christ. Working out one’s salvation (2 Philippians 2:12) in fear and trembling ensues for the rest of one’s life. For those who have been raised on such practices as “double dipping” and “having one’s cake and eating it too”, in the absolute end there’s a surprise for them.

God permits no shortcuts for anybody. The day of awakening will be one of future shock for many ears. Matthew 7:22 says, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’” It matters not how deep into one’s denomination, one’s church, one’s Bible one goes. Preach a message, attend a year of Bible school, heal the sick — the truly saved have a Saviour rather than the manifestation of some quasi religious behaviour. It is not always those who, when attending Christian conferences brotherly functions, wear the big “I love you Jesus” T-shirts, or the baseball hats with “The Book of Life” embroidered on the front. Many during a walk down the front street of hometown Canada would not consider doing the same thing. Who will enter the kingdom of heaven? “No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning” (1 John 3:6). “No one who is born of God will continue to sin because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning” (1 John 3:9). The truly saved will stop the on-going practice of sinning. Jesus commands those who are His to “go and sin no more.”

For those who do not cease and desist, Matthew 7:23 tells how the truth will play out when each of those stand before Christ. He will say, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” The truly saved continue to be transformed (Rom. 12:2) and don the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). If none of this makes any sense, you can find a Bible and make amends today.

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Who Is Jesus? As to who Jesus is, He is God’s one and only Son (John 3:16) sent “to be the Saviour of the world. (1 John 4:14). Jesus specifically warned the world that He was the only way to His Father (John 14:6), and that none could go to Him unless directed by God (John 6:44). Contrary to the thinking that there are many other ways to God, Acts 4:12 emphatically states “..there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

That Jesus came to save the world, is the entire world automatically saved? Not according to the Bible. John 3:3 reveals an absolute necessity, “…no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” What does that mean? Well, a spiritual birth takes place whereupon one becomes a believer. God is Jesus’ father, and becomes the Father of all who believe (Rom. 4:11). Jesus told the world upon His departure, “I am returning to My Father and your Father (John 20:17). Remember that the Lord’s prayer begins with “Our Father…” (Mt. 6:9). Jesus, known as the chosen of God (Lk. 23:25), says the believer becomes the chosen of Christ. “You didn’t choose me. I chose you… (John 15:16). Christ likens Himself to the “true vine” (John 15:1) while the believer becomes called “a branch” (John 15:5). He, as well, calls Himself “the truth.” When one comes to believe, he/she begins to carry the truth. A believer hides the truth (Word of God) in his/her heart so that they might not sin against God (Ps. 119:11). Jesus identified Himself as “the light of the world” (John 8:12). For any who believe in the light, they live as children of the light (John 12:36). As Jesus is eternal life (1 John 5:20), He grants eternal life to His followers. A bona fide Christian has incorporated the following practices into his/her life. They hear, read and live in obedience to God’s Word.

That entails serving Him wholeheartedly with a willing mind. Believers pray to God — intercede and pray for one another — praise Him, perform good deeds and don’t mind giving of their material possessions. God’s children present themselves as living sacrifices, sharing God’s word, God’s Son, and striving to be fishers of men. Who Jesus is can be seen in the person who performs as Jesus does.

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Through Noah’s preaching God called mankind to set its house in order. But people did not take heed. Longsuffering as He was, God finally determined it was time to scrub the planet clean and to repopulate the earth, beginning with Noah’s family and countless pairs of every species of life. A runaway Jonah had time to digest God’s request or be digested himself in the belly of a whale. The once reluctant Jonah went to the city of Ninevah warning them that in to forty days ruin would befall them. His preaching saw some 120 thousand persons repent. Many are the illustrations in the Bible which qualify as being calls from God to set our houses in order.

Sick unto death, for example, Hezekiah was told to do so. After pleading with God, he was not only healed but given another 15 years to live. Jesus set His sanctuary in order. He purged the temple of wickedness twice, at the beginning and end of His ministry. Indeed God sent Jesus to redeem all who would believe in Him and thereinafter set their houses (lives) in order. Since each believer represents a temple of the Holy Spirit, that temple must be set in order in each individual.

To set your house in order daily becomes mandatory, knowing that Jesus could return at any moment to take away with Him His faithful followers in the twinkling of an eye. Any of Christ’s followers (See parable of 10 virgins) caught unprepared will be left behind. Ananias and Sapphira deliberately set their house in “disorder.” They plotted to lie to God about the amount of the proceeds from a land sale being given as an offering. Sometimes God keeps a short account, as it seemed to be so here. Both conspirators had ample opportunity to set their house in order beforehand (repent), and, as well, just before they lied. Nonetheless both dropped dead at Peter’s feet some hours apart for not repenting. Moses had time to set his house in order (to repent) after striking rather than speaking to the rock out of which water flowed. For his act of disobedience, the consequences remained. He did not enter the promise land in his lifetime. That we see him later at the Mount of Transfiguration with Elijah and Jesus confirms his repentance.

Who knows that we have any longer than this very moment to set our houses in order? http: www.catchthelightbooks.com. Sponsored by CFP Concepts, Inc., C’ton, NB

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