Ransom of the Rams

Watching my Rams in Nature, I realize God is teaching me.

"The Two Rams in the Field" by Bill Hunt c 2011

 

The World is cruel to Jesus, the most loving

and true man who ever lived.

Those in darkness always hate the light.

Man is born in such rebellion of sin.

So only by Love,

I am bought, paid for, ransomed, and redeemed by the Blood of Jesus.

I watched the Rams spend long years in the fields with each other as brothers. They grazed in the grass and lay in the shade of hot days. They sheltered in the hutch at night or when the weather turned inclement.

One day, two men came, orchestrated by God.

They paid the ransom for the Rams.

They caught them and took them away to a new home.

There is a herd, a ram family, lots of friends,

field, water, and good shepherds.

I see God loves my Rams.

They go to a far, far better place.

Jesus is my Shepherd.

He takes me to a far, far better place.

Though I am a sinful man,

God forgives perfectly, and God forgets perfectly.

I lift my eyes to him.

God loves perfectly.

That's why he sent his Son.

The angels come suddenly one day without warning

and take us away

to a far, far better place.

To Jesus the King, with wounds in his hands and feet.

This is the cost paid for our ransom

from sin.

The King of the Universe ransoms me.

He is the kinsman redeemer for the family of God.

He takes me to his Father,

the Ancient of Days,

the Alpha, the Omega,

the Great I AM, ONE.

I was slandered. I was reviled like him

by those with wicked hearts.

Women, with cold iron who connived evil.

Men, with extinct hearts and blind eyes and deaf ears.

No love, honesty, integrity, or truth lay

within their chests. Only darkness.

But God called me, his Witness.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not

what they do.”

Through the years, through history, daily, over and over and over again.

The Good Shepherd came and found me.

He breathed life with the Ruha into my bones,

into my spirit, and raised me up.

“You are my Prince,” he said.

He raised me up and dressed me as a Warrior King

with a battle crown.

“You are my coheir,” he said.

“With rank of king, authority, power, and rule.

Except these wounds.

These are mine alone.”

I fell on my face before him.

I found my self in Great Light at his Father's throne.

With all my being, I cried,

GLORY!

– a monologue by Bill Hunt

– Christmas & New Year Blessings to You!

"The LORD* will bless you and He will keep you.

The LORD* will make His face to shine upon you

and He will be gracious to you.

The LORD* will lift His countenance to you

and He will establish Shalom for you"

(Num 6:24-26 One New Man Bible, from the Hebrew).

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One Christmas Jesus Returns

“Therefore, keep watch, you know not the day nor the hour.”

“It's JESUS returned to finish my Faith!”

(ChristiansUnite.com)

 

 

T'was the Night of the Rapture,

And all through the Land,

Not a creature was praying,

Nor lifting a hand.

The Bible was laid on the shelf with due care,

Not a thought the KING would ever come near.

The children undressed to slip into bed,

No one kneeled in prayer or bowed his head.

Then from the East there rose such a sound,

I sprang from my bed to peer all around.

I blinked my eyes to see light so bright

And sought the Spirit to give me sight.

As there to my wondering eyes did appear,

A Host of Angels proclaiming, "He's here!"

With lights like the sun in brilliant array,

I knew in a moment, it must be the Day!

The sheen of his Person made me cover my face,

It's JESUS returned to finish my Faith!

Although I possessed human wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw him in spite of myself.

The Water, the Blood, and the Spirit agree,

They witness to him through all Eternity.

With the Gift of Love, his Death, and his Grace,

He brought white garments for the whole human race.

In the Book of Life, which was held in his hand,

Was written the choice of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as he sought each Name.

When he said, "It's not here!" eyes hung in shame.

Each person whose Name was written in Love,

He gathered to him enthroned up above!

With these on the list, he rose with great sound,

While those without faith were sadly uncrowned.

Some raised their hands, but timed too late,

They had lived in fear and sealed their fate.

Most just watched as he rose out of sight,

If only they'd waited for this night.

In the words of the Book, the meaning is clear,

The Coming of JESUS is drawing still near.

We've only one life when the KING comes to call,

We'll find his Word Truth, after all!

– Bill Hunt c. 2008

– Christmas Blessings to You!

‘The LORD* will bless you and He will keep you. 

The LORD* will make His face to shine upon you 

and He will be gracious to you. 

The LORD* will lift His countenance to you 

and He will establish Shalom for you" 

(Num 6:24-26 One New Man Bible).

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How did Mary Pray?

In the Christmas Story, Mary shows us how to respond to God.

Annunciation by Carl Heinrich Block

Mary presented herself as a well liked young woman in her village, attractive, smart, wise. She has a great devotion to God. She's a tremendous caregiver and servant. She's gentle and appreciates gentleness in return. She's engaged to a worthy young carpenter.

Then her life changed. The Angel Gabriel came unexpectedly to speak with her.

v28 “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

Mary was troubled, the Angel reassured her.

v30 “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Being a virgin, she was most concerned by his words.

v34 “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

Gabriel gently explained.

v35 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. The Angel presented her with evidence of this Truth.

v36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Mary humbled herself before God and consented.

v38 “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!

Let it be to me according to your word.”

And the angel departed from her.

Mary traveled to visit her favored cousin Elizabeth who experienced a miraculous intervention and spoke through the gift of knowledge.
v41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, 


“Blessed are you among women, and 
blessed is the fruit of your womb!

v43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
Mary responded with her own great prophetic word, first humbling herself before God. 
 
“My soul magnifies the Lord, 
 
v47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.
With supernatural perception, seeing the significance of God's works for her nation, she glorified Him.
v50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
She could see that God in bringing the Messiah exalted the common man, the poor of Israel.
v53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever” (Luke 1:28-55 NKJV).
Mary spoke with unabashed sincerity, humbling herself and yielding to God. She believed and manifested her faith with obedience. She perceived the significance of this message of the Messiah to her nation, and she spoke wisdom through her heartfelt perception, glorifying God. Should we not follow her example in prayer?

– Christmas Blessings to You!
    Bill Hunt

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift his countenance upon you,
And give you peace” (Num 6:24-26).

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Joseph, a Godly Husband

In the Christmas Story, Joseph shows men how to be 

a godly husband.

Joseph protects his family.

(ChristiansUnite.com)

Being a husband is not easy; it takes a man's responsibility. Life proves it takes grit. Joseph served Mary as patriarch, partner, provider, protector, and priest.

As a Patriarch, the husband is both leader and father to this family. He makes the decisions as co-manager with his wife. Did you also know? He is an instructor, disciplinarian, and play coach to his children. University research shows fathers, more than mothers, primarily influence the spiritual practice and also the play activity of their children. So, likewise, what happens when the husband is missing from the family? It's not just a matter of child discipline failing.

Husbands and wives are intended

by God to be Partners.

She is not a subservient maid, but a care giver. The Hebrew language of the Bible constantly supports this concept of equality with different roles. The husband is intended to be a servant head, manager-guide, emotional support, and sounding board for her.

The wife in response is the strong advisor and co-manager of the home. My Dad told me, women are the natural nest builders of the home, let them be such. She is spouse, sister, best friend, prayer partner, caregiver, and playmate to her husband. Women need men as fathers and brothers even in society outside of the home. In many ways, no man can keep up with a woman; she is the multi-tasker.

Men must take their position 

as Provider.

The Bible basically says a man that does not provide for his family is an unbeliever. A man that does not work, should not eat. I've always said to those without a job: finding a job is a full-time job. Even this hunting for provision becomes his work. Of course, the wife can help her husband, but the first responsibility belongs to him. Joseph worked as a carpenter who taught his craft to his son.

Protector. A man protects his family from violence, from danger, from threatening situations. His very body is built for work and battle. Joseph protected his fiancée from life threatening religious tradition. He protected and cared for her on the long eighty-mile foot journey to Bethlehem, a trip imposed by governmental regulation. He protected her from Herod's horrific slaughter of the Bethlehem babies. He protected her on the exodus and exile into Egypt.

Prophet & Priest. Is this where 

men are failing?

The most bonding glue in marriage is the husband washing his wife with the Word (Eph 5:25-28). This means daily prayer and scripture together. The husband constantly cares for his wife as Jesus cares for his church, his body. The husband and wife lay hands on and pray blessing and healing for each other and their children.

“The Lord bless you in the wonder and power of his love and give you a peaceful sleep in the Name of Jesus." 

In the evening, I blessed my children with these words. My children did not suffer from bad dreams. The family must see the husband as God's leader and defender.

– Christmas Blessings to You!

   Bill Hunt

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift his countenance upon you,

And give you peace” (Num 6:24-26).

Join Scrooge? Why shop stores who War on Christmas? Don't deny the Reason for the Season.

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Joseph, Husband with Backbone

In this world of diminishing husbands, Joseph exemplified a man with backbone.

“Rest on the Flight into Egypt”

by Arnold Houbraken, 1660-1719, Dutch

 

The Christmas Story renders some great lessons, not the least is the example of Joseph. You remember, Joseph served Mary as patriarch, partner, provider, protector, and priest. All, good qualities for a husband. Ask any woman.... In this world of diminishing husbands, Joseph exemplified a man with a backbone.

Right off, Joseph was faced with a serious dilemma; his fiancée was pregnant with child (Matt. 1:19). Two horrible choices confronted him. He could expose her to public disgrace and death by stoning to meet the standards of religious regulation. Or he could divorce her quietly and put her away.

Mary's goodness stopped Joseph in his tracks. In reality, his heart was broken; his most beautiful and virtuous fiancée was with child. The situation was beyond his belief, beyond his understanding, but not beyond the deep anguish and torment of his crushed heart.

That's when the angel showed up!

(Matt. 1:20-21). Have you ever experienced a spiritual dream more real than life? Angel Gabriel presented Joseph a third choice not thought of. And this choice is supported as God's word hundreds of years earlier (700 BC) through the Prophet Isaiah.

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel”(Is 7:14 NKJV/Matt 1:22-23).

This solution was more practical. Joseph took Mary home as his wife (Matt. 1:24-25). Would this divine solution not solve many broken and dysfunctional relationships in today's society?

Joseph protected and cared for Mary on the long eighty-mile foot journey to Bethlehem, a trip imposed by governmental regulation. He protected her from Herod's horrific slaughter of the babies in Bethlehem. He protected her on the long desert exodus and exile into Egypt.

Always Keys for Marriage!

Over some forty years as a husband in one marriage, I have learned a few “Always Keys” to relationship in marriage. I see these reflected in Joseph's life and the lives of godly men. I advise young women to seek a godly husband.

To Husbands.

Key: tender love. “Try a little tenderness.” Always.

Key: interested communication. When your wife or offspring speaks, stop whatever you're doing, and listen.

Key: sensitive to needs. Your antenna should always be up like “My Favorite Martian.”

Key: washing of the Word. Yes, bathe your wife daily in prayer and the Word.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself (Eph 5:25-28 NKJV).

Key: family prayer. Bless and pray with your children each evening. Always be ready to minister to your family in prayer.

Key: unconditional forgiveness. First forgive, it matters little who's at fault.

Key: yield to each other consistently. “Yes, dear.”

Key: financial stewardship--balanced, strong, stable, sharing, tithing, and generous.

Key: secret weapon, respect. Each person needs the freedom of self-sovereignty, to follow God's call on their daily lives.

Key: God-Husband-Wife. “And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecc 4:12 NKJV).

Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun (Ecc. 9:9 NKJV).

– Merry Christmas Blessings!

   Bill Hunt

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift his countenance upon you,

And give you peace” (Num 6:24-26).

Follow our New Page on Facebook as “Bill Hunt, Christian Writer.”

If you have a true story, a note, a prayer request, or a question to share, please write a Comment below or email us.