Ken Winter
Between the Already and the Not Yet

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As Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, teaching His disciples, He began this particular discourse with the admonition, “be on the alert,” and concluded with the exact same words. In reading His words in the Gospel of Matthew, we see that He directed this message to four distinct “audiences.”

First, He addressed His disciples' specific questions. Second, since Jesus’ earthly ministry focused primarily on the Jewish people, this message was also directed to them. Third, He spoke to His church—those who would follow after Him, including us today, who will be with Him in heaven before the Tribulation. (By the way, as a side note—as His people we will escape the Tribulation, but He never promised that we will escape tribulation.) Fourth, He was speaking to His followers who would come to faith in Him during the Tribulation (after the rapture, but before His second coming).

For those of us in that third group—believers following Him today—we live in a place between the “already” and the “not yet.”

Between the Already and the Not Yet
Ken Winter
Simple Stories, Profound Truths

If you would prefer to listen to this post as a podcast, CLICK HERE.

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When Jesus spoke to the crowds, He often used simple stories (parables) to communicate profound truths about the Kingdom of God. Have you ever gotten confused over what Jesus was saying? If so, you’re in good company because even the apostles were confused—until they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The good news is, if we are followers of Jesus, we have that same Holy Spirit inside of us to reveal all truth.

Once, the disciples asked Him, “Why do You use parables when You talk to the people?” Jesus replied, “To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” He added, “I use parables because they look, but don’t really see. They hear, but don’t really listen or understand.”

Jesus was emphasizing profound truths ….

Simple Stories, Profound Truths
Ken Winter
No More Manna

If you would prefer to listen to this post as a podcast, CLICK HERE.

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Have you recently lost a job or seen a significant income stream dry up? Are you feeling discouraged or confused about what’s happening? Are you struggling to make sense of an unexpected change in your life? There’s a lesson to be learned from the Israelites’ experience soon after they crossed into the Promised Land.

Few Israelites were old enough to remember the days before they ate manna. For them, it had become a basic staple of their diet—like fresh ground peanut butter is for me today. The generation that perished in the wilderness had been the ones grumbling, “If only the LORD had killed us back in Egypt… There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”God responded to their complaints and miraculously provided them with manna.

No More Manna
Ken Winter
The Staff That Blossoms

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There is a powerful example in the Book of Numbers that illustrates how we should live as followers of Christ. Ironically, this example arose from a dispute among God's chosen people. They were arguing over who should hold the highest position. In some ways, this mirrors the debate among Jesus’ disciples about who would be the greatest in the kingdom. In both cases, selfish ambition reared its head, just as it often does in our own lives.

God decided to put an end to the controversy about who should serve as a priest on behalf of the people. Despite the judgments of death God had already rendered earlier in the passage, He now used a life-giving sign to settle the issue once and for all.

The Staff That Blossoms
Ken Winter
Seen the Cloud? See the Glory!

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If you are a follower of Christ—if you are one of God’s children—He promises to go before you, not just some of the time, but all the time. When we walk in His way and according to His will, He guarantees that every step we take is sure and secure—even when it doesn’t feel that way! As long as we are walking in His way to the best of our understanding, we can trust that every situation and circumstance—whether He placed it there or not—will work for our ultimate good, His purpose, and His glory.

Let’s consider an example of this truth. From the day the Israelites left Egypt, the Lord gave His people a constant reminder of His presence. He sent a pillar of cloud to guide them by day and a pillar of fire by night, so they could travel without losing sight of His leading. In Exodus we read, “The LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or the pillar of fire from the sight of the people.” This visible reminder was with them for the entire month since their journey began.

Seen the Cloud? See the Glory!

Christmas

An Advent Story (Part 4) – Annas the scribe

An Advent Story (Part 4) – Annas the scribe

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NOTE: This is the last of four stories i have posted for this Advent season about the incarnational birth of Jesus. Each one, as you already know if you have been following along, is a fictional first-person account of the events that surrounded our Savior’s birth. Though some of the characters and details contained in each story are fictional, you will find the truth they convey to be very REAL!

Part 1 as told by Jacob the elder (November 30th)

Part 2 as told by Clopas the uncle (December 7th)

Part 3 as told by Eliezer the cousin (December 14th)

Part 4 as told by Annas the scribe (This week - December 21st)

This week you will hear from a scribe named Annas. His name should sound familiar to you. He would eventually become a high priest in Jerusalem, and he, together with his son-in-law Caiaphas, would be instrumental in the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. At the time of Jesus’s birth, however, he would have been a young man. So, let’s consider the possibility that his first knowledge of the existence of the King of kings was at the time of Christ’s birth. Let’s listen to this young, ambitious scribe as he shares his eyewitness account of this portion of the Advent story.

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My name is Annas and I am a young scribe serving in the court of King Herod the Great….

An Advent Story (Part 3) – Eliezer the cousin

An Advent Story (Part 3) – Eliezer the cousin

If you would prefer to listen to this post as a podcast, CLICK HERE.

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NOTE: This is the third of four stories i am posting for this Advent season about the incarnational birth of Jesus. These are fictional first-person accounts of the events that surrounded His birth. Though some of the characters and details contained in these stories are fictional, you will find the truth they convey to be very REAL!

Part 1 as told by Jacob the elder (November 30th)

Part 2 as told by Clopas the uncle (December 7th)

Part 3 as told by Eliezer the cousin (This week - December 14th)

Part 4 as told by Annas the scribe (December 21st)

This week you will hear from a fictional character by the name of Eliezer. He is the son of Joseph’s fictional cousin, Achim. Achim, his wife Miriam, and all their family reside in Bethlehem. You heard about some of what Mary and Joseph encountered last week from Clopas. So let’s continue with the advent story through his eyewitness account.

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I am Achim and Miriam’s youngest son, Eliezer….

An Advent Story (Part 2) – Clopas the uncle

An Advent Story (Part 2) – Clopas the uncle

If you would prefer to listen to this post as a podcast, CLICK HERE.

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NOTE: Starting last week and continuing for the next two weeks, i am posting a total of four stories about the incarnational birth of Jesus. They are fictional first-person accounts of the events that surrounded the advent of Jesus. Some of the characters and details contained in each story are fictional, but you will find the truth they convey to be very REAL!

My prayer is that through the stories you are reminded of the Good News of the Advent this Christmas season. To that end, let’s look at each part of this story through the eyes of four very different eyewitnesses:

Part 1 as told by Jacob the elder (November 30th)

Part 2 as told by Clopas the uncle (This week – December 7th)

Part 3 as told by Eliezer the cousin (December 14th)

Part 4 as told by Annas the scribe (December 21st)

This week you will hear from Clopas the uncle. Some historians and scholars believe that Clopas was the younger brother of Joseph, and as such, he would have had a unique perspective on the events that were unfolding. So let’s continue with the advent story through his eyewitness account.

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My name is Clopas. I am the son of Jacob the carpenter, and the younger brother of Joseph. I was born in Cana of Galilee and lived there for much of my life….

An Advent Story (Part 1) – Jacob the elder

An Advent Story (Part 1) – Jacob the elder

If you would prefer to listen to this post as a podcast, CLICK HERE.

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NOTE: As has become my annual practice, beginning today and for the next three weeks, i will be posting a total of four stories about the incarnational birth of Jesus. They are fictional first-person accounts of the events that surrounded the advent of Jesus. Some of the characters and details contained in each story are fictional, but you will find the truth they convey to be very REAL!

My prayer is that through the stories you are reminded of the Good News of the Advent this Christmas season. To that end, let’s look at each part of this story through the eyes of four very different eyewitnesses:

Part 1 as told by Jacob the elder (This week – November 30th)

Part 2 as told by Clopas the uncle (December 7th)

Part 3 as told by Eliezer the cousin (December 14th)

Part 4 as told by Annas the scribe (December 21st)

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I am Jacob, the leading elder and rabbi in Nazareth….

Advent - Balthazar's Story

Advent - Balthazar's Story

NOTE: This post concludes my series of five short stories for the Advent season. This story, as well as the previous four, have been my gift to you — as faithful readers of this blog. If you are new to my blog and missed the first four posts, i invite you to go back and read them. Though each story stands alone, it is helpful to have the context of the full series. i have endeavored to keep each story factual as to the details conveyed through the Gospels, but please bear in mind that by their nature these stories are fictional first person accounts involving both historical and fictional characters, as well as fictional details that have been woven into each story. My prayer is that, through the telling, you have experienced anew the glorious arrival of our Lord and Savior through a different set of lenses. To that end, join this final “eyewitness” as he tell his story.

The Series:

Joseph – A humble carpenter (December 4)

Achim – Joseph’s cousin (December 11)

Moshe – A Bethlehem shepherd (December 18)

Simeon – An expectant prophet (December 25)

Balthazar – A Babylonian scholar (This week – January 1) 

i pray you have a joy-filled and God-blessed new year!

My name is Balthazar. I am a life-long student of the science of the stars. I have been so ever since I was a child. I grew up and live in the city of Babylon. Once the center of the greatest empire on the face of the earth, we are now a provincial capital within the somewhat lesser Parthian Empire. The empire encompasses the whole of the Levant along the Mediterranean Sea, excluding the city of Tyre. Our province within the empire includes all of the region that makes up the Tigris-Euphrates Valley. The Silk Road trade route between the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty of China passes through our province, making us a prosperous center of trade and commerce.

As the satrap of our province, my father governed our region – paying proper tribute and supplying soldiers to our king. Because of this arrangement, our king is often referred to as the “King of Kings.” I am my father’s second son; therefore, I am not his primogeniture. He did not groom me to become the next satrap. Rather, I have been permitted to pursue my love of science, and have become one of the leading magi of my province. I have enjoyed a life of privilege and was educated in the palace by some of the finest scholars in the world. Over the years, our empire has adopted the art, architecture, cultures and religious beliefs of the ancient Babylonians, the Greeks and the Persians. And now, through our commerce, our beliefs and culture are also being greatly influenced by the Romans and the Chinese….

Advent - Simeon's Story

Advent - Simeon's Story

NOTE: For this Advent season, my blog posts have taken a different turn. For the five weeks beginning December 4, i am posting five short stories surrounding the incarnational birth of Jesus. These stories are a gift to you — as faithful readers of this blog. If you are new to my blog and missed the first three posts, i invite you to go back and read them. Though each story stands alone, it is helpful to have the context of the full series. i have endeavored to keep each story factual as to the details conveyed through the Gospels, but please bear in mind that by their nature these stories are fictional first person accounts involving both historical and fictional characters, as well as fictional details that have been woven into each story. My prayer is that, through the telling, we witness anew the glorious arrival of the One who had been promised. To that end, join these “eyewitnesses” as they tell their stories:

Joseph – A humble carpenter (December 4)

Achim – Joseph’s cousin (December 11)

Moshe – A Bethlehem shepherd (December 18)

Simeon – An expectant prophet (This week – December 25)

Balthazar – A Babylonian scholar (January 1)

My name is Simeon. I have lived a long and full life. On my last birthday, I turned one hundred thirteen years of age. I know that you’re going to tell me that I don’t look a day over one hundred – so I will tell you my secret to looking so youthful. It’s figs! Most every day of my life I have eaten a fig. I recommend them to you!

But – in all seriousness – I will tell you the secret as to how I have lived to such an old age. When I was young the Spirit of God gave me a promise. He told me that I would not see death before I had seen the Promised Messiah. Each day thereafter I have lived expectantly – awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promise to me – knowing that He is not a man that He would lie. That which God has promised will come to pass! Therefore I have also lived assuredly – knowing that I was immortal until the day of the blessed event. Today is that very day! But before I tell you about the events of this day, allow me to go back to the day that God gave me His promise….

Advent - Moshe's Story

Advent - Moshe's Story

NOTE: For this Advent season, my blog posts have taken a different turn. For the five weeks beginning December 4, i am posting five short stories surrounding the incarnational birth of Jesus. These stories are a gift to you — as faithful readers of this blog. If you are new to my blog and missed the first two posts, i invite you to go back and read them. Though i will endeavor to keep each story factual as to the details conveyed through the Gospels – by their nature these stories will be fictional first person accounts involving both historical and fictional characters, as well as fictional details that have been incorporated into each narrative. My prayer is that, through the telling, we witness anew the glory of our Heavenly Father expressed through the incarnational birth of His One and Only Son. To that end, let’s look at the account through the eyes of these five very different individuals:

Joseph – A humble carpenter (December 4)

Achim – Joseph’s cousin (December 11)

Moshe – A Bethlehem shepherd (This week - December 18)

Simeon – An expectant prophet (December 25)

Balthazar – A Babylonian scholar (January 1)

My name is Moshe. I am a shepherd. I have watched over sheep in these Bethlehem hills since I was a young boy. My father and grandfather were both shepherds as were their fathers and grandfathers – all the way back to the shepherd king himself – David. He knew these hills like the back of his hand – just like each one of us has ever since. There was a time during the captivity of our people in Babylon that my ancestors were not shepherding in these hills. But by the grace of Jehovah, He made the way for us to return many years ago.

There is nothing else I would rather be doing, and there is nowhere else I would rather be. Jehovah God has blessed me greatly. He is the greatest Shepherd of all! He has chosen us to be His people – His flock, if you will. He watches over us and cares for us. He provides for us and leads us where He would have us be. He teaches us to know His voice. And He has given us His commands to protect us….

Advent - Achim's Story

Advent - Achim's Story

NOTE: For this Advent season, my blog posts have taken a different turn. For the five weeks beginning December 4, i am posting five short stories surrounding the incarnational birth of Jesus. These stories are my gift to you — as faithful readers of this blog. If you missed last week’s post, i invite you to go back and read it. Though i will endeavor to keep each story factual as to the details conveyed through the Gospels – by their nature these stories will be fictional first person accounts involving both historical and fictional characters, as well as fictional details that have been incorporated into each narrative. My prayer is that, through the telling, we witness anew the glory of our Heavenly Father expressed through the incarnational birth of His One and Only Son. To that end, let’s look at the account through the eyes of these five very different individuals:

Joseph – A humble carpenter (December 4)

Achim – Joseph’s cousin (This week - December 11)

Moshe – A Bethlehem shepherd (December 18)

Simeon – An expectant prophet (December 25)

Balthazar – A Babylonian scholar (January 1)

My name is Achim. My family and I live here in Bethlehem – the town of our ancestor David – the shepherd king. Our town is situated in the midst of rolling green hills. Our hills produce some of the best almonds and olives throughout the province. The soil is fertile because we sit on top of an enormous aquifer. As a matter of fact, our water is known to be the best tasting from far and wide. The story is told that some of King David’s mighty men risked their lives by crossing through Philistine lines to get him a cup of this very water from a well situated here in Bethlehem….

Advent - Joseph's Story

Advent - Joseph's Story

NOTE: For this Advent season, my blog posts will be taking a different turn. Starting today and for the four weeks that follow, i will be posting five short stories surrounding the incarnational birth of Jesus. Though i will endeavor to keep each story factual as to the details conveyed through the Gospels – by their nature these stories will be fictional first person accounts involving both historical and fictional characters, as well as fictional details that have been incorporated into each narrative. My prayer is that, through the telling, we witness anew the glory of our Heavenly Father expressed through the incarnational birth of His One and Only Son. To that end, let’s look at the account through the eyes of five very different individuals:

Joseph – A humble carpenter (This week - December 4)

Achim – Joseph’s cousin (December 11)

Moshe – A Bethlehem shepherd (December 18)

Simeon – An expectant prophet (December 25)

Balthazar – A Babylonian scholar (January 1)

My name is Joseph. I’m a carpenter. My father Jacob was a carpenter, as was his father Matthan. As a matter of fact, my ancestors have been carpenters as far back as anyone can remember. Well, maybe not as far back as anyone remembers. My ancestor David was actually a shepherd – that is until he became the King of Israel. And his son Solomon, who is also my ancestor, is considered by many to have been the wisest king our people ever had. Thirteen of my ancestors, who were the successive descendants of Solomon, followed him in ruling over our nation as kings of Judah. Most of those did evil in the eyes of the Lord – so I share my family connection to them with great reluctance. But there is no denying that royal blood courses through my veins….

Christmas From The Beginning

Christmas From The Beginning

The Christmas journey with the Master in some respects is a journey that has no beginning, because in the beginning He was. He was with God. He was God. He was the Creator of all things and in Him and for Him were all things created. He was Life and from Him life was given. He was Light and from Him light was given to the world. He was Light and through Him darkness was extinguished. He always was, and He forever will be. 

Though He has no beginning, through Him was the beginning and in Him is the beginning. Through Him the world was created. Through Him the world was redeemed. Through Him the world was given the right to become children of God. He always was, and He forever will be.

Jesus was the Word of God. Jesus was the Truth of God. Jesus was the glory of God. Jesus was the love of God. Jesus was the faithfulness of God. He always was, and He forever will be.

However, the Christmas journey with the Master in other respects is a journey that does have a beginning - not a beginning for Him, but a beginning for us….

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