Hey there! Since I had a mega early start today and now i’m incredibly tired i’m going to do a short, but christianity themed post. I want to plug a few websites that deserve a good plugging!
Do you love manga? How about the King James Version of the bible? If you answered yes to one or both of these, why not download Siku’s KJV Manga bible for free off Biblefresh (THATS RIGHT ITS FREE!!!) Also, if you want it as a book it will be available on amazon later! Interested? Click this link!
Are you a worship leader? Do you enjoy worshipping God? Need some inspiration or perhaps some fresh music to sing/ play? Check out worship central. Its like the toolkit for anyone who wants to worship God. Or something like that. Anywho, check it out!
ONE HERE ON WORDPRESS! Thats right! Congratulations, its a blog! If you would like a daily reading plan for the bible and some commentary (and also video commentary), be like me and do the Bible In One Year.
Oh yeah, to do point 4, you might as well use an online bible. There are many translations available, and its free! LINKETY LINK LINK
Oh yeah, and heres a bonus for you. A track from OWL CITY!!
If I’m more awake tomorrow, I’ll get back to the usual post style! These links might be hyper, but i’m flippin’ tired!
I’v been reading through the Old Testament. And now I’m writing this.
We pick up the story in Numbers 16.
God is ticked off at the israelites.
Lets contextualise.
Most of them have disobeyed Him and wimped out at the sight of other people in the promised land. They actually went up to it and some of them reported on it. They were all like ‘yeah, its got everything God promised us, but the people there now look scary’. They’ve forgotten that if they would have just claimed it, it was theirs! They complained about the scary people. They complained about leaving slavery (and cucumbers) in Egypt. They complained about God. Again, not a smart move. Not only did they disobey Him, but they failed to trust Him – the ONE and ONLY God who brought them out of slavery; the same God who parted the red sea not long before! And so, by not trusting in Him, they lose out. In this case, some of them lose out WITH THEIR LIVES!
Numbers 16
New International Version (NIV)
Numbers 16
Korah, Dathan and Abiram
1 Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent[a]2 and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. 3 They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?”4 When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. 5 Then he said to Korah and all his followers: “In the morning the LORD will show who belongs to him and who is holy, and he will have that person come near him. The man he chooses he will cause to come near him. 6 You, Korah, and all your followers are to do this: Take censers 7 and tomorrow put burning coals and incense in them before the LORD. The man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!”
8 Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you Levites! 9 Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the LORD’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them? 10 He has brought you and all your fellow Levites near himself, but now you are trying to get the priesthood too. 11 It is against the LORD that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?”
12 Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab. But they said, “We will not come! 13 Isn’t it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? And now you also want to lord it over us! 14 Moreover, you haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Do you want to treat these men like slaves[b]? No, we will not come!”
15 Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not accept their offering. I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them.”
16 Moses said to Korah, “You and all your followers are to appear before the LORD tomorrow—you and they and Aaron. 17 Each man is to take his censer and put incense in it—250 censers in all—and present it before the LORD. You and Aaron are to present your censers also.” 18 So each of them took his censer, put burning coals and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 19 When Korah had gathered all his followers in opposition to them at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the entire assembly. 20 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 21 “Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.”
22 But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and cried out, “O God, the God who gives breath to all living things, will you be angry with the entire assembly when only one man sins?”
23 Then the LORD said to Moses, 24 “Say to the assembly, ‘Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.’”
25 Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 He warned the assembly, “Move back from the tents of these wicked men! Do not touch anything belonging to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins.” 27 So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing with their wives, children and little ones at the entrances to their tents.
28 Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29 If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the LORD has not sent me. 30 But if the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.”
31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. 34 At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, “The earth is going to swallow us too!”
35 And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.
The israelites rose up against Moses. The israelites rose up against God. Particularly Korah, Dathan and Abiram. They were levites, and supposed to be priestly and closer to God than the common israelite. However, they dismissive and when summoned by Moses did the verbal equivalent of sticking two fingers up at him. Moses is like ‘im summoning yooooooouuuuuu!’ and the three of them are like ‘shove you Moses’.
Moses is angry at them. Very angry. Very angry indeed! He asks God not to accept their offerings. He must have been proper angry to do this.
And then he tells them to gather their followers and stand before the LORD. They’ve dissed God too. In a big way. Not good.
When they all line up, God tells Moses and Aaron to get out the way so that He can end the rest of the assembly. Thats right, end them. Moses and Aaron cry out to God to ask Him not to let His anger burn against the entire assembly. So God tells Moses to tell the assembly to move away from Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Moses gets up and warns them. ‘Get moving! Get a shuffle on! Don’t even touch their stuff or you’ll be swept away with them!’. He wasn’t talking about an ‘everyday i’m shuffling’ shuffle either. It was a RUN FO’ YO’ LIFE shuffle.
They move away.
Korah, Dathan and Abiram stood outside their tents with their families. And then STUFF GOES DOWN. They know what they’ve done.
Moses says to them, ‘if you die of natural causes, its not from God. But if something new happens, its God, and you will know that they have treated Him with contempt’.
AS SOON AS HE FINISHED SAYING THIS the ground splits apart, opening like a mouth. The 3 men and their families go down to their graves, alive. All their household and possessions are swallowed by the ground. Which then closes back up. The men and their families disappear without trace. nom nom nom. They’ve probably long since been fossil fuels or something.
The israelites around them flee, afraid that the ground will eat them too. They think the ground is going to eat them too. Then, the followers of these 3 men are burned up by fire. What can we learn here? Trust in God’s way. Stick with His winning team. Do not oppose God.
I was reading my Bible in One year today. But, I was compelled to re-read the passage from yesterday too.
Luke 4:14-21
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[a]
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
We pick up the story here as Jesus comes out of the wilderness. He’s been tempted by the devil and has not given the devil any ground. Jesus returns, and He goes teaching in the synagogues. Remember, He is pre-12 disciples at this point. He goes back to His old neck of the ‘hoods (see what I did there) and enters the Synagogue on the Sabbath. Nazareth synagogue. He enters it, ‘as was His custom’. He stands up to read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolls it. He begins to read. That is to say, He reads this part in particular.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then He rolls the scroll back up, gives it back to the attendant and takes a seat. The peeps in the synagogue are flabbergasted. All eyes are on Him. And He begins by saying to them “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” So basically, He says ‘yeah, all that I just read out? Its about ME. You hear? Its talking about ME! THIS IS HAPPENING! RIGHT NOW!’ And that is the truth. From this point on, Jesus would spread God’s love all over! He would help the poor, He would free the captives, He would heal the sick and would proclaim salvation. I love the way that Jesus says it all nonchalantly though. Like, think about it. He walks into His hometown-synagogue, reads a little bit from the prophet Isaiah, sits down and says ‘yeah, that’s about Me! Oh, and its just been fulfilled right now. As you were listening.’ So cool! The people are jaw-on-the-floor at this! A lot of them are outraged, but its from here on in that it starts to dawn on more people that yes HE IS THE MESSIAH!
The words of the prophet Isaiah point to Him and His ministry on earth. Jesus is the Messiah; the Saviour of the world! Do you see this?
In the old testament, God used pillars of cloud to show His presence. This is the nearest picture I have to that!
Today I was reading my bible in one year! (I slipped behind a little D: so I read yesterday’s passage today as well!). I noticed a bit of a prophet thing going on.
A few years ago, I went to soul survivor for the first time. I’d heard about it and how good it was and thought i’d like a visit! I went expecting things to happen. Naturally, when I saw a seminar where one could be baptised in the Holy Spirit, I leapt at the opportunity.
So there I was, in this half tent half shed structure (sort of like a gazebo with walls), asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And filled with the Holy Spirit I was! I got the gift of tongues first. After this, I received the gift of prophecy and a burning passion for God! It was a spiritual triple whammy! It was wonderful!
That was a few years ago now. Since, I’ve had visions and words of knowledge and dreams. I’ve tried to put my gift of prophecy to use. Some people who I share this with are receptive to it. Others ignore me completely, but hey – you know what Jesus says in Luke 4:24 :
“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.
So, I guess I’ve got to go wider with my prophecies. Geographically, that is. Im not going to (intentionally) get fat or try and stretch out prophecies or anything like that. What I mean is that I’ve probably got to accept that people where i’m from aren’t going to care about what I say.
Sometimes, when I pray for people, my gift of prophecy sets in. A few times, I’ve been laying hands on people and praying for them and it’s been like i’ve sensed that there was something weighing them down. And then it was like I could see locks and chains binding them. And so, being sensitive to the Spirit, I’ve prayed certain specific things for people. When i’ve done this, it was like the locks broke off and the chains fell and they let God in; and boy, did he meet with them! Some of them went down in the Spirit! Brilliant! Other times when I feel the Holy Spirit on me in a powerful way, the tips of my fingers tingle. Sometimes my heart beats super fast! Other times, parts of me shake and my eyelids flicker. Its ok though – its just God’s presence resting on me.
So anyway, to the scripture! I was reading my bible in one year, and I came across this passage:
Numbers 12
New International Version (NIV)
Numbers 12
Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses
1 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the LORD heard this.3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)
4 At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. 5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, 6 he said, “Listen to my words:
“When there is a prophet among you,
I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams. 7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?”
9 The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them.
We meet the israelites here in the desert. They’ve escaped from Egypt and are on the way to the promised land. (For the first time. Then they mess things up. More on that in a future post?)
Aaron and Miriam are a bit uppity because Moses has married a cushite lady! They don’t like this. They’re all like ‘didn’t God speak through us too’. They are dissing Moses, and effectively dissing God too. NOT A SMART MOVE!
God hears this, because SURPRISE SURPRISE, He’s omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. God isn’t too pleased with them.
The writer then adds here that Moses was the most humble person on the earth. He was humble to God. Miriam and Aaron at this point – not so much!
God says to the three of them ‘come out of the tent of meeting’. They do, and God comes down in a pillar of cloud. He summons Miriam and Aaron. They stepped forward. God explains to them:
“When there is a prophet among you,
I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams. 7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?”
God tells them about how prophecy works for the ordinary prophet; the prophet who would be known as a servant of God, or a follower of God. And then He tells them about Moses; a man who could be known as a friend of God. God tells them that Moses is faithful and so they speak face to face. With Moses, God does not have to use parables or riddles – He can say it as it is. God says that Moses sees the form of the LORD. I wonder if they actually physically stood and talked together face to face? I wonder if Moses saw the true face of God, unhidden by pillars of cloud or fire?
God lays it down about how faithful Moses is compared to the ordinary prophet. And then He asks Miriam and Aaron whey they were not afraid to speak against him. They don’t appear to have a reason. They aren’t as faithful as Moses. The LORD’s anger burns against them and then He leaves. I, for one, would not like to have been on the end of that!
Looking back to Moses though – God outlines him here as an example of a faithful servant and prophet. He shows how intimate the two of them are – they can talk to each other face to face. How wonderful it would be to have a relationship like that with God! To be known not just as a christian, but as a true friend of God! This is where i’m trying to get to spiritually! I’m trying to build my relationship with God to a much higher level of intimacy than it is now. When I build my future, He’s the main component! Want proof? The course I took at University is because of Him. The university itself is because of Him. The people I will meet will be by His hand, and wherever I go, He will be my guiding light!
Its not the smoothest of rides, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Living for God is better than any adventure! (Its even better than the new zelda!)
Today I went to some more christmas markets! I’m getting in the festive mood!
At these christmas markets, I saw two guys playing music outside the markets. They were playing christmas tunes on a couple of silver trumpets. It was lovely to listen to! They made such a full sound too, despite the fact there was just two of them there! Being a brass player myself, this is not the easiest of feats!
I love the sound of brass music. Its so nice. And it feels christmassy too! I particularly like lower brass!
I was reading my bible in one year earlier on and I came across some music in the bible. At first this didn’t strike me as anything out of the ordinary UNTIL I noticed that it wasn’t worship music! No no no! It was something else entirely! (and, coincidentally, it is music on silver trumpets!)
New International Version (NIV)
Numbers 10
The Silver Trumpets
1 The LORD said to Moses: 2 “Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out. 3 When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 4 If only one is sounded, the leaders—the heads of the clans of Israel—are to assemble before you. 5 When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out. 6 At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out. The blast will be the signal for setting out. 7 To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets, but not with the signal for setting out.
8 “The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come. 9 When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the LORD your God and rescued from your enemies. 10 Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts—you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.”
Usually in the bible music is used for worship! But not here!
Two trumpets of hammered silver! Note here, its trumpets, not harps or anything. Thats because trumpets are LOUD and POWERFUL and let you know that somethings going down! These trumpets are special though. They were used to make the community assemble. A different sound of the trumpets could gather the assembly! If it was blasted, different tribes had to set out. They were sort of summoning trumpets, or administrative trumpets or something. At least, up to this point they are.
Then God tells Moses a little bit more! The priests have to blow the trumpets. And if an enemy was getting up in the israelites’ grill on their home turf, they had to give them trumpets a blow. And with this blow, God would rescue them from their enemies! (sound familiar? This use of the trumpet would happen again later on!)
But not only were the trumpets a gathering tool, a priestly symbol and a sort of call for aid in war; they were also used for times of joy! They were to be sounded during festivals and over offerings to God as a memorial! Pretty interesting, huh?
God finishes this by saying “I am the LORD your God”.
Yes. Yes he is.
I guess after this, Moses got to work hammering them trumpets out of silver! And the rest, they say, is history!
I like the fact that God orders Moses to make trumpets! It just goes to show that brass instruments are heavenly things!
Today, I attended worship band practice. It was fairly straight forward. We practiced some carols and moved onto the Sunday morning setlist.
One of the other worship leaders suggested that we learn a new song and intro it on Sunday morning. This did not happen, so as a team we were discussing what songs we should sing. It was interesting to hear what people engage with. One of the worship leaders said that she found the first verse of Hillsong’s ‘you hold me now’ hard to engage with. For me, that song has powerful lyrics that stir up your spirit. For me, it also has a deep sentimental attachment. You see, when my grandfather died last year, this was one of the songs he worshipped along to a lot near the end. The first verse speaks of heaven – and for him it was so true. In the last weeks of his life, he was so in tune with the Holy Spirit – he was truly a man on fire for God. He looked forward to his reward in heaven, which he went on to see.
The song reminds me of how, even in the face of death and all his friends, we can burn brightly for God. It reminds me that there will be no more pain or suffering in heaven; no weeping, no hurt, no sickness… no cancer, no heart disease, no diabetes… It will be perfect. And I think of my grandfather, who in spite of his fatal condition, praised God and proclaimed His word to the very end of his days on earth. I thank God for my grandfather. I sometimes think of him just hanging out with God. I think of how wonderful it must be for him resting in God’s presence right now.
I see the sickness and the hurt in the world, and I know that he has gone to a better place. And I know that through Jesus’s unfailing love, I will be hanging out with God in heaven one day too.
Sorry, I digressed a little there.
Erm… For me, personally, I find songs like Hillsong’s ‘you deserve’ hard to engage with. I think the lyrics are great – maybe its just the key that we sing it in that is hard. Its so high… But, regardless, I sing it out. After all, its not for me or about me – its all for my Audience of One.
Also at worship band practice, a few of us were discussing what God had talked to us about in the week. 3 of us had received similar things from God about being still and relaxing in His presence; but not just this – also, going back to the heart of worship – stripping back the layers of sound and instruments and just praising God intimately with the overflow of your forgiven soul. Joining with the angels in song, and hearing the heavens roar.
You see, the heart of worship is intimacy with God. Thankfulness for what Jesus did on the cross for us. Unending joy in the Holy Spirit. Just, letting God know how much you love Him.
I think sometimes about how undeserving I am of His love. If I was God (which, thank goodness I’m not!), I’m not sure I’d have died to save someone like me. But you see, I’m not God. God is God. Jesus is God. The Holy Spirit is God. And together, they are the Holy Trinity. And they love me so much. Even though I frequently mess it up, God loves me. Jesus died to save me from my sins so that I might get to know Him better – so that my eyes would be opened to the awesomeness of God. The Holy Spirit dwells within me, and gives me all that I need to make it through each day. I do not deserve any of this, but by the grace of God, I have been given it as a gift. For this, I am eternally thankful. Jesus came and He died for us. And after 3 days, He conquered death and rose again. DEATH. HAS. NO. HOLD. ON. US!!!! AMAZING!
Lately, in my bible in one year passages, I’ve been reading the christmas story in the book of Luke. I read it and I think back to the birth of Jesus. Jesus being God, He came to earth as a baby. He had to live like us; In school and the temple, He had to learn about Himself from the scriptures and prophecies. He was sinless in a corrupt world. He gave His all for us.
Listen to this song. It is amazing. It makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Its basically the life story of Jesus (whilst He was on earth) in about 5 minutes:
But before He did any of that, He had to be born on earth.
Luke 2
New International Version (NIV)
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
The King of the universe; The God who saves; Emmanuel… He was born in a stable and spent His first night on earth in a manger. Even from birth, this world rejected Him. And yet He still loved and loves us. The only anointed one – the Messiah is born unto us! The saviour of the world is lying in a stable.
Meanwhile, some shepherds are watching their sheep. It was probably a pretty normal day of shepherding. A baa here and a baa there, and so on! Suddenly, an angel appears and the glory of the Lord shines around them. Note here that the shepherds are terrified, but there is nothing to say that the sheep are scared! It’s like I pointed out here, I think that the animals know who God is!
The angel tells them not to be afraid. And then the angel gives some great news.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The saviour of the world has just been born! And the first people that are told are shepherds. Did you ever think about this? I know that Jesus is described as the good shepherd to His sheep (the church), but I think there is also another significant point to be made here – shepherds were not one of the highest members of society. They were common and of low status. They were also in Jesus’ heritage. On earth, He was a descendant of the line of King David (the one who wrote a lot of psalms). Before David became King, he was a shepherd! I think its interesting, but not at all coincidental that the first people to visit Jesus are common people, who are also in His bloodline. Jesus did not just come for the rich and well off people – He came for EVERYONE. And I mean EVERYONE!
The shepherds nip off to see Jesus. When they do, they go and spread the word – the long awaited Messiah has been born! They can’t contain themselves. They erupt with praise and they worship God.
The news was so brilliant for the shepherds that they could not keep it to themselves.
The news remains the same today. Jesus came to earth to die for you and me, and everyone who ever was, is and ever will be. He died to take away our sins. He conquered death. He tore down the walls that separated us and God. He wants to know you. Before you were even born, He set you apart. He loves you.
I’ve just told you this news. How will you respond?
I was pretty joyful when I was shown these puddings at the cheesecake factory! But the cheesecake joy is not at all as much as the joy I've found in knowing Jesus!
Today I was reading my Bible in One Year passages. Yesterday marked the beginning of the readings from the gospel of Luke. That means i’ll be reading the Christmas story again. No, not the commercial ‘SOFA SALE ON NOW’ adverts, coca cola’s ‘HOLIDAYS ARE COMING’ campaigns and endless things about Santa. Nope. I’ll be reading the REAL Christmas story. The reason we have Christmas at all – the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And since today was remembrance Sunday and it is almost over (respect to the country’s unsung heroes and their families!), that means that the countdown to Christmas has officially begun. Thats right: IT IS NOW SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE TO PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!!! IN PUBLIC! We are now on points 9 or 10 of the countdown !!! CHRISTMAS IS GETTING CLOSER!
If you don’t like this concept… deal with it!
So anyway, back to the bible (because that is ALWAYS a good thing to come back to and read. Fact!), I came across this passage:
Luke 1:39-56
New International Version (NIV)
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Mary’s Song
46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
We enter the point in history here where the angel Gabriel has visited Mary and Jesus is in the womb. Mary’s relative Elizabeth is pregnant with John (who would grow up to be John the Baptist). Mary goes to visit Elizabeth. And here we are!
Mary hurries along to see Elizabeth. On arrival she greets Elizabeth, like ya do. And then, something amazing happens!
Elizabeth simply hears Mary’s greeting and John leaps for joy in her womb and she is instantly filled with the Holy Spirit. This is amazing in 3 ways:
How often do babies jump for joy in the womb? like, never!
Just being near Jesus, even though He had not been born as a human yet caused the also as-of-then-unborn John to jump for joy! Pretty cool, huh?
Even though Jesus hadn’t been born yet, when Elizabeth was in His presence, the Holy Spirit filled her! Note here that it would be many years later that Jesus would send the Holy Spirit to live among us. We see a taste of the power of Jesus here – His Spirit brings forth blessings even from being a baby! Isn’t that amazing!
Elizabeth blesses Mary! John jumps for joy! Its a joyful moment! Its a wonderful moment! Its a holy moment!
(We don’t know where Zechariah is at this point. Perhaps he’d gone out to the temple or something. We do know he was still mute though! read the first part of Luke 1 if you want to know why Zechariah is mute!)
And after this moment, the heading in the bible is ‘Mary’s song’. So, I guess she sang her heart out here! (Although under this, it says Mary said… . Perhaps she just said it excitedly?) If she did sing, I bet it was a pretty tune! Lets have a look at this song!
My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
She praises God. She worships Him! She knows that she is blessed and she is thankful for this! She knows that she will go down in history and instead of grabbing the glory for herself, she lifts up the situation to God. She praises His holy name and sings of His great works and mighty deeds! God is worthy of praise!
When Mary receives God’s blessing, she bursts into song. Praise erupts from within her! She finds unending joy in God and she can’t contain her happiness!
If you wanna hear a different but also great song about the joy that you only find in God, then check this out!
Joy – Phil Wickham
Mary finds joy in knowing God. She is so joyful that she sings! She can’t keep herself from singing! You can know a joy like this too! To quote a t-shirt I nearly bought once ‘JESUS CAN MAKE YOU DANCE, SUCKA!’
Today I was reading my Bible in One Year passages. I happened to do this in a public place, and a friend of mine asked me what I was doing, so I had the chance to show him the bible and stuff. Reading the gospel of Mark, today’s passage included the trial of Jesus.
Mark 15
New International Version (NIV)
Mark 15
Jesus Before Pilate
1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”
5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
6 Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.
9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.
12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.
13 “Crucify him!” they shouted.
14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
In this passage, we can see what happens in the trial. The highly religious Sanhedrin do not like Jesus because they don’t believe He is the son of God. He is, but they don’t want to know. So, they want Him on trial and they want Him disposed of. They bind Jesus before sending Him off to trial. I don’t know whether this was just a form of handcuffs/ foot cuffs or something, or whether it was some sort of whole body binding mechanism; one thing is for sure – they didn’t want Jesus going anywhere. The Sanhedrin then hand Jesus over to Pontius Pilate.
He asks Jesus if He truly is the king of the jews. Jesus replies with ‘you have said so’. Then the chief priests start accusing Jesus of many things. Jesus is innocent and remains quiet the whole time. Pilate urges Jesus to reply, but Jesus does not. Pilate is flabbergasted!
Usually at that time, a prisoner (chosen by the people) would be released. Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent and appears to have a bit of a battle with his conscience. Pilate suggests that Jesus should be freed. But the chief priests have something to say about that. They rabble-rouse the crowd and get them wanting to release Barrabus, a noted murderer. Seeing this, Pilate asks the crowd what they should do with Jesus. Pilate seems to think Jesus is innocent, but he caves to peer pressure and wants to look good in the public eye. So he lets the people decide.
The crowd shouts ‘CRUCIFY HIM’.
Pilate is like ‘Why? On what grounds? What crime has he committed to warrant this?’
The crowd doesn’t answer. They just shout ‘CRUCIFY HIM’ all the louder, as if Pilate didn’t hear them or understand the first time.
Pilate has the choice here to make the right decision. He thinks Jesus is innocent, but he wants to please the people. Pilate is more concerned with his ego than with justice and the life of Jesus, and so he caves to the pressure of the crowd. He releases Barabbus to the crowd, has Jesus flogged and then sends Him off to be crucified.
Pilate had an ultimatum – do the right thing and be hated by the people, or do the wrong thing and blend with the people. Pilate did not do what was just and he made a poor decision.
As christians, we have a similar decision to make – we can tell this world about the love of Jesus or we can blend with the crowd and try not to draw any attention to ourselves. But if we do not tell others, how can they know? By keeping silent, how will we spread Jesus’ love or help people find salvation?
We are all faced with decisions where we have a choice to do the right thing or the wrong thing. We must seek to do the right thing, even if it is costly to us. Spread Jesus’ love and compassion to the ends of the earth. Do not be ashamed of the gospel. Do not cave in to peer pressure and one’s ego.
Lately, in my Bible in one year readings, I’ve been going through the life of Jesus, in Mark’s gospel. Today was the arrest of Jesus.
Mark 14
New International Version (NIV)
41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Jesus Arrested
43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.
51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
I think that it’s interesting that Jesus knows what is going to happen before it does. It is not surprising – He is God after all! But it is nonetheless interesting. Before Judas even arrives, He knows that the time for His betrayal is nigh.
The crowd come to arrest Jesus. The crowd that comes is the equivalent of riot police, or at least well armed police today. All to subdue Jesus – a man who was not violent!
And then it happens. Judas betrays Jesus. With a kiss. Its interesting to note here that Jesus loved us all so much that He bled and died for us; it was out of love that Jesus came to earth, but Judas betrays Him with a symbol of love; a kiss, showing how love has become corrupted in this world. Judas betrays Jesus, (who does not put up a fight), and then someone cuts off the high priest’s ear! (Like that would help the situation!) Jesus then asks them why they have come armed to arrest Him, even though He is peaceful, and points out that they had plenty of previous opportunities to make a move. But, Jesus adds, this fulfils the scriptures.
Suddenly, everyone deserts Him and flees. Perhaps the crowd of people arresting Jesus got rowdier?
And then we come to verses 51 and 52, which are just plain odd. Theres a guy following Jesus (is he a stalker or a fan or something?) who decides that when Jesus is arrested, he’ll strip off and do a runner. What is that about? I wonder what the significance of this guy is? Theres surely a reason why his actions are recorded!
Jesus died to save all of us.
Speaking of all of us, please check out some great blogs! Here and Here. There was another one but the link won’t open D: !
Today, I saw an advert for an aerosol deodorant which claimed that spraying it would help you ‘get it on like its the end of the world’. And in the media, lately i’ve been seeing articles and songs and films and people pontificating, claiming that next year (2012) will be the end of the world. To be quite honest, I think this is Bull-loney! Why, do you ask? Its simple:
Matthew 24
New International Version (NIV)
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Day and Hour Unknown
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father.
Jesus said it Himself; only His Father in heaven knows when the world will end. Ergo, we cannot predict it; it isn’t going to end when we ‘predict’ it.
I do not think the world will end in 2012. But I do think that we are living in the end times. Today, I was reading my Bible in One year passages, and I came across a passage on signs of the end times. And it is matching up pretty well with current affairs.
Mark 13
New International Version (NIV)
Mark 13
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’[a] standing where it[b] does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.
20 “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
24 “But in those days, following that distress,
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[c]
26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it[d] is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Day and Hour Unknown
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert[e]! You do not know when that time will come. 34It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
So, from this passage, what can we see as definite signs of the end times? Remember, this is Jesus talking here in the passage – He has the authority to tell us truthfully what will happen! I will try to list the signs.
Destruction (of buildings) [V 1-2]
False prophets/ people claiming to be Jesus [V 5-6]
Wars and rumours of wars [v7]
Nations/ kingdoms rising against each other [v8]
earthquakes [v8]
famines [v8]
Christians being persecuted for proclaiming the gospel [v9-13]
people betraying each other [v12]
Sun darkened, moon not giving light, stars falling from sky [v24-25]
Jesus’ return [v26-27]
Now, I wil go through each of these, but making reference to (semi-) recent events.
Destruction (of buildings) Terrorist attacks?
False prophets/ people claiming to be Jesus I saw a documentary last year about people in america claiming to be Jesus/ prophets. One of them was this cult who got everyone to give all their money and then commit suicide. It was evil. Also, whilst waiting for a train last year, some men in black suits approached me claiming to be prophets/ be down with some prophets. They wanted my email. They were unsuccessful in their quest.
Wars and rumours of wars Iraq, Afghanistan, the world wars, the Falklands war, The gulf war, the cold war, the war on terror… the list continues.
Nations/ kingdoms rising against each other see 3.
earthquakes Earthquakes are now becoming more frequent and have a nasty habit of starting off tsunamis. An example of this is the recent Japan situation.
famines third world countries such as Africa.
Christians being persecuted for proclaiming the gospel This happens.
people betraying each other This also happens.
Sun darkened, moon not giving light, stars falling from sky yet to come
Jesus’ return yet to come. We do have His presence though through the Holy Spirit.
I don’t know how far we are in time, but the signs of the end times are being fulfilled one by one. I don’t think the world will end in 2012, but I do think the end times are near. How near? Only God knows.
But, dear reader, there is one thing I must tell you before I sign off for the night. Up until the end of the world, we are all on journeys. Physical journeys, mental journeys, spiritual journeys. Many people in our day and age yearn for the supernatural, but do not look in the right place; they need to turn their eyes upon Jesus. Jesus is the ONLY hope for the world. Through Him we can have salvation and hope and freedom and eternal life and the list of things that Jesus gives us keeps on growing! Through Jesus, we find acceptance; we find our definition in Him; we get into relationship with the loving God – the One who loved us so much that He sacrificed Himself so that we might live!
In life, our spiritual journey is the only one that matters. The ONLY one. Get it? Our physical journey doesn’t matter – our lives on earth will come to pass and will fade away. Our spiritual journey is eternal. Our spiritual journey is the only one that counts. And it is about finding God and being in relationship with Him. Jesus is also God. So is the Holy Spirit. And if you choose to live for God, you choose life. Although it may not be the easiest of paths to walk during our time on earth, it is the only path that leads to love, freedom, salvation, eternal life, relationship with God and so much more.
