Our bodies are made in such a way as to sense and indicate to us a need. Hunger is an indication that the stomach is empty and the energy level low. Thirst prompts us to reach out for a drink indicating that the body needs to be hydrated. However, we are able to either ignore or control these natural indicators and delay gratifying the need. On the other hand, we can indulge in eating and drinking merely for enjoyment. This can result in a compulsive eating problem. our sensors are dulled and we are unable to resist any food desirable food that is available.
We can be on the other end of the scale, and become over conscious about eating healthy food. The consequence is fear and under nourishment.
It is not too late to develop good eating habits. It is simple. Be sensitive to the indications of your body. Be wise in choosing well-balanced food. Do not allow yourself to be preoccupied or become fearful about your food.
We don't live to eat but we eat to live!
Matt 6:25-27
Our minds are always hungry, picking up things to process and meditate on. The mind is the gateway to the heart. The attitude of the heart is set according to what the mind thinks on. Every moment we are awake, information enters our minds through one or more of the five senses - seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching. It is therefore important for us to consciously drop the information that is unnecessary or harmful to our soul. Our body instinctively reacts to anything that is harmful. For example, the eyelids shut bright light or any object that comes towards the eye.
Gossip, tale-bearing, pornography, blasphemy - these are poison to the soul.
God's word, revealed through the Bible, is the best food for the soul. First of all it brings salvation to the lost soul. Then it nourishes the soul. God's word helps us to understand who we are and what we are here for. It gives wisdom, putting all knowledge into perspective. It gives peace to the mind and brings healing to the body.
Jer 31:12, Heb 4:12, James 1:21, 3 John 2
Prov 4:23, Phil 4:8 , Is 26:3
The spirit in every person born into this world has to be revived by the Spirit of God, The Creator. There are evil spirits that are deceptive.These can oppress us and if given the opportunity will possess us. A person affected by an evil spirit would be restless, lacking peace. God's Spirit made available to us through The Lord Jesus Christ gives peace, love, and joy.
I receive the Spirit of God into my heart by coming to God humbly, acknowledging my need of Him. I confess and repent of my sin. I receive His forgiveness that is given to me through Jesus, The Son of God, Who took on Himself on the cross, the punishment for my sin. As I receive His Spirit by faith, His love fills my heart. When I meditate on the word of God, praise Him and worship Him, my spirit is nourished and satisfied. It is then connected to God and navigated in the right path.
A vehicle cannot run unless its tank has fuel. We cannot live a spiritual life unless our hearts are filled with God's love.
Make sure you have a good breakfast and your 'Tank' is full each morning!
Ron 5:1-5, John 14:25 -27
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Homosexuality (Sodomy) - Why, what & how?
You may be confused right now wondering what kind of lifestyle you are meant to lead.
You may be asking yourself, "Am I a heterosexual or a homosexual?"
You don't even understand your own feelings, emotions and identity.
You are desperately looking for information about all this as the pressure is on you from people around you.
You can't afford to make a mistake with your precious life.
You need to know for yourself clearly so that you may walk the right path with confidence, peace and fulfillment.
It's good to start from the basics.
When you purchase something, you would study the manufacturer's handbook before starting to use it.
If you don't read the manual, it is very likely that your purchase would be spoilt or broken before long.
It is so with our lives. How much more important it is therefore for you to learn about yourself from the manufacturer.
First of all you must know that it is GOD Who made you. He made you an unique individual and He loves you very much. He wants to reflect His light through you and multiply you through reproduction. He made you a male or a female.
As with physical growth and changes, you also go through emotional changes.
As a young child, you are attached to and become dependent on your parents and other adults. You admire them and respect them.
As a teenager, you gradually let go of your mother's apron strings and make friends with children of your own age and sex and especially with those who display similar interests as yours.
As you grow into a young adult, and mature sexually, you naturally get attracted to the opposite sex. If you are a male you need a female and if you are a female you need a male to have a physically intimate, fulfilling relationship. This results in reproduction, proving that the internal organs of the male and female are complementary towards fruitfulness. The female has what the male does not have, not only physically but also emotionally. The male has what the female does not have physically and emotionally. Therefore a male and a female complete each other and become a wholesome unit. Such a relationship is a beautiful life of love, if it is established with that one partner who was chosen and meant just for you. This is your Manufacturer's good plan for you!
Relationships can go wrong from the time you are born into this evil and wicked world. Wrong relationships spoil right relationships. They hinder your progress in the right path.
Abuse by the father or insecurity during childhood can keep the adult clinging to the invisible apron strings of the mother or a mother-figure.
A harsh and abusive mother can instill in her child, hatred for females all through his or her life.
It can be so with a dominant and overly strict father or father-figure.
If you don't face and deal with these problems, wrong emotions and fear will hold you back from progressing in the best path planned for you. Females who have an aversion to males would find an easy way of diverting even their sexual drive to females. They fool themselves and accept and live a life of 'Make Believe' fulfillment.
A boy who has had unpleasant experiences with a female or females would rather continue with his teenage relationship with boys. His memories and emotions can keep him from getting attracted to females. Yet his sexual needs have to be met. The easiest path is the deviant path which falls short of the good and right path. He teaches himself and programs his mindset to that of a gay relationship.
If you are in any such situation, decide to get yourself sorted out. Don't let anyone or any experience of the past keep you from walking the right path that is the good path. Study GOD'S word, the Bible and program your mind according to this your Manufacturer's handbook that He has written for you with such great love. His desire for you is a happy life of fulfillment on earth and in heaven. Even if you have deviated in the wrong way, JESUS has graciously paid the price for you to return to the right path now. Remember that your direction in this life determines your eternal destiny, heaven or hell.
Unfortunately there are deviant pathways set by the laws of many countries that make it easy for many confused people to turn into. Many teachers, religious leaders, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, those in authority and many other tools of the devil will stand before the judgement seat of The Manufacturer one day to answer for the many lives they misdirected and destroyed.
Each of us has to stand one day before our Creator to answer for our own lives. Are you fulfilling His plan and purposes for your life?
Genesis 1:27-28 (NKJV)
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
Genesis 19:1, 12, 27-28 (NKJV)
1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.
12 Then the men said to Lot, "Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city--take them out of this place!
27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD.
28 Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.
(Homosexuality was rampant in Sodom & Gomorrah)
Jude 1:7 (NKJV)
7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NKJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
1 John 5:18-20 (NKJV)
18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Revelation 21:5-8 (NKJV)
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
You may be asking yourself, "Am I a heterosexual or a homosexual?"
You don't even understand your own feelings, emotions and identity.
You are desperately looking for information about all this as the pressure is on you from people around you.
You can't afford to make a mistake with your precious life.
You need to know for yourself clearly so that you may walk the right path with confidence, peace and fulfillment.
It's good to start from the basics.
When you purchase something, you would study the manufacturer's handbook before starting to use it.
If you don't read the manual, it is very likely that your purchase would be spoilt or broken before long.
It is so with our lives. How much more important it is therefore for you to learn about yourself from the manufacturer.
First of all you must know that it is GOD Who made you. He made you an unique individual and He loves you very much. He wants to reflect His light through you and multiply you through reproduction. He made you a male or a female.
As with physical growth and changes, you also go through emotional changes.
As a young child, you are attached to and become dependent on your parents and other adults. You admire them and respect them.
As a teenager, you gradually let go of your mother's apron strings and make friends with children of your own age and sex and especially with those who display similar interests as yours.
As you grow into a young adult, and mature sexually, you naturally get attracted to the opposite sex. If you are a male you need a female and if you are a female you need a male to have a physically intimate, fulfilling relationship. This results in reproduction, proving that the internal organs of the male and female are complementary towards fruitfulness. The female has what the male does not have, not only physically but also emotionally. The male has what the female does not have physically and emotionally. Therefore a male and a female complete each other and become a wholesome unit. Such a relationship is a beautiful life of love, if it is established with that one partner who was chosen and meant just for you. This is your Manufacturer's good plan for you!
Relationships can go wrong from the time you are born into this evil and wicked world. Wrong relationships spoil right relationships. They hinder your progress in the right path.
Abuse by the father or insecurity during childhood can keep the adult clinging to the invisible apron strings of the mother or a mother-figure.
A harsh and abusive mother can instill in her child, hatred for females all through his or her life.
It can be so with a dominant and overly strict father or father-figure.
If you don't face and deal with these problems, wrong emotions and fear will hold you back from progressing in the best path planned for you. Females who have an aversion to males would find an easy way of diverting even their sexual drive to females. They fool themselves and accept and live a life of 'Make Believe' fulfillment.
A boy who has had unpleasant experiences with a female or females would rather continue with his teenage relationship with boys. His memories and emotions can keep him from getting attracted to females. Yet his sexual needs have to be met. The easiest path is the deviant path which falls short of the good and right path. He teaches himself and programs his mindset to that of a gay relationship.
If you are in any such situation, decide to get yourself sorted out. Don't let anyone or any experience of the past keep you from walking the right path that is the good path. Study GOD'S word, the Bible and program your mind according to this your Manufacturer's handbook that He has written for you with such great love. His desire for you is a happy life of fulfillment on earth and in heaven. Even if you have deviated in the wrong way, JESUS has graciously paid the price for you to return to the right path now. Remember that your direction in this life determines your eternal destiny, heaven or hell.
Unfortunately there are deviant pathways set by the laws of many countries that make it easy for many confused people to turn into. Many teachers, religious leaders, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, those in authority and many other tools of the devil will stand before the judgement seat of The Manufacturer one day to answer for the many lives they misdirected and destroyed.
Each of us has to stand one day before our Creator to answer for our own lives. Are you fulfilling His plan and purposes for your life?
Genesis 1:27-28 (NKJV)
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
Genesis 19:1, 12, 27-28 (NKJV)
1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.
12 Then the men said to Lot, "Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city--take them out of this place!
27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD.
28 Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.
(Homosexuality was rampant in Sodom & Gomorrah)
Jude 1:7 (NKJV)
7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NKJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
1 John 5:18-20 (NKJV)
18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Revelation 21:5-8 (NKJV)
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Christmas story
Matthew 1:1-17 (NKJV)
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.
Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.
Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon.
Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,
and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa.
Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah.
Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah.
Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah.
Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.
And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor.
Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud.
Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob.
And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.
Luke 1:1-80 (NKJV)
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time." And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 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. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "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. 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. For with God nothing will be impossible." Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 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. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."
And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever."
And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John." But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." So they made signs to his father--what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, "What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David,
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,
That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us,
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."
So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Matthew 1:18-25 (NKJV)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
Luke 2:1-38 (NKJV)
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
John 1:1-18 (NKJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' " And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
Matthew 2:1-23 (NKJV)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.' " Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son." Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more." But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead." Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
Luke 2:39-40 (NKJV)
So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Preparing for your flight
We need to make a booking with the airline if we are serious about taking a flight.
Check-in counters at airports list various things that should not be packed in the luggage and/or carried into the cabin. If we want to check in a bag or take a hand luggage and in fact board the aircraft, we have to comply with the rules set by the authorities.
Similarly, all of us are on a journey of preparation on this earth for our flight into eternity.
The booking has to be made through the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6 (NKJV)
But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 21:27 (NKJV)
And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15 (NKJV)
The One Who has authority over our soul and body has set out clear instructions in the Book, regarding our journey here and our flight to eternity. The Bible spells, 'Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth'
The One Who has authority over our soul and body has set out clear instructions in the Book, regarding our journey here and our flight to eternity. The Bible spells, 'Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth'
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (NKJV)
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Revelation 21:7-8 (NKJV)
His instructions are simple and clear and His law is established.
"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19 (NKJV)
No one can hide anything from GOD. His eyes are more powerful than the most sophisticated scanning machine and metal detector.
No one can hide anything from GOD. His eyes are more powerful than the most sophisticated scanning machine and metal detector.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 (NKJV)
The eternal destiny of the enemy of our soul is sealed in hell. Therefore he deceives and diverts people from taking this flight to heaven. His goal is to take as many as possible with him to hell.
The eternal destiny of the enemy of our soul is sealed in hell. Therefore he deceives and diverts people from taking this flight to heaven. His goal is to take as many as possible with him to hell.
Therefore let us beware. Let us diligently study and follow the instruction of the Creator and Sustain-er of the universe, Who is a GOD of love. His greatest desire is to have every person with Him in heaven.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Homosexuality - What does GOD say?
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 1:18-32 (NKJV)
Believe
The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.
Proverbs 14:15 (NKJV)
Imagine yourself on the road to a country town for the first time. You have come to a
‘T’ junction with no clear marking. There is a man and a woman standing there. You ask them the direction to that town. The man immediately points in one direction and the woman confidently shows him the opposite direction. What would you do? You have to believe one person.
Imagine yourself at a Doctor’s surgery with your blood report. The Doctor gives you the diagnosis and prescribes a certain course of treatment. You are very confused as you have already been to another Doctor whose advice on the course of treatment was entirely different. Which Doctor would you trust?
In a situation or sickness, if what GOD has spoken to you clearly is different to what people tell you, whose word would you believe? Whose instruction would you take?
JESUS not only shows us the way but He is the way. He is trustworthy!
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 (NKJV)
If you diligently seek Him, you will find Him.
When you find Him, you need to believe Him and believe His words which are truth.
If you diligently seek Him, you will find Him.
When you find Him, you need to believe Him and believe His words which are truth.
But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 (NKJV)
Friday, August 5, 2011
Offering a sacrifice
Offering a sacrifice was the means by which a sinful human being could gain access to a Holy GOD. All the different offerings and the manner in which they should be sacrificed is described in Leviticus chapters 1 to 7 of the Holy Bible. They are the burnt, grain, peace, sin and trespass offering. Animals, birds and grain were used for the offerings. GOD commanded Moses to instruct His people, the Israelites to keep this statute to make atonement for their sins. The sacrifices had to be offered at the altar of the Tabernacle of Meeting.
JESUS
JESUS became the perfect and complete sacrifice for us. Heb 9, 10
He offered Himself to GOD willingly as a living sacrifice. Eph 5:1-2.
He also laid down His life as the sacrificial Lamb for the sin of the whole world for all time. Phil 2:8, Heb 10:7
He was the Temple of GOD as He worshiped GOD alone. Matt 4:10, John 2:19-21, Heb 9:11
He is worshiped in heaven now and will be worshiped by all. Phil 2:10-11
He was a sacrifice without blemish. Is 53:9
He came in human flesh. His Flesh was torn and His Blood was shed.
JESUS was anointed. Acts 10:38
Frankincense was a prophetic gift at His birth. Matt 2:11
JESUS’ life of selflessness pleased GOD. Matt 3:17
JESUS’ sacrifice was once and for all, perfected forever. Heb 10:12-14
Offering a sacrifice according to The new covenant
- Now we look back at the perfect sacrifice of The Lamb of GOD.
The old path is no more functional because the new path is completed.
JESUS is the only bridge between man and GOD.
I need to offer myself willingly to JESUS. My life consists of my time, strength, talents, skills, resources and possessions. I need to know His will and do His will, forsaking the way of the world.
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Peter 4:1-3 (NKJV)
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
- JESUS offered the sacrifice that was complete and pleasing to GOD. The only sacrifice I can offer is to live my life ‘IN CHRIST.’
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
- I need to live as the temple of GOD.
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Matthew 15:11 (NKJV)
Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
- My offering has to be without blemish.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
and having a High Priest over the house of God,
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
- In the Old Testament eating blood was forbidden.
Leviticus 3:17 (NKJV)
'This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood.' "
Leviticus 17:10-11 (NKJV)
'And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.'
- Blood sacrifice means identifying myself with CHRIST.
John 6:53-56 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Colossians 3:3 (NKJV)
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
- Accepting rebuke from the righteous is as oil in my offering.
Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
- Praise arising from my heart with thanksgiving is as frankincense.
Psalms 116:17 (NKJV)
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.
Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
- Having given myself to GOD, I need to live for others.
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV)
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- The attitude of my heart should be humble and repentant.
Psalms 51:16-17 (NKJV)
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise.
Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
- A complete offering - Like JESUS let me say...
Then I said, 'Behold, I have come-- (In the volume of the book it is written of Me)-- To do Your will, O God.' "
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