Mic. 5:2-5a
Luke 1:47 or
Ps. 80:1-7
Heb. 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)
Mic. 5:2-5a, prophecies of a ruler that will come out of Bethlehem. This is an interesting statement since all the kings were to come through Judah's tribe. But God changed that when he choose David to be the king over his people. You see, David was from the tribe of Benjamin, who was the youngest son of Jacob. Also David was the youngest boy in the family. This goes totally goes against their culture, as the oldest son of Jacob in a family should get such an honor. But God changes the culture and gave this honor to David's offspring, the tribe of David. And Jerusalem was the city where the king lived. this is why they did not see Jesus as the Messiah. They were waiting for a ruler from the city of Jerusalem, not Bethlehem.
Ps. 80:1-7, was written to be sung by the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. In it, we see the people crying out to God to not be angry with them any longer, but to come and save them from their enemy. Ephraim and Manasseh were Joseph's sons that he had while he in Egypt, so they were from the tribe of Joseph. Joseph and Benjamin were both sons of Jacob's favorite wife, Rachel. History shows that they went through many trials at the hands of their enemies. So it would make since that they sang these words.
In Luke 1:39-55, we see Elizabeth and Mary praising God about Jesus being the fulfillment of promise that God had made to Abraham and his offspring, of how he would sent someone to show mercy towards them. Some believe that they sung these words.
Because of the Jewish peoples disobedience over the generations, God allowed their country to be overtaken by enemy countries. But behind the scene God was always working on a way to save his people from their enemy. What they did not realize was that the enemy God was talking about was not the countries, but Satan. You see, Satan is the enemy of our souls. In god's mercy, he sent Jesus down on earth Christmas day to become the Spiritual Ruler that would defeat Satan, save us from his kingdom of darkness, and rule over us with love. All we have to do is reject the kingdom of darkness, and accept Jesus as our Savor, and make him Lord, and King of our lives.
Challenge of the week:
This week, take the time to ponder on the great love God showed when he sent his beloved son to earth for you. (write these thoughts down). How will these truths change how you will celebrate Christmas? (write down).
This week's accomplishment:
How did the above truths change you and how you will be celebrating Christmas differently?
Monday, December 21, 2015
Steps of Faith-Advent week 2
Mal. 3:1-4
Luke 1:6-8-79
Phil.1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
In Malachi 3:1-4. we read the prophecy about John the Baptist being the messenger who would go before Jesus the Messiah who will bring salvation to all mankind.
In Luke 1:68-79, John the Baptist's Father Zacharias prophecies that John is that messenger that will prepare the way of salvation when he is born.
In Luke 3:1-6, John starts to fulfill these prophecies and the one in Isaiah 40:3-20 when he starts to preach about turning away from the remission of sin, preparing the people for the coming of Jesus' ministry. John later points Jesus out to the people as the lamb that will take away the sins of the world.
Why was John the Baptist's ministry important to the Jewish people? In their culture, someone always ran ahead of the king announcing that the King was coming into a city or village. This was so the people of that city or village could gather and prepare for the King's arrival. In the same way, God sent John the Baptist ahead of Jesus to prepare the people's hearts for Jesus who is the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
But John the Baptist was not the first one who had ran ahead to announce Jesus' coming. In these verses we see that prophets had been running ahead of John the Baptist for many generations. Why? I believe that it is because wanted to make sure that His people was indeed ready for Jesus' coming. In fact, the whole Old Testament was doing that. John was just the last of the prophets to do so just before Jesus started his ministry.
So you see, that many prophets went ahead of Jesus before he started his ministry here on earth that ended with him bringing salvation for all who receive. But who is to go and prepare the hearts of people to receive Jesus now? We see the answer in Philippians 1:3-11. In these verses, we see that Paul was rejoicing in the fact that the Philippians were spreading the Good News of Jesus' salvation. We too as Christians should be telling others of what God has done in our lives and give them a chance to have salvation come to them. We may not see the harvest of what we tell them, but remember sometimes we may just be the one who is running ahead preparing hearts for Jesus'
salvation.
Challenge of the Week:
This week, seek to tell someone about Jesus and his great love, forgiveness, and salvation. Write whom you might share this good news with. (write here).
This week's accomplishment:
Who did you tell? (write here)
Luke 1:6-8-79
Phil.1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
In Malachi 3:1-4. we read the prophecy about John the Baptist being the messenger who would go before Jesus the Messiah who will bring salvation to all mankind.
In Luke 1:68-79, John the Baptist's Father Zacharias prophecies that John is that messenger that will prepare the way of salvation when he is born.
In Luke 3:1-6, John starts to fulfill these prophecies and the one in Isaiah 40:3-20 when he starts to preach about turning away from the remission of sin, preparing the people for the coming of Jesus' ministry. John later points Jesus out to the people as the lamb that will take away the sins of the world.
Why was John the Baptist's ministry important to the Jewish people? In their culture, someone always ran ahead of the king announcing that the King was coming into a city or village. This was so the people of that city or village could gather and prepare for the King's arrival. In the same way, God sent John the Baptist ahead of Jesus to prepare the people's hearts for Jesus who is the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
But John the Baptist was not the first one who had ran ahead to announce Jesus' coming. In these verses we see that prophets had been running ahead of John the Baptist for many generations. Why? I believe that it is because wanted to make sure that His people was indeed ready for Jesus' coming. In fact, the whole Old Testament was doing that. John was just the last of the prophets to do so just before Jesus started his ministry.
So you see, that many prophets went ahead of Jesus before he started his ministry here on earth that ended with him bringing salvation for all who receive. But who is to go and prepare the hearts of people to receive Jesus now? We see the answer in Philippians 1:3-11. In these verses, we see that Paul was rejoicing in the fact that the Philippians were spreading the Good News of Jesus' salvation. We too as Christians should be telling others of what God has done in our lives and give them a chance to have salvation come to them. We may not see the harvest of what we tell them, but remember sometimes we may just be the one who is running ahead preparing hearts for Jesus'
salvation.
Challenge of the Week:
This week, seek to tell someone about Jesus and his great love, forgiveness, and salvation. Write whom you might share this good news with. (write here).
This week's accomplishment:
Who did you tell? (write here)
Monday, November 30, 2015
Welcome to the Advent season!
Welcome to the advent season!
I was confused about which calendar year we are on this year. So I will be writing my first book to a set of 3 of the calendar years. I call it~ "Steps of Faith.
I was confused about which calendar year we are on this year. So I will be writing my first book to a set of 3 of the calendar years. I call it~ "Steps of Faith.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Comforting hugs 38
"I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry, He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon the rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth~Praise to our God; Many shall see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord" (Ps.40: 1-3).
Ever felt that you were in a situation that you could not see a way out of. Or in a rut in your life, where you seem to be making the same mistakes that gets you into the same bad situations? You are not alone, many people do.
Ever wonder why it is so hard to stop and change it? You see, there is only one way out of that out of that horrible pit that has you stuck in miry clay? It is because Jesus is the only one that can pull you out of that pit and PUT YOU ON A ROCK. For Jesus IS the rock. If you would just cry out to him and trust him to get you out. He will hear and he will bring you out of that pit or rut and put you on himself who will be a solid place to stand. If you stand on Him, you will will no longer be prisoner to those things that drags you down and holds you captive.Then you can sing the new song of praise to God for delivering you. Will you call to him today?
Chaplain Toni
Comforting hugs 37
"Whatsoever things are true...noble...just...pure...
Try it! You just might find that you like it.
I sat in church one Sunday as a Pastor instructed us all to look up at the celling. He told us that if he had removed a couple of the tiles from it, we all would have noticed that they were missing and thought only about that fact. Why? Because it seems to be human nature to focus on what is missing in our lives and not on what is IN our lives. And he was right! None of us noticed the tiles that was still on the celling. But we would be so much happier if we choose to focus on the good things in life, instead of what is wrong, or missing. You see, it's all in the way we choose to look at things. Choosing to think about the good things can change your whole out look on life.
Try it! You just might find that you like it.
Comforting hugs!
Chaplain Toni
Comforting hugs 36
Comforting hugs 36
"..so I was given a physical condition which has been a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to hurt and bother me, and prick my pride. Three different times I begged God to make me well again. Each time he said, "NO, But I am with you: that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people." Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ's power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. Since I know that it is all for Christ's good, I am quite happy about "the thorn," and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties, for when I am weak, then I am strong~the less I have, the more I depend on Him" (2 Cor. 12:7-10).
We live in a world that tells us that we can not appear to be weak. So it is very hard when something comes into your life that seems to knock your feet out from under you, like an illness. This illness can be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Or a situation in your life, like an end of a job, lifestyle, or relationship. Many people will hide themselves away for fear of being seen as weak. I've heard people say, "Don't come visit me in the hospital, I don't want to be seen like this." Have you ever thought that in doing so, you are robbing yourself and others the gift of love, and comfort from God? Maybe you should. You see, God may be allowing this to come into your life, so that he can show his power through your illness or situation. But He will not be able to do that, if you don't allow him to.
You see, if you will allow God to bring power into the situation, He will give you the strength to endure it. I have seen it happen many times. I have watched people who are ill with conditions that they will not get well from, show great strength as they endure their illness. I have also seen people who have been dealt with very hard situations or loss, fight their way through it and into a new normal for themselves. All the while, these people gained wisdom and maturity that they did not have before hand.
I understand that none of likes pain, but we must remember that like pain when exercising brings strength to the muscles, pain can also bring strength to our minds, and souls, and both makes us stronger people in the end. So if you are experiencing pain of one type or another, today, please think about what I have said, and allow Jesus turn your weakness into strength.
Comforting hugs!
Chaplain Toni
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