December 31st 2009
Unchangingly Eternal
“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever”
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
AND YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JESUS….. (Matthew 1:25, 23)
WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER
PRINCE OF PEACE (Isaiah 9:6)
HOLY ONE, SON OF THE HIGHEST, EMMANUEL
(Matthew 1:23; Mark 1:24; Luke 1:32)
LAMB OF GOD, PRINCE OF LIFE, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY
(Matthew 1:23; John 1:29; Revelation 15:3, 5)
LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH (Revelation 22:16)
ROOT OF DAVID, WORD OF LIFE (Acts 3:15; 1 John 1:1)
KING OF KINGS, I AM, LORD OF LORDS, (Revelation 19:16)
ADVOCATE, THE WAY, THE TRUTH, (John 14:6; 1 John 2:1)
THE LIFE, DAYSPRING, LORD OF ALL (Luke 1:78; John 14:6; Acts 10:36)
MESSIAH, SON OF GOD, SAVIOUR (John 1:34; 20:34; 2 Peter 2:20)
SHEPHERD AND BISHOP OF YOUR SOULS (1 Pet 2:25)
AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH (Hebrews 12:2)
CHIEF CORNERSTONE, RIGHTEOUS JUDGE (Eph 2:20; 2 Timothy 4:8)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD, MORNING STAR, (John 8:12; Revelation 22:16)
HEAD OF THE CHURCH, CHIEF SHEPHERD (Ephesians 1:22; 1 Peter 5:4)
RESURRECTION AND LIFE (John 11:25)
I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA (Revelation 21:6).
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for being ever-present for your people—always consistent and never, ever, changing from the beginning of time to the end of this age and beyond.
Amen
Study by Stuart Powell
December 30th 2009
Make A Joyful Noise
“Make a joyful noise unto God, all you lands. Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.”
Psalm 66:1-2 (KJV)
Way before man was created there was music. In Job 38:7 it says, “The morning stars sang together.” That was when the foundations of earth were laid.
Music has always played an important part in worship and celebrations, and has a positive effect on our attitude. It was an expression of love and thanks.
Some say the song of Moses in Exodus 15 is the oldest recorded song in the world. It was an expression of relief and thanks to God for rescuing them.
Deborah and Barak also sang a song of praise to God for Israel’s victory over King Jabin’s army (Judges 5:1-2).
David was a skilled musician and wrote a song of thanksgiving when God delivered him from his enemies. It is recorded in 2 Samuel 22. Most people know of the Song of Solomon that celebrates the union of husband and wife.
Coming to the New Testament, we have Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1, and the song of Zacharias for the blessing of his son John the Baptist.
Acts 16:25 tells us Paul and Silas sang songs of praise in prison. No matter what our circumstances, no one can stop us singing. We can sing in our hearts silently and God hears (Ephesians 5:19).
The early Christians didn’t have access to Christian books or the New Testament to read and study as we do, so their teachings about Christ were memorised, and sometimes set to music so that they could be passed on. That’s how music became an important part of Christian worship. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16 (NKJV).
We can look forward to more singing in the future because Revelation 15:3-4 tells us: “…they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying: Great and marvellous are Your works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!” The Song of the Lamb celebrates the ultimate deliverance of God’s people from Satan. “All the earth shall worship You and shall sing unto You—they shall sing praises to Your name” (Psalm 66:4 NKJV).
Prayer
Great Father in Heaven, as parents love to hear their little children sing, so you love to hear us, even if it is only a joyful noise. Please help me always to sing to you in my heart no matter what my circumstances or where I am.
Amen
Study by Jill Newman
December 29th 2009
The Lamb Of God
“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is the Messiah, the Lord.’”
Luke 2: 8-11 (NRSV)
If we had been there in the Judean Hills on that special night we would have seen this group of shepherds who had bedded down their sheep. They were only about a mile from Bethlehem, which was called the City of David because it was where David was born and grew up. These same hills are where he looked after his father Jesse’s flock as a boy, and where he was anointed King by Samuel (1 Samuel 16: 1-13).
These shepherds would have been well used to keeping “the watches of the night” over their flock as they had done a thousand times before. But this was no ordinary night. They would have lit a fire to protect themselves from the cold and also to deter any prowling animals that might have their hungry eyes on the sheep. These were rough men wearing the common clothes of sheep-herders, men with course hair and beards and rugged complexions. But these rough exteriors hid hearts that were made more tender by years of caring for these woolly and helpless creatures.
It is very likely that the flock they tended was no ordinary flock but destined for sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem, which was a mere five miles away. As it mentions in Luke 2, the sight of these angels terrified them and I’m sure it would have scared us too. They not only got the good news about the Saviour’s birth but also a sign, and the sign was “you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth, and lying in a manger” (verse 12). In other words, this baby, even though He is Messiah will be wrapped in cloths just like your own children—but you’ll find this one in a manger!
And indeed that’s what they found. Here, born in the City of David was another sacrificial lamb, destined for sacrifice at Jerusalem to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Here God became available in a manger, not in a palace or a big house. Common people can’t visit a palace but everyone can visit a manger! As Isaac Watts wrote in one of his hymns; “Joy to the world, the Lord has come; let earth receive her King!” Because of this birth the world would never be the same again. This Saviour’s birth is a message of hope for all humanity, a hope of pardon, a hope of peace with God and a hope of glory!
Prayer
Thanks be to God for his gift beyond words!”
Amen
Study by Cliff Neill
December 28th 2009
Encourage One Another
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
Towards the end of 2008 I came across a novel idea (to me any way) of reading the bible in a year. Crossroads, a daily women’s devotional, was encouraging us to take up this challenge. They suggested a low cost, fairly modern translation, but in chronological order, set out specifically for this task. Also, they encouraged us to have someone to hold us accountable.
That Bible was duly purchased and January was eagerly awaited. The goal was shared with a few friends, one of whom offered to and purchased their own copy to read along. We decided to do weekly calls to discuss readings or simply just check and encourage each other to keep on.
As the weeks turned into months, the calls may have become less frequent, but the daily readings remained constant; calling when something touched a nerve or disturbed a long-forgotten memory.
The year is almost over—the book is almost finished. I tell my girls I wish I had done this many years ago, and taken note of the array names of ladies—names which have good meanings associated—but they don’t seem convinced!
Repetition is a recognised way of learning and the Bible several times recaps the entire history throughout the old and new testaments. I would encourage everyone to take a fresh look, or a first look, at God’s word chronologically.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, as 2009 draws to a close let us take time to review the year and our priorities. May we go into 2010 seeking to draw closer to You and in turn be more like You. In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Study by Jackee Brown
December 27th 2009
Eyes Of Faith
“The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them…”
Luke 2:33-34 (NIV UK)
In the days when Jesus was born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago, there was a devout old man called Simeon living in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
One day the Spirit led Simeon into the temple courts—the very day that Jesus’ parents brought the infant Jesus to the temple to fulfil the requirements of Torah.
When Simeon saw the baby, he took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32).
Simeon praised God for what he could see only with the eyes of faith. The old man did not live to see Jesus grow up, proclaim the good news, be nailed to a cross and raised from the dead. He did not live to see the salvation he held in his arms that day bring in the new creation that would be the home of righteousness.
But he trusted God to be faithful, to finish in Christ what he had started in Christ.
For the past 2000 years wars, famines, disease, injustice and suffering have continued to plague humanity. Through all the darkness, believers have stood firm in the light of Christ, strengthened through faith by the Holy Spirit to await the glorious day when Christ will return in power and glory.
God has given us a sure sign that things will not always be like they are today: We say with the angel, “Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you. He is Christ, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
In the meantime, we wait, knowing, like old Simeon, that our faith is not in vain. Though we might walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we are not afraid, because we know the risen Lord is with us.
Prayer
Father, thank you for the example of Simeon and help his example to inspire me as I await the return of Jesus in power and in glory. In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Study by Joseph Tkach