Life is a mirror??

Today I'd like to share with you a little (short, small) ditty, poem, rhyme, or saying, that my Mum taught me when I was little (young).

Life is a mirror, all will come backThe good, the pure, and the trueSo give to the world the best that you canAnd the best will come back to you

Some of what this says I think is true, but when I look at it now, it reminds me of the concept (idea) of karma, which I don't believe in. The basic dulled down (simplified) version of karma is that if you do bad things, then bad things will happen to you, and if you do good things then good things will happen to you (sometimes in a next life).

This idea doesn't fit with the God that I know. The God that I know is creator (made everything and everyone). He is all powerful. He is loving. He is past, present, and future. He is king. He is my heavenly father. He is judge. He is good, and pure, and true. This is the God that I know and He is involved (having an active part in) with our world and our lives, in a way which is much bigger (the concept/idea and more powerful) than karma, or even the universe (everything which exists throughout space). 

As a believer in, and follower of, Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, I believe something very different to karma, which is all about the God I was just telling you about. Basically, we are all bad but Jesus has paid the punishment for us already, so although we deserve to die for all the terrible things we do (even when we do our best), when we put our faith (trust) in Jesus the best really does come back to us, forgiveness and real (true, genuine, not fake) life. 

"What do you mean, real life?" - you might ask. "Are we not already living and breathing?" Life which lasts forever (does not end) and is based first and foremost (the most important part of) in your relationship with God. Not just any God but this God, the God of Jesus Christ, the God who is Jesus Christ. 

So now when I think about this little ditty which I was taught when I was little, this is what I am reminded of. That life is a mirror, it should mirror our creator as we are made in His image (likeness), be a reflection of Him (God/Jesus) for others to see. That God Himself came 'back', came to the world to show us just what is good, and pure, and true - that He loved us so much that He gave us the best and biggest gift He could - forgiveness and a way to be with Him forever.

God Bless

Life... and its complexity

Life is a funny thing. What is it? Is it our heart beating? Is it the actions we take? Is it our reason for 'being'? What does it mean to say our life has changed? And again what does it mean to say our life is finished or over? What is the difference between making a choice and a life decision? It is all of these things which come to mind when I think of life - but what is it really?

The dictionary has 12 different definitions for life focussing on our different uses of the term, but I think the encyclopedia really hit it spot on with 'life, although there is no universal agreement as to a definition of life...'. So to clarify it is our life, a human's life to which I want to make notes of.

 Relevant dictionary definitions could be - A living being, especially a person; The physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that constitute existence; and Human existence, relationships, or activity in general.

So if this is what life is, just what does it mean when Jesus says 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life'? Not I have a life, or I can show you a great life, or even I know the way to real life, but I am the life.

In order to answer this question we need to first find out where life comes from - yet another question. In looking at the origin of life the encyclopedia starts off with 'Fundamental religious concepts center around special creation and belief in the infusion of life into inanimate substance by God or another superhuman entity' before continuing with various scientific attempts to explain away how we (and the world in which we live) came to be.

So if life is originally given to us by another, then Jesus is saying that He is the one who gave us life?! That is one outrageous statement! Here is this guy, kinda poor and scruffy around the edges, walking around from place to place with no home of his own, saying that He is the one who gave everyone life however many years ago when humans were first created.

While it is outrageous, that is exactly who Jesus was - and is. He was there in the beginning because He is not just some guy, He is also God. He gave us life, and gave it to us for a reason - that we might be with Him. Jesus is not just telling us this but He is also giving us a way that we can have the life which He gave us - 'I am the way' - through Him! And how can we trust Him, and know that what He is saying is the truth, and not just another spun up line like all the other people walking around - 'I am the truth'. I don't know why anyone would want to put that much pressure and attention on themselves unless it was true! But not only that, but other things He said and did which show all that He is.

Life is still a funny thing, and many of those questions still remain when pondering such thoughts but there is one thing which I know about life which makes all of them seem so much less important. My life is not my own, it was given to me - and so what I do should also reflect my thankfulness for such a gift, and should be in parallel with what the one who gave me life would want me to do with it. My life belongs to Jesus and so it is for Him that my life is lived.

Nicodemus' Deed (Shine, Part 4)

One bible verse which many people have heard, some the words of this verse and others just the reference, is John 3:16, but I don't know that such a lot of people know much about the words which are surrounding this verse.

These words fall amongst others which are in a response Jesus gives to Nicodemus. Have you heard of Nicodemus? He was a Pharisee back in the day, a high up religious top notch haughty positioned bloke. Anyway, none of the pharisee's liked Jesus because he was no one special like them but was teaching the people things which weren't written in the books they'd studied AND even worse, the people were actually listening to him when they should have been listening to them. Pharisees loved their position of power. Anyway, instead of just rivalling Jesus and trying to get him to trap himself Nicodemus actually admits that Jesus is a teacher from God! WOW! That is huge for a pharisee to even admit such a thing. And Nicodemus than continues to question Jesus about who He IS, like he wants to know, to understand. You see, Nicodemus was who the pharisees should have been, rather than who they had become.

And so these words come amidst this response from Jesus to Nicodemus*.

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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. - John 3:16-17

But it is the words which follow these which I would like to focus on today. Jesus continues...

He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. - John 3:18-21

Who is the light? If you don't know the answer to this and you can't tell from this passage than you really should read some of my older blogs in this series but to give you the heads up for now, the light is Jesus!

And what is darkness? It is things of this world, or rather to put it simply for you, things of Satan, of The Devil. What are these things you might ask? Well, basically, anything which is not of God - that's a lot!

The passage which influenced me in naming this blog was from Matthew which also ties in quite well with this passage as it talks about light and works and I would really like to draw the same thing out of both passages.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5: 14-16

The thing is that people quite often mis-interpret these passages or miss the basics that they already know. Like we know that Jesus is the light. But these passages are often misinterpreted to say that our good works are the light to others. WRONG! And doing bad deeds does not mean that we are without light either. The light, Our light, is and always will be Jesus.

What these verses are saying is that by following Jesus, by truly following Him, He will shine His lights on your works that they may be seen if they are good or bad. If we are doing bad deeds we don't want them to be shone to be bad but would rather stay in the shadows, perhaps of denial. But if we know Jesus, He will actively begin to change us from the inside out and His light will shine through us showing our good deeds as a product of what He is doing in us that He may be glorified.

So, Let's let our light shine - whether it be that is show our good deeds or our bad deeds. Only once we let Him be our light, accept Him over the darkness can He really work us from the inside out, actively changing us to become more and more like Him. Praise be to God.

*These two verses may not be Jesus actual words but possibly John's kind of commentary throughout this gospel. Either way, this message as outlined here for you today, does not change.

Q: What do you think would have been a 'normal' pharisees response to hearing Jesus say those things?

Coming Up: Shine, Part 5

God Bless

NOT a blind faith

So, we've just enjoyed a long weekend for easter – isn’t it great to have that time off to celebrate. For there is plenty for us to celebrate at this time as we focus on remembering just what Jesus has done for us in obeying His Father. And I could write a lot on the topic but instead I'm going to look at just two verses, as I'm sure the actual story is covered by many other people at this time as well.

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. - John 20:30-31

As a Christian, I find that we as a collective are often accused by others of 'shoving our beliefs down others throats'. While this is sometimes the case it is not the majority and it is not what we do. All we do is simply share what we believe and leave you to make up your own mind.

Something else which is often said also is that we are stupid in believing in something with no proof, without knowing anything or looking at anything, but believing anyway - having a blind faith. But this is not what we are to do - as you can see from the verses in John, we are to read, to investigate the words for ourselves and check it all out. This is not a blind faith in that we have no idea about anything and just believe anyway – it is only blind in that Jesus is no longer with us, but with His Father – and that is what it is all about!

What I don't understand is those who believe in something but don't really know what. Is not this more blind than those who know what they believe? The problem is they claim to be too busy to bother in really investigating things for themselves. My question is – if you believe in ‘something’ doesn’t that put a big question mark over eternal life, that is life after death – and if so, isn’t it too important (your eternal life at stake) to not make time to work these things out? Even more important than things of this world which so fill our lives.

To have a blind faith is to not know what it is you believe – and to believe without questioning. John tells us here that he has written all of these things that you might believe. We don’t tell you to give up everything you know and follow Christ without knowing even who He is. What we say is, why not have a read for yourself and make your own conclusions as we have also.

I, having read and been taught the gospels, have come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and now my life is in Him, both now and forever.

What conclusion have you come to, having read the first hand accounts and investigated their validity and other evidence?

God Bless

True Light or Misleading? (Shine, Part 2)

What have we already learnt from the beginning of John 1? We know that Jesus is the Son of God, that He is the Word, that He is Life, that He is Light - and that He shines.

The passage in John continues from verse 6...

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.

I don't have a lot of time just now so I will try to make this brief. John number 2, not John who wrote the book, came to direct people to the true light, to the true messiah, the true Christ. We read that he was not the light, but we can also see here from the way that it was written that some people thought of him as the true light. As something other that what he was. With John however they were in for a surprise as he continued to point them away from himself.

They needed someone there to point them in the right direction, someone who was able to see what was true and what was not. There were many others who had come before and claimed to be the Christ, claimed to be something other than what they were. How were they to know one from the other, distinguish the true from the false?

The answer to this last question is found in the final sentence. The true light gives light to every man coming into the world. What did the others promise? How did they show themselves? But also, who bore witness to them? Here is a man who says no, do not follow me, follow Him, he is the true light, he is the only one who is able to give you light. And of course, we heard last time that the light of men is life.

So John, is standing out in the wilderness telling all those who come to him 'don't follow me, but follow Him if you want to have life, for He is the true light and the only one who can give you that light, give you true life.' Jesus also shows who he is throughout his life throught the different miracles he performs, things he does, and words he speaks. You can read more about them in John, or the other gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).

Are you being true, or misleading others? We are called to be like Christ - here we hear that He was a true light to the world.

Coming Up: Shine, Part 3

God Bless

In the beginning... (Shine, Part 1)

I was thinking and praying about just where abouts I could start this series as there is so much in the bible on light and then I thought, where better to start than in the beginning?? - In more than one sense of the word.

In my first blog to this address (22nd June, 2010) I did what many people do and explain why they have decided to start up a blog. And with this also why they have named it as it is. The latter I explained only briefly but did not go into a lot. An excerpt from that blog 'Beginning'...

It comes from a passage in the Bible, something I have been challenged about recently and which I will probably elaborate on in a later post, but for now.. Matthew 5: 14-16

'You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.'

We are each but a single flame yet so much light can come from us. I guess my hope for this blog is that it can be a testimony to my light. Whether I talk of myself or other things happening, that God may be using me and shining through me so that my ray of light is one that stands out amongst others, one worth following.

Is it not a wonderful passage?!?

Now for looking more at just how that imagery of Light is used in the Bible that we might be able to understand it more... lets start in the beginning!

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. -John 1:1-5

Now this passage may take a little bit to explain, just giving you a heads up. I mean at the surface some of what it is saying just doesn't make sense - let's take the first sentence, the Word was with God, and was God. Isn't it one or the other? And what is the Word - how can a word be those things? And in the last sentence - how can darkness comprehend anything? But once there is a light it is no longer dark - of what is this speaking? It's all a bit of a riddle really, isn't it?

Well, let's try to make a little sense of this passage then. It starts In the beginning... so let's go back and see what's in the beginning.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was wtihout form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face fo the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.   -Genesis 1:1-3

In other parts of the Bible, or through many different parts of the Bible we find that there is three in one with God. There is only one God but within Him there is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. Sound complicated? It is. And it's something which you can never convince someone of - it always takes a measure of faith. It sounds too unbelievable to be able to convince anyone of it. Here, in this very first passage of the Bible, we see that the three persons of God are here - when we read it with John 1. God the Father is there - God the Spirit is there - And God the Son is there as the Word.

If we can understand this, then suddenly the first three sentences of John make sense. Those statements are no longer contradictory but supportive of one another. The first thing which is created which gives life to the world is light. Light is the leader and divider which gives life. It is to this imagery that the rest is set also.

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.

We know now how this is speaking of Jesus, the Son of God, who was there from the beginning, even though he came here only just over 2000 years ago. Trippy, or what? We can see how this passage is linked with Genesis to help explain things but what is it really saying about Jesus? It is saying that He is life. He is our light. And we did not comprehend who He was (we are the darkness, or rather the world is the darkness). So if we want to get away from the darkness of the world, the death that it offers, the only way to find such light, and life, is in and through Jesus - for only He can shine bright enough to overcome.

Kind of random, kind of not - what is your favourite source of light in this world??

Coming up: Shine, Part 2

God Bless

Choose Your Mindset (Jude, Part 4)

Sorry I missed posting this last week. However, I will do three posts over the next week to keep on track with Jude (this one plus two more to finish!). I do not know about you but I was getting quite intrigued as reading through Jude to hear just what he would say next. It has been challenging.

Last time we started to hear just how relevant Jude’s words are to us today, and just why we should listen to them. God is speaking to us through them, and particularly into our society. There are those among us who live by jealousy, greed, and pride. We know what is marked out from them as has been revealed – and that is not eternity with Christ, which is our hope.

Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." - Jude 14-15

Judgement is coming! And it is going to be a time of much devastation – and much rejoicing. For everything which is done – so shall judgement come. While all are sinners, we who call ourselves Christians are born again of the Spirit in Jesus Christ – that we may know forgiveness of sins. Our God is a just and holy God; therefore judgement must come. But he is also a God of love, and by His grace he has saved a remnant.


We read in Philippians 2:9-11 -

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Where will you be and in what mind when every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord? Will it be in the light of forgiveness – of having been saved from the judgement deserved purely by grace, or in the light of condemnation – knowing the reality of the penalty you will suffer for eternity under right judgement?

Jude now continues in describing these men, these frauds, so that they might be recognised from among the flock of his people – this is how that jealousy, greed, and pride is shown in them, that we may recognise it. In so describing, Jude also describes how one would look who is walking in the Spirit – that is, the opposite to those who are not.

These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. - Jude 16-19

Not all have the Spirit, and it is these men whom do not that threaten to turn others astray. And what are we to do? Jude tells us quite clearly that we are not to run scared but remember what has been spoken already. In the last time there will be mockers who follow their own lusts, just as these frauds also do. We are in the last times, being after Jesus Christ has come and before his return. And so, here we can see one example of just how this is so. However, in remembering the words which were ‘spoken to us’, what we need to also do is remember the other words which were spoken, the words which hold the truth – the gospel. In remembering this and holding to this you will also be less likely to be swayed by persuasive words, but keep to the one true gospel.

Now my question to you – we hear in Jude 19 how these people without the Spirit cause divisions amongst us – what divisions can you see within ‘Christian’ communities (or community) which may have been caused by such mindsets?

Coming up: Jude Part 5

God Bless

Be Encouraged (Jude, Part 1)

My favourite book to read - ever - is the Bible, and I find myself 'in' it often. Jude is a one chapter letter found in the New Testament, just before Revelation. It begins...

Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified (beloved) by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love by multiplied to you. - Jude 1-2

Who is Jude? Well, he tells us that he is a brother of James. The next question then, I suppose, is who is James? James also wrote a letter which can be found in the New Testament. He begins...

James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve trives which are scattered abroad: Greetings. - James 1:1

We first hear of James in Matthew 13 when Jesus returns to his own country and teaches in their synagogue - all were astonished and responded 'Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?'

James is the brother of Jesus. Jude, we conclude, is a younger brother of Jesus. We hear reference made to them also in 1 Corinthians 9 by another apostle - 'Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?'

While they are both brothers of Jesus, they do not claim this, but claim to be bondservants of Jesus who is Christ. Next question: what does Christ mean? It is derived from the greek word khristos which means 'the anointed' referring to the promised Messiah of the Old Testament (the term messiah is derived from the Hebrew). These two brothers both recognised that their 'big brother' was not just like them, but the promised from the Old Testament - Christ.

As Jesus is Christ, they have chosen to be bondservants of Him. That is give up whatever is required in order to follow Him - to spread the Truth. This is what made them true brothers of Jesus Christ - as it does with us also.

The middle part of this opening to Jude's letter is a brilliant reminder of just where we are - what is true for us, as Christians, followers of Jesus. We are called. We are sanctified (beloved). We are preserved.

Called? God is sovereign - from eternity to eternity - and he has chosen us, called us, away from the sinful life which we would choose of our own free will to instead follow Him.

Sanctified? Beloved? God loves us. Even in our sinfulness - He still loves us. And because He loves us He has set us aside - consecrated us - made us Holy. He made this possible for us and accomplished it completely.

Preserved? Death isn't the end. Through Jesus Christ we are able to live eternally to worship our God, our Lord. We are kept, not just thrown away and disposed of.

The latter part of the opening to Jude's letter is not completely uncommon. It was common to have some kind of greeting similar at the beginning of a letter - ours today would probably be something along the lines of 'How are you? I hope you are well.' Kind of dull in comparison, is it not? This particular greeting however is not common and it is linked to what we have just heard. God shows these things to us through those things. Mercy, peace, and love. But also, these qualities can be attributed to the three persons of the trinity, Father brings Mercy, Son effects Peace, and Spirit gives Love - although all are true of each as well.

And so I say, be encouraged! May Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Question: what kind of greeting would you like to receive - would be good to have as a common greeting?

Coming up: Jude, Part 2

God Bless

Unpacking Personal Symbolism

As promised in last weeks blog, this week I am unpacking what the symbolism behind my tattoo is. There is a bit too it, so don't think that it will just be a short one to read.

The idea behind it is that it acts as a prompt for a synopsis of the Bible from beginning to end.

STAR

The first thing the star reminds us of is creation. In the beginning God created everything! He even made the stars. This phrase is kind of thrown in there as a side not within the creation story as in ancient times the stars were seen as some kind of God, people would look to the stars for answers which we still see today with daily horoscopes. God is greater even than them; He created them! 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters... Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. - Genesis 1:1-2, 16

Moving along in the creation story we remember that God also created man in his image and gave us the mandate to fill the earth, and subdue it.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 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 1:27-28

God is a loving God who wants us to have choices and options. He does not want to limit us by giving us orders on what we can and cannot do but to live as He created us to live, in His image, in relationship with Him. In order to do this there was one thing which we were not to do, and even this we could not obey and so man was put out of the garden to keep him from accessing the tree of life (as if he did we would be bound to living eternally separated from God). 

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden... Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever" - therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. - Genesis 3:8, 22-23

So now sin has entered the world. We are no longer dwelling with God, but God does not just disappear, he still continues to associate with us. It is only because He loves us that He allowed for us to be put out and made subject to our sin.

CROSS

The cross is a reminder that God keeps his promises. And so the first step of this is that it reminds us of what Gods promises to us are.

One of these is that after the flood God makes a covenant with Noah, his sons, their descendants, and every living creature, (so, all of us) that the earth will never again be flooded completely to destroy everything, and as a reminder He gave us the rainbow. The mandate given to Adam and Eve is also re-iterated. [Genesis 9:1]

"It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." - Genesis 9:14-16

Number 4

As a quick side note as am trying to do this in some kind of chronological order there are a few things within the Bible which lasted for a numerical value of 40 which we are reminded of by the 4 here. The first time we encounter this value is at the flood as it continued to flood for 40 days before it stopped. It then took a lot longer for the waters to go down. [Genesis 7:17f.]

CROSS

Back to the promises. Abram, who became Abraham, was a descendant of Noah and it was promised to him, a God fearing man, that through him a great nation will be born and everyone would be blessed. Part of this promise we are also reminded of by the STAR.

Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." ... Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. - Genesis 12:1-3, 15:5-6

It is from these promises that the rest continue to flow. That it would be through their descendants that all would be made right once more, that blessings would outflow. Jacob whom is a descendant of Abraham is the one who becomes Israel.

[Isaac, Jacob's father, speaking to Jacob, his son] "May God Almighty bless you, And make you fruitful and multiply you, That you may be an assembly of peoples; And give you the blessing of Abraham, To you and your descendants with you, That you may inherit the land In which you are a stranger, Which God gave to Abraham." - Genesis 28:3-4 

Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram,  and blessed him. And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land." Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. - Genesis 35:9-13

It is these promises, and many more that follow which build upon these first ones, that we see fulfilled in Jesus. The cross is a symbol of Jesus and so this is why it reminds us of these first promises.

STAR and CROSS

Continuing along with the story we are now reminded that there are 12 tribes of Israel (6 points on the star by the 2 beams of the cross - which where everything points towards) These 12 tribes of Israel come from the 12 sons of Israel, whom was Jacob.

This in turn reminds us of the story of Joseph and how his brothers sold him into slavery, and he then in turn ended up working for the Pharaoh in Egypt due to his gift in interpreting dreams as God revealed their interpretation to him. As was pleasing to Pharaoh and Joseph during the time of the seven bad years that all of Joseph's family came to move to Egypt and occupy much land.

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One of the things which this reminds us of is Moses who led Israel out of captivity from Egypt where they then spent 40 years journeying in the desert. During this time, God provided them with all that they needed until they were able to enter the promised land. In the first year of that journeying is when they received the law and built the tabernacle, tent, lamp stands, clothing, and everything else as directed to them by God. The law as it was given was to highlight sin. That they may know what is not in accordance with God's will that they might know what is required of them if they are to live a holy life. The passover is remembered each year (that is, the final plague which was sent upon Egypt where the angel of death passed over the Israelites.)

The other thing which this stands for is Malachi 4:1-3. We will look at this passage in a little bit but for now will just focus on the Malachi part of it. Malachi was a prophet whom God spoke to his people through. There were many other prophets whom God spoke to his people through, some of which we are able to read about in the  Old Testament (Isaiah is a well known prophet from the Old Testament). To tell them when they were turning from Him, to direct their paths because He cared for the, to tell them what He was going to do so that they would have warning and know why different things were happening when they did. God is a loving God who cares a lot for us but He is also a jealous and holy God.

CROSS and STAR

Jesus. The fulfillment of promises made in the Old Testament and the only way we are saved. The Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. We are reminded of his miraculous birth, the journey for the census by Mary and Joseph, his birth in a stable, and the jealous king. The star reminds of his birth as we hear from the three magi of this king.

"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." - Matthew 2:2

Number 4

There are 4 main key aspects to Jesus Ministry. These are his life, death, resurrection, and reign. We can read of Jesus Ministry while he was on earth in the 4 gospels found at the beginning of the New Testament. The relationship he had with his Father in Heaven. His baptism, and then 40 days in the desert being tempted by the devil. The many miracles performed, demons driven out, claims made, teachings given. The things that made Jesus stand out from others claiming similar things is that everything he said and claimed, happened. He suffered and so can understand what we are going through, he is not unsympathetic. He died to take the punishment for our sin, and then rose again which means that death does not have to be the end. It has been conquered. And now rules alongside his Father (and through Christ, we too can share in His glory) - and one day, he will return.

Much of the explanations behind just how Jesus fulfills the promises and prophecies given in the Old Testament is given to us in letters written by the apostles to the early church, as found in the New Testament. None of these are contradictory but support one another even when written by different authors. These letters talk of how we are to live out our faith also - what that will look like, and what we will look like to others who do not understand.

STAR

In some translations one such letter tells us to shine like stars. As Christians we are held to a higher calling and conduct which we know we can never meet but by grace we are made acceptable through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our attitude should than be one of thankfulness and grace and mercy towards others. As such we will stand out amongst our peers by our behaviour.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. - Philippians 2:14-16

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The passage from Malachi is another promise given, which points towards the last day - a promise which we are still waiting to be fulfilled. It is in this which we find our hope.

"For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts. - Malachi 4:1-3

We hear more about the last day and just what it means, just what is promised, just what our hope is in, from John in Revelation. That all that which is marred by sin will be gone and there will be instead a new heaven and a new earth where we will once again be dwelling with our Father, as he created us to be in the beginning. We will be the bride of Christ, saved and healed by the Sun of Righteousness, able to abide with our Father, worshipping him, eternally. 

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21:1-4 

And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. - Revelation 22:12-17

 LAYOUT

There is one more aspect of my tattoo which I have not yet spoken on and explained, and that is the layout.

There is 3 images in this 1 tattoo. This is a reminder of the trinity. Three persons, one God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is in this way that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. It is also why Jesus was able to pray to His Father in heaven. And it is also how he is able to be with us now while reigning with his Father in heaven. This is a very important point.

Even though the cross is technically not the centre of the image, it is the cross which was centred on my wrist, and it is around the cross that the other images find their place and position. In the same way we learn that Jesus is the rock and anchor point to which we must set ourselves. Everything else in our lives should fit around this. If it doesn't fit somehow, than it does not belong.

And finally, most people who have tattoos in places like this have them so that they are facing themselves, so that they are able to clearly see it for themselves. Mine is facing away from me which is a reminder that it is to be shared with others. When I reach out, I am constantly reminded to reach out with the gospel.

WHY

Hopefully, understanding the symbolism behind my tattoo you might start to understand why I chose to follow this path and get it. It is also a personal statement that this is what is important to me, and for me it is a visible representation of a lifelong commitment which I have made.

Aside from these on a practical approach, it is a conversation setter - making it easy to change any conversation around to the gospel, and matters of faith. And also when I got it I was able to take my brother along with me and was encouraged to see that he was much more keen to get any future tattoos of his own done professionally instead of in his lounge room by a friend.

So... a fairly long one this week it would seem.

Coming up.. I think I shall take a look at Jude (we will see how many blogs it takes)

My question for you this week is more of a reflection point. Do you think there is any key points which I have missed (remember, it is just a little image) and do you think there is anything else that you could get out of it?

God Bless

Suffering

Sooo... I was a little pre-emptive with my last blog, it seems that I have not started back up again as soon as I thought I would. Anyhow, not to dwell on what's been.

As I mentioned in my last blog I thought I'd have a look at suffering. As it so happens I don't actually have much to say on the subject... I don't think.

We often view suffering as some kind of punishment, as though since we're suffering we must have done something wrong in order to have deserved it. This has some grounding in that if we sin and continue to turn from God than we should not be surprised if we find that we are undergoing some kind of suffering. But the assumption behind this is that you only suffer if you have done wrong and this is where it is incorrect.

Think back to when you were just a child. What made you suffer and what were the motives behind it? If you are honest with yourself it is probably your parents in rebuking and disciplining you that caused much of your 'suffering'. The motives behind this should have been out of love, to show you the error of your ways that you might learn what is right and wrong, and build good character. If our earthly parents do this how much more than will our Father in Heaven do this? That we might be built up in Him with godly character through those tests and trials.

In talking of this let us not get confused with temptation though. For to tempt us is not in line with what we know of Gods character. To tempt is to call us to sin, calling us to turn to our sinful nature and not fight against it to be as we were created to be, in Gods image. Temptation comes from the devil but there is hope against it as we hear in 1 Corinthians 10:13

'No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.'

God is almighty, more powerful than the devil or any temptation.

There is but a third type of suffering. We read of Paul in Colossians 1:24

'I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church...'

 and again in 2 Timothy 1:8

'Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God...'

We are promised that as long as we are in Him and doing His work, there will be suffering. Jesus said

'If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own, Yet because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you.' (John 15:18-19)

We are no longer of the world living and revelling in our sinful ways but have turned from them, repenting, to live a life of worth. We are different, we stand out, we are not accepted.

How then, why then, do we expect to be both? To live as a child of God but also enjoy comfort on a worldly scale, free from suffering on a worldly scale. We must understand that these are different. Suffering is in the world, and everyone will suffer as we are all sinful, living in a creation which is also suffering. The real question is what are we suffering for? We can suffer as the world suffers or we can suffer for the gospel in the world.

My question to you then is.. What do you think about suffering.. and what are you suffering for?

Coming up: a look at 'God's Will'

God Bless

The Real Story

Easter is in just a couple of days, so I thought that I would share what I, and many others, consider to be the real story, the true story, the First Easter. Accounts of this can be found in the Bible.

So there's this guy whose name is Jesus. He has done many miraculous things in his life like making the blind see, healing diseases, and casting out demons. He also teaches all whom he meets with words of hope and authority. He claims to be the Christ, the Son of God. Many follow him but there are also many who are against him.

Thursday

The Jewish Festival called Passover was here! Everybody from surrounding towns had all traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate this Feast of Unleavened Bread together, in the holy city. Multitudes of people could be seen everywhere. Jesus celebrated this festival with twelve of those whom followed him and were good friends of his. He said some strange things at their supper. After taking the cup and giving thanks he said 'Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes' And again with the bread after giving thanks he said 'this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' And then again with the cup after supper, 'this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of my betrayer is with me on the table.'

Like I said, he says some strange things. But there are many against him and some so much, the chief priests in fact, that they wished to kill him. The betrayer which Jesus spoke of was Judas, one of those who was indeed sitting at the table. And that night, as Jesus was at the Mount of Olives with those same twelve, Judas came up and gave him a kiss, betraying him to the chief priests who had come there also to arrest him. He was praying 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.'

And so Jesus was arrested and taken away. That night the men who were to hold and guard Him mocked and beat him severely, blindfolding him and striking his face.

Friday

Well, if the day before isn't enough, now He is taken out and led into the council of the scribes, and chief priests. Here he does not deny that He is the Son of God, but affirms this and so they take him and present him to Pilate, then the head of the Roman empire in that part, and accuse him of claiming to be the King of the Jews. Again, Jesus affirms this. Pilate couldn't see that Jesus had done anything wrong but on that day as a show of goodness for the people he would release one prisoner. Pilate said he would release Jesus, but the people, the crowds, the multitudes all cried out that they wanted another man released, Barabas, and that they wanted Jesus crucified. Pilate tried to lesser this to just having him further beaten but still they called out and so he gave in and Jesus was to be crucified.

And so Jesus was lead out with two others to be crucified, taking their crosses with them. And there they were all put up on their cross'. Some mocked him, saying if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself, but others saw what was true and said 'Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom'. Now before Jesus died there was unnatural darkness for three hours, and when he did, there was something like an earthquake at the same time and the temple curtain was ripped in two. This is a big deal for the Jews, it is the barrier between them and God, and now it is broken. A man came and claimed Jesus' body and laid it in a tomb once it was all over, some women who had also come observing where the tomb is and how his body is laid that they might come back and prepare his body properly for burial.

Saturday

Well, the day before was certainly a big day. This day is known as the sabbath. It is Jewish custom and law to rest on the sabbath and do no work. And so, everyone rested. The women prepared spices for Jesus' body just before the sabbath day began that they might complete this duty as soon as the sabbath is over.

Sunday

The day is here, the day to go the tomb and finish of what is to be done to lay Jesus to rest. Why has such an end come to such a great man? The women arrived at the tomb and found that the boulder which had been blocking the entrance had been rolled away. They hadn't thought how they were going to do it, being so overcome with grief, but it is huge, who could have rolled it away? They went inside and found no body but there were two men in shining garments who said to them 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be cruicified, and the third day rise again.'' The women remembered what Jesus had said and taught them many days ago they ran to tell Jesus' good friends the wonderful news.

Finally, the were starting to understand what Jesus had been trying to tell them. Jesus appeared to them, to the women, his friends, and many others including crowds of people over quite a few days to follow. He had his wounds from when he was crucified but he was healed. He had a new body, was different in some way, but the same man.

Later

At the end of these days Jesus said to them, a crowd of people, of friends and others, 'Thus it is written, and this it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you' but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.' And then after saying this he blessed the people and as he blessed them He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

Now isn't that an amazing story! And better yet, it is all true.

My question to you is does this story change anything in your life?

God Bless.

Relief

Have not got much to say today.
You know that feeling when you feel like a weight has been lifted off of you, like you have just shed your winter coat and everything feels so much lighter, but you never realised how heavy that weight was before it was gone, that is was even there? Gee, is not that a great feeling.. Praise the Lord.
And something else. You know when something goes right, like what is above, and you get caught up in thanking whoever it is that has caused these things to happen, has alleviated you from that weight? That is all very well, but so often we get caught up in thanking them and forget to thank the real provider of all good things, our Father in Heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us shout with joy and sing with praise that we may credit all these things to Him.. Praise the Lord!
That is All.

Names

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."          -William Shakespeare (Juliet)

I would agree with this however there is more to a name than simply a word. It helps us to grasp an identity. We hear the name or word rose and we identify with the sweet smell. If it were known by another name we would have the same identification, the same reaction, however, it is not.

I hear my friends complain about their names. How they do not like them, or they are too long, or if only they weren't so plain, or spelt a different way, or had a different meaning.. I figure we were each given a name quite intentionally and our name has now become a part of our identity so why not live up to it?! Have you ever seen someone or you yourself had to pick a name for a newborn. Such deliberation and careful consideration, we should each be happy to have such a name which was chosen just for us. So do not be ashamed of your name. The name does not identify you though, but you provide identity to the name so make it something great!

The meanings of names I find should be an encouragement to us. Some mean prince or princess, or love, or strong, or gods child, or wisdom, or tile maker, or hill, or stream. Some meanings are obvious as to how encouragement can be sought, however others not so much like tile maker (tile makers are persistant and hard working with an eye for detail) or hill (a hill cannot be hidden, it stands out for all to see). If one looks up their name though there is often more than one meaning so I hope that each of you can take encouragement from your names but do an even better job at defining them in a new way through your own life.

I looked up each of my names (including my surname) recently and thought that I would share all of the meanings which I found (some had more than one).

Like a Lion, Brave as a Lioness, Shining Light, Fierce One, Strong, Brave, Valiant, Clear, Bright, Famous, Glory, Battle, Famous Warrior, Renowned Warrior, Safeguard of the People.

I do not know about you but that sure gives me encouragement. I see this and think I sure hope I can live up to my name and then I think no, I sure hope that I can define my name that when others hear it these may be some of the qualities they think of. I guess also it depends on how you see your life to how you may read such meanings. My life is for Christ and if I let him show through me than I dare say that such things will shine forth. This I pray anyhow.

That is all.