Monday, 31 January 2011
Sunday, 9 January 2011
...my beloved Son ...my joy
Dear Reader,
A new year and a new approach to my Bible reading. I'm going to read the Bible this year as if I have never read it before, and the Holy Spirit will show me new things and point out what I have overlooked before. Jesus said the Holy Spirit will be a "Helper" and the first priority of the Holy Spirit must be to reveal God's words to God's children right?
The title of this post comes from Matthew 3:17. Jesus has been baptized and a voice from heaven says
" This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased"
The Swedish Folkbible says ... my Son the beloved; in Him I have my joy.
It got me thinking ...and maybe I'm just carried away in my thoughts .... but imagine the conversation in heaven before Jesus enters this world ... Jesus saying goodbye and the Father says ...
I love you Son, you have always been my joy .... You are going on a hard and difficult mission ... but remember this; I love you and you and I are united as one; forever .....
From time to time Jesus went away from the crowds to spend time talking with his Father and somehow I picture him resting his head on his Father's lap just listening to his assurance ... I love you Son, you are my constant joy...
That love gave Jesus strength to carry out his mission to save the world ... and so the Father also tells us, because of what Jesus did on the cross, that we are loved, that we are his joy ...
Can we really understand and fathom that love of God?
Sincerely yours,
Ida
Monday, 3 January 2011
"... My banner will be clear!"
"Commitment as a Christian"
from a pastor in Africa
“I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I won't look back,
let up,
slow down,
back away,
or be still.
My past is redeemed,
my present makes sense,
my future is secure.
I'm finished and done with low living,
sight walking,
small planning,
smooth knees,
colorless dreams,
tamed visions,
mundane talking,
cheap living,
and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence,
prosperity,
position,
promotions,
plaudits,
or popularity.
I don't have to be right,
first, tops,
recognized,
praised,
regarded,
or rewarded.
I now live by faith,
lean on His presence,
walk by patience,
lift by prayer,
and labor by power.
My face is set,
my gait is fast,
my goal is heaven,
my road is narrow,
my way rough,
my companions few,
my Guide reliable,
my mission clear.
I cannot be bought,
deluded,
or delayed.
will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,
hesitate in the presence of the adversary,
negotiate at the table of the enemy,
or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up,
shut up,
let up,
until I have stayed up,
stored up,
prayed up,
paid up,
preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus.
I must go till He comes,
give till I drop,
preach till all know,
and work till He stops me.
And when He comes for His own,
He will have no problem recognizing me
--my banner will be clear!”"
(I'm afraid I haven't found the original author of this and the pastor's name. If anyone knows please notify for proper reference)