Bravely Run the Race Til we see Christ

 I think as we grow older in today's world we more often think of Christ's coming than in younger years. I daily long for it, but I'm rebuked and must also remember that our Heaven Father is long suffering! 

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 Our Heavenly Father wants all to trust in Jesus, and have an eternity in heaven - and truly so do I long and pray for the very same.
In our daily life we must have an eternal view, we must ask ourselves - is this important and good for us in eternity?  

A selfish view wants the here and now fitted to our convenience.  

God says three things to our prayers, yes, no and wait. And for us often it is WAIT. Waiting on God is hard, but good for us.

This beautiful hymn is a great encouragement to my heart. It keeps me looking up and not at the mud underneath, as Bro Mac would say. 

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. 

By Esther Rusthoi 

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on , no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.

 It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

I read the words of this hymn recently in a Christian paper, the Herald of Hope and joyfully sang these words. I think the more joyfully because I rarely make church to sing with other believers due to my health. One glorious days we will all sing together in glory. 

So looking forward to that day!

Praying and prayer is a subject never far from my heart, we must be faithful in prayer. As Jesus said "Men ought always to pray and not to faint".   Luke 18:1

Dear Brethren reminded me of this recently (by mentioning in respect to prayers to our Father), we must pray with importunity.   

Importunity is a persistent request, I think I often fail this persistence test. In this Jesus is our example, for He said we "ought always to pray and not to faint". 

Luke 18:1-7

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 

[2] Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

[3] And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

[4] And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

[5] Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 

[6] And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

[7] And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Amen! Our God indeed hears our prayers and answers them as Jesus also said:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 

[8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

[9] Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 

[10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 

[11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 

Matt 7:7-11

Jesus in this matter of importune or persistent prayer is surely our example. Have you ever spent a night in prayer to our Heavenly Father? I haven't, yet Jesus often did.

God has given me at different times  prayer burden for different ones. 

And I have asked God to burden me in prayer, but sadly too often my spirit is willing and flesh is weak like the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, who instead of watching as Jesus asked, they slept on (link here). 

Mind you I'm writing this is the early hours of the morning, because God has given me a burden to do so. And I pray these scriptures bless you richly, as only God'sWord can. 

Thank you so much for popping over, especially if you have time to comment, you so encourage my heart. 
  May God richly bless your day, wherever you may be.
Prayer hugs, 🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz.x 
 
If you're not sure if you're a Christian , please read this post here Who or What is a Christian?

 

IF you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  

link HERE.

.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁

 

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Brief Bible Meditation

This post is based on exerpts from my prayer book. In it I have scriptures written on one side, and on the other side I've prayer requests. I've been doing this for many decades, my oldest claimed verse for my family's salvation is dated 17th Oct 1979. And yes, in that time mother and father have trusted in Jesus and both are now with Him!

"..I will put My fear into their hearts..." Jer.32:40. 

 Here is the verse in its full context. 

This is on another page with a different perspective. 

When viewed through the lens of Scripture, then TODAY'S world 🌎 makes much more sense:

"Do evil continually"

"Wax worse and worse.."

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that EVERY imagination was EVIL CONTINUALLY." Genesis 6:7

"As in the days of Noe so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be."

Matthew 24:37

But EVIL men and reducers shall WAX WORSE AND WORSE, 

DECEIVING and being DECEIVED." 

2 Tim.3:13

I love the next verse,  

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, UNTIL THE LORD COME, Who both will bring to LIGHT the hidden things of DARKNESS, and will make MANIFEST the COUNSELS of the HEARTS: and then shall every man have praise of God. 

I just love this verse, we must not judge anything before its time... and then one day we shall ALL HAVE PRAISE OF GOD. That is hard to take in looking at the world today, and its a good verse to really meditate upon, for its God's sure and certain promise. 

In the light of some of the preceeding negativity, let's close with the last glorious promise in the bible. Revelation 22:20
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. 

Amen. Even so, come, LORD Jesus.

May this be our daily cry - even so come, LORD JESUS! 

 Thanks for reading this post, and especially commenting. I’m sorry I don’t post very often - but this is the third post in April! I just felt burdened to share these scriptures, I pray they're a blessing. 

May God richly bless your day, wherever you may be.
Prayer hugs, 🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz.x 
 
If you're not sure if you're a Christian , please read this post here Who or What is a Christian? 
 
 IF you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁
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Resurrection Day .." and he (John) saw and Believed"... John 20:8b

 

.." he saw and believed".. . An empty tomb with empty grave clothes showing an exited, raised body transformed John from a mourning disciple into a believer. 

This post is written after hearing the message by John Lennox, "The case for the Resurrection." See here.

And this quote from Norman Anderson,  The Case for the Resurrection - (link here) comes in at around 16 mins..

"  Easter is not primarily a comfort, but a challenge. 

 

Its message is either the supreme fact in history or else a gigantic hoax. This seems to have been realized in the days of the early Church. On the one side there was a little company of men and women who turned the world upside down by their passionate proclamation of that miracle which had transformed their lives: on the other, those who vehemently denounced the whole story as arrant blasphemy. 

 

We ourselves find it hard to see the issue so clear-cut, for ours is a tolerant age and one suspicious of all fanaticism. Most people have not the slightest desire to attack the Easter message; and yet they only half believe it. To them it is a beautiful story, full of spiritual meaning: why worry, then, whether it is literal fact?

But we miss the point. 

Either it is infinitely more than a beautiful story, or else it is infinitely less. If it is true, then it is the supreme fact of history; and to fail to adjust one's life to its implications means irreparable loss. But if it is not true, if Christ be not risen, then the whole of Christianity is a fraud, foisted on the world by a company of consummate liars, or, at best, deluded simpletons. 

 

St. Paul himself realized this when he wrote in:

1 Corinthians 15:14-16

 14  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
 

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

 

Yet God is true, His Word is true and to be trusted. Praise God, Jesus is indeed risen as He said.

Praying much that all everywhere would see the truth of this, seek Jesus and His gift of salvation and a heavenly home.

For there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.

Hell is the punishment for our sin's curse. I am forever grateful I saw this at 12 years old, and trusted in Jesus as my Saviour from sin! 

How blessed am?! and how I rejoiced with great joy on that day I was saved. 

 

Closing with a hymn I love - "Because  He lives I can face tomorrow" or link here

(Lyrics to hymn)

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither

 
Praying earnestly - may the real reason of Easter shine brightly in your heart and home. 

Thanks for reading this post, and especially commenting. I’m sorry I don’t post very often - but at Easter there's 2 posts in 3 days! 😂 truly a joy to have such good news to share. If you'd like to read a different Resurrection post, as well as craft and Australian Nature, I'd really appreciate it if you would to pop over to my craft blog too HERE!.

May God richly bless your day, wherever you may be.

Prayer hugs, 🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz.x 
 
If you're not sure if you're a Christian , please read this post here Who or What is a Christian? 
 
 IF you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁
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Good Friday 2026 - Our Life is but a Sacrifice given unto You, LORD!

 I’ve no idea why or how things happen in the sad world in which we live, but I tie the heart sacrifice with cords to the altar of the Most High God. 

I was given this verse by dear Bro Mac, a prayer saint from 1990’s. It’s meaning as I understand is that God wants us to bind our life as a sacrifice to the altar just as they bound the sacrifice in Old Testament times, and as Jesus bound His life as a sacrifice to the cross. 

He was Almighty God, He could have come down from that cross at any time, but He chose to die for our sins upon the cruel tree. He then indeed did show us the Light of the World. 

“God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: 

bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.” 

Ps 118:27

The one thing that really strikes me in reading through the gospels is that the life of Christ was given to much prayer. Note the last prayer scene before the cross in the garden of Gethsemane where we see our LORD Jesus wrestling in prayer, where He sweated as it were great drops of blood, praying to His Father.  

Matt 26:39 …" He went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: 

nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." 

“if it be possible”, of course it was possible because with God ALL THINGS are possible. However Jesus wanted above all else to do the will of His Father, that ought to be our most earnest desire…to do the will of our Heavenly Father. And that’s why Jesus was given to MUCH prayer. He knew it was the only way He could fully obey His Heavenly Father. This following quote is most apt.  

George Mueller. "No-one ought to expect to see much good resulting from his labours in Word and Doctrine if he is not much given to prayer and meditation." 

And so on this Good Friday 2026, it's good to remind ourselves of some things. Primarily the importance of prayer and to see in the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross when He gave up His life for us. The last two sayings are, "It is finished. " "and He gave up the ghost". None took His life, He gave it willingly for you or me. Yesterday, Thurs afternoon,   I gave a tract on the real meaning of  Easter to a lady who was a believer but she believed also she needed to keep the law, the Sabbath etc. When I asked her Jesus surely cried, "it is finished" , because He had finished Salvation's work, she had no answer. She appeared to trust in Jesus for salvation + works. Satan is ever a deceiver. 

Praise God, Jesus is coming AGAIN! ... and coming soon and they can be deluded in bondage no longer.  Our Saviour gave His life freely for us, and that's what we delight in remembering on Good Friday. 

Link also here 

He suffered so that we might live, and walk in the light as He is in the light, and faithful and true to Him. 

Also if you've time please visit my craft blog, it presents a Joni perspective on this day (here). 

 Thanks for reading this post, and especially commenting. I’m sorry I don’t post very often these days, health is the main reason, also these posts take a long time to write. I started this one ages ago. 

May God richly bless your day, wherever you may be.🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz.x 
 
If you're not sure if you're a Christian , please read this post here Who or What is a Christian? 
 
 IF you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁
If you'd like to receive these posts in email to email link option on the sidebar there is a follow it box. 
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Emmanuel - "God with us" - Christmas 2025

Matthew 1:20-25
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

 [21] And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. 

[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 

[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 

[24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 

[25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Do you think we ever grasp the length, depth and breadth of our Saviour's name, given Him hundreds of years before.

.. they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is "God with us." Matt. 1:25

Or in Isaiah 7:14
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

 Isaiah wrote his prophecy over 700 years before the birth of Christ. As Matthew said: " Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet," Yes, the prophet Isaiah in 7:14. So many prophecies of Jesus made by Isaiah, the most well known perhaps apart from this prophecy of virgin birth, was Isaiah 53 and the Suffering Servant. 

The “Why” Christ came is the emphasis of Isaiah 53. 

Christ, born to die that we might live. "By Whose stripes we are healed". 

1 Peter 2:24
"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed." 

Christmas is dear to my heart, but just after Christmas on 4th January is my spiritual birthday. This Coming year 2026, it's my 60th spiritual birthday, how blessed am I to have known Jesus as my Saviour 60 years, and what a miracle it is that I am still here. Truly God's ways are past finding out.

 

I think this is my favourite card this year. It's simple and God's word is the highlight. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD. Luke 2:11
 We worship a God of miracles, the virgin birth was a mighty miracle. It must have been extremely disconcerting to Joseph to have had such a dream:  "the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

Yes, this truly was the Immanuel "God with us", that we worship at Christmas time.

I pray God's blessing upon you and your loved ones this Christmas time. 

 May we all take time to remember the real reason for Christmas the LORD Jesus Who came to die for our sins that we might have a heavenly home by faith in Him. Love you, and THANK YOU, Lord Jesus!

I'd like to close with one of my favourite Christmas carols which the second verse ends with most aptly:

 "..pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel."

Or link here if it doesn't show. Hark the Herald Angels Sing!

 

Thank you for popping over and thanks too if you are able to comment.

Prayer hugs in Him, 🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz.x 

 If you are not sure if you are a Christian, a Christ follower, please read this post here 
- Who or What is a Christian?

PS. If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar 😊 thank you! 

“He is not here: for He is Risen, as He said.”

 First of all, thanks to all who care enough to pop over  and say Hi. Things are very topsy turvy health wise this past month and look like being that way for a while. Sorry I won't perhaps be as active at returning comments.

  

Dear Ones, well today is a day of great rejoicing as my title shares.

Can you imagine the great sorrow of the women and disciples upon the first day of the week? 

They thought all was lost - Jesus was dead upon the cross of Cavalry, and buried in a stone tomb!

 "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 

² And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
³ And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
⁴ And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
⁵ And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
⁶ He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
⁷ Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
⁸ And they remembered his words," Luke 24:1-8 (emphases mine)

I think this image of an empty tomb encapsulates the work of the cross the death, burial and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ, the Son of God our sin-bearer on the cruel tree at Calvary - there the LORD Jesus died for you and me!
How rich we are in Jesus if we truly know Him as our own Saviour from sin and love and serve Him.. 
A hymn came to mind as I think upon today, Resurrection Sunday, and as verse 2 says the day of Hus appearing will come at last - one glorious day He’s coming back again! for He promised (John 14: 1-6)! I so look forward to His coming AGAIN!

 It is I serve a Risen Saviour... may it bless your heart as it did mine.
I serve a Risen Saviour by A J Ackley 
I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

Refrain:
He lives, He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!

2 In all the world around me I see His loving care;
And tho' my heart grows weary, I never will despair.
I know that He is leading thro' all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing will come at last. [Refrain]
 

3 Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind. [Refrain]

To Him alone be all the glory, honour and praise, with much thanksgiving for Resurrection day!

Shaz in Oz.x

Hymn sung below by Mennonite Youth choir link HERE if not showing 

"..the time is AT HAND"..

(This has long been in my drafts pile awaiting my attention, sorry for quiet in 2023, DV will do better in 2024 🙏)

Greatly enjoying a series of messages by Pastor Peter Mitchell, from the Book of Daniel.

The Seventy Weeks Explained and Applied.

 (link here if it's missing)

Today we need to drink deeply of the Word of God, not skim across the surface, but the meat of the Word. I've read through the bible every year for more than five decades, loving Genesis again in past week.

It's most important to live in here and now from a BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE... not simply a world perspective. 

Satan is the Prince and Power of the air of this world, the Father of lies, and much out there are wild goose chases of half truths to distract us from God's Holy Truth.  

 

Reading through the book of Revelation, a chapter each day, as well my 4 chapters to read bible through is something I'm doing as it  is most needful I believe.

 

Revelation shows us clearly, explicitly what is ahead. 

Except for chapters 1-3 (the epistles to the 7 churches) there is no reference to the church after that! Why? Because the church is not there in the Tribulation. 

 

Except for chp 21-22 on new heavens & new earth vision, the central theme of chapters 4 to 20 is the Great Tribulation, and it's viewed by those in heaven (Rev 6:10) but the church is not mentioned = not there on earth.  https://heraldofhope.org.au/can-there-be-a-partial-rapture/  

 

If you really want to up to date knowing on things, you need to know Revelation very well.

 Especially because there's an imminent return for Jesus promised in Rev 22:20, ".. surely I come QUICKLY".

 

 God so much wants US TO KNOW it well, He promised this BLESSING (only book to begin thus and contain such a promise): 

"Blessed is he that READETH,  

and they that HEAR the words of this prophecy,  

and KEEP those things which are written therein:  for the TIME IS AT HAND." Rev 1:3 

 If I dont know these words in Revelation, how can I keep them?  

How can I pray accurately for the lost around me?

 

 If I dont have the VISION of THESE PEOPLE'S FUTURE WITHOUT Christ, how can I be truly accurate or have urgency in my prayers?  

 

Where there is no vision the people perish. Prov 29:18 

In Rev. 6:8 1/4 of world's pop has been slain = 3/12 

By Rev 9:7 1/3 slain = 4/12  

By near midpoint of Tribulation then 7/12 of all the people you can see around you, ie more than half have been killed!!

 

A 1/4 of sun, moon, stars are darkened Rev. 6:13, 8:12. With unbelievable catastrophic events of mountain ranges flattened, islands disappear Rev 6:14,  with earthquakes like never before! Australia will suffer much in that time as will US I believe and many heavily populated areas. It's hard to grasp really but much prayer is needed. 🙏🙏🙏

ONE GREAT JOY - there is also the greatest time of widespread evangelism starting in Israel, as God's chosen people (see Rev.7) are won to know the LORD Jesus Christ, this greatly encourages me and we must pray fervently for its success especially for those who are currently unsaved whom we love.

 

May we regularly READ REVELATION, heed its warnings for all around us. May we pray for a real fervency for all around us, who are so blind on this matter.

 

And so earnestly, fervently PRAY it's truth to be revealed to many !

God bless you all who've taken time to read this post..

AND thanks you so much if you are able to comment.

Love in Him, 🙏🤗

Shaz in Oz.x 

 If you are not sure if you are a Christian, a Christ follower, please read this post here 

- Who or What is a Christian?

PS. If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁

If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar. 😊 thank you! 

“In the Fullness of Time", He came - & is Coming Again!

 Christmas is a celebration of Christ’s birth, yet He is often banished these days, out of hearts, homes, stores and public locations… some even substitute X for Christmas calling it Xmas. 

X is an unknown quantity but Jesus is never that. 

For He is our LORD, our Saviour and coming King.

There were many prophetic passages promising Jesus would come, starting with Genesis 3:15 - man sinned so our Loving God promised a Saviour.

Another promise oft forgotten is the promise given by the angels when Jesus went to heaven after His resurrection  … .

“… HE SHALL COME AGAIN, IN LIKE MANNER AS YE SEE HIM GO into heaven”

 Acts 1:11

As in the fullness of time, ie God’s time Jesus came the first time, He was born, died and rose again - Paul says here: 

.. but when the fulness of the time was come, 

God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 

to redeem (save, buy back) them that were under the law...” Gal 4:4

As with Christ’s coming there were a few faithful ones in total expectation of the promised Messiah.

They were not surprised in unbelief that He should come as a babe, not conquering King to rescue them from the Romans. Here’s a list of five but I’m sure there are more:

Elizabeth - the mother of John the Baptist was believing (though Zacharias, his father was struck temporarily dumb for his unbelief) Luke 1: 5-26, 40-45

Mary - Luke 1: 26-80

Joseph - Matthew 1:15-25, 2:13-23

Simeon - Luke 2:25-35 faithful prophecies were made by Simeon, to Mary.

Anna - Luke 2:36, 38, at 84 years, she’d long awaited in expection. 

This is my favourite Carol, so much good doctrine in Wesley’s hymn on "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", video link here, as well as below. If you want more in background on this is truly beautiful hymn - see here.

Two Gospels only tell of Jesus’ birth.

Matthew gives it from Joseph’s perspective and dealing in angel appearances and Magi coming; Luke is from Mary’s perspective, each also share their respective genealogies.

Are we likewise expectant that our beautiful LORD Jesus Christ will come again?

 "THEREFORE BE YE ALSO READY for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.”  Matt24:24

Will Christ find us ready longing for His coming as these faithful ones were at Christs first Advent, for its promised to be at any day unexpectedly?

Will I be ready, I pray so with all my heart.

At Christmas time, may Christ not be left out - but may we ALL remember the most important gift is not UNDER THE TREE,

BUT WAS PLACED UPON THE TREE TO DIE for our sin and salvation.

Praying earnestly - may the real reason of Christmas shine brightly in your home and heart.

may God richly bless your day wherever you maybe,

Shaz in Oz.x

 

PS. If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁

If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar. 😊 thank you! 

Still here! All things WORK TOGETHER for Good. All the time!

Okay, when three bloggers in less than a week contact you to see if you’re okay, it’s a big prompt from the LORD to do a post.

Personal update:

A simple reason for silence since Easter is poor health. I’ve multiple congenital conditions (from birth) that have affected my health all my life, and been on critical life saving medications for 55years. When I had my heart attack three years ago Drs did their usual of thinking ‘they know best’, and refused necessary meds on admission. 

Result is a mild heart attack was not. This has totally affected my health stability. Combined with my 36 y.o brilliant local Dr retiring, I have spent the last 20 mths trying to source a new one, becoming more ill as time passed due to a Dr who wouldn’t listen. In God’s great mercy, I’m now (last 4 months) under another brilliant medical team and things are starting to stabilise a little, at last. I know that there is a good, God-chosen reason for everything, including this, and THAT is such a comfort at all times.

A Dr who will listen is a rare thing these days. It’s not taught in Medical Schools my Naturopath said (who teaches Physiology at our local Medical School on uni campus). New Drs are taught to listen to their learning above the patient! 😳 So grateful things are improving, but I’m not what I was when went on miracle trip in 2018 to visit all my blogging pals. I probably won’t even travel locally, my system is now too fragile, and won’t be able to blog much, as I’m so slow.

 After such an update the verse that leapt out in my mind was Romans 8:28. It’s oft quoted in times of hardship, because it is SO reassuring. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for GOOD to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to His purpose. 

Note: it's GOOD according to God's purpose... NOT good according what we think it should be!

 

It's ALL THINGS... this is of course for those who love Jesus, we can be assured that everything happens for GOOD - and I add for God.

Our Loving God sees what we cannot, and our wondrous God sees the BIG PICTURE. 

 

The WHY behind everything. When life gets tough (and it does) its such a comfort to cling to "the God of all comfort".

For some reason we always expect life to go smoothly, but this is the exact OPPOSITE of what our LORD Jesus has promised us.   

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. 

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Our Jesus promised PEACE in Him, but TRIBULATION or trouble in the world, BUT HE has overcome it all, and will give us the victory in it all in this world by faith in Him ... 

The key is to abide, or live in His peace - while in the midst of the world’s trouble. Jesus alone can HELP us do that.

There is trouble in the broken world, because of Genesis 3, man sinned and a curse was put upon all, for all have sinned (See Romans 3:23). BUT one glorious day, ALL CROOKED THINGS will be made STRAIGHT (see Isaiah 42:16)! 

INDEED What a glorious day that will be!

Thanks so much popping over for a peek and chat I truly appreciate your encouragement so much.

Prayer hugs, 🙏🤗 Shaz in Oz.x  

PS. If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😁

If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar. 😊 thank you!