My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Eph. 6:10
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
II Cor. 12:9, 10
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. Psa. 71:16
The gospel of Christ ... is the power of God unto salvation. Rom. 1:16
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil. 4:13
I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Col. 1:29
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. II Cor. 4:7
Oh, how I struggle with the fraility of my human flesh, every day is such a battle!
Yet that is good and proper, it IS of God's ordering. He wants us to cling to Him, lean on Him and not on our failing flesh. One glorious day we will be free from the bondage in which we now groan, and are afflicted. The verse below is such a strong contrast to these oft repeated daily thoughts. TRULY the joy of the LORD is our Strength. and the concluding verse summarises it all!
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Col. 1:11
TRULY it is only in Gods power we make it through the battle each moment of each day - till He comes!
I pray these scriptures bless you richly, as only God's Word 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
. 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. If there is no sidebar then scroll down to the bottom of page and select "View Web Version". This will bring up sidebar and Follow by Email link. Thank you. 😃
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 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. If there is no sidebar then scroll down to the bottom of page and select "View Web Version". This will bring up sidebar and Follow by Email link. Thank you. 😃
.." 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.
" 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.
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. If there is no sidebar then scroll down to the bottom of page and select "View Web Version". This will bring up sidebar and Follow by Email link. Thank you. 😃
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 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. If there is no sidebar then scroll down to the bottom of page and select "View Web Version". This will bring up sidebar and Follow by Email link. Thank you. 😃
Sixty years ago today was the happiest of my life. Last Sat 27th I happened to go for a walk, down to the creek where I often go. As I looked across to the park around the creek, I saw a big familiar marquee. I knew immediately it was the annual beach mission set up for anther 10 days.
So of course I went across to see if anyone was there. I do this each year, find someone over there to see if I could encourage them with the story of the happiest day of my life. I did find a lad called Matthew from Sydney. "I'll be praying for your ministry," I said, "and its because of this ministry I know Jesus, it will be 60 years ago on January 4th! God has kept me true to Him."
I didn't tell Matthew the full story of how I encouraged my sister to learn the memory passage in January 1966 at the beach mission (an interdenominational group mainly from Sydney) so as we would earn the book prize. In those days books were valuable. On collecting the book prizes my sister's teacher asked where my sister was, "Back at the tent", I replied. As we walked up from the park to the tent Miss Gummerson began to ask me if I knew what the verses I learned meant. As a child I hadn't thought much about those beautiful words.
"If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one
with another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1
John 1: 7-9
This Illuminated text I did years ago of my salvation verses, and it hangs in our loungeroom, testimony of God's saving work.
l learnt these verses simply to
win a book prize, but I gained oh, so much
more. Until this day in 1966 I'd never realised it was my sin that put Jesus on the cross, as He took my punishment. So under those trees I prayed for for forgiveness from sin, accepting Jesus as my Saviour. I passed from death to life, instead of eternal condemnation I now had eternal life, covered by the blood of Jesus. That dear teacher told me the verse that the angels are rejoicing in heaven..
Luke 15:10 "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." This filled my heart with wondrous joy! When we went back to our tent and I told my mother I'd just asked Jesus to be my Saviour. She burst into tears, something she rarely did. A long time later when I asked her why, her reply surprised me, "Because you looked so happy". And I was, I had a home in heaven, I'd made the angels rejoice, and I went down to the beach and sang with all my heart the beach mission songs I love even today.
Things that are eternal, like what I gained that day, eternal life with our Saviour - they make life worth living.
To close I'd like to share this short video by Joni Eareckson Tada, or link here.
The verse which Joni refers to is:
1 Cor 2:2 For I determined (or resolved) not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. This is best daily resolution for 2026!
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
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thank you!
There is a verse in scripture line upon line precept upon precept... its rote learning. Yes, rote learning is scripture based even if the world ignores it.
Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little.
We Ignore God and His word at our own peril, God wants us to heed his Word and to “pray without ceasing”, as we grow in LORD, prayer becomes as natural as breathing and then we truly do pray without ceasing.
It has occurred to me that the prayer realm is separate from the earthly and heavenly realms (these two have subdivisions eg paradise, Sheol, place of dead, and hell lake of fire (Luke 16) in OT and “heaven” - first and second heaven mentioned in Rev 21 and third in 2 Cor 12 so three in NT.
Heaven and earth created in Gen 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Recreated in Rev 21
[1] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Paul in 2 Cor 12:2 speaks of being caught up into the 3rd heaven, he was in prayer when this occurred and it has happened too in many places to various NT and OT saints.
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
So there is much to contemplated upon, however another day perhaps.
Truly, LORD, this is the current situation… against hope we are believing in HOPE!
Today it often looks like TOTALLY like a lost situation in the prayer realm.. compare this to the occasion when the Angel, Gabriel said to Zacharias re birth of a son “.. the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard;”
Zacharias was literally dumbfounded at the angel’s words! He and his wife were aged, I suspect he’d obviously not prayed this prayer for a good while.
Yet this was our Eternal Father God in HIS immediacy of the reply.
God is not in our time zone, not in our limited human mind, the LORD of Glory can see what we cannot.
Let’s believe that we have a HEARING, prayer-answering God, .. against hope believing IN HOPE.. and “hope that is seen is NOT HOPE…. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with PATIENCE wait for it. “ Rom. 8:24, 25
Dear loving Father, no matter how dumb it might seem to keep on praying, striving re so many things in prayer I’m going to keep on praying, pleading, interceding on these things, especially the two main aspects, salvation of all everywhere, and that Thy RIGHTEOUSNESS and TRUTH will prevail the world over.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 1 Cor 3:19
And Faithful Father please work this moment, this day for Thy glory, in our nations, in all judicial ruling decrees legal processes to protect the little people from loosing theirlivelihoods! Mercy abounding please for Jesus sake, Amen.
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, and for some reason the formatting on this post is all over the place. I'm sorry. I do post a little more regularly on my craft blog.
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.
If there is no sidebar then scroll down to the bottom of page and select "View Web Version".
This will bring up sidebar and Follow by Email link. Thank you. 😃
Well, today is the most important day on the Christian calendar when we remember and celebrate the day our Saviour the LORD Jesus Christ defeated Satan and death by His resurrection from dead. We worship a living Saviour, no other religion worships a living God.
How
do we know Jesus was truly raised from the dead, seeing as we aren't
from 1st Century history? It's verified not simply by the bible, but by
historical research from that era like Josephus a Jewish historian, etc. Jesus had forecast both His death and His resurrection prior to the event, as Luke reminds us..
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)
"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 2 Peter 1:16
The disciples, or apostles, themselves were eyewitnesses to this event and Jesus after His resurrection appeared to over 500 people at once.
As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas (Peter), then of the twelve:
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
And last of all he was seen of me (Paul) also, as of one born out of due time." 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
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.
May God richly bless your day wherever you maybe,
Shaz in Oz.x
If you are not sure if you are a Christian, a Christ follower, please read this post here
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!
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
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!
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!
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. 😁
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