Shelter from God’s Power?

 

As reported in The Guardian (and elsewhere), China is closing some Christian churches and imprisoning their pastors.

 

“Researchers say the current drive, fuelled by government unease over the growing number of Christians and their potential links to the west, is aimed not so much at destroying Christianity but bringing it to heel.”

I’m a bit amused by their efforts. Jailing pastors is one thing, bringing God “to heel” is quite another.

Psalm 2:1-5 (NIV)
Why do the nations conspire
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up

    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
“Let us break their chains

    and throw off their shackles.”
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
    the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger
    and terrifies them in his wrath.

I doubt the ones closing the churches understand the wrath of God.

Lord, open the eyes of those who think their regulations can shelter them from the power of God. Turn their hearts to You, in Jesus’ name.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Glorious Epiphany

“We worship Jesus. Our faith sees Him go from the manger to the cross, and from the cross right up to the throne, and there where God the Father dwells, amidst the unendurable glory of the divine presence stands the man, the very man who slept at Bethlehem in the manger; there He reigns as Lord of lords.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)
The Wise Men, the Star, and the Savior

From the manger to the cross to the throne–

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Simple and Striking Epiphany

From the dictionary definition of Epiphany:

“an intuitive grasp of reality through something
(such as an event) usually simple and striking”
–from Merriam-Webster

 

Grasp the reality: Jesus, come to earth to save the world.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged | 3 Comments

Conspicuous Epiphany

 

2 Timothy 1:9-10 (NIV)
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

 

Appearing. In Greek, epiphaneia, An epiphany, a “conspicuous appearing.” Our God made visible.

Lord, give us eyes to see Your epiphany, Your conspicuous appearing.

 

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Epiphany Revealed

 

An epiphany is a revelation. The Wise Men had an epiphany. They saw with their own eyes the Christ Child, Emmanuel, God-with-Us, the Savior of the world.

 

Remember God’s promise to Abraham?

Genesis 22:18 (NIV)
Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,

The Wise Men saw God’s promise working out in real life. What a blessing!

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

It’s Epiphany!

 

January 6, Epiphany.
What’s it to you?

 

 

  • Not much
  • The 12th day of Christmas
  • The Wise Men arrive
  • Time to take down the tree

This 12th day after Christmas traditionally celebrates the Magi’s worship of the Christ child.

Matthew 12:1 (NIV)
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea . . . Magi from the east came.

Magi (in Greek magos) were priests of the Persian religion, wise men who made careful study of the stars. They came “from the east,” likely Persia, now known as Iran.

So today, in religious tradition and current events, we see Iran.  Keep  her  people  in  your  prayers.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Shelter for Trafficking

No one is in favor of human trafficking (except those who profit from it). Those who view pornography may well be fueling something they claim to abhor. How do they know the images they watch are from consenting adults?

 

According the the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign:

“Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act . . . Traffickers might use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking situations.”

Think it through. Purveyors of porn may be less than honorable. 

Almighty God, open the eyes of those who watch porn; let them see the pain lurking behind the images. Shine Your truth on every lie that provides shelter for this evil. Bring those who profit from trafficking to justice. Lead the souls enslaved by force, fraud and coercion to a safe place of freedom, in Jesus’ name.

 

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Loving Discipline

 

Proverbs 3:12 (NIV)
The LORD disciplines those he loves.

 

 

Your discipline, Lord, is proof positive of Your love. Even when I’m not lovin’ the discipline, I’m grateful for the love.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , | Comments Off on Loving Discipline

Blessed Discipline

 

Short and to the point:

Psalm 94:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord.

 

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Blessed Discipline

Fit for Discipline

 

When the word discipline popped into my head as I prayed for guidance for 2020, I looked to the Bible for clarification. Here’s one of the first verses I found:

 

1 Timothy 4:7 (AMP)
Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness
[keeping yourself spiritually fit].

God neatly tied last year’s one-word, fit, to this year’s potential word, discipline. Guess that nails it. 2020 is my year to discipline myself for the purpose of godliness.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments