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151.) Numbers 1 and 2

Rebecca — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:00:58 +0000

Today we begin the book of Numbers!

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“Origen, the early-third-century church father, wrote a series of sermons on the book of Numbers. Even then this fourth book of the Old Testament was neglected in relation to other biblical books, as Origen acknowledged:

When the Gospels or the Apostles or the Psalms are read, another person joyfully receives them and gladly embraces them . . . But if the book of Numbers is read to him, he will judge that there is nothing helpful, nothing as a remedy for his weakness or a benefit for the salvation of his soul. He will constantly spit them out as heavy and burdensome food.

In a long series of sermons on Numbers, Origen sought to show that this popular impression of Numbers was misguided and untrue. For Origen, the book of Numbers was filled with insight, wisdom, and spiritual sustenance for anyone with a hunger for God’s guidance through the wilderness journey of life.”

–from Numbers, by Dennis T. Olson

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Numbers 1

The People of Israel Are Counted

¹The people of Israel had left Egypt and were living in the Sinai Desert. Then on the first day of the second month of the second year, Moses was in the sacred tent when the LORD said: ^2-3I want you and Aaron to find out how many people are in each of Israel’s clans and families. And make a list of all the men twenty years and older who are able to fight in battle. ^4-15The following twelve family leaders, one from each tribe, will help you:

Elizur son of Shedeur from Reuben,

Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai from Simeon,

Nahshon son of Amminadab from Judah,

Nethanel son of Zuar from Issachar,

Eliab son of Helon from Zebulun,

Elishama son of Ammihud from Ephraim,

Gamaliel son of Pedahzur from Manasseh,

Abidan son of Gideoni from Benjamin,

Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai from Dan,

Pagiel son of Ochran from Asher,

Eliasaph son of Deuel from Gad,

and Ahira son of Enan from Naphtali.

^16-17Moses and Aaron, together with these twelve tribal leaders, ¹⁸called together the people that same day. They were counted according to their clans and families. Then Moses and the others listed the names of the men twenty years and older, ¹⁹just as the LORD had commanded. ^20-46The number of men from each tribe who were at least twenty years old and strong enough to fight in Israel’s army was as follows:

46,500 from Reuben, the oldest son of Jacob,

59,300 from Simeon,

45,650 from Gad,

74,600 from Judah,

54,400 from Issachar,

57,400 from Zebulun,

40,500 from Ephraim,

32,200 from Manasseh,

35,400 from Benjamin,

62,700 from Dan,

41,500 from Asher,

53,400 from Naphtali.

The total number of men registered by Moses, Aaron, and the twelve leaders was 603,550.

Genesis 15:2-5 (New International Version)

But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

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Revelation 7:1-8 (NIV)

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

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Music:

For the census: a counting song! Barenaked Ladies sing “7 8 9″ (read that, 7 ate 9)! With thanks to Steve Meyer.

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⁴⁷But those from the Levi tribe were not included ⁴⁸because the LORD had said to Moses:

⁴⁹When you count the Israelites, do not include those from the Levi tribe. ^50-51Instead, give them the job of caring for the sacred tent, its furnishings, and the objects used for worship. They will camp around the tent, and whenever you move, they will take it down, carry it to the new camp, and set it up again. Anyone else who tries to go near it must be put to death.

⁵²The rest of the Israelites will camp in their own groups and under their own banners. ⁵³But the Levites will camp around the sacred tent to make sure that no one goes near it and makes me furious with the Israelites.

⁵⁴The people of Israel did everything the LORD had commanded.

Numbers 2

Instructions for Setting Up Israel’s Camp

¹The LORD told Moses and Aaron ²how the Israelites should arrange their camp:

Each tribe must set up camp under its own banner and under the flags of its ancestral families. These camps will be arranged around the sacred tent, but not close to it.

^3-4Judah and the tribes that march with it must set up camp on the east side of the sacred tent, under their own banner. The 74,600 troops of the tribe of Judah will be arranged by divisions and led by Nahshon son of Amminadab. ^5-6On one side of Judah will be the tribe of Issachar, with Nethanel son of Zuar as the leader of its 54,400 troops. ^7-8On the other side will be the tribe of Zebulun, with Eliab son of Helon as the leader of its 57,400 troops. ⁹These 186,400 troops will march into battle first.

^10-11Reuben and the tribes that march with it must set up camp on the south side of the sacred tent, under their own banner. The 46,500 troops of the tribe of Reuben will be arranged by divisions and led by Elizur son of Shedeur. ^12-13On one side of Reuben will be the tribe of Simeon, with Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai as the leader of its 59,300 troops. ^14-15On the other side will be the tribe of Gad, with Eliasaph son of Deuel as the leader of its 45,650 troops. ¹⁶These 151,450 troops will march into battle second.

¹⁷Marching behind Reuben will be the Levites, arranged in groups, just as they are camped. They will carry the sacred tent and their own banners.

^18-19Ephraim and the tribes that march with it must set up camp on the west side of the sacred tent, under their own banner. The 40,500 troops of the tribe of Ephraim will be arranged by divisions and led by Elishama son of Ammihud. ^20-21On one side of Ephraim will be the tribe of Manasseh, with Gamaliel son of Pedahzur as the leader of its 32,200 troops. ^22-23On the other side will be the tribe of Benjamin, with Abidan son of Gideoni as the leader of its 35,400 troops. ²⁴These 108,100 troops will march into battle third.

Psalm 80:1-2 (NIV)

Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock;
you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
come and save us.

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^25-26Dan and the tribes that march with it must set up camp on the north side of the sacred tent, under their own banner. The 62,700 troops of the tribe of Dan will be arranged by divisions and led by Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. ^27-28On one side of Dan will be the tribe of Asher, with Pagiel son of Ochran as the leader of its 41,500 troops. ^29-30On the other side will be the tribe of Naphtali with Ahira son of Enan as the leader of its 53,400 troops. ³¹These 157,600 troops will march into battle last.

³²So all the Israelites in the camp were counted according to their ancestral families. The troops were arranged by divisions and totaled 603,550. ³³The only Israelites not included were the Levites, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

³⁴Israel did everything the LORD had told Moses. They arranged their camp according to clans and families, with each tribe under its own banner. And that was the order by which they marched into battle.

"Four Hearts" by American pop artist Jim Dine

Song of Solomon 2:4 (NIV)

His banner over me is love.

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THE WORK IS PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT AND/OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAW. ANY USE OF THE WORK OTHER THAN AS AUTHORIZED UNDER AN APPROPRIATE LICENSE OR COPYRIGHT LAW IS PROHIBITED.

Images courtesy of:

numbers. http://static.open.salon.com/files/numbers1250985368.jpg

census bureau. http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/dcblog/Census%20Bureau.jpg

stars in the sky. http://laastro.com/NGC6366-Short-LRGB-A1-50per.jpg

angels on the earth. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TkKZZyzUvio/SObxhkEcD1I/AAAAAAAABYY/NDILlsJxVP0/s400/revelation+7-1+four+Angels+holding+back+the+wind.jpg

camp arrangement. http://www.biblenews1.com/wmap/Israelcamp.gif

Shepherd of Israel. http://www.jesuit.org.sg/graphics/prayer/homilies/good.shepherd.jpg

Dine. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/612uZ4n%2B8tL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 1:57-66 / Christmas and New Year Sermons (Revised Common Lectionary – Years A, B and C)

irvinekilmarnockpresbytery — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:49:42 +0000

The “Church Without Walls” Report recommended that “congregations study, reflect on and live by one Gospel for one year, in the first instance, and let Jesus shape the life and structure of the congregation.” This series of sermons focuses on Luke’s Gospel. I hope that other members of Presbytery will share some of their sermons.

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Luke 1:57-66
* “The hand of the Lord was with him” (Luke 1:66).
The words of Hebrews 11:4 – “he died, but through his faith he is still speaking” provide us with an apt description of John the Baptist. He belongs to the distant past, yet his words continue to speak to us today.
* “The hand of the Lord was with him.”
As we read of the ministry of John the Baptist, we read of a man who was fully devoted to the Lord, a man who was mightily used by the Lord.
* “The hand of the Lord was with him.”
Let us pray that the hand of the Lord will be upon us. With thanksgiving, we remember those whom the Lord who has so graciously and powerfully used for His glory in past generations. We are not, however, locked in the past. We learn from the past so that we can be greatly used, in this generation, to bring men, women and children to the Saviour.
* “The hand of the Lord was with him.”
John the Baptist was a bridge between the old and the new. He followed on from the Old Testament prophets. He pointed forward to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We are to be like John the Baptist. We are to be a bridge across which people travel as they make their way to Jesus Christ, the living Saviour, We build on the past, basing our teaching on the Scriptures. We learn of the Saviour as we read the Scriptures. As we seek to point sinners to the Saviour, let us pray that the Spirit will work mightily in the hearts of many and that God will be glorified as many are brought to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
* “The hand of the Lord was with him.”
The ministry of John the Baptist had a great impact on a large number of people – a “multitude came to be baptized by him” (Luke 3:7). Let us pray that God will raise up many preachers who will call many people to return to the Lord. May God grant that His faithful servants will see much fruit for their labours.
* “The hand of the Lord was with him.”
This is not only about John the Baptist. It’s about us. It’s about the purpose of God for our lives. He calls us to be His witness. He calls us to be faithful and fruitful in His service. We learn from John the Baptist – “a voice crying in the wilderness” (Luke 3:4). We look at the “wilderness” of today’s world. It is a world of “ungodliness and unrighteousness.” It is a world that has fallen under the judgment of God (Romans 1:18). Is there a way back to God? John the Baptist gives us God’s answer to this all-important question. He points us to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. He calls us to look away from ourselves. He calls us to look to Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). May our words, in this sinful generation, be a living echo of the voice of John the Baptist in his generation. May our words point to the Saviour. May our words call men and women to come to Christ and receive, through faith in Him, the forgiveness of all their sins.

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If you have appreciated this sermon, you may be interested in these Christmas and New Year sermons.

Revised Common Lectionary – Years A, B and C

Season of Christmas: Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) I – Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Glory to God in the highest – our Saviour has come.

The prophecy has been spoken – ‘To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given…’ The prophecy has been fulfilled – ‘Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord’.

Jesus Christ is our great Saviour. He is our ‘Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6: Luke 2:11).

Jesus Christ has brought to us a great salvation. Through faith in Him, we enter God’s heavenly and eternal ‘Kingdom’ (Isaiah 9:7: Luke 1:30-33).

This is ‘Good News of great joy’- for ‘all the people’, for ‘all generations’.

Let us rejoice in the Lord, as Mary, the mother of Jesus, did – ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour… for the Mighty One has done great things for me…’

Let us join with the angels in saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest…’ (Luke 2:10; 1:46-50; 2:14).

Christ: King of glory, King of love – may the glory of His love shine in us.

‘The Lord reigns’ (Psalms 96:10; 97:1). ‘The Lord is King!’

He is not only ‘the King all-glorious above’. He is ‘the King of love’. He is ‘our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend!’

He is not only ‘the King of heaven’. He is ‘the God of grace’. He is ‘the King of mercy’ (Church Hymnary, 35, 36, 388, 360, 86).

His reign is not to be restricted to some faraway heaven. It is not to be a reign that is far removed from the practicalities of our everyday life.

He is to reign in our hearts. He is to reign in every part of our life.

Let His reign of love begin. Let His grace and mercy control all that you do.

We must pray, ‘Reign in me, Sovereign Lord, reign in me’. When we say, ‘Let Your Kingdom come’ and ‘let Your will be done’, we must pray, ‘Captivate my heart. Establish there Your throne’(Mission Praise, 570).

Christ is coming in glory. Christ is preparing us for glory.

We read in Titus 2:11,13 of Christ’s coming in grace – ‘the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all people’- and His coming in glory – ‘we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ’. From grace to glory – This is the journey from Christ’s first coming to His Second Coming.

It is also the journey of our life of faith. We begin with the forgiveness of our sins. our final destination is glory, heavenly and eternal glory, the glory of God. We live by the grace of God. We look forward to the glory of God.

God wants us to live as ‘a people of His own who are zealous for good deeds’(Titus 2:14). If we are to be ‘zealous for good deeds’, we must first be zealous for Jesus Christ. Do good – but never forget, ‘He saved us – not because of deeds done by us…’(Titus 3:8, 4-6).

The full revelation of Christ’s glory is still to come. Let it begin in us now.

God is in control! Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Long before it happened, God had it planned (Luke 2:1-7; Micah 5:2-3).

As we approach Christ’s Return, God still has His plan. He is still in control.

The birth of Christ is not merely an event from the past. It is also a message for the future.

We look back so that we can move forward.

We are fearful about many things. ‘What’s the world coming to?’, we ask. God turns our question on its head: ‘Christ is coming to the world’.

From His first coming, we look on to His Second Coming – He ‘will come to all the people’(Luke 2:10): ‘every eye will see Him’(Revelation 1:7).

His Return invites us to ask another question: ‘when the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?’(Luke 18:8).

For you, is it still ‘before Christ’? Let the ‘new age’ begin: Let Christ be ‘born this day’(Luke 2:11) – in your heart!

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Season of Christmas: Nativity of the Lord(Christmas Day) II – Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2: (1-7), 8-20

God has given us ‘a new Name’. It is ‘the Name which is above every name’, the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 62:2; Philippians 2:9-11).

Christ loves us. He has given Himself for us. He calls us His ‘Bride’ (Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:2, 9).

Through faith in Christ, we have become ‘the Holy People’. Through Him, we are ‘the Redeemed of the Lord’. We have been ‘Sought After’ by the Lord. In Him, we are ‘the City No Longer Deserted’ (Isaiah 62:12; 1 Peter 2:9-9-10; 1:18-19; Luke 19:10; John 14:18).

‘There is a Name I love to hear… It tells me of a Saviour’s love, who died to set me free. It tells me of His precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea… Jesus, the Name I love so well, the Name I love to hear! … O how I love the Saviour’s Name, the sweetest Name on earth!’(Mission Praise, 672).

‘The Lord reigns’(Psalm 97:1). ‘The Lord is King!’ As we worship the Lord our King, let us focus our attention on Christ, the newborn King : “Come and worship Christ, the new-born King” (Church Hymnary, 182). At the place of Christ’s birth, we learn that the reign of God is the reign of His love.

When we look away from ourselves to our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we rejoice in this: ‘He saved us – not because of deeds done by us…’ (Titus 3:4-6). This is the Good News of great joy. We hear this Good News – the birth of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ – and we give glory to God in the highest (Luke 2:10-11, 14).

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Season of Christmas: Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) III – Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); John 1:1-14

Good News

‘Good News’- Let us ‘shout for joy’. ‘Good News’- Let us sing ‘songs of joy’.

There is the Good News of God’s reign – ‘Your God reigns’.

There is the Good News of our redemption – ‘The Lord has redeemed’ us.

We are not to keep the Good News to ourselves. This ‘news of happiness’ is to be shared with everyone. We must let ‘all the ends of the earth see the salvation of our God’.

‘Christ died for our sins’- This is Good News.

Christ was ‘raised on the third day’- This is Good News.

‘Jesus is Lord’- This is Good News.

This is the Good News we must ‘pass on’ to others. In our world, there is so much bad news. We must not let the Good News be drowned out by the bad news. We must make sure that the people hear the Good News – loud and clear (Isaiah 52:7-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Mission Praise, 249).

God loves us.

‘Exalt the Lord our God… Make a joyful noise to the Lord’ (Psalms 99:5,9; 98:4,6; 100:1).

We are to worship the Lord with joy. We are to glorify God. We are to enjoy Him.

In our worship, we must never forget the holiness of God: ‘He is holy! … The Lord our God is holy!’ (Psalm 99:5, 9).

In our worship, we rejoice in the love of God: ‘His steadfast love endures for ever… He has done marvellous things!’(Psalms 100:5; 98:1).

The God of ‘awesome purity’ loves us with the most perfect love of all: ‘No earthly father loves like Thee…’ Let us worship Him with holy fear and heartfelt love: ‘O how I fear Thee, living God, with deepest, tenderest fears… with trembling hope and penitential tears! Yet I may love Thee too, O Lord, Almighty as Thou art, for Thou hast stooped to ask of me the love of my poor heart’ (Church Hymnary, 356).

Let us worship Christ – our Lord and our God.

From the heights of heaven and the depths of suffering, ‘God… has spoken to us by His Son’ (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Jesus Christ is God’s ‘Word’ to us. He is ‘the Word’ who came from heaven: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’. He is ‘the Word’ who came to earth: ‘the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…’ (John 1:1-14).

In heaven, He is worshipped by angels: ‘Let all God’s angels worship Him’(Hebrews 1:6).

On earth, ‘He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone’(Hebrews 2:9).

We see the greatness of Christ in both His heavenly glory and His saving grace. None can compare with Him. He is our Lord. He is our Saviour. We consider all that He has done for us – ‘the nail marks in His hands…’- and we worship Him – ‘my Lord and my God’(John 20:19-20,24-28).

Keep your eyes on Christ – the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Jesus Christ is the Word of God. He is the Beginning. He is also the End (John 1:1-3; Revelation 21:6).

He is ‘the Word… made flesh’. ‘We have seen His glory’(14). This is only the beginning. When He returns, we shall see His glory – ‘we shall see Him as He is’(1 John 3:2).

From Him, there is creation (John 1:1-3).

From Him, there is salvation (John 1:12-13).

In Him, we receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 1:29, 32-34).

He is the Word of God, the Lamb of God and the Son of God (John 1:1, 29, 34). When we look at Jesus Christ, we see God – ‘the ‘Word was God’(John 1:1), ‘No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known’(John 1:18).

Do you want to know what God is like? – Look at Jesus (John 14:9).

What do we see when we look at Him? – ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29).

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His Name was called JESUS (Luke 2:21).

Christmas is over – but let’s not forget Jesus. He is still here. He is still with us.

He is for New Year’s Day as well as Christmas Day. He is for every day.

The New Year has begun. Let there be more than a new year. Let there be new life – the new life that Jesus brings.

We have celebrated His birth.

It is similar to the birth of any other child. It is a time for joyful thanksgiving.

It is different from the celebration of any other child. This is the special Child. This is God’s Son. He is Jesus. He is the Saviour. He brings new life to the world.

On the first Christmas Day, the announcement was made: There is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).

We move on from the first Christmas. We move on to today. We do not leave Jesus behind. He is with us still.

On this day, any day, every day, we hear God’s call: Let new life begin.

New Year’s Day comes around just once a year. Every day is new life day.

Every day, God is speaking to us. He speaks to us about new life.

This is much more than the traditional greeting – We wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

In the Name of Jesus, we hear the Good News of new life. He has been born in the city of David.

This is Good News for us. This is Good News for today.

The New Year has begun. Let new life begin.

Let Christ be ‘born this day’(Luke 2:11). Let Him be born in your heart!

The Name of Jesus is the Name of love.

The Name of Jesus is the Name of love, perfect love, the greatest love of all. There is no love like the love of Jesus.

At Christmas time, we look back to His birth. We celebrate His continuing love.

On New Year’s Day, we look on to the future. We commit ourselves to loving Him who first loved us.

In the Name of Jesus, God speaks to us with a call to consecration and a promise of blessing.

* Do we love the Name of Jesus? – Let us consecrate ourselves to Him.

‘Separate… to the Lord… Separate… from wine and strong drink’ (Numbers 6:2-3): These two thoughts are closely connected in the New Testament – ‘Do not get drunk with wine… Be filled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians 5:18). We are to be ‘holy to the Lord’ (Numbers 6:8). ‘Consecrated to the Lord’, our whole life must be controlled by one thing: ‘Do all to the glory of God’ (1 Corinthians 10:31).

* Do we love the Name of Jesus? – Let us seek His blessing in our lives.

Motivated by a desire for God’s glory, we will enjoy God’s blessing (Numbers 6:22-27). God’s blessing is not a ‘cheap’ thing, something that doesn’t matter very much.

Remember Esau (Genesis 25:29-34). He couldn’t be bothered. He couldn’t care less. God’s blessing meant nothing to him. He didn’t want God’s blessing.

What did God do? – He gave it to Jacob.

‘The Lord bless you…’ – Do you want this? Or must God find somebody else?

In the Name of Jesus, we have the victory.

‘The Lord is ‘majestic’ (Psalm 8:1, 9). He does not remain remote. He does not keep His distance. This is the message of Christmas. The Saviour has been born. God has not remained in heaven. He has come to earth. He has come near to us. He is God with us.

In the birth of Jesus, we see God’s greatness, the greatness of His love. His love makes all the difference.

* When we feel forgotten. He remembers us.

* When we feel unloved. He cares for us (Psalm 8:4).

* When we are tempted. He will ‘still the enemy’ (Psalm 8:2).

At the beginning of a New Year, we are reminded of God our Creator (Psalm 8:5-8).

The God of creation is the God of our salvation. From Bethlehem, the place of Christ’s birth, we look forward. We see Jesus, crucified for us. In His death, there is victory. Christ has won the victory for us. Christ has triumphed over ‘him who has the power of death.’ Christ has triumphed over ‘the devil.’ (Hebrews 2:8-9, 14).

We rejoice in Christ’s victory. We worship Him. We sing, “Majesty, worship His Majesty. Jesus, who died, now glorified, King of all kings’.

Jesus leads us on from victory to victory.

At the Cross, Christ won the victory over Satan. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ makes His victory real in our life here and now.

* ‘God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts’ (Galatians 4:6).

The Spirit is not a reward we earn by being good people. The Spirit is God’s gift (Titus 3:5). In Galatians 3:13-14, Paul connects the gift of the Spirit with Christ’s death for us and our faith in Christ. We do not come to God with our religion in one hand and our morality in the other, insisting that we deserve to be blessed by Him. We look away from ourselves to Christ – ‘Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy Cross I cling’(Church Hymnary, 83).

All pride in ourselves must be brought to Christ’s Cross as we humbly pray, ‘Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me, break me, melt me, mould me, fill me’(Mission Praise, 613).

God has given His Spirit to us. Let’s give ourselves to Him – to ‘be filled with the Spirit’(Ephesians 5:18).

* ‘He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the Day of Jesus Christ’(Philippians 1:6).

Do you feel like you can`t go on? Do you feel like giving up?

God gives us His Word of encouragement. He will bring His good work to completion.

God finishes what He starts – ‘He didn`t bring us this far to leave us. He didn`t teach us to swim to let us drown. He didn`t build His home in us to move away. He didn`t lift us up to let us down’.

In all the changes of life, we must remember this: God is faithful. His love is unchanged, unchanging and unchangeable.

We don`t keep going because we are strong. We are ‘kept by the power of God’ (1 Peter 1:5).

‘Jesus Christ is Lord’ (Philippians 2:11) – He will give you the strength to keep going when you feel like giving up.

We do not find our own victory. We receive His victory. The victory does not come from deep down within ourselves. It comes from high above us. It comes from Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is not our victory. It is His victory. All the power comes from Him. All the glory goes to Him.

In ‘humility’ let us live ‘to the glory and praise of God’ (Philippians 2:3; 1:11).

—–

January 1: when observed as New Year’s Day – Ecclesiastes 3:1-13; Psalm 8; Revelation 21:1-6a; Matthew 25: 31-46

Let’s begin the year with worship: “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your Name” (Psalm 8:1).

How excellent is our Saviour – He takes away the emptiness of life without Him.

‘God has put eternity into man’s mind’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11). In every human heart, there is a God-shaped blank. It can only be filled by Jesus Christ.

Many people try to find true happiness without opening their heart to Jesus Christ. That’s like ‘trying to catch the wind’ (Ecclesiastes 4:16). True happiness keeps slipping through your fingers. There’s always something missing – ‘an aching void the world can never fill’ (Church Hymnary, 663).

Jesus Christ stands at the door of every human heart. He knocks. He waits for your answer. He says, ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…’ (Revelation 3:20). Will you invite Him into your heart? He is waiting for you to pray, ‘Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus’.

How excellent is our Saviour – He is preparing us for a glorious future.

Our Saviour is ‘Faithful and True’. He is ‘the Word of God’. He is our ‘Lord’ and ‘King’(Revelation 19:11,13,16).

We are invited to ‘come’ to Him. The invitation – ‘Come, gather together for the great supper of God’- is a call to come to Christ (Revelation 19:17). We come to Christ so that we might ‘reign with Him’(Revelation 20:6).

Coming to Christ is only the beginning. God is preparing us for something even better – reigning with Him. This is a great future – ‘no more death or mourning or crying or pain’(Revelation 21:4).

There is, however, a Word of warning for those who refuse to come to Christ for salvation – ‘If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire’; ‘Their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur’ (Revelation 20:15; 21:8). ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved’(Acts 16:31).

How excellent is our Saviour – He gives us joy as we serve Him day-by-day.

We are to be faithful to God (Matthew 25:21). There is a reward for faithfulness (Matthew 25:29; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Our ‘reward’is not to get more glory for ourselves: ‘what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord’(2 Corinthians 4:5). Bringing glory to God – this is to be our greatest joy.

We are not to be thinking, ‘What am I going to get out of this?’. We are to be asking, ‘What can I give to others?’.

The ‘righteous’ are not full of boasting about their ‘righteous’actions (Matthew 25:37-38). The Lord’s true servants do not draw attention to themselves.

Do you have ‘talents’? Yes – you do! Use them! ‘Serve the Lord with gladness’(Psalm 100:2).

Let this be your ‘reward’: the joyful privilege of bringing blessing to others and glory to God.

On earth, we begin to ‘enter the joy of our Lord’(21). In heaven, there will be ‘fullness of joy’and ‘pleasure for evermore’

(Psalm 16:11).

—–

Second Sunday after Christmas Day: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:(1-9), 10-18

In love, the Lord draws us to Himself.

‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness’ (Jeremiah 31:3).

So often, we have been like ‘the prodigal son’ (Luke 15:11-24). We have walked away from our Father’s House. We have wandered off into ‘the far country’. We feel that we are far from God, yet still He draws near to us.

The Lord is at work in our hearts. He is bringing us ‘to our senses’. He is reminding us of His love. He is drawing us back to Himself. In love, He is calling us home again. He is speaking to our hearts. He is saying to us, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love’.

As His love reaches our hearts, ‘the prodigal son’ becomes ‘the returning son’: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son’. ‘Bring me back, let me come back, for you are the Lord my God!’ (Jeremiah 31:18).

In love, the Lord brings us into fellowship with His people.

‘The Lord builds up Jerusalem. He gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds’ (Psalm 147:2-3).

This is much more than the building of the city of Jerusalem with bricks and mortar. This is God building up His people in their ‘most holy faith’ (Jude 20). This is God blessing His people as they gather together to worship Him.

In Christ, we are ‘being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit’ (Ephesians 2:22). The Lord draws us to Himself. He brings us into fellowship with His people.

He calls us to worship Him: ‘Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving’. He ‘blesses’ us through ‘His Word’. He ‘blesses’ us in ‘the Spirit’: ‘He sends His Word… and the waters flow’ (Psalm 147:7, 12-13, 18; John 7:37-39).

In love, the Lord calls us to be changed by His love.

‘By grace you have been saved through faith… for good works’ (Ephesians 2:8-10). God calls us to live a ‘holy’life. We cannot make ourselves holy. We are spiritually ‘dead’. We need to be ‘made alive’- by God. Holiness does not come from ourselves. It comes from the Lord.

Long before we ever thought of loving Him – He loved us. Our love for Him is so changeable. His love for us is unchanged, unchanging and unchangeable. It is eternal. He loved us ‘before the foundation of the world’. He will love us ‘in the world to come’. This is the love of God, the love which inspires us and enables us to live a ‘holy’life (Ephesians 2:1; 1:4; 2:7).

When we realize the truth concerning ourselves – ‘nothing good dwells within me’(Romans 7:18) – and God – He is ‘rich in mercy’ (Ephesians 2:4) – , we will ‘praise His glorious grace’ (Ephesians 1:6).

We praise His glorious grace when we receive His love and are changed by His love.

In love, the Lord calls us to be changed by His glory.

Jesus Christ is the Word of God. He is the Beginning. He is also the End (John 1:1-3; Revelation 21:6).

He is ‘the Word… made flesh’. ‘We have seen His glory’ (John 1:14). This is only the beginning. When He returns, we shall see His glory – ‘we shall see Him as He is’(1 John 3:2).

From Him, there is creation (John 1:1-3). From Him, there is salvation (John 1:12-13). In Him, we receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 1:29, 32-34). He is the Word of God, the Lamb of God and the Son of God (John 1:1, 29, 34).

When we look at Jesus Christ, we see God – ‘the ‘Word was God’ (John 1:1), ‘No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known’ (John 1:18).

Do you want to know what God is like? – Look at Jesus (John 14:9). What do we see when we look at Him? – ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29).

We look at the Lamb of God, crucified for us. We see love – the greatest love of all. It is divine love. It is eternal love. It is a love which calls us to say, with Paul,

I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me …

… one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what

is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has

called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14).

Reporting science

science4youngpeople — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:28:53 +0000

… is not very easy. On one hand, (part of) the public entrusts scientists with the task of sor

Federal Government Intervenes in Sale of Toll Free Numbers

smsgov — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:00:59 +0000

Following the emergence of a black market for valuable toll free numbers, including catchy vanity numbers, sources say federal authorities are cracking down on the illegal sales of 800 numbers.

Insiders say to avoid being caught in an undercover investigation and facing hefty fines from the Federal Communications Commission, anyone interested in obtaining an 800 number should deal with reputable service providers such as Qwest, or AT&T.

three

consumerish — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:00:22 +0000

this is the third test post. this is the third test post. this is the third test post. this is the

AUDIÊNCIA EUA - SEXTA 27/11

markinseries — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:02:08 +0000

Numa noite de reprises após o feriado de ação de graças a única notícia importante da noite foi a má

The Basic Contradiction of Climate Science

jeromewhitington — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:59:03 +0000

We’re all grateful to Andrew Revkin for keeping us up to date on the controversy surrounding hacked email messagesfrom the UK. Calls for a more inclusive science, or at any rate an approach to science that doesn’t assume the authority of its expertise, do in fact seem a long time in coming. The circles I sometimes run in – I’m thinking of people who work in development in Southeast Asia, mostly expats with a technical bent and a generally progressive but practical outlook – are deeply skeptical of the demand from the heights of the ivory tower to jump (how high?) on the climate bandwagon, especially when their imperious demands are coupled with the naive, bureaucratic idealism of United Nations proceduralism. When all of a sudden climate change adaptation and mitigation monies become the major driver of aid investment, red flags will fly.

But the disappointing aspect of the hacked email messages goes to a problem advocates for climate justice have been pointing out for a long time. All of a sudden climate science is obliged to pay much more attention to a rear-guard move to protect the legitimacy of their work, but what we’re left with is a silly, irresponsible debate between elite Northern science and the elite Northern conservative populists who don’t want the UN eroding their right to play frontiersmen on the grand stage of American exceptionalism. Meanwhile, ecosystems around the world are changing dramatically – but has anyone bothered to make localized, intimate environmental knowledges the object of public debate? The question here is trust and the mythos of provability. For some odd reason scientists and the people who fund them still think proof is only a relation between complexity of the data and the theories that may or may not account for them. Robust knowledge, on the other hand, would have a long time ago began to correlate science with localized ecological changes and the vast social and social justice implications of those changes.

Kim Fortun has brilliantly called attention to skepticism of computer modeling in the field of toxicology by pointing out that models imply one must either be a savant or be willing to trust the savants. Climate change originated as a problem based on Fourier’s thermodynamics calculations in the 19th century. Decades of advances in elite Northern science (linked to environmentalism as a cultural movement) fed into a drive for advanced computer simulation of climate calculations, with climate science and advances in computational power driving each other to ever-ethereal heights. In fact the either-or dead-end of trusting the science or denying the problem is an artifact of theparticularistic (dare I say it?) American commitment to science/anti-science dualism.

This conundrum means ‘we’ will trust ‘our’ scientists if we must, but there’s no way we’re going to trust marginalized brown people who might stand to gain from what they say. One may trust the numbers, or one might trust one’s neighbors – hopefully these things would confirm each other. I have no patience at all for claims for more and better rationalism as a solution at this point: it assumes that things were going more or less fine as it was when in fact things were deeply fucked. George Monbiot’s response to the email thing left me breathless. He’s never felt so alone? Yes, that’s what rationalism will do to you. Try talking to other people for once – and ignore the skeptics. But another way of saying this is that precisely what’s excluded in the science/anti-science conundrum is the fact that the status quo is deeply political. The obvious way out is to simply disenfranchise the skeptics who after all simply critique the science as a wedge to protect their way of life.

This Will Shock You~The Truth About America's Debt

owlwiseartiesays — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:09:55 +0000

This will one of the most compelling articles you will ever see or read. A never before seen display of America’s debt. The truth be told when you run the cursor over the numbers and it will show you the financial resources of how the numbers where retrieved. Please be prepared for the UN National Debt Clock because it will shock you as well as educate you. Please allow time for the clock to load up for your viewing.

Commentary Written

Terrance Norton

Brophy: Strength in numbers

nhlnewss — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:58:29 +0000

There exists a belief that every player selected for Canada’s men’s hockey team must also be qualified to compete in a speed skating event.

But not every player on the Olympic list can check off quick feet as a skill. In fact, if it came down to skating, would Phil Esposito have made Team Canada in 1972? Espo, the best and most valuable player in the famous Summit Series, skated like he was carrying a refrigerator on his back. But stand him in front of the net and he was suddenly the most dangerous – and effective – player in the series.

For that matter, I don’t recall Wayne Gretzky winning a lot of foot races and all he did was re-write the NHL record book.

All of this leads me to the plight of Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks. The 24-year-old product of Peterborough, ON, will never be mistaken for Jeremy Wotherspoon, but the NHL’s fifth leading scorer (third amongst Canadian-born players) knows how to score.

Perry is currently the league’s hottest player with points in 15 straight games and has only failed to register on the score sheet in three of the Ducks 22 games. And as we get closer to the start of the Games, offence is a growing concern for Team Canada.

Sidney Crosby, expected to be the centre piece for Canada’s gold medal challenger, ranks 23rd in league scoring and is averaging less than a point per game with 23 in 24. Unbelievably he is 44th in assists with 12.

Ryan Getzlaf, Perry’s Anaheim teammate who was projected by many to be Canada’s No. 1 center behind Crosby, has but four goals in 22 games. Vinny Lecavalier, meanwhile, ranks 48th in NHL scoring with four goals and 19 points in 21 games.

You get the picture.

Perry may not look pretty on the ice, but toss a puck into the corner and he’ll come out with it nine out of 10 times. He’s a lanky 6′3, 205 pounds and can bull his way to the net like a charging fullback. Best of all, he has the hands of a surgeon and he’ll pay a price to win.

Chemistry could work in Perry’s favour as he and Getzlaf have been one of the NHL’s most dynamic duos the past few years, and lately Getzlaf seems to be coming out of his early season funk.

Yzerman has indicated past performance and tenure will not be overriding factors when it comes to choosing his team. That being the case, Perry has a very good opportunity to play himself onto the squad. Hockey Canada thought highly enough of Perry to invite him to the summer evaluation camp and here’s hoping he is still in their good books based on his play thus far this season.

KIPPER’S CONUNDRUM

Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has let it be known if he is not chosen to start in net for Finland at the Olympics he’ll skip the tournament. There are those, I am certain, who will view this as greedy and self-centered.

I am not one of those.

While some would argue Nashville’s Pekka Rinne has performed well enough this season to garner serious consideration as Finalnd’s starter, Kiprusoff has age, experience and tenure on his side. If he is not named the starting goaltender, then he has every right to consider using the two weeks as an opportunity to rest up for the second half of the NHL season.

Few goaltenders are relied on as heavily as Kiprusoff is in Calgary. For some reason the Flames have deemed it unnecessary to acquire and experienced backup, so Kiprusoff gets the majority of starts: 76, 76, 74 and 74 in the past four seasons.

If Kiprusoff goes to Vancouver, he gives Finland a legitimate shot at winning a medal. He can, as we have seen for years now, be a difference maker and pretty much always gives his team a chance to win. If he skips the Games, that is his prerogative. He’ll risk criticism and, just like Patrick Roy in 2002, the possibility of winning a gold medal. It’s his call.

Ron – Real not a one-man team Shannon: While you were sleeping

Home Depot Credit Card Numbers

pongsak3 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:08:51 +0000

Image : http://www.flickr.com

The Home Depot credit card is unlike any credit card you've ever known. You can not just be interested to receive 6 months for free if you spend more than $ 299.00, but you also get an opportunity to move a few times a year payment and interest for a whole year. This is great, especially if you buy a major purchase on. There are also many discounts and promotions that you only when you use the Home Depot credit card.

You can also use the credit card rewards program. ThisThere, you get rewarded for buying things at Home Depot with your Home Depot credit card. You can free money to spend on HOME DEPOT. It's a really great program. Check the details of this great program and you want to sign up.

One of the best features of the Home Depot credit card is that there is no annual fee. It is rare to find a credit card these days without an annual fee. How to save money. Most credit cards charge an annual fee of about$ 100.

If you check your local Sunday paper, you should look for the display HOMEDEPOT and see if they are offered, their deferred payments operations. If you spend over a certain amount that you pay no payments or interest for one year. This is a good time to make up for a Home Depot credit card. If you purchase for your home, but must, like most of us, that some financial difficulties, then this is a good way to save some money.

You can also use reduced-April, if youspend $ 2000 or more interest on your Home Depot credit card will be reduced by almost 6%. It's a really good option. Furthermore, there is zero liability for any unauthorized purchases. You can track all your purchases over the Internet using your Internet account.

Remember that if you are planning a large purchase at Home Depot, Home Depot, then apply for a credit card for all its great benefits. Get the rewards of their rewards program and get the low of April, so that yourPayments are even lower. Get one years no payments, if you spend the minimum amount to no interest. Just go online and read the details about their credit card. Apply for Home Depot, credit card today and you will not be disappointed!

My Links : home DIY diyhomes.wordpress.com

Planilha

altaircamargo — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:52:07 +0000

Gosto de gráficos, números e planilhas.

Criei uma planilha no Numbers (programa como se fosse o Excel) em que digitamos, entre outras coisas, a distância percorrida e o tênis utilizado.

Os retornos mais legais são a quilometragem corrida semanal e mensal, dividida por tênis e o gráfico que indica quanto cada um foi utilizado e uma barra mostrando quanto falta para chegar aos 600 km utilizados – a aposentadoria!

Quem quiser, é só pedir!

(Clique para ampliar as imagens)

I feel old!

diaryofarecoveredbulimic — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:50:58 +0000

November 24, 1991 was the day Freddie Mercury died. That was eighteen years ago!!! On December 8 it

Go Calculate

navaneethnagendra — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:10:48 +0000

Dancing Dice

navaneethnagendra — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:48:13 +0000

The Thin Blue Line

StuntTrader — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:07:29 +0000

There’s not enough closed trades yet to stick 3 pins in this graph,but hopefully at least one

favourite number - 1 to 100?

blu Tik — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:32:40 +0000

to request another list item - please leave it in a comment

Got My Mojo Workin'!

Nutsferatu — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:09:45 +0000

Although I’ve never been much of a math wiz, I’ve always liked numbers. Well, I’ve always like statistics, especially when they’re related to sports and movies. I can even remember the “inciting incident” for my ongoing statistics fascination. When I was 10, my parents bought me the program for Super Bowl XXI at the airport—kids get bored quickly on long flights, you know. And although we went on to spend a nice week in warm, sunny climes, the highlight of my winter vacation was probably the time I spent studying that magazine. I mean, really studying it! Tampa Bay lost 14 of their 16 games that season? How interesting! Eric Dickerson, of the L.A. Rams, led the NFL in rushing with 1,821 yards during the regular season? Tell me more! The Jets finally snapped their five-game losing streak by beating Kansas City in the AFC Wild Card Game? All right!

In the wide world of tables, graphs and charts, the only thing more fun than sports statistics, is movie statistics. Budgets, grosses and salaries, oh my! Among movie websites that cater to the statistically inclined, Box Office Mojo reigns supreme. Well, at least when it comes to earnings. Don’t believe me? Check out the Daily Box Office chart. Oh, mama! You’ll find more numbers there than in Rain Man’s brain!

Zombieland made $51,102 on Saturday. Isn’t that fascinating? On Monday, Rob Zombie’s Halloween II, which author/critic Kim Newman deemed “Ugly” in the latest issue of Empire, had limped along to what must surely be a disappointing $33,389,464 take in 88 days. Compare that to New Moon, which on the same day had a healthy total gross of $153,345,623 … amassed in only four days! And Paranormal Activity is still hanging tough, in 1902 theaters, with total domestic earnings of $106,224,428. This means that in the US alone, Paranormal Activity has made back its miniscule budget of $15,000 well over 7000 times! (Boohoo, I won’t get to see it until December.)

Well, anyways, I just wanted to say that numbers are fun. I could easily spend a couple of hours on Box Office Mojo, scrolling and clicking, comparing and deducing. And you know what? Even though I’ve more or less lost all interest in football since 1987, I still have that Super Bowl program. Yup, numbers are fun.

50 CENT OFFICIAL SALES NUMBERS ARE IN!

VERSE — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:42:17 +0000

By DeVaughn Douglas

The Top 10 doesn’t have a lot of Hip-Hop on it but we do have a new entry. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson enters the charts at in the fifth slot with his latest album Before I Self Destruct. The queens MC managed to sell about 160,000 copies of his fourth disc which, to date, is the lowest sales the rapper has produced. The reviews for the album have been mixed but I will say that the movie that comes with it is not bad. In fact it’s pretty good. 50 has already come forward and said that the album leaked from an international plant which is not hard to believe. The album was everywhere…but is that the reason for the low sales? What do ya’ll think? Nevertheless, this is a hater’s wet dream! The next question is how does an MC that has always spent a lot of time focusing on numbers (especially the numbers of rappers he doesn’t like) deal with the fact that his latest album hasn’t put up good numbers. I hope its go back to the studio (hungry) and put out another album. We’ll see.

The #'s

runnj — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:00:22 +0000

A Light Version Of The Numbers Today Just For 50. 50’s Before I Self Destruct Managed To Move 161,200 Copies After 2 Weeks On Itunes And A Week In Stores Putting The Album At Number 5 On The Charts.

fiver five five

consumerish — Fri, 29 May 2009 01:29:42 +0000

5555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555

fore for four

consumerish — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:49:05 +0000

phor?

trio threesome triple

consumerish — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 01:30:46 +0000

it’s the magic number.

duo bi-couple pair!

consumerish — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:31:22 +0000

make that a double.