Saturday 27 December 2014

WORD DIARY: SATURDAY DECEMBER 27 2014




Jeremiah 6:9 This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Let them glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine; pass your hand over the branches again, like one gathering grapes."

Gather us, Oh Lord! #PastorBasil
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Jeremiah 6:10 To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.

I take pleasure in the word of God! #PastorBasil

Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Give me that old time religion! #PastorBasil

Isaiah 31:5 Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will 'pass over' it and will rescue it."

Let us pray: Thank you Lord for shielding us in Jesus name #PastorBasil

Friday 26 December 2014

WORD DIARY: FRIDAY DECEMBER 26 2014




Jeremiah 5:30-31 "A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?

Grant us the spirit of discernment, O Lord! #PastorBasil
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Jeremiah 6:4-5 "Prepare for battle against her! Arise, let us attack at noon! But, alas, the daylight is fading, and the shadows of evening grow long. So arise, let us attack at night and destroy her fortresses!"

No arrow fashioned against me shall prosper! #PastorBasil

Jeremiah 6:8 Take warning, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you and make your land desolate so no one can live in it."

O Lord, in your mercy make us a fruitful vine! #PastorBasil

Isaiah 31:3 But the Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, he who helps will stumble, he who is helped will fall; both will perish together.

Let us pray: Spirit of the living God, arise and help us in Jesus name #PastorBasil

Thursday 25 December 2014

WORD DIARY: THURSDAY DECEMBER 25 2014




Jeremiah 5:22 Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it.

O Lord, we reverence you! #PastorBasil
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Jeremiah 5:26 Among my people are wicked men who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch men.

I escape every trap of the wicked! #PastorBasil

Jeremiah 5:27-28 Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor.

O Lord, grant me the grace to make a positive impact in the lives of others! #PastorBasil

Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.

Let us pray: O Lord, may we learn to depend on you in Jesus name #PastorBasil


IT IS CHRISTMAS – THE BIRTH OF JESUS!

Matthew 1:18-25 NIV: “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 
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But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us." 

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
Charles Spurgeon's Daily Devotional commentary is also apt here:
"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Isaiah 7:14
 
Let us to-day go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see Him who was born King of the Jews, for we by faith can claim an interest in Him, and can sing, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother and friend; let us adore and admire.

Let us notice at the very first glance His miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of before, and unparalleled since, that a virgin should conceive and bear a Son. The first promise ran thus, "The seed of the woman," not the offspring of the man. Since venturous woman led the way in the sin which brought forth Paradise lost, she, and she alone, ushers in the Regainer of Paradise.
Our Saviour, although truly man, was as to His human nature the Holy One of God. Let us reverently bow before the holy Child whose innocence restores to manhood its ancient glory; and let us pray that He may be formed in us, the hope of glory. 

Fail not to note His humble parentage. His mother has been described simply as "a virgin," not a princess, or prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True the blood of kings ran in her veins; nor was her mind a weak and untaught one, for she could sing most sweetly a song of praise; but yet how humble her position, how poor the man to whom she stood affianced, and how miserable the accommodation afforded to the new-born King!
 

Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor”.

POSTSCRIPT

Do you know that Jesus is the reason for the season? Do you know Him?

He came into the world and the world has never been the same again.

I pray for you and I pray for myself: On earth we will make impact, and we will make heaven @ last!


Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year, everyone!