Tag: scripture

The Shack Downtown

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Hello friends! A few words this evening before I turn my eyes to better things. It is good to rest this Sunday and consider the works and words of God. I am grateful for days of rest such as this one and even more grateful for the true eternal rest that is mine in my Jesus forevermore. This morning before church was able to find a few minutes to enjoy my coffee and read in the Scripture and was most blessed by my reading as I stepped through some of my favourite passages. Firstly, as of today I have begun the epic trek through Isaiah. Truly one of my favourite books and I’m so excited to read it these coming weeks!! I say weeks as I doubt it will be days – at least it certainly shouldn’t be as that would mean I’m reading it much too quickly. And I also read a bit in Matthew – been lingering in Matthew 5 these past few days, wondrous words from Jesus that he preached oh so many years ago yet still they ring strong and echo throughout the world in their beauty and their truth. Reading Isaiah and Matthew together? Perfectly marvelous and I’m most eager to see their resonance. Today as I read, was particularly struck by the authority and majesty of Jesus as he said words that could only be said by one who in himself held sovereign power. His words rang with authority and people marveled at them. Take in these words which he said – “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” That verse hit me hard today. As I now read through Isaiah I should not consider it full of dusty dry words that are now of no account because of the coming of Jesus who has made all new. No, instead I should read the words of this prophet and consider that they are words that are fulfilled and made all the sweeter in the full light of the mystery unveiled in Christ – the divine plan of salvation that is now revealed for the world to see. And consider the authority in that statement – “I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” Not some wimpy statement indicating that perhaps some of his deeds would by chance fulfill a prophecy or two. No, Jesus came to fulfill in his very person and with full intentionality and in the fullness of his nature as God and in the fullness of his nature as man he came to bridge the gap that the grand story would come to its climactic moment in which God now offers full communion to fallen man. What a marvel, what a story!

And it is true and it is real. Jesus did not come to abolish all that has come before, even the words of God that rang throughout the millennia. Nay Jesus in and of himself came to fulfill. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises of all the ages going back to the first echoing of the gospel as the serpent’s death was prophesied at the the bruising of the conquering Seed. Consider how this Jesus was bruised for me, for you. He was beaten and bruised and even for us was pierced, crushed, chastened and scourged as laid upon him were the iniquities of us all. Consider the blood that ran fresh from the cursed tree as this Jesus died for you and for me. Consider Jesus, the one of whom that spear was run through swift and true and of which the water and the blood testified that it was finished true. Consider Jesus, the one who bore the sin of many and who even now intercedes for us. Consider Jesus who did not come to abolish but who came to fulfill and now that it is finished sits at the right hand of the Father, the work done now and for all time, no more need of any further sacrifice. Consider Jesus and his blood which was given for you and me, for all who in him alone would bow the knee and only in him rest and believe. Consider Jesus, whose yoke is easy and burden is light, the one who offers rest to us because he knows our toils and our pains. Consider Jesus, he who died and rose again to life victorious, conquering death and its train forever as he trampled upon that cursed serpent’s head. Consider Jesus, our only hope in life and death. Consider Jesus.

That Old Story

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Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up in life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

-2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5

Hidden Places

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It is good to sit and be still this quiet Friday morning. Soon enough I’ll breathe deep and begin the work day and plunge into all its many fires that must be fought and conquered. But for now, I’ll relish the quiet of a day that has not yet fully awakened. I have had a few minutes to luxuriate in the quiet of our little flat and think on things that my mind can’t quite comprehend in all their glory. My coffee is still warm and its bitter loveliness is a little pleasure that brings me much joy. I think you know the feeling? I sigh. I wish I had more time to read and rest today, but the clock ticks relentlessly on. So grateful for the time I did have, reading one of my all-time favourite Psalms – Psalm 118 in all its comforting grace and profound prophetic majesty! I shall write more about this at a future time, but let it be said that there are few Psalms that speak as clearly of Jesus Christ and the salvation that he holds out to us. Also got a few moments in John 15 reading about what it means to rest and remain in Christ. Oh how sweet it is to be on that vine and know that I am united to Christ. What this fully means this feeble mind cannot quite grasp. But I know that I am one with Jesus and I cling ever more closely to the love that is my Lord’s. As I look upward and delight in the everyday obedience and faithfulness that comes in my union with Jesus, I rejoice. I rejoice for love unbounded.

Wedding Feast

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Good morning friends! A cold morning dawns here again and again I am most certainly not complaining. This December has been delightfully and most properly cold and my only regret is that I haven’t had more time to walk here and there and everywhere to enjoy it. Alas. Work is busy as always and it pains me that I also haven’t had more time for writing. Hopefully soon? Next week I have time off and so I do have hopes that there will be time for writing! And reading of course, always.

Speaking of reading, been enjoying a few minutes reading in my latest book – “The Everlasting Righteousness” by Horatius Bonar. Always love a good book by an old Scotsman. And this book is certainly a splendid one, encouraging and full of rich truths and oh so good for my soul. The chapter I read aided my reflections on the death of Christ and His work on the cross and the many staggering glories that are revealed therein. We do not consider enough the majestic beauty of the work of Christ! I wish I meditated more on such and hence it’s helpful for me to read books like this that draw my gaze upwards. Yes, it’s good to read books that are silly and fun and creative from time to time (trust me, I read plenty!), but do I also consistently and deeply drink from books that contain and proclaim the truth about God in all his manifold glory and beauty? I strive to. And so today as I must soon dash off to work and all its assorted stresses, I pause a moment and think on Christ. I consider Jesus and sigh in awe that he lived and died for me. I meditate on the fact that this same Jesus rose again in power and glory testifying to the finished work and the efficacy of such and the fact that the salvation I have is perfect and the inheritance I have will never tarnish nor fade and is kept in heaven for me forever and that one day I shall gaze upon this same Jesus with my own eyes and rejoice with thousands more as we sing glory glory glory to the Lamb!

Sidewalk Dreams

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For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened,
because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed,
so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God,
who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.
Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing
that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord
-for we walk by faith, not by sight –
we are of good courage, I say,
and prefer rather to be absent from the body
and to be at home with the Lord.
Therefore we also have as our ambition,
whether at home or absent,
to be pleasing to Him.
For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ,
so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body,
according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
-2 Corinthians 5:4-10

Love Unyielding

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A glorious morning is mine. It is but a simple Sunday morning, but already I feel the grace of the Lord this day as I have enjoyed so many fine little pleasures. Woke up at a nice and leisurely hour (comparatively to my normal) and as the sun was already peeking over the horizon, decided to get out of bed and enjoy a long pre-church time of rest and meditation. Well, I say that – but I also decided that a little errand run was important. Dashed off to bakery and got a fresh loaf of sourdough for the week and then went to grocery store for a few little items for macaroni salad contribution for tomorrow’s Monday Night dinner. Back home again, and back to reading and meditating.

How sweet have been these past few minutes. A good cup of strong black coffee. Listening to the ever lovely Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. Reading in the Word – words of lamentation and of hope as I continue reading through Lamentations and relish the joy-streaked melancholy of Chapter 3 – surely one of the most beautiful chapters of Scripture there is. And then in Luke – onwards we march as we witness the continuing ministry of Jesus as he calls all to repentance. And then what an overwhelming story of love and compassion as he teaches in the synagogue and then notices a woman afflicted with a grievous ailment. She doesn’t say a word, she doesn’t cry out to him, she doesn’t put herself forward. Jesus looks, Jesus notices, Jesus calls to her to come. She comes to him and what does he do? Jesus places his hands on her and pronounces her free from her pain and suffering, free from the chains with which she was bound by Satan. Glory glory – hallelujah and all praise to Jesus King of kings and Lord of lords who is our Sovereign who also has the hands that heals. It is almost too much to consider this Jesus who looks to us and sees us suffering and calls us to him that we might know his healing hands. See those hands marked by the scars of mercy? Look upon Jesus, the one who calls to us to come to him and be forever free from our chains. I love to ponder and meditate on such. Balm for my soul this Sunday to consider the Jesus who has saved me from all my sins and called me into communion with God.

Communion

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What a lovely lovely day. And shall I waste it adding words to the ever growing clouds of data spinning through this world? May it not be so! So briefly….

A day of rest, a day of joy. Finally home with my Bethel church family, loving each other and loving God, lifting our voices in worship sweet and listening to the Word expounded. And lunch with friends(chicken curry is always a quality meal, more so when eaten over good chat and sweet communion with my dear friends). Back at my flat and poring over the Word for community group(Colossians 3:15-17…)…And then vacuuming and a quick workout and then out into glorious brilliant afternoon sunshine reading The Silver Chair by the side of the pool…And back inside and now potato is in the oven and I will soon enjoy it hot and freshly buttered along with some plump turkey burgers and green beans but now I sit on this couch and read a bit of Owen’s Communion With God and while I could say that there is nothing more to be said, suffice it to be said that my heart is full this day. Afternoon sweetly passing by, eyes brighten, lips part, heart sigh. A touch of honey on the bread, one last morsel achingly read, truly nothing more to be said.

Tears of Grace

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Hello friends!! I write this from Starbucks this happy Saturday afternoon and while I shall not write long, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to put a few words to page. Today has been a somewhat productive day so far(got my car’s oil changed, some errands, etc!) and it will continue once I get back home – need to do some cleaning of my apartment! Fun times eh? Now though, just been reading a bit in preparation for Tuesday night’s study(“Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord.” How often do I fail at that. How much do I need to be reminded!) and also sending a few emails out. Also a very nice benefit to having internet access here…downloaded a bunch of Dominic’s sermons from SermonAudio and I shall later on burn these to CDs for commute listening. I am very pleased with my many new sermons and the much encouragement and conviction I’m sure they will provide. Again from Colossians – may the Word of Christ richly dwell within us.

Now, I’m off, mostly because I want to get home and start my chores. Also need to start dinner at some point – tonight’s a chicken parm night…just been craving that this morning, so suppose I shall make it(complete with tomato salad *of course*). I have far more I could write about, but for now, just grateful for a day of rest that my God has granted me. May I spend it pondering the goodness and glories of my God and meditating on the beauties and wonders of knowing Christ. I do not want to waste this day or this life thinking about that which does not matter. Peace and love, my friends – hope you have a beautiful day and are as encouraged as I am!

Melchizedek

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I forgot how much I love reading Hebrews. I really did mean to post a proper entry today as I sip on my extra-chocolatey mocha, but alas, my time has run out and I need to start on work momentarily. And so I’ll just post a small portion of what encouraged me today…

For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former
commandment because of its weakness and uselessness(for
the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a
bringing in of a much better hope, through which we draw near to God.
And inasmuch as it was not without an oath(for they indeed
became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the
One who said to Him,
“The Lord has sworn
And will not change His mind,
‘You are a Priest forever'”);
so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a
better covenant.
The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater
numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever,
holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to
save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He
always lives to make intercession for them.
For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy,
innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the
heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to
offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the sins of
the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up
Himself.

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are
weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law,
appoints a Son, made perfect forever. – Hebrews 7:18-28

Peace and love, my friends – have a most wonderful Monday!

So Let It Be Done

James HoganLeave a comment

I love this passage so much…have faith, my friends, and believe.

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the
doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and
stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” And when He had
had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then
rejoiced when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with
you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this,
He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you
forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the
sins of any, they have been retained.”

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when
Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the
Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails,
and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I
will not believe.”

After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them.
Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said,
“Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger,
and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do
not be unbelieving, but believing.”

Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to Him, “Because you have seen Me, have you
believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”