5:05 PM
A promised gift
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I read several years ago about a woman who hurriedly purchased 50 Christmas card without looking at the message inside. She quickly signed and addressed all but one, and then dropped them in a mailbox. Just imagine her dismay when later she glanced inside the one unmailed card and read these words:
This card is just to say a little gift is on the way.
No doubt there were 49 people wondering what happened to their presents.
How different was God’s promise to us! Many people before the Saviour was born, the Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah, saying, ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel’. and ‘For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given.’ Did God keep His word? Indeed He did! Galatians 4:4 staes, ‘But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son.’
On this special day, as we commemorate the birth of Christ, let’s thank God that He meant what He said. He not only promised, but He also gave. ‘Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!’
- Richard Dee Haan
On Christmas morning long ago,
Into this world of sin and wor
The blessed Saviour came;
God’s wondrous gift of love was He,
God’s gift to lost humanity –
O glory to His name!
No gift is more needed by a dying world than a living Saviour.
Isaiah 9:1-7
The Government of the Promised Son
1 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed,
As when at first He lightly esteemed
The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
And afterward more heavily oppressed her,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
In Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For You have broken the yoke of his burden
And the staff of his shoulder,
The rod of his oppressor,
As in the day of Midian.
5 For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle,
And garments rolled in blood,
Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
4:59 PM
More than gift wrap
John 12:27-28 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
Every year at Christmas, James Baxter watches people rip apart his company's product and throw it away. All the hours of creative design and careful manufacturing are gone in a flash. And he has no regrets. As a president of the nation's largest maker of Christmas giftwrap, Mr Baxter says, 'What we don't want is our product sitting in somebody's closet.'
A product like wrapping papers leads an interesting perspective on the real meaning of Christmas. When God sent His only Son into this world, His purpose was not to give us a pretty package to gaze upon. Jesus willingly left His glory in heaven and came to earth, clothed with our humanity, knowing that His purpose was to die for our sins. When talking about His approaching death on the cross, Jesus said, 'Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came on this hour'.
Sacrifice, not self-preservation, was our Jesus' goal. And He accomplished it to the glory of God.
This season, ponder the lesson of the wrapping paper. As you think of how it is torn to reveal a gift, let it remind you of the Saviour's sacrifice on the cross so that you can receive eternal life, the priceless gift of God.
- David McCasland
Hark! The herald angels sing'
'Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild -
God and sinners reconciled!'
Jesus was born that we might be born again.
John 12:23-28
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
10:36 AM
Christmas choice
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
The glitter of bright decorations, the sound of joyous Christmas carols, the happy children, and the cheerful 'Merry Christmas' greetings sometimes give the impression that everybody is glad that Jesus came to our planet. But that isn't true today, and it never was.
The news of Jesus' birth evoked a mixed reaction. The wise men joyfully welcomed and worshipped the Saviour. But King Herod was so troubled when he heard about it that he tried to find and kill baby Jesus.
Most people, however, were unaware of the significance of what had happened. Still today, multitudes honour Jesus and rejoice in their salvation. But many others hate Him. They grumble about the singing of Christmas carols in shopping malls and the display of nativity scenes in public places. Others are apathetic. They go along with the celebration of the season. They may join in singing Christmas carols, but they never ask themselves who Jesus is or why He came. They don't think of their need to believe on Him and receive Him as their Saviour.
Are you among the indifferent?
To ignore Him and His claims is to reject Him.
Christmas demands a decision abour Christ.
The choice is yours.
- Herb Vander Lugt
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;
Someday your heart will be asking,
'What will He do with me?'
If you make room for Jesus in your heart, He will make room for you in heaven.
Matthew 2:1-12
Wise Men from the East
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6 ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
10:16 AM
Born to die
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Although millions celebrate Jesus' birthday, few seem to be aware of its real significance.
We recognise that His birth was unusual because He was born of a virgin. His life was unique too, for He was the only one who lived without sinning. His death was also unusual. Jesus was not a martyr. He was not the victim of unfortunate circumstances, dying for a worthy cause. Nor did He lay down His life just to set a good example. There's much more to it than that. The Lord Jesus came into this world to be our Saviour!
Jesus Himself said that He came 'to seek and to save the lost'. Who are the lost? The bible tells us that 'all have sinned' and that 'the wages of sin is death'. In order to save the world, Jesus had to die for it. He came and lived the perfect life and then died the death we should have died. The true meaning of Christmas is that Jesus was born to die. Because He was crucified and then rose from the dead, forgiveness of sin and assurance of heaven is now offered to all who believe.
Have you accepted God's gift of salvation?
If not, do so today, and this will be your most meaningful Christmas ever.
- Richard De Haan
God offers new life;
Yea, what more could He give?
For He sent the Redeemer,
That sinners might live!
Unless we see the cross overshadowing the cradle, we have lost the real meaning of Christ's birth.
Matthew 1:18-25
Christ Born of Mary
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,
25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
9:40 AM
Room for Jesus
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The words' there was no room for them in the inn' remind me of a family trip many years ago. We had been travelling all day, and I was trying to find a motel where we could spend the night. As we drove along the highway, our hopes were dashed time time and again by the NO VACANCY signs.
As a father, responsible for the well being of my family, I was frustrated and discouraged. Then I thought of Mary and Joseph.
How much worse it must have been for them when they arrived in Bethlehem and found no rooms available! I can imagine
Joseph pleading with the manager of the inn, telling him of
Mary's condition and their
desperate need for a place where she could give birth to her child. But
'there was no room for them in the inn.' So when Jesus was born, His mother 'wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger'.
Today, 2000 years later,
millions of people have no room for Jesus. Although they participate enthusiastically in the festivities of the Christmas season,
they keep Him out of their lives. The
NO VACANCY sign is there.
How about you? Is there room in your life for Christ?
What better time than during this season to rededicate your life to Him or to receive Him as your saviour!
- Richard De Haan
Have you any room for Jesus,
He who bore your load of sin?
As He knocks and asks admission,
Sinner, will you let Him in?
If Christ is kept on the outside, something's wrong on the inside.
Luke 2:1-7
Christ Born of Mary
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
9:35 AM
Saturday, December 15, 2007
I had a great time doing Christmas shopping yesterday.
Thanks for your 'mongos'!
See you next year!
9:03 AM
Friday, December 14, 2007
Yea!
It's the holiday season. And Christmas is coming SOON! I'm excited, more than just the heart-warming gifts and loves, because it's Jesus' birthday! I wonder... How could people get so exciting celebrating a festival that they don't even know the origin?
I saw this tagline in the newspaper 'CHRISTMAS - It's all about love.' And it makes me wonder what/whose kind of love they were refering to.
Is there a love that would give and not expect return?
Is there a love that would go further than the extend of death?
Is there a love that would fill me and say it's alright whenever I'm down?
Is there a love that would encompass all my flaws and weaknesses?
Is there a love that would separate me from eternal death?
1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Jesus, You are the love that I need.
9:35 AM
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Thank you
9:42 AM
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Thank you for praying with me for my friends. Powerful, real powerful!
10:58 PM
Saturday, December 8, 2007
I had a tooth extraction on Thursday night.
It was menacing!
I couldn’t believe how I actually fixed an appointment without a second thought!
Had an awful night on Thursday.
Couldn’t get to sleep due to the pain after the numb was gone.
But anyways, thank God! It’s over!
Thanks for all the prayers.
As I was going through all that pain, it reminded me of all the dross that needs to be removed everyday of my life. If not, the bits and pieces will soon turn out to be one big decay that would eventually cause so much more discomfort in the days to come.
Like I say, ‘Grace changes, and changes are painful.’
And Yan, thanks for calling. Meant the world to me. =)
9:46 AM
Thursday, December 6, 2007
There must be more than this.
I’m starting to wonder how these friendships will continue.
Are friendships merely ‘updates’ and Birthday celebrations?
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
This verse means more than marriage-context to me.
I do love them and I would do anything it takes to maintain contacts.
But really.
What’s the point?
I really wonder…
Does anybody still care?
Hua! Come back now!!! =(
On a different note, I’m ecstatic!
Because the Thai warriors are back!
(Ok, Ada, 1 hug will do. Hee)
11:08 AM
Sunday, December 2, 2007
More...
6:59 PM
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
Wahhahahaaa!
At Christmas Bash '07
We hate flash!
Philippians 2:7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
John 12:27-28 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
Christmas choice
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
I had a great time doing Christmas shopping yesterday.
