1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, 4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
58 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. 2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness[a] will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honourable, and if you honour it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, 14 then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b] is still in the darkness.10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
Wow! what a theme to follow yesterdays blog on Reconciliation, comes right to the point doesn’t it
As the above reading is telling us, ‘As Christians we are supposed to love one another’, turn the other cheek etc.
As humans it is only natural that personalities will clash even if you are Christians in the same church.
Even I have fell out with people in my Church but I don’t like the atmosphere it creates and usually when things have calmed down that is usually when the apologies come
A little on that’s full of innocence He doesn’t know that something’s out of place Another one dreams murder all night He’s been living full of hatred all his life Well, I guess it’s always been this way A world that’s full of love and hate Oh God, but will it stay this way So much love, so much hate
It goes on and on and on Around and again On and on and on Around and again It goes on and on and on Around and again
A mother’s willing to give her life While another one throws away her child A son stands and he turns the other cheek While another one spits in a face while it bleeds Well, I guess it’s always been this way A world that’s full of love and hate Oh God, but will it stay this way So much love, so much hate
It goes on and on and on Around and again On and on and on Around and again It goes on and on and on Around and again
It goes on and on and on Around and again On and on and on Around and again It goes on and on and on Around and again
This evil that’s within is hiding in our skin This evil that’s within is hiding in our skin What are we When will we Why are we still wondering What are we When will we Why are we still wondering Oh Jesus, I can’t take the hate anymore Save us from ourselves before We on and on and on Around and again
It goes on and on and on Around and again On and on and on Around and again It goes on and on and on Around and again
On and on and on Around and again It goes on and on and on Around and again
It goes on and on and on Around and again On and on and on Around and again It goes on and on and on Around and again
Matthew 2:16-18 New International Version 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
The events known as the massacre of the innocents following Jesus’ birth, remind us that the world Jesus entered was marred with darkness and suffering. Herod’s cruel actions brought immense pain and sorrow to many families in Bethlehem. In the midst of the joy of Christmas, this passage reminds us of the brokenness of humanity and the need for the Saviour’s redemptive work.
We are called to bring light & hope to a world that is often filled with darkness and pain. Our actions and decisions can impact the lives of those we lead, either positively or negatively. The Christmas season is an opportunity to extend compassion and support to those who are hurting, embodying the love and comfort of Christ.
Prayer
Father, we pray for those who are suffering and in pain, especially during this season of Christmas. Help us to be agents of comfort & hope, extending your love eto those around us. May we lead with justice & compassion, and the commitment to protect the vunerable. Amen.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome<sup class=”footnote” style=”box-sizing:border-box;font-size:.625em;line-height:22px;position:relative;vertical-align:top;top:0;” data-fn=”#fen-NIVUK-26050a” data-link=”[a]”>[a] it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
At an antique desk
An old man sits alone
It’s Christmas Eve
And it’s almost time to go
He signs his name to a letter he just wrote
Then he reads it back with a voice as soft as snow
I want peace on earth for Christmas
In a world where there’s not one hungry child
They would hope and faith
Conquers fear and hate
All I’m asking for is a little more love
Then he walks outside
And he climbs up on his sleigh
And calls out to his reindeer
Off they fly away
Oh tonight he’ll make a million dreams appear
While he wishes that his own dreams would come true this year
I want peace on earth for Christmas
In a world where there’s not one hungry child
They would hope and faith
Conquers fear and hate
All I’m asking for is a little more love
That they would hope and faith
Conquers fear and hate
All I’m asking for is a little more love
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Yes you guessed it the regular followers of my blogs, this is another blog about light only this time the song which was written by Joy Webb indicates it is a song of witness and testimony . I’ve heard many different arrangements From Songsters(Salvation Army Choir) to instrumental videos and I think I can safely say I like each respectively
How great the darkness, how deep the need!
How vast the problems of indifference, hate and greed;
A world rejecting the truth once known,
And slipping down into a nightmare of its own;
Is there a light that’s strong enough to go,
And metamorphasize the darkness that we know?
I am a candle of the Lord, with truth and love more powerful than sword!
o fan the flame, its single gleam diffuse,
And let my spirit be the light that You can use.
I am the candle of the Lord. Light mel Light me!
How bright the light is from soul to soul:
A myriad tiny flames expanding to a whole,
How strange the truth is when joined as one,
And what a miracle this shining could become;
It could transform the darkness that we know,
And clearly light the way mankind must try to go.
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 16 For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. 17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
I suppose you could call this a follow up on yesterdays blog ‘Seeking Wisdom’. You see if we follow God he will keep us on the straight and narrow as the saying goes.
We are also advised to avoid ‘The wicked’ and everything they do or take part in.
I always read through my bible readings when preparing the blog ad when I read this one I was reminded of the song/hymn ‘The Pathway of Duty ‘
9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised,19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
O what a wonderful, wonderful day – day I will never forget;
After I’d wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Saviour I met.
O what a tender, compassionate friend – He met the need of my heart;
Shadows dispelling, With joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.
Chorus: Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,
When at the cross the Saviour made me whole;
My sins were washed away –
And my night was turned to day –
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!
Born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s fam’ly divine,
Justified fully thru Calvary’s love, O what a standing is mine!
And the transaction so quickly was made when as a sinner I came,
Took of the offer of grace He did proffer – He saved me, O praise His dear name!
Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure after the passing of time;
I have a future in heaven for sure, there in those mansions sublime.
And it’s because of that wonderful day when at the cross I believed;
Riches eternal and blessings supernal from His precious hand I received.
The words to the above song ‘Heaven came down’ is a brilliant and fitting song for someone who has just been converted. Below is a video of Salvation Army timbrelists doing a display to the march ‘Heaven Came Down’
Nations will come to your light, and Kings to the brightness of your dawn.
The prophecy of Isaiah speaks of nations coming to the light of God’s glory. As Christians, we should strive to bring light and hope to those around us, inspiring them to reach their fullest potential. Like the wise men who followed the star, we can be guiding lights, leading with vision and purpose and pointing others toward God’s truth and grace.
Prayer
Gracious God, we thank you for the promise that your glory will be a light that draws people from all nations. As Christians ,help us to be guiding lights, inspiring and empowering those around us to reach their fullest potential. May we lead with vision and purpose, always pointing others towards your truth and grace. Guide our Christian journey, O Lord, and use us to bring hope and positive change to the lives of those we serve. Amen.
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