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The Greatest Title You'll Ever Have
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Feb 1, 2009 7:08 pm
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Ambassadors For Christ
Did you ever win a prize at school or elsewhere for being the best at something?Thats all well & good & I bet it made you
happy for awhile.But after awhile someone else will come along and be given that title.
But there's one title,that God has given you,that not only is yours for the keeping but has eternal significance as well.You don't need a Harvard degree or any degree at all to have this title conferred on you.You don't need to be rich or have influential friends to get it just to have it taken away at some point.You can't even buy it or lose it.If you are the blood bought child of Jesus Christ he's already paid the price &
has conferred this title unto you.Let me tell though,it comes with enormous responsibility but the implications of its use are astounding.
2Corinthians5:18-20
And all things are of God,who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ,and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit,that God was in Christ,reconciling the world unto Himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them;and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,as though God did beseech you by us;we pray you in Christs stead,be ye reconciled to God.
In the world of politics & international relations the title
AMBASSADOR is a coveted one.Some people serve years in the government and donate large sums of money hoping to be rewarded with that title.It is considered a high honor to be trusted by the government of your nation to be its face and voice in all places of the world.By definition an Ambassador is a person
assigned by the highest authority to represent him in a specific place.As you just saw recently the President appointed ambassadors to represent him & our country.
The impression people get of the President depends on how clearly the ambassador communicates his feelings,heart and mind.
Just think and reflect for a moment.We are CHRISTS Ambassadors!Appointed by the highest authority in the universe to represent HIM.He has committed to us the message of what He did on the cross.And not only that but He is counting on us to represent what He is like by the way we live so we can clearly communicate the message that He gave His life for.Talk about an awesome trust!
Did you ever think I wish I could go on missions to a foreign land or what am I going to do here in this rinky dink town I live in that will make a difference for Gods glory?
Not everyone goes on missions & you have been assigned a specific place,the town you live in,the school you go to,the job you hold,the store where you shop,to be an ambassador for Christ.As Jesus is no longer here physically,you are standing in for Him and in your circle of influence are to be there"on Christs behalf".Jesus isn't here right now physically but He's sent you to represent Him.
Do you find the task something you'd rather not be responsible for?
Too late-you already have the assignment.
By people watching and listening to you they will form opinions about Jesus,for better or worse,right or wrong.
They'll either understand His message or perhaps be open to it
but if you never give the message they may never truly hear it.
In essence you have a life or death message from Jesus;to reach out to someone who is dying without Him.
Yea,you might say that's all well and good for some.They are eloquent speakers or they are very extroverted.But wait...
this would be an overwhelming assignment if not for the fact it is Jesus power working through you,not you doing the work for Him.
2Corinthians3:5
Not that we are competent to claim anything for ourselves,but our competence comes from God.
If you think you can't do this,your absolutely right!God is asking you to show up as an ambassador for Him ready and prepared;And He will take it from there.
Just think how the Apostles must have felt to be sent forth in that day and age,time and place,to conquer the world on Christs behalf.But no sooner was Christs command given,than the promises followed.Like them we are sent out to fulfill the greatest task in the world,but just like them,we are not alone because we have the greatest presence in the world with us to fulfill His will.
John3:16
For God so loved the world,that he gave His only begotten Son,that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,but have everlasting life.
Romans10:14
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard,And how shall they hear without a preacher?And how shall they preach except they be sent?as it is written;How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things.
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A Sure Foundation
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Jan 30, 2009 12:26 am
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A Sure Foundation
I was reading the news on the internet yesterday and then again today about two separate incidents here in the United States.The first was about a how a Mother & Father killed their five children & then themselves out of desperation after they both lost their jobs at a hospital.The second was a Father who killed his wife & two kids after having been out of work for awhile and having many financial burdens.
I remember my Mom telling me how so many people committed suicide during the depression because they were overwhelmed and
had lost all their money and felt they couldn't go on.
At that time,my Grandmother & Grandfather had two kids of their own & were also raising their three nieces & nephews because their Mom died in childbirth and their Dad ran off shortly afterward.Pop who had a blue collar job retained it during the depression.They were quite frugal but still managed to buy their kids new clothes when needed & my Grandfather had managed to save $1,000 dollars over the course of many years.
Well Pop had a friend{who had five children also} who had been out of work for quite some time and his friend was a bit despondent.Being the God hearted person Pop was and feeling very blessed that he had a job,he gave his friend the money but failed to discuss it beforehand with his wife.
When my Grandmother found out,she "hit the roof"!She became rather despondent herself and was ready to jump on the train tracks but Pop talked her out of it,telling her to remember all the blessings God had provided her family already and that with their hope in God they should never despair.
She eventually got over her despondency yet it is told that she soon became the overseer of all financial matters from that day forward.And Pop,
well it didn't bother him in the least because he knew where true hope and strength lie,in Christ
With all the job cuts and layoffs nowdays people who base their worth on material things are bound to lose hope.Those who put their hope and faith in Jesus may be initially saddened by the loss of these things but will not be defeated by them.
Lamentations3:25
The Lord is good to those who put their hope in Him.He is good to those who look to Him.
Isaiah41:10
So do not fear,for I am with you,do not be dismayed,for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
So tell people of the wonder and love of Gods grace,and the salvation and hope provided in Christ,to everyone we see;even our rich friends and neighbors because one is not truly rich til they have all their hope in Christ.
Phillipians4 7
And the peace of God,which passeth all understanding,shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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Do Not Be Deceived
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Jan 23, 2009 12:44 am
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Do Not Be Deceived
It seems as far back as history goes and even in Biblical times people have consulted psychics.People feel they are at the mercy of forces beyond their power and they don't like that feeling of not being in total control.Lets face it people have a fear and curiosity about the future and if they're not willing to put their total faith in Gods Word and Truth they put their faith in false prophets and prophetesses.
Quite a few of our past Presidents consulted psychics.
Abraham Lincoln participated in seances will in the White House
and is said to have had visions of his own assasination.
Woodrow Wilson is also known to have spoke with psychics about his own death.
Franklin Roosevelt regularly sought advice from psychics on international relations after World War Two.When he needed to make important decisions he asked,{because of his failing health}how much longer he had to live and get things wrapped up as President.He was told six months.Shortly after that he signed
important documents pertaining to how Germany would be divided up.Whether this was because of the psychic advice he listened to,we may never know.
Richard Nixon called Jean Dixon the "soothsayer"and even ordered preparations for a terrorist attack she predicted which did not come to pass.They actually have archived tapes of a conversation he had with Henry Kissinger where he told Henry what Jean Dixon predicted & how worried he was.
Of course it is a known fact now that after Ronald Reagan's attempted assassination,Nancy Reagan,consulted astrologers and changed both the Presidents and her schedule accordingly.A White House aide during his presidency stated that before almost all major decisions were made he consulted Joan Quigley a famous psychic of the day.
And we've all heard of how our present Secretary of State,Hilary Clinton consulted psychics while Bill was President.
She even had seances in the White House where she has presumed to have had conversations with her favorite former First lady,Eleanor Roosevelt.
As far as history is recorded so far George Bush,a reborn Christian,prayed to and consulted God for guidance.
It remains to be seen whether President Obama will turn to psychics for advice.
What does God tell us about soothsayers,psychics and astrologers?
Deuteronomy18:10-14
Their shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire,or that useth divination,or
an observer of times,or an enchanter or a witch.Or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits or a wizard or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD;
and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.For these nations,which thou shall possess;harkened unto observers of times,and unto diviners:but as for thee,the LORD thy
God hath not suffered thee so to do.
We see in this passage to Israel they were never to inquire of a wizard,soothsayer,astrologer or fortune teller.
divination the idea of using divination means to give false prophecy or to seek to determine the will of God by interpreting omens.
an observer of times is used as a synonym for sorcerer,one who casts spells.An attempt to control people or circumstances through power given by evil spirits or demons.
enchanter one who interprets omens,who tells the future based on signs-fire,rain,the stars and planets.Today this would be a palm reader,fortune teller,and those who proclaim to tell the future by movement of the stars and planets alignment.
witch one involved in practicing magical incantations.
a charmer one who casts spells;one who binds people by their mutterings
a consulter with familiar spirits:a medium someone who is a seance leader.They think they are communicating with the dead but they are communicating with demons.
wizard:like a medium
necromancer ne who consults with the dead to gain advice or
information on the future or help somehow by manipulation.
We see that all these forms of fortune telling and astrology and others like channeling,chrystal reading are an abomination to the LORD.
Exodus22:18
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Leviticus20:26-27
And ye shall be holy unto me:for I the LORD am holy,and have severed you from other people,that ye should be mine.A man or a woman that hath a familiar spirit,or that is a wizard;shall surely be put to death.they shall stone them with stones;their blood shall be upon them.
God sees this as something worthy of death.
He refers to having a "familiar spirit as demonic or deadly.
Chronicles10:13-14
So Saul died for his transgression he committed against the LORD,
even against the Word of the LORD,which he kept not and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit,to enquire of it;And enquired not of the LORD:-therefore he slew him and turned the kingdom unto David,the son of Jesse.
We see from this God doesn't just hold the sorcerer or medium
responsible but also the person who consults such a person.
There are many more passages in the Bible condemning this behavior.
Leviticus19:31
Regard not them that have familiar spirits,neither seek after wizards,to be defiled by them.I am the Lord your God.
Isaiah8:19
And when they shall say unto you,Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto wizards that peep,and that mutter:
should not a people seek unto their God?for the living to the dead?To the law and to the testimony:if they speak not according to this word,it is because their is no light in them.
Isaiah tells us that the ONLY one we should seek out for the future is God.If they do not speak according to the Word of God,
"it is because there is no light in them"Gods own words tells us that psychics are in darkness and those who follow them as well.
Galatians%:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these:adultery,fornication,uncleanness,lasciviousness,idolatry,
witchcraft.....
Witchcraft is translated as sorcery which is where we get the Greek word"pharmakia" from.It refers to those who use drugs by poisoning people.Sorcerers often used potions in practice of their evil art.Those who practice these things are deceiving and also deceived.
Revelation18:23
and in the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee;
and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee;for thy merchants were the great men of the earth;for by their sorceries were all nations deceived.
Once again we see that in the end times and the time of the Tribulation sorcery will be on the increase.We see this being fulfilled today.
Sound familiar?We now have hundreds of 900 numbers we can call to speak to psychics,every major newspaper & not so major ones have horoscopes and astrology,many people turn to channelers and psychics on T.V.such as John Edwards who's show "Crossing Over"
has become an instant hit.
Revelation9:21
Neither they repented they of their murders,nor of their sorceries,nor of their fornication or of their thefts.
The saddest part is people actually see nothing wrong with this
and still presume to know and follow God.
The legitimate means of seeing what God would have us do and know about the future is to seek answers from God Himself,look unto His Word.As children of God the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.
Revelation3:16
So then because thou art lukewarm and neither hot nor cold I will spew thee out of thy mouth.
There is no middle ground.
Hosea4:6
Many people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Hebrews3
Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith,Today if ye will hear His voice,harden not your hearts.
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The Tragedy Of The Titanic
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Jan 17, 2009 7:34 pm
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Proverbs24:11
Rescue those being led away to death,
hold back those staggering toward slaughter
I'm sure all of you probably heard the story of the "Titanic"by now.At the time of her making the R.M.S.Titanic was considered unsinkable,the crowning achievement of human technology in her time.There were some of the most powerful & wealthiest movers and shakers aboard that boat together yet an iceberg in the North
Atlantic Ocean put six gashes in her hull and rendered all these people and others helpless.
For the 700 survivors{1,500 passengers and crew died}the images of that horrific night haunted them all their days.The brightly lit ocean liner sinking lower & lower,the frantic rush to find a lifevest,the call to lifeboats,flares exploding in the inky black sky,the last agonizing moments when with her bow pointing upward she sank below the icy surface.
But what happened AFTER the Titanic sunk was even more unsettling.There were only twenty lifeboats aboard and they were lowered away,the majority of them half full and some nearly empty.Many passengers who did not find an available lifeboat, jumped or fell into the frigid waters,crying and screaming for help.Though they continued to cry out for someone to rescue them,the people in the lifeboats just kept rowing away.They
thought rescue was too risky.And out of those 20 lifeboats only one turned back,in time to help save only six people.
Three days later when ships arrived to retrieve bodies they were met by a tragic sight.328 lifejacketed men,women,and children floating in the water,frozen to death.Why did they die?Not because the Titanic sunk,but because the people who were already saved would not go back for the people who were not.
Could this be a spiritual picture of us:the people who are already saved doing nothing about the dying people all around us?
By Gods grace we are in Jesus lifeboat,saved and headed to heaven.But all around us,where we work,where we live,where we go to school,are people who will die spiritually unless someone tells them the rescue story about salvation through Christ.Some of them are people you know,people you love,people within your reach.
In a sense,God has placed us closely to these spiritually lost
and dying people so we might man the lifeboats that give them hope of being rescued.Will we turn the lifeboats around?Will we take the risk and tell them the Good News so that they too have a chance to live forever?The alternative is to just keep rowing-
and let them die.
Sometimes we as Christians are content to enjoy our own safe place in Jesus lifeboat.We fellowship with our lifeboat comrades,
we sing our lifeboat songs,meanwhile people we see day to day are drowning spiritually,with no understanding that Gods one and only Son died so that they don't have to.
You and I have nothing more significantly urgent in life to do than try to get people we know into the lifeboats before they slip away forever.Or will we be complacent and struggle with the
eternal consequences of our silence?
Mark10:45
Even the Son of Man did not come to be served,but to serve,and to give His life as a ransom for many.
If we are to truly follow Jesus,we will surrender ourselves,our complacency and our fear and pride,and share the God News with those who are spiritually dying.
Turn you lifeboat around.
Plant seeds wherever you go.
John3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Excerpts By Ron Hutchcraft
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Europes Unholy Empire
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Jan 11, 2009 1:41 am
282 Views
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The European Union And Mystery Babylon
Revelation17:3-6
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast,full of names of blasphemy,having seven heads and ten horns.And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls,having a golden cup in her hand full of abdominations and filthiness of her fornification.And upon her head was a name written,MYSTERY,BABYLON,THE GREAT,THE MOTHER
OF HARLOTS AND ABDOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints,and with the blood of the martyers of Jesus;and when I saw her,I wondered with great
admiration.
Europe has for many years now been abandoning Christianity at a very fast pace.This is setting the stage for the antichrist to
appear on the world scene.The Bible gives us every indication that the antichrist will arise from Europe or the revived Roman Empire.Even though we ever set our sites on Israel,Europe will begin to take center stage in the beginning of the end times so we should see what Europe is doing now.
THe European Parliment sits in Strasborg,a city which symbolizes the dream of the Franco-German integration and was the heart of the Holy Roman Empire of Charlemagne.Its flag was inspired by the halo of twelve stars around the picture of the Madonna that appears prominently on Strasborg Cathedral Council
of Europe stain glass windows,which was unveiled to the world on December 11th,1955 which coincides with the Roman Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception.Pope John Paul the 2nd dedicated the EU to the virgin Mary.
On the dome of the new 8 million Parliment building in Strasborg there is a colossal painting of the woman riding the beast.In the Parlimentary office building there is a huge painting of a practically naked woman riding the beast.Outside the new council of Europe building there is a bronze statue of the woman riding the beast.On the wall of the diners club lounge
in the Eu's administrative capitol,Brussels,is a picture of the woman and the beast together.
This image has appeared on Eu postage stamps,including the British one issued in 1984 to commemorate the second election to
the European Parliment.It is a sign and symbol of Europe and points the way to what is planned.
European currency also pictures a woman riding a beast.There is also official European Union posters promoting all the languages of Europe working together,with a picture of the tower of Babel.
The European flag consists of twelve stars inspired by the halo of twelve stars that appear around the Madonnas head in Catholic pictures of her,which by the way is symbolic of the queen of heaven,Semiramis the ancient Babylonian Madonna.
Even the Parliment building in Strasborg is structured like the tower of Babel.
Why would Europe use this symbolism when it full knows the implication of these pictures as noted in the Bible?It certainly most proudly and haughtingly displays them & chose them to represent themselves.
The representatives of the Eu say they got this from the Greek myth about Europa riding a bull.In this myth Europa{from which the name Europe is taken]is a beautiful Phoenician woman of high ranking who is spotted by Zeus the Greek sky god.He is so enamored with her that he transforms himself into the most beautiful white bull that anyone has ever seen.Europa sees the bull & climbs on top of it & the bull plunges into the sea & rapes her.He then takes her away to Crete where he reveals his true identity.
So if the woman stands for Europe then the EU stands for the bull who is lying about his true identity and is eventually going to rape her.
The story of Europa & the bull is mainly a story of great deception.In the Bible Satan is the great deceiver and deceives the whole world.
In Revelation 17 "the Woman On The Beast"is described as "the great prostitute who sits on many waters".
It goes on to describe the sea in Revelation 17:15:
Then the angel said to me,"The waters you saw where the prostitute sits are peoples,multitudes,nations and languages."
This sounds just like the description of the Eu's poster:"Europe,Many Tongues,One Voice"describing the Union with the tower of Babel on it.The stars surrounding Marys head that I spoke of earlier are inverted which may possibly be because although the Catholic Church will at first appear to be the official church of the European Union it will be used,subjugated and then discarded.
Revelation17:9,12-13
And here is the mind which hath wisdom.The seven heads are seven mountains,on which the woman sitteth.And the ten horns which thou saweth are ten kings which have received no kingdom as yet;
but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.These have one mind,and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
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The Importance of Watching :Sharing The Good News As The Time Grows Short
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Jan 7, 2009 6:24 pm
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The Importance Of Watching/
Sharing The Good News As The Time Grows Short
Some people say whats the point of speculating on who the Antichrist will be or they think people are crazy to pick up on every little thing that happens in the Middle East and Israel.
Yet even though we are to have faith & believe without seeing,God doesn't ever leave His people in the dark about what will take place.Even though no one knows the exact hour or day,we are not left in darkness regarding the future and the coming of Christ.God has promised to tell His friends in regard to what he is doing as revealed to His servants the prophets.
I believe the importance of watching,as witnesses who know the truth,will enable us to have even more faithfullness to the hope that is in us as we see Gods prophetic words come true.
This will edify the body of Christ as we search Scripture and also help us to become better & more effective witnesses to Christs Good News as the end times unfold right before our very eyes.
Lets face it,if most{but not all} are honest with themselves, although we witness to the Good News sometimes we slack off in our calling as other things take precedence in our lives.
I do believe as we begin to see end time prophecy fulfilled we realize the time is short and so we seek to tell everyone about Gods grace through Christ so that they too might be saved.
I mean if we are here to see a seven year treaty confirmed,or the beginning of the rebuilding of the Temple,don't you think that you'd be out on the streets 24/7 spreading the Word of God more fervently?
Lord,help us become more effective witnesses to your glory no matter what we see as:
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.{Romans10:17}
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The Russian-Islamic Alliance
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Jan 7, 2009 3:29 pm
Mood: wary,
314 Views
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The Russian-Islamic Alliance
In Ezekial 38:1-17 it is prophesied that in the last days,an alliance of many nations will attack Israel.The names used in the Bible were ancient names of modern day countries.The following are the areas listed in the Bible that will attack Israel:
Magog:Russia and Islamic Central Asia
Meshech:Moscow
Tubal:Siberia
Ethiopia : Ethiopia,Eritrea,and Sudan
Persia : Iran
Put:Libya,Tunisia and Algeria
Gomer:Germany and Austria
Beth-togarmah:Turkey & or Armenia
It is quite interesting to see that most of these countries are Islamic nations and that Iran,Libya and Sudan are three of
Israels most ardent opponents today.Did you notice that Syria,
another one of Israels most ardent opponents is missing from this list?
In Isaiah17,Isaiah prophecies that Damascus,the capitol of Syria,will be destroyed so perhaps that explains the absence from
the list.
Notice too that Iraq,Egypt,and Jordan,countries that fought Israel in the Arab-Israeli war are conspicuously missing from this list.
Perhaps the prophecy took into account that Iraq would no longer
be a major threat to Israel after the conflict between the U.S. and Iraq?Also the prophecy may have taken into account that Egypt and Jordan would both sign peace treaties with Israel in 1979 and 1994 respectively.Seems to make sense to me,it is an interesting observation that they are not mentioned though.
The alliance that Ezekial38 prophecied has formed or is already forming today.Russia is helping Iran build a nuclear reactor and
has also supplied Iran with weapons.Russia also has stated that it intends to further strengthen its relationship with Islamic countries.
Ezekial prophecies that Israel,although abandoned by its allies,will defeat these nations because God will come to her rescue.
Isaiah44:21
Remember these,oh,Jacob and Israel;for though art my servant I have formed thee;thou art my servant O Israel,thou shall not be forgotten of me.
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Hallelujah!Praise God!Christ Is Born!Hallelujah
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Dec 25, 2008 3:36 pm
Mood: reverant & thankful,
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How Great Thou Art!
Oh,Lord my God,when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds thy hands has made;
I see the stars,I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul,My Saviour God,to Thee,
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art
Then sings my soul,My Saviour God,to Thee,
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!
And when I think,that God,His Son not sparing;
Send Him to die,I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross,my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul,My Saviour God,to Thee,
How great Thou art,
How great thou art,
Then sings my soul,My Saviour God,to Thee,
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come,with shout of acclamation,
And take me home,what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow,in humble adoration,
And then proclaim "My God,How great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul,My Saviour God,to Thee,
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art,
Then sings my soul,MY Saviour God,To Thee,
How great Thou art,How great Thou art!
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Happy Hannukah
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Dec 21, 2008 11:29 pm
Mood: Happy,
237 Views
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Happy Hannukah
Tonight at sundown begins the first night of Hannukah which runs
from December21st-December29th this year.Or 25 Kislev-2Tevet.
Hannukah,the festival of lights,is the celebration of the
victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jewish temple.It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days.
Long ago in the land of Judea their was a Syrian king,Antiochos.
The king ordered the Jewish people to reject their G-d,their religion,their customs,their beliefs and to worship the Greek gods.Their were some who out of fear,ignorance or little faith did as they were told but some did not.One person who refused was Judas Maccabee.Judas and his four brothers formed an army and chose as their name the word"Maccabee"which means "hammer".
After three years of fighting,the Maccabeees were finally successful in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the
temple of Jerusalem.The Maccabees wanted to clean the building and to remove the hated Greek symbols and statues.
On the 25th day of the month of Kislev,the job was finished and the Temple was rededicated.When Judas and his followers finished cleaning the temple,they wanted to light the eternal light,known
as the N'er Tamid which is present in every Jewish house of worship.Once lit the oil lamp should never be extinguished.
Only a tiny jug of oil was found with only enough oil for a single day.Never-the-less,the oil lamp was filled and lit.Then a
miracle occured as the tiny amount of oil stayed lit not for one day but for eight days.
So from then on Jewish people celebrate Hannukah to mark the
victory over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem temple.Hannukah,the festival of lights,lasts eight days to commemorate the miracle of the oil.The word"Hannukah"means,
"rededication".
On Hannukak the Jewish people thank G-d for all the wonders and faithfulness He provides and light the holiday Menorah candles,get together with family and friends,decorate their homes,eat,and give gifts to each other.
Hannukah although significant is one of the least among the principle holidays of the Jewish faith which are:Rosh Hashanah;
Yom Kippor;Sukkot;Pasover and Shavout.Due to Hannukahs close proximity to Christmas it has taken on more prominence in the last century.Gift giving was not originally associated with Hannukak.
The Hannakah story is not written about in the Torah and is
believed to be post Biblical.It happened several hundred years after the Torah is believed to have been given to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai.
The Menorah is a seven branched candlelabra.The nine branched candlelabra used at Hannukah is really called a "chanukiah".
The wax of the Hannukah candles or oil should be sufficient to burn for thirty minutes after the stars come out.The lights of the candles are intended to publicize"the miracle of Hannukak",
that is why it is traditionally lit near a window.
Hannukah,the festival of lights,begins four days before the new moon,which is the darkest night of the month.Kislev,the month in which Hannukah takes place,like Christmas,is also close to the
winter solstice,which is the longest and the darkest month of the year.The only ritual associated with Hannukah is the lighting of the candles.
Like the Christian faith,the Jewish holiday of Hannukah brings light and hope into to the darkest time of the year and acknowledges G-ds provision and His faithfulness.
Happy Hannukah,
may all Gods good blessings be upon you and yours.
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