Your Word is a Lamp....

 The heavens declare the glory of God,     and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech,     and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words,     whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth,     and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,      which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,     and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens,     and its circuit to the end of them,     and there is nothing hidden from its heat. Psalm 19:1-6

 From the rising of the sun to its going down The LORD’s name is to be praised. Psalm 113:3

 Today is Epiphany: the 12th day of Christmas (according to the song) and the day when Christians traditionally celebrate:  I. The visit of the magi to Jesus  II. His baptism by John Both these occasions are significant because they manifest in various forms, the Diety of The Christ. The Magi (or wise men) were a school of priests or “learned men” who were likely from the area of Persia - because of their diligent studying of the stars, which was a highly respected science in that area. How they knew of Messiah we are not sure, but if they were from Persia it would be reasonable to suggest that they learned from the remnant of Jews still living in Persia at that time, (there were still a great number who had not chosen to return after the exile).  They may have even been descended from those “magi” who studied under Daniel. (Some scholars even suggest that they were Jewish - remnants of those who returned from exile. My own personal view is that they were gentiles)… ...

 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;     his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;     great is your faithfulness. Psalm 3:5 Lamentations 3:22-23

 #biblestudy  FindingJesus in the OT -  Psalm 84  1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!  (Psalm 23:6; John 14:2-3) 2  My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord;  (Psalm 27:4-6; Matt. 5:3) my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3  Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. *** Because God has chosen to make his home among us (John1:14; Rev.21:3):  He will protect…and He will provide!  (Matthew 6:25-30)*** 4  Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!  (Psalm 27:4-6; John14:1-6) Selah 5  Blessed are those whose strength is in you,  (2Cor. 12:7-10)  whose heart are set on pilgrimage to Zion. (Isaiah 40:26-31; Colossians 3:2-4) ***Lord let our hearts be set on You: Let our sights - our hope - our treasure - be not on earth, but Heaven (Matthew 6:19...

 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, (James1:1) Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,(Jude1:1) There is no greater freedom in Me than to be My bond servant (Ps84:10). For through My vicarious death on the Cross, I have redeemed you…I have bought you back, as the master purchases the slave. For once you were bent beneath the load of your taskmaster, the prince of this world: But my Son took the weight of that burden upon His shoulders, and has given you His burden in exchange - which is light, and his yolk which is easy: Once you were slaves, to the power of sin and eternal death. You were by nature objects of My wrath. But now I say to you “Fear not! For I have redeemed you: I have bought you back, with the highest price imaginable: the Blood of My Son; And because I have purchased you, your life is no longer your own: I have called you out of this world and into my service…you are now mine; As My own personal possession you can confident...

 #biblestudy  The Bethesda Pool  Read John 5:1-15 This was a pagan (Godless) ‘healing center’ or ‘askelepion’ erected by a Grecian cult in honor of their god Asclepius - the god of healing. The fact that this man had been sitting in this God-forsaken place for 38 years, waiting on a mythical angel to stir up the water - waiting on pagan superstitions instead of on the One true God (Ex.15:26; Is.40:3031) - gives us some insight in to why, in vs. 14 Jesus tells the man to “stop sinning“. ***Note: The pool was in fact, stirred by an underwater spring; one of a few beneath Jerusalem.*** And yet, into this dark and God-forsaken place walks God Himself (ch.20:28) - Jesus the Messiah, the Light of the world (ch.8:12)…And, with an incredible combination of pure power and total undeserved mercy, demonstrates before everyone there, exactly who is the real and Living God! (in a subtle replay of 1Kings 18:20-40).  In this, He also sends a clear message:  There is no place t...