Your Word is a Lamp....

  Matthias and Paul “You know, Matthias was never meant to be the 12th Apostle… “It was meant to be Paul… “Who was Matthias anyway..? “he doesn’t appear to do anything… “his name’s only mentioned once in the Bible - after that he disappears…”  These shocking statements - and others like them, were made by a celebrity TV ‘preacher’ amid the usual “Ooos” and “Wows” from his staged audience, at this amazing “new revelation”.  I have been brought almost to tears by this blatant butchering of God’s Word over the airwaves: The audacity to say this about a disciple and Apostle of Jesus - and  a martyr! So who exactly was Matthias? And should Paul have been chosen instead of him?  We know he wasn’t one of the original twelve - and yes his name is hardly mentioned… And yet, we also know that he was with Jesus from the beginning (Acts1:21-22): humbly serving, quietly following, faithfully believing. Church history tells us that he will be faithful to the end…like most of ...

Exodus 34:1-7 The Lord said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. (See Isaiah 24:5) Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain.  No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen throughout all the mountain. Let no flocks or herds graze opposite that mountain.” So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone.  The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.  The Lord passed before him and proclaimed,  “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” These instructions for approaching the mountain tell us the seriousnes...

 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...