A LAMB BORN IN BETHLEHEM: Who were the shepherds of Bethlehem that greeted Jesus at the time of his birth? What were the lambs born in Bethlehem used for? When was the Lamb of God really born? The full article below provides astonishing background information of these things.
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Jesus laid down his life for us. We nod our heads and go uh-huh. But wait a moment; Jesus didn’t just give his life in DYING but in LIVING. What do I mean by that?
Have we become so familiar with the concept of the sacrificial DEATH of Jesus on the cross that we haven’t considered what his obedience cost him during the 30 years (or thereabouts) beforehand, during all those years of his LIFE? I would like you to consider that now, if you would. Continue reading
One night lying awake, my thoughts turned to a bible question. It was about the blood. We know how strict was the Jewish prohibition regarding blood, and how careful they were to avoid drinking or eating blood. It was part of the Law given by God in fact, and of such vital importance that it was almost the only requirement handed down to the Gentile converts. (Acts 15:29).
Nonetheless, Jesus commanded his disciples to drink His blood and eat His flesh!
John 6:53-58
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood , you have no life in you.Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven — not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
One can only imagine how horrifying it must have sounded to observant Jews when He said that. Many left him at that time. He said a similar thing at the Last Supper when he called the wine his blood and the bread his body and commanded that his followers eat and drink them with that meaning. Continue reading
I will not lean
upon the arm of flesh
And down to Egypt
I will no longer go;
For I have seen
The Saviour’s loveliness,
And how He gave
His life to make me whole
Oh, I was trusting in what my strength could do
To win the battles of my life, to heal my soul;
But now I lay my body at His feet
And say, my God, make my sacrifice complete!
Although I trusted
in salvation long ago,
His righteousness
was the only part I’d seen
Oh I have been
So foolish and so slow
To understand
That He’s all-in-all to me
Oh I was trusting in what my faith could do,
Using the power of His Name to fight my foe
But now I lay down the weapons of my fight
And say, my Saviour, be the Victor of my life!
For many years
I have struggled in my mind
Seeking His help
And His healing for my need;
How can it be
That I was oh so blind
I did not see
His very life is health indeed!
Oh I was trusting in what my mind could know
Using my knowledge to cause His life to flow
But now I come empty-handed to His throne,
And say, my God, I trust in you alone!
You made Yourself
Of no account for me,
That You might give
Your life, Your love, Your grace,
Your health and strength,
Your entire ability,
To take my sin,
And my judgement in their place!
And now no longer do I call my life my own
He lives in me and I trust in Him alone;
For I have died, and my life is hid in Him
I’m crucified, and in Jesus born again!
Why should I prize,
Or seek to modify
That which is cursed
To be for ever foul?
I realise
The flesh is doomed to die
And if I live
In the flesh, my soul will rule.
Oh, it is Jesus who died and rose again
And only He is the Victor over sin;
Foolish my striving to make that victory mine
For eternal life is the sap of just one Vine
My thoughts, my prayers,
Now I lay them all to rest,
I know the ways
of the flesh are bound to fail;
So many years
I have missed the path that’s best
In which I die
And the life of God prevails!
And oh the joy that accompanies this release!
To know that He is my life, my strength, my peace!
I gladly turn from whatever feeds my soul
For in my spirit is the Life that makes me whole!
Come take my being
Become my life within;
I will not lean
On what is doomed to die;
I am believing
My life can now begin,
Be all my strength, Lord
On You I will rely
Oh Lord of all, how I praise Your love for me,
That caused You gladly to go to Calvary!
I leave my self at the place of Jesu’s shame
And walk away, in His life to live again!
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