Jesus Provides Our Covering

POSTED BY PASTOR TIM ⋅ MARCH 11, 2013 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT

FILED UNDER  DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONAL, FRESH MANNA, GOD COVERS US WITH HIS WINGS, GOD'S GRACE COME BODLY TO THE THRONE ROOM OF GRACE, JESUS; LOVE, ONLINE BIBLE STUDY, RECONCILIATION, RIGHTEOUSNESS, ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, SINS FORGIVEN, SINS WASHED AWAY

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

A few years back, I remember reading an article about a bird burned in a forest fire. A ranger found this bird literally petrified in ashes on the ground by the base of a tree.  He has gently moved the bird with a stick and when he did, some baby chicks scurried out from under their dead mother’s wings. It was explained that the loving mother, aware of the fire about to descend upon them, carried her chicks to the base of the tree and gathered them under her wings. Though she would have instinctively known to get some place high to escape the rising toxic smoke, instead of flying to safety and saving herself, she covered her chicks with her wings and saved them.
This story reminds me of Jesus and how He covers us with His wings. Psalm 91:4says, “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.” He died to that we could be forgiven and have eternal life. The promises of God’s word remind us that His covering did not stop with Jesus’ death and resurrection. 

When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, they became aware of something they had previously been able to take for granted – God’s provision. When they sinned they immediately discovered they were naked. At this first step of their new form of dependency upon God, they needed help with their nakedness. God covered them. Gen 3:7 says, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”

A covering covered their nakedness. It covers our also. Our relationship with Jesus does that. The blood He shed upon the cross in dying for the punishment for our sins covers and washes us so we that we become  righteously presentable before God.  2 Corinthians 5:21 reveals, “God made Jesus who had never sinned to be the offering of our sin so that we might become the righteousness of God of through Christ Jesus” 

What does that mean and what does that look like today? A picture is painted by Isaiah the prophet in Isaiah 61:10.  “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

These scriptures and others help us see that once we have received Jesus as our Savior, we gain a righteousness. This is not a righteousness we earn by being good, it is a righteousness earned by Jesus and given as a gift to us. Our faith in this righteousness given to us is like putting on a perfectly white robe. When God looks at us, He only sees the robe, white, pure, and without blemish. Our sins are washed away and we’ve been made righteous. The robe is God’s covering for us so that Colossians 1:22 becomes true for us. “But now God has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation–“

Christians often feel like they are “unworthy” to ask God for help. If it were up to most of us, we also would consider ourselves unworthy. But, Jesus has made us worthy and a child of God that He loves and desires to help. We are not covered with fig leaves like Adam and Eve, we are covered by His blood that gave us the covering of His righteousness.  Like the bird covering its chicks, Jesus gave His life and covered you so that you could be reconciled to God, be His child, receive His help, and be blessed in every area of your life. That is what the covering did for you! Can your faith accept that? Can you understand that God’s love for you is not dependent upon your personal ability to be good?Romans 4:7-8 (NIV) “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

He made you worthy so go to Him in faith when you need Him, and live for Him because He FIRST loved you!

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)”

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt

Published by Pastor Tim Burt
Copyright© 2013 All rights reserved
http://readfreshmanna.blogspot.com/ 

Published with Gracious Permission of Pastor Tim

Please Pray for Persecuted Christians

PLEASE PRAY FOR CHRISTIANS 

PERSECUTED FOR THEIR FAITH

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=main-image&utm_campaign=january-2015

With thanks to Opendoorsusa.org

Module 18 - THE MESSIAH - Jesus the Man; Jesus' Public Ministry

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY

MODULE18

THE MESSIAH

JESUS THE MAN - 

JESUS' PUBLIC MINISTRY

Objectives; By the end of this Module you should;

• Know about the call of Jesus as Messiah
• Understand the importance of the Jewish roots of Jesus
• Know what Jesus' life work was
• Have knowledge about how Jesus fulfilled the ancient prophecies
• Be able to give a sermon on Jesus as Messiah
• Know what Talmidim are
• Understand Jesus' chosen role as Rabbi

Contents;
1.  The Messiah
2.  The Jewishness of Jesus
3.  Jesus' Life Work
4.  Jesus - the Fulfilment of the Prophecies
5.  Talmidim
6.  Jesus the Rabbi
7.  Jesus chose witnesses



1. THE MESSIAH
During His years of infancy until adulthood, Jesus had much time to ponder His Call as Messiah. 
  Jesus knew the Passover story, how God had delivered the Israelites from slavery. 
  He had attended the Temple as a twelve year old, with high hopes of assistance from the Temple Sanhedrin with His Call as Messiah. 
   Jesus attended the Temple as pilgrim, and was thoughtful at the culture of slaughter and discussions of points of the law He witnessed there. The Sanhedrin, the supreme court of the Jewish people, numbered seventy members, under the guidance of the High Priest. During the Passover time, the Sanhedrin met in public, and all could listen to their discussion.
   Jesus listened to the Teachers in the Courts, and asked questions of these men of learning and distinction. Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers (Luke 2;41-52).
   Already it was in the mind of Jesus to become a rabbi. He became immersed in local religious life, regularly attending the synagogue and performing the office of Appointed Reader (Luke 4; 16 to 18). 

2. THE JEWISHNESS OF JESUS
  The New Testament affirms that Jesus was brought up as a Jew in the traditions and faith of His ancestors.
He was given a common Jewish name which reflected His Mission, Yeshua (Matt 1;21). This name was the third most commonly used boy's name in the late Second Temple period of Judaism, and connected with prophetic utterance. Isaiah 62;11 reads literally, 'Your Yeshua is coming . . .' 

   Joseph and Mary, parents of Jesus, came to the Temple with the newborn Yeshua for his b'rit milah (circumcision), and for the redemption of the firstborn son (pidyon haben). This was according to the religious custom of the time. Mary had also come for the ritual purification (Luke 22; 21-24).
   The little family came annually to Jerusalem in order to observe the traditional Festivals (Luke 2;41). 
  This faithful pilgrimage attests to the family's particularly devout observance; not all families at that time either could, or did, make annual pilgrimage. 
  When the young Yeshua was twelve years of age, He interacted with the rabbinic teachers as a pre-bar mitzvah student (Lk 2;42).

   Jesus respected the Temple and the Temple worship, expecting His followers to offer the sacrifices (Matt 5;23,24). He ensured that the Temple tax was paid (Matt 17; 24-27).  
  Jesus' attendance at the synagogue was regular (Luke 4;16).
  He was taught at the Synagogue as a child, and later carried out the teaching Himself. 
  Jesus devoutly observed the Jewish Festivals and Holidays, and made use of them to illustrate and highlight His Mission (Jn. 2:13; 5:1; 7:2, 10, 37-39; 8:12; 10:22-23; 13:1-2). 


  Jesus wore the Jewish garb of the time; with tzitzit (Tsiytsiyt) 1 or fringes. 
  The woman who was haemmorhaging grabbed on to the hem of his clothes, the fringes (Greek kraspedon, Hebrew tzitzit) (Mk. 6:56; Mat. 9:20; Lk 8:44). These fringes were - and are - worn by observant Jews.
   Jesus knew the Eighteen Benedictions 2  
  The Lord's Prayer has much in common with various parts of the Benedictions, which were an integral part of Jewish spirituality. When Jesus began His prayer with 'Our Father Who Art in Heaven', He was following the pattern of Pharisee prayers which still form part of the Jewish Daily Prayer Book. 
  When He spoke in parables and used phrases such as 'the beam in your eye' or 'swallow a camel', Jesus was using methods of expression familiar to any student of the Talmudic writings.

   Jesus followed the Jewish custom of rabbis of not only preaching in the synagogue, but also in the open air. The Sacrament of Baptism has recognizable roots in Jewish tradition. The Amora'im who produced the Talmud set out three requirements for a conversion to Judaism. One of the requirements is immersion (tevilah) in a ritual bath (mikveh) for both men and women 3
   Jesus affirmed the permanence of the Torah (Matt 5;17 - 19) and accepted Pharisaic extensions (Matt 23;2-3). He came from the tradition of tithing of herbs (Matt 23;23). 
  When Jesus drank wine and broke bread at the Last Supper, He was doing what a Jew does every time he performs the Kiddush ceremony before a Festival or Sabbath meal.
  Kiddush is the sanctification of the Sabbath and holidays; with special blessings over the wine. On Friday night, when the Sabbath begins, the Kiddush ceremony is carried out before sitting down to the Sabbath meal. A cup of wine is filled and held in the hand of the person presiding, usually but not necessarily, the father of the house, and the benediction over  wine recited. 
  Then the Kiddush proper is recited; 
  'Blessed art Thou, O LORD our GOD, King of the Universe, Who hath hallowed us by Thy Commandments and hast taken pleasure in us, and in love and favour hast given us Thy holy Sabbath as an inheritance, a memorial of the creation - that day being also the first day of the holy convocations, in remembrance of the departure from Egypt. For Thou hast chosen us and hallowed us above all nations, and in love and favour hast given us Thy holy Sabbath as an inheritance. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Who hallowest the Sabbath.'
  As a prelude to the Kiddush, the verses of the Creation Narrative which speak of the Sabbath (Genesis 2;1-3) are recited. After the drinking of the wine, the Benedication over Bread is recited and the family partakes of the Sabbath meal.

   Use of the cry 'Hosanna' at Jesus' entry into Jerusalem by the crowd had its roots in the rites of Tabernacles.The words 'hosha-na' (Hebrew) meaning 'save, please' was a cry used in the liturgy. The Feast of Tabernacles was a Royal Festival. Jesus' cleansing of the Temple had great significance at the time; Jesus, as rightful King, was carrying out reform of the Temple. 

   In His reflections, Jesus mused that the reality of the religion as lived out at the time appeared to instil fear of sin rather than encouragement to holiness. The Voice of God His Father at His Baptism inspired Him to do the unthinkable; not only to change a nation, but to redesign an ancient religion.

3. JESUS' LIFE WORK
In a nutshell, Jesus' life word was to bring humanity to God and to bring God to humanity, in a way the set social and religious more of the time were not designed to encompass. So Jesus set about instituting a new design, a new theology, a new form of church.

4. JESUS - THE FULFILMENT OF THE PROPHECIES
   Jesus got to work; first, it was clear that He was the promised Messiah.  God sealed Jesus with public approval at Jesus' Baptism; this personal revelation by God was one sign.
  Other signs were drawn from the Torah, which Jesus read and studied.
  Prophet Isaiah had foretold a Virgin would conceive and give birth to a son who would be called 'Immanuel' - which means 'God with us'. (Is 7;14)
  Jesus knew the story of His miraculous Birth from His Mother and Guardian Father Joseph.
  His very name 'Yeshua' - in Greek, the name 'Jesus' - means 'The Lord saves.'
  The name the Prophet thus foretold was 'Saviour'.
  This was the Name the Angel Gabriel had apprised Mary the Son of God was to be named at the behest of God (Luke 1;31).
An Angel affirmed the same information to Joseph (Matthew 1;19-21).   

  Prophet Micah was granted vision and prophecy by God that the coming of Jesus as Saviour was being planned. Micah foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem in the land of Judah.
  He would be a ruler (king), and the Shepherd of God's people Israel (their Supreme High Priest).
 (Micah 5;2) 
  Jesus knew the unusual circumstances which had led to His Birth in Bethlehem when the census 
(or enrollment) brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem in answer to a decree from Caesar Augustus.
  The Prophet Micah alludes to Jesus' Divinity, 'But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, whose origins are from old, from ancient times."

  During His Infancy, Jesus had been survivor of an attempt on His Life by King Herod. Many young to the age of two had been massacred in the attempt to stamp out the Infant God-King's Life and perceived threat to the Kingly Throne. Prophet Jeremiah had been warned of this event by God, and had documented the warning (Jer 31;15).

  Jesus had lived in Egypt as a refugee child, until the death of Herod. This, too, had been prophesied by the great Prophet Hosea 11;1. "Out of Egypt I called my son."

  Now Jesus, firm and steadfast, planned His strategy; He needed messengers to spread His Good News to the ends of the world. Who would He choose for this great task? Jesus began His search.
  He needed people who loved God with all their hearts, all their souls and with their full might (Deut 6;5).
  Jesus needed to present His message of Malchut Shemayim "The Kingdom of Heaven", which His followers would understand and forthwith join the new movement, the culmination of the prophecies.
  Jesus required people of great faith and courage who would leave Galilee and bring the Good News to the whole world. 
  Jesus thus needed people of exceptional faith and devotion to God's cause.

5. TALMIDIM
  In Jesus' time, outstanding Beth Midrash students sought permission to study with a famous rabbi; often leaving home to travel with the rabbi.
  The word Talmidim ('students' in Hebrew) translates as disciples.
  The talmid not only wants to study what the teacher knows, the talmid wants to be like the teacher - that is, to become what the teacher is. And this is the blueprint Jesus chose - to call talmidim and steep them in His Life and Teachings until they became what He is.

6. JESUS THE RABBI
  Jesus became known as a first century rabbi, sought out by talmidim (Mark 10;17). Mary referred to Jesus as Rabboni, which means 'Teacher'. (John 20;16)
  Jesus' disciples (Luke 7;40), ordinary people (Luke 12;13), the rich (Matt 19;16), 
lawyers (Matt 22;35-36), Pharisees (Luke 19;39) and Sadducees (Luke 20;27-28) also referred to Jesus as Rabbi. 

  Jesus travelled from place to place with His disciples, depending on others' hospitality (Luke 8;1-3). He often met in private homes (Luke 10;38-42). As Rabbis did, Jesus visited local synagogues, where Scripture was discussed in these community centers (Matt 4;23).
  Jesus, the divine Messiah, chose the rabbi-talmid system. Jesus taught as Rabbi in real life situations, drawing parallels all could understand.
  Jesus interpreted God's Work and completed it. Jesus was obedient to God's Word in the Torah, even unto death (Isaiah 53/ Leviticus 16;10/ Psalm 69;26/ Zechariah 13;7).
  The obedience of Jesus was affirmed in the later writings of Matthew 8;17, and that of the missionary Paul in Romans 4;25, Peter in 1 Peter 2;24/ Galatians 3;13/ Hebrews 9;28/ 1 Peter 3;18/ 1 John 2;2).

7. JESUS CHOSE WITNESSES 
  Jesus set out now to choose disciples. Once chosen, He set out to empower them to become like Him.
  They lived alongside Him, ate and drank with Him, and were led by Him until they began to imitate Him.
  Jesus planned to send the Holy Spirit upon them, giving them the power of God coursing through them to undertake this most courageous and demanding of tasks - to spread the Gospel.
  Once strengthened, purified and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, Jesus meant to send them out to make further disciples - to lead people to model their lives on that of Jesus.
  So now began the campaign to choose witnesses. and so Jesus went to Galilee; and there He called the first disciples to follow Him.
  Do you feel that Jesus is calling you to follow Him as disciple?
  If so, see http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2012/04/do-you-wish-to-access-free-ordination_18.html 
  Good Shepherd Church Online Theological School
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2014/07/good-shepherd-church-onlinetheological.html 
  Good Shepherd Church (GSC) Training Modules
http://lumierecharity.tripod.com/gsc-training-modules.html 

Footnotes
1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htqSF-PvJ00&feature=youtu.be 
Numbers 15;38-40 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2015:38-40 
2 http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5480-eighteen-benedictions   
3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_to_Judaism#Terminology 


Image by Catherine Nicolette

Music Worship; Angelic Voices - 'How Can I Keep From Singing'

'How Can I Keep From Singing' - Angelic Voices.

Lyrics; 
"How Can I Keep From Singing?"

My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear it's music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness 'round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?

In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging,
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing? 

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0MCJCJNU 

Why not use this beautiful hymn in your Church Worship?

Purchase songs by Enya; 

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/enya/howcanikeepfromsinging.html 

Purchase ringtone for your mobile;

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/enya/howcanikeepfromsinging.html 

Purchase sheet music for hymn;

http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0067333 

With thanks to godtube.com/ azlyrics.com and musicnotes.com

What are our children listening to? Thirteen

AS PRIEST, PARENT OR GUARDIAN, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are aware of what our children are listening to, and reading. It is a safe and sensible practice to keep an eye on reading material, resources. A series of posts will be made available by Good Shepherd Church with information on resources we are aware children and youth are listening to. 



Kreator
Pleasure to Kill Lyrics

Day turns to night as I rise from my grave 
Black was the hole were I laid 
Stalking the city to seek out your blood 
I love when it showers from my blade 
Your body is so pretty but how will it look 
When my perverted lust is stilled 
No one to save you no parents or friends 
Because they've already got killed 
My only aim is to take many lives 
The more the better I feel 
My only pleasure is to hear many cries 
From those tortured by my steel 
The colour of your blood from your open body 
Is all I wanted to see 
Tasting the blood from your lips as you die 
Means satisfaction to me 
Pleasure to kill 
Hear my heartbeat as you see me upon you 
Tears in your eyes I do not care 
Listen now to the motor of my chainsaw 
Open your eyes don't be scared 
Look into my eyes do you see any love? 
The only thing is agony 
Now I can't wait to give you the good pain 
Die now and be free 
My only aim is to take many lives 
The more the better I feel 
My only pleasure is to hear many cries 
From those tortured by my steel 
The colour of your blood from your open body 
Is all I wanted to see 
Tasting the blood from your lips as you die 
Means satisfaction to me 
Pleasure to kill 

Now that my mission is done 
Your body forgotten has been killed 
I return to the cemetery 
And my bloodlust is stilled 
My coffin is open for me 
I lay down and rest 
Nothing will set me free 
And so I kill until excess 
Day turns to night as I rise from my grave 
Black was the hole where I laid 
Stalking the city to seek out your blood 
I love when it showers from my blade 
Your body is so pretty but how will it look 
When my perverted lust is stilled 
No one to save you no parents or friends 
Because they've already got killed 
My only aim is to take many lives 
The more the better I feel 
My only pleasure is to hear many cries 
From those tortured by my steel 
The colour of your blood from your open body 
Is all I wanted to see 
Tasting the blood from your lips as you die 
Means satisfaction to me 
Pleasure to kill 

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/k/kreator/jpn:pleasure+to+kill_20292401.html 

What are our children listening to? Twelve

AS PRIEST, PARENT OR GUARDIAN, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are aware of what our children are listening to, and reading. It is a safe and sensible practice to keep an eye on reading material, resources. A series of posts will be made available by Good Shepherd Church with information on resources we are aware children and youth are listening to. 


Kreator
Your Heaven In My Hell Lyrics

After all these centuries of preaching godly wrath. Punishment and after life. Pandemonium. 
Gods that torture. Gods that judge.
Bring the guilt they make you feel.
Minds deceived by psychopaths. 
I see through the web you weave. 
Your Heaven, my Hell. 
Your Heaven has become my hell. 
You are the virus of this Scorched, burnt earth. 
Your heaven, my Hell. 
Your heaven will always be my Hell.
Fear has possessed the hearts of man. The hearts of man.

Now the angles of justice, preparing their decent. 
All illusion and poison, praying this will be the end. It shall all fall apart now. 
Kill the Contrivance and desires. 
A life time of penetration. 
Unchain your soul and then Death smiles. 
Your heaven, my hell. 
A destroyer of your faith. 
Your heaven, My Hell. 
A creator you shall fear my name.

At the end of religion. My spirit will not die. 
I will only see clearer.
No Longer haunted by these times. 
I'll be stronger than ever. 
No temptation to Resist. So come on, take my hand now. Let's celebrate the apocalypse. 
Your Heaven, my hell. A destroyer of your faith. 
Your heaven, my hell. 
A Creator you shall fear my name.

Let this last farewell be heard across all countries. All cultures, no more cholera Messiahs. 
Embrace the dawning of a new earth.

So let them bleed, as the new light shines.

Let's kill all gods. Let's crush the hypocrisy. 
My eyes are open wide. My Eyes Are open wide. 
Your heaven, my hell. My destroyer. 
Your Heaven, my hell. A creator. 
Your heaven, my hell. A destroyer. 
Your Heaven, My hell. My eyes are open wide. 

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/k/kreator/your+heaven+in+my+hell_21012538.html