Agony on the Cross

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. 

In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.

They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.

All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:

"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him.

Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."

Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.

From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. 

My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;   you lay me in the dust of death.

Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.

I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.

They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.

Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

 Psalm 22:1-21

Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads ⁴⁰and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" Matthew 27:27-54

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A Child Is Born

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,

 "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

"Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  Luke 2:1-20 

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Artwork by He Qi

God's Will

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, "Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." 
Psalm 40:6-8

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.' Hebrews 10:5-7


Inside the heart written in Hebrew is the morning shema from D'Varim. 


And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be on your heart and you shall teach them to your children and speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way and when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and to be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates.  Deuteronomy 6:4-8

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Shema from
Messianic Services For the Festivals & Holy Days
by Dr.John Fischer
Photos
© 2009 Reggie

Zeal

Zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. Psalm 69:9

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me." John 2:13-17 

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© 2009 Reggie

Risen

I have set the LORD always before me.

Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; 

my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the grave,

nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 

Psalm 16:8-10

He is not here; he has risen!

Remember how he told you,

while he was still with you in Galilee:

'The Son of Man must be delivered

into the hands of sinful men, be crucified

and on the third day be raised again.'

Luke 24:6-7

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© 2009 Reggie

From the Mouths of Infants

From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise because of your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger. 

Psalm 8:2 

But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law 

saw the wonderful things he did 

and the children shouting in the temple area,

"Hosanna to the Son of David," 

they were indignant.

Matthew 21:15

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Photos Toby Witte Dix

Triumphal Entry

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" Mark 11:7-10

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© 2009 Reggie

High Priest

The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind:

“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Psalm 110:4

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

 It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

 where Jesus, who went before us,

 has entered on our behalf.

 He has become a high priest forever,

in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:19-20

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© 2009 Reggie

Bind Up The Broken

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of year LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2

So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 

       “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
       Because He has anointed Me
      To preach the gospel to the poor;
      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

      To proclaim liberty to the captives
      And recovery of sight to the blind,
      To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
      To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:16-22

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A Prophet

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.

Deuteronomy 18:15

But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.

Acts 3:18-22

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Speaker of Parables

I will open my mouth in parables, 
I will utter hidden things, things from of old- 
what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. 
We will not hide them from their children; 
we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done. 
Psalm 78-2-4


Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables;
he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 
Matthew 13:34


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© 2009 Reggie

Silent Night Holy Night

silent night holy night

all is calm all is bright
bright
was the night so long ago
Mary a young women
untouched by man
filled with the child of the Most High
a simple women
following a simple plan
the night was cool
she sat upon a donkey
waves of pain announced
the time at hand
as Joseph frantically searched for
a quiet place for his beloved to deliver
her child
Mary sat remembering the words of an angel
greetings you who are highly favored
the Lord is with you
the pain was becoming intense
tears filled her eyes as the pain took her breath
she leaned on the animal she sat upon 
whispering a prayer for strength
favored 
yet without a place to have a baby
no bed for comfort
no midwife for the delivery
no soft pillow or clean sheets
no helping hands 
or even her mothers word’s to calm her
alone she clung to the words of the angel
do not be afraid Mary 
afraid was an understatement
she was shaking
was it the pain
was it the fear of delivering alone
or was it the cool night

crown yon virgin mother and child 
holy infant so tender and mild

again her mind drifted to the angels words
you will be with child and give birth to a Son 
and you will call him Jesus
Son of the Most High
a Son
a Little Boy
she smiled at the thought of holding her Little One
as Joseph led her to a warm quiet stable
filled with animals 
marry melted into a fresh hay bed
thankful to rest her head
thankful for the strong arms of Joseph
she didn’t notice the smell of the animals
she didn’t see the webs of spiders
focused
she panted and pushed
remembering her Child
had been given 
the throne of David 
and He would reign 
forever
a Kingdom without end
for her part 
she was trusted
with a small life
10 fingers
10 toes
a Tiny Savior
the pain to push
grabbed her mind back to the moment
sweat covered her face and matted her hair
tears clouded her sight
as she pulled on Joseph for strength
and pushed one final push
she delivered
the sound of a Tiny King
filled the quiet night
bright
was the light of a star
the stable seemed to glow 
shadows shimmered 
animals rested
the baby nursed
Joseph held Mary
as she held Jesus
did she know
her child held the world
that He was to be her Savior also
did she understand 
the cost ahead for her son
the tears
the beatings
the pain
the breaking of her heart
the victory in His death
she smiled at His little face
knowing but not understanding
how this Little Baby
fulfilled God’s word and would change the world


Sleeping heavenly peace
sleeping heavenly peace

peace came to earth 
in the form of a baby
there in an unlikely place
an ordinary women
an ordinary man
no palace
no room in a home
just a dirty stable 
and hay as a bed
was God’s grand entrance as 
He became man
lived with us
died for us
so we could have
eternal life
it was long ago
a silent night
a holy night 
a night the ordinary
was anything but 
ordinary

by Debbie Yon
debbie@paddd.com

photo Reggie

Galilee

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom
 for those who were in distress.

 In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

 but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles,

 by the way of the sea, along the Jordan – 

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; 

on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

 Isaiah 9:1-2

Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum,

which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—

to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; 

on those living in the land of the shadow of death 
a light has dawned."

Matthew 4:13-16

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Photos Toby Witte-Dix
© 2009 Reggie

Son of God

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD : He said to me, 

"You are my Son; today I have become your Father.

 Psalm 2:7

And a voice from heaven said, 

"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 

Matthew 3:17

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© 2009 Reggie

The Way Prepared

The Elah Valley, Israel

A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." Isaiah 40: 3-5


He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.  Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.  And all mankind will see God's salvation.' " Luke 3:3-6



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Photos Toby Witt-Dix
© 2009 Reggie

Out of Egypt

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, 

and out of Egypt I called my son. Hosea 11:1

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." Matthew 2:13-15

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© 2009 Reggie

A Sign

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. "Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. Luke 1:26-31

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© 2009 Reggie

Time for The Messiah to Appear

Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. Daniel 9:25

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7

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Photos
© 2009 Reggie

Born In Bethlehem

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5:2

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7

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© 2009 Reggie

Wonderful Counselor

Here is a photo of the entire tapestry from which the Lion of Judah photo came. I found a website that sells it.
http://www.woven-gifts.com/product/HWTWCO_Wonderful-Counselor-Wallhanging

Anointed and Eternal

Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. Psalm 45:6-7


In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain;  they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
Psalm 102:25-27


But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." Hebrews 1:8-12




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© 2009 Reggie

LORD

The LORD says to my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand 
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet."
Psalm 110:1

While the Pharisees were gathered together,
 Jesus asked them, saying,

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” 

They said to Him, “ The Son of David.” 
He said to them,

“How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: 

‘The LORD said to my Lord,“ Sit at My right hand,

 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”’?

 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?”

Matthew 22:41-45

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Throne of David

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. 

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.  

The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:7

He will be great

and will be called the Son of the Most High. 

The Lord God will give him

the throne of his father David. 

Luke 1:32

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© 2009 Reggie

Lion of Judah

The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. Genesis 49:10


But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,  though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2

He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,…the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,…the son of Judah…” Luke 3:23-34

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© 2009 Reggie

A Star Out of Jacob

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.

A star will come out of Jacob; 

a scepter will rise out of Israel.

Numbers 24:17

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ

the son of David, the son of Abraham: 

Abraham was the father of Isaac, 

Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah... 

Matthew1:1-2

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© 2009 Reggie

Descendant Of Isaac

Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac.  I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. Genesis 17:19

Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.  He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,... the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac… Luke 3:23,34

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Photo He Qi

http://photopeach.com/album/1032x9i

Who Would He Be?

I see him, but not now; 

I behold him, but no near.

A star will come out of Jacob;

a scepter will rise out of Israel. 

Numbers 24:17

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers Matthew 1:1-2


The promised Messiah would be a descendant of the house of Jacob.


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Text and Photos
© 2009 Reggie

Who Will Come?

And I will put enmity between you and the woman

and between your seed and her seed;

he will crush your head and you will strike his heel. 

Genesis 3:15 KJV 

Who would this person be that would one day crush Satan?

The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. 

The Scripture does not say “and to seeds” 
meaning many people, but “and to your seed” 
meaning one person who is Christ. 

Galatians 3:16

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Text and Photos
© 2009 Reggie

Dashing Through The Holidays

We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19

Many families dash toward Christmas starting Thanksgiving weekend.  A third of the houses on our street already have their outside decorations up.

We have a mix of faith traditions in our family, therefore we must take things a bit slower. On the first day of December we begin our Advent tradition reading Old Testament verses prophesying the coming Messiah and the fulfillment of these prophecies from the New Testament after which we hang one tiny ornament on a wall tree.

The Jewish holidays are based on a lunar calendar. This year Hanukah, festival of lights, runs December 11-18. When Hanukkah begins we light the menorah, sing a prayer, and open one small gift each day for eight days. When my daughter was in grade school we used to read Hanukkah by Roni Schotter which explained the significance of the holiday.

We also put one electric candle in a window each day.  Over the years we’ve reduced eight candles to just four in the front windows. When Hanukah is over, then we begin decorating for Christmas. One year we put the Christmas tree up on Christmas eve, because Hanukah didn’t end until then. Several years ago both holidays fell in the same week.

We held onto what was most important and tossed the rest. We knew we couldn’t do everything. We stopped sending Christmas cards and baking cookies. We never were good at outside light displays.  We chose those things that fostered mutual edification and harmony in our family. This is an ongoing process as children grow into adulthood.
Be flexible. Be loving. Be respectful. Enjoy the beauty and wonder of the season. Share the love.

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Text and Photos
© 2009 Reggie

Encouragement

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4-5

Bendito sea el Dios y Padre del Señor Jesucristo, el Padre de misericordias, y el Dios de toda consolación. El cual nos consuela en todas nuestras tribulaciones,

para que podamos también nosotros consolar á los que están en cualquiera angustia, con la consolación con que nosotros somos consolados de Dios.

 2 Corintios1:4-5

“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Charles Dickens began in a Tale of Two Cities. It is during the worst of times that we receive encouragement from God. This is the encouragement we share with others who need it when they are going through their worst of times.

Scripture NIV
Text and Photos
© 2009 Reggie

Stay on Target

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.  1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

            It is easy to be led away from what’s most important.

·         Wanted - A goal on which to focus.

It is simple to wander off the path.

·         Needed – An expert guide.

The kingdom of God is my goal.

Jesus Christ is my guide.

Scripture NIV
Text and Photos
© 2009 Reggie