In the words of Pastor Thabo, may your Christmas be Christ-Filled.
May you realize the Peace that comes from our L-RD.
Pastor Shane, of Shiloh Community Church shares a Christmas Message, “The Real Meaning of Christmas,” that tells what it’s all about, this Day we celebrate and call Christmas. Hint: It’s not about Santa Claus, Trees, and tearing presents open.
Please check it out. He makes a great opening with a clip from Charlie Brown’s Christmas cartoon, and a wonderful observation about Linus and his blanket.
At the Wednesday Noon Bible Study at Holy Trinity Christian Church, Alpharetta, GA, the theme of the studies has been a walk through Bible beginning in Genesis studying a chapter a week. Yesterday, we shifted to the approaching Christmas Season with a look at John the Baptist.
From Luke chapter 1:
“8Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” “
John was called in the Spirit of Elijah to prepare the hearts and minds of the people to be ready to receive the Gospel through YeshuaJesus.
Leon, who attends the Noon Bible Study, pointed out Luke 7:29,30:
“When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just,g having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.”
Those who received the Baptism of water were bring prepared to understand the ministry, the mission, of Yeshua as Messiah, while those who did not could not understand it. Not only those who didn’t receive John’s Baptism not understand, not receive the message, but they “rejected the purpose of G-D for themselves.” How tragic. How sad.
John’s call was to a people who needed to that their lives were not being lived in accordance to the desires of G-D. John’s call was for repentance. Teshuva, in the Hebrew. It means turning to G-D. It means turning their backs on the good that they saw in themselves, and seeing that goodness comes from G-D, and from G-D alone.
John’s call is also a call to all the people of Earth, not just to the Jewish people. As Apostle Paul tells us in his writings, the rejection of Messiah enabled all people to be able to come to G-D. The Nations are called into a relationship with G-D. We cannot see G-D. We can see YeshuaJesus though.
This season of Christmas is about the birth of a baby in a far away land, a long time ago. If our hearts are prepared, we can receive this child as more than a baby born in a manger. We can see YeshuaJesus as the Savior, as King, that was born to live, teach, and die for us, that we might receive the Spirit that gives us true life and a true relationship with G-D.
Apostle Paul put it this way:
“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:2-4)
L-RD Bless this Christmas Season with great revelation in our hearts and minds that we might live, and live free.
Mobs of Pakistanis; Demand Public Hanging or Will Shut Down Pakistan
Even though Asia Bibi will certainly be murdered in Pakistan if she is not evacuated soon.
Ms. Bibi and her husband are Christians; they are the parents of five children; they are illiterate.
The Bibi’s, since Ms. Bibi’s arrest in 2010, have received help from Mr. Joseph Nadeem and Family. The Nadeem family has been and is still threatened by Islamic groups in Pakistan.
“A number of prominent British imams have opposed extremism by joining calls for asylum for Ms. Bibi and her family. And, as the Irish people recently taught Britons, it could well be time to talk about and, if necessary, challenge all blasphemy laws, which may no longer be appropriate if indeed they ever were. Human compassion, humanitarian principles and the right to freedom of religious belief and expression, so often cited by governments but not always delivered, must surely be prominent in the responses we in the West make to situations like Asia Bibi’s.” —America, The Jesuit Review, Dec. 05, 2018.
“So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.” — Solomon, Ecclesiastes 4:1
For those interesting in Ms. Bibi’s story,
an autobiographical account is available on Amazon.
Blasphemy: A Memoir:
Sentenced to Death Over a Cup of Water
by Asia Bibi and Anne-Isabelle Tollet
Commentary:
We are appeasing a dangerous, radical enemy of humanity. I applaud the Pakistani Supreme Court for their Landmark decision to accquite Ms. Bibi of the blasphemy charges that had her on death row for eight years.
“According to local media, Pakistani police have cracked down on the Islamic radical party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (T.L.P.) and arrested its leader, the hard-line cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, on Nov. 23. This is the group that organized violent protests after Ms. Bibi’s acquittal and release. Mr. Rizvi’s party paralyzed the capital city of Islamabad for weeks, cresting in a wave of protests on Nov. 25 that Mr. Rizvi called for as a way to “pay tribute to the martyrs of his party.” Mr. Rizvi has also publicly threatened a fatwa against the magistrates who acquitted Ms. Bibi.” — From the article in America.
Pakistan IS NOT inclined to appease hard-line Islamic clerics, and is standing up against them. That certainly is more than America and Britain, or it seems any other country is willing to do.
Any reduction in American aid to Pakistan, then, would be foolish, as I suggested in a previous post.
Note that “Appeasement in an international context is a diplomatic policy of making political or material concessions to an aggressive power in order to avoid conflict. The term is most often applied to the foreign policy of the British governments of Prime Ministers Ramsay MacDonald, Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain towards Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy[2] between 1935 and 1939.” —Wikipedia
The game of life has often been said to be a test. I’ve never really figured out why. Nevertheless, if it’s a test then there are probably exams with right answers and wrong answers. Perhaps, as with some college courses, there is only One Big Final Exam. Pass. Fail. Graded. Ugh! Or perhaps there are ongoing tests and quizzes. That approach seems fair.
If that is so, then we are simply answering questions during our life. The success or failure of our life, then, is the outcome of all the tests. Or perhaps the tests and quizzes don’t count, but give us a sense of our progress. That might be worse. Then we’d have to take that One Big Final Exam to determine the course of our Eternal Life beyond this mortal life.
We are constantly having to make choices throughout our life. Each choice is like a test. And these are like multiple choice tests. I’ve “failed,” according to some friends in that I’ve tried to analyze, over think, things. I’ve spent a lot of time looking for the “Right Answer.” In doing so, in effect, I’ve selected the imaginary “No Answer is Correct.” I know for sure I’ve hesitated too long in the process of finding answers that are “Right.”
One strategy in answering these multiple-guess tests is to determine which of the answers are simply wrong, obviously wrong, and scratch them off. I’m wondering if this might be an approach to life, too. Rather than try to constantly assess which choice, which decision, is “right,” scratch off the obviously wrong choices. Then simply choose the best answer and go for it. Okay. I suppose that’s the Existentialist Approach to life.
I suppose one might find fault with this way of thinking.
Apostle Paul wrote to the Galations (5:16 ESV):
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
When Apostle Paul wrote that, he said it in the context of our Freedom in Messiah YeshuaJesus. He proceeded that statement with (v. 13,14):
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “
Follow the way of Love. Follow Jesus. Follow the Spirit of G-D. This keeps us from making wrong choices. And we have the freedom to simply live our lives without the anxiety of always wondering if we are doing right. Isn’t this an approach to living an abundant life?
Refugee status for Ms. Bibi has been squashed by UK Prime Minister Theresa May, according to CBN. Ms. May is concerned about upsetting British Muslims.
Furthermore, the article states:
“May’s indifference about Bibi has angered many people in the UK. According to the website Jihad Watch, May’s government has welcomed two jihad preachers, who praised the murderer of a man who had broken Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. One of the preachers was even welcomed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. “
“LONDON – Last week’s terror attack by a British-born Muslim proves again that a radical community exists within Britain. Its goal: create an Islamic nation. And there is a quieter force at work that will likely achieve that desire long before guns, bombs and violence.
This is not Karachi. It’s London.
Britain’s policy of mass immigration has brought what one expert calls “demographic upheaval” to the United Kingdom that could change almost everything.”
My Comments
Aid to Pakistan in 2016: 780 million dollars. (USAID) This is a very Seriously Flawed Approach to Helping Our Friends.
If Britain becomes a Nation under Islam, it will have done what Adolf Hitler could not accomplish with bombs.
Perhaps you don’t think it could happen in the United States, even if it were to occur in England. I disagree. Here’s why: Some years ago a “guru” and his followers moved into a small Oregon county. They established residence. They grew. They voted. Voila! They became the power of that county. It worked for only a short time. The “guru” was eventually run out of the county after breaking some laws. His followers fled, too, as I recall, not really having a way to support themselves and stay.
Islam is a religion of peace. Okay. Fine. That’s what I’ve heard, anyway. What exactly does that mean? Does it mean that Islam derived from the Quran supports peaceful relations with all people? Doesn’t exactly look like it to me. Or does it mean that Islam’s peace initiative is making all Infidels (those who are not of Islam) either convert or die?
Interestingly, Christianity, like Islam, has a mandate to make disciples of all people. Convert the lost, is often the way it’s presented. And Catholicism has done its share of forced conversion in the past. But that’s not a directive of the Christian Scriptures. Most Protestant denominations make disciples by offering something that appeals to the would-be convert. Not under force, under threat of death.
Judaism does not, as far as I am aware, have any mandate to convert anyone. Judaism, however, does believe that eventually Israel will become the religious center of the Earth, and all nations will believe and worship the G-D of Israel. The G-D of our L-RD Yeshua (Jesus). I believe this, too. I believe all Israel, all of Judaism, will acknowledge Yeshua as Messiah, as L-RD. Apostle Paul believe this as well.
“Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved. . .” [Romans 11:25,26]
Last week, Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi Pakistani was cleared of blasphemy charges. JonahzSong has previously carried posts about her imprisonment. Ms. Bibi spent over eight years on death row for alleged crimes against Islam’s Prophet.
Today, at Paul Thinking Out Loud there is a link to an article at Religious News Service that reports “Yes TV, Canada’s largest multifaith broadcaster, has sent a letter to the Canadian government offering to sponsor and settle Asia Bibi.”
The article goes on to state that despite Ms. Bibi’s release, she is staying in a converted prison cell fearing for her life. Those who wanted her murdered by the State, now want to murder her themselves. Even her lawyer and his family have fled Pakistan.
Pakistanis Demand Death
Even the New York Times has posted an Op-Ed piece on Pakistan’s New Religion of Blasphemy citing Islamic Conservative that want Ms. Bibi murdered (hanged for blasphemy).
It hasn’t stopped their either, for “Posters were put up with fatwas against the judges who had issued the Bibi decision. The judges’ guards and cooks were urged to kill them before evening; anyone who did would earn great rewards in the afterlife,” wrote Mohammed Hanif.
True to the Prosecution.org slogan, “It didn’t end with the coliseums; Christians are still Persecuted.”
Mobs of Pakistanis Demand Public Hanging or Will Shut Down Pakistan
Fill their faces with shame, And let them seek Your Name, O יהוה
This Psalm has been described as a “desperate, impassioned plea for God’s assistance during a time of war.” These days of rage and evil acts feel like a time of war. My initial response to acts of evil is to desire the perpetrator’s fall, even death. And certainly this Psalm speaks of this, requests it of G-D. “Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace,” the Psalmist cries out (v17). The Psalm also calls for another fate for those who would dare commit evil against G-D’s people. Once their faces are filled with shame, one shame has come upon them, worked in their being, the prayer is that they would seek the Name of G-D.
The Psalmist calls for those who partake in evil, who come against G-D’s people to come to a place of shame for their wickedness. The prayer is one of benevolent mercy, that the workers of evil seek the Name of G-D. This person must acknowledge the evil, turn from it, turn to G-D. I would add “while there is still time left to do so.” For there comes a time when there will no longer be a turning to G-D, a seeking of His Name.
It seems to me not all who do evil will actually seek G-D. Most will remain in their shame, barely even aware that they have done anything wrong. Most have no empathy, thus are not reformable. They will die and face G-D’s judgement, where they then will be forced to confront themselves, and the evil they’ve committed. They will know shame forever; they will feel shame forever and ever.
The question might arise: Does that mean the person responsible for wickedness, for evil actions, says, “Hey, Sorry, I’ll be good.” And simply goes free? Nope. That’s not how it works. There is forgiveness by a merciful G-D. And there are consequences in this life we live upon Earth. Through a true acceptance of Yeshua as our Lord and Savior, Son of G-D, our deeds on Earth are forgiven, and we are made whole and righteous spiritually, and prepared for eternal life in Heaven, with G-D. But while on Earth, we reap what we sow. “Chickens come home to roost.”
An illustration is Mr. Charles Denton Watson Jr. AKA Tex Watson. Ring a bell? If not, heard of Charles Manson, or perhaps The Manson Family? Tex Watson, a senior member of The Family, in 1971, was tried, found guilty of murder, and sent to prison in San Luis Obispo, CA. Through prison ministry efforts, in 1975 Tex Watson acknowledged his actions, turned from them and faced Yeshua, becoming part of the Family of Messiah, the Family of G-D.
But that’s not the end of the story. Tex Watson is still in prison. Tex Watson may be forgiven. Tex Watson lives with the consequences of his evil actions. While Tex Watson has been in prison, he’s published books, received a college education, started a Christian Ministry, and as far as I know, been instrumental in rehabilitation of many people. He’s been up for parole, and it has not been granted. Despite his new life and such accomplishments that have been made, Tex Watson is still behind bars. It doesn’t appear as though he will see freedom this side of death, either. Tex Watson has had his face filled with shame. His soul may be righteous, but his Earthly shame must burn daily within him. For Tex Watson, chickens came home to roost.
In a recent post at Thinking Out Loud, Mr. Paul Wilkerson shares his dismay that a particular television show contains inappropriate material and is aired during television’s prime-time hours.
“U.S. network prime time begins when locally produced or locally acquired programming ends at 7:59 and runs to 10:59 before local news. The first hour, from 8:00 to 9:00 was once called ‘the family hour,’ ” he wrote in Superstore on NBC: Not a Family Shopping Experience.
Mr. Wilkerson says he’s “not the type of person to get into Moral Majority-styled rants about the filth on TV and calling for networks to cancel shows and everyone else to boycott sponsors.”
“I don’t understand how NBC continues to get away with showing this at 8:00 pm,” he wrote.
One comment Mr. Wilkinson received echoed the sentiment of “how can they get away with it.”
I agree with Mr. Wilkinson that these shows do not belong in a “family-time” slot, such as the 8 to 9 pm time.
My comment to Mr. Wilkinson’s column states:
Hum. Networks “get away with it” when we, the people, simply do nothing. What’s wrong with a little boycott? Not just “not watching” the program, but work to change all “prime-time” programs back to a more family-centered experience. Boycotting sponsors goes a long way toward making one’s voice heard. Yet how do we define “family-centered”? Perhaps the scenes described are the new family-centered experience.
Today the voice against immorality on television is but a small voice crying in a wilderness. Our current American culture is neither the culture of our fathers and mothers nor is it the culture of our grandfathers and grandmothers. The American culture has become degraded; the American culture is on the verge of falling.
“Father Knows Best” and “Leave it to Beaver” have made way for “Modern Family” and the altered reality of “Reality TV.” There is no longer a “moral majority” in America. There is only the immoral majority.
America can change, however. There is hope. The American people have to want to change, have to see the current situation as it is, that it is not what it ought to be, what it could be. Americans must turn to the G-D of Israel, through His Son YeshuaJesus.
When Jonah preached a country turned from its ways, turned to G-D, and was saved.
So here’s an interesting, and short, video asking a few people about there views on G-D, Salvation, and the Bible. It’s really like a trailer. Check it out here.
This video is longer, briefly explains the interview process, and then goes into some of the results . Check it out here.
Jonah’s Song 