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August 2 2008
The Dedication of Christ “The child’s mother and father marveled at what was said about him. The Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother,” this child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel , and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.’ Luke 2:33-36 (TLB) Mary and Joseph have gone to the temple to dedicate Jesus to the lord. It was required by the law of moses that every firstborn son be dedicated to Jehovah. Even though they knew of the future of their son, and who he was going to grow up to be, they still followed the Jewish laws on circumcision and female purity after the birth of a child. Surely their hearts would have been brimming with pride; hearing such glorious things being said by the prophets and their little baby, just eight days old. The tiny Redeemer, messiah, King of kings, and the son of almighty god.
But Mary
also received the news that she would lose her first born son in a terrible and
painful way. (A sword shall
pierce your own soul, too. Luke 2:35 (TLB) This foreshadowed
the agony of Christ on the cross, as mary stood there and watched the life
slowly fade from her tortured and abused son's Murder. even as she wept, she
took comfort in knowing his kingdom was not ending, but would extend for
eternity. Jesus bought your freedom at a great
price. Your forgiveness and right standing with God was paid for with his
lifeblood. It soaked into the arrid ground of Mount Calvary almost 2008 years
ago, and has been cleansing the hearts of believers ever since. There is one
who stands between us and Paradise. He is the Son of Almighty God, Jesus
Christ. Won't you ask Him to forgive your sins today? You have no promise of
tommorow. Daily Manna July 9
Walking Deep In The Shadows By: Timothy E. Davis
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Our lives are not guaranteed to be trouble free. You did not sign a contract with God in which He promised to only send you wine and chocolates. To borrow from an old seventies song, Jehovah never promised you a rose garden. We will all have seasons when we must walk in the dark and deep shadows. We will feel abandoned by our King, alone, and uncertain.
But He has given us a promise for all eternity. A promise that never expires, a covenant never to be altered. In Deuteronomy 31:8, we are told "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." No, the Master has not promised we will never have to walk in the long, dark, shadows, but He has given His inalterable Word we will not be walking through them alone
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