July 8, 2008 at 7:35 am (Art Folio, Medieval Themed Journal, Personal Devotional)
Tags: art, Art Folio, Australian art, Bible, Christianity, colours, deserts, devotional, devotionals, girl art, girl's art, God, illlustration, Isaiah 44, nature, Old Testament, pencil, religious art, rivers, streams, trees, water
Pencil on tinted paper, June 2008.
Isaiah 44:3-4 (Today’s New International Version)
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.
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July 7, 2008 at 2:42 pm (Books, Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Bible, Christianity, Jesus, devotionals, God, Books, Bible Study, devotional, Scripture, Spirituality, Christian, Saviour, Savior, meditations, Isaiah 61, Deuteronomy 10, Nehemiah 9, mercy, forgiveness, xenophobia, superhero, comic books
I’ve been reading a book about comic book illustration (1), and was amazed at how a hero can be represented by the shape and style of his / her appearance. Qualities including nose shape, muscle build, the shape of the neck, even the back, they all contribute to identifying the hero by appearance alone.
Being one of those individuals who tends to think too much about most things, I started to wonder what a Bible-based conception of a real hero would be. Far be it from me to reduce my Lord to a mere mythical action figure, so please don’t think that’s what I’m doing. However, His life displayed heroic qualities that go far deeper and are more profound than sculpted abs, muscular thighs and a big chin!
I think Isaiah 61 is a beautiful portrait of the amazing work of the Saviour. I hope it is an encouragement to you.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (The Message)
The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace - a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies - and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory.
He’s out there, healing the brokenhearted who turn to Him. He’s bringing a message of life and joy.
Now, read of the Lord’s amazing character:
Deuteronomy 10:17-18 (New Living Translation)
“The LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes. He gives justice to orphans and widows. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.
The Lord is not a xenophobe! 
Justice for those who cannot achieve it for themselves, the poor, the needy, the widow, the lonely, the orphan. And God is not swayed as humans are. He cannot be bribed into action.
And finally, on these thoughts, the Lord is merciful. He freely forgives, even those who have turned on Him.
Nehemiah 9:17 (New Living Translation)
But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and full of unfailing love and mercy.
Wow!
(1) Hart, C (2007), Simplified anatomy for the comic book artist: how to draw the new streamlined look of action-adventure comics, Watson-Guptill Publications: New York, USA. ISBN-13 9780823047734.
PS - I am enjoying this comic anatomy book. Look it up if you’re into drawing! Even though I don’t personally draw in this style, it is always a useful exercise to expand one’s horizons. And it’s really helped me learn about anatomy, as it applies to drawing, without going into excessive detail.
(2) Scriptures accessed 7 July 2008 at http://bible.crosswalk.com/.
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June 30, 2008 at 8:00 am (Visual Diary)
Tags: Catholicism, Christianity, church, drawing, illustration, morality, persecution, Religion, Visual Diary, visual journal
Tuesday 18 March 2008 - 9.54 am
Reading in the local paper about a series of aggressive vandalism attacks on a local Roman Catholic church. Statues and trees were graffitied, and a memorial garden has been ruined. Sadly, the church members are now stuck fixing their church, while unknown vandals break the law.
A sign saying “Christ has risen” was smashed. And I wonder - if those vandals truly knew the wonder of this Truth, would they still deface churches?
There seems to be a diminishing level of respect out there.
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June 22, 2008 at 9:55 pm (Fizzy Musings)
Tags: articles, Bible, Bible Study, Christian living, Christianity, creation, devotionals, marriage
This is from ICR’s “Days of Praise” devotional. I’ve been subscribing to their daily email devotional for a couple of years now, and it’s one of the few devotionals I’ve found to be consistently encouraging and in-depth.
I thought this one was particularly interesting. It can be found at this link:
http://www.icr.org/article/3807/ (accessed 22 June 2008 )
The Creator of Marriage
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” (Matthew 19:4-6)
The Lord Jesus has settled forever (for those who believe His words) the question of human origins and the historicity of the Genesis account of creation. God created Adam and Eve as full-grown adults in the beginning, united as husband and wife–not a population of primates slowly evolving into people over millions of years. The multitude of skeptical scientists and liberal theologians who have insisted that the “two” accounts of creation in the first two chapters of Genesis contradict each other here stand sharply rebuked by the Creator, Himself, for Christ quoted specifically from both Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, thus accepting both of them as valid, historical, and complementary accounts of the same event.
Furthermore, He who is the heavenly Bridegroom confirmed the Genesis teaching that the first and most basic of all human institutions was the home, and that marriage was designed by its Creator to be monogamous and permanent.
Although modern evangelicals may have differing opinions concerning acceptable criteria for divorce and remarriage, it is obvious that “from the beginning it was not so.” The ideal marriage is even used by Paul as a picture of the loving, permanent union of Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:25-27). God, in His grace, does forgive sin when it is confessed and forsaken–even sin against the marriage covenant–but this does not eliminate the accompanying suffering and heartbreak.
How much better to follow God’s creative purpose in all things, especially concerning marriage and the home. HMM
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May 17, 2008 at 8:54 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: charity, Christian living, Christianity, Christmas
Christmas time is when a lot of people reflect on the gift of Jesus, and what He means in our life. Regardless of whether 25 December is an accurate date for Christ’s birth, it becomes an opportunity to remember the joy of life found in Jesus.
Some simple ways to reflect on the gift of Jesus and the gift that He is:
* read the Biblical texts about the birth of Jesus
* give gifts to others
* share the joy you have found in life with Jesus - let others know who Jesus is and the significance of His coming to Earth
* give to the needy
* invite a lonely person to join you for Christmas lunch or dinner
* hold a Christmas dinner party for your friends - engage in some hospitality!
* visit a Christmas day church service
* reflect on the meanings of traditional Christmas carols
* when you write the annual Christmas cards, try to purchase Christmas cards from a charitable organisation, or write something more meaningful to each individual than you normally would, or include a favourite Scripture
This is not to give you a religious checklist or a way of earning your way to God. These are simply ideas you might like to consider in the time leading up to Christmas.
*Do you have any ideas for what you can do to share the love of God with people in your life? Not just at Christmas, but all year around?
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May 17, 2008 at 8:46 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Christian living, Christianity, faith, Advent, reflections, New Years Resolutions
This is an activity I ran with my Bible study group late 2007. Inspired by Luke 10:27, it was an opportunity to reflect on the year just gone, and the year ahead.
Luke 10:27
He answered: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
From this Bible text we identified 4 areas in which we demonstrate love for God:
- heart
- soul
- strength
- neighbour
We roughly translated this into the following aspects of life:
- mind
- spirit
- body
- others
Steps to do the activity:
- divide a page into two columns.
- at the top of the left column write the year just finished (e.g., “2007″)
- at the top of the right column write the year to come (e.g., “2008″)
- in each column write the 4 categories mind, spirit, body, others - leaving enough room between each to write a sentence or two.
- for the year just finished (e.g., 2007), write one thing you achieved in each category.
Mind - represents the things you have achieved in developing your mind this year. For example, did you do well in a particular subject at school or university? Did you undertake a short course? Did you learn a new skill, such as learning a musical instrument?
Spirit - represents your spiritual journey. For example, what have you achieved in your Christian walk? Are you closer to God now than you were earlier in the year? Have you experienced increased fruitfulness in your prayer life? Have you read the Bible more consistently? Have you been baptised this year?
Body - represents what you have done to take care of your physical body. The Bible has a lot to say about the human body. The way we use and treat our bodies can be a way to honour God. (See 1 Corinthians 6:20; Philippians 1:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Timothy 4:7-8). So, have you made an effort to eat better, or exercise more? Maybe you’ve made the transition to a healthy plant-based eating lifestyle. Or you bought a gym membership - and actually stuck with it!
Others - what have you done to share God’s love with others? Did you give away your possessions to the poor? Give to the homeless? Help out at a soup kitchen or drop in centre? Did you serve in a church ministry? Did you give hospitality to your friends and family? Did you give encouragement to others?
- For the year to come (e.g., 2008), write something for each of the four categories that you hope to achieve.
Some possibilities…
Mind - “I am going to try and read one novel every month.”
Spirit - “I am going to seek God first, rather than using Him as a last resort when life gets hard.”
Body - “I will assess my eating habits and looks for opportunities to improve.”
Others - “I am going to join my church’s team of ushers, and meet and greet people at the door.
*What are some ideas you have for transforming your life in these areas, and for demonstrating your love for God through these areas?
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May 17, 2008 at 8:42 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Christmas, Bible, Christianity, Bible Study, devotional, Gospel, salvation, faith, Advent, grace, Romans 7, Romans 8
There are a few answers to that question, but for now I want to focus in on one area.
To get the most out of this Bible Study, read the Scripture excerpt carefully, then answer the questions based on what you read in the Scripture text.
Romans 7:21-25, Romans 8:1-9
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (NIV)
• Why did God send His Son, Jesus? (Rom 7:24-25, Rom 8:2-4)
• Verse 1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” Taken in the context of the rest of this Scripture, mean that there is never any sort of condemnation for a follower of Christ?
• Compare this to Romans 6:1-4:
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (NIV)
• Does being saved by faith and grace mean that it is acceptable to continue walking in sin?
• Why is there “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… who do not live according to the flesh..”? (Rom 8:1,4)
• Who is unable to please God? (Rom 8: 8 )
• What are the characteristics of the person who cannot please God? (Rom 8:5-7)
• What are the two laws competing for our attention? (Rom 7:21-25)
• How is a slave to sin released from sin? (Rom 7:24-25
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May 17, 2008 at 8:37 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Christmas, Bible, creation, Christianity, Jesus, Bible Study, New Testament, devotional, Advent
Luke 3:23-38
When Jesus began his work, he was about thirty years old. He was the son, so people thought, of Joseph, who was the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Kenan, the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. (GNT)
- What nationality is Jesus, according to this genealogy?
- Can you find Biblical references to any of the individuals listed here?
- How far back in history does this genealogy trace Jesus’ human family? Does it suggest any gaps (in a plain reading of the text)?
- How old was Jesus when He began His work? What does this suggest to any 20-something Christians who are worried that they’ve missed their ministry calling?
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May 17, 2008 at 8:31 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Christmas, Christianity, Jesus, God, Bible Study, New Testament, devotional, Religion, Advent, John 1, Spirituality
John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (TNIV)
Where the other three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) focussed more on the natural aspects of Jesus’ birth, the Gospel according to the Apostle John gives us another perspective.
- Who is the person addressed as “The Word?”
- In the first paragraph, what are three attributes of the Word?
- What does this passage say about Jesus’ role in Creation?
- Who was the John who wrote this Scripture, and who was the John mentioned in the text? Are they the same person?
- What have we received from Jesus Christ?
- How do we know God the Father?
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May 17, 2008 at 8:29 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, Christmas, devotional, Religion
Matthew 2:1-23
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route
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.
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” (NIV)
- Does the text indicate how many wise men, or magi, there were?
- Why was Herod disturbed?
- Why did Herod say he wanted to find the Christ child? What was his actual motive to find the Christ?
- How did God communicate to Joseph the need to escape? Where did Jesus spend His childhood?
- What happened to the young boys in Bethlehem?
- What are the different ways that God communicates to His people in this text?
1 Comments
May 17, 2008 at 8:28 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Christmas, Bible, Christianity, Bible Study, devotional, Religion, Advent
Luke 2:21-40
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then 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.” There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then had been a widow for eighty-four years. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. (TNIV)
- What was Simeon’s prophecy?
- What was Anna’s prophetic revelation about? Does it surprise you that the Bible records both men and women as prophets (not only men)?
- What is the prophecy directed to Mary, from Simeon? If this was said to you, how would you feel?
1 Comments
May 17, 2008 at 8:26 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Christmas, Bible, Christianity, Bible Study, devotional, Advent
Luke 2:8-20
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 the Messiah, 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 heaven, and on earth peace to those 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. (TNIV)
- Think about this scene: baby Jesus, called Messiah, yet described as a baby lying in a manger - a feeding trough for animals! Can you see anything odd about this scene?
- Why was Jesus’ birth considered a great joy?
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May 17, 2008 at 8:24 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Christmas, Bible, Christianity, Jesus, Matthew 1, Bible Study, New Testament, history, Religion, Advent
Matthew 1:1-17
A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Ram the father of Amminadab, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, and Jesse the father of King David. Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon: Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Azor the father of Zadok, Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ. (NIV)
- What does this Scripture text say to people who thought that Christianity might be an excuse for Anti-Semitism?
- What about for those who suggest that the Old Testament is irrelevant to Christianity?
- Why was Jesus’ genealogy important?
- Can you find records in the Old Testament of any of these individuals? Who were they and why is it significant that Joseph was their descendant?
Comments
May 17, 2008 at 8:23 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Christmas, Bible, Christianity, Jesus, Bible Study, devotional, Advent
Matthew 1:18-25
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (NIV)
This passage has some interesting implications… at least, I get a lot out of it!
- When Mary got pregnant, was she married to Joseph?
- What does this suggest about the significance and importance of engagement, before marriage, if Joseph considered divorcing Mary (even though they weren’t yet married)?
- Joseph is described as a “righteous man.” What did he plan to do? How was this righteous? (Considering that an adulterous woman could well be stoned to death in those days.)
- How did God communicate to Joseph? Do you consider this a valid means of God communicating with humans? How did Joseph respond to God’s instructions?
- Did Joseph and Mary ever consumate their marriage? Was Mary a perpetual virgin?
Comments
May 17, 2008 at 8:21 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Christmas, Bible, Christianity, Jesus, Bible Study, Religion, Advent
Luke 1:56-80
Now it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, and it was a boy. The word spread quickly to her neighbors and relatives that the Lord had been very kind to her, and everyone rejoiced with her. When the baby was eight days old, all the relatives and friends came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!” “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” So they asked the baby’s father, communicating to him by making gestures. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John!” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. Wonder fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “I wonder what this child will turn out to be? For the hand of the Lord is surely upon him in a special way.”
Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited his people and redeemed them. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant with them, the covenant he gave to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies, so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness forever. “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” John grew up and became strong in spirit. Then he lived out in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel. (NLT)
- What was Zechariah’s prophecy over his son?
- What was his prophecy about the Saviour?
- How does Zechariah describe God’s personality here?
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May 17, 2008 at 8:17 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Advent, Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, Christmas, devotional, Religion
Luke 1:46-56
Mary responded, “Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors – Abraham and his children – to be merciful to them forever.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home. (NLT)
- What are the characteristics of God? (e.g., merciful, mighty.)
- Why would the generations to come remember Mary?
- Have the generations ever since remembered Mary?
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May 17, 2008 at 8:15 pm (Fizzy Musings, Personal Devotional)
Tags: Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, Christmas, devotional, Religion, Scripture
Luke 1:39-45
A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed. What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” (NLT)
- What does this passage indicate about the unborn baby’s personality? Is it possible for unborn babies to have emotional responses (according to this Scripture)?
- Why is Mary blessed?
- How did Mary and Elizabeth know each other? (see Luke 1:36.)
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April 3, 2008 at 2:17 pm (Fizzy Musings, apologetics)
Tags: apologetics, Christianity, creation
http://www.dissentfromdarwin.org/
The top of their petition reads:
“We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged.”
It has been signed by hundreds of scientists from various nations who are interested in pursuing the study of alternative explanations of the origin of life.
Also, a recent article on this topic appeared on Probe, written by Dr Ray Bohlin, a scientist and apologist who holds qualifications in zoology and biology. Go to http://www.probe.org/content/view/1110/130/ to read the article.
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March 28, 2008 at 6:33 pm (Art Folio, apologetics)
Tags: apologetics, art, Art Folio, Christianity, dinosaur art, dinosaurs, drawing, illustration, pencil drawing
Pencil on paper, December 2007.
This sketch is inspired by images of the dinosaur species Saurolophus osborni.
Spend any amount of time with me and you’ll learn that I am absolutely fascinated with dinosaurs. I think they’re magnificent creatures and often wish that I could see them in the flesh. However, like so many extinct creatures, I guess it’s just a bit of wishful thinking. And Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park novels have made me wonder whether or not I really want to see dinosaurs!
Anyway, Saurolophus was a “duck billed” dinosaur, and a herbivore, known from fossil remains that show it had a rear-projecting spine from its skull.
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References / More information on this topic:
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March 26, 2008 at 1:18 pm (Fizzy Musings, apologetics)
Tags: apologetics, archaeology, Bible, Christianity, creation, faith, Genesis 1, theology
Article from the website of archaeologist Dr Livingston: “The ‘Days’ of the Creation Week.” (2003)
http://www.ancientdays.net/creationdays.htm
In this, the author give s a clear and easy-to-read overview of various interpretations of Genesis 1 given by Christians, as well as a discussion of what the Bible itself actually says.
Excerpt:
What are the “DAYS”? How long were they?
Some Dates for Creation:
- Septuagint 5270 BC
- Jewish 3760 BC
- Josephus 5555 BC
- Luther 3961 BC
- Kepler 3993 BC
- Ussher 4004 BC
Some Interpretations of the Meaning of “Days”
- Revelational day: God revealed to Moses how He did it in 6 visionary days, or during a 6 day period.
- Long period of time — a geological age — a “day-age”.
- Literal day (24 hours), separated by long ages.
- See chart below…
[Read more...]
And, from another Dr Livingston article, “Five Pillars of Evolution” (2003):
| Evolution |
|
Creation |
Physical (material) Universe
Life from Non-Life
All Variety from a Single Cell
Time - 4.5 Billion Years
Order from Chaos |
|
Spiritual Creates Physical
All Life Comes from Life
Variety from the Beginning
Infinite, Miracle Working God
Order from Chaos
Redemption and Re-Creation |
http://www.ancientdays.net/fivepillars.htm
This website is worth a look. Dr Livingston is an archaeologist and theologian, and the rticles will be useful for anyone exploring apologetics.
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March 26, 2008 at 12:21 pm (Fizzy Musings, apologetics)
Tags: apologetics, Christianity, creation, devotional, faith, Genesis 2, God, Hebrews 11, Jesus, Psalm 33
This is from the Days of Praise devotional (January 3, 2008), written by Dr Henry Morris. I couldn’t have written it more clearly, so I’ve reproduced it here.
”Instantaneous Creation”
“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for He commanded, and they were created” (Psalm 148:5).
The concept of “fiat creation” is opposed by evolutionists and all who believe in the so-called geologic ages. Nevertheless, this is clearly the teaching of the word of God, and God was there! Psalm 148 exhorts all the stars to praise the Lord, and then notes that, as soon as God spoke, they “were created.” Similarly, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. . . . For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:6,9).
It is worth noting that whenever the verbs “create” or “make” are used in reference to God’s work of creation, they are never in the present tense. God is not now creating or making stars or animals or people as theistic evolution requires; at the end of the six-day creation period, in fact, God “rested from all His work which God created and made” (Genesis 2:3).
This is the teaching of the New Testament also. “The worlds |that is, the space/time cosmos, the ‘aeons’| were framed |not ‘are being framed’| by the word of God |not ‘by processes of stellar evolution’|, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear |not ‘out of preexisting materials,’ as required by theories of chemical and cosmic evolution|” (Hebrews 11:3).
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself confirmed the doctrine of recent creation. “From the beginning of the creation |not, that is, four billion years after the solar system evolved| God made them |Adam and Eve| male and female” (Mark 10:6). Thus, those who believe in the geological ages are rejecting both the Biblical record and the authority of Jesus Christ in order to attain ephemeral acceptance by the ungodly. This is a poor exchange! HMM
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March 25, 2008 at 12:05 pm (Fizzy Musings, apologetics)
Tags: aliens, apologetics, beliefs, Christianity, God, Jesus, salvation
A recent question that a Christian asked of me:
“Do you think God created life elsewhere in the universe? Otherwise, why would it be so big?”
Some thoughts:
- The Fall of humanity subjected all Creation to the curse of suffering and death (Genesis 3; Romans 8:19-22). So, would intelligent, sentient aliens would suffer for human sin? Is this just?
- The Church, the Body of Christ, is described as as ‘Bride.’ One day the Bride will be married to the Bridegroom (Revelation 21). Is Christ a polygamist? (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:7; Ephesians 5:31.)
- The Bible tells us that God specifically created humanity as His image bearers (Genesis 1:26-27). What about the aliens? Are they super-intelligent yet soulless? Or did God send Jesus to die for them, on their planets, too?
One of my favourite books on this topic is Alien Intrusion, by Australian apologist Gary Bates. It offers a balanced and sensible approach to the topic of alien life forms, and their relation to different worldviews.
I found a short article that summarises some of Bates’ main arguments here. Here is a brief excerpt and a link to the rest of the article.
Did God create life on other planets?
Otherwise why is the universe so big?
by Gary Bates (2006)
Many people, Christian or otherwise, struggle with the notion that the earth is the only inhabited planet in this enormous universe.
Those who believe life evolved on the earth usually see it as virtual ‘fact’ that life has evolved on countless other planets. Discovering life on other planets would in turn be seen as confirming their evolutionary belief.
But even many Christians think, ‘God must have created life elsewhere, otherwise this enormous universe would be an awful waste of space.’ However, our thinking should be based on what God said He did (the Bible), and not what we think He would or should have done. [Read more...]
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March 23, 2008 at 11:42 am (Fizzy Musings, apologetics)
Tags: apologetics, Bible, Catholicism, Christianity, Easter, Gospel, Jesus
Good question! It was one that I often wrestled with as a teenager. Why did we, as Roman Catholics (as I was at the time) celebrate the brutal, torturous death of Jesus? What was the significance of it?
While I don’t have time right now to exposit on it (it is, in essence, a central aspect of the Christan Gospel message), I have written a summary of the Gospel message at http://darthmaulmakesmesmile.wordpress.com/the-bible/.
CMI have published a brief article, “Genesis and the Cross,” on their apologetics ministry website. Here’s a brief extract and link to the rest of the article.
Genesis and the Cross
by Tas Walker [Published: 21 March 2008]
It may seem odd for people to celebrate the humiliating defeat of their leader and hero. But the suffering, shame and death of Jesus Christ are a source of hope to Christians.
No one wants to live in a world where evil is ignored, or worse still, approved. Everyone yearns for justice when they have been mocked, insulted, betrayed or abused. [Read more at http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/5679/...]
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March 13, 2008 at 11:10 am (Fizzy Musings, apologetics)
Tags: apologetics, Bible, Christianity, creation, Gospel, Jesus
It’s a reasonable question - if Earth’s history is one of suffering and pain, how could a loving God have created all this? It’s a question that I asked many times… But, for many years, no Christians were able to give me an answer (2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 Peter 3:15). That’s not to say that there aren’t answers.
Here’s a link to an article that discusses this issue - written for a Christian audience.
Excerpt from: http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/508/
The god of an old earth
Does the Bible teach that disease, bloodshed, violence and pain have always been ‘part of life’?
by Ken Ham
The late Carl Sagan, in his book Contact, wrote:
‘If God is omnipotent and omniscient, why didn’t he start the universe out in the first place so it would come out the way he wants? Why is he constantly repairing and complaining? No, there’s one thing the Bible makes clear: The biblical God is a sloppy manufacturer. He’s not good at design, he’s not good at execution. He’d be out of business if there was any competition.’1
It’s easy to understand why Carl Sagan viewed the God of the Bible this way. Sagan believed that the fossil record, with all its death, mutations, disease, suffering, bloodshed and violence, represented millions of years of Earth’s history. …
Read more…
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March 13, 2008 at 10:59 am (Books, apologetics)
Tags: apologetics, Bible, Christianity, creation, Gospel, Jesus
The poor long-suffering people around me often have to sit through my impromptu apologetics preaching sessions. I can’t help it! Well, I’m sure I could learn to keep my mouth closed but I’m just really enthusiastic about it. I might be biased because it was largely apologetics that opened my mind to the possibility of accepting Christ.
My all-time favourite apologetics resource technically isn’t a book - it’s a magazine! I have been subscribing to it for a few years now and, when each new edition rolls around every 3 months I can’t wait to sit down with a cup of organic green tea and read all about the latest in science, faith, archaeology and society. I feel like I’m starting to sound like one of those awful mid-afternoon telemarketing shows. That’s not true, though. I’m not being paid to promote it!
Anyway, if you’re interested in finding out more, it’s called Creation magazine. As the name suggests, it’s focus is on the world around us, and finding God’s hand at work in nature - whether the amazing diversity of lifeforms, or the complexity of the Universe - I find it an inspiring read.
It’s published in Australia, by Creation Ministries International, and available in a number of countries.
To learn more, try the following links:
About Creation / subscriptions - http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/3871/97
Article archive - http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/23
CMI also publish Journal of Creation, which offers a Bible-based slant on science. I personally find it a bit technical at times, but if you’re science-minded it should suit you.
To find out CMI’s position on the Gospel, the Bible and science / faith issues, try their “What We Believe” page.
For apologetics articles on a variety of topics, go to their “Frequently Asked Questions” Topic Index.
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