The Revelation of the Risen Christ

This is a posting I came across some time ago, on one of my favourite passage in the Bible; The Road to Emmaus.

At the end of this article is a link to the original posting, by Joseph David. However, that site has been hack and is now discontinued. So I thought it is worth duplicating this for your good reading. .

Did a little googling and found that Joseph began blogging under Grace Forever Ministries. If you are interested in his postings, he now blogs under the blog name New Covenant 810. Read Hebrew 8:10 and you will understand the significance of the new name.

Enjoy!

The Revelation of the Risen Christ

One of my favourite accounts in the New Testament is found in Luke 24:13-32. It was when Jesus appeared to Cleopas and his friend on their way to Emmaus. I have read it many times and here is what I see in that passage. Incidentally, Emmaus means ‘warm springs’ and Cleopas means ‘son of a famous father’.

Emmaus is a small village about 7 miles (approx. 11km) from Jerusalem. Two men, who were obviously believers and had been saddened by the Lord’s death were walking towards Emmaus, when Jesus approached them. The two were probably residents of Emmaus, considering their invitation to Jesus to stay with them. Jesus did stay with them, and only after a long time since they met, did Jesus reveal Himself to them.

It is worth taking note that though they believed in the Lord (v21), they did not recognize Him when He walked with them. It is also interesting to note that Cleopas (son of a famous father) did not recognize The Son of The Famous Father.

What can we learn about Jesus from this passage? Five things:

1. His Presence
2. His Initiative
3. His Perspective
4. His Influence
5. His Revelation

Let’s look at them one by one:

1. HIS PRESENCE – Jesus approached Cleopas and his companion when they were talking about Him (v14-15). When we centre our conversation around Christ and what He has done, Jesus manifests His presence there.

2. HIS INITIATIVE – Jesus approached them and started walking with them (v15). The Lord walked with them and listened to their account of what had happened and their expectations of Him. Obviously they sounded sad, disappointed as well as surprised as witnessing the empty tomb. In times of trouble and affliction, one of the areas in our lives that takes a beating is our faith in God. We may have heard the most eye-opening, revelatory sermons, but when we are subjected to difficult situations, we allow the situations to magnify themselves larger than the good reports we had heard. But there is still a good news – even in those situations, He comes to us and walks with us.

3. HIS PERSPECTIVE – Jesus diverted their attention from the problem to the will of God (v25-27). The biggest problem with human nature is that we tend to spend more time and energy on the problem than the solution. We major on what we have missed or lost rather than on what we have. On the contrary, the Lord sees only the solution. See how he did not sing to their tunes but spoke to them about what the prophets of old have foretold. He was showing them what the will of God was – that whatever happened to Jesus was planned by God. The question we need to ask when we face problems is what is God’s will in and for that situation. Some times God allows (not orchestrate) difficult situations to come by us, but we need to look beyond them and seek the Father’s will in order to carry on.

4. HIS INFLUENCE – Jesus brought warmth and comfort to them (v32). Notice what Cleopas and his companion commented on how they felt after they recognized Jesus. It also shows that it makes complete sense that only the Words of Jesus could produce such an impact in their lives. What started out to be a journey filled with disappointment and sadness ended in a personal revival in both of them.

5. HIS REVELATION – Jesus revealed Himself in a familiar way (v30-31). I have met some people who have claimed to have had encounters with the Lord, but apparently in strange ways. Of course the Lord is creative and can reveal Himself in many ways. Some have seen Him as a flash of light, some as a young man with flowing golden hair and so forth. But there were some who have claimed experiences which clearly seemed outrageous. One lady I knew claimed the Lord appeared as a python with a cross in its mouth. To be that was totally demonic. In this story however, we see that Jesus revealed Himself through the breaking of bread, which all his followers were familiar with. The revelation brought so much joy and a burst of faith in Cleopas and his companion that they went on spreading the news. Any encounter with Jesus produces love, joy, peace and faith. These are the hallmarks of His revelation.

The Lord is alive and He is revealing Himself to us in many ways. To reveal Himself is not based on how much we beg Him to; rather it is His initiative. And when He reveals Himself, let’s remember that He leaves a lasting impression that no money or loved one can provide.

Shalom!

Written by Joseph David

http://www.hebrews810.com/2010/11/06/the-revelation-of-the-risen-christ/

To Accomplish Great Things

The words basically says it all or does it.

To accomplish great things
We must not only ACT
But also DREAM
Not only PLAN
But also BELIEVE

Now which of these words strike a chord with you.

It may well reflect where you are now at this point in time. It is a reflection of what you think you need to emphasize on in life. Each has a role in our lives.

As for me, it is the word "BELIEVE".

I figure that what you believe in, will take shape in your life for better or for worse. There is a phrase; "Right believing produces right living."

For some their belief (conviction, faith) can change a nation while for others it can bring a nation to its ruins. I am sure you can relate to some men and women, the good and bad in history you read about or even admire.

So what about you? What do you believe in and has it (begun to) take shape in your life ...as a dream, a plan or as an action toward accomplishing greater things?

While what you and I believe in may not necessarily change nations, I do believe each of us can and will affect lives around us. No one is an island upon themselves, unless you choose to live a life as a hermit.

To believe also implies choice, that is, you get to exercise your God given free-will to choose to believe in something or in someone. The fruit of your belief is found in the manner it affects the people around you and those who crosses your path ....is it 'life' or 'death'. Choose life. Let what/who you believe in be life, that your life be a positive contribution to the people around you, especially your love ones and to the wider community you live in.

You never know. You may well be one with a belief that changes a nation ...for the better, I pray.

Who The Holy Spirit Helps

Read
Acts 2:1-41 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit has been given to all belivers to deepen their spiritual walk and to enable them to make an impact upon their world for Jesus Christ. This passage illustrates three aspects of the Holy Spirit's unique work in the lives of belivers.

The Holy Spirit Fills All Belivers
In the Old Testamen, the Holy Spirit was given only to a select few to perform specific tasks. This chapter indicates a change in the pattern. the Holy Spirit was poured out on all the believrs in the house that day (v4), and he was present in each of their lives from that day forward. This outpouring of the Holy Spirt was used by God to establish the church - and to spread the message of the gospel to everyone everywhere (v39).

The Holy Spirit Draws Attention to the Saviour
Notice that Peter did not focus on the unique happening that had just taken place but turned the crowd's attention to the message of Jesus Christ and their need for repentance. Likewise, the Holy Spirit does not draw attention to himself but to the Saviour. And when he fills your life, he will increase your ability to share the gospel with others.

The Holy Spirit Inspired Peter's Message
Peter's sermon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, led many in the crowd to a point of decision: "What should we do?" (v37). The people were not attracted to Peter but to his message. The Holy Spirit worked powerfully that day, and three thousand people responded to the message.

The Holy Spirit is promised to all who repent and receive Jesus Christ into their lives. Many people fail to understand who the Holy Spirit is and what dimension of power is available to them through him. It may help to examine what took place after the disciples received the filling of the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised (Acts 1:8).

New Believer's Bible
Ps Greg Laurie

Victoria - Canola Fields

Somewhere between the town of Benalla to Cobram we came across a sea of yellow flowers. It immediately caught our attention. It felt like a place in heaven, a peaceful place to be, so much so that we just had to stop to take some photos of it. It was an awesome view of a canola covered field.

We later saw many of these canola farms on both side of the Murray River, all the way to Yarrawonga, east of Cobram.

These vivid yellow flowers, flower in late August which is spring time here at Down Under. Canola is a winter crop. It is grown for its seed which is crushed for the oil used in margarine, cooking oils, salad oils and edible oil blends. That means you can actually eat it, if eat is the right choice of word.

It is one of the plants used in crop rotations and because it is a profitable crop in its own right, it has become a major industry in the region. Canola as part of the crop rotation choices allows farmers to better manage their weeds. Because canola is a broadleaf crop, and because there are different herbicide tolerant varieties of canola, farmers have more options for weed control than in cereal crops such as wheat and barley.

According to the Department of Primary Industries, canola production in Australia averaged 1.24 million tonnes per year between 2002 and 2008. Victoria produces an average of 248,000 tonnes from 198,000 ha.

The main production area is south west Victoria but the crop is important across the grain belt. The rank order of production by States is Western Australia, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

Important markets for Australian canola are Japan, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Benalla - Ceramic Mural

Spring time. Thought it would be a good time to go see what the season has to offer out in the country. So we decided to go check out the much promoted RACV Cobram Resort, at Cobram a small town along the Murray River, up north in country Victoria. Never been to that part of the country.

To our pleasant surprise, at the nominated weekend, Susanne and Looi was coming over from Perth for some RnR so they decided to come along with us.

Along the way, we stopped at Benalla, Ned Kelly's country just 2 hours from Melbourne, via the Hume Highway. It is a small Victorian town where we stopped for lunch. What prompted us to stop was the strange odd looking ceramic mural, not that we know it was ceramic from the distance, as we cross the bridge over Lake Benalla towards the town centre. Anyway it was close to lunch time and the town looks just as good a place to stop for lunch.

Located next to the mural is the town information centre. Always a good starting point to find out what the town has to offer tourists, like the best place for lunch.

Google the mural and found that the Benalla Ceramic Mural began as a community art project in 1983. It has wide practical support of the local community and the skills of ceramic artist and architects. It also has the support of the local and State Government.

Set against the foreshore of Lake Benalla, the mural invites passer-by and the curious like us, with seatings to rest or to take in the view of the lake with plenty of spaces for children to play.

The mural include an Amphitheatre, a small circular performance area that seats around 100+ people and it is paved with hand made hexagonal tiles, surrounded by tiered bull-nosed bricks.

Across the lake is the Benalla Art Gallery. We did not manage the time to see the gallery collection, but it would be a place to visit when we next come by this way.

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Merry Christmas! 2011

Merry Christmas!
Peace and Goodwill to you all.

Hope by now you have bought all the gifts you need to, want to for the Christmas tree .....for family and friends .....and if possible for someone you do not know. Here's hoping your Christmas is filled with the joys of home, family and friends, warmed by the blessings that comes with friendship and touched with the wonders of the season, that is .....

God loves you!
God is with you!
God is for you!

Here is our prayer for you, this Christmas and for the New Year, that you are blessed with God's favours and His abundant blessings. May you find the peace and rest among love ones before you return to the 'rat-race' in the new year, hopeful and refreshed with our Lord's love and presences enveloping you in your every endeavour.

So have a Merry Chirstmas and a Joyful New Year!!

Blessings
Margaret + Simon

Let us Keep Christmas in Our Hearts

If we lived Christmas
each day as we should,
And made it our aim
to always do good,
Then we would find the key
to meaningful living,
That comes not from getting
but unselfishly giving,
And we would know the great joy
of peace upon earth,
Which was the real purpose
of our Saviour's birth.....
For in the glad tidings
of the first Christmas night,
God showed us the way
and the truth and the light.

Words by Helen Steiner Rich

Mary Did You Know? (with Lyrics) - Kathy Mattea

Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

My Christmas video for this year.
This is what Christmas is all about.

Peace and Goodwill to you all.
Merry Christmas!

Another version of how the song is sung, by the author himself, Mark Lowry (with David Phelps and Guy Penrod). This time however, without the lyrics displayed with the video.

Lyrics:

Mary did you know,
that your baby boy,
will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know,
that your baby boy,
will save our sons and daughters?
did you know that your baby boy,
has come to make you new,
this child that you delievered,
will soon deliever you,
mary did you know,
that your baby boy,
will give sight to a blind man,
mary did you know,
that your baby boy,
will calm a storm with his hand,
did you know,
that your baby boy,
has walked where angels trod,
and when you kiss your little baby,
you've kissed the face of God,
the blind will see,
the deaf will hear,
and the dead will live again,
the lame will leap,
the dumb will speak,
the praises of the Lamb.
Mary did you know,
that your baby boy,
is Lord of all creation,
mary did you know,
that your baby boy,
will one day rule the nations,
did you know that your baby boy,
is heaven's perfect lamb,
this sleeping child your holding,
is the great I am.