Tag Archives: freedom

mmmm hebrews 1 mmmm

Leave a reply

Mmmm Chinese Stirfry Mmmm

In Australia, we have the freshest produce to cook awesome meals!

But that’s not the only food that is mouth-watering.

At Bible College this semester, I’m eating big mouthfuls of the New Testament.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Hebrews 1:1-3

Would you like to predict the future?

Why are some people fascinated with astrology and tarot cards?

Some people look at ancient prophecies for guidance and wisdom.

We have a strong desire to control our destiny and remove uncertainty in our lives.

The Bible passage above was written to those wanting to know about the “last days”.

In the past, God spoke to people through prophets or messengers.

Old Testament prophets predicted that a Day of Judgement was coming at the end of time.

Naturally, many people wanted to know when and how this would happen.

In these last days, God spoke to us most clearly through his Son: Jesus.

God created the universe through Jesus and appointed him king.

Jesus is the exact representation of God.

God chose to enter the world in the form of a physical man: Jesus.

The world remembers the birth of Jesus at Christmas every year.

However, Jesus was no ordinary man and different to the prophets from the past.

So when people saw Jesus, they were actually seeing God Himself.

Jesus’ words and actions revealed God directly to the world.

This was much clearer than any previous or subsequent human prophet.

Jesus turned the Jewish world and their Law upside-down.

His powerful teaching and actions were unique showing that he was God.

Jesus claimed to forgive sins, something only God could do.

Why did God choose to enter the world?

God demonstrated great love in saving us.

We could not save ourselves by our own efforts.

Only Jesus was perfect enough to offer us purification for sins.

Jesus died on a cross in our place and took the punishment that we deserved.

God raised Jesus to life again as King of the Universe.

Jesus has completed the task of salvation and is now seated at God’s right hand.

Through Jesus, God has spoken the most important message in the world:

Eternal life is on offer to all who trust Jesus’ death & resurrection.

Followers of Jesus can look forward to a bright future in His kingdom.

We can be assured of our destiny after the end of the world and Judgement Day.

This is far better than career success, money, sex and any other temporary pleasure.

What do you hope for in your future?

What will happen to you after you die?

For followers, are you living in a way that shows your future hope?

mmmm Bible mmmm

I do not endorse the advertisement you may see below my blog:

Advertisement

mmmm matthew 6 mmmm

Leave a reply

Mmmm Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken with Tomato Rice Mmmm

In Sydney, we have delicious Asian Food thanks to multiculturalism!

But that’s not the only food that is mouth-watering.

At Bible College this semester, I’m eating big mouthfuls of the New Testament.

No one can serve 2 masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Matthew 6:24

There is an old saying “Money makes the world go round.”

Many people watch their bank balances & stock markets closely.

Everyone is worried that we don’t have enough money.

We just want more and more money.

Even when we are wealthy, we are never satisfied.

Our wealth and livelihoods are at the mercy of global stock markets.

We cannot predict with certainty when the next crash will occur.

The Bible passage above is a challenge to all who follow Jesus.

Jesus was teaching his disciples about how to live in his kingdom.

A large crowd was also listening to his teaching.

Jesus’ teaching was revolutionary and counter-cultural 2,000 years ago.

His teaching is still relevant and a stark reminder to us today.

It is impossible to serve 2 masters because they have conflicting demands.

Anyone who has ever worked for 2 bosses knows this.

1 boss wants something & the other wants the complete opposite at the same time.

Money can be very demanding if we constantly worry about our financial security.

Pursuing wealth through workaholism can damage our health & family relationships.

Instead Jesus reminds everyone to be fully devoted to him instead.

We are to trust him with our lives instead of worrying about money:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

We need to ensure that we are actually in his kingdom.

Do you know him as your King and Saviour?

He promises that if we follow him, he will look after us.

He knows that we need food, clothes and shelter in our daily lives.

So where do we place money in our lives?

  1. God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit occupy No. 1 place in our lives.
  2. Our relationships with family, friends and other followers are in 2nd place.
  3. Money is in 3rd place.

So if we trust Jesus, what does it mean to “seek first his kingdom”?

Here are some suggestions:

  • We spend time ensuring that our family & friends know Jesus.
  • We encourage other followers to pursue righteousness.
  • We may even give up our careers to tell the world about Jesus.

How are you seeking God’s kingdom?

Do those around you know that you are in His kingdom?

How can others see that God is in No.1 place in your life?

mmmm Bible mmmm

I do not endorse the advertisement you may see below my blog:

mmmm john 3 16 mmmm

Leave a reply

Mmmm Sydney Italian Pasta Mmmm

In Australia, we have delicious European Food thanks to waves of migration!

But that’s not the only food that is mouth-watering.

At Bible College this semester, I’m eating big mouthfuls of the New Testament.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Sydney has been shocked by another radical terrorist attack:

A 15 year-old boy targeted a Police station and shot dead a civilian employee.

America has been shocked by yet another mass shooting:

A 26 year-old gunman targeted a College in the US state of Oregon and killed 9 people.

The Syrian Civil War has claimed more than 200,000 lives since 2011.

Death tragically robs families of loved ones, often unexpectedly.

Is there any hope in our world so stained by death?

The verse above is the most famous and most quoted in the Bible.

Why? Because it sums up the message of the entire book so succinctly.

The Bible tells us that God created the world and mankind.

The devil tricked Adam & Eve into rebelling against God.

God punished them with death.

God still loved mankind and gave us a second chance.

He promised that 1 of Adam’s descendants would defeat the devil in the future.

The Old Testament follows these descendants such as King David in Israel.

King David ruled over a peaceful kingdom, but did not defeat the devil.

Within 2 generations this kingdom was divided and eventually invaded by Babylon.

Prophets predicted that a Saviour would redeem his people.

The Jews desperately wanted freedom and the restoration of their own kingdom.

Jesus was born during Roman occupation of Israel.

He did not defeat the Romans as the Jews expected.

Instead Jesus came to save the whole world by dying on a cross.

His death gives us life and signals the devil’s defeat is imminent.

Jesus will finally defeat the devil and eliminate the stain of sin and death.

This Earth with terrorism, mass shootings, wars and death will be destroyed.

Jesus offers eternal life and entry into God’s kingdom.

This offer is open to everyone in the world including the Jews.

We have the chance to live again after we die.

God will create a new Earth that will be free from pain and death.

How can you have hope while surrounded by death in this world?

What will happen after you die?

For Christians, do those around you know your hope for the new creation?

mmmm Bible mmmm

I do not endorse the advertisement you may see below my blog:

mmmm mark 10 mmmm

Leave a reply

Mmmm Japanese Beef Udon Noodles on a Freezing Day Mmmm

In Australia, we have awesome Asian Food because we are so close to Asia!

But that’s not the only food that is mouth-watering.

At Bible College this semester, I’m eating big mouthfuls of the New Testament.

Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45

If we believe our world’s news media, the goal for humans is to be rich, powerful and famous.

No one aspires to be a servant at the bottom of our social hierarchy!

The Bible takes a completely different view that is counter-cultural and anti-establishment.

The verse above is unique to Mark and Matthew’s gospel accounts.

It encapsulates Jesus’ mission so simply and yet so clearly.

Judea was under Roman colonial rule during the 1st Century AD.

The Jews hated Roman occupation of their land and paying taxes to Caesar.

They were hoping the promised Messiah would free them from foreign control.

They were looking forward to a mighty warrior like King David who conquered the Philistines.

They expected to live again in peace and prosperity under their own king.

Jesus was not the Messiah the Jews were expecting.

Jesus came from humble beginnings being born in a manger, not in a palace.

He liked calling himself the “Son of Man” to honour his human parents.

There was nothing about Jesus’ human appearance that was attractive or “kingly”.

He did not carry a sword or lead a rebel mob aiming to attack the Romans.

He was not a champion like King David who killed Israel’s enemies.

He was not surrounded by multitudes of servants, as most kings are.

Instead, Jesus was the complete opposite to everyone’s expectations of royalty.

Inexplicably, he came to serve, not to be served.

How many kings do you know who choose to be the lowest servant in society?

How did Jesus serve?

He gave his life as a ransom for many.

Everyone is captive to sin which results in death.

Jesus sacrificed his life to pay the price for our freedom.

He took the punishment that we deserved by dying in our place.

Jesus gave up his kingship and became a servant to save us.

God raised him to life again as King of the Universe.

Jesus offers eternal life with him after we die and exit this world.

Death is not the end for those who trust in Jesus.

No one can avoid death.

A common saying states that the 2 certainties on earth are death and taxes.

What will happen to you after you die?

Do you want to live forever after you die?

Who do you trust to save you?

mmmm Bible mmmm

I do not endorse the advertisement you may see below my blog: