Tag Archives: wise

mmmm King Solomon mmmm

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mmmm Mum’s homemade Peach Cake mmmm

Mum lovingly baked a fruity cake for my family

Tastes delicious when served with ice cream

This light cake is moist and not too sweet

Perfect for dessert and a light snack

I have been reading about King Solomon recently:

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream,

and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.

Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David,

because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart.

You have continued this great kindness to him and

have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David.

But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.

Your servant is here among the people you have chosen,

a great people, too numerous to count or number.

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and

to distinguish between right and wrong.

For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.

So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life

or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies

but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked.

I will give you a wise and discerning heart,

so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

1 Kings chapter 3 verses 5 to 12

King Solomon made for himself the carriage

he made it of wood from Lebanon.

Its posts he made of silver,

its base of gold.

Its seat was upholstered with purple,

its interior inlaid with love.

Daughters of Jerusalem, come out,

and look, you daughters of Zion.

Look on King Solomon wearing a crown,

the crown with which his mother crowned him

on the day of his wedding,

the day his heart rejoiced.

Song of Songs chapter 3 verses 9 to 11

Solomon was the son of Bathsheba and King David

He became the king of Israel after the death of his father

Solomon was a young man when he became king

God spoke to him in a dream

Solomon asked for wisdom

God was pleased to give him a wise and discerning heart

Solomon became the wisest king of Israel

His wisdom is recorded in the books of Proverbs and Song of Songs

Solomon also became the richest king of Israel

He ruled over a peaceful and prosperous country

Solomon built the temple for the LORD

1 Kings records the construction of the temple in great detail

The Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon

She was impressed with his wisdom and wealth

Solomon loved many foreign women

He had 700 wives and 300 concubines

God had told the Israelites not to intermarry with foreigners

Unfortunately Solomon’s wives led him astray

He worshipped the foreign gods of his wives

God punished Solomon by splitting his kingdom after his death

Solomon is mentioned in the New Testament:

“And why do you worry about clothes?

See how the lilies of the field grow.

They do not labour or spin.

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.”

Matthew chapter 6 verses 28 & 29

Jesus referred to Solomon in his sermon on the mount

He compared the lilies of the field with Solomon’s robes

The riches of Solomon were no match for the beauty of God’s creation

Jesus reminds us that we are more valuable than the lilies of the field

We are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God

This Christmas we are reminded of the birth of Jesus

As a king, Jesus is greater and wiser than Solomon

His kingdom is eternal

Jesus came to bring people into his kingdom

His kingdom began with his death and resurrection

We enter his kingdom by grace

Jesus offers forgiveness for our sins

We now have peace with God

The promise of eternal life is what we hope for

This Christmas, who do you trust to save you?

Is Jesus your Lord and Saviour?

For believers: how can Jesus help you to be wise?

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mmmm philippians 2 mmmm

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Mmmm Spanner Crab Tagliolini with Chilli Mmmm

In Australia, we have amazing, fresh seafood!

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

At Bible College this semester, I’m eating the delicious New Testament.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
    taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    and became obedient to death –
        even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Remember there was this craze several years ago for “WWJD” bracelets.

“WWJD” stands for What Would Jesus Do?

Teenagers would wear these bracelets to remind them to make godly decisions in life.

Last week my lecturer rightly pointed out “WWJD” should be “WDJD”.

What Did Jesus Do?

The Bible passage above shows exactly what Jesus did for us 2,000 years ago.

Jesus is God and enjoyed the perfect relationship with his Father.

He gave up this relationship to be born into our world as a Man.

Compared to his relationship with his Father, he became “nothing”.

He was not born in a luxurious palace, instead he was born in a farm shed.

He took on human form with all its sickness, hunger, pain and disappointment.

He was a King in Heaven and became a Servant on Earth.

Instead of being served as a King on Earth, he came to serve us humans.

He humbly obeyed his Father and died a humiliating death on a cross.

Crucifixion was the lowest form of punishment reserved for the worst criminals.

Jesus died in our place taking the punishment that we deserved.

Because of his obedience, God raised Jesus back to life again.

Jesus has conquered death once and for all.

God made Jesus King of the Universe again.

Jesus will come again and judge all human beings.

At that time everyone will acknowledge that he is indeed the Lord of everything.

Jesus offers eternal life with him for all his followers.

But those who reject him will face eternal death.

Do you have a real relationship with Jesus?

Do you have the eternal life that Jesus offers?

Can those around you see your actions reflecting that Jesus is LORD of your life?

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mmmm 1 corinthians 1 mmmm

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Mmmm Fresh Chinese Tofu at Yumcha Mmmm

In Australia, we have amazing, authentic Asian food!

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

At Bible College this semester, I’m eating the delicious New Testament.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles…

1 Corinthians 1:18-23

We have started learning about the 1st letter to the Corinthians in class.

Corinth was an important trading centre in Ancient Greece.

Greek culture was focussed on philosophy, education and knowledge.

Paul wrote to the newly established church about the gospel of Jesus.

Jesus died on a cross so that his followers could be saved from eternal death.

Christians cannot save themselves but rely solely on Jesus.

No one can earn their way to heaven by being good – it’s impossible.

Instead Jesus is the only way to heaven and eternal life.

This concept seemed crazy to Greeks in Corinth.

They preferred human wisdom and human philosophy.

But all their accumulated knowledge did not prevent them from dying.

Fast forward 2000 years to the modern age we live in now.

There have been incredible advances in science and technology.

Our educated society admires highly intelligent professors and doctors.

But they still haven’t found a cure for death.

Humans think they are so smart that they don’t need God in their lives.

In reality we are not in control of our lives and cannot predict when we will die.

The message of the cross and faith in Jesus seems foolish to modern scientists.

But even modern scientists are powerless in the face of death.

Christians rely on the power of God to save – this is true wisdom.

God’s wisdom gives hope and comfort in an unpredictable world.

Christians aren’t afraid of death because it is the doorway to eternal life.

Are you afraid of dying?

Will all your knowledge and education prevent death?

What will happen to you after you die?

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mmmm isaiah 9 mmmm

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Mmmm Grilled Japanese Scallop Sushi Mmmm

In Sydney, we have awesome, authentic Asian food!

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

At Bible College last semester, I ate mouthfuls of Old Testament.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and for ever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah was an Old Testament Prophet that lived 700+ years before Jesus.

During this period the people of Israel & Judah turned away from God to worship idols.

Isaiah prophesied the consequences of the sin of his people.

Israel & Judah were soon invaded by foreign enemies resulting in mass exile.

During this time of judgement, there was still a glimmer of hope.

Isaiah prophesied that a Messiah would be born in the future to save his people.

We read about this Saviour in the passage above.

This leader would be descended from King David as blogged about in 2 Samuel.

His government would be marked by justice, righteousness and enduring peace.

This was in direct contrast to the war and conflict that surrounded Jerusalem.

Look at the incredible titles of this Messiah:

  • Wonderful Counsellor
  • Mighty God
  • Everlasting Father
  • Prince of Peace

It was obvious that this future leader was no ordinary earthly king or governor.

Nor was he a military warrior that would defeat the invading armies.

This Messiah is Jesus and he rules over a spiritual kingdom now and forever.

Australia recently elected a new government that has quickly caused controversy.

We will be sorely disappointed if we put our trust in earthly Prime Ministers.

Likewise we cannot find security in wealth and possessions that easily fade away.

Instead as we celebrate the New Year, let’s trust in Jesus who will never fail.

Place your hope in Jesus who has conquered death and sin once and for all.

Look forward to a kingdom where there is no more death, darkness, pain and crying.

  • Who do you trust?
  • Where do you find hope?
  • What do you look forward to?

Consider Jesus in this new year and stop worrying about financial security and materialism.

mmmm Bible mmmm

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mmmm psalm 146 mmmm

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Mmmm Fresh Seafood at Cantonese Yumcha Mmmm

In Australia, we have amazing, authentic Asian food!

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

At Bible College last semester, I ate mouthfuls of Old Testament.

1 Praise the Lord.Praise the Lord, my soul.
2 I will praise the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
    in human beings, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them –
    he remains faithful for ever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
    and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
8     the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
    the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the alien
    and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The Lord reigns for ever,
    your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord.

Psalm 146

Recently I was reading this passage in my personal Bible reading session.

Many of the psalms were written to be sung by the Israelite community praising God.

Many of the psalms were written by King David as blogged about in 2 Samuel.

But the author of this psalm is anonymous with a surprising statement about kingship.

The psalmist tells us not to put our trust in princes because they are only human beings.

Kings eventually die like everyone else and cannot save us.

Australia has just elected a new government who asked us to trust them.

But they will eventually pass away in time.

Instead we must trust in God alone – the creator of Heaven and Earth.

God sent his son Jesus to save us and conquer death forever.

God raised Jesus to rule as King of the universe.

Jesus can be trusted as our King because he lives forever.

Only Jesus can save us as governments will surely disappoint us.

But that’s not all: this psalm also reveals that God cares about the oppressed and the poor.

This includes asylum seekers and refugees who are aliens in Australia.

God cares about the refugees even when our “Christian” politicians try to “hide” the problem.

The number of refugees coming by boat to Australia is tiny compared to those fleeing Syria.

2 million Syrian refugees are fleeing into surrounding countries to escape civil war.

Instead of cruelly turning them back:

Syria’s neighbours are trying hard to accommodate these traumatised people.

So why are Australian politicians complaining about our asylum seeker intake which is a measly 2.5% of what Syria’s neighbours are dealing with?

Why doesn’t the Australian community show more compassion towards vulnerable refugees?

What you can do:

Watch this recent ABC Compass documentary about Refugees in Australia

Write to the Prime Minister about Refugees

Donate money to help the Syrian refugees

Share and pray about this blog with your friends

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mmmm 2 chronicles 20 mmmm

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Mmmm Malaysian Popiah with Chilli Mmmm

In Australia, we have amazing, authentic Asian food!

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

At Bible College last semester, I ate mouthfuls of Old Testament.

5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said,

“O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 7 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it for ever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgement,or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ 10 And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— 11 behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will you not execute judgement on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

2 Chronicles 20:5-11

Recently I was reading this passage in my personal Bible reading session.

Jehoshaphat was a minor king in the period after King Solomon in 1 Kings.

It is rare that a prayer from a minor king is quoted in the Old Testament.

Yet the author of 2 Chronicles thought it was important to include.

Notice the language and the childlike tone of this prayer.

This king was the supreme leader of a nation, yet he humbled himself before God.

He admitted that he and his nation needed desperate help and salvation.

Australia has just elected a new Prime Minister who happens to be a devout Catholic.

Just before the election, a Non-Christian journalist asked him about his faith.

She asked how God played a part in the ups and downs of his life.

He avoided the question and just replied that he would like to attend Mass more often.

He continued inferring his private religion did not have any bearing on his public politics.

This was a surprising admission from a man who previously trained for the priesthood.

Unfortunately the leader of our nation does not involve God in his government.

He has had a colourful history with less than godly behaviour at times.

Disappointingly, his faith does not extend Christian compassion to the plight of refugees.

We hope that governments are wise and we have even higher expectations of Christian leaders.

This election neither major party got my vote because both Christian leaders failed to impress me.

Sadly I’ve met many Catholics similar to the Prime Minister.

They worship God on Sundays and then put Him in a box for the rest of the week.

God has no bearing on their jobs or the rest of their daily lives.

Their faith is invisible and no one would know how important God is to them.

Their friends and colleagues have no idea about their hidden faith.

God calls us to be Christians 24/7 and visible to everyone around us.

Do your friends and colleagues know that you are a Christian?

Are you humble enough to seek help and salvation from Jesus?

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mmmm 1 kings 3 mmmm

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Mmmm Indian curries with Naan bread Mmmm

In Australia, we have amazing food from all over the world!

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

At Bible College last semester, I ate mouthfuls of Old Testament.

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’ 6 Solomon answered, ‘You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 7 ‘Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, ‘Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for – both wealth and honour – so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.’

1 Kings 3:5-14

What leadership qualities do you look for when electing a government?

Australians will vote on 7 September 2013 for the political party that will govern for the next 3 years.

There has been a lot of talk about “Who do you trust?”

Politicians trumpet their economic credentials and sadly their hard line stance against refugees.

There has been little talk about “wisdom” or “wise government”.

In the Old Testament, Solomon was a young and inexperienced king.

He took over governing Israel from his father – David.

David was Israel’s greatest king as shown in 2 Samuel.

Solomon had big shoes to fill and the Israelites had high expectations of him.

In the passage above, Solomon had a chance to make a request from God.

Solomon could have requested long life, personal wealth or death of his enemies.

Instead, he asked for something unusual: a discerning heart in government.

God was pleased with this request and granted Solomon a wise and discerning heart.

Solomon is known as one of the wisest kings in Israel’s history.

Wisdom is a rare quality in today’s political debates as Australia’s leaders promise many things.

So far I’m not convinced that our current leaders are displaying discernment.

But let us pray that whoever wins the election will govern wisely for all Australians?

Ultimately, all politicians will disappoint us as they are only human.

The Bible tells us of an amazing king descended from David.

This amazing king’s government is based on justice and righteousness.

The kingdom of Jesus lasts forever and is a peaceful haven free from war.

Do you want to be in this kingdom?

mmmm Bible mmmm