We are truly free when we are able to choose with wisdom and measure our choices by their spiritual benefit. If our freedom creates negative consequences in our relationship with God, our pure conscience, the lives of our loved ones and the people of the world, then we need to take this into consideration.
“Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial…. I shall not be mastered by anything” 1 Corinthian 10:23
It’s not how we start but how well we finish. We need to focus our vision on where we are going in 2021. We all need clarity so that we can run. When we have a focus, we are more likely to put up with hardship and not to give up. We need to be discerning and to choose wholesome goals, not goals that the world tells us that we need: fame, power, money. We need to focus on renewing our mind so that we do not conform to the ways of this world. When we focus, we will be aligned with what is truly important in our lives.
The twelve days of Christmas have traditionally ended with the Feast of Epiphany also called “The Adoration of the Magi” on the 6th of January. It is also known as the day of the Three Kings (or wise men/magi). It is the day when the the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem and gave their gifts to the baby Jesus.
The first five books of the Old Testament, also known as The Law, Torah, or Pentateuch (Greek: πεντάτευχος, pentáteuchos, ‘five scrolls’), refers to the book of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These books are originally ascribed to Moses, and is central to Jewish and Christian traditions.
Genesis talks about the Creation of the world and traces the ancestral origins of Israel, while Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy recounts the Israelite salvation from Egypt (see “Prince of Egypt”), the wilderness journey, and the revelation of law at the divine mountain.
The stories are told as they are – the good and the bad. This is the story of mankind, and for them to be true, they must contain the success and the failures of the people whose stories are being told, their strengths and weaknesses are part of being human.
Genesis: Creation of Earth, the first humans, sin and fall, the Flood, Canaan, the Famine, move to Egypt.
Exodus: Salvery in Egypt, flight from Egypt led by Moses, worship of the golden calf, building of the Tabernacle
Leviticus: the laws of Holy Living, reward and punishment
Numbers: rebellion, Israelites wander 40 years in the desert
Deuteronomy: setting things right, seeing the Promised Land (Canaan)
The Pentateuch gives us a glimpse of our ancestry and reminds us that the standards of holy living are high. All have sinned and fallen short. That is the human nature. We need to stop doing what is comfortable for us and start living right even if it means more work and effort. It is never easy, just as portrayed in The Pilgrim’s Progress (from This World, to that Which is to Come) by John Bunyan. As Christian’s journey proves, the road to Heaven is not easy, the cost is great, and the true Christian must be willing to pay the cost no matter what.
Pilgrim’s Progress synopsis: https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Pilgrims-Progress
#12daysofchristmas #Christmas #fifthdayofchristmas #pilgrimsprogress #ourstory
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The four calling birds calling out the Christmas message. The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John bring the Message of Hope. The word “gospel” (
The Gospels are accounts of four very different persons telling the story from different perspectives. Luke is a doctor and writes for the non-Jewish audience. John writes from a totally different perspective from Matthew, Mark and Luke where he begins the story with “In the beginning…”, emphasizing the divinity of the Saviour. The Gospels quite frequently refer to the Old Testament to infer the fulfilment of the prophecies.
Jesus was never in a hurry, never worried, and always in time (even to raise the dead). He talks to different audiences, addressing their needs, speaking with love. He reveals who He is and who God is. He responds to different situations, not react. We often react without thinking. based on fear and insecurities. These reactions might not always be the best course of action, and can make others unhappy, make things worse for us, make the situation worse. Responding, on the other hand, is taking the situation in, and deciding the best course of action based on values such as reason and compassion.
#12daysofchristmas #fourthdayofchristmas #gospel #goodnews