Consider This Sign

Luke 2:12 NASB … This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Consider this sign
a humble simple sign
a sign to deny self …

Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done. -Lk 22:42

If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. -Lk 9:23

Luke 2:34-35 NASB …  And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

The King’s sword(1Ki 3:24)
Pierces even the purest of souls (Mary).

The sword(word of God) judges, reveals
… and divides –Eph 6:17;He 4:12-13
Hearts embracing Christ and His word revealed
Hearts secretly corrupt also revealed
… to the one an aroma of death
… to another an aroma of life. –2Co 2:15-16

Christ the priceless cornerstone to those who believe
But to those who disobey His word
… a Stumbling Block
… a Rock of Offense. 

1 Peter 2:6-8 NASB … For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,” 8 and, “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

Open My Dove

Song 5:2 … The Beloved about Her Lover: I was asleep but my heart was awake. A voice! My beloved was knocking:
The Lover to His Beloved:  ‘Open to me, my sister, my darling, My dove, my perfect one! For my head is drenched with dew, My locks with the damp of the night.’

Lift up your eyes
Know where your help comes from –Ps 121:1-2
Be still –Ps 46:10
In the secret place beneath His wings –Ps 91:1
Be held in His gaze in perfect peace –Is 26:3
Open to receive the dew of His presence. –Song 5:2

The desert rose{lily, dove} opens and blooms –Isa 35:1
With the dew of His[Jesus Christ] presence –Hos 6:3
With His reign{rain} … 

Isaiah 35:1 … The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose{lily}

From NetBible Isa 35:1

• blossom[06524]parach = a primitive root; to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish:-X abroad, X abundantly, blossom, break forth (out), bud, flourish, make fly, grow, spread, spring (up).

 

 

Prove and Hold Fast to Good

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 AMPC … But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast. 22 Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be. 

From NetBible 1Thess 5:21

• prove[1381] = to test, examine, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not)
• hold fast[2722] = keep in memory, take possesion of

Test and prove ALL things
Learn what is pleasing to the Lord –Eph 5:10
Hold fast to what is good –1Thess 5:21
Have no fellowships with evil
Instead expose and reprove it –Eph 5:11
Don’t be deceived –Eph 5:6
The fruit of Light[the Spirit]
Is expressed in all goodness, righteousness and truth. –Eph 5:9

In the Lord Jesus Christ there is no darkness at all! –1Jn 1:5

Ephesians 5:9-11 AMPC … For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. 10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. 11 Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them].

From NetBible Eph 5:10

• proving[1381] = to test, examine, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not)
• acceptable[2101] = pleasing

From NetBible Eph 5:11

• fellowship[4790] = share company, co-participate
• reprove[1651] = convict, refute, correct, rebuke, expose

1 Thessalonians 5:23 AMPC … … May the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

Let the Peace of Christ Reign!

1 Corinthians 14:33 AMPC … For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.  …

John 14:27 AMPC … Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

Do not be afraid, do not let your hearts be troubled. Choose to let the peace of Christ rule and reign your heart!

Colossians 3:15 AMPC … And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

From NetBible Col 3:15

• rule[1018] = to be an umpire, to direct, control, govern
• thankful[2170] = mindful of favours, grateful

2 Thessalonians 3:16 AMPC …  Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes]. The Lord [be] with you all.

 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Now, may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times. -Col3:15;2Thess3:16

 

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Related:
A Heart at Peace{prayer}

Dew Revealed at Dawn

Deuteronomy 32:2 NASB … Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As the droplets on the fresh grass and as the showers on the herb[new growth].

The dew of  heaven
Refreshes
Drips
Drops –Ps 68:8, Jdg 5:4
From heaven
Forms in the stillness
Against the darkness of night.  –Num 11:9

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His [assuring]word I put my hope. –Ps 130:5

The dew revealed at dawn
With the rising Son
The bread of heaven –Jn 6:58
In the beauties of holiness 
From the womb of dawn –Ps 1110:3
Like diamonds full of light
Full of life
Lilies blossom dripping dew –Hos 14:5, Song 5:13
Healing wings –Mal 4:2, Ps 68:13
Arise and shine! –Is 60:1, 8

My soul waits[yearns] for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. –Ps 130:6

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Psalm 119:49-50 AMPC … Remember [fervently] the [assuring]word and promise to Your servant, in which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life.

From NetBible Ps 119:50

• affliction[06040] = suffering, pain, sorrow, trouble
• revived[02421] gives life, quickened, restored, refreshed ->from sickness, discouragement, faintness, death
  –>His word quickened revives, refreshes, restores, brings hope and life!

The Oil of Joy Breaks Yokes

Psalm 45:7 NET … You love justice and hate evil. For this reason God, your God has anointed you with the oil of joy, elevating you above your companions.

From NetBible Ps 45:7

• * To love justice{righteousness, what is right} means to actively promote it
• *  To hate evil{wickedness, what is wrong} means to actively oppose it
•  * The phrase “oil of joy” also appears in Isa 61:3, where mourners are granted “oil of joy” in conjunction with their deliverance from oppression.

 

Love justice –
Love what is right and actively promote it
Hate evil –
Hate what is wrong and actively oppose it!

Lift up your eyes
See the beauty of the Lord –Ps 27:4
Midst sweet sacrifices of joy
Your head is lifted up –Ps 27:6
Anointed with the oil of joy
The name of Jesus lifted high –Jn 12:32
Sweet fragrance of life –2Co 2:15-16
An ointment poured forth –Song 1:3,12
Yokes destroyed –Is 10:27
Captives set free
Against all odds the desert rose blooms –Is 35:1
The Lord be glorified!

Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11 AMPC … The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. …

… 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth{blossom}, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth{fully bloom} before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling power of His word].

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Song 1:3 NKJV … Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment[08081] poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you.
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From NetBible Song 1:3, Pro 27:9
Ointment[08081] and incense bring joy to the heart –Pro 27:9

• ointment[08081] = perfume, oil, fatness, richness, anointing
• fragrance[07381] = savor, scent, odor (as if blown) => to perceive by breathing in – from [07306]
• *  Wearing colognes was associated with joy (Ps 45:7-8; Eccl 9:8; Isa 61:3) because they were worn on festive occasions

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Isaiah 10:27 KJV … And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

From NetBible Is 10:27

• anointing=ointment[08081] = perfume, oil, fatness, richness, anointing

The Sword of the Lord

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The Sword of the Lord
The Word of God  –Eph 6:17
Sharper than any double edged sword
Living and active
Piercing
Discerning  –Heb 4:12
Aflame with the Spirit  
Burning in your heart –Jer 20:9
Shining His truth and light.  –Jn 1:4-5

Praising warrior of God
Take hold of this sword of the Lord
Stand strong in the power of His might  –Eph 6:10
With voice of triumph and songs of joy –Ps 47:1
With high praises in your mouth  –Ps 149:6
Guard against the terrors of the night. –Song 3:8

May a new song, the high praises of the Lord be in our mouthes A double edged sword in our hands -Ps 149:4-6 That we may give thanks proclaiming His holy name Triumphing in His praise!

Psalm 47:1-2 AMPC … O clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy! 2 For the Lord Most High excites terror, awe, and dread; He is a great King over all the earth.

Psalm 106:47 NKJV … Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and (glory) triumph in your praise.

Related:
The Fire and The Sword{article}
The Triumph of Praise{article}

Jesus – Sweet Oil of Joy

 

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Your name poured forth
An ointment
A healing balm
Sweet oil of joy
Sweet fragrance of life …

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Your name poured forth rejoices my heart!
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Today, may the name of Jesus be on your lips, bringing His joy to your heart and to those around you. His name a sweet perfume, spreading the fragrance of life!

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Song 1:3 NKJV … Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment[08081] poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you.
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From NetBible Song 1:3, Pro 27:9
Ointment[08081] and incense bring joy to the heart –Pro 27:9

• ointment[08081] = perfume, oil, fatness, richness, anointing
• fragrance[07381] = savor, scent, odor (as if blown) => to perceive by breathing in – from [07306]
• *  Wearing colognes was associated with joy (Ps 45:7-8; Eccl 9:8; Isa 61:3) because they were worn on festive occasions

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Romans 15:13 AMPC … May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.

Held Safe

Psalm 100:3-4 AMP … Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name.

Today be grateful
Know that the Lord Himself is God
Be thankful that you can come to Him
Your good shepherd –Jn 10:11
Surrender all –Ja 4:10
Be held
And be carried
SAFE
Close to His heart.

Today gratefully be carried by your Good Shepherd
Rest secure, safe, protected in His everlasting arms! –Dt 33:27

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@Khollandsblog . Tweets: Today-Be carried by Ur GoodShepherd-Rest secure-Protected in His EverlastingArms! bible.com/111/isa.40.11 #GiveThx https://khollandsblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/held-safe/

Isaiah 40:11-12 AMP … He will protect His flock like a shepherd,
He will gather the lambs in His arm,
He will carry them in His bosom;
He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
And marked off the heavens with a span [of the hand],
And calculated the dust of the earth with a measure,
And weighed the mountains in a balance
And the hills in a pair of scales?
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Related:
Sheep of His Pasture{blog}
Gentle Shepherd{prayer}
In His Arms{Prayer}

Jesus is our Dayspring from on High!

Psalm 112:4 AMPC … Light arises in the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and just [who are in right standing with God].

From NetBible Ps 112:4

• NIV … Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous.
• NLT … When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.

Even in the darkness
When storm clouds seem to overtake –Job 37:21
Son light arises, bursts in
Dawns for the upright –Ps 112:4
For those who are gracious, compassionate and just
Who are in right standing with the Lord Jesus.

Jesus is our Dayspring from on High – our Sonrise after the dark!

Luke 1:78-79 NET … Because of our God’s tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on High, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

From NetBible Lk 1:78

• God’s tender mercy is seen in the deliverance of those in darkness by Jesus who is the light of dawning day.
  =>2Cor 4:6 NET … For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,”  is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.
• Dayspring: The Messiah is pictured as a saving light that shows the way. The Greek term was also used to translate the Hebrew word for “branch” or “sprout”
• Zec 6:12 NET … Then say to him, ‘The Lord who rules over all says, “Look – here is the man whose name is Branch,  who will sprout up from his place and build the temple of the Lord. =>describes the rise of the Messiah, already referred to in this manner in Zec 3:8 (Is 11:1; 53:2; Jer 33:15). In the immediate context this refers to Zerubbabel, but the ultimate referent is Jesus (Jn 19:5).
• Jn 19:5 NET … So Jesus came outside, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.  Pilate  said to them, “Look, here is the man!” =>Pilate’s words constituted an unconscious allusion to Zec 6:12. Pilate (unknowingly and ironically) presented Jesus to the nation under a messianic title.

Job 37:21 BBE … And now the light is not seen, for it is dark because of the clouds; but a wind comes, clearing{cleansing} them away.

From NetBible Job 37:21

• clearing{cleansing}[02891] = purify, heal