Holy Bible Fellowship with StMatthew!!! (2)
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StMatthew2429
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Todays BIBLE Study...ENJOY!!!
Saturday, February 18 2006
Symbols
The English word symbol originated from a Greek word, pronounced symbollo, which, curiously, is a combination of two Greek words (pronounced) sym, meaning with, and ballo, meaning throw (the English word ball originated from that Greek word which meant throw). Despite the rather obscure literal meaning, symbol came to be defined as "something visible that by association represents something else that is invisible." From the Biblical perspective, symbolism can either be good or evil. "Behold the Lamb of God"
The most obvious bad use of symbolism is specified by the Second Commandment:
See Christ The High Priest
This Day In History, February 18
1248: Imperial forces under Frederick II were defeated at Parma in Italy.
1478: George, the Duke of Clarence, was convicted of treason against his brother Edward IV, and then killed in the Tower of London by being drowned in a wine barrel.
1503: Henry Tudor (later Henry VIII) was made Prince of Wales.
1516: Mary I, Queen of England, was born. The daughter of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon, she became known as "Bloody Mary" after her campaign against Protestants in England.
1546: Martin Luther, Biblical scholar, leader of the Protestant reformation, died at age 62.
1564: Michelangelo Buonarotti, Italian painter, sculptor and architect, died. He is most known for his work on the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.
1678: John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress was first published, in Britain.
1688: Quakers in Germantown, Pennsylvania, adopted the first formal antislavery resolution in America.
1861: In Italy, the first parliament met and proclaimed Victor Emmanuel as the first king of Italy.
1885: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was published.
1915: Germany began a submarine blockade of England.
1930: Clyde Tombaugh, working with photographic plates at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, discovered "Pluto," the 9th and smallest planet in the solar system.
1953: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz signed the most lucrative TV contract to that date: 3 years of "I Love Lucy" for $8 million.
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2006/20060218.htm
Saturday, February 18 2006
Symbols
The English word symbol originated from a Greek word, pronounced symbollo, which, curiously, is a combination of two Greek words (pronounced) sym, meaning with, and ballo, meaning throw (the English word ball originated from that Greek word which meant throw). Despite the rather obscure literal meaning, symbol came to be defined as "something visible that by association represents something else that is invisible." From the Biblical perspective, symbolism can either be good or evil. "Behold the Lamb of God"
The most obvious bad use of symbolism is specified by the Second Commandment:
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I The Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My Commandments" (Exodus 20:4-6 KJV)
Many Christian-professing people nevertheless claim that the idols that they have are not themselves worshipped, but are merely symbols of the invisible God, but that is the very thing that God says is wrong about them."Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that The Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female [see also What Would Mary Really Say About Idolatry?]" (Deuteronomy 4:15-16 KJV) "we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:29-30 KJV)
There are however many uses of symbolism in the Holy Scriptures, none of which are idolatrous. Christ Himself very often used symbolism in His teachings. One of the most well-known is the Passover lamb which was a symbol of the sacrifice of the Messiah, the Lamb of God.
"The next day John [see John's Last Days, also The Origin of Baptism] seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29 KJV) "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened [see Unleavened Bread]. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7 KJV)
Baptism (when correctly done, by immersion) is a symbol of death, burial and resurrection:
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection" (Romans 6:3-5 KJV) "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12 KJV)
Fact Finder: How was the Levitical High Priest merely symbolic of the Christ?
See Christ The High Priest
This Day In History, February 18
1248: Imperial forces under Frederick II were defeated at Parma in Italy.
1478: George, the Duke of Clarence, was convicted of treason against his brother Edward IV, and then killed in the Tower of London by being drowned in a wine barrel.
1503: Henry Tudor (later Henry VIII) was made Prince of Wales.
1516: Mary I, Queen of England, was born. The daughter of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon, she became known as "Bloody Mary" after her campaign against Protestants in England.
1546: Martin Luther, Biblical scholar, leader of the Protestant reformation, died at age 62.
1564: Michelangelo Buonarotti, Italian painter, sculptor and architect, died. He is most known for his work on the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.
1678: John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress was first published, in Britain.
1688: Quakers in Germantown, Pennsylvania, adopted the first formal antislavery resolution in America.
1861: In Italy, the first parliament met and proclaimed Victor Emmanuel as the first king of Italy.
1885: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was published.
1915: Germany began a submarine blockade of England.
1930: Clyde Tombaugh, working with photographic plates at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, discovered "Pluto," the 9th and smallest planet in the solar system.
1953: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz signed the most lucrative TV contract to that date: 3 years of "I Love Lucy" for $8 million.
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2006/20060218.htm
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StMatthew2429
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Todays Daily Glory of GOD Photo for FEB 18, 2006!!!...ENJOY!
"The Heavens Declare the Glory of GOD:"~~Psalms 19:1
"The N44 Emission Nebula"
..FOR AN EXTREME CLOSEUP, CLICK HERE:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0602/n44_eso_big.jpg
"The Heavens Declare the Glory of GOD:"~~Psalms 19:1
"The N44 Emission Nebula"
..FOR AN EXTREME CLOSEUP, CLICK HERE:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0602/n44_eso_big.jpg
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StMatthew2429
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Today's Promise from the Bible
2 Samuel 22:2-3
"And he said, The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence."
Reflection
My Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your protection, for being the Rock that I can stand on! Show me where I am to walk. You are so awesome and mighty! Thank you for Your great salvation.
2 Samuel 22:2-3
"And he said, The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence."
Reflection
My Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your protection, for being the Rock that I can stand on! Show me where I am to walk. You are so awesome and mighty! Thank you for Your great salvation.
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StMatthew2429
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Meditation for This Morning
Charles Spurgeon
February 18 - Morning
"Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me." —Job 10:2
Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, "Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith." Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?—for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?
Charles Spurgeon
February 18 - Morning
"Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me." —Job 10:2
Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, "Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith." Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?—for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?
"Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there."
amen!
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there."
amen!
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StMatthew2429
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[FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular][SIZE=+1]February 18[/SIZE] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular][FONT=Times New Roman, New York,Serif][SIZE=+2]Taking the Initiative Against Despair[/SIZE][/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]In the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples went to sleep when they should have stayed awake, and once they realized what they had done it produced despair. The sense of having done something irreversible tends to make us despair. We say, "Well, it’s all over and ruined now; what’s the point in trying anymore." If we think this kind of despair is an exception, we are mistaken. It is a very ordinary human experience. Whenever we realize we have not taken advantage of a magnificent opportunity, we are apt to sink into despair. But Jesus comes and lovingly says to us, in essence, "Sleep on now. That opportunity is lost forever and you can’t change that. But get up, and let’s go on to the next thing." In other words, let the past sleep, but let it sleep in the sweet embrace of Christ, and let us go on into the invincible future with Him. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]There will be experiences like this in each of our lives. We will have times of despair caused by real events in our lives, and we will be unable to lift ourselves out of them. The disciples, in this instance, had done a downright unthinkable thing— they had gone to sleep instead of watching with Jesus. But our Lord came to them taking the spiritual initiative against their despair and said, in effect, "Get up, and do the next thing." If we are inspired by God, what is the next thing? It is to trust Him absolutely and to pray on the basis of His redemption. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Never let the sense of past failure defeat your next step.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]http://www.rbc.org/utmost/
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular][FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Rise, let us be going[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular][SIZE=-1]
—Matthew 26:46[/SIZE][/FONT] [/FONT]
—Matthew 26:46[/SIZE][/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]There will be experiences like this in each of our lives. We will have times of despair caused by real events in our lives, and we will be unable to lift ourselves out of them. The disciples, in this instance, had done a downright unthinkable thing— they had gone to sleep instead of watching with Jesus. But our Lord came to them taking the spiritual initiative against their despair and said, in effect, "Get up, and do the next thing." If we are inspired by God, what is the next thing? It is to trust Him absolutely and to pray on the basis of His redemption. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]Never let the sense of past failure defeat your next step.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]http://www.rbc.org/utmost/
[/FONT]
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StMatthew2429
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Day By Day By Grace
Bob Hoekstra
February 18th
A Reminder Concerning the Word of God's Grace
The word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance . . . The word of the truth of the gospel . . . is bringing forth fruit . . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Acts 20:32, Colossians 1:5-6, and Romans 10:17)
These three scriptures, interspersed in our previous meditations, indicate how God wants to use His word to impact us with His grace. The first passage describes God's word as "the word of His grace." God explains His grace to us through His word. He offers his grace to us through His word. He works His grace within us as we are nurtured in His word, trusting in what the Lord has to say to us. As God's word is taken into our lives, its capabilities are unleashed, demonstrating that it is "able to build you up and give you an inheritance." Those who believed at Thessalonica had such an experience with the scriptures. "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
The second passage declares that the word can produce fruitfulness in God's people. "The word of the truth of the gospel . . . is bringing forth fruit." Such fruit is the consequence of spiritual life maturing within us. Jesus taught that this life is brought to us by His word. "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). The word of the Lord brings this life to us initially: "Having been born again . . . through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:23).God's word then nurtures the life it originally brought to us: "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).
The third passage gives insight on faith, which is a vital element of living by grace. As we have seen, faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand." (Romans 5:2). Here in the third scripture, we are told how faith develops in our lives. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." As we humbly receive God's word into our lives, our faith in whatever He is proclaiming can be growing.
In light of these grand truths concerning the scriptures, we would be wise to cultivate the same perspective of essentiality that Job had toward God's word. "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12).
O Lord of grace and truth, thank You for giving us Your word, which is grace and truth. Forgive me, Lord, for not cherishing Your word as highly as I should. Everything that Your word can do, I am unable to do on my own. I cry out earnestly to You. Please work in me a deepening hunger for Your living and eternal word, in the name of Jesus, AMEN!!!
Bob Hoekstra
February 18th
A Reminder Concerning the Word of God's Grace
The word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance . . . The word of the truth of the gospel . . . is bringing forth fruit . . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Acts 20:32, Colossians 1:5-6, and Romans 10:17)
These three scriptures, interspersed in our previous meditations, indicate how God wants to use His word to impact us with His grace. The first passage describes God's word as "the word of His grace." God explains His grace to us through His word. He offers his grace to us through His word. He works His grace within us as we are nurtured in His word, trusting in what the Lord has to say to us. As God's word is taken into our lives, its capabilities are unleashed, demonstrating that it is "able to build you up and give you an inheritance." Those who believed at Thessalonica had such an experience with the scriptures. "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
The second passage declares that the word can produce fruitfulness in God's people. "The word of the truth of the gospel . . . is bringing forth fruit." Such fruit is the consequence of spiritual life maturing within us. Jesus taught that this life is brought to us by His word. "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). The word of the Lord brings this life to us initially: "Having been born again . . . through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:23).God's word then nurtures the life it originally brought to us: "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).
The third passage gives insight on faith, which is a vital element of living by grace. As we have seen, faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand." (Romans 5:2). Here in the third scripture, we are told how faith develops in our lives. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." As we humbly receive God's word into our lives, our faith in whatever He is proclaiming can be growing.
In light of these grand truths concerning the scriptures, we would be wise to cultivate the same perspective of essentiality that Job had toward God's word. "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12).
O Lord of grace and truth, thank You for giving us Your word, which is grace and truth. Forgive me, Lord, for not cherishing Your word as highly as I should. Everything that Your word can do, I am unable to do on my own. I cry out earnestly to You. Please work in me a deepening hunger for Your living and eternal word, in the name of Jesus, AMEN!!!
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StMatthew2429
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Everybody looks so happy and full of sunshine...boy I am always in the trenches these days...LOL
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StMatthew2429
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Good Afternoon friends Newbeliever, MyLily, JJay, WGM, blessedvalley, and angelwind! 
Im getting ready to drink down a giant IcedCap!!! MMM YUMMY!!!!
Just what I need on a day when its like -20 degrees outside! lol
Im getting ready to drink down a giant IcedCap!!! MMM YUMMY!!!!
Just what I need on a day when its like -20 degrees outside! lol
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StMatthew2429
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angelwind said:Everybody looks so happy and full of sunshine...boy I am always in the trenches these days...LOL
NO WAY!!!!...come on angelwind..pull yourself up and MOVE!!!!
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StMatthew2429
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withgreatmercy said:
Oh my..Im drinking as I type...they are addicting. VERY addicting.
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